10/04/23

Good morning! It’s Wednesday, October 4th.

National cinnamon roll day. Which is great because honestly, after all this news, we could all use some sugar. Not because it’s bad news – because it’s annoying news.

And now, the news.

Kevin McCarthy Makes History

-via Washington Post

Let’s start with Kevin McCarthy, who, on Tuesday, made history as the first U.S. House Speaker to lose his speakership on a vote to vacate.

That’s right – with all democrats, and eight republicans, voting to vacate, Kevin McCarthy is officially out.

Calling it a solemn moment, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries issued a statement saying he hopes that some traditional Republicans would leave their party’s MAGA extremism and join the Democrats.

Though, just like in January when it took Kev 15 rounds of votes to get the Speakership, where the Republicans look like messy children, the Democrats were incredibly united. This was a huge test for Jeffries, and he passed with flying colors. Not one single democrat defected because, as they put it – the House majority is responsible for picking a speaker. It’s not their fault that the Republicans are so split, and it’s not their job to save them.

At this point, who knows what will happen! As of this recording, McCarthy is not running for Speaker again. There is no clear leader in the Republican party (I mean, that’s very clear but I’m talking specifically about someone who could get the votes for Speaker right off the bat. So at this point all we really know is that we’re probably looking at another series of rounds of voting, while no other government work gets done).

In the meantime, House Rep Patrick McHenry, from North Carolina, will be the acting speaker.

Matt Gaetz’ future remains uncertain as well, because besides those eight Republicans who voted to vacate, no Republicans like him right now. Rep. Don Bacon said he “shouldn’t be in the Republican party,” former Speaker Newt Gingrich wrote an opinion piece in Washington Post saying Republicans should expel him, and Rep. Armstrong told Wolf Blitzer he expects a resolution to expel him to come to vote. He has so few allies in the party, that in all his little speeches during the debate before the vote, Gaetz had to use to microphone on the Democrat’s side of the House, because everyone used the Republican microphones and wouldn’t give one up to bring him over.

They visually pushed him away from the party.

I mean, we love consequences for actions but… we also hate annoying things. So this is very complicated. Because it takes a long time for 435 people to vote, so it’s drama but it’s also boring. A bummer of a combo.

Like I said, yesterday was a truly historical day. So, what happens next is… um… shrug emoji.

Sen. Butler Sworn In

-via AP News

And while the House was making history in a bad way, the Senate was making history in a cool way as Laphonza Butler became Senator Butler after she was sworn in by Veep Harris. The Congressional Black Caucus then held a ceremonial swearing in ceremony. As a reminder, she is the third Black woman to serve in the Senate. Carol Mosley, of Illinois, was the first in the 90s and Veep Harris was the second.

You know what I just remembered? At the beginning of the episode, I said all the stories in this episode were annoying. This one wasn’t.

The first one was though. And the rest will be. This one’s nice though.

Hunter Pleads Not Guilty

-via CNN

Hunter Biden entered a not guilty plea in federal court for gun charges on Tuesday, because yes – we’re still doing this.

Afterwards, Hunter’s lawyer issued a statement saying, “These charges are the result of political pressure from President Trump and his MAGA allies to force the Justice Department to ignore the law and deviate from its policies in cases like this one.”

His lawyer also noted that they will be seeking an evidentiary hearing, which means prosecutors will have to present the evidence they’ve gathered.

And after those 3 minutes are up…

Trump Crime Update Time

-via NY Times

And of course…

Trump Crime Update Time

In day two of the NY money crimes trial, the judge presiding over the case issued a gag order against Trump, who posted on Truth Social a photo of the court clerk with Senator Chuck Schumer, calling her his girlfriend. He also linked to her Instagram and said his case should be dismissed.

In a rare move, Trump actually removed the posts.

In a statement, the judge forbade (that’s right, forbade) any posts, emails or public remarks about members of his staff, adding that serious sanctions will follow if he doesn’t act right.

We’ll see if he actually learns his lesson. If past is precedent, uh… no Probably not.

Emergency Alert Test

-via FEMA

And finally, a reminder that FEMA will be conducting a test of the emergency alert system today at 2:20pm eastern. It will go to cell phones, as well as TV and radios.

So, just a note that that’s going to happen.

And that’s it. That’s the news.

What a day. What an absolutely exhausting day.

I’m obviously not proud of Matt Gaetz. He’s a bing bong.

I am proud of cinnamon rolls. When done well, they’re so good! When not done well – it’s still sugar, dough, and cinnamon so… still so good!

Also my cousin Dan. I’m proud of my cousin Dan.

But more than cinnamon rolls… because you’ve never not been absolutely perfect… I’m proud of you.