In his first State of the Union address, Donald Trump called for Democrats’ help in addressing immigration while falsely equating immigrants with gang members. He said Americans are “Dreamers” too. Agreed. Especially those who thought this SOTU address would strike a tone of unity. When 45 said, “The fourth and final pillar protects the nuclear family by ending chain migration -- under the current broken system, a single immigrant can bring in virtually unlimited numbers of distant relatives,” the chamber echoed boos. Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Chair Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA), made a thumbs-down sign as Trump outlined his immigration demands. Many Dems brought “Dreamers” as their guests. In response, Congressman Paul Gosar (R-AZ) asked Capitol Police and AG Jeff Sessions to consider IDing all attendees. He said they should arrest any “illegal aliens in attendance" and that any of them “attempting to go through security" should also be deported. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus who attended defiantly remained seated when POTUS45 touted Black and Hispanic unemployment rates. In a contrasting speech reminiscent of former President Barack Obama, Congressman Joe Kennedy III (D-MA) delivered the Democratic response saying, “You bravely say, Me too. You steadfastly say, Black lives matter. You wade through flood waters, battle hurricanes, brave wildfires and mudslides to save a stranger.” He talked social justice, transgender equality, and economic opportunity, and appeared to be well received by viewers. By the way, yes his lip gloss was popping. Poking some fun at himself on CNN this morning, he said he put on chapstick without considering the HD and lighting. Highlighting the growing and diverse voices in the Democratic Party, Kennedy’s was not the only response last night. And it continues this evening, as Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) joins Angela Rye for a final response on BET Networks. Lastly, the Department of Health and Human Services announced this morning that Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, resigned after mounting questions about financial conflicts of interest. She bought shares in tobacco one month into the job. Let’s get to it. We’re kicking off Wednesday with this...
- Native American Congressman to pursue Appropriations Committee chairmanship.
- POTUS45 Dines with José Díaz-Balart, Lester Holt, Roland Martin, Yamiche Alcindor before SOTU.
- One of the first Latinas elected to the Virginia House of Delegates delivers the Spanish-language SOTU rebuttal.
- FEMA halts food and water shipments to Puerto Rico.
- WH scraps pick for South Korea Ambassador.
- LULAC faces internal scramble after rogue letter endorsed Trump’s immigration plan.
- Jamal Simmons joins The Hill.
- Google’s Howard West expands to include more HBCUs.
- A gay Republican nightclub owner in Texas launches congressional campaign.
- Boston City Council's only woman of color makes it official: she’s running for Congress.
- Former Jacksonville Mayor to challenge Congressman Al Lawson (D-FL).
- Is Harold Ford Jr. back on MSNBC?
- Meet the new Deputy Night Editor at the NYT, and the DC bureau adds to its ranks.
- WaPo has a new Director for their graphics.
- FCC votes to change delivery of emergency alerts.
- Senators intro bill to protect Bears Ears and other monuments.
- They want you, they really do! Jobs, jobs, jobs below and on our website. Apply and help diversify.