Mediaboss Marketing

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

FIRST ON FOX: For Republican congressmen targeted in the 2017 mass shooting at a congressional baseball practice, the revelation that a man was arrested and charged with attempting to murder Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh has sparked fears that the charged political climate could lead to more assassination attempts.

James T. Hodgkinson, a far-left former volunteer on Sen. Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign, opened fire on a group of Republican lawmakers in June 2017 as they practiced for the annual Congressional Baseball Game. House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., was shot and critically injured during the attack, requiring surgeries to save his life.

Fresh off a flight from California, police arrested 26-year-old California man Nicholas Roske in the early hours Wednesday after he took a cab to Kavanaugh's Maryland house with a gun in order to kill the justice, authorities said.

For Republicans who survived the baseball shooting, the alleged attempt to kill Kavanaugh, and the surrounding political climate bring back memories and fears of the 2017 attack.

ACTIVISTS VOW TO CONTINUE PROTESTING AT JUSTICES HOUSES, DESPITE ALLEGED ATTEMPT TO KILL KAVANAUGH AT HOME

Rep. Steve Scalise delivers remarks during a Republican-led forum on the origins of the COVID-19 virus at the Capitol on June 29, 2021. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

"For weeks, Democrat leaders from President Bidens White House to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer encouraged dangerous protests against Supreme Court justices, including at their homes, to illegally threaten and intimidate them in an attempt to change the outcome of a court decision," Scalise told Fox News Digital.

"How many more times do we need to see political violence motivated by threatening rhetoric before Democrats stop encouraging and condoning this kind of dangerous behavior?" the Republican whip continued.

"Rather than investigating parents at school board meetings as domestic terrorists, President Bidens Justice Department should look into the actual dangerous violence coming from the radical left that continues to put the lives of people in danger for their political views," he added.

MEDIA, DEMOCRATIC RHETORIC TOWARD KAVANAUGH, SUPREME COURT UNDER SCRUTINY AFTER ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT

Sen. Rand Paul speaks at a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing on Capitol Hill on July 20, 2021. (Stefani Reynolds-Pool/Getty Images)

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, a Republican who was also present at the 2017 shooting, said the protesters who gather outside of Supreme Court justices houses "should be arrested."

"As a victim of politically motivated violence, Ive continually spoken out against threats made against our Supreme Court justices and elected officials something the Biden administration cant even condemn, let alone acknowledge," Paul said. "Those who are threatening these justices and disrupting neighborhoods during the dead of night should be arrested."

Texas Rep. Roger Williams, who was also present at the baseball field that day, told Fox News Digital that every "American should be outraged by this deranged individual attempting to murder a sitting Supreme Court justice."

"His arrest brought flashbacks to that horrific day in 2017 when the Republican baseball team was gunned down by an angry Bernie Sanders supporter," Williams said. "From someone that experienced this sort of political violence firsthand, these incidents have demonstrated what can happen if we keep treating our political opponents as enemies."

Williams said he is "deeply concerned that these types of motivated attacks will continue to happen with Senate Majority Leader Schumer telling his supporters that Justice Kavanaugh will pay the price if he simply does his job, or with Maxine Waters encouraging people to get more confrontational with people that they disagree with politically."

"Instead of acting swiftly, Nancy Pelosi just adjourned the House for the weekend without providing additional security for sitting Supreme Court justices," he continued. "I will continue to pray for the country and we must do all that we can to ensure political differences do not lead to violence against our government officials."

Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio, told Fox News Digital on Thursday that there is always a "component" of American society that believes trying to kill political opposition and take other violent political action "is the right thing to do."

"But I am concerned about what is just going on with the nature of violent acts and especially murderous acts that we're seeing," Wenstrup said, adding that "there is something changing in our society and not for the better."

"And if we aren't honest with ourselves and we don't start looking at what is different and why these types of things are taking place, then I don't think we're going to solve anything," the Ohio Republican continued. "We're not going to solve anything with these laws."

Wenstrup said he believes there are multiple factors affecting the root of the problem and hopes American "law enforcement is out in front and trying to off any potential threats before they happen."

Capitol Police Special Agents Crystal Griner and David Bailey assist U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise to his position at second base at the start of the 57th Congressional Baseball Game at National's Park in Washington, Thursday, June 14, 2018, a year after he was wounded in an assassination attempt. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

The Ohio Republican also said lawmakers who were on the field that fateful June day five years ago do not hold Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., responsible for the actions of his supporter, saying the shooter as well as the people who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6 are "responsible for their own actions."

Wenstrup also took to the House floor to say that only "by the grace of God were 20 or more of my Republican colleagues and our staff not killed by a crazed terrorist wielding a gun on that baseball field in Alexandria" and that the situation "is not a theoretical exercise for many of us on this side of the aisle."

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

"When I reflect on that day, it was not about the weapon. It is about the person the evil on the other side of the weapon," Wenstrup said. "If good men and women with guns, agents David Bailey and Crystal Griner, had not been present, that terrorist would easily have assassinated 20 to 30 members of Congress and staff, myself included."

"Until America is willing to take a long hard look inside ourselves and heal what truly ails us, I fear we are simply doomed to repeat more of the past," he added.

Houston Keene is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to Houston.Keene@Fox.com and on Twitter: @HoustonKeene

See the original post:
After alleged plot to kill Kavanaugh, Republicans targeted in 2017 shooting fear more assassination attempts - Fox News

IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Rep. Debbie Dingell: Dems need to understand election denial is pervasive06:27

Ret. Police Cpt. Sonia Pruitt: Law enforcement not being heard on gun reforms04:58

#VelshiBannedBookClub: Todd Strasser talks Give a Boy a Gun06:35

Now Playing

NH Rep. Annie Kuster: There are Republicans that will that will be shocked06:52

UP NEXT

Fmr. Sr Pence advisor: He knew what he was going into on Jan. 6th and he stepped in04:44

Joe Walsh: responsible gun owners should get off of our ass and call for gun reform05:00

Ruth Ben-Ghiat: Coups are fast, violent & take planning. Thats what happened on Jan. 6th05:05

Fmr. Impeachment Manager Rep. Stacey Plaskett: What we alleged was true05:57

Former NRA lobbyist says there is room for compromise on gun legislation06:08

Father of Parkland victim is still fighting for change: We were betrayed06:26

Rep. Krishnamoorthi wants to know what Jared Kushner is up to in Saudi Arabia06:36

Jodi Picoult: Fiction is a really important tool06:54

Jane Harman: Pres. Biden deserves a lot of credit for the renewal of NATO06:20

Velshi: The Abraham Fund that wasnt05:58

Vindman: In the short termRussias appetite for any confrontation with NATO is drastically suppressed06:43

This is an entire architecture: Inside the GOP plan to subvert future elections04:18

New HBO doc The Janes offers a preview of a post-Roe future by looking to the past06:38

Velshi: One half of an Amendment is being used to justify our fatal attraction to guns06:24

Gun Control Activists Can Absolutely Take on the NRA, Says Sandy Hook Mom02:59

TX State Sen. Roland Gutierrez: We owe [these kids] changeWe owe them real solutions04:49

New Hampshire Congresswoman Annie Kuster was one of the lawmakers pinned down in the gallery on January 6th. It was moments, not minutes, between when we evacuated and when the insurrectionists came into the hallway we just crossed. After attending the House Select Committees first public hearing, Kuster says, I grew up in a Republican family, and I think there are Republicans that will be shocked that the President of the United States did not defend our Capitol.June 11, 2022

Rep. Debbie Dingell: Dems need to understand election denial is pervasive06:27

Ret. Police Cpt. Sonia Pruitt: Law enforcement not being heard on gun reforms04:58

#VelshiBannedBookClub: Todd Strasser talks Give a Boy a Gun06:35

Now Playing

NH Rep. Annie Kuster: There are Republicans that will that will be shocked06:52

UP NEXT

Fmr. Sr Pence advisor: He knew what he was going into on Jan. 6th and he stepped in04:44

Joe Walsh: responsible gun owners should get off of our ass and call for gun reform05:00

Continued here:
NH Rep. Annie Kuster: There are Republicans that will that will be shocked - MSNBC

After a White House statement appeared to walk back President Joe Biden's commitment to help defend Taiwan from a Chinese invasion, several Republicans are calling for a firm commitment to a military response, should one be needed.

During a news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday, Biden was asked if he was willing to "get involved militarily" to defend Taiwan, and he responded that he was.

"That's the commitment we made," the president said.

But shortly after Biden made the remark, a White House official released a statement saying: "As the President said, our policy has not changed. He reiterated our One China Policy and our commitment to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. He also reiterated our commitment under the Taiwan Relations Act to provide Taiwan with the military means to defend itself."

Taiwan has been a self-governing island since 1949, according to the Council on Foreign Relations, but Chinese officials have continued to assert that it is an "inalienable" part of China. Chinese military drills near Taiwan and Russia's invasion of Ukraine in recent months have spurred fears that China could attempt to reintegrate Taiwan into mainland China.

The White House's apparent walk back on Biden's commitment to defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack drew outcry from several U.S. Republicans on Monday.

"Does anyone at the #WhiteHouse actually respect the words of @POTUS?" Illinois Representative Adam Kinzinger tweeted. "Biden said we would defend #Taiwan, and the staff AGAIN walks back the Presidents own words! He needs to fire everyone who does this."

Kinzinger was also referencing similar comments regarding the U.S. coming to Taiwan's defense that Biden made during a CNN town hall last year. At that time, a White House official clarified that Biden was "not announcing any change in our policy and there is no change in our policy" on China and Taiwan.

Under the "One China" policy, the U.S. recognizes the People's Republic of China as China's sole ruler but does not give in to China's demands that it also recognize Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton released a statement Monday calling for the U.S. to pivot its Taiwan policy from "strategic ambiguity" to "strategic clarity."

"As usual, strategic clarity and military strength is the best way to deter China," the statement read. "Given President Biden's apparent policy shift in off-the-cuff remarks at a press conference in Japan, followed by anonymous White House aides trying to 'walk back' his statement, it's now essential that President Biden restate our new policy of strategic clarity in clear, deliberate remarks from a prepared text."

"Otherwise, the continued ambiguity and uncertainty will likely provoke the Chinese communists without deterring themthe worst of both worlds," the statement added.

Florida Senator Rick Scott weighed in as well.

"Twice @POTUS has said America would defend Taiwan if invaded, and twice the White House has walked it back," he tweeted. "The Senate should take Biden at his word, end the confusion and pass my Taiwan Invasion Prevention Act to clearly say that we have Taiwan's back."

According to a February 2021 press release, Scott's Taiwan Invasion Prevention Act would "protect Taiwan from Communist China's growing aggression" through actions like helping Taiwan to counter Chinese military buildup across the Taiwan Strait and demands that China "renounce the use or threat of military force in unifying with Taiwan."

Biden's remarks, meanwhile, drew a sharp warning from China.

"The Taiwan issue is a purely internal affair for China," Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said Monday. "On issues touching on China's core interests of sovereignty and territorial integrity, China has no room for compromise or concession."

"No one should underestimate the firm resolve, staunch will and strong ability of the Chinese people in defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity," he added.

Newsweek reached out to the White House, Kinzinger, Cotton and Scott for comment.

Read more from the original source:
Republicans Pressure Biden to Commit to War With China Over Taiwan - Newsweek

No ones paying any attention to it, said Christopher Nicholas, a longtime Republican consultant based in Harrisburg.

Ever since the 2020 election, the Republican Party has been transfixed by Trumps baseless claim that the 2020 election was rigged, a falsehood large majorities of Republicans still believe. Its an obsession that has animated primary campaigns across the country. And it will almost certainly resurface in the general election, when Republicans are running against Democrats, not one another.

Yet in Pennsylvania, Trumps earliest effort to graft his 2020 complaints onto ballot counting in a midterm primary is falling flat. MAGA hard-liners whove lost primaries in other states in recent weeks have not contested the results. And when the primary calendar turns to Georgia on Tuesday, Trumps election conspiracy crusade is likely to take another hit.

In that state, Gov. Brian Kemp is widely expected to finish first in his gubernatorial primary, despite being savaged by Trump for his resistance to Trumps efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

Its an indication, early in the midterm primary calendar, that even in a party beholden to Trump, there is a limit to his reach.

I think the shine has gone off a bit, said Jason Shepherd, a former chair of the Republican Party in Georgias Cobb County, in the Atlanta suburbs.

Republicans, he said, are realizing its great to have Trumps endorsement, but that the former president is not going to be the end-all and be-all.

In Pennsylvania, where votes are still being counted, the Oz and McCormick campaigns are preparing for a potentially fierce recount, including bringing on alumni of Trumps 2020 campaign. Its possible, once the result comes in, that the party will once again abandon pre-Trump norms.

Mehmet Oz, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania, waves to supporters at a primary night election gathering in Newtown, Pennsylvania on Tuesday.|Seth Wenig/AP Photo

But one Republican who has advised Trump and is familiar with both the Oz and McCormick operations said nobody wants to be viewed as a sore loser and make allegations they cant sustain.

Theyre both intelligent guys, the person said. Theyre both sane guys, and neither of them wants to embarrass himself.

Two years ago, Republicans did not have such reservations with losing candidates up and down the ballot copying Trumps fraud claims or refusing to concede. They may do so again in the fall.

But Trump never limited his complaints about rigged elections to match-ups with Democrats. He accused Sen. Ted Cruz of stealing the Iowa caucuses in 2016, calling for a do-over.

Yet losing candidates so far in this midterm have been reluctant to go there. In Nebraska, Charles Herbster, a Trump megadonor and friend of the former president who attended the Jan. 6 rally in Washington that preceded the riot at the Capitol, conceded after losing his gubernatorial run. So did Idaho Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin, after her failed, Trump-backed bid to unseat Gov. Brad Little.

Even Rep. Madison Cawthorn conceded, the North Carolina Republicans diatribe about Dark MAGA notwithstanding.

None of that is because Trump or voter fraud does not still resonate in the GOP. Trump helped pull his favored candidates to victory in key Senate races in Ohio and North Carolina. And in Pennsylvania last week, Doug Mastriano, the far-right election denier Trump endorsed, won the gubernatorial primary.

Even candidates Trump has not endorsed are wrapping themselves in any connection they can draw to him, and his rhetoric is still being parroted by prominent personalities on the right.

Last week, Cruz told The Washington Post that mail ballots in Pennsylvania create serious opportunity for mischief. And Fox News host Sean Hannity, an Oz ally, also parroted Trump, saying he does not trust the people that have the ballots.

But for Republican candidates this cycle, the difference between 2022 and 2020, said John Thomas, a Republican strategist working on House campaigns across the country, is that were just not seeing it where people hang on his every word.

He advises his candidates to watch Tucker Carlson every night to be in tune with the electorate, not Trump on Truth Social, the platform on which Trump suggested the Pennsylvania election might be rigged.

You want the glow and the halo effect of Donald Trump, but hes not shaping policy at the moment, Thomas said. It matters who can get that nod and that halo effect from Trump, but outside of that, he kind of feels like an ex-president to me.

Trump will likely have a mixed night Tuesday in the next big round of primaries. His preferred Senate candidate in Georgia, Herschel Walker, is favored to win. And Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is at risk of losing reelection after refusing to find votes for Trump in 2020.

But even in Georgia, which became an epicenter of Trumps false election claims after he lost the state to Joe Biden in 2020, the tide may be shifting away from him. A recent Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll found Republican voters are more confident now in the integrity of their states elections than they were just several months ago.

And in a Fox News poll last week, just a quarter of Republican primary voters said its extremely important that a candidate identifies as a strong Trump supporter in order to earn their vote for governor. By contrast, nearly two-thirds said someone who can win in November is paramount, and 35 percent said its critical that a candidate supports a Georgia abortion ban.

In that race, Kemp is running so far ahead of Trumps endorsed candidate, former Sen. David Perdue, who has made false claims about the 2020 election a centerpiece of his campaign, that he may avoid a runoff.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp speaks during a gubernatorial republican primary debate on May 1, 2022, in Atlanta.|Brynn Anderson, Pool, File/AP Photo

We get it that people are still trying to exude a level of Trumpism as an attractive policy agenda, said John Watson, a former chair of the Georgia Republican Party. But my personal sense is that voters are saying, Dude, chill.

He said, I think theres always going to be a constituency in the party, at least for the foreseeable future, that thinks that every damn election is rigged. But I think fundamentally, your average, serial primary voter is just smarter than that. I think they just believe it to be a Trump shtick at this point.

A Trump spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. But for the former president, the imperative of keeping the routine up is obvious. He is deeply invested in his win-loss record in the midterms, and casting doubt on the Pennsylvania election will offer him a crutch in case Oz loses.

Among traditionalist Republicans, Trumps intervention in Pennsylvania was widely viewed as a distraction from a favorable midterm election climate for the GOP, with concerns about the state of the economy and a deeply unpopular Democratic president to run against.

There are pressing issues that need to be addressed, like inflation and the war in Ukraine, and we have a lot of overreach in the regulatory environment, said Melissa Hart, a former congresswoman from Pennsylvania who dropped out of the states gubernatorial primary days before the election. As far as Im concerned, its time to move forward.

Original post:
'No one's paying any attention': The week that Republicans ignored Trump's election lies - POLITICO

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene flexes during a Bikers for Trump campaign event held at the Crazy Acres Bar & Grill on May 20, 2022 in Plainville, GeorgiaPhoto: Joe Raedle (Getty Images)

Congress passed a pair of bills last week to help alleviate the baby formula shortage in the U.S., while President Joe Biden initiated Operation Fly Formula, which tasked the military with flying thousands of pounds of formula from Europe. And while every decent person supports giving families easier access to formula, there are some Republicans who seem to lack that basic form of empathy in a crisis.

When the Access to Baby Formula Act was voted on last week in the House of Representatives, 414 congressmen, both Democrats and Republicans, voted in favor of the legislation. The bill will allow families on the food assistance program WIC to buy whatever formula brand is available in stores, instead of being forced to buy a particular brand. But precisely nine members of the House voted against the bill, all Republicans.

Who are these people that voted against making it easier for families to get the baby formula they need? Many of the same people who consider themselves pro-life and defenders of American families.

Today, we have photos of those nine Republicans, along with some completely unrelated quotes. Please ignore the quotes. Were trying to delete them.

Read more:
9 Republicans Voted Against Giving Families Easier Access to Baby Formula - Gizmodo