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Opinion: Trump Wants Haley in 2024 GOP Primary to Siphon Votes from DeSantis

Matt OHern
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Opinion: Trump Wants Haley in 2024 GOP Primary to Siphon Votes from DeSantis

With so much media attention focused on Trump’s criticism of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, it was easy for the average news consumer to miss the fact that Trump also told reporters that he was supportive of Haley entering the 2024 Republican Primary.

“I talked to her [Haley] for a little while, I said, ‘Look, you know, go by your heart if you want to run,’” Trump said. “She’s publicly said that ‘I would never run against my president, he was a great president.’”

Trump knows from 2016 that his best shot to win the nomination is to divide and therefore conquer the anti-Trump Republican voters. Trump faced 16 Republican opponents in 2016, including multiple long-established major names in the party who received millions from major donors. The large field fractured the opposition, allowing Trump to win primaries with mere pluralities through the vast majority of the primary campaign season.

Yesterday, Haley tweeted: “It’s time for a new generation. It’s time for new leadership. And it’s time to take our country back. America is worth the fight—and we’re just getting started.”

Haley also Tweeted a video clip from her interview with Brett Baier of Fox News, when she said “The survival of America matters, and it’s bigger than any one person. And when you’re looking at the future of America, I think it’s time for new generational change. I don’t think you need to be 80 years old to go be a leader in D.C. I think we need a young generation to come in, step up and really start fixing things.”

Haley tweeted the clip on the same day when Trump hosted a political rally in South Carolina, where Haley served two terms as governor. Trump was joined by current governor Henry McMaster and Senator Lindsey Graham. The state’s junior Senator Tim Scott, who is rumored to be considering his own 2024 campaign, was not at the rally

Judge Dismisses Lawsuit vs. Ron DeSantis’ Immigrant Relocation Flight

Matt OHern
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Judge Dismisses Lawsuit vs. Ron DeSantis’ Immigrant Relocation Flight

A Florida judge made national headlines earlier today as she dismissed a lawsuit filed against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, the Florida Department of Transportation and a company involved with the relocation of undocumented immigrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard, with a layover in Florida.

According to sources including the Florida News Service, the Tampa Bay Times and The Floridian Press’ editor Javier Manjarres, Leon County Circuit Judge Angela Dempsey dismissed a lawsuit alleging that DeSantis and FDOT didn’t comply with public-records requests.

“The burden is on the plaintiff to prove they made a specific request for public records, that Vertol received the request, the requested public records exist and Vertol refused to provide them in a timely manner,” Dempsey wrote in one of the decisions. “While plaintiff meets the first and second prongs of the test, there is no evidence that the public records exist or that Vertol refused to produce public records in a timely manner.”

DISMISSAL FOLLOWS ANOTHER RECENT LEGAL VICTORY FOR DESANTIS

DeSantis’ enjoyed another legal victory just ten days prior to the dismissal of the migrant relocation public records lawsuit, when a federal judge on Friday dismissed a lawsuit filed by an elected Florida state attorney who was ousted by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) over the attorney’s commitment to not prosecute people seeking or providing abortions. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle ruled that DeSantis does not have to reinstate Andrew Warren (D), who the governor suspended for neglect of duty and incompetence in August after Warren pledged to not enforce bans on abortion and transgender surgery on minors.

Rick Scott Introduces Bill to Rescind Biden’s Plan to Add 87,000 IRS Agents

Matt OHern
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Rick Scott Introduces Bill to Rescind Biden’s Plan to Add 87,000 IRS Agents

Earlier today, Florida Senator Rick Scott joined Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) and Mike Braun (R-In) to introduce the Blocking the Adverse and Dramatic Increased Reliance on Surveillance (BAD IRS) Activities Act.

“Across America, families are struggling to keep up with Joe Biden’s raging inflation crisis, while skyrocketing interest rates are holding them back from everything from home ownership to starting a business,” Scott said. “This is what happens when Washington spends decades recklessly spending taxpayer money and racking up $31 trillion of debt. In the face of these hardships for hardworking families, instead of cutting taxes and regulations to grow our economy and encourage job creation, Joe Biden and Democrats in Washington are hell bent on growing government and hiking your taxes to pay for it. There’s no denying their intentions and they even approved $70 billion for 87,000 new IRS agents to make sure they squeeze every penny possible out of American families to fund their radical agenda. Enough is enough. The last thing folks need is more government in their lives and my BAD IRS Activities Act will stop Biden and the Democrats for using the IRS to terrorize the American people and raise your taxes. Increasing costs and regulations on already-struggling Americans is wrong and I won’t stop fighting to put an end to it.”

According to a public statement from Sen. Scott, the BAD IRS Activities Act would:

  • Rescind any unobligated funding as appropriated by the Inflation Reduction Act to hire 87,000 Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agents, which would harass and audit even more American families and small businesses.
    • Senator Scott’s language previously received an amendment vote during consideration of the continuing resolution on December 15, 2022. All Republican Senators present voted in favor. (Senate amendment to H.R.1437, with Scott (FL) amendment #6540)  
  • Repeal the tax increase Democrats placed on working class gig and sharing economy independent contractors in the American Rescue Plan, which requires companies to send 1099-K forms to gig workers and independent contractors earning at least $600 a year on any number of transactions, dramatically increasing the prior requirement of $20,000 a year on at least 200 transactions.
    • Senator Scott previously filed the language in two separate bills last Congress, S.4798 and S.948.

“We should not be hiring 87,000 new IRS agents to treat working families and small startup businesses like tax cheats,” said Senator Budd said, “We should be removing harmful regulatory barriers so that we can jumpstart economic growth and see wages rise. Big thanks to Senator Rick Scott for leading this pro-growth legislation.”

Senator Braun added “The IRS has far outrun its intended purpose, and President Biden’s $70 billion army of bureaucrats is just the latest excess. I’m proud to cosponsor this bill to bring this agency closer to what it’s supposed to be doing.”

Tommy Tuberville Joins 46 Senate Republicans to Introduce ‘No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion’ Act

Matt OHern
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Tommy Tuberville Joins 46 Senate Republicans to Introduce ‘No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion’ Act

Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), joined 46 of his Senate colleagues in introducing the “No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act.” If passed, the bill would establish a permanent prohibition on federal funding for abortion and would make funding restrictions permanent for abortion and elective abortion coverage, including the Hyde Amendment, which requires annual approval. The legislation would also eliminate taxpayer-funded subsidies for elective abortion coverage currently offered on Affordable Care Act exchanges through refundable tax credits.

“Millions of hardworking Americans believe that life begins at conception and don’t want their taxpayer dollars inadvertently funding abortions” Tuberville said in a press release. “As a Christian, and as a conservative, I share their belief that every life is sacred, and every American has a right to life. That’s why I’m proud to sign on to this legislation that will solidify abortion funding restrictions that have been in place for decades, and better protect the unborn,” said Senator Tuberville.

Other Republican Senators who joined Tuberbville to introduce the bill include Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and McConnell’s fellow Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, along with Alabama Senator Katie Britt, Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan, Arkansas Senators Tom Cotton and John Boozman, Florida Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, Indiana Senators Mike Braun and Todd Young, Iowa Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, Kansas Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall, Louisiana Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy, Mississippi Senators Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith, Missouri Senators Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt, Montana Senator Steve Daines, Nebraska Senators Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts, North Carolina Senators Ted Budd and Thom Tillis, North Dakota Senators Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, Oklahoma Senators James Lankford and Markwayne Mullin, South Carolina Senators Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott, South Dakota Senators Mike Rounds and John Thune, Tennessee Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, Texas Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, Utah Senators Mike Lee and Mitt Romney, West Virginia Senator Shelley Moore Capito, Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson, and Wyoming Senators John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Seeks ‘Law and Order’ Legislation Package

Matt OHern
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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Seeks ‘Law and Order’ Legislation Package

Earlier today, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced a legislative proposal to abolish cash bail, increase penalties for drug-related crimes, step up human smuggling interdictions, strengthen the punishment for child rapists, prevent the early release of sex criminals, and makes it more feasible to administer ultimate justice to those facing the death penalty.

“Other states endanger their citizens by making it easier to put criminals back on the street. Here in Florida, we will to continue to support and enact policies to protect our communities and keep Floridians safe,” DeSantis said in a press release. “Florida will remain the law and order state.”

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, who won re-election by a landslide margin and has been one of DeSantis’ most loyal advocates throughout his tenure as governor, vocalized her support for the governor’s proposals.

“While some states are adopting soft-on-crime policies that increase lawlessness and decrease public safety, in Florida, we strive to strengthen our laws, keep violent criminals behind bars and take proactive steps to keep our communities safe,” Moody said . “I want to thank Governor DeSantis for always standing up for the rule of law and taking action to fortify public safety measures to ensure we continue to be the best state in the nation to pursue the American dream.”

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass echoed Moody’s praise of the proposed new measures. “Governor Ron DeSantis knows the importance of keeping families safe and because of that, his commitment to law enforcement is unprecedented,” said. “We are thankful to live in Florida. So many of our law enforcement colleagues across the country just don’t have the support of leaders like Governor DeSantis.”

If passed by legislators and signed into law, DeSantis’ law and order proposals would:

  • Reduce the number of jurors required for a recommendation of death from unanimity to a supermajority jury recommendation.
  • Make it a first degree felony to possess, sell, or manufacture fentanyl and other controlled substances that resemble candy and adding a mandatory life sentence and $1 million penalty for trafficking such substances that target children.
  • Strengthen Florida’s bail laws by limiting who is eligible for release prior to first appearance, making sure that a judge is the ultimate decision maker when it comes to detention, and requiring a detention hearing be held prior to trial for dangerous crimes.
  • Petition the Florida Supreme Court to establish a uniform bond schedule that all state courts must follow.
  • Require convicted child rapists to serve at least life in prison and exploring options to make them eligible for the death penalty.
  • Toughen penalties for sex criminals by expanding the list of crimes ineligible for gain time by adding all inchoate offenses (attempted crimes) of sexual misconduct, such as attempted sexual battery.
  • Require law enforcement to report missing persons to the National Missing and Unidentified Person’s System. Currently, they are only required to report it to the Florida Crime Information Center and the National Crime Information Center.
  • Dedicate $5 million in the upcoming budget recommendations to continue the successful interdictions by the strike force announced last year. To date, the interdictions have resulted in more than 200 felony charges, nearly 40 human smuggling charges, 66 drug charges, and more than $625,000 worth of illicit drugs seized.

Additionally, DeSantis is allocating $20 million in local support funding for law enforcement agencies to increase efforts to interdict and apprehend the illicit sale and trafficking of fentanyl.

Florida Amendment Would Ban Students from Using Social Media in Schools

Matt OHern
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Florida Amendment Would Ban Students from Using Social Media in Schools

Social networks may be banned in Florida schools if a recently filed amendment passes Florida Legislature and gets signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis.

Earlier this week, Florida State Representative Brad Yeager filed an amendment that would require Florida schools to block students from accessing social media sites through the use of internet access provided by a school district. The legislation also seeks to implement social media safety education in grades 6 through 12.

If the amendment passes, it would take effect in July of this year, and each school district in Florida would be required by law to install a firewall on school Wi-Fi systems to prevent students from accessing popular social media platforms while using the network.

The amendment’s language reads:Section 1006.1494, Florida Statutes, is created to read: 1006.1494 Prohibiting student access to social media platforms.—Each school district must prohibit and prevent students from accessing social media platforms through the use of Internet access provided by the school district.

Multiple states, including North Carolina and Mississippi, have recently passed laws that ban use of the social network TikTok on government internet networks. At the federal level, senators have proposed bills to ban downloading or using TikTok on the devices of federal government employees Congressman Ken Buck (R-CO) and Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) introduced the No TikTok on the United States Devices Act

“TikTok is a clear threat to our privacy and national security. Not only is TikTok directly associated with the Chinese Communist Party, but it has been used to spy on Americans and gain an alarming level of access to users’ phones. This should concern every citizen who values their privacy, security, and personal information. Banning CCP tied TikTok nationwide is the only route to ending this malicious cybersecurity threat,” said Representative Buck. “I am proud to introduce this legislation alongside Sen. Josh Hawley to ensure that every Americans’ privacy and security is protected from hostile foreign entities.”

Former Trump Advisor Claims Marjorie Taylor Greene Vying for Vice President Spot on 2024 Ticket

Matt OHern
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Former Trump Advisor Claims Marjorie Taylor Greene Vying for Vice President Spot on 2024 Ticket

One of the most controversial members of U.S. Congress wants to join former President Donald Trump’s ticket as his choice for Vice President in the 2024 Presidential Election. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., is angling to be Donald Trump’s running mate in 2024, according to Trump’s former advisor Steve Bannon and an anonymous source who advised Greene spoke to reporters at NBC.

“This is no shrinking violet, she’s ambitious — she’s not shy about that, nor should she be,” said Steve Bannon. “She sees herself on the short list for Trump’s VP. Paraphrasing Cokie Roberts, when MTG looks in the mirror she sees a potential president smiling back,” he added.

A second source who has advised Greene told NBC “whole vision is to be vice president.” The source, who has ties to Trump but spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe private conversations, said he also believes Greene would be on Trump’s short list.

Greene made headlines for her clash with fellow firebrand Matt Gaetz, as the two popular right wing representatives disagreed over electing Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. to become Speaker of the House. Following the 15 rounds of votes to make McCarthy the new speaker, Greene was named to the Homeland Security and Oversight and Accountability — where she can join investigations of President Joe Biden’s administration. Despite Greene’s recent ban from committees, McCarthy also tapped her to be part of the panel investigating how the government handled the COVID-19 pandemic.

Greene’s battle with her colleagues House Freedom Caucus may give Greene the collateral she needs to gain the respect and consideration of Trump when it comes to a Vice Presidency selection. “”She’s both strategic and disciplined — she made a power move, knowing it would run up hard against her most ardent crew,” Bannon said. “She was prepared to take the intense heat/hatred short-term for the long-term goal of being a player.” Greene’s district in Georgia is overhelmingly conservative, but the rest of the state voted against Trump in 2020 and against Trump’s hand-picked Senate candidate, Herschel Walker. Georgia Republicans thoroughly rejected David Perdue in the Gubernatorial primary, as he lost to incumbent Governor Brian Kemp by just under 52 points.

Trump has not publicly given any indication that he is seriously considering a vice-presidential pick at this early point in the process, and aides did not respond to NBC News’ inquiries about Greene’s chances of ending up on a Trump ticket.

According to the same report from NBC, Greene’S spokesman Nick Dyer downplayed the words of Bannon and Greene’s former adviser. “Congresswoman Greene is laser focused on serving the people of Northwest Georgia on her new committees in the GOP majority.”

Kentucky Gubernatorial Candidate Endorsed by Trump Touts Poll Showing Large Lead

Matt OHern
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Kentucky Gubernatorial Candidate Endorsed by Trump Touts Poll Showing Large Lead

Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron recently produced results from a new poll showing him as the standalone candidate in a crowded field of 12 Republican Kentucky Gubernatorial candidates vying to unseat incumbent Democratic Governor Andy Beshear, who has an approval rating average that has remained above 50 percent in recent months.

Cameron’s campaign conducted the poll of 500 Kentucky Republican primary voters via a polling firm named Meeting Street, with a margin of error at a little over four percentage points. According to the poll, 81 percent of the primary voters recognized Daniel Cameron’s name and 62 percent of the voters viewed him favorably. An excerpt from a press release from Cameron’s campaign reads:

“Across all demographics, and markets, General Cameron is leading the field by a wide margin. Overall on the primary ballot, Cameron sits at 39 percent to his nearest competitor at 8 percent”. 

The poll does not mention what percentage of respondents have heard of the other candidates, but it does feature favorability ratings for several candidates, with Secretary of Agriculture, Ryan Quarles at 28 percent, former U.S. Ambassador Kelly Craft at 22 percent, state auditor Mike Harmon at 17 percent, Eric Deters is at 10 percent and Somerset Mayor Alan Keck at 7 percent.

The timing of Cameron releasing data from the poll coincides with a report that Craft’s campaign has already spent $1 million on advertising.

Cameron made headlines last week when he accused Beshear of violating transparency laws. According to Cameron, Beshear denied a records request for correspondence to or from 13 named officials “mentioning or related to school closures, remote leaning, nontraditional instruction or NTI, KEA or the Kentucky Education Association, JCTA or the Jefferson County Teachers Association” from 2020 to the present. Cameron recused himself from the case, but his office said it’s required to adjudicate open records disputes under state law.

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