Adam Smith

Data: Axios reporting; Note: Axios contacted every Democrat serving in the 119th Congress. The chart includes those who responded; Chart: Jacque Schrag/Axios Visuals.More than a dozen congressional Democrats plan to sit out President-elect Trump's inauguration, and many more are anxiously grappling with whether to attend, Axios has learned.Why it matters: Not every Democrat skipping the ceremony will do so to protest Trump — but a formal boycott is materializing as a first act of resistance against the incoming president.For many Democrats, the scars of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol remain fresh in the mind, marking Trump as a threat to democracy."For somebody who he said he's going to lock me up, I don't see the excitement in going to see his inauguration," former Jan. 6 committee chair Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) told Axios.State of play: Martin Luther King Jr. Day coinciding with the Jan. 20 inaugural ceremony gives many Democrats an easy out, though others planning to stay away cited a distaste for inaugurations, a loathing of Trump — and even fears for their safety.Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.) said that as a Latina, she doesn't "feel safe coming" with Trump's supporters pouring in for the ceremony. "I'm not going to physically be in D.C. on that day," she told Axios.Similarly, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) said that attending MLK Day events instead "makes sense, because why risk any chaos that might be up here?"For other members, the reasoning is more mundane: Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) "almost never attends inaugurations" and has only been to two during his 28 years in office, his spokesperson told Axios.What we're hearing: Incoming Progressive Caucus chair Greg Casar (D-Texas), who hasn't decided whether to attend, told Axios, "I think you'll have some number of Democrats who go and a substantial number who don't.""There are civil rights organizations that are trying to set up alternatives," said Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), adding that Trump's inauguration "seems like the worst place to spend Martin Luther King Day."Several progressives predicted that the boycott won't be confined solely to the party's left flank.Data: Axios reporting; Note: Axios contacted every Democrat serving in the 119th Congress. The chart includes those who responded; Chart: Jacque Schrag/Axios Visuals.Zoom in: Dozens of Democrats boycotted Trump's first inauguration in 2017, led by the now-deceased congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis.But the Jan. 6 attack, for which Democrats hold Trump squarely responsible, has added a new layer of disgust for some.Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) told Axios he "cannot be a part of that spectacle" as someone who was "locked in my office ... as the insurrectionists tried to overthrow our government.""I was trapped in the [House] gallery on Jan. 6," Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) said, explaining her intention to skip the ceremonies.Between the lines: Many undecideds are painfully trying to balance their sense of obligation with their detestation for Trump, as USA Today first detailed on Thursday.Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) expressed alignment with his colleagues who cannot bring themselves to go — but said he also believes members of Congress are "supposed to go to all of that stuff.""I'm struggling," the veteran lawmaker conceded.The other side: A sizable number of Democrats are prepared to grit their teeth and show up — if only to try to rebuild public faith in national institutions after the events that followed the 2020 election."I'm planning to attend ... because I believe in the peaceful transition of power and I respect the Office of the President," Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) told Axios.Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vt.) said progressives "are coming down in different ways," but that she feels "it's important that we try to establish norms again" after Jan. 6.The bottom line: For many lawmakers, the question simply isn't a priority at the moment.Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), asked whether he plans to attend, told Axios: "Pssh, is that the burning issue of the day?"Axios' Stephen Neukam and Stef Kight contributed reporting for this story.

The bill passed by a vote of 281-140 and next moves to the Senate, where lawmakers sought a bigger boost in defense spending.

The deliberations so far are largely at the level of White House lawyers, but Biden reportedly discussed the topic with some senior aides.

President Joe Biden faces a stark choice as he contemplates broad preemptive pardons to protect aides and allies from potential retribution by Donald Trump

Lexington Republican Rep. RJ May is currently under federal investigation, and is set to be indicted any day. He still showed up for his first day of work as the 2025 legislative session formally began.

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Tactical Civics claims to have 450 members in Montana and chapters in nine counties. The organization has found harbor with several lawmakers and recruited using a statewide ballot initiative campaign.

Democratic support for the bill dwindled as critics warned it would let Donald Trump crack down on political foes.The post The House Just Blessed Trump’s Authoritarian Playbook by Passing Nonprofit-Killer Bill appeared first on The Intercept.

Smith jumped into action when Hurricane Helene threatened his family. Now he’s helping others rebuild.

As of Wednesday, McCormick led by about 28,000 votes out of more than 6.9 million ballots counted — inside the 0.5% margin threshold to trigger an automatic statewide recount under Pennsylvania law.

President-elect Trump will again have the ability to pardon from the White House — one of the strongest powers of the presidency.Why it matters: Trump, who is slated to be the first felon in the White House, likely won't be tried for his own role in Jan. 6, but he's vowed to pardon the hundreds charged for their involvement. Context: The pardon power skirts federal and military judicial systems as well as Congress.The president can grant a pardon to anyone convicted of a federal crime in a U.S. District Court, the Superior Court of the D.C. or a military court-martial.Between the lines: Trump won't have the power to pardon himself for his conviction in New York because the charges weren't federal.Presidents can't pardon people convicted of state crimes.His victory in the presidential race is expected to upend the three other criminal trials against him.Jan. 6 riotersOn the campaign trail, Trump vowed to "free" and pardon Jan. 6 rioters as one of his first presidential acts. "If they're innocent I would pardon them," he said during a July interview. When ABC News' Rachel Scott pushed back and said that the rioters were convicted, he said, "Well, they were convicted by a very tough system." By the numbers: More than 1,400 Jan. 6 defendants have been charged across nearly the whole country, per the Justice Department.As of August, more than 900 had their cases adjudicated and received sentences. The latest: Some of the convicted rioters or their lawyers started to act upon Trump's win, the New York Times reported.One, Christopher Carnell, asked a federal judge to push back a hearing and said he expected to receive clemency from Trump.Former Proud Boys chairman Enrique Tarrio, who was sentenced to 22 years in prison, is likely to try a similar move."We look forward to what the future holds, both in terms of the judicial process for our client and the broader political landscape under the new administration," Tarrio's lawyer Nayib Hassan said in a statement. Eric AdamsNew York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) said he hasn't been in contact with Trump, but they share a network of friends and allies, Politico reported. Adams was indicted on federal bribery and fraud charges in September. What we're watching: Trump expressed sympathy toward Adams in October at the annual Al Smith dinner in New York: "We were persecuted, Eric. I was persecuted, and so are you, Eric."At a press conference on Wednesday, Adams pledged to work with Trump's administration while protecting the interests of New Yorkers, WNYC/Gothamist reported. He dodged questions about whether Trump's election could benefit him in court. Hunter Biden The intrigue: Trump said he would consider pardoning Hunter Biden, President Biden's son, during an October interview. "I wouldn't take it off the books," he told conservative radio show host Hugh Hewitt. Catch up quick: The White House said as recently as Thursday that Biden would not pardon his son, who became the first child of a sitting president to be convicted of a crime when he was found guilty in June on federal gun charges. A spokesperson for Trump did not respond to Axios' request for comment.Trump's earlier pardonsHours before the end of his first term, Trump pardoned 74 people and commuted the sentences of 70 others, including his loyalists.Steve Bannon, his former chief strategist, was the highest-profile name pardoned.During his first year in office, Trump pardoned one person: ally and former Sheriff Joe Arpaio, of Maricopa County, Arizona. Arpaio was pardoned for criminal contempt charges for disobeying a 2011 court order.Go deeper: Trump's MAGA allies gloat Project 2025 "is the agenda"

A FEMA official was removed from their role after they directed disaster relief workers in Florida to avoid homes with Trump signs out front in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Control of the House has yet to be determined, as a number of critical races remain too close to call, leaving lawmakers — and voters — waiting to see which party will hold the majority next year. The sprint to 218 seats, however, is nearing the final stretch, after a handful of additional races were called [...]

On the eve of a historic election that's being painted by the Democratic party as a battle for the soul of the nation, Mayor Adams Monday encouraged New Yorkers to vote and said he is limited in what he can say about the race by legal concerns.

Closing arguments will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 6. The longer recess is due to Election Day.

The Nov. 5 election is expected to see massive turnout as voters weigh in on who should be president of the United States. But in Benton, Haughton and Plain Dealing, and around Bossier Parish, there are a number of local...

Celebrities, high-profile politicians and other supporters joined former President Trump at his historic Madison Square Garden rally on Sunday.

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Mayor Eric Adams said he disagrees with the notion that Trump's rally should be scrapped over Kelly's comments.

Kamala Harris’s team is quietly considering potential nominees for attorney general to lead the Justice Department if she beats Donald Trump in the 2024 election.

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Adam Smith envisioned a sovereign with limited duties, a far cry from our modern presidency. Bruce Yandle, former executive director of the Federal Trade Commission, writes.

Here's everything you need to know about Amendment C on Utah ballots this year.

Legal experts said that there are few guardrails preventing Trump from pursuing his plans to prosecute opponents.

The response to Hurricane Helene's devastating landfall last month has been hampered by a slew of conspiracy theories and rapidly spreading misinformation about federal assistance to hard-hit communities, as an election year tragedy is swept into political discourseMeanwhile, the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol continues to be a defining moment in American politics — and former President Trump's legal battles — more than three years later. Here's what you may have missed when newsmakers hit the airwaves this Sunday, Oct. 6. 1. FEMA administrator: Post-storm conspiracies are "truly dangerous" FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell discusses Hurricane Helene response efforts on ABC's "This Week" on Oct. 6.Conspiracy theories spiraling online in the wake of Hurricane Helene, which left more than 200 people dead across six states, are stoking fear among those affected by the storm and employees on the ground, FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell said Sunday. The conspiracies are spreading as another storm, Hurricane Milton, is forecast to hit Florida in coming days. The big picture: Several false narratives have been amplified by Republican politicians, including former President Trump, who has highlighted baseless "reports" of bias against Republicans affected by the storm in North Carolina and argued his Democratic opponent Vice President Kamala Harris diverted FEMA funds to housing illegal immigrants.Trump claimed at a campaign stop Thursday that the Biden administration "stole" FEMA money "so they could give it to their illegal immigrants that they want to have vote for them."He also contended FEMA is only offering $750 to Helene victims. But that $750 offer is through just one type of relief payment, Serious Needs Assistance, which is upfront aid that can be approved shortly after an application, not the total amount a victim may ultimately receive.Trump isn't solely responsible for the misinformation about FEMA disaster relief funds, which have been shared widely online — including by billionaire Elon Musk, who's backing Trump this election.Zoom out: Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told reporters Wednesday that while FEMA is meeting "immediate needs" and can support recovery from the present disaster, it does not have the funds to make it through the rest of hurricane season.But he and other officials have emphasized that the agency does have the resources to cover the current crisis.Total economic losses from Helene could rise to around $35 billion, experts say.Follow the money: As part of a short-term continuing resolution, Congress recently provided $20 billion to the FEMA disaster relief fund. But the agency has been dependent on an unstable source of funding amid stopgap limbo, Mayorkas said.The agency announced Sunday the federal assistance provided to survivors had surpassed $137 million.Reality check: While FEMA does provide immigration-related aid, that funding is separate from disaster relief.The Shelter and Services Program, which supports communities providing humanitarian services to migrants and is administered in partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, is an entirely different fund. Congress appropriated a total of $650 million for the program in fiscal year 2024, whereas the separate disaster relief fund totals tens of billions of dollars."FEMA's disaster response efforts and individual assistance is funded through the Disaster Relief Fund, which is a dedicated fund for disaster efforts," the agency said in a statement Thursday on its "Rumor Response" webpage. "Disaster Relief Fund money has not been diverted to other, non-disaster related efforts."What they're saying: "It's just a shame that people are sitting home on their comfortable couches, while we have thousands of people here on the ground that have left their own families to be able to help those in need," Criswell said on ABC's "This Week" of those amplifying false claims, which she slammed as "frankly ridiculous."The rumors are "a distraction" impeding response efforts, North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis (R) said on CBS News' "Face the Nation," noting many "observations are not even from people on the ground."Asked about the Trump's contention about FEMA funds, Tillis criticized the Biden-Harris administration's border policies but said, "Right now, not yet, is it affecting the flow of resources to Western North Carolina," adding the state has the resources it needs.RNC co-chair Lara Trump, who is from North Carolina, clashed with CNN's Dana Bash over the rumors Sunday, repeatedly pointing to the unrelated migrant crisis when pressed about her father-in-law's comments. "My question is about the misinformation, particularly the notion that they are moving money to migrants ... which FEMA says flatly is not true," Bash said.Lara Trump responded, "You have migrants being housed in luxury hotels in New York City," arguing money could be redirected to disaster aid — but that fund is a separate, congressionally appropriated program."That has nothing to do with the people in your home state right now," Bash replied. The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.2. Jan. 6 takes spotlight one month till Election Day House Speaker Mike Johnson speaks during an interview on ABC's "This Week" on Oct. 6.Former President Trump's actions around the Jan. 6 insurrection and repeated false 2020 election claims gained fresh urgency this week.State of play: A judge unsealed special counsel Jack Smith's recent, hefty filing Wednesday containing new evidence in his federal election interference case against Trump that's been on ice due to the Supreme Court's ruling on presidential immunity.Per the filing, when he was told Vice President Mike Pence had to be evacuated from the Capitol, Trump said "So what?"Trump allies and a former federal prosecutor have condemned the release of information so close to Election Day, as early voting has already begun, with Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AK) calling it "a temper tantrum."What they're saying: "I think this is a ridiculous ploy, of course," Lara Trump told CNN's Dana Bash during "State of the Union," referencing Smith's filing."The January 6 situation has been amplified to a level that I don't think is almost believable to so many people right now," Lara Trump added, shifting the conversation to voters' affordability concerns.Lara Trump said the former president would "of course" accept the results of "a free, fair, and transparent election."Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Ca.), the leading candidate for California's Senate seat, said Smith's filing "reaffirmed ... what we know about Trump" in an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press."When asked about the comparisons to then-FBI Director James Comey's Oct. 2016 announcement of a reopened probe into Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's emails, Schiff claimed the situations were different."Because what you have there was the director of the FBI unilaterally making a decision to talk about an open investigation ... that is a very different circumstance than a court filing made under seal," he told NBC's Kristen Welker.Zoom out: On who won the 2020 election, House speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) refused to say either way when pressed during ABC's "This Week" with George Stephanopoulos.Stephanopoulos referenced Sen. JD Vance's (R-Ohio) similar refusal during the vice presidential debate on Tuesday. When Vance downplayed Trump's role in the Jan. 6 attack, his opponent Gov. Tim Walz accused him of "revisionist history.""It's a gotcha game," Johnson told George Stephanopoulos, accusing "mainstream media" of playing it with Republicans. "You want us to litigate things that happened four years ago when we're talking about future. We're not going to talk about what happened in 2020. We're going to talk about 2024."He sidestepped the question, while affirming he has worked with President Biden for the last four years.3. Foreign misinformation threats deepen Sen. Mark Kelly speaks during an Oct. 6 interview on CBS News' "Face the Nation."Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, warned of "significant" efforts from foreign actors to influence American voters ahead of November's election. By the numbers: Kelly estimated that the odds a political comment or post on social media was made by a foreign actor — even if that poster appears to be a U.S. citizen — are in "the 20 to 30% range."Specifically, Kelly said, the bulk of those posts come from the triple disinformation threat of Russia, China and Iran.Asked if Arizonians had been exposed to targeted information operations, Kelly told CBS News' Margaret Brennan the threat is spread across battleground states that will be key to the outcome of the 2024 election. What he's saying: "It's up to us, the people who serve in Congress and in the White House, to get the information out there that there is a tremendous amount of misinformation in this election and it's not going to stop on November 5," he said. Flashback: Last month, several headlines about Russian disinformation and influence campaigns targeting the Harris campaign, as well as an Iranian effort to hack the Trump campaign, underscored the ongoing risk of foreign interference present throughout modern elections.More from Axios' Sunday coverage:Walz defends Minnesota abortion policy in first interview as VP nomineeOne year after Oct. 7 attacks, Netanyahu is on a winning streakHow Harris is getting Trump-y on immigration

With less than a month until Election Day, NBC News National Political Correspondent Steve Kornacki explains what’s changed in battleground Pennsylvania since 2020 and why the state is important on the road to 270. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) exclusively joins Meet the Press to discuss the misinformation spread by Donald Trump following Hurricane Helene. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) reacts to special counsel Jack Smith’s new filing. Andrea Mitchell, Amna Nawaz, Jen Psaki and Marc Short join the

During an interview with Meet the Press, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) says a federal judge’s decision to unseal Jack Smith’s filing “was appropriate” amid Donald Trump’s accusations of election interference.

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) exclusively joins Meet the Press to discuss the Jack Smith brief unsealed by a federal judge, Israel’s potential response to Iran and the state of the 2024 race.

While Adam Gregg will become the head of the Iowa Bankers Association, he will not directly lobby on behalf of the organization.

NY Post readers discuss allegations that the indictment levied against Mayor Adams was political in nature.

WASHINGTON — California has several of the most 2024 competitive races for the U.S. House of Representatives, races crucial to deciding who wins control of the chamber..

Israeli forces fatally shot the Turkish American activist this month in the West Bank, which the military claims was an accident despite contradicting evidence.

A report said the agency fell short in coordination with local law enforcement.

Opinion: Rural Pennsylvanians should ask themselves whether reducing Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, ending the Affordable Care Act, reducing federal funding for schools, and eliminating infrastructure projects connecting them to the American economy are in their best interests.

With the 2024 election looming, the first since the mass popularization of generative artificial intelligence, experts feared the worst: social media flooded with AI-generated deepfakes.

INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Police Association (NPA) has filed an amicus curiae brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of Captain Manuel Adams, Jr., a law enforcement officer challenging his inclusion on a "Giglio" list—an unregulated registry of...

There is no shortage of House battlegrounds across the country as Republicans look to expand their narrow majority while Democrats work to seize back the gavel they lost in 2022.

Facing opposition from some lawmakers, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., yanked on Wednesday his plan for government funding that would also mandate proof of citizenship in order to vote.

The Lancaster County Republican Party elected former KLIN Drive-Time host Jack Riggins as chairman after the sudden resignation of former chairman Matt Innis.

Some songs have become intertwined with campaigns, from Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the U.S.A.," to Beyoncé's "Freedom." But sometimes artists don't want their songs to be used by a particular candidate – and sometimes they sue!

Former Republican presidential candidate and United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley will join public relations firm Edelman.Why it matters: It's a surprising move for a once-rumored vice presidential contender and someone who Trump has said will be on his team "in some form" should he win the election. The intrigue: Even though Haley endorsed Trump after the assassination attempt on him at a rally in July, this move signals Haley is pursuing other options. The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Edelman would not say whether this role precludes her from participating in political activity ahead of the election.Context: Haley will serve as vice chair within EGA, the firm's global public affairs consultancy. She will report to U.S. CEO Kirsty Graham and is expected to begin this month, according to the firm. What they're saying: Haley acknowledged in a statement that corporate reputation, business and politics have become more entangled."In a time of growing complexities in business, policy, and politics —brands need to anticipate what's coming next. Whether managing a crisis or celebrating a success, industry leaders must be ready to communicate clearly and share their vision forward."The big picture: Communication and CEO advisories have long hired former diplomats, political strategists and government employees to help clients navigate global and regulatory issues.Now, corporations need help managing hyper-politicized initiatives like diversity, equity and inclusion and sustainability. State of play: In response, several public relation firms are staffing up with public affairs professionals and politicians. Edelman has also hired Max Baucus, a former U.S. senator and ambassador to China, as a senior adviser within EGA.Meanwhile, the Weber Shandwick Collective has brought on former State Department officials Stephen F. Smith and Michael Turner, along with Biden-Harris alum Ashley Etienne as senior advisers.And Bully Pulpit International hired Senate alum Scott Mulhauser and U.S. Treasury alum Adam Hodge to lead its tax policy practice group.What to watch: As the 2024 elections near and polls continue to fluctuate, advisory firms might begin to tap former Republican operatives to give them an advantage should there be a shift in power in Washington. More on Axios: Nikki Haley says she'll vote for Trump in NovemberTrump "sure" Nikki Haley will be on his team "in some form"

Netflix has unveiled the first trailer for Season 2 of its political thriller “The Diplomat.” The trailer gives us our first look at Allison Janney as Vice President Grace Penn and answers one of the biggest questions fans had at the end of Season 1. “A deadly explosion in the heart of London shatters U.S. [...]

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Witnesses to Trump's execution spree are dismayed by Democrats' decision to remove death penalty opposition from their party platform.The post Democrats Abandoned Their Anti-Death Penalty Stance. Those on Federal Death Row May Pay the Price. appeared first on The Intercept.