Washington Examiner
Transgender state lawmaker honored as one of USA Today’s ‘Women of the Year’
Title: Transgender Lawmaker Leigh Finke Named as One of USA Today’s Women of the Year
Minnesota State Representative Leigh Finke (D) has been recognized as one of USA Today’s “Women of the Year,” representing Minnesota alongside icons such as Michelle Obama and Sandra Day O’Connor. Finke is not only the first transgender lawmaker in Minnesota’s House of Representatives but also an advocate for LGBT rights and Black Lives Matter.
In her “Women of the Year” profile, Finke spoke about being a “trans elder,” providing visibility and representation for transgender children and parents of trans children who may not have had access to such images before. She emphasized that the transgender community is not one of sadness and depression but of joy, excitement, and love.
Finke’s election with 81% of the vote in her district shows that Americans are gradually becoming more accepting of and open to diverse representation in politics. Her recognition as one of USA Today’s “Women of the Year” is a significant milestone in the struggle for transgender representation and equality.
As we continue to strive for inclusivity and diversity in all aspects of society, we must work towards creating an environment where people with diverse backgrounds and experiences can succeed and be recognized for their achievements. Leigh Finke’s achievement is a testament to the progress we have made and the work that still needs to be done. Let us celebrate her triumph and strive to make sure that transgender voices are heard, respected, and uplifted.
White House sidesteps question on whether Biden backs reparations
Title: White House Sidesteps Questions on Biden’s Stance on Reparations
The topic of reparations for slavery has become a hotly debated issue, with some states and lawmakers pushing for legislation to make amends for past injustices. However, when asked about President Joe Biden’s stance on reparations during a recent press briefing, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to comment.
Instead, Jean-Pierre noted that legislation is currently being considered on this issue and that Congress is the appropriate venue for such decision-making. She also highlighted President Biden’s efforts in promoting racial justice and equality for communities like the Black community.
While Biden has previously expressed support for studying the issue of reparations, the White House has not indicated whether he would back legislation similar to what Rep. Sheila-Jackson Lee has proposed. Other states, such as California and San Francisco, have also floated their own reparations plans.
Despite the lack of clarity on President Biden’s stance on this issue, the debate over reparations for slavery is likely to continue. As more lawmakers and activists push for ways to rectify the injustices of the past, it remains to be seen whether Congress will take action on this important issue.
Lindsey Graham supports ‘liability’ for police departments in wake of Tyre Nichols’ death
Lindsey Graham supports 'liability' for police departments in wake of Tyre Nichols' death
Asher Notheis
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Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) wrote on Sunday in support of police departments facing liability for the actions of the officers it employs.
Graham’s statement on social media comes after footage was released showing Tyre Nichols, 29, beaten to death by five officers with the Memphis Police Department, which Graham called “appalling.” The South Carolina senator compared police departments to businesses, and that like businesses, police departments ought to be responsible for the products or services it provides.
MEMPHIS PASTOR PRAYS FOR CONTINUED PEACE AFTER VIDEO RELEASE
“I oppose civil lawsuits against individual officers,” Graham wrote. “However, holding police departments accountable makes sense and they should face liability for the misconduct of their officers.”
https://twitter.com/LindseyGrahamSC/status/1619791947907883010?s=20&t=jWMClcpbFyzB3I2kE5_ffg
The footage of Nichols’s death was released a little over two weeks after he died. All five of the officers involved in Nichols’s beating, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr., and Justin Smith, were promptly fired from the department before receiving criminal charges, with the street crime unit they were a part of being dissolved on Saturday.
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The criminal charges all five face include second-degree murder, two counts of official misconduct, one count of official oppression, aggravated assault-act in concert, and two counts of aggravated kidnapping. Haley, Martin, and Smith were released after paying a $350,000 bond, and Bean and Mills were also released on a $250,000 bond.
“It is clear that these officers violated the department’s policies and training,” read a statement from Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland (D) “But we are doing everything we can to prevent this from happening again. We are initiating an outside, independent review of the training, policies, and operations of our specialized units.”
‘Very disloyal’: Trump chides Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley amid 2024 speculation
'Very disloyal': Trump chides Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley amid 2024 speculation
Asher Notheis
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Former President Donald Trump criticized two potential rivals in the GOP’s 2024 race for the White House while traveling to New Hampshire and South Carolina to drum up support for his 2024 campaign.
The former president told reporters on Saturday aboard his plane that DeSantis would not have been governor had Trump not endorsed him ahead of the 2018 Florida gubernatorial election, according to CNN.
RONNA MCDANIEL BEATS BACK DHILLON IN BATTLE FOR CONTROL OF THE RNC
“So, when I hear he might run, I consider that very disloyal,” Trump said.
Saturday’s remark was not the first time Trump has been critical of DeSantis, previously calling the Florida governor “DeSanctimonious” during a rally the weekend before the 2022 midterm elections. DeSantis has yet to announce if he will run for president in 2024, though rumors about his candidacy remain strong.
Another possible GOP candidate for the 2024 presidential election Trump discussed was Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina and Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations. The former president revealed that Haley had called him recently to tell him that she is considering a possible 2024 run, with Trump responding that she “should do it.”
“I talked to her 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.’”
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Haley revealed in a mid-January interview that she believes “I can be that leader” when discussing the possibility of a 2024 run, but asked viewers to “stay tuned.”
Aside from Trump, the only Republican candidate to announce his candidacy for the 2024 election is West Virginia businessman Rollan Roberts II. President Joe Biden has yet to announce if he will seek reelection, but is expected to make an announcement within the coming weeks.
Will Hurd addresses 2024 election rumors before appearance in New Hampshire
A former spy for the CIA and Texas congressman has addressed rumors of a possible 2024 presidential run, stating that he has “an open mind” on how to serve the United States.
Tyre Nichols death: Rev. Al Sharpton vows to fight ‘any color’ police who commit crimes
In a Saturday rally in Harlem, Rev. Al Sharpton addressed the latest body camera footage release of the deadly Memphis police beating of Tyre Nichols and pledged to continue to take on any police brutality against African Americans no matter the race of the police officers.
Buttigieg holds early lead over Biden and other Democrats in New Hampshire primaries: Poll
Transportation Secretary and onetime presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg holds an early lead in a hypothetical matchup against President Joe Biden in the New Hampshire primaries, according to recent polling from the Granite state.
All DC police personnel activated ahead of possible demonstrations: Report
The Metropolitan Police Department called up all of its personnel Thursday in preparation for First Amendment activities after five former Memphis, Tennessee, police officers were charged with second-degree murder.
Body camera footage of the fatal interaction between the officers and 29-year-old Tyre Nichols is expected to be released Friday and could lead to protests against law enforcement. The officers allegedly used excessive force to take Nichols into custody.
Former Detroit Lions linebacker Jessie Lemonier dies at 25
Former linebacker for the Detroit Lions Jessie Lemonier died at age 25, according to a Thursday statement released by the team.
“We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of former Detroit Lion Jessie Lemonier,” the statement read.