Justice Action Network executive director Holly Harris discusses prison and sentencing reform, and RAND Corporation senior political scientist Jennifer Kavanagh discusses a new report on where Americans are getting their news.
2020 Democratic presidential candidates participated in the PBS NewsHour & POLITICO Democratic Debate in Los Angeles. Candidates included Joe Biden, Tom Steyer, Andrew Yang, Pete Buttigieg and Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). Major issues discussed included the impeachment of President Trump, the U.S. economy, trade policies, climate change and health care.
Lara Trump, a senior adviser to President Trump's reelection campaign, spoke to supporters at an event in Sterling Heights, MI, one day ahead of a scheduled rally where the president will speak across the state in Battle Creek.
Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz testified before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on his report on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) abuse allegations related to the 2016 presidential campaign. Senators questioned the inspector general about his findings into the origins of the FBI's Russia inquiry, including how FISA warrants were obtained against 2016 Trump campaign adviser Carter Page. Committee members also asked about recommendations in the report and how the inspector general's office can be strengthened.
Russian President Vladimir Putin held his annual end-of-year news conference in Moscow. The marathon event lasted four and a half hours. In this one hour portion, President Putin answered questions that included Russia's relationship with Ukraine, his impression of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and the impeachment vote against President Trump. He said, "You have the Senate, where Republicans have the majority, so I don't think they will vote him out of power on trumped up charges. This is just political infighting."
President Trump made brief remarks at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland at the signing ceremony for the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2020. During his remarks, the president announced that the U.S. Space Force will officially be the 6th branch of the U.S. military, and that he is appointing General Jay Raymond as the first Chief of Space Operations.
RAND Corporation senior political scientist Jennifer Kavanagh discussed a new report on where Americans are getting their news and what they consider to be credible sources.
The leader of an association of tech companies -- Jason Oxman of the Information Technology Industry Council -- looks at regulation, trade, privacy and antitrust.
Actress and activist Jane Fonda spoke at the National Press Club about the need to address climate change and why she was willing to be repeatedly arrested to raise awareness for the issue.
Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) delivered remarks at the National Competitiveness Forum in Washington, DC. He focused his comments on U.S.-China relations and how the U.S. can maintain it's competitive edge.
Actress and activist Jane Fonda spoke at the National Press Club about the need to address climate change and why she was willing to be repeatedly arrested to raise awareness for the issue.
Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) delivered remarks at the National Competitiveness Forum in Washington, DC. He focused his comments on U.S.-China relations and how the U.S. can maintain it's competitive edge.
David Ignatius, the Washington Post columnist, hosted a conversation with two experts on Iran, its political future, and its impact on the greater Middle East. Speakers focused on Ali Khamenei, the aging supreme leader of Iran, as he entered his twilight years and began to concern himself with his legacy as a leader of the Islamic republic.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo hosted an event at the State Department on human rights in Iran. He delivered brief remarks and announced new actions in support of the Iranian people, including issuing sanctions and restricting visas against Iranian officials involved in the abuse and killing of peaceful protesters. He said, "Thugs killing people's children will not be allowed to send their own children to study in the United States of America."
Government officials and health care professionals testified on efforts to address the opioid epidemic before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Officials with the White House, Justice Department, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Health and Human Services all spoke about what they're doing together as well as working with state and local partners to tackle the crisis.
Acting Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Mark Morgan participated in a discussion at the National Press Club hosted by the Center for Immigration Studies. The acting commissioner discussed law enforcement efforts at the southern border, including funding for a border wall, the implementation of new technologies, and efforts to curb illegal migration flows and thwart drug smuggling and human trafficking. Acting Commissioner Morgan also addressed criticisms of his agency, including the holding of children and families in detention facilities at the border.
