Happy Friday! Is everyone on the East Coast casually stocking up on eggs, milk and bread today? I know I’m editorializing here, but what a lame assortment of ingredients for when you’re snowed in. My winter storm shopping list includes Cape Cod potato chips, chocolate chip cookie dough, pad thai and every frozen appetizer from Trader Joe’s. But you do you. 😉 Here’s what’s happening in politics today: - A new jobs report shows 2023 ended with robust growth.
- Lawmakers on Saturday are preparing to mark the third anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
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A former Capitol Police officer who testified before the Jan. 6 panel announced this morning that he is running for Congress. This is getting a lot of attention.
I’m Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what’s coming up. Send tips, commentary, feedback and cookie recipes to cmartel@digital-staging.thehill.com. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Sign up here.
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The U.S. added a whopping 216,000 jobs in December, according to data released Friday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Because the number 216,000 doesn’t mean much on its own: Economists had expected gains of roughly 170,000 jobs in December.
The unemployment rate: It remained at 3.7 percent. That extends “the longest stretch the unemployment rate has been below 4 percent since the mid-1960s.”
💡 Why this matters: “The jobs report bookends a surprisingly strong year that largely defied earlier fears that interest rate hikes intended to bring down inflation would trigger a recession and drive more people out of work.” |
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Tomorrow marks the third anniversary of one of the most embarrassing days in American history: |
Tomorrow marks three years since a pro-Trump mob stormed the U.S. Capitol as lawmakers certified the results of the 2020 presidential election.
At 11 a.m.: A group of lawmakers held a news conference this morning to mark the anniversary. Watch At 3:15 p.m.: President Biden delivers remarks in Valley Forge, Pa. Livestream |
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➤ I BET THIS TIMING WASN’T AN ACCIDENT:
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Harry Dunn, a former U.S. Capitol Police officer who testified on the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack, announced Friday that he is running for Congress.
What district?: Maryland’s 3rd Congressional District. Rep. John Sarbanes (D) is retiring from that seat. |
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➤ BUT SUPER VIP MEMBERS COULD HAVE GOTTEN A SPECIAL J6 BRIEFING WITH MTG:
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The Republican Party of Osceola County was scheduled to host an event Saturday featuring Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), to commemorate the third anniversary of the Jan. 6 attack. Well, the resort just canceled the event, claiming it was “not made aware” of its purpose. (The Hill) |
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➤ INTERESTING BREADKDOWN OF THE NUMBERS:
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The New York Times has been tracking the arrests and cases of people who were allegedly involved in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol mob. Here are some notable numbers: -
1,240 people have been arrested as of December. But that number could double.
- 710 people have pleaded guilty, including 210 pleading guilty to felonies.
- Roughly 170 people have been convicted.
- Two people have been fully acquitted.
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More than 450 people have been sentenced to prison.
More numbers and a full breakdown of the investigation and arrests |
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The Hill’s Brett Samuels and Alex Gangitano have an interesting read on how the Jan. 6 attack will play a prominent role in this presidential election. President Biden and former President Trump have very different narratives on the events and their importance.
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➤ JAN. 6 ANNIVERSARY READS:
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‘Hundreds of convictions, but a major mystery is still unsolved 3 years after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot’: The Associated Press
‘Why Trump says Jan. 6 rioters are “patriots,” but DeSantis doesn’t’: The Washington Post
‘Three years after the January 6 attack, propaganda about the insurrection is poisoning the American public’: CNN
These photos give me chills: Reuters published a compilation of photos of the mob swarming and entering the U.S. Capitol. Jan. 6 photos Video footage of the attack: The New York Times
‘Biden to Mark Jan. 6 by Putting Threats to Democracy at Center of 2024 Message’: The Wall Street Journal Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) wrote an op-ed in The Atlantic. “What January 6 Made Clear to Me: Our democratic institutions are only as strong as the courage of those entrusted with their care.” The Atlantic
‘Jan. 6 “likely the largest single-day mass assault” on law enforcement in US history: DC US attorney’: ABC News |
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Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley is polling just 4 points below former President Trump in New Hampshire, according to a new American Research Group poll.
The numbers: Trump is polling at 37 percent, and Haley is polling at 33 percent. Both candidates are up 4 percentage points from the last survey. See the full poll
FWIW: Trump was not pleased with the group’s last poll, posting on Truth Social last month: “Fake New Hampshire poll was released on Birdbrain. Just another scam!” (FYI: Trump is referring to Haley as Birdbrain.) |
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➤ ^ BUT IN SOUTH CAROLINA:
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Haley is trailing Trump by 29 points (!), according to a new Emerson College poll. (The Hill)
💡 Why this matters: That’s her home state. It’s also an early voting state. |
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➤ I CHALLENGE YOU TO A DUEL:
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Haley and fellow GOP presidential candidate Gov. Ron DeSantis (Fla.) participated in back-to-back CNN town halls Thursday. Here are five takeaways, from The Washington Post |
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🍦 Celebrate: Today is National Whipped Cream Day! 💵 Hey, Verizon customers. You may be eligible for $100: Verizon has agreed to give some customers $100 as part of a class action lawsuit. Who’s eligible and how to submit a claim
🌟 Travis Kelce has a great PR team: The New York Times has an interesting read: “The People Who Brought You Travis Kelce: A plan was hatched to make the football player ‘as famous as the Rock.’ It began long before you might guess.” (The New York Times) ⛽️ Fill that tank!: Gas prices have returned to roughly $3/gallon. (Axios) |
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The House and Senate are out. President Biden is leaving for Pennsylvania this afternoon, and Vice President Harris is in Washington, D.C. (all times Eastern) |
3:15 p.m.: Biden speaks at a campaign event in the Philadelphia area. He and first lady Jill Biden then fly to Delaware. 💻 Livestream
8 p.m. Sunday: The 81st Golden Globe Awards. 🏆 List of nominees
Next week: The House Judiciary Committee will mark up a resolution to hold Hunter Biden in contempt of Congress. 📝 Details 15: The Iowa caucuses
23: The New Hampshire presidential primary. 🗓️ List of important 2024 dates
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