I'm starting a new role as CNN’s first Director of AI Innovation!
I’m absolutely thrilled about the opportunity to help chart the future for such a remarkable news organization and its innovative use of this cutting-edge technology across the newsroom and beyond.
(oh, and I got a new headshot!)
Friends, today is my last day on State of the Union with Jake Tapper and Dana Bash. It’s been an incredible seven years. I’m thankful for colleagues who have become dear friends, plus Jake and Dana, who I could not admire more. More to come—but for now, my deep gratitude for a remarkable chapter.
President Trump says that Iran's main nuclear enrichment facilities have been "completely and totally obliterated."
New White House statement on Los Angeles: "President Trump has signed a Presidential Memorandum deploying 2,000 National Guardsmen to address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester."
New book: Biden aides discussed using a wheelchair in second term
via @jaketapper.bsky.social and Alex Thompson
New polling from Gallup out today:
9.3% of Americans identify as LGBTQ, up from 7.6% last year and 3.7% a decade ago.
23% of Gen Z Americans say they are LGBTQ. 14% of millennials identify as LGBTQ.
56% of LGBTQ Americans are bisexual, 21% gay, 15% lesbian and 14% trans.
MCCONNELL: Tulsi Gabbard failed to demonstrate that she is prepared to assume this tremendous national trust. The nation should not have to worry that the intelligence assessments the President receives are tainted by a Director of National Intelligence with a history of alarming lapses in judgment.
MCCONNELL: "When a nominee’s record proves them unworthy of the highest public trust, and when their command of relevant policy falls short of the requirements of their office, the Senate should withhold its consent."
"NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim February 9, 2025, as Gulf of America Day."
An instant classic tonight in Knoxville in one of basketball’s greatest rivalries as the Tennessee Lady Vols take down No. 5 UConn for the first time since 2007!
Sen. Susan Collins: "After extensive consideration of her nomination, I will support Tulsi Gabbard to be the Director of National Intelligence."
@larrysummers.bsky.social to @mkraju.bsky.social on Trump tariffs: "I'll tell you who the winner here is. The winner here is Xi Jinping. We've given him an excuse for his own economic failures. We've moved to drive some of our closest allies into his arms. We've weakened our own economy."
@larrysummers.bsky.social to @mkraju.bsky.social: "Think about what giving in to a bully does. It invites more bullying. And any other country that was thinking of moving in our direction is now surely not going to do that when they think we'll just pocket the concession and make more threats."
@larrysummers.bsky.social predicts "inflation might go up over the next nine months by as much as 1 percent, just at a moment when we were trying to bring it down" in an interview on Trump tariffs with @mkraju.bsky.social. "I can't see anything good as policy about this."
@larrysummers.bsky.social to @mkraju.bsky.social on Trump tariffs: "This is a self-inflicted wound to the American economy. I'd expect inflation over the next three or four months to be higher as a consequence."
MCCONNELL: "Effective management of nearly 3 million military and civilian personnel, an annual budget of nearly $1 trillion, and alliances and partnerships around the world is a daily test with staggering consequences... Mr. Hegseth has failed, as yet, to demonstrate that he will pass this test."
COLLINS: "I do not support pardons given to people who engaged in violence on January 6, including assaulting police officers, or breaking windows to get into the Capitol, for example."
"With the pardons, Trump has granted full clemency to hundreds of people already convicted of felony crimes like assaulting police and destroying property as part of the effort to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power."
"The commutations cover the sentences for 14 far-right extremists from the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys who were convicted or charged with seditious conspiracy."
MURPHY: "You're watching the unraveling of our democracy. It's not about to happen. It is happening right now...What is happening before our eyes, literally on that stage today, is that the billionaires who control huge parts of this economy are trading favors with Donald Trump."
INGRAHAM: "What did Jim Biden really do? What did Joe's brother really do that he needs a pardon for?"
HAWLEY: "We should find out. My view is these are not legal. They're not binding. We ought to find out, put these people under oath."
RASKIN: "Well, why are they being pardoned? That's my question. In other words, were they innocent? Nobody is asserting that ... or are they being pardoned simply because they were the willing political foot soldiers for Donald Trump when he incited an insurrection?"
SCHUMER: "Senator Rubio is an example of a qualified nominee we think should be confirmed quickly."
DOJ fact sheet from Jan. 6, 2025: Approximately 1,583 defendants have been federally charged with crimes associated with the attack of the U.S. Capitol.
President Trump signs pardons for January 6 rioters: "We hope they come out tonight, frankly. Approximately 1,500 people. Six commutations."
I turned wimpy 😭😭😭
14 hours. 19 degrees. Not enough layers 🙃
TRUMP: "We will pursue our manifest destiny into the stars, launching American astronauts to plant the Stars and Stripes on the planet Mars."
