Jennifer Ruby / WaPo:
What we learned from the Committee’s strong case against Trump on 6 January
The gravity of the uprising
In his introductory speech, Benny G. Thompson, chairman of the committee, called for Tramp to contrast strongly with Abraham Lincoln, who was ready to turn the reins of power in the middle of a civil war if he lost re-election. . As Thompson explained, the oath to be taken by officials – “to support and defend the United States constitution against all enemies, foreign and domesticWas a response to the civil war.
Meanwhile, reporter Lisa Cheney (R-Wyo.) Quoted a federal judge as saying that if the perpetrators of the coup were not investigated and brought to justice, there would be another attack on US democracy. The message was deep and clear: we were frighteningly close to losing democracy – and we will continue unless we bring Trump to justice.
Politico Magazine:
“Meet as a cult guy”: Pennsylvania candidate hits both left and right
The popularity of Daga Mastriano, which comes from nowhere, merges religion and politics in a new way. He is either the opponent of the dreams of the Democrats or the worst nightmare of this institution.
Mastriano represents a growing style of politics that we do not yet have a common name for: Journalists In Pennsylvania and elsewhere it was called “Christian nationalism” is a worldview shaped by the fusion of the Christian message and American identity, although Mastriano himself and a discount this label. Instead, he sees himself as the bearer of the “restoration of your freedom.”
Broadcast + cable:
Most, not all, Fox stations make an Air Capitol Insurrection congressional audition
Sinclair’s Fox branch stops at the scheduled primetime program on June 9th
“Biggest majority” of Nexstar Media Group Affiliates are expected to broadcast “the congress hearing on the network in the evenings when they are televised,” the spokesman said. Nexstar owns, operates or provides services to 200 stations nationwide.
All Fox-owned stations will broadcast live coverage except WNYW New York, which will stream it.
This is different from Fox News, but cable companies have a larger audience than cable.
The News & Observer:
Former Chief Justice Assisting Trump in Electoral Challenges Appointed Dean of NC Law School
“Chief Justice Mark Martin has led an outstanding career as a judge in North Carolina, and he has shown tremendous results as dean of the School of Law,” Nido Cubein, president of the university, said in a news release. “We welcome him to HPU and look forward to his extraordinary collaboration as he fights for HPU’s latest professional program.” In North Carolina, Martin has become the youngest person ever elected to the State Court of Appeals and the youngest to serve on the state Supreme Court. In 2014, Governor Macrory himself appointed him chief judge to fill a vacancy left after Sarah Parker retired. Martin earned national attention in 2021 when the New York Times reported that former President Donald Trump had consulted Martin about the cancellation of President Joe Biden’s election.
Hollywood reporter:
Critic’s Note: The committee hearings on January 6 should be seen on TV
Convincing evidence, dramatic testimonies and excruciating footage permeated the opening night, which could be the main event of summer TV.
Television viewers seeking tension, drama and immediate historical, political and moral significance now have something to move to the top of their must-watch list. The first “episode” of the committee’s January 6 hearing provided a cool story about one of the darkest days in American history, complemented by torturous footage and strong testimonies. It remains to be seen whether what is expected in the coming weeks will do anything to move the needle between citizens who seem to be on their way. But judging by the beginning, there will be a lot of powerful material to digest for those who have an open mind.
Jamelle Bouie / NY Times:
January 6 was a “war scene” and Trump was the director
If it’s all already in the public domain – if it’s all part of our public knowledge – why bother with a hearing?
The correct answer, I think, is a show.
Most political theater is tiring and partisan. Cheap meat for a hungry base. But there are times when these theaters can serve a real purpose for society as a whole.
In script Fordham Law Review Josh Chafet, a Georgetown law professor, highlights traditional congressional oversight and what he calls congressional “negotiation.”
Oversight is (or at least should be) a matter of honest fact-finding for the sake of public accountability – a key part of the role of Congress that has evolved over time. In this view, Chafec writes, a supervisory hearing should be “primarily perceptive”, with the aim of “recovering new facts or at least new consequences of old facts”.
Imon Jiver / Twitter:
There were a number of tactical and presentation decisions that made the committee hearings last night so effective:
1. They abandoned the silent rule that “each participant receives 5 minutes”. Congressional committees stick to the format, and this makes many hearings incoherent.
2. It was bipartisan. Yes, Representative Lisa Cheney is with her fellow Republicans about her role here. But she is a leader and one of the most prominent Republican families. The hearing showed that Democrats and Republicans are working together for a common goal.
3. They allowed the staff to take the lead in the interrogation. You even had to see how the staff involved witnesses. Most committee members want to draw attention to themselves, ignoring the fact that not all congressmen are good in this area. And some of it is very bad.
4. Seamless audio and video integration. Hearings almost never do that.
5. They revealed the news. For the first time, we heard eyewitness accounts of what Trump was doing and said during the uprising, and saw a raw, burning, previously unpublished video of the attack.
6. They teased forward to find out more news. The committee said members of Congress had asked for President Trump’s legal pardon for their role in the unrest. Who were they? The committee said that we would hear their names at the next hearing.