Twenty-six questions into day one of questioning, senators have largely directed inquiries to their own sides, assisting respective legal teams in poking holes in the opposition's case.
During the first break of the day, nearly three hours after questioning began, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) told Cheddar she plans to ask a question about absolute immunity. The president has argued he has absolute immunity to bar testimony, though a federal judge ruled in November that former White House counsel Don McGahn must obey a subpoena compelling him to testify. The judge wrote at the time "with respect to senior-level presidential aides, absolute immunity from compelled congressional process simply does not exist."
The president's defense team has repeatedly sought to portray the president as needing the freedom to speak candidly with his advisors. However, House Managers have emphasized the president is not able to exercise blanket immunity.
"Some of the questions were planned ahead, but you can always adjust them," Klobuchar said. "I have one question that I want to focus on, on the absolute immunity issue, but if it's fully asked, maybe I'll switch to another one. You're not bound into what your question is. And then there's other questions that I have — you'll see that Senator Whitehouse is going to ask one of them. He and I shared the same question so he's asking on his behalf and my behalf."
Throughout the first portion of today's session, some senators appeared to have pre-written questions on cards while others, like Senators Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) exited the room to presumably discuss a question before posing one jointly. Others still, like Senators Martha McSally (R-Ariz.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) seemed to have empty cards on their desks.
Senators must submit written questions to the Chief Justice and, alternating between parties, a Senator stands, asks Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts to hear his or her question, and a high school page carries the card to Roberts, who is facing the Senators from the elevated seat usually reserved for the Vice President. At one point Roberts paused while attempting to read a question from Republicans, as it seemed he was having trouble reading the hand-written question.
The Senate Press Gallery sits above the Republican side of the chamber, which allows better access to see the Republican Senators than the Democrat officials.
Alan Dershowitz, an attorney for the defense who came to today's session to answer questions about his testimony earlier this week, said anything a sitting president does to stay in power is in the national interest, emphasizing a very expansive view of presidential power. Lead House Manager and chairman of the House Intelligence Committee Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif 28th District) answered the final question of the early session pushing back against Dershowitz's argument and attempted to portray the president as believing himself to wield broad powers, accusing Trump of being a "president who identifies the state as being himself."
Ayman Mohyeldin, host of MSNBC Original Podcast 'American Radical,' joins Cheddar News to discuss how the podcast chronicles a woman's path to the insurrection.
Following the attack on the Capitol last year, several major corporations promised to no longer pour funds into the campaigns of Republican lawmakers who supported the January 6 insurrection. But not all have stood firm on their word. Among those that did keep to their promise were Nike, American Express, and Walgreens.
Rep. Annie Kuster (D-N.H. 2nd District) joined Cheddar's "Between Bells" to reflect on the January 6 insurrection and her personal experience in the Capitol when rioters attempted to overtake the House chamber. "What I now understand to be true is that the mob of rioters had reached the third floor and was literally in the hallway running toward us as we ducked into the elevator," she told Cheddar. Kuster recalled the fear she felt, wondering what might have happened if the insurrectionists crossed paths with her group. Kuster noted that she has since received therapy to help cope with the traumatic event. "A thousand acts of courage saved our life and saved our democracy," she said.
Andy Kroll, Washington bureau chief at Rolling Stone, joined Cheddar's Baker Machado to discuss the anniversary of the January 6 insurrection and how it could impact upcoming elections. Kroll talked about whether or not Trump's influence will aid Republicans in the midterms and how it could be a setup for the former president to run in the 2024 presidential election. "This day has become really almost a kind of cause for Republican base voters," he said. "And you're going to see that fueling some turnout, you're going to see that fueling, even, candidates running for office in these midterm elections."
According to a recent analysis from ProPublica and the Wall Street Journal an analysis of Facebook posts, internal company documents, and interviews reveal key evidence about the social media giant's role in January 6 insurrection. National Reporter at ProPublica Craig Silverman, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
AT&T and Verizon have agreed to delay activating their 5G services for two weeks after Airlines for America, a lobbying group that represents American, Delta, and other airlines, filed a petition last week with the FCC to stop the deployment of 5G in the U.S. over concerns that the network can interfere with certain systems on airplanes. President Biden spoke out about it, saying it would avoid further delays and cancellations of flights. Light Reading 5G and Mobile Strategies Director Mike Dano joined Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
On a day where the Dow and Russell 2000 each closed more than 3% lower, Melissa Armo, founder and owner of The Stock Swoosh, says Wednesday's big sell-off could extend into after-hours trading. She joined Cheddar News' Closing Bell for more.
The new year has just gotten underway, but the clock is already ticking for the Democratic-led Congress to pass bills regulating big tech. Evan Greer, Director for Fight For the Future, joins Cheddar News to explain why Democratic lawmakers would want to push legislation now, and what a Republican takeover would mean for the industry.
Americans looking to purchase at-home COVID-19 tests will now have to shell out a bit more money after an agreement expired between the White House and companies to sell the tests at cost. The price of Abbot's BinaxNow test kit from October to December was $14 apiece; on Tuesday, Walmart's website listed the test for $19.88, and Kroger listed the tests for $23.99. Carbon Health Regional Clinical Director Dr. Bayo Curry-Winchell joined Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss the impact higher prices will have as the nation experiences another surge in cases.
