Rep.-Elect Rouda: Trump Should Lead on Climate Change Instead of Throwing 'Tweet Tantrums'
*By Chloe Aiello and Justin Chermol*
Not many Californians are pleased with President Trump's weekend Twitter response to the wildfires that are devastating parts of California ー especially not Congressman-elect Harley Rouda.
Fresh off a victory in California's 48th Congressional District, the newly-elected House Democrat had some choice words for the president on Monday.
"This is the time to step up and show you have one ounce of empathy in your entire being. And instead, he uses this an opportunity to insult Californians, insult firefighters, insult those families that have lost lives, property ー incredible devastation. These tweet tantrums that show him acting as a temperamental, small child has to stop," Rouda told Cheddar on Monday.
Rouda was referencing a tweet Trump blasted out on Saturday, blaming the destruction on poor forest management. The White House did not immediately respond to Cheddar's request for comment on Rouda's criticism.
"There is no reason for these massive, deadly and costly forest fires in California except that forest management is so poor," [Trump wrote on Twitter](https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1061168803218948096). "Billions of dollars are given each year, with so many lives lost, all because of gross mismanagement of the forests. Remedy now, or no more Fed payments!"
Two new blazes broke out in Ventura County, Calif., on Monday. Firefighting resources are already stretched thin, as they work to combat three fires already scorching the state. In Northern California, the Camp Fire has killed at least 31, making it the deadliest in the state's history. Further south, the Woolsey Fire and the Hill Fire have forced the evacuation of hundreds of thousands, some from the state's wealthiest zip codes.
Trump blamed forest management for the raging fires, failing to mention climate change as a contributing factor. [Climate scientists agree](https://www.fs.usda.gov/ccrc/topics/effects-drought-forests-and-rangelands) climate change aggravates the drought that contributes to wildfires.
"Unfortunately our President denies basic science ... It would be better to see our country take a leadership role in addressing climate change and creating the new industries and new jobs that will have to be created to address this issue for the sake of humanity," Rouda said.
"And that's why I'm excited with our new Congress ... if the President won't do it in concert with Congress, then Congress will march ahead without him," he added.
Rouda just unseated Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, a 30-year GOP incumbent with ties to Russia. [The Associated Press called](https://twitter.com/ap_politics/status/1061432753248448512?s=21) the race for Rouda Saturday afternoon, but Rohrabacher has yet to concede.
For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/congressman-elect-rouda-ousts-30-year-republican-incumbent).
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.
