Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) Attended President Trump's State of The Union, Despite Colleagues' Boycott
Congressman Ro Khanna represents California's seventeenth district, better known as Silicon Valley. Despite boycotts by some of his Democratic colleagues, Rep. Khanna felt it was his 'constitutional responsibility' to attend President Trump's first State of the Union.
Congressman Khanna wore a pin in honor of Recy Taylor, an African American woman who was raped by six white men back in the 1900s. Her rapist was never convicted. The pin, worn by many members, was a symbol to stand up for all victims of sexual assault who never got justice.
Rep. Khanna said that the State of the Union makes for "good theater," but "rhetoric isn't good enough." The Congressman wants to see follow through from President Trump, who often makes checklists, but never keeps his promises.
The Biden Administration has officially extended a ban on a Trump-era policy that prohibits traveling with a U.S. passport to North Korea. The extension is expected to last until August 2022. The ban was initially enforced after the death of Otto Warmbier, who entered a vegetative state while in North Korean custody. Advocates against the ban argue that it has caused crippling impacts on Korean Americans who have not been able to reunite with their families back home. Senior Fellow at The Foundation For Defense of Democracies Anthony Ruggiero joined Cheddar's News Wrap to discuss more.
There has been a series of violent attacks in Afghanistan in the past week as U.S. troops withdrawal deadline approaches. The evacuation effort is winding down with 1,200 people evacuated in the last 24 hours, compared to last week's 24-hour span high of 21,000, and it is reported that there are around 250 people still waiting to be airlifted.
Dan Lamothe, national security reporter at The Washington Post, joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss more on what is going to happen when all evacuation and withdrawal missions are completed.
Futures pointed to a slightly higher open on the heels of Fed Chair Jerome Powell saying the central bank is on track to taper its asset purchases later this year. Milton Ezrati, Chief Economist at Vested joined Wake Up with Cheddar to discuss.
