As the Senate enters a new phase of President Donald Trump's impeachment, Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) tells Cheddar he sees three things on trial: the U.S. Senate's reputation, the president's behavior, and the American system of justice.
Fifty-three senators in the 116th Senate hold law degrees and will be able to draw upon that knowledge when they enter the chamber to debate the merits of the articles of impeachment.
Kaine and Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), the highest-ranking Latino member in Congress, both told reporters Wednesday that they have been able to use their legal training and experience as practicing attorneys during the trial.
Some of the Republicans expected to break party rank to vote in favor of hearing witnesses hold law degrees too. Senators Mitt Romney (R-Utah) and Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) hold law degrees from Harvard University and New York University, respectively. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) worked as an attorney for nearly a decade before joining the Senate.
Before going home to Richmond last weekend, Kaine told Cheddar he viewed the impeachment as putting the president's conduct is on trial along with the capability of the Senate. But after going home and speaking to people at gas stations and grocery stores, he found that the public sees this as a trial of our justice system. "I had thought of it more as the Senate's reputation or what the president's behavior was, but people were talking to me this weekend about that," said Kaine.
"A lot of people in this country have real questions about whether our justice system delivers impartial justice. Does our justice system deliver impartial justice?" he asked. "Or is there a different system for the rich and powerful folks?"
Though Kaine said he hadn't yet brought that point up to his Republican colleagues, he told Cheddar he plans to during the deliberation period about calling witnesses. Senators will have four hours to debate the question of witnesses or documents before voting, which is expected on Friday.
"That's certainly something I'm going to share with them," the senator stated.
During today's press conference, Kaine emphasized that "not once in 17 years did I ever have a trial where there were no witnesses or documents," and he believed that the American people would be able to discern between what a trial is and isn't. However, he told reporters that if no witnesses are called, it will support the "cynicism and anxiety about our system of justice" many Americans might be feeling.
As President Biden's poll numbers fall with Black voters, Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass. 7th District) joined Cheddar to discuss what she feels could help the embattled administration: deliver on policies. Pressley pointed to stalled legislation such as new voting rights laws and Build Back Betters and canceling student loan debt, which would go a long way to improving his standing with Black constituents. "President Biden has the authority and the power to alleviate this burden, which would also help in closing the racial wealth gap, and he can do it by executive action with the stroke of a pen," she said. "And it doesn't require one vote from Congress. So, the Biden administration just needs to deliver to Black America in a tangible and impactful way."
Mayor Ras Baraka of Newark, NJ and Ayana Morris, co-director of the documentary 'Why Is We Americans?,' join Cheddar News to discuss the new documentary highlighting the impact of the Baraka family.
Former New York City mayor and lawyer to Donald Trump Rudy Giuliani made his singing debut on a taping of Fox’s The Masked Singer. However, Ken Jeong and Robin Thicke, two judges on the competition show, reportedly left in protest when Giuliani was unmasked upon being eliminated.
All Hands celebrates Black History Month by highlighting achievements in inclusivity and paying homage to those who have fought for equal rights. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) joins Cheddar News to discuss voter suppression; Damali Peterman, CEO of Breakthrough ADR, elaborates on the biggest barriers for Black professionals; Andre Perry, senior fellow of Brookings Institution, dives into student loans and the racial wealth divide; and lastly, BET CEO Scott Mills discusses the company's initiatives for 2022.
All month long Cheddar News is celebrating Black History Month.
In our nation’s capital, Black history is being made right now.
cheddar's own Arielle Hixon puts the spotlight on three lawmakers making that happen, Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL), Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO), and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC).
Representative Maxine Waters (D-Calif. 43rd District) joined Cheddar News to talk about the current political climate in America, including efforts to roll back voting rights in multiple states in light of Black History Month. "Why do we have to deal with those who still believe that somehow this country only belongs to the whites of the country and that somehow they have to do everything that they can to undermine our voting and do voters suppression to keep us from being influential and at the table by which to solve problems?" she asked. Waters chided "two Democrats" who she said were stymying attempts to rectify the issue and also spoke on President Biden’s promise to nominate a Black woman to the Supreme Court.
Wall Street saw another volatile day after the Federal Reserve left rates unchanged for now, with plans to raise rates in March at its next meeting in order to ease inflation. Fed Chair Jerome Powell said the Fed has not made decisions on the size of rate increases, adding that the Fed is not trying to get inflation below two-percent. Ken Johnson, CFA and Investment Strategy Analyst explains why Powell thinks that high inflation is a significant threat to the labor market.
