Joe Biden struck a combative tone in his latest campaign reset interview with NBC’s Lester Holt on Monday night following his disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump last month, which led panicked Democrats to call on the president to drop out of the 2024 race.
Biden rejected the idea he should debate Trump again before the Democratic National Convention in August but admitted it had been a “mistake” to use the word “bullseye” during a campaign call with supporters urging them to focus on Trump’s agenda just prior to the attempted assassination of the former president on Saturday.
“It was a mistake to use the word,” Biden told Holt, adding: “Focus on what he’s doing. Focus on his policies. Focus on the number of lies he told in the debate.”
During a rally over the weekend, the newly-confirmed Republican presidential nominee was clipped in the right ear by gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks, whose motive remains unknown.
Former House speaker Nancy Pelosi is meanwhile reportedly “convinced Biden will lose” and “working the phones” to plot his removal from the Democratic ticket. Rep Adam Schiff is the latest senior Democrat to warn donors of the potential for an overwhelming loss.
FBI and Homeland security considering mass congressional phone meeting, report says
Oliver O’Connell16 July 2024 18:20
Trump shooter bought 50 rounds of ammo hours before assassination attempt
Senior law enforcement officials told CNN that Crooks bought a large amount of ammo from a local gun store shortly before the attack.
Oliver O’Connell16 July 2024 18:15
Biden calls himself a Zionist in new interview
In an interview for Complex with Speedy Morman, President Joe Biden spoke about Zionism and supporting Israel. “You don’t have to be a Jew to be a Zionist,” the president said. “A Zionist is about whether or not Israel is a safe haven for Jews because of their history of how they’ve been persecuted.” “Are you a Zionist?” Morman asked. “Yes,” Biden said. “By the way, I’m the guy who did more for the Palestinian community than anybody. I’m the guy that opened up all the assets.”
Oliver O’Connell16 July 2024 17:45
Report: Trump shooter’s dad called police after attack with concerns that his son and gun were missing
Matthew Crooks realized his 20-year-old son, Thomas Matthew Crooks, and an AR-style rifle were missing shortly after shots were fired at the former president at a campaign rally on Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania. Three senior law enforcement officials told NBC News that the father then called police.
Ariana Baio has the latest.
Oliver O’Connell16 July 2024 17:35
Tenacious D under fire for Trump joke hours after shooting
Inga Parkel has the story.
Oliver O’Connell16 July 2024 17:30
House Homeland Security committee calls Mayorkas, Wray and Cheatle to testify next week
Rep Mark Green of Tennessee, chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, has invited Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, FBI director Christopher Wray, and Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle to testify before his committee on Tuesday about the assassination attempt on Donald Trump.
“The American people want answers on what happened Saturday in Pennsylvania. Secretary Mayorkas and Director Cheatle are responsible for the department and the agency charged with securing our homeland and protecting our nation’s chief executives and candidates, while Director Wray leads the agency with the vital responsibility of investigating this attempted assassination,” Chairman Green said.
“It is imperative that we partner to understand what went wrong, and how Congress can work with the departments and agencies to ensure this never happens again. Successful oversight requires Congress to work together with these officials as they testify publicly before the House Committee on Homeland Security. The American people, and the individuals and families who receive protective services, deserve nothing less.”
Oliver O’Connell16 July 2024 17:15
‘Civil War 2’ hits new high for number of searches in the immediate aftermath rally shooting
Saturday, the day of the assassination attempt on the Republican nominee, and Sunday, saw major usage spikes on Google on phrases such as “Civil War 2” and “American Civil War,” New York Post reports.
Amelia Neath and Mike Bedigan have the details.
Oliver O’Connell16 July 2024 17:00
Schiff warns of overwhelming losses for Democrats with Biden on top of ticket, report says
California Democrat Rep Adam Schiff — who is running for the state’s vacant Senate seat — warned donors in the Hamptons on Saturday of a wipeout for the party if President Joe Biden remains in the race as the nominee at the top of the ticket, The New York Times reports.
Citing two sources with direct knowledge of Schiff’s remarks, the outlet reports the congressman as saying not only would the party lose the White House, but most likely the Senate and any opportunity to take back the House of Representatives.
“I think if he is our nominee, I think we lose,” Schiff at the fundraiser, a person with access to a transcription of a recording of the event told the Times. “And we may very, very well lose the Senate and lose our chance to take back the House.”
There are private concerns within the Democratic Party about the prospects for down-ballot candidates if Biden remains in the race, but few are voicing their fears in public. There had been a small but growing number of people calling for him to step aside but that has dropped off in the days since the attempt on the life of Republican nominee Donald Trump.
Biden insists he will remain the party’s nominee.
Oliver O’Connell16 July 2024 16:45
Officers spotted Trump shooter three times in 30 mins before he opened fire
Oliver O’Connell16 July 2024 16:30
Florida reps introduce bipartisan resolution honoring rally shooting victim
A bipartisan resolution honoring former fire department chief Corey Comperatore who was killed while shielding his family during the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, was introduced in the House of Representatives yesterday by Florida Representatives Jared Moskowitz (D) and Matt Gaetz (R).
Oliver O’Connell16 July 2024 16:00