Biden's searing condemnation of Trump and Jan. 6

Plus: a poll on democracy and the latest on voting rights

View this email online Jan. 8, 2022 This week, we looked at Biden's blistering speech on Trump, 'ink-blot politics' and upcoming Senate action on voting rights. Plus, photos from Jan. 6, 2021. The Big Picture: Biden's reset Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images President Biden gave a searing condemnation Thursday of his predecessor’s role in inspiring the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Biden said what former President Donald Trump and others did — without naming him — was a “dagger to the throat” of democracy. He followed that up Friday while talking about the latest jobs report, taking aim at Republicans for standing in the way of his agenda and legislation that, in his view, would help. It’s the kind of loaded and direct criticism of Trump and the congressional GOP that Biden has largely avoided in an effort to quell tensions with Republicans. But seeing little movement on the right toward compromise, and with almost no Republicans showing up to ceremonial events commemorating the one-year anniversary of the Capitol attack, it has been perhaps beyond the level of partisanship Biden was expecting when he took office. From a sheer political standpoint, Trump has a firm grip on his base, but Biden's approval ratings have hit a low in his presidency, with his strength even slipping with his own party. In this hyper-partisan era, having your base fired up and ready to go, to borrow a phrase, and maybe Biden reminding his tens of millions of voters why they did so in the first place could be an important start to getting Democrats there. — Domenico Montanaro, NPR’s senior political editor/correspondent Newsletter continues after sponsor message ICYMI: Top Stories John Minchillo/AP The immovable Republican Party and 'ink-blot politics': Several of the key facts of the Jan. 6 insurrection are indisputable. And yet millions on the right do dispute them. Here's a look at how that happened. New Capitol Police chief: U.S. Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger has been on the job for less than six months. He told NPR the agency is making gains since the Jan. 6 insurrection, including on staffing, training and new security tests. Election denier candidates: An NPR analysis of 2022 secretary of state races across the country found at least 15 Republican candidates running who question the legitimacy of President Biden's 2020 win. Current and former election officials, as well as election experts, worry what could become of democracy should some or many of the candidates win. Jan. 6 investigation: In the year since the attack on the Capitol, more than 725 people have been arrested for their involvement. Officials say it's one of the largest, most complex and most resource-intensive investigations in U.S. history. Democracy poll: A new NPR/Ipsos poll finds that 64% of Americans believe U.S. democracy is "in crisis and at risk of failing" and two-thirds of Republican respondents agree with the lie that "voter fraud helped Joe Biden win the 2020 election." Fewer than half of Republicans say they are willing to accept the results of the 2020 election — a number that has remained virtually unchanged since the same question was asked last January. — Brandon Carter, NPR Politics social media producer Going Deeper: J. Scott Applewhite/AP Bobby Rush retiring: Illinois Democratic Rep. Bobby Rush announced this week he wouldn’t seek a 16th term in Congress. Rush co-founded the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party in the 1960s and is the only politician to have defeated former President Barack Obama in an election.  Voting rights: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says the chamber will forge ahead on voting rights legislation and will vote on changing Senate rules by Jan. 17 if the GOP once again blocks the bill. It’s his strongest message to date suggesting that changes to the legislative filibuster are necessary. Jan. 6 committee latest: The House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection wants to talk to Fox News host Sean Hannity. In its request to speak with Hannity, the committee disclosed newly revealed texts he allegedly sent, including one on Jan. 5 that said: "[I'm] very worried about the next 48 hours." — Brandon Carter, NPR Politics social media producer The Shot: The Washington Post via Getty Images The image above was taken after the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. It shows a bust of former President Zachary Taylor with what looks like blood smeared across its marble face. The bust was covered in plastic as crews cleaned the building in the riot’s aftermath. The haunting image was one of many from that day — when protesters breached a symbol of our nation’s democracy — that remind us that the building’s hallowed halls and marble statues bore witness to deadly chaos. Check out more photos. — Heidi Glenn, NPR digital editor Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to hear live radio from Vermont Public Radio (edit station). What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: nprpolitics@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Daily News, Code Switch, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Politics emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy