Rep. Ro Khanna of California announced on Sunday that he will not be entering the competitive Democratic primary to fill the Senate seat of retiring Sen. Dianne Feinstein, instead opting to endorse fellow progressive Rep. Barbara Lee. Khanna cited his belief that the House of Representatives is the best place for him to serve as a progressive, and Lee has been a vocal advocate for criminal justice reform, economic justice, and women’s rights. The California Democratic primary for Feinstein’s seat will be held in June 2022, with Khanna’s decision to stay in the House setting the field of candidates vying for the seat.
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In response to the West's increasing military support for Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced plans to station tactical atomic weapons in Belarus. The U.S. has not seen any indications that Russia is preparing to use its weapons, but Ukraine has called for an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council to "counter the Kremlin's nuclear blackmail." It is unclear how the U.N. Security Council meeting will address the situation.
Joe Tacopina, Donald Trump's lawyer, appeared on NBC News' "Meet the Press" to discuss the former president's attacks on Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. When asked about the post featuring a baseball bat with Bragg's name on it, Tacopina said he is not Trump's social media consultant, and Bragg said the post was ill-advised. Tacopina emphasized that his job is to focus on the facts and the law, as Bragg weighs criminal charges against the former president.
Donald Trump recently recounted his experience with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in the 2018 gubernatorial election, revealing that DeSantis had approached him with tears in his eyes, asking for an endorsement. Despite Trump's initial belief that DeSantis had no chance of winning, he eventually endorsed him and DeSantis went on to win the election. Trump's comments shed light on the dynamics between himself and DeSantis, as well as DeSantis' approach to the media, and it is clear that Trump's endorsement was a major factor in DeSantis' success.
Honduras has severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan and established them with China, a move that signals growing Chinese influence in Latin America and deals a blow to Taiwan's struggle for recognition. The decision is the latest example of China's increasing assertiveness towards Taiwan and its influence in Latin America, a region traditionally seen as within the US sphere of influence. It remains to be seen how the move will affect diplomatic relations between China, the US, and other countries in the region.
Phillip Washington, President Joe Biden's pick to lead the Federal Aviation Administration, has withdrawn his nomination due to Republican attacks on his service and experience. The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation was scheduled to vote on Washington's nomination, but it was cancelled due to lack of support. The White House praised Washington's public service record and qualifications, and is expected to move quickly to find a suitable replacement.
At a campaign rally in Waco, Texas, former President Donald Trump baselessly accused the Biden administration of "prosecutorial misconduct" and vowed to "destroy the deep state." He also denied any wrongdoing in the investigations against him in New York, Georgia and Washington. The rally was the latest in a series of events held by Trump since he left office in January, as he continues to fight for a return to the Oval Office.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a deal with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, a move that is likely to further escalate tensions between Russia and the United States. The European Union has expressed opposition to the move, calling on Russia to adhere to its international commitments and refrain from any actions that could destabilize the region. Putin has said the agreement will see Russia construct a special storage facility for tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus by the beginning of July.