Despite the constant, flimsy affirmations of bipartisanship coming from deep within the Democratically-led select committee on January 6th, there is little doubt among much of the GOP that the entire process is rigged to vilify former President Donald Trump.

They see the work of the committee as a charade, and as an attempt to conjure a re-do of Trump’s second impeachment trial, this time with Nancy Pelosi calling the shots instead of Mitch McConnell.  And, more worrisome still is the ferocity with which they’ve been taking action, attempting to hold close Trump confidantes in contempt of court.

Steve Bannon is the first such target, after he communicated his concerns that no court had yet ruled on the claims of executive privilege being made by the former President.  Nevertheless, the House of Representatives took up a vote to hold him in contempt, and the results were shocking to many members of the GOP.

There were a few Republicans Thursday who surprised observers when they voted in support of holding former Trump adviser Steve Bannon in contempt of Congress and referring him to the Justice Department for criminal prosecution.

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Prior to the vote, four Republicans were considered a lock to approve the criminal referral, according to Capitol Hill sources: Reps. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, Fred Upton of Michigan and Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio.

But then…

The remaining five Republicans included three who voted for impeachment — Peter Meijer of Michigan, John Katko of New York and Jaime Herrera Beutler of Washington — and two House Republicans who did not vote to impeach Trump: Nancy Mace of South Carolina and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania.

The surprising results of the vote could act to embolden the already-fraught committee, and may force Trump and his other allies to bolster their defenses.

Despite the constant, flimsy affirmations of bipartisanship coming from deep within the Democratically-led select committee on January 6th, there is little doubt among much of the GOP that the entire process is rigged to vilify former President Donald Trump. They see the work of the committee as a charade, and as an attempt to conjure a re-do of Trump’s second impeachment trial, this time with Nancy Pelosi calling the shots instead of Mitch McConnell.  And, more worrisome still is the ferocity with which they’ve been taking action, attempting to hold close Trump confidantes in contempt of court. Steve Bannon is the first such target, after he communicated his concerns that no court had yet ruled on the claims of executive privilege being made by the former President.  Nevertheless, the House of Representatives took up a vote to hold him in contempt, and the results were shocking to many members of the GOP. There were a few Republicans Thursday who surprised observers when they voted in support of holding former Trump adviser Steve Bannon in contempt of Congress and referring him to the Justice Department for criminal prosecution. Prior to the vote, four Republicans were considered a lock to approve the criminal referral, according to Capitol Hill sources: Reps. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, Fred Upton of Michigan and Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio. But then… The remaining five Republicans included three who voted for impeachment — Peter Meijer of Michigan, John Katko of New York and Jaime Herrera Beutler of Washington — and two House Republicans who did not vote to impeach Trump: Nancy Mace of South Carolina and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania. The surprising results of the vote could act to embolden the already-fraught committee, and may force Trump and his other allies to bolster their defenses.

There is no doubt about it:  The White House isn’t too keen on Joe Biden taking questions from the press, and they barely seem to mind that anyone knows this.

Biden himself has intimated as much, often telling reporters that he’d be “in trouble” if he were to remain at the podium after a speaking engagement to take their questions.  This begs the question:  Who exactly does the leader of the free world report to on these matters, and is that any sort of situation for a US President to be in.

One White House press corps member attempted to get to the bottom of the issue this week, but was met with a paltry excuse from the administration.

White House reporter Brian Karem, who became known during the Trump administration for his aggressive style when asking questions, asked to have the same opportunity with Biden.

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“I’m sure there have been dozens who would humbly request that the president of the United States not only do a town hall, but show up, either in this room or in the East Room, to appear before the full press for a robust round of questions that will no doubt benefit the American public,” Karem told White House deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

Biden is appearing at a “town hall” event on CNN Thursday evening.

Their response was less than optimal.

Jean-Pierre interjected and claimed Biden “takes questions all the time,” adding that it is a “large press corps.”

And so, it appears, our President will continue to shirk his duty to speak openly, further damaging the noble purpose of the freedom of the press.

There is no doubt about it:  The White House isn’t too keen on Joe Biden taking questions from the press, and they barely seem to mind that anyone knows this. Biden himself has intimated as much, often telling reporters that he’d be “in trouble” if he were to remain at the podium after a speaking engagement to take their questions.  This begs the question:  Who exactly does the leader of the free world report to on these matters, and is that any sort of situation for a US President to be in. One White House press corps member attempted to get to the bottom of the issue this week, but was met with a paltry excuse from the administration. White House reporter Brian Karem, who became known during the Trump administration for his aggressive style when asking questions, asked to have the same opportunity with Biden. “I’m sure there have been dozens who would humbly request that the president of the United States not only do a town hall, but show up, either in this room or in the East Room, to appear before the full press for a robust round of questions that will no doubt benefit the American public,” Karem told White House deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. Biden is appearing at a “town hall” event on CNN Thursday evening. Their response was less than optimal. Jean-Pierre interjected and claimed Biden “takes questions all the time,” adding that it is a “large press corps.” And so, it appears, our President will continue to shirk his duty to speak openly, further damaging the noble purpose of the freedom of the press.