News Editor’s Roundup: Senate Acquits Trump; Deputy WH Press Secretary Resigns; Lindsey Graham Touts Lara Trump

BY JACK CROWE

February 15, 2021

Good morning and welcome to the News Editor's Roundup, a weekly newsletter that will ensure you're up to date on the developments in politics, business, and culture that will shape the week's news cycle — as well as those that might escape mainstream attention.

Senate Votes to Acquit Trump of 'Incitement of Insurrection' Impeachment Charge

The Senate on Saturday voted 57-43 to acquit former President Donald Trump for "incitement of an insurrection" after the House last month passed a single article of impeachment against him for his role in encouraging his supporters to amass at the U.S. Capitol on January 6.

Seven GOP senators joined Democrats in voting to convict the former president: Senators Richard Burr of North Carolina, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mitt Romney of Utah, Ben Sasse of Nebraska and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania.

Deputy WH Press Secretary Resigns after Lashing Out at Reporter

Deputy White House press secretary T. J. Ducklo resigned on Saturday following revelations that he lashed out at a reporter pursuing a story on his relationship with another journalist.

Ducklo's relationship with Axios reporter Alexi McCammond was revealed in a profile of the couple in People magazine last week. However, when Politico reporter Tara Palmeri attempted to work on a story about the relationship in January, Ducklo called Palmeri and threatened to ruin her reputation if the story was published.

"I will destroy you," Ducklo told Palmeri, in a conversation revealed by Vanity Fair. Ducklo also accused Palmeri of being jealous" that another, unidentified man "wanted to f***" McCammond "and not you."

Lindsey Graham Touts Lara Trump as Potential N.C. Senate Candidate to Replace Burr

Senator Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.) touted Lara Trump, the former president's daughter-in-law, as a potential candidate in the North Carolina Senate race for 2022, in comments to Fox News Sunday.

The North Carolina spot will be vacated by Republican senator Richard Burr, who announced in 2016 that he would not seek reelection once his term ends. Lara Trump, a North Carolina native, has reportedly considered moving back to her home state from New York in order to run for Burr's seat.

Burr surprised Republican colleagues on Saturday by voting to convict Trump of "incitement of insurrection" during the former president's second impeachment trial.

McConnell Vows to Focus On 'Electability' for 2022 Races

Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) indicated that he will support Senate candidates in 2022 based on "electability," in comments to Politico published on Sunday.

McConnell made the comments shortly after the Senate voted to acquit former President Trump of "incitement of insurrection" in his second impeachment trial. While seven GOP senators voted to convict, McConnell chose to acquit but said Trump was "practically and morally responsible" for the riot at the Capitol on January 6.

Pelosi Rebukes 'Cowardly' Republicans after Trump Impeachment Acquittal

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Saturday blasted the "cowardly group of Republicans" who voted to acquit former President Donald Trump on the charge of "incitement of an insurrection."

"What we saw in that Senate today was a cowardly group of Republicans who apparently have no options, because they were afraid to defend their job, respect the institution in which they serve," Pelosi said after the Senate voted 57-43 to acquit Trump.

McConnell Says Trump is 'Practically and Morally Responsible' for Capitol Riots after Voting to Acquit

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) voted on Saturday to acquit Donald Trump on the charge of "incitement of an insurrection," saying that while the former president is "practically and morally responsible" for the rioting at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, it is unconstitutional to impeach a president who has left office.

After the chamber voted 57-43 to acquit Trump, McConnell said on the Senate floor that the 45th president's supporters were "assaulting the Capitol in his name" and "carried his banners" while "screaming their loyalties to him."

Trump Thanks Lawyers, Laments 'Greatest Witch Hunt' in History after Impeachment Acquittal

Former President Donald Trump on Saturday celebrated his acquittal in his Senate impeachment trial, thanking the Republican lawmakers who voted "not guilty" and calling the proceedings "the greatest witch hunt in the history of our Country."

"I want to first thank my team of dedicated lawyers and others for their tireless work upholding justice and defending truth," Trump said after the Senate voted 57-43 to acquit him of "incitement of insurrection."

He added: "My deepest thanks as well to all of the United States Senators and Members of Congress who stood proudly for the Constitution we all revere and for the sacred legal principles at the heart of our country."

CDC Urges Schools to Reopen 'as Soon as Possible,' Says COVID Risk Can Be Mitigated

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention called to reopen schools from kindergarten through 12th grade, in new guidelines released on Friday.

The guidelines were updated as many local governments have struggled to return students to in-person learning, almost a year after the coronavirus pandemic forced schools across the U.S. to shutter their doors. San Francisco is suing the city's own Board of Education to reopen its public schools, while Chicago reached a deal with the city teachers' union to reopen schools in March after weeks of negotiations.

Minneapolis City Council Votes to Increase Police Budget to Hire New Recruits

The Minneapolis City Council has unanimously approved a $6.4 million increase to the police budget, despite a push by local activists to replace the police with a new public safety department.

Minneapolis was roiled by civil unrest in May and June after an officer killed African American resident George Floyd during an attempted arrest. Rioters burned down the officer's precinct and destroyed businesses in the city, and Floyd's death sparked massive protests and riots throughout U.S. cities, with demonstrators calling to "defund" police departments.

The City Council voted on Friday to provide its police department with $6.4 million to hire and train new recruits. The department says it began 2020 with 817 officers but ended the year with 638 officers available to work.