The Wells Report for Wednesday, September 6, 2023

Today's News, Analysis, Commentary & Debate

TEXAS:

PAXTON PLEADS ‘NOT GUILTY’ AT IMPEACHMENT TRIAL

NEWSMAX:

Embattled Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton pleaded "not guilty" Tuesday through his attorney during the first day of his state Senate impeachment trial.

"The allegations are untrue; therefore, Ken Paxton pleads not guilty," The Hill reported attorney Tony Buzbee telling the court.

Paxton is facing 16 corruption charges by the Texas House in May by a vote of 121-23, which include his alleged efforts to attack the political enemies of Austin realtor Nate Paul, taking a bribe from Paul for protection, then engaging in activities to cover the wrongdoing, the report said.

TWR:  Anyone who follows Texas Politics knows one thing for certain…Nothing is as it seems.

AG Paxton has accomplished more for the Texas Conservative Movement than just about anyone.  Perhaps that’s why he’s being impeached by members of his own Party…

Is Texas Neo-Con/Rino Country?

PROSECUTORS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO CALL WITNESSES TODAY

TEXAS TRIBUNE:

The first day of Ken Paxton's impeachment trial included a series of highly anticipated votes, including multiple bids to dismiss every article of impeachment. The motions were soundly defeated.

But Paxton's attorneys succeeded in another key early decision when Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, acting in his role as trial judge, ruled that the suspended attorney general could not be forced to testify during impeachment proceedings.

In opening statements, House impeachment managers accused Paxton of allowing a “slow creep of corruption” to taint his office.

His lawyers fired back and disparaged the impeachment case against him as a dangerous exercise based on “ignorance, innuendo and outright lies.”

Prosecutors on Wednesday are expected to continue calling witnesses who they hope will bolster their argument that Paxton should be removed from office.

TWR:  My observations include overly-earnest testimony…And more unspoken, than spoken things being exchanged during this trial.

Is the “fix” in?  If so, for what reason?

NATIONAL:

HOUSE OVERSIGHT CHAIRMAN COMER SUBPOENAS MAYORKAS, SECRET SERVICE, DHS STAFFERS OVER HUNTER BIDEN PROBE

THE HILL:

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) on Tuesday subpoenaed Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas along with three other DHS employees and two Secret Service staffers as the House panel expands its inquiry into whether the Justice Department improperly tipped off the protective agency while investigating Hunter Biden over alleged tax crimes.

The six subpoenas serve dual inquiries, seeking information surrounding how the Secret Service as well as the Biden transition team was notified about plans to interview the president’s son, along with alleging improper conduct by the agencies as committees aim to get that information.

The subpoena also includes demands regarding DHS’s Office of Legislative affairs and includes an allegation that DHS blocked the Secret Service from responding to a previous request for interviews regarding claims from IRS whistleblower Gary Shapley. 

Shapley, an IRS agent who previously led the investigation into Hunter Biden’s tax issues, testified that Secret Service headquarters was improperly tipped off about a planned Dec. 8, 2020, attempt to seek an interview with Biden, foiling those plans.

TWR:  These subpoenas strike to the heart of the Deep State Coverup of alleged Biden Family Influence Peddling. 

If DHS reached out improperly to the Secret Service, even “accidentally on purpose” to interfere with an IRS Investigation, that’s Obstruction of Justice.

FLORIDA REP MATT GAETZ CALLS FOR IMPEACHMENT VOTE

NEWSMAX:

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., predicted forthcoming efforts to compel House votes on impeachment, while delivering a warning to Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.

"I worked very hard in January to develop a toolkit for House Republicans to use in a productive and positive way. I don't believe we've used those tools as effectively as we should have," he said.

Gaetz said that when the House returns to Washington next week, Republicans must proactively "seize the initiative" with a vote to initiate an impeachment inquiry against President Joe Biden. Biden is accused of, among other things, participating in his son Hunter's efforts to secure foreign business deals by trading on the Biden family name.

"That means forcing votes on impeachment. And if Speaker McCarthy stands in our way, he may not have the job long," Gaetz said.

TWR:  In the game of ‘Big Politics’ a little pressure is good…Hopefully, Rep Gaetz knows where the line is.

This Republican Investigation must have all the hallmarks of Fairness denied to former President Trump by the Democrat Lynch Mob.

PRESIDENT BIDEN ABRUPTLY LEAVES MOH CEREMONY

DAILY MAIL:

Joe Biden has sparked backlash after he hastily exited a Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House, leaving a celebrated war hero awkwardly alone on stage.

The President, 80, quickly made his way out of the East Room after awarding the nation's highest military honor to Larry Taylor, 81, a retired Army Captain celebrated for his heroics during the Vietnam War.

But while Taylor shed a tear as the medal was pinned to his lapel, Biden appeared less moved by the moment as he was reportedly already heading out of the door before the closing benediction was read.

While many have reacted with fury, some have speculated that the commander-in-chief was trying to give the veteran the spotlight, leading to an awkward moment where Taylor was left alone on stage.  

The gaffe came after Biden was earlier criticized for removing his mask moments before greeting Taylor, despite First Lady Jill Biden testing positive for Covid-19 the day before.

Biden's quick getaway is the latest in a long line of incidents that have led people to brand him disrespectful to the troops, including an infamous moment where he repeatedly checked his watch during a ceremony honoring soldiers killed in an ISIS-K suicide bombing in Kabul, Afghanistan in 2021. 

TWR:  In one event…President Biden blows up his staff messaging on masking, then reinforces the ‘…He disrespects the US Military.

From the Press Room Podium, (the unfortunate, but unendingly creative) Karine Jean-Pierre said President Biden, “Left the stage to minimize possible COVID exposure after removing his mask to make remarks.”

Uh….Why not just put his mask back on?  If minimizing exposure was the goal, why did the President walk through the filled East Room of the White House, exposing people on his left & right?

DRS PUSH BACK ON FAUCI MASK RECOMMENDATION

FOX NEWS:

Dr. Anthony Fauci in an interview on Saturday spoke about the potential for a return to mask-wearing in America in light of a seasonal uptick in COVID cases and hospitalizations.

Now, doctors reached by Fox News Digital are sharing reaction to the comments by the former White House chief medical adviser. 

"I am concerned that people will not abide by [masking] recommendations," Fauci said in the interview.

Dr. Brett Osborn, a board-certified neurosurgeon in West Palm Beach, Florida, is also the founder of a preventative health care and anti-aging facility, Senolytix. 

In response to Fauci’s comments defending masking, Osborn pointed to "limited efficacy data" for masks — "particularly regarding the large-scale spread of the disease, as was the case during the pandemic," he told Fox News Digital. 

"Let’s face it, regardless of mask usage, the population en masse will be exposed to SARS-COV-2, and its variants, as is the case with influenza," Osborn went on. 

"This is inevitable and independent of quarantines, lockdowns and other measures that only cultivate a sense of false security," he also said.

TWR:  Finally…Real Doctors speak out on SARS COv-2. 

At the end of the day, COVID-19 will not just cause the deaths of millions, but will likely kill US Government Public Health efforts for the foreseeable future.

Regardless of what fear-paralyzed politicians convince themselves of, telling the American People the Truth will always be less-damaging than lies.

PROUD BOYS LEADER ENRIQUE BARRIO SENTENCED TO 22 YEARS

USA TODAY:

Former Proud Boys national chairman Enrique Tarrio was sentenced Tuesday to 22 years in prison – the longest sentence yet related to the Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021 – after his conviction for seditious conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election and to keep Donald Trump in the White House.

Prosecutors sought 33 years in prison for Tarrio, 39, of Miami. He was not at the Capitol on Jan. 6 but had organized Proud Boys members who were among the first to breach the historic building and who temporarily prevented Congress from counting Electoral College votes to certify the election.

Tarrio argued at the trial he was blamed for riot after Trump inflamed the mob. He was in Baltimore the day of the attack and didn't direct anyone to assault police or destroy property, said his lawyers, who proposed a sentence no more than 15 years.

TWR:  A question…

Are the members of Oath Keepers, & Proud Boys who have now been sent to Federal Penitentiaries Political Prisoners?  Why or Why not?

Call The Wells Report, 817-379-1754 tomorrow morning after 9 AM Central Time, and give me your opinion.

POLITICS:

MCCONNELL SHOWED 'NO EVIDENCE' OF A SEIZURE DISORDER OR STROKE

NBC NEWS:

Dr. Brian Monahan, the Capitol attending physician, confirmed in a new letter that he examined Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell after his freeze-up last week and said “there is no evidence” McConnell has a seizure disorder or “experienced a stroke, TIA or movement disorder such as Parkinson’s disease.”

“My examination of you following your August 30, 2023 brief episode included several medical evaluations: brain MRI imaging, EEG study and consultations with several neurologists for a comprehensive neurology assessment,” Monahan wrote to McConnell, R-Ky., 81, whose office released the letter Tuesday.

“There is no evidence that you have a seizure disorder or that you experienced a stroke, TIA or movement disorder such as Parkinson’s disease," he continued, referring to a transient ischemic attack.

TWR:  That’s good news…Many of us were/are truly worried.

MOST SENATE REPUBLICANS SAY THEY STAND BY MCCONNELL'S FITNESS

ABC NEWS:

While Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell's health may have raised questions outside the Senate about his fitness to serve, most GOP senators on Tuesday stood by their leader, expressing confidence in his ability to carry out his job.

"We may expect that Mitch McConnell will check out for 20 seconds a day. But the other 86,380 seconds in the day, he does a pretty darn good job," Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, said. "I'm firmly behind his remaining as our leader."

"He sounds good to me, so, I'm all good with Mitch," Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., echoed to reporters.

Romney and Graham's sentiments were shared by members of the Senate Republican leadership team, even those who are seen as his possible successors to McConnell's leadership role.

TWR:  Senator McConnell addresses the US Senate today, then took questions from the Press…He did very well.  No sign of trouble.

FOUR-DAY WORKWEEK, 46% RAISE: UAW MAKES 'AUDACIOUS' DEMANDS AHEAD OF POSSIBLE STRIKE

ABC NEWS:

A four-day workweek at full-time pay, a 46% wage increase and a share of company profits are among the demands of the union representing approximately 150,000 workers at the Big 3 U.S. automakers -- General Motors, Ford and Stellantis.

The United Auto Workers, or UAW, has vowed to launch a strike on Sept. 14 if the union and the automakers fail to reach an agreement by then.

Even UAW President Shawn Fain last month described the workers' set of demands as "audacious." He has defended the ambitious agenda in a series of public statements, citing billions in profits enjoyed by the Big 3.

The automakers, meanwhile, have largely rejected the demands. Only Ford has presented a contract proposal, offering a 9% wage increase over the term of the contract, plus a one-time payout that brings the total raise to 15%.

TWR:  Good Luck on all that UAW…

A 4-day work week.  Would we be able to get everything done in 4 days? 

SPORTS:

OBERLIN LACROSSE COACH SPEAKS OUT ON MEN IN WOMEN’S SPORTS

FOX NEWS:

Kim Russell, the women’s lacrosse head coach at Oberlin College, a liberal arts school in Ohio, continues to speak out regarding transgender inclusion in women’s sports as she was a guest on "The Ingraham Angle" with Laura Ingraham on Tuesday night. 

Russell has been the center of a large debate with Oberlin College after she talked about how administrators and her players ridiculed her after she posted her personal viewpoint about Lia Thomas winning an NCAA championship in swimming in 2022 on social media. 

Russell reposted a headline that sarcastically congratulated former Virginia swim star Emma Weyant for defeating Thomas, a transgender female, where the Yeowomen head coach wrote, "What do you believe? I can’t be quiet on this… I’ve spent my life playing sports, starting & coaching sports programs for girls & women…"

"It’s acceptable to have your own opinions, but when they go against Oberlin College’s beliefs, it’s a problem," Creg Jantz, senior associate director of athletics, added. 

Coach Russell added this, “"it is scientific that, biologically, males and females are different. Period. I don’t believe biological males should be in women’s locker rooms.

Where’s the #MeToo movement now? What happened to that?"

TWR:  Congratulations to Coach Kim Russell for standing up for her Bio-Female Athletes.

In this, she suffers the lash for calling out Political Sociopaths trying to erase Women from Society. 

Also, kudos to Laura Ingraham of FOX News…Her coverage of this story has been spot on.

20-YEAR-OLD BEN SHELTON UPSETS FRANCES TIAFOE TO ADVANCE TO US OPEN SEMIFINAL

CNN:

Ben Shelton pulled off an upset against fellow American and world No. 10 Frances Tiafoe in four sets in the US Open quarterfinals early Wednesday.

In the first-ever US Open quarterfinal match between two Black American men, the 20-year-old Shelton defeated last year’s runner-up 6-2 3-6 7-6(7) 6-2 in New York.

Shelton – the youngest American male to reach a US Open semifinal since a 20-year-old Michael Chang made it in 1992 – will next play 23-time grand slam winner Novak Djokovic on Friday.

TWR:  Remember the name Ben Shelton…20 years old…Unseeded into the US Open…Now through to the Semi-Finals…

The last time an unseeded American went on to win the whole thing?  Andre Agassi, 1994.

Jon-David Wells, Host - The Wells Report c: 2023

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