Sen. Josh Hawley arrives for a closed-door briefing by intelligence officials about the Discord leaks at the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center on April 19, 2023 in Washington, DC. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images/File
Rep. Tom McClintock, a member of the House Judiciary Committee who had been a key holdout on impeachment proceedings against the president, said it is time to move forward with one. The Republican from California said evidence is “mounting” on bribery allegations when Biden was vice president — something the White House has furiously denied and which Republicans have yet to corroborate.
McClintock called the plea deal between the Department of Justice and Hunter Biden’s attorneys “a disgrace.”
Other Republicans said the whole plea deal with the Justice Department deserves GOP scrutiny.
Rep. Tim Burchett, a Republican from Tennessee, told CNN: “I don’t know, but it’s just another nail in the coffin. I mean, they’re selling something. You know, Trump was selling cheap steaks and awful ties, all they’re selling is influence and that scares the hell out of me.”
Rep. Troy Nehls, a Republican from Texas, said Hunter Biden is a “true criminal” when asked to react to news that a plea deal between the Justice Department and Hunter Biden’s attorneys has fallen apart.
“Maybe because they realized Hunter Biden is a true criminal and probably needs to go to prison for a few years” Nehls, who said he has not been following the plea deal hearing, told CNN.
Sen. Josh Hawley, a Republican from Missouri, said that the back-and-forth on the plea deal shows that the agreement was always flawed and that more charges could be coming down.
“It’s very telling that the judge intervened here and said basically, ‘No, I’m not going to approve some sweeping blanket deal,’” Hawley said. “I mean, that tells you the court has serious concerns about other potential charges here, and also the scope of the deal, which has seemed outrageous from the beginning.”
He added, “This, I think, signals that they’re still very much as potential for prosecution forward.” Hawley said that Biden should not receive special treatment, as whistleblowers have alleged. “He should be treated like any other person under the law. That’s my view on him.”
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said he “can understand” why House Republicans are frustrated by the Justice Department’s handling of the Hunter Biden case, after the plea deal fell apart earlier today. “There are a lot of people in the House who are better lawyers than I am, and it’s a bit confusing now — I’m not sure what happened this morning — but to the extent that it looks like the administration is treating Democrats more favorably than Republicans, I can understand why people in the House are upset about it,” the Republican from Kentucky said.
Meanwhile, Rep. Jerry Nadler, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, pushed back on the Republicans’ claims. “He’s a Trump appointee,” the lawmaker from New York said of the US attorney leading the probe, David Weiss. “He’s doing his job and there’s just no evidence to support any conclusion of unfair deal.”
Rep. Robert Garcia, a Democrat from California, emphasized that Hunter Biden is a private citizen and that’s how the case should be looked at.
“Hunter Biden should go through the process and the legal process. And I think that what’s important is that Republicans don’t try to politicize this issue. Hunter Biden should be treated fairly within the criminal justice system. If he’s committed wrongdoing, he should be held accountable for that, and I think all of us agree on that point,” he said.
New Brunswick voters have elected a Liberal majority government, tossing out the incumbent Progressive Conservatives after six years in power and handing the reins to the first woman ever to lead the province. Liberal Leader Susan Holt spent much of the campaign rolling out proposed fixes for a health-care system racked by a doctor shortage, overcrowded emergency rooms and long wait-times. She promised to open 30 community health clinics across the province by 2028. (Oct. 22, 2024)
Susan Holt has made history in New Brunswick by becoming the first woman to serve as the leader of the province’s Liberal Party, a significant milestone in the province’s political landscape. Holt’s leadership victory signals a new era of representation, gender equality, and change in the region, which has long been dominated by male politicians.
Holt’s journey to the top has been one of perseverance and dedication. Before entering politics, she built a distinguished career in the private sector, where she held numerous leadership positions. Her experience in business development and public policy has equipped her with the skills needed to navigate the complex world of politics.
In a province where women have historically been underrepresented in politics, Holt’s election represents a watershed moment. Women’s involvement in leadership roles has been steadily increasing nationwide, but New Brunswick, like many parts of Canada, has seen slower progress in achieving gender parity. Holt’s rise to the top of the Liberal Party not only shatters a glass ceiling but also serves as an inspiration for future generations of women aiming for political leadership.
As the leader of the New Brunswick Liberal Party, Holt has laid out a vision of inclusivity and progress. Her policies focus on economic development, healthcare reform, environmental sustainability, and addressing social issues that have plagued the province. She has also emphasized the importance of transparent governance and creating opportunities for underrepresented communities, making her platform both modern and forward-thinking.
Holt’s leadership arrives at a time when many voters are calling for change, especially in the face of challenges like economic uncertainty and the need for healthcare improvements. She aims to bring fresh ideas to tackle these issues while ensuring that all citizens, regardless of their background, have a voice in government decisions.
Susan Holt joins the ranks of other trailblazing women across Canada who have led provincial parties and governments. Women like former Alberta Premier Rachel Notley and Ontario’s Kathleen Wynne have paved the way, and now Holt is contributing to this growing legacy of female political leadership in Canada.
Her achievement highlights not only the growing number of women entering politics but also the demand for leaders who can bring diverse perspectives to the table. In a field often dominated by entrenched traditions, Holt’s election is a step toward a more inclusive and representative political landscape in New Brunswick.
Holt’s leadership signals a broader shift in Canadian politics, where more women and diverse voices are gaining prominence. For young women across the country, her rise serves as a powerful reminder that leadership roles are within reach, even in traditionally male-dominated spheres.
With her election, Susan Holt has proven that perseverance, skill, and a vision for change can break even the toughest barriers. Her leadership will not only reshape New Brunswick’s political future but also inspire others across Canada to pursue leadership positions and continue to challenge the status quo.
NDP Leader Carla Beck has two planned campaign events today, starting the day with an availability in Moose Jaw and then later this evening attending an event in the capital with the Regina Medical Staff Association.
Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe, meanwhile, will speak in Prince Albert at the start of Voting Week in the province.
Saskatchewan residents can vote for five days starting today in the lead-up to next week’s provincial election, although polls won’t be open Sunday.
The NDP and the Saskatchewan Party are urging voters to cast their ballots early.
Voters can find their polling stations on their information cards or by visiting the Elections Saskatchewan website.
Chief electoral officer Michael Boda says there are about 810,000 registered voters in Saskatchewan.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2024.
