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Key events
The Georgia Democratic party (GDP) has put out a statement denouncing Florida governor Ron DeSantis’s upcoming speech at a local gun shop following yesterday’s shooting in Nashville.
Representative Nikema Williams, who is also chair of the GDP, called on DeSantis to cancel the upcoming stop in Smyrna, Georgia, according to a statement from Williams published Tuesday:
Holding a campaign event at a gun store days after another horrific school shooting where innocent children were murdered should be beyond the pale, but Ron DeSantis seems to not care.
DeSantis is showing Georgians exactly where his priorities lie as he advocates for an extreme MAGA agenda that could make it easier for criminals to carry guns in Florida and puts the gun lobby ahead of our children’s lives. DeSantis should cancel this event immediately.
DeSantis is scheduled to visit the gun shop on Thursday, 30 March.
A federal judge has ordered Mike Pence to testify in a special counsel investigation on Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
The former vice-president has been ordered to testify about conversations he had with Trump leading up to the January 6 insurrection, reported CNN.
The judge has said that Pence can decline to answer questions related to his own actions or the insurrection itself.
Pence is able to appeal this ruling.
Joe Biden has commented on his ability to get gun control passed following Monday’s massacre at a Nashville elementary school, noting that he can only “plead with Congress” for action.
Biden spoke to reporters while on his way to Durham, North Carolina.
While making his trip, Biden was asked about his ability to enact firearm restrictions.
“I can’t do anything except plead with Congress to act,” said Biden.
>@potus is candid about his own powers to enact gun restrictions, telling reporters today:
“I can’t do anything except plead with Congress to act.”
— Seung Min Kim (@seungminkim) March 28, 2023
The Guardian’s Martin Pengelly wrote on the latest updates regarding Tuesday’s shooting in Nashville at an elementary school, available here.
The Senate chaplain commented on yesterday’s mass shooting, delivering fiery remarks about the need to move beyond thoughts and prayers in response to gun violence.
On Tuesday, Senate chaplain Barry Black began his morning prayer for the Senate with a plea on addressing gun violence.
“When babies die at a church school, it is time for us to move beyond thoughts and prayers. Remind our lawmakers of the words of the British statesman Edmund Burke: ‘All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing,” said Black during his impassioned prayer.
“When babies die at a church school, it is time for us to move beyond thoughts and prayers. Remind our lawmakers of the words of the British statesman Edmund Burke: ‘All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing.'”
— Senate @Chaplain_Black #Nashvile pic.twitter.com/7nP11shNmR
— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) March 28, 2023
Democrats are now holding a press conference in response to yesterday’s shooting, urging Republicans to work with them and pass gun control legislation.
Democratic leadership hold presser, starting with yesterday’s school shooting in TN.
.@PeteAguilar “We must give families the peace of mind to send their kids to school without fearing for their lives. But we need reasonable Republicans to come to the table to make this happen.” pic.twitter.com/GaN2gW0edR
— Mica Soellner (@MicaSoellnerDC) March 28, 2023
New Virginia Rep. @JennMcClellanVA links gun safety with parental rights at Dem presser: “The number one right parents should have is the ability to send their children to school and not worry about if they’ll come back.”
— Mica Soellner (@MicaSoellnerDC) March 28, 2023
Democrats are apparently weighing legislative options in the face of Monday’s shooting at a Tennessee elementary school, including a discharge petition.
Democrats have been critical of Republicans’ responses to the latest mass shooting and are considering potential actions, reports Politico’s Nicholas Wu.
“We’re going to have a conversation about all options to deal with the gun violence epidemic in America,” said US House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries to Politico.
Dems are weighing options for gun regs in caucus this am- maybe even a discharge petition. Lawmakers want to act in wake of another mass shooting
“We’re going to have a conversation about all options to deal with the gun violence epidemic in America,” Leader Jeffries tells me.
— Nicholas Wu (@nicholaswu12) March 28, 2023
Tennessee representative Andrew Ogles has responded to criticism he received after yesterday’s Nashville shooting for a 2021 Christmas family photo featuring firearms.
Ogles, who represents the district where the shooting took place, did not express regrets on Tuesday over the photo, where Ogles, his wife, and several of his children are holding riffles and smiling.
“Why would I regret a photograph with my family exercising my rights to bear arms?” said the representative.
Per my teammate @elliskkim – Rep Andy Ogles (R-TN), who represents Nashville-area, was asked if he regrets posting holiday photo of family posing with guns.
Ogles responded: “Why would I regret a photograph with my family exercising my rights to bear arms?”
— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) March 28, 2023
An aide to Kentucky senator Rand Paul was stabbed multiple times over the weekend, said the senator in a late Monday statement.
A member of Paul’s staff was seriously wounded during the random attack around 5.15 pm eastern time on Saturday, reported ABC News.
The assault took place less than two miles outside of the US Capitol building, raising concerns about violence in the capital city.
“This past weekend a member of my staff was brutally attacked in broad daylight in Washington, D.C.,” said Paul in a statement to ABC News.
“I ask you to join [wife] Kelley and me in praying for a speedy and complete recovery, and thanking the first responders, hospital staff, and police for their diligent actions.”
The victim was treated for stab wounds and taken to the hospital for “treatment of life-threatening injuries”, according to a police report obtained by ABC.
The suspect was arrested and is being held without bail.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre spoke this morning about yesterday’s shooting, urging Republicans to “show some courage” on passing gun control measures.
While speaking on the show Morning Joe, Jean-Pierre spoke about the need for legislation following another mass shooting in a US school.
“No other country is dealing with this,” said Jean-Pierre. “No other country is dealing with our kids going to school [and] being slaughtered, being murdered.”
“Enough. Enough. Enough,” Jean-Pierre added. “We need Republicans in Congress to show some courage. This is what they owe these parents.
.@PressSec: “Enough. Enough. Enough…We need Republicans in Congress to show some courage. This is what they owe these parents. This is what they owe these family members who are losing their loved ones. They need to show courage…this is unacceptable.” pic.twitter.com/HKLo8Xpuur
— Morning Joe (@Morning_Joe) March 28, 2023
Following Monday’s shooting in Nashville, Tennessee governor Bill Lee has come under fire for sharing condolences about the massacre while not supporting gun control in the state.
Republican governor Bill Lee shared on Monday that he was “praying for the school, congregation & Nashville community”.
But Lee was widely criticized for his comments as Lee refused to pass firearm restrictions in June following a mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, where 19 children and two teachers were killed.
Lee also faced backlash for his comments, as his administration passed a bill in 2021 that allows open carry of handguns without permits in Tennessee.
Republicans accused of hypocrisy after Nashville shooting
Good morning.
Yesterday’s shooting in Nashville, Tennessee, has once again spotlighted the partisan divide on how to address gun violence in schools.
Three children and three adults were killed during Monday’s massacre at the Covenant school, a private elementary school, confirmed the Nashville police department. The shooting was carried out by a former student who was shot and killed at the scene.
In response to Monday’s tragedy, Democrats have been quick to point out hypocrisy and inaction on gun violence from their Republican counterparts.
Tennessee representative Andrew Ogles, who represents the district where the Covenant school is located, said he was “utterly heartbroken” over the shooting in a statement released on Monday, reported the Washington Post.
But Democrats and gun control advocates brought up Ogles’ previous defense of guns, including a 2021 Christmas card featuring Ogles’ family smiling and holding riffles.
THIS is last year’s Christmas card from Tennessee Rep. Andy Ogles, a Republican who represents the district that Covenant School is in in Nashville. #tnleg pic.twitter.com/IpkLzZs5m5
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) March 27, 2023
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre similarly accused Republicans of inaction during yesterday’s briefing, stating: “How many more children have to be murdered before Republicans in Congress step up and pass the assault weapons ban, to close loopholes in our background check system, or to require the safe storage of guns?”
Karine Jean-Pierre, on today’s school shooting in TN: “How many more children have to be murdered before Republicans in Congress will step up and act to pass the assault weapons ban, to close loopholes in our in our background check system or to require the safe storage of guns?” pic.twitter.com/OvkNduduf8
— DJ Judd (@DJJudd) March 27, 2023
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