We’re back and we’re reading – everything from the “Washington Post” to the “CBS News.” We’re trying to help you keep up with the rapid pace of politics and policy. Today we’ve got news on a shooting in California, Jim Acosta, Jeff Sessions and more.
California shooting
A gunman opened fire Wednesday night at a bar in Thousand Oaks, California.
The shooter opened fire at the Borderline Bar & Grill during a packed college night, killing at least 12 and injuring 21 more. Among the killed is a sheriff’s deputy of Ventura County, who died at a local hospital after being injured by the gunfire.
Police said the suspect, identified at 28-year-old Ian David Long, is dead.
There are around 20 to 25 people reported to be waiting to hear from loved ones who were at the bar at the time of the shooting.
President Trump has been briefed on the shooting and took to Twitter to thank law enforcement and share his thoughts.
I have been fully briefed on the terrible shooting in California. Law Enforcement and First Responders, together with the FBI, are on scene. 13 people, at this time, have been reported dead. Likewise, the shooter is dead, along with the first police officer to enter the bar….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 8, 2018
….Great bravery shown by police. California Highway Patrol was on scene within 3 minutes, with first officer to enter shot numerous times. That Sheriff’s Sergeant died in the hospital. God bless all of the victims and families of the victims. Thank you to Law Enforcement.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 8, 2018
Acosta suspended
Jim Acosta, CNN’s chief White House correspondent’s press pass was suspended Wednesday.
Acosta tweeted Wednesday night “I’ve just been denied entrance to the WH. Secret Service just informed me I cannot enter the WH grounds for my 8pm hit.”
Sarah Sanders, White House press secretary, confirmed his suspension stating that the suspension stemmed from his interaction with a White House intern. According to Sanders, Acosta placed “his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job…” as he was in a heated debate with President Trump.
CNN said in a statement Wednesday night Sanders “lied” in her explanation of the press pass suspension.
“You’re fired.”
Attorney General Jeff Sessions submitted his resignation Wednesday at the request of President Trump.
Sessions’ resignation came only a day after the midterms, where the Republicans held onto control of the Senate.
Trump’s distaste for Sessions, who was one of Trump’s earliest and most loyal supporters, was well known. The President mocked the attorney general on many occasions.
Matthew Whitaker, Sessions’ Chief of Staff, will take over as acting attorney general. He will take charge of the Russian investigation and the special counsel Robert Mueller.
Immigration Directive
President Trump will sign a directive this week that will revamp the asylum system here in the United States.
This directive will require asylum seekers to make a claim for asylum at a point of entry on the border. Currently, migrants can enter the U.S. and have up to a year to request asylum.
The Trump administration feels this change will use resources better and create a safer and more orderly process.
According to administration officials, President Trump is expected to sign this directive Friday, before leaving for Paris.
Recount
Florida Democrat Sen. Bill Nelson called for a recount Wednesday in the race for his re-election against Republican Gov. Rick Scott.
The incumbent in a statement said Scott declared victory prematurely.
An automatic recount is triggered in Florida when the final margin is less than 0.5 percent. According to The New York Times, Scott leads by 0.4 percent with 100 percent of the precincts reporting.
The vote count will not be finalized until Saturday at noon.
Georgia’s governor race
Republican Brian Kemp declared victory Wednesday in Georgia’s governor race. However, election officials are continuing to count absentee and provisional ballots, which narrow Kemp’s lead over Democrat Stacey Abrams.
Abrams is confident she could have the votes to force a runoff election between the two candidates.
Various voting rights advocates accused Kemp and various local officials of disenfranchising thousands of voters on Tuesday. There were hundreds of complaints about long lines, broken equipment and a shortage of voting machines.
As of Wednesday evening, Kemp was head with 50.3 percent of the vote compared to Abram’s 48.7 percent. This means Abrams and the Libertarian candidate would need to receive at least 25,000 votes more than Kemp to bring his percentage of the vote to below 50 percent and trigger a runoff.
Conway defends President Trump
Kellyanne Conway, the White House counselor, defended President Trump Wednesday for calling a black reporter’s question “racist”.
The reporter asked President Trump during his post-midterm news conference about his self-professed nationalism.
Conway said on “PBS NewsHour” Wednesday night that “there’s a difference between nationalism and white nationalism.”
.@JudyWoodruff asked @KellyannePolls about @Yamiche‘s question to the president today, and the president’s response that the question was “racist.” pic.twitter.com/TSFLUdq7Dj
— PBS NewsHour (@NewsHour) November 8, 2018
Trump has fully embraced the word “nationalist” during these last few weeks, especially when he declared to a crowd in Houston last month, “You know what I am? I’m a nationalist.”
That’s all we have for today. Check back tomorrow for more.
