Follow the money, urged a character in the film All the President’s Men on the Watergate saga – it’s advice well worth heeding today, a week from the inauguration of President Joe Biden.
Several major US companies, including Amazon, AT&T, Comcast, Airbnb, Mastercard, Verizon and Dow, the chemical company. Marriott, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Commerce Bancshares, have announced the suspension of donations to Republican members of Congress who voted against the certification of Biden as president at last week’s catastrophic sitting of both houses of the US Congress.
Hallmark has even asked for its money back from two of the senators who opposed certification, Josh Hawley and Roger Marshall.
In the Senate, the temporary ban on donations will also affect Rick Scott of Florida, Ted Cruz of Texas and a few other members. In the House, the group includes more than half of the Republican caucus.
The National Association of Manufacturers also weighed in on the issue. Republicans who “cheered on” Trump during his “disgusting” effort to overturn the election had “inflamed violent anger. This is sedition and should be treated as such,” the association said.
President Donald Trump and VP Mike Pence kissed and made up on Monday night after Trump had vilified his ever-loyal VP for failing to call the president vote in his favour, despite Pence’s obligation to follow the Constitution. Had he supported Trump he might have been accused of treason.
Trump continues to defend his incendiary speech ahead of last Wednesday’s assault on the capital. He says his remarks were “totally appropriate” even while they have become the basis for a second impeachment.
He refuses to acknowledge his own role in the violence last Wednesday at the Capitol, where pro-Trump rioters clashed with law enforcement and broke into the building. The ensuing mayhem led to several deaths, including a Capitol Police officer.
“They’ve analysed my speech and my words and my final paragraph, my final sentence and everybody to the T thought it was appropriate, “he said.
The FBI and police forces have distributed a high alert ahead of planned demonstrations by Trump supporters and right-wing extremist groups.
Trump supporters are expected to gather in Washington, DC and state capitals across the country on Sunday and then again three days later for the inauguration of President Biden.
One flyer associated with Sunday’s gatherings tells participants to “come armed at your personal discretion.”
The National Guard will have up 15,000 members on duty on January 20.
Point of Order 