Representatives in the House on Thursday voted to strip newly seated GOP Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of her committee assignments over her disturbing, violent, antisemitic, and conspiracist speech. A day earlier House minority leader Kevin McCarthy released a statement saying that although he did not agree with Greene’s beliefs, he would not support censuring or sanctioning her. Instead, he mystifyingly pivoted to blaming Democrats because in his words they, “continue to do nothing about Democrats serving on the Foreign Affairs Committee who have spread anti-Semitic tropes, Democrats on the House Intelligence and Homeland Security Committee compromised by Chinese spies, or the Chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee who advocated for violence against public servants.” On Wednesday at a private meeting Republicans considered the conduct of both Greene, and Representative Liz Cheney who apparently was sufficiently loyal to former President Donald Trump. Greene reportedly apologized to her party for making her dangerous claims and received a standing ovation. Eventually, after holding a secret ballot, Republican Representatives also voted 145 to 61 to not punish Cheney. 

On Thursday during her weekly press briefing, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi addressed the Thursday vote over stripping Greene of her House committee assignments. Speaker Pelosi was also asked about the upcoming Senate impeachment trial of the former President. Meanwhile, House impeachment managers on Thursday formally asked Trump to testify under oath to the Senate during the trial. Lead impeachment manager Rep. Jamie Raskin wrote, “Two days ago, you filed an Answer in which you denied many factual allegations set forth in the article of impeachment. You have thus attempted to put critical facts at issue notwithstanding the clear and overwhelming evidence of your constitutional offense.” He added, “In light of your disputing these factual allegations, I write to invite you to provide testimony under oath, either before or during the Senate impeachment trial, concerning your conduct on January 6, 2021.” Federal law enforcement have filed charges against more people in connection with inciting the January 6th Capitol riot. Two of them are leaders of chapters of the Proud Boys group. One is Ethan Nordean, a leader in the Seattle chapter of the Proud Boys and the second is Nicholas Ochs who founded Hawaii’s chapter of the same group–that Canada’s government has declared a terrorist organization. 

Meanwhile President Joe Biden during a traditional ritual in D.C. dubbed the National Prayer Breakfast, denounced what he called “political extremism.” A new poll by Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research has found that a majority of Americans approve of Biden’s handling of the current crises facing the U.S. today. Those expressing approval include about a quarter of all Republicans.