On This Day, Feb. 7: Communists give up monopoly of Soviet politics
In 1497, the Bonfire of the Vanities in Florence, Italy, took place when followers of Girolamo Savonarola burned thousands of books, art and cosmetics.
In 1940, British railroads were nationalized.
In 1964, the Beatles arrived in the United States for the first time and immediately set off a frantic wave of "Beatlemania."
In 1973, the U.S. Senate voted to set up a committee to investigate a break-in at the Democratic National Headquarters in Washington's Watergate complex.
In 1979, Josef Mengele, the so-called Nazi "Angel of Death" who conducted medical experiments on victims of the Holocaust, died. His death -- caused by a stroke while swimming in Brazil -- wasn't revealed until 1985.
In 1984, U.S. astronauts Bruce McCandless and Robert Stewart made the first untethered spacewalks. McCandless was the first to float freely in space, propelled by a nitrogen-powered "jetpack" after leaving the shuttle Challenger.
In 1990, Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev issued a series of reforms and the Communist Party gave up its 70-year monopoly of political power in the Soviet Union.
In 1991, Jean-Bertrand Aristide was inaugurated as Haiti's first democratically elected president in 186 years.
In 1992, the European Union was created when the Maastricht Treaty was signed. The treaty officially went into force Nov. 1, 1993.
In 1995, the mastermind in the 1993 bombing of New York's World Trade Center, Ramzi Ahmed Yousef, was arrested in Pakistan. He was sentenced to life in prison in 1998.
In 1999, King Hussein of Jordan died of cancer at age 63. Hussein ruled Jordan for 46 years. Crown Prince Abdullah succeeded his father as king.
In 2009, the most deadly series of brushfires in Australian history claimed more than 200 lives, destroyed almost 2,000 homes and burned at least 1.1 million acres in Victoria state.
In 2021, Rep. Ron Wright of Texas died of COVID-19, becoming the first member of Congress to succumb to the disease.
In 2023, LeBron James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA's all-time leading scorer. He had a game-high 38 points in the Los Angeles Lakers' loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder to reach a total 38,389 points. As of Feb. 6, 2025, he maintained the record at 41,557.
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New York Post
12 minutes ago
- New York Post
Top GOP campaign committees dominate Dems in 2025 fundraising
WASHINGTON — Top Republican campaign committees have mostly dominated their Democratic counterparts in fundraising so far in 2025, according to new Federal Election Commission filings. The Republican National Committee — led by Chairman Michael Whatley and finance Chair Vice President JD Vance — racked up $96,419,883 in contributions and has $80,782,884 cash on hand, an FEC filing Sunday shows. Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin and finance Chair Chris Korge meanwhile amassed $69,224,921 and recorded a $15,220,609 war chest. Advertisement 6 The Republican National Committee, led by Chairman Michael Whatley, has racked up more than $96 million in contributions so far this year. Ron Sachs – CNP for NY Post For upcoming Senate races, the National Republican Senatorial Committee's donations tally was $48,625,839, while the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee pulled down $40,311,986.31 in contributions. Among House campaigns, the National Republican Congressional Committee got $68,955,791 in donations, compared with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's 66,009,100 in total fundraising. Advertisement But the NRSC has just $7,801,380 cash on hand, whereas the DSCC has a $13,509,018 war chest. Still, the GOP committee recorded being exactly $2 million in debt, while the top Senate Democratic campaign arm was $5,250,000 in debt. 6 Vice President JD Vance is finance chairman of the top GOP fundraising arm. Aimee Dilger/SOPA Images/Shutterstock The DCCC meanwhile slightly surged ahead of the NRCC with its total cash on hand: $39,717,727 to $37,575,291, respectively. Advertisement The fundraising totals come as Democrats are still 2.5 percentage points ahead of Republicans on a generic 2026 ballot of congressional races, according to the RealClearPolitics polling aggregator. The DNC has been plagued by internal strife since former Vice President Kamala Harris's disastrous 2024 presidential defeat. The MAGA coalition has likewise been strained by tech billionaire Elon Musk's explosive split from President Trump. 6 Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin's organization amassed nearly $70 million so far this year. Getty Images for One Fair Wage Musk went ballistic on Trump and congressional Republicans over their tax-and-spending package signed into law July 4, which the Tesla and SpaceX owner called a 'disgusting abomination,' even going so far as to float the creation of a new political party, the 'America Party.' Advertisement As for the Dems, while also struggling with leadership challenges, their fundraising drought led some party bosses to consider taking out a loan. Martin has said he remains optimistic that they will not have to fall back on that lifeline. Cracks in the blue coalition began to appear with the bitter departure of former DNC Vice Chair David Hogg, who attempted to inject $20 million into primary coups against incumbent moderate Dems. 6 Cracks in the blue coalition began to appear with the bitter departure of former DNC Vice Chair David Hogg. The Washington Post via Getty Images Hogg's 'Leaders We Deserve' group was opposed by Martin, who mounted a pressure campaign on Hogg to force him to bend the knee and sign a neutrality pledge. The 25-year-old refused to comply and soon faced a complaint that his election to the post had been a violation of the DNC's 'gender parity' rules. Rather than go through another round of DNC elections, Hogg stepped down from the role due to 'fundamental disagreements' with his colleagues. Hogg has not been the only DNC leader to split from the beleaguered institution. A week after his departure, two top union chiefs followed suit. 6 The DNC's Martin has insisted the Dems' lagging finances won't be an issue for long. PBS NewsHour Randi Weingarten, leader of the American Federation of Teachers, and Lee Saunders, head of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, declined offers to retain at-large memberships with the DNC. Advertisement 'While I am proud to be a Democrat, I appear to be out of step with the leadership you are forging, and I do not want to be the one who keeps questioning why we are not enlarging our tent and actively trying to engage more and more of our communities,' Weingarten wrote in a letter to Martin. To add to the DNC's predicament, the rise of New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has further widened divides in the Democratic coalition. 6 Hogg's 'Leaders We Deserve' group was opposed by Martin, who mounted a pressure campaign on Hogg to capitulate. ABC Advertisement Top Dem leaders have withheld endorsements of the Democratic Socialist, including prominent figures in blue New York. Empire State Democrats Gov. Kathy Hochul, Sen. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries have yet to take a stance on Mamdani's bid for mayor, even as lefty members of the party have rushed to back him. 'You can't really have a party that stands for anything when you have a Marxist running, and the three main leaders in New York of the Democratic Party — Jeffries, Schumer and Hochul — are all hiding in the weeds,' said New York ex-Gov. George Pataki (R) on WABC 770 AM The 'Cats Roundtable' program Sunday.
The Hill
42 minutes ago
- The Hill
Is August recess at risk?
It's Monday. We have officially surpassed the six-month mark of President Trump's second term. How does everyone feel about his first six months? That's a loaded question, but I would to know your thoughts. Let me know here. In today's issue: Trump urges Thune to cancel August recess Lawmakers confront Epstein scandal Trump vs. Harvard in court today Trump denies more WSJ reporting Coldplay 'kiss cam' becomes a viral meme 🌻️ ON CAPITOL HILL ' Salt air, and the rust on your door, I never needed anything more' 🎵: The House and Senate are both in session this week before the House breaks away for August recess. The Senate is a week behind the lower chamber — senators still have another Washington work week before *leaving for their annual break. *But there's always an asterisk: Trump wants senators to work through August. He is urging Senate GOP Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) to cancel the Senate's August recess to confirm his 'incredible nominees.' But remember, August recess is the time for Republicans to tout the 'big, beautiful bill' to constituents and claim victory. What is hanging over Congress's sprint to recess: The Jeffrey Epstein saga. The Hill's Mychael Schnell reports that the controversy surrounding the Trump administration's handling of the Epstein case is poised to dominate the conversation on Capitol Hill this week. On one hand, MAGA World wants the files to be released. But on the other hand, President Trump wants the saga to be dropped. There could be a vote this week on a resolution to call for the release of the Epstein files, though that resolution would be nonbinding. What else is happening on Capitol Hill this week, via Schnell. ➤ FUN TIDBIT: One year ago today, CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer was enjoying a 'Wolf Spritzer' cocktail in D.C. when the news broke that then- President Biden would drop out of the presidential race. TBH, I can't imagine a fall without a government shutdown threat: 🍂 Fall — the season of pumpkin spice lattes, apple crisp, chilly mornings, feisty negotiations over government funding and cozy nights. 🍂 Republican lawmakers are already worried they may be headed for a government shutdown later this year due to the bad blood caused by the bruising 'big, beautiful bill' and rescissions package negotiations. To pile on — the White House may have more demands on the way: White House budget director Russell Vought said the White House is planning to send more spending cuts to Capitol Hill for Republicans to pass. But that may be too big of an ask after several months of controversial demands. Keep in mind — Republicans *need* Democrats here: Republicans can't pass a government funding package on their own. And there isn't much goodwill from Democrats. '[A GOP] senator acknowledged that Democrats are furious after getting steamrolled on the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act and the rescissions package.' If this feels early to be speculating: After this week, the House and Senate won't be in session at the same time until September (!) Read Bolton's explainer of the Senate dynamics right now: 'Republicans fear Washington headed for shutdown after bruising spending fights' Later: The Hill's Jonathan Easley will explore how midterm politics are taking shape as Congress prepares for their scheduled recess in today's Evening Report. Click here to sign-up and get it in your inbox ➤ THE 5 SENATE SEATS MOST LIKELY TO FLIP IN 2026: North Carolina, Georgia, Maine, Texas and Michigan, per Al Weaver 's latest assessment in The Hill. Read Weaver's reasoning ➤ TOMORROW: In The Movement, The Hill's Emily Brooks will explore three major fights on the right to keep your eye on through the end of the year. Click here to sign-up and get it in your inbox ⚖️ IN THE WHITE HOUSE The Wall Street Journal has more tea: The Wall Street Journal reported over the weekend that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent talked President Trump out of firing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Trump is unsurprisingly not happy with this story. He fired off a Truth Social post bashing the reporting. 'Nobody had to explain that to me. I know better than anybody what's good for the Market, and what's good for the U.S.A,' Trump wrote. 'If it weren't for me, the Market wouldn't be at Record Highs right now, it probably would have CRASHED! So, get your information CORRECT. People don't explain to me, I explain to them!' Bessent then bashed the 'leakers' who spoke with the Journal. He told CNBC the 'leakers … only have partial information. More of Bessent's reaction Keep in mind: Trump is already on the warpath against the Wall Street Journal. He sued the newspaper on Friday after it published a story detailing an alleged letter Trump sent to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein for his 50th birthday. 🔎 Read the lawsuit A judge ruled against Trump: 'A federal judge ruled the Trump administration violated federal law by taking down a public website that showed how funding is apportioned to federal agencies, ordering its reinstatement,' reports The Hill's Zach Schonfeld and Aris Folley. The ruling: 'U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan ruled Monday that removal of the online database overseen by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) violated legislation passed by Congress, which requires OMB to make apportionment decisions publicly available within two business days.' Trump vs. Harvard: Harvard University is battling the Trump administration in court today over the federal government's pause of billions of dollars in funding for the school. The Trump administration's argument: 'The Trump administration has argued it has the authority to pull the funds after determining the university has violated the civil rights of its Jewish students by failing to properly act against antisemitism on campus. The government also argues this court is not the proper venue for this dispute.' Harvard's argument: The university argues the government is violating the university's First Amendment rights. What's unclear: Whether there will be a ruling on the case today. But even if there is, we should expect any ruling to be appealed by the other side. ➤ FASCINATING STAT ABOUT THE WHITE HOUSE'S NONCOMPLIANCE: The Washington Post calculated that Trump officials have been accused of defying a third of judges' rulings against the administration. The gist: 'A comprehensive analysis of hundreds of lawsuits against Trump policies shows dozens of examples of defiance, delay and dishonesty, which experts say pose an unprecedented threat to the U.S. legal system.' Should ICE agents be allowed to wear masks?: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been under increasing scrutiny due to its agents wearing masks to conceal their identities. Well, ICE acting Director Todd Lyons told CBS's 'Face the Nation' on Sunday that his agents may continue wearing masks. From Lyons: 'I've said it publicly before, I'm not a proponent of the masks. However, if that's a tool that the men and women of ICE to keep themselves and their family safe, then I will allow it,' he said. COMING UP The House and Senate are in. President Trump and Vice President Vance are in Washington. (All times EST) 12:30 p.m.: Trump and Vance have lunch together. 5:30 p.m.: A Senate vote to end debate on a nomination. 📆 Today's agenda 6:30 p.m.: First and last House votes. 📆 Today's agenda Tonight: Stephen Colbert 's first episode of 'The Late Show' since his cancellation was announced. Read CNN's Brian Stelter 's primer: ' What will Colbert say? ' 🐝 INTERNET BUZZ 🍩 Celebrate: Today is National Junk Food Day. 💋 Don't pull a 'Coldplay kiss cam': The CEO of Astronomer has resigned over the awkward kiss cam moment during Coldplay's Boston concert. The whole saga has become quite the internet meme. My personal favorite reenactment is from the Phillies' mascots. 📹 Watch the clip 📦 Amazon has been quietly raising prices: A Wall Street Journal analysis found that Amazon has quietly raised prices on low-cost products after pledging to keep them low during the president's trade war. Meanwhile, Walmart has cut prices. 📊 Check out these graphics showing the price hikes
Politico
43 minutes ago
- Politico
Judge presiding over Trump's Wall Street Journal lawsuit has seen this movie before
Trump's new lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal and owner Rupert Murdoch seeks an even more audacious sum: $20 billion. Trump says the newspaper defamed him by reporting last week that Trump may have sent Epstein a suggestive birthday card more than two decades ago. Trump filed the lawsuit on Friday, and Gayles was assigned to preside over the case on Monday. But as with the Cohen case, there's an open question of whether Trump's new lawsuit is more of a political stunt than a serious attempt to litigate the issue. If Trump pursues the case, he would open himself up to answering questions under oath about his connection to the disgraced financier who killed himself in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Trump's decision to file the case in southern Florida led to suspicions he was hoping to draw U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, his own appointee who helped him escape criminal charges brought by special counsel Jack Smith. But Trump's attorney Alejandro Brito — the same lawyer who led the ill-fated Cohen suit — filed the case in the Miami division of the federal judicial district of south Florida. Cannon sits in the Fort Pierce district, making it unlikely she would have been selected under the court's assignment process. Gayles, a George Washington University law graduate who made history as the first openly gay Black man appointed to the federal bench, was confirmed unanimously by the Senate. One reason: His judicial background tilts bipartisan. He was appointed to state-court judgeships in Florida by two Republican governors, Jeb Bush and Charlie Crist, before Obama nominated him to his current role. Darrin Gayles stands for a portrait in 2023. | Department of Justice via Wikimedia Commons His prominent cases include a $73 million judgment against the Venezuelan government in 2022 over a purported murder-for-hire scheme. Gayles ordered a new trial in a $25 million fraud scheme in Florida after finding that the Justice Department had committed misconduct and then lied to him about it. And Gayles notably sat with the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals on a voting rights case, writing a dissent that found evidence of discrimination behind an Alabama voter ID law.
