VOLUME 6 ISSUE 8
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WWW.NSJONLINE.COM
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2021
the Wednesday
NEWS BRIEFING
Robinson won’t seek US Senate seat Raleigh Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson emailed a statement to supporters saying he would not run for the U.S. Senate in 2022. “Running for Senate was never on my radar before the last couple of weeks,” Robinson said, adding that he owed it to supporters to take a serious look at the race. Robinson, along with several other prominent Republicans, were mentioned in public and private polling prior to the entry of former Gov. Pat McCrory in the race last week. “I am proud of what my team and I have accomplished and look forward to building on our progress,” Robinson’s statement continued. His announcement leaves McCrory and former U.S. Rep. Mark Walker as the candidates who have formally announced for the Republican nomination, with U.S. Rep. Ted Budd likely to enter the race by the end of April. NSJ STAFF
Biden orders agencies to no longer call migrants ‘illegal aliens’ Washington, D.C. Employees of the two main U.S. immigration enforcement agencies were directed to stop referring to migrants as “aliens.” Memos issued by Customs and Border Protection, as well as Immigration and Customs Enforcement, tells employees to use the words “non-citizen” or “migrant.” The change reflects guidelines set by the Biden administration, which is reversing many of the immigration policies of former President Donald Trump. Instead of “illegal aliens,” which was still being used by some government officials in press releases and elsewhere, the employees of CBP and ICE should instead use “undocumented noncitizen” or “undocumented individual,” according to the memos. Under the new guidelines, “unaccompanied alien children” would be referred to as “unaccompanied noncitizen children.” Employees are also directed to describe the “assimilation” of refugees and immigrants as “civic integration.” THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Universities line up 2021 commencement speakers Raleigh N.C. State and Duke University announced this week their spring 2021 commencement speakers. Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, who starred on the Wolfpack’s football team, is a 2010 graduate of the school and will give the speech at NC State. Duke announced on Tuesday that singer John Legend would deliver their spring address. Earlier, UNC Chapel Hill announced that Drs. Kizzmekia Corbett and Anthony Fauci would address their spring commencement. Other schools which have announced speakers include East Carolina University, which will host UNC System President Peter Hans. NSJ STAFF
Amy Coney Barrett has book deal New York Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett has a book deal with a Penguin Random House imprint. Adrian Zackheim, who heads the conservative Sentinel imprint, confirmed he has an agreement with Barrett. Coney Barrett, 49, was approved last fall by the Republicanled Senate just weeks after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She was the third justice selected by thenPresident Donald Trump. Other Supreme Court justices who have released books in recent years include Neil Gorsuch and Sonia Sotomayor. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
JOHN MINCHILLO | AP PHOTO
Chauvin found guilty of all charges Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all three charges he faced following the death of George Floyd last year. From left, attorney Ben Crump, Philonise Floyd, brother of George Floyd, Brandon Williams, nephew of George Floyd, and Rodney Floyd, brother of George Floyd, attend a news conference outside the Hennepin County Government Center.
NORTH
Gov. Roy Cooper mulling vaccine passports
JOURNaL
House members file bill blocking mandatory vaccinations, passports
STATE ELEVATE THE CONVERSATION
GOP White House hopefuls move forward as Trump considers run By Jill Colvin The Associated Press
own ambitions. “It’s a free country. Folks can do what they want,” Trump adviser Jason Miller said in response to the moves. “But,” he added, “if President Trump does decide to run in 2024, the nomination will be his if you’re paying any attention to public polling of Republican voters.” Polling does indeed show that Trump remains a commanding figure among GOP voters. Republican leaders, including those who may hope to someday succeed him, have been careful to tend to his ego and make clear they have no plans to challenge his standing. Florida Sen. Rick Scott, the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, last weekend awarded Trump a new “Champion for Freedom Award,” which the group publicized — complete with a photo of a smiling, golf-attired Trump holding a small, gleaming cup — even after the former president went after Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky in a profanity-laden speech. A day later, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, considered a top-tier 2024 candidate, told The Associated Press that she will sit out the race if Trump runs again. “I would not run if President Trump ran,” she said in Orangeburg, South Carolina. The deference is, in part, an acknowledgement of Trump’s continued power. He remains deeply popular with the GOP base and is bolstered by an $85 million war chest that can be shared with endorsed candidates, spent on advertising and used to fund travel and pay for polling and consultants. Trump is making plans to soon increase his visibility, with aides discussing options to hold rallies as soon as late spring or summer. “There’s a pretty strong demand
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Less than three months after former President Donald Trump left the White House, the race to succeed him atop the Republican Party is already beginning. Trump’s former secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, has launched an aggressive schedule, visiting states that will play a pivotal role in the 2024 primaries, and he has signed a contract with Fox News Channel. Mike Pence, Trump’s former vice president, has started a political advocacy group, finalized a book deal and later this month will give his first speech since leaving office in South Carolina. And Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has been courting donors, including in Trump’s backyard, with a prominent speaking slot before the former president at a GOP fundraising retreat dinner this month at Mar-a-Lago. Trump ended his presidency with such a firm grip on Republican voters that party leaders fretted he would freeze the field of potential 2024 candidates, delaying preparations as he teased another run. Instead, many Republicans with national ambitions are openly laying the groundwork for campaigns as Trump continues to mull his own plans. They’re raising money, making hires and working to bolster their name recognition. The moves reflect both the fervor in the party to reclaim the White House and the reality that mounting a modern presidential campaign is a yearslong endeavor. “You build the ark before it rains,” said Michael Steel, a Republican strategist who worked for Jeb Bush’s presidential 2016 campaign, among others. “They’re going to do the things they need to do if he decides not to run.” Trump, at least for now, is giving them plenty of leeway, convinced they pose little threat to his See TRUMP, page A2
By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — Since the end of March, Gov. Roy Cooper has said his administration is looking at creation of a so-called “COVID-19 vaccine passport” for North Carolina residents. During a tour of a vaccination site in late March, Cooper said that “We want to be able to help people to be able to show others
that they have gotten the vaccine, because a lot of people are going to want that,” and that “we are figuring that out now and we’re having discussions about the best way to do that.” Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Eden) has called vaccine passports “ridiculous” and said he does not believe the government should mandate vaccinations. In early April, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order banning such a passport while the legislature created a bill to permanently block them. Days See PASSPORTS, page A2
Durham protests lead to more downtown damage Police chief leaving for Memphis after 5 years By David Larson North State Journal DOWNTOWN DURHAM saw a fresh wave of unrest in the city over the weekend, with many storefronts suffering broken windows and graffiti. The damage comes after the city had begun to recover after a year that saw many businesses boarded up and shut down from violent demonstrations and COVID restrictions. A pig with an “X” through it was spray-painted on the Durham Police Department headquarters sign; a fire was set at the same location; an American flag was burned; “Death to America” was spray-painted nearby; multiple businesses were vandalized with graffiti and by having their storefront glass smashed; and demonstrators jumped over barriers to yell at and intimidate patrons dining outside. “During the protest Friday night, we received reports of vandalism which included broken windows and graffiti,” Lieutenant G. L. Minor of DPD’s public affairs unit told NSJ. “No arrests have been made at this time. The Durham Police Department will continue to facilitate the rights of our residents to protest but will be ready to respond as necessary to maintain order and safety for all.” The restaurant Copa on Main Street was the scene of a particularly tense situation, as protesters jumped over barriers and intimidated the outdoor diners, smashing glasses and plates in the process. “No one was injured. The diners moved inside and were gracious about the whole incident,”
Copa management told NSJ. “They all even refused our offers to comp their whole checks. We did have more cancellations than usual on Saturday and at least one party referenced the protests.” See PROTESTS, page A2