Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) takes questions from reporters shortly after being nominated by President Donald Trump as the next Secretary of the Department Homeland Security.
Sen. John Kennedy tells us President Trump called him after DHS Sec Noem testified that the President signed off on her $200 million ad campaign in her contentious hearing.
“Put it this way, his recollection and her recollection are different.”
Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) to DHS Secretary Noem after pressing her about an alleged affair with staffer Corey Lewandowski : "I think the country needs a divorce from you.. on biblical grounds."
NEW: Rep. Jasmine Crockett has officially conceded the Texas Senate primary to James Talerico. In a statement Crockett says
"With the primary behind us, Democrats must rally around our nominee. I'm committed to doing my part and will continue working to elect Democrats up and down the ballot."
BREAKING: NBC News Projects the Texas Senate GOP Primary will advance to a runoff featuring incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton.
JUST IN: NBC News projects Michael Whatley (R) wins North Carolina R-U.S. Senate primary.
NBC News projects Roy Cooper (D) wins North Carolina D-U.S. Senate primary.
These outcomes were both expected.
JUST IN: The House Oversight Committee is requesting transcribed interview with a new crop of key witnesses including as part of the Epstein probe:
• Doug Band
• Bill Gates
• Leon Black
• Lesley Groff
• Sarah Kellen
• Kathryn Ruemmler
• Ted Waitt
In a winter of absolutely miserable weather.. today in DC might take the title of the absolute worst. There is nothing that sucks more than 33 degrees and rain.
MORE: Clinton was also asked several times if he ever visited Epstein’s island and responded under oath every time that he had never been there.
NEW: Source in the WJC depo tells me the former President was pressed specifically about the jacuzzi photo from the Epstein files. Clinton said he did know who the woman was and he did not have sex with her. Clinton said there were other people in the room including Secret Service.
Hillary Clinton began her opening statement in the Oversight Epstein deposition at 11:20am. It’s now past 5pm ET and there is no sign its ending soon.
UPDATE: Source familiar says the deposition is back underway.
NEW: An advisor to the Clinton’s just came to the press cams and said today’s deposition has been paused after Rep. Lauren Boebert sent an unauthorized photo of Secretary Clinton to conservative influencer Benny Johnson.
This is now officially the longest Presidential address to a joint address to Congress. Trump breaking his record from last year.
After a long missive on gender transition- President Trump points at Democrats and yells “These people are crazy!” The Republicans stand up and applaud wildly.
Rep. Rashida Talib (D-MI) yells back “what about the Epstein files!”
Trump has yet to address Epstein.
President Trump asks for the passage of the “SAVE America” Act which would require a photo ID and proof of citizenship to vote. He also says he wants it to end mail in voting- which the SAVE America Act does not address at all.
Rep. Madeline Dean (D-PA) left the chamber as Trump mocked former Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Rep. Rashida Talib (D-MI) called Trump a liar as he accused Somali immigrants of fraud in Minnesota.
The SCOTUS justices sat stone faced as Trump hammered their decision to render his tariffs illegal. A Democrat yelled “they got it right!” as Trump was talking.
The first full on bi-partisan applause and standing ovation comes for the U.S. Men’s Hockey Team. The entered the gallery behind Trump in the press area. Trump says he will invite the Women’s Hockey Team to the White House.
When President Trump declared the State of our Union “strong” every Democrat sat and did not applaud.
Green is now being escorted out of the chamber. Trump never acknowledged him, but he was jeered by Republicans as he left the room and they started a chant of “USA”.
Rep. Al Green is standing with a sign that reads “Black people are not apes”. A chamber staff member is asking him to take the sign down.
The three top ranking House Democrats chose not to stand when the President entered the room or was introduced. A very out of the ordinary response to the President’s arrival.
Trump made a pretty quick tour down the chamber to the lectern. Had a quick uneventful moment with Justice Amy Coney- Barrett.
President Trump enters the chamber for the first time tonight, flanked by Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise.
First Lady Melania Trump, the President’s son Barron and daughter Ivanka are now in the room. A hearty standing ovation from Republicans and tepid applause from Democrats.
A small group of Supreme Court Justices have entered the room only 4 of the 9.. Roberts, Kagan, Kavanaugh, and Coney Barrett. Roberts and Coney Barrett were part of the group that just ruled Trump’s tariffs illegal.
The Speaker has gaveled the House into session. The VP and members of the Senate are entering the chamber. Still 20 minutes or so before the President’s speech but there is a noticeable number of empty seats on the Democratic side.
Hello from the House Chamber for tonight’s State of the Union. I’ll be sharing updates from inside that room that you might not see or miss on TV. The Speaker is set to gavel in the session at 8:35pm ET. You can watch our special coverage on NBC TV and nbcnews.com/now.
NEW: Rep. Tony Gonzalez says he will NOT resign in the wake of allegations of an extramarital affair w/ a staffer.
“I will not resign, I work everyday for the people of Texas and there will be an opportunity for all the details and facts to come on. What you have seen is not all the facts.”
