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A State Dept. aide who worked on Trump's 2016 campaign is arrested, as the QAnon Shaman pleads his case in the media and a lawmaker sues Trump for riot. #CNN #News

CNN's Erin Burnett says Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) is not trying to improve the Covid-19 relief bill or change any senators minds by having the over 600 page bill read on the floor, but rather pulling a "simplistic circus stunt." #ErinBurnett #CNN #ErinBurnettOutFront

CNN's Don Lemon reacts to GOP lawmakers' outrage over President Joe Biden's comments after he criticized states such as Texas and Mississippi for lifting Covid-19 restrictions, accusing those in power of "Neanderthal thinking." #DonLemon #CNN #CNNTonight

CNN's Brianna Keilar says some prominent Republicans lack the courage needed to distance themselves from former President Donald Trump. #CNN #News

Federal investigators are examining records of communications between members of Congress and the pro-Trump mob that attacked the US Capitol, as the investigation moves closer to exploring whether lawmakers wittingly or unwittingly helped the insurrectionists, according to a US official briefed on the matter. #CNN #News

Much of the Republican Party -- despite the deaths of more than half a million Americans -- still acts as though the pandemic is more a platform for political grandstanding than the worst national crisis since World War II. New ideological divides are being exposed with President Joe Biden's huge Covid-19 relief bill coming up in the Senate on Thursday. There's also a fresh rush by GOP governors in Texas, Mississippi and elsewhere to ditch precautions that eased a horrific post-holiday spike in infections -- mirroring a similar and ultimately disastrous opening at the urging of ex-President Donald Trump last summer. These moves follow a weekend in which some governors -- and possible 2024 GOP presidential candidates, such as South Dakota's Kristi Noem and Florida's Ron DeSantis -- boasted to conservative activists about keeping their states open even while the worst of the virus was raging. Not all Republican governors have adopted the conservative orthodoxy of mask skepticism and spurning scientific advice. Some, such as Maryland's Larry Hogan and Ohio's Mike DeWine, have won bipartisan praise for their strategies. But the broader GOP's tendency to put political goals over the recommendations of government scientists, a holdover from the Trump era, is also evident as battle lines are drawn in Washington over the $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief plan. It is only right that Democrats should face principled Republican arguments on whether they are properly targeting the spending blitz or rewarding pet causes and on whether huge aid to states and cities is needed. And 10 Republicans did seek to make that case in their failed effort to get Biden to sign on to a $600 billion stimulus that the President judged underestimated the magnitude of the health and economic crisis. But GOP leaders also have a problem. Biden's measure is surprisingly popular, so they need to slow it down and discredit its contents to extract some political gains and deprive the new President of a clean win. So Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, taking a timeout from his conspiracy-fueled effort to absolve Trump supporters in the Capitol insurrection, is planning days of stunts that threaten to turn debate over the package -- with unemployment benefits for millions of Americans set to run out within days -- into a made-for-conservative-cable-TV farce. "We're talking about $1.9 trillion ... a stack of one billion dollars that would extend halfway past the distance to the moon. And we want to do this in a matter of hours? I don't think that's right," Johnson said Wednesday. The senator plans to force a full reading of the bill -- that will take 10 hours -- and stretch out debate with an array of procedural traps. #CNN #NewDay #DanaBash

A criminal investigation into former President Donald Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia is set to intensify this week, as a grand jury convenes, offering the local district attorney her first shot at seeking subpoenas for records and interviews. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis made her investigative intentions clear with a round of letters to Georgia state officials in February, asking them to preserve documents relevant to election interference as she investigated potential state crimes including the solicitation of election fraud, conspiracy, and racketeering. According to the letters, none of the Georgia officials are targets of the investigation. "What I was doing, as a courtesy to people that I respect very much, is simply putting them on notice that when a grand jury convened, which would be in March, that they could expect to receive subpoenas," Willis told MSNBC in February. Two grand juries are set to convene in Fulton County on Thursday, opening a path for Willis' next phase in her probe. A person familiar with the investigation said they are likely to rely heavily on subpoenas rather than voluntary requests for records and interviews, in part to establish a clear court record of their pursuit of evidence. In the meantime, some officials in Georgia have already hired personal attorneys amid the fallout from Trump's efforts to upend the election results. While Willis' investigation launched from the now-infamous call in which Trump pushed Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to "find" him enough votes to win the state, it's expected to stretch well beyond that single call. "There may be nothing there," said a person familiar with the investigation, "or it may be more extensive that we thought." #CNN #NewDay #SaraMurray

The golden statue of former President Donald Trump unveiled at CPAC and celebrated by supporters originally came from China, not Mexico as the artist initially said. #ErinBurnettOutFront #CNN #News

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has been a political force of nature since she took office in 2018. In this latest episode of The Point, CNN’s Chris Cillizza explains how social media and money has propelled the 31-year-old to sweeping national stature. SOURCES AND FURTHER READING: AOC raises nearly $5 million in Texas relief efforts https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/21/politics/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-texas-relief/index.html Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez joins 'Animal Crossing' https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/08/politics/aoc-animal-crossing/index.html Game On: AOC streams viral hit game 'Among Us' https://www.cnn.com/videos/entertainment/2020/10/23/game-on-aoc-streams-viral-hit-game-among-us.cnn Does Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have her eye on a Senate seat? https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/20/politics/aoc-2022-senate-schumer/index.html About me: I was named "best dressed" in 7th grade. That, along with being CNN's editor at large and author of the daily "Point" newsletter are my proudest achievements. Look for me here every Tuesday and Thursday to find out what’s really going down in politics. CREDITS Writer: Chris Cillizza Producer: Allison Gordon The Point Editor: Leigh Munsil Video Editor: Michelle Cho Follow Chris on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cillizzac/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/cillizzacnn Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chris.cillizza/ Subscribe to The Point newsletter: https://www.cnn.com/specials/politics/the-point-with-chris-cillizza?source=Point_Youtube. #CNN #Cillizza #AOC

CNN's Brianna Keilar discusses how many Republicans are trying to change voting laws after losing the House, Senate and presidency in 2020. #BriannaKeilar #CNN #Newsroom

The Department of Defense inspector general has issued a scathing review of Rep. Ronny Jackson during his time serving as the top White House physician, concluding that he made "sexual and denigrating" comments about a female subordinate, violated the policy for drinking alcohol while on a presidential trip and took prescription-strength sleeping medication that prompted concerns from his colleagues about his ability to provide proper care. The findings outlined in the report, which was obtained by CNN prior to its release on Wednesday, stem from a years-long IG investigation into Jackson -- who currently represents Texas in the House of Representatives and sits on the House Armed Services subcommittee overseeing military personnel -- that was launched in 2018 and examines allegations that date back to his time serving during the Obama and Trump administrations. Members of Congress were briefed on the IG report findings on Tuesday, according to two sources familiar with the matter. Jackson claimed the report was politically motivated in a statement to CNN on Tuesday, saying the inspector general "resurrected" old allegations against him because he refused to "turn my back on President (Donald) Trump," who was a vocal supporter of his 2020 congressional bid. He also told CNN he rejects "any allegation that I consumed alcohol while on duty." #CNN #News #ErinBurnettOutFront

New York Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday apologized for his behavior toward several women who have accused him of making unwanted advances but denied that he ever touched anyone "inappropriately" and rejected calls to resign. Cuomo, speaking at a press conference in Albany, urged New Yorkers to wait for an attorney general's inquiry into the allegations to proceed before forming an opinion about the matter. "I never touched anyone inappropriately. I never touched anyone inappropriately. I never knew at the time that I was making anyone feel uncomfortable. I never knew at the time I was making anyone feel uncomfortable," he said. Cuomo started his briefing speaking about Covid-19 numbers in the state and did not address the allegations until the end of the briefing. "I want New Yorkers to hear from me directly on this. First, I fully support a woman's right to come forward. And I think it should be encouraged in every way," he said. "I now understand that I acted in a way that made people feel uncomfortable. It was unintentional and I truly and deeply apologize for it. I feel awful about it, and frankly, I am embarrassed by it, and that's not easy to say but that's the truth." He continued, "I never ever meant to offend anyone or hurt anyone or cause anyone any pain. That is the last thing I would ever want to do." #CNN #News

CNN's Brianna Keilar sounds off on former White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany for claiming that the Trump administration expected a "peaceful" rally on January 6, the day rioters attempted to stop the election certification by breaching the US Capitol. #CNN #News

Texas governor Greg Abbott announced he's lifting the mask mandate in Texas, even as health officials warn not to ease safety restrictions. #CNN #News

The White House pulled Neera Tanden's nomination to lead the Office of Management and Budget amid opposition from key senators, dealing the first Cabinet-level defeat for President Joe Biden. #CNN #News

Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) speaks to CNN's Alisyn Camerota about why he thinks that the Republican Party will move on from former President Donald Trump. #NewDay #AlysinCamerota #CNN

A third woman has accused Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo of unwanted advances in 2019, The New York Times reported Monday, adding to an escalating crisis facing the governor in the wake of two sexual harassment allegations. The woman, Anna Ruch, told the Times that Cuomo approached her during a crowded wedding reception in New York in 2019. Ruch told the newspaper she thanked Cuomo for his toast to the newlyweds, and in response, she says he put his hand on her bare lower back, which the Times said was exposed in an open-back dress. When Ruch removed his hand, Cuomo allegedly told her she seemed "aggressive" as he put his hands on her cheeks, she recalled to the Times. Cuomo then asked if he could kiss her, Ruch said, and she distanced herself as he came closer. "I was so confused and shocked and embarrassed," Ruch told the Times. "I turned my head away and didn't have words in that moment." The newspaper also reported that Ruch says she was later told by a friend that Cuomo had kissed her cheek as she pulled away. The newspaper reported that her account of the episode was loud enough and could be heard by a friend standing nearby, who corroborated the exchange, along with photographs from the event and text messages at the time. The New York Times did not identify the friend in its reporting. #AndrewCuomo #AthenaJones #NewDay

Following positive press for his handling of covid-19 at the beginning of the pandemic, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is now facing an onslaught of criticism for misleading information about nursing home deaths, alleged bullying, and alleged sexual harassment. In this latest episode of The Point, CNN’s Chris Cillizza explains what this means for Cuomo's political future. SOURCES AND FURTHER READING: Cuomo says he's 'truly sorry' for workplace comments he says were 'misinterpreted as an unwanted flirtation' following sexual harassment claims https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/28/politics/cuomo-harassment-claims-independent-lawyer/index.html Cuomo Is Accused of Sexual Harassment by a 2nd Former Aide https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/27/nyregion/cuomo-charlotte-bennett-sexual-harassment.html My story of working with Governor Cuomo https://medium.com/@lindseyboylan4NY/my-story-of-working-with-governor-cuomo-e664d4814b4e Cuomo admits error but defends delaying release of data on Covid-19 deaths at long-term care facilities https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/15/us/new-york-cuomo-covid/index.html New York governor's top aide admits administration delayed the release of Covid-19 deaths in long-term care facilities over federal investigation concerns https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/12/us/new-york-aide-apology-covid-deaths-facilities/index.html New York Gov. Cuomo says he should have been more aggressive against Covid death 'misinformation' and announces nursing home reform initiative https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/19/us/cuomo-covid-19-nursing-home-deaths-misinformation/index.html New York State Department of Health undercounted Covid-19 deaths in nursing homes, attorney general's report says https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/28/us/new-york-nursing-homes-covid-19/index.html Attorney General James Releases Report on Nursing Homes’ Response to COVID-19 https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2021/attorney-general-james-releases-report-nursing-homes-response-covid-19 AOC calls for 'full investigation' into Cuomo's handling of nursing homes https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/19/aoc-andrew-cuomo-nursing-homes-investigation Cuomo said 'he can destroy me': NY assemblyman alleges governor threatened him over nursing homes scandal https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/17/politics/cuomo-ron-kim-nursing-home/index.html About me: I was named "best dressed" in 7th grade. That, along with being CNN's editor at large and author of the daily "Point" newsletter are my proudest achievements. Look for me here every Tuesday and Thursday to find out what’s really going down in politics. #ChrisCillizza #AndrewCuomo #CNN CREDITS Writer: Chris Cillizza Producer: Allison Gordon The Point Editor: Leigh Munsil Video Editor: Michelle Cho Follow Chris on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cillizzac/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/cillizzacnn Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chris.cillizza/ Subscribe to The Point newsletter: https://www.cnn.com/specials/politics/the-point-with-chris-cillizza?source=Point_Youtube. #CNN #Cillizza #AndrewCuomo

Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) reacts to being on former President Trump's "enemies list," which consists of Republicans who voted against him in his second impeachment trial. #CNN #News

Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley praised former President Donald Trump's CPAC speech, after previously telling Politico magazine in an interview following the Capitol riot that Trump "went down a path he shouldn't have, and we shouldn't have followed him." #CNN #News

Republican Rep. Madison Cawthorn is facing allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct by several women who say he put them in uncomfortable situations when he was a college student, with the former classmates detailing to CNN how the rising star of the conservative right would use "fun" drives as a way to make unwanted advances on them. #CNN #News

CNN's Brynn Gingras reports on the sexual harassment accusations against New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and what his second accuser said about his statement following the accusations. #CNN #News

Former President Donald Trump is facing mounting legal trouble from five separate investigations in New York, Georgia and Washington DC. CNN's Sara Murray reports. #CNN #News

CNN's Brianna Keilar calls out the hypocrisy of Fox News host Pete Hegseth's speech at the 2021 Conservative Political Action Conference that she says looked a lot like a Fox News TV family reunion. #BriannaKeilar #CNN #News

CNN's John Avlon argues election lies were center stage at the 2021 Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando, Florida. #JohnAvlon #CNN #NewDay