Post Politics Now: Trump, Pence make dueling appearances in Arizona, as both eye 2024
Today, former president Donald Trump and former vice president Mike Pence plan appearances in Arizona with rival Republican gubernatorial candidates. It’s the latest sign that Pence is distancing himself from his former boss as they both eye potential 2024 White House bids. Trump’s rally will provide a platform for him to respond to Thursday’s prime-time hearing of the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection. The panel featured dramatic testimony about how little Trump did to quell the violence that day.
On Friday afternoon, Stephen K. Bannon, the right-wing podcaster and longtime confidante of Trump, was convicted of contempt of Congress for his refusal to provide documents or testimony to the House committee.
Meanwhile, President Biden, who tested positive for the coronavirus on Thursday, participated in virtual meetings from the White House residence, including one on falling gas prices, as the administration sought to portray a sense of normality. “I’m feeling much better than I sound,” Biden said at the start of one meeting. In a letter released Friday, his doctor said he had an elevated temperature on Thursday night but that his symptoms overall have improved.
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On our radar: Biden remains in covid isolation, Trump rallies in Arizona
President Biden is in isolation at the White House following a positive coronavirus test on Thursday. The White House press office said it will update reporters this weekend on the president’s symptoms, which remain mild. Here’s what else we’re watching:
- Trump rallies Friday evening in Arizona for GOP gubernatorial hopeful Kari Lake. Lake is running against Pence-endorsed Karrin Taylor Robson.
- The House and Senate are out for the weekend but face a busy week ahead. Congress has pending legislation on semiconductor chips, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, marriage equality and the reconciliation budget package.
