President Joe Biden pushed back on former President Donald Trump’s claim that he took actions to combat the climate crisis. Asked if he would take any actions to address climate change in his second term, Trump didn’t immediately answer the question. Prompted again by CNN moderator Dana Bash, Trump replied that he wants “absolutely immaculate clean water” and “absolutely clean air.” “And we had it,” Trump said. “We had the best numbers ever.” Biden in response said, “I don’t know where the hell he’s been. The idea that anything he said is true.” President Joe Biden launched a fiery set of criticisms against former President Donald Trump’s legal troubles, comparing his predecessor’s morals to an “alley cat” as he called him a “convicted felon.” “The crimes that you are still charged with – and think of all the civil penalties you have. How many billions of dollars do you owe in civil penalties for molesting a woman in public? For doing a whole range of things? Of having sex with a porn star on the night – while your wife was pregnant?” Biden asked. Trump was found guilty last month on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a hush-money payment to an adult-film star in 2016. And last year, a jury found that Trump sexually abused E. Jean Carroll in a luxury department store dressing room in the spring of 1996 and awarded her $5 million for battery and defamation. Biden turned to Trump, and continued, “You have the morals of an alley cat.” Trump denied having sex with a porn star.
Quick Read
- Climate Crisis Exchange: Biden criticized Trump’s lack of a clear climate action plan, calling out Trump’s claims of having “immaculate clean water” and “clean air” as untrue.
- Biden’s Fiery Criticism: Biden attacked Trump’s morals, labeling him a “convicted felon” with the “morals of an alley cat,” referencing Trump’s legal troubles and civil penalties.
- Trump’s Legal Troubles: Trump was found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a hush-money payment to an adult-film star in 2016 and found liable for sexually abusing E. Jean Carroll.
- Fact Check on Jan. 6 Claim: Trump falsely claimed Nancy Pelosi turned down his offer to send National Guard troops during the Capitol insurrection. The decision rests with the Capitol Police Board, not Pelosi or McConnell.
- Trump’s Response to Legal Troubles: Biden referenced Trump’s felony conviction in New York, prompting Trump to pivot and mention Hunter Biden’s felony conviction on firearms charges.
- Jan. 6 Discussion: Trump pivoted to immigration and taxes when asked about his role in the Capitol riot, claiming he encouraged peaceful protest and attacking Pelosi.
- Violence on Jan. 6: The riot resulted in extensive violence against police officers, with over 1,400 people charged, more than 850 guilty pleas, and about 200 convictions at trial.
The Associated Press has the story:
Biden, Trump each declare the other unfit to be president as their exchanges heat up at their debate
Newslooks- ATLANTA (AP) —
FACT CHECK: Trump’s claim Pelosi turned down his offer to send National Guard members on Jan. 6, 2021
Trump falsely claimed that then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi “turned down” his offer to send “10,000 soldiers or National Guard” to the Capitol during the Jan. 6 insurrection.
Pelosi does not direct the National Guard. Further, as the Capitol came under attack, she and then-Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell called for military assistance, including from the National Guard.
The Capitol Police Board makes the decision on whether to call National Guard troops to the Capitol. It is made up of the House Sergeant at Arms, the Senate Sergeant at Arms and the Architect of the Capitol. The board decided not to call the guard ahead of the insurrection but did eventually request assistance after the rioting had already begun, and the troops arrived several hours later.
There is no evidence that either Pelosi or McConnell directed the security officials not to call the guard beforehand.
Trump’s hush money conviction mentioned for the first time
Almost 45 minutes into the debate, President Joe Biden finally referenced former President Donald Trump’s recent felony conviction in New York.
During a discussion about the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, Biden said: “The only person on this stage that’s a convicted felon is the man I’m looking at right now,” referring to Trump.
Trump then sought to pivot from his own legal troubles by referring to Biden’s son, Hunter, as a “convicted felon.”
He was referencing the younger Biden’s felony conviction this month on three firearms charges. Trump also repeated long-running claims related to the Bidens and Ukraine, a frequent attack point for Republicans.
Questioning turns to the events of Jan. 6, 2021
Debate questions are turning to Jan. 6, 2021, when supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol during the certification of the Electoral College vote count.
Trump was asked by host Jake Tapper whether he violated his oath to protect and defend the Constitution.
Asked about the Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021, Trump quickly pivoted to immigration and taxes. Pressed on his role, he said he encouraged people to act “peacefully and patriotically,” then attacked former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
The rioters on Jan. 6 engaged in hand-to-hand combat with police and used makeshift weapons, including flagpoles, a table leg, hockey stick and crutch, to attack officers. Police officers were bruised and bloodied as they were dragged into the crowd and beaten. One officer was crushed in a doorframe and another suffered a heart attack after a rioter pressed a stun gun against his neck and repeatedly shocked him.
More than 1,400 people have been charged with federal offenses stemming from the riot. Of those, more than 850 have guilty people have pleaded guilty to crimes, including seditious conspiracy and assaulting police officers. About 200 others have been convicted at trial.
