Since releasing my statement about leaving
@GOP
today, I’ve heard from dozens of my former military brothers and sisters. Turns out, like me, insurrections don’t go down well with them either.
Having spent 4 years as
@ARHouseCaucus
GOP leader, 4 years as the
@ARSenateGOP
leader and last 2 years as
@ArkansasSenate
President, it was not an easy decision to leave the
@GOP
but today I announce I’m leaving to become an Independent. Statement below
Never thought the following statement would be controversial but: “I support the American President over the Russian President.” Watching the gleeful fanboy’ing of Putin to “own the libs” by some in the media and in my party is shameful. Id pick America over ratings any day.
Tulsi: I do not in any way support Putin’s decision to go into Ukraine… If President Biden and NATO had done what you were just talking about in agreeing we’re going to take NATO off the table for Ukraine… this situation could’ve been prevented…
Not a surprising list but to see "Family Research Council", "Faith Wins", "American Principles Project", "American Values", "Conservatives of Faith" advocate ousting
@AdamKinzinger
and
@Liz_Cheney
for daring to tell the truth is just nauseating. It's a cult.
About 50 outside groups and top confidants of the former president (including
@mschlapp
) called on House Minority Leader McCarthy to oust Reps. Cheney and Kinzinger from the GOP Conference. Read the letter here:
While the
@usairforce
taught
@RepKinzinger
and me to fly different jets, we both learned what “support and defend the constitution” really means. Read this👇🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
I used to believe that just building more prisons and locking more people up for longer was all that was necessary to solve crime problems. Then I read stuff and talked to people.
I'm so grateful for the outpouring of support in emails and messages from Arkansans and people around the country (and even Canadians!) since I announced my decision to become an Independent. It's evident that we are ready for common ground here at home and around America.
Hate and violence in politics cannot continue to be tolerated. In 2008, John McCain showed us that you can maintain dignity and respect for your political opponents despite having disagreements. We should all take a moment to rewatch this video today.
Today in the legislature, we made it easier to kill someone and harder to cast a vote. I voted against disenfranchising voters today and against SB24 when it was in the Senate. The extremes are winning.
20 yrs ago.. we were together.
Many of us said “I’ll go” .. to keep others safe.
All of us said “I’ll comply” with inconveniences at airport .. to keep others safe.
None of us said “You can’t impose anything on my personal freedoms”
What happened to us?
#911Anniversary
No Matt, I’m a Republican but the ones actually defending democracy on Jan 6th are the troops that you voted against funding and equipping - not ambitious politicians. So just stop.
#NDAA
AR has 1.6 Billion dollar surplus.
@AsaHutchinson
has a plan to raise teacher's pay. We have some of lowest pay of any state in the region. Petty politics should not prevent the legislature from doing it - now.
These are my 3 sons and daughter, parents of my 9 grandchildren. Each one of them watched the debate on SB24 “Stand Your Ground” bill today. Each one of them texted me to say I did the right thing by voting “No”. That’s what matters.
An independent US journalist, ex-Foxnews host Tucker Carlson arrived in Russia for the first time and has spent three days in Moscow already.
On the morning of February 1, according to social media, the former FoxNews anchor was spotted at Istanbul airport boarding a Turkish
As we reposition carriers and troops.. You know how they always give former presidents classified intelligence briefings? I sure hope they don't give them to presidents under indictment for blabbing classified info to party guests.
Missing man formation- I had to lead one over the memorial service for one of my fallen brothers once. Enjoy this weekend but please remember the sacrifice that make it possible.
#MemorialDay2021
Laws prohibiting drunk driving are right. Laws prohibiting speeding through school zones are right. This mask mandate by
@AsaHutchinson
to protect those susceptible to COVID is right. Don’t be selfish - wear a mask.
#arleg
I was the GOP leader in the Ark House, the Ark Senate and still have so many great friends in the
@gop
. Most are good people who care about their state and country. I beg all of them to please read this book by
@Liz_Cheney
and ask yourselves how you can support Trump. It’s just
Here’s the deal - If your vote on acquittal/conviction would flip if the accused were of the opposite Party,, you’re a politician.. not a leader.
#ImpeachmentTrial2
The positions politicians have taken about the need to investigate Benghazi as compared to Jan 6th is one of the clearest displays of partisan hypocrisy ever.
Sen. Roy Blunt, a member of GOP leadership, argued that Americans don't need "alternative versions" of what occurred the day of the US Capitol insurrection
I hope my experience is useful for others who are trying to find ways to protect their people, their families, and their livelihoods. Please feel free to reach out if you have questions. (14/14 )
🚨BREAKING:
US military strike in Baghdad killed a Kataib Hezbollah commander who was responsible for attacks on American forces in the region, according to US Central Command.
FAFO 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
The lessons I learned through this experience are..
1. A mandate would not have worked with my people. I would have lost at least 40% of my team.
2. Listening to concerns is vital.
3. The right messenger makes all the difference.
(13/14 )
Posting this while Ukrainians are running out of ammo, freezing, and taking heavy losses is really…. Something. Enjoy it today. History will remember it tomorrow.
@SpeakerJohnson
I have it on good authority US fighter pilots across the world are raising a glass to this hero.
"Here's a toast" -
Prayers for family and all of the
#Ukraine
people.
I’ve been in AR politics a long time. Haven’t had to fight the liberal mob or radical left much - it’s more about things like teacher’s pay, hate crimes, stand your ground, tax policy, funding roads, justice reform.
I spent 16 years in the AR legislature - Here's what's happening now that didn't use to happen.
1. Rudeness to public witnesses.
2. Tabling your colleagues bills - all deserve an up or down vote.
3. Voting for bills that clearly violate your oath to the constitution.
#arleg
Gas company calls my manufacturing business today warning they may have to curtail gas supply because they are prioritizing residents’ homes. Stopping people from freezing .. I’m fine with that.
Asking a Secretary of State to "find votes" .. asking the VP to refuse to certify.. those arent "political differences"
@GovRonDeSantis
- that's how dictatorships begin and democracies die.
TAPPER: If Jack Smith has evidence of criminality, should Donald Trump be held accountable?
DeSANTIS: So here's the problem. This country is going down the road of criminalizing political differences.
2 days in a row the AR State Senate has cutoff debate on transgender children bills and then proceeded to pound these kids. Refusing to even allow a full debate on an issue so damaging to Arkansas is failing our state and neglecting our responsibility.
When the Senate kills the bipartisan independent commission, there will be hearings led by House Democrats. It will show the ugly picture of what happened and embarrass many Republicans.Then they will dismiss it as partisan .. this is the game. Forget truth ..this is about power
Politicians asking voters to pass an amendment with 50% + 1 that will raise requirement to 60% for any future law changes while keeping their requirement at 50% is gross and takes power from voters.
--> Vote against Issue 2.
You know what's easy in a political campaign? Photoshopping your opponent with grainy black and white pics of Nancy Pelosi, Biden and AOC. You know what's hard? Offering solutions to problems. Let's demand more of leaders than easy.
This was a few years back on flight back from a NE Ark Rotary meeting where
@xjelliott
and I discussed race relations and the need for bipartisanship. We may have to do more of this.
I’ve served on both. AR School boards coming to different conclusions than
#arleg
. Why?
School boards
- no primaries(non-partisan)
- no pay
- number one concern.. what’s best for the kids.
You know how a U.S. military member loses their security clearance? Post information on social media they are not authorized to post. Same should be true of politicians.
@marcorubio
@SteveDaines
@LeaderMcConnell
When Harry Reid was nearing the end, his wife Landra asked some of us to share letters that she could read to him. In lieu of a statement, here’s what I wrote to my friend:
Just had a 15 minute call with a sweet elderly woman from Bella Vista about hate crimes Bill. She was parroting false talking points from opponents. After explaining what Bill actually did, she ended with “bless you for what you’re doing on this”. Lying is not a good strategy.
I've had several of our team come up and say they were really hesitant but now that they've gotten the shot, they are so relieved. Many brought their wives up to get it as well. (12/14 )
Tuberville says Putin has only wanted peace all along but the U.S. wants war: “He dudn’t want Ukraine. He dudn’t want Europe. Hell, he’s got enough land of his own. He just wants to make sure he does not have US weapons in Ukraine.”
My first term - Democrat Rep Charlie Stewart who had served 45 years in the House co-sponsored a bill with a 35 year old Republican .. I miss those days. Some try to tell me not to work with Ds ..that’s a hard no.
I'm proud of my kids for lots of things. The love and compassion that
@nick_hendren48
and Emily showed to my adopted granddaughter, Harper, is sure one reason. Also so thankful for the amazing doctors and state programs that made her surgeries possible. ❤️
How do you tweet something like this? You're literally single-handedly stopping a bill that could be enacted tomorrow that would fund Israel, Ukraine and US border security because Trump feared it would hurt his reelection chances.
@rep_stevewomack
@RepFrenchHill
It's critically important that we stand with our ally, Israel.
We should not be dictating their strategy or calling for new elections.
They're fighting for their very existence, and it's never been more important for us to stand with them.
So far in Senate today we..
-passed a bill ending the mask mandate that already ended.
-passed a bill declaring AR would ignore federal firearms laws.
-passed a bill sponsor said was “absolutely” unconstitutional.
Let’s just Sine Die already.
Responding to a request for an advisory opinion from Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin said the governor is not subject to two state laws on accounting and the distribution of state property.
Still don't know what was found but for context ask any military officer what would happen if they took Special Access Program (SAP) - especially nuclear - documents home.
Pictures like this, fear mongering and misrepresenting sincere efforts to make vaccines available are literally getting people killed. Y’all have lost it.
After being asked about Critical Race Theory, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley delivers an answer every American should watch.
It should not be surprising that the same people supporting overturning an election in our country, have no concern about allowing Putin to crush democracy in another country.
I hope someday history hammers those who put ambition above the Republic. So many have bled and died for democracy and to defeat authoritarianism and tyranny. I know several.
#arleg
special session next week. It’s important to remember that
Arkansas law (RSA) will automatically reduce spending if there is an economic slowdown. There’s no budget risk to raising teacher pay - there’s a huge quality of education risk to putting it off.
Just flew over the newly opened I-49 Bella Vista bypass. I remember when the legislature worked on roads, education, healthcare, taxes .. stuff like that. Those were the days.
⚡️Ukraine’s Zelensky posts a new video of himself and his team outside the presidential administration in Kyiv’s government quarter after rumors in Russian media that he’d fled. “We are here. We are in Kyiv. We are defending Ukraine.”