The Trump administration has been under fire from Democrats on numerous occasions for disobeying court rulings, claiming that the president is endangering “democracy.” However, Democrats are now openly disobeying a judge in Fulton County.
This Monday, a judge ordered the Fulton County Commission’s Democratic members to select two Republicans to the local election board, but they refused.
According to Caleb Groves of the AJC, Republicans took it upon themselves to lament the state of democracy on Thursday when the Fulton GOP requested that Senior Superior Court Judge David Emerson hold the Democratic commissioners in contempt, a move that could result in jail time and daily penalties.
U.S. Sens. Jon Ossoff and Rachel Warnock, along with Georgia Democrats, including party chair Charlie Bailey, were urged by Georgia GOP Chair Josh McKoon to condemn the Fulton Commissioners and reaffirm ON THE RECORD their dedication to the rule of law.
Daniel Varnado for the AJC is credited.
Daniel Varnado for the AJC is credited.
However, Bailey criticized Republicans for trying to punish political rivals for accepting a vote that you disagree with. He described it as the most ludicrous, undemocratic, and un-American thing imaginable.
He stated that we support the Fulton County Commissioners in their efforts to defend the integrity of our elections and the interests of the people of Fulton County.
The GOP is suing to force the commission to accept their nominees, and this contempt filing is the most recent development in that battle. Citing their qualifications and prior actions that questioned election results and registrations, the Democratic-controlled panel rejected them in May by a vote of 5-2.
In a 2-2 vote along party lines on Wednesday, the commission was unable to name the two Fulton GOP nominees. At the time of the voting, the other three Democratic members were not present. The reason for his absence, according to Commissioner Marvin Arrington Jr., was his recuperation following Tuesday’s hip surgery.
Friday news quiz
Abbey Cutrer/AJC is credited.
Abbey Cutrer/AJC is credited.
Good morning! Test your understanding of Georgia’s and other states’ political news this week to start the weekend. The solutions are located at the newsletter’s bottom. Additionally, if you haven’t already, remember to sign up so that this email can be sent to your inbox each weekday morning.
Federal officials are considering allowing farmers to reintroduce the common weed pesticide dicamba. Which two crops are the main targets of this herbicide used by Georgia farmers?
- A) Peanuts and corn.
- B) Blueberries and pecans.
- C) Peaches and onions.
- D) Cotton and soybeans.
This week, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones gave testimony at the inaugural session of a legislative committee that is looking into the possibility of doing away with the state income tax. Did anyone else testify?
- A) Newt Gingrich.
- B) Jim DeMint.
- C) Grover Norquist.
- D) Mick Mulvaney.
Which two schools in Georgia discreetly eliminated any mention of LGBTQ people from their nondiscrimination policies?
- A) University of Georgia and Georgia Southern University.
- B) Georgia State and Georgia Tech.
- C) Savannah State and Valdosta State.
- D) Fort Valley State and Kennesaw State.
Georgia’s HOPE scholarship established the benchmark for national student aid initiatives. However, what aspect of Georgia’s college and university affordability worries certain lawmakers?
- A) Georgia students have the second-highest student loan balance of any state.
- B) Enrollment at colleges and universities across the state are declining.
- C) Graduation rates are falling as more students don t complete their degrees.
- D) The number of students living at home rather than on campus is the highest in 15 years.
Sneak peek
Arvin Temkar/AJC is credited.
Arvin Temkar/AJC is credited.
It would be an understatement to say that Vice President JD Vance described it as a preview of the Senate race.
The three leading GOP candidates who are hoping to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff next year gave consecutive remarks shortly before he spoke to an audience of around 1,000 at a Peachtree City refrigeration facility.
It was Derek Dooley’s first political address in public during his tenure as a football coach. He used a lot of football metaphors, which were a defining feature of his campaign, likening Ossoff’s effort for reelection to the debate over whether he should start as quarterback for the next six years.
Additionally, he stated, “I don’t know about you guys, but in my experience, when you produce those kinds of results, your a– is on the bench.”
Arvin Temkar/AJC is credited.
Arvin Temkar/AJC is credited.
After that, U.S. Representative Buddy Carter criticized Ossoff’s decision to restrict U.S. arms sales to Israel. In closing, U.S. Representative Mike Collins labeled the Democrat California’s third senator.
Their pursuit of President Donald Trump’s endorsement, which appears to be a prize that is very much up for grabs, entered a new chapter with the joint appearance.
The biggest clue? Each Senate contender received a highly sought-after speaking slot, but the only gubernatorial candidate asked to appear was Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, Trump’s choice for governor.
Copper credit
Arvin Temkar/AJC is credited.
Arvin Temkar/AJC is credited.
U.S. Representative Brian Jack is being commended by Southwire, a $8.4 billion corporation with over 9,000 employees in Carrolton, for his assistance in securing an exemption for them from President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Last month, Trump declared a 50% tariff on copper. However, it was later declared that it would only apply to produced goods, excluding unprocessed copper that was imported into the United States.
We express our gratitude to Rep. Brian Jack, President Trump, and his trade staff for their assistance in enacting copper and aluminum regulations that benefit Southwire and other American industries. Rich Stinson, president and CEO of Southwire, stated in a press statement. Other members of Congress, such as U.S. Representative Austin Scott, R-Tifton, were also thanked by Stinson.
Companies like Southwire and its main American rival, Cerrowire, will spend less for the metal they buy thanks to the exemption, but their foreign rivals would have to pay high tariffs to export their goods to the United States.
According to Bloomberg, two American companies recently increased the prices of a variety of copper wire products by 5%. However, it’s unclear if the tariff decision had anything to do with the rises.
Pushing back
Mike Stewart/AP is credited.
Mike Stewart/AP is credited.
In a recent attack on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 700 federal employees, both current and retired, accused U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of complicity. Kennedy’s office is now resisting.
Kennedy received a letter from the staff this week claiming that the violence was exacerbated by his past accusations of corruption at the CDC and his dissemination of false information on vaccines.
Kennedy is standing firmly with CDC staff, and their safety and well-being continue to be a major priority, according to an unnamed agency spokeswoman on Thursday.
“Any attempt to politicize a tragedy is to confuse the violence of a suicidal mass shooter with widely supported public health reforms,” the spokesperson stated.
Ariel Hart of the AJC pointed out that prior to posting about the shooting in Atlanta, Kennedy had written about fishing in Alaska. Two days later, he condemned the shooting in a follow-up interview.
Kennedy flew to Atlanta to give his support and reiterate his profound appreciation for the CDC, describing it as a shining star among international health institutions, according to the HHS official.
According to the spokesperson, President Trump and Secretary Kennedy’s audacious pledge to “Make America Healthy Again” is causing HHS’s purpose to genuinely resonate with the American people.
Listen up
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Trump today
At noon, President Donald Trump is expected to deliver a statement in the Oval Office.
Do tell
Credit: Jacquelyn Martin/AP
Credit: Jacquelyn Martin/AP
Former Vice President Kamala Harris isbringing her book tourto Atlanta on Oct. 8 with a stop at the Tabernacle.
It s part of a 15-city itinerary that also takes her to New York, San Francisco, Toronto and London to promote 107 Days.
It starts on Sept. 24 a day after the memoir s release and ends in Miami in late November.
Harris announced in July shewould not enterthe 2026 race for California governor. But she hasn t ruled out a presidential bid in 2028.
Celebrating H.O.P.E.
Credit: Tia Mitchell/AJC
Credit: Tia Mitchell/AJC
U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson held hisannual Ceremony of H.O.P.E. Awardslast weekend, honoring six nonprofits for their work in the community. The Lithonia Democrat gathered more than 100 constituents at the Lou Walker Senior Center in Stonecrest for the program.
This year s honorees were:
- The First African Community Development Corporation.
- First Senior Center of Georgia.
- Georgia Asylum and Immigration Network.
- How Big Is Your Dream Foundation.
- Spectrum Autism Support Group.
- Mosaic Health Center.
The ceremony closed out Johnson sannual Week of H.O.P.E.,which stands for Helping Other People Elevate. He also held a series of workshops focused on teaching people how to write proposals for federal grants and earmarks. Johnson and his staff volunteered at a local food pantry as a service project that highlighted the issue of food insecurity.
Shoutouts
Credit: Courtesy photo
Credit: Courtesy photo
Today s birthdays:
- State Rep. Bethany Ballard, R-Warner Robins.
- State Rep. Lee Hawkins, R-Gainesville.
Want a birthday shoutout in the Politically Georgia newsletter? There s a form for that.Click hereto submit the shoutouts. It s not just birthdays. We re also interested in new jobs, engagements, birth announcements, etc.
Before you go
Answers to this week s news quiz: D, C, A, A.
That ll do it for us today. As always, you can send your best scoops, gossip and insider info [email protected],[email protected],[email protected]@ajc.com.
