Why OR Militia Took Over This Wildlife Refuge, Trump Goes Birther On Cruz, and What’s Next For Gun Control

By db

January 6, 2016 9:36 a.m.

Start your day with TPM.

Check out Wednesday’s newsletter!

January 6, 2016

The Gist: The family whose arrest for committing arson on federal lands sparked the takeover have a long, contentious history with the Malheur Wildlife Refuge. One of them allegedly made repeated death threats against the refuge’s managers.

Trump Goes Birther On Ted Cruz: It’s A ‘Very Precarious’ Situation

The Gist: Donald Trump suggested that Ted Cruz’s birth certificate could be come an issue in the presidential race, since the Texas senator is an American citizen but was born in Canada.

North Korea Says It Conducted Successful Test For ‘H-Bomb Of Justice’

The Gist: North Korea said it conducted a powerful hydrogen bomb test Wednesday in a defiant and surprising move.

From The Reporter’s Notebook

The National Rifle Association criticized President Obama’s executive actions to curb gun violence on Tuesday. According to TPM’s Sara Jerde, the organization suggested the president’s speech was “devoid of facts,” but did not directly address Obama’s statement that the NRA had previously supported “expanded background checks.”

Agree or Disagree?

Josh Marshall: Democrats are smiling at the amped up inter-party attacks between lower-tier GOP candidates like Marco Rubio and Chris Christie. They reflect “just how badly this primary cycle is going for the GOP.”

Say What?!

“While as a senator I can help shape the agenda, only a president can set the agenda. We’re not going to fix America with senators and congressmen.”

– A recent comment by Florida Senator Marco Rubio

BUZZING: Today in the Hive

From a TPM Prime member: “The tide might slowly be turning” on gun control. “Obama’s executive actions will be tweaks, if that. But the states are starting to gain some momentum and local gun control groups supported by the likes of Michael Bloomberg are starting to gain some real traction.” Our “gerrymandered Congress is worthless and things only get done at the state level. That is governance in America today.”

Related: President Obama unveiled new executive orders on gun control on Tuesday afternoon.

Have something to add? Become a Prime member and join the discussion here.

What We’re Reading

The *other* time Oregon’s Malheur National Wildlife Refuge was taken over. (The Stranger)

Is Huma Abedin Hillary Clinton’s secret weapon or her next big problem? (Vanity Fair)

Start your day with TPM.

Have a tip? Send it Here!

Why OR Militia Took Over This Wildlife Refuge, Trump Goes Birther On Cruz, and What’s Next For Gun Control

Start the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com