Nicole Lafond

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Nicole Lafond is TPM’s deputy editor, based in New York. She has also worked as the special projects editor and as a senior newswriter for TPM. She has a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University and previously covered education in central Illinois.

Where Things Stand: A Big Lie Weekend Prime Badge
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A few prominent Republicans and Trump allies opted to celebrate one of America’s more patriotic federal holidays by hanging out with QAnon supporters and promoting the big lie.

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UNITED STATES - JULY 1: Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla.,attends the House Armed Services Committee markup of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in Longworth Building on Wednesday, July 1, 2020. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call) Where Things Stand: As Commission Vote Fails, Gaetz Flirts With Idea Of Political Violence Prime Badge
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Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Matt Gaetz (R-FL) continued their tour of terribleness last night.

As arguably the most Trumpy and scandal-plagued lawmakers in the House, the two have been holding a series of weird MAGA rallies around the country in recent weeks for unclear reasons — perhaps to prove their fealty to the master, to burnish their brand, or just because the two have nothing better to do. One has no committee assignments because she threatened violence against her now-colleagues on social media in the past. The other is under federal investigation for the possible sex trafficking of a minor. As Trump maintains — only the best people.

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Where Things Stand: There’s A Lot More Support For QAnon Conspiracy Theories Than You’d Think Prime Badge
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As expected, Republicans are the main group of Americans who support some of the most outlandish conspiracy theories connected to the QAnon movement.

But a lot more Americans believe in some aspects of the far-right conspiracy theory than you’d think.

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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 3: A U.S. Capitol Police Officer holds a program for the ceremony memorializing U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick, 42, as he lies in honor in the Rotunda of the Capitol on Wednesday, February 3, 2021. Officer Sicknick was responding to the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, when he was fatally injured while physically engaging with the mob. Members of Congress will pay tribute to the officer on Wednesday morning before his burial at Arlington National Cemetery. (Photo by Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post/POOL) Where Things Stand: Sicknick’s Mom Requests Meetings With Every Single Senate GOPer Prime Badge
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The mother of Brian Sicknick, the Capitol police officer who died after the insurrection, is trying to pressure Senate Republicans to take the Jan. 6 commission bill seriously.

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Where Things Stand: It’s Been One Year Since George Floyd Was Murdered Prime Badge
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It’s been a year since George Floyd was murdered by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who knelt on Floyd’s neck for nearly 10 minutes while he repeatedly told the officer he couldn’t breathe. Chauvin was found guilty of murder on all counts last month.

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Where Things Stand: Pool Of Pro-Trump Election Critics Running For Office Grows Prime Badge
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A handful of proponents of the Big Lie have launched bids for secretary of state — elected, state-level positions that will have a say in voting operations for future election cycles.

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Where Things Stand: Gaetz And Greene Hold Rally To Support Sketchy AZ Audit Prime Badge
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Only the best people.

The scandal-embroiled Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) is teaming up with one of his most controversial (and annoying) colleagues, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), to do their dear leader’s bidding in Arizona.

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Where Things Stand: McCarthy Specifically Asked For A Commission Prime Badge
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When impeachment was on the table, the House minority leader was all about putting together a Jan. 6 commission in lieu of a trial.

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45 EAST 66TH STREET, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - 2021/04/28: Andrew Giuliani addresses press outside of his father's apartment. His father, Rudy Giuliani was personal attorney of the former President Donald Trump. Federal agents executed a search warrant early on this day at the Manhattan home of Rudy Giuliani in connection with criminal investigation into his involvement with Ukraine. (Photo by Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images) Where Things Stand: The Other Giuliani Prime Badge
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“I’m a politician out of the womb.”

This is how the son of Rudy Giuliani announced his bid for the Republican nomination in New York’s gubernatorial race, a fittingly bizarre statement for an under-the-radar bizarre boy.

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Where Things Stand: Americans Would Rather See Roe Left Alone Prime Badge
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And they hardly see it as a pressing issue, at least not right now.

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