Four years ago in the East Room of the White House I was told to sit down during a press conference on midterm election results. I tried to ask about voter suppression. I was continuously told to “sit down.” Four years later,yesterday I was able to ask three questions.

In an hour the White House will host a Black History Month reception.

Michelle and I were deeply saddened to hear about the passing of a true giant, the Reverend Jesse Jackson. We will always be grateful for Jesse's lifetime of service, and the friendship our families share. We stood on his shoulders. We send our deepest condolences to the Jackson family and everyone in Chicago and beyond who knew and loved him.

Rest in Peace Rev. Jesse Jackson. open.substack.com/pub/contra…

Today at the White House!

That social media post by Donald Trump that was taken down, was racist. He should never feel comfortable posting that centuries old racist depiction. I talked with @theebillyporter today about this and other topics on my Substack show The Tea with April!

John Boyd Jr. says he was blocked from a White House meeting for farmers and told the administration is moving away from DEI and small farmers and toward large, white agribusiness. Let that sink in. Small farmers pushed out. Black farmers shut out. Power consolidated. This is Donald Trump’s America: reward the connected, erase everyone else.

I have received the greatly troubling news regarding an increase in tensions between Cuba and the United States of America, two neighboring countries. I echo the message of the Cuban bishops, inviting all responsible parties to promote a sincere and effective dialogue, in order to avoid violence and every action that could increase the suffering of the dear Cuban people.

Don Lemon is an accomplished journalist whose urgent work is protected by the First Amendment. There is zero basis to arrest him and he should be freed immediately. The Trump Justice Department is illegitimate and these extremists will all be held accountable for their crimes against the Constitution.

BREAKING: Immigration officers are asserting sweeping power to enter homes without a judge’s warrant, a memo obtained by AP says. apnews.com/article/ice-arres…

I put these two clips of Daddy together because I want to share him saying “I’m tired of marching,” then, after continuing the multifaceted work of nonviolence, saying “I’ve been to the mountaintop.” The 2nd clip is from the speech he gave the night before he was assassinated. #MLK #MLKDay #Mountaintop #MLKDay2026

January 6th participant Pamela Hemphill, who refused President Trump's pardon: "Once I got away from the MAGA cult and started educating myself about January the 6th, I knew what I did was wrong...I am guilty, and I own that guilt...I had fallen for the president’s lies."

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) on January 6th: "Today, that president who incited that insurrection, continues to lie about what happened that day...I saw on TV that he was claiming that we did not ask for the National Guard...For over three hours we begged him to send the National Guard! He never did it. He took joy in not doing. He was savoring it...What he's saying today is an insult to the American people." Full video here: c-span.org/event/public-affa…

Five years after Jan 6 th substack.com/@aprildryan/not…

A must read! huffpost.com/entry/latest-ne…

Five years ago today, a violent mob brutally attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6. Their mission was to overturn a free and fair election. We will never allow extremists to whitewash their treachery.

It's January 6, the day Congress comes back to work. It is also the fifth anniversary of the insurrection on the U.S. Capitol. Minority Leader @repjeffries called for the hearing today that includes a salute to the police officers who worked to save democracy that day.

All of these Trump administration actions in Venezuela is about the countries sour crude oil. Many U.S. refineries were built for heavy, sour crude (high sulfur, high density) from places like Canada and Venezuela. However, America mostly produces and works with light, sweet crude oil (low sulfur, low density) from its shale which is great for gasoline. Light sweet crude oil is easier and cheaper to refine.

After the gang of eight meeting House Minority Leader, Hakeem Jeffries spoke with us and gave us updates on issues like the posture internationally of the United States.

Meetings and dates that are important this month!

Scoop: the emergency Democratic Caucus meeting is over and the issuers were Venezuela and affordability! The Caucus meets again in person January 6th.