‘I was slipping in people’s blood’: Quotes of the Week

“At the end of the day … we just don’t believe dictators should be invited. We don’t regret that, and we will stand — the president will stand by his principles.”
— White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on the Summit of the Americas after it emerged Mexico’s Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador would not attend following President Joe Biden’s decision not to invite Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela

“It would be quite substantial in terms of bulk and heft: $169 million in hundred dollar bills, stacked end to end, would form a block 7.5 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 3 feet tall. In other words, it would be somewhat larger than a standard American three-seater couch. This block would have weighed 3,722 pounds, or nearly two tons. The Mi-17 helicopters that the group flew on do not have separate cargo holds. Therefore, all of the cargo would have been visible in the cabin next to the passengers.”
— A report from the U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, which denied that deposed Afghan President Ashraf Ghani escaped Afghanistan with $170 million in cash when Kabul fell

“I got it and drove it from Michigan to here this last weekend and went by every single gas station, and it didn’t matter how high it was.”
— Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) says gas prices don’t matter because she has an electric vehicle

“Uvalde, Texas, is where I was born — Uvalde is where I was taught to revere the power and the capability of the tool that we call a gun. Uvalde is where I learned responsible gun ownership.”
— Hollywood star and Uvalde native Matthew McConaughey makes an impassioned plea for gun reforms during an appearance at the White House

“As you’re watching tonight, however many watch, I think it’s important to note what prime-time lineup is not included by Nancy Pelosi. Is Nancy Pelosi going to hold a prime-time hearing on inflation?”
— House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) on the Democrats holding a Jan. 6 hearing in a prime-time TV slot

“President Biden continues to campaign for more economic chaos. … Meanwhile, I don’t know about where you live, Jesse, but in my state, the price of gas is so high that it would be cheaper to buy cocaine and just run everywhere.”
— Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) says it’s cheaper to buy cocaine than gas

“I haven’t even really thought about it. … I’m sure I’ll follow the news of it, but I probably won’t be watching them live, just because most nights, I’m working.”
— Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) says watching the Jan. 6 hearing isn’t exactly at the top of his mind

“If you vote for stricter gun control measures, I will personally come into your office and call my dad on speakerphone so that you can confess your undying love for him directly.”
— Hunter Biden’s daughter Naomi promises to let Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) confess his “undying love” for her father if the Wisconsin lawmaker backs gun control legislation

“The Unselect Committee didn’t spend one minute studying the reason that people went to Washington, D.C. in massive numbers. January 6th was not simply a protest, it represented the greatest movement in the history of our Country to Make America Great Again.”
— Former President Donald Trump on his social media platform Truth Social as the Jan. 6 commission continues

“.@marcorubio an honest mistake, got our meetings confused in the flurry and my staff misinformed me. I apologize. We’d still love to meet with you and have an honest, respectful discussion.”
— Gun control activist David Hogg apologizes for falsely claiming that Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) refused to meet with him

“These players have made their choice for their own financial-based reasons. But they can’t demand the same PGA Tour membership benefits, considerations, opportunities, and platform as you. That expectation disrespects you, our fans, and our partners.”
— Jay Monahan, PGA Tour’s commissioner, said concerning the suspension of major golf players who departed to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf

“Why are you on my show?”
— MSNBC host Chris Hayes asks U.S. Senate candidate Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL) why he agreed to be interviewed on MSNBC when he won’t speak to the Jan. 6 committee

“It’s unlikely that gas prices will fall anytime soon.”
— Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen addresses the economic elephant in the room at a New York Times conference

“Any implication that I support Hitler or any of the sick and disgusting actions of the Nazi regime is a new low for the media.”
— New York congressional candidate Carl Paladino, responding to newly unearthed comments in which he called Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler “the kind of leader we need today”

“All Americans should keep in mind this fact: On the morning of Jan. 6, President Donald Trump’s intention was to remain president of the United States, despite the lawful outcome of the 2020 election and in violation of his constitutional obligation to relinquish power. Over multiple months, Donald Trump oversaw and coordinated a sophisticated, seven-part plan to overturn the presidential election and prevent the transfer of presidential power. In our hearings, you will see evidence of each element of this plan.”
— Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) teases that the Jan. 6 committee hearings would present evidence that Trump had a “seven-part plan” to overturn the election

“I couldn’t believe my eyes. There were officers on the ground, they were bleeding, they were throwing up, they were, they had, I mean I saw friends with blood all over their faces. I was slipping in people’s blood.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think that, as a police officer, as a law enforcement officer, I would find myself in the middle of a battle. I’m trained to detain a couple of subjects and handle a crowd, but I’m not combat-trained. And that day, it was just hours of hand-to-hand combat.”
— Capitol Police officer Caroline Edwards gives testimony on the Jan. 6 riot congressional hearing

“Exxon made more money than God this year. … Exxon, start investing, start paying your taxes.”
— Biden on Exxon’s profits