Good morning, Her Campus! With a break-neck news cycle, there is no possible way for you to stay on top of every story that comes across your feeds—we’re all only human, after all.
But, life comes at you fast. So grab a cup of coffee and settle in for this quick and dirty guide to stories you might’ve been sleeping on (like, literally. It’s early.)
VP Pence Said That “The White House Could Have Handled [the Porter Scandal] Better”
Vice President Mike Pence says that he thinks that the White House could have done a better job with the domestic abuse scandal revolving around former White House Staff Secretary Rob Porter, but stands with White House Chief of Staff Gen. John Kelly, ABC News reports.
“Well, this administration has no tolerance for domestic violence, nor should any American. As I said, and as the White House has said, I think the White House could have handled this better. I still feel that way,” Pence said.
“That being said, any more counsel I have on this, I’ll share with the President of the United States,” Pence added.
Pence’s comments come after Porter, who was said to be up for a promotion from White House Staff Secretary to Kelly’s Deputy Chief of Staff, resigned, ABC News reports.
FBI Director Chris Wray gave testimony to the Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday and the information he provided directly contradicts the White House’s narrative on the departure of Porter from the White House.
According to ABC News, during an interview with Axios’ Mike Allen on Wednesday, Pence was asked about Kelly’s handling of the scandal. Pence didn’t really answer the question, but praised Kelly’s service.
“John Kelly has done a remarkable job as chief of staff for the president and I look forward to continuing to work with him for many, many months to come,” Pence said.
Sen. Warren Gave a Speech on the Use of “Pocahontas” As a Slur
Sen. Elizabeth Warren gave a speech on Wednesday to the National Congress of American Indians, and called out President Trump’s repeated use of “Pocahontas” as a slur to refer to her, The Huffington Post reports.
BREAKING: Elizabeth Warren just took the stage at the National Congress of American Indians. In a surprise appearance, she plans to forcefully rebut Trump’s use of “Pocahontas” as a slur, address the issue of her heritage more directly, and pledge to work on Native issues. pic.twitter.com/SIP00peTNB
— Matt Viser (@mviser) February 14, 2018
According to HuffPost, Trump has used “Pocahontas” as a slur against Warren on numerous occasions, starting in 2012 during Warren’s Senate run when Warren discussed her Native American heritage.
“I’ve noticed that every time my name comes up, President Trump likes to talk about Pocahontas. So I figured, let’s talk about Pocahontas,” Warren said. “Not Pocahontas, the fictional character most Americans know from the movies, but Pocahontas, the native woman who really lived, and whose real story has been passed down to so many of you through the generations.”
Pocahontas is at it again! Goofy Elizabeth Warren, one of the least productive U.S. Senators, has a nasty mouth. Hope she is V.P. choice.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 10, 2016
Warren talked about her Native American heritage in her speech, and discussed “our country’s disrespect of native people didn’t start with President Trump,” and how that disrespect “started long before President Washington ever took office.”
“We have a president who can’t make it through a ceremony honoring Native American war heroes without reducing native history, native culture, native people to the butt of a joke,” Warren said.
“The joke, I guess, is supposed to be on me,” Warren added. “I get why some people think there’s hay to be made here. You won’t find my family members on any rolls, and I’m not enrolled in a tribe. And I want to make something clear. I respect that distinction. I understand that tribal membership is determined by tribes — and only by tribes.”
Warren pledged in her speech to be an advocate for Native Americans and to lift up their stories, HuffPost reports.
“I’m here today to make a promise: Every time someone brings up my family’s story, I’m going to use it to lift up the story of your families and your communities,” she said.
Warren received a standing ovation at the end of her speech, according to HuffPost, and the National Congress of American Indians’ President shouted “We’ve got your back!”
An Adorable Bichon Frise is Now America’s Top Dog
Flynn, an adorable bichon frise, won best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club, CNBC reports.
According to CNBC, Flynn beat out Ty the giant schnauzer, Biggie the pug, Bean the Sussex spaniel, Lucy the borzoi, Slick the border collie and Winston the Norfolk terrier.
“It feels a little unreal,” McFadden, Flynn’s handler, said. “I came in expecting nothing except hoping for a good performance, and I think I got it.”
While it seemed that other dogs in the show we crowd favorite, Flynn still beat them for best in show. Almost six-years-old, Flynn got his 42nd best in show victory in what is most likely his last show before he retires, CNBC reports.
Flynn won a steak lunch at Sardi’s, a trip to the top of the Empire State Building, and he’s been invited for a walk-on part at a Broadway hit “Kinky Boots.” Honestly, forget about prize money. This sounds like the dream prize to me.
“He has my heart,” McFadden said. “He is pure joy.”
“He kept wagging his tail and that sold himself to me,” judge Betty-Anne Stenmark said.
What to look out for…
Turns out the dream job does exist because a resort in the Bahamas is looking for a CFO: Chief Flamingo Officer.