McClellan on Pentagon Purge; Repubs Silent on Trump Mass Firings, Citizens Try to Smoke Out Rob Wittman; MSNBC Cancels Joy Reid

Feb 23, 2025

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Pentagon Firings of General CQ Brown and Admiral Lisa Franchetti

Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan commented on the Friday night firings of the head of the U.S. Navy, Admiral Lisa Franchetti, who was the first woman to lead a military service, and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. CQ Brown.

Senator Jennifer Carroll Foy Speaks on the Firing of General CQ Brown Jr. and on Leadership Issues at VMI

Senator Jennifer Carroll Foy commented on the late Friday night firing of Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman and Air Force General CQ Brown Jr. and Virginia Military Institute (VMI). Senator Foy is a graduate of VMI.

Senator Foy: “Given the misinformation & barrage of attacks by Thomas Gottwald (VMI ‘83), Spirit of VMI PAC, MAGA Republican Ben Cline, John Adams (VMI ‘96) & others, during this Black History Month, in the spirit of Shirley Chisholm of being “unbought and unbossed,” I want to be clear, Senator Foy started in a lengthy thread on social media.

“VMI Board of Visitors President, McGuire Woods partner and Republican John Adams called me repeatedly and informed me that the VMI Board of Visitors no longer wants a Black Superintendent.

The majority of VMI Board of Visitors has been appointed by MAGA Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin. The Gottwalds have donated over $500,000 to Youngkin directly or through the Spirit of VMI PAC which Thomas Gottwald is the top donor. “The [Spirit of VMI] SoVP has counseled and advised Governor Youngkin on EACH and EVERY member that he has appointed to The BOV. We now have a majority of the BOV Members (13 of 17) as Youngkin appointees.” Source- the Sentinel Newsletter – July 16, 2024.

Members of the Spirit of VMI, a political action committee comprising alumni, parents and friends of the school, have argued that DEI is ‘unnecessary,’ promotes racial division and urge others to ‘reject the woke assault on VMI,” Foy wrote. The Senator’s entire communication can be seen here.

MSNBC Cancels Joy Reid’s Show “The Reid Out”

MSNBC Cancels Outspoken On Air Voice Against Trump. After MSNBC executive Rashida Jones stepped down in January and a new Administration took office in the White House, it was expected that there could be changes at MSNBC. Those changes are arriving.

Rebecca Kutler, who is the senior vice president for content strategy at MSNBC, has reportedly made the decision to cancel Joy Reid’s show “The Reid Out.” Rashida Jones departed MSNBC six days before Trump took office on Jan. 20. Reid has been an outspoken voice against the Trump Administration.

The moment follows the departure of CNN anchor Jim Acosta who departed the network after they attempted to sideline him to midnights. Acosta was often attacked by Donald Trump on social media and was talking openly about pushing back against lying and standing up for the truth. It was telling that none of those priorities were consistent with CNN’s mission as a media platform.

According to published reports, Joy Reid’s show is expected to end before the start of March.

After Trump was elected in November, there was a sharp rating decline at MSNBC. It was particularly seen for Morning Joe. That show, hosted by former Congressman Joe Scarborough and his wife Mika Brzezinski, suffered a ratings hit after the two announced on air that they met with President-elect Trump at Mara-a-Lago late last year.

Back in 2020, Reid, who is now 56, was named the anchor of a primetime show on MSNBC. She had become a fixture at the network on election nights and during other special programming.

Reid began her career in journalism as a radio host and blogger before gaining prominence as a national political analyst. She previously hosted AM Joy on weekends and was noted for her insightful commentary on race, politics, and culture.

In addition to her broadcasting work, she has authored several books, including The Man Who Sold America. Reid is known for her sharp political analysis and strong advocacy for social justice issues.

Reid’s show is expected to be replaced by the three person panel show that is now called “The Weekend.” That show is hosted by Alicia Menendez, Michael Steele and Symone Sanders.

Comcast and MSNBC are splitting and Mark Lazarus will be the new head of MSNBC at some point. Another show that is expected to be moved is an hour in primetime hosted by Alex Wagner.

Virginia Lawmakers Complete Session: 380 Bills Go to Guv

By Nathaniel Cline. Against the backdrop of federal job cuts and funding freezes, the Virginia legislature passed several budget amendments and bills aimed at improving healthcare, education and housing while killing a proposal to remove the car tax and tabling a bill to permit a sixth locality to build a casino.

And while the 2025 session adjourned on Saturday, House lawmakers say they are not done, launching a committee to explore what the impact of the Trump administration’s federal workforce cuts and funding reductions will be on the commonwealth.

“We are very aware of what’s going on outside the walls of this building, very aware of what’s going on in Northern Virginia,” said Senate Majority Leader Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax. READ ENTIRE

As Republicans Go Silent on Federal Employee Mass Firings by Trump, Constituents Call Out Rep. Rob Wittman

GOP SILENCE AND MASS FIRINGS. The conversation on the impact that the Trump Administration’s mass firings will have on Virginia’s economy has been one sided. Only Democrats have given detailed responses on the issue. As announcement after announcement has been reported in the media, Reps. Rob Wittman, Rep. Jen Kiggans, Ben Cline and Morgan Griffith have remained silent. There is all but certain to be a large economic impact on Virginia. Speaker Don Scott has announced an emergency committee to analyze the impact.

New FBI Director Kash Patel was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Feb. 20. Shortly after it was reported that the FBI would be moving 1,500 employees out of the Washington, DC area.

Last week, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin did give some comments that were reported in the Washington Post. But Republicans in Virginia’s congressional delegation, including several who have marketed themselves as “moderate” have said close to nothing on the subject of Trump’s mass firings.

Now the Henrico Democrats are moving to get an audience with their Congressman.

Henrico Democrats: Waiting for Wittman: Time to Call Him Out! Rob Wittman is pulling his usual stunt—holding “mobile office hours” in Midlothian… without actually being there. Instead of facing his constituents, he’s sending staff while he hides behind carefully controlled telephone town halls with pre-screened questions. Nine years without a real, in-person town hall. Nine years of dodging accountability.

Well, we’re done waiting. If Wittman won’t come to us, then we’ll bring the message to him. Join us this Wednesday to demand real representation, not staged PR stunts. His job is to answer to all his constituents—not just the ones he picks.

Where: American Legion Post 186 (901 Otterdale Rd, Midlothian, VA 23114)
When: Wednesday, February 26th, 10am-12pm
Carpooling encouraged—let’s show up in numbers!

Bring your signs, bring your voices, and let’s make it clear: Wittman works for us, not the other way around. See you there!

Call And Email Every Day Until He Listens! - Demand that Wittman hold a real, in-person town hall where his actual constituents can ask questions, not just his donors and hand-picked supporters.

Henrico/Glen Allen Office: (804) 401-4120
Washington, D.C. Office: (202) 225-4261
Email him here: https://wittman.house.gov/forms/writeyourrep/

Tell them: We demand a real town hall. We want our Congressman to show up and answer our questions—no more hiding behind screened calls and staged events! Wittman may not show up—but we will. See you there!

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