Here's what's trending in politics in Georgia and around the nation on Wednesday.
1. Trump fires back in Phoenix speech
In a speech Tuesday night in Phoenix, Arizona, President Donald Trump blamed the media and fellow Republicans for the criticism he received following a series of remarks he made about the violent protests in Charlottesville, Virginia, nearly two weeks ago. During the speech, Trump read from his three responses to the incident in which one counterprotester was killed and 19 others injured. The president did not include the comment that "many" sides were to blame for the violence that took place in Charlottesville.
2. Half in Rasmussen survey say media hampers Trump
Forty-seven percent of those questioned in a recent survey say the media is a roadblock for President Trump. The Rasmussen survey asked 1,000 likely voters, "When they write or talk about President Trump, are most reporters trying to help the president pass his agenda, block the president from passing his agenda, or are they simply interested in reporting the news in an unbiased manner?"
3. Petition calls for Antifa to be labeled terrorist group
A petition on a White House website is asking that an anti-fascist group be labeled as a terrorist organization. The petition, hosted on "We the People," has received 250,000 signatures. It says that Antifa (short for Anti-Fascist), a group that counterprotests at neo-Nazi and white supremacists rallies, "has earned this title due to its violent actions in multiple cities and their influence in the killings of multiple police officers throughout the United States." A petition on We the People needs 100,000 signatures before the White House will respond to it.
4. Environmental study not broad enough
Federal energy regulators did not properly evaluate the impact on the environment that a natural gas pipeline running through Alabama, Florida, and Georgia would have. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled Tuesday that a more detailed study of the Southeast Market Pipelines Project is needed.
5. ESPN broadcaster Lee pulled from UVA game
The controversy over Confederate statues that led to a deadly protest in Charlottesville continues, albeit in an unexpected venue. ESPN announced Tuesday that broadcaster Robert Lee will not call the season opening college football game at the University of Virginia because of his name. According to ESPN, the decision was made "simply because of the coincidence of his name" to that of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. The planned removal of Lee's statue sparked the protest on Aug. 12.
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