begin this hour, with the rising death toll from the tornado outbreak that has ripped across much of the south and midwest just minutes ago, officials in illinois confirmed for more storm related deaths, the overall death toll over the last 24 hours now jumps to 21 lives lost more than 50. tornadoes have been reported in seven states. in the south and the midwest. the state of emergency now blankets, much of arkansas and the national guard is rolling into devastated communities. there are reports of at least a dozen tornadoes touching down in the state. these images are of the hard hit town of wynne, arkansas, and that s where we find cnn s derek van dam. jim i was just talking to my crew a moment ago, and the scene behind us reminds us of being on the set of a major blockbuster movie. i mean, just look at what we have with this destruction coming out of wynne, arkansas, that is a church steeple that was blown off by this tornado. look at the incredible damage in front of tha
The former president. and i think you re seeing some of that . now. what do you make of so many republican leaders rallying to trump s defense right now? even jeb bush, for example. well i think, um, you know, thinking back kevin mccarthy, who is in the majority leader correctly pointed out that trump was completely responsible for the riot and attack on the capital. as did some other republicans. shortly thereafter they started to defend the president. you d have to ask them why, but it looks to me that it s political. ah! political obsequiousness. it s catering to his most hardcore, mr trump s hardcore supporters who are almost, um. unable to come to grips with actual facts. when it comes to the x president. i don t know why people are saying what