Political Rewind: Calls for divestment from Russia; Perdue rails against Rivian; State of the Union

Credit: Stephen Fowler, GPB News

The Panel: 

Charlie Hayslett, editor, Trouble in God’s Country

Chuck Kuck, Georgia immigration attorney

Edward Lindsey, former state representative

Tamar Hallerman, senior reporter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Breakdown:

1. House Speaker David Ralston and Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan call for divestments from Russia.

• Last year, the state of Georgia tallied more than $146 million in exports to Russia and brought in more than $234 million in imports, according to numbers from the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

• Gov. Brian Kemp's office said in a statement that the governor also supports dissolving Georgia investments with Russia.

2. More than 500,000 Ukrainian refugees have fled the county.

• This year, the Biden administration has promised to open up 125,000 spots for refugees.

• The New York Times reports, Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov described they were “intelligent” and “educated,” he added, people unlikely to spread terrorism.
  • Many have criticized the remarks as racialized. 

3. David Perdue comes out against Rivian plant.

• David Perdue, Trump-endorsed candidate for governor, will speak in Rutledge, Ga., about Gov. Brian Kemp’s efforts to bring electric truck manufacturer Rivian to the area.

• Rivian is looking to build on 2,000 acres, hiring upwards of 7,500 workers to build electric vehicles.

• Some in the surrounding community are opposed to the plant, and have organized to oppose plans.

4. Former President Donald Trump releases a statement on the Buckhead cityhood movement.

• Donald Trump Jr. will speak to crowds in Buckhead, Cumming, Tifton and Thomas County on March 7. 

5. President Biden to deliver State of the Union address tonight.

• Mask requirements were dropped just days before the address.  
• For the first time since 2020, every member of the U.S. Congress was invited to attend.

Tomorrow on Political Rewind:

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Greg Bluestein joins the panel.