The Republican Party did not begin on a golden escalator in 2015.

Long before that day, it was forged and defended and defined as the conservative party in America.

And so it should ever be.

Mike Pence gives some of his sharpest criticism yet of his former running mate,

calling the future of the Republican Party a battle between conservatism and populism.

We'll have more of his comments just ahead.

Plus, what Donald Trump had to say about the possibility of taking the witness

stand in his own defense in the classified documents case, and also ahead, an update on President

Biden's COVID status following the First Lady's infection as he's set to leave today for a major

summit overseas.

Good morning and welcome to way too early on this Thursday, September 7th. I'm Jonathan

Lemire. Thanks for starting your day with us.

And we'll begin with the first major hearing for the Fulton County election interference case

that ended in a loss for two defendants. Sydney Powell and Kenneth Chesbrough were denied

their request to split their trials. The pair each requested

speedy trials but did not want to be in court together. District attorney Fonnie Willis is

still pushing to keep all 19 co-defendants together, trying them all on the expedited trial date that

Chesbrough was granted.

Now, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee did not seem convinced that could be possible.

It just seems a bit unrealistic to think that we can handle all 19 and 40-something days.

That's my initial reaction.

The judge told the district attorney's office to file a briefing by early next week

...