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Biden inauguration: Trump expected to issue flurry of pardons before leaving office – live Biden inauguration: Trump expected to issue flurry of pardons before leaving office – live
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Washington DC prepares for Biden inauguration with unprecedented number of troops on streetWashington DC prepares for Biden inauguration with unprecedented number of troops on street
One of the striking coincidences of the US pandemic year is that the first anniversary of the first case, 20 January 2021, falls on the day of Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration. That sets a sharp frame through which to view the year: the devastation that has befallen America as a result of the political mishandling of the crisis must wholly be owned, down to the day, by Donald Trump.
The numbers crudely tell the story. Nobody knew it then, but the initial confirmed case in Washington state was the opening drop in what was to become a tsunami of infection. That first patient may have survived and is doing well. But he was followed by nearly 400,000 people who were not so fortunate.
Across the country, from coast to coast and through every nook and cranny of the heartlands, the virus is wreaking havoc, upturning lives as it shreds the global reputation of this once revered nation.
John Holdren has spent much of the year investigating what lies behind these horrifying features of the American pandemic and the human catastrophe they denote. What went wrong, and how could it be put right? The idea was to come up with practical tips that could help the US government extract itself from the current disaster, as well as provide advice for tackling any future pandemic.
Their findings give a wealth of detail on the failings of the Trump administration’s response. Their first inquiry, released in May, looked at how the national stockpile of emergency medical supplies had been allowed to wither under Trump.
They warned that urgent action was needed to replenish the reserves to avoid drastic shortages of masks, ventilators and other PPE come the winter, but Trump ignored that advice too. Just as they predicted, an alarming dearth of masks and other equipment is once again putting frontline health workers in mortal danger.
“The federal government has to take leadership in the response to a national and global pandemic. Trump refused to do that, and that stance was an unmitigated disaster.”
Read more of Ed Pilkington’s report: ‘An unmitigated disaster’: America’s year of Covid
According to the numbers from Johns Hopkins university, yesterday the US recorded 174,513 new coronavirus cases, and 1,723 further deaths. Numbers are often reduced at the weekend because of different collection methodologies which means some numbers do not get reported over the weekend. Nevertheless, the US is on course to exceed 24 million total cases and 400,000 total deaths before Joe Biden is inaugurated on Wednesday.
The Covid Tracking Project reports that yesterday there were 124,387 people in the US hospitalized with Covid. It is the 48th consecutive day that more than 100,000 people have been in hospital with the coronavirus.
Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, told CNN last night that this is “a screaming level of transmission across the United States and people are scared, people are upset.”
“The numbers are quite dire. There is an enormous amount of work that’s going to have to happen starting 20 January,” he added.
Dr. Scott Gottlieb, the former Food and Drug Administration commissioner, has raised the spectre of the new variant of the coronavirus running rampant across the US. He told CBS’ Face the Nation:
A secretive billionaire supporter of Josh Hawley and other rightwing lawmakers suggested he had been “deceived” by the Republican senator from Missouri, who led the effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election.A secretive billionaire supporter of Josh Hawley and other rightwing lawmakers suggested he had been “deceived” by the Republican senator from Missouri, who led the effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
Jeffrey Yass is a co-founder of Susquehanna International Group – headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a critical swing state – who has donated tens of millions of dollars to hardline Republican groups who supported Donald Trump’s effort to invalidate his defeat at the polls by Joe Biden.Jeffrey Yass is a co-founder of Susquehanna International Group – headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a critical swing state – who has donated tens of millions of dollars to hardline Republican groups who supported Donald Trump’s effort to invalidate his defeat at the polls by Joe Biden.
Yass privately told a longtime associate he had not foreseen how his contributions would lead to attempts to overturn US democracy.Yass privately told a longtime associate he had not foreseen how his contributions would lead to attempts to overturn US democracy.
“Do you think anyone knew Hawley was going to do that?” Yass wrote to Laura Goldman, a former stockbroker who has known him for more than three decades.“Do you think anyone knew Hawley was going to do that?” Yass wrote to Laura Goldman, a former stockbroker who has known him for more than three decades.
“Sometimes politicians deceive their donors.”“Sometimes politicians deceive their donors.”
Yass, who does not give interviews and generally avoids publicity, also told Goldman he did not believe the 2020 election had been “stolen”, even though he has directly and indirectly supported rightwing Republicans who have repeatedly – and falsely – sought to discredit the results.Yass, who does not give interviews and generally avoids publicity, also told Goldman he did not believe the 2020 election had been “stolen”, even though he has directly and indirectly supported rightwing Republicans who have repeatedly – and falsely – sought to discredit the results.
The latest fallout of the 6 January attempt to invalidate the election, in which 147 Republicans in Congress objected to electoral college results in the aftermath of the attack on the Capitol, comes as both Hawley and his donors face pressure and criticism for his role.The latest fallout of the 6 January attempt to invalidate the election, in which 147 Republicans in Congress objected to electoral college results in the aftermath of the attack on the Capitol, comes as both Hawley and his donors face pressure and criticism for his role.
Hawley has said he objected to the counting of electoral votes in order to instigate a “debate” on the issue of election integrity. He has denied that his actions helped to incite the violent outburst and breach of the Capitol in which five people died, including a police officer.Hawley has said he objected to the counting of electoral votes in order to instigate a “debate” on the issue of election integrity. He has denied that his actions helped to incite the violent outburst and breach of the Capitol in which five people died, including a police officer.
Read more of Stephanie Kirchgaessner’s report here: Billionaire backer feels ‘deceived’ by Josh Hawley over election objectionsRead more of Stephanie Kirchgaessner’s report here: Billionaire backer feels ‘deceived’ by Josh Hawley over election objections
As we build-up to the Biden-Harris administration taking power on Wednesday, we have an event today specifically looking at what the future holds for Kamala Harris.As we build-up to the Biden-Harris administration taking power on Wednesday, we have an event today specifically looking at what the future holds for Kamala Harris.
Harris is poised to become the first woman, the first Black and the first person of Asian descent to be inaugurated vice president of the US. As she steps into the White House, millions of voters responsible for her win are asking challenging questions: will she emerge as a brave and powerful voice for the nation’s most vulnerable? Or will her embrace of the political center limit her impact?Harris is poised to become the first woman, the first Black and the first person of Asian descent to be inaugurated vice president of the US. As she steps into the White House, millions of voters responsible for her win are asking challenging questions: will she emerge as a brave and powerful voice for the nation’s most vulnerable? Or will her embrace of the political center limit her impact?
While voters of color turned out in record numbers to support the Biden-Harris ticket, some progressives feel conflicted about Harris’s past. As a California prosecutor, she enforced the rules of a US criminal justice system that unfairly targets minority groups.While voters of color turned out in record numbers to support the Biden-Harris ticket, some progressives feel conflicted about Harris’s past. As a California prosecutor, she enforced the rules of a US criminal justice system that unfairly targets minority groups.
Looking ahead to the next four years, the panel - including Pulitzer Prize-winning cultural critic Margo Jefferson, Guardian columnist and lawyer Malaika Jabali and Guardian West Coast political reporter Maanvi Singh - will discuss the opportunities Harris will have to drive policy change and inspire a new generation of leadership, and the hopes, obstacles and anxieties that accompany her rise to vice president.Looking ahead to the next four years, the panel - including Pulitzer Prize-winning cultural critic Margo Jefferson, Guardian columnist and lawyer Malaika Jabali and Guardian West Coast political reporter Maanvi Singh - will discuss the opportunities Harris will have to drive policy change and inspire a new generation of leadership, and the hopes, obstacles and anxieties that accompany her rise to vice president.
You can join them. It is at 4pm ET (which is 9pm GMT if, like me, you are in London). There’s more details here: Kamala Harris – How will America’s new vice president wield her power?You can join them. It is at 4pm ET (which is 9pm GMT if, like me, you are in London). There’s more details here: Kamala Harris – How will America’s new vice president wield her power?
One name that appears to be missing from Donald Trump’s proposed list of pardons is Donald Trump. For some time there has been speculation that he would attempt to pardon himself, but that equation got more complicated with the assault on the Capitol on 6 January and moves in Congress to impeach him. Issuing himself a pardon under those circumstances would look self-incriminating.One name that appears to be missing from Donald Trump’s proposed list of pardons is Donald Trump. For some time there has been speculation that he would attempt to pardon himself, but that equation got more complicated with the assault on the Capitol on 6 January and moves in Congress to impeach him. Issuing himself a pardon under those circumstances would look self-incriminating.
And talking of self-incriminating, one of the latest people to be arrested over the storming of the US Capitol was partly identified through their own social media posts. Associated Press report that Otero County Commissioner Couy Griffin has been arrested on charges of illegally entering the US Capitol.And talking of self-incriminating, one of the latest people to be arrested over the storming of the US Capitol was partly identified through their own social media posts. Associated Press report that Otero County Commissioner Couy Griffin has been arrested on charges of illegally entering the US Capitol.
The New Mexico county official, and founder of the group Cowboys for Trump, who had vowed to return to Washington after last week’s riot to place a flag on House speaker Nancy Pelosi’s desk, was arrested Sunday by the FBI.The New Mexico county official, and founder of the group Cowboys for Trump, who had vowed to return to Washington after last week’s riot to place a flag on House speaker Nancy Pelosi’s desk, was arrested Sunday by the FBI.
According to court documents, Griffin told investigators that he was “caught up” in the crowd, but he said he did not enter the building and instead remained on the steps. A video posted to Griffin’s personal Facebook page shows Griffin in the restricted areas, according to the affidavit.On Thursday, Griffin had said he planned to travel with firearms to DC for Biden’s inauguration. “I’m gonna be there on 20 January and I’m gonna take a stand for our country and for our freedoms,” Griffin said during a meeting of the Otero County Board of Commissioners.According to court documents, Griffin told investigators that he was “caught up” in the crowd, but he said he did not enter the building and instead remained on the steps. A video posted to Griffin’s personal Facebook page shows Griffin in the restricted areas, according to the affidavit.On Thursday, Griffin had said he planned to travel with firearms to DC for Biden’s inauguration. “I’m gonna be there on 20 January and I’m gonna take a stand for our country and for our freedoms,” Griffin said during a meeting of the Otero County Board of Commissioners.
“I’m gonna leave either tonight or tomorrow. I’ve got a .357 Henry Big Boy rifle lever action that I’ve got in the trunk of my car and I’ve got a .357 single action revolver, the Colt Ruger Vaquero that I’ll have underneath the front seat on my right side and I will embrace my Second Amendment,” he said.“I’m gonna leave either tonight or tomorrow. I’ve got a .357 Henry Big Boy rifle lever action that I’ve got in the trunk of my car and I’ve got a .357 single action revolver, the Colt Ruger Vaquero that I’ll have underneath the front seat on my right side and I will embrace my Second Amendment,” he said.
If Joe Biden’s aim is, as reported, to try and undo a lot of Trump administration damage in the first weeks of his presidency via executive order, he’s still getting an increasing workload of things to reverse. Troy Farah reports for us this morning as part of our This land is your land series on an 11th-hour plan to strip California desert of its protections.If Joe Biden’s aim is, as reported, to try and undo a lot of Trump administration damage in the first weeks of his presidency via executive order, he’s still getting an increasing workload of things to reverse. Troy Farah reports for us this morning as part of our This land is your land series on an 11th-hour plan to strip California desert of its protections.
The outgoing Trump administration is proposing to strip away protections for millions of acres of California desert, threatening damage to Joshua trees, desert tortoises and landmarks.The outgoing Trump administration is proposing to strip away protections for millions of acres of California desert, threatening damage to Joshua trees, desert tortoises and landmarks.
The plan would open up California’s desert areas to mining projects, eliminate up to 2.2m acres of conservation lands, as well as remove 1.8m acres designated as Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (Acecs).The plan would open up California’s desert areas to mining projects, eliminate up to 2.2m acres of conservation lands, as well as remove 1.8m acres designated as Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (Acecs).
Acecs are regions given special protections because of extra sensitive and culturally important features. The spires of eroded volcanic rock known as Turtle Mountain, for example, is one of the Acecs considered for the chopping block, and has an extremely dense population of endangered desert tortoise, as well as many indigenous homestead sites and historic mining camps.Acecs are regions given special protections because of extra sensitive and culturally important features. The spires of eroded volcanic rock known as Turtle Mountain, for example, is one of the Acecs considered for the chopping block, and has an extremely dense population of endangered desert tortoise, as well as many indigenous homestead sites and historic mining camps.
“It’s a bit baffling at the 11th hour that something like this would hit the street,” said Geary Hund, the executive director for the Mojave Desert Land Trust, a non-profit conservation group that has purchased nearly 90,000 acres of desert over 15 years in order to protect it. “It doesn’t make sense. Any changes to this plan should really be within the purview of the new administration.“It’s a bit baffling at the 11th hour that something like this would hit the street,” said Geary Hund, the executive director for the Mojave Desert Land Trust, a non-profit conservation group that has purchased nearly 90,000 acres of desert over 15 years in order to protect it. “It doesn’t make sense. Any changes to this plan should really be within the purview of the new administration.
“I’m not saying that there should be no renewable energy development out here,” Hund said. “But I think it needs to be thoughtful, smart and avoid impacts to important conservation lands.”“I’m not saying that there should be no renewable energy development out here,” Hund said. “But I think it needs to be thoughtful, smart and avoid impacts to important conservation lands.”
Other areas that would be affected by the rule changes include wildlife corridors near beloved desert landscapes, such as Death Valley national park, Mojave Trails national monument and Joshua Tree national park.Other areas that would be affected by the rule changes include wildlife corridors near beloved desert landscapes, such as Death Valley national park, Mojave Trails national monument and Joshua Tree national park.
The amendment would also change or eliminate 68 existing conservation rules. The changes would allow for greater impacts in recreation areas used by hikers, birders and off-road vehicles.The amendment would also change or eliminate 68 existing conservation rules. The changes would allow for greater impacts in recreation areas used by hikers, birders and off-road vehicles.
Read more of Troy Farah’s report here: Trump administration proposes 11th-hour plan to strip California desert protectionsRead more of Troy Farah’s report here: Trump administration proposes 11th-hour plan to strip California desert protections
If that is how Trump is expected to end his time in office, we already have a clue as to how Joe Biden will start his time in office – by cancelling the $9bn Keystone XL pipeline.If that is how Trump is expected to end his time in office, we already have a clue as to how Joe Biden will start his time in office – by cancelling the $9bn Keystone XL pipeline.
The words “rescind Keystone XL pipeline permit” appear on a list of executive actions likely to be scheduled for the first day of Biden’s presidency, according to an earlier report by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.The words “rescind Keystone XL pipeline permit” appear on a list of executive actions likely to be scheduled for the first day of Biden’s presidency, according to an earlier report by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Biden had previously vowed to scrap the oil pipeline’s presidential permit if he became president. The project, which would move oil from the Canadian province of Alberta to Nebraska, had been slowed by legal issues in the US. It also faced opposition from environmentalists seeking to check the expansion of Canada’s oil sands by opposing new pipelines to move its crude to refineries.Biden had previously vowed to scrap the oil pipeline’s presidential permit if he became president. The project, which would move oil from the Canadian province of Alberta to Nebraska, had been slowed by legal issues in the US. It also faced opposition from environmentalists seeking to check the expansion of Canada’s oil sands by opposing new pipelines to move its crude to refineries.
TC Energy Corp, which operates the pipeline, said it would achieve net zero emissions by 2023 when it enters service. The company also pledged to use only renewable energy sources by 2030 in an attempt to win Biden’s support. Barack Obama axed the project in 2015, saying Canada would reap most of the economic benefits, while the project would add to greenhouse gas emissions. Trump reinistated it.TC Energy Corp, which operates the pipeline, said it would achieve net zero emissions by 2023 when it enters service. The company also pledged to use only renewable energy sources by 2030 in an attempt to win Biden’s support. Barack Obama axed the project in 2015, saying Canada would reap most of the economic benefits, while the project would add to greenhouse gas emissions. Trump reinistated it.
In 2017, Oliver Laughland and Laurence Mathieu-Léger drove 1,200 miles along the route of the pipeline for us, visiting many Indigenous communities, ranchers & farmers - with very different political views - but all opposed to its construction.In 2017, Oliver Laughland and Laurence Mathieu-Léger drove 1,200 miles along the route of the pipeline for us, visiting many Indigenous communities, ranchers & farmers - with very different political views - but all opposed to its construction.
There’s some more details of what outgoing president Donald Trump plans to do with his final hours in power – hold a departure event at Joint Base Andrews.There’s some more details of what outgoing president Donald Trump plans to do with his final hours in power – hold a departure event at Joint Base Andrews.
“Must wear masks” on the invite marks a departure from the previous Covid superspreader events that the president has hosted. Jennifer Jacobs reports for Bloomberg that:“Must wear masks” on the invite marks a departure from the previous Covid superspreader events that the president has hosted. Jennifer Jacobs reports for Bloomberg that:
Read more here: Bloomberg – Trump farewell planned for Wednesday morning ahead of Biden oathRead more here: Bloomberg – Trump farewell planned for Wednesday morning ahead of Biden oath
Sources have told CNN that yesterday there was a White House meeting where Donald Trump’s list of final pardons was confirmed. They report that the list includes “white collar criminals, high-profile rappers” but not the president himself. They report:Sources have told CNN that yesterday there was a White House meeting where Donald Trump’s list of final pardons was confirmed. They report that the list includes “white collar criminals, high-profile rappers” but not the president himself. They report:
Read more here: CNN – Trump to issue around 100 pardons and commutations Tuesday, sources sayRead more here: CNN – Trump to issue around 100 pardons and commutations Tuesday, sources say
Welcome to our live coverage of US politics in the week that will see Joe Biden become the 46th president of the United States. Here’s a quick catch-up on where we are today…Welcome to our live coverage of US politics in the week that will see Joe Biden become the 46th president of the United States. Here’s a quick catch-up on where we are today…
The FBI is vetting all 25,000 National Guard troops arriving in Washington DC for president-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration amid fears of an insider attack. Muted protests across the country yesterday saw only a handful of armed men showing up to planned rightwing demonstrations.The FBI is vetting all 25,000 National Guard troops arriving in Washington DC for president-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration amid fears of an insider attack. Muted protests across the country yesterday saw only a handful of armed men showing up to planned rightwing demonstrations.
Biden’s team say he will sign a series of executive orders in his first days in office, attempting to roll back damage done at home and abroad by Donald Trump. CBC is reporting that one of his first acts will be to cancel the Keystone XL pipeline permit.Biden’s team say he will sign a series of executive orders in his first days in office, attempting to roll back damage done at home and abroad by Donald Trump. CBC is reporting that one of his first acts will be to cancel the Keystone XL pipeline permit.
The outgoing president now expected to hold a sending off event to be held at Joint Base Andrews on the morning of Inauguration Day.The outgoing president now expected to hold a sending off event to be held at Joint Base Andrews on the morning of Inauguration Day.
Reports suggest Trump is planning to hand out more than 100 pardons during his final hours in office.Reports suggest Trump is planning to hand out more than 100 pardons during his final hours in office.
On Sunday the US recorded 174,513 new coronavirus cases and 1,723 further deaths. Numbers typically dip at the weekends because of the way they are collected. The US is likely to reach 24m cases and more than 400,000 deaths before Wednesday’s inauguration.On Sunday the US recorded 174,513 new coronavirus cases and 1,723 further deaths. Numbers typically dip at the weekends because of the way they are collected. The US is likely to reach 24m cases and more than 400,000 deaths before Wednesday’s inauguration.
Marjorie Taylor Green, the QAnon-backing Republican, is the latest high profile figure to be suspended by Twitter.Marjorie Taylor Green, the QAnon-backing Republican, is the latest high profile figure to be suspended by Twitter.
As part of the build-up to the inauguration, the Biden-Harris team are holding a National Day of Service today in honor of Martin Luther King Jr Day.As part of the build-up to the inauguration, the Biden-Harris team are holding a National Day of Service today in honor of Martin Luther King Jr Day.