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Trump still asserts he won election, as Barr reported to have told him fraud claims are 'bullshit' – live Trump still asserts he won election, as Barr reported to have told him fraud claims are 'bullshit' – live
(32 minutes later)
Attorney general said to have made remarks in Oval Office, while president set to issue a flurry of pardons before Wednesday – follow the latestAttorney general said to have made remarks in Oval Office, while president set to issue a flurry of pardons before Wednesday – follow the latest
Steve Dillingham, the Trump-appointed director of the Census Bureau, is resigning one year before his term expires, according to Talking Points Memo. It’s been a calm day on the streets of state capitals as the Trump administration winds down to its close in a heavily-fortified downtown Washington, DC, but plenty of news in US politics. Do stay tuned for the coming hours as we bring you all the developments.
Calls for his resignation had grown exponentially in recent weeks. Here’s how the afternoon has gone:
TPM’s Tierney Sneed writes: Donald Trump is still claiming he won the presidential election, shouting (metaphorically) over the sound of moving trucks emptying his stuff from the White House. While Bill Barr told him to his face that his claims of election fraud were “bullshit”, according to reports.
Rudy Giuliani, Donald Trump’s personal lawyer, will apparently not be a part of Trump’s defense team during the Senate trial for his second impeachment.
Incoming vice-president Kamala Harris has written an op-ed for the San Francisco Chronicle about the challenges and threats to the nation, as she formally resigned from the US Senate in order to become Joe Biden’s veep.
The Trump administration’s 1776 commission released a report on Wednesday claiming to have presented “a definitive chronicle of the American founding.”
The commission was convened by Trump amid the nationwide Black Lives Matter protests against systemic racism. Feeding his base’s fury at calls for a more honest accounting of American history to be taught at school, Trump called for a “pro-American” curriculum and promised to do everything he could to rebut what he said was a narrative that “America is a wicked and racist nation.”
Trump and his allies were particularly incensed by the New York Times Magazine’s 1619 Project, named after the first enslaved Africans arrived in Virginia. The Pulitzer Prize-winning audio series, which Trump denounced as “propaganda”, has been adopted into the curriculum of several schools for its deep exploration of the enduring consequences of slavery.
Trump claimed the 1776 Commission would help restore “patriotic education” to the nation’s classrooms. Indeed, the description of the report states that it provides a “dispositive rebuttal of reckless ‘re-education’ attempts that seek to reframe American history around the idea that the United States is not an exceptional country but an evil one.”
A year ago, a gun rights rally at Virginia’s capitol drew more than 20,000 activists, many of them armed, virtually all of them furious at their state’s newly elected Democratic state government and its pledge to pass stricter gun laws, writes the Guardian reporter Lois Beckett in Richmond, Virginia.A year ago, a gun rights rally at Virginia’s capitol drew more than 20,000 activists, many of them armed, virtually all of them furious at their state’s newly elected Democratic state government and its pledge to pass stricter gun laws, writes the Guardian reporter Lois Beckett in Richmond, Virginia.
This year, the streets around the capitol in Richmond were empty, with journalists far outnumbering the scattered protesters, many of whom were masked and armed.This year, the streets around the capitol in Richmond were empty, with journalists far outnumbering the scattered protesters, many of whom were masked and armed.
Outside the locked-down, guarded grounds of the capitol, there were 11 members of the Roanoke County Militia, a small local group formed around the “Lobby Day” gun rights protest last year; three or four Proud Boys; a small group of armed activists in Black Panther shirts, and scattered other demonstrators, including a woman carrying a sign advertising that she was a nurse and wanted to talk about gun rights.Outside the locked-down, guarded grounds of the capitol, there were 11 members of the Roanoke County Militia, a small local group formed around the “Lobby Day” gun rights protest last year; three or four Proud Boys; a small group of armed activists in Black Panther shirts, and scattered other demonstrators, including a woman carrying a sign advertising that she was a nurse and wanted to talk about gun rights.
Several members of the armed Roanoke County Militia, most of whom who refused to give their names, said they thought so few people had shown up to the gun rights protest this year not only because of the coronavirus, but because of the aftermath of the 6 January invasion of the Capitol in DC. The young, masked militia members said they believed people did not want to show up at any event that they worried might turn into a repeat of 6 January, or that might prompt more scrutiny from law enforcement officials. They said they did not approve of the storming of the Capitol building, and that they were concerned about what might happen on inauguration day.Several members of the armed Roanoke County Militia, most of whom who refused to give their names, said they thought so few people had shown up to the gun rights protest this year not only because of the coronavirus, but because of the aftermath of the 6 January invasion of the Capitol in DC. The young, masked militia members said they believed people did not want to show up at any event that they worried might turn into a repeat of 6 January, or that might prompt more scrutiny from law enforcement officials. They said they did not approve of the storming of the Capitol building, and that they were concerned about what might happen on inauguration day.
A larger number of local gun rights activists protested without getting out of their cars, as part of caravans of vehicles organized by the Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL), the gun rights group that organizes a “Lobby Day” demonstration every year on Martin Luther King Day, which in more normal years is a chance to meet with legislators at the statehouse and discuss policy.A larger number of local gun rights activists protested without getting out of their cars, as part of caravans of vehicles organized by the Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL), the gun rights group that organizes a “Lobby Day” demonstration every year on Martin Luther King Day, which in more normal years is a chance to meet with legislators at the statehouse and discuss policy.
On the highway headed into Richmond around noon, there were at least 110 cars and trucks flying “Don’t Tread on Me” flags, most of them embellished with “Guns save lives” stickers, as well as a large orange bus emblazoned with a similar slogan. VCDL organized four main caravans from different parts of the state; it was not immediately clear how many people participated in the caravans in all.On the highway headed into Richmond around noon, there were at least 110 cars and trucks flying “Don’t Tread on Me” flags, most of them embellished with “Guns save lives” stickers, as well as a large orange bus emblazoned with a similar slogan. VCDL organized four main caravans from different parts of the state; it was not immediately clear how many people participated in the caravans in all.
Many of the tiny number of people who showed up to demonstrate in Richmond on Monday were heavily armed, including one young man who refused to give his name and had a 75-round drum magazine attached to his rifle.Many of the tiny number of people who showed up to demonstrate in Richmond on Monday were heavily armed, including one young man who refused to give his name and had a 75-round drum magazine attached to his rifle.
Other journalists at Richmond’s capitol said a small number of anti-government boogaloo bois also made an appearance in the street. Several journalists noted that the scene felt less like an actual protest than series of bizarre press conferences for a tiny number of extremists or provocateurs.Other journalists at Richmond’s capitol said a small number of anti-government boogaloo bois also made an appearance in the street. Several journalists noted that the scene felt less like an actual protest than series of bizarre press conferences for a tiny number of extremists or provocateurs.
Throughout the afternoon, dozens of cars with pro-gun flags and VCDL stickers drove, honking, through the streets of Richmond.Throughout the afternoon, dozens of cars with pro-gun flags and VCDL stickers drove, honking, through the streets of Richmond.
Melania Trump on Monday delivered a farewell address, calling it the “greatest honor of my life” to serve as first lady.Melania Trump on Monday delivered a farewell address, calling it the “greatest honor of my life” to serve as first lady.
“The past four years have been unforgettable,” she said in a nearly seven-minute long video posted on Twitter. “As Donald and I conclude our time in the White House, I think of all of the people I have taken home in my heart, and their incredible stories of love, patriotism and determination.”“The past four years have been unforgettable,” she said in a nearly seven-minute long video posted on Twitter. “As Donald and I conclude our time in the White House, I think of all of the people I have taken home in my heart, and their incredible stories of love, patriotism and determination.”
Though she did not explicitly mention the assault on the Capitol, Trump said: “Be passionate in everything you do, but always remember that violence is never the answer and will never be justified.”Though she did not explicitly mention the assault on the Capitol, Trump said: “Be passionate in everything you do, but always remember that violence is never the answer and will never be justified.”
Trump belatedly condemned the violence on Capitol Hill in a statement issued days after the riot. It made no reference to her husband’s role in inciting the violence and bemoaned the fact that the violence had led to “salacious gossip, unwarranted personal attacks, and false misleading accusations on me”.Trump belatedly condemned the violence on Capitol Hill in a statement issued days after the riot. It made no reference to her husband’s role in inciting the violence and bemoaned the fact that the violence had led to “salacious gossip, unwarranted personal attacks, and false misleading accusations on me”.
During her time as first lady, Trump focused on combatting cyberbullying through her campaign “Be Best”. Her tenure ends with her husband’s permanent suspension from Twitter “due to the risk of further incitement of violence”.During her time as first lady, Trump focused on combatting cyberbullying through her campaign “Be Best”. Her tenure ends with her husband’s permanent suspension from Twitter “due to the risk of further incitement of violence”.
In honor of MLK Day, vice-president-elect Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, are volunteering at Martha’s Table in Washington. The soon-to-be second couple filled plastic bags with potatoes, oranges, and a box of macaroni and cheese, which would then be distributed to those in need.In honor of MLK Day, vice-president-elect Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, are volunteering at Martha’s Table in Washington. The soon-to-be second couple filled plastic bags with potatoes, oranges, and a box of macaroni and cheese, which would then be distributed to those in need.
At one point, Harris teased the high school volunteers working alongside her: “You guys are moving slowly!”At one point, Harris teased the high school volunteers working alongside her: “You guys are moving slowly!”
But she also took a few questions.But she also took a few questions.
“I am very much looking forward to be sworn in as the next vice president of the United States and I will walk there to that moment proudly with my head up and my shoulders back,” she said.“I am very much looking forward to be sworn in as the next vice president of the United States and I will walk there to that moment proudly with my head up and my shoulders back,” she said.
Harris will make history several times over when she is sworn in as vice-president on Wednesday: the first woman, the first Black woman and the first Asian American woman to serve in the role.Harris will make history several times over when she is sworn in as vice-president on Wednesday: the first woman, the first Black woman and the first Asian American woman to serve in the role.
With less than 48 hours left of his presidency, Trump has continued to claim he won the election, New York Times White House reporter Maggie Haberman reports.With less than 48 hours left of his presidency, Trump has continued to claim he won the election, New York Times White House reporter Maggie Haberman reports.
No matter that his claims of election fraud have been rejected by dozens of courts, members of his administration (see below), and Republican leaders. Congress certified Biden’s electoral victory, after Trump supporters stormed Capitol Hill in a bloody riot with the aim of preventing them from doing so.No matter that his claims of election fraud have been rejected by dozens of courts, members of his administration (see below), and Republican leaders. Congress certified Biden’s electoral victory, after Trump supporters stormed Capitol Hill in a bloody riot with the aim of preventing them from doing so.
In a preview of the internecine Republican battles to come, Trump is reportedly furious at the 10 Republicans who voted in favor of his impeachment. But he is also directing his anger at the House minority leader, Kevin McCarthy, a staunch ally of the president who voted against impeachment but said that Trump bore some responsibility for the violence on Capitol Hill.In a preview of the internecine Republican battles to come, Trump is reportedly furious at the 10 Republicans who voted in favor of his impeachment. But he is also directing his anger at the House minority leader, Kevin McCarthy, a staunch ally of the president who voted against impeachment but said that Trump bore some responsibility for the violence on Capitol Hill.
Haberman adds: “Associates who’ve spoken with Trump say he’s used the same vulgarity he used about [vice-president Mike] Pence to describe McCarthy, saying he bowed to pressure with his House floor speech.”Haberman adds: “Associates who’ve spoken with Trump say he’s used the same vulgarity he used about [vice-president Mike] Pence to describe McCarthy, saying he bowed to pressure with his House floor speech.”
Nearly a month after the presidential election, former attorney general Bill Barr told Donald Trump that his repeated claims of a stolen election were “bullshit,” according to a new report in Axios.Nearly a month after the presidential election, former attorney general Bill Barr told Donald Trump that his repeated claims of a stolen election were “bullshit,” according to a new report in Axios.
Per Axios, the exchange unfolded in the Oval Office, where Trump summoned Barr for a meeting after seeing a story by the Associated Press in which his attorney general told the agency there was no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the presidential election.Per Axios, the exchange unfolded in the Oval Office, where Trump summoned Barr for a meeting after seeing a story by the Associated Press in which his attorney general told the agency there was no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the presidential election.
White House counsel Pat Cipollone and a few other aides were there to witness the back-and-forth, in which Barr told the president that the legal team he had brought on to validate his baseless claims was “clownish.”White House counsel Pat Cipollone and a few other aides were there to witness the back-and-forth, in which Barr told the president that the legal team he had brought on to validate his baseless claims was “clownish.”
For much of his tenure, Barr was one of Trump’s most loyal cabinet officials. But it wasn’t enough for Trump, writes Jonathan Swan, and their relationship slowly disintegrated. Barr stepped down shortly after Christmas.For much of his tenure, Barr was one of Trump’s most loyal cabinet officials. But it wasn’t enough for Trump, writes Jonathan Swan, and their relationship slowly disintegrated. Barr stepped down shortly after Christmas.
Read the full story here.Read the full story here.
Steve Dillingham, the director of the US census, is resigning effective on Wednesday, according to Talking Points Memo’s Tierney Sneed. That’s ahead of the end of Dillingham’s term and comes as he faces calls to resign.Steve Dillingham, the director of the US census, is resigning effective on Wednesday, according to Talking Points Memo’s Tierney Sneed. That’s ahead of the end of Dillingham’s term and comes as he faces calls to resign.
Per Sneed:Per Sneed:
Antony Blinken, Biden’s nominee for secretary of state, plans to flesh out a bit more of the Biden administration’s foreign policy approach during Blinken’s upcoming confirmation hearings. Per the Wall Street Journal:Antony Blinken, Biden’s nominee for secretary of state, plans to flesh out a bit more of the Biden administration’s foreign policy approach during Blinken’s upcoming confirmation hearings. Per the Wall Street Journal:
As I noted below, the shuffle over Kamala Harris’s Senate seat is in full swing. Here’s California governor Gavin Newsom nominating Dr. Shirley Weber to be California’s new secretary of state, a position made vacant through Newsom nominating Alex Padilla to succeed Harris in the Senate:As I noted below, the shuffle over Kamala Harris’s Senate seat is in full swing. Here’s California governor Gavin Newsom nominating Dr. Shirley Weber to be California’s new secretary of state, a position made vacant through Newsom nominating Alex Padilla to succeed Harris in the Senate:
The FBI is looking into whether one of the rioters who stole a laptop from House speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office was planning to sell it to Russians.The FBI is looking into whether one of the rioters who stole a laptop from House speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office was planning to sell it to Russians.
Here’s more from Buzzfeed’s Lauren Strapagiel:Here’s more from Buzzfeed’s Lauren Strapagiel: