This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2021/jan/18/joe-biden-inauguration-donald-trump-pardons-washington-impeachment-covid-coronavirus-live

The article has changed 30 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 28 Version 29
US Capitol on alert as nation prepares for transfer of power from Trump to Biden – live US Capitol on alert as nation prepares for transfer of power from Trump to Biden – as it happened
(32 minutes later)
Barr said to have told Trump voter fraud claims were ‘bullshit’, while president set to issue a flurry of pardons before Wednesday – follow the latestBarr said to have told Trump voter fraud claims were ‘bullshit’, while president set to issue a flurry of pardons before Wednesday – follow the latest
That’s all for today!
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are rolling out plans and policies ahead of inauguration day. Biden plans to unveil a slew of immigration reforms and cancel the Keystone XL pipeline permit, among other things.
Harris formally resigned from the US Senate. In an op-ed for the San Francisco Chronicle, she wrote: “This is not goodbye. As I resign from the Senate, I am preparing to take an oath that would have me preside over it.”
Experts predict that half a million people in the US will die of Covid-19 by the end of February. The pandemic has continued to ravage the country at a runaway pace, with air quality guidelines in Los Angeles amended to allow for more cremations as the death toll rises.
Donald Trump is planning an inauguration day sendoff event for himself at a military airfield in Maryland. He reportedly wants an ostentatious military parade and a large crowd of supporters.
Rudy Giuliani, Donald Trump’s personal lawyer, will not be a part of Trump’s defense team during the Senate trial for his second impeachment, per reports. The timeline and logistics of Trump’s impeachment trial, which is likely to kick off after Biden’s inauguration, remain TBD. Lawyers have been shying away from defending Trump as he continues to deny responsibility for the deadly attack on the US Capitol.
Joanna Walters in New York and Martin Belam in London report:Joanna Walters in New York and Martin Belam in London report:
Donald Trump is planning an early morning sendoff event for himself at a military airfield in Maryland on Wednesday several hours before his successor, Joe Biden, is inaugurated as the 46th US president at the Capitol in Washington DC.Donald Trump is planning an early morning sendoff event for himself at a military airfield in Maryland on Wednesday several hours before his successor, Joe Biden, is inaugurated as the 46th US president at the Capitol in Washington DC.
For his last presidential ceremony, Trump reportedly wants an ostentatious military parade and an official armed forces farewell as the commander-in-chief, as well as a large crowd of supporters, selected backers and current and former officials in his administration and their guests at a huge red-carpet affair.For his last presidential ceremony, Trump reportedly wants an ostentatious military parade and an official armed forces farewell as the commander-in-chief, as well as a large crowd of supporters, selected backers and current and former officials in his administration and their guests at a huge red-carpet affair.
But latest reports indicate that Trump, who is facing an impeachment trial in the Senate and a number of criminal and civil investigations, will not be afforded a big military sendoff just two weeks after a deadly insurrection at the US Capitol that followed his exhorting supporters to fight to overturn the election.But latest reports indicate that Trump, who is facing an impeachment trial in the Senate and a number of criminal and civil investigations, will not be afforded a big military sendoff just two weeks after a deadly insurrection at the US Capitol that followed his exhorting supporters to fight to overturn the election.
Invitations have been issued from the White House for an event taking place at Joint Base Andrews, the military base in Maryland used by Air Force One, at 8am on Wednesday – four hours before Biden will take his oath.Invitations have been issued from the White House for an event taking place at Joint Base Andrews, the military base in Maryland used by Air Force One, at 8am on Wednesday – four hours before Biden will take his oath.
Many details of the ceremony are not yet clear, although attendees will have to make a pre-dawn start and have been told to arrive by 7.15am, when temperatures are forecast to be below freezing.Many details of the ceremony are not yet clear, although attendees will have to make a pre-dawn start and have been told to arrive by 7.15am, when temperatures are forecast to be below freezing.
Attendees may not bring items including firearms, ammunition, explosives, laser pointers or toy guns.Attendees may not bring items including firearms, ammunition, explosives, laser pointers or toy guns.
In his last few hours as president, Trump will fly to his private Mar-a-Lago resort and residence in Palm Beach, Florida, aboard the Air Force One jumbo jet for the last time in a presidential capacity, ensuring he and his wife Melania are almost 1,000 miles away from the White House and Capitol when Biden takes over.In his last few hours as president, Trump will fly to his private Mar-a-Lago resort and residence in Palm Beach, Florida, aboard the Air Force One jumbo jet for the last time in a presidential capacity, ensuring he and his wife Melania are almost 1,000 miles away from the White House and Capitol when Biden takes over.
Air Force One will then be at the disposal of Biden. Trump would have had to have permission from the Democrat who defeated him to use it if he had waited to leave Washington until Biden was sworn in.Air Force One will then be at the disposal of Biden. Trump would have had to have permission from the Democrat who defeated him to use it if he had waited to leave Washington until Biden was sworn in.
Read more:Read more:
The Biden administration plans to keep in place travel restrictions between the US and Brazil, the UK, Ireland, and Schengen countries, spokesperson Jen Psaki says.The Biden administration plans to keep in place travel restrictions between the US and Brazil, the UK, Ireland, and Schengen countries, spokesperson Jen Psaki says.
Reuters reported that Donald Trump rescinded entry bans from the above countries effective 26 January. But by then, Biden will be in the White House. “On the advice of our medical team, the Administration does not intend to lift these restrictions on 1/26<” Psaki said. “In fact, we plan to strengthen public health measures around international travel in order to further mitigate the spread of COVID-19.” Reuters reported that Donald Trump rescinded entry bans from the above countries effective 26 January. But by then, Biden will be in the White House. “On the advice of our medical team, the Administration does not intend to lift these restrictions on 1/26,” Psaki said. “In fact, we plan to strengthen public health measures around international travel in order to further mitigate the spread of COVID-19.”
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) is to carry out a final deportation flight of the Trump era on Tuesday, with a plane bound for Haiti whose passengers include a man who is not a Haitian citizen, and who has never been there.US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) is to carry out a final deportation flight of the Trump era on Tuesday, with a plane bound for Haiti whose passengers include a man who is not a Haitian citizen, and who has never been there.
Paul Pierrilus, a 40-year-old financial consultant from Rockland County, New York, was born in the French Caribbean territory of Saint Martin, according to a birth certificate supplied by his family, who said he came to the US with his parents when he was five. His sister and parents are US citizens.Paul Pierrilus, a 40-year-old financial consultant from Rockland County, New York, was born in the French Caribbean territory of Saint Martin, according to a birth certificate supplied by his family, who said he came to the US with his parents when he was five. His sister and parents are US citizens.
He was picked up on 11 January, as part of what human rights advocates say is a last sweep of black migrants in the final days of the Trump administration. He has told his family he was being transferred to an Ice holding facility in Alexandria, Louisiana, which is a typical precursor to deportation.He was picked up on 11 January, as part of what human rights advocates say is a last sweep of black migrants in the final days of the Trump administration. He has told his family he was being transferred to an Ice holding facility in Alexandria, Louisiana, which is a typical precursor to deportation.
According to his sister, Neomie, he was seized when he went to an immigration office on Federal Plaza in Manhattan on 11 January, for what he thought would be a routine visit.According to his sister, Neomie, he was seized when he went to an immigration office on Federal Plaza in Manhattan on 11 January, for what he thought would be a routine visit.
“He went there for the appointment and while he was there, he was detained, and he was informed that they have documents stating that he’s a Haitian citizen,” Neomie Pierrilus said.“He went there for the appointment and while he was there, he was detained, and he was informed that they have documents stating that he’s a Haitian citizen,” Neomie Pierrilus said.
She said their parents were Haitian but never applied for Paul’s Haitian citizenship. “We don’t really understand how documents were obtained to say that my brother was a citizen of Haiti.She said their parents were Haitian but never applied for Paul’s Haitian citizenship. “We don’t really understand how documents were obtained to say that my brother was a citizen of Haiti.
“My brother has never even been to Haiti,” she said. “He has the bare minimum of the language, he doesn’t know the culture, he doesn’t know anyone there. So my brother cannot go there.”“My brother has never even been to Haiti,” she said. “He has the bare minimum of the language, he doesn’t know the culture, he doesn’t know anyone there. So my brother cannot go there.”
Neomie Pierrilus supplied copies of emails last year from the then Haitian ambassador, Hervé Denis, confirming that her brother was not a Haitian citizen. Nor did Paul’s birth in Saint Martin confer French citizenship, making him stateless.Neomie Pierrilus supplied copies of emails last year from the then Haitian ambassador, Hervé Denis, confirming that her brother was not a Haitian citizen. Nor did Paul’s birth in Saint Martin confer French citizenship, making him stateless.
Guerline Jozef, head of the community group Haitian Bridge Alliance, said that the intense level of political violence in Haiti represented a serious threat to Pierrilus’s life.Guerline Jozef, head of the community group Haitian Bridge Alliance, said that the intense level of political violence in Haiti represented a serious threat to Pierrilus’s life.
“Sending him to Haiti, first of all, is not legal,” Jozef said. “And with what’s going on in Haiti right now, there is no way they should be deporting people there period, especially him because he is not Haitian, has never been there and has no connections there. So they cannot just drop him at the airport.”“Sending him to Haiti, first of all, is not legal,” Jozef said. “And with what’s going on in Haiti right now, there is no way they should be deporting people there period, especially him because he is not Haitian, has never been there and has no connections there. So they cannot just drop him at the airport.”
Ice has been running removal flights to Haiti every second Tuesday, and appears ready to press ahead with this week’s scheduled flight on the eve of Joe Biden’s inauguration. Biden has promised a 100-day suspension of deportations on taking office, while immigration and Ice procedures are reviewed.Ice has been running removal flights to Haiti every second Tuesday, and appears ready to press ahead with this week’s scheduled flight on the eve of Joe Biden’s inauguration. Biden has promised a 100-day suspension of deportations on taking office, while immigration and Ice procedures are reviewed.
There have been calls for the agency to be dissolved for its role in enforcing Trump’s anti-immigration policies, including the separation of migrant children from their parents. Ice has also been accused of torturing African asylum-seekers to make them sign waivers allowing for their deportation, as part of a sweep particularly targeting African and Caribbean migrants.There have been calls for the agency to be dissolved for its role in enforcing Trump’s anti-immigration policies, including the separation of migrant children from their parents. Ice has also been accused of torturing African asylum-seekers to make them sign waivers allowing for their deportation, as part of a sweep particularly targeting African and Caribbean migrants.
Read more:Read more:
Joe Biden is expected to unveil sweeping immigration reform plans on his first day in office, the Washington Post reports:Joe Biden is expected to unveil sweeping immigration reform plans on his first day in office, the Washington Post reports:
The Biden administration’s immigration plans – both the ones he will push during his first day in office and expected changes to refugee admissions, a reversal of Trump’s Muslim-ban, and other moves are in line with campaign promises Biden made.The Biden administration’s immigration plans – both the ones he will push during his first day in office and expected changes to refugee admissions, a reversal of Trump’s Muslim-ban, and other moves are in line with campaign promises Biden made.
Experts predict 500,000 Americans will probably be killed by Covid-19 before the end of February, and perhaps before, in an acceleration of deaths expected to crest in March.Experts predict 500,000 Americans will probably be killed by Covid-19 before the end of February, and perhaps before, in an acceleration of deaths expected to crest in March.
The warning comes as an increasing number of experts see February and March as peak months for Covid-19 disease transmission in the US, with a more contagious variant circulating in most states and mass vaccination off to a slow start.The warning comes as an increasing number of experts see February and March as peak months for Covid-19 disease transmission in the US, with a more contagious variant circulating in most states and mass vaccination off to a slow start.
“We have a combination of factors that allowed a very bad situation to get worse,” said Dr Steven Woolf, a population health expert and a professor at Virginia Commonwealth University. “The pattern of escalation in this winter surge has been under way for a while.”“We have a combination of factors that allowed a very bad situation to get worse,” said Dr Steven Woolf, a population health expert and a professor at Virginia Commonwealth University. “The pattern of escalation in this winter surge has been under way for a while.”
At each inflection point, Woolf said, the United States had failed to respond effectively, beginning with reducing viral transmission before the fall when a winter surge was expected. That was followed by a failure to heed warnings against winter travel. Then, a failure to efficiently implement a mass vaccination campaign.At each inflection point, Woolf said, the United States had failed to respond effectively, beginning with reducing viral transmission before the fall when a winter surge was expected. That was followed by a failure to heed warnings against winter travel. Then, a failure to efficiently implement a mass vaccination campaign.
“Everyone is in agreement there is light at the end of the tunnel,” said Woolf. “Eventually, once we get the vaccination up to a certain level and we get to herd immunity, things are going to get better.”“Everyone is in agreement there is light at the end of the tunnel,” said Woolf. “Eventually, once we get the vaccination up to a certain level and we get to herd immunity, things are going to get better.”
However, to minimize loss of life now, Americans must double down on the same protective measures that have proved difficult, or impossible for some essential workers, in the past.However, to minimize loss of life now, Americans must double down on the same protective measures that have proved difficult, or impossible for some essential workers, in the past.
“There’s so many thousands of people who will die in the interim between now and when we achieve that sought-after moment in our country,” said Woolf.“There’s so many thousands of people who will die in the interim between now and when we achieve that sought-after moment in our country,” said Woolf.
A forecast assembled by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicts up to 477,000 people could die by 6 February. The possibility that the US could hit 500,000 deaths comes as mortality has accelerated amid a winter peak.A forecast assembled by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicts up to 477,000 people could die by 6 February. The possibility that the US could hit 500,000 deaths comes as mortality has accelerated amid a winter peak.
It took more than 16 weeks for the US to reach 100,000 deaths, but less than five weeks for the death toll to leap from 300,000 to 400,000. Many experts expect the US will reach 500,000 deaths in February.It took more than 16 weeks for the US to reach 100,000 deaths, but less than five weeks for the death toll to leap from 300,000 to 400,000. Many experts expect the US will reach 500,000 deaths in February.
Read more:Read more:
Donald Trump plans to rescind entry restrictions on travelers coming from Brazil, the UK, Ireland and Schengen area, Reuters reports in an exclusive:Donald Trump plans to rescind entry restrictions on travelers coming from Brazil, the UK, Ireland and Schengen area, Reuters reports in an exclusive:
The restrictions would lift on 26 January, Reuters reports. By then, the Biden administration will be inaugurated and could issue its own directives. New variants of the coronavirus that are concerning scientists are spreading through the UK and Brazil - fueling calls to restrict travel to slow the spread.The restrictions would lift on 26 January, Reuters reports. By then, the Biden administration will be inaugurated and could issue its own directives. New variants of the coronavirus that are concerning scientists are spreading through the UK and Brazil - fueling calls to restrict travel to slow the spread.
Hi there, I’m Maanvi Singh, picking up the blog from the West Coast.Hi there, I’m Maanvi Singh, picking up the blog from the West Coast.
In the lead-up to Inauguration Day, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are hosting events in recognition of the Black, Latino and Asian American, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) voters who helped elect them to the White House.In the lead-up to Inauguration Day, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are hosting events in recognition of the Black, Latino and Asian American, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) voters who helped elect them to the White House.
The AAPI celebration will feature remarks from US representatives Ami Bera, Pramila Jayapal, Andy Kim, and Raja Krishnamoorthi, and from former Olympian Michelle Kwan and actors Kal Penn, John Cho, Kumail Nanjiani, and Chloe Bennet.The AAPI celebration will feature remarks from US representatives Ami Bera, Pramila Jayapal, Andy Kim, and Raja Krishnamoorthi, and from former Olympian Michelle Kwan and actors Kal Penn, John Cho, Kumail Nanjiani, and Chloe Bennet.
The “Black Community Inaugural” will feature comedian Leslie Jones, organizer Stacey Abrams, House whip Jim Clyburn, Representative Cedric Richmond, Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Joyce Beatty, senator Cory Booker, and senator-elect Rev. Raphael Warnock - among others.The “Black Community Inaugural” will feature comedian Leslie Jones, organizer Stacey Abrams, House whip Jim Clyburn, Representative Cedric Richmond, Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Joyce Beatty, senator Cory Booker, and senator-elect Rev. Raphael Warnock - among others.
And the “Latino Inaugural” will be hosted by actor Longoria and feature “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, actors John Leguizamo, Rita Moreno, Edward James Olmos and others.And the “Latino Inaugural” will be hosted by actor Longoria and feature “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, actors John Leguizamo, Rita Moreno, Edward James Olmos and others.
New York Democratic senator Kirsten Gillibrand says she will work with colleagues on legislation giving US troops the same legal protections against discrimination as civilian employees.New York Democratic senator Kirsten Gillibrand says she will work with colleagues on legislation giving US troops the same legal protections against discrimination as civilian employees.
It’s a move advocates say could be a game-changer for minorities in America’s armed forces, Reuters writes.It’s a move advocates say could be a game-changer for minorities in America’s armed forces, Reuters writes.
The effort by Gillibrand, who is expected to lead a Senate subcommittee responsible for US military personnel, follows a 2020 Reuters investigation that showed US troops were far less likely to file racial discrimination complaints than their civilian counterparts.The effort by Gillibrand, who is expected to lead a Senate subcommittee responsible for US military personnel, follows a 2020 Reuters investigation that showed US troops were far less likely to file racial discrimination complaints than their civilian counterparts.
That is despite data from a long-withheld Pentagon survey that showed nearly a third of Black service members and a significant percentage of Asian and Hispanic service members experience racial harassment, discrimination, or both. The survey was first reported by Reuters last week.That is despite data from a long-withheld Pentagon survey that showed nearly a third of Black service members and a significant percentage of Asian and Hispanic service members experience racial harassment, discrimination, or both. The survey was first reported by Reuters last week.
“Disturbing new data shows that our service members are suffering due to a lack of meaningful civil rights protections, while their civilian colleagues in the Department of Defense and across the government enjoy robust rights enshrined in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act,” Gillibrand told Reuters.“Disturbing new data shows that our service members are suffering due to a lack of meaningful civil rights protections, while their civilian colleagues in the Department of Defense and across the government enjoy robust rights enshrined in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act,” Gillibrand told Reuters.
Gillibrand, a longtime advocate of women in the military, who has championed reforms to address sexual assault in the ranks, added that it was “long past time for Congress to act”.Gillibrand, a longtime advocate of women in the military, who has championed reforms to address sexual assault in the ranks, added that it was “long past time for Congress to act”.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 bars employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or religion.Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 bars employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or religion.
But the US government has long maintained that military service members are outside the scope of Title VII because they are not technically federal employees, a view upheld by courts. Instead, troops have a separate system to file complaints of discrimination.But the US government has long maintained that military service members are outside the scope of Title VII because they are not technically federal employees, a view upheld by courts. Instead, troops have a separate system to file complaints of discrimination.
Any move to extend Title VII guarantees to troops could potentially also benefit women, lesbian, gay and transgender service members who suffer gender discrimination.Any move to extend Title VII guarantees to troops could potentially also benefit women, lesbian, gay and transgender service members who suffer gender discrimination.
Don Christensen, who served as a chief prosecutor for the air force and who has worked to expose discrimination in the military at the Protect Our Defenders advocacy group, said extending Title VII protections to US troops “would be a big deal” that could affect everything from who reviews a discrimination complaint to whether troops can seek monetary damages, as civilians do.Don Christensen, who served as a chief prosecutor for the air force and who has worked to expose discrimination in the military at the Protect Our Defenders advocacy group, said extending Title VII protections to US troops “would be a big deal” that could affect everything from who reviews a discrimination complaint to whether troops can seek monetary damages, as civilians do.
The new cover of the New Yorker is called “A Weight Lifted”. It speaks for itself, really.The new cover of the New Yorker is called “A Weight Lifted”. It speaks for itself, really.
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.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.
Here’s how the afternoon has gone:Here’s how the afternoon has gone:
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. Bill Barr told him to his face that his claims of election fraud were “bullshit”, according to reports.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. 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.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.
The 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 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.