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Biden inauguration: two troops reportedly removed from duty over far-right militia ties – live Biden inauguration: two troops reportedly removed from duty over far-right militia ties – live
(about 1 hour later)
Officials discover connections to far-right militia groups, reports say – follow all the latest news on Trump’s last full day as presidentOfficials discover connections to far-right militia groups, reports say – follow all the latest news on Trump’s last full day as president
Joe Biden was emotional as he took the stage to deliver a farewell address to a Delaware crowd before leaving for Washington, wiping a tear from his eye.
The president-elect said it was important to him that his trip to Washington for the inauguration begin in Delaware because it has been so important to his family.
“It’s deeply personal that our next journey to Washington starts here — the place that defines the very best of who we are as Americans,” Biden said.
Echoing his campaign messaging, the president-elect offered a message of hope a day before he is sworn in as president.
“I know these are dark times, but there is always light,” Biden said. “That’s what makes this state so special.”
Paraphrasing the writer James Joyce, Biden said, “When I die, Delaware will be written on my heart.”
Biden said he only had one regret: that his late son, Beau, was not here “because we should be introducing him as president”.
Joe Biden is now holding a sendoff event in Delaware, before he leaves for Washington to be sworn in as president tomorrow.
The president-elect is speaking at the Major Joseph R. “Beau” Biden III National Guard/Reserve Center at the New Castle airport near Wilmington, Delaware. The center is named for Biden’s late son, who died of brain cancer in 2015.
Biden had hoped to travel to Washington on Amtrak, an homage to his commute to the Capitol during his 36 years as a US senator of Delaware, but security concerns forced him to fly to DC.
Biden was introduced by John Carney, the Democratic governor of Delaware. “Joe Biden was born for this moment,” Carney said. “He believes in all of us more, I think, than we believe in ourselves.”
He added, “Today I could not be more proud to be the governor of this state that gave the country Joe Biden.”
Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer, in anticipation of the switching of their roles, will be meeting this afternoon to discuss how they plan to formally divide their power.
With incoming Georgia Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock and Alex Padilla, who will take Kamala Harris’ vacant Senate seat, swearing into their roles tomorrow, Democrats and Republicans will have an even 50-50 split of the Senate. Harris, as vice-president and president of the Senate, will offer Democrats a tie-breaking vote and give them a slight edge in the chamber.
While a 50-50 split is unusual, this is not the first time the Senate has seen such a divide. Schumer and McConnell will likely agree to following the same rules that were set in early 2001, the last time the two parties had an equal number of Senate seats.
Democrats will still head the chamber’s committees, allowing them to set their committees’ agenda, but will have the same number of members as Republicans in each committee. Upon agreement between Senate leaders, a bill that receives a tie in votes in its committee would be allowed to advance to the Senate floor.
The Senate will need to confirm these procedures before they go into effect. Speaking to reporters today, Schumer said “we hope we can come to an agreement” and cited the urgency of conducting an impeachment trial, confirming Joe Biden’s cabinet nominees and passing Covid-19 relief.
Here’s where the day stands so far:Here’s where the day stands so far:
Mitch McConnell acknowledged the violent mob that attacked the Capitol earlier this month was “provoked by the president.” The Senate Republican leader said in a floor speech this afternoon, “The mob was fed lies. They were provoked by the president and other powerful people.”Mitch McConnell acknowledged the violent mob that attacked the Capitol earlier this month was “provoked by the president.” The Senate Republican leader said in a floor speech this afternoon, “The mob was fed lies. They were provoked by the president and other powerful people.”
Two National Guard troops were removed from inauguration duty due to ties to far-right militia groups, according to the AP. The FBI has been vetting the thousands of National Guard troops sent to provide security for Joe Biden’s inauguration.Two National Guard troops were removed from inauguration duty due to ties to far-right militia groups, according to the AP. The FBI has been vetting the thousands of National Guard troops sent to provide security for Joe Biden’s inauguration.
Today is Donald Trump’s final full day in office, and the president is expected to release a flurry of pardons before leaving the White House tomorrow.Today is Donald Trump’s final full day in office, and the president is expected to release a flurry of pardons before leaving the White House tomorrow.
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
Chuck Schumer, the incoming Senate majority leader, outlined the chamber’s early agenda in his floor speech moments ago.Chuck Schumer, the incoming Senate majority leader, outlined the chamber’s early agenda in his floor speech moments ago.
The Democratic leader said the chamber would have to tackle three tasks simultaneously: Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, confirmation of Joe Biden’s nominees and the passage of another coronavirus relief package.The Democratic leader said the chamber would have to tackle three tasks simultaneously: Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, confirmation of Joe Biden’s nominees and the passage of another coronavirus relief package.
Biden has discussed the possibility of the Senate splitting up its workday, with the mornings focused on the impeachment trial and the afternoons focused on confirming his nominees.Biden has discussed the possibility of the Senate splitting up its workday, with the mornings focused on the impeachment trial and the afternoons focused on confirming his nominees.
Once the Senate receives the article of impeachment from the House, the chamber is required to start a trial to determine whether Trump should be convicted.Once the Senate receives the article of impeachment from the House, the chamber is required to start a trial to determine whether Trump should be convicted.
Chuck Schumer, the incoming Senate majority leader, condemned Donald Trump and outlined the chamber’s early agenda in a floor speech this afternoon.Chuck Schumer, the incoming Senate majority leader, condemned Donald Trump and outlined the chamber’s early agenda in a floor speech this afternoon.
The Democratic leader lamented how the Capitol is being guarded by troops today, one day before Joe Biden’s nomination, because of the violent attack on the building by a pro-Trump mob earlier this month.The Democratic leader lamented how the Capitol is being guarded by troops today, one day before Joe Biden’s nomination, because of the violent attack on the building by a pro-Trump mob earlier this month.
“As we speak, there are more troops in and around the Capitol than there are in Afghanistan,” Schumer said.“As we speak, there are more troops in and around the Capitol than there are in Afghanistan,” Schumer said.
Looking ahead to Trump’s impeachment trial, Schumer made an impassioned case for the president’s conviction. Schumer argued Trump would continue to “poison the public arena” if he was able to launch another presidential campaign.Looking ahead to Trump’s impeachment trial, Schumer made an impassioned case for the president’s conviction. Schumer argued Trump would continue to “poison the public arena” if he was able to launch another presidential campaign.
“Donald Trump should not be eligible to run for office ever again,” Schumer said. “All of us want to put this awful chapter in our nation’s history behind us. Healing and unity will only come if there is truth and accountability.”“Donald Trump should not be eligible to run for office ever again,” Schumer said. “All of us want to put this awful chapter in our nation’s history behind us. Healing and unity will only come if there is truth and accountability.”
Schumer went on to say, “Let me be clear. There will be an impeachment trial in the US Senate.” He added, “If the president is convicted, there will be a vote on barring him from running again.”Schumer went on to say, “Let me be clear. There will be an impeachment trial in the US Senate.” He added, “If the president is convicted, there will be a vote on barring him from running again.”
It would take 17 Republicans, along with every Democrat in the Senate, to convict Trump.It would take 17 Republicans, along with every Democrat in the Senate, to convict Trump.
Mitch McConnell, the Senate Republican leader, acknowledged the violent mob that attacked the Capitol earlier this month was “provoked” by Donald Trump.Mitch McConnell, the Senate Republican leader, acknowledged the violent mob that attacked the Capitol earlier this month was “provoked” by Donald Trump.
Speaking on the Senate floor, McConnell said, “The mob was fed lies. They were provoked by the president and other powerful people.”Speaking on the Senate floor, McConnell said, “The mob was fed lies. They were provoked by the president and other powerful people.”
McConnell applauded the Senate for reconvening to certify Joe Biden’s victory after the attack, even though several Republican senators supported objections to the electoral votes from Arizona and Georgia, which Biden won.McConnell applauded the Senate for reconvening to certify Joe Biden’s victory after the attack, even though several Republican senators supported objections to the electoral votes from Arizona and Georgia, which Biden won.
One of those Republican objectors was Ted Cruz, who was presiding over the Senate as McConnell delivered his floor speech.One of those Republican objectors was Ted Cruz, who was presiding over the Senate as McConnell delivered his floor speech.
“We stood together and said an angry mob would not get veto power over the rule of law in our nation, not even for one night,” McConnell said.“We stood together and said an angry mob would not get veto power over the rule of law in our nation, not even for one night,” McConnell said.
McConnell has signaled he is open to voting to convict Trump when the Senate takes up the article of impeachment passed by the House last week.McConnell has signaled he is open to voting to convict Trump when the Senate takes up the article of impeachment passed by the House last week.
It would take 17 Republican senators, along with every Senate Democrat, to convict Trump and block him from seeking federal office again.It would take 17 Republican senators, along with every Senate Democrat, to convict Trump and block him from seeking federal office again.
It is noon in Washington, which means there are exactly 24 hours left in Donald Trump’s presidency.It is noon in Washington, which means there are exactly 24 hours left in Donald Trump’s presidency.
Joe Biden will take the oath of office at noon tomorrow, marking the official start of his four-year term as president.Joe Biden will take the oath of office at noon tomorrow, marking the official start of his four-year term as president.
Trump is expected to have already left Washington by the time that Biden is sworn in, breaking with the tradition of outgoing presidents attending the inaugurations of their successors.Trump is expected to have already left Washington by the time that Biden is sworn in, breaking with the tradition of outgoing presidents attending the inaugurations of their successors.
The Guardian’s Sam Levine reports on the first bill Senate Democrats are introducing after flipping the chamber:The Guardian’s Sam Levine reports on the first bill Senate Democrats are introducing after flipping the chamber:
The first bill Senate Democrats will push with their new majority will include sweeping changes to America’s voting and campaign finance laws, Chuck Schumer, the Senate Democratic leader, announced Tuesday.The first bill Senate Democrats will push with their new majority will include sweeping changes to America’s voting and campaign finance laws, Chuck Schumer, the Senate Democratic leader, announced Tuesday.
The legislation echoes a bill House Democrats passed in 2019 that would, among other measures, require states to automatically register voters who interact with certain state agencies, offer same day voter registration, online voter registration, and early voting.The legislation echoes a bill House Democrats passed in 2019 that would, among other measures, require states to automatically register voters who interact with certain state agencies, offer same day voter registration, online voter registration, and early voting.
It would also place stricter limits on how states can go about removing voters from the rolls, require states to set up independent redistricting commissions to draw congressional lines, and prohibit states from disenfranchising anyone who is on parole or probation.It would also place stricter limits on how states can go about removing voters from the rolls, require states to set up independent redistricting commissions to draw congressional lines, and prohibit states from disenfranchising anyone who is on parole or probation.
The bill would amount to one of the most significant overhauls of America’s voting laws in the nation’s history. It comes weeks after Republicans attempted to throw out the results of an election in which a record number of people voted.The bill would amount to one of the most significant overhauls of America’s voting laws in the nation’s history. It comes weeks after Republicans attempted to throw out the results of an election in which a record number of people voted.
It would also set voting rules for federal elections, which Congress has the power to regulate. And like all legislation in the Senate, it needs the approval of 60 senators to survive a filibuster. There is a growing chorus of Democrats who say the party should eliminate the filibuster to allow Democrats to pass legislation with a simple majority threshold.It would also set voting rules for federal elections, which Congress has the power to regulate. And like all legislation in the Senate, it needs the approval of 60 senators to survive a filibuster. There is a growing chorus of Democrats who say the party should eliminate the filibuster to allow Democrats to pass legislation with a simple majority threshold.
On the campaign finance side, the bill would require the disclosure of donors who contribute more than $10,000 to super PACs and 501c(4) groups and require more transparency in political advertisement purchases, among other measures.On the campaign finance side, the bill would require the disclosure of donors who contribute more than $10,000 to super PACs and 501c(4) groups and require more transparency in political advertisement purchases, among other measures.
Avril Haines also told the Senate intelligence committee that she would work to complete a public threat assessment of the conspiracy movement QAnon if she is confirmed as the director of national intelligence.Avril Haines also told the Senate intelligence committee that she would work to complete a public threat assessment of the conspiracy movement QAnon if she is confirmed as the director of national intelligence.
Martin Heinrich, a Democratic senator from New Mexico, noted he requested such an assessment from the intelligence community last month but has not yet received a response.Martin Heinrich, a Democratic senator from New Mexico, noted he requested such an assessment from the intelligence community last month but has not yet received a response.
Asked if she would commit to working with the FBI and the department of homeland security to provide that assessment, Haines said she “absolutely” would.Asked if she would commit to working with the FBI and the department of homeland security to provide that assessment, Haines said she “absolutely” would.
Social media companies have worked to remove accounts spreading QAnon content since the violent attack on the Capitol earlier this month.Social media companies have worked to remove accounts spreading QAnon content since the violent attack on the Capitol earlier this month.
Avril Haines pledged to keep politics out of her leadership of the intelligence community, if she is confirmed as the next director of national intelligence.Avril Haines pledged to keep politics out of her leadership of the intelligence community, if she is confirmed as the next director of national intelligence.
“To be effective, the DNI must never shy away from speaking truth to power — even, especially, when doing so may be inconvenient or difficult,” Haines said at her confirmation hearing before the Senate intelligence committee.“To be effective, the DNI must never shy away from speaking truth to power — even, especially, when doing so may be inconvenient or difficult,” Haines said at her confirmation hearing before the Senate intelligence committee.
“To safeguard the integrity of our intelligence community, the DNI must insist that, when it comes to intelligence, there is simply no place for politics ever.”“To safeguard the integrity of our intelligence community, the DNI must insist that, when it comes to intelligence, there is simply no place for politics ever.”
If she is confirmed, Haines will be the first woman to lead the intelligence community. At her confirmation hearing, Haines was introduced by Dan Coats, who served as the first director of national intelligence under Donald Trump.If she is confirmed, Haines will be the first woman to lead the intelligence community. At her confirmation hearing, Haines was introduced by Dan Coats, who served as the first director of national intelligence under Donald Trump.
Coats said of Haines, “There’s no doubt in my mind President-Elect Biden has chosen someone who has all the capabilities, qualities, experience, and leadership to be the next director of national intelligence.”Coats said of Haines, “There’s no doubt in my mind President-Elect Biden has chosen someone who has all the capabilities, qualities, experience, and leadership to be the next director of national intelligence.”
Two National Guard members have reportedly been removed from duty protecting Joe Biden’s inauguration because of their connections to far-right militia groups.Two National Guard members have reportedly been removed from duty protecting Joe Biden’s inauguration because of their connections to far-right militia groups.
The AP reports:The AP reports:
The FBI has been vetting the thousands of National Guard troops sent to cover the inauguration due to security concerns after the violent riot at the Capitol earlier this month.The FBI has been vetting the thousands of National Guard troops sent to cover the inauguration due to security concerns after the violent riot at the Capitol earlier this month.
The mayor of New York said the city is on track to run out of coronavirus vaccine doses by Friday.The mayor of New York said the city is on track to run out of coronavirus vaccine doses by Friday.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city will start running out of vaccine doses on Thursday and will “have literally nothing left to give as of Friday”.Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city will start running out of vaccine doses on Thursday and will “have literally nothing left to give as of Friday”.
“It means if we don’t get more vaccine quickly, a new supply of vaccine, we will have to cancel appointments and no longer give shots after Thursday for the remainder of the week at a lot of our sites,” de Blasio said.“It means if we don’t get more vaccine quickly, a new supply of vaccine, we will have to cancel appointments and no longer give shots after Thursday for the remainder of the week at a lot of our sites,” de Blasio said.
The mayor noted the city distributed more than 220,000 doses last week, meaning a New Yorker was vaccinated every three seconds.The mayor noted the city distributed more than 220,000 doses last week, meaning a New Yorker was vaccinated every three seconds.
State and local leaders have been warning recently that vaccine supply is not meeting expectations. Joe Biden has promised that 100 million Americans will be vaccinated over his first 100 days in office.State and local leaders have been warning recently that vaccine supply is not meeting expectations. Joe Biden has promised that 100 million Americans will be vaccinated over his first 100 days in office.