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'The mob was fed lies': McConnell blames Trump for provoking Capitol attack – live 'The mob was fed lies': McConnell blames Trump for provoking Capitol attack – live
(32 minutes later)
Republican leader makes remarks on Senate floor a day before Biden sworn in – follow all the latest news on Trump’s last full day as presidentRepublican leader makes remarks on Senate floor a day before Biden sworn in – follow all the latest news on Trump’s last full day as president
The White House said it would release a “farewell address” from Donald Trump in less than an hour, at 4 pm ET. The Georgia secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, announced his office has certified the results of the Senate runoff races that occurred earlier this month.
The final results showed that Democrat Raphael Warnock defeated Kelly Loeffler by 2 points and Democrat Jon Ossoff beat Republican David Perdue by 1 point.
Warnock and Ossoff are expected to be sworn in by vice-president-elect Kamala Harris tomorrow, after she takes her own oath of office at noon.
Harris will also swear in Alex Padilla, the California secretary of state who has been appointed to serve out the remainder of her Senate term.
After the three new senators are sworn in, the Senate will be evenly split, 50-50, between Democrats and Republicans. With Harris serving as a tie-breaking 51st vote, Democrats will take control of the chamber.
The White House said it would release a “farewell address” from Donald Trump in less than an hour, at 4pm ET.
In excerpts released by the White House, the outgoing president says he is praying for Joe Biden, even though Trump has repeatedly claimed (with zero evidence) that Biden won the election because of widespread fraud.In excerpts released by the White House, the outgoing president says he is praying for Joe Biden, even though Trump has repeatedly claimed (with zero evidence) that Biden won the election because of widespread fraud.
“This week, we inaugurate a new Administration and pray for its success in keeping America safe and prosperous,” Trump will say.“This week, we inaugurate a new Administration and pray for its success in keeping America safe and prosperous,” Trump will say.
The president also addressed the Capitol riot, but he again declined to accept responsibility for inciting the attack.The president also addressed the Capitol riot, but he again declined to accept responsibility for inciting the attack.
“All Americans were horrified by the assault on our Capitol,” Trump will say. “Political violence is an attack on everything we cherish as Americans. It can never be tolerated.”“All Americans were horrified by the assault on our Capitol,” Trump will say. “Political violence is an attack on everything we cherish as Americans. It can never be tolerated.”
In typical Trump fashion, he also hinted at his political future. “Now, as I prepare to hand power over to a new administration at Noon on Wednesday, I want you to know that the movement we started is only just beginning,” Trump will say.In typical Trump fashion, he also hinted at his political future. “Now, as I prepare to hand power over to a new administration at Noon on Wednesday, I want you to know that the movement we started is only just beginning,” Trump will say.
However, if the Senate votes to convict Trump in his impeachment trial, the chamber can block him from seeking federal office again.However, if the Senate votes to convict Trump in his impeachment trial, the chamber can block him from seeking federal office again.
Around a dozen members of the National Guard have been relieved of duty before Joe Biden’s inauguration as the defense department and FBI vet the 25,000 members who were deployed to DC in anticipation of Wednesday’s events, according to NBC News. Around a dozen members of the national guard have been relieved of duty before Joe Biden’s inauguration as the defense department and FBI vet the 25,000 members who were deployed to DC in anticipation of Wednesday’s events, according to NBC News.
While officials did not specify what each member was relieved for, officials noted that the troops were not relieved for extremist concerns but rather from things that came up in routine background checks against criminal histories.
The federal government has taken the possibility of insider threats seriously after multiple rioters who breached the US Capitol were revealed to have ties to law enforcement and the military.The federal government has taken the possibility of insider threats seriously after multiple rioters who breached the US Capitol were revealed to have ties to law enforcement and the military.
Earlier today, officials said that two members of the National Guard had been removed from inauguration security after they were found to have ties to far-right militia groups. Earlier today, officials said that two members of the national guard had been removed from inauguration security after they were found to have ties to far-right militia groups.
The National Guard has not specified what the background checks ensue, though reports indicate that the process includes a review of criminal history and comments made to fellow service members. The national guard has not specified what the background checks involve, though reports indicate that the process includes a review of criminal history and comments made to fellow service members.
More than 400,000 Americans have now been killed by the coronavirus, a horrific marker of the misery the virus has spread across the country, as the rate of deaths from Covid-19 increases.More than 400,000 Americans have now been killed by the coronavirus, a horrific marker of the misery the virus has spread across the country, as the rate of deaths from Covid-19 increases.
The latest death toll comes as thousands more deaths are expected in a bleak American winter with widespread Covid transmission, as a more transmissible strain spreads across the country and a mass vaccination campaign gets off to a slow start.The latest death toll comes as thousands more deaths are expected in a bleak American winter with widespread Covid transmission, as a more transmissible strain spreads across the country and a mass vaccination campaign gets off to a slow start.
The Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center reported 400,022 Americans have died. The burden is disproportionately borne by people of color.The Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center reported 400,022 Americans have died. The burden is disproportionately borne by people of color.
Months of death are still ahead for the US, as people recently infected by the virus become ill and perish. A forecast assembled by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicts that the death toll could be 477,000 by 6 February.Months of death are still ahead for the US, as people recently infected by the virus become ill and perish. A forecast assembled by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicts that the death toll could be 477,000 by 6 February.
That prediction also represents the clear acceleration of deaths in the US. It took more than 16 weeks for the US to reach 100,000 deaths, but less than five for the toll to leap from 300,000 to 400,000. Many experts expect the US will reach 500,000 deaths in February.That prediction also represents the clear acceleration of deaths in the US. It took more than 16 weeks for the US to reach 100,000 deaths, but less than five for the toll to leap from 300,000 to 400,000. Many experts expect the US will reach 500,000 deaths in February.
The US has now lost more than 400,000 people to coronavirus, about ten months after the pandemic started.The US has now lost more than 400,000 people to coronavirus, about ten months after the pandemic started.
According to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, 400,022 Americans have died of coronavirus, and the US has confirmed 24,163,707 cases of the virus.According to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, 400,022 Americans have died of coronavirus, and the US has confirmed 24,163,707 cases of the virus.
The US has the highest death toll of any country in the world, with Brazil a distant second at 210,299 deaths.The US has the highest death toll of any country in the world, with Brazil a distant second at 210,299 deaths.
The rate of coronavirus deaths in the US has accelerated in recent weeks, after the Christmas holiday. It took about five months after the first confirmed US case of coronavirus for the country to hit 100,000 deaths, but it has been just a little over a month since the country confirmed 300,000 deaths.The rate of coronavirus deaths in the US has accelerated in recent weeks, after the Christmas holiday. It took about five months after the first confirmed US case of coronavirus for the country to hit 100,000 deaths, but it has been just a little over a month since the country confirmed 300,000 deaths.
Follow the Guardian’s coronavirus live blog for the latest updates and reporting on the pandemic:Follow the Guardian’s coronavirus live blog for the latest updates and reporting on the pandemic:
Joe Biden is now en route to Washington, where he will be sworn in as president tomorrow at noon.Joe Biden is now en route to Washington, where he will be sworn in as president tomorrow at noon.
The president-elect and his wife, Dr Jill Biden, departed Delaware via a private aircraft, another break with tradition as incoming presidents usually fly to Washington on a government plane.The president-elect and his wife, Dr Jill Biden, departed Delaware via a private aircraft, another break with tradition as incoming presidents usually fly to Washington on a government plane.
A US Congresswoman from Georgia voiced support for a baseless conspiracy theory that the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, was a “false flag planned shooting” in Facebook comments from 2018.A US Congresswoman from Georgia voiced support for a baseless conspiracy theory that the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, was a “false flag planned shooting” in Facebook comments from 2018.
Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican from Georgia who was elected in November, has been known to tout nearly every conspiracy theory against Democrats, including QAnon and “Pizzagate”, a conspiracy theory that Democratic leaders were running a human-trafficking and pedophilia ring.Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican from Georgia who was elected in November, has been known to tout nearly every conspiracy theory against Democrats, including QAnon and “Pizzagate”, a conspiracy theory that Democratic leaders were running a human-trafficking and pedophilia ring.
Greene was temporarily suspended from Twitter on Sunday after she posted a thread of conspiracies about the Georgia Senate election.Greene was temporarily suspended from Twitter on Sunday after she posted a thread of conspiracies about the Georgia Senate election.
In her 2018 Facebook posts, which were discovered by Media Matters, Greene posted a story about the county sheriff deputy who failed to go after the Parkland gunman, opting to stay outside the high school while the shooting took place, receiving a retirement pension.In her 2018 Facebook posts, which were discovered by Media Matters, Greene posted a story about the county sheriff deputy who failed to go after the Parkland gunman, opting to stay outside the high school while the shooting took place, receiving a retirement pension.
“It’s called a pay off to keep his mouth shut since it was a false flag planned shooting,” one commenter said. “Exactly” Greene commented.“It’s called a pay off to keep his mouth shut since it was a false flag planned shooting,” one commenter said. “Exactly” Greene commented.
“Kick back for going along with the evil plan. You know it’s not for doing a good job,” another commenter said. “My thoughts exactly!! Paid to do what he did and keep his mouth shut!” Green said.“Kick back for going along with the evil plan. You know it’s not for doing a good job,” another commenter said. “My thoughts exactly!! Paid to do what he did and keep his mouth shut!” Green said.
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.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.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.“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.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.”“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.”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”.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.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.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 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.”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.”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.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.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.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.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.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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
“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.”
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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”.
“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.
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.