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Trump wishes new administration 'success' as Pence reveals he will skip president's farewell event – live Trump wishes new administration 'success' as Pence reveals he will skip president's farewell event – live
(32 minutes later)
White House releases Trump farewell address amid preparations for Biden inauguration – follow liveWhite House releases Trump farewell address amid preparations for Biden inauguration – follow live
In an email to Republican colleagues, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell indicated that he will fight to keep the legislative filibuster in the Senate. Under Senate rules, at least 60 votes are needed in order to bring a bill to a vote, giving the minority party power in indefinitely delaying bills it opposes.
Democrats have a very slim advantage over Republicans in the Senate with 50 Senate seats and vice-president-elect Kamala Harris to be the tie-breaking vote as Senate president, so it’s no surprise that McConnell wants to preserve the filibuster as a check on Democrats.
“Having an equally divided Senate means that we have to work together to get anything done and the spirit of true bipartisan compromise is possible only when each side realizes they must come to the table together,” McConnell wrote in his email, which was obtained by the National Review.
Of course McConnell happily did away with the filibuster to get Donald Trump’s supreme court nominee confirmed without a supermajority, but it’s clear McConnell is hoping to maintain as much influence in the Senate as possible.
While some Democrats like Elizabeth Warren have been vocal advocates of eliminating the filibuster, some Democrats, including Joe Manchin of West Virginia, who is considered the most conservative Democrat, oppose the move.
McConnell and incoming Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer met this afternoon to discuss, among other things, how they plan to divide power in the Senate. After the meeting, Schumer declined to comment on how the meeting went, telling reporters “we discussed a whole lot of issues”.
That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Maanvi Singh, will take over the blog for the next few hours.
Here’s where the day stands so far:
The US coronavirus death toll surpassed 400,000, representing the highest death toll of any country in the world. Joe Biden will soon participate in a service at the Lincoln Memorial to honor the 400,000 Americans lost in the pandemic.
Donald Trump shared his farewell address to the nation. The president, who is leaving Washington before Biden’s inauguration tomorrow, wished the new administration success but did not utter the name of his successor.
Mike Pence confirmed he will not attend the president’s farewell event tomorrow. The vice-president’s office released his schedule for tomorrow, and it includes only one event: the inauguration of Biden and Kamala Harris.
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 Biden’s inauguration.
Maanvi will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
Joe Biden and his family arrived at Joint Base Andrews, just outside of Washington, moments ago after a short flight from Delaware.Joe Biden and his family arrived at Joint Base Andrews, just outside of Washington, moments ago after a short flight from Delaware.
The president-elect, who will be sworn in tomorrow, will soon participate in a service at the Lincoln Memorial to honor the Americans who have died of coronavirus.The president-elect, who will be sworn in tomorrow, will soon participate in a service at the Lincoln Memorial to honor the Americans who have died of coronavirus.
The US coronavirus death toll surpassed 400,000 earlier today, representing the highest death toll of any country in the world.The US coronavirus death toll surpassed 400,000 earlier today, representing the highest death toll of any country in the world.
Donald Trump concluded his farewell address by nodding at his possible political future, even as he awaits the start of his second Senate impeachment trial.Donald Trump concluded his farewell address by nodding at his possible political future, even as he awaits the start of his second Senate impeachment trial.
“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 said, again avoiding saying Joe Biden’s name. “There’s never been anything like it.”“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 said, again avoiding saying Joe Biden’s name. “There’s never been anything like it.”
If the Senate votes to convict Trump, the chamber can block him from seeking federal office again. However, it’s unclear whether two-thirds of the Senate, which will soon be split evenly between Democrats and Republicans, would support conviction.If the Senate votes to convict Trump, the chamber can block him from seeking federal office again. However, it’s unclear whether two-thirds of the Senate, which will soon be split evenly between Democrats and Republicans, would support conviction.
Trump ended his address by saying, “I go from this majestic place with a loyal and joyful heart, an optimistic spirit, and a supreme confidence that for our country and for our children, the best is yet to come. Thank you, and farewell. God bless you. God bless the United States of America.”Trump ended his address by saying, “I go from this majestic place with a loyal and joyful heart, an optimistic spirit, and a supreme confidence that for our country and for our children, the best is yet to come. Thank you, and farewell. God bless you. God bless the United States of America.”
Trump is set to leave Washington tomorrow morning, before Biden takes the oath of office. He has less than a day left in his presidency.Trump is set to leave Washington tomorrow morning, before Biden takes the oath of office. He has less than a day left in his presidency.
Donald Trump celebrated his controversy-laden presidency in his farewell address to the American people.Donald Trump celebrated his controversy-laden presidency in his farewell address to the American people.
“I did not seek the path that would get the least criticism,” Trump said of his lone term as president.“I did not seek the path that would get the least criticism,” Trump said of his lone term as president.
“I took on the tough battles, the hardest fights, the most difficult choices – because that’s what you elected me to do.”“I took on the tough battles, the hardest fights, the most difficult choices – because that’s what you elected me to do.”
The result of that leadership style is that Trump is leaving office with his lowest approval rating since becoming president.The result of that leadership style is that Trump is leaving office with his lowest approval rating since becoming president.
Donald Trump used his farewell address to tout the success of his administration, saying, “We did what we came here to do – and so much more.”Donald Trump used his farewell address to tout the success of his administration, saying, “We did what we came here to do – and so much more.”
According to PolitiFact, the president has broken more than half of the promises that he made to the American people.According to PolitiFact, the president has broken more than half of the promises that he made to the American people.
The president also celebrated his administration for overseeing the production of coronavirus vaccines, even as the US coronavirus death toll surpassed 400,000 earlier today.The president also celebrated his administration for overseeing the production of coronavirus vaccines, even as the US coronavirus death toll surpassed 400,000 earlier today.
In his farewell address, Donald Trump thanked the American people for the “extraordinary privilege” of having been elected president.In his farewell address, Donald Trump thanked the American people for the “extraordinary privilege” of having been elected president.
The outgoing president also offered a message of encouragement to his successor, but Trump avoided saying Joe Biden’s name.The outgoing president also offered a message of encouragement to his successor, but Trump avoided saying Joe Biden’s name.
“This week, we inaugurate a new administration and pray for its success in keeping America safe and prosperous,” Trump said.“This week, we inaugurate a new administration and pray for its success in keeping America safe and prosperous,” Trump said.
“We extend our best wishes, and we also want them to have luck – a very important word.”“We extend our best wishes, and we also want them to have luck – a very important word.”
The White House has released Donald Trump’s farewell address, a 20-minute pre-recorded video of the president touting his accomplishments in office.The White House has released Donald Trump’s farewell address, a 20-minute pre-recorded video of the president touting his accomplishments in office.
The release of the video comes one day before the inauguration of Joe Biden, which Trump does not plan to attend.The release of the video comes one day before the inauguration of Joe Biden, which Trump does not plan to attend.
“My fellow Americans, four years ago, we launched a great national effort to rebuild our country, to renew its spirit and to restore the allegiance of this government to its citizens,” Trump said in the video.“My fellow Americans, four years ago, we launched a great national effort to rebuild our country, to renew its spirit and to restore the allegiance of this government to its citizens,” Trump said in the video.
“In short, we embarked on a mission to make America great again for all Americans.”“In short, we embarked on a mission to make America great again for all Americans.”
Mike Pence will not attend Donald Trump’s farewell event tomorrow, the vice-president’s office just confirmed.Mike Pence will not attend Donald Trump’s farewell event tomorrow, the vice-president’s office just confirmed.
Pence’s office released his schedule for tomorrow, and it includes only one event: the inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. (Trump intends to leave Washington before the inauguration.)Pence’s office released his schedule for tomorrow, and it includes only one event: the inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. (Trump intends to leave Washington before the inauguration.)
Pence also offered a farewell message to the country, sending a tweet that thanked Americans for “the privilege of serving as your Vice President these past four years”.Pence also offered a farewell message to the country, sending a tweet that thanked Americans for “the privilege of serving as your Vice President these past four years”.
The tweet included several photos from Pence’s time as vice-president. Trump appeared in none of them.The tweet included several photos from Pence’s time as vice-president. Trump appeared in none of them.
Senator Josh Hawley is blocking Joe Biden’s nominee to lead the department of homeland security from quick consideration, over concerns about the incoming administration’s immigration agenda.Senator Josh Hawley is blocking Joe Biden’s nominee to lead the department of homeland security from quick consideration, over concerns about the incoming administration’s immigration agenda.
Hawley released a statement about his plans after the homeland security secretary nominee, Alejandro Mayorkas, testified at a Senate confirmation hearing.Hawley released a statement about his plans after the homeland security secretary nominee, Alejandro Mayorkas, testified at a Senate confirmation hearing.
“Mr. Mayorkas has not adequately explained how he will enforce federal law and secure the southern border given President-elect Biden’s promise to roll back major enforcement and security measures,” Hawley said in a statement.“Mr. Mayorkas has not adequately explained how he will enforce federal law and secure the southern border given President-elect Biden’s promise to roll back major enforcement and security measures,” Hawley said in a statement.
Biden’s team has indicated he plans to release an immigration bill tomorrow, shortly after taking the oath of office.Biden’s team has indicated he plans to release an immigration bill tomorrow, shortly after taking the oath of office.
Hawley said, “Given this, I cannot consent to skip the standard vetting process and fast-track this nomination when so many questions remain unanswered.”Hawley said, “Given this, I cannot consent to skip the standard vetting process and fast-track this nomination when so many questions remain unanswered.”
Democrats have called on the Senate to rapidly confirm some of Biden’s cabinet nominees, and while Hawley’s maneuver will slightly delay Mayorkas’ confirmation, Democrats will still be able to confirm him after tomorrow, when they take control of the chamber.Democrats have called on the Senate to rapidly confirm some of Biden’s cabinet nominees, and while Hawley’s maneuver will slightly delay Mayorkas’ confirmation, Democrats will still be able to confirm him after tomorrow, when they take control of the chamber.
Since the violent riot at the Capitol, Hawley has come under intense criticism for objecting to the certification of Biden’s victory in the presidential election, and some of his Democratic colleagues have called for his resignation.Since the violent riot at the Capitol, Hawley has come under intense criticism for objecting to the certification of Biden’s victory in the presidential election, and some of his Democratic colleagues have called for his resignation.
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.
“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.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.