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Joe Biden to focus on economic recovery after publishing Covid strategy – live updates Joe Biden to focus on economic recovery after publishing Covid strategy – live updates
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Calls to delay Donald Trump impeachment trial as former president appoints defense lawyer BowersCalls to delay Donald Trump impeachment trial as former president appoints defense lawyer Bowers
Public health experts yesterday blamed sudden Covid-19 vaccine shortages around the US in part on the Trump administration’s push last week to get states to vastly expand their vaccination drives to reach the nation’s estimated 54 million people age 65 and over.
The Associated Press report that push and change in emphasis from the White House has not been accompanied by enough doses to meet demand, according to state and local officials, leading to frustration and confusion and limiting states’ ability to attack the outbreak that has killed over 400,000 Americans.
Over the past few days, authorities in California, Ohio, West Virginia, Florida and Hawaii warned that their supplies were running out. New York City began canceling or postponing shots or stopped making new appointments because of the shortages, which new president Joe Biden has vowed to turn around. Florida’s top health official said the state would deal with the scarcity by restricting vaccines to state residents.
The vaccine rollout so far has been “a major disappointment,” said Dr. Eric Topol, head of the Scripps Research Translational Institute. Problems started with the Trump administration’s “fatal mistake” of not ordering enough vaccine, which was then snapped up by other countries, Topol said. Then, opening the line to senior citizens set people up for disappointment because there wasn’t enough vaccine, he said. The Trump administration also left crucial planning to the states and didn’t provide the necessary funding.
“It doesn’t happen by fairy dust,” Topol said. “You need to put funds into that.”
Last week, before Biden took over as president, the US Health and Human Services Department suggested that the frustration was the result of unrealistic expectations among the states as to how much vaccine was on the way.
But some public health experts said that the states have not been getting reliable information on vaccine deliveries and that the amounts they have been sent have been unpredictable. That, in turn, has made it difficult for them to plan how to inoculate people.
“It’s a bit of having to build it as we go,” said Dr. George Rutherford, an epidemiologist at the University of California, San Francisco. “It’s a front-end supply issue, and unless we know how much vaccine is flowing down the pipe, it’s hard to get these things sized right, staffed, get people there, get them vaccinated and get them gone.”
State health secretaries have asked the Biden administration for earlier and more reliable predictions on vaccine deliveries, said Washington state Health Secretary Dr. Umair Shah.
Dr. Marcus Plescia of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials was also among those who said opening vaccinations to senior citizens was done too soon, before supply could catch up.
“We needed steady federal leadership on this early in the launch,” Plescia said. “That did not happen, and now that we are not prioritizing groups, there is going to be some lag for supply to catch up with demand.”
One lawyer you might have expected to see plying his trade for the president at the impeachment trial is Rudy Giuliani, who has stood by the president through thick and thin.
However, there are reports the two have fallen out over unpaid legal bills, and in any case Giuliani has recused himself from the impeachment process because he appeared at the same event where former president Donald Trump is accused of whipping up the mod that ransacked the US Capitol. Giuliani famously suggested in his speech that day that “trial by combat” should be used to settle the election, which he later claimed was a reference to Game of Thrones.
Giuliani also has something else to deal with – calls for New York’s judiciary to suspend his law licence.
Lawyers Defending American Democracy is also calling for investigation of Giuliani, who served as a federal prosecutor and a New York City mayor before Trump hired him as personal attorney.
“This complaint is about law, not politics,” said their letter to the attorney grievance committee for the New York supreme court. It was signed by more than 40 lawyers.
The grievance committee, part of New York state’s judiciary, has the power to censure and suspend lawyers and revoke their law licences.
Giuliani led the legal team that tried to overturn Trump’s election defeat but failed to produce any evidence of widespread fraud. The team lost dozens of court cases in battleground states and at the supreme court.
Read more here: Rudy Giuliani – lawyers call for Trump’s personal attorney to lose law licence
One of the reasons Mitch McConnell has given for trying to delay the trial of former president Donald Trump is to give him more time to prepare. Reuters this morning are reporting that Trump has at least taken the step of beginning to put together his legal defense team.
Trump has hired South Carolina-based lawyer Butch Bowers to represent him at the Senate trial. While relatively unknown on the national stage, Bowers has represented former Republican governors in South Carolina and served in the US Justice Department under Republican former President George W. Bush.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a Trump ally, recommended him, the source said.
In 2012, Bowers represented then-Governor Nikki Haley in an ethics hearing over allegations that she engaged in illegal lobbying while she was a state representative. Haley was cleared of wrongdoing.
In 2009, Bowers represented then-Governor Mark Sanford in an ethics hearing over his use of a state aircraft for a secret five-day trip to Argentina to see a woman with whom he was having an extramarital affair. Sanford agreed to pay $74,000 to settle charges that his personal travel and campaign spending violated state ethics laws, but he continued to deny wrongdoing.
Bowers, also known as Karl Smith Bowers Jr., is a graduate of Tulane University’s law school, has his own law firm and is associated with the Miller Law Group.
“I’ve always found him to be competent and ethical,” said South Carolina lawyer Jay Bender, a Democrat who has known Bowers professionally for over 20 years. But he said Trump would not be his first controversial representation. “I’ve found many of his clients to be objectionable,” Bender said.
Republican Senator Mike Braun, speaking to reporters on Thursday, put a mid-February date on the likely timing of the trial, in order to give Bowers time to prepare.
Yesterday Republican Mitch McConnell proposed delaying Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, and Democrat House speaker Nancy Pelosi decline to confirm when the article of impeachment will be sent from the House to the Senate. However, whenever it happens, Tom McCarthy reports that the verdict will rest in the hands of Republican Senators:Yesterday Republican Mitch McConnell proposed delaying Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, and Democrat House speaker Nancy Pelosi decline to confirm when the article of impeachment will be sent from the House to the Senate. However, whenever it happens, Tom McCarthy reports that the verdict will rest in the hands of Republican Senators:
A two-thirds majority of voting senators – 67 if all 100 members vote – is still required to convict the president, and the Democratic caucus will number only 50 senators. Thus they would need 17 Republicans to join them to convict Trump.A two-thirds majority of voting senators – 67 if all 100 members vote – is still required to convict the president, and the Democratic caucus will number only 50 senators. Thus they would need 17 Republicans to join them to convict Trump.
If convicted, Trump could be banned from ever again holding public office. If not, Trump, who won the votes of 74 million Americans just two months ago, might simply run for president again in 2024.If convicted, Trump could be banned from ever again holding public office. If not, Trump, who won the votes of 74 million Americans just two months ago, might simply run for president again in 2024.
The judgment facing Republicans is more political than constitutional, said Frank O Bowman III, author of High Crimes and Misdemeanors: A History of Impeachment for the Age of Trump and a professor at the University of Missouri school of law.The judgment facing Republicans is more political than constitutional, said Frank O Bowman III, author of High Crimes and Misdemeanors: A History of Impeachment for the Age of Trump and a professor at the University of Missouri school of law.
“If Republicans decide, as most of them will, maybe nearly all, to vote against this, it’s going to have nothing to do with their opinion about the behavior of Donald Trump,” he said.“If Republicans decide, as most of them will, maybe nearly all, to vote against this, it’s going to have nothing to do with their opinion about the behavior of Donald Trump,” he said.
“It will have everything to do with their narrow political calculation about balancing whatever allegiance they may feel to the constitution with concerns about being attacked from the Trumpist right, to, on the other side, a sense that I suspect many of them have that if they could rid themselves of this turbulent priest, and not have to suffer any major electoral consequences, they’d do it in a minute.”“It will have everything to do with their narrow political calculation about balancing whatever allegiance they may feel to the constitution with concerns about being attacked from the Trumpist right, to, on the other side, a sense that I suspect many of them have that if they could rid themselves of this turbulent priest, and not have to suffer any major electoral consequences, they’d do it in a minute.”
The most important Republican senator of all, minority leader McConnell has indicated that he might vote to convict Trump, whom he blasted on the floor of the Senate a day before Trump left office.The most important Republican senator of all, minority leader McConnell has indicated that he might vote to convict Trump, whom he blasted on the floor of the Senate a day before Trump left office.
“The mob was fed lies,” McConnell said. “They were provoked by the president and other powerful people. And they tried to use fear and violence to stop a specific proceeding of the first branch of the federal government which they did not like. But we pressed on.”“The mob was fed lies,” McConnell said. “They were provoked by the president and other powerful people. And they tried to use fear and violence to stop a specific proceeding of the first branch of the federal government which they did not like. But we pressed on.”
McConnell’s break with Trump is breathtaking for many political observers. The last time Trump faced an impeachment trial, McConnell promised “total coordination with the White House” on Trump’s defense, said there was “no chance” Trump would be convicted, and told Fox News, “the case is so darn weak coming from the House”.McConnell’s break with Trump is breathtaking for many political observers. The last time Trump faced an impeachment trial, McConnell promised “total coordination with the White House” on Trump’s defense, said there was “no chance” Trump would be convicted, and told Fox News, “the case is so darn weak coming from the House”.
This time, McConnell has announced: “I have not made a final decision on how I will vote, and I intend to listen to the legal arguments when they are presented to the Senate.”This time, McConnell has announced: “I have not made a final decision on how I will vote, and I intend to listen to the legal arguments when they are presented to the Senate.”
Read more of Tom McCarthy’s report here: Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial rests in the hands of Republican senatorsRead more of Tom McCarthy’s report here: Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial rests in the hands of Republican senators
Hi, and welcome to our live coverage of US politics on Friday. Here’s a quick catch-up on where we are, and what we might see today…Hi, and welcome to our live coverage of US politics on Friday. Here’s a quick catch-up on where we are, and what we might see today…
Joe Biden signed a series of executive orders aimed at tackling the coronavirus pandemic. The president asked the country to “mask up” for 100 days to limit the spread of the virus.Joe Biden signed a series of executive orders aimed at tackling the coronavirus pandemic. The president asked the country to “mask up” for 100 days to limit the spread of the virus.
Dr Anthony Fauci said it was “liberating” to “let the science speak” now that Biden has been sworn in. Appearing in the White House briefing room for the first time since the inauguration, Fauci criticized the Trump administration’s handling of the pandemic.Dr Anthony Fauci said it was “liberating” to “let the science speak” now that Biden has been sworn in. Appearing in the White House briefing room for the first time since the inauguration, Fauci criticized the Trump administration’s handling of the pandemic.
Yesterday the US recorded 188,952 new coronavirus cases, and 3,955 further deaths. For the 51st consecutive day there were over 100,000 people in US hospitals with Covid, though the number continues to drop slightly at 119,927.Yesterday the US recorded 188,952 new coronavirus cases, and 3,955 further deaths. For the 51st consecutive day there were over 100,000 people in US hospitals with Covid, though the number continues to drop slightly at 119,927.
Climate envoy John Kerry committed the US to the climate crisis fight, but warned the world is way off pace.Climate envoy John Kerry committed the US to the climate crisis fight, but warned the world is way off pace.
Nancy Pelosi declined to specify when she will transmit the article of impeachment to the Senate, instead simply saying she will do so “soon”. It could be today. Or maybe not. Whenever it happens, Donald Trump’s trial rests in the hands of Republican senators.Nancy Pelosi declined to specify when she will transmit the article of impeachment to the Senate, instead simply saying she will do so “soon”. It could be today. Or maybe not. Whenever it happens, Donald Trump’s trial rests in the hands of Republican senators.
Mitch McConnell has called for Trump’s trial to be delayed, as reports suggest the former president has appointed Butch Bowers as his defense attorney.Mitch McConnell has called for Trump’s trial to be delayed, as reports suggest the former president has appointed Butch Bowers as his defense attorney.
Lawyers have called for Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani to lose his law licence.Lawyers have called for Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani to lose his law licence.
It’s a busy day planned in the oval office. President Joe Biden and vice president Kamala Harris will get the daily briefing, and will lunch together. Later they’ll get a briefing on the state of the economy, and are expected to appear together when Biden makes remarks about his economic recovery plan.It’s a busy day planned in the oval office. President Joe Biden and vice president Kamala Harris will get the daily briefing, and will lunch together. Later they’ll get a briefing on the state of the economy, and are expected to appear together when Biden makes remarks about his economic recovery plan.