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Trump impeachment: Pelosi to formally send article of impeachment to Senate today – live Trump impeachment: Pelosi to formally send article of impeachment to Senate today – live
(32 minutes later)
Former president charged with ‘incitement of insurrection’ after assault on Capitol by pro-Trump mobFormer president charged with ‘incitement of insurrection’ after assault on Capitol by pro-Trump mob
More on that:
Joe Biden has overturned a controversial ban by his predecessor on transgender individuals serving in the US military, a move that fulfills a campaign promise and will be cheered by LGBTQ advocates, Reuters reported seconds ago.
“President Biden believes that gender identity should not be a bar to military service, and that America’s strength is found in its diversity,” the White House said in a statement.
“Allowing all qualified Americans to serve their country in uniform is better for the military and better for the country because an inclusive force is a more effective force. Simply put, it’s the right thing to do and is in our national interest,” it said.
Former Democratic president Barack Obama in 2016 allowed trans people to serve openly and receive medical care to transition genders, but Republican president Donald Trump froze their recruitment while allowing serving personnel to remain.
Here’s a vital read on this topic from the Guardian in 2019.
Speculation that Joe Biden will issue an executive order today to reverse a Pentagon policy that largely bars transgender individuals from joining the military appears to be about to come to fruition.
Reuters just pinged out a own-line snap, which backs up earlier reporting that the Biden/Harris administration plans on dumping a ban ordered by former president Donald Trump in a tweet during his first year in office.
The move to reverse the policy has the support of Biden’s newly confirmed defense secretary, retired Army General Lloyd Austin, who spoke of the need to overturn it during his Senate confirmation hearing last week.
“I support the president’s plan...to overturn the ban,” Austin said. “If you’re fit and you’re qualified to serve and you can maintain the standards, you should be allowed to serve.”
The decision comes as Biden plans to turn his attention to equity issues that he believes continue to shadow nearly all aspects of American life. The move to overturn the transgender ban is also the latest example of Biden using executive authority in his first days as president to dismantle Trump’s legacy.
It was unclear at present how quickly the Pentagon can put a new policy in effect, and whether it will take some time to work out details. Over the weekend Austin announced that he had ordered a comprehensive review of the sexual harassment prevention efforts within the US military.
The Guardian reported in 2019 that in the US, all four military service chiefs had testified before Congress that there were no known negative effects during the three years in which president Barack Obama opened the doors of the military to trans people.
Trump’s policy was a ridiculous, cruel mess.
California governor Gavin Newsom will lift regional stay-at-home orders later today and announce the state is returning to a system of county-by-county restrictions intended to stem the spread of the coronavirus amid the ongoing pandemic crisis, two administration officials with knowledge said.
The decision comes with improving trends in the rate of infections, hospitalizations and intensive care unit capacity as well as vaccinations, The Associated Press reports.
The order had been in place in the San Francisco Bay Area, San Joaquin Valley and Southern California. The change will allow businesses such as restaurants to resume outdoor operations in many areas.
During the weekend, San Francisco Bay Area ICU available capacity improved to 23% while the San Joaquin Valley increased to 1.3% - its first time above zero in the current surge of infections. The huge Southern California region, the most populous, remains at zero ICU capacity, however.
The change is based on projections, but the state has not disclosed the data behind the forecasts.
Early last year, the state developed a system of color-coded tiers that dictated the level of restrictions on businesses and individuals based on virus conditions in each of California’s 58 counties.
Then, as Covid-19 infections and hospitalizations rocketed, Newsom put in place a new system that grouped counties into five regions: Southern California, San Joaquin Valley, Bay Area, Greater Sacramento and Northern California.
Stay-at-home orders took effect if a region’s ICU capacity fell below 15%.
Here’s more from the Cincinnati Enquirer’s report about Ohio’s GOP Senator Rob Portman winding down his career in Congress.
Portman, 65, will be sworn in tomorrow as a juror in Donald Trump’s impeachment trial in the Senate.
The Enquirer further reports that “after three decades in Washington, Portman has grown tired of the incivility in politics and the increasing partisan divide. One of Greater Cincinnati’s most prominent politicians, he was once expected to be headed to national office. He sticks to policy and refrains from personal attacks”.
But the timing from Portman seems extraordinary.
Republican Senator Rob Portman of Ohio said today he won’t seek re-election and plans to end a career in federal government spanning more than three decades.
Portman’s announcement comes the same day the Senate is receiving the House impeachment article against former the Republican president, Donald Trump.
While some Republican senators have criticized going ahead with the trial next month with Trump out of office, Portman said last week he would listen to both sides before making a decision on how to vote, The Associated Press reports.
Portman, who turned 65 last month, is among establishment Republicans who clearly struggled with supporting Trump.
Once dubbed “The Loyal Soldier” in a front-page profile story in his hometown newspaper the Cincinnati Enquirer, Portman usually supported Trump in carefully worded statements. After Trump called the presidential election rigged, Portman said Trump had a right to a probe of any irregularities.
But in the immediate aftermath of the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol, Portman said Trump needed to go on national TV to address his supporters and tell them to refrain from violence.
“Both in his words before the attack on the Capitol and in his actions afterward, President Trump bears some responsibility for what happened on January 6,” Portman said.
Portman was elected handily twice to the US Senate, but was considered likely to face primary opposition in 2022.
Portman, who served in the presidential administrations of both Bushes (George HW and George W), was under consideration by both the late John McCain and Mitt Romney to be their running mates in their respective presidential bids.
Portman also helped them and other GOP presidential candidates practice for debates by playing their Democratic rival.
He was elected to Congress from southern Ohio in a 1993 special election and won six more elections before being tapped by president George W. Bush to serve as US trade representative in 2005. Bush then nominated him to be his White House budget director in 2006.
Portman stepped down in 2007, then returned to politics in 2010 with a successful US Senate run, and won again in 2016, both times by landslide margins in a traditional swing state.
The United States is “proud to be back” in international efforts to slow the climate crisis, Washington’s new special climate envoy John Kerry told a summit of leaders earlier today.The United States is “proud to be back” in international efforts to slow the climate crisis, Washington’s new special climate envoy John Kerry told a summit of leaders earlier today.
Joe Biden’s administration is this week expected to release more policies it believes are needed to tackle climate change after rejoining the 2015 Paris climate agreement that predecessor Donald Trump quit saying it was too costly to the US economy, Reuters reports.Joe Biden’s administration is this week expected to release more policies it believes are needed to tackle climate change after rejoining the 2015 Paris climate agreement that predecessor Donald Trump quit saying it was too costly to the US economy, Reuters reports.
“We’re proud to be back. We come back with humility for the absence over the last four years and we will do everything in our power to make up for it,” Kerry told the Climate Adaptation Summit by video link.“We’re proud to be back. We come back with humility for the absence over the last four years and we will do everything in our power to make up for it,” Kerry told the Climate Adaptation Summit by video link.
Kerry was joined by China’s Deputy Prime Minister Han Zheng, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other leaders.Kerry was joined by China’s Deputy Prime Minister Han Zheng, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other leaders.
“President Biden has made fighting climate change a top priority of his administration. We have a president now, thank God, who leads, tells the truth and is seized by this issue,” Kerry said.“President Biden has made fighting climate change a top priority of his administration. We have a president now, thank God, who leads, tells the truth and is seized by this issue,” Kerry said.
Leaders stressed the importance of having Washington back at the table.Leaders stressed the importance of having Washington back at the table.
“Since I’m the first to take the floor after John Kerry, a warm welcome to the US back in the Paris Agreement,” said International Monetary Fund managing director Kristalina Georgieva.“Since I’m the first to take the floor after John Kerry, a warm welcome to the US back in the Paris Agreement,” said International Monetary Fund managing director Kristalina Georgieva.
“To tackle this great challenge we need all hands on deck and certainly the US is so critical for success.”“To tackle this great challenge we need all hands on deck and certainly the US is so critical for success.”
The online event, hosted by the Netherlands, aims to set out practical solutions and plans for dealing with climate change in the vital period until 2030.The online event, hosted by the Netherlands, aims to set out practical solutions and plans for dealing with climate change in the vital period until 2030.
As secretary of state under former US president Barack Obama in 2015, Kerry helped bring China to the table at the UN climate conference in Paris.As secretary of state under former US president Barack Obama in 2015, Kerry helped bring China to the table at the UN climate conference in Paris.
The Senate is aiming to pass additional Covid-19 economic relief and healthcare funding legislation before the former, Donald Trump’s impeachment trial begins in early February, a lawmaker said this morning.The Senate is aiming to pass additional Covid-19 economic relief and healthcare funding legislation before the former, Donald Trump’s impeachment trial begins in early February, a lawmaker said this morning.
The news comes amid growing signs of agreement on the need to speed up vaccine distribution and administration services, which have had a very rocky start since the first vaccines received federal emergency authorization in December.The news comes amid growing signs of agreement on the need to speed up vaccine distribution and administration services, which have had a very rocky start since the first vaccines received federal emergency authorization in December.
A day after some Republicans pushed back on the size of Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion relief proposal, Senator Angus King said the Senate plans to consider a bill in the next two weeks, while it also moves to confirm Biden’s Cabinet ahead of Trump’s trial start during the week of February 8, Reuters reports.A day after some Republicans pushed back on the size of Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion relief proposal, Senator Angus King said the Senate plans to consider a bill in the next two weeks, while it also moves to confirm Biden’s Cabinet ahead of Trump’s trial start during the week of February 8, Reuters reports.
“We’re going to try to do something between now and the time of the impeachment trial beginning. That’s a tall order, because we also have to do the confirmations,” King, a Maine independent who caucuses (ie including the way he generally votes) with Democrats who lead the Senate, told National Public Radio.“Two weeks would be an aggressive schedule but I think that’s where we’re going to be going,” he added.“We’re going to try to do something between now and the time of the impeachment trial beginning. That’s a tall order, because we also have to do the confirmations,” King, a Maine independent who caucuses (ie including the way he generally votes) with Democrats who lead the Senate, told National Public Radio.“Two weeks would be an aggressive schedule but I think that’s where we’re going to be going,” he added.
It was not clear whether the Senate would try to pass the entire Biden proposal before February 8 or focus on legislation with a more limited scope.It was not clear whether the Senate would try to pass the entire Biden proposal before February 8 or focus on legislation with a more limited scope.
King and Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, who both participated in a call about Covid-19 relief with Biden administration officials yesterday, said there is broad agreement about the need to move forward on vaccinations.King and Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, who both participated in a call about Covid-19 relief with Biden administration officials yesterday, said there is broad agreement about the need to move forward on vaccinations.
“We can all agree: we need to have money out there for vaccines,” Cassidy told Fox News on Monday. “And testing, we can accept that.”“We can all agree: we need to have money out there for vaccines,” Cassidy told Fox News on Monday. “And testing, we can accept that.”
King said there was a general consensus on Sunday’s call to do “whatever we have to do to speed up the vaccination process. I don’t think there’s going to be any debate about that.”King said there was a general consensus on Sunday’s call to do “whatever we have to do to speed up the vaccination process. I don’t think there’s going to be any debate about that.”
He added that the group on Sunday’s call would speak again on today or tomorrow.He added that the group on Sunday’s call would speak again on today or tomorrow.
In addition to the size of Biden’s plan, Republicans and some Democrats are concerned about a proposal to send $1,400 stimulus checks to most Americans, even some with fairly high incomes.In addition to the size of Biden’s plan, Republicans and some Democrats are concerned about a proposal to send $1,400 stimulus checks to most Americans, even some with fairly high incomes.
While Congress has already authorized $4 trillion to respond, the White House says the additional $1.9 trillion is needed to cover the costs of responding to the virus and provide enhanced jobless benefits and payments to households.While Congress has already authorized $4 trillion to respond, the White House says the additional $1.9 trillion is needed to cover the costs of responding to the virus and provide enhanced jobless benefits and payments to households.
House committees are expected to work on legislation this week, with the aim of being ready to put a bill on the House floor during the first week of February.House committees are expected to work on legislation this week, with the aim of being ready to put a bill on the House floor during the first week of February.
Here are some updated times for events expected at the White House today.Here are some updated times for events expected at the White House today.
Just after midday eastern time (ET), Joe Biden and veep Kamala Harris are due to hop in front of the cameras with the newly-confirmed defense secretary Lloyd Austin and the military’s chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Mark Milley.Just after midday eastern time (ET), Joe Biden and veep Kamala Harris are due to hop in front of the cameras with the newly-confirmed defense secretary Lloyd Austin and the military’s chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Mark Milley.
We expect a ceremonious swearing-in of Austin and there is speculation that today could be the day the Biden/Harris administration reverses Donald Trump’s policy of effectively banning transgender people from joining the armed forces.We expect a ceremonious swearing-in of Austin and there is speculation that today could be the day the Biden/Harris administration reverses Donald Trump’s policy of effectively banning transgender people from joining the armed forces.
Biden has a tendency to run late, so stay tuned. White House press secretary Jen Psaki is due to hold a press briefing at 1pm ET.Biden has a tendency to run late, so stay tuned. White House press secretary Jen Psaki is due to hold a press briefing at 1pm ET.
And at 3.45pm the US president is due to sign further executive orders, the latest aimed at boosting US manufacturing with a fresh Made in America campaign.And at 3.45pm the US president is due to sign further executive orders, the latest aimed at boosting US manufacturing with a fresh Made in America campaign.
Later, we expect Janet Yellen, former chair of the federal reserve, to be confirmed by the Senate around 5.30pm and then at 7pm the impeachment managers will deliver the charge of incitement of insurrection against Donald Trump to the Senate prior to his February trial there.Later, we expect Janet Yellen, former chair of the federal reserve, to be confirmed by the Senate around 5.30pm and then at 7pm the impeachment managers will deliver the charge of incitement of insurrection against Donald Trump to the Senate prior to his February trial there.
We’ll have a live stream of some of these events.We’ll have a live stream of some of these events.
Joe Biden will take steps on Monday to harness the purchasing power of the United States government, the world’s biggest single buyer, to increase domestic manufacturing and create markets for new technologies, a senior administration official told Reuters.Joe Biden will take steps on Monday to harness the purchasing power of the United States government, the world’s biggest single buyer, to increase domestic manufacturing and create markets for new technologies, a senior administration official told Reuters.
Biden will sign an executive order aimed at closing loopholes in existing “Buy American” provisions, which structure the $600 billion in goods and services the federal government buys each year, making any waivers more transparent, and creating a senior White House role to oversee the processBiden will sign an executive order aimed at closing loopholes in existing “Buy American” provisions, which structure the $600 billion in goods and services the federal government buys each year, making any waivers more transparent, and creating a senior White House role to oversee the process
Increasing US manufacturing, a central tenet of Biden’s presidential campaign, has proven a vexing challenge for previous administrations, including that of former president, Donald Trump.Increasing US manufacturing, a central tenet of Biden’s presidential campaign, has proven a vexing challenge for previous administrations, including that of former president, Donald Trump.
Lower wages and weaker environmental standards have triggered the exodus of key manufacturing capabilities to China and other countries in recent decades, including medical equipment, resulting in critical gaps laid bare during the Covid-19 pandemic.Lower wages and weaker environmental standards have triggered the exodus of key manufacturing capabilities to China and other countries in recent decades, including medical equipment, resulting in critical gaps laid bare during the Covid-19 pandemic.
China overtook the US as the world’s top manufacturer in 2010, and was responsible for 28% of global output in 2018, according to United Nations data.China overtook the US as the world’s top manufacturer in 2010, and was responsible for 28% of global output in 2018, according to United Nations data.
Rebuilding critical supply chains and developing new ones is critical to US growth, trade experts say.Rebuilding critical supply chains and developing new ones is critical to US growth, trade experts say.
The US trade deficit surged to $68 billion in November, its highest level in 14 years, as businesses scrambled to fill shelves with foreign goods and supply domestic factories reliant on foreign parts, offsetting a rise in exports.The US trade deficit surged to $68 billion in November, its highest level in 14 years, as businesses scrambled to fill shelves with foreign goods and supply domestic factories reliant on foreign parts, offsetting a rise in exports.
“The US spends about $600 billion a year on contracts, and that is money that...can also serve to spur a revitalization of our industrial strength and help to create markets for new technologies,” the official said.“The US spends about $600 billion a year on contracts, and that is money that...can also serve to spur a revitalization of our industrial strength and help to create markets for new technologies,” the official said.
The order directs federal agencies to reevaluate the threshold used to determine US content, to prevent companies it buys from from importing largely foreign-made goods and selling them as US-made after making just minor tweaks.The order directs federal agencies to reevaluate the threshold used to determine US content, to prevent companies it buys from from importing largely foreign-made goods and selling them as US-made after making just minor tweaks.
It sets a deadline of 180 days for regulators to finalize changes once proposed, and orders up a new website to ensure transparency about any waivers granted. The official gave no new percentages for required US content, saying they would be determined as a result of the process being launched on Monday.It sets a deadline of 180 days for regulators to finalize changes once proposed, and orders up a new website to ensure transparency about any waivers granted. The official gave no new percentages for required US content, saying they would be determined as a result of the process being launched on Monday.
The move is part of Biden’s broader push to drive up wages, create more union jobs and strengthen US supply chains, the official said.The move is part of Biden’s broader push to drive up wages, create more union jobs and strengthen US supply chains, the official said.
“He does not accept the defeatist idea that automation, globalization mean that we can’t have good-paying union jobs here in America,” the official said.“He does not accept the defeatist idea that automation, globalization mean that we can’t have good-paying union jobs here in America,” the official said.
The challenge in buying more US-made goods is partly a reflection of the erosion of many basic industries. Major US retailers, including Wal-Mart, have launched high profile “Made in America” campaigns, only to court foreign manufacturers afterward to get the goods consumers wanted. In 2015, the retailer faced a probe by the Federal Trade Commission for labeling products that were only partly made in the country.The challenge in buying more US-made goods is partly a reflection of the erosion of many basic industries. Major US retailers, including Wal-Mart, have launched high profile “Made in America” campaigns, only to court foreign manufacturers afterward to get the goods consumers wanted. In 2015, the retailer faced a probe by the Federal Trade Commission for labeling products that were only partly made in the country.
This is Joanna Walters in New York taking over the live blog on US political news from my colleague Martin Belam in London. It’s already a busy day and will evolve into an historic one with the processing of the article of impeachment across the Capitol from the House to the Senate this evening. Stay tuned!This is Joanna Walters in New York taking over the live blog on US political news from my colleague Martin Belam in London. It’s already a busy day and will evolve into an historic one with the processing of the article of impeachment across the Capitol from the House to the Senate this evening. Stay tuned!
Details about the January 6 riots and invasion of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, continue to be flushed out, following then-president Donald Trump’s exhorting of his followers at a rally near the White House to march on Congress in a (futile) attempt to overturn his election loss.Details about the January 6 riots and invasion of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, continue to be flushed out, following then-president Donald Trump’s exhorting of his followers at a rally near the White House to march on Congress in a (futile) attempt to overturn his election loss.
A new Department of Justice filing in court today, reported by NBC, states that, during the deadly insurrection that resulted, in which one Capitol Police officer was killed, a further 81 US Capitol Police officers were injured and so were 58 officers from the District of Columbia’s Metropolitan Police Department in Washington.A new Department of Justice filing in court today, reported by NBC, states that, during the deadly insurrection that resulted, in which one Capitol Police officer was killed, a further 81 US Capitol Police officers were injured and so were 58 officers from the District of Columbia’s Metropolitan Police Department in Washington.
On the day, as a result of an apparently conscious lack of law enforcement preparation, police officers were grossly outnumbered as thousands of rioters swarmed and ultimately overran the Capitol and the chambers of Congress, as members of the House and Senate, who were meeting to certify Joe Biden’s presidential win, were evacuated.On the day, as a result of an apparently conscious lack of law enforcement preparation, police officers were grossly outnumbered as thousands of rioters swarmed and ultimately overran the Capitol and the chambers of Congress, as members of the House and Senate, who were meeting to certify Joe Biden’s presidential win, were evacuated.
Spike Lee has likened Donald Trump to Hitler in an acceptance speech at a film critics awards show, adding that “the whole world is laughing at the United States”.Spike Lee has likened Donald Trump to Hitler in an acceptance speech at a film critics awards show, adding that “the whole world is laughing at the United States”.
The director made his comments when he accepted a special award from the New York Film Critics Circle for his short film New York, New York. The film was released in May 2020 and Lee described it as a “love letter to its people”.The director made his comments when he accepted a special award from the New York Film Critics Circle for his short film New York, New York. The film was released in May 2020 and Lee described it as a “love letter to its people”.
Lee said the comments about Trump were recorded on 6 January, the day of the Capitol breach, which he said was “a very sad day in the history of America”.Lee said the comments about Trump were recorded on 6 January, the day of the Capitol breach, which he said was “a very sad day in the history of America”.
“We are living in a very serious time in America,” said the director. “His president, President Agent Orange, will go down in history with the likes of Hitler … all his boys, they are going down on the wrong side of history.”“We are living in a very serious time in America,” said the director. “His president, President Agent Orange, will go down in history with the likes of Hitler … all his boys, they are going down on the wrong side of history.”
Lee has a history of sparring with Trump, including calling him a “motherfucker” over Trump’s response to the 2017 Charlotteville protests, during which activist Heather Heyer was murdered by white supremacist James Fields. Trump accused him of a “racist hit on your president” after an earlier acceptance speech by Lee at the 2019 Oscars.Lee has a history of sparring with Trump, including calling him a “motherfucker” over Trump’s response to the 2017 Charlotteville protests, during which activist Heather Heyer was murdered by white supremacist James Fields. Trump accused him of a “racist hit on your president” after an earlier acceptance speech by Lee at the 2019 Oscars.
I mentioned Sen. Josh Hawley briefly earlier. As well as using the front page of the New York Post to complain that cancel culture has silenced him, Hawley has used his position as a Senator of the United States to issue a letter today in which he is calling on the Senate Committee on Ethics to investigate seven Democratic party members of the Senate for filing what he describes as “an unprecedently frivolous and improper ethics complaint against me and Senator Cruz.”I mentioned Sen. Josh Hawley briefly earlier. As well as using the front page of the New York Post to complain that cancel culture has silenced him, Hawley has used his position as a Senator of the United States to issue a letter today in which he is calling on the Senate Committee on Ethics to investigate seven Democratic party members of the Senate for filing what he describes as “an unprecedently frivolous and improper ethics complaint against me and Senator Cruz.”
He is requesting an investigation into the conduct of Sens. Whitehouse, Wyden, Smith, Blumenthal, Hirono, Kaine, and Brown “in preparing and filing this baseless and destructive complaint” and then asking the committee to take disciplinary action against them.He is requesting an investigation into the conduct of Sens. Whitehouse, Wyden, Smith, Blumenthal, Hirono, Kaine, and Brown “in preparing and filing this baseless and destructive complaint” and then asking the committee to take disciplinary action against them.
You can read Hawley’s complaint in full here, although I should warn you that if you click on the link and read his words you will be undermining his earlier claim to have been silenced.You can read Hawley’s complaint in full here, although I should warn you that if you click on the link and read his words you will be undermining his earlier claim to have been silenced.
One of the most familiar – and exasperated – voices in the media during the Donald Trump era was Glenn Kessler, whose duty it was to run the fact-checking blog at the Washington Post. He posted over the weekend a little bit about what it was like to maintain an operation like that in the face of Trump’s untruths.One of the most familiar – and exasperated – voices in the media during the Donald Trump era was Glenn Kessler, whose duty it was to run the fact-checking blog at the Washington Post. He posted over the weekend a little bit about what it was like to maintain an operation like that in the face of Trump’s untruths.
Read more here: Washington Post – Trump made 30,573 false or misleading claims as president. Nearly half came in his final yearRead more here: Washington Post – Trump made 30,573 false or misleading claims as president. Nearly half came in his final year
David Runciman, professor of politics at Cambridge University in the UK, offers us his thoughts today on what Joe Biden understood by “democracy” in his inaugural address, and whether that matched up to the ideas of the founding fathers:David Runciman, professor of politics at Cambridge University in the UK, offers us his thoughts today on what Joe Biden understood by “democracy” in his inaugural address, and whether that matched up to the ideas of the founding fathers:
The three words that stood out in Joe Biden’s powerful inaugural address, if only for the number of times he used them, were “democracy”, “unity” and “truth”. he founding fathers of the American republic, whose history and institutions Biden also repeatedly invoked, might have been surprised to hear him run the three together. They believed they were founding a state that was designed to keep democracy at arm’s length.The three words that stood out in Joe Biden’s powerful inaugural address, if only for the number of times he used them, were “democracy”, “unity” and “truth”. he founding fathers of the American republic, whose history and institutions Biden also repeatedly invoked, might have been surprised to hear him run the three together. They believed they were founding a state that was designed to keep democracy at arm’s length.
They viewed the voting public as notoriously fractious and prone to believe all sorts of nonsense. The point of establishing a republic rather than a democracy was to ensure there were safeguards against populism in all its forms.They viewed the voting public as notoriously fractious and prone to believe all sorts of nonsense. The point of establishing a republic rather than a democracy was to ensure there were safeguards against populism in all its forms.
Biden clearly meant something different by democracy than the people gone wild. He was invoking a different, and much later tradition, that sees democracy as defined by the peaceful transfer of power. In academic circles this is sometimes called the minimalist theory of democracy. It says that it is sufficient for democracy if incumbents, who control the armed forces, hand over that control to the people who defeat them at the ballot box. The guns change hands when the voters change sides.Biden clearly meant something different by democracy than the people gone wild. He was invoking a different, and much later tradition, that sees democracy as defined by the peaceful transfer of power. In academic circles this is sometimes called the minimalist theory of democracy. It says that it is sufficient for democracy if incumbents, who control the armed forces, hand over that control to the people who defeat them at the ballot box. The guns change hands when the voters change sides.
The trouble with this view is that it is so minimal, unity and truth are optional extras. There are many places around the world where democracy has failed even this test and defeated incumbents have refused to leave, leading to dictatorship or civil war. But when the test is passed it leaves unresolved most of the questions about how to do politics better.The trouble with this view is that it is so minimal, unity and truth are optional extras. There are many places around the world where democracy has failed even this test and defeated incumbents have refused to leave, leading to dictatorship or civil war. But when the test is passed it leaves unresolved most of the questions about how to do politics better.
Coming just two weeks after an attempt to storm the Capitol and prevent the certification of the election result, Biden’s inauguration took place in the shadow of the most serious threat to this minimal definition of democracy in recent American history. The country had come dangerously close to failing the test. What Biden could also have said, but didn’t, was that the founders were in part to blame.Coming just two weeks after an attempt to storm the Capitol and prevent the certification of the election result, Biden’s inauguration took place in the shadow of the most serious threat to this minimal definition of democracy in recent American history. The country had come dangerously close to failing the test. What Biden could also have said, but didn’t, was that the founders were in part to blame.
Read more here: David Runciman – Biden wants unity and democracy. But in the US these have always been in conflictRead more here: David Runciman – Biden wants unity and democracy. But in the US these have always been in conflict
President Joe Biden is set to issue an executive order to reverse a Pentagon policy that largely bars transgender individuals from joining the military, dumping a ban ordered by former president Donald Trump in a tweet during his first year in office, a person briefed on the decision has told the Associated Press.President Joe Biden is set to issue an executive order to reverse a Pentagon policy that largely bars transgender individuals from joining the military, dumping a ban ordered by former president Donald Trump in a tweet during his first year in office, a person briefed on the decision has told the Associated Press.
It is believed that the White House could announce the move as early as today. The move to reverse the policy has the support of Biden’s newly confirmed defense secretary, retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin, who spoke of the need to overturn it during his Senate confirmation hearing last week.It is believed that the White House could announce the move as early as today. The move to reverse the policy has the support of Biden’s newly confirmed defense secretary, retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin, who spoke of the need to overturn it during his Senate confirmation hearing last week.
“I support the president’s plan or plan to overturn the ban,” Austin said. “If you’re fit and you’re qualified to serve and you can maintain the standards, you should be allowed to serve.”“I support the president’s plan or plan to overturn the ban,” Austin said. “If you’re fit and you’re qualified to serve and you can maintain the standards, you should be allowed to serve.”
The decision comes as Biden plans to turn his attention to equity issues that he believes continue to shadow nearly all aspects of American life. The move to overturn the transgender ban is also the latest example of Biden using executive authority in his first days as president to dismantle Trump’s legacy.The decision comes as Biden plans to turn his attention to equity issues that he believes continue to shadow nearly all aspects of American life. The move to overturn the transgender ban is also the latest example of Biden using executive authority in his first days as president to dismantle Trump’s legacy.
It was unclear at present how quickly the Pentagon can put a new policy in effect, and whether it will take some time to work out details. Over the weekend Austin announced that he had ordered a comprehensive review of the sexual harassment prevention efforts within the US military.It was unclear at present how quickly the Pentagon can put a new policy in effect, and whether it will take some time to work out details. Over the weekend Austin announced that he had ordered a comprehensive review of the sexual harassment prevention efforts within the US military.
Biden is scheduled to hold a ceremonial swearing-in ceremony today at the White House for Austin, who became the nation’s first Black defense secretary.Biden is scheduled to hold a ceremonial swearing-in ceremony today at the White House for Austin, who became the nation’s first Black defense secretary.
Pressure is on the Biden administration to ramp up the administration of the Covid vaccines in the US, but Reuters have an exclusive report this morning on a setback – the world’s largest syringe maker does not have the capacity to substantially increase US supplies of specialty syringes needed to squeeze more doses from Pfizer vaccine vials in the coming weeks.Pressure is on the Biden administration to ramp up the administration of the Covid vaccines in the US, but Reuters have an exclusive report this morning on a setback – the world’s largest syringe maker does not have the capacity to substantially increase US supplies of specialty syringes needed to squeeze more doses from Pfizer vaccine vials in the coming weeks.
The vaccine made by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech is shipped in vials initially indicated to hold five doses. Six doses can be drawn with special syringes, called low dead space, which minimize the amount of vaccine left in the syringe after use.The vaccine made by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech is shipped in vials initially indicated to hold five doses. Six doses can be drawn with special syringes, called low dead space, which minimize the amount of vaccine left in the syringe after use.
If healthcare providers can reliably extract the sixth dose it would allow supplies to be stretched 20% further. The S government has begun giving healthcare providers new syringe kits to extract six shots from each vial. It said that three of the low dead space syringes in each six-needle kit would allow extraction, according to an email reviewed by Reuters. A CDC spokeswoman said the new kits would contain a “majority” of low dead space syringes.If healthcare providers can reliably extract the sixth dose it would allow supplies to be stretched 20% further. The S government has begun giving healthcare providers new syringe kits to extract six shots from each vial. It said that three of the low dead space syringes in each six-needle kit would allow extraction, according to an email reviewed by Reuters. A CDC spokeswoman said the new kits would contain a “majority” of low dead space syringes.
Syringe maker Becton Dickinson has contracted with the US government to provide 286 million syringes for use with COVID-19 vaccines, including around 40 million low dead space syringes, and is fully prepared to deliver on that agreement, Troy Kirkpatrick, the company’s senior director of public relations, told Reuters.Syringe maker Becton Dickinson has contracted with the US government to provide 286 million syringes for use with COVID-19 vaccines, including around 40 million low dead space syringes, and is fully prepared to deliver on that agreement, Troy Kirkpatrick, the company’s senior director of public relations, told Reuters.
“We are ready to support the US government but we are trying to make sure everyone understands that those devices are not something we have infinite capacity to produce and bringing up new lines does take time,” Kirkpatrick said.“We are ready to support the US government but we are trying to make sure everyone understands that those devices are not something we have infinite capacity to produce and bringing up new lines does take time,” Kirkpatrick said.
The Franklin Lakes, New Jersey-based company is the largest syringe and needle maker in the world and Kirkpatrick said it has boosted overall production capacity by about 1 billion syringes for 2021, with most of the capacity allocated.The Franklin Lakes, New Jersey-based company is the largest syringe and needle maker in the world and Kirkpatrick said it has boosted overall production capacity by about 1 billion syringes for 2021, with most of the capacity allocated.
A new production line for syringes will be functional by July but was not designed to produce additional low dead space syringes, he said.A new production line for syringes will be functional by July but was not designed to produce additional low dead space syringes, he said.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) told providers in an email reviewed by Reuters it has started giving healthcare providers packages including both types of needles. The email said early testing showed that three low dead space syringes used in combination with three standard syringes may yield the sixth dose.The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) told providers in an email reviewed by Reuters it has started giving healthcare providers packages including both types of needles. The email said early testing showed that three low dead space syringes used in combination with three standard syringes may yield the sixth dose.
“Every effort is being made to reconfigure the ancillary kits with syringes that enable the six dose draw without impacting the availability or slowing the delivery of supplies to jurisdictions,” the email said.“Every effort is being made to reconfigure the ancillary kits with syringes that enable the six dose draw without impacting the availability or slowing the delivery of supplies to jurisdictions,” the email said.
You have not been able to move on the internet since Joe Biden’s inauguration without encountering the Bernie Sanders’ mitten meme, and I’m delighted to tell you that I’ve just noticed that this morning we have published Ellie Violet Bramley’s guide to how to make your own.You have not been able to move on the internet since Joe Biden’s inauguration without encountering the Bernie Sanders’ mitten meme, and I’m delighted to tell you that I’ve just noticed that this morning we have published Ellie Violet Bramley’s guide to how to make your own.
Get your knitting started here: How to make Bernie Sanders’ inauguration mittensGet your knitting started here: How to make Bernie Sanders’ inauguration mittens