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US watchdog to investigate whether officials made 'improper attempts' to alter election result – live US watchdog to investigate whether officials made 'improper attempts' to alter election result – live
(32 minutes later)
Department of Justice’s internal watchdog will investigate possible internal collusion with Trump’s attempts to overturn Biden’s 2020 victoryDepartment of Justice’s internal watchdog will investigate possible internal collusion with Trump’s attempts to overturn Biden’s 2020 victory
More on the venerable Patrick Leahy, Democratic Senator from Vermont, on his upcoming role presiding over the Senate impeachment trial of Donald Trump.
A quick reminder of the timeline. The article of impeachment (charge against Donald Trump of incitement to insurrection) will be delivered from the House of Representatives across the halls of Congress to the Senate this evening.
Senators will be sworn tomorrow in as jurors. Then there’s a pause in the proceedings and the trial begins on Monday February 8. It’s not known yet how long the trial is expected to last, but it should be pretty swift, perhaps wrapping up that same week.
Here’s my colleague Lauren Gambino:
Another flashback to January 6 and the deadly insurrection at the US Capitol by pro-Trump supporters egged on by the-then president.
Just watched the video that George Conway tweeted. The footage is pretty brutal in reference to Mike Pence.
More on Harriet Tubman.More on Harriet Tubman.
The redesigned $20 bill was initially due to be unveiled last year, but those efforts were halted by the Treasury after the former president, Donald Trump, called them an example of “pure political correctness”, whatever the heck that means in this context.The redesigned $20 bill was initially due to be unveiled last year, but those efforts were halted by the Treasury after the former president, Donald Trump, called them an example of “pure political correctness”, whatever the heck that means in this context.
Here’s a depiction of what the new bill could look like.Here’s a depiction of what the new bill could look like.
As a presidential candidate, Trump suggested Tubman would be better-suited for the $2 bill, a note that is not widely circulated, Reuters further reports.As a presidential candidate, Trump suggested Tubman would be better-suited for the $2 bill, a note that is not widely circulated, Reuters further reports.
Former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told lawmakers in May 2019 that he was focused on redesigning the bills to address counterfeiting issues, not making any changes to their imagery.Former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told lawmakers in May 2019 that he was focused on redesigning the bills to address counterfeiting issues, not making any changes to their imagery.
Tubman, who was born into slavery and grew up on a Maryland plantation before escaping in her late 20s, would replace Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States, on the front of the $20 bill.Tubman, who was born into slavery and grew up on a Maryland plantation before escaping in her late 20s, would replace Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States, on the front of the $20 bill.
Tubman returned to the South many times to help hundreds of slaves to freedom and later worked as a Union spy during the Civil War. She died in 1913.Tubman returned to the South many times to help hundreds of slaves to freedom and later worked as a Union spy during the Civil War. She died in 1913.
There have been no women depicted on US bills since former first lady Martha Washington, who was featured on the $1 silver certificate from 1891 to 1896, and Native American woman Pocahontas, who was included in a group image on the $20 bill from 1865 to 1869.There have been no women depicted on US bills since former first lady Martha Washington, who was featured on the $1 silver certificate from 1891 to 1896, and Native American woman Pocahontas, who was included in a group image on the $20 bill from 1865 to 1869.
Other women, including Native American interpreter Sacagawea, suffragist Susan B. Anthony and author and activist Helen Keller have been featured on coins, Reuters reminds us.Other women, including Native American interpreter Sacagawea, suffragist Susan B. Anthony and author and activist Helen Keller have been featured on coins, Reuters reminds us.
In the redesign announced in 2016, Andrew Jackson would have remained on the back of the $20 bill.In the redesign announced in 2016, Andrew Jackson would have remained on the back of the $20 bill.
Treasury officials had no immediate comment.Treasury officials had no immediate comment.
Jen Psaki’s White House briefing having wrapped up, and indeed former press secretary Sarah Sanders having confirmed her run for governor in Arkansas earlier today, it seems as apposite a time as any to check in with the Washington Post’s fact checkers, who have released their final count of Donald Trump’s lies in office, whether from the White House podium, from stages at rallies or, who knows, in tweets sent from the bath:Jen Psaki’s White House briefing having wrapped up, and indeed former press secretary Sarah Sanders having confirmed her run for governor in Arkansas earlier today, it seems as apposite a time as any to check in with the Washington Post’s fact checkers, who have released their final count of Donald Trump’s lies in office, whether from the White House podium, from stages at rallies or, who knows, in tweets sent from the bath:
So writes Glenn Kessler in a valedictory post, released late on Friday night, that is of course well worth reading.So writes Glenn Kessler in a valedictory post, released late on Friday night, that is of course well worth reading.
Psaki’s briefings have started smoothly, the experienced press secretary riffling through her binder, stating the administration’s position, deflecting if caught off guard and, today, complimenting one reporter’s mask. Psaki also announced the return of regular Covid briefings, a practice which fell victim to Trump’s extraordinary appetite for untruth.Psaki’s briefings have started smoothly, the experienced press secretary riffling through her binder, stating the administration’s position, deflecting if caught off guard and, today, complimenting one reporter’s mask. Psaki also announced the return of regular Covid briefings, a practice which fell victim to Trump’s extraordinary appetite for untruth.
Nor were reporters subjected to attacks from the podium as they were under Sanders. Her campaign announcement, inevitably, included an attack on the media:Nor were reporters subjected to attacks from the podium as they were under Sanders. Her campaign announcement, inevitably, included an attack on the media:
Here’s more on South Africa and coronavirus travel restrictions in relation to the US.Here’s more on South Africa and coronavirus travel restrictions in relation to the US.
The White House confirmed Joe Biden is signing an order today imposing a ban on most non-US citizens entering the country who have recently been in South Africa, starting on Saturday.The White House confirmed Joe Biden is signing an order today imposing a ban on most non-US citizens entering the country who have recently been in South Africa, starting on Saturday.
Spokeswoman Jen Psaki also confirmed Biden will re-impose an entry ban on nearly all non-US-citizen travelers who have been in Brazil, the United Kingdom, Ireland and 26 countries in Europe that allow travel across open borders - a ban that was set to expire tomorrow.Spokeswoman Jen Psaki also confirmed Biden will re-impose an entry ban on nearly all non-US-citizen travelers who have been in Brazil, the United Kingdom, Ireland and 26 countries in Europe that allow travel across open borders - a ban that was set to expire tomorrow.
“With the pandemic worsening and more contagious variants spreading, this isn’t the time to be lifting restrictions on international travel,” Psaki said at a news briefing, Reuters reports.“With the pandemic worsening and more contagious variants spreading, this isn’t the time to be lifting restrictions on international travel,” Psaki said at a news briefing, Reuters reports.
The briefing is just about to wrap up.The briefing is just about to wrap up.
The Treasury Department is taking steps to put Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill, as was planned in the Obama administration.The Treasury Department is taking steps to put Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill, as was planned in the Obama administration.
Harriet Tubman was an American abolitionist and political activist who as a young age escaped slavery herself and subsequently made incredibly dangerous missions back to slaveholders’ estates to rescue enslaved people, using the network of activists and safe houses known as the Underground Railroad.Harriet Tubman was an American abolitionist and political activist who as a young age escaped slavery herself and subsequently made incredibly dangerous missions back to slaveholders’ estates to rescue enslaved people, using the network of activists and safe houses known as the Underground Railroad.
Barack Obama decided that Tubman should replace Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill, leading to celebrations that an escaped slave would be honored over a slaveowner president, as the Guardian put it at the time, 2016.Barack Obama decided that Tubman should replace Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill, leading to celebrations that an escaped slave would be honored over a slaveowner president, as the Guardian put it at the time, 2016.
Donald Trump, who placed a portrait of “bloody, bloody” Andrew Jackson, murderous enemy of Native Americans, prominently in the Oval Office, squished that plan. Now it looks like Joe Biden has revived it (as well as replacing the Jackson portrait in the Oval with one of Benjamin Franklin).Donald Trump, who placed a portrait of “bloody, bloody” Andrew Jackson, murderous enemy of Native Americans, prominently in the Oval Office, squished that plan. Now it looks like Joe Biden has revived it (as well as replacing the Jackson portrait in the Oval with one of Benjamin Franklin).
Obama at one point nicknamed what he hoped would be the forthcoming new $20 bills as “Tubmans”.Obama at one point nicknamed what he hoped would be the forthcoming new $20 bills as “Tubmans”.
As my colleague Amanda Holpuch wrote:As my colleague Amanda Holpuch wrote:
Among 200-year-old facts that will be new to many is that Tubman was the first woman in US history to plan and lead an armed expedition, liberating nearly 750 enslaved men and women in the process.Among 200-year-old facts that will be new to many is that Tubman was the first woman in US history to plan and lead an armed expedition, liberating nearly 750 enslaved men and women in the process.
She also fought for decades to gain compensation for her work as a spy, scout and nurse during the US civil war and was an advocate for both women’s suffrage and proper care of the elderly.She also fought for decades to gain compensation for her work as a spy, scout and nurse during the US civil war and was an advocate for both women’s suffrage and proper care of the elderly.
The US federal government under the new president, Joe Biden, does not know exactly how many doses of coronavirus vaccines are in the federal supply or immediately incoming right now.The US federal government under the new president, Joe Biden, does not know exactly how many doses of coronavirus vaccines are in the federal supply or immediately incoming right now.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki just said that the administration was in a mode of “eyes wide open” about the lack of organized plan it inherited from the Trump administration on vaccine supplies, distribution and administration (shots actually getting into arms).White House press secretary Jen Psaki just said that the administration was in a mode of “eyes wide open” about the lack of organized plan it inherited from the Trump administration on vaccine supplies, distribution and administration (shots actually getting into arms).
“We knew we were not walking into circumstances where there was going to be a concrete plan presented to us,” she said.“We knew we were not walking into circumstances where there was going to be a concrete plan presented to us,” she said.
The new head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Rochelle Walensky, said this morning that the agency “does not know how much vaccine we have or how much is coming [from producers Pfizer and Moderna] in the next two to three weeks.”The new head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Rochelle Walensky, said this morning that the agency “does not know how much vaccine we have or how much is coming [from producers Pfizer and Moderna] in the next two to three weeks.”
Meanwhile, Psaki said public officials will hold Covid-19 briefings three times a week, beginning on Wednesday.Meanwhile, Psaki said public officials will hold Covid-19 briefings three times a week, beginning on Wednesday.
Psaki just announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been dispatched to assist at an under-staffed vaccination site.Psaki just announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been dispatched to assist at an under-staffed vaccination site.
More details shortly.More details shortly.
Psaki just confirmed that Joe Biden tore up Donald Trump’s ban on transgender people serving in the military.Psaki just confirmed that Joe Biden tore up Donald Trump’s ban on transgender people serving in the military.
And Biden is to maintain travel restrictions on Europe, Britain, Ireland and Brazil and add South Africa restrictions, to try to curb the spread of variants of the coronavirus disease.And Biden is to maintain travel restrictions on Europe, Britain, Ireland and Brazil and add South Africa restrictions, to try to curb the spread of variants of the coronavirus disease.
An update, the vaccination center was in West Virginia, MSNBC reports.An update, the vaccination center was in West Virginia, MSNBC reports.
The White House press briefing has just begun. Press sec Jen Psaki just announced that from now on, her briefings will be accompanied by someone delivering the material using sign language.The White House press briefing has just begun. Press sec Jen Psaki just announced that from now on, her briefings will be accompanied by someone delivering the material using sign language.
Five days after the end of Donald Trump’s presidency, the supreme court today halted lawsuits accusing him of violating the US Constitution’s anti-corruption provisions by maintaining ownership of his business empire, including a hotel near the White House while in office.Five days after the end of Donald Trump’s presidency, the supreme court today halted lawsuits accusing him of violating the US Constitution’s anti-corruption provisions by maintaining ownership of his business empire, including a hotel near the White House while in office.
The action means that after four years of litigation the top US judicial body will not rule on the meaning and scope of the Constitution’s so-called emoluments provisions, a largely untested area of constitutional law.The action means that after four years of litigation the top US judicial body will not rule on the meaning and scope of the Constitution’s so-called emoluments provisions, a largely untested area of constitutional law.
The provisions bar presidents from accepting gifts or payments from foreign and state governments without congressional approval.The provisions bar presidents from accepting gifts or payments from foreign and state governments without congressional approval.
The justices threw out lower court rulings that had allowed the lawsuits to proceed, Reuters reports, and ordered the two cases dismissed because they became moot with Trump leaving office.The justices threw out lower court rulings that had allowed the lawsuits to proceed, Reuters reports, and ordered the two cases dismissed because they became moot with Trump leaving office.
One of the cases was filed by the District of Columbia and the state of Maryland, while the other by plaintiffs including the watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW). Trump had appealed the lower court rulings.One of the cases was filed by the District of Columbia and the state of Maryland, while the other by plaintiffs including the watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW). Trump had appealed the lower court rulings.
“Only Trump losing the presidency and leaving office ended these corrupt constitutional violations and stopped these groundbreaking lawsuits,” CREW Executive Director Noah Bookbinder said in a statement.“Only Trump losing the presidency and leaving office ended these corrupt constitutional violations and stopped these groundbreaking lawsuits,” CREW Executive Director Noah Bookbinder said in a statement.
Maryland attorney general Brian Frosh and District of Columbia attorney general Karl Racine said in a joint statement that their case was significant because a lower court “ruled on the meaning of ‘emoluments’ for the first time in American history.”Maryland attorney general Brian Frosh and District of Columbia attorney general Karl Racine said in a joint statement that their case was significant because a lower court “ruled on the meaning of ‘emoluments’ for the first time in American history.”
Frosh and Racine said Trump and his Justice Department appointees who defended him “went to extreme lengths to prevent us from uncovering the true extent of his corruption.”Frosh and Racine said Trump and his Justice Department appointees who defended him “went to extreme lengths to prevent us from uncovering the true extent of his corruption.”
The Justice Department, now under Democratic president Joe Biden’s administration, declined to comment on the Supreme Court’s action.The Justice Department, now under Democratic president Joe Biden’s administration, declined to comment on the Supreme Court’s action.
In one of the cases, plaintiffs including CREW, a hotel owner and a restaurant trade group said the Republican former president’s failure to disentangle himself from his businesses had made him vulnerable to inducements by officials seeking to curry favor.In one of the cases, plaintiffs including CREW, a hotel owner and a restaurant trade group said the Republican former president’s failure to disentangle himself from his businesses had made him vulnerable to inducements by officials seeking to curry favor.
The plaintiffs said that they lost patronage, wages and commissions from clients who chose Trump’s businesses over theirs because of the ability to gain his favor. After a federal judge initially threw out the case, the New York-based 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals revived it in 2019.The plaintiffs said that they lost patronage, wages and commissions from clients who chose Trump’s businesses over theirs because of the ability to gain his favor. After a federal judge initially threw out the case, the New York-based 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals revived it in 2019.
A 2020 decision by the Richmond, Virginia-based 4th US circuit court of appeals allowed the similar lawsuit by the District of Columbia and Maryland to proceed. That suit focused on the Trump International Hotel in Washington, which became a favored lodging and event space for some foreign and state officials visiting Washington.A 2020 decision by the Richmond, Virginia-based 4th US circuit court of appeals allowed the similar lawsuit by the District of Columbia and Maryland to proceed. That suit focused on the Trump International Hotel in Washington, which became a favored lodging and event space for some foreign and state officials visiting Washington.
A third lawsuit filed by congressional Democrats against Trump ended last year after the Supreme Court refused to hear their appeal of a lower court ruling that the lawmakers lacked the necessary legal standing to pursue the case.A third lawsuit filed by congressional Democrats against Trump ended last year after the Supreme Court refused to hear their appeal of a lower court ruling that the lawmakers lacked the necessary legal standing to pursue the case.
Walter Shaub, the former top US government ethics watchdog, who resigned early in the Trump administration, was sharply critical of the Scotus decision. today.Walter Shaub, the former top US government ethics watchdog, who resigned early in the Trump administration, was sharply critical of the Scotus decision. today.
Shaub had previously strongly criticized the president over his failure to divest from his business holdings, saying he was “extremely troubled” that Trump simply turned over his investments to his two oldest sons.Shaub had previously strongly criticized the president over his failure to divest from his business holdings, saying he was “extremely troubled” that Trump simply turned over his investments to his two oldest sons.
It looks as though Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy will preside over Donald Trump’s impeachment trial in the senate next month.It looks as though Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy will preside over Donald Trump’s impeachment trial in the senate next month.
It was known that it wouldn’t be Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts, as it was during Trump’s 2019 impeachment trial when Trump was a sitting president, and there was growing speculation that vice-president Kamala Harris, as the president of the Senate, would not preside over the upcoming melodrama.It was known that it wouldn’t be Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts, as it was during Trump’s 2019 impeachment trial when Trump was a sitting president, and there was growing speculation that vice-president Kamala Harris, as the president of the Senate, would not preside over the upcoming melodrama.
So it looks like Leahy will be in charge, as president pro tempore.So it looks like Leahy will be in charge, as president pro tempore.
The senate describes the role of president pro tempore as: the person who presides over the [senate] chamber in the absence of the vice president. The president pro tempore (or, “president for a time”) is elected by the Senate and is, by custom, the senator of the majority party with the longest record of continuous service.The senate describes the role of president pro tempore as: the person who presides over the [senate] chamber in the absence of the vice president. The president pro tempore (or, “president for a time”) is elected by the Senate and is, by custom, the senator of the majority party with the longest record of continuous service.
Leahy is also a movie star.....having appeared in Batman films.Leahy is also a movie star.....having appeared in Batman films.
Major changes.Major changes.
Some more details on that new investigation by the DoJ watchdog:Some more details on that new investigation by the DoJ watchdog:
The Justice Department’s inspector general is launching an investigation to examine whether any former or current department officials “engaged in an improper attempt” to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.The Justice Department’s inspector general is launching an investigation to examine whether any former or current department officials “engaged in an improper attempt” to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
Inspector General Michael Horowitz said today that the investigation will investigate allegations concerning the conduct of former and current Justice Department officials - but will not extend to other government officials, The AP reports.Inspector General Michael Horowitz said today that the investigation will investigate allegations concerning the conduct of former and current Justice Department officials - but will not extend to other government officials, The AP reports.
The investigation comes after The New York Times reported that a former assistant attorney general, Jeffrey Clark, had been discussing a plan with the then-president, Donald Trump, to oust the acting attorney general, try to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential race and suggest falsely that there had been widespread election fraud.The investigation comes after The New York Times reported that a former assistant attorney general, Jeffrey Clark, had been discussing a plan with the then-president, Donald Trump, to oust the acting attorney general, try to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential race and suggest falsely that there had been widespread election fraud.
The announcement of the investigation comes two days after Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer demanded the inspector general launch a probe “into this attempted sedition.”The announcement of the investigation comes two days after Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer demanded the inspector general launch a probe “into this attempted sedition.”
The New York Democrat, Schumer, said it was “unconscionable a Trump Justice Department leader would conspire to subvert the people’s will.”The New York Democrat, Schumer, said it was “unconscionable a Trump Justice Department leader would conspire to subvert the people’s will.”
Election officials across the country, along with Trump’s former attorney general, William Barr, have confirmed there was no widespread fraud in the election.Election officials across the country, along with Trump’s former attorney general, William Barr, have confirmed there was no widespread fraud in the election.
Republican governors in Arizona and Georgia, key battleground states won by Biden, also vouched for the integrity of the elections in their states.Republican governors in Arizona and Georgia, key battleground states won by Biden, also vouched for the integrity of the elections in their states.
The vast majority of the legal challenges from Trump and his allies have been dismissed by judges, including two tossed by the Supreme Court, which includes three justices nominated by Trump.The vast majority of the legal challenges from Trump and his allies have been dismissed by judges, including two tossed by the Supreme Court, which includes three justices nominated by Trump.
Well that jogged things along. Joe Biden just signed the executive order at the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office reversing Donald Trump’s ban on transgender people serving in the military.Well that jogged things along. Joe Biden just signed the executive order at the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office reversing Donald Trump’s ban on transgender people serving in the military.
Biden said he would take questions later in the day, from gathered media. This was just a ‘spray’ as it’s known - a brief witnessing by members of the selected press pool of the president meeting someone or announcing something at the White House, etc.Biden said he would take questions later in the day, from gathered media. This was just a ‘spray’ as it’s known - a brief witnessing by members of the selected press pool of the president meeting someone or announcing something at the White House, etc.
Biden was wearing a mask to prevent the spread of coronavirus, as was the vice-president Kamala Harris, and the new defense secretary, Lloyd Austin.Biden was wearing a mask to prevent the spread of coronavirus, as was the vice-president Kamala Harris, and the new defense secretary, Lloyd Austin.
Austin is the first Black American to serve as US defense sec and, of course, Harris is the first female and first Black veep, as Biden continues to mark the changes from the Trump era.Austin is the first Black American to serve as US defense sec and, of course, Harris is the first female and first Black veep, as Biden continues to mark the changes from the Trump era.
As we await Joe Biden and Kamala Harris appearing at the White House for an event with Lloyd Austin (20 mins behind published schedule, and counting....), here are some details from the WH fact sheet released with the announcement that the president is dropping Donald Trump’s ban on transgender people serving openly in the military, thanks to my Washington colleague Joan Greve for pinging that on in full.As we await Joe Biden and Kamala Harris appearing at the White House for an event with Lloyd Austin (20 mins behind published schedule, and counting....), here are some details from the WH fact sheet released with the announcement that the president is dropping Donald Trump’s ban on transgender people serving openly in the military, thanks to my Washington colleague Joan Greve for pinging that on in full.
We paws for happy news.We paws for happy news.