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House Capitol attack committee subpoenas six more Trump associates – live House Capitol attack committee subpoenas six more Trump associates – live
(32 minutes later)
Michael Flynn and ex-campaign manager Bill Stepien among recipients – get the latestMichael Flynn and ex-campaign manager Bill Stepien among recipients – get the latest
More updates from the Kyle Rittenhouse murder trial: A man who was shot and wounded by Rittenhouse during the racial justice protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin last year, testified today, saying that he thought he “was going to die”, and, “I thought the defendant was an active shooter.”
From reporter Maya Yang’s coverage for the Guardian:
President Biden was just asked if he felt there was now momentum for his Build Back Better plan. He told an NBC News reporter he was optimistic:President Biden was just asked if he felt there was now momentum for his Build Back Better plan. He told an NBC News reporter he was optimistic:
Asked if he had learned any lessons from the infrastructure bill, he said, “Nothing I didn’t already know.”Asked if he had learned any lessons from the infrastructure bill, he said, “Nothing I didn’t already know.”
Our coverage from over the weekend:Our coverage from over the weekend:
Hi all - Sam Levin in Los Angeles here, taking over our live coverage for the rest of the day.Hi all - Sam Levin in Los Angeles here, taking over our live coverage for the rest of the day.
A North Dakota GOP representative who organized a rally to oppose Covid vaccine mandates has said he was no longer able to attend the event after becoming infected with Covid. The AP reports:A North Dakota GOP representative who organized a rally to oppose Covid vaccine mandates has said he was no longer able to attend the event after becoming infected with Covid. The AP reports:
Groups opposed to vaccine mandates also staged a protest in Los Angeles today as the city’s new vaccine requirements went into effect. Some municipal employees have claimed that they will quit instead of getting vaccinated, but it remains to be seen whether there will be mass resignations.Groups opposed to vaccine mandates also staged a protest in Los Angeles today as the city’s new vaccine requirements went into effect. Some municipal employees have claimed that they will quit instead of getting vaccinated, but it remains to be seen whether there will be mass resignations.
Here is the full North Dakota story:Here is the full North Dakota story:
That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Sam Levin, will take over the blog for the next few hours.That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Sam Levin, will take over the blog for the next few hours.
Here’s where the day stands so far:Here’s where the day stands so far:
The House select committee investigating the Capitol insurrection subpoenaed six more associates of former president Donald Trump. The six associates include Trump’s 2020 campaign manager, Bill Stepien, and his former national security adviser, Michael Flynn. The committee seems particularly interested in meetings that Trump’s allies held at the Willard Hotel in Washington in the days leading up to the Capitol attack.The House select committee investigating the Capitol insurrection subpoenaed six more associates of former president Donald Trump. The six associates include Trump’s 2020 campaign manager, Bill Stepien, and his former national security adviser, Michael Flynn. The committee seems particularly interested in meetings that Trump’s allies held at the Willard Hotel in Washington in the days leading up to the Capitol attack.
Jill Biden kicked off her campaign to convince more American parents to vaccinate their children against coronavirus. The first lady’s kickoff event, which took place this afternoon at an elementary school in McLean, Virginia, comes less than a week after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved the administration of a lower dose of the Pfizer vaccine to children between the ages of five and 11.Jill Biden kicked off her campaign to convince more American parents to vaccinate their children against coronavirus. The first lady’s kickoff event, which took place this afternoon at an elementary school in McLean, Virginia, comes less than a week after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved the administration of a lower dose of the Pfizer vaccine to children between the ages of five and 11.
Biden will travel to Baltimore on Wednesday to deliver a pitch on the benefits of the bipartisan infrastructure bill, after the House approved the proposal on Friday night. The president has not yet signed the bill, which includes $555bn in new federal funding for roads, bridges and railways, among many other projects.Biden will travel to Baltimore on Wednesday to deliver a pitch on the benefits of the bipartisan infrastructure bill, after the House approved the proposal on Friday night. The president has not yet signed the bill, which includes $555bn in new federal funding for roads, bridges and railways, among many other projects.
Barack Obama criticized Trump’s climate policies while speaking at the Cop26 conference in Glasgow. The former president lamented his successor’s decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement, saying, “I wasn’t real happy about that.” But Obama predicted that Biden’s climate agenda will “set the United States on course to meet its new climate targets”.Barack Obama criticized Trump’s climate policies while speaking at the Cop26 conference in Glasgow. The former president lamented his successor’s decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement, saying, “I wasn’t real happy about that.” But Obama predicted that Biden’s climate agenda will “set the United States on course to meet its new climate targets”.
Sam will have more coming up, so stay tuned.Sam will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
In his statement on the new subpoenas, select committee chairman Bennie Thompson emphasized that the witnesses must respect the lawmakers’ requests for information.In his statement on the new subpoenas, select committee chairman Bennie Thompson emphasized that the witnesses must respect the lawmakers’ requests for information.
“The Select Committee expects all witnesses to cooperate with our investigation as we work to get answers for the American people, recommend changes to our laws that will strengthen our democracy, and help ensure nothing like January 6th ever happens again,” Thompson said.“The Select Committee expects all witnesses to cooperate with our investigation as we work to get answers for the American people, recommend changes to our laws that will strengthen our democracy, and help ensure nothing like January 6th ever happens again,” Thompson said.
The House has already recommended a criminal contempt charge against one of Donald Trump’s associates, Steve Bannon, for refusing to comply with the committee’s subpoenas. (The justice department has not yet decided whether to prosecute Bannon.)The House has already recommended a criminal contempt charge against one of Donald Trump’s associates, Steve Bannon, for refusing to comply with the committee’s subpoenas. (The justice department has not yet decided whether to prosecute Bannon.)
The House select committee investigating the Capitol insurrection is particularly interested in meetings that Donald Trump’s allies had at the Willard Hotel in the days leading up to the attack.The House select committee investigating the Capitol insurrection is particularly interested in meetings that Donald Trump’s allies had at the Willard Hotel in the days leading up to the attack.
Hugo Lowell reports:Hugo Lowell reports:
According to the new statement from the select committee, at least three of the Trump associates who were subpoenaed by the panel -- Jason Miller, John Eastman and Bernard Kerik -- are believed to have participated in that January 5 meeting at the Willard.According to the new statement from the select committee, at least three of the Trump associates who were subpoenaed by the panel -- Jason Miller, John Eastman and Bernard Kerik -- are believed to have participated in that January 5 meeting at the Willard.
Here are all six of the associates of former president Donald Trump who have just been subpoenaed by the House select committee investigating the Capitol insurrection:Here are all six of the associates of former president Donald Trump who have just been subpoenaed by the House select committee investigating the Capitol insurrection:
Bill Stepien, who managed Trump’s reelection campaign. The committee is looking to ask him about the campaign’s alleged efforts to delay or deny certifications of Joe Biden’s victories in battleground states.Bill Stepien, who managed Trump’s reelection campaign. The committee is looking to ask him about the campaign’s alleged efforts to delay or deny certifications of Joe Biden’s victories in battleground states.
Jason Miller, a former senior adviser to Trump. The committee notes Miller falsely claimed Democrats would attempt to “steal” the presidency even before the election was held.Jason Miller, a former senior adviser to Trump. The committee notes Miller falsely claimed Democrats would attempt to “steal” the presidency even before the election was held.
Angela McCallum, who served as a national executive assistant to Trump’s reelection campaign. She was allegedly involved in efforts to spread lies about widespread fraud in the election.Angela McCallum, who served as a national executive assistant to Trump’s reelection campaign. She was allegedly involved in efforts to spread lies about widespread fraud in the election.
John Eastman, a conservative legal scholar who reportedly urged state legislators to refuse to certify Biden’s victories.John Eastman, a conservative legal scholar who reportedly urged state legislators to refuse to certify Biden’s victories.
Michael Flynn, Trump’s former national security adviser. Flynn reportedly participated in a meeting in the Oval Office last December, during which he discussed potentially seizing voting machines and declaring a national emergency in response to Biden’s victory.Michael Flynn, Trump’s former national security adviser. Flynn reportedly participated in a meeting in the Oval Office last December, during which he discussed potentially seizing voting machines and declaring a national emergency in response to Biden’s victory.
Bernard Kerik, who reportedly worked with Rudy Giuliani to investigate baseless allegations of voter fraud.Bernard Kerik, who reportedly worked with Rudy Giuliani to investigate baseless allegations of voter fraud.
The House select committee investigating the Capitol insurrection has issued subpoenas for six more associates of former president Donald Trump.The House select committee investigating the Capitol insurrection has issued subpoenas for six more associates of former president Donald Trump.
Among those being subpoenaed are Trump’s 2020 campaign manager, Bill Stepien, and his former national security adviser, Michael Flynn.Among those being subpoenaed are Trump’s 2020 campaign manager, Bill Stepien, and his former national security adviser, Michael Flynn.
According to a statement from the committee, the six individuals are all believed to have been involved in efforts to spread lies about widespread fraud in the presidential election.According to a statement from the committee, the six individuals are all believed to have been involved in efforts to spread lies about widespread fraud in the presidential election.
“In the days before the January 6th attack, the former President’s closest allies and advisors drove a campaign of misinformation about the election and planned ways to stop the count of Electoral College votes,” committee chairman Bennie Thompson said.“In the days before the January 6th attack, the former President’s closest allies and advisors drove a campaign of misinformation about the election and planned ways to stop the count of Electoral College votes,” committee chairman Bennie Thompson said.
“The Select Committee needs to know every detail about their efforts to overturn the election, including who they were talking to in the White House and in Congress, what connections they had with rallies that escalated into a riot, and who paid for it all.”“The Select Committee needs to know every detail about their efforts to overturn the election, including who they were talking to in the White House and in Congress, what connections they had with rallies that escalated into a riot, and who paid for it all.”
Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks have arrived at the White House to celebrate their victory in the 2021 NBA championships.Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks have arrived at the White House to celebrate their victory in the 2021 NBA championships.
The team shared a photo from the White House on Twitter:The team shared a photo from the White House on Twitter:
Joe Biden will soon hold an event on the South Lawn to congratulate the team on their victory, so stay tuned.Joe Biden will soon hold an event on the South Lawn to congratulate the team on their victory, so stay tuned.
The principal of Franklin Sherman Elementary School, Kathleen Quigley, welcomed Jill Biden and Vivek Murthy to the pop-up vaccination clinic for students.The principal of Franklin Sherman Elementary School, Kathleen Quigley, welcomed Jill Biden and Vivek Murthy to the pop-up vaccination clinic for students.
When asked for her message to parents who are hesitant to vaccinate their children, the first lady said she would tell them that the vaccines are “great, effective and free”.When asked for her message to parents who are hesitant to vaccinate their children, the first lady said she would tell them that the vaccines are “great, effective and free”.
According to a pool report, about 260 children will be vaccinated at Franklin Sherman today. The majority of those children attend the elementary school.According to a pool report, about 260 children will be vaccinated at Franklin Sherman today. The majority of those children attend the elementary school.
Jill Biden has arrived at Franklin Sherman Elementary School in McLean, Virginia, to promote coronavirus vaccinations for children.
The first lady is joined by Dr Vivek Murthy, the surgeon general. The event comes less than a week after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved the administration of a lower dose of the Pfizer vaccine to children between the ages of five and 11.
Franklin Sherman also has a unique history, as it was the first school to administer the polio vaccine in 1954.
The deputy White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, would not provide a specific timeline for when Joe Biden will sign the bipartisan infrastructure bill.
The president previously indicated that he would wait to sign the bill until Democratic lawmakers are back in town. The House and the Senate are both out of session this week.
“It’s urgent, but we also want to make sure that the people who spent the last couple of weeks, last couple of months just all in delivering on this promise are here for the signing as well,” Jean-Pierre said.
Although she would not provide a specific date for the bill-signing, Jean-Pierre said it would happen “very soon”.
After taking over the briefing room podium, deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked about Republican resistance to the Biden administration’s new policies requiring coronavirus vaccines in many workplaces.
A federal appeals court has temporarily blocked one of the rules, which requires workers at companies with 100 or more employees to get vaccinated or receive regular coronavirus testing.
“Defending a policy is not a new thing from an administration,” Jean-Pierre said of the court ruling. “This is something that happens all the time.”
Jean-Pierre argued there was clear precedent for the federal government to keep workers safe by setting certain standards for employers.
“The administration clearly has the authority to protect workers, and actions announced by the president are designed to save lives and stop the spread of Covid-19,” Jean-Pierre said.
Transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg said the bipartisan infrastructure bill will also provide funding to strengthen America’s supply chain networks.
The House passage of the bill comes as the country has experienced product shortages as a result of supply-chain issues caused by the pandemic.
Buttigieg added that the most effective strategy to address supply-chain issues is to boost vaccination rates to limit the spread of coronavirus and keep workplaces open.
“The best way to end a pandemic-related shortage is to end the pandemic,” Buttigieg said.
Transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg confirmed that Joe Biden has not yet signed the bipartisan infrastructure bill, although the House passed the proposal on Friday night.
Buttigieg would not specify when Biden might sign the legislation, but he said he will “be there with bells on” when the bill-signing occurs.
The cabinet secretary also echoed the president’s claim that Americans will be able to see the effects of the infrastructure bill within a couple of months.
Buttigieg acknowledged it will take longer to establish the new programs included in the bill, but he said existing programs that are receiving additional funding from the legislation should be able to move forward more quickly.
He also noted that the department of transportation will have to take on additional staff to handle the distribution of funds from the infrastructure bill.
The deputy White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, is now holding the daily briefing, and she is joined by transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg.
The cabinet secretary touted the House passage of the bipartisan infrastructure bill, which includes $555bn in new federal funding for roads, bridges and other projects.
Buttigieg noted the bill would provide funding to replace out-of-date water pipes, improve railway systems and invest in public transit.
“We are excited with an exclamation point,” Buttigieg said of the bill.
Ron DeSantis has begun his campaign to be re-elected Florida governor in 2022, a campaign most observers expect to presage a campaign for the White House in 2024.
At a press conference this morning, the Republican said paperwork filed regarding next year’s gubernatorial contest was simply a formality. Most polling makes DeSantis a strong contender for the Republican presidential nomination – if you remove Donald Trump from the equation, of course.
On Monday DeSantis, who has chaneled Trump and Trumpism very effectively since winning election in Florida in 2018, also previewed a key campaign theme – or, well, repeated a key theme of his everyday approach to political battle – by taking a shot at a Biden administration rule that says businesses with 100 or more employees must demand from those employees either vaccination against Covid-19 or weekly testing.
“No cop, no firefighter, no nurse, nobody should be losing their jobs because of these jabs,” DeSantis told reporters. “We have got to stand up for people and protect their jobs and protect their livelihoods.”
For the moment no cop, firefighter, nurse or anyone else will be losing their jobs because of the Biden rule, which was temporarily stayed by a conservative judge in New Orleans on Saturday. The administration says it is confident it will prevail.
Charlie Crist and Nikki Fried are among Democrats who would like to challenge DeSantis for governor in Florida.
Fried, the highest-placed Democrat in the state, as agriculture commissioner, has often clashed with DeSantis publicly, notably over posthumous honours for the conservative shock jock Rush Limbaugh.
Crist was a Republican when he was governor in the 2000s – he’s now a Democratic member of the US House.
No Democrat has won a gubernatorial election in Florida since 1994.
The United Nations special rapporteur on the right to health has called on the US supreme court to uphold the right to abortion in America or risk undermining international human rights law and threatening that right elsewhere in the world.
The special rapporteur, Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng, is one of just a handful of global observers whose mandate is to travel the world defending human rights.
Mofokeng has argued in a brief filed in a US court that overturning abortion rights would violate international human rights treaties ratified by the US, including the convention against torture, should women be forced to carry pregnancies to term.
Donald Trump once described Mitch McConnell as his “ace in the hole” and wrote, in a foreword to the Senate Republican leader’s autobiography, that he “couldn’t have asked for a better partner” in Washington.
Except, according to Trump, he didn’t.
Speaking to the Washington Post for a profile of the Senate minority leader published on Monday, Trump said he told McConnell: “‘Why don’t you write it for me and I’ll put it in, Mitch?’ Because that’s the way life works.”
McConnell did not dispute Trump’s account, about the book The Long Game, telling the paper: “I really don’t have anything to add related to him.”
The Post profile lands at a tricky time for Republican leaders. Last week’s stunning victory in the election for governor in Virginia was achieved by a candidate who kept Trump at arm’s length while deploying many of his tactics. But the former president remains a dominant presence, seemingly likely to run for the White House again.
He and McConnell, the two most powerful men in the GOP, are firmly at odds over Trump’s lie that the 2020 election was stolen and over control of a party McConnell steers in the 50-50 Senate, which Democrats control via Vice-President Kamala Harris.
McConnell’s support for the bipartisan infrastructure deal which the House sent to Joe Biden’s desk on Friday only deepened the divide. In a statement on Sunday, Trump said “all Republicans who voted for Democrat longevity should be ashamed of themselves in particular, Mitch McConnell”.
Here’s where the day stands so far:
Jill Biden will kick off her campaign to convince more American parents to vaccinate their children against coronavirus. The first lady’s kickoff event, which will take place this afternoon in McLean, Virginia, comes less than a week after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved the administration of a lower dose of the Pfizer vaccine to children between the ages of five and 11.
Biden will travel to Baltimore on Wednesday to deliver a pitch on the benefits of the bipartisan infrastructure bill, after the House approved the proposal on Friday night. The president has not yet signed the bill, which includes $555bn in new federal funding for roads, bridges and railways, among many other projects.
Barack Obama criticized Donald Trump’s climate policies while speaking at the Cop26 conference in Glasgow. The former president lamented his successor’s decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement, saying, “I wasn’t real happy about that.” But Obama predicted that Biden’s climate agenda will “set the United States on course to meet its new climate targets”.
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.