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Trump’s Justice Department Secretly Got CNN Reporter’s Phone, Email Records, Network Says

The Trump administration secretly obtained the phone and email records of CNN’s Pentagon correspondent, the news network reported Thursday, the latest evidence of the former president’s efforts to target journalists who reported government leaks during his tenure. CNN said Thursday that the Justice Department sought and obtained the records of Barbara Starr for a two-month period […]

Senate could vote next week on Jan. 6 commission as GOP filibuster looms

The Senate could vote as early as next week on House-passed legislation to create an independent commission to investigate the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. But it’s unclear whether at least 10 Republican senators will support the bill, the threshold needed to move it forward. It could be the first bill this year […]

Anonymous statement on Capitol Police letterhead roils Jan. 6 riot commission debate

A statement released Wednesday on Capitol Police letterhead, said to be authored by multiple officers on the force, delivered a rare public rebuke of top Republicans for opposing a proposed bipartisan commission to investigate the Jan. 6 Capitol riot that injured scores on their force. The unsigned missive was sent to the offices of every […]

Rep. Tim Ryan Unleashes Fury On GOP Lawmakers Opposed To Jan. 6 Commission

Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) has had it with the Republican members of the House who attacked a proposed bipartisan commission to investigate the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol that was carried out by pro-Trump insurrectionists.  After thanking those in the GOP who supported the measure ― 35 Republicans ultimately broke ranks and voted […]

Chuck Schumer Dares GOP To Oppose Bill Forming January 6th Capitol Riot Commission

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) vowed Tuesday to hold a vote on legislation forming a commission to investigate the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, daring Republicans to oppose an effort that has bipartisan support in both houses of Congress. “Republicans can let their constituents know, are they on the side of truth […]

House approves bill to address anti-Asian hate crimes

The House approved a bill Tuesday to address the rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans during the coronavirus pandemic.   The COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act passed by a vote of 364 to 62, with all 62 “no” votes coming from Republicans. It was overwhelmingly approved last month by the Senate by a vote of […]

No charges for deputies in Andrew Brown Jr. shooting, district attorney says

No charges will be filed against North Carolina sheriff’s deputies who shot and killed Andrew Brown Jr., a 42-year-old Black man whose family claims he was “executed” as he sat in his car. Elizabeth City, North Carolina, District Attorney Andrew Womble said at a news conference Tuesday morning that the three deputies who opened fire […]

GOP-dominated Arizona board of supervisors call for end to election audit

The Republican-dominated Maricopa County Board of Supervisors on Monday called for an end to the audit of the election results. The Republican-led Arizona state Senate has ordered a full hand recount and audit of the ballots and voting machines in Maricopa County, the state’s most populous county, despite that it will not change the outcome […]

Supreme Court takes up major abortion case next term that could limit Roe v. Wade

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to take up a key abortion case next termconcerning a controversial Mississippi law that banned most abortions after 15 weeks, rekindling a potentially major challenge to Roe v. Wade at the majority conservative court. Mississippi’s 15-week abortion ban, which then-Gov. Phil Bryant, a Republican, signed into law in 2018, […]

CBS News Poll: 80% of Republicans agree with Liz Cheney’s removal

When House Republicans ousted Congresswoman Liz Cheney from her leadership post, it spoke to the direction of the Republican Party in at least one specific way: what should happen to those who publicly break with former President Donald Trump? So, we surveyed the nation’s self-identified Republicans to learn what they thought of the week’s events. […]

GOP Arizona Election Official Blasts “Unhinged” Trump: “Insane Lies”

The Republican official who heads up the Arizona county elections department that is subject to an ongoing audit of the results from the 2020 presidential election has publicly lashed out against former President Donald Trump for spreading lies. Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer didn’t just criticize Trump, he also pointed the finger at other fellow […]

CDC’s mask guidance spurs confusion and criticism, as well as celebration

Federal health officials’ decision Thursday to rescind almost all masking and distancing recommendations for fully vaccinated Americans created as much confusion as it did celebration, sending states, businesses and individuals scrambling to figure out what rules, if any, are still appropriate and when. Many, including President Biden, hailed the relaxation of restrictions by the Centers […]

House members announce bipartisan deal for Jan. 6 commission

A group of House Democrats and Republicans announced Friday that they had struck a deal to establish an independent commission to investigate the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, a significant breakthrough after months of partisan standoff over the mandate for such a panel — and whether it should exist at all. The proposed […]

Stefanik poised to be voted into House GOP leadership, replacing Cheney

House Republicans are expected to choose Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) on Friday to fill the leadership post recently occupied by Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), replacing a harsh critic of former president Donald Trump with a lawmaker who has become one of his staunchest defenders. The Friday morning vote will cap a tumultuous week for the […]

Pelosi suggests ethics committee should investigate Marjorie Taylor Greene for “verbal assault” of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi suggested Thursday the House Ethics Committee should look into Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene for her alleged “verbal assault” of Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.    The Washington Post first reported the conservative lawmaker from Georgia confronted Ocasio-Cortez and falsely accused her of supporting “terrorists” as the New York congresswoman was exiting the House […]

Colonial Pipeline Reportedly Paid $5 Million Ransom After Hack

The owner of the Colonial Pipeline paid hackers about $5 million in bitcoin to regain access to its data and end a standoff that forced one of the country’s largest energy pipelines offline, multiple media outlets reported Thursday. Details of the payments were first reported by Bloomberg News and The New York Times, and cited […]

Rep. Marjorie Greene aggressively confronts Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, causing New York congresswoman to raise security concerns

Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene aggressively confronted Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Wednesday and falsely accused her of supporting “terrorists,” leading the New York congresswoman’s office to call on leadership to ensure that Congress remains “a safe, civil place for all Members and staff.”   Two Washington Post reporters witnessed Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.) exit the House chamber […]

Colonial announces pipeline restart, says normal service will take ‘several days’

Colonial Pipeline, operator of the largest U.S. fuel pipeline, said Wednesday it is restarting operations after being shut down for five days due to a cyberattack. The company shut down its entire operation Friday after its financial computer networks were infected by a Russia-tied hacker gang known as DarkSide, fearing that the hackers could spread […]

CDC director grilled over mask guidance in heated Capitol Hill hearing

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky was forced to defend her agency’s guidance and even its integrity on Tuesday as Senate Republicans grilled her over CDC messaging on masks and other restrictions, arguing it’s frustrating and unreasonable as more Americans get vaccinated. The Senate Health Committee hearing came hours after the […]

Death toll grows to at least 40 as violence escalates between Israel, Hamas

More rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel on Wednesday, and Israel’s military said it was striking more targets as the violence that has so far killed at least 40 people continued, officials said. Gaza’s health ministry said Wednesday that 35 people had been killed. An Israeli police spokesman said Wednesday that two people died […]

Gas Stations Report Shortages As Pipeline Shutdown Drags On

More than 1,000 gas stations in the Southeast reported running out of fuel, primarily because of what analysts say is unwarranted panic-buying among drivers, as the shutdown of a major pipeline by a gang of hackers entered its fifth day Tuesday. Government officials acted swiftly to waive safety and environmental rules to speed the delivery […]

McCarthy sets vote for tomorrow to remove Cheney from House Republican leadership

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy told House Republicans on Monday that there would be a vote to recall Wyoming Congresswoman Liz Cheney as chairwoman of the GOP conference on Wednesday, saying it’s “clear” there needs to be a change in the ranks of House Republican leadership.   “If we are to succeed in stopping the […]

AP-NORC poll: Biden approval buoyed by his pandemic response

President Joe Biden is plunging into the next phase of his administration with the steady approval of a majority of Americans, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The survey shows Biden is buoyed in particular by the public’s broad backing for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic. […]

Fauci: ‘There’s No Doubt’ COVID-19 Deaths Have Been Undercounted In U.S.

Dr. Anthony Fauci on Sunday said he has “no doubt” that the number of Americans killed by COVID-19 is much higher than what has been officially reported, after a recent study counted nearly double the amount recorded by federal health officials. “We’ve been saying — and the CDC has been saying all along — that […]

Hacked Pipeline May Stay Shut for Days, Raising Concerns About Fuel Supply

The operator of the largest petroleum pipeline between Texas and New York, which was shut down after a ransomware attack, declined on Sunday to say when it would reopen, raising concerns about a critical piece of infrastructure that carries nearly half of the East Coast’s fuel supplies. While the shutdown has so far had little […]

It may be time to relax indoor face mask mandates, Fauci says

Dr. Anthony Fauci says federal guidance on wearing face coverings indoors may change soon. Sunday on ABC News, Fauci was asked whether it’s time to start relaxing indoor masks requirements. Fauci replied, “I think so, and I think you’re going to probably be seeing that as we go along, and as more people get vaccinated.” […]

California ‘weeks away’ from reaching herd immunity, UCSF doctors say

California could reach herd immunity by June 15, according to projections by doctors at UCSF. “I am predicting that Gov. Newsom was actually right,” said Dr. Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease physician with UCSF. “June 15th is when we’re going to be done…get to herd immunity.” June 15 is about six weeks away. Gov. Gavin […]

Biden still ‘ready to compromise’ with GOP on infrastructure despite McConnell comments

Standing before an aging bridge in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Thursday afternoon, President Joe Biden once again said he’s ready to work across the aisle with Republicans to pass his $2.3 trillion infrastructure-focused American Jobs Plan. “I’m willing to hear ideas from both sides,” Biden said. “I’m ready to compromise. What I’m not ready to do, […]

Jen Psaki Says She Will Likely Serve Just 1 Year As Press Secretary

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in an interview she plans to serve in her administration role for about a year before moving on to spend more time with her family. Psaki made the comments during an hourlong interview with David Axelrod, her former colleague when they served under President Barack Obama, saying after […]

Liz Cheney Says ‘History Is Watching’ As GOP Leaders Try To Punish Her For Telling Truth

Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) wrote Wednesday that she believed the Republican Party was at “a turning point” amid a growing call from her colleagues that she be removed from her leadership post for rejecting former President Donald Trump’s lies about the 2020 presidential election. In an opinion piece in The Washington Post, Cheney, the third-highest-ranking […]

Biden To Support Waiving Patents For COVID-19 Vaccines

The Biden administration plans to support a temporary waiver on patents and other intellectual property rules preventing developing countries from mass-producing generic COVID-19 vaccines, United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai announced on Wednesday. A group of developing countries led by India and South Africa was pushing for the move, which comes as a relief for […]

Facebook Oversight Board to decide today if Trump can return to the platform

The Facebook Oversight Board will announce its decision Wednesday morning whether to allow former President Donald Trump back on the platform, nearly five months after he was suspended following the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.    If the board decides to let him on the platform, Facebook has seven days to unlock Mr. […]

Derek Chauvin’s legal team requests new trial, alleging jury misconduct

The legal team for former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who was convicted of murdering George Floyd last month, has filed a motion in a Minneapolis court requesting a new trial on multiple grounds, including jury misconduct. In the filing, Chauvin’s attorney says the former officer should have a new trial in the “interests of […]

Liz Cheney stokes GOP rift with ‘big lie’ rebuke of Trump

Rep. Liz Cheney on Monday escalated her feud with former President Donald Trump and his supporters in Congress, issuing a less-than-subtle swipe at the former president’s latest attempt to claim the 2020 election was stolen from him. On Monday morning, Trump issued a statement from his Save America PAC proclaiming that the presidential election “will […]

After blowback, Biden again sets refugee cap at 62.5K this fiscal year

President Joe Biden has signed a memo to raise the maximum number of refugees allowed into the United States this fiscal year to 62,500. His administration had first said in February it wanted the cap at that number, but in mid April, Biden backtracked and decided to leave a Trump-era cap of 15,000 in place. […]

Bill And Melinda Gates Announce Separation

Bill and Melinda Gates, the chairs and founders of their eponymous research foundation, announced Monday they are ending their marriage. The Microsoft co-founder and his wife, the company’s former general manager, have been married for 27 years. “Over the last 27 years, we have raised three incredible children and built a foundation that works all […]

Romney booed at Utah GOP convention before failed vote to censure him

Utah Republicans loudly booed Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) at a state party convention Saturday, shortly before a failed effort to censure him for his votes to convict former president Donald Trump. A clip from the event in West Valley City, Utah, shows Romney walking up to a lectern to a raucous mix of cheers and […]

Biden administration to return billions in border wall funding Trump diverted from Pentagon

The Biden administration is returning to the Pentagon billions in funds diverted by President Donald Trump to build the wall at the southwestern border, and plans to cancel all related construction contracts, an administration official told ABC News on Friday. “Border wall construction under the previous administration tied up more than $14 billion in taxpayer […]

‘It’s, like, so unfair’: Trump defends Giuliani after FBI raid

Former President Donald Trump on Thursday denounced the raids by federal investigators on the Manhattan home and office of his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, defending the former New York mayor as the victim of a politically biased Justice Department. “Rudy Giuliani is a great patriot. He does these things — he just loves this country, […]

Rudy Giuliani’s Son Tries To Out-Rudy Him In Wild CNN Appearance

Andrew Giuliani, son of Rudy Giuliani, tried to take a page out of his father’s book during a CNN interview on Thursday night. When asked by Erin Burnett about the FBI raid on his father’s apartment this week, Giuliani fired back with deflections and conspiracy theories ― including an accusation against the judge who signed […]

India tops 200,000 dead as virus surge breaks health system

India crossed a grim milestone Wednesday of 200,000 people lost to the coronavirus as a devastating surge of new infections tears through dense cities and rural areas alike and overwhelms health care systems on the brink of collapse. The health ministry reported a single-day record 3,293 COVID-19 deaths in the last 24 hours, bringing India’s […]

Federal investigators search Rudy Giuliani’s apartment and office

FBI agents executed search warrants at Rudy Giuliani‘s Manhattan apartment and his office to seize electronic devices Wednesday, multiple sources familiar with the matter said. The searches are a sign that prosecutors are ramping up their investigation into Giuliani, former President Donald Trump’s attorney. Federal prosecutors had what they needed to seek a search warrant […]

CDC says vaccinated people can ditch the mask outdoors in many cases

You can ditch the mask walking your dog or dining outside with friends if you are fully vaccinated from COVID-19. But keep it on for any outdoor crowded events like concerts, parades and sporting events. Wearing a mask in public spaces indoors also remains a must.   That’s according to new guidance released Tuesday by […]

NY Post Reporter Resigns, Says She Was ‘Ordered’ To Write False Kamala Harris Story

A New York Post reporter said Tuesday she had resigned after being ordered to write a false story that claimed migrant children were being given copies of a book authored by Vice President Kamala Harris in “welcome kits.” The story, published last Friday, set off a days-long misinformation cycle among Republican leaders and on conservative […]

CDC to update outdoor mask guidelines for vaccinated Americans

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expected to announce updated guidelines for fully vaccinated Americans as early as Tuesday, according to several administration officials. A federal official tells CBS News that the Biden administration will release new “interim public health recommendations” that will provide guidelines for activities that vaccinated people may resume, including […]

Justice Department launches investigation into Louisville police department

The Justice Department is opening a pattern and practice investigation into the Louisville Metro Police Department, Attorney General Merrick Garland announced Monday. This is the second such investigation into policing practices unveiled by the department in less than a week.  Last week, Garland announced a review of the Minneapolis Police Department the day after a jury […]

‘Spineless Coward’: Kevin McCarthy Ripped For Defending Trump’s Riot Response

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was called out on social media for defending former President Donald Trump’s failure to rein in his supporters as they attacked the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 insurrection. McCarthy initially said Trump “bears responsibility” for the riot and admitted the then-president was too slow to respond.  “He should have […]

Oscars 2021: Chloé Zhao, ‘Nomadland’ make history at wobbly Academy Awards

The producers of the 93rd Academy Awards were handed an unenviable assignment. They were tasked with putting on a lively show that resurrected both the rarefied glamor of vintage Hollywood and the comforting normalcy of life before the pandemic — all while abiding by a laundry list of Covid-19 safety protocols. If they succeeded, the […]

Biden receives positive marks at 100 days – CBS News poll

Approaching one hundred days in the presidency, President Biden maintains fairly strong approval ratings for what look like fairly straightforward reasons: most Americans like the way he’s handling the country’s top priorities, with especially strong marks on the pandemic and vaccine rollout; his major legislative pieces are popular so far. And then, more stylistically perhaps, […]

D.C. statehood approved by House as Senate fight looms

A decades-long movement to reshape the American political map took a further step Thursday as the House of Representatives approved a bill to make the nation’s capital the 51st state. Voting along party lines with minority Republicans in opposition, the House approved the bill 216-208. That’s likely the easy part, though. The proposal faces a […]

Senate passes hate crimes bill to address rise in attacks against Asians

The Senate voted 94-1 Thursday to approve anti-Asian hate crimes legislation aimed at expanding the federal government’s efforts to address the recent rise in these crimes. The bill would identify a point person at the Justice Department who would quickly review hate crime incidents and provide more guidance to state and local entities to make […]

Lawmakers hold “good discussions” on police reform in wake of Chauvin verdict

In a rare example of bipartisan momentum, members of Congress are moving forward with discussions over police reform legislation after negotiations stalled last summer. Spurred by the guilty verdicts this week against Derek Chauvin, the Minneapolis police officer who kneeled on George Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes, a bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers […]

Police reform legislation has “more momentum” post Chauvin verdict

Lawmakers are looking to push forward with police reform after Derek Chauvin was convicted Tuesday of murdering George Floyd, with representatives and senators holding bipartisan discussions about next steps. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Wednesday that the guilty verdict in the Chauvin trial does not mean that the problem of police misconduct and brutality has been […]

Biden Hopes Tax Credit Will Encourage Vaccine-Hesitant Americans To Get One Anyway

President Joe Biden on Wednesday encouraged Americans who do not want a COVID-19 vaccine to get one anyway by reminding them that small businesses can take a full tax credit against paid time off they provide for the vaccination and, if need be, recovery afterward. “I’m calling on every employer, large and small, in every […]

Columbus police release more video, details in shooting death of 16-year-old girl

Police in Columbus, Ohio, released more body-camera video Wednesday showing an officer’s point of view as he pulled his weapon, opened fire and killed a 16-year-old girl while responding to a 911 call. The body-worn camera of police Officer Nick Reardon recorded how he arrived at a reported disturbance late Tuesday afternoon. Reardon drew his […]

Tucker Carlson Goes Into ‘Meltdown’ Mode While Covering Derek Chauvin Conviction

Fox News host Tucker Carlson behaved strangely on the air Tuesday night. Near the end of his show about the conviction of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd, Carlson laughed maniacally, then abruptly ended an interview with a guest who dared to criticize police use of excessive force. Carlson, who spent months spreading […]

Rep. Val Demings Goes Off On Jim Jordan In Fiery Shouting Match About Policing

Rep. Val Demings (D-Fla.) blew up at Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) during a House Judiciary Committee hearing Tuesday when her colleague interrupted her as she was discussing law enforcement. The committee was discussing the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, legislation that seeks to address the surge in hate crimes against Asian Americans. Demings was criticizing an amendment […]

Biden calls guilty verdict in Derek Chauvin trial ‘a step forward’

President Joe Biden said Tuesday that the guilty verdicts in the trial of former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin were “a step forward,” but he also said the nation still has to reckon with systemic racism in all walks of life, including policing. Biden said the guilty verdicts are “much too rare” and “not enough.” […]

Former Vice President Walter Mondale Passes Away at 93

Former Vice President Walter Mondale, who served under President Jimmy Carter, has died at 93 years old, Axios reports. He led an accomplished life in politics serving as Minnesota attorney general, a Minnesota senator, Clinton’s ambassador to Japan, and Jimmy Carter’s vice president. Mondale also ran for president in 1984 and became the Democratic nominee. He made history […]

Alleged gunman in FedEx shooting browsed white supremacist websites, police say

The alleged gunman who killed eight people at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis last week apparently browsed white supremacist websites a little over a year before the deadly shooting, police said. On March 3, 2020, Brandon Hole’s mother went to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department seeking help after her son had purchased a shotgun with no bullets, according […]

CDC examining ‘handful’ of additional severe cases possibly linked to J&J vaccine

The U.S. is looking into additional cases of severe side effects possibly linked to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Dr. Rochelle Walensky. “These have been a handful of cases, not an overwhelming number of cases,” Walensky said at a White House briefing on Monday. “We are working through […]

Half of Americans over 18 have received at least 1 vaccine shot: CDC

Half of Americans over 18 have received at least one COVID-19 vaccination shot, according to data released Sunday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There were close to 130 million adults in the country who received one shot, roughly 50.4% of the over-18 population, the agency reported. At least 83.9 million adults, roughly 32.5% of […]

Fauci clashes with a combative Jim Jordan over when COVID restrictions should be eased

Dr. Anthony Fauci, pressed by a Republican lawmaker Thursday over when Americans will “get their liberties back,” gave his clearest explanation yet as to when COVID-19 restrictions could be safely lifted, saying the U.S. must get its infection rate under 10,000 new cases a day. When asked by Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, at a congressional hearing to […]

Vaccinated Will ‘Likely’ Need Third Pfizer Jab Within 12 Months, Then Annual Shots

The CEO of Pfizer said it’s “likely” those vaccinated with the company’s COVID-19 inoculation will need a third shot sometime within 12 months after getting the initial two doses and will potentially need a new shot every year thereafter. Albert Bourla, the head of the pharmaceutical giant, made the comments earlier this month in an […]

Chicago Releases Video Of Police Fatally Shooting 13-Year-Old Adam Toledo

Chicago’s police oversight group released footage Thursday of an officer fatally shooting a 13-year-old boy more than two weeks ago. Police pursued, shot and killed Adam Toledo early March 29 in the primarily Latinx neighborhood of Little Village on the southwest side of the city. Police said the shooting followed an “armed confrontation” and that […]

Rep. Matt Gaetz’s Woes Deepen As New Report Details Associate’s Shady Venmo Payments

As details suggesting Rep. Matt Gaetz’s (R-Fla.) involvement in an alleged sex scandal continue to escalate, new reporting from The Daily Beast on Wednesday suggested his associate Joel Greenberg made scores of suspicious Venmo payments to dozens of young women, including a minor. Greenberg, a former Seminole County tax collector in Florida and the suspected leader […]

Democrats to introduce bill to expand Supreme Court from 9 to 13 justices

Congressional Democrats will introduce legislation Thursday to expand the Supreme Court from nine to 13 justices, joining progressive activists pushing to transform the court. The move intensifies a high-stakes ideological fight over the future of the court after President Donald Trump and Republicans appointed three conservative justices in four years, including one who was confirmed […]

Johnson & Johnson vaccine remains on pause as CDC panel requests more information

An advisory panel to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declined to make any new recommendations on the use of the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine, which will remain paused as the investigation into rare reports of severe blood clots continues. Many of the experts on the committee said they did not have enough […]

Matt Gaetz’s iPhone Is Seized; Associate Talks In Sex Trafficking Probe: Reports

New reports on the federal sex trafficking investigation into Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) have revealed more details about the extent of the probe, including the seizure of his iPhone by federal agents over the winter and an associate’s cooperation against him since last year. Gaetz’s cellphone was seized when federal agents executed a search warrant, […]

Former officer testifies Derek Chauvin was ‘justified’ in pinning down George Floyd

A use-of-force expert testified Tuesday that former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin was justified when he knelt on George Floyd’s neck as he tried to arrest him in May, contradicting testimony from other use-of-force experts and the police chief. The defense witness, Barry Brodd, a former Santa Rosa, California, police officer, also said that he did not […]

White House, Fauci defend health agencies’ call to pause Johnson & Johnson vaccine

White House Covid-19 response coordinator Jeff Zients and Dr. Anthony Fauci on Tuesday defended the decision by the FDA and the CDC to pause administering the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine, saying the federal agencies are following the science. “We want the agencies to lead with science,” Zients told reporters in the White House briefing room of […]

Politico: Indicted Matt Gaetz Pal Paid Former Teen’s Legal Fees While Under Investigation

The indicted ex-tax collector friend of Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) paid for a lawyer for the underage teenager at the heart of sex trafficking charges against him, according to a bombshell WhatsApp chat obtained by Politico. Politico reported that Joel Greenberg was in a “panic” just days before the federal indictment on 33 different charges including identity theft, […]

George Floyd’s brother Philonise testifies in Derek Chauvin’s trial

George Floyd’s younger brother cried on the witness stand Monday as he remembered his brother as a sports-loving “mama’s boy” who always wanted to be the best during the trial of a former Minneapolis police officer accused of killing Floyd in May. Floyd’s brother Philonise Floyd was among three witnesses to take the stand Monday, […]

Gov. Whitmer pushes feds for more vaccine doses as COVID cases surge in Michigan

As Michigan grapples with a spike in coronavirus cases, Governor Gretchen Whitmer continued to push the Biden administration to send more vaccine doses to the state to combat its ongoing crisis. “We are seeing a surge in Michigan despite the fact that we have some of the strongest policies in place, mask mandates, capacity limits, […]

Republicans not pleased with Trump’s fiery Mar-a-Lago speech

Several Republican leaders on Sunday expressed concern at incendiary comments made by former President Donald Trump during a speech Saturday night at a Republican National Committee donor retreat. “Anything that’s divisive is a concern and is not helpful for us fighting the battles in Washington and at the state level,” Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said […]

Biden announces executive actions to curb gun violence “epidemic”

President Biden unveiled his first attempts to curb gun violence on Thursday, announcing a set of modest moves designed to begin revamping federal gun policy by tweaking the government’s definition of a firearm and more aggressively responding to urban gun violence.  “Gun violence in this country is an epidemic, and it’s an international embarrassment,” Mr. […]

Anthony Fauci Sounds The Alarm Over ‘Disturbingly High’ Level Of New COVID-19 Cases

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, warned once again on Thursday about complacency in the battle against COVID-19 as he expressed concern over the “disturbingly high” level of daily new infections in the United States. Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and top medical adviser of President […]

Biden says he welcomes debate on infrastructure: ‘Changes are certain’

Facing criticism from Republicans over his “American Jobs Plan,” President Joe Biden on Wednesday publicly challenged them to come to the table and hammer out a deal on infrastructure if they oppose what he’s laid out. “We’ll be open to good ideas and good-faith negotiations,” Biden said in remarks following up on the rollout of his plan […]

Expert: Derek Chauvin never took knee off George Floyd’s neck

Officer Derek Chauvin had his knee on George Floyd’s neck — and was bearing down with most of his weight — the entire 9 1/2 minutes the Black man lay facedown with his hands cuffed behind his back, a use-of-force expert testified Wednesday at Chauvin’s murder trial. Jody Stiger, a Los Angeles Police Department sergeant serving as […]

Investigators in Matt Gaetz inquiry looking into Bahamas travel, sources say

Federal investigators are looking into Rep. Matt Gaetz’s travel to the Bahamas with women and specifically whether those women were paid to travel for sex, which could violate federal law, a law enforcement official and another person familiar with the matter said. Investigators are also looking into whether Gaetz, R-Fla., and one of his associates […]

Biden moves up deadline for COVID vaccine eligibility to April 19

President Biden announced Tuesday that the deadline for adult eligibility for COVID-19 vaccines nationwide is being moved up to April 19. Mr. Biden had previously called for states and territories to make all adults eligible for shots by May 1.  As of Tuesday, 36 states have opened eligibility for vaccinations to people ages 16 and older, while 12 more and […]

Officers used excessive force against Floyd, training expert says

An expert witness testified in the trial of Derek Chauvin on Tuesday that officers used excessive force against George Floyd during his fatal May 2020 arrest. LAPD Sergeant Jody Stiger, an expert in tactics and de-escalation training, reviewed the case and testified for the prosecution. “My opinion was the force was excessive,” Stiger said. Stiger […]

Atlanta Mayor Signs Order Meant To Fight Georgia’s Voting Restrictions

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms signed an executive order Tuesday meant to expand voting access in response to Georgia’s racist new vote restrictions. The mayor’s order directs Atlanta’s chief equity officer to develop and implement a plan within the city’s authority to mitigate the effect of the state law, known as SB 202, that’s brought nationwide […]

Senate Democrats Gain Filibuster Workaround After Parliamentarian Ruling

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s attempt to give Democrats more opportunities to pass legislation with a simple majority of votes has been granted by the Senate parliamentarian, according to his office. The favorable ruling by Elizabeth MacDonough, who oversees Senate procedure, means the New York Democrat will have an extra chance to pass a bill […]

Arkansas governor vetoes ban on gender-affirming care for trans minors

Gov. Asa Hutchinson vetoed a bill Monday that would have made Arkansas the first state to restrict gender-affirming medical care, such as puberty blockers, for transgender minors. Calling the bill “a vast government overreach,” Hutchinson, a Republican, said at a news conference that the law would create “new standards of legislative interference with physicians and parents as […]

Derek Chauvin ‘absolutely’ violated policy, Minneapolis police chief testifies

Last June, nearly a month after the death of George Floyd, the chief of the Minneapolis Police Department issued a blistering statement about the officers involved in Floyd’s arrest. Chief Medaria Arradondo, the first Black person to hold the position, described Floyd’s death as “tragic” and said it “was not due to a lack of […]

Trial in Floyd’s death expected to turn to ex-cop Chauvin’s training

The trial of a former Minneapolis police officer in George Floyd’s death is expected to turn toward the officer’s training on Monday after a first week that was dominated by emotional testimony from eyewitnesses and devastating video of Floyd’s arrest. Derek Chauvin, 45, is charged with murder and manslaughter in the May 25 death of […]

Buttigieg: ‘Now’s our chance’ for infrastructure plan

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said Sunday that President Joe Biden’s American Jobs Plan would pay for itself while upgrading infrastructure from decades past. “Right now, we’re still coasting off of infrastructure choices that were made in the 1950s,” Buttigieg said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “Now’s our chance to make infrastructure choices for the future […]

Florida Declares State Of Emergency Amid Risk Of Wastewater Reservoir Collapse

Florida’s governor has declared a state of emergency over concerns that a reservoir containing 400 million gallons of wastewater from a former phosphate mine may collapse and engulf the surrounding Tampa Bay area, prompting efforts to drain its contents into local waterways. “We’re down to about 340 million gallons that could breach in totality in […]

Gaetz showed nude photos of women he said he’d slept with to lawmakers, sources tell CNN

Rep. Matt Gaetz, the Florida Republican being investigated by the Justice Department over sex trafficking allegations, made a name for himself when he arrived on Capitol Hill as a conservative firebrand on TV and staunch defender of then-President Donald Trump. Behind the scenes, Gaetz gained a reputation in Congress over his relationships with women and […]

Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine is delayed by a U.S. factory mixup

Workers at a plant in Baltimore manufacturing two coronavirus vaccines accidentally conflated the ingredients several weeks ago, contaminating up to 15 million doses of Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine and forcing regulators to delay authorization of the plant’s production lines. The plant is run by Emergent BioSolutions, a manufacturing partner to both Johnson & Johnson and […]

With older Americans largely vaccinated, more new COVID-19 cases among younger adults

As more older Americans get vaccinated an increasing number of new COVID-19 cases are impacting younger adults, prompting warnings that Americans remain vigilant in an effort to prevent more people from becoming sick. The number of new COVID-19 cases increased more than 10% in 26 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico since last week, a […]

Suez Canal reopened after Ever Given ship successfully refloated

The giant container ship that blocked traffic in the Suez Canal for the last week resumed its journey on Monday after being successfully refloated. “The efforts to float the delinquent Panamanian container ship Ever Given are successful,” Lt. Gen. Osama Rabie, chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, said in a statement. The crucial waterway will […]

George Floyd family members, leaders hold prayer service on eve of trial

National civil rights leaders appeared alongside several family members of George Floyd at a prayer service Sunday night, hours before opening statements were set to begin in the murder trial of the former Minneapolis police officer charged in his death. Several dozen attendees congregated in the benches at Greater Friendship Missionary Church, where preachers led worship and […]

‘The art of the possible’: Biden lays out pragmatic vision for his presidency

President Biden, answering the 29th question in his first presidential news conference on the 65th day in office, offered one of the clearest distillations of his theory of his presidency and how its success will be measured. “It’s a matter of timing,” he said, in an answer in which he was referring to gun control […]

Schumer tees up Senate votes on hate crimes, gun control, voting rights

The Senate will take up legislation as soon as next month on hate crimes against Asian Americans, as well as background checks for gun buyers and a massive voting rights package, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Thursday. The New York Democrat used a letter to colleagues and a floor speech to outline three broad areas […]

Georgia Republicans speed sweeping elections bill restricting voting access into law

Republicans in Georgia sped a sweeping elections bill into law Thursday, making it the first presidential battleground to impose new voting restrictions following President Joe Biden’s victory in the state. The bill passed both chambers of the legislature in the span of a few hours before Republican Gov. Brian Kemp signed it Thursday evening.   […]

Biden to highlight gains and face tough scrutiny in first formal news conference

President Joe Biden’s first two months in power went remarkably smoothly considering he took office amid a once-in-a-century pandemic, a consequent economic crisis and his predecessor’s refusal to recognize his victory. But in his first formal news conference Thursday, he’ll face scrutiny on gun control and immigration, two sudden tests of leadership for which his […]

President Biden taps Vice President Harris to stem migration flow from Central America

President Joe Biden said Wednesday he was tapping Vice President Kamala Harris to lead his administration’s effort to stem migration from Central America, as the United States deals with a surge of unaccompanied minors crossing its southern border. The role will represent the first significant item in the vice president’s portfolio, and her involvement has […]

USPS: 10-year plan includes longer delivery times, fewer post offices

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy on Tuesday unveiled a proposal to overhaul the U.S. Postal Service, describing his 10-year plan as necessary to stanch billions of dollars in losses and put the agency on the path to profitability. But critics are voicing concerns about key elements of the plan, including slower delivery standards and planned closures […]

Biden extending Obamacare’s pandemic enrollment season

The Biden administration is extending a special Obamacare enrollment season it opened for the pandemic, giving Americans three more months to shop for health coverage after Congress recently boosted insurance subsidies in the Covid stimulus package. President Joe Biden during his first weeks in office opened a new special enrollment period, citing increased need for […]

Democrats End Threat To Block Biden Nominees; White House To Name Asian American and Pacific Islanders Liaison

Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) backed down from their threats to oppose any “non-diversity” nominees put forward by President Joe Biden, saying late Tuesday that the White House had committed to elevate Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders for high-level positions in his administration. “Senator Duckworth appreciates the Biden Administration’s assurances that it will do much […]

Trump Lawyer Sidney Powell Says ‘No Reasonable Person’ Would Believe Her Election Fraud Lies

Former President Donald Trump’s former campaign lawyer Sidney Powell is apparently backtracking on her claims that voting machines were rigged in favor of now-President Joe Biden in the 2020 election. After Trump’s loss, Powell repeatedly argued that Dominion Voting Systems machines were manipulated to weigh votes for Biden more heavily than those for Trump, but she never provided […]

Biden dispatches top officials to Mexico, Central America as border crisis grows

President Joe Biden is dispatching top officials to Mexico and Central America as the crisis on the southern U.S. border persists with a surge of asylum-seeking migrants who are fleeing their countries. The crisis at the border has created a difficult situation for Biden, who is caught between his promises to progressives to establish a […]

AstraZeneca Covid vaccine trial data prompts ‘concern,’ federal agency says

Results from AstraZeneca’s recent Covid-19 vaccine trial “may have included outdated information” that “provided an incomplete view of the efficacy data,” a federal health institute said early Tuesday. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases issued the unusual statement after AstraZeneca announced Monday that the trial showed no serious side-effects, and that its vaccine […]

DHS Chief: U.S.-Mexico Border Is Closed, But Unaccompanied Minors Accepted

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Sunday defended the Biden administration’s handling of a surge of migrants that have overwhelmed the nation’s immigration system, while also declaring that the U.S.-Mexico border “is closed” and only unaccompanied minors will be allowed in. “The message is quite clear: Do not come. The border is closed, the border […]

House passes pair of immigration bills amid influx of migrants crossing US-Mexico border

(CNN) — House Democrats pushed ahead to approve two separate bills on immigrationThursday, marking the first time Congress has voted on a pathway for citizenship for undocumented immigrants since Democrats won slim majorities in both chambers of Congress with President Joe Biden in the White House. Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

January 6 Commission may not happen due to House Republicans: report

It’s unclear if House Republicans are attempting to sabotage the Jan. 6 Commission investigation, but they’ve done it successfully, CNN reported Thursday. Republicans are clashing with anyone brought before House committees to address the attack on the U.S. Capitol. Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) lashed out at Capitol security officials in closed-door meetings over the […]

Man arrested outside Vice President Kamala Harris’ official residence and had rifle and ammunition in car

(CNN)Washington, DC, police arrested a Texas man outside Vice President Kamala Harris’ official residence, the US Naval Observatory, in the nation’s capital on Wednesday and he’s now facing weapons and ammunition charges. A spokesperson for Washington’s Metropolitan Police said officers responded “at approximately 12:12 pm, to the 3400 block of Massachusetts Avenue, NW in reference […]

McConnell Threatens Retaliation for Filibuster Change as Idea Gains Strength

WASHINGTON — The fight over the filibuster escalated in the Senate on Tuesday as Senator Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader, threatened harsh reprisals if Democrats moved to weaken it, a prospect that appeared increasingly likely as President Biden’s allies on Capitol Hill began building a public case for its elimination.

New York Assembly Launches Impeachment Probe Into Andrew Cuomo

New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie announced Thursday he is authorizing an impeachment investigation into Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), who’s facing multiple accusations of sexual misconduct.  “The reports of accusations concerning the governor are serious,” Heastie said in a statement. The Assembly Judiciary Committee leading the investigation “will have the authority to interview witnesses, […]

Tucker Carlson slammed by military leaders for mocking pregnant service members

Military leaders, veterans and veterans groups are slamming Fox News host Tucker Carlson after he attacked the notion of pregnant women serving in the armed forces. Carlson called women in “maternity flight suits” a mockery of the U.S. military, while also making a transphobic aside in his speech during a Tuesday night broadcast. His segment […]

GOP Senator Who Voted Against COVID-19 Relief Already Taking Credit For Bill’s Benefits

Shortly after Democrats in Congress passed President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief legislation, a Republican senator was already trying to take some credit for the popular bill ― even though he and every single other Republican voted against it.  Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) tweeted on Wednesday that independent restaurant operators were going to get […]

Gov. Andrew Cuomo Faces Sixth Sexual Misconduct Allegation: Report

A sixth woman has reportedly accused New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo of sexual misconduct, the latest among mounting claims against the high-profile Democrat over the past few weeks. The woman, who is a member of the governor’s Executive Chamber staff, said Cuomo inappropriately touched her late last year during an encounter at the governor’s mansion, […]

House Passes Labor Rights Expansion, but Senate Chances Are Slim

House Democrats on Tuesday approved the most significant expansion of labor rights since the New Deal, advancing legislation that would neutralize right-to-work laws in 27 states and bolster workers’ ability to organize after years of eroding clout. The bill — the Protecting the Right to Organize, or PRO, Act — would amend decades-old labor law […]

Trump, RNC clash over using his name in fundraising

The Republican National Committee is defending its right to use former President Donald Trump‘s name in fundraising appeals after he demanded they put an end to the practice. In a Monday letter to Trump attorney Alex Cannon, RNC chief counsel J. Justin Riemer said the committee “has every right to refer to public figures as […]

Judge forcefully rejects QAnon shaman’s bid for release

The spear-wielding self-described shaman who stormed the Senate chamber on Jan. 6 will remain behind bars pending trial, a federal judge ruled on Monday. The decision by Jacob Chansley, an adherent of the QAnon conspiracy theory, to speak to CBS’ “60 Minutes+” and other media outlets appears to have backfired, as U.S. District Court Judge […]

Capitol Police Request That National Guard Extend Stay In Washington By 60 Days

The U.S. Capitol Police have reportedly requested that the National Guard extend its stay in the capital by two months amid renewed concerns about violent threats to the already-fortified Capitol complex. The Pentagon is currently reviewing the department’s request ― which The Associated Press first reported and other outlets later confirmed ― with the Guard beginning to solicit […]

Top Cuomo Aides Altered COVID-19 Data To Lower New York Nursing Home Deaths: Reports

Senior aides to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) rewrote a troubling report about the number of pandemic-related nursing home deaths last year to include a much lower death toll, multiple media outlets reported Thursday. The Wall Street Journal first reported that top advisers in Cuomo’s office had intervened to alter drafts of the July […]

NY Governor Cuomo issues public apology in wake of scandal, says he won’t resign

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday addressed the sexual harassment scandal he’s facing and apologized for his actions. “I want New Yorkers to hear from me directly on this: First, I fully support a woman’s right to come forward and I think it should be encouraged in every way,” Cuomo said. “I now understand […]

Neera Tanden officially withdraws from being Biden’s OMB director

President Joe Biden has lost his first Cabinet-level pick. Neera Tanden, the embattled nominee for Biden’s Office of Management and Budget director, has officially withdrawn her nomination for the position after days of uncertainty over whether she had enough votes to be confirmed in the US Senate. “Unfortunately, it now seems clear that there is […]

Donald and Melania Trump quietly got Covid vaccines last month, reports say

Donald and Melania Trump received the coronavirus vaccine before leaving the White House, according to multiple news reports on Monday. Citing unnamed advisers, the New York Times, CNN and other outlets reported that while other officials, including Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, and the former vice-president Mike Pence, chose to get their shots publicly to encourage […]

3rd woman comes forward with harassment allegations against Cuomo

A third woman has alleged unwanted advances by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Anna Ruch told the New York Times Monday that Cuomo placed his hands on her face during a wedding reception in New York City in September 2019 and “asked if he could kiss her.” A photo of the alleged incident was taken […]

WH Press Secretary Defends Choice Not To Punish Saudi Prince For Khashoggi Murder

Defending President Joe Biden’s decision not to sanction Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the brutal 2018 murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Sunday that the administration sees “more effective ways” to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for the murder. On Friday, the Biden administration released a […]

Covid-19: F.D.A. Panel Gives Green Light to Johnson & Johnson’s Vaccine

Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine was endorsed on Friday by a panel of experts advising the Food and Drug Administration, clearing the last hurdle before a formal authorization expected on Saturday, according to two people familiar with the agency’s plans. The nation’s first shipments will go out in the days after that. It will be […]

U.S. Carries Out Airstrike Against Iranian-Backed Militia Target In Syria, Officials Say

President Joe Biden on Thursday directed U.S. military airstrikes in eastern Syria against facilities belonging to what the Pentagon said were Iran-backed militia, in a calibrated response to rocket attacks against U.S. targets in Iraq. The strikes, which were first reported by Reuters, appeared to be limited in scope, potentially lowering the risk of escalation. […]

House to vote on Biden’s $1.9 trillion Covid relief bill with $1,400 checks

The House will vote on President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief package Friday, just days after the U.S. crossed 500,000 deaths from the coronavirus. The Democratic-controlled House is expected to pass the sweeping bill, which includes $1,400 direct payments, a $400-a-week federal unemployment bonus, a per-child allowance of up to $3,600 for one year […]

Pentagon report reveals disturbing details about White supremacists in the ranks

A Pentagon report on extremism obtained by CNN gives disturbing insight into how White supremacists are active in the military and offers recommendations to better identify domestic extremists and prevent them from serving. It details an instance of a former National Guardsman who is a member of a dangerous neo-Nazi group bragging about openly discussing […]

Coronavirus deaths fell by 20% last week from previous one, WHO says

Global deaths from the coronavirus fell by 20 percent last week compared with the week before, the World Health Organization said in a statement, part of a wider trend that also includes a decline in cases worldwide. The downturn in cases and deaths follows a winter surge in infections but also has coincided with an […]

Johnson & Johnson says it can provide 20M vaccine doses by late March

Johnson & Johnson can deliver 20 million doses of its single-shot coronavirus vaccine to the U.S. government by the end of March, an executive will testify tomorrow. “Assuming necessary regulatory approvals relating to our manufacturing processes, our plan is to begin shipping immediately upon emergency use authorization, and deliver enough single-doses by the end of […]

MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell Sued By Dominion Voting Systems for $1.3 BILLION

Dominion Voting Systems are suing MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell for $1.3 billion in damages by the electronic voting company alleging defamatory accusations related to the 2020 presidential election. Dominion had threatened legal action against Lindell as he continued to spread the baseless conspiracies that former President Donald Trump won the 2020 general election, a lie […]

6 million doses of vaccine delayed due to winter weather

The recent winter weather slamming the U.S. has delayed COVID-19 vaccine deliveries and forced vaccination sites to close. The unforeseen setbacks have impacted all 50 states and left a backlog of about 6 million doses of vaccine and 2,000 vaccination sites left without power, according to White House senior adviser Andy Slavitt. “We anticipate that […]

Dr. Fauci: Trump Let ‘Terrible Things’ Happen After Our COVID-19 Disagreements

Dr. Anthony Fauci continues to open up about his experiences working under the Trump administration, revealing the moment he began to lose influence with former President Donald Trump.  In a wide-ranging interview with The Telegraph, the infectious disease specialist recalled a marked shift in his professional relationship with Trump in April or May of last year, […]

NASA’s Perseverance successfully touches down on Mars

After a nerve-wracking seven-minute descent, NASA’s Perseverance rover successfully touched down on Mars on Thursday afternoon, as part of one of the agency’s most ambitious deep-space missions to search for signs of ancient life on the red planet. “What an amazing day,” a joyful Steve Jurczyk, NASA’s acting administrator, said shortly after the landing was […]

Biden heads out of D.C. for town hall and first major presidential trip

President Biden arrived in Milwaukee on Tuesday for his first major trip since taking office, kicking off a new phase of his presidency that attempts to move past the impeachment of his predecessor and toward a more aggressive selling of his coronavirus relief plan. Speaking at a CNN town hall, Biden pledged that any American who […]

Biden to take push for COVID relief plan outside Washington

Now that former President Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial is over, President Joe Biden is working this week to shift attention back to his ambitious agenda, with COVID-19 and his $2 trillion relief package taking center stage. As Biden continues to work to get at least some Senate Republicans on board, he’ll also take his […]

Poll: 58 percent of Americans believe Trump should have been convicted

Nearly 60 percent of Americans believe former President Donald Trump should have been convicted in his second impeachment trial, according to an ABC News/Ipsos poll released on Monday. While 58 percent of Americans overall believe the former president should have been convicted, the poll split largely along party lines. Eighty-eight percent of Democrats believe Trump […]

COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations continue massive drop since January peak

Coronavirus cases and hospitalizations have been on a major decline since their peak numbers from the middle of January, according to the COVID Tracking Project. There were 71,844 new cases reported on Sunday, a nearly 19,000 drop from the number of cases reported on Saturday, according to the tracking project. In January, the number of […]

Biden calls on Congress to ban assault weapons and institute other gun restrictions

On the third anniversary of the Parkland school shooting, President Joe Biden called on Congress to pass stricter gun laws, including banning assault weapons. In a statement from the White House, Mr. Biden on Sunday asked Congress to pass laws requiring background checks on all gun sales, banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and eliminating immunity […]

Biden Takes Center Stage With Ambitious Agenda as Trump’s Trial Ends

President Biden’s allies say that with the distraction of the impeachment trial of his predecessor now over, he will quickly press for passage of his $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan before moving on to an even bigger agenda in Congress that includes infrastructure, immigration, criminal justice reform, climate change and health care. Mr. Biden has […]

Biden announces deal for 200 million more COVID-19 doses

President Biden announced Thursday his administration has finalized an order for 200 million more doses of COVID-19 vaccine to be delivered by July 2021, adding to the 400 million doses that the Trump administration had already ordered from Pfizer and Moderna by that date. The two drug companies both produce a two-shot regimen, so the […]

Biden admin asks SCOTUS to uphold Obamacare, reversing Trump support for lawsuit

The Biden administration is withdrawing the federal government’s support for a challenge to Obamacare, telling the Supreme Court that the law should remain on the books. The move by the Justice Department follows speculation on whether Biden would try to withdraw from the high-profile red state lawsuit — fully supported by the Trump administration — […]

Trump unhappy with his impeachment attorney’s performance, sources say

Former President Donald Trump was unhappy with his impeachment lawyer Bruce Castor’s opening argument on the Senate floor Tuesday, two people familiar with his reaction told CNN. Castor, who is representing Trump alongside attorney David Schoen, delivered a meandering argument during the first day of the Senate impeachment trial, including praise for the House impeachment […]

Georgia secretary of state’s office opens inquiry into Trump phone call

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s office has opened an investigation into former President Donald Trump’s Jan. 2 phone callurging Raffensperger to overturn the state’s election results. “All I want to do is this: I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have. Because we won the state,” Trump told […]

Buttigieg: Officials consider negative COVID-19 test requirement on domestic flights

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said that officials are considering a requirement that passengers provide a negative COVID-19 test ahead of domestic flights, according to an interview published on Sunday. One of President Biden‘s first confirmed Cabinet members told “Axios on HBO” that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is engaged in “an active conversation” on whether to […]

Biden’s Justice Department to ask nearly all Trump-era U.S. attorneys to resign

The Biden administration will begin removing all Senate-confirmed U.S. attorneys appointed during the Trump administration, with two exceptions, a senior Justice Department official said. The process, which is not uncommon, could start as early as Tuesday. They will be asked to resign. John Durham will remain in place to investigate the origins of the Russia […]

Fauci looking ahead to more vaccines in March, April

The demand for Covid-19 vaccine doses may outpace supply at the moment, but availability is already looking better for the months ahead, Anthony Fauci said Sunday morning. “The demand clearly outstrips the supply right now,” Fauci told NBC’s Chuck Todd. “If you look at the escalation of availability of doses purely on the ability and […]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers win Super Bowl, dethroning Kansas City Chiefs

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers capped the strangest season in pro football history Sunday night by staging a familiar scene: Tom Brady hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Brady threw three touchdown passes, two to longtime teammate Rob Gronkowski, as Tampa Bay defeated the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs, 31-9, in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James […]

Woman arrested over Capitol riot allowed to take trip to Mexico, judge rules

A woman arrested in connection with the attack on the U.S. Capitol will be able to go on a prepaid trip to Mexico this month, after a judge granted her request Friday. Jenny Cudd, a flower shop owner in Midland, Texas, initially faced two misdemeanor charges — entering a restricted building and violent or disorderly […]

Trump rejects Dems’ request to testify at impeachment trial

House Democrats asked Donald Trump to testify under oath for his Senate impeachment trial, challenging him to respond to their charge that he incited a violent mob to storm the Capitol. A Trump adviser said the former president won’t testify. Although Democrats might not have the power to force Trump’s testimony, the request from House […]

Smartmatic Voting Machine Company Sues Fox News and Top Hosts For $2.7 Billion

Smartmatic, one of the voting systems companies subjected to a torrent of conspiracy theories regarding the 2020 election, has filed a massive $2.7 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox News, top Fox stars Lou Dobbs, Maria Bartiromo and Jeanine Pirro, as well as pro-Trump lawyers Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell. The suit accuses Fox News, its […]

Liz Cheney holds on to House GOP leadership position amid furor over impeachment vote

Liz Cheney, the third-highest-ranking Republican in the House, held on to her title as House GOP conference chair during a secret ballot Wednesday. Three sources said the vote among Republican House members was 145-61. Cheney refused to apologize for voting to impeach former President Donald Trump during the closed-door meeting with her GOP conference Wednesday […]

Democrats look to barrel ahead with ‘big, bold’ Covid-19 relief plan

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said President Joe Biden told Senate Democrats at lunch Tuesday that he wants a “big, bold package” on Covid-19 relief and that he told Senate Republicans that their $600 billion proposal is “way too small.” It was a point White House press secretary Jen Psaki reiterated during her briefing — […]

Dems deliver GOP ultimatum over Marjorie Taylor Greene

Top House Democrats are moving to force Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene off multiple committees this week — with or without Kevin McCarthy’s help. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer delivered an ultimatum to McCarthy on Monday: Either Republicans move on their own to strip Greene (R-Ga.) of her committee assignments within 72 hours, or Democrats will […]

White House Reaffirms Commitment To $1,400 Relief Payments

The White House reiterated its commitment to delivering $1,400 relief checks to the vast majority of American households, following a report detailing disagreement over the dollar amount and eligibility requirements among senior aides to President Joe Biden. “The president’s proposal is to finish the job on $2,000 checks by delivering 1,400 additional dollars in direct […]

GOP Senator Calls For ‘Strong Response’ To Marjorie Taylor Greene Rhetoric

Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) said Sunday that Republican leadership should take a stand against “totally unacceptable” behavior from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), and suggested it could be appropriate to strip her of her committee assignments. Portman, who recently announced he will not seek reelection in 2022, was asked in an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash […]

Biden, GOP senators to discuss slimmed-down Covid relief bill pitch

President Joe Biden has agreed to meet a group of 10 Republican senators who have proposed a slimmed-down coronavirus relief plan that they say can win bipartisan support. The Republicans’ proposed package is much smaller than Biden’s $1.9 trillion proposal, and includes $160 billion for vaccines, $4 billion for health and substance abuse services, the […]

2 Proud Boys face federal conspiracy charges in Capitol riot

Two men identified as members of the Proud Boys have been indicted on federal conspiracy and other charges in the Capitol riot as prosecutors raise the stakes in some of the slew of cases stemming from the Jan. 6 insurrection. Dominic Pezzola, a former Marine who authorities say was seen on video smashing a Capitol […]

Exclusive Free Stephcast 1-29-21

Today’s guests were Glenn Kirschner, John Fugelsang, and Frangela https://www.stephaniemiller.com/podcast/2021_0129.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

Dominion Spox Confirms to MSNBC That Voting Company Has Drafted Letter for Trump Over Election Fraud Defamation

Dominion Voting Systems spokesperson Michael Steel offered a thorough rebuttal to former president’s “big lie” about its machines engaging in election fraud and confirmed his company had drafted a demand letter to Trump in case it pursues a lawsuit against him. Steel, who was previously the chief press secretary for GOP House Speaker John Boehner, told Deadline: White House host Nicolle Wallace that […]

First known cases of Covid variant from South Africa identified in the U.S.

The first two U.S. cases of the emerging Covid-19 variant first identified in South Africa were detected in South Carolina, state public health officials said Thursday. Although no evidence suggests it causes more severe disease, the variant first identified in South Africa is known to be more resistant to current vaccines and may spread more […]

AOC demands Ted Cruz resign over Capitol riot: ‘You almost had me murdered’

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., on Thursday accused Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, of “trying to get me killed” by challenging the election results in the lead up to the Capitol riot and demanded that he resign. The progressive lawmaker criticized Cruz after he said he agreed with her call for an investigation into why personal trading […]

It will “be months” before all Americans can get vaccines, White House Covid-19 adviser says

Andy Slavitt, senior adviser to the White House Covid-19 Response Team, said it will “be months” before all Americans who want a Covid-19 vaccine can get one.  “I want to level with the public that we’re facing two constraining factors. The first is getting enough supply quickly enough, and the second is the ability to administer the vaccines quickly once they’re produced […]

Department of Homeland Security issues terrorism advisory bulletin after Capitol assault

Department of Homeland Security Secretary David Pekoske has issued a National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) bulletin warning the public of a “heightened threat environment” across the United States following last week’s presidential inauguration. The advisory, which comes after the violent assault on the Capitol on January 6, runs through the end of April.  “Information suggests […]

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) “Liked” Posts Calling For Killing Democratic Politicians: Reports

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) repeatedly supported disturbing conspiracy theories and liked social media posts that suggested executing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and FBI agents, among others, according to several media reports published Tuesday. Media Matters for America, a progressive watchdog group, first reported that Greene, a far-right firebrand who was recently elected to Congress, […]

Biden administration to buy 200 million more doses of Covid vaccine

The Biden administration is planning to purchase an additional 200 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine, marking a stepped-up effort to vaccinate the vast majority of Americans this year. Federal officials negotiating for the new supply expect to receive 100 million doses each from Moderna and Pfizer, in deals set to boost the nation’s total vaccine […]

Mitch McConnell Backs Down In Fight Over Filibuster

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) agreed to move forward with a power-sharing agreement on Monday that will allow Democrats to take full control of the Senate after two Democratic senators reiterated their support for the filibuster. The Kentucky Republican had previously demanded that Democrats pledge to preserve the filibuster, the chamber’s supermajority requirement for […]

Janet Yellen confirmed as first female treasury secretary in U.S. history

Former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen was confirmed as treasury secretary Monday, with the Senate voting 84-15 to make her the first woman to lead the department. Yellen steps into the role with some advantages: She is well known and well respected among lawmakers of both parties, and she has experience with enormous economic challenges. […]

Biden set to sign ‘Made in America’ executive order

President Joe Biden is set to sign a “Made in America” executive order Monday, fulfilling a long-time campaign promise to increase the amount of federal spending that goes to American companies. The announcement comes at a time when the government is set to spend expansively on efforts to defeat COVID-19, and after a period during […]

Trump considered naming new AG to help push baseless claims of voter fraud

Then-President Donald Trump considered replacing acting attorney general Jeffrey Rosen in January with Justice Department lawyer Jeffrey Clark, who was willing to help Trump push his claims of widespread voter fraud in order to overturn the election results, according to a Justice Department official. Trump ultimately decided against firing Rosen out of fear that it […]

McConnell wants to push Trump’s Senate impeachment trial to mid-February

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has proposed to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer that former President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial should start in mid-February, timing he laid out during a conference call with Republican colleagues Thursday, multiple sources on the call said. Included in McConnell’s proposal is a deal to begin the Senate proceedings in February […]

‘Celebrating America’: Biden’s presidential inauguration special featured Bruce Springsteen, John Legend and Katy Perry

Every four years, thousands throng to Washington for a whirl of Inauguration Day balls and concerts. But as the coronavirus pandemic continues to force most big-ticket national events to scale down, President Joe Biden’s inaugural committee decided to take the festivities to TV screens. “Celebrating America,” a 90-minute special that aired across several networks Wednesday […]

12 National Guard members removed from inauguration duty, including two for ‘inappropriate’ comments

Twelve National Guard members were removed from inauguration duty, including two for “inappropriate” comments or texts, a Pentagon spokesman told reporters in a phone briefing Tuesday. “We have two individuals that were identified as making inappropriate comments or texts,” said spokesperson Jonathan Hoffman. One was removed after fellow troops brought the member’s comments to the […]

Sen. Josh Hawley moves to block swift confirmation for Biden’s homeland security pick

Homeland security nominee Alejandro Mayorkas told senators he would carry out President-elect Joe Biden’s immigration overhaul while intensifying efforts to combat domestic extremism, during a hearing Tuesday that highlighted Republican opposition to his confirmation. Testifying before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Mayorkas wore a blue mask and listened impassively to questions about […]

Biden’s DHS pick vows to prevent future attacks on U.S. institutions

President-elect Joe Biden’s nominee to lead the Department of Homeland Security will pledge on Tuesday to do everything in his power to prevent attacks like the one that targeted the Capitol earlier this month, according to prepared remarks obtained by POLITICO. Alejandro Mayorkas, who will appear before the Senate Homeland Security Committee for his confirmation […]

Biden To Propose 8-Year Citizenship Path For Immigrants

President-elect Joe Biden plans to unveil a sweeping immigration bill on Day One of his administration, hoping to provide an eight-year path to citizenship for an estimated 11 million people living in the U.S. without legal status, a massive reversal from the Trump administration’s harsh immigration policies. The legislation puts Biden on track to deliver […]

Trump Orders Lifting of Virus Travel Ban, but Biden Aides Vow to Block Move

President Trump on Monday ordered an end to the ban on travelers from Europe and Brazil that had been aimed at stopping the spread of the coronavirus to the United States, a move quickly rejected by aides to President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr., who said Mr. Biden will maintain the ban when he takes office […]

Trump Planning to Issue About 100 Pardons on Tuesday

President Donald Trump is planning to issue a massive pile of pardons on Tuesday, his last full day in office, according to a report by CNN. White House reporter Jeremy Diamond told The Situation Room anchor Wolf Blitzer that three sources familiar with Trump’s plans told him that the president intended to pardon about 100 […]

N.R.A. Declares Bankruptcy and Seeks to Exit New York

Seeking an end-run around an investigation by the New York attorney general, the National Rifle Association said Friday that it was declaring bankruptcy and would reincorporate in Texas. The gun group was set up in New York after the Civil War. The group’s effort to circumvent New York’s legal jurisdiction raised immediate questions from Letitia […]

Online Election Misinformation Plunges After Trump Twitter Ban

Online misinformation about the presidential election plunged an astonishing 73% after Twitter and other social media networks either banned or suspended Donald Trump and key supporters, according to new data analysis. Baseless claims of election fraud dropped from 2.5 million mentions to 688,000 mentions across several social media sites in the week after Trump was […]

Capitol Rioters Meant To ‘Capture And Assassinate’ Officials, Court Filing Says

Federal prosecutors offered an ominous new assessment of last week’s siege of the U.S. Capitol by President Donald Trump’s supporters on Thursday, saying in a court filing that rioters intended “to capture and assassinate elected officials.” Prosecutors offered that view in a filing asking a judge to detain Jacob Chansley, the Arizona man and QAnon […]

Inside Trump’s Final Days: Aides Struggle To Contain An Angry, Isolated President

“We are going to walk down Pennsylvania Avenue,” President Donald Trump exhorted his screaming supporters before they marched on the U.S. Capitol last week, saying he’d go with them. He did not – and what unfolded was a deadly breach of the citadel of American democracy that has left Trump’s world crumbling in the final […]

U.S. Hits Record Coronavirus Deaths In A Single Day — Again

The coronavirus pandemic continues to worsen in the U.S. as the nation reported a record number of people dying from COVID-19 in a single day — again. More than 4,400 people across the country were reported dead from the virus on Tuesday, according to Johns Hopkins University’s count. The previous record for daily deaths was […]

Pelosi Says Lawmakers Who Skirt Metal Detectors May Soon Be Fined Up To $10,000

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Wednesday that any lawmaker who refuses to pass through new metal detectors installed in the U.S. Capitol may be hit with severe fines under a proposed rule change, a step she called “tragic” but “necessary” after several Republicans refused to do so. Pelosi said she would introduce a rule […]

Some House Democrats Have ‘Real Concern’ GOP Colleagues May Have Aided Capitol Attack

A growing number of House Democrats are calling for an investigation into whether their Republican colleagues aided President Trump’s supporters who violently stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 in an effort to overturn the results of last year’s election.  Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-La., told Yahoo News that many of his Democratic colleagues are discussing […]

Trump lashes out at impeachment effort, claims it’s ‘causing tremendous anger’

President Donald Trump on Tuesday lashed out at the impeachment effort by House Democrats, claiming “it’s causing tremendous anger” and “danger to our country.” “As far as this is concerned, we want no violence — never violence,” Trump said outside the White House before departing for Texas, facing reporters for the first time since his […]

U.S. reports deadliest week yet in fight against COVID-19

America has reported its deadliest week yet in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. More than 22,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 just last week — setting the record for the second week in a row. California is the nation’s hot spot. In Los Angeles, COVID deaths have risen 1,125% in the last two months, […]

House Moving Ahead With Trump Impeachment

House Democrats announced on a private call Monday that their chamber will vote to impeach President Donald Trump for the second time on Wednesday, one week after the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol and a week before Democrat Joe Biden’s inauguration. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and other Democratic leaders told members Monday that […]

2 men allegedly seen in viral photos carrying zip ties during Capitol assault arrested

Two men allegedly seen in viral photographs of the deadly assault on the U.S. Capitol have been arrested, the Washington, D.C., attorney general announced Sunday. Larry Rendell Brock and Eric Gavelek Munchel were both allegedly seen in pictures of the riot occupying the chambers of Congress while wearing tactical gear and holding plastic zip ties. […]

Capitol physician says lawmakers may have been exposed to Covid-19 during riot lockdown

House members may have been exposed to Covid-19 when they went into hiding during Wednesday riots at the U.S. Capitol, Congress’ attending physician wrote in a letter to members and staffers Sunday. “Many members of the House community were in protective isolation in [a] room located in a large committee hearing space,” Dr. Brian Monahan […]

Democrats Plan Lightning Trump Impeachment, Demanding Immediate Action

Warnings flashing, Democrats in Congress laid plans Friday for swift impeachment of President Donald Trump, demanding decisive, immediate action to ensure an “unhinged” commander in chief can’t add to the damage they say he’s inflicted or even ignite nuclear war in his final days in office. As the country comes to terms with the violent […]

U.S. reports more than 4,000 covid-19 deaths in deadliest day of pandemic

The United States on Thursday shattered records for the number of coronavirus-related deaths on a single day, topping 4,000 fatalities for the first time. Experts worry that the new, more contagious strain of the virus that has already been detected in eight states could make matters worse. “We are in a race against time,” Jennifer […]

Troubled by Capitol riot, Cabinet officials DeVos, Chao resign

Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos announced their resignations Thursday, citing the pro-Trump rioters who stormed the Capitol on Wednesday. “Yesterday, our country experienced a traumatic and entirely avoidable event as supporters of the president stormed the Capitol building following a rally he addressed,” Chao said in a statement she posted on […]

Capitol Police officer dies from injuries after clashing with pro-Trump mob

A U.S. Capitol Police officer has died a day after clashing with a pro-Trump mob at the U.S. Capitol. Officer Brian D. Sicknick was injured while engaging with protesters Wednesday and returned to his division office, where he collapsed, Capitol Police spokeswoman Eva Malecki said. He was taken to a hospital, where he died about […]

Members of Trump Cabinet discussing invoking 25th Amendment: Sources

There have been discussions among some members of the Trump Cabinet and allies of President Donald Trump about the 25th Amendment, which would be a vehicle for members of the cabinet to remove Trump from office, multiple sources with direct knowledge of the discussions tell ABC News. It is unclear how extensive these conversations have […]

Pence announces Biden’s victory after Congress completes electoral count

Vice President Mike Pence announced just after 3:40 a.m. Thursday that President-elect Joe Biden had won the presidency after Congress completed the counting of the Electoral College votes. What was largely seen as a perfunctory last step before Mr. Biden’s inauguration had turned into a day of chaos after an angry mob of rioters stormed […]

Democrats to take Senate as Jon Ossoff wins Georgia runoff

Georgians elected Jon Ossoff to the US Senate, CNN projected Wednesday, giving the Democratic Party control of Congress and the White House for the first time in a decade and delivering a stark repudiation of President Donald Trump as he tried to overturn his own loss. Ossoff’s victory and that of fellow Georgia Democrat the […]

No charges filed against Kenosha officers in Jacob Blake shooting

The police officers involved in the shooting of Jacob Blake, which touched off days of civil unrest last summer in Wisconsin, will not face any criminal charges, authorities said Tuesday. Blake, who is Black, was struck by seven bullets at close range Aug. 23 as he walked away from Kenosha police Officer Rusten Sheskey, who […]

DC Police make several arrests ahead of major pro-Trump election protest

Several people were arrested in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday in connection to protests ahead of Congress’ certification of the Electoral College votes on Wednesday. Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police said six arrests were made as of 9 p.m. ET, including some involving multiple charges. Those charges included a handful that were weapons-related, including carrying firearms without […]

Ex-Defense secretaries say military must stay out of election battles

The U.S. military must not become entangled in any election disputes in the coming days, all 10 living former Defense secretaries wrote in an op-ed published on Sunday. “American elections and the peaceful transfers of power that result are hallmarks of our democracy,” they wrote in The Washington Post, adding that everyone in the American […]

Pelosi wins re-election as House speaker with slim majority

Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., was re-elected speaker of the House on Sunday despite a shrinking Democratic majority in the House. With Democrats holding a smaller majority than in the previous Congress, Pelosi could afford to have only a handful of lawmakers peel off and opt to write in someone else. The final count was 216 to […]