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Barr ‘not surprised’ to see violence at Capitol, says it cannot be tolerated
William Barr, the former U.S. attorney general, said in an interview that aired Monday that he was not surprised to see 'the kind of violence' that occurred at the Capitol earlier this month, and said questions about the election 'precipitated the riots.' Barr said that most people at the Jan....Read Full StoryPoliticsViolenceIncitementDemocratsAttorney GeneralCapitolThe Department Of JusticeITVBritishPresident TrumpRhetoricRallyWidespread Voter FraudFree SpeechFaithWilliam Barr
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280,000 Californians could lose power as dangerous Santa Ana winds raise fire risk
(CNN) — Residents across nine California counties could be without power Tuesday as officials aim to reduce fire risk from the powerful Santa Ana winds expected to roar through the region.A Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) could affect at least 280,000 customers -- mostly in Los Angeles and Ventura counties but extending to customers in Fresno, Kern, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, and Tulare counties -- the utility company Southern California Edison (SCE) warned Monday.According to SCE, "When there is a high risk for a wildfire, we may temporarily shut off power to your neighborhood to prevent our electric system from becoming the source of ignition."Dry, hot and windy conditions combined with problems with power lines have contributed to massive fire outbreaks in the recent past, including the deadly 2018 Camp fire. Tuesday's forecast conditions prompted the Storm Prediction Center to issue a Critical Risk zone for nearly 6 million people in Southern California."With nearly 80% of the Western US experiencing drought conditions, the area is akin to a tinderbox," CNN meteorologist Pedram Javaheri said.The Southern California region could see winds exceeding 50 miles per hour Tuesday, while further north could get gusts reaching up to 100 mph, the National Weather Service said.Fires would flourishThe winds could be the strongest wind event of the season, forecasters say -- which could make a blaze even more dangerous."The combination of dry fuels and tropical storm force winds could lead to downed trees and power lines, thus any ignition of new fires would flourish and rapidly expand under these conditions," Javaheri said.Many locations across Southern California, including Los Angeles, have not seen measurable rain since the end of December, meaning the vegetation across the region has had over two weeks to dry out.Southern California has also experienced record heat over the last several days, in addition to the growing drought across the region.And the wind expected to reach the region is the kind only seen every three years, the National Weather Service of San Diego said."So it is likely to cause some mayhem with palm fronds and the like. Secure loose outdoor objects," the NWS said.Nearly 30 million Californians, or about 3 of every 4 people in the state, could see high winds through Tuesday, Javaheri said.A chance for wet weatherThere could be a sliver of good news later in the week because as the windstorm moves out through Southern California on Wednesday, it could leave a parting gift of moisture, Javaheri said.A low-pressure system developing off the coast could bring cooler temperatures and higher humidity values. And increased moisture could mean weather to quench the parched Southwest region.In Arizona, Phoenix had a 242-day streak without precipitation and Yuma a 110-day one until both cities saw rainy days on December 10.Lowering the widespread drought across the region could mean relief from possible fire conditions.Western UsDrought ConditionsSanta Ana WindsExtreme WeatherCalifornia DroughtVentura FireCaliforniansCNNSCENWSFire RiskSanta BarbaraSan BernardinoMassive Fire OutbreaksWildfirePedram Javaheri
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More than 60% of all US Covid-19 cases were reported since Election Day. Now experts warn a variant could further fuel spread
The stunning numbers follow brutal surges in the past months -- during which the US saw hundreds of thousands of new cases daily, while Covid-19 hospitalization and death numbers reached all-time highs. And just about a year since the first Covid-19 case was reported in the US, the country's death toll is fast approaching 400,000 -- more than the number of Americans who died in World War I, the Vietnam War and the Korean War combined and nearly as many Americans who died in World War II. Currently, more than 123,800 Americans are hospitalized with the virus, according to the COVID Tracking Project.While that number may be down from its January 6 peak of 132,476, hospitals and health care workers across the country are still under tremendous pressure. In Georgia, one hospital official told CNN affiliate WSB they were so full they had to treat patients in hallways and ambulances.In Texas, the city of Laredo has run out of ICU beds and sent an emergency message to residents urging them to stay home, city spokeswoman Noraida Negron said. Over the weekend, the city had to send multiple patients to hospitals in other areas to accommodate the surge."We had no beds whatsoever," Negron added.There's good reason to keep your guard upAnd while new cases across the country have also been trending down since hitting a peak last week, experts urge Americans not to let their guard down yet.For one, even with the apparent improvement, the country still averaged about 207,000 new cases daily in the past seven days. "The virus has established itself in the human population and it's not going anywhere," infectious disease expert Amesh Adalja told CNN. "We're going to see a lot of transmission until we cross the threshold for herd immunity."But also, the Covid-19 variant first identified in the UK is spreading across the US and experts have warned that while it does not appear to be more deadly, it is more easily transmittable and will lead to even more infections. More than 120 cases of the variant have been identified across 20 states, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And the agency warned last week a model trajectory of the variant in the US "exhibits rapid growth in early 2021." "In some ways, it's much worse that it is more contagious because it will infect many, many more people and unfortunately probably will end up killing more people," Dr. Ashish Jha, dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, told CNN Monday night. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday said the variant is the biggest challenge facing the city. "Our health care leadership here in New York City, they say we are racing against time to vaccinate the maximum people before that UK variant spreads like wildfire," he told CNN. 9 states have administered more than half of their vaccine dosesAcross the US, more than 12 million people have received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine and more than 31 million doses have been distributed, according to CDC data. The ratio of doses administered to doses delivered sits at roughly 39% -- but the metric varies wildly across different states. About nine states, and Washington, DC, have administered more than 50% of the vaccine doses that were distributed, according to CDC data. Those are Colorado, Connecticut, Kentucky, Louisiana, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas and West Virginia. Two states have administered less than 25% of their doses: Alabama and Georgia. How other states are trying to ramp up vaccinationsTo boost their numbers, parts of the country are working to find ways to ramp up vaccinations.In Wisconsin, Gov. Tony Evers was at the opening of a new Covid-19 vaccination site Monday at the Prevea Health/University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Kress Events Center.Tommy Thompson, president of the University of Wisconsin System, says more vaccination sites will be opening up soon, with the goal of opening sites on all 26 campuses in the system.Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced the state was launching a vaccine pilot program and will partner with local health and school districts to target certain populations."These sites will initially serve adults 65 years of age or older, as well as prekindergarten through grade 12 educators, school staff, and child care workers," a news release from the governor's office said. "The community vaccination pilot program will be the foundation for mass vaccination clinics in Minnesota communities once the federal government increases vaccine supply."In California, all Los Angeles County residents 65 and older will be eligible to receive the vaccine later this week, under a new executive order signed by Board of Supervisors Chair Hilda Solis. That comes just days after health officials in the county said they did not have enough supply to begin vaccinating that age group, after the state expanded eligibility. "If we are to ever get out of this dark winter, it is critical that we make headway vaccinating people 65 years of age and older as soon as possible -- in line with Governor Gavin Newsom's recommendations," Solis said in a statement. In Florida, 40,000 people are overdue for their second doseMeanwhile in Florida, more than 40,000 people who received their first vaccine dose are overdue for their second shot, according to the latest report from the state's health department. "Overdue" individuals are defined as "those who have received their first dose and have passed the recommended time frame to receive their second dose."It's unclear why the residents are overdue.Both vaccines that have been authorized for the US market are a two-dose series. The second dose should be administered 21 days after the first dose for the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine and 28 days after for the Moderna vaccine.The data comes as Dr. Anthony Fauci highlighted the importance of sticking with both full doses of the vaccine in the appropriate time frame.Speaking at the Choose Healthy Life Black Clergy Conclave Monday, Fauci said that an experiment evaluating different dosing regimens was recently carried out in people ages 18 to 55. The results showed that when a half dose was given followed by a booster half dose, the level of antibodies produced was comparable to that of someone given two full doses. "However, that is not clinical proof that they are equally comparable in protecting you," he said. "Bottom line, stick with full dose, followed by full dose."CNN's Amanda Watts, Ashley Killough, Naomi Thomas, Michael Nedelman, Lauren Mascarenhas, Gregory Lemos, Deidre McPhillips and Jacqueline Howard contributed to this report. Washington , DcCovid-19PfizerSouth DakotaHealth OfficialsData TransmissionEmergency WorkersVaccine DosesGovernment OfficialsAmericansCNNWSBFuelMass Vaccination ClinicsCDC DataAshish JhaBill De BlasioTony EversTommy ThompsonTim WalzHilda SolisAnthony FauciGavin Newsom
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Australian Open turmoil raises questions for Tokyo Games
Sydney (CNN) — The quarantine controversy over tennis' Australian Open has raised questions about whether large-scale international sporting events can take place in the middle of a pandemic and could offer a preview of the difficulties facing this summer's Tokyo Olympics.Players arriving in the Australian state of Victoria have been placed into a 14-day quarantine ahead of their grand slam matches. Most have been allotted five hours each day to go out and train in strict bio-secure bubbles, but 72 players have been unable to leave their hotel rooms and cannot practice, under strict quarantine rules after passengers on their flights tested positive for Covid-19.Some tennis stars have expressed anger and frustration at being kept cooped up ahead of the first grand slam of the tennis season. They include record eight-time Australian Open men's singles winner Novak Djokovic, who put forward a list of proposals that would loosen the restrictions on the quarantining stars, including moving players to houses with courts, better food, and reducing the number of days in isolation. In response, Victoria State Premier Daniel Andrews said: "People area free to provide lists of demands, but the answer is no."Athletes have also raised concerns over whether those who can go out and train would have an unfair advantage over their competitors who have to isolate.Canadian player Vasek Pospisil was a passenger on one of the three flights into Melbourne that had a handful of positive Covid-19 tests from those on board, meaning he is barred from going out to train during quarantine.He told CNN that the level of risk of an entire group on a flight having to undergo strict quarantine wasn't properly communicated to the players ahead of time, a claim Tennis Australia refutes. "All the players, we understood that if somebody tested positive that it would just be the group, like if somebody in your staff tested positive, then you would have to be quarantined; you wouldn't be able to practice. There wasn't any discussion about the whole plane going that way, so obviously it was a huge surprise to everybody," he said from his hotel room in Melbourne. But many Australians appear to have little sympathy for the athletes, many of whom have flown in from coronavirus hotspots to compete for a share of total prizes worth 71.5 million Australian dollars ($55.1 million).The Victoria state capital Melbourne, the second-most populous city in Australia, was under a hard lockdown for 111 days last year. Residents contended with a curfew, closures of businesses, bans on leaving their homes, online schooling and job losses. Some Melbourne residents expressed concerns about the impact on the community once the players have left post tournament. Many are worried restrictions could be reimposed if the virus -- particularly new, potentially more transmissible variants -- managed to get into the population because of the tournament. Serbia's Novak Djokovic stands on the balcony at his accommodation in Adelaide, Australia, on January 19, 2021.New cases linked to the tournamentOn Monday, Victoria reported four new Covid-19 cases, three of which are related to the Australian Open, according to the state government of Victoria. The number of people linked to the tournament that have tested positive for the virus is now seven, after two cases were reclassified as "shedding," rather than being actively infected. Among the new cases are two unnamed players and one non-playing participant. "I think that the players are lacking perspective as they have been playing in countries where Covid is nuts," Melbourne resident and Grade 5 teacher Sarah Fuller told CNN. "Melbourne, after being through so much does not want any more restrictions or hard lockdowns due to the virus getting out. So for me, it just demonstrates a lack of understanding of where they are in the world and that it's a privilege to be able to play the game they do as their job."Like many people across the world, Fuller and her husband Trevor have had to navigate the struggles of extra hours working from home and keeping her students engaged in online learning through the pandemic. With family in another state, and the death of a grandparent, Fuller said it has been "exhausting."Fuller and her husband are avid tennis fans and usually buy tickets to the Australian Open. This year, the players, she said, are experiencing just a taste of the restrictions that herself and many others have lived under during the pandemic."Yes it's difficult, it's not ideal and not normal, but nothing is 'normal.' But it's about keeping the community safe and what we have been able to create is a relatively Covid-free Australia."Australia has managed to handle the pandemic better than many countries, in part thanks to quick action from the state governments. Greater Brisbane, for example, went into a three-day lockdown earlier this month after a case of the coronavirus variant first identified in the United Kingdom was discovered.According to the Victoria state government's website on Tuesday there are 34 active cases in the region, with four internationally acquired and in quarantine in the last 24 hours, with none acquired locally in that time period.Some have pointed to the unfairness of players being able to travel and train in Melbourne while residents in other states need to apply for a permit in order to cross the internal border to Victoria. Those people who have been to "red zones" over the past 14 days -- including Victoria residents -- cannot reenter the state. There are also calls to prioritize the more than 38,000 Australians who remain stuck overseas, unable to return in part due to limits on daily international arrivals. Seeing the number of players and officials chartering flights into the country is likely to fuel the anger and desperation of many Australians abroad who have been waiting for months to return, many with no jobs or housing and facing financial hardships.Path to Tokyo 2020 The controversy has exposed the difficulties of operating a large international tournament ensuring strict coronavirus rules are followed, while maintaining an even playing field for competitors. All eyes will be on the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, which despite being pushed back a year owing to the pandemic, has elected to keep the 2020 tag. The event will see athletes from all over the world descend on Japan this summer from July 23 to August 8, and the Paralympic Games from August 24 to September 5.Japan has signaled it is determined to go ahead with the Games. In a New Year's address to Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee staff, Chairman Yoshiro Mori said that preparations would proceed "as planned."Covid-19 countermeasures include athletes being tested at least once every four days and traced throughout their stay and "contact with athletes will be kept to a minimum," according to an interim report published on December 2. Details are scant but a scheme would allow athletes "to engage in various activities including training and participating in competitions during the 14 day self-isolation period after arrival," the report said. But Olympic officials are facing difficult decisions due to rising Covid-19 cases in the country. A recent poll by Japanese public broadcaster NHK found that 77% of respondents felt the Games should be postponed again or completely canceled, with only 16% in favor of holding them this year.It comes as the capital Tokyo, along with major cities such as Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Aichi, Gifu, Tochigi and Fukuoka -- covering much of Japan's main island of Honshu -- have been placed under a coronavirus state of emergency. The total number of confirmed cases in Tokyo now stands at 86,674 and the city is suffering from a shortage of hospital beds for virus patients. The International Olympic Committee in December announced the opening and closing ceremonies will be pared-back in keeping with an "overall simplification of the Games."Speaking to CNN last week, former top International Olympic Committee official Dick Pound said that it was unlikely the Games could be postponed again, and so any additional delay would likely mean their cancellation."The one-year postponement was a proposal by Japan, the Organizing Committee said 'look, we can hold this together for another year, but not further'," he said. "Postponing it for another year, for example, will come at a huge cost, which Japan may not be willing to incur. It will further complicate a crowded sports schedule ...you're going to have the World Cup and football going on, and at some point it's just there's just too much congestion in the overall system."CNN has reached out to the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee for comment on its quarantine requirements for athletes.Tokyo GamesAustralian OpenOlympic GamesTokyo OlympicsJapanSporting EventsCNNVictoria StateCanadianTennis AustraliaAustraliansCovidNHKSydneyMelbourneNovak DjokovicDaniel AndrewsSarah FullerDick PoundYoshiro Mori
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Biden's homeland security pick would inherit major challenges, inside and outside U.S.
The Senate faces intense pressure to approve President-elect Joe Biden's pick to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Alejandro Mayorkas, two weeks after the deadly assault on the U.S. Capitol. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee is slated to holding a hearing on Mayorkas' nomination Tuesday morning....Read Full StoryPoliticsObama AdministrationU.S. ImmigrationU.S. PolicyCBPCBS NewsMexicanPro-TrumpCapitolRepublicansDemocratsThe Washington PostUSCISJewishNaziJoe BidenAlejandro MayorkasGil KerlikowskeTom RidgeMichael ChertoffJanet NapolitanoJeh Johnson
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Trump expected to issue pardons on last day as president while Senate set to reconvene
President Trump plans to spend his last day in office on Tuesday issuing 100 pardons or commutations, a senior administration official and a senior White House official tell CBS News. Meanwhile, the Senate will reconvene that day for the first time since the House impeached Mr. Trump last week, and will begin confirmation hearings for some of President-elect Joe Biden's Cabinet nominees.It's not yet known who Mr. Trump plans on pardoning, although one source said the president isn't expected to pardon himself. Mr. Trump stayed out of the public eye on Monday, while first lady Melania Trump issued a farewell video. She did not directly reference the January 6 assault on the Capitol, but she did say, "Be passionate in everything you do, but always remember that violence is never the answer and will never be justified."In a break with tradition, Melania Trump did not give a tour to incoming first lady Jill Biden. The Trumps will be the first president and first lady to skip the incoming president's inauguration in more than 150 years.With the military focused on protecting the inauguration, Mr. Trump will not get the large military honors he wanted for his sendoff. He instead will have a scaled-back sendoff at 8 a.m. Wednesday before he heads to Mar-a-Lago.The Pentagon has authorized more than 25,000 National Guard troops to secure the inauguration, and the FBI is vetting all Guard members. The chief of the National Guard bureau Daniel Hokanson told CBS News' David Martin that he is "absolutely not" worried about the reliability of his troops.The FBI is also investigating the funding of the Capitol assault. Ninety people are facing federal charges, and that number is expected to go up as the FBI catches up to information sent into tip lines.Charges were also announced against a person allegedly affiliated with the Oath Keepers, a far-right anti-government group, as well as the militia group the Three Percenters.On Tuesday, the Senate will be holding confirmation hearings for five key Cabinet nominees: Janet Yellen at Treasury, Antony Blinken at State, Lloyd Austin at Defense, Alejandro Mayorkas at Homeland Security and Avril Haines as director of national intelligence.U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters on the South Lawn of the White House before boarding Marine One on January 12, 2021 in Washington, DC. Drew Angerer / Getty ImagesWoman investigated for allegedly stealing computer from Nancy Pelosi's office to give to Russia surrenders to authoritiesAn alleged Capitol rioter accused by a former partner of stealing a laptop or hard drive from Nancy Pelosi's office has surrendered to authorities, two sources confirmed to CBS News. The former partner of Riley Williams told authorities that she planned to give the device to a friend who would sell it to Russia's foreign intelligence service, a claim that authorities are investigating but have not yet confirmed. The former romantic partner, referred to as Witness 1, said the plan "fell through for unknown reasons," adding that Williams either still has the device or she destroyed it.The complaint does not offer additional evidence to support the theft allegations beyond the witness' allegations, but says the claim "remains under investigation." According to court documents, Williams appears multiple times in footage of the assault on the Capitol, including by a staircase near Pelosi's office. She is not currently facing any theft charges, and is instead accused of "Knowingly Entering or Remaining in any Restricted Building or Grounds Without Lawful Authority and Violent Entry and Disorderly Conduct on Capitol Grounds." Anti-government militia group suspects charged in U.S Capitol attackThe FBI is closing in on alleged members of anti-government militia groups tied to the assault on the Capitol. CBS News has learned the latest suspects are affiliated with the Three Percenters and the Oath Keepers. CBS News senior investigative correspondent Catherine Herridge joins CBSN's Elaine Quijano to discuss the latest on the investigations into the riots.Republican Senator Roy Blunt says actions of Capitol rioters were "unpardonable"The inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden will come exactly two weeks after an angry pro-Trump mob stormed the U.S. Capitol. But will it be safe on Wednesday?"CBS Evening News" anchor and managing editor Norah O'Donnell spoke exclusively with the senators in charge of the inauguration, Republican Roy Blunt of Missouri and Democrat Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota. The senators discussed the significance of the inauguration after the violent assault, and how the country should regard those who stormed the Capitol.Unprecedented security effort in Washington, D.C., ahead of Biden inaugurationNew video shows rioters threaten members of Congress and Vice President Mike Pence during the assault on the Capitol. This comes as the level of security in Washington, D.C., is at an unprecedented level. Jeff Pegues has the latest.Trump expected to grant up to 100 pardons and commutations on last full day in officePresident Trump is expected to issue up to 100 pardons and commutations on Tuesday, a senior administration official and a senior White House official tell CBS News. Tuesday marks Mr. Trump's final full day in office. Neither source disclosed any of the recipients, although the president isn't currently expected to attempt to pardon himself, one source said. CNN first reported the expectation of up to 100 acts of clemency this week. The White House has invited guests to an 8 a.m. Wednesday sendoff ceremony for the president at Joint Base Andrews, four hours ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration. — Ben Tracy and Fin Gomez Giuliani denies he was paid to lobby for pardonsRudy Giuliani, who has worked as President Trump's personal attorney, denied a New York Times report linking him to paying for pardons. "The claims that I asked for, or received, any compensation for a pardon for myself or anyone else is false, defamatory, and malicious," Giuliani tweeted.Giuliani on Monday also confirmed that he will not be joining Mr. Trump's impeachment legal team, because he spoke at the January 6 rally. "Due to the fact that I may be a witness, the rules of legal ethics would prohibit me from representing the president as trial counsel in the impeachment trial," he said in a statement to CBS News. — Sara Cook and Kristin BrownSource tells CBS News pipe bombs found at DNC, RNC did not require professional training to buildA law enforcement source tells CBS News that the pipe bombs did not require professional or military training to build and could have been fashioned from the internet. Both pipe bombs found near the RNC and DNC used kitchen timers. Investigators are focused on likelihood timers were incorrectly set, or the electrical connection was poorly executed.Pipe bombs have long been the most common type of IED in the U.S., according to data maintained by the U.S. bomb data center. The most common type of pipe bomb uses a fuse with some sort of energetic powder. Using a mechanical timer makes the devices recovered near the RNC and DNC somewhat more complex.Melania Trump delivers farewell message: "Violence is never the answer"In a nearly seven-minute-long video posted to her Twitter account, Melania Trump reflected on her four years as first lady, calling it the "greatest honor of my life" to serve in the role."The past four years have been unforgettable," she said. "As Donald and I conclude our time in the White House, I think of all of the people I have taken home in my heart, and their incredible stories of love, patriotism and determination."Trump honored members of the military and law enforcement, and looked back on her visits with children during her four years as first lady, including meetings with mothers and babies impacted by the opioid crisis, as well as the accomplishments of "Be Best," her initiative addressing issues facing children."When I think about these meaningful experiences, I'm humbled to have had the opportunity to represent a nation with such kind and generous people," she said.The first lady also extended gratitude to health care and front-line workers battling the COVID-19 pandemic and encouraged Americans to take steps to protect others."Every life is precious and I ask all American to use caution and common sense to protect the vulnerable as millions of vaccines are now being delivered," she said.While Trump did not explicitly mention the violence at the U.S. Capitol on January 6 perpetrated by a mob of the president's supporters, she did encourage Americans to remain peaceful. "Be passionate in everything you do, but always remember that violence is never the answer and will never be justified," she said.The first lady did not mention Dr. Jill Biden, who will become first lady Wednesday.Alleged member of "Three Percenter" group charged, official says more to comeA law enforcement official confirmed to CBS News that federal prosecutors are bringing charges against individuals allegedly associated with the groups known as the "Three Percenters" and the "Oath Keepers" for alleged involvement in the Capitol riots.Both are radical anti-government militia groups and the official said they recruit heavily among military and law enforcement. The official said the evidence goes to questions of coordination and premeditation.Among the first to face charges is Robert Gieswein, who is accused of assault on a federal officer; aiding and abetting destruction of federal property; obstruction of a federal proceeding; violent entry or disorderly conduct; and knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority. Charges against more alleged members of the groups are coming.Gieswein is 24 years old and from Woodland Park, Colorado. An FBI agent wrote in an affidavit that Gieswein runs a private paramilitary training group called the Woodland Wild Dogs, and wore a patch for the group on his military-style vest during the January 6 assault. The affidavit said Gieswein wore distinctive military gear, including "a camouflage shirt underneath a reinforced military-style vest; an army-style helmet marked with orange tape and patches; goggles; and a black camouflage patterned backpack."According to the affidavit, he forcibly entered the Capitol through a broken window and carried a baseball bat once inside.White House sends out invitations to Trump farewell ceremonyThe White House has distributed invitations to President Trump's farewell ceremony at 8 a.m. Wednesday morning at Joint Base Andrews, before he departs for Florida on his last flight as president on Air Force One. It's unclear how many people have received invitations, but each person invited is allowed to bring five guests, despite the ongoing pandemic. Guests are asked on the invitation to wear a mask for the duration of the event. CBS News obtained a copy of the invitation. "The White House cordially invites you to a Ceremony featuring President Donald J. Trump at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 at 8:00 AM," the invitation reads. Mr. Trump is flying to Florida, where he will reside following his presidency. He is the first outgoing president in modern times not to attend the inauguration of his successor.Acting defense secretary says it's "normal" for Pentagon to vet National Guard troopsActing Defense Secretary Christopher Miller issued a statement Monday saying it's "normal" for the Pentagon to vet military support, and the Defense Department will vet National Guard members stationed in Washington, D.C.Miller said there is no intelligence suggesting that those members of the military present an "insider threat." More than 20,000 members of the National Guard are already in D.C. to save off any unrest surrounding the inauguration."As is normal for military support to large security events, the Department will vet National Guardsmen who are in Washington, D.C. While we have no intelligence indicating an insider threat, we are leaving no stone unturned in securing the capital," Miller said in a statement. "This type of vetting often takes place by law enforcement for significant security events. However, in this case the scope of military participation is unique. The D.C. National Guard is also providing additional training to service members as they arrive in D.C. that if they see or hear something that is not appropriate, they should report it to their chain of command."Miller said the Pentagon "appreciate[s] the support of the FBI in assisting with this task" and thanked the National Guard troops who have deployed to Washington.A perimeter surrounding the Capitol, National Mall and White House has effectively shut down downtown Washington ahead of Mr. Biden's inauguration Wednesday. David Martin and Kathryn WatsonWhat to expect from Biden's inaugural addressMr. Biden spent the weekend working through a major homework assignment: The first speech of his presidency, an inaugural address set to be delivered on the West Front of the United States Capitol amid an unprecedented crush of security at a time of deep divisions and uncertainty about the country's future.Aides are sharing little specific in advance, knowing from experience that the former vice president is likely to continue reworking his remarks up until shortly before the big moment. He's joined in the writing and thinking about the speech by family members, especially his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, and his sister, Valerie Biden Owens, plus his longtime senior counselor, Mike Donilon, and Vinay Reddy, the president-elect's speechwriting director who held a similar role during his vice presidency."This will be a moment where President-elect Biden will really work to try to turn the page on the divisiveness and the hatred over the last four years and really lay out a positive, optimistic vision for the country, and ... lay out a path forward that really calls on all of us to work together," incoming White House communications director Kate Bedingfield said Sunday on ABC's "This Week." The general themes of the most high-profile speech of Mr. Biden's decades-long political career are likely to be extended or loftier riffs on some of his more familiar lines over the course of his campaign and presidential transition. Statements that speak to unity or that attempt to buck-up a country withering from a pandemic, a reckoning on race relations and the violence that played out in the same spot from which the new president will speak.Garth Brooks to perform at inaugurationCountry superstar Garth Brooks will join the lineup of performers at Mr. Biden's inauguration Wednesday, he announced.Brooks told reporters in a Zoom press conference his decision to accept the invitation to perform was not political, but rather about "unity.""You must rise about red and blue. You must rise above Black and White," he said.Jennifer Lopez and Lady Gaga are also set to perform during the inauguration.All-clear given at CapitolCapitol Police announced on overhead loudspeakers that the lockdown at the complex has been lifted, roughly an hour after staffers were told to remain in place. "The external threat has concluded. Return to normal operations," the announcement said.D.C. Fire and EMS said the fire involved a homeless person's tent and was "quickly extinguished."Harris officially resigns Senate seatVice President-elect Kamala Harris formally notified California Governor Gavin Newsom she will resign from the Senate, effective at 12 p.m. EST on Monday. "As I assume my duty as vice president of the United States, I would like to thank the people of California for the honor of serving them in the U.S. Senate over the past four years," Harris wrote in a brief letter to Newsom obtained from an aide to the California Democrat.Newsom has already selected California Secretary of State Alex Padilla to serve the remaining two years of Harris's term.Secret Service, National Park Service close access to MLK Memorial through inaugurationThe Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is closed to the public through Thursday, the Secret Service and National Park Service announced on the holiday observing the civil rights icon's birthday.The memorial is the latest landmark in Washington, D.C., that will now be off-limits to the public as security in the nation's capital tightens ahead of the inauguration. The National Mall and the Washington Monument are also closed, while streets from the Capitol down to the White House are closed.Pence reached out to U.S. Capitol Police officer who led mob away from Senate chamberCBS News has confirmed that Vice President Mike Pence reached out to Eugene Goodman, an officer with the U.S. Capitol Police who was filmed leading violent rioters who broke into the Capitol building on January 6 away from the Senate chamber. It was not immediately clear whether the two have spoken.Goodman has been hailed as a hero for his actions January 6, in which he confronted the pro-Trump mob as they made their way closer to the Senate chamber, where members and Pence were debating before they were eventually evacuated. A group of lawmakers has also introduced legislation to award Goodman with the Congressional Gold Medal.Ben Tracy and Sara CookCapitol Police say fire under highway prompted lockdownCapitol Police said a nearby fire several blocks south of the Capitol prompted the security scare."In an abundance of caution following an external security threat under the bridge on I-295 at First and F Streets, SE, Acting Chief Pittman ordered a shutdown of the Capitol Complex," police said. "There are currently no fires on or within the Capitol campus. Members and staff were advised to shelter in place while the incident is being investigated."Capitol on lockdown due to "external security threat"The Capitol is on lockdown due to an "external security threat," according to a notice issued by Capitol Police. The West Front of the Capitol is evacuating."All buildings within the Capitol Complex: External security threat, no entry or exit is permitted, stay away from exterior windows, doors. If outside, seek cover," a text alert sent to staffers said. The announcement was also heard over loud speakers at the Capitol.Zak Hudak, Ariana Freeman and Arden FarhiNational Guard troops being vetted as they arrive to guard CapitolU.S. defense officials say they're worried about an insider attack or other threat from service members involved in securing the inauguration, prompting the vetting of all 25,000 National Guard troops coming into Washington for the event.The massive undertaking reflects the extraordinary security concerns that have gripped Washington following the deadly January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol by pro-Trump rioters. And it underscores fears that some of the very people assigned to protect the city over the next several days could present a threat to the incoming president and other VIPs in attendance.General Daniel R. Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told CBS News national security correspondent David Martin the Guard has been meeting with its troops as they arrive in D.C."In coordination with the Secret Service and the FBI, they're screening all the personnel that are coming in," Hokanson said."Cowboys for Trump" leader arrested over Capitol riotA New Mexico county official and founder of the group Cowboys for Trump who had vowed to return to Washington after last week's riot at the U.S. Capitol to "plant our flag" on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's desk has been arrested Sunday by the FBI.Otero County Commissioner Couy Griffin was arrested on charges of illegally entering the U.S. Capitol.According to court documents, Griffin told investigators that he was "caught up" in the crowd, which pushed its way through the barricades and entered the restricted area of the U.S. Capitol, but he said he did not enter the building and instead remained on the U.S. Capitol steps.On Thursday, Griffin, said he planned to travel with firearms to Washington, D.C., for Biden's inauguration."I'm gonna be there on January 20 ... and I'm gonna take a stand for our country and for our freedoms," Griffin said during a meeting of the Otero County Board of Commissioners."I'm gonna leave either tonight or tomorrow. I've got a .357 Henry Big Boy rifle lever action that I've got in the trunk of my car and I've got a .357 single action revolver, the Colt Ruger Vaquero that I'll have underneath the front seat on my right side and I will embrace my Second Amendment," he said. How DHS plans to secure the Biden InaugurationOn "60 Minutes," correspondent Scott Pelley reported on the expansive operation to ensure President-elect Joseph R. Biden is sworn into office without incident.The event is designated a "National Special Security Event" and security coordination across multiple government jurisdictions at the local, state, and federal level is led by the Secret Service. The agency famous for protecting presidents falls under the auspice of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which is absent of a Senate-confirmed secretary and whose former acting chief, Chad Wolf, resigned from the post last week.Among the agency's leadership who remains is Ken Cuccinelli. The acting deputy DHS secretary, also unconfirmed by the Senate, told Pelley the deployment of National Guard troops around the capital is a preemptive and preventative security measure."A lot of what you see, Scott, is confidence building," Cuccinelli said. "Secret Service's plan was already very resilient for any threat like January 6th and many times it."DncPoliticsPresidential ElectionThe SenateRepublican LawmakersCongressional HearingsHouse LawmakersWhite HouseCabinetPentagonFBIThe National GuardCBS News 'TreasuryAntony BlinkenMelania TrumpJoe BidenJill BidenJanet YellenLloyd AustinAlejandro MayorkasAvril HainesNancy PelosiCatherine HerridgeElaine QuijanoRoy BluntNorah O'donnellAmy KlobucharMike PenceGarth BrooksJennifer LopezEugene GoodmanKamala HarrisChad WolfAlex PadillaScott PelleyRudy GiulianiLady GagaMike DonilonDaniel R. HokansonGavin NewsomKen Cuccinelli
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With Trump's exit, the Fox News presidency will come to an end
(CNN Business) — A version of this article first appeared in the "Reliable Sources" newsletter. You can sign up for free right here.Four years ago, Fox News headed into the Trump presidency with an unprecedented opportunity. It was not only the primary source of news for the Republican Party, but also the primary source for President Trump himself. The network could have used the opportunity to act responsibly. It could have leveraged its contacts within Trump's inner circle and the GOP to double down on reporting and break some real news. It could have — at the very least — delivered the cold hard truth to the millions who relied on it for accurate, reliable information.But it did none of those things. Instead, Fox chose to run in the opposite direction. The propagandists on the network were empowered like never before while the so-called "straight news" hours became Trumpier and Trumpier. Its hosts scored dozens of Trump interviews, but, in most cases, instead of pressing him with tough questions, they egged on his worst tendencies. Even when not talking directly with him, the hosts were speaking directly to him. And they egged on those poor tendencies by feeding him a steady diet of hyper-partisan stories and outright disinformation. While it is officially called the "Trump presidency," there is a good case to be made that it should be referred to as the "Fox News presidency."Now, that is all coming to an end. But it is important to realize that none of that had to happen. Rupert Murdoch, who has already earned more money than he can possibly know what to do with, could have put an end to it with a snap of a finger. He could have done this when his hosts lied about the Russia investigation and pushed "deep-state" nonsense. He could have done it when his hosts misled the American public about the coronavirus. He could have done it when the network's top personalities entertained wild conspiracy theories about the 2020 presidential election. He did not.Instead, Murdoch tweaked the network in another way. As Stelter reported earlier this month, Murdoch was personally involved in shaking up Fox's daytime lineup. That new lineup premiered on Monday. The biggest change? Replacing Martha MacCallum's newscast — which was already overtly conservative — with another right-wing talk show. More opinion, less news.Is MacCallum hosting a right-wing opinion show now?While MacCallum lost her 7pm time slot, she is now hosting at 3pm. The promos said she would bring her "unmatched perspective" to the daytime hour. If Monday's show was any indication, that "unmatched perspective" translates to a right-wing POV. For her debut at 3pm, MacCallum's guest list consisted of Sara Carter, Charlie Kirk, Alex Berenson, Geraldo Rivera, Rep. Nancy Mace, K.T. McFarland, Heather Higgins, and Stephanie Cutter. Which is to say her hour was ripe with pro-Trump pundits. And while Cutter was on her show, MacCallum's posture was adversarial, of course.Kilmeade plays the hitsBrian Kilmeade on Monday became the first person to try out for host of "Fox News Primetime" — which, I feel obligated to note, is not actually in primetime given that primetime doesn't start until 8pm. Kilmeade played all the hits for the Fox audience. He led his show talking about censorship, moved on to fear-mongering about a migrant caravan heading toward the US border, and finished off a segment featuring Barstool's Dave Portnoy. It felt like Kilmeade's chief aim was to hit directly back at Newsmax's Greg Kelly, which has chipped away some of Fox's audience at 7pm, and earn some of that audience back...Will this call Fox's viewers back home?Fox is used to obnoxiously boasting that it dominates its competitors in the ratings. But right now, as Stelter wrote Friday, the channel is stuck in third place. The changes that were implemented Monday should be viewed through that frame. Will the shakeup bring Fox fans home? Also: More big changes are coming soon. Which hours will be shaken up next?Trump PresidencyCnn BusinessPoliticsNewsmaxRussiaCNN BusinessThe Republican PartyGOPTrumpierAmericanStelterPresident TrumpTrump InterviewsFox News PrimetimeFox Fans HomeRupert MurdochMartha MaccallumSara CarterAlex BerensonGeraldo RiveraNancy MaceHeather HigginsStephanie CutterBrian KilmeadeGreg KellyDonald Trump
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Why Putin wants to keep Navalny locked up
Michael Bociurkiw (@WorldAffairsPro) is a global affairs analyst and host of the podcast "Global Impact." He is a regular contributor to CNN Opinion. The opinions expressed in this commentary are his own. Read at CNN. (CNN) — With Alexei Navalny back in Russia five months after surviving a poisoning with the nerve agent Novichok, his courageous return presented Russian President Vladimir Putin -- who Navalny believes ordered his killing -- with two choices: allow the high-profile activist to continue to be a thorn in his side or lock him up in the hopes that he fades into obscurity.We learned Sunday that Putin chose the second option. And the question now is whether Navalny's anti-corruption movement can survive with its incredibly telegenic and social media savvy leader isolated from the frontlines -- especially with factors like pandemic restrictions limiting public gatherings stacked against them.We were also reminded, if we even needed it, of Putin's disdain for any form of dissent, his reflex to reach for the most barbaric tactics to silence voices of opposition. These certainly are not the hallmarks of a leader who seeks a place in history among the great statesmen of the world.Unfortunately for Navalny, his brave gamble in going back to take on someone as ruthless as Putin appears to have been a miscalculation. The Russian leader can remain in office for years, cares little about the international opprobrium for his treatment of Navalny and no doubt expects little retaliation from a United States pre-occupied with the turmoil of Donald Trump's departure. That makes it unlikely to mean -- at least in the short term -- that Navalny's supporters can make a heroic return to the protest barricades.Indeed, during a hastily arranged hearing on Monday at the Moscow police station where he is being held, Navalny was ordered to remain in custody for 30 days. In what can best be described as a sham trial, a judge was brought in, defense lawyers were not informed until the last minute and only pro-Kremlin journalists were allowed to attend.The prospects for the 44-year-old politician -- expected to be jailed for at least 3.5 years— do not look at all favorable. Shortly before his arrest, he told journalists at Moscow's airport he was not afraid because "I know that I will leave and go home because I'm right and all the criminal cases against me are fabricated." Navalny probably wanted to end his stay abroad in order to avoid the risk of becoming irrelevant or being seen as a foreign-backed agent. Likely he had an eye on two things: the situation of Belarus opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who was forced to go into exile in Lithuania last August and remains outside of her country, and the fact that Russians -- as I am told by many contacts in the country -- rarely have sympathy for politicians who flee abroad (even though his departure from Russia last year was forced by his needing medical treatment after the poisoning attempt, which almost killed him).Putin, who typically refuses to acknowledge Navalny by name and has said that if Russian special services had wanted to kill Navalny they would have "finished it," probably wanted nothing more than to see the anti-corruption activist absent at least until later this year, after elections for the lower house of Parliament are held and where the ruling, pro-Putin United Russia party is hoping to be handed a loyal majority in the next State Duma. "This is the main political event of the year and the main reason to ensure his (Navalny's) absence," Russian political scientist and Chatham House Associate Fellow Ekaterina Schulmann told me Sunday. At the time of his poisoning, Navalny, who refers to United Russia as the party "of crooks and thieves" was promoting a "Smart Voting" strategy that encourages voters to cast tactical ballots for any opposition candidates considered likely to unseat a ruling party member in regional and federal elections. The tactic was used effectively in Moscow last year. That, coupled with an ability to reach millions of supporters via social media and in a way which Putin and his cronies are unable to compete, presented a formidable challenge that the Kremlin could not ignore.Navalny's return home also comes at a time the Kremlin and its security services are likely still seething: Late last year, an investigation by CNN-Bellingcat revealed the complicity of Kremlin agents in the poisoning, with Navalny duping a Russian agent tailing him into discussing details of the poisoning. To further complicate matters for Navalny and his movement, harsh Covid-19 restrictions in Russia make it difficult for large protests to take place. That, coupled with an economic downturn, essentially silenced Russia's protest movement throughout 2020.The pandemic situation in Russia is one of Putin's top problems at the moment. According to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, Russia, with more than 3.5 million cases, has the fifth highest caseload in the world. (Though Russia's official reporting figures, especially on deaths, is said to be wildly inaccurate).A series of other economic headaches are hitting hard: plummeting global oil prices, the disruption to the completion of Russia's $11 billion Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project and punishing sanctions imposed after Russia illegally annexed Crimea in 2014 and invaded eastern Ukraine shortly afterward. An unpopular attempt in 2018 to raise the pension age infuriated many Russians and caused the ruling party's popularity to plummet.Putin may have wanted to sideline Navalny at a time when incoming US President Joe Biden is distracted by crises like Covid-19, domestic violence and the foreign policy fires lit by outgoing Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (Taiwan, Cuba, Sudan) in his final days in office.Russia is certainly on Biden's agenda, with his incoming National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan already signaling a more activist approach, calling the attacks on Navalny "not just a violation of human rights, but an affront to the Russian people who want their voices heard."But the new administration needs to play a more activist role. Biden needs to take this opportunity to forge a unified alliance among world leaders to confront Putin and renew pressure on him to lay off opposition leaders such as Navalny and Tikhanovskaya.And to do it before Putin takes any more outrageous steps against those who speak out in opposition to him.United Russia PartyPoliticsPolitical OppositionCrimeaRussiansParliamentChatham HouseCNN-BellingcatState DumaSideline NavalnyMoscowKremlin AgentsEastern UkraineOpposition LeadersPoliticiansAlexei NavalnyVladimir PutinDonald TrumpEkaterina SchulmannMike PompeoJoe BidenJake Sullivan
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Trump's legacy will take years to purge from the American psyche
(CNN) — After four exhausting years of raging tweets, lies, "fire and fury" rants and orders for far-right extremists to "stand back and stand by," it's almost over.Donald Trump's presidency is ending in a riot of division, discord and disgrace that encapsulates the pandemonium of his single term that culminated in him inciting an insurrection against Congress and a legacy that will take years to purge from the American psyche.Trump is expected to unfurl a new list of pardons, including for white-collar criminals and celebrity rappers, in his last full day in office Tuesday that is likely to reflect the self-dealing contempt for justice that was a dominant theme of his tumultuous term. And there are sure to be more political traps for Joe Biden's incoming administration on his way out the door.The very experience of being alive in America will change at noon on Wednesday when the mandate expires of the loudest, most disruptive and erratic commander in chief in history -- who forced himself into every corner of life on his social media feed and constant craving for the spotlight.Millions of Americans who viewed the twice-impeached Trump's assaults on decency and the rule of law with shame and alarm will finally be able to breathe easily again, liberated from his strongman's shadow. Biden will be a President who seeks to unify an internally estranged nation in contrast to Trump's obsession with ripping at its social, racial and cultural fault lines to cement his power. Trump's cynical weaponizing of race reemerged on Monday when his White House chose the national holiday honoring Martin Luther King Jr. to issue a commission report that minimizes slavery and insults the modern civil rights movement.But this is only one view of Trump. The 74 million Americans who voted to reward him with a second term saw him as a leader who voiced their anger at political, business and media elites. Trump channeled their belief that an increasingly diverse and socially liberal nation threatened their values, religion, gun rights and cultural heritage. His exit could trigger volatile political forces among a community that will mourn his White House. The continued devotion of Trump's loyal base voters means that while Biden can wipe out many of the outgoing President's policy wins, removing his influence from politics may well be impossible.As he moves into retirement, Trump's presidency will personify the divides between two halves of a populace -- one largely conservative and rural and the other more liberal suburban and city dwelling. The two increasingly lack a common cultural language and definition of patriotism -- and thanks to Trump and the media propagandists who sustained his personality cult -- even a common version of truth.One long conspiracy theoryTrump's political career began with outrageous lies and a conspiracy theory over former President Barack Obama's birthplace. It is ending, at least for now, with another even more outrageous one: the false claim that he won an election he clearly lost. Trump's perpetuating of this alternative reality has caused catastrophic damage to faith in government that is the bedrock of any functioning nation. His shattering of the tradition of peaceful US transfers of power threatens to suffocate Biden's legitimacy and prolong the nation's agony at a time of dire crises.After his final White House departure on Wednesday, Trump's Marine One will fly over miles of iron fencing and troops protecting the US Capitol from a repeat of the mob insurrection he enlisted and inspired. There could not be a better metaphor for his assault on American democracy.Biden's inaugural celebrations will also be muted by the never worse pandemic that was fueled by presidential neglect. Nearly 400,000 Americans, many whose deaths could have been prevented, are dead on Trump's watch. Like his election sedition, Trump's denial over Covid-19 was rooted in an incessant focus on his own political needs rather his oath to faithfully execute the office of the presidency he swore in January 2017. The President's premature push to reopen the country in the service of his reelection campaign last summer helped spark a murderous second wave of the virus. Future generations will understand his contempt for science through his barely believable public pondering about whether ingesting disinfectant could cure Covid-19.A desire to promote his own interests was also reflected in the outgoing President's attempts to funnel cash and publicity toward his worldwide real estate and hotel empire. This was highlighted by his abortive effort to host the G7 summit at his struggling Doral golf resort in Florida. In many ways, Trump attitude to the presidency was the exact inverse of President John Kennedy's inaugural admonishment to his fellow citizens: "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."A legacy that will outlast his termIn purely political terms, the President leaves office with some achievements that will long outlast his term. He fundamentally remodeled the Supreme Court and the judiciary on conservative lines. He presided over the first criminal justice reform in years. And he managed to avoid being drawn into foreign wars and beefed up US policy towards an increasingly hostile China while putting NATO nations on notice they must spend more in their own defense. At the same time, he trashed America's reputation among its friends abroad, treated another looming threat, climate change, with the same denial he brought to the coronavirus and fawned over autocratic US enemies such as Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un.But perhaps his term will be mostly remembered for his adoption of "forgotten Americans" in midwestern and southern cities hollowed out by globalized free trade policies. Trump powerfully identified a populace badly neglected by Washington politicians of both parties -- as well as an audience for his populist, nationalist politics. But the facts suggest the President's tax cuts and economic policies in practice did more for corporations and rich cronies that the heartland Americans he championed. His promise to furnish Americans with a "beautiful" health care plan never materialized. And his immigration policy and southern border wall that Mexico never paid for turned out to be more successful as a demagogic prop than in addressing the causes of undocumented immigration.Trump's post-election propagandizing has added a dangerous layer of radicalization to the grievances of his supporters, millions of whom now reject the structures of US government they believe unjustly ejected their leader. Partly because of this, he leaves behind a country that is now as divided as it has been since the Civil War, in which White nationalism is on the march and in which extreme groups like QAnon have infiltrated a shattered Republican Party. How Trump's voters react to his departure will not only shape the future of the GOP -- a party that has shown itself to live in fear of Trump's base -- but will have huge implications for American unity in time to come.A more quiet futureBiden's inheritance is the most challenging of any new President since Franklin Roosevelt, who took office in the teeth of the Great Depression in 1933, at a time when Nazism was building its totalitarian horror in Europe. Despite Biden's ambitious goals on issues such as climate, health care and foreign policy, the success of his presidency will likely be judged on his ability to lead America out of the worst public health crisis in 100 years and the economic nightmare it created. And every President faces crises that they could never have anticipated.But one thing is for sure -- his White House will be far more conventional, quiet and stable than Trump's. In fact, America may never see anything quite like the last four years again.Us CapitolCivil Rights MovementAmerican DemocracyPolitical HistoryTrump PoliticsPower PoliticsLegacyUS PoliticsCNNCongressAmericansWhite HouseMarine OneDoralSupreme CourtDonald TrumpJoe BidenMartin Luther King Jr.Barack ObamaVladimir PutinKim Jong Un
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Final days: How Trump turned on Barr and embraced the ‘crazy’ Powell
One day before Joe Biden’s inauguration, with Washington resembling an armed camp, President Trump has no lawyer to defend him in an impeachment trial rooted in his aggressive attempts to reverse Biden’s victory. The more than 20,000 National Guard troops protecting the Capitol after Trump supporters staged a violent insurrection...Read Full StoryInaugurationBill BarrPoliticsTrump SupportersRepublicansNational GuardABCCapitolThe New York TimesCabinetThe Wall Street JournalAxiosAPAGThe Washington PostDonald TrumpJoe BidenRudy GiulianiJonathan KarlLarry KudlowJonathan SwanKayleigh McenanyMark MeadowsJeff SessionsJim MattisJohn BoltonHoward KurtzHope Hicks