1/21/2021

White House News (白宮消息) | Jan. 21, 2021

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U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden watch fireworks from the White House after his inauguration as president of the United States on Wednesday.
From day one, Biden moves to undo Trump’s legacy

Jan. 21 - WASHINGTON – U.S. President Joe Biden unleashed a full-scale assault on his predecessor’s legacy Wednesday, acting hours after taking the oath of office to sweep aside former President Donald Trump’s pandemic response, reverse his environmental agenda, tear down his anti-immigration policies, bolster the sluggish economic recovery and restore federal efforts aimed at promoting diversity.

Moving with an urgency not seen from any other modern president, Biden signed 17 executive orders, memorandums and proclamations from the Oval Office on Wednesday afternoon. Among the steps the president took were orders to rejoin the Paris climate accord and end Trump’s travel ban on predominantly Muslim and African countries.


Individually, the actions are targeted at what the president views as specific, egregious abuses by Trump during four tumultuous years. Collectively, Biden’s assertive use of executive authority was intended to be a hefty and visible down payment on one of his primary goals: to, as his top advisers described it, “reverse the gravest damages” done to the country by Trump.     continue to read

JANUARY 20, 2021 | PART OF PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION
President Biden 2021 Inaugural Ceremony
Kamala Harris as vice president of the United States during a ceremony on Capitol Hill.
Joseph R Biden was yesterday sworn in as the 46th President of the USA
Joe Biden promises US will lead by example as he takes power from Donald Trump


THE long nightmare is over, rendered back to darkness in the bright Washington sunlight that shone on the silver hair of a man who perhaps, just perhaps, really does embody hope over fear, and who might just be capable of making the United States of America a beacon of light and democracy again.

Jan. 21 - With dignity and decorum that his predecessor never revealed, Joseph R Biden was yesterday sworn in as the 46th President of the USA and immediately issued a ringing call for unity in the deeply divided country he clearly loves and the pandemic that made his own inauguration a cut-down version.

With his sincere passion and his basic decency on display, he gave a remarkable speech that in just 21 minutes blew away the legacy of Donald J Trump – he never once named him – with the new president emphasising the need for truth and calling for an end to America’s “uncivil war” while he committed to defeating the coronavirus pandemic as “one nation”.

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JANUARY 20, 2021
President Trump Final White House Departure

President Trump 
and first lady Melania depart the White House for the final time ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. He tells reporters it was “the honor of a lifetime” and thanks them.
Trump’s Senate Trial Still on Hold as Democrats Take Control

Jan. 21 - (Bloomberg) -- Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial remains in limbo as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi holds off on triggering a proceeding that could slow down the Senate’s new Democratic majority and delay confirmation of key Biden administration officials.


Democrats regained control of the Senate after a six-year gap on Wednesday, with the swearing in of two new senators elected Jan. 5 from Georgia, who represented the tipping point. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer took the gavel from Republican Mitch McConnell -- but it’s not up to Schumer when the trial begins.

That decision rests with Pelosi, who hasn’t tipped her hand on when the House will formally transmit the single article of impeachment to the Senate, and multiple House officials said it wasn’t clear how long she would wait. The House last week impeached Trump on a charge of inciting the mob that stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6.

Sending the article to the Senate would require an almost immediate start for the trial, inevitably drawing attention away from President Joe Biden’s first days in office and slowing confirmation of his cabinet picks as most other Senate action gets shut down unless the Senate agrees to Biden’s request to dual-track the trial and other business.

“We are preparing for trial,” said Representative David Cicilline. The Rhode Island Democrat is one of the House’s nine impeachment mangers who will prosecute the case against Trump. Yet he gave no hint of when the proceeding would get underway, saying it was Pelosi’s call.

So far, only one of Biden’s nominees has been confirmed, Avril Haines as director of national intelligence. Votes on the others are likely to stretch into next week -- leaving him sitting atop a U.S. government filled with acting chiefs at every other cabinet agency.     continue to read


1/20/2021

White House News (白宮消息) | Jan. 20, 2021

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JANUARY 19, 2021 | PART OF U.S. SENATE
U.S. SenateSenator McConnell on January 6 Attack
Senate Majority Leader McConnell spoke about the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol, and blamed President Trump for inciting the riot.



[WATCH] DONALD TRUMP’S FAREWELL SPEECH: “THE MOVEMENT WE STARTED IS ONLY JUST BEGINNING”

Jan. 19 - On the last night of the presidential term of Donald Trump, he delivered his farewell speech in which the 45th president concluded, I want you to know that the movement we started is only just beginning.”

On the eve of President-elect Biden’s inauguration, Trump showed pride in his administration’s achievements such as not beginning any wars, electing three Supreme Court Justices and the growth of the right-wing movement, which he believes will continue to gain momentum as he leaves office. As I conclude my term as the 45th president of the United States, I stand before you truly proud of what we have achieved together,” he said.

Trump also condemned the Capitol Hill Riots, reiterating, All Americans were horrified by the assault on our Capitol. Political violence is an attack on everything we cherish as Americans. It will never be tolerated.”     source

JANUARY 19, 2021
President Trump Delivers Farewell Speech

President Trump
 highlighted the achievements of his administration during a farewell speech released by the White House on the president’s final full day in office. President Trump pointed to his work on the U.S. economy, which included creating jobs, signing new trade deals, and reducing regulations. He also discussed the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and his administration’s response. In addition, President Trump pointed to his achievements of reinforcing the southern border, appointing federal judges, and strengthening the country’s military. The president highlighted his international achievements, which he said included advancing peace in the Middle East and strengthening America’s alliances. He also pointed toward the political movement he began and said, “the best is yet to come.”
Donald Trump Wishes Joe Biden ‘Success’ And ‘Luck’ During Farewell Speech
US President-elect Joe Biden will be sworn in as the 46th President of the United States today, while Kamala Harris will take charge as the 49th Vice President.


Jan. 20 - Outgoing US President Donald Trump wished his successor Joe Biden well and urged Americans to unify around their shared values and rise above partisan rancour, in his farewell message on Tuesday.

US President-elect Joe Biden will be sworn in as the 46th President of the United States today, while Kamala Harris will take charge as the 49th Vice President.

The swearing-in ceremony will be held in Washington DC on Wednesday as soon as the clock strikes noon (8.30 pm IST). Biden will be sworn in by US Chief Justice John Roberts at the West Front of the Capitol. Read more


​Trump, in a pre-recorded video message released by the White House on Tuesday, said to serve as the US President has been an honour beyond description. “Thank you for this extraordinary privilege. And that’s what it is -- a great privilege and a great honour,” he said.

US President-elect Joe Biden will be sworn in as the 46th President of the United States today, while Kamala Harris will take charge as the 49th Vice President.

The swearing-in ceremony will be held in Washington DC on Wednesday as soon as the clock strikes noon (8.30 pm IST). Biden will be sworn in by US Chief Justice John Roberts at the West Front of the Capitol. Read more

​Trump, in a pre-recorded video message released by the White House on Tuesday, said to serve as the US President has been an honour beyond description. “Thank you for this extraordinary privilege. And that’s what it is -- a great privilege and a great honour,” he said.

“This week, we inaugurate a new administration and pray for its success in keeping America safe and prosperous. We extend our best wishes, and we also want them to have luck -- a very important word,” Trump said on the eve of his departure from the White House. Trump has headed back to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida as he will be skipping the inaugural ceremony.

Indian-origin Kamala Harris would be sworn in as the Vice President of the US. Outgoing Vice President Mike Pence would be present during the inaugural ceremony at the Capitol Hill, facing the majestic National Mall.     more information

1/19/2021

White House News (白宮消息) | Jan. 19, 2021

 White House News in Chinese - About (weebly.com)



NBC Nightly News Broadcast (Full) - January 18th, 2021 | NBC Nightly News
Jan 19, 2021
Washington, D.C. on high alert ahead of Inauguration Day, a look at President-elect Biden’s first 10 days in office, and Yolanda Renee King’s inspiring message to other kids.

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JANUARY 18, 2021
First Lady Melania Trump Farewell Address

First lady Melania Trump delivered her farewell address from the White House. She spoke about her time as first lady and her initiative, Be Best.



James Comey calls threat of riots on Inauguration Day ‘very concerning’
The former FBI chief says President Donald Trump is to blame for attacks on the U.S. Capitol and expresses concern over Trump receiving post-presidency general intelligence briefings.

In scathing draft of letter never made public, Trump chided James Comey for 'erratic,' 'self-indulgent' conduct

The president's draft was scrapped by White House legal counsel.


Jan. 18 - In the days before President Donald Trump fired James Comey as FBI director -- one of the most defining moments of his presidency -- Trump penned a scathing letter to Comey that has never been publicly released.

In fact, the four-page letter was never even sent to Comey because White House lawyers quickly determined it should never see the "light of day," Special Counsel Robert Mueller later recounted.

Mueller reviewed the May 2017 letter as part of his wide-ranging investigation and mentioned parts of it in his final report, but the letter has remained largely hidden from the public nearly four years later.

Now, a source connected to Mueller's probe has relayed the contents of the letter to ABC News, which -- especially in light of recent events -- offer a telling look at how Trump viewed the then-leader of the nation's top law enforcement agency.

“Your conduct has grown unpredictable and even erratic – including rambling and self-indulgent public performances that have baffled experts, citizens and law enforcement professionals alike – making it impossible for you to effectively lead this agency,” Trump wrote to Comey.     continue to read

Related Article:
Why James Comey is concerned about Trump's post-presidency intelligence briefings

Biden plans to roll out dozens of executive orders in his first 10 days as president.
President-elect Joe Biden’s team has developed a raft of decrees that he can issue after the inauguration to begin reversing some of President Trump’s policies.

Jan. 19 - President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. plans to start his administration with dozens of executive directives on top of expansive legislative proposals in a 10-day blitz meant to signal a turning point for a nation reeling from disease, economic turmoil, racial strife and now the aftermath of the assault on the Capitol.

Mr. Biden’s team has developed a raft of decrees that he can issue on his own authority after the inauguration on Wednesday to begin reversing some of President Trump’s most hotly disputed policies. Advisers hope the flurry of action, without waiting for Congress, will establish a sense of momentum for the new president even as the Senate puts his predecessor on trial.

On his first day in office alone, Mr. Biden intends a flurry of executive orders that will be partly substantive and partly symbolic. They include rescinding the travel ban on several predominantly Muslim countries; rejoining the Paris climate change accord; extending pandemic-related limits on evictions and student loan payments; issuing a mask mandate for federal property and interstate travel; and ordering agencies to figure out how to reunite children separated from their families after crossing the border, according to a memo circulated on Saturday by Ron Klain, his incoming White House chief of staff, and obtained by The New York Times.     continue to read

1/18/2021

White House News (白宮消息) | Jan. 18, 2021

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All 50 US States On Alert For Armed Protests Today
All 50 US states are on alert for possible violent protests this weekend ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration this week, January 20.

Jan. 17 - Following a warning from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that armed marches in support of Donald Trump could take place at all state Capitols, National Guard troops have been deployed across Washington DC to deter possible riots.


Posts on pro-Trump and far-right online networks have called for protests on a number of dates, with today, January 17, being one of them.

The groups are also said to be planning a march in Washington DC on January 20, inauguration day itself, BBC News reports.

However, some supporters have urged others not to attend, citing heavy security and claims that the planned events are ‘police traps’.

One internal FBI bulletin, which was seen by ABC News, warned that one group has called for ‘storming’ state, local and federal courthouses across the US on the day Biden takes office.

Ahead of January 20, much of Washington DC will be placed in lockdown and National Guard troops will be deployed in their thousands.

Already, many streets have been blocked off with concrete barriers and metal fences. At the request of the Secret Service, the National Mall, which is usually jam-packed with people for inaugurations, has been shut.     continue to rad

JANUARY 17, 2021
Vice President Pence Addresses Troops at Fort Drum, New York

Vice President Mike Pence 
and second lady Karen Pence traveled to Fort Drum, New York, for what the second lady told the audience was their “very last trip as vice president and second lady of the United States.” Vice President Pence thanked the members of the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division for their service to the nation and reflected on the military accomplishments of the Trump administration. Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY), a member of the Armed Services Committee and whose district includes Fort Drum, introduced second lady Karen Pence.

Trump supporters participate in a rally in Washington on January 6 prior to the riot at the Capitol building.

Rudy Giuliani's impeachment trial claim denied by Trump campaign

Jan. 18 - It seems the rift between President Donald Trump and his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani is growing, with a recent miscommunication between the pair leaving Giuliani in an awkward position.

On Saturday, Giuliani told ABC News he would be working as part of Trump's defence team for his upcoming impeachment trial.

Trump recently became the first President in US history to be impeached twice, following claims he incited the riot at the Capitol earlier this month that led to five deaths.

"I'm involved right now … that's what I'm working on," Giuliani told the publication.

He said the President's defence would likely include allegations of widespread voter fraud, despite these claims being repeatedly rejected.

"They basically claimed that anytime (Trump) says voter fraud, or I do, or anybody else, we're inciting to violence; that those words are fighting words because it's totally untrue," Giuliani said.
"Well, if you can prove that it's true, or at least true enough so it's a legitimate viewpoint, then they are no longer fighting words."

However, just hours later Trump campaign spokesperson J. Hogan Gidley released a statement that completely contradicted Giuliani's comments.     continue to read


Michael Cohen: N.Y. PROSECUTORS WILL BE THE "FIRST ON LINE" TO BRING "TRUMP AND FAMILY TO JUSTICE”
Jan 18, 2021
Michael Cohen, Donald Trump’s former personal attorney and author of ‘Disloyal,’ joins Ali Velshi to discuss the Trump administration’s final days and what Trump could do next. Says Cohen, “he’s going to continue to blow the dog whistle, he’s going to continue to speak in code, he’s going to continue to rile up his 26-27% base of this country that he has that’s willing to do crazy things, including storm the Capitol.”
Meet The Press Broadcast ( Full) - January 17th, 2020 | Meet The Press | NBC News
Jan 18, 2021
Mayor of the District of Columbia Muriel Bowser (D) talks to Meet the Press about the security preparations in Washington, DC ahead of Joe Biden’s inauguration. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) discusses the next phase of the impeachment process as President Trump’s administration comes to an end. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) tells Chuck Todd that she opposed impeachment because Democrats skipped the usual investigative process. Dr. Anthony Fauci discusses the more virulent coronavirus strains that are under study, and the future of vaccination efforts. Kristen Welker, Rich Lowry and Former Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) join the Meet the Press roundtable.


1/16/2021

White House News (白宮消息) | Jan. 16, 2021

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JANUARY 15, 2021
President-elect Biden on COVID-19 Vaccination Plan

President-elect Joe Biden 
delivers remarks on his plan for the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. He outlined five points to his plan, which included getting more people vaccinated, creating federally funded vaccination sites, and increasing vaccine production to allow for faster distribution. While discussing mask wearing, the president-elect addressed reports of Republican congressmen refusing to wear masks while in secure locations during the attack on the U.S. Capitol. He said it was “shocking,” later adding, “what the hell’s a matter with them? It’s time to grow up.” 

JANUARY 15, 2021
Senator Murphy on Attack on U.S. Capitol

Senator Christopher Murphy 
(D-CT) discussed the recent attack on the U.S. Capitol at a virtual event hosted by the Atlantic Council. Senator Murphy was asked about Inauguration Day security, the upcoming Senate impeachment trial, and domestic terrorism laws. Senator Murphy, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, also addressed foreign policy priorities and U.S. global leadership. He was interviewed by CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent Major Garrett



Trump supporters among those seeking Jan. 20 protest permits

Jan. 15 - WASHINGTON (AP) — Supporters of President Donald Trump are among a handful of groups that have applied for permits to hold protests during Joe Biden’s inauguration. But it appears unlikely their application will be approved as the National Park Service greatly curtails protests as part of a major security lockdown.


The NPS released details Friday of the five permit applications it had received so far for demonstrations. Among them, was a group called “Let America Hear Us, Roar For Trump.”

NPS spokesman Mike Litterst told The Associated Press that the pro-Trump group had “not responded to our repeated attempts to contact them and set up a meeting regarding their application and their permit is therefore unlikely to be issued.”

The Department of Interior had fended off calls from D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and others to simply cancel all demonstration permits, after a rally by President Donald Trump on Jan. 6 turned into a devastating attack on Congress and lawmakers. But Litterst said two groups had been approved to hold small demonstrations in specific locations, a pair of leftist organizations called D.C. Action Lab and the Answer Coalition.

On Friday Jeff Reinbold, NPS superintendent for the National Mall, said the two approved groups had agreed to each keep their demonstrations below 100 people. Each group would be scanned with magnetometers, and escorted by U.S. Park Police to the permitted location, “and then they’ll have the ability to express their first amendment rights,” Reinbold said.
The park service on Friday closed Washington’s National Mall to the general public until after Wednesday’s inauguration. Thousands of National Guard troops are deployed in the nation’s capital.     source

National Park Service Closes National Mall Ahead Of Inauguration
​National Park Service Closes National Mall Ahead Of Inauguration


Jan. 15 - WASHINGTON, D.C. (WJZ) -- The National Park Service, in coordination with the U.S. Secret Service, have closed the National Mall to the public starting at 11 a.m. Friday through Jan. 21.

However, permitted First Amendment activities will be allowed in designated locations near U.S. Navy Memorial and John Marshall Park. Up to 100 people will be able to gather and they will be monitored by authorities.

The closure was ordered to ensure safety and security within the area where the 59th presidential inauguration of Joe Biden will take place.     continue to read

1/15/2021

White House News (白宮消息) | Jan. 15, 2021

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JANUARY 14, 2021
President-elect Biden on $1.9 COVID-19 Relief Proposal
President-elect Joe Biden spoke on his proposal for a legislative package to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. While outlining his economic relief plan, the president-elect said they “will finish the job of getting a total of 2000 dollars in cash relief to people who need it the most,” saying the 600 dollars people have already received was not enough. Also included in his proposal is extended unemployment insurance, rent relief, food assistance, keeping essential frontline workers on the job, and aid to small businesses. 
January 14, 2021
James Comey Discussion on the U.S. Justice
Comey, a former FBI director, discussed the U.S. justice system during a virtual event hosted by the Washington Post. When asked about the attack on the U.S. Capitol, he said he was sickened “to see this reality of democracy under assault.” When asked about the potential for President Trump to self-pardon, the former FBI director said he “knows our president is not a genius,” but that if he “pardons himself, he would provoke the Department of Justice almost into being required to prosecute him.” 



Murkowski says it would be 'appropriate' to bar Trump from holding office again

​Jan. 14 - Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said this week that she believes it would be "appropriate" to block President Trump from holding future office adding she believes he has committed an impeachable offense.

 
Murkowski hasn't said if she will vote to convict Trump at the end of a Senate trial after a bipartisan coalition in the House impeached Trump for "willfully inciting violence against the Government of the United States."
 
"What I will tell you is that what I believe is that this president has committed an impeachable offense through his words on the sixth of January, and leading up to the sixth of January, when he was not honest to the American people about the election and the election results," Murkowski told KTUU, an Alaska TV station, on Wednesday.      continue to read