The problem was compounded on Thursday night, when thousands of troops who had been standing duty in the U.S. Capitol were told to vacate congressional buildings and take their rest breaks outside and in nearby parking garages. POLITICO obtained photos of Guard members packed together and sleeping on the ground in the garages. One unit […]
Author: openmind
Trump starts taking his second impeachment seriously
“This is political theater and I am neither a politician or an actor. I don’t see a role for me as a lawyer,” said Alan Dershowitz, the Trump-allied attorney who joined Trump’s impeachment defense team last January. Unlike Dershowitz, who’s faced scrutiny from bipartisan lawmakers over his ties to the late convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey […]
Twin suicide bombings rock central Baghdad, killing at least 32
Iraq’s health minister Hassan Mohammed al-Tamimi said at least 32 people were killed and 110 others were wounded in the attack. He said some of the wounded were in serious condition. Iraq’s military previously put the number of dead at 28. The Health Ministry announced that all of its hospitals in the capital were mobilized […]
Liz Cheney’s problems pile up
And at least two members have privately signaled interest in replacing Cheney as the No. 3 Republican, sources say: Reps. Elise Stefanik and Lee Zeldin, two New Yorkers who both sprang to popularity in the party after fiercely defending Trump during his first impeachment. If Cheney does lose her post, it will be the latest […]
Biden to seek full 5-year extension of nuclear pact with Russia
The treaty, which provides for regular on-site inspections of the other side’s arsenal, is considered an insurance policy against a full-blown arms race. Russia first offered to extend the treaty without preconditions in early 2020. But as a precondition, the Trump administration sought to negotiate a new agreement that paved the way for a follow-on […]
Proud Boys organizer arrested in Florida over riot at Capitol
Biggs appeared to be wearing a walkie-talkie during the storming of the Capitol, but he told FBI agents that he had no knowledge about the planning of the destructive riot and didn’t know who organized it, the affidavit said. Ahead of the riot, Biggs told followers of his on the social media app Parler to […]
Lloyd Austin pledges ‘competent civilian control’ of the military as defense secretary
Austin said he would keep lawmakers in the loop and respect congressional oversight, a major point of contention across both parties. “If you confirm me, I can assure you the Pentagon under my leadership will respect your oversight responsibilities. We will be transparent with you,” he said. “I will provide you my best counsel. And […]
Democrats officially control the Senate after final members are sworn in
Schumer, who was minority leader for four years, will be also be the first Jewish majority leader. And Ossoff and Warnock are the first Jewish and Black senators, respectively, to represent Georgia, which hasn’t sent a Democrat to the Senate in 20 years. Meanwhile, Padilla, who will replace Harris in the Senate, is the first […]
In win for Austin, top Senate Democrat agrees to back waiver
Strong backing from Reed and other top lawmakers in both parties bodes well for Austin’s confirmation, but the retired general still must clear hurdles in the Senate and House. In addition to being confirmed, Congress must also pass a waiver to allow him to take the job. Retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin, the Biden administration’s […]
Pelosi says Trump could be accessory to murder after Capitol riot
The speaker went a step further and said that if it were proven that some members of Congress collaborated with members of the group that attacked the Capitol, they — as well as Trump — would be accessories to crimes committed during the insurrection. “And the crime, in some cases, was murder,” Pelosi said. “And […]