Summary
That’s it for our US politics blog.
Here’s what happened today:
Robert F Kennedy Jr officially announced that he will be running for US president as an independent. “I’m here to declare myself an independent candidate for president of the United States,” Kennedy said during a campaign event in Philadelphia.
The siblings of Kennedy Jr denounced their brother’s campaign, calling it “perilous” for the US. “Bobby might share the same name as our father, but he does not share the same values, vision or judgment. Today’s announcement is deeply saddening for us,” read the siblings’ statement in part.
More centrist Republicans are already casting doubt on Representative Jim Jordan as a potential House speaker. Lawmakers passed around a mailer from Jordan’s campaign, raising concerns about his potential priorities as House speaker.
At least nine US citizens have died in Israel amid Israel’s war with Hamas. US state department spokesman Matthew Miller confirmed the deaths on Monday, adding that some US citizens have not been accounted for.
McCarthy has not ruled out a return to his former position of House speaker, if House lawmakers were still at a gridlock over the position.
Republican House representatives faced mounting pressure to rally around a House speaker candidate after the ousting of former speaker Kevin McCarthy. Only two candidates have tossed their hat in the ring for the role: House majority leader Steve Scalise, a representative of Louisiana, and Ohio representative Jim Jordan, who is the judiciary chairman.
Thank you for following our politics live blog.
Stay tuned for more updates tomorrow.
More on Tuberville blocking military promotions from the Guardian’s Oliver Milman:
Tuberville, a former Auburn University football coach turned Alabama senator, has indicated he will maintain the blockade even in the wake of the assault on Israel, in which at least 700 mostly civilians are thought to have died, including several hundred revelers killed at a music festival, while dozens more people are believed to have been taken hostage. Israel has responded with airstrikes on the Gaza Strip that authorities in the penned-in territory say has killed at least 493 Palestinian people, including entire families sheltering in their apartments.
US military appointments currently in limbo include top officers slated to command American forces in the Middle East, and two picks for the joint chiefs of staff. Separately, the US also does not have an ambassador to Israel, its close ally; Democrats have called for a swift confirmation of the nominee, Jack Lew.
Joe Biden has previously called Tuberville’s stance “totally irresponsible”, and the president accused him of undermining the strength and capabilities of the US military. But the Alabama senator said on Sunday that even the attack on Israel would not shift his position.
“The Pentagon clearly thinks forcing taxpayers to facilitate abortion is more important than confirming their top nominees without a vote,” a Tuberville spokesperson told NBC. “They could end this situation today by dropping their illegal and immoral policy and get everyone confirmed rapidly, but they refuse.”
Invoking a name Tuberville calls himself because of his prior job, the spokesperson added: “If the Biden administration wants their nominees confirmed then Senate Democrats can do what Coach just did in September and file a cloture petition to force a vote.”
Military nominees are usually bundled together and confirmed by a voice vote in the Senate to speed along appointments, but under Senate rules a single senator can hold up this process. Chuck Schumer, the Democratic Senate majority leader, has said that individual votes on each of the nominees would eat up a huge amount of time, and urged Republicans to get Tuberville “in line”.
Read the full article here.
Updated
Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville appears to not be lifting holds on military promotions, despite fighting in Israel, the Hill reports.
Tuberville has been criticized by other lawmakers who say that his hold on military promotions is affecting US readiness, especially in light of the Israel-Hamas war.
Democratic senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island said in a Sunday interview that the recent escalation in fighting “underscores the foolishness” of Tuberville’s actions.
Tuberville’s spokesperson Steve Stafford responded, saying in part:“The hold is still not affecting our readiness and it’s certainly not affecting the readiness of other countries.”
Tuberville has held military promotions for seven months because of a Pentagon policy that covers travel for service members seeking abortion care.
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez released a statement on Monday regarding the violence in Israel.
She said: “Today is devastating for all those seeking a lasting peace and respect for human rights in Israel and Palestine. I condemn Hamas’ attack in the strongest possible terms. No child and family should ever endure this kind of violence and fear, and this violence will not solve the ongoing oppression and occupation in the region. An immediate ceasefire and de-escalation is urgently needed to save lives.”
Cortez, along with other members of ‘the squad’ have long been vocal against the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. Others also further to the political left, including house representative Cori Bush also called for a ceasefire and condemned both Hamas militants and the Israeli military on the ongoing violence. Representative Rashida Tlaib, who is Palestinian said she grieves the “Palestinian and Israeli lives lost yesterday, today, and every day.” She did not outright mention Hamas.
“As long as our country provides billions in unconditional funding to support the apartheid government, this heartbreaking cycle of violence will continue.”
WASHINGTON DC, UNITED STATES - SEPTEMBER 28: United States Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is seen during the first hearing held by House Oversight Committee in impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden at Rayburn House Office Building in Capitol Hill of Washington D.C., United States on September 28, 2023. (Photo by Celal Gunes/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
The US’s secretary of the army Christine Wormuth has called for more congressional funds to support Israel with munitions.
In the annual meeting of the association of the US army held on Monday, Wormuth said: “To be able to increase our capacity… to expand production, and then to also pay for the munitions themselves, we need additional support from Congress.”
Biden has already said Israel has “rock-solid and unwavering” support from the US and US defense secretary Lloyd Austin said the US will send munitions.
Military ships and aircraft have already been ordered to move closer to Israel.
The US contributes about $3bn annually to Israel, the largest current recipient of United States military aid.
Updated
Biden is speaking with several US allies about the Israel-Hamas war, according to White House officials.
Biden spent the morning being brief on the situation by his national security team.
Remarks from Biden on the developing situation were expected Monday morning, but have been postponed after the White House announced a “lid” for the day.
Biden will speak with several U.S. allies re Israel this afternoon, the White House says.
— Seung Min Kim (@seungminkim) October 9, 2023
He spent the morning meeting w his national security team, including Blinken, Sullivan, Finer, Sherwood-Randall and Zients per WH.
The White House has called a “lid” for the day, meaning Biden will not be delivering any remarks.
The lid could be lifted if Biden decides to make remarks later on or attend an event.
The decision to call a lid is surprising. The White House previously announced that Biden would speak about the Israel-Hamas war on Monday afternoon.
The White House has called a lid for the day, which means we will not see President Biden. There have been rare occasions when they lift the lid if he changes his mind about making remarks or attending an event.
— Weijia Jiang (@weijia) October 9, 2023
Meanwhile, Republicans have condemned the decision to call a lid.
Florida governor and US presidential candidate Ron DeSantis has criticized the White House and called for immediate steps, including shutting down the US southern border.
From DeSantis campaign spokesperson Carly Atchison:
NEW: As Joe Biden calls a lid before noon, @RonDeSantis calls for immediate action:
— Carly Atchison (@CarlyAtch) October 9, 2023
1. Freeze any money Joe Biden has made available to Iran.
2. Cut off foreign aid flowing to Hamas.
3. Immediately shut down America’s wide-open southern border.
⬇️⬇️⬇️ https://t.co/2eESmWz5RT
Kennedy siblings condemn his 'perilous' campaign
The siblings of Robert F Kennedy Jr have denounced their brother’s campaign, calling it “perilous” for the US.
The Kennedy siblings said that Robert’s announcement to run as a third party candidate was “dangerous to our country”, in a post to X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Bobby might share the same name as our father, but he does not share the same values, vision or judgment. Today’s announcement is deeply saddening for us,” read the statement in part.
Bobby might share the same name as our father, but he does not share the same values, vision or judgment. Today's announcement is deeply saddening for us. We denounce his candidacy and believe it to be perilous for our country. @roryekennedy @joekennedy @KKT_Kennedy pic.twitter.com/WJfGwSxN1z
— Kerry Kennedy (@KerryKennedyRFK) October 9, 2023
Updated
Kennedy has largely embraced that his campaign and platform rejects dogmatism, arguing that people can have different opinions and still tolerate them.
“People can disagree and still respect each other. You can be pro-choice and not think that pro-lifers are women hating zealots. You can support the second amendment and not think that gun control advocates are totalitarians who hate freedom.”
“It’s more than being independent of two existing parties. It’s also independence from tribal thinking,” Kennedy said of his political philosophy.
“It’s freedom from the reflex of having to take sides.”
Kennedy is not the only candidate running as an independent in the US presidential election.
Academic and activist Cornel West is also running in the US election as an independent.
West previously ran for US president as a a Green party candidate, but dropped from the party last Thursday.
Read a recent interview with West and Robert Tait for the Guardian, available here.
Updated
When speaking about the two-party system, Kennedy took a swipe at Biden and Trump, who are both predicted to win the nominations for their individual parties.
Kennedy noted that a majority of Americans believe that Biden is “too old” to run for office.
Kennedy added that Trump faces several criminal charges.
While speaking about the actual Declaration of Independence, Kennedy seemed to stumble on when the foundational document was signed.
Kennedy said the document was signed on 1776, but suddenly noted that it was signed in 1789.
The Declaration of Independence was, indeed, signed in 1776.
Kennedy added that he will be creating a new “declaration of independence” for the US.
“We declare independence from the two political parties and the corrupt interests that dominate them and the entire rigged system … that have turned government officials into indentured servants for their for corporate bosses,” Kennedy said.
“We declare independence from the corporations that have hi-jacked our government,” Kennedy said.
“We declare independence form Wall Street, big pharma, big ag and the military contractors and their lobbyists,” Kennedy added.
Updated
Robert F Kennedy Jr announces US presidential run as an independent
Robert F Kennedy Jr has officially announced that he will be running for US president as an independent.
“I’m here to declare myself an independent candidate for president of the United States,” Kennedy said to applause and chants.
Before announcing his run, Kennedy thanked his wife and children, his campaign staff, and other members of his family.
The 69-year old had previously been running for the Democratic nomination for president, the only person to challenge Joe Biden for the nomination.
But over the weekend, Kennedy teased a “much-anticipated announcement” about his campaign.
Kennedy, a member of the Kennedy political family, has received backlash for peddling antisemitic conspiracy theories that Covid-19 was designed to spare Chinese and Ashkenazi Jews.
Updated
Kennedy is receiving cheers from the crowd after noting that many Americans want the same things that elected politicians are not getting.
“Most of us agree that we should take care of our veterans. Most of agree that we should seek peace abroad instead of war. We all agree that teachers should receive decent salaries and respect. We all agree that housing should be affordable and corporations should pay their fair share,” Kennedy said.
“And yet these universal yearnings stand alongside a broad agreement that our country has lost its way",” Kennedy added.
Kennedy opened up with a story about his father winning his election in the South Dakota primary.
Kennedy told the packed crowd that his father won the 1968 primary election for US president after gaining the support of local tribes.
“I go back to Pine Ridge as often as I can and, almost every time I go there, the elders share this story with me and tell me it was the highest turn out in the history of the nation,” Kennedy said, joking that the elders are reportedly “still looking” for the votes his father didn’t win.
Updated
Kennedy has finally come onto the stage but left.
His speech seemed to be upside down on the teleprompter, according to remarks Kennedy made to his team offstage.
Kennedy later returned holding a paper copy of his remarks.
Updated
Cheryl Hines, the actor who is also Kennedy’s wife, is now speaking.
Hines emphasized the importance of Kennedy’s upcoming announcement.
“One day, you’re gonna look back on this day and you’re gonna say, ‘I was there, on that day, when something really special happened.’”
Hines added that Kennedy has been able to bring together all types of political parties, which received cheers from the crowd.
Updated
Lewis Grassrope, a tribal council member with the Lower Brule Sioux tribe, used his speech during Kennedy’s event to encourage political unity and listening to the people’s voice.
“It’s the voice of the people. That should be the one that we’re echoing,” said Grassrope.
Grassrope’s remarks comes as the US celebrates Indigenous People’s day, formerly known as Columbus Day.
Indigenous People’s day celebrates and honors the culture and heritage of Indigenous peoples.
In 2021, Biden issued the first US presidential proclamation to mark the holiday.
Kennedy’s announcement is happening now
Broadway actress Carrie Manolakos is currently singing a rendition of America the Beautiful as a packed crowd awaits word from Kennedy himself.
A live feed of the event is available at the top of this blog.
Stay tuned for more updates!
Updated
Robert F Kennedy Jr to announce independent run for US presidency
Robert F Kennedy Jr is expected to announce his independent run for US president at 12.00 pm ET in Philadelphia.
The 69-year-old has spent several months running for the Democratic nomination for the country’s highest office. He is the only challenge to Biden, who has a majority of the support within Democratic party.
Kennedy, a descendent of the Kennedy political dynasty, has struggled to gain traction. Polls have also shown that Kennedy is more popular among Republicans versus Democrats.
With only a 15% approval rate among Democrats, Kennedy has also come under fire for promoting several conspiracy theories.
Kennedy has also appeared on several right-wing networks, including Fox News. He has also made appearances on podcasts hosted by Steve Bannon, the former Donald Trump advisor, and a far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.
Updated
McCarthy has once again confirmed that he has not ruled out returning to his former position as House speaker, CNN reports.
When asked about a possible return during a Monday press conference, McCarthy said: “I’m gonna allow the conference to do their work.”
McCarthy also added that it was “wrong” to remove him as House speaker, saying the move was born of “pettiness”.
Just asked Kevin McCarthy if he envisions any scenario he would be a candidate for speaker if Scalise/Jordan can’t get the votes. He doesn’t rule out being a candidate. “I’m gonna allow the conference to do their work.”
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) October 9, 2023
Also took a shot at Gaez/Mace pic.twitter.com/fZhvsuJnCI
Top officials in the Biden administration have instructed senators to prepare their constituents for a long-term war happening in Israel, Punchbowl News reports.
Victoria Nuland, the acting deputy state secretary, and Department of Defense official Sasha Baker instructed US lawmakers on domestic expectations given the fighting.
Both officials said that immediate funding for Israel was not necessary, but noted that funding should be included in Ukraine-focused assistance packages.
NEW 🧵
— Andrew Desiderio (@AndrewDesiderio) October 9, 2023
Top admin officials told senators to prepare their constituents for a long war in Israel & the Gaza Strip, indicating that U.S. support — both tangible & political — will be necessary in the coming weeks
Admin looking to establish domestic political expectations
(1/5)
While Republicans have been largely fractured on who to elect as House Speaker, Democrats have moved with relative unity.
More from the Guardian’s Joan E Greve:
“Democrats in disarray” has been an oft-repeated joke in Washington in recent years, a tongue-in-cheek reference to the tensions that repeatedly flared up between the progressives and the centrists of Joe Biden’s party. But on Tuesday, House Democrats presented a united front as their Republican counterparts turned against each other and ultimately ousted one of their own in a historic defeat.
The entire House Democratic caucus voted unanimously to remove the Republican Kevin McCarthy as speaker on Tuesday, joining eight mostly hard-right lawmakers in supporting a motion to vacate the chair. Refusing to intervene in a mess of Republicans’ own making, Democrats looked on as McCarthy was unseated, making him the first House speaker in US history to be removed from office.
Under the oversight of their new leader, Hakeem Jeffries of New York, House Democrats have marched in lockstep to challenge Republicans’ policy agenda, offering a stark contrast to the fractious conference that McCarthy tried and failed to unify. As they look to take back the House next year, Democrats hope to use the instability displayed this week to make a broader argument about the extremism that they say has come to define the modern Republican party.
Heading into the Tuesday vote, speculation abounded over whether McCarthy might offer Democrats some kind of deal to help save his speakership. But McCarthy chose not to, telling CNBC on Tuesday: “They haven’t asked for anything, and I’m not going to provide anything.”
Read the full article here.
Some moderate Republicans have called for McCarthy’s return amid conflict in Israel.
Republican John Duarte of California said in a Monday interview that McCarthy should return as House speaker given the Israel-Hamas war, adding that the conflicts changes House dynamics, the Hill reported.
Duarte argued that the House required a more experienced leader in light of the conflict.
“There is no greater friend of Israel than Kevin McCarthy,” Duarte said during an interview with Fox & Friends. “We need Kevin McCarthy back in the speakership right now. We need to get that vote done this week.”
Duarte added that McCarthy should “never have been ousted” and noted that getting a new House speaker elected would be very unlikely.
Updated
Moderate Republicans voice concern over Jordan as speaker
More centrist Republicans are already casting doubt on Jordan as a potential House speaker.
Some lawmakers have passed around a mailer from Jordan, raising concerns about Jordan’s potential priorities as House speaker.
From Politico’s Meredith Lee Hill:
House GOP centrists are passing around this mailer, w/ some raising concerns about Jim Jordan as speaker
— Meredith Lee Hill (@meredithllee) October 9, 2023
Rs will meet tonight to discuss the race and members are expecting a messy week — w/ a splintered conference + some set to keep voting for McCarthy as long as he’s nominated pic.twitter.com/7bJambi4V8
Updated
Gaetz says it's 'absolutely' worth losing House seat over McCarthy ouster
Florida representative Matt Gaetz has said that he would not regret ousting McCarthy if he lost his seat in the US House, the Hill reported.
On Sunday, Gaetz said that it would “absolutely” be worth it to lose his seat over the House speaker removal, during an interview with NBC’s Meet the Press.
“Look, I am here to fight for my constituents. And I’m here to ensure that America is not on a path to financial ruin,” Gaetz added.
Gaetz largely led the removal of McCarthy, who was the first Speaker in US history to be removed. Eight Republican representatives along with all House Democrats voted for McCarthy’s removal.
Updated
Nine US citizens have died amid Israel-Hamas conflict
At least nine US citizens have died in Israel amid Israel’s war with Hamas.
US state department spokesman Matthew Miller confirmed the deaths on Monday.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the victims and to the families of all those affected,” Miller said in a statement, the Washington Post reported.
Miller added that other US citizens have not been accounted for, but added that the US government is working to “determine their whereabouts”.
Updated
Republicans who advocated for McCarthy’s removal as House speaker say that they will make electing a new speaker a priority.
Colorado representative Ken Buck told ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday that Republicans are working towards electing a new leader.
“We’ll agree on a candidate by the end of the week, or we’ll agree on a candidate over the weekend. I think we lock the doors, and we have very limited bathroom breaks and food breaks and make sure we get the job done,” Buck said.
“We’re going to be able to have a family discussion. When we leave that family discussion, I believe we’re going to be united,” Buck added.
Meanwhile, McCarthy has not ruled out a possible return to being House speaker.
During an interview with radio host Hugh Hewitt, McCarthy said that he would return if the Caucus asks him to do so.
McCarthy added that he would not be surprised if he was asked back if gridlock in the House continues.
Updated
House Republicans face mounting pressure to elect new speaker
Republican House representatives face mounting pressure to rally around a House speaker candidate after the ousting of former speaker Kevin McCarthy.
Only two candidates have tossed their hat in the ring for the role: House majority leader Steve Scalise, a representative of Louisiana, and Ohio representative Jim Jordan, who is the judiciary chairman.
Both candidates are expected to hold a candidate forum on Tuesday before Wednesday’s internal election, CNN reports.
The search for House speaker comes amid war between Israel and Hamas. Over 1,000 Israeli and Palestinian people have died as fighting escalates. More than 120,000 Palestinians have also been displaced in Gaza due to the fighting.
House foreign affairs committee chairman Michael McCaul stressed the need for a speedy speaker election over the weekend. He told CNN: “We have to get a speaker elected this week so we can get things on the floor like replenishing the Iron Dome, get a resolution that ranking member Meeks and I have been working on, bipartisan resolution condemning Hamas for what they have done to Israel.”
What else we’re watching:
Biden will deliver remarks on the Israel-Hamas war in the East Room at the White House on Monday afternoon.
Robert F Kennedy Jr is expected to announce an independent run for the US presidency in 2024.
Stay tuned for more updates.
Updated
