That’s all, folks!
I am logging off for the night, here are some of the top stories to make note of from today:
- An appeals court ruled against Donald Trump on withholding documents related to 6 January – the former president is expected to file an appeal of that decision with the supreme court.
- Jussie Smollett found guilty of faking hate crime – a jury convicted him on five charges of disorderly conduct but acquitted him on a sixth count of lying to a detective.
- House votes to block products made by forced Uyghur labor – but corporations are expected to fight against its Senate passage
- New York becomes largest US city to allow non-citizens to vote – Republicans are pushing back against the law, which could spark similar legislation elsewhere
- Congress moves to avert federal default with debt ceiling vote – Nearly a dozen Republicans voted with Democrats to temporarily change the voting structure for raising the debt ceiling, which would avert a massive crisis in coming weeks
Updated
Biden to appear on Jimmy Fallon
The president will video in virtually to make an appearance on the late night comedy show.
Tomorrow night is going to be a big show: President @JoeBiden is here! #FallonTonight pic.twitter.com/PweFoBb4SY
— The Tonight Show (@FallonTonight) December 9, 2021
Congress moves to avert federal default with debt ceiling vote
The Senate has voted to pass a one-time measure allowing Congress to quickly raise the debt limit and avoid a first-ever federal default.
A number of Republicans broke with their party on Thursday to pass the measure in a 59-35 vote. Joe Biden is expected to sign the bill into law quickly, after which Senate Democrats will be allowed to raise the US debt ceiling in a simple-majority vote, bypassing the usual requirement of 60 votes to move legislation forward.
Congress has been battling over the measure for months, with Republicans refusing long-term debt ceiling increases and filibustering Democrat efforts to do so.
Without the legislation, the US would have defaulted on more than $29tn in loans as soon as next week. It has yet to be determined by how much the debt ceiling will be raised, but reports have indicated it could be increased by as $2.5tn.
Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer called the vote “a crucial” step in “avoiding the prospect of a catastrophic, calamitous default on our sovereign debt”.
“This is the responsible path forward,” he said. “We still have a few more steps to take before we completely resolve this matter, but I’m optimistic that after today’s vote, we’ll be on a glide path to avoid a catastrophic default.”
Updated
New York becomes largest US city to allow non-citizens to vote
The city council in New York City approved a measure on Thursday allowing non-citizens to vote in local elections, including in races for mayor and other municipal positions.
The historic move has sparked backlash from Republicans, who fear new immigrant voting blocks could sway elections in favor of Democrats.
Under the new law, non-citizens who have lived in the city for at least 30 days and have a work permit will be allowed to vote. Approximately 1m non-citizens live in New York City, the equivalent of approximately 20% of currently registered voters.
Other relatively small cities have passed measures allowing non-citizens to vote including towns in Maryland and Vermont. Meanwhile Los Angeles, Washington, and Portland, Maine have proposed the idea.
Republicans have vowed to fight the expansion of voting rights in “all 50 states”, Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said in a recent statement. The committee filed a lawsuit to block a similar measure in Vermont and will likely do the same in New York.
Updated
House votes to block products made by forced Uyghur labor
On Wednesday the House voted overwhelmingly to pass a bill cracking down on companies that benefit from forced labor by persecuted Muslim minorities.
The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act would ban products made in China’s Xinjiang region unless they are proven to be produced ethically.
Under the legislation a company has to prove with “clear and convincing evidence” their supply chains are free of forced labour to sell products.
The massive popularity of the bill – which passed 428 to 1 – reflects increasing concern at alleged human rights abuses in China, where the Muslim ethnic minority group Uyghurs face persecution, including internment camps and prisons.
Businesses are lobbying heavily against such legislation, saying its requirements are too onerous and would disrupt global supply chains. It will now go for a vote in the Senate, where its fate is uncertain.
Updated
Jussie Smollett found guilty of faking hate crime
A jury has found actor Jussie Smollett guilty of faking his own hate crime in an effort at raising his own profile.
The Empire star, who is Black and gay, sparked new controversy at the intersection of culture, racism, politics and celebrity when he said he was attacked. From our full report:
Many fellow stars initially rushed to support Smollett when he first made the accusations in January 2019 that he had been attacked by people that had shouted “This is Maga country,” a reference to Donald Trump’s trademark political slogan “Make American Great Again”.
Smollett told police that he had been assaulted on a darkened street by two masked men. According to Smollett, his assailants put a noose around his neck and poured chemicals on him while yelling racist and homophobic slurs and expressing their support for Trump.
But a month later police arrested Smollett himself, accusing the actor of paying two brothers $3,500 to stage the assault in a ploy to get public sympathy and boost his show-business profile.
Updated
Hello, Kari Paul here in Oakland, California taking over the blog for the next few hours. Stand by for updates.
Today so far
That’s it from me! Here’s a summary of what’s happened today:
- Just in – an appeals court ruled against Trump on withholding documents related to 6 January. Trump is expected to file an appeal of that decision with the supreme court.
- Biden and Ukrainian president Zelenskiy talked today, with the White House saying that Biden conveyed to Ukraine that the US supports its sovereignty and “aspiration” to join NATO.
- New York state attorney general Letitia James announced on Twitter that she will be dropping out of the Democratic gubernatorial race and will be running for reelection.
- James is also seeking former Donald Trump’s deposition as part of the ongoing civil fraud investigation into his business, according to reports from Reuters and the Washington Post.
Updated
Appeals court ruled against Trump on withholding documents related to 6 January
An appeals court ruled against efforts by Donald Trump to withhold documents from 6 January investigating committee.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Appeals court rules against Trump effort to shield documents from Jan. 6 committee; appeal to Supreme Court expected.
— Chris Walker (@WalkerATX) December 9, 2021
The DC circuit court of appeals did pause its ruling for two weeks so that Trump could file an appeal with the supreme court.
More details soon.
Updated
New York governor Kathy Hochul said that “this is a very bad day for Donald Trump and the NRA” when discussing New York AG Letitia James’ decision to run for reelection and drop out of the democratic gubernatorial race.
#BREAKING: Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) responds to AG Letitia James dropping out of the New York Governor's race: "This is a very bad day for Donald Trump and the NRA." pic.twitter.com/6dqdCEsI2d
— Forbes (@Forbes) December 9, 2021
In a press conference on James’ decision to run for reelection and drop out of the democratic gubernatorial election, Hochul made the remark, seemingly confirming that James will be looking to hold the former president accountable.
A report from Reuters, which was first reported by the Washington Post, said that James, along with Manhattan’s district attorney, Cyrus Vance, are jointly investigating the Trump Organization’s business practices.
New York governor Kathy Hochul also said that James called her this morning to let Hochul know that she would drop out.
“All I can say is I respect her tremendously... and I look forward to having her on the ticket as we head into the November election together,” said Hochul of the call between the two.
NEW: Hochul says Letitia James called her this morning to let her know she would drop out of the race for governor
— Rebecca C. Lewis (@_rebeccaclewis) December 9, 2021
"All I can say is I respect her tremendously... and I look forward to having her on the ticket as we head into the November election together"
New York governor Kathy Hochul releases statement on AG Letitia James ending gubernatorial bid
In more news about New York attorney general Letitia James dropping out of the democratic gubernatorial race to run for reelection, current New York governor Kathy Hochul has released a statement on James’ decision.
Releasing her statement on Twitter, Hochul said the following:
I respect @TishJames tremendously and admire her commitment to continuing the critically important work she has undertaken in the Attorney General’s office.
I fully support her re-election and look forward to continuing our work together to deliver results for all New Yorkers.
I respect @TishJames tremendously and admire her commitment to continuing the critically important work she has undertaken in the Attorney General's office.
— Kathy Hochul (@KathyHochul) December 9, 2021
I fully support her re-election and look forward to continuing our work together to deliver results for all New Yorkers.
James announced earlier that she will be ending her gubernatorial campaign and instead seek reelection.
“I have come to the conclusion that I must continue my work as attorney general,” James said on Twitter.
White House: Biden will convey US support for Ukraine sovereignty
During today’s White House press briefing, press secretary Jen Psaki said that Biden is planning on conveying to the president of Ukraine that the US supports Ukraine sovereignty.
Psaki also said that the president supports Ukraine’s “aspiration” to become a member of NATO, the intergovernmental military alliance. Psaki also cited different requirements that would face the country if they tried to join the alliance.
Psaki also said that aggression is on the side of Russia, referring to ongoing escalations between the two countries.
Today, the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy is holding talks with Biden, according to an advisor from Zelenskiy’s office, Reuters reported earlier.
Updated
Biden and Ukrainian president Zelenskiy are currently in talks
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy is holding talks with Joe Biden today, according to an advisor from Zelenskiy’s office, reported Reuters.
The two men spoke as Russia continued a barrage of hostile rhetoric towards Ukraine and compared the crisis there to the most dangerous moment of the Cold War.
Details of the talk are still emerging.
Updated
Letitia James’s announcement that she is quitting the race for the governorship of New York having barely begun is eye-catching for most because of her involvement in high-profile investigations involving the Trump Organization and former governor Andrew Cuomo.
But the attorney general has also played a pivotal role in going after opioid manufacturers and distributors in the battle to win some sliver of justice for the hundreds of thousands of Americans who’ve died of opioid overdoses in the last 25 years.
Most prominently, she sued leading members of the billionaire Sackler family behind Purdue Pharma and its prescription painkiller OxyContin, in 2019, joining a growing list of state, county and city governments then alleging the drugmaker Purdue and its owners sparked the nation’s opioids crisis by putting profits over patient safety.
A New York bankruptcy judge in September approved a settlement by Purdue Pharma, including about $4.5bn from the company’s billionaire Sackler family owners, even though the decision is still being challenged in court and provoked outrage from many critics and campaigners.
But James has done her bit against this and other opioid players. As she tweets:
For decades, opioids have wreaked havoc on our communities, and we won't stop fighting until all those who are responsible pay the price.
— NY AG James (@NewYorkStateAG) December 8, 2021
We've held several companies and entities accountable, and we're continuing our fight in court to do the same with @TevaUSA.
And further:
Opioid manufacturer Allergan spent years fueling the opioid crisis, and today we finally hold them accountable for this destruction.
— NY AG James (@NewYorkStateAG) December 8, 2021
Allergan will pay up to $200 million to New York that will help fund treatment and recovery programs in local communities.
Demand for coronavirus shots for children is slowing, prompting concern.
After a quick surge in demand, children’s vaccinations in the US have tapered off sooner than expected.
The US has now reached the milestone of 200 million people fully vaccinated, with 75% of Americans aged five and older receiving at least one dose.
Five million children between the ages of five and 11 have received at least their first dose, but this is out of the 28 million children in this age group, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
That means only 17.8% of the newly-eligible kids have begun vaccination, with only 4.3% fully vaccinated, as the Christmas holiday approaches and a winter surge continues ticking upward.
After a short period of high demand, kids’ vaccinations began declining around Thanksgiving and continued downward.
“This happened faster than expected - about 2 weeks in.” Jen Kates, coauthor of a new report from the Kaiser Family Foundation, said on Twitter.
Back in October, we wrote about challenges to consider in pediatric vaccination roll-out, and noted that there would likely be initial high demand that would wane. This happened faster than expected - about 2 weeks in. https://t.co/ycZOGjbAkr
— Jen Kates (@jenkatesdc) December 8, 2021
There are “significant” geographic differences with kids’ vaccinations, Kates said. In Vermont, 45.6% children in this age group have begun vaccination, versus 3.6% in West Virginia.
Parents are more likely to get their children vaccinated if their schools encourage them to, both because of the comfortable environment of school clinics and the trust families have in principals and other school leaders, Kates said.
Some parents and caregivers have expressed reluctance over vaccinating their kids, with only one-third saying in September that they would do so as soon as the vaccine was authorized for the younger age group, five to 11.
Some families may also face access barriers, an issue that is hard to determine at this point because of the limited data on race or ethnicity and other factors among vaccinated children.
“All this points to a long, tougher road ahead to getting Covid-19 vaccine rates up among kids, a concerning finding in advance of the holiday season, and as Omicron transmission increases,” Kates said.
Today so far
Here’s where the day stands so far:
- New York attorney general Letitia James is seeking the deposition of Donald Trump, according to reports. James’ office is investigating potential fraud at the former president’s company, and the requested deposition may be the first step toward issuing a subpoena.
- James announced she is ending her gubernatorial bid to instead seek reelection as the state’s attorney general. “There are a number of important investigations and cases that are underway, and I intend to finish the job,” the Democratic official said on Twitter. “I am running for re-election to complete the work New Yorkers elected me to do.”
- Joe Biden paid tribute to Bob Dole at a Capitol Hill ceremony for the former Republican senator, who died on Sunday at the age of 98. “Bob Dole loved this Capitol. It’s where he served this nation, shaped by the figures that surround us,” Biden said of his former Senate colleague. “In a sentence, Bob belongs here. He, too, was a giant of our history.”
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
Tom Suozzi, another Democratic gubernatorial candidate in New York, offered his “best wishes” to Letitia James after she announced she was dropping out of the race.
“She has tremendous responsibilities as the sitting AG & I understand her desire to devote her energies to seeing through & continuing the important matters before her,” Suozzi, who currently represents a Long Island district in the House, said on Twitter.
I offer my best wishes to Attorney Gen @TishJames as she continues to pursue her deep calling to public service. She has tremendous responsibilities as the sitting AG & I understand her desire to devote her energies to seeing through & continuing the important matters before her
— Tom Suozzi (@Tom_Suozzi) December 9, 2021
James’ decision to seek reelection as attorney general will likely solidify Governor Kathy Hochul’s frontrunner status in the race for the Democratic nomination.
Hochul took over the governorship in August, after Andrew Cuomo resigned over sexual harassment allegations.
Letitia James announced in late October that she would enter the Democratic gubernatorial primary, after Governor Andrew Cuomo was forced to resign over sexual harassment allegations.
James’ office conducted an investigation into the allegations and concluded the governor had engaged in a “pattern” of inappropriate behavior toward state government employees.
“I’ve spent my career guided by a simple principle: stand up to the powerful on behalf of the vulnerable, to be a force for change,” James said as she announced her gubernatorial bid. “We can do this if we stand up and speak out together.”
James’ withdrawal from the gubernatorial race will likely come as a relief to sitting Governor Kathy Hochul, who took over the job following Cuomo’s resignation.
New York AG Letitia James ends gubernatorial bid
New York attorney general Letitia James has just announced she is ending her gubernatorial campaign to instead seek reelection.
“I have come to the conclusion that I must continue my work as attorney general,” James said on Twitter.
I have come to the conclusion that I must continue my work as attorney general.
— Tish James (@TishJames) December 9, 2021
There are a number of important investigations and cases that are underway, and I intend to finish the job.
I am running for re-election to complete the work New Yorkers elected me to do.
“There are a number of important investigations and cases that are underway, and I intend to finish the job,” the Democratic official added.
“I am running for re-election to complete the work New Yorkers elected me to do.”
The news comes just hours after the Washington Post reported that James’ office is seeking a deposition of Donald Trump as part of its investigation into potential fraud at the former president’s company.
Meanwhile, former Trump administration official Kash Patel arrived on Capitol Hill to speak to the House select committee investigating the Capitol insurrection, per CBS News.
New: Kash Patel just arrived to meet with the Jan. 6 select committee. pic.twitter.com/cm6iQmHm2S
— Ellis Kim (@elliskkim) December 9, 2021
Patel served as chief of staff to acting defense secretary Christopher Miller, after Donald Trump abruptly fired Miller’s predecessor, Mark Esper.
The select committee subpoenaed Patel in late September, saying the official was heavily involved in discussions between the Pentagon and the White House as the insurrection unfolded on January 6.
“According to documents provided by the Defense Department and published accounts, Mr. Patel was involved with discussions among senior Pentagon officials prior to and on January 6th, 2021, regarding security at the Capitol, and told a reporter that he was talking to Mr. Meadows ‘nonstop that day,’” the committee said in its September statement announcing the subpoena.
New York attorney general Letitia James’ request for a deposition of Donald Trump may be the first step toward subpoenaing the former president.
The AP notes:
Requesting Trump’s testimony is a first step in a process that could eventually lead to issuing a subpoena and going to a judge to order him to cooperate if he were to refuse.
James’ investigators last year interviewed one of Trump’s sons, Trump Organization executive Eric Trump, as part of the probe. James’ office went to court to enforce a subpoena on the younger Trump and a judge forced him to testify after his lawyers abruptly canceled a previously scheduled deposition.
Updated
New York attorney general seeking deposition from Donald Trump - report
The New York state attorney general, Letitia James, is seeking former Donald Trump’s deposition as part of the ongoing civil fraud investigation into his business, according to a new report.
James has asked the former US president to come to her New York office to give testimony on 7 January 2022, the Washington Post reported moments ago, with the Reuters news agency noting the article.
The DC publication points out that James’s request is:
Part of a civil investigation into whether Trump’s company committed financial fraud in the valuations of properties to different entities, according to the people who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the inquiry is ongoing.
One of the people familiar with the investigation said James is examining whether widespread fraud “permeated the Trump Organization.”
Fabien Levy, a spokesman for James, declined to comment. Representatives for Trump did not immediately respond to messages from The Washington Post. Ronald Fischetti, an attorney who has been representing Trump in investigations into his New York financial practices, also did not respond.
The deposition marks an escalation in the probe of the former president’s company and a critical moment for James, who is running for governor next year...James has said she is considering filing a lawsuit over the matter and Manhattan prosecutors have convened a new grand jury to consider potential criminal charges related to the company’s financial practices, according to the people familiar with the investigations.
Reuters adds that: James, along with Manhattan’s district attorney, Cyrus Vance, are jointly investigating the Trump Organization’s business practices.
The Trump Organization and its chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg, were indicted earlier this year.
Trump has not personally been accused of any crimes in relation to this investigation.
Updated
Biden remembers Dole as 'a giant in our history'
Joe Biden reflected upon the loss of Bob Dole, with whom the president served in the US Senate for 25 years.
Speaking in the Capitol Rotunda, Biden said, “Bob Dole loved this Capitol. It’s where he served this nation, shaped by the figures that surround us.”
The president said it was fitting for Dole to lie in state in the Capitol, which he described as a “temple of liberty”.
“In a sentence, Bob belongs here,” Biden said. “He, too, was a giant of our history.”
The president closed by quoting Dole’s own words, repeating the longtime lawmaker’s message about the importance of prioritizing country over party.
“I’ve always served my country best when I did it first and foremost as an American,” Dole once said.
House speaker Nancy Pelosi said she considered it to be a point of pride that Bob Dole started his career in the lower chamber before being elected to the Senate.
Praising the former Republican senator’s “legendary service” and “inspiring resilience,” Pelosi said it was hard to think of another American more worthy of having a flag draped over his casket.
The Democratic leader urged lawmakers to follow Dole’s advice to “act worthy of our ideals”.
Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer praised Bob Dole’s long life of public service, noting that he was seriously wounded while serving in the Army during the second world war.
The Democratic leader said millions of Americans – including veterans and those with disabilities – are now “better off because of Bob Dole”.
“He never forgot the reason why he entered public service,” Schumer said.
Schumer also joked that he could be the victim of Dole’s sharp wit. Dole once said of the Democratic senator, “The most dangerous place is between him and a camera.”
Updated
Speaking at the tribute ceremony for Bob Dole, Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell remembered the former Republican senator for his sense of humor and many legislative accomplishments.
McConnell noted that, after Republicans gained control of the Senate in 1969, Dole lamented that the party would have run better candidates if its leaders knew they were going to be in the majority.
“I swear, Bob could have made it as a stand-up comic,” McConnell said.
Joe and Jill Biden have now arrived in the Capitol Rotunda, where the president will soon deliver remarks to honor the legacy of former Republican senator Bob Dole, who died on Sunday.
Arrival of @POTUS and @FLOTUS for the congressional tribute to @SenatorDole. pic.twitter.com/T2NuKsT7Zo
— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) December 9, 2021
Dole's casket arrives at Capitol for tribute ceremony
The hearse carrying the casket of former Republican senator Bob Dole has now arrived at the Capitol for this morning’s tribute ceremony.
Lawmakers of both parties will soon gather in the Capitol Rotunda to honor Dole, who will lie in state.
Joe Biden is scheduled to deliver remarks at the tribute ceremony in about 15 minutes, so stay tuned.
Meanwhile, the Capitol is preparing for its tribute ceremony to Bob Dole, the former Republican senator and presidential nominee who died Sunday at the age of 98.
Dole will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda today, and Joe Biden is scheduled to deliver remarks honoring the longtime lawmaker, with whom the president served in the Senate.
A C-SPAN producer shared a photo of the scene inside the Capitol this morning:
Inside U.S. Capitol Rotunda where the late Senator Bob Dole will lie in state today atop the Lincoln Catafalque, first used to support the casket of President Abraham Lincoln. pic.twitter.com/H5QjkXYGyQ
— Craig Caplan (@CraigCaplan) December 9, 2021
House staffer arrested for carrying gun into Capitol
This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Joanna Walters.
While Joe Biden addressed the Summit for Democracy this morning, there was a brief moment of alarm over on Capitol Hill.
The US Capitol Police said its officers spotted a handgun in a bag on the X-ray screen in the Longworth House Office Building at approximately 7.40am.
USCP Arrest Capitol Hill Staffer for Carrying a Gun: https://t.co/wk9aMpkvdO pic.twitter.com/GaEsILuDNp
— U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) December 9, 2021
“The man was tracked down four minutes later and arrested,” the USCP said in a statement.
“The owner of the bag was identified as 57-year-old Jeffrey Allsbrooks (02-20-1964), a staffer with the House Chief Administrative Office. Allbrooks told our officers he forgot the gun was in the bag.”
Allsbrooks was charged with carrying a pistol without a license, and the USCP is continuing to investigate the incident.
Updated
Biden also said in his remarks at the virtual summit that half of all democracies have experienced a decline in at least one aspect of democracy over the last 10 years.
President Biden opens the #SummitforDemocracy saying protecting democracy is the “challenge of our time”.
— Raquel Krähenbühl (@Rkrahenbuhl) December 9, 2021
He noted that half of all democracies have experienced a decline in at least one aspect of democracy over the last 10 years.
There were 80 world leaders attending virtually pic.twitter.com/c3XS73TJtE
The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (Idea) has concluded in an analysis that the total number of democracies in the world has declined from 104 to 98, just since 2015, which is what the White House and Biden are referring to as a “global democratic recession”.
Joe Biden has told the world leaders invited to the White House summit for democracy that preserving democracy is “the challenge of our time”.
The US president pledged that the US is going to “lead by example”.
Live Now @POTUS “Preserving Democracy Challenge Of Our Time.” “US is going to lead by example.” pic.twitter.com/X3NwId1pvF
— Jon-Christopher Bua 🎬🎤 🎓 (@JCBua) December 9, 2021
This is a logical and worthy point but also somewhat ironic because democracy as America knows it is gravely under threat.
As the Republican party shifts further rightwards, in Congress and at state level in some places, many fear that the circumstances that lead to the insurrection at the US Capitol on 6 January by extremist supporters of Donald Trump, as they attempted to prevent the certification of Joe Biden’s presidential victory, could happen again.
Reuters reported this example:
Americans face unprecedented barriers to having their voices heard in the upcoming 2022 and 2024 elections, Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold said on Wednesday.
In a panel at the Reuters Next conference, Griswold warned of multiple dangers to democracy in the United States, including bills designed to suppress voting, death threats against election officials and mistruths perpetuated by politicians both nationally and on a state level.
Democrats and Republicans are battling for control of the U.S. Congress next year and the presidency in 2024. Democrats hold a slim majority in the House of Representatives now and control in the divided Senate through Vice President Kamala Harris’ tie-breaking vote.
“Warning lights are blinking red. We are seeing January 6, the attempted stealing of an American presidency, just in slow motion right now,” Griswold, a Democrat, said.
“What we’re seeing right now is no longer about 2020. It’s about 2022 and 2024, making what was attempted on January 6 more feasible the next time around. So I believe we are at an incredibly urgent time in terms of things that we have to do, that we must do,” she said.
Former President Donald Trump has claimed, falsely, that the result of the 2020 presidential election was fraudulent, and urged a group of loyalists to march on the U.S. Capitol after a rally on Jan. 6. His supporters did so, invading the Capitol, leading to five deaths.
And the Guardian’s Ed Pilkington has reported several specials, including this one warning: Republicans are vying for critical positions in many states – from which they could launch a far more effective power-grab than Trump’s 2020 effort. Read it here.
Updated
Biden warns democracy 'in recession' as he hosts virtual summit
Good morning, US politics live blog readers, we’re getting underway a little earlier than usual today because Joe Biden is speaking now at the top of the two-day, US-organized inaugural White House Summit for Democracy.
Here’s what’s coming up today:
- The US president is opening the virtual summit by warning that the world needs to reverse an ongoing “recession” of democracy that is playing out at a time of rising authoritarianism around the globe and extraordinary strains on foundational institutions in the US (as the Associated Press puts it).
- After opening remarks, Biden will host what they’re calling a leaders’ plenary session.
- More than 100 countries are participating but there’s been controversy over who has and has not been invited, and why. China and Russia are not invited and are being very critical.
- The summit comes as the US has failed to pass any legislation under Biden to protect voting rights, which are under attack in many Republican-led states across the US.
- Kamala Harris, the US vice-president, will make closing remarks at the summit, expected at 1.25pm ET.
- It’s a busy day for Potus and Veep. This morning they will attend a congressional tribute ceremony for Bob Dole.
- There are calls with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and some eastern Nato allies about the threat from Russia’s troop build up on the border with Ukraine.
- Biden and Harris will meet with the White House coronavirus team amid the spread of Omicron.
- Here’s the Guardian’s diplomatic editor in London, Patrick Wintour, on the democracy summit.
Updated
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