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Trump makes history as 1st president to be impeached a 2nd time

Via www.msn.com

The unprecedented vote, just over a year after his first impeachment — made Donald Trump the…

01/13/2021 6:48 PM

 

Editorial credit: bakdc / Shutterstock.com

On Tuesday as at least three Republicans said they would vote to impeach him after his supporters stormed the Capitol last week.

Liz Cheney, the No. 3 Republican in the House of Representatives, said: Trump “summoned this mob, assembled the mob, and lit the flame of this attack” on the Capitol last Wednesday, adding, “There has never been a greater betrayal by a President of the United States of his office and his oath to the Constitution,” as the Democratic-led chamber moved forward on a path to remove Trump from office. Cheney, the daughter of former Republican Vice President Dick Cheney, said in a statement, adding: “I will vote to impeach the president.”  Two other Republican House members, John Katko and Adam Kinzinger, said they would also vote for the second impeachment of the president, who leaves office in just eight days.

Their announcements came as Republican leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday refrained from urging their members to vote against impeaching Trump, saying it was a matter of individual conscience. The House plans to vote as soon as Wednesday on an article of impeachment charging Trump with inciting insurrection unless he resigns or Vice President Mike Pence moves to oust him under a provision in the U.S. Constitution.

Making his first public appearance since last Wednesday’s riot, Trump showed no remorse for remarks he made to supporters at a rally before they stormed the seat of Congress: “What I said was totally appropriate,” Trump told reporters as he left for a trip to the U.S.-Mexico border wall near Alamo, Texas. “I want no violence.”

Rep. Liz Cheney, No. 3 House Republican, backs impeaching Trump, says he ‘summoned this mob’

Via www.nbcnews.com

Although Pence is unlikely to remove Trump from office under the 25th Amendment, Trump could…

01/12/2021 6:37 PM

 

On Tuesday, officials at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services expanded COVID-19 vaccine availability during the initial phase of distribution to include people age 65 years and older. The changes also give priority to those with underlying health conditions that place them at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19 infection.  For instance, people with conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and respiratory illnesses such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, are believed to be at increased risk for severe COVID-19.

HHS secretary Alex Azar said during a press briefing Tuesday, “With the case counts we’re facing now, there’s no time to waste. It’s time to move on to the next phase, [and] this next phase reflects the urgency of the situation we face.” Previously, “phase 1A” of the vaccination recommendations issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in December called for healthcare workers and adults age 75 years and older, particularly those residing in nursing homes, to be given priority.

HHS will also be releasing the nation’s “entire supply” of vaccine for use as first or second doses. As part of Operation Warp Speed, U.S. health officials are monitoring vaccine production at the manufacturer level and are confident that sufficient doses will be available.

Feds Order States to Expand Vaccine Targets as Covid-19 Deaths Surge

Via www.nytimes.com

Racing against a rising death toll, the Trump administration has ordered states to offer…

01/12/2021 4:37 PM

 

State capitols across the nation are stepping up security, and deploying National Guard units, SWAT teams and extra police officers as several legislatures convened amid heightened safety concerns following last week’s violence at the U.S. Capitol.

After insurrectionists backing President Donald Trump overran the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, some governors and lawmakers began ramping up security because of online threats suggesting that more mobs could target state capitols.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee activated hundreds of National Guard troops to help state police keep order at the state Capitol and defend security fencing. At the Georgia Capitol, a state patrol SWAT team walked the perimeter wearing fatigues and carrying rifles while lawmakers gathered inside for the start of a two-year term.  In Idaho, doors to the House and Senate chambers were locked Monday morning, and two Idaho state troopers were stationed at each entrance. 

Legislatures convened in more than half a dozen states. Because of concerns about the coronavirus, many state capitols had already adopted procedures to curb the potential for large crowds, including arranging for lawmakers to meet remotely. Those steps greatly reduced the number of people who are actually working in capitol buildings.

Security in D.C., state Capitols tightened amid inauguration threats

Via www.upi.com

Security officials in Washington, D.C., and state capitals are on the alert for possible armed…

01/11/2021 4:39 PM

 

Editorial credit: Phil Pasquini / Shutterstock.com

Trump hits Cuba with new terrorism sanctions in waning days

Via abcnews.go.com

The Trump administration has re-designated Cuba as a “state sponsor of terrorism” in a…

01/11/2021 4:23 PM

 

Editorial credit: Ringo Chiu / Shutterstock.com