Central Washington is an armed fortress, fenced off with razor wire and surrounded by 25,000 national guard troops before the inauguration of the president-elect, Joe Biden – a stark contrast to previous inaugurations, when the US capital has erupted in days of celebration
Continue reading...Category Archives: Washington, DC
Tense calm in Washington as small pro-Trump groups gather at state capitols across US – live
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The FBI announced that authorities had arrested the guitarist of heavy metal band Iced Earth in connection to the Capitol riot.
Jon Schaffer was allegedly among those who sprayed Capitol police with bear spray.
Jon Schaffer, Columbus, IN, has been arrested in connection to Jan 6 incident at the U.S. Capitol. Schaffer faces 6 charges including engaging in an act of physical violence in a Capitol building. Schaffer was allegedly among rioters who sprayed Capitol police with "bear spray."
Jason Kenney, the premier of Alberta, Canada, has responded to the report that President-elect Joe Biden will cancel the Keystone XL pipeline permit via executive action on his first day in office.
“The Keystone XL pipeline represents tens of thousands of good paying jobs that the American economy needs right now,” he writes.
I am deeply concerned by reports that the incoming administration of President-elect Joe Biden may repeal the Presidential permit for the Keystone XL border crossing next week.
My full statement: pic.twitter.com/vZjun1IdMH
‘I yelled out that I have kids’: police officer describes attack by Capitol rioters – video
A Washington DC police officer who tried to stop rioting Trump supporters from entering the Capitol building on 6 January has revealed that some shouted 'kill him with his own gun' as he lay injured on the ground. Michael Fanone told CNN he considered using his weapon as he was overwhelmed by the mob, but decided against it out of fear for his own life. 'I tried to appeal to their humanity,' Fanone said. 'I just remember yelling out that I have kids, and it seemed to work.'
Continue reading...Hundreds of troops guarding US Capitol filmed resting during break in shifts – video
Footage shows hundreds of troops resting inside the US Capitol building, one week after it was stormed by a mob of Trump supporters. Over 10,000 members of the national guard have been deployed to Washington DC as the FBI warned far-right groups were continuing to threaten plots before Joe Biden’s inauguration as president on 21 January.
- House poised to impeach Trump for a second time, following deadly Capitol riot
- Authorities on high alert across US as fears over far-right violence intensify
- US politics live
Two Capitol police officers suspended over behavior during riot
Senator says one officer took selfie with rioter and another wore Maga hat, as concerns grow over inauguration security
Two Capitol police officers have been suspended as a result of their actions during the storming of the US Capitol, as pressure mounts on law enforcement to hold rioters accountable and to secure Washington DC from further violence ahead of Joe Biden’s inauguration next week.
Tim Ryan, a Democratic senator of Ohio, told reporters on Monday that one of the officers took a selfie with someone and the other put on a “Make America Great Again” hat. He says of the latter that the “interim chief determined that to be qualifying for immediate suspension”.
Continue reading...Donald Trump recognises ‘new administration’ after US Capitol riot – video
Donald Trump acknowledges in a video released on Thursday night that a 'new administration' will be inaugurated on 20 January, one day after he repeated baseless claims at a Washington DC rally that the election had been stolen. The rally became a precursor for a violent attack on the US Capitol that appalled the nation. In his video, Trump went on to say the rioters 'do not represent our country' and that those who broke the law would pay.
Continue reading...Democratic and Republican senators unite to condemn US Capitol violence – video
Senators from both sides of US politics have condemned the violence unleashed on the Capitol building on Wednesday. The vice-president, Mike Pence, described it as 'a dark day in the history of the United States Capitol'. The Democratic Senate minority leader, Chuck Schumer, labelled the Trump supporters as 'goons', 'thugs' and 'domestic terrorists', while Republican Mitt Romney labelled the events 'an insurrection, incited by the president of the United States'
- American carnage: how Trump's footsoldiers ran riot in the Capitol
- Maga mob's Capitol invasion makes Trump's assault on democracy literal
Biden calls on Trump to ‘demand an end to this siege’ – video
President-elect Joe Biden denounces the violence at the Capitol, after a mob of Trump supporters storm the building. 'This is not dissent, it's disorder, it's chaos, it borders on sedition, and it must end now,' Biden said. He then called on outgoing US president Trump to publicly 'demand an end to this siege'
- Trump tells mob that stormed Congress 'we love you' as Biden condemns 'siege' – follow live
- 'Trump blows up US democracy': the world watches on in horror
Pro-Trump mob storms US Capitol – in pictures
A mob of Trump supporters invaded the Capitol after mass demonstrations in the nation’s capital. They breached security, took over the rotunda and House chamber, and disrupted the vote certification for Joe Biden
Continue reading...Million Maga March: Trump supporters protest in Washington – video
At least a thousand protesters travelled across the US to show their support for Donald Trump in what was called the 'Million Maga March' in Washington on Saturday.
People chanted 'stop the steal' and sang the national anthem, some demonstrators running after Trump's motorcade when it made an appearance at the beginning of the significantly advertised event.
Counter-protesters also rallied in Washington and clashed with Trump supporters in the evening, when at least 20 people were arrested on a variety of charges, including assault and weapons possession, according to officials
- Arrests in Washington as Trump supporters assemble, rejecting Biden victory
- Million Maga March: Trump fans rage against dying of the light
Driving Mr Donald – White House excursion reveals a presidency pushing up daisies
From the motorcade, leaving Washington, it was clear how Trump thrives on a noisy minority’s support – and why he lost
It was a jarring few minutes of seeing the world through Donald Trump’s eyes and indulging his fantasies.
Related: Trump supporters gather in Washington as president refuses to concede to Biden
Continue reading...Two sides of DC: those threatened by Covid are unimpressed by Trump’s bravado
The president’s words fell on deaf ears to those just down the street from the White House who wouldn’t get the same treatment
Washington’s mayor, Muriel Bowser, has struggled to bring the US capital’s coronavirus infection rate down.
In July, she ordered the wearing of masks in crowded places outside, and the order has largely been obeyed: on Tuesday afternoon, more than nine in ten people walking around the city were wearing masks, and almost everyone in shops and cafes.
Continue reading...America is having a code red moment. Which of its enemies is likely to strike first? | Simon Tisdall
With Trump in hospital and the election campaign in chaos, the US has never been more vulnerable to foreign threats
US presidential elections and the uncertain transition periods that follow have traditionally been viewed by military, intelligence and security officials as moments of maximum national vulnerability. They will be especially worried now.
The fact that Donald Trump is ill in hospital, presidential advisers and Republican senators are also unwell, or self-isolating, and the election campaign is in chaos will intensify a sense of dangerous exposure at the Pentagon, CIA and state department.
Continue reading...A photo essay: the capital mourns a week after Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death
Admirers gather in Washington DC as the justice becomes the first woman to lie in state at the US capitol. Photos by Lexey Swall
On Friday, Ruth Bader Ginsburg became the first woman in American history to lie in state in the US Capitol, 168 years after the first man to do so.
The mood in the capital was somber and reverential. In the late supreme court justice, the city had not only lost an icon but “a 40-year resident, a meticulous, familiar, and revered part of the daily landscape”, according to DCist.
Continue reading...Woman suspected of sending ricin to White House is arrested at Canada border
Woman is also suspected of sending five similar poisoned envelopes to law enforcement agencies in Texas
A woman suspected of sending an envelope containing the poison ricin to the White House, has been arrested at the New York-Canada border and is also suspected of sending five similar poisoned envelopes to law enforcement agencies in Texas.
The letter was intercepted earlier this week before it reached the White House.
Continue reading...‘He never yielded’: mourners pay respects to John Lewis outside Capitol
Kept outdoors by coronavirus threat, hundreds view casket of congressman and civil rights icon
Born in Citronelle, Alabama, in the early 1950s, Frankie Blevins grew up with the cruelties imposed by the Jim Crow south: racially segregated drinking fountains, restrooms and restaurants.
On her family’s first road trip, her mother packed food to sustain them for the entire trip, knowing they would not be allowed to stop for provisions along the way.
Continue reading...DoJ to investigate federal forces’ tactics in US cities as mayors condemn Trump
Watchdog to look at use-of-force allegations in Portland and Washington as other mayors say: we don’t need your deployments
The justice department inspector general said on Thursday it would conduct a review of the conduct of federal agents who responded to unrest in Portland and Washington DC, following concerns from members of Congress and the public.
Related: DoJ watchdog opens investigation into federal agents' actions in Portland – live
Continue reading...Donald Trump publicly wears face mask for first time during hospital visit – video
Donald Trump wore a face mask in public for the first time during a visit to a military hospital on Saturday evening.
'When you’re in a hospital, especially … I think it’s expected to wear a mask,' the US president said as he left the White House in a helicopter to visit the Walter Reed national military medical centre in suburban Washington DC to meet wounded service members and healthcare providers caring for Covid-19 patients.
Coronavirus cases have surged to record levels in the US, with guidelines recommending the wearing of face masks in certain circumstances to stop the spread of the virus
Continue reading...US restricts visas for Chinese officials over Hong Kong freedoms
Secretary of state Mike Pompeo says visa restrictions apply to ‘current and former’ communist party officials, but does not name them
The US secretary of state Mike Pompeo has said Washington will impose visa restrictions on Chinese officials responsible for restricting freedoms in Hong Kong, but he did not name any of those targeted.
The move on Friday comes ahead of a three-day meeting of China’s parliament from Sunday, which is expected to enact new national security legislation for Hong Kong that has alarmed foreign governments and democracy activists.
Continue reading...Protesters topple statue of Confederate general in Washington DC – video
Protesters in Washington DC climbed up a bronze statue of Brig Gen Albert Pike and brought it down with ropes before setting it alight on Friday. A US holiday known as Juneteenth that commemorates the end of slavery takes place every year on 19 June. Demonstrators took about an hour to fell the three-metre statue, as Juneteenth celebrations and anti-racist protests took place across the US. The police surrounded the area but did not appear to intervene
- Thousands celebrate Juneteenth with anti-racism marches across US
- Is this the end for colonial-era statues? – video