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| Trump’s former chief of staff refuses to appear before Capitol attack committee – live | Trump’s former chief of staff refuses to appear before Capitol attack committee – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Mark Meadows did not appear for his scheduled deposition before the House committee and now risks criminal contempt charges | Mark Meadows did not appear for his scheduled deposition before the House committee and now risks criminal contempt charges |
| Kamala Harris, the US vice-president, has thrown her support behind a plan to stage risky and unprecedented parliamentary and presidential elections in Libya next month, even though human rights groups have warned the conditions for fair elections may not exist. | |
| Harris attended a conference in Paris on the future of Libya attended by more than 30 countries and hosted by the French president, Emmanuel Macron; the German chancellor, Angela Merkel; and the Italian prime minister, Mario Draghi. | |
| Human Rights Watch said elections were a much-needed chance for a reset in the country but warned “free and fair elections will hardly be possible without rule of law, justice, and accountability that are currently sorely lacking”. | |
| The US – and the bulk of the international community at the Paris summit – took the view that Libya was more likely to slide into chaos if the elections were not held, starting on 24 December. | |
| Joe Biden is now holding a meeting with his cabinet to discuss the implementation of the bipartisan infrastructure bill, which he will sign on Monday. | |
| Kamala Harris joined the meeting by telephone, as the vice-president has been in Paris this week to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron and mark Veterans Day there. | |
| At the start of the meeting, Biden emphasized that the passage of the infrastructure bill represented a moment of “immense hope and possibilities” for America. | |
| “It’s hard, but we can still come together to get something big done for the American people,” Biden said. | |
| As she concluded the White House press briefing, a reporter shouted a question at Jen Psaki about Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and his false claims about coronavirus vaccines. | As she concluded the White House press briefing, a reporter shouted a question at Jen Psaki about Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and his false claims about coronavirus vaccines. |
| “You know how we feel about misinformation. We’re against it,” the press secretary told reporters. | “You know how we feel about misinformation. We’re against it,” the press secretary told reporters. |
| Rodgers tested positive for coronavirus last week and then revealed that he had not gotten vaccinated, partly due to concerns about potential fertility issues with the treatments. | Rodgers tested positive for coronavirus last week and then revealed that he had not gotten vaccinated, partly due to concerns about potential fertility issues with the treatments. |
| However, health experts have said the vaccines are safe for couples trying to have children. | However, health experts have said the vaccines are safe for couples trying to have children. |
| Jen Psaki would not provide details on who Joe Biden will name as the “infrastructure coordinator” to oversee implementation of the bipartisan infrastructure bill, which he will sign on Monday. | Jen Psaki would not provide details on who Joe Biden will name as the “infrastructure coordinator” to oversee implementation of the bipartisan infrastructure bill, which he will sign on Monday. |
| The White House press secretary would only say that the coordinator will be “someone from outside the administration”. | The White House press secretary would only say that the coordinator will be “someone from outside the administration”. |
| Biden similarly named Gene Sperling, a former Obama administration official, to oversee the implementation of the coronavirus relief package earlier this year. | Biden similarly named Gene Sperling, a former Obama administration official, to oversee the implementation of the coronavirus relief package earlier this year. |
| White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Joe Biden will name an “infrastructure coordinator” to oversee the implementation of the $1.2tn infrastructure bill. | White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Joe Biden will name an “infrastructure coordinator” to oversee the implementation of the $1.2tn infrastructure bill. |
| The House passed the bill last week, sending the legislation to the president’s desk. The White House has said Biden will sign the bill on Monday, and he will be joined by a bipartisan group of lawmakers who helped craft the proposal. | The House passed the bill last week, sending the legislation to the president’s desk. The White House has said Biden will sign the bill on Monday, and he will be joined by a bipartisan group of lawmakers who helped craft the proposal. |
| Asked how many Republicans will attend the bill-signing ceremony on Monday, Psaki said, “We will see. We’ve invited a broad group of Republicans -- some in Congress, governors, mayors, individuals who played a role in helping move the infrastructure bill forward.” | Asked how many Republicans will attend the bill-signing ceremony on Monday, Psaki said, “We will see. We’ve invited a broad group of Republicans -- some in Congress, governors, mayors, individuals who played a role in helping move the infrastructure bill forward.” |
| The press secretary added that the White House will provide a list of expected ceremony attendees on Monday. | The press secretary added that the White House will provide a list of expected ceremony attendees on Monday. |
| Jen Psaki announced that Joe Biden will pardon a turkey next Friday, continuing a decades-old White House tradition for the Thanksgiving holiday. | Jen Psaki announced that Joe Biden will pardon a turkey next Friday, continuing a decades-old White House tradition for the Thanksgiving holiday. |
| The press secretary noted that two turkey lives will actually be spared thanks to the tradition, as there is always an alternate turkey in Washington for the pardoning. | The press secretary noted that two turkey lives will actually be spared thanks to the tradition, as there is always an alternate turkey in Washington for the pardoning. |
| This year, the two birds will be coming from a farm in Indiana, Psaki told reporters. | This year, the two birds will be coming from a farm in Indiana, Psaki told reporters. |
| Last year, Donald Trump presided over an awkward turkey pardoning ceremony, which came weeks after Biden was declared the winner of the presidential election: | Last year, Donald Trump presided over an awkward turkey pardoning ceremony, which came weeks after Biden was declared the winner of the presidential election: |
| The White House press secretary, Jen Psaki, is now holding her daily briefing, marking her return to the briefing room after testing positive for coronavirus. | The White House press secretary, Jen Psaki, is now holding her daily briefing, marking her return to the briefing room after testing positive for coronavirus. |
| Psaki noted that she was originally scheduled to join Joe Biden for his trip to Europe a couple weeks ago, during which the president met with Pope Francis, attended the G20 summit and participated in the Cop26 climate change conference. | Psaki noted that she was originally scheduled to join Joe Biden for his trip to Europe a couple weeks ago, during which the president met with Pope Francis, attended the G20 summit and participated in the Cop26 climate change conference. |
| She obviously did not do so after she tested positive for coronavirus. Prior to testing positive, Psaki had last seen Biden five days earlier, and they wore masks at the time. | She obviously did not do so after she tested positive for coronavirus. Prior to testing positive, Psaki had last seen Biden five days earlier, and they wore masks at the time. |
| Psaki told reporters that she experienced “mild symptoms,” including fatigue, and she said she is “incredibly grateful” for coronavirus vaccines, which helped protect her against severe illness and potential hospitalization. | Psaki told reporters that she experienced “mild symptoms,” including fatigue, and she said she is “incredibly grateful” for coronavirus vaccines, which helped protect her against severe illness and potential hospitalization. |
| Republican Lisa Murkowski confirmed today that she will seek another term representing Alaska in the US Senate. | Republican Lisa Murkowski confirmed today that she will seek another term representing Alaska in the US Senate. |
| Murkowski made the announcement in a campaign video, saying she will “work with anyone, from either party, to advance Alaska’s priorities”. | Murkowski made the announcement in a campaign video, saying she will “work with anyone, from either party, to advance Alaska’s priorities”. |
| “I’m running for reelection to continue the important work of growing our economy, strengthening our Alaska-based military and protecting our people and the natural beauty of our state,” Murkowski said. | “I’m running for reelection to continue the important work of growing our economy, strengthening our Alaska-based military and protecting our people and the natural beauty of our state,” Murkowski said. |
| Murkowski is one of seven Senate Republicans who voted to convict Donald Trump for inciting the Capitol insurrection, and she is only member of that group who is seeking reelection next year. | Murkowski is one of seven Senate Republicans who voted to convict Donald Trump for inciting the Capitol insurrection, and she is only member of that group who is seeking reelection next year. |
| Trump has already endorsed Murkowski’s primary challenger, former Alaska commissioner of administration Kelly Tshibaka, and he has pledged to campaign against the incumbent. | Trump has already endorsed Murkowski’s primary challenger, former Alaska commissioner of administration Kelly Tshibaka, and he has pledged to campaign against the incumbent. |
| But Murkowski does have the support of Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell and the National Republican Senatorial Committee, per Politico, setting up a potentially close race next year. | But Murkowski does have the support of Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell and the National Republican Senatorial Committee, per Politico, setting up a potentially close race next year. |
| The newly announced virtual summit on Monday evening between Joe Biden and Xi Jinping comes one day after the Chinese president warned against a return to cold war-era tensions in the Asia-Pacific. | The newly announced virtual summit on Monday evening between Joe Biden and Xi Jinping comes one day after the Chinese president warned against a return to cold war-era tensions in the Asia-Pacific. |
| “Attempts to draw ideological lines or form small circles on geopolitical grounds are bound to fail,” he told a virtual business conference on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. | “Attempts to draw ideological lines or form small circles on geopolitical grounds are bound to fail,” he told a virtual business conference on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. |
| “The Asia-Pacific region cannot and should not relapse into the confrontation and division of the cold war era.” | “The Asia-Pacific region cannot and should not relapse into the confrontation and division of the cold war era.” |
| Xi’s remarks seem to refer to recent US efforts with allies and partners to dampen what Washington sees as China’s growing economic and military influence in the region. | Xi’s remarks seem to refer to recent US efforts with allies and partners to dampen what Washington sees as China’s growing economic and military influence in the region. |
| Joe Biden will hold a virtual summit with China’s president, Xi Jinping, on Monday evening, amid rising tensions since the US president took office earlier this year. “The two leaders will discuss ways to responsibly manage the competition between the United States and the PRC [People’s Republic of China], as well as ways to work together where our interests align,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement on Friday. “Throughout, President Biden will make clear US intentions and priorities and be clear and candid about our concerns.” | Joe Biden will hold a virtual summit with China’s president, Xi Jinping, on Monday evening, amid rising tensions since the US president took office earlier this year. “The two leaders will discuss ways to responsibly manage the competition between the United States and the PRC [People’s Republic of China], as well as ways to work together where our interests align,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement on Friday. “Throughout, President Biden will make clear US intentions and priorities and be clear and candid about our concerns.” |
| At the recent Cop26 climate talks in Glasgow, Biden criticized Xi for failing to show up. Tensions between Washington and Beijing have also been exacerbated by the Chinese military’s recent sorties near Taiwan, the democratically-governed island claimed by Beijing. | At the recent Cop26 climate talks in Glasgow, Biden criticized Xi for failing to show up. Tensions between Washington and Beijing have also been exacerbated by the Chinese military’s recent sorties near Taiwan, the democratically-governed island claimed by Beijing. |
| US secretary of state Antony Blinken said this week that the US would ensure Taiwan can defend itself to avoid anyone “trying to disrupt the status quo by force”. | US secretary of state Antony Blinken said this week that the US would ensure Taiwan can defend itself to avoid anyone “trying to disrupt the status quo by force”. |
| Here’s where the day stands so far: | Here’s where the day stands so far: |
| Mark Meadows, former chief of staff to Donald Trump, did not appear for his scheduled deposition before the House select committee investigating the Capitol insurrection. Meadows’ attorney has said he will not testify until the courts determine the validity of Trump’s claims of executive privilege over documents linked to the Capitol attack. But the select committee and the White House have said Trump’s claims do not withstand legal scrutiny. | Mark Meadows, former chief of staff to Donald Trump, did not appear for his scheduled deposition before the House select committee investigating the Capitol insurrection. Meadows’ attorney has said he will not testify until the courts determine the validity of Trump’s claims of executive privilege over documents linked to the Capitol attack. But the select committee and the White House have said Trump’s claims do not withstand legal scrutiny. |
| It remains unclear whether the select committee will move forward with holding Meadows in criminal contempt. The House has already referred one of Trump’s former advisers, Steve Bannon, to the justice department for refusing to comply with a subpoena issued by the select committee. The justice department has not yet said whether it plans to prosecute Bannon. | It remains unclear whether the select committee will move forward with holding Meadows in criminal contempt. The House has already referred one of Trump’s former advisers, Steve Bannon, to the justice department for refusing to comply with a subpoena issued by the select committee. The justice department has not yet said whether it plans to prosecute Bannon. |
| Joe Biden announced he will nominate Robert Califf to serve as the next commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. But Democratic Senator Joe Manchin has already said he will oppose the nomination of Califf, who led the FDA during the final months of Barack Obama’s presidency. In order to get Califf confirmed, the White House will need to convince at least one Republican to support his nomination. | Joe Biden announced he will nominate Robert Califf to serve as the next commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. But Democratic Senator Joe Manchin has already said he will oppose the nomination of Califf, who led the FDA during the final months of Barack Obama’s presidency. In order to get Califf confirmed, the White House will need to convince at least one Republican to support his nomination. |
| The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned. | The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned. |
| Joe Biden has just officially announced he plans to nominate Robert Califf as the next commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. | Joe Biden has just officially announced he plans to nominate Robert Califf as the next commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. |
| “Dr. Robert Califf is one of the most experienced clinical trialists in the country, and has the experience and expertise to lead the Food and Drug Administration during a critical time in our nation’s fight to put an end to the coronavirus pandemic,” Biden said in a new statement. | “Dr. Robert Califf is one of the most experienced clinical trialists in the country, and has the experience and expertise to lead the Food and Drug Administration during a critical time in our nation’s fight to put an end to the coronavirus pandemic,” Biden said in a new statement. |
| “Dr. Califf had strong bipartisan support in the Senate in 2016, and I urge the Senate to swiftly confirm Dr. Califf so he can continue the important work being done at this critical moment.” | “Dr. Califf had strong bipartisan support in the Senate in 2016, and I urge the Senate to swiftly confirm Dr. Califf so he can continue the important work being done at this critical moment.” |
| But Califf’s confirmation is somewhat in doubt now that Democratic Senator Joe Manchin has indicated he will not support the nomination. | But Califf’s confirmation is somewhat in doubt now that Democratic Senator Joe Manchin has indicated he will not support the nomination. |
| Given the 50-50 split in the Senate, Califf’s nomination will need to attract some Republican support in order to get approved. | Given the 50-50 split in the Senate, Califf’s nomination will need to attract some Republican support in order to get approved. |