Biden news: Trump ‘got vaccine while president’, as New York AG set to probe Cuomo harassment claims
Latest updates from Washington DC and beyond
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Your support makes all the difference.Donald Trump’s administration “dismantled” the US immigration system according to Joe Biden’s head of homeland security Alejandro Mayorkas in comments during the White House press briefing on Monday. He said that his team is working around the clock to “replace the cruelty of the past administration with an orderly, humane and safe immigration process”.
Joe Biden is currently meeting with his Mexican counterpart President Andrés Manuel Lopez Obrador, “AMLO”, for an initial virtual meeting at which immigration and fighting the Covid-19 pandemic are expected to be top of the agenda. Mr Biden told AMLO that he sees Mexico as an equal.
It was announced in the White House Covid briefing that the CDC is “deeply concerned” at the plateauing of the decline in Covid cases in the US as new variants spread and states begin to relax restrictions.
As the first Johnson & Johnson vaccines are sent out for delivery across the US, it emerged that former president Trump and first lady Melania Trump received their vaccinations before leaving the White House in January.
In his speech at CPAC on Sunday, Mr Trump urged all Americans to take the vaccine.
‘We’re going to start acting now’
The director of the White House Office of Public Engagement and senior adviser to President Joe Biden has said the administration will make progress on breaking down barriers for African Americans caused by systemic racism while a commission is formed to study reparations.
Cedric Richmond told Axios that the White House will “start acting now” to address the issue.
Mr Biden gave his support on the campaign trail and again in mid-February to plans to form a commission to study reparations and develop proposals such as direct payments to African Americans, the Associated Press reported.
Gustaf Kilander reports.
‘We don’t want to wait on study’: Biden adviser vows to start acting ‘now’ on systemic racism
‘We have to start breaking down systemic racism and barriers that have held people of colour back and especially African Americans’
First Black woman sworn in as secretary of Senate
Sonceria Ann Berry has been sworn in as Secretary of the US Senate, the first Black woman to hold that title, and the first Black person. She is the eighth woman to be appointed to the position.
After a brief ceremony, she received an elbow bump of congratulations from Chuck Schumer.
The secretary supervises an extensive array of offices and services to expedite the day-to-day operations of the legislative body, similar to the clerk of the House of Representatives.
Ms Berry, originally from Alabama, has worked in the Senate for four decades.
Biden to refuse Mexico’s request to share vaccine supply
Joe Biden is expected to deny an entreaty from Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador for the US to share its Covid vaccine supply with its poorer neighbour to the south.
“No,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki bluntly responded at her daily press briefing on Monday when asked whether Mr Biden would take Mr Lopez Obrador’s request into consideration.
“The President has made clear that he is focused on ensuring that vaccines are accessible to every American. That is our focus,” Ms Psaki said.
Griffin Connolly reports for The Independent from Washington, DC.
Biden to refuse Mexico’s request to share vaccine supply
Administration’s top priority is to ensure ‘every American is vaccinated’ before sending supplies to other countries, press secretary says
Meanwhile, in New York...
The mayor of New York City said Andrew Cuomo “should no longer be in public service” if an independent investigation reveals the governor sexually harassed two former staffers.
Asked at his daily press conference if Mr Cuomo should resign as governor of New York over the allegations, Bill de Blasio said his accusers Charlotte Bennett, 25, and Lindsay Boylan, 36, were in a position of vulnerability when working for him.
“When anybody, particularly an older man trying to take advantage of a younger woman, does something that makes that woman feel if she doesn’t consent to what the man wants she may not keep her job, these are horrible horrible things that are unacceptable in our society,” Mr de Blasio said.
NYC mayor suggests Andrew Cuomo should resign over ‘terrifying’ sexual harassment claims
‘If that was what truly happened it was like he was treating her like she was his property ... just disgusting, creepy’
Meanwhile, in New York... (pt 2)
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is to be investigated by the state’s attorney general for alleged sexual harassment.
The investigation was announced by Letitia James who said that she will make public a report into her findings when the probe is complete.
Graeme Massie reports.
Andrew Cuomo to be investigated by New York attorney general
New York has denied the claims and said comments ‘misinterpreted’ as ‘unwanted flirtation’
76 Saudis subject to ‘Khashoggi ban’ will not be identified
The State Department says that the 76 Saudis subject to the “Khashoggi ban” will not be identified.
Spokesperson Ned Price would not say whether the Saudi Crown Prince was included in that number, but said that there are no plans for him to visit the US.
Biden meets with Democrat senators
President Joe Biden met with nine Democrat senators this after for a virtual discussion on the next steps in passing the American Rescue Plan.
"The group had a good discussion and was united in the goal of quickly passing a significant package that reflects the scope of the challenges our country is facing," according to the White House.
“The President looks forward to speedy passage of the Rescue Plan and is committed to continuing to stay in close contact with leaders and members on Capitol Hill in the coming days to get the bill across the finish line,” says a readout of the meeting.
Secret Service releases Trump Organisation invoice for Bedminster
The Secret Service has released new documents relating to Donald Trump’s first trip to his Bedminster, New Jersey golf club as president in 2017. Over the course of the four-year presidency, the Trump Organisation charged taxpayers more than $392,000 for rooms at Bedminster.
Trump gives Newsmax post-CPAC speech interview
Former president Donald Trump granted an interview to right-wing news network Newsmax immediately after his speech at CPAC in which he said that he couldn’t imagine anyone else winning the Republican Party nomination over him if he decides to run again in 2024.
Mr Trump also spoke about the coronavirus pandemic as if it had ended and he had rebuilt the economy.
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