Biden news: President accuses Texas of ‘Neanderthal thinking’ as Trump said to fire Pence in a 2024 run
United States will now have enough doses for every adult to receive Covid vaccines by end of May
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Your support makes all the difference.Joe Biden said ending mask mandates is a “big mistake” after Texas and Mississippi governors moved to reopen their states after a year of pandemic lockdowns.
“The last thing, the last thing we need is Neanderthal thinking that in the meantime, everything’s fine, take off your mask, forget it. It still matters,” he says.
As Donald Trump considers beating Democrats “for a third time”, his allies reportedly want someone other than Mike Pence on the ticket. Quoting two people familiar with discussions, Bloomberg says Trump has privately considered black or female alternatives as he takes stock of who supported him to the very end.
Andrew Cuomo, meanwhile, appeared to get emotional as he apologized during his first press conference since more women began accusing the New York governor of inappropriate behaviour.
The Democrat refused to resign, however, after issuing denials that he touched anyone inappropriately and asked the public to wait for the facts to emerge from the state attorney general’s investigation into the allegations.
Over on Capitol Hill, the Senate is expected to take up Mr Biden's $1.9tn coronavirus relief package, with Democrats aiming to have the president sign it into law before some benefits expire on March 14.
But congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called compromising on the $1,400 checks to narrow the eligibility an "own goal".
No guns or firearm offences at the US Capitol riot, Senate hears
At probing from senator Ron Johnson, today’s hearing on the US Capitol riot hear that there were no firearms recovered during the event and no suspects charged with firearm offences.
The closest the FBI came, the hearing heard, is that a firearm was recovered in a nearby vehicle after the event when they went to investigate Molotov cocktails.
Cuomo watch: Announcement at 1pm EST
The embattled governor of New York will be making an announcement within the hour.
Dare say this is one worth tuning into.
White House daily briefing to begin soon
Press secretary Jen Psaki is expected to start shorty.
Stay locked for updates.
Tim Allen says he liked that Trump ‘p***ed people off’
“Once I realised the last president p***ed people off, I kind of liked that. So it was fun to just not say anything. Didn’t join in the lynching crowd.”
Allen was talking politics during an interview on the WTF with Marc Maron podcast.
Clémence Michallon has the full story.
No new OMB nominee announcement coming this week, White House
Press secretary Jen Psaki says there will be no new nominee announced this week to replace Neera Tanden on the Office of Management and Budget.
“The president’s schedule is quite full,” Psaki says.
White House assessing overnight rocket attacks
Joe Biden was briefed this morning on latest rocket attacks, says press secretary Jen Paski.
“We are still assessing the impact of this latest rocket attack, including determining precise attribution,” Psaki says.
“If we assess a further response is warranted we will take action.”
Joe Biden to raise mask mandate with Texas at ‘next opportunity’, says White House
Asked if the president plans on asking governors to reconsider removing mask mandates, press secretary Jen Psaki says he will reiterate the science behind mask-wearing the next time he speaks with them.
“He obviously travelled with the governor last Friday and I’m sure he will raise this the next opportunity he has,” Psaki says.
She added: “This entire country has paid the price for political leaders who ignored the science when it comes to the pandemic.”
Biden remains confident in FBI director despite Capitol riot failures, White House says
Press secretary Jen Psaki says Christopher Wray still has the confidence of the president.
“He remains confident in FBI director Wray, we, of course, will be monitoring the hearings, and I think there will be lessons learned as we come out of the hearings that will be applied across government,” Psaki says.
White House urges Texas and Mississippi residents to follow CDC mask guidance after states drop mandates
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the administration hopes that the states will continue to follow guidance from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention as well as President Joe Biden’s campaign to wear masks within the first 100 days of his administration.
“We’re asking people to listen to health experts, medical experts, the CDC, to [Dr Anthony Fauci], to others who are basing their recommendations on how to save people’s lives,” she said.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves announced that their states will drop mandates for their residents to wear masks to combat the transmission of Covid-19.
“The governor’s office is getting out of the business of telling people what they can and cannot do,” Governor Reeves said on Tuesday.
Alex Woodward is taking a closer look at this angle from today’s press conference.
White House urges Texas and Mississippi residents to follow CDC mask guidance after states drop mandates
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that “this entire country has paid the price for political leaders who ignored the science when it comes to the pandemic” following Mississippi and Texas governors dropping mandates to wear face coverings during the public health crisis.
Andrew Cuomo says he will ‘fully cooperate’ with attorney general investigation
“I ask the people of this state to wait for the fact from the AG report before forming an opinion,” Cuomo says.
“Get the facts please forming an opinion and the AG is doing that review, I will fully cooperate with it, and then you will have the facts.”
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