Biden news - live: Trump Jr deposed over inaugural funds as White House defends migrant camp after AOC attack

“We are going to do this the right way, the FDA will decide on emergency use authorization of a vaccine based on science, not due to any political pressure from me or anyone else, no outside factors,” Biden says.

“If the FDA approves the used of this new vaccine, we have a plan to roll it out as quickly as Johnson & Johnson can make it.”

The White House said yesterday it was surprised Johnson & Johnson vaccine production came in about 6 to 7 million under its initial estimates.

They said 3 to 4 million doses are ready to roll out as soon as next week if they get approval.

It’s unlikely that any vice president working under Donald Trump could have found the space in the last four years to define themselves on their own terms. The former president had an unrivalled talent for sucking all the media oxygen out of any room, writes The Independent’s Richard Hall.

“But even for someone who touts his discretion as an asset, Mike Pence leaves office with a reputation as something of a grey man, and many questions about his own motivations unanswered. The most pressing of those questions today is whether he has ambition to follow in the footsteps of many vice presidents before him and make a run for the White House.”

President Joe Biden has warned about the impact of new Covid-19 variants on the United States’ cases and hospitalisations, as his administration administers its 50 millionth vaccine dose since taking office.

The Independent’s Danielle Zoellner has the latest from Biden’s vaccine remarks today.

Republican Senator John Thune has rejected an effort from congressional Democrats to raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $15, pointing to his $6 or less hourly wages that he earned working at a restaurant as a “kid”.

The senator from South Dakota – where the state-level minimum wage is set at $9.45 – said that raising “the minimum wage is something that is particularly troubling and harmful, at a time when you’re trying to get people back to work ... because it drives up the cost of hiring people” during economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.

Alex Woodward reports.

Donald Trump Jr claims that federal prosecutors only dropped drink driving charges against rock star Bruce Springsteen because of “liberal privilege”.

Earlier this month, it emerged that Springsteen, a lifelong Democrat, was arrested on 14 November 2020 and given three citations for alleged DWI, reckless driving, and consuming alcohol in a closed area.

On the news that two of the charges had been dismissed, Mr Trump tweeted on Thursday: “I’d say it’s #WhitePrivilege but we all know it’s really #LiberalPrivilege.”

The eldest son of former president Donald Trump published a book in 2020 called Liberal Privilege.

Oliver O’Connell reports.

The US House of Representatives has passed a bill to ban discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation and gender identity. But it faces a murky path through the 50-50 Senate before it can make its way to Joe Biden’s desk.

Even if all 50 Democratic and Democratic-caucusing Independents in the Senate voted in favour of the so-called “Equality Act,” it would still need the backing of at least 10 Republicans to clear the upper chamber’s traditional 60-vote threshold for final passage.

“I hope it will not be lost in the politics of the Senate,” House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said on Thursday shortly before the bill’s passage.

That appears to be wishful thinking, writes The Independent’s Griffin Connolly.

While the Supreme Court rejected her defamation lawsuit against Donald Trump, the adult film star, whose legal name is Stephanie Clifford, said she considered the ex-president’s tax return handover a huge win sparked by her

“Don't worry!I'm not done fighting. I set out to expose Tiny, hold him accountable for his lies&encourage others to stand up to bullies, which I DID!” she said in a tweet.

“I consider the court ruling on his tax returns to be a HUGE win for myself&entire country. I was the spark that set the keg on fire.”

All the country’s governors are there, including Andrew Cuomo. The White House said earlier today they would continue to work with him despite allegations of sexual assault and calls for him to be impeached amid a covid death cover-up.

“The president has been consistent in his position, when a person comes forward they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, their voice should be heard not silenced, and any allegation should be reviewed,” press secretary Jen Psaki said at her daily press briefing.

“Governor Cuomo is also the governor of one of the largest states in the country, that has been one of the hardest hit with millions of people still suffering from an ongoing pandemic and economic crisis. Our focus is to continue working with governors from across the country from a range of states on how we’re helping people in their states.”

Republican South Carolina Representative Ralph Norman asked for 30 seconds of silence for Rush Limbaugh, the controversial conservative radio host who passed away last week after a bout with lung cancer – but was turned down. Mr Norman made the request as the House was considering the Equality Act which would ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Limbaugh made a number of derogatory remarks against LGBT+ individuals during his long career.

Gustaf Kilander has more.

President Biden recently spoke with King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud of Saudi Arabia, according to the White House on Thursday.

The conversation, which covered topics ranging from the Saudi war in Yemen to countering Iranian influence in the region, marks a major departure from the Trump administration, which frequently worked with Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the heir to the king.

Earlier this month, press secretary Jen Psaki said the US would seek to “recalibrate” its relationship with the nation and mainly deal “counterpart-to-counterpart” between the two top leaders.

More details to come.