Pro-Trump State Lawmaker Among Rioters Charged with Storming US Capitol

A pro-Trump state lawmaker who filmed himself storming the U.S. Capitol and an Arkansas man who was photographed with his foot on the desk of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are among more than a dozen rioters charged so far by federal prosecutors as part of a far-ranging investigation into Wednesday’s attack on the Capitol, federal officials announced Friday.Derrick Evans, a Republican member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, was charged with entering a restricted area on the Capitol grounds. Evans broadcast a Facebook Live video of himself breaking into the building with a crowd of rioters, at one pointmore

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US Law Enforcement Authorities Step Up Investigation of Capitol Hill Riots

U.S. law enforcement authorities are stepping up a criminal investigation into Wednesday’s attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump that could include his role in instigating the mob. Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Michael Sherwin said a total of 55 people have been charged with various crimes, including 15 people in connection with rioting at the Capitol. Trump has been widely condemned for inciting the violence by imploring supporters angry over his electoral loss to march on the Capitol. In a rare rebuke, former Attorney General William Barr, a staunch Trump ally while in office,more

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Pelosi, Top General Discuss Preventing Trump Military Actions

Amid growing concerns about what U.S. President Donald Trump might do during his last days in office, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Friday that she had asked a top Pentagon general what measures were in place to prevent the president from launching a nuclear weapons attack.The possibility, while seemingly remote, may be a consideration in a drive by Pelosi and some other national leaders to remove Trump from office even before his term in office ends on January 20.FILE – In this Sept. 22, 2020, photo Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley listens during a meeting at the Pentagon inmore

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Black Leaders Cheer Georgia Success, Push for More Progress

What started as a day of celebration for Black organizers, voters and other Georgians who helped deliver two historic Senate runoff victories was overshadowed Wednesday when a violent, mostly white mob of President Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol.But Black leaders and organizers say the rioters’ insurrection won’t deter the momentum achieved after the hard-fought victories of Georgia Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock. Instead, it serves as a harsh reminder of the work that lies ahead for the nation to truly grapple with white supremacy and racism, which Trump’s presidency emboldened.”It’s a little bit bittersweet because on onemore

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Police Officer’s Death Intensifies US Capitol Siege Questions

A police officer has died from injuries sustained as President Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the Capitol, a violent siege that is forcing hard questions about the defeated president’s remaining days in office and the ability of the Capitol Police to secure the area.The U.S. Capitol Police said in a statement that Officer Brian D. Sicknick was injured “while physically engaging with protesters” during the Wednesday riot. He is the fifth person to die because of the melee.The rampage that has shocked the world and left the country on edge forced the resignations of three top Capitol security officials over themore

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Beijing Warns US Will Pay ‘Heavy Price’ if UN Ambassador Goes to Taiwan

China on Thursday threatened that the United States would pay a “heavy price” if its United Nations Ambassador Kelly Craft kept plans announced by the State Department to travel to Taiwan next week.“The United States will pay a heavy price for its wrong action,” a statement from the Chinese mission to the UN said.“China strongly urges the United States to stop its crazy provocation, stop creating new difficulties for China-U.S. relations and the two countries’ cooperation in the United Nations, and stop going further on the wrong path.”China “firmly opposes” the visit and demands the US cancel its plans, themore

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US Capitol Returns to Normal After Attack

A day after a mob breached the U.S. Capitol building, sending legislators into a lockdown, lawmakers are outraged and security is increasing. VOA’s Carolyn Presutti reports from Capitol Hill, where she spoke with some of the pro-Trump crowd who still lingered after Wednesday’s chaotic scenes.  Camera: Mike Burke …

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