Trump Supporters Swarm Statehouses Across US; Some Evacuated

On

Supporters of President Donald Trump massed outside statehouses from Georgia to New Mexico on Wednesday, leading some officials to evacuate while cheers rang out at several demonstrations as a pro-Trump mob stormed the U.S. Capitol.Hundreds of people gathered in state capitals nationwide to oppose President-elect Joe Biden’s win, waving signs saying, “Stop the steal” and “Four more years.” Most of them did not wear masks amid the coronavirus pandemic, and some carried guns in places like Oklahoma, Georgia, Arizona and Washington state.There were some scuffles in states like Ohio and California, with some instances of journalists or counterprotesters being pepper-sprayedmore

Leave a comment

Biden Urges Trump to Condemn Violence on Capitol

On

As violent Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol, forcing a lockdown Wednesday, President-elect Joe Biden called on President Donald Trump to address the nation and urge peace.”I call on President Trump to go on national television now, to fulfill his oath and defend the Constitution and demand an end to this siege,” Biden said.President-elect Biden addresses the nation: https://t.co/BXM3SZK25R— Biden-Harris Presidential Transition (@Transition46) January 6, 2021“It’s not a protest – it’s insurrection,” Biden said. He condemned what occurred at the Capitol and called those who stormed the building “extremists” who do not represent America. “At this hour, our democracy ismore

Leave a comment

World Leaders Condemn Pro-Trump Riot at US Capitol

On

International leaders expressed shock and condemned the unprecedented scenes on Capitol Hill as a pro-Trump riot breached the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. “Disgraceful scenes in U.S. Congress. The United States stands for democracy around the world and it is now vital that there should be a peaceful and orderly transfer of power,” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson wrote on Twitter. Disgraceful scenes in U.S. Congress. The United States stands for democracy around the world and it is now vital that there should be a peaceful and orderly transfer of power.— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) January 6, 2021European Union officials indicated their support formore

Leave a comment

US Capitol on Lockdown as Trump Protesters Breach Congress

On

U.S. Capitol Police ordered a lockdown Wednesday across the Capitol Complex, citing an external security threat, as thousands of Trump supporters stormed the building to protest Congress’ certification of Joe Biden’s presidential victory.The Senate entered into recess as it was proceeding to certify the electoral college votes for Biden, and Vice President Mike Pence reportedly was ushered out of the building by the Secret Service via underground tunnels.Sorry, but your browser cannot support embedded video of this type, you can download this video to view it offline.Download File360p | 1 MBOriginal | 1 MB Embed” />Copy Download AudioCapitol police respond after pro-Trump mob breaches Capitol building during joint session of Congress.Video footage circulating on socialmore

Leave a comment

Democrats Take Control of Senate as Ossoff Wins Georgia Race

On

Democrat Jon Ossoff claimed victory in the second of two special run-off votes in Georgia on Wednesday, giving the Democrats control of the U.S. Senate.The Rev. Raphael Warnock was named winner of the other Senate runoff race in the U.S. state of Georgia late Tuesday. Warnock also became the first Black Democrat to win a Senate seat in a former Confederate state.     Warnock, the pastor of an Atlanta, Georgia, church once led by civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., defeated Republican incumbent Kelly Loeffler in a race that was called by Edison Research and the Associated Press early Wednesday aftermore

Leave a comment

Trump Tells Supporters He Will ‘Never Concede’

On

U.S. President Donald Trump addressed thousands of supporters Wednesday in Washington, insisting he will “never concede” as lawmakers gather on Capitol Hill to certify the election of Joe Biden as America’s next president.  Speaking on stage with the White House as a backdrop, Trump repeated his false claims that November’s election was “stolen” and that he won in a “landslide.”  Along with the “radical left Democrats,” Trump said the “fake news media” used “the China virus” — referring to the COVID-19 pandemic — as cover to “steal the election.” U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosimore

Leave a comment

US Congress Meets to Certify Biden Electoral Victory

On

The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives are meeting Wednesday in a joint session to certify the Electoral College vote to make Democrat Joe Biden the country’s next president, even as President Donald Trump continues to implore his vice president, Mike Pence, to thwart the public confirmation that they lost their bid for re-election. What normally has been an hour-long formality once every four years — certifying who is to be inaugurated Jan. 20 as president for a new four-year term in the White House — is likely to be a lengthy, drama-filled spectacle this time. Trump for weeks has made baseless claims that he wasmore

Leave a comment

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Won’t Attend Biden’s Inauguration

On

Former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter will not attend President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration. It marks the first time the couple, 96 and 93, will have missed the ceremonies since Carter was sworn in as the 39th president in 1977. A spokeswoman at The Carter Center in Atlanta said the Carters have sent Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris their “best wishes” and “look forward to a successful administration.” Biden was a young Delaware senator and Carter ally during the Georgian’s term in the White House. The Carters have spent the coronavirus pandemic mostly at their homemore

Leave a comment

Democrats Win Key US Senate Runoff With Second Georgia Race Too Close to Call

On

Control of the U.S. Senate hung in the balance Wednesday with the result of one of two runoff elections in the southern state of Georgia still too close to call.Democrats moved closer to regaining control of the chamber with the Rev. Raphael Warnock’s projected defeat of Sen. Kelly Loeffler in one of Tuesday’s elections.U.S. media organizations called the race with Warnock leading Loeffler by more than 40,000 votes and nearly all ballots counted.“We were told that we couldn’t win this election, but tonight we proved that with hope, hard work and the people by our side, anything is possible,” Warnockmore

Leave a comment

Outcomes Uncertain in Key US Senate Runoff Elections in Georgia

On

Two pivotal U.S. Senate runoff elections in the Southern state of Georgia were too close to call Tuesday night.The outcomes of the closely watched contests will determine political control in the Senate during the first two years of President-elect Joe Biden’s term in the White House. But with roughly 98% of the vote counted in the two contests, no one was claiming victory or conceding defeat, although the votes left to be counted appeared to be in regions of the state with a heavy Democratic voter turnout.   In one contest, Republican Sen. David Perdue, seeking a second six-year term in office,more

Leave a comment

Vote-Counting Starts in US Senate Runoff Elections in Georgia

On

Polls closed and vote-counting started Tuesday night in two pivotal U.S. Senate runoff elections in the southern state of Georgia that will determine political control in the Senate during the first two years of President-elect Joe Biden’s term in the White House. Republican Senator David Perdue faced a challenge from Democrat Jon Ossoff, a television documentary producer, while Republican Senator Kelly Loeffler, one of the wealthiest lawmakers in Congress, was opposed by the Rev. Raphael Warnock, a Baptist minister. Pre-election polls showed tight contests, with the Democrats holding slight leads. At the moment, Republicans control the 100-seat Senate with a 50-48 advantage,more

Leave a comment

Proud Boys Leader Ordered to Stay Out of DC

On

The leader of the far-right group the Proud Boys was released from police custody Tuesday but was ordered to leave Washington, D.C., and stay away. Henry “Enrique” Tarrio was arrested Monday, two days before supporters of President Donald Trump are scheduled to hold demonstrations in the capital city over Trump’s loss to President-elect Joe Biden in the November presidential election. The District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department said it arrested Tarrio on destruction of property charges for burning a Black Lives Matter sign that was torn down from a historic African American church during protests in Washington last month. D.C. Superior Court Magistrate Judgemore

Leave a comment

Conflicting Stories Emerge After Protest at Senator’s Home

On

A self-proclaimed anti-fascist group staged a protest on the Northern Virginia property of a Republican senator Monday night. It was the latest in a string of protests aimed at politicians’ private homes. The group Shutdown DC says it was protesting because Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) says he will not vote to certify the Electoral College presidential vote finalizing Democratic President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in the November contest. On Twitter, Hawley called the group “antifa scumbags” and said they “screamed through bullhorns, shouted down my wife when she asked you to leave, vandalized property, pounded on our door, and terrorized neighbors.”more

Leave a comment

Proud Boys Leader Arrested Ahead of Pro-Trump Demonstrations in Washington 

On

The leader of the far-right group the Proud Boys was arrested by Washington police on Monday, two days before supporters of President Donald Trump are scheduled to hold demonstrations in the capital city over Trump’s loss to Joe Biden in the November presidential election. The District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department said it arrested Henry “Enrique” Tarrio on destruction of property charges for burning a Black Lives Matter sign that was torn down from a historic African American church during protests in Washington last month. The Proud Boys are expected to converge on the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, as Congress votes tomore

Leave a comment

Youth Expected to Be Out to Vote in Georgia

On

Young voters – specifically young Black voters – participating in the Georgia runoff election for two Senate seats are expected to provide significant support for the Democratic candidates.In the Senate race between incumbent Republican Senator David Perdue and Democratic challenger Jon Ossoff, 88% of Black youth favored Ossoff, compared with 31% of white youth, in the November election, according to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts.In the Senate special election between incumbent Republican Senator Kelly Loeffler and challenger Raphael Warnock, 83% of Black youth preferred Warnock, compared tomore

Leave a comment

DC Mayor Calls in National Guard Ahead of Pro-Trump Protests

On

Bracing for possible violence, the nation’s capital has mobilized the National Guard ahead of planned protests by President Donald Trump’s supporters in connection with the congressional vote expected Wednesday to affirm Joe Biden’s election victory. Trump’s supporters are planning to rally Tuesday and Wednesday, seeking to bolster the president’s unproven claims of widespread voter fraud.  “There are people intent on coming to our city armed,” D.C. Acting Police Chief Robert Contee said Monday. A pro-Trump rally in December ended in violence as hundreds of Trump supporters, wearing the signature black and yellow of the Proud Boys faction, sought out confrontations with amore

Leave a comment

Urging Calm, DC Mayor Calls in National Guard for Protests

On

The mayor of Washington, D.C., urged calm Monday as some 340 National Guard troops were being activated while the city prepared for potentially violent protests surrounding Congress’ expected vote to affirm President-elect Joe Biden’s victory. According to a U.S. defense official, Mayor Muriel Bowser put in a request on New Year’s Eve to have Guard members on the streets from January 5 to 7 to help with the protests. The official said D.C. National Guard members will be used for traffic control and other assistance, but they will not be armed or wearing body armor. Congress is meeting this week to certify the Electoral Collegemore

Leave a comment

Georgia Runoff Elections Tuesday to Decide Senate Control

On

Two runoff elections Tuesday in the southern state of Georgia will determine whether Republicans or Democrats control power in the U.S. Senate, dramatically shaping the legislative maneuvering for the first half of President-elect Joe Biden’s four-year term in the White House. With the stakes high, both Biden and outgoing President Donald Trump are staging last-minute campaign rallies in the state on Monday, even as Trump continues his broadsides against Georgia elections officials for refusing to overturn his narrow loss to Biden in the state in the November 3 election. The incoming president is stumping in Atlanta, Georgia’s biggest city, for the twomore

Leave a comment

Trump, Biden Campaign in Crucial Georgia On Eve of Senate Runoff Elections

On

U.S. President Donald Trump and President-elect Joe Biden are each appearing in the southern state of Georgia Monday, the final day of campaigning before elections for two seats that will decide the balance of power in the U.S. Senate.   Trump is going to the town of Dalton for an evening rally as he backs Republican Senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler.   Biden will be in Atlanta to boost Jon Ossoff’s bid to unseat Perdue and the Reverend Raphael Warnock’s challenge of Loeffler.  Both elections went to a runoff after no candidate earned a majority of votes on Novembermore

Leave a comment

Georgia Elections Chief Says Trump ‘Just Plain Wrong’ About Vote Fraud 

On

U.S. President Donald Trump is “just plain wrong” about election irregularities in Georgia, the state’s top elections official said Monday after he rebuffed Trump’s plea over the weekend to find enough ballots to upend his pivotal 11,000-vote loss in the state to President-elect Joe Biden. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, the elections official in the southern state, told ABC News’s “Good Morning America” show that when he and Trump had anFILE – In this June 27, 2017, photo, President Donald Trump talks on the telephone in the Oval Office of the White House.“For the last two months, we’ve been fightingmore

Leave a comment

Trump Rewards Allies Nunes, Jordan with Medal of Freedom

On

President Donald Trump is set to present one of the nation’s highest civilian honors to two of his most outspoken congressional allies, California Rep. Devin Nunes and Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, as he looks to reward loyalists with just over two weeks left in his term. A White House official confirmed that Trump would present Nunes with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Monday. The former chairman of the House Intelligence Committee has been an ardent backer of Trump’s during probes into Russian interference in the 2016 election and the president’s 2019 impeachment by the Democratic-led House. The award, establishedmore

Leave a comment

AP Fact Check: Trump’s Claims of Fake Georgia Votes are Unfounded

On

President Donald Trump put forth an array of fuzzy accounting and false claims in a phone call to Georgia’s secretary of state seeking a reversal of his election defeat. In the hourlong conversation Saturday with Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, Trump suggested that the Republican find enough votes to hand Trump the victory.  The Associated Press obtained the full audio of Trump’s conversation with Georgia officials from a person on the call. The AP is not publishing the full audio in keeping with its policy of not amplifying disinformation and unproven allegations. A look at Trump’s claims on the call and howmore

Leave a comment