Trump news - live: Don Jr mocked for suggesting Trump lead peace talks

Namita Singh,John Bowden,Shweta Sharma,Andrew Naughtie,Oliver O'Connell and Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
·38 min read
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Donald Trump used the occasion of Volodymyr Zelensky’s virtual address to Congress to brag about his supposed rescue of the Nato alliance – this despite his history of derogatory remar

The Republican National Committee last night mounted a last-minute effort to stop the 6 January committee from accessing its email communications from the weeks after the 2020 election.

In a late-night legal filing, the party committee claims that the subpoena seeking access to the emails in question “would give the Select Committee unprecedented access to the RNC's internal political strategies and to private, personal information regarding its supporters”. However, the party seems unlikely to succeed, as the company that handled and retains the emails, Salesforce, says it still intends to comply with the committee’s subpoena.

Key points

  • Trump brags about supposedly saving Nato

  • Trump mocks Biden for being sanctioned by Russia

  • Jan 6 documents reveal detailed plan to storm government buildings

  • Republicans rush to fight 6 January subpoena

“Send Trump” tweet by Don Jr mocked

18:25 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump Jr had a novel idea about who should attend upcoming Nato talk regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — send in his dad.

The eldest Trump son tweeted: “Sending Biden to Europe for ‘High Stakes’ Nato talks will only embolden our enemies further. If you want to get something done right send Trump.”

Critics were quick to respond.

Mehdi Hasan posted a reminder about the behaviour of the former president at a previous Nato meeting when he pushed his way past other leaders like a child.

Keith Olbermann suggested the trip should be one-way.

One post read that he hadn’t offered to mediate at the Ukraine-Russia border because “his bone spurs must be acting up again”.

“Of all the stupid ideas you’ve had, and there have been many, this is by far the dumbest,” wrote one person.

Trump to host Saudi-backed golf league

18:10 , Andrew Naughtie

The Trump golf resort in Bedminster, New Jersey (which the former president uses now and then as a New York-adjacent residence) is set to host an event in the LIV Super Golf league, a multimillion-dollar entry into the top tier of international golf tournaments and possibly a very useful income stream for the president’s currently less-than-stellar business portfolio.

Has Trump ruled out bringing back Mike Pence?

17:40 , Andrew Naughtie

The Washington Examiner’s David Drucker reports that Donald Trump has more or less written off the prospect of running with Mike Pence again in 2024.

“Mike and I had a great relationship except for the very important factor that took place at the end. We had a very good relationship,” Trump reportedly said on a phone interview from Mar-a-Lago. “I haven’t spoken to him in a long time.”

That “very important factor that took place at the end” was, of course, Mr Pence’s refusal to take part in a plan to illegally overturn the result of the 2020 election in Congress. That refusal saw Trump supporters storming the halls of the Capitol chanting “hang Mike Pence”, a spectacle that the ex-vice president would not be likely to overlook if offered another spot on a Trump ticket.

Report: Jan 6 committee won’t subpoena members of Congress

17:10 , Andrew Naughtie

ABC News has reported that the committee investigating the 6 January attack is not planning to issue subpoenas to sitting members of Congress who decline to testify when requested.

Among those in its sights were Trumpist representatives like Jim Jordan and even Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, both of whom have sought to portray the panel as a political witch hunt. However, the committee has already gathered reams of evidence by other means, and its members are all too aware that there is a high chance their work will be stopped altogether should Republicans retake the House in November. That prospect means that long, complex legal battles could only help their opponents to run out the clock.

Read more:

Extreme congressman cautions against “emotional” response to Zelensky speech

16:40 , Andrew Naughtie

The Independent has been reporting from the US Capitol during and after Volodymyr Zelensky’s speech. Here’s some insight into how far-right North Carolina Congressman Madison Cawthorn has played it today...

Cawthorn dismisses Zelensky speech after arriving late and calling him a thug

Fracas at Fox News over Trump’s relationship with Russia

16:10 , Andrew Naughtie

Fox News’s internal debate over the Russian attack on Ukraine is frequently playing out on air, with hosts openly disagreeing and even rowing over basic facts of why Vladimir Putin has launched the war and what it means.

The latest contretemps erupted last night on evening show The Five, with Jeannine Pirro tearing into her co-host Geraldo Rivera after he questioned whether Putin had been “playing” Trump while he was in office.

“I don’t give a damn what Putin thinks,” she replied, “I only care what Putin did, and he was a wuss when Trump was president, and that’s the end of it.”

Read more:

Fox presenter erupts as Geraldo Rivera suggests Putin may have been ‘playing’ Trump

How Republicans are reacting to Zelensky speech

15:35 , Andrew Naughtie

While Donald Trump focuses on bragging about his supposed defence of the Nato alliance, others in his party are responding to Volodymyr Zelensky’s congressional address with variously angry and sombre statements. And they are overwhelmingly taking the Ukrainian president’s side.

Alex Woodward has a roundup of their reactions:

Republican House leaders condemn Russian attacks as ‘nothing less than genocide’

Domestic terrorism: the incel threat

15:00 , Andrew Naughtie

A new report from the Secret Service has found that so-called “incels” are a rising domestic terror threat in the US.

Coming after several years of deadly attacks by men who identify with the online subculture of self-proclaimed “involuntary celibates”, the report warns that this form of “misogynistic extremism” demands increased attention. In particular, the authors argue for more awareness of particular kinds of behaviour that can indicate increasing radicalisation, among them “concerning and threatening communications, an interest in violence, intense or escalating anger, blaming other people, bizarre or inappropriate behaviour and interpersonal difficulties”.

Read more:

‘Incels’ are growing threat in America, Secret Service report finds

ICYMI: Tucker Carlson promoted by Russian embassy feed

14:30 , Andrew Naughtie

Tucker Carlson has lately begun insisting that he is not in fact a pro-Russian propagandist despite mounting criticism of his show, where he frequently repeats a Russia-friendly version of events in Ukraine.

Regardless of his actual intentions, here’s an example of the warm reception he’s getting on the Russian side of the argument: an endorsement from the Russian embassy in Luxembourg.

After “thug” controversy, Madison Cawthorn arrives late for Zelensky speech

14:00 , Andrew Naughtie

Far right Republican Congressman Madison Cawthorn has been in hot water lately for calling Volodymyr Zelensky a “thug”, raising questions about whether or not he would attend the Ukrainian president’s virtual address to Congress today.

In the end, he did show up – but only at the end of Mr Zelensky’s speech.

Here’s more:

Madison Cawthorn arrives late to Zelensky speech after calling him a ‘thug’

Trump reacts to Zelensky speech by defending himself on Nato

13:35 , Andrew Naughtie

As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky began his address to the US Congress, Donald Trump had this to say in a statement blasted out to his supporters...

People forget so quickly, with the help of the Fake News, that it was me that got the 20 out of 28 delinquent NATO countries to start paying the money that they owed in order to rebuild a floundering NATO. Nobody knew things would happen so rapidly, but NATO was poor and now it is rich, and all of the Fake News commentators that said Trump was tearing down NATO should be ashamed of themselves for telling lies. Not only was the United States being taken advantage of by the EU on trade, but it was forced to pay the costs of the many delinquent NATO countries. Bush and Obama did nothing but make speeches and talk—I acted, and acted strongly. I said to them, “if you don’t pay up, no protection.” They all paid up, and paid up quickly. It’s a story that’s never reported, but that’s only because we have a corrupt press in our Country!

It’s worth noting that he has previously described Nato as “obsolete” and is widely claimed to have considered pulling the US out of the alliance altogether.

Read more:

Trump makes bizarre claim he ‘rebuilt floundering Nato’ in middle of Zelensky speech

Analysis: Why Putin has the support of the American far right

13:11 , Andrew Naughtie

While much of the mainstream Republican Party has taken a strong anti-Russian line as the assault on Ukraine continues, more than a few of the right’s top opinionmakers are going the other way – as are many on the more extreme end of the spectrum.

The Independent’s Holly Baxter has this analysis of why so many on the far right are sympathetic to a Russian version of events, even as many of them are keen to distance themselves from allegations of being essentially Russian propagandists.

Trump and other hardliners, however, aren’t changing. Neither are their media cheerleaders like Fox News’ Tucker Carlson, who was the subject of a leaked Russian memo a few days ago which encouraged Russian state media to keep featuring clips of the far-right commentator.

Fundamentally, it seems Trump, Putin and people like [Marjorie] Taylor Greene see themselves as involved in an international war against a globalist conspiracy. This isn’t a real war, the likes of which everyone (except Russians) can see on their TV screens and social media, with bombs landing on maternity hospitals in Ukraine and tanks lining up outside Kyiv. Instead, it is a secret conspiracy being supposedly fought daily by “patriots” against liberals and socialists. It transcends national identity. It is no longer about America the great, even though it is about “America First”.

Read her piece below.

Why far-right Republicans are praising Putin

Former staffer turned critic: Russia played Trump

12:36 , Andrew Naughtie

Miles Taylor, the former homeland security staffer who has become an in-demand Trump-critical pundit, gives his assessment of how the current crisis in eastern Europe might look if it Donald Trump, not Joe Biden, were charged with handling it...

GOP fights against Jan 6 panel’s subpoena for emails

12:02 , Andrew Naughtie

The Republican National Committee went to court last night in a desperate attempt to stop the 6 January select committee from obtaining emails sent during the aftermath of the 2020 election. Explaining the subpoena, a panel spokesman said it was intended “to help investigators understand the impact of false, inflammatory messages in the weeks before January 6th, the flow of funds, and whether contributions were actually directed to the purpose indicated. This action has absolutely nothing to do with getting the private information of voters or donors”.

The company holding the emails, Salesforce, reportedly still intends to hand the data over despite the party’s objections.

CNN’s Katelyn Polantz reports:

Explainer: How the Ukraine “biolabs” conspiracy theory got a foothold on the right

11:34 , Andrew Naughtie

The Independent’s Andrew Buncombe takes a look at how a fringe theory pushed by the Kremlin has become a top talking point in certain corners of the far-right commentariat, including for Fox News’s Tucker Carlson – this even as Russia and its assault on Ukraine prove extraordinarily unpopular among the American public.

What are Ukraine ‘biolabs’ and why have they become an obsession for Fox News?

Local Republican put on the spot over association with racist far right

10:50 , Andrew Naughtie

A GOP Idaho legislator who spoke at February’s white nationalist AFPAC conference – which also featured US Representatives Paul Gosar and Marjorie Taylor Greene – found herself grilled by a local reporter on her association with the event. The interview is more than worth a watch.

Trump-endorsed Senate candidate questions evolution

10:15 , Andrew Naughtie

Herschel Walker, the ex-NFL star running for the US Senate in Georgia, has raised eyebrows with strange remarks pondering whether the theory of evolution is credible.

"At one time, science says, man came from apes. Did it not?" he pondered in an interview with a pastor. "This is what's interesting, though. If that is true, why are there still apes? Think about it."

Ex-NFL star running for Senate casts doubt on evolution: ‘Why are there still apes?’

Mr Walker, a devout Christian, is running against Democrat Raphael Warnock, who was elected in 2020. His back catalogue controversial and strange remarks, along with a history of domestic violence allegations, have raised worries that he might prove to be just the latest Trump endorsee too erratic or fringe for the electorate – even in a traditionally red state.

Ex-Proud Boys chairman ordered detained

09:45 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Enrique Tarrio, the former chairman of the far-right group the Proud Boys, has been ordered detained by a Miami judge while prosecutors have obtained a document that shows a plan to storm government buildings on 6 January.

The document was cited by federal prosecutors last week when they charged Mr Tarrio with conspiracy.Federal prosecutors filed a motion to have Mr Tarrio detained on Monday, arguing that he may flee or attempt to obstruct justice.

Gustaf Kilander reports.

Ex-Proud Boys leader ordered detained as documents show plan to storm government

Trump’s spokeswoman attacks Jeb Bush’s son

09:15 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Donald Trump’s spokeswoman made the former president’s preference in Texas’s attorney general runoff race clear when she compared candidate George P Bush to his father Jeb Bush on Tuesday.

Liz Harrington tweeted a graphic showing the former president and current attorney general Ken Paxton on one side and the former Florida governor, whom Mr Trump beat to the 2016 Republican presidential nomination, and his son, the current land commissioner.

“I know whose side I’m on!” Ms Harrington tweeted.

House committee not planning to subpoena members of Congress: report

08:35 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The house committee investigating the 6 January attack on US Capitol is unlikely to issue subpoenas to members of the Congress who allegedly have information regarding events leading up to the riot, sources told ABC News.

According to the report, there has been no follow-up on Scott Perry and Jim Jordan, who rejected the panel’s request seeking information.

The sources added that some investigators don’t believe subpoenas are necessary, given the information they have already obtained through other means such as witness testimony and evidence provided by other third parties.

Senate approves resolution to probe Putin for war crimes in Ukraine

08:10 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The US Senate unanimously approved a resolution seeking investigations of Russian president Vladimir Putin and his regime for war crimes over the invasion of Ukraine.

The measure was approved without any dissent on late Tuesday as lawmakers continue to muscle a bipartisan show of force against Russia’s aggression.

This move comes after the International Criminal Court (ICC) opened an investigation into possible war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine following a referral from 39 countries earlier this month.

British prime minister Boris Johnson had said Mr Putin “cannot commit these horrific acts with impunity” after 38 countries joined as the UK referred Moscow to the ICC.

Zelensky to address US Congress on Wednesday

07:34 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

President of war-torn Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky will deliver a key address on Wednesday to members of Congress, in an attempt to build pressure on Joe Biden on his rejected demand for a no-fly zone.

Mr Biden has declared that US troops will not fight to defend Ukrainian soil while Washington approves billions of dollars in humanitarian and military aid to Kyiv. He said enforcing a no-fly zone on Ukraine could take the war to a global stage.

“That’s called world war three,” Mr Biden told lawmakers on Friday.

More than half of American voters don’t believe Biden will run for re-election

07:11 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

More than half of American voters believe that president Joe Biden won’t seek re-election in 2024, according to a new survey.

According to the Wall Street Journal survey, 52 per cent of respondents said they didn’t think Mr Biden will make an attempt at being re-elected in November 2024, compared with the 29 per cent who believed the contrary.

At least 19 per cent indicated that they were undecided about whether they thought the 79-year-old leader would pursue re-election.

Johanna Chisholm has more.

Half of American voters don’t think Biden will make a run for re-election, poll finds

Lawmakers to back Biden on potential penalties for China

06:45 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Lawmakers across party lines are likely to support president Joe Biden for hitting China with sanctions if it helps Russia evade US and European Union penalties.

“There should be sanctions on those individual companies or whoever’s involved in it,” senator Marco Rubio, the ranking member of the senate intelligence committee, told The Hill. He reportedly believes that China is secretly helping Russia.

“China’s making a big mistake to ally itself with Vladimir Putin and his outrageous conduct. It’s hard to build yourself into a world superpower with that kind of ethic or set of morals,” senate majority whip Dick Durbin said.

Boebert ridiculed for using nonexistent military title

06:14 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Congresswoman Lauren Boebert is facing a severe bout of mockery after she inadvertently invented a military rank to defend her outburst during president Joe Biden’s State of Union address earlier this month.

During a speech she posted on Twitter, Ms Boebert claimed a soldier’s mother had thanked her for heckling. At one point during that address, Mr Biden mentioned “flag-draped coffins”. Ms Boebert responded by shouting out “thirteen of them”, referring to the 13 US service members killed in a terrorist attack on Kabul airport last August.

She claimed that the mother of one of those troops wrote her a letter. “Hello Mrs Boebert. I am Shana Chappell, the mother of Lieutenant Corporal Kareem Nikoui,” she quoted from the letter.

Netizens were quick to point out that a lieutenant corporal rank doesn’t exist in the American military.

Nathan Place has more.

Lauren Boebert ridiculed for inventing nonexistent military title

Why far-right Republicans are rallying behind Putin

05:41 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

When Putin invaded Ukraine, Donald Trump said on the record that he thought he was a “genius”. He’s never been shy about his admiration for the Russian strongman.

Kansas senator Josh Hawley sent a public letter to the secretary of state cautioning him from allowing Ukraine to join Nato and talking about leaving Europe to deal with Russia on their own.

Georgia congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene released an advert accusing “globalists” of wanting to take America to war. Trump’s former secretary of state Mike Pompeo called Putin “talented”, “shrewd” and “very capable” in a number of different news segments, adding on Fox News that “he knows how to use power. We should respect that”.

One of the strangest strands to emerge from the invasion of Ukraine is to see Republicans support the Russian president. My colleague Holly Baxter explains why they’re rallying behind Putin.

Why far-right Republicans are rallying behind Putin

Sending Biden to Europe would only embolden enemies, says Trump Jr

05:19 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The son of former president Donald Trump has now suggested that sending president Joe Biden to Europe for “high stake” Nato talks would “only embolden our enemies further” amid Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

Donald Trump Jr added that “if you want to get something done right, send Trump”.

Mr Biden is likely to travel to Brussels next week for a meeting of Nato leaders to discuss the Russian invasion.

'Lot of love’ behind Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine, says Trump

04:56 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Former US president Donald Trump said that Russian president Vladimir Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine was driven by a desire to recreate the Soviet Union in which there was “a lot of love”.

Mr Trump told Fox News that the Russian president “wants to make his country larger or he wants to put it back the way it was,” even though “it actually didn’t work very well”.

In a series of comments following his appearance on the show, Mr Trump stated that the Russian invasion of Ukraine had been a failure, but that Mr Putin’s “big ego” would drive him to become “more and more ruthless”.

Abe Asher reports.

Trump says a ‘lot of love’ behind Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine

Trump: Hungary’s Viktor Orban ‘has my Complete and Total Endorsement!’

04:30 , Oliver O'Connell

In another missive fired out on Twitter on Tuesday lunchtime, former President Donald Trump heaped praise on Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

He wrote: ““Now with what’s going on with Russia and Ukraine, among many other things, the great and wonderful people of Hungary need the continued strong leadership of Prime Minister Viktor Orban more than ever. He is TOUGH, SMART, AND LOVES HIS COUNTRY. In the upcoming Election next month, he already has my Complete and Total Endorsement!”

Tucker Carlson hits back at claims he’s a Russia propagandist

04:01 , Oliver O'Connell

Fox News host Tucker Carlson opened his show on Monday by trying to defend himself from accusations that he has been spreading Russian propaganda.

The top-rated Fox host has been taking flak on social media and cable news for saying he was “rooting” for Russia in 2019 and, more recently, complaining that Ukraine is “not even a democracy” ahead of the Russian invasion. Since then, he’s boosted an invasion-justifying conspiracy theory on his show suggesting that Russia’s purposes in Ukraine are to dismantle secret biological research facilities.

Graig Graziosi reports.

Tucker Carlson responds to criticism he’s a Russian propagandist

Trump accuses of Biden of conflict of interest and being ‘slow on the draw’ with Russia

03:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Former President Donald Trump has reacted to the news that Russia has sanctioned a number of senior US officials, including President Joe Biden.

In a statement released on Twitter by his spokesperson Liz Harrington, Mr Trump said: “Breaking News: Russia just sanctioned Joe Biden. While that is a terrible thing, in so many ways, perhaps it will now be explained why the Biden family received 3.5 million dollars from the very wealthy former Mayor of Moscow’s wife.”

He continued: “During our Presidential Debate, “moderator” Chris Wallace, then of Fox, would not let me ask that question. He said it was inappropriate. Perhaps that’s why Biden has been so “slow on the draw” with Russia. This is a really bad conflict of interest that will, perhaps now, be fully and finally revealed!”

Psaki mocks Russia for sanctioning President Biden’s father

03:00 , Oliver O'Connell

After Russia announced sanctions against several US political figures, White House press secretary Jen Psaki pointed out that it may have accidentally punished President Biden’s father.

“I would first note that President Biden is a Junior, so they may have sanctioned his dad, may he rest in peace,” Ms Psaki told reporters on Tuesday.

Nathan Place reports.

Psaki mocks Russia for sanctioning Biden’s father: ‘May he rest in peace’

Biden: Putin’s aggression has ‘united’ Americans and ‘the freedom-loving world’

02:00 , Oliver O'Connell

US President Joe Biden on Tuesday said Russian president Vladimir Putin had united Americans and people across the world in opposition to him by invading Ukraine last month.

Speaking at a signing ceremony for a bill to fund US government operations for the remainder of the 2022 fiscal year, Mr Biden praised legislative leaders for including a ‘historic’ level of funding — $13.6 billion — to ensure sufficient “economic, humanitarian and security” resources to continue the “forceful” US response to the crisis.

“Putin’s aggression against Ukraine has united people all across America. united our two parties in Congress and united the freedom-loving world,” he said.

Andrew Feinberg reports from Washington, DC.

Biden says Putin’s aggression has ‘united’ Americans and ‘the freedom-loving world’

Senate passes bill to make Daylight Savings Time permanent

01:00 , Oliver O'Connell

The US Senate has passed a bill to make Daylight Savings Time permanent.

The Sunshine Protection Act was passed by unanimous consent on Tuesday.

Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio said following its passage that “it’s an eclectic collection of members of the United States Senate in favour of what we’ve just done here”.

Gustaf Kilander has the latest from Washington, DC.

Senate passes bill to make Daylight Savings Time permanent

Ukrainian journalist killed with Fox News cameraman was freelancer for network

00:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Fox News has announced that Ukrainian journalist Oleksandra “Sasha” Kuvshynova was working as a freelancer for the network when she died in Monday’s attack that also killed its cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski and injured correspondent Benjamin Hall.

Rachel Sharp reports.

Ukrainian journalist Oleksandra Kuvshynova working as freelancer for Fox when killed

Madison Cawthorn stays quiet on attendance at Zelensky address

Tuesday 15 March 2022 23:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Republican Rep Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina did not respond when The Independent asked whether he will attend a joint address to Congress by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, after the US congressman was videotaped calling the Ukrainian leader “a thug”.

The The Independent sent two emails to the North Carolina Republican’s office asking whether he will attend the Ukrainian president’s joint address to Congress on Wednesday morning. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer invited the president to address Congress virtually as Russia continues its assault on the country.

Eric Garcia reports.

Madison Cawthorn mum on whether he’ll attend Zelensky address

Former Proud Boys chairman ordered detained over plan to storm government buildings

Tuesday 15 March 2022 22:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The former chairman of the far-right group the Proud Boys, Enrique Tarrio, has been ordered detained by a Miami judge while prosecutors have obtained a document that shows a plan to storm government buildings on 6 January.

The document was cited by federal prosecutors last week when they charged Mr Tarrio with conspiracy.

Gustaf Kilander reports from Washington, DC.

Ex-Proud Boys leader ordered detained as documents show plan to storm government

Over half of American voters don’t believe Biden will run again

Tuesday 15 March 2022 22:10 , Oliver O'Connell

Nearly half of Americans surveyed in a recent Wall Street Journal poll believe that US President Joe Biden will not seek re-election in 2024.

In the survey, the Wall Street Journal reported that 52 per cent of respondents said they don’t think Mr Biden will make an attempt at being re-elected in November 2024, compared with the 29 per cent who believed the contrary.

Nineteen per cent indicated that they were undecided about whether they thought the 79-year-old leader would pursue re-election.

Johanna Chisholm reports.

Half of American voters don’t think Biden will make a run for re-election, poll finds

What are the Ukraine ‘biolabs’?

Tuesday 15 March 2022 21:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Andrew Buncombe sets out what we know about bio-labs – and the claims being made about them by Fox News and the US right.

What are Ukraine ‘biolabs’ and why have they become an obsession for Fox News?

Trump congratulates author of book on Covid-19 response

Tuesday 15 March 2022 21:19 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump has congratulated the author of an upcoming book about Operation Warp Speed — his administration’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Through his spokesperson’s Twitter account he wrote: “Congratulations to Paul Mango on his new book, Warp Speed: Inside the Operation that Beat Covid, the Critics, and the Odds, which tells the story of how my Administration, in record time, delivered vaccines and therapeutics to the American people to fight the China Virus. What we achieved was incredible, but it is sad to see what Biden has done with it (no mandates!). Great job, Paul!”

What proponents of ‘Don’t Say Gay’ get wrong about the bill

Tuesday 15 March 2022 21:15 , Oliver O'Connell

To hear Republican officials tell it, what critics have called Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill simply gives parents more control over their children’s classroom instruction, or it prevents young children from learning about sex, or it stops LGBT+ teachers from “grooming” their students.

To those officials, the “Parental Rights in Education Act” does not discriminate against LGBT+ people – what Governor Ron DeSantis calls a “fraudulent” narrative promoted by advocacy groups and the media to promote “woke gender ideology” – it merely forbids schools from forcing young children to learn about LGBT+ sex and gender transition. They argue it’s a straightforward, reasonable measure while characterising its opponents as child predators.

But the text of the bill does not say any of those things.

Alex Woodward reports.

What Donald Trump Jr and GOP proponents of ‘Don’t Say Gay’ get wrong about the bill

Governor claims ‘critical race theory’ used to ‘humiliate and indoctrinate’ students

Tuesday 15 March 2022 21:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Mississippi has the largest population of Black Americans of any state in the US, with a civil rights history central to the nation’s story.

On 14 March, Republican Governor Tate Reeves signed a bill into law that would ban classroom lessons that he says are used to “humiliate” white students who are “force-fed an unhealthy dose of progressive fundamentalism that runs counter to the principles of America’s founding.”

Alex Woodward reports.

Mississippi governor signs ‘critical race theory’ bill into law

ICYMI: Clarence Thomas’ wife was at Jan 6 Trump rally

Tuesday 15 March 2022 20:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, Virginia “Ginni” Thomas, was present at the January 6th Trump rally which preceded the deadly US Capitol riot.

Ginni Thomas attended Jan 6 Trump rally before Capitol riot

State Department vows to do ‘everything’ to help reporter injured in Ukraine

Tuesday 15 March 2022 20:05 , Oliver O'Connell

A spokesman for the US State Department vowed that the Biden administration would do “everything possible” to help a reporter wounded in an attack that killed two other journalists in Ukraine on Monday.

Ned Price told reporters during his daily press briefing that the State Department was in contact with Fox News at “multiple levels” working to ensure Mr Hall’s safety.

John Bowden reports from Washington, DC.

State Dept vows to do ‘everything’ possible to help injured reporter Benjamin Hall

Biden issues statement on Sarah Bloom Raskin withdrawing Fed nomination

Tuesday 15 March 2022 19:45 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden has issued a statement regarding the news that Sarah Bloom Raskin has withdrawn her nomination to serve as vice chair for Supervision of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.

After serving as the second-in-command at Treasury and with prior service on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, Sarah Bloom Raskin knows better than anyone how important the Federal Reserve is to fighting inflation and continuing a sustainable economic recovery. She has unparalleled experience pursuing solutions to enhance our country’s critical financial infrastructure, with expertise in cybersecurity and climate risk, and protecting consumers in the financial marketplace.

Sarah’s nomination had broad support—from the banking and financial services community, former members of the Board of Governors, multiple Nobel Prize winners, consumer advocates, and respected economists from around the country. That experience and support are among the many reasons why I nominated Sarah to be the Vice Chair for Supervision, a critical role in regulating our nation’s financial institutions.

Despite her readiness—and despite having been confirmed by the Senate with broad, bipartisan support twice in the past—Sarah was subject to baseless attacks from industry and conservative interest groups. Unfortunately, Senate Republicans are more focused on amplifying these false claims and protecting special interests than taking important steps toward addressing inflation and lowering costs for the American people.

I am grateful for Sarah’s service to our country and for her willingness to serve again, and I look forward to her future contributions to our country.

I urge the Senate Banking Committee to move swiftly to confirm the four eminently qualified nominees for the Board of Governors—Jerome Powell, Lael Brainard, Philip Jefferson, and Lisa Cook—who are still waiting for an up-or-down vote. This group has the experience, judgment, and talent necessary to lead the Federal Reserve at this critical moment in our economic recovery, and the Senate should move their nominations forward.

Senate passes bill to make Daylight Savings Time permanent

Tuesday 15 March 2022 19:40 , Oliver O'Connell

The US Senate has passed a bill to make Daylight Savings Time permanent.

The Sunshine Protection Act was passed by unanimous consent on Tuesday.

Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio said following its passage that “it’s an eclectic collection of members of the United States Senate in favour of what we’ve just done here”.

Gustaf Kilander has the latest from Washington, DC.

Senate passes bill to make Daylight Savings Time permanent

Biden: Putin’s aggression has ‘united’ Americans and ‘the freedom-loving world’

Tuesday 15 March 2022 19:20 , Oliver O'Connell

US President Joe Biden on Tuesday said Russian president Vladimir Putin had united Americans and people across the world in opposition to him by invading Ukraine last month.

Speaking at a signing ceremony for a bill to fund US government operations for the remainder of the 2022 fiscal year, Mr Biden praised legislative leaders for including a ‘historic’ level of funding — $13.6 billion — to ensure sufficient “economic, humanitarian and security” resources to continue the “forceful” US response to the crisis.

“Putin’s aggression against Ukraine has united people all across America. united our two parties in Congress and united the freedom-loving world,” he said.

Andrew Feinberg reports from Washington, DC.

Biden says Putin’s aggression has ‘united’ Americans and ‘the freedom-loving world’

Sarah Bloom Raskin withdraws nomination to Fed

Tuesday 15 March 2022 19:14 , Oliver O'Connell

Sarah Bloom Raskin has withdrawn her nomination to be President Joe Biden’s vice-chair for supervision of the Federal Reserve Board.

Her nomination was opposed by Senator Joe Manchin and Senator Susan Collins and therefore the numbers were not in her favour to be confirmed.

She lamented the “relentless attacks by special interests” who oppose her position that climate change could pose a threat to economic stability.

Psaki mocks Russia for sanctioning President Biden’s father

Tuesday 15 March 2022 19:05 , Oliver O'Connell

After Russia announced sanctions against several US political figures, White House press secretary Jen Psaki pointed out that it may have accidentally punished President Biden’s father.

“I would first note that President Biden is a Junior, so they may have sanctioned his dad, may he rest in peace,” Ms Psaki told reporters on Tuesday.

Nathan Place reports.

Psaki mocks Russia for sanctioning Biden’s father: ‘May he rest in peace’

Biden signs $1.5 trillion spending plan into law

Tuesday 15 March 2022 18:50 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden has signed the $1.5 trillion bipartisan government funding bill into law including $13.6bn in aid to Ukraine.

“Today we are showing the American people that we can come together we Democrats and Republicans and do big things and make democracy work, and democracies can outperform autocracies,” the president said.

White House cautions India against Russian oil deal

Tuesday 15 March 2022 18:45 , Oliver O'Connell

White House Press Secretary on Tuesday said India would not be violating US sanctions by purchasing discounted Russian oil but warned that such a move would put the world’s largest democracy on the wrong side of history.

On Monday, Reuters reported that India’s largest refiner, Indian Oil Corp, purchased 3 million barrels of Russian crude oil, the first such transaction since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February.

Indian officials have also told Reuters that Delhi may take up a Russian offer of oil and other commodities at a discount.

Andrew Feinberg reports from Washington, DC.

White House warns India on Russian oil deal: ‘Think about where you want to stand’

Trump: Hungary’s Viktor Orban ‘has my Complete and Total Endorsement!’

Tuesday 15 March 2022 18:32 , Oliver O'Connell

In another missive fired out on Twitter on Tuesday lunchtime, former President Donald Trump heaped praise on Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

He wrote: ““Now with what’s going on with Russia and Ukraine, among many other things, the great and wonderful people of Hungary need the continued strong leadership of Prime Minister Viktor Orban more than ever. He is TOUGH, SMART, AND LOVES HIS COUNTRY. In the upcoming Election next month, he already has my Complete and Total Endorsement!”

Tucker Carlson hits back at claims he’s a Russia propagandist

Tuesday 15 March 2022 18:25 , Oliver O'Connell

Fox News host Tucker Carlson opened his show on Monday by trying to defend himself from accusations that he has been spreading Russian propaganda.

The top-rated Fox host has been taking flak on social media and cable news for saying he was “rooting” for Russia in 2019 and, more recently, complaining that Ukraine is “not even a democracy” ahead of the Russian invasion. Since then, he’s boosted an invasion-justifying conspiracy theory on his show suggesting that Russia’s purposes in Ukraine are to dismantle secret biological research facilities.

Graig Graziosi reports.

Tucker Carlson responds to criticism he’s a Russian propagandist

Biden to attend Nato summit

Tuesday 15 March 2022 18:08 , Oliver O'Connell

Per the White House:

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. will travel to Brussels, Belgium later this month. President Biden will join an extraordinary NATO summit on March 24 to discuss ongoing deterrence and defense efforts in response to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified attack on Ukraine as well as to reaffirm our ironclad commitment to our NATO Allies. President Biden will also join a scheduled European Council Summit to discuss our shared concerns about Ukraine, including transatlantic efforts to impose economic costs on Russia, provide humanitarian support to those affected by the violence, and address other challenges related to the conflict.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki

Trump accuses of Biden of conflict of interest and being ‘slow on the draw’ with Russia

Tuesday 15 March 2022 18:04 , Oliver O'Connell

Former President Donald Trump has reacted to the news that Russia has sanctioned a number of senior US officials, including President Joe Biden.

In a statement released on Twitter by his spokesperson Liz Harrington, Mr Trump said: “Breaking News: Russia just sanctioned Joe Biden. While that is a terrible thing, in so many ways, perhaps it will now be explained why the Biden family received 3.5 million dollars from the very wealthy former Mayor of Moscow’s wife.”

He continued: “During our Presidential Debate, “moderator” Chris Wallace, then of Fox, would not let me ask that question. He said it was inappropriate. Perhaps that’s why Biden has been so “slow on the draw” with Russia. This is a really bad conflict of interest that will, perhaps now, be fully and finally revealed!”

Six things to watch for when Zelensky addresses Congress tomorrow

Tuesday 15 March 2022 17:42 , Oliver O'Connell

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky will deliver a historic early-morning address to Congress on Wednesday morning as his government continues to battle a brutal Russian invasion.

The Ukrainian leader’s speech to US lawmakers will come as the Biden administration attempts to tread a fine line on the issue of support for his country; President Joe Biden has declared that US troops will not fight to defend Ukrainian soil while Washington approves billions of dollars in humanitarian and military aid to Kyiv.

John Bowden explains what to look out for.

Six things to watch for when Ukraine’s president Zelensky addresses Congress

DC trucker protest threatens traffic jams

Tuesday 15 March 2022 17:12 , Andrew Naughtie

As a convoy of truckers protesting Covid-19 restrictions and a nebulous set of other grievances begins another day trying to snarl up the Beltway with traffic, an aide to Congressman Don Beyer shares a message sent out by Capitol Police:

Voting restrictions take toll on Texas election workers

Tuesday 15 March 2022 16:47 , Andrew Naughtie

The Intercept has this report on the impact that new legislation making it harder to vote has had on elections in Texas, which recently held its 2022 primaries. Poll workers have retired in numbers that are making elections harder to administer, and that’s before taking into account the new laws’ intense requirements of those involved in election administration (as well as voters themselves).

The latest anti-abortion wave comes to Idaho

Tuesday 15 March 2022 16:00 , Andrew Naughtie

Abortion rights advocates have condemned state legislation in Idaho that echoes an extraordinarily restrictive law passed in Texas last year. The bill not only imposes a total ban on abortions after six weeks and allows private citizens to sue those seeking or helping others access the procedure, but also allows family members of what the legislation calls “a preborn child” to pursue legal action against providers, with a reward of at least $20,000 plus legal fees, in lawsuits that can be filed up to four years after an abortion.

The bill was passed by an overwhelming margin in the deep-red state’s legislature, and is expected to be signed into law by Governor Brad Little.

Alex Woodward has the story.

Abortion rights advocates condemn Idaho bill to ban procedure after six weeks

Democratic congressman slams GOP’s “Putin bloc"

Tuesday 15 March 2022 15:30 , Andrew Naughtie

Eric Swalwell, the Democratic California congressman whom many in the right-wing commentariat have focused on as a political enemy, has ripped into his adversaries on the right over the Ukrainian conflict, accusing them of “rooting” for Russian military action in the democratic country.

Steve Bannon posts rageful filing in contempt of Congress case

Tuesday 15 March 2022 15:00 , Andrew Naughtie

Steve Bannon, the far-right agitator and former Trump aide who has refused to testify before the 6 January committee, is fighting hard against contempt of Congress proceedings. The current bone of contention in the case is that the FBI allegedly overstepped its authority in gathering records from Mr Bannon’s attorney, Robert Costello – and in his latest submission, Mr Bannon levels characteristically blunt language at the law enforcement case against him...

Fox News host blames US for Ukraine invasion

Tuesday 15 March 2022 14:30 , Andrew Naughtie

While many on Fox news are trying to distance themselves from Putin-sympathetic remarks made by certain of their colleagues, Fox and Friends host Rachel Campos-Duffy has come out with quite a different take: essentially blaming the US and the West for triggering Vladimir Putin into invading Ukraine by crossing one of his “red lines”.

Her own co-host Brian Kilmeade declined to take the same line.