'A summer of freedom': Vaccine gives new meaning to July 4th
President Joe Biden wants to imbue Independence Day with new meaning this year by encouraging nationwide celebrations to mark the countryโs effective return to normalcy after 16 months of coronavirus pandemic disruption and more than 600,000 lives lost.
Major storm heads to Northeast after blanketing Midwest
"Rosie" runs in the snow on the National Mall in front of the U.S. Capitol, Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021, in Washington. It was already impacting coronavirus vaccinations in New York and New Jersey, with appointments for Monday needing to be canceled and rescheduled. The storm system blanketed parts of the Midwest in the most snow some places had seen in several years. In Wisconsin, snow depths in some counties near Lake Michigan had reached more than 15 inches (38 centimeters), and the snow was still falling. Much of the region could see blizzard-like conditions, with a foot to 18 inches (30 to 45 centimeters) of snow.
White House begins talks with lawmakers on COVID-19 relief
At least a dozen senators met for an hour and 15 minutes in a virtual call with White House National Economic Council director Brian Deese and other senior White House officials. Many hope to approve a relief package before former President Donald Trump's trial, which is set to begin in two weeks, overtakes Washingtonโs attention. Senators also wanted more data on how the White House reached the $1.9 trillion figure. โIt was about how can we work together to help the people of this country.โWhite House coronavirus response coordinator Jeff Zients and White House legislative affairs director Louisa Terrell also joined the call. โWeโre going to continue to push because we canโt wait,โ said White House principal deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
The Latest: Trump predicts 'success' for new administration
The federal government has launched a new website that will serve as a clearinghouse for records from former President Donald Trumpโs administration. Biden brought a dark blue rug out of storage to replace a lighter colored one installed by former President Donald Trump. Workers removed the giant sign from the departmentโs C Street lobby on Wednesday shortly after President Joe Biden was inaugurated. ___4:55 p.m.President Joe Biden has directed that federal agencies halt all rulemaking until his administration has time to review proposed regulations. Former President Donald Trump flew to Florida before Biden was sworn into office.
Hollywood on the Potomac: A-list turns out for Biden-Harris
Lady Gaga sings the national anthem during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol for President-elect Joe Biden in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. And country star Garth Brooks, doffing his black cowboy hat, sang a soulful a capella rendition of โAmazing Grace,โ his eyes closed for much of the song. While stars mostly eschewed Trump's inauguration four years ago, the A-list was back for Biden. Brooks was careful to call his decision to perform on Wednesday non-political, and in the spirit of unity. Alone with his guitar, The Boss sang his โLand of Hope and Dreamsโ in front of the Lincoln Memorial.
Live stream: National memorial, lighting ceremony to honor COVID victims
Flags are placed on the National Mall, looking towards the Washington Monument, and the Lincoln Memorial, ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, Monday, Jan. 18, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)WASHINGTON โ President-elect Joe Biden is planning a lighting ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool to honor those killed by the coronavirus the day before he is sworn into office on Jan. 20. The Presidential Inaugural Committee will hold the event the evening of Jan. 19, calling it the โfirst-ever lighting around the Reflecting Pool to memorialize American lives lost.โ It is also inviting communities around the country to join Washington in lighting up buildings and ringing church bells at 5:30 p.m. in โa national moment of unity and remembrance.โWatch live at 5:30 p.m.:"In the midst of a pandemic โ when so many Americans are grieving the loss of family, friends, and neighbors โ it is important that we honor those who have died, reflect on what has been one of the more challenging periods in the nationโs history, and renew our commitment to coming together to end the pandemic and rebuild our nation,โ inauguration committee spokesman Pili Tobar said in a statement. Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris plan to take their oaths of office outside the U.S. Capitol building, part of inauguration events that aim to capture the traditional grandeur of the historic ceremony while complying with COVID-19 protocols.
Metro Detroit leaders urge Black men to vote on the 25th anniversary of the Million Man March
DETROIT โ Bus loads of Black men, boys and seniors from Detroit descended on the National Mall for the Million Man March 25 years ago. Around 1.7 million Black men registered to vote after the Million Man March. Now, some of the men who attended on that historic day in Washington are urging young Black men to keep the same energy. Governor Garlin Gilchrist talked about the power of the Black vote and how Black men need to make sure their voices are heard. Itโs now impossible to estimate the number of people who attended the original Million Man March.
Thousands march in Washington to pray and show Trump support
Followers of Franklin Graham march from the Lincoln Memorial to Capitol Hill, during the Prayer March at the National Mall, in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)WASHINGTON โ Thousands of people packed the National Mall in downtown Washington on Saturday to pray and show their support for President Donald Trump. The march, which stretched from the Lincoln Memorial to the U.S. Capitol, was held just hours before Trump was set to announce he was nominating a conservative judge for the Supreme Court. Some sported red caps with the words โLetโs Make America Godly Again,โ a play on Trumpโs signature MAGA caps. Vice President Mike Pence, speaking from the steps of the memorial, said he came to extend Trumpโs โgreetings and gratitudeโ and asked them to pray for the new Supreme Court nominee.
From big cities to backyards, July 4 not usual blowout bash
The fireworks were not announced until an hour or so before to avoid attracting large crowds during the coronavirus pandemic. This is traditionally a weekend for gathering in large groups for historic ceremonies and social events, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said. The Fourth of July remains a party, though Americas 244th birthday wont be the usual blowout bash. Fireworks will still crackle over the National Mall in Washington and other places, though with fewer people packed together watching them. But whether its big cities or small towns bursting with pride, theres a desire to make sure some show goes on, no matter what it looks like.
Trump's DC July 4th: fireworks and face masks
A mile-long firing of 10,000 fireworks would be the largest in recent memory, Bernhardt said. The Trump administrations Salute to America comes as Americans are dealing with surging cases of COVID-19 and a resulting recession and wave of unemployment. Bernhardt said authorities planned to have 300,000 face coverings on hand to give away at the National Mall. The Interior Department said visitors would be encouraged to wear masks and keep a six-foot distance from one another. Like last year, donations are helping support part of the cost of the July 4th events, Bernhardt said.
Watchdogs: Trump's Independence Day gala in 2019 cost $13M
All rights reserved)Government watchdogs say President Trumps Fourth of July gala in the nations capital last year cost taxpayers more than $13 million, twice as much as previous celebrations. Trumps desire to have Department of Defense military vehicles participate helped drive up the cost, according to the Government Accountability Office. Some other costs, such as for military flyovers of the National Mall, were not included in the estimate, the report said. Trumps military-focused Independence Day event went beyond the traditional concert and fireworks of years past. The GAO estimated that holiday celebrations from 2016 to 2018 cost from $6 million to $7 million annually.
Trump promises tanks, 'biggest ever fireworks' on July 4
President Trump asked the Pentagon for military hardware, including tanks, to be displayed during the 4th of July Salute To America on the National Mall. "Tanks, but no tanks," it tweeted, adding that the Pentagon itself said last year that a tank's steel tracks could damage city roadways. Pentagon officials referred questions to the White House. Military officials would not even say on the record whether Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, plans to attend. However, those were smaller events at the White House, for example, and not major productions taking over the National Mall.