Cut to the News
Cut through the clutter to today's top news
January 7, 2021
Good morning
Welcome to today's top news.
Leading the News . . .
Biden’s victory certified by Congress, hours after rioters wreak havoc inside Capitol . . . The U.S. Congress early Thursday certified the Electoral College vote that gave Democrat Joe Biden his presidential victory -- after a day in Washington that was marred by pro-Trump protesters storming the U.S. Capitol. Vice President Mike Pence, who had announced he would not overturn the will of voters, confirmed the Biden victory at
3:41 a.m. ET. Lawmakers had returned to the chamber in an act of defiance, with some Republicans who initially vowed to challenge states’ results due to voter fraud concerns announcing they'd instead vote to certify. Fox News
Trump commits to orderly transition of power . . . President Trump committed to an “orderly transition” of power early Thursday morning after a chaotic day on Capitol Hill. Trump released a statement shortly after president-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory was certified by Congress. “Even though I totally disagree with the outcome of the election, and the facts bear me out, nevertheless there will be an orderly transition
on January 20th,” the president said in a statement posted to Twitter by his communication advisor. POTUS added that it was "only the beginning of our fight to Make America Great Again!” White House Dossier
Dems get full control of government . . . Democrats clinched control of the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, with Raphael Warnock defeating Republican incumbent Kelly Loeffler in a close race and Jon Ossoff narrowly beating Republican incumbent David Perdue.
The victories will give Democrats 50 votes in the Senate, with incoming vice president Kamala Harris poised to break a tie. After Jan. 20, Democrats will control both chambers of congress and the White House for the first time since 2010, enabling President-elect Joe Biden to pursue a progressive policy agenda with full legislative backing. Washington Free beacon
Vaccines have triggered severe allergic reactions in 29 people in US . . . At least 29 people in the U.S. have developed severe allergic reactions to Covid-19 vaccines. The rate is far higher than for the seasonal flu vaccine. But the severe reactions were rare and didn’t result in any deaths, and they encouraged use of the shots. The 29 cases are as of Jan. 5 and are out of more than 5.3 million doses that
have been administered given to date, the CDC said. Wall Street Journal
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Rioters storm US Capitol . . . More than 50 were arrested, Washington D.C.’s police chief said, after supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday to stop Congress from certifying President-elect Joe Biden’s election victory. In a late night news conference, Metropolitan Police Department Chief Robert J. Contee said 47 of the 52 arrests to date were related to violations of Mayor Muriel Bowser’s 6
p.m. curfew, with 26 of those involving people arrested on U.S. Capitol grounds. Reuters
Female Air Force Vet from San Diego shot dead during riots inside Capitol . . . The woman fatally shot inside the U.S. Capitol Wednesday has been identified as Ashli Babbitt. Babbitt was a 14-year veteran who served four tours with the Air Force and resided in San Diego. Babbitt, whose husband was not in DC with her, was a strong supporter of President Trump. Three other deaths were reported due to natural causes. Fox News
Pelosi's office raided during Capitol chaos, Senate chamber breached . . . Thousands of pro-Trump protesters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, vandalizing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office and both congressional chambers as lawmakers met to review President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in the Electoral College.
Lawmakers were escorted to safety as the crowds gained entry to the building by bypassing security barricades and breaking windows. Protesters overturned tables and caused damage in Pelosi’s office. Fox News
Face recognition firm claims Antifa infiltrated protestors who stormed Capitol . . . Trump supporters say that Antifa members disguised as one of them infiltrated the protesters who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. XRVision used its software to do facial recognition of protesters and matched two Philadelphia Antifa members to two men inside the Senate. One has a tattoo that indicates he is a Stalinist sympathizer. Many Antifa
members promote anarchy through violence and want the end of America in favor of a Stalinist-state. “No more USA at all” is a protest chant. XRVision also has identified another man who, while not known to have Antifa links, is someone who shows up at climate and Black Lives Matter protests in the West. Washington Times
DC mayor extends public emergency declaration until day after Biden's inauguration . . . Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser announced Wednesday night that she was extending the district's public emergency declaration for 15 days — a span that will end the day after President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration. "Today, First Amendment protests turned violent," Bowser said, adding that the protestors' "destructive and riotous behavior has the
potential to spread beyond the Capitol." Washington Examiner
Graham calls Biden "lawfully elected" . . . Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., called President-elect Joe Biden "lawfully" elected and urged his Senate colleagues "Enough is enough" regarding election fraud allegations Wednesday. Graham, at times, has been a critic of President Trump but he has often been a close ally during his presidency. The senator's remarks came as the Senate voted on certifying the Electoral College votes hours
after a group of Trump supporters breached the Capitol, forcing an evacuation. Fox News
Officials discussing 25th amendment for Trump after violence at Capitol . . . Administration officials have started discussing the possibility of invoking the 25th Amendment to remove President Trump from office. The extraordinary measure would require a majority of Cabinet officials plus Vice President Pence to declare to Congress that Trump is unable to fulfill his duties as president. The discussions appear to be limited and
it's not clear whether they have reached the level of any Cabinet officials. The Hill
Biden to introduce Merrick Garland as Attorney General . . . President-elect Biden will introduce Merrick Garland as his pick for attorney general on Thursday along with three others he has selected for senior Justice Department positions to “restore the independence” of the agency and faith in the rule of law. Associated Press
Rashida Tlaib's new office neighbor to fly Israeli flag . . . Rep. Rashida Tlaib's (D., Mich.) new neighbor in her congressional office building intends to fly an Israeli flag as a statement against Tlaib's anti-Israel stance. Freshman Rep. Kat Cammack (R., Fla.), who has been given the office next to Tlaib’s for the 117th Congress, says she hopes Israel's flag will send a message to Tlaib, a frequent critic of Israel who has a history of
anti-Semitic comments.
Washington Free Beacon
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US nuclear strategy endangered if Dems cut upgrades . . . The U.S. STRATCOM commander overseeing the nation’s nuclear arsenal said Tuesday that any cuts to modernization efforts would force a reconsideration of America’s nuclear strategy just as adversaries China and Russia are advancing differing nuclear threats to America. Adm. Charles Richard, the head of U.S. Strategic Command, said that the
delay of the much-needed modernization of the land-based leg of America’s nuclear triad - that progressive Democrats have questioned in recent months - would jeopardize America's nuclear deterrent. Washington Examiner
Having briefed, as a DIA officer, two STRATCOM commanders, Adm. Richard's concern cannot be overstated. Russia - which views the United States as its "main adversary" - envisions tactical nuclear weapons as a battlefield capability, not merely a deterrent.
Russian hack of SolarWinds compromised Justice Department system . . . The U.S. Justice Department has become the latest federal agency to say it was breached by hackers in the Russia-linked cyberattack that has ripped through government agencies and an unknown number of corporate networks. About 3% of the Justice Department’s Microsoft Office email accounts were potentially accessed in the attack. Although there is no indication
classified systems were affected, DOJ classified the breach as a major incident requiring notification to other agencies and Congress. Wall Street Journal
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World stunned by violence in Capitol, attempts to overturn election . . . World leaders on Wednesday expressed shock at the violent protesters who overran the U.S. Congress and attempts to overturn the Nov. 3 presidential election results which dealt a victory to Democratic challenger Joe Biden. World leaders' reactions are summarized in Washington Free Beacon
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Unemployment claims hold steady as extra $300 payments begin . . . New applications for unemployment aid held nearly steady during the week of New Year’s, as an extra $300 in weekly payments kicked in from the coronavirus aid package signed into law last month. Weekly initial claims for jobless benefits from regular state programs, a proxy for layoffs, fell by 3,000 to a seasonally adjusted 787,000 in the week
ended Jan. 2, the Labor Department said Thursday. The prior week’s figure was revised up by 3,000. The pre-pandemic peak was 695,000. Wall Street Journal
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Soros gets behind abolishing the police . . . Liberal billionaire George Soros bankrolls a group that advocates abolishing the police. In fact, he funded its launch. The Foundation to Promote Open Society, a nonprofit in Soros's vast network, earmarked $1.5 million for the Community Resource Hub for Safety
& Responsibility (CRH). Those investments funded the creation of the group, whose mission goes far beyond the "defund the police" campaigns. In a research memo for organizers, CRH "reviews alternatives to policing in the context of police abolitionist frameworks, offering insight and sharing successful strategies for advocates in the field." Washington Free Beacon
He'll keep his own armed guards, no doubt.
CEOs consider withholding cash from GOP campaigns . . . In a virtual gathering of chief executives convened to discuss political turbulence stemming from the 2020 election, leaders of some of the largest U.S. companies said they were considering withholding donations to Republican lawmakers seeking to
impede the presidential transition. Some business leaders who have donated to Republican campaigns stated that they were considering withholding future political contributions to elected officials who have said they would oppose certifying the Electoral College results for President-elect Joe Biden. Wall Street Journal
NRA in fight for its life when board meets Thursday . . . The National Rifle Association heads into its winter board meeting on Thursday embroiled in existential legal battles and trying to claw back “excess benefits” paid out to top executives — some of whom are long gone after a messy internal power
struggle. The doubts about the future of America’s preeminent gun-rights group come one presidential election cycle removed from the NRA playing an indispensable role in propelling President Trump into office. Gun control groups say they sense an opening to advance their agenda given the recent turmoil at the NRA. Washington Times
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Police respond to chickens 'wreaking havoc' at NJ McDonald's . . . Police in New Jersey responded to a McDonald's parking lot where a pair of chickens were reported "wreaking havoc" and chasing customers. An animal control officer was dispatched on a report of "a flock of chickens 'wreaking havoc' at our local McDonald's on Route 31 South."
The officer arrived to find two chickens "'harassing' and 'chasing' customers and pecking at car tires." The animal control officer captured the chickens with help from the manager of the McDonald's eatery. The chickens were taken to the Common Sense for Animals shelter, where they were later claimed by their owners. United Press International
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Rebekah
Rebekah Koffler
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