Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced a month-long pause on his controversial plan to change the country’s judicial system, in response to weeks of protests and a general strike. The Biden administration has been cautious in its criticism, but U.S. Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides suggested a visit from Netanyahu to the White House is imminent. The pause is seen as an attempt to cool things down without fully backing down, and it remains to be seen how the Biden administration will respond.
Posts tagged as “Biden White House”
President Joe Biden has signed an executive order to restrict the U.S. government's use of commercial spyware tools, which have been used to surveil human rights activists, journalists and dissidents around the world. The order sets guidelines for the companies that produce the spyware and is intended to protect citizens from the potential abuse of such tools. At least 50 U.S. government employees are suspected or confirmed to have been targeted with commercial spyware, and efforts to identify additional targeted personnel are ongoing.
President Joe Biden is expected to address the Nashville Christian school shooting on Monday and reiterate his call on Congress to take legislative action to address the gun violence epidemic. Biden has already taken executive action and signed legislation, but White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said more must be done. At least three children and three adults were killed in the shooting, and Jean-Pierre said that “schools should be safe spaces for our kids to grow and learn.”
House Republican committee chairs have sought documents and testimony from the Manhattan District Attorney's Office regarding a possible criminal indictment of former President Donald Trump. In response, District Attorney Alvin Bragg has slammed the efforts of the GOP trio, saying that their inquiry serves only to hinder the investigation. Bragg added that the District Attorney's Office is committed to conducting a fair and impartial investigation into the $130,000 payment made to Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign.
The Biden administration has suffered a setback after the withdrawal of their nominee to run the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Phillip Washington. The White House blamed the withdrawal on "an onslaught of unfounded Republican attacks" and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg called Washington “an excellent nominee”. Despite Democratic support, key senators on their side balked at supporting Biden’s pick, and it remains to be seen who will be chosen to fill the role of FAA Administrator.
Rep. Ro Khanna of California announced on Sunday that he will not be entering the competitive Democratic primary to fill the Senate seat of retiring Sen. Dianne Feinstein, instead opting to endorse fellow progressive Rep. Barbara Lee. Khanna cited his belief that the House of Representatives is the best place for him to serve as a progressive, and Lee has been a vocal advocate for criminal justice reform, economic justice, and women’s rights. The California Democratic primary for Feinstein’s seat will be held in June 2022, with Khanna’s decision to stay in the House setting the field of candidates vying for the seat.
Phillip Washington, President Joe Biden's pick to lead the Federal Aviation Administration, has withdrawn his nomination due to Republican attacks on his service and experience. The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation was scheduled to vote on Washington's nomination, but it was cancelled due to lack of support. The White House praised Washington's public service record and qualifications, and is expected to move quickly to find a suitable replacement.
A congressional delegation led by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) visited the D.C. jail where Donald Trump supporters are being held for their involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. At the news conference, Greene and other Republican House members claimed that the Jan. 6 defendants are being deprived of due process and medical care, leading to chaotic protests and hecklers. The situation has raised questions about the conditions of the D.C. jail and the rights of those accused of involvement in the Capitol riot.