Federal investigations ongoing following Capitol riots as officials warn of additional threats
As that investigation is underway, the FBI is now preparing for armed protests being planned across the country. The FBI saying the group is also planning attacks in Washington D.C. the day of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration. Specific threats have been identified against Biden, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Investigators are also trying to identify the man captured in photographs carrying a confederate flag through the capitol. The National Parks Service has closed the National Monument until at least Jan. 24 citing credible threats.
Attorneys explain social media bans do not violate First Amendment rights
Alternative sites like Parler are also being shut down, but according to legal experts, social media bans don’t violate the first amendment. “The first amendment allows Twitter to decide how it wants to speak.”While some have said Twitter’s ban on President Donald Trump’s accounts violate his first amendment rights, Brown said the argument doesn’t hold water. Former State and Federal Prosecutor David Weinstein explained that while hate speech is protected, a line is crossed when that speech incites imminent lawless action. The government can restrict speech when it is directed at inciting or producing imminent lawless action and likely to incite or produce such action. Social media and the way ideas are shared may be new, but limits to certain speech are grounded in case law.
The Latest: Pelosi ties rioters' actions to 'whiteness'
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., holds a news conference on the day after violent protesters loyal to President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Congress, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021. “It has been an epiphany for the world to see that there are people in our country led by this president, for the moment, who have chosen their whiteness over democracy,” Pelosi said. Pelosi says, “The complicity, not only the complicity, the instigation of the president of United States, must and will be addressed.”___1:25 p.m. Flight attendants have expressed concern that their flights could be carrying supporters of President Donald Trump who took part in Wednesday’s violent protest and siege of the U.S. Capitol. ___2:25 a.m.Democrats in Congress are laying the groundwork to impeach President Donald Trump.
President Donald Trump’s video to the ‘very special’ during siege removed by Twitter
President Donald Trump recorded a message and posted a video on his Twitter feed asking his supporters to go home, but also saying that he won the election in a landslide. We had the video posted, but around 6:30 p.m. Twitter had taken it down. Twitter for the first time has now reportedly locked Trump’s account, demanding he remove tweets excusing violence, or else it has threatened “permanent suspension.’”Here is what President Trump said in the Wednesday afternoon video, which was flagged by Twitter for false claims, and then removed from the site. The statement came as authorities struggled to take control of a chaotic situation at the Capitol that led to the evacuation of lawmakers. This tweet was removed by Twitter on Wednesday after protesters stormed the Capitol.
After excusing violence, Trump acknowledges Biden transition
Authorities said four people died during the violence, including one woman who was shot by an officer outside the House chamber. Trump only reluctantly issued the tweets and taped a video encouraging an end to the violence. You’re very special.”The violence, coupled with the president’s tepid response, alarmed many in the White House and appeared to push Republicans allies to the breaking point after years of allegiance to Trump. I can’t stay.”Other aides indicated they planned to stay to help smooth the transition to the Biden administration. At one point, he even suggested he might join them — a prospect that was discussed by the White House but eventually abandoned.
Photos show chaos inside Capitol after mob storms inside
Members of the National Guard assist police officers line up as they assist police in dispersing protesters who are gathering at the U.S. Capitol Building on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Pro-Trump protesters entered the U.S. Capitol building after mass demonstrations in the nation's capital during a joint session Congress to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump.
Pence defies Trump, affirms Biden's win
(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)WASHINGTON – Vice President Mike Pence defied President Donald Trump early Thursday morning as he affirmed President-elect Joe Biden’s November victory, putting an end to Trump’s futile efforts to subvert American democracy and overturn the results of the election. Pence acknowledged that reality in a lengthy statement Wednesday laying out his conclusion that a vice president cannot claim “unilateral authority” to reject states' electoral votes. Pence's move was an expected outcome, but one that carved a dramatic fissure between Trump and Pence, his once most loyal lieutenant. “If Mike Pence does the right thing we win the election,” Trump wrongly told supporters, who later marched through Washington and stormed the Capitol. He repeatedly returned to Pence throughout his speech, voicing frustration as he tried to pressure the vice president to fall in line.
Private Capitol ceremony final goodbye to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
WASHINGTON – After a lifetime of achievements, even in death Ruth Bader Ginsburg breaking down yet another barrier – simultaneously becoming the first woman and the first Jewish American to lie in state at the US Capitol. Real change, enduring change, she said, happens one step at a time.”Holtzblatt said: “Today we stand in sorrow and tomorrow, we, the people, must carry on Justice Ginsburg’s legacy.”Many came to pay their respects. Vice President, what was it like to be in the capitol with Justice Ginsburg one last time?”Biden replied: “It was like when I met her when I did her hearing. Wonderful memories.”After the ceremony was over, Ginsburg’s body was gently removed and taken down the steps of the Capitol, descending into history. It would be the last time we saw Ruth Bader Ginsburg.