Donald Trump asked the Supreme Court on Thursday to prevent the release of White House documents to a congressional committee reviewing the assault on the Capitol by his supporters on January 6.

The former president asked the nation's highest court to stay a decision this month by a federal appeals court that rejected his request for the documents and records to be kept secret.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/meadows-and-the-band-of-loyalists-how-they-fought-to-keep-trump-in-power-437505">Meadows and the band of loyalists: How they fought to keep Trump in power</a>

Trump, who has been accused of fomenting the assault on Congress, is attempting to maintain the secrecy of White House records related to the attack as a former president.

An appeals court this month agreed with a lower court that President Joe Biden could waive executive privilege on the records. This would enable them to be handed over to the panel investigating the violence committed by Trump supporters.

Lawyers for Donald Trump argued in a filing with the Supreme Court that, even after the term, former presidents have the right to invoke executive privilege.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/judge-sentences-us-capitol-rioter-qanon-shaman-to-over-three-years-in-prison-430240">Judge sentences US Capitol rioter 'QAnon Shaman' to over three years in prison</a>

They condemned the congressional records request as "strikingly broad" and accused the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives committee of looking into a "political foe."

"Congress may not rifle through the confidential, presidential papers of a former President to meet political objectives," Trump's lawyers said.

"In an increasingly partisan political climate, such records requests will become the norm regardless of what party is in power," they said.

Arguing in defence of executive privilege, Trump's lawyers say it affects "the ability of presidents and their advisers to reliably make and receive full and frank advice, without concern that communications will be publicly released to meet a political objective."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-ex-adviser-steve-bannon-surrenders-to-face-capitol-riots-probe-429615">Trump's ex-adviser Steve Bannon surrenders to face Capitol riots probe</a>

It was decided by the US Court of Appeals to delay the release of the White House records until the lawyers of the former Republican president could file their appeal with the Supreme Court.

Trump's lawyers requested that the conservative majority Supreme Court schedule a hearing about whether the probe request is constitutional and to block the release of the documents in the meantime.

In its ruling, the appeals court noted that the right of a former president carries no more weight than the right of an incumbent.

"In this case, President Biden, as the head of the Executive Branch, has specifically found that Congress has demonstrated a compelling need for these very documents and that disclosure is in the best interests of the nation," the court said.

Regarding the records, which are held by the National Archives, the court said that the public interest is greater than Trump's.

Emails, phone records, briefing materials, and other records are among the documents Trump hopes to block.

The Representatives of the House Select Committee investigate the attempt by hundreds of Trump supporters to block the certification of the victory of President Biden in November 2020 are seeking these records.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: 'Pure Harassment', Trump slams Lawsuit against him

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-pure-harassment-trump-slams-lawsuit-against-him-422149/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

It also includes records of his former chief of staff Mark Meadows, his former senior advisor Stephen Miller, and his former deputy counsel Patrick Philbin.

In addition, Trump has opposed the release of the White House Daily Diary, -- records of his activities, trips, briefings, and phone calls.

Another pile of documents Trump refuses to share with Congress includes memos he wrote to his former press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, a handwritten note about the events of January 6 and the text of his speech at the "Save America" rally, which preceded the attack.

(With inputs from agencies)

Donald Trump asked the Supreme Court on Thursday to prevent the release of White House documents to a congressional committee reviewing the assault on the Capitol by his supporters on January 6.

Donald Trump asked the Supreme Court on Thursday to prevent the release of White House documents to a congressional committee reviewing the assault on the Capitol by his supporters on January 6. The former president asked the nation's highest court to stay a decision this month by a federal appeals court that rejected his request for the documents and records to be kept secret. Also read | Meadows and the band of loyalists: How they fought to keep Trump in power Trump, who has been accused of fomenting the assault on Congress, is attempting to maintain the secrecy of White House records related to the attack as a former president. An appeals court this month agreed with a lower court that President Joe Biden could waive executive privilege on the records. This would enable them to be handed over to the panel investigating the violence committed by Trump supporters. Lawyers for Donald Trump argued in a filing with the Supreme Court that, even after the term, former presidents have the right to invoke executive privilege. Also read | Judge sentences US Capitol rioter 'QAnon Shaman' to over three years in prison They condemned the congressional records request as "strikingly broad" and accused the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives committee of looking into a "political foe." "Congress may not rifle through the confidential, presidential papers of a former President to meet political objectives," Trump's lawyers said. "In an increasingly partisan political climate, such records requests will become the norm regardless of what party is in power," they said. Arguing in defence of executive privilege, Trump's lawyers say it affects "the ability of presidents and their advisers to reliably make and receive full and frank advice, without concern that communications will be publicly released to meet a political objective." Also read | Trump's ex-adviser Steve Bannon surrenders to face Capitol riots probe It was decided by the US Court of Appeals to delay the release of the White House records until the lawyers of the former Republican president could file their appeal with the Supreme Court. Trump's lawyers requested that the conservative majority Supreme Court schedule a hearing about whether the probe request is constitutional and to block the release of the documents in the meantime. In its ruling, the appeals court noted that the right of a former president carries no more weight than the right of an incumbent. "In this case, President Biden, as the head of the Executive Branch, has specifically found that Congress has demonstrated a compelling need for these very documents and that disclosure is in the best interests of the nation," the court said. Regarding the records, which are held by the National Archives, the court said that the public interest is greater than Trump's. Emails, phone records, briefing materials, and other records are among the documents Trump hopes to block. The Representatives of the House Select Committee investigate the attempt by hundreds of Trump supporters to block the certification of the victory of President Biden in November 2020 are seeking these records. Watch | Gravitas: 'Pure Harassment', Trump slams Lawsuit against him It also includes records of his former chief of staff Mark Meadows, his former senior advisor Stephen Miller, and his former deputy counsel Patrick Philbin. In addition, Trump has opposed the release of the White House Daily Diary, -- records of his activities, trips, briefings, and phone calls. Another pile of documents Trump refuses to share with Congress includes memos he wrote to his former press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, a handwritten note about the events of January 6 and the text of his speech at the "Save America" rally, which preceded the attack. (With inputs from agencies)

Donald Trump asks SC to block release of documents relating to Capitol riot probe

United States President Joe Biden has said that he will run in 2024 re-election if he is in good health.

During an interview on ABC's World News Tonight, when host David Muir asked him whether he still intends to run for re-election, Biden said ''Yes.''

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/maybe-one-of-the-few-things-he-and-i-agree-on-biden-appreciates-trump-on-getting-booster-shot-439063/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

''I'm a great respecter of fate. Fate has intervened in my life many, many times. If I'm in the health I'm in now, if I'm in good health, then, in fact, I would run again," Biden said.

"Why would I not run against Donald Trump if were the nominee? That would increase the prospect of running," he added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/supreme-court-to-hold-special-hearing-on-biden-vaccine-mandates-439301">Also read |&nbsp;Supreme Court to hold special hearing on Biden vaccine mandates</a>

It comes after US Vice President Kamala Harris said she has not discussed about running again in 2024 with Biden.

Muir also questioned Biden about the massive surge in Omicron variant of coronavirus and asked him "How do we get it wrong?".

Biden said "Nobody saw it coming. I don't think anybody anticipated that this was going to be as rapidly spreading as it did.''

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gaffe-prone-us-president-joe-biden-now-confuses-six-day-war-with-yom-kippur-battle-433691">Also read |&nbsp;Gaffe-prone US President Joe Biden now confuses Six-Day War with Yom Kippur battle</a>

The 79-year-old underwent an extensive, routine check-up last month during which his powers were briefly transferred to Harris.

According to a detailed report by the White House, Biden had "perceptibly stiffer and less fluid" motion while walking than a year ago, and suffered "increasing frequency and severity of 'throat clearing' and coughing during public speaking engagements."

However, these two symptoms were not considered of immediate concern and did not appear to result from serious conditions as per his physician Kevin O'Connor.

Biden was vaccinated early on against Covid-19 and received a booster shot in September.

He pledged before his election a year ago to be "totally transparent" with voters about all aspects of his health.

Biden is the oldest person to hold the presidency in US history. He does not smoke or drink, and prior to his election worked out at least five days per week, according to a letter released by his election campaign in December 2019. 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

United States President Joe Biden has said that he will run in 2024 re-election if he is in good health. During an interview on ABC's World News Tonight, when host David Muir asked him whether he still intends to run for re-election, Biden said ''Yes.

United States President Joe Biden has said that he will run in 2024 re-election if he is in good health. During an interview on ABC's World News Tonight, when host David Muir asked him whether he still intends to run for re-election, Biden said ''Yes.'' ''I'm a great respecter of fate. Fate has intervened in my life many, many times. If I'm in the health I'm in now, if I'm in good health, then, in fact, I would run again," Biden said. "Why would I not run against Donald Trump if were the nominee? That would increase the prospect of running," he added. Also read | Supreme Court to hold special hearing on Biden vaccine mandates It comes after US Vice President Kamala Harris said she has not discussed about running again in 2024 with Biden. Muir also questioned Biden about the massive surge in Omicron variant of coronavirus and asked him "How do we get it wrong?". Biden said "Nobody saw it coming. I don't think anybody anticipated that this was going to be as rapidly spreading as it did.'' Also read | Gaffe-prone US President Joe Biden now confuses Six-Day War with Yom Kippur battle The 79-year-old underwent an extensive, routine check-up last month during which his powers were briefly transferred to Harris. According to a detailed report by the White House, Biden had "perceptibly stiffer and less fluid" motion while walking than a year ago, and suffered "increasing frequency and severity of 'throat clearing' and coughing during public speaking engagements." However, these two symptoms were not considered of immediate concern and did not appear to result from serious conditions as per his physician Kevin O'Connor. Biden was vaccinated early on against Covid-19 and received a booster shot in September. He pledged before his election a year ago to be "totally transparent" with voters about all aspects of his health. Biden is the oldest person to hold the presidency in US history. He does not smoke or drink, and prior to his election worked out at least five days per week, according to a letter released by his election campaign in December 2019. (With inputs from agencies)

US election 2024: President Joe Biden says he will run again if in good health

Barbara F Walter, who is a political science professor at the University of California at San Diego, said that the United States is closer to "civil war than any of us would like to believe".&nbsp;

Walter's remark appeared to be quite alarming for a democratic country that recently hosted the 'Summit of Democracy' with an aim to strengthen democracy and defend against authoritarianism globally.&nbsp;

Is American democracy in crisis?

Walter, who serves on a CIA advisory panel called the Political Instability Task Force, has given an analytical opinion of the US politics&nbsp;in a book, "How Civil Wars Start," which will be out in January.&nbsp;

However, a report has been published by The Washington Post, detailing what Walter has assessed about the country's political situation and how it might pan out in the near future.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-reacts-after-joe-manchin-says-he-wont-vote-for-joe-bidens-build-back-better-bill-438390">White House reacts after Joe Manchin says he won't vote for Joe Biden's Build Back Better bill</a>

The Post mentioned that Walter has studied conflicts in Syria, Lebanon, Northern Ireland, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Rwanda, Angola, Nicaragua during her career.&nbsp;

It is understood that the Political Instability Task Force monitors countries around the world and speculates over a possibility of political instability.&nbsp;

"We are closer to civil war than any of us would like to believe. No one wants to believe that their beloved democracy is in decline, or headed toward war," Walter wrote in the to-be-published book, as quoted by The Washington Post.&nbsp;

Weighing in on the political situation of America, Walter said that "if you were an analyst in a foreign country looking at events in America — the same way you'd look at events in Ukraine or the Ivory Coast or Venezuela — you would go down a checklist, assessing each of the conditions that make civil war likely."

"And what you would find is that the United States, a democracy founded more than two centuries ago, has entered very dangerous territory," she added.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-memo-us-air-force-gives-green-signal-to-gender-pronouns-use-for-internal-communication-438165">In memo, US Air Force gives green signal to gender pronouns’ use for internal communication</a>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The CIA actually has a Task Force designed to try to predict where and when political instability and conflict is likely to break out around the world. It's just not legally allowed to look at the U.S. That means we are blind to the risk factors that are rapidly emerging here. <a href="https://t.co/86UMVwhi3C">pic.twitter.com/86UMVwhi3C</a>
— Barbara F Walter (@bfwalter) <a href="https://twitter.com/bfwalter/status/1463667263832211457?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2021</a></blockquote>
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We know why democracies decline and ethnic factions emerge. We also know it can be driven by extremists with their own political agendas. Whether these extremists succeed depends on whether we, the American people, challenge them or not. <a href="https://t.co/L9TmIk6pGC">https://t.co/L9TmIk6pGC</a> <a href="https://t.co/Y0qn1v5Jn8">pic.twitter.com/Y0qn1v5Jn8</a>
— Barbara F Walter (@bfwalter) <a href="https://twitter.com/bfwalter/status/1470823914951655425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 14, 2021</a></blockquote>
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If we talk about US politics, the past two-three years have been topsy-turvy — a phase when the administration also changed as Joe Biden was sworn in as 46th US president.&nbsp;

The election was chaotic as former President Donald Trump multiple times claimed that there were some discrepancies in the counting of votes.&nbsp;

On January 6, the deadly attack on the US Capitol also turned out to be a black chapter in the political history of the US.&nbsp;

As mentioned by Walter, the US is now an "anocracy," somewhere between a democracy and an autocratic state.&nbsp;

Barbara F Walter, who is a political science professor at the University of California at San Diego, said that the United States is closer to "civil war than any of us would like to believe".

Barbara F Walter, who is a political science professor at the University of California at San Diego, said that the United States is closer to "civil war than any of us would like to believe". Walter's remark appeared to be quite alarming for a democratic country that recently hosted the 'Summit of Democracy' with an aim to strengthen democracy and defend against authoritarianism globally. Is American democracy in crisis? Walter, who serves on a CIA advisory panel called the Political Instability Task Force, has given an analytical opinion of the US politics in a book, "How Civil Wars Start," which will be out in January. However, a report has been published by The Washington Post, detailing what Walter has assessed about the country's political situation and how it might pan out in the near future. ALSO READ | White House reacts after Joe Manchin says he won't vote for Joe Biden's Build Back Better bill The Post mentioned that Walter has studied conflicts in Syria, Lebanon, Northern Ireland, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Rwanda, Angola, Nicaragua during her career. It is understood that the Political Instability Task Force monitors countries around the world and speculates over a possibility of political instability. "We are closer to civil war than any of us would like to believe. No one wants to believe that their beloved democracy is in decline, or headed toward war," Walter wrote in the to-be-published book, as quoted by The Washington Post. Weighing in on the political situation of America, Walter said that "if you were an analyst in a foreign country looking at events in America — the same way you'd look at events in Ukraine or the Ivory Coast or Venezuela — you would go down a checklist, assessing each of the conditions that make civil war likely." "And what you would find is that the United States, a democracy founded more than two centuries ago, has entered very dangerous territory," she added. ALSO READ | In memo, US Air Force gives green signal to gender pronouns’ use for internal communication The CIA actually has a Task Force designed to try to predict where and when political instability and conflict is likely to break out around the world. It's just not legally allowed to look at the U.S. That means we are blind to the risk factors that are rapidly emerging here. pic.twitter.com/86UMVwhi3C — Barbara F Walter (@bfwalter) November 25, 2021 × We know why democracies decline and ethnic factions emerge. We also know it can be driven by extremists with their own political agendas. Whether these extremists succeed depends on whether we, the American people, challenge them or not. https://t.co/L9TmIk6pGC pic.twitter.com/Y0qn1v5Jn8 — Barbara F Walter (@bfwalter) December 14, 2021 × If we talk about US politics, the past two-three years have been topsy-turvy — a phase when the administration also changed as Joe Biden was sworn in as 46th US president. The election was chaotic as former President Donald Trump multiple times claimed that there were some discrepancies in the counting of votes. On January 6, the deadly attack on the US Capitol also turned out to be a black chapter in the political history of the US. As mentioned by Walter, the US is now an "anocracy," somewhere between a democracy and an autocratic state.

Is United States on the cusp of a civil war? Member of CIA panel thinks so

Former US president Donald Trump was jeered and greeted with boos by his supporters in Texas’ Dallas city after he revealed that he has taken Covid booster dose.

Trump made these remarks to an audience, most of whom were unmasked, during a live interview with former Fox&nbsp;News&nbsp;host&nbsp;Bill O'Reilly's "History Tour”, reported US news magazine Newsweek.

According to a video shared online by O’Reilly’s “No Spin News”, the former host said, “Both the president and I are vaxxed,” drawing some jeers from the audience, and he asked the former president, “Did you get the booster?”

“Yes,” Trump said, eliciting a smattering of boos in the audience.

He then tried to quiet down the jeer, saying, “Don't, don't, don't, don't, don't,” and then added, “That's all right, it's a very tiny group over there.”

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'You’re playing right into their hands' when you doubt the vaccine, President Trump says. <a href="https://t.co/xJc7JTL0cR">pic.twitter.com/xJc7JTL0cR</a>
— No Spin News (@NoSpinNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/NoSpinNews/status/1472983120601403400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2021</a></blockquote>
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At the event, while criticising the vaccine mandate, Trump took credit for developing vaccines under his administration as part of ‘Operation Warp Speed’.

“Look, we did something that was historic, we saved tens of millions of lives worldwide when we, together, all of us, we got a vaccine done,” Trump said.

"This was going to ravage the country far beyond what it is right now. Take credit for it," Trump said, adding, “It's great. What we've done is historic. Don't let them take it away.”

Notably in September, Trump told the Wall Street Journal that he is unlikely to receive the booster shot, adding, “I feel like I’m in good shape from that standpoint—I probably won’t.”

Trump and his wife Melania Trump had taken the Covid jabs before leaving the White House in January.

In early October 2020, Trump was hospitalized with Covid for several days, shortly after his first debate with the then-Democratic presidential nominee Biden.

Trump’s comments come at a time when 73% of all infections last week reported in US was dominated by the Omicron variant.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention numbers showed nearly a six-fold increase in omicron's share of infections in only one week.

(With inputs from agencies)

Former US president Donald Trump was jeered and greeted with boos by his supporters in Texas’ Dallas city after he revealed that he has taken Covid booster dose.

Former US president Donald Trump was jeered and greeted with boos by his supporters in Texas’ Dallas city after he revealed that he has taken Covid booster dose. Trump made these remarks to an audience, most of whom were unmasked, during a live interview with former Fox News host Bill O'Reilly's "History Tour”, reported US news magazine Newsweek. According to a video shared online by O’Reilly’s “No Spin News”, the former host said, “Both the president and I are vaxxed,” drawing some jeers from the audience, and he asked the former president, “Did you get the booster?” “Yes,” Trump said, eliciting a smattering of boos in the audience. He then tried to quiet down the jeer, saying, “Don't, don't, don't, don't, don't,” and then added, “That's all right, it's a very tiny group over there.” 'You’re playing right into their hands' when you doubt the vaccine, President Trump says. pic.twitter.com/xJc7JTL0cR — No Spin News (@NoSpinNews) December 20, 2021 × At the event, while criticising the vaccine mandate, Trump took credit for developing vaccines under his administration as part of ‘Operation Warp Speed’. “Look, we did something that was historic, we saved tens of millions of lives worldwide when we, together, all of us, we got a vaccine done,” Trump said. "This was going to ravage the country far beyond what it is right now. Take credit for it," Trump said, adding, “It's great. What we've done is historic. Don't let them take it away.” Notably in September, Trump told the Wall Street Journal that he is unlikely to receive the booster shot, adding, “I feel like I’m in good shape from that standpoint—I probably won’t.” Trump and his wife Melania Trump had taken the Covid jabs before leaving the White House in January. In early October 2020, Trump was hospitalized with Covid for several days, shortly after his first debate with the then-Democratic presidential nominee Biden. Trump’s comments come at a time when 73% of all infections last week reported in US was dominated by the Omicron variant. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention numbers showed nearly a six-fold increase in omicron's share of infections in only one week. (With inputs from agencies)

Trump heckled by supporters in Texas after revealing he took Covid booster dose

Former US President Donald Trump has sued New York Attorney General Letitia James seeking to end her civil investigation into his business practices.

Former US President Donald Trump sues NY attorney general to block probe of his business

Former US President Donald Trump files lawsuit against NY Attorney General Letitia James

Chinese President Xi Jinping might be a ‘killer’ who ‘destroyed the world’ but he had a ‘great relationship’ with the former US president Donald Trump, the latter claims.<o:p></o:p>

In an interview with Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo, former reality TV star and twice impeached president reminisced about his relationship with the Chinese President.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-blasts-disloyal-and-ungrateful-netanyahu-for-congratulating-biden-after-presidential-polls-436098">Trumps blasts ‘disloyal and ungrateful’ Netanyahu for congratulating Biden after presidential polls</a></o:p>

“He is a killer,”&nbsp;Trump said on one of his most favourite news channels,&nbsp;“but I had a great relationship with him.”<o:p></o:p>

Trump claims that the two leaders used to get along and had a great relationship, but then coronavirus pandemic took place and the friendship between the two leaders fizzled out.<o:p></o:p>

While Trump claims that it was the coronavirus pandemic that made their friendship sore, the relationship between the two countries has only deteriorated since Trump had taken over the country.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-would-have-won-if-us-election-were-held-today-poll-434920">Donald Trump would have won if US election were held today: Poll</a></o:p>

In fact, it was under Trump’s leadership when the US’ National Defense Strategy had labelled China to be one of the main “strategic competitors” of the US and Trump had described the Asian country as a “foe”.<o:p></o:p>

During the interview, Trump went on to accuse the Chinese President of destroying the whole world by spreading coronavirus pandemic all over the world. Trump has often claimed that it was Xi Jinping and his officials who instructed Chinese scientists to develop COVID-19 in a science lab and then spread it around the world. <o:p></o:p>

“They’ve really destroyed the whole world,”&nbsp;Trump said.<o:p></o:p>

Meanwhile, he also claimed that the current President of the US is “afraid” of Xi Jinping and therefore has not pressurised authorities to find out the origin of the deadly coronavirus pandemic.<o:p></o:p>

Chinese President Xi Jinping might be a ‘killer’ who ‘destroyed the world’ but he had a ‘great relationship’ with the former US president Donald Trump, the latter claims.

Chinese President Xi Jinping might be a ‘killer’ who ‘destroyed the world’ but he had a ‘great relationship’ with the former US president Donald Trump, the latter claims. In an interview with Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo, former reality TV star and twice impeached president reminisced about his relationship with the Chinese President. Also read | Trumps blasts ‘disloyal and ungrateful’ Netanyahu for congratulating Biden after presidential polls “He is a killer,” Trump said on one of his most favourite news channels, “but I had a great relationship with him.” Trump claims that the two leaders used to get along and had a great relationship, but then coronavirus pandemic took place and the friendship between the two leaders fizzled out. While Trump claims that it was the coronavirus pandemic that made their friendship sore, the relationship between the two countries has only deteriorated since Trump had taken over the country. Also read | Donald Trump would have won if US election were held today: Poll In fact, it was under Trump’s leadership when the US’ National Defense Strategy had labelled China to be one of the main “strategic competitors” of the US and Trump had described the Asian country as a “foe”. During the interview, Trump went on to accuse the Chinese President of destroying the whole world by spreading coronavirus pandemic all over the world. Trump has often claimed that it was Xi Jinping and his officials who instructed Chinese scientists to develop COVID-19 in a science lab and then spread it around the world. “They’ve really destroyed the whole world,” Trump said. Meanwhile, he also claimed that the current President of the US is “afraid” of Xi Jinping and therefore has not pressurised authorities to find out the origin of the deadly coronavirus pandemic.

China's Xi Jinping is a 'killer' but used to be my friend, Donald Trump claims

Former Senator David Perdue knows how to crash a party. When he announced that he would seek the 2022 Republican nomination for governor in Georgia, challenging the incumbent, Brian Kemp, he did more than enter a primary race. He illustrated the dangers facing the G.O.P. in the coming year.

Georgia Republicans are divided over former President Donald Trump and torn between mainstream credibility and the conspiratorial fringe. Mr. Perdue — an ally of Mr. Trump — has made these divisions worse. The beneficiary? The Democrat Stacey Abrams.

Republicans worry about internal strife and outlandish messages that turn off swing voters because everything else is going their way. The party did well in last month’s elections. President Biden’s low approval ratings endanger Democrats in Congress, where Republicans must net only five seats in the House and one in the Senate to seize control.

Republican strength at the state level gives the party an advantage in drawing new maps of congressional districts, which will amplify their slim lead in the FiveThirtyEight estimate of the congressional generic ballot.

Yet history shows how expectations can be thwarted. Republicans have experienced hopeful times before — only to have the moment pass. They believed that disapproval of President Bill Clinton’s conduct would expand their majorities in 1998. They ended up losing five House seats. They believed that Mr. Trump would rally the base to support two incumbent senators during runoffs in Georgia last January. They lost both seats and Senate control.

Time and again, the biggest obstacle to a red wave hasn’t been the Democratic Party. It’s been the Republican Party.

Republican victories in the midterms next year are far from preordained. Glenn Youngkin’s win in Virginia looks much harder to replicate elsewhere than it did on election night. Republican leaders continue to fear Mr. Trump and his supporters, and they are divided over candidate selection, message and agenda. The result is a unique combination of external strength and internal rot: An enthusiastic and combative Republican Party that despite its best efforts may soon acquire power it has done nothing to deserve.

It will be hard for the party to appeal to the suburban independents who decide elections, though Mr. Youngkin’s success suggests a path. He is the first Republican elected governor of Virginia in over a decade because of his emphasis on kitchen-table issues like rising prices and school closures. He ignored immigration, encouraged vaccination while opposing government mandates and stayed clear of Mr. Trump during the general election. He focused on parental involvement in education and planted himself firmly in the center-right of the political mainstream. When asked about a Trump rally where the Pledge of Allegiance was recited to a flag supposedly connected to the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, Mr. Youngkin called it “weird and wrong.” One Republican senator joked in private that Mr. Youngkin had figured out how to hold Mr. Trump’s hand — under the table and in the dark.

Other candidates won’t be as skilled or as lucky as Mr. Youngkin. Republicans lost winnable Senate seats in 2010 and 2012 because of flawed nominees like Sharron Angle in Nevada, Christine O’Donnell in Delaware, Todd Akin in Missouri and Richard Mourdock in Indiana. Past may be prologue if Republicans nominate Trump allies whose record or rhetoric are questionable and extreme. Last month, one Trump-endorsed candidate for Senate, Sean Parnell of Pennsylvania, suspended his campaign after he lost a custody battle against his estranged wife. The Trump endorsees Kelly Tshibaka of Alaska and Herschel Walker of Georgia are untested on the campaign trail. In races where Mr. Trump hasn’t yet endorsed, Blake Masters of Arizona, Eric Greitens of Missouri and J.D. Vance of Ohio may secure the MAGA base by forfeiting viability in the general election.

Mr. Trump remains the central figure in the G.O.P. Party elites try to ignore him as he spends many days fighting Republicans rather than Democrats and plotting his revenge against the 10 Republican House members who voted for his second impeachment, the seven Republican senators who voted to convict him and the 13 House Republicans who voted for the bipartisan infrastructure bill. Mr. Trump targets his enemies with primary challenges, calls for “audits” and “decertification” of the 2020 presidential results and howls at Mitch McConnell for not being “tough.” His imitators within the party are a font of endless infighting and controversy and undermine the authority of the House Republican leader, Kevin McCarthy. Mr. Trump would have it no other way.

The former president was content to keep a distance for this year’s races for governor. He won’t be so quiet next year — especially if he concludes that a successful midterm is a key step to his restoration to power in 2024. A more visible and vocal Trump has the potential to help Republicans in solid red states but doom them in purple or blue ones. Yet control of the Senate hinges on the results in Nevada, Arizona, Georgia, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire — states Mr. Trump lost in 2020.

Mr. Youngkin showed that a positive message attuned to middle-class priorities repels Democratic attacks. If Republicans campaign on a unified message that applies conservative principles to inflation, the border, crime, education and health care, they might be able to avoid being tagged as the party of extremism, conspiracy and loyalty to Mr. Trump. Their problem is they have no such message.

Mr. McConnell has reportedly told Senate Republicans that they won’t release an agenda before the midterms. He’s worried that specific proposals are nothing but fodder for Democratic attacks. What should worry him more are rudderless Republican candidates who allow their Democratic opponents to define them negatively — and then, if they still win, take office in January 2023 with no idea what to do.

In an ideal world, more Republicans would think seriously about how best to provide individuals and families the resources necessary to flourish in today’s America. They would spend less time attacking one another and more time offering constructive approaches to inflation and dangerous streets. They would experiment with a ranked-choice primary system that played a role in Mr. Youngkin’s nomination in Virginia and in the law-and-order Democrat Eric Adams’s win in New York City’s mayor’s race. Interested Republicans would declare today that Mr. Trump won’t deter them from seeking the presidency — reminding him that renomination is not guaranteed.

But that’s not the world we live in. Republicans appear either unwilling or unable to treat the former president as a figure from the past whose behavior has done the party more harm than good. They take false comfort in the idea that midterm elections are “thermostatic,” the inevitable repudiation of the governing party that is climatic in nature. They assume they will win next year without doing anything of significance. And they may be right.

Former Senator David Perdue knows how to crash a party. When he announced that he would seek the 2022 Republican nomination for governor in Georgia, challenging the incumbent, Brian Kemp, he did more than enter a primary race.

Former Senator David Perdue knows how to crash a party. When he announced that he would seek the 2022 Republican nomination for governor in Georgia, challenging the incumbent, Brian Kemp, he did more than enter a primary race. He illustrated the dangers facing the G.O.P. in the coming year. Georgia Republicans are divided over former President Donald Trump and torn between mainstream credibility and the conspiratorial fringe. Mr. Perdue — an ally of Mr. Trump — has made these divisions worse. The beneficiary? The Democrat Stacey Abrams. Republicans worry about internal strife and outlandish messages that turn off swing voters because everything else is going their way. The party did well in last month’s elections. President Biden’s low approval ratings endanger Democrats in Congress, where Republicans must net only five seats in the House and one in the Senate to seize control. Republican strength at the state level gives the party an advantage in drawing new maps of congressional districts, which will amplify their slim lead in the FiveThirtyEight estimate of the congressional generic ballot. Yet history shows how expectations can be thwarted. Republicans have experienced hopeful times before — only to have the moment pass. They believed that disapproval of President Bill Clinton’s conduct would expand their majorities in 1998. They ended up losing five House seats. They believed that Mr. Trump would rally the base to support two incumbent senators during runoffs in Georgia last January. They lost both seats and Senate control. Time and again, the biggest obstacle to a red wave hasn’t been the Democratic Party. It’s been the Republican Party. Republican victories in the midterms next year are far from preordained. Glenn Youngkin’s win in Virginia looks much harder to replicate elsewhere than it did on election night. Republican leaders continue to fear Mr. Trump and his supporters, and they are divided over candidate selection, message and agenda. The result is a unique combination of external strength and internal rot: An enthusiastic and combative Republican Party that despite its best efforts may soon acquire power it has done nothing to deserve. It will be hard for the party to appeal to the suburban independents who decide elections, though Mr. Youngkin’s success suggests a path. He is the first Republican elected governor of Virginia in over a decade because of his emphasis on kitchen-table issues like rising prices and school closures. He ignored immigration, encouraged vaccination while opposing government mandates and stayed clear of Mr. Trump during the general election. He focused on parental involvement in education and planted himself firmly in the center-right of the political mainstream. When asked about a Trump rally where the Pledge of Allegiance was recited to a flag supposedly connected to the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, Mr. Youngkin called it “weird and wrong.” One Republican senator joked in private that Mr. Youngkin had figured out how to hold Mr. Trump’s hand — under the table and in the dark. Other candidates won’t be as skilled or as lucky as Mr. Youngkin. Republicans lost winnable Senate seats in 2010 and 2012 because of flawed nominees like Sharron Angle in Nevada, Christine O’Donnell in Delaware, Todd Akin in Missouri and Richard Mourdock in Indiana. Past may be prologue if Republicans nominate Trump allies whose record or rhetoric are questionable and extreme. Last month, one Trump-endorsed candidate for Senate, Sean Parnell of Pennsylvania, suspended his campaign after he lost a custody battle against his estranged wife. The Trump endorsees Kelly Tshibaka of Alaska and Herschel Walker of Georgia are untested on the campaign trail. In races where Mr. Trump hasn’t yet endorsed, Blake Masters of Arizona, Eric Greitens of Missouri and J.D. Vance of Ohio may secure the MAGA base by forfeiting viability in the general election. Mr. Trump remains the central figure in the G.O.P. Party elites try to ignore him as he spends many days fighting Republicans rather than Democrats and plotting his revenge against the 10 Republican House members who voted for his second impeachment, the seven Republican senators who voted to convict him and the 13 House Republicans who voted for the bipartisan infrastructure bill. Mr. Trump targets his enemies with primary challenges, calls for “audits” and “decertification” of the 2020 presidential results and howls at Mitch McConnell for not being “tough.” His imitators within the party are a font of endless infighting and controversy and undermine the authority of the House Republican leader, Kevin McCarthy. Mr. Trump would have it no other way. The former president was content to keep a distance for this year’s races for governor. He won’t be so quiet next year — especially if he concludes that a successful midterm is a key step to his restoration to power in 2024. A more visible and vocal Trump has the potential to help Republicans in solid red states but doom them in purple or blue ones. Yet control of the Senate hinges on the results in Nevada, Arizona, Georgia, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire — states Mr. Trump lost in 2020. Mr. Youngkin showed that a positive message attuned to middle-class priorities repels Democratic attacks. If Republicans campaign on a unified message that applies conservative principles to inflation, the border, crime, education and health care, they might be able to avoid being tagged as the party of extremism, conspiracy and loyalty to Mr. Trump. Their problem is they have no such message. Mr. McConnell has reportedly told Senate Republicans that they won’t release an agenda before the midterms. He’s worried that specific proposals are nothing but fodder for Democratic attacks. What should worry him more are rudderless Republican candidates who allow their Democratic opponents to define them negatively — and then, if they still win, take office in January 2023 with no idea what to do. In an ideal world, more Republicans would think seriously about how best to provide individuals and families the resources necessary to flourish in today’s America. They would spend less time attacking one another and more time offering constructive approaches to inflation and dangerous streets. They would experiment with a ranked-choice primary system that played a role in Mr. Youngkin’s nomination in Virginia and in the law-and-order Democrat Eric Adams’s win in New York City’s mayor’s race. Interested Republicans would declare today that Mr. Trump won’t deter them from seeking the presidency — reminding him that renomination is not guaranteed. But that’s not the world we live in. Republicans appear either unwilling or unable to treat the former president as a figure from the past whose behavior has done the party more harm than good. They take false comfort in the idea that midterm elections are “thermostatic,” the inevitable repudiation of the governing party that is climatic in nature. They assume they will win next year without doing anything of significance. And they may be right.

Will Trump Ruin a Red Wave in 2022?

Two days after Christmas last year, Richard P. Donoghue, a top Justice Department official in the waning days of the Trump administration, saw an unknown number appear on his phone.

Donoghue had spent weeks fielding calls, emails and in-person requests from President Donald Trump and his allies, all of whom asked the Justice Department to declare, falsely, that the election was corrupt. The lame-duck president had surrounded himself with a crew of unscrupulous lawyers, conspiracy theorists, even the chief executive of MyPillow — and they were stoking his election lies.

Trump had been handing out Donoghue’s cellphone number so that people could pass on rumors of election fraud. Who could be calling him now?

It turned out to be a member of Congress: Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., who began pressing the president’s case. Perry said he had compiled a dossier of voter fraud allegations that the department needed to vet. Jeffrey Clark, a Justice Department lawyer who had found favor with Trump, could “do something” about the president’s claims, Perry said, even if others in the department would not.

The message was delivered by an obscure lawmaker who was doing Trump’s bidding. Justice Department officials viewed it as outrageous political pressure from a White House that had become consumed by conspiracy theories.

It was also one example of how a half-dozen right-wing members of Congress became key foot soldiers in Trump’s effort to overturn the election, according to dozens of interviews and a review of hundreds of pages of congressional testimony about the attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6.

The lawmakers — all of them members of the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus — worked closely with the White House chief of staff, Mark Meadows, whose central role in Trump’s efforts to overturn a democratic election is coming into focus as the congressional investigation into Jan. 6 gains traction.

There was Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, the pugnacious former wrestler who bolstered his national profile by defending Trump on cable television; Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona, whose political ascent was padded by a $10 million sweepstakes win; and Rep. Paul Gosar, an Arizona dentist who trafficked in conspiracy theories and spoke at a white nationalist rally.

They were joined by Rep. Louie Gohmert of Texas, who was known for fiery speeches delivered to an empty House chamber and unsuccessfully sued Vice President Mike Pence over his refusal to interfere in the election certification; and Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama, a lawyer who rode the Tea Party wave to Congress and was later sued by a Democratic congressman for inciting the Jan. 6 riot.

Perry, a former Army helicopter pilot who is close to Jordan and Meadows, acted as a de facto sergeant. He coordinated many of the efforts to keep Trump in office, including a plan to replace the acting attorney general with a more compliant official. His colleagues call him General Perry.

Meadows, a former congressman from North Carolina who co-founded the Freedom Caucus in 2015, knew the six lawmakers well. His role as Trump’s right-hand man helped to remarkably empower the group in the president’s final, chaotic weeks in office.

Congressional Republicans have fought the Jan. 6 committee’s investigation at every turn, but it is increasingly clear that Trump relied on the lawmakers to help his attempts to retain power. When Justice Department officials said they could not find evidence of widespread fraud, Trump was unconcerned: “Just say that the election was corrupt + leave the rest to me and the R. Congressmen,” he said, according to Donoghue’s notes of the call.

November

On Nov. 9, two days after The Associated Press called the race for Biden, crisis meetings were underway at Trump campaign headquarters in Arlington, Virginia.

Perry and Jordan huddled with senior White House officials, including Meadows; Stephen Miller, a top Trump adviser; Bill Stepien, the campaign manager; and Kayleigh McEnany, the White House press secretary.

According to two people familiar with the meetings, which have not been previously reported, the group settled on a strategy that would become a blueprint for Trump’s supporters in Congress: Hammer home the idea that the election was tainted, announce legal actions being taken by the campaign, and bolster the case with allegations of fraud.

Gosar embraced the fraud claims so closely that his chief of staff, Tom Van Flein, rushed to an airplane hangar parking lot in Phoenix after a conspiracy theory began circulating that a suspicious jet carrying ballots from South Korea was about to land, perhaps in a bid to steal the election from Trump, according to court documents filed by one of the participants. The claim turned out to be baseless.

December

On Dec. 1, 2020, Attorney General William Barr said publicly what he knew to be true: The Justice Department had found no evidence of widespread election fraud. Biden was the lawful winner.

The attorney general’s declaration seemed only to energize the six lawmakers. Gohmert suggested that the FBI in Washington could not be trusted to investigate election fraud. Biggs said that Trump’s allies needed “the imprimatur, quite frankly of the DOJ,” to win their lawsuits claiming fraud.

They turned their attention to Jan. 6, when Pence was to officially certify Biden’s victory. Jordan, asked if the president should concede, replied, “No way.”

On Dec. 21, Trump met with members of the Freedom Caucus to discuss their plans. Jordan, Gosar, Biggs, Brooks and Meadows were there.

“This sedition will be stopped,” Gosar wrote on Twitter.

January

On Jan. 5, Jordan was still pushing. That day, he forwarded Meadows a text message he had received from a lawyer and former Pentagon inspector general outlining a legal strategy to overturn the election.

“On January 6, 2021, Vice President Mike Pence, as President of the Senate, should call out all the electoral votes that he believes are unconstitutional as no electoral votes at all — in accordance with guidance from founding father Alexander Hamilton and judicial precedence,” the text read.

On Jan. 6, Washington was overcast and breezy as thousands of people gathered at the Ellipse to hear Trump and his allies spread a lie that has become a rallying cry in the months since: that the election was stolen.

Brooks, wearing body armor, took the stage in the morning, saying he was speaking at the behest of the White House. The crowd began to swell.

“Today is the day American patriots start taking down names and kicking ass,” Brooks said. “Are you willing to do what it takes to fight for America?”

Trump approached the dais soon after. “We will never give up,” Trump said. “We will never concede.”

Roaring their approval, many in the crowd began the walk down Pennsylvania Avenue toward the Capitol, where the certification proceeding was underway. Amped up by the speakers at the rally, the crowd taunted the officers who guarded the Capitol and pushed toward the building’s staircases and entry points, eventually breaching security along the perimeter just after 1 p.m.

By this point, the six lawmakers were inside the Capitol, ready to protest the certification. Gosar was speaking at 2:16 p.m. when security forces entered the chamber because rioters were in the building.

As the melee erupted, Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, yelled to his colleagues who were planning to challenge the election: “This is what you’ve gotten, guys.”

When Jordan tried to help Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., move to safety, she smacked his hand away, according to a congressional aide briefed on the exchange.

“Get away from me,” she told him. “You fucking did this."

A spokesman for Jordan disputed parts of the account, saying that Cheney did not curse at the congressman or slap him.

The back-and-forth was reported earlier by Washington Post reporters Carol Leonnig and Philip Rucker in their book “I Alone Can Fix It.”

The Aftermath

Perry was recently elected leader of the Freedom Caucus, elevating him to an influential leadership post as Republicans could regain control of the House in 2022. The stolen election claim is now a litmus test for the party, with Trump and his allies working to oust those who refuse to back it.

All six lawmakers are poised to be key supporters should Trump maintain his political clout before the midterm and general elections. Brooks is running for Senate in Alabama, and Gohmert is running for Texas attorney general.Some, like Jordan, are in line to become committee chairs if Republicans take back the House.

In many ways, they have tried to rewrite history. Several of the men have argued that the Jan. 6 attack was akin to a tourist visit to the Capitol. Gosar cast the attackers as “peaceful patriots across the country." A Pew research poll found that nearly two-thirds of Republicans said their party should not accept elected officials who criticize Trump.

Still, the House select committee investigating the Capitol attack appears to be picking up steam, voting this week to recommend that Meadows be charged with criminal contempt of Congress.

Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss. and the chairman of the committee, said the panel would follow the facts wherever they led, including to members of Congress.

“Nobody,” he said, “is off-limits.”

Two days after Christmas last year, Richard P. Donoghue, a top Justice Department official in the waning days of the Trump administration, saw an unknown number appear on his phone.

Two days after Christmas last year, Richard P. Donoghue, a top Justice Department official in the waning days of the Trump administration, saw an unknown number appear on his phone. Donoghue had spent weeks fielding calls, emails and in-person requests from President Donald Trump and his allies, all of whom asked the Justice Department to declare, falsely, that the election was corrupt. The lame-duck president had surrounded himself with a crew of unscrupulous lawyers, conspiracy theorists, even the chief executive of MyPillow — and they were stoking his election lies. Trump had been handing out Donoghue’s cellphone number so that people could pass on rumors of election fraud. Who could be calling him now? It turned out to be a member of Congress: Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., who began pressing the president’s case. Perry said he had compiled a dossier of voter fraud allegations that the department needed to vet. Jeffrey Clark, a Justice Department lawyer who had found favor with Trump, could “do something” about the president’s claims, Perry said, even if others in the department would not. The message was delivered by an obscure lawmaker who was doing Trump’s bidding. Justice Department officials viewed it as outrageous political pressure from a White House that had become consumed by conspiracy theories. It was also one example of how a half-dozen right-wing members of Congress became key foot soldiers in Trump’s effort to overturn the election, according to dozens of interviews and a review of hundreds of pages of congressional testimony about the attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6. The lawmakers — all of them members of the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus — worked closely with the White House chief of staff, Mark Meadows, whose central role in Trump’s efforts to overturn a democratic election is coming into focus as the congressional investigation into Jan. 6 gains traction. There was Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, the pugnacious former wrestler who bolstered his national profile by defending Trump on cable television; Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona, whose political ascent was padded by a $10 million sweepstakes win; and Rep. Paul Gosar, an Arizona dentist who trafficked in conspiracy theories and spoke at a white nationalist rally. They were joined by Rep. Louie Gohmert of Texas, who was known for fiery speeches delivered to an empty House chamber and unsuccessfully sued Vice President Mike Pence over his refusal to interfere in the election certification; and Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama, a lawyer who rode the Tea Party wave to Congress and was later sued by a Democratic congressman for inciting the Jan. 6 riot. Perry, a former Army helicopter pilot who is close to Jordan and Meadows, acted as a de facto sergeant. He coordinated many of the efforts to keep Trump in office, including a plan to replace the acting attorney general with a more compliant official. His colleagues call him General Perry. Meadows, a former congressman from North Carolina who co-founded the Freedom Caucus in 2015, knew the six lawmakers well. His role as Trump’s right-hand man helped to remarkably empower the group in the president’s final, chaotic weeks in office. Congressional Republicans have fought the Jan. 6 committee’s investigation at every turn, but it is increasingly clear that Trump relied on the lawmakers to help his attempts to retain power. When Justice Department officials said they could not find evidence of widespread fraud, Trump was unconcerned: “Just say that the election was corrupt + leave the rest to me and the R. Congressmen,” he said, according to Donoghue’s notes of the call. November On Nov. 9, two days after The Associated Press called the race for Biden, crisis meetings were underway at Trump campaign headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. Perry and Jordan huddled with senior White House officials, including Meadows; Stephen Miller, a top Trump adviser; Bill Stepien, the campaign manager; and Kayleigh McEnany, the White House press secretary. According to two people familiar with the meetings, which have not been previously reported, the group settled on a strategy that would become a blueprint for Trump’s supporters in Congress: Hammer home the idea that the election was tainted, announce legal actions being taken by the campaign, and bolster the case with allegations of fraud. Gosar embraced the fraud claims so closely that his chief of staff, Tom Van Flein, rushed to an airplane hangar parking lot in Phoenix after a conspiracy theory began circulating that a suspicious jet carrying ballots from South Korea was about to land, perhaps in a bid to steal the election from Trump, according to court documents filed by one of the participants. The claim turned out to be baseless. December On Dec. 1, 2020, Attorney General William Barr said publicly what he knew to be true: The Justice Department had found no evidence of widespread election fraud. Biden was the lawful winner. The attorney general’s declaration seemed only to energize the six lawmakers. Gohmert suggested that the FBI in Washington could not be trusted to investigate election fraud. Biggs said that Trump’s allies needed “the imprimatur, quite frankly of the DOJ,” to win their lawsuits claiming fraud. They turned their attention to Jan. 6, when Pence was to officially certify Biden’s victory. Jordan, asked if the president should concede, replied, “No way.” On Dec. 21, Trump met with members of the Freedom Caucus to discuss their plans. Jordan, Gosar, Biggs, Brooks and Meadows were there. “This sedition will be stopped,” Gosar wrote on Twitter. January On Jan. 5, Jordan was still pushing. That day, he forwarded Meadows a text message he had received from a lawyer and former Pentagon inspector general outlining a legal strategy to overturn the election. “On January 6, 2021, Vice President Mike Pence, as President of the Senate, should call out all the electoral votes that he believes are unconstitutional as no electoral votes at all — in accordance with guidance from founding father Alexander Hamilton and judicial precedence,” the text read. On Jan. 6, Washington was overcast and breezy as thousands of people gathered at the Ellipse to hear Trump and his allies spread a lie that has become a rallying cry in the months since: that the election was stolen. Brooks, wearing body armor, took the stage in the morning, saying he was speaking at the behest of the White House. The crowd began to swell. “Today is the day American patriots start taking down names and kicking ass,” Brooks said. “Are you willing to do what it takes to fight for America?” Trump approached the dais soon after. “We will never give up,” Trump said. “We will never concede.” Roaring their approval, many in the crowd began the walk down Pennsylvania Avenue toward the Capitol, where the certification proceeding was underway. Amped up by the speakers at the rally, the crowd taunted the officers who guarded the Capitol and pushed toward the building’s staircases and entry points, eventually breaching security along the perimeter just after 1 p.m. By this point, the six lawmakers were inside the Capitol, ready to protest the certification. Gosar was speaking at 2:16 p.m. when security forces entered the chamber because rioters were in the building. As the melee erupted, Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, yelled to his colleagues who were planning to challenge the election: “This is what you’ve gotten, guys.” When Jordan tried to help Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., move to safety, she smacked his hand away, according to a congressional aide briefed on the exchange. “Get away from me,” she told him. “You fucking did this." A spokesman for Jordan disputed parts of the account, saying that Cheney did not curse at the congressman or slap him. The back-and-forth was reported earlier by Washington Post reporters Carol Leonnig and Philip Rucker in their book “I Alone Can Fix It.” The Aftermath Perry was recently elected leader of the Freedom Caucus, elevating him to an influential leadership post as Republicans could regain control of the House in 2022. The stolen election claim is now a litmus test for the party, with Trump and his allies working to oust those who refuse to back it. All six lawmakers are poised to be key supporters should Trump maintain his political clout before the midterm and general elections. Brooks is running for Senate in Alabama, and Gohmert is running for Texas attorney general.Some, like Jordan, are in line to become committee chairs if Republicans take back the House. In many ways, they have tried to rewrite history. Several of the men have argued that the Jan. 6 attack was akin to a tourist visit to the Capitol. Gosar cast the attackers as “peaceful patriots across the country." A Pew research poll found that nearly two-thirds of Republicans said their party should not accept elected officials who criticize Trump. Still, the House select committee investigating the Capitol attack appears to be picking up steam, voting this week to recommend that Meadows be charged with criminal contempt of Congress. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss. and the chairman of the committee, said the panel would follow the facts wherever they led, including to members of Congress. “Nobody,” he said, “is off-limits.”

Meadows and the band of loyalists: How they fought to keep Trump in power

The House select committee that is conducting an investigation about the Capitol attack has voted to recommend criminal prosecution for former US president Donald Trump’s chief of staff Mark Meadows.<o:p></o:p>

This decision has been taken as Meadows denied cooperating and testifying in the January 06 investigation. The group decided to put the matter to vote before bringing this issue forward in front of the full House of Representatives, which may approve the citation by Tuesday.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-would-have-won-if-us-election-were-held-today-poll-434920">Donald Trump would have won if US election were held today: Poll</a></o:p>

Meadows had earlier handed over his records to the investigators. However, soon after he stopped answering any questions related to the investigation, which made it a case of noncompliance and uncooperative behaviour.<o:p></o:p>

“It comes down to this,” Bennie Thompson, the chair of the select committee, said in an opening statement. “Mr Meadows started by doing the right thing: cooperating. He handed over records that he didn’t try to shield behind some excuse. But in an investigation like ours, that’s just a first step.<o:p></o:p>

“When the records raise questions – as these most certainly do – you have to come in and answer those questions. And when it was time for him to follow the law, come in, and testify on those questions, he changed his mind and told us to pound sand. He didn’t even show up.”

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-blasts-disloyal-and-ungrateful-netanyahu-for-congratulating-biden-after-presidential-polls-436098">Trumps blasts ‘disloyal and ungrateful’ Netanyahu for congratulating Biden after presidential polls</a></o:p>

His noncompliant behaviour has forced the committee to take this action against him. Although Meadows started by providing records on his own, he quickly started going in an uncooperative zone after that, which made it difficult for the committee to continue the investigation.<o:p></o:p>

Among the over 9,000 documents handed over by Meadows, authorities found a powerpoint presentation titled “Election Fraud, Foreign Interference and Options for 6 JAN”. As per this, Trump was supposed to declare a national security emergency which would have, according to him, brought him back to the White House.<o:p></o:p>

Several text messages such as Trump’s son saying “we need an Oval Office address” to stop the Capitol attack, to lawmakers saying “Yesterday was a terrible day. We tried everything we could in our objection to the 6 states. I’m sorry nothing worked.”<o:p></o:p>

However, now, Meadows has decided to not answer any questions as he heard that the committee had subpoenaed his personal phone records.<o:p></o:p>

“Mr Meadows has shown his willingness to talk about issues related to the select committee’s investigation across a variety of media platforms – anywhere, it seems, except to the select committee,” the panel said in the contempt report.<o:p></o:p>

The House select committee that is conducting an investigation about the Capitol attack has voted to recommend criminal prosecution for former US president Donald Trump’s chief of staff Mark Meadows.

The House select committee that is conducting an investigation about the Capitol attack has voted to recommend criminal prosecution for former US president Donald Trump’s chief of staff Mark Meadows. This decision has been taken as Meadows denied cooperating and testifying in the January 06 investigation. The group decided to put the matter to vote before bringing this issue forward in front of the full House of Representatives, which may approve the citation by Tuesday. Also read | Donald Trump would have won if US election were held today: Poll Meadows had earlier handed over his records to the investigators. However, soon after he stopped answering any questions related to the investigation, which made it a case of noncompliance and uncooperative behaviour. “It comes down to this,” Bennie Thompson, the chair of the select committee, said in an opening statement. “Mr Meadows started by doing the right thing: cooperating. He handed over records that he didn’t try to shield behind some excuse. But in an investigation like ours, that’s just a first step. “When the records raise questions – as these most certainly do – you have to come in and answer those questions. And when it was time for him to follow the law, come in, and testify on those questions, he changed his mind and told us to pound sand. He didn’t even show up.” Also read | Trumps blasts ‘disloyal and ungrateful’ Netanyahu for congratulating Biden after presidential polls His noncompliant behaviour has forced the committee to take this action against him. Although Meadows started by providing records on his own, he quickly started going in an uncooperative zone after that, which made it difficult for the committee to continue the investigation. Among the over 9,000 documents handed over by Meadows, authorities found a powerpoint presentation titled “Election Fraud, Foreign Interference and Options for 6 JAN”. As per this, Trump was supposed to declare a national security emergency which would have, according to him, brought him back to the White House. Several text messages such as Trump’s son saying “we need an Oval Office address” to stop the Capitol attack, to lawmakers saying “Yesterday was a terrible day. We tried everything we could in our objection to the 6 states. I’m sorry nothing worked.” However, now, Meadows has decided to not answer any questions as he heard that the committee had subpoenaed his personal phone records. “Mr Meadows has shown his willingness to talk about issues related to the select committee’s investigation across a variety of media platforms – anywhere, it seems, except to the select committee,” the panel said in the contempt report.

Trump's former aide, Mark Meadows, recommended for criminal prosecution by Jan 6 committee

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani has slammed the Western powers for playing a blame game over the 2015 nuclear deal.

According to him, "Some actors persist in their blame game habit, instead of real diplomacy. We proposed our ideas early, and worked constructively and flexibly to narrow gaps."

"Diplomacy is a two-way street. If there's a real will to remedy the culprit's wrongdoing, the way for a quick, good deal will be paved," he added.

Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-has-iran-been-doing-after-us-left-landmark-nuclear-deal-433617">How has Iran been doing after US left landmark nuclear deal?</a>

Kani highlighted that "time is running out" and the pact will become "an empty shell" without progress in negotiations.

The 2015 agreement ensured sanctions relief in return for tight curbs on Iran's nuclear programme, which was put under extensive UN monitoring.

Former US President Donald Trump pulled the US out of the accord in 2018. US President Joe Biden restarted negotiations for Washington's return&nbsp;after the election of hardline cleric Ebrahim Raisi.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-prepares-for-space-launch-at-imam-khomeini-spaceport-suggest-satellite-images-expert-436529">Also read |&nbsp;Iran prepares for space launch at Imam Khomeini Spaceport, suggest satellite images, expert</a>

"The two parties are at the point of agreeing on the matters which should be on the agenda," Kani said.

"It's a positive and important evolution since, at the start, they weren't even in agreement on the issues to negotiate."

Iran claims it only wants to develop a civilian capability but Western powers say its stockpile of enriched uranium goes well beyond that, and could be used to develop a nuclear weapon.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Washington continues to pursue diplomacy with Iran because "it remains, at this moment, the best option", but added that it was "actively engaging with allies and partners on alternatives".

Chances of an agreement between the arch-foes seem remote as significant gaps still remain between the nations on some key issues, such as the speed and scope of lifting sanctions and how and when Iran will reverse its nuclear steps.

With&nbsp;Israel pushing for a tough policy if diplomacy fails to rein in Iran’s nuclear work, stakes are&nbsp;are high as failure in the negotiations would carry the risk of a new regional war.

(With inputs from agencies)

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani has slammed the Western powers for playing a blame game over the 2015 nuclear deal. According to him, "Some actors persist in their blame game habit, instead of real diplomacy.

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani has slammed the Western powers for playing a blame game over the 2015 nuclear deal. According to him, "Some actors persist in their blame game habit, instead of real diplomacy. We proposed our ideas early, and worked constructively and flexibly to narrow gaps." "Diplomacy is a two-way street. If there's a real will to remedy the culprit's wrongdoing, the way for a quick, good deal will be paved," he added. Also see | How has Iran been doing after US left landmark nuclear deal? Kani highlighted that "time is running out" and the pact will become "an empty shell" without progress in negotiations. The 2015 agreement ensured sanctions relief in return for tight curbs on Iran's nuclear programme, which was put under extensive UN monitoring. Former US President Donald Trump pulled the US out of the accord in 2018. US President Joe Biden restarted negotiations for Washington's return after the election of hardline cleric Ebrahim Raisi. Also read | Iran prepares for space launch at Imam Khomeini Spaceport, suggest satellite images, expert "The two parties are at the point of agreeing on the matters which should be on the agenda," Kani said. "It's a positive and important evolution since, at the start, they weren't even in agreement on the issues to negotiate." Iran claims it only wants to develop a civilian capability but Western powers say its stockpile of enriched uranium goes well beyond that, and could be used to develop a nuclear weapon. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Washington continues to pursue diplomacy with Iran because "it remains, at this moment, the best option", but added that it was "actively engaging with allies and partners on alternatives". Chances of an agreement between the arch-foes seem remote as significant gaps still remain between the nations on some key issues, such as the speed and scope of lifting sanctions and how and when Iran will reverse its nuclear steps. With Israel pushing for a tough policy if diplomacy fails to rein in Iran’s nuclear work, stakes are are high as failure in the negotiations would carry the risk of a new regional war. (With inputs from agencies)

'Diplomacy is a two-way street': Iran slams West for playing blame game over 2015 nuclear deal

Former US president Donal Trump went on a tirade against his ‘close ally and friend’ Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s former prime minister, accusing him of ‘disloyalty’ after he had congratulated&nbsp;Joe Biden for winning the 2020 presidential elections.

Talking to a US-based news website Axios, Trump blasted Netanyahu, saying, “It was early. Ok? Let’s put it this way —he greeted him very early. Earlier than most world leaders. I've not spoken to him since.”

Trump said he values ‘loyalty’, adding that he never expected Netanyahu to change sides so quickly.

“Nobody did more for Bibi. I liked Bibi. I still like Bibi,” Trump said, referring to Netanyahu by his nickname.

“There was no one who did for Israel more than I did. And the first person to run to greet Joe Biden was Netanyahu. And not only did he congratulate him —he did it in a video,” he said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-banned-on-twitter-and-fb-to-launch-his-own-social-network-422513">Donald Trump, banned on Twitter and FB, to launch his own social network</a>

“If you look at the leaders of other countries — like Brazil —he waited months. Putin. Many other leaders. Mexico. All of them also felt that the election was over. But they, too, were waiting. No one did more than me for Bibi. Money too. We gave them a lot of money and gave them soldiers. We did everything.”

Netanyahu had in fact congratulated Biden the day after the results were called in his favour on November 8, 2020.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-would-have-won-if-us-election-were-held-today-poll-434920">Donald Trump would have won if US election were held today: Poll</a>

At that time, Netanyahu in the post said that he and Biden have had a “long &amp; warm” personal relationship for almost 40 years and sees him as “a great friend of Israel” and looks forward to working together.

But in a separate Twitter post, Netanyahu did, however, thank Trump “for the friendship you have shown the state of Israel and me personally, for recognizing Jerusalem and the Golan, for standing up to Iran, for the historic peace accords and for bringing the American-Israeli alliance to unprecedented heights.”

(With inputs from agencies)

Former US president Donal Trump went on a tirade against his ‘close ally and friend’ Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s former prime minister, accusing him of ‘disloyalty’ after he had congratulated Joe Biden for winning the 2020 presidential elections.

Former US president Donal Trump went on a tirade against his ‘close ally and friend’ Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s former prime minister, accusing him of ‘disloyalty’ after he had congratulated Joe Biden for winning the 2020 presidential elections. Talking to a US-based news website Axios, Trump blasted Netanyahu, saying, “It was early. Ok? Let’s put it this way —he greeted him very early. Earlier than most world leaders. I've not spoken to him since.” Trump said he values ‘loyalty’, adding that he never expected Netanyahu to change sides so quickly. “Nobody did more for Bibi. I liked Bibi. I still like Bibi,” Trump said, referring to Netanyahu by his nickname. “There was no one who did for Israel more than I did. And the first person to run to greet Joe Biden was Netanyahu. And not only did he congratulate him —he did it in a video,” he said. Also read | Donald Trump, banned on Twitter and FB, to launch his own social network “If you look at the leaders of other countries — like Brazil —he waited months. Putin. Many other leaders. Mexico. All of them also felt that the election was over. But they, too, were waiting. No one did more than me for Bibi. Money too. We gave them a lot of money and gave them soldiers. We did everything.” Netanyahu had in fact congratulated Biden the day after the results were called in his favour on November 8, 2020. Also read | Donald Trump would have won if US election were held today: Poll At that time, Netanyahu in the post said that he and Biden have had a “long & warm” personal relationship for almost 40 years and sees him as “a great friend of Israel” and looks forward to working together. But in a separate Twitter post, Netanyahu did, however, thank Trump “for the friendship you have shown the state of Israel and me personally, for recognizing Jerusalem and the Golan, for standing up to Iran, for the historic peace accords and for bringing the American-Israeli alliance to unprecedented heights.” (With inputs from agencies)

Trumps blasts ‘disloyal and ungrateful’ Netanyahu for congratulating Biden after presidential polls

It is a glimpse at an alternate political universe: the speech Hillary Clinton would have given on election night, had she not lost to Donald Trump in 2016.

Clinton reads the discarded speech aloud for her offering on the streaming site MasterClass, which features lessons from prominent figures in the arts, business, food and other fields.

Clinton is promoting her class, “The Power of Resilience,” on Twitter, and a clip of her reading an excerpt from the speech — and tearing up at one point — was released by the “Today” show Wednesday.

The video — and the class — generated mockery from Clinton’s detractors on the right and the left, as well as praise from her supporters, who said they found it moving.

Watch | Gravitas :&nbsp;The greatest speeches ever made

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-the-greatest-speeches-ever-made-435629/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

“In this lesson, I’m going to face one of my most public defeats head-on by sharing with you the speech I had hoped to deliver if I had won the 2016 election,” Clinton says in the video.

“I’ve never shared this with anybody,” she says. “I’ve never read it out loud.”

In the long-shelved victory speech to “my fellow Americans,” Clinton strikes themes of unity and reflects on what would have been her history-making election as the first female president.

She recalls meeting women who were born before women had the right to vote as well as boys and girls who didn’t understand why a woman had never been president before.

“Now they know, and the world knows, that in America, every boy and every girl can grow up to be whatever they dream — even president of the United States,” Clinton says.

She chokes up when she discusses her mother and mentor, Dorothy Rodham, who grew up in poverty and was abandoned by her parents as an 8-year-old girl. She died in 2011 at age 92.

“I dream of going up to her, and sitting down next to her, taking her in my arms, and saying, ‘Look at me. Listen to me. You will survive,’” Clinton says. “ ‘You will have a good family of your own and three children. And as hard as it might be to imagine, your daughter will grow up and become the president of the United States.’”

Kathleen Hall Jamieson, a professor of communication at the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg School for Communication, said she found that part of the speech striking.

“Had Hillary Clinton communicated more of that narrative, she would have had more of a successful presidential run,” Jamieson said. “I read that as an interesting, coherent explanation of what would have motivated Hillary Clinton to be a public servant.”

Clinton had planned to deliver the speech at an elaborate celebration on the night of Nov. 8, 2016, complete with confetti shaped like glass shards that would fall from the glass ceiling of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York.

Instead, she gave a hastily scheduled speech in a dreary hotel ballroom on the day after the election, in which she said the country was “more deeply divided than we thought.”

“This loss hurts,” she said that day. “But please never stop believing that fighting for what’s right is worth it.”

For scholars of the US&nbsp;presidency, the speeches that candidates prepare and then discard on election night can be fascinating, Jamieson said, adding that she would have loved to have read the victory speeches prepared by Barry Goldwater, Hubert H. Humphrey and George McGovern, among other losing candidates.

“There’s always a curiosity about where we were about to go, or what we were about to experience,” she said. The speeches, she said, hint at “the course not taken.”

Tim Hogan, a former spokesperson for Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign, said on Twitter that watching her read the speech and choke up “has me sobbing right now.”

Others were not as moved.

“I’m not sure 1) Why Hillary Clinton is teaching a ‘MasterClass’ on anything or 2) Why MasterClass is selling access to watch her cry while reading her 2016 victory speech that was all for naught,” Spencer Brown, a managing editor of the conservative website townhall.com, wrote on Twitter.

Jim Hobart, a Republican pollster and a partner at Public Opinion Strategies, said that reading the speech was simply a way to promote the class.

“She has a product to sell, a new product, and it’s clear that she thinks reading what would have been her 2016 acceptance speech is the best way to sell that product,” Hobart said. “I don’t think it’s really anything more than that.”

MasterClass charges $15-$23 a month for subscriptions. The site plans to release a class from former President Bill Clinton on Dec. 19 and from former President George W. Bush in the spring.

It is a glimpse at an alternate political universe: the speech Hillary Clinton would have given on election night, had she not lost to Donald Trump in 2016. Clinton reads the discarded speech aloud for her offering on the streaming site MasterClass, which features lessons from prominent figures in the arts, business, food and other fields.

It is a glimpse at an alternate political universe: the speech Hillary Clinton would have given on election night, had she not lost to Donald Trump in 2016. Clinton reads the discarded speech aloud for her offering on the streaming site MasterClass, which features lessons from prominent figures in the arts, business, food and other fields. Clinton is promoting her class, “The Power of Resilience,” on Twitter, and a clip of her reading an excerpt from the speech — and tearing up at one point — was released by the “Today” show Wednesday. The video — and the class — generated mockery from Clinton’s detractors on the right and the left, as well as praise from her supporters, who said they found it moving. Watch | Gravitas : The greatest speeches ever made “In this lesson, I’m going to face one of my most public defeats head-on by sharing with you the speech I had hoped to deliver if I had won the 2016 election,” Clinton says in the video. “I’ve never shared this with anybody,” she says. “I’ve never read it out loud.” In the long-shelved victory speech to “my fellow Americans,” Clinton strikes themes of unity and reflects on what would have been her history-making election as the first female president. She recalls meeting women who were born before women had the right to vote as well as boys and girls who didn’t understand why a woman had never been president before. “Now they know, and the world knows, that in America, every boy and every girl can grow up to be whatever they dream — even president of the United States,” Clinton says. She chokes up when she discusses her mother and mentor, Dorothy Rodham, who grew up in poverty and was abandoned by her parents as an 8-year-old girl. She died in 2011 at age 92. “I dream of going up to her, and sitting down next to her, taking her in my arms, and saying, ‘Look at me. Listen to me. You will survive,’” Clinton says. “ ‘You will have a good family of your own and three children. And as hard as it might be to imagine, your daughter will grow up and become the president of the United States.’” Kathleen Hall Jamieson, a professor of communication at the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg School for Communication, said she found that part of the speech striking. “Had Hillary Clinton communicated more of that narrative, she would have had more of a successful presidential run,” Jamieson said. “I read that as an interesting, coherent explanation of what would have motivated Hillary Clinton to be a public servant.” Clinton had planned to deliver the speech at an elaborate celebration on the night of Nov. 8, 2016, complete with confetti shaped like glass shards that would fall from the glass ceiling of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York. Instead, she gave a hastily scheduled speech in a dreary hotel ballroom on the day after the election, in which she said the country was “more deeply divided than we thought.” “This loss hurts,” she said that day. “But please never stop believing that fighting for what’s right is worth it.” For scholars of the US presidency, the speeches that candidates prepare and then discard on election night can be fascinating, Jamieson said, adding that she would have loved to have read the victory speeches prepared by Barry Goldwater, Hubert H. Humphrey and George McGovern, among other losing candidates. “There’s always a curiosity about where we were about to go, or what we were about to experience,” she said. The speeches, she said, hint at “the course not taken.” Tim Hogan, a former spokesperson for Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign, said on Twitter that watching her read the speech and choke up “has me sobbing right now.” Others were not as moved. “I’m not sure 1) Why Hillary Clinton is teaching a ‘MasterClass’ on anything or 2) Why MasterClass is selling access to watch her cry while reading her 2016 victory speech that was all for naught,” Spencer Brown, a managing editor of the conservative website townhall.com, wrote on Twitter. Jim Hobart, a Republican pollster and a partner at Public Opinion Strategies, said that reading the speech was simply a way to promote the class. “She has a product to sell, a new product, and it’s clear that she thinks reading what would have been her 2016 acceptance speech is the best way to sell that product,” Hobart said. “I don’t think it’s really anything more than that.” MasterClass charges $15-$23 a month for subscriptions. The site plans to release a class from former President Bill Clinton on Dec. 19 and from former President George W. Bush in the spring.

Hillary Clinton reads discarded victory speech from 2016 election

UNICEF has expressed concern that reimplementing the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) at the US southern border with Mexico, as required by court order, could threaten the safety and wellbeing of asylum-seeking children and their families.

The MPP is a US government program, launched on January 1, 2019, under former President Donald Trump. Known as the "Remain in Mexico" policy, it mandates that certain citizens and nationals of countries other than Mexico be returned to Mexico while their American removal proceedings are pending.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/remain-in-mexico-us-sends-back-two-mexican-migrants-under-controversial-trump-era-policy-435442">'Remain in Mexico': US sends back two Mexican migrants under controversial Trump-era policy</a>

The MPP applies to those who arrive by land from Mexico.

"Following the initial implementation of MPP in January 2019, more than 70,000 asylum seekers were forced to return to Mexico until US immigration courts could resolve their cases. Those subject to MPP, including many children and adolescents, waited for months in shelters and makeshift camps in Mexico without access to appropriate housing, hygiene, nutrition and essential services," the UN agency said in a statement.

Although the Unicef welcomes "commitments from the US government to assist Central American countries in tackling the root causes of migration and provide humanitarian assistance to those in need", it contended that the MPP could have "profound consequences for children, many of whom have been left with no safe options to escape dire conditions and threats in their home countries".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unprecedented-number-of-migrants-cross-mexico-border-us-govt-405181">'Unprecedented' number of migrants cross Mexico border: US govt</a>

"All migrant children have the right to protection, essential services, to live in adequate conditions with dignity and to be with their families.

"Children - no matter where they come from or what their migration status - are children first and foremost. It is imperative that all governments prioritize the protection and wellbeing of children in line with their best interests and guarantee their access to asylum procedures in a timely manner," the Unicef statement added.

In a memorandum issued on June 1, the Secretary of Homeland Security stated that the MPP should be terminated.

However, on August 13, the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas ruled that the June 1 memo did not comply with the Administrative Procedure Act and ordered DHS to "enforce and implement MPP in good faith."

Watch |&nbsp;Mexico: 49 migrants killed, dozens injured in Mexico truck accident

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/mexico-49-migrants-killed-dozens-injured-in-mexico-truck-accident-435696/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

As a result of the extensive review conducted by the Department of Homeland Security, the Department issued a new memorandum terminating MPP on October 29. DHS will implement the new memorandum as soon as practicable after the issuance of the final judicial decision vacating the Texas injunction.

Till then in compliance with the order, the MPP has been restarted and on Wednesday, US authorities returned the first two migrants to Mexico under the reinstated "Remain in Mexico" policy.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

UNICEF has expressed concern that reimplementing the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) at the US southern border with Mexico, as required by court order, could threaten the safety and wellbeing of asylum-seeking children and their families.

UNICEF has expressed concern that reimplementing the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) at the US southern border with Mexico, as required by court order, could threaten the safety and wellbeing of asylum-seeking children and their families. The MPP is a US government program, launched on January 1, 2019, under former President Donald Trump. Known as the "Remain in Mexico" policy, it mandates that certain citizens and nationals of countries other than Mexico be returned to Mexico while their American removal proceedings are pending. Also read | 'Remain in Mexico': US sends back two Mexican migrants under controversial Trump-era policy The MPP applies to those who arrive by land from Mexico. "Following the initial implementation of MPP in January 2019, more than 70,000 asylum seekers were forced to return to Mexico until US immigration courts could resolve their cases. Those subject to MPP, including many children and adolescents, waited for months in shelters and makeshift camps in Mexico without access to appropriate housing, hygiene, nutrition and essential services," the UN agency said in a statement. Although the Unicef welcomes "commitments from the US government to assist Central American countries in tackling the root causes of migration and provide humanitarian assistance to those in need", it contended that the MPP could have "profound consequences for children, many of whom have been left with no safe options to escape dire conditions and threats in their home countries". Also read | 'Unprecedented' number of migrants cross Mexico border: US govt "All migrant children have the right to protection, essential services, to live in adequate conditions with dignity and to be with their families. "Children - no matter where they come from or what their migration status - are children first and foremost. It is imperative that all governments prioritize the protection and wellbeing of children in line with their best interests and guarantee their access to asylum procedures in a timely manner," the Unicef statement added. In a memorandum issued on June 1, the Secretary of Homeland Security stated that the MPP should be terminated. However, on August 13, the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas ruled that the June 1 memo did not comply with the Administrative Procedure Act and ordered DHS to "enforce and implement MPP in good faith." Watch | Mexico: 49 migrants killed, dozens injured in Mexico truck accident As a result of the extensive review conducted by the Department of Homeland Security, the Department issued a new memorandum terminating MPP on October 29. DHS will implement the new memorandum as soon as practicable after the issuance of the final judicial decision vacating the Texas injunction. Till then in compliance with the order, the MPP has been restarted and on Wednesday, US authorities returned the first two migrants to Mexico under the reinstated "Remain in Mexico" policy. (With inputs from agencies)

UNICEF expresses concern over reimplementation of Trump-era 'Remain in Mexico' policy

The House on Thursday passed a package of constraints on presidential power, which Democrats framed as a response to Donald Trump’s norm-busting presidency and Republicans unanimously opposed for the same reason.

By a nearly party-line vote of 220-208, the House approved the Protecting Our Democracy Act, which would impose new curbs on executive power. Proponents of tighter government ethics have long sought many of the measures, and Republicans have supported them, but they have been recast as partisan issues because of their association with Trump.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unicef-expresses-concern-over-reimplementation-of-trump-era-remain-in-mexico-policy-435815" hreflang="en">UNICEF expresses concern over reimplementation of Trump-era "Remain in Mexico" policy</a>

“Disturbingly, the last administration saw our democracy in crisis with a rogue president who trampled over the guardrails protecting our Republic,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. “Now, Congress has the solemn responsibility and opportunity to safeguard our democracy, ensuring that past abuses can never be perpetrated by any president of any party.”

The legislation would require presidential candidates to disclose their tax returns, which Trump refused to do.

The act would also strengthen the Constitution’s previously obscure ban on presidents taking emoluments, or payments, by extending the anti-corruption prohibition to commercial transactions. Trump’s refusal to divest from his hotels raised the question of whether lobbyists and other governments that began paying for numerous rooms at Trump resorts — and sometimes not using them — were trying to purchase his favour.

The bill would also require campaigns to report any offers of foreign assistance to the FBI — a proposal that resonates with episodes unearthed in the Russia investigation, such as when Donald Trump Jr. and other senior campaign officials met at Trump Tower with Russians they were told had dirt on Hillary Clinton.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-wins-appeal-over-extradition-of-wikileaks-founder-julian-assange-435800" hreflang="en">United States wins appeal over extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange</a>

The package now moves to the Senate, where the 60-vote threshold for passing legislation means that Republicans can block it. Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., who managed his party’s side of the House debate, said there was “no apparent path for the bill in the Senate.”

But supporters of the bill envision breaking it up and attaching different components to other legislation in the Senate in a bid to regain bipartisan backing for elements that Republicans have supported in the past.

Among many other things, the bill would make it harder for presidents to bestow pardons in bribery like contexts. It would create new protections against firing inspectors general without a good reason or retaliating against whistleblowers. And it would constrain a president’s ability to spend or secretly freeze funds contrary to congressional appropriations.

It would also speed up lawsuits over congressional subpoenas so that stonewalling by the executive branch cannot run out the clock on oversight efforts; require the Justice Department to give Congress logs of contacts with White House officials; and strengthen the Hatch Act, which prohibits federal employees from engaging in campaign politics at work.

The legislation’s path has also been slowed by uncertainty among Senate Democrats about the Biden administration’s support. The White House on Thursday morning issued a statement of administration policy that supported the bill, citing “the formidable, but essential, challenge of reinforcing the norms and safeguards that prevent our democracy from eroding.”

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/kamala-harris-never-uses-bluetooth-headphones-heres-why-435718" hreflang="en">Kamala Harris never uses bluetooth headphones. Here's why</a>

Ian Bassin a founder and the executive director of Protect Democracy, which supports the bill and worked with House Democrats on developing some of its provisions, praised the White House for supporting the legislation even though it would curb executive authority.

“The Biden administration deserves major credit here for doing something executives rarely do: agreeing to support legislative curbs on their own power,” Bassin said, adding: “Now that the White House has announced its support, it needs to work with the Senate promptly to enact these provisions.”

Still, the White House statement was not unqualified. It included a vague caveat that the administration would continue to work with Congress to ensure the bill would uphold “the long-standing interests of the executive branch that are essential to effective governance and efficient use of taxpayer resources and consistent with our constitutional structure” without specifying any particular provisions it had concerns about.

The White House had spent months negotiating with House Democrats, who dropped some of their original ideas in response to its constitutional or policy objections before introducing the package in September. But Democratic lawmakers insisted on keeping some provisions with which the administration had expressed concerns, according to people familiar with the matter, including making it harder for presidents to fire inspectors general.

Watch |&nbsp;President Joe Biden signs executive order to make US government carbon-neutral by 2050

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/president-joe-biden-signs-executive-order-to-make-us-government-carbon-neutral-by-2050-435816/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Throughout a nearly four-hour debate on the bill and amendments, House Democrats portrayed its provisions as necessary to fix weaknesses in the American system of separation of powers that the Trump administration had exposed.

“Our system was founded upon a respect for the rule of law and a carefully constructed balance of powers among the three branches,” said Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., the bill’s chief sponsor. “That system has throughout history been tested. And just as after Watergate, Congress worked to enact reforms, so we must now examine the cracks in the democratic foundation and address them. That’s what this bill does.”

Republicans portrayed it as a partisan attack on Trump while oscillating between denouncing Trump-related investigations and raising other matters such as inflation, violent crime, illegal immigration, gas prices and voter fraud fears.

“This bill is nothing but a continuation of the Democrats’ obsession with President Trump,” said Rep. Mary Miller, R-Ill.

Democrats offered a muddled message about whether they wanted the bill to be seen as concerning Trump. They insisted at times that it was about the future, emphasizing that he was no longer president and that many elements of the bill had Republican support in other contexts.

“Joe Biden is our president now,” said Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., who managed her party’s side of the debate. She added: “And these bold, good government reforms will impact his administration, as well as future presidents of both parties. It is not about the past; it is about the future and the strengthening of our democracy.”

But Democrats also kept emphasising abuses of the Trump era — and lawmakers on both sides raised the possibility that he might run for president again. Interpreting the bill partly as a referendum on Trump’s actions proved to be an inescapable political reality.

“Setting aside the Democrats’ neurotic obsession with all things Donald Trump, this measure has many provisions that would receive bipartisan support if the bill’s author were so inclined,” said Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif.

The House on Thursday passed a package of constraints on presidential power, which Democrats framed as a response to Donald Trump’s norm-busting presidency and Republicans unanimously opposed for the same reason.

The House on Thursday passed a package of constraints on presidential power, which Democrats framed as a response to Donald Trump’s norm-busting presidency and Republicans unanimously opposed for the same reason. By a nearly party-line vote of 220-208, the House approved the Protecting Our Democracy Act, which would impose new curbs on executive power. Proponents of tighter government ethics have long sought many of the measures, and Republicans have supported them, but they have been recast as partisan issues because of their association with Trump. Also read | UNICEF expresses concern over reimplementation of Trump-era "Remain in Mexico" policy “Disturbingly, the last administration saw our democracy in crisis with a rogue president who trampled over the guardrails protecting our Republic,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. “Now, Congress has the solemn responsibility and opportunity to safeguard our democracy, ensuring that past abuses can never be perpetrated by any president of any party.” The legislation would require presidential candidates to disclose their tax returns, which Trump refused to do. The act would also strengthen the Constitution’s previously obscure ban on presidents taking emoluments, or payments, by extending the anti-corruption prohibition to commercial transactions. Trump’s refusal to divest from his hotels raised the question of whether lobbyists and other governments that began paying for numerous rooms at Trump resorts — and sometimes not using them — were trying to purchase his favour. The bill would also require campaigns to report any offers of foreign assistance to the FBI — a proposal that resonates with episodes unearthed in the Russia investigation, such as when Donald Trump Jr. and other senior campaign officials met at Trump Tower with Russians they were told had dirt on Hillary Clinton. Also read | United States wins appeal over extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange The package now moves to the Senate, where the 60-vote threshold for passing legislation means that Republicans can block it. Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., who managed his party’s side of the House debate, said there was “no apparent path for the bill in the Senate.” But supporters of the bill envision breaking it up and attaching different components to other legislation in the Senate in a bid to regain bipartisan backing for elements that Republicans have supported in the past. Among many other things, the bill would make it harder for presidents to bestow pardons in bribery like contexts. It would create new protections against firing inspectors general without a good reason or retaliating against whistleblowers. And it would constrain a president’s ability to spend or secretly freeze funds contrary to congressional appropriations. It would also speed up lawsuits over congressional subpoenas so that stonewalling by the executive branch cannot run out the clock on oversight efforts; require the Justice Department to give Congress logs of contacts with White House officials; and strengthen the Hatch Act, which prohibits federal employees from engaging in campaign politics at work. The legislation’s path has also been slowed by uncertainty among Senate Democrats about the Biden administration’s support. The White House on Thursday morning issued a statement of administration policy that supported the bill, citing “the formidable, but essential, challenge of reinforcing the norms and safeguards that prevent our democracy from eroding.” Also read | Kamala Harris never uses bluetooth headphones. Here's why Ian Bassin a founder and the executive director of Protect Democracy, which supports the bill and worked with House Democrats on developing some of its provisions, praised the White House for supporting the legislation even though it would curb executive authority. “The Biden administration deserves major credit here for doing something executives rarely do: agreeing to support legislative curbs on their own power,” Bassin said, adding: “Now that the White House has announced its support, it needs to work with the Senate promptly to enact these provisions.” Still, the White House statement was not unqualified. It included a vague caveat that the administration would continue to work with Congress to ensure the bill would uphold “the long-standing interests of the executive branch that are essential to effective governance and efficient use of taxpayer resources and consistent with our constitutional structure” without specifying any particular provisions it had concerns about. The White House had spent months negotiating with House Democrats, who dropped some of their original ideas in response to its constitutional or policy objections before introducing the package in September. But Democratic lawmakers insisted on keeping some provisions with which the administration had expressed concerns, according to people familiar with the matter, including making it harder for presidents to fire inspectors general. Watch | President Joe Biden signs executive order to make US government carbon-neutral by 2050 Throughout a nearly four-hour debate on the bill and amendments, House Democrats portrayed its provisions as necessary to fix weaknesses in the American system of separation of powers that the Trump administration had exposed. “Our system was founded upon a respect for the rule of law and a carefully constructed balance of powers among the three branches,” said Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., the bill’s chief sponsor. “That system has throughout history been tested. And just as after Watergate, Congress worked to enact reforms, so we must now examine the cracks in the democratic foundation and address them. That’s what this bill does.” Republicans portrayed it as a partisan attack on Trump while oscillating between denouncing Trump-related investigations and raising other matters such as inflation, violent crime, illegal immigration, gas prices and voter fraud fears. “This bill is nothing but a continuation of the Democrats’ obsession with President Trump,” said Rep. Mary Miller, R-Ill. Democrats offered a muddled message about whether they wanted the bill to be seen as concerning Trump. They insisted at times that it was about the future, emphasizing that he was no longer president and that many elements of the bill had Republican support in other contexts. “Joe Biden is our president now,” said Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., who managed her party’s side of the debate. She added: “And these bold, good government reforms will impact his administration, as well as future presidents of both parties. It is not about the past; it is about the future and the strengthening of our democracy.” But Democrats also kept emphasising abuses of the Trump era — and lawmakers on both sides raised the possibility that he might run for president again. Interpreting the bill partly as a referendum on Trump’s actions proved to be an inescapable political reality. “Setting aside the Democrats’ neurotic obsession with all things Donald Trump, this measure has many provisions that would receive bipartisan support if the bill’s author were so inclined,” said Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif.

House approves post-Trump curbs on presidential power

A big setback for former President Donald Trump as US Federal court rejected his appeal to withhold the White House's records related to the Capitol riots incident.

Capitol Riots: US Federal court rejects former President Donald Trump's appeal to withhold records

On Wednesday, US authorities returned the first two migrants to Mexico under the reinstated "Remain in Mexico" policy.

According to Trump-era policy, asylum-seekers have to wait in Mexico for an immigration court hearing in the United States.

In a statement, the UN International Organization for Migration said that the migrants were sent to Mexico by way of a bridge in Ciudad Juarez, across the border from El Paso, Texas. Nationalities of the two were not provided by the UN Agency.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unprecedented-number-of-migrants-cross-mexico-border-us-govt-405181">'Unprecedented' number of migrants cross Mexico border: US govt</a>

Upon arrival, Mexican officials provided them with documents, and UN officials gave them coronavirus tests and transported them to a shelter. Mexico says the US Government has committed to vaccinating all migrants returning under the program.

On Monday, US President Joe Biden's administration reinstated the policy to comply with a court order and agreed to the changes and additions Mexico requested.

According to a US official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because details weren't made public, the return of migrants to Ciudad Juárez was set to begin in El Paso with up to 50 migrants being sent there every day.

Also read |&nbsp;​​​​​​​<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-migrant-caravan-in-mexico-pushes-past-blockade-to-head-north-423467">New migrant caravan in Mexico pushes past blockade to head north</a>

The Homeland Security Department confirmed that returning has started at one location and will expand to six more in the near future. Citing 'operational security reasons,' it declined to identify the launch city or how many migrants will be processed.

As a response to Mexico's concerns that applicants will languish in a backlogged court system of 1.5 million cases, the US has pledged to try to complete cases within 180 days.

In January 2019, President Trump introduced a policy that forced approximately 70,000 asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico, sometimes for months.

Also read |&nbsp;​​​​​​​<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-mexico-border-arrests-reach-record-highs-reveals-report-423367">US-Mexico border: Arrests reach record highs, reveals report</a>

President Biden suspended this policy on his first day in office. He ended the controversial Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) in pursuit of what he called a more humane approach toward immigration. Biden's move, however, was found to have not followed proper procedure and a federal judge reinstated MPP in August.

(With inputs from agencies)

On Wednesday, US authorities returned the first two migrants to Mexico under the reinstated "Remain in Mexico" policy. According to Trump-era policy, asylum-seekers have to wait in Mexico for an immigration court hearing in the United States.

On Wednesday, US authorities returned the first two migrants to Mexico under the reinstated "Remain in Mexico" policy. According to Trump-era policy, asylum-seekers have to wait in Mexico for an immigration court hearing in the United States. In a statement, the UN International Organization for Migration said that the migrants were sent to Mexico by way of a bridge in Ciudad Juarez, across the border from El Paso, Texas. Nationalities of the two were not provided by the UN Agency. Also read | 'Unprecedented' number of migrants cross Mexico border: US govt Upon arrival, Mexican officials provided them with documents, and UN officials gave them coronavirus tests and transported them to a shelter. Mexico says the US Government has committed to vaccinating all migrants returning under the program. On Monday, US President Joe Biden's administration reinstated the policy to comply with a court order and agreed to the changes and additions Mexico requested. According to a US official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because details weren't made public, the return of migrants to Ciudad Juárez was set to begin in El Paso with up to 50 migrants being sent there every day. Also read | New migrant caravan in Mexico pushes past blockade to head north The Homeland Security Department confirmed that returning has started at one location and will expand to six more in the near future. Citing 'operational security reasons,' it declined to identify the launch city or how many migrants will be processed. As a response to Mexico's concerns that applicants will languish in a backlogged court system of 1.5 million cases, the US has pledged to try to complete cases within 180 days. In January 2019, President Trump introduced a policy that forced approximately 70,000 asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico, sometimes for months. Also read | US-Mexico border: Arrests reach record highs, reveals report President Biden suspended this policy on his first day in office. He ended the controversial Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) in pursuit of what he called a more humane approach toward immigration. Biden's move, however, was found to have not followed proper procedure and a federal judge reinstated MPP in August. (With inputs from agencies)

'Remain in Mexico': US sends back two Mexican migrants under controversial Trump-era policy

President Donald Trump’s blood oxygen level sank to a precariously low level after he announced that he had tested positive for the coronavirus last year, according to a new book by Mark Meadows, his former chief of staff.

The new details contradict Trump’s denials this year that his COVID bout was more dire than White House medical officials had acknowledged at the time.

Meadows’ book, titled “The Chief’s Chief,” goes on sale Tuesday. He describes his tenure in the White House, alternately promoting Trump’s false claims that the 2020 election was stolen from him and attacking the news media. Meadows also revealed previously undisclosed details about the former president’s medical condition in October 2020.

Trump, who has long been fearful of appearing weak, has tried to camouflage those details. The White House staff and members of his medical team aided that effort, publicly downplaying how sick he was at the time. The former president denied a detailed New York Times report this year that he was more ill than his aides had revealed, with depressed oxygen levels and lung infiltrates, which occur when they are inflamed and filled with fluid or bacteria.

Meadows recounts in extraordinary detail how severe Trump’s illness was.

On Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, hours after the president announced on Twitter that he had tested positive for the virus, he recorded a blood oxygen level of about 86%, Meadows wrote. That is roughly 10 points below what would be considered normal. Most healthy people have a blood oxygen level of about 95 to 98%, although some people may have lower normal readings.

Trump’s health had deteriorated so much that day that members of his medical team feared they would not be able to treat him adequately without immediate attention from hospital staff, Meadows wrote.

“That morning, Dr. Conley pulled me aside and delivered some bad news,” Meadows wrote, referring to Dr. Sean Conley, the head of Trump’s White House medical team. “Although the president’s condition had improved slightly overnight, his oxygen levels had now dipped down to about 86% and could be trending lower, a dangerously low level for someone his age.”

Meadows wrote that Trump’s doctors “had decided to put the president on oxygen in the residence and hope for the best.”

When it was clear he would need outside care, Trump’s medical team made the case to Meadows to intervene.

“We don’t have the resources to do it here,” Conley told Meadows about the president’s condition.

“I worried that the notion of him going to the hospital, in his mind, would seem like an act of capitulation,” Meadows wrote. “I was right.”

He described walking into Trump’s private residence to see him in a T-shirt, sitting up in bed. “It was the first time I had seen him in anything other than a golf shirt or a suit jacket,” Meadows wrote. The president, he said, was making phone calls and trying to work.

“If it hadn’t been for the oxygen tank by his side, I might have forgotten he was sick at all,” Meadows wrote. But his attention snapped back to Trump’s appearance: “I remembered what Dr. Conley had said. We were in trouble, and the president needed to get to the hospital.”

Trump had red streaks in his eyes, Meadows recounted, and “his hair was a mess from the hours he’d spent getting Regeneron in bed,” referring to an antibody infusion the president had received.

The president was initially resistant to leaving the White House and told Meadows that he was going to be fine. Meadows intensified his pleas. “It’s better that you walk out of here today under your own strength, your own power, than for me to have to carry you out on a gurney in two days,” he recounted.

Trump relented. On the walk out to his helicopter, he had lost so much strength that he dropped a briefcase he had planned to carry outside, where reporters were lined up to observe him, Meadows recalled.

A spokesperson for Trump did not respond to an email seeking comment.

Last week, The Guardian obtained a copy of Meadows’ book and revealed that Trump had first tested positive for the coronavirus on Sept. 26, 2020, three days before his first presidential debate with Joe Biden.

Meadows has criticized reporters for focusing on that test and not the negative result from a different test a short time later. Trump has tried to make the same case, insisting that Meadows had affirmed that he was not sick before or “during” the debate.

Yet in his own book, Meadows writes that “we’ll probably never know whether President Trump was positive that evening.” Trump, according to an adviser, has grown angrier at Meadows in recent days, describing him as “dumb” for discussing the test results.

On Oct. 1, 2020, Trump revealed he was taking a coronavirus test after news reports that his aide Hope Hicks had tested positive. Although the president implied that it was Hicks who had infected him, Meadows wrote that it was clear to him that Trump was already significantly ill that night.

“I’ve lost so much strength,” Meadows quoted Trump as telling him, adding, “The muscles are just not responding.”

By then, Meadows had arranged for a monoclonal antibody therapy made by Regeneron to be secretly delivered to the White House. He said he asked the company’s chief executive, Leonard S. Schleifer, for four doses, mentioning that Hicks and Melania Trump, the first lady, had tested positive. Meadows did not reveal who else might have needed it.

He wrote that a senior aide had orchestrated a “special authorization” to land a small jet at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, where the doses would arrive and be ferried to the president. Food and Drug Administration officials cleared the treatment for Trump, even though it had not yet been authorized by the agency.

“We’d rigged the four-poster bed in the president’s room so that he could recline and take the drug while he was still alert and giving orders,” Meadows wrote.

Trump’s condition after he was hospitalized was still grave. After he was moved to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, in Bethesda, Maryland, Meadows asked for an update from one of the president’s doctors about his condition.

“The Regeneron treatment we’d given him was working, they said, but his oxygen levels were still dangerously low,” Meadows wrote. “Judging by the details he gave me, it was clear that the staff at Walter Reed was prepared for a long stay — weeks, maybe longer.”

He wrote that “every movement was difficult for” Trump. “Every few minutes, he would need to sit back down and rest.”

At one point during the president’s stay, Meadows tried to surreptitiously tell reporters that the situation was more dire and was caught on camera. Trump erupted in anger, according to people who spoke with him.

Within days, and with the help of a cocktail of other drugs, Trump was back at the White House, with aides fearful that he might still have been contagious.

President Donald Trump’s blood oxygen level sank to a precariously low level after he announced that he had tested positive for the coronavirus last year, according to a new book by Mark Meadows, his former chief of staff.

President Donald Trump’s blood oxygen level sank to a precariously low level after he announced that he had tested positive for the coronavirus last year, according to a new book by Mark Meadows, his former chief of staff. The new details contradict Trump’s denials this year that his COVID bout was more dire than White House medical officials had acknowledged at the time. Meadows’ book, titled “The Chief’s Chief,” goes on sale Tuesday. He describes his tenure in the White House, alternately promoting Trump’s false claims that the 2020 election was stolen from him and attacking the news media. Meadows also revealed previously undisclosed details about the former president’s medical condition in October 2020. Trump, who has long been fearful of appearing weak, has tried to camouflage those details. The White House staff and members of his medical team aided that effort, publicly downplaying how sick he was at the time. The former president denied a detailed New York Times report this year that he was more ill than his aides had revealed, with depressed oxygen levels and lung infiltrates, which occur when they are inflamed and filled with fluid or bacteria. Meadows recounts in extraordinary detail how severe Trump’s illness was. On Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, hours after the president announced on Twitter that he had tested positive for the virus, he recorded a blood oxygen level of about 86%, Meadows wrote. That is roughly 10 points below what would be considered normal. Most healthy people have a blood oxygen level of about 95 to 98%, although some people may have lower normal readings. Trump’s health had deteriorated so much that day that members of his medical team feared they would not be able to treat him adequately without immediate attention from hospital staff, Meadows wrote. “That morning, Dr. Conley pulled me aside and delivered some bad news,” Meadows wrote, referring to Dr. Sean Conley, the head of Trump’s White House medical team. “Although the president’s condition had improved slightly overnight, his oxygen levels had now dipped down to about 86% and could be trending lower, a dangerously low level for someone his age.” Meadows wrote that Trump’s doctors “had decided to put the president on oxygen in the residence and hope for the best.” When it was clear he would need outside care, Trump’s medical team made the case to Meadows to intervene. “We don’t have the resources to do it here,” Conley told Meadows about the president’s condition. “I worried that the notion of him going to the hospital, in his mind, would seem like an act of capitulation,” Meadows wrote. “I was right.” He described walking into Trump’s private residence to see him in a T-shirt, sitting up in bed. “It was the first time I had seen him in anything other than a golf shirt or a suit jacket,” Meadows wrote. The president, he said, was making phone calls and trying to work. “If it hadn’t been for the oxygen tank by his side, I might have forgotten he was sick at all,” Meadows wrote. But his attention snapped back to Trump’s appearance: “I remembered what Dr. Conley had said. We were in trouble, and the president needed to get to the hospital.” Trump had red streaks in his eyes, Meadows recounted, and “his hair was a mess from the hours he’d spent getting Regeneron in bed,” referring to an antibody infusion the president had received. The president was initially resistant to leaving the White House and told Meadows that he was going to be fine. Meadows intensified his pleas. “It’s better that you walk out of here today under your own strength, your own power, than for me to have to carry you out on a gurney in two days,” he recounted. Trump relented. On the walk out to his helicopter, he had lost so much strength that he dropped a briefcase he had planned to carry outside, where reporters were lined up to observe him, Meadows recalled. A spokesperson for Trump did not respond to an email seeking comment. Last week, The Guardian obtained a copy of Meadows’ book and revealed that Trump had first tested positive for the coronavirus on Sept. 26, 2020, three days before his first presidential debate with Joe Biden. Meadows has criticized reporters for focusing on that test and not the negative result from a different test a short time later. Trump has tried to make the same case, insisting that Meadows had affirmed that he was not sick before or “during” the debate. Yet in his own book, Meadows writes that “we’ll probably never know whether President Trump was positive that evening.” Trump, according to an adviser, has grown angrier at Meadows in recent days, describing him as “dumb” for discussing the test results. On Oct. 1, 2020, Trump revealed he was taking a coronavirus test after news reports that his aide Hope Hicks had tested positive. Although the president implied that it was Hicks who had infected him, Meadows wrote that it was clear to him that Trump was already significantly ill that night. “I’ve lost so much strength,” Meadows quoted Trump as telling him, adding, “The muscles are just not responding.” By then, Meadows had arranged for a monoclonal antibody therapy made by Regeneron to be secretly delivered to the White House. He said he asked the company’s chief executive, Leonard S. Schleifer, for four doses, mentioning that Hicks and Melania Trump, the first lady, had tested positive. Meadows did not reveal who else might have needed it. He wrote that a senior aide had orchestrated a “special authorization” to land a small jet at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, where the doses would arrive and be ferried to the president. Food and Drug Administration officials cleared the treatment for Trump, even though it had not yet been authorized by the agency. “We’d rigged the four-poster bed in the president’s room so that he could recline and take the drug while he was still alert and giving orders,” Meadows wrote. Trump’s condition after he was hospitalized was still grave. After he was moved to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, in Bethesda, Maryland, Meadows asked for an update from one of the president’s doctors about his condition. “The Regeneron treatment we’d given him was working, they said, but his oxygen levels were still dangerously low,” Meadows wrote. “Judging by the details he gave me, it was clear that the staff at Walter Reed was prepared for a long stay — weeks, maybe longer.” He wrote that “every movement was difficult for” Trump. “Every few minutes, he would need to sit back down and rest.” At one point during the president’s stay, Meadows tried to surreptitiously tell reporters that the situation was more dire and was caught on camera. Trump erupted in anger, according to people who spoke with him. Within days, and with the help of a cocktail of other drugs, Trump was back at the White House, with aides fearful that he might still have been contagious.

Trump’s blood oxygen level in Covid bout was dangerously low, former aide says

If the US election 2020 were held a year later, in November 20201, more Americans would have voted in favour of the former reality TV star, Donald Trump, rather than for Joe Biden.<o:p></o:p>

As per a survey conducted by the new Harvard CAPS-Harris poll, 48 per cent Americans claimed that they would have voted for Donald Trump, whereas only 45 per cent promised to back Biden.

<o:p></o:p>

The survey was released exclusively to The Hill.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2024-poll-shows-80-republicans-want-donald-trump-to-run-422257">US election 2024: Poll shows 80% Republicans want Donald Trump to run</a></o:p>

When it came to American men, 50 per cent of men backed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump?page=1">Trump</a> and only 43 per cent supported Biden, whereas in women the vote was equally split at 46 per cent. <o:p></o:p>

However, in the urban population it was Biden who won the votes by 20 percentage point and by four percentage points in suburban areas. The rural population, however, said they would have liked to see Trump continue with his term as Trump led by 33 percentage points in those areas in this survey.<o:p></o:p>

This poll comes at a time when there are murmurs about whether or not Donald Trump will re-run for US election 2024. The data collected by this survey shows that if Trump contests, he may actually have a fair chance at winning back the control of White House, irrespective of the impeachment cases on him in the past.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2024-former-us-president-donald-trump-favourite-candidate-biden-lagging-behind-420648">US election 2024: Former US President Donald Trump favourite candidate, Biden lagging behind</a></o:p>

"The collapse of Biden has led to a surge for President Trump on all fronts both in the GOP primary and in a potential general election," pollster&nbsp;Mark Penn was quoted by The Hill.<o:p></o:p>

This data shows an opposite reality of what really happened in US election 2020. Joe Biden had conquered the elections last year by nearly seven million votes, owing to his strong presence in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.<o:p></o:p>

The new survey also goes in line with a survey conducted by Quinnipiac University in October 2021 in which it was revealed that nearly 80 per cent of Republicans want former President Donald Trump to run in the US election 2024.<o:p></o:p>

If the US election 2020 were held a year later, in November 20201, more Americans would have voted in favour of the former reality TV star, Donald Trump, rather than for Joe Biden.

If the US election 2020 were held a year later, in November 20201, more Americans would have voted in favour of the former reality TV star, Donald Trump, rather than for Joe Biden. As per a survey conducted by the new Harvard CAPS-Harris poll, 48 per cent Americans claimed that they would have voted for Donald Trump, whereas only 45 per cent promised to back Biden. The survey was released exclusively to The Hill. Also read | US election 2024: Poll shows 80% Republicans want Donald Trump to run When it came to American men, 50 per cent of men backed Trump and only 43 per cent supported Biden, whereas in women the vote was equally split at 46 per cent. However, in the urban population it was Biden who won the votes by 20 percentage point and by four percentage points in suburban areas. The rural population, however, said they would have liked to see Trump continue with his term as Trump led by 33 percentage points in those areas in this survey. This poll comes at a time when there are murmurs about whether or not Donald Trump will re-run for US election 2024. The data collected by this survey shows that if Trump contests, he may actually have a fair chance at winning back the control of White House, irrespective of the impeachment cases on him in the past. Also read | US election 2024: Former US President Donald Trump favourite candidate, Biden lagging behind "The collapse of Biden has led to a surge for President Trump on all fronts both in the GOP primary and in a potential general election," pollster Mark Penn was quoted by The Hill. This data shows an opposite reality of what really happened in US election 2020. Joe Biden had conquered the elections last year by nearly seven million votes, owing to his strong presence in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. The new survey also goes in line with a survey conducted by Quinnipiac University in October 2021 in which it was revealed that nearly 80 per cent of Republicans want former President Donald Trump to run in the US election 2024.

Donald Trump would have won if US election were held today: Poll

The top financial regulators at the Wall Street are investigating into Donald Trump's new social media venture on the stock market. The blank-cheque acquisition firm Digital World Acquisition Corporation has disclosed in a regulatory filing.

US finance regulators investigate Donald Trump's new social media deal

Former US president Donald Trump seems to be inching closer to make his new social media platform 'Truth Social’, a reality. &nbsp;

In the latest development, Trump's new social media company and its special purpose acquisition company partner said the partner has agreements for $1 billion in capital from institutional investors. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-putin-all-set-for-video-meet-on-tuesday-amid-ukraine-crisis-434185" hreflang="en">Biden, Putin all set for video meet on Tuesday amid Ukraine crisis</a>

In October, Trump launched new company, Trump Media &amp; Technology Group. The former president looks to come up with a new messaging app called 'Truth Social’ to rival Twitter and the other social media platforms that banned him after Capitol riots. &nbsp;&nbsp;

According to the plan, the Trump Media &amp; Technology Group wants to become a publicly listed company through a merger with the publicly traded Digital World Acquisition Corp, which is a special purpose acquisition company whose purpose is to acquire a private company and make it public. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-airspace-incursions-by-chinese-military-look-like-rehearsals-says-us-defense-secretary-lloyd-austin-434227" hreflang="en">Taiwan airspace incursions by&nbsp;Chinese military look&nbsp;like 'rehearsals', says US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin</a>

In the press release issued on Saturday, Trump Media and Digital World did not identify the institutional investors. After the two companies are combined, the money would come from 'a diverse group' of investors, it said. &nbsp;

In the release, Digital World CEO Patrick Orlando, said, "I am confident that TMTG can effectively deploy this capital to accelerate and strengthen the execution of its business, including by continuing to attract top talent, hire top technology providers, and roll out significant advertising and business development campaigns." &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Former US president Donald Trump seems to be inching closer to make his new social media platform 'Truth Social’, a reality. In the latest development, Trump's new social media company and its special purpose acquisition company partner said the partner has agreements for $1 billion in capital from institutional investors.

Former US president Donald Trump seems to be inching closer to make his new social media platform 'Truth Social’, a reality. In the latest development, Trump's new social media company and its special purpose acquisition company partner said the partner has agreements for $1 billion in capital from institutional investors. Also Read: Biden, Putin all set for video meet on Tuesday amid Ukraine crisis In October, Trump launched new company, Trump Media & Technology Group. The former president looks to come up with a new messaging app called 'Truth Social’ to rival Twitter and the other social media platforms that banned him after Capitol riots. According to the plan, the Trump Media & Technology Group wants to become a publicly listed company through a merger with the publicly traded Digital World Acquisition Corp, which is a special purpose acquisition company whose purpose is to acquire a private company and make it public. Also Read: Taiwan airspace incursions by Chinese military look like 'rehearsals', says US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin In the press release issued on Saturday, Trump Media and Digital World did not identify the institutional investors. After the two companies are combined, the money would come from 'a diverse group' of investors, it said. In the release, Digital World CEO Patrick Orlando, said, "I am confident that TMTG can effectively deploy this capital to accelerate and strengthen the execution of its business, including by continuing to attract top talent, hire top technology providers, and roll out significant advertising and business development campaigns." (With inputs from agencies)

Former US president Donald Trump's social media company gets agreements for $1 billion in capital

How has Iran been doing after US left landmark nuclear deal?

Former advisor to the Israeli Ministry of Defence Ely Karmon spoke to WION on Tuesday to present a breakdown of Iran’s uranium enrichment plan.

He said that Iranians have 3,000 kilograms of enriched uranium and are capable to produce a nuclear bomb in two months.

“Iranians, today, have the capability to produce a nuclear bomb in two months. They have 3,000 kilograms of enriched uranium, from this 120 kg is 60 per cent pure, which means that with 200 kilograms they can build a bomb. They are now probably preparing to reach 90 per cent purity,” said Karmon, who is a senior research scholar at International Institute for Counter-Terrorism.

Karmon also dispelled Iran’s long-held assertion that their nuclear programme is only for civilian purposes.

“Israel has the archives of the (Iran’s) nuclear program, which clearly shows that they aim it to use for military purposes. They, however, stopped mid-way because of the threat from the US. We also understand that they are producing nuclear missiles, which has the capability to hit at the distance of 2,000 kilometres,” Karmon said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-hopes-for-nuclear-deal-fade-iran-rebuilds-and-risks-grow-431186">As hopes for nuclear deal fade, Iran rebuilds and risks grow</a>

When asked whether Iran would pause their military nuclear programme under pressure from the US, Karmon said, “US has become much weaker because it retreated from the Middle East momentarily and suffered a loss in Afghanistan and also, they didn’t arrive in any agreement with the North Koreans. So, Iranians are clearly sure that the US cannot impose their will on them.”

Karmon said that even if a nuclear agreement with Iran is reached, there is always a possibility that Tehran would restart its military nuclear programme.

&nbsp;“We need a sensitive intelligence, and at the moment US is not controlling what happens on the ground. According to information from national defence forces, they have already prepared to reach 90 per cent purity, which means they want to go nuclear,” he said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/either-we-agree-on-everything-or-agree-on-nothing-iran-warns-us-over-nuclear-deal-427765">Either we agree on everything or agree on nothing: Iran warns US over nuclear deal</a>

Currently, negotiations are underway between Iran, Russia, China, Germany, France and the UK to revive reviving Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal.

The United States, which was instrumental in drafting the 2015 nuclear deal, momentarily stepped out after pressure from the then-president Donald Trump in 2018.

But then in 2019, President Joe Biden signalled his intention to rejoin the talks.

Tehran has been enriching uranium up to 60 per cent purity — a short step from weapons-grade levels of 90 per cent.&nbsp; According to reports, Iran has also been stepping up the use of advanced centrifuges at sites barred by the accord, and its uranium stockpile now far exceeds the accord’s limits.

Former advisor to the Israeli Ministry of Defence Ely Karmon spoke to WION on Tuesday to present a breakdown of Iran’s uranium enrichment plan. He said that Iranians have 3,000 kilograms of enriched uranium and are capable to produce a nuclear bomb in two months.

Former advisor to the Israeli Ministry of Defence Ely Karmon spoke to WION on Tuesday to present a breakdown of Iran’s uranium enrichment plan. He said that Iranians have 3,000 kilograms of enriched uranium and are capable to produce a nuclear bomb in two months. “Iranians, today, have the capability to produce a nuclear bomb in two months. They have 3,000 kilograms of enriched uranium, from this 120 kg is 60 per cent pure, which means that with 200 kilograms they can build a bomb. They are now probably preparing to reach 90 per cent purity,” said Karmon, who is a senior research scholar at International Institute for Counter-Terrorism. Karmon also dispelled Iran’s long-held assertion that their nuclear programme is only for civilian purposes. “Israel has the archives of the (Iran’s) nuclear program, which clearly shows that they aim it to use for military purposes. They, however, stopped mid-way because of the threat from the US. We also understand that they are producing nuclear missiles, which has the capability to hit at the distance of 2,000 kilometres,” Karmon said. Also read | As hopes for nuclear deal fade, Iran rebuilds and risks grow When asked whether Iran would pause their military nuclear programme under pressure from the US, Karmon said, “US has become much weaker because it retreated from the Middle East momentarily and suffered a loss in Afghanistan and also, they didn’t arrive in any agreement with the North Koreans. So, Iranians are clearly sure that the US cannot impose their will on them.” Karmon said that even if a nuclear agreement with Iran is reached, there is always a possibility that Tehran would restart its military nuclear programme. “We need a sensitive intelligence, and at the moment US is not controlling what happens on the ground. According to information from national defence forces, they have already prepared to reach 90 per cent purity, which means they want to go nuclear,” he said. Also read | Either we agree on everything or agree on nothing: Iran warns US over nuclear deal Currently, negotiations are underway between Iran, Russia, China, Germany, France and the UK to revive reviving Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal. The United States, which was instrumental in drafting the 2015 nuclear deal, momentarily stepped out after pressure from the then-president Donald Trump in 2018. But then in 2019, President Joe Biden signalled his intention to rejoin the talks. Tehran has been enriching uranium up to 60 per cent purity — a short step from weapons-grade levels of 90 per cent. According to reports, Iran has also been stepping up the use of advanced centrifuges at sites barred by the accord, and its uranium stockpile now far exceeds the accord’s limits.

Iran has 3,000 kgs of enriched uranium, says Israel’s former national advisor Ely Karmon

On the second day of Ghislaine Maxwell's sex trafficking trial in New York, the names of influential men who flew on Jeffrey Epstein’s planes were raised in court, among them were Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, and Donald Trump.

Ghislaine Maxwell Trial: Epstein's ex-pilot names Clinton, Trump in testimony

Donald Trump's last chief of staff has claimed that the former US president had&nbsp;tested positive for COVID-19 just three days ahead of his debate with Democratic presidential rival Joe Biden in 2020.

Mark Meadows, who served as Trump's fourth chief of staff, made the shocking&nbsp;claim in his new memoir called 'The Chief's Chief,' according to media reports that accessed the book.

Explaining how ''Nothing was going to stop [Trump] from going out there,'' Meadows said Trump was aware about the norm ''to test negative for the virus within 72 hours of the start time'' of the debate, which was held on September 29 last year.

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Yet after receiving confirmation that he had tested positive, Trump went&nbsp;ahead with the debate, potentially&nbsp;endangering several lives. He had called the novel coronavirus, which has claimed millions of lives worldwide, as a ''hoax.''

According to Meadows, ''I didn’t want to take any unnecessary risks. But I also didn’t want to alarm the public if there was nothing to worry about – which according to the new, much more accurate test, there was not.''

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-banned-on-twitter-and-fb-to-launch-his-own-social-network-422513">Also read |&nbsp;Donald Trump, banned on Twitter and FB, to launch his own social network</a>

Since the positive test was done by an old kit, Trump suggested a new one be performed using the Binax system, hoping that it was a false positive. This proved beneficial as the second test came back negative.

Meadows has also provided the House of Representatives committee investigating the deadly January 6 US Capitol riot with records and agreed to appear soon for a deposition.

"Mr. Meadows has been engaging with the Select Committee through his attorney. He has produced records to the committee and will soon appear for an initial deposition," Democratic Representative Bennie Thompson, chairman of the House select committee, said in a statement.

Trump has urged his associates not to cooperate with the committee, calling the Democratic-led investigation politically motivated and arguing that his communications are protected by executive privilege, although many legal experts say that legal principle does not apply to former presidents.

On January 6, Trump supporters stormed the Capitol in a bid to prevent Congress from formally certifying his 2020 presidential election loss to Democrat Joe Biden.

Shortly before the riot, Trump gave a speech to his supporters repeating his false claims that the election was stolen from him through widespread voting fraud and urging them to go to the Capitol and "fight like hell" to "stop the steal."

Meadows was a Republican House member until he left in 2020 to join Trump's administration.

(With inputs from agencies)

Donald Trump's last chief of staff has claimed that the former US president had tested positive for COVID-19 just three days ahead of his debate with Democratic presidential rival Joe Biden in 2020.

Donald Trump's last chief of staff has claimed that the former US president had tested positive for COVID-19 just three days ahead of his debate with Democratic presidential rival Joe Biden in 2020. Mark Meadows, who served as Trump's fourth chief of staff, made the shocking claim in his new memoir called 'The Chief's Chief,' according to media reports that accessed the book. Explaining how ''Nothing was going to stop [Trump] from going out there,'' Meadows said Trump was aware about the norm ''to test negative for the virus within 72 hours of the start time'' of the debate, which was held on September 29 last year. Also read | Social media erupts as Trump gets featured on miniature Mount Rushmore Yet after receiving confirmation that he had tested positive, Trump went ahead with the debate, potentially endangering several lives. He had called the novel coronavirus, which has claimed millions of lives worldwide, as a ''hoax.'' According to Meadows, ''I didn’t want to take any unnecessary risks. But I also didn’t want to alarm the public if there was nothing to worry about – which according to the new, much more accurate test, there was not.'' Also read | Donald Trump, banned on Twitter and FB, to launch his own social network Since the positive test was done by an old kit, Trump suggested a new one be performed using the Binax system, hoping that it was a false positive. This proved beneficial as the second test came back negative. Meadows has also provided the House of Representatives committee investigating the deadly January 6 US Capitol riot with records and agreed to appear soon for a deposition. "Mr. Meadows has been engaging with the Select Committee through his attorney. He has produced records to the committee and will soon appear for an initial deposition," Democratic Representative Bennie Thompson, chairman of the House select committee, said in a statement. Trump has urged his associates not to cooperate with the committee, calling the Democratic-led investigation politically motivated and arguing that his communications are protected by executive privilege, although many legal experts say that legal principle does not apply to former presidents. On January 6, Trump supporters stormed the Capitol in a bid to prevent Congress from formally certifying his 2020 presidential election loss to Democrat Joe Biden. Shortly before the riot, Trump gave a speech to his supporters repeating his false claims that the election was stolen from him through widespread voting fraud and urging them to go to the Capitol and "fight like hell" to "stop the steal." Meadows was a Republican House member until he left in 2020 to join Trump's administration. (With inputs from agencies)

Donald Trump tested Covid-positive three days before Biden debate, claims ex-chief of staff in book

In a move that could potentially undermine talks on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, the US on Thursday threatened to confront Iran next month at the IAEA if the country does not cooperate more with the watchdog.

Tehran is embroiled in a number of standoffs with the IAEA, whose 35-nation Board of Governors is meeting this week.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-warns-nuclear-talks-would-fail-unless-biden-provides-guarantees-426395">Iran warns nuclear talks would fail unless Biden provides guarantees</a>

In 2015, then-president Donald Trump withdrew Washington from an agreement that lifted sanctions imposed on Iran, in exchange for restrictions on Iran's nuclear program. Afterwards, he reimposed debilitating sanctions; this led to Tehran expanding its nuclear activities and reducing cooperation with the IAEA.

As part of its investigation, the IAEA is seeking answers about the origin of uranium particles found at seemingly old but undeclared sites. The organisation also alleges that Iran is subjecting its inspectors to "excessively invasive physical searches."

"If Iran's non-cooperation is not immediately remedied ... the Board will have no choice but to reconvene in extraordinary session before the end of this year in order to address the crisis," a US statement to the Board of Governors said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/either-we-agree-on-everything-or-agree-on-nothing-iran-warns-us-over-nuclear-deal-427765">Either we agree on everything or agree on nothing: Iran warns US over nuclear deal</a>

It said it was referring "especially" to re-installing IAEA cameras at the Karaj workshop, which makes parts for advanced centrifuges that enrich uranium.

Iranian authorities are refusing to allow the IAEA to re-install surveillance cameras at a workshop at the TESA Karaj complex.&nbsp;

The country believes its arch-enemy Israel was responsible for an&nbsp;apparent sabotage attack targeted at&nbsp;that workshop in June.

Watch |&nbsp;Iran: UN nuclear watchdog monitors Iran's nuclear program

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There were&nbsp;four cameras installed there by the IAEA, but one of them was apparently destroyed and its footage lost.&nbsp;Soon after the incident, Iran removed all the cameras. The Israeli government has not responded to the incident.

Rafael Grossi, the IAEA chief, said Wednesday that he did not know if the workshop was operating again, and that time was running out for an agreement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iaea-chief-says-time-running-out-to-end-stand-off-over-iran-workshop-431695">IAEA chief says time running out to end stand-off over Iran workshop</a>

The purpose of an extraordinary meeting of the Board would probably be to pass a resolution against Iran, escalating diplomatic tensions with Tehran.

That may jeopardise the indirect talks between Iran and the United States about renewing the 2015 deal, which is set to resume on Monday.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a move that could potentially undermine talks on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, the US on Thursday threatened to confront Iran next month at the IAEA if the country does not cooperate more with the watchdog.

In a move that could potentially undermine talks on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, the US on Thursday threatened to confront Iran next month at the IAEA if the country does not cooperate more with the watchdog. Tehran is embroiled in a number of standoffs with the IAEA, whose 35-nation Board of Governors is meeting this week. Also read | Iran warns nuclear talks would fail unless Biden provides guarantees In 2015, then-president Donald Trump withdrew Washington from an agreement that lifted sanctions imposed on Iran, in exchange for restrictions on Iran's nuclear program. Afterwards, he reimposed debilitating sanctions; this led to Tehran expanding its nuclear activities and reducing cooperation with the IAEA. As part of its investigation, the IAEA is seeking answers about the origin of uranium particles found at seemingly old but undeclared sites. The organisation also alleges that Iran is subjecting its inspectors to "excessively invasive physical searches." "If Iran's non-cooperation is not immediately remedied ... the Board will have no choice but to reconvene in extraordinary session before the end of this year in order to address the crisis," a US statement to the Board of Governors said. Also read | Either we agree on everything or agree on nothing: Iran warns US over nuclear deal It said it was referring "especially" to re-installing IAEA cameras at the Karaj workshop, which makes parts for advanced centrifuges that enrich uranium. Iranian authorities are refusing to allow the IAEA to re-install surveillance cameras at a workshop at the TESA Karaj complex. The country believes its arch-enemy Israel was responsible for an apparent sabotage attack targeted at that workshop in June. Watch | Iran: UN nuclear watchdog monitors Iran's nuclear program There were four cameras installed there by the IAEA, but one of them was apparently destroyed and its footage lost. Soon after the incident, Iran removed all the cameras. The Israeli government has not responded to the incident. Rafael Grossi, the IAEA chief, said Wednesday that he did not know if the workshop was operating again, and that time was running out for an agreement. Also read | IAEA chief says time running out to end stand-off over Iran workshop The purpose of an extraordinary meeting of the Board would probably be to pass a resolution against Iran, escalating diplomatic tensions with Tehran. That may jeopardise the indirect talks between Iran and the United States about renewing the 2015 deal, which is set to resume on Monday. (With inputs from agencies)

US threatens escalation with Iran at IAEA next month if Tehran does not cooperate

Time is running out for the U.N. atomic watchdog to gain access to re-install cameras at a centrifuge-parts workshop in Iran, as the agency will soon be unable to guarantee equipment is not being diverted to make atom bombs, its chief said on Wednesday.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi was speaking the day after a trip to Tehran in which he said he made no progress on several disputes, the most pressing of which is getting access to the workshop at the TESA Karaj complex two months after Iran promised to grant it.

The workshop makes parts for advanced centrifuges - machines that enrich uranium - and was the victim of apparent sabotage in June. Tehran blames Israel for what it says was an attack, which destroyed one of four IAEA cameras there. Iran later removed all the cameras and the destroyed camera's footage is missing.

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"We are close to the point where I would not be able to guarantee continuity of knowledge," Grossi told a news conference on the first day of a quarterly meeting of his agency's 35-nation Board of Governors.

That would mean there was a gap in IAEA monitoring of sensitive installations, during which a significant amount of material or equipment could be siphoned off to a secret nuclear weapons programme.

The IAEA has repeatedly said it has no indication that Iran has a secret weapons programme, and Iran insists its aims are peaceful. But Grossi said he still does not know whether Karaj is operational or not five months after the apparent attack.

"It is obvious that such a long period of time without us getting access, knowing whether there are operational activities ongoing, is something that in itself would at some point prevent me from continuing to say 'I have an idea of what is going on'," Grossi said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-frees-two-soldiers-kidnapped-by-jaish-ul-adl-terrorist-group-361366">Also read |&nbsp;Iran frees two soldiers kidnapped by Jaish ul-Adl terrorist group&nbsp;</a>

Complicating factor

The issue is a complicating factor ahead of indirect talks between the United States and Iran on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal with major powers that resume in Vienna on Monday.

The United States and its European allies would normally pressure Iran on the issue by trying to pass a resolution against it at the IAEA's quarterly meeting.

However, diplomats say it is unlikely there will be any such attempt this time for fear of jeopardising those talks aimed at bringing Tehran and the United States back into full compliance with the 2015 deal.

That deal lifted international sanctions against Tehran in exchange for restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities, but little currently remains of the pact in practice.

Former President Donald Trump, who vehemently opposed the deal struck before he took office, pulled Washington out of the agreement and reimposed US&nbsp;sanctions on Iran, prompting Iran to progressively breach its restrictions and keep advancing its nuclear activities.

Time is running out for the U.N. atomic watchdog to gain access to re-install cameras at a centrifuge-parts workshop in Iran, as the agency will soon be unable to guarantee equipment is not being diverted to make atom bombs, its chief said on Wednesday.

Time is running out for the U.N. atomic watchdog to gain access to re-install cameras at a centrifuge-parts workshop in Iran, as the agency will soon be unable to guarantee equipment is not being diverted to make atom bombs, its chief said on Wednesday. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi was speaking the day after a trip to Tehran in which he said he made no progress on several disputes, the most pressing of which is getting access to the workshop at the TESA Karaj complex two months after Iran promised to grant it. The workshop makes parts for advanced centrifuges - machines that enrich uranium - and was the victim of apparent sabotage in June. Tehran blames Israel for what it says was an attack, which destroyed one of four IAEA cameras there. Iran later removed all the cameras and the destroyed camera's footage is missing. Also read | 'I am a WOMAN': Iranian goalkeeper Zohreh Koudaei reacts to claims that she is a MAN, vows to sue Jordanian FA "We are close to the point where I would not be able to guarantee continuity of knowledge," Grossi told a news conference on the first day of a quarterly meeting of his agency's 35-nation Board of Governors. That would mean there was a gap in IAEA monitoring of sensitive installations, during which a significant amount of material or equipment could be siphoned off to a secret nuclear weapons programme. The IAEA has repeatedly said it has no indication that Iran has a secret weapons programme, and Iran insists its aims are peaceful. But Grossi said he still does not know whether Karaj is operational or not five months after the apparent attack. "It is obvious that such a long period of time without us getting access, knowing whether there are operational activities ongoing, is something that in itself would at some point prevent me from continuing to say 'I have an idea of what is going on'," Grossi said. Also read | Iran frees two soldiers kidnapped by Jaish ul-Adl terrorist group Complicating factor The issue is a complicating factor ahead of indirect talks between the United States and Iran on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal with major powers that resume in Vienna on Monday. The United States and its European allies would normally pressure Iran on the issue by trying to pass a resolution against it at the IAEA's quarterly meeting. However, diplomats say it is unlikely there will be any such attempt this time for fear of jeopardising those talks aimed at bringing Tehran and the United States back into full compliance with the 2015 deal. That deal lifted international sanctions against Tehran in exchange for restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities, but little currently remains of the pact in practice. Former President Donald Trump, who vehemently opposed the deal struck before he took office, pulled Washington out of the agreement and reimposed US sanctions on Iran, prompting Iran to progressively breach its restrictions and keep advancing its nuclear activities.

IAEA chief says time running out to end stand-off over Iran workshop

Former US president Donald Trump was given the&nbsp;‘black belt’ title in taekwondo even though he has never practised the sport.

He was given the honourary ninth dan certificate, the highest level in martial arts by Kukkiwon, the headquarters of the World Taekwondo Academy.&nbsp;

The organisation's president, Lee Dong-seop, visited Trump's residence in Florida&nbsp;on November 19 to present him the black belt.

Responding to the gesture, Trump said he was honoured to receive the award.

“It is my honor to receive Honorary Dan Certificate and I think Taekwondo is magnificent martial art for self-defense. I wish to see Kukkiwon Taekwondo Team’s demonstration,” Kukkiwon quoted Trump as saying in its Facebook post.

The organisation said that the ceremony was “not related to any other political issues”.

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A South Korean resident in the United States reportedly organised the meeting.

“I came to know that Donald Trump is quite interested in Taekwondo,” Daily Mail quoted Lee as saying.

The former president vowed that he would look to wear the taekwondo clothing in Congress should he make a return to the White House in the future.&nbsp;

Notably, Trump isn’t the only world leader to receive the honours. Before him, Russian President Vladimir Putin was facilitated with the coveted rank. Putin had also not practised taekwondo when he was awarded in 2013.

(With inputs from agencies)

Former US president Donald Trump was given the ‘black belt’ title in taekwondo even though he has never practised the sport. He was given the honourary ninth dan certificate, the highest level in martial arts by Kukkiwon, the headquarters of the World Taekwondo Academy.

Former US president Donald Trump was given the ‘black belt’ title in taekwondo even though he has never practised the sport. He was given the honourary ninth dan certificate, the highest level in martial arts by Kukkiwon, the headquarters of the World Taekwondo Academy. The organisation's president, Lee Dong-seop, visited Trump's residence in Florida on November 19 to present him the black belt. Responding to the gesture, Trump said he was honoured to receive the award. “It is my honor to receive Honorary Dan Certificate and I think Taekwondo is magnificent martial art for self-defense. I wish to see Kukkiwon Taekwondo Team’s demonstration,” Kukkiwon quoted Trump as saying in its Facebook post. The organisation said that the ceremony was “not related to any other political issues”. × A South Korean resident in the United States reportedly organised the meeting. “I came to know that Donald Trump is quite interested in Taekwondo,” Daily Mail quoted Lee as saying. The former president vowed that he would look to wear the taekwondo clothing in Congress should he make a return to the White House in the future. Notably, Trump isn’t the only world leader to receive the honours. Before him, Russian President Vladimir Putin was facilitated with the coveted rank. Putin had also not practised taekwondo when he was awarded in 2013. (With inputs from agencies)

Donald Trump honoured with black belt in taekwondo despite not playing the sport

Over the past 20 months, Israeli intelligence operatives have assassinated Iran’s chief nuclear scientist and triggered major explosions at four Iranian nuclear and missile facilities, hoping to cripple the centrifuges that produce nuclear fuel and delay the day when Tehran’s new government might be able to build a bomb.

But American intelligence officials and international inspectors say the Iranians have quickly gotten the facilities back online — often installing newer machines that can enrich uranium at a far more rapid pace. When a plant that made key centrifuge parts suffered what looked like a crippling explosion in late spring — destroying much of the parts inventory and the cameras and sensors installed by international inspectors — production resumed by late summer.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/either-we-agree-on-everything-or-agree-on-nothing-iran-warns-us-over-nuclear-deal-427765">Either we agree on everything or agree on nothing: Iran warns US over nuclear deal</a>

One senior American official wryly called it Tehran’s Build Back Better plan.

That punch and counterpunch are only part of the escalation in recent months between Iran and the West, a confrontation that is about to come to a head, once again, in Vienna. For the first time since President Ebrahim Raisi took office this past summer, Iranian negotiators plan to meet with their European, Chinese and Russian counterparts at the end of the month to discuss the future of the 2015 nuclear agreement that sharply limited Iran’s activities.

American officials have warned their Israeli counterparts that the repeated attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities may be tactically satisfying, but they are ultimately counterproductive, according to several officials familiar with the behind-the-scenes discussions. Israeli officials have said they have no intention of letting up, waving away warnings that they may only be encouraging a sped-up rebuilding of the programme — one of many areas in which the United States and Israel disagree on the benefits of using diplomacy rather than force.

At the Vienna meeting, American officials will be in the city but not inside the room — because Iran will not meet with them after President Donald Trump pulled out of the accord more than three years ago, leaving the deal in tatters. While five months ago those officials seemed optimistic that the 2015 deal was about to be restored, with the text largely agreed upon, they return to Vienna far more pessimistic than when they last left it, in mid-June. Today that text looks dead, and President Joe Biden’s vision of reentering the agreement in his first year, then building something “longer and stronger,” appears all but gone.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-claims-it-stopped-us-from-seizing-oil-tanker-in-sea-of-oman-426798">&nbsp;Ahead of nuclear talks, Iran conducts military exercise</a>

It is a sign of the changed mood that Ali Bagheri Kani, Iran’s newly appointed chief nuclear negotiator, does not refer to the upcoming talks as nuclear negotiations at all. Bagheri Kani, a deputy foreign minister, said in Paris last week that “we have no such thing as nuclear negotiations.” Instead, he refers to them as “negotiations to remove unlawful and inhuman sanctions.” Iran says it will insist on the lifting of both nuclear and non-nuclear sanctions, and that it needs a guarantee that no future president could unilaterally abandon the agreement, as Trump did. Biden administration officials say the president would never make such a commitment.

Watch |&nbsp;US envoy to Iran says time shrinking for nuclear deal

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Iran, as always, denies that it has any intention of ever building a nuclear weapon. But the more likely scenario is that it wants a “threshold capability” — one that would leave it able to produce a weapon in weeks or months if it felt the need.

Publicly, the United States is hinting that if Iran stonewalls in Vienna, it may have to consider new sanctions.

Robert Malley, the State Department’s Iran envoy, said recently that while “it is in Iran’s hands to choose” which path to take, the United States and other allies need to be prepared for whichever choice Tehran makes.

He noted that Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken “have both said if diplomacy fails, we have other tools — and we will use other tools to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.”

But inside the White House, there has been a scramble in recent days to explore whether some kind of interim deal might be possible to freeze Iran’s production of more enriched uranium and its conversion of that fuel to metallic form — a necessary step in fabricating a warhead. In return, the United States might ease a limited number of sanctions. That would not solve the problem. But it might buy time for negotiations while holding off Israeli threats to bomb Iranian facilities.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/time-is-short-for-iran-to-return-to-nuclear-deal-us-envoy-430764">'Time is short' for Iran to return to nuclear deal: US envoy</a>

Buying time, perhaps lots of it may prove essential. Many of Biden’s advisers are doubtful that introducing new sanctions on Iran’s leadership, its military or its oil trade — atop the 1,500 Trump imposed — would be any more successful than past efforts to pressure Iran to change course.

And more aggressive steps that were successful years ago may not yield the kind of results they have in mind. Inside the National Security Agency and US&nbsp;Cyber Command, there is consensus that it is much harder now to pull off the kind of cyberattack that the United States and Israel conducted more than a decade ago, when a secret operation, code-named “Olympic Games,” crippled centrifuges at the Natanz nuclear enrichment site for more than a year.

Current and former American and Israeli officials note that the Iranians have since improved their defences and built their own cyber forces, which the administration warned last week were increasingly active inside the United States.

The Iranians have also continued to bar inspectors from key sites, despite a series of agreements with Rafael M. Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations’ watchdog, to preserve data from the agency’s sensors at key locations. The inspectors’ cameras and sensors that were destroyed in the plant explosion in late spring have not been replaced.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-has-again-boosted-uranium-stockpile-iaea-reports-430382">Iran has again boosted uranium stockpile, IAEA reports</a>

“From my perspective, what counts is the inspections that you have in place,” Grossi said in a recent interview in Washington, where he spent a week talking with American officials and warning them that his agency was slowly “going blind” in Iran. He is scheduled to arrive in Tehran on Monday, in a last-ditch effort to revive monitoring and inspections before the agency’s board of governors meets this week.

The inspection gap is particularly worrisome because the Iranians are declaring that they have now produced roughly 55 pounds of uranium enriched to 60% purity. That purity is below the 90% normally used to produce a weapon, but not by much. It is a level “that only countries making bombs have,” Grossi said. “That doesn’t mean that Iran is doing that. But it means that it is very high.”

And while Iranian officials have given many explanations for why they are taking the step — for example, to fuel naval nuclear reactors, which Iran does not possess — the real reason seems to be to build pressure.

This month, the spokesperson for Iran’s atomic energy agency, Behrouz Kamalvandi, noted with pride that only countries with nuclear weapons have shown that they can enrich uranium to this level. (He is wrong: Several non-nuclear states have done so.)

“In this organisation now, if we have the will, we can do anything,” he said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-warns-nuclear-talks-would-fail-unless-biden-provides-guarantees-426395">Iran warns nuclear talks would fail unless Biden provides guarantees</a>

Before Trump decided to scrap the deal, Iran had adhered to the limits of the 2015 agreement — which by most estimates kept it about a year from “breakout,” the point where it has enough material for a bomb. While estimates vary, that buffer is now down to somewhere between three weeks and a few months, which would change the geopolitical calculation throughout the Middle East.

When Biden took office, several of his top aides had high hopes that the original deal — parts of which they had negotiated — could be revived. At that time, the Iranians who had agreed to the accord were still in place: Iran’s president, Hassan Rouhani, and his foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, remained in office, even if their power was greatly diminished.

But the administration spent two months determining how to approach a negotiation, and European officials complain that, in retrospect, that lost time proved damaging.

It was only at the end of March that the two sides agreed to return to the table; the Vienna talks began in early April.

By June, an agreement “was largely complete,” one senior administration official said. Then it became clear that Iran was stalling until its presidential elections, which brought in Raisi, a hard-line former head of the judiciary.

Initially, American officials hoped Raisi would just take the agreement that had been negotiated, make minor alterations and celebrate a lifting of most Western sanctions. Anything that went wrong, they calculated, the new president could blame on the former president and foreign minister.

But that proved a miscalculation. In late September, the country’s new foreign minister, Hossain Amirabdollahian, told The New York Times that he had no interest in conducting the kind of detailed negotiation that his predecessor had worked on for years.

The spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Saeed Khatibzadeh, said at a recent news conference that Iran had three conditions for Washington to return to the deal: It must admit to wrongdoing in pulling out of the deal, it must lift all sanctions at once, and it must offer a guarantee that no other administration will exit the deal as Trump did.

“It is absolutely impossible for Iran to give the level of concession to the U.S. that Rouhani’s government gave,” said Gheis Ghoreishi, a foreign policy adviser close to Iran’s government. “We are not going to give all our cards and then wait around to see if the US&nbsp;or EU&nbsp;are going to be committed to the deal or not; this is no way going to happen.”

While European officials say they do not want to consider a “Plan B” if a standoff develops, a variety of such plans — ranging from economic isolation to sabotage — have been the regular subject of meetings at the White House, the Pentagon and the State Department. Asked about the Plan B discussions at a news conference more than two weeks ago, Biden paused a moment, then said, “I’m not going to comment on Iran now.”

But the Israelis are commenting. This month Israel’s army chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi, said the Israeli military was “speeding up the operational plans and readiness for dealing with Iran and the nuclear military threat.” It was a reference to the fact that the new prime minister, Naftali Bennett, has authorised more funding for planning and practising attacks. Israeli officials insist they have developed a bunker-busting capability that obviates the need for the kind of help they sought from the Bush administration 13 years ago. Whether that is true or a bluff remains unclear.

At some point, Biden administration officials say they may be forced to declare that Iran’s nuclear programme is simply too advanced for anyone to safely return to the 2015 agreement. “This is not a chronological clock; it’s a technological clock,” Malley said in a briefing last month. “At some point,” he added, the agreement “will have been so eroded because Iran will have made advances that cannot be reversed.”

He added: “You can’t revive a dead corpse.”

Over the past 20 months, Israeli intelligence operatives have assassinated Iran’s chief nuclear scientist and triggered major explosions at four Iranian nuclear and missile facilities, hoping to cripple the centrifuges that produce nuclear fuel and delay the day when Tehran’s new government might be able to build a bomb.

Over the past 20 months, Israeli intelligence operatives have assassinated Iran’s chief nuclear scientist and triggered major explosions at four Iranian nuclear and missile facilities, hoping to cripple the centrifuges that produce nuclear fuel and delay the day when Tehran’s new government might be able to build a bomb. But American intelligence officials and international inspectors say the Iranians have quickly gotten the facilities back online — often installing newer machines that can enrich uranium at a far more rapid pace. When a plant that made key centrifuge parts suffered what looked like a crippling explosion in late spring — destroying much of the parts inventory and the cameras and sensors installed by international inspectors — production resumed by late summer. Also read | Either we agree on everything or agree on nothing: Iran warns US over nuclear deal One senior American official wryly called it Tehran’s Build Back Better plan. That punch and counterpunch are only part of the escalation in recent months between Iran and the West, a confrontation that is about to come to a head, once again, in Vienna. For the first time since President Ebrahim Raisi took office this past summer, Iranian negotiators plan to meet with their European, Chinese and Russian counterparts at the end of the month to discuss the future of the 2015 nuclear agreement that sharply limited Iran’s activities. American officials have warned their Israeli counterparts that the repeated attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities may be tactically satisfying, but they are ultimately counterproductive, according to several officials familiar with the behind-the-scenes discussions. Israeli officials have said they have no intention of letting up, waving away warnings that they may only be encouraging a sped-up rebuilding of the programme — one of many areas in which the United States and Israel disagree on the benefits of using diplomacy rather than force. At the Vienna meeting, American officials will be in the city but not inside the room — because Iran will not meet with them after President Donald Trump pulled out of the accord more than three years ago, leaving the deal in tatters. While five months ago those officials seemed optimistic that the 2015 deal was about to be restored, with the text largely agreed upon, they return to Vienna far more pessimistic than when they last left it, in mid-June. Today that text looks dead, and President Joe Biden’s vision of reentering the agreement in his first year, then building something “longer and stronger,” appears all but gone. Also Read: Ahead of nuclear talks, Iran conducts military exercise It is a sign of the changed mood that Ali Bagheri Kani, Iran’s newly appointed chief nuclear negotiator, does not refer to the upcoming talks as nuclear negotiations at all. Bagheri Kani, a deputy foreign minister, said in Paris last week that “we have no such thing as nuclear negotiations.” Instead, he refers to them as “negotiations to remove unlawful and inhuman sanctions.” Iran says it will insist on the lifting of both nuclear and non-nuclear sanctions, and that it needs a guarantee that no future president could unilaterally abandon the agreement, as Trump did. Biden administration officials say the president would never make such a commitment. Watch | US envoy to Iran says time shrinking for nuclear deal Iran, as always, denies that it has any intention of ever building a nuclear weapon. But the more likely scenario is that it wants a “threshold capability” — one that would leave it able to produce a weapon in weeks or months if it felt the need. Publicly, the United States is hinting that if Iran stonewalls in Vienna, it may have to consider new sanctions. Robert Malley, the State Department’s Iran envoy, said recently that while “it is in Iran’s hands to choose” which path to take, the United States and other allies need to be prepared for whichever choice Tehran makes. He noted that Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken “have both said if diplomacy fails, we have other tools — and we will use other tools to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.” But inside the White House, there has been a scramble in recent days to explore whether some kind of interim deal might be possible to freeze Iran’s production of more enriched uranium and its conversion of that fuel to metallic form — a necessary step in fabricating a warhead. In return, the United States might ease a limited number of sanctions. That would not solve the problem. But it might buy time for negotiations while holding off Israeli threats to bomb Iranian facilities. Also read | 'Time is short' for Iran to return to nuclear deal: US envoy Buying time, perhaps lots of it may prove essential. Many of Biden’s advisers are doubtful that introducing new sanctions on Iran’s leadership, its military or its oil trade — atop the 1,500 Trump imposed — would be any more successful than past efforts to pressure Iran to change course. And more aggressive steps that were successful years ago may not yield the kind of results they have in mind. Inside the National Security Agency and US Cyber Command, there is consensus that it is much harder now to pull off the kind of cyberattack that the United States and Israel conducted more than a decade ago, when a secret operation, code-named “Olympic Games,” crippled centrifuges at the Natanz nuclear enrichment site for more than a year. Current and former American and Israeli officials note that the Iranians have since improved their defences and built their own cyber forces, which the administration warned last week were increasingly active inside the United States. The Iranians have also continued to bar inspectors from key sites, despite a series of agreements with Rafael M. Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations’ watchdog, to preserve data from the agency’s sensors at key locations. The inspectors’ cameras and sensors that were destroyed in the plant explosion in late spring have not been replaced. Also Read | Iran has again boosted uranium stockpile, IAEA reports “From my perspective, what counts is the inspections that you have in place,” Grossi said in a recent interview in Washington, where he spent a week talking with American officials and warning them that his agency was slowly “going blind” in Iran. He is scheduled to arrive in Tehran on Monday, in a last-ditch effort to revive monitoring and inspections before the agency’s board of governors meets this week. The inspection gap is particularly worrisome because the Iranians are declaring that they have now produced roughly 55 pounds of uranium enriched to 60% purity. That purity is below the 90% normally used to produce a weapon, but not by much. It is a level “that only countries making bombs have,” Grossi said. “That doesn’t mean that Iran is doing that. But it means that it is very high.” And while Iranian officials have given many explanations for why they are taking the step — for example, to fuel naval nuclear reactors, which Iran does not possess — the real reason seems to be to build pressure. This month, the spokesperson for Iran’s atomic energy agency, Behrouz Kamalvandi, noted with pride that only countries with nuclear weapons have shown that they can enrich uranium to this level. (He is wrong: Several non-nuclear states have done so.) “In this organisation now, if we have the will, we can do anything,” he said. Also read | Iran warns nuclear talks would fail unless Biden provides guarantees Before Trump decided to scrap the deal, Iran had adhered to the limits of the 2015 agreement — which by most estimates kept it about a year from “breakout,” the point where it has enough material for a bomb. While estimates vary, that buffer is now down to somewhere between three weeks and a few months, which would change the geopolitical calculation throughout the Middle East. When Biden took office, several of his top aides had high hopes that the original deal — parts of which they had negotiated — could be revived. At that time, the Iranians who had agreed to the accord were still in place: Iran’s president, Hassan Rouhani, and his foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, remained in office, even if their power was greatly diminished. But the administration spent two months determining how to approach a negotiation, and European officials complain that, in retrospect, that lost time proved damaging. It was only at the end of March that the two sides agreed to return to the table; the Vienna talks began in early April. By June, an agreement “was largely complete,” one senior administration official said. Then it became clear that Iran was stalling until its presidential elections, which brought in Raisi, a hard-line former head of the judiciary. Initially, American officials hoped Raisi would just take the agreement that had been negotiated, make minor alterations and celebrate a lifting of most Western sanctions. Anything that went wrong, they calculated, the new president could blame on the former president and foreign minister. But that proved a miscalculation. In late September, the country’s new foreign minister, Hossain Amirabdollahian, told The New York Times that he had no interest in conducting the kind of detailed negotiation that his predecessor had worked on for years. The spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Saeed Khatibzadeh, said at a recent news conference that Iran had three conditions for Washington to return to the deal: It must admit to wrongdoing in pulling out of the deal, it must lift all sanctions at once, and it must offer a guarantee that no other administration will exit the deal as Trump did. “It is absolutely impossible for Iran to give the level of concession to the U.S. that Rouhani’s government gave,” said Gheis Ghoreishi, a foreign policy adviser close to Iran’s government. “We are not going to give all our cards and then wait around to see if the US or EU are going to be committed to the deal or not; this is no way going to happen.” While European officials say they do not want to consider a “Plan B” if a standoff develops, a variety of such plans — ranging from economic isolation to sabotage — have been the regular subject of meetings at the White House, the Pentagon and the State Department. Asked about the Plan B discussions at a news conference more than two weeks ago, Biden paused a moment, then said, “I’m not going to comment on Iran now.” But the Israelis are commenting. This month Israel’s army chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi, said the Israeli military was “speeding up the operational plans and readiness for dealing with Iran and the nuclear military threat.” It was a reference to the fact that the new prime minister, Naftali Bennett, has authorised more funding for planning and practising attacks. Israeli officials insist they have developed a bunker-busting capability that obviates the need for the kind of help they sought from the Bush administration 13 years ago. Whether that is true or a bluff remains unclear. At some point, Biden administration officials say they may be forced to declare that Iran’s nuclear programme is simply too advanced for anyone to safely return to the 2015 agreement. “This is not a chronological clock; it’s a technological clock,” Malley said in a briefing last month. “At some point,” he added, the agreement “will have been so eroded because Iran will have made advances that cannot be reversed.” He added: “You can’t revive a dead corpse.”

As hopes for nuclear deal fade, Iran rebuilds and risks grow

A federal judge on Wednesday sentenced the U.S. Capitol rioter known as the "QAnon Shaman" for his horned headdress to 41 months in prison for his role in the deadly Jan. 6 attack by followers of then-President Donald Trump.

Prosecutors had asked U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth to impose a longer 51-month sentence on Jacob Chansley, who pleaded guilty in September to obstructing an official proceeding when he and thousands of others stormed the building to try to stop Congress from certifying President Joe Biden's election.

The sentence matches one Lamberth imposed on a former mixed martial artist filmed punching a police officer during violence, who was sentenced&nbsp;last week&nbsp;to 41 months in prison. The two are the stiffest sentences handed down in any of the roughly 675 riot prosecutions.

Lamberth said he believed Chansley, 34, had done a lot to convince the court he is "on the right track."

Chansley's attorney asked the judge for a sentence of time served for his client, who has been detained since his January arrest. Chansley appeared in court in a dark green prison jumpsuit, with a beard and shaved head.

"The hardest part of this is that I know I am to blame," Chansley said in a lengthy statement before he was sentenced, describing a difficult childhood and saying he had taken responsibility for his behavior.

"I thought I was going to get 20 years solitary confinement," he said, adding: "This trauma has done something to me ... I have the white hairs to prove it ... on my chest ... on my arms... I should not have white hairs your honor."

While in detention, Chansley was diagnosed by prison officials with transient schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety. When he entered his guilty plea, Chansley said he was disappointed Trump had not pardoned him.

Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives and acquitted by the Senate on a charge of inciting the Jan. 6 riot for a fiery speech that preceded it in which he told his followers to "fight like hell."

Four people died in the violence. A Capitol Police officer who had been attacked by protesters died the day after the riot and four police officers who took part in the defense of the Capitol later took their own lives. About 140 police officers were injured.

Most of the guilty pleas in Jan. 6 prosecutions so far have been in cases involving non-violent misdemeanors, but government lawyers are seeking prison sentences for some defendants facing more serious felony charges.

A federal judge on Wednesday sentenced the U.S. Capitol rioter known as the "QAnon Shaman" for his horned headdress to 41 months in prison for his role in the deadly Jan.

A federal judge on Wednesday sentenced the U.S. Capitol rioter known as the "QAnon Shaman" for his horned headdress to 41 months in prison for his role in the deadly Jan. 6 attack by followers of then-President Donald Trump. Prosecutors had asked U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth to impose a longer 51-month sentence on Jacob Chansley, who pleaded guilty in September to obstructing an official proceeding when he and thousands of others stormed the building to try to stop Congress from certifying President Joe Biden's election. The sentence matches one Lamberth imposed on a former mixed martial artist filmed punching a police officer during violence, who was sentenced last week to 41 months in prison. The two are the stiffest sentences handed down in any of the roughly 675 riot prosecutions. Lamberth said he believed Chansley, 34, had done a lot to convince the court he is "on the right track." Chansley's attorney asked the judge for a sentence of time served for his client, who has been detained since his January arrest. Chansley appeared in court in a dark green prison jumpsuit, with a beard and shaved head. "The hardest part of this is that I know I am to blame," Chansley said in a lengthy statement before he was sentenced, describing a difficult childhood and saying he had taken responsibility for his behavior. "I thought I was going to get 20 years solitary confinement," he said, adding: "This trauma has done something to me ... I have the white hairs to prove it ... on my chest ... on my arms... I should not have white hairs your honor." While in detention, Chansley was diagnosed by prison officials with transient schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety. When he entered his guilty plea, Chansley said he was disappointed Trump had not pardoned him. Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives and acquitted by the Senate on a charge of inciting the Jan. 6 riot for a fiery speech that preceded it in which he told his followers to "fight like hell." Four people died in the violence. A Capitol Police officer who had been attacked by protesters died the day after the riot and four police officers who took part in the defense of the Capitol later took their own lives. About 140 police officers were injured. Most of the guilty pleas in Jan. 6 prosecutions so far have been in cases involving non-violent misdemeanors, but government lawyers are seeking prison sentences for some defendants facing more serious felony charges.

Judge sentences US Capitol rioter 'QAnon Shaman' to over three years in prison

Steve Bannon, a longtime ally of former President Donald Trump, surrendered to federal authorities on Monday to face contempt charges after snubbing a subpoena from a House committee investigating January’s insurrection at the US Capitol.

Donald Trump's ally indicted on contempt charges

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