The US Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against the state of Texas for placing anti-migrant buoys in the Rio Grande river, near the border with Mexico.

The department contends that these large orange buoys obstruct river navigation and lack federal permissions. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has strongly defended the installation of the buoys, arguing that he has the power to protect the state's "sovereign" interests, reported AFP.

Tensions escalate as Abbott accuses President Joe Biden of failing to enforce federal immigration laws, leading to migrants risking their lives in the treacherous waters of the Rio Grande River. The dispute reflects broader issues surrounding border security and the flow of migrants.

<h2>The controversial buoys and razor wire</h2>

Recently, a series of buoys was installed in the Rio Grande River, a popular crossing point for migrants, along with large barriers of razor wire on the shore. However, the Justice Department raises concerns about these measures posing threats to navigation, public safety, and humanitarian aspects. Reports indicate that some migrants have been entangled in the razor wire, requiring rescue operations. Moreover, a leaked memo from the US Customs and Border Protection claims that the state-placed razor wire has impeded their border patrol operations.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/cluster-bombs-for-ukraine-highlight-us-aversion-to-international-treaties-618749">Cluster bombs for Ukraine highlight US aversion to international treaties</a>

<h2>Abbott's defiance and accusations</h2>

Governor Abbott rebuffs the Biden administration's objections and maintains that he has the authority to safeguard Texas' interests by implementing the buoys. In a letter to President Biden, Abbott criticises the administration for not fulfilling its responsibilities to address the flow of migrants across the Mexico border. He emphasises that enforcing federal immigration laws would prevent migrants from risking their lives in the perilous waters of the Rio Grande River.

Also watch |&nbsp;Gun epidemic in US: Five wounded in Houston shooting incident, US cops on lookout for accused

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gun-epidemic-in-us-five-wounded-in-houston-shooting-incident-us-cops-on-lookout-for-accused-618773/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<h2>Justice department's legal action</h2>

Following Governor Abbott's defiant response, the US Justice Department takes legal action by filing a lawsuit in a federal court in Austin, Texas. The suit claims that the barrier violates the US Rivers and Harbors Act, which aims to protect public waterways under the oversight of the Army Corps of Engineers. The department asserts that Texas was required to obtain permission from the Army Corps of Engineers before placing any structure or barrier in the Rio Grande. As a result, they seek a court order to have Abbott remove the barrier.

<h2>Ensuring safety and security</h2>

Jaime Esparza, the federal prosecutor in Austin, underscores the importance of adhering to both domestic and international laws and policies to ensure the safety and security of everyone living, working, and travelling along the river. He says&nbsp;that these laws cannot be ignored.

The dispute between Texas and the US government highlights the complexities of border security and the challenges of handling migrant flows. It remains to be seen how the legal battle will unfold and what impact it will have on the broader issues surrounding immigration and the border region.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe>

&nbsp;

The US Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against the state of Texas for placing anti-migrant buoys in the Rio Grande river, near the border with Mexico. The department contends that these large orange buoys obstruct river navigation and lack federal permissions.

The US Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against the state of Texas for placing anti-migrant buoys in the Rio Grande river, near the border with Mexico. The department contends that these large orange buoys obstruct river navigation and lack federal permissions. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has strongly defended the installation of the buoys, arguing that he has the power to protect the state's "sovereign" interests, reported AFP. Tensions escalate as Abbott accuses President Joe Biden of failing to enforce federal immigration laws, leading to migrants risking their lives in the treacherous waters of the Rio Grande River. The dispute reflects broader issues surrounding border security and the flow of migrants. The controversial buoys and razor wire Recently, a series of buoys was installed in the Rio Grande River, a popular crossing point for migrants, along with large barriers of razor wire on the shore. However, the Justice Department raises concerns about these measures posing threats to navigation, public safety, and humanitarian aspects. Reports indicate that some migrants have been entangled in the razor wire, requiring rescue operations. Moreover, a leaked memo from the US Customs and Border Protection claims that the state-placed razor wire has impeded their border patrol operations. Also read | Cluster bombs for Ukraine highlight US aversion to international treaties Abbott's defiance and accusations Governor Abbott rebuffs the Biden administration's objections and maintains that he has the authority to safeguard Texas' interests by implementing the buoys. In a letter to President Biden, Abbott criticises the administration for not fulfilling its responsibilities to address the flow of migrants across the Mexico border. He emphasises that enforcing federal immigration laws would prevent migrants from risking their lives in the perilous waters of the Rio Grande River. Also watch | Gun epidemic in US: Five wounded in Houston shooting incident, US cops on lookout for accused Justice department's legal action Following Governor Abbott's defiant response, the US Justice Department takes legal action by filing a lawsuit in a federal court in Austin, Texas. The suit claims that the barrier violates the US Rivers and Harbors Act, which aims to protect public waterways under the oversight of the Army Corps of Engineers. The department asserts that Texas was required to obtain permission from the Army Corps of Engineers before placing any structure or barrier in the Rio Grande. As a result, they seek a court order to have Abbott remove the barrier. Ensuring safety and security Jaime Esparza, the federal prosecutor in Austin, underscores the importance of adhering to both domestic and international laws and policies to ensure the safety and security of everyone living, working, and travelling along the river. He says that these laws cannot be ignored. The dispute between Texas and the US government highlights the complexities of border security and the challenges of handling migrant flows. It remains to be seen how the legal battle will unfold and what impact it will have on the broader issues surrounding immigration and the border region. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

US government sues Texas over anti-migrant floating border barriers

In a notable move, President Joe Biden announced on Friday (July 21) that he has invited CIA Director William Burns to join the cabinet, elevating the spymaster's position and acknowledging his significant contributions to the administration.

President Biden commended Burns for providing unequivocal and strategic analysis, placing the safety and security of the American people at the forefront, reported AFP.

The CIA, under Burns' leadership, has adopted a clear-eyed, long-term approach in addressing critical national security challenges, ranging from Russia's aggression against Ukraine to managing responsible competition with China and dealing with emerging technology's opportunities and risks.

As a result of Biden's action, Burns will serve alongside his immediate senior, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, as well as other department secretaries.

This inclusion marks a symbolic gesture, reminiscent of the time when CIA directors held cabinet positions before the establishment of the Director of National Intelligence in 2005.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-a-first-president-biden-chooses-female-admiral-to-lead-us-navy-618286">In a first, President Biden chooses female admiral to lead US Navy</a>

<h2>A career diplomat leading the CIA</h2>

Burns, a seasoned diplomat with prior experience as the US ambassador to Russia, assumed the leadership of the Central Intelligence Agency in 2021.

Since then, he has played a pivotal role in navigating the strained relationship between Washington and Moscow, particularly during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Amidst rising tensions, Burns flew to Moscow weeks before the invasion to forewarn Russian officials about the US's knowledge of their invasion plans and the potential consequences of such actions.

Additionally, as concerns mounted over the Wagner private military group's brief rebellion against Moscow and its implications for global security, Burns engaged in extensive discussions with Sergei Naryshkin, the foreign intelligence chief of the SVR.

Also watch |&nbsp;US trade watchdog withdraws case against Microsoft

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-trade-watchdog-withdraws-case-against-microsoft-618030/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Responding to the invitation, Burns expressed his honour, stating that the inclusion of the Central Intelligence Agency in the cabinet acknowledges the agency's indispensable role in safeguarding national security on a daily basis.

(With input from agencies)

&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe>

In a notable move, President Joe Biden announced on Friday (July 21) that he has invited CIA Director William Burns to join the cabinet, elevating the spymaster's position and acknowledging his significant contributions to the administration.

In a notable move, President Joe Biden announced on Friday (July 21) that he has invited CIA Director William Burns to join the cabinet, elevating the spymaster's position and acknowledging his significant contributions to the administration. President Biden commended Burns for providing unequivocal and strategic analysis, placing the safety and security of the American people at the forefront, reported AFP. The CIA, under Burns' leadership, has adopted a clear-eyed, long-term approach in addressing critical national security challenges, ranging from Russia's aggression against Ukraine to managing responsible competition with China and dealing with emerging technology's opportunities and risks. As a result of Biden's action, Burns will serve alongside his immediate senior, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, as well as other department secretaries. This inclusion marks a symbolic gesture, reminiscent of the time when CIA directors held cabinet positions before the establishment of the Director of National Intelligence in 2005. Also read | In a first, President Biden chooses female admiral to lead US Navy A career diplomat leading the CIA Burns, a seasoned diplomat with prior experience as the US ambassador to Russia, assumed the leadership of the Central Intelligence Agency in 2021. Since then, he has played a pivotal role in navigating the strained relationship between Washington and Moscow, particularly during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Amidst rising tensions, Burns flew to Moscow weeks before the invasion to forewarn Russian officials about the US's knowledge of their invasion plans and the potential consequences of such actions. Additionally, as concerns mounted over the Wagner private military group's brief rebellion against Moscow and its implications for global security, Burns engaged in extensive discussions with Sergei Naryshkin, the foreign intelligence chief of the SVR. Also watch | US trade watchdog withdraws case against Microsoft Responding to the invitation, Burns expressed his honour, stating that the inclusion of the Central Intelligence Agency in the cabinet acknowledges the agency's indispensable role in safeguarding national security on a daily basis. (With input from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

President Biden elevates CIA Director William Burns to cabinet position

Mike Pence, the former vice president of the United States, on Wednesday (June 7) officially announced his entry into the 2024 presidential election campaign. With his announcement, Pence joined an already-crowded field that includes his one-time boss Donald Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former US envoy to UN Nikki Haley, and others.&nbsp;

Pence's announcement comes two days after papers filed with the US Federal Election Commission showed he had formally entered the race. In his online campaign, he said: "Today, before God and my family, I'm announcing I'm running for president of the United States."&nbsp;

The 64-year-old Republican will appear at a campaign launch event later in the day in the early-voting state of Iowa, followed by a CNN town hall event Wednesday evening

In a tweet accompanying the video, he wrote: "I believe in the American people, and I have faith God is not done with America yet." He added, "Together, we can bring this Country back, and the best days for the Greatest Nation on Earth are yet to come!"&nbsp;

In his video,&nbsp;Pence cited inflation, immigration and recession risk. He also said, over images of the leaders of Russia and China, that "the enemies of freedom are on the march around the world".&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I believe in the American people, and I have faith God is not done with America yet. Together, we can bring this Country back, and the best days for the Greatest Nation on Earth are yet to come! 🇺🇸 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pence2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pence2024</a> <a href="https://t.co/A8EkqgCDAm">pic.twitter.com/A8EkqgCDAm</a>
— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mike_Pence/status/1666377457157668865?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 7, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<h2>What to expect next?&nbsp;</h2>

The road ahead for Pence is not going to be easy as a Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll in May noted that Pence enters the Republican presidential primary with a mountain to climb, polling at just five&nbsp;per cent and trailing Trump by 44 points.&nbsp;

For a vice president to run against a president he served under is quite rare as it has happened just a few times in history. He was a loyal deputy of Trump while serving as the vice president from 2017 to 2021. Pence also brought the religious right into the tent and was willing to defend the president against any accusation. Pence repeatedly defended him through multiple scandals during tumultuous four years in the White House. &nbsp;

However, the narratives changed when Pence rejected Trump's demands that he overturn the 2020 election in his role as president of the Senate. After the US Capitol attack, Pence continued to praise his assailant in public, but it eventually changed as Trump's torrent of false claims of election fraud led to a mob chanting for Pence to be hanged at the US Capitol.&nbsp;

Pence even called out Trump for endangering his family and other people at the US Capitol, and also emphasised his differences with Trump on issues ranging from the handling of Russian leader Vladimir Putin to abortion rights.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Mike Pence, the former vice president of the United States, on Wednesday (June 7) officially announced his entry into the 2024 presidential election campaign. With his announcement, Pence joined an already-crowded field that includes his one-time boss Donald Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former US envoy to UN Nikki Haley, and others.

Mike Pence, the former vice president of the United States, on Wednesday (June 7) officially announced his entry into the 2024 presidential election campaign. With his announcement, Pence joined an already-crowded field that includes his one-time boss Donald Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former US envoy to UN Nikki Haley, and others. Pence's announcement comes two days after papers filed with the US Federal Election Commission showed he had formally entered the race. In his online campaign, he said: "Today, before God and my family, I'm announcing I'm running for president of the United States." The 64-year-old Republican will appear at a campaign launch event later in the day in the early-voting state of Iowa, followed by a CNN town hall event Wednesday evening In a tweet accompanying the video, he wrote: "I believe in the American people, and I have faith God is not done with America yet." He added, "Together, we can bring this Country back, and the best days for the Greatest Nation on Earth are yet to come!" In his video, Pence cited inflation, immigration and recession risk. He also said, over images of the leaders of Russia and China, that "the enemies of freedom are on the march around the world". I believe in the American people, and I have faith God is not done with America yet. Together, we can bring this Country back, and the best days for the Greatest Nation on Earth are yet to come! 🇺🇸 #Pence2024 pic.twitter.com/A8EkqgCDAm — Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) June 7, 2023 × What to expect next? The road ahead for Pence is not going to be easy as a Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll in May noted that Pence enters the Republican presidential primary with a mountain to climb, polling at just five per cent and trailing Trump by 44 points. For a vice president to run against a president he served under is quite rare as it has happened just a few times in history. He was a loyal deputy of Trump while serving as the vice president from 2017 to 2021. Pence also brought the religious right into the tent and was willing to defend the president against any accusation. Pence repeatedly defended him through multiple scandals during tumultuous four years in the White House. However, the narratives changed when Pence rejected Trump's demands that he overturn the 2020 election in his role as president of the Senate. After the US Capitol attack, Pence continued to praise his assailant in public, but it eventually changed as Trump's torrent of false claims of election fraud led to a mob chanting for Pence to be hanged at the US Capitol. Pence even called out Trump for endangering his family and other people at the US Capitol, and also emphasised his differences with Trump on issues ranging from the handling of Russian leader Vladimir Putin to abortion rights. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Former VP Mike Pence officially announces 2024 US presidential run

Mike&nbsp;Pence, the former vice president of the United States,&nbsp;on Monday (June 5) launched his hotly-anticipated bid to run for president — a challenge for his one-time boss Donald Trump.&nbsp;

The papers filed with the&nbsp;Federal Election Commission showed that Pence has officially joined the candidates who are contesting to be the 2024 presidential nominee of the Republican Party.&nbsp;

The 63-year-old is scheduled to kick off his presidential campaign officially with a video and announcement in the early-voting state of Iowa.&nbsp;

US-based media outlets reported that Pence is expected to publicly launch his campaign with a June 7 rally in Des Moines.&nbsp;

The report mentioned that the former vice president is also expected to hold several additional events in Iowa following his campaign announcement, which may also include a CNN town hall in the evening.&nbsp;

Pence made regular visits to a couple of key early-voting states — Iowa and New Hampshire, which according to&nbsp;media reports, is a process of the groundwork for a presidential campaign.&nbsp;

As quoted by USA TODAY, Democratic leaders, including Jaime Harrison, criticised Pence's entry. As quoted, Harrison, who is Democratic National Committee Chair, said in a statement that "Pence's entrance will no doubt drag an increasingly MAGA 2024 GOP field even further to the extremes".&nbsp;

Harrison said, "In Mike Pence's own words, he was a member of the extreme Tea Party 'before it was cool,' and he hasn't slowed down since. Now, he's promising to take the Trump-Pence agenda even further, leading the charge for a national abortion ban, cutting Medicare, and ending Social Security as we know it."&nbsp;

From 2017 to 2021, Pence was a loyal deputy of Trump while serving as the vice president. He brought the religious right into the tent and was willing to defend the president against any accusation.&nbsp;

However, the narratives changed when Pence rejected Trump's demands that he overturn the 2020 election in his role as president of the Senate.&nbsp;

After&nbsp;the US Capitol attack, Pence continued to praise his assailant in public, but it eventually changed as Trump's torrent of false claims of election fraud led to a mob chanting for Pence to be hanged at the US Capitol.&nbsp;

Pence even called out Trump for endangering his family and other people at the US Capitol, and also emphasised his differences with Trump on issues ranging from the handling of Russian leader Vladimir Putin to abortion rights. &nbsp;

<h2>Republican White House race&nbsp;</h2>

Some polls have shown Trump leading the Republican race, which has other names, including Florida Gov Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, and more. But reports have noted that Pence has aimed to distinguish himself from his rivals on issues such as support for Ukraine, and other issues of global concern.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Mike Pence, the former vice president of the United States, on Monday (June 5) launched his hotly-anticipated bid to run for president — a challenge for his one-time boss Donald Trump.

Mike Pence, the former vice president of the United States, on Monday (June 5) launched his hotly-anticipated bid to run for president — a challenge for his one-time boss Donald Trump. The papers filed with the Federal Election Commission showed that Pence has officially joined the candidates who are contesting to be the 2024 presidential nominee of the Republican Party. The 63-year-old is scheduled to kick off his presidential campaign officially with a video and announcement in the early-voting state of Iowa. US-based media outlets reported that Pence is expected to publicly launch his campaign with a June 7 rally in Des Moines. The report mentioned that the former vice president is also expected to hold several additional events in Iowa following his campaign announcement, which may also include a CNN town hall in the evening. Pence made regular visits to a couple of key early-voting states — Iowa and New Hampshire, which according to media reports, is a process of the groundwork for a presidential campaign. As quoted by USA TODAY, Democratic leaders, including Jaime Harrison, criticised Pence's entry. As quoted, Harrison, who is Democratic National Committee Chair, said in a statement that "Pence's entrance will no doubt drag an increasingly MAGA 2024 GOP field even further to the extremes". Harrison said, "In Mike Pence's own words, he was a member of the extreme Tea Party 'before it was cool,' and he hasn't slowed down since. Now, he's promising to take the Trump-Pence agenda even further, leading the charge for a national abortion ban, cutting Medicare, and ending Social Security as we know it." From 2017 to 2021, Pence was a loyal deputy of Trump while serving as the vice president. He brought the religious right into the tent and was willing to defend the president against any accusation. However, the narratives changed when Pence rejected Trump's demands that he overturn the 2020 election in his role as president of the Senate. After the US Capitol attack, Pence continued to praise his assailant in public, but it eventually changed as Trump's torrent of false claims of election fraud led to a mob chanting for Pence to be hanged at the US Capitol. Pence even called out Trump for endangering his family and other people at the US Capitol, and also emphasised his differences with Trump on issues ranging from the handling of Russian leader Vladimir Putin to abortion rights. Republican White House race Some polls have shown Trump leading the Republican race, which has other names, including Florida Gov Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, and more. But reports have noted that Pence has aimed to distinguish himself from his rivals on issues such as support for Ukraine, and other issues of global concern. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Former US vice president Mike Pence files papers to enter 2024 White House race

Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is expected to launch a bid for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination next week, news agency Reuters reported on Wednesday (May 31), citing a person familiar with the matter.&nbsp;

The report also mentioned that Christie will officially launch his campaign at a town hall at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire on Tuesday.&nbsp;

US-based news outlet CBS News reported that some of his longtime allies have formed a political action committee, which is known as Tell It Like it Is, in order to support him. The group is focused on reflecting Christie's personality.&nbsp;

Christie advised former president Donald Trump's campaign in 2016 and was seen as a close ally of the former president.&nbsp;He had also run for the top job. However, he later became a vocal critic of Trump.

The 60-year-old has now called Trump a "coward" and "puppet" of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Several media reports have mentioned that Christie may emerge as the only candidate in the race who will remain critical of Trump, and speak about him regularly as he has done so far.&nbsp;

Since the January&nbsp;6, 2021&nbsp;attack on the US Capitol by Trump supporters, Christie has slammed Trump multiple&nbsp;times.&nbsp;

He blamed the former president for the Republicans' disappointing showing in the 2022 midterm elections. Christie even urged his party to move on from Trump's baseless claims that the 2020 election was rigged, including in his book "Republican Rescue."&nbsp;

In March, Christie said at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College, "You better have somebody on that stage who can do to him what I did to Marco [Rubio] because that's the only thing that's gonna defeat Donald Trump."&nbsp;

Christie was referring to a 2016 debate when he had mocked Sen. Marco Rubio for "memorised 30-second speeches".&nbsp;

He further noted, "And that means you have to be fearless, because he will come back, and right at you."&nbsp;

<h2>What to expect?&nbsp;</h2>

Now, his nomination is almost certain, but only one per cent of Republicans in a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted May 9-15 said he would be their preferred nominee.&nbsp;

However, some Republicans would want to bank on his anti-Trump narrative and might support him. But there's a massive chance of alienating Trump's still-powerful base of voters.&nbsp;

Christie was also a candidate for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination but was beaten by eventual nominee Mitt Romney.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is expected to launch a bid for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination next week, news agency Reuters reported on Wednesday (May 31), citing a person familiar with the matter.

Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is expected to launch a bid for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination next week, news agency Reuters reported on Wednesday (May 31), citing a person familiar with the matter. The report also mentioned that Christie will officially launch his campaign at a town hall at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire on Tuesday. US-based news outlet CBS News reported that some of his longtime allies have formed a political action committee, which is known as Tell It Like it Is, in order to support him. The group is focused on reflecting Christie's personality. Christie advised former president Donald Trump's campaign in 2016 and was seen as a close ally of the former president. He had also run for the top job. However, he later became a vocal critic of Trump. The 60-year-old has now called Trump a "coward" and "puppet" of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Several media reports have mentioned that Christie may emerge as the only candidate in the race who will remain critical of Trump, and speak about him regularly as he has done so far. Since the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol by Trump supporters, Christie has slammed Trump multiple times. He blamed the former president for the Republicans' disappointing showing in the 2022 midterm elections. Christie even urged his party to move on from Trump's baseless claims that the 2020 election was rigged, including in his book "Republican Rescue." In March, Christie said at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College, "You better have somebody on that stage who can do to him what I did to Marco [Rubio] because that's the only thing that's gonna defeat Donald Trump." Christie was referring to a 2016 debate when he had mocked Sen. Marco Rubio for "memorised 30-second speeches". He further noted, "And that means you have to be fearless, because he will come back, and right at you." What to expect? Now, his nomination is almost certain, but only one per cent of Republicans in a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted May 9-15 said he would be their preferred nominee. However, some Republicans would want to bank on his anti-Trump narrative and might support him. But there's a massive chance of alienating Trump's still-powerful base of voters. Christie was also a candidate for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination but was beaten by eventual nominee Mitt Romney. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Ex-New Jersey Governor Chris Christie to announce 2024 presidential bid next week: Report

Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene on Thursday introduced articles of impeachment against President Joe Biden over his handling of migrant crossings along the United States-Mexico border.&nbsp;

In a statement, Greene said: "It is with the highest amount of solemnity that I announce my intention to introduce articles of impeachment today on the head of this America-at-last Executive Branch that has been working since January 20th, 2021, to systematically destroy this country: the President of the United States, Joseph Robinette Biden."&nbsp;

She said that Biden has "deliberately compromised" national security by refusing to enforce immigration laws and secure our border and, allowed approximately six million illegals from over 160 countries to "invade" the country, deprived the border patrol — Customs and Border Protection (CBP) — &nbsp;of the necessary resources and policies sufficient to protect our country.&nbsp;

In a tweet, she said that Joe Biden's "refusal to uphold our immigration laws has given Mexican drug cartels, human traffickers, violent criminals and terrorists operational control of our border" and for this, "he must be impeached".&nbsp;

She even tweeted that she announced the Articles of Impeachment against Biden, FBI Director Chris Wray, AG Merrick Garland, and Alejandro Mayorkas.&nbsp;

And now, she is being "attacked", but further mentioned that she refuses to "back down".&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I announced my Articles of Impeachment against Joe Biden, FBI Director Chris Wray, AG Merrick Garland, and Alejandro Mayorkas. 
 
Now I’m being attacked but I refuse to back down. 
 
Join the fight. Save our country. 
 
Become a citizen cosponsor &gt;&gt;&gt; <a href="https://t.co/i8pdp1PL3I">https://t.co/i8pdp1PL3I</a> <a href="https://t.co/Htf1KXfEOH">pic.twitter.com/Htf1KXfEOH</a>
— Marjorie Taylor Greene 🇺🇸 (@mtgreenee) <a href="https://twitter.com/mtgreenee/status/1659190697516314632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Joe Biden’s refusal to uphold our immigration laws has given Mexican drug cartels, human traffickers, violent criminals and terrorists operational control of our border. 
 
For this he must be impeached. <a href="https://t.co/H9JVN9EwkW">https://t.co/H9JVN9EwkW</a>
— Marjorie Taylor Greene 🇺🇸 (@mtgreenee) <a href="https://twitter.com/mtgreenee/status/1659223735776210945?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

According to Greene, the "Biden administration has willfully refused to maintain operational control as required by law".&nbsp;

The first of three articles of impeachment said that Biden's activities had increased the number of "illegal aliens and illegal narcotics, including deadly fentanyl, entering the United States". &nbsp;

It also claimed that the Biden administration has "willfully violated" the law "by releasing illegal aliens into the interior of the United States".&nbsp;

Title 42, the Covid-era border policy implemented by the Trump administration in 2020, also lasted through the Biden administration. But it expired earlier this month, enabling the federal government to expedite the deportation of migrants without asylum hearings in order to reduce the domestic spread of the virus.&nbsp;

The Biden administration has faced criticism from the Republicans for its decision to end restriction.&nbsp;

A report by NBC mentioned that the House Republicans do not have the votes to impeach Biden.&nbsp;

<h2>White House reacts</h2>

The White House condemned Greene and called her articles of impeachment "a shameless sideshow political stunt".&nbsp;

Ian Sams, who is White House spokesperson for oversight and investigations, said in a statement: "Is there a bigger example of a shameless sideshow political stunt than a trolling impeachment attack by one of the most extreme MAGA members in Congress over 'national security' while she actively demands to defund the FBI and even said she 'would've been armed' and 'would have won' the January 6 insurrection if only she'd been in charge of it?" &nbsp; 
He added, "The President is focused on what's important to the American people, like preventing House Republicans' default that would crash the economy and protecting investments that are creating American manufacturing jobs, not silly political attacks."&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene on Thursday introduced articles of impeachment against President Joe Biden over his handling of migrant crossings along the United States-Mexico border.

Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene on Thursday introduced articles of impeachment against President Joe Biden over his handling of migrant crossings along the United States-Mexico border. In a statement, Greene said: "It is with the highest amount of solemnity that I announce my intention to introduce articles of impeachment today on the head of this America-at-last Executive Branch that has been working since January 20th, 2021, to systematically destroy this country: the President of the United States, Joseph Robinette Biden." She said that Biden has "deliberately compromised" national security by refusing to enforce immigration laws and secure our border and, allowed approximately six million illegals from over 160 countries to "invade" the country, deprived the border patrol — Customs and Border Protection (CBP) — of the necessary resources and policies sufficient to protect our country. In a tweet, she said that Joe Biden's "refusal to uphold our immigration laws has given Mexican drug cartels, human traffickers, violent criminals and terrorists operational control of our border" and for this, "he must be impeached". She even tweeted that she announced the Articles of Impeachment against Biden, FBI Director Chris Wray, AG Merrick Garland, and Alejandro Mayorkas. And now, she is being "attacked", but further mentioned that she refuses to "back down". I announced my Articles of Impeachment against Joe Biden, FBI Director Chris Wray, AG Merrick Garland, and Alejandro Mayorkas. Now I’m being attacked but I refuse to back down. Join the fight. Save our country. Become a citizen cosponsor >>> https://t.co/i8pdp1PL3I pic.twitter.com/Htf1KXfEOH — Marjorie Taylor Greene 🇺🇸 (@mtgreenee) May 18, 2023 × Joe Biden’s refusal to uphold our immigration laws has given Mexican drug cartels, human traffickers, violent criminals and terrorists operational control of our border. For this he must be impeached. https://t.co/H9JVN9EwkW — Marjorie Taylor Greene 🇺🇸 (@mtgreenee) May 18, 2023 × According to Greene, the "Biden administration has willfully refused to maintain operational control as required by law". The first of three articles of impeachment said that Biden's activities had increased the number of "illegal aliens and illegal narcotics, including deadly fentanyl, entering the United States". It also claimed that the Biden administration has "willfully violated" the law "by releasing illegal aliens into the interior of the United States". Title 42, the Covid-era border policy implemented by the Trump administration in 2020, also lasted through the Biden administration. But it expired earlier this month, enabling the federal government to expedite the deportation of migrants without asylum hearings in order to reduce the domestic spread of the virus. The Biden administration has faced criticism from the Republicans for its decision to end restriction. A report by NBC mentioned that the House Republicans do not have the votes to impeach Biden. White House reacts The White House condemned Greene and called her articles of impeachment "a shameless sideshow political stunt". Ian Sams, who is White House spokesperson for oversight and investigations, said in a statement: "Is there a bigger example of a shameless sideshow political stunt than a trolling impeachment attack by one of the most extreme MAGA members in Congress over 'national security' while she actively demands to defund the FBI and even said she 'would've been armed' and 'would have won' the January 6 insurrection if only she'd been in charge of it?" He added, "The President is focused on what's important to the American people, like preventing House Republicans' default that would crash the economy and protecting investments that are creating American manufacturing jobs, not silly political attacks." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Republican congresswoman announces impeachment articles against President Joe Biden

Mickey Mouse and his Florida home, the world’s most visited theme park, have been drawn into America’s culture wars, which have heated up since Florida’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, launched a battle against the Walt Disney company last year.&nbsp;

His reason: Disney, a superpower of American popular culture, issued a letter of mild criticism of a Republican bill that limited instruction on gender and sexuality in public schools. Opponents labelled it the “don’t say gay” law. DeSantis saw the criticism as evidence of “woke” corporate thinking to which he is vocally opposed.&nbsp;

“We reject this woke ideology,” DeSantis said in his inaugural speech at the beginning of his second term in office in January. “We will never surrender to the woke mob. Florida is where woke goes to die.” &nbsp;

DeSantis, who is expected to formally declare his candidacy for the 2024 presidential elections within the next few months, won re-election for governor in a landslide last year, partly because of his oft-voiced scepticism over federal guidelines on vaccinations, face-masks, lockdowns and school closures during much of the Covid-19 pandemic.

That turned him into a hero for right-wing Republicans, a villain for the left, and a governor with a national profile high enough to make him a credible contender for the presidential race. Still, polls on the candidates’ standing for the Republican primary votes show that he is trailing the front-runner, former President Donald Trump.&nbsp;

It is still 10 months before the first Republican primaries and 18 months to the elections – eternities in politics. So much can happen that long-term forecasts are useless apart from providing fodder for America’s vast army of analysts and talking heads.&nbsp;

But it is a safe bet to predict that the term “woke” and the concept of “wokeism” as a movement will feature prominently in campaign debates. Though they mean different things to different people, they have become weapons in America’s increasingly bizarre culture wars.&nbsp;

For an example of how the meaning of words change according to the user, let’s look at “woke.” In 2017, when two of the most important dictionaries of the English language first included it, their definitions were similar and unambiguous.&nbsp;

The Oxford English dictionary: “ woke, adjective: Originally: well-informed, up-to-date. Now chiefly: alert to racial or social discrimination and injustice; frequently in stay woke.” America’s Merriam-Webster: “woke”: aware of and actively attentive to important facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice).” Does DeSantis mean issues of racial and social justice when he repeats his motto that “Florida is where woke goes to die”? Or is it a matter of a thin-skinned politician reacting rashly to criticism from his state’s biggest and best-known employer?

(According to Disney figures, the Magic Kingdom employs 77,000 people, making it “the biggest single-site employer in the United States”).&nbsp;

Disney’s criticism of the education legislation so enraged DeSantis that he moved to take away privileges and a special tax status, granted in 1967, that allowed the vast 25,000-acre resort near Orlando to effectively function as a self-governing entity. “If Disney wants a fight, they chose the wrong guy,” DeSantis wrote in an email to supporters.&nbsp;

But defanging Mickey Mouse proved easier said than done. Instead, the mouse roared. A series of complicated legal manoeuvres largely saved Disney World the Magic Kingdom from the punishment the governor intended.&nbsp;

The mouse bit back. This month, the company filed a federal lawsuit against DeSantis, accusing him of orchestrating a “campaign of retribution” against Disney by signing legislation to cancel the company’s development deals in Orlando. DeSantis, the suit says, is “weaponizing the power of government to punish private business.”&nbsp;

The feud is likely to drag on in the courts for a long time.&nbsp;

The arguments over Disney speak volumes about the antipathy of right-wing Republicans to corporate management strategies that take social issues into account. DIE ( Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) is one. ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) is another.&nbsp;&nbsp;

One of the most strident critiques of these strategies has come from Vivek Ramaswamy, a 37-year-old millionaire entrepreneur of Indian heritage who is running for the presidency.&nbsp;

He wrote a book entitled Woke, Inc. in which he deplores “rosy promises of a better, more diverse and environmentally friendly world” by a “woke-industrial complex” that divides Americans.&nbsp;

Whether De Santis’s effort to turn Americans against a long-beloved company will help or hinder his presidential ambitions is a matter of conjecture. A poll by Reuters/Ipsos in April found that majorities of both Republicans and Democrats were less likely to support a candidate who favours punishing companies for their stand on cultural issues.&nbsp;

Those who have followed the Mickey Mouse feud with close attention and think it weakens prospective presidential candidate DeSantis include Florida’s most prominent resident: Donald Trump.&nbsp;

On his Truth Social platform, he made no secret of his glee: “DeSantis is absolutely destroyed by Disney.”&nbsp;

Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Mickey Mouse and his Florida home, the world’s most visited theme park, have been drawn into America’s culture wars, which have heated up since Florida’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, launched a battle against the Walt Disney company last year.

Mickey Mouse and his Florida home, the world’s most visited theme park, have been drawn into America’s culture wars, which have heated up since Florida’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, launched a battle against the Walt Disney company last year. His reason: Disney, a superpower of American popular culture, issued a letter of mild criticism of a Republican bill that limited instruction on gender and sexuality in public schools. Opponents labelled it the “don’t say gay” law. DeSantis saw the criticism as evidence of “woke” corporate thinking to which he is vocally opposed. “We reject this woke ideology,” DeSantis said in his inaugural speech at the beginning of his second term in office in January. “We will never surrender to the woke mob. Florida is where woke goes to die.” DeSantis, who is expected to formally declare his candidacy for the 2024 presidential elections within the next few months, won re-election for governor in a landslide last year, partly because of his oft-voiced scepticism over federal guidelines on vaccinations, face-masks, lockdowns and school closures during much of the Covid-19 pandemic. That turned him into a hero for right-wing Republicans, a villain for the left, and a governor with a national profile high enough to make him a credible contender for the presidential race. Still, polls on the candidates’ standing for the Republican primary votes show that he is trailing the front-runner, former President Donald Trump. It is still 10 months before the first Republican primaries and 18 months to the elections – eternities in politics. So much can happen that long-term forecasts are useless apart from providing fodder for America’s vast army of analysts and talking heads. But it is a safe bet to predict that the term “woke” and the concept of “wokeism” as a movement will feature prominently in campaign debates. Though they mean different things to different people, they have become weapons in America’s increasingly bizarre culture wars. For an example of how the meaning of words change according to the user, let’s look at “woke.” In 2017, when two of the most important dictionaries of the English language first included it, their definitions were similar and unambiguous. The Oxford English dictionary: “ woke, adjective: Originally: well-informed, up-to-date. Now chiefly: alert to racial or social discrimination and injustice; frequently in stay woke.” America’s Merriam-Webster: “woke”: aware of and actively attentive to important facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice).” Does DeSantis mean issues of racial and social justice when he repeats his motto that “Florida is where woke goes to die”? Or is it a matter of a thin-skinned politician reacting rashly to criticism from his state’s biggest and best-known employer? (According to Disney figures, the Magic Kingdom employs 77,000 people, making it “the biggest single-site employer in the United States”). Disney’s criticism of the education legislation so enraged DeSantis that he moved to take away privileges and a special tax status, granted in 1967, that allowed the vast 25,000-acre resort near Orlando to effectively function as a self-governing entity. “If Disney wants a fight, they chose the wrong guy,” DeSantis wrote in an email to supporters. But defanging Mickey Mouse proved easier said than done. Instead, the mouse roared. A series of complicated legal manoeuvres largely saved Disney World the Magic Kingdom from the punishment the governor intended. The mouse bit back. This month, the company filed a federal lawsuit against DeSantis, accusing him of orchestrating a “campaign of retribution” against Disney by signing legislation to cancel the company’s development deals in Orlando. DeSantis, the suit says, is “weaponizing the power of government to punish private business.” The feud is likely to drag on in the courts for a long time. The arguments over Disney speak volumes about the antipathy of right-wing Republicans to corporate management strategies that take social issues into account. DIE ( Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) is one. ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) is another. One of the most strident critiques of these strategies has come from Vivek Ramaswamy, a 37-year-old millionaire entrepreneur of Indian heritage who is running for the presidency. He wrote a book entitled Woke, Inc. in which he deplores “rosy promises of a better, more diverse and environmentally friendly world” by a “woke-industrial complex” that divides Americans. Whether De Santis’s effort to turn Americans against a long-beloved company will help or hinder his presidential ambitions is a matter of conjecture. A poll by Reuters/Ipsos in April found that majorities of both Republicans and Democrats were less likely to support a candidate who favours punishing companies for their stand on cultural issues. Those who have followed the Mickey Mouse feud with close attention and think it weakens prospective presidential candidate DeSantis include Florida’s most prominent resident: Donald Trump. On his Truth Social platform, he made no secret of his glee: “DeSantis is absolutely destroyed by Disney.” Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

How Mickey Mouse was drawn into America’s culture wars

United States President Joe Biden told CNN that the shooting down of the unidentified object which was flying over Alaska on Friday (February 10) "was a success".&nbsp;The order to take down the object, which was first detected on Thursday, was given to the US military by the commander-in-chief, the national security officials revealed.&nbsp;

In a media interaction on Friday, the White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that the object was taken down because it was a threat to civil aviation.&nbsp;

Kirby said that the purpose and origin of the object were not known, but he mentioned that the “president ordered the military&nbsp;to down the object,&nbsp;which was floating at 40,000 feet.”&nbsp;

Watch this report:&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pentagon-high-altitude-object-was-the-size-of-a-small-car-560814/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

This comes after the recent hotly-debated spy balloon saga. A huge white-coloured Chinese balloon was shot down by American jets last weekend. &nbsp;

US State Department official said on Thursday that the so-called spy balloon had equipment that was "clearly for intelligence surveillance," including "multiple antennas" that were "likely capable of collecting and geo-locating communications."&nbsp;

The Chinese balloon in the US airspace escalated the tensions between the US and China, but Beijing said that it was a civilian "airship" which was used for research, mainly meteorological purposes.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, giving details about the object, Kirby said that it was much smaller than the huge Chinese balloon that had crossed the US last week and was shot down.&nbsp;

It was "roughly the size of a small car," he said, adding that "we do not know who owns it, whether it was state-owned or corporate-owned".&nbsp;

<h2>F-22 fighter jet shot it down&nbsp;</h2>

The US sent F-35s fighter jets to probe the object on Thursday. They also attempted to get details about the object but as per Kirby, the jets got "limited" information.&nbsp;

Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Pat Ryder told reporters that the object was travelling in a northeasterly direction when it was shot down.&nbsp;

Ryder further said that an F-22 fighter jet from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska took down the object "at 1:45 p.m. eastern standard time today, within US sovereign airspace over US territorial water".&nbsp;

<h2>Trudeau supports decision</h2>

Reacting to the US military's action, Justin Trudeau, the&nbsp;prime minister of neighbouring Canada&nbsp;said on Friday that he supported the decision.&nbsp;

Trudeau tweeted: "This afternoon, an object that violated American airspace was brought down. I was briefed on the matter and supported the decision to take action. Our military and intelligence services will always work together, including through @NORADCommand, to keep people safe."&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
This afternoon, an object that violated American airspace was brought down. I was briefed on the matter and supported the decision to take action. Our military and intelligence services will always work together, including through <a href="https://twitter.com/NORADCommand?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NORADCommand</a>, to keep people safe.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau/status/1624166817831739406?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

 
WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

United States President Joe Biden told CNN that the shooting down of the unidentified object which was flying over Alaska on Friday (February 10) "was a success".

United States President Joe Biden told CNN that the shooting down of the unidentified object which was flying over Alaska on Friday (February 10) "was a success". The order to take down the object, which was first detected on Thursday, was given to the US military by the commander-in-chief, the national security officials revealed. In a media interaction on Friday, the White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that the object was taken down because it was a threat to civil aviation. Kirby said that the purpose and origin of the object were not known, but he mentioned that the “president ordered the military to down the object, which was floating at 40,000 feet.” Watch this report: × This comes after the recent hotly-debated spy balloon saga. A huge white-coloured Chinese balloon was shot down by American jets last weekend. US State Department official said on Thursday that the so-called spy balloon had equipment that was "clearly for intelligence surveillance," including "multiple antennas" that were "likely capable of collecting and geo-locating communications." The Chinese balloon in the US airspace escalated the tensions between the US and China, but Beijing said that it was a civilian "airship" which was used for research, mainly meteorological purposes. Meanwhile, giving details about the object, Kirby said that it was much smaller than the huge Chinese balloon that had crossed the US last week and was shot down. It was "roughly the size of a small car," he said, adding that "we do not know who owns it, whether it was state-owned or corporate-owned". F-22 fighter jet shot it down The US sent F-35s fighter jets to probe the object on Thursday. They also attempted to get details about the object but as per Kirby, the jets got "limited" information. Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Pat Ryder told reporters that the object was travelling in a northeasterly direction when it was shot down. Ryder further said that an F-22 fighter jet from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska took down the object "at 1:45 p.m. eastern standard time today, within US sovereign airspace over US territorial water". Trudeau supports decision Reacting to the US military's action, Justin Trudeau, the prime minister of neighbouring Canada said on Friday that he supported the decision. Trudeau tweeted: "This afternoon, an object that violated American airspace was brought down. I was briefed on the matter and supported the decision to take action. Our military and intelligence services will always work together, including through @NORADCommand, to keep people safe." This afternoon, an object that violated American airspace was brought down. I was briefed on the matter and supported the decision to take action. Our military and intelligence services will always work together, including through @NORADCommand, to keep people safe. — Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 10, 2023 × WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US shoots down 'high-altitude object', Biden calls it 'success', Justin Trudeau supports decision

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) found an additional classified document at the property of former vice president Mike Pence on Friday (February 10).&nbsp;This development comes two weeks after Pence had acknowledged that he has a "small number" of government files at his home. Details of the document&nbsp;were not revealed.&nbsp;

In a statement, Pence's spokesman Devin O'Malley said that the officials and agents had turned up the material in a "thorough and unrestricted" five-hour search of the Carmel, Indiana house. The search was conducted with Pence's consent, he noted.&nbsp;

O'Malley further added that they removed "one document with classified markings and six additional without such markings that were not discovered in the initial review by the vice president's counsel".&nbsp;

Watch this report:&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-one-classified-record-found-at-mike-pences-house-in-indiana-560802/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

He also mentioned that Pence and his legal team "fully cooperated with the appropriate authorities." During the search, Pence and his wife were not at home.&nbsp;

However, a member of his legal team was reportedly present. The Justice Department got full access to the home for the search.&nbsp;

Last month, Pence said that an aide had uncovered classified papers. The Republican, who is weighing a run for the presidency in 2024, reported that the documents might have been taken with other material when he left the White House in January 2021.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) found an additional classified document at the property of former vice president Mike Pence on Friday (February 10). This development comes two weeks after Pence had acknowledged that he has a "small number" of government files at his home.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) found an additional classified document at the property of former vice president Mike Pence on Friday (February 10). This development comes two weeks after Pence had acknowledged that he has a "small number" of government files at his home. Details of the document were not revealed. In a statement, Pence's spokesman Devin O'Malley said that the officials and agents had turned up the material in a "thorough and unrestricted" five-hour search of the Carmel, Indiana house. The search was conducted with Pence's consent, he noted. O'Malley further added that they removed "one document with classified markings and six additional without such markings that were not discovered in the initial review by the vice president's counsel". Watch this report: × He also mentioned that Pence and his legal team "fully cooperated with the appropriate authorities." During the search, Pence and his wife were not at home. However, a member of his legal team was reportedly present. The Justice Department got full access to the home for the search. Last month, Pence said that an aide had uncovered classified papers. The Republican, who is weighing a run for the presidency in 2024, reported that the documents might have been taken with other material when he left the White House in January 2021. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

FBI finds another classified document during search at ex-VP Mike Pence’s home

Commerce Department in the United States said on Thursday (January 26) that the economy grew slower in 2022 amid fears of recession. At the fag end of the year, the economy performed slightly better than expected amid looming recession fears, higher borrowing costs and the rising cost of living.&nbsp;The US Commerce Department revealed that the economy grew at an annual rate of 2.9 per cent in the last three months of 2022, down from 3.2 per cent in the previous quarter.&nbsp;

In a statement, the department said that the "increase in real GDP in 2022 primarily reflected increases in consumer spending, exports" and certain forms of investment.&nbsp;

The economic activity in the country was moderating as the central bank increased the benchmark lending rate seven times last year. The hikes were aimed at cooling demand and reining in costs as inflation surged.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-arms-exports-up-49-in-fiscal-2022-556283">United States arms exports to foreign governments rose 49% in fiscal 2022</a>&nbsp;

In 2022, declines in manufacturing and retail sales led to a slump in the property sector. The year remained a healing period for the economy, which has faced the wrath of the pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.&nbsp;

According to Commerce Department data, the US economy expanded 2.1 per cent for all of 2022, down from the figure in 2021.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Former US president Donald trump wins golf championship at his own club&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/former-us-president-donald-trump-wins-golf-championship-at-his-own-club-556292/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

As quoted by CNN, John Leer, chief economist of Morning Consult, said, "A shockingly resilient consumer mostly fueled the robust economic growth during the last quarter of 2022."&nbsp;

He said, "Consumers are increasingly struggling to navigate the ongoing effects from the spike in prices last year by drawing on credit and savings."&nbsp;

"With consumer demand likely to continue its downward trajectory, business investment is also likely to slow in the coming quarters, increasing the probability of a recession this year," he added.&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Commerce Department in the United States said on Thursday (January 26) that the economy grew slower in 2022 amid fears of recession. At the fag end of the year, the economy performed slightly better than expected amid looming recession fears, higher borrowing costs and the rising cost of living.

Commerce Department in the United States said on Thursday (January 26) that the economy grew slower in 2022 amid fears of recession. At the fag end of the year, the economy performed slightly better than expected amid looming recession fears, higher borrowing costs and the rising cost of living. The US Commerce Department revealed that the economy grew at an annual rate of 2.9 per cent in the last three months of 2022, down from 3.2 per cent in the previous quarter. In a statement, the department said that the "increase in real GDP in 2022 primarily reflected increases in consumer spending, exports" and certain forms of investment. The economic activity in the country was moderating as the central bank increased the benchmark lending rate seven times last year. The hikes were aimed at cooling demand and reining in costs as inflation surged. ALSO READ | United States arms exports to foreign governments rose 49% in fiscal 2022 In 2022, declines in manufacturing and retail sales led to a slump in the property sector. The year remained a healing period for the economy, which has faced the wrath of the pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war. According to Commerce Department data, the US economy expanded 2.1 per cent for all of 2022, down from the figure in 2021. WATCH | Former US president Donald trump wins golf championship at his own club × As quoted by CNN, John Leer, chief economist of Morning Consult, said, "A shockingly resilient consumer mostly fueled the robust economic growth during the last quarter of 2022." He said, "Consumers are increasingly struggling to navigate the ongoing effects from the spike in prices last year by drawing on credit and savings." "With consumer demand likely to continue its downward trajectory, business investment is also likely to slow in the coming quarters, increasing the probability of a recession this year," he added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US economy performed better than expected in final months of last year

The White House on Thursday (January 12) admitted that classified government records were found at United States President Joe Biden's private residence in Wilmington, Delaware.&nbsp;In a statement, the White House counsel’s office said that Biden's aides located documents with classified markings at two locations inside his home.&nbsp;

The statement by the White House mentioned that "a small number" of classified documents are apparently dated to the Obama-Biden administration.&nbsp;

<p data-analytics-observe="off" data-component-name="paragraph" data-editable="text" data-uri="archive.cms.cnn.com/_components/paragraph/instances/paragraph_93A08C59-442D-B977-824D-A69BAA7165E5@published">"As was done in the case of the Penn-Biden Center, the Department of Justice was immediately notified, and the lawyers arranged for the Department of Justice to take possession of these documents,"&nbsp;the statement reads.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Statement from White House Counsel's Office on ongoing cooperation with the Archives and Department of Justice: <a href="https://t.co/Dn3F8Oqggd">pic.twitter.com/Dn3F8Oqggd</a>
— Ian Sams (@IanSams46) <a href="https://twitter.com/IanSams46/status/1613555584837484545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 12, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Meanwhile, Biden has said that he was "cooperating fully" with a Justice Department review regarding the classified documents.&nbsp;

The US president said that lawyers "discovered a small number of documents with classified markings in storage areas and file cabinets in my home and my personal library". He further mentioned that he takes "classified documents and classified material seriously."&nbsp;

Reports have mentioned that other documents were found at a Washington think tank where Biden used to have an office. The revelation has embarrassed the White House as authorities probe a far bigger scandal involving ex-president Donald Trump's alleged mishandling of classified documents.&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

The White House on Thursday (January 12) admitted that classified government records were found at United States President Joe Biden's private residence in Wilmington, Delaware.

The White House on Thursday (January 12) admitted that classified government records were found at United States President Joe Biden's private residence in Wilmington, Delaware. In a statement, the White House counsel’s office said that Biden's aides located documents with classified markings at two locations inside his home. The statement by the White House mentioned that "a small number" of classified documents are apparently dated to the Obama-Biden administration. "As was done in the case of the Penn-Biden Center, the Department of Justice was immediately notified, and the lawyers arranged for the Department of Justice to take possession of these documents," the statement reads. Statement from White House Counsel's Office on ongoing cooperation with the Archives and Department of Justice: pic.twitter.com/Dn3F8Oqggd — Ian Sams (@IanSams46) January 12, 2023 × Meanwhile, Biden has said that he was "cooperating fully" with a Justice Department review regarding the classified documents. The US president said that lawyers "discovered a small number of documents with classified markings in storage areas and file cabinets in my home and my personal library". He further mentioned that he takes "classified documents and classified material seriously." Reports have mentioned that other documents were found at a Washington think tank where Biden used to have an office. The revelation has embarrassed the White House as authorities probe a far bigger scandal involving ex-president Donald Trump's alleged mishandling of classified documents. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Classified documents found at Joe Biden's Delaware residence, 'cooperating fully' with review

Jaylen Smith, an 18-year-old created history in the US by becoming the youngest black mayor. The teenager won runoff elections for the state of Arkansas.&nbsp;

The vote&nbsp;count was 235 to 185, as per the Crittenden County Clerk's office, BBC&nbsp;reported.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/los-angeles-elects-its-first-female-mayor-in-241-years-karen-bass-claims-victory-534982">Also&nbsp;read |&nbsp;Karen Bass: Los Angeles elects its first female mayor in 241 years&nbsp;</a>

Smith is not the first 18-year-old mayor in US history.&nbsp;In 2005, Michael Sessions who was also 18 at that time won a race to be the mayor of Hillsdale in Michigan.

Smith wrote on Facebook, "It's time to build a better chapter of Earle, Arkansas. I would like to thank all my supporters for stepping up and getting people to the polls. I am truly grateful for you all."

During his campaigns, he focused on improving the police force, better drainage systems, and addressing the homelessness issue. He also plans to establish a new major grocery store in the city as the previous one closed years ago.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-three-more-women-file-sexual-assault-case-against-cosmetic-doctor-who-died-by-suicide-541019">Also read |&nbsp;US: Three more women file sexual assault case against cosmetic doctor who died by suicide&nbsp;</a>

Frank Scott Jr, president of the African American Mayors Association praised his victory and told CNN that he is excited to work with Smith.&nbsp;

"You have to start somewhere - you really do," he said. "I didn't want to be 30 or 40 and become a mayor when I could be one right now."

He plans to study further and juggle the city's official duty along with it and wants to become a prosecutor in the future.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

Jaylen Smith, an 18-year-old created history in the US by becoming the youngest black mayor. The teenager won runoff elections for the state of Arkansas. The vote count was 235 to 185, as per the Crittenden County Clerk's office, BBC reported.

Jaylen Smith, an 18-year-old created history in the US by becoming the youngest black mayor. The teenager won runoff elections for the state of Arkansas. The vote count was 235 to 185, as per the Crittenden County Clerk's office, BBC reported. Also read | Karen Bass: Los Angeles elects its first female mayor in 241 years Smith is not the first 18-year-old mayor in US history. In 2005, Michael Sessions who was also 18 at that time won a race to be the mayor of Hillsdale in Michigan. Smith wrote on Facebook, "It's time to build a better chapter of Earle, Arkansas. I would like to thank all my supporters for stepping up and getting people to the polls. I am truly grateful for you all." During his campaigns, he focused on improving the police force, better drainage systems, and addressing the homelessness issue. He also plans to establish a new major grocery store in the city as the previous one closed years ago. Also read | US: Three more women file sexual assault case against cosmetic doctor who died by suicide Frank Scott Jr, president of the African American Mayors Association praised his victory and told CNN that he is excited to work with Smith. "You have to start somewhere - you really do," he said. "I didn't want to be 30 or 40 and become a mayor when I could be one right now." He plans to study further and juggle the city's official duty along with it and wants to become a prosecutor in the future. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Jaylen Smith, 18, becomes the youngest black mayor of the United States

In the United States, early voting began on Monday (October 24) with people voting in the midterm elections. In his recent meeting with six young "change-makers", President Joe Biden stressed the need for voter turnout.&nbsp;

In the meeting, they talked about several issues dominating the election such as abortion access, trans rights, criminal justice reform, gun safety, economic instability and climate injustice.&nbsp;

Targeting the opposition on abortion, Biden said the Senators on the Republican side have made it clear what they want to do. He noted that Senator Lindsay Graham of South Carolina "wants to federally pass a law that they'd expect the President to sign that would in fact outlaw the right to choose in most cases, no matter whether it's incest or rape or any criminal act".&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/why-is-west-bothered-about-iran-sending-drones-to-russia-528264">Why is West bothered about Iran sending drones to Russia?</a>&nbsp;

But Biden also mentioned, that if Republicans succeed in blocking abortion in every state, then he is going to veto it. "It's not going to happen as long as I'm President," he said.&nbsp;

The US president told activists Monday at his party headquarters in Washington: "We just have 15 days until one of the most important elections in our lifetime. And it's going to shape the way the country looks... for the coming decade." He predicted a late surge.&nbsp;

Watch this report:&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/people-cast-their-ballots-in-secured-boxes-as-early-voting-for-us-midterm-election-begins-528291/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Meanwhile, the Republicans hope their narrative will help them take back Congress. In case the result favours the Republicans, it would cripple the remaining two years of Biden's presidency.&nbsp;

Democrats made significant headway in recent months but despite that, the Republicans have been pushing forward their campaign with a focus on the economy and law and order. They are also targeting high inflation, violent crime soaring and the immigration crisis, etc.&nbsp;

Some polls have favoured&nbsp;the Republicans in races that will determine which party controls the US Congress, but Biden said last Friday that he is confident that the momentum would shift.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-growing-us-scrutiny-israel-might-tighten-restrictions-on-chinese-investments-528167">Amid growing US scrutiny, Israel might tighten restrictions on Chinese investments</a>&nbsp;

During the campaign, the Republicans have blamed Biden's policies for high inflation and increases in crime.&nbsp;

Notably, the midterms in the nation take place every two years in the middle of a four-year presidential term. The Americans go to the polls on November 8.&nbsp;

In the House of Representatives, all 435 seats are on the ballot on November 8. Also the 35 Senate seats, just over a third of the upper chamber.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

In the United States, early voting began on Monday (October 24) with people voting in the midterm elections. In his recent meeting with six young "change-makers", President Joe Biden stressed the need for voter turnout.

In the United States, early voting began on Monday (October 24) with people voting in the midterm elections. In his recent meeting with six young "change-makers", President Joe Biden stressed the need for voter turnout. In the meeting, they talked about several issues dominating the election such as abortion access, trans rights, criminal justice reform, gun safety, economic instability and climate injustice. Targeting the opposition on abortion, Biden said the Senators on the Republican side have made it clear what they want to do. He noted that Senator Lindsay Graham of South Carolina "wants to federally pass a law that they'd expect the President to sign that would in fact outlaw the right to choose in most cases, no matter whether it's incest or rape or any criminal act". ALSO READ | Why is West bothered about Iran sending drones to Russia? But Biden also mentioned, that if Republicans succeed in blocking abortion in every state, then he is going to veto it. "It's not going to happen as long as I'm President," he said. The US president told activists Monday at his party headquarters in Washington: "We just have 15 days until one of the most important elections in our lifetime. And it's going to shape the way the country looks... for the coming decade." He predicted a late surge. Watch this report: × Meanwhile, the Republicans hope their narrative will help them take back Congress. In case the result favours the Republicans, it would cripple the remaining two years of Biden's presidency. Democrats made significant headway in recent months but despite that, the Republicans have been pushing forward their campaign with a focus on the economy and law and order. They are also targeting high inflation, violent crime soaring and the immigration crisis, etc. Some polls have favoured the Republicans in races that will determine which party controls the US Congress, but Biden said last Friday that he is confident that the momentum would shift. ALSO READ | Amid growing US scrutiny, Israel might tighten restrictions on Chinese investments During the campaign, the Republicans have blamed Biden's policies for high inflation and increases in crime. Notably, the midterms in the nation take place every two years in the middle of a four-year presidential term. The Americans go to the polls on November 8. In the House of Representatives, all 435 seats are on the ballot on November 8. Also the 35 Senate seats, just over a third of the upper chamber. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US midterm elections: Early voting begins, but who will seize momentum?

Ark Encounter: A showcase for US creationists in rural Kentucky

The job approval ratings of United States President Joe Biden have dropped since the start of his presidency among young generations - the Gen Z and millennials - as per the new Gallup poll released on Thursday (April 14).&nbsp;

Gallup released the data after interviewing around 6,000 adults in the first and third of these periods. The report states that over 2,000 are in the middle period.&nbsp;

As per the poll, 39 per cent of Generation Z respondents (born 1997-2004) approved of the job Biden has done as president. But now there's a decline of 21 points.&nbsp;

When Biden first took office, 60 per cent of Gen Z respondents had approved of his handling of the job.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india/gujarat-first-stop-on-uk-pm-boris-johnsons-india-visit-india-highly-valued-strategic-partner-for-the-uk-471574">Gujarat first stop on UK PM Boris Johnson's India visit: 'India highly valued strategic partner for the UK'</a>

On the other hand, 41 per cent of Millennials (born 1981-1996) approve of Biden's job as president. But just like the Gen Z, there's a decline in this category as well. In January-June 2021 poll, 60 per cent of respondents had approved of his job.&nbsp;

During his initial days in the White House, 60 per cent of both Generation Z adults and millennials approved of the job he was doing.&nbsp;

The approval kept falling ever since as coronavirus (COVID-19) and withdrawal from Afghanistan in late August 2021 might have acted as catalysts for such a fall in ratings.&nbsp;

Important to note that Biden's approval rating held steady among baby boomers (born 1946-1964) and traditionalists (born before 1946).&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korean-leader-kim-jong-un-supervises-new-weapon-test-to-enhance-nations-tactical-capabilities-471531">North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervises new weapon test to enhance nation's 'tactical capabilities'</a>

A part of the report noted: "All generational groups have become less approving of Biden since the summer, after the troubled U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in late August 2021, with the exception of traditionalists, whose approval has not changed."&nbsp;

Apart from a decline in approval rating among various generations, Black and Hispanic adults also show a significant fall. The reports show that during the start of his term, 87 per cent of Non-Hispanic Black adults approved of the job he was doing. That fell to 74 per cent in the summer of 2021 and is now at 67 per cent.&nbsp;

The report further states that among Hispanics, Biden's job approval has slumped from 73 per cent in early 2021 to 52 per cent now — a 21-point fall.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Elon Musk's Twitter play sparks controversies, Tesla owner to modify social media for his interests?

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/elon-musks-twitter-play-sparks-controversies-tesla-owner-to-modify-social-media-for-his-interests-471530/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

The job approval ratings of United States President Joe Biden have dropped since the start of his presidency among young generations - the Gen Z and millennials - as per the new Gallup poll released on Thursday (April 14).

The job approval ratings of United States President Joe Biden have dropped since the start of his presidency among young generations - the Gen Z and millennials - as per the new Gallup poll released on Thursday (April 14). Gallup released the data after interviewing around 6,000 adults in the first and third of these periods. The report states that over 2,000 are in the middle period. As per the poll, 39 per cent of Generation Z respondents (born 1997-2004) approved of the job Biden has done as president. But now there's a decline of 21 points. When Biden first took office, 60 per cent of Gen Z respondents had approved of his handling of the job. ALSO READ | Gujarat first stop on UK PM Boris Johnson's India visit: 'India highly valued strategic partner for the UK' On the other hand, 41 per cent of Millennials (born 1981-1996) approve of Biden's job as president. But just like the Gen Z, there's a decline in this category as well. In January-June 2021 poll, 60 per cent of respondents had approved of his job. During his initial days in the White House, 60 per cent of both Generation Z adults and millennials approved of the job he was doing. The approval kept falling ever since as coronavirus (COVID-19) and withdrawal from Afghanistan in late August 2021 might have acted as catalysts for such a fall in ratings. Important to note that Biden's approval rating held steady among baby boomers (born 1946-1964) and traditionalists (born before 1946). ALSO READ | North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervises new weapon test to enhance nation's 'tactical capabilities' A part of the report noted: "All generational groups have become less approving of Biden since the summer, after the troubled U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in late August 2021, with the exception of traditionalists, whose approval has not changed." Apart from a decline in approval rating among various generations, Black and Hispanic adults also show a significant fall. The reports show that during the start of his term, 87 per cent of Non-Hispanic Black adults approved of the job he was doing. That fell to 74 per cent in the summer of 2021 and is now at 67 per cent. The report further states that among Hispanics, Biden's job approval has slumped from 73 per cent in early 2021 to 52 per cent now — a 21-point fall. WATCH | Elon Musk's Twitter play sparks controversies, Tesla owner to modify social media for his interests? ×

A matter of concern? Decline in Joe Biden's approval rating among Gen Z and millennials

Former United States President Donald Trump is the "most honest human being God has ever created", he himself said it when he spoke at a rally in Selma, North Carolina on Saturday evening (April 9).&nbsp;

A burst of laughter followed after Trump's "the most honest&nbsp;human being" remarks at a rally. He quoted one of his friends as saying, "'You know, you've been investigated years and years, millions and millions of pages of documents, they found nothing. You are the cleanest on Earth when you think about it.'"&nbsp;

Trump then said, "I've got to be the cleanest sheriff. I think I'm the most honest&nbsp;human being, perhaps, that God ever created."&nbsp;

Amid multiple investigations, including his alleged involvement in the US Capitol attacks, Trump's remarks went viral on social media.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-boris-johnsons-visit-us-says-joe-biden-doesnt-currently-have-any-plans-to-travel-to-ukraine-470275">After Boris Johnson's visit, US says Joe Biden 'doesn't currently have any plans' to travel to Ukraine</a>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Trump: I’ve gotta be the cleanest— I think I’m the most honest human being perhaps that god ever created <a href="https://t.co/D98itzA6vi">pic.twitter.com/D98itzA6vi</a>
— Acyn (@Acyn) <a href="https://twitter.com/Acyn/status/1512944767692259328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Recently, Trump defended his conduct during the US Capitol assault in an incendiary interview published last week, saying he did not regret summoning his rioting supporters to Washington.&nbsp;

He told The Washington Post he would have accompanied his ultra-loyal followers as they marched on the complex on January 6 last year, but was stopped by his security detail.&nbsp;

He offered no contrition for whipping up the crowd with bogus claims that victory was stolen from him through widespread fraud -- although he was clear in his condemnation of the violence that ensued.&nbsp;

"Secret Service said I couldn't go. I would have gone there in a minute," he said, in the wide-ranging interview, adding that it was the largest crowd he had ever spoken to.&nbsp;

On January 6, 2021, thousands of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol last year in an effort to halt the peaceful transfer of power after Joe Biden won a decisive victory in 2020, described by the government as one of the most secure elections in US history.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas Plus: Blood The dark side of Electric Vehicles

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-plus-blood-the-dark-side-of-electric-vehicles-470021/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Former United States President Donald Trump is the "most honest human being God has ever created", he himself said it when he spoke at a rally in Selma, North Carolina on Saturday evening (April 9).

Former United States President Donald Trump is the "most honest human being God has ever created", he himself said it when he spoke at a rally in Selma, North Carolina on Saturday evening (April 9). A burst of laughter followed after Trump's "the most honest human being" remarks at a rally. He quoted one of his friends as saying, "'You know, you've been investigated years and years, millions and millions of pages of documents, they found nothing. You are the cleanest on Earth when you think about it.'" Trump then said, "I've got to be the cleanest sheriff. I think I'm the most honest human being, perhaps, that God ever created." Amid multiple investigations, including his alleged involvement in the US Capitol attacks, Trump's remarks went viral on social media. ALSO READ | After Boris Johnson's visit, US says Joe Biden 'doesn't currently have any plans' to travel to Ukraine Trump: I’ve gotta be the cleanest— I think I’m the most honest human being perhaps that god ever created pic.twitter.com/D98itzA6vi — Acyn (@Acyn) April 10, 2022 × Recently, Trump defended his conduct during the US Capitol assault in an incendiary interview published last week, saying he did not regret summoning his rioting supporters to Washington. He told The Washington Post he would have accompanied his ultra-loyal followers as they marched on the complex on January 6 last year, but was stopped by his security detail. He offered no contrition for whipping up the crowd with bogus claims that victory was stolen from him through widespread fraud -- although he was clear in his condemnation of the violence that ensued. "Secret Service said I couldn't go. I would have gone there in a minute," he said, in the wide-ranging interview, adding that it was the largest crowd he had ever spoken to. On January 6, 2021, thousands of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol last year in an effort to halt the peaceful transfer of power after Joe Biden won a decisive victory in 2020, described by the government as one of the most secure elections in US history. WATCH | Gravitas Plus: Blood The dark side of Electric Vehicles × (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: Donald Trump is the 'most honest human being perhaps God has ever created'. Guess who said it

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

"For God's sake, this man [Putin] cannot remain in power," United States President Joe Biden said this to a crowd in Warsaw, Poland on Saturday (March 26) while condemning Russia's month-long invasion of Ukraine.&nbsp;

The comments appeared to be a call for Putin's exit and went viral in no time. However, it sent the Biden administration rushing course-correction and giving explanations.&nbsp;

Biden's comments were delivered during the close of three days of marathon diplomacy. The remarks were termed a "horrendous gaffe" by one Republican senator.&nbsp;

US Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), a ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told CNN: "He gave a good speech at the end, but as you pointed out already, there was a horrendous gaffe right at the end of it."&nbsp;

During his address, Biden cast Russia's invasion of Ukraine as a battle in a much broader conflict between democracy and autocracy.&nbsp;

"The battle for democracy could not conclude and did not conclude with the end of the Cold War. Over the last 30 years, the forces of autocracy have revived all across the globe," Biden said.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-president-zelensky-says-ukraine-ready-to-discuss-adopting-neutral-status-466182">President Zelensky says Ukraine ready to discuss adopting neutral status</a>

Biden and other Western allies have been aiming at presenting a determined front against Russia's invasion.

However, the 'regime change' comments had risks that could have, to some extent,&nbsp;jeopardised efforts being done to defuse the situation.&nbsp;

In the aftermath of the incident, which apparently caught even US advisors off guard, the White House clarified within minutes that Biden was not advocating "regime change" in Russia.&nbsp;

Hours earlier Biden had described the Russian President as a "butcher".&nbsp;

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that he thinks the President "made the point last night that", quite simply, President Putin cannot be empowered to wage war or engage in aggression against Ukraine or anyone else.&nbsp;

"As you know, and as you have heard us say repeatedly, we do not have a strategy of regime change in Russia - or anywhere else, for that matter," he added.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/refrain-from-publishing-russia-warns-media-says-dont-report-interview-with-zelensky-466209">'Refrain from publishing': Russia warns media, says don't report interview with Zelensky</a>

The Russia and Ukraine conflict has already escalated with reports of multiple loss of lives and massive destruction.&nbsp;Amid all the chaos, such comments can act as a catalyst to aggravate the situation further.&nbsp;

Even France's President Emmanuel Macron warned such language could "escalate" a conflict the United States and its NATO allies have sought at all costs to contain. It can even undercut Western efforts to help suffering Ukrainians.&nbsp;

And as long as gaffes are concerned, Biden has a decades-long reputation for unfortunate off-the-cuff remarks.&nbsp;

Risch said the president had again shot himself in the foot. He told the media outlet, "I wish he would stay on script."

"I think most people who don’t deal in the lane of foreign relations don’t realize that those nine words that he uttered would cause the kind of eruption they did,"&nbsp;Risch added.&nbsp;

"Anytime you say, or even as he did suggest, that the policy was regime change, it’s gonna cause a huge problem," the&nbsp;senator added.&nbsp;

Top media outlets and newspapers have previously listed his "top 10 gaffes of all time".&nbsp;

The comments then a U-turn is a clear example that world leaders should keep a filter while speaking regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Biden admin's course-correction over 'regime change in Russia' remark

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/biden-admins-course-correction-over-regime-change-in-russia-remark-466252/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. "For God's sake, this man [Putin] cannot remain in power," United States President Joe Biden said this to a crowd in Warsaw, Poland on Saturday (March 26) while condemning Russia's month-long invasion of Ukraine. The comments appeared to be a call for Putin's exit and went viral in no time. However, it sent the Biden administration rushing course-correction and giving explanations. Biden's comments were delivered during the close of three days of marathon diplomacy. The remarks were termed a "horrendous gaffe" by one Republican senator. US Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), a ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told CNN: "He gave a good speech at the end, but as you pointed out already, there was a horrendous gaffe right at the end of it." During his address, Biden cast Russia's invasion of Ukraine as a battle in a much broader conflict between democracy and autocracy. "The battle for democracy could not conclude and did not conclude with the end of the Cold War. Over the last 30 years, the forces of autocracy have revived all across the globe," Biden said. ALSO READ | President Zelensky says Ukraine ready to discuss adopting neutral status Biden and other Western allies have been aiming at presenting a determined front against Russia's invasion. However, the 'regime change' comments had risks that could have, to some extent, jeopardised efforts being done to defuse the situation. In the aftermath of the incident, which apparently caught even US advisors off guard, the White House clarified within minutes that Biden was not advocating "regime change" in Russia. Hours earlier Biden had described the Russian President as a "butcher". US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that he thinks the President "made the point last night that", quite simply, President Putin cannot be empowered to wage war or engage in aggression against Ukraine or anyone else. "As you know, and as you have heard us say repeatedly, we do not have a strategy of regime change in Russia - or anywhere else, for that matter," he added. ALSO READ | 'Refrain from publishing': Russia warns media, says don't report interview with Zelensky The Russia and Ukraine conflict has already escalated with reports of multiple loss of lives and massive destruction. Amid all the chaos, such comments can act as a catalyst to aggravate the situation further. Even France's President Emmanuel Macron warned such language could "escalate" a conflict the United States and its NATO allies have sought at all costs to contain. It can even undercut Western efforts to help suffering Ukrainians. And as long as gaffes are concerned, Biden has a decades-long reputation for unfortunate off-the-cuff remarks. Risch said the president had again shot himself in the foot. He told the media outlet, "I wish he would stay on script." "I think most people who don’t deal in the lane of foreign relations don’t realize that those nine words that he uttered would cause the kind of eruption they did," Risch added. "Anytime you say, or even as he did suggest, that the policy was regime change, it’s gonna cause a huge problem," the senator added. Top media outlets and newspapers have previously listed his "top 10 gaffes of all time". The comments then a U-turn is a clear example that world leaders should keep a filter while speaking regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict. WATCH | Biden admin's course-correction over 'regime change in Russia' remark ×

What does Joe Biden's 'horrendous gaffe' over Ukraine mean?

The House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol released a report Sunday laying out reasons to charge two allies of former President Donald Trump's with criminal contempt of Congress for their participation in efforts to overturn the 2020 election and their subsequent refusal to comply with the panel’s subpoenas.

In a 34-page report, the panel argued that the allies — Peter Navarro, a former White House adviser, and Dan Scavino Jr., a former deputy chief of staff — were closely involved in efforts to keep Trump in power even after he lost decisively at the polls.

The committee is set to hold a public vote on whether to recommend the charges Monday. A contempt of Congress charge carries a penalty of up to a year in jail. A recommendation from the panel would send the matter to the full House, which would then have to vote to refer the charge to the Justice Department.

Navarro and Scavino are among a handful of Trump’s closest allies who have refused to sit for interviews or turn over documents even as more than 750 witnesses — including other top White House officials — have complied with the committee’s requests.

The committee said Navarro had worked with Steve Bannon, another Trump ally, to carry out a plan to delay Congress’ certification of the election on Jan. 6, 2021, and ultimately change the election’s outcome. Navarro said more than 100 members of Congress had signed on to the plan.

Navarro also wrote a report alleging a stolen election, which was widely shared with others working to overturn the election. Navarro claimed Trump “himself had distributed Volume 1 of the report to every member of the House and Senate” before Jan. 6, 2021.

The committee issued a subpoena in February to Navarro, but he said he would not comply, citing Trump’s invocation of executive privilege over White House materials from his time in office.

When committee staff members emailed him seeking his lawyer’s name, he replied: “No counsel. Executive privilege.”

The committee argues that Navarro’s work trying to overturn the election was not a part of his official duties and not covered by executive privilege.

As for Scavino, the committee said he had worked with Trump to spread false information via social media regarding election fraud and had recruited a crowd to Washington on that Jan. 6.

The House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol released a report Sunday laying out reasons to charge two allies of former President Donald Trump's with criminal contempt of Congress for their participation in efforts to overturn the 2020 election and their subsequent refusal to comply with the panel’s subpoenas.

The House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol released a report Sunday laying out reasons to charge two allies of former President Donald Trump's with criminal contempt of Congress for their participation in efforts to overturn the 2020 election and their subsequent refusal to comply with the panel’s subpoenas. In a 34-page report, the panel argued that the allies — Peter Navarro, a former White House adviser, and Dan Scavino Jr., a former deputy chief of staff — were closely involved in efforts to keep Trump in power even after he lost decisively at the polls. The committee is set to hold a public vote on whether to recommend the charges Monday. A contempt of Congress charge carries a penalty of up to a year in jail. A recommendation from the panel would send the matter to the full House, which would then have to vote to refer the charge to the Justice Department. Navarro and Scavino are among a handful of Trump’s closest allies who have refused to sit for interviews or turn over documents even as more than 750 witnesses — including other top White House officials — have complied with the committee’s requests. The committee said Navarro had worked with Steve Bannon, another Trump ally, to carry out a plan to delay Congress’ certification of the election on Jan. 6, 2021, and ultimately change the election’s outcome. Navarro said more than 100 members of Congress had signed on to the plan. Navarro also wrote a report alleging a stolen election, which was widely shared with others working to overturn the election. Navarro claimed Trump “himself had distributed Volume 1 of the report to every member of the House and Senate” before Jan. 6, 2021. The committee issued a subpoena in February to Navarro, but he said he would not comply, citing Trump’s invocation of executive privilege over White House materials from his time in office. When committee staff members emailed him seeking his lawyer’s name, he replied: “No counsel. Executive privilege.” The committee argues that Navarro’s work trying to overturn the election was not a part of his official duties and not covered by executive privilege. As for Scavino, the committee said he had worked with Trump to spread false information via social media regarding election fraud and had recruited a crowd to Washington on that Jan. 6.

Jan. 6 panel makes case for contempt charges for 2 former Trump aides

On the second floor of an upscale golf resort near Jacksonville, Florida, this past week, House Republicans gathered for drinks as they kicked off a three-day retreat to plot their path to winning the majority in this year’s midterm elections.

Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, dressed down in a fleece vest, stood in one corner while Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia hustled in and out of the reception area. But it was Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, the No. 3 Republican and an architect of the party’s message, who was running the show, working the room with her 7-month-old son on her hip.

A year ago, the same House Republican retreat was fraught with drama as Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, who then held the third-ranking leadership post, publicly denounced former President Donald Trump’s election lies. That prompted a backlash from other Republican leaders, who swiftly moved to oust her and install Stefanik in her place.

This year, with Stefanik acting as the event’s organizer and emcee, there was little dissent on display. Inflation, immigration and President Joe Biden’s failures were played up, while Trump’s false claims of fraud in the 2020 election and his denial of any responsibility for the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol did not even merit a mention — a mark of how thoroughly the party has rallied around the former president.

That Stefanik, 37, would be hosting this particular party seemed fitting. A once-moderate Republican who worked in President George W. Bush’s White House and was a protégé of former Speaker Paul Ryan, she is the embodiment of the rapid shift in the Republican Party. In just a few short years, she has morphed from the conservative mainstream into an unlikely star of the MAGA universe and a die-hard Trump loyalist.

In an interview on the sidelines of the party retreat, her reinvention was on vivid display. Stefanik repeated Trump’s lies about the 2020 election being stolen and refused to acknowledge Biden as the legitimately elected president.

“Joe Biden is in the White House right now — the American people understand that — but they do have questions,” she said in between a lunch with former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and a dinner with the author of a book called “Woke, Inc.”

“In my district, I still get questions about it,” Stefanik said, adding, “I think there are constitutional questions on the unconstitutional overreach of unelected individuals in states like Pennsylvania.”

And as her party veers toward extremism, Stefanik has refused to condemn the Republicans who speak most loudly to the fringe. Asked about Greene, who recently spoke at a white nationalist event, and Rep. Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina, who has called President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine a “thug,” she said the two were merely reflecting the views of the voters in their districts.

“They represent their constituents, and they are held accountable for the statements they make,” Stefanik said, noting the House Republican conference as a whole did not share their views.

It has been a rapid transformation. Stefanik, who graduated from Harvard, was once seen by Democrats as a bright spot in the Republican Party, someone who was going to dig into policy issues on the House Intelligence Committee, which she joined in 2017.

In private conversations, Stefanik sometimes conceded to former colleagues and confidants that Trump was a disaster for the party, although she said she did not see an upside to publicly criticizing him. She vented to confidants that the administration made “dumb” decisions that left Republicans in Congress shouldering the blame — frustrated, for example, at Trump’s on-again, off-again backing of sweeping immigration legislation to grant legal status to unauthorized immigrants brought to the United States as children, often known as Dreamers.

(A senior adviser to Stefanik, Alex deGrasse, said she never made those comments about Trump and his administration.)

But these days, Stefanik is a loud and unapologetic Trump acolyte, even defending his praise of President Vladimir Putin of Russia. (“I think that President Trump was saying that Vladimir Putin assessed the weakness of Joe Biden, and unfortunately took advantage of it,” she said, noting that Putin was a war criminal.)

While some Republicans have tried to walk a careful tightrope, supporting Trump’s policies while distancing themselves from his false claims about the stolen election, Stefanik makes no such qualifications.

“I speak to President Trump frequently,” she said. “He’s an incredibly important voice in terms of growing the party among the working class.” Asked whether Trump’s influence on the GOP was on the wane, she flatly rejected the notion.

“No, it’s on the rise,” she said. “Especially now that voters have regrets about voting for Joe Biden.”

Stefanik, who previously said she would serve only one term in leadership, is also on the rise within her party’s ranks. She could lead a powerful House committee or throw her hat in the ring in what is expected to be a competitive race for whip. Part of her success in leadership, aides said, is based on her effort to help elect more Republican women to Congress through her political action committee, which has also helped her build a network of support in her conference.

She has worked hard to win over detractors who question her conservative bona fides and is now broadly popular among Republicans, including right-wing members who were once suspicious of her mainstream background. The biggest help in that effort has been the support of Trump, who does not care about her more centrist past when she has shown him total fealty.

Trump, people close to him said, would be more than happy to see Stefanik make history as the Republicans’ first female speaker, although he does not plan to get involved in the race for the post and would be unlikely to stand in the way of Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the minority leader, if Republicans succeed in winning back the House majority. But his constant praise of Stefanik serves as a reminder that she has passed a loyalty test with Trump that McCarthy has not.

Trump speaks with Stefanik multiple times a week and describes her as “one of my killers,” thanks to her key role as his chief defender on the House Intelligence Committee during his first impeachment trial.

Her opportunism is criticized by her detractors, but celebrated by some on the hard right, who think she has revealed herself as someone willing to go to any length to rise.

At a recent fundraiser in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump even floated her name as a potential presidential candidate in 2028.

“I’m not going to even engage in that,” she said when asked about her future in House leadership. “I’m supporting Kevin McCarthy for speaker. I don’t measure the drapes. It’s a long time between now and the November election.”

(Seeking to downplay any hint of rivalry, Stefanik’s aides noted that McCarthy not only attended her wedding in 2017, but also campaigned for her at a biker bar in upstate New York during her first race.)

Her political metamorphosis has come with heady rewards for an ambitious politician: a prime-time speaking slot at the Republican National Convention in 2020 and a jet-fueled rise in the ranks of her party.

“Congress has gotten tougher and rougher,” said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla. “She didn’t start that. She’s proven she knows how to mix it up, and that’s one of the qualities we look for in a conference.”

But Stefanik’s political calculation stunned the networks she had spent her life cultivating. She lost many of her college friends from Harvard and was asked to step aside from her role on the senior advisory committee of the university’s Institute of Politics because of her false assertions of voter fraud in the 2020 election.

Her onetime mentor Ryan declined to comment about her for this article, although aides to both said they are still in touch regularly.

Many friends and former colleagues think she made a cynical, short-term political gamble in her full-bore turn to Trumpism. Some have tried to warn her at various points along the road, but received a stony response.

Melissa DeRosa, a childhood friend of Stefanik’s who served as a secretary to former Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York, said she had reached out in 2019 after seeing Stefanik’s performance during the impeachment hearings.

“I’m really concerned you’re doing these things that will damage your credibility in the long term,” she recalled texting Stefanik.

DeRosa said the reply was polite but curt. “She wrote back saying, basically: ‘You should always feel like you can tell me what you think. I appreciate your input.’” It was the end of the conversation.

Other former friends and mentors said they found her shape-shifting depressing. Bill Kristol, a prominent Never Trump conservative, said he once viewed her as a rising star in the party.

“I introduced her to donors and contributed to her campaign in 2014,” Kristol said, noting that at a meeting in her office in 2018 she privately agreed with him that Trump was a liability. “She seemed like a responsible elected official. Wrong.”

To explain her transformation, Stefanik points to the rightward lurch of her onetime swing district, which voted for Barack Obama and was represented by a Democrat before she flipped the seat in 2014 and the district became Trump country.

“I believe that my record and my time in Congress is reflective of my constituents,” she said.

Privately, she has told people she was “radicalized by Adam Schiff,” the Democratic chair of the Intelligence Committee who led the first impeachment effort against Trump.

Other members of the panel say that as Stefanik grew more partisan about the impeachment, her attendance at committee events and briefings dropped to almost zero.

Back home, in a district that has become redder in the redistricting process, Stefanik has only grown safer politically. “When you live in an area like this, it’s a little bit of a quiet area,” said Jeff Graham, a conservative radio host and the former mayor of Watertown. “If you see your member of Congress on the news, you feel good about it.”

Still, there are awkward moments.

Last fall, when Stefanik was at an apple orchard in Saratoga County with her husband and her newborn son, a woman who grew up in the North Country region approached her and told her bluntly how she thought the congresswoman had compromised her values for power.

Stefanik bristled, telling the constituent that she was considered one of the most bipartisan congresswomen in the country, a record that she was proud of. (A report by the Lugar Center, which seeks to enhance bipartisanship, ranked her as one of the most bipartisan members of the previous Congress, according to its index.)

In an interview, Stefanik said she recalled the incident but refused to believe the woman was from her district.

“Not a voter,” she said firmly. “Not a constituent.”

On the second floor of an upscale golf resort near Jacksonville, Florida, this past week, House Republicans gathered for drinks as they kicked off a three-day retreat to plot their path to winning the majority in this year’s midterm elections.

On the second floor of an upscale golf resort near Jacksonville, Florida, this past week, House Republicans gathered for drinks as they kicked off a three-day retreat to plot their path to winning the majority in this year’s midterm elections. Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, dressed down in a fleece vest, stood in one corner while Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia hustled in and out of the reception area. But it was Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, the No. 3 Republican and an architect of the party’s message, who was running the show, working the room with her 7-month-old son on her hip. A year ago, the same House Republican retreat was fraught with drama as Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, who then held the third-ranking leadership post, publicly denounced former President Donald Trump’s election lies. That prompted a backlash from other Republican leaders, who swiftly moved to oust her and install Stefanik in her place. This year, with Stefanik acting as the event’s organizer and emcee, there was little dissent on display. Inflation, immigration and President Joe Biden’s failures were played up, while Trump’s false claims of fraud in the 2020 election and his denial of any responsibility for the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol did not even merit a mention — a mark of how thoroughly the party has rallied around the former president. That Stefanik, 37, would be hosting this particular party seemed fitting. A once-moderate Republican who worked in President George W. Bush’s White House and was a protégé of former Speaker Paul Ryan, she is the embodiment of the rapid shift in the Republican Party. In just a few short years, she has morphed from the conservative mainstream into an unlikely star of the MAGA universe and a die-hard Trump loyalist. In an interview on the sidelines of the party retreat, her reinvention was on vivid display. Stefanik repeated Trump’s lies about the 2020 election being stolen and refused to acknowledge Biden as the legitimately elected president. “Joe Biden is in the White House right now — the American people understand that — but they do have questions,” she said in between a lunch with former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and a dinner with the author of a book called “Woke, Inc.” “In my district, I still get questions about it,” Stefanik said, adding, “I think there are constitutional questions on the unconstitutional overreach of unelected individuals in states like Pennsylvania.” And as her party veers toward extremism, Stefanik has refused to condemn the Republicans who speak most loudly to the fringe. Asked about Greene, who recently spoke at a white nationalist event, and Rep. Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina, who has called President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine a “thug,” she said the two were merely reflecting the views of the voters in their districts. “They represent their constituents, and they are held accountable for the statements they make,” Stefanik said, noting the House Republican conference as a whole did not share their views. It has been a rapid transformation. Stefanik, who graduated from Harvard, was once seen by Democrats as a bright spot in the Republican Party, someone who was going to dig into policy issues on the House Intelligence Committee, which she joined in 2017. In private conversations, Stefanik sometimes conceded to former colleagues and confidants that Trump was a disaster for the party, although she said she did not see an upside to publicly criticizing him. She vented to confidants that the administration made “dumb” decisions that left Republicans in Congress shouldering the blame — frustrated, for example, at Trump’s on-again, off-again backing of sweeping immigration legislation to grant legal status to unauthorized immigrants brought to the United States as children, often known as Dreamers. (A senior adviser to Stefanik, Alex deGrasse, said she never made those comments about Trump and his administration.) But these days, Stefanik is a loud and unapologetic Trump acolyte, even defending his praise of President Vladimir Putin of Russia. (“I think that President Trump was saying that Vladimir Putin assessed the weakness of Joe Biden, and unfortunately took advantage of it,” she said, noting that Putin was a war criminal.) While some Republicans have tried to walk a careful tightrope, supporting Trump’s policies while distancing themselves from his false claims about the stolen election, Stefanik makes no such qualifications. “I speak to President Trump frequently,” she said. “He’s an incredibly important voice in terms of growing the party among the working class.” Asked whether Trump’s influence on the GOP was on the wane, she flatly rejected the notion. “No, it’s on the rise,” she said. “Especially now that voters have regrets about voting for Joe Biden.” Stefanik, who previously said she would serve only one term in leadership, is also on the rise within her party’s ranks. She could lead a powerful House committee or throw her hat in the ring in what is expected to be a competitive race for whip. Part of her success in leadership, aides said, is based on her effort to help elect more Republican women to Congress through her political action committee, which has also helped her build a network of support in her conference. She has worked hard to win over detractors who question her conservative bona fides and is now broadly popular among Republicans, including right-wing members who were once suspicious of her mainstream background. The biggest help in that effort has been the support of Trump, who does not care about her more centrist past when she has shown him total fealty. Trump, people close to him said, would be more than happy to see Stefanik make history as the Republicans’ first female speaker, although he does not plan to get involved in the race for the post and would be unlikely to stand in the way of Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the minority leader, if Republicans succeed in winning back the House majority. But his constant praise of Stefanik serves as a reminder that she has passed a loyalty test with Trump that McCarthy has not. Trump speaks with Stefanik multiple times a week and describes her as “one of my killers,” thanks to her key role as his chief defender on the House Intelligence Committee during his first impeachment trial. Her opportunism is criticized by her detractors, but celebrated by some on the hard right, who think she has revealed herself as someone willing to go to any length to rise. At a recent fundraiser in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump even floated her name as a potential presidential candidate in 2028. “I’m not going to even engage in that,” she said when asked about her future in House leadership. “I’m supporting Kevin McCarthy for speaker. I don’t measure the drapes. It’s a long time between now and the November election.” (Seeking to downplay any hint of rivalry, Stefanik’s aides noted that McCarthy not only attended her wedding in 2017, but also campaigned for her at a biker bar in upstate New York during her first race.) Her political metamorphosis has come with heady rewards for an ambitious politician: a prime-time speaking slot at the Republican National Convention in 2020 and a jet-fueled rise in the ranks of her party. “Congress has gotten tougher and rougher,” said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla. “She didn’t start that. She’s proven she knows how to mix it up, and that’s one of the qualities we look for in a conference.” But Stefanik’s political calculation stunned the networks she had spent her life cultivating. She lost many of her college friends from Harvard and was asked to step aside from her role on the senior advisory committee of the university’s Institute of Politics because of her false assertions of voter fraud in the 2020 election. Her onetime mentor Ryan declined to comment about her for this article, although aides to both said they are still in touch regularly. Many friends and former colleagues think she made a cynical, short-term political gamble in her full-bore turn to Trumpism. Some have tried to warn her at various points along the road, but received a stony response. Melissa DeRosa, a childhood friend of Stefanik’s who served as a secretary to former Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York, said she had reached out in 2019 after seeing Stefanik’s performance during the impeachment hearings. “I’m really concerned you’re doing these things that will damage your credibility in the long term,” she recalled texting Stefanik. DeRosa said the reply was polite but curt. “She wrote back saying, basically: ‘You should always feel like you can tell me what you think. I appreciate your input.’” It was the end of the conversation. Other former friends and mentors said they found her shape-shifting depressing. Bill Kristol, a prominent Never Trump conservative, said he once viewed her as a rising star in the party. “I introduced her to donors and contributed to her campaign in 2014,” Kristol said, noting that at a meeting in her office in 2018 she privately agreed with him that Trump was a liability. “She seemed like a responsible elected official. Wrong.” To explain her transformation, Stefanik points to the rightward lurch of her onetime swing district, which voted for Barack Obama and was represented by a Democrat before she flipped the seat in 2014 and the district became Trump country. “I believe that my record and my time in Congress is reflective of my constituents,” she said. Privately, she has told people she was “radicalized by Adam Schiff,” the Democratic chair of the Intelligence Committee who led the first impeachment effort against Trump. Other members of the panel say that as Stefanik grew more partisan about the impeachment, her attendance at committee events and briefings dropped to almost zero. Back home, in a district that has become redder in the redistricting process, Stefanik has only grown safer politically. “When you live in an area like this, it’s a little bit of a quiet area,” said Jeff Graham, a conservative radio host and the former mayor of Watertown. “If you see your member of Congress on the news, you feel good about it.” Still, there are awkward moments. Last fall, when Stefanik was at an apple orchard in Saratoga County with her husband and her newborn son, a woman who grew up in the North Country region approached her and told her bluntly how she thought the congresswoman had compromised her values for power. Stefanik bristled, telling the constituent that she was considered one of the most bipartisan congresswomen in the country, a record that she was proud of. (A report by the Lugar Center, which seeks to enhance bipartisanship, ranked her as one of the most bipartisan members of the previous Congress, according to its index.) In an interview, Stefanik said she recalled the incident but refused to believe the woman was from her district. “Not a voter,” she said firmly. “Not a constituent.”

Elise Stefanik, reinvented in Trump’s image, embodies a changed GOP

US First Lady Jill Biden was not happy when President Joe Biden picked Kamala Harris as running mate and for vice president, according to a new book reporting on the election and first year of the 46th president.

“There are millions of people in the United States. Why … do we have to choose the one who attacked Joe?” she was quoted as saying in ‘This Will Not Pass: Trump, Biden, and the Battle for America’s Future’, according to the excerpts obtained by The Politico.

The book was written by the New York Times reporters Jonathan Martin and Alex Burns which is due to be published on May 3.

Jill’s outburst was in reference to a 2019 debate where Harris faced off with Biden in the Democratic primary.

During the debate, she called out Biden for the way he described his past working relationship with two segregationist lawmakers.

She accused Biden of opposing bussing, a way of racially integrating public schools, as a young senator in the 1970s.

Biden was reportedly hurt by the insinuation that he had been racist, according to The Guardian.

“I do not believe you are a racist. And I agree with you when you commit yourself to the importance of finding common ground,” Harris said.

“But I also believe – and it’s personal, and it was hurtful to hear you talk about the reputations of two United States senators who built their reputations and careers on the segregation of race in this country.”

However, Jill Biden won’t be making any comments on the book excerpts.

&nbsp;“Many books will be written on the 2020 campaign, with countless retellings of events – some accurate, some inaccurate. The first lady and her team do not plan to comment on any of them,” A spokesman for&nbsp;Jill Biden, Michael Larosa, told Politico.

US First Lady Jill Biden was not happy when President Joe Biden picked Kamala Harris as running mate and for vice president, according to a new book reporting on the election and first year of the 46th president.

US First Lady Jill Biden was not happy when President Joe Biden picked Kamala Harris as running mate and for vice president, according to a new book reporting on the election and first year of the 46th president. “There are millions of people in the United States. Why … do we have to choose the one who attacked Joe?” she was quoted as saying in ‘This Will Not Pass: Trump, Biden, and the Battle for America’s Future’, according to the excerpts obtained by The Politico. The book was written by the New York Times reporters Jonathan Martin and Alex Burns which is due to be published on May 3. Jill’s outburst was in reference to a 2019 debate where Harris faced off with Biden in the Democratic primary. During the debate, she called out Biden for the way he described his past working relationship with two segregationist lawmakers. She accused Biden of opposing bussing, a way of racially integrating public schools, as a young senator in the 1970s. Biden was reportedly hurt by the insinuation that he had been racist, according to The Guardian. “I do not believe you are a racist. And I agree with you when you commit yourself to the importance of finding common ground,” Harris said. “But I also believe – and it’s personal, and it was hurtful to hear you talk about the reputations of two United States senators who built their reputations and careers on the segregation of race in this country.” However, Jill Biden won’t be making any comments on the book excerpts. “Many books will be written on the 2020 campaign, with countless retellings of events – some accurate, some inaccurate. The first lady and her team do not plan to comment on any of them,” A spokesman for Jill Biden, Michael Larosa, told Politico.

Jill Biden was incensed at husband for choosing Kamala as VP, says book

Jeffery Younger fought for years with his ex-wife, a pediatrician, over the gender identity of one of their twins. While she followed the advice of their children’s doctor to affirm the child’s desire to dress as a girl, grow long hair and be known as Luna, Younger steadfastly objected.

He resisted the new name, insisting instead on boys’ clothes, short haircuts and the name the couple had chosen at birth.

What began in a single household in a small community outside Dallas became a very public custody battle between Younger and Dr. Anne Georgulas, transforming him into a folk hero among conservatives and amplifying a growing effort to roll back transgender protections in statehouses across America.

It paved the way, too, for an order late last month by Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas to investigate parents for child abuse if they provide certain medical treatments to their transgender children.

The abuse investigations ordered by Abbott, the first of their kind, represent the peak of a new round of action in state capitals aimed at transgender Americans, the most significant push by groups opposed to transgender rights since the national campaign to limit bathroom access foundered in 2017 and 2018. On Tuesday, a bill passed the Idaho House that would make medical treatments for transgender youth a felony, punishable by life in prison.

But few predicted that it would go as far as it has in Texas. The directive by Abbott very quickly resulted in investigations by the Department of Family and Protective Services, prompted a major Houston hospital to restrict its care for transgender children and raised fears among civil rights advocates of copycat efforts in other states. President Joe Biden has condemned the action and asked federal authorities to step in if cases of discrimination arise.

“This is actually the first time that they’ve succeeded in getting something that looks like a success,” said Kasey Suffredini, the CEO of Freedom for All Americans, a national gay and transgender rights group. “It’s incredibly painful. It is devastating.”

A court battle is underway to stop the investigations across Texas, with a hearing scheduled for Friday.

The fight over transgender issues, waged on several fronts in recent years, has increasingly focused on medical treatments for children.

Major medical groups — along with transgender advocates — back what is known as gender-affirming care, which involves supporting a child’s gender identity and social transition, often through clothes or a name. Such care can also eventually include puberty blockers or hormone treatments, though surgery is not recommended for children. While acknowledging some uncertainty and risk, they cite evidence that the approach can improve children’s mental health and reduce suicide.

Opponents — including some large conservative organizations — argue that children are too young to decide for themselves and must be shielded from potentially life-altering treatments that have only recently gained broader acceptance among the medical community.

Those at the center of the conservative push for new state laws include a coalition of familiar groups — the Heritage Foundation, Family Policy Alliance and Alliance Defending Freedom — that came together in the last two years.

Then last month, a newer player on the right, American Principles Project, took up the cause in Texas, spending more than $600,000 to run a series of highly produced ads on cable television featuring the case of Younger, who has become an outspoken supporter of restrictive legislation on transgender issues. The ads directly targeted Abbott during a hard-fought Republican primary, accusing the governor of not taking steps to “protect our children.”

By that point, Younger, 57, had testified repeatedly at the Capitol in Austin on measures to restrict transgender medical treatments. After the bills failed, he entered the Republican primary for an open seat in the Texas House of Representatives.

Last week, Younger came in second place, qualifying for the May runoff.

For conservative activists, the legislative push has been part of a broader national struggle over social issues, including legislation in Florida to ban teaching about gender identity in schools. Some of the same activists who defend the rights of parents in battles over school curriculum argue that, on the question of transgender treatment, children need protection from their own parents.

“Parents make all sorts of decisions with their kids,” said Craig DeRoche, the CEO of the Family Policy Alliance, part of the coalition helping legislators draft new transgender laws. “And as a community, we chime in as to which decisions should or shouldn’t be available to parents.”

But for many families in Texas, the threat of an investigation by the state has introduced new fears into an already challenging set of medical decisions. Children now worry that classmates or teachers could report their parents for possible abuse. Some families have taken steps to leave the state.

“We’re kind of looking over our shoulder a little bit,” said Autumn Tupper, 43, of Frisco, Texas, a Dallas suburb. Because of the governor’s directive, her son, Orion, 17, who came out as transgender over the past year, decided to delay gender-affirming hormone treatment until he turns 18 this summer.

The deeper roots of the current fight over transgender rights in Texas can be traced to a 2015 battle in Houston over a local anti-discrimination ordinance, which would have applied to a range of protected classes, including race, age and gender identity.

Opponents rallied around the notion that the bill would put women in danger by allowing men to enter women’s bathrooms, dubbing it the “bathroom ordinance.” Its defeat helped clear the way for a national conservative push to enact so-called bathroom bills aimed at transgender people.

But the bathroom effort stumbled. The one measure that passed, in North Carolina, was later repealed. In Texas, many social conservatives were angered at the state’s failure to pass such a law.

“This issue is not going to go away,” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a firebrand former talk radio host, said at the time, in 2017.

By the next year, the custody case between Younger and Georgulas, in the Dallas suburb of Coppell, began to attract notice in conservative circles.

There have been other such cases of parents fighting over the gender identity of their children. But Younger sought attention with a website and a campaign that featured the birth name of his child. Among the first articles on the case appeared in The Federalist in 2018. Younger sat for many interviews, including with Infowars.

“You cannot understand the political situation in Texas without understanding my political advocacy,” Younger said in a 16-minute call with The New York Times in which he refused to answer questions. “You work for an evil and wicked organization,” he said. “I think you’ll use accuracy against my own values.”

A lawyer for Georgulas declined a request for comment, citing a gag order put in place by the judge in the case.

The couple fought bitterly in court for years. Their marriage was annulled by a court on the grounds of fraud by Younger, who had misrepresented his employment and marital history.

In court transcripts, Georgulas said she had followed the lead of her transgender child, who is now 9, and the determinations of doctors. She has denied forcing her child to identify as a girl as Younger has claimed. She has not provided any puberty blockers or hormones, though she supports their use, if recommended. She filled out intake papers for Genecis, a Dallas clinic specializing in transgender care, but had not yet begun treatment when it shut down last year amid pressure from Abbott.

“Everything that she did was on the basis of professional guidance,” said Karen Hirsch, a friend of Georgulas’s.

A court in August gave Georgulas custody of the children, including control of all medical decisions and the sole right “to make decisions concerning the children’s haircuts.” But it barred her from providing any puberty-blocking drugs, hormones or surgery without a court order.

The case’s growing public profile coincided with broadening medical acceptance of gender-affirming care — and a backlash. The American Academy of Pediatrics in 2018 issued its first policy statement on the approach, which urges parents to support the identity expressed by their child and provides guidance for treatment, including medications that delay puberty.

In 2019, the Heritage Foundation, along with the Family Policy Alliance, hosted discussions in Washington on transgender athletes and transgender children, including a panel on the “medical harms” of hormonal and surgical interventions. The groups formed a coalition, known as Promise to America’s Children, and pressed for new laws.

Soon, bills were introduced on restricting transgender athletes and, in more than 20 states, legislatures considered prohibitions on gender-affirming medical care, including in Texas last year.

The bill, which passed in the Senate, failed in the House. And although a measure further restricting transgender athletes passed, some Texas conservatives were angry that the medical treatment bill had stalled.

The governor took note. Then the attorney general, Ken Paxton, facing a tough primary fight, issued an opinion that puberty-blocking drugs or hormone treatments could be considered child abuse under existing law in Texas.

Abbott, who was facing his own primary in days amid a barrage of American Principles Project ads, quickly directed the child protection agency to begin investigations. Among the first to be investigated was an employee of the agency.

The investigation was temporarily halted by a court in Austin last week.

“People don’t understand the treatment; they think it’s always surgery and it’s happening on children,” said Chase Strangio, deputy director for transgender justice at the American Civil Liberties Union, which sued to stop the investigations along with Lambda Legal. Opponents, he added, have been “weaponizing the confusion.”

Abbott’s office did not respond to a request for comment. But his top campaign strategist told reporters last week that the issue of “genital mutilation” was a political winner.

“There’s this sense, especially among conservatives, that they’re losing their country,” said Terry Schilling, president of the American Principles Project. “It was just a few years ago that we were debating gay marriage, and now we’re debating sex changes for minors. I mean, that’s exponential movement in terms of culture.”

Jeffery Younger fought for years with his ex-wife, a pediatrician, over the gender identity of one of their twins. While she followed the advice of their children’s doctor to affirm the child’s desire to dress as a girl, grow long hair and be known as Luna, Younger steadfastly objected.

Jeffery Younger fought for years with his ex-wife, a pediatrician, over the gender identity of one of their twins. While she followed the advice of their children’s doctor to affirm the child’s desire to dress as a girl, grow long hair and be known as Luna, Younger steadfastly objected. He resisted the new name, insisting instead on boys’ clothes, short haircuts and the name the couple had chosen at birth. What began in a single household in a small community outside Dallas became a very public custody battle between Younger and Dr. Anne Georgulas, transforming him into a folk hero among conservatives and amplifying a growing effort to roll back transgender protections in statehouses across America. It paved the way, too, for an order late last month by Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas to investigate parents for child abuse if they provide certain medical treatments to their transgender children. The abuse investigations ordered by Abbott, the first of their kind, represent the peak of a new round of action in state capitals aimed at transgender Americans, the most significant push by groups opposed to transgender rights since the national campaign to limit bathroom access foundered in 2017 and 2018. On Tuesday, a bill passed the Idaho House that would make medical treatments for transgender youth a felony, punishable by life in prison. But few predicted that it would go as far as it has in Texas. The directive by Abbott very quickly resulted in investigations by the Department of Family and Protective Services, prompted a major Houston hospital to restrict its care for transgender children and raised fears among civil rights advocates of copycat efforts in other states. President Joe Biden has condemned the action and asked federal authorities to step in if cases of discrimination arise. “This is actually the first time that they’ve succeeded in getting something that looks like a success,” said Kasey Suffredini, the CEO of Freedom for All Americans, a national gay and transgender rights group. “It’s incredibly painful. It is devastating.” A court battle is underway to stop the investigations across Texas, with a hearing scheduled for Friday. The fight over transgender issues, waged on several fronts in recent years, has increasingly focused on medical treatments for children. Major medical groups — along with transgender advocates — back what is known as gender-affirming care, which involves supporting a child’s gender identity and social transition, often through clothes or a name. Such care can also eventually include puberty blockers or hormone treatments, though surgery is not recommended for children. While acknowledging some uncertainty and risk, they cite evidence that the approach can improve children’s mental health and reduce suicide. Opponents — including some large conservative organizations — argue that children are too young to decide for themselves and must be shielded from potentially life-altering treatments that have only recently gained broader acceptance among the medical community. Those at the center of the conservative push for new state laws include a coalition of familiar groups — the Heritage Foundation, Family Policy Alliance and Alliance Defending Freedom — that came together in the last two years. Then last month, a newer player on the right, American Principles Project, took up the cause in Texas, spending more than $600,000 to run a series of highly produced ads on cable television featuring the case of Younger, who has become an outspoken supporter of restrictive legislation on transgender issues. The ads directly targeted Abbott during a hard-fought Republican primary, accusing the governor of not taking steps to “protect our children.” By that point, Younger, 57, had testified repeatedly at the Capitol in Austin on measures to restrict transgender medical treatments. After the bills failed, he entered the Republican primary for an open seat in the Texas House of Representatives. Last week, Younger came in second place, qualifying for the May runoff. For conservative activists, the legislative push has been part of a broader national struggle over social issues, including legislation in Florida to ban teaching about gender identity in schools. Some of the same activists who defend the rights of parents in battles over school curriculum argue that, on the question of transgender treatment, children need protection from their own parents. “Parents make all sorts of decisions with their kids,” said Craig DeRoche, the CEO of the Family Policy Alliance, part of the coalition helping legislators draft new transgender laws. “And as a community, we chime in as to which decisions should or shouldn’t be available to parents.” But for many families in Texas, the threat of an investigation by the state has introduced new fears into an already challenging set of medical decisions. Children now worry that classmates or teachers could report their parents for possible abuse. Some families have taken steps to leave the state. “We’re kind of looking over our shoulder a little bit,” said Autumn Tupper, 43, of Frisco, Texas, a Dallas suburb. Because of the governor’s directive, her son, Orion, 17, who came out as transgender over the past year, decided to delay gender-affirming hormone treatment until he turns 18 this summer. The deeper roots of the current fight over transgender rights in Texas can be traced to a 2015 battle in Houston over a local anti-discrimination ordinance, which would have applied to a range of protected classes, including race, age and gender identity. Opponents rallied around the notion that the bill would put women in danger by allowing men to enter women’s bathrooms, dubbing it the “bathroom ordinance.” Its defeat helped clear the way for a national conservative push to enact so-called bathroom bills aimed at transgender people. But the bathroom effort stumbled. The one measure that passed, in North Carolina, was later repealed. In Texas, many social conservatives were angered at the state’s failure to pass such a law. “This issue is not going to go away,” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a firebrand former talk radio host, said at the time, in 2017. By the next year, the custody case between Younger and Georgulas, in the Dallas suburb of Coppell, began to attract notice in conservative circles. There have been other such cases of parents fighting over the gender identity of their children. But Younger sought attention with a website and a campaign that featured the birth name of his child. Among the first articles on the case appeared in The Federalist in 2018. Younger sat for many interviews, including with Infowars. “You cannot understand the political situation in Texas without understanding my political advocacy,” Younger said in a 16-minute call with The New York Times in which he refused to answer questions. “You work for an evil and wicked organization,” he said. “I think you’ll use accuracy against my own values.” A lawyer for Georgulas declined a request for comment, citing a gag order put in place by the judge in the case. The couple fought bitterly in court for years. Their marriage was annulled by a court on the grounds of fraud by Younger, who had misrepresented his employment and marital history. In court transcripts, Georgulas said she had followed the lead of her transgender child, who is now 9, and the determinations of doctors. She has denied forcing her child to identify as a girl as Younger has claimed. She has not provided any puberty blockers or hormones, though she supports their use, if recommended. She filled out intake papers for Genecis, a Dallas clinic specializing in transgender care, but had not yet begun treatment when it shut down last year amid pressure from Abbott. “Everything that she did was on the basis of professional guidance,” said Karen Hirsch, a friend of Georgulas’s. A court in August gave Georgulas custody of the children, including control of all medical decisions and the sole right “to make decisions concerning the children’s haircuts.” But it barred her from providing any puberty-blocking drugs, hormones or surgery without a court order. The case’s growing public profile coincided with broadening medical acceptance of gender-affirming care — and a backlash. The American Academy of Pediatrics in 2018 issued its first policy statement on the approach, which urges parents to support the identity expressed by their child and provides guidance for treatment, including medications that delay puberty. In 2019, the Heritage Foundation, along with the Family Policy Alliance, hosted discussions in Washington on transgender athletes and transgender children, including a panel on the “medical harms” of hormonal and surgical interventions. The groups formed a coalition, known as Promise to America’s Children, and pressed for new laws. Soon, bills were introduced on restricting transgender athletes and, in more than 20 states, legislatures considered prohibitions on gender-affirming medical care, including in Texas last year. The bill, which passed in the Senate, failed in the House. And although a measure further restricting transgender athletes passed, some Texas conservatives were angry that the medical treatment bill had stalled. The governor took note. Then the attorney general, Ken Paxton, facing a tough primary fight, issued an opinion that puberty-blocking drugs or hormone treatments could be considered child abuse under existing law in Texas. Abbott, who was facing his own primary in days amid a barrage of American Principles Project ads, quickly directed the child protection agency to begin investigations. Among the first to be investigated was an employee of the agency. The investigation was temporarily halted by a court in Austin last week. “People don’t understand the treatment; they think it’s always surgery and it’s happening on children,” said Chase Strangio, deputy director for transgender justice at the American Civil Liberties Union, which sued to stop the investigations along with Lambda Legal. Opponents, he added, have been “weaponizing the confusion.” Abbott’s office did not respond to a request for comment. But his top campaign strategist told reporters last week that the issue of “genital mutilation” was a political winner. “There’s this sense, especially among conservatives, that they’re losing their country,” said Terry Schilling, president of the American Principles Project. “It was just a few years ago that we were debating gay marriage, and now we’re debating sex changes for minors. I mean, that’s exponential movement in terms of culture.”

How medical care for transgender youth became 'child abuse' in Texas

The Senate unanimously approved a bill that would make lynching a federal hate crime, explicitly criminalizing a heinous act that has become a symbol of the nation’s history of racial violence.

It was a remarkable moment after more than a century of failed attempts. The historic bill carries the name of Emmett Till, a 14-year-old Black boy tortured and murdered in Mississippi in 1955. Under the measure, the crime is punishable by up to 30 years in prison.

“Hallelujah — it is long overdue,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. and the Senate majority leader, who oversaw the legislation’s passage in a sparsely filled chamber Monday evening. He added: “That it took so long is a stain, a bitter stain on America.”

Without any senators showing up to object, the bill cleared the Senate without a formal vote. The measure now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature, having passed the House in late February with only three lawmakers opposed.

“Although no legislation will reverse the pain and fear felt by those victims, their loved ones and Black communities, this legislation is a necessary step America must take to heal from the racialized violence that has permeated its history,” Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., a sponsor of the legislation, said in a statement Monday.

Failure to pass such a measure before this year had become a glaring example of the nation’s inadequate response to a crime that has long terrorized Black Americans. The NAACP estimated, based on its records, that Black victims accounted for 72% of 4,743 lynchings that occurred between 1882 and 1968.

“This is the year, now is the time, that we do the right thing,” Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., a longtime champion of the legislation, said in an impassioned speech on the Senate floor on Thursday. “Not for Republicans or Democrats, but for Americans who’ve watched, with bewildered eyes and confused hearts, their government fall short on issues of importance to them again and again and again. Let this year be the year we put politics to the side and we get it done.”

In 1900, Rep. George Henry White of North Carolina first introduced legislation to make lynching a hate crime; he was the only Black lawmaker in Congress at the time. The bill never made it to the House floor for a vote. In the years since, more than 200 similar bills have been filed, lawmakers estimated.

In 2005, the Senate formally apologized for its failure to act on the issue, including when Southern senators blocked similar legislation during the Jim Crow era. More than a decade later, three Black senators — Scott, Booker and Kamala Harris of California — began a renewed effort to see an anti-lynching measure signed into law.

As racial justice protests swept through the country in the summer of 2020 after the killings of Black men and women by white police and civilians, the three senators renewed their efforts to pass the measure.

But Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., objected to expedited passage at the time, saying the legislation was overly broad, and it failed to pass the Senate. In an opinion piece published this month, he described negotiating a revised version of the legislation, which notably specifies “death or serious bodily injury” resulting from the offense.

“Our partnership worked because of a profound mutual respect for one another and a shared goal to right historic wrongs without inadvertently creating new victims,” Paul wrote, singling out Booker.

The bipartisan passage, said Rep. Bobby L. Rush, D-Ill., a champion of the measure in the House, “sends a clear and emphatic message that our nation will no longer ignore this shameful chapter of our history.”

The Senate unanimously approved a bill that would make lynching a federal hate crime, explicitly criminalizing a heinous act that has become a symbol of the nation’s history of racial violence.

The Senate unanimously approved a bill that would make lynching a federal hate crime, explicitly criminalizing a heinous act that has become a symbol of the nation’s history of racial violence. It was a remarkable moment after more than a century of failed attempts. The historic bill carries the name of Emmett Till, a 14-year-old Black boy tortured and murdered in Mississippi in 1955. Under the measure, the crime is punishable by up to 30 years in prison. “Hallelujah — it is long overdue,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. and the Senate majority leader, who oversaw the legislation’s passage in a sparsely filled chamber Monday evening. He added: “That it took so long is a stain, a bitter stain on America.” Without any senators showing up to object, the bill cleared the Senate without a formal vote. The measure now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature, having passed the House in late February with only three lawmakers opposed. “Although no legislation will reverse the pain and fear felt by those victims, their loved ones and Black communities, this legislation is a necessary step America must take to heal from the racialized violence that has permeated its history,” Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., a sponsor of the legislation, said in a statement Monday. Failure to pass such a measure before this year had become a glaring example of the nation’s inadequate response to a crime that has long terrorized Black Americans. The NAACP estimated, based on its records, that Black victims accounted for 72% of 4,743 lynchings that occurred between 1882 and 1968. “This is the year, now is the time, that we do the right thing,” Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., a longtime champion of the legislation, said in an impassioned speech on the Senate floor on Thursday. “Not for Republicans or Democrats, but for Americans who’ve watched, with bewildered eyes and confused hearts, their government fall short on issues of importance to them again and again and again. Let this year be the year we put politics to the side and we get it done.” In 1900, Rep. George Henry White of North Carolina first introduced legislation to make lynching a hate crime; he was the only Black lawmaker in Congress at the time. The bill never made it to the House floor for a vote. In the years since, more than 200 similar bills have been filed, lawmakers estimated. In 2005, the Senate formally apologized for its failure to act on the issue, including when Southern senators blocked similar legislation during the Jim Crow era. More than a decade later, three Black senators — Scott, Booker and Kamala Harris of California — began a renewed effort to see an anti-lynching measure signed into law. As racial justice protests swept through the country in the summer of 2020 after the killings of Black men and women by white police and civilians, the three senators renewed their efforts to pass the measure. But Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., objected to expedited passage at the time, saying the legislation was overly broad, and it failed to pass the Senate. In an opinion piece published this month, he described negotiating a revised version of the legislation, which notably specifies “death or serious bodily injury” resulting from the offense. “Our partnership worked because of a profound mutual respect for one another and a shared goal to right historic wrongs without inadvertently creating new victims,” Paul wrote, singling out Booker. The bipartisan passage, said Rep. Bobby L. Rush, D-Ill., a champion of the measure in the House, “sends a clear and emphatic message that our nation will no longer ignore this shameful chapter of our history.”

US Congress gives final approval to make lynching a hate crime

Jason Miller, the ex-senior adviser of the former US President Donald Trump weighed in on the reports related to a probe into Trump's alleged involvement in last year's Capitol Hill riots on January 6.&nbsp;

National Archives and Records Administration said that some of the documents handed over by Trump to the House Select Committee had been ripped, torn apart and taped back together.

Officials have said that some of the pieces were as small as confetti. However, in a conversation with WION, Miller stated that no "sensitive documents" would have been torn up.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/intense-directed-energy-by-external-device-could-have-caused-havana-syndrome-450006">Intense directed energy by external device could have caused Havana syndrome</a>

The House Select Committee was created last year to investigate the January 6 violence, when thousands of Trump supporters descended on the US Capitol in Washington DC to stop the process of confirmation of President Joe Biden's victory.&nbsp;

During the investigation, it has been understood that the panel has interviewed hundreds of witnesses and has received over 50,000 documents.&nbsp;

However, recent reports indicated that some of the documents were torn up and taped back together. While responding to this, former senior Trump adviser Jason Miller told WION about his experience when he was in the Oval office.&nbsp;

He said when Trump had been through or processed a memo or something that was put in front of him and he no longer wanted to have it around, he would "rip it in half and throw it in the trash can".&nbsp;

"It could have been as meaningless as a newspaper article," he said.&nbsp;

Miller said he finds the sight of government workers trying to tape a document back together even it is completely insignificant "humorous".&nbsp;

He added, "Obviously, that would never happen with sensitive documents. Sensitive type documents or important documents were handed to the proper people to file accordingly."&nbsp;

"Just to be very clear, nothing that would have been sensitive, or nothing that would have been of any concern that somebody had seen it, nothing of that type of nature would have been ripped in half," said Miller, adding that "those were handed back to proper government workers."&nbsp;

Watch Jason Miller's interaction with WION here:&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/capitol-hill-riots-probe-us-national-archives-says-some-documents-handed-over-by-trump-torn-up-449989/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

US media reports in 2018 had highlighted the point that Trump used to tear apart papers and throw them on the floor or in the trash. However, the paper used to get taped back in compliance with the Presidential Records Act.

As per the mentioned Act, memos, letters, emails and other documents are to be preserved and handed over to the Archives at the end of an administration.&nbsp;

Recently, the Archives said in a statement: "White House records management officials during the Trump Administration recovered and taped together some of the torn-up records."&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/more-than-3000-personnel-face-getting-discharged-as-us-army-tightens-vaccine-mandate-rules-449993">More than 3000 personnel face getting discharged as US Army tightens vaccine mandate rules</a>

"These were turned over to the National Archives at the end of the Trump Administration, along with a number of torn-up records that had not been reconstructed by the White House," it added.&nbsp;

The statement was issued after CNN and the Washington Post reported that some of the documents from the Trump White House that the Archives handed over to the House select committee investigating the January 6 assault had been torn up and then reassembled.&nbsp;

Watch the full interview here:

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/capitol-hill-riots-no-sensitive-documents-would-have-been-torn-up-says-former-trump-adviser-450387/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

Jason Miller, the ex-senior adviser of the former US President Donald Trump weighed in on the reports related to a probe into Trump's alleged involvement in last year's Capitol Hill riots on January 6.

Jason Miller, the ex-senior adviser of the former US President Donald Trump weighed in on the reports related to a probe into Trump's alleged involvement in last year's Capitol Hill riots on January 6. National Archives and Records Administration said that some of the documents handed over by Trump to the House Select Committee had been ripped, torn apart and taped back together. Officials have said that some of the pieces were as small as confetti. However, in a conversation with WION, Miller stated that no "sensitive documents" would have been torn up. ALSO READ | Intense directed energy by external device could have caused Havana syndrome The House Select Committee was created last year to investigate the January 6 violence, when thousands of Trump supporters descended on the US Capitol in Washington DC to stop the process of confirmation of President Joe Biden's victory. During the investigation, it has been understood that the panel has interviewed hundreds of witnesses and has received over 50,000 documents. However, recent reports indicated that some of the documents were torn up and taped back together. While responding to this, former senior Trump adviser Jason Miller told WION about his experience when he was in the Oval office. He said when Trump had been through or processed a memo or something that was put in front of him and he no longer wanted to have it around, he would "rip it in half and throw it in the trash can". "It could have been as meaningless as a newspaper article," he said. Miller said he finds the sight of government workers trying to tape a document back together even it is completely insignificant "humorous". He added, "Obviously, that would never happen with sensitive documents. Sensitive type documents or important documents were handed to the proper people to file accordingly." "Just to be very clear, nothing that would have been sensitive, or nothing that would have been of any concern that somebody had seen it, nothing of that type of nature would have been ripped in half," said Miller, adding that "those were handed back to proper government workers." Watch Jason Miller's interaction with WION here: × US media reports in 2018 had highlighted the point that Trump used to tear apart papers and throw them on the floor or in the trash. However, the paper used to get taped back in compliance with the Presidential Records Act. As per the mentioned Act, memos, letters, emails and other documents are to be preserved and handed over to the Archives at the end of an administration. Recently, the Archives said in a statement: "White House records management officials during the Trump Administration recovered and taped together some of the torn-up records." ALSO READ | More than 3000 personnel face getting discharged as US Army tightens vaccine mandate rules "These were turned over to the National Archives at the end of the Trump Administration, along with a number of torn-up records that had not been reconstructed by the White House," it added. The statement was issued after CNN and the Washington Post reported that some of the documents from the Trump White House that the Archives handed over to the House select committee investigating the January 6 assault had been torn up and then reassembled. Watch the full interview here: ×

Ex-Trump adviser speaks to WION on reports that some White House records were torn up and taped back

Joe Biden wrapped up 2021 on an optimistic note, with analysts describing it as the "strongest first-year economic track record" of any US president in the last 50 years.

Joe Biden wrapped up 2021 on an optimistic note, with analysts describing it as the "strongest first-year economic track record" of any US president in the last 50 years. But without a doubt, 2021 was one of the most tumultuous years in the political history of the United States. It was most definitely a significant year for the country in more than one way, and mostly negative. In 2021, the US has seen it all: a change of administration in the first month of the year to insurrection, impeachment, infrastructure bill chaos, jeopardised diplomatic ties with some countries, not to forget innumerable crises driven by the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. When the US president was busy promoting and pushing the $1.75 trillion 'Build Back Better' plans forward, the world criticised the Biden administration for issues of greater significance. There's is no denying the fact that the BBB plan, which promises lower cost of child care and prescription drugs, support for the purchasing power of households, investing in the transition to clean energy, is crucial for the country. But the world might have missed the underlying powers of the Superpower. The Biden administration faced questions during the botched evacuation process of troops from Afghanistan, experts had varied opinions on the US ties with China and other countries like Russia and France, hate crimes against Asians, gun violence, etc. ALSO READ | The larger dimensions of the Russia–US standoff over Ukraine After coming into power, the Biden administration faced first massive backlash over the withdrawal of US and NATO troops from Afghanistan after the Taliban took control of the country. At least 123,000 diplomats, foreigners and Afghans were flown out in a chaotic evacuation. The last remaining troops pullout on August 30, marking the dramatic end of the United States' longest war. Then, the US was put on a pedestal when there were calls to boycott the upcoming Winter Olympics scheduled to take place in Beijing. The voices were raised due to China's reported human rights abuses against the Uyghur minority in Xinjiang. However, in early December, the US announced a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics. The decision was followed by Canada, Australia and Britain also. But will it send any message to China? The Games will happen as planned. What does diplomatic boycott even mean? Has it helped in sending a strong message? Amid Ukraine stand-off, the US president warned Russian Vladimir Putin in December that Moscow will face unprecedented economic sanctions, should the tens of thousands of Russian troops massed on the Ukrainian border launch an attack. But have sanctions helped? Joe Biden's health issues and Vice President Kamala Harris' diminishing popularity are also major concerns for the administration. Issues related to curbing the record-setting levels of illegal immigration as hundreds of thousands entered the country through the southern border with Mexico. Politics within the party as Biden's BBB plans were derailed as the opposition came from members of his own party. Legislation for building up the nation's infrastructure was ended after Dem Sen Joe Manchin of West Virginia said that he could not support it. COVID-19, vaccination and the pandemic-related economic issues persist. The virus cases in the country continued to rise with new variants like Delta and Omicron making the situation even worse for the health sector. What's next? The socio-economic and other mentioned issues pose bigger challenges for the Biden administration in 2022 and it will be interesting to see how it will cope with them in the coming days. What's next when the Taliban will ask the US for formal recognition? What will be the step towards US-China relations? How can the US lead the world amid extreme climate events? What should the country do to control inflation? It surged 6.8 per cent in November, the largest annual jump in 39 years. These are just some of the issues in the immediate future of not just US, but also has implications for the whole world. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Joe Biden wraps 2021 with optimism, but what's next for US in 2022 after tumultuous year?

The president needed the senator from West Virginia on his side, but he wasn’t sure he needed his vice president to get him there.

It was summertime, and President Joe Biden was under immense pressure to win the support of Sen. Joe Manchin, whose decisive vote in a 50-50 chamber made him the president’s most delicate negotiating partner. Biden had invited Manchin to the Oval Office to privately make the case for his marquee domestic policy legislation. Just before Manchin arrived, he turned to Vice President Kamala Harris.

What he needed from her was not strategy or advice. He needed her to only say a quick hello, which she did before turning on her heel and leaving the room for another meeting.

The moment, described as an exchange of “brief pleasantries” by a senior White House official and confirmed by two other people who were briefed on it, was a vivid reminder of the complexity of the job held by Harris: While most presidents promise their vice presidents access and influence, at the end of the day, power and responsibility are not shared equally, and Biden does not always feel a need for input from Harris as he navigates some of his most important relationships.

In Harris’ case, she came to the job without strong ties to key senators; one person briefed on the Oval Office meeting said it would be more productive if the discussion between Biden and Manchin remained private. It is unclear that the president had much sway on his own, either, given the senator’s decision this week to break with the White House over the domestic policy bill.

But without a headlining role in some of the most critical decisions facing the White House, the vice president is caught between criticism that she is falling short and resentment among supporters who feel she is being undercut by the administration she serves. And her allies increasingly are concerned that while Biden relied on her to help him win the White House, he does not need her to govern.

“I think she was an enormous help to the ticket during the campaign,” said Mark Buell, one of Harris’ earliest fundraisers since her first race for district attorney in San Francisco. “I would like to see her employed in the same way, now that they’re implementing their objectives or goals.”

The urgency surrounding her position is tied to whether the president, who at 79 is the oldest person to hold the office, will run for reelection in 2024. He told ABC News on Wednesday that he would run again if he was in good health. But questions about Harris’ readiness for the top job are starting far earlier than is usual for an administration in its first year.

Harris declined requests for an interview, but White House officials said that her relationship with Biden is a partnership.

“The vice president has diligently worked alongside the president coordinating with partners, allies and Democratic members of the House and Senate to advance the goals of this administration,” said Sabrina Singh, Harris’ deputy press secretary.

An early front-runner whose presidential ambitions fizzled amid a dysfunctional 2020 campaign, Harris was pulled onto the Biden ticket for her policy priorities that largely mirrored his, and her ability as a Black woman to bolster support with coalitions of voters he needed to win the presidency. But according to interviews with more than two dozen White House officials, political allies, elected officials and former aides, Harris is still struggling to define herself in the Biden White House or meaningfully correct what she and her aides feel is an unfair perception that she is adrift in the job.

Faced with declining approval ratings, a series of staff departures and a drumbeat of criticism from Republicans and the conservative news media, she has turned to powerful confidantes, including Hillary Clinton, to help plot a path forward.

Harris has privately told her allies that the news coverage of her would be different if she were any of her 48 predecessors, all of whom were white and male. She also has confided in them about the difficulties she is facing with the intractable issues in her portfolio, such as voting rights and the root causes of migration. The White House has pushed back against scathing criticism on both fronts, for what activists say is a lack of attention.

“I think it’s no secret that the different things she has been asked to take on are incredibly demanding, not always well understood publicly and take a lot of work as well as a lot of skill,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in an interview. “You have to do everything except one thing, which is take credit.”

Even in the best of times, the constraints of the job often make the vice president an afterthought, and not everyone asked to serve accepts it. (“I do not propose to be buried until I am really dead and in my coffin,” Daniel Webster, a former secretary of state, said in the 1840s about declining the job.)

But the complexity of the issues she has been assigned, and the long-term solutions they require, should have prompted the West Wing to defend Harris more aggressively to the public, said Rep. Karen Bass, D-Calif., the former chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus.

“What the White House could’ve done is been clearer with the expectations of what was supposed to happen under her watch,” she said.

Other Democrats say their frustrations run deeper.

Harris, who spent much of her four years in the Senate running for the presidency, was at odds with Manchin after she gave a series of interviews in West Virginia that he interpreted as unwelcome infringement on his home turf. Asked about the meeting in the Oval Office over the summer, a spokeswoman for Manchin said that the senator enjoys “a friendly and respectful working relationship” with the vice president.

Rep. Henry Cuellar, a moderate from Texas and one of the more prominent voices on border issues in the Democratic Party, said his experiences with Harris’ team had been disappointing. When Cuellar heard Harris was traveling to the border in June, he had his staff call her office to offer help and advice for her visit. He never received a call back.

“I say this very respectfully to her: I moved on,” Cuellar said. “She was tasked with that job, it doesn’t look like she’s very interested in this, so we are going to move on to other folks that work on this issue.”

In the future, Cuellar said he would go straight to the West Wing with his concerns on migration rather than the vice president’s office.

Of the White House, Cuellar said, “at least they talk to you.”

Harris’ aides have pointed to her work lobbying other countries and companies to join the United States in a commitment to invest about $1.2 billion to expand digital access, climate resilience and economic opportunity in Central America. But little progress has been made on curbing corruption in the region.

On voting rights, Harris, who asked Biden if she could lead the administration’s efforts on the issue, has invited activists to the White House and delivered speeches. But her office has not developed detailed plans to work with lawmakers to make sure that two bills that would reform the system will pass Congress, according to a senior official in her office.

Since arriving in Washington, Harris has sought the counsel of other women — including Clinton, the first female Democratic presidential nominee — who have achieved historical political success to help her find a path.

“There is a double standard; it’s sadly alive and well,” Clinton said in an interview. “A lot of what is being used to judge her, just like it was to judge me, or the women who ran in 2020, or everybody else, is really colored by that.”

The two speak every few months on the phone. In November, Clinton visited Harris in her West Wing office.

Bass pointed out that the double standard goes beyond Harris’ gender.

“I know, and we all knew, that she would have a difficult time because anytime you’re a ‘first,’ you do,’” Bass said. “And to be the first woman vice president, to be the first Black, Asian woman, that’s a triple. So we knew it was going to be rough, but it has been relentless, and I think extremely unfair.”

Before her trip to Vietnam and Singapore in August, Harris called Clinton and several former female secretaries of state, including Condoleezza Rice and Madeleine Albright. She has had several private conversations with Angela Merkel, who has recounted the challenges she faced as the first female chancellor of Germany.

For this article, Harris’ office supplied dozens of examples of her work. She was sent to France to further repair frosty relations after an embarrassing diplomatic spat, a trip that the White House has hailed as a success. She has attended over 30 events focused on promoting the president’s domestic agenda, and her mark is on the final infrastructure bill on issues like clean water policy, broadband access and investments to combat wildfires. (Voting rights is another.)

The president also gave Harris credit for her interest in relieving student loan debt as he agreed Wednesday to extend a moratorium on federal loan repayments until May 1, a decision that was hailed by activists and Democratic lawmakers who have pleaded with the administration to do more.

And yet, as the White House struggles to push through major legislation, Biden has relied on his own experience — 36 years in the Senate and eight years as vice president — to try to pull the United States out of the coronavirus pandemic and deliver on a towering set of economic promises. And Harris is facing questions about where she fits into the White House’s biggest priorities.

By all accounts, she and the president have a warm relationship. In meetings, the two often play off each other, with Biden allowing her to jump in and ask questions that go beyond what he has asked for; one adviser likened it to them playing “good cop, bad cop.” Alongside the president, Harris, a former prosecutor, has quizzed economic experts and immigration officials, at times asking them to better explain their reasoning.

Still, her allies are concerned that she is sometimes treated as an afterthought.

When the president worked late hours on a Friday night last month to win approval from lawmakers for his bipartisan infrastructure plan, a White House statement said only that he was working with a group of policy and legislative aides.

The vice president’s team, surprised her name had been omitted, informed the news media that she had also been there, placing calls to lawmakers. Asked about the exclusion, a White House spokesman said the initial statement issued to the public was based on information gathered before the vice president had arrived to join Biden and his senior staff. The White House issued a statement hours later noting Harris’ presence.

In recent weeks, she has seen a string of departures from the communications office; a number of other officials departed earlier this year.

Gil Duran, who worked for Harris when she was California attorney general in 2013, said she could be insulting and unprofessional. Duran said he quit after five months on the job when Harris declined to attend a briefing before a news conference, but then berated a staff member to the point of tears when she felt unprepared.

“A lot of us would still be with her if she was the Kamala Harris we thought she would be,” Duran said.

The White House had no comment when asked about the episode.

Aware of the criticism of her, Harris has been focused on promoting her own agenda in a series of interviews and appearances.

But Bass said the immediate challenge was the midterm elections next year, when Republicans could take back control of the House.

As for Harris’ presidential ambitions?

“I think she is the front-runner,” Bass said. “I think she’ll be the front-runner.”

The president needed the senator from West Virginia on his side, but he wasn’t sure he needed his vice president to get him there. It was summertime, and President Joe Biden was under immense pressure to win the support of Sen.

The president needed the senator from West Virginia on his side, but he wasn’t sure he needed his vice president to get him there. It was summertime, and President Joe Biden was under immense pressure to win the support of Sen. Joe Manchin, whose decisive vote in a 50-50 chamber made him the president’s most delicate negotiating partner. Biden had invited Manchin to the Oval Office to privately make the case for his marquee domestic policy legislation. Just before Manchin arrived, he turned to Vice President Kamala Harris. What he needed from her was not strategy or advice. He needed her to only say a quick hello, which she did before turning on her heel and leaving the room for another meeting. The moment, described as an exchange of “brief pleasantries” by a senior White House official and confirmed by two other people who were briefed on it, was a vivid reminder of the complexity of the job held by Harris: While most presidents promise their vice presidents access and influence, at the end of the day, power and responsibility are not shared equally, and Biden does not always feel a need for input from Harris as he navigates some of his most important relationships. In Harris’ case, she came to the job without strong ties to key senators; one person briefed on the Oval Office meeting said it would be more productive if the discussion between Biden and Manchin remained private. It is unclear that the president had much sway on his own, either, given the senator’s decision this week to break with the White House over the domestic policy bill. But without a headlining role in some of the most critical decisions facing the White House, the vice president is caught between criticism that she is falling short and resentment among supporters who feel she is being undercut by the administration she serves. And her allies increasingly are concerned that while Biden relied on her to help him win the White House, he does not need her to govern. “I think she was an enormous help to the ticket during the campaign,” said Mark Buell, one of Harris’ earliest fundraisers since her first race for district attorney in San Francisco. “I would like to see her employed in the same way, now that they’re implementing their objectives or goals.” The urgency surrounding her position is tied to whether the president, who at 79 is the oldest person to hold the office, will run for reelection in 2024. He told ABC News on Wednesday that he would run again if he was in good health. But questions about Harris’ readiness for the top job are starting far earlier than is usual for an administration in its first year. Harris declined requests for an interview, but White House officials said that her relationship with Biden is a partnership. “The vice president has diligently worked alongside the president coordinating with partners, allies and Democratic members of the House and Senate to advance the goals of this administration,” said Sabrina Singh, Harris’ deputy press secretary. An early front-runner whose presidential ambitions fizzled amid a dysfunctional 2020 campaign, Harris was pulled onto the Biden ticket for her policy priorities that largely mirrored his, and her ability as a Black woman to bolster support with coalitions of voters he needed to win the presidency. But according to interviews with more than two dozen White House officials, political allies, elected officials and former aides, Harris is still struggling to define herself in the Biden White House or meaningfully correct what she and her aides feel is an unfair perception that she is adrift in the job. Faced with declining approval ratings, a series of staff departures and a drumbeat of criticism from Republicans and the conservative news media, she has turned to powerful confidantes, including Hillary Clinton, to help plot a path forward. Harris has privately told her allies that the news coverage of her would be different if she were any of her 48 predecessors, all of whom were white and male. She also has confided in them about the difficulties she is facing with the intractable issues in her portfolio, such as voting rights and the root causes of migration. The White House has pushed back against scathing criticism on both fronts, for what activists say is a lack of attention. “I think it’s no secret that the different things she has been asked to take on are incredibly demanding, not always well understood publicly and take a lot of work as well as a lot of skill,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in an interview. “You have to do everything except one thing, which is take credit.” Even in the best of times, the constraints of the job often make the vice president an afterthought, and not everyone asked to serve accepts it. (“I do not propose to be buried until I am really dead and in my coffin,” Daniel Webster, a former secretary of state, said in the 1840s about declining the job.) But the complexity of the issues she has been assigned, and the long-term solutions they require, should have prompted the West Wing to defend Harris more aggressively to the public, said Rep. Karen Bass, D-Calif., the former chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus. “What the White House could’ve done is been clearer with the expectations of what was supposed to happen under her watch,” she said. Other Democrats say their frustrations run deeper. Harris, who spent much of her four years in the Senate running for the presidency, was at odds with Manchin after she gave a series of interviews in West Virginia that he interpreted as unwelcome infringement on his home turf. Asked about the meeting in the Oval Office over the summer, a spokeswoman for Manchin said that the senator enjoys “a friendly and respectful working relationship” with the vice president. Rep. Henry Cuellar, a moderate from Texas and one of the more prominent voices on border issues in the Democratic Party, said his experiences with Harris’ team had been disappointing. When Cuellar heard Harris was traveling to the border in June, he had his staff call her office to offer help and advice for her visit. He never received a call back. “I say this very respectfully to her: I moved on,” Cuellar said. “She was tasked with that job, it doesn’t look like she’s very interested in this, so we are going to move on to other folks that work on this issue.” In the future, Cuellar said he would go straight to the West Wing with his concerns on migration rather than the vice president’s office. Of the White House, Cuellar said, “at least they talk to you.” Harris’ aides have pointed to her work lobbying other countries and companies to join the United States in a commitment to invest about $1.2 billion to expand digital access, climate resilience and economic opportunity in Central America. But little progress has been made on curbing corruption in the region. On voting rights, Harris, who asked Biden if she could lead the administration’s efforts on the issue, has invited activists to the White House and delivered speeches. But her office has not developed detailed plans to work with lawmakers to make sure that two bills that would reform the system will pass Congress, according to a senior official in her office. Since arriving in Washington, Harris has sought the counsel of other women — including Clinton, the first female Democratic presidential nominee — who have achieved historical political success to help her find a path. “There is a double standard; it’s sadly alive and well,” Clinton said in an interview. “A lot of what is being used to judge her, just like it was to judge me, or the women who ran in 2020, or everybody else, is really colored by that.” The two speak every few months on the phone. In November, Clinton visited Harris in her West Wing office. Bass pointed out that the double standard goes beyond Harris’ gender. “I know, and we all knew, that she would have a difficult time because anytime you’re a ‘first,’ you do,’” Bass said. “And to be the first woman vice president, to be the first Black, Asian woman, that’s a triple. So we knew it was going to be rough, but it has been relentless, and I think extremely unfair.” Before her trip to Vietnam and Singapore in August, Harris called Clinton and several former female secretaries of state, including Condoleezza Rice and Madeleine Albright. She has had several private conversations with Angela Merkel, who has recounted the challenges she faced as the first female chancellor of Germany. For this article, Harris’ office supplied dozens of examples of her work. She was sent to France to further repair frosty relations after an embarrassing diplomatic spat, a trip that the White House has hailed as a success. She has attended over 30 events focused on promoting the president’s domestic agenda, and her mark is on the final infrastructure bill on issues like clean water policy, broadband access and investments to combat wildfires. (Voting rights is another.) The president also gave Harris credit for her interest in relieving student loan debt as he agreed Wednesday to extend a moratorium on federal loan repayments until May 1, a decision that was hailed by activists and Democratic lawmakers who have pleaded with the administration to do more. And yet, as the White House struggles to push through major legislation, Biden has relied on his own experience — 36 years in the Senate and eight years as vice president — to try to pull the United States out of the coronavirus pandemic and deliver on a towering set of economic promises. And Harris is facing questions about where she fits into the White House’s biggest priorities. By all accounts, she and the president have a warm relationship. In meetings, the two often play off each other, with Biden allowing her to jump in and ask questions that go beyond what he has asked for; one adviser likened it to them playing “good cop, bad cop.” Alongside the president, Harris, a former prosecutor, has quizzed economic experts and immigration officials, at times asking them to better explain their reasoning. Still, her allies are concerned that she is sometimes treated as an afterthought. When the president worked late hours on a Friday night last month to win approval from lawmakers for his bipartisan infrastructure plan, a White House statement said only that he was working with a group of policy and legislative aides. The vice president’s team, surprised her name had been omitted, informed the news media that she had also been there, placing calls to lawmakers. Asked about the exclusion, a White House spokesman said the initial statement issued to the public was based on information gathered before the vice president had arrived to join Biden and his senior staff. The White House issued a statement hours later noting Harris’ presence. In recent weeks, she has seen a string of departures from the communications office; a number of other officials departed earlier this year. Gil Duran, who worked for Harris when she was California attorney general in 2013, said she could be insulting and unprofessional. Duran said he quit after five months on the job when Harris declined to attend a briefing before a news conference, but then berated a staff member to the point of tears when she felt unprepared. “A lot of us would still be with her if she was the Kamala Harris we thought she would be,” Duran said. The White House had no comment when asked about the episode. Aware of the criticism of her, Harris has been focused on promoting her own agenda in a series of interviews and appearances. But Bass said the immediate challenge was the midterm elections next year, when Republicans could take back control of the House. As for Harris’ presidential ambitions? “I think she is the front-runner,” Bass said. “I think she’ll be the front-runner.”

Heir apparent or afterthought? The frustrations of Kamala Harris.

Leaders from across the political spectrum offered tributes to Bob Dole, the former Senate majority leader and Republican presidential nominee who died Sunday, hailing him as a war hero and statesman who dedicated his life to public service.

“Bob Dole was a man to be admired by Americans,” President Joe Biden said on Twitter. “He had an unerring sense of integrity and honor.”

The president cited Dole’s “legacy of decency, dignity, good humor, and patriotism.”

Vice President Kamala Harris called Dole “a war hero and patriot.”

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the minority leader, said in a statement that Dole’s “lifetime of service was rooted in a simple mission: looking out for his neighbors.”

That path started with serving customers at a soda fountain in Russell, Kansas, and continued through his service in the Army’s 10th Mountain Division during World War II, and it was capped off by nearly 30 years in the Senate and more than a decade as the Republican leader, he said.

“His Dust Bowl roots fueled a special commitment to vulnerable Americans, and sure enough, Bob’s work on food security, veterans’ issues, and the rights of disabled Americans have continued to have an especially lasting impact,” McConnell said.

Mike Pence, the former Republican vice president in the Trump administration, said Dole “lived an extraordinary life of service to America.”

Former President Barack Obama said on Twitter that Dole’s political leadership and demeanor harked “back to a day when members of the Greatest Generation abided by a certain code, putting country over party.”

Former President George W. Bush said of Dole in a statement: “This good man represented the finest of American values.”

“I will always remember Bob’s salute to my late dad at the Capitol,” Bush added, referring to his father, former President George H.W. Bush, who died in 2018, “and now we Bushes salute Bob and give thanks for his life of principled service.”

Former President Bill Clinton, Dole’s opponent in the 1996 presidential contest, said on Twitter that Dole dedicated his life to serving the American people, “from his heroism in World War II to the 35 years he spent in Congress.”

“After all he gave in the war,” Clinton added, “he didn’t have to give more. But he did. His example should inspire people today and for generations to come.”

Al Franken, the Democratic former U.S. senator and comedy writer, said of Dole: “He was a war hero, one of the great senators, a lovely man, and … well, I’m finally the funniest former US senator. I’ll miss this REALLY funny man.”

Leaders from across the political spectrum offered tributes to Bob Dole, the former Senate majority leader and Republican presidential nominee who died Sunday, hailing him as a war hero and statesman who dedicated his life to public service.

Leaders from across the political spectrum offered tributes to Bob Dole, the former Senate majority leader and Republican presidential nominee who died Sunday, hailing him as a war hero and statesman who dedicated his life to public service. “Bob Dole was a man to be admired by Americans,” President Joe Biden said on Twitter. “He had an unerring sense of integrity and honor.” The president cited Dole’s “legacy of decency, dignity, good humor, and patriotism.” Vice President Kamala Harris called Dole “a war hero and patriot.” Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the minority leader, said in a statement that Dole’s “lifetime of service was rooted in a simple mission: looking out for his neighbors.” That path started with serving customers at a soda fountain in Russell, Kansas, and continued through his service in the Army’s 10th Mountain Division during World War II, and it was capped off by nearly 30 years in the Senate and more than a decade as the Republican leader, he said. “His Dust Bowl roots fueled a special commitment to vulnerable Americans, and sure enough, Bob’s work on food security, veterans’ issues, and the rights of disabled Americans have continued to have an especially lasting impact,” McConnell said. Mike Pence, the former Republican vice president in the Trump administration, said Dole “lived an extraordinary life of service to America.” Former President Barack Obama said on Twitter that Dole’s political leadership and demeanor harked “back to a day when members of the Greatest Generation abided by a certain code, putting country over party.” Former President George W. Bush said of Dole in a statement: “This good man represented the finest of American values.” “I will always remember Bob’s salute to my late dad at the Capitol,” Bush added, referring to his father, former President George H.W. Bush, who died in 2018, “and now we Bushes salute Bob and give thanks for his life of principled service.” Former President Bill Clinton, Dole’s opponent in the 1996 presidential contest, said on Twitter that Dole dedicated his life to serving the American people, “from his heroism in World War II to the 35 years he spent in Congress.” “After all he gave in the war,” Clinton added, “he didn’t have to give more. But he did. His example should inspire people today and for generations to come.” Al Franken, the Democratic former U.S. senator and comedy writer, said of Dole: “He was a war hero, one of the great senators, a lovely man, and … well, I’m finally the funniest former US senator. I’ll miss this REALLY funny man.”

‘A war hero and patriot’: Leaders react to the death of Bob Dole

As Joe&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;pops the cork on his alcohol-free birthday bubbly this weekend he will not need to be reminded that he was born as close to the end of Abraham Lincoln's presidency as he was to the start of his own.

The veteran Democrat, who turns&nbsp;79&nbsp;on Saturday, has said publicly he intends to run for reelection but there has been&nbsp;persistent speculation&nbsp;that he could change his mind given his advanced years.

There is usually little intrigue around the nomination when a US president is still in his first term, as no occupant of the White House has declined to seek reelection since Lyndon Johnson more than 50 years ago.

But&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;would be 86 at the end of a second term, and&nbsp;potential&nbsp;successors&nbsp;and their sponsors are already circling, seeing another four years as an assignment too far in&nbsp;Biden's storied political career.

In a new Politico/Morning Consult poll, only 40 per cent of voters surveyed agreed with the statement that&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;"is in good health," while 50 per cent disagreed -- a 29-point shift over a year.

"If his health declines, as sometimes happens in one's 80s, his plans might change," said David Greenberg, a journalism and history professor at Rutgers University in New Jersey.

"That would create a wide-open field, with many of the 2020 runners-up as possibilities, as well as a lot of people who didn't run."

If&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;were to become the nation's first octogenarian presidential candidate, he would be somewhat undermining the status he gave himself during the campaign as a "bridge" to the next generation -- taken by many as a tacit assurance that he would not seek a second term.&nbsp;

History-making Kamala Harris -- the first woman and first Black and Asian American ever sworn in as vice president -- would be the heir apparent.

<h2>&nbsp;'Bold leader'&nbsp;</h2>

But her halo has slipped amid a run of negative press alleging dysfunction among her staff, casting doubt on her standing within the administration and reporting her frustrations over her thorny assignments.

Asked by ABC Thursday if she'd spoken to&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;about his plans for the future, Harris said "absolutely not," adding that the administration was focused on infrastructure, national security and other priorities.

She rejected reports that she was feeling misused or wrongly deployed, telling the channel: "We're getting things done, and we're doing it together."

But Harris has struggled to make an impact, with her approval dipping to 28 per cent in one survey, and headlines outlining her frustrations over being politically sidelined and set up for failure.&nbsp;

It is not unusual for vice presidents to be assigned some heavy lifting during their time in the West Wing, but Harris has been handed some particularly tough portfolios,&nbsp;from&nbsp;voting rights to the immigration crisis at the southern border.

Overseas, her recent trip to Paris went without hitches, but jaunts to Latin America and Asia have been less successful.

Harris visited Guatemala and Mexico in June as part of her immigration mission, giving an interview to NBC News that was widely regarded as a disaster.&nbsp;

Asked why she had not yet been to the border, Harris replied: "And I haven't been to Europe... And I mean, I don't understand the point that you're making. I'm not discounting the importance of the border."

Hours after the interview, several US media outlets reported that Harris's communications chief&nbsp;Ashley Etienne&nbsp;was leaving -- "to pursue other opportunities," according to White House officials -- adding to speculation about low morale among the staff.&nbsp;

<h2>&nbsp;'Hope and rumour'&nbsp;</h2>

Amid Harris's travails, another barrier-breaking Democrat, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has risen to the fore as the point man on implementing much of&nbsp;Biden's $1.2 trillion infrastructure package.&nbsp;

But the first openly gay US cabinet secretary is also the face of the supply-chain crisis that right-wing media are predicting will ruin the holiday season.&nbsp;

Critics also point to the biggest flaw of his impressive campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination, a glaring lack of support&nbsp;from&nbsp;voters of colour.&nbsp;

Three analysts interviewed by AFP -- former congressional chief of staff Mark Bayer, University of Toledo politics professor Sam Nelson and Tommy Goodwin, a Washington-based lobbyist -- said Harris would nevertheless be the frontrunner in any Democratic succession, with Buttigieg also in the conversation.

"Beyond those two, it's worth keeping an eye on California Governor Gavin Newsom," said Goodwin, while Nelson singled out a number of previous hopefuls, including Beto O'Rourke, who is vying for the Texas governor's mansion in 2022.

From&nbsp;the Senate, Cory Booker is said to be putting out feelers in the critical primary state of New Hampshire, while&nbsp;Minnesota's Amy Klobuchar is on a book tour and&nbsp;Elizabeth Warren has begun endorsing candidates beyond her Massachusetts base.

But Peter Loge, an associate professor at George Washington University, says any talk of&nbsp;Biden's retirement would be premature, recalling similar claims about Donald Trump in 2019. &nbsp;

"There is always speculation based on hope and whispered rumours," Loge told AFP, "most of which isn't based on more than hope and rumour."

As Joe Biden pops the cork on his alcohol-free birthday bubbly this weekend he will not need to be reminded that he was born as close to the end of Abraham Lincoln's presidency as he was to the start of his own.

As Joe Biden pops the cork on his alcohol-free birthday bubbly this weekend he will not need to be reminded that he was born as close to the end of Abraham Lincoln's presidency as he was to the start of his own. The veteran Democrat, who turns 79 on Saturday, has said publicly he intends to run for reelection but there has been persistent speculation that he could change his mind given his advanced years. There is usually little intrigue around the nomination when a US president is still in his first term, as no occupant of the White House has declined to seek reelection since Lyndon Johnson more than 50 years ago. But Biden would be 86 at the end of a second term, and potential successors and their sponsors are already circling, seeing another four years as an assignment too far in Biden's storied political career. In a new Politico/Morning Consult poll, only 40 per cent of voters surveyed agreed with the statement that Biden "is in good health," while 50 per cent disagreed -- a 29-point shift over a year. "If his health declines, as sometimes happens in one's 80s, his plans might change," said David Greenberg, a journalism and history professor at Rutgers University in New Jersey. "That would create a wide-open field, with many of the 2020 runners-up as possibilities, as well as a lot of people who didn't run." If Biden were to become the nation's first octogenarian presidential candidate, he would be somewhat undermining the status he gave himself during the campaign as a "bridge" to the next generation -- taken by many as a tacit assurance that he would not seek a second term. History-making Kamala Harris -- the first woman and first Black and Asian American ever sworn in as vice president -- would be the heir apparent. 'Bold leader' But her halo has slipped amid a run of negative press alleging dysfunction among her staff, casting doubt on her standing within the administration and reporting her frustrations over her thorny assignments. Asked by ABC Thursday if she'd spoken to Biden about his plans for the future, Harris said "absolutely not," adding that the administration was focused on infrastructure, national security and other priorities. She rejected reports that she was feeling misused or wrongly deployed, telling the channel: "We're getting things done, and we're doing it together." But Harris has struggled to make an impact, with her approval dipping to 28 per cent in one survey, and headlines outlining her frustrations over being politically sidelined and set up for failure. It is not unusual for vice presidents to be assigned some heavy lifting during their time in the West Wing, but Harris has been handed some particularly tough portfolios, from voting rights to the immigration crisis at the southern border. Overseas, her recent trip to Paris went without hitches, but jaunts to Latin America and Asia have been less successful. Harris visited Guatemala and Mexico in June as part of her immigration mission, giving an interview to NBC News that was widely regarded as a disaster. Asked why she had not yet been to the border, Harris replied: "And I haven't been to Europe... And I mean, I don't understand the point that you're making. I'm not discounting the importance of the border." Hours after the interview, several US media outlets reported that Harris's communications chief Ashley Etienne was leaving -- "to pursue other opportunities," according to White House officials -- adding to speculation about low morale among the staff. 'Hope and rumour' Amid Harris's travails, another barrier-breaking Democrat, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has risen to the fore as the point man on implementing much of Biden's $1.2 trillion infrastructure package. But the first openly gay US cabinet secretary is also the face of the supply-chain crisis that right-wing media are predicting will ruin the holiday season. Critics also point to the biggest flaw of his impressive campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination, a glaring lack of support from voters of colour. Three analysts interviewed by AFP -- former congressional chief of staff Mark Bayer, University of Toledo politics professor Sam Nelson and Tommy Goodwin, a Washington-based lobbyist -- said Harris would nevertheless be the frontrunner in any Democratic succession, with Buttigieg also in the conversation. "Beyond those two, it's worth keeping an eye on California Governor Gavin Newsom," said Goodwin, while Nelson singled out a number of previous hopefuls, including Beto O'Rourke, who is vying for the Texas governor's mansion in 2022. From the Senate, Cory Booker is said to be putting out feelers in the critical primary state of New Hampshire, while Minnesota's Amy Klobuchar is on a book tour and Elizabeth Warren has begun endorsing candidates beyond her Massachusetts base. But Peter Loge, an associate professor at George Washington University, says any talk of Biden's retirement would be premature, recalling similar claims about Donald Trump in 2019. "There is always speculation based on hope and whispered rumours," Loge told AFP, "most of which isn't based on more than hope and rumour."

Biden hits 79 as potential successors watch from wings

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is considered one of the best and sought after managers in the history of the English Premier League, some even say best in the world. He is known for his team management skills, but his comments on managing a country are also valuable.&nbsp;

Klopp said the system should be such where people should be elected in top positions to sort the problems. The voting should not be based on "most funny" or the "weirdest haircut". There should right people in the system.&nbsp;

Klopp has said that the elections of Donald Trump, the former US president,&nbsp;and Boris Johnson, the current UK prime minister, were a "bad sign" for the whole world.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/kylian-mbappe-scores-4-goals-as-france-thump-kazakhstan-8-0-to-qualify-for-fifa-world-cup-2022-429209">Kylian Mbappe scores 4 goals as France thump Kazakhstan 8-0 to qualify for FIFA World Cup 2022</a>

During a podcast with British presenter Gabby Logan's Mid Point, Klopp weighed in on the value of leadership with a rant on the current political system. He also talked about the problems in Western society.&nbsp;

The German called out Trump, Johnson and Farage as he criticised the culture in many elections, he said, "Obviously people with common sense are not needed – or used, at least – in this time."&nbsp;

"They should be, but what is the problem, the people we vote for or the whole system which gives us the opportunity to vote for these kinds of people? I really have to say that the last two elections, the first with Donald Trump and then with Boris Johnson, that's really a bad sign for the whole world, that something like this can happen."

"Because everybody knew beforehand that it would not work, but we still let it happen as a society. I cannot believe that. But one is now gone, the other one struggles still. It's incredible. We have to find a system where we can bring people in the position to sort all our problems, or help us with sorting the problems, who are the best possible people."

"And not the most funny or the weirdest haircut or whatever, you have to have the right people in that. [We should] not [be] voting for them and accepting for this specific amount of time that they are there now, and you look at it and go ‘oh my god, that’s not funny anymore'."&nbsp;

IN PICS | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/may-modi-merkel-macron-past-and-present-world-leaders-with-impeccable-fashion-sense-424294">May, Modi, Merkel, Macron: Past and present world leaders with impeccable fashion sense</a>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Loved chatting to Jurgen Klopp on the Midpoint <a href="https://twitter.com/LFC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LFC</a> 🙌 <a href="https://t.co/aBI2piayTW">pic.twitter.com/aBI2piayTW</a>
— Gabby Logan (@GabbyLogan) <a href="https://twitter.com/GabbyLogan/status/1458572083873652736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

On being asked about the slightest chance of Klopp's future as a politician, he said, "You need the right people – and for sure not someone like me who you like from television and has a slightly over-average intelligence."&nbsp;

"But there are people out there, definitely, you just have to give them a platform so they can show up without leading us in that direction or that direction," the manager added.&nbsp;

He added, "Why do we let people like Farage and Johnson lead any kind of group of people in any direction? And the day after [a problem] happens, they disappear – and one of them comes back! How can we forget? It’s like 'where has he been?', that’s absolutely insane. Then we sit here and think 'it's not that bad'…"&nbsp;

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is considered one of the best and sought after managers in the history of the English Premier League, some even say best in the world.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is considered one of the best and sought after managers in the history of the English Premier League, some even say best in the world. He is known for his team management skills, but his comments on managing a country are also valuable. Klopp said the system should be such where people should be elected in top positions to sort the problems. The voting should not be based on "most funny" or the "weirdest haircut". There should right people in the system. Klopp has said that the elections of Donald Trump, the former US president, and Boris Johnson, the current UK prime minister, were a "bad sign" for the whole world. ALSO READ | Kylian Mbappe scores 4 goals as France thump Kazakhstan 8-0 to qualify for FIFA World Cup 2022 During a podcast with British presenter Gabby Logan's Mid Point, Klopp weighed in on the value of leadership with a rant on the current political system. He also talked about the problems in Western society. The German called out Trump, Johnson and Farage as he criticised the culture in many elections, he said, "Obviously people with common sense are not needed – or used, at least – in this time." "They should be, but what is the problem, the people we vote for or the whole system which gives us the opportunity to vote for these kinds of people? I really have to say that the last two elections, the first with Donald Trump and then with Boris Johnson, that's really a bad sign for the whole world, that something like this can happen." "Because everybody knew beforehand that it would not work, but we still let it happen as a society. I cannot believe that. But one is now gone, the other one struggles still. It's incredible. We have to find a system where we can bring people in the position to sort all our problems, or help us with sorting the problems, who are the best possible people." "And not the most funny or the weirdest haircut or whatever, you have to have the right people in that. [We should] not [be] voting for them and accepting for this specific amount of time that they are there now, and you look at it and go ‘oh my god, that’s not funny anymore'." IN PICS | May, Modi, Merkel, Macron: Past and present world leaders with impeccable fashion sense Loved chatting to Jurgen Klopp on the Midpoint @LFC 🙌 pic.twitter.com/aBI2piayTW — Gabby Logan (@GabbyLogan) November 10, 2021 × On being asked about the slightest chance of Klopp's future as a politician, he said, "You need the right people – and for sure not someone like me who you like from television and has a slightly over-average intelligence." "But there are people out there, definitely, you just have to give them a platform so they can show up without leading us in that direction or that direction," the manager added. He added, "Why do we let people like Farage and Johnson lead any kind of group of people in any direction? And the day after [a problem] happens, they disappear – and one of them comes back! How can we forget? It’s like 'where has he been?', that’s absolutely insane. Then we sit here and think 'it's not that bad'…"

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says elections of Donald Trump and Boris Johnson 'bad sign for whole world'

President Joe Biden on Friday (October 29) said that the US was "clumsy" in securing a submarines deal,&nbsp;signed last month between the UK, US and Australia as part of the newly formed AUKUS grouping, that deprived France of billions of dollars for a similar contract.

During his&nbsp;closely-watched bilateral meeting with French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Rome ahead of a G20 summit, Biden also said that "we have no older, or no more loyal or no more decent ally than France."

Last month, Australia pulled out of a multibillion-dollar submarines deal with France in favour of an alternative one with the United States and the United Kingdom that led to a diplomatic row.&nbsp;

It got escalated further as France had said that the deal was made without its knowledge and has jeopardised an existing contract. France had temporarily recalled its US ambassador also.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-send-envoy-to-pakistan-as-diplomats-start-work-in-capital-city-islamabad-425114">Taliban send envoy to Pakistan as 'diplomats' start work in capital city Islamabad</a>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I had a great meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron this afternoon. The United States has no older, no more loyal, no more decent ally than France. They’ve been with us from the beginning — and we will always be there for them. <a href="https://t.co/3hKzqDrkfQ">pic.twitter.com/3hKzqDrkfQ</a>
— President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1454171003471466502?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Now, Biden called France an "extremely, extremely valued partner... and a power in itself" with the "same values" as the United States, admitting that what happened was a bit "clumsy".&nbsp;

Biden said, ''I think what happened was, to use an English phrase, what we did was clumsy. It was not done with a lot of grace. I was under the impression that certain things had happened that hadn't happened and I want to make it clear France is an extremely, extremely valued partner..''

''I was under the impression that France had been informed long before that the deal was not going through, I honest to God did not know you had not been. But having said that, look there's too much we have done together, suffered together, celebrated together and value together," he added.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-slaps-sanctions-on-iran-drone-program-ahead-of-nuclear-talks-425096">US slaps sanctions on Iran drone program ahead of nuclear talks</a>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-prez-joe-biden-meets-french-counterpart-emmanuel-macron-ahead-of-g20-summit-425152/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Macron said his meeting with President Joe Biden on Friday (October 29) would allow France and the United States rebuilt to rebuild trust following a rift over an Indo-Pacific security pact, and that it was key to look to the future.

The two leaders shared a warm handshake for the cameras after Biden kept Macron waiting for more than one and a half hours, before sitting down to talks over climate, counter-terrorism in West Africa and European defence.

President Joe Biden on Friday (October 29) said that the US was "clumsy" in securing a submarines deal, signed last month between the UK, US and Australia as part of the newly formed AUKUS grouping, that deprived France of billions of dollars for a similar contract.

President Joe Biden on Friday (October 29) said that the US was "clumsy" in securing a submarines deal, signed last month between the UK, US and Australia as part of the newly formed AUKUS grouping, that deprived France of billions of dollars for a similar contract. During his closely-watched bilateral meeting with French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Rome ahead of a G20 summit, Biden also said that "we have no older, or no more loyal or no more decent ally than France." Last month, Australia pulled out of a multibillion-dollar submarines deal with France in favour of an alternative one with the United States and the United Kingdom that led to a diplomatic row. It got escalated further as France had said that the deal was made without its knowledge and has jeopardised an existing contract. France had temporarily recalled its US ambassador also. ALSO READ | Taliban send envoy to Pakistan as 'diplomats' start work in capital city Islamabad I had a great meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron this afternoon. The United States has no older, no more loyal, no more decent ally than France. They’ve been with us from the beginning — and we will always be there for them. pic.twitter.com/3hKzqDrkfQ — President Biden (@POTUS) October 29, 2021 × Now, Biden called France an "extremely, extremely valued partner... and a power in itself" with the "same values" as the United States, admitting that what happened was a bit "clumsy". Biden said, ''I think what happened was, to use an English phrase, what we did was clumsy. It was not done with a lot of grace. I was under the impression that certain things had happened that hadn't happened and I want to make it clear France is an extremely, extremely valued partner..'' ''I was under the impression that France had been informed long before that the deal was not going through, I honest to God did not know you had not been. But having said that, look there's too much we have done together, suffered together, celebrated together and value together," he added. ALSO READ | US slaps sanctions on Iran drone program ahead of nuclear talks × Macron said his meeting with President Joe Biden on Friday (October 29) would allow France and the United States rebuilt to rebuild trust following a rift over an Indo-Pacific security pact, and that it was key to look to the future. The two leaders shared a warm handshake for the cameras after Biden kept Macron waiting for more than one and a half hours, before sitting down to talks over climate, counter-terrorism in West Africa and European defence.

AUKUS deal: Joe Biden tells Emmanuel Macron that US was 'clumsy'

Former New York governor Andrew Cuomo was on Thursday charged with a misdemeanour sex crime for forcible touching, a court spokesperson said.

The charge is the first to be filed since the once-powerful politician was forced to resign this year following a slew of sexual harassment allegations.

Former New York governor Andrew Cuomo was on Thursday charged with a misdemeanour sex crime for forcible touching, a court spokesperson said.

The charge is the first to be filed since the once-powerful politician was forced to resign this year following a slew of sexual harassment allegations.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/for-first-time-in-public-a-detainee-describes-torture-at-cia-black-sites-425001">For first time in public, a detainee describes torture at CIA black sites</a>

"A misdemeanor complaint against former governor Andrew Cuomo has been filed in Albany City Court," said Lucian Chalfen, a spokesman for the New York state courts, describing it as a "sex crime."

The complaint accuses Cuomo of putting his hand down the victim's blouse and grabbing her left breast in December 2020.

It was filed by the Albany County sheriff's office on behalf of New York state.

Albany city court issued a summons ordering Cuomo, 63, to appear in court on November 17, 2021 at 2:30 pm (1830 GMT), according to a statement.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nuclear-powered-submarines-for-australia-maybe-not-so-fast-424997">Nuclear-powered submarines for Australia? Maybe not so fast</a>

He resigned in August after state Attorney General Letitia James issued a report, which was not criminal in nature, concluding that he sexually harassed 11 women, including former staffers.

"From the moment my office received the referral to investigate allegations that former governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women, we proceeded without fear or favor," James said in a statement.&nbsp;

"The criminal charges brought today against Mr Cuomo for forcible touching further validate the findings in our report," she added. 
Cuomo has strenuously denied the charges and claims he was the victim of a political vendetta.

He gained nationwide adoration last year for his straight-talking daily coronavirus briefings before his spectacular fall from grace.

Forcible touching is a class A misdemeanor that can carry a sentence of up to one year in prison.

Former New York governor Andrew Cuomo was on Thursday charged with a misdemeanour sex crime for forcible touching, a court spokesperson said. The charge is the first to be filed since the once-powerful politician was forced to resign this year following a slew of sexual harassment allegations.

Former New York governor Andrew Cuomo was on Thursday charged with a misdemeanour sex crime for forcible touching, a court spokesperson said. The charge is the first to be filed since the once-powerful politician was forced to resign this year following a slew of sexual harassment allegations. Former New York governor Andrew Cuomo was on Thursday charged with a misdemeanour sex crime for forcible touching, a court spokesperson said. The charge is the first to be filed since the once-powerful politician was forced to resign this year following a slew of sexual harassment allegations. ALSO READ | For first time in public, a detainee describes torture at CIA black sites "A misdemeanor complaint against former governor Andrew Cuomo has been filed in Albany City Court," said Lucian Chalfen, a spokesman for the New York state courts, describing it as a "sex crime." The complaint accuses Cuomo of putting his hand down the victim's blouse and grabbing her left breast in December 2020. It was filed by the Albany County sheriff's office on behalf of New York state. Albany city court issued a summons ordering Cuomo, 63, to appear in court on November 17, 2021 at 2:30 pm (1830 GMT), according to a statement. ALSO READ | Nuclear-powered submarines for Australia? Maybe not so fast He resigned in August after state Attorney General Letitia James issued a report, which was not criminal in nature, concluding that he sexually harassed 11 women, including former staffers. "From the moment my office received the referral to investigate allegations that former governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women, we proceeded without fear or favor," James said in a statement. "The criminal charges brought today against Mr Cuomo for forcible touching further validate the findings in our report," she added. Cuomo has strenuously denied the charges and claims he was the victim of a political vendetta. He gained nationwide adoration last year for his straight-talking daily coronavirus briefings before his spectacular fall from grace. Forcible touching is a class A misdemeanor that can carry a sentence of up to one year in prison.

Former New York governor Andrew Cuomo charged with misdemeanour sex crime for alleged groping incident

California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom handily beat back an effort to oust him from office in Tuesday's (September 14) special election, overcoming a Republican campaign to unseat him over his liberal policies on immigration, COVID-19 and crime.&nbsp;

Newsom, a first-term governor beset by challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic, extreme drought and severe wildfires, boosted turnout among Democrats with a flurry of late campaigning and easily overcame the move by Republicans to recall him.&nbsp;

By late Tuesday, returns showed Newsom easily winning a majority of support from voters who said he should remain in office. With 46% of precincts reporting, Newsom was up by more than 30 points, with 67% support compared to 33% who wanted to recall him, state data showed.

US television networks projected Newsom had defeated the recall effort about 40 minutes after polls closed on Tuesday.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/norways-telenor-says-myanmar-unit-sale-plan-followed-juntas-pressure-on-surveillance-tech-413286">Norway's Telenor says Myanmar unit sale plan followed junta's pressure on surveillance tech</a>

The decisive win significantly bolsters Newsom's chances in next year's regularly scheduled gubernatorial elections, while weakening any likely Republican challengers, said Republican political strategist Mike Madrid.

Key to Newsom's success was an all-out campaign to mobilize a Democratic base that had initially been sleepy, assuming that the governor would win because the state is so overwhelmingly Democratic.

He made the campaign a referendum on former Republican US President Donald Trump, linking Trump with his main challenger in the recall election, Larry Elder, a Republican talk show host who had made controversial statements about minorities and women.

Other Republicans in the race included San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, businessman and former gubernatorial nominee John Cox and reality TV star Caitlyn Jenner.

In the final days of the race, Newsom appeared alongside President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who formerly represented California as a U.S. senator and attorney general.

Elder has vowed to remove requirements for COVID-19 vaccines and mask wearing. In the days leading up to the recall vote, he and Trump pushed the narrative that Democrats planned to steal the election.

The removal of Newsom, who was elected in a landslide in 2018, would have set off alarms among Democrats, coming in one of the nation's most liberal states just over a year before the 2022 elections that will decide control of Congress.

Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-to-1 in the state, and polls consistently showed that a strong majority of voters opposed recalling Newsom.

But Democrats worried that complacency among their voters could have tilted the election toward Republicans. Newsom's immigration and crime policies - along with the governor's handling of the pandemic - fuelled the petition drive by conservatives to put the recall question on the ballot.

California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom handily beat back an effort to oust him from office in Tuesday's (September 14) special election, overcoming a Republican campaign to unseat him over his liberal policies on immigration, COVID-19 and crime.

California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom handily beat back an effort to oust him from office in Tuesday's (September 14) special election, overcoming a Republican campaign to unseat him over his liberal policies on immigration, COVID-19 and crime. Newsom, a first-term governor beset by challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic, extreme drought and severe wildfires, boosted turnout among Democrats with a flurry of late campaigning and easily overcame the move by Republicans to recall him. By late Tuesday, returns showed Newsom easily winning a majority of support from voters who said he should remain in office. With 46% of precincts reporting, Newsom was up by more than 30 points, with 67% support compared to 33% who wanted to recall him, state data showed. US television networks projected Newsom had defeated the recall effort about 40 minutes after polls closed on Tuesday. ALSO READ | Norway's Telenor says Myanmar unit sale plan followed junta's pressure on surveillance tech The decisive win significantly bolsters Newsom's chances in next year's regularly scheduled gubernatorial elections, while weakening any likely Republican challengers, said Republican political strategist Mike Madrid. Key to Newsom's success was an all-out campaign to mobilize a Democratic base that had initially been sleepy, assuming that the governor would win because the state is so overwhelmingly Democratic. He made the campaign a referendum on former Republican US President Donald Trump, linking Trump with his main challenger in the recall election, Larry Elder, a Republican talk show host who had made controversial statements about minorities and women. Other Republicans in the race included San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, businessman and former gubernatorial nominee John Cox and reality TV star Caitlyn Jenner. In the final days of the race, Newsom appeared alongside President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who formerly represented California as a U.S. senator and attorney general. Elder has vowed to remove requirements for COVID-19 vaccines and mask wearing. In the days leading up to the recall vote, he and Trump pushed the narrative that Democrats planned to steal the election. The removal of Newsom, who was elected in a landslide in 2018, would have set off alarms among Democrats, coming in one of the nation's most liberal states just over a year before the 2022 elections that will decide control of Congress. Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-to-1 in the state, and polls consistently showed that a strong majority of voters opposed recalling Newsom. But Democrats worried that complacency among their voters could have tilted the election toward Republicans. Newsom's immigration and crime policies - along with the governor's handling of the pandemic - fuelled the petition drive by conservatives to put the recall question on the ballot.

California Governor Gavin Newsom easily retains job, sweeps election

us-politics

Us Politics, News on Us Politics, stories on Us Politics, articles on Us Politics, Us Politics stories at Wion, Us Politics news, Us Politics latest news

us politics