GOOD MORNING DC: Ending The War In Afghanistan

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#GoodMorningDC. Today the biggest news of the day is that Biden will deliver remarks on pulling the troops out of Afghanistan. 

Good Morning DC! It’s Wednesday, and we have learned that President Biden has accepted the invitation of the Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to address a Joint Session of Congress on April 28, the night before his 100th day in office. Biden’s speech will be televised, but only several guests will be allowed in the chamber due to social distancing rules. 

In the interview for USA TODAY, Pelosi described a historic start for the new Congress and President Joe Biden, one “on par” in ambition and impact with the first 100 days of FDR and LBJ. She called Biden skilled in Washington politics and bolder in policy than many expected. “Transformative and visionary and experienced,” she said.

Linda McMahon and Larry Kudlow, along with other Trump Administration members, launched the America First Policy Institute (AFPI). It looks like America First is here to stay and continue into the primaries and 2024 election. 

John Boehner has a new book, “On the House,” but Ted Cruz has no interest in reading it. “Some smart-ass dropped off a copy of Boehner’s new book at my office. It’s even signed! I filed it in the appropriate place,” Cruz tweeted. 

The latest updates on the pandemic indicate that a year later, the problems are still prevalent. 

Johnson and Johnson’s vaccine is paused out of an “abundance of caution” in the USA, with only six blood clot cases. This measure is hard to justify given the success of the vaccine and dire need, not only in the USA but also in the EU who was relying on Johnson and Johnson’s to secure an adequate roll-out. 

Italian whistleblower Dr. Francesco Zambon, who worked for the WHO, claims WHO tried to force him to change his report about Italy’s pandemic protocols, Sky News reports. Dr. Zambon says that Italy had not updated its pandemic response protocols since 2006 and that he refused to follow WHO orders. WHO denies the accusations, but the Italian investigators have WhatsApp messages that back up Dr. Zambon’s central claim that he was told to change that section of the report. 

Across the pond, Brits flocked to the pubs for the first time in months, but PM Boris Johnson warned the population that the infection and deaths would increase as a side effect of going back to normal. 

What will Biden do today?

This morning, President Biden will accompany Jill Biden to “a common medical procedure at an outpatient center.” 

At 10:15 a.m., president Biden will receive the President’s Daily Brief.  

At 2:15 p.m. Biden will deliver remarks on pulling the troops out of Afghanistan. 

At 3:05 p.m., Biden will visit Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery to pay his respects to the service members who have died in America’s most recent conflicts.

At 11 a.m., The White House Covid-19 response team and public health officials will hold the press briefing. 

At 12:30 p.m. Press secretary, Jen Psaki will brief the press. 

And that’s a wrap for this Wednesday morning, April 14, 2021.Thanks for waking up with Good Morning DC, our daily brief with a point of view. Good Morning DC will be back tomorrow to bring you the latest first.