#GoodMorningDC.Today is March 4, the day when QAnon followers and some extremist militia groups believe that Trump will come back into power.
Good Morning DC!
Today is March 4, the day when QAnon followers and some extremist militia groups believe that Trump will come back into power. “We have obtained intelligence that shows a possible plot to breach the Capitol by an identified militia group on Thursday, March 4,” the US Capitol police said in a statement on Wednesday.
Before President Rutherford Hayes, March 4 marked the inauguration date. QAnon supporters believe that this is when Trump will be inaugurated becoming the 19th legitimate president (after Ulysses S. Grant) followed by a string of tribunals.
“Another wave of sadness comes from the fact that this is not getting better,” Representative Andy Kim said in an emotional tweet thread posted on Wednesday. “FBI Director said this threat is ‘metastasizing’ and acting Capitol Police chief Pittman said that threats against my colleagues in Congress is up 94% from last year.”
On Wednesday, the House rushed to finish their work so they could cancel and reschedule all Thursday sessions in response to the threats. As of now, the Senate is planning to remain in session to review the COVID-19 relief bill.
The Acting Capitol Police Chief testified that there have been threats to potentially blow up the Capitol during the State of Union that President Biden will give.
The Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard said yesterday that it took more than three hours for approval to come down before the National Guard was sent to respond to the insurrection. But the Pentagon’s Homeland Defense Chief actually disputed that and said that it was only over an hour. How to make sense of what happened if there’s no consensus within DoD on the timeline?
Why did Neera Tanden’s nomination eventually end? Why was she withdrawn? Psaki says that Tanden, “saw that the path to her own confirmation was narrowed and did not look like there was a path forward.”
As expected, Psaki did not want to get into the details.
President Biden needs a win and he is looking at the relief package to give him one. Biden “has been firm on the importance of the $1,400 checks going out to Americans,” Psaki tried to reassure Americans who are losing patience in the face of the economic downturn.
Press Secretary Jen Psaki announced that President Biden is to issue his Interim National Security Strategic Guidance, which lays out his vision for protecting the nation, preserving American values, and expanding economic opportunity. The guidance comes in advance of the new National Security Strategy that will come later this year. Until then, the interim guidance will provide “direction to departments and agencies,” said Psaki.
Psaki emphasized that this plan will detail the “changed strategic landscape” the U.S. now faces, and will center American values of democracy and prosperity.
The Biden administration views the Interim National Security Strategic Guidance as “a once-in-a-generation opportunity to renew America’s advantages at home and abroad,” said Psaki.
The United States will not lift sanctions in Iran until they agree to comply with a nuclear missiles agreement with the E.U., the U.S and potentially other countries/allies, Secretary Antony Blinken said in a PBS interview.
Across the pond, Conservative British Politician, Rishi Sunak, is headlining the cover of The Independent for his “£400bn route out of the Covid crisis.”
The Times is reporting that Moscow is introducing facial recognition technology that will automatically charge metro passengers for journeys as they approach ticket offices. The new technology brought up concerns about invasions to privacy and fears that it may be used to target opposition leaders. It may even be used to connect to bank accounts for contactless payments.
At the Berlin film festival, everyone is talking about the Tina Turner biopic that documents her six-decades-long music career, from cotton-picking in the fields of Tennessee to becoming the “Queen of Rock ‘n Roll.”
What will Biden do today?
At 10:30 AM EST President Biden and VP Harris will receive the President’s Daily Brief
At 2:00 PM EST Harris, Biden, and the Secretary of Transportation meet with a bipartisan group of House Members on infrastructure
At 5:00 PM EST President Biden will participate in a virtual call to congratulate the NASA JPL Perseverance team on the successful Mars landing
At 12:45 PM EST Press Secretary Jen Psaki and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough will hold a press briefing.
Our reads…
Teachers now considered to be essential workers for the vaccine.
Many people wear masks but not all fit well or correctly. A recent survey from Porter Novelli found that among adults who reported wearing masks in the past week, 50% said they wore their masks incorrectly in public. CDC continues to insist on the importance of wearing a mask correctly and making sure it fits closely and snugly over your nose and mouth.
And that’s a wrap for this Thursday morning. Spring is springing. Remember, masks work, and they work best when they have a good fit and are worn correctly. Good Morning DC will be here tomorrow to bring you the latest first.
