Outrage Erupts as White House Calls Abortion Rights Activists ‘Out of Touch’
Alex Wong/Getty ImagesThe White House tried to defend President Joe Biden’s seemingly drowsy response to the reversal of Roe v Wade on Saturday but instead sparked instant backlash by labeling pro-choice activists “out of touch.”The apparent jab was made in a statement to The Washington Post responding to criticism of what many Democrats see as a response that has been too little, too late. White House communications director Kate Bedingfield said: “The president has been showing his deep outrag
news.yahoo.comBlack leader who helped delay Trump rally in Tulsa in 2020 is killed
A Black business leader and community activist who joined civic leaders in 2020 to oppose President Donald Trump's plan to hold a campaign rally on Juneteenth, in Tulsa, Okla., the site of one of the nation's deadliest white-on-Black mob attacks in 1921, has been killed in what police describe as a domestic incident at her home.
news.yahoo.comJill Biden criticized husband’s choice of Kamala Harris as running mate, book says
‘Why do we have to choose someone who attacked Joe?’ first lady reportedly said, according to This Will Not Pass Joe Biden and Kamala Harris at the White House in June last year. The book reports that Biden and Harris are ‘friendly but not close’. Photograph: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images The first lady, Jill Biden, complained about her husband’s choice of Kamala Harris as running mate and now vice-president, according to a new book, asking: “There are millions of people in the United States. Why …
news.yahoo.comWhite House says it's working on access to migrant centers
Republican officials are also blaming the Biden administration for actions they say are leading more people from Central America to seek entry into the United States. “It’s not a crisis, it’s a complete loss of sovereignty down there,” Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said. AdGraham recently visited the border and said he saw a facility designed to hold 80 children with about 1,000 in it. “It does not mean that they get to stay in the United States. AdPsaki said the administration is committed to transparency and providing access to those temporary Border Patrol facilities as soon as it can.
White House aide suspended for threatening reporter
In this Feb. 9, 2021 photo, White House deputy press secretary TJ Ducklo listens as press secretary Jen Psaki speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington. Ducklo has been suspended for a week without pay after he reportedly issued a sexist and profane threat to a journalist seeking to cover his relationship with another reporter. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)WASHINGTON – White House deputy press secretary T.J. Ducklo has been suspended for a week without pay after he reportedly issued a sexist and profane threat to a journalist seeking to cover his relationship with another reporter. Psaki said in a statement earlier Friday that Ducklo had been suspended without pay with the approval of White House chief of staff Ron Klain. But the Biden White House sought to strike a more cordial and professional tone with the Washington press corps from the start, installing a cadre of seasoned Washington communicators led by Psaki.
Biden faces scrutiny over reliance on executive orders
President Joe Biden signs a series of executive orders on health care, in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)President Joe Biden and aides showed touches of prickliness Thursday over growing scrutiny of the new president’s heavy reliance on executive orders in his first days in office. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said Thursday that Biden’s early reliance on executive action is at odds with the Democrat’s pledge as a candidate to be a consensus builder. Biden and aides, including top White House economists, have said that they believe executive action is a pale substitute for legislative action. But McConnell was far more understanding of Trump’s decision to use executive orders to get around Congress at various points in the Republican’s presidency.
The Latest: Fireworks light up sky to celebrate inauguration
Fireworks light up the sky by the Washington Monument during inauguration ceremonies Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)WASHINGTON – The Latest on Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration (all times local):10:15 p.m.Fireworks lit up the sky behind the Washington Monument to mark the end of Inauguration Day for President Joe Biden. Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, watched the fireworks from the steps of the Washington Monument after Harris delivered brief remarks. Workers removed the giant sign from the department’s C Street lobby on Wednesday shortly after President Joe Biden was inaugurated. ___5:20 p.m.President Joe Biden has signed a series of executive orders from the Oval Office hours after his inauguration.
Biden largely mum on Trump's effort to reverse election
While some Democrats say Trump's actions merit new impeachment proceedings, Biden has been more circumspect. Biden’s aides believe Americans outside Washington want to hear more about how the Biden presidency will help them and less about the partisan squabbling that has characterized the past four years of Trump’s presidency. There was no widespread fraud in the election, which a range of election officials across the country, as well as Trump’s former attorney general, William Barr, has confirmed. Indeed, by avoiding engaging with Trump, Biden is also hoping to maintain the opportunity for bipartisanship in the new Congress, which he's repeatedly emphasized will be key to his hopes of getting anything done. Jim Manley, a former longtime Senate Democratic leadership aide, said the party's failure to take on Trump's recent moves could set the tone for Biden’s presidency and beyond.
Biden adviser Cedric Richmond tests positive for coronavirus
Richmond, who is set to resign from Congress to join the incoming Biden administration as a senior adviser, tested positive on Thursday, Dec. 17, for the coronavirus, according to the Biden transition. – One of President-elect Joe Biden’s closest advisers tested positive for the coronavirus on Thursday, according to his transition team. Louisiana Rep. Cedric Richmond, who is set to resign from Congress to join the incoming Biden administration as a senior adviser, tested positive two days after traveling to Atlanta to attend a campaign rally that Biden headlined for Democratic Senate candidates Jon Ossoff and the Rev. Raphael Warnock, Biden transition spokesperson Kate Bedingfield said in a statement. Bedingfield said Richmond was not in close contact with Biden, Ossoff or Warnock, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Biden chooses an all-female senior White House press team
– President-elect Joe Biden will have an all-female senior communications team at his White House, reflecting his stated desire to build out a diverse White House team as well as what’s expected to be a return to a more traditional press operation. Biden campaign communications director Kate Bedingfield will serve as Biden’s White House communications director. Four of the seven top communications roles at the White House will be filled by women of color, and it’s the first time the entire senior White House communications team will be entirely female. Bedingfield served as communications director for Biden while he was vice president, and Psaki was a White House communications director and a spokesperson at the State Department. — Pili Tobar, who was communications director for coalitions on Biden’s campaign, will be his deputy White House communications director.
Biden names Jen Psaki White House press secretary along with an all-female senior communications team
Previously, Alexander worked as Press Secretary for the United Nations Foundation, Press Secretary to Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe, Communications Director for Congressman Adam Schiff, and Deputy Press Secretary for Senator Chuck Schumer. Kate Bedingfield, White House Communications DirectorKate Bedingfield served as Deputy Campaign Manager and Communications Director for the Biden-Harris Campaign. She served as Communications Director for Vice President Biden and as Associate Communications Director, Deputy Director of Media Affairs, and the Director of Response in the Obama-Biden White House. Jen Psaki, White House Press SecretaryJen Psaki currently oversees the confirmations team for the Biden-Harris Transition. During the Obama-Biden administration, Psaki held several senior roles, including White House Communications Director, State Department Spokesperson under then-Secretary of State John Kerry, Deputy White House Communications Director and Deputy White House Press Secretary during the financial crisis.
cnbc.comBiden chooses an all-female senior White House press team
– President-elect Joe Biden will have an all-female senior communications team at his White House, reflecting his stated desire to build out a diverse White House team as well as what’s expected to be a return to a more traditional press operation. Biden campaign communications director Kate Bedingfield will serve as Biden’s White House communications director. Four of the seven top communications roles at the White House will be filled by women of color, and it’s the first time the entire senior White House communications team will be entirely female. Trump himself sometimes served as his own press secretary, taking questions from the media, and he often bypassed the White House press corps entirely by dialing into his favorite Fox News shows. — Pili Tobar, who was communications director for coalitions on Biden’s campaign, will be his deputy White House communications director.
Joe Biden is ready for Trump's debate attacks on his family, his campaign says
WASHINGTON — Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is ready for President Donald Trump to unleash a torrent of attacks on Biden's family Thursday night at the final presidential debate, Biden campaign aides said. "We expect that Trump will attack Vice President Biden and his family," said deputy campaign manager Kate Bedingfield on a pre-debate conference call. ... Let me tell you something: Joe Biden is a criminal, and he's been a criminal for a long time." When NPR's Tamara Keith attempted to ask about Trump's debate preparations, Ambassador Richard Grenell responded, "Have you reported on the Biden emails?" Keith replied that she covers the Trump campaign, not the Biden campaign.
cnbc.comThe Latest: Trump wants to hold rally in Florida on Saturday
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)WASHINGTON – The Latest on the 2020 presidential campaign (all times local):10:05 p.m.President Donald Trump says he wants to try and hold a campaign rally in Florida on Saturday “if we have enough time to put it together.”He also says he might also hold a campaign rally the following night in Pennsylvania. After Trump pulled out, Biden scheduled his own ABC town hall in Philadelphia for the same date. The Trump campaign had asked for the upcoming debates to each be postponed by a week. George Stephanopoulos will host the Biden town hall in Philadelphia. The Commission on Presidential Debate announced Thursday that next week's town hall debate in Miami would be held virtually because of Trump had the virus.
Joe Biden's inner circle: No longer a boys club
Biden's status as Democratic presidential nominee-in-waiting means the party will choose another man for an office never held by a woman. I understand.”Kate Bedingfield, an adviser the same age as Biden's youngest daughter, was first to propose a direct-to-lens declaration. She joined forces with Anita Dunn, an alumna of President Barack Obama’s West Wing and relative newbie to Biden's orbit. Together with two of Biden's longest-serving confidants – Steve Ricchetti and Mike Donilon – they convinced the almost-candidate it was the right course. Dunn said Jill Biden and Valerie Biden Owens are now elevated as “principals in their own right” — veritable extensions of the candidate.
Bloomberg campaign transfers $18 million to DNC
The now-defunct presidential campaign for former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is transferring its $18 million in funds to the Democratic National Committee (DNC). By supporting the Democratic Party, we look forward to November and taking on our unified goal of beating Donald Trump," the campaign said in a memo to DNC Chair Tom Perez. Perez said in a statement that "Bloomberg and his team are making good on their commitment to beating Donald Trump." Bloomberg, a billionaire who self-funded his campaign, spent half a billion dollars on campaign advertisements. Kate Bedingfield, the communications director for the Biden campaign, praised the Bloomberg campaign's action in a statement.
cbsnews.comLouisiana postpones Democratic primary over coronavirus, the first state to do so
A man enters a voting booth to cast his ballot on December 10, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Louisiana will postpone its presidential primaries set for next month, becoming the first state to take the step as fears about the coronavirus outbreak spread. The state will push its presidential nominating contests back to June 20 from the planned date of April 4, Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announced Friday. No other states voting next month, including New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland, have yet said they will follow Louisiana's lead. New York Democratic Party Chair Jay Jacobs said "at present, there are no discussions or plans" to change the state's primary date.
cnbc.comBiden campaign softens its position on accepting super PAC support
Democratic presidential candidate and former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden responds to a question from moderator Craig Melvin during a forum held by gun safety organizations the Giffords group and March For Our Lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, October 2, 2019. Biden had personally disavowed the support of any outside super PAC, even before launching his candidacy in April. And let's be clear: Donald Trump has decided that the general election has already begun." "Nothing changes unless we defeat Donald Trump." "There are many Democrats who fundamentally believe in campaign finance reform.
cnbc.comBiden campaign demands networks stop booking Rudy Giuliani
Joe Biden's presidential campaign officials have seemingly had enough of Rudy Giuliani. "Your obligation is to provide the American people with an informed, fact-based and responsible coverage and debate of critical issues," the Biden campaign wrote. "Giving Rudy Giuliani valuable time on your air to push these lies in the first place is a disservice to your audience and a disservice to journalism." They have their Dem media trying to destroy my reputation and silence me! pic.twitter.com/xQ2isIPzos Rudy Giuliani (@RudyGiuliani) September 29, 2019He continued to tweet about the Biden campaign over the next few hours, claiming that "the Bidens have played the influence game for years."
cbsnews.com