Description
Added on the 22/10/2021 11:21:08 - Copyright : France 24 EN
US lawmakers have voted to hold Steven Bannon, a key ally of ex-president Donald Trump, in criminal contempt of Congress for defying a subpoena to testify before a panel investigating the January 6 attack on the Capitol. The House of Representatives has voted to refer him to federal prosecutors to make a decision on whether to press charges, although the ensuing legal battle would likely play out over several months, potentially frustrating the probe. IMAGES
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday placed the blame for the attack on the Capitol firmly at the feet of President Donald Trump. CNN reports the Kentucky Republican said on the Senate floor that Trump 'provoked' the violent insurrectionists on January 6th. The mob was fed lies. They were provoked by the President and other powerful people. US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell McConnell's comments came as the Senate prepares to hold an impeachment trial over the House's charge of 'incitement of insurrection.' He said the despite the violence, Congress did its duty by certifying the victory of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.
Following the violent attack on the US Capitol, federal officials launched the most extensive counterterrorism probe since September 11, 2001. Meanwhile, the heads of the Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security--and the President himself--have remained essentially silent. But according to CNN, the Federal Bureau of Investigation means business. And FBI Director Christopher Wray doesn't mind saying so. Wray says the agency is monitoring 'extensive' online chatter about future protests and warned the men and women who wreaked havoc on the Capitol. We know who you are, if you're out there and FBI agents are coming to find you. Christopher Wray Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation The insurrection was fueled by President Donald Trump's lies about his definitive election loss. It also exposed the reach of baseless conspiracy theories that have radicalized Americans to the point that they laid siege to their own Capitol.
Two members of the US Capitol Police have been suspended after welcoming pro-Trump rioters into the Capitol building on Wednesday. According to Business Insider, Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH) said one of the officers took a selfie with a rioter. The other put on a 'Make America Great Again' hat and directed insurrectionists through the building. Ryan is on the Legislative Branch Subcommittee, which oversees spending on the Capitol Police force. He said one of the members may have been arrested. The attack Wednesday was the worst assault on the US Capitol since British forces burned it down in 1814. The rioters failed to stop the certification of electoral college votes for President-elect Joe Biden at the urging of President Donald Trump. The violence resulted in five deaths.
First lady Melania Trump and President Donald Trump's adult children have been avoiding the spotlight since the violent events unfolded this week. And according to Business Insider, a White House source says that Melania is mentally 'checked out' and doesn't want to 'get involved' anymore. As a mob of Trump supporters broke into the US Capitol on Wednesday, Mrs. Trump chose to focus on finishing a photoshoot for her coffee table book. The book is about decorative items she's restored in the president's residence since her husband took office four years ago. A source familiar with the first lady's schedule says Mrs. Trump was busy overseeing the photographing of rugs and other items in the West Wing.
Grave concern is growing among senior White House advisers about the people President Donald Trump has been listening to lately. CNN reports Trump has turned to a fringe group of advisers peddling increasingly dubious tactics to overturn the results of the election. That's generated new levels of uncertainty at how Trump will resist the coming end of his tenure. The coterie includes conspiracist lawyer Sidney Powell, disgraced former national security adviser Michael Flynn, and onetime chief strategist Steve Bannon. Other voices in Trump's ear are those from hawkish trade adviser Peter Navarro and the eccentric founder of the retail website Overstock. Sources close to the President say his advisers are particularly worried about what Powell may convince him to do in the coming days. Through it all, Trump has mostly abandoned the day-to-day running of government.
|
Support : Technical 
- Content 
- Editors 
