WASHINGTON — Think of last week’s Senate impeachment trial as the final chapter of the Trump presidency.
And now we return to your regularly scheduled programming, as President Biden works to sell and pass his $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief package, as well as get millions more Americans vaccinated over the coming months.
Later this afternoon, Biden heads to Milwaukee, Wis., for his first official trip as president, where he participates in a CNN town hall airing at 9:00 p.m. ET.
Tomorrow, Vice President Harris does an exclusive interview with NBC’s Savannah Guthrie on “Today.”
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On Thursday, Biden travels to Michigan to visit a Pfizer facility that produces the vaccine.
And on Friday, he participates — virtually — in the Munich Security Conference and a G-7 discussion on the pandemic.
Also on Biden’s to-do list: the tricky issue of school re-openings, getting the rest of his Cabinet confirmed (more on that below), and now an immigration bill for later this week.
Whether it was during the 2020 campaign, or the transition, or even the first month of Biden’s presidency, the former president always had a knack for overshadowing the current one — usually deliberately.
But now that the impeachment trial is over and now that Trump no longer has a Twitter account, we’re back to Biden — who faces a global pandemic, a major legislative test, an opposition party ready to pounce on any misstep and higher stakes than ever before.
Then again, Trump and memories of Jan. 6 aren’t going away, especially with the news that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has called for a 9/11-style commission on the Capitol attack.
The Sixth Censure
Another reminder that Trump hasn’t vanished from our politics: On Monday night, the North Carolina GOP voted — unanimously — to censure retiring Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., who voted to convict Trump in the Senate impeachment trial.
“It is truly a sad day for North Carolina Republicans,” Burr said in a statement responding to the censure. “My party’s leadership has chosen loyalty to one man over the core principles of the Republican Party and the founders of our great nation.”
Tweet of the day
NEW: Right after Rep. Adam Kinzinger, a Republican, called for removing Trump from office, 11 members of his own family sent him a handwritten letter, saying he was in cahoots with “the devil’s army” for breaking with Trump. Powerful piece by @reidepsteinhttps://t.co/F8I4Hl7kjm
2 million: The number of households without power in Texas amid a brutal winter storm.
At least 30: The number of law enforcement officers who took part in the rally that preceded the January 6 Capitol riot
52 percent: The share of Americans who have heard of “cancel culture,” according to a HuffPost/YouGov poll.
27,807,409: The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the United States, per the most recent data from NBC News and health officials. (That’s 50,416 more than yesterday morning.)
488,364: The number of deaths in the United States from the virus so far, per the most recent data from NBC News. (That’s 1,069 more than yesterday morning.)
65,455: The number of people currently hospitalized with coronavirus in the United States.
336.2 million: The number of coronavirus tests that have been administered in the United States so far, according to researchers at The COVID Tracking Project.
72: The number of days left for Biden to reach his 100-day vaccination goal.
Lagging the competition
When former Presidents Trump and Obama made it to the one-month mark of their respective first terms in office, they both had near-full Cabinets.
By Feb. 20, Trump had a confirmed attorney general and secretaries of Defense, Education, Health and Human Services, Department of Homeland Security, State, Transportation, Treasury and Veterans Affairs.
A confirmation for his Commerce nominee, Wilbur Ross, came soon after on Feb. 27.
It was an even fuller Cabinet table for Obama in 2009. He had a confirmed attorney general and secretaries of Agriculture, Education, Energy, DHS, HUD, Interior, State, Transportation, Treasury and the VA. Obama’s Defense secretary, Robert Gates, was a holdover from the Bush administration and didn’t require a confirmation vote.
So why is President Biden’s Cabinet still mostly unconfirmed?
After Democrats won control of the Senate on Jan. 5, the tie-making senators from Georgia weren’t sworn in until Jan. 20. And then it took weeks for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to agree on a power-sharing agreement that officially handed the Senate committee gavels over to Democrats.
But now, similar to Obama’s first term and Trump’s term, Biden’s nominees will face a friendly Senate and pathway to near-certain confirmation as long as Democrats continue to vote on nominees together.
And the number of the week is: 57 percent
For Presidents’ Day, we looked back at presidential job approval through history, and how the last four years compared to other popularity rollercoasters.
New Brunswick voters have elected a Liberal majority government, tossing out the incumbent Progressive Conservatives after six years in power and handing the reins to the first woman ever to lead the province. Liberal Leader Susan Holt spent much of the campaign rolling out proposed fixes for a health-care system racked by a doctor shortage, overcrowded emergency rooms and long wait-times. She promised to open 30 community health clinics across the province by 2028. (Oct. 22, 2024)
Susan Holt has made history in New Brunswick by becoming the first woman to serve as the leader of the province’s Liberal Party, a significant milestone in the province’s political landscape. Holt’s leadership victory signals a new era of representation, gender equality, and change in the region, which has long been dominated by male politicians.
Holt’s journey to the top has been one of perseverance and dedication. Before entering politics, she built a distinguished career in the private sector, where she held numerous leadership positions. Her experience in business development and public policy has equipped her with the skills needed to navigate the complex world of politics.
In a province where women have historically been underrepresented in politics, Holt’s election represents a watershed moment. Women’s involvement in leadership roles has been steadily increasing nationwide, but New Brunswick, like many parts of Canada, has seen slower progress in achieving gender parity. Holt’s rise to the top of the Liberal Party not only shatters a glass ceiling but also serves as an inspiration for future generations of women aiming for political leadership.
As the leader of the New Brunswick Liberal Party, Holt has laid out a vision of inclusivity and progress. Her policies focus on economic development, healthcare reform, environmental sustainability, and addressing social issues that have plagued the province. She has also emphasized the importance of transparent governance and creating opportunities for underrepresented communities, making her platform both modern and forward-thinking.
Holt’s leadership arrives at a time when many voters are calling for change, especially in the face of challenges like economic uncertainty and the need for healthcare improvements. She aims to bring fresh ideas to tackle these issues while ensuring that all citizens, regardless of their background, have a voice in government decisions.
Susan Holt joins the ranks of other trailblazing women across Canada who have led provincial parties and governments. Women like former Alberta Premier Rachel Notley and Ontario’s Kathleen Wynne have paved the way, and now Holt is contributing to this growing legacy of female political leadership in Canada.
Her achievement highlights not only the growing number of women entering politics but also the demand for leaders who can bring diverse perspectives to the table. In a field often dominated by entrenched traditions, Holt’s election is a step toward a more inclusive and representative political landscape in New Brunswick.
Holt’s leadership signals a broader shift in Canadian politics, where more women and diverse voices are gaining prominence. For young women across the country, her rise serves as a powerful reminder that leadership roles are within reach, even in traditionally male-dominated spheres.
With her election, Susan Holt has proven that perseverance, skill, and a vision for change can break even the toughest barriers. Her leadership will not only reshape New Brunswick’s political future but also inspire others across Canada to pursue leadership positions and continue to challenge the status quo.
NDP Leader Carla Beck has two planned campaign events today, starting the day with an availability in Moose Jaw and then later this evening attending an event in the capital with the Regina Medical Staff Association.
Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe, meanwhile, will speak in Prince Albert at the start of Voting Week in the province.
Saskatchewan residents can vote for five days starting today in the lead-up to next week’s provincial election, although polls won’t be open Sunday.
The NDP and the Saskatchewan Party are urging voters to cast their ballots early.
Voters can find their polling stations on their information cards or by visiting the Elections Saskatchewan website.
Chief electoral officer Michael Boda says there are about 810,000 registered voters in Saskatchewan.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2024.