Trump news – Armed groups dwarfed by security at state capitals as president’s approval at new low
The latest updates from the White House and beyond on 17 January 2021
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Your support makes all the difference.President Donald Trump’s approval rating has plummeted to an all-time low as the US leader prepares to exit the White House.
In the wake of the deadly Capitol riots on 6 January, the president has seen his approval rating dive, with the change in perception being largely among Republicans.
The worst polling came from Pew Research Center, which found Mr Trump’s disapproval rating to be at 68 per cent, with his approval rating falling to 29 per cent, the lowest yet, in a poll of 5,360 adults conducted between 8-12 January.
The findings come as states across the US brace for the possibility of inauguration week violence as President-Elect Joe Biden prepares to take office on Wednesday. Small armed groups appeared at statehouses on Sunday, but the size of the gatherings appeared dwarfed by the security presence.
On Sunday, former FBI director James Comey warned of the “very serious” risk of violence breaking out around the inauguration following deadly riots at the US Capitol last week.
Acting defence secretary orders NSA to install Trump loyalist as top lawyer
The National Security Agency is installing National Security Council staffer and Trump loyalist Michael Ellis as its general counsel.
The order reportedly came from acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller who told NSA Director General Paul Nakasone to give the role to Mr Ellis, a lawyer for the NSC.
“Mr Ellis accepted his final job offer yesterday afternoon. NSA is moving forward with his employment,” an NSA statement read.
He was named to the position in November but had not been given the job. The Washington Post reports that Mr Miller gave Mr Nakasone a deadline of Saturday evening to put Mr Ellis into the position.
As a civil service role it would be difficult for the incoming Biden administration to remove him from the position.
Pompeo sends farewell message to State Department
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has sent a farewell message to his colleagues at the State Department.
He notes that 20 January will be his 1,000th and final day as America’s 70th secretary of state.
Wishing the incoming administration the best he says the department has been working with the new team to ensure they can hit the ground running on day one.
Senator Sasse: QAnon existential threat for GOP
Republican Senator Ben Sasse believes the Republican Party is facing an existential threat from a delusional cult infecting conservative America.
In a recent op-ed published by The Atlantic, Mr Sasse points to the QAnon conspiracy theory as the heart of the rot in the modern Republican Party, and blames the fringe group for the violence that occurred at the US Capitol during the insurrection on 6 January.
Graig Graziosi reports.
Senator Ben Sasse calls QAnon an existential threat for the Republican party
The senator called on his colleagues to reject the conspiracy theory and its adherents
House investigating ‘massive intelligence and security failure’ at Capitol
Rep. Adam Schiff, the House Intelligence Committee Chairman, said a "massive intelligence and security failure" was being investigated in connection with the US Capitol insurrection by Donald Trump's supporters on 6 January.
Mr Schiff made the comments while appearing on CBS's Face the Nation.
Graig Graziosi reports for The Independent.
Adam Schiff says ‘massive intelligence and security failure’ at US Capitol being investigated by the House
Mr Schiff says any members of Congress found to have aided the rioters should be punished
Armed protesters gather at heavily fortified state capitols
Groups of heavily armed Americans have begun clustering at various state capitols across the US, including in Michigan, Ohio, Oregon, and Texas, for protests ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration.
Griffin Connolly has the story for The Independent.
Armed protesters gather at heavily fortified state capitols of Ohio, Michigan, Texas and elsewhere
Smatterings of ‘boogaloo boys’ have begun appearing at state capitols
Jared Kushner spotted leaving White House
Senior White House staff have been seen clearing out their offices over the past few days.
Incoming Biden NSA calls for Kremlin critic to be released immediately
Incoming Biden administration National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has called for the immediate release of Alexey Navalny, calling the Kremlin’s attacks on him a violation of human rights.
Mr Navalny was arrested today after returning to Moscow from convalescence in Berlin following an attempt on his life through poisoning with nerve agent Novichok.
This a step change from the Trump administration’s approach to Russia regarding the persecution of opposition figures.
Here’s The Independent’s reporting on the return of Mr Navalny to Russia earlier today.
Putin critic Alexei Navalny arrested upon return to Russia after poisoning
Mr Navalny was held minutes after landing at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport
Arkansas governor says threat ‘not at level I’m bringing out national guard’
Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson has not yet felt compelled to call in the National Guard to protect the state capitol in Little Rock, despite federal warnings of mass, possibly violent protests nationwide.
The governor has been monitoring intelligence reports, he told “Fox News Sunday” host Chris Wallace in an interview on Sunday, and the level of threats in his state has not lent itself to the kinds of actions other states are taking to protect their legislatures.
Griffin Connolly reports for The Independent.
Arkansas governor not planning to call in National Guard over threat of Biden protest violence
‘Every state has to look at their own intelligence matrix and make those kind of judgments,’ Asa Hutchinson says
Joe Scarborough may sue Trump for defamation over false murder accusations
Joe Scarborough has considered legal action against Donald Trump, who wrongly accused the MSNBC host of murder last year.
Mr Scarborough said on Sunday that he had lost patience with Mr Trump since the storming of the US Capitol by his supporters, many of whom alleged the 2020 election was “stolen”, and that he could sue the US President over allegations levelled against him.
Gino Spocchia reports for The Independent.
They were rounded up for protesting Trump’s inauguration – this is what happened next
In the year’s following the demonstrations, protesters facing up to 70 years in prison were plunged into a protracted legal battle, writes Alex Woodward
More on woman arrested at DC checkpoint
A woman has become the second known person to be arrested at a Washington DC checkpoint put in place for Joe Biden’s inauguration, after telling officers she was one of them.
Gino Spocchia has the story.
Woman arrested at DC checkpoint for impersonating an officer
Police announce second arrest at security perimeter set-up to protect Joe Biden’s inauguration
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