It’s Tuesday.
Today marks President Biden’s 83rd day in office.
For day 83–President Biden will receive his daily brief. By the time this article is posted President Biden will have paid his respects to fallen U.S. Capitol Officer William Evans. This afternoon President Biden along with Vice President Harris will meet with members of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Officer Evans was killed on April 2nd, 2021, after being struck by car driven by a 25-year-old man trying to breach the Capital complex. NPR reported that Evans is only the 6th Capitol Police officer that has died in the of duty in nearly 200 years since the force was created.
In Monday’s Open Thread President Biden had tweeted 1 time at the time the article was published. To finish Monday he added 3 more tweets giving him a Monday tweeting total of 4 tweets and 0 retweets.
7:01 p.m. D.C., time he says he was thinking about Daunte Wright. Adding that while we wait for a full investigation into the officer involved shooting. We know what we need to do to move forward: “rebuild trust and ensure accountability so no one is above law.”
On Sunday during a routine traffic stop 20-year-old Daunte Wright was fatally shot by a police in Brooklyn Center, a city located just north of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
On Monday Brooklyn Center Police Chief Tim Gannon said the shooting was an accidental discharge of the police’s fire arm which the officer mistook for her taser.
During Monday’s press conference they played a snip taken from the body cam footage, where the now named officer Kim Potter can be heard yelling “taser, taser, taser,” after she shots Wright she says “Holy shit, I just shot him.” Potter has been a police officer for 25 years.
Monday evening the Hennepin County Medical Examiner confirmed Wright’s identity, said he died of a gunshot wound of the chest, and ruled the “manner of death,” a homicide.
According to many sources the manner of death being labeled a homicide is standard operating procedure and does not indicate the officer will be charged in Wright’s death.
Prior to President Biden’s bipartisan meeting to discuss with lawmakers his American Jobs Plan, he offered a statement on the death of Wright and the unrest that followed.
President Biden: I told you a moment ago that I would comment briefly on what happened in — in Minnesota last night. We’ve spoken to the governor and the mayor. I’ve spoken to the authorities there. And — and I haven’t called Daunte Wright’s family, but our prayers are with the family. It was a really tragic thing that happened. We’re — and — but I think we got to wait and see what the investigation shows — and the entire investigation. You’ve all watched, I assume — as I did — the film, which is fairly — the body cam — which is fairly — fairly graphic. The question is: Was it an accident? Was it intentional? That remains to be determined by a full-blown investigation. But, in the meantime, I want to make it clear again: There is absolutely no justification — none — for looting, no justification for violence. Peaceful protest, understandable. And the fact is that, you know, we do know that the anger, pain, and trauma that exists in the Black community in that environment is real, it’s serious, and it’s consequential. But it will not justify violence and/or looting. And so, the question is how we, in an orderly way, make clear that they get down to a full-blown investigation to determine what the facts are and what is likely to have happened. In the meantime, we’re calling for peace and calm. And we should listen to Daunte’s mom, who is calling for peace and calm. And that’s all I have to say at this moment on that issue. So —
He was asked: Mr. President, do you think there should be federal resources to help keep the peace? Do you think you need to take any additional steps?
President Biden: There are already federal resources. And we have a significant — we’ve spent a significant amount of time, unrelating to this particular case, in dealing with what may be the aftermath of anything that happens with the trial that’s underway. But there will not be lack of help and support from the federal government if the local authorities believe it’s needed. I hope it’s not.
He was asked: Are you concerned things could be on a razor’s edge, sir?
President Biden: I’m not going to speculate now. I’m hopeful that there will be a verdict and an outcome that will be supported by the vast majority of the people in the region. And that’s my expectation and hope.
At 8:26 p.m. D.C., time he offered thoughts on the beginning of Ramadan.
The White House posted the following statement:
Jill and I send our warmest greetings and best wishes to Muslim communities in the United States and around the world. Ramadan Kareem.
As many of our fellow Americans begin fasting tomorrow, we are reminded of how difficult this year has been. In this pandemic, friends and loved ones cannot yet gather together in celebration and congregation, and far too many families will sit down for iftar with loved ones missing.
Yet, our Muslim communities begin the month of revelation with renewed hope. Many will focus on increasing their consciousness of the presence of God in their lives, reaffirming their commitment to the service of others that their faith compels, and expressing gratitude for the blessings they enjoy—health, well-being, and life itself.
Muslim Americans have enriched our country since our founding. They are as diverse and vibrant as the America they have helped build. Today, Muslims are leading in our efforts to fight COVID-19, playing a pioneering role in vaccine development and serving as frontline health care workers. They are creating jobs as entrepreneurs and business owners, risking their lives as first responders, teaching in our schools, serving as dedicated public servants across the nation, and playing a leading role in our ongoing struggle for racial equity and social justice.
But still, Muslim Americans continue to be targeted by bullying, bigotry, and hate crimes. This prejudice and these attacks are wrong. They are unacceptable. And they must stop. No one in America should ever live in fear of expressing his or her faith. And my administration will work tirelessly to protect the rights and safety of all people.
On my first day as President, I was proud to end the shameful Muslim travel ban, and I will continue to stand up for human rights everywhere, including for Uyghurs in China, Rohingya in Burma, and Muslim communities all over the world.
As we remember those who we have lost since last Ramadan, we are hopeful for brighter days ahead. The Holy Qur’an reminds us that “God is the light of the heavens and earth,” who leads us out of darkness to the light. Although our White House festivities will be held virtually this Ramadan, Jill and I look forward to resuming the traditional White House Eid celebration in person next year, inshallah. We wish your families an inspiring and rewarding month.
White House.gov. 04/12/2021.
9:05 p.m. D.C., time he shares an image from his bipartisan meeting with lawmakers where they discussed the American Jobs Plan.
The White House posted a readout of the meeting:
Today, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris hosted a bipartisan, bicameral group of Members of Congress in the Oval Office to discuss the critical need to invest in modern and resilient infrastructure nationwide.
The President and Vice President shared their vision in the American Jobs Plan to create millions of good jobs, rebuild our country’s infrastructure, and position the United States to out-compete China. The President and Members of Congress had a good exchange of ideas, and the President asked for their feedback and follow-up on proposals discussed in the meeting, while underscoring that inaction is not an option.
Meeting attendees represented Congressional committees of jurisdiction including the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, the House Appropriations Committee, and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
The President met last month with a bipartisan group of members from the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and leaders of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and intends to continue to engage with Members of Congress and key stakeholders throughout the month.
White House.gov. 04/12/2021.
So far President Biden has not tweeted for Tuesday.
The White House daily press briefing is scheduled to start at 12:30 p.m. D.C., time. Dr. Fauci and White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients will join White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki in today’s briefing.
Their inclusion comes just hours after the FDA announced they were pausing the use of the Johnson & Johnson single dose vaccine.
Zients offered a statement posted by White House.gov., following the FDA’s announcement:
As FDA and CDC announced earlier today, out of an abundance of caution, they have recommended a pause in the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine as they review data involving six reported U.S. cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot in individuals after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The FDA and CDC will be providing details at their briefing later this morning.
This announcement will not have a significant impact on our vaccination plan: Johnson & Johnson vaccine makes up less than 5 percent of the recorded shots in arms in the United States to date. Based on actions taken by the President earlier this year, the United States has secured enough Pfizer and Moderna doses for 300 million Americans. Over the last few weeks, we have made available more than 25 million doses of Pfizer and Moderna each week, and in fact this week we will make available 28 million doses of these vaccines. This is more than enough supply to continue the current pace of vaccinations of 3 million shots per day, and meet the President’s goal of 200 million shots by his 100th day in office—and continue on to reach every adult who wants to be vaccinated. We are working now with our state and federal partners to get anyone scheduled for a J&J vaccine quickly rescheduled for a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
White House.gov. 04/13/2021.
The FDA/CDC held a briefing this morning regarding the pause.
The take-away for me is this, the blood clot issue, is rare, the medication used to treat blood clots can make the situation worse, not better, this pause is in order to get hospitals and doctors up to speed, to deal with complications to the vaccine as explained in the briefing by the FDA and CDC the medical issue seems to arrive 6-13 days after the J&J vaccine is given. States are urging residents with J&J vaccine appointments to keep their appointments as they will be offered one of the two dose vaccines instead.
For example:
As if pausing a vaccine during a deadly pandemic wasn’t enough news to be featured in today’s briefing, the White House has announced that President Biden spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In the readout of the call they announce that President Biden has proposed a summit in a third country to discuss the full range of issues facing both the U.S., and Russia.
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke today with President Vladimir Putin of Russia. They discussed a number of regional and global issues, including the intent of the United States and Russia to pursue a strategic stability dialogue on a range of arms control and emerging security issues, building on the extension of the New START Treaty. President Biden also made clear that the United States will act firmly in defense of its national interests in response to Russia’s actions, such as cyber intrusions and election interference. President Biden emphasized the United States’ unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The President voiced our concerns over the sudden Russian military build-up in occupied Crimea and on Ukraine’s borders, and called on Russia to de-escalate tensions. President Biden reaffirmed his goal of building a stable and predictable relationship with Russia consistent with U.S. interests, and proposed a summit meeting in a third country in the coming months to discuss the full range of issues facing the United States and Russia.
White House.gov. 04/13/2021.
And as if both pausing vaccine and speaking to Putin wasn’t enough news for the briefing, the Washington Post reporting that President Biden is planning to announce on Wednesday that he will withdraw all American troops from Afghanistan by September 11th, 2021. That is according to people familiar with the plans.
The New York Times and CNN have confirmed President Biden’s plans to announce the new complete withdrawal date. The original date was May 1st, 2021.
What some will take as soft confirmation of the reporting:
Live Feed: The White House.
This is an Open Thread.
