INSIDER
Comforting rituals show in media's depiction of inauguration
Read full article: Comforting rituals show in media's depiction of inauguration(David Tulis/Pool Photo via AP)NEW YORK – After Air Force One took Donald Trump out of Washington, an unusual Inauguration Day quickly felt more traditional — even comforting — for people watching at home. "What we're seeing today is an ejection of insurrection.”Trump skipped the inauguration of his successor, the first president to break that tradition since 1869. “If Democrats need thousands of troops to occupy the Capitol on Inauguration Day, then it seems possible that their candidate wasn't actually elected by the people,” Sharp said. “He said that there is truth and there are lies, lies that are told for power and lies that are told for profit,” Wallace said. The Washington Post updated its count of lies and misstatements by Trump: 30,534 heading into his last day as president.
Jill Biden names director for military families program
Read full article: Jill Biden names director for military families programJill Biden moves her husband, Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden, back from members of the media as he speaks outside his campaign plane in New Castle, Del., on Oct. 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)WASHINGTON – Days before Joe Biden becomes president, incoming first lady Jill Biden took a step Thursday toward fulfilling a promise to revive a program for military families that she and former first lady Michelle Obama once led. Jill Biden named an executive of that program, known as Joining Forces. “Military families still need support,” Brosius told The Associated Press by telephone Thursday before she joined Jill Biden at a virtual meeting with representatives of organizations that support military families. Jill Biden continued working with military families through the Biden Foundation after leaving the White House in 2017.
The Latest: S Koreans line up for virus tests as cases surge
Read full article: The Latest: S Koreans line up for virus tests as cases surgeThe Pentagon has authorized nearly 50 top civilian and military leaders to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in the coming weeks to prove to the shots are safe and effective. Indoor restaurant dining will continue to be barred under the new state health department order that takes effect Monday. Laura Kelly is expressing little concern over a smaller-than-expected second shipment of a coronavirus vaccine for the state. The state also reported total 2,341 COVID-19 deaths, adding 88 to the tally since Wednesday. ___BERN — The Swiss government is ordering the closure of restaurants, bars, cultural venues and sports facilities next week because of increasing coronavirus cases.
Pence, top congressional leaders get vaccines; Trump absent
Read full article: Pence, top congressional leaders get vaccines; Trump absentVice President Mike Pence receives a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine shot at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex, Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, in Washington. Conspicuously absent: President Donald Trump, who has remained largely out of sight five days into the largest vaccination campaign in the nation’s history. Trump did appear at a White House “summit” ahead of the Food and Drug Administration's approval of the Pfizer vaccine last week. “Don’t let Joe Biden take credit for the vaccines,” Trump has told reporters. “It simply isn’t good enough to have Vice President Pence as a proxy."
Trump's silent public outing belies White House in tumult
Read full article: Trump's silent public outing belies White House in tumultTrump's appearance at the annual Veterans Day commemoration at Arlington National Cemetery was his first public outing for official business in more than a week. Staff working from the White House thinned out after chief of staff Mark Meadows confirmed last week that he had tested positive for the virus. Outside the White House, one prominent former ally turned Trump critic warned that the president was doing potentially irreparable damage to the Republican Party. White House spokesman Judd Deere said he was “not aware” of any communications between the White House and the GSA administrator on ascertainment. The Biden transition team has published an ethics plan and the Trump administration earlier established a White House Transition Coordinating Council as required by law.
Trump aide: 'We're not going to control the pandemic'
Read full article: Trump aide: 'We're not going to control the pandemic'The vice president had a shout-out for supporters who braved what he called “this night of tempest, to stand in the rain and stand firm” for Trump. He and first lady Melania Trump wrapped up the busy weekend by hosting costumed children for a socially distanced Halloween trick-or-treating on the White House grounds. “It’s one standard for the vice president and another for all the rest of us," Gostin said. Trump, campaigning in Londonderry, New Hampshire, said the rising rate of infections was nothing to be concerned about. We are going to control the fact that we get vaccines, therapeutics and other mitigation areas,” Meadows said on CNN.
Pence, Harris spar over COVID-19 in vice presidential debate
Read full article: Pence, Harris spar over COVID-19 in vice presidential debateVice President Mike Pence arrives for the vice presidential debate Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, at Kingsbury Hall on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. Trump and Biden are scheduled to debate again on Oct. 15, though the status of that meeting is unclear. Harris, 55, made history by becoming the first Black woman to stand on a vice presidential debate stage. “I want everyone to know who puts on the uniform of law enforcement every day, President Trump and I stand with you,” Pence said. Though the night was about Pence and Harris, the men at the top of the ticket also made their presence known.
In VP debate, plexiglass an extra participant on the stage
Read full article: In VP debate, plexiglass an extra participant on the stage(AP Photo/Morry Gash, Pool)SALT LAKE CITY – There were three participants in the vice presidential debate: Republican Mike Pence, Democrat Kamala Harris and the plexiglass between them. Sen. Harris' team requested plexiglass be used after President Donald Trump was diagnosed with COVID-19 shortly after his first presidential debate against Democrat Joe Biden last week in Cleveland. Other reminders that these are not normal times for a vice presidential debate: 20 chairs for guests were spaced roughly 6 feet (1.8 meters) apart in the debate hall, a performing arts center on the University of Utah campus. Pence’s guests in the debate hall were meant to convey a “law and order” message that has been a centerpiece of the Trump campaign. Before the debate, dozens of Trump and Pence supporters stood on the street outside waving flags and chanting, some holding anti-abortion signs.
President diagnosed with coronavirus; Second Lady Karen Pence visits Jacksonville
Read full article: President diagnosed with coronavirus; Second Lady Karen Pence visits JacksonvilleDuval County Medical Society Foundation President Dr. Sunil Joshi breaks down the treatments President Trump is receiving after being diagnosed with COVID-19. News4Jax political analyst Rick Mullaney of JU’s Public Policy Institute describes how the president’s diagnosis could impact the campaign. Also, City Councilman Rory Diamond on launching a new program brought forward by Second Lady Karen Pence for military spouses.
White House: VP Mike Pence tests negative and ‘remains in good health,’ after Trump tests positive for COVID-19
Read full article: White House: VP Mike Pence tests negative and ‘remains in good health,’ after Trump tests positive for COVID-19(Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)WASHINGTON – Vice President Mike Pence and second lady Karen Pence tested negative for COVID-19 Friday morning, hours after President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were diagnosed with the coronavirus. Spokesman Devin O’Malley says Pence “remains in good health and wishes the Trumps well in their recovery.”Pence is tested every day for the virus, O’Malley confirmed. Read: Shock, sympathy, criticism: World reacts to Trump infection
The Latest: Trump campaign manager tests positive for COVID
Read full article: The Latest: Trump campaign manager tests positive for COVID(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)WASHINGTON – The Latest on President Donald Trump testing positive for the coronavirus and being hospitalized (all times EDT):12:10 a.m.President Donald Trump’s campaign manager, Bill Stepien, has tested positive for the coronavirus. Conway attended the Rose Garden announcement Saturday where President Donald Trump announced his nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. He issued the statement as President Donald Trump was being treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for the same illness. ___6 p.m.Joe Biden’s campaign is taking down its attack ads in the wake of President Donald Trump’s coronavirus infection. ___11:55 a.m.First lady Melania Trump says she is experiencing “mild symptoms” after she and President Donald Trump tested positive for COVID-19.
LIVE: Second Lady Karen Pence & Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia visit NAS Jacksonville
Read full article: LIVE: Second Lady Karen Pence & Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia visit NAS JacksonvilleCopyright 2020 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved. Second Lady Karen Pence and Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia are visiting Naval Air Station Jacksonville. If you need help with WJXT’s or WCWJ's FCC public inspection file, call (904) 393-9801.
Second Lady Karen Pence in Jacksonville to launch military spouses program
Read full article: Second Lady Karen Pence in Jacksonville to launch military spouses programJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Second Lady Karen Pence and Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia visited Jacksonville on Wednesday to launch a new employee assistance program for military spouses, pet some K9s and sip some coffee. Pence spoke to military spouses at NAS Jacksonville to launch the Transition Employment Assistance for Military Spouses (TEAMS) Program. It is designed to help military spouses advance their careers through training, workshops, and networking tailored to their unique circumstances. The owner of Social Grounds, Jason Kelloway, was presented a Second Lady coin and his wife and co-owner Mandi Kelloway was given a bracelet for military spouses. Pence’s visit supports her ongoing campaign to elevate and encourage military spouses while also recognizing their unique employment challenges.
GOP Convention takeaways: Pence pounces while crises swirl
Read full article: GOP Convention takeaways: Pence pounces while crises swirlVice President Mike Pence arrives with his wife Karen Pence to speak on the third day of the Republican National Convention at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine in Baltimore, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)WASHINGTON Republicans proceeded with the third night of their national convention, but many Americans particularly those in the path of Hurricane Laura were focused on more immediate concerns. Joe Biden said America is systemically racist, Pence said, criticizing the Democratic challenger as soft on crime. CRISES DRAIN CONVENTION ATTENTIONA political convention is the most scripted, tightly controllable of events, especially when it is mostly virtual and much of it is prerecorded. ANOTHER SPEAKER DOESNT MAKE THE SHOWFor the second consecutive night, Trumps campaign was forced to reshuffle its speaking lineup just hours before the prime-time program began.
WHAT TO WATCH: Pence, Conway and protest pushback at RNC
Read full article: WHAT TO WATCH: Pence, Conway and protest pushback at RNCPence, whose future political aspirations could hinge on November, has campaigned aggressively for the president. Pence has helped steer the White House response to the coronavirus, leading a task force and frequently working with the nations governors. The GOP convention has mentioned the virus far less than Democrats did last week, but Pence could throw it back into focus if he speaks about the work hes led. Conway, whose husband has become an outspoken Trump critic, says she is stepping away to spend more time with her family. Clarence Henderson, a civil rights activist from the 1960s, is expected to speak on the true meaning of peaceful protest."
Trump welcomes 'The Walking Marine' to White House
Read full article: Trump welcomes 'The Walking Marine' to White HousePresident Donald Trump speaks with Terry Sharpe, known as the "Walking Marine" as he arrives to the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Monday, July 27, 2020. Sharpe has walked from Summerfield, N.C., to Washington to raise awareness of the current veteran suicide rate. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)WASHINGTON President Donald Trump on Monday welcomed a Marine veteran to the White House as he completed his 300-mile walk to the nation's capital to raise awareness about the problem of veteran suicide. In 2017, the suicide rate for veterans was 1.5 times the rate for non-veteran adults, after adjusting for population, according to the 2019 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report. Sharpe, along with fellow veteran Allen Brown, completed their first 300-mile walk to the White House in 2014.
US government launches campaign to reduce high suicide rates
Read full article: US government launches campaign to reduce high suicide rates(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)WASHINGTON The federal government launched a broad national campaign Tuesday aimed at reducing high suicide rates, urging the public to reach out to others, especially during the coronavirus pandemic, and acknowledge daily stresses in people's lives. Known as REACH, the government campaign is the core part of a $53 million, two-year effort announced by President Donald Trump to reduce suicide, particularly among veterans. With the coronavirus still raging across communities, officials expressed hope that the message of suicide prevention can aid the public more widely, not just veterans. The website offers information on risk factors for suicide and ways people can get help. By having this conversation, we will save lives, said Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen, executive director of the suicide prevention effort.
Trump plan to stem vet suicides focuses on public awareness
Read full article: Trump plan to stem vet suicides focuses on public awareness(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)WASHINGTON President Donald Trump is unveiling a long-awaited national plan Wednesday to stem a persistently high number of veteran suicides, with wide-ranging initiatives from firearm safety and wellness programs at workplaces to added barriers near railroads and bridges. Still, it remained unclear how much of the plan could result in immediate concrete action, especially in a presidential election year. Much of the effort will need congressional action as well as cooperation from governors and local groups juggling priorities of public safety and health in a pandemic. Currently, about 20 veterans die by suicide each day, about 1.5 times higher than those who havent served in the military. In particular, younger veterans and women generally were more skeptical of Trump, who received multiple draft deferments to avoid going to Vietnam.