Categories
Business

Capitol riot ‘incited by the President,’ says former DHS Secretary

Former Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano told CNBC’s “The News with Shepard Smith” that the January 6 attack on the Capitol was “instigated” by President Donald Trump and criticized him for telling the “big lie” in the election fueled on November 3rd, it was stolen from him.

“He did not say what would be most helpful, namely that he lost the election fair and the seat and that it is time for a peaceful change of power, as is the great tradition of our country,” said Yellen, who was from 2009 to 2013 Minister of Homeland Security. “… He did not realize that some of this violence was fueled by the so-called ‘big lie’ and he is the main proponent of it.”

An internal security report released in 2009 warned that right-wing extremism was on the rise and could lead to violence. There have been calls for Napolitano to resign, and she had to apologize for part of that report that said extremists might try to attract veterans. Napolitano said host Shepard Smith during an interview on Tuesday evening that white nationalists had only become more dangerous since the report.

“I think that assessment was generally correct at the time and it has proven to be correct in the following years and certainly in the last four years and certainly in the last few weeks,” said Napolitano. “We saw a surge in these right-wing nationalist groups, fueled in part by social media and social media messaging, and actually instigated on the 6th, in my view, by the president.”

There are growing concerns about an insider attack involving US soldiers charged with securing the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. The FBI is taking no chances and is reviewing the 25,000 National Guard troops who will be present at the inauguration.

According to a Pentagon spokesman, twelve members of the National Guard have since been expelled from Biden’s inauguration following the FBI investigation. Officials say two of the National Guard forces were flagged for “inappropriate” comments and text, while the other ten were removed for “various reasons”.

Napolitano said the security level in the Capitol was “necessary” because of the January 6 riot, but the measures would result in a “very uneventful day of inauguration”.

Categories
Politics

Trump Cupboard officers condemn Capitol riots, however keep away from criticizing the president

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (L) and Vice President Mike Pence listen as President Donald Trump speaks about the government shutdown on January 25, 2019 in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC. – Trump says he will sign a government reopening bill by February 15.

Brendan Smialowski | AFP | Getty Images

WASHINGTON – Members of President Donald Trump’s 23-member cabinet on Wednesday issued sharp reprimands against violence in the nation’s Capitol, forcing lawmakers to halt the process of declaring Joe Biden’s victory in the presidential election.

However, officials stopped criticizing the president, who urged his supporters to take action.

Trump had encouraged thousands of supporters during a rally outside the White House to march to the Capitol to protest the historically ceremonial procedures. Trump returned to the White House after his speech and later said in a tweet video to supporters, “You have to go home now.”

“This was a fraudulent choice … but you have to go home,” Trump said, telling the protesters, “We love you. You are very special” before finishing his remarks.

In a series of tweets on Wednesday evening, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo described the storming of the US Capitol as “unacceptable”.

“Lawlessness and unrest – here or around the world – are always unacceptable,” wrote the nation’s top diplomat.

“Let us quickly bring justice to the criminals involved in this unrest,” wrote Pompeo, adding, “America is better than what we saw today.”

Acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen wrote in a statement: “The violence against our nation’s Capitol is an intolerable attack on a fundamental institution of our democracy.”

Earlier on Wednesday, the Justice Department had dispatched hundreds of law enforcement officers and agents from the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and the US Marshals Service to quell protests.

Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia called the unrest “a low point in the history of American democracy”.

Acting Secretary of the Homeland Security Department, Chad Wolf, also condemned the violent pamphlet that “no one has the right to attack a federal institution regardless of their motivation.”

He added that those involved in the riot should be held accountable for their actions.

The Secretary for Housing and Urban Development, Ben Carson, also participated in calls for an end to violence in Washington.

“End this violence now. Violence is never an appropriate response, regardless of legitimate concern. Please remember, if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand,” Carson wrote.

Minister of Health and Human Services Alex Azar wrote that he was “disgusted” by the violence in the US Capitol.

“Physical violence and the desecration of this sacred symbol of our democracy must come to an end,” added Azar.

“Most importantly, you are all safe. Please take care of yourself and your loved ones,” wrote Azar in a subsequent tweet.

In a tweet on Wednesday evening, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin wrote: “Violence is always unacceptable. We must respect our constitution and our democratic process.”

Similarly, Trade Secretary Wilbur Ross wrote on Twitter that “violence is never the right solution”.

“The eyes of American children and students – the emerging generation who will inherit the republic we are leaving – are watching what goes on in Washington today,” wrote Elisabeth DeVos, Trump’s Secretary of Education, adding, “we need to give them a better one.” Give an example. “

“The disruption and violence must end, the law must be obeyed, and the work of the people must continue,” wrote DeVos.

Categories
World News

French President Macron, Freed from Covid Signs, Leaves Isolation

PARIS – A week after testing positive for the coronavirus for the first time, French President Emmanuel Macron stopped isolating because he was no longer showing symptoms, shared a statement from the Élysée Palace, its official office, on Thursday With.

During his quarantine, Mr Macron – who had typical symptoms of Covid-19 such as fatigue, cough and pain – was “able to remain mobilized in the most important current affairs of our country and hold meetings and councils as planned” statement read.

Mr Macron contracted the virus at a time when a surge in infections across France was shedding hopes that people could safely celebrate the end of the year celebrations.

French health protocols recommend an isolation period of seven days after symptoms appear or a positive virus test. However, a negative test is not required to leave the isolation after this time has elapsed.

The French president was not the first world leader to contract the virus. But unlike several other prominent leaders who have had it – including President Trump, President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil and Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the UK – Mr Macron has consistently emphasized the threat posed by the virus.

Although it is still unclear how Mr Macron got infected, last week’s announcement that he had the disease prompted a cascade of leaders who had met with him over the past few days to isolate himself, including the Spanish one Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. Prime Minister António Costa of Portugal; and the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.

French Health Minister Olivier Véran said Mr Macron may have been infected at the December 10-11 European Council meetings. Slovak Prime Minister Igor Matovic, who attended the same gatherings, also tested positive for the virus.

Mr Macron, who celebrated his 43rd birthday in isolation on December 21, used his quarantine period to reiterate warnings about the risk of contamination.

In Thursday’s statement announcing his improvement, he urged members of the French public to limit their contacts and remain vigilant during the Christmas holidays by “ventilating rooms, wearing a mask and washing their hands regularly”.

Over the past week, daily updates on Mr Macron’s health have been released by Mr Macron himself, by his personal doctor or through official statements from the Élysée Palace – a departure from France’s tradition of secrecy regarding the health of its presidents.

In a self-recorded video of his presidential retreat near Versailles last week, a tired-looking Mr. Macron said he was suffering from a cough, headache and fatigue. His office reported the first signs of improvement on Wednesday after describing his health as “stable” for the past few days.

Mr. Macron held several virtual meetings with his ministers and continued exchanges with foreign leaders such as Russian President Vladimir V. Putin on Tuesday.

In an interview with French magazine L’Express on December 17, the day it tested positive and published on Tuesday, Mr Macron said he wanted to rely on “patriotic and European” French people to undermine an “undermined” one “Land” to reconcile “” divisions “that persist three and a half years after his tenure as President.

With more than 60,000 deaths caused by the coronavirus and around 2.5 million reported coronavirus infections, France has taken a heavy toll on the pandemic. While the number of new infections had dropped below 10,000 per day by the end of November, they have dropped to an average of 14,000 new cases per day over the past seven days, shedding hope that the second wave is over.

On Thursday, the French health authority approved the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine, which officially opened the way for vaccination after receiving support from the European Union earlier this week.

The vaccination campaign in France begins on Sunday in several retirement homes and care facilities. The French authorities have ordered around 200 million doses and established a three-phase vaccination strategy, starting with the elderly and at-risk nursing home workers.

Categories
Business

French President Emmanuel Macron checks optimistic for Covid

French President Emmanuel Macron, wearing a protective face mask, watches as he makes a statement alongside Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas after his meeting at the Elysee Palace on October 28, 2020 in Paris, France.

Chesnot | Getty Images News | Getty Images

French President Emmanuel Macron tested positive for Covid-19, his office announced on Thursday, prompting several other European officials to go into quarantine. It comes just days after France began easing restrictions on the pandemic.

The diagnosis was made “as soon as the first symptoms appeared,” Elysee Palace said in a brief statement that did not provide details of his symptoms. “In accordance with health directives that apply to everyone, the President of the Republic will isolate himself for 7 days.”

Macron, who turns 43 next week, will continue to work remotely, the statement added.

His 67-year-old wife, Brigitte, will also self-isolate, but she has not reported any Covid symptoms, her office said.

French Prime Minister Jean Castex (55), Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (48), Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa (59) and European Council President Charles Michel (44) said they were being quarantined because they were in the past Days of contact with Macron.

Sanchez, who had lunch with Macron on Monday, said he would cease all public activities until Christmas Eve.

Macron also met with Angel Gurria from the OECD this week. The French president hosted a cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

Covid curfew

France has registered more cases of the coronavirus than any other European nation, trailing only the US, India, Brazil and Russia for the highest number of infections in the world.

According to the Johns Hopkins University, more than 2.4 million people in France have been infected with Covid, including 59,472 deaths.

Champs-Elysees Avenue and the Arc de Triomphe can be seen after the Christmas lights were turned on on November 22, 2020 in Paris, France.

Xinhua News Agency | Xinhua News Agency | Getty Images

Earlier this week, Macron relaxed a six-week ban on movement with a curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. until mid-January, with the exception of Christmas Eve.

The public health measures stipulate that museums, theaters, cinemas, bars and restaurants must remain closed at least until January.

French ski resorts will also remain closed, but Macron said the hugely popular tourist attractions may reopen “on favorable terms” from next month.

Johnson from Great Britain wishes Macron a “speedy recovery”

Macron is one of several world leaders who tested positive for the coronavirus this year, including US President Donald Trump, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Johnson, who was admitted to intensive care during his personal battle with Covid in April, said via Twitter that he was sorry to hear Macron tested positive for Covid and wished him a speedy recovery.

The UK’s post-Brexit transition period ends on December 31, and there is pressure on talks between the UK and the EU to reach a trade deal by then.

The EU and the UK Parliament have to ratify an agreement if there is an agreement.

One of the sticking points was fishing rights, with Macron pushing for guaranteed access to British fishing waters. The UK has now insisted that a new fisheries agreement must be based on the understanding that “British fishing grounds are primarily for British boats”.

Categories
Health

Watch ECB President Lagarde converse after newest coverage transfer

[The stream is slated to start at 8:30 a.m. ET. Please refresh the page if you do not see a player above at that time.]

The President of the European Central Bank, Christine Lagarde, speaks at a press conference following the institute’s latest monetary policy decision.

The euro area central bank expanded its massive monetary stimulus program on Thursday by a further 500 billion euros (605 billion US dollars) as a second wave of lockdown measures weighs on the euro area’s economic recovery.

Markets had largely expected the central bank to step up its bond buying. As early as October, the ECB promised to “recalibrate” its instruments in December, as coronavirus cases are on the rise again across the continent.

So far, the ECB has refrained from being too optimistic about introducing vaccine candidates, as vaccinations are expected to start in the EU early next year.

Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube.