Biden calls on Putin to face a war crimes trial
As horrifying details continue to emerge about atrocities committed by Russian forces in Ukraine, Joe Biden has reiterated his view that Vladimir Putin is a war criminal – and suggested that he should face legal consequences for what his military is doing.
As he disembarked with Marine One, Mr Biden told reporters in Washington: “You will recall that I was criticized for calling Putin a war criminal. Well, the truth of the matter – you saw what happened in Bucha – he’s a war criminal… We need to get all the details for this to happen, for us to actually have a war crimes trial. This guy is brutal and what is happening in Bucha is outrageous.”
On Capitol Hill, the Senate Judiciary Committee ended its vote for the Supreme Court nomination of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson in a deadlock after Republicans responded to criticism that they had been too harsh in their questioning. Despite this, Ms Jackson appears to be becoming the first black woman to sit on the court.
The committee’s tie vote does not prevent the nomination from advancing to the Senate, where Ms Jackson already appears to have the support of 51 senators.
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Jen Psaki on Barack Obama and Joe Biden’s friendship
Ahead of Barack Obama’s visit to the White House for an event celebrating the impact of the Affordable Care Act, Jen Psaki described the two presidents’ relationship as a genuine friendship, not just the kind of superficial friendship that is a hallmark of life in US politics.
More on today’s public reunion below:
Andrew Naughtie5. Apr 2022 11:29
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The Pentagon spokesman shares his horror at the atrocities in Bucha
John Kirby, the Pentagon press secretary, appeared on MSNBC last night to discuss events that have come to light in the Ukrainian city of Bucha, where Russian soldiers abused, raped and murdered scores of civilians.
Andrew Naughtie5. Apr 2022 10:46 am
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Watch: Lindsey Graham threatens Democrats over future Supreme Court nominations
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham spent Ketanji Brown Jackson’s nomination hearings in a bad mood, and he displayed the same irascibility at yesterday’s committee vote on her nomination.
Among his various allegations, most of which had little or nothing to do with the judge herself, was an implied threat to block any nominee proposed by the Democratic president by near-default if and when Republicans control the Senate.
That’s what Lisa Murkowski feared in her endorsement of the judge ahead of her full Senate vote. “We’ve gotten to the point where it’s almost automatic: if a president who isn’t in my party puts forward a candidate, I’m kind of obligated to consider it just in time, not just before the name is mentioned.” , she said.
“It’s a terrible process, it’s just terrible.”
Watch a clip of Mr Graham’s remarks below.
Andrew Naughtie5. April 2022 09:43
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White House says Russian atrocities are part of Putin’s plan
“White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Monday the atrocities committed by Russian forces in Bucha and other cities in Ukraine were part of a deliberate plan to inflict terror on civilians.
At Monday’s daily White House press conference, Mr. Sullivan said the brutality of Russian forces is what “Russia intended for political reasons” for Ukraine. “We don’t believe this is just a random accident or a rogue act on the part of any particular person – we believe that was part of the plan,” he said.
Andrew Naughtie5. April 2022 09:03
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Zelenskyj addresses the outrage over civilian deaths at the United Nations
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is likely to address UN Security Council diplomats, outraged by mounting evidence that Russian forces have deliberately killed civilians, after US President Joe Biden said Vladimir Putin should be tried for war crimes.
The withdrawal of Russian troops from towns around the Ukrainian capital has uncovered corpses in the streets, which has prompted calls for tougher sanctions against the Kremlin, particularly for a freeze on fuel imports from Russia.
Germany and France responded by expelling dozens of Russian diplomats who pretended to be spies.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar5. April 2022 08:17
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Cory Booker on why he felt the need to stand up for Ketanji Brown Jackson
Senator Cory Booker defended Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson after several Republican senators, including Ted Cruz of Texas and Josh Hawley of Missouri, attacked her record in sentencing people accused of possessing child sex abuse images.
“Why didn’t you vote against every one of those Republican judges who didn’t follow the guidelines like most don’t?” he asked in response to Mr. Hawley, who had questioned Ms. Jackson before him.
After the hearing, Mr. Booker told The Independent why he championed her file. “She didn’t need me to defend her record,” he said.
“She could have had a committee of 22 Josh Hawleys and she still would have persevered. She is exceptional. I felt the need to speak about her record, which many people felt was not being respected or overlooked, at a time when it should be celebrated and really given the honor and honor it deserves.
Eric Garcia reports from Capitol Hill.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar5. April 2022 07:43
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ICYMI | The White House condemns “hateful” anti-LGBT+ laws
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Friday the Don’t Say Gay law reflects “misinformed, hateful policies that do absolutely nothing to address the real issues.”
Ms Psaki answered a series of questions from Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy, who asked if the Joe Biden administration thought it “fair” for “organic men to compete against women in varsity sports,” and “in which Age, the White House thinks students should be taught about sexual orientation or gender identity.”
“Parents across the country expect national, state and county leaders to support our nation’s students and ensure children are treated equally in schools, and that doesn’t reflect that,” she said.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar5. April 2022 06:44
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Biden’s to host granddaughter’s White House receptionPresident Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host their granddaughter’s wedding reception at the White House in November.
Naomi Biden, 28, became engaged to Peter Neal, 24, in September 2021 near his family home in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
She is the eldest of the Biden grandchildren and the daughter of Hunter Biden and Kathleen Buhle.
Oliver O’Connell has more.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar5. April 2022 05:58
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White House says Russian atrocities are part of Putin’s ‘plan’ for Ukraine
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Monday the atrocities committed by Russian forces in Bucha, Ukraine and other parts of the country are part of a deliberate plan to inflict terror on civilians.
Earlier Monday President Joe Biden said revelations of Russian attacks on civilians, including execution-style killings of chained prisoners, justify his earlier decision to label Russian President Vladimir Putin a “war criminal.”
“The truth of the matter – we saw how it happened in Bucha – that justifies him – he’s a war criminal,” said Mr Biden, adding that the Russian dictator “should be held accountable”.
Andrew Feinberg reports from Washington, DC.
Oliver O’Connell5. April 2022 05:30
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Romney and Murkowksi support Ketanji Brown Jackson
Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitt Romney of Utah announced they would vote to confirm Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.
The two moderates join Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who last week announced her support for Ms. Jackson, giving Ms. Jackson three Republican votes.
“After several in-depth discussions with Justice Jackson and a careful review of her record and recent hearings, I will support her historic nomination as Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court,” she said.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar5. April 2022 05:29