Trudy Rubin: Trump must go, not just to save our democracy but for US security abroad

President Donald Trump’s incitement of a mob attack on the Capitol is reason enough for him to be forced from office before Jan. 20 — whether via the 25th Amendment, another impeachment or some other means. Yet, even as Americans grapple with horrific images of invaders storming our seat of government, there is another urgent

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International, USA

Merrick Garland vows to enforce ‘equal justice’ as Biden’s AG amid pressure for prosecution of Trump

Merrick Garland, the onetime Supreme Court nominee picked by President-elect Joe Biden to serve as attorney general, pledged Thursday to pursue prosecutions without fear or favor amid mounting pressure for President Donald Trump to face criminal charges when he leaves office. After being formally introduced by Biden as his nominee to lead the Justice Department,

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USA

Trump urges healing and pledges smooth transition of power

Washington (AFP) – US President Donald Trump appealed for “healing and reconciliation” Thursday following unprecedented scenes of violence at the US Capitol, pledging a smooth transition of power to President-elect Joe Biden. In a video message aiming to calm tensions after his supporters stormed the US Capitol as Biden’s election victory was being certified by

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USA

Censorship in America: Who is one to believe?

Times are certainly tumultuous right now. After weeks of voter fraud allegations that culminated in a protest storming the Capitol, Joe Biden was officially certified as the next president via the congressional electoral process. Despite President Trump’s messages to the protesters to go home peacefully, Facebook and Twitter have blocked his account. Additionally, YouTube is set to suspend channels that promote voter fraud claims. [Teresa Konopka]

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International, Teresa_Konopka, USA

A Word of Torah: The Springboard Effect

This week’s portion is titled, “Shemot,” which translates as, “Names.” It is the first portion in the second book of the Torah, the Book of Exodus. The name of a portion is always indicative of its content and the same thing goes as far as the name of one of the Books of the Torah. In this case we can therefore assume that the theme of the entire book is hinted at in its name, which incidentally is, “Names.” [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]

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Jewish Religion, Yeruchem Eilfort-Rabbi

Calls grow for Trump ouster in wake of US Capitol invasion

Calls for the ouster of US President Donald Trump grew on Thursday and members of his administration quit in the wake of a tumultuous 24 hours in Washington that saw rioters storm Congress and lawmakers finally confirm incoming president Joe Biden’s election victory. The Democratic leaders in Congress, Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, demanded that

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USA

Lindsey Graham says Capitol attackers were ‘domestic terrorists,’ president’s actions were the problem

COLUMBIA, S.C. — U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a staunch ally of President Donald Trump, called the mob that stormed the Capitol on Wednesday domestic terrorists and said that had the law enforcement in charge of defending the nation’s seat of power been in the military, they would have been court-martialed for their failure. “The first

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USA

Editorial: If Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley had a conscience, he’d resign. He’ll have to be removed

If Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley had shown any evidence that there’s a conscience in there somewhere, underneath the ambition and the artifice and the uncommon combo of striving and laziness that he’s somehow made work for him, then we wouldn’t be where we are right now. We wouldn’t, that is, be wondering what to say

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USA

Texas Democrat says Paxton deserves censure for role in Capitol riot

AUSTIN, Texas — The head of the Texas House Democrats has called for the Legislature to investigate, and potentially censure or impeach, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for his role in events leading to Wednesday’s mob incursion into the U.S. Capitol. “Everything needs to be on the table because Ken Paxton has abused his power

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USA

‘The biggest mistake I’ve ever made’: Former Missouri Sen. Danforth rues mentoring Hawley, blames him for Capitol riot

WASHINGTON — Former Missouri Sen. John Danforth spent years promoting Josh Hawley as the future of the Republican Party, a “once-in-a-generation” candidate destined to contend for the presidency, perhaps in 2024. But a day after the riot at the U.S. Capitol that left four people dead, Danforth blamed his former protégé for sparking the insurrection.

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USA

Historians Will Grapple With Events of January 6, 2021

I woke up Wednesday gratified. An African American and a Jew had won the two Senate runoffs in Georgia. The Democrats would dominate the Senate. Mitch McConnell would be minority leader. Chuck Schumer would be the majority leader. I was working in the garage converting wooden wine boxes with my new Dremel saw into whatever. My wife said, “come up stairs, you’ve got to see this.” The elation was short lived. I watched television from 10 am to 11 pm as I flipped between CNN, MSNBC and FOX, which dropped its “Fair and Balanced” motto in 2017. [Oliver B. Pollak, Ph.D]

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Oliver Pollak, USA

US transport secretary is first Trump cabinet official to resign

US Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao is the first official in President Donald Trump’s Cabinet to announce his or her resignation following the recent attack on the US Capitol. “Yesterday, our country experienced a traumatic and entirely avoidable event as supporters of the president stormed the Capitol building following a rally he addressed,” Chao said in

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USA

Qatar and Saudi Arabia: A Gift of a Different Sort, Maybe

The still-tentative agreement between Qatar and Saudi Arabia to reopen political relations and closed borders after four years is part of the Trump administration’s priority to reduce friction among its allies. The goal is to decrease the possibility that American forces will waste time and capability putting out smaller fires, thus leaving them in a better position to deal with broader issues: cybersecurity, improving readiness, boosting NATO, countering China and not participating in civil wars in the Middle East, Southwest Asia, and Africa. Out of Syria. Out of Afghanistan. Out of Somalia. Out of Iraq? [Shoshana Bryen]

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International, Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, USA