Donald Trump's lawyers have a simple objective as they open their defense at the former president's impeachment trial: Don't lose any Republican votes.
Most Senate Republicans have indicated that they will vote to acquit Trump on the House charge of incitement of insurrection. They argue that the trial is unconstitutional and that Trump didn't incite supporters to lay siege on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 when he told them to "fight like hell" against the certification of President Joe Biden's victory. If Republicans hold the line, Democrats will fall well short of the two-thirds of the Senate needed for conviction. [Read More]
Biden team unveils new asylum system to replace Trump's 'Remain In Mexico' The new asylum process will be phased in starting Feb. 19 to deal with a backlog of migrants seeking asylum on the southern U.S. border, many of whom have been waiting in squalid camps in a state of limbo for court dates because of the Migrant Protection Protocols program.
Under pressure to make good on campaign promises on immigration and facing the prospect that a new wave of migrants seeking to escape desperate situations could flood the border, the Biden team said it plans to start allowing in a trickle of asylum-seekers — about 300 people per day — from among an estimated 25,000 people with "active cases" in the now-defunct MPP program. [Read More]
Biden pledges tough response to cyberthreats. experts say it won't be easy Nations, private groups and even individuals have learned that cyber attacks can be relatively low-cost and easy to carry out. In addition, the victim often faces a challenge in proving who's responsible, and an even more difficult time imposing formal punishment. [Read More]
Minn. lawmakers wrestle with what follows COVID-19 eviction rule In a Senate Housing Finance and Policy Committee hearing Thursday, property owners and tenant rights advocates debated the restrictions on evictions and lease terminations. Democratic Gov. Tim Walz imposed the state moratorium last March to protect renters from removal for financial reasons, which dovetailed with federal limits that also remain in place.
A House bill around evictions was introduced earlier this year but has yet to advance. A Senate bill will be ready for consideration soon, said Sen. Rich Draheim, R-Madison Lake, who chairs the committee.
The challenge, he said, will be to “find that balance” between the competing interests. [Read More]
I hope you have a good weekend. We will be back Tuesday.
Got story ideas or a question for MPR News? Let me know. molson@mpr.org or DM me on Twitter @publicmic.
