The Hill Articles: January 15, 2021

CIA chief threatened to resign over push to install Trump loyalist as deputy: report FAA approves first fully-automated commercial drone flights Azar in exit letter to Trump says Capitol riot could ‘tarnish’ legacy READ: Departure letter from HHS Secretary Azar to Trump Capitol Police report warned that Congress could be targeted three days before riot Justice Dept. argues Trump should get immunity from rape accuser’s lawsuit House Democrats introduce measures to oppose Trump’s bomb sale to Saudis On The Money: Retail sales drop in latest sign of weakening economy | Fast-food workers strike for $15 minimum wage | US officials raise concerns over Mexico’s handling of energy permits Lincoln Project cofounder acknowledges sending ‘inappropriate’ sexual messages Why we need Section 230 more than ever Palestinian Authority to hold first elections in 15 years Will America survive rebellion? How drones and ancestral Indigenous knowledge are saving the Amazon Nearly 1 in every 5 LGBTQ+ characters on TV are tied to the same four industry creatives The US government’s best ally: Science Overnight Defense: Agency watchdogs probing response to Capitol riots | 25,000 guardsmen now approved for inauguration security | Troops levels in Afghanistan, Iraq hit 2,500 Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., nation’s longest-serving state Senate president, dies of cancer Americans split over companies halting donations to lawmakers who objected to Electoral College: poll Federal COVID-19 vaccine reserve is now empty, sparking angry response Poll: 73 percent concerned about violence ahead of inauguration Biden needs to fill the leadership gaps on Day One Overnight Health Care: Biden unveils vaccine plan with focus on mass inoculations | Worldwide coronavirus deaths pass 2 million | CDC: New variant could be dominant US strain by March Buttigieg confirmation hearing slated for Thursday Hillicon Valley: WhatsApp delays controversial privacy update | Amazon hit with antitrust lawsuit alleging e-book price fixing | Biden launches new Twitter account ahead of inauguration ‘Nationalize’ Facebook and Twitter as public goods James Murdoch predicts ‘a reckoning’ for media after Capitol riot GOP divided over Liz Cheney’s future Maryland governor declares state of emergency ahead of Biden’s inauguration OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Groups sue EPA over ‘backwards’ lead rule | 12 states, green groups sue EPA over airline standards they deem insufficient | Biden taps Janet McCabe to serve as deputy at EPA US officials raise concerns over Mexico’s handling of energy permits Can America remain model of democracy around the world? DOJ: No charges will be filed in case over discarded Pennsylvania ballots Eric Weinstein: It’s time to end the business model of division Biden scolds Republicans for not wearing masks during Capitol attack Jordan Chariton: Misdemeanor charges ‘best you’re getting’ against ex-Michigan governor over Flint NRA filing for bankruptcy, moving from New York to Texas Biden and the new Congress must protect Americans from utility shutoffs Poll finds majority back charging Trump for inciting Capitol riot American Thinker apologizes to Dominion after getting letter from defamation attorneys Biden unveils COVID-19 vaccine plan, with focus on mass inoculations Americans need COVID-19 vaccinations now — here’s how Biden can ramp up the process Army: Up to 25,000 National Guard in DC for Biden inauguration Pepsi, Coca-Cola will not run ads during Super Bowl What America’s Thinking: January 15, 2021 Cruz, Cornyn to attend Biden inauguration Trader Joe’s, Instacart join companies paying employees to get COVID-19 vaccine CDC says US death toll may surge up to 477,000 by February as COVID-19 vaccinations fall short Who is Amanda Gorman, the youngest known inaugural poet? Biden’s trade policy needs effective commercial diplomacy Crenshaw knocks Biden’s stimulus: ‘Stop plagiarizing the last relief bill’ IRS says start of tax filing season delayed until Feb. 12 Sasse: Capitol rioters ‘came dangerously close to starting a bloody constitutional crisis’ Texas woman who took private plane to DC charged with participating in riot WhatsApp delays controversial privacy update Governors say no additional vaccine doses coming, despite Trump admin promise Trump sold off the Arctic Refuge — Biden can help save it Watch live: Biden speaks about COVID-19 vaccine distribution plans CDC warns that new highly contagious COVID-19 variant could fuel huge spikes in US Capitol officer claims MAGA hat was part of ruse to rescue colleagues: report Illinois Democrat calls for new committee focused exclusively on information technology Tim Ryan, Rosa DeLauro giving free coffee and donuts to National Guard stationed at Capitol The solution to preventing oil and gas pipeline spills: Research and innovation FBI questions dozens in killing of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick: report Fast-food workers nationwide strike for $15 minimum wage Worldwide coronavirus deaths pass 2 million 12 states, green groups sue EPA over airline standards they deem insufficient The survival of a college that taught Kehinde Wiley and Annie Leibovitz could hang on a famous artist’s painting Biden should double down on democracy promotion Treasury imposes additional sanctions on Cuba over allegations of ‘serious human rights abuse’ Democrats point fingers on whether Capitol rioters had inside help GOP senator calls Biden’s $1.9T relief package ‘a colossal waste and economically harmful’ Former McCaskill aides launch PAC seeking to thwart Hawley Pelosi suggests criminal charges for any lawmaker who helped with Capitol riot What our kids should know after the Capitol Hill riot  Pepsi targets net-zero emissions by 2040 CDC: More contagious COVID-19 variant could be dominant US strain by March Pence, Harris speak ahead of inauguration Pelosi mum on when House will send impeachment article to Senate Andrew Yang sparks Twitter uproar with pro-bodega video For platform regulation Congress should use a European cheat sheet Trump orders shift in US military command for Middle East, Israel Dating app says it removed political filter following Capitol riots Former GOP congressman says he’s leaving party: ‘This has become a cult’ Joe the pigeon will live after it’s discovered he’s likely an Aussie The Hill’s 12:30 Report: What to expect for inauguration Feds walk back claim that Capitol rioters sought ‘to capture and assassinate’ officials Democratic senator: COVID-19 relief is priority over impeachment trial Millennials and the great reckoning on race Pelosi taps retired Army general to lead immediate review of Capitol attack Charles Barkley: Athletes pay more in taxes, ‘deserve some preferential treatment’ for COVID-19 vaccine Trump expected to leave White House morning of Biden’s inauguration Park Service to close most parts of National Mall around inauguration Biden taps Atlanta mayor for senior DNC role US meets troops reduction goal in Afghanistan, Iraq How the national security team affects nuclear weapons policy Bill Gates is now America’s biggest private farmland owner, says new report Groups sue EPA over ‘backwards’ lead rule Melania Trump bids farewell to Be Best in new video Fossil fuels — the key test to Biden’s climate credentials Biden taps ex-Obama aide Anita Dunn as senior adviser Biden chooses Amanda Gorman as youngest known inaugural poet Man sentenced to life for killing Black student in case that changed Maryland hate crime law Study shows coronavirus will lower US life expectancy by more than a year ‘Almost Heaven, West Virginia’ — Joe Manchin and a 50-50 Senate Willie Brown, Ed Rollins launch new advisory firm How does Andrew Yang plan to end poverty in New York City? Fauci on Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine plan: ‘I believe it’s doable’ Trump approval rating falls to new low after Capitol assault Agency IGs to probe breakdown in response to Capitol riots Federal government executes Virginia gang killer despite coronavirus diagnosis Like his predecessors, Biden faces a formidable task with North Korea Secret Service director sends memo reminding employees to remain nonpartisan amid ‘hyper-charged rhetoric’ Rising: January 15, 2021 Watch live: Pelosi holds weekly press briefing Palm Beach County seeks way to end lease with Trump golf course Pelosi endorses McAuliffe for Virginia governor The world watches America as it strives to defend our democracy Kentucky nurse loses job after entering Capitol during riot December retail sales drop in latest sign of weakening economy Norway warns frail patients over 80 of vaccine risks after deaths Biden launches new Twitter account ahead of inauguration Texas is first state to administer 1 million coronavirus vaccine doses, Gov. Abbott says Police arrest man they say beat officer with American flag during Capitol riot To help student borrowers, make education debt tax deductible Newly sworn-in GOP senator suggests delaying inauguration Colorado officials pen letter requesting probe into Boebert’s actions Biden taps Criswell as first woman to lead FEMA Biden nominates David Cohen to key CIA post Bill Burns knows Russia inside out — and that will be critical to Biden Learn how to manage your finances and get a jumpstart on filing your taxes Biden taps Janet McCabe to serve as deputy at EPA Harness the power of Alexa with this WiFi-enabled smart light from GE for less than $90 Harris on Capitol attack: ‘Same thing that went through my mind when I saw Charlottesville’ Direct cash payments have been critical for Colorado families — Congress must pass more Trump tells aides to never mention Nixon after comparisons Biden taps former FDA commissioner Kessler to head vaccine efforts Officer describes mob during Capitol siege: ‘Kill him with his own gun’ Springsteen, Legend added to list of performers for Biden inauguration special Does US higher education need fundamental reforms to survive and thrive? GOP Sen. Lankford apologizes to Black constituents for opposing election results The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden asks Congress to expand largest relief response in U.S. history Trust between lawmakers reaches all-time low after Capitol riots Republicans scramble to contain fallout as donors distance themselves Democrats looking to speed through Senate impeachment trial GOP in bind over Trump as corporate donations freeze