Closing summary
The chorus of Democratic senators asking Joe Biden to rethink his support for Israel has grown louder in the wake of the killing of seven aid workers earlier this week. Lawmakers aligned with the president are asking him to cancel planned weapons sales, or cut off military support altogether if Israel does not do a better job of protecting civilians. Congress is currently out, with the Senate and House resuming business in Washington DC next week, but in a sign of how fraught the issue has become, Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer made no mention of approving more aid to Israel in a letter sent to lawmakers ahead of their return.
Here’s what else happened today:
In a visit to Baltimore, Biden pledged “to move heaven and earth” to rebuild the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge, using “union labor and American steel”.
Democratic senator Chris Murphy warned that Israel’s conduct in Gaza could worsen the threat of terrorism worldwide.
Student debt relief is reportedly getting a second go from Biden, who will next week announce a plan to reduce what borrowers owe that could survive a court challenge.
In response to a bid by a Republican lawmaker to rename the biggest airport in the Washington DC-area for Donald Trump, a group of Democratic congressmen wants to bestow his name on a Florida federal prison.
After today’s earthquake that was felt in New York City, New Jersey and elsewhere in the north-east, rightwing congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene said: “God is sending America strong signs to tell us to repent.”
Updated
Biden calls on Congress to allow federal government to cover the cost of rebuilding Baltimore bridge
As he closed his remarks, Joe Biden again called on Congress to allow the federal government to pay for the cost of rebuilding the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore, arguing Washington had picked up the bill following previous disasters.
“I fully intend … that the federal government cover the cost of building this entire bridge, all of it,” Biden said. “As we’ve done in other parts of the country in similar circumstances. I stand here, I call on Congress to authorize this effort as soon as possible.”
The president also said he would support efforts to get those responsible for the collapse to pay for the cost of repairs:
My administration is committed absolutely committed to ensuring that parties responsible for this tragedy pay to repair the damage, and be held accountable to the fullest extent the law will allow.
It’s unclear whether Congress will take Biden up on his request. In the House, the conservative Republican Freedom Caucus said they will only support it if Biden backs down on a ban on new natural gas export projects:
HFC Official Position on Francis Scott Key Bridge Response pic.twitter.com/i3bXxyGvPl
— House Freedom Caucus (@freedomcaucus) April 5, 2024
Biden says 'union labor and American steel' will be used to rebuild Baltimore bridge
Joe Biden vowed to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge as quickly as possible, using “union labor and American steel”, in a nod to his administration’s attempts to promote domestic manufacturing.
“We’re going to move heaven and earth, to rebuild this bridge as rapidly as humanly possible. We’re gonna do so with union labor and American steel,” he said, speaking on the shore of Baltimore harbor with the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge at his back.
He continued:
We will support Maryland and Baltimore every step of the way to help you rebuild and maintain all the business and commerce that’s here now.
Updated
He then turned to remembering the six construction workers fixing potholes on the Francis Scott Key Bridge who were killed when it collapsed.
“Most were immigrants but … were Marylanders, hardworking, strong and selfless. After pulling a night shift fixing potholes, they were on a break when the ship struck. Just seconds before, one of the men named Carlos, who was only 24, left a message for his girlfriend. He had said, ‘we just poured cement. We’re waiting for it to dry,’” Biden said.
“To all the families and loved ones who are grieving, we have come here to grieve with you,” Biden said.
Updated
Joe Biden started his remarks off on a note of solidarity.
“Military members and first responders, most importantly to the people of Maryland, I’m here to say your nation has your back and I mean it. Your nation has your back.”
Biden addresses recovery from Baltimore bridge collapse
Joe Biden is now starting his much-delayed remarks on the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
He was introduced by Maryland’s Democratic governor Wes Moore, who said: “With the support of President Biden and his team, I know that Marylanders of this generation and the next will look up and once again, they will see the Francis Scott Key Bridge, and they will see it standing tall.”
We will let you know what the president says.
Updated
In Baltimore, Joe Biden has received a briefing from the army corps of engineers and the Maryland department of transportation on their efforts to clear the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and reopen the port of Baltimore.
Army corp of engineers brigadier general John Lloyd told Biden of the plan to remove the large section of bridge that landed on the cargo ship Dali. The section weighs 5,000 tons and stands 125 feet high. Lloyd said they want to cut the metal away from the ship so it can be moved, and have 51 divers and 12 cranes working on the scene.
Updated
If Donald Trump is convicted of mishandling confidential documents at the conclusion of his upcoming criminal trial in Florida, he could be obligated to serve any sentence in a federal prison bearing his name.
Three Democratic congressmen on Friday introduced a House bill seeking to rename Miami’s federal correctional institute for the former president, a mocking response to Pennsylvania Republican Guy Reschenthaler’s proposal to rebrand Dulles international airport in a similar vein.
It’s an “effort to make Trump feel more comfortable in his future home,” according to the left-leaning website Meidas Touch, which reported the move by Florida congressman Jared Moskowitz, Gerry Connolly of Virginia and John Garamendi of California.
There it is:
— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) April 5, 2024
Rep Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Rep Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) introduce bill to change the name of the federal prison in Miami, Florida to the Donald J. Trump Federal Correctional Institution
Days after House GOP members offered bill to rename Dulles Airport for Trump
Moskowitz in particular is no stranger to trolling Republicans, having introduced a motion to impeach Joe Biden during a House oversight committee meeting last month. A frequent critic of Trumpist committee chair Jim Comer of Kentucky, who led the evidence-free effort to impeach the president, Moskowitz prodded in vain to find a Republican to second his motion.
The new bill seeks to recognize the Donald J Trump Federal Correctional Institution “in any law, regulation, map, document, paper, or any other record of the United States”.
With a Republican majority in the House, it stands as much chance of becoming law as Rechenthaler’s measure does of clearing the Democrat-led Senate and White House.
Trump is currently facing 88 federal charges in four criminal cases, including the one in Florida. He was arraigned last June at the federal courthouse in Miami as a near-circus took place outside.
Updated
As we wait for Joe Biden to make remarks in Baltimore, rightwing congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has once again found a way to draw attention to herself by implying that the earthquake that rattled the north-east today was, uh, God’s will:
God is sending America strong signs to tell us to repent.
— Marjorie Taylor Greene 🇺🇸 (@mtgreenee) April 5, 2024
Earthquakes and eclipses and many more things to come.
I pray that our country listens. 🙏
Maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t. As for what we know for sure about the tremor, here’s a link to our coverage:
Updated
Biden arrives at collapsed Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore
Joe Biden has arrived in Baltimore at the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge, where he’s meeting with first responders.
His helicopter flight took him over the wreckage of the span, as well as the Dali, the cargo ship that struck it and remains trapped in the debris:
The president is schedule to give a speech “reaffirming his commitment to the people of Baltimore” at 2.30pm. We’ll cover it live on this blog.
Updated
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will not endorse Joe Biden again this year, a blow of sorts for the president in his looming rematch with Donald Trump.
Speaking to Fox News, the wrestler turned Hollywood action star said: “Am I happy with the state of America right now? Well, that answer’s no. Do I believe we’re gonna get better? I believe in that, I’m an optimistic guy. And I believe we can do better.”
Long the subject of rumours about political ambitions, Johnson reportedly fielded an approach from No Labels, the centrist third-party group that now says it won’t run a candidate this year.
In late September 2020, he endorsed Biden and his running mate, Kamala Harris, saying: “You guys are both experienced to lead, you’ve done great things. Joe you’ve had such an incredible career, and you’ve led with such great compassion, heart, drive, and soul … Kamala, you have been a district attorney, a state attorney, a US senator. You are smart and tough. I have seen you in those hearings.”
But in the Fox News interview broadcast on Friday, he said: “The endorsement that I made years ago with Biden was what I thought was the best decision for me at that time. I thought back then, when we talked about, ‘Hey, you know, I’m in this position where I have some influence,’ and it was my job then … to exercise my influence and share … who I’m going to endorse.
“Am I going to do that again this year? That answer’s no.
“I realise now going into this election, I will not do that. My goal is to bring this country together. I will keep my politics to myself. It is between me and the ballot box. Like a lot of us out there, not trusting of all politicians, I do trust the American people and whoever they vote for that is my president and who I will support 100%.”
Johnson has not disavowed entering presidential politics himself. In 2021, he said: “I don’t think our Founding Fathers EVER envisioned a six-four, bald, tattooed, half-Black, half-Samoan, tequila drinking, pick-up truck driving, fanny pack-wearing guy joining their club – but if it ever happens it’d be my honour to serve you, the people.”
Judge blocks Trump subpoena for material related to Daniels film
The latest bramble for Donald Trump in his legal thorny thicket this week is that New York judge Juan Merchan on Friday blocked the former US president’s bid to subpoena Comcast-owned NBCUniversal for material related to the documentary the media company made about Stormy Daniels.
The judge is overseeing Trump’s criminal trial, which begins on 15 April in a historic first for a former US president.
Reuters adds that the trial stems from a hush-money payment to Daniels, a porn star and adult film producer, over an old affair she claimed she had with Trump and which she was ready to talk to the press about during the 2016 presidential campaign.
Trump denies the sexual liaison and also denies the charges against him in the New York case, one of four criminal cases he faces and the first to go to trial, alleging election financing impropriety as part of a hush-money payment and cover up, also involving model Karen McDougal.
The documentary, titled Stormy, came out recently and centers Daniels talking about her life, especially since the scandal ultimately erupted into public view. She is expected to testify for the prosecution in Manhattan court.
Updated
Joe Biden has departed for Baltimore and there are only thin pickings from the “chopper talk” at the White House, unfortunately.
The Guardian’s Washington bureau chief David Smith is on pool duty today and dutifully brings us this report that at the south entrance to the White House, the president said he had spoken to the governor of New Jersey, Phil Murphy, about the earthquake in the region. The words “all right” were audible.
A reporter asked if POTUS had threatened military aid to Israel. POTUS replied only: “I asked them to do what they’re doing.”
Then he boarded the Marine One helicopter and left.
Updated
Biden on way to Baltimore to visit site of bridge collapse
Joe Biden is on his way to Baltimore now, where the US military has said it hopes to reopen the port to shipping traffic, at least on a limited basis, by the end of the month.
The US president will take an aerial tour of the major arterial road bridge that collapsed when a huge container ship hit one of its main stone piers 10 days ago.
Biden will be briefed on response efforts from the team in charge of salvage and logistical operations, including the US Coast Guard and army corps of engineers.
Maryland governor Wes Moore, Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen will be with the president, as will congressman Kweisi Mfume and Baltimore’s mayor, Brandon Scott, alongside other city, state and federal officials.
After touring the site of the disaster, where six men who were working on the bridge at the time of the collision were killed, Biden will meet the bereaved families.
Updated
The day so far
The chorus of Democratic senators asking Joe Biden to rethink his support for Israel has grown louder in the wake of the killing of seven aid workers earlier this week. Lawmakers aligned with the president are asking him to cancel planned weapons sales, or cut off military support altogether if Israel does not do a better job of protecting civilians. Congress is currently out, with the Senate and House resuming business in Washington DC next week, but in a sign of how fraught the issue has become, Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer made no mention of approving more aid to Israel in a letter sent to lawmakers ahead of their return.
Here’s what else is going on today:
Biden plans to later this afternoon visit the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, where he’ll discuss efforts to get the city’s economically vital port reopened, and meet with families of the six men killed in the disaster.
Democratic senator Chris Murphy warned that Israel’s conduct in Gaza could worsen the threat of terrorism worldwide.
Student debt relief is reportedly getting a second go from Biden, who will next week announce plans to reduce what borrowers owe that could survive a court challenge.
Updated
Biden to again attempt mass student debt forgiveness after supreme court blocked earlier effort – report
The Biden administration will try again to implement a large-scale student debt relief plan, a year after a previous attempt was blocked by the supreme court’s conservative justices, the Wall Street Journal reports.
The plan, which Joe Biden will announce on Monday during a visit to swing state Wisconsin, comes as opinion polls show the president struggling to maintain support among younger voters ahead of his expected November election rematch against Donald Trump.
The new plan takes advantage of the complicated federal rulemaking process to target relief at borrowers facing financial hardship, who have been in debt for a long time, or must repay more in interest than the principal of their loans, the Journal reports. The Biden administration also expects it to face a court challenge, but believes this plan is more sound than the original, which was overturned by justices who found that the administration interpreted federal law too broadly.
Here’s more on what we know about the plan, from the Journal:
The president’s advisers hope to use the rules to begin canceling waves of student debt in the run-up to the November election, but the exact timing of the effort will depend on how quickly the administration can finalize the regulations. The debt forgiveness push could give Biden a political boost, especially among young people, amid polls that show him trailing former President Donald Trump, his GOP opponent, in several key states. But the proposal, once it is completed, is likely to face legal action from Republican attorneys general, who will again try to convince the courts to block it.
Just hours after the Supreme Court in June 2023 killed his first student loan forgiveness plan, Biden pledged to try again using different legal authority. That kicked off a lengthy and bureaucratic process led by the Education Department to craft regulations that define under what circumstances the federal government can “waive,” or eliminate, federal student debt. The administration is basing the regulations on a 1965 law called the Higher Education Act.
The proposed regulation is expected to outline several categories that would qualify borrowers for debt relief, including financial hardship, the people said. For example, borrowers with high debt loads and low incomes could see their loan balances reduced or eliminated under the plan. It could also outline a path to relief for borrowers who have carried their debt for decades; who now owe more than their initial loan amount because interest has piled up; or who are eligible for relief through other federal programs, but haven’t applied.
Administration officials are developing estimates for how many borrowers could see relief through the plan. Outside experts said the proposal could lower or eliminate student debt balances for millions of people if the administration opts to embrace the most ambitious version of the regulations that have been discussed.
Updated
Democratic opposition to giving Israel military aid can also be found in the House of Representatives.
The Wall Street Journal reports that around 20 Democrats in the House are expected to vote against the $95bn military aid legislation for Israel, Ukraine and other US allies that is pending in the chamber.
Republican speaker Mike Johnson still has not brought that measure up for a vote, and it’s unclear if, or when, he will do that. Johnson has lately hinted that he would bring it up in exchange for changes to how the Ukraine aid is structured, and if Joe Biden revokes a recently enacted ban on new natural gas export projects. If he moves forward, the bill may face opposition from Republicans opposed to arming Kyiv, in addition to the Democrats upset over its assistances to Israel.
Updated
Biden briefed on earthquake felt in New York City area
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reports that Joe Biden has been briefed on this morning’s earthquake in New Jersey, which was felt across the north-eastern US including the New York City area:
The President has been briefed on the earthquake, which had an epicenter in New Jersey, and he is in touch with his team who are monitoring potential impacts. The White House is in touch with federal, state, and local officials as we learn more.
— Karine Jean-Pierre (@PressSec) April 5, 2024
The US Geological Survey gave the quake a preliminary magnitude of 4.8 and said it was centered near Lebanon, New Jersey. Here’s more on this developing story:
Hours after Joe Biden told Israel on Thursday afternoon to take concrete steps to protect civilians and aid workers in Gaza or risk losing military support from the US, top Democrats ramped up pressure on the White House to go further.
The progressive senator Bernie Sanders was among the strongest voices. “Israel should not be getting another nickel in military aid” until it markedly facilitates the flow of provisions into a region that the US suspects is already grappling with famine, he said.
“We are looking at one of the worst humanitarian disasters that we have seen in a very, very long time … because Israel is not allowing the humanitarian trucks into Gaza, and especially into the areas where people are in most desperate condition,” Sanders told CNN late on Thursday.
Adding that it was not the US’s job to worry about how Gaza may tie into the political future of the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Vermont senator added: “My view is no more military aid to Israel when children [there] are starving.”
Read the full report here.
Updated
Connecticut senator Chris Murphy said on Friday that “US intel officials say that the war in Gaza will have a generational impact on terrorism.”
He added:
“Even if you are willing to defend 13,000 dead children as a cost of war (I am not), how does one defend an operation that is growing, not shrinking, terrorism?”
US intel officials say that the war in Gaza will have a generational impact on terrorism.
— Chris Murphy 🟧 (@ChrisMurphyCT) April 5, 2024
Even if you are willing to defend 13,000 dead children as a cost of war (I am not), how does one defend an operation that is growing, not shrinking, terrorism? https://t.co/PzqBki3Ki8
Since October, Israeli forces have killed over 33,000 Palestinians as it wages its deadly war on Gaza. Meanwhile, approximately 2m survivors have been forcibly displaced across the strip.
Updated
No mention of Israel in letter from Democratic leader Schumer on 'Senate's busy agenda'
There will be plenty to do when senators return to Washington DC next week from their two-week recess, ranging from dealing with the impeachment of homeland security secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to confirming federal judges, the Senate’s Democratic leader Chuck Schumer wrote today in a letter to lawmakers.
But one issue is conspicuously absent from Schumer’s message on the Senate’s “busy agenda”: any mention of Israel, or Joe Biden’s still-pending request for $14bn in military assistance to America’s closest Middle Eastern ally.
It was the latest sign of the evolving politics among Democrats over whether to fund Israel’s invasion of Gaza, as Biden faces a sustained campaign of protests over his administration’s support, and outrage boils over the killing of seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen earlier this week.
Schumer instead sticks to emphasizing the importance of approving aid to Ukraine, an issue around which Democrats are far more united. The Senate passed legislation authorizing aid to Kyiv, Israel and other US allies in February, but Republican House speaker Mike Johnson has yet to act on it.
Here’s what Schumer wrote:
Off the floor, we will continue to keep pressure on the House to act on the Senate-passed national security supplemental that would provide desperately needed funding to Ukraine in their fight against Putin. The Senate bill has sat on Speaker Johnson’s desk for more than 50 days. The longer that the national security supplemental sits on Speaker Johnson’s desk, the more desperate the situation in Ukraine becomes.
I have spoken with Speaker Johnson, and I believe that he understands the threat of further delaying the national security supplemental. However, Speaker Johnson has to ultimately decide for himself whether or not he will do the right thing for Ukraine, for America and for democracy around the world or if he’ll allow the extreme MAGA wing of his party to hand Vladimir Putin a victory.
Updated
Responding to Israel’s investigation into the killing of seven of its aid workers, World Central Kitchen said the disciplinary actions against those involved represented “important steps forward”.
But the group also warned: “Without systemic change, there will be more military failures, more apologies and more grieving families.”
We have a live blog covering the latest on the war in Gaza, and you can find it here:
An Israeli military investigation has blamed senior officers for the killing of seven World Central Kitchen aid workers earlier this week. Here’s more on that, from the Guardian’s Peter Beaumont:
An Israeli military commission of inquiry has blamed a series of “grave errors” by military personnel, including lack of coordination and misidentification, for its killing of seven World Central Kitchen aid workers in Gaza drone strikes.
The Israel Defense Forces said they had dismissed a brigade chief of staff with the rank of colonel and a brigade fire support officer with the rank of major and issued formal reprimands to senior officers, including the general at the head of the southern command.
The findings are likely to renew scepticism over the military’s decision-making. Palestinians, aid groups and human rights organisations have repeatedly accused Israeli forces of firing recklessly at civilians throughout the conflict – a charge Israel denies.
Biden administration calls for Israel's expansion of aid deliveries in Gaza to be 'fully and rapidly implemented'
Facing outrage over the killing of seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen, Israel yesterday announced it would reopen a border crossing with Gaza and allow more aid to flow through another port.
In a statement, national security council spokesperson Adrienne Watson welcomed that step, while reiterating that Joe Biden has conditioned further support for Israel’s war effort on its protection of civilians:
We welcome the steps announced by the Israeli government tonight at the President’s request following his call with Prime Minister Netanyahu. These steps, including a commitment to open the Ashdod port for the direct delivery of assistance into Gaza, to open the Erez crossing for a new route for assistance to reach north Gaza, and to significantly increase deliveries from Jordan directly into Gaza, must now be fully and rapidly implemented.
Here’s more on how the expansion of aid deliveries into Gaza will work:
Updated
Top Democrats up pressure on Biden to change Israel policy ahead of visit to collapsed Baltimore bridge
The fallout from Israel’s killing of seven World Central Kitchen aid workers is continuing, with several of Joe Biden’s top Senate allies pressuring him for a decisive change in course on supporting its invasion of Gaza. In an interview with Politico, Chris Van Hollen demanded the Biden administration suspend weapons transfers if Israel does not better protect civilians, while Elizabeth Warren called for the planned sale of F-15 fighter jets to the country to be canceled. Citing reports of famine in Gaza, independent senator Bernie Sanders, said yesterday “Israel should not be getting another nickel in military aid until these policies are fundamentally changed.” The mounting opposition could further complicate Congress’s approval of military aid package for Israel, Ukraine and other US allies, which has been deadlocked for months.
The two issues will intersect this afternoon, when Biden visits the site of the collapse Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore. Van Hollen, who represents Maryland and will attend the event, says he plans to bring up his concerns over his policies towards Israel when he sees the president. Biden is expected to arrive in Baltimore at 12.30pm, and will tour the site and meet with the families of the six people killed when the collapse happened.
Here’s what else we expect today:
Biden is reportedly planning a second attempt at student debt relief, after his initial proposal was blocked by the supreme court’s conservatives.
Two judges in two of Donald Trump’s indictments yesterday rejected his attempts to dismiss the cases against him. One of them was the Florida classified documents case, which still has no trial date.
The US economy added far more jobs than expected in March, as the labor market sees surprising growth.
Updated
