Biden news: President pardons Thanksgiving turkey after colonoscopy put Kamala Harris in charge

Biden juggled a turkey pardoning alongside news of the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict on Friday

Related video: President Joe Biden visits GM’s Factory ZERO plant in Detroit

Joe Biden underwent a “routine colonoscopy” today, during which time Vice President Kamala Harris served as acting President of the United States. Later in the day he pardoned a pair of turkeys named Peanut Butter and Jelly, continuing a longstanding presidential tradition in the days before Thanksgiving.

Jen Psaki said Mr Biden’s health records would be released on Friday and noted that he was in good health an hour after his procedure.

Mr Biden transferred power to Ms Harris as he was anesthetised during the procedure. As a result, Ms Harris became the first woman to hold US presidential powers. Mr Biden resumed his role as president around 11:35am EST.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki spoke to reporters about Mr Biden’s hospital visit, noting that it was not an emergency and that it was not the first time a president had undergone the procedure.

“As was the case when President George W. Bush had the same procedure in 2002 and 2007, and following the process set out in the Constitution, President Biden will transfer power to the Vice President for the brief period of time when he is under anesthesia,” Ms Psaki said. “The Vice President will work from her office in the West Wing during this time.”

[19 November 2021 18:25 · Graig Graziosi]

Psaki says White House has been in touch with law enforcement ahead of Rittenhouse verdict

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaski told reporters today that the White House has been in touch with police in anticipation of possible protests following the reading of the verdict in the Kyle Rittenhouse case.

Mr Rittenhouse was found not guilty on all charges today after a lengthy jury deliberation.

She said White House discussions with law enforcement officials were centered on “supporting any effort towards peaceful protests.”

The Independent’s Andrew Feinberg has more below...

[19 November 2021 18:53 · Graig Graziosi]

White House Press Sec Jen Psaki says FDA has approved Covid-19 vaccine boosters for all adults

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki announced on Friday that the US Food and Drug Administration authorized both Pfizer and Moderna’s coronavirus vaccines to be used as booster shots for all people 18 and over, so long as their second vaccine dose was at least six months prior.

Many states have already made boosters available to all adults, fearing that breakthrough infections may become more common. Cases are expected to spike as Americans travel to visit with relatives over the holiday season.

[19 November 2021 19:19 · Graig Graziosi]

Biden faces criticism for appointing coal ally to Energy Department

Joe Biden is facing criticism from government watchdogs for appointing Brad Crabtree, a coal ally and proponent of carbon capture technology as the Department of Energy’s Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy and Carbon Management.

Dorothy Slater, senior climate researcher at the government watchdog group Revolving Door Project, told The Daily Poster that Mr Biden’s appointment of Mr Crabtree flies in the face of his states climate goals.

“With this nomination, Biden is legitimizing a false solution to climate change and locking in needless pollution, warming, and further destabilization of the planet and the people who are harmed by the fossil fuel industry,” she said. “For Biden to put someone like Crabtree in this role is for him to contradict his own goals to address climate change and environmental justice, and sadly is another indication that his climate plan relies on words and empty promises rather than needed action.”

[19 November 2021 19:40 · Graig Graziosi]

Biden speaks out on Kyle Rittenhouse verdict

Joe Biden responded to a jury finding Kyle Rittenhouse not guilty on all charges on Friday.

“I stand by what the jury has to say. The jury system works,” Mr Biden said.

Mr Rittenhouse was on trial for shooting three protesters, killing two, during protest last year in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

[19 November 2021 20:00 · Graig Graziosi]

Kamala Harris tours plumbers union in Columbus, Ohio

Vice President Kamala Harris toured the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 189 union hall with US Department of Labour Secretary Marty Walsh on Friday.

Ms Harris - who briefly acted as the head of state earlier today while Joe Biden was under anesthesia during a colonoscopy - is touring the facility as part of an outreach effort to tout the administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal.

[19 November 2021 20:35 · Graig Graziosi]

Joe Biden pardons turkeys ahead of Thanksgiving - live

Joe Biden continued the yearly presidential tradition of “pardoning” turkeys ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Mr Biden officially pardoned a pair of turkeys named Peanut Butter and Jelly today at the White House.

Earlier in the day, Mr Biden temporarily transferred his presidential powers to Vice President Kamala Harris while he was undergoing a colonoscopy.

Watch the pardoning below.

[19 November 2021 20:50 · Graig Graziosi]

Joe Biden issues full statement on Kyle Rittenhouse verdict

Joe Biden issued a statement regarding the verdict in the Kyle Rittenhouse case that was passed down earlier today. Mr Rittenhouse was found not guilty on all charges.

“While the verdict in Kenosha will leave many Americans feeling angry and concerned, myself included, we must acknowledge that the jury has spoken. I ran on a promise to bring Americans together, because I believe that what unites us is far greater than what divides us. I know that we’re not going to heal our country’s wounds overnight, but I remain steadfast in my commitment to do everything in my power to ensure that every American is treated equally, with fairness and dignity, under the law.

I urge everyone to express their views peacefully, consistent with the rule of law. Violence and destruction of property have no place in our democracy. The White House and Federal authorities have been in contact with Governor Evers’s office to prepare for any outcome in this case, and I have spoken with the Governor this afternoon and offered support and any assistance needed to ensure public safety,” he said.

[19 November 2021 21:32 · Graig Graziosi]

Reporters informed White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki of Rittenhouse verdict

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki learned of the verdict in the Kyle Rittenhouse case from reporters during a press briefing earlier today.

Ms Psaki was discussing other issues when reporters alerted her to the verdict and pressed her for the administration’s response.

The Independent’s Gustaf Kilander has more in the story below...

[19 November 2021 21:45 · Graig Graziosi]

Watch Joe Biden pardon a pair of turkeys

Joe Biden continued a yearly presidential tradition to pardon turkeys ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

On Friday, Mr Biden pardoned a pair of turkeys named Peanut Butter and Jelly.

Watch the video of the pardoning below.

[19 November 2021 22:00 · Graig Graziosi]

Chair of Republican party risks Trump’s wrath by finally admitting that Biden won 2020 election

A year after the 2020 election, Ronna McDaniel, the chair of the Republican Party, finally admitted that Joe Biden won the presidential election.

Many Republican lawmakers have been resistant to admit that Mr Biden defeated Donald Trump, instead choosing to push the former president’s narrative that the election was stolen. There has been no evidence, despite numerous lawsuits and audits, to support Mr Trump’s claims.

“Painfully, Joe Biden won the election and it’s very painful to watch. He’s the President. We know that,” Ms McDaniel said during an event held by the Christian Science Monitor in Washington, DC.

The Independent’s Bevan Hurley has more in the story below...