Joe Biden to sign a dozen executive orders on first day; all US states on high alert for protests
- The incoming president will take ‘decisive action’ on the coronavirus pandemic, US economy, climate change and racial injustice
- Washington police arrested a man with over 500 rounds of ammunition, as the FBI warned of possible demonstrations outside all 50 state capitol buildings
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Incoming Biden chief of staff Ron Klain said in a memo to new White House senior staff that the executive orders would address “four overlapping and compounding crises”, namely the coronavirus pandemic, the ailing US economy, climate change and racial injustice in America.
“All of these crises demand urgent action,” Klain said in the memo. “In his first 10 days in office, President-elect Biden will take decisive action to address these four crises, prevent other urgent and irreversible harms, and restore America’s place in the world.”
Typically, “Day One” is more a rhetorical concept for any new administration, with actions often rolled out over days, weeks or longer. But during the campaign and since his election, Biden has repeatedly promised action “on Day One”, creating what would be an overwhelming priority list. He will also launch a “100 Day Masking Challenge”, imposing new mandates that require masks on federal property and for interstate transport.
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As he inherits the White House from Trump, Biden’s plate is overflowing with acute challenges.
The economy is ailing, with 10 million fewer jobs available compared to the start of the pandemic. And millions of Americans who back Trump refuse to recognise Biden as the legitimate president.
On Inauguration Day Biden, as previously promised, will sign orders including ones for the US to rejoin the Paris climate accord and reverse Trump’s ban on entry of people from certain Muslim majority countries, Klain said.
“President-elect Biden will take action – not just to reverse the gravest damages of the Trump administration – but also to start moving our country forward,” Klain said.
Meanwhile, Washington was under a state of high alert after a mob of Trump’s supporters stormed the Capitol on January 6. The assault left five people dead, including a police officer. Thousands of National Guard troops have been deployed to the capital and streets have been blocked off downtown with concrete barriers, resembling a war zone.
The FBI warned police agencies of possible armed demonstrations outside all 50 state capitol buildings starting from Saturday to Biden’s inauguration on January 20, fuelled by Trump supporters who believe his false claims of electoral fraud.
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Michigan, Virginia, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Washington were among more than a dozen states that activated their National Guards to strengthen security.
There were scattered demonstrations on Saturday, but statehouses remained mostly quiet. Law enforcement officials have trained much of their focus on Sunday, when the anti-government “boogaloo” movement made plans weeks ago to hold rallies in all 50 states.
MAN ARRESTED
On Friday night, police arrested a Virginia man with a loaded handgun at a security checkpoint where he tried to use an “unauthorised” credential to access the restricted area where Biden will be inaugurated.
As officers checked the credential, one noticed decals on the back of Wesley Beeler’s pickup truck that said “Assault Life”, with an image of a rifle, and another with the message: “If they come for your guns, give ‘em your bullets first”, according to a document filed in Washington, DC Superior Court.
Under questioning, Beeler told officers he had a Glock handgun in the vehicle. A search uncovered a loaded handgun, more than 500 rounds of ammunition, shotgun shells and a magazine for the gun, the court document said.
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“It was an honest mistake,” Beeler told The Washington Post after being released. “I pulled up to a checkpoint after getting lost in DC because I’m a country boy. I showed them the inauguration badge that was given to me.”
Beeler told the newspaper he works as a private security guard near the Capitol, and presented a credential provided by his employer. He said he was licensed to carry his gun in Virginia, but forgot to take it out of his car before leaving home for his overnight shift in Washington.
Prosecutors did not object to Beeler’s release from jail, though he was ordered to stay out of Washington except for court-related matters.
REVIEW
The Democratic leaders of four US congressional committees said on Saturday they had opened a review of the events and had written to the FBI and other intelligence and security agencies asking what was known about threats, whether the information was shared and whether foreign influence played any role.
“This still-emerging story is one of astounding bravery by some US Capitol Police and other officers; of staggering treachery by violent criminals; and of apparent and high-level failures – in particular, with respect to intelligence and security preparedness,” said the letter.
It was signed by House Intelligence chairman Adam Schiff, House Homeland Security chairman Bennie Thompson, House Oversight chairwoman Carolyn Maloney and House Judiciary Committee chairman Jerrold Nadler.
Additional reporting by Reuters, Bloomberg
