Evening summary
It’s been an active Friday news day, with new details coming out about the downed “high-altitude objects” this week and investigations regarding Mike Pence. Here are the updates you need to know:
Texas attorney general Ken Paxton has settled with four former staffers who accused him of corruption in 2020, agreeing to apologize and pay $3.3m in taxpayer money as a result of an FBI investigation.
Trump has received his fifth Senate endorsement ahead of his 2024 presidential run, this time from Republican senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma.
White House communications director Kate Bedingfield will leave her job at the end of February.
John Kirby of the White House national security council confirmed that a second “high-altitude object” was taken down over Alaska on Friday after a separate device was taken down last Saturday.
The FBI has removed at least one additional classified document from Mike Pence’s Indiana residence after a five-hour search.
The family of Tyre Nichols has officially urged the United Nations to condemn his killing.
The Biden administration plans to end the declaration of national emergency over Covid-19 in May of this year.
The US has sanctioned six Chinese tech companies for supporting spy balloon programs.
Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, who suffered a stroke during his election campaign last year, has been released from the hospital after a stay due to related health concerns.
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Senator Fetterman has been released from the hospital
Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania has been discharged from the hospital after a several-day stay for concerns over light-headedness.
Fetterman, who suffered a near-fatal stroke during his election campaign last year, was taken in for observation to ensure he was not suffering any related health issues.
His communications director confirmed in a statement that the senator’s medical testing had ruled out a stroke and that he is in good health.
“John is looking forward to spending some time with his family and returning to the Senate on Monday,” the spokesman said.
Updated
US sanctions six Chinese tech companies for supporting spy balloon programs
The US has sanctioned six Chinese aerospace technology companies in connection with the surveillance balloon that was shot down on Saturday, CNBC is reporting.
Deputy secretary of commerce Don Graves confirmed the move in a statement, saying the would not hesitate to use its “entity list”, which designates governments and companies subject to sanctions, “to protect US national security and sovereignty”.
The Entity List is a powerful tool for identifying and cutting off actors that seek to use their access to global markets to do harm and threaten American national security. We will not hesitate to use the Entity List and our other regulatory and enforcement tools to protect US national security.
The sanctions come after a high altitude Chinese surveillance balloon was shot down off the coast of South Carolina on Saturday, and a second high-altitude object was taken down over Alaska this week.
It is not yet clear which Chinese companies have been targeted by the new sanctions.
Biden administration to end national Covid emergency in May
The Biden administration confirmed in a statement on Friday it anticipates ending the national Covid emergency on 11 May. The proclamation had been in place since the president declared a national emergency concerning the Covid-19 pandemic on 13 March 2020.
“Today, we are in a different phase of the response to that pandemic than we were in March of 2020, and my Administration is planning for an end to the national emergency, but an orderly transition is critical to the health and safety of the Nation,” Biden said in the statement.
Experts have expressed concern that once it is lifted Americans will have less access to the Covid treatments, vaccines, and tests that have been made more widely available under the state of emergency.
Once the order is lifted most Americans will still be able to get vaccines at no cost but fewer free tests will be available. See our full story on what health experts are saying about the end of the national state of emergency here.
Family of Tyre Nichols urges the United Nations to condemn his killing
Attorneys for the family of Tyre Nichols, the man who was fatally beaten by Memphis police last month, have filed an urgent appeal before the United Nations asking it to condemn the killing.
Civil rights attorney and international legal counsel Jasmine Rand and Yetunde Asika released the following statement on behalf of the family:
Today, we filed an Urgent Appeal before the United Nations asking it to condemn the tragic killing of Tyre Nichols, to demand transparency from the police department, and to demand that Officer Preston Hemphill and all officers that participated in the incident are criminally charged. The video evidence shows that all who were involved in Tyre’s death committed reprehensible acts that require international condemnation.
The family has also urged the passage of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, reform legislation introduced by Democrats that is stuck on Capitol Hill, and made an appearance at Joe Biden’s State of the Union address to the nation on Tuesday night.
Hello readers, Kari Paul here on the West Coast taking over the blog for the next couple hours. Stand by for updates.
Here’s more information on Biden’s upcoming trip to Poland, from a statement released by the White House.
From February 20th – 22nd, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. will travel to Poland. He will meet with President Andrzej Duda of Poland to discuss our bilateral cooperation as well as our collective efforts to support Ukraine and bolster NATO’s deterrence.
He will also meet with the leaders of the Bucharest Nine (B9), a group of our eastern flank NATO Allies, to reaffirm the United States’ unwavering support for the security of the Alliance.
In addition, President Biden will deliver remarks ahead of the one year anniversary of Russia’s brutal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, addressing how the United States has rallied the world to support the people of Ukraine as they defend their freedom and democracy, and how we will continue to stand with the people of Ukraine for as long as it takes.
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The FAA closed off an area near Deadhorse, Alaska, in the state’s northern area, as the US military took action against a high-altitude object.
From CNN correspondent Jim Sciutto:
The Federal Aviation Administration issued a temporary flight restriction Friday in the area around Deadhorse, Alaska, as the military took action against a high-altitude object.
— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) February 10, 2023
The notice tells aircraft to clear airspace the FAA classifies as National Defense Airspace.
The Pentagon is now providing more information about the high-altitude object that was shot over US territorial water in Alaska.
The object was shot at 1.45 pm eastern time and was at around 40,000ft, said a spokesperson during a Pentagon briefing.
A Pentagon spokesperson added that an F22 fighter aircraft assigned to NORTHCOM shot down the “high altitude airborne object”.
Pentagon spokesman BGen Pat Ryder: U.S. fighter aircraft assigned to NORTHCOM took down a "high altitude airborne object" over US territorial water in Alaska.
— Jennifer Hlad (@jhlad) February 10, 2023
The Pentagon reiterated that it is unsure about the origin of the object, but is hoping to learn more after assessing any recovered debris.
Updated
FBI found at least one classified document from Pence's home
The FBI has removed at least one additional classified document from Mike Pence’s Indiana residence after a five hour search.
Pence’s team tweeted about the search and discovery, noting that the search did not require a warrant and was “thorough”.
At least one document marked ‘classified’ was removed from Pence’s residence and six additional pages that did not include the marking.
Pence has “directed his legal team to continue its cooperation with appropriate authorities and to be fully transparent through the conclusion of the matter,” noted Pence advisor Devin O’Malley.
From CBS correspondent Robert Costa:
New statement from Pence adviser Devin O'Malley: "Following the discovery and disclosure of a small number of potentially classified documents that had inadvertently been transported to his home in Indiana, Vice President Pence and his legal team have fully cooperated... "
— Robert Costa (@costareports) February 10, 2023
"... with the appropriate authorities and agreed to a consensual search of his residence that took place today. The Department of Justice completed a thorough and unrestricted search of five hours and removed one document with classified markings and six additional pages... "
— Robert Costa (@costareports) February 10, 2023
".... without such markings that were not discovered in the initial review by the vice president's counsel."
— Robert Costa (@costareports) February 10, 2023
"The vice president has directed his legal team to continue its cooperation with appropriate authorities and to be fully transparent through the conclusion of this matter."
— Robert Costa (@costareports) February 10, 2023
Updated
The knowledge about the object came last evening, said Kirby.
Kirby misspoke at one point, calling the object a balloon. Kirby quickly clarified that officials are not sure of what the object is and that the object’s debris could help get more knowledge on what the object was.
In response to questions about if the US has spoken to Chinese officials about the recently discovered object, Kirby said: “We don’t know who owns this object.”
Kirby noted that a pilot assessment of the object, prior to it being shot down, found that the object was unmanned.
Kirby also added that the the object was at 40,000 ft, noting that the object could have posed a threat to civilian aircrafts.
Kirby also said that the object did not appear to have maneuvering capabilities, compared to the Chinese surveillance balloon, and was largely steered by the wind.
Unlike the object that was shot down, the Chinese surveillance balloon was on a flight path that took it over sensitive military sites, added Kirby.
More details are emerging on the high-altitude object that was taken down within the last hour.
Kirby confirmed that Biden ordered the object be taken down at the advice of Pentagon leaders and that a fighter aircraft was used for the operation.
The object is being called an “object” as officials are unsure of who owns it. Kirby added that officials are unsure if the object is state owned or private owned, and that the purpose of the object has not been determined.
Kirby also noted that the object is “much smaller” than the Chinese surveillance balloon that was shot down last week.
The object that was taken down within the house is “roughly the size of a car”, said Kirby.
'High-altitude object' taken down over Alaska, says Kirby
John Kirby confirmed that a second “high-altitude object” was taken down over Alaska, during today’s press briefing.
Kirby confirmed that the Department of Defense was tracking the flying object, which could be a second balloon, and that the object posed a “reasonable threat to the safety of civilian flight”.
Kirby said that Biden ordered the military to “down” the object within the last hour.
Updated
The White House press briefing with press security Karine Jean-Pierre has begun.
The briefing opened up with an announcement that Biden will travel to Poland on 20 February to 22 February to meet with Poland president Andrzej Duda and discuss the situation in Ukraine.
John Kirby, coordinator for strategic communications at the National security council in the White House, is giving remarks ahead of Biden’s visit with Brazil president Lula.
Kibry also announced that the US plans to increase aid to support those impacted by the deadly earthquake in Syria and Turkey.
Updated
Kate Bedingfield, the White House Communications director, will leave her job at the end of February, reported the White House earlier today.
In a statement, the White House confirmed Bedingfield’s departure and said that Ben LaBolt will succeed her as Communications director.
Biden commented on Bedingfield’s departure in the statement:
Since my time as Vice President, Kate has been a loyal and trusted adviser, through thick and thin…She was a critical strategic voice from the very first day of my presidential campaign in 2019 and has been a key part of advancing my agenda in the White House.
The country is better off as a result of her hard work and I’m so grateful to her – and to her husband and two young children – for giving so much. Ben has big shoes to fill.
Trump has received his 5th Senate endorsement ahead of his 2024 presidential run.
Republican senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma endorsed the former president on Friday, calling Trump “the strongest president of my lifetime” in a statement.
“Not only am I proud to endorse President Trump, I’m proud to call him my friend,” said Mullin.
#NEWS: I’m proud to endorse the strongest president of my lifetime, Donald J. Trump, for a second term in 2024. 🇺🇸
— Markwayne Mullin (@MarkwayneMullin) February 10, 2023
Full statement: ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/xXFH61XCvh
Mullin was elected to the Senate through a special election and received Trump’s endorsement, reported NBC News.
Four other senators have endorsed Trump, including Ohio senator JD Vance, Alabama senator Tommy Tuberville, and South Carolina senator Lindsey Graham.
Texas attorney general settles with ex-aides who reported him to FBI
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has agreed to apologize and pay $3.3m in taxpayer money to four former staffers who accused him of corruption in 2020, igniting an ongoing FBI investigation of the three-term Republican.
Under terms of a preliminary lawsuit settlement filed Friday, Paxton made no admission of wrongdoing to accusations of bribery and abuse of office, which he has denied for years and called politically motivated, the Associated Press writes.
But Paxton did commit to making a remarkable public apology toward some of his formerly trusted advisers whom he fired or forced out after they reported him to the FBI. He called them “rogue employees” after they accused Paxton of misusing his office to help one of his campaign contributors, who also employed a woman with whom the attorney general acknowledged having an extramarital affair.
Both sides signed a mediated agreement that was filed in the Texas Supreme Court and will be followed by a longer, formalized settlement.
“Attorney General Ken Paxton accepts that plaintiffs acted in a manner that they thought was right and apologizes for referring to them as ‘rogue employees,’” the final settlement must state, according to court records.
In all, eight members of Paxton’s senior staff joined in the extraordinary revolt in 2020, and they either resigned or were fired. The attorney general said he settled with the four who sued under Texas’ whistleblower law to put to rest “this unfortunate sideshow.”
“I have chosen this path to save taxpayer dollars and ensure my third term as attorney general is unburdened by unnecessary distractions,” Paxton said in a statement.
The $3.3 million payout would not come from Paxton’s own pocket but from state funds, which means it would still require approval by the GOP-controlled Texas Legislature.
Settlement of the case, which Paxton’s office fought in court for years, means he will avoid sitting for a civil deposition at a time when a corruption investigation by federal agents and prosecutors remains open. In turn, the attorney general’s office agreed to remove an October 2020 news release from its website that decries Paxton’s accusers and to issue the statement of contrition to former staffers David Maxwell, Ryan Vassar, Mark Penley and James Blake Brickman.
Updated
Interim summary
Hello again, it’s been a lively day so far with developing and breaking news mainly revolving around former US vice president Mike Pence. Ordinary business is going on at the White House, with Joe Biden meeting US state governors and preparing this afternoon to receive Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula Da Silva (AKA Lula) to the White House. Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre is due to brief the media at 1.30pm ET.
Here’s where things stand:
It appears Joe Biden will not do the traditional presidential TV interview with the company airing the Super Bowl, the climax to the football season, given that this year it’s Fox. Who snubbed whom? The politics and media chatterverse is abuzz.
The FBI is searching former VP Mike Pence’s Indiana home for any more classified documents, after Donald Trump’s former sidekick and possible 2024 rival for the Republican presidential nomination previously acknowledged that he had some classified docs at home. Biden’s in similar bind, whereas Trump is under criminal investigation for something on a much larger scale – boxes of secret government documents hoarded at Mar-a-Lago that he refused to hand over.
Jill Biden has cancelled her events for the day, with a White House official reporting that Biden is not feeling well but has tested negative for Covid. Let’s hope the first lady is shipshape by Sunday, as she’s a big Philadelphia Eagles fan, apparently, as they take on the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl.
Donald Trump and writer E Jean Carroll have jointly filed a plan for the April civil trial in the case where Carroll is suing Trump for rape and defamation.
Mike Pence and his legal team are weighing the subpoena issued to the former-veep by special counsel Jack Smith who is, on the request of the Department of Justice, investigating Trump’s role in the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the US Capitol by thousands of the-then president’s most extreme supporters who wanted Pence to block the Congressional certification of Joe Biden’s victory over Trump in the 2020 presidential election.
Updated
It looks as though Joe Biden won’t be doing the traditional presidential pre-Super Bowl TV interview.
The President was looking forward to an interview with Fox Soul to discuss the Super Bowl, the State of the Union, and critical issues impacting the everyday lives of Black Americans. We’ve been informed that Fox Corp has asked for the interview to be cancelled.
— Karine Jean-Pierre (@PressSec) February 10, 2023
There has been much chatter about the annual interview between the US president and the channel airing the Super Bowl. Fox is broadcasting the Super Bowl, so some people had assumed the interview would be with Fox News, likely Brett Baier.
But now the White House press secretary has tweeted that Biden will not be doing an interview – and it looks like it was supposed to be with Fox Soul, a Fox streaming service.
Last night and this morning, various outlets were abuzz with chatter about how the US president had been “ghosting” Fox News, as, if the traditional interview was going ahead they would have been making arrangements ages ago, but were experiencing radio silence. Variety magazine did a story yesterday afternoon, headlined “Fox news believes interview with President Biden won’t take place.”
CNN’s Reliable Sources news letter chimed in, quoting “a source at Fox News” who told the outlet that they had “not heard back on whether Biden will grant it the traditional pre-Super Bowl interview, and that at this point the outlet is proceeding as if it is not going to take place. ‘We don’t have a formal no, but we are operating like it’s not happening’,” the source explained to CNN, which goes on: “Bret Baier first hinted at the possibility of a potential Biden rebuff during State of the Union coverage on Tuesday, telling viewers that Biden had yet to commit to an interview. At the time, he had signaled that he hoped the White House would ultimately agree to a sit-down.
“Biden has sat down for at least two interviews this week, one with PBS NewsHour and another with Telemundo, which would make the possible snub all the more notable. It goes without saying that Biden has had a frosty relationship with Fox News … If Biden were to agree to an interview with Fox News, it would almost certainly be conducted by Baier.”
We’ll no doubt hear more from Jean-Pierre at the White House press briefing due at 1.30pm. Fox Soul is the Fox Corp-owned streaming service geared towards a Black audience, and we assume if the interview had gone ahead it would be with a Black anchor, not Baier. Eagerly awaiting clarifying details!
Updated
Biden and Harris are currently in a meeting with several governors as apart of the annual National Governors Association meeting, which includes a bipartisan group of governors.
@POTUS arrives at a gathering of state governors from around the nation - not including the governors of Florida, Texas or indeed Arkansas (whose governor says Biden’s Democrats are all “crazy”) pic.twitter.com/0TWSPgbjyh
— Sebastian Smith (@SebastianAFP) February 10, 2023
In meeting with governors, Biden is pressing what the infrastructure bill, CHIPS act and other priorities have meant for states -- lots of money for improvements.
— Elizabeth Crisp 🦩 (@elizabethcrisp) February 10, 2023
A stream of the meeting is available here.
FBI is searching Pence’s Indiana home for classified documents – reports
Reports are now confirming that the FBI is searching Pence’s Indiana home for additional classified documents.
CNN reported that “a source familiar with the situation” is confirming that the search is taking place and in relation to classified documents.
Pence is currently on the West coast after his daughter gave birth. A private attorney is at his Indiana residence while the search is taking place.
This FBI search of Pence’s home differs from a similar search of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence last year.
Unlike Trump, Pence willingly turned over classified documents found at his home in January to federal officials. Pence also acknowledged the discovery of classified documents, noting that he “[takes] full responsibility” and that “mistakes were made”.
Here is more information on the difference between classified documents discovered at Trump and Biden’s separate residences.
Updated
Jill Biden has cancelled her events for the day, with a White House official reporting that Biden is not feeling well but has tested negative for Covid.
From Daily Mail reporter Emily Goodin:
East Wing press secretary @vvaldivia46 on FLOTUS canceling her schedule (she was to host GOV spouses lunch/greet Brazilian President da Silv): "The First Lady is feeling under the weather, has tested negative for COVID, and will not be participating in today’s scheduled events."
— Emily Goodin (@Emilylgoodin) February 10, 2023
Police confirm investigators at Pence's home
A law enforcement official within the Carmel police department has confirmed to the Guardian that FBI investigators are at Pence’s residence and that Carmel police are also on scene to aid with traffic control and public safety concerns.
The official did not have additional information as to any search taking place or the exact nature of the FBI’s presence at Pence’s home, referring questions to the FBI.
Updated
Trump and E. Jean Carroll have jointly filed a plan for their April trial, where Carroll is suing Trump for rape and defamation.
The plan outlines potential witnesses, exhibits, and statements for the April trial. Included in Trump’s list of witnesses is himself and Anderson Cooper, the first person to interview Carroll after she accused Trump of rape.
E. Jean Carroll and Donald Trump jointly filed their plan for the April 25 trial, which they expect to last roughly a week.
— Adam Klasfeld (@KlasfeldReports) February 10, 2023
It outlines potential witnesses, exhibits and statements of the case.
Seen here, Trump's list includes himself, Anderson Cooper and others. pic.twitter.com/u97nAO3nv6
E. Jean Carroll’s trial against Trump is set to start on 23 April and should last a week.
Carmel city police reportedly arrived at Pence’s Indiana home and blocked off his driveway, reports Fox News.
It is unclear what the police presence is related to. But an FBI search of Pence’s Indiana residence and Washington DC office for additional classified documents was expected.
Last month, classified documents were found in Pence’s Indiana home and turned over to federal authorities by Pence’s attorney.
Pence acknowledged the discovery, noting that he “[takes] full responsibility” and that “mistakes were made”.
Pence’s team does not believe that the former vice president has any additional classified documents, reported CNN, as his team has already carried out an extensive search.
Marc Short, Pence’s former chief of staff, also told CNN last week that a search for additional documents was “not too far off into the future.”
“There have been conversations about a consensual search to be conducted, and I presume that’s not too far off into the future,” said Short.
Federal investigators arrive at Pence's Indiana home
Federal investigators have reportedly arrived at the Indiana home of Pence, blocking off his driveway.
Carmel Police have blocked off the driveway to the home of former Vice President Mike Pence. @Mike_Pence We have been reporting the FBI was expected to search his home this week for any other classified documents. He turned over about a dozen already. @FOX59
— Angela Ganote (@angelaganote) February 10, 2023
It is unclear what this is related to, but an FBI search of his home was expected in relation to other classified documents.
More on this as the situation develops.
Updated
Meanwhile, a number of investigations related to Trump are underway.
Trump faces probes into his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results and classified documents found at his Mar-a-Lago residence.
Trump also could soon face criminal charges in Georgia related to interfering with the 2020 election, with Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis saying on Monday that her decision is “imminent” on whether to indict Trump, reported Bloomberg.
Here’s more on Willis’ decision to pursue criminal charges and its potential impact from Bloomberg.
That decision will have a ripple effect on the Justice Department’s special counsel probe and other investigations circling Trump.
If Willis goes first, that case would road-test possible testimony, helping to determine what evidence holds up in court and providing a blueprint for prosecutions involving other battleground states where Trump and his supporters tried to undermine President Joe Biden’s win.
Legal experts say nothing stops a US special counsel overseeing the federal Trump probe from pursuing similar charges at the federal level, regardless of what Willis ultimately does.
Read the full article here (paywall).
Updated
Pence faces limited options on how to respond to a subpoena issued in relation to January 6 but may evoke executive privilege, experts say.
CNN reported that Pence’s team may choose to argue that at least some of the sought testimony is covered by executive privilege:
Pence’s attorney Emmet Flood is known as a hawk on executive privilege, and people familiar with the discussions have said Pence was expected to claim at least some limits on providing details of his direct conversations with Trump. Depending on his responses, prosecutors have the option to ask a judge to compel him to answer additional questions and override Trump’s executive privilege claims.
But others have pointed out that Pence has already divulged privileged information in his book, “So Help Me God”.
From the Guardian’s Hugo Lowell:
On the VP Pence subpoena: worth noting that he pierced what would have otherwise been executive privileged when he discussed key moments with Trump in his book — including Dec. 19 chat about Jan. 6 rally, Jan. 5 chat with Eastman, Jan. 6 call with Trump
— Hugo Lowell (@hugolowell) February 10, 2023
Notable that VP Pence made public privileged material with Trump in his book some of the key moments right before Jan. 6 — but also notable what he mostly left out, including details about the Dec. 21 WH meeting with Trump and GOP members about plans for stopping certification
— Hugo Lowell (@hugolowell) February 10, 2023
Read the full article here.
Updated
Pence weighs response to subpoena
Mike Pence is weighting a response to a subpoena he received related to January 6, ABC News first reported.
Jack Smith was appointed in 2020 to lead the January 6 investigation. Smith is also leading a separate inquiry into classified documents that were found at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence.
The issued subpoena related to January 6 is viewed by many as an escalation in the investigation on Trump and his allies’ efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
The subpoena was reported by at least two people on the matter, both who spoke on the condition of anonymity as they are not authorized to discuss investigation proceedings publicly.
It is unclear if Pence will attempt to resist the subpoena or invoke executive privilege, which could trigger a lengthy legal battle, reported ABC.
The subpoena came after months of negotiation between Pence’s team and the Department of Justice, suggesting to many that negotiations had reached a breaking point.
We know that the subpoena issued after months of negotiation b/t Pence team and DOJ. So eventually Smith just said screw it, see you at the Grand Jury or in court. Compare Mueller and his timidity with subpoenaing Trump, which he never did.
— Harry Litman (@harrylitman) February 10, 2023
Updated
Mike Pence subpoenaed over Trump's January 6 role
Good morning!
Former vice-president Mike Pence is weighting his response to a subpoena he received related to an investigation into the January 6 insurrection and Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Jack Smith, the special counsel in charge of the January 6 investigation, is also leading a separate inquiry into classified documents that were found at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence.
But an unnamed person reports that Pence’s subpoena is related to 6 January and follows months of discussion between Pence and the Department of Justice, ABC first reported.
The individual spoke on the condition of anonymity as they are not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.
Here’s what else is happening today:
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will host US governors at the White House this morning. The governors are joining for the annual National Governors Association meeting, where the president will revisit economic initiatives from Thursday’s State of the Union address.
The White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, is due to brief at 1.30pm eastern time.
Biden will meet with Brazil’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, at 3.30 pm. The meeting comes as Brazil attempts to revive US-Brazil relations after the presidency of rightwinger Jair Bolsonaro.
