Closing summary
Democrats are howling after the New York Times reported that a flag associated with Donald Trump’s false election fraud claims flew outside the house of Samuel Alito, a conservative supreme court justice. Dick Durbin, the Democratic chair of the Senate judiciary committee, called on Alito to recuse himself from cases involving Trump and the 2020 election – such as the ex-president’s petition for immunity from the federal charges related to his plot to keep Joe Biden from taking office. In a rare interview with Fox News, Alito said that the flag was raised by his wife after a confrontation with a neighbor.
Here’s a rundown of what else happened today:
Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, had no comment on the report of Alito’s pro-Trump flag flying, but noted that Biden feels the country’s banner is “sacred”.
Alito is among the conservative justices who appeared skeptical of the government’s arguments at a hearing over Trump’s immunity petition last month.
The banner flown from Alito’s house was an upside-down American flag, a traditional symbol of distress that became associated with support for Trump’s “stop the steal” movement.
The House oversight committee devolved into chaos last night as personal arguments broke out between Democratic and Republican lawmakers.
Nancy Pelosi’s family shared their thanks after the attacker of the former House speaker’s husband was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
A big story that broke this week was the agreement – made public in a series of rapid-fire tweets – for Donald Trump and Joe Biden to meet for two debates, in June and September. The Guardian’s Lauren Gambino reports that the two candidates are hoping to use the events to gain an edge over the other:
It’s game on for a pair of presidential debates between two unpopular candidates most Americans wish weren’t running for the nation’s highest office.
In a ratatat social media exchange on Wednesday, Joe Biden and Donald Trump agreed to participate in two debates on 27 June, hosted by CNN, and on 10 September, hosted by ABC.
“Make my day, pal,” Biden said in a video, challenging his predecessor and rival to a high-stakes showdown. Trump, who had been insisting for months he would debate Biden “anytime, anyplace”, quickly accepted the offer: “Let’s get ready to Rumble!!!”
The arrangement jolted a general election campaign that had begun to feel stagnant. And if their plans hold, Americans will be treated to a presidential matchup far earlier than usual – before either candidate will have formally accepted his party’s nomination.
“The candidates realize the value of the debates, especially given their ages,” said Aaron Kall, director of debate at the University of Michigan. “They need to show that they have the stamina to debate for 90 minutes or two hours to reassure the country.”
The decision to square off at least twice before the November election reflects a careful calculation by both candidates who believe televised confrontations will help magnify the other’s weaknesses.
