4.31pm EDT
16:31Today so far
2.18pm EDT
14:18Obama praises Powell as ‘an exemplary patriot’
1.46pm EDT
13:46Biden to host two meetings with House Democrats tomorrow
1.05pm EDT
13:05Biden offers condolences following former secretary of state Colin Powell’s death
12.11pm EDT
12:11Congress in session for vital two weeks of talks on Build Back Better bills
9.36am EDT
09:36Washington mourns the loss of Colin Powell
5.52pm EDT
17:52
Zalmay Khalilzad, the top US envoy to Afghanistan is stepping down from his role today, almost two months after the US chaotic withdrawal from the country. Khalilzad is originally from Afghanistan and served as an envoy in George W. Bush’s White House. He was tapped by Donald Trump to pursue peace negotiations with the Taliban in 2018.
Khalilzad was expected to leave the White House after Joe Biden was elected but stayed on at the behest of Anthony Blinken, the US Secretary of State.
The now-former envoy has yet to comment on his resignation on his official Twitter page, but earlier today Khalilzad shared a tribute and photo of himself and Colin Powell.
U.S. Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad
(@US4AfghanPeace)I am saddened by the death of Colin Powell, a great American. It was an honor to work with him in the State and Defense Departments. May his soul rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/I8OvviseET
October 18, 2021
5.24pm EDT
17:24
Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit against the 6 January select committee and the National Archives. His goal is to block the release of White House documents pertaining to the January riot. His lawyers are seeking a number of things:
- They want a federal judge to invalidate the select committee’s request for documents
- Attorneys also want to avoid turning over any documents that Trump declare to be covered by executive privilege
- And to allow Trump’s lawyers to review all documents selected by the National Archive before they turn them over to the 6 January select committee
This legal challenge comes as the select committee calls more individuals from the Trump White House to testify and provide documents related to the Capitol riot.
To read an in-depth piece on Trump’s latest lawsuit, check out Politico’s coverage here.
4.50pm EDT
16:50
Hi readers, I’m Abené Clayton blogging from the west coast.
It’s a busy day in Washington as Congress returns from recess, Joe Biden paid an unexpected visit to an event honoring teachers and former and current share kind words about Colin Powell, who died today at the age of 84.
I’ll keep the blog updated with more out of the Capitol and other stories of the day.
Updated
at 5.09pm EDT
4.31pm EDT
16:31
Today so far
That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Abené Clayton, will take over the blog for the next few hours.
Here’s where the day stands so far:
- Former secretary of state Colin Powell died at 84 from complications of Covid-19. Powell was fully vaccinated against coronavirus, but he had previously been diagnosed with a type of blood cancer, likely putting him at increased risk of becoming severely ill from the virus.
- Joe Biden described Powell as “a patriot of unmatched honor and dignity”. The president has ordered flags at the White House and other federal government buildings to be flown at half-staff for the next few days, in honor of Powell’s life.
- Powell was remembered for his barrier-breaking career and for his involvement in the invasion of Iraq. The former general was the first Black man to serve as chairman of the joint chiefs of staff and as secretary of state. But for many, Powell will be remembered for promoting incorrect claims about Iraq having weapons of mass destruction prior to the 2003 invasion. Barack Obama said of Powell, “Although he’d be the first to acknowledge that he didn’t get every call right, his actions reflected what he believed was best for America and the people he served.”
- Biden will have two meetings with House Democrats tomorrow to discuss the reconciliation package and the infrastructure bill. The meetings come as negotiations over the two bills have stalled, with moderates like senator Joe Manchin demanding a smaller reconciliation package while progressives continue to insist that $3.5tn is the bare minimum price tag they will accept.
Abené will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
4.16pm EDT
16:16
Joe Biden took a few questions from reporters after delivering remarks at the White House event honoring teachers this afternoon.
Asked how he was going to get senator Joe Manchin to agree to passing the reconciliation package, Biden said, “That’s where I’m going now.”
The president is also expected to hold two meetings with House Democrats tomorrow to discuss the negotiations over the infrastructure bill and the reconciliation package.
Manchin has insisted upon a lower price tag for the reconciliation package, while progressives believe the current cost of $3.5tn is the bare minimum needed to address the climate crisis and improve access to affordable healthcare and childcare.
3.58pm EDT
15:58
Joe Biden made a surprise appearance at a White House event honoring the 2020 and 2021 recipients of the National Teacher of the Year award.
The event was hosted by Dr Jill Biden, who is a teacher herself at a Virginia community college, and education secretary Miguel Cardona also attended.
