I’m fine with disagreement, but not with insurrection

 

It’s one thing to disagree about politics, but it’s quite another thing to surround yourself with folks who worked hard to overturn the will of Wisconsin voters in 2020. One of my opponents, Rebecca Kleefisch, has an inner circle full of people who plotted to send a fake slate of electors in an effort to keep Trump in office against what the voters decided. Join me in demanding that Rebecca remove any advisors that were part of the fake slate of electors. To be frank with you, this is far from the only issue I disagree with my opponent on. However, disagreement is normal and a healthy part of reaching good solutions. What’s not normal or healthy is trying to suppress votes and threaten the integrity of our elections. Add your name here if you think Rebecca should remove any advisors that were part of the fake slate of electors. Onward, Tony

Paid for by Tony for Wisconsin.

GOP Senator hurls sexist, racist attack at SCOTUS pick

 

US kills 6 children, 4 women in Syria counterterror raid

Today's Top Stories:

Sen. John Kennedy wants Biden’s Supreme Court nominee to know "a law book from a J. Crew catalog"
The Louisiana Republican managed to combine racism, sexism, and sheer absurdity into one offensive package.

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VIDEO OF THE DAY: Trump just shredded ally Lindsey Graham in a stunning attack
This is the guy who Lindsey Graham sold his soul out to.

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Top Arizona congressman on PRIMARYING Sinema
No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen: This could be huge.

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"Masked Singer" judges walk out in protest after Rudy Giuliani reveals himself
Ken Jeong and Robin Thicke took a stand after the coup conspirator unmasked himself.

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Trump considered blanket pardons for Jan. 6 rioters before he left office
The disgraced ex-president nearly pulled out all the stops to protect his insurrectionist fans.

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Bomb threats at HSBCUs linked to six juveniles
The FBI believes there was racist intent behind the attacks, which used sophisticated technology to try to hide their origins.

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Labor union accuses hospital chain of massive Medicare fraud
Allegedly inflated hospital admission rates brought in nearly a billion dollars in excess Medicare payments to the for-profit health giant.

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CNN president resigns after failing to disclose relationship with key lieutenant
The man who freely promoted candidate Trump to boost his network's ratings is out the door.

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Biden sends 3,000 troops to Eastern Europe
Critics worry the "defensive" maneuver could end up being a provocation.

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Vindman sues Trump's son and top allies over alleged smear campaign
The viral impeachment witness accused the Trump team of intimidating him before the trial — and of smearing him afterwards.

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Jan. 6 select committee subpoenas phone records of Arizona GOP chair
Kelli Ward and her husband both signed documents falsely claiming to be among their state’s presidential electors in the 2020 election in order to try and steal the election for Trump.

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---

Seriously?

Starbucks raises prices after 31% jump in profits

Ex-Browns coach alleges he was paid to lose games for draft position

Jail doctor sued over ivermectin treatments had 37 prior lawsuits

Wandering hen taken into custody at Pentagon security area

Yes. Seriously.

Army to immediately start discharging vaccine refusers

15 million could lose Medicare coverage as pandemic ends

South Dakota passes bill banning trans girls from participating in sports

109 million Americans under winter storm warning

Hope...

Gay penguins raise newly hatched chick at New York zoo

Crosby, Stills, and Nash demand Spotify pull their music over Rogan

Biden announces plan to cut cancer deaths in half

Placenta may have mechanism that protects fetus from COVID

Ecuadorian court rejects oil drilling in indigenous protected area

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POLITICO NIGHTLY: Biden’s Ukraine tightrope

 

BY TYLER WEYANT GETTING LOUDER ON THE EASTERN FRONT — The White House continues to walk a tightrope when it comes to Russia, balancing shows of military strength with attempts to keep diplomacy alive. President Joe Biden made a move to bolster that strength today by announcing that about 2,000 U.S.-based troops are heading to Poland and Germany, while shifting 1,000 from Germany to Romania. Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said in a press briefing today that “these are not permanent moves,” but reassurance for allies as Russia continues its buildup of troops along Ukraine’s borders. And reassurance has also taken a linguistic turn, as White House press secretary Jen Psaki said today the White House would no longer use the word “imminent” to describe a potential Russian invasion, as it sent an “unintended” message. What do these shifts in the placement of troops and the selection of words mean for the prospect of war? To find the answers to this and more, we chatted over Slack with Defense reporter Paul McLeary. This conversation has been edited. What can 3,000 troops do? Is the main purpose for these forces a symbolic show of unity? Or will they have specific missions in helping deter Russian aggression in the region? The troops won’t be in Ukraine, and won’t be directly on the border, either. But as NATO debates whether to activate its 40,000-strong NATO Response Force, the deployments show that the United States is willing to move unilaterally, and with some force. The 1,700 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne heading to Poland are some of the best in the Army, and the highly mobile troops from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment moving from Germany to Romania can cover a lot of ground very quickly, and are something the Romanian government has previously asked to deploy to their country. Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby, seen in reflection, speaks during a briefing at the Pentagon in Washington. | AP Photo/Andrew Harnik Do we think this will be the only deployment of troops in the near term to Eastern Europe? And do we know if officials have come up with events that would trigger further moves? The Pentagon said today that there are still around 8,500 troops on alert in the U.S., and others in Europe that could move quickly if called upon. Hungary, which borders Ukraine, has already said it’s not interested in any more allied troops, but Slovakia and the three Baltic countries have all said loud and clear they would welcome more American troops at any time. The likeliest way would be for more troops to move from Germany into the Baltics, where the American footprint is very small. There are about 100 U.S. forces in Lithuania, and 60 in Latvia and Estonia on temporary assignments, as opposed to the 4,000 in Poland and 900 already in Romania. Just this past week, the 81st Stryker Brigade Combat Team — a National Guard unit from Washington state — arrived in Poland, and they could move into any of the three Baltic countries quickly. Along with troops, can we expect more equipment and weapons — what the Pentagon calls “lethal aid” — to enter the region? Without a doubt. The Biden administration is more than happy to publicize the weaponry it is sending to Ukraine, which included about 300 Javelin anti-tank missiles last month, and several tons of small arms ammo. It’s relatively easy for the U.S. to push new arms shipments into Ukraine, and over the last several weeks, Poland and the U.K. have very publicly delivered lethal weapons. But there’s a limit. The things the Ukrainians really want — Patriot air defense systems, multiple rocket launchers, advanced drones, armored vehicles, and artillery — are more expensive and take months to train crews to use them. In the short term, the U.S. assistance will likely remain at the level of ammunition, counter-mortar radars, medical supplies and anti-tank missiles. Do regional partners seem satisfied with the moves and support being provided by the U.S. up to now? It’s an incredibly fluid situation, but for the most part NATO seems to be speaking with one voice. That doesn’t mean there aren’t internal power dynamics at work. The French want the situation in Ukraine to be handled by continental powers ... with France in the lead. The British appear to be looking at the situation as an opportunity to flex some muscle and show leadership in the wake of Brexit and declining defense budgets, while Germany is pursuing a purely diplomatic track. The smaller NATO allies in the Baltic region and countries along the alliance’s eastern border (save Hungary, where PM Viktor Orban held a press conference with Vladimir Putin in Moscow Tuesday where he sympathized with the Russian stance) want more U.S. involvement, and they want it now. Today’s troop deployment announcement temporarily fills that need, but don’t be surprised to see more U.S. troops, and more weapons, heading to Europe in the coming weeks. Welcome to POLITICO Nightly. Washington’s professional football team has a new name: The Commanders. Hopefully they can command slightly more success than one playoff win since 2000. Reach out with news, tips and ideas at nightly@politico.com. Or contact tonight’s author at tweyant@politico.com, or on Twitter at @tweyant. WHAT'D I MISS? — Trump considered blanket pardons for Jan. 6 rioters before he left office: In the final days of his presidency, Donald Trump seriously considered issuing a blanket pardon for all participants in the Jan. 6 riot , according to two people with direct knowledge of the matter. Between Jan. 6 and Biden’s inauguration on Jan. 20, Trump made three calls to one adviser to discuss the idea. “Do you think I should pardon them? Do you think it’s a good idea? Do you think I have the power to do it?” Trump told the person, who summarized their conversations. Another adviser to the former president said Trump asked questions about how participants in the riot might be charged criminally, and how a uniform pardon could provide them protection going forward. — CNN President Jeff Zucker resigns after relationship with colleague: CNN President Jeff Zucker resigned abruptly today, saying he had been engaged in a consensual relationship with a colleague that he didn’t disclose. “I was asked about a consensual relationship with my closest colleague, someone I have worked with for more than 20 years,” Zucker wrote in a memo sent to company staff, obtained by POLITICO. “I acknowledged the relationship evolved in recent years. I was required to disclose it when it began but I didn’t. I was wrong.” — Jan. 6 select committee subpoenas phone records of Arizona GOP chair: The Jan. 6 select committee has subpoenaed the phone records of Arizona GOP Chair Kelli Ward and her husband, Michael Ward, who both signed documents falsely claiming to be among their state’s presidential electors in 2020. The Wards filed suit Tuesday against the House panel in federal court in Arizona seeking to block the couple’s phone provider, T-Mobile, from sharing their records with the committee. The lawsuit has been assigned to U.S. District Court Judge Susan Brnovich, the wife of Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich, an ally of Trump who is running for Senate. — Directed-energy could explain unsolved ‘Havana Syndrome’ cases, U.S. intelligence panel finds: A panel convened by the U.S. intelligence community has assessed that the core symptoms of some unsolved “Havana Syndrome” cases cannot be explained by mass hysteria or psychosomatic effects alone, and could be caused by pulsed electromagnetic or ultrasonic energy. The panel, which consists of medical experts and scientists both inside and outside the government, did not attempt to attribute the incidents to a specific device or operator. It instead examined “causal mechanisms” and found that the effects of the mysterious illness are “genuine and compelling,” according to an executive summary declassified this week and released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. AROUND THE WORLD Wolfgang Kindl of Austria speeds past the Olympic rings during a men's luge training run at the 2022 Winter Olympics in the Yanqing district of Beijing. | AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein PRE-OLYMPICS, MERKLEY SLAMS U.N. ON CHINA — Sen. Jeff Merkley slammed United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres’ decision to attend the upcoming Winter Olympics in Beijing despite diplomatic boycotts by multiple nations, including the U.S., over accusations of human rights violations by the Chinese government, Joseph Gedeon writes. “The U.N. has basically failed human rights,” Merkley (D-Ore.) said in an interview with POLITICO, citing China’s record on abuse, surveillance and freedom of speech. “It’s shameful for António Guterres to appear at the games.” A spokesperson for Guterres did not immediately return a request for comment on Merkley’s criticism. But the secretary-general was asked last month about attending the Olympics, which he said must be considered an “instrument for peace.” “The Olympic Games is an extremely important event, and it’s an event that symbolizes the role of sports in bringing people together and in promoting peace,” Guterres said at a January press conference. “And it is in this strict context and without any political dimension that I intend to be present in the opening.” Late last year, the United States signed into law the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, which alleged that China is carrying out an ongoing genocide against the Uyghurs, a Muslim group in China’s western Xinjiang region. NIGHTLY NUMBER At least 53 The number of Republican House candidates who raised more than $500,000 last quarter, compared to 38 Democratic candidates, according to a POLITICO analysis of Federal Election Commission data. Back in the fourth quarter of 2019 — the same point in the last election cycle — some 60 Democrats raised more than $500,000, but only 27 Republicans did. PARTING WORDS RESTRAINT CAUCUS RESTRAINED — Biden’s face-off with Russian leader Vladimir Putin over Ukraine has deeply unsettled progressive lawmakers and other advocates of a restrained U.S. foreign policy, leaving them struggling to mount a coherent response, Nahal Toosi writes. These so-called restrainers had hoped that the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan marked the start of a new, more judicious phase of American power projection abroad. Less than six months later, many fear that — despite Biden’s pledge not to put American troops in the line of fire — the United States is bluffing its way into a war with Russia. In Congress, some progressive Democrats are trying to devise a unified message on how the United States should approach the Ukraine crisis, according to a senior Democratic staffer. The effort comes amid broad bipartisan support for a new sanctions package on Russia pushed by more hawkish lawmakers, including Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “Progressives are trying to carve out a space to support Ukraine’s democracy and independence while not getting drawn into the dumb hawkish bidding wars that end up foreclosing diplomatic options and getting more people killed,” the senior Democratic staffer said. Last week, two progressive Democrats issued a statement chiding the Biden administration for preparing troop deployments to Europe and military aid to Ukraine that the lawmakers said could escalate the crisis.   Follow us on Twitter Chris Suellentrop @suellentrop Tyler Weyant @tweyant Renuka Rayasam @renurayasam Myah Ward @myahward   FOLLOW US

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RSN: Robert Reich | Psst: Want to Know Why Americans Are Gloomy About the "Best" Economy Since 1984?

 

29 January 22

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Robert Reich | Psst: Want to Know Why Americans Are Gloomy About the "Best" Economy Since 1984?
Robert Reich, Robert Reich's Substack
Reich writes: "How can it be that the U.S. economy grew at its fastest pace since 1984 last year (according to yesterday's report from the Commerce Department) but most Americans remain gloomy about the economy, and blame Biden and the Democrats?"
READ MORE

The January 6 Panel Subpoenas 14 People in Fake Electors Scheme Tied to Trump
Claudia Grisales, NPR
Grisales writes: "The Democratic-led House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol has subpoenaed 14 people tied to an effort to put forth false electors as President Donald Trump sought to stay in office after losing the 2020 election."
READ MORE

The Supreme Court's New Death Penalty Order Should Make Your Skin Crawl
Ian Millhiser, Vox
Millhiser writes: "Hamm v. Reeves, a death penalty order that the Supreme Court handed down Thursday night, is an epilogue to a longstanding tension between drug companies that do not wish their products to be used to kill people, and states that are willing to use unreliable drugs to conduct executions if effective sedatives are not available."
READ MORE

The CIA Lied to Justify Torturing One Prisoner After 9/11. 20 Years Later, His Story Is Still Shrouded in Secrecy
Ed Pilkington, Guardian UK
Pilkington writes: "On the morning of 6 October the nine justices of the US supreme court filed into their wood-paneled courtroom in Washington to hear arguments in a dispute between the US government and Abu Zubaydah, a Guantánamo prisoner who has been held incommunicado and without charge for the past 20 years."
READ MORE

How Kroger Is Using DC Spin Doctors to Fight Their Unionized Workers
Andrew Perez, Jacobin
Perez writes: "Workers at the Kroger-owned supermarket chain King Soopers were recently on strike - a public relations nightmare. The solution? Enlist Beltway spin doctors to talk about how wonderfully the company treats its employees, actually."
READ MORE

Migrants Detained in Texas Border Operation Are Fighting Back - and It's Not Going Well for Gov. Greg Abbott
Ryan Devereaux, The Intercept
Devereaux writes: "A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper taking part in Operation Lone Star patrols the Rio Grande at the U.S.-Mexico border in McAllen, Texas, on March 23, 2021."
READ MORE

Wildlife Experts Work to Save Starving Manatees as Dangerous Cold Snap Looms
Olivia Rosane, EcoWatch
Rosane writes: "As Florida braces for a cold snap, wildlife experts are concerned about the state's struggling manatees."
READ MORE

 

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Trump's fake electors hit with subpoenas

 

Today's Top Stories:

January 6 committee subpoenas phony Trump electors in 7 states
Over a dozen willing conspirators in the Trump campaign's plot to overturn the results of the 2020 election have been identified by Congress and must face the music.

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VIDEO OF THE DAY: Fox host accidentally humiliates herself with brutal misstep live on air
Julie Banderas got her facts embarrassingly wrong about Biden's signature legislation.

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Help re-elect Katie Porter to Congress!
Katie Porter for Congress: California's redistricting commission just finalized new congressional district lines, and the upcoming election could be Katie’s toughest race yet. Winning this race will take serious resources, but this seat is key to holding the House majority so we can’t waste any time. Will you make a contribution now to ensure we have the resources to reach thousands of swing voters and re-elect Katie Porter to Congress?

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GOP-led court strikes down universal mail-in voting law in Pennsylvania
In a blow to voting rights, the state court ruled along party lines that the popular law is unconstitutional. An appeal to the state supreme court is expected imminently.

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President Biden announces US troop deployments to bolster NATO nations
Up to 8,500 American military personnel will be moved to Eastern Europe to compliment ongoing diplomatic efforts to deter Russia from invading Ukraine.

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Former Fox anchor exposes network's fake news and conspiracies
Gretchen Carlson accused her former employer of actively "eradicating any other point of view" when it comes to everything from the 2020 election, to January 6th, to science and vaccines.

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New disturbing video shows 9 officers shooting man armed with box cutters
One officer involved in the Tennessee deadly shooting has been suspended of his police powers, while 5 others are on administrative leave.

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Republicans contend with WORST CASE scenario in Wisconsin
No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen: Not looking good...

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Trumper arrested for threatening to kill election workers
Gjergi Luke Juncaj is facing federal charges for calling the Nevada secretary of state's office earlier this month to accuse staff of "stealing the election" before leveling his threats.

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YouTube yanks GOP Congressman's campaign ad for promoting Trump's big lie
The social media giant pulled an ad released by Missouri Rep. Billy Long claiming that the 2020 election was rigged.

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Texas AG goes on My Pillow CEO's show to call for pressuring judges
The disgraced Ken Paxton appeared on Trump ally Mike Lindell's TV network to implore his viewers to harass and dox state judges in a campaign to reinstate Paxton's ability to unilaterally investigate phony election fraud.

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Farmers flourish under Biden, see recovery from Trump-era trade wars
They were among the victims of the disgraced ex-president's pettiness, and there lives have already improved dramatically with his demise.

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Seriously?

Man "told by God" to assassinate Biden arrested, charged

Dan Bongino cut off from Google ads

Kyle Rittenhouse loses bid to reclaim assault rifle used in shooting

Critics slam Kellyanne Conway over forthcoming memoir

Yes. Seriously.

Swastikas discovered at D.C.'s Union Station

Michele Bachmann praises Sarah Palin for not masking with COVID

Former GOP governor compares job slight to 60s segregation

Goldman Sachs CEO's pay doubles to $35 million

Hope...

GoodGoodGood: The Heroes of Reconstruction

Southern Australia goes full week on 100% solar, wind power

President and First Lady introduce First Cat

Teenage hockey player rescues kids from frozen lake

Joni Mitchell joins Neil Young in Spotify boycott against Joe Rogan

POLITICO NIGHTLY: The résumé line Biden loves in judges

BY MYAH WARD Presented by AT&T With help from Zi-Ann Lum The U.S. Supreme Court building. | Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images PLAYING DEFENSE — In his first year in office, President Joe Biden nominated 81 people to become federal judges, and 42 of them were confirmed by the Senate. They don’t look like the average federal judge: Only 31 percent of the judges confirmed under Biden are white, and only 21 percent are men, according to the American Constitution Society . Nearly 72 percent of sitting federal judges are white, and almost 65 percent of them are men. As striking as those numbers are, when Nightly asked three experts who follow the courts closely what else they have noticed about Biden’s judicial selections — a hint about what his first nominee for the Supreme Court might have on her résumé — they all pointed to the same thing: career diversity. An unprecedented number of Biden’s judges have experience as public defenders.  Fourteen of Biden’s first-year judges, or about a third, have some experience as a public defender, according to an analysis from Brookings visiting fellow Russell Wheeler, who worked at the Federal Judicial Center from 1977 to 2005. Of former President Barack Obama’s 302 judges, only 14 percent, or 42, had some experience. Former President Donald Trump, who had 231 judges confirmed, appointed only 2 percent, or 4 judges, with experience as public defenders. It’s far more common to see federal judges with experience working as prosecutors. If you look at federal courts after Trump, who appointed 85 former prosecutors to the bench, only 58 federal judges had experience as public defenders, while 318 had experience as prosecutors, according to a May 2021 analysis from the Cato Institute. In other words, for every public defender on the federal bench, there are roughly five former prosecutors. The makeup of the Supreme Court reflects that trend: Of the current nine justices, only Amy Coney Barrett never represented the government before becoming a judge. And when Wheeler typed “public defender” in the Federal Judicial Center database of justice bios, his search came up empty. That doesn’t mean that no Supreme Court justice has ever done defense work. “Justices like Abe Fortas and his pro bono defense of Clarence Gideon remind us that other justices may have performed pro bono defense work in private practice,” Wheeler said. “And of course, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Thurgood Marshall provided representation, much of it civil, to litigants in public interest litigation, as did Louis Brandeis.” Professional experience, as well as race, gender and personal history, has been shown to influence how a person interprets the law, Gbemende Johnson, a professor of government at Hamilton College, told Nightly. “It shouldn’t be seen as, ‘OK, someone has this background, so they’re going to rule this way’ in these cases,” Johnson said. “But it’s the broader idea that this set of experiences will affect their jurisprudence and the way in which they interpret certain legal issues that appear before them.” If Biden wants to nominate a public defender, that might help the cause of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, who is already widely reported to be a top contender for the Supreme Court seat being vacated by Stephen Breyer. Brown Jackson was an assistant federal public defender in Washington from 2005 to 2007, in addition to working as a staff member for the U.S. Sentencing Commission early in her career. “Public defenders have experiences that many other justices on the Supreme Court haven’t had. They have an understanding of the kinds of problems people encounter, particularly poor people,” said Jill Dash, who oversees the progressive American Constitution Society’s work on issues surrounding the judiciary. “It’s so important that our leaders understand the backgrounds of Americans of all walks of life.” Biden himself was briefly a public defender in Wilmington, Del., when he was 26, Wheeler noted, which could explain in part his push to nominate more former defenders. The president touted that line on his résumé during the first Democratic primary debate in 2019. “I was a public defender,” Biden said, responding to an attack from then-candidate and former prosecutor Kamala Harris. “I didn’t become a prosecutor.” Welcome to POLITICO Nightly. Reach out with news, tips and ideas at nightly@politico.com. Or contact tonight’s author at mward@politico.com, or on Twitter at @MyahWard.   A message from AT&T: Accessible, affordable broadband helps communities reach their American Dream. That’s why we’re making a $2 billion, 3-year commitment toward helping close the digital divide, so more low-income families have the ability to succeed. Learn more.   WHAT'D I MISS? President Joe Biden visits the site where the Fern Hollow Bridge bridge collapsed in Pittsburgh's East End. | Andrew Harnik/AP Photo — Biden visits site of collapsed bridge in Pittsburgh: Biden visited the site of a bridge that collapsed in Pittsburgh during his scheduled trip this morning to deliver remarks on the bipartisan infrastructure package he signed into law last November. Fern Hollow Bridge near Frick Park in Pittsburgh collapsed just hours before Biden was scheduled to visit the city. The president was joined by Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Rep. Conor Lamb (D-Pa.) and Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, among others. — Ukrainian president downplays U.S. assessment of imminent invasion: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly downplayed the threat of an imminent Russian invasion, adding to the dissonance between Kyiv and Washington. His remarks put more daylight between the Ukrainian government and the assessments of U.S. officials, who repeatedly have warned that Moscow could move its troops across the border at any moment. — Pennsylvania voting fight escalates as court strikes down mail ballot law: A Pennsylvania state court struck down the law allowing any voter to cast a ballot by mail, handing a victory to Republican lawmakers who have sought to curtail the practice. A panel of judges from Pennsylvania’s commonwealth court ruled that Act 77 — which passed out of the state legislature with bipartisan support and was signed by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf in 2019 — violated the state constitution.   BECOME A GLOBAL INSIDER:  The world is more connected than ever. It has never been more essential to identify, unpack and analyze important news, trends and decisions shaping our future — and we’ve got you covered! Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Global Insider author Ryan Heath navigates the global news maze and connects you to power players and events changing our world. Don’t miss out on this influential global community. Subscribe now.     — Biden admin blocks military aid to Egypt over human rights concerns: The Biden administration informed Congress that it is withholding $130 million in military aid from Egypt after the country failed to address U.S. concerns over its human-rights record, according to two people familiar with the matter. The decision comes after intense pressure from Democratic lawmakers who wanted to see Egypt’s leaders address human rights abuses, such as the jailing of political opponents, before receiving additional security assistance. — Hochul extends New York’s ‘mask or vax’ policy amid court challenge: Gov. Kathy Hochul said that she’s extending a contentious state policy that requires New Yorkers to wear face coverings in all public indoor settings or show proof of Covid-19 vaccination through Feb. 10. The governor, who instituted the “mask or vax” requirement as the Omicron variant began to drive a resurgence in Covid cases and hospitalizations across the state, had been undecided publicly about whether she would continue the policy, which was set to expire on Feb. 1.   A message from AT&T:     AROUND THE WORLD Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and three Cabinet ministers. | Photo by Adrian Wyld/CP CONVOYS, CONCERN HEAD TO OTTAWA — Canada reporter Zi-Ann Lum emails Nightly: As an exhausted Canada heads into Year Three of the pandemic, people want normalcy, whatever that means. For some, normalcy looks like a convoy of protesters, led by truckers, descending Saturday on Parliament Hill in the capital city of Ottawa. The overarching objective of the convoy, organizers say, is to get the government to drop its vaccine mandate requiring cross-border truckers to be fully vaccinated for Covid-19, despite the U.S. Department of Homeland Security bringing in a reciprocal rule last week . Some extremist supporters along for the ride have made flippant calls to imitate the Jan. 6 insurrection on Capitol Hill. “The demonstrations this weekend will be unique,” Ottawa Police Chief Peter Sloly told reporters today, calling the situation “fluid, risky and significant.” The protests are national in scope, he said, massive in scale. Far-right individuals haven’t been exactly discreet in hitching their causes to the high-profile rally. As a result, Parliament Hill staffers and media in the capital have spent the past few days making safety plans. A memo came from Sergeant-at-Arms Patrick McDonell late Thursday, warning federal politicians in the area to “close and lock all exterior doors” of their homes and offices. “As a reminder, any individual or group of individuals who do not hinder vehicular traffic or trespass on your property have the right to demonstrate,” the memo read. “However, should the situation escalate, the police will take action.” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has refused to budge on the truckers vaccination policy. He blamed opposition Conservatives for fuelling the gathering with foreign stock photos of empty grocery shelves and torqued messaging. He called the convoy a “small fringe minority of people.” “The fact that close to 90 percent of truckers in this country are vaccinated means that the Conservatives unfortunately are again engaged in a campaign of disinformation,” the prime minister told reporters Wednesday. Conservative politicians argue that the mandate is irritating Canada’s supply chain, already under pandemic strain. Federal Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole wants an immediate exemption for border-crossing truckers, calling the policy “ an attack on common sense.” Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos had his own common sense message on the eve of the rally, saying the enemy is not vaccination — it’s Covid-19. “And the best tool to fight this enemy is to be vaccinated,” he said. NIGHTLY NUMBER 14 The number of illegitimate GOP presidential electors, who tried to submit their names to Congress in 2020, subpoenaed today by the Jan. 6 select committee. The panel investigating the Capitol riot is seeking documents and testimony from two pro-Trump electors each from seven battleground states — all won by Biden — in which Republicans sought to deliver their own slate of electors to Congress. PUNCHLINES MAUS-TRAP — Our scribbler-in-chief Matt Wuerker has some thoughts on the latest news regarding the banning of “Maus” in a Tennessee school district. He also gives us the latest in political cartoons and satire in a new Weekend Wrap , including debates on vaccine mandates and masking in schools, the tensions over Ukraine, and the SCOTUS vacancy.   STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president’s ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today.     PARTING WORDS DeAndre Carter of the Washington Football Team returns a kickoff during the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at FedExField in Landover, Md. | Rob Carr/Getty Images AVOID DOLPHINS AND SEAHAWKS ON THE SEA — The Navy’s public image has been taking on water. And some of its most notable advocates have thrown a Hail Mary in the hope of bailing it out, Bryan Bender writes. The recent rumor that the Washington Football team might be called “The Admirals” came as a pleasant surprise to the small flotilla of retired officers who have not so quietly been pushing the rebranding. “The Navy hasn’t had the best couple of years in terms of some of the publicity,” said retired Adm. James Stavridis, who has steered an online campaign since July 2020 to rename the franchise the “Fighting Admirals.” “It needs a little punch,” the prolific former NATO commander, commentator and naval historian added in an interview. “This could be a turning point for the Navy.” The team is expected to make a public announcement Wednesday.   A message from AT&T: Brooke Dryden’s daughter was diagnosed with learning disabilities at an early age. She requires an individualized education plan and weekly therapy with speech specialists. However, rural Colorado does not have the kind of specialists she needs. With the help of accessible and affordable broadband, Brooke is able to ensure that she receives regular virtual therapy and never falls behind. Brooke’s dream is to see her daughter not just survive but thrive in the world. That’s why AT&T is dedicated to helping close the digital divide with a $2 billion, 3-year commitment, so more low-income families like Brooke's can achieve their American Dream. Learn more.     Follow us on Twitter Chris Suellentrop @suellentrop Tyler Weyant @tweyant Renuka Rayasam @renurayasam Myah Ward @myahward   FOLLOW US

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