- Sunday saw 175,663 new US cases and 1,113 deaths
- Biden prepares for Republicans try to block cabinet picks
- Trump: Rudy Giuliani has coronavirus
- US expert: justice must be guiding principle in vaccine rollout
- Sign up to receive First Thing – our daily briefing by email
Sarah Ranking reports for the Associated Press that the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) began work this morning to remove a prominent statue of Confederate Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, who fought against the United States military in the US civil war. The removal comes after an effort initiated this fall after allegations of systemic racism roiled the school.
A crew was inspecting the statue at the public military college in Lexington, poised to haul away the statue of Jackson that some cadets were required to salute until several years ago.
President-elect Joe Biden’s pick for secretary of state, Antony Blinken, has this morning paid tribute to Sarbanes, who has died aged 87.
As staff director for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee I had the privilege of watching Paul Sarbanes in action. A fierce intelligence married to deep principle — and the best questioner on the committee. My thoughts are w/John and his entire family. https://t.co/axHf2zICbu
