Politics and Government News

Stay updated with the latest political and government news. MPR News covers local, state and national politics, providing in-depth analysis and updates on policies, elections and governmental actions.

February 9, 2021 6:05 AM

'I said the opposite': Criticism of Trump's impeachment defense intensifies

A constitutional law professor whose work is cited extensively by Trump lawyers in their impeachment defense brief says his work has been seriously misrepresented.

by Nina Totenberg

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February 9, 2021 5:56 AM

Trump trial gets go-ahead after emotional, graphic first day

On the emotional first day of Donald Trump's impeachment trial, the former president lost a key opening battle — the Senate voted that it has jurisdiction to try him even though he has left office. Trump is charged by the House with inciting the violent mob attack on the U.S. Capitol to overturn the election.

by The Associated Press

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February 9, 2021 5:36 AM

What to watch as Trump's 2nd impeachment trial kicks off

Former President Donald Trump's second impeachment trial begins on Tuesday, a solemn proceeding that will force lawmakers to relive the violent events of Jan. 6 as House Democrats prosecute their case for "incitement of insurrection."

by The Associated Press

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February 8, 2021 1:32 PM

Timeline: What Trump told supporters for months before they attacked

The record shows at least eight months of incendiary statements from then-President Trump and others close to him leading up to the insurrection at the Capitol.

by Steve Inskeep

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February 8, 2021 12:28 PM

Rep. Ron Wright is 1st member of Congress to die after coronavirus diagnosis

The Texas Republican died after he tested positive for the coronavirus more than two weeks ago. Wright has remained in isolation and was also being treated for cancer.

by Claudia Grisales

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February 8, 2021 11:49 AM

AP-NORC poll: Few in U.S. say democracy is working very well

Only a fragment of Americans believe democracy is thriving in the U.S., even as broad majorities agree that representative government is one of the country's bedrock principles, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

by The Associated Press

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February 8, 2021 10:41 AM

Schumer faces pressure from the left to deliver as majority leader

Progressives are watching the new Senate majority leader to see if he can deliver on some of the party's most ambitious legislative goals. If not, they say he could face a primary challenge next year.

by Susan Davis

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February 8, 2021 10:34 AM

Trump lawyers blast impeachment trial as 'political theater'

Lawyers for Donald Trump on Monday blasted the impeachment case against him as an act of "political theater" by Democrats, whom they accused of exploiting for their own party's gain the chaos and trauma of last month's riot at the U.S. Capitol.

by The Associated Press

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February 8, 2021 9:32 AM

Walz gets pushback on COVID, Chauvin trial plans

The governor’s vaccine-distribution and coronavirus-response strategies are getting pushback, and his request for money to bolster law enforcement ahead of the trial is sputtering in the Legislature.

by Brian Bakst

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February 8, 2021 8:53 AM

Biden orders U.S. to reengage with U.N. Human Rights Council 'immediately'

The change is part of the president's plan to reshape U.S. foreign policy to center "on democracy, human rights, and equality," Secretary of State Antony Blinken says.

by Bill Chappell

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