7. Pardonpalooza
- President Donald Trump has pardoned or granted clemency for 143 different individuals. Among those receiving pardons are drug dealers, rappers, corrupt politicians, Democrat super-donors and former Alabama State Representative Ed Henry (R-Hartselle).
- Surprisingly, the media got it wrong again on how Trump would use this power. He did not preemptively pardon himself, his family nor his political allies that have not been charged with crimes. He did pardon former campaign chairman Steve Bannon for his role in a border wall scam and Paul Erickson, who was sentenced for a minor financial crime after the Mueller team could not convict him on any Russian-related crimes. Erickson is the only Russian investigation-related pardon.
6. McConnell blaming Trump for the riot
- Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) gave a speech as the U.S. Senate met for the first time since President Donald Trump was impeached for a second time. During his speech, McConnell blamed Trump for the riot at the U.S. Capitol.
- McConnell said that the crowd was “provoked by the president and other powerful people.” McConnell added that there will be “a safe and successful inaugural.” The Senate is expected to take up another impeachment trial soon after Trump has left office.
5. Accidental negative coronavirus results sent out
- There was a technical problem that occurred which caused “more than 7,500 individuals” to receive a negative coronavirus test result at the University of Alabama, according to the university. All students living on campus have to take a coronavirus test within the first week of returning to campus.
- The university also said that “anyone who tests positive at UA facilities is contacted by telephone and provided detailed information and instructions for isolation.”
4. UAB has started drive-through vaccinations
- The University of Alabama at Birmingham is the latest entity focusing on those 75+ years old, and they’ve started offering the coronavirus vaccine in a drive-through setup. The hospital has also started contacting their patients who qualify for the vaccine so they can schedule appointments.
- UAB has already given about 23,300 vaccinations, mostly for health care workers at UAB and nearby facilities. In Alabama, there have been about 158,116 vaccinations distributed.
3. Alabama coronavirus numbers are declining
- The number of coronavirus cases around the country are declining, and the state of Alabama is seeing a decrease in the number of new cases and hospitalizations. However, the numbers are still very high.
- The rollout of the vaccine is drawing the attention of a number of Alabama state senators who say Alabama citizens are paying a “deadly price” because of the issues in getting the vaccine distributed and this could lead to the CDC holding back doses of the vaccine. The Alabama Department of Public Health says the distribution is increasing every day and that claims supply is the big issue, even though their own reporting system shows only 158,116 out of 446,150 doses of the vaccine have been delivered.
2. Tuberville sending the correct message
- Communications director for U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Ryann DuRant, has confirmed that Tuberville is attending the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
- Previously, Tuberville suggested that the ceremony and celebration could’ve been delayed some due to the coronavirus pandemic, and he also objected to the election results in Pennsylvania. Despite this, though, Tuberville is doing exactly what he should by attending the inauguration.
1. Biden will be inaugurated today
- President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris are being sworn in today, and Harris will be the first female Vice President in the nation’s history. Authorities are taking increased security measures due to threats of violence.
- There have been threats of explosives in the Washington, D.C. downtown area. There will also be more than 25,000 National Guardsmen stationed around the U.S. Capitol and the White House. For the inauguration, the National Mall will also be locked down.
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