WASHINGTON — It’s all about preservation.
President Joe Biden and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will hold their first White House meeting Friday, where the two will talk about preserving democracy as well as efforts to protect the Amazon rainforest.
The meeting comes roughly a month after a riot in Brazil that mirrored the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection, where supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro questioned the results of the country’s election won by Lula.
Here’s what else is happening in politics:
- California Dem’s resolution to expel George Santos from the House: Rep. Robert Garcia called Santos a fraud and a liar. The New York Republican continues to maintain his position that he will not resign from his seat.
- Trump is back online: The former president’s Facebook account has been restored after being kicked off the social media site in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 attacks.
Biden to talk climate change, democracy with Brazilian president
Roughly a month after Brazil faced riots that mirrored the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, President Joe Biden is slated to meet with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva Friday at the White House. The two leaders are expected to talk about climate change and protecting democracy.
.
Biden and Lula leaders will also discuss the Ukraine and Russia war, the G-20, which Brazil is hosting next year, and immigration. There could be tension between the two leaders over the Ukraine-Russia war as Lula has declined to provide weapons to Ukraine and has indicated Ukraine should negotiate more with Russia to end the war.
– Rebecca Morin
Why Biden keeps revisiting the Social Security, Medicare heckling episode
President Joe Biden won’t let Republicans forget about their heckling – and apparent commitment not to touch Medicare or Social Security – during his State of the Union address this week.
“It sounded like they agreed to take these cuts off the table. I sure hope so. I mean it,” Biden said, speaking Thursday at the University of Tampa in Florida.
Republicans booed and jeered Biden during the State of the Union when he accused them of wanting to cut Social Security and Medicare, pointing to a proposal by Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., to sunset all federal programs every five years. The White House believes the moment backed Republicans – who have pushed unspecified spending cuts during debt ceiling talks – into a corner.
“I know that a lot of Republicans’ dream is to cut Social Security and Medicare. Well, let me say this. If that’s your dream, I’m your nightmare,” Biden said.
– Joey Garrison
More:Hunter Biden, White House, House GOP clash over widening investigation of Joe Biden’s son
‘It’s time for him to go’: Democrats introduce resolution to expel Santos
Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., referred a resolution Thursday to the House Ethics Committee to expel Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., from Congress. The freshman representative called Santos a fraud and a liar.
“It’s time for him to go,” Garcia said. “We have given him plenty of time to resign and he has chosen not to do so.”
Santos told USA TODAY “it’s their prerogative” and maintained his position that he will not resign from office.
“They can do whatever they want. For people who like to talk about silencing voters, they want to silence 142,000 people who voted to send me here,” he said.
– Rachel Looker and Candy Woodall
Republican rebuke:Mitt Romney calls George Santos ‘a sick puppy’ after Biden State of the Union
Trump’s Facebook account is restored
Brace yourselves for Donald Trump’s first new Facebook post.
Meta Platforms Inc. mechanically restored Trump’s Facebook and Instagram accounts Thursday, more than two years after suspending him for improper content in the wake of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection.
The social media giant announced Jan. 25 that it would lift Trump’s suspension, and threatened more penalties if the ex-president again violates its content policies.
– David Jackson
Iowa added to Haley’s 2024 announcement itinerary
Having already announced events in South Carolina and New Hampshire, soon-to-be presidential candidate Nikki Haley has added another early contest state to her announcement tour: Iowa.
Haley, who formally announces her candidacy Wednesday in Charleston, S.C., will conduct a town hall in Urbandale, Iowa, on Feb. 20, and Marion, Iowa, on Feb. 21, according to her campaign. The 2024 GOP presidential campaign kicks off in the Hawkeye State which holds the first caucus in the nation.
The former United Nations ambassador who is challenging Donald Trump for the GOP nomination in 2024 has two halls in New Hampshire late next week.
– David Jackson
More:Nikki Haley to launch 2024 presidential bid in Charleston on Feb. 15