BREAKING: President Joe Biden is sending about 2,000 troops to Poland and Germany in response to rising Ukraine tensions, a U.S. official says. The move comes amid stalled talks with Russia over its military buildup at Ukraine’s borders. https://t.co/SU8DH7Evog
— The Associated Press (@AP) February 2, 2022
BREAKING: Pentagon spokesperson on U.S. troop deployment amid standoff with Russia: "I want to be very clear about something: these are not permanent moves…Moreover, these forces are not going to fight in Ukraine. They are going to ensure the robust defense of our NATO allies." pic.twitter.com/tFIeHAqwQC
— ABC News (@ABC) February 2, 2022
Breaking: Pentagon Press Sec Kirby confirms that US will soon move additional forces to Romania, Poland and Germany. “These are not permanent moves,” he says. “These forces are not going to fight in Ukraine.” Going to shore up NATO allies.
— Natasha Bertrand (@NatashaBertrand) February 2, 2022
The White House says it's no longer using the word "imminent" to describe the potential for a Russian invasion of Ukraine. It was sending an unintended message, Jen Psaki says.
— Kevin Liptak (@Kevinliptakcnn) February 2, 2022
This is big: Turkey and Ukraine will sign a free trade agreement during Erdogan’s visit to Kyiv tomorrow. Also agreements on tech, space and aviation are on deck.
— Bakhti Nishanov (@b_nishanov) February 2, 2022
“If you are digesting Russian misinformation and parroting Russian talking points, you are not aligned with … American values.”
— The Recount (@therecount) February 2, 2022
WH Press Sec. Jen Psaki on Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) calling on Biden to drop support for Ukraine NATO membership pic.twitter.com/QUaQ6wvKZS
Adam Kinzinger calls Josh Hawley 'one of the worst human beings' and a 'con artist' after the senator urges Biden to block Ukraine from joining NATO https://t.co/DQOKvMfl5d
— Insider Politics (@insiderpolitics) February 2, 2022
So the lesson learned by Russia is to threaten war with other countries to get diplomatic concessions?
— Ruben Gallego (@RubenGallego) February 2, 2022
What happens when Finland and Sweden ask to join NATO after seeing Ukraine get invaded. Do we say no?
Denying Ukraine into NATO is one of many pretexts. https://t.co/ydHPtsq6Lr
Putin’s Fifth column, in the US and globally, is more prominent and established than a lot of people understand.
— Dave Troy (@davetroy) February 2, 2022
I filed suit against @DonaldJTrumpJr, @RudyGiuliani, @DanScavino, & others for witness intimidation & retaliation. Donald Trump, @FoxNews, & @IngrahamAngle are also named in the law suit. https://t.co/mxWaZMCvwT
— Alexander S. Vindman ❎ (@AVindman) February 2, 2022
Not hyperbole. Every day that goes by in which Trump remains un-indicted brings US one day closer to the end of our Democracy.
— Rob Reiner (@robreiner) February 2, 2022
Democrats need to challenge the GOP’s politics of evasion on Trump. Democracy must be on the 2022 ballot and the GOP must be pressed to say yes or no to the destruction of our institutions. After this week’s news: No more fence-sitting.
— EJ Dionne (@EJDionne) February 2, 2022
My column https://t.co/MpQjNAi4Cz
It's still staggering to process that fake electors submitted fraudulent Electoral College votes to make it look like Donald Trump won states that he lost. The Justice Department should investigate and pursue criminal charges if the evidence supports them.https://t.co/UaAgPBYHuh
— Noah Bookbinder (@NoahBookbinder) February 2, 2022
Trump just doubled down, saying he would “absolutely” pardon those responsible for Jan 6.
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) February 2, 2022
People who beat police officers. Who wanted to hang his VP.
He called them patriots.
Every day he reminds us of his dangerous unfitness.
When a despot threatens democracy, believe him.
New: Former Trump DOJ official Jeffrey Clark is currently testifying in-person before the Jan. 6 committee, per pool.
— Hugo Lowell (@hugolowell) February 2, 2022
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. https://t.co/9gnb1MSUTv
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) February 2, 2022
NOTABLE: The White House has indicate that a new tranche of Trump records heading to the Jan. 6 committee involve White House discussion of Mike Pence's role presiding over the Jan. 6 session of Congress.
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) February 2, 2022
But there's more…https://t.co/y07PIOSE3G pic.twitter.com/CHxoEBtVmF
Follow the thread: On July 26, former President Donald Trump’s “Save America” PAC donated $1M to a nonprofit called the Conservative Partnership Institute. 1/x
— Jonathan Allen (@jonallendc) February 1, 2022
Trump gave $1M to Meadows nonprofit weeks after Jan. 6 panel's creation https://t.co/gf8BJW7Kxb
News Analysis: New remarks by Donald Trump and new disclosures about his actions have stripped away any pretense that the events of Jan. 6, 2021, were anything but the culmination of his pursuit of retaining power, Shane Goldmacher writes. https://t.co/Ds3H7ucZA4
— The New York Times (@nytimes) February 2, 2022
oh, and…
EXCLUSIVE: Rudy Giuliani was last week unmasked as an exiting costumed contestant in the taping of the first episode of #TheMaskedSinger. We hears that as soon as they saw Giuliani, judges Ken Jeong & Robin Thicke quickly left the stage in protest https://t.co/6b1rGi3k2Z
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) February 3, 2022
***
As pressure grows on PM, DUP offers convenient spat with EU
Boris Johnson made four false claims during PMQs
— PoliticsJOE (@PoliticsJOE_UK) February 2, 2022
1. There are more people in work now than before the pandemic
2. There are more staff working in the NHS than in 2020
3. We have the fastest-growing economy in the G7
4. Youth unemployment is at record lowhttps://t.co/wQNI0f48ha
Johnson repeated his claim at prime minister’s questions today after Starmer accused him of “parroting the conspiracy theories of violent fascists to score cheap political points.”
— The Times and The Sunday Times (@thetimes) February 2, 2022
“He knows exactly what he is doing. It’s time to restore some dignity,” the Labour leader said pic.twitter.com/7Crh5aB5fe
“Nobody wanted Allegra [Stratton] to resign. I was very sad when she did” says @BorisJohnson. So why on earth did he lay into her at #PMQs after @itvnews showed the press conference rehearsal video that seemingly made light of Downing St parties?
— Robert Peston (@Peston) February 2, 2022
He nearly brought his M16 brief into a meeting 😂🤣 https://t.co/FOSvRjx2P8
— Sam Thompson (@JarrieSam) February 2, 2022
Colum Eastwood attacks Boris Johnson for Universal Credit cuts and National Insurance hikes while energy bills are 'going through the roof'. 'Isn't it the truth Mr. Speaker that this Prime Minister has only ever been in it for himself and his rich mates?'https://t.co/1fkxtw9I1H pic.twitter.com/PqB36gNgeK
— Derry Journal (@derryjournal) February 2, 2022
As far as I know, as Scotland found when trying to impose stricter Covid quarantine rules, border controls are not a devolved matter. So, I don’t know exactly what Poots is doing there, other than shadow-boxing, in response to the DUP’s necrotic polling numbers. ~AA https://t.co/kzclaoJ8nL
— Best for Britain (@BestForBritain) February 2, 2022
Edwin Poots has now moved to where this has long been headed: He has ordered his officials to stop Irish Sea border checks at midnight. The big question now is whether they follow the order they have been given. And if they do, what does the PM do, and what does the EU do?
— Sam McBride (@SJAMcBride) February 2, 2022
— Nomdeplume (@Nomdepl94427469) February 2, 2022
However, it's highly unusual for Poots to take this decision based on the advice of the former Attorney General. The current AG made very clear (albeit in slightly different circumstances) her view of the law in this area in 2020: Implementing the protocol is a legal requirement.
— Sam McBride (@SJAMcBride) February 2, 2022
For clarity: Edwin Poots has, both verbally and in writing, acknowledged his legal obligations under the Protocol.
— Matthew O'Toole (@MatthewOToole2) February 2, 2022
Here, in black and white, in response to a question from my colleague @patsymcglone
He knows this is a breach of those obligations. The act of a desperate man. pic.twitter.com/Hqxiz1rZ1y
Simon Coveney has told the Seanad that Edwin Poots order to stop the sea border checks is a breach of international law & is more about politics than an effort to find compromise.
— JPCampbellBiz (@JP_Biz) February 2, 2022
Reasonable to assume in normal circumstances the UK government would overrule the Northern Ireland executive. But this can't be assumed with the protocol. Busy evening for some folk I suspect. https://t.co/jFeWZzmITu
— David Henig 🇺🇦 (@DavidHenigUK) February 2, 2022
UK government says devolved authorities do not have to follow international law. An extraordinary and ridiculous statement, but one the Scottish government for one may well be particularly interested in. https://t.co/a1pXKU4B7i
— David Henig 🇺🇦 (@DavidHenigUK) February 2, 2022
The Overnight Note 