Monday, Aug. 1
- President
Joe Biden announced that the CIA killed Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in a drone strike in Kabul,
Afghanistan. ÒJustice has been delivered and this terrorist leader is no
more,Ó Biden said in a televised address. The Taliban called the strike a
Òclear violationÓ of the Doha Agreement, the 2020 pact that facilitated
the U.S. withdrawal of military forces from Afghanistan.
- A
federal judge sentenced Guy Reffitt, an
associate of the far-right Three Percenters
militia, to over seven years in prison for his participation in the Jan.
6, 2021, Capitol riots, and for later threatening to harm his children if
they reported him to the FBI. He was convicted on five felony charges
including bringing a gun onto the Capitol grounds and obstructing an
official proceeding.
Tuesday, Aug. 2
- The
Navy deployed four warships, including an aircraft carrier, in waters east
of Taiwan ahead of House Speaker Nancy PelosiÕs controversial visit to the
island nation. ÒWhile they are able to respond to any eventuality, these
are normal, routine deployments,Ó a Navy spokesperson said.
- Pelosi
arrived in Taiwan as part of her tour of southeast Asia, becoming the
highest ranking U.S. official to travel there in 25 years. The visit
enraged Chinese leaders who claim the self-governing island as Chinese
territory. Russia referred to the visit as Òdestabilization.Ó
- The
Justice Department sued Idaho over the stateÕs near-total ban on abortion,
arguing that the ban denies pregnant people potentially life-saving
medical care, which Òdirectly conflictsÓ with the federal Emergency
Medical Treatment and Labor Act. The act requires hospitals that receive
federal funds to provide people with Ònecessary stabilizing treatmentsÓ
during a medical emergency — including abortions.
Wednesday, Aug. 3
- Biden
signed an executive order laying the groundwork for abortion-seeking
Medicaid patients who travel out-of-state to obtain access to the
procedure without suffering legal repercussions from their home state.
- The
U.S. joined with Indonesia, Australia, Japan and other countries for the
largest-ever annual military training known as Garuda Shield: joint combat
exercises that take place on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. ÒItÕs a
symbol of the U.S.-Indonesia bond and the growing relationship between
land forces in this consequential region,Ó said Charles Flynn, commanding
general of U.S. Army Pacific.
- The
Senate voted 95 to 1 to ratify Finland and SwedenÕs accession to the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization, the most significant expansion of the
30-member alliance since the 1990s. ÒThis historic vote sends an important
signal of the sustained, bipartisan U.S. commitment to NATO, and to
ensuring our alliance is prepared to meet the challenges of today and
tomorrow,Ó Biden said.
Thursday, Aug. 4
- The
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared the spread of the
MPXV, or monkeypox, a public health emergency.
The declaration frees up additional government resources to help contain
the spread of the virus. Over 6,600 cases of the disease had been
confirmed in the U.S.
- The
Justice Department arrested former governor of Puerto Rico Wanda Vazquez
and charged her with bribery related to the financing of her 2020
campaign. If convicted, she could face up to 20 years in prison. ÒThe
alleged bribery scheme rose to the highest levels of the Puerto Rican
government, threatening public trust in our electoral processes and
institutions of governance,Ó said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A.
Polite, Jr.
- Biden
called ÒunacceptableÓ the Russian court ruling that found U.S. basketball
star Brittney Griner guilty of drug smuggling,
following her February arrest at a Russian airport for carrying vape canisters containing cannabis oil, and her
sentence of nine years in prison. U.S. diplomats have urged Russia with a
Òserious proposalÓ for GrinerÕs release in
exchange for Viktor Bout, an imprisoned Russian who was once an arms
dealer.
Friday, Aug. 5
- China
announced that it placed unspecified sanctions on Nancy Pelosi and her
immediate family following her visit to Taiwan earlier in the week.
Saturday, Aug. 6
- Reuters
reported that Congress was preparing a new $1 billion security assistance
package for Ukraine, expected to include munitions for long-range weapons
and armored medical transport vehicles.
Sunday, Aug. 7
- Senate
Democrats passed a sweeping $430 billion bill intended to fight climate
change, lower drug prices and raise some corporate taxes, in a package
known as the Inflation Reduction Act. It was passed by a 51-50 party line
vote with Vice President Kamala Harris breaking the tie. Senate Majority
Leader Chuck Schumer said the legislation contains Òthe boldest clean
energy package in American history.Ó Senate Republicans forced the removal
of a proposal in the bill to cap insulin prices at $35 for private insurers,
though the bill still includes a cap for Medicare patients.
- Biden
denounced the separate killings of four Muslim men in Albuquerque, New
Mexico, that police say may be linked and could be hate crimes. ÒWhile we
await a full investigation, my prayers are with the victimsÕ families, and
my administration stands strongly with the Muslim community. These hateful
attacks have no place in America,Ó Biden said.
- The
White House announced that Biden had tested negative for the coronavirus for a second consecutive day. ÒHe will
safely return to public engagement and presidential travel,Ó said White
House physician Dr. Kevin C. OÕConnor.