National

Vice President Kamala Harris urged lawmakers to "take action" on gun control after at least 18 students and an adult were killed in a school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, on Tuesday.

What she's saying: "We would all say naturally that our hearts break, but our hearts keep getting broken," Harris said during a speech at the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies 20th Annual Awards Gala, CNN reported.

"Enough is enough," Harris added. "As a nation, we have to have the courage to take action and understand the nexus between what makes for reasonable and sensible public policy to entrust something like this never happens again."

"People of Uvalde, please know that this is a room full of leaders who grieve with you and we are praying for you and we stand with you."

The latest: The gunman opened fire at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, roughly 85 miles west of San Antonio on Tuesday afternoon, according to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. 

The governor said the shooter, an 18-year-old male who was local to Uvalde, was dead.

State Sen. Roland Gutierrez (D-Texas) said that in addition to those who died, three others were wounded in the attack and are currently hospitalized in serious condition, AP reports. 

Driving the news: President Biden, was briefed on the shooting, will deliver remarks regarding the shooting Tuesday evening, Harris said, per CNN.

"His prayers are with the families impacted by this awful event, and he will speak this evening when he arrives back at the White House," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.

U.S. flags will be flown at half-staff in honor of the victims at the White House, public buildings and all military posts, Biden said in a proclamation issued Tuesday.

Editor’s note: This story has been corrected to show at least 1 adult was killed in the shooting. The shooter was also killed.

"Enough is enough": Kamala Harris urges gun control after Texas shooting

"Our hearts keep getting broken," Harris told a crowd in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday evening.

Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks on the steps the administration is taking to address mental health and wellness during a visit to Children's National Hospital in Washington, D.C., on May 23. Photo: Brendan Smialowski /AFP via Getty Images

Mass shootings

Vice President Kamala Harris urged lawmakers to &quot;take action&quot; on gun control after at least 18 students and an adult were <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="killed in a school shooting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/24/texas-elementary-school-shooting" data-vars-content-id="24b081b3-c294-45de-bd0e-5917b938b9c3" data-vars-headline="&quot;Enough is enough&quot;: Kamala Harris urges gun control after Texas shooting" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/24/texas-elementary-school-shooting" target="_self">killed in a school shooting</a> in Uvalde, Texas, on Tuesday.What she&#x27;s saying: &quot;We would all say naturally that our hearts break, but our hearts keep getting broken,&quot; Harris said during a speech at the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies 20th Annual Awards Gala, CNN <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/texas-elementary-school-shooting-05-24-22/index.html" data-vars-content-id="24b081b3-c294-45de-bd0e-5917b938b9c3" data-vars-headline="&quot;Enough is enough&quot;: Kamala Harris urges gun control after Texas shooting" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/texas-elementary-school-shooting-05-24-22/index.html" target="_blank">reported</a>.

President Biden has made the COVID-19 crisis and a post-Trump return to national unity and traditional democratic ideals his top priorities. From vaccinations to stimulus to schools, Biden is seeking bipartisan compromise while showing a willingness to use executive authority and bare Democratic majorities in the U.S. House and Senate to implement his policies. Republican leaders are navigating deep party divisions over if and how to move beyond former President Trump.

Politics & Policy

The U.S. will provide Ukraine with more advanced rocket systems and munitions, President Biden announced Tuesday in an opinion piece published by the New York Times.

Why it matters: The longer-range missile systems are intended to enable Ukraine’s military to “more precisely strike key targets on the battlefield in Ukraine,” Biden said. 

The U.S. will send an undisclosed number of M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems intended to help repel the advance of Russian tanks, a senior administration official confirmed in a call with reporters on Tuesday. The missiles have a range of about 48 miles.

The official added that the missiles would be part of an upcoming aid package that is valued at $700 million. An exact dollar figure will be unveiled Wednesday, the senior official said. 

Driving the news: "These systems will be used by the Ukrainians to repel Russian advances on Ukrainian territory, but they will not be used on targets in Russian territory,” the official said. 

The official declined to comment further on “operational discussions” with Ukrainians regarding the new weapons systems.

Biden said last week that the Pentagon won't send rockets that Ukraine could use to strike targets inside Russia, Politico reported.

What he’s saying: “We have moved quickly to send Ukraine a significant amount of weaponry and ammunition so it can fight on the battlefield and be in the strongest possible position at the negotiating table,” Biden wrote as Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine entered its fourth month. 

“We do not seek a war between NATO and Russia. As much as I disagree with Mr. Putin, and find his actions an outrage, the United States will not try to bring about his ouster in Moscow," Biden said.

"So long as the United States or our allies are not attacked, we will not be directly engaged in this conflict, either by sending American troops to fight in Ukraine or by attacking Russian forces."

"America’s goal is straightforward: We want to see a democratic, independent, sovereign and prosperous Ukraine with the means to deter and defend itself against further aggression," Biden added. 

Flashback: The U.S. has sent over $1 billion in security aid to Ukraine since the start of the invasion.

On May 19, the Department of Defense announced $100 million in security assistance, on top of earlier packages of $150 million and $800 million packages.

More than $5 billion in security assistance has been sent to Ukraine since Biden took office in 2021, according to the senior official. 

U.S. providing new longer-range missile systems to Ukraine

The longer range missile systems are part of an estimated new $700 million U.S. security defense package.

An Ukrainian military truck is loaded with FGM-148 Javelins, American man-portable anti-tank missiles, on Feb. 11. Photo: Sergei Supinsky/AFP via Getty Images

Russian invasion of Ukraine

World

Top federal prosecutors from five different nations on Thursday issued a joint statement of support for Ukrainian Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova, who is investigating and prosecuting Russian soldiers for alleged war crimes, the Department of Justice announced.

Why it matters: Venediktova has accused Russia of carrying out an estimated 12,595 war crimes since the beginning of its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, according to data cited by her office.

In April, Ukrainian prosecutors first filed war crimes charges against 10 Russian soldiers accused of being “involved in torture of peaceful civilians” related to the alleged massacre in Bucha.

A soldier accused of murdering a civilian will be the first Russian soldier to face trial proceedings, Venediktova's office announced on May 11.

The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office is also investigating the deaths of at least 231 children who have died in areas of "active hostilities" since the conflict began. 

Between the lines: Russia has denied targeting civilians, dismissing photographic evidence as propaganda.

What they're saying: “The Attorneys General of the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand join in support of Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova, her Office, and the Ukrainian people in ensuring accountability for war crimes committed during the Russian invasion," the collective press release issued by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland's office stated.

“We support the pursuit of justice by Ukraine and through other international investigations, including at the International Criminal Court, the United Nations, and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and in our own jurisdictions, in order to the ensure prompt, fair and effective investigation and prosecution of such offences under Ukrainian, domestic or international law," the statement added.

“We join in condemning the Russian Government for its actions, and call upon it to cease all violations of international law, to halt its illegal invasion and to cooperate in efforts to achieve accountability."

Flashback: President Joe Biden has previously stated Russian President Vladimir Putin should face war crimes charges over atrocities in Bucha.

Go Deeper... Live updates: Russian invasion of Ukraine

5 international attorneys general voice support for Ukraine's prosecutor general

Iryna Venediktova has accused Russia of carrying out nearly 10,000 war crimes since the beginning of its unprovoked invasion.

Ukraine's Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova and Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Britain's Karim Khan, visit a mass grave on the grounds of the Church of Saint Andrew in Bucha on April 13, 2022. Photo: Fadel Senna/AFP via Getty Images

Ukrainian Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova.

Top federal prosecutors from five different nations on Thursday issued a joint statement of support for Ukrainian Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova, who is investigating and prosecuting Russian soldiers for alleged war crimes, the Department of Justice <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced" data-vars-click-url="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/quintet-attorneys-general-statement-support-prosecutor-general-ukraine-and-investigations-and" data-vars-content-id="60a04b2c-0dcf-44af-8ea8-14225c0019ca" data-vars-headline="5 international attorneys general voice support for Ukraine&#x27;s prosecutor general" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/quintet-attorneys-general-statement-support-prosecutor-general-ukraine-and-investigations-and" target="_blank">announced</a>.Why it matters: Venediktova has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="accused" data-vars-click-url="https://twitter.com/GP_Ukraine/status/1527171359838810112/photo/1" data-vars-content-id="60a04b2c-0dcf-44af-8ea8-14225c0019ca" data-vars-headline="5 international attorneys general voice support for Ukraine&#x27;s prosecutor general" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://twitter.com/GP_Ukraine/status/1527171359838810112/photo/1" target="_blank">accused</a> Russia of carrying out an estimated 12,595 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="war crimes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/05/ukraine-invasion-venediktova-russia-war-crimes" data-vars-content-id="60a04b2c-0dcf-44af-8ea8-14225c0019ca" data-vars-headline="5 international attorneys general voice support for Ukraine&#x27;s prosecutor general" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/05/ukraine-invasion-venediktova-russia-war-crimes" target="_self">war crimes</a> since the beginning of its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unprovoked invasion of Ukraine" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/02/22/russia-ukraine-invasion-putin-live-updates" data-vars-content-id="60a04b2c-0dcf-44af-8ea8-14225c0019ca" data-vars-headline="5 international attorneys general voice support for Ukraine&#x27;s prosecutor general" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/02/22/russia-ukraine-invasion-putin-live-updates" target="_self">unprovoked invasion of Ukraine</a>, according to data cited by her office.

A judge has denied Sarah Palin's bid for a new trial in the defamation case against the New York Times, according to a written decision filed Tuesday. 

Why it matters: U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff ruled that Palin failed to show “even a speck” of evidence needed to satisfy any burden of proof that the New York Times defamed her in 2017 regarding an op-ed piece which erroneously linked her political rhetoric to the shooting of Arizona Rep. Gabby Giffords.

Palin ultimately failed to prove the Times was publishing false information or that its editors recklessly disregarded evidence despite admitted missteps during the editorial process, according to the judge's decision.

Palin did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment regarding the judge's ruling on Monday evening.

What they're saying: “The striking thing about the trial here was that Palin, for all her earlier assertions, could not in the end introduce even a speck of such evidence,” Rakoff wrote in his decision. 

“A mistake is not enough to win if it was not motivated by actual malice," he added.

"Here, Palin still cannot identify any affirmative evidence to support the essential element of actual malice. This absence is not a consequence of trial procedures, judicial bias, or adverse evidentiary rulings."

The big picture: In March, a federal judge in Manhattan dismissed Palin's defamation suit against the New York Times.

"When the media has already clobbered you, as bad as you can get clobbered, and the haters, you're not going to change their mind," Palin told Newsmax TV.

The New York Times had previously never lost a defamation suit on American soil.

Of note: In April, Palin announced she would run for Alaska's only congressional seat, following the death of Republican Rep. Don Young.

Palin will face off against roughly 40 candidates for the vacant seat, per the New York Times.

Judge denies Sarah Palin's bid for new libel trial

“A mistake is not enough to win if it was not motivated by actual malice."

Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin speaks with reporters in New York City as she leaves a federal court on Feb. 14 . Photo: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

The New York Times

A judge has denied Sarah Palin&#x27;s bid for a new trial in the defamation case against the New York Times, according to a written decision filed Tuesday. Why it matters: U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff ruled that Palin failed to show “even a speck” of evidence needed to satisfy any burden of proof that the New York Times defamed her in 2017 regarding an op-ed piece which <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="erroneously linked her political rhetoric" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/02/15/sarah-palin-new-york-times-judge-supreme-court" data-vars-content-id="8fa2f07c-9c66-4765-85c7-b185e9d3b28b" data-vars-headline="Judge denies Sarah Palin&#x27;s bid for new libel trial" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/02/15/sarah-palin-new-york-times-judge-supreme-court" target="_self">erroneously linked her political rhetoric</a> to the shooting of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Arizona Rep. Gabby Giffords" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/gabby-giffords-10-years-after-shooting-b12cfecc-8bcb-4e59-9ded-2d292fe628ec.html" data-vars-content-id="8fa2f07c-9c66-4765-85c7-b185e9d3b28b" data-vars-headline="Judge denies Sarah Palin&#x27;s bid for new libel trial" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/gabby-giffords-10-years-after-shooting-b12cfecc-8bcb-4e59-9ded-2d292fe628ec.html" target="_self">Arizona Rep. Gabby Giffords</a>.

Thousands of students at high schools and universities across the U.S. walked out of classes on Thursday to demand stricter gun control laws in the wake of the Texas mass school shooting.

Driving the news: Starting at noon Thursday, student protesters from Michigan to Virginia marched out of classrooms to call for stronger gun control policies after a gunman stormed Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, killing at least 21 people, including 19 children and two adults. 

Some student activists wore orange to commemorate the gun violence prevention movement, NBC News reported.

Students Demand Action, which is affiliated with pro-gun control group Everytown for Gun Safety, organized Thursday's countrywide protests.

What they're saying: “Enough is enough,” Students Demand Action said in an online statement. “Once again, gun violence has forced its way into our schools. …We need more than thoughts and prayers. We demand action from our lawmakers now.”

Flashback: The walkouts come after March For Our Lives organizers announced a mass protest in Washington, D.C., on June 11, four years after the Parkland shooting inspired the group to hold one of the largest demonstrations in U.S. history.

"This is a call to action," Parkland survivor David Hogg said in a video statement uploaded to Twitter on Thursday afternoon. 

"To Democrats, to Republicans, to gun owners, to non-gun owners, to NRA members, to anyone in the United States. We have a responsibility to protect our future because these kids are dying. And I know we have our disagreements and they are very strong, but there has to be some kind of middle ground that we can find to work together to save just one life."

Students across the U.S. stage walkouts after Texas shooting

Student protesters from Michigan to Virginia marched out of classrooms to call for stronger gun control policies.

A man visits a makeshift memorial outside Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, on May 25. Photo: Yasin Ozturk/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

School shooting

Thousands of students at high schools and universities across the U.S. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="walked out" data-vars-click-url="https://twitter.com/StudentsDemand/status/1529500534364848129" data-vars-content-id="ce6b6d6f-2fc1-4e51-a494-956a2d57e65d" data-vars-headline="Students across the U.S. stage walkouts after Texas shooting" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://twitter.com/StudentsDemand/status/1529500534364848129" target="_blank">walked out</a> of classes on Thursday to demand stricter gun control laws in the wake of the Texas mass school shooting.Driving the news: Starting at noon Thursday, student protesters from Michigan to Virginia <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="marched" data-vars-click-url="https://twitter.com/charlielangton/status/1529856837570416643" data-vars-content-id="ce6b6d6f-2fc1-4e51-a494-956a2d57e65d" data-vars-headline="Students across the U.S. stage walkouts after Texas shooting" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://twitter.com/charlielangton/status/1529856837570416643" target="_blank">marched</a> out of classrooms to call for stronger gun control policies after a gunman stormed Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="killing at least 21 people" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/24/texas-elementary-school-shooting" data-vars-content-id="ce6b6d6f-2fc1-4e51-a494-956a2d57e65d" data-vars-headline="Students across the U.S. stage walkouts after Texas shooting" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/24/texas-elementary-school-shooting" target="_self">killing at least 21 people</a>, including 19 children and two adults.

Sections

Axios Local

Axios gets you smarter, faster with news & information that matters.

About

Subscribe

Dorian Geiger

Stories

Judge denies Sarah Palin's bid for new libel trial

U.S. providing new longer-range missile systems to Ukraine

Students across the U.S. stage walkouts after Texas shooting

"Enough is enough": Kamala Harris urges gun control after Texas shooting

5 international attorneys general voice support for Ukraine's prosecutor general