National

Attorney General Merrick Garland met with Supreme Court officials on Wednesday to discuss the ongoing security for the nine justices, the DOJ said in a statement. 

The big picture: Peaceful demonstrators have been protesting outside the homes of Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Justice Samuel Alito as well as the home of Chief Justice John Roberts after a draft decision indicating that the Supreme Court would overturn Roe v. Wade was leaked.

Last week, Garland ordered the U.S. Marshals Service to "accelerate the provision of around-the-clock security at the homes of all Justices, among other actions," per the DOJ's statement.

What they're saying: “The rise of violence and unlawful threats of violence directed at those who serve the public is unacceptable and dangerous to our democracy,” Garland said. 

“I want to be clear: while people vote, argue, and debate in a democracy, we must not — we cannot — allow violence or unlawful threats of violence to permeate our national life."

"The Justice Department will not tolerate violence or threats of violence against judges or any other public servants at work, home, or any other location," he added. 

Flashback: The Senate last week unanimously passed a bill to extend around-the-clock Supreme Court Police protection to justices' families.

It was a rare bipartisan move for a chamber habitually plagued by partisan gridlock.

Garland meets with SCOTUS officials on security for justices

Garland said the DOJ won't "tolerate violence or threats of violence against judges or any other public servants at work, home, or any other location."

Attorney General Merrick Garland. Photo: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Supreme Court

Attorney General Merrick Garland met with Supreme Court officials on Wednesday to discuss the ongoing security for the nine justices, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the DOJ said in a statement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-merrick-b-garland-meets-supreme-court-officials-regarding-judicial-security" data-vars-content-id="3f5a701b-057d-4015-b7f6-47e012e199e0" data-vars-headline="Garland meets with SCOTUS officials on security for justices" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-merrick-b-garland-meets-supreme-court-officials-regarding-judicial-security" target="_blank">the DOJ said in a statement</a>. The big picture: Peaceful demonstrators have been protesting outside the homes of Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Justice Samuel Alito as well as the home of Chief Justice John Roberts after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a draft decision" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/03/supreme-court-leak-roe-v-wade" data-vars-content-id="3f5a701b-057d-4015-b7f6-47e012e199e0" data-vars-headline="Garland meets with SCOTUS officials on security for justices" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/03/supreme-court-leak-roe-v-wade" target="_self">a draft decision</a> indicating that the Supreme Court <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="would overturn Roe v. Wade" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/03/roe-v-wade-supreme-court-leak-stuns-nation" data-vars-content-id="3f5a701b-057d-4015-b7f6-47e012e199e0" data-vars-headline="Garland meets with SCOTUS officials on security for justices" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/03/roe-v-wade-supreme-court-leak-stuns-nation" target="_self">would overturn Roe v. Wade</a> was leaked.

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

Elon Musk said that he will vote for Republicans and can "no longer support" Democrats, the Tesla founder said on Wednesday. 

The big picture: Musk said that he previously voted Democrat "because they were (mostly) the kindness party."

"They have become the party of division & hate," Musk continued.

Flashback: Three weeks ago, Musk said that Twitter "must be politically neutral" to deserve the public trust. 

"Which effectively means upsetting the far right and the far left equally," Musk said. 

Between the lines: Musk announced last month that he is in the process of buying Twitter. His bid launched a debate over the most American of ideas — free speech — and private companies' rights and obligations to sort the boundaries between disinformation and censorship.

Several Republicans previously hailed Musk as a hero and Twitter as the problem.

Elon Musk says he will vote for Republicans now

Three weeks ago, Musk said that Twitter "must be politically neutral" to deserve the public trust.

Photo by Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post via Getty Images.

Twitter

Elon Musk said that he will vote for Republicans and can &quot;no longer support&quot; Democrats, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Tesla founder said on Wednesday" data-vars-click-url="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1526997132858822658" data-vars-content-id="6521ae95-8d83-4bd0-bb44-56cd7484200f" data-vars-headline="Elon Musk says he will vote for Republicans now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1526997132858822658" target="_blank">the Tesla founder said on Wednesday</a>. The big picture: Musk said that he previously voted Democrat &quot;because they were (mostly) the kindness party.&quot;

From the Valley to D.C., Big Tech players like Facebook, Google and Amazon are under more scrutiny than ever as new technology develops and privacy and antitrust concerns grow in lockstep with companies’ ambitions.

Technology

A Russian gymnast who wore a pro-war symbol on his uniform supporting the invasion of Ukraine has received a one-year ban, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) announced on Tuesday.

The big picture: Ivan Kuliak won the bronze medal in the parallel bars at a World Cup competition while Ukraine's Illia Kovtun won gold. Kuliak wore a 'Z' symbol taped to his leotard on the podium next to Kovtun.

The 'Z' has been displayed on the Russian military's tanks and has become a symbol of support for the invasion of Ukraine, CNN writes. 

Details: FIG said Kuliak must return his bronze medal and is not allowed to compete at any FIG events for one year. 

Flashback: Kuliak told Russian state media he would "do exactly the same" if given another chance​, CNN reports.

"I saw it with our military and looked at what this symbol means. It turned out [it means], 'for victory' and 'for peace,'" Kuliak​ said.

​"I didn't wish anything bad on anyone, I just showed my position. As an athlete, I will always fight for victory and stand for peace," he added

What's next: Kuliak has 21 days to appeal the decision. 

Russian gymnast receives 1-year ban for wearing pro-war symbol

Ivan Kuliak taped a 'Z', a symbol of support for the invasion of Ukraine, to his leotard on the podium next to a Ukrainian gymnast.

A man with the 'Z' symbol on a t-shirt holds photos of relatives killed in the Second World War during the Inmortal Regiment march in the streets of Moscow. The 'Z' has become a symbol of support to the russian army. Photo: STR/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Russian invasion of Ukraine

A Russian gymnast who wore a pro-war symbol on his uniform supporting the invasion of Ukraine has received a one-year ban, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) announced on Tuesday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/news/displaynews.php?urlNews=3505962" data-vars-content-id="6717a414-6d8e-4c69-86b8-bbaf7c166db5" data-vars-headline="Russian gymnast receives 1-year ban for wearing pro-war symbol" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/news/displaynews.php?urlNews=3505962" target="_blank">the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) announced on Tuesday</a>.The big picture: Ivan Kuliak won the bronze medal in the parallel bars at a World Cup competition while Ukraine&#x27;s Illia Kovtun won gold. Kuliak wore a &#x27;Z&#x27; symbol taped to his leotard on the podium next to Kovtun.

Shifts in technology and media are changing the way we play, watch and understand sports. Business models are adapting and social change is forcing those in charge of teams and leagues to reconsider decades-old practices.

Sports

China is becoming the most formidable rival America has faced, and the risk of confrontation with Russia, North Korea or Iran still looms. Authoritarians are rising, the chaotic Afghanistan exit revealed the limits of U.S. power, and the pandemic, climate change and other critical challenges continue to pose grave threats.

World

The U.S. embassy in Kyiv will resume operations three months after officials relocated operations to western Ukraine, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday. 

The big picture: The embassy left Kyiv "due to the dramatic acceleration in the buildup of Russian forces," Blinken said at the time. Russia invaded Ukraine days later.

What they're saying: "The Ukrainian people, with our security assistance, have defended their homeland in the face of Russia’s unconscionable invasion," Blinken said in a statement. 

"As a result, the Stars and Stripes are flying over the Embassy once again." 

But Blinken cautioned that the war is ongoing.

"We reaffirm our commitment to the people and government of Ukraine, and we look forward to carrying out our mission from the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv."

U.S. embassy in Kyiv to resume operations

The embassy moved operations to western Ukraine in February.

Employees rise up the flag outside the US embassy in Kyiv on May 18, 2022, as the embassy reopens after closing it for three months due to the Russian invasion. Photo by Sergei Supinsky/AFP via Getty Images

The U.S. embassy in Kyiv will resume operations three months after officials <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="relocated operations to western Ukraine" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/02/14/relocate-embassy-ukraine-blinken-russia-kyiv-lviv" data-vars-content-id="a3e68ebe-80e2-4aaf-b6e7-8a34276f5250" data-vars-headline="U.S. embassy in Kyiv to resume operations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/02/14/relocate-embassy-ukraine-blinken-russia-kyiv-lviv" target="_self">relocated operations to western Ukraine</a>, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday. The big picture: The embassy left Kyiv &quot;due to the dramatic acceleration in the buildup of Russian forces,&quot; Blinken said at the time. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Russia invaded Ukraine" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/02/22/russia-ukraine-invasion-putin-live-updates" data-vars-content-id="a3e68ebe-80e2-4aaf-b6e7-8a34276f5250" data-vars-headline="U.S. embassy in Kyiv to resume operations" 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">Russia invaded Ukraine</a> days later.

The House voted 231-192 on Wednesday to pass an emergency spending bill aimed at addressing the baby formula shortage.

The big picture: The U.S. has faced a nationwide baby formula shortage due to pandemic-induced supply chain issues and recent product recall. Earlier Wednesday, President Biden announced he had invoked the Defense Production Act to help address formula supply. 

Details: The bill gives the Food and Drug Administration $28 million to increase its staff to help inspect baby formula before it arrives on grocery store shelves.

It will also look "to prevent future shortages, including such steps as may be necessary to prevent fraudulent products from entering the United States market."

What they're saying: “The stories of mothers and fathers struggling to find formula and the images of empty store shelves are heartbreaking,” said Rosa DeLauro, chair of the House Appropriations Committee in a statement on Tuesday.

“Parents and caretakers across the country cannot wait — they need our support now."

The bill will now need to pass the Senate. 

House passes $28M emergency spending bill to address baby formula shortage

The money will be used to increase the FDA's staff to help inspect baby formula before it arrives on grocery store shelves.

Photo by Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Food

The House voted 231-192 on Wednesday to pass an emergency spending bill aimed at addressing the baby formula shortage.The big picture: The U.S. has faced a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nationwide baby formula shortage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/12/baby-formula-shortage-prices" data-vars-content-id="dc582dea-62c3-403d-9ced-f86e8af899ec" data-vars-headline="House passes $28M emergency spending bill to address baby formula shortage" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/12/baby-formula-shortage-prices" target="_self">nationwide baby formula shortage</a> due to pandemic-induced supply chain issues and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recent product recall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/abbott-recall-baby-formula-similac-1dea9fc3-7dba-4f4a-a125-5b1ee4bdd776.html" data-vars-content-id="dc582dea-62c3-403d-9ced-f86e8af899ec" data-vars-headline="House passes $28M emergency spending bill to address baby formula shortage" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/abbott-recall-baby-formula-similac-1dea9fc3-7dba-4f4a-a125-5b1ee4bdd776.html" target="_self">recent product recall</a>. Earlier Wednesday, President Biden announced he had invoked the Defense Production Act to help address formula supply.

Sections

Axios Local

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

About

Subscribe

TuAnh Dam

Stories

House passes $28M emergency spending bill to address baby formula shortage

Garland meets with SCOTUS officials on security for justices

Elon Musk says he will vote for Republicans now

Russian gymnast receives 1-year ban for wearing pro-war symbol

U.S. embassy in Kyiv to resume operations