USA 2021 Timeline

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Showing 75 events on this page. Use search or category filters to narrow the year.
Jan
06
Immigration / Law / Policy

A judge in the United Kingdom denies bail to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange days after his extradition to the United States was blocked.

A judge in the United Kingdom denies bail to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange days after his extradition to the United States was blocked. The judge cited the risk of Assange escaping the extradition process or refusing to surrender to court if asked to do so. Assange's lawyers will appeal the decision whereas the U.S. Department of Justice continues to seek his extradition. Assange's partner urges the US to pardon him. (Reuters)

Jan
06
Politics / Government

At least seven Democratic members of Congress, including Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley and Seth Moulton, and Republican Vermont Governor Phil Scott, call for Trum

At least seven Democratic members of Congress, including Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley and Seth Moulton, and Republican Vermont Governor Phil Scott, call for Trump's immediate resignation or impeachment and removal by Congress, when it can reconvene, for insurrection against the United States. (The Independent) (WGBH-TV) (The Atlantic) (The Wrap)

Jan
06
Immigration / Law / Policy

Hong Kong national security law Hong Kong Police arrest 53 pro-democracy activists and politicians for criminal charges under the national security law.

Hong Kong national security law Hong Kong Police arrest 53 pro-democracy activists and politicians for criminal charges under the national security law. Those arrested include James To and Lam Cheuk-ting of the Democratic Party, activist Lester Shum, and Leung Kwok-hung and Jimmy Sham of the League of Social Democrats. (Reuters) (RTHK) (BBC News) Kickstart Wan Chai [zh] announces to disband, effective immediately. (SCMP)

Jan
06
Immigration / Law / Policy

Hong Kong Police arrest 53 pro-democracy activists and politicians for criminal charges under the national security law.

Hong Kong Police arrest 53 pro-democracy activists and politicians for criminal charges under the national security law. Those arrested include James To and Lam Cheuk-ting of the Democratic Party, activist Lester Shum, and Leung Kwok-hung and Jimmy Sham of the League of Social Democrats. (Reuters) (RTHK) (BBC News) Kickstart Wan Chai [zh] announces to disband, effective immediately. (SCMP)

Jan
06
Politics / Government

Senator Ted Cruz and Rep.

Senator Ted Cruz and Rep. Paul Gosar object to the state of Arizona, making it the first time a vote is forced to accept or reject the objection since 2004, when Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones and Senator Barbara Boxer objected to George W. Bush's victory in Ohio against John Kerry. The objection failed 6-93 in the Senate and 121-303 in the House. (National Review) (KTVZ-TV) (Gwinnett Daily Post)

Jan
07
Politics / Government

Donald Trump, still disagreeing with the election results that resulted in a victory for President-elect Joe Biden, said through spokesperson Dan Scavino, "Even

Donald Trump, still disagreeing with the election results that resulted in a victory for President-elect Joe Biden, said through spokesperson Dan Scavino, "Even though I totally disagree with the outcome of the election, and the facts bear me out, nevertheless there will be an orderly transition on January 20th." (Reuters)

Jan
07
Politics / Government

The United States Congress certifies the election of Joe Biden as President-elect of the United States and Kamala Harris as Vice President.

The United States Congress certifies the election of Joe Biden as President-elect of the United States and Kamala Harris as Vice President. Biden and Harris received 306 electoral votes while President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence received 232. The winners will be inaugurated on January 20. (NPR)

Jan
07
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in Palau, COVID-19 vaccine Palau begins its vaccination program, with outgoing President Thomas Remengesau Jr.

COVID-19 pandemic in Palau, COVID-19 vaccine Palau begins its vaccination program, with outgoing President Thomas Remengesau Jr. and incoming President Surangel Whipps Jr. receiving the first two doses. The country plans to vaccinate more than 18,000 people with the Moderna vaccine provided by the United States. (RNZ)

Jan
07
Major Trends

A United States Capitol Police officer injured in yesterday's riot in Washington, D.C., is revealed to be on life support as a result of the events.

A United States Capitol Police officer injured in yesterday's riot in Washington, D.C., is revealed to be on life support as a result of the events. After being erroneously reported as having died earlier, he was finally reported as deceased by the Capitol Police, who name him as Brian D. Sicknick. (CNN) (ABC News)

Jan
07
Health / Disasters

Aftermath of the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol Elaine Chao and Betsy DeVos submit their resignations as Secretaries of Transportation and Education

Aftermath of the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol Elaine Chao and Betsy DeVos submit their resignations as Secretaries of Transportation and Education, respectively, in response to the storming of the United States Capitol by pro-Trump protesters. (CNN) (The Hill) U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) calls for Trump to be removed via the 25th amendment following the Capitol riot, making him the first Republican to do so. (Newsweek)

Jan
07
Immigration / Law / Policy

Boeing 737 MAX groundings Boeing agrees to pay US$2.5 billion to settle criminal charges claiming that it covered-up design flaws in its Boeing 737 MAX passenge

Boeing 737 MAX groundings Boeing agrees to pay US$2.5 billion to settle criminal charges claiming that it covered-up design flaws in its Boeing 737 MAX passenger planes from safety officials. The U.S. Department of Justice says that the firm chose "profit over candour". (BBC News)

Jan
07
Major Trends

Donald Trump on social media Facebook announces that it has extended the lock of Donald Trump's official account for at least the remainder of his term due to t

Donald Trump on social media Facebook announces that it has extended the lock of Donald Trump's official account for at least the remainder of his term due to the heightened risk of political violence. Snapchat also bans Trump from posting on the app until further notice. (Bloomberg)

Jan
07
Politics / Government

Michael C.

Michael C. Stenger and Paul D. Irving, the respective Sergeants at Arms of the Senate and House of Representatives, resign upon the requests of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. (The Hill) (Roll Call)

Jan
08
Immigration / Law / Policy

A court in Pakistan sentences Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi to five years in prison on terrorism financing charges.

A court in Pakistan sentences Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi to five years in prison on terrorism financing charges. Lakhvi, a senior member of the group Lashkar-e-Taiba, is accused of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, though he was convicted of unrelated charges. India and the United States welcome the verdict but ask that he be tried for the attacks. (Reuters)

Jan
08
Immigration / Law / Policy

COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden The Riksdag passes a new law that gives the government power to impose COVID-19-related lockdowns, such as ordering certain business

COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden The Riksdag passes a new law that gives the government power to impose COVID-19-related lockdowns, such as ordering certain businesses to close or prohibiting public gatherings of certain sizes. The law will take effect on January 10. (The Washington Post)

Jan
08
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in New York COVID-19 pandemic in New York City New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea tests posi

COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in New York COVID-19 pandemic in New York City New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea tests positive for COVID-19. (Patch.com) COVID-19 pandemic in California, COVID-19 vaccine California Governor Gavin Newsom sets a goal of vaccinating 1 million people by January 17. (The Los Angeles Times) President-elect Joe Biden says he will plan to speed up the release of vaccine doses. (USA Today)

Jan
08
Politics / Government

Presidential transition of Joe Biden United States President Donald Trump announces that he will not attend the inauguration ceremony of President-elect Joe Bid

Presidential transition of Joe Biden United States President Donald Trump announces that he will not attend the inauguration ceremony of President-elect Joe Biden. Trump will be the first president to choose not to attend their elected successor's inauguration since Andrew Johnson in 1869. (CNN) Outgoing Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets with incoming Secretary of State Antony Blinken for the first time in an effort to ensure an orderly transition of power. (CNBC)

Jan
08
Health / Disasters

COVID-19 pandemic in South America COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Brazil surpasses 8 million cases of COVID-19, becoming the third country to do so after the Unite

COVID-19 pandemic in South America COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Brazil surpasses 8 million cases of COVID-19, becoming the third country to do so after the United States and India. (CNA) COVID-19 pandemic in Peru, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Peru reports the first case of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 from the United Kingdom in a citizen who resides in Lima and had attended a family reunion days before Christmas. (Andina)

Jan
08
Health / Disasters

Criminal charges brought in the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol The man photographed sitting at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's desk during the storming

Criminal charges brought in the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol The man photographed sitting at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's desk during the storming of the United States Capitol is arrested in Little Rock, Arkansas. (Newsweek) The Department of Justice indicts 15 people involved in the assault on the Capitol. The department says that more charges are expected. (AFP via The Straits Times) The United States Attorney for the District of Columbia announces that West Virginia delegate Derrick Evans is expected to face charges for illegally entering the Capitol. (CBS News)

Jan
08
War / Conflict / Security

Twitter suspensions Donald Trump on social media Twitter permanently suspends Donald Trump's account.

Twitter suspensions Donald Trump on social media Twitter permanently suspends Donald Trump's account. According to Twitter, he was suspended to end "the risk of further incitement of violence." (NBC News) Twitter also suspends the accounts of former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, American attorney Sidney Powell, and former 8kun administrator Ron Watkins for spreading content related to the QAnon conspiracy theory. (The Hill)

Jan
09
Politics / Government

Outgoing U.S.

Outgoing U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announces that the United States will be lifting all restrictions on contacts between American and Taiwanese officials, saying the "self-imposed" restrictions were introduced decades ago to appease the Chinese Communist Party government in mainland China. (BBC News)

Jan
09
Politics / Government

Taiwan–United States relations Outgoing U.S.

Taiwan–United States relations Outgoing U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announces that the United States will be lifting all restrictions on contacts between American and Taiwanese officials, saying the "self-imposed" restrictions were introduced decades ago to appease the Chinese Communist Party government in mainland China. (BBC News)

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