Roughly 25 million Americans could soon see an increase in food assistance as part of a new policy enacted by the Biden Administration, according to the Associated Press. USDA estimates show that the new program, will send out roughly $1 billion monthly. “This is a real increase in people’s benefits that’s going to make it a little easier to keep food on the table,” Lindsay Nako, director of litigation and training at the Impact Fund, which represented the California plaintiffs alongside the Western Center on Law & Poverty, told AP. The move marks a shift from former President Trump’s opposition to food assistance. Lawsuits filed in Pennsylvania and California against Trump’s agriculture secretary, Sonny Perdue, were settled last week by Tom Vilsack, who filled his seat under the Biden Administration, the Washington Post reports. California, the state with the largest population, stands to gain the most from the change, with an increase of nearly $120 million a month. “The emergency SNAP increases authorized by Congress last year were not being distributed equitably, and the poorest households — who have the least ability to absorb the economic shocks brought about by COVID — received little to no emergency benefit increases,” Vilsack said in a statement. “As part of President Biden’s commitment to deliver economic relief and ensure every family can afford to put food on the table, today’s actions will provide much-needed support for those who need it most.” Vice President Kamala Harris has issued a statement, saying that Officer William Evans, who was killed in the line of duty today, “made the ultimate sacrifice” on behalf of the American people. Officer Evans served on the force for 18 years. Law enforcement officials have identified Noah Green as the deceased suspect responsible for the death of a US Capitol Police officer in today’s violent attack, but an investigation is still underway and authorities have not yet confirmed a motive. The New York Times reports that Green, a 25-year-old from Indiana, was a self-described follower of Louis Farrakhan—who spent decades spreading antisemitic views—and his Black nationalist movement, the Nation of Islam. Green’s Facebook account, which was taken down on Friday, showed the young man struggled through the past year, and also posted about the “end times” and the anti-Christ. “To be honest, these past few years have been tough, and these past few months have been tougher,” Green reportedly wrote. “I have been tried with some of the biggest, unimaginable tests in my life. I am currently now unemployed, after I left my job, partly due to afflictions.” Green also shared on social media his belief that the federal government was trying to control his mind. In the hours before he rammed his car into US Capitol police officers, killing one and injuring the other, Green posted Instagram stories linking to videos of Farrakhan, and a caption that read, “The U.S. Government is the #1 enemy of Black people!” CNN reports. In March, he credited the Nation of Islam leader with saving him from “the terrible afflictions I have suffered presumably by the CIA and FBI, government agencies of the United States of America”. From CNN: In his Facebook post, Green wrote that he had been “unknowingly” taking a drug and suffering from side effects. “The Minister is here to save me and the rest of humanity, even if it means facing death,” he wrote, appearing to reference Farrakhan. “Be willing to deny yourself and follow him, pick up your cross”. The second officer, who was struck by the car used in today’s attack at the US Capitol is in stable condition, the USCP shared in a tweet. The officer’s name has not been released. According to CNN, retired Lt Gen Russel Honoré, who reported on the need for more security at the Capitol after 6 January, said that today, the system did what it was supposed to. “The security system that worked today was the readiness of the Capitol police out front challenging the car and then the barriers, buffers that went in after 9/11,” Honoré told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer. “Unfortunately, we lost Officer Evans today, but by and large that system worked. The Capitol police responded, they stopped him. The system worked.” Rep. Matt Gaetz’ communications manager has resigned, leaving the Florida Republican to navigate a federal investigation into whether he sexually trafficked an underage girl, without a spokesperson. Luke Ball, who worked with Gaetz for all three of the Congressman’s terms, is known as one of his closest and longest-serving aides, the New York Times, reports. Gaetz, who gained national attention as a highly vocal Trump-ally, has denied that he paid for sex or that he engaged sexually with a 17-year-old girl. The 38-year-old Congressman has claimed the allegations came from a extortion plot worth $25 million. The New York Times reported last week that the Justice Department has linked Gaetz to Joel Greenberg, a former Florida tax collector, who was indicted last year on sex trafficking charges. From the NYT: The Times has reviewed receipts from Cash App, a mobile payments app, and Apple Pay that show payments from Mr. Gaetz and Mr. Greenberg to one of the women, and a payment from Mr. Greenberg to a second woman. The women told their friends that the payments were for sex with the two men, according to two people familiar with the conversations. Florida’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, issued an executive order today, banning businesses and government agencies from requiring proof that a person has been vaccinated, according to the New York times. Alleging that the requirement of such proof would “reduce individual freedom”, “harm patient privacy,” and “create two classes of citizens based on vaccination” the order states that “it is necessary to protect the fundamental rights and privacies of Floridians and the free flow of commerce within the state”. Businesses that don’t comply could become ineligible for state funding. So-called “vaccine passports” have become yet another politically divisive issue, and Republican governors have begun rallying against them as government overreach even though the Biden administration has no plans to require them or issue them. Several other countries have already embraced the idea. Israel was the first to roll out their program and with other European countries are considering their own versions, including the UK. Alejandro Mayorkas, the secretary of the homeland security, has released a statement in response to the attack at the Capitol this afternoon. “My thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends, and colleagues of the US Capitol police officer who lost his life today protecting the very symbol of our democracy,” Mayorkas said. “There is still much to be determined about this attack and DHS offers its full support to Capitol police and DC Mayor Bowser.” USCP has identified the officer killed in the attack as William “Billy” Evans, an 18-year veteran of the force. After two deadly attacks on the US Capitol mere months apart, questions are being raised about whether security measures, which were enhanced after 6 January, are extensive enough, Vox reports. A review of the security released last month found that the Capitol police are “understaffed, insufficiently equipped and inadequately trained” to defend the nation’s seat of government from future attacks. In a 15-page draft report, commissioned by the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, retired army L. Gen Russel Honoré called for adding 854 officers, including 424 to specialize in intelligence, dignitary protection and operational planning. He also recommended additional fencing, specifically barriers that are “easily erected and deconstructed”. Roughly four miles of 7ft-high “non-scalable” metal fencing was set up around the Capitol complex following the 6 January riot but it was taken down in March, according to Vox. Representative Tim Ryan told reporters today that new permanent additions to security are being considered by lawmakers. “We’ll be reviewing everything, at this point, including the fencing,” he said, emphasizing that there are still many unknowns about today’s incident “We can’t get too far ahead of ourselves without knowing that we have the ability to protect the Capitol, to harden the Capitol,” he added. Biden orders White House flags at half-staff Gabrielle Canon here, signing in from the west coast to take you through the Friday afternoon news. President Biden has issued a statement on today’s violent attack at the US Capitol that resulted in the death of Officer William Evans and left another US Capitol police officer injured. “We know what a difficult time this has been for the Capitol, everyone who works there, and those who protect it,” Biden said in the statement, after expressing his condolences to Evans’ family. His death is the second line-of-duty death this year for the Capitol police, who also lost an officer during the 6 January attack, and the seventh in the agency’s history, according to the Associated Press. Here is Biden’s full statement: Jill and I were heartbroken to learn of the violent attack at a security checkpoint on the U.S. Capitol grounds, which killed Officer William Evans of the U.S. Capitol Police, and left a fellow officer fighting for his life. We send our heartfelt condolences to Officer Evans’ family, and everyone grieving his loss. We know what a difficult time this has been for the Capitol, everyone who works there, and those who protect it. I have been receiving ongoing briefings from my Homeland Security Advisor, and will be getting further updates as the investigation proceeds. I want to express the nation’s gratitude to the Capitol Police, the National Guard Immediate Response Force, and others who quickly responded to this attack. As we mourn the loss of yet another courageous Capitol Police officer, I have ordered that the White House flags be lowered to half-mast. Today so far That’s it from me on this sad day in Washington. My west coast colleague Gabrielle Canon will take over the blog for the next few hours. Here’s where the day stands so far: US Capitol police officer William “Billy” Evans was killed after a car rammed through a security barrier at the Capitol this afternoon. The acting USCP chief, Yogananda Pittman, said a suspect attempted to drive through the barrier and then exited his car wielding a knife. The suspect lunged at the two officers present, and at least one of the officers opened fire on the man, who later died of his injuries. The Capitol attack did not appear to be terrorism-related, the acting chief of the Metropolitan police department of DC said. At an afternoon press conference, the acting MPD chief, Robert Contee, said it did not appear the Capitol was under active threat. The lockdown at the Capitol was lifted soon afterwards. Nancy Pelosi mourned Evans as “a martyr for our democracy”. The House speaker said in a statement: “Today, once again, these heroes risked their lives to protect our Capitol and our country, with the same extraordinary selflessness and spirit of service seen on January 6. On behalf of the entire House, we are profoundly grateful.” A spokesperson for Pelosi also said the Capitol flags will be lowered to half-staff in honor of Evans. The Major League Baseball All-Star Game is being moved out of Georgia over the state’s new voting law. The law, which Republican Governor Brian Kemp signed late last month, restricts access to voting, and it has been widely criticized by Democrats and voting rights activists. Fully vaccinated Americans can travel without quarantining, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. According to the CDC’s newest guidelines, vaccinated individuals can travel without getting tested for coronavirus or quarantining after their return. The agency said such travel is low-risk for those who have been vaccinated. Gabrielle will have more coming up, so stay tuned. Major League Baseball pulls All-Star Game from Georgia over voting law The Guardian’s Sam Levine reports: Major League Baseball will not hold the annual All-Star Game in Atlanta this year after Georgia passed a new law that makes it significantly harder to vote. The announcement is perhaps the most consequential action taken since Georgia governor Brian Kemp, a Republican, signed the measure into law. Delta Airlines and Coca-Cola spoke out against the bill this week, but faced criticism for not doing so earlier, when their influence could have had a significant impact on the legislation. “I have decided that the best way to demonstrate our values as a sport is by relocating this year’s All-Star Game and MLB draft,” Rob Manfred, the league’s commissioner, said in a statement. “Major League Baseball fundamentally supports voting rights for all Americans and opposes restrictions to the ballot box.” The Georgia law implements new requirements for mail-in voting, a process voters in the state used in record numbers without evidence of fraud in 2020. Pelosi mourns killed USCP officer as "a martyr for our democracy" House speaker Nancy Pelosi has released a statement mourning the loss of US Capitol police officer William “Billy” Evans in this afternoon’s attack. “Today, America’s heart has been broken by the tragic and heroic death of one of our Capitol Police heroes: Officer William Evans. He is a martyr for our democracy,” the Democratic speaker said. “Members of Congress, staff and Capitol workers, and indeed all Americans are united in appreciation for the courage of the US Capitol Police. Today, once again, these heroes risked their lives to protect our Capitol and our country, with the same extraordinary selflessness and spirit of service seen on January 6. On behalf of the entire House, we are profoundly grateful.” Pelosi pledged that Congress was ready to “assist law enforcement with a swift and comprehensive investigation into this heinous attack”. “May we always remember the heroism of those who have given their lives to defend our democracy,” the speaker said. “May it be a comfort to the family of Officer Evans that so many mourn with them and pray for them at this sad time.” USCP identifies killed officer as William "Billy" Evans The US capitol police has identified the officer who was killed in the attack this afternoon as William “Billy” Evans. “It is with profound sadness that I share the news of the passing of Officer William ‘Billy’ Evans this afternoon from injuries he sustained following an attack at the North Barricade by a lone assailant,” the USCP acting chief, Yogananda Pittman, said in a statement. Pittman noted Evans, who succumbed to his injuries after being struck by a car that rammed through a security barrier, had been a member of the USCP force for 18 years. “He began his USCP service on March 7, 2003, and was a member of the Capitol division’s first responder’s unit,” Pittman said. “Please keep Officer Evans and his family in your thoughts and prayers.” Senator Brian Schatz, a Democrat of Hawaii, offered his thoughts to the US Capitol police, after an officer died in the attack this afternoon. “Being a Capitol police officer has never been more difficult or more stressful. All the love and comfort in the world to them and their family members,” Schatz said on Twitter. This is the second line-of-duty death for the USCP since January, when Officer Brian Sicknick succumbed to his injuries from the Capitol insurrection. Prior to 2021, a total of four USCP officers had died in the line of duty in the entire history of the force, according to the USCP website. The House and Senate are not in session but some elected officials and staff were in the building on Friday, as a car rammed a security barrier on the grounds. Ro Khanna, a Democratic representative from California, spoke to CNN from his car, where he said officers had told him to go after he came back to the Capitol from going out for lunch. “It’s really sad,” he said. “Once the barriers were removed we were moving back to some sense of normalcy, but this just shows the level of risk there still is. “I can’t imagine saying that going to the United States Capitol to represent your constituents is actually a dangerous thing.” Noah Green, a 25-year-old man from Indiana, is the suspect who rammed through a Capitol security checkpoint in his car this afternoon, according to NBC News. US Capitol police has said the suspect exited the vehicle wielding a knife and was then shot by at least one of the officers present. He later succumbed to his injuries and died. The US Capitol police has provided the latest information on the attack that occurred this afternoon. According to USCP, a man in a blue sedan charged a security barrier at the Capitol, striking two officers. The man then exited the vehicle with a knife and ran toward the officers. At least one of the officers drew their weapon and shot the suspect, who succumbed to his injuries about 30 minutes later. One of the USCP officers who was hit by the car also died of his injuries. The Senate majority leader, Chuck Schumer, said he was “heartbroken” for the US Capitol Police officer who was killed today, after a car rammed through a security barrier. “I’m praying for the officer injured and his family. We’re in their debt,” the Democratic leader said on Twitter. “We thank the Capitol Police, National Guard, & first responders for all they do to protect the Capitol and those inside.” USCP lifts Capitol lockdown after car attack The US Capitol police has lifted the lockdown on the Capitol grounds, about two hours after a car rammed a security barrier and injured two USCP officers, killing one of them. But the police force noted the area immediately surrounding the attack site is still under restricted access as officials continue to process the scene.