Biden wants Congress to take action on gun reform

The call for gun reform comes on the third anniversary of the Parkland shooting.

This is Day 26 of the administration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.


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Biden launches 'A Weekly Conversation' with woman who lost job amid pandemic

The White House has released a new video of Biden speaking on the phone with an unemployed mother who lost her job because of the coronavirus pandemic and telling her what his COVID-19 relief proposal could do to immediately help Americans.

Michele is from Roseville, California, and lost her job at a startup clothing company, according to the White House. In the video, she says she was laid off for the first time ever in July and hasn’t been able to find work. She decided to write a letter to Biden.

The president, sitting at the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, offers Michele his familiar line, recounting his father's motto that a job is “a lot more than just a paycheck.”

“The idea that we think we can keep businesses open and moving and thriving without dealing with this pandemic, it's just a non-starter. We're putting together a plan that provides for emergency relief to people in desperate need now, everything from mortgage payments, to unemployment insurance, to rental subsidies, to food security for children. It provides for some small and medium-sized businesses to be able to open,” Biden tells her.

Biden also repeats that he believes his administration will deliver on his 100 million shots in 100 days plan, which leads Michele to say she “finally” got her parents an appointment and they were getting their vaccines the same day the call took place.

Biden tells Michele’s daughter that he called after reading her mother's letter because he admired “her determination" and "commitment.”

The White House says this new effort, labeled “A Weekly Conversation,” will allow Biden to regularly communicate directly with Americans. On Friday, press secretary Jen Psaki teased the video, saying Biden will continue the tradition, similar to former President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “Fireside Chats” or Reagan’s weekly radio address, and that Biden’s effort will take on “a variety of forms.”

-ABC News' Justin Gomez


Blinken discusses Iran, other issues with European allies

Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with his French, German, and British counterparts Friday for a wide-ranging conversation that "affirmed the centrality of the Transatlantic relationship in dealing with security, climate, economic, health, and other challenges the world faces," according to State Department spokesperson Ned Price.

The meeting, however, also focused on Iran, which Price warned earlier in the week requires "urgency" as it ramps up its nuclear program ahead of possible U.S.-Iran talks on restoring the Iran nuclear deal.

France, Germany, and the United Kingdom remain parties to the deal, which the Trump administration withdrew the U.S. from, reimposing sanctions.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan convened a meeting of Cabinet chiefs Friday morning, according to White House press secretary Jen Psaki, including Blinken, to discuss Iran.

"The meeting today is part of an ongoing policy review. It is not decisional. There are no pending policy announcements," Psaki said in a tweet. Biden also did not mention Iran during his foreign policy address on Thursday.

While Price listed Iran as one of many issues, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab indicated it was a major topic, tweeting the four top diplomats "discussed how a united approach could address our shared concerns towards Iran."

-ABC News' Connor Finnegan


Biden calls first ride on Air Force One 'a great honor'

Biden landed in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, Friday night after taking his first ride on Air Force One, calling it “a great honor” and a “pretty sweet ride” after seeing practice landings from New Castle Air National Guard Base in the past.

“It’s a great honor. But I didn't think about it to tell you the truth," Biden said.

“They've used this air -- to practice landing for the 747 take off of the president’s plane for a long time. So I’ve been watching. About 5 miles that way as you come off the air force, going north you pass over my house. Now I’m getting off that plane, which is really kind of strange.”

Asked what his plans for the weekend were, Biden said, “to see my grandchildren and to hang out with Jill to get the rest of the stuff we have to move from our house to the other house.”

-ABC News' Justin Gomez


Biden says Trump shouldn’t receive intelligence briefings because of 'erratic behavior'

When asked in pre-recorded interview by "CBS Evening News" Anchor Norah O'Donnell if former President Donald Trump should receive any further intelligence briefings, Biden said “I think not,” adding that it’s because of Trump’s “erratic behavior unrelated to the insurrection.” 

Asked what his worst fear is if Trump continues to get these briefings, Biden wouldn’t speculate, simply saying there’s “no need for him to have” it.

“I'd rather not speculate out loud. I just think that there is no need for him to have that intelligence briefing. What value is giving him an intelligent briefing? What impact does he have at all? Other than the fact he might slip and say something.”

Trump’s own former deputy director of national intelligence, Sue Gordon, previously said that Trump shouldn’t have access to the briefings after he left office.

On Monday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the decision to revoke Trump’s access was “under review” and there was no determination yet.

-ABC New's Justin Gomez and Molly Nagle