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House Republicans want Biden to testify at April impeachment hearing as White House slams probe

Kent Nishimura/Getty Images

(WASHINGTON) -- House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer on Thursday officially invited President Joe Biden to testify before the panel as part of a Republican-led impeachment inquiry into allegations that Biden used his office to participate in and profit from his family's foreign business dealings -- which he has adamantly denied.

The committee proposed April 16 for the hearing, according to a letter from Comer, who claimed in a statement that the "the White House has taken a position hostile to the Committee's investigation."

The impeachment probe, launched unilaterally by former Speaker Kevin McCarthy and then formalized months later by the House in a party-line vote, has yet to yield concrete evidence against the president.

Comer nonetheless contended in his statement on Thursday that there is a "yawning gap between" what Biden has said publicly and the committee's work.

"As Chairman of the Committee, in addition to requesting that you answer the questions posed in this letter, I invite you to participate in a public hearing at which you will be afforded the opportunity to explain, under oath, your involvement with your family's sources of income and the means it has used to generate it," Comer said, addressing the president.

Speaker Mike Johnson echoed that in a statement of his own, saying, in part, that "there are significant outstanding questions that have emerged from our inquiry that the President can answer."

The oversight chairman, a Kentucky Republican, said at the end of the most recent impeachment hearing that he planned to ask Biden to testify.

That hearing, earlier this month, focused on well-established allegations of Biden family impropriety by House Republicans, while Democrats sought to cast the probe as a political hit job.

"The Bidens sell Joe Biden. That is their business," Comer claimed then.

Rep. Jamie Raskin, the ranking Democrat on the committee, shot back at that hearing: "With any luck, today marks the end of perhaps the most spectacular failure in the history of congressional investigations: the effort to find a high crime or misdemeanor committed by Joe Biden and then to impeach him for it."

Asked for comment on Thursday about Comer's letter, the White House referred back to earlier statements by spokesman Ian Sams, who has repeatedly denounced the impeachment proceedings.

"This is a sad stunt at the end of a dead impeachment," Sams wrote on social media last week.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Schumer says Senate trial for Mayorkas will take place next month

Mike Kline (notkalvin)/Getty Images

(WASHINGTON) -- House Speaker Mike Johnson announced on Thursday that the impeachment articles for Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas will be sent over to the Senate on April 10, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the Senate trial will take place on April 11.

In a new letter, Johnson and the Republican impeachment managers called on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to "schedule a trial of the matter expeditiously."

The House voted to impeach Mayorkas on Feb. 13 by a vote of 214-213 over what Republicans claimed was his failure to enforce border laws amid a "crisis" of high illegal immigration, allegations the secretary denied as "baseless." But Johnson waited to send over the articles until the government was fully funded.

"The evidence on both charges is clear, comprehensive, and compelling, and the House's solemn act to impeach the first sitting Cabinet official in American history demands timely action by the Senate," the letter to Schumer said.

Asked for a statement, DHS referred ABC News to the statement when Mayorkas was initially impeached.

"Without a shred of evidence or legitimate Constitutional grounds, and despite bipartisan opposition, House Republicans have falsely smeared a dedicated public servant who has spent more than 20 years enforcing our laws and serving our country," DHS spokesperson Mia Ehrenberg said. "Secretary Mayorkas and the Department of Homeland Security will continue working every day to keep Americans safe."

Once the articles are sent over, the Senate will be sworn in and seated for a trial. Later Thursday, Schumer's office said senators will be sworn in as jurors in the Mayorkas impeachment trial on April 11. However, Schumer has indicated Senate Democrats will move to dismiss a trial despite Republican demands for one.

"We call upon you to fulfill your constitutional obligation to hold this trial," House GOP said in the letter. "The American people demand a secure border, an end to this crisis, and accountability for those responsible. To table articles of impeachment without ever hearing a single argument or reviewing a piece of evidence would be a violation of our constitutional order and an affront to the American people whom we all serve."

Several Republican senators have called on Schumer to hold a full trial. If Schumer does hold a trial, the charges require a vote by two-thirds of the Senate to convict Mayorkas and remove him from office. There are not enough votes to convict Mayorkas.

The impeachment managers are: Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green, Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, Rep. Andy Biggs, Rep. Ben Cline, Rep. Andrew Garbarino, Rep. Michael Guest, Rep. Harriet Hageman, Rep. Clay Higgins, Rep. Laurel Lee, Rep. August Pfluger, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.

ABC News' Luke Barr and Mariam Khan contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Baltimore bridge collapse timeline: Inside the cargo ship collision

Via NTSB

(BALTIMORE) -- Just after midnight on Tuesday, the fully loaded container ship Dali lifted anchor and prepared to depart the Port of Baltimore with 23 crew members aboard, destined for Sri Lanka nearly 9,000 miles away.

There was no apparent indication of the catastrophe awaiting the vessel. Authorities said the bridge was undergoing maintenance at the time and that one lane in each direction remained open.

Here is how the incident unfolded:

12:39 a.m. -- The 984-foot-long, Singapore-flagged cargo ship pulls out of its berth at a marine terminal southeast of downtown Baltimore, according to ship's voyage data recorder (VDR) reviewed by the National Transportation Safety Board investigators.

1 a.m. A livestream camera captures light traffic, including a tractor-trailer rig, moving across the 1.6-mile Key Bridge.

1:07 a.m. -- The cargo ship enters the Fort McHenry channel and begins to head down the Patapsco River toward the Francis Scott Key Bridge, according to the VDR.

1:24 a.m. -- The livestream camera shows the cargo ship's lights suddenly going off and then coming back on.

1:24:59 a.m. -- Numerous audible alarms go off on the bridge of the container ship. The VDR temporarily goes off.

1:26 a.m. -- The Dali appears to lose its lights again as it drifts slightly to the right in the direction of one of the bridge's main center columns supporting the arched steel trusses of the span. At the time, vehicles can still be seen crossing the bridge. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said that about this time a mayday call was made from the vessel, giving transportation officials just enough time to order a halt to traffic approaching both ends of the bridge, likely saving lives.

1:27:39 a.m. -- The pilot aboard the ship makes a general VHF radio call for tugboats in the area to assist. At the same time, a Pilot Association dispatcher phones Maryland Transportation Authority duty officers regarding a blackout on the Dali.

1:27:04 a.m. -- The pilot aboard the Dali orders the vessel's port anchor be dropped, according to the VDR.

1:27:25 a.m. -- The pilot aboard the cargo ship issues a VHF radio call reporting the Dali has lost all power and was approaching the bridge. Around the same time, a Maryland Transportation Authority duty officer radios the agency's units, informing them to hold traffic at the south and north ends of the bridge, saying, "There's a ship approaching it [that] just lost their steering," according to a recording of the dispatch from Broadcastify.com. The livestream camera shows the cargo ship lights suddenly going off as the vessel appears to drift to the right in the direction of one of the main center columns supporting the arched steel trusses of the span.

1:28 a.m. -- Dark smoke appears to be coming from the cargo ship, which is moving at 7 knots, or 8 mph.

1:29:33 a.m.-- The VDR on the cargo ship records sounds consistent with the vessel hitting the bridge. Officials said at the time of the collision no traffic was crossing the bridge, but parked vehicles, apparently belonging to the maintenance crew filling potholes, were still on the span. Two maintenance workers survive, one by running from the bridge and the other by going into the water and swimming to shore. Six other maintenance workers remain unaccounted for. A law enforcement officer makes a desperate radio transmission to dispatch, saying, "The whole bridge just fell down. Start whoever, everybody. The whole bridge just collapsed."

1:39:39 a.m. -- The pilot on the Dali tells the Coast Guard over the VHF radio that the Key Bridge is down.

1:40 a.m. -- The Baltimore City Fire Department’s 911 center dispatch receives a call about a water rescue in the Patapsco River near the Key Bridge. As fire crews race to the bridge, they receive numerous calls indicating multiple people in the water.

1:50 a.m. -- Fire crews arrive at the scene and report a complete collapse of the Key Bridge and that multiple people were likely on the span when it occurred.

6:26 a.m. -- At an early morning news conference Tuesday, Baltimore City Fire Chief James Wallace said sonar detected the presence of vehicles submerged in the water and that an all-out search-and-rescue operation involving police, firefighters and U.S. Coast Guard crews was underway to locate survivors.

FBI officials said agents were immediately sent to the bridge, arriving an hour after the collapse. At the White House, President Joe Biden held an early morning meeting with his advisors and ordered the use of resources to help in the rescue operation.

10 a.m. -- At a mid-morning news conference Tuesday, the governor announced that the preliminary investigation showed the incident appeared to be a tragic accident.

"The preliminary investigation points toward an accident," Moore said. "We haven't seen any credible evidence of a terrorist attack."

12:46 p.m. -- During a press conference Tuesday afternoon from the White House, Biden addressed the bridge collapse. "We’re going to send all the federal resources they need as we respond to this emergency," he said, referring to his conversation with Baltimore officials.

"We're incredibly grateful for the brave rescuers who immediately rushed to the scene. And to the people of Baltimore, we want to say, we're with you, we're going to stay with you for as long as it takes," said Biden.

The president echoed local, state and federal officials who said investigators have found no evidence linking the incident to terrorism. Biden called it a "terrible incident and accident."

2:30 p.m. -- Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, says at a news conference that the agency's investigators arrived at the scene at 6 a.m. Tuesday and were launching their probe of the bridge collapse.

7:30 p.m. -- On Tuesday night, the U.S. Coast Guard said it would be suspending search and rescue efforts and began recovery efforts at 6 a.m. Wednesday.

"Based on the length of time that we've gone in the search, the extensive search efforts that we put into it, the water temperature -- at this point, we do not believe that we're going to find any of these individuals still alive," Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath told reporters.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

ICE singles out ‘sanctuary cities’ after Laken Riley’s killing as they announce separate migrant arrests

Via ICE

(NEW YORK) -- Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested 216 noncitizens who faced criminal charges and convictions as part of the agency's latest nationwide operation, officials said on Thursday as they also singled out what are known as "sanctuary cities" in the wake of a Georgia college student's killing.

Over a period of 12 days earlier this month, agents across the country moved in on the at-large immigration offenders, ICE officials said at a news conference.

The operation was part of the ICE mission to target those in the country illegally who pose a risk to public safety, officials said.

All 216 arrested migrants have connections to drug crimes, according to ICE's allegations, and nearly half of those arrested had been previously deported.

"We're on a mission to protect the American public by containing and removing people who contribute to this horrible drug crisis," Acting ICE Director Patrick J. Lechleitner told reporters.

The operation also highlighted a divide between the goals of federal and local law enforcement agencies. As a federal agency, ICE is responsible for enforcing the nation's immigration law -- local law enforcement is not.

As a result, ICE officials said, some convicted criminals who are migrants -- such as those caught in the operation this month -- have previously been set free by local authorities despite being eligible for deportation.

"And to be frank -- in some areas -- there are laws that affect the ability for state and local law enforcement to cooperate with ICE," Lechleitner said. "So we're trying to make progress in areas that are a little less ICE friendly."

Those municipalities, commonly referred to as "sanctuary cities," restrict communication between local law enforcement and ICE because of what migrant and some civil liberties' advocates say is a concern about the abuse of federal deportation and enforcement policies.

The issue came to a head last month when Venezuelan national Jose Antonio Ibarra was arrested on murder charges in the killing of 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley at the University of Georgia. Ibarra has not yet entered a plea.

Ibarra entered the U.S. illegally and had been previously arrested on suspicion of an unrelated crime but was subsequently released before ICE could move to deport him, ICE has said.

"I can't speak to individual jurisdictions that do this," Lechleitner said on Thursday, referring to sanctuary cities. "All we want to say is that we want to talk to them and we want to try and work through on any way we can cooperate with our law enforcement partners."

As part of the agency's latest investigative work tied to the March operation, officials identified more than 400 noncitizens who are subject to arrest.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

‘This is the beginning, not the end’: Republicans brace for continued abortion rights fallout

Grant Faint/Getty Images

(WASHINGTON) -- Republicans accomplished a longtime goal in 2022 when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, scrapping constitutional protections for abortion. They've been faced with seemingly monthly electoral setbacks ever since, with no end in sight.

Democrats have made defending reproductive rights a rallying cry, seizing on it to defy expectations in the 2022 midterms and hoping it offers a life raft this year to a President Joe Biden, whose approval rating hit a new low in January, and down-ballot candidates running in his wake. And the fallout from the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision has appeared ceaseless, sparking just recently a controversy over in vitro fertilization access in Alabama and this week's Supreme Court hearing on a challenge to the Food and Drug Administration's regulation of mifepristone, a widely used drug used in medication abortions.

That dynamic has many Republicans bracing for further electoral consequences, with few saying that they see an off ramp to the now routine flareups in the debate over abortion.

"This is the beginning, not the end. This issue is not going away anytime soon. There are many facets to this that are layered in federal policy, state policy, there's going to be court cases, there's going to be things that come up. We've had already this year an IVF challenge, we've had, now, the pill challenge. There's gonna be more of this," said GOP pollster Robert Blizzard.

To be fair, reproductive rights are not the only issue that could move the needle this November.

Israel's war in Gaza is dampening enthusiasm among Democrats' base; inflation, while declining, is still a major concern for voters, according to an early March ABC News/Ipsos poll of adults that found Americans grade Trump more favorably than Biden on inflation (45%-31%); immigration has been a constant thorn in the White House's side, with voters telling pollsters they trust Republicans more than Democrats to clamp down on unauthorized border crossings."

GOP operatives who spoke to ABC News frequently tied their conundrum around abortion to Democrats' struggles to convince voters that the parties share the blame over immigration concerns.

But on those other issues, there are at least action items, even if they may not ultimately succeed: diplomatic pressure could tamp down hostilities in Gaza, possibly ending the war months before Election Day; the Federal Reserve could lower interest rates to ameliorate inflation concerns; Biden could take already-teased executive actions on the border.

Republicans said they're still searching for action items on abortion that would prevent such flashes as the Alabama Supreme Court's ruling on IVF and the resulting controversies.

"It is the challenge that we have on a daily basis, and you never know what's next and what state or what member of Congress or state legislator's going to do something that rocks the boat on it," said one veteran GOP strategist who spoke anonymously to comment on such a hot-button issue.

"Just like we take advantage of the more liberal side of the Democrat Party, the Democrats are going to try to highlight some of the more conservative people on the right. That's the cards we're dealt, we're just gonna have to deal with it as it comes."

The electoral potency of the issue was put into sharp relief again Tuesday, when Democrat Marilyn Lands won a swing state House seat in Alabama. Lands focused much of her campaign around abortion and IVF, while Republican Teddy Powell centered much of his campaign around the economy.

Lands' win was in part attributed to a backlash to the state Supreme Court's IVF ruling. And while many Republicans privately and publicly lambasted that decision as beyond the pale, including by GOP standards, operatives conceded there's little that can be done to prevent a ruling or bill from making a splash in the future, even if it's widely viewed as unacceptable.

"The states have just started wrestling with one of the most intractable issues in American politics. And some state legislatures are going to overreach, and some state judicial rulings will overreach, and then they'll get corrected," GOP consultant Whit Ayres said. "We saw that with the IVF issue in Alabama, where the legislature and the governor rushed to confront and overturn a Supreme Court decision."

When asked if Republicans have to make peace with a pattern of overreach and correction, Ayres replied, "Yeah. That's the way the process works."

Republicans' challenge is rooted in a fundamental disagreement over how the party should approach abortion, with some advocating for some kind of federal policy like capping abortion at 15 weeks of pregnancy with exceptions for rape, incest and concerns for life of the mother, and others pushing a leave-it-to-the-states approach, keeping the party on the defensive.

"When you have inconsistencies across the country, it's easier for the other side to paint that in one broad stroke," Blizzard said.

Republicans in support of a federal policy like a 15- or 16-week limit with exceptions argue that could walk the line of taking action while not alienating too many voters.

"I think it's 15 weeks with exceptions on the federal level -- with states allowed to go further if they wish to. And I can't for a minute say that the entire movement has coalesced around that, but I think that's a winning proposal," said GOP strategist Bob Heckman.

Heckman added it would be "helpful" if former President Donald Trump, the GOP's presumptive White House nominee and de facto party leader, declared where he stands as a sign to the broader party.

The former president has floated capping abortion at 15 or 16 weeks of pregnancy, though he has declined to definitively lay out his stance -- a strategy that some predicted would change precisely because of the unpredictability of upcoming controversies around reproductive rights.

"I think for Trump, it's not feasible to not have a position. If you just say, 'leave it to the states, and I have no opinion beyond that,' I don't think that's feasible, because then you're stuck with anything that any state does," said Republican strategist Scott Jennings.

"What [Trump] could say is, 'look, I'm signaling my position. I think it's a reasonable position. I think it's where the Republican Party should be, and I think if you support me, you'd do well to take this position.' So, maybe that's where they're headed," Jennings added. "When he talks, Republicans listen, and they tend to adopt his views on issues, and so, I think it's likely that this will become the de facto position of the Republican Party."

Republicans who support a state-by-state approach, though, point to the existing lack of consensus and the ambitions of other lawmakers or conservative state courts to suggest that such federal policy isn't a panacea to the GOP's messaging woes.

"You've got a presidential campaign that usually sets the tone, and then you've got everybody else running in their Senate seats or congressional seats or even state legislative seats or statewide officeholders that are trying to be the most conservative on this issue or that issue. And even if there was a consensus at the federal level, that doesn't mean the state guys are gonna fall in line," said the veteran GOP strategist.

"There will never be an abortion policy that will be considered legitimate in both Massachusetts and Mississippi," Ayres added. "The idea that you're going to find some kind of national solution that will be accepted as legitimate around the country is a mirage."

When asked if he could think of any historical parallels of an issue that had such little consensus with such significant electoral repercussions, Ayres cited one of the country's most historically divisive issues: slavery.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Disgraced former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years for financial fraud

Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

(NEW YORK) - A judge sentenced Sam Bankman-Fried to 25 years in prison Thursday for orchestrating what prosecutors have called one of the biggest financial frauds in American history.

Bankman-Fried, 32, of Stanford, California, was convicted last November of two counts of wire fraud conspiracy, two counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. He was also convicted of conspiracy to commit commodities fraud and conspiracy to commit securities fraud, each of which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

He was accused of using customer deposits on the cryptocurrency trading platform FTX, the company he founded, to cover losses at his hedge fund, pay off loans and buy lavish real estate, among other personal expenses.

Prosecutors have said he deserves between 40 and 50 years in prison because of the "enormous scale of the fraud."

Bankman-Fried addressed the court before sentencing, standing at the defense table with his arms folded in front of him, looking down and often mumbling.

He conceded his "mismanagement" caused Alameda, his privately controlled hedge fund, to shut down after its initial success and said he "failed everyone and everything I care about too."

"I threw all of that away. It haunts me every day," he said. "I made a series of bad decisions. They weren't selfish decisions, they weren't selfless decisions, they were bad decisions."

Bankman-Fried also acknowledged FTX customers have not been made whole. "The customers, creditors lenders, they haven't been paid back," he said. "That has caused a lot of damage."

Sunil Kavuri, a London-based technology investor at Shomei Group, addressed the court Thursday before sentencing on behalf of 200 victims, he said.

"I suffered every day," Kavuri said. "This is a continuous lie that we are all made whole [through bankruptcy payments]." He added that he had "money I wanted to spend on a family home taken away."

Kavuri told the court he knows FTX victims who are suffering from depression and he said victims have taken their own lives.

More than $8 billion of customer money was misappropriated, which "puts this crime in a class of cases that can be counted on one hand," prosecutors said. Beyond that, Bankman-Fried "victimized tens of thousands of people and companies, across several continents, over a period of multiple years. He stole money from customers who entrusted it to him; he lied to investors; he sent fabricated documents to lenders; he pumped millions of dollars in illegal donations into our political system; and he bribed foreign officials."

Judge Lewis Kaplan immediately rejected Bankman-Fried's claim Thursday that his fraud was not $8 billion as prosecutors alleged.

"The defendant's argument hinges on what amounts to an assumption that customers of FTX are going to be made whole in the bankruptcy," Kaplan said. "The defendant's assertion that FTX customers and creditors will be paid in full is misleading; it is logically flawed."

Bankman-Fried stepped down from his role at FTX in November 2022 amid a rapid collapse that ended with the company -- once valued at $32 billion at its peak -- declaring bankruptcy.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Roos said a stiff sentence for Sam Bankman-Fried is warranted because "the defendant could commit crimes again."

The prosecutor noted that Bankman-Fried did "not swear off doing it again" when he addressed the court.

"A sentence here of at least 40 years is necessary to make sure the defendant cannot do it again," Roos said.

The prosecutor spoke of victims who lost everything because they trusted Bankman-Fried when he told them, via social media or some other platform, that their money was safe.

"The defendant is not a monster but he is someone who committed gravely serious crimes," Roos said. "The criminality here is massive in scale, it was pervasive in all aspects of the business. This was not a great business that had a problem at the end. It was pervaded with fraud."

Prior to Thursday's sentencing, defense attorneys called the government's ask for 40 to 50 years in prison "barbaric" and argued Bankman-Fried deserved about six years in prison because of how "deeply, deeply sorry he is for the pain he caused." They also said the "harm to customers, lenders, and investors is zero."

On Thursday, defense attorney Mark Mukasey insisted Bankman-Fried possesses compassion, empathy and generosity and "really, he's an awkward math nerd."

"He loves video games and veganism," Mukasey told the court. "He's compassionate to animals and children. He has a tireless work ethic. He has a completely off-the-charts, mind-blowing intellect."

While his fraud has been compared to Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme, Mukasey said the 32-year-old is no stone-cold financial assassin.

"That level of depravity is nowhere in this case. I don't think it's anywhere in Sam's heart," Mukasey said. "Sam is on the opposite end of the culpability scale."

The lawyer added, "Sam never scurried away with billions of dollars in a Swiss bank account or under his mattress."

Prosecutors have cast Bankman-Fried differently.

"With all the advantages conferred by a comfortable upbringing, an MIT education, a prestigious start to his career in finance, and a worthy idea for a startup business, Bankman-Fried could have pursued the rewarding, productive, and altruistic life he has sketched out in his sentencing submission. But instead, his life in recent years has been one of unmatched greed and hubris; of ambition and rationalization; and courting risk and gambling repeatedly with other people's money," prosecutors said.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Congo displacement reaches ‘devastating level’ as violence escalates, aid groups warn

GUILLEM SARTORIO/Getty Images

(LONDON) -- Almost a million people have been forced to flee their homes in the Democratic Republic of Congo since the start of the year following an upsurge in violence in the east of the Central African nation, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, or UNHCR, has announced.

Humanitarian agencies are raising alarm at the "humanitarian and medical toll of the violence," saying the situation has reached a "devastating level" as thousands of weapon-wounded civilians pour in to hospitals in Goma, the capital of North Kivu, and surrounding areas.

In a dramatic resurgence of violence, the March 23 Movement armed rebel group has been expanding its territory and advancing towards Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, forcing thousands of civilians caught in the crossfire to flee as fighting intensifies between M23, the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and various other armed groups.

Xavier Collard de Macquerh, head of programs at the International Committee of the Red Cross, told ABC News that the situation is dire and "we are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe."

"People are experiencing loss in a repetitive manner, displaced several times in a row," he said.

Collard de Macquerh says moving frontlines are triggering a wave of displacement, hospitals in Goma supported by the ICRC receiving more and more wounded civilians. "We are receiving more and more weapon-wounded and seeing a sharp increase in those wounded by shrapnel, explosives, which is a major concern."

Collard de Macquerh told ABC News many civilians are also fleeing north to hard-to-access areas for humanitarian organizations due to security.

"People are in need of access to basics such as food, water, hygiene and access to health," he told ABC News over the phone from Kinshasa, calling on armed actors to take all possible precautions to protect civilians caught in the crossfire.

According to the World Food Programme, around a quarter of the Central African nation’s population is facing "crisis levels of hunger or worse," with many living in poor conditions with no access to food, education or health services. It's a conflict-driven hunger crisis, WFP said in a statement last week.

Almost 300,000 people have arrived in Goma and its surroundings since "violent clashes" enveloped the town of Sake in Masisi territory in February, UNHCR spokesperson Matthew Saltmarsh said at a press briefing in Geneva. The mass displacement has caused spontaneous and official displacement to "swell" as civilians desperately seek refuge from "indiscriminate bombing and other human rights abuses."

The DRC now stands as the second-largest displacement crisis globally, second only to Sudan, the U.N. said, with over 7.1 million people internally displaced, including 800,000 in the last three months.

"Close to 10 million people are on the move," said Saltmarsh. "Poverty and hunger affect a quarter of the population or 25.4 million people. The spread of cholera and other infectious diseases pose significant threats to the populations health."

International Childrens charity Save the Children said the violence has also closed over 500 schools in the North Kivu region, creating chaos for children and "putting them at risk of being recruited by armed forces." There have been at least two cases of teachers being kidnapped.

The U.S. has called on warring parties to turn to the Luanda Process.

"There is no military-only solution to the crisis in eastern DRC," U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Robert Wood said in a briefing to the U.N. Security Council. "The United States strongly supports the efforts led by regional actors to resume the Nairobi and Luanda processes, which offer the most viable paths toward resolving this 30-year conflict."

"The United States calls on the leaders of Rwanda and the DRC to make the decision to pursue peace – for the sake of their people, the region, and the world," the ambassador said.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Former Senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82

Win McNamee/Getty Images

(NEW YORK) -- Former Sen. Joe Lieberman has died, his family announced Wednesday. He was 82 years old.

Lieberman died in New York City "due to complications from a fall," his family said in a statement.

"His beloved wife, Hadassah, and members of his family were with him as he passed. Senator Lieberman's love of God, his family, and America endured throughout his life of service in the public interest," the statement read.

Lieberman, a prominent Jewish politician who represented Connecticut, was Al Gore's running mate on the Democratic ticket in 2000. A political maverick who ultimately became an independent, he also nearly joined former Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain's presidential ticket as his running mate. The two were friends and were both defense hawks, advocating for a muscular U.S. posture abroad.

Lieberman became a player on the political scene again in recent years as the founding chair of the No Labels party, which is weighing launching a "unity ticket" in this year's presidential race, though no major candidates have said they plan to join.

Lieberman "meant so much to so many," No Labels said in a statement following his passing. "He was a beloved husband, father and grandfather. He was a senator and a statesman. He was the founding chairman and moral center of the No Labels movement.

"His unexpected passing is a profound loss for all of us," the statement continued.

"Senator Lieberman was a singular figure in American political life who always put his country before party. He was a deeply principled and pragmatic leader who believed public service was a privilege and who dedicated his life to the betterment of others. As a four-term senator, he led passage of transformative bipartisan legislation that made America's air and water cleaner, that made us safer after 9/11, and that expanded equality and opportunity for all," the statement continued, in part.

"Senator Lieberman leaves behind a void that cannot be filled," No Labels added. "But we are honored to have known him and we hope his family can find comfort in the difficult days ahead knowing the tremendous impact that he had."

Lieberman's funeral will be held Friday at Congregation Agudath Sholom in his hometown of Stamford, his family said.

Lieberman's former running mate, Al Gore, released a statement on X saying he was "profoundly saddened."

"I am profoundly saddened by the loss of Joe Lieberman. First and foremost, he was a man of devout faith and dedication to his family," Gore's statement read.

"Joe was a man of deep integrity who dedicated his life to serving his country. He was a truly gifted leader, whose affable personality and strong will made him a force to be reckoned with. That's why it came as no surprise to any of us who knew him when he'd start singing his favorite song: Frank Sinatra's 'My Way.' And doing things Joe's way meant always putting his country and the values of equality and fairness first.

"His fierce dedication to these values was clear even as a young man. When he was about to travel to the South to join the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, he wrote: 'I am going because there is much work to be done. I am an American. And this is one nation, or it is nothing.' Those are the words of a champion of civil rights and a true patriot, which is why I shared that quote when I announced Joe as my running mate.

"It was an honor to stand side-by-side with him on the campaign trail. I'll remain forever grateful for his tireless efforts to build a better future for America," Gore's statement concluded.

Former President George W. Bush released a statement, calling Lieberman "one of the most decent people" he met in Washington.

"Laura and I are saddened by the loss of Joe Lieberman. Joe was as fine an American as they come and one of the most decent people I met during my time in Washington," his statement read. "As a Democrat, Joe wasn't afraid to engage with Senators from across the aisle and worked hard to earn votes from outside his party. He engaged in serious and thoughtful debate with opposing voices on important issues. And in both loss and victory, Joe Lieberman was always a gentleman. I'm grateful for Joe's principled service to our country and for the dignity and patriotism he brought to public life. As Laura and I pray for Hadassah and the Lieberman family, we also pray that Joe's example of decency guides our Nation's leaders now and into the future."

In a statement on X, former President Barack Obama expressed his condolences.

"Joe Lieberman and I didn't always see eye-to-eye, but he had an extraordinary career in public service, including four decades spent fighting for the people of Connecticut. He also worked hard to repeal "Don't Ask Don't Tell" and helped us pass the Affordable Care Act. In both cases the politics were difficult, but he stuck to his principles because he knew it was the right thing to do. Michelle and I extend our deepest condolences to Hadassah and the Lieberman family," his statement read.

Connecticut lawmakers honored Lieberman after news of his death broke.

"Connecticut is shocked by Senator Lieberman's sudden passing. In an era of political carbon copies, Joe Lieberman was a singularity. One of one. He fought and won for what he believed was right and for the state he adored. My thoughts are with Hadassah and the entire family," Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

"On world and national stages, he helped to define and frame an era of history," Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said in a statement. "He was a fierce advocate, a man of deep conscience and conviction, and a courageous leader who sought to bridge gaps and bring people together. He was dedicated to family and faith, and he was a role model of public service. He never ceased listening to both friends and adversaries. He leaves an enduring legacy as a fighter for consumers, environmental values, civil rights, and other great causes of our time and he was tireless in working for Connecticut no matter how far or high he went."

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, who beat Lieberman in the 2006 Senate Democratic primary but then lost to him in the general election when Lieberman ran as an independent, said they had ideological differences but honored Lieberman as "a man of integrity and conviction" and that "we stayed in touch as friends in the best traditions of American democracy" after their race was over.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., called his longtime friend's passing "devastatingly sad."

"Just heard of my dear friend Joe Lieberman's passing. As I am just now leaving Israel, so many emotions. This is devastatingly sad. I feel fortunate to have been in his presence, traveling the world in support of America's interests as we saw it," Graham said in a statement.

"To Hadassah, I know your heart is broken, but please understand your legion of friends love you dearly. To the Lieberman family, we will be with you through this journey. I look forward to sharing more thoughts about this wonderful man and the incredible life he lived.

"The good news, he is in the hands of the loving God. The bad news, John McCain is giving him an earful about how screwed up things are," Graham said, adding: "Rest in peace, my dear friend. From the Last Amigo."

Lieberman was the first Jewish American on a major party's presidential ticket and was known for his Jewish observance.

"Sen. Joe Lieberman was a true trailblazer, and represented the hopes, aspirations, and ideals of the Jewish community in the United States," the Jewish Federations of North America wrote on X. "As the first member of the Jewish community to run on a major party presidential ticket, he broke barriers and showed us what was possible, and always did so while holding strong to his values and moral outlook. Jewish Federations mourn his passing, and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time."

The National Council of Jewish Women also mourned the loss of Lieberman, writing on X: "A trailblazer as the first Jewish candidate on the national ticket of a major party, he championed abortion access, LGBTQ+ equality and gun safety. Our communities are safer because of his leadership. May his memory be for a blessing."

"Joe Lieberman was a true mensch and a great American," former Sen. Norm Coleman, chairman of the Republican Jewish Coalition, said in a statement. "Time and again, Senator Lieberman put principle over politics. He was a shining example of all that's good and decent about public service. And he was a committed and proud Jew who served his country with distinction... I am proud to have known Joe and the Republican Jewish Coalition was proud to work with him over the years."

ABC News' Rick Klein, Kelsey Walsh, Mariam Khan and Oren Oppenheim contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Israel agrees to reschedule delegation visit to the White House: US official

Caroline Purser/Getty Images

(WASHINGTON) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to reschedule his delegation's visit to the White House after he canceled the trip on Monday, a U.S. official told ABC News on Wednesday.

"The prime minister's office has agreed to reschedule the meeting dedicated to Rafah. We are now working to find a convenient date," the official told ABC News.

Israel pulled its delegation earlier this week after the U.S. allowed, through abstention, for the U.N. Security Council to adopt a resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza for the remaining days of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan -- and potentially longer.

The resolution called for the unconditional release of hostages being held by Hamas terrorists, though it did not explicitly tie that with a temporary cease-fire. The resolution further urged that the humanitarian pause should then lead "to a lasting sustainable ceasefire."

The White House said on Monday that it was "disappointed" and "kind of perplexed" that Israel canceled the delegation's planned visit to the U.S.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed that the U.S. and Israel are working to set a date for the Israeli delegation's visit to discuss Rafah.

"We're working to set a date. The Prime Minister's Office agreed to reschedule this meeting," she told ABC's Selina Wang.

"We are working to convene ... that meeting, an important meeting on Rafah. And when we have a date, certainly we'll share that with you."

The decision to reschedule came after several members of President Joe Biden's Cabinet held "constructive discussions" with Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant this week in Washington, D.C., the official said.

The official said that Rafah, a city in the south of Gaza bordering Egypt, was "one of the many topics discussed" during meetings with National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and CIA Director Bill Burns.

Netanyahu said that a victory against Hamas is "impossible" without the Israel Defense Forces entering Rafah to eliminate the rest of the terrorist group's battalions.

Hamas waged an attack on Israel on Oct. 7, which has led to months of conflict.

In the Gaza Strip, more than 31,000 people have been killed by Israeli forces since Oct. 7, according to Gaza's Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health. In Israel, at least 1,200 people have been killed by Hamas and other Palestinian militants since Oct. 7, according to Israeli officials.

The White House has said Biden has "deep concerns" Israel will not do enough to prevent civilian casualties as it goes after Hamas fighters in Rafah.

The Israeli military said that it plans to direct many of the displaced Palestinians living in Rafah toward "humanitarian islands" in the center of the territory ahead of any invasion.

ABC News' Selina Wang and Sarah Beth Hensley contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Baltimore Key Bridge collapse live updates: ‘Dozens’ of deaths may have been avoided

Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images

(BALTIMORE) -- A cargo ship crashed into Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge early Tuesday morning, causing a near-total collapse of the span and halting vessel traffic into and out of the Port of Baltimore.

Six construction workers believed to have fallen from the collapsing bridge into the frigid waters of the Patapsco River below are presumed dead, officials said. A search-and-rescue effort has been suspended and will shift to a recovery mission, officials said.

Here's how the news is developing:

Mar 28, 7:28 PM
Cranes en route to Baltimore to help clear channel: Governor

Cranes are en route to Baltimore to help clear the bridge debris from the channel, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said during a press briefing Thursday.

The wreckage needs to be cleared to help advance recovery efforts, after diving operations were suspended Wednesday night due to "security concerns," as well as to reopen the channel and ultimately rebuild the bridge, Moore said.

The U.S. Navy will be providing three cranes, according to a Navy spokesperson. Among them, the "largest crane in the Eastern Seaboard" should be arriving later Thursday evening, Moore said.

"This is an incredibly complex job, and our timeline will be long," Moore said. "We've got work to do, but we're moving."

Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath with the U.S. Coast Guard said assessments are underway to determine how to break down the bridge into the "right-size pieces" so that a crane can lift them.

"Our number one priority is to reopen the Port of Baltimore as fast as we can [and] do it safely," he said.

Mar 28, 6:02 PM
Biden administration approves $60 million for bridge costs

The Biden administration approved $60 million in emergency relief funds for rebuilding the bridge hours after the receiving the request from the state of Maryland, the White House said Thursday evening.

"The federal emergency funds we're releasing today will help Maryland begin urgent work, to be followed by further resources as recovery and rebuilding efforts progress," U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. "President Biden has been clear: the federal government will do everything it takes to help rebuild the bridge and get the Port of Baltimore back open."

Mar 28, 4:47 PM
3 responding officers honored at Orioles' opening day for 'courage, bravery'

Three officers from the Maryland Transportation Authority were celebrated at the Baltimore Orioles' opening day on Thursday for their bravery responding to the bridge collapse.

"Their courage, bravery, and quick thinking saved lives," Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said in a statement. "When duty called, they answered. When crisis struck, they stepped into the breach for total strangers. In this time of challenge, they’re a bright light for our nation and our state."

The officers -- Sgt. Paul Pastorek, Cpl. Jeremy Herbert and officer Garry Kirts -- said in a joint statement, "You train for years to respond to tragedy as an officer, but no amount of training could have prepared anyone for the events that took place on the Francis Scott Key Bridge."

"We were proud to carry out our duties as officers of this state to save the lives that we could, and we are grateful for the incredible amount of support from this community that we love so much," they said. "While your messages and outreaches are so appreciated, we respectfully ask for privacy at this time as we mourn the lives of those lost and spend time with those we hold dear."

-ABC News’ Beatrice Peterson

Mar 28, 4:26 PM
What we know about the victims

The bodies of two of the six construction workers killed were recovered on Wednesday, found by divers trapped in a pickup truck submerged underwater, police said.

The other four victims have not been recovered.

The workers found on Wednesday were identified by police as Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, a native of Mexico who lived in Baltimore, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, a native of Guatemala who lived in Dundalk, Maryland.

Among the four still missing is construction worker Miguel Luna, 49, a father of five, and Maynor Suazo Sandoval, a father of two.

Mar 28, 4:15 PM
Soaps, perfumes among hazardous materials

Divers are on pause due to the "hazardous conditions" caused by the collision, and officials are enforcing a 2,000-yard safety zone, according to the Unified Command leading the response.

The Unified Command is made up of agencies including the Coast Guard, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Maryland State Police.

"First responders have observed a sheen around the vessels," the Unified Command said.

Perfumes and soaps make up the majority of the 13 impacted containers with hazardous materials, according to the Unified Command.

"Crews continue to assess and monitor for spilled oils and hazardous substances to prevent further discharge," the Unified Command said in a statement Thursday.

"We have been conducting air monitoring on the vessel and around the vessel with our contractor. No volatile organic compounds or flammable vapors were observed," the Unified Command said. "Pollution and debris removal operations are on-going. At this time, no atmospheric hazards have been detected."

The Unified Command said it’s also monitoring water quality.

The Environmental Protection Agency said it sent two coordinators to work with the Coast Guard and other agencies.

-ABC News’ Sam Sweeney

Mar 28, 1:40 PM
Maryland requests $60M in emergency relief funds from federal government

The state of Maryland has requested $60 million in emergency relief funds from the federal government "for our immediate response efforts and to lay the foundation for a rapid recovery," Gov. Wes Moore said in a statement.

The governor’s office said the funds are "needed for the state to proceed as quickly and safely as possible with debris removal, demolition, traffic operations and other emergency needs," and that this "request is supplemental to funding provided by other federal partners to provide complementary work for the emergency response."

This request is not related to bridge reconstruction efforts. The governor’s office said the state "is working to develop the preliminary scope and engineering estimate of future financial needs."

President Joe Biden announced earlier this week that the federal government will pay for the reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

-ABC News’ Beatrice Peterson

Mar 28, 12:49 PM
State will do a full evaluation of all critical bridges in Maryland, governor says

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore told reporters that the state will do a "true full evaluation" of all fracture-critical bridges in Maryland in the wake of the deadly Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.

During a media availability on MLB opening day announcing the new ownership of the Baltimore Orioles, Moore asked for local leaders to help rebuild.

"I'm calling on everybody to do their part. In this game, nobody gets to sit on the sidelines. We need every single Baltimorean and we need every single Marylander to join us in this work to rebuild this bridge and rebuild the city," Moore said. "And that work is happening as we speak. The best minds in the world are coming together to collect the information that we need to move forward with speed and safety."

Once the bridge is rebuilt, Moore said, "We're going to have another reopening day -- and that will be the reopening of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. And you can bet on that."

-ABC News’ Beatrice Peterson

Mar 28, 11:20 AM
White House task force meets to discuss federal response to collapse

The White House's Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force held a meeting Wednesday and discussed how federal efforts can help the industries and workers impacted by the bridge collapse, according to the White House.

"Members of the Task Force shared real-time analysis of sectors with significant activity through the Port of Baltimore, including automobiles, farm machinery, and agricultural products," a White House statement said. “Members of the Task Force also provided an assessment of the impact on workers and the community."

"The Task Force will coordinate Federal outreach and efforts to assist impacted industries and will continue to monitor shipping activity at alternative ports as shipments are diverted," the readout said.

The task force was created in 2021 to respond to pandemic-era supply chain disruptions.

-ABC News’ Michelle Stoddart

Mar 28, 10:08 AM
Collapse could cost as much as $4 billion

The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge could cost as much as $4 billion, which would make the incident a record shipping insurance loss, according to a Morningstar analysis citied in a new Department of Homeland Security assessment obtained by ABC News.

There are currently seven vessels at anchor awaiting to enter the Port of Baltimore, the document said. Two have been directed to other ports.

Dive operations on Thursday will confirm the ship’s stability and structural integrity so crews can begin to offload the 13 damaged containers, the document said.

The bulk of the hazardous material is located on the stern. Of the ship's 4,700 containers, 56 hold dangerous goods, but there is no threat to the public, the assessment said.

Two containers went overboard during the collision, but they did not contain hazardous materials, the document said.

-ABC News’ Josh Margolin and Aaron Katersky

Mar 28, 6:32 AM
Survivor saved by first responder's warning just before bridge fell, Gov. Moore says

One of the people on the bridge just before the collapse heard the voice of a first responder calling out for him to move off quickly, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said.

"The first responders, who, again, really moved heroically, after the first mayday was called, were able to move to both keep additional cars from coming on the bridge and to begin to notify the workers and people on the bridge they need to move off the bridge," Moore said during a press briefing Wednesday.

"One of the survivors who I had the opportunity to speak with, one of the things he mentioned to me was as he was moving off of the bridge -- and literally saw the bridge fall right after he moved off -- it was because it was a first responder who was telling him to move off the bridge," Moore said.

That life-saving notification was made "audibly," although other contact between first responders and workers may have been made by cellphone or radio, Moore said.

Mar 28, 5:45 AM
Buttigieg meeting with shipping, supply chain partners Thursday

Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg plans to meet on Thursday with shippers and supply chain operators, as his office assesses industry impact.

Buttigieg said the meeting was intended to help the DOT create a "coordinated approach" as it seeks to mitigate the disruptions to one of the East Coast's most active ports.

"That said, the Port of Baltimore is an important port," Buttigieg said at the White House on Wednesday. "So, for our supply chains and for all the workers who depend on it for their income, we're going to help to get it open as soon as safely possible."

Mar 27, 11:30 PM
NTSB chair confirms some hazmat containers on cargo ship breached

A hazmat investigator looked into the cargo on the container ship and identified 56 containers of hazardous materials, National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy said Wednesday evening.

The 56 containers hold 764 tons of hazardous materials that include "mostly corrosives, flammables, and miscellaneous Class 9 hazardous materials, which would include lithium-ion batteries," Homendy said.

Some of the hazmat containers had been "breached," and there has been "sheen" seen on the waterway, which state and local authorities are aware of and investigating, according to officials.

Homendy said it wasn't known how many hazardous containers were in the water after the incident.

There were 23 people aboard Dali at the time of the collision, 21 crew members and two pilots, according to the NTSB chair.

During the briefing, Homedy said the data recorders they have access to are considered basic compared to a commercial plane.

The ship's voice data recorder only captured limited information, she said.

The U.S. Coast Guard provided the NTSB with six hours of data between midnight and 6 a.m. ET upon arrival.

Officials said on Wednesday that the quality of audio from the box "varies wildly" because of the high level of background noise, which will have to be filtered out to improve the audio quality.

They expect to recover 30 days of data from the data recorders, she said.

Addressing the collision, the NTSB said that current data points to a power failure, but they have not confirmed that or a possible reason for the likely power failure.

Mar 27, 6:38 PM
2 bodies recovered from pickup truck under bridge: Police

Two bodies were recovered from a red pickup truck found in the water near the middle span of the bridge, Maryland State Police said during a press briefing.

The two men were located by divers shortly before 10 a.m. Wednesday, according to Roland Butler Jr., superintendent for Maryland State Police. The truck was submerged in approximately 25 feet of water, he said.

The victims were identified by police as Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, a native of Mexico who lived in Baltimore, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, a native of Guatemala who lived in Dundalk. They were both construction workers, authorities said.

against the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge during a rain...Read More
One was identified by a driver's license in his pocket and the other by fingerprint, authorities said.

Four other construction workers are presumed dead following the collapse, authorities said, as the search transitioned to a recovery effort on Wednesday.

A survivor who was hospitalized following the collapse was released earlier Wednesday, police said.

Mar 27, 6:35 PM
Reopening Port of Baltimore a 'top priority,' officials say

Officials said during a press briefing Wednesday that reopening the Port of Baltimore is a "top priority."

Gov. Wes Moore said Maryland has submitted a request to the Biden administration today asking for emergency relief funds "to assist in our work going forward" as the Port of Baltimore remains closed following the bridge collapse.

Moore told reporters during a press briefing that he does not yet know what the total costs or the full timeline will be.

"Despite this task ahead of us being daunting, I can tell you right now our resolve is unshaken. We will get to completion," he said.

Some 8,000 workers on the docks are impacted by the bridge collapse, the governor said.

"We need to make sure that we're getting them back on the job -- and the same goes for many others that have been affected by this crisis, both directly and indirectly," Moore said.

Maryland Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen also reiterated during the briefing that 
getting the shipping lanes open is an urgent priority.

Mar 27, 4:22 PM
Timeline shows moments before cargo ship collision

At 1 a.m., the 984-foot-long, Singapore-flagged cargo ship pulled out of its berth at the Dundalk Marine Terminal, southeast of downtown Baltimore, and started to head up the Patapsco River toward the Francis Scott Key Bridge, according to the vessel's tracking data.

At 1:23 a.m., a livestream camera captured the massive ship coming into view as it approached the Key Bridge, apparently on course to pass under the 1.6-mile-long span near the middle of the bridge's cantilevered section. The footage showed light traffic on the bridge, including a tractor-trailer rig.

Mar 27, 2:27 PM
Ship's crew on board and cooperating with officials: Coast Guard

The ship's crew is still on board and is cooperating with officials, Vice Adm. Peter Gautier, deputy commandant for operations for the Coast Guard, said at Wednesday’s White House press briefing.

The ship "had a fairly good safety record," he noted.

Gautier also stressed that "there is no threat to the public from the hazardous materials on board."

"The real critical thing here is that, as you know, a portion of the bridge remains on the bow of that ship. And we will be coordinating very closely with the Army Corps of Engineers and their contractors to, first, affect the removal of that debris before the vessel can then be removed," Gautier said. "The vessel bow is sitting on the bottom because of the weight of that bridge debris on there, and there are underwater surveys happening by a remotely operated vehicle. Divers will be in the water today to complete that underwater survey."

The investigation into what caused the collision is ongoing.

"Anybody who is responsible will need to be accountable," Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said.

Mar 27, 1:49 PM
'If not for several factors … loss of life might have been in the dozens': Buttigieg

"If not for several factors," including the mayday call, the first responders’ quick action and the time of the day of the collision, the "loss of life might have been in the dozens," Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said at Wednesday’s White House press briefing.

Six construction workers were killed and one was hurt when a cargo ship struck Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday.

"Work is undergoing to recover their remains and our thoughts and prayers are with their loved ones," Buttigieg said.

Buttigieg said he’s concerned about the local economic impact of the Port of Baltimore’s closure.

"No matter how quickly the channel can be reopened, we know that it can't happen overnight, and so we're going to have to manage the impacts in the meantime," he said. "We’re working to mitigate some of those impacts, including using tools that didn’t exist just a few years ago. Following the disruptions to supply chains from the COVID pandemic, President Biden's infrastructure package included the establishment of a new freight office within our department to help coordinate goods movement in ways that were not possible before."

"We are using it now to help the hundreds of different private supply chain actors get better coordinated to keep goods moving," Buttigieg said.

He said he’ll be meeting Thursday with shippers and other supply chain partners to "understand their needs" during this disruption.

"That said, the port of Baltimore is an important port, so for our supply chains and for all the workers who depend on it for their income, we’re going to help to get it open as soon as safely possible," he added.

Mar 27, 1:05 PM
10 other ships stuck in Port of Baltimore

Ten ships -- not including the Dali -- are stuck inside the Port of Baltimore, according to a new update by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

They are comprised of: three bulk carriers, one vehicle carrier, three logistics naval vessels, two general cargo ships and one oil chemical tanker.

An additional vehicle carrier is in the port but outside the site of the bridge collapse.

This list does not include additional tugboats, sailboats and private yachts that are also in a holding pattern as the Port of Baltimore remains closed.

The port said Tuesday vessel traffic in and out is "suspended until further notice."

-Noah Minnie and Elizabeth Schulze

Mar 27, 12:02 PM
Ship 'experienced momentary loss of propulsion': Singapore’s port authority

Dali, the container ship that struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge, "experienced momentary loss of propulsion" just before the collision, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore confirmed.

The Singaporean-flagged ship underwent and passed two separate inspections in June and September 2023, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore said in a statement.

"Based on records, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore confirms that the vessel’s required classification society and statutory certificates covering the structural integrity of the vessel and functionality of the vessel’s equipment, were valid at the time of the incident," Singapore’s port authority said.

"In the June 2023 inspection, a faulty monitor gauge for fuel pressure was rectified before the vessel departed the port," MPA added.

-ABC News’ Laura Romero

Mar 27, 10:30 AM
By the numbers: Vessels impacted

The closure of the waterway will immediately impact the arrival or departure of eight foreign cargo vessels and four U.S. cargo vessels, according to an updated assessment obtained by ABC News.

From March 26 to April 9, arrivals into the Port of Baltimore of an estimated two chemical tank ships, five container ships, 15 vehicle carriers and 13 bulk carriers may be impacted.

One cruise vessel is anticipated to arrive on April 4, which may also be impacted.

-ABC News’ Josh Margolin and Aaron Katersky

Mar 27, 8:36 AM
Water unsafe for divers: DHS memo

Imagery from underwater drones show "an abundance of twisted metal and debris" from the collapsed bridge, making it unsafe for divers to enter the frigid water to search for the six missing construction workers, according to a new assessment of the situation from the Department of Homeland Security obtained by ABC News.

One truck and trailer have been recovered, and one vehicle remains hanging from the metal structure, according to DHS.

The 23 ship crew members are all accounted for, and one was transported to a local hospital with a minor injury, the document said.

With the Port of Baltimore closed to maritime traffic, transportation officials expect backups to rail and truck freight shipments as cargo shifts along the eastern seaboard, the document said.

Investigators have determined there are 13 damaged containers aboard the ship and they are being inspected for any potentially hazardous materials, DHS said.

"There is minor sheening on-scene. Booming has been ordered and is staged but will not be placed until search and rescue and dive operations are complete," the document said. "The amount of potential oil spill is 1.8M gallons of marine grade diesel."

-ABC News’ Josh Margolin and Aaron Katersky

Mar 27, 8:09 AM
Crash timeline expected today, NTSB chairwoman says

National Transportation Safety Board investigators are combing on Wednesday through a voyage-data recorder in an attempt to recreate a timeline of Tuesday's cargo-ship crash, Jennifer Homendy, NTSB chairwoman, said Wednesday.

“We do have a download from the voyage data recorder that we've sent back to our lab to evaluate the data and begin to construct a timeline of events, which we hope to have later today,” Homendy said on “Good Morning America.”

NTSB investigators, who are leading the investigation, arrived at the bridge scene at 6 a.m. on Tuesday. Twenty-four NTSB staffers were on site, including several specialising in nautical operations, human performance and engineering, Homendy said Tuesday.

She said on Wednesday that those investigators were expected later in the day to board Dali, the vessel that crashed into the bridge.

“We aren't looking at the structure today,” she said, meaning the fallen bridge. “We will be boarding the vessel at some point today to begin to look at the devastation really, and then look through the vessel itself. “

Mar 27, 7:39 AM
Investigation is urgent, but will 'take time,' Gov. Moore says

Investigators were busy working on Wednesday to discover what caused the power loss prior to the crash, but the full investigation and repair efforts will take "not days, weeks nor even months," Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said on Wednesday.

"This is complicated. It is difficult. But we still have to be able to move with a sense of urgency and we are going to get it done. But this is going to take time," Moore said in an interview on "Good Morning America." "This is not days, weeks nor even months."

"We still have information that we have to uncover," he said, "The thing that we do know though is that with a ship of that size, moving at that kind of clip, it was going to be difficult for that type of bridge to be able to sustain."

Moore and other government officials had met on Tuesday with the families of the missing, as the search continued.

"Had the opportunity to pray with them and pray for them," he said Tuesday. "And the strength of these families is absolutely remarkable, and we want to let them know that we are here with you every single step."

He said investigators would do everything they could to give those families peace as the search turns to a recovery mission.

"We want to let them know we will use all resources to bring them a sense of closure and peace," he said on "GMA."

Mar 27, 7:19 AM
Ship's force 'almost unimaginable,' Secretary Buttigieg says

The force with which a cargo ship hit Baltimore's Key Bridge on Tuesday was "just unimaginable," Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said Wednesday.

"What I do know is that the force of this ship is almost unimaginable," Buttigieg said on "Good Morning America." "This is a vessel that was about 100,000 tons carrying its load. So 200 million lbs. went into this bridge all at once, which is why you had that almost-instant catastrophic result."

As the U.S. works to update bridges around the country, each new generation of bridges is "more resilient than the last," Buttigieg said.

"We are at work to make sure our infrastructure for the future is better prepared for any kind of threat," he said. "Really what we saw yesterday was just unimaginable in terms of the proportion of that ship."

Buttigieg had arrived at the scene in Baltimore on Tuesday, saying at the time that the DOT's Maritime Administration would assist with disrupted port, harbor and supply chain operations.

The DOT's Federal Highway Administration will assist with the bridge, he said Tuesday.

He said his "first thoughts" were with the missing construction workers and their families.

"Now they are dealing with news that's just unthinkable," he said on "GMA."

Mar 27, 5:46 AM
Workers from Guatemala, El Salvador among missing

Construction workers originally from Guatemala and El Salvador are among the six missing after the Key Bridge collapsed in Baltimore, foreign officials and local aid group said.

The two from Guatemala who are missing are a 26-year-old from San Luis, Petén, and a 35-year-old from Camotán, Chiquimula, the country's foreign ministry said in a statement. Their names were not released.

Another missing worker was identified as Miguel Luna, who is originally from El Salvador, according to Court Appointed Special Advocates, a group that works with immigrants.

"Miguel Luna, from El Salvador, left at 6:30 p.m. Monday evening for work and since, has not come home," the organization said in a press release. "He is a husband, a father of three, and has called Maryland his home for over 19 years."

-ABC News’ Victoria Arancio and Kevin Shalvey

Mar 26, 7:52 PM
Search and rescue efforts to be suspended, move to recovery operation: USCG

The Coast Guard said it is suspending the search and rescue efforts as of 7:30 p.m. Tuesday for the six missing individuals after the bridge collapse.

"Based on the length of time that we've gone in the search, the extensive search efforts that we put into it, the water temperature -- at this point, we do not believe that we're going to find any of these individuals still alive," Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath told reporters.

The conditions in the water, including low water temperatures and unpredictable currents, have made it dangerous for first responders, authorities said.

Authorities said they plan to conduct recovery efforts starting at 6 a.m. on Wednesday.

"We're hoping to put divers in the water and begin a more detailed search to do our very best to recover those six missing people," Col. Roland Butler with the Maryland State Police said.

Mar 26, 7:08 PM
Carnival temporarily moving Baltimore operations to Norfolk

Carnival is temporarily moving its Baltimore operations to Norfolk, Virginia, amid the rescue and remediation efforts following the bridge collapse, the cruise line said Tuesday.

"Our thoughts remain with the impacted families and first responders in Baltimore," Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said in a statement. "We appreciate the pledge made by President Biden today to dedicate all available resources to reopen Baltimore Harbor to marine traffic as soon as possible. As those plans are finalized, we will update our future cruise guests on when we will return home to Baltimore, but in the meantime, we appreciate the quick response and support from officials in Norfolk."

The move impacts the Carnival Legend ship, which is scheduled to return from its current voyage on Sunday, the company said. The cruise will return to Norfolk with free bus service back to Baltimore, Carnival said.

Mar 26, 5:25 PM
EPA on standby, not aware of any concerns

The regional office of the Environmental Protection Agency is on standby to respond to the aftermath of the bridge collapse if needed but is not aware of any environmental concerns at this time, according to EPA Mid-Atlantic Public Affairs spokesman Shaun Egan.

Synergy Marine Group said Tuesday morning that there was no pollution from the ship.

The Coast Guard is the primary federal agency responding and they have not asked for EPA assistance. Coast Guard pollution responders were sent to the scene, and if any releases of fuel or other pollutants are detected, the EPA official said the agency is ready to support that response.

The Maryland Department of the Environment said it is "conducting water sampling upriver and downriver of the site."

-ABC News’ Stephanie Ebbs and Beatrice Peterson

Mar 26, 4:09 PM
Harris: 'We are all praying'

Vice President Kamala Harris said she is "praying for the families of those who are missing and all those who have been touched by this tragedy."

"I spoke with the governor of Maryland this morning, and we have directed the federal government to use all the resources that are available to assist with the search and rescue, to reopen the port and to rebuild the bridge as quickly as possible," Harris said while making a joint appearance with President Joe Biden at an event in North Carolina.

-ABC News’ Libby Cathey and Justin Ryan Gomez

Mar 26, 4:00 PM
'Very much still a search and rescue mission,' governor says

Fourteen hours after the bridge collapse, crews are still desperately looking for the six people who remain unaccounted for, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said at a news conference Tuesday afternoon.

"This is very much still a search and rescue mission," Moore said.

"We had the opportunity to spend time with the families. Had the opportunity to pray with them and pray for them," Moore said. "And the strength of these families is absolutely remarkable."

"We are hopeful and we are with the families," Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., said.

"This is no ordinary bridge -- this is one of the cathedrals of American infrastructure. It has been part of the skyline of this region for longer than many of us have been alive," Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. “So the path to normalcy will not be easy, will not be quick, will not be inexpensive. But we will rebuild together."

Buttigieg did not give an estimate of how long it may take to resume vessel traffic into and out of the Port of Baltimore.

Mar 26, 3:00 PM
What to know about the collapse

The container ship Dali struck Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge at about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, partially collapsing the bridge, officials in Maryland said.

A local pilot was at the helm of the ship at the time, Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld said.

The crash appeared to be accidental, not intentional, officials said.

Two people were rescued from the Patapsco River and at least six people remain missing, officials said.

Mar 26, 2:28 PM
Buttigieg meets with responders

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg traveled to the scene of the Baltimore bridge collapse, at the invitation of Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, according to the Department of Transportation.

Buttigieg posted a photo of him meeting with responders.


An estimated 30,000 vehicles crossed the bridge per day, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority.

Mar 26, 1:38 PM
Personnel on ship alerted officials before collision 'which undoubtedly saved lives': Biden

Personnel on the ship alerted the Maryland Department of Transportation that they lost control of the vessel, and officials were able to close the bridge before it was struck, "which undoubtedly saved lives," President Joe Biden told reporters.

It appears the crash was a "terrible accident," Biden said.

He said the search and rescue operation is the top priority.

"Ship traffic and the Port of Baltimore has been suspended until further notice. And we'll need to clear that channel before the ship traffic can resume," he said.

"It's my intention that the federal government will pay for the entire cost of reconstruction. ... I expect the Congress to support my effort," Biden said.

"This is going to take some time," the president said, adding, "We're not leaving until this job gets done."

Biden, who noted he’s been over the bridge many times, said he plans to visit Baltimore as soon as possible.

"Our prayers are with everyone involved in this terrible accident and all the families, especially those waiting for news of their loved one right now," the president said. "To the people of Baltimore, I want to say: We're with you. We're going to stay with you, as long as it takes."

Mar 26, 12:34 PM
No cars transiting bridge at time of collapse: Internal DHS briefing

Maryland transportation officials reviewed traffic cameras and confirmed there were "no vehicles transiting the bridge at the time of the incident," according to the latest internal Department of Homeland Security briefing obtained by ABC News.

The local pilot who was at the controls is “undergoing post-accident Drug and Alcohol Testing,” the briefing said.

The cargo ship "remains impaled in the bridge," the document said. "Several shipping containers with unknown cargo fell into water. There is hull damage above the water line to the vessel and the ship is maintaining watertight integrity."

A slight sheen of pollution was observed in the water, suggesting there could be some oil or other pollutant “in the vicinity of the ship and pollution booms have been requested,” the memo said.

-ABC News' Josh Margolin and Aaron Katersky

Mar 26, 11:00 AM
6 unaccounted for

Six people remain unaccounted for as the desperate search continues at the site of the bridge collapse, Coast Guard officials said at a Tuesday morning news conference.

Two were rescued, including one who was hospitalized and later discharged, officials said. Construction workers were on the bridge working on potholes at the time of the collapse, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said.

"To hear the words that the Key Bridge has collapsed, it's shocking and heartbreaking," Moore said. "It's not just unprecedented, what we’re seeing today -- it’s heartbreaking."

The collapse appears to be an accident, Moore said.

There’s nothing to suggest ties to terrorism, the FBI added.

The container ship was moving at 8 knots, which is considered fast, officials noted.

A local pilot was at the helm of the ship at the time, Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld said.

A harbor pilot and assistant onboard the cargo ship reported power issues, multiple alarms on the bridge and loss of propulsion prior to the incident, according to a Coast Guard memo obtained by ABC News. All personnel on the tanker are accounted for with no reported injuries, the memo said.

The Patapsco River channel is fully blocked, with approximately five inbound and seven outbound vessels in the queue for the next 24 hours, according to the memo.

The bridge was up to code, officials said.

Mar 26, 10:46 AM
What to know about the cargo ship

The Singapore-flagged cargo ship, Dali, spans a length of 984 feet and a width of 157 feet, a listing showed. It holds 22 crew members, all of whom are based in India.

The ship departed from the Port of Baltimore at 1 a.m. on Tuesday, embarking on a 27-day journey to Colombo, Sri Lanka. The ship "lost propulsion" as it was leaving the port and warned Maryland officials of a possible collision, according to officials.

The waterway into and out of the port is closed and there is no other route into the port, which is the second busiest port in the Mid-Atlantic.

Mar 26, 9:47 AM
Governor declares state of emergency

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has declared a state of emergency following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.

"We are working with an interagency team to quickly deploy federal resources from the Biden Administration," Moore said in a statement.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott also declared a local state of emergency.

Mar 26, 9:28 AM
The history of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge

The 1.6-mile bridge on the I-695 beltway crosses the Patapsco River, where Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the words of the U.S. national anthem in 1814, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority.

Key, after whom the bridge was named, was also an advisor to Andrew Jackson, served as the District Attorney for the District of Columbia from 1833 to 1841, and was a slave owner, according to the National Park Service.

Construction on the bridge, which was intended to ease traffic and maintenance concerns regarding the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel that serviced the waterway, began in 1972 and finished in March 1977, according to the MDTA.

Mar 26, 8:36 AM
1 person hospitalized in very serious condition

Two people have been rescued from the water and crews are still searching for others, fire officials said.

One person rescued has been taken to a hospital in very serious condition, Baltimore Fire Department Chief James Wallace said.

The second rescued person denied medical treatment.

Mar 26, 8:30 AM
'No indications this was an intentional act,' Mayorkas says

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said "there are no indications this was an intentional act," adding, "we are assessing the impacts to the Port of Baltimore."

"Our thoughts are with the families of the missing and injured," he said.

The Coast Guard is "actively involved in search and rescue operations," he said.

Mar 26, 8:09 AM
Biden briefed on collapse

President Joe Biden has been briefed on the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and the ongoing search and rescue efforts, according to a White House official. He will continue to receive updates from his team throughout the day, the official said.

Senior White House officials have been in touch with the Maryland governor and Baltimore mayor to offer any federal assistance they need, the administration said.

-ABC News' Selina Wang and Molly Nagle

Mar 26, 7:32 AM
Ship lost propulsion, warned of collision, CISA report says

An unclassified Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency report said the container ship Dali "lost propulsion" as it was leaving port and warned Maryland officials of a possible collision.

The crew notified officials that they had lost control, the report said.

"The vessel notified MD Department of Transportation (MDOT) that they had lost control of the vessel and an allision with the bridge was possible," the report said. "The vessel struck the bridge causing a complete collapse."

The waterway into and out of the port has been closed and there is no other route into the port, which is the second busiest port in the mid-Atlantic.

-ABC News' Sam Sweeney, Aaron Katersky and Kevin Shalvey

Mar 26, 7:15 AM
Cargo ship company says all crew members safe

The owners and managers of the cargo ship Dali, a Singapore-flagged vessel, said all crew members had been accounted for following the crash.

“All crew members, including the two pilots have been accounted for and there are no reports of any injuries,” Synergy Marine Group said in a statement.

The company said the 22 crew members, including the pilots, were based in India.

The 984-foot ship is owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd, the statement said.

The cause of the crash is “yet to be determined,” the statement said.

-ABC News’ Jenny Wagnon Courts, Laura Romero and Kevin Shalvey

Mar 26, 6:05 AM
Secretary Buttigieg offers DOT support

Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said in a statement that he’s spoken with local officials to offer support.

“I’ve spoken with Gov. Moore and Mayor Scott to offer USDOT’s support following the vessel strike and collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge,” he said. “Rescue efforts remain underway and drivers in the Baltimore area should follow local responder guidance on detours and response."

-ABC News Molly Nagle

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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House Republicans want Biden to testify at April impeachment hearing as White House slams probe

Posted/updated on: March 28, 2024 at 7:59 pm
Kent Nishimura/Getty Images

(WASHINGTON) -- House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer on Thursday officially invited President Joe Biden to testify before the panel as part of a Republican-led impeachment inquiry into allegations that Biden used his office to participate in and profit from his family's foreign business dealings -- which he has adamantly denied.

The committee proposed April 16 for the hearing, according to a letter from Comer, who claimed in a statement that the "the White House has taken a position hostile to the Committee's investigation."

The impeachment probe, launched unilaterally by former Speaker Kevin McCarthy and then formalized months later by the House in a party-line vote, has yet to yield concrete evidence against the president.

Comer nonetheless contended in his statement on Thursday that there is a "yawning gap between" what Biden has said publicly and the committee's work.

"As Chairman of the Committee, in addition to requesting that you answer the questions posed in this letter, I invite you to participate in a public hearing at which you will be afforded the opportunity to explain, under oath, your involvement with your family's sources of income and the means it has used to generate it," Comer said, addressing the president.

Speaker Mike Johnson echoed that in a statement of his own, saying, in part, that "there are significant outstanding questions that have emerged from our inquiry that the President can answer."

The oversight chairman, a Kentucky Republican, said at the end of the most recent impeachment hearing that he planned to ask Biden to testify.

That hearing, earlier this month, focused on well-established allegations of Biden family impropriety by House Republicans, while Democrats sought to cast the probe as a political hit job.

"The Bidens sell Joe Biden. That is their business," Comer claimed then.

Rep. Jamie Raskin, the ranking Democrat on the committee, shot back at that hearing: "With any luck, today marks the end of perhaps the most spectacular failure in the history of congressional investigations: the effort to find a high crime or misdemeanor committed by Joe Biden and then to impeach him for it."

Asked for comment on Thursday about Comer's letter, the White House referred back to earlier statements by spokesman Ian Sams, who has repeatedly denounced the impeachment proceedings.

"This is a sad stunt at the end of a dead impeachment," Sams wrote on social media last week.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Schumer says Senate trial for Mayorkas will take place next month

Posted/updated on: March 28, 2024 at 2:17 pm
Mike Kline (notkalvin)/Getty Images

(WASHINGTON) -- House Speaker Mike Johnson announced on Thursday that the impeachment articles for Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas will be sent over to the Senate on April 10, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the Senate trial will take place on April 11.

In a new letter, Johnson and the Republican impeachment managers called on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to "schedule a trial of the matter expeditiously."

The House voted to impeach Mayorkas on Feb. 13 by a vote of 214-213 over what Republicans claimed was his failure to enforce border laws amid a "crisis" of high illegal immigration, allegations the secretary denied as "baseless." But Johnson waited to send over the articles until the government was fully funded.

"The evidence on both charges is clear, comprehensive, and compelling, and the House's solemn act to impeach the first sitting Cabinet official in American history demands timely action by the Senate," the letter to Schumer said.

Asked for a statement, DHS referred ABC News to the statement when Mayorkas was initially impeached.

"Without a shred of evidence or legitimate Constitutional grounds, and despite bipartisan opposition, House Republicans have falsely smeared a dedicated public servant who has spent more than 20 years enforcing our laws and serving our country," DHS spokesperson Mia Ehrenberg said. "Secretary Mayorkas and the Department of Homeland Security will continue working every day to keep Americans safe."

Once the articles are sent over, the Senate will be sworn in and seated for a trial. Later Thursday, Schumer's office said senators will be sworn in as jurors in the Mayorkas impeachment trial on April 11. However, Schumer has indicated Senate Democrats will move to dismiss a trial despite Republican demands for one.

"We call upon you to fulfill your constitutional obligation to hold this trial," House GOP said in the letter. "The American people demand a secure border, an end to this crisis, and accountability for those responsible. To table articles of impeachment without ever hearing a single argument or reviewing a piece of evidence would be a violation of our constitutional order and an affront to the American people whom we all serve."

Several Republican senators have called on Schumer to hold a full trial. If Schumer does hold a trial, the charges require a vote by two-thirds of the Senate to convict Mayorkas and remove him from office. There are not enough votes to convict Mayorkas.

The impeachment managers are: Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green, Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, Rep. Andy Biggs, Rep. Ben Cline, Rep. Andrew Garbarino, Rep. Michael Guest, Rep. Harriet Hageman, Rep. Clay Higgins, Rep. Laurel Lee, Rep. August Pfluger, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.

ABC News' Luke Barr and Mariam Khan contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Baltimore bridge collapse timeline: Inside the cargo ship collision

Posted/updated on: March 28, 2024 at 1:57 pm
Via NTSB

(BALTIMORE) -- Just after midnight on Tuesday, the fully loaded container ship Dali lifted anchor and prepared to depart the Port of Baltimore with 23 crew members aboard, destined for Sri Lanka nearly 9,000 miles away.

There was no apparent indication of the catastrophe awaiting the vessel. Authorities said the bridge was undergoing maintenance at the time and that one lane in each direction remained open.

Here is how the incident unfolded:

12:39 a.m. -- The 984-foot-long, Singapore-flagged cargo ship pulls out of its berth at a marine terminal southeast of downtown Baltimore, according to ship's voyage data recorder (VDR) reviewed by the National Transportation Safety Board investigators.

1 a.m. A livestream camera captures light traffic, including a tractor-trailer rig, moving across the 1.6-mile Key Bridge.

1:07 a.m. -- The cargo ship enters the Fort McHenry channel and begins to head down the Patapsco River toward the Francis Scott Key Bridge, according to the VDR.

1:24 a.m. -- The livestream camera shows the cargo ship's lights suddenly going off and then coming back on.

1:24:59 a.m. -- Numerous audible alarms go off on the bridge of the container ship. The VDR temporarily goes off.

1:26 a.m. -- The Dali appears to lose its lights again as it drifts slightly to the right in the direction of one of the bridge's main center columns supporting the arched steel trusses of the span. At the time, vehicles can still be seen crossing the bridge. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said that about this time a mayday call was made from the vessel, giving transportation officials just enough time to order a halt to traffic approaching both ends of the bridge, likely saving lives.

1:27:39 a.m. -- The pilot aboard the ship makes a general VHF radio call for tugboats in the area to assist. At the same time, a Pilot Association dispatcher phones Maryland Transportation Authority duty officers regarding a blackout on the Dali.

1:27:04 a.m. -- The pilot aboard the Dali orders the vessel's port anchor be dropped, according to the VDR.

1:27:25 a.m. -- The pilot aboard the cargo ship issues a VHF radio call reporting the Dali has lost all power and was approaching the bridge. Around the same time, a Maryland Transportation Authority duty officer radios the agency's units, informing them to hold traffic at the south and north ends of the bridge, saying, "There's a ship approaching it [that] just lost their steering," according to a recording of the dispatch from Broadcastify.com. The livestream camera shows the cargo ship lights suddenly going off as the vessel appears to drift to the right in the direction of one of the main center columns supporting the arched steel trusses of the span.

1:28 a.m. -- Dark smoke appears to be coming from the cargo ship, which is moving at 7 knots, or 8 mph.

1:29:33 a.m.-- The VDR on the cargo ship records sounds consistent with the vessel hitting the bridge. Officials said at the time of the collision no traffic was crossing the bridge, but parked vehicles, apparently belonging to the maintenance crew filling potholes, were still on the span. Two maintenance workers survive, one by running from the bridge and the other by going into the water and swimming to shore. Six other maintenance workers remain unaccounted for. A law enforcement officer makes a desperate radio transmission to dispatch, saying, "The whole bridge just fell down. Start whoever, everybody. The whole bridge just collapsed."

1:39:39 a.m. -- The pilot on the Dali tells the Coast Guard over the VHF radio that the Key Bridge is down.

1:40 a.m. -- The Baltimore City Fire Department’s 911 center dispatch receives a call about a water rescue in the Patapsco River near the Key Bridge. As fire crews race to the bridge, they receive numerous calls indicating multiple people in the water.

1:50 a.m. -- Fire crews arrive at the scene and report a complete collapse of the Key Bridge and that multiple people were likely on the span when it occurred.

6:26 a.m. -- At an early morning news conference Tuesday, Baltimore City Fire Chief James Wallace said sonar detected the presence of vehicles submerged in the water and that an all-out search-and-rescue operation involving police, firefighters and U.S. Coast Guard crews was underway to locate survivors.

FBI officials said agents were immediately sent to the bridge, arriving an hour after the collapse. At the White House, President Joe Biden held an early morning meeting with his advisors and ordered the use of resources to help in the rescue operation.

10 a.m. -- At a mid-morning news conference Tuesday, the governor announced that the preliminary investigation showed the incident appeared to be a tragic accident.

"The preliminary investigation points toward an accident," Moore said. "We haven't seen any credible evidence of a terrorist attack."

12:46 p.m. -- During a press conference Tuesday afternoon from the White House, Biden addressed the bridge collapse. "We’re going to send all the federal resources they need as we respond to this emergency," he said, referring to his conversation with Baltimore officials.

"We're incredibly grateful for the brave rescuers who immediately rushed to the scene. And to the people of Baltimore, we want to say, we're with you, we're going to stay with you for as long as it takes," said Biden.

The president echoed local, state and federal officials who said investigators have found no evidence linking the incident to terrorism. Biden called it a "terrible incident and accident."

2:30 p.m. -- Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, says at a news conference that the agency's investigators arrived at the scene at 6 a.m. Tuesday and were launching their probe of the bridge collapse.

7:30 p.m. -- On Tuesday night, the U.S. Coast Guard said it would be suspending search and rescue efforts and began recovery efforts at 6 a.m. Wednesday.

"Based on the length of time that we've gone in the search, the extensive search efforts that we put into it, the water temperature -- at this point, we do not believe that we're going to find any of these individuals still alive," Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath told reporters.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

ICE singles out ‘sanctuary cities’ after Laken Riley’s killing as they announce separate migrant arrests

Posted/updated on: March 28, 2024 at 1:47 pm
Via ICE

(NEW YORK) -- Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested 216 noncitizens who faced criminal charges and convictions as part of the agency's latest nationwide operation, officials said on Thursday as they also singled out what are known as "sanctuary cities" in the wake of a Georgia college student's killing.

Over a period of 12 days earlier this month, agents across the country moved in on the at-large immigration offenders, ICE officials said at a news conference.

The operation was part of the ICE mission to target those in the country illegally who pose a risk to public safety, officials said.

All 216 arrested migrants have connections to drug crimes, according to ICE's allegations, and nearly half of those arrested had been previously deported.

"We're on a mission to protect the American public by containing and removing people who contribute to this horrible drug crisis," Acting ICE Director Patrick J. Lechleitner told reporters.

The operation also highlighted a divide between the goals of federal and local law enforcement agencies. As a federal agency, ICE is responsible for enforcing the nation's immigration law -- local law enforcement is not.

As a result, ICE officials said, some convicted criminals who are migrants -- such as those caught in the operation this month -- have previously been set free by local authorities despite being eligible for deportation.

"And to be frank -- in some areas -- there are laws that affect the ability for state and local law enforcement to cooperate with ICE," Lechleitner said. "So we're trying to make progress in areas that are a little less ICE friendly."

Those municipalities, commonly referred to as "sanctuary cities," restrict communication between local law enforcement and ICE because of what migrant and some civil liberties' advocates say is a concern about the abuse of federal deportation and enforcement policies.

The issue came to a head last month when Venezuelan national Jose Antonio Ibarra was arrested on murder charges in the killing of 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley at the University of Georgia. Ibarra has not yet entered a plea.

Ibarra entered the U.S. illegally and had been previously arrested on suspicion of an unrelated crime but was subsequently released before ICE could move to deport him, ICE has said.

"I can't speak to individual jurisdictions that do this," Lechleitner said on Thursday, referring to sanctuary cities. "All we want to say is that we want to talk to them and we want to try and work through on any way we can cooperate with our law enforcement partners."

As part of the agency's latest investigative work tied to the March operation, officials identified more than 400 noncitizens who are subject to arrest.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

‘This is the beginning, not the end’: Republicans brace for continued abortion rights fallout

Posted/updated on: March 28, 2024 at 12:06 pm
Grant Faint/Getty Images

(WASHINGTON) -- Republicans accomplished a longtime goal in 2022 when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, scrapping constitutional protections for abortion. They've been faced with seemingly monthly electoral setbacks ever since, with no end in sight.

Democrats have made defending reproductive rights a rallying cry, seizing on it to defy expectations in the 2022 midterms and hoping it offers a life raft this year to a President Joe Biden, whose approval rating hit a new low in January, and down-ballot candidates running in his wake. And the fallout from the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision has appeared ceaseless, sparking just recently a controversy over in vitro fertilization access in Alabama and this week's Supreme Court hearing on a challenge to the Food and Drug Administration's regulation of mifepristone, a widely used drug used in medication abortions.

That dynamic has many Republicans bracing for further electoral consequences, with few saying that they see an off ramp to the now routine flareups in the debate over abortion.

"This is the beginning, not the end. This issue is not going away anytime soon. There are many facets to this that are layered in federal policy, state policy, there's going to be court cases, there's going to be things that come up. We've had already this year an IVF challenge, we've had, now, the pill challenge. There's gonna be more of this," said GOP pollster Robert Blizzard.

To be fair, reproductive rights are not the only issue that could move the needle this November.

Israel's war in Gaza is dampening enthusiasm among Democrats' base; inflation, while declining, is still a major concern for voters, according to an early March ABC News/Ipsos poll of adults that found Americans grade Trump more favorably than Biden on inflation (45%-31%); immigration has been a constant thorn in the White House's side, with voters telling pollsters they trust Republicans more than Democrats to clamp down on unauthorized border crossings."

GOP operatives who spoke to ABC News frequently tied their conundrum around abortion to Democrats' struggles to convince voters that the parties share the blame over immigration concerns.

But on those other issues, there are at least action items, even if they may not ultimately succeed: diplomatic pressure could tamp down hostilities in Gaza, possibly ending the war months before Election Day; the Federal Reserve could lower interest rates to ameliorate inflation concerns; Biden could take already-teased executive actions on the border.

Republicans said they're still searching for action items on abortion that would prevent such flashes as the Alabama Supreme Court's ruling on IVF and the resulting controversies.

"It is the challenge that we have on a daily basis, and you never know what's next and what state or what member of Congress or state legislator's going to do something that rocks the boat on it," said one veteran GOP strategist who spoke anonymously to comment on such a hot-button issue.

"Just like we take advantage of the more liberal side of the Democrat Party, the Democrats are going to try to highlight some of the more conservative people on the right. That's the cards we're dealt, we're just gonna have to deal with it as it comes."

The electoral potency of the issue was put into sharp relief again Tuesday, when Democrat Marilyn Lands won a swing state House seat in Alabama. Lands focused much of her campaign around abortion and IVF, while Republican Teddy Powell centered much of his campaign around the economy.

Lands' win was in part attributed to a backlash to the state Supreme Court's IVF ruling. And while many Republicans privately and publicly lambasted that decision as beyond the pale, including by GOP standards, operatives conceded there's little that can be done to prevent a ruling or bill from making a splash in the future, even if it's widely viewed as unacceptable.

"The states have just started wrestling with one of the most intractable issues in American politics. And some state legislatures are going to overreach, and some state judicial rulings will overreach, and then they'll get corrected," GOP consultant Whit Ayres said. "We saw that with the IVF issue in Alabama, where the legislature and the governor rushed to confront and overturn a Supreme Court decision."

When asked if Republicans have to make peace with a pattern of overreach and correction, Ayres replied, "Yeah. That's the way the process works."

Republicans' challenge is rooted in a fundamental disagreement over how the party should approach abortion, with some advocating for some kind of federal policy like capping abortion at 15 weeks of pregnancy with exceptions for rape, incest and concerns for life of the mother, and others pushing a leave-it-to-the-states approach, keeping the party on the defensive.

"When you have inconsistencies across the country, it's easier for the other side to paint that in one broad stroke," Blizzard said.

Republicans in support of a federal policy like a 15- or 16-week limit with exceptions argue that could walk the line of taking action while not alienating too many voters.

"I think it's 15 weeks with exceptions on the federal level -- with states allowed to go further if they wish to. And I can't for a minute say that the entire movement has coalesced around that, but I think that's a winning proposal," said GOP strategist Bob Heckman.

Heckman added it would be "helpful" if former President Donald Trump, the GOP's presumptive White House nominee and de facto party leader, declared where he stands as a sign to the broader party.

The former president has floated capping abortion at 15 or 16 weeks of pregnancy, though he has declined to definitively lay out his stance -- a strategy that some predicted would change precisely because of the unpredictability of upcoming controversies around reproductive rights.

"I think for Trump, it's not feasible to not have a position. If you just say, 'leave it to the states, and I have no opinion beyond that,' I don't think that's feasible, because then you're stuck with anything that any state does," said Republican strategist Scott Jennings.

"What [Trump] could say is, 'look, I'm signaling my position. I think it's a reasonable position. I think it's where the Republican Party should be, and I think if you support me, you'd do well to take this position.' So, maybe that's where they're headed," Jennings added. "When he talks, Republicans listen, and they tend to adopt his views on issues, and so, I think it's likely that this will become the de facto position of the Republican Party."

Republicans who support a state-by-state approach, though, point to the existing lack of consensus and the ambitions of other lawmakers or conservative state courts to suggest that such federal policy isn't a panacea to the GOP's messaging woes.

"You've got a presidential campaign that usually sets the tone, and then you've got everybody else running in their Senate seats or congressional seats or even state legislative seats or statewide officeholders that are trying to be the most conservative on this issue or that issue. And even if there was a consensus at the federal level, that doesn't mean the state guys are gonna fall in line," said the veteran GOP strategist.

"There will never be an abortion policy that will be considered legitimate in both Massachusetts and Mississippi," Ayres added. "The idea that you're going to find some kind of national solution that will be accepted as legitimate around the country is a mirage."

When asked if he could think of any historical parallels of an issue that had such little consensus with such significant electoral repercussions, Ayres cited one of the country's most historically divisive issues: slavery.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Disgraced former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years for financial fraud

Posted/updated on: March 28, 2024 at 11:06 am
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

(NEW YORK) - A judge sentenced Sam Bankman-Fried to 25 years in prison Thursday for orchestrating what prosecutors have called one of the biggest financial frauds in American history.

Bankman-Fried, 32, of Stanford, California, was convicted last November of two counts of wire fraud conspiracy, two counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. He was also convicted of conspiracy to commit commodities fraud and conspiracy to commit securities fraud, each of which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

He was accused of using customer deposits on the cryptocurrency trading platform FTX, the company he founded, to cover losses at his hedge fund, pay off loans and buy lavish real estate, among other personal expenses.

Prosecutors have said he deserves between 40 and 50 years in prison because of the "enormous scale of the fraud."

Bankman-Fried addressed the court before sentencing, standing at the defense table with his arms folded in front of him, looking down and often mumbling.

He conceded his "mismanagement" caused Alameda, his privately controlled hedge fund, to shut down after its initial success and said he "failed everyone and everything I care about too."

"I threw all of that away. It haunts me every day," he said. "I made a series of bad decisions. They weren't selfish decisions, they weren't selfless decisions, they were bad decisions."

Bankman-Fried also acknowledged FTX customers have not been made whole. "The customers, creditors lenders, they haven't been paid back," he said. "That has caused a lot of damage."

Sunil Kavuri, a London-based technology investor at Shomei Group, addressed the court Thursday before sentencing on behalf of 200 victims, he said.

"I suffered every day," Kavuri said. "This is a continuous lie that we are all made whole [through bankruptcy payments]." He added that he had "money I wanted to spend on a family home taken away."

Kavuri told the court he knows FTX victims who are suffering from depression and he said victims have taken their own lives.

More than $8 billion of customer money was misappropriated, which "puts this crime in a class of cases that can be counted on one hand," prosecutors said. Beyond that, Bankman-Fried "victimized tens of thousands of people and companies, across several continents, over a period of multiple years. He stole money from customers who entrusted it to him; he lied to investors; he sent fabricated documents to lenders; he pumped millions of dollars in illegal donations into our political system; and he bribed foreign officials."

Judge Lewis Kaplan immediately rejected Bankman-Fried's claim Thursday that his fraud was not $8 billion as prosecutors alleged.

"The defendant's argument hinges on what amounts to an assumption that customers of FTX are going to be made whole in the bankruptcy," Kaplan said. "The defendant's assertion that FTX customers and creditors will be paid in full is misleading; it is logically flawed."

Bankman-Fried stepped down from his role at FTX in November 2022 amid a rapid collapse that ended with the company -- once valued at $32 billion at its peak -- declaring bankruptcy.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Roos said a stiff sentence for Sam Bankman-Fried is warranted because "the defendant could commit crimes again."

The prosecutor noted that Bankman-Fried did "not swear off doing it again" when he addressed the court.

"A sentence here of at least 40 years is necessary to make sure the defendant cannot do it again," Roos said.

The prosecutor spoke of victims who lost everything because they trusted Bankman-Fried when he told them, via social media or some other platform, that their money was safe.

"The defendant is not a monster but he is someone who committed gravely serious crimes," Roos said. "The criminality here is massive in scale, it was pervasive in all aspects of the business. This was not a great business that had a problem at the end. It was pervaded with fraud."

Prior to Thursday's sentencing, defense attorneys called the government's ask for 40 to 50 years in prison "barbaric" and argued Bankman-Fried deserved about six years in prison because of how "deeply, deeply sorry he is for the pain he caused." They also said the "harm to customers, lenders, and investors is zero."

On Thursday, defense attorney Mark Mukasey insisted Bankman-Fried possesses compassion, empathy and generosity and "really, he's an awkward math nerd."

"He loves video games and veganism," Mukasey told the court. "He's compassionate to animals and children. He has a tireless work ethic. He has a completely off-the-charts, mind-blowing intellect."

While his fraud has been compared to Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme, Mukasey said the 32-year-old is no stone-cold financial assassin.

"That level of depravity is nowhere in this case. I don't think it's anywhere in Sam's heart," Mukasey said. "Sam is on the opposite end of the culpability scale."

The lawyer added, "Sam never scurried away with billions of dollars in a Swiss bank account or under his mattress."

Prosecutors have cast Bankman-Fried differently.

"With all the advantages conferred by a comfortable upbringing, an MIT education, a prestigious start to his career in finance, and a worthy idea for a startup business, Bankman-Fried could have pursued the rewarding, productive, and altruistic life he has sketched out in his sentencing submission. But instead, his life in recent years has been one of unmatched greed and hubris; of ambition and rationalization; and courting risk and gambling repeatedly with other people's money," prosecutors said.

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Congo displacement reaches ‘devastating level’ as violence escalates, aid groups warn

Posted/updated on: March 28, 2024 at 9:36 am
GUILLEM SARTORIO/Getty Images

(LONDON) -- Almost a million people have been forced to flee their homes in the Democratic Republic of Congo since the start of the year following an upsurge in violence in the east of the Central African nation, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, or UNHCR, has announced.

Humanitarian agencies are raising alarm at the "humanitarian and medical toll of the violence," saying the situation has reached a "devastating level" as thousands of weapon-wounded civilians pour in to hospitals in Goma, the capital of North Kivu, and surrounding areas.

In a dramatic resurgence of violence, the March 23 Movement armed rebel group has been expanding its territory and advancing towards Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, forcing thousands of civilians caught in the crossfire to flee as fighting intensifies between M23, the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and various other armed groups.

Xavier Collard de Macquerh, head of programs at the International Committee of the Red Cross, told ABC News that the situation is dire and "we are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe."

"People are experiencing loss in a repetitive manner, displaced several times in a row," he said.

Collard de Macquerh says moving frontlines are triggering a wave of displacement, hospitals in Goma supported by the ICRC receiving more and more wounded civilians. "We are receiving more and more weapon-wounded and seeing a sharp increase in those wounded by shrapnel, explosives, which is a major concern."

Collard de Macquerh told ABC News many civilians are also fleeing north to hard-to-access areas for humanitarian organizations due to security.

"People are in need of access to basics such as food, water, hygiene and access to health," he told ABC News over the phone from Kinshasa, calling on armed actors to take all possible precautions to protect civilians caught in the crossfire.

According to the World Food Programme, around a quarter of the Central African nation’s population is facing "crisis levels of hunger or worse," with many living in poor conditions with no access to food, education or health services. It's a conflict-driven hunger crisis, WFP said in a statement last week.

Almost 300,000 people have arrived in Goma and its surroundings since "violent clashes" enveloped the town of Sake in Masisi territory in February, UNHCR spokesperson Matthew Saltmarsh said at a press briefing in Geneva. The mass displacement has caused spontaneous and official displacement to "swell" as civilians desperately seek refuge from "indiscriminate bombing and other human rights abuses."

The DRC now stands as the second-largest displacement crisis globally, second only to Sudan, the U.N. said, with over 7.1 million people internally displaced, including 800,000 in the last three months.

"Close to 10 million people are on the move," said Saltmarsh. "Poverty and hunger affect a quarter of the population or 25.4 million people. The spread of cholera and other infectious diseases pose significant threats to the populations health."

International Childrens charity Save the Children said the violence has also closed over 500 schools in the North Kivu region, creating chaos for children and "putting them at risk of being recruited by armed forces." There have been at least two cases of teachers being kidnapped.

The U.S. has called on warring parties to turn to the Luanda Process.

"There is no military-only solution to the crisis in eastern DRC," U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Robert Wood said in a briefing to the U.N. Security Council. "The United States strongly supports the efforts led by regional actors to resume the Nairobi and Luanda processes, which offer the most viable paths toward resolving this 30-year conflict."

"The United States calls on the leaders of Rwanda and the DRC to make the decision to pursue peace – for the sake of their people, the region, and the world," the ambassador said.

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Former Senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82

Posted/updated on: March 28, 2024 at 8:46 am
Win McNamee/Getty Images

(NEW YORK) -- Former Sen. Joe Lieberman has died, his family announced Wednesday. He was 82 years old.

Lieberman died in New York City "due to complications from a fall," his family said in a statement.

"His beloved wife, Hadassah, and members of his family were with him as he passed. Senator Lieberman's love of God, his family, and America endured throughout his life of service in the public interest," the statement read.

Lieberman, a prominent Jewish politician who represented Connecticut, was Al Gore's running mate on the Democratic ticket in 2000. A political maverick who ultimately became an independent, he also nearly joined former Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain's presidential ticket as his running mate. The two were friends and were both defense hawks, advocating for a muscular U.S. posture abroad.

Lieberman became a player on the political scene again in recent years as the founding chair of the No Labels party, which is weighing launching a "unity ticket" in this year's presidential race, though no major candidates have said they plan to join.

Lieberman "meant so much to so many," No Labels said in a statement following his passing. "He was a beloved husband, father and grandfather. He was a senator and a statesman. He was the founding chairman and moral center of the No Labels movement.

"His unexpected passing is a profound loss for all of us," the statement continued.

"Senator Lieberman was a singular figure in American political life who always put his country before party. He was a deeply principled and pragmatic leader who believed public service was a privilege and who dedicated his life to the betterment of others. As a four-term senator, he led passage of transformative bipartisan legislation that made America's air and water cleaner, that made us safer after 9/11, and that expanded equality and opportunity for all," the statement continued, in part.

"Senator Lieberman leaves behind a void that cannot be filled," No Labels added. "But we are honored to have known him and we hope his family can find comfort in the difficult days ahead knowing the tremendous impact that he had."

Lieberman's funeral will be held Friday at Congregation Agudath Sholom in his hometown of Stamford, his family said.

Lieberman's former running mate, Al Gore, released a statement on X saying he was "profoundly saddened."

"I am profoundly saddened by the loss of Joe Lieberman. First and foremost, he was a man of devout faith and dedication to his family," Gore's statement read.

"Joe was a man of deep integrity who dedicated his life to serving his country. He was a truly gifted leader, whose affable personality and strong will made him a force to be reckoned with. That's why it came as no surprise to any of us who knew him when he'd start singing his favorite song: Frank Sinatra's 'My Way.' And doing things Joe's way meant always putting his country and the values of equality and fairness first.

"His fierce dedication to these values was clear even as a young man. When he was about to travel to the South to join the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, he wrote: 'I am going because there is much work to be done. I am an American. And this is one nation, or it is nothing.' Those are the words of a champion of civil rights and a true patriot, which is why I shared that quote when I announced Joe as my running mate.

"It was an honor to stand side-by-side with him on the campaign trail. I'll remain forever grateful for his tireless efforts to build a better future for America," Gore's statement concluded.

Former President George W. Bush released a statement, calling Lieberman "one of the most decent people" he met in Washington.

"Laura and I are saddened by the loss of Joe Lieberman. Joe was as fine an American as they come and one of the most decent people I met during my time in Washington," his statement read. "As a Democrat, Joe wasn't afraid to engage with Senators from across the aisle and worked hard to earn votes from outside his party. He engaged in serious and thoughtful debate with opposing voices on important issues. And in both loss and victory, Joe Lieberman was always a gentleman. I'm grateful for Joe's principled service to our country and for the dignity and patriotism he brought to public life. As Laura and I pray for Hadassah and the Lieberman family, we also pray that Joe's example of decency guides our Nation's leaders now and into the future."

In a statement on X, former President Barack Obama expressed his condolences.

"Joe Lieberman and I didn't always see eye-to-eye, but he had an extraordinary career in public service, including four decades spent fighting for the people of Connecticut. He also worked hard to repeal "Don't Ask Don't Tell" and helped us pass the Affordable Care Act. In both cases the politics were difficult, but he stuck to his principles because he knew it was the right thing to do. Michelle and I extend our deepest condolences to Hadassah and the Lieberman family," his statement read.

Connecticut lawmakers honored Lieberman after news of his death broke.

"Connecticut is shocked by Senator Lieberman's sudden passing. In an era of political carbon copies, Joe Lieberman was a singularity. One of one. He fought and won for what he believed was right and for the state he adored. My thoughts are with Hadassah and the entire family," Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

"On world and national stages, he helped to define and frame an era of history," Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said in a statement. "He was a fierce advocate, a man of deep conscience and conviction, and a courageous leader who sought to bridge gaps and bring people together. He was dedicated to family and faith, and he was a role model of public service. He never ceased listening to both friends and adversaries. He leaves an enduring legacy as a fighter for consumers, environmental values, civil rights, and other great causes of our time and he was tireless in working for Connecticut no matter how far or high he went."

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, who beat Lieberman in the 2006 Senate Democratic primary but then lost to him in the general election when Lieberman ran as an independent, said they had ideological differences but honored Lieberman as "a man of integrity and conviction" and that "we stayed in touch as friends in the best traditions of American democracy" after their race was over.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., called his longtime friend's passing "devastatingly sad."

"Just heard of my dear friend Joe Lieberman's passing. As I am just now leaving Israel, so many emotions. This is devastatingly sad. I feel fortunate to have been in his presence, traveling the world in support of America's interests as we saw it," Graham said in a statement.

"To Hadassah, I know your heart is broken, but please understand your legion of friends love you dearly. To the Lieberman family, we will be with you through this journey. I look forward to sharing more thoughts about this wonderful man and the incredible life he lived.

"The good news, he is in the hands of the loving God. The bad news, John McCain is giving him an earful about how screwed up things are," Graham said, adding: "Rest in peace, my dear friend. From the Last Amigo."

Lieberman was the first Jewish American on a major party's presidential ticket and was known for his Jewish observance.

"Sen. Joe Lieberman was a true trailblazer, and represented the hopes, aspirations, and ideals of the Jewish community in the United States," the Jewish Federations of North America wrote on X. "As the first member of the Jewish community to run on a major party presidential ticket, he broke barriers and showed us what was possible, and always did so while holding strong to his values and moral outlook. Jewish Federations mourn his passing, and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time."

The National Council of Jewish Women also mourned the loss of Lieberman, writing on X: "A trailblazer as the first Jewish candidate on the national ticket of a major party, he championed abortion access, LGBTQ+ equality and gun safety. Our communities are safer because of his leadership. May his memory be for a blessing."

"Joe Lieberman was a true mensch and a great American," former Sen. Norm Coleman, chairman of the Republican Jewish Coalition, said in a statement. "Time and again, Senator Lieberman put principle over politics. He was a shining example of all that's good and decent about public service. And he was a committed and proud Jew who served his country with distinction... I am proud to have known Joe and the Republican Jewish Coalition was proud to work with him over the years."

ABC News' Rick Klein, Kelsey Walsh, Mariam Khan and Oren Oppenheim contributed to this report.

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Israel agrees to reschedule delegation visit to the White House: US official

Posted/updated on: March 27, 2024 at 3:18 pm
Caroline Purser/Getty Images

(WASHINGTON) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to reschedule his delegation's visit to the White House after he canceled the trip on Monday, a U.S. official told ABC News on Wednesday.

"The prime minister's office has agreed to reschedule the meeting dedicated to Rafah. We are now working to find a convenient date," the official told ABC News.

Israel pulled its delegation earlier this week after the U.S. allowed, through abstention, for the U.N. Security Council to adopt a resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza for the remaining days of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan -- and potentially longer.

The resolution called for the unconditional release of hostages being held by Hamas terrorists, though it did not explicitly tie that with a temporary cease-fire. The resolution further urged that the humanitarian pause should then lead "to a lasting sustainable ceasefire."

The White House said on Monday that it was "disappointed" and "kind of perplexed" that Israel canceled the delegation's planned visit to the U.S.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed that the U.S. and Israel are working to set a date for the Israeli delegation's visit to discuss Rafah.

"We're working to set a date. The Prime Minister's Office agreed to reschedule this meeting," she told ABC's Selina Wang.

"We are working to convene ... that meeting, an important meeting on Rafah. And when we have a date, certainly we'll share that with you."

The decision to reschedule came after several members of President Joe Biden's Cabinet held "constructive discussions" with Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant this week in Washington, D.C., the official said.

The official said that Rafah, a city in the south of Gaza bordering Egypt, was "one of the many topics discussed" during meetings with National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and CIA Director Bill Burns.

Netanyahu said that a victory against Hamas is "impossible" without the Israel Defense Forces entering Rafah to eliminate the rest of the terrorist group's battalions.

Hamas waged an attack on Israel on Oct. 7, which has led to months of conflict.

In the Gaza Strip, more than 31,000 people have been killed by Israeli forces since Oct. 7, according to Gaza's Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health. In Israel, at least 1,200 people have been killed by Hamas and other Palestinian militants since Oct. 7, according to Israeli officials.

The White House has said Biden has "deep concerns" Israel will not do enough to prevent civilian casualties as it goes after Hamas fighters in Rafah.

The Israeli military said that it plans to direct many of the displaced Palestinians living in Rafah toward "humanitarian islands" in the center of the territory ahead of any invasion.

ABC News' Selina Wang and Sarah Beth Hensley contributed to this report.

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Baltimore Key Bridge collapse live updates: ‘Dozens’ of deaths may have been avoided

Posted/updated on: March 28, 2024 at 7:59 pm
Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images

(BALTIMORE) -- A cargo ship crashed into Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge early Tuesday morning, causing a near-total collapse of the span and halting vessel traffic into and out of the Port of Baltimore.

Six construction workers believed to have fallen from the collapsing bridge into the frigid waters of the Patapsco River below are presumed dead, officials said. A search-and-rescue effort has been suspended and will shift to a recovery mission, officials said.

Here's how the news is developing:

Mar 28, 7:28 PM
Cranes en route to Baltimore to help clear channel: Governor

Cranes are en route to Baltimore to help clear the bridge debris from the channel, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said during a press briefing Thursday.

The wreckage needs to be cleared to help advance recovery efforts, after diving operations were suspended Wednesday night due to "security concerns," as well as to reopen the channel and ultimately rebuild the bridge, Moore said.

The U.S. Navy will be providing three cranes, according to a Navy spokesperson. Among them, the "largest crane in the Eastern Seaboard" should be arriving later Thursday evening, Moore said.

"This is an incredibly complex job, and our timeline will be long," Moore said. "We've got work to do, but we're moving."

Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath with the U.S. Coast Guard said assessments are underway to determine how to break down the bridge into the "right-size pieces" so that a crane can lift them.

"Our number one priority is to reopen the Port of Baltimore as fast as we can [and] do it safely," he said.

Mar 28, 6:02 PM
Biden administration approves $60 million for bridge costs

The Biden administration approved $60 million in emergency relief funds for rebuilding the bridge hours after the receiving the request from the state of Maryland, the White House said Thursday evening.

"The federal emergency funds we're releasing today will help Maryland begin urgent work, to be followed by further resources as recovery and rebuilding efforts progress," U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. "President Biden has been clear: the federal government will do everything it takes to help rebuild the bridge and get the Port of Baltimore back open."

Mar 28, 4:47 PM
3 responding officers honored at Orioles' opening day for 'courage, bravery'

Three officers from the Maryland Transportation Authority were celebrated at the Baltimore Orioles' opening day on Thursday for their bravery responding to the bridge collapse.

"Their courage, bravery, and quick thinking saved lives," Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said in a statement. "When duty called, they answered. When crisis struck, they stepped into the breach for total strangers. In this time of challenge, they’re a bright light for our nation and our state."

The officers -- Sgt. Paul Pastorek, Cpl. Jeremy Herbert and officer Garry Kirts -- said in a joint statement, "You train for years to respond to tragedy as an officer, but no amount of training could have prepared anyone for the events that took place on the Francis Scott Key Bridge."

"We were proud to carry out our duties as officers of this state to save the lives that we could, and we are grateful for the incredible amount of support from this community that we love so much," they said. "While your messages and outreaches are so appreciated, we respectfully ask for privacy at this time as we mourn the lives of those lost and spend time with those we hold dear."

-ABC News’ Beatrice Peterson

Mar 28, 4:26 PM
What we know about the victims

The bodies of two of the six construction workers killed were recovered on Wednesday, found by divers trapped in a pickup truck submerged underwater, police said.

The other four victims have not been recovered.

The workers found on Wednesday were identified by police as Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, a native of Mexico who lived in Baltimore, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, a native of Guatemala who lived in Dundalk, Maryland.

Among the four still missing is construction worker Miguel Luna, 49, a father of five, and Maynor Suazo Sandoval, a father of two.

Mar 28, 4:15 PM
Soaps, perfumes among hazardous materials

Divers are on pause due to the "hazardous conditions" caused by the collision, and officials are enforcing a 2,000-yard safety zone, according to the Unified Command leading the response.

The Unified Command is made up of agencies including the Coast Guard, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Maryland State Police.

"First responders have observed a sheen around the vessels," the Unified Command said.

Perfumes and soaps make up the majority of the 13 impacted containers with hazardous materials, according to the Unified Command.

"Crews continue to assess and monitor for spilled oils and hazardous substances to prevent further discharge," the Unified Command said in a statement Thursday.

"We have been conducting air monitoring on the vessel and around the vessel with our contractor. No volatile organic compounds or flammable vapors were observed," the Unified Command said. "Pollution and debris removal operations are on-going. At this time, no atmospheric hazards have been detected."

The Unified Command said it’s also monitoring water quality.

The Environmental Protection Agency said it sent two coordinators to work with the Coast Guard and other agencies.

-ABC News’ Sam Sweeney

Mar 28, 1:40 PM
Maryland requests $60M in emergency relief funds from federal government

The state of Maryland has requested $60 million in emergency relief funds from the federal government "for our immediate response efforts and to lay the foundation for a rapid recovery," Gov. Wes Moore said in a statement.

The governor’s office said the funds are "needed for the state to proceed as quickly and safely as possible with debris removal, demolition, traffic operations and other emergency needs," and that this "request is supplemental to funding provided by other federal partners to provide complementary work for the emergency response."

This request is not related to bridge reconstruction efforts. The governor’s office said the state "is working to develop the preliminary scope and engineering estimate of future financial needs."

President Joe Biden announced earlier this week that the federal government will pay for the reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

-ABC News’ Beatrice Peterson

Mar 28, 12:49 PM
State will do a full evaluation of all critical bridges in Maryland, governor says

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore told reporters that the state will do a "true full evaluation" of all fracture-critical bridges in Maryland in the wake of the deadly Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.

During a media availability on MLB opening day announcing the new ownership of the Baltimore Orioles, Moore asked for local leaders to help rebuild.

"I'm calling on everybody to do their part. In this game, nobody gets to sit on the sidelines. We need every single Baltimorean and we need every single Marylander to join us in this work to rebuild this bridge and rebuild the city," Moore said. "And that work is happening as we speak. The best minds in the world are coming together to collect the information that we need to move forward with speed and safety."

Once the bridge is rebuilt, Moore said, "We're going to have another reopening day -- and that will be the reopening of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. And you can bet on that."

-ABC News’ Beatrice Peterson

Mar 28, 11:20 AM
White House task force meets to discuss federal response to collapse

The White House's Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force held a meeting Wednesday and discussed how federal efforts can help the industries and workers impacted by the bridge collapse, according to the White House.

"Members of the Task Force shared real-time analysis of sectors with significant activity through the Port of Baltimore, including automobiles, farm machinery, and agricultural products," a White House statement said. “Members of the Task Force also provided an assessment of the impact on workers and the community."

"The Task Force will coordinate Federal outreach and efforts to assist impacted industries and will continue to monitor shipping activity at alternative ports as shipments are diverted," the readout said.

The task force was created in 2021 to respond to pandemic-era supply chain disruptions.

-ABC News’ Michelle Stoddart

Mar 28, 10:08 AM
Collapse could cost as much as $4 billion

The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge could cost as much as $4 billion, which would make the incident a record shipping insurance loss, according to a Morningstar analysis citied in a new Department of Homeland Security assessment obtained by ABC News.

There are currently seven vessels at anchor awaiting to enter the Port of Baltimore, the document said. Two have been directed to other ports.

Dive operations on Thursday will confirm the ship’s stability and structural integrity so crews can begin to offload the 13 damaged containers, the document said.

The bulk of the hazardous material is located on the stern. Of the ship's 4,700 containers, 56 hold dangerous goods, but there is no threat to the public, the assessment said.

Two containers went overboard during the collision, but they did not contain hazardous materials, the document said.

-ABC News’ Josh Margolin and Aaron Katersky

Mar 28, 6:32 AM
Survivor saved by first responder's warning just before bridge fell, Gov. Moore says

One of the people on the bridge just before the collapse heard the voice of a first responder calling out for him to move off quickly, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said.

"The first responders, who, again, really moved heroically, after the first mayday was called, were able to move to both keep additional cars from coming on the bridge and to begin to notify the workers and people on the bridge they need to move off the bridge," Moore said during a press briefing Wednesday.

"One of the survivors who I had the opportunity to speak with, one of the things he mentioned to me was as he was moving off of the bridge -- and literally saw the bridge fall right after he moved off -- it was because it was a first responder who was telling him to move off the bridge," Moore said.

That life-saving notification was made "audibly," although other contact between first responders and workers may have been made by cellphone or radio, Moore said.

Mar 28, 5:45 AM
Buttigieg meeting with shipping, supply chain partners Thursday

Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg plans to meet on Thursday with shippers and supply chain operators, as his office assesses industry impact.

Buttigieg said the meeting was intended to help the DOT create a "coordinated approach" as it seeks to mitigate the disruptions to one of the East Coast's most active ports.

"That said, the Port of Baltimore is an important port," Buttigieg said at the White House on Wednesday. "So, for our supply chains and for all the workers who depend on it for their income, we're going to help to get it open as soon as safely possible."

Mar 27, 11:30 PM
NTSB chair confirms some hazmat containers on cargo ship breached

A hazmat investigator looked into the cargo on the container ship and identified 56 containers of hazardous materials, National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy said Wednesday evening.

The 56 containers hold 764 tons of hazardous materials that include "mostly corrosives, flammables, and miscellaneous Class 9 hazardous materials, which would include lithium-ion batteries," Homendy said.

Some of the hazmat containers had been "breached," and there has been "sheen" seen on the waterway, which state and local authorities are aware of and investigating, according to officials.

Homendy said it wasn't known how many hazardous containers were in the water after the incident.

There were 23 people aboard Dali at the time of the collision, 21 crew members and two pilots, according to the NTSB chair.

During the briefing, Homedy said the data recorders they have access to are considered basic compared to a commercial plane.

The ship's voice data recorder only captured limited information, she said.

The U.S. Coast Guard provided the NTSB with six hours of data between midnight and 6 a.m. ET upon arrival.

Officials said on Wednesday that the quality of audio from the box "varies wildly" because of the high level of background noise, which will have to be filtered out to improve the audio quality.

They expect to recover 30 days of data from the data recorders, she said.

Addressing the collision, the NTSB said that current data points to a power failure, but they have not confirmed that or a possible reason for the likely power failure.

Mar 27, 6:38 PM
2 bodies recovered from pickup truck under bridge: Police

Two bodies were recovered from a red pickup truck found in the water near the middle span of the bridge, Maryland State Police said during a press briefing.

The two men were located by divers shortly before 10 a.m. Wednesday, according to Roland Butler Jr., superintendent for Maryland State Police. The truck was submerged in approximately 25 feet of water, he said.

The victims were identified by police as Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, a native of Mexico who lived in Baltimore, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, a native of Guatemala who lived in Dundalk. They were both construction workers, authorities said.

against the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge during a rain...Read More
One was identified by a driver's license in his pocket and the other by fingerprint, authorities said.

Four other construction workers are presumed dead following the collapse, authorities said, as the search transitioned to a recovery effort on Wednesday.

A survivor who was hospitalized following the collapse was released earlier Wednesday, police said.

Mar 27, 6:35 PM
Reopening Port of Baltimore a 'top priority,' officials say

Officials said during a press briefing Wednesday that reopening the Port of Baltimore is a "top priority."

Gov. Wes Moore said Maryland has submitted a request to the Biden administration today asking for emergency relief funds "to assist in our work going forward" as the Port of Baltimore remains closed following the bridge collapse.

Moore told reporters during a press briefing that he does not yet know what the total costs or the full timeline will be.

"Despite this task ahead of us being daunting, I can tell you right now our resolve is unshaken. We will get to completion," he said.

Some 8,000 workers on the docks are impacted by the bridge collapse, the governor said.

"We need to make sure that we're getting them back on the job -- and the same goes for many others that have been affected by this crisis, both directly and indirectly," Moore said.

Maryland Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen also reiterated during the briefing that 
getting the shipping lanes open is an urgent priority.

Mar 27, 4:22 PM
Timeline shows moments before cargo ship collision

At 1 a.m., the 984-foot-long, Singapore-flagged cargo ship pulled out of its berth at the Dundalk Marine Terminal, southeast of downtown Baltimore, and started to head up the Patapsco River toward the Francis Scott Key Bridge, according to the vessel's tracking data.

At 1:23 a.m., a livestream camera captured the massive ship coming into view as it approached the Key Bridge, apparently on course to pass under the 1.6-mile-long span near the middle of the bridge's cantilevered section. The footage showed light traffic on the bridge, including a tractor-trailer rig.

Mar 27, 2:27 PM
Ship's crew on board and cooperating with officials: Coast Guard

The ship's crew is still on board and is cooperating with officials, Vice Adm. Peter Gautier, deputy commandant for operations for the Coast Guard, said at Wednesday’s White House press briefing.

The ship "had a fairly good safety record," he noted.

Gautier also stressed that "there is no threat to the public from the hazardous materials on board."

"The real critical thing here is that, as you know, a portion of the bridge remains on the bow of that ship. And we will be coordinating very closely with the Army Corps of Engineers and their contractors to, first, affect the removal of that debris before the vessel can then be removed," Gautier said. "The vessel bow is sitting on the bottom because of the weight of that bridge debris on there, and there are underwater surveys happening by a remotely operated vehicle. Divers will be in the water today to complete that underwater survey."

The investigation into what caused the collision is ongoing.

"Anybody who is responsible will need to be accountable," Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said.

Mar 27, 1:49 PM
'If not for several factors … loss of life might have been in the dozens': Buttigieg

"If not for several factors," including the mayday call, the first responders’ quick action and the time of the day of the collision, the "loss of life might have been in the dozens," Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said at Wednesday’s White House press briefing.

Six construction workers were killed and one was hurt when a cargo ship struck Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday.

"Work is undergoing to recover their remains and our thoughts and prayers are with their loved ones," Buttigieg said.

Buttigieg said he’s concerned about the local economic impact of the Port of Baltimore’s closure.

"No matter how quickly the channel can be reopened, we know that it can't happen overnight, and so we're going to have to manage the impacts in the meantime," he said. "We’re working to mitigate some of those impacts, including using tools that didn’t exist just a few years ago. Following the disruptions to supply chains from the COVID pandemic, President Biden's infrastructure package included the establishment of a new freight office within our department to help coordinate goods movement in ways that were not possible before."

"We are using it now to help the hundreds of different private supply chain actors get better coordinated to keep goods moving," Buttigieg said.

He said he’ll be meeting Thursday with shippers and other supply chain partners to "understand their needs" during this disruption.

"That said, the port of Baltimore is an important port, so for our supply chains and for all the workers who depend on it for their income, we’re going to help to get it open as soon as safely possible," he added.

Mar 27, 1:05 PM
10 other ships stuck in Port of Baltimore

Ten ships -- not including the Dali -- are stuck inside the Port of Baltimore, according to a new update by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

They are comprised of: three bulk carriers, one vehicle carrier, three logistics naval vessels, two general cargo ships and one oil chemical tanker.

An additional vehicle carrier is in the port but outside the site of the bridge collapse.

This list does not include additional tugboats, sailboats and private yachts that are also in a holding pattern as the Port of Baltimore remains closed.

The port said Tuesday vessel traffic in and out is "suspended until further notice."

-Noah Minnie and Elizabeth Schulze

Mar 27, 12:02 PM
Ship 'experienced momentary loss of propulsion': Singapore’s port authority

Dali, the container ship that struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge, "experienced momentary loss of propulsion" just before the collision, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore confirmed.

The Singaporean-flagged ship underwent and passed two separate inspections in June and September 2023, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore said in a statement.

"Based on records, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore confirms that the vessel’s required classification society and statutory certificates covering the structural integrity of the vessel and functionality of the vessel’s equipment, were valid at the time of the incident," Singapore’s port authority said.

"In the June 2023 inspection, a faulty monitor gauge for fuel pressure was rectified before the vessel departed the port," MPA added.

-ABC News’ Laura Romero

Mar 27, 10:30 AM
By the numbers: Vessels impacted

The closure of the waterway will immediately impact the arrival or departure of eight foreign cargo vessels and four U.S. cargo vessels, according to an updated assessment obtained by ABC News.

From March 26 to April 9, arrivals into the Port of Baltimore of an estimated two chemical tank ships, five container ships, 15 vehicle carriers and 13 bulk carriers may be impacted.

One cruise vessel is anticipated to arrive on April 4, which may also be impacted.

-ABC News’ Josh Margolin and Aaron Katersky

Mar 27, 8:36 AM
Water unsafe for divers: DHS memo

Imagery from underwater drones show "an abundance of twisted metal and debris" from the collapsed bridge, making it unsafe for divers to enter the frigid water to search for the six missing construction workers, according to a new assessment of the situation from the Department of Homeland Security obtained by ABC News.

One truck and trailer have been recovered, and one vehicle remains hanging from the metal structure, according to DHS.

The 23 ship crew members are all accounted for, and one was transported to a local hospital with a minor injury, the document said.

With the Port of Baltimore closed to maritime traffic, transportation officials expect backups to rail and truck freight shipments as cargo shifts along the eastern seaboard, the document said.

Investigators have determined there are 13 damaged containers aboard the ship and they are being inspected for any potentially hazardous materials, DHS said.

"There is minor sheening on-scene. Booming has been ordered and is staged but will not be placed until search and rescue and dive operations are complete," the document said. "The amount of potential oil spill is 1.8M gallons of marine grade diesel."

-ABC News’ Josh Margolin and Aaron Katersky

Mar 27, 8:09 AM
Crash timeline expected today, NTSB chairwoman says

National Transportation Safety Board investigators are combing on Wednesday through a voyage-data recorder in an attempt to recreate a timeline of Tuesday's cargo-ship crash, Jennifer Homendy, NTSB chairwoman, said Wednesday.

“We do have a download from the voyage data recorder that we've sent back to our lab to evaluate the data and begin to construct a timeline of events, which we hope to have later today,” Homendy said on “Good Morning America.”

NTSB investigators, who are leading the investigation, arrived at the bridge scene at 6 a.m. on Tuesday. Twenty-four NTSB staffers were on site, including several specialising in nautical operations, human performance and engineering, Homendy said Tuesday.

She said on Wednesday that those investigators were expected later in the day to board Dali, the vessel that crashed into the bridge.

“We aren't looking at the structure today,” she said, meaning the fallen bridge. “We will be boarding the vessel at some point today to begin to look at the devastation really, and then look through the vessel itself. “

Mar 27, 7:39 AM
Investigation is urgent, but will 'take time,' Gov. Moore says

Investigators were busy working on Wednesday to discover what caused the power loss prior to the crash, but the full investigation and repair efforts will take "not days, weeks nor even months," Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said on Wednesday.

"This is complicated. It is difficult. But we still have to be able to move with a sense of urgency and we are going to get it done. But this is going to take time," Moore said in an interview on "Good Morning America." "This is not days, weeks nor even months."

"We still have information that we have to uncover," he said, "The thing that we do know though is that with a ship of that size, moving at that kind of clip, it was going to be difficult for that type of bridge to be able to sustain."

Moore and other government officials had met on Tuesday with the families of the missing, as the search continued.

"Had the opportunity to pray with them and pray for them," he said Tuesday. "And the strength of these families is absolutely remarkable, and we want to let them know that we are here with you every single step."

He said investigators would do everything they could to give those families peace as the search turns to a recovery mission.

"We want to let them know we will use all resources to bring them a sense of closure and peace," he said on "GMA."

Mar 27, 7:19 AM
Ship's force 'almost unimaginable,' Secretary Buttigieg says

The force with which a cargo ship hit Baltimore's Key Bridge on Tuesday was "just unimaginable," Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said Wednesday.

"What I do know is that the force of this ship is almost unimaginable," Buttigieg said on "Good Morning America." "This is a vessel that was about 100,000 tons carrying its load. So 200 million lbs. went into this bridge all at once, which is why you had that almost-instant catastrophic result."

As the U.S. works to update bridges around the country, each new generation of bridges is "more resilient than the last," Buttigieg said.

"We are at work to make sure our infrastructure for the future is better prepared for any kind of threat," he said. "Really what we saw yesterday was just unimaginable in terms of the proportion of that ship."

Buttigieg had arrived at the scene in Baltimore on Tuesday, saying at the time that the DOT's Maritime Administration would assist with disrupted port, harbor and supply chain operations.

The DOT's Federal Highway Administration will assist with the bridge, he said Tuesday.

He said his "first thoughts" were with the missing construction workers and their families.

"Now they are dealing with news that's just unthinkable," he said on "GMA."

Mar 27, 5:46 AM
Workers from Guatemala, El Salvador among missing

Construction workers originally from Guatemala and El Salvador are among the six missing after the Key Bridge collapsed in Baltimore, foreign officials and local aid group said.

The two from Guatemala who are missing are a 26-year-old from San Luis, Petén, and a 35-year-old from Camotán, Chiquimula, the country's foreign ministry said in a statement. Their names were not released.

Another missing worker was identified as Miguel Luna, who is originally from El Salvador, according to Court Appointed Special Advocates, a group that works with immigrants.

"Miguel Luna, from El Salvador, left at 6:30 p.m. Monday evening for work and since, has not come home," the organization said in a press release. "He is a husband, a father of three, and has called Maryland his home for over 19 years."

-ABC News’ Victoria Arancio and Kevin Shalvey

Mar 26, 7:52 PM
Search and rescue efforts to be suspended, move to recovery operation: USCG

The Coast Guard said it is suspending the search and rescue efforts as of 7:30 p.m. Tuesday for the six missing individuals after the bridge collapse.

"Based on the length of time that we've gone in the search, the extensive search efforts that we put into it, the water temperature -- at this point, we do not believe that we're going to find any of these individuals still alive," Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath told reporters.

The conditions in the water, including low water temperatures and unpredictable currents, have made it dangerous for first responders, authorities said.

Authorities said they plan to conduct recovery efforts starting at 6 a.m. on Wednesday.

"We're hoping to put divers in the water and begin a more detailed search to do our very best to recover those six missing people," Col. Roland Butler with the Maryland State Police said.

Mar 26, 7:08 PM
Carnival temporarily moving Baltimore operations to Norfolk

Carnival is temporarily moving its Baltimore operations to Norfolk, Virginia, amid the rescue and remediation efforts following the bridge collapse, the cruise line said Tuesday.

"Our thoughts remain with the impacted families and first responders in Baltimore," Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said in a statement. "We appreciate the pledge made by President Biden today to dedicate all available resources to reopen Baltimore Harbor to marine traffic as soon as possible. As those plans are finalized, we will update our future cruise guests on when we will return home to Baltimore, but in the meantime, we appreciate the quick response and support from officials in Norfolk."

The move impacts the Carnival Legend ship, which is scheduled to return from its current voyage on Sunday, the company said. The cruise will return to Norfolk with free bus service back to Baltimore, Carnival said.

Mar 26, 5:25 PM
EPA on standby, not aware of any concerns

The regional office of the Environmental Protection Agency is on standby to respond to the aftermath of the bridge collapse if needed but is not aware of any environmental concerns at this time, according to EPA Mid-Atlantic Public Affairs spokesman Shaun Egan.

Synergy Marine Group said Tuesday morning that there was no pollution from the ship.

The Coast Guard is the primary federal agency responding and they have not asked for EPA assistance. Coast Guard pollution responders were sent to the scene, and if any releases of fuel or other pollutants are detected, the EPA official said the agency is ready to support that response.

The Maryland Department of the Environment said it is "conducting water sampling upriver and downriver of the site."

-ABC News’ Stephanie Ebbs and Beatrice Peterson

Mar 26, 4:09 PM
Harris: 'We are all praying'

Vice President Kamala Harris said she is "praying for the families of those who are missing and all those who have been touched by this tragedy."

"I spoke with the governor of Maryland this morning, and we have directed the federal government to use all the resources that are available to assist with the search and rescue, to reopen the port and to rebuild the bridge as quickly as possible," Harris said while making a joint appearance with President Joe Biden at an event in North Carolina.

-ABC News’ Libby Cathey and Justin Ryan Gomez

Mar 26, 4:00 PM
'Very much still a search and rescue mission,' governor says

Fourteen hours after the bridge collapse, crews are still desperately looking for the six people who remain unaccounted for, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said at a news conference Tuesday afternoon.

"This is very much still a search and rescue mission," Moore said.

"We had the opportunity to spend time with the families. Had the opportunity to pray with them and pray for them," Moore said. "And the strength of these families is absolutely remarkable."

"We are hopeful and we are with the families," Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., said.

"This is no ordinary bridge -- this is one of the cathedrals of American infrastructure. It has been part of the skyline of this region for longer than many of us have been alive," Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. “So the path to normalcy will not be easy, will not be quick, will not be inexpensive. But we will rebuild together."

Buttigieg did not give an estimate of how long it may take to resume vessel traffic into and out of the Port of Baltimore.

Mar 26, 3:00 PM
What to know about the collapse

The container ship Dali struck Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge at about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, partially collapsing the bridge, officials in Maryland said.

A local pilot was at the helm of the ship at the time, Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld said.

The crash appeared to be accidental, not intentional, officials said.

Two people were rescued from the Patapsco River and at least six people remain missing, officials said.

Mar 26, 2:28 PM
Buttigieg meets with responders

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg traveled to the scene of the Baltimore bridge collapse, at the invitation of Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, according to the Department of Transportation.

Buttigieg posted a photo of him meeting with responders.


An estimated 30,000 vehicles crossed the bridge per day, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority.

Mar 26, 1:38 PM
Personnel on ship alerted officials before collision 'which undoubtedly saved lives': Biden

Personnel on the ship alerted the Maryland Department of Transportation that they lost control of the vessel, and officials were able to close the bridge before it was struck, "which undoubtedly saved lives," President Joe Biden told reporters.

It appears the crash was a "terrible accident," Biden said.

He said the search and rescue operation is the top priority.

"Ship traffic and the Port of Baltimore has been suspended until further notice. And we'll need to clear that channel before the ship traffic can resume," he said.

"It's my intention that the federal government will pay for the entire cost of reconstruction. ... I expect the Congress to support my effort," Biden said.

"This is going to take some time," the president said, adding, "We're not leaving until this job gets done."

Biden, who noted he’s been over the bridge many times, said he plans to visit Baltimore as soon as possible.

"Our prayers are with everyone involved in this terrible accident and all the families, especially those waiting for news of their loved one right now," the president said. "To the people of Baltimore, I want to say: We're with you. We're going to stay with you, as long as it takes."

Mar 26, 12:34 PM
No cars transiting bridge at time of collapse: Internal DHS briefing

Maryland transportation officials reviewed traffic cameras and confirmed there were "no vehicles transiting the bridge at the time of the incident," according to the latest internal Department of Homeland Security briefing obtained by ABC News.

The local pilot who was at the controls is “undergoing post-accident Drug and Alcohol Testing,” the briefing said.

The cargo ship "remains impaled in the bridge," the document said. "Several shipping containers with unknown cargo fell into water. There is hull damage above the water line to the vessel and the ship is maintaining watertight integrity."

A slight sheen of pollution was observed in the water, suggesting there could be some oil or other pollutant “in the vicinity of the ship and pollution booms have been requested,” the memo said.

-ABC News' Josh Margolin and Aaron Katersky

Mar 26, 11:00 AM
6 unaccounted for

Six people remain unaccounted for as the desperate search continues at the site of the bridge collapse, Coast Guard officials said at a Tuesday morning news conference.

Two were rescued, including one who was hospitalized and later discharged, officials said. Construction workers were on the bridge working on potholes at the time of the collapse, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said.

"To hear the words that the Key Bridge has collapsed, it's shocking and heartbreaking," Moore said. "It's not just unprecedented, what we’re seeing today -- it’s heartbreaking."

The collapse appears to be an accident, Moore said.

There’s nothing to suggest ties to terrorism, the FBI added.

The container ship was moving at 8 knots, which is considered fast, officials noted.

A local pilot was at the helm of the ship at the time, Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld said.

A harbor pilot and assistant onboard the cargo ship reported power issues, multiple alarms on the bridge and loss of propulsion prior to the incident, according to a Coast Guard memo obtained by ABC News. All personnel on the tanker are accounted for with no reported injuries, the memo said.

The Patapsco River channel is fully blocked, with approximately five inbound and seven outbound vessels in the queue for the next 24 hours, according to the memo.

The bridge was up to code, officials said.

Mar 26, 10:46 AM
What to know about the cargo ship

The Singapore-flagged cargo ship, Dali, spans a length of 984 feet and a width of 157 feet, a listing showed. It holds 22 crew members, all of whom are based in India.

The ship departed from the Port of Baltimore at 1 a.m. on Tuesday, embarking on a 27-day journey to Colombo, Sri Lanka. The ship "lost propulsion" as it was leaving the port and warned Maryland officials of a possible collision, according to officials.

The waterway into and out of the port is closed and there is no other route into the port, which is the second busiest port in the Mid-Atlantic.

Mar 26, 9:47 AM
Governor declares state of emergency

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has declared a state of emergency following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.

"We are working with an interagency team to quickly deploy federal resources from the Biden Administration," Moore said in a statement.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott also declared a local state of emergency.

Mar 26, 9:28 AM
The history of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge

The 1.6-mile bridge on the I-695 beltway crosses the Patapsco River, where Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the words of the U.S. national anthem in 1814, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority.

Key, after whom the bridge was named, was also an advisor to Andrew Jackson, served as the District Attorney for the District of Columbia from 1833 to 1841, and was a slave owner, according to the National Park Service.

Construction on the bridge, which was intended to ease traffic and maintenance concerns regarding the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel that serviced the waterway, began in 1972 and finished in March 1977, according to the MDTA.

Mar 26, 8:36 AM
1 person hospitalized in very serious condition

Two people have been rescued from the water and crews are still searching for others, fire officials said.

One person rescued has been taken to a hospital in very serious condition, Baltimore Fire Department Chief James Wallace said.

The second rescued person denied medical treatment.

Mar 26, 8:30 AM
'No indications this was an intentional act,' Mayorkas says

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said "there are no indications this was an intentional act," adding, "we are assessing the impacts to the Port of Baltimore."

"Our thoughts are with the families of the missing and injured," he said.

The Coast Guard is "actively involved in search and rescue operations," he said.

Mar 26, 8:09 AM
Biden briefed on collapse

President Joe Biden has been briefed on the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and the ongoing search and rescue efforts, according to a White House official. He will continue to receive updates from his team throughout the day, the official said.

Senior White House officials have been in touch with the Maryland governor and Baltimore mayor to offer any federal assistance they need, the administration said.

-ABC News' Selina Wang and Molly Nagle

Mar 26, 7:32 AM
Ship lost propulsion, warned of collision, CISA report says

An unclassified Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency report said the container ship Dali "lost propulsion" as it was leaving port and warned Maryland officials of a possible collision.

The crew notified officials that they had lost control, the report said.

"The vessel notified MD Department of Transportation (MDOT) that they had lost control of the vessel and an allision with the bridge was possible," the report said. "The vessel struck the bridge causing a complete collapse."

The waterway into and out of the port has been closed and there is no other route into the port, which is the second busiest port in the mid-Atlantic.

-ABC News' Sam Sweeney, Aaron Katersky and Kevin Shalvey

Mar 26, 7:15 AM
Cargo ship company says all crew members safe

The owners and managers of the cargo ship Dali, a Singapore-flagged vessel, said all crew members had been accounted for following the crash.

“All crew members, including the two pilots have been accounted for and there are no reports of any injuries,” Synergy Marine Group said in a statement.

The company said the 22 crew members, including the pilots, were based in India.

The 984-foot ship is owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd, the statement said.

The cause of the crash is “yet to be determined,” the statement said.

-ABC News’ Jenny Wagnon Courts, Laura Romero and Kevin Shalvey

Mar 26, 6:05 AM
Secretary Buttigieg offers DOT support

Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said in a statement that he’s spoken with local officials to offer support.

“I’ve spoken with Gov. Moore and Mayor Scott to offer USDOT’s support following the vessel strike and collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge,” he said. “Rescue efforts remain underway and drivers in the Baltimore area should follow local responder guidance on detours and response."

-ABC News Molly Nagle

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