Biden won't apologize for comments on segregationists

“There’s not a racist bone in my body,” he said after attacks from fellow Democrats. No Images? Click here   By Dominique Mosbergen     Thursday, June 20 BIDEN WON’T BUDGE ON COMMENTS ON SEGREGATIONISTS Despite scathing criticism from his Democratic 2020 rivals, former Vice President Joe Biden has refused to apologize for his remarks about working with unapologetically segregationist colleagues in the Senate. Biden told reporters he does not “have a racist bone” in his body and said Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) should be the one apologizing for suggesting otherwise. [HuffPost] IRAN SHOOTS DOWN U.S. ‘SPY’ DRONE Iran says it shot down what it described as a U.S. “spy” drone on Thursday. The country’s Revolutionary Guard said the drone was downed as it flew over the southern Iranian province of Hormozgan, but U.S. officials said the craft had been in international airspace at the time. [Reuters] CHINA’S XI ARRIVES IN NORTH KOREA Xi Jinping became the first Chinese president to visit North Korea in 14 years when he landed in Pyongyang on Thursday. Xi will reportedly spend two days in the North Korean capital and is expected to engage in talks with the country’s leader Kim Jong Un. [AP] SENATE CONFIRMS JUDGE WHO ATTACKED ROE V. WADE The GOP-controlled Senate voted Wednesday to confirm Matthew Kacsmaryk to a lifetime federal judgeship despite his record of hostility toward reproductive and LGBTQ rights. Kacsmaryk, a vocal opponent of Roe v. Wade, will serve on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. [HuffPost] HOUSE FINALLY REPEALS PRESIDENT’S 9/11 WAR AUTHORITY Almost two decades after the passage of the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force, which gave the president broad authority to pursue those responsible for 9/11, House Democrats have finally moved to repeal the resolution — but the Senate isn’t likely to take it lying down. [HuffPost] NXIVM CULT LEADER GUILTY OF ALL CHARGES A jury found Keith Raniere guilty of all charges, including racketeering, sex trafficking and child pornography. The 58-year-old will be sentenced in September and could face life in prison. [HuffPost] HOPE HICKS FRUSTRATES HOUSE DEMS House Democrats decried “more obstruction by the White House” after former Trump aide Hope Hicks refused to answer any of their questions about her time in the White House during a closed House Judiciary Committee session. Hicks reportedly refused to even disclose the location of her office. [Reuters]     .     Become one of our first official super fans. Call yourself a founding member of HuffPost Plus forever.   JOIN NOW       TRUMP’S COSTLY GOLF HABIT The president’s golf habit has cost taxpayers an estimated $106.9 million to date with his latest $1.1 million trip to one of his Florida resorts. In his first 881 days in office, Trump has spent 186 on the links. [HuffPost] NEW YORK REFORMS SEXUAL HARASSMENT LAWS New York state lawmakers passed a bill extending the statutes of limitation for second and third degree rape, and another that enhances protections for workplace harassment. [HuffPost] FIRST NATIVE AMERICAN NAMED U.S. POET LAUREATE The Library of Congress announced the appointment of Joy Harjo, an award-winning poet, musician and member of the Muscogee Creek Nation, as the 23rd U.S. poet laureate. Harjo is the first Native American to hold the position. [HuffPost] PLANNED PARENTHOOD VOWS TO DEFY MISSOURI ABORTION RULE Planned Parenthood of St. Louis, Missouri’s last remaining abortion provider, says it’s going to stop complying with an “unethical” state law requiring doctors to perform two pelvic exams on women seeking abortions. [HuffPost] CALIFORNIA APOLOGIZES TO NATIVE AMERICANS California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) issued an executive order apologizing for the state’s history of violence and genocide against Native Americans. Newsom said he hoped the apology would serve to build bridges and heal deep wounds. [HuffPost] NEW ZEALAND LAUNCHES GUN ‘BUY-BACK’ SCHEME The six-month program will compensate owners of semi-automatic weapons, newly prohibited under laws passed following the deadly attacks on two mosques in Christchurch. More than $130 million has been earmarked for the program. [Reuters]   Check Out Our Complete Coverage Of Pride Month 🌈🌈🌈      .   It turns out our love of almonds could be seriously jeopardizing our friend, the honeybee. Is Facebook’s new digital currency — the Libra — “a joke”? The shooting of former Red Sox slugger David Ortiz may have been a case of “mistaken identity.” Twenty-one Democratic candidates for president were asked 18 questions. These were their answers. ”Jeopardy!” champion James Holzhauer has honored Alex Trebek with a touching donation. Dax Shepard explains how his kids reacted to the news of his and wife Kristen Bell’s fame. Minorities are facing more obstacles to lifesaving organ transplants, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Adele had a full-on fangirl moment at a Spice Girls concert. Same girl, same. Wednesday was Juneteeth. This group of chefs celebrated the day with food, family and Texas traditions.         👋You may have noticed our website is now www.huffpost.com. Don't worry, it'll still be the same HuffPost you know and love, just with a new URL. Make sure to update your bookmarks!   HuffPost is now a part of Verizon Media Group. On May 25, 2018 we introduced a new Privacy Policy which will explain how your data is used and shared. Learn More. Start your workday the right way with the news that matters most — all with a dash of signature Morning Email snark. Does somebody keep forwarding you this email? Get your own copy. It's free! Sign up here. 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