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Today’s Top Stories from NBC News

FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 2022

Good morning, NBC News readers.

We have in-depth coverage from the dramatic first anniversary of the Jan. 6th attack on the Capitol, including analysis of President Joe Biden's speech and why it matters.

Here's that and everything else we're watching this Friday morning.

Biden gives Democrats the anti-Trump speech they've been waiting for

President Biden pinned responsibility for the horrors of the Jan. 6 Capitol attack on Donald Trump in an impassioned speech Thursday, one year on from events that were seen around the world.

"The former president of the United States of America has created and spread a web of lies about the 2020 election. He has done so because he values power over principle, because he sees his own interest as more important than his country's interest, than America's interest," Biden said.

"And because his bruised ego matters more to him than our democracy or our Constitution, he can't accept he lost."

It was a rare moment during Biden's presidency when he stepped outside his cloak of unity and directly blamed the violent upheaval on Trump.

Biden made sure to explicitly and simply state the obvious: "He is not just the former president. He is a defeated former president."

"This is something that will be welcomed by almost every Democrat," said longtime Democratic operative Simon Rosenberg, the president of NDN, a center-left think tank based in Washington.

Also on the Jan. 6 anniversary:

A Capitol Police officer sued Trump on the Jan. 6 anniversary, saying he 'directed' the mob
Kamala Harris was at the DNC on Jan. 6 when a pipe bomb was found outside
A Capitol rioter seen holding Nancy Pelosi’s sign is now accused in fatal Missouri crash
OPINION: January 6 busts a key myth about Trump supporters (and rioters), writes author Nina Burleigh.

Friday's Top Stories

Supreme Court to consider Biden vaccine and mask requirements in unusual Friday session

The court will hear arguments about federal vaccination or testing requirements for large employers and a vaccination mandate for some health care workers.

Confused about how to stay safe during the omicron wave? Experts describe their own precautions.

We asked four public health experts and all advised vaccinated people not to return fully to pre-pandemic life — but there was no firm consensus around activities such as air travel.

Burned buildings, violent clashes: Why is unrest so widespread in Kazakhstan?

Kazakhstan, which is the size of Western Europe, is strategically and economically important to Russia and China, experts said.

OPINION

Pope Francis claims pets replacing children in many families is 'selfish.' That's rich.

The church pushes for more children even as it erects barriers to couples actually having them — among other inconsistencies, according to writer Celia Viggo Wexler.

Also in the News

Fire that destroyed Knoxville Planned Parenthood was intentional, officials say

Judge OKs using Boston Marathon bomber’s Covid payment to pay victims

More than 80 million people at risk for heavy snow and wind from coast to coast

North Korea says it will miss the Beijing Olympics, blaming the pandemic and 'hostile forces'

Teen, parents returning to court in Michigan school shooting

Peter Bogdanovich, director of 'The Last Picture Show' and 'Paper Moon,' dies at 82

Cyber Ninjas, company that led Arizona GOP election 'audit,' is shutting down

Editor's Pick

An American rocker is a fan of this Mexican city — and now its tourism ambassador

Sammy Hagar, a former Van Halen singer, called Cabo San Lucas "my hometown" after being awarded the position.

Select

Is a smart thermostat right for you? Should you invest in a learning smart thermostat? We asked the experts.

One Fun Thing

Former ‘Wicked’ star saves the show with emergency performance: ‘An incredible moment’

A former actor returned to Broadway to play Elphaba in “Wicked” after the show experienced Covid-related cast shortages earlier this week.

Carla Stickler was previously the understudy for Elphaba in the national tour and Broadway companies of “Wicked,” according to her website.

Stickler stepped away in 2015 to begin a new career as a software engineer, but when she was called back to the Broadway stage about seven years later, she didn’t miss a beat.