There’s an ongoing anti-mask protest this Saturday on the steps of the Idaho state capitol, including children burning masks.

The 50-49 vote to pass the $1.9 trillion stimulus plan—all Democrats for, all Republicans against—should be a clear indication that not everyone was happy with the package.

Here are some of the criticisms of the bill from top Republicans.

Stay tuned with The Independent as we unpack what’s inside the massive plan.

Tucker Carlson appeared to change his tune on supporters of the false QAnon conspiracy theory during his primetime show on Friday, describing them as “gentle people waving American flags” following the Capitol insurrection. 

The Fox News host said QAnon supporters “like this country” and suggested some were “maybe kind of confused with the wrong ideas” while referring to the entirely inaccurate conspiracy theory, which claims former President Donald Trump is defending the world from a wealthy network of child predators, conveniently including his apparent political enemies, like Hillary Clinton, while ignoring his own friends and allies.

Chris Riotta’s got the details on this generous bit of image rehabilitation.

Here are some of the highlights of the major $1.9 trillion package:

$ 300 weekly unemployment benefits through September 6

$1400 stimulus cheques to many

Billions for state and municipalities, schools, small businesses, and vaccine distribution

Extends 15% increase in food stamp benefits

More Affordable Care Act federal health care subsidies

$8.5 bill for rural health providers

Applause broke out in the Senate on Saturday afternoon, as senators voted 50-49 to pass President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion (£1.3 trillion) Covid relief package.

James Crump is following this breaking news, stay tuned for more details to come.

This just in from the wishful thinking department:

Ms McEnany was recently hired as a Fox News contributor and appeared on Fox Business Friday morning, telling host Stuart Varney that Mr Trump “said it was kind of freeing not to have Twitter,” claiming that he’s “doing just fine”.

Following the Capitol riots, after which Mr Trump was banned, the ex-president reportedly was “ballistic.”

Gustaf Kilander is on that one.

President Biden has fired Sharon Gustafson, general counsel of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) as appointed by former President Trump.

After refusing to resign, the White House informed Ms Gustafson that she was fired effective from 5pm on 5th March.

Republicans speedily came to criticise the termination of Ms Gustafson, with Andrea Lucas, a Republican-appointed commissioner to the EEOC, described the firing as a violation of Biden’s calls for unity.

Ms Gustafson’s term was originally supposed to end in 2023, with a statement made before her firing stating that she wanted to complete her entire term.

Lawyers representing former President Trump have sent a cease-and-desist letter to three of the largest fundraising bodies for the Republican Party -the RNC, NRCC and NRSC - requesting they stop using his name and likeness on fundraising emails and merchandise, a Trump adviser has told Politico. 

Trump is reportedly displeased that organisations that supported Republicans in their efforts to impeach him are using him as a campaigning tool.

“President Trump remains committed to the Republican Party and electing America First conservatives, but that doesn’t give anyone - friend or foe - permission to use his likeness without explicit approval,” said a Trump adviser.