The Point: How does America's gun violence cycle end?

View this email in your browser   April 16, 2021  | by Lauren Dezenski, Chris Cillizza and Sonnet Swire How does America's gun violence cycle end? Once again, officials around the country are lowering American flags.   At President Joe Biden's direction, flags have again been ordered to fly at half-staff. It marks yet another grim tragedy, two weeks after President Biden made the same order to mark another mass shooting.   This time, it's to observe a mass shooting in Indianapolis that left eight dead. It comes after a week of anger, protest and hurt around two police-involved shootings of a Black man and a Latino boy in Minneapolis and Chicago, and all during the trial of ex-Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin for the death of George Floyd.    "We don't have time to recover," explained Valerie Castile, mother of Philando Castile, a Black man killed by police in a 2016 traffic stop. "I'm mad as hell again and again and again."   While the violence of the last month feels ceaseless, Biden also noted that on Friday, it has been 14 years since a gunman killed 32 people at Virginia Tech.    This isn't a new problem, but woefully and painfully familiar.    On Friday, Biden said gun violence "pierces the very soul of our nation" and urged Congress to act: "Gun violence is an epidemic in America. But we should not accept it." Despite these earnest calls for action, it's not yet clear how -- or if -- Congress will act.   The onslaught of shootings feels like a grim return to normal despite the still-raging pandemic, and the deeply entrenched polarization around mask wearing, restrictions and now vaccination requirements.   There is at least one bright spot: America's Covid-19 vaccinations continue, despite the week's J&J pause, and more than 202 million doses have been administered according to CDC data published Friday.   The Point: There's a grim familiarity to yet another horrible spate of violence.   -- Lauren QUOTE OF THE DAY "I am blissfully not a spokesperson for the Kremlin." -- White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki's aside when asked how the Russian government responded to the US' sanctions response to Russian cyber attacks. THE WEEK IN 13 HEADLINES This week, the White House made inroads on foreign policy. President Biden announced US troops will leave Afghanistan by September 11 of this year. Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers were hesitant to embrace Biden's infrastructure plan and his renewed calls for bipartisanship.   Monday Biden admin secures agreements with Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala to secure borders, official says Number of unaccompanied migrant children in Customs and Border Protection custody falls 45% Tuesday White House scrambles to reassure public after pause on Johnson & Johnson's vaccine Biden mourns slain Capitol Police officer: He 'was a hero' Wednesday Biden announces troops will leave Afghanistan by September 11: 'It's time to end America's longest war' Women detail drug use, sex and payments after late-night parties with Gaetz and others Effort to include Republicans on infrastructure plan falling flat on Capitol Hill Thursday Biden imposes new sanctions on Russia in response to election interference and cyber hacks Talks over bill to overhaul policing intensify amid new urgency after Daunte Wright shooting More than 1 million calls inundated FEMA's new Covid-19 funeral assistance hotline on first day Friday Biden won't raise refugee cap this fiscal year in a reversal on earlier pledge Russia sanctions eight US officials and expels diplomats in retaliation for Biden's actions Biden welcomes Japanese prime minister as he tries to send 'clear signal' to China CHRIS' GOOD READS The rare wood being used to fix the damage to the Capitol from January 6  An amazing photo essay of Congress in the months after January 6 The hottest seat in Washington   "A nicer version of Trump"   The reverse coattails of 2020 Chaos is a ladder   "The NBA's GM Kingmaker" MUSICAL INTERLUDE Sufjan Stevens is releasing a ton of new music. Last Friday was "Meditations." This Friday? "Lamentations." Today's episode: In one month, at least 45 shootings in America. TRIVIA TIME Question: Bill Clinton visited Japan more times as president than any other US president in recent history. How many times did he travel to the island nation?   a. 2 b. 4 c. 5 d. 7   Send your answers to cillizza@cnn.com and lauren.dezenski@cnn.com! ONE LITTLE QUARTER $664 California Sen. Dianne Feinstein raised a meager $664 in the first three months of the year, according to quarterly fundraising reports. Feinstein isn't up for reelection until 2024 and she has filed paperwork signaling her intention to run again – but the 87-year-old is rumored to be close to retirement.   As CNN's David Wright notes: Something to keep an eye on. You are receiving this message because you subscribed to CNN's The Point with Chris Cillizza newsletter. Unsubscribe from this list Check out other CNN Newsletters Create your CNN Account Share the Point Newsletter Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get The Point in your inbox.   Send your tips and thoughts via email to Chris Cillizza and Lauren Dezenski. You can follow Chris and Lauren on Twitter and connect with The Point on: Our mailing address is: One CNN Center Atlanta, GA 30303   Copyright © 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., All rights reserved.

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