Washington tense as America awaits Derek Chauvin verdict – US politics live

<ul><li>National guard to assist Washington police in event of protests</li><li>Jury in Minneapolis began deliberations on Monday</li></ul><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2021-04-20T13:37:03.952Z">2.37pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Here’s what the president has on his schedule today: Joe Biden </strong>and <strong>Kamala Harris </strong>will meet with leaders of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus in the Oval Office. Senators <strong>Catherine Cortez Masto, Ben Ray Luján</strong> and <strong>Bob Menendez</strong> will be among the attendees.</p><p>Biden will later participate in a virtual tour of the Proterra electric battery facility in South Carolina and deliver remarks on his infrastructure plan at the White House.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2021-04-20T13:20:36.042Z">2.20pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The <strong>Derek Chauvin</strong> murder trial heard closing arguments on Monday before the jury began considering a verdict over the death of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/george-floyd"><strong>George Floyd</strong></a> that is anxiously awaited by millions of Americans.</p><p>Tensions are high in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/minneapolis">Minneapolis</a>, with hundreds of national guard soldiers deployed. Last year, video of the former police officer’s alleged killing of Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, prompted days of protests, riots and looting, and demonstrations across the US and world.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/apr/19/derek-chauv