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FBI gets warrant to search Huma Abedin's laptop for Clinton emails – election live FBI gets warrant to search Huma Abedin's laptop for Clinton emails – election live
(35 minutes later)
6.31pm GMT
18:31
Donald Trump’s companies have deleted thousands of documents and records from court proceedings, often defying court orders, according to a Newsweek investigation - despite his anger at Hillary Clinton deleting emails from her private server.
Journalist Kurt Eichwald explains the tactics Trump would use to hide documents:
Over the course of decades, Donald Trump’s companies have systematically destroyed or hidden thousands of emails, digital records and paper documents demanded in official proceedings, often in defiance of court orders. These tactics—exposed by a Newsweek review of thousands of pages of court filings, judicial orders and affidavits from an array of court cases—have enraged judges, prosecutors, opposing lawyers and the many ordinary citizens entangled in litigation with Trump. In each instance, Trump and entities he controlled also erected numerous hurdles that made lawsuits drag on for years, forcing courtroom opponents to spend huge sums of money in legal fees as they struggled — sometimes in vain — to obtain records.
Trump would file untruthful affidavits, ignore deadlines and employ top delaying tactics, says Eichwald.
6.13pm GMT
18:13
Trump says it 'took guts' for FBI chief to send letter to Congress
Dan Roberts
Trump claimed on Monday that the FBI had stumbled across a digital “motherlode” and predicted they would discover missing work-related emails that had been deleted from Clinton’s computers.
“650,000?.. I think you are going to find the 33,000 that are missing,” he told supporters in Michigan. “I think we hit the motherlode as they say in the mining industry.”
He also urged FBI director James Comey to resist political pressure from those criticizing his decision to disclose the investigation.
“He’s gotta hang tough because a lot of people think he did the wrong thing, but he did the right thing,” Trump told the Grand Rapids rally. “I was not his fan but what he did he brought back his reputation.”
“It took guts for director Comey to do what he did,” he added, to chants of “lock her up” from the crowd.
6.05pm GMT
18:05
UK golf resort owned by Trump summonsed for alleged privacy breach
Severin Carrell
A Scottish golf resort owned by Donald Trump is being taken to court for allegedly breaching the privacy of a rambler photographed by staff without her consent or knowledge.
The resort in Aberdeenshire was served with a court summons on Monday after Trump’s Scottish lawyers admitted that two staff members took mobile phone images of Rohan Beyts while she was on the course in April.
Trump International Golf Club Scotland, owned by the Republican presidential candidate, has been ordered to appear at Edinburgh sheriff court on 22 December to respond to a civil action lodged in the small claims court by Beyts this month.
Beyts is seeking damages of up to £3,000 ($3,650) after TIGCS rejected her initial requests by letter for an apology and damages. Her civil action claims the company is guilty of a criminal offence under the UK’s data protection and privacy legislation, after an investigation by the Guardian revealed the resort was in breach of the Data Protection Act.
The resort admitted it was not registered under the act with the Information Commissioner’s Office despite operating at least nine CCTV cameras and holding confidential records on its staff, its thousands of customers and its suppliers. It subsequently registered with the ICO in August.
In the US, meanwhile, Trump has threatened to sue any cinema that screens the documentary, You’ve Been Trumped Too. Made by Anthony Baxter, the film is a sequel to You’ve Been Trumped, in which Baxter was seen being forcibly arrested by police as he investigated allegations of intimidatory behavior against the property tycoon’s neighbors in 2010.
Read the rest of the article here.
5.57pm GMT5.57pm GMT
17:5717:57
Donald Trump’s campaign is refusing to pay a $767,000 bill to a Florida pollster, reports the Washington Post.Donald Trump’s campaign is refusing to pay a $767,000 bill to a Florida pollster, reports the Washington Post.
The Trump campaign hired GOP strategist and pollster Tony Fabrizio in May. Trump’s latest campaign filings show that it is disputing over three quarters of a million dollars to Fabrizio’s company.The Trump campaign hired GOP strategist and pollster Tony Fabrizio in May. Trump’s latest campaign filings show that it is disputing over three quarters of a million dollars to Fabrizio’s company.
The Trump campaign already paid $624,000 for Fabrizio’s services.The Trump campaign already paid $624,000 for Fabrizio’s services.
5.40pm GMT5.40pm GMT
17:4017:40
“Her election would mire our government and country in a constitutional crisis that we can not afford,” says Trump, arguing that an investigation into Hillary Clinton’s email will last years and cripple the economy.“Her election would mire our government and country in a constitutional crisis that we can not afford,” says Trump, arguing that an investigation into Hillary Clinton’s email will last years and cripple the economy.
5.38pm GMT5.38pm GMT
17:3817:38
“Thank you Huma! Good job Huma! Thank you Anthony Weiner!” says Trump to laughter at Michigan, referencing how the FBI is examining emails that came to light due to the investigation of Weiner sexting with an underage girl.“Thank you Huma! Good job Huma! Thank you Anthony Weiner!” says Trump to laughter at Michigan, referencing how the FBI is examining emails that came to light due to the investigation of Weiner sexting with an underage girl.
5.33pm GMT5.33pm GMT
17:3317:33
“It took guts for director Comey to make the move he made in light of the opposition he had where they’re trying to protect her from criminal prosecution... it took a lot of guts,” says Trump in Michigan.“It took guts for director Comey to make the move he made in light of the opposition he had where they’re trying to protect her from criminal prosecution... it took a lot of guts,” says Trump in Michigan.
5.30pm GMT5.30pm GMT
17:3017:30
It's a festive stage for Trump today in Grand Rapids (📷: pooler @alivitali) pic.twitter.com/11SevR8sxjIt's a festive stage for Trump today in Grand Rapids (📷: pooler @alivitali) pic.twitter.com/11SevR8sxj
The pool reporter Ali Vitali also notes that Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner is also in attendance today.The pool reporter Ali Vitali also notes that Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner is also in attendance today.
5.27pm GMT5.27pm GMT
17:2717:27
“When I win on November 8, I am going to bring your jobs back to America,” Trump tells the crowd in Michigan.“When I win on November 8, I am going to bring your jobs back to America,” Trump tells the crowd in Michigan.
“We’re going to make Michigan the economic envy of the entire world once again,” he says.“We’re going to make Michigan the economic envy of the entire world once again,” he says.
5.24pm GMT5.24pm GMT
17:2417:24
Donald Trump takes to the stage in Grand Rapids, Michigan.Donald Trump takes to the stage in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
5.20pm GMT5.20pm GMT
17:2017:20
White House will not 'defend or criticize' FBI chiefWhite House will not 'defend or criticize' FBI chief
The White House says it will not “defend or criticize” FBI chief James Comey’s decision to alert Congress on Friday to new emails relating to the use of a private email server by Hillary Clinton just 11 days out from the election.The White House says it will not “defend or criticize” FBI chief James Comey’s decision to alert Congress on Friday to new emails relating to the use of a private email server by Hillary Clinton just 11 days out from the election.
Josh Earnest, White House secretary, said Comey is a well-regarded official and that the White House does not have enough information to support or not support his actions.Josh Earnest, White House secretary, said Comey is a well-regarded official and that the White House does not have enough information to support or not support his actions.
“The president doesn’t believe that Comey is deliberately trying to affect the outcome of an election, or that he’s secretly strategizing to benefit one candidate or political party,” said Earnest in a press briefing.“The president doesn’t believe that Comey is deliberately trying to affect the outcome of an election, or that he’s secretly strategizing to benefit one candidate or political party,” said Earnest in a press briefing.
4.49pm GMT4.49pm GMT
16:4916:49
Interesting article in the Washington Post about Evan McMullin, the independent candidate, who was an undercover CIA agent for a decade. Because of security concerns, little information about this time has previously been made public:Interesting article in the Washington Post about Evan McMullin, the independent candidate, who was an undercover CIA agent for a decade. Because of security concerns, little information about this time has previously been made public:
McMullin joined the CIA as a student trainee while an undergraduate at Brigham Young University. He would alternate semesters between the university and training at CIA headquarters in Langley, Va. During that time, he spent a year in Israel and Jordan learning Arabic. He also worked for a refugee resettlement program run by the United Nations.McMullin joined the CIA as a student trainee while an undergraduate at Brigham Young University. He would alternate semesters between the university and training at CIA headquarters in Langley, Va. During that time, he spent a year in Israel and Jordan learning Arabic. He also worked for a refugee resettlement program run by the United Nations.
After graduating in 2001, McMullin joined the CIA’s directorate of operations, which runs clandestine missions abroad. He was in a computer training class at Langley headquarters when the 9/11 attacks occurred. After that, McMullin’s 18-month training to be an undercover operative was sped up, and he soon found himself in a southwest Asian country where the U.S. military was deeply engaged in the new war on terror. The specific country remains classified to protect his contacts there.After graduating in 2001, McMullin joined the CIA’s directorate of operations, which runs clandestine missions abroad. He was in a computer training class at Langley headquarters when the 9/11 attacks occurred. After that, McMullin’s 18-month training to be an undercover operative was sped up, and he soon found himself in a southwest Asian country where the U.S. military was deeply engaged in the new war on terror. The specific country remains classified to protect his contacts there.
The CIA station chief who supervised McMullin in his first overseas assignment told me that McMullin stood out among all the new case officers because of his insistence on going outside the safe confines of the embassy to meet and develop human- intelligence assets. As a Mormon, McMullin could not indulge in the vices that often help to build such bonds, so he used his piousness and his experience before college as a missionary in Brazil to his advantage.The CIA station chief who supervised McMullin in his first overseas assignment told me that McMullin stood out among all the new case officers because of his insistence on going outside the safe confines of the embassy to meet and develop human- intelligence assets. As a Mormon, McMullin could not indulge in the vices that often help to build such bonds, so he used his piousness and his experience before college as a missionary in Brazil to his advantage.
... McMullin served his later years as an undercover officer in Iraq while the U.S. military was battling a brutal Sunni insurgency and collecting intelligence on what was then called al-Qaeda in Iraq but is now the Islamic State. McMullin worked in Iraq until 2010, when the country achieved a degree of stability and the terrorist threat was temporarily minimized.... McMullin served his later years as an undercover officer in Iraq while the U.S. military was battling a brutal Sunni insurgency and collecting intelligence on what was then called al-Qaeda in Iraq but is now the Islamic State. McMullin worked in Iraq until 2010, when the country achieved a degree of stability and the terrorist threat was temporarily minimized.
4.37pm GMT4.37pm GMT
16:3716:37
CNN 'completely uncomfortable' with leaked Clinton debate questionCNN 'completely uncomfortable' with leaked Clinton debate question
CNN is “completely uncomfortable” with news that acting DNC head Donna Brazile allegedly leaked debate questions to Hillary Clinton’s campaign.CNN is “completely uncomfortable” with news that acting DNC head Donna Brazile allegedly leaked debate questions to Hillary Clinton’s campaign.
CNN spokesperson Lauren Pratapas released a statement on the revelations from today’s latest Wikileaks release of emails supposedly from Clinton campaign chief John Podesta, that show Brazile alerted Clinton that a question on the Flint water crisis would be asked during her debate with Bernie Sanders.CNN spokesperson Lauren Pratapas released a statement on the revelations from today’s latest Wikileaks release of emails supposedly from Clinton campaign chief John Podesta, that show Brazile alerted Clinton that a question on the Flint water crisis would be asked during her debate with Bernie Sanders.
Pratapas’ statement reads:Pratapas’ statement reads:
On October 14th, CNN accepted Donna Brazile’s resignation as a CNN contributor. (Her deal had previously been suspended in July when she became the interim head of the DNC.) CNN never gave Brazile access to any questions, prep material, attendee list, background information or meetings in advance of a town hall or debate. We are completely uncomfortable with what we have learned about her interactions with the Clinton campaign while she was a CNN contributor.On October 14th, CNN accepted Donna Brazile’s resignation as a CNN contributor. (Her deal had previously been suspended in July when she became the interim head of the DNC.) CNN never gave Brazile access to any questions, prep material, attendee list, background information or meetings in advance of a town hall or debate. We are completely uncomfortable with what we have learned about her interactions with the Clinton campaign while she was a CNN contributor.
4.32pm GMT4.32pm GMT
16:3216:32
Ben JacobsBen Jacobs
Donald Trump falsely claimed at a rally on Sunday that Hillary Clinton wants to let “650 million people pour in” to the US and “triple the size of our country in one week”.Donald Trump falsely claimed at a rally on Sunday that Hillary Clinton wants to let “650 million people pour in” to the US and “triple the size of our country in one week”.
Speaking in an airplane hangar in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Trump again pushed his hardline immigration stance and warned of the dangers posed by what he described as Clinton’s “open borders” policy.Speaking in an airplane hangar in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Trump again pushed his hardline immigration stance and warned of the dangers posed by what he described as Clinton’s “open borders” policy.
Trump took his alarmist rhetoric to a new height when boasting about his endorsement from the union which represents ICE and border patrol officers. He told them: “You know, it would be much easier working for Obama or working for crooked Hillary because frankly when you’re working for Hillary, she wants to let people just pour in.”Trump took his alarmist rhetoric to a new height when boasting about his endorsement from the union which represents ICE and border patrol officers. He told them: “You know, it would be much easier working for Obama or working for crooked Hillary because frankly when you’re working for Hillary, she wants to let people just pour in.”
Trump continued: “You could have 650 million people pour in and we do nothing about it. Think of it, that’s what could happen. You triple the size of our country in one week. Once you lose control of your borders you have no country.”Trump continued: “You could have 650 million people pour in and we do nothing about it. Think of it, that’s what could happen. You triple the size of our country in one week. Once you lose control of your borders you have no country.”
The Republican nominee’s campaign has long used strident rhetoric about immigration. He alleged in his June 2015 campaign announcement that the Mexican government was deliberately sending rapists across the border and has repeatedly compared Syrian refugees to “the Trojan horse”.The Republican nominee’s campaign has long used strident rhetoric about immigration. He alleged in his June 2015 campaign announcement that the Mexican government was deliberately sending rapists across the border and has repeatedly compared Syrian refugees to “the Trojan horse”.
Trump though has never suggested that Clinton, whom he has long derided as “a globalist”, supported tripling the size of the US through a mass migration unprecedented in world history.Trump though has never suggested that Clinton, whom he has long derided as “a globalist”, supported tripling the size of the US through a mass migration unprecedented in world history.
Although Clinton is long on the record in favor of comprehensive immigration reform and a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, there is no evidence she favors increasing the US population by 650 million, a total roughly equal to the combined population of Canada, Mexico and the European Union.Although Clinton is long on the record in favor of comprehensive immigration reform and a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, there is no evidence she favors increasing the US population by 650 million, a total roughly equal to the combined population of Canada, Mexico and the European Union.
Read the rest of the article here.Read the rest of the article here.
3.57pm GMT3.57pm GMT
15:5715:57
New Podesta emails show Clinton received leaked debate questionNew Podesta emails show Clinton received leaked debate question
A new batch of emails leaked by Wikileaks from the gmail account of John Podesta, Hillary Clinton’s campaign manager is out today, seeming to show Donna Brazile, the interim head of the DNC and a CNN contributor, giving Clinton a heads up about a likely debate question the day before she was due to take on Bernie Sanders at a primary debate.A new batch of emails leaked by Wikileaks from the gmail account of John Podesta, Hillary Clinton’s campaign manager is out today, seeming to show Donna Brazile, the interim head of the DNC and a CNN contributor, giving Clinton a heads up about a likely debate question the day before she was due to take on Bernie Sanders at a primary debate.
Brazile 2 weeks ago: "I never had access to questions and would never have shared them with the candidates if I did"Yeah, ok. pic.twitter.com/8jBOZ4G8q6Brazile 2 weeks ago: "I never had access to questions and would never have shared them with the candidates if I did"Yeah, ok. pic.twitter.com/8jBOZ4G8q6
A woman did ask about the Flint water crisis at the next debate.A woman did ask about the Flint water crisis at the next debate.
On October 11, Brazile released a statement – after earlier Podesta emails supposedly showed Brazile leaking a CNN town hall question – declaring: “As it pertains to the CNN debates, I never had access to questions and would never have shared them with the candidates if I did.”On October 11, Brazile released a statement – after earlier Podesta emails supposedly showed Brazile leaking a CNN town hall question – declaring: “As it pertains to the CNN debates, I never had access to questions and would never have shared them with the candidates if I did.”
Donna Brazile statement on Wikileaks emails pic.twitter.com/LqblQt6KjoDonna Brazile statement on Wikileaks emails pic.twitter.com/LqblQt6Kjo
In another message, Podesta emails Neera Tanden, the president of Center for American Progress, about Clinton’s prospects and questions her “instincts” in the campaign.In another message, Podesta emails Neera Tanden, the president of Center for American Progress, about Clinton’s prospects and questions her “instincts” in the campaign.
WikiLeaks has been publishing batches of the leaked emails all month, after publishing leaks from the Democratic National Committee’s emails in October. Podesta and the Clinton campaign have refused to confirm the emails are genuine.WikiLeaks has been publishing batches of the leaked emails all month, after publishing leaks from the Democratic National Committee’s emails in October. Podesta and the Clinton campaign have refused to confirm the emails are genuine.
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.28pm GMTat 4.28pm GMT
3.26pm GMT3.26pm GMT
15:2615:26
Dan RobertsDan Roberts
From Washington bureau chief Dan Roberts in ClevelandFrom Washington bureau chief Dan Roberts in Cleveland
The Republican campaign is seizing on signs of momentum to target an expanded map of states that it now sees as winnable, including once safely Democratic territory in industrial Midwest.The Republican campaign is seizing on signs of momentum to target an expanded map of states that it now sees as winnable, including once safely Democratic territory in industrial Midwest.
Donald Trump was due to speak in Grand Rapids and Warren in Michigan on Monday, before appearing with running mate Mike Pence in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, on Tuesday.Donald Trump was due to speak in Grand Rapids and Warren in Michigan on Monday, before appearing with running mate Mike Pence in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, on Tuesday.
Until his polling gap began to narrow again last week, Trump had been forced back back to a dwindling number of competitive-looking swing states, while it was Hillary Clinton who was expanding her campaign ambitions by eyeing Republican territory in Utah, Arizona and Georgia.Until his polling gap began to narrow again last week, Trump had been forced back back to a dwindling number of competitive-looking swing states, while it was Hillary Clinton who was expanding her campaign ambitions by eyeing Republican territory in Utah, Arizona and Georgia.
But renewed optimism among Republicans, particularly after the FBI letter, has created an unusually vast national battleground for both candidates to cover, particularly as Trump’s economic populism scrambles traditional demographic dividing lines.But renewed optimism among Republicans, particularly after the FBI letter, has created an unusually vast national battleground for both candidates to cover, particularly as Trump’s economic populism scrambles traditional demographic dividing lines.
Michigan and Wisconsin have both been hit hard by the loss of manufacturing jobs and were the scene of surprise defeats for Clinton during the Democratic primary when large numbers of blue-collar workers favored Bernie Sanders.Michigan and Wisconsin have both been hit hard by the loss of manufacturing jobs and were the scene of surprise defeats for Clinton during the Democratic primary when large numbers of blue-collar workers favored Bernie Sanders.
Signs of fresh Democratic nervousness in Wisconsin first became apparent last week when the Clinton campaign suddenly announced a new advertising blitz. Sanders has now been despatched to help campaign for Clinton in the state on Wednesday.Signs of fresh Democratic nervousness in Wisconsin first became apparent last week when the Clinton campaign suddenly announced a new advertising blitz. Sanders has now been despatched to help campaign for Clinton in the state on Wednesday.
The impact of early voting may also be forcing Trump to look further afield for the necessary electoral college votes however. States such as a North Carolina, which were seen as must win for Republicans, have seen heavy early turnout among Democrats and may be relatively immune from any late swing away from Clinton.The impact of early voting may also be forcing Trump to look further afield for the necessary electoral college votes however. States such as a North Carolina, which were seen as must win for Republicans, have seen heavy early turnout among Democrats and may be relatively immune from any late swing away from Clinton.
If he cannot win North Carolina but picks up the must-win states of Florida and Ohio, Trump’s best hope of pulling off a shock victory would rely on over-performing either in rustbelt states like Michigan and Wisconsin, or closing ground rapidly in the North East by wining New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and a congressional district in Maine.If he cannot win North Carolina but picks up the must-win states of Florida and Ohio, Trump’s best hope of pulling off a shock victory would rely on over-performing either in rustbelt states like Michigan and Wisconsin, or closing ground rapidly in the North East by wining New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and a congressional district in Maine.
Clinton meanwhile is redoubling her efforts to prevent Trump from even reaching this point. Two stops on Monday in Ohio will be followed by three stops in Florida on Tuesday and another swing to North Carolina later in the week as Democrats look to nip any resurgent Republican hopes firmly in the bud.Clinton meanwhile is redoubling her efforts to prevent Trump from even reaching this point. Two stops on Monday in Ohio will be followed by three stops in Florida on Tuesday and another swing to North Carolina later in the week as Democrats look to nip any resurgent Republican hopes firmly in the bud.
3.25pm GMT3.25pm GMT
15:2515:25
“It’s surprising to me that anybody would say that ‘you’re beyond the pale’ for a position that’s taken by around half the country,” says Peter Thiel, in his DC address.“It’s surprising to me that anybody would say that ‘you’re beyond the pale’ for a position that’s taken by around half the country,” says Peter Thiel, in his DC address.
“This is the first time I’ve done something that is conventional... and it’s been the most controversial thing ever,” he adds.“This is the first time I’ve done something that is conventional... and it’s been the most controversial thing ever,” he adds.