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Trump-Russia: Whitaker reportedly will not recuse self from inquiry – live Florida governor and Senate elections head to recount – live updates
(35 minutes later)
The Florida governor’s race appears headed for a recount, as Ron DeSantis’s lead over Andrew Gillum has dropped below 0.5%, the threshold that triggers a new count.The Florida governor’s race appears headed for a recount, as Ron DeSantis’s lead over Andrew Gillum has dropped below 0.5%, the threshold that triggers a new count.
🚨 Florida Governor’s race for the FIRST TIME is heading to a recountDeSantis 49.62%Gillum: 49.15%Margin: 0.47%That’s below the 0.5% trigger for a recount🚨 Florida Governor’s race for the FIRST TIME is heading to a recountDeSantis 49.62%Gillum: 49.15%Margin: 0.47%That’s below the 0.5% trigger for a recount
The Senate race, which is even closer, will go to a lengthier hand recount, per the Orlando Sentinel.The Senate race, which is even closer, will go to a lengthier hand recount, per the Orlando Sentinel.
After he resigned as Georgia secretary of state, Brian Kemp declared victory in the governor’s race, even as his opponent continued to contest the race.After he resigned as Georgia secretary of state, Brian Kemp declared victory in the governor’s race, even as his opponent continued to contest the race.
“We’ve won the race. It’s very clear now, and we’re moving forward with the transition,” Kemp said.“We’ve won the race. It’s very clear now, and we’re moving forward with the transition,” Kemp said.
The Stacey Abrams campaign announced a lawsuit Thursday over delays in distribution of absentee ballots.The Stacey Abrams campaign announced a lawsuit Thursday over delays in distribution of absentee ballots.
Kemp denounced that and other suits as “quite honestly ridiculous lawsuits.”Kemp denounced that and other suits as “quite honestly ridiculous lawsuits.”
“The votes are not there for her. I certainly respect the hard fought race that she ran, but that’s a decision that she’s going to have to make,” Kemp said.“The votes are not there for her. I certainly respect the hard fought race that she ran, but that’s a decision that she’s going to have to make,” Kemp said.
Donald Trump’s new acting attorney general is close friends with the president’s 2016 campaign co-chair, Reuters reports. A former government ethics chief says the friendship makes it inappropriate for the interim attorney general, Matt Whitaker, to oversee the special counsel’s investigation into the campaign.Donald Trump’s new acting attorney general is close friends with the president’s 2016 campaign co-chair, Reuters reports. A former government ethics chief says the friendship makes it inappropriate for the interim attorney general, Matt Whitaker, to oversee the special counsel’s investigation into the campaign.
Reuters writes:Reuters writes:
Matthew Whitaker, named on Wednesday to replace Jeff Sessions, will directly oversee Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller’s investigation into possible links between Trump’s campaign team and Russian officials.Matthew Whitaker, named on Wednesday to replace Jeff Sessions, will directly oversee Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller’s investigation into possible links between Trump’s campaign team and Russian officials.
Sam Clovis, who was co-chair of Trump’s 2016 campaign and has testified before the grand jury in the Mueller investigation, said he and Whitaker became good friends when they ran against each other as Republicans in a 2014 Senate primary campaign in Iowa. Whitaker also later served as the chairman of a Clovis campaign for state treasurer.Sam Clovis, who was co-chair of Trump’s 2016 campaign and has testified before the grand jury in the Mueller investigation, said he and Whitaker became good friends when they ran against each other as Republicans in a 2014 Senate primary campaign in Iowa. Whitaker also later served as the chairman of a Clovis campaign for state treasurer.
In an interview with Reuters, Clovis said Whitaker is “a wonderful man” and “a dear friend.” He added that Whitaker was a “sounding board” for him when Clovis worked for Trump’s campaign.In an interview with Reuters, Clovis said Whitaker is “a wonderful man” and “a dear friend.” He added that Whitaker was a “sounding board” for him when Clovis worked for Trump’s campaign.
Walter Shaub, who was director of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics for four years before resigning in July 2017, said the friendship between Whitaker and Clovis should disqualify Whitaker from supervising the Mueller investigation.Walter Shaub, who was director of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics for four years before resigning in July 2017, said the friendship between Whitaker and Clovis should disqualify Whitaker from supervising the Mueller investigation.
“Whitaker has to recuse himself under DOJ’s regulation requiring recusal if you have a personal or political relationship with someone substantially involved in conduct that is the subject of the investigation or prosecution,” Shaub told Reuters.“Whitaker has to recuse himself under DOJ’s regulation requiring recusal if you have a personal or political relationship with someone substantially involved in conduct that is the subject of the investigation or prosecution,” Shaub told Reuters.
Mueller is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election and whether anyone involved in Trump’s campaign had any involvement with the effort.Mueller is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election and whether anyone involved in Trump’s campaign had any involvement with the effort.
The husband of White House counselor Kellyanne Conway slammed Donald Trump’s appointment of an acting attorney general as unconstitutional in a new op-ed.The husband of White House counselor Kellyanne Conway slammed Donald Trump’s appointment of an acting attorney general as unconstitutional in a new op-ed.
“President Trump’s installation of Matthew Whitaker as acting attorney general of the United States after forcing the resignation of Jeff Sessions is unconstitutional. It’s illegal. And it means that anything Mr. Whitaker does, or tries to do, in that position is invalid,” George Conway and co-author Neal Katyal wrote in the New York Times.“President Trump’s installation of Matthew Whitaker as acting attorney general of the United States after forcing the resignation of Jeff Sessions is unconstitutional. It’s illegal. And it means that anything Mr. Whitaker does, or tries to do, in that position is invalid,” George Conway and co-author Neal Katyal wrote in the New York Times.
They argue the move violates the appointments clause of the constitution, which argues that a principal officer – meaning an official who reports only to the president – must be appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.They argue the move violates the appointments clause of the constitution, which argues that a principal officer – meaning an official who reports only to the president – must be appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
“It defies one of the explicit checks and balances set out in the Constitution, a provision designed to protect us all against the centralization of government power,” they wrote.“It defies one of the explicit checks and balances set out in the Constitution, a provision designed to protect us all against the centralization of government power,” they wrote.
When a vacancy occurs in the attorney generals seat, the constitution requires another person who has undergone Senate confirmation – like the deputy attorney general or the solicitor general – take over the post, they argue.When a vacancy occurs in the attorney generals seat, the constitution requires another person who has undergone Senate confirmation – like the deputy attorney general or the solicitor general – take over the post, they argue.
A Houston judge voted out of office Tuesday, who spent Wednesday wholesale releasing juvenile defendants, on Thursday did not show up for court, the Houston Chronicle reports.A Houston judge voted out of office Tuesday, who spent Wednesday wholesale releasing juvenile defendants, on Thursday did not show up for court, the Houston Chronicle reports.
A day after 'wholesale' releasing defendants, juvenile judge doesn't show up for court https://t.co/Ky7kbJuabC via @houstonchronA day after 'wholesale' releasing defendants, juvenile judge doesn't show up for court https://t.co/Ky7kbJuabC via @houstonchron
Fox News released a statement on the protest outside the home of Tucker Carlson:Fox News released a statement on the protest outside the home of Tucker Carlson:
New statement from @FoxNews: "The incident that took place at Tucker's home last night was reprehensible. The violent threats and intimidation tactics toward him and his family are completely unacceptable..." pic.twitter.com/OzCeM2LASLNew statement from @FoxNews: "The incident that took place at Tucker's home last night was reprehensible. The violent threats and intimidation tactics toward him and his family are completely unacceptable..." pic.twitter.com/OzCeM2LASL
New acting attorney general Matthew Whitaker once called the appointment of a special counsel to investigate Russian election interference “ridiculous” and “a little fishy,” CNN reported.New acting attorney general Matthew Whitaker once called the appointment of a special counsel to investigate Russian election interference “ridiculous” and “a little fishy,” CNN reported.
Donald Trump put Whitaker in the job temporarily after firing Jeff Sessions, who had recused himself from the Russia investigation.Donald Trump put Whitaker in the job temporarily after firing Jeff Sessions, who had recused himself from the Russia investigation.
Whitaker, formerly Sessions’ chief of staff, made the comments on the radio in 2017 before his appointment at the justice department, according to CNN.Whitaker, formerly Sessions’ chief of staff, made the comments on the radio in 2017 before his appointment at the justice department, according to CNN.
“For whatever reason, Rod Rosenstein determined that the Department of Justice couldn’t handle this in their ordinary course of work, which I think was ridiculous,” he said on the “Rose Unplugged” radio show.“For whatever reason, Rod Rosenstein determined that the Department of Justice couldn’t handle this in their ordinary course of work, which I think was ridiculous,” he said on the “Rose Unplugged” radio show.
“I think it smells a little fishy, but I just hope it doesn’t turn into a fishing expedition, because I will be one of them ones jumping up and down making sure the limitations on this investigation continue because that’s the way it’s supposed to be.”“I think it smells a little fishy, but I just hope it doesn’t turn into a fishing expedition, because I will be one of them ones jumping up and down making sure the limitations on this investigation continue because that’s the way it’s supposed to be.”
In another clip uncovered by CNN, Whitaker said the Mueller probe would be “invalid,” “fraudulent,” and “dangerous to the public” if it expanded beyond Russian election interference to look at Trump’s finances.In another clip uncovered by CNN, Whitaker said the Mueller probe would be “invalid,” “fraudulent,” and “dangerous to the public” if it expanded beyond Russian election interference to look at Trump’s finances.
And in another appearance, Whitaker said on the “Sean Hannity Show” that Trump’s alleged request that FBI director James Comey not investigate former national security adviser Michael Flynn did not amount to obstruction of justice.And in another appearance, Whitaker said on the “Sean Hannity Show” that Trump’s alleged request that FBI director James Comey not investigate former national security adviser Michael Flynn did not amount to obstruction of justice.
“That doesn’t rise to the level of obstruction of justice and it doesn’t sound to me, based on what’s been reported, that Jim Comey, as he sat there, believed that the President was telling him to stop the investigation,” he said.“That doesn’t rise to the level of obstruction of justice and it doesn’t sound to me, based on what’s been reported, that Jim Comey, as he sat there, believed that the President was telling him to stop the investigation,” he said.
“As you know in the law and in these types of situations, the words and whatever the president did or didn’t say is going to be very important. And, if all he did was make a mere suggestion and not an outright command, I don’t think that rises to the level of obstruction of justice.”“As you know in the law and in these types of situations, the words and whatever the president did or didn’t say is going to be very important. And, if all he did was make a mere suggestion and not an outright command, I don’t think that rises to the level of obstruction of justice.”
Stacey Abrams’s campaign plans to file a lawsuit over absentee ballots in Georgia’s Dougherty county, they said Thursday.Stacey Abrams’s campaign plans to file a lawsuit over absentee ballots in Georgia’s Dougherty county, they said Thursday.
Abrams trails Republican Brian Kemp in the vote count, but has not conceded after a race dominated by accusations of voter suppression.Abrams trails Republican Brian Kemp in the vote count, but has not conceded after a race dominated by accusations of voter suppression.
The campaign will charge in the suit that the county mailed out absentee ballots too slowly, the Hill reported.The campaign will charge in the suit that the county mailed out absentee ballots too slowly, the Hill reported.
They’re asking that all ballots be counted, even if they were received past the deadline.They’re asking that all ballots be counted, even if they were received past the deadline.
“We are in this race until we’re convinced that every vote is counted,” Abrams campaign manager Lauren Groh-Wargo said at a Thursday press conference, according to the Hill. “We don’t believe any of these numbers are credible.”“We are in this race until we’re convinced that every vote is counted,” Abrams campaign manager Lauren Groh-Wargo said at a Thursday press conference, according to the Hill. “We don’t believe any of these numbers are credible.”
A Colarado man whose son was killed in the Aurora movie theater shooting won a state legislative seat.A Colarado man whose son was killed in the Aurora movie theater shooting won a state legislative seat.
Democrat Tom Sullivan, of Arapahoe county, defeated an incumbent to take a seat in the state House of Representatives, local NBC affiliate 9News reports.Democrat Tom Sullivan, of Arapahoe county, defeated an incumbent to take a seat in the state House of Representatives, local NBC affiliate 9News reports.
Sullivan said he felt ignored by lawmakers after his son, Alex Sullivan, 27, was killed in the 2012 mass shooting.Sullivan said he felt ignored by lawmakers after his son, Alex Sullivan, 27, was killed in the 2012 mass shooting.
“They never wanted to talk to me before, and they’re gonna’ have to talk to me now,” Sullivan told the station. “I’ve already had the worst day I’m ever gonna have.”“They never wanted to talk to me before, and they’re gonna’ have to talk to me now,” Sullivan told the station. “I’ve already had the worst day I’m ever gonna have.”
There will be protests tonight in New York and around the country against interference in the Robert Mueller Russia investigation.There will be protests tonight in New York and around the country against interference in the Robert Mueller Russia investigation.
A group called Trump is Not Above the Law plans to rally in Times Square starting at 5pm and then march to demand the investigation be allowed to continue unfettered after Donald Trump fired Jeff Sessions.A group called Trump is Not Above the Law plans to rally in Times Square starting at 5pm and then march to demand the investigation be allowed to continue unfettered after Donald Trump fired Jeff Sessions.