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Donald Trump under fire for dismissing climate change report – live updates 'More evidence of collusion': reaction to Manafort-Assange meeting report – live
(35 minutes later)
The House Judiciary Committee will investigate the rise of white nationalism in the United States when Democrats take over in January, its incoming chairman said.
Rep. Jerry Nadler, a New York Democrat expected to take over the committee, wrote to federal law enforcement officials asking for information about the increasing number of hate crimes, the targeted surveillance of minority communities, and the growing threat of white supremacy and right wing extremism. The questions have been submitted previously by Democrats but answers have not been provided, he said.
The letter went to acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, and Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray.
Nadler wrote: “In the next Congress, this Committee will likely examine the causes of racial and religious violence, assess the adequacy of federal hate crimes statutes, and scrutinize targeted domestic surveillance of specific groups. We need to work together to study the disturbingly increasing number of hate crimes, the growing threat of far right and right wing extremism, and the disparate treatment of minority communities in terrorism investigations. The horrific massacre at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, the murder of an African-American couple in a Kentucky grocery store and Indian engineers in a Kansas bar, and the package bombs sent to Trump opposition figures are only the most recent reminders of the ever-present threat of extremism in our country.”
Senate Republicans are considering holding a floor vote on a bill to protect the job of special counsel Robert Mueller, the Senate’s number two Republican said Tuesday.
“We’re whipping that to see where people are. I think the leader needs that information to decide how to manage all the competing demands on our time,” said Texas Sen, John Cornyn, the Hill reported.
Arizona Republican Jeff Flake has vowed to block judicial nominees until a vote on the legislation is allowed.
Cornyn said Republicans were willing to hold a vote on the legislation “if that’s what it’s going to take” to move nominees, according to the Hill.
The legislation would require that a special counsel be fired only for cause, and allow a judge to review firings. Only a Senate-confirmed official could fire a special counsel under the bill - which would exclude acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker.
A federal appeals court on Tuesday threw out some of the convictions against two former aides to former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie in the George Washington Bridge lane-closing scandal, the Associated Press reported.
From the AP:
Bridget Kelly and Bill Baroni were convicted in 2016 in the alleged plot to cause traffic jams to punish a mayor for not endorsing Christie’s re-election bid.
The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia dismissed a count of civil rights conspiracy for each defendant. It upheld convictions for wire fraud and misapplying property of an organization receiving federal funds.
Baroni and Kelly had sought to have all counts dismissed.
Both are expected to be resentenced. Kelly currently faces an 18-month sentence, while Baroni faces 24 months. They also could request to have the full 3rd Circuit hear the case.
Their attorneys didn’t immediately comment on Tuesday’s ruling.
In their court filings, the lawyers for Kelly and Baroni had argued their convictions on the civil rights charges were based on a right to intrastate travel that has not been recognized by the Supreme Court.
Kelly was the author of the infamous “time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee” email a month before three access lanes to the bridge were reduced to one, without warning to local authorities.
The massive gridlock over four days and part of a fifth in September 2013 mushroomed into a scandal dubbed “Bridgegate” that dragged down Christie’s presidential aspirations and, Christie later conceded, played a role in then-Republican nominee Donald Trump’s decision not to name him as his running mate.
Reactions are pouring in on social media to the Guardian’s report that Paul Manafort secretly met with Wikileaks founder Julian Assange during the 2016 campaign.
Jennifer Palmieri, the communications director for Hillary Clinton’s campaign, called it “more evidence of collusion.”
She said the revelation is “not surprising” in light of “how strategically timed” Wikileaks’ releases of hacked Democratic emails were.
Annoyed by all the “wow” tweets about this story as if it’s surprising. It’s not. It’s serious, & more evidence of collusion, but - if you were paying attention in real time to how strategically timed the Wikileaks were - this news is not surprising. https://t.co/YA8dvESNW6
Bill Kristol, editor of the conservative Weekly Standard, mocked Donald Trump’s frequent claim that there was “no collusion” between his campaign and Russia. “What campaign chair hasn’t held secret talks with Julian Assange in the Ecuadoran embassy in London?” he said.
What campaign chair hasn’t held secret talks with Julian Assange in the Ecuadoran embassy in London?“NO COLLUSION!” https://t.co/DDOHI9ZMWx
Wikileaks denied the report, saying it is “willing to bet the Guardian a million dollars and its editor’s head that Manafort never met Assange.”
Remember this day when the Guardian permitted a serial fabricator to totally destroy the paper's reputation. @WikiLeaks is willing to bet the Guardian a million dollars and its editor's head that Manafort never met Assange. https://t.co/R2Qn6rLQjn
This is going to be one of the most infamous news disasters since Stern published the "Hitler Diaries".
But many others pointed to the report as a potential indication of collusion between Trump’s campaign and the Russian hacking effort.
🎶It’s beginning to look a lot like collusion... everywhere you go...🎶 https://t.co/rQKMvHjd64
Huge if true: Manafort held secret talks with Assange in Ecuadorian embassy—our report explains the COLLUSION liability that follows: https://t.co/wrVFmmmrvB https://t.co/lG33gZSc6d
Now, what could Manafort have been doing visiting Wikileaks' Julian Assange in Ecaudor in 2016? What possibly could he have been interested in? But "no collusion!" lololololol https://t.co/DezMgKbD9q
So let me get this straight:Manafort joins Trump campaign March 2016Manafort secretly visits Wikileaks Assange in Ecuador, spring 2016Trump elevates Manafort to Campaign Manager June 2016In June and July 2016, Wikileaks releases Democratic emailsBut...no collusion?
WOW: We're learning a lot more about how the #TrumpRussia treason operation worked. Manafort held secret talks with Julian Assange inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London, and visited around the time he joined Trump’s campaign.#ProtectMueller #TrumpRussia https://t.co/6WbybAQK70
THREAD: What does today's news that Manafort held a secret meeting with Julian Assange at the Ecuadorian embassy in spring 2016 tell us?
Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke called for a Confederate plaque to be removed from the Texas state capitol.Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke called for a Confederate plaque to be removed from the Texas state capitol.
“Take it down today,” the Democrat and former Senate candidate said in a tweet Tuesday.“Take it down today,” the Democrat and former Senate candidate said in a tweet Tuesday.
State officials are reviewing procedures that could potentially be used to remove the marker, according to the Dallas News. The plaque features the “Children of the Confederacy Creed,” which expresses the “desire to perpetuate...the heroic deeds of those who enlisted in the Confederate army” and claims that the Civil War “was not a rebellion, nor was its underlying cause to sustain slavery.”State officials are reviewing procedures that could potentially be used to remove the marker, according to the Dallas News. The plaque features the “Children of the Confederacy Creed,” which expresses the “desire to perpetuate...the heroic deeds of those who enlisted in the Confederate army” and claims that the Civil War “was not a rebellion, nor was its underlying cause to sustain slavery.”
It sits across the hall from the office of state Rep. Eric Johnson, who has pushed for it to be removed. Attorney General Ken Paxton issued an opinion saying that several people have the authority to remove it, according to the Dallas News.It sits across the hall from the office of state Rep. Eric Johnson, who has pushed for it to be removed. Attorney General Ken Paxton issued an opinion saying that several people have the authority to remove it, according to the Dallas News.
“The AG has spoken. The Capitol curator can unilaterally remove the plaque. No need to politicize this issue or bog down the 86th #TxLege. Remove it and let’s move on,” Johnson tweeted.“The AG has spoken. The Capitol curator can unilaterally remove the plaque. No need to politicize this issue or bog down the 86th #TxLege. Remove it and let’s move on,” Johnson tweeted.
O’Rourke retweeted his message with his own endorsement Tuesday, saying, “I’m with Eric on this one.”O’Rourke retweeted his message with his own endorsement Tuesday, saying, “I’m with Eric on this one.”
Former President Barack Obama recorded a robo-call sent to Mississippi voters Monday night, the National Journal reports this morning.Former President Barack Obama recorded a robo-call sent to Mississippi voters Monday night, the National Journal reports this morning.
“My name may not be on the ballot, but our future is, and that’s why I believe this is one of the most important elections in our lifetime. Make a plan to vote tomorrow. I’m counting on you to be in line to vote before polls close,” Obama said. He did not mention the Democratic candidate, Mike Espy, by name in the call.“My name may not be on the ballot, but our future is, and that’s why I believe this is one of the most important elections in our lifetime. Make a plan to vote tomorrow. I’m counting on you to be in line to vote before polls close,” Obama said. He did not mention the Democratic candidate, Mike Espy, by name in the call.
A Republican Florida Congressman said Donald Trump is “reckless” to refuse to believe the findings of his administration’s climate report.A Republican Florida Congressman said Donald Trump is “reckless” to refuse to believe the findings of his administration’s climate report.
Rep. Carlos Curbelo told CNN Tuesday the president’s reaction was “extremely disappointing. It’s reckless. It’s irresponsible.”Rep. Carlos Curbelo told CNN Tuesday the president’s reaction was “extremely disappointing. It’s reckless. It’s irresponsible.”
The report was “put together by members of his administration - scientists that have no agenda except to tell us the truth,” Curbelo said.The report was “put together by members of his administration - scientists that have no agenda except to tell us the truth,” Curbelo said.
He urged Trump to come back to his south Florida district to see the effects of climate change first hand. “You can see the real life effects of climate change,” he said, citing the more powerful hurricanes that have hit the state. “It certainly makes them stronger and bigger and more dangerous. Rising sea levels threaten our drinking water supply here in south Florida. This is very real.”He urged Trump to come back to his south Florida district to see the effects of climate change first hand. “You can see the real life effects of climate change,” he said, citing the more powerful hurricanes that have hit the state. “It certainly makes them stronger and bigger and more dangerous. Rising sea levels threaten our drinking water supply here in south Florida. This is very real.”
“I think he doesn’t want to believe it. He’s dug in,” Curbelo said of Trump. “It’s going to take him swallowing his pride to just accept the reality of this.”“I think he doesn’t want to believe it. He’s dug in,” Curbelo said of Trump. “It’s going to take him swallowing his pride to just accept the reality of this.”
Democratic Senate candidate Mike Espy cast his vote in Ridgeland, Mississippi.Democratic Senate candidate Mike Espy cast his vote in Ridgeland, Mississippi.
“I work with everyone of good will who wants to pick Mississippi up,” Espy, who is in a runoff with Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith, said after casting his ballot. “I’ve done it all my life and I’m going to do it as the next senator.”“I work with everyone of good will who wants to pick Mississippi up,” Espy, who is in a runoff with Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith, said after casting his ballot. “I’ve done it all my life and I’m going to do it as the next senator.”
Espy said the race, which has been marked by racial controversies, is now in the hands of the voters.Espy said the race, which has been marked by racial controversies, is now in the hands of the voters.
“It’s out of my hands,” he said. “The vote just has to come in.”“It’s out of my hands,” he said. “The vote just has to come in.”
I’m at precinct 315, in Ridgeland, Miss., just 5 minutes outside of Jackson, where Mike Espy is schedule to vote any minute. As of 8 a.m., CST, 250 people have voted here so far. The polling station stays open until 7. There are just as many media here as there are voters. pic.twitter.com/aBk9SLzBYiI’m at precinct 315, in Ridgeland, Miss., just 5 minutes outside of Jackson, where Mike Espy is schedule to vote any minute. As of 8 a.m., CST, 250 people have voted here so far. The polling station stays open until 7. There are just as many media here as there are voters. pic.twitter.com/aBk9SLzBYi
White House counselor Kellyanne Conway said she has “great compassion,” for mothers and children seeking to cross the US border, but cast doubt on the idea that most migrants in the caravan are peacefully seeking asylum.White House counselor Kellyanne Conway said she has “great compassion,” for mothers and children seeking to cross the US border, but cast doubt on the idea that most migrants in the caravan are peacefully seeking asylum.
Conway said she had “great compassion” for women and children caught up in tear gas deployed by the US border patrol but said there are “peaceful and legal ways” to enter the United States that they should be pursuing, CBS News reported.Conway said she had “great compassion” for women and children caught up in tear gas deployed by the US border patrol but said there are “peaceful and legal ways” to enter the United States that they should be pursuing, CBS News reported.
“We need border security,” Conway said, according to CBS.“We need border security,” Conway said, according to CBS.
Conway denounced smugglers who migrants have paid to get them into the country with promises of asylum and said violence at the border shows Trump critics who accused the president of playing politics with the issue are being proven wrong, the Associated Press reported.Conway denounced smugglers who migrants have paid to get them into the country with promises of asylum and said violence at the border shows Trump critics who accused the president of playing politics with the issue are being proven wrong, the Associated Press reported.
She said the idea that everyone in the migrant caravan is “peacefully seeking asylum” is false, according to the AP.She said the idea that everyone in the migrant caravan is “peacefully seeking asylum” is false, according to the AP.
Former EPA administrator Scott Pruitt was sent questions in advance of interviews on Fox & Friends, and his reps even approved a script introducing Pruitt’s segment, the Daily Beast reports.Former EPA administrator Scott Pruitt was sent questions in advance of interviews on Fox & Friends, and his reps even approved a script introducing Pruitt’s segment, the Daily Beast reports.
The cozy relationship was revealed in emails obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request by the Sierra Club.The cozy relationship was revealed in emails obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request by the Sierra Club.
“This is not standard practice whatsoever and the matter is being addressed internally with those involved,” a Fox News spokesperson told the Daily Beast.“This is not standard practice whatsoever and the matter is being addressed internally with those involved,” a Fox News spokesperson told the Daily Beast.
Donald Trump’s former campaign manager Paul Manafort held secret talks with Julian Assange inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London, and visited around the time he joined Trump’s campaign.Donald Trump’s former campaign manager Paul Manafort held secret talks with Julian Assange inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London, and visited around the time he joined Trump’s campaign.
Manafort went to see Assange in 2013, 2015 and in spring 2016 – during the period when he was made a key figure in Trump’s push for the White House, sources told the Guardian.Manafort went to see Assange in 2013, 2015 and in spring 2016 – during the period when he was made a key figure in Trump’s push for the White House, sources told the Guardian.
Special counsel Robert Mueller said Monday that Manafort repeatedly lied to investigators even after making a plea deal, breaching his plea agreement and committing new federal crimes.Special counsel Robert Mueller said Monday that Manafort repeatedly lied to investigators even after making a plea deal, breaching his plea agreement and committing new federal crimes.
Former CIA director John Brennan ripped into Donald Trump over his attacks on special counsel Robert Mueller, saying his name will be “scorned” by history.Former CIA director John Brennan ripped into Donald Trump over his attacks on special counsel Robert Mueller, saying his name will be “scorned” by history.
“Your feelings of inferiority, insecurity, vulnerability, and culpability are loud & clear. You remind me of how many corrupt authoritarian leaders abroad behaved before they were deposed,” Brennan said in a tweet Tuesday. “Bob Mueller’s name will be revered in the annals of U.S. history; your name will be scorned.”“Your feelings of inferiority, insecurity, vulnerability, and culpability are loud & clear. You remind me of how many corrupt authoritarian leaders abroad behaved before they were deposed,” Brennan said in a tweet Tuesday. “Bob Mueller’s name will be revered in the annals of U.S. history; your name will be scorned.”
Your feelings of inferiority, insecurity, vulnerability, and culpability are loud & clear. You remind me of how many corrupt authoritarian leaders abroad behaved before they were deposed. Bob Mueller’s name will be revered in the annals of U.S. history; your name will be scorned. https://t.co/aYnYetwJV1Your feelings of inferiority, insecurity, vulnerability, and culpability are loud & clear. You remind me of how many corrupt authoritarian leaders abroad behaved before they were deposed. Bob Mueller’s name will be revered in the annals of U.S. history; your name will be scorned. https://t.co/aYnYetwJV1
Earlier Tuesday morning, Trump went on the attack against Mueller, calling him a “conflicted prosecutor gone rogue.”Earlier Tuesday morning, Trump went on the attack against Mueller, calling him a “conflicted prosecutor gone rogue.”
Trump revoked Brennan’s security clearance in August in retaliation for the ex-CIA chief’s criticism of the president.Trump revoked Brennan’s security clearance in August in retaliation for the ex-CIA chief’s criticism of the president.
Bernie Sanders said Tuesday that climate change is “not a debatable issue” and “the future of the planet is at stake,” after a US government report predicting dire consequences from the changing climate.Bernie Sanders said Tuesday that climate change is “not a debatable issue” and “the future of the planet is at stake,” after a US government report predicting dire consequences from the changing climate.
“The scientists have told us - despite Trump’s absurd thought that this is a hoax - that the future of the planet is at stake,” the Vermont senator said on CNN’s “New Day,” adding that climate change is “not a debatable issue to my mind.”“The scientists have told us - despite Trump’s absurd thought that this is a hoax - that the future of the planet is at stake,” the Vermont senator said on CNN’s “New Day,” adding that climate change is “not a debatable issue to my mind.”
Trump said Monday that “I don’t believe” the National Climate Assessment issued by his own government.Trump said Monday that “I don’t believe” the National Climate Assessment issued by his own government.
The analysis concludes climate change could cost the US economy hundreds of billions of dollars and thousands of lives each year in future.The analysis concludes climate change could cost the US economy hundreds of billions of dollars and thousands of lives each year in future.
“The American people have got to stand up and say, for the sake of their children and their grandchildren, ‘We are going to have to take on the greed of the fossil fuel industry, who consider their short-term profits more important than the kind of lives my grandchildren will have,’” Sanders said on CNN.“The American people have got to stand up and say, for the sake of their children and their grandchildren, ‘We are going to have to take on the greed of the fossil fuel industry, who consider their short-term profits more important than the kind of lives my grandchildren will have,’” Sanders said on CNN.
Sanders also tore into Trump as a “total phoney and political opportunist”.Sanders also tore into Trump as a “total phoney and political opportunist”.
“He moves with the wind, and right now he’s an extreme rightwinger, because he thinks that’s how you get votes,” he said.“He moves with the wind, and right now he’s an extreme rightwinger, because he thinks that’s how you get votes,” he said.
Mississippi voters are heading to the polls this morning to decide a runoff election for US Senate, which pits Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith against Democrat Mike Espy.Mississippi voters are heading to the polls this morning to decide a runoff election for US Senate, which pits Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith against Democrat Mike Espy.
Polls opened at 7am central time (8am eastern).Polls opened at 7am central time (8am eastern).
Hyde-Smith came out on top in a special election held earlier this month to fill the seat of Republican Thad Cochran, who resigned. But because she did not capture a majority, a runoff was triggered.Hyde-Smith came out on top in a special election held earlier this month to fill the seat of Republican Thad Cochran, who resigned. But because she did not capture a majority, a runoff was triggered.
The campaign has been dominated by racial issues, with controversies around Hyde-Smith’s remarks about a “public hanging” and apparent affection for the Confederacy throwing her hold on a solidly Republican seat into doubt.The campaign has been dominated by racial issues, with controversies around Hyde-Smith’s remarks about a “public hanging” and apparent affection for the Confederacy throwing her hold on a solidly Republican seat into doubt.
Donald Trump appeared Monday night at a closing rally for Hyde-Smith in Biloxi, slamming Espy as “far left” and “out there.”Donald Trump appeared Monday night at a closing rally for Hyde-Smith in Biloxi, slamming Espy as “far left” and “out there.”
This morning, Donald Trump is tweeting again about the Mueller investigation. He calls it a “Phony Witch Hunt,” and complains that the “Fake News Media builds Bob Mueller up as a Saint, when in actuality he is the exact opposite.”This morning, Donald Trump is tweeting again about the Mueller investigation. He calls it a “Phony Witch Hunt,” and complains that the “Fake News Media builds Bob Mueller up as a Saint, when in actuality he is the exact opposite.”
The Phony Witch Hunt continues, but Mueller and his gang of Angry Dems are only looking at one side, not the other. Wait until it comes out how horribly & viciously they are treating people, ruining lives for them refusing to lie. Mueller is a conflicted prosecutor gone rogue....The Phony Witch Hunt continues, but Mueller and his gang of Angry Dems are only looking at one side, not the other. Wait until it comes out how horribly & viciously they are treating people, ruining lives for them refusing to lie. Mueller is a conflicted prosecutor gone rogue....
....The Fake News Media builds Bob Mueller up as a Saint, when in actuality he is the exact opposite. He is doing TREMENDOUS damage to our Criminal Justice System, where he is only looking at one side and not the other. Heroes will come of this, and it won’t be Mueller and his.......The Fake News Media builds Bob Mueller up as a Saint, when in actuality he is the exact opposite. He is doing TREMENDOUS damage to our Criminal Justice System, where he is only looking at one side and not the other. Heroes will come of this, and it won’t be Mueller and his...
....terrible Gang of Angry Democrats. Look at their past, and look where they come from. The now $30,000,000 Witch Hunt continues and they’ve got nothing but ruined lives. Where is the Server? Let these terrible people go back to the Clinton Foundation and “Justice” Department!....terrible Gang of Angry Democrats. Look at their past, and look where they come from. The now $30,000,000 Witch Hunt continues and they’ve got nothing but ruined lives. Where is the Server? Let these terrible people go back to the Clinton Foundation and “Justice” Department!
Speaking of which, if you haven’t already, take a look at David Taylor’s stories on Mueller and his investigation.Speaking of which, if you haven’t already, take a look at David Taylor’s stories on Mueller and his investigation.