This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2018/dec/11/donald-trump-latest-news-manafort-google-live

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Google CEO testifies to Congress on political bias claims – live Trump clashes with Pelosi and Schumer as cameras roll in Oval Office – live
(35 minutes later)
Schumer is already characterizing Trump as throwing a “temper tantrum” in the Oval Office.
Schumer outside the White House: "This temper tantrum that he seems to throw will not get him his wall."
In other news, Trump now says there is no rush to find a new White House chief of staff.
"We have a lot of people who want the job," Trump says, saying he's "in no rush" and may announce the new hire "in a week or two."He told reporters SATURDAY that Kelly was leaving.
Trump threatens a shutdown if he doesn’t get his way on the wall.
“If we don’t get what we want one way or the other, whether it’s through you, it’s through military, I will shut down the government. I am proud to shutdown the government for border security . . . I will take the mantle. I will be the one to shut it down.”
As this continues, it’s worth noting Mike Pence has sat silently the entire time as Trump bickers with Schumer and Pelosi.
They are now bickering about the 2018 election and Schumer turns the cameras “when the president brags that he won North Dakota and Indiana, he’s in trouble”. Trump responds “but I did!”
Pelosi looks at the cameras and says “this is spiraling downwards” as the bickering continues in the Oval Office.
Schumer is now urging Trump not to shut down the government.
Schumer: We have a disagreement about the wall..we do not want to shutdown the government..you have called 20 times to shutdown the government.
Trump responds “if its not good border security I won’t take it.”
Trump is repeatedly interrupting Pelosi and calling her “Nancy” as she insists he doesn’t have the votes in the House for the wall.Trump is repeatedly interrupting Pelosi and calling her “Nancy” as she insists he doesn’t have the votes in the House for the wall.
Pelosi seems uncomfortable with the cameras there.Pelosi seems uncomfortable with the cameras there.
Pelosi: "I don't think we should have a debate in front of the press on this"Pelosi: "I don't think we should have a debate in front of the press on this"
Trump makes a false claim about wall construction in the Oval Office.Trump makes a false claim about wall construction in the Oval Office.
Trump says a lot of the wall has been built since he became president, which @GlennKesslerWP gave bottomless Pinocchios(accidentally tagged @Fahrenthold on the first one)Trump says a lot of the wall has been built since he became president, which @GlennKesslerWP gave bottomless Pinocchios(accidentally tagged @Fahrenthold on the first one)
There are some highlights from the pool report of the Oval Office meeting with Pelosi and Schumer which is being played back on cable news right now.There are some highlights from the pool report of the Oval Office meeting with Pelosi and Schumer which is being played back on cable news right now.
“I am proud to shut down the government over border security,” Trump said. “I will take the mantle.”“I am proud to shut down the government over border security,” Trump said. “I will take the mantle.”
Pelosi and Schumer also delivered remarks, with Pelosi calling a government shutdown a “Trump shutdown.” Pelosi and Schumer also delivered remarks, with Pelosi calling a government shutdown a “Trump shutdown”.
Trump starts off the Oval Office meeting by insisting that criminal justice reform “looks like it is going to be passing” and in a “very bipartisan way.”Trump starts off the Oval Office meeting by insisting that criminal justice reform “looks like it is going to be passing” and in a “very bipartisan way.”
McConnell said he would bring up for a vote later this week.McConnell said he would bring up for a vote later this week.
The Oval Office meeting with Pelosi and Schumer seems to be getting tense.The Oval Office meeting with Pelosi and Schumer seems to be getting tense.
TRUMP SAYS `I WILL BE THE ONE TO SHUT IT DOWN' IF NO WALLTRUMP SAYS `I WILL BE THE ONE TO SHUT IT DOWN' IF NO WALL
BREAKING: Trump says he would be "proud" to shut down government over the boarder wall. via @justinsinkBREAKING: Trump says he would be "proud" to shut down government over the boarder wall. via @justinsink
STAND BY: the Oval spray with Chuck and Nancy is LIT via @justinsink notes. They are arguing in front of the cameras about the Wall, taking petty jabs, Trump threatens shut down... “This has spiraled downward” Pelosi says in the middle of it.STAND BY: the Oval spray with Chuck and Nancy is LIT via @justinsink notes. They are arguing in front of the cameras about the Wall, taking petty jabs, Trump threatens shut down... “This has spiraled downward” Pelosi says in the middle of it.
In non-Google news, Trump, Pelosi and Schumer are having a heated argument about a border wall in the Oval Office.In non-Google news, Trump, Pelosi and Schumer are having a heated argument about a border wall in the Oval Office.
Incredible argument unfolding now in front of the press between trump, Pelosi and Schumer over votes for border security. Pelosi keeps asking not to discuss it in front of the press. pic.twitter.com/pEEnFhuplYIncredible argument unfolding now in front of the press between trump, Pelosi and Schumer over votes for border security. Pelosi keeps asking not to discuss it in front of the press. pic.twitter.com/pEEnFhuplY
Pelosi to Trump in Oval Office on border wall: "you will not win” per @justinsinkPelosi to Trump in Oval Office on border wall: "you will not win” per @justinsink
Pichai says “right now we have no plans to launch a search engine in China” when asked about Dragonfly.Pichai says “right now we have no plans to launch a search engine in China” when asked about Dragonfly.
The hearing was just briefly interrupted by a protestor holding a sign.
A protester just opened the doors to the hearing room Google CEO @sundarpichai is testifying in and held up this sign. pic.twitter.com/MRj8sM7H1P
The first truly interesting question of the day is from Sheila Jackson Lee, who asks about Project Dragonfly, a reported plan for Google to build a censored search engine in China. Unfortunately, Pichai sticks to Google’s talking point – “Right now there are no plans to launch search in China” – and Jackson Lee does not follow up.
The back-and-forth between Lamar Smith and Sundar Pichai is indicative of the unreasonableness of certain Republicans on the largely specious question of partisan bias in search results. Smith raised some questionable studies; Pichai pointed out that Google disagrees with their methodology. Smith: “What does methodology have to do with the fact that 96% of the references to Trump are from liberal media?”Pichai doesn’t respond, but methodology has a lot to do with that “fact”. Smith: “You never sanctioned any employee for manipulating the search results.”Pichai: “It’s not possible for an individual or groups of employees to manipulate our search results…”Smith: “I disagree.”
Pichai has been asked about steps he will take to counter right wing extremism on You Tube.
Google CEO @sundarpichai is asked by Democratic Rep. Jerrold Nadler what the company is doing to combat white supremacism and right-wing extremism on YouTube. Pichai says there are policies against hate speech and, "If we find any violations, we will take down the content."
Pichai’s prepared testimony, which he is reading now, is focused on parrying the allegations of political bias:
“I lead this company without political bias and work to ensure that our products continue to operate that way. To do otherwise would go against our core principles and our business interests. We are a company that provides platforms for diverse perspectives and opinions—and we have no shortage of them among our own employees. Some of our Googlers are former servicemen and women who have risked much in defense of our country. Some are civil libertarians who fiercely defend freedom of expression. Some are parents who worry about the role technology plays in our households. Some—like me—are immigrants to this country, profoundly grateful for the freedoms and opportunities it offers. Some of us are many of these things.”
The opening statements from Kevin McCarthy, Bob Goodlatte and Jerry Nadler give a preview of the major issues that we’ll hear about today. McCarthy, who spoke as a witness, focused on Google’s Project Dragonfly, a plan to produce a censored search engine for China. “Are America’s tech companies serving as instruments of freedom or instruments of control?” McCarthy asked. Goodlatte, who appears well versed in how Google’s products work, noted, “Google is able to collect an amount of information about its users that would even make the NSA blush.”He also spent several minutes discussing the troubling nature of “allegations Google manipulates its algorithms to favor the political party its likes, the ideas it likes or the products it likes” – allegations that he offered no evidence for. Nadler points out that “no credible evidence supports this rightwing conspiracy theory”, but that will not stop Republican representatives from spending a considerable amount of time on it today.
Sunder Pichai is now reading his prepared testimony which is available here.
Both Bob Goodlatte, the outgoing chair of the Judiciary Committee and Jerry Nadler, the top Democrat who will take over in January, have given opening statements and Pichai will now begin his prepared remarks
Google CEO Sunder Pichai has taken his seat in the House Judiciary hearing room and opening statements have begun before his testimony.
Several Democratic senators sent a letter to the White House yesterday asking questions about Fox News’s bonus payments to top communications aide Bill Shine.
Shine left Fox News last year after facing allegations that he helped cover up serial sexual harassment by Roger Ailes.
As CNBC reports:
The senators’ letter is addressed to acting White House counsel Emmet Flood. In it, the lawmakers argue that the payments Shine received when he departed the network and the millions he continues to rake in may be in breach of ethic laws.
“21st Century’s Fox’s previous and ongoing payments to Mr. Shine of millions of dollars in severance payments raise questions about his compliance with federal conflict of interest statutes and regulations,” they wrote.