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| White House press secretary says she was interviewed by special counsel - live | White House press secretary says she was interviewed by special counsel - live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Some excerpts from Mueller’s sentencing recommendations against Paul Manafort: | |
| In the end, Manafort acted for more than a decade as if he were above the law, and deprived the federal government and various financial institutions of millions of dollars. The sentence here should reflect the seriousness of these crimes, and serve to both deter Manafort and others from engaging in such conduct... | |
| Considering only the crimes charged in this district, they make plain that Manafort chose to engage in a sophisticated scheme to hide millions of dollars from United States authorities. And when his foreign income stream dissipated in 2015, he chose to engage in a series of bank frauds in the United States to maintain his extravagant lifestyle, at the expense of various financial institutions. Manafort chose to do this for no other reason than greed, evidencing his belief that the law does not apply to him. Manafort solicited numerous professionals and others to reap his ill-gotten gains... | |
| Paul Manafort, Donald Trump’s former campaign chairman, should be sentenced to 19 to 24 years in prison, special counsel Robert Mueller said on Friday. | Paul Manafort, Donald Trump’s former campaign chairman, should be sentenced to 19 to 24 years in prison, special counsel Robert Mueller said on Friday. |
| The sentence was recommended by Mueller for Manafort’s convictions in Virginia last year for financial crimes that the veteran political consultant began committing before he joined Trump’s campaign in 2016. | The sentence was recommended by Mueller for Manafort’s convictions in Virginia last year for financial crimes that the veteran political consultant began committing before he joined Trump’s campaign in 2016. |
| A jury found Manafort guilty in August on eight counts of tax fraud, bank fraud and a foreign bank account. They could not reach a verdict on 10 other charges. | A jury found Manafort guilty in August on eight counts of tax fraud, bank fraud and a foreign bank account. They could not reach a verdict on 10 other charges. |
| Manafort signed a plea deal to avoid a second trial on other charges in Washington DC, but the deal was scrapped by Mueller after Manafort continued to lie. Manafort faces sentencing for crimes he admitted in that case next month. | Manafort signed a plea deal to avoid a second trial on other charges in Washington DC, but the deal was scrapped by Mueller after Manafort continued to lie. Manafort faces sentencing for crimes he admitted in that case next month. |
| Mueller is investigating Russia’s interference in the 2016 US election, with intelligence agencies concluded was aimed at helping Trump. Prosecutors from Mueller’s team have said Manafort’s interactions in 2016 with Konstantin Kilimnik, an alleged Russian intelligence operative, are a central focus of their inquiries. | Mueller is investigating Russia’s interference in the 2016 US election, with intelligence agencies concluded was aimed at helping Trump. Prosecutors from Mueller’s team have said Manafort’s interactions in 2016 with Konstantin Kilimnik, an alleged Russian intelligence operative, are a central focus of their inquiries. |
| Manafort, 69, has been in jail since June last year, when he and Kilimnik were charged with witness tampering while Manafort awaited his trial in Virginia. | Manafort, 69, has been in jail since June last year, when he and Kilimnik were charged with witness tampering while Manafort awaited his trial in Virginia. |
| BREAKING: Federal prosecutors for Special Counsel Robert Mueller recommend an approximate jail sentence of 19-24 years in jail for Paul Manafort in the case being brought in the Eastern District of Virginia, according to court documents. | BREAKING: Federal prosecutors for Special Counsel Robert Mueller recommend an approximate jail sentence of 19-24 years in jail for Paul Manafort in the case being brought in the Eastern District of Virginia, according to court documents. |
| Protesters are rallying in New York City in opposition to Trump’s emergency declaration. Some are shouting, “Trump is the emergency!” | Protesters are rallying in New York City in opposition to Trump’s emergency declaration. Some are shouting, “Trump is the emergency!” |
| NOW: Protesters block #CentralParkWest in front of @TrumpHotels NYC. #abc7ny #emergencydeclaration #trump pic.twitter.com/xmiGRuVZMT | NOW: Protesters block #CentralParkWest in front of @TrumpHotels NYC. #abc7ny #emergencydeclaration #trump pic.twitter.com/xmiGRuVZMT |
| Protesters took over Central Park West and refused to go on the sidewalk during the protest outside of Trump Tower in NYC on Friday night pic.twitter.com/JH9mJdETHK | Protesters took over Central Park West and refused to go on the sidewalk during the protest outside of Trump Tower in NYC on Friday night pic.twitter.com/JH9mJdETHK |
| Demonstration has resulted in arrests. NYPD blocked sidewalks and did not permit citizens to pass. Some among us decided to risk arrest in protest in front of Trump International Hotel. pic.twitter.com/1Br2KDnr4j | Demonstration has resulted in arrests. NYPD blocked sidewalks and did not permit citizens to pass. Some among us decided to risk arrest in protest in front of Trump International Hotel. pic.twitter.com/1Br2KDnr4j |
| Twitter has reportedly ruled that this tweet from Iran’s leader violated its terms of service: | Twitter has reportedly ruled that this tweet from Iran’s leader violated its terms of service: |
| A Twitter spokesperson just said this tweet from Iran's leader violated its terms of service and has been made unavailable."It's against our rules to make specific threats of violence or wish for the serious physical harm, death, or disease of an individual or group of people." pic.twitter.com/LvLmIHQDFd | A Twitter spokesperson just said this tweet from Iran's leader violated its terms of service and has been made unavailable."It's against our rules to make specific threats of violence or wish for the serious physical harm, death, or disease of an individual or group of people." pic.twitter.com/LvLmIHQDFd |
| The tweet had inspired intense backlash: | The tweet had inspired intense backlash: |
| This needs to be a bigger deal. The Supreme Leader of Iran is using @Twitter to remind the world that there is a multi-million dollar bounty on @SalmanRushdie's head. Rushdie wrote a book Khomeini found to be offensive and now Khomeini's successor is reminding people of the $$$ https://t.co/D7AS6oINEA | This needs to be a bigger deal. The Supreme Leader of Iran is using @Twitter to remind the world that there is a multi-million dollar bounty on @SalmanRushdie's head. Rushdie wrote a book Khomeini found to be offensive and now Khomeini's successor is reminding people of the $$$ https://t.co/D7AS6oINEA |
| Um @jack — are you not aware what this individual is calling for here? https://t.co/4KZYlYJWlg | Um @jack — are you not aware what this individual is calling for here? https://t.co/4KZYlYJWlg |
| Twitter apparently decided only to take enforcement action against the individual tweet, and not the account. | Twitter apparently decided only to take enforcement action against the individual tweet, and not the account. |
| Some have long argued that Twitter should take action against Donald Trump’s account for violating policies on hateful content or violent threats. Twitter, however, has generally argued that it does not take down the president’s tweets or ban his account, because his statements are considered “newsworthy” or in the “public interest”. | Some have long argued that Twitter should take action against Donald Trump’s account for violating policies on hateful content or violent threats. Twitter, however, has generally argued that it does not take down the president’s tweets or ban his account, because his statements are considered “newsworthy” or in the “public interest”. |
| Police in Aurora, Illinois have confirmed that five died in the shooting this afternoon: | Police in Aurora, Illinois have confirmed that five died in the shooting this afternoon: |
| UPDATE Aurora police say FIVE people are dead in this afternoon’s shooting @ABC7Chicago | UPDATE Aurora police say FIVE people are dead in this afternoon’s shooting @ABC7Chicago |
| The shooter, identified as 45-year-old Gary Martin, is also dead: | The shooter, identified as 45-year-old Gary Martin, is also dead: |
| .@adrianasdiaz: "CBS News has confirmed that the shooter is 45-year-old Gary Martin, from here in Aurora. We have learned that during the confrontation the SWAT team sent in a robot, that showed Martin dead at the scene. It's unclear if he killed himself or was shot by police." pic.twitter.com/nPViOccTtk | .@adrianasdiaz: "CBS News has confirmed that the shooter is 45-year-old Gary Martin, from here in Aurora. We have learned that during the confrontation the SWAT team sent in a robot, that showed Martin dead at the scene. It's unclear if he killed himself or was shot by police." pic.twitter.com/nPViOccTtk |
| Trump has weighed in on the shooting in Illinois: | Trump has weighed in on the shooting in Illinois: |
| Great job by law enforcement in Aurora, Illinois. Heartfelt condolences to all of the victims and their families. America is with you! | Great job by law enforcement in Aurora, Illinois. Heartfelt condolences to all of the victims and their families. America is with you! |
| More on the incident here: | More on the incident here: |
| Aurora shooting: alleged gunman apprehended after at least one killed | Aurora shooting: alleged gunman apprehended after at least one killed |
| Trump’s announcement of his emergency declaration earlier today was filled with misleading statements and falsehoods. Here’s a summary of a few key fact checks of Trump quotes, from the Associated Press: | Trump’s announcement of his emergency declaration earlier today was filled with misleading statements and falsehoods. Here’s a summary of a few key fact checks of Trump quotes, from the Associated Press: |
| I’ve built a lot of wall. I have a lot of money, and I’ve built a lot of wall. | I’ve built a lot of wall. I have a lot of money, and I’ve built a lot of wall. |
| The AP: “He’s built no new miles of wall, lacking the money. His new construction to date has replaced existing barriers.” | The AP: “He’s built no new miles of wall, lacking the money. His new construction to date has replaced existing barriers.” |
| A big majority of the big drugs — the big drug loads — don’t go through ports of entry. They can’t go through ports of entry. You can’t take big loads because you have people — we have some very capable people; the Border Patrol, law enforcement — looking. | A big majority of the big drugs — the big drug loads — don’t go through ports of entry. They can’t go through ports of entry. You can’t take big loads because you have people — we have some very capable people; the Border Patrol, law enforcement — looking. |
| The AP: “His own administration says illicit drugs come mainly through ports of entry. He has persistently contradicted his officials on this point.” | The AP: “His own administration says illicit drugs come mainly through ports of entry. He has persistently contradicted his officials on this point.” |
| Take a look at our federal prison population. See how many of them, percentage-wise, are illegal aliens. Just see. Go ahead and see. | Take a look at our federal prison population. See how many of them, percentage-wise, are illegal aliens. Just see. Go ahead and see. |
| AP: “About 40% of the people who entered federal prison in 2014 were foreigners, according to the most recent Bureau of Justice statistics. The vast majority of the foreigners (20,842 of 28,821) were being held for immigration violations, not violent or property crimes.” | AP: “About 40% of the people who entered federal prison in 2014 were foreigners, according to the most recent Bureau of Justice statistics. The vast majority of the foreigners (20,842 of 28,821) were being held for immigration violations, not violent or property crimes.” |
| There’s rarely been a problem [when presidents declare national emergencies]. They sign it; nobody cares. I guess they weren’t very exciting. But nobody cares ... And the people that say we create precedent — well, what do you have? Fifty-six? There are a lot of times — well, that’s creating precedent. | There’s rarely been a problem [when presidents declare national emergencies]. They sign it; nobody cares. I guess they weren’t very exciting. But nobody cares ... And the people that say we create precedent — well, what do you have? Fifty-six? There are a lot of times — well, that’s creating precedent. |
| AP: “Those declarations were rarely as consequential, and that’s precisely why they were mostly uncontroversial. He’s roughly correct about the numbers. But past declarations did not involve the unilateral spending of substantial sums of money that Congress did not approve.” | AP: “Those declarations were rarely as consequential, and that’s precisely why they were mostly uncontroversial. He’s roughly correct about the numbers. But past declarations did not involve the unilateral spending of substantial sums of money that Congress did not approve.” |
| In 2020 news, Kamala Harris has earned the endorsement of labor rights leader Dolores Huerta, who is joining the senator’s presidential campaign as a co-chair: | In 2020 news, Kamala Harris has earned the endorsement of labor rights leader Dolores Huerta, who is joining the senator’s presidential campaign as a co-chair: |
| Scoop: Kamala Harris scores another big 2020 endorsementDolores Huerta, the iconic labor and civil rights leader who with Cesar Chavez cofounded the National Farmworkers Association, is backing Harris and joining her presidential campaign as a co-chairhttps://t.co/z0Fw5zOVWW | Scoop: Kamala Harris scores another big 2020 endorsementDolores Huerta, the iconic labor and civil rights leader who with Cesar Chavez cofounded the National Farmworkers Association, is backing Harris and joining her presidential campaign as a co-chairhttps://t.co/z0Fw5zOVWW |
| The news comes a day after a high-profile endorsement from Barbara Lee, former Congressional Black Caucus chair. | The news comes a day after a high-profile endorsement from Barbara Lee, former Congressional Black Caucus chair. |
| I am thrilled to endorse @kamalaharris for our next President of these United States. She has dedicated her life to the pursuit of equality, fairness, and dignity for all. I know Kamala will be a president truly of the people, by the people, and for the people. pic.twitter.com/HSPjr5N0Yo | I am thrilled to endorse @kamalaharris for our next President of these United States. She has dedicated her life to the pursuit of equality, fairness, and dignity for all. I know Kamala will be a president truly of the people, by the people, and for the people. pic.twitter.com/HSPjr5N0Yo |
| Special counsel Robert Mueller has said in a new court filing that investigators have executed search warrants on accounts used to “facilitate the transfer of stolen documents for release”, including communications with Roger Stone, the president’s longtime friend and adviser: | Special counsel Robert Mueller has said in a new court filing that investigators have executed search warrants on accounts used to “facilitate the transfer of stolen documents for release”, including communications with Roger Stone, the president’s longtime friend and adviser: |
| Mueller's office says in a new court filing that investigators executed search warrants on accounts used to "facilitate the transfer of stolen documents for release" and several included communications with Roger Stone. pic.twitter.com/4JFGlxJjR4 | Mueller's office says in a new court filing that investigators executed search warrants on accounts used to "facilitate the transfer of stolen documents for release" and several included communications with Roger Stone. pic.twitter.com/4JFGlxJjR4 |
| Mueller's office says the charges against Roger Stone "are part of the same alleged criminal event or transaction" as the ones it filed against Russian intelligence officers for hacking Democratic political organizations. pic.twitter.com/5MWsyH2rdn | Mueller's office says the charges against Roger Stone "are part of the same alleged criminal event or transaction" as the ones it filed against Russian intelligence officers for hacking Democratic political organizations. pic.twitter.com/5MWsyH2rdn |
| Earlier today, a federal judge issued a gag order for attorneys and witnesses in the ongoing Stone case. The latest filing is here: | Earlier today, a federal judge issued a gag order for attorneys and witnesses in the ongoing Stone case. The latest filing is here: |
| New filing from Mueller's office says, in the Russian hacker case, investigators executed search warrants on accounts used to "facilitate the transfer of stolen documents for release" and found interactions with Roger Stone and Guccifer 2.0 and WikiLeaks https://t.co/pVtNEgLYSo | New filing from Mueller's office says, in the Russian hacker case, investigators executed search warrants on accounts used to "facilitate the transfer of stolen documents for release" and found interactions with Roger Stone and Guccifer 2.0 and WikiLeaks https://t.co/pVtNEgLYSo |
| Trump’s inaugural committee has now received a civil subpoena from the New Jersey attorney general: | Trump’s inaugural committee has now received a civil subpoena from the New Jersey attorney general: |
| NEW: Trump inaugural committee receives civil subpoena from New Jersey attorney general as questions grow about its $107 million dollars raised. https://t.co/eGjjCuwpze | NEW: Trump inaugural committee receives civil subpoena from New Jersey attorney general as questions grow about its $107 million dollars raised. https://t.co/eGjjCuwpze |
| The AP reports that the committee is in contact with New Jersey prosecutors: | The AP reports that the committee is in contact with New Jersey prosecutors: |
| The subpoena is the second such request the inaugural committee has received in as many weeks as scrutiny mounts over how it raised and spent $107 million on inaugural events. | The subpoena is the second such request the inaugural committee has received in as many weeks as scrutiny mounts over how it raised and spent $107 million on inaugural events. |
| The committee also received a sweeping request for documents issued by federal prosecutors in New York investigating whether foreign nationals illegally contributed to the inauguration. | The committee also received a sweeping request for documents issued by federal prosecutors in New York investigating whether foreign nationals illegally contributed to the inauguration. |
| The AP obtained a copy of the New Jersey subpoena. It also seeks documents related to any benefits donors received. | The AP obtained a copy of the New Jersey subpoena. It also seeks documents related to any benefits donors received. |
| Trump left for Florida earlier without taking questions about a shooting in Aurora, Illinois: | Trump left for Florida earlier without taking questions about a shooting in Aurora, Illinois: |
| President Trump is off to Florida. He did not stop to take Qs from reporters or make a statement on the shooting in Aurora IL pic.twitter.com/Zu4JiznGZ6 | President Trump is off to Florida. He did not stop to take Qs from reporters or make a statement on the shooting in Aurora IL pic.twitter.com/Zu4JiznGZ6 |
| The White House said he had been briefed and was monitoring: | The White House said he had been briefed and was monitoring: |
| The White House says President Trump has been briefed on the Aurora, Illinois, shooting and is monitoring the situation https://t.co/q5wymqlP65 pic.twitter.com/R6gyk2rCy4 | The White House says President Trump has been briefed on the Aurora, Illinois, shooting and is monitoring the situation https://t.co/q5wymqlP65 pic.twitter.com/R6gyk2rCy4 |
| Details are still emerging about the shooting at a business in suburban Chicago, but the AP has reported that at least one person was killed and that four officers were wounded, but are in stable condition. Some Democrats have cited the shooting as a reminder that gun violence is a “real emergency” in America: | Details are still emerging about the shooting at a business in suburban Chicago, but the AP has reported that at least one person was killed and that four officers were wounded, but are in stable condition. Some Democrats have cited the shooting as a reminder that gun violence is a “real emergency” in America: |
| On average, 96 people are killed every day by gun violence in America. THIS is a real emergency. https://t.co/U1Rci35Ofa | On average, 96 people are killed every day by gun violence in America. THIS is a real emergency. https://t.co/U1Rci35Ofa |
| Sam Levin here in our Oakland office, taking over our live coverage of the fallout since Trump declared a national emergency. The House judiciary committee has now said it is going to investigate Trump’s declaration: | Sam Levin here in our Oakland office, taking over our live coverage of the fallout since Trump declared a national emergency. The House judiciary committee has now said it is going to investigate Trump’s declaration: |
| New: The House Judiciary Committee will investigate Trump's emergency declaration decision. Chairman Nadler and Democrats want a hearing with DOJ officials and the White House counsel. https://t.co/sXAN8ZMvpf pic.twitter.com/7bXUazv1lk | New: The House Judiciary Committee will investigate Trump's emergency declaration decision. Chairman Nadler and Democrats want a hearing with DOJ officials and the White House counsel. https://t.co/sXAN8ZMvpf pic.twitter.com/7bXUazv1lk |
| The letter calls for a hearing with White House counsel Pat Cipollone and Department of Justice officials. | The letter calls for a hearing with White House counsel Pat Cipollone and Department of Justice officials. |
| "We are particularly troubled in light of your statement today that ‘I didn’t need to do this, but I would rather do it much faster," the Democrats write, saying they are commencing an immediate investigation into this matter, which raises" constitutional issues | "We are particularly troubled in light of your statement today that ‘I didn’t need to do this, but I would rather do it much faster," the Democrats write, saying they are commencing an immediate investigation into this matter, which raises" constitutional issues |
| The Democrats have also said they were “particularly troubled” about Trump’s statement earlier today that he “didn’t need to do this”. The letter adds: | The Democrats have also said they were “particularly troubled” about Trump’s statement earlier today that he “didn’t need to do this”. The letter adds: |
| We believe your declaration of an emergency shows a reckless disregard for the separation of powers and your own responsibilities under our constitutional system. | We believe your declaration of an emergency shows a reckless disregard for the separation of powers and your own responsibilities under our constitutional system. |
| •Donald Trump declared a national emergency to fund his border wall. Speaking in the Rose Garden, Trump said there was an emergency at the border which could only be fixed by building a wall. The president repeated a number of falsehoods to justify the need for the structure. | •Donald Trump declared a national emergency to fund his border wall. Speaking in the Rose Garden, Trump said there was an emergency at the border which could only be fixed by building a wall. The president repeated a number of falsehoods to justify the need for the structure. |
| •Democrats said they will use ‘every remedy available’ to block Trump’s national emergency declaration. Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer said Trump’s decision to declare an emergency is unlawful, and would “shred the Constitution” by circumventing Congress’ power to control spending. | •Democrats said they will use ‘every remedy available’ to block Trump’s national emergency declaration. Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer said Trump’s decision to declare an emergency is unlawful, and would “shred the Constitution” by circumventing Congress’ power to control spending. |
| •White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said she has been interviewed by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. “The President urged me, like he has everyone in the administration, to fully cooperate with the special counsel. I was happy to voluntarily sit down with them,” Sanders told CNN. | •White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said she has been interviewed by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. “The President urged me, like he has everyone in the administration, to fully cooperate with the special counsel. I was happy to voluntarily sit down with them,” Sanders told CNN. |
| •A gag order for attorneys and witnesses was issued in the Roger Stone trial. Judge Amy Berman Jackson’s order does not generally apply to Stone, a longtime friend and adviser to Trump. But the judge gave the veteran political operative a courtly warning to curb his excesses in the media. | •A gag order for attorneys and witnesses was issued in the Roger Stone trial. Judge Amy Berman Jackson’s order does not generally apply to Stone, a longtime friend and adviser to Trump. But the judge gave the veteran political operative a courtly warning to curb his excesses in the media. |
| •Bill Weld, former governor of Massachusetts, announced he will run against Trump for the Republican nomination in 2020. “In every country there comes a time when patriotic men and women must stand up and speak out to protect our individual rights and the overall health of the nation. In our country, now is such a time,” Weld said. | •Bill Weld, former governor of Massachusetts, announced he will run against Trump for the Republican nomination in 2020. “In every country there comes a time when patriotic men and women must stand up and speak out to protect our individual rights and the overall health of the nation. In our country, now is such a time,” Weld said. |
| Is Texas in play in the 2020 presidential election? Or the 2020 Senate election? According to this Public Policy Polling survey, yes it is. In both. | Is Texas in play in the 2020 presidential election? Or the 2020 Senate election? According to this Public Policy Polling survey, yes it is. In both. |
| The poll has 46% of Texans voting for Joe Biden in a theoretical presidential race, compared to 49% for Donald Trump. In a theoretical Senate election between hot young thing Beto O’Rourke and incumbent John Cornyn, who is not that, O’Rourke is within the margin of error. | The poll has 46% of Texans voting for Joe Biden in a theoretical presidential race, compared to 49% for Donald Trump. In a theoretical Senate election between hot young thing Beto O’Rourke and incumbent John Cornyn, who is not that, O’Rourke is within the margin of error. |
| .@ppppolls survey commissioned by Dallas Democratic consultant Jeff Dalton:- @JohnCornyn: 47%- @BetoORourke: 45%- Not sure: 8% #txsen pic.twitter.com/OlZHU150ED | .@ppppolls survey commissioned by Dallas Democratic consultant Jeff Dalton:- @JohnCornyn: 47%- @BetoORourke: 45%- Not sure: 8% #txsen pic.twitter.com/OlZHU150ED |