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Trump tweets 'VETO!' after Senate votes to block national emergency – live Trump tweets 'VETO!' after Senate votes to block national emergency – as it happened
(about 1 hour later)
A report from a former FBI cyberexpert unsealed today revealed new evidence that Russian entrepreneur Aleksej Gubarev may have played a more direct role in hacking the 2016 election, the New York Times reports.
The newly unsealed report, which was commissioned by @BuzzFeed from a former @FBI cyber-expert, has lots of details on the Russian election hacking. @AllMattNYT, who has the report, breaks it down:https://t.co/ynMKNI0qC4
Gubarev was first named by former British spy Christopher Steele, who alleged in his now infamous dossier published in full by BuzzFeed, that the tech businessman helped Russian agents target the Democratic Party in a series of data-stealing internet attacks done to secure Donald Trump’s victory in the 2016 US election.
Trump-Russia inquiry: transcript reveals ex-spy and FBI's cloak-and-dagger dance
The new report found that Gubarev’s companies, which provide web-hosting services in Europe and the US, were used to interfere in the election along with other nefarious actions, including a 2015 attack on Ukraine’s power grid, but did not link Gubarev himself to the crimes.
Per the New York Times:
As Anthony Ferrante, the report’s lead author and a former F.B.I. agent, noted in a deposition: “I have no evidence of them actually sitting behind a keyboard.”
Mr. Gubarev has insisted that neither he nor his businesses knowingly took part in the Russian hacking. He backed up his denials by filing a defamation lawsuit against BuzzFeed, the first news organization to publish the dossier, which became public in January 2017. The report unsealed Thursday was commissioned by BuzzFeed to fend off Mr. Gubarev’s suit, which was dismissed in December when the court found BuzzFeed’s decision to publish protected under the law.
Evan Fray-Witzer, a lawyer for Mr. Gubarev, said that hackers using a client’s servers was hardly unique for a web-hosting company, or any tech company. Mr. Gubarev should not be held responsible for the misuse of his network by others that he neither approved nor knew about, Mr. Fray-Witzer said.
‘You could say the same thing about Google’s infrastructure and Amazon’s infrastructure — and no one is accusing them of hacking anyone just because hackers used their infrastructure,’ he said”.
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross appeared before the House Oversight Committee today, to answer questions about the controversial citizenship question he attempted to add to the 2020 census.Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross appeared before the House Oversight Committee today, to answer questions about the controversial citizenship question he attempted to add to the 2020 census.
The question, pushed for by the Trump Administration and seen as discriminatory by immigrant advocates, was struck down by a federal judge, who also accused Ross of circumventing administrative procedures and adding the question without proving why it was necessary.The question, pushed for by the Trump Administration and seen as discriminatory by immigrant advocates, was struck down by a federal judge, who also accused Ross of circumventing administrative procedures and adding the question without proving why it was necessary.
Judge blocks White House plan to ask citizenship question on censusJudge blocks White House plan to ask citizenship question on census
Democrats on the committee questioned Ross the origination of the question, who testified last year that the request had come from the Justice Department. Emails that surfaced during legal challenges to the question contradicted the Commerce Department head, ABC reports, and revealed that he began work long before receiving that request.Democrats on the committee questioned Ross the origination of the question, who testified last year that the request had come from the Justice Department. Emails that surfaced during legal challenges to the question contradicted the Commerce Department head, ABC reports, and revealed that he began work long before receiving that request.
Wilbur Ross tried to run out the clock on @AOC. It didn't go so well for him or Republicans who professed confusion on her question.https://t.co/Prq1Q7XxNpWilbur Ross tried to run out the clock on @AOC. It didn't go so well for him or Republicans who professed confusion on her question.https://t.co/Prq1Q7XxNp
Per ABC:Per ABC:
Democrats hammered Ross over specific document requests from the Commerce Department to clarify the secretary’s role in the citizenship question. One Democrat, Rep. William Lacy Clay, D-Missouri, called on Ross to resign Thursday, citing his earlier testimony.Democrats hammered Ross over specific document requests from the Commerce Department to clarify the secretary’s role in the citizenship question. One Democrat, Rep. William Lacy Clay, D-Missouri, called on Ross to resign Thursday, citing his earlier testimony.
“I have never intentionally misled Congress or intentionally lied under oath,” Ross said.“I have never intentionally misled Congress or intentionally lied under oath,” Ross said.
At the hearing, Democrats revealed new information from an interview with a senior Justice Department official, John Gore, who said that in the fall of 2017, he spoke to James Uthmeier, in the office of general counsel at the Commerce Department, about the citizenship question, and that Uthmeier had a memo delivered to the Justice Department about the citizenship question.At the hearing, Democrats revealed new information from an interview with a senior Justice Department official, John Gore, who said that in the fall of 2017, he spoke to James Uthmeier, in the office of general counsel at the Commerce Department, about the citizenship question, and that Uthmeier had a memo delivered to the Justice Department about the citizenship question.
The final decision on whether the question can be added will go to the Supreme Court, which will hear the cases before June, the deadline to finalize next year’s census.The final decision on whether the question can be added will go to the Supreme Court, which will hear the cases before June, the deadline to finalize next year’s census.
Republican Senators Ben Sasse and Thom Tillis are trending on Twitter after supporting Trump’s emergency border declaration, despite previously having strong stances on pushing back against presidential overreach.Republican Senators Ben Sasse and Thom Tillis are trending on Twitter after supporting Trump’s emergency border declaration, despite previously having strong stances on pushing back against presidential overreach.
Tillis, who wrote an op-ed for the Washington Post in February, in which he promised his vote for a resolution disapproving of Trump’s national emergency declaration, voted instead to support the president.Tillis, who wrote an op-ed for the Washington Post in February, in which he promised his vote for a resolution disapproving of Trump’s national emergency declaration, voted instead to support the president.
Tillis two weeks ago: "There is no intellectual honesty in now turning around and arguing that there’s an imaginary asterisk attached to executive overreach — that it’s acceptable for my party but not thy party.”Tillis today: never mind!Tillis two weeks ago: "There is no intellectual honesty in now turning around and arguing that there’s an imaginary asterisk attached to executive overreach — that it’s acceptable for my party but not thy party.”Tillis today: never mind!
Sasse, who is a self-declared “Constitutional conservative,” issued a statement in February warning Trump of the dangerous precedent the declaration could set. “If we get used to presidents just declaring an emergency any time they can’t get what they want from Congress, it will be almost impossible to go back to a Constitutional system of checks and balances,” he said. “Over the past decades, the legislative branch has given away too much power and the executive branch has taken too much power.”Sasse, who is a self-declared “Constitutional conservative,” issued a statement in February warning Trump of the dangerous precedent the declaration could set. “If we get used to presidents just declaring an emergency any time they can’t get what they want from Congress, it will be almost impossible to go back to a Constitutional system of checks and balances,” he said. “Over the past decades, the legislative branch has given away too much power and the executive branch has taken too much power.”
Today he changed course, instead casting the move to curb the president’s power as a “politically motivated resolution” and pushed for support for Republican-backed alternative that would only do so after Trump’s declaration goes through.Today he changed course, instead casting the move to curb the president’s power as a “politically motivated resolution” and pushed for support for Republican-backed alternative that would only do so after Trump’s declaration goes through.
“We have an obvious crisis at the border — everyone who takes an honest look at the spiking drug and human trafficking numbers knows this — and the President has a legal path to a rapid response under the National Emergencies Act of 1976 (NEA),” he said in a statement issued after the vote. “I think that law is overly broad and I want to fix it, but at present Nancy Pelosi doesn’t, so I am therefore voting against her politically motivated resolution”.“We have an obvious crisis at the border — everyone who takes an honest look at the spiking drug and human trafficking numbers knows this — and the President has a legal path to a rapid response under the National Emergencies Act of 1976 (NEA),” he said in a statement issued after the vote. “I think that law is overly broad and I want to fix it, but at present Nancy Pelosi doesn’t, so I am therefore voting against her politically motivated resolution”.
Sen. @BenSasse statement on his vote against the resolution to terminate the emergency declaration: pic.twitter.com/dJuSmM1idTSen. @BenSasse statement on his vote against the resolution to terminate the emergency declaration: pic.twitter.com/dJuSmM1idT
Extremely disappointed in Senators Scott, Cruz, and Sasse. I expected them to put #PrinciplesFirst. They let conservatives down today.Extremely disappointed in Senators Scott, Cruz, and Sasse. I expected them to put #PrinciplesFirst. They let conservatives down today.
Both Senators are up for reelection, and have been strong supporters of Trump in the past. Now they are facing harsh criticism from both sides of the aisle.Both Senators are up for reelection, and have been strong supporters of Trump in the past. Now they are facing harsh criticism from both sides of the aisle.
Speaks with a lot of Sasse but ends up as a Flake https://t.co/v2cKXD4f1YSpeaks with a lot of Sasse but ends up as a Flake https://t.co/v2cKXD4f1Y
In a remarkable flip-flop, Tillis votes with Trump, saying: “A lot has changed over the last three weeks”Actually, nothing has changed, except someone’s principles. And spine. https://t.co/vDDaigiGnOIn a remarkable flip-flop, Tillis votes with Trump, saying: “A lot has changed over the last three weeks”Actually, nothing has changed, except someone’s principles. And spine. https://t.co/vDDaigiGnO
The Sanders Institute has stopped accepting donations and will shut down during Bernie Sanders’ campaign for president, AP reports, to ensure ethical issues don’t arise. The think tank was founded and is operated by his wife Jane.The Sanders Institute has stopped accepting donations and will shut down during Bernie Sanders’ campaign for president, AP reports, to ensure ethical issues don’t arise. The think tank was founded and is operated by his wife Jane.
Sanders rebuked Hilary Clinton in 2016 for not shuttering her family’s foundation, saying then that the nonprofit provided ways to buy influence from the candidate, who was then expected to win the election.Sanders rebuked Hilary Clinton in 2016 for not shuttering her family’s foundation, saying then that the nonprofit provided ways to buy influence from the candidate, who was then expected to win the election.
Per AP:Per AP:
Jane Sanders said in an interview that the Vermont-based institute has stopped accepting donations and plans to suspend all operations by the end of May.Jane Sanders said in an interview that the Vermont-based institute has stopped accepting donations and plans to suspend all operations by the end of May.
The move comes as Bernie Sanders, a leading candidate for the Democratic nomination, prepares for a wave of scrutiny into his political network and his family’s role”.The move comes as Bernie Sanders, a leading candidate for the Democratic nomination, prepares for a wave of scrutiny into his political network and his family’s role”.
El Pasoans have largely expressed excitement about having their former congressman announcing he’s entering the already-crowded field for the White House in 2020 - though some have questions about his record and his long odds to secure the Democratic nomination.El Pasoans have largely expressed excitement about having their former congressman announcing he’s entering the already-crowded field for the White House in 2020 - though some have questions about his record and his long odds to secure the Democratic nomination.
Among local leaders in El Paso, county commissioner David Stout told The Guardian on Thursday that he’d been waiting for O’Rourke to announce a run for president from the moment of his narrow loss for Ted Cruz’s US Senate seat in the November midterm elections. Stout highlighted O’Rourke’s well-known charisma and ability to connect with ordinary people as his most important qualities.Among local leaders in El Paso, county commissioner David Stout told The Guardian on Thursday that he’d been waiting for O’Rourke to announce a run for president from the moment of his narrow loss for Ted Cruz’s US Senate seat in the November midterm elections. Stout highlighted O’Rourke’s well-known charisma and ability to connect with ordinary people as his most important qualities.
“It’s amazing for someone we all know from our community to have this opportunity and I’m glad he and his wife made this decision,” he said.“It’s amazing for someone we all know from our community to have this opportunity and I’m glad he and his wife made this decision,” he said.
He noted that O’Rourke’s hailing from El Paso will be important as the US-Mexico border continues to be a focal point in the immigration debate.He noted that O’Rourke’s hailing from El Paso will be important as the US-Mexico border continues to be a focal point in the immigration debate.
“It’s going to be very beneficial to have someone telling the truth about our community to a national audience,” Stout said. “It’s important to share the fact that the border is a safe and amazing community and debunk all the false narratives.”“It’s going to be very beneficial to have someone telling the truth about our community to a national audience,” Stout said. “It’s important to share the fact that the border is a safe and amazing community and debunk all the false narratives.”
Though the city overwhelmingly supported O’Rourke by a three to one margin over Cruz last November, not all his supporters were thrilled by Thursday’s news.Though the city overwhelmingly supported O’Rourke by a three to one margin over Cruz last November, not all his supporters were thrilled by Thursday’s news.
Chatting with El Pasoans downtown on Thursday, Carlos Medina, who voted for O’Rourke in the midterm elections, told the Guardian he had some serious questions.Chatting with El Pasoans downtown on Thursday, Carlos Medina, who voted for O’Rourke in the midterm elections, told the Guardian he had some serious questions.
“I’m a huge supporter of Beto and I’m glad that his campaign will bring national attention to the city. I thought he was the right man for the Senate, but as president, I’m not so sure, there are a lot of good candidates he’ll have to go up against,” Medina said.“I’m a huge supporter of Beto and I’m glad that his campaign will bring national attention to the city. I thought he was the right man for the Senate, but as president, I’m not so sure, there are a lot of good candidates he’ll have to go up against,” Medina said.
The fact that O’Rourke wasn’t able to upset Cruz in the midterm election was a major talking point for locals who don’t automatically support him, such as Christian Madrid.The fact that O’Rourke wasn’t able to upset Cruz in the midterm election was a major talking point for locals who don’t automatically support him, such as Christian Madrid.
Madrid, who considers himself an independent, said he felt, beyond personality, that O’Rourke lacks a strong message.Madrid, who considers himself an independent, said he felt, beyond personality, that O’Rourke lacks a strong message.
“He is not the type of candidate I like. The fact that we couldn’t win in his own state should be a big concern for him. I don’t think he’ll be able to convince enough people from other parts of the country to support him,” Madrid said.“He is not the type of candidate I like. The fact that we couldn’t win in his own state should be a big concern for him. I don’t think he’ll be able to convince enough people from other parts of the country to support him,” Madrid said.
Amid all the Beto-buzz, such early doubts could spark trouble for the rising star.Amid all the Beto-buzz, such early doubts could spark trouble for the rising star.
The Green New Deal is forcing conservatives and liberals alike to talk more about climate change, fueling attacks from Republicans and dividing some Democrats.The Green New Deal is forcing conservatives and liberals alike to talk more about climate change, fueling attacks from Republicans and dividing some Democrats.
The proposal from progressives laid out goals to limit heat-trapping pollution and reduce inequity, but it provided few practical details.The proposal from progressives laid out goals to limit heat-trapping pollution and reduce inequity, but it provided few practical details.
House minority leader Kevin McCarthy today dared the chamber’s top Democrat, Nancy Pelosi, to hold hearings on the Green New Deal—which some Democrats see as unachievable compared to more targeted proposals to cut greenhouse gases.House minority leader Kevin McCarthy today dared the chamber’s top Democrat, Nancy Pelosi, to hold hearings on the Green New Deal—which some Democrats see as unachievable compared to more targeted proposals to cut greenhouse gases.
“This is the start of a conversation that I believe is long overdue,” McCarthy said at a press conference.“This is the start of a conversation that I believe is long overdue,” McCarthy said at a press conference.
He said the plan introduced by congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Ed Markey would “control nearly every element of our lives,” from travel and home ownership, to agriculture.He said the plan introduced by congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Ed Markey would “control nearly every element of our lives,” from travel and home ownership, to agriculture.
Greg Walden, the ranking Republican on the energy committee, said House Democrats are “afraid to have this debate in public and in the committees”.Greg Walden, the ranking Republican on the energy committee, said House Democrats are “afraid to have this debate in public and in the committees”.
Rob Bishop, the top Republican on the natural resources committee, claimed the Green New Deal ideals would be “tantamount to genocide” for rural communities, quickly adding “that may be an overstatement but not by a lot.”Rob Bishop, the top Republican on the natural resources committee, claimed the Green New Deal ideals would be “tantamount to genocide” for rural communities, quickly adding “that may be an overstatement but not by a lot.”
Many congressional Republicans in recent years have continued to vocally question scientists’ findings that humans are warming the planet and that climate change is a serious and urgent threat.Many congressional Republicans in recent years have continued to vocally question scientists’ findings that humans are warming the planet and that climate change is a serious and urgent threat.
But Garret Graves, the top Republican on the newly-formed select committee on climate change, thanked Green New Deal authors for “brainstorming and throwing out concepts to help improve our environment, to help bring down energy costs, to help to raise wages and provide better job opportunities for all Americans.”But Garret Graves, the top Republican on the newly-formed select committee on climate change, thanked Green New Deal authors for “brainstorming and throwing out concepts to help improve our environment, to help bring down energy costs, to help to raise wages and provide better job opportunities for all Americans.”
At the same time, he called the Green New Deal a “utopian grammar school exercise.”At the same time, he called the Green New Deal a “utopian grammar school exercise.”
While the Green New Deal has pushed more Republicans to address climate change, it hasn’t led them to lay out their own substantive solutions.While the Green New Deal has pushed more Republicans to address climate change, it hasn’t led them to lay out their own substantive solutions.
McCarthy declined to elaborate on ways Republicans might cut carbon dioxide pollution.McCarthy declined to elaborate on ways Republicans might cut carbon dioxide pollution.
Moderate Democrats in the New Democrat Coalition today said the Green New Deal has helped to elevate the urgency of climate change but that they would pursue more “achievable” policies.Moderate Democrats in the New Democrat Coalition today said the Green New Deal has helped to elevate the urgency of climate change but that they would pursue more “achievable” policies.
“We all care about these same issues. The Green New Deal is aspirational. But what we plan to do is offer tangible, achievable things,” said congresswoman Elaine Luria (D-Va.)“We all care about these same issues. The Green New Deal is aspirational. But what we plan to do is offer tangible, achievable things,” said congresswoman Elaine Luria (D-Va.)
Pennsylvania Democrat Susan Wild said “we really haven’t seen anything since it was rolled out in terms of concrete proposals,” she said.Pennsylvania Democrat Susan Wild said “we really haven’t seen anything since it was rolled out in terms of concrete proposals,” she said.
“Regardless of approach,” she said, “There is not a member of Democratic caucus that is not seriously concerned about climate change.”“Regardless of approach,” she said, “There is not a member of Democratic caucus that is not seriously concerned about climate change.”
What is the Green New Deal and how would it benefit society?What is the Green New Deal and how would it benefit society?
Beto O’Rourke launched his presidential campaign this morning and has been barnstorming in IowaBeto O’Rourke launched his presidential campaign this morning and has been barnstorming in Iowa
Four members of Congress have already endorsed O’RourkeFour members of Congress have already endorsed O’Rourke
12 Republicans broke with President Donald Trump vote for a resolution disapproving his declaration of a national emergency on the southern border12 Republicans broke with President Donald Trump vote for a resolution disapproving his declaration of a national emergency on the southern border
Trump has pledged to veto the legislation. It would be the first veto of his administration.Trump has pledged to veto the legislation. It would be the first veto of his administration.
Although Beto O’Rourke announced his presidential campaign today and is on the trail in Iowa, he will be holding a formal campaign at the end of the month.Although Beto O’Rourke announced his presidential campaign today and is on the trail in Iowa, he will be holding a formal campaign at the end of the month.
Politico reports he will hold an event on March 30 in his hometown of El Paso.Politico reports he will hold an event on March 30 in his hometown of El Paso.
Fox News reports Trump will likely veto the resolution of disapproval tomorrow. It will be the first veto of his presidency.Fox News reports Trump will likely veto the resolution of disapproval tomorrow. It will be the first veto of his presidency.
Colleague John Roberts rpts likely Trump will veto bill to end national emergency tomorrow.Colleague John Roberts rpts likely Trump will veto bill to end national emergency tomorrow.
In an overview of Bernie Sanders’s past political positions, CNN reports that the Vermont senator once favor mass nationalization of industries and taxing 100% of all income over $1 million.In an overview of Bernie Sanders’s past political positions, CNN reports that the Vermont senator once favor mass nationalization of industries and taxing 100% of all income over $1 million.
CNN reports:CNN reports:
After moving to Vermont in 1968 several years after graduating college, Sanders became an active member of the left-wing Liberty Union Party. Under the Liberty Union banner, Sanders, then in his early 30s, ran for governor of Vermont in 1972 and 1976 and as a candidate for US Senate in 1972 and 1974. Sanders, also served as chairman of the party from 1973-1975. During this time, Sanders and Liberty Union argued for nationalization of the energy industry, public ownership of banks, telephone, electric, and drug companies and of the major means of production such as factories and capital, as well as other proposals such as a 100% income tax on the highest income earners in America. Sanders also rejected political violence and criticized the anti-democratic nature of communist states such as the Soviet Union.”I favor the public ownership of utilities, banks and major industries,” Sanders said in one interview with the Burlington Free Press in 1976.After moving to Vermont in 1968 several years after graduating college, Sanders became an active member of the left-wing Liberty Union Party. Under the Liberty Union banner, Sanders, then in his early 30s, ran for governor of Vermont in 1972 and 1976 and as a candidate for US Senate in 1972 and 1974. Sanders, also served as chairman of the party from 1973-1975. During this time, Sanders and Liberty Union argued for nationalization of the energy industry, public ownership of banks, telephone, electric, and drug companies and of the major means of production such as factories and capital, as well as other proposals such as a 100% income tax on the highest income earners in America. Sanders also rejected political violence and criticized the anti-democratic nature of communist states such as the Soviet Union.”I favor the public ownership of utilities, banks and major industries,” Sanders said in one interview with the Burlington Free Press in 1976.
Trump just reaffirmed on Twitter that he would veto the resolutionTrump just reaffirmed on Twitter that he would veto the resolution
I look forward to VETOING the just passed Democrat inspired Resolution which would OPEN BORDERS while increasing Crime, Drugs, and Trafficking in our Country. I thank all of the Strong Republicans who voted to support Border Security and our desperately needed WALL!I look forward to VETOING the just passed Democrat inspired Resolution which would OPEN BORDERS while increasing Crime, Drugs, and Trafficking in our Country. I thank all of the Strong Republicans who voted to support Border Security and our desperately needed WALL!
Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina who flipped to vote against the resolution of disapproval just issued a statement on his vote:Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina who flipped to vote against the resolution of disapproval just issued a statement on his vote:
“I agree with President Trump that there is a crisis at our southern border and have always supported his desire to build new infrastructure and barriers.“I agree with President Trump that there is a crisis at our southern border and have always supported his desire to build new infrastructure and barriers.
“The concerns I’ve raised were never about what President Trump is trying to accomplish but rather with setting a precedent that a future Democratic president would exploit to bypass Congress to implement policies well outside the mainstream.“The concerns I’ve raised were never about what President Trump is trying to accomplish but rather with setting a precedent that a future Democratic president would exploit to bypass Congress to implement policies well outside the mainstream.
“Over the past several weeks, I’ve met with the Vice President and senior White House staff to build consensus on amending the National Emergencies Act to prevent a future left-wing president from misusing their authority. I’m incredibly encouraged by the historic commitment from the President to restore proper balance between the executive and legislative branches.“Over the past several weeks, I’ve met with the Vice President and senior White House staff to build consensus on amending the National Emergencies Act to prevent a future left-wing president from misusing their authority. I’m incredibly encouraged by the historic commitment from the President to restore proper balance between the executive and legislative branches.
“While the Trump Administration is working in good-faith with Congress to amend the National Emergencies Act, Democratic leaders have outright rejected attempts to do so, in addition to calling the dire situation at the southern border a ‘manufactured crisis.’“While the Trump Administration is working in good-faith with Congress to amend the National Emergencies Act, Democratic leaders have outright rejected attempts to do so, in addition to calling the dire situation at the southern border a ‘manufactured crisis.’
“In the coming weeks, I’ll continue to work with the White House and my Republican colleagues on a long-term solution, and I hope some of my Democratic colleagues will join us.”“In the coming weeks, I’ll continue to work with the White House and my Republican colleagues on a long-term solution, and I hope some of my Democratic colleagues will join us.”