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| Trump campaign seizes on report that undercover FBI investigator met with aide – as it happened | |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| We’re ending our live coverage for the day, thanks for following along. Some of the big stories of the day: | |
| The president announced that Stephen Moore, the conservative economics commentator, is out as the Federal Reserve nominee. | |
| The Guardian revealed earlier in the day that Moore had continued underpaying alimony to his ex-wife for years after he was reprimanded by a judge for failing to pay his debts to her. | |
| The Trump administration finalized new religious exemptions for healthcare providers, which will allow providers to discriminate against LGBT people. | |
| Florida lawmakers approved a bill to allow teachers to carry guns in their classrooms. | |
| Facebook banned several prominent accounts promoting white nationalism on the platform. | |
| Nancy Pelosi said the US attorney general, William Barr, committed a “crime” when he told lawmakers during a congressional hearing last month that he was unaware special counsel Robert Mueller was unhappy with his portrayal of the findings from his Russia investigation. | |
| Senator Kamala Harris and other prominent Democrats called on William Barr to resign. | |
| A survey revealed that there has been an increase in reports of sexual assault in the military. | |
| The New York Times published a report today revealing that the FBI sent an investigator posing as a research assistant to meet with a Trump aide in 2016. | |
| Civil rights groups filed a legal challenge to the Trump administration’s new policy of denying asylum seekers bond hearings, forcing them to remain in detention long-term. | |
| Civil rights groups have just filed a legal challenge to the Trump administration’s new policy of denying asylum seekers bond hearings, forcing them to remain in detention long-term: | |
| BREAKING → As part of the Trump administration's attacks against asylum seekers, Attorney General Barr is trying to lock up asylum seekers without a right to seek bond. We just went to court with @ACLU and @nwirp to stop this dangerous new policy: https://t.co/TGxZwPAO4l pic.twitter.com/fDYSqpVWrM | |
| The complaint from the American Civil Liberties Union, American Immigration Council, and Northwest Immigrant Rights Project targets a directive that attorney general William Barr announced on 16 April to categorically deny bond hearings to asylum seekers. Under the new rule, the government will detain people “whom immigration officers previously determined have a ‘credible fear’ of persecution or torture if returned to the places they fled”, the groups said. | |
| The ACLU said: | |
| The decision is also pointlessly cruel and irrational. It makes no sense to lock people up without even having a judge consider whether they should be detained—it simply guarantees that we will imprison people who don’t need to be imprisoned. That is especially true when it comes to asylum seekers. | |
| More background: | |
| BREAKING: We are challenging Attorney General Barr's decision to eliminate bond hearings for asylum seekers.Hearings are central to due process. The Trump administration can't discard the Constitution just because it wants to punish asylum seekers. https://t.co/FGjq7Ki5cR | |
| NEW: Lawsuit tries to block Attorney General's directive denying bond to asylum seekers, forcing them into detention for the duration of their application process. https://t.co/sVYDn6mYbg via @usatoday @ACLU @immcouncil @NWIRP | |
| Barr had delayed the start of the new rule until July. | |
| The legal challenge comes as the US government is increasingly putting migrants in military-style tent cities. From an AP report today: | |
| In recent weeks, immigrants have been forced to sleep in hastily constructed tents on top of gravel under a bridge in El Paso. Critics decried the conditions as inhumane and corroborated accounts of migrants who said that they were held too long and did not have access to bedding while sleeping in the cold. | |
| More from the AP on the Baltimore mayor’s resignation today: | More from the AP on the Baltimore mayor’s resignation today: |
| Baltimore’s mayor resigned under pressure Thursday amid a flurry of investigations into whether she arranged bulk sales of her self-published children’s books to disguise hundreds of thousands of dollars in kickbacks. | Baltimore’s mayor resigned under pressure Thursday amid a flurry of investigations into whether she arranged bulk sales of her self-published children’s books to disguise hundreds of thousands of dollars in kickbacks. |
| Mayor Catherine Pugh’s resignation came exactly a week after her City Hall offices, homes and multiple other locations were raided by FBI and IRS agents. She is the second mayor in less than a decade to step down because of scandal . She came to office contrasting her clean image with her main opponent, ex-mayor Sheila Dixon, who was forced to depart office in 2010 as part of a plea deal for misappropriating about $500 in gift cards meant for needy families. | Mayor Catherine Pugh’s resignation came exactly a week after her City Hall offices, homes and multiple other locations were raided by FBI and IRS agents. She is the second mayor in less than a decade to step down because of scandal . She came to office contrasting her clean image with her main opponent, ex-mayor Sheila Dixon, who was forced to depart office in 2010 as part of a plea deal for misappropriating about $500 in gift cards meant for needy families. |
| “I am sorry for the harm that I have caused to the image of the city of Baltimore and the credibility of the office of the mayor,” Pugh said in a written statement read by her lawyer, Steven Silverman. | “I am sorry for the harm that I have caused to the image of the city of Baltimore and the credibility of the office of the mayor,” Pugh said in a written statement read by her lawyer, Steven Silverman. |
| A federal grand jury has been empaneled and state and local inquiries are also underway into the roughly $800,000 Pugh made over the years in exchange for her “Healthy Holly” paperbacks about health and nutrition. She hasn’t been charged with any crime. | A federal grand jury has been empaneled and state and local inquiries are also underway into the roughly $800,000 Pugh made over the years in exchange for her “Healthy Holly” paperbacks about health and nutrition. She hasn’t been charged with any crime. |
| Trump suggested tonight that he may attempt to block former White House counsel Don McGahn from testifying to Congress, in an interview with Fox News: | Trump suggested tonight that he may attempt to block former White House counsel Don McGahn from testifying to Congress, in an interview with Fox News: |
| Trump, asked if he'd let McGahn testify again: "Well I’ve had him testifying already for 30hrs & it’s really – so I don’t think I can let him and then tell everybody else you can’t, especially him because he was a counsel so they’ve testified for many hrs, all of them, many ppl." | Trump, asked if he'd let McGahn testify again: "Well I’ve had him testifying already for 30hrs & it’s really – so I don’t think I can let him and then tell everybody else you can’t, especially him because he was a counsel so they’ve testified for many hrs, all of them, many ppl." |
| Asked if he would allow McGahn to testify, Trump responded: | Asked if he would allow McGahn to testify, Trump responded: |
| I’ve had him testifying already for 30 hours ... So I don’t think I can let him, and then tell everybody else you can’t ... I would say it’s done, We’ve been through this. | I’ve had him testifying already for 30 hours ... So I don’t think I can let him, and then tell everybody else you can’t ... I would say it’s done, We’ve been through this. |
| The House Judiciary committee has begun discussions directly with Robert Mueller’s team about having him testify, according to NBC News: | The House Judiciary committee has begun discussions directly with Robert Mueller’s team about having him testify, according to NBC News: |
| A source familiar says House Judiciary has begun discussions directly w/ Mueller’s team about coming to testify before the cmte but nothing has been finalized at this point + no date has been set. Previously the Cmte had been in discussions w/ DOJ regarding Mueller’s testimony | A source familiar says House Judiciary has begun discussions directly w/ Mueller’s team about coming to testify before the cmte but nothing has been finalized at this point + no date has been set. Previously the Cmte had been in discussions w/ DOJ regarding Mueller’s testimony |
| Nothing has been finalized, according to the reporter. There have been an increasing number of calls from prominent Democrats to have Mueller testify: | Nothing has been finalized, according to the reporter. There have been an increasing number of calls from prominent Democrats to have Mueller testify: |
| Trump: “Now Mueller, I assume, for $35 million, checked my taxes, checked my financials...”I asked AG Barr if the taxes were reviewed & he surprisingly said he didn’t know & I should “ask Bob Mueller when he comes here.” Today I did. I sent a letter. Mueller needs to testify. | Trump: “Now Mueller, I assume, for $35 million, checked my taxes, checked my financials...”I asked AG Barr if the taxes were reviewed & he surprisingly said he didn’t know & I should “ask Bob Mueller when he comes here.” Today I did. I sent a letter. Mueller needs to testify. |
| We need Special Counsel Mueller here to testify to clarify the discrepancies between what he and Attorney General Barr are saying.We don’t need a letter. We don’t need conditions.That seems like a game. A dodge. A ruse. A way to prevent Mueller from testifying. pic.twitter.com/9NP6je2rHp | We need Special Counsel Mueller here to testify to clarify the discrepancies between what he and Attorney General Barr are saying.We don’t need a letter. We don’t need conditions.That seems like a game. A dodge. A ruse. A way to prevent Mueller from testifying. pic.twitter.com/9NP6je2rHp |
| There’s apparently more controversy plaguing the NRA: the Wall Street Journal is reporting that CEO Wayne LaPierre charged the organization’s ad agency more than $240,000 for expenses related to trips he took to Italy, Hungary, the Bahamas and other locations, without providing adequate documentation. | There’s apparently more controversy plaguing the NRA: the Wall Street Journal is reporting that CEO Wayne LaPierre charged the organization’s ad agency more than $240,000 for expenses related to trips he took to Italy, Hungary, the Bahamas and other locations, without providing adequate documentation. |
| NEW: @NRA chief Wayne LaPierre questioned on $240k in travel expenses he charged to the group’s ad firm. Travel to Bahamas, Italy, Budapest. https://t.co/8fkJcnlKd4 | NEW: @NRA chief Wayne LaPierre questioned on $240k in travel expenses he charged to the group’s ad firm. Travel to Bahamas, Italy, Budapest. https://t.co/8fkJcnlKd4 |
| The Journal cited a letter from the ad agency given to the group’s board last week. In a statement to the Journal today, NRA director Marion Hammer said the travel-expense allegations were “part of the failed coup attempt” and have been properly vetted by the board. | The Journal cited a letter from the ad agency given to the group’s board last week. In a statement to the Journal today, NRA director Marion Hammer said the travel-expense allegations were “part of the failed coup attempt” and have been properly vetted by the board. |
| The report follows news that the New York state attorney general has opened an inquiry into the NRA’s not-for-profit status. More on the recent controversies about LaPierre: | The report follows news that the New York state attorney general has opened an inquiry into the NRA’s not-for-profit status. More on the recent controversies about LaPierre: |
| NRA re-elects Wayne LaPierre after gun lobby group's bitter power struggle | NRA re-elects Wayne LaPierre after gun lobby group's bitter power struggle |
| Some tragic news from the border: Four migrants, including two children and an infant, are feared dead in Texas after a raft overturned while they were attempting to cross the Rio Grande, according to federal authorities. | Some tragic news from the border: Four migrants, including two children and an infant, are feared dead in Texas after a raft overturned while they were attempting to cross the Rio Grande, according to federal authorities. |
| Four people, including a 10-month-old baby and two other children are feared dead after their raft overturned in the Rio Grande last night. W/ @viaSimonRomero and @KannoYoungs https://t.co/bMthybLpWg | Four people, including a 10-month-old baby and two other children are feared dead after their raft overturned in the Rio Grande last night. W/ @viaSimonRomero and @KannoYoungs https://t.co/bMthybLpWg |
| A man apprehended by border patrol agents said he saw his 10-month-old child and 7-year-old nephew, as well as another man and that man’s daughter, swept away by the water, the New York Times reported. | A man apprehended by border patrol agents said he saw his 10-month-old child and 7-year-old nephew, as well as another man and that man’s daughter, swept away by the water, the New York Times reported. |
| Border patrol officials said the body of one child was recovered and three were missing after the raft capsized late on Wednesday night: | Border patrol officials said the body of one child was recovered and three were missing after the raft capsized late on Wednesday night: |
| A 10-month-old baby, along with a six and seven-year-old. Raft Carrying Nine Migrants Capsizes on Rio Grande River https://t.co/c7OlCogrzU via @cbp | A 10-month-old baby, along with a six and seven-year-old. Raft Carrying Nine Migrants Capsizes on Rio Grande River https://t.co/c7OlCogrzU via @cbp |
| At this critical moment... | At this critical moment... |
| The Guardian’s rigorous investigative reporting is having an impact in Washington. | The Guardian’s rigorous investigative reporting is having an impact in Washington. |
| Today, Stephen Moore, the conservative economics commentator nominated by Donald Trump for the Federal Reserve Board, abruptly pulled out of the running. The decision followed a series of exclusive reports by the Guardian on Moore’s financial, legal and tax issues, including a story published this morning showing Moore had failed to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in alimony to his ex-wife, even after being found in contempt of court for non-payment. | Today, Stephen Moore, the conservative economics commentator nominated by Donald Trump for the Federal Reserve Board, abruptly pulled out of the running. The decision followed a series of exclusive reports by the Guardian on Moore’s financial, legal and tax issues, including a story published this morning showing Moore had failed to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in alimony to his ex-wife, even after being found in contempt of court for non-payment. |
| Hours after the story was published, Trump announced the withdrawal of Moore’s nomination to the Fed board. | Hours after the story was published, Trump announced the withdrawal of Moore’s nomination to the Fed board. |
| This kind of investigative reporting is time consuming and expensive to produce. Exposing the depth of Moore’s legal troubles required the Guardian to pursue costly legal action, in partnership with other media, to unseal court records related to Moore’s case. | This kind of investigative reporting is time consuming and expensive to produce. Exposing the depth of Moore’s legal troubles required the Guardian to pursue costly legal action, in partnership with other media, to unseal court records related to Moore’s case. |
| We can’t do it without your support. In this critical moment for democracy, the need for robust, fact-based reporting has never been greater. | We can’t do it without your support. In this critical moment for democracy, the need for robust, fact-based reporting has never been greater. |
| We hope you will considering making a contribution to support the Guardian’s independent journalism and investigative reporting. | We hope you will considering making a contribution to support the Guardian’s independent journalism and investigative reporting. |
| Reports of military sexual assaults jumped by 13% last year, the AP is reporting. And an anonymous survey of service members released today suggests the problem is vastly larger: | Reports of military sexual assaults jumped by 13% last year, the AP is reporting. And an anonymous survey of service members released today suggests the problem is vastly larger: |
| The survey results found that more than 20,000 service members said they experienced some type of sexual assault, but only a third of those filed a formal report. | The survey results found that more than 20,000 service members said they experienced some type of sexual assault, but only a third of those filed a formal report. |
| The survey number is about 37% higher than two years ago, which was the last time it was done. | The survey number is about 37% higher than two years ago, which was the last time it was done. |
| Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a Democrat running for president, spoke out about this today during a confirmation hearing for Army general James McConville: | Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a Democrat running for president, spoke out about this today during a confirmation hearing for Army general James McConville: |
| I am tired of the statement I get over and over from the chain of command: ‘We got this, madam, we got this.’ You don’t have it. You’re failing us.” | I am tired of the statement I get over and over from the chain of command: ‘We got this, madam, we got this.’ You don’t have it. You’re failing us.” |
| Thirty-eight percent. This is unacceptable, and I’m tired of excuses from the Pentagon. They are failing our service members and have proven they can’t fix this.My bill would. We need the Military Justice Improvement Act now.https://t.co/v8b5Zkzqay | Thirty-eight percent. This is unacceptable, and I’m tired of excuses from the Pentagon. They are failing our service members and have proven they can’t fix this.My bill would. We need the Military Justice Improvement Act now.https://t.co/v8b5Zkzqay |
| Some more details from the AP: | Some more details from the AP: |
| McConville has been nominated to be the next chief of staff of the Army, and that service saw a spike of more than 18% in the number of sexual assault reports filed last year. The Marine Corps had the largest jump, at 23%, while the Navy saw a 7% increase and the Air Force was up by about 4%. The Pentagon releases a report every year on the number of sexual assaults reported by troops. But because sexual assault is a highly underreported crime, the department sends out an anonymous survey every two years to get a clearer picture of the problem. | McConville has been nominated to be the next chief of staff of the Army, and that service saw a spike of more than 18% in the number of sexual assault reports filed last year. The Marine Corps had the largest jump, at 23%, while the Navy saw a 7% increase and the Air Force was up by about 4%. The Pentagon releases a report every year on the number of sexual assaults reported by troops. But because sexual assault is a highly underreported crime, the department sends out an anonymous survey every two years to get a clearer picture of the problem. |
| There are now bipartisan calls for a classified FBI briefing for the Florida congressional delegation after Mueller’s report said there was an intrusion of the state’s elections systems by hackers in 2016: | There are now bipartisan calls for a classified FBI briefing for the Florida congressional delegation after Mueller’s report said there was an intrusion of the state’s elections systems by hackers in 2016: |
| .@RepStephMurphy (D) and @RepMichaelWaltz (R), both former national security specialists at the Pentagon, send letter to AG Barr and FBI Director Wray on "the nature and extent of the Russian government’s efforts to interfere in Florida during the 2016 presidential election." pic.twitter.com/wGUb5ptyFc | .@RepStephMurphy (D) and @RepMichaelWaltz (R), both former national security specialists at the Pentagon, send letter to AG Barr and FBI Director Wray on "the nature and extent of the Russian government’s efforts to interfere in Florida during the 2016 presidential election." pic.twitter.com/wGUb5ptyFc |
| Senator Marco Rubio recently told the New York Times that Russian hackers not only accessed the Florida voting system, but were “in a position” to change voter roll data. | Senator Marco Rubio recently told the New York Times that Russian hackers not only accessed the Florida voting system, but were “in a position” to change voter roll data. |