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Barr assigns attorney to find how Trump-Russia investigation began – live updates Barr assigns attorney to find how Trump-Russia investigation began – live updates
(32 minutes later)
On the subject of markets – the Dow Jones Industrial Average has opened up slightly, a half a point in the green on the day so far. It fell a bit more than three points on Monday.
Donald Trump spent at least an hour and some 1,400 characters on Tuesday morning tweeting a defense of his tariffs on Chinese goods, which China has responded to with retaliatory tariffs, precipitating a dive on Monday in the US markets. Asian markets fell less sharply and European markets opened Tuesday slightly up.
Trump said on Tuesday that “Tariffs have rebuilt our Steel Industry - it is booming!”, “we are in a fantastic position”, “We are in a much better position now than any deal we could have made” and “Other countries are already negotiating with us because they don’t want this to happen to them.”
Companies from Apple to Boeing to Caterpillar have reason to disagree with Trump’s rosy assessment, and economists warn that the retaliatory trade war just commenced could drive up costs for consumers.
“Enjoy!” Trump concluded.
Read further on Trump’s tariffs:
Trump defends China tariffs as trade war leaves allies and opponents in bind
Hello and welcome to our daily politics coverage.Hello and welcome to our daily politics coverage.
US attorney general William Barr has ensured the investigation into Russia’s influence on the 2016 election won’t fade from the headlines by assigning a US attorney to examine the origins of the investigation, according to the Associated Press. US attorney general William Barr has put the power of the justice department behind a Donald Trump talking point by assigning a US attorney to examine the origins of an FBI investigation into Russia and the Trump campaign, according to the Associated Press.
Barr told Congress in April that he believes “spying did occur” on Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign, though he later said he didn’t use spying with negative connotations, but to explain that the Justice department was investigating what spurred the Russia inquiry. Barr told Congress in April that he believes “spying did occur” on Trump’s 2016 campaign, though he later said he didn’t use the word with negative connotations. The appointment of a US attorney to investigate the investigation follows years of Trump and his supporters claiming the justice department and FBI spied on his campaign.
The appointment of a US attorney to investigate the investigation follows years of Trump and his supporters claiming the justice department and FBI spied on his campaign. Jim Baker, FBI general counsel at the time the Russia investigation was launched, pushed back forcefully on Friday against Trump’s conspiracy theory.
Related, a Guardian exclusive revealed today that that Steve Bannon, while serving as Trump’ adviser in 2017, sought to ensure the FBI saw itself as an ally of the White House. “[The campaign probe] was about Russia. We’ve written about this. It was about Russia, period, full stop,” Baker said in an interview at the Brookings Institution. “When the Papadopoulos information comes across our radar screen it’s coming across in the sense we were always looking at Russia. I don’t know how long the FBI had its focus on Russia, but it predates the Soviet Union...we have been thinking about Russia as a threat actor and the Soviet Union before for decades and decades.”
Relatedly, a Guardian exclusive revealed today that Steve Bannon, while serving as Trump’ adviser in 2017, sought to ensure the FBI saw itself as an ally of the White House.
Steve Bannon sought alliance with FBI in 2017 White House meetingSteve Bannon sought alliance with FBI in 2017 White House meeting
Also today, the president travels to Louisiana this afternoon to make a speech about energy infrastructure and the economy. He’ll stick around for a fundraiser before returning to Washington.Also today, the president travels to Louisiana this afternoon to make a speech about energy infrastructure and the economy. He’ll stick around for a fundraiser before returning to Washington.
Separately, we expect to hear from Senate leaders from both parties in press conferences this afternoon, as the legislature remains locked in a standoff with Trump over subpoenas for testimony and documents from Donald Trump Jr, attorney general William Barr, the former White House counsel Don McGahn and others.Separately, we expect to hear from Senate leaders from both parties in press conferences this afternoon, as the legislature remains locked in a standoff with Trump over subpoenas for testimony and documents from Donald Trump Jr, attorney general William Barr, the former White House counsel Don McGahn and others.