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/2019/may/14/trump-news-today-live-russia-fbi-investigation-barr-mueller-democrats-china-tariffs-latest
The article has changed 21 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 11 | Version 12 |
|---|---|
| Barr working with CIA to review Trump-Russia investigation, reports say – live | Barr working with CIA to review Trump-Russia investigation, reports say – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Trump is speaking in Louisiana. So far he’s made fun of Democratic candidate Pete Buttigieg’s name, referred to Elizabeth Warren as “Pocahontas” and promised a “brand-new I-10 bridge” for the region “if we win this election”. | |
| Applause lines all. Follow along here: | |
| Senator Ron Wyden has written a letter to Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau asking for assurances of safe passage for Portland Trail Blazers star Enes Kanter if the Oregon-based team meets the Toronto Raptors in the NBA finals, as could happen. | |
| There are concerns that Kanter, who is Turkish and a critic of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, could be targeted by the Erdogan government. Wyden’s letter, first reported by ESPN, read in part: | |
| I ask your government to facilitate Mr. Kanter’s safe passage to and from Canada should the Portland Trail Blazers play the Toronto Raptors in Toronto, Canada, in the upcoming NBA Finals. I also urge your government to state publicly that it will not comply with any Interpol red notice meant to interfere with Mr. Kanter’s livelihood and to intimidate him and his family back in Turkey. | |
| It turns out that Trump is thrilled with the way Barr is going after his perceived political opponents, who through another lens were career justice department employees pursuing an investigation of foreign sabotage of a US election. | It turns out that Trump is thrilled with the way Barr is going after his perceived political opponents, who through another lens were career justice department employees pursuing an investigation of foreign sabotage of a US election. |
| "I think it's a great thing that he did it."Pres. Trump "so proud" of Attorney General Barr for efforts to probe Russia investigation origins. https://t.co/ilomGDdNEj pic.twitter.com/WWAbF5AeOI | "I think it's a great thing that he did it."Pres. Trump "so proud" of Attorney General Barr for efforts to probe Russia investigation origins. https://t.co/ilomGDdNEj pic.twitter.com/WWAbF5AeOI |
| It was announced yesterday that former president Carter, 94, broke his hip while preparing to go turkey hunting and had to undergo surgery. | It was announced yesterday that former president Carter, 94, broke his hip while preparing to go turkey hunting and had to undergo surgery. |
| I'm wishing President Carter a full recovery from his broken hip and a speedy return to his good work around the world. | I'm wishing President Carter a full recovery from his broken hip and a speedy return to his good work around the world. |
| Having a little fun? | Having a little fun? |
| #BREAKING Putin praises "quite objective" Mueller report pic.twitter.com/xWZ3jNZL34 | #BREAKING Putin praises "quite objective" Mueller report pic.twitter.com/xWZ3jNZL34 |
| “Trump socks’ | “Trump socks’ |
| .@realDonaldTrump is greeted by Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser who was wearing "Trump Socks" as he arrives at the Chennault International Airport Lake Charles, LA. pic.twitter.com/DCTGtnz1VO | .@realDonaldTrump is greeted by Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser who was wearing "Trump Socks" as he arrives at the Chennault International Airport Lake Charles, LA. pic.twitter.com/DCTGtnz1VO |
| Here’s footage from Pompeo’s meeting with Putin. In these preliminary remarks, Putin touts bilateral ties. Pompeo says Trump sent him to find ways for the countries to work together. | Here’s footage from Pompeo’s meeting with Putin. In these preliminary remarks, Putin touts bilateral ties. Pompeo says Trump sent him to find ways for the countries to work together. |
| LIVE: Sec. Pompeo meets with President Putin. https://t.co/8u8r1Sh518 | LIVE: Sec. Pompeo meets with President Putin. https://t.co/8u8r1Sh518 |
| Is this the Trump administration that has supposedly been so tough on Russia, to believe Mitch McConnell? | Is this the Trump administration that has supposedly been so tough on Russia, to believe Mitch McConnell? |
| In remarks to reporters before leaving the White House today, Trump described the retaliatory tariffs between the United States and China as “a little squabble”: | In remarks to reporters before leaving the White House today, Trump described the retaliatory tariffs between the United States and China as “a little squabble”: |
| “We’re having a little squabble with China because we’ve been treated very very unfairly for many decades.. I think it’s going to turn out extremely well, we’re in a very strong position.” | “We’re having a little squabble with China because we’ve been treated very very unfairly for many decades.. I think it’s going to turn out extremely well, we’re in a very strong position.” |
| Here’s senator Lindsey Graham carrying water for Donald Trump in discouraging the idea of Donald Trump Jr testifying before the Senate, which has demanded that Trump Jr appear. | Here’s senator Lindsey Graham carrying water for Donald Trump in discouraging the idea of Donald Trump Jr testifying before the Senate, which has demanded that Trump Jr appear. |
| To review, that’s Graham turning on his Republican colleagues in the senate on behalf of the president: | To review, that’s Graham turning on his Republican colleagues in the senate on behalf of the president: |
| Sen. Lindsey Graham: "If I were [Donald Trump Jr.'s] lawyer I wouldn't put him back into this circus. He's been to the committee, two or three different committee. He's testified under oath." pic.twitter.com/3IY4NbyvB1 | Sen. Lindsey Graham: "If I were [Donald Trump Jr.'s] lawyer I wouldn't put him back into this circus. He's been to the committee, two or three different committee. He's testified under oath." pic.twitter.com/3IY4NbyvB1 |
| Nicholas Geale, a top Labor Department official, is leaving the Trump administration over a clash with White House officials, Axios reports. The report says that the officials considered Geale to be “personally difficult and as an impediment to President Trump’s deregulatory agenda.” | Nicholas Geale, a top Labor Department official, is leaving the Trump administration over a clash with White House officials, Axios reports. The report says that the officials considered Geale to be “personally difficult and as an impediment to President Trump’s deregulatory agenda.” |
| Axios: | Axios: |
| A source who is close to the president and has direct knowledge of the situation told me: “The pace of change has not been sufficient. [Sec. Acosta] tends to be fairly fearful of taking hardline positions. He tends to be solicitous of the unions, often making the argument that that’s what the president wants.” | A source who is close to the president and has direct knowledge of the situation told me: “The pace of change has not been sufficient. [Sec. Acosta] tends to be fairly fearful of taking hardline positions. He tends to be solicitous of the unions, often making the argument that that’s what the president wants.” |
| Attorney General William Barr is working with CIA Director Gina Haspel and Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats to examine intelligence methods used during the Russia investigation, the Associated Press reports: | Attorney General William Barr is working with CIA Director Gina Haspel and Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats to examine intelligence methods used during the Russia investigation, the Associated Press reports: |
| That’s according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press on Tuesday. The person could not discuss the matter publicly and requested anonymity. | That’s according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press on Tuesday. The person could not discuss the matter publicly and requested anonymity. |
| Barr has appointed John Durham, the U.S. attorney in Connecticut, to lead the inquiry into the origins of the Russia investigation and the intelligence methods used during the probe. But the person said Barr remains directly involved in the probe. | Barr has appointed John Durham, the U.S. attorney in Connecticut, to lead the inquiry into the origins of the Russia investigation and the intelligence methods used during the probe. But the person said Barr remains directly involved in the probe. |
| The person said similar, separate investigations by the Justice Department’s inspector general and another U.S. attorney are winding down. | The person said similar, separate investigations by the Justice Department’s inspector general and another U.S. attorney are winding down. |
| All indications are that Barr has set out to place the full resources of the justice department behind Trump’s demands that the FBI investigation of his campaign, which at the time was in secret contact with Russians sabotaging the US election, be investigated. If you squint it can look like Trump has succeed in hijacking the justice department for his own political ends, in this case an investigation of his political opponents. | All indications are that Barr has set out to place the full resources of the justice department behind Trump’s demands that the FBI investigation of his campaign, which at the time was in secret contact with Russians sabotaging the US election, be investigated. If you squint it can look like Trump has succeed in hijacking the justice department for his own political ends, in this case an investigation of his political opponents. |
| The Muslim Public Affairs Council has released a statement accusing Trump of shunning American Muslims by failing to invite them – for a second consecutive year – to the White House Iftar. | The Muslim Public Affairs Council has released a statement accusing Trump of shunning American Muslims by failing to invite them – for a second consecutive year – to the White House Iftar. |
| The statement, first reported by Talking Points Memo, read: | The statement, first reported by Talking Points Memo, read: |
| Tonight marks another year when President Trump fails to invite American Muslims during the month of Ramadan. Instead, foreign ambassadors and dignitaries from Muslim-majority countries comprise the guest list for tonight’s iftar. Many of those he did invite represent autocratic and repressive governments, regimes that routinely oppress innocent citizens and violate the rights of women, minorities and free-thinking people. | Tonight marks another year when President Trump fails to invite American Muslims during the month of Ramadan. Instead, foreign ambassadors and dignitaries from Muslim-majority countries comprise the guest list for tonight’s iftar. Many of those he did invite represent autocratic and repressive governments, regimes that routinely oppress innocent citizens and violate the rights of women, minorities and free-thinking people. |
| Hillary Clinton started the tradition of the White House Iftar (the daily fast-breaking dinner) in 1996 when she served as First Lady. Since 1996, when then-First Lady Hillary Clinton began the tradition, this event has been a staple of both Republican and Democratic administrations. It’s served as an opportunity to celebrate Ramadan with the American Muslim community, the leaders of its civic groups, its imams, its writers, artists, and entertainers. | Hillary Clinton started the tradition of the White House Iftar (the daily fast-breaking dinner) in 1996 when she served as First Lady. Since 1996, when then-First Lady Hillary Clinton began the tradition, this event has been a staple of both Republican and Democratic administrations. It’s served as an opportunity to celebrate Ramadan with the American Muslim community, the leaders of its civic groups, its imams, its writers, artists, and entertainers. |
| After canceling the White House iftar two years ago, President Trump broke away from this great tradition. This year, he has continued the tradition MPAC initiated over 20 years ago -- but for the past two years, no American Muslim organizations or leaders were invited. This is not surprising, through his exclusively foreign guest list he is perpetuating the narrative Islam is foreign to America and that American Muslims are not an integral part of our social fabric. | After canceling the White House iftar two years ago, President Trump broke away from this great tradition. This year, he has continued the tradition MPAC initiated over 20 years ago -- but for the past two years, no American Muslim organizations or leaders were invited. This is not surprising, through his exclusively foreign guest list he is perpetuating the narrative Islam is foreign to America and that American Muslims are not an integral part of our social fabric. |
| Once again, the White House refuses to acknowledge the existence and contributions of American Muslims at the annual White House Iftar. | Once again, the White House refuses to acknowledge the existence and contributions of American Muslims at the annual White House Iftar. |
| US secretary of state Mike Pompeo told Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday that Washington would not tolerate any Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election in 2020, Reuters reports: | US secretary of state Mike Pompeo told Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday that Washington would not tolerate any Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election in 2020, Reuters reports: |
| Speaking at a news conference after holding talks with Lavrov in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi, Pompeo said he had made it clear to Russia that there could be no repeat of election interference of the kind Washington accuses Moscow of undertaking in the 2016 presidential election. | Speaking at a news conference after holding talks with Lavrov in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi, Pompeo said he had made it clear to Russia that there could be no repeat of election interference of the kind Washington accuses Moscow of undertaking in the 2016 presidential election. |
| Russia denies the allegation it meddled in that election. | Russia denies the allegation it meddled in that election. |
| Contrary to previous reports and this earlier blog block, district judge Amie Mehta does not intend to rule today on a challenge by the president to a House subpoena for eight years’ worth of accounting documents. The ruling could defuse a tense standoff between Trump and congress – or send the country further towards a bona fide constitutional crisis. | Contrary to previous reports and this earlier blog block, district judge Amie Mehta does not intend to rule today on a challenge by the president to a House subpoena for eight years’ worth of accounting documents. The ruling could defuse a tense standoff between Trump and congress – or send the country further towards a bona fide constitutional crisis. |
| Britain Eakin of Courthouse News is in the room: | Britain Eakin of Courthouse News is in the room: |
| Mehta will not be ruling from the bench today, he says straight away, contrary to media reports implying as such. The issues presented today are serious, Mehta says. "No judge would make a hasty decision on such important issues for the sake of expediency." | Mehta will not be ruling from the bench today, he says straight away, contrary to media reports implying as such. The issues presented today are serious, Mehta says. "No judge would make a hasty decision on such important issues for the sake of expediency." |
| Read Eakin’s timeline for a play-by-play. The hearing has just concluded with a final statement by Douglas Letter, general counsel for the House of Representatives: | Read Eakin’s timeline for a play-by-play. The hearing has just concluded with a final statement by Douglas Letter, general counsel for the House of Representatives: |
| And that's a wrap. Mehta will leave the record open until the 18th for the parties to submit additional evidence. There will be no discovery and no further briefing in the case before he rules. Thank you for joining me today! | And that's a wrap. Mehta will leave the record open until the 18th for the parties to submit additional evidence. There will be no discovery and no further briefing in the case before he rules. Thank you for joining me today! |
| Campaigning in New Hampshire, former vice president Joe Biden says that post-Trump, Republicans will become a party of compromising partners in government: | Campaigning in New Hampshire, former vice president Joe Biden says that post-Trump, Republicans will become a party of compromising partners in government: |
| In New Hampshire, Joe Biden predicts that once President Trump is out of office, Republicans will have “an epiphany” and work with Democrats toward consensus. | In New Hampshire, Joe Biden predicts that once President Trump is out of office, Republicans will have “an epiphany” and work with Democrats toward consensus. |
| Why not? | Why not? |
| This, uh, seems to run counter to everything we know about partisan politics in our polarized era. https://t.co/s5Ncdsa8U8 | This, uh, seems to run counter to everything we know about partisan politics in our polarized era. https://t.co/s5Ncdsa8U8 |
| CNN analyst Harry Enten points out that even if it ain’t true, the idea polls well: | CNN analyst Harry Enten points out that even if it ain’t true, the idea polls well: |
| Ain't a chance in heck this happens... but the idea of working with Republicans polls well among Democrats. https://t.co/bMz9L46l2w | Ain't a chance in heck this happens... but the idea of working with Republicans polls well among Democrats. https://t.co/bMz9L46l2w |
| Appearing on The View talk show this morning, Texas Representative and presidential hopeful Beto O’Rourke admits it might not have been the best idea to launch his presidential campaign on the cover of Vanity Fair: | Appearing on The View talk show this morning, Texas Representative and presidential hopeful Beto O’Rourke admits it might not have been the best idea to launch his presidential campaign on the cover of Vanity Fair: |
| Beto O’Rourke on criticisms of his ‘Vanity Fair’ “born to be in it” remark: “I was attempting to say that I felt my calling was in public service — no one is born to be President of the United States of America.”“I have a lot to learn, and I still am.” https://t.co/f8u2wc159S pic.twitter.com/eQ5TKpXdAa | Beto O’Rourke on criticisms of his ‘Vanity Fair’ “born to be in it” remark: “I was attempting to say that I felt my calling was in public service — no one is born to be President of the United States of America.”“I have a lot to learn, and I still am.” https://t.co/f8u2wc159S pic.twitter.com/eQ5TKpXdAa |
| 4. @MeghanMcCain asks Beto if he can get away with stuff like "I'm just born to be in it," because he's a man. Beto says "you're right." He goes on to agree that the Vanity Fair cover as an announcement was a mistake. pic.twitter.com/dFoPdUgraf | 4. @MeghanMcCain asks Beto if he can get away with stuff like "I'm just born to be in it," because he's a man. Beto says "you're right." He goes on to agree that the Vanity Fair cover as an announcement was a mistake. pic.twitter.com/dFoPdUgraf |
| Picking up on Trump’s suggestion earlier today that his son Donald Jr has testified enough, the Republican chairman of the Senate intelligence committee, which has subpoenaed Trump Jr for further testimony, declines to say what would happen next in the frankly rather extremely plausible event that Trump Jr defies the subpoena: | Picking up on Trump’s suggestion earlier today that his son Donald Jr has testified enough, the Republican chairman of the Senate intelligence committee, which has subpoenaed Trump Jr for further testimony, declines to say what would happen next in the frankly rather extremely plausible event that Trump Jr defies the subpoena: |
| Senate Intel Chairman Richard Burr declines to comment about pursuing contempt for Donald Trump Jr if he defies subpoena “I’m not going to discuss any engagement with witnesses,” Burr said off the floor | Senate Intel Chairman Richard Burr declines to comment about pursuing contempt for Donald Trump Jr if he defies subpoena “I’m not going to discuss any engagement with witnesses,” Burr said off the floor |