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| White House refuses to sign on to Christchurch call to combat online extremism – live | White House refuses to sign on to Christchurch call to combat online extremism – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| This afternoon the president, once again, decided to tweet-vent against the New York Times and the Washington Post, calling both organs fake news for reporting that there’s in-fighting among his foreign policy team. | |
| As this was happening, a California man who threatened to kill employees of the Boston Globe after the newspaper last year called on media organizations nationwide to denounce Donald Trump’s attacks on the media pleaded guilty in federal court, prosecutors said. | |
| Robert Chain, 68, of Los Angeles, pleaded guilty to seven counts of making threatening communications in interstate commerce, the US attorney’s office in Boston said in a statement, according to the Associated Press. | |
| He faces five years in prison per count at his sentencing, scheduled for September 23. Neither Chain nor his attorney spoke when they left court. But his attorney, William Weinreb, said last month his client took “full responsibility” for his actions. | |
| “He is anxious to make a full, public apology, expressing his sincere remorse to those he affected,” Weinreb said in an email last month. | |
| Shady! Bill Barr, Nancy Pelosi and handcuffs all in one sentence. | |
| Fox News producer Jake Gibson tweets that the attorney general got actual facetime with the House Speaker earlier and apparently he asked if she’d brought her handcuffs. | |
| Pelosi, earlier this month accused William Barr, of committing a “crime” when he told lawmakers during a congressional hearing in April that he was unaware that special counsel Robert Mueller was unhappy with his portrayal of the findings from the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election and any collusion or obstruction of justice by the president of the Trump campaign. | |
| “The attorney general of the United States of America was not telling the truth to the Congress of the United States,” she said at the time. “And that’s a crime.” | |
| Attorney General Bill Barr spoke to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in person today, after the National Peace Officers Memorial Service at the Capitol. A source close to Barr says he asked Pelosi if she had brought her handcuffs. There was laughter but no word on Pelosi's response. | |
| North Carolina’s most infamous political story lines of recent years are merging into a congressional race this summer that pits the architect of the state’s “bathroom bill” against a Democrat who was granted an electoral do-over after evidence of ballot fraud tainted his prior opponent’s campaign. | North Carolina’s most infamous political story lines of recent years are merging into a congressional race this summer that pits the architect of the state’s “bathroom bill” against a Democrat who was granted an electoral do-over after evidence of ballot fraud tainted his prior opponent’s campaign. |
| State Sen. Dan Bishop topped nine other Republican candidates seeking the 9th Congressional District nomination on Tuesday, winning almost half of the ballots cast in an extremely low turnout election that drew less than 10% of the eligible voters. He will face Democrat Dan McCready, as well as Libertarian and Green candidates, on Sept. 10. | State Sen. Dan Bishop topped nine other Republican candidates seeking the 9th Congressional District nomination on Tuesday, winning almost half of the ballots cast in an extremely low turnout election that drew less than 10% of the eligible voters. He will face Democrat Dan McCready, as well as Libertarian and Green candidates, on Sept. 10. |
| Bishop’s role as sponsor of a headline-grabbing “bathroom bill” that voided anti-discrimination protections for LGBT people is likely to be a focal point in this repeat race, ordered by election officials who deemed last year’s contest too tainted to stand. And despite the low turnout on Tuesday, the general election could draw a heavy infusion of political cash on both sides because it’s virtually alone on the political calendar this year. | Bishop’s role as sponsor of a headline-grabbing “bathroom bill” that voided anti-discrimination protections for LGBT people is likely to be a focal point in this repeat race, ordered by election officials who deemed last year’s contest too tainted to stand. And despite the low turnout on Tuesday, the general election could draw a heavy infusion of political cash on both sides because it’s virtually alone on the political calendar this year. |
| The vote count last November showed McCready, a former Marine and Harvard MBA, narrowly losing to Republican Mark Harris. But then, an investigation found Harris ignored warnings and paid a political operative who collected mail-in ballots. Harris opted not to run again. | The vote count last November showed McCready, a former Marine and Harvard MBA, narrowly losing to Republican Mark Harris. But then, an investigation found Harris ignored warnings and paid a political operative who collected mail-in ballots. Harris opted not to run again. |
| In 2016, Bishop sponsored House Bill 2, the law that voided a Charlotte ordinance expanding LGBT rights and prevented similar anti-discrimination rules anywhere else in the state. HB2 was nicknamed the “bathroom bill” because it also directed transgender people to use public bathrooms and showers that matched their birth sex. The measure made waves nationally and prompted boycotts by entertainers, governments and some businesses thinking about moving jobs to North Carolina. | In 2016, Bishop sponsored House Bill 2, the law that voided a Charlotte ordinance expanding LGBT rights and prevented similar anti-discrimination rules anywhere else in the state. HB2 was nicknamed the “bathroom bill” because it also directed transgender people to use public bathrooms and showers that matched their birth sex. The measure made waves nationally and prompted boycotts by entertainers, governments and some businesses thinking about moving jobs to North Carolina. |
| Bishop said while voters knew HB2 had his whole-hearted backing, the law was partially repealed in 2017 and is no longer as important as other issues. | Bishop said while voters knew HB2 had his whole-hearted backing, the law was partially repealed in 2017 and is no longer as important as other issues. |
| “People are astonished and amazed and dismayed at what they see coming out of Washington these days from liberal crazy clowns. Socialism. Open borders. Infanticide. 90% tax rates. Having prison inmates vote. It goes on and on,” Bishop told supporters Tuesday night. “And of course, most of all, an incessant drive to impeach the president.” | “People are astonished and amazed and dismayed at what they see coming out of Washington these days from liberal crazy clowns. Socialism. Open borders. Infanticide. 90% tax rates. Having prison inmates vote. It goes on and on,” Bishop told supporters Tuesday night. “And of course, most of all, an incessant drive to impeach the president.” |
| With conflict between President Donald Trump and Washington Democrats heating up after the investigation into Russian support for the president’s 2016 campaign, the four-month contest between Bishop and McCready is expected to serve as a measure of political tides and an open vault for donors. | With conflict between President Donald Trump and Washington Democrats heating up after the investigation into Russian support for the president’s 2016 campaign, the four-month contest between Bishop and McCready is expected to serve as a measure of political tides and an open vault for donors. |
| McCready ran a solar-energy financing fund before starting his run for Congress two years ago. He’s built up his name recognition over the extended campaign and had almost $1.6 million in cash on hand as of May 2, according to Federal Election Commission reports. | McCready ran a solar-energy financing fund before starting his run for Congress two years ago. He’s built up his name recognition over the extended campaign and had almost $1.6 million in cash on hand as of May 2, according to Federal Election Commission reports. |
| But McCready will be swimming upstream in a congressional district that has been in GOP hands since 1963 and which Trump won by 12 percentage points in 2016. The district stretches from suburban Charlotte to suburban Fayetteville along the South Carolina border. | But McCready will be swimming upstream in a congressional district that has been in GOP hands since 1963 and which Trump won by 12 percentage points in 2016. The district stretches from suburban Charlotte to suburban Fayetteville along the South Carolina border. |
| Bishop accused McCready of refusing to clearly state his positions on public issues during last year’s primary and general elections. | Bishop accused McCready of refusing to clearly state his positions on public issues during last year’s primary and general elections. |
| McCready “went through two elections without telling anyone where he stood on anything. That ends tomorrow,” Bishop said Tuesday night. | McCready “went through two elections without telling anyone where he stood on anything. That ends tomorrow,” Bishop said Tuesday night. |
| McCready last year said he would not support Nancy Pelosi for her top leadership role in the U.S. House. She was elected speaker in January after Democrats took over the House majority. McCready refused during an October debate to rule in or out whether he supported impeaching Trump. | McCready last year said he would not support Nancy Pelosi for her top leadership role in the U.S. House. She was elected speaker in January after Democrats took over the House majority. McCready refused during an October debate to rule in or out whether he supported impeaching Trump. |
| But the GOP’s brand also has suffered in the wake of the much-publicized investigation into Harris’s campaign, followed last month by federal charges accusing the state party’s chairman of working with a big-money donor to try bribing North Carolina’s top insurance regulator. | But the GOP’s brand also has suffered in the wake of the much-publicized investigation into Harris’s campaign, followed last month by federal charges accusing the state party’s chairman of working with a big-money donor to try bribing North Carolina’s top insurance regulator. |
| As states such as Georgia and Alabama move to near-total bans on abortion, often making the procedure illegal before women know they are pregnant, men are likely to also be severely impacted. | As states such as Georgia and Alabama move to near-total bans on abortion, often making the procedure illegal before women know they are pregnant, men are likely to also be severely impacted. |
| Like many other states, Georgia has robust child support laws with financial consequences. Here is a run-down of what the impacts could be for men from Quartz: | Like many other states, Georgia has robust child support laws with financial consequences. Here is a run-down of what the impacts could be for men from Quartz: |
| A ‘non-custodial parent,’ or the parent any child doesn’t live with (the man in about 80% of the cases in the US), is required to turn over a significant portion of his income in Georgia to the custodial parent until the child finishes high school, or is 20 years old, whichever comes first. That amount now depends on a calculation of both parents’ income and health care costs; 20% of gross pay was standard in Georgia in the past. | A ‘non-custodial parent,’ or the parent any child doesn’t live with (the man in about 80% of the cases in the US), is required to turn over a significant portion of his income in Georgia to the custodial parent until the child finishes high school, or is 20 years old, whichever comes first. That amount now depends on a calculation of both parents’ income and health care costs; 20% of gross pay was standard in Georgia in the past. |
| The secretary of homeland security announced conditions in Venezuela threaten the “safety and security of passengers, aircraft and crew,” and suspended flights to the South American country. | The secretary of homeland security announced conditions in Venezuela threaten the “safety and security of passengers, aircraft and crew,” and suspended flights to the South American country. |
| DHS just announced it is suspending commercial flights between the US and Venezuela pic.twitter.com/QOz3NepBFs | DHS just announced it is suspending commercial flights between the US and Venezuela pic.twitter.com/QOz3NepBFs |
| Reuters reported that Venezuela’s Information Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and many airlines had already stopped flying to the country because of security concerns. | Reuters reported that Venezuela’s Information Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and many airlines had already stopped flying to the country because of security concerns. |
| American Airlines Group Inc indefinitely suspended flights to Venezuela in March. In April, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration prohibited U.S. air operators from flying below 26,000 feet in Venezuela’s airspace. | American Airlines Group Inc indefinitely suspended flights to Venezuela in March. In April, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration prohibited U.S. air operators from flying below 26,000 feet in Venezuela’s airspace. |
| Last week, the Trump administration expanded sanctions to pressure President Nicolas Maduro to cede power to Juan Guaido. | Last week, the Trump administration expanded sanctions to pressure President Nicolas Maduro to cede power to Juan Guaido. |
| The White House has criticized House Democrats’ investigation into obstruction of justice by the president as serving “political theater.” In turn, the lawmaker in charge of those investigations called the White House position “preposterous” in an interview. | The White House has criticized House Democrats’ investigation into obstruction of justice by the president as serving “political theater.” In turn, the lawmaker in charge of those investigations called the White House position “preposterous” in an interview. |
| The letter was sent by White House council Pat Cipollone, in response to a March request by Congressional investigators for documents. In a 12-page letter, Cipollone asked the committee to narrow its “sweeping” request and provide a legislative reason why the documents should be released, according to Reuters. | The letter was sent by White House council Pat Cipollone, in response to a March request by Congressional investigators for documents. In a 12-page letter, Cipollone asked the committee to narrow its “sweeping” request and provide a legislative reason why the documents should be released, according to Reuters. |
| The White House will not participate in the committee’s ‘investigation’ that brushes aside the conclusions of the Department of Justice after a two-year-long effort in favor of political theater pre-ordained to reach a preconceived and false result,” Cipollone’s 12-page letter said. | The White House will not participate in the committee’s ‘investigation’ that brushes aside the conclusions of the Department of Justice after a two-year-long effort in favor of political theater pre-ordained to reach a preconceived and false result,” Cipollone’s 12-page letter said. |
| Here is more reporting from Reuters: | Here is more reporting from Reuters: |
| The documents requested relate to everything from the contents of Trump’s meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin to his communications with former White House counsel Donald McGahn, the firing of former White House national security advisor Michael Flynn and former FBI director James Comey, and possible pardons for Trump associates who pleaded guilty to crimes stemming from the probe. | The documents requested relate to everything from the contents of Trump’s meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin to his communications with former White House counsel Donald McGahn, the firing of former White House national security advisor Michael Flynn and former FBI director James Comey, and possible pardons for Trump associates who pleaded guilty to crimes stemming from the probe. |
| The committee also seeks documents aimed at probing whether Trump has used the White House to enrich himself in violation of the Constitution’s emoluments clause. | The committee also seeks documents aimed at probing whether Trump has used the White House to enrich himself in violation of the Constitution’s emoluments clause. |
| In his 448-page redacted report released last month, Mueller described numerous links between Trump*s 2016 presidential campaign and various Russians but concluded there was insufficient evidence to establish that the campaign engaged in a criminal conspiracy with Moscow. | In his 448-page redacted report released last month, Mueller described numerous links between Trump*s 2016 presidential campaign and various Russians but concluded there was insufficient evidence to establish that the campaign engaged in a criminal conspiracy with Moscow. |
| Jameela Jamil, formerly a presenter on BBC Radio 1 and now one of the stars of the sitcom The Good Place, opened up about an abortion she had when she was young. | Jameela Jamil, formerly a presenter on BBC Radio 1 and now one of the stars of the sitcom The Good Place, opened up about an abortion she had when she was young. |
| Jamila called it the “best decision I have ever made.” | Jamila called it the “best decision I have ever made.” |
| I had an abortion when I was young, and it was the best decision I have ever made. Both for me, and for the baby I didn’t want, and wasn’t ready for, emotionally, psychologically and financially. So many children will end up in foster homes. So many lives ruined. So very cruel. | I had an abortion when I was young, and it was the best decision I have ever made. Both for me, and for the baby I didn’t want, and wasn’t ready for, emotionally, psychologically and financially. So many children will end up in foster homes. So many lives ruined. So very cruel. |
| The Trump administration announced today it would delay tariffs on cars from Europe, a decision which was to be decided by May 18. | The Trump administration announced today it would delay tariffs on cars from Europe, a decision which was to be decided by May 18. |
| Now, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he would travel to Beijing to continue trade talks with China. | Now, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he would travel to Beijing to continue trade talks with China. |
| “My expectation is that we will go to Beijing at some point in the near future to continue those discussions,” said Mnuchin in a U.S. Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing, according to Reuters. “We’re continuing discussions. There’s still a lot of work to do.” | “My expectation is that we will go to Beijing at some point in the near future to continue those discussions,” said Mnuchin in a U.S. Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing, according to Reuters. “We’re continuing discussions. There’s still a lot of work to do.” |
| More on the decision here, from the Guardian business liveblog. | More on the decision here, from the Guardian business liveblog. |
| Yesterday, a top British general contradicted US intelligence reports about increased, but vague, threats from Iran. | Yesterday, a top British general contradicted US intelligence reports about increased, but vague, threats from Iran. |
| UK Ministry of Defence responds to CentCom, after CentCom rebukes British Maj Gen Ghika for saying no increased Iranian threat in Iraq and SyriaMoD says Ghika's comments "are based on the day to day military operations"https://t.co/KAhjLBo2Ny | UK Ministry of Defence responds to CentCom, after CentCom rebukes British Maj Gen Ghika for saying no increased Iranian threat in Iraq and SyriaMoD says Ghika's comments "are based on the day to day military operations"https://t.co/KAhjLBo2Ny |
| A story in the New York Times argues talk of increased threats from Iran are meant to draw Iran into an “armed conflict” with the US. | A story in the New York Times argues talk of increased threats from Iran are meant to draw Iran into an “armed conflict” with the US. |
| After the rare US rebuke of British OIR Dep Cmdr for saying the threat assessment on Iran “hadn’t changed”, a US official is now leaking to NYT the risk does not warrant the current US military response, going as far to say the administration is trying to draw Iran to war with US pic.twitter.com/yBV6m5oVKM | After the rare US rebuke of British OIR Dep Cmdr for saying the threat assessment on Iran “hadn’t changed”, a US official is now leaking to NYT the risk does not warrant the current US military response, going as far to say the administration is trying to draw Iran to war with US pic.twitter.com/yBV6m5oVKM |
| While Alabama’s Republican Governor considers whether to sign the state’s near-total abortion ban, abortion providers in Ohio have formally filed a lawsuit against an abortion ban there. | While Alabama’s Republican Governor considers whether to sign the state’s near-total abortion ban, abortion providers in Ohio have formally filed a lawsuit against an abortion ban there. |
| Lawmakers in Ohio enacted a law which bans abortion after six weeks, called a “fetal heartbeat” bill. At six weeks, a pregnancy is called an embryo, and the still microscopic tissues which will become the heart have not fully formed. | Lawmakers in Ohio enacted a law which bans abortion after six weeks, called a “fetal heartbeat” bill. At six weeks, a pregnancy is called an embryo, and the still microscopic tissues which will become the heart have not fully formed. |
| When lawmakers enacted the law, they acknowledged it was unlikely to ever go into effect, but was instead meant to challenge Roe versus Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion in the US. | When lawmakers enacted the law, they acknowledged it was unlikely to ever go into effect, but was instead meant to challenge Roe versus Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion in the US. |
| “If a woman is forced to continue a pregnancy against her will, it can pose a risk to her physical, mental, and emotional health, as well as to the stability and well-being of her family, including existing children,” the lawsuit said, according to the AP. | “If a woman is forced to continue a pregnancy against her will, it can pose a risk to her physical, mental, and emotional health, as well as to the stability and well-being of her family, including existing children,” the lawsuit said, according to the AP. |
| With both chambers of the Alabama legislature passing a near-total abortion ban, attention is going to turn to Republican Governor Kay Ivey, who must sign the bill for it to become law. | With both chambers of the Alabama legislature passing a near-total abortion ban, attention is going to turn to Republican Governor Kay Ivey, who must sign the bill for it to become law. |
| The law has no exemptions for rape or incest, and criminalizes doctors who perform the procedure. Anti-abortion campaigners hope the law will be challenged in court, and eventually prompt the US Supreme Court to reconsider Roe versus Wade. | The law has no exemptions for rape or incest, and criminalizes doctors who perform the procedure. Anti-abortion campaigners hope the law will be challenged in court, and eventually prompt the US Supreme Court to reconsider Roe versus Wade. |
| Abortion remains legal in all 50 states as long as Roe versus Wade stands. | Abortion remains legal in all 50 states as long as Roe versus Wade stands. |
| Here is more reporting from the AP: | Here is more reporting from the AP: |
| Abortion rights advocates Wednesday morning urged Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey to reject the bill and vowed swift legal action if it is enacted. | Abortion rights advocates Wednesday morning urged Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey to reject the bill and vowed swift legal action if it is enacted. |
| “We are laser-focused on urging Gov. Kay Ivey to veto this dangerous bill. If she chooses not to, then we will take this to court and ensure that abortion remains safe and legal and accessible in the state of Alabama,” said Staci Fox, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Southeast. | “We are laser-focused on urging Gov. Kay Ivey to veto this dangerous bill. If she chooses not to, then we will take this to court and ensure that abortion remains safe and legal and accessible in the state of Alabama,” said Staci Fox, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Southeast. |
| Ivey has not commented on the bill but the Republican fixture in Alabama has long identified as anti-abortion and the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Terri Collins, said she expects her to sign the legislation. | Ivey has not commented on the bill but the Republican fixture in Alabama has long identified as anti-abortion and the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Terri Collins, said she expects her to sign the legislation. |
| ...“Roe v. Wade has ended the lives of millions of children,” Alabama Republican Sen. Clyde Chambliss said in a statement. “While we cannot undo the damage that decades of legal precedence under Roe have caused, this bill has the opportunity to save the lives of millions of unborn children.” | ...“Roe v. Wade has ended the lives of millions of children,” Alabama Republican Sen. Clyde Chambliss said in a statement. “While we cannot undo the damage that decades of legal precedence under Roe have caused, this bill has the opportunity to save the lives of millions of unborn children.” |
| Democrats criticized the bill as a mixture of political grandstanding and a waste of taxpayer dollars. | Democrats criticized the bill as a mixture of political grandstanding and a waste of taxpayer dollars. |
| “The state of Alabama ought to be ashamed of herself. You ought to be ashamed. Go look in the mirror,” Sen. Bobby Singleton said “Women in this state didn’t deserve this. This is all about political grandstanding.” | “The state of Alabama ought to be ashamed of herself. You ought to be ashamed. Go look in the mirror,” Sen. Bobby Singleton said “Women in this state didn’t deserve this. This is all about political grandstanding.” |