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Judge blocks closure of Missouri's last abortion clinic – live Judge blocks closure of Missouri's last abortion clinic – live
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White House adviser Kellyanne Conway defended Donald Trump’s plan for tariffs on all Mexican goods, which have come under criticism from Republicans and business interests.
Speaking to reporters outside the White House, she reiterated that the tariffs stemmed from Mexico failing to curb the flow of migrants from Central America to the southern border and also blamed Congress: “We just don’t think Mexico’s done enough and Congress has done even less than that.”
Conway also insisted the tariffs do not jeopardize a proposed trade agreement between the US and Mexico, stating: “We are fully confident that USMCA could pass the House.”
Conway did not directly deny a report that the US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer opposes the tariffs. “Ambassador Lighthizer supports the President’s agenda,” she said.
The Planned Parenthood clinic in St Louis, Missouri, which was spared today from closure by a judge, is draped in a massive banner reading “Still here.”
Planned Parenthood of St Louis, Missouri pic.twitter.com/DINqgZcuyu
In a new court filing, the Justice Department provides a transcript of a voicemail left by Donald Trump’s lawyer John Dowd for Michael Flynn’s lawyer. The voicemail, which was excerpted in the Mueller report, came after Flynn dropped out of a joint defense agreement with Trump and began to cooperate with prosecutors.
Per court order, the govt has filed a transcript of a voicemail that Michael Flynn's lawyer got from one of Trump's lawyers after Flynn withdrew from the joint defense agreement. Much of this was excerpted in Vol. II of Mueller's report pic.twitter.com/sNbVvCzn9t
The Illinois state legislature has approved a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in the state, the Chicago Tribune reports.The Illinois state legislature has approved a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in the state, the Chicago Tribune reports.
It now goes to governor JB Pirtzker, who is expected to sign it.It now goes to governor JB Pirtzker, who is expected to sign it.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has been bartending this week - returning to the job she had before running for Congress - to raise support for living wage legislation. NY1 and WNYC have some scenes from today’s venue.Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has been bartending this week - returning to the job she had before running for Congress - to raise support for living wage legislation. NY1 and WNYC have some scenes from today’s venue.
She’s now going around the restaurant, pen and pad in hand taking orders.She’s now going around the restaurant, pen and pad in hand taking orders.
.@AOC begins serving tables at an embargoed location in Queens - she says she’s excited for servers to be the served today. pic.twitter.com/YdCjZvkSI7.@AOC begins serving tables at an embargoed location in Queens - she says she’s excited for servers to be the served today. pic.twitter.com/YdCjZvkSI7
There are press here pic.twitter.com/SyclBSd3zi
The bar where she’s slinging drinks is the same one where Rep. Joe Crowley, the longtime powerbroker she defeated in an upset primary win, had his election night party the night of his loss.
The Queensboro is the same bar @JoeCrowleyNY had his primary night party and Springsteen concert last year https://t.co/QY1UgKlK89
There’s a new push from the left to defeat one of the only remaining anti-abortion Democrat in the House, BuzzFeed reports.There’s a new push from the left to defeat one of the only remaining anti-abortion Democrat in the House, BuzzFeed reports.
Progressives are targeting Dan Lipinski, an Illinois congressman. Marie Newman, a Chicago businesswoman, is running against him for the second time. “This type of legislation is authoritarian and totalitarian. There’s no other way to describe it,” Newman told BuzzFeed of the recent spate of state-level abortion bans. “Let’s be honest about what it is. It’s taking us back 100 years, and that’s not exaggerating.”Progressives are targeting Dan Lipinski, an Illinois congressman. Marie Newman, a Chicago businesswoman, is running against him for the second time. “This type of legislation is authoritarian and totalitarian. There’s no other way to describe it,” Newman told BuzzFeed of the recent spate of state-level abortion bans. “Let’s be honest about what it is. It’s taking us back 100 years, and that’s not exaggerating.”
Bernie Sanders says he will have a “litmus test” and only appoint Supreme Court justices who would uphold Roe v Wade, the LA Times reports.Bernie Sanders says he will have a “litmus test” and only appoint Supreme Court justices who would uphold Roe v Wade, the LA Times reports.
Bernie Sanders says that he will have a “litmus test” for Supreme Court justices: “I will never nominate anyone who is not prepared to vigorously support Roe vs. Wade.He also urges the men in the audience to show their support. “This is not just a women’s issue.” pic.twitter.com/11HoSThu36Bernie Sanders says that he will have a “litmus test” for Supreme Court justices: “I will never nominate anyone who is not prepared to vigorously support Roe vs. Wade.He also urges the men in the audience to show their support. “This is not just a women’s issue.” pic.twitter.com/11HoSThu36
Colorado governor Jay Polis signed legislation banning gay conversion therapy for minors in the state, the Denver Post reports.Colorado governor Jay Polis signed legislation banning gay conversion therapy for minors in the state, the Denver Post reports.
Polis, the first openly gay man elected governor in the US, also signed a bill to allow transgender Colorado residents to change the gender listed on their birth certificate without having to prove they’ve had surgery.Polis, the first openly gay man elected governor in the US, also signed a bill to allow transgender Colorado residents to change the gender listed on their birth certificate without having to prove they’ve had surgery.
Our Jessica Glenza is at a St. Louis press conference where Planned Parenthood is reacting to a judge’s ruling allowing the state’s sole remaining abortion clinic to remain open at least until Tuesday.Our Jessica Glenza is at a St. Louis press conference where Planned Parenthood is reacting to a judge’s ruling allowing the state’s sole remaining abortion clinic to remain open at least until Tuesday.
Today is a “huge victory” for Missourians said Dr Eisenberg, medical director of St Louis Planned Parenthood clinic which narrowly avoided expiration it’s licenseToday is a “huge victory” for Missourians said Dr Eisenberg, medical director of St Louis Planned Parenthood clinic which narrowly avoided expiration it’s license
Outside Missouri’s last abortion clinic after judges ruling, crowd is chanting #StopTheBans pic.twitter.com/nRdoU232u4Outside Missouri’s last abortion clinic after judges ruling, crowd is chanting #StopTheBans pic.twitter.com/nRdoU232u4
Donald Trump, whose administration banned transgender troops from serving in the military, is tweeting in honor of LGBT pride month and urging other countries to decriminalize homosexuality.Donald Trump, whose administration banned transgender troops from serving in the military, is tweeting in honor of LGBT pride month and urging other countries to decriminalize homosexuality.
....on the basis of their sexual orientation. My Administration has launched a global campaign to decriminalize homosexuality and invite all nations to join us in this effort!....on the basis of their sexual orientation. My Administration has launched a global campaign to decriminalize homosexuality and invite all nations to join us in this effort!
Pete Buttigieg’s presidential campaign has brought on a host of new staffers in the last few weeks, Politico reports.Pete Buttigieg’s presidential campaign has brought on a host of new staffers in the last few weeks, Politico reports.
They include Hillary for America alum George Hornedo as national delegate director, Ann Mei Chang as a “chief innovation officer,” and Obama White House alum Jillian Maryonovich as creative director. The South Bend, Indiana mayor has also hired a national press secretary, Nina Smith, and two deputy press secretaries, Tess Whittlesey and Marisol Samayoa.They include Hillary for America alum George Hornedo as national delegate director, Ann Mei Chang as a “chief innovation officer,” and Obama White House alum Jillian Maryonovich as creative director. The South Bend, Indiana mayor has also hired a national press secretary, Nina Smith, and two deputy press secretaries, Tess Whittlesey and Marisol Samayoa.
Several Republicans in Congress and major business groups are slamming Donald Trump’s plan for tariffs on Mexican goods, NBC News reports.Several Republicans in Congress and major business groups are slamming Donald Trump’s plan for tariffs on Mexican goods, NBC News reports.
The US Chamber of Commerce said it may file a lawsuit against the White House.The US Chamber of Commerce said it may file a lawsuit against the White House.
“If the president goes through with this, I’m afraid progress to get this trade agreement across the finish line will be stifled,” Sen. Joni Ernst, an Iowa Republican, said Friday, according to NBC. “While I support the need for comprehensive border security and a permanent fix to illegal immigration, this isn’t the right path forward.”“If the president goes through with this, I’m afraid progress to get this trade agreement across the finish line will be stifled,” Sen. Joni Ernst, an Iowa Republican, said Friday, according to NBC. “While I support the need for comprehensive border security and a permanent fix to illegal immigration, this isn’t the right path forward.”
Fellow Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley called it “a misuse of presidential authority.”Fellow Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley called it “a misuse of presidential authority.”
Dr. Leana Wen, president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said in response to the ruling allowing Missouri’s only abortion clinic to remain open:
“Today is a victory for women across Missouri, but this fight is far from over. We have seen just how vulnerable access to abortion care is here—and in the rest of the country. We are glad that the governor has been prevented from putting women’s health and lives in danger—for now—and call on him to stop this egregious politicalization of public health in an attempt to ban all safe, legal abortion care in the state.
“We want our patients to know that we will never abandon the women of Missouri. We will keep fighting these attempts to end access to health care, to ensure all people can get the care that they need—no matter what.”
Dr. Colleen McNichola, an abortion provider at Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region, said:
“This is a huge sigh of relief for the many patients who need access to safe, legal abortion in Missouri. The fight goes on. While temporary, we celebrate today, and tomorrow we go back to work to ensure access to abortion does not go dark at the last health center that provides abortion in Missouri. Planned Parenthood has served Missouri for more than 87 years and we aren’t going anywhere. While Governor Parson abandoned our patients, we will not. Our doors are open today, our doors will be open tomorrow, and we will fight to make sure all patients continue to receive the care they need and deserve.”
Our Eric Lutz reports from St. Louis:
Planned Parenthood supporters gathered outside the clinic Friday afternoon breathed a sign of relief after a judge ruled that the organization could continue performing abortions past a midnight deadline.
“I’m delighted,” said Maude Essen, a St. Louis resident who lives just a few blocks from the Forest Park Avenue facility. “This gives us a little breathing room.”
She and her friend, Mary Kuc, had stood on a corner near the Planned Parenthood, where supporters of the healthcare organization and anti-abortion activists gathered ahead of the ruling.
A ruling against Planned Parenthood would have “taken us back to the 1970s,” Kuc said.
Supporters of the organization carried signs, eliciting honks and thumbs-up from passing cars on the busy street.
“It’s fucking ridiculous,” Nella Ballou, a Planned Parenthood supporter, said of the attack on reproductive rights, ahead of the ruling. “It’s really horrific.”
Peg O’Malley stood outside the Planned Parenthood after the ruling on Friday, holding a sign that read: Pro-Choice Catholic.
“It gives me no comfort, she said of the ruling. “The fight’s not over.” She was antagonizes by a handful of anti-abortion activists, who questioned her Catholic faith.
“It’s absurd,” O’Malley said
New York governor Andrew Cuomo said he is “dubious” that the state legislature will legalize marijuana this year, The City reports.
Cuomo says he doesn’t think the Senate has the votes to pass adult use marijuana legalization, but the Assembly does.
A judge has ordered that the last remaining abortion clinic in Missouri can stay open for now.
Judge Michael Francis Stelzer granted Planned Parenthood’s request for a restraining order blocking the state’s effort to shut them down.
Missouri’s last remaining abortion provider – a Planned Parenthood in St Louis - was threatened with losing its license after the state charged it did not comply with a health department investigation. It would have been the only state without a single abortion clinic.
But the judge ruled that the clinic demonstrated that “immediate and irreparable injury will result if petitioner’s license is allowed to expire,” so it must be allowed to remain open while the merits of the case are argued. Another hearing was set for Tuesday.
Fox News is defending host Laura Ingraham after her comments calling white supremacist Paul Nehlen a “prominent voice” on the right who was “censored by social media.”
“It is obscene to suggest that Laura Ingraham was defending Paul Nehlen’s despicable actions especially when some of the names on the graphic were pulled from an Associated Press report on best known political extremists banned from Facebook,” the network said in a statement to The Daily Beast. “Anyone who watches Laura’s show knows that she is a fierce protector of freedom of speech and the intent of the segment was to highlight the growing trend of unilateral censorship in America.”
California governor Gavin Newsom is encouraging women seeking abortions to come to his state if their own states restrict the procedure.
“California will continue to uphold women’s equality and liberty by protecting their reproductive freedom, educating Californians about their rights to reproductive freedom, welcoming women to California to fully exercise their reproductive rights, and acting as a model for other states that want to ensure full reproductive freedom for women,” Newsom wrote in a proclamation Friday, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Newsom and the governors of Oregon and Washington also sent a letter Friday to other governors urging them to pursue laws strengthening abortion rights in their states.
Donald Trump’s top trade adviser opposed his push to put tariffs on Mexico, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer argued internally that the tariffs would jeopardize a pending North American trade accord, people familiar with the situation told the paper. “Lighthizer is not happy,” one administration official told WSJ.
The Pentagon has now gone a full year without a single on-camera press briefing by its top spokesperson, the Hill reports.
The briefings used to be routine.
Democratic voters are divided on whether to allow felons to vote while in prison, a new poll found – a question that has also divided the party’s presidential field.
In the HuffPost/YouGov survey, 44% of Democrats support allowing those in prison to vote while 41% oppose it. Americans overall oppose it 54% to 31%. An 81% majority of Democrats and a 68% majority of Americans overall support voting rights for felons after they have completed their full sentences.
Senator Bernie Sanders has pushed allowing felons to vote from prison.
As the last abortion clinic in Missouri is threatened with closure, providers in nearby states are rushing to pick up the slack.
Dr Erin King, the executive director of Hope Clinic, the nearest abortion provider across the river in Granite City, Ill., is “scrambling” to prepare for an influx of patients seeking the procedure should St Louis Planned Parenthood’s license be revoked.
She says she’s been preparing for a couple years now as the Missouri government ramped up its war on reproductive rights, doubling its number of doctors and increasing its staff. But, she told the Guardian, the immediacy of the Missouri nearing the loss of its last abortion provider is forcing her and her staff to adapt quickly. What’s going on in Missouri is “very scary,” King said.
While she says the crisis won’t impact the level of care at her clinic, located about a 10 minute drive from downtown St Louis, it has put both her staff and her patients on edge.
“We’ve seen a significant increase in patient stress in the last two weeks,” she said, referring to the Department of Health and Senior Services challenge to Planned Parenthood and the restrictive abortion bill Republican Governor Mike Parson signed into law this month.