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Elizabeth Warren says she'd reverse policy on indicting presidents – live Elizabeth Warren says she'd reverse policy on indicting presidents – live
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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 Gov. Mike Parson signed into law this month.
On the heels of protests in St. Louis, Missouri yesterday, as the state’s last abortion clinic could close, Planned Parenthood’s president Dr. Leana Wen told the Guardian women’s healthcare is in a “state of emergency” in the United States.
“This is a terrifying time,” Wen said. “We have a situation not unlike a natural disaster, where people’s lives are in danger. Except this is manmade.” Abortion is legal in all 50 US states, but that has not always meant it is accessible. Missouri’s last abortion clinic is in danger of being shutdown because of bureaucratic red tape.
Missouri Governor Mike Parson, who signed an eight-week abortion ban into law just last week, has argued the state health department found “deficient practices” at the health clinic.
The health department is demanding interviews with all seven physicians practicing at the clinic, including trainees. Planned Parenthood, which already agreed to perform an addition medically unnecessary pelvic exam on its patients before an abortion (the state now requires two before the procedure) has called the demand “harassment” and intimidation of providers.
“Missouri’s governor just signed a law that could put doctors in jail for up to 15 years, could allow the state to investigate women for having miscarriages,” said Wen. “So, there should be no confusion about what the true intention of the Missouri governor really is – which is to stop all safe legal abortion in Missouri.” Wen also said people should not confuse the wave of new and extreme legislation with a groundswell against abortion rights.
“This is what is happening across the country – there are extreme politicians who are passing the most egregious law we’ve ever seen – attacking women’s health,” she said.
Two-thirds of Americans support Roe v Wade, the landmark 1973 US Supreme Court decision which legalized abortion, and which continues to make unconstitutional abortion bans, like Missouri’s, unenforceable today.
The American people, said Wen, “are seeing what we have seen all along – this threat to Roe v Wade is not hypothetical. It is not a drill. This is really happening,” she said. “The American people know we need more healthcare, not less, we want our children to grow up in a world with more rights, not less. We will be organizing, educating, mobilizing all across the country.”
The Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general found “dangerous overcrowding” and unsanitary conditions at an El Paso, Texas, Border Patrol processing facility, CNN reports.
The inspector general did an unannounced inspection of the El Paso Del Norte Processing Center and found 750 and 900 migrants there on two separate days - far exceeding its capacity of 125.
There were “standing room only conditions,” according to a report obtained by CNN, and Customs and Border Protection “was struggling to maintain hygienic conditions in the holding cells” with many migrants wearing soiled clothes for days or weeks. There were 76 detainees packed into one cell that’s supposed to hold no more than 12, and 155 in a cell for 35.
Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on Mexico will hit particularly hard in some states expected to be key 2020 election battlegrounds, CNBC reports:
Several key 2020 electoral states would take a particularly sharp blow from the tariffs.
Border state Arizona gets about 40% of its imports from Mexico, the highest share for any state. About 38% of Michigan’s imported products come from Mexico, while about 35% of Texas’ imports are from its southern neighbor.
Trump’s surprise tariffs on Mexican goods could raise costs for companies and consumers in those three states, which the president carried in the 2016 election.
Michigan is a swing state that had voted for Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012. Texas is a reliably red state, but nonetheless has several Republican lawmakers facing tough reelection campaigns next year. Arizona has been trending toward favoring Democrats.
Former Ohio governor John Kasich says he’s not planning a 2020 primary challenge to Donald Trump.Former Ohio governor John Kasich says he’s not planning a 2020 primary challenge to Donald Trump.
“There is no path right now for me, I don’t see a way to get there,” Kasich said Friday on CNN, per the Hill.“There is no path right now for me, I don’t see a way to get there,” Kasich said Friday on CNN, per the Hill.
“Ninety percent of the Republican Party supports him,” he said. “Maybe somebody wants to run and make a statement and that’s fine, but I’ve never gotten involved in a political race where I didn’t think I could win.”“Ninety percent of the Republican Party supports him,” he said. “Maybe somebody wants to run and make a statement and that’s fine, but I’ve never gotten involved in a political race where I didn’t think I could win.”
Former Massachusetts governor Bill Weld has launched a long-shot primary campaign against Trump.Former Massachusetts governor Bill Weld has launched a long-shot primary campaign against Trump.
White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said the White House is monitoring reports that North Korea executed members of its nuclear negotiating team with the American government, including Pyongyang’s top special envoy to the US. “I’m not going to comment on intelligence one way or another,” she said Friday. “I can tell you we’re monitoring the situation and continue to stay focused on our ultimate goal, which is denuclearization.”White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said the White House is monitoring reports that North Korea executed members of its nuclear negotiating team with the American government, including Pyongyang’s top special envoy to the US. “I’m not going to comment on intelligence one way or another,” she said Friday. “I can tell you we’re monitoring the situation and continue to stay focused on our ultimate goal, which is denuclearization.”
White House press secretary Sarah Sanders on Friday defended Donald Trump’s plan to impose new tariffs on Mexican imports, telling reporters anyone surprised by the president’s announcement “has been living under a rock”.White House press secretary Sarah Sanders on Friday defended Donald Trump’s plan to impose new tariffs on Mexican imports, telling reporters anyone surprised by the president’s announcement “has been living under a rock”.
“We have been talking to Mexico for months, asking them to step up and do more,” Sanders said, referring to what the Trump administration’s frustration with the flow of Central American migrants through the US-Mexico border.“We have been talking to Mexico for months, asking them to step up and do more,” Sanders said, referring to what the Trump administration’s frustration with the flow of Central American migrants through the US-Mexico border.
Sanders added that while Trump had not spoken directly with Mexican president Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who threatened retaliatory tariffs against the US, teams for both leaders have been in “regular communication”.“The president is concerned about national security,” Sanders said.Trump’s move to slap a 5% tariff on all Mexican imports rattled markets and invited criticism from some members of his own party, who accused the president of overstepping his trade authorities. “The president didn’t blindside his own party,” Sanders said. “This is fully supported by the law.”Sanders added that while Trump had not spoken directly with Mexican president Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who threatened retaliatory tariffs against the US, teams for both leaders have been in “regular communication”.“The president is concerned about national security,” Sanders said.Trump’s move to slap a 5% tariff on all Mexican imports rattled markets and invited criticism from some members of his own party, who accused the president of overstepping his trade authorities. “The president didn’t blindside his own party,” Sanders said. “This is fully supported by the law.”
House Judiciary Committee chairman Jerry Nadler says he believes Donald Trump’s campaign did collude with Russia, and that Trump would have been indicted if he wasn’t president, Crain’s New York reports.House Judiciary Committee chairman Jerry Nadler says he believes Donald Trump’s campaign did collude with Russia, and that Trump would have been indicted if he wasn’t president, Crain’s New York reports.
“Collusion, cooperation with the Russians is all over the place. It’s in plain sight,” says @RepJerryNadler. “I would call that collusion.” https://t.co/V9kUZN0T2I“Collusion, cooperation with the Russians is all over the place. It’s in plain sight,” says @RepJerryNadler. “I would call that collusion.” https://t.co/V9kUZN0T2I
New York City’s police union, a longtime foe of Mayor Bill de Blasio, is warning South Carolina police about de Blasio as he arrives for a campaign stop there.New York City’s police union, a longtime foe of Mayor Bill de Blasio, is warning South Carolina police about de Blasio as he arrives for a campaign stop there.
“As you can see, a President Bill de Blasio would be an unmitigated disaster, not just for union members, but for any American who wants a functioning government,” Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association president Patrick Lynch wrote in a letter to the S.C. Law Enforcement Officers Association, The State reports.“As you can see, a President Bill de Blasio would be an unmitigated disaster, not just for union members, but for any American who wants a functioning government,” Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association president Patrick Lynch wrote in a letter to the S.C. Law Enforcement Officers Association, The State reports.
The PBA is locked in a contract fight with de Blasio and has protested him as he runs for president.The PBA is locked in a contract fight with de Blasio and has protested him as he runs for president.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is not taking a firm position on Donald Trump’s threatened tariffs against Mexico, per the Washington Post.Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is not taking a firm position on Donald Trump’s threatened tariffs against Mexico, per the Washington Post.
McConnell on Trump border tariff threats: pic.twitter.com/gDQ9WU8vC3McConnell on Trump border tariff threats: pic.twitter.com/gDQ9WU8vC3
Donald Trump argues that his Mexican tariff plan will cause companies to leave Mexico and return to the US.Donald Trump argues that his Mexican tariff plan will cause companies to leave Mexico and return to the US.
In order not to pay Tariffs, if they start rising, companies will leave Mexico, which has taken 30% of our Auto Industry, and come back home to the USA. Mexico must take back their country from the drug lords and cartels. The Tariff is about stopping drugs as well as illegals!In order not to pay Tariffs, if they start rising, companies will leave Mexico, which has taken 30% of our Auto Industry, and come back home to the USA. Mexico must take back their country from the drug lords and cartels. The Tariff is about stopping drugs as well as illegals!
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said Friday that he has sent his foreign secretary to Washington to try to negotiate a solution after Donald Trump announced 5% tariffs on the country’s goods, NPR reports.
Mexico's President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said at his daily news conference this morning that he has sent his foreign secretary to Washington to try to negotiate a solution after President Trump's latest tariff announcement. https://t.co/rivhTB3YwG
“We must understand what is happening in the US now but we must be prudent and act with a warm heart and cold blood, “ López Obrador said. “We want a truce but the homeland is first. “
A federal appeals court has agreed to expedite Donald Trump’s appeal of a ruling allowing a bank to hand over his financial records to the House of Representatives.
The Second Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday granted the request to fast track the case, the Hill reports. Trump is appealing a ruling by a judge last week who declined to block Deutsche Bank and Capital One from handing over records in response to a subpoena from House Democrats.
Only 11 employers were prosecuted for hiring undocumented immigrants in the year that ended in March, the New York Times reports. The data suggests the Trump administration has not made going after employers a priority, even as it pursues hard-line policies on immigration.
During the same 12-month period, more than 112,000 individuals were prosecuted for illegal entry or re-entry into the US, according to data obtained under the Freedom of Information Act by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University. “Not only are few employers prosecuted, fewer who are convicted receive sentences that amount to more than token punishment,” TRAC told the Times.
Donald Trump’s golf courses have been caught employing unauthorized immigrants, many of whom have since been fired, but never faced any legal consequences.
Donald Trump is defending his plan for tariffs on Mexican goods.
Mexico has taken advantage of the United States for decades. Because of the Dems, our Immigration Laws are BAD. Mexico makes a FORTUNE from the U.S., have for decades, they can easily fix this problem. Time for them to finally do what must be done!
Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan insisted Friday that the military would remain apolitical, after news emerged that the USS John McCain was hidden from Donald Trump’s sight during a trip to Japan.
“Our business is to run military operations and not to become politicized,” Shanahan said in Singapore, CNN reports. “I’ll wait until I get a full explanation of the facts before I pass judgment on the situation, but our job is to run the military.”
US stock futures and global stock markets tanked Friday after Donald Trump announced plans for a 5% tariff on Mexican imports.
CNN reports on the damage:
Japan’s Nikkei (N225) slumped 1.6%, while South Korea’s KOSPI (KOSPI) was mostly flat. Markets in Europe also opened lower. Britain’s FTSE 100 index fell 0.8%. Stocks in Germany shed 1.3%, and in Francethey dipped 1%.
Stock futures indicated that those losses would extend to the United States. The Dow is poised to fall 230 points, or 0.9%, when markets open. The S&P 500 is tracking similar losses, while the Nasdaq could drop 1.1%.
Washington governor and presidential candidate Jay Inslee released an immigration plan Friday that calls for a large increase in refugees admitted to the US. Inslee has centered his Democratic primary bid on climate change, and this is his first major police proposal on another issue.
CNN reports that it calls for letting at least 110,000 refugees into the country each year. Donald Trump has capped the number at 30,000.
He also proposes addressing “climate migration,” and increasing aid to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador to help those countries tackle the problems, climate-related and otherwise, that have caused a flood of migrants to leave for the US.
World leaders will gather in solemn assembly next week above the sandy beaches of Normandy to mark the 75th anniversary of the world-changing D-Day invasion of France. It’s typically a heartfelt tribute to alliance and sacrifice and a unified vow for enduring unity, outweighing any national or political skirmish of the moment - but Donald Trump could change all that, the Associated Press reports:
That’s what has some U.S. veterans and others worried about President Donald Trump’s attendance. The president has shown a repeated willingness to inject nationalistic rhetoric and political partisanship into moments once aimed at unity. For Trump, there is no water’s edge for politics, no veneer of nonpartisanship around military or national security matters.
The president, who did not serve in the military before becoming commander in chief, has feuded with Gold Star families, blasted political opponents on foreign soil, and mocked Sen. John McCain, a prisoner of war, for being captured by the enemy. Trump’s antipathy for the late senator was so well known that the White House this week requested that the Navy keep the USS McCain out of the president’s line of sight during a recent trip to Japan, so as not to rile the president.
It’s a pattern that is set to get more scrutiny in coming days, as Trump heads overseas for the D-Day memorial where he will be joined at the service by, among others, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat whom he has called “crazy Nancy” and warned not to try to impeach him.
“It’s unfortunate we have to be even concerned that this historic commemoration will be overly politicized, but this is the command climate he’s created and the reality we have,” said Paul Rieckhoff, founder and former head of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. “We have to send our president. You go with the president we’ve got, and this is the president we’ve got. So we’re rightfully holding our breath for an event like this.”
NEW: Next week, the world will mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day, the likely last significant commemoration the heroes of that invasion will witness. America’s representative on that solemn day will be Donald Trump. And that worries some veterans: https://t.co/9u6sSYscaE
Senator Elizabeth Warren said Friday that if elected president, she’ll push legislation to reverse the policy that a sitting president may not be charged with a crime.
“I’ve got a plan to make sure that no President is above the law,” she wrote in a post on Medium.
“Congress should make it clear that presidents can be indicted for criminal activity, including obstruction of justice. And when I’m president, I’ll appoint justice department officials who will reverse flawed policies so no president is shielded from criminal accountability.”
The justice department’s longstanding policy says that a sitting president cannot be indicted, though there is no law explicitly prohibiting such criminal charges. Special counsel Robert Mueller has cited the policy as part of his rationale for not concluding whether Donald Trump committed obstruction of justice.
“If Donald Trump were anyone other than the President of the United States right now, he would be in handcuffs and indicted,” Warren wrote.
The attorney general William Barr said he disagrees with the “legal analysis” in special counsel Robert Mueller’s report – and he’s apparently unconcerned about the beating his reputation is taking because he’s got an eye on his own mortality.
“We didn’t agree with the legal analysis, a lot of the legal analysis in the report. It did not reflect the views of the department,” Barr told CBS News in an interview that aired Friday morning.
Mueller’s report detailed a number of instances in which Donald Trump may have obstructed justice, but chose not to reach a conclusion about whether or not he was guilty of the crime. He made a point of saying he was not exonerating Trump. “If we had had confidence that the president clearly did not commit a crime, we would have said so,” Mueller said this week.
Barr, acting on his own, issued the conclusion that Trump did not commit obstruction of justice.
“We applied what we thought was the right law,” Barr said in the CBS interview. “I was trying to state the bottom line.”
The AG also said he was unfazed by attacks on his handling of the report, by critics who say he has misled the public and prioritized protecting Trump over the integrity of the investigation.
“Everyone dies and I am not, you know, I don't believe in the Homeric idea that you know, immortality comes by, you know, having odes sung about you over the centuries, you know?" https://t.co/hAMvpNZQj8
“I am at the end of my career,” Barr told CBS. “Everyone dies and I am not, you know, I don’t believe in the Homeric idea that you know, immortality comes by, you know, having odes sung about you over the centuries, you know?”
You can read the full interview transcript here.