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Trump labor secretary Alex Acosta resigns amid Epstein plea deal scandal – live Trump labor secretary Alex Acosta resigns amid Epstein plea deal scandal – live
(32 minutes later)
North Carolina’s elections board wants to know who finances the companies that want to sell voting machines to the state. Apparently, those companies do not want to disclose that information.
The questions come after Maryland discovered the company maintaining its election infrastructure was backed primarily by a Russian oligarch.
North Carolina the country’s ninth largest state by population is heating up as a market for voting equipment because the state has required touchscreen-only systems to be replaced after November with equipment that produces a paper record. The change will affect machines in about a third of the state’s 100 counties. New voting systems purchased from approved companies could be in use for a decade.
The three companies Omaha, Nebraska-based Election Systems & Software; Boston-based Clear Ballot; and Austin, Texas-based Hart InterCivic were told to disclose anyone holding a 5% or greater stake, or in a parent company or any subsidiaries.
All three private companies responded by listing their executives and equity funds as chief owners. And all three asked that even these responses be kept confidential.
...
Turner says the back-and-forth shows that the federal government is better equipped than states are when it comes to trying to determine who really controls the handful of U.S. election-equipment makers. Washington should take on this task, to protect confidence in the country’s voting system, Turner said.
“It’s hard to think of many services that are of greater public importance than running our elections,” said Lawrence Norden, an expert on voting machines with the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University’s law school. “The public should know who is doing that and who has control over the companies that are doing that.”
Trump: "Millions and millions of jobs were lost during, I call them, the stupid years. But now we're back into the really smart years. We had the smart years, now we're the really smart years. They were the stupid years."Trump: "Millions and millions of jobs were lost during, I call them, the stupid years. But now we're back into the really smart years. We had the smart years, now we're the really smart years. They were the stupid years."
While Trump is promoting the agreement, it still must be approved by the US Congress. CNBC News, citing unnamed sources, said the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement is expected to be sent to Congress in September.While Trump is promoting the agreement, it still must be approved by the US Congress. CNBC News, citing unnamed sources, said the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement is expected to be sent to Congress in September.
President Trump is now delivering remarks on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (the new North American Free Trade Agreement) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is delivering on the remarks the same day that he insulted former Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan. Here is a livestream where you can watch long with us.President Trump is now delivering remarks on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (the new North American Free Trade Agreement) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is delivering on the remarks the same day that he insulted former Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan. Here is a livestream where you can watch long with us.
US women’s national soccer team co-captain Megan Rapinoe has had an outspoken week sending some of her conservative critics into a tizzy. Here is a recap from Guardian US sports reporter Bryan Armen Graham’s story.US women’s national soccer team co-captain Megan Rapinoe has had an outspoken week sending some of her conservative critics into a tizzy. Here is a recap from Guardian US sports reporter Bryan Armen Graham’s story.
Ever since Trump seized on Kaepernick’s anthem protest as a fountainhead of easy political points, the American right have been happy to co-opt US sports as not merely a proxy battle in the culture wars that reflect a country’s deep divides but the primary theatre. And not since Kaepernick has a single athlete made them as uncomfortable as Rapinoe.Ever since Trump seized on Kaepernick’s anthem protest as a fountainhead of easy political points, the American right have been happy to co-opt US sports as not merely a proxy battle in the culture wars that reflect a country’s deep divides but the primary theatre. And not since Kaepernick has a single athlete made them as uncomfortable as Rapinoe.
She has only leaned into the criticism in the days since the team’s World Cup triumph, doubling down on her refusal to visit the executive mansion in an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper: “I don’t think anyone on the team has any interest in lending the platform that we’ve worked so hard to build and the things that we fight for and the way that we live our life, I don’t think that we want that to be co-opted or corrupted by this administration.”She has only leaned into the criticism in the days since the team’s World Cup triumph, doubling down on her refusal to visit the executive mansion in an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper: “I don’t think anyone on the team has any interest in lending the platform that we’ve worked so hard to build and the things that we fight for and the way that we live our life, I don’t think that we want that to be co-opted or corrupted by this administration.”
Megan Rapinoe takes the game to her rightwing criticsMegan Rapinoe takes the game to her rightwing critics
Police found three dozen cannabis plants in the flower beds of Vermont’s statehouse after a visitor pointed out that the plants were in a walkway in front of the building.Police found three dozen cannabis plants in the flower beds of Vermont’s statehouse after a visitor pointed out that the plants were in a walkway in front of the building.
Police said the plants could either be hemp or marijuana, but they were not sure which. They removed 32 plants from the flower beds before finding another 2 plants.Police said the plants could either be hemp or marijuana, but they were not sure which. They removed 32 plants from the flower beds before finding another 2 plants.
“Capitol Police Chief Matthew Romei said he’s fairly certain it was not part of the state’s horticultural landscaping plan,” reported local news station WIS10.“Capitol Police Chief Matthew Romei said he’s fairly certain it was not part of the state’s horticultural landscaping plan,” reported local news station WIS10.
Some of the best ways to beef up voting security and to fight off future cyber-attacks could have an unintended consequence: limiting access to the vote for people with disabilities, writes Jordan Wilkie:Some of the best ways to beef up voting security and to fight off future cyber-attacks could have an unintended consequence: limiting access to the vote for people with disabilities, writes Jordan Wilkie:
Voters want secure elections in 2020, and only moderate progress is being made at state and local levels, while Congress is deadlocked over elections security legislation. At the same time, voters with disabilities want to preserve and expand their access to the vote, a battle they have been fighting since at least the 1940s.Voters want secure elections in 2020, and only moderate progress is being made at state and local levels, while Congress is deadlocked over elections security legislation. At the same time, voters with disabilities want to preserve and expand their access to the vote, a battle they have been fighting since at least the 1940s.
It looks like an unsolvable dilemma: American elections will neither be fully secure nor fully accessible by 2020.It looks like an unsolvable dilemma: American elections will neither be fully secure nor fully accessible by 2020.
But the debate over security versus accessibility presents a false dichotomy, according to Eddie Perez, the global director of technology development at the Open Source Election Technology Institute, a Silicon Valley not-for-profit working to increase the security and integrity of election technology. He believes a system can be worked out that pleases both sides.But the debate over security versus accessibility presents a false dichotomy, according to Eddie Perez, the global director of technology development at the Open Source Election Technology Institute, a Silicon Valley not-for-profit working to increase the security and integrity of election technology. He believes a system can be worked out that pleases both sides.
“You need to add in all of the variables including cost, operations, everything associated with implementations in all of their complexity, and only by looking at all of the tradeoffs in voting technology are we going to come to a reasonable assessment of which looks like a more or less optimal system,” Perez said.“You need to add in all of the variables including cost, operations, everything associated with implementations in all of their complexity, and only by looking at all of the tradeoffs in voting technology are we going to come to a reasonable assessment of which looks like a more or less optimal system,” Perez said.
Disabled voters left behind in push to amp up 2020 security, advocates sayDisabled voters left behind in push to amp up 2020 security, advocates say
Another big House vote this afternoon.Another big House vote this afternoon.
With a 402-12 vote, Congress approved a bill that would ensure funding for the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund.With a 402-12 vote, Congress approved a bill that would ensure funding for the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund.
The House voted in favor of the bill one month after comedian Jon Stewart chastised lawmakers for failing to pass the bill.The House voted in favor of the bill one month after comedian Jon Stewart chastised lawmakers for failing to pass the bill.
Stewart said Friday that replenishing the victims fund was “necessary, urgent and morally right.”Stewart said Friday that replenishing the victims fund was “necessary, urgent and morally right.”
Jon Stewart says he looks forward to signing ceremony for bill funding 9/11 first responders compensation fund: "We'll all be here for that one final moment—not of celebration, but of relief. Let them exhale." https://t.co/NkJuIoh4fP pic.twitter.com/p7PI4cLDOcJon Stewart says he looks forward to signing ceremony for bill funding 9/11 first responders compensation fund: "We'll all be here for that one final moment—not of celebration, but of relief. Let them exhale." https://t.co/NkJuIoh4fP pic.twitter.com/p7PI4cLDOc
The House has just voted to limit Trump’s authority to make war in Iran as part of a bill which also restricts the president’s budget request for the Pentagon.The House has just voted to limit Trump’s authority to make war in Iran as part of a bill which also restricts the president’s budget request for the Pentagon.
Republicans joined the majority Democrats for a 251-170 vote.Republicans joined the majority Democrats for a 251-170 vote.
The New York Times notes:The New York Times notes:
Trump said last month he believes he does not need congressional approval to strike Iran. The vote Friday amounted to a pointed and bipartisan rebuttal — led by strange ideological bedfellows, Representatives Ro Khanna, a liberal Democrat from California, and Matt Gaetz of Florida, one of Trump’s most strident Republican allies in Congress.Trump said last month he believes he does not need congressional approval to strike Iran. The vote Friday amounted to a pointed and bipartisan rebuttal — led by strange ideological bedfellows, Representatives Ro Khanna, a liberal Democrat from California, and Matt Gaetz of Florida, one of Trump’s most strident Republican allies in Congress.
“When this passes, it will be a clear statement from members of Congress on both sides of the aisle that this country is tired of endless wars, that we do not want another war in the Middle East,” Khanna said before the amendment vote.“When this passes, it will be a clear statement from members of Congress on both sides of the aisle that this country is tired of endless wars, that we do not want another war in the Middle East,” Khanna said before the amendment vote.
E Jean Carroll, the advice columnist who recently said Donald Trump sexually assaulted her in the 1990s, said for the first time in her life she had bullets loaded into the handgun in her bedroom.E Jean Carroll, the advice columnist who recently said Donald Trump sexually assaulted her in the 1990s, said for the first time in her life she had bullets loaded into the handgun in her bedroom.
In an interview with the Guardian’s Ed Pilkington, Carroll described the fallout of her decision to go public.In an interview with the Guardian’s Ed Pilkington, Carroll described the fallout of her decision to go public.
Carroll told the Guardian she hesitated for years coming forward with her allegations because she was fearful, and because she suspected that branding Trump a sex attacker might paradoxically help him politically.Carroll told the Guardian she hesitated for years coming forward with her allegations because she was fearful, and because she suspected that branding Trump a sex attacker might paradoxically help him politically.
“It’s the image of a male leader – think Alexander the Great, think Genghis Khan. Think John F Kennedy. Great leaders take what they want without asking.”“It’s the image of a male leader – think Alexander the Great, think Genghis Khan. Think John F Kennedy. Great leaders take what they want without asking.”
Despite having raised rape allegations against the sitting US president, Carroll is convinced that Trump will win re-election in next year’s presidential election. “No matter what anyone does, Trump will win. I think he’s got it sewn up.”Despite having raised rape allegations against the sitting US president, Carroll is convinced that Trump will win re-election in next year’s presidential election. “No matter what anyone does, Trump will win. I think he’s got it sewn up.”
E Jean Carroll says she received death threats after accusing Trump of rapeE Jean Carroll says she received death threats after accusing Trump of rape
Speaking of senior federal government positions that need permanent leaders, the Defense department has not had a confirmed defense chief for the longest stretch in Pentagon history.Speaking of senior federal government positions that need permanent leaders, the Defense department has not had a confirmed defense chief for the longest stretch in Pentagon history.
The Department of Defense is the largest employer in the world, including 1.3 million active-duty armed forces.The Department of Defense is the largest employer in the world, including 1.3 million active-duty armed forces.
There is not only no confirmed Secretary of Defense, there is also no confirmed deputy defense secretary, and other significant senior Pentagon positions are in flux.There is not only no confirmed Secretary of Defense, there is also no confirmed deputy defense secretary, and other significant senior Pentagon positions are in flux.
According to the AP:According to the AP:
William Cohen, a former Republican senator who served as defense secretary during President Bill Clinton’s second term, says U.S. allies — “and even our foes” — expect more stability than this within the US defense establishment.William Cohen, a former Republican senator who served as defense secretary during President Bill Clinton’s second term, says U.S. allies — “and even our foes” — expect more stability than this within the US defense establishment.
“It is needlessly disruptive to have a leadership vacuum for so long at the Department of Defense as the department prepares for its third acting secretary in less than a year,” Cohen told the Associated Press. He said he worries about the cumulative effect of moving from one acting secretary to another while other key positions lack permanent officials.“It is needlessly disruptive to have a leadership vacuum for so long at the Department of Defense as the department prepares for its third acting secretary in less than a year,” Cohen told the Associated Press. He said he worries about the cumulative effect of moving from one acting secretary to another while other key positions lack permanent officials.
Alexander Acosta, the US labor secretary under fire for having granted Jeffrey Epstein immunity from federal prosecution in 2008, resigned this morning. Donald Trump told reporters Acosta called him this morning and that it was the secretary’s decision.Alexander Acosta, the US labor secretary under fire for having granted Jeffrey Epstein immunity from federal prosecution in 2008, resigned this morning. Donald Trump told reporters Acosta called him this morning and that it was the secretary’s decision.
Acosta’s resignation means yet another senior federal government position currently filled by a non-permanent or acting chief. The other positions in need of a permanent leader are: Defense secretary, Homeland Security secretary, Labor secretary and White House chief of staff.Acosta’s resignation means yet another senior federal government position currently filled by a non-permanent or acting chief. The other positions in need of a permanent leader are: Defense secretary, Homeland Security secretary, Labor secretary and White House chief of staff.
Special counsel Robert Mueller, who was due to testify in Congress on Wednesday, is not going to testify next week, according to Politico. Instead, he could testify on 24 July and would speak longer than originally planned.Special counsel Robert Mueller, who was due to testify in Congress on Wednesday, is not going to testify next week, according to Politico. Instead, he could testify on 24 July and would speak longer than originally planned.
Lawmakers, advocates and government auditors described the inhumane conditions at border patrol facilities in a House oversight committee hearing, that will continue into the afternoon. An immigration lawyer who visited one of these facilities said she didn’t have the words to describe what she saw to her own young children.Lawmakers, advocates and government auditors described the inhumane conditions at border patrol facilities in a House oversight committee hearing, that will continue into the afternoon. An immigration lawyer who visited one of these facilities said she didn’t have the words to describe what she saw to her own young children.
Axios is reporting that Donald Trump is seeking to remove Dan Coats as director of national intelligence, citing five anonymous sources:Axios is reporting that Donald Trump is seeking to remove Dan Coats as director of national intelligence, citing five anonymous sources:
Trump hasn’t told our sources when he plans to make a move, but they say his discussions on the topic have been occurring for months — often unprompted — and the president has mentioned potential replacements since at least February. A source who spoke to Trump about Coats a week ago said the president gave them the impression that the move would happen “sooner rather than later.”Trump hasn’t told our sources when he plans to make a move, but they say his discussions on the topic have been occurring for months — often unprompted — and the president has mentioned potential replacements since at least February. A source who spoke to Trump about Coats a week ago said the president gave them the impression that the move would happen “sooner rather than later.”
Among those speaking before the House oversight committee now is Elora Mukherjee, professor of law and director of Columbia Law School’s Immigrants’ Rights Clinic, and Jennifer Nagda, policy director at the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights. Both women spoke to the Guardian last week about the conditions at detention center’s and what needed to be done to improve conditions.Among those speaking before the House oversight committee now is Elora Mukherjee, professor of law and director of Columbia Law School’s Immigrants’ Rights Clinic, and Jennifer Nagda, policy director at the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights. Both women spoke to the Guardian last week about the conditions at detention center’s and what needed to be done to improve conditions.
Mukherjee is one of six attorneys who visited the Clint detention facility, where she encountered an overwhelming stench from children who hadn’t received a change of clothes.Mukherjee is one of six attorneys who visited the Clint detention facility, where she encountered an overwhelming stench from children who hadn’t received a change of clothes.
“Children were hungry, children were traumatized and some wept in their interviews with me,” Mukherjee said.“Children were hungry, children were traumatized and some wept in their interviews with me,” Mukherjee said.
She said one little girl she spoke to could only say “I’m scared, I’m scared, I’m scared” and couldn’t even say her own name.She said one little girl she spoke to could only say “I’m scared, I’m scared, I’m scared” and couldn’t even say her own name.
“Not being able to do anything for her, broke my heart,” Mukherjee said.“Not being able to do anything for her, broke my heart,” Mukherjee said.
She said colleagues found a newborn had been detained for a week and an eight-month-old had been detained for weeks.She said colleagues found a newborn had been detained for a week and an eight-month-old had been detained for weeks.
The US government operates facilities meant to hold and care for migrant children on their own, run by the Health department, and also has the power to release families pending their court date.The US government operates facilities meant to hold and care for migrant children on their own, run by the Health department, and also has the power to release families pending their court date.
Mukherjee, near tears, tells the story of a six-year-old boy she said she can’t forget. He was so inconsolable, he couldn’t speak, so she just held him. She says Border Patrol agents eventually gave him a lollipop to get him to leave the conference room he was being interviewed in and to go back to his cell.Mukherjee, near tears, tells the story of a six-year-old boy she said she can’t forget. He was so inconsolable, he couldn’t speak, so she just held him. She says Border Patrol agents eventually gave him a lollipop to get him to leave the conference room he was being interviewed in and to go back to his cell.
Here was a boy the same age as my son, stuck in a hell hole.Here was a boy the same age as my son, stuck in a hell hole.
Mukherjee says she doesn’t have the words to describe to her children, aged 3, 6 and 9, what she witnessed.Mukherjee says she doesn’t have the words to describe to her children, aged 3, 6 and 9, what she witnessed.
The Guardian spoke with Mukherjee for the Today in Focus podcast, which you can listen to here:The Guardian spoke with Mukherjee for the Today in Focus podcast, which you can listen to here:
What is happening to migrant children at US border facilities? – podcastWhat is happening to migrant children at US border facilities? – podcast