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| Congresswomen respond to racist Trump attack: 'don't take the bait' – live | |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib joined in with Congresswoman Ilhan Omar in calling for impeachment: | |
| “Many members of Congress have called for his impeachment,” she said. “I urge House leadership, many of my colleagues, to take action to impeach.” | |
| Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez told a touching story about visiting Washington with her father, and spoke to the children of the country: | |
| “No matter what the president says, this country belongs to you,” she said. “It belongs to everyone.” | |
| At this same press conference, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar suggested it was time to impeach President Trump: | |
| “I have not made impeachment central to my election or my tenure,” she said. “But it’s not if he will be impeached, but when. It is time for us to stop allowing this president to make a mockery of this country.” | |
| Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley just spoke at a press conference about President Trump and his recent racist attack on her and representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib. She warned the American public to “not take the bait.” | |
| “This is a disruptive distraction from the issues of care, concern and consequence to the American people,” she said. | |
| “This is simply a disruption and a distraction from the callous, chaotic and corrupt culture of this administration, all the way down. We want to get down to the business of the American people and why we were sent here.” | |
| Hey all, Vivian Ho on the west coast taking over for Joanna Walters. We’re about to livestream a press conference in which representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib will most likely discuss President Trump and his recent racist attack on the four progressive freshman members. | Hey all, Vivian Ho on the west coast taking over for Joanna Walters. We’re about to livestream a press conference in which representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib will most likely discuss President Trump and his recent racist attack on the four progressive freshman members. |
| Give that a view, and we’ll put up a quick summary of everything once it’s done. | Give that a view, and we’ll put up a quick summary of everything once it’s done. |
| Donald Trump this afternoon asked the Senate to confirm Mark Esper as the successor to former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. | Donald Trump this afternoon asked the Senate to confirm Mark Esper as the successor to former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. |
| His resignation last December opened an unprecedented period of senior-level instability at the Pentagon, writes the AP.The moment the nomination was received by the Senate on Monday afternoon, Esper was required to step out of his role as acting defense secretary a job he has held since June until he is confirmed as the permanent secretary. He reverted to his previous position of Army secretary. | His resignation last December opened an unprecedented period of senior-level instability at the Pentagon, writes the AP.The moment the nomination was received by the Senate on Monday afternoon, Esper was required to step out of his role as acting defense secretary a job he has held since June until he is confirmed as the permanent secretary. He reverted to his previous position of Army secretary. |
| Filling in for Esper pending his confirmation is Richard Spencer, who has been the civilian leader of the Navy since August 2017. Spencer’s tenure as acting secretary is expected to be brief. Esper will have his Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday and could be confirmed as early as Thursday. Spencer would then return to the Navy. | Filling in for Esper pending his confirmation is Richard Spencer, who has been the civilian leader of the Navy since August 2017. Spencer’s tenure as acting secretary is expected to be brief. Esper will have his Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday and could be confirmed as early as Thursday. Spencer would then return to the Navy. |
| As soon as he took the handoff from Esper, Spencer sent a brief letter to all military and civilian personnel of the Defense Department. “While my time in this role is anticipated to be brief, I am fully prepared and committed to serve as Acting Secretary of Defense, and I will provide continuity in the leadership of the department,” Spencer said. | As soon as he took the handoff from Esper, Spencer sent a brief letter to all military and civilian personnel of the Defense Department. “While my time in this role is anticipated to be brief, I am fully prepared and committed to serve as Acting Secretary of Defense, and I will provide continuity in the leadership of the department,” Spencer said. |
| He said American allies and partners “can rest assured” that during this transition the Pentagon remains ready to meet its global commitments. Spencer, a native of Connecticut, joined the Marine Corps after graduating from Rollins College in 1976. He served in the Marines until 1981 as an H-46 helicopter pilot, according to his official Navy biography. | He said American allies and partners “can rest assured” that during this transition the Pentagon remains ready to meet its global commitments. Spencer, a native of Connecticut, joined the Marine Corps after graduating from Rollins College in 1976. He served in the Marines until 1981 as an H-46 helicopter pilot, according to his official Navy biography. |
| House Democrats Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib will hold a press conference on Capitol Hill at 5PM local time today. | House Democrats Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib will hold a press conference on Capitol Hill at 5PM local time today. |
| The four progressive freshman members who have been repeatedly attacked by the president in the last 24 hours, several times in raw, racist language, are getting ready to address the issue together. | The four progressive freshman members who have been repeatedly attacked by the president in the last 24 hours, several times in raw, racist language, are getting ready to address the issue together. |
| We’ll carry a live feed, so stay tuned. | We’ll carry a live feed, so stay tuned. |
| The Republican Senate majority leader told reporters today that he’d “address whatever questions” we may have at his regularly scheduled press conference tomorrow. | The Republican Senate majority leader told reporters today that he’d “address whatever questions” we may have at his regularly scheduled press conference tomorrow. |
| Mitch McConnell is extremely good at staying silent during Trumpian outrages. Clearly today is no exception. | Mitch McConnell is extremely good at staying silent during Trumpian outrages. Clearly today is no exception. |
| But the Senate’s top Democrat, Chuck Schumer of New York, said Republicans who align with Trump are “making a deal with the devil,” the AP writes.Schumer asked GOP colleagues, “Where are you when something this serious, this bigoted, this un-American happens?” Trump over the weekend said the firebrand freshman group of progressive congress members (known as the Squad) should “go back” to their own countries. Three of the four were born in the US, and one is a refugee and US citizen. | But the Senate’s top Democrat, Chuck Schumer of New York, said Republicans who align with Trump are “making a deal with the devil,” the AP writes.Schumer asked GOP colleagues, “Where are you when something this serious, this bigoted, this un-American happens?” Trump over the weekend said the firebrand freshman group of progressive congress members (known as the Squad) should “go back” to their own countries. Three of the four were born in the US, and one is a refugee and US citizen. |
| House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the House will vote on a resolution condemning Trump’s tweets. Schumer said Democrats will force a vote in the Senate. | House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the House will vote on a resolution condemning Trump’s tweets. Schumer said Democrats will force a vote in the Senate. |
| Meanwhile, former Arizona Republican Senator Jeff Flake said top congressional Republicans should say Trump’s comments are wrong. He predicted the president’s attacks risked alienating millennials and suburban women already disenchanted with the party. “It’s just, good grief, you’ve got to stand for something,” he said. | Meanwhile, former Arizona Republican Senator Jeff Flake said top congressional Republicans should say Trump’s comments are wrong. He predicted the president’s attacks risked alienating millennials and suburban women already disenchanted with the party. “It’s just, good grief, you’ve got to stand for something,” he said. |
| Congressman Al Green to force impeachment vote | Congressman Al Green to force impeachment vote |
| Houston Democrat Al Green, who first called for a vote in the House on impeaching Donald Trump in May 2017, said he plans to force such a vote this month. | Houston Democrat Al Green, who first called for a vote in the House on impeaching Donald Trump in May 2017, said he plans to force such a vote this month. |
| While Democrats and a smattering of Republicans slammed the president today for his racist tweets on Sunday against the Squad, for Green impeachment is imperative. | While Democrats and a smattering of Republicans slammed the president today for his racist tweets on Sunday against the Squad, for Green impeachment is imperative. |
| I will again, this month, bring impeachment to a vote on the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives for bigotry in policy, harmful to our society. #RacistPresident #ImpeachNow https://t.co/NvDPm23kt9 | I will again, this month, bring impeachment to a vote on the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives for bigotry in policy, harmful to our society. #RacistPresident #ImpeachNow https://t.co/NvDPm23kt9 |
| Green first stood out with an early call for impeachment in May, 2017, after reports emerged that Trump had asked James Comey, shortly before he fired the then-director of the FBI, to shut down the investigation into Michael Flynn when he was briefly National Security Adviser. | Green first stood out with an early call for impeachment in May, 2017, after reports emerged that Trump had asked James Comey, shortly before he fired the then-director of the FBI, to shut down the investigation into Michael Flynn when he was briefly National Security Adviser. |
| Green tried a few times since, never successfully, obviously, but in recent times has been joined by more Democrats, including 2020 candidates, with calls led by Elizabeth Warren. | Green tried a few times since, never successfully, obviously, but in recent times has been joined by more Democrats, including 2020 candidates, with calls led by Elizabeth Warren. |
| Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said this afternoon that the administration and Congress are getting close to a deal on raising the US debt ceiling. | Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said this afternoon that the administration and Congress are getting close to a deal on raising the US debt ceiling. |
| He’s urged lawmakers to take action on the issue before their August recess. | He’s urged lawmakers to take action on the issue before their August recess. |
| “I think there is a preference on both parties, to the extent that we can agree on the debt ceiling and a budget deal, that that is the first choice, and I think that we’re getting closer,” Mnuchin told reporters during a briefing at the White House, Reuters reports.Mnuchin said that if a deal on all of the issues were not reached before lawmakers were scheduled to take off, they should either stay put or approve an increase in the debt ceiling on its own. | “I think there is a preference on both parties, to the extent that we can agree on the debt ceiling and a budget deal, that that is the first choice, and I think that we’re getting closer,” Mnuchin told reporters during a briefing at the White House, Reuters reports.Mnuchin said that if a deal on all of the issues were not reached before lawmakers were scheduled to take off, they should either stay put or approve an increase in the debt ceiling on its own. |
| “I think we’re very close to a deal, but as you know, these deals are complicated,” he said. “I’m very hopeful we can come to ... an agreement quickly, but having said that, if for whatever reason we cannot agree on all these issues before they leave, I would either expect them to stick around or raise the debt ceiling.” | “I think we’re very close to a deal, but as you know, these deals are complicated,” he said. “I’m very hopeful we can come to ... an agreement quickly, but having said that, if for whatever reason we cannot agree on all these issues before they leave, I would either expect them to stick around or raise the debt ceiling.” |
| Mnuchin said he was not concerned about the prospect of a government shutdown related to the budget discussions. | Mnuchin said he was not concerned about the prospect of a government shutdown related to the budget discussions. |
| By the way, he also said Trump’s racist tweets about the Squad aren’t racist.... | By the way, he also said Trump’s racist tweets about the Squad aren’t racist.... |
| Mnuchin on Trump tweets "I don't find them racist" | Mnuchin on Trump tweets "I don't find them racist" |
| The fear, tension and anger remain, but there are no reports yet of the kind of systematic, ruthless anti-immigration raids the government had flagged would happen on Sunday. | The fear, tension and anger remain, but there are no reports yet of the kind of systematic, ruthless anti-immigration raids the government had flagged would happen on Sunday. |
| Astonishingly, after the president has hyped and politicized this for weeks, months even, acting Customs and Border Protection (CBP) commissioner Mark Morgan told Fox earlier today that “a lot of this was overhyped and over-politicized.” | Astonishingly, after the president has hyped and politicized this for weeks, months even, acting Customs and Border Protection (CBP) commissioner Mark Morgan told Fox earlier today that “a lot of this was overhyped and over-politicized.” |
| He discouraged use of the term “raids” and said that targeted enforcement operations as just part of what Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) does each day. | He discouraged use of the term “raids” and said that targeted enforcement operations as just part of what Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) does each day. |
| There had been expectations that up to 2,000 people with deportation orders would be apprehended on Sunday in major cities across the US, which was paralyzing whole communities and putting families on edge. | There had been expectations that up to 2,000 people with deportation orders would be apprehended on Sunday in major cities across the US, which was paralyzing whole communities and putting families on edge. |
| It’s been a lively Monday so far, with no signs of it slowing down. Here’s what’s occurred so far: | It’s been a lively Monday so far, with no signs of it slowing down. Here’s what’s occurred so far: |
| It started slowly (very slowly), but Republicans in Congress are starting to step up and slam Donald Trump for his racist tweets against the Squad. Some object to the style, some to the style and the substance. | It started slowly (very slowly), but Republicans in Congress are starting to step up and slam Donald Trump for his racist tweets against the Squad. Some object to the style, some to the style and the substance. |
| Trump held a raucous press conference and accused firebrand progressives of hating America and saying if that was the case “you can leave”. | Trump held a raucous press conference and accused firebrand progressives of hating America and saying if that was the case “you can leave”. |
| Nancy Pelosi announced that House Democrats will be drafting a resolution condemning Trump’s racist tweet storm, and voting on it | Nancy Pelosi announced that House Democrats will be drafting a resolution condemning Trump’s racist tweet storm, and voting on it |
| Author E. Jean Carroll is weighing whether to sue the president. He’s accused of raping her in the past when he attacked her in upscale New York department store Bergdorf Goodman. | Author E. Jean Carroll is weighing whether to sue the president. He’s accused of raping her in the past when he attacked her in upscale New York department store Bergdorf Goodman. |
| Politically-connected convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein had his bail hearing in New York, in the latest case against him, postponed to Thursday. Two alleged victims spoke in court against him being let out of jail. | Politically-connected convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein had his bail hearing in New York, in the latest case against him, postponed to Thursday. Two alleged victims spoke in court against him being let out of jail. |
| The Trump administration announced a new rule seeking to bar asylum applications for migrants entering the US via a third country. The ACLU immediately said the rule was “patently unlawful” | The Trump administration announced a new rule seeking to bar asylum applications for migrants entering the US via a third country. The ACLU immediately said the rule was “patently unlawful” |
| The South Carolina Senator has responded to Donald Trump’s attacks on the Squad. | The South Carolina Senator has responded to Donald Trump’s attacks on the Squad. |
| Tim Scott, who is the only black Republican in the US Senate, tweeted just now. | Tim Scott, who is the only black Republican in the US Senate, tweeted just now. |
| No matter our political disagreements, aiming for the lowest common denominator will only divide our nation further. My full statement below: pic.twitter.com/QXuV8arXso | No matter our political disagreements, aiming for the lowest common denominator will only divide our nation further. My full statement below: pic.twitter.com/QXuV8arXso |
| Appointed by then-SC governor Nikki Haley to replace the retiring Jim DeMint, Scott later won a special election in 2014 and was elected to a full term in 2016. | Appointed by then-SC governor Nikki Haley to replace the retiring Jim DeMint, Scott later won a special election in 2014 and was elected to a full term in 2016. |
| “This needs to stop” | “This needs to stop” |
| Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joins what is now a small but shrill (in the best sense of the word) chorus of protest from GOP members of Congress, inc Hurd, Collins, Toomey, against Donald Trump’s attacks on a group of progressive freshman Democrats. | Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joins what is now a small but shrill (in the best sense of the word) chorus of protest from GOP members of Congress, inc Hurd, Collins, Toomey, against Donald Trump’s attacks on a group of progressive freshman Democrats. |
| There is no excuse for the president’s spiteful comments –they were absolutely unacceptable and this needs to stop. | There is no excuse for the president’s spiteful comments –they were absolutely unacceptable and this needs to stop. |
| Trudeau, prime minister of Canada has joined Britain’s (still, just) Prime Minister Theresa May in condemning Donald Trump’s racist attack on the Squad. | Trudeau, prime minister of Canada has joined Britain’s (still, just) Prime Minister Theresa May in condemning Donald Trump’s racist attack on the Squad. |
| “That is not how we do things in Canada,” Trudeau said today. | “That is not how we do things in Canada,” Trudeau said today. |
| Speaking at a press conference with Jens Stoltenberg, the secretary-general of NATO, Trudeau said that sort of talk isn’t welcome. | Speaking at a press conference with Jens Stoltenberg, the secretary-general of NATO, Trudeau said that sort of talk isn’t welcome. |
| “I think Canadians and indeed people around the world know exactly what I think about those particular comments. That is not how we do things in Canada. A Canadian is a Canadian is a Canadian. The diversity of our country is actually one of our greatest strengths and a source of tremendous resilience and pride for Canadians and we will to continue to defend that,” Trudeau said, the CBC reports. | “I think Canadians and indeed people around the world know exactly what I think about those particular comments. That is not how we do things in Canada. A Canadian is a Canadian is a Canadian. The diversity of our country is actually one of our greatest strengths and a source of tremendous resilience and pride for Canadians and we will to continue to defend that,” Trudeau said, the CBC reports. |
| Now Trump calls Pelosi racist as row over his tweets about Squad roars on | Now Trump calls Pelosi racist as row over his tweets about Squad roars on |
| Alternative headline: fierce, unpleasant debate continues at bottom of barrel. | Alternative headline: fierce, unpleasant debate continues at bottom of barrel. |
| Per White House Pool reporters, Donald Trump said it was racist of Speaker Nancy Pelosi to suggest last week that he wants to “make American white again.” | Per White House Pool reporters, Donald Trump said it was racist of Speaker Nancy Pelosi to suggest last week that he wants to “make American white again.” |
| Then he referred to comments that member of Congress Ilhan Omar (D-MN) made that he said were about al Qaeda. | Then he referred to comments that member of Congress Ilhan Omar (D-MN) made that he said were about al Qaeda. |
| Oh dear. Omar has previously seen a spike in death threats when the president attacks her. | Oh dear. Omar has previously seen a spike in death threats when the president attacks her. |
| The White House exterior had been packed with supporters, who applauded the president’s comments at the Made in America presentation. Moments earlier, Trump signed an executive order that he said will make “Buy America” product requirements “stronger”. | The White House exterior had been packed with supporters, who applauded the president’s comments at the Made in America presentation. Moments earlier, Trump signed an executive order that he said will make “Buy America” product requirements “stronger”. |
| They require 95 % of a product be made in country, for steel and aluminum to be considered made in America, and 75% for other products to qualify. Currently the requirement is 50%. | They require 95 % of a product be made in country, for steel and aluminum to be considered made in America, and 75% for other products to qualify. Currently the requirement is 50%. |
| Then he continued on his warpath with the progressives, when he said “these are people” - he means AOC, Omar and their left-wing allies - “who hate our country”. | Then he continued on his warpath with the progressives, when he said “these are people” - he means AOC, Omar and their left-wing allies - “who hate our country”. |
| “I’m not happy with them,” he added. | “I’m not happy with them,” he added. |
| As gathered media shouted questions, Trump said “It doesn’t concern me” that many people saw the tweets he sent yesterday as racist, “because many people agree with me.” | As gathered media shouted questions, Trump said “It doesn’t concern me” that many people saw the tweets he sent yesterday as racist, “because many people agree with me.” |
| Trump just closed out a brief but raucous press conference at the White House. | Trump just closed out a brief but raucous press conference at the White House. |
| He’s doubling down on his criticism of firebrand progressives in the House. | He’s doubling down on his criticism of firebrand progressives in the House. |
| “These are people who hate our country,” Trump said of AOC, Pressley, Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar. | “These are people who hate our country,” Trump said of AOC, Pressley, Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar. |
| “All I am saying is if they’re not happy here, they can leave. They can leave and you know what I’m sure there’ll be many people that won’t miss them. They have to love our country.” | “All I am saying is if they’re not happy here, they can leave. They can leave and you know what I’m sure there’ll be many people that won’t miss them. They have to love our country.” |
| He, of course, denies that the tweets he sent yesterday are racist. | He, of course, denies that the tweets he sent yesterday are racist. |
| And, whether this increases divisions in the Democratic party or not, between progressives and moderates, personified by public tension between AOC and Pelosi, the Speaker is busy announcing a resolution condemning the president’s attacks. | And, whether this increases divisions in the Democratic party or not, between progressives and moderates, personified by public tension between AOC and Pelosi, the Speaker is busy announcing a resolution condemning the president’s attacks. |
| We’ll have a video of this for you very soon. Meanwhile, a reminder of how, earlier, Trump called on the Squad to apologize.... | We’ll have a video of this for you very soon. Meanwhile, a reminder of how, earlier, Trump called on the Squad to apologize.... |
| When will the Radical Left Congresswomen apologize to our Country, the people of Israel and even to the Office of the President, for the foul language they have used, and the terrible things they have said. So many people are angry at them & their horrible & disgusting actions! | When will the Radical Left Congresswomen apologize to our Country, the people of Israel and even to the Office of the President, for the foul language they have used, and the terrible things they have said. So many people are angry at them & their horrible & disgusting actions! |
| Moderate Republican Susan Collins has now weighed in on Trump’s attacks on the Squad. | Moderate Republican Susan Collins has now weighed in on Trump’s attacks on the Squad. |
| GOP ME Sen Susan Collins: I disagree strongly with many of the views and comments of some of the far-left members of the House Democratic Caucus..but the President’s tweet that some Members of Congress should go back to the ‘places from which they came’ was way over the line | GOP ME Sen Susan Collins: I disagree strongly with many of the views and comments of some of the far-left members of the House Democratic Caucus..but the President’s tweet that some Members of Congress should go back to the ‘places from which they came’ was way over the line |