This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2019/jul/15/trump-news-today-live-racist-go-back-attack-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-ice-raids-jeffrey-epstein-latest-updates
The article has changed 22 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 18 | Version 19 |
|---|---|
| Congresswomen condemn Trump attack: 'this is the agenda of white nationalists' – live | Congresswomen condemn Trump attack: 'this is the agenda of white nationalists' – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Once upon a time, four congresswomen holding a press conference about something racist that you put on social media would have been a career-ender. Today, President Trump’s reelection campaign is making the best of it by really leaning into the racism: | |
| “Are you pro-al Qaeda?” is not a trick question, but Rep. Ilhan Omar refused to answer. pic.twitter.com/JLWIuvQxOm | |
| To recap: Representative Ilhan Omar was asked an incredibly Islamophobic question about Trump repeatedly calling her a communist and saying she supports al-Qaeda. She made a poignant point about how every single Muslim in this country has had to deal with questions like this at some point in their lives, and then said she would not dignify the question with an answer. | |
| "I will not dignify that with an answer," replies @Ilhan when asked to reply to @POTUS accusation she's a Communist and supports al-Qaeda. pic.twitter.com/WQzBa3ljeq | |
| "It's beyond time to ask Muslims to condemn terrorists," adds @Ilhan. | |
| Around the time representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib began their press conference about President Trump and his racist attack on them, the Tweeter-in-Chief took to the little blue bird again: | Around the time representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib began their press conference about President Trump and his racist attack on them, the Tweeter-in-Chief took to the little blue bird again: |
| We will never be a Socialist or Communist Country. IF YOU ARE NOT HAPPY HERE, YOU CAN LEAVE! It is your choice, and your choice alone. This is about love for America. Certain people HATE our Country.... | We will never be a Socialist or Communist Country. IF YOU ARE NOT HAPPY HERE, YOU CAN LEAVE! It is your choice, and your choice alone. This is about love for America. Certain people HATE our Country.... |
| ....They are anti-Israel, pro Al-Qaeda, and comment on the 9/11 attack, “some people did something.” Radical Left Democrats want Open Borders, which means drugs, crime, human trafficking, and much more.... | ....They are anti-Israel, pro Al-Qaeda, and comment on the 9/11 attack, “some people did something.” Radical Left Democrats want Open Borders, which means drugs, crime, human trafficking, and much more.... |
| ....Detention facilities are not Concentration Camps! America has never been stronger than it is now – rebuilt Military, highest Stock Market EVER, lowest unemployment and more people working than ever before. Keep America Great! | ....Detention facilities are not Concentration Camps! America has never been stronger than it is now – rebuilt Military, highest Stock Market EVER, lowest unemployment and more people working than ever before. Keep America Great! |
| The Dems were trying to distance themselves from the four “progressives,” but now they are forced to embrace them. That means they are endorsing Socialism, hate of Israel and the USA! Not good for the Democrats! | The Dems were trying to distance themselves from the four “progressives,” but now they are forced to embrace them. That means they are endorsing Socialism, hate of Israel and the USA! Not good for the Democrats! |
| The Obama Administration built the Cages, not the Trump Administration! DEMOCRATS MUST GIVE US THE VOTES TO CHANGE BAD IMMIGRATION LAWS. | The Obama Administration built the Cages, not the Trump Administration! DEMOCRATS MUST GIVE US THE VOTES TO CHANGE BAD IMMIGRATION LAWS. |
| MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! | MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! |
| As Representative Ilhan Omar pointed out during the press conference, by running on the platform of “Make America Great Again,” Trump was criticizing the country by implying that it’s not great at the moment. Therefore, he’s guilty of doing exactly the same thing he’s accusing the four congresswomen of doing: daring to criticize America. If you are not happy here, you can leave? | As Representative Ilhan Omar pointed out during the press conference, by running on the platform of “Make America Great Again,” Trump was criticizing the country by implying that it’s not great at the moment. Therefore, he’s guilty of doing exactly the same thing he’s accusing the four congresswomen of doing: daring to criticize America. If you are not happy here, you can leave? |
| Senator Mitt Romney has decided to jump into the fray: | Senator Mitt Romney has decided to jump into the fray: |
| The president’s comments were destructive, demeaning, and disunifying. The President of the United States has a unique and noble calling to unite the American people – of all different races, colors, and national origins. In that respect, the president failed badly. | The president’s comments were destructive, demeaning, and disunifying. The President of the United States has a unique and noble calling to unite the American people – of all different races, colors, and national origins. In that respect, the president failed badly. |
| People can disagree over politics and policy, but telling American citizens to go back to where they came from is over the line. | People can disagree over politics and policy, but telling American citizens to go back to where they came from is over the line. |
| Our senior tech correspondent, Julia Carrie Wong, weighs in on Trump and his racist tweets: | Our senior tech correspondent, Julia Carrie Wong, weighs in on Trump and his racist tweets: |
| Whenever Donald Trump achieves a new low on his Twitter feed, critics cry out for the social media company to take action against the account-in-chief. We saw this when Trump tweeted a threat at North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, when he tweeted a video encouraging violence against CNN and when he retweeted racist misinformation by a British hate figure. | Whenever Donald Trump achieves a new low on his Twitter feed, critics cry out for the social media company to take action against the account-in-chief. We saw this when Trump tweeted a threat at North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, when he tweeted a video encouraging violence against CNN and when he retweeted racist misinformation by a British hate figure. |
| Throughout it all, Twitter has declined to take any actions against Trump’s account, recognizing that censoring the president of the United States is not necessarily something that a private company wants to do – or that citizens of a democracy should want a private company to be able to do. | Throughout it all, Twitter has declined to take any actions against Trump’s account, recognizing that censoring the president of the United States is not necessarily something that a private company wants to do – or that citizens of a democracy should want a private company to be able to do. |
| Just last month, Twitter announced a new policy that would allow it to split the baby when it comes to violations of Twitter’s rules by Trump and other world leaders: a special label that would be affixed to tweets by major political figures if they violated Twitter’s rules, but deleting them would not be in the public’s interest. | Just last month, Twitter announced a new policy that would allow it to split the baby when it comes to violations of Twitter’s rules by Trump and other world leaders: a special label that would be affixed to tweets by major political figures if they violated Twitter’s rules, but deleting them would not be in the public’s interest. |
| But don’t hold your breath waiting for Twitter to add such a label to Trump’s racist rant against four progressive congresswomen. A Twitter spokeswoman said the tweets did not violate any of the company’s rules. | But don’t hold your breath waiting for Twitter to add such a label to Trump’s racist rant against four progressive congresswomen. A Twitter spokeswoman said the tweets did not violate any of the company’s rules. |
| Which means that those looking for a way to combat Trump and his racism will be forced to rely on the institution designed to counterbalance the power of the US presidency: Congress. | Which means that those looking for a way to combat Trump and his racism will be forced to rely on the institution designed to counterbalance the power of the US presidency: Congress. |
| Representative Alexandria Ocasia-Cortez had a few more zingers at the press conference that I wasn’t fast enough to catch: | Representative Alexandria Ocasia-Cortez had a few more zingers at the press conference that I wasn’t fast enough to catch: |
| “The president can’t defend his policies so what he does is attack us personally.” | “The president can’t defend his policies so what he does is attack us personally.” |
| WATCH: Rep. Ocasio-Cortez: “The first note that I want to tell children across the country is that no matter what the president says, this country belongs to you. And it belongs to everyone. And today that very notion was challenged. This weekend that very notion was challenged.” pic.twitter.com/LhAAOVHnhr | WATCH: Rep. Ocasio-Cortez: “The first note that I want to tell children across the country is that no matter what the president says, this country belongs to you. And it belongs to everyone. And today that very notion was challenged. This weekend that very notion was challenged.” pic.twitter.com/LhAAOVHnhr |
| Rep. Ocasio-Cortez to President Trump's on his calls to leave the US: "We don't leave the things that we love."https://t.co/QsC0qyeJ14 pic.twitter.com/mUw79fgr4o | Rep. Ocasio-Cortez to President Trump's on his calls to leave the US: "We don't leave the things that we love."https://t.co/QsC0qyeJ14 pic.twitter.com/mUw79fgr4o |
| Rep. Ocasio-Cortez on President Trump's racist tweets: "Weak minds and leaders challenge loyalty to our country in order to avoid challenging and debating the policy." pic.twitter.com/YHb3LKF9jd | Rep. Ocasio-Cortez on President Trump's racist tweets: "Weak minds and leaders challenge loyalty to our country in order to avoid challenging and debating the policy." pic.twitter.com/YHb3LKF9jd |
| Interesting point: representative Ayanna Pressley begged the press not to let Trump and his racist comments distract from the real issues. But one of the very first questions went to representative Ilhan Omar, asking her to address “rumors” that she was a communist associated with al-Qaida. | Interesting point: representative Ayanna Pressley begged the press not to let Trump and his racist comments distract from the real issues. But one of the very first questions went to representative Ilhan Omar, asking her to address “rumors” that she was a communist associated with al-Qaida. |
| Omar, to her credit, kept incredibly cool in the face of this very Islamaphobic question, and rightfully pointed out that almost all Americans who are Muslim have had questions of this ilk directed at them at some point in their lives. She said she would not dignify the question with answer. | Omar, to her credit, kept incredibly cool in the face of this very Islamaphobic question, and rightfully pointed out that almost all Americans who are Muslim have had questions of this ilk directed at them at some point in their lives. She said she would not dignify the question with answer. |
| Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib joined in with congresswoman Ilhan Omar in calling for impeachment: | 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.” | “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: | 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.” | “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 Trump: | At this same press conference, congresswoman Ilhan Omar suggested it was time to impeach 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.” | “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”. | 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 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.” | “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. |