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Republicans block election security bills after Mueller warns of Russian interference – live Republicans block election security bills after Mueller warns of Russian interference – live
(32 minutes later)
That’s it from me today. I’m turning the blog over to Maanvi Singh on the West Coast.
Here is where the day stands so far.
Despite Mueller’s warning about ongoing Russian election interference, Senate Republican have blocked a series of election security bills since the special counsel testified. Mitch McConnell argued that the bills were too partisan and that addressing election security must engage both parties. But Democrats slammed him for his inaction as the 2020 election looms.
A few Democrats have come out in favor of impeachment since Mueller’s testimony. But Nancy Pelosi has still shown no signs of backing an inquiry.
Democratic presidential candidates slammed the Trump administration’s decision to resume capital punishment after a 16-year lapse of the policy.
The House oversight panel voted along party lines to authorize subpoenas of the Trump administration’s nonofficial communications.
And the vote is underway now for the budget deal negotiated between Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Pelosi. So stay tuned.
The pro-Trump Republican looking to unseat representative Ilhan Omar is facing a felony charge for allegedly stealing from stores.
Our colleague Jon Swaine reports:
Danielle Stella was arrested twice this year in Minneapolis suburbs over allegations that she shoplifted items worth more than $2,300 from a Target and goods valued at $40 from a grocery store. ...
In a series of text messages, Stella said: ‘I am not guilty of these crimes. In this country I am innocent until proven guilty and that is the law.’
She added: ‘If I was guilty of crimes, I would never run for public office, putting myself in the public eye under a microscope to be attacked by all political sides.’ ...
She has accused Omar of being a criminal for advising immigrants how to avoid agents from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. She said in a tweet that any representatives who fail to ‘uphold the rule of law’ should be ejected from office.
Bill de Blasio responded in a pretty eye-popping way to Trump’s accusation that the New York mayor and presidential candidate was not standing up for the city’s police officers.Bill de Blasio responded in a pretty eye-popping way to Trump’s accusation that the New York mayor and presidential candidate was not standing up for the city’s police officers.
Trump was reacting to viral videos that have emerged showing police officers getting doused with water as they respond to calls in the city. The president called on de Blasio to “act immediately” to the “completely unacceptable” behavior.Trump was reacting to viral videos that have emerged showing police officers getting doused with water as they respond to calls in the city. The president called on de Blasio to “act immediately” to the “completely unacceptable” behavior.
...What took place was completely unacceptable, and will not be tolerated. Bill de Blasio should act immediately!...What took place was completely unacceptable, and will not be tolerated. Bill de Blasio should act immediately!
De Blasio responded by noting that New York’s crime rate has declined in recent years before making a jab about Trump’s own record.De Blasio responded by noting that New York’s crime rate has declined in recent years before making a jab about Trump’s own record.
Crime’s gone down year after year in New York City and it’s not just because you finally left town. https://t.co/sJXqu6hRY5Crime’s gone down year after year in New York City and it’s not just because you finally left town. https://t.co/sJXqu6hRY5
Another Democratic presidential candidate, Amy Klobuchar, has put out a statement criticizing the Trump administration’s decision to resume capital punishment after a 16-year lapse.Another Democratic presidential candidate, Amy Klobuchar, has put out a statement criticizing the Trump administration’s decision to resume capital punishment after a 16-year lapse.
My statement on the federal government resuming capital punishment for the first time in nearly two decades: pic.twitter.com/KQqVLfg2edMy statement on the federal government resuming capital punishment for the first time in nearly two decades: pic.twitter.com/KQqVLfg2ed
“I have opposed the death penalty from back in my time as a prosecutor,” Klobuchar said. “It does not reduce crime, it is costly and it is discriminatory. ... I disagree with the president’s decision.”“I have opposed the death penalty from back in my time as a prosecutor,” Klobuchar said. “It does not reduce crime, it is costly and it is discriminatory. ... I disagree with the president’s decision.”
Fellow candidate Bernie Sanders earlier responded to the news by calling for abolishing the death penalty. “There’s enough violence in the world,” Sanders wrote on Twitter. “The government shouldn’t add to it. When I am president, we will abolish the death penalty.”Fellow candidate Bernie Sanders earlier responded to the news by calling for abolishing the death penalty. “There’s enough violence in the world,” Sanders wrote on Twitter. “The government shouldn’t add to it. When I am president, we will abolish the death penalty.”
It isn’t just Russia: Twitter has shut down more than 7,000 phony accounts from Iran this year alone.It isn’t just Russia: Twitter has shut down more than 7,000 phony accounts from Iran this year alone.
Researchers say America is likely to see more foreign disinformation in the 2020 elections than ever before, as additional countries launch campaigns to influence the US electorate.Researchers say America is likely to see more foreign disinformation in the 2020 elections than ever before, as additional countries launch campaigns to influence the US electorate.
The Washington Post reports:The Washington Post reports:
A short list of countries that host online influence operations with a history of meddling across borders includes Saudi Arabia, Israel, China, the United Arab Emirates and Venezuela, researchers say.A short list of countries that host online influence operations with a history of meddling across borders includes Saudi Arabia, Israel, China, the United Arab Emirates and Venezuela, researchers say.
They say it’s not often not clear exactly who runs these operations — whether it’s the governments themselves or some other actors — but they typically echo the talking points of the ruling powers and back their geopolitical goals through tweets, posts and online videos. ...They say it’s not often not clear exactly who runs these operations — whether it’s the governments themselves or some other actors — but they typically echo the talking points of the ruling powers and back their geopolitical goals through tweets, posts and online videos. ...
The influence operations in these countries, however, do not all share Russia’s demonstrated preference for Trump and other Republicans. The Iranians, for example, typically oppose Trump in their disinformation messaging, criticizing his decision to pull the United States out of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and administration policy on other issues, including Israel and the civil wars in Yemen and Syria, research shows.The influence operations in these countries, however, do not all share Russia’s demonstrated preference for Trump and other Republicans. The Iranians, for example, typically oppose Trump in their disinformation messaging, criticizing his decision to pull the United States out of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and administration policy on other issues, including Israel and the civil wars in Yemen and Syria, research shows.
Another Democrat, representative Peter DeFazio, announced his support for launching an impeachment inquiry against Trump.Another Democrat, representative Peter DeFazio, announced his support for launching an impeachment inquiry against Trump.
“I believe that the time has come for the Judiciary Committee to open a formal impeachment inquiry and collect the evidence necessary to build a strong case against President Trump,” DeFazio said in a statement. “His presidency is a danger to our national security and a threat to our democracy.”“I believe that the time has come for the Judiciary Committee to open a formal impeachment inquiry and collect the evidence necessary to build a strong case against President Trump,” DeFazio said in a statement. “His presidency is a danger to our national security and a threat to our democracy.”
DeFazio’s announcement brings the total number of House members supporting impeachment up to 95, according to a CNN count. The Oregon congressman is also the second Democrat, after Lori Trahan of Massachusetts, to back impeachment after special counsel Robert Mueller’s testimony.DeFazio’s announcement brings the total number of House members supporting impeachment up to 95, according to a CNN count. The Oregon congressman is also the second Democrat, after Lori Trahan of Massachusetts, to back impeachment after special counsel Robert Mueller’s testimony.
The confirmation process for Air Force general John E. Hyten to become the next vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff will advance despite sexual misconduct allegations against him.The confirmation process for Air Force general John E. Hyten to become the next vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff will advance despite sexual misconduct allegations against him.
Hyten was nominated to become the military’s No. 2 officer in April, but an Army colonel alleges he repeatedly made sexually abusive contact with her.Hyten was nominated to become the military’s No. 2 officer in April, but an Army colonel alleges he repeatedly made sexually abusive contact with her.
Jim Inhofe, the Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Hyten’s confirmation hearing could occur as soon as next week. Inhofe met with Hyten today to discuss the allegations, which he denies.Jim Inhofe, the Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Hyten’s confirmation hearing could occur as soon as next week. Inhofe met with Hyten today to discuss the allegations, which he denies.
Members of the committee have also previously met with Hyten’s accuser, and questions about her allegations are sure to dominate the hearing.Members of the committee have also previously met with Hyten’s accuser, and questions about her allegations are sure to dominate the hearing.
Senate Republicans have twice blocked legislation aimed at strengthening US election security in the 24 hours since special counsel Robert Mueller warned that Russian election interference remains ongoing.Senate Republicans have twice blocked legislation aimed at strengthening US election security in the 24 hours since special counsel Robert Mueller warned that Russian election interference remains ongoing.
“It wasn’t a single attempt. They’re doing it as we sit here,” Mueller said of Russia’s efforts during his congressional testimony yesterday. “And they expect to do it during the next campaign.”“It wasn’t a single attempt. They’re doing it as we sit here,” Mueller said of Russia’s efforts during his congressional testimony yesterday. “And they expect to do it during the next campaign.”
But since he left the witness stand, Republican senators have blocked a House-backed bill and a separate trio of bills meant to beef up US election security. Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell criticized the House bill as “so partisan it received just one Republican vote over in the House,” asserting that any election security proposal must be bipartisan.But since he left the witness stand, Republican senators have blocked a House-backed bill and a separate trio of bills meant to beef up US election security. Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell criticized the House bill as “so partisan it received just one Republican vote over in the House,” asserting that any election security proposal must be bipartisan.
Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer fired back against McConnell by accusing Republicans of having “buried commonsense election security bills in their legislative graveyard.”Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer fired back against McConnell by accusing Republicans of having “buried commonsense election security bills in their legislative graveyard.”
Mueller was clear: Putin and other foreign adversaries are seeking to undermine our elections.@SenBlumenthal and I just demanded that the Senate pass commonsense bills on election security.But @SenateMajLdr McConnell objected.WHY? This is to protect our democracy.Mueller was clear: Putin and other foreign adversaries are seeking to undermine our elections.@SenBlumenthal and I just demanded that the Senate pass commonsense bills on election security.But @SenateMajLdr McConnell objected.WHY? This is to protect our democracy.
Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard is suing Google, accusing the search engine giant of stifling her free speech by briefly suspending her campaign’s advertising account.Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard is suing Google, accusing the search engine giant of stifling her free speech by briefly suspending her campaign’s advertising account.
3/3 - Google’s discrimination against our campaign reveals the danger of their dominance & how the dominance of big tech over public discourse threatens core American values. They threaten our democracy & #Tulsi will fight back on behalf of all Americans. https://t.co/n7Y7y2dQZ93/3 - Google’s discrimination against our campaign reveals the danger of their dominance & how the dominance of big tech over public discourse threatens core American values. They threaten our democracy & #Tulsi will fight back on behalf of all Americans. https://t.co/n7Y7y2dQZ9
The Hawaii congresswoman is seeking an injunction against Google, as well as damages of at least $50 million. Gabbard’s complaints about the suspension seemed to eerily echo accusations from Republicans that Google discriminates against conservative voices.The Hawaii congresswoman is seeking an injunction against Google, as well as damages of at least $50 million. Gabbard’s complaints about the suspension seemed to eerily echo accusations from Republicans that Google discriminates against conservative voices.
“Google’s discriminatory actions against my campaign are reflective of how dangerous their complete dominance over internet search is, and how the increasing dominance of big tech companies over our public discourse threatens our core American values,” Gabbard said in a statement. “This is a threat to free speech, fair elections, and to our democracy, and I intend to fight back on behalf of all Americans.”“Google’s discriminatory actions against my campaign are reflective of how dangerous their complete dominance over internet search is, and how the increasing dominance of big tech companies over our public discourse threatens our core American values,” Gabbard said in a statement. “This is a threat to free speech, fair elections, and to our democracy, and I intend to fight back on behalf of all Americans.”
The company blamed the Gabbard campaign’s brief suspension after the first Democratic debate on an automated system that flags unusual activity, asserting that they provide ad products “without bias toward any party or political ideology.”The company blamed the Gabbard campaign’s brief suspension after the first Democratic debate on an automated system that flags unusual activity, asserting that they provide ad products “without bias toward any party or political ideology.”
The Senate intelligence committee has released some of its findings from the panel’s bipartisan investigation into Russian election interference.The Senate intelligence committee has released some of its findings from the panel’s bipartisan investigation into Russian election interference.
The first volume of the report includes many blacked-out redactions, but Richard Burr, the Republican chairman of the panel, said he hoped the findings would “provide the American people with valuable insight into the election security threats still facing our nation and the ways we can address them.”The first volume of the report includes many blacked-out redactions, but Richard Burr, the Republican chairman of the panel, said he hoped the findings would “provide the American people with valuable insight into the election security threats still facing our nation and the ways we can address them.”
“Our bipartisan investigation identified multiple problems and information gaps that hindered our ability to effectively respond and defend against the Russian attack in 2016,” Democratic vice chairman Mark Warner added. “I hope the bipartisan findings and recommendations outlined in this report will underscore to the White House and all of our colleagues, regardless of political party, that this threat remains urgent, and we have a responsibility to defend our democracy against it.”“Our bipartisan investigation identified multiple problems and information gaps that hindered our ability to effectively respond and defend against the Russian attack in 2016,” Democratic vice chairman Mark Warner added. “I hope the bipartisan findings and recommendations outlined in this report will underscore to the White House and all of our colleagues, regardless of political party, that this threat remains urgent, and we have a responsibility to defend our democracy against it.”
The report’s release comes one day after special counsel Robert Mueller emphasized in his congressional testimony that Russian election interference remains ongoing. “It wasn’t a single attempt. They’re doing it as we sit here,” Mueller said. “And they expect to do it during the next campaign.”The report’s release comes one day after special counsel Robert Mueller emphasized in his congressional testimony that Russian election interference remains ongoing. “It wasn’t a single attempt. They’re doing it as we sit here,” Mueller said. “And they expect to do it during the next campaign.”
A staffer for the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA was fired after it was discovered that Trump appeared at the group’s event Tuesday in front of a doctored presidential seal that bore a resemblance to the Russian coat of arms.A staffer for the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA was fired after it was discovered that Trump appeared at the group’s event Tuesday in front of a doctored presidential seal that bore a resemblance to the Russian coat of arms.
The fake seal showed a two-headed eagle, similar to the Russian Federation’s state seal, holding a set of golf clubs in its talons.The fake seal showed a two-headed eagle, similar to the Russian Federation’s state seal, holding a set of golf clubs in its talons.
Turning Point USA said there was “zero malicious intent” behind the use of the doctored seal, blaming the error on a haphazard Google search. “We’re sorry for the mix-up and meant no disrespect to the White House or the President or the advance team,” a Turning Point spokesperson said.Turning Point USA said there was “zero malicious intent” behind the use of the doctored seal, blaming the error on a haphazard Google search. “We’re sorry for the mix-up and meant no disrespect to the White House or the President or the advance team,” a Turning Point spokesperson said.
A source said the now fired individual was told hours before the event that the team needed a presidential seal for the screen behind Trump, and the person “did the search and with the pressure of the event, didn’t notice that it is a doctored seal.”A source said the now fired individual was told hours before the event that the team needed a presidential seal for the screen behind Trump, and the person “did the search and with the pressure of the event, didn’t notice that it is a doctored seal.”
Representative Ilhan Omar, the Democratic congresswoman who was the subject of a “Send her back” chant at a Trump campaign rally, wrote a New York Times op-ed urging Americans to respond forcefully to the president’s racist comments.Representative Ilhan Omar, the Democratic congresswoman who was the subject of a “Send her back” chant at a Trump campaign rally, wrote a New York Times op-ed urging Americans to respond forcefully to the president’s racist comments.
Omar writes:Omar writes:
The president’s rally will be a defining moment in American history. It reminds us of the grave stakes of the coming presidential election: that this fight is not merely about policy ideas; it is a fight for the soul of our nation. The ideals at the heart of our founding — equal protection under the law, pluralism, religious liberty — are under attack, and it is up to all of us to defend them. ...The president’s rally will be a defining moment in American history. It reminds us of the grave stakes of the coming presidential election: that this fight is not merely about policy ideas; it is a fight for the soul of our nation. The ideals at the heart of our founding — equal protection under the law, pluralism, religious liberty — are under attack, and it is up to all of us to defend them. ...
The only way to push back is to be unequivocal about our values. It is not enough to condemn Mr. Trump’s racism. We must affirmatively confront racist policies — whether the caging of immigrant children at the border or the banning of Muslim immigrants or the allowing of segregation in public housing. ... Today, democracy is under attack once again. It’s time to respond with the kind of conviction that has made America great before.The only way to push back is to be unequivocal about our values. It is not enough to condemn Mr. Trump’s racism. We must affirmatively confront racist policies — whether the caging of immigrant children at the border or the banning of Muslim immigrants or the allowing of segregation in public housing. ... Today, democracy is under attack once again. It’s time to respond with the kind of conviction that has made America great before.
Representative Mark Meadows, a close ally of Trump’s, said he did not think the president’s tweet endorsing the budget deal would sway any members of the House Republican caucus.Representative Mark Meadows, a close ally of Trump’s, said he did not think the president’s tweet endorsing the budget deal would sway any members of the House Republican caucus.
“We don’t believe that we should bankrupt America,” Meadows said, voicing conservatives’ concerns about the bill raising federal spending by more than $300 billion. “We have a difference of opinion on this particular issue and one that’s not going to change.”“We don’t believe that we should bankrupt America,” Meadows said, voicing conservatives’ concerns about the bill raising federal spending by more than $300 billion. “We have a difference of opinion on this particular issue and one that’s not going to change.”
Most House Republicans are expected to vote “no” on the proposal, which is expected to come up for a vote later today. But the bill could still pass with mostly Democratic support.Most House Republicans are expected to vote “no” on the proposal, which is expected to come up for a vote later today. But the bill could still pass with mostly Democratic support.