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Trump on Hong Kong protests: 'It's a tough situation … but I'm sure it'll work out' – live Trump on Hong Kong protests: 'It's a tough situation … but I'm sure it'll work out' – live
(32 minutes later)
The investigations into the circumstances surrounding Jeffrey Epstein’s apparent suicide have been stymied by federal employees who have been hesitant to cooperate.
An administration source told NBC News that some federal employees have been “lawyering up” as three different investigations into Epstein’s death unfold.
Justice Department rules say all employees “have a duty to, and shall, cooperate fully” with the probes, but anyone can still invoke their Fifth Amendment rights to avoid questions.lly
Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg shared this awkward exchange with a voter in Iowa after speaking at the state fair, per a CNN reporter:
“I shook Robert Kennedy’s hand in 1968,” a woman tells Pete Buttigieg. “So you’re good luck?” he asks. “Not really— he was shot a month later,” she tells him. pic.twitter.com/RiW0fw1uwB
Several reporters who accompanied Trump on his official White House trip to Pennsylvania have noted that the president has veered into decidedly political territory during the visit.
He has repeatedly attacked his Democratic rivals and claimed (without any evidence) that the presidency has cost him billions of dollars.
This is an official White House-sponsored (not campaign-sponsored) event on energy in Pennsylvania today, but ⁦@realDonaldTrump⁩ has focused his remarks largely on political themes, talking about his support for unions, his 2016 victory, tax cuts, etc. pic.twitter.com/CnFSctxHDy
Trump, at official WH event in PA: "We'll have to hit Pocahontas very hard again if she does win... What a group: Pocahontas and Sleepy Joe."
At official WH event in Pennsylvania, the president is talking about getting sued under the emoluments clause regarding his private business ownership while in office and pivots to complain that @BarackObama was paid for his book "sixty million dollars."
Trump claims in Pittsburgh, with no information offered to support the claim, that being president is costing him $3 billion to $5 billion. Among the costs he cites are legal fees - at least some of his lawyers have worked for free. "Emoluments - nobody knows what it is."
A day before the Metropolitan Correctional Center’s warden was reassigned, Attorney General William Barr voiced concern about “serious irregularities” in Jeffrey Epstein’s confinement at the jail.A day before the Metropolitan Correctional Center’s warden was reassigned, Attorney General William Barr voiced concern about “serious irregularities” in Jeffrey Epstein’s confinement at the jail.
“We are now learning of serious irregularities at this facility that are deeply concerning and demand a thorough investigation,” Barr said in a New Orleans speech yesterday. “We will get to the bottom of what happened.”“We are now learning of serious irregularities at this facility that are deeply concerning and demand a thorough investigation,” Barr said in a New Orleans speech yesterday. “We will get to the bottom of what happened.”
Reports have emerged that one of the guards who was watching Epstein was not actually a full-fledged correctional officer and that the alleged sex-trafficker was left alone for several hours before his body was discovered.Reports have emerged that one of the guards who was watching Epstein was not actually a full-fledged correctional officer and that the alleged sex-trafficker was left alone for several hours before his body was discovered.
The Justice Department announced in a statement that Attorney General William Barr has reassigned the warden of the Metropolitan Correctional Center as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding Jeffrey Epstein’s apparent suicide.The Justice Department announced in a statement that Attorney General William Barr has reassigned the warden of the Metropolitan Correctional Center as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding Jeffrey Epstein’s apparent suicide.
“Today, the Attorney General directed the Bureau of Prisons to temporarily assign the warden at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York to the Bureau’s Northeast Regional Office pending the outcome of the FBI and OIG investigations into the apparent suicide of Jeffrey Epstein, a former MCC inmate,” DOJ spokesperson Kerri Kupec said in a statement.“Today, the Attorney General directed the Bureau of Prisons to temporarily assign the warden at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York to the Bureau’s Northeast Regional Office pending the outcome of the FBI and OIG investigations into the apparent suicide of Jeffrey Epstein, a former MCC inmate,” DOJ spokesperson Kerri Kupec said in a statement.
“FCI Otisville Warden James Petrucci has been named Acting Warden of the MCC New York. The Bureau of Prisons also placed on administrative leave two MCC staff assigned to Mr. Epstein’s unit pending the outcome of the investigations. Additional actions may be taken as the circumstances warrant.”“FCI Otisville Warden James Petrucci has been named Acting Warden of the MCC New York. The Bureau of Prisons also placed on administrative leave two MCC staff assigned to Mr. Epstein’s unit pending the outcome of the investigations. Additional actions may be taken as the circumstances warrant.”
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had a conversation in New York today with Yang Jiechi, a top Chinese official, in a previously unannounced meeting.Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had a conversation in New York today with Yang Jiechi, a top Chinese official, in a previously unannounced meeting.
The readout from the meeting does not explain what the two officials discussed amid an escalating trade war and intensifying Hong Kong protests, per our colleague Julian Borger:The readout from the meeting does not explain what the two officials discussed amid an escalating trade war and intensifying Hong Kong protests, per our colleague Julian Borger:
State Dept says Mike Pompeo met the Chinese Communist Party's top foreign policy official, Yang Jiechi, this morning. The meeting, apparently in NY, had not been announced. Pompeo was scheduled to be at the state department in DC today. The official readout just says they met. https://t.co/uphXv9lsmCState Dept says Mike Pompeo met the Chinese Communist Party's top foreign policy official, Yang Jiechi, this morning. The meeting, apparently in NY, had not been announced. Pompeo was scheduled to be at the state department in DC today. The official readout just says they met. https://t.co/uphXv9lsmC
Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg is en route to the Iowa State Fair, where he will soon be speaking at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox.Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg is en route to the Iowa State Fair, where he will soon be speaking at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox.
Guess who’s coming to the Iowa State Fair (...⁦@PeteButtigieg⁩) pic.twitter.com/PyFuXgJT9CGuess who’s coming to the Iowa State Fair (...⁦@PeteButtigieg⁩) pic.twitter.com/PyFuXgJT9C
The Indiana mayor will be in the early voting state for three days starting today and has just released a plan aimed at helping rural America.The Indiana mayor will be in the early voting state for three days starting today and has just released a plan aimed at helping rural America.
Trump has landed in Pennsylvania for a tour of the Shell Pennsylvania Petrochemicals Complex and is tweeting about the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.Trump has landed in Pennsylvania for a tour of the Shell Pennsylvania Petrochemicals Complex and is tweeting about the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.
Many are blaming me, and the United States, for the problems going on in Hong Kong. I can’t imagine why?Many are blaming me, and the United States, for the problems going on in Hong Kong. I can’t imagine why?
It wasn’t totally clear what “many” people Trump was referring to, although a number of commentators across the political spectrum have called on the administration to more strongly express solidarity with the pro-democracy demonstrators.It wasn’t totally clear what “many” people Trump was referring to, although a number of commentators across the political spectrum have called on the administration to more strongly express solidarity with the pro-democracy demonstrators.
Trump also said US intelligence had informed him of Chinese troop movements near the Hong Kong border, but China’s own state media outlets have released footage of those developments:Trump also said US intelligence had informed him of Chinese troop movements near the Hong Kong border, but China’s own state media outlets have released footage of those developments:
Our Intelligence has informed us that the Chinese Government is moving troops to the Border with Hong Kong. Everyone should be calm and safe!Our Intelligence has informed us that the Chinese Government is moving troops to the Border with Hong Kong. Everyone should be calm and safe!
Trump told reporters that Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell wants to “do something” to expand the background checks system.Trump told reporters that Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell wants to “do something” to expand the background checks system.
The president said just before departing New Jersey for a Pennsylvania event that he’s “convinced that Mitch wants to do something.” He added, “He wants to do background checks and I do too.”The president said just before departing New Jersey for a Pennsylvania event that he’s “convinced that Mitch wants to do something.” He added, “He wants to do background checks and I do too.”
But when Trump said last week that McConnell was “totally on board” with taking action on gun legislation, the Senate leader’s team gently pushed back by noting he had not committed to any specific proposal.But when Trump said last week that McConnell was “totally on board” with taking action on gun legislation, the Senate leader’s team gently pushed back by noting he had not committed to any specific proposal.
The question of whether congressional Republicans will act will likely come down to whether Trump decides to use the full force of his bully pulpit to demand change. Given the president’s past commitments to expanding background checks after other mass shootings, there is heavy skepticism that he will do so.The question of whether congressional Republicans will act will likely come down to whether Trump decides to use the full force of his bully pulpit to demand change. Given the president’s past commitments to expanding background checks after other mass shootings, there is heavy skepticism that he will do so.
Trump told reporters that his administration chose to delay some tariffs on Chinese imports “just in case” the policy would negatively impact US consumers’ holiday shopping.Trump told reporters that his administration chose to delay some tariffs on Chinese imports “just in case” the policy would negatively impact US consumers’ holiday shopping.
President Trump says he's delaying the new China tariffs for "Christmas season just in case some of the tariffs would have an impact on U.S. customers" https://t.co/AfEIFrfeM5 pic.twitter.com/V0DyakmEjNPresident Trump says he's delaying the new China tariffs for "Christmas season just in case some of the tariffs would have an impact on U.S. customers" https://t.co/AfEIFrfeM5 pic.twitter.com/V0DyakmEjN
“We’re doing this for the Christmas season,” Trump told reporters in New Jersey before boarding Air Force One for an event in Pennsylvania. “Just in case some of the tariffs would have an impact on U.S. customers.”“We’re doing this for the Christmas season,” Trump told reporters in New Jersey before boarding Air Force One for an event in Pennsylvania. “Just in case some of the tariffs would have an impact on U.S. customers.”
The comment was unusual for Trump, who has consistently pushed the false claim that China would bear the cost of his trade war. But the president quickly added that he has seen no indication the tariffs have affected American consumers.The comment was unusual for Trump, who has consistently pushed the false claim that China would bear the cost of his trade war. But the president quickly added that he has seen no indication the tariffs have affected American consumers.
“But so far they’ve had virtually none,” Trump said. “But just in case they might have an impact on people, what we’ve done is we’ve delayed it, so that they won’t be relevant to the Christmas shopping season.”“But so far they’ve had virtually none,” Trump said. “But just in case they might have an impact on people, what we’ve done is we’ve delayed it, so that they won’t be relevant to the Christmas shopping season.”
US retailers have warned that the tariffs could hurt their businesses, and there are early signs that companies are taking down job postings to brace for the impact of Trump’s trade war.US retailers have warned that the tariffs could hurt their businesses, and there are early signs that companies are taking down job postings to brace for the impact of Trump’s trade war.
Despite the massive flight cancellations at Hong Kong’s airport, travelers are still arriving as the clashes between pro-democracy protesters and police escalate, CNN reports.
"The fact is, passengers are still coming."@PHancocksCNN is at the Hong Kong airport, where -- despite flight cancellations -- travelers are still arriving as riot police clash with protesters: https://t.co/nFrwjxGDQD pic.twitter.com/sXAsPm0bAa
Hong Kong officials have cautioned passengers against coming to the airport, but some travelers — who have been unable to leave the country for two days — have ignored those warnings in the hope of catching one of the few flights that are taking off.
The protests in Hong Kong have turned increasingly violent as pro-democracy demonstrators clash with police wielding pepper spray and batons.
The Washington Post reports:
Later in the evening, a group of demonstrators ... seized a man they suspected to be an undercover Chinese police officer, cable-tied his hands and refused to let him through a large crowd. The incident showed increasing brazenness on the part of demonstrators in confronting what they perceive as symbols of the Chinese state.
Police entered the airport to help the man, whom paramedics tried to remove on a stretcher. The presence of officers sparked chaos, as protesters spilled out of the airport and began attacking police vans with officers inside.
At one point, an officer was overrun and his baton taken by protesters, who beat him with it. The group retreated only after the officer appeared to pull his gun from its holster.
Trump told reporters in New Jersey that the protests in Hong Kong were a “very tough situation,” but he predicted that it would “work out.”
President Trump: "The Hong Kong thing is a very tough situation, very tough. We'll what see what happens. But I'm sure it'll work out. I hope it works out for everybody, including China, by the way." pic.twitter.com/QJrFWiUOLu
“We’ll what see what happens,” Trump said before boarding Air Force One for an event in Pennsylvania. “But I’m sure it’ll work out. I hope it works out for everybody, including China, by the way.”
Here’s where the day stands so far:
The Hong Kong protests appear to be escalating. US politicians from both parties have voiced support for the pro-democracy protesters, but Trump has focused his tweeting this morning on mocking CNN host Chris Cuomo and bashing the New York Times.
The Trump administration announced some of the tariffs on Chinese imports, which were set to go into effect on Sept. 1, would be delayed until Dec. 15. Certain goods would be excluded from the tariffs altogether. US markets rallied after the policy shift was announced.
The Democratic attorneys general of Massachusetts and California pledged to sue the Trump administration over its planned overhaul of the Endangered Species Act.
The blog is covering the latest developments from Hong Kong and Trump’s trade war, so stay tuned.
Clashes between pro-democracy protesters and police appear to be escalating at the Hong Kong airport.
JUST IN: @ABC News reports live from a "chaotic" Hong Kong International Airport as police and demonstrators clash amid intensifying protests.FULL DETAILS: https://t.co/KcWcyLWyH8 pic.twitter.com/rqbSdRcvE1
As the face-off intensifies, US politicians from both parties have voiced support for the protesters. From Trump’s former UN ambassador:
The threats of China are on full display as the people of Hong Kong are fighting for their freedoms. This is the level of control China wants to have not only over its people but around the world. #FightingForFreedom https://t.co/KqJmflg58h
From the Democratic House speaker:
The people of Hong Kong are trying to preserve the promise of One Country - Two Systems. If we don’t speak out for human rights in China because of commercial interests, we lose all moral authority to speak out elsewhere.
And from former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton:
May we all stand in solidarity with the people of Hong Kong as they speak out for democracy, freedom from repression, and a world they long to see.
Ken Cuccinelli, the acting director of US Citizenship and Immigration Services, is facing criticism and mockery for offering an edited version of the poem that appears on a plaque at the Statue of Liberty.
Our colleague Edward Helmore reports:
The famous lines, taken from The New Colossus by the 19th-century New York poet Emma Lazarus, read: ‘Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.’
In a radio interview on Tuesday, Cuccinelli offered a change: ‘Give me your tired and your poor who can stand on their own two feet and who will not become a public charge.’
On NPR’s Morning Edition, Cuccinelli defended the Trump administration decision to make it harder for migrants to be awarded permanent residence, or a ‘green card’, if they have ever accepted benefit programs such as food stamps, housing assistance or Medicaid.
Many critics of the new “public charge rule” have cited the Statue of Liberty poem to argue that the policy goes against American values, including the mayor of Seattle:
In New York, the Statue of Liberty holds a torch that lights the way & it proclaims: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free."My grandfather was one. Poor & tired, but filled with hope & promise. God bless him for coming to America. https://t.co/6S6z857De8
A Democratic congressman, Representative Ted Lieu of California, struck back against Trump’s false claim that China would bear the cost of the president’s trade war:
Today is Tuesday. That means @realDonaldTrump is lying, again. US is not getting billions of dollars from China as a gift. US importers pay US tariffs, not China. Also, US farmers are getting a fraction of what they would be getting if there was no trade war.#TuesdayThoughts https://t.co/v7L47aMqGY
Lieu’s tweet came as the Trump administration announced some of the tariffs on Chinese imports, set to go into effect on Sept. 1, would be delayed until Dec. 15.
Democratic presidential candidate Julián Castro has released a new ad responding to attacks from Trump against him and his brother, Representative Joaquin Castro.
A message for @realdonaldtrump: pic.twitter.com/WFYRxm69hA
“President Trump: You referred to countries as shitholes. You urged American Congresswomen to ‘go back to where they came from.’ You called immigrants rapists,” Castro says in the ad.
He goes on to link Trump to the recent shooting in El Paso, which left 22 people dead. “As we saw in El Paso, Americans were killed because you stoked the fire of racists. Innocent people were shot down because they look different from you. Because they look like me. They look like my family. Words have consequences.”
The ad is clearly meant to incite a response from Trump, given that it will air tomorrow during Fox News programming in Bedminster, New Jersey — where the president is currently on vacation.
Trump went on a Twitter tirade against the Castro brothers last week, after Representative Joaquin Castro shared a list of the president’s donors in his congressional district. Some of Trump’s allies accused the congressman, who chairs his brother’s presidential campaign, of “doxxing” the supporters — even though he shared no private information.
“I don’t know who Joaquin Castro is other than the lesser brother of a failed presidential candidate (1%) who makes a fool of himself every time he opens his mouth,” Trump tweeted last Wednesday. “Joaquin is not the man that his brother is, but his brother, according to most, is not much. Keep fighting Joaquin!”
The ad also comes as Castro fights to make the cut for the September debate stage. He has already crossed the donor threshold and needs only one more qualifying poll to participate.
Democratic presidential candidate Tom Steyer announced his campaign has hit the donor threshold required to qualify for the fall debates.
I'm thrilled to announce that today we've reached the required 130,000 individual donors to appear in September's debate. Just one more qualifying poll stands between us and that stage! Thanks to all who've contributed even $1 to this movement. We can't do this without you.
Steyer has also registered at 2 percent or higher in three qualifying polls, leaving him just one shy of making the debate stage.
As Steyer’s campaign noted in a statement, the billionaire activist has surpassed other candidates who entered presidential race months before he did. “Since entering the race five weeks ago, our priority has been getting Tom’s message out to the American people,” said campaign manager Heather Hargreaves. “Tom reaching this milestone just five weeks into his campaign is proof that his message is resonating with people across the country.”
Nine Democratic candidates have already made the cut for the next round of debates, and Julián Castro similarly remains one poll away from qualifying. But the dozen or so other candidates have a lot of ground to cover if they want to participate next month.
The Dow closed down nearly 400 points yesterday amid mounting concerns about Trump’s trade war. After his administration announced the delay of some tariffs on Chinese imports, all of those losses were recouped.
It’s worth noting that Trump frequently brags about the strength of the stock market during his presidency. It has become a key talking point for him on the campaign trail, and he does not likely want to give it up — even for the sake of his trade war.