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Stacey Abrams decides not to run for president in 2020 – live Stacey Abrams decides not to run for president in 2020 – live
(30 minutes later)
That’s it from me today. My West Coast colleague Maanvi Singh will be taking over the blog for the next few hours.
Here’s where the day stands so far:
Former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams has decided she will not run for president, instead focusing on a national voting rights initiative.
The Justice Department announced it had reassigned the warden of the Metropolitan Correctional Center following Jeffrey Epstein’s apparent suicide. Two other jail employees have been placed on administrative leave.
Trump predicted the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong will “work out,” while acknowledging it is a “very tough situation.” “I hope it works out for everybody, including China, by the way,” Trump told reporters before traveling to Pennsylvania.
Trump also acknowledged that his proposed tariffs on Chinese imports could affect US consumers’ holiday shopping, contradicting his past false claims that Americans were not bearing the cost of his trade war.
The president’s comments came hours after his administration announced that some of the Chinese tariffs set to go into effect on Sept. 1 would actually be delayed until Dec. 15, causing US markets to rally after yesterday’s losses.
Maanvi will have more on Abrams’ decision and the Hong Kong protests, so stay tuned.
Stacey Abrams has been floated as a possible candidate for multiple offices since she narrowly lost her 2018 gubernatorial race in Georgia.
I am grateful for all the encouragement I received to run for U.S. Senate, and I’m committed to doing everything I can to help elect a Democrat to that seat next year. #gapol pic.twitter.com/5o14BqgqwO
She announced back in April that she would not run against Republican Senator David Perdue, despite extensive lobbying from Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer.
“The fights to be waged require a deep commitment to the job, and I do not see the U.S. Senate as the best role for me in this battle for our nation’s future,” Abrams said in a video announcing her decision.
But some have speculated she may seek a rematch against Republican Governor Brian Kemp when he comes up from re-election in 2022.
The news that Stacey Abrams will not run for president comes as the former Democratic gubernatorial candidate prepares to elevate her voting rights initiative to a national level.The news that Stacey Abrams will not run for president comes as the former Democratic gubernatorial candidate prepares to elevate her voting rights initiative to a national level.
The Washington Post reports:The Washington Post reports:
The initiative, called Fair Fight 2020, takes its name from the organization that the Georgia Democrat founded last year after narrowly losing her bid to become the nation’s first black female governor. Abrams is set to announce the program Tuesday during a speech at the convention of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades in Las Vegas.The initiative, called Fair Fight 2020, takes its name from the organization that the Georgia Democrat founded last year after narrowly losing her bid to become the nation’s first black female governor. Abrams is set to announce the program Tuesday during a speech at the convention of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades in Las Vegas.
Abrams, 45, who for the past several months has said she was considering a bid for president, will instead focus on helping Democratic Party leaders and activists in 20 states to immediately begin building systems to make sure their voters have minimal problems casting ballots and that those ballots are counted.Abrams, 45, who for the past several months has said she was considering a bid for president, will instead focus on helping Democratic Party leaders and activists in 20 states to immediately begin building systems to make sure their voters have minimal problems casting ballots and that those ballots are counted.
Former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams has decided not to pursue a White House bid after toying with the idea for months.Former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams has decided not to pursue a White House bid after toying with the idea for months.
The New York Times reports:The New York Times reports:
Ms. Abrams will instead put her efforts into preventing voter suppression, including working with state parties in battleground states to more closely monitor voter protection ahead of next year’s general election.Ms. Abrams will instead put her efforts into preventing voter suppression, including working with state parties in battleground states to more closely monitor voter protection ahead of next year’s general election.
The move comes after civil rights groups raised questions about voter suppression and election rigging in Ms. Abrams’ 2018 race against Brian Kemp, a Republican who was Georgia’s secretary of state.The move comes after civil rights groups raised questions about voter suppression and election rigging in Ms. Abrams’ 2018 race against Brian Kemp, a Republican who was Georgia’s secretary of state.
Ms. Abrams is set to speak Tuesday afternoon at the at the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades Convention in Las Vegas. She is likely to remain atop any Democratic nominee’s vice-presidential wish list. ...Ms. Abrams is set to speak Tuesday afternoon at the at the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades Convention in Las Vegas. She is likely to remain atop any Democratic nominee’s vice-presidential wish list. ...
Ms. Abrams made her decision in recent days, aides said, as she decided she is comfortable with current crop of Democratic candidates.Ms. Abrams made her decision in recent days, aides said, as she decided she is comfortable with current crop of Democratic candidates.
Authorities in Dayton delivered an update on the investigation into the recent mass shooting that left 10 dead, including the gunman.Authorities in Dayton delivered an update on the investigation into the recent mass shooting that left 10 dead, including the gunman.
Police say it's "inconclusive" whether the Dayton mass shooter intended to murder his sister, who was one of the 9 people killed https://t.co/H9n7JKbYS7 pic.twitter.com/V4m1jx6We7Police say it's "inconclusive" whether the Dayton mass shooter intended to murder his sister, who was one of the 9 people killed https://t.co/H9n7JKbYS7 pic.twitter.com/V4m1jx6We7
Among the victims was the shooter’s 22-year-old sister, and Dayton Police Chief Richard Biehl said there is still significant disagreement among investigators whether he intended to kill her or if she was simply caught in the spray of gunfire.Among the victims was the shooter’s 22-year-old sister, and Dayton Police Chief Richard Biehl said there is still significant disagreement among investigators whether he intended to kill her or if she was simply caught in the spray of gunfire.
Authorities also updated the casualty count from the shooting, clarifying that nine victims were shot and killed by the attacker and another 17 were wounded by gunshots.Authorities also updated the casualty count from the shooting, clarifying that nine victims were shot and killed by the attacker and another 17 were wounded by gunshots.
The police chief added that there is no indication any disagreement occurred to set off the shooter. “This was a plan well before he got to the Oregon District,” Biehl said.The police chief added that there is no indication any disagreement occurred to set off the shooter. “This was a plan well before he got to the Oregon District,” Biehl said.
The investigations into the circumstances surrounding Jeffrey Epstein’s apparent suicide have been stymied by federal employees who have been hesitant to cooperate.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.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.llyJustice 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: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“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.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.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/CnFSctxHDyThis 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."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."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."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.