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John Bolton fired as Trump's national security adviser – live news John Bolton fired as Trump's national security adviser – live news
(32 minutes later)
The effects of Trump’s firing decisions (by tweet, no less) have once again reverberated around the world. The price of oil immediately nosedived after news of Bolton’s departure broke.
BREAKING: JOHN BOLTON FIREDPrice of oil immediately dives. https://t.co/rVwPULfZmw pic.twitter.com/JMR0GkLdQr
Bolton has reportedly left the White House and will no longer participate in the afternoon briefing with Mike Pompeo and Steven Mnuchin, much to the disappointment of Washington’s press corps.
Bolton is no longer in the building here at the White House. He will not participate in the 1:30p briefing, I’m told.
Meanwhile, Bolton’s now-former employees at the National Security Council are telling reporters his side of the story, creating tension with the White House aides promoting Trump’s version of events.
Palpable tension between WH & NSC staffs right now.A pro-Bolton NSC official came to speak with reporters inside the West Wing when Press Secy Stephanie Grisham walked by, gave a look & said: "Oh look, right outside my office" as she walked past.
Bolton appears to be texting every reporter whose number he has in his contacts list, reiterating that he was not fired and offered his resignation last night.
Bolton differs from Trump version of his resignation. "Offered last night without his asking," he texts me. "Slept on it and gave it to him this morning."
The ousted national security adviser also said he would “have my say in due course,” a potentially ominous idea for a presidency that has been repeatedly derailed by former aides’ tell-all books.
Ambassador Bolton to me just now: “I will have my say in due course. But I have given you the facts on the resignation. My sole concern is US national security.”
To be clear: Bolton isn’t necessarily gaining any friends in this showdown. Many of the hawkish national security adviser’s critics, on both sides of the aisle, are celebrating his departure.
A Republican senator who opposed his nomination said this to a CNN reporter:
Rand Paul, a leading John Bolton critic, told us of his firing: “The chances of war worldwide go greatly down. .. he has a naive view that believes we should recreate the world in our own image by toppling countries by violent overthrow and somehow democracy will prevail.”
From the congressman who cut ties with the Republican Party over its Trump support:
John Bolton never should have been hired. I hope the president’s next national security adviser will focus on securing peace, not expanding war.
From a senior adviser to Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg:
Me, trying to decide who to root for/against in this scenario https://t.co/gih8H2hwg2 pic.twitter.com/LGkedW7tqi
Bolton is not going down without a fight. After tweeting that he offered his resignation to Trump, the now-former national security adviser is apparently reaching out to reporters to amplify that narrative.
Ambassador Bolton sends me a text message just now: “Let’s be clear, I resigned, having offered to do so last night.”
The White House denied that Bolton’s firing was based solely on his opposition to the planned Taliban peace talks at Camp David.
I just asked WH press secretary Stephanie Grisham if the Taliban invitation was the breaking point in the Trump-Bolton relationship. She said “no- it was many, many issues.”
But Trump has historically held grudges against aides who disagree with him, particularly when those aides receive favorable press coverage for doing so.
After many lawmakers, including some Republicans, voiced shock at the proposal to host the Taliban so close to the 9/11 anniversary, Bolton’s reported opposition appeared quite sage.
Bolton has just sent out a fiery tweet of his own, claiming he offered Trump his resignation last night and the president delayed the decision.Bolton has just sent out a fiery tweet of his own, claiming he offered Trump his resignation last night and the president delayed the decision.
I offered to resign last night and President Trump said, "Let's talk about it tomorrow."I offered to resign last night and President Trump said, "Let's talk about it tomorrow."
In contrast, the president said he requested Bolton’s resignation last night, which was offered this morning.In contrast, the president said he requested Bolton’s resignation last night, which was offered this morning.
The national security adviser had been repeatedly sidelined recently as he voiced disagreement with Trump’s efforts to secure an end to the war in Afghanistan.The national security adviser had been repeatedly sidelined recently as he voiced disagreement with Trump’s efforts to secure an end to the war in Afghanistan.
The Washington Post recently reported:The Washington Post recently reported:
Bolton, who has long advocated an expansive military presence around the world, has become a staunch internal foe of an emerging peace deal aimed at ending America’s longest war, the officials said.Bolton, who has long advocated an expansive military presence around the world, has become a staunch internal foe of an emerging peace deal aimed at ending America’s longest war, the officials said.
His opposition to the diplomatic effort in Afghanistan has irritated President Trump, these officials said, and led aides to leave the National Security Council out of sensitive discussions about the agreement.His opposition to the diplomatic effort in Afghanistan has irritated President Trump, these officials said, and led aides to leave the National Security Council out of sensitive discussions about the agreement.
The sidelining of Bolton has raised questions about his influence in an administration that is seeking a troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, as well as an ambitious nuclear deal with North Korea and potential engagement with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Bolton, U.S. officials said, stands in opposition to those efforts, but he does so increasingly from the periphery.The sidelining of Bolton has raised questions about his influence in an administration that is seeking a troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, as well as an ambitious nuclear deal with North Korea and potential engagement with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Bolton, U.S. officials said, stands in opposition to those efforts, but he does so increasingly from the periphery.
This tweet is likely shocking news to both Bolton and the White House, who just announced that the national security adviser would appear alongside Mike Pompeo and Steven Mnuchin at a press briefing at 1:30 p.m. E.T.This tweet is likely shocking news to both Bolton and the White House, who just announced that the national security adviser would appear alongside Mike Pompeo and Steven Mnuchin at a press briefing at 1:30 p.m. E.T.
He was literally announced on an updating briefing schedule in last few hours for today. https://t.co/3u3XupxqqnHe was literally announced on an updating briefing schedule in last few hours for today. https://t.co/3u3Xupxqqn
Trump has just announced that he has fired John Bolton just days after reports emerged that the national security adviser opposed the president’s secret plan to hold peace talks with the Taliban at Camp David.Trump has just announced that he has fired John Bolton just days after reports emerged that the national security adviser opposed the president’s secret plan to hold peace talks with the Taliban at Camp David.
....I asked John for his resignation, which was given to me this morning. I thank John very much for his service. I will be naming a new National Security Advisor next week.....I asked John for his resignation, which was given to me this morning. I thank John very much for his service. I will be naming a new National Security Advisor next week.
Democratic presidential candidates are also coming out in force to endorse congressional candidate Dan McCready, who is running in today’s special election in North Carolina.Democratic presidential candidates are also coming out in force to endorse congressional candidate Dan McCready, who is running in today’s special election in North Carolina.
I support @McCreadyForNC because of his honorable service to our nation & because of his values: he'll fight to protect North Carolinian’s health care & take on prescription drug companies.If his opponent has his way, 44,000 people in #NC09 stand to lose their health coverage.I support @McCreadyForNC because of his honorable service to our nation & because of his values: he'll fight to protect North Carolinian’s health care & take on prescription drug companies.If his opponent has his way, 44,000 people in #NC09 stand to lose their health coverage.
Dan is running to flip a seat Republicans have held since 1963—and today, you can help him do it. If you’re in North Carolina’s 9th district, get out and vote to elect Dan and send a message that Democrats aren’t only coming for safe seats. We’re coming for all of them. https://t.co/3E5vL1QSBlDan is running to flip a seat Republicans have held since 1963—and today, you can help him do it. If you’re in North Carolina’s 9th district, get out and vote to elect Dan and send a message that Democrats aren’t only coming for safe seats. We’re coming for all of them. https://t.co/3E5vL1QSBl
It's Election Day in North Carolina. If you're ready for leadership that puts country over party and people over ideology, then @McCreadyForNC needs your help—and your vote.Volunteer: https://t.co/EfOWaCdSD1 Donate: https://t.co/By1Um5mefiVote: https://t.co/iyjmoZOf0qIt's Election Day in North Carolina. If you're ready for leadership that puts country over party and people over ideology, then @McCreadyForNC needs your help—and your vote.Volunteer: https://t.co/EfOWaCdSD1 Donate: https://t.co/By1Um5mefiVote: https://t.co/iyjmoZOf0q
Democratic presidential candidates rushed to condemn Trump’s health care policies after the Census reported the US uninsured rate rose last year despite the strong economy.Democratic presidential candidates rushed to condemn Trump’s health care policies after the Census reported the US uninsured rate rose last year despite the strong economy.
Trump and Republicans sabotaged the Affordable Care Act at every turn. They played politics with health care and now Americans are paying the price. https://t.co/cvXiUXtn0ITrump and Republicans sabotaged the Affordable Care Act at every turn. They played politics with health care and now Americans are paying the price. https://t.co/cvXiUXtn0I
Mr. Trump lied. He promised to strengthen health care—instead, he has done everything he can to sabotage the Affordable Care Act.The result: Nearly two million people joined the ranks of the uninsured last year, the first increase in the uninsured rate in a decade. https://t.co/ZmmX8eXxQGMr. Trump lied. He promised to strengthen health care—instead, he has done everything he can to sabotage the Affordable Care Act.The result: Nearly two million people joined the ranks of the uninsured last year, the first increase in the uninsured rate in a decade. https://t.co/ZmmX8eXxQG
The Democratic 2020 field is unanimous in its condemnation of the Trump administration’s efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, but candidates differ strongly on whether to simply expand Obamacare or overhaul it with a Medicare-for-all system.The Democratic 2020 field is unanimous in its condemnation of the Trump administration’s efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, but candidates differ strongly on whether to simply expand Obamacare or overhaul it with a Medicare-for-all system.
And with Democratic voters similarly divided over which system is best, the issue is sure to be one of the most prominent in the primary race.And with Democratic voters similarly divided over which system is best, the issue is sure to be one of the most prominent in the primary race.
An addition to today’s schedule: secretary of state Mike Pompeo, treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin and national security adviser John Bolton will have an on-camera White House briefing at 1:30 p.m. E.T.
The briefing will ostensibly focus on combating terrorism. But if the three senior officials take questions from reporters, they are almost certain to be asked about Trump’s scrapped plans to hold peace talks with the Taliban at Camp David.
Pompeo was reportedly in favor of the controversial plan, while Bolton was strongly opposed to it. Pompeo and Bolton have also reportedly been clashing behind the scenes, and the two men rarely speak to each other outside of formal meetings.
The acting commissioner of Customs and Border Patrol, Mark Morgan, held a White House briefing yesterday as well — even as Trump’s press secretary steadfastly avoids the podium.
A fact-checking reporter for CNN has added, in response to Trump’s complaint about the latest Washington Post/ABC News poll showing his approval rating down, that the outlets involved never received a legal complaint from the president’s team.
This is not what happened. - WaPo and ABC told me in June they do not recall a legal complaint (?) over their polls - WaPo wasn’t involved in the ABC tracking poll that had him down 12- Obviously no basis for the claim they fixed subsequent poll results because he complained pic.twitter.com/ziit3uKxei
Trump’s tweet has had the unintended (and entirely predictable) effect of putting even more attention on the results of the poll, which showed his approval rating dipping down to 38 percent.
Here are a couple more data points from the poll:
More than 60% of Trump's 2016 voters were whites without college degrees. Two-thirds of women in that group worry about Trump's trade war will raise prices. More than half disapprove of Trump's China trade policy. https://t.co/YdiX2dqfFE
Eye-opening poll that brings concerns about economy into sharp focus. 6 in 10 say a recession is likely. And nearly half of Americans (43%) believe Trump's trade and economic policies have increased chance of recession.https://t.co/TA52Xgjc44
The US uninsured rate rose by 0.6 percent last year despite the strong economy, as millions more Americans went without health coverage.
Bloomberg News reports:
The increase in the rate of uninsured, from 7.9% in 2017 to 8.5% last year, is particularly remarkable given the falling unemployment rate during that period, since most Americans get coverage through work. It’s the first meaningful uptick in the number of people without health coverage since the main provisions of the Affordable Care Act took effect in 2014.
While the economy grew in 2018, individual health insurance premiums continued to increase, states tightened eligibility requirements for public safety-net coverage, and President Donald Trump carried on in his attempt to undo many of the health reforms passed by his predecessor.
The Census report indicates that the biggest decrease in coverage in 2018 came among those covered by Medicaid, the state-federal health program for low-income Americans. Almost two million fewer people were covered by Medicaid in 2018 than in the prior year.
Trump’s commerce secretary, Wilbur Ross, is facing calls for his resignation after he reportedly threatened firings at the NOAA unless the agency backed up the president’s false claim about Hurricane Dorian hitting Alabama.
The Guardian’s Ed Pilkington reports:
The head of the environmental group the Sierra Club, Michael Brune, called on Ross to resign to ‘maintain the dignity of the federal government’.
Brune called the intervention a ‘shameless abuse of power’ that could have ‘devastating results now and in the future’. Democratic congress members Don Beyer from Virginia and Paul Tonko from New York also called on Ross to step down.
And late on Monday, the New York Times amended its story to report that the commerce department’s own Office of Inspector General has launched an inquiry into that official statement and whether it breached departmental rules.
That adds to an investigation initiated on Sunday by the Noaa’s acting chief scientist, Craig McLean. He sent an email to colleagues announcing that he was looking into how the agency had come to disavow its own experts in backing Trump’s inaccurate claim.
Trump has gone even further, claiming that many polls are “fixed, or worked in such a way that a certain candidate will look good or bad.”
One of the greatest and most powerful weapons used by the Fake and Corrupt News Media is the phony Polling Information they put out. Many of these polls are fixed, or worked in such a way that a certain candidate will look good or bad. Internal polling looks great, the best ever!
This accusation seems, to this blog, entirely baseless. At least when it comes to 2016 national polls, most of them were pretty close to the actual result.
For example, the Washington Post/ABC News poll (the initial source of Trump’s ire today) predicted just before Election Day 2016 that Hillary Clinton would win the popular vote by 4 points. She ended up winning it by 2 points but lost the Electoral College and the presidency along with it.
Of course, another one of Trump’s favorite baseless claims is that Clinton only won the popular vote because of voter fraud in blue states like California. If that were the case (and it’s not), she really should have sent some of those fake California voters to Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan. It could have given her the White House.
So apparently Trump does occasionally read the “Amazon Washington Post.” The president slammed the newspaper, along with ABC News, for publishing a poll showing his approval rating down 6 points since June.
ABC/Washington Post Poll was the worst and most inaccurate poll of any taken prior to the 2016 Election. When my lawyers protested, they took a 12 point down and brought it to almost even by Election Day. It was a Fake Poll by two very bad and dangerous media outlets. Sad!
This gives the blog a chance to revisit those numbers. According to the poll, Trump’s approval has sunk to 38 percent amid intensifying fears about the economy. Six in 10 Americans now expect a recession to occur in the next year.
It’s understandable why Trump would want to distance himself from those numbers, particularly given that he is counting on a strong economy to win re-election.
But the president’s attack on the polling methodology seems unfounded. The polling and analysis website FiveThirtyEight gives Washington Post/ABC News polls a rating of “A+,” and national polls in 2016 were not far off from the actual result of Trump losing the popular vote.
More details are coming to light about the high-level source reportedly extracted from the Russian government in 2017, partly over concerns that the person’s identity may be revealed by Trump or his administration.
The New York Times has now reported the source provided secrets to the US for decades and was a key informant on Russia’s 2016 election interference. But the Times threw a bit of cold water on the idea that Trump was one of the reasons for the extraction. From the paper’s front-page report:
As American officials began to realize that Russia was trying to sabotage the 2016 presidential election, the informant became one of the C.I.A.’s most important — and highly protected — assets. But when intelligence officials revealed the severity of Russia’s election interference with unusual detail later that year, the news media picked up on details about the C.I.A.’s Kremlin sources.
C.I.A. officials worried about safety made the arduous decision in late 2016 to offer to extract the source from Russia. The situation grew more tense when the informant at first refused, citing family concerns — prompting consternation at C.I.A. headquarters and sowing doubts among some American counterintelligence officials about the informant’s trustworthiness. But the C.I.A. pressed again months later after more media inquiries. This time, the informant agreed. ...
The decision to extract the informant was driven ‘in part’ because of concerns that Mr. Trump and his administration had mishandled delicate intelligence, CNN reported. But former intelligence officials said there was no public evidence that Mr. Trump directly endangered the source, and other current American officials insisted that media scrutiny of the agency’s sources alone was the impetus for the extraction.
Trump has sent out repeated Twitter endorsements for Dan Bishop, the Republican running in North Carolina’s special congressional race. The latest one came about 20 minutes ago.
NORTH CAROLINA, VOTE FOR DAN BISHOP TODAY. WE NEED HIM BADLY IN WASHINGTON!
Of course, if Bishop loses, this blog would bet good money that Trump will drop him as quickly as it takes to write out 280 characters.
The race is being read as a sign of Trump’s resilience in areas like North Carolina’s Ninth Congressional District, which covers some of the southeastern suburbs of Charlotte. The 2018 midterms showed Republicans were losing support in those parts of the country, and today could indicate whether the party has stopped the bleeding.
Regardless of the winner, the victorious side will almost certainly rush to trumpet the results as a reflection of Trump’s presidency as the losing team downplays the race as just one district of many that could go the other way next year.
Speaking of special congressional races: a certain ghost of special races past has resurfaced — Jon Ossoff. The former Democratic congressional candidate announced he would run against senator David Perdue, a Republican of Georgia.
In case you forgot about him (this blog certainly did), Ossoff narrowly lost to Karen Handel in a 2017 special election for Georgia’s Sixth Congressional District.
Because it was the first major race after Trump’s election, Ossoff benefited from immense fundraising and organizing energy on the left. But the roughly $30 million he raised was for naught; he lost to Handel by about 4 points. (Handel, in turn, lost to Democrat Lucy McBath the next year.)
Now Ossoff has jumped into the race against Perdue. Although he already has three primary opponents (and will likely get more), Ossoff immediately got an immediate boost with an endorsement from a Georgia celebrity: John Lewis, the longtime congressman and civil rights icon.
“Like the many thousands Jon has already organized and inspired, I am ready to work tirelessly to elect him,” Lewis said. “Georgia and America need Jon.”
Good morning, live blog readers!
It’s another (special) election day here in the US. North Carolina’s Ninth District will hold a congressional race today after the 2018 results were thrown out due to election fraud. Donald Trump held a rally there last night to boost Republican Dan Bishop, and the Democratic Party has lined up behind Dan McCready, who lost by less than 1,000 votes in last year’s tainted election.
The race is being read as a sign of Trump’s popularity (or lack there of) in districts he easily carried in 2016. (The president won the Ninth District by 11 points back in 2016.) If Bishop can’t win today, will Trump be able to carry the Ninth (and other places like it) next year?
Trump’s latest approval rating may give some insight on that last question. According to the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll, the president’s approval has slipped 6 points, down to 38 percent, since June. The decline seems mostly attributable to worsening attitudes about the economy, with 6 in 10 Americans expecting a recession in the next year.
Trump has been boasting of the strong economy for the past two years, and his team is banking on it to sail to re-election. Without it, he could be left floundering — taking a certain North Carolina congressional candidate down with him.
Here’s what else the blog is keeping its eye on today:
Trump will have lunch with Mike Pence before speaking at the National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week Conference. He will later meet with congressional Republican leadership and participate in the swearing-in ceremony of the new US ambassador to the UN, Kelly Craft.
One minor thing first: Craft actually has to be confirmed by the Senate first. The chamber will hold a 10 a.m. E.T. vote on her nomination.
Steven Mnuchin, the treasury secretary, and Ben Carson, the housing and urban development secretary, will testify before the Senate committee on housing finance reform.
That’s all still coming up, so stay tuned.