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Trump falsely declares himself 'the chief law enforcement officer' of the US – live Trump falsely declares himself 'the chief law enforcement officer' of the US – live
(32 minutes later)
President’s statement – pertaining to the Roger Stone case – is incorrect, as the attorney general is chief law enforcement officerPresident’s statement – pertaining to the Roger Stone case – is incorrect, as the attorney general is chief law enforcement officer
Mike Bloomberg has plunged into another controversy over his past comments — this time after newly uncovered video from last year showed him using dehumanizing language to describe trans people.
The billionaire former mayor of New York will face his competitors on the debate stage for the first time tomorrow in Las Vegas.
Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, and Joe Biden have all singled out Bloomberg today, critiquing his record on race and policing, as well as his self-funded campaign.
Ahead of the Nevada caucuses this week, Sanders held a double-digit lead over his competitors, according to a new NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll. Another poll, from NBC and the Wall Street Journal also found Sanders in the lead, but has been criticized for appearing to leave Warren off a question that gauged candidates’ chances of winning a general election against Donald Trump.
The president falsely claimed he was “the chief law enforcement officer” of the US. Earlier today he commuted the sentence of former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich, who has served seven years in prison on corruption charges after being caught on tape trying to sell a US Senate seat.
Trump also pardoned former New York police commissioner Bernard Kerik and financier Michael Milken.
Trump condemned what he called a “fraudulent investigation” into Roger Stone though he did indicate whether he would pardon the longtime ally who was convicted of lying to Congress and obstructing Trump-Russia inquiry
Bernie Sanders’ campaign will ask for a partial recount of the Iowa caucus results, following state Democratic Party’s recanvass.
The recanvass will update reported results, but it won’t correct math errors.
“While it is clear that Sen. Sanders won the popular vote in Iowa by 6,000 votes, the recanvass process reduced the State Delegate Equivalent deficit by 97 percent,” said Sanders’ adviser Jeff Weaver. “We now believe a recount will give Sen. Sanders enough State Delegate Equivalents to put him over the top by that metric as well. We want to thank the people of Iowa, our supporters, our volunteers and everyone who made this possible.”
The Iowa Democrats began a recanvass at the request of Sanders and Pete Buttigieg’s campaigns. Although the party awarded Buttigieg the most delegates, the AP has still not declared a winner. The rollout of the results has been delayed due to issues with reporting and collecting data on election night, and errors in the complex math required to calculate the outcomes.
Warren isn’t the only candidate to single out Bloomberg. In response to news that the billionaire former mayor would sell his company if elected president, Joe Biden’s campaign pointed out that Bloomberg once said he’d sell his company if he ran for president.Warren isn’t the only candidate to single out Bloomberg. In response to news that the billionaire former mayor would sell his company if elected president, Joe Biden’s campaign pointed out that Bloomberg once said he’d sell his company if he ran for president.
Elizabeth Warren has been on the offensive against Mike Bloomberg, with her account tweeting critiques of the former New York mayor throughout the day in what could be a preview of tomorrow’s debate in Las Vegas.Elizabeth Warren has been on the offensive against Mike Bloomberg, with her account tweeting critiques of the former New York mayor throughout the day in what could be a preview of tomorrow’s debate in Las Vegas.
The Massachusetts senator had hit Bloomberg on his policing policies, and the fact that he is using his vast wealth to fund his own campaign. “It’s a shame Mike Bloomberg can buy his way into the debate,” Warren said in one of her targeted tweets.The Massachusetts senator had hit Bloomberg on his policing policies, and the fact that he is using his vast wealth to fund his own campaign. “It’s a shame Mike Bloomberg can buy his way into the debate,” Warren said in one of her targeted tweets.
Bloomberg is surging in polls, even as Warren’s support has lagged. In Nevada, where Warren had one of the earliest and strongest campaigns, she’s banking on a strong showing of support at the caucuses to boost her back up.Bloomberg is surging in polls, even as Warren’s support has lagged. In Nevada, where Warren had one of the earliest and strongest campaigns, she’s banking on a strong showing of support at the caucuses to boost her back up.
Tomorrow, she’ll and the other Democratic contenders face off for the first time against Bloomberg who qualified to participate in the Las Vegas debate after the Democratic National Committee relaxed its qualification requirements.Tomorrow, she’ll and the other Democratic contenders face off for the first time against Bloomberg who qualified to participate in the Las Vegas debate after the Democratic National Committee relaxed its qualification requirements.
Andrew Yang has dropped out of the Democratic primaries, but some of his supporters are continuing to carry the torch for him in Nevada.Andrew Yang has dropped out of the Democratic primaries, but some of his supporters are continuing to carry the torch for him in Nevada.
Over the weekend, #StillVotingYang trended on Twitter, as thousands of supporters said the entrepreneur remained their top choice even though he suspended his campaign.Over the weekend, #StillVotingYang trended on Twitter, as thousands of supporters said the entrepreneur remained their top choice even though he suspended his campaign.
The mayor of Chicago said Donald Trump’s decision to commute the sentence of the former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich, “sends the wrong message”.The mayor of Chicago said Donald Trump’s decision to commute the sentence of the former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich, “sends the wrong message”.
Blagojevich has served seven years in prison on corruption charges. He was caught on tape trying to sell a US Senate seat. Lori Lightfoot, the mayor of Chicago said that commuting Blagojevich’s sentence “would be controversial under any president, but President Trump embodies the worst in public leadership through his brazen disrespect for the rule of law and good governance”.Blagojevich has served seven years in prison on corruption charges. He was caught on tape trying to sell a US Senate seat. Lori Lightfoot, the mayor of Chicago said that commuting Blagojevich’s sentence “would be controversial under any president, but President Trump embodies the worst in public leadership through his brazen disrespect for the rule of law and good governance”.
Oddly, though the NBC/WSJ poll asked voters to weigh in on a theoretical race between Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders, Pete Buttigieg, Mike Bloomberg and Amy Klobuchar, it didn’t test a matchup between the president and Elizabeth Warren.Oddly, though the NBC/WSJ poll asked voters to weigh in on a theoretical race between Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders, Pete Buttigieg, Mike Bloomberg and Amy Klobuchar, it didn’t test a matchup between the president and Elizabeth Warren.
Warren ranked fourth among voters who participated in the same poll, above Buttigieg and Klobuchar.Warren ranked fourth among voters who participated in the same poll, above Buttigieg and Klobuchar.
Mike Bloomberg said he would sell Bloomberg LP if he were elected president, according to his advisor. Bloomberg would put the company into a bling trust, and the trustee would sell it, adviser Tim O’Brien told the AP. Proceeds from the sale would go to Bloomberg Philanthropies, the charitable arm of the former New York mayor’s business.Mike Bloomberg said he would sell Bloomberg LP if he were elected president, according to his advisor. Bloomberg would put the company into a bling trust, and the trustee would sell it, adviser Tim O’Brien told the AP. Proceeds from the sale would go to Bloomberg Philanthropies, the charitable arm of the former New York mayor’s business.
“We want to be 180 degrees apart from Donald Trump around financial conflicts of interest,” O’Brien told the AP. “We think it’s one of the biggest stains on the presidency, and Trump’s record is his refusal to disengage himself in his own financial interests. And we want to be very transparent and clean and clear with voters about where Mike is on these things.”“We want to be 180 degrees apart from Donald Trump around financial conflicts of interest,” O’Brien told the AP. “We think it’s one of the biggest stains on the presidency, and Trump’s record is his refusal to disengage himself in his own financial interests. And we want to be very transparent and clean and clear with voters about where Mike is on these things.”
Bloomberg retained ownership of his company while serving as New York mayor.Bloomberg retained ownership of his company while serving as New York mayor.
A new poll finds Bernie Sanders would win against Mike Bloomberg in a two-way race.A new poll finds Bernie Sanders would win against Mike Bloomberg in a two-way race.
When asked how they’d vote if they had to choose between Sanders and Bloomberg, 57% of Democratic primary voters polled chose the former.When asked how they’d vote if they had to choose between Sanders and Bloomberg, 57% of Democratic primary voters polled chose the former.
Bloomberg’s campaign has cast the primaries has a “two-man” race between the former New York mayor and the Vermont senator.Bloomberg’s campaign has cast the primaries has a “two-man” race between the former New York mayor and the Vermont senator.
According to the poll by NBC and the Wall Street Journal, Sanders also did best in matchups between the Democratic candidates and Donald Trump.According to the poll by NBC and the Wall Street Journal, Sanders also did best in matchups between the Democratic candidates and Donald Trump.
A newly uncovered video from a forum in March 2019 shows Bloomberg saying that trans rights were about “some guy wearing a dress and whether he, she, or it can go to the locker room with their daughter, that’s not a winning formula for most people”, according to a report by Buzzfeed News.A newly uncovered video from a forum in March 2019 shows Bloomberg saying that trans rights were about “some guy wearing a dress and whether he, she, or it can go to the locker room with their daughter, that’s not a winning formula for most people”, according to a report by Buzzfeed News.
The revelation comes on the same day that Bloomberg’s campaign released a video touting the former New York mayor’s record on LGBTQ+ issues, Buzzfeed notes.The revelation comes on the same day that Bloomberg’s campaign released a video touting the former New York mayor’s record on LGBTQ+ issues, Buzzfeed notes.
That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Maanvi Singh, will take over the blog for the next few hours.That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Maanvi Singh, will take over the blog for the next few hours.
Here’s where the day stands:Here’s where the day stands:
Trump falsely claimed he was “the chief law enforcement officer” of the US, a title that actually belongs to attorney general William Barr.Trump falsely claimed he was “the chief law enforcement officer” of the US, a title that actually belongs to attorney general William Barr.
Trump commuted the sentence of former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich, who has served seven years in prison on corruption charges after being caught on tape trying to sell a US Senate seat.Trump commuted the sentence of former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich, who has served seven years in prison on corruption charges after being caught on tape trying to sell a US Senate seat.
The Blagojevich commutation was one in a series of acts of clemency from Trump, who also pardoned former New York police commissioner Bernard Kerik and financier Michael Milken.The Blagojevich commutation was one in a series of acts of clemency from Trump, who also pardoned former New York police commissioner Bernard Kerik and financier Michael Milken.
The sentencing of former Trump associate Roger Stone will take place on Thursday, as scheduled, while Stone’s legal team continues to push for a new trial.The sentencing of former Trump associate Roger Stone will take place on Thursday, as scheduled, while Stone’s legal team continues to push for a new trial.
Trump appeared to indicate his support for granting Stone a new trial in a series of tweets quoting a Fox News analyst.Trump appeared to indicate his support for granting Stone a new trial in a series of tweets quoting a Fox News analyst.
Maanvi will have more coming up, so stay tuned.Maanvi will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
Bernie Sanders’ campaign has responded to Pete Buttigieg’s earlier comment that he has concerns about Sanders’ ability to win in a general election against Trump.Bernie Sanders’ campaign has responded to Pete Buttigieg’s earlier comment that he has concerns about Sanders’ ability to win in a general election against Trump.
The Sanders campaign pointed to the candidate’s formidable fundraising operation and popularity with people of color, particularly Latinx voters, as evidence of the Vermont senator’s broad appeal.The Sanders campaign pointed to the candidate’s formidable fundraising operation and popularity with people of color, particularly Latinx voters, as evidence of the Vermont senator’s broad appeal.
But some of Sanders’ critics fear he will see his polling numbers dangerously slide once the Trump campaign starts focusing on the self-described democratic socialist.But some of Sanders’ critics fear he will see his polling numbers dangerously slide once the Trump campaign starts focusing on the self-described democratic socialist.
Trump himself appears to relish the idea of facing Sanders and has repeatedly accused the Democratic party of trying to prevent Sanders from winning the nomination, although he has offered no evidence for that claim.Trump himself appears to relish the idea of facing Sanders and has repeatedly accused the Democratic party of trying to prevent Sanders from winning the nomination, although he has offered no evidence for that claim.
A new poll from Maine shows Republican senator Susan Collins locked in a close race with her expected Democratic opponent, state House speaker Sara Gideon.A new poll from Maine shows Republican senator Susan Collins locked in a close race with her expected Democratic opponent, state House speaker Sara Gideon.
The Colby College poll found that 42% of Maine voters support Collins, compared to 43% who support Gideon. In comparison, Collins won reelection in 2014 with more than 68% of the vote.The Colby College poll found that 42% of Maine voters support Collins, compared to 43% who support Gideon. In comparison, Collins won reelection in 2014 with more than 68% of the vote.
The poll also found that Collins’ vote to acquit Trump in the Senate impeachment trial is hurting her with the state’s many independent voters.The poll also found that Collins’ vote to acquit Trump in the Senate impeachment trial is hurting her with the state’s many independent voters.
Of the independents polled, 39% said Collins’ acquittal vote made them less likely to support her, compared to 13% who said it made them more likely to support her.Of the independents polled, 39% said Collins’ acquittal vote made them less likely to support her, compared to 13% who said it made them more likely to support her.
Democrats consider Collins’ seat to be one of their top pick-up opportunities as they attempt to take control of the Senate, which would require flipping four Republican seats (or three if they can also win the White House).Democrats consider Collins’ seat to be one of their top pick-up opportunities as they attempt to take control of the Senate, which would require flipping four Republican seats (or three if they can also win the White House).
In a pair of tweets, Trump accused Mike Bloomberg of “illegally buying” the Democratic presidential nomination as the billionaire candidate spends hundreds of millions of dollars on advertising.In a pair of tweets, Trump accused Mike Bloomberg of “illegally buying” the Democratic presidential nomination as the billionaire candidate spends hundreds of millions of dollars on advertising.
Some of Bloomberg’s critics have raised concerns about the former New York mayor receiving endorsements from lawmakers who have benefitted from his political donations, but those endorsements do not run afoul of campaign finance laws.Some of Bloomberg’s critics have raised concerns about the former New York mayor receiving endorsements from lawmakers who have benefitted from his political donations, but those endorsements do not run afoul of campaign finance laws.
Bernie Sanders’ campaign has released its first television ad in South Carolina ahead of the state’s primary next week.Bernie Sanders’ campaign has released its first television ad in South Carolina ahead of the state’s primary next week.
The ad features Richland county council vice-chair Dalhi Myers, who swung to Sanders after initially supporting Joe Biden.The ad features Richland county council vice-chair Dalhi Myers, who swung to Sanders after initially supporting Joe Biden.
“I don’t think there’s anything more important than defeating Donald Trump,” Myers says in the ad.“I don’t think there’s anything more important than defeating Donald Trump,” Myers says in the ad.
“Initially I was a Joe Biden supporter. I switched from the Biden campaign to the Sanders campaign because I want to see the kind of lines around the building that we saw in 2008.”“Initially I was a Joe Biden supporter. I switched from the Biden campaign to the Sanders campaign because I want to see the kind of lines around the building that we saw in 2008.”
South Carolina polls have shown Biden in the lead, but Sanders has been on the rise after his strong performances in Iowa and New Hampshire.South Carolina polls have shown Biden in the lead, but Sanders has been on the rise after his strong performances in Iowa and New Hampshire.