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House members reportedly told Russia is working to get Trump re-elected – live House members reportedly told Russia is working to get Trump re-elected – live
(about 1 hour later)
President ‘berated’ outgoing intelligence chief over briefing, New York Times saysPresident ‘berated’ outgoing intelligence chief over briefing, New York Times says
President Trump is now at a rally in Colorado complaining that the Oscar for Best Picture went to Parasite, a film from South Korea, and complaining that the country has trade problems with South Korea.
“Can we get Gone with the Wind back please?” Trump asked.
John Brennan, the former director of the Central Intelligence Agency and a prominent public critic of Donald Trump, weighs in on the significance of the new report about Trump being furious about an intelligence briefing for members of Congress that included the conclusion that Russia is still attempting to interfere in the 2020 election with the goal of supporting him.
“Russia intends to interfere with the ongoing Democratic primaries as well as the general election.”
That’s key new information that House lawmakers heard during an intelligence briefing last week, according to the New York Times. The briefing, which reportedly angered the president, once again conveyed to lawmakers the conclusion from intelligence officials that Russia was interfering in the election with goal of electing Trump.
Mike Bloomberg is quietly lobbying Democratic Party officials and donors allied with moderate opponents like Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg to flip their allegiance to him —and defeat Bernie Sanders — if Democrats fail to choose a presidential nominee during the first round of voting, Politico reports.Mike Bloomberg is quietly lobbying Democratic Party officials and donors allied with moderate opponents like Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg to flip their allegiance to him —and defeat Bernie Sanders — if Democrats fail to choose a presidential nominee during the first round of voting, Politico reports.
“It’s a presumptuous play for a candidate who hasn’t yet won a delegate or even appeared on a ballot,” Politico’s David Siders writes. “And it could also bring havoc to the convention, raising the prospect of party insiders delivering the nomination to a billionaire over a progressive populist.”“It’s a presumptuous play for a candidate who hasn’t yet won a delegate or even appeared on a ballot,” Politico’s David Siders writes. “And it could also bring havoc to the convention, raising the prospect of party insiders delivering the nomination to a billionaire over a progressive populist.”
A heavily edited video posted by the Bloomberg campaign to Instagram on Thursday paints a flattering, and false, portrait of the former New York mayor’s widely panned debate performance.A heavily edited video posted by the Bloomberg campaign to Instagram on Thursday paints a flattering, and false, portrait of the former New York mayor’s widely panned debate performance.
My colleague Kari Paul reports on how tech companies are responding to this kind of misleading political content. Facebook and Instagram: nothing. Twitter: would be flagged as misleading... under a new policy that hasn’t started yet.My colleague Kari Paul reports on how tech companies are responding to this kind of misleading political content. Facebook and Instagram: nothing. Twitter: would be flagged as misleading... under a new policy that hasn’t started yet.
The Washington Post obtained a recording of a private speech in London at which the acting White House chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, said that the United States desperately needs more immigrants to fuel its economy, a position starkly different from the senior White House adviser Stephen Miller and others who have pushed to reduce any kind of immigration.The Washington Post obtained a recording of a private speech in London at which the acting White House chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, said that the United States desperately needs more immigrants to fuel its economy, a position starkly different from the senior White House adviser Stephen Miller and others who have pushed to reduce any kind of immigration.
“We are desperate – desperate – for more people,” Mulvaney said, according to the Post. “We are running out of people to fuel the economic growth that we’ve had in our nation over the last four years. We need more immigrants.”“We are desperate – desperate – for more people,” Mulvaney said, according to the Post. “We are running out of people to fuel the economic growth that we’ve had in our nation over the last four years. We need more immigrants.”
The Trump administration wants those immigrants to come in a “legal fashion”, Mulvaney said, according to the Post.The Trump administration wants those immigrants to come in a “legal fashion”, Mulvaney said, according to the Post.
House members were reportedly warned by intelligence officials last week that Russia is interfering in the 2020 campaign to try to get Trump re-elected, mirroring the country’s meddling in the 2016 race.House members were reportedly warned by intelligence officials last week that Russia is interfering in the 2020 campaign to try to get Trump re-elected, mirroring the country’s meddling in the 2016 race.
The New York Times reports:The New York Times reports:
The Washington Post reported earlier today about the confrontation between Trump and Maguire, but the content of the intelligence briefing was not previously known.The Washington Post reported earlier today about the confrontation between Trump and Maguire, but the content of the intelligence briefing was not previously known.
Trump has repeatedly pushed back against the intelligence community’s conclusion that Russia interfered in the 2016 race to help him defeat Hillary Clinton.Trump has repeatedly pushed back against the intelligence community’s conclusion that Russia interfered in the 2016 race to help him defeat Hillary Clinton.
During the impeachment inquiry and trial, some of the president’s allies tried to peddle the baseless conspiracy theory that it was actually Ukraine who meddled in the 2016 race.During the impeachment inquiry and trial, some of the president’s allies tried to peddle the baseless conspiracy theory that it was actually Ukraine who meddled in the 2016 race.
That claim was dismissed by Fiona Hill, the White House’s former top Russia expert, as a “fictional narrative” pushed by Vladimir Putin’s government.That claim was dismissed by Fiona Hill, the White House’s former top Russia expert, as a “fictional narrative” pushed by Vladimir Putin’s government.
That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Lois Beckett, will take over the blog for the next few hours.That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Lois Beckett, will take over the blog for the next few hours.
Here’s where the day stands so far:Here’s where the day stands so far:
Trump said he would not yet pardon Roger Stone, his former associate who was sentenced to 40 months in prison today, and would instead wait for “the process to play out”. But the president added he thinks Stone has a “very good chance of exoneration”.Trump said he would not yet pardon Roger Stone, his former associate who was sentenced to 40 months in prison today, and would instead wait for “the process to play out”. But the president added he thinks Stone has a “very good chance of exoneration”.
While delivering Stone’s sentence, Judge Amy Berman Jackson denounced Stone’s actions and warned that his disregard for the truth represented “a threat to the very foundation of this democracy”.While delivering Stone’s sentence, Judge Amy Berman Jackson denounced Stone’s actions and warned that his disregard for the truth represented “a threat to the very foundation of this democracy”.
Trump reportedly lashed out against the acting director of national intelligence Joseph Maguire last week, after one of his staffers privately testified to the House intelligence committee on election security. The president announced yesterday that Richard Grenell, the US ambassador to Germany and a Trump loyalist, would replace Maguire.Trump reportedly lashed out against the acting director of national intelligence Joseph Maguire last week, after one of his staffers privately testified to the House intelligence committee on election security. The president announced yesterday that Richard Grenell, the US ambassador to Germany and a Trump loyalist, would replace Maguire.
Nearly 20 million people, a new record for a Democratic primary debate, watched last night’s event. That could be bad news for Mike Bloomberg, whose first debate performance was widely panned.Nearly 20 million people, a new record for a Democratic primary debate, watched last night’s event. That could be bad news for Mike Bloomberg, whose first debate performance was widely panned.
Lois will have more coming up, so stay tuned.Lois will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
Coming off her strong debate performance, Elizabeth Warren said her campaign has raised more than $5 million since she took the stage last night.Coming off her strong debate performance, Elizabeth Warren said her campaign has raised more than $5 million since she took the stage last night.
Warren had set a goal of raising $7 million before Saturday’s Nevada caucuses, and she is now raising that number to $12 million.Warren had set a goal of raising $7 million before Saturday’s Nevada caucuses, and she is now raising that number to $12 million.
But Warren is also attracting some criticism today for refusing to distance herself from a new super PAC supporting her candidacy.But Warren is also attracting some criticism today for refusing to distance herself from a new super PAC supporting her candidacy.
The Massachusetts senator said she would support all the candidates disavowing super PACs but would not be the sole opponent. (This comes after Warren previously said she would reject the groups’ support.)The Massachusetts senator said she would support all the candidates disavowing super PACs but would not be the sole opponent. (This comes after Warren previously said she would reject the groups’ support.)
Shortly after Roger Stone was sentenced today, senator Lindsey Graham tweeted that Trump “has all the legal authority in the world to review this case.”Shortly after Roger Stone was sentenced today, senator Lindsey Graham tweeted that Trump “has all the legal authority in the world to review this case.”
The tweet was read as a possible indication that Trump’s congressional allies will not push back much if the president chooses to pardon his former associate.The tweet was read as a possible indication that Trump’s congressional allies will not push back much if the president chooses to pardon his former associate.
In contrast, House intelligence committee chairman Adam Schiff said such a move would be a “breathtaking act of corruption.”In contrast, House intelligence committee chairman Adam Schiff said such a move would be a “breathtaking act of corruption.”
Trump reportedly lashed out last week against the acting director of national intelligence, Joseph Maguire, because one of his staffers gave a classified briefing to the House intelligence committee.Trump reportedly lashed out last week against the acting director of national intelligence, Joseph Maguire, because one of his staffers gave a classified briefing to the House intelligence committee.
The Washington Post reports:The Washington Post reports:
Trump announced yesterday that Richard Grenell, the US ambassador to Germany and a loyaly supporter of the president, would replace Maguire as acting DNI.Trump announced yesterday that Richard Grenell, the US ambassador to Germany and a loyaly supporter of the president, would replace Maguire as acting DNI.
However, Grenell made clear today that he would not be nominated for the permanent position:However, Grenell made clear today that he would not be nominated for the permanent position:
Trump once again segued away from celebrating the Hope for Prisoners graduates by lamenting his impeachment.
The president acknowledged the graduates’ road ahead would be difficult at times, and he could commiserate about having “those days.”
“I mean, I didn’t do anything wrong, and they impeached me a few weeks ago,” Trump said.
While Trump was listing his perceived political enemies moments ago, someone in the crowd responded by yelling, “Lock ‘em up!”
According to the pool report, that outburst came as the president was accusing officials like former FBI director James Comey of lying like Roger Stone -- even though Stone was charged and convicted of lying to Congress, unlike Comey.
As a reminder, this Las Vegas event is meant to celebrate the commencement of graduates from a program aimed at helping former prisoners reenter society.
Trump emphasized he would be monitoring Roger Stone’s case closely and indicated he would later make a decision on a potential pardon.
“We will watch the process and watch it very closely. And at some point I will make a determination,” Trump said.
However, the president also made clear he thought Stone had been treated unfairly in the trial. “Roger Stone and everybody has to be treated fairly. And this has not been a fair process,” Trump said.
Trump indicated that he would not pardon Roger Stone at this time because he wanted to see the case continue making its way through the courts if his former associate appeals the ruling.
“I am not going to do anything in terms of the great powers bestowed to the president,” Trump said. “I want the process to play out. I think that’s the best thing to do because I would love to see Roger exonerated.”
The president defended Stone, who was convicted of obstructing and lying to Congress and witness-tampering in the Russia investigation.
“They say he lied. But other people lied too,” Trump said before going on to bash a number of his perceived enemies, such as former FBI director James Comey.
Speaking at the Las Vegas event, Trump addressed the Roger Stone case for the first time since his former associate was sentenced.
“I’m following this very closely, and I want to see it play out to its fullest because Roger has a very good chance of exoneration in my opinion,” Trump said.
The president then turned to attacking the jury foreman in Stone’s case, who he said was “totally tainted” and an “anti-Trump activist.”
Stone’s team has argued he should get a new trial because of juror bias, but Judge Amy Berman Jackson seemed skeptical of that motion earlier today.
Speaking at an event in Las Vegas, Trump said he was considering a pardon for the founder of the group Hope for Prisoners.
Jon Ponder, who introduced Trump at the event, has said he first envisioned the group while he was serving time in prison. His program helps former inmates reentering society.
“We are giving him absolute consideration, and I have a feeling he’s going to get that full pardon,” Trump said of Ponder.
Trump issued a spate of commutations and pardons earlier this week, intensifying speculation that the president will pardon Roger Stone.
Mike Bloomberg is being criticized fot tweeting out an altered video from last night’s debate.
The video appears to show Bloomberg’s opponents reacting with blank stares and stuttering when he says he is the only candidate on stage who has started his own business.
In reality, when Bloomberg delivered this line last night, he then quickly launched into praising mentoring programs he supported in New York.
Some commentators said Bloomberg’s use of the video raised questions about his credibility.
In a new statement, a spokesperson for Roger Stone denounced Judge Amy Berman Jackson’s handling of his sentencing and called on Trump to pardon him.
Kristin Davis criticized Jackson for issuing a ruling on Stone’s sentence before reaching a decision on the former Trump associate’s motion claiming juror bias.
However, Jackson applauded the jurors for their service earlier today, so she seems unlikely to issue a favorable ruling on Stone’s motion.
“It falls on President Trump to use the power of a pardon as the final means of checks and balances to right this horrible wrong,” Davis said.
Last night’s Democratic debate drew 19.7 million viewers, setting a new record, according to Nielsen.
Deadline reports:
Those figures will likely delight the candidates who performed well last night, namely Elizabeth Warren, but they may be greeted with panic over at Mike Bloomberg’s headquarters.
Warren’s campaign said it raised nearly $3 million yesterday, as the candidate went after Bloomberg for his past sexist comments and his hefty campaign spending.
But Bloomberg’s performance was widely panned, with the former New York mayor appearing unprepared for some obvious lines of attack.
Considering nearly 20 million people tuned in last night, that could be bad news for Bloomberg’s hopes of turning in a formidable performance on Super Tuesday after skipping the early voting states.
Here’s some bad news for Democrats: a new poll found Trump leading all of the top presidential candidates in the pivotal swing state of Wisconsin.
According to the Quinnipiac University poll, the 2020 Democratic field has an edge over the president in Michigan and Pennsylvania, which Trump carried in 2016.
But the poll also found that all of the candidates are trailing Trump in the key toss-up state of Wisconsin.
If the 2016 electoral map holds mostly steady this year, and Trump is able to hold Wisconsin while Democrats pick up Michigan and Pennsylvania, the president will still win reelection.
Democrats have said they expect to be competitive in other states that went for Trump in 2016, such as Arizona and Georgia.
But for the many Democrats who have argued their road to the White House runs through the Midwest, those polling numbers could cause alarm.