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| Barr Defends Trump’s Dismissal of Intelligence Watchdog | Barr Defends Trump’s Dismissal of Intelligence Watchdog |
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| WASHINGTON — Attorney General William P. Barr said on Thursday that President Trump was right to fire the inspector general who disclosed the whistle-blower complaint about Mr. Trump’s dealings with Ukraine and that the president’s political enemies could face criminal prosecution. | WASHINGTON — Attorney General William P. Barr said on Thursday that President Trump was right to fire the inspector general who disclosed the whistle-blower complaint about Mr. Trump’s dealings with Ukraine and that the president’s political enemies could face criminal prosecution. |
| In coming to the president’s defense, Mr. Barr also praised Mr. Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, which has touched nearly every aspect of the economy and is projected to kill as many as 100,000 Americans. | In coming to the president’s defense, Mr. Barr also praised Mr. Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, which has touched nearly every aspect of the economy and is projected to kill as many as 100,000 Americans. |
| Mr. Barr’s statements, made in an interview with the Fox News host Laura Ingraham, show that he remains one of Mr. Trump’s staunchest allies despite a feud that erupted between the two men this year over the president’s attacks on the Justice Department. | Mr. Barr’s statements, made in an interview with the Fox News host Laura Ingraham, show that he remains one of Mr. Trump’s staunchest allies despite a feud that erupted between the two men this year over the president’s attacks on the Justice Department. |
| Late last Friday, Mr. Trump told Congress that he was firing Michael K. Atkinson, the intelligence community inspector general who disclosed the whistle-blower complaint that brought to light the president’s actions toward Ukraine and prompted impeachment proceedings last fall. | Late last Friday, Mr. Trump told Congress that he was firing Michael K. Atkinson, the intelligence community inspector general who disclosed the whistle-blower complaint that brought to light the president’s actions toward Ukraine and prompted impeachment proceedings last fall. |
| Mr. Barr said that dismissing Mr. Atkinson was the “right thing” to do, in part because he had overstepped his “fairly narrow statute” and tried to turn the whistle-blower complaint “into a commission to explore anything in the government.” | Mr. Barr said that dismissing Mr. Atkinson was the “right thing” to do, in part because he had overstepped his “fairly narrow statute” and tried to turn the whistle-blower complaint “into a commission to explore anything in the government.” |
| For weeks, Mr. Trump has been intent on rooting out administration officials he views as disloyal. And the firing, coming as Americans are focused on the outbreak that has shut down most of the country, raised fears that the White House was making a power play to oust watchdogs, whose very responsibilities are to identify waste, fraud and abuse across the government. | For weeks, Mr. Trump has been intent on rooting out administration officials he views as disloyal. And the firing, coming as Americans are focused on the outbreak that has shut down most of the country, raised fears that the White House was making a power play to oust watchdogs, whose very responsibilities are to identify waste, fraud and abuse across the government. |
| The pandemic has thrust Mr. Trump into one of the most challenging moments of his presidency, including sharp questions about his delayed response to a virus that has taken a grim economic toll and left more than 16,000 Americans dead. | The pandemic has thrust Mr. Trump into one of the most challenging moments of his presidency, including sharp questions about his delayed response to a virus that has taken a grim economic toll and left more than 16,000 Americans dead. |
| But Mr. Barr defended Mr. Trump’s handling of the coronavirus crisis on Thursday, as well as in a segment of the interview with Fox that aired on Wednesday — despite the president repeatedly playing down the threat of the virus and likening it to an ordinary flu. | But Mr. Barr defended Mr. Trump’s handling of the coronavirus crisis on Thursday, as well as in a segment of the interview with Fox that aired on Wednesday — despite the president repeatedly playing down the threat of the virus and likening it to an ordinary flu. |
| “I think the president went out at the beginning of this thing and was really statesmanlike,” Mr. Barr said. | “I think the president went out at the beginning of this thing and was really statesmanlike,” Mr. Barr said. |
| Approval for the president’s response has sagged, though, and some Republicans, including Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, have suggested that Mr. Trump hold fewer briefings. Others have suggested letting health professionals take more of a leading role in the response. | Approval for the president’s response has sagged, though, and some Republicans, including Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, have suggested that Mr. Trump hold fewer briefings. Others have suggested letting health professionals take more of a leading role in the response. |
| Meantime, on Thursday in his interview with Ms. Ingraham, Mr. Barr argued that Mr. Atkinson wrongfully notified Congress of the whistle-blower complaint “without letting the executive branch look at it and determine whether there was any problem.” The complaint suggested Mr. Trump may have violated campaign finance laws in a July phone call with the president of Ukraine, but a Justice Department review conducted before the complaint was revealed to the public found that Mr. Trump had not violated any such laws. | Meantime, on Thursday in his interview with Ms. Ingraham, Mr. Barr argued that Mr. Atkinson wrongfully notified Congress of the whistle-blower complaint “without letting the executive branch look at it and determine whether there was any problem.” The complaint suggested Mr. Trump may have violated campaign finance laws in a July phone call with the president of Ukraine, but a Justice Department review conducted before the complaint was revealed to the public found that Mr. Trump had not violated any such laws. |
| Mr. Barr also pushed back on the idea that Mr. Trump was trying to quash oversight. “He wants responsible watchdogs,” he said. | Mr. Barr also pushed back on the idea that Mr. Trump was trying to quash oversight. “He wants responsible watchdogs,” he said. |
| In recent days, a bipartisan group of lawmakers, led by Senator Charles E. Grassley, Republican of Iowa, asked Mr. Trump to provide a detailed, written explanation for his decision to remove Mr. Atkinson. The president has told Congress that he did so because he no longer had full confidence in Mr. Atkinson. | In recent days, a bipartisan group of lawmakers, led by Senator Charles E. Grassley, Republican of Iowa, asked Mr. Trump to provide a detailed, written explanation for his decision to remove Mr. Atkinson. The president has told Congress that he did so because he no longer had full confidence in Mr. Atkinson. |
| The senators suggested that Mr. Trump may have acted wrongfully. | The senators suggested that Mr. Trump may have acted wrongfully. |
| “Congress intended that inspectors general only be removed when there is clear evidence of wrongdoing or failure to perform the duties of the office,” they wrote. “Lost confidence, without further explanation, is not sufficient.” | “Congress intended that inspectors general only be removed when there is clear evidence of wrongdoing or failure to perform the duties of the office,” they wrote. “Lost confidence, without further explanation, is not sufficient.” |
| Updated June 5, 2020 | Updated June 5, 2020 |
| So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. | |
| A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. | A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. |
| The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. | The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. |
| Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. | Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. |
| Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. | Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. |
| States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. | States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. |
| Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. | Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. |
| Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. | Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. |
| If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) | If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) |
| Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. | Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. |
| The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. | The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. |
| If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. | If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. |
| If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. | If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. |
| By law, the president can only remove the intelligence community inspector general a month after notifying the intelligence communities of his rationale for the decision. | By law, the president can only remove the intelligence community inspector general a month after notifying the intelligence communities of his rationale for the decision. |
| In the interview, Mr. Barr also said that some of the people who were involved in the decision to investigate the Trump campaign in 2016 could face federal criminal prosecution. | In the interview, Mr. Barr also said that some of the people who were involved in the decision to investigate the Trump campaign in 2016 could face federal criminal prosecution. |
| John H. Durham, the veteran federal prosecutor assigned to look into the origins of the campaign investigation, “is looking to bring to justice people who were engaged in abuses if he can show there were criminal violations,” Mr. Barr said. | John H. Durham, the veteran federal prosecutor assigned to look into the origins of the campaign investigation, “is looking to bring to justice people who were engaged in abuses if he can show there were criminal violations,” Mr. Barr said. |
| “My own view is that the evidence shows that we are not dealing with just mistakes or sloppiness,” Mr. Barr said. “There is something far more troubling here. And we’re going to get to the bottom of it. And if people broke the law and we can establish that with the evidence, they will be prosecuted.” | “My own view is that the evidence shows that we are not dealing with just mistakes or sloppiness,” Mr. Barr said. “There is something far more troubling here. And we’re going to get to the bottom of it. And if people broke the law and we can establish that with the evidence, they will be prosecuted.” |
| Mr. Barr’s opinion on the Durham investigation does not fully comport with a report issued in December by Michael E. Horowitz, the inspector general for the Justice Department. Mr. Horowitz found that applications that the F.B.I. put together to wiretap a Trump campaign associate were riddled with errors, unsupported statements and omissions. He also found that the F.B.I. did not fully disclose information to the Justice Department. But Mr. Horowitz ultimately concluded that the F.B.I. was not wrong to open the investigation. | Mr. Barr’s opinion on the Durham investigation does not fully comport with a report issued in December by Michael E. Horowitz, the inspector general for the Justice Department. Mr. Horowitz found that applications that the F.B.I. put together to wiretap a Trump campaign associate were riddled with errors, unsupported statements and omissions. He also found that the F.B.I. did not fully disclose information to the Justice Department. But Mr. Horowitz ultimately concluded that the F.B.I. was not wrong to open the investigation. |
| Mr. Barr did not say when he expected Mr. Durham to wrap up his investigation, or who he was targeting. | Mr. Barr did not say when he expected Mr. Durham to wrap up his investigation, or who he was targeting. |