This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/apr/15/coronavirus-us-live-trump-decision-cut-who-funding-sparks-outrage-latest-news-updates
The article has changed 24 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 13 | Version 14 |
|---|---|
| Coronavirus US live: Protesters chant 'lock her up' against Michigan governor following Trump criticism | Coronavirus US live: Protesters chant 'lock her up' against Michigan governor following Trump criticism |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Protest planned to create gridlock in response to stay home order issued by Gretchen Whitmer, who Trump has repeatedly attacked | Protest planned to create gridlock in response to stay home order issued by Gretchen Whitmer, who Trump has repeatedly attacked |
| The Guardian’s Vivian Ho reports on the latest from California: | |
| California contributed $75m of the $125m disaster relief fund for undocumented immigrants, with philanthropic groups such as the Emerson Collective, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, the James Irvine Foundation, Blue Shield of California Foundation and the California Endowment providing the additional $50m. | |
| The amount should allow for $500 to $1,000 in household assistance, which governor Gavin Newsom acknowledged barely scratched the surface in a state with as high a cost of living as California. “I’m not here to suggest that $125m is enough, but I am here to suggest that it’s a good start and I am very proud that it is starting here in the state of California,” he said. | |
| “I recognize that we still have more to do in this space,” Newsom said. “We will endeavor to find more areas of support in the next days and weeks and over the next year as we transition back to some version of normalcy.” | |
| The relief fund comes as the number of Californians filing for unemployment insurance tops 2.7 million, Newsom said. The need for unemployment assistance has risen to a point that the governor signed an executive order launching a new call center to run 12 hours a day, seven days a week to handle the influx. | |
| There were 24,421 positive cases reported in California on Wednesday, with 821 deaths. | |
| The Guardian’s Vivian Ho reports on the latest from California: | |
| California is launching a $125m disaster relief fund for undocumented immigrants, the first of its kind in the nation, California governor Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday. | |
| Undocumented immigrants make up 10% of California’s workforce, Newsom said, but are ineligible for unemployment insurance, pandemic unemployment assistance and federal stimulus support. | |
| “Regardless of your status, documented or undocumented, there are people in need,” Newsom said. “And this is a state that steps up, always to support those in need, regardless of status.” | |
| The governor noted that there was an overrepresentation of the undocumented workforce in essential services, “in the healthcare sector, in the agriculture and food sector, in the manufacturing and logistics sector, and in the construction sector.” | |
| “We feel a deep sense of gratitude for people that are in fear of deportation but are still addressing the essential needs of tens of millions of Californians,” he said. | |
| House speaker Nancy Pelosi released a statement reiterating Democrats’ demands for the next coronavirus relief bill. | |
| Pelosi said the bill must not only grant additional funds to the Paycheck Protection Program, the small business loan program created by the stimulus package, but also give more money to hospitals and state and local governments. | |
| “As has been clear since last week, Republicans’ bill which fails to address these critical issues cannot get unanimous consent in the House,” Pelosi said. | |
| Last week, Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell tried to pass a bill that would grant $250 billion in additional funding to PPP by unanimous consent, but Democrats objected, demanding more money for hospitals and state and local governments. | |
| Congressional leaders have been negotiating to craft a compromise bill, but Pelosi’s statement indicates lawmakers remain at a stalemate, a frightening prospect considering PPP is expected to run out of funds in the next couple of days. | |
| Senator Kamala Harris said she has not given much thought to whether Joe Biden will ask her to join his ticket, offering the classic politician’s dodge on the running mate question. | Senator Kamala Harris said she has not given much thought to whether Joe Biden will ask her to join his ticket, offering the classic politician’s dodge on the running mate question. |
| “I have to be very honest with you: I am not thinking about that. I really am not,” the California senator told the 19th. | “I have to be very honest with you: I am not thinking about that. I really am not,” the California senator told the 19th. |
| “I’m talking on almost a daily basis with one or another mayor of my state — if not my governor — about the fact that today and tomorrow, they’re running out of masks. People are standing in food lines for hours. Literally, this is so real, it is so present, and this is my focus.” | “I’m talking on almost a daily basis with one or another mayor of my state — if not my governor — about the fact that today and tomorrow, they’re running out of masks. People are standing in food lines for hours. Literally, this is so real, it is so present, and this is my focus.” |
| Even though Harris harshly criticized Biden in the first Democratic debate, she has since endorsed the presumptive nominee, and she is included on essentially every list of potential running mates. | Even though Harris harshly criticized Biden in the first Democratic debate, she has since endorsed the presumptive nominee, and she is included on essentially every list of potential running mates. |
| Trump was reportedly told by his newly formed business council that coronavirus testing must substantially expand before the economy can reopen, echoing arguments made by many public health experts in recent weeks. | Trump was reportedly told by his newly formed business council that coronavirus testing must substantially expand before the economy can reopen, echoing arguments made by many public health experts in recent weeks. |
| CNN reports: | CNN reports: |
| Trump has expressed hope that the economy can start reopening by the end of the month, but today, several state and local leaders announced they were extending their stay-at-home orders at least through the rest of April. | Trump has expressed hope that the economy can start reopening by the end of the month, but today, several state and local leaders announced they were extending their stay-at-home orders at least through the rest of April. |
| The director of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr Robert Redfield, said earlier today that some states with low numbers of coronavirus cases may be able to reopen by May 1. However, those states will likely have to prepare for a potential surge in cases, which would also require expanding testing capacity. | The director of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr Robert Redfield, said earlier today that some states with low numbers of coronavirus cases may be able to reopen by May 1. However, those states will likely have to prepare for a potential surge in cases, which would also require expanding testing capacity. |
| Former president Jimmy Carter criticized Trump for halting US funding to the World Health Organization in the middle of a pandemic. | Former president Jimmy Carter criticized Trump for halting US funding to the World Health Organization in the middle of a pandemic. |
| In a newly released statement, Carter said he was “distressed” by Trump’s decision. “WHO is the only international organization capable of leading the effort to control this virus,” Carter said. | In a newly released statement, Carter said he was “distressed” by Trump’s decision. “WHO is the only international organization capable of leading the effort to control this virus,” Carter said. |
| The former president joins a number of world leaders and congressional Democrats, including House speaker Nancy Pelosi, in criticizing the move, which Trump announced at his press conference yesterday. | The former president joins a number of world leaders and congressional Democrats, including House speaker Nancy Pelosi, in criticizing the move, which Trump announced at his press conference yesterday. |
| The Guardian’s Sam Levine reports: | The Guardian’s Sam Levine reports: |
| A Michigan effort to rein in excessive partisan gerrymandering survived another GOP attack on Wednesday. | A Michigan effort to rein in excessive partisan gerrymandering survived another GOP attack on Wednesday. |
| A federal appeals court declined to step in and halt a process already underway in Michigan to create an independent commission to draw electoral districts, a loss for Republicans challenging it. | A federal appeals court declined to step in and halt a process already underway in Michigan to create an independent commission to draw electoral districts, a loss for Republicans challenging it. |
| Michigan Republicans filed two lawsuits challenging the commission in 2019, saying it unfairly discriminated against them because it bars anyone with political ties from serving on it. A federal judge ruled in November that argument was unlikely to ultimately succeed in court. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th circuit upheld the ruling on Wednesday. | Michigan Republicans filed two lawsuits challenging the commission in 2019, saying it unfairly discriminated against them because it bars anyone with political ties from serving on it. A federal judge ruled in November that argument was unlikely to ultimately succeed in court. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th circuit upheld the ruling on Wednesday. |
| Michigan voters approved creating the commission through a referendum -- organized by political novices -- in 2018 to limit gerrymandering in the state. It will draw district lines for the first time next year and is expected to produce districts that are fairer than the ones currently in place. | Michigan voters approved creating the commission through a referendum -- organized by political novices -- in 2018 to limit gerrymandering in the state. It will draw district lines for the first time next year and is expected to produce districts that are fairer than the ones currently in place. |
| Republicans controlled the redistricting process in Michigan in 2011 and drew districts that gave them a severe advantage throughout the decade. | Republicans controlled the redistricting process in Michigan in 2011 and drew districts that gave them a severe advantage throughout the decade. |
| Stacey Abrams made clear in a new Elle interview that she would like to serve as Joe Biden’s running mate now that the former vice president has secured the presidential nomination. | Stacey Abrams made clear in a new Elle interview that she would like to serve as Joe Biden’s running mate now that the former vice president has secured the presidential nomination. |
| “I would be an excellent running mate,” Abrams told Elle magazine. Abrams, who narrowly lost the 2018 Georgia gubernatorial race to Brian Kemp amid accusations of voter suppression, rattled off a list of her qualifications in the interview. | “I would be an excellent running mate,” Abrams told Elle magazine. Abrams, who narrowly lost the 2018 Georgia gubernatorial race to Brian Kemp amid accusations of voter suppression, rattled off a list of her qualifications in the interview. |
| “I have the capacity to attract voters by motivating typically ignored communities,” Abrams said. “I have a strong history of executive and management experience in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. I’ve spent 25 years in independent study of foreign policy. I am ready to help advance an agenda of restoring America’s place in the world. If I am selected, I am prepared and excited to serve.” | “I have the capacity to attract voters by motivating typically ignored communities,” Abrams said. “I have a strong history of executive and management experience in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. I’ve spent 25 years in independent study of foreign policy. I am ready to help advance an agenda of restoring America’s place in the world. If I am selected, I am prepared and excited to serve.” |
| Abrams has been frequently cited as a potential running mate to Biden, especially after the candidate explictly said last month that he would choose a woman to join his ticket. Senators Kamala Harris and Amy Klobuchar, as well as Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer, are also frequently named as possible running mates. | Abrams has been frequently cited as a potential running mate to Biden, especially after the candidate explictly said last month that he would choose a woman to join his ticket. Senators Kamala Harris and Amy Klobuchar, as well as Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer, are also frequently named as possible running mates. |
| The Supreme Court has announced it will hear two cases on disclosures of Trump’s financial records on May 12. | The Supreme Court has announced it will hear two cases on disclosures of Trump’s financial records on May 12. |
| The court announced Monday it would start holding hearings via teleconference next month after delaying hearings that were originally scheduled for March and April. | The court announced Monday it would start holding hearings via teleconference next month after delaying hearings that were originally scheduled for March and April. |
| Trump is seeking to block his financial records from being shared with New York prosectuors and congressional Democrats, who both subpoenaed the records for investigations of the president. | Trump is seeking to block his financial records from being shared with New York prosectuors and congressional Democrats, who both subpoenaed the records for investigations of the president. |
| The blockbuster cases were originally set to be heard in late March and early April, but the court said in a statement that oral arguments would now take place on May 12. | The blockbuster cases were originally set to be heard in late March and early April, but the court said in a statement that oral arguments would now take place on May 12. |
| Trump considered starting a talk radio show as coronavirus started to spread across the country last month, according to a report from the New York Times. | Trump considered starting a talk radio show as coronavirus started to spread across the country last month, according to a report from the New York Times. |
| The president quickly abandoned the idea because he didn’t want to compete with right-wing radio personality Rush Limbaugh, who recently (and controversially) received a presidential medal of freedom from Trump. | The president quickly abandoned the idea because he didn’t want to compete with right-wing radio personality Rush Limbaugh, who recently (and controversially) received a presidential medal of freedom from Trump. |
| The Times reports: | The Times reports: |
| If Trump had gone through with the idea, it’s likely he would have faced severe criticism for spending two hours a day hosting a call-in show as the country struggled through a growing pandemic. | If Trump had gone through with the idea, it’s likely he would have faced severe criticism for spending two hours a day hosting a call-in show as the country struggled through a growing pandemic. |
| A protest is underway outside the Michigan State Capitol, organized by a conservative group opposed to the state’s stay at home order. | A protest is underway outside the Michigan State Capitol, organized by a conservative group opposed to the state’s stay at home order. |
| The protest, in Lansing, MI, is organized by the Michigan Conservative Committee, who have dubbed the effort “Operation gridlock”. | The protest, in Lansing, MI, is organized by the Michigan Conservative Committee, who have dubbed the effort “Operation gridlock”. |
| As the name suggests, their plan is to create gridlock in response to Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer implementing a strict stay at home order. | As the name suggests, their plan is to create gridlock in response to Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer implementing a strict stay at home order. |
| “She’s driving us out of business. We’re driving to Lansing,” is the natty slogan the MCC has come up with for the event. | “She’s driving us out of business. We’re driving to Lansing,” is the natty slogan the MCC has come up with for the event. |
| Pictures posted by the Michigan Conservative Committee do indeed show widespread gridlock surrounding the capital. Chants of “lock her up” have been witnessed. | Pictures posted by the Michigan Conservative Committee do indeed show widespread gridlock surrounding the capital. Chants of “lock her up” have been witnessed. |
| According to reporter Dave Weigel, the protest has been marked by chants which will be familiar to anyone who has ever witnessed a Donald Trump rally. (Weigel also urges people to subscribe to the Detroit Free Press, in these hard times - on top of years of hard times - for local media). | According to reporter Dave Weigel, the protest has been marked by chants which will be familiar to anyone who has ever witnessed a Donald Trump rally. (Weigel also urges people to subscribe to the Detroit Free Press, in these hard times - on top of years of hard times - for local media). |
| The committee posted a series of rules for gridlockers on its Facebook page. Among them: “Don’t drink lots of liquids. There may not be restrooms.” | The committee posted a series of rules for gridlockers on its Facebook page. Among them: “Don’t drink lots of liquids. There may not be restrooms.” |
| It’s surely no coincidence that Donald Trump has repeatedly attacked Whitmer, a popular Democratic governor, in recent days as she requested emergency medical supplies for Michigan. | It’s surely no coincidence that Donald Trump has repeatedly attacked Whitmer, a popular Democratic governor, in recent days as she requested emergency medical supplies for Michigan. |
| Parts of Michigan have been hard hit by coronavirus, especially the Detroit area. | Parts of Michigan have been hard hit by coronavirus, especially the Detroit area. |