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| Coronavirus US live: new Trump press secretary McEnany tells reporters 'I will never lie to you' | Coronavirus US live: new Trump press secretary McEnany tells reporters 'I will never lie to you' |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Kayleigh McEnany makes pledge as she holds first White House daily briefing in over a year | Kayleigh McEnany makes pledge as she holds first White House daily briefing in over a year |
| The Guardian’s Lois Beckett reports on the latest from California: | |
| California governor Gavin Newsom promised “meaningful” adjustments to the state’s stay-at-home order in “many days, not weeks,” as small rallies to reopen the economy attracted hundreds of people in the state’s capital and in Huntington Beach, a more conservative city south of Los Angeles. | |
| Newsom said that the state was “getting very close” to making changes that would affect how businesses, including restaurants, could operate, and urged residents to be patient. | |
| More than 2,000 people have died of coronavirus in California so far, including 91 people in the previous day, but the number of patients in intensive care units stayed flat, and the total number of hospitalizations had fallen slightly, both signs of progress, Newsom said in his Friday press conference. | |
| But, Newsom said, “We can screw all that up and set all that back by making bad decisions.” | |
| The positive signs in the number of hospitalizations and ICU patients was only possible “because people have done an incredible job in their physical distancing.” | |
| “Thousands of people congregating together, not practicing social distancing or physical distancing,” could undermine the current progress in preventing the spread of the virus, Newsom said. | |
| “If we can avoid that, we can get to the other side with modifications a lot quicker,” the governor added. | |
| Gilead, the company that makes remdesivir, said it would donate 1.5 million doses of the drug to the US now that it has been approved for emergency use on hospitalized coronavirus patients. | |
| FDA commissioner Stephen Hahn said the drug’s approval for emergency use represented “an important clinical advance” in the fight against coronavirus. | |
| Gilead CEO Daniel O’Day said earlier today that his company has already ramped up production of the drug and hopes to make millions of treatment courses available by the end of the year. | |
| “I think it’s important to note that this is a medicine for the most severe patients,” O’Day told the “Today” show. “What we see here is really, of course, not a cure but a very, very significant and important treatment for patients.” | |
| Trump told reporters that the drug remedesivir has been approved for emergency use to treat coronavirus patients. | |
| FDA commissioner Stephen Hahn clarified that the drug had specifically been cleared for emergency use on hospitalized coronavirus patients. | |
| The president said the approval represented a “very promising situation” in the country’s fight against coronavirus, and Dr Deborah Birx added, “I think this really illustrates what can happen in such a short time.” | |
| The emergency approval comes days after Dr Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease expert, expressed cautious optimism about the results of a remdesivir drug trial. | |
| “The data shows that remdesivir has a clear-cut, significant, positive effect in diminishing the time to recovery,” Fauci said earlier this week. “What it has proven is that a drug can block this virus.” | |
| The Guardian’s Nina Lakhani reports on a multi-state lawsuit to protect the country’s waterways: | The Guardian’s Nina Lakhani reports on a multi-state lawsuit to protect the country’s waterways: |
| A coalition of states is suing the Trump administration’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over its so-called “dirty water rule,” which eliminates legal protections for hundreds of thousands of streams, creeks and wetlands across the country. | A coalition of states is suing the Trump administration’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over its so-called “dirty water rule,” which eliminates legal protections for hundreds of thousands of streams, creeks and wetlands across the country. |
| The lawsuit claims that the Trump administration’s new rule contradicts the 1972 Clean Water Act, supreme court precedent and the EPA’s own scientific findings. Trump’s “navigable waters protection rule”, which was published in January, narrows the definition of waterways to exclude ephemeral streams, wetlands, creeks and other headwaters which do not have visible water 365 days a year because they run intermittently or temporarily underground. For example, 90% of streams that connect to the Colorado river, which supplies water to seven western US states and two in northern Mexico, run only after rainfall or snowmelt. | The lawsuit claims that the Trump administration’s new rule contradicts the 1972 Clean Water Act, supreme court precedent and the EPA’s own scientific findings. Trump’s “navigable waters protection rule”, which was published in January, narrows the definition of waterways to exclude ephemeral streams, wetlands, creeks and other headwaters which do not have visible water 365 days a year because they run intermittently or temporarily underground. For example, 90% of streams that connect to the Colorado river, which supplies water to seven western US states and two in northern Mexico, run only after rainfall or snowmelt. |
| The rule, which has attracted widespread criticism from scientists, environmentalists, and the tourism sector, replaces an Obama era regulation that strengthened protection for about 60% of the nation’s interconnected waterways. But it goes much further than just repealing Obama’s 2015 rule, by allowing landowners and developers to dump directly into hundreds of thousands of waterways, and to destroy or fill in wetlands for construction projects. | The rule, which has attracted widespread criticism from scientists, environmentalists, and the tourism sector, replaces an Obama era regulation that strengthened protection for about 60% of the nation’s interconnected waterways. But it goes much further than just repealing Obama’s 2015 rule, by allowing landowners and developers to dump directly into hundreds of thousands of waterways, and to destroy or fill in wetlands for construction projects. |
| “Access to clean water is a fundamental right for all Americans. Trump’s dirty water rule ignores the law and science and is a reckless rollback of clean water protections … which benefits industry polluters and harms countless Americans,” said Letitia James, New York’s attorney general, at a virtual press conference today. | “Access to clean water is a fundamental right for all Americans. Trump’s dirty water rule ignores the law and science and is a reckless rollback of clean water protections … which benefits industry polluters and harms countless Americans,” said Letitia James, New York’s attorney general, at a virtual press conference today. |
| The lawsuit argues that the new rule will result in more pollution, flooding, and harm to fish and wildlife across the country — undermining decades of work to protect and enhance water resources - and will result in widespread economic losses. | The lawsuit argues that the new rule will result in more pollution, flooding, and harm to fish and wildlife across the country — undermining decades of work to protect and enhance water resources - and will result in widespread economic losses. |
| “We’re going into this fight with our three most reliable allies: the facts, science and the law,” said Xavier Becerra, California’s attorney general. In California, more than 40% of streams and half of all wetlands have been stripped of protection under the new definition, said Becerra. “Even during the coronavirus pandemic, the administration hasn’t stopped.” He added, “The latest actions come at a time when the nation’s health and economy can least afford it.” | “We’re going into this fight with our three most reliable allies: the facts, science and the law,” said Xavier Becerra, California’s attorney general. In California, more than 40% of streams and half of all wetlands have been stripped of protection under the new definition, said Becerra. “Even during the coronavirus pandemic, the administration hasn’t stopped.” He added, “The latest actions come at a time when the nation’s health and economy can least afford it.” |
| The lawsuit, co-led by New York and Califnronia, was filed today in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. Also suing are the attorneys generals of Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, the District of Columbia and the City of New York. | The lawsuit, co-led by New York and Califnronia, was filed today in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. Also suing are the attorneys generals of Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, the District of Columbia and the City of New York. |
| Donald Trump has passed further comment on the allegation against Joe Biden, in an interview with Fox News commentator and podcast host Dan Bongino. | Donald Trump has passed further comment on the allegation against Joe Biden, in an interview with Fox News commentator and podcast host Dan Bongino. |
| “I would just say to Joe Biden, ‘Just go out and fight it,’” Trump said, adding in typically contradictory style: “He’s gonna have to make his own decision, I’m not going to be telling him what to do. Biden is gonna have to go out and fight his own battles.” | “I would just say to Joe Biden, ‘Just go out and fight it,’” Trump said, adding in typically contradictory style: “He’s gonna have to make his own decision, I’m not going to be telling him what to do. Biden is gonna have to go out and fight his own battles.” |
| Trump also said he found Tara Reade’s allegation of an assault in 1993 “credible” and said that when he has to deal with such allegations, he likes “to get in front of it and I just deny it.” | Trump also said he found Tara Reade’s allegation of an assault in 1993 “credible” and said that when he has to deal with such allegations, he likes “to get in front of it and I just deny it.” |
| More than 20 women have accused Trump of sexual misconduct or assault, allegations he denies. | More than 20 women have accused Trump of sexual misconduct or assault, allegations he denies. |
| At the White House on Friday, new press secretary Kayleigh McEnany was asked about the accusations against Trump. She responded by scolding the media, saying “the president has swiftly denied all of these allegations that were raised four years ago” and claiming questions about the allegations were “asked and answered in the form of the vote of the American people”. | At the White House on Friday, new press secretary Kayleigh McEnany was asked about the accusations against Trump. She responded by scolding the media, saying “the president has swiftly denied all of these allegations that were raised four years ago” and claiming questions about the allegations were “asked and answered in the form of the vote of the American people”. |
| “Leave it to the media to really take an issue about the former vice-president and turn it on the president,” she said. | “Leave it to the media to really take an issue about the former vice-president and turn it on the president,” she said. |
| In fact, accusations against Trump have surfaced since the 2016 election: the advice columnist E Jean Carroll said he raped her at a Manhattan department store in the mid-1990s: | In fact, accusations against Trump have surfaced since the 2016 election: the advice columnist E Jean Carroll said he raped her at a Manhattan department store in the mid-1990s: |
| Carroll took Trump to court. So did Summer Zervos, a former contestant on The Apprentice. | Carroll took Trump to court. So did Summer Zervos, a former contestant on The Apprentice. |
| The National Archives has responded to Joe Biden’s interview with MSNBC and lengthy statement denying the allegation of sexual assault against him, telling HuffPo’s Amanda Terkel: | The National Archives has responded to Joe Biden’s interview with MSNBC and lengthy statement denying the allegation of sexual assault against him, telling HuffPo’s Amanda Terkel: |
| “Any records of Senate personnel complaints from 1993 would have remained under the control of the Senate. Accordingly, inquiries related to these records should be directed to the Senate.” | “Any records of Senate personnel complaints from 1993 would have remained under the control of the Senate. Accordingly, inquiries related to these records should be directed to the Senate.” |
| Biden said the National Archives would hold such records, if they existed. The following is from Lauren Gambino’s report: | Biden said the National Archives would hold such records, if they existed. The following is from Lauren Gambino’s report: |
| Here’s the full report: | Here’s the full report: |
| Another important note about the sexual misconduct allegations against Trump: it is not accurate to say the issue is years-old, as press secretary Kayleigh McEnany claimed. | Another important note about the sexual misconduct allegations against Trump: it is not accurate to say the issue is years-old, as press secretary Kayleigh McEnany claimed. |
| “You’re bringing up issues ... from four years ago that were asked and answered, and the American people had their say in the matter,” McEnany said. “Leave it to the media to really take an issue about the former vice president and turn it on the president.” | “You’re bringing up issues ... from four years ago that were asked and answered, and the American people had their say in the matter,” McEnany said. “Leave it to the media to really take an issue about the former vice president and turn it on the president.” |
| But advice columnist E Jean Carroll said in June that Trump raped her in the mid-1990s, an allegation that the president has denied, and a defamation lawsuit from one of Trump’s accusers is currently on hold in New York. | But advice columnist E Jean Carroll said in June that Trump raped her in the mid-1990s, an allegation that the president has denied, and a defamation lawsuit from one of Trump’s accusers is currently on hold in New York. |
| White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany has just concluded her first daily briefing, and she made a point to bring up the case of former national security adviser Michael Flynn. | White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany has just concluded her first daily briefing, and she made a point to bring up the case of former national security adviser Michael Flynn. |
| The president has signaled interest in a potential pardon for his former adviser, who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI in 2017. | The president has signaled interest in a potential pardon for his former adviser, who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI in 2017. |
| McEnany said the FBI’s handling of Flynn’s case “should scare every American,” insisting there was an “unfair target” on the former official’s back. | McEnany said the FBI’s handling of Flynn’s case “should scare every American,” insisting there was an “unfair target” on the former official’s back. |
| But just to reiterate: Flynn himself pleaded guilty to lying to investigators about his contact with the former Russian ambassador to the US. | But just to reiterate: Flynn himself pleaded guilty to lying to investigators about his contact with the former Russian ambassador to the US. |
| White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said of Joe Biden’s interview this morning about Tara Reade’s claim, “We are pleased that Joe Biden decided to go on the record.” | White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said of Joe Biden’s interview this morning about Tara Reade’s claim, “We are pleased that Joe Biden decided to go on the record.” |
| But when asked about the fact that Trump has been accused of sexual misconduct by dozens of women, McEnany accused the media of unnecessarily resurrecting a years-old issue. | But when asked about the fact that Trump has been accused of sexual misconduct by dozens of women, McEnany accused the media of unnecessarily resurrecting a years-old issue. |
| “The president has swiftly denied all of these allegations that were raised four years ago,” McEnany said, going on to argue that questions about the allegations were “asked and answered in the form of the vote of the American people.” | “The president has swiftly denied all of these allegations that were raised four years ago,” McEnany said, going on to argue that questions about the allegations were “asked and answered in the form of the vote of the American people.” |
| More than a dozen women have accused the president of sexual misconduct, and the “Access Hollywood” tape included audio of Trump describing grabbing women’s genitals. | More than a dozen women have accused the president of sexual misconduct, and the “Access Hollywood” tape included audio of Trump describing grabbing women’s genitals. |
| White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany reacted to Trump’s claim that Tara Reade, who has accused Joe Biden of sexual assault, was more compelling than the women who accused now-Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct. | White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany reacted to Trump’s claim that Tara Reade, who has accused Joe Biden of sexual assault, was more compelling than the women who accused now-Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct. |
| McEnany responded by saying Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearings were a “grave miscarriage of justice,” and she claimed that the allegations against him were “salacious, awful and verifiably false.” | McEnany responded by saying Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearings were a “grave miscarriage of justice,” and she claimed that the allegations against him were “salacious, awful and verifiably false.” |
| It is not accurate to say that the allegations against Kavanaugh were “verifiably false.” In her Senate testimony, Christine Blasey Ford extensively detailed an allegation of sexual assault against Kavanaugh, and it was not proven to be “verifiably false.” The Republican-led Senate confirmed Kavanaugh in the closest Supreme Court vote in history. | It is not accurate to say that the allegations against Kavanaugh were “verifiably false.” In her Senate testimony, Christine Blasey Ford extensively detailed an allegation of sexual assault against Kavanaugh, and it was not proven to be “verifiably false.” The Republican-led Senate confirmed Kavanaugh in the closest Supreme Court vote in history. |
| Asked about possible retaliatory measures the US might take against China for its handling of coronavirus, press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said she did not want to get ahead of Trump on that. | Asked about possible retaliatory measures the US might take against China for its handling of coronavirus, press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said she did not want to get ahead of Trump on that. |
| But McEnany added, “It is no secret that China mishandled this situation.” | But McEnany added, “It is no secret that China mishandled this situation.” |
| The press secretary was also pressed on the president’s claims of having seen evidence that coronavirus was created in a Chinese government lab. The office of the director of national intelligence said yesterday the intelligence community “concurs with the wide scientific consensus that the Covid-19 virus was not manmade or genetically modified”. | The press secretary was also pressed on the president’s claims of having seen evidence that coronavirus was created in a Chinese government lab. The office of the director of national intelligence said yesterday the intelligence community “concurs with the wide scientific consensus that the Covid-19 virus was not manmade or genetically modified”. |
| “Intelligence is just an estimate,” McEnany said. | “Intelligence is just an estimate,” McEnany said. |
| This one is worth keeping for future reference: White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany pledged to never lie from the briefing room podium. | This one is worth keeping for future reference: White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany pledged to never lie from the briefing room podium. |
| “I will never lie to you,” McEnany told journalists after one reporter asked if she would make such a pledge. “You have my word on that.” | “I will never lie to you,” McEnany told journalists after one reporter asked if she would make such a pledge. “You have my word on that.” |
| The promise is notable considering one of McEnany’s predecessors, Sean Spicer, began his tenure by sharing false and outlandish claims about the size of the crowd at Trump’s inauguration. | The promise is notable considering one of McEnany’s predecessors, Sean Spicer, began his tenure by sharing false and outlandish claims about the size of the crowd at Trump’s inauguration. |
| Kayleigh McEnany, the president’s new press secretary, is now holding her first White House daily briefing since assuming her role last month. | Kayleigh McEnany, the president’s new press secretary, is now holding her first White House daily briefing since assuming her role last month. |
| This is also the first formal briefing held by a press secretary in more than a year. Trump and the White House coronavirus task force have held regular briefings since the start of the crisis, but the president’s press secretary has not held a briefing since March 2019, when Sarah Huckabee Sanders suspended the practice. | This is also the first formal briefing held by a press secretary in more than a year. Trump and the White House coronavirus task force have held regular briefings since the start of the crisis, but the president’s press secretary has not held a briefing since March 2019, when Sarah Huckabee Sanders suspended the practice. |
| McEnany began by detailing the $12 billion being distributed to 395 hospitals as part of the most recent coronavirus relief bill. | McEnany began by detailing the $12 billion being distributed to 395 hospitals as part of the most recent coronavirus relief bill. |