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| Republicans release list of Obama officials who sought to 'unmask' Flynn, including Biden – live | Republicans release list of Obama officials who sought to 'unmask' Flynn, including Biden – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| James Comey, Samantha Power and James Clapper among officials on list Trump’s acting director of national intelligence sent to Republican senators | James Comey, Samantha Power and James Clapper among officials on list Trump’s acting director of national intelligence sent to Republican senators |
| A Republican candidate just won a special election in California’s 25th Congressional District. The House district was formerly represented by Democrat Katie Hill, who stepped down after she was accused of having a relationship with a staffer and nude photos of her were published online. | |
| Democrat candidate Christy Smith, a former school board member, conceded this afternoon to Mike Garcia, a former Navy pilot and defense contractor. Garcia will serve the rest of Hill’s term, which goes until the end of the year, and will have to run again in November. | |
| The district in Southern California has flipped between Democrat and Republican over the last few years. The district voted for Republican Mitt Romney in the 2012 presidential election, but voted for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election. Hill took the seat of a Republican incumbent in the 2018 midterm elections. | |
| Whether this special election can be used as a litmus test for the possibilities of what’s to come in November is unclear as special elections tend to have lower turnout. | |
| The Guardian’s Sam Levine reports: | The Guardian’s Sam Levine reports: |
| Missouri Republicans have approved a new ballot measure seeking to undo significant gerrymandering reform voters overwhelmingly approved just two years ago. | Missouri Republicans have approved a new ballot measure seeking to undo significant gerrymandering reform voters overwhelmingly approved just two years ago. |
| In 2018, 62% of Missouri voters supported a constitutional amendment to put a non-partisan demographer in charge of drawing the districts for state legislators. The measure also established prioritized criteria for the demographer to follow, making partisan fairness and competitiveness one of the most important ones. The reform would likely weaken Republican control of the state legislature, an Associated Press analysis found. | In 2018, 62% of Missouri voters supported a constitutional amendment to put a non-partisan demographer in charge of drawing the districts for state legislators. The measure also established prioritized criteria for the demographer to follow, making partisan fairness and competitiveness one of the most important ones. The reform would likely weaken Republican control of the state legislature, an Associated Press analysis found. |
| The next round of redistricting won’t take place until 2021, and the demographer hasn’t even been chosen yet. But if voters approve the new Republican proposal, they would eliminate the position entirely and return redistricting power to committees picked by the state Democratic and Republican parties and the governor. It makes partisan fairness and competitiveness the least important criteria to follow when redistricting, instead prioritizing keeping districts compact and contiguous. | The next round of redistricting won’t take place until 2021, and the demographer hasn’t even been chosen yet. But if voters approve the new Republican proposal, they would eliminate the position entirely and return redistricting power to committees picked by the state Democratic and Republican parties and the governor. It makes partisan fairness and competitiveness the least important criteria to follow when redistricting, instead prioritizing keeping districts compact and contiguous. |
| The U.S. constitution requires districts to have roughly the same number of people in each district and states have long used the all residents as the basis for drawing districts. But the Republican proposal requires districts to be drawn on the basis of “one person, one vote,” a change many believe would allow districts to be drawn solely on the population eligible to vote. Such a change would likely “benefit Republicans and non-Hispanic whites,” Thomas Hofeller, a top GOP redistricting expert wrote in 2015. | The U.S. constitution requires districts to have roughly the same number of people in each district and states have long used the all residents as the basis for drawing districts. But the Republican proposal requires districts to be drawn on the basis of “one person, one vote,” a change many believe would allow districts to be drawn solely on the population eligible to vote. Such a change would likely “benefit Republicans and non-Hispanic whites,” Thomas Hofeller, a top GOP redistricting expert wrote in 2015. |
| There’s already a rush of a split-screen response over the Republicans’ reveal of the “unmasking” list. | There’s already a rush of a split-screen response over the Republicans’ reveal of the “unmasking” list. |
| Republicans are repeating what Republican senator Rand Paul just said at a press conference, calling the list damning evidence that the Obama administration was using government resources to spy on Trump. | Republicans are repeating what Republican senator Rand Paul just said at a press conference, calling the list damning evidence that the Obama administration was using government resources to spy on Trump. |
| Members of the GOP are starting to call for hearings to investigate efforts to “unmask” Flynn. | Members of the GOP are starting to call for hearings to investigate efforts to “unmask” Flynn. |
| Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn, an ally of Trump, said on Twitter that the list is proof that the Obama administration “had a history of using intelligence agencies to target political opponents” | Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn, an ally of Trump, said on Twitter that the list is proof that the Obama administration “had a history of using intelligence agencies to target political opponents” |
| Meanwhile, Democrats are pointing out that “unmasking” is routine intelligence work, conducted by the federal government thousands of times a year. | Meanwhile, Democrats are pointing out that “unmasking” is routine intelligence work, conducted by the federal government thousands of times a year. |
| Trump’s acting director of national intelligence Richard Grenell sent Republican senators a list of former Obama officials who are believed to be involved with efforts to “unmask” ousted national security advisor Michael Flynn. On the list is former vice president Joe Biden along with other officials, including former FBI director James Comey and former director of national intelligence James Clapper. | Trump’s acting director of national intelligence Richard Grenell sent Republican senators a list of former Obama officials who are believed to be involved with efforts to “unmask” ousted national security advisor Michael Flynn. On the list is former vice president Joe Biden along with other officials, including former FBI director James Comey and former director of national intelligence James Clapper. |
| The list was released in a memo that was declassified Wednesday, according to the Wall Street Journal, and released by Ron Johnson and Chuck Grassley, two Republican senators. | The list was released in a memo that was declassified Wednesday, according to the Wall Street Journal, and released by Ron Johnson and Chuck Grassley, two Republican senators. |
| “Unmasking” is the process national security officials use to reveal the identities of American citizens involved in conversations with foreign agents that have been subjected to government surveillance. | “Unmasking” is the process national security officials use to reveal the identities of American citizens involved in conversations with foreign agents that have been subjected to government surveillance. |
| Reporters on Twitter have been quick to point out that “unmasking” is a routine practice in national security, done thousands of times a year. | Reporters on Twitter have been quick to point out that “unmasking” is a routine practice in national security, done thousands of times a year. |
| But Republican lawmakers have already started to jump on the news, saying that it is evidence that Biden is “guilty of using the government to go after a political opponent,” said Republican senator Rand Paul. | But Republican lawmakers have already started to jump on the news, saying that it is evidence that Biden is “guilty of using the government to go after a political opponent,” said Republican senator Rand Paul. |
| Trump’s campaign manager Brad Parscale said in a statement emailed to supporters that “Americans have a right to know the depth of Biden’s involvement in the setup of Gen. Flynn to further the Russia collusion hoax”. | Trump’s campaign manager Brad Parscale said in a statement emailed to supporters that “Americans have a right to know the depth of Biden’s involvement in the setup of Gen. Flynn to further the Russia collusion hoax”. |
| Yellowstone to partially reopen May 18 | Yellowstone to partially reopen May 18 |
| Officials announced Yellowstone National Park will begin a partial reopen on Monday, May 18, allowing visitors to access the park at two of the park’s entrances in Wyoming. | Officials announced Yellowstone National Park will begin a partial reopen on Monday, May 18, allowing visitors to access the park at two of the park’s entrances in Wyoming. |
| Wyoming lifted its out-of-state travel restriction last Friday, giving the national park an opportunity to experiment with reopening the park and how it will affect surrounding Wyoming counties. | Wyoming lifted its out-of-state travel restriction last Friday, giving the national park an opportunity to experiment with reopening the park and how it will affect surrounding Wyoming counties. |
| Idaho and Montana, the two other states the park is located in, still have out-of-state travel restrictions in place. The entrances in those states will remain closed. | Idaho and Montana, the two other states the park is located in, still have out-of-state travel restrictions in place. The entrances in those states will remain closed. |
| In a statement, park officials said they have three phases of reopening the park in mind: First is the reopening of the Wyoming entrances, allowing visitors to access trails, restrooms and self-service gas stations. The second phase would be the same, though with the rest of the park in Idaho and Montana. The third phase would see the reopening of hotels, tour buses and ranger programs. The park said it does not have a date set for the next two phases. | In a statement, park officials said they have three phases of reopening the park in mind: First is the reopening of the Wyoming entrances, allowing visitors to access trails, restrooms and self-service gas stations. The second phase would be the same, though with the rest of the park in Idaho and Montana. The third phase would see the reopening of hotels, tour buses and ranger programs. The park said it does not have a date set for the next two phases. |
| NY Attorney General to investigate NYPD enforcement of social distancing measures | NY Attorney General to investigate NYPD enforcement of social distancing measures |
| New York Attorney General Letitia James announced this afternoon that her office will be looking into whether NYPD has been equally enforcing social distancing measures in the city. | New York Attorney General Letitia James announced this afternoon that her office will be looking into whether NYPD has been equally enforcing social distancing measures in the city. |
| NYPD has come under fire in recent weeks after it was revealed that 35 of 40 arrests for social-distancing violations made between March 17 and May 4 were arrests of black individuals. Four of the arrests were Hispanic, and one was white. All the while pictures were posted on social media of crowded parks in the more white, affluent neighborhoods in the city. | NYPD has come under fire in recent weeks after it was revealed that 35 of 40 arrests for social-distancing violations made between March 17 and May 4 were arrests of black individuals. Four of the arrests were Hispanic, and one was white. All the while pictures were posted on social media of crowded parks in the more white, affluent neighborhoods in the city. |
| “The apparent unequal enforcement of social distancing policies is deeply troubling, and deepens the divide between law enforcement and the people they are tasked to protect,” James said in a statement. | “The apparent unequal enforcement of social distancing policies is deeply troubling, and deepens the divide between law enforcement and the people they are tasked to protect,” James said in a statement. |
| Rocky Mountain National Park in northern Colorado is scheduled to reopen near the end of May, two months after the park was closed in response to the coronavirus pandemic, park officials said today. | Rocky Mountain National Park in northern Colorado is scheduled to reopen near the end of May, two months after the park was closed in response to the coronavirus pandemic, park officials said today. |
| Recreational access and services at the park are scheduled to resume May 27, a day after Democratic Governor Jared Polis’s current executive order is set to expire, the Denver Post reports. | Recreational access and services at the park are scheduled to resume May 27, a day after Democratic Governor Jared Polis’s current executive order is set to expire, the Denver Post reports. |
| Rocky Mountain National Park, which closed March 20 amid the pandemic, is scheduled to reopen in phases. | Rocky Mountain National Park, which closed March 20 amid the pandemic, is scheduled to reopen in phases. |
| Some shuttle bus operations will resume on May 27, officials said, and some campgrounds with limited numbers of sites available will reopen on June 4. | Some shuttle bus operations will resume on May 27, officials said, and some campgrounds with limited numbers of sites available will reopen on June 4. |
| Park officials are still determining the timing and feasibility of park visitor center operations and other services. | Park officials are still determining the timing and feasibility of park visitor center operations and other services. |
| The reopening is reportedly being coordinated with guidance from the White House and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as state and local public health authorities, although that must be quite difficult because, as is also being extensively reported, the White House and the CDC do not agree on the details of safely reopening American society and business right now. | The reopening is reportedly being coordinated with guidance from the White House and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as state and local public health authorities, although that must be quite difficult because, as is also being extensively reported, the White House and the CDC do not agree on the details of safely reopening American society and business right now. |
| It’s been a busy morning and there’s more to come in US politics and coronavirus news. | It’s been a busy morning and there’s more to come in US politics and coronavirus news. |
| Here are the main developments so far today: | Here are the main developments so far today: |
| Ousted whistleblower Rick Bright is expected to warn in opening remarks before the US Congress at a House committee hearing tomorrow morning that America is facing “the darkest winter in modern history” if it doesn’t get its act together to prevent a huge new wave of coronavirus. | Ousted whistleblower Rick Bright is expected to warn in opening remarks before the US Congress at a House committee hearing tomorrow morning that America is facing “the darkest winter in modern history” if it doesn’t get its act together to prevent a huge new wave of coronavirus. |
| The US economy is facing a ‘highly uncertain’ future and is ‘subject to significant downside risks’, according to Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell. | The US economy is facing a ‘highly uncertain’ future and is ‘subject to significant downside risks’, according to Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell. |
| Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort was released from prison, where he was serving seven years for fraud, to remain under home confinement amid heightened risk to his already-poor health amid the coronavirus pandemic. | Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort was released from prison, where he was serving seven years for fraud, to remain under home confinement amid heightened risk to his already-poor health amid the coronavirus pandemic. |
| The gap between US top public health experts and the White House on the way to reopen US society and business safely has grown to a gulf, with a new report about the shelved CDC guidelines clashing with White House guidelines. | The gap between US top public health experts and the White House on the way to reopen US society and business safely has grown to a gulf, with a new report about the shelved CDC guidelines clashing with White House guidelines. |
| All eyes on Rick Bright | All eyes on Rick Bright |
| There will likely be some fireworks at 10am ET tomorrow when whistleblower Rick Bright testifies before the House of Representatives committee on energy and commerce. | There will likely be some fireworks at 10am ET tomorrow when whistleblower Rick Bright testifies before the House of Representatives committee on energy and commerce. |
| Based on an advance copy of his opening remarks, he will excoriate the Trump administration and will no doubt be egged on by the Democratic-majority committee. | Based on an advance copy of his opening remarks, he will excoriate the Trump administration and will no doubt be egged on by the Democratic-majority committee. |
| The Senate committee hearing with federal public health leaders Anthony Fauci, Robert Redfield and Stephen Hahn yesterday was a very calm, polite affair - but no less devastating for it. | The Senate committee hearing with federal public health leaders Anthony Fauci, Robert Redfield and Stephen Hahn yesterday was a very calm, polite affair - but no less devastating for it. |
| When Dr Fauci quietly warns you that the coronavirus pandemic is not under control “by any means” in the US - you listen. | When Dr Fauci quietly warns you that the coronavirus pandemic is not under control “by any means” in the US - you listen. |
| He was much more understated that in his warning via the New York Times the night before of “needless suffering and death” to occur if reopening is rushed ie before guidelines on declining cases, lots more testing and hospital capacity, etc, are achieved. | He was much more understated that in his warning via the New York Times the night before of “needless suffering and death” to occur if reopening is rushed ie before guidelines on declining cases, lots more testing and hospital capacity, etc, are achieved. |
| But Fauci’s cool testimony drew praise from Republicans. | But Fauci’s cool testimony drew praise from Republicans. |
| Bright’s testimony tomorrow will be electric, for certain. A reminder of some of the searing things he’s said in recent days: | Bright’s testimony tomorrow will be electric, for certain. A reminder of some of the searing things he’s said in recent days: |
| And: | And: |
| Senate rejects data privacy amendment | Senate rejects data privacy amendment |
| The Senate just now voted down an amendment that would limit the federal government’s ability to obtain data without a warrant. | The Senate just now voted down an amendment that would limit the federal government’s ability to obtain data without a warrant. |
| The amendment was introduced by a bipartisan pair of senators as one potential reform of the Foriegn Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which gives the US federal government broad power to surveil individuals who are considered a threat to national security. | The amendment was introduced by a bipartisan pair of senators as one potential reform of the Foriegn Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which gives the US federal government broad power to surveil individuals who are considered a threat to national security. |
| The amendment would prohibit the federal government from collecting information such as web browsing and internet search history without probable cause. | The amendment would prohibit the federal government from collecting information such as web browsing and internet search history without probable cause. |
| Rumors of Biden’s VP shortlist continue to circulate | Rumors of Biden’s VP shortlist continue to circulate |
| As Joe Biden weighs his options for vice president predominantly in private, rumors of who the front-runners continue to float around. | As Joe Biden weighs his options for vice president predominantly in private, rumors of who the front-runners continue to float around. |
| CNN reported today that former presidential candidates and current US senators Kamala Harris and Amy Klobuchar are currently his leading contenders, according to sources close to the candidate. | CNN reported today that former presidential candidates and current US senators Kamala Harris and Amy Klobuchar are currently his leading contenders, according to sources close to the candidate. |
| Here’s more from CNN: | Here’s more from CNN: |