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| Republican senator to step down as intelligence committee head amid insider trading scandal – live | Republican senator to step down as intelligence committee head amid insider trading scandal – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Richard Burr’s phone was recently seized by the FBI amid an ongoing investigation over whether the senator engaged in insider trading | Richard Burr’s phone was recently seized by the FBI amid an ongoing investigation over whether the senator engaged in insider trading |
| As Trump and his team were lead around the Owens & Minor facility reporters noted that the president and chief of staff Mark Meadows were the only two people of the entourage not wearing masks. | |
| And according to The Huffington Post’s S.V. Date, the pool reporter during the Allentown trip, “The president and his entourage were led around by Owens and Minor employees, who explained their distribution system and the products they handle. Trump and COS Mark Meadows did not wear masks. Everyone else did.” | |
| Donald Trump has arrived in Allentown, Pennsylvania, for a tour of Owens and Minor, a medical equipment distribution company where he plans to tout his administration’s efforts ramping up testing and boosting production of vital protective equipment. | |
| The Pennsylvania jaunt marks the second time in as many weeks that Trump has visited a battleground state at a time when campaign travel has been almost entirely suspended. | |
| On a tour of the facility, Trump did not wear a mask, though nearly everyone else in his entourage was spotted wearing a face covering. | |
| Trump approached reporters as Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean played over the loudspeaker, part of what appeared to be a playlist similar to the ones featured at his signature campaign rallies. | |
| “Most of this equipment is made in the USA,” he told them. “That’s the way we like it.” | |
| More details about Burr’s decision to step down, from the congressional reporters at Politico: | More details about Burr’s decision to step down, from the congressional reporters at Politico: |
| It’s also important to note that it’s extremely rare for a sitting senator to be the target of a federal investigation. Politico noted it’s also very rare for such a lawmaker to be served a search warrant. | It’s also important to note that it’s extremely rare for a sitting senator to be the target of a federal investigation. Politico noted it’s also very rare for such a lawmaker to be served a search warrant. |
| Besides Burr, federal law enforcement officials also questioned California senator Dianne Feinstein on stock trades her husband made after the coronavirus pandemic began. According to the San Francisco Chronicle: | Besides Burr, federal law enforcement officials also questioned California senator Dianne Feinstein on stock trades her husband made after the coronavirus pandemic began. According to the San Francisco Chronicle: |
| More on the flurry of stock trading amidst the pandemic here: | More on the flurry of stock trading amidst the pandemic here: |
| A cast of high-profile climate advocates are coming together to launch three different efforts to elevate the climate crisis in the 2020 election and highlight president Trump’s failures on the issue. | A cast of high-profile climate advocates are coming together to launch three different efforts to elevate the climate crisis in the 2020 election and highlight president Trump’s failures on the issue. |
| Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and former secretary of state John Kerry will lead a task force to advise Joe Biden and the Democratic Party on climate change policy. Biden this week announced task forces on six separate issues, aimed at unifying with supporters of Vermont senator Bernie Sanders. | Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and former secretary of state John Kerry will lead a task force to advise Joe Biden and the Democratic Party on climate change policy. Biden this week announced task forces on six separate issues, aimed at unifying with supporters of Vermont senator Bernie Sanders. |
| Other members of the climate task force include Florida congresswoman Kathy Castor, who leads the select committee on climate; and Obama-era environment chief Gina McCarthy, who now runs the Natural Resources Defense Council. Another effort, Evergreen Action, will be run by staff from Washington Gov. Jay Inslee’s presidential campaign. The group says it will provide “an open-source climate policy platform based on Inslee’s ‘gold standard’ climate plan, in order to inspire bold action by the next president and Congress.” Inslee’s ambitious climate plans during the primary paved the way for other candidates to ramp up their own policy proposals. | Other members of the climate task force include Florida congresswoman Kathy Castor, who leads the select committee on climate; and Obama-era environment chief Gina McCarthy, who now runs the Natural Resources Defense Council. Another effort, Evergreen Action, will be run by staff from Washington Gov. Jay Inslee’s presidential campaign. The group says it will provide “an open-source climate policy platform based on Inslee’s ‘gold standard’ climate plan, in order to inspire bold action by the next president and Congress.” Inslee’s ambitious climate plans during the primary paved the way for other candidates to ramp up their own policy proposals. |
| “Evergreen is picking up where Gov. Inslee left off: Leading the fight for bold climate policies and a national mobilization to defeat the climate crisis,” said political director Maggie Thomas, who advised both Inslee and senator Elizabeth Warren on climate. | “Evergreen is picking up where Gov. Inslee left off: Leading the fight for bold climate policies and a national mobilization to defeat the climate crisis,” said political director Maggie Thomas, who advised both Inslee and senator Elizabeth Warren on climate. |
| Evergreen launched a policy memo with Data for Progress to lay out a $1.5 trillion “Clean Jumpstart” stimulus plan. A third group, Climate Power 2020, describes itself as “a team of seasoned political strategists, content creators, digital organizers, activists, and communications operatives,” launching “a campaign dedicated to changing the politics of climate in 2020.” | Evergreen launched a policy memo with Data for Progress to lay out a $1.5 trillion “Clean Jumpstart” stimulus plan. A third group, Climate Power 2020, describes itself as “a team of seasoned political strategists, content creators, digital organizers, activists, and communications operatives,” launching “a campaign dedicated to changing the politics of climate in 2020.” |
| The group’s board includes a number of Obama officials: John Kerry, John Podesta, John Holdren, Gina McCarthy, Ernest Moniz, Samantha Power and Mustafa Ali. It also includes Rhiana Gunn-Wright, co-author of the Green New Deal; Varshini Prakash, founder of the youth-led Sunrise Movement; Jamal Raad, from Evergreen Action; and Maria Urbina, from Indivisible. Former Senate majority leader Harry Reid and philanthropist Tom Steyer are also on the board | The group’s board includes a number of Obama officials: John Kerry, John Podesta, John Holdren, Gina McCarthy, Ernest Moniz, Samantha Power and Mustafa Ali. It also includes Rhiana Gunn-Wright, co-author of the Green New Deal; Varshini Prakash, founder of the youth-led Sunrise Movement; Jamal Raad, from Evergreen Action; and Maria Urbina, from Indivisible. Former Senate majority leader Harry Reid and philanthropist Tom Steyer are also on the board |
| Rick Bright has warned in his Congressional hearing that minority communities are being “hit very hard” by Covid-19 and that this will be worsened by a “devastating” fall and winter if there isn’t a proper federal government plan to test and trace people with the virus. | Rick Bright has warned in his Congressional hearing that minority communities are being “hit very hard” by Covid-19 and that this will be worsened by a “devastating” fall and winter if there isn’t a proper federal government plan to test and trace people with the virus. |
| “If we don’t, this virus will overcome us in significant ways,” says Bright, who was ousted as a top vaccines official last month. “We have limited time. Everyone needs to get busy stopping this virus.” | “If we don’t, this virus will overcome us in significant ways,” says Bright, who was ousted as a top vaccines official last month. “We have limited time. Everyone needs to get busy stopping this virus.” |
| Bright reiterated his claim that the US was not fully prepared for the outbreak, adding that a vital opportunity to educate the public on social distancing and wearing a mask was missed in January and February. “That could’ve slowed the outbreak and saved lives,” Bright told lawmakers. | Bright reiterated his claim that the US was not fully prepared for the outbreak, adding that a vital opportunity to educate the public on social distancing and wearing a mask was missed in January and February. “That could’ve slowed the outbreak and saved lives,” Bright told lawmakers. |
| Michigan lawmakers canceled their legislative session in the face of armed protests and death threats directed at Gretchen Whitmer, the state’s governor. | Michigan lawmakers canceled their legislative session in the face of armed protests and death threats directed at Gretchen Whitmer, the state’s governor. |
| According to Bloomberg’s David Welch: | According to Bloomberg’s David Welch: |
| Despite a thunderstorm with heavy rains, dozens of protesters are on the Michigan State Capitol steps and lawn calling for an end to Michigan’s stay-at-home order, and demanding governor Gretchen Whitmer’s resignation. | Despite a thunderstorm with heavy rains, dozens of protesters are on the Michigan State Capitol steps and lawn calling for an end to Michigan’s stay-at-home order, and demanding governor Gretchen Whitmer’s resignation. |
| The protest is organized by Michigan United For Liberty, a militia group that’s suing Whitmer over her orders. | The protest is organized by Michigan United For Liberty, a militia group that’s suing Whitmer over her orders. |
| The demonstrators include a small number of militiamen carrying assault rifles, and the protest is part of a high-tension week in Lansing. | The demonstrators include a small number of militiamen carrying assault rifles, and the protest is part of a high-tension week in Lansing. |
| After armed militia members glared and shouted at the legislature on April 30 during a heated debate over extending Whitmer’s stay-at-home order through the end of May, Democrats called for a ban on guns in the State Capitol building. | After armed militia members glared and shouted at the legislature on April 30 during a heated debate over extending Whitmer’s stay-at-home order through the end of May, Democrats called for a ban on guns in the State Capitol building. |
| They charge that the protests are no longer about the stay-at-home orders, but a forum for intimidating Democrats in the legislature. | They charge that the protests are no longer about the stay-at-home orders, but a forum for intimidating Democrats in the legislature. |
| Republicans, however, effectively killed that effort on Monday just as reports of assasination threats against Whitmer and other Democratic lawmakers on right wing social media pages surfaced. | Republicans, however, effectively killed that effort on Monday just as reports of assasination threats against Whitmer and other Democratic lawmakers on right wing social media pages surfaced. |
| That’s led to more emotional debates on the Senate floor, and the organizers billed today’s protest as “Judgement Day.” State Police and Michigan attorney general Dana Nessel responded with warnings that those who brandish weapons, obstruct police, or don’t follow social distancing guidelines will be ticketed or arrested. | That’s led to more emotional debates on the Senate floor, and the organizers billed today’s protest as “Judgement Day.” State Police and Michigan attorney general Dana Nessel responded with warnings that those who brandish weapons, obstruct police, or don’t follow social distancing guidelines will be ticketed or arrested. |
| But the first hour of the protest was largely calm, save for a brief scuffle with a counter-protestor. Some demonstrators are wearing masks, but few are following social distancing guidelines. | But the first hour of the protest was largely calm, save for a brief scuffle with a counter-protestor. Some demonstrators are wearing masks, but few are following social distancing guidelines. |
| Phil Robinson, a member of the Michigan Liberty Militia, carried an assault rifle and wore full armor on Thursday morning. | Phil Robinson, a member of the Michigan Liberty Militia, carried an assault rifle and wore full armor on Thursday morning. |
| He told reporters that the idea that militia members are there to intimidate is wrong and characterized his group as peacekeepers and “law-abiding citizens.” The militia, he added, has worked security for past protests, though they weren’t on security detail for this demonstration. | He told reporters that the idea that militia members are there to intimidate is wrong and characterized his group as peacekeepers and “law-abiding citizens.” The militia, he added, has worked security for past protests, though they weren’t on security detail for this demonstration. |
| “[Our mission] is simply to keep the peace and exercise not only our Second Amendment but First Amendment [rights]. This is our freedom of expression,” he said | “[Our mission] is simply to keep the peace and exercise not only our Second Amendment but First Amendment [rights]. This is our freedom of expression,” he said |
| Burr’s phone, readers should recall, was recently seized by the FBI amid an ongoing investigation over whether the North Carolina senator engaged in insider trading. | Burr’s phone, readers should recall, was recently seized by the FBI amid an ongoing investigation over whether the North Carolina senator engaged in insider trading. |
| Burr was served a warrant Wednesday evening. Per the Raleigh News & Observer: | Burr was served a warrant Wednesday evening. Per the Raleigh News & Observer: |
| Virginia senator Mark Warner, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence committee, was made aware that his counterpart would step down, according to CNN’s Lauren Fox. | Virginia senator Mark Warner, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence committee, was made aware that his counterpart would step down, according to CNN’s Lauren Fox. |
| McConnell: Burr will step aside from Intel chairmanship | McConnell: Burr will step aside from Intel chairmanship |
| Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell announced on Thursday that Senator Richard Burr will step down from his post as chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee. McConnell made the announcement in a statement: | Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell announced on Thursday that Senator Richard Burr will step down from his post as chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee. McConnell made the announcement in a statement: |
| Asked about a specific moment when he realized that the country was unequpped to respond to the pandemic, Bright recalled an email from Prestige Ameritech co-owner Mike Bowen. | Asked about a specific moment when he realized that the country was unequpped to respond to the pandemic, Bright recalled an email from Prestige Ameritech co-owner Mike Bowen. |
| “We’re in deep shit” Bright recalled Bowen writing in the email. See the exchange below: | “We’re in deep shit” Bright recalled Bowen writing in the email. See the exchange below: |
| Bright, during this hearing, said that his increasingly urgent warnings about the coronavirus spread caused a “commotion” and he was pushed out of meetings as a result. | Bright, during this hearing, said that his increasingly urgent warnings about the coronavirus spread caused a “commotion” and he was pushed out of meetings as a result. |
| “I was told that my urgings were causing a commotion and I was removed from those meetings,” Bright said, as Axios highlighted. | “I was told that my urgings were causing a commotion and I was removed from those meetings,” Bright said, as Axios highlighted. |
| Bright, in responding to questions from Eshoo, also said “I believe we could have done better. I believe there were critical steps that we did not take in time.” | Bright, in responding to questions from Eshoo, also said “I believe we could have done better. I believe there were critical steps that we did not take in time.” |
| Asked if there was a failure to respond when he pushed to obtain early viral samples from China to better study the virus, Bright said “as soon as we were aware that this virus was a significant threat to human lives I began pushing for those virus samples.” | Asked if there was a failure to respond when he pushed to obtain early viral samples from China to better study the virus, Bright said “as soon as we were aware that this virus was a significant threat to human lives I began pushing for those virus samples.” |
| HHS pushes back on Rick Bright allegations | HHS pushes back on Rick Bright allegations |
| During this hearing, the Department of Health and Human Services pushed back on Bright’s allegations. | During this hearing, the Department of Health and Human Services pushed back on Bright’s allegations. |
| The HHS press release is titled: “CLAIM vs. REALITY” and reads: | The HHS press release is titled: “CLAIM vs. REALITY” and reads: |
| Trump wants to force Obama to testify, although it’s unclear as to what | Trump wants to force Obama to testify, although it’s unclear as to what |
| While this Rick Bright testimony is going on Donald Trump urged South Carolina senator Lindsay Graham, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, to force former president Barack Obama to testify on “the biggest political crime” in American history. | While this Rick Bright testimony is going on Donald Trump urged South Carolina senator Lindsay Graham, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, to force former president Barack Obama to testify on “the biggest political crime” in American history. |
| It’s unclear exactly what Trump is referring to. But in recent days the hashtag #obamagate has floated around Twitter after Obama criticized the Department of Justice for dropping the charges against former national security adviser Mike Flynn. | It’s unclear exactly what Trump is referring to. But in recent days the hashtag #obamagate has floated around Twitter after Obama criticized the Department of Justice for dropping the charges against former national security adviser Mike Flynn. |
| Trump was asked about Obamagate during a press conference last week. He didn’t elaborate specifically what alleged crime or crimes that refers to. | Trump was asked about Obamagate during a press conference last week. He didn’t elaborate specifically what alleged crime or crimes that refers to. |