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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 |
| 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: | |
| 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. |
| The tone of Dr Bright’s testimony during this hearing is one of urgency. | The tone of Dr Bright’s testimony during this hearing is one of urgency. |
| Just now he warned that “The window is closing to address this pandemic because we still do not have a standardized coordinated plan to take our nation through this response” | Just now he warned that “The window is closing to address this pandemic because we still do not have a standardized coordinated plan to take our nation through this response” |
| But, Bright cautioned, “we can devise a comprehensive strategy, we can devise a plan ... time is running out because the virus is still spreading everywhere. People are getting restless to leave their homes.” | But, Bright cautioned, “we can devise a comprehensive strategy, we can devise a plan ... time is running out because the virus is still spreading everywhere. People are getting restless to leave their homes.” |
| His comments come as states with both Republican and Democratic governors, move to reopen. In some parts of the country Americans have started to gather in larger groups than health officials recommend to prevent the virus from spreading. | His comments come as states with both Republican and Democratic governors, move to reopen. In some parts of the country Americans have started to gather in larger groups than health officials recommend to prevent the virus from spreading. |
| Anna Eshoo, chair of the House subcommittee on health, kicks off the Rick Bright hearing by lacerating the Trump administration’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. | Anna Eshoo, chair of the House subcommittee on health, kicks off the Rick Bright hearing by lacerating the Trump administration’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. |
| Americans are “afraid, sick, hungry and jobless”, says Eshoo, a California Democrat. “The government that was supposed to protect them has failed.” | Americans are “afraid, sick, hungry and jobless”, says Eshoo, a California Democrat. “The government that was supposed to protect them has failed.” |
| Eshoo, who has pulled her blue mask under her chin so she can talk, blames an “inept and ineffective” performance by the administration and raises concerns that the US is overly-dependent upon other countries for drugs and protective equipment. | Eshoo, who has pulled her blue mask under her chin so she can talk, blames an “inept and ineffective” performance by the administration and raises concerns that the US is overly-dependent upon other countries for drugs and protective equipment. |
| Bright, Eshoo says, “was not only ignored, he was fired for getting it right.” She then hands over to Michael Burgess, a Republican from Texas, who complains that the hearing is “premature” and “political sport.” There are further quarrels over the format of the hearing. Bright hasn’t spoken yet. | Bright, Eshoo says, “was not only ignored, he was fired for getting it right.” She then hands over to Michael Burgess, a Republican from Texas, who complains that the hearing is “premature” and “political sport.” There are further quarrels over the format of the hearing. Bright hasn’t spoken yet. |
| Donald Trump offered an important concession during an interview with Fox Business Network Thursday morning —he doesn’t see the unemployment rate dropping below 10 percent before election day. | Donald Trump offered an important concession during an interview with Fox Business Network Thursday morning —he doesn’t see the unemployment rate dropping below 10 percent before election day. |
| Via Bloomberg: | Via Bloomberg: |
| Trump has repeatedly predicted that after two rough quarters the fourth quarter of 2020 would see a dramatic positive uptick in major economic metrics. Still, that’s not ideal for any administration facing a tough reelection fight. | Trump has repeatedly predicted that after two rough quarters the fourth quarter of 2020 would see a dramatic positive uptick in major economic metrics. Still, that’s not ideal for any administration facing a tough reelection fight. |
| Rick Bright, a former top vaccine official who was removed from his federal government role last month, is settling into his seat at a Congressional committee on the pandemic response. | Rick Bright, a former top vaccine official who was removed from his federal government role last month, is settling into his seat at a Congressional committee on the pandemic response. |
| Bright turned whistleblower after being shifted from his role as director of Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, claiming it was a retaliatory move by the Trump administration due to Bright’s resistance to the promotion of unproven drugs to treat Covid-19. | Bright turned whistleblower after being shifted from his role as director of Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, claiming it was a retaliatory move by the Trump administration due to Bright’s resistance to the promotion of unproven drugs to treat Covid-19. |
| In his testimony, Bright is expected to say he was pressured by superiors to make “potentially harmful drugs widely available,” including chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, anti-malarial drugs repeatedly touted by Donald Trump as a treatment for the coronavirus. | In his testimony, Bright is expected to say he was pressured by superiors to make “potentially harmful drugs widely available,” including chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, anti-malarial drugs repeatedly touted by Donald Trump as a treatment for the coronavirus. |
| Bright, who is wearing a black mask for the hearing, is also expected to say the US faces its “darkest winter in modern history” if it does not manage to develop a coordinated response to the pandemic. | Bright, who is wearing a black mask for the hearing, is also expected to say the US faces its “darkest winter in modern history” if it does not manage to develop a coordinated response to the pandemic. |
| Trump says Roger Stone “going to be ok” | Trump says Roger Stone “going to be ok” |
| Donald Trump has repeatedly offered praise on Roger Stone, even as the lobbyist and convicted felon’s trial has continued. On Thursday judge rejected a request for a new trial, per CNBC: | Donald Trump has repeatedly offered praise on Roger Stone, even as the lobbyist and convicted felon’s trial has continued. On Thursday judge rejected a request for a new trial, per CNBC: |
| Meanwhile, Trump said everything will be fine for Stone. | Meanwhile, Trump said everything will be fine for Stone. |
| Donald Trump continued his off-and-on again criticism of Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, during an interview with Fox Business Network’s Maria Bartiromo: | Donald Trump continued his off-and-on again criticism of Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, during an interview with Fox Business Network’s Maria Bartiromo: |
| Fauci has been one of the most visible medical officials during the coronavirus pandemic. At times Fauci has undercut Trump on various aspects of how to handle the crisis. Still, at moments he’s won praise from the president and at other times he’s been the target of the president’s ire. After Fauci warned against the country reopening too hastily Trump shot back (according to a transcript of the president’s remarks on Wednesday): | Fauci has been one of the most visible medical officials during the coronavirus pandemic. At times Fauci has undercut Trump on various aspects of how to handle the crisis. Still, at moments he’s won praise from the president and at other times he’s been the target of the president’s ire. After Fauci warned against the country reopening too hastily Trump shot back (according to a transcript of the president’s remarks on Wednesday): |
| Another 3 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week, bringing the total number of unemployed to 36 million people amid the coronavirus pandemic. | Another 3 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week, bringing the total number of unemployed to 36 million people amid the coronavirus pandemic. |
| The Guardian’s Dominic Rushe and Lauren Aratani have more: | The Guardian’s Dominic Rushe and Lauren Aratani have more: |
| A court resurrected a lawsuit over whether Donald Trump’s hotel only a few blocks from the White House and the Capitol can accept payments from foreign government. | A court resurrected a lawsuit over whether Donald Trump’s hotel only a few blocks from the White House and the Capitol can accept payments from foreign government. |
| Here’s more from The Washington Post: | Here’s more from The Washington Post: |
| Trump lashes out at Rick Bright | Trump lashes out at Rick Bright |
| Before the hearings even started, Donald Trump offered his thoughts on whistleblower Rick Bright on Twitter. | Before the hearings even started, Donald Trump offered his thoughts on whistleblower Rick Bright on Twitter. |
| It’s unclear whether Trump will continue to tweet out about Bright as the hearings commence. The president’s public schedule for the day lists his first public event as departing Washington for Allentown, Pennsylvania at noon. | It’s unclear whether Trump will continue to tweet out about Bright as the hearings commence. The president’s public schedule for the day lists his first public event as departing Washington for Allentown, Pennsylvania at noon. |
| Good morning, US live blog readers, welcome to another day of our up-to-the-minute coverage of news events in American politics and the coronavirus crisis. | Good morning, US live blog readers, welcome to another day of our up-to-the-minute coverage of news events in American politics and the coronavirus crisis. |
| Here are the main developments so far today: | Here are the main developments so far today: |
| Government scientist and now whistleblower Rick Bright will testify before the House energy and commerce committee at 10am ET. The top vaccine expert says he was fired for resisting Donald Trump when the president was pushing hydroxychloroquine as an unproven (and ultimately inferior) treatment for coronavirus. He is expected to warn that without a radically ramped-up national effort to combat Covid-19, America risks “the darkest winter in modern history”. The official title of the hearing is Protecting Scientific Integrity in the Covid-19 Response. | Government scientist and now whistleblower Rick Bright will testify before the House energy and commerce committee at 10am ET. The top vaccine expert says he was fired for resisting Donald Trump when the president was pushing hydroxychloroquine as an unproven (and ultimately inferior) treatment for coronavirus. He is expected to warn that without a radically ramped-up national effort to combat Covid-19, America risks “the darkest winter in modern history”. The official title of the hearing is Protecting Scientific Integrity in the Covid-19 Response. |
| Republican Senator Richard Burr had his phone seized by investigators last night, at his home in Washington, as part of a search warrant in an investigation into whether he used inside information from private briefings on Capitol Hill to dump stocks and make a fortune just before the market plummeted amid the unfolding coronavirus crisis. Burr, of North Carolina, the chairman of the Senate intelligence committee, denied he had kept the public in the dark about the scale of the threat. Burr and his wife sold between around $628,000 and $1.7m in more than 30 separate transactions in late January and mid-February. | Republican Senator Richard Burr had his phone seized by investigators last night, at his home in Washington, as part of a search warrant in an investigation into whether he used inside information from private briefings on Capitol Hill to dump stocks and make a fortune just before the market plummeted amid the unfolding coronavirus crisis. Burr, of North Carolina, the chairman of the Senate intelligence committee, denied he had kept the public in the dark about the scale of the threat. Burr and his wife sold between around $628,000 and $1.7m in more than 30 separate transactions in late January and mid-February. |
| Armed protests are expected this morning in Michigan against stay-at-home orders from governor Gretchen Whitmer. Angry demonstrations in Michigan recently kicked off a flurry of protests in various state capitals, demanding that the US reopen for business immediately – and the Guardian reported on how many protests were coordinated and backed by various wealthy right-wing interests. | Armed protests are expected this morning in Michigan against stay-at-home orders from governor Gretchen Whitmer. Angry demonstrations in Michigan recently kicked off a flurry of protests in various state capitals, demanding that the US reopen for business immediately – and the Guardian reported on how many protests were coordinated and backed by various wealthy right-wing interests. |
| This as the state supreme court in Wisconsin sent shockwaves through the country by striking down that state’s governor’s lockdown order, and businesses immediately began opening. | This as the state supreme court in Wisconsin sent shockwaves through the country by striking down that state’s governor’s lockdown order, and businesses immediately began opening. |