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| Coronavirus US live: Trump's press conference disrupted by trucker protest | Coronavirus US live: Trump's press conference disrupted by trucker protest |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| The president claimed honking was ‘showing support’ for him but earlier this month truckers protested against the president over low rates of shipping | The president claimed honking was ‘showing support’ for him but earlier this month truckers protested against the president over low rates of shipping |
| The number of deaths in the US from coronavirus are projected to exceed 100,000 by June 1, according to CDC director Robert Redfield. | |
| The agency came to this conclusion through tracking 12 different forecasting models, which all forecast at least 100,000 deaths. | |
| Trump previously said the number would be lower than 100,000 deaths, a claim these models counter. Deborah Birx of the White House coronavirus task force has repeatedly asserted the number of deaths by June 1 will be between 100,000 and 240,000 - if mitigation strategies continue. | |
| National Football League teams can begin to reopen their facilities starting 19 May, a memo from the commissioner Roger Gooddell obtained by the Washington Post stated. | |
| NFL teams must be in compliance with local and state laws as well as league protocols, the memo said. There had been speculation the NFL season, which generally starts in early September, would be postponed or cancelled. | |
| According to the memo, “coaches and players not permitted to be in teams’ facilities, at this point, even if they reopen beginning May 19”. It is unclear when fans would be allowed back in stadiums to view games. | |
| Trump took the trucker protest today as a sign of support, saying as the sounds of horns honking wafted into the Rose Garden today, “Those are friendly truckers. They’re on our side. It’s almost a celebration in a way.” | Trump took the trucker protest today as a sign of support, saying as the sounds of horns honking wafted into the Rose Garden today, “Those are friendly truckers. They’re on our side. It’s almost a celebration in a way.” |
| CNN’s Daniel Dale responds: | CNN’s Daniel Dale responds: |
| Unveiling the flag for his new space force in the Oval Office on Friday, Donald Trump said the US was developing a “super duper missile” to outpace military rivals including Russia and China, writes the Guardian’s Martin Pengelly: | Unveiling the flag for his new space force in the Oval Office on Friday, Donald Trump said the US was developing a “super duper missile” to outpace military rivals including Russia and China, writes the Guardian’s Martin Pengelly: |
| “We have no choice, we have to do it with the adversaries we have out there. We have, I call it the super duper missile and I heard the other night [it’s] 17 times faster than what they have right now,” the president said, sitting at the Resolute desk. | “We have no choice, we have to do it with the adversaries we have out there. We have, I call it the super duper missile and I heard the other night [it’s] 17 times faster than what they have right now,” the president said, sitting at the Resolute desk. |
| “That’s right,” said the defense secretary, Mark Esper, standing to Trump’s right. | “That’s right,” said the defense secretary, Mark Esper, standing to Trump’s right. |
| “You take the fastest missile we have right now,” Trump said. “You heard Russia has five times and China’s working on five or six times, we have one 17 times and it’s just got the go-ahead.” | “You take the fastest missile we have right now,” Trump said. “You heard Russia has five times and China’s working on five or six times, we have one 17 times and it’s just got the go-ahead.” |
| Hello, readers! Kari Paul here in sunny Oakland, California, to bring you the news over the next few hours. Stay tuned for updates. | Hello, readers! Kari Paul here in sunny Oakland, California, to bring you the news over the next few hours. Stay tuned for updates. |
| Thanks for tuning in for the day’s US politics and coronavirus news so far. The Guardian’s Kari Paul is taking the over the blog from the west coast now, to cover developments over the next few hours. The White House just wrapped another rose garden event and Donald Trump is headed to Camp David. | Thanks for tuning in for the day’s US politics and coronavirus news so far. The Guardian’s Kari Paul is taking the over the blog from the west coast now, to cover developments over the next few hours. The White House just wrapped another rose garden event and Donald Trump is headed to Camp David. |
| Here are the main events so far today: | Here are the main events so far today: |
| Truckers on their 15th day of protest about insufficient working conditions disrupted Donald Trump’s afternoon press conference by blasting air horns throughout the Rose Garden ceremony. | Truckers on their 15th day of protest about insufficient working conditions disrupted Donald Trump’s afternoon press conference by blasting air horns throughout the Rose Garden ceremony. |
| Despite an FDA alert warning the coronavirus testing kit used in the White House may be providing false positives, Donald Trump said it is a “great test”. | Despite an FDA alert warning the coronavirus testing kit used in the White House may be providing false positives, Donald Trump said it is a “great test”. |
| Illinois senator Tammy Duckworth has entered the veep race after being backed by a veteran’s group. Duckworth, a veteran, is the first senator to give birth while in office. | Illinois senator Tammy Duckworth has entered the veep race after being backed by a veteran’s group. Duckworth, a veteran, is the first senator to give birth while in office. |
| Never Trump Republicans are holding a rival gathering during the Republican National Convention this year, reports the Washington Post. | Never Trump Republicans are holding a rival gathering during the Republican National Convention this year, reports the Washington Post. |
| A man accused of making credible death threats against Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer and state attorney general Dana Nessel has been charged on a terrorism count, the Wayne County prosecutor’s office said this afternoon. | A man accused of making credible death threats against Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer and state attorney general Dana Nessel has been charged on a terrorism count, the Wayne County prosecutor’s office said this afternoon. |
| Robert Tesh made the threats via a social media message to an acquaintance on April 14 and authorities concluded the message amounted to “credible threats to kill,” prosecutor Kym Worthy said Friday in a news release, the AP reports. | Robert Tesh made the threats via a social media message to an acquaintance on April 14 and authorities concluded the message amounted to “credible threats to kill,” prosecutor Kym Worthy said Friday in a news release, the AP reports. |
| Worthy didn’t provide any detail about the threats or how they were determined to be credible. Further details will be presented during court proceedings, she said. | Worthy didn’t provide any detail about the threats or how they were determined to be credible. Further details will be presented during court proceedings, she said. |
| Detroit police officers arrested the 32-year-old man the same day at his home. He was arraigned April 22 on a threat of terrorism charge. If convicted, Tesh could face up to 20 years in prison. | Detroit police officers arrested the 32-year-old man the same day at his home. He was arraigned April 22 on a threat of terrorism charge. If convicted, Tesh could face up to 20 years in prison. |
| “Emotions are heightened on all sides now,” she told the Associated Press. “These threats ... they are not funny. They are not jokes. There is nothing humorous about it. Even if you don’t carry it out, we’re going to charge you criminally.” | “Emotions are heightened on all sides now,” she told the Associated Press. “These threats ... they are not funny. They are not jokes. There is nothing humorous about it. Even if you don’t carry it out, we’re going to charge you criminally.” |
| The threats from Tesh were not specific to Whitmer’s stay-at-home order issued in March in an effort to stem the spread of Covid-19 in the state, according to Maria Miller, a spokeswoman for the prosecutor’s office. | The threats from Tesh were not specific to Whitmer’s stay-at-home order issued in March in an effort to stem the spread of Covid-19 in the state, according to Maria Miller, a spokeswoman for the prosecutor’s office. |
| Whitmer has been the target of protests and rallies over her executive order which shut down most businesses in the state. The order is effective at least until May 28. | Whitmer has been the target of protests and rallies over her executive order which shut down most businesses in the state. The order is effective at least until May 28. |
| “The alleged facts in this case lay out a very disturbing scenario,” Worthy said. “We understand that these times can be stressful and upsetting for many people. But we will not and cannot tolerate threats like these against any public officials who are carrying out their duties as efficiently as they can. | “The alleged facts in this case lay out a very disturbing scenario,” Worthy said. “We understand that these times can be stressful and upsetting for many people. But we will not and cannot tolerate threats like these against any public officials who are carrying out their duties as efficiently as they can. |
| Protests in Lansing yesterday were led by Michigan United for Liberty, a conservative activist group that has sued Whitmer and organized or participated in several rallies since early April. | Protests in Lansing yesterday were led by Michigan United for Liberty, a conservative activist group that has sued Whitmer and organized or participated in several rallies since early April. |
| During a rally last month, some armed protesters entered the Capitol building.Tesh was released from jail on April 29 after posting a $50,000 bond. He has been placed on a GPS tether. Comment has been sought from his attorney. | During a rally last month, some armed protesters entered the Capitol building.Tesh was released from jail on April 29 after posting a $50,000 bond. He has been placed on a GPS tether. Comment has been sought from his attorney. |
| The Guardian’s Mario Koran writes in about Twitter and Square CEO Jack Dorsey announced that he will donate $10 million for computers and internet access to help close the digital divide in Oakland: | The Guardian’s Mario Koran writes in about Twitter and Square CEO Jack Dorsey announced that he will donate $10 million for computers and internet access to help close the digital divide in Oakland: |
| Dorsey dropped the news after Oakland mayor Libby Schaaf tweeted a video of one of the estimated 25,000 students who lack access to the internet. “Every student deserves the ability to learn from home”, wrote Schaaf. The mayor also spotlighted a $12.5M plan “to close the digital divide for good.” | Dorsey dropped the news after Oakland mayor Libby Schaaf tweeted a video of one of the estimated 25,000 students who lack access to the internet. “Every student deserves the ability to learn from home”, wrote Schaaf. The mayor also spotlighted a $12.5M plan “to close the digital divide for good.” |
| @jack quickly answered the call. | @jack quickly answered the call. |
| Roughly two months into the switch from brick-and-mortar schools to online education, millions of families with school-aged children still remain offline. | Roughly two months into the switch from brick-and-mortar schools to online education, millions of families with school-aged children still remain offline. |
| The need persists even in the shadow of Silicon Valley. As schools shut down, and educators hustled to equip students with devices, the need for internet access was often unmet. Back orders mounted, compounding wait times for unconnected students. | The need persists even in the shadow of Silicon Valley. As schools shut down, and educators hustled to equip students with devices, the need for internet access was often unmet. Back orders mounted, compounding wait times for unconnected students. |
| The same families without internet often face food scarcity or unstable living conditions — both of which have been exacerbated with businesses closed and parents out of work. | The same families without internet often face food scarcity or unstable living conditions — both of which have been exacerbated with businesses closed and parents out of work. |
| Dorsey’s donation, by itself, won’t be enough to close the digital divide in Oakland. But will certainly help. Schaaf called Dorsey’s announcement a “game changer”. | Dorsey’s donation, by itself, won’t be enough to close the digital divide in Oakland. But will certainly help. Schaaf called Dorsey’s announcement a “game changer”. |
| Long-haul trucking industry website, The Trucker, has a deeply reported look at the truckers’ protest movement, which has been active for 15 days. | Long-haul trucking industry website, The Trucker, has a deeply reported look at the truckers’ protest movement, which has been active for 15 days. |
| The protest was thrust into the global spotlight on Friday, when trucker’s air horns provided a disruptive soundtrack to Donald Trump’s afternoon press conference. Trump said the horns were a show of support – “They love their president,” he said – but he was wrong. | The protest was thrust into the global spotlight on Friday, when trucker’s air horns provided a disruptive soundtrack to Donald Trump’s afternoon press conference. Trump said the horns were a show of support – “They love their president,” he said – but he was wrong. |
| Truckers began a protest in Washington DC at the beginning of the month. They have not received targeted support in any stimulus package and have said they don’t have adequate access to protective equipment and healthcare. They have also voiced serious concerns about the rates they are getting through brokers who connect them with people needing to ship goods. | Truckers began a protest in Washington DC at the beginning of the month. They have not received targeted support in any stimulus package and have said they don’t have adequate access to protective equipment and healthcare. They have also voiced serious concerns about the rates they are getting through brokers who connect them with people needing to ship goods. |
| On Wednesday, White House chief of staff, Mark Meadows, met with the protestors for nearly 15 minutes. The Trucker said this gave some people enough hope to return to work, though many also decided to return to work simply because they can’t afford to take more unpaid leave. | On Wednesday, White House chief of staff, Mark Meadows, met with the protestors for nearly 15 minutes. The Trucker said this gave some people enough hope to return to work, though many also decided to return to work simply because they can’t afford to take more unpaid leave. |
| The Trucker’s report from Wednesday detailed the meeting with Meadows and Michael Landis, founder and CEO of the United States Transportation Alliance, who acted as a spokesman for the group: | The Trucker’s report from Wednesday detailed the meeting with Meadows and Michael Landis, founder and CEO of the United States Transportation Alliance, who acted as a spokesman for the group: |
| Debate is underway for the $3tn House stimulus bill – the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act, or HEROES Act. | Debate is underway for the $3tn House stimulus bill – the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act, or HEROES Act. |
| Members have two hours to discuss the bill, after they spent the morning voting on rules. | Members have two hours to discuss the bill, after they spent the morning voting on rules. |
| The bill includes assistance to state and local governments, hazard pay for frontline health care workers, forgiveness of student debt and boosts to the health insurance programs, Medicaid and Medicare. | The bill includes assistance to state and local governments, hazard pay for frontline health care workers, forgiveness of student debt and boosts to the health insurance programs, Medicaid and Medicare. |
| Trump has threatened to veto the bill, but more progressive Democrats have also said they would vote against it. | Trump has threatened to veto the bill, but more progressive Democrats have also said they would vote against it. |
| A reporter asked McEnany why Donald Trump accused Barack Obama of committing a crime this week and asked McEnany to name the crime. | A reporter asked McEnany why Donald Trump accused Barack Obama of committing a crime this week and asked McEnany to name the crime. |
| After listing issues with people in office while Obama was president, she said it was reporters responsibility to “answer the question” of what Obama did that was against the law. | After listing issues with people in office while Obama was president, she said it was reporters responsibility to “answer the question” of what Obama did that was against the law. |
| She ignored the reporter pointing out it is the White House press secretary’s duty to respond to questions about something the president said. | She ignored the reporter pointing out it is the White House press secretary’s duty to respond to questions about something the president said. |
| White House press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany began today’s White House briefing with a theatrical dismissal of the pandemic plans Barack Obama’s administration left the Trump White House. | White House press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany began today’s White House briefing with a theatrical dismissal of the pandemic plans Barack Obama’s administration left the Trump White House. |
| McEnany is responding to questions about gaps in the Trump administration’s readiness by criticizing the Obama administration. | McEnany is responding to questions about gaps in the Trump administration’s readiness by criticizing the Obama administration. |
| A reporter asks about one of today’s top issues - that the FDA has issued concerns about the type of test kit being used in the White House. McEnany said the issue raised about the kits, false negatives, have been tied to user error and that if people get a negative but are presenting symptoms like fever or coughing, they will be tested again. | A reporter asks about one of today’s top issues - that the FDA has issued concerns about the type of test kit being used in the White House. McEnany said the issue raised about the kits, false negatives, have been tied to user error and that if people get a negative but are presenting symptoms like fever or coughing, they will be tested again. |
| Never Trump Republicans are holding a rival gathering during the Republican National Convention this year, reports the Washington Post. | Never Trump Republicans are holding a rival gathering during the Republican National Convention this year, reports the Washington Post. |
| It will take place in the same city as the RNC – Charlotte, North Carolina – and happen on the same days: | It will take place in the same city as the RNC – Charlotte, North Carolina – and happen on the same days: |
| Add a new name to the list of possible running mates for Joe Biden. | Add a new name to the list of possible running mates for Joe Biden. |
| The VoteVets pac has floated Illinois senator Tammy Duckworth as their pick for the vice presidency. Duckworth, a veteran, is the first senator to give birth while in office. | The VoteVets pac has floated Illinois senator Tammy Duckworth as their pick for the vice presidency. Duckworth, a veteran, is the first senator to give birth while in office. |
| “We seem to have this view that paid family leave is some sort of touchy-feely women’s only policy,” Duckworth told the Guardian in 2018. “This isn’t just an entitlement. It’s really an economic imperative for our nation.” | “We seem to have this view that paid family leave is some sort of touchy-feely women’s only policy,” Duckworth told the Guardian in 2018. “This isn’t just an entitlement. It’s really an economic imperative for our nation.” |
| Thanks to Guardian senior politics correspondent, Lauren Gambino, for the tip. Her insights on the Veep race from earlier this month, here: | Thanks to Guardian senior politics correspondent, Lauren Gambino, for the tip. Her insights on the Veep race from earlier this month, here: |
| If you would like to experience the sound of a trucker protest, Newsday White House correspondent Laura Figueroa Hernandez has you covered: | If you would like to experience the sound of a trucker protest, Newsday White House correspondent Laura Figueroa Hernandez has you covered: |
| And NBCNews White House Correspondent, Geoff Bennett, shared a photo of the impressive line-up of trucks near the White House. | And NBCNews White House Correspondent, Geoff Bennett, shared a photo of the impressive line-up of trucks near the White House. |
| Donald Trump says he “assumes” the reported coronavirus death toll in the US is accurate. | Donald Trump says he “assumes” the reported coronavirus death toll in the US is accurate. |
| A reporter asked if he was worried it could be higher, and he said “or lower.” | A reporter asked if he was worried it could be higher, and he said “or lower.” |
| But, despite concerns Trump would try and downplay the death toll, he said the number should be accurate. Then, he launched into a tirade against China. | But, despite concerns Trump would try and downplay the death toll, he said the number should be accurate. Then, he launched into a tirade against China. |
| “I’d be happier if they were lower... this should never have happened ... this came from China.” | “I’d be happier if they were lower... this should never have happened ... this came from China.” |
| Trump is now taking questions from the press. | Trump is now taking questions from the press. |
| He’s insisting the US has “no ego” when it comes to vaccine trials and that the US will work with other countries to create a vaccine. Other countries have said this is not happening. | He’s insisting the US has “no ego” when it comes to vaccine trials and that the US will work with other countries to create a vaccine. Other countries have said this is not happening. |
| A reporter asks if the president is concerned about the Abbott Labs’ coronavirus test, which is being used in the White House but has been reported to show false positives. He says it’s a “great” test and is not concerned. | A reporter asks if the president is concerned about the Abbott Labs’ coronavirus test, which is being used in the White House but has been reported to show false positives. He says it’s a “great” test and is not concerned. |
| Trump says he gave his task force the option to where masks, which is why some of them are wearing them and some are not. He noted they are outside and standing at a distance from each other. | Trump says he gave his task force the option to where masks, which is why some of them are wearing them and some are not. He noted they are outside and standing at a distance from each other. |
| During the president’s remarks, a low hum can be heard on the video feed. | During the president’s remarks, a low hum can be heard on the video feed. |
| Trump said the sound was truckers “showing support,” but the honking may have actually been a protest. | Trump said the sound was truckers “showing support,” but the honking may have actually been a protest. |
| Earlier this month, a convoy of trucks in Washington DC blasted their air horns to protest low shipping rates, which truckers say threaten their livelihoods. | Earlier this month, a convoy of trucks in Washington DC blasted their air horns to protest low shipping rates, which truckers say threaten their livelihoods. |
| The Washington Post covered the protests earlier this month: | The Washington Post covered the protests earlier this month: |