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| Coronavirus US live: Obama criticizes Trump in virtual graduation speech | Coronavirus US live: Obama criticizes Trump in virtual graduation speech |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| The former US president also spoke to the inequalities faced by black people in a reference to the Ahmaud Arbery shooting | |
| US swing states such as Michigan and Wisconsin helped bring Donald Trump to power in 2016. How they handle the pandemic may well be crucial at the presidential election this November too, writes my colleague David Smith. | |
| Barack Obama also commented in his virtual commencement address just now on the cold-blood shooting of Ahmaud Arbery that has sparked widespread horror and outrage. | Barack Obama also commented in his virtual commencement address just now on the cold-blood shooting of Ahmaud Arbery that has sparked widespread horror and outrage. |
| Arbery, a black man shot and killed while jogging in Georgia by a white former police officer and his son, was 25. After he was killed, it took local authorities more than two months to file charges, a move that followed shocking video footage of the shooting emerging into the public domain. | Arbery, a black man shot and killed while jogging in Georgia by a white former police officer and his son, was 25. After he was killed, it took local authorities more than two months to file charges, a move that followed shocking video footage of the shooting emerging into the public domain. |
| Obama made the comments at a virtual commencement ceremony for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as he acknowledged the dual crises graduates now face after leaving college – the Covid-19 pandemic and a historic economic downturn. | Obama made the comments at a virtual commencement ceremony for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as he acknowledged the dual crises graduates now face after leaving college – the Covid-19 pandemic and a historic economic downturn. |
| At an online “virtual” commencement ceremony for Historically Black College and Universities this afternoon, the former US president, Barack Obama, told graduates moments ago about his successor administration’s actions on the pandemic: | At an online “virtual” commencement ceremony for Historically Black College and Universities this afternoon, the former US president, Barack Obama, told graduates moments ago about his successor administration’s actions on the pandemic: |
| The takedown of the Trump administration’s response to the pandemic is a rare rebuke from a former president. It follows Obama’s leaked remarks last week that the government response to Covid-19 had been “an absolute chaotic disaster”. | The takedown of the Trump administration’s response to the pandemic is a rare rebuke from a former president. It follows Obama’s leaked remarks last week that the government response to Covid-19 had been “an absolute chaotic disaster”. |
| But Saturday’s remarks were made openly to likely thousands of graduating students tuned in online. | But Saturday’s remarks were made openly to likely thousands of graduating students tuned in online. |
| While a majority of North American thoroughbred tracks have been shuttered during the pandemic, Churchill Downs and Santa Anita Park resumed live racing on Saturday in what the Associated Press says could be a lifeline for owners and trainers with smaller barns who have been suffering without steady income. | While a majority of North American thoroughbred tracks have been shuttered during the pandemic, Churchill Downs and Santa Anita Park resumed live racing on Saturday in what the Associated Press says could be a lifeline for owners and trainers with smaller barns who have been suffering without steady income. |
| “We’re seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, hopefully,” Maryland-based owner and trainer Linda Gaudet said from Kentucky, where she’s preparing for racing to return Saturday at Churchill Downs. “The owners and the trainers and the riders, they need to get back to work, make a living.” | “We’re seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, hopefully,” Maryland-based owner and trainer Linda Gaudet said from Kentucky, where she’s preparing for racing to return Saturday at Churchill Downs. “The owners and the trainers and the riders, they need to get back to work, make a living.” |
| Congressmen announces examination of watchdog firing by Trump | Congressmen announces examination of watchdog firing by Trump |
| Representative Eliot Engel of New York, a Democrat and the chairman of the House foreign affairs committee (as well as a leading figure in the impeachment trial of Donald Trump at the start of the year), announced that the committee would be probing the firing last night of the State Department inspector general, Steve Linick. | Representative Eliot Engel of New York, a Democrat and the chairman of the House foreign affairs committee (as well as a leading figure in the impeachment trial of Donald Trump at the start of the year), announced that the committee would be probing the firing last night of the State Department inspector general, Steve Linick. |
| In a statement, Engel said: “This firing is the outrageous act of a president trying to protect one of his most loyal supporters, the Secretary of State, from accountability. I have learned that the Office of the Inspector General had opened an investigation into Secretary Pompeo. Mr. Linick’s firing amid such a probe strongly suggests that this is an unlawful act of retaliation. | In a statement, Engel said: “This firing is the outrageous act of a president trying to protect one of his most loyal supporters, the Secretary of State, from accountability. I have learned that the Office of the Inspector General had opened an investigation into Secretary Pompeo. Mr. Linick’s firing amid such a probe strongly suggests that this is an unlawful act of retaliation. |
| “This president believes he is above the law. As he systematically removes the official independent watchdogs from the Executive Branch, the work of the Committee on Foreign Affairs becomes that much more critical. In the days ahead, I will be looking into this matter in greater detail, and I will press the State Department for answers. | “This president believes he is above the law. As he systematically removes the official independent watchdogs from the Executive Branch, the work of the Committee on Foreign Affairs becomes that much more critical. In the days ahead, I will be looking into this matter in greater detail, and I will press the State Department for answers. |
| “I thank Mr. Linick for his distinguished service.” | “I thank Mr. Linick for his distinguished service.” |
| The US House foreign relations committee has just announced an investigation into the firing last night of Donald Trump’s inspector general at the State Department, Reuters reports. | The US House foreign relations committee has just announced an investigation into the firing last night of Donald Trump’s inspector general at the State Department, Reuters reports. |
| Steve Linick was ousted last night as the department’s internal watchdog. He had been reportedly looking into the actions of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. | Steve Linick was ousted last night as the department’s internal watchdog. He had been reportedly looking into the actions of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. |
| According to a Democratic congressional aide, just before his abrupt dismissal Linick had opened an investigation into allegations that Pompeo had been using a political appointee at the state department to run personal errands for him and his wife, Susan. | According to a Democratic congressional aide, just before his abrupt dismissal Linick had opened an investigation into allegations that Pompeo had been using a political appointee at the state department to run personal errands for him and his wife, Susan. |
| More details as they emerge. | More details as they emerge. |
| Justin Amash has announced that he will not run as a third-party candidate in this year’s presidential election. Some had feared the former Republican’s campaign would help return Donald Trump to power in this November’s election, an accusation Amash denied. | Justin Amash has announced that he will not run as a third-party candidate in this year’s presidential election. Some had feared the former Republican’s campaign would help return Donald Trump to power in this November’s election, an accusation Amash denied. |
| “Washington is totally dysfunctional,” Amash told CNN’s State of the Union earlier this month. “That’s why I left the Republican party, because there was this partisan death spiral. | “Washington is totally dysfunctional,” Amash told CNN’s State of the Union earlier this month. “That’s why I left the Republican party, because there was this partisan death spiral. |
| “We need someone who’s going to come in as president, respect our constitution, defend our rights, and fix our representative system of government so that people will actually feel represented at home. And I know that millions of Americans want that.” | “We need someone who’s going to come in as president, respect our constitution, defend our rights, and fix our representative system of government so that people will actually feel represented at home. And I know that millions of Americans want that.” |
| On Saturday, he said he had reconsidered his decision. | On Saturday, he said he had reconsidered his decision. |
| “After much reflection, I’ve concluded that circumstances don’t lend themselves to my success as a candidate for president this year, and therefore I will not be a candidate,” the Michigan congressman tweeted. | “After much reflection, I’ve concluded that circumstances don’t lend themselves to my success as a candidate for president this year, and therefore I will not be a candidate,” the Michigan congressman tweeted. |
| “I’ve spent nearly three weeks assessing the race, appearing in media, talking to delegates and donors, watching the Libertarian Party’s convention plan unfold, and gathering feedback from family, friends, and other advisers,” he added. | “I’ve spent nearly three weeks assessing the race, appearing in media, talking to delegates and donors, watching the Libertarian Party’s convention plan unfold, and gathering feedback from family, friends, and other advisers,” he added. |
| Amash was the first Republican congressman to call for the impeachment of Donald Trump. | Amash was the first Republican congressman to call for the impeachment of Donald Trump. |
| Barack Obama is due to make a speech today during an online commencement for HBCUs. You can follow the speech here on a livestream. | Barack Obama is due to make a speech today during an online commencement for HBCUs. You can follow the speech here on a livestream. |
| David Smith has detailed Donald Trump’s obsession with his predecessor. As David puts it: “Observers point to a mix of anti-intellectualism, racism, vengeance and primitive envy over everything from Obama’s Nobel peace prize to the scale of his inauguration crowd and social media following.” You can read the full article below: | David Smith has detailed Donald Trump’s obsession with his predecessor. As David puts it: “Observers point to a mix of anti-intellectualism, racism, vengeance and primitive envy over everything from Obama’s Nobel peace prize to the scale of his inauguration crowd and social media following.” You can read the full article below: |
| New Orleans is making its first steps towards reopening today. Cafes, restaurants and nail salons can serve customers but only those who have made reservations. Casinos, concert venues and bars are still closed, however, and people are still recommended to stay home when possible. | New Orleans is making its first steps towards reopening today. Cafes, restaurants and nail salons can serve customers but only those who have made reservations. Casinos, concert venues and bars are still closed, however, and people are still recommended to stay home when possible. |
| Louisiana has been badly affected by Covid-19 with 2,448 deaths recorded so far. However, fatalities have been falling for some time, prompting the partial reopening. | Louisiana has been badly affected by Covid-19 with 2,448 deaths recorded so far. However, fatalities have been falling for some time, prompting the partial reopening. |
| New Jersey, the state with the second most deaths from Covid-19 in the US, has reported some (relatively) positive news. In Saturday’s press briefing Governor Phil Murphy said hospitalization, ICU occupancy and ventilation rates were all down “dramatically” over the last few weeks. | New Jersey, the state with the second most deaths from Covid-19 in the US, has reported some (relatively) positive news. In Saturday’s press briefing Governor Phil Murphy said hospitalization, ICU occupancy and ventilation rates were all down “dramatically” over the last few weeks. |
| However, on a more sobering note, he pointed out that more than 10,000 people have died from Covid-19 in New Jersey since the start of the pandemic. Only New York has reported more deaths. “We cannot let those we have lost ever just become a statistic,” wrote Murphy on Twitter. “They were real people, with real families, and with tremendous stories.” He also said that $2.8m has been allocated to mental health services during the pandemic. | However, on a more sobering note, he pointed out that more than 10,000 people have died from Covid-19 in New Jersey since the start of the pandemic. Only New York has reported more deaths. “We cannot let those we have lost ever just become a statistic,” wrote Murphy on Twitter. “They were real people, with real families, and with tremendous stories.” He also said that $2.8m has been allocated to mental health services during the pandemic. |
| Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau has announced an increase to the country’s child benefit, which was introduced four years ago, to help families struggling because of the pandemic. | Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau has announced an increase to the country’s child benefit, which was introduced four years ago, to help families struggling because of the pandemic. |
| “To all the moms and dads out there: This means that your monthly CCB payments will go up this July to help you pay for things like food, clothes, and activities you and your family can do together at home. And next week, you’ll get an extra one-time payment of $300 per child,” Trudeau wrote on Twitter. | “To all the moms and dads out there: This means that your monthly CCB payments will go up this July to help you pay for things like food, clothes, and activities you and your family can do together at home. And next week, you’ll get an extra one-time payment of $300 per child,” Trudeau wrote on Twitter. |
| “You should be able to focus on what matters most right now: raising your kids and keeping your family healthy. And by increasing your monthly CCB payments, we’re making sure that’s exactly what you can do,” he added. | “You should be able to focus on what matters most right now: raising your kids and keeping your family healthy. And by increasing your monthly CCB payments, we’re making sure that’s exactly what you can do,” he added. |
| Canada’s death toll has increased to 5,595, up from 5,499, as the country’s number of confirmed coronavirus infections has risen to 74,993 from 73,818, according to Reuters. | Canada’s death toll has increased to 5,595, up from 5,499, as the country’s number of confirmed coronavirus infections has risen to 74,993 from 73,818, according to Reuters. |
| Los Angeles has become the first major US city to allow anyone with or without symptoms to be tested for Covid-19 as often as they want. | Los Angeles has become the first major US city to allow anyone with or without symptoms to be tested for Covid-19 as often as they want. |
| “So long as COVID-19 spreads, we have to scale up our response – and because this disease can be a silent killer, we have carefully built the capacity to get more people tested,” LA mayor Eric Garcetti said. “No one should have to wait, wonder, or risk infecting others. Don’t leave it to chance. Schedule a test.” | “So long as COVID-19 spreads, we have to scale up our response – and because this disease can be a silent killer, we have carefully built the capacity to get more people tested,” LA mayor Eric Garcetti said. “No one should have to wait, wonder, or risk infecting others. Don’t leave it to chance. Schedule a test.” |
| The AP reports: | The AP reports: |
| The Trump machine continues to hammer away at presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden. Only days after launching a barrage of negative digital ads questioning the former vice-president’s mental acuity, Donald Trump Jr came in hot on Saturday morning with an Instagram post suggesting Biden is a pedophile. | The Trump machine continues to hammer away at presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden. Only days after launching a barrage of negative digital ads questioning the former vice-president’s mental acuity, Donald Trump Jr came in hot on Saturday morning with an Instagram post suggesting Biden is a pedophile. |
| The Triggered author went on to clarify, via Twitter, that it was only a joke. | The Triggered author went on to clarify, via Twitter, that it was only a joke. |
| New York governor Andrew Cuomo reports that hospitalizations, intubations and new coronavirus cases are continuing to trend downward across the state during his daily press briefing from Albany. He adds that 157 people died of Covid-19 in the last 24-hour period, pushing the overall toll past 22,400: “That number has been stubborn.” | New York governor Andrew Cuomo reports that hospitalizations, intubations and new coronavirus cases are continuing to trend downward across the state during his daily press briefing from Albany. He adds that 157 people died of Covid-19 in the last 24-hour period, pushing the overall toll past 22,400: “That number has been stubborn.” |
| Horse racing tracks across New York state will be permitted to open as of 1 June without fans. Same for Watkins Glen International race track in the Finger Lakes region, which clears the way for the Nascar race originally scheduled for August to take place. | Horse racing tracks across New York state will be permitted to open as of 1 June without fans. Same for Watkins Glen International race track in the Finger Lakes region, which clears the way for the Nascar race originally scheduled for August to take place. |
| “You want to increase economic activity as much as you can without spiking the infection rate,” he says. | “You want to increase economic activity as much as you can without spiking the infection rate,” he says. |
| Outside the state capitol building, anti-shutdown protesters are making themselves heard. | Outside the state capitol building, anti-shutdown protesters are making themselves heard. |
| Ohio’s prison system will resume accepting inmates from county jails to begin their prison sentences beginning on Monday. The practice had been suspended in an effort to reduce overcrowding amid the coronavirus outbreak. The Associated Press reports: | Ohio’s prison system will resume accepting inmates from county jails to begin their prison sentences beginning on Monday. The practice had been suspended in an effort to reduce overcrowding amid the coronavirus outbreak. The Associated Press reports: |
| A 23-year-old man was arrested in the state earlier this week after, as CNN reports, he posted beach pictures on Instagram when he was supposed to be in quarantine. | A 23-year-old man was arrested in the state earlier this week after, as CNN reports, he posted beach pictures on Instagram when he was supposed to be in quarantine. |
| The 23-year-old man was arrested for violating Hawaii’s mandatory 14-day quarantine rule and for “unsworn falsification to authority,” the Hawaii governor’s office said in a statement. | The 23-year-old man was arrested for violating Hawaii’s mandatory 14-day quarantine rule and for “unsworn falsification to authority,” the Hawaii governor’s office said in a statement. |
| He arrived in O’ahu on Monday and posted pictures of himself on the beach. | He arrived in O’ahu on Monday and posted pictures of himself on the beach. |
| He allegedly used public transportation to get to the many places he was pictured, the statement said. | He allegedly used public transportation to get to the many places he was pictured, the statement said. |
| “Authorities became aware of his social media posts from citizens who saw posts of him -- on the beach with a surfboard, sunbathing, and walking around Waikiki at night,” the statement said. | “Authorities became aware of his social media posts from citizens who saw posts of him -- on the beach with a surfboard, sunbathing, and walking around Waikiki at night,” the statement said. |
| Tarique Peters of the Bronx borough of New York City was arrested along with a local man who was with him, and charges are pending against him. Peters was booked and his bail is set at $4,000. | Tarique Peters of the Bronx borough of New York City was arrested along with a local man who was with him, and charges are pending against him. Peters was booked and his bail is set at $4,000. |
| Hawai‘i Attorney General Clare Connors said, “We appreciate the assistance of local people who spot flagrant violations of our emergency rules on various social media sites and report them to the appropriate authorities.” | Hawai‘i Attorney General Clare Connors said, “We appreciate the assistance of local people who spot flagrant violations of our emergency rules on various social media sites and report them to the appropriate authorities.” |
| Donald Trump’s Friday night delights | Donald Trump’s Friday night delights |
| The president has a habit – firing watchdogs when the fewest amount of eyeballs are on the news. | The president has a habit – firing watchdogs when the fewest amount of eyeballs are on the news. |
| Last night it was the turn of Steve Linick at the State Department, although fortunately the Guardian’s world affairs editor, Julian Borger, rests with one eye open and filed this report in short order, which was launch into the public domain by my colleagues in Australia (the Guardian never sleeps, Mr President). | Last night it was the turn of Steve Linick at the State Department, although fortunately the Guardian’s world affairs editor, Julian Borger, rests with one eye open and filed this report in short order, which was launch into the public domain by my colleagues in Australia (the Guardian never sleeps, Mr President). |
| And the Washington Post has noted some of the other recent timings of inspectors general being axed under cover of darkness and relative Friday night torpor among news audiences. | And the Washington Post has noted some of the other recent timings of inspectors general being axed under cover of darkness and relative Friday night torpor among news audiences. |
| Julian notes in his piece that, according to a Democratic congressional aide, just before his abrupt dismissal last night, Linick had opened an investigation into allegations that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had been using a political appointee at the state department to run personal errands for him and his wife, Susan. | Julian notes in his piece that, according to a Democratic congressional aide, just before his abrupt dismissal last night, Linick had opened an investigation into allegations that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had been using a political appointee at the state department to run personal errands for him and his wife, Susan. |
| Linick is to be replaced by Stephen Akard, a close ally of the vice-president, Mike Pence, from his home state of Indiana. A state department spokesperson said that Akard, who has been running the office for foreign missions, would take over immediately as acting inspector general. | Linick is to be replaced by Stephen Akard, a close ally of the vice-president, Mike Pence, from his home state of Indiana. A state department spokesperson said that Akard, who has been running the office for foreign missions, would take over immediately as acting inspector general. |
| Good morning, US live blog readers, we’ll bring you all the US politics and coronavirus news here today and there is a lot going on in America this weekend, so stay tuned. | Good morning, US live blog readers, we’ll bring you all the US politics and coronavirus news here today and there is a lot going on in America this weekend, so stay tuned. |
| Here’s what is developing so far: | Here’s what is developing so far: |
| Almost all US states are engaging in some form of reopening for business by the end of this weekend - 48 states, excluding Massachusetts and Connecticut. That includes some rural districts of New York state even though the world’s hotspot for coronavirus - the Big Apple - is still under max restrictions. This comes while states are under intense pressure from Donald Trump to reopen, but after a week of warnings from America’s top public health experts that rushing to lift stay-at-home orders without a sustained decline in new cases risks “serious consequences”. And an Associated Press analysis found that 41 of the nation’s 50 states fall short of the Covid-19 testing levels that experts say are necessary to avoid another wave of outbreaks. | Almost all US states are engaging in some form of reopening for business by the end of this weekend - 48 states, excluding Massachusetts and Connecticut. That includes some rural districts of New York state even though the world’s hotspot for coronavirus - the Big Apple - is still under max restrictions. This comes while states are under intense pressure from Donald Trump to reopen, but after a week of warnings from America’s top public health experts that rushing to lift stay-at-home orders without a sustained decline in new cases risks “serious consequences”. And an Associated Press analysis found that 41 of the nation’s 50 states fall short of the Covid-19 testing levels that experts say are necessary to avoid another wave of outbreaks. |
| Donald Trump is at the presidential retreat Camp David, where he is up and very, very busy tweeting and retweeting. Perhaps the most arresting one so far is a retweet of an article that says: “The fact is that we already have more compelling evidence that the Obama administration engaged in misconduct than we ever did for opening the Russian-collusion investigation.” Trump tweeted: “So true!” Here’s the Guardian’s David Smith this morning on 45’s obsession with 44 as the election looms... | Donald Trump is at the presidential retreat Camp David, where he is up and very, very busy tweeting and retweeting. Perhaps the most arresting one so far is a retweet of an article that says: “The fact is that we already have more compelling evidence that the Obama administration engaged in misconduct than we ever did for opening the Russian-collusion investigation.” Trump tweeted: “So true!” Here’s the Guardian’s David Smith this morning on 45’s obsession with 44 as the election looms... |
| Talking of Barack Obama, the former president will give a virtual commencement address this afternoon at 2pm ET for students graduating from America’s Historically Black Universities and Colleges (HBCU). Then at 8pm ET he joins some other luminaries to give another virtual commencement address for the US’s high schoolers who are graduating. It’s some consolation for the students who aren’t able to gather in person for the usual celebratory ceremonies. | Talking of Barack Obama, the former president will give a virtual commencement address this afternoon at 2pm ET for students graduating from America’s Historically Black Universities and Colleges (HBCU). Then at 8pm ET he joins some other luminaries to give another virtual commencement address for the US’s high schoolers who are graduating. It’s some consolation for the students who aren’t able to gather in person for the usual celebratory ceremonies. |
| And the fall-out will continue from the Trump administration’s firing overnight of the state department watchdog Steve Linick. | And the fall-out will continue from the Trump administration’s firing overnight of the state department watchdog Steve Linick. |