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| Coronavirus US live: Trump to visit Michigan amid tensions with Democratic governor | Coronavirus US live: Trump to visit Michigan amid tensions with Democratic governor |
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| President to visit Ford plant day after threatening to withhold state funding over plan to mail voters absentee ballot applications | President to visit Ford plant day after threatening to withhold state funding over plan to mail voters absentee ballot applications |
| Treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin acknowledged that another coronavirus relief bill will likely be necessary in the coming weeks. | |
| “I think there is a strong likelihood we will need another bill,” Mnuchin said during a forum hosted by the Hill. | |
| But the cabinet member said he thought Congress should closely consider what funding is needing, arguing that unemployment insurance should be adjusted. | |
| Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell reportedly told House minority leader Kevin McCarthy yesterday that he would not support extending funding to give Americans additional unemployment insurance, which was included in the House bill passed last week. | |
| Another 2.4 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week, bringing the total number of unemployment claims since the start of the coronavirus crisis to nearly 39 million. | |
| The US has issued notification that it intends to leave the Open Skies Treaty, an agreement of 34 states made in the wake of the Cold War that allows Russia, former Soviet bloc countries and the West to make reconnaissance flights over each other’s territory, to promote transparency and trust and reduce the risk of war by miscalculation or accident. | |
| The US has informed the other 33 state parties to the treaty of its intentions - the calls between US and UK officials are set for today - and it is expected to serve its formal six-month notice of withdrawal. | |
| Washington has accused Russia of infringements, imposing limits on some overflights, but no other party to the agreement thought those issues were serious enough to ditch the treaty. | |
| It is the latest of a string of arms control agreements Donald Trump has withdrawn the US from, and there may well be more to come. | |
| The decision on the Open Skies Treaty was already made in principle last month. | |
| Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell mocked the House for not calling members back to Washington amid the coronavirus crisis. | Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell mocked the House for not calling members back to Washington amid the coronavirus crisis. |
| The Kentucky Republican said House members were like senators’ “absentee neighbors across the rotunda.” | The Kentucky Republican said House members were like senators’ “absentee neighbors across the rotunda.” |
| “At this point I’m wondering if we should send senators over there to collect their newspapers and water the plants,” McConnell joked. | “At this point I’m wondering if we should send senators over there to collect their newspapers and water the plants,” McConnell joked. |
| Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer was quick to point out the House passed a $3 trillion coronavirus relief package this week, while the Senate has not taken up any additional relief bills. | Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer was quick to point out the House passed a $3 trillion coronavirus relief package this week, while the Senate has not taken up any additional relief bills. |
| Yesterday, House speaker Nancy Pelosi also triggered the remote voting provisions passed by the House last week, allowing members to vote by proxy. | Yesterday, House speaker Nancy Pelosi also triggered the remote voting provisions passed by the House last week, allowing members to vote by proxy. |
| “They’re doing their job. They’ve passed a major bill,” Schumer said of House members. “Senator McConnell says, ‘Let’s wait. Let’s pause.’ He doesn’t see immediate urgency. Well, Americans do.” | “They’re doing their job. They’ve passed a major bill,” Schumer said of House members. “Senator McConnell says, ‘Let’s wait. Let’s pause.’ He doesn’t see immediate urgency. Well, Americans do.” |
| Schumer went on to criticize his Republican colleagues for moving ahead with controversial nominations and an investigation related to Joe Biden’s son, Hunter, as the coronavirus crisis continues. | Schumer went on to criticize his Republican colleagues for moving ahead with controversial nominations and an investigation related to Joe Biden’s son, Hunter, as the coronavirus crisis continues. |
| “This is such a gross misuse of power of the majority,” Schumer said. “While unemployment reaches astronic levels, the Senate Republican caucus is off on a wild goose chase. The conspiracy caucus is back with a vengeance.” | “This is such a gross misuse of power of the majority,” Schumer said. “While unemployment reaches astronic levels, the Senate Republican caucus is off on a wild goose chase. The conspiracy caucus is back with a vengeance.” |
| Oregon Republicans have nominated someone who has expressed support for the QAnon conspiracy theory to face off against Democratic senator Jeff Merkley in November. | Oregon Republicans have nominated someone who has expressed support for the QAnon conspiracy theory to face off against Democratic senator Jeff Merkley in November. |
| Jo Rae Perkins, who defeated three other Senate candidates on Tuesday, said in a now-deleted video, “I stand with President Trump. I stand with Q and the team. Thank you Anons, and thank you patriots. And together, we can save our republic.” | Jo Rae Perkins, who defeated three other Senate candidates on Tuesday, said in a now-deleted video, “I stand with President Trump. I stand with Q and the team. Thank you Anons, and thank you patriots. And together, we can save our republic.” |
| The QAnon theory has been embraced by some of the president’s supporters and centers on an alleged government agent named “Q,” whose top security clearance has provided insight into a deep-state conspiracy involving everyone from Hillary Clinton to special counsel Robert Mueller. | The QAnon theory has been embraced by some of the president’s supporters and centers on an alleged government agent named “Q,” whose top security clearance has provided insight into a deep-state conspiracy involving everyone from Hillary Clinton to special counsel Robert Mueller. |
| In a statement released last night, Perkins downplayed her support for the conspiracy theory. “To be very clear, I do not believe everything from Q/Anon and would never describe myself as a follower, but I also do not believe in infringing upon any outlet’s right to discuss news or topics,” Perkins said. | In a statement released last night, Perkins downplayed her support for the conspiracy theory. “To be very clear, I do not believe everything from Q/Anon and would never describe myself as a follower, but I also do not believe in infringing upon any outlet’s right to discuss news or topics,” Perkins said. |
| “My slogan, For One Oregon, has nothing to do with conspiracy theories or media bias, but rather, has long been my commitment to being a civil servant for all of Oregon, not just some as has been the case under Jeff Merkley’s tenure.” | “My slogan, For One Oregon, has nothing to do with conspiracy theories or media bias, but rather, has long been my commitment to being a civil servant for all of Oregon, not just some as has been the case under Jeff Merkley’s tenure.” |
| But Perkins is unlikely to win the November election. The seat has been rated as safely Democratic by Sabato’s Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics, and Merkley won his last race in 2014 by 19 points. | But Perkins is unlikely to win the November election. The seat has been rated as safely Democratic by Sabato’s Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics, and Merkley won his last race in 2014 by 19 points. |
| Joe Biden released a statement criticizing Trump for “encouraging division” in Michigan, which the president is visiting today to tour a Ford manufacturing plant. | Joe Biden released a statement criticizing Trump for “encouraging division” in Michigan, which the president is visiting today to tour a Ford manufacturing plant. |
| The presumptive Democratic nominee specifically cited Trump’s threat to withhold funding from Michigan over the state’s efforts to expand vote by mail. | The presumptive Democratic nominee specifically cited Trump’s threat to withhold funding from Michigan over the state’s efforts to expand vote by mail. |
| “For the last three years, Donald Trump has turned his back on Michigan’s working families,” Biden said in the statement. “His delayed, erratic, and corrupt response to the pandemic has been no different.” | “For the last three years, Donald Trump has turned his back on Michigan’s working families,” Biden said in the statement. “His delayed, erratic, and corrupt response to the pandemic has been no different.” |
| Biden also praised the work of Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer, who has been frequently named as a potential running mate for Biden. | Biden also praised the work of Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer, who has been frequently named as a potential running mate for Biden. |
| “As Michiganders were being forced to flee their homes and small businesses, Governor Whitmer got right to work, declaring a state of emergency and deploying the National Guard,” Biden said. | “As Michiganders were being forced to flee their homes and small businesses, Governor Whitmer got right to work, declaring a state of emergency and deploying the National Guard,” Biden said. |
| He continued, “And I know that under the leadership of Governor Whitmer and Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist, Michigan’s best days are still ahead.” | He continued, “And I know that under the leadership of Governor Whitmer and Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist, Michigan’s best days are still ahead.” |
| Michael Cohen, Trump’s longtime lawyer and fixer, is expected to be released from prison today to serve out the remainder of his sentence at home. | Michael Cohen, Trump’s longtime lawyer and fixer, is expected to be released from prison today to serve out the remainder of his sentence at home. |
| The AP reports: | The AP reports: |
| A number of prison inmates have been released to home confinement out of concern about coronavirus outbreaks at prisons. Trump’s former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, was also released from prison last week. | A number of prison inmates have been released to home confinement out of concern about coronavirus outbreaks at prisons. Trump’s former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, was also released from prison last week. |
| Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer sent a letter to Trump asking him to lower flags to half staff when the US coronavirus death toll surpasses 100,000. | Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer sent a letter to Trump asking him to lower flags to half staff when the US coronavirus death toll surpasses 100,000. |
| According to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, 93,439 Americans have died from coronavirus, and the death toll is expected to reach 100,000 in the coming days. | According to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, 93,439 Americans have died from coronavirus, and the death toll is expected to reach 100,000 in the coming days. |
| “Our hearts are broken over this great loss and our prayers are with their families,” the Democratic congressional leaders wrote in their letter to Trump. | “Our hearts are broken over this great loss and our prayers are with their families,” the Democratic congressional leaders wrote in their letter to Trump. |
| “Respectful of them and the loss to our country, we are writing to request that you order flags to be flown at half staff on all public buildings in our country on the sad day of reckoning when we reach 100,000 deaths. It would serve as a national expression of grief so needed by everyone in our country.” | “Respectful of them and the loss to our country, we are writing to request that you order flags to be flown at half staff on all public buildings in our country on the sad day of reckoning when we reach 100,000 deaths. It would serve as a national expression of grief so needed by everyone in our country.” |
| The request should be rather straightforward, but it will be interesting to see how the president, who has insisted the country is already “transitioning to greatness” even as the death toll continues to climb, will respond. | The request should be rather straightforward, but it will be interesting to see how the president, who has insisted the country is already “transitioning to greatness” even as the death toll continues to climb, will respond. |
| Even as nearly 40 million Americans have filed for unemployment beneifts, Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has reportedly said he does not want the next coronavirus relief bill to include money for additional unemployment benefits. | Even as nearly 40 million Americans have filed for unemployment beneifts, Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has reportedly said he does not want the next coronavirus relief bill to include money for additional unemployment benefits. |
| Politico reports: | Politico reports: |
| McConnell and House minority leader Kevin McCarthy have seemed comfortable with slow-walking the next relief bill, while House speaker Nancy Pelosi has insisted Americans need more economic relief now to help offset the business closures caused by the pandemic. | McConnell and House minority leader Kevin McCarthy have seemed comfortable with slow-walking the next relief bill, while House speaker Nancy Pelosi has insisted Americans need more economic relief now to help offset the business closures caused by the pandemic. |
| A majority of Americans appear to agree with Pelosi. A poll released earlier this month showed that 74% of likely voters in battleground states supported sustained government payments during the pandemic, which should get the president’s attention. | A majority of Americans appear to agree with Pelosi. A poll released earlier this month showed that 74% of likely voters in battleground states supported sustained government payments during the pandemic, which should get the president’s attention. |
| Another 2.4 million Americans filed for unemployment insurance last week even as states across the US began opening up for business again, betting that the coronavirus pandemic is now under control. | Another 2.4 million Americans filed for unemployment insurance last week even as states across the US began opening up for business again, betting that the coronavirus pandemic is now under control. |
| The latest figures from the Department of Labor mean close to 39 million Americans have lost their jobs in just nine weeks. The rate of weekly losses has slowed sharply from its peak of 6.6m at the start of April but remains at levels unseen since the 1930s Great Depression. | The latest figures from the Department of Labor mean close to 39 million Americans have lost their jobs in just nine weeks. The rate of weekly losses has slowed sharply from its peak of 6.6m at the start of April but remains at levels unseen since the 1930s Great Depression. |
| This week the treasury secretary, Steven Mnuchin, said he expects unemployment to continue to rise as the pandemic takes its toll but warned of “permanent damage” to the economy if the lockdowns continue too long. | This week the treasury secretary, Steven Mnuchin, said he expects unemployment to continue to rise as the pandemic takes its toll but warned of “permanent damage” to the economy if the lockdowns continue too long. |
| The weekly jobless claims are seen as a proxy for layoffs but they do not necessarily give the most accurate picture of the unemployment situation. A claim is an application for unemployment benefits and not every person who is laid off immediately applies for benefits. The weekly unemployment claims are also still being impacted by a backlog collapse of claims that overwhelmed many state systems. | The weekly jobless claims are seen as a proxy for layoffs but they do not necessarily give the most accurate picture of the unemployment situation. A claim is an application for unemployment benefits and not every person who is laid off immediately applies for benefits. The weekly unemployment claims are also still being impacted by a backlog collapse of claims that overwhelmed many state systems. |
| Good morning, live blog readers. | Good morning, live blog readers. |
| Donald Trump is set to visit a Ford manufacturing plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan, today, which has been repurposed to produce ventilators for coronavirus patients. | Donald Trump is set to visit a Ford manufacturing plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan, today, which has been repurposed to produce ventilators for coronavirus patients. |
| The visit comes amid tensions between the president and the state’s Democratic governor, Gretchen Whitmer, who Trump has nicknamed “Half Whitmer”. The president has expressed support for protesters who have repeatedly gathered at the Michigan state capitol to protest Whitmer’s response to the coronavirus crisis. | The visit comes amid tensions between the president and the state’s Democratic governor, Gretchen Whitmer, who Trump has nicknamed “Half Whitmer”. The president has expressed support for protesters who have repeatedly gathered at the Michigan state capitol to protest Whitmer’s response to the coronavirus crisis. |
| The president even threatened to withhold funding from Michigan yesterday after the Democratic secretary of state announced she would send absentee ballot applications to every registered voter. | The president even threatened to withhold funding from Michigan yesterday after the Democratic secretary of state announced she would send absentee ballot applications to every registered voter. |
| The Michigan attorney general has also sent Trump an open letter saying he has a “legal responsibility” to wear a mask during the Ford tour because the plant has a policy mandating face coverings. | The Michigan attorney general has also sent Trump an open letter saying he has a “legal responsibility” to wear a mask during the Ford tour because the plant has a policy mandating face coverings. |
| The president has been resistant to wearing a mask during other recent trips, despite the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidance that Americans should cover their faces to limit the spread of the virus. | The president has been resistant to wearing a mask during other recent trips, despite the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidance that Americans should cover their faces to limit the spread of the virus. |
| All of this comes as Trump looks ahead to the general election in November, when he will almost certainly need to carry Michigan (which he narrowly won in 2016) to secure a second term. | All of this comes as Trump looks ahead to the general election in November, when he will almost certainly need to carry Michigan (which he narrowly won in 2016) to secure a second term. |
| It should make for an interesting and tense day for the president, not to mention his Michigan hosts. Stay tuned. | It should make for an interesting and tense day for the president, not to mention his Michigan hosts. Stay tuned. |