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Coronavirus US live: Michael Cohen released from New York prison due to pandemic Coronavirus US live: Michael Cohen released from New York prison due to pandemic
(32 minutes later)
Trump’s ex-fixer, who was originally scheduled to be released in November 2021, will serve out remainder of sentence at homeTrump’s ex-fixer, who was originally scheduled to be released in November 2021, will serve out remainder of sentence at home
The Baltimore mayor is urging Trump to reconsider his planned visit to the Fort McHenry National Monument on Monday because the city remains under a stay-at-home order.
The White House announced last night that the president and first lady would participate in a Memorial Day ceremony at the site “to honor the American heroes who have sacrificed their lives serving in the US Armed Forces.”
But Democratic mayor Bernard Young implored the president to reconsider the visit as the city continues to work to keep the spread of coronavirus under control.
“The City of Baltimore remains under a Stay at Home order that was put in place to help safeguard our residents from the dangers associated with COVID-19,” Young said in a statement.
“I wish that the President, as our nation’s leader, would set a positive example and not travel during this holiday weekend.” Young said that the city would “be prepared” if Trump decided to go ahead with his visit.
This is only the latest clash between Trump and Baltimore, which is about 40 miles from the White House. The president called the city a “rat and rodent-infested mess” last year, during a clash with the late Democratic congressman Elijah Cummings.
Eliot Engel, the Democratic chairman of the House foreign affairs committee, threatened to subpoena secretary of state Mike Pompeo over documents provided to two Senate committees regarding an investigation related to Joe Biden.
“I am deeply concerned by what appears to be a partisan misuse of Department of State resources to assist Senate Republicans in a political smear of Democratic presidential nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden,” Engel wrote in a letter to Pompeo.
Engel said that, days after the conclusion of Trump’s impeachment trial, the state department handed over thousands of pages of documents to Senate Republicans “to manufacture baseless, blatantly political attacks” against Biden’s son, Hunter.
The New York Democrat noted that the release of documents came after the state department spent months refusing to cooperate with congressional subpoenas related to the impeachment inquiry.
“I formally requested on May 14 that you provide me with copies of the documents which the Department has provided to the two Senate Committees and formally request that you provide these to my Committee,” Engel wrote.
“However, if the requested documents are not produced in full by the close of business on June 1, 2020, then I am prepared to issue subpoenas for the relevant documents and the testimony of relevant Department officials.”
The Senate homeland security committee voted along party lines yesterday to approve a subpoena to a Democratic public relations firm in connection to the Biden investigation, sparking Democratic accusations that Republican senators were “‘doing the president’s personal bidding.”
Trump said it “looks like” the next G7 summit will be held in person in Washington, even though the city is currently still under a stay-at-home order.Trump said it “looks like” the next G7 summit will be held in person in Washington, even though the city is currently still under a stay-at-home order.
“It looks like the G7 will be on, a full G7, and we’ll be announcing something early next week,” the president told reporters before leaving for Michigan.“It looks like the G7 will be on, a full G7, and we’ll be announcing something early next week,” the president told reporters before leaving for Michigan.
Trump said the summit, which was previously scheduled to begin at Camp David on June 10, would be held “probably at the White House but maybe a little combination at Camp David, but primarily at the White House.”Trump said the summit, which was previously scheduled to begin at Camp David on June 10, would be held “probably at the White House but maybe a little combination at Camp David, but primarily at the White House.”
The White House said in March that the summit would take place via video teleconference, as other recent G7 meetings have been conducted.The White House said in March that the summit would take place via video teleconference, as other recent G7 meetings have been conducted.
But Trump reversed that yesterday, saying in a tweet that he was “considering” holding the summit in person, despite potential health concerns about having world leaders travel internationally in the middle of a global pandemic.But Trump reversed that yesterday, saying in a tweet that he was “considering” holding the summit in person, despite potential health concerns about having world leaders travel internationally in the middle of a global pandemic.
Representatives for French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said they would consider traveling to Camp David for the summit, health conditions permitting.Representatives for French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said they would consider traveling to Camp David for the summit, health conditions permitting.
In a moment of very confusing wording, Trump told reporters he had tested “very positively” for coronavirus, meaning he had tested negative.In a moment of very confusing wording, Trump told reporters he had tested “very positively” for coronavirus, meaning he had tested negative.
“I tested very positively,” Trump said of his coronavirus test this morning. “I tested positively toward negative, right? So I tested perfectly this morning, meaning I tested negative.” Got that, readers?“I tested very positively,” Trump said of his coronavirus test this morning. “I tested positively toward negative, right? So I tested perfectly this morning, meaning I tested negative.” Got that, readers?
The president is regularly tested for coronavirus, as are his staff members and guests, as well as reporters who attend the White House briefings.The president is regularly tested for coronavirus, as are his staff members and guests, as well as reporters who attend the White House briefings.
Two White House staffers, including own of the president’s military valets, tested positive for coronavirus earlier this month, raising concerns about the spread of the virus in the West Wing.Two White House staffers, including own of the president’s military valets, tested positive for coronavirus earlier this month, raising concerns about the spread of the virus in the West Wing.
Trump once again lashed out against states seeking to expand absentee voting options to limit the potential spread of coronavirus at polling places.Trump once again lashed out against states seeking to expand absentee voting options to limit the potential spread of coronavirus at polling places.
“We don’t want them to do mail-in ballots because it’s going to lead to total election fraud,” Trump said before traveling to Michigan to tour a Ford manufacturing plant.“We don’t want them to do mail-in ballots because it’s going to lead to total election fraud,” Trump said before traveling to Michigan to tour a Ford manufacturing plant.
Yesterday, the president threatened to withhold funding from Michigan over its decision to mail absentee ballot applications to all registered voters.Yesterday, the president threatened to withhold funding from Michigan over its decision to mail absentee ballot applications to all registered voters.
“We don’t want them to do mail-in ballots. We don’t want anyone to do mail-in ballots,” Trump said.“We don’t want them to do mail-in ballots. We don’t want anyone to do mail-in ballots,” Trump said.
The president, who voted remotely in Florida’s primary earlier this year, said it was acceptable in some circumstances to vote by mail, but he argued it should not be a widespread practice.The president, who voted remotely in Florida’s primary earlier this year, said it was acceptable in some circumstances to vote by mail, but he argued it should not be a widespread practice.
“We don’t want to take any chances with fraud in our elections,” Trump said. Voter fraud is very rare, and some of the president’s critics have suggested he is actually trying to drive down turnout in the 2020 election, even though it’s unclear how expanded absentee voting would affect turnout.“We don’t want to take any chances with fraud in our elections,” Trump said. Voter fraud is very rare, and some of the president’s critics have suggested he is actually trying to drive down turnout in the 2020 election, even though it’s unclear how expanded absentee voting would affect turnout.
Here’s where the day stands so far:Here’s where the day stands so far:
Michael Cohen was released from prison over concerns about coronavirus. The president’s former lawyer and fixer was released early to home confinement and said in a tweet, “There is so much I want to say and intend to say. But now is not the right time. Soon.”Michael Cohen was released from prison over concerns about coronavirus. The president’s former lawyer and fixer was released early to home confinement and said in a tweet, “There is so much I want to say and intend to say. But now is not the right time. Soon.”
Trump is traveling to Michigan to tour a Ford manufacturing plant. The president has repeatedly clashed with Michigan’s Democratic governor, Gretchen Whitmer, and threatened to withhold funding from the state over efforts to expand vote by mail.Trump is traveling to Michigan to tour a Ford manufacturing plant. The president has repeatedly clashed with Michigan’s Democratic governor, Gretchen Whitmer, and threatened to withhold funding from the state over efforts to expand vote by mail.
John Ratcliffe was confirmed as the next director of national intelligence. The Republican congressman was approved on a party-line vote of 49 to 44, making the staunch Trump ally the first director of national intelligence to be confirmed in a partisan fashion.John Ratcliffe was confirmed as the next director of national intelligence. The Republican congressman was approved on a party-line vote of 49 to 44, making the staunch Trump ally the first director of national intelligence to be confirmed in a partisan fashion.
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
Congressman John Ratcliffe has been confirmed as the next director of national intelligence in a straight party-line vote.Congressman John Ratcliffe has been confirmed as the next director of national intelligence in a straight party-line vote.
The final vote was 49-44, with even moderate Democratic senators like Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin refusing to back the Trump ally’s nomination.The final vote was 49-44, with even moderate Democratic senators like Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin refusing to back the Trump ally’s nomination.
The vote makes Ratcliffe the first director of national intelligence to be confirmed along party lines. In comparison, Trump’s first director of national intellifence, Dan Coats, was confirmed in a vote of 85-12.The vote makes Ratcliffe the first director of national intelligence to be confirmed along party lines. In comparison, Trump’s first director of national intellifence, Dan Coats, was confirmed in a vote of 85-12.
Ratcliffe will replace acting director of national intelligence Richard Grenell, whose lack of experience in the intelligence community had sparked serious concerns about keeping him in the role.Ratcliffe will replace acting director of national intelligence Richard Grenell, whose lack of experience in the intelligence community had sparked serious concerns about keeping him in the role.
However, Ratcliffe’s nomination had also been criticized by Democrats, given the Texas congressman’s minimal intelligence experience. Ratcliffe was forced to withdraw from consideration for the role last year but was formally nominated earlier this year.However, Ratcliffe’s nomination had also been criticized by Democrats, given the Texas congressman’s minimal intelligence experience. Ratcliffe was forced to withdraw from consideration for the role last year but was formally nominated earlier this year.
Ratcliffe’s confirmation will permanently install a staunch Trump ally as a top leader in the intelligence community, which the president has repeatedly criticized for its conclusion that Russia interfered in the 2016 election.Ratcliffe’s confirmation will permanently install a staunch Trump ally as a top leader in the intelligence community, which the president has repeatedly criticized for its conclusion that Russia interfered in the 2016 election.
Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer and fixer, indicated he would soon speak publicly after being released from prison to home confinement.Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer and fixer, indicated he would soon speak publicly after being released from prison to home confinement.
“I am so glad to be home and back with my family,” Cohen said in a tweet shortly after arriving back at his New York apartment. “There is so much I want to say and intend to say. But now is not the right time. Soon.”“I am so glad to be home and back with my family,” Cohen said in a tweet shortly after arriving back at his New York apartment. “There is so much I want to say and intend to say. But now is not the right time. Soon.”
Cohen pleaded guilty to bank fraud, tax fraud and campaign finance law violations in 2018 in connection to a hush-money scheme during the 2016 election, which was meant to silence women who said they had had extramarital affairs with Trump.Cohen pleaded guilty to bank fraud, tax fraud and campaign finance law violations in 2018 in connection to a hush-money scheme during the 2016 election, which was meant to silence women who said they had had extramarital affairs with Trump.
In his explosive 2019 appearance before Congress, Cohen said Trump had directed him to lie about a hush-money payment to Stormy Daniels and predicted the president would not allow for a peaceful transition of power if he lost his bid for reelection.In his explosive 2019 appearance before Congress, Cohen said Trump had directed him to lie about a hush-money payment to Stormy Daniels and predicted the president would not allow for a peaceful transition of power if he lost his bid for reelection.
The Senate foreign relations committee has advanced the nomination of Michael Pack to lead the US Agency for Global Media, even though the conservative filmmaker is under investigation by the DC attorney general.The Senate foreign relations committee has advanced the nomination of Michael Pack to lead the US Agency for Global Media, even though the conservative filmmaker is under investigation by the DC attorney general.
Pack’s nomination was approved by the committee on a party-line vote of 12-10, with Democrats pushing for the vote to be postponed to address concerns about the investigation into Pack.Pack’s nomination was approved by the committee on a party-line vote of 12-10, with Democrats pushing for the vote to be postponed to address concerns about the investigation into Pack.
Senator Bob Menendez, the ranking member of the Senate foreign relations committee, said yesterday he had been notified the DC attorney general was “actively investigating” allegations that Pack had illegally funneled money from his nonprofit group to his for-profit film company.Senator Bob Menendez, the ranking member of the Senate foreign relations committee, said yesterday he had been notified the DC attorney general was “actively investigating” allegations that Pack had illegally funneled money from his nonprofit group to his for-profit film company.
The Republican chairman of the panel, senator Jim Risch, said he would stand down on the nomination if the department of justice asked him to, but apparently the department did not intervene.The Republican chairman of the panel, senator Jim Risch, said he would stand down on the nomination if the department of justice asked him to, but apparently the department did not intervene.
Pack still needs to be approved by the full Senate, and Republicans can only afford to lose three votes on his nomination to get him confirmed.Pack still needs to be approved by the full Senate, and Republicans can only afford to lose three votes on his nomination to get him confirmed.
Michael Cohen, Trump’s longtime lawyer and fixer, has arrived at his New York home after being released from prison.Michael Cohen, Trump’s longtime lawyer and fixer, has arrived at his New York home after being released from prison.
Photographers were present to capture Cohen, who was wearing a mask, entering his apartment, where he will serve out the remainder of his prison sentence.Photographers were present to capture Cohen, who was wearing a mask, entering his apartment, where he will serve out the remainder of his prison sentence.
Cohen began serving his sentence last May and was originally scheduled to be released in November 2021, but he was granted home confinement out of concerns about the spread of coronavirus at prisons.Cohen began serving his sentence last May and was originally scheduled to be released in November 2021, but he was granted home confinement out of concerns about the spread of coronavirus at prisons.
Another one of the president’s former associates, former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, was also released to home confinement last week.Another one of the president’s former associates, former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, was also released to home confinement last week.
The treasury secretary, Steven Mnuchin, predicted the US economy would “bottom-out” during the second quarter of the year and see a “gigantic increase” in the fourth quarter.The treasury secretary, Steven Mnuchin, predicted the US economy would “bottom-out” during the second quarter of the year and see a “gigantic increase” in the fourth quarter.
However, many public health experts have warned that the country could see a second wave of coronavirus cases at the end of the year, which could cause more economic devastation.However, many public health experts have warned that the country could see a second wave of coronavirus cases at the end of the year, which could cause more economic devastation.
Economists now also fear that the job losses caused by the pandemic may be much longer-lasting than previously thought.Economists now also fear that the job losses caused by the pandemic may be much longer-lasting than previously thought.
“I hate to say it, but this is going to take longer and look grimmer than we thought,” Nicholas Bloom, an economist at Stanford University, told the New York Times.“I hate to say it, but this is going to take longer and look grimmer than we thought,” Nicholas Bloom, an economist at Stanford University, told the New York Times.
“Firms intend to hire these people back,” Bloom added. “But we know from the past that these aspirations often don’t turn out to be true.”“Firms intend to hire these people back,” Bloom added. “But we know from the past that these aspirations often don’t turn out to be true.”
The 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.
The 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”.
“At this point I’m wondering if we should send senators over there to collect their newspapers and water the plants,” McConnell joked.
The Senate minority leader, Chuck Schumer, was quick to point out the House passed a $3tn coronavirus relief package this week, while the Senate has not taken up any additional relief bills.
Yesterday, the 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.”
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.”
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.”
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.
“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.
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.
“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’s 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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.”
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, the 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:
McConnell and the House minority leader, Kevin McCarthy, have seemed comfortable with slow-walking the next relief bill, while the 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.