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| Biden accuses Trump of 'whining and self-pity' amid pandemic – live | |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee says president is ‘like a child’ in healthcare speech | Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee says president is ‘like a child’ in healthcare speech |
| Hello, readers! Kari Paul in Oakland, California here with the news for the next few hours. Stay tuned for updates. | |
| That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Kari Paul, will take over the blog for the next few hours. | |
| Here’s where the day stands so far: | |
| Joe Biden accused Trump of “whining and self-pity” amid the coronavirus pandemic. “He’s like a child who can’t believe this has happened to him,” Biden said during a speech in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. “All his whining and self-pity. Well, this pandemic didn’t happen to him; it happened to all of us. And his job isn’t to whine about it. His job is to do something about it.” | |
| The House is expected to soon pass the Democratic police reform bill, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. House members are currently debating the bill, and it will then come up for a full floor vote. Although it will likely pass the House, Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has already said the legislation is a non-starter. | |
| Another 1.5 million Americans filed for unemployment last week. About 47 million Americans have now submitted unemployment claims since the start of the coronavirus crisis. The weekly number has leveled off in recent weeks, but the figure remains worrisomely high as many states report increases in new coronavirus cases. | |
| The treasury department sent $1.4 billion worth of stimulus payments to dead people. The direct payments, which were approved as part of the $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill, were sent to more than 1 million Americans who had already died, the Government Accountability Office said in a new report. | |
| Trump reportedly asked for a toppled Confederate statue to be put back up. According to NBC News, the president personally requested that the DC statue of Confederate general Albert Pike, which was torn down by protesters last week, be put back up. | |
| Kari will have more coming up, so stay tuned. | |
| Defense secretary Mark Esper said he has authorized the deployment of 4,000 Pentagon personnel to the southern border starting in October, a month before the presidential election in November. | |
| According to a statement from the Pentagon, “the duties to be performed by military personnel include ... detection and monitoring, logistics and transportation support to US Customs and Border Protection.” | |
| The announcement was reminiscent of Trump’s efforts to focus attention on the migrant caravan in the weeks leading up to the 2018 midterm elections. | |
| As Americans prepared to go to the polls, the president threatened to send the military to the US-Mexican border to stop those in the caravan from entering the country. | |
| However, the gambit did not pay off, as Democrats ultimately took control of the House of Representatives in the midterms. | |
| More from the Guardian’s Mario Koran in California: | More from the Guardian’s Mario Koran in California: |
| Despite the grim report on the rise in new coronavirus cases, governor Gavin Newsom maintained his characteristically stoic delivery, encouraging Californians to continue to do their part by wearing masks and keeping safe distances. | Despite the grim report on the rise in new coronavirus cases, governor Gavin Newsom maintained his characteristically stoic delivery, encouraging Californians to continue to do their part by wearing masks and keeping safe distances. |
| It’s only because of the steps taken, he said, that the state has been able to avoid the worst case scenario he floated in March, when he said more than half the state, roughly 25m residents, could contract the virus over the next eight weeks. | It’s only because of the steps taken, he said, that the state has been able to avoid the worst case scenario he floated in March, when he said more than half the state, roughly 25m residents, could contract the virus over the next eight weeks. |
| “We are not victims of fate,” said Newsom. “We can manifest the future.” | “We are not victims of fate,” said Newsom. “We can manifest the future.” |
| Newsom praised the decision by Disney to push back its reopening date, originally set for July 17, after cases spiked in and around Los Angeles. | Newsom praised the decision by Disney to push back its reopening date, originally set for July 17, after cases spiked in and around Los Angeles. |
| Newsom also unveiled the creation of an open-source portal for members of the public to scour coronavirus data, a platform he said was partly created in an effort “to back up the health professionals”. | Newsom also unveiled the creation of an open-source portal for members of the public to scour coronavirus data, a platform he said was partly created in an effort “to back up the health professionals”. |
| The move comes on the heels of reports of anger and threats being directed toward public health experts. This week, Los Angeles county’s director of public health said someone casually suggested she should be shot during a Covid-19 briefing she was hosting on Facebook live. | The move comes on the heels of reports of anger and threats being directed toward public health experts. This week, Los Angeles county’s director of public health said someone casually suggested she should be shot during a Covid-19 briefing she was hosting on Facebook live. |
| The Guardian’s Mario Koran reports from California as the state grapples with a surge in new coronavirus cases: | The Guardian’s Mario Koran reports from California as the state grapples with a surge in new coronavirus cases: |
| California governor Gavin Newsom didn’t waste time in today’s press briefing delivering a blunt message: the state has not yet entered the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. It is not yet out of the first. | California governor Gavin Newsom didn’t waste time in today’s press briefing delivering a blunt message: the state has not yet entered the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. It is not yet out of the first. |
| In recent days the picture in California has worsened on nearly every measure. Tuesday set a new record for coronavirus infections, counting more than 7,000 new positive test results. The positivity rate of those testing has ticked up to 5.6% in the past seven days. The state is currently using 34% of its ICU capacity, a percentage that’s also on the rise. | In recent days the picture in California has worsened on nearly every measure. Tuesday set a new record for coronavirus infections, counting more than 7,000 new positive test results. The positivity rate of those testing has ticked up to 5.6% in the past seven days. The state is currently using 34% of its ICU capacity, a percentage that’s also on the rise. |
| More than 4,200 patients are currently hospitalized due to Covid-19, absorbing 8% of the state’s surge capacity. | More than 4,200 patients are currently hospitalized due to Covid-19, absorbing 8% of the state’s surge capacity. |
| Between Sunday and Tuesday, California witnessed a 69% rise in coronavirus cases in just two days, as communities reopen from lockdown restrictions. Los Angeles county now leads the nation with more than 88,500 cases, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. | Between Sunday and Tuesday, California witnessed a 69% rise in coronavirus cases in just two days, as communities reopen from lockdown restrictions. Los Angeles county now leads the nation with more than 88,500 cases, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. |
| In his speech on healthcare, Joe Biden criticized Trump for calling coronavirus testing a “double-edged sword” during his Saturday rally in Tulsa. | In his speech on healthcare, Joe Biden criticized Trump for calling coronavirus testing a “double-edged sword” during his Saturday rally in Tulsa. |
| “Testing unequivocally saves lives, and widespread testing is the key to opening up our economy again — so that’s one edge of the sword,” Biden said in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. | “Testing unequivocally saves lives, and widespread testing is the key to opening up our economy again — so that’s one edge of the sword,” Biden said in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. |
| “The other edge: that he thinks finding out that more Americans are sick will make him look bad. And that’s what he’s worried about. He’s worried about looking bad.” | “The other edge: that he thinks finding out that more Americans are sick will make him look bad. And that’s what he’s worried about. He’s worried about looking bad.” |
| The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee also urged Americans to socially distance and wear masks to limit the spread of coronavirus. | The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee also urged Americans to socially distance and wear masks to limit the spread of coronavirus. |
| “We’re going to have to wear masks. And I know as Americans it’s not something we’re used to. But it matters,” Biden said. “We’re going to have to socially distance. It’s not easy. It seems so strange to us. ... But for now, we have to socially distance. It matters.” | “We’re going to have to wear masks. And I know as Americans it’s not something we’re used to. But it matters,” Biden said. “We’re going to have to socially distance. It’s not easy. It seems so strange to us. ... But for now, we have to socially distance. It matters.” |
| Joe Biden delivered remarks on healthcare in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, this afternoon, as more than half of US states report increases in the number of new coronavirus cases. | Joe Biden delivered remarks on healthcare in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, this afternoon, as more than half of US states report increases in the number of new coronavirus cases. |
| The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee accused Trump of mishandling the US response to the pandemic. | The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee accused Trump of mishandling the US response to the pandemic. |
| “He’s like a child who can’t believe this has happened to him,” Biden said. “All his whining and self-pity. Well, this pandemic didn’t happen to him; it happened to all of us. And his job isn’t to whine about it. His job is to do something about it.” | “He’s like a child who can’t believe this has happened to him,” Biden said. “All his whining and self-pity. Well, this pandemic didn’t happen to him; it happened to all of us. And his job isn’t to whine about it. His job is to do something about it.” |
| Biden criticized Trump for continuing to attack the Affordable Care Act as the country grapples with this crisis. The administration, for example, is still part of a lawsuit aimed at overturning the ACA. | Biden criticized Trump for continuing to attack the Affordable Care Act as the country grapples with this crisis. The administration, for example, is still part of a lawsuit aimed at overturning the ACA. |
| “If Donald Trump refuses to end his senseless crusade against health coverage, I look forward to ending it for him,” the former vice president said. | “If Donald Trump refuses to end his senseless crusade against health coverage, I look forward to ending it for him,” the former vice president said. |
| “The presidency is a duty to care,” Biden added. “A duty to care for everyone, not just who voted for you, but to care for everyone, all of us.” | “The presidency is a duty to care,” Biden added. “A duty to care for everyone, not just who voted for you, but to care for everyone, all of us.” |
| California’s governor Gavin Newsom moments ago declared a budget emergency in the most populous US state, blaming expenses and the economic downturn caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. | California’s governor Gavin Newsom moments ago declared a budget emergency in the most populous US state, blaming expenses and the economic downturn caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. |
| Such an action allows the state to tap into its so-called rainy day fund for extra resources, Reuters reports. | Such an action allows the state to tap into its so-called rainy day fund for extra resources, Reuters reports. |
| California anticipates a $54.3-billion budget deficit due to costs and a drop in revenue linked to the pandemic. | California anticipates a $54.3-billion budget deficit due to costs and a drop in revenue linked to the pandemic. |
| Under a deal reached with lawmakers, the state would use about $16 billion from the rainy day fund over the next three years to help right its budget, said HD Palmer, a spokesman for the governor’s finance department. | Under a deal reached with lawmakers, the state would use about $16 billion from the rainy day fund over the next three years to help right its budget, said HD Palmer, a spokesman for the governor’s finance department. |
| The finance department has projected a 25.5% decline in personal income taxes collected by the state, and a 27% decline in sales taxes and a 23% drop in corporate taxes. | The finance department has projected a 25.5% decline in personal income taxes collected by the state, and a 27% decline in sales taxes and a 23% drop in corporate taxes. |
| In addition, the state expects to spend more than projected in 2020 because of expenses related to the coronavirus pandemic of about $13 billion. | In addition, the state expects to spend more than projected in 2020 because of expenses related to the coronavirus pandemic of about $13 billion. |
| California is having a torrid time amid the latest surge in coronavirus infections sweeping southern and western states. | California is having a torrid time amid the latest surge in coronavirus infections sweeping southern and western states. |
| You can read the latest national report on this here. | You can read the latest national report on this here. |
| The Guardian reported yesterday that California has seen a 69% rise in coronavirus cases in just two days, Newsom said, as the state continues to battle a surge of new infections and hospitalizations. | The Guardian reported yesterday that California has seen a 69% rise in coronavirus cases in just two days, Newsom said, as the state continues to battle a surge of new infections and hospitalizations. |
| The state has witnessed an alarming jump in cases as communities reopen from lockdown restrictions. Los Angeles county now leads the nation with more than 88,500 cases, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. | The state has witnessed an alarming jump in cases as communities reopen from lockdown restrictions. Los Angeles county now leads the nation with more than 88,500 cases, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. |
| Numbers have shot upward in recent days, rising from 4,230 on Sunday to 7,149 by Tuesday, according to public health data. The weekend also saw a record number of hospitalizations due to the virus. The state is currently at 30% of its ICU capacity. | Numbers have shot upward in recent days, rising from 4,230 on Sunday to 7,149 by Tuesday, according to public health data. The weekend also saw a record number of hospitalizations due to the virus. The state is currently at 30% of its ICU capacity. |
| An attempt to block publication of a book by Donald Trump’s niece has been dismissed by a court in New York. | An attempt to block publication of a book by Donald Trump’s niece has been dismissed by a court in New York. |
| Ted Boutros, an attorney for Mary Trump, tweeted that a court in Queens dismissed a lawsuit brought by the president’s brother, Robert Trump. | Ted Boutros, an attorney for Mary Trump, tweeted that a court in Queens dismissed a lawsuit brought by the president’s brother, Robert Trump. |
| “The court has promptly and correctly held that it lacks jurisdiction to grant the Trump family’s baseless request to suppress a book of utmost public importance and concern,” Boutros said. | “The court has promptly and correctly held that it lacks jurisdiction to grant the Trump family’s baseless request to suppress a book of utmost public importance and concern,” Boutros said. |
| “We hope this decision will end the matter. Democracy thrives on the free exchange of ideas, and neither this court nor any other has authority to violate the constitution by imposing a prior restraint on core political speech.” | “We hope this decision will end the matter. Democracy thrives on the free exchange of ideas, and neither this court nor any other has authority to violate the constitution by imposing a prior restraint on core political speech.” |
| There seems little doubt it will not end the matter. | There seems little doubt it will not end the matter. |
| Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World’s Most Dangerous Man by Mary L Trump is due out on 28 July. According to publisher Simon & Schuster, also behind John Bolton’s tell-all which a federal judge declined to block last week, the trained clinical psychologist will “shine a bright light on the dark history of their family” and offer a “revelatory, authoritative portrait of Donald J Trump and the toxic family that made him”. | Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World’s Most Dangerous Man by Mary L Trump is due out on 28 July. According to publisher Simon & Schuster, also behind John Bolton’s tell-all which a federal judge declined to block last week, the trained clinical psychologist will “shine a bright light on the dark history of their family” and offer a “revelatory, authoritative portrait of Donald J Trump and the toxic family that made him”. |
| The publisher also promises “a nightmare of traumas, destructive relationships, and a tragic combination of neglect and abuse” that explain the inner workings of “one of the world’s most powerful and dysfunctional families”. | The publisher also promises “a nightmare of traumas, destructive relationships, and a tragic combination of neglect and abuse” that explain the inner workings of “one of the world’s most powerful and dysfunctional families”. |
| Mary Trump has expressed opposition to her uncle on Twitter and was reportedly a key source for the New York Times’ Pulitzer-winning reporting on the Trump family’s tax affairs. But almost 20 years ago, she signed a non-disclosure agreement concerning litigation over a family will. | Mary Trump has expressed opposition to her uncle on Twitter and was reportedly a key source for the New York Times’ Pulitzer-winning reporting on the Trump family’s tax affairs. But almost 20 years ago, she signed a non-disclosure agreement concerning litigation over a family will. |
| In an interview with the news site Axios last week, President Trump said: “She’s not allowed to write a book. You know, when we settled with her and her brother, who I do have a good relationship with – she’s got a brother, Fred, who I do have a good relationship with, but when we settled, she has a total ... signed a nondisclosure.” | In an interview with the news site Axios last week, President Trump said: “She’s not allowed to write a book. You know, when we settled with her and her brother, who I do have a good relationship with – she’s got a brother, Fred, who I do have a good relationship with, but when we settled, she has a total ... signed a nondisclosure.” |
| On Thursday Mary Trump’s brother told the Daily Mail he believed the NDA meant his sister should not be allowed to publish. | On Thursday Mary Trump’s brother told the Daily Mail he believed the NDA meant his sister should not be allowed to publish. |
| In a statement which the Mail said was provided by Eric Trump, the president’s second son, Fred Trump III said: “At the time that our lawsuit with the family was resolved, Mary and I had each received a generous financial settlement from the family and were more than willing to agree to execute non-disclosure provisions. | In a statement which the Mail said was provided by Eric Trump, the president’s second son, Fred Trump III said: “At the time that our lawsuit with the family was resolved, Mary and I had each received a generous financial settlement from the family and were more than willing to agree to execute non-disclosure provisions. |
| “In my opinion, those provisions of the 2001 settlement agreement are still in effect and binding today and I have continued to honor them.” | “In my opinion, those provisions of the 2001 settlement agreement are still in effect and binding today and I have continued to honor them.” |
| It was also reported that the president’s younger brother, Robert Trump, spent 10 days in intensive care before filing his suit to stop his niece. | It was also reported that the president’s younger brother, Robert Trump, spent 10 days in intensive care before filing his suit to stop his niece. |
| In a statement to the New York Times after he left hospital the 72-year-old said: “Her attempt to sensationalize and mischaracterize our family relationship after all of these years for her own financial gain is both a travesty and injustice to the memory of my late brother, Fred, and our beloved parents. I and the rest of my entire family are so proud of my wonderful brother, the president, and feel that Mary’s actions are truly a disgrace.” | In a statement to the New York Times after he left hospital the 72-year-old said: “Her attempt to sensationalize and mischaracterize our family relationship after all of these years for her own financial gain is both a travesty and injustice to the memory of my late brother, Fred, and our beloved parents. I and the rest of my entire family are so proud of my wonderful brother, the president, and feel that Mary’s actions are truly a disgrace.” |
| Trump’s nominee to lead the Manhattan US attorney’s office would not commit to recusing himself from investigations involving the president during a House hearing today. | Trump’s nominee to lead the Manhattan US attorney’s office would not commit to recusing himself from investigations involving the president during a House hearing today. |
| Securities and exchange commission chairman Jay Clayton -- who has been named as Trump’s replacement for Geoffrey Berman, after the top prosecutor’s abrupt firing this weekend -- was pressed on the issue while testifying before a House financial services subcommittee. | Securities and exchange commission chairman Jay Clayton -- who has been named as Trump’s replacement for Geoffrey Berman, after the top prosecutor’s abrupt firing this weekend -- was pressed on the issue while testifying before a House financial services subcommittee. |
| Democratic congressman Carolyn Maloney asked Clayton if he would “commit, right here, to recusing yourself” from investigations involving the president’s businesses or associates. | Democratic congressman Carolyn Maloney asked Clayton if he would “commit, right here, to recusing yourself” from investigations involving the president’s businesses or associates. |
| Clayton replied, “What I will commit to do, which is what I commit to in my current job, is to approach the job with independence and to follow all ethical rules.” | Clayton replied, “What I will commit to do, which is what I commit to in my current job, is to approach the job with independence and to follow all ethical rules.” |
| The abrupt firing of Berman prompted speculation that Trump was looking to crack down on the investigations coming out of the southern district of New York office. | The abrupt firing of Berman prompted speculation that Trump was looking to crack down on the investigations coming out of the southern district of New York office. |
| The president has previously lashed out against administration officials, such as former attorney general Jeff Sessions, who recuse themselves from high-profile investigations. | The president has previously lashed out against administration officials, such as former attorney general Jeff Sessions, who recuse themselves from high-profile investigations. |
| Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell encouraged Americans to wear masks to limit the spread of coronavirus, as more than half of US states report increases in new cases. | Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell encouraged Americans to wear masks to limit the spread of coronavirus, as more than half of US states report increases in new cases. |
| “I think that’s what people ought to do,” the Kentucky Republican told an ABC News reporter. “That’s what we’re doing in the Senate, and that’s what I’m counseling other people to do.” | “I think that’s what people ought to do,” the Kentucky Republican told an ABC News reporter. “That’s what we’re doing in the Senate, and that’s what I’m counseling other people to do.” |
| Some Republican lawmakers, including senators Mitt Romney and Marco Rubio, have similarly encouraged their constituents to cover their faces. | Some Republican lawmakers, including senators Mitt Romney and Marco Rubio, have similarly encouraged their constituents to cover their faces. |
| However, other congressional Republicans have taken a much more laissez-faire approach to encouraging mask usage. | However, other congressional Republicans have taken a much more laissez-faire approach to encouraging mask usage. |
| At the end of a House freedom caucus press conference moments ago, caucus chairman Andy Biggs was asked whether his Arizona consitutents should wear masks. “It’s up to them,” Biggs said. | At the end of a House freedom caucus press conference moments ago, caucus chairman Andy Biggs was asked whether his Arizona consitutents should wear masks. “It’s up to them,” Biggs said. |
| A photo of the press conference indicated only one of the Republican lawmakers was wearing a mask during the event. | A photo of the press conference indicated only one of the Republican lawmakers was wearing a mask during the event. |