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| Trump administration sent $1.4bn in stimulus checks to dead people - live | Trump administration sent $1.4bn in stimulus checks to dead people - live |
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| Watchdog says US treasury sent over 1m payments to deceased people | Watchdog says US treasury sent over 1m payments to deceased people |
| Trump and the first lady visited the Korean War Memorial in Washington to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the beginning of the war. | |
| The president and his wife laid a wreath at the memorial and talked to some of the Korean War veterans present for the ceremony. | |
| The president will go from the ceremony to Joint Base Andrews to travel to Wisconsin, where he will tour and deliver remarks at a shipbuilding facility later today. | |
| Trump is once again complaining about Fox News, his favorite news network that has recently attracted more of the president’s criticism. | |
| In this case, Trump lashed out against a Fox commentator who correctly noted most of the protesters forcibly removed from Lafayette Square earlier this month were peaceful. | |
| “A @FoxNews commentator just ripped me with lies, with nobody defending,” Trump tweeted this morning. | |
| The commentator also recounted how Trump held up a Bible upside down during his widely criticized photo op at St John’s Church. Trump denied doing so, but photos of the event clearly show otherwise. | |
| Meanwhile, more than half of US states are reporting increases in their numbers of new coronavirus cases, and the country’s death toll from the virus is approaching 122,000. | |
| Today’s supreme court decision made it easier for the government to target asylum-seekers at the border for quick deportation.Immigrant advocates frustrated by the decision were especially concerned about justice Samuel Alito’s interpretation of the asylum process.Alito wrote the majority 7-2 ruling and used Trump administration documents to advance the controversial idea that asylum claims are largely fraudulent.This idea, borne from rightwing anti-immigration groups and promoted by the Trump administration, ignores the sheer complexity of US asylum laws.The government does not actually track how many asylum claims turn out to be fraudulent. Instead, Alito cited data about how many people pass the first step, the credible fear interview, but end up not pursuing the asylum process.A detail he ignores is that the asylum process is complicated and the government does little to clarify court dates and share information people need to complete the process. Border officials have also been documented lying to asylum-seekers about their rights. And the Trump administration has issued so many changes to the process that essentially a policy which is legal one month may not be legal the next. | Today’s supreme court decision made it easier for the government to target asylum-seekers at the border for quick deportation.Immigrant advocates frustrated by the decision were especially concerned about justice Samuel Alito’s interpretation of the asylum process.Alito wrote the majority 7-2 ruling and used Trump administration documents to advance the controversial idea that asylum claims are largely fraudulent.This idea, borne from rightwing anti-immigration groups and promoted by the Trump administration, ignores the sheer complexity of US asylum laws.The government does not actually track how many asylum claims turn out to be fraudulent. Instead, Alito cited data about how many people pass the first step, the credible fear interview, but end up not pursuing the asylum process.A detail he ignores is that the asylum process is complicated and the government does little to clarify court dates and share information people need to complete the process. Border officials have also been documented lying to asylum-seekers about their rights. And the Trump administration has issued so many changes to the process that essentially a policy which is legal one month may not be legal the next. |
| Katharina Obser, a senior policy advisor at the Women’s Refugee Commission, pushed back against Alito’s reasoning: | Katharina Obser, a senior policy advisor at the Women’s Refugee Commission, pushed back against Alito’s reasoning: |
| House Democrats held a socially distant press conference on the Capitol steps ahead of the vote on their police reform bill, which is expected to pass. | House Democrats held a socially distant press conference on the Capitol steps ahead of the vote on their police reform bill, which is expected to pass. |
| “Today is the day we pass legislation to transform policing in America,” congressional black caucus chairwoman Karen Bass said, describing the Justice in Policing Act as “a bill for human rights in our country.” | “Today is the day we pass legislation to transform policing in America,” congressional black caucus chairwoman Karen Bass said, describing the Justice in Policing Act as “a bill for human rights in our country.” |
| House speaker Nancy Pelosi said passing the bill was a way to honor the life of George Floyd and everyone else killed by police brutality. | House speaker Nancy Pelosi said passing the bill was a way to honor the life of George Floyd and everyone else killed by police brutality. |
| “When we pass this bill, the Senate will have a choice: To honor George Floyd’s life or to do nothing,” Pelosi said. | “When we pass this bill, the Senate will have a choice: To honor George Floyd’s life or to do nothing,” Pelosi said. |
| The House vote comes one day after Senate Democrats blocked the Republican police reform bill from advancing, after complaining the bill did not go far enough to address police brutality. | The House vote comes one day after Senate Democrats blocked the Republican police reform bill from advancing, after complaining the bill did not go far enough to address police brutality. |
| Although the Democratic bill is expected to pass the House, Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has already said he considers the legislation to be a non-starter. | Although the Democratic bill is expected to pass the House, Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has already said he considers the legislation to be a non-starter. |
| The supreme court has issued a decision bolstering Trump’s ability to rapidly deport undocumented immigrants, including those seeking asylum. | The supreme court has issued a decision bolstering Trump’s ability to rapidly deport undocumented immigrants, including those seeking asylum. |
| In a 7-2 decision written by conservative justice Samuel Alito, the court ruled that those seeking asylum did not have a broad right to have their case heard by a federal judge. | In a 7-2 decision written by conservative justice Samuel Alito, the court ruled that those seeking asylum did not have a broad right to have their case heard by a federal judge. |
| The decision marks a victory for Trump, who has sought to expand the administration’s ability to rapidly deport those who enter the country illegally. | The decision marks a victory for Trump, who has sought to expand the administration’s ability to rapidly deport those who enter the country illegally. |
| The supreme court’s decision overturns a ruling from the ninth circuit, who had ruled in favor of an undocumented immigrant seeking a federal court ruling on his asylum claim. | The supreme court’s decision overturns a ruling from the ninth circuit, who had ruled in favor of an undocumented immigrant seeking a federal court ruling on his asylum claim. |
| The immigrant, a Sri Lankan farmer named Vijayakumar Thuraissigiam, had his asylum claim denied and wanted the case to be heard again by a federal judge. | The immigrant, a Sri Lankan farmer named Vijayakumar Thuraissigiam, had his asylum claim denied and wanted the case to be heard again by a federal judge. |
| The federal government spent more than $1bn on stimulus payments that went to dead people, according to the US Government Accountability Office. | The federal government spent more than $1bn on stimulus payments that went to dead people, according to the US Government Accountability Office. |
| The congressional watchdog said in a new report, “The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Treasury moved quickly to disburse 160.4m payments worth $269.3bn. The agencies faced difficulties delivering payments to some individuals, and faced additional risks related to making improper payments to ineligible individuals, such as decedents, and fraud. | The congressional watchdog said in a new report, “The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Treasury moved quickly to disburse 160.4m payments worth $269.3bn. The agencies faced difficulties delivering payments to some individuals, and faced additional risks related to making improper payments to ineligible individuals, such as decedents, and fraud. |
| “For example, according to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, as of April 30, 2020, almost 1.1 million payments totaling nearly $1.4 billion had gone to decedents.” | “For example, according to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, as of April 30, 2020, almost 1.1 million payments totaling nearly $1.4 billion had gone to decedents.” |
| The direct cash payments were approved as part of the $2tn Cares Act, which was meant to offer Americans financial assistance amid the coronavirus pandemic and the ensuing economic fallout. | The direct cash payments were approved as part of the $2tn Cares Act, which was meant to offer Americans financial assistance amid the coronavirus pandemic and the ensuing economic fallout. |
| Shortly after the government started distributing the payments, reports emerged that Americans had received checks addressed to family members who had already died. | Shortly after the government started distributing the payments, reports emerged that Americans had received checks addressed to family members who had already died. |
| The IRS issued new guidance last month asking those who received checks addressed to dead relatives to return them to the federal government. | The IRS issued new guidance last month asking those who received checks addressed to dead relatives to return them to the federal government. |
| A new poll shows Joe Biden leading Trump in several key battleground states – including Wisconsin, where the president is visiting today to tour a shipbuilding facility. | A new poll shows Joe Biden leading Trump in several key battleground states – including Wisconsin, where the president is visiting today to tour a shipbuilding facility. |
| According to the New York Times/Siena College poll, Biden leads by 11 points in Wisconsin, 11 points in Michigan, 10 points in Pennsylvania, 6 points in Florida, 7 points in Arizona and 9 points in North Carolina. | According to the New York Times/Siena College poll, Biden leads by 11 points in Wisconsin, 11 points in Michigan, 10 points in Pennsylvania, 6 points in Florida, 7 points in Arizona and 9 points in North Carolina. |
| Trump won all six of those states in 2016, and he can only afford to lose a couple of them in November and still win the electoral college. | Trump won all six of those states in 2016, and he can only afford to lose a couple of them in November and still win the electoral college. |
| More broadly, if Trump is struggling in states like North Carolina, he’s likely losing support in other states that should be safely in his column. A poll released yesterday showed the president and Biden are virtually tied in Ohio, which Trump carried by 8 points in 2016. | More broadly, if Trump is struggling in states like North Carolina, he’s likely losing support in other states that should be safely in his column. A poll released yesterday showed the president and Biden are virtually tied in Ohio, which Trump carried by 8 points in 2016. |
| There are still more than four months left until the general election, and plenty will change in that time. But it’s clear that Trump needs to start quickly turning around this trend, or he will have no chance at a second term. | There are still more than four months left until the general election, and plenty will change in that time. But it’s clear that Trump needs to start quickly turning around this trend, or he will have no chance at a second term. |
| This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Martin Belam. | This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Martin Belam. |
| Senator Tim Scott, the only black Republican in the Senate, has reportedly seen an uptick in threats and racist messages in recent weeks, as he crafted the Republican police reform bill. | Senator Tim Scott, the only black Republican in the Senate, has reportedly seen an uptick in threats and racist messages in recent weeks, as he crafted the Republican police reform bill. |
| CNN reports: | CNN reports: |
| Scott’s spokesperson told CNN that most of the calls do not specifically mention any legislation, but they have significantly increased since Scott took over Republicans’ police reform efforts. | Scott’s spokesperson told CNN that most of the calls do not specifically mention any legislation, but they have significantly increased since Scott took over Republicans’ police reform efforts. |
| Yesterday, Scott’s bill was blocked by Senate Democrats, who have complained the legislation does not go far enough to address police brutality. | Yesterday, Scott’s bill was blocked by Senate Democrats, who have complained the legislation does not go far enough to address police brutality. |
| The Associated Press are reporting that Donald Trump is facing renewed criticism over his plans to celebrate Independence Day with a showy display at Mount Rushmore. | The Associated Press are reporting that Donald Trump is facing renewed criticism over his plans to celebrate Independence Day with a showy display at Mount Rushmore. |
| Native Americans who view the monument as a desecration of land violently stolen from them and used to pay homage to leaders hostile to native people are planning protests for the presidents’s 3 July visit. | Native Americans who view the monument as a desecration of land violently stolen from them and used to pay homage to leaders hostile to native people are planning protests for the presidents’s 3 July visit. |
| The event is slated to include fighter jets and the first fireworks display at the site since 2009. It comes amid a national reckoning over racism and a reconsideration of the symbolism of monuments around the globe. | The event is slated to include fighter jets and the first fireworks display at the site since 2009. It comes amid a national reckoning over racism and a reconsideration of the symbolism of monuments around the globe. |
| “Mount Rushmore is a symbol of white supremacy, of structural racism that’s still alive and well in society today,” said Nick Tilsen, a member of the Oglala Lakota tribe and the president of a local activist organisation called NDN Collective. “It’s an injustice to actively steal Indigenous people’s land then carve the white faces of the conquerors who committed genocide.” | “Mount Rushmore is a symbol of white supremacy, of structural racism that’s still alive and well in society today,” said Nick Tilsen, a member of the Oglala Lakota tribe and the president of a local activist organisation called NDN Collective. “It’s an injustice to actively steal Indigenous people’s land then carve the white faces of the conquerors who committed genocide.” |
| While some activists, like Tilsen, want to see the monument removed altogether and the Black Hills returned to the Lakota, others have called for a share in the economic benefits from the region and the tourists it attracts. | While some activists, like Tilsen, want to see the monument removed altogether and the Black Hills returned to the Lakota, others have called for a share in the economic benefits from the region and the tourists it attracts. |
| Trump has long shown a fascination with Mount Rushmore. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem said in 2018 that he had once told her straight-faced it was his dream to have his face carved into the monument, which was constructed between 1927 and 1941. | Trump has long shown a fascination with Mount Rushmore. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem said in 2018 that he had once told her straight-faced it was his dream to have his face carved into the monument, which was constructed between 1927 and 1941. |
| For many Native American people, including the Lakota, Cheyenne, Omaha, Arapaho, Kiowa and Kiowa-Apache, the monument is a desecration to the Black Hills, which they consider sacred. Lakota people know the area as Paha Sapa “the heart of everything that is”. | For many Native American people, including the Lakota, Cheyenne, Omaha, Arapaho, Kiowa and Kiowa-Apache, the monument is a desecration to the Black Hills, which they consider sacred. Lakota people know the area as Paha Sapa “the heart of everything that is”. |
| Tim Giago, a journalist who is a member of the Oglala Lakota tribe, said he doesn’t see four great American leaders when he looks at the monument, but instead four white men who either made racist remarks or initiated actions that removed Native Americans from their land. | Tim Giago, a journalist who is a member of the Oglala Lakota tribe, said he doesn’t see four great American leaders when he looks at the monument, but instead four white men who either made racist remarks or initiated actions that removed Native Americans from their land. |
| “Washington and Jefferson both held slaves” he said. “Lincoln, though he led the abolition of slavery, also approved the hanging of 38 Dakota men in Minnesota after a violent conflict with white settlers there. Roosevelt is reported to have said, ‘I don’t go so far as to think that the only good Indians are dead Indians, but I believe nine out of every ten are.’” | “Washington and Jefferson both held slaves” he said. “Lincoln, though he led the abolition of slavery, also approved the hanging of 38 Dakota men in Minnesota after a violent conflict with white settlers there. Roosevelt is reported to have said, ‘I don’t go so far as to think that the only good Indians are dead Indians, but I believe nine out of every ten are.’” |
| As mentioned earlier, Donald Trump isn’t expected to be seen wearing a face mask during his trip to Wisconsin later today, despite the fact that everybody else will. | As mentioned earlier, Donald Trump isn’t expected to be seen wearing a face mask during his trip to Wisconsin later today, despite the fact that everybody else will. |
| This isn’t the only time that the president has made himself an exception to the rule. In this video, my colleague Maanvi Singh looks back at how Trump has long been contradicting and defying science during the coronavirus outbreak, and the impact this has had on the country’s faltering handling of the pandemic. | This isn’t the only time that the president has made himself an exception to the rule. In this video, my colleague Maanvi Singh looks back at how Trump has long been contradicting and defying science during the coronavirus outbreak, and the impact this has had on the country’s faltering handling of the pandemic. |
| Scott Bauer of the Associate Press has been doing some scene-setting for Donald Trump’s visit to Wisconsin today. The president is, according to polling released by the New York Times today, trailing Joe Biden by 11 points in the state that he carried by fewer than 23,000 votes in 2016. | Scott Bauer of the Associate Press has been doing some scene-setting for Donald Trump’s visit to Wisconsin today. The president is, according to polling released by the New York Times today, trailing Joe Biden by 11 points in the state that he carried by fewer than 23,000 votes in 2016. |
| Trump will be taking a private tour of a shipyard far away from Milwaukee, where local coronavirus restrictions now prevent large rallies. And he’ll land just a day after Gov. Tony Evers activated the National Guard following unruly protests in the state capital. | Trump will be taking a private tour of a shipyard far away from Milwaukee, where local coronavirus restrictions now prevent large rallies. And he’ll land just a day after Gov. Tony Evers activated the National Guard following unruly protests in the state capital. |
| Showing the hit the economy has taken from the coronavirus outbreak, when Trump last campaigned in Wisconsin, the unemployment rate was 3.5%. Now, 12% of workers are jobless. | Showing the hit the economy has taken from the coronavirus outbreak, when Trump last campaigned in Wisconsin, the unemployment rate was 3.5%. Now, 12% of workers are jobless. |
| At the Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard the president will speak to 500 to 600 people inside, all of whom will be required to wear masks. | At the Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard the president will speak to 500 to 600 people inside, all of whom will be required to wear masks. |
| Trump will not. | Trump will not. |
| Eric Dunt, the shipbuilder’s spokesperson, told Bauer via email that “We are not asking or requiring the president to wear a mask, as we are going to go to great lengths to give him the appropriate social distance.” | Eric Dunt, the shipbuilder’s spokesperson, told Bauer via email that “We are not asking or requiring the president to wear a mask, as we are going to go to great lengths to give him the appropriate social distance.” |
| Yesterday, the US recorded its single biggest one-day rise in coronavirus cases, which now total more than 2.3 million. Thirteen employees at the shipbuilder have tested positive for Covid-19 during the outbreak, but they have all recovered and are now back to work, Dent said. | Yesterday, the US recorded its single biggest one-day rise in coronavirus cases, which now total more than 2.3 million. Thirteen employees at the shipbuilder have tested positive for Covid-19 during the outbreak, but they have all recovered and are now back to work, Dent said. |
| Trump’s appearance gives him a chance to score points with blue-collar workers who know the importance of the shipbuilder to the region’s economy, said John Nygren, a Republican member of the state Assembly who was born and raised in Marinette. | Trump’s appearance gives him a chance to score points with blue-collar workers who know the importance of the shipbuilder to the region’s economy, said John Nygren, a Republican member of the state Assembly who was born and raised in Marinette. |
| “Granted, Trump is not traditional in a lot of ways, but it’s a great opportunity from a working-class standpoint to show Republicans can stand up for them,” Nygren said. | “Granted, Trump is not traditional in a lot of ways, but it’s a great opportunity from a working-class standpoint to show Republicans can stand up for them,” Nygren said. |
| Trump will no doubt tout a contract won in April by Fincantieri Marinette Marine to build up to 10 navy frigates. The shipbuilder plans to invest $200 million to expand the Marinette facility because of the contract. The company employs about 2,500 people now, and the deal could add 1,000 jobs and be worth $5.6 billion if all the ships are built. It’s the first new major shipbuilding program for the navy in more than a decade. | Trump will no doubt tout a contract won in April by Fincantieri Marinette Marine to build up to 10 navy frigates. The shipbuilder plans to invest $200 million to expand the Marinette facility because of the contract. The company employs about 2,500 people now, and the deal could add 1,000 jobs and be worth $5.6 billion if all the ships are built. It’s the first new major shipbuilding program for the navy in more than a decade. |
| Visiting a navy shipbuilder shortly before the 4 July holiday gives Trump the chance to show both his support for the military and what it means to be a patriotic American, Nygren said. That message is especially important to give during a time “when we’re dealing with a lot of divisions,” he added. | Visiting a navy shipbuilder shortly before the 4 July holiday gives Trump the chance to show both his support for the military and what it means to be a patriotic American, Nygren said. That message is especially important to give during a time “when we’re dealing with a lot of divisions,” he added. |
| By contrast, Biden campaign spokesperson Sean Higgins highlighted the unemployment figures, and said “Wisconsin families deserve strong, honest leadership to bring us together and help our country recover. But Trump is unprepared to meet the moment.” | By contrast, Biden campaign spokesperson Sean Higgins highlighted the unemployment figures, and said “Wisconsin families deserve strong, honest leadership to bring us together and help our country recover. But Trump is unprepared to meet the moment.” |
| Trump is due to make his remarks at around 4pm. | Trump is due to make his remarks at around 4pm. |
| Another 1.48 million people filed for unemployment insurance across the US last week as the grim economic toll of the coronavirus pandemic continued as infection rates picked up in many states. | Another 1.48 million people filed for unemployment insurance across the US last week as the grim economic toll of the coronavirus pandemic continued as infection rates picked up in many states. |
| Claims for unemployment insurance have now fallen for 12 weeks in a row but remain historically high. About 47 million people have now filed for benefits in the last 14 weeks, with 3 million claims made in the last two weeks. | Claims for unemployment insurance have now fallen for 12 weeks in a row but remain historically high. About 47 million people have now filed for benefits in the last 14 weeks, with 3 million claims made in the last two weeks. |
| My colleague Dominic Rushe has a full report here: 1.48m more Americans file for unemployment as pandemic takes toll | My colleague Dominic Rushe has a full report here: 1.48m more Americans file for unemployment as pandemic takes toll |