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Trump impeachment witness to retire from US army over 'campaign of bullying' – live Pence says 'it's time to get kids back to school' as US nears 3m Covid-19 cases – live
(32 minutes later)
Lt Col Alexander Vindman reportedly cited a retaliation campaign from the White House in decision to retire Vice-president’s remarks follow Trump statement this morning threatening to withhold funding from schools that do not reopen
The White House coronavirus task force briefing continues at the US department of education, but the country has just hit another grim milestone in its fight against the virus.
The US has surpassed 3 million confirmed cases of coronavirus, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker. It represents around a quarter of the world’s total cases. Johns Hopkins records that there have been 131,594 deaths among the total of 3,009,611 cases.
On Monday, Dr Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said that America’s grasp of the pandemic was “really not good” and that the country was “still knee-deep in the first wave” of coronavirus infections.
The news comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that evidence is emerging that the coronavirus is airborne, which has significant implications for how it spreads indoors, and makes wearing masks potentially even more of a priority.
You can find our dedicated live blog to the global coronavirus crisis over here:
You can also find our state-by-state breakdown of case and death numbers here:
Dr Deborah Birx, the coordinator of the White House coronavirus task force, has now taken the podium at the briefing.
Before beginning her analysis of new outbreaks of the virus in the US, Birx thanked the leaders of the Salt River tribe for meeting with her recently in Arizona.
Birx noted she received the mask she is wearing today from the tribe’s leaders. “Masks can be a fashion statement,” Birx said.
All of the officials, including Vice President Mike Pence, arrived at today’s briefing wearing face masks.
Echoing the president, Mike Pence pushed for the reopening of America’s schools despite lingering concerns over the spread of coronavirus in the classroom.
“It’s time for us to get our kids back to school,” Pence said during the White House coronavirus task force briefing at the US department of education.
Trump made the same argument during an event on school reopenings yesterday, and this morning, he threatened to withhold funding from schools that do not reopen.
The funding threat struck many as counterintuitive, considering a number of school districts have said they do not have the money to safely reopen.
Vice President Mike Pence is leading a White House coronavirus task force briefing at the US department of education.
The briefing comes as the US approaches 3 million confirmed cases of the virus, far more than any other country in the world.
Pence opened the briefing by emphasizing the level of coronavirus testing in the US, saying there is evidence of a flattening of the positivity rate in Arizona, Florida and Texas.
Lt Col Alexander Vindman had been seeking a promotion to the rank of colonel, and the White House was facing accusations of holding up the promotion because of Vindman’s testimony in the impeachment inquiry.
CNN reports:
By retiring, Vindman will clear the way for some of his Army colleagues to receive their expected promotions.
Lt Col Alexander Vindman confirmed in a tweet that he has asked to retire from the US Army after more than two decades of service.Lt Col Alexander Vindman confirmed in a tweet that he has asked to retire from the US Army after more than two decades of service.
“Today I officially requested retirement from the US Army, an organization I love. My family and I look forward to the next chapter of our lives,” Vindman said.“Today I officially requested retirement from the US Army, an organization I love. My family and I look forward to the next chapter of our lives,” Vindman said.
In his statement to CNN, Lt Col Alexander Vindman’s lawyer said the White House had put the administration official in an impossible position.In his statement to CNN, Lt Col Alexander Vindman’s lawyer said the White House had put the administration official in an impossible position.
“The President of the United States attempted to force LTC Vindman to choose: Between adhering to the law or pleasing a President. Between honoring his oath or protecting his career. Between protecting his promotion or the promotion of his fellow soldiers,” lawyer David Pressman said.“The President of the United States attempted to force LTC Vindman to choose: Between adhering to the law or pleasing a President. Between honoring his oath or protecting his career. Between protecting his promotion or the promotion of his fellow soldiers,” lawyer David Pressman said.
“These are choices that no one in the United States should confront, especially one who has dedicated his life to serving it,” Pressman said, arguing that Vindman “did what the law compelled him to do; and for that he was bullied by the President and his proxies.”“These are choices that no one in the United States should confront, especially one who has dedicated his life to serving it,” Pressman said, arguing that Vindman “did what the law compelled him to do; and for that he was bullied by the President and his proxies.”
The statement was quite the departure from Vindman’s November testimony, in which he applauded American values for allowing him to speak out and celebated his father’s decision to emigrate to the US from the Soviet Union.The statement was quite the departure from Vindman’s November testimony, in which he applauded American values for allowing him to speak out and celebated his father’s decision to emigrate to the US from the Soviet Union.
“Dad, I’m sitting here today, in the US Capitol talking to our elected professionals — is proof that you made the right decision 40 years ago to leave the Soviet Union. Do not worry, I will be fine for telling the truth,” Vindman said at the time.“Dad, I’m sitting here today, in the US Capitol talking to our elected professionals — is proof that you made the right decision 40 years ago to leave the Soviet Union. Do not worry, I will be fine for telling the truth,” Vindman said at the time.
Lt Col Alexander Vindman, a key witness in the Trump impeachment inquiry, has reportedly decided to retire from the Army, citing a retaliation campaign from the White House.Lt Col Alexander Vindman, a key witness in the Trump impeachment inquiry, has reportedly decided to retire from the Army, citing a retaliation campaign from the White House.
CNN reports:CNN reports:
Trump fired Vindman, who was serving as the top Ukraine expert on the National Security Council, in February.Trump fired Vindman, who was serving as the top Ukraine expert on the National Security Council, in February.
The move was seen as part of a pattern of demotions and firings of top administration officials who testified in the impeachment inquiry.The move was seen as part of a pattern of demotions and firings of top administration officials who testified in the impeachment inquiry.
The supreme court is expected to release its decisions in Trump v Mazars and Trump v Vance tomorrow morning.The supreme court is expected to release its decisions in Trump v Mazars and Trump v Vance tomorrow morning.
The cases center on whether the president’s tax returns and business records can be turned over to House committees and New York prosecutors, who have issued subpoenas for the documents.The cases center on whether the president’s tax returns and business records can be turned over to House committees and New York prosecutors, who have issued subpoenas for the documents.
During oral arguments in the cases, the court seemed more inclined to rule against the president in Trump v Vance, which involves the subpoenas issued by Cy Vance, the district attorney for the county of New York.During oral arguments in the cases, the court seemed more inclined to rule against the president in Trump v Vance, which involves the subpoenas issued by Cy Vance, the district attorney for the county of New York.
But if the court rules against Trump in that case, it does not necessarily mean the public will see the president’s tax returns anytime soon.But if the court rules against Trump in that case, it does not necessarily mean the public will see the president’s tax returns anytime soon.
A winning ruling for Vance would mean Trump’s tax information would be made available to a grand jury, but that information is legally required to be kept secret.A winning ruling for Vance would mean Trump’s tax information would be made available to a grand jury, but that information is legally required to be kept secret.
Even if the court also sides with the House committees, the tax returns could remain secret because the House subpoenas do not explictly request them.Even if the court also sides with the House committees, the tax returns could remain secret because the House subpoenas do not explictly request them.
So it seems unlikely that the details of the president’s finances will be revealed before the November election.So it seems unlikely that the details of the president’s finances will be revealed before the November election.
The US supreme court has upheld a broad expansion by the Trump administration of the pool of employers that can use religious objections to deny women insurance coverage for contraception.The US supreme court has upheld a broad expansion by the Trump administration of the pool of employers that can use religious objections to deny women insurance coverage for contraception.
The ruling in Little Sisters of the Poor v Pennsylvania, which struck down a lower court decision, could deprive up to 125,000 women of contraceptive coverage, Justice Sonia Sotomayor warned during oral arguments in the case in May.The ruling in Little Sisters of the Poor v Pennsylvania, which struck down a lower court decision, could deprive up to 125,000 women of contraceptive coverage, Justice Sonia Sotomayor warned during oral arguments in the case in May.
The Affordable Care Act, passed under Barack Obama, required employers to cover “preventive care” – a category including certain types of contraception – free of charge, allowing for some exemptions for churches and religious groups.The Affordable Care Act, passed under Barack Obama, required employers to cover “preventive care” – a category including certain types of contraception – free of charge, allowing for some exemptions for churches and religious groups.
Corporations run by families with religious objections to covering the costs of contraception won exemption from the law in a subsequent high-profile supreme court decision, Burwell v Hobby Lobby (2014).Corporations run by families with religious objections to covering the costs of contraception won exemption from the law in a subsequent high-profile supreme court decision, Burwell v Hobby Lobby (2014).
But soon after Trump took office, his administration issued new, much broader exemptions, which the states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey challenged in court.But soon after Trump took office, his administration issued new, much broader exemptions, which the states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey challenged in court.
Under Trump’s rules, any nonprofit employer or any for-profit employer in a company not publicly traded could claim an objection of conscience and be exempted from offering plans that included coverage for contraception.Under Trump’s rules, any nonprofit employer or any for-profit employer in a company not publicly traded could claim an objection of conscience and be exempted from offering plans that included coverage for contraception.
The supreme court has also announced that tomorrow will be the last day for opinions to be issued for this term.The supreme court has also announced that tomorrow will be the last day for opinions to be issued for this term.
What that means for Trump is that he will receive an answer tomorrow morning on whether his financial records will be turned over to House committees and New York prosecutors.What that means for Trump is that he will receive an answer tomorrow morning on whether his financial records will be turned over to House committees and New York prosecutors.
The cases involving subpoenas for the president’s financial records is the last remaining major case of this court term.The cases involving subpoenas for the president’s financial records is the last remaining major case of this court term.
The supreme court has ruled in favor of the Trump administration in a case regarding expanded exemptions for the Affordable Care Act’s contraception coverage mandate.The supreme court has ruled in favor of the Trump administration in a case regarding expanded exemptions for the Affordable Care Act’s contraception coverage mandate.
The court issued a 7-2 ruling that the administration was allowed to expand exemptions to private companies who have religious or moral objections to the mandate.The court issued a 7-2 ruling that the administration was allowed to expand exemptions to private companies who have religious or moral objections to the mandate.
Conservative justice Clarence Thomas wrote in the ruling, “We hold that the Departments had the authority to provide exemptions from the regulatory contraceptive requirements for employers with religious and conscientious objections. We accordingly reverse the Third Circuit’s judgment and remand with instructions to dissolve the nationwide preliminary injunction.”Conservative justice Clarence Thomas wrote in the ruling, “We hold that the Departments had the authority to provide exemptions from the regulatory contraceptive requirements for employers with religious and conscientious objections. We accordingly reverse the Third Circuit’s judgment and remand with instructions to dissolve the nationwide preliminary injunction.”
The supreme court has issued its first opinion this morning, and it is a ruling in the case of Our Lady of Guadalupe School v Morrissey-Berru.The supreme court has issued its first opinion this morning, and it is a ruling in the case of Our Lady of Guadalupe School v Morrissey-Berru.
The case centered on whether teachers at religious schools with minimal religious duties can file employment-discrimination claims, or if they are subject to the “ministerial exception,” which blocks the government from weighing in on church’s hiring decisions.The case centered on whether teachers at religious schools with minimal religious duties can file employment-discrimination claims, or if they are subject to the “ministerial exception,” which blocks the government from weighing in on church’s hiring decisions.
The court issued a 7-2 decision that the teachers were barred from filing employment-discrimination lawsuits.The court issued a 7-2 decision that the teachers were barred from filing employment-discrimination lawsuits.
Conservative justice Samuel Alito wrote in the decision, “What matters, at bottom, is what an employee does. And implicit in our decision in Hosanna-Tabor was a recognition that educating young people in their faith, inculcating its teachings, and training them to live their faith are responsibilities that lie at the very core of the mission of a private religious school.”Conservative justice Samuel Alito wrote in the decision, “What matters, at bottom, is what an employee does. And implicit in our decision in Hosanna-Tabor was a recognition that educating young people in their faith, inculcating its teachings, and training them to live their faith are responsibilities that lie at the very core of the mission of a private religious school.”
Trump’s tweet about schools reopening also overlooks the fact that the European countries he listed are not reporting tens of thousands of new coronavirus cases each day, as the US is.Trump’s tweet about schools reopening also overlooks the fact that the European countries he listed are not reporting tens of thousands of new coronavirus cases each day, as the US is.
In his tweet, the president said, “In Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and many other countries, SCHOOLS ARE OPEN WITH NO PROBLEMS.”In his tweet, the president said, “In Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and many other countries, SCHOOLS ARE OPEN WITH NO PROBLEMS.”
But each of those countries are reporting, at most, a few hundred news cases a day. In contrast, the US has recently been reporting more than 50,000 new cases every day.But each of those countries are reporting, at most, a few hundred news cases a day. In contrast, the US has recently been reporting more than 50,000 new cases every day.
This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Martin Belam.This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Martin Belam.
Trump is on Twitter this morning once again insisting that schools reopen in the fall, but the president has now added a funding threat to his pleas.Trump is on Twitter this morning once again insisting that schools reopen in the fall, but the president has now added a funding threat to his pleas.
“In Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and many other countries, SCHOOLS ARE OPEN WITH NO PROBLEMS,” Trump said in a tweet. “The Dems think it would be bad for them politically if U.S. schools open before the November Election, but is important for the children & families. May cut off funding if not open!“In Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and many other countries, SCHOOLS ARE OPEN WITH NO PROBLEMS,” Trump said in a tweet. “The Dems think it would be bad for them politically if U.S. schools open before the November Election, but is important for the children & families. May cut off funding if not open!
In reality, many administrators, teachers and parents have expressed concerns about sending students back to school as concerns remain over the spread of coronavirus in the classroom.In reality, many administrators, teachers and parents have expressed concerns about sending students back to school as concerns remain over the spread of coronavirus in the classroom.
Many school districts have also warned they do not have the additional funding needed to keep students safe, and the president is now threatening to cut off funding from them if they don’t reopen.Many school districts have also warned they do not have the additional funding needed to keep students safe, and the president is now threatening to cut off funding from them if they don’t reopen.
In a separate tweet, Trump criticized the school reopening guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as “very tough” and “expensive.” He said he would be meeting with CDC officials to discuss the guidelines.In a separate tweet, Trump criticized the school reopening guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as “very tough” and “expensive.” He said he would be meeting with CDC officials to discuss the guidelines.
Joe Biden on Tuesday assailed Donald Trump for questioning the patriotism of Senator Tammy Duckworth – a combat veteran and Purple Heart recipient who lost both her legs while serving in Iraq.Joe Biden on Tuesday assailed Donald Trump for questioning the patriotism of Senator Tammy Duckworth – a combat veteran and Purple Heart recipient who lost both her legs while serving in Iraq.
At a virtual fundraiser attended by Duckworth last night, Biden called Trump’s comments “disgusting” and “sickening” and said they are a “reflection of the depravity of what’s going on in the White House right now.At a virtual fundraiser attended by Duckworth last night, Biden called Trump’s comments “disgusting” and “sickening” and said they are a “reflection of the depravity of what’s going on in the White House right now.
Trump’s criticism followed a reprehensible monologue from Fox News’ Tucker Carlson, which claimed that the Illinois senator “despise[s] America” because she said there should be a “national dialogue” on the removal of monuments to the founding fathers, including the nation’s first president, George Washington, who owned slaves.Trump’s criticism followed a reprehensible monologue from Fox News’ Tucker Carlson, which claimed that the Illinois senator “despise[s] America” because she said there should be a “national dialogue” on the removal of monuments to the founding fathers, including the nation’s first president, George Washington, who owned slaves.
Trump shared Carlson’s rant about Duckworth on Twitter and his campaign issued a statement accusing her of “using her military service to deflect from her support for the left-wing campaign to villainize America’s founding.”Trump shared Carlson’s rant about Duckworth on Twitter and his campaign issued a statement accusing her of “using her military service to deflect from her support for the left-wing campaign to villainize America’s founding.”
Duckworth replied to Carlson on Twitter, challenging him to “walk a mile in my legs and then tell me whether or not I love America?”Duckworth replied to Carlson on Twitter, challenging him to “walk a mile in my legs and then tell me whether or not I love America?”
Biden said he was “glad” that he “wasn’t standing next to President Trump”, implying he might have physically challenged the president over his attacks on Duckworth. But Biden quickly acknowledged that the war veteran and US senator could handle herself and needed no help from him in standing up to the president.Biden said he was “glad” that he “wasn’t standing next to President Trump”, implying he might have physically challenged the president over his attacks on Duckworth. But Biden quickly acknowledged that the war veteran and US senator could handle herself and needed no help from him in standing up to the president.
Duckworth is among several women Biden is considering as a running mate.Duckworth is among several women Biden is considering as a running mate.
“While in fact he’s coddling Putin — Putin carries him around like a puppy in one of those little puppy cages,” Biden continued, attacking Trump for not taking action in response to the Russian bounty intelligence. “While that’s going on he attacks, he attacks the senator from Illinois who is a literal hero, combat veteran, lost both legs fighting for her country, and he says she’s not a patriot. Folks we cannot let this stand.”“While in fact he’s coddling Putin — Putin carries him around like a puppy in one of those little puppy cages,” Biden continued, attacking Trump for not taking action in response to the Russian bounty intelligence. “While that’s going on he attacks, he attacks the senator from Illinois who is a literal hero, combat veteran, lost both legs fighting for her country, and he says she’s not a patriot. Folks we cannot let this stand.”
The Cook Political Report have published the latest of their monthly assessments of where November’s election might be heading - and they say it is looking “more like a Democratic tsunami than simply a Blue wave.”The Cook Political Report have published the latest of their monthly assessments of where November’s election might be heading - and they say it is looking “more like a Democratic tsunami than simply a Blue wave.”
Amy Walter writes: “Republican strategists we’ve spoken with this week think Donald Trump is close to the point of no return. A couple of others wondered if Trump had reached his ‘Katrina’ moment: a permanent loss of trust and faith of the majority of voters.”Amy Walter writes: “Republican strategists we’ve spoken with this week think Donald Trump is close to the point of no return. A couple of others wondered if Trump had reached his ‘Katrina’ moment: a permanent loss of trust and faith of the majority of voters.”
Based on current polling, they have Joe Biden easily clearing the threshold of votes he needs, with only Arizona, Florida, Georgia and North Carolina as “toss-up” states. They have Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, all states that Trump carried in 2016, as now leaning to Biden.Based on current polling, they have Joe Biden easily clearing the threshold of votes he needs, with only Arizona, Florida, Georgia and North Carolina as “toss-up” states. They have Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, all states that Trump carried in 2016, as now leaning to Biden.
You can read it all here: Cook Political Report – New July 2020 Electoral College RatingsYou can read it all here: Cook Political Report – New July 2020 Electoral College Ratings
Yesterday Dr. Anthony Fauci cautioned in a press conference that “It’s a false narrative to take comfort in a lower rate of death. There’s so many other things that are very dangerous and bad about this virus, don’t get yourself into false complacency.”Yesterday Dr. Anthony Fauci cautioned in a press conference that “It’s a false narrative to take comfort in a lower rate of death. There’s so many other things that are very dangerous and bad about this virus, don’t get yourself into false complacency.”
Last night president Donald Trump tweeted:Last night president Donald Trump tweeted:
Madeline Holcombe over at CNN has a good run-down on the latest state of play with the coronavirus figuresMadeline Holcombe over at CNN has a good run-down on the latest state of play with the coronavirus figures
The United States saw a record number of 60,021 new cases on Tuesday, and 35 states are seeing growing numbers of new cases from last week. ICUs at 56 hospitals in Florida have reached capacity. California hospitalizations are at an all-time high, and Texas had its highest single day increase in coronavirus cases yesterday, with 10,028 new cases.The United States saw a record number of 60,021 new cases on Tuesday, and 35 states are seeing growing numbers of new cases from last week. ICUs at 56 hospitals in Florida have reached capacity. California hospitalizations are at an all-time high, and Texas had its highest single day increase in coronavirus cases yesterday, with 10,028 new cases.
It’s worth a read just to get a grip on how bleak the situation is becoming in some states: CNN – Death rates may be down, but coronavirus cases and hospitalizations are surgingIt’s worth a read just to get a grip on how bleak the situation is becoming in some states: CNN – Death rates may be down, but coronavirus cases and hospitalizations are surging
According to reports in both Harvard Magazine and Harvard Crimson, Harvard and MIT are to sue the Trump Administration to overturn the ruling that overseas students whose courses are to be delivered wholly online cannot come into the US.According to reports in both Harvard Magazine and Harvard Crimson, Harvard and MIT are to sue the Trump Administration to overturn the ruling that overseas students whose courses are to be delivered wholly online cannot come into the US.
The Harvard Crimson quotes university president Lawrence S. Bacow saying in an email that “The order came down without notice—its cruelty surpassed only by its recklessness. We believe that the ICE order is bad public policy, and we believe that it is illegal.”The Harvard Crimson quotes university president Lawrence S. Bacow saying in an email that “The order came down without notice—its cruelty surpassed only by its recklessness. We believe that the ICE order is bad public policy, and we believe that it is illegal.”
You can read more here: Harvard Crimson – Harvard, MIT sue immigration authorities over rule barring international students from online-only universitiesYou can read more here: Harvard Crimson – Harvard, MIT sue immigration authorities over rule barring international students from online-only universities