This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2020/jul/09/scotus-donald-trump-tax-returns-us-coronavirus-news-fauci-

The article has changed 29 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
US supreme court to rule on Trump tax returns while coronavirus cases soar – live updates US supreme court to rule on Trump tax returns while coronavirus cases soar – live updates
(32 minutes later)
Court to rule if congressional committees are allowed to see Trump tax recordsCourt to rule if congressional committees are allowed to see Trump tax records
One of the odder stories to crop up overnight was the news that a wooden sculpture of first lady Melania Trump near her home town of Sevnica, Slovenia, has been removed after being set on fire during the US independence day weekend.
The sculpture by Brad Downey, a Berlin-based American artist, had Melania Trump wearing a pale blue wraparound coat like the one she wore at her husband’s inauguration. The matter has been reported to the police.
Slovenia does have history for this. Five months ago a Donald Trump wooden statue was burned down.
While Republicans like Brian Kemp might be desperate to see sports coming back into action, it’s not entirely clear that that they will be comfortable with the protests against systemic racism that are going to accompany them.
The “MLS is back” tournament got underway yesterday, and it started with players giving an emotional show of support to the Black Lives Matter movement.
A player group called Black Players for Change made its first public demonstration since coming together last month. Formerly the Black Players Coalition of MLS, the group changed its name this week while joining forces with the NFL’s Players Coalition founded by Anquan Boldin and Malcolm Jenkins.
Before the match, players stood, fists raised, for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, the time that has become a symbol of police brutality, as it was the length of time Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin had his knee on George Floyd’s neck when he was killed.
More than 170 Black players, some wearing “Silence is Violence” T-shirts and Black Lives Matter face masks, took part in the pregame protest. “Really this protest is about fighting for racial equality and human rights,” organizer Justin Morrow of Toronto FC said.
“We’re standing with all of our brothers and sisters across the world - definitely across the North American sports landscape, but we see what’s happening over in Europe as well, how soccer players are fighting against racism there. We’re standing with all of our brothers and sisters to fight this fight.”“It was very powerful to put my fist up and to be there on the field with so many people that are trying to make a change in this country. And that’s what we need to do,” Inter Miami’s Juan Agudelo said.
“This moment for us as a Black player pool, is that we can stand up, we can make this statement that’s come completely from us. It was so important that it was player led, it couldn’t have worked the other way around,” Morrow said.
“This moment of solidarity with our brothers and sisters fighting this battle for racial equality and human rights is so important. And we want to make sure that the narrative was player led, player driven in coming strictly from us.”
Yesterday, Atlanta’s mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms signed an executive order mandating masks in Georgia’s largest city, defying Gov. Brian Kemp’s decision to strongly encourage but not require face coverings. It’s another flashpoint between the pair who have already clashed recently over policing issues.Yesterday, Atlanta’s mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms signed an executive order mandating masks in Georgia’s largest city, defying Gov. Brian Kemp’s decision to strongly encourage but not require face coverings. It’s another flashpoint between the pair who have already clashed recently over policing issues.
“Other cities have taken the approach that they are going to defy the governor’s executive order. Savannah has done it, some other cities have done it, and Atlanta is going to do it today,” Bottoms told MSNBC. “Because the fact of the matter is that Covid-19 is wreaking havoc on our cities, specifically black and brown communities with higher death rates.”“Other cities have taken the approach that they are going to defy the governor’s executive order. Savannah has done it, some other cities have done it, and Atlanta is going to do it today,” Bottoms told MSNBC. “Because the fact of the matter is that Covid-19 is wreaking havoc on our cities, specifically black and brown communities with higher death rates.”
Yesterday Georgia again recorded new high numbers of daily confirmed cases and people hospitalized with Covid-19. The number of people in hospitals rose to more than 2,200 on Wednesday, while confirmed infections leaped by more than 3,400, bringing the state total to 104,000.Yesterday Georgia again recorded new high numbers of daily confirmed cases and people hospitalized with Covid-19. The number of people in hospitals rose to more than 2,200 on Wednesday, while confirmed infections leaped by more than 3,400, bringing the state total to 104,000.
David Ferguson has written for us today a piece highly critical of Georgia governor Brian Kemp’s approach.David Ferguson has written for us today a piece highly critical of Georgia governor Brian Kemp’s approach.
Read it here: David Ferguson – In Brian Kemp’s Georgia, college football matters more than our neighbors’ healthRead it here: David Ferguson – In Brian Kemp’s Georgia, college football matters more than our neighbors’ health
Here’s a little reminder of what we can expect at the US supreme court today. The cases being decided today hinge on whether Congress and the Manhattan district attorney can see President Donald Trump’s taxes and other financial records.Here’s a little reminder of what we can expect at the US supreme court today. The cases being decided today hinge on whether Congress and the Manhattan district attorney can see President Donald Trump’s taxes and other financial records.
Trump has fought bitterly to keep them a secret. Mark Sherman at Associated Press reports that the case is viewed as a test of the balance of power between the White House and Congress, as well as Trump’s assertion that he can’t be investigated while he holds office.Trump has fought bitterly to keep them a secret. Mark Sherman at Associated Press reports that the case is viewed as a test of the balance of power between the White House and Congress, as well as Trump’s assertion that he can’t be investigated while he holds office.
Don’t get too excited though. It is unclear, even if Trump loses, how much of the material would become public, since some records would go to a confidential grand-jury investigation in New York and the rest, sought by committees of the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives, could contain highly sensitive information not just about Trump, but also about other members of his family and businesses.Don’t get too excited though. It is unclear, even if Trump loses, how much of the material would become public, since some records would go to a confidential grand-jury investigation in New York and the rest, sought by committees of the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives, could contain highly sensitive information not just about Trump, but also about other members of his family and businesses.
Trump has so far lost at every step of the court process, but the records have not been turned over pending a final court ruling.Trump has so far lost at every step of the court process, but the records have not been turned over pending a final court ruling.
The subpoenas are not directed at Trump himself. Instead, House committees want records from Deutsche Bank, Capital One and the Mazars USA accounting firm. Mazars is also the recipient of Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance’s subpoena.The subpoenas are not directed at Trump himself. Instead, House committees want records from Deutsche Bank, Capital One and the Mazars USA accounting firm. Mazars is also the recipient of Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance’s subpoena.
The fight over the congressional subpoenas has significant implications regarding a president’s power to refuse a formal request from Congress. In a separate fight at the federal appeals court in Washington over a congressional demand for the testimony of former White House counsel Don McGahn, the administration is making broad arguments that the president’s close advisers are “absolutely immune” from having to appear.The fight over the congressional subpoenas has significant implications regarding a president’s power to refuse a formal request from Congress. In a separate fight at the federal appeals court in Washington over a congressional demand for the testimony of former White House counsel Don McGahn, the administration is making broad arguments that the president’s close advisers are “absolutely immune” from having to appear.
Good morning, and welcome to our coverage of US politics. Here’s a quick summary of where we are, and what we might be able to expect today.Good morning, and welcome to our coverage of US politics. Here’s a quick summary of where we are, and what we might be able to expect today.
Donald Trump criticized Dr Anthony Fauci and said the US was in a ‘good place’ as Covid-19 cases topped three million. More than 130,000 Americans have now died from coronavirus. At least five states — Missouri, Texas, Tennessee, Utah and West Virginia — set single-day records for new infectionsDonald Trump criticized Dr Anthony Fauci and said the US was in a ‘good place’ as Covid-19 cases topped three million. More than 130,000 Americans have now died from coronavirus. At least five states — Missouri, Texas, Tennessee, Utah and West Virginia — set single-day records for new infections
Even as infections surge, the administration is pushing for schools to reopen, with Trump threatening on Twitter to pull federal funding if they don’tEven as infections surge, the administration is pushing for schools to reopen, with Trump threatening on Twitter to pull federal funding if they don’t
Tulsa’s top health official said a surge in Covid-19 cases there was probably connected to Trump’s rally in the city. The president still plans to hold his next campaign rally in New Hampshire on SaturdayTulsa’s top health official said a surge in Covid-19 cases there was probably connected to Trump’s rally in the city. The president still plans to hold his next campaign rally in New Hampshire on Saturday
Newly released transcripts of the minutes leading up to George Floyd’s death reveal he told officers “I can’t breathe” more than 20 times, only to have his plea dismissed by Derek Chauvin, the white officer pressing his knee into Floyd’s neck, who said: “It takes a heck of a lot of oxygen to talk.”Newly released transcripts of the minutes leading up to George Floyd’s death reveal he told officers “I can’t breathe” more than 20 times, only to have his plea dismissed by Derek Chauvin, the white officer pressing his knee into Floyd’s neck, who said: “It takes a heck of a lot of oxygen to talk.”
Alexander Vindman has retired from the US military, accusing Trump of running a “campaign of bullying, intimidation and retaliation” against him, after Lt Col Vindman acted as a key witness in the president’s impeachment caseAlexander Vindman has retired from the US military, accusing Trump of running a “campaign of bullying, intimidation and retaliation” against him, after Lt Col Vindman acted as a key witness in the president’s impeachment case
We should get a US supreme court ruling on whether congressional committees and a New York prosecutor are allowed to see Donald Trump’s personal financial records. Presidents aren’t required by law to release their tax returns but every president since 1974 has made their private finances public in some form. Until TrumpWe should get a US supreme court ruling on whether congressional committees and a New York prosecutor are allowed to see Donald Trump’s personal financial records. Presidents aren’t required by law to release their tax returns but every president since 1974 has made their private finances public in some form. Until Trump
At the White House, Trump has a roundtable with Hispanic community leaders this afternoon, and will sign an executive order on the White House Hispanic Prosperity InitiativeAt the White House, Trump has a roundtable with Hispanic community leaders this afternoon, and will sign an executive order on the White House Hispanic Prosperity Initiative
I’m Martin Belam - you can email me at martin.belam@theguardian.com - and I’ll be with you for the next couple of hours.I’m Martin Belam - you can email me at martin.belam@theguardian.com - and I’ll be with you for the next couple of hours.