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Trump’s taxes may be released to grand jury, supreme court rules – live Trump’s taxes may be released to grand jury, supreme court rules – live
(32 minutes later)
Justices issue a 7-2 decision that the president’s tax returns and business records may be turned over to New York juryJustices issue a 7-2 decision that the president’s tax returns and business records may be turned over to New York jury
Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the supreme court’s decision today gives House Democrats “a path” to obtain Trump’s financial records, even though they will not receive them right now.
“We have a path that the Supreme Court has laid out that we will certainly not ignore and we will never stop our oversight,” Pelosi said. “That is our responsibility under the constitution of the United States.”
The Democratic speaker indicated that she and her caucus had reasonable expectations about the court’s decision going into today.
Pelosi said, “There was never any way they were going to give us the records right now, but they would give us a path to the records.”
House Democrats, including judiciary committee chairman Jerry Nadler, are emphasizing that today’s rulings mean the president is not above the law.
During the Trump impeachment inquiry and trial, Democrats frequently said that no one is above the law to argue their case against the president.
Congressman Jim Jordan, the top Republican on the House judiciary committee, lamented the fact that today’s supreme court decisions mean the cases involving Trump’s financial records will continue.Congressman Jim Jordan, the top Republican on the House judiciary committee, lamented the fact that today’s supreme court decisions mean the cases involving Trump’s financial records will continue.
“For almost four years, Democrats have been singularly focused on attacking President Trump for political gain,” Jordan said in a statement.“For almost four years, Democrats have been singularly focused on attacking President Trump for political gain,” Jordan said in a statement.
“Today’s decisions by the Supreme Court sadly will not end the Democrats’ partisan obsession. Americans around the country deserve better than the Democrats’ never-ending political games.”“Today’s decisions by the Supreme Court sadly will not end the Democrats’ partisan obsession. Americans around the country deserve better than the Democrats’ never-ending political games.”
There appears to be an interesting divide developing among Trump and his allies in terms of their responses to today’s rulings.There appears to be an interesting divide developing among Trump and his allies in terms of their responses to today’s rulings.
Trump, and now Jordan as well, have complained that the court should have given the president more authority to essentially ignore these subpoenas for his financial records.Trump, and now Jordan as well, have complained that the court should have given the president more authority to essentially ignore these subpoenas for his financial records.
But one of Trump’s lawyers, Jay Sekulow, celebrated the fact that the court’s rulings mean there will be a delay in the release of the records, meaning they will almost certainly not be made public before the November election.But one of Trump’s lawyers, Jay Sekulow, celebrated the fact that the court’s rulings mean there will be a delay in the release of the records, meaning they will almost certainly not be made public before the November election.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the House would continue its legal efforts to obtain Trump’s financial records after the supreme court sent the case back to a lower court.Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the House would continue its legal efforts to obtain Trump’s financial records after the supreme court sent the case back to a lower court.
“A careful reading of the Supreme Court rulings related to the President’s financial records is not good news for President Trump,” Pelosi said in a statement.“A careful reading of the Supreme Court rulings related to the President’s financial records is not good news for President Trump,” Pelosi said in a statement.
“The Court has reaffirmed the Congress’s authority to conduct oversight on behalf of the American people, as it asks for further information from the Congress. Congress’s constitutional responsibility to uncover the truth continues, specifically related to the President’s Russia connection that he is hiding.“The Court has reaffirmed the Congress’s authority to conduct oversight on behalf of the American people, as it asks for further information from the Congress. Congress’s constitutional responsibility to uncover the truth continues, specifically related to the President’s Russia connection that he is hiding.
“The Congress will continue to conduct oversight For The People, upholding the separation of powers that is the genius of our Constitution. We will continue to press our case in the lower courts.”“The Congress will continue to conduct oversight For The People, upholding the separation of powers that is the genius of our Constitution. We will continue to press our case in the lower courts.”
At her weekly press conference, the Democratic speaker said the court’s decision sent a clear message that the president is not above the law, a frequent rallying cry for Democrats during the impeachment inquiry.At her weekly press conference, the Democratic speaker said the court’s decision sent a clear message that the president is not above the law, a frequent rallying cry for Democrats during the impeachment inquiry.
Striking a notably different tone than the president, one of Trump’s lawyers is celebrating today’s supreme court decisions.Striking a notably different tone than the president, one of Trump’s lawyers is celebrating today’s supreme court decisions.
“We are pleased that in the decisions issued today, the Supreme Court has temporarily blocked both Congress and New York prosecutors from obtaining the President’s financial records,” lawyer Jay Sekulow said in a statement.“We are pleased that in the decisions issued today, the Supreme Court has temporarily blocked both Congress and New York prosecutors from obtaining the President’s financial records,” lawyer Jay Sekulow said in a statement.
“We will now proceed to raise additional Constitutional and legal issues in the lower courts.”“We will now proceed to raise additional Constitutional and legal issues in the lower courts.”
As Sekulow notes, today’s decisions mean there will be additional legal battles over the subpoenas in the months to come, virtually ensuring the president’s financial records will not be seen before the November election.As Sekulow notes, today’s decisions mean there will be additional legal battles over the subpoenas in the months to come, virtually ensuring the president’s financial records will not be seen before the November election.
Trump is still tweeting away, painting himself as the victim of a double standard in comparison to the “totally corrupt previous Administration.”Trump is still tweeting away, painting himself as the victim of a double standard in comparison to the “totally corrupt previous Administration.”
“Now the Supreme Court gives a delay ruling that they would never have given ... for another president,” the president tweeted.“Now the Supreme Court gives a delay ruling that they would never have given ... for another president,” the president tweeted.
“This is about PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT,” Trump said of the subpoenas for his financial records.“This is about PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT,” Trump said of the subpoenas for his financial records.
“We catch the other side SPYING on my campaign, the biggest political crime and scandal in U.S. history, and NOTHING HAPPENS.”“We catch the other side SPYING on my campaign, the biggest political crime and scandal in U.S. history, and NOTHING HAPPENS.”
Trump has now weighed in (via Twitter, of course) on this morning’s supreme court decisions involving subpoenas for his financial records.Trump has now weighed in (via Twitter, of course) on this morning’s supreme court decisions involving subpoenas for his financial records.
“The Supreme Court sends case back to Lower Court, arguments to continue. This is all a political prosecution,” the presient said.“The Supreme Court sends case back to Lower Court, arguments to continue. This is all a political prosecution,” the presient said.
“I won the Mueller Witch Hunt, and others, and now I have to keep fighting in a politically corrupt New York. Not fair to this Presidency or Administration!”“I won the Mueller Witch Hunt, and others, and now I have to keep fighting in a politically corrupt New York. Not fair to this Presidency or Administration!”
Trump took specific aim at the court in a separate tweet, implying the justices were holding him to a different standard than past presidents.Trump took specific aim at the court in a separate tweet, implying the justices were holding him to a different standard than past presidents.
“Courts in the past have given “broad deference”. BUT NOT ME!” Trump said.“Courts in the past have given “broad deference”. BUT NOT ME!” Trump said.
Manhattan district attorney Cy Vance issued a statement celebrating the supreme court’s ruling that the president is not categorically immune from grand jury requests.Manhattan district attorney Cy Vance issued a statement celebrating the supreme court’s ruling that the president is not categorically immune from grand jury requests.
“This is a tremendous victory for our nation’s system of justice and its founding principle that no one – not even a president – is above the law,” Vance said.“This is a tremendous victory for our nation’s system of justice and its founding principle that no one – not even a president – is above the law,” Vance said.
“Our investigation, which was delayed for almost a year by this lawsuit, will resume, guided as always by the grand jury’s solemn obligation to follow the law and the facts, wherever they may lead.”“Our investigation, which was delayed for almost a year by this lawsuit, will resume, guided as always by the grand jury’s solemn obligation to follow the law and the facts, wherever they may lead.”
In terms of the substance of the two supreme court decisions, the opinions mark a defeat for Trump because the justices rejected his legal team’s argument that the president should be immune from such proceedings.In terms of the substance of the two supreme court decisions, the opinions mark a defeat for Trump because the justices rejected his legal team’s argument that the president should be immune from such proceedings.
However, the president appears to have secured a victory in terms of the logistics of the decisions.However, the president appears to have secured a victory in terms of the logistics of the decisions.
The justices ruled that Manhattan district attorney Cy Vance may receive the president’s tax returns and financial records. However, even if Vance can get the records soon, they will likely not be made public because they will be turned over to a grand jury, legally requiring them to be kept secret.The justices ruled that Manhattan district attorney Cy Vance may receive the president’s tax returns and financial records. However, even if Vance can get the records soon, they will likely not be made public because they will be turned over to a grand jury, legally requiring them to be kept secret.
In terms of the House subpoenas, the supreme court sent the case back down to the lower court to more closely consider separation of powers issues. That will almost certainly delay the release of Trump’s financial records to the committees until after the election.In terms of the House subpoenas, the supreme court sent the case back down to the lower court to more closely consider separation of powers issues. That will almost certainly delay the release of Trump’s financial records to the committees until after the election.
So the court has made an important decision in terms of executive power, but this virtually guarantees the American people will not see the president’s financial records before heading to the polls in November.So the court has made an important decision in terms of executive power, but this virtually guarantees the American people will not see the president’s financial records before heading to the polls in November.
The supreme court has issued its second opinion in cases related to subpoenas of the president’s financial records.The supreme court has issued its second opinion in cases related to subpoenas of the president’s financial records.
It is another 7-2 decision written by Chief Justice John Roberts, and it calls for sending the case back to the lower court to more closely review concerns over the separation of powers.It is another 7-2 decision written by Chief Justice John Roberts, and it calls for sending the case back to the lower court to more closely review concerns over the separation of powers.
“The courts below did not take adequate account of the significant separation of powers concerns implicated by congressional subpoenas for the President’s information,” Roberts wrote in the decision.“The courts below did not take adequate account of the significant separation of powers concerns implicated by congressional subpoenas for the President’s information,” Roberts wrote in the decision.
The opinion is not a total victory for Trump, but it does buy him time in the case, virtually ensuring the matter won’t be settled until after the November election.The opinion is not a total victory for Trump, but it does buy him time in the case, virtually ensuring the matter won’t be settled until after the November election.
Chief justice John Roberts wrote the 7-2 opinion that the president is not categorically immune from grand jury requests. Both supreme court justices nominated by Trump, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, sided with the majority.Chief justice John Roberts wrote the 7-2 opinion that the president is not categorically immune from grand jury requests. Both supreme court justices nominated by Trump, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, sided with the majority.
“Two hundred years ago, a great jurist of our Court established that no citizen, not even the President, is categorically above the common duty to produce evidence when called upon in a criminal proceeding,” Roberts wrote in the decision.“Two hundred years ago, a great jurist of our Court established that no citizen, not even the President, is categorically above the common duty to produce evidence when called upon in a criminal proceeding,” Roberts wrote in the decision.
“We reaffirm that principle today and hold that the President is neither absolutely immune from state criminal subpoenas seeking his private papers nor entitled to a heightened standard of need.”“We reaffirm that principle today and hold that the President is neither absolutely immune from state criminal subpoenas seeking his private papers nor entitled to a heightened standard of need.”
The supreme court has issued its decision in one case involving subpoenas for Trump’s financial records.The supreme court has issued its decision in one case involving subpoenas for Trump’s financial records.
The justices issued a 7-2 decision that the president’s tax returns and business records may be turned over to a grand jury in New York.The justices issued a 7-2 decision that the president’s tax returns and business records may be turned over to a grand jury in New York.
The ruling marks a defeat for Trump, who has pushed for years to hide the documents from the public.The ruling marks a defeat for Trump, who has pushed for years to hide the documents from the public.
Trump is also repeating his debunked claim that the US has more coronavirus cases than any other country because the US is testing more people.Trump is also repeating his debunked claim that the US has more coronavirus cases than any other country because the US is testing more people.
It’s true that testing has increased in recent weeks, but the number of cases in the US has outpaced the increase in testing, and the positivity rate of tests was also on the rise in several states recently.It’s true that testing has increased in recent weeks, but the number of cases in the US has outpaced the increase in testing, and the positivity rate of tests was also on the rise in several states recently.
The president’s efforts to downplay the number of cases comes as he pushes schools to reopen in the fall, despite concerns about the spread of the virus in classrooms.The president’s efforts to downplay the number of cases comes as he pushes schools to reopen in the fall, despite concerns about the spread of the virus in classrooms.
The president seems to be eagerly awaiting this morning’s supreme court decisions, tweeting about “prosecutorial misconduct” and “presidential harassment” in preparation for the opinions.The president seems to be eagerly awaiting this morning’s supreme court decisions, tweeting about “prosecutorial misconduct” and “presidential harassment” in preparation for the opinions.
Trump similarly complained about “presidential harassment” during the House impeachment inquiry, and House committees are now seeking the president’s financial records in a subpoena that the supreme court is considering.Trump similarly complained about “presidential harassment” during the House impeachment inquiry, and House committees are now seeking the president’s financial records in a subpoena that the supreme court is considering.
The Guardian’s Maanvi Singh reports:The Guardian’s Maanvi Singh reports:
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.”
Floyd’s dying words have become a rallying cry at demonstrations around the world amid a reckoning with systemic racism and police brutality. The chilling transcripts of body camera video recordings that were made public on Wednesday provide the most detailed account yet of what happened after police apprehended Floyd on 25 May.Floyd’s dying words have become a rallying cry at demonstrations around the world amid a reckoning with systemic racism and police brutality. The chilling transcripts of body camera video recordings that were made public on Wednesday provide the most detailed account yet of what happened after police apprehended Floyd on 25 May.
Before he died, Floyd cried for his dead mother and his children. “Momma, I love you. Tell my kids I love them. I’m dead,” he said.Before he died, Floyd cried for his dead mother and his children. “Momma, I love you. Tell my kids I love them. I’m dead,” he said.
The new evidence was made public as part of efforts by one of the officers involved, Thomas Lane, to have charges that he aided and abetted in murder thrown out.The new evidence was made public as part of efforts by one of the officers involved, Thomas Lane, to have charges that he aided and abetted in murder thrown out.
The transcripts make clear Floyd tried to cooperate with police and told them he was not feeling well. “My stomach hurts. My neck hurts. Everything hurts. I need some water or something, please,” Floyd told them. Begging not to be put in a squad car, Floyd said he was claustrophobic.The transcripts make clear Floyd tried to cooperate with police and told them he was not feeling well. “My stomach hurts. My neck hurts. Everything hurts. I need some water or something, please,” Floyd told them. Begging not to be put in a squad car, Floyd said he was claustrophobic.
The transcripts show that Floyd was deathly afraid of the officers as they approached him. As Lane initially approached Floyd, who was in a car with two other people, Floyd repeatedly said: “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”The transcripts show that Floyd was deathly afraid of the officers as they approached him. As Lane initially approached Floyd, who was in a car with two other people, Floyd repeatedly said: “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
“God dang man. Man, I got shot. I got shot the same way, Mr Officer, before,” he told Lane, who had his gun drawn. “Mr Officer, please don’t shoot me. Please, man.”“God dang man. Man, I got shot. I got shot the same way, Mr Officer, before,” he told Lane, who had his gun drawn. “Mr Officer, please don’t shoot me. Please, man.”
Later, Lane asked Shawanda Renee Hill, a witness inside the car, why Floyd was “getting all squirrelly and not showing us his hands and just being all weird like that?” according to the transcript.Later, Lane asked Shawanda Renee Hill, a witness inside the car, why Floyd was “getting all squirrelly and not showing us his hands and just being all weird like that?” according to the transcript.
“Because he’s been shot before,” Hill said. “He got a thing going on, I’m telling you, about the police.”“Because he’s been shot before,” Hill said. “He got a thing going on, I’m telling you, about the police.”
This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Martin Belam.This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Martin Belam.
The supreme court will start issuing its final decisions of this term in about 40 minutes, and Donald Trump is waiting to hear whether the justices will block the subpoenas for his financial records.The supreme court will start issuing its final decisions of this term in about 40 minutes, and Donald Trump is waiting to hear whether the justices will block the subpoenas for his financial records.
But again, even if the justices rule in favor of the House committees and the New York prosecutors seeking his financial records, it doesn’t necessarily mean we will quickly see the president’s tax returns.But again, even if the justices rule in favor of the House committees and the New York prosecutors seeking his financial records, it doesn’t necessarily mean we will quickly see the president’s tax returns.
The House is not explicitly seeking the president’s tax returns, and the New York prosecutors are asking for the returns to share them with a grand jury, which would mean they are legally required to be kept secret.The House is not explicitly seeking the president’s tax returns, and the New York prosecutors are asking for the returns to share them with a grand jury, which would mean they are legally required to be kept secret.
Long story short: Americans are still unlikely to see Trump’s tax returns before they head to the polls in November.Long story short: Americans are still unlikely to see Trump’s tax returns before they head to the polls in November.
The Department of Labor figures are out and 1.3 million workers filed new state unemployment claims last week. That’s about 100,000 down on the week before.The Department of Labor figures are out and 1.3 million workers filed new state unemployment claims last week. That’s about 100,000 down on the week before.
It is the 15th straight week that the number of new claims has been declining, but it means that 48 million people have now filed for unemployment benefits for the first time in the past 15 weeks. The number of people collecting ongoing benefits fell by 800,000 to just over 18 million.It is the 15th straight week that the number of new claims has been declining, but it means that 48 million people have now filed for unemployment benefits for the first time in the past 15 weeks. The number of people collecting ongoing benefits fell by 800,000 to just over 18 million.
Here’s our full report:Here’s our full report:
You’ll be able to follow more market reaction to the news over on our live business blogYou’ll be able to follow more market reaction to the news over on our live business blog
I mentioned earlier (see 7.19am) a piece in the Washington Post looking at the Republican Senate candidates who are at pains to avoid name-checking Donald Trump in their campaign ads as it is perceived it will harm their chances when people vote.I mentioned earlier (see 7.19am) a piece in the Washington Post looking at the Republican Senate candidates who are at pains to avoid name-checking Donald Trump in their campaign ads as it is perceived it will harm their chances when people vote.
That isn’t the case for everybody though. Bridget Bowman at Roll Call has a look at candidates in two Republican run-off contests who are desperate for the personal endorsement of the president, and who believe it will play well for them.That isn’t the case for everybody though. Bridget Bowman at Roll Call has a look at candidates in two Republican run-off contests who are desperate for the personal endorsement of the president, and who believe it will play well for them.
Read it here: Roll Call – What’s Trump endorsement worth? Texas House and Alabama Senate runoffs will tellRead it here: Roll Call – What’s Trump endorsement worth? Texas House and Alabama Senate runoffs will tell
Any goodwill that country band Lady Antebellum may have gained by changing their name to Lady A in order to drop slavery-era connotations will surely dissipate with the news that they are to sue black female artist Lady A over the use of their new name. Anita White had already been performing as Lady A for 20 years when the country trio made their move.Any goodwill that country band Lady Antebellum may have gained by changing their name to Lady A in order to drop slavery-era connotations will surely dissipate with the news that they are to sue black female artist Lady A over the use of their new name. Anita White had already been performing as Lady A for 20 years when the country trio made their move.
Back in June, White criticised the band, saying:Back in June, White criticised the band, saying:
My colleague Laura Snapes has more here: Lady Antebellum sue black singer Lady A over name changeMy colleague Laura Snapes has more here: Lady Antebellum sue black singer Lady A over name change