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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
Trump has just signed an exectuive order establishing the Hispanic Prosperity Initiative in the Rose Garden.
In his remarks before signing the order, the president reiterated his demand that US schools reopen next month, despite concerns about the spread of coronavirus once in-person instruction restarts.
“We have to open our schools,” Trump said. “Open our schools. Stop this nonsense.”
Earlier today, Trump’s press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, said the president supports reopening all US schools, even those located in coronavirus hot spots where hospitalizations are on the rise.
After signing the order, the president left the Rose Garden without taking any questions from reporters.
Trump expressed displeasure with today’s supreme court rulings during a White House roundtable with leaders in the Hispanic community.
“It’s a political witch hunt, the likes of which nobody’s ever seen before,” the president said, according to a White House pool report.
“It’s a pure witch hunt, it’s a hoax, just like the Mueller investigation was a hoax that I won, and this is another hoax. This is purely political.”
The president similarly complained this morning that he was being held to a different standard than his predecessor, Barack Obama.
But interestingly, the president’s press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, described today’s rulings as a “big win” for Trump, an assessment that he does not appear to agree with.
The latest request in the Michael Flynn case, or one could say saga, emerged even as defense secretary Mark Esper and top military brass Mark Milley, chairman of the joint chiefs, are on Capitol Hill testifying essentially about boundaries blurring between the role of the US Army in domestic law enforcement, as our colleague Julian Borger is reporting.The latest request in the Michael Flynn case, or one could say saga, emerged even as defense secretary Mark Esper and top military brass Mark Milley, chairman of the joint chiefs, are on Capitol Hill testifying essentially about boundaries blurring between the role of the US Army in domestic law enforcement, as our colleague Julian Borger is reporting.
The Flynn saga has become about boundaries blurring between the Department of Justice and the White House when someone like the attorney general intervenes in a criminal case ie Michael Flynn’s.The Flynn saga has become about boundaries blurring between the Department of Justice and the White House when someone like the attorney general intervenes in a criminal case ie Michael Flynn’s.
Last month, as my colleague Joan Greve reported at the time in this blog, a federal appeals court ordered the prosecution of Flynn to be dismissed.Last month, as my colleague Joan Greve reported at the time in this blog, a federal appeals court ordered the prosecution of Flynn to be dismissed.
In a surprise ruling, the DC circuit court of appeals Judge Sullivan and has ordered him to accept the justice department’s motion (highly unusual aka outrageous to many) to dismiss the criminal case against Flynn.In a surprise ruling, the DC circuit court of appeals Judge Sullivan and has ordered him to accept the justice department’s motion (highly unusual aka outrageous to many) to dismiss the criminal case against Flynn.
Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI in 2017, but the justice department filed a motion in May to dismiss the criminal charges against him, prompting accusations of political bias.Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI in 2017, but the justice department filed a motion in May to dismiss the criminal charges against him, prompting accusations of political bias.
This prompted accusations of political bias against the AG, coming after Trump repeatedly accused federal investigators of unfairly targeting his former adviser.This prompted accusations of political bias against the AG, coming after Trump repeatedly accused federal investigators of unfairly targeting his former adviser.
Secretary of defence Mark Esper and chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, General Mark Milley, were both asked repeatedly at the House armed services committee hearing about intelligence reports indicating Russian military intelligence offered bounties to Taliban fighters to kill American soldiers.Secretary of defence Mark Esper and chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, General Mark Milley, were both asked repeatedly at the House armed services committee hearing about intelligence reports indicating Russian military intelligence offered bounties to Taliban fighters to kill American soldiers.
Esper said Milley and head of US Central Command, Gen Kenneth McKenzie, were first briefed on the reports in January, and Esper became aware in February.Esper said Milley and head of US Central Command, Gen Kenneth McKenzie, were first briefed on the reports in January, and Esper became aware in February.
Esper said that defence department intelligence agencies, which account for nine of the total 19 agencies in the “intelligence community”, had not corroborated the reports as yet.Esper said that defence department intelligence agencies, which account for nine of the total 19 agencies in the “intelligence community”, had not corroborated the reports as yet.
Milley said: “That is a unique discrete piece of information that is not corroborated. You’ve all been briefed on it. I have too, and I and the Secretary and many others are taking it seriously. We’re going to get to the bottom of it. ... And if it is true, we will take action.”Milley said: “That is a unique discrete piece of information that is not corroborated. You’ve all been briefed on it. I have too, and I and the Secretary and many others are taking it seriously. We’re going to get to the bottom of it. ... And if it is true, we will take action.”
The judge hearing the criminal prosecution against Donald Trump’s former national security adviser Michael Flynn on Thursday asked an appeals court to reconsider a recent decision dismissing the case.The judge hearing the criminal prosecution against Donald Trump’s former national security adviser Michael Flynn on Thursday asked an appeals court to reconsider a recent decision dismissing the case.
US District Judge Emmet Sullivan asked the entire US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to reconsider the June 24 decision that directed him to drop the Flynn case, Reuters reports.US District Judge Emmet Sullivan asked the entire US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to reconsider the June 24 decision that directed him to drop the Flynn case, Reuters reports.
More to follow...More to follow...
Some wondered if New York City mayor Bill de Blasio would somehow chicken out of allowing Black Lives Matter to be painted on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue right outside Trump Tower - but they would be wrong.Some wondered if New York City mayor Bill de Blasio would somehow chicken out of allowing Black Lives Matter to be painted on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue right outside Trump Tower - but they would be wrong.
De Blasio, flanked by his wife Chirlane McCray, and the city’s civil rights leader Al Sharpton, grabbed a roller earlier today and took part in the creation of the street mural, one of several in the city but surely the most provocative right outside Donald Trump’s previous gilded abode/office/shopping complex.De Blasio, flanked by his wife Chirlane McCray, and the city’s civil rights leader Al Sharpton, grabbed a roller earlier today and took part in the creation of the street mural, one of several in the city but surely the most provocative right outside Donald Trump’s previous gilded abode/office/shopping complex.
The president’s race-baiting bullhorn was in full working order last week when he tweeted that the street mural would be “a symbol of hate.”The president’s race-baiting bullhorn was in full working order last week when he tweeted that the street mural would be “a symbol of hate.”
As the paint rolled, activists watching chanted, “Whose streets? Our streets!” TheAP reported.As the paint rolled, activists watching chanted, “Whose streets? Our streets!” TheAP reported.
Ding-dong:Ding-dong:
Rahima Torrence, 20, who was taking part in the creation of the mural said it was “the beginning of something more” than a symbol.Rahima Torrence, 20, who was taking part in the creation of the mural said it was “the beginning of something more” than a symbol.
She said the location in front of Trump’s own skyscraper “shows that we matter and it shows to him that you can’t ignore us.”Washington was the first US city to get a giant yellow “Black Lives Matter” mural across a thoroughfare when Mayor Muriel Bowser had it painted on the street leading to the White House.She said the location in front of Trump’s own skyscraper “shows that we matter and it shows to him that you can’t ignore us.”Washington was the first US city to get a giant yellow “Black Lives Matter” mural across a thoroughfare when Mayor Muriel Bowser had it painted on the street leading to the White House.
Bowser said the painting was intended to show solidarity with Americans outraged over the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.Bowser said the painting was intended to show solidarity with Americans outraged over the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Earlier today, De Blasio said: “When we say ‘Black Lives Matter,’ there is no more American statement, there is no more patriotic statement because there is no America without Black America. We are acknowledging the truth of ourselves as Americans by saying ‘Black Lives Matter.’ We are righting a wrong.”Earlier today, De Blasio said: “When we say ‘Black Lives Matter,’ there is no more American statement, there is no more patriotic statement because there is no America without Black America. We are acknowledging the truth of ourselves as Americans by saying ‘Black Lives Matter.’ We are righting a wrong.”
Some Trump supporters heckled those creating the mural.Some Trump supporters heckled those creating the mural.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany has just concluded her briefing, during which she was repeatedly pressed on Trump’s demands that schools reopen.White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany has just concluded her briefing, during which she was repeatedly pressed on Trump’s demands that schools reopen.
McEnany said the president “absolutely” wants to see all of America’s schools reopen next month, including those in coronavirus hot spots where hospitalizations are on the rise.McEnany said the president “absolutely” wants to see all of America’s schools reopen next month, including those in coronavirus hot spots where hospitalizations are on the rise.
Trump has criticized the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines to schools on safely reopening, describing the guidance as too restrictive.Trump has criticized the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines to schools on safely reopening, describing the guidance as too restrictive.
However, even as the administration sends mixed signals on how schools should reopen, Trump continues to demand that school officials observe his timeline for bringing students back.However, even as the administration sends mixed signals on how schools should reopen, Trump continues to demand that school officials observe his timeline for bringing students back.
The Guardian’s David Smith is at today’s White House briefing, and he asked press secretary Kayleigh McEnany about a recent rise in new coronavirus cases in Tulsa, Oklahoma.The Guardian’s David Smith is at today’s White House briefing, and he asked press secretary Kayleigh McEnany about a recent rise in new coronavirus cases in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
A top health official in Tulsa has said the president’s recent rally there is at least partly to blame for the increase in new cases.A top health official in Tulsa has said the president’s recent rally there is at least partly to blame for the increase in new cases.
Asked whether the president regrets moving ahead with the widely criticized rally, McEnany said, “We have not seen data to reflect that, and we do not regret holding the rally.”Asked whether the president regrets moving ahead with the widely criticized rally, McEnany said, “We have not seen data to reflect that, and we do not regret holding the rally.”
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany dodged a question about Lt Col Alexander Vindman, a key witness in the Trump impeachment inquiry who announced his retirment yesterday.White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany dodged a question about Lt Col Alexander Vindman, a key witness in the Trump impeachment inquiry who announced his retirment yesterday.
In a statement from his lawyer, Vindman said he chose to retire because a retaliation campaign spearheaded by the White House had limited his career options.In a statement from his lawyer, Vindman said he chose to retire because a retaliation campaign spearheaded by the White House had limited his career options.
“I’m not going to focus or comment on a former junior employee,” McEnany said.“I’m not going to focus or comment on a former junior employee,” McEnany said.
Vindman served as the top Ukraine expert on the National Security Council before he was fired in February.Vindman served as the top Ukraine expert on the National Security Council before he was fired in February.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany insisted today’s supreme court rulings were a “big win” for the president.White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany insisted today’s supreme court rulings were a “big win” for the president.
When a reporter noted Trump did not appear to consider the decisions a victory in his tweets this morning, McEnany replied, “The president was making a general point about deference.”When a reporter noted Trump did not appear to consider the decisions a victory in his tweets this morning, McEnany replied, “The president was making a general point about deference.”
The press secretary also deflected a question about when the president would release his tax returns, as he promised to do during the 2016 campaign.The press secretary also deflected a question about when the president would release his tax returns, as he promised to do during the 2016 campaign.
“For four years, the president has said the same thing: his taxes are under audit. When they are no longer under audit, he will release them,” McEnany said.“For four years, the president has said the same thing: his taxes are under audit. When they are no longer under audit, he will release them,” McEnany said.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany argued that today’s supreme court decisions do not represent a defeat for Trump.White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany argued that today’s supreme court decisions do not represent a defeat for Trump.
“The justices did not rule against him,” McEnany said, insiting the court provided “a roadmap for the president” on how to continue fighting the subpoenas from House committees and New York prosecutors.“The justices did not rule against him,” McEnany said, insiting the court provided “a roadmap for the president” on how to continue fighting the subpoenas from House committees and New York prosecutors.
The court sent both cases back to lower courts. However, in a 7-2 decision, the court dismissed the president’s argument that he was categorically immune from grand jury subpoenas.The court sent both cases back to lower courts. However, in a 7-2 decision, the court dismissed the president’s argument that he was categorically immune from grand jury subpoenas.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany was asked whether Trump was frustrated by the two supreme court justices he nominated, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, who sided with the majority in the cases involving subpoenas for the president’s financial records.
“The justices are entitled to their opinion,” McEnany replied. “This is an independent branch of government.”
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany is now holding a briefing, and she opened it by pushing for the reopening of America’s schools.
Echoing the president, McEnany said it was vital that students return to school, despite concerns about the spread of coronavirus in classrooms.
“Sustained school closures hurt students with fewer resources the most,” McEnany said, describing Trump as “the most vocal advocate for reopening.”
The president has been criticized in recent days for pressuring schools to reopen and threatening their funding while simultaneously disparaging the CDC guidelines for safe reopenings.
Michael Cohen, Trump’s former attorney and fixer, has been taken back into federal custody, according to Reuters.
Cohen was expected to sign papers about his home confinement today, several weeks after being released from prison amid concerns about the spread of coronavirus among inmates.
But Cohen now seems to have been remanded back into federal custody. This development comes after Cohen was photographed outside of his home at a Manhattan restaurant, apparently violating the conditions of his release.
The secretary of defence, Mark Esper, and the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, General Mark Milley, are testifying to the House Armed Services Committee, on the subject of the military role in civilian law enforcement, in the wake of the George Floyd protests, during which Donald Trump had threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy active duty troops to US cities.
Esper repeated his early resistance to using the act:“As a former soldier and member of the National Guard, I’m a firm believer that in these situations the [national] guard is best suited to provide domestic support to civil authorities in support of law enforcement. Using active duty forces in a direct law enforcement role should remain a last resort, and only in the most urgent and dire situations.”
Gen Milley echoed Esper, in his account of the events at the end of May and beginning of June.
“I continually assessed and advised that it was not necessary to employ active duty troops in response to the civil unrest occurring in our nation was my view then and remain so now that local, state and federal police backed up by the National Guard under governor control, could and continually can effectively handle the security situation in every case across the country,” Milley said.
“However, I recommended to the secretary of defence, and he ordered, about 1700 active duty troops to an increased alert posture, in the vicinity of Washington DC, but none of them were ever used.”
In his opening statement to the House judiciary committee, former US attorney Geoffrey Berman detailed how he learned of his firing.
Berman said he spoke to attorney general William Barr again on June 19 after their meeting and reiterated he would not resign from his position as the top prosecutor in the southern district of New York office.
Barr promised to call Berman the next day, Instead, hours later, Barr issued a statement saying Berman had resigned.
“That statement was false,” Berman said in his opening statement. “In addition, the press release said, among other things, that the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Craig Carpenito, had been appointed by the president as Acting U.S. Attorney of the Southern District of New York effective July 3rd pending Jay Clayton’s nomination and confirmation for that position.
“The appointment of Craig Carpenito as Acting U.S. Attorney, or anyone from outside of the Office, would have been unprecedented, unnecessary and unexplained.”
Berman then issued a statement saying he had not resigned. He received a letter the next day informing him he had been fired. But after Barr assured him his deputy would instead take over the office in an acting capacity, Berman agreed to step aside and not litigate his removal.
According to his opening statement, former US attorney Geoffrey Berman told attorney general William Barr that he would not resign partly because there were investigations in the southern district of New York office he wanted to see to completion.
Berman also told the House judiciary committee that Barr explictly said the push for his resignation was unrelated to his job performance.
“I asked the Attorney General if he was in any way dissatisfied with my performance as U.S. Attorney. He said that he was not at all dissatisfied,” Berman said.
“He said the move was solely prompted by Jay Clayton’s desire to move back to New York and the Administration’s desire to keep him on the team,” Berman said, referring to the chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, who has been named as Berman’s replacement.
“I told the Attorney General that I knew and liked Jay Clayton but he was an unqualified choice for U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York because he was never an AUSA and had no criminal experience.”
Former US attorney Geoffrey Berman reportedly told the House judiciary committee that attorney general William Barr urged him to quit before he was fired last month.
According to a copy of Berman’s opening statement obtained by multiple news outlets, Berman said Barr asked to meet him on June 19 at the Pierre Hotel in New York.
“I was not told the purpose of the meeting,” Berman told the committee behind closed doors. “The meeting took roughly 45 minutes and was held in the Attorney General’s hotel suite. ... There were sandwiches on the table, but nobody ate.”
Berman said Barr urged him to step down and take a job in the justice department’s civil division. When Berman said he would not do so, Barr warned that his refusal would impact his career.
“The Attorney General said that if I did not resign from my position I would be fired,” Berman said. “He added that getting fired from my job would not be good for my resume or future job prospects. I told him that while I did not want to get fired, I would not resign.”
Berman was ultimately fired from his job last month after refusing to resign, causing a public spat with Barr and Trump.
Here’s where the day stands so far:
The supreme court ruled a New York grand jury may receive the president’s financial records and tax returns. In a 7-2 decision, the court rejected Trump’s argument that he was categorically immune from the grand jury process, delivering a victory for Manhattan district attorney Cy Vance. But Vance will still have to go back to court to have his subpoena enforced, which will delay the case.
The supreme court said House committees could not receive Trump’s financial records for now. In another 7-2 decision, the justices sent the case back to a lower court for a more thorough review of the separation of powers issues in the case.
Another 1.3 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week. The figure marks a slight decrease from a week before, but unemployment numbers remain alarmingly high as many states report increases in new cases of coronavirus.
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
Echoing his fellow Democratic lawmakers, Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer said today’s supreme court rulings proved that no one, including the president, is above the law.
“No matter how much he wishes it to be true, President Trump is not king,” Schumer said in a new statement. “In a devastating blow to President Trump and his enablers in the Republican party, the Supreme Court today upheld a fundamental tenet of our democracy that no one is above the law.”
Schumer argued that the rulings served as a somber reminder of how Trump’s political allies, including attorney general William Barr, have helped him skirt the law.
“Sadly, today’s rulings are a stark reminder that while President Trump is actively undermining our democracy, Senate Republicans and Attorney General Barr are not lifting a finger to stop him—something that is not lost on the American people,” Schumer said.
Congressman Adam Schiff, the Democratic chairman of the House intelligence committeee, celebrated the supreme court’s decision today as a recognition that the president is not above the law.
But Schiff, who served as the lead impeachment manager during Trump’s Senate trial, expressed disappointment that the court had set a new standard for congressional oversight.
“No one is above the law, not even the President of the United States. Nor are they immune from congressional oversight or criminal investigation, no matter how much they endeavor to delay or evade them,” Schiff said in a new statement.
“While we are disappointed that the Supreme Court abandoned its prior precedent and promulgated a new standard for Congressional subpoenas implicating the President, we are grateful that the Court reaffirmed Congress’ broad power to investigate in aid of its legislative authority.”
Schiff acknowledged the court’s decision would delay the House investigations but expressed confidence that Democrats would ultimately prevail in their legal battle.
“The Supreme Court’s remand of this case to permit the lower courts to apply the new standard will serve to delay the Committee’s investigation — and, given the risk of foreign influence over this President, such delay is dangerous — but we remain confident that we will ultimately prevail,” Schiff said. “And in light of the President’s tweets this morning, he appears to believe the same.”