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Mueller castigates Trump's decision to commute Roger Stone's sentence – live Mueller castigates Trump's decision to commute Roger Stone's sentence – live
(32 minutes later)
Nancy Pelosi calls commutation a ‘threat to national security’Nancy Pelosi calls commutation a ‘threat to national security’
Former FDA commissioner Dr Scott Gottlieb has appeared on CBS’s Face the Nation. Last week he predicted, correctly, that Covid-19 cases in the US would soon approach 60,000 a day. Host Margaret Brennan asks him how he thinks the outbreak will progress in the coming weeks.
“New York really followed the pattern of Italy, where it was a sharp up, a huge epidemic, but it came down rapidly. I think in the south you’re likely to see an extended plateau,” he said. “We really don’t have a national approach here. What we have is state approaches that are creating regional effects. And so those regional effects are different. And the New York experience mirrored Italy. I think the southern experience is more likely to mirror Brazil, where you’re likely to see more of an extended plateau once we reach that apex. And you could reach the apex in the next two or three weeks.”
He also said there needs to be caution about the fact that most infections appear to be among younger people.
“Iran had a major epidemic. It came way down. They had a second peak,” he said. “It was mostly in younger people. They said, don’t worry, it’s younger people so we’re not going to see the same level of deaths. But eventually the infection seeped into an older population. That’s what’s happening now. You’re starting to see more outbreaks in nursing homes. So tragically, we’re going to see deaths start to rise. And that’s why I said in two to three weeks until you see deaths get back above a thousand [a day]”.
Carlos Gimenez, the Republican mayor of Miami-Dade county, appeared on CNN’s State of the Union earlier today. Cases of Covid-19 are surging across Florida, and the mayor was asked whether Miami hospitals are close to reaching capacity.
“It won’t be long,” he said. “Look, we have reached capacity in some, but we also have reserve space. ... It’s our ICU capacity that’s causing us concern ... We definitely had a sharp increase in the number of people going to the hospital, the number of people that are in ICU, and the number of people on our ventilators ... We still have capacity, but it does cause me a lot of concern.”
Fate has been unkind to the United States. The nation is grappling simultaneously with a pandemic that has claimed the lives of more than 130,000; the most severe economic downturn since the Great Depression; and mind-numbing police brutality, which has generated the largest outpouring of grief and anger against systemic racism in memory.
Perhaps America’s greatest misfortune is that these crises have emerged at a time when its leadership is too incompetent to respond to them, if not maliciously dedicated to worsening them.
Donald Trump has not only refused to contain Covid-19 but is actively pushing Americans into harm’s way, demanding the nation “reopen” while cases and deaths continue to rise. Meanwhile, he’s siphoning federal money intended to dampen the economic crisis into the pockets of his cronies and family. And he is deliberately stoking racial tensions to energize his “base” for the upcoming election.
As if this weren’t enough, Trump continues to attack the rule of law, on which a democracy depends in order to deal with these and all other challenges.
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Senator Lindsey Graham, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, tweeted on Sunday that he would now grant Democrat requests to call ex-special counsel Robert Mueller to give evidence before the committee in light of his op-ed for the Washington Post this weekend.Senator Lindsey Graham, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, tweeted on Sunday that he would now grant Democrat requests to call ex-special counsel Robert Mueller to give evidence before the committee in light of his op-ed for the Washington Post this weekend.
Graham, a Trump ally, was among the Republicans who had backed Trump’s move to commute the sentence of Roger Stone, saying he was convicted of a “nonviolent, first-time offense” and the president was “justified”.Graham, a Trump ally, was among the Republicans who had backed Trump’s move to commute the sentence of Roger Stone, saying he was convicted of a “nonviolent, first-time offense” and the president was “justified”.
Graham is leading an investigation by Republicans on the judiciary committee into the origins of Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election and links to the Trump campaign, and alleged misconduct by US intelligence officials.Graham is leading an investigation by Republicans on the judiciary committee into the origins of Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election and links to the Trump campaign, and alleged misconduct by US intelligence officials.
Democrats say the investigation is a move to appease President Trump ahead of November’s election. Republicans on the committee want to subpoena Obama era intelligence officials, while Democrats are pushing for subpoenas for people close to Trump.Democrats say the investigation is a move to appease President Trump ahead of November’s election. Republicans on the committee want to subpoena Obama era intelligence officials, while Democrats are pushing for subpoenas for people close to Trump.
On Sunday, Graham tweeted: “Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee have previously requested Mr Mueller appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee to testify about his investigation. That request will be granted.On Sunday, Graham tweeted: “Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee have previously requested Mr Mueller appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee to testify about his investigation. That request will be granted.
“Apparently Mr Mueller is willing - and also capable - of defending the Mueller investigation through an oped in the Washington Post.”“Apparently Mr Mueller is willing - and also capable - of defending the Mueller investigation through an oped in the Washington Post.”
In an appearance on Fox News, Donald Trump Jr says his father’s poor polling numbers are due to – you guessed it – the media.In an appearance on Fox News, Donald Trump Jr says his father’s poor polling numbers are due to – you guessed it – the media.
“When you have the media onslaught, where media has just totally abdicated their position to objectively look at both sides, they’re not looking into any of Biden’s past, they’re not looking into any of his history, they’re not looking into his family’s graft,” he said. They’re not looking into how insanely soft he’s been on China.”“When you have the media onslaught, where media has just totally abdicated their position to objectively look at both sides, they’re not looking into any of Biden’s past, they’re not looking into any of his history, they’re not looking into his family’s graft,” he said. They’re not looking into how insanely soft he’s been on China.”
Lloyd Green has written a review of Mary Trump’s book on the inner workings of the president’s family:Lloyd Green has written a review of Mary Trump’s book on the inner workings of the president’s family:
Mary Trump’s tell-all will not make her uncle’s re-election bid any easier. The president’s late-night walk of shame is already a classic campaign moment. His niece’s allegation that he paid someone else to take his college entrance exams resonates as true, because of his reported disdain for reading and capacity to inadvertently invent new words like “swiffian”.Mary Trump’s tell-all will not make her uncle’s re-election bid any easier. The president’s late-night walk of shame is already a classic campaign moment. His niece’s allegation that he paid someone else to take his college entrance exams resonates as true, because of his reported disdain for reading and capacity to inadvertently invent new words like “swiffian”.
Adding insult to injury, Maryanne Trump Barry, Trump’s sister, appears to be the key source for this smorgasbord of dysfunction. She is a retired federal judge who left the bench with an ethics cloud over her head. Fittingly, as Mary Trump lacerates multiple sets of vital organs, her pen a stiletto, she thanks her aunt “for all of the enlightening information”.Adding insult to injury, Maryanne Trump Barry, Trump’s sister, appears to be the key source for this smorgasbord of dysfunction. She is a retired federal judge who left the bench with an ethics cloud over her head. Fittingly, as Mary Trump lacerates multiple sets of vital organs, her pen a stiletto, she thanks her aunt “for all of the enlightening information”.
It is score-settling time, Trump-style. Go big or go home. Few are spared.It is score-settling time, Trump-style. Go big or go home. Few are spared.
Too Much and Never Enough doubles as mesmerizing beach reading and a memorable opposition research dump, in time for the party conventions. Think John Bolton-quality revelations, but about Trump’s family. It is the book Michael Wolff, the author of Fire and Fury, likely wishes he had written but isn’t kin so he couldn’t. It is salacious, venomous and well-sourced.Too Much and Never Enough doubles as mesmerizing beach reading and a memorable opposition research dump, in time for the party conventions. Think John Bolton-quality revelations, but about Trump’s family. It is the book Michael Wolff, the author of Fire and Fury, likely wishes he had written but isn’t kin so he couldn’t. It is salacious, venomous and well-sourced.
Sadly, it is also a book born of tragedy and pain. The author’s father, Fred Trump Jr, died in his early 40s. He drank hard, was jettisoned by his father and siblings, and treated as a cautionary tale. Mary Trump is angry, not self-pitying. Although she casts her book as a warning to the American public, it is 200-plus pages of revenge served with the benefit of time and distance. Yet the narrative remains compelling.Sadly, it is also a book born of tragedy and pain. The author’s father, Fred Trump Jr, died in his early 40s. He drank hard, was jettisoned by his father and siblings, and treated as a cautionary tale. Mary Trump is angry, not self-pitying. Although she casts her book as a warning to the American public, it is 200-plus pages of revenge served with the benefit of time and distance. Yet the narrative remains compelling.
Fred Jr found joy in flying and serving his country. He was a member of the national guard and a TWA pilot. In most homes, that would be deemed an achievement. But the Trumps were not most folks. Fred Sr saw his oldest son as weak. His brother Donald humiliated him, his mother Mary stood by and watched. As for Fred Jr’s military service, Trump père found little value there. As for Donald, “bone spurs” were his path to avoid Vietnam.Fred Jr found joy in flying and serving his country. He was a member of the national guard and a TWA pilot. In most homes, that would be deemed an achievement. But the Trumps were not most folks. Fred Sr saw his oldest son as weak. His brother Donald humiliated him, his mother Mary stood by and watched. As for Fred Jr’s military service, Trump père found little value there. As for Donald, “bone spurs” were his path to avoid Vietnam.
When Fred Jr was dying, in 1981, the future president thought it an opportune time to go to the movies. Past became prelude. When Roy Cohn, Trump’s friend and consigliere, was dying of Aids a decade later, Trump walked away again. A stunned Cohn reportedly remarked: “Donald pisses ice water.”When Fred Jr was dying, in 1981, the future president thought it an opportune time to go to the movies. Past became prelude. When Roy Cohn, Trump’s friend and consigliere, was dying of Aids a decade later, Trump walked away again. A stunned Cohn reportedly remarked: “Donald pisses ice water.”
You can read the full story below:You can read the full story below:
Maryland’s Republican governor, Larry Hogan, has called Donald Trump’s decision to commute Roger Stone’s jail sentence “a problem” during an appearance on NBC’s Meet The Press. Hogan, it should be noted, is not exactly close to the president.Maryland’s Republican governor, Larry Hogan, has called Donald Trump’s decision to commute Roger Stone’s jail sentence “a problem” during an appearance on NBC’s Meet The Press. Hogan, it should be noted, is not exactly close to the president.
Hogan was asked by host Chuck Todd if Trump’s decision makes it look like “if you’re close to the president you get a break, if you’re not, you go to jail.”Hogan was asked by host Chuck Todd if Trump’s decision makes it look like “if you’re close to the president you get a break, if you’re not, you go to jail.”
Hogan replies: “Well, there’s no question that’s the appearance and it’s a problem. And look, Roger Stone has, is convicted of seven felonies. Look, the president does have the right by law to take the action he took. That doesn’t mean he should have. And we’ve got a guy whose convicted of seven felonies, a couple months before an election, for the president to take this action, it’s certainly gonna hurt politically.Hogan replies: “Well, there’s no question that’s the appearance and it’s a problem. And look, Roger Stone has, is convicted of seven felonies. Look, the president does have the right by law to take the action he took. That doesn’t mean he should have. And we’ve got a guy whose convicted of seven felonies, a couple months before an election, for the president to take this action, it’s certainly gonna hurt politically.
My colleague Miranda Bryant has news of the debate over whether to reopen schools in the US.My colleague Miranda Bryant has news of the debate over whether to reopen schools in the US.
US education secretary Betsy DeVos today said all schools should reopen this autumn, despite coronavirus, claiming there is no evidence to suggest it would put children in danger.Speaking on CNN’s State of the Union this morning, she said while there will be some exceptions, which should be dealt with case-by-case, “the rule should be that kids go back to school this fall.”US education secretary Betsy DeVos today said all schools should reopen this autumn, despite coronavirus, claiming there is no evidence to suggest it would put children in danger.Speaking on CNN’s State of the Union this morning, she said while there will be some exceptions, which should be dealt with case-by-case, “the rule should be that kids go back to school this fall.”
Asked if she could assure parents and students that they could do so safely, she said: “We know that children get the virus at a far lower rate than any other part of the population and again there is nothing in the data that would suggest that kids being back in school is dangerous to them. And in fact it’s more a matter of their health and wellbeing that they be back in school.”Asked if she could assure parents and students that they could do so safely, she said: “We know that children get the virus at a far lower rate than any other part of the population and again there is nothing in the data that would suggest that kids being back in school is dangerous to them. And in fact it’s more a matter of their health and wellbeing that they be back in school.”
She added: “In other countries, in Europe and elsewhere in the world where students have gone back to school and done so very successfully – that should be the goal.”She added: “In other countries, in Europe and elsewhere in the world where students have gone back to school and done so very successfully – that should be the goal.”
She said it is up to schools to decide how to reopen safely, adding there is “no one uniform approach that we can take or should take nationwide”She said it is up to schools to decide how to reopen safely, adding there is “no one uniform approach that we can take or should take nationwide”
But, she added: “I am urging all schools to open and to be providing their students a full-time education.”But, she added: “I am urging all schools to open and to be providing their students a full-time education.”
The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued guidelines – which Donald Trump has said he disagrees with – for school reopening, including spacing desks six feet apart, children wearing face masks, the installation of sneeze guards and the closure of communal areas such as dining rooms.The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued guidelines – which Donald Trump has said he disagrees with – for school reopening, including spacing desks six feet apart, children wearing face masks, the installation of sneeze guards and the closure of communal areas such as dining rooms.
DeVos refused to say whether schools should follow the guidelines, instead saying they are “flexible” and should be “applied as appropriate for the situation”.DeVos refused to say whether schools should follow the guidelines, instead saying they are “flexible” and should be “applied as appropriate for the situation”.
If there is an area with high levels of the virus she said remote learning might be needed, but that it must be “full time – no matter how that looks.”If there is an area with high levels of the virus she said remote learning might be needed, but that it must be “full time – no matter how that looks.”
Asked what a schools should do if there is an outbreak, she said that as a “non-medical expert” she could not say, but that “every school” should have plans to continue earning at a distance.Asked what a schools should do if there is an outbreak, she said that as a “non-medical expert” she could not say, but that “every school” should have plans to continue earning at a distance.
While she said she “feels” for teachers who have underlying conditions or are particularly vulnerable to Covid-19, she claimed there are “ways for those teachers to be able to continue to do what they do.”While she said she “feels” for teachers who have underlying conditions or are particularly vulnerable to Covid-19, she claimed there are “ways for those teachers to be able to continue to do what they do.”
DeVos and the president recently threatened to cut funding to schools that don’t reopen physically in full.DeVos and the president recently threatened to cut funding to schools that don’t reopen physically in full.
But today she claimed there is “no desire to take money away.”But today she claimed there is “no desire to take money away.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi immediately condemned DeVos’s claims that schools are safe as “appalling” and a “malfeasance and dereliction of duty.”House Speaker Nancy Pelosi immediately condemned DeVos’s claims that schools are safe as “appalling” and a “malfeasance and dereliction of duty.”
The Democrat told CNN: “The president and his administration are messing with the health of our children. We all want our children to go back to school. Teachers do, parents do and children do. But they must go back safely.”The Democrat told CNN: “The president and his administration are messing with the health of our children. We all want our children to go back to school. Teachers do, parents do and children do. But they must go back safely.”
Maryland’s Republican governor, Larry Hogan, is on NBC’s Meet The Press and is asked whether Donald Trump’s leadership has been lacking during the Covid-19 crisis. He appears to suggest it has.Maryland’s Republican governor, Larry Hogan, is on NBC’s Meet The Press and is asked whether Donald Trump’s leadership has been lacking during the Covid-19 crisis. He appears to suggest it has.
“There’s no question that things could have been done better from the beginning of this crisis, and look, but there – right now, it doesn’t do any good,” he says. “We’ve got to deal with the situation at hand, and we’ve all got to do the best job we can because this thing is out of control, it’s by no means behind us and we’re all in it together and we’ve got to work together at the federal, state and local level.”“There’s no question that things could have been done better from the beginning of this crisis, and look, but there – right now, it doesn’t do any good,” he says. “We’ve got to deal with the situation at hand, and we’ve all got to do the best job we can because this thing is out of control, it’s by no means behind us and we’re all in it together and we’ve got to work together at the federal, state and local level.”
Although he stops short of criticizing Trump directly, Hogan doesn’t exactly back the president when he is asked why Europe (or, at least, most of it) has done a better job of containing Covid-19.Although he stops short of criticizing Trump directly, Hogan doesn’t exactly back the president when he is asked why Europe (or, at least, most of it) has done a better job of containing Covid-19.
“I think [the White House’s coronavirus task force] made some progress in a number of areas with respect to now getting PPE out to some of the states and working together with us,” Hogan says. “But there’s no question that mistakes were made, that we, we should have had a national testing strategy. That we should have been on top of this. that we should have had a much more clear national strategy and been communicating much earlier on in the process.”“I think [the White House’s coronavirus task force] made some progress in a number of areas with respect to now getting PPE out to some of the states and working together with us,” Hogan says. “But there’s no question that mistakes were made, that we, we should have had a national testing strategy. That we should have been on top of this. that we should have had a much more clear national strategy and been communicating much earlier on in the process.”
The grim news from Florida continues: The state reported 15,000 new cases on Sunday. That breaks not only the record for a state in the US in a single day but is also more new cases than any European country has reported in a single day during the pandemic. Only the US, Brazil and India have reported more new cases in a day than Florida did on Sunday.The grim news from Florida continues: The state reported 15,000 new cases on Sunday. That breaks not only the record for a state in the US in a single day but is also more new cases than any European country has reported in a single day during the pandemic. Only the US, Brazil and India have reported more new cases in a day than Florida did on Sunday.
Hospitals are under strain in Florida as the virus surges, and the state’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, has refused to introduce a statewide mandate requiring people to wear masks in public. He has also pushed for schools to reopen.Hospitals are under strain in Florida as the virus surges, and the state’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, has refused to introduce a statewide mandate requiring people to wear masks in public. He has also pushed for schools to reopen.
The Republican National Convention, where Donald Trump will be confirmed as the party’s candidate for president, is due to take place in Jacksonville, Florida, in late August. Whether Trump gets to speak in front of the big, partisan crowds he thrives off is open to debate.The Republican National Convention, where Donald Trump will be confirmed as the party’s candidate for president, is due to take place in Jacksonville, Florida, in late August. Whether Trump gets to speak in front of the big, partisan crowds he thrives off is open to debate.
The row over Goya Foods is spreading to some unlikely places. Last week, Goya Foods CEO Bob Unanue heaped praised on Donald Trump, saying: “We’re all truly blessed at the same time to have a leader like President Trump, who is a builder”.The row over Goya Foods is spreading to some unlikely places. Last week, Goya Foods CEO Bob Unanue heaped praised on Donald Trump, saying: “We’re all truly blessed at the same time to have a leader like President Trump, who is a builder”.
There was backlash due to the fact that the head of an organization that describes itself as the largest Hispanic-owned food company in America praised a president who has introduced policies that have hurt Latinx people.There was backlash due to the fact that the head of an organization that describes itself as the largest Hispanic-owned food company in America praised a president who has introduced policies that have hurt Latinx people.
Hashtags such as #BoycottGoya and #Goyaway appeared on social media. However, UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal, who was raised in Miami by parents from Cuba and Peru, hit back on Saturday.Hashtags such as #BoycottGoya and #Goyaway appeared on social media. However, UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal, who was raised in Miami by parents from Cuba and Peru, hit back on Saturday.
“Actions of @GoyaFoods speak louder than the #woke mob. My people don’t get influenced by those that don’t know. They’ve been helping our people when we needed it most,” he wrote on Twitter.“Actions of @GoyaFoods speak louder than the #woke mob. My people don’t get influenced by those that don’t know. They’ve been helping our people when we needed it most,” he wrote on Twitter.
Masvidal fought for the UFC welterweight title this weekend but lost to Nigeria’s Kamaru Usman.Masvidal fought for the UFC welterweight title this weekend but lost to Nigeria’s Kamaru Usman.
A CBS News poll has found Donald Trump has lost ground to Joe Biden in battleground states that have become Covid-19 hotspots. Biden, the presumptive Democrat nominee for president, has a six-point lead in Florida, is tied in Arizona and trails by one point in Texas. Trump won all three states in the 2016 election.A CBS News poll has found Donald Trump has lost ground to Joe Biden in battleground states that have become Covid-19 hotspots. Biden, the presumptive Democrat nominee for president, has a six-point lead in Florida, is tied in Arizona and trails by one point in Texas. Trump won all three states in the 2016 election.
Most people polled in the three states said efforts to contain the virus in their states are going badly. The poll found that the more people are concerned about Covid-19, the more likely they are to vote for Biden. Most voters in all three states believed their state reopened too soon. Among those who do, they believe it was partly due to pressure from Trump’s administration.Most people polled in the three states said efforts to contain the virus in their states are going badly. The poll found that the more people are concerned about Covid-19, the more likely they are to vote for Biden. Most voters in all three states believed their state reopened too soon. Among those who do, they believe it was partly due to pressure from Trump’s administration.
However, the poll also found Trump still has enthusiastic backing from his core voters. Despite the president’s baseless claims postal voting is open to fraud, most of those polled in Arizona, Texas and Florida said they would like mail-in voting to be made easier.However, the poll also found Trump still has enthusiastic backing from his core voters. Despite the president’s baseless claims postal voting is open to fraud, most of those polled in Arizona, Texas and Florida said they would like mail-in voting to be made easier.
Admiral Brett P Giroir, a member of the White House coronavirus taskforce, has appeared on NBC’s Meet The Press to talk about the surge in Covid-19 cases across the US.Admiral Brett P Giroir, a member of the White House coronavirus taskforce, has appeared on NBC’s Meet The Press to talk about the surge in Covid-19 cases across the US.
He is asked about reports by CNN and the Washington Post that Dr Anthony Fauci has been sidelined by the coronavirus taskforce.He is asked about reports by CNN and the Washington Post that Dr Anthony Fauci has been sidelined by the coronavirus taskforce.
“There is complete, open, honest discussion within the task force ... Believe me, if there’s a public health opinion that needs to be said, that needs to be it,” says Giroir. “And I respect Dr Fauci a lot, but Dr Fauci is not 100% right and he also doesn’t necessarily, he admits that, have the whole national interest in mind. He looks at it from a very narrow public health point of view.“There is complete, open, honest discussion within the task force ... Believe me, if there’s a public health opinion that needs to be said, that needs to be it,” says Giroir. “And I respect Dr Fauci a lot, but Dr Fauci is not 100% right and he also doesn’t necessarily, he admits that, have the whole national interest in mind. He looks at it from a very narrow public health point of view.
“But let me just say, there is absolutely open discourse. I feel absolutely free saying anything to the vice president within those rooms. ... It’s got to be science driving the policy. And that’s the way it is.”“But let me just say, there is absolutely open discourse. I feel absolutely free saying anything to the vice president within those rooms. ... It’s got to be science driving the policy. And that’s the way it is.”
Donald Trump wore a mask for the first time in public on Saturday, but had not done so up until then during the pandemic. Giroir is asked if wearing a mask is important.Donald Trump wore a mask for the first time in public on Saturday, but had not done so up until then during the pandemic. Giroir is asked if wearing a mask is important.
“I think the public health people have been very, very clear that mask-wearing is essential,” he says. “It’s very important that we can really decrease the transmission. You may not protect yourself, but you really protect everyone else. And the Surgeon General says it very well. ‘Covid stops with me.’ If you want it to stop with you, wear a mask.”“I think the public health people have been very, very clear that mask-wearing is essential,” he says. “It’s very important that we can really decrease the transmission. You may not protect yourself, but you really protect everyone else. And the Surgeon General says it very well. ‘Covid stops with me.’ If you want it to stop with you, wear a mask.”
Trump defends his golfing as Covid-19 cases surgeTrump defends his golfing as Covid-19 cases surge
Donald Trump has already been busy on Twitter this morning:Donald Trump has already been busy on Twitter this morning:
As US coronavirus cases and deaths continue to soar, Donald Trump started the day by defending his golfing record.As US coronavirus cases and deaths continue to soar, Donald Trump started the day by defending his golfing record.
Following his latest golf course visit to Trump National Golf Club in northern Virginia yesterday – reportedly his 275th as president – he tweeted this morning that he plays “VERY fast” and gets a lot of work done while playing.Following his latest golf course visit to Trump National Golf Club in northern Virginia yesterday – reportedly his 275th as president – he tweeted this morning that he plays “VERY fast” and gets a lot of work done while playing.
He also claimed that his predecessor Barack Obama played “more and much longer” than he does – despite recent counts finding that Trump has played considerably more often.He also claimed that his predecessor Barack Obama played “more and much longer” than he does – despite recent counts finding that Trump has played considerably more often.
Comparing himself to business figures and politicians who “work out endlessly…but nobody complains”, he said golf is his “exercise”.Comparing himself to business figures and politicians who “work out endlessly…but nobody complains”, he said golf is his “exercise”.
The president wrote: “Actually, I play VERY fast, get a lot of work done on the golf course, and also get a ‘tiny’ bit of exercise. Not bad!”The president wrote: “Actually, I play VERY fast, get a lot of work done on the golf course, and also get a ‘tiny’ bit of exercise. Not bad!”
His golf trip came after his planned rally in New Hampshire – due to take place in Portsmouth last night – was cancelled due to bad weather. However, the weather was reportedly “warm and sunny”.His golf trip came after his planned rally in New Hampshire – due to take place in Portsmouth last night – was cancelled due to bad weather. However, the weather was reportedly “warm and sunny”.
Also this morning, Trump tweeted a renewed threat of 10-year prison sentences to people who damage or tear down monuments or statues and boasted that his administration has built “240 miles of new Border Wall” and have “some of the best Border Numbers ever.”Also this morning, Trump tweeted a renewed threat of 10-year prison sentences to people who damage or tear down monuments or statues and boasted that his administration has built “240 miles of new Border Wall” and have “some of the best Border Numbers ever.”
Late last night Trump hit out at Republican senators Mitt Romney and Pat Toomey – branding them “RINOS” (“Republican in name only”) - after they criticised his decision to commute Roger Stone’s prison sentence.Late last night Trump hit out at Republican senators Mitt Romney and Pat Toomey – branding them “RINOS” (“Republican in name only”) - after they criticised his decision to commute Roger Stone’s prison sentence.
US sports are beginning to resume, but not without a few problems along the way. Major League Soccer is hosting a month-long tournament in Florida, a hotspot for Covid-19 at the moment. The tournament is taking place at Disney World, where the NBA expects to resume its season at the end of the month.US sports are beginning to resume, but not without a few problems along the way. Major League Soccer is hosting a month-long tournament in Florida, a hotspot for Covid-19 at the moment. The tournament is taking place at Disney World, where the NBA expects to resume its season at the end of the month.
On Sunday, a match between DC United and Toronto FC was postponed after one player rested positive for Covid-19. Two teams, FC Dallas and Nashville, have already withdrawn after positive tests.On Sunday, a match between DC United and Toronto FC was postponed after one player rested positive for Covid-19. Two teams, FC Dallas and Nashville, have already withdrawn after positive tests.
“The results of yesterday’s tests for DC United and Toronto FC produced an initial unconfirmed positive Covid-19 case for one player and an inconclusive test for another player. Because of the arrival time of the clubs in Orlando, the league’s protocol called for retesting both teams this morning and to await the results of those tests prior to playing the match,” the league said in a statement.“The results of yesterday’s tests for DC United and Toronto FC produced an initial unconfirmed positive Covid-19 case for one player and an inconclusive test for another player. Because of the arrival time of the clubs in Orlando, the league’s protocol called for retesting both teams this morning and to await the results of those tests prior to playing the match,” the league said in a statement.
Major League baseball is due to restart on 23 July, while the NFL is scheduled to start at the beginning of September.Major League baseball is due to restart on 23 July, while the NFL is scheduled to start at the beginning of September.
House speaker Nancy Pelosi says Democrats will take legislative action in the wake of Donald Trump’s decision to commute the jail sentence of his former campaign adviser, Roger Stone.House speaker Nancy Pelosi says Democrats will take legislative action in the wake of Donald Trump’s decision to commute the jail sentence of his former campaign adviser, Roger Stone.
Calling Trump’s decision “a threat to our national security,” Pelosi told CNN on Sunday that House Democrats aim to restrict the president’s powers of clemency.Calling Trump’s decision “a threat to our national security,” Pelosi told CNN on Sunday that House Democrats aim to restrict the president’s powers of clemency.
Mitt Romney and Robert Mueller are among the many figures to have voiced concern over Trump’s commutation of the sentence.Mitt Romney and Robert Mueller are among the many figures to have voiced concern over Trump’s commutation of the sentence.
The former special counsel Robert Mueller made a rare move on Saturday to publicly defend his two-year investigation into allegations of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia in the 2016 election – and to castigate Donald Trump’s decision to commute Roger Stone’s prison sentence.The former special counsel Robert Mueller made a rare move on Saturday to publicly defend his two-year investigation into allegations of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia in the 2016 election – and to castigate Donald Trump’s decision to commute Roger Stone’s prison sentence.
Mueller wrote an opinion article for the Washington Post [paywall] published under the headline “Roger Stone remains a convicted felon, and rightly so”.Mueller wrote an opinion article for the Washington Post [paywall] published under the headline “Roger Stone remains a convicted felon, and rightly so”.
“The work of the special counsel’s office – its report, indictments, guilty pleas and convictions – should speak for itself,” he wrote.“The work of the special counsel’s office – its report, indictments, guilty pleas and convictions – should speak for itself,” he wrote.
“But I feel compelled to respond both to broad claims that our investigation was illegitimate and our motives were improper, and to specific claims that Roger Stone was a victim of our office ...“But I feel compelled to respond both to broad claims that our investigation was illegitimate and our motives were improper, and to specific claims that Roger Stone was a victim of our office ...
“Stone was prosecuted and convicted because he committed federal crimes. He remains a convicted felon, and rightly so.”“Stone was prosecuted and convicted because he committed federal crimes. He remains a convicted felon, and rightly so.”
Trump commuted the sentence of Stone on Friday night, sparking outrage from Democrats and some senior Republicans.Trump commuted the sentence of Stone on Friday night, sparking outrage from Democrats and some senior Republicans.
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Good morning. There are plenty of news lines around today as reaction continues after Donald Trump’s decision to commute the prison sentence of his former campaign adviser, Roger Stone. The president himself was seen on Saturday wearing a mask in public for the first time during the pandemic.Good morning. There are plenty of news lines around today as reaction continues after Donald Trump’s decision to commute the prison sentence of his former campaign adviser, Roger Stone. The president himself was seen on Saturday wearing a mask in public for the first time during the pandemic.
That decision came as records are set for coronavirus cases across the US, particularly in the south and southwest of the country.That decision came as records are set for coronavirus cases across the US, particularly in the south and southwest of the country.