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Pelosi says Trump's 'gone down wrong path' on Covid-19 as Republicans reportedly shrink convention – live Pelosi tells Trump he's 'gone down wrong path' on Covid-19 as Republicans reportedly shrink convention – live
(30 minutes later)
House speaker says she ‘yearn[s] for other Republican presidents’ while Florida breaks single-day record of coronavirus deathsHouse speaker says she ‘yearn[s] for other Republican presidents’ while Florida breaks single-day record of coronavirus deaths
The Guardian’s Sam Levine reports:
Florida can continue to block people with felony convictions from voting until they’ve repaid all fines and fees they owe, the US supreme court ruled on Thursday, a major ruling that makes it more unlikely that nearly three quarters of a million affected Floridians will get to vote in November.
The supreme court’s ruling on Thursday came at a preliminary stage procedurally in one of the most closely-watched voting rights lawsuits in the United States.
There are an estimated 774,000 people in Florida who cannot vote because they owe money and the state has no centralized way to inform people how much they owe. Many people with felonies also simply can never afford to repay the insurmountable debt they accumulate with their court sentences.
Florida Republicans passed the law requiring repayment after Florida overs overwhelmingly approved a 2018 constitutional amendment allowing people to vote once they complete their sentences, a change that was seen to affect 1.4 million people.
The Republican-authored law was widely seen as an effort to undercut the amendment and make it more difficult and confusing for people to get their voting rights back.
USA Today labeled Peter Navarro’s op-ed on Dr Anthony Fauci, which was published on the newspaper’s website earlier this week, as “midleading.”
Bill Sternberg, USA Today’s editorial page editor, added a note to the top of the op-ed saying the editors chose to publish the op-ed because it was “newsworthy,” considering the White House’s recent attacks on Fauci’s credibility.
But Sternberg added, “However, several of Navarro’s criticisms of Fauci — on the China travel restrictions, the risk from the coronavirus and falling mortality rates — were misleading or lacked context. As such, Navarro’s op-ed did not meet USA TODAY’s fact-checking standards.”
In the op-ed, Navarro said Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease expert, had been “wrong about everything I have interacted with him on.”
Trump sought to distance himself from the op-ed, claiming it only represented Navarro’s personal opinion. However, administration officials privately told reporters that the president urged Navarro to write the op-ed because of his frustration with Fauci’s recent comments on the coronavirus pandemic.
Sternberg said in his note on Navarro’s op-ed, “We dealt directly with Navarro and do not know whether he spoke to anyone else at the White House about his statement.”
Brad Parscale tweeted an interesting biblical passage just now, a day after being pushed out as Trump’s campaign manager.Brad Parscale tweeted an interesting biblical passage just now, a day after being pushed out as Trump’s campaign manager.
“Romans 12:14: Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them,” Parscale said in the tweet, his first message on Twitter since his demotion.“Romans 12:14: Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them,” Parscale said in the tweet, his first message on Twitter since his demotion.
Parscale is staying on a senior adviser to the president’s reelection campaign, but seasoned political operative Bill Stepien is taking over as campaign manager.Parscale is staying on a senior adviser to the president’s reelection campaign, but seasoned political operative Bill Stepien is taking over as campaign manager.
The internal change came as a new set of national polls show Trump trailing Joe Biden by double digits, with many battleground state polls showing similar warning signs for the president.The internal change came as a new set of national polls show Trump trailing Joe Biden by double digits, with many battleground state polls showing similar warning signs for the president.
The demotion of Parscale is clearly meant to shake up the Trump campaign in the hope of changing the trajectory of the race, but some Republican strategists are warning the president is running out of time to reverse his downward trend.The demotion of Parscale is clearly meant to shake up the Trump campaign in the hope of changing the trajectory of the race, but some Republican strategists are warning the president is running out of time to reverse his downward trend.
Minor planning note: today’s White House briefing has been pushed back an hour, to 2 pm ET.Minor planning note: today’s White House briefing has been pushed back an hour, to 2 pm ET.
During the briefing, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany will likely be pressed on efforts by some administration officials to discredit Dr Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease expert.During the briefing, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany will likely be pressed on efforts by some administration officials to discredit Dr Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease expert.
According to reports, the president spoke with Fauci in a phone call yesterday, marking the first conversation between the two in weeks.According to reports, the president spoke with Fauci in a phone call yesterday, marking the first conversation between the two in weeks.
Here’s where the day stands so far:Here’s where the day stands so far:
House speaker Nancy Pelosi sharply criticized Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, as infections rise in 41 states. “Observing his behavior, I have concluded that he is like the man who refuses to ask for directions,” Pelosi said at her weekly press conference this morning. “Mr President, admit it, you’ve gone down the wrong path. Ask for directions.”House speaker Nancy Pelosi sharply criticized Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, as infections rise in 41 states. “Observing his behavior, I have concluded that he is like the man who refuses to ask for directions,” Pelosi said at her weekly press conference this morning. “Mr President, admit it, you’ve gone down the wrong path. Ask for directions.”
The Republican National Committee is reportedly planning for a downsized nominating convention next month, as public health experts express concern about large events in the middle of a pandemic. According to reports, RNC chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said in a letter to delegates that attendance would be strictly limited at next month’s convention in Jacksonville, Florida.The Republican National Committee is reportedly planning for a downsized nominating convention next month, as public health experts express concern about large events in the middle of a pandemic. According to reports, RNC chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said in a letter to delegates that attendance would be strictly limited at next month’s convention in Jacksonville, Florida.
Russian state-sponsored hackers have been targeting organizations working to develop a coronavirus vaccine, British security officials said. The hacking efforts have been specifically targeting groups involved in vaccine work in the UK, the US and Canada.Russian state-sponsored hackers have been targeting organizations working to develop a coronavirus vaccine, British security officials said. The hacking efforts have been specifically targeting groups involved in vaccine work in the UK, the US and Canada.
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
In case you missed it this morning: Republicans are reportedly making plans to sharply restrict attendance at next month’s nominating convention in Jakcsonville, Florida.In case you missed it this morning: Republicans are reportedly making plans to sharply restrict attendance at next month’s nominating convention in Jakcsonville, Florida.
Politico reports:Politico reports:
The development will certainly disappoint Trump, who specifically demanded the convention be moved from North Carolina after that state’s governor asked the RNC to scale down the event in order to comply with public health guidance.The development will certainly disappoint Trump, who specifically demanded the convention be moved from North Carolina after that state’s governor asked the RNC to scale down the event in order to comply with public health guidance.
The pandemic has upended plans for both the Democratic and Republican conventions, with Democrats saying their Milwaukee convention to nominate Joe Biden will be mostly virtual.The pandemic has upended plans for both the Democratic and Republican conventions, with Democrats saying their Milwaukee convention to nominate Joe Biden will be mostly virtual.
Data is already disappearing from the CDC’s website, after the Trump administration announced it was shifting the reporting of statistics on hospital capacity to the department of health and human services.Data is already disappearing from the CDC’s website, after the Trump administration announced it was shifting the reporting of statistics on hospital capacity to the department of health and human services.
A ProPublica editor noted this morning that the CDC’s dashboard on hospital capacity had disappeared from the health agency’s website.A ProPublica editor noted this morning that the CDC’s dashboard on hospital capacity had disappeared from the health agency’s website.
The dashboard is now visible on the CDC website with data from ealier this week, and a note on the top of the page reads, “Data displayed on this page was submitted directly to CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) and does not include data submitted to other entities contracted by or within the federal government.”The dashboard is now visible on the CDC website with data from ealier this week, and a note on the top of the page reads, “Data displayed on this page was submitted directly to CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) and does not include data submitted to other entities contracted by or within the federal government.”
The development comes a day after CDC director Robert Redfield confirmed states would start sending hospital data directly to HHS. Redfield described the new system as a way to streamline the data, but the change raised concerns that the Trump administration was attempting to suppress data on coronavirus.The development comes a day after CDC director Robert Redfield confirmed states would start sending hospital data directly to HHS. Redfield described the new system as a way to streamline the data, but the change raised concerns that the Trump administration was attempting to suppress data on coronavirus.
The change did not escape the attention the top Senate Democrat, Chuck Schumer. “You cannot sweep this under the rug. You cannot hide the facts,” Schumer said in a tweet linking to an article about the CDC data.The change did not escape the attention the top Senate Democrat, Chuck Schumer. “You cannot sweep this under the rug. You cannot hide the facts,” Schumer said in a tweet linking to an article about the CDC data.
“More than 130,000 Americans have died from COVID-19. President Trump: Get to work fighting this virus, and stop trying to undermine public health experts.”“More than 130,000 Americans have died from COVID-19. President Trump: Get to work fighting this virus, and stop trying to undermine public health experts.”
Here’s some unsurprising news: the National Rifle Association’s political arm has officially endorsed Trump’s reelection bid.Here’s some unsurprising news: the National Rifle Association’s political arm has officially endorsed Trump’s reelection bid.
In a new statement, the gun rights group said the endorsement was announced in a letter sent to Trump yesterday.In a new statement, the gun rights group said the endorsement was announced in a letter sent to Trump yesterday.
“On behalf of America’s 5 million NRA members, the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) is proud to endorse your reelection as president of the United States of America,” the letter reads.“On behalf of America’s 5 million NRA members, the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) is proud to endorse your reelection as president of the United States of America,” the letter reads.
“You have done more than any president to protect the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. The NRA stands behind you and your administration.”“You have done more than any president to protect the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. The NRA stands behind you and your administration.”
The endorsement is unsurprising considering Democrats have been pushing for years to pass more stringent restrictions on gun ownership, which the NRA has resisted.The endorsement is unsurprising considering Democrats have been pushing for years to pass more stringent restrictions on gun ownership, which the NRA has resisted.
Despite the many mass shootings that have taken place since Trump took office, the president has embraced his role as a champion of gun rights as he seeks reelection.Despite the many mass shootings that have taken place since Trump took office, the president has embraced his role as a champion of gun rights as he seeks reelection.
During her weekly press conference this morning, House speaker Nancy Pelosi also offered an unflattering comparison between Trump and some of his Republican predecessors.During her weekly press conference this morning, House speaker Nancy Pelosi also offered an unflattering comparison between Trump and some of his Republican predecessors.
“I yearn for other Republican presidents,” the Democratic speaker said. “While we may disagree on many points, at least we had a shared commitment to the governance of our country.”“I yearn for other Republican presidents,” the Democratic speaker said. “While we may disagree on many points, at least we had a shared commitment to the governance of our country.”
Pelosi has previously admitted to some nostalgia for former president George W Bush, who she criticized a “total failure” when he was in office.Pelosi has previously admitted to some nostalgia for former president George W Bush, who she criticized a “total failure” when he was in office.
Pelosi said in late 2018 that she and Bush “had our differences of opinion, especially on the war in Iraq, but we had many areas of agreement and we were able to work together in respectful ways.”Pelosi said in late 2018 that she and Bush “had our differences of opinion, especially on the war in Iraq, but we had many areas of agreement and we were able to work together in respectful ways.”
House speaker Nancy Pelosi harshly criticized Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic during her weekly press conference this morning.House speaker Nancy Pelosi harshly criticized Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic during her weekly press conference this morning.
“Observing his behavior, I have concluded that he is like the man who refuses to ask for directions,” Pelosi said moments ago. “All of the answers are there.”“Observing his behavior, I have concluded that he is like the man who refuses to ask for directions,” Pelosi said moments ago. “All of the answers are there.”
The Democratic speaker accused Trump of a “massive dereliction of duty,” as the number of coronavirus cases in the US continues to surge.The Democratic speaker accused Trump of a “massive dereliction of duty,” as the number of coronavirus cases in the US continues to surge.
“Mr President, admit it, you’ve gone down the wrong path,” Pelosi said. “Ask for directions. Ask for directions from our scientists, who know better.”“Mr President, admit it, you’ve gone down the wrong path,” Pelosi said. “Ask for directions. Ask for directions from our scientists, who know better.”
Trump spoke to Dr Anthony Fauci by phone yesterday, according to CNN. The call marks the first conversation between the two in more than a month.
Fauci told the Financial Times in an interview published last week that he has not briefed the president in at least two months and has not seen him in person at the White House since June 2.
The phone call between Fauci and the president also comes as some of Trump’s advisers attack the infectious disease expert’s credibility.
Trade adviser Peter Navarro wrote an op-ed earlier this week criticizing Fauci. The president sought to distance himself from the op-ed, but admnistration officials have privately told reporters that Trump encouraged Navarro to write the piece because of his frustration with Fauci’s recent comments about the pandemic.
Florida has once again broken its single-day record of coronavirus deaths, as the state struggles to get the virus under control.
Florida health officials announced 156 residents died of coronavirus yesterday, breaking the record of 132 deaths reported on Tuesday morning.
The new figure brings the total number of coronavirus deaths in Florida to 4,677. The state has also confirmed more than 315,000 cases.
The grim news comes as Florida’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, refuses to issue a statewide mask mandate, despite the state’s climbing case count.
Mary Trump’s tell-all book set a sales record for Simon & Schuster, Trump’s publisher said in a statement about the book, which was released on Tuesday.
According to Simon & Schuster, the book sold more than 950,000 copies through Tuesday, setting a new company record.
The book details the president’s relationship with his family and includes a number of unflattering anecdotes about Trump, including an accusation that he paid someone to take his high school exams.
Despite the rising number of coronavirus cases in Georgia, the state’s Republican governor, Brian Kemp, issued an executive order yesterday that voids local mask mandates.
The order encourages residents to wear masks, but it goes on to state, “Any state, county, or municipal law, order, ordinance, rule, or regulation that requires persons to wear face coverings, masks, face shields, or any other Personal Protective Equipment while in places of public accommodation or on public property are suspended.”
The policy prompted immediate outcry, particularly because it comes less than a week after Georgia once again broke its single-day record of new coronavirus cases reported. Overall, the state has confirmed nearly 128,000 cases of coronavirus and lost more than 3,000 residents to the virus.
The Democratic mayor of Savannah, one of more than a dozen Georgia cities that had issued a mask mandate, said in a tweet, “It is officially official. Governor Kemp does not give a damn about us. Every man and woman for himself/herself. Ignore the science and survive the best you can.”
The new mandate seems to be purely political, considering Kemp has encouraged Georgia residents to wear masks to mitigate the spread of coronavirus.
The Republican governor even took a “Wear a Mask” tour of the state earlier this month to highlight the precautions residents can take to avoid contracting the virus.
House minority leader Kevin McCarthy is introducing a bill aimed at protecting America’s statues, which has become a pet project of Trump’s since a number of controversial statues were torn down during the George Floyd protests.
“Leftwing mobs are trying to erase history by destroying statues of George Washington, General Grant, and Christopher Columbus. Enough is enough,” McCarthy said in a tweet about the bill, which is very unlikely to advance given that Democrats control the House.
McCarthy’s tweet echoes the president’s recent complaints about statues being taken down. According to reports, Trump even pushed to have a DC statue of Confederate general Albert Pike, which was torn down by protesters, put back up.
The president also signed an executive order on “Protecting American Monuments, Memorials, and Statues and Combating Recent Criminal Violence” late last month.
Trump’s focus on protecting statues has attracted some criticism, given that he has simultaneously downplayed the recent surge in coronavirus cases and police violence against black Americans.
This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Martin Belam.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said she will hold a briefing at 1 pm ET today, an addition to the previously announced White House schedule.
McEnany will likely be pressed on the recent tension between Dr Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease expert, and Peter Navarro, the president’s senior trade adviser.
Navarro wrote an op-ed earlier this week criticizing Fauci, which Trump has since tried to distance himself from.
But some administration officials have told reporters that the president actively encouraged Navarro to write the op-ed, as Fauci and many other public health experts’ cautious approach to reopening frustrates Trump.
Russian state-sponsored hackers are targeting UK, US and Canadian organisations involved in developing a coronavirus vaccine development, according to British security officials.
The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre said drug companies and research groups were being targeted by a group known as APT29, which it said was “almost certainly” part of the Kremlin’s intelligence services.
British officials would not say if any of the attacks had been successful in their goal of stealing medical secrets – although they stressed that none of the vaccine research had been compromised as a result.
It is rare for the UK to explicitly state that it believes another country is behind a coordinated campaign of cyber-attacks, but British officials indicated it shared its assessment with the United States and Canada, both of whom are expected to release their own updates shortly.
The US government on Thursday carried out its second federal execution this week, killing by lethal injection a Kansas man whose lawyers contended he had dementia and was unfit to be executed.
Wesley Ira Purkey was put to death this morning at 8:19 a.m. EDT at the Federal Correctional Complex in Terre Haute, Indiana.
Purkey was convicted of kidnapping and killing 16-year-old Jennifer Long before dismembering, burning and dumping her body in a septic pond. He also was convicted in a state court in Kansas after using a claw hammer to kill an 80-year-old woman who had polio.
Legal action to halt the execution had centred around Purkey’s mental capacity to understand what was taking place. However the Associated Press report that heexpressed remorse right before he was executed.
“I deeply regret the pain and suffering I caused to Jennifer’s family,” he said. “I am deeply sorry. I deeply regret the pain I caused to my daughter, who I love so very much. This sanitized murder really does not serve no purpose whatsoever.”
Michelle Obama is launching a podcast, which will exclusively debut on Spotify on 29 July.
The former first lady said of the “The Michelle Obama Podcast” that her hope “is that this series can be a place to explore meaningful topics together and sort through so many of the questions we’re all trying to answer in our own lives.”
The new podcast is the first title in an ongoing collaboration between Spotify and Higher Ground, a production company founded by Barack and Michelle Obama. Last year, the former president and first lady partnered with Spotify to produce exclusive podcasts for the platform.
In a press release it is stated that Michelle Obama’s new podcast expects to hold candid and personal conversations with a focus on topics concerning relationships and health. She expects to have several guests on the series including talk-show host Conan O’Brien and Valerie Jarrett, business woman and former senior advisor to Barack Obama.
“Perhaps most of all, I hope this podcast will help listeners open up new conversations and hard conversations - with the people who matter most to them,” Michelle Obama said. “That’s how we can build more understanding and empathy for one another.”
The Department of Labor have released the latest unemployment stats. They say that in the week ending July 11, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 1,300,000. That represents a slight decrease of 10,000 on the week before.
The number of people seeking aid has now been slowly declining after the initial spike in March caused by economic lockdown, but still remains historically high.
Nearly 32 million American workers in total are now receiving jobless benefits.
Here’s our full report: 1.3m more file for unemployment as US economy continues to reel
There will be more reaction to these figures over on our live business blog.