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Trump abandons plan for Republican convention events in Jacksonville, Florida – live Trump abandons plan for Republican convention events in Jacksonville, Florida – live
(32 minutes later)
President says it is ‘not the right time’ for big event in cityPresident says it is ‘not the right time’ for big event in city
Trump adviser Judd Deere confirmed that the president spoke with Saudi crown prince Mohammad bin Salman today. They discussed the coronavirus pandemic and economy, and “President Trump also expressed his well wishes” to Bin Salman, Deere said. Dr. Anthony Fauci threw the first pitch, at an empty baseball stadium, to kick off the Nationals vs Yankees game in DC.
Major League Baseball finally returned today — with several coronavirus safety measures in place. Games will be played between teams in the same region, to limit travel. And fans will have to watch from home - though the venues may play crowd noises to make the players feel more at ease.
Ahead of the moment, Fauci told Washington Nationals’ Ryan Zimmerman he was nervous about throwing the first pitch. “Don’t worry about it,” Zimmerman responded. “If you bounce it, there’s nobody there to boo you. So, you’ll be good to go.”
Here’s how he did:
I can’t say I’d do any better.
Nearly 80% of voters in Florida said the state should mandate face masks, according to a Quinnipiac poll released today.
Facing a record number of coronavirus cases, 70% of Floridians who were polled said the virus was “out of control” in the state. A majority felt it was unsafe to send children to school in the fall, and that Governor Ron DeSantis reopened the economy “too quickly”.
More from Quinnipiac:
Trump adviser Judd Deere confirmed that the president spoke with Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman today. They discussed the coronavirus pandemic and economy, and “President Trump also expressed his well wishes” to Bin Salman, Deere said.
Earlier today, Trump spoke with Vladimir Putin, for the first time since the New York Times reported that Russia paid the Taliban bounties to kill US troops.Earlier today, Trump spoke with Vladimir Putin, for the first time since the New York Times reported that Russia paid the Taliban bounties to kill US troops.
The Trump campaign has released a statement on the decision to cancel the RNC convention in Jacksonville:The Trump campaign has released a statement on the decision to cancel the RNC convention in Jacksonville:
“Leading by example, President Trump has put the health and safety of the American people first with his decision on the Jacksonville convention,” said campaign manager Bill Stepien. He promised that the campaign would arrange for “exciting, informative, and enthusiastic programming” in lieu of a traditional convention.“Leading by example, President Trump has put the health and safety of the American people first with his decision on the Jacksonville convention,” said campaign manager Bill Stepien. He promised that the campaign would arrange for “exciting, informative, and enthusiastic programming” in lieu of a traditional convention.
My colleague Mario Koran reports:My colleague Mario Koran reports:
As US school districts finalize plans for the fall semester and classes in some districts are set to remain online, some parents have begun teaming up to form “pods” with other families and arrange their own forms of education.As US school districts finalize plans for the fall semester and classes in some districts are set to remain online, some parents have begun teaming up to form “pods” with other families and arrange their own forms of education.
Elyssa Katz, a Santa Monica mother of three, is growing a matchmaking service to connect families with tutors, or “Zutors”, as she calls them – a word she’s in the process of trademarking.Elyssa Katz, a Santa Monica mother of three, is growing a matchmaking service to connect families with tutors, or “Zutors”, as she calls them – a word she’s in the process of trademarking.
“The role of a Zutor is a tutor, a nanny, and an angel for a parent,” Katz told the Guardian, someone who can take over parental demands, help children with online homework and take them outside when it’s time for “recess”.“The role of a Zutor is a tutor, a nanny, and an angel for a parent,” Katz told the Guardian, someone who can take over parental demands, help children with online homework and take them outside when it’s time for “recess”.
Katz’s clients range from the rich and famous, to everyday people who need childcare because they can’t look after their children while they have to work. Katz said she had gotten calls from parents as far away as the Hamptons.Katz’s clients range from the rich and famous, to everyday people who need childcare because they can’t look after their children while they have to work. Katz said she had gotten calls from parents as far away as the Hamptons.
For a matchmaking fee that can range from $700 to $1,000 (£549 to £785), Katz and her team will interview tutor candidates, run background and reference checks, then match them to the right families.For a matchmaking fee that can range from $700 to $1,000 (£549 to £785), Katz and her team will interview tutor candidates, run background and reference checks, then match them to the right families.
Fees for tutors and child care can range from $20 to $65 (£15 to £51) an hour, which would amount to $1,625 (£1,276) a week if a tutor was hired for five hours a day, five days a week – though Katz said fees vary by the type of service.Fees for tutors and child care can range from $20 to $65 (£15 to £51) an hour, which would amount to $1,625 (£1,276) a week if a tutor was hired for five hours a day, five days a week – though Katz said fees vary by the type of service.
“Some services are charging as much as $125 (£98) an hour. This is LA. There are some people for whom money isn’t really an object, people who say ‘I want this for my kids and I’ll do anything I can for them’,” Katz said.“Some services are charging as much as $125 (£98) an hour. This is LA. There are some people for whom money isn’t really an object, people who say ‘I want this for my kids and I’ll do anything I can for them’,” Katz said.
Trump had initially lobbied for a full-scale convention, packed with guests without face-coverings. In early June, when North Carolina’s Democratic governor Roy Cooper said that would be impossible to arrange amid a pandemic, noting in a letter to the RNC that “it is unlikely that we would be to the point at the end of August to be able to have a jam-packed 19,000-person convention,” Trump said they were “forced” to choose a different city to host the event.Trump had initially lobbied for a full-scale convention, packed with guests without face-coverings. In early June, when North Carolina’s Democratic governor Roy Cooper said that would be impossible to arrange amid a pandemic, noting in a letter to the RNC that “it is unlikely that we would be to the point at the end of August to be able to have a jam-packed 19,000-person convention,” Trump said they were “forced” to choose a different city to host the event.
That’s it for the briefing. Trump said he’ll throw the first pitch at Yankee Stadium August 15. That’s it for the briefing. Trump said he’ll throw the first pitch at Yankee Stadium on August 15.
Earlier today, Dr. Anthony Fauci - the health official in charge of the US response to the coronavirus pandemic who has been sidelined during these daily briefings - threw the first pitch at the Washington National’s game. Dr. Anthony Fauci - the health official in charge of the US response to the coronavirus pandemic who has been sidelined during these daily briefings - is throwing the first pitch at the Washington Nationals vs Yankees game today.
Trump bragged that the US has conducted more coronavirus tests than any other country. This may well be true but here’s some context:Trump bragged that the US has conducted more coronavirus tests than any other country. This may well be true but here’s some context:
Per the Johns Hopkins University coronavirus resource center: “In order for governments to identify new cases and effectively respond to the pandemic through tracing and treatment, testing programs should be scaled to the size of their epidemic, not the size of the population.”Per the Johns Hopkins University coronavirus resource center: “In order for governments to identify new cases and effectively respond to the pandemic through tracing and treatment, testing programs should be scaled to the size of their epidemic, not the size of the population.”
Part of the reason that US needs to conduct so much testing - even more than it is already doing – is because the size of the outbreak here is so big. There are more cases of coronavirus in the US than anywhere else in the world.Part of the reason that US needs to conduct so much testing - even more than it is already doing – is because the size of the outbreak here is so big. There are more cases of coronavirus in the US than anywhere else in the world.
Trump once again called for schools to reopen. “Districts may need to delay reopening for a few weeks,” he acknowledged, as cases surge.Trump once again called for schools to reopen. “Districts may need to delay reopening for a few weeks,” he acknowledged, as cases surge.
If public schools don’t open, Trump said that funding should “follow” students to private and charter schools.If public schools don’t open, Trump said that funding should “follow” students to private and charter schools.
The Republican National Committee had recently announced it would restrict attendance at its Jacksonville convention as Florida’s coronavirus cases and deaths spiked, limiting the number of guests that delegates are able to bring and spreading the event across two venues.The Republican National Committee had recently announced it would restrict attendance at its Jacksonville convention as Florida’s coronavirus cases and deaths spiked, limiting the number of guests that delegates are able to bring and spreading the event across two venues.
Florida reported its largest number of deaths in a single day from the coronavirus today, and more than 10,000 Floridians have tested positive for Covid-19 so far.Florida reported its largest number of deaths in a single day from the coronavirus today, and more than 10,000 Floridians have tested positive for Covid-19 so far.
The convention was originally meant to be held in Charlotte, but the RNC moved the location after North Carolina’s governor Roy Cooper was reluctant about hosting large, crowded events amid the pandemic without distancing and safety measures.The convention was originally meant to be held in Charlotte, but the RNC moved the location after North Carolina’s governor Roy Cooper was reluctant about hosting large, crowded events amid the pandemic without distancing and safety measures.
“When we made these changes, we had hoped to be able to plan a traditional convention celebration to which we are all accustomed,” RNC chair Ronna McDaniel wrote in a letter to committee members at the time. “However, adjustments must be made to comply with state and local health guidelines.”“When we made these changes, we had hoped to be able to plan a traditional convention celebration to which we are all accustomed,” RNC chair Ronna McDaniel wrote in a letter to committee members at the time. “However, adjustments must be made to comply with state and local health guidelines.”
Trump said that it is “not the right time” for a big convention in Jacksonville.Trump said that it is “not the right time” for a big convention in Jacksonville.
“I told my team it’s time to cancel the Jacksonville, Florida component of the convention,” he said.“I told my team it’s time to cancel the Jacksonville, Florida component of the convention,” he said.
Jacksonville, Florida residents filed a lawsuit against the city, the Republican National Committee and the Trump campaign earlier this month to stop the convention in August, concerned that a big event would accelerate the spread of disease in a state that is already a coronavirus hotspot.Jacksonville, Florida residents filed a lawsuit against the city, the Republican National Committee and the Trump campaign earlier this month to stop the convention in August, concerned that a big event would accelerate the spread of disease in a state that is already a coronavirus hotspot.
Hi there, it’s Maanvi Singh, reporting from the West Coast.
Donald Trump’s coronavirus briefing had just begun - follow along for updates and fact checks.
Trump’s Republican foes place his oratory in context
The Lincoln Project, who are not the biggest fans of President Trump, have been carefully weighing up his recent descriptions of his cognitive tests.
Ben Carson revokes Obama-era rule designed to diversify the suburbs
The Associated Press has news of the Trump administration’s latest rollback of an Obama-era rule, this one from Housing and Urban Development (HUD) secretary Ben Carson.
The rule was designed to eliminate racial disparities in the suburbs but President Trump has characterized it as an existential threat to the suburban way of life that will bring about more crime and lower home prices.
On Thursday in a statement, Carson said regulation known as Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing, or the AFFH rule, was “unworkable and ultimately a waste of time for localities to comply with”.
Fair housing advocates have decried the move as an election year stunt designed to appeal to white voters.
More than 915,000 new cases in last two weeks
As states continue to dial back reopening efforts, nearly every metric for tracking the coronavirus outbreak has shown a worsening spread.
“I don’t see this disappearing,” Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told tuberculosis researchers during a live stream on Wednesday. “It is so efficient in its ability to transmit from human to human that I think we ultimately will get control of it. I don’t really see us eradicating it.”
More than 915,000 new cases have been confirmed in just the past two weeks, totaling more than the entire month of June. The US has now exceeded 140,000 deaths, with Texas alone reporting a state record 197 new fatalities on Wednesday.
That’s it from me today. My Guardian colleagues will take over the blog for the next few hours.
Here’s where the day stands so far:
The justice department inspector general announced an investigation into the actions taken by federal agents in Portland. DOJ inspector general Michael Horowitz said his office would also investigate federal agents’ forceful removal of peaceful protesters in Lafayette Square near the White House last month.
The mayor of Portland was teargassed last night during protests against the presence of federal agents in the city. The incident occurred hours after Trump announced plans to send federal troops to Chicago and Albuquerque, New Mexico, as well.
The number of US coronavirus cases surpassed 4 million, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. The country hit the grim milestone as dozens of states report increases in new cases.
Another 1.4 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week. The figure marks a slight uptick from the week before, ending four months of declines in the country’s weekly unemployment claims. Additional unemployment benefits are set to expire next week.
Senate Republicans have not yet released their coronavirus relief bill, even though majority leader Mitch McConnell initially said their proposal would be unveiled today. Democrats have already signaled they will oppose the bill, arguing it will not go far enough to help American families who are financially suffering because of the pandemic.
A federal judge ruled Michael Cohen should be released from prison. US District Judge Alvin K Hellerstein said the president’s former lawyer should be allowed to return to home confinement, concluding that Cohen’s imprisonment was “retaliatory because of his desire to exercise his First Amendment rights.” Cohen announced earlier this month that he was nearing completion of his book on the president.
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
It took only 15 days for the total number of coronavirus cases in the US to go from 3 million to 4 million.
In contrast, the number of US coronavirus cases surpassed 1 million 99 days after the country’s first case was confirmed.
The rapid escalation underscores the severity of the recent surge in new cases across dozens of US states.
The US currently accounts for about a quarter of all confirmed coronavirus cases worldwide, according to the data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
The number of coronavirus cases in the US has now surpassed 4 million, as dozens of states report increases in new infections.
According to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, the US has confirmed 4,005,414 coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic. Of those cases, 143,820 Americans have died of the virus.
The US hit the alarming milestone a day after Fox News aired an interview with Trump in which the president argued coronavirus tests are “overrated.”
“To me, every time you test a case it gets reported in the news, we found more cases,” Trump said. “If instead of 50 we did 25, we have half the number of cases. So I personally think it’s overrated, but I am totally willing to keep doing it.”
But public health experts have actually blamed the recent surge in cases on states reopening and Americans abandoning social distancing practices because the rate of new infections is outpacing the expansion of testing.
Trump urged the “Suburban Housewives of America” to read a negative op-ed about Joe Biden, as the president seeks to turn around his plummeting polling numbers in suburban communities.
“The Suburban Housewives of America must read this article,” Trump said in a tweet linking to a New York Post op-ed. “Biden will destroy your neighborhood and your American Dream. I will preserve it, and make it even better!”
Surveys indicate the president has lost serious ground with suburban voters since his 2016 victory, and pollsters blame much of Trump’s sinking re-election fortunes on that erosion of support.
The president is clearly aware of this trend, and he has sought to scare suburban voters back into supporting him by warning Biden’s policies “will totally destroy the beautiful suburbs”.
But many commentators were more focused on Trump’s use of the outdated term “housewives” to describe women living in American suburbs.
The interior department inspector general announced an investigation into the forceful dispersal of protesters from Lafayette Square last month.
The justice department inspector general, Michael Horowitz, said his office would coordinate with the interior department’s team in their investigation of the actions taken against the DC protesters.
The Trump administration received intense criticism after federal agents used tear gas to remove anti-racism protesters near the White House shortly before the president’s photo op at St John’s church.
The justice department inspector general has announced an investigation into the actions taken by federal agents against protesters in Portland.
“In response to congressional requests, complaints received by the OIG, and a referral from the US attorney in Oregon, the DoJ Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has opened an investigation into use of force allegations involving DoJ law enforcement personnel in Portland, Oregon, in July 2020,” Michael Horowitz, inspector general, announced in a statement.
Horowitz said the investigation would be conducted with the department of homeland security’s inspector general office.
Horowitz announced his office would also be “initiating a review to examine the DoJ’s and its law enforcement components’ roles and responsibilities in responding to protest activity and civil unrest in Washington DC, and in Portland, Oregon over the prior two months”.
The statement specifically references “events in Lafayette Square on June 1, 2020”, when federal agents teargassed peaceful protesters near the White House.