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US coronavirus: Pompeo to face Senate as new economic figures show Covid-19 impact – live updates US coronavirus: Pompeo to face Senate as new economic figures show Covid-19 impact – live updates
(32 minutes later)
Pompeo to be grilled by committee as Covid-19 economic turmoil to be revealedPompeo to be grilled by committee as Covid-19 economic turmoil to be revealed
Yesterday the CEOs of four of the biggest tech companies were up before members of the House judiciary’s antitrust subcommittee to face intense questioning over whether they have too much power. The question of distributing fake news and conspiracy theories was just one aspect of the quizzing.
My colleague Poppy Noor has been looking at this for us today - speaking to experts and asking whether suppressing online conspiracy theorists works.
One of the those she spoke to, Russell Muirhead, points to the erosion of gatekeeping functions in the social media ecosystem:
It’s a fascinating look at an area that is only likely to become more fraught as the November election looms. Last week Twitter announced it would stop promoting content associated with QAnon.
Read it here: Does suppressing online conspiracy theorists work? Experts weigh in
Nine days after federal officials released details of a $60 million bribery probe, the Ohio House is preparing for an historic vote on whether to remove Republican speaker Larry Householder, who is alleged to have led the scheme.
The House will convene Thursday after a secret vote taken Tuesday by the Republican caucus during a closed-door meeting indicated enough support to remove him, report the Associated Press. Democrats have also called for him to be removed.
Remaining members of Householder’s leadership team said in a statement that he deserves the presumption of innocence but “has lost the trust of his colleagues and the public” and can’t effectively lead the House.
Householder was one of five defendants identified in a July 21 federal affidavit as allegedly taking part in a scheme involving money secretly funnelled to them in exchange for helping to pass House Bill 6 to financially bail out two FirstEnergy nuclear plants. Householder was one of the driving forces behind the legislation, which included a fee to every electricity bill in the state. Householder could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. He and his attorney have ignored or declined requests for comment about the allegations and about his plans.
Bipartisan support for removing him as speaker has accumulated, with Rep. Niraj Antani, a Dayton Republican, described that move as “the first step to restoring integrity to the House.”
House Democratic leaders labeled the last week as “a dark time for our state” and asked the GOP “to do the right thing”.
“We refuse to let the latest GOP scandal derail the Ohio House of Representatives from the pressing work that needs to be done,” they said in a statement. “We do not need these distractions; we need to work to solve the critical issues facing working people and families in our state.”
Removing Householder as speaker would take 50 votes; expelling him from the House altogether would take 66. Republicans hold 61 seats, and Democrats have 38.
There’s a useful backgrounder on Householder and the case here: Are you just learning about Larry Householder following his arrest? Those in Ohio political circles know all about him
We are within days of finding out who Joe Biden is going to pick to be his running mate for the November election. It’s a crucial appointment, not least because Biden is attempting to become the oldest person to take on their first-term as president. A successful VP might expect to automatically be in pole position for the Democratic Party presidential nomination in 2024.
Biden has promised to pick a woman, and there is no shortage of options in the Democratic ranks. But, as my colleague Daniel Strauss in Washington reports, no single candidate will be able to satisfy all the interest groups and sectors of the party.
Read more here: Joe Biden’s running mate - none will satisfy all sections of the party
Authorities have announced an arrest after a fire destroyed much of the Arizona and Maricopa County Democratic Party headquarters last Friday, according to a report from the Associated Press.
Phoenix police said 29-year-old Matthew Egler was booked on one count of arson of an occupied structure.
In charging documents obtained by KPNX-TV in Phoenix, police said Egler had been a volunteer for the Maricopa County Democratic Party but was banned for behavioural reasons. Investigators say the fire was retaliation after being recently rejected as a volunteer again.
“We are deeply saddened and shocked by today’s news, but appreciate the swift action by law enforcement to ensure that the suspect is in custody,” state and county Democratic leaders said in a statement.
Police in the charging documents also mention that Egler discussed starting the fire and his “discontentment” with county Democratic officials in a Twitter account.The blaze occurred early Friday in a business district a few miles north of downtown Phoenix. Investigators said evidence indicated it was an act of arson. The building is the longtime home of both the state and county Democrats.
Steven Slugocki, the county chair, confirmed that the fire destroyed computers, tablets, phone-banking equipment, campaign literature and years of candidate and organizing information. It also burned political memorabilia accumulated over decades, including campaign materials for John F. Kennedy, he said.
Good morning, and welcome to what looks like a very busy day in US politics, with a lot of thing scheduled. Here’s a quick run-down of where we are, and what we might expect.Good morning, and welcome to what looks like a very busy day in US politics, with a lot of thing scheduled. Here’s a quick run-down of where we are, and what we might expect.
Yesterday the US passed 150,000 coronavirus deaths amid a fresh surge in cases. The country has now seen more than 4.3 million infections in total. 28 states - plus Puerto Rico and Washington DC - are still seeing rising case numbersYesterday the US passed 150,000 coronavirus deaths amid a fresh surge in cases. The country has now seen more than 4.3 million infections in total. 28 states - plus Puerto Rico and Washington DC - are still seeing rising case numbers
Representatives and staff must now wear masks on the House floor, after Texas congressman Louie Gohmert, one of several Republicans who have resisted masks, tested positive for coronavirusRepresentatives and staff must now wear masks on the House floor, after Texas congressman Louie Gohmert, one of several Republicans who have resisted masks, tested positive for coronavirus
Civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis will be laid to rest at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. Former president Barack Obama is expected to deliver a eulogyCivil rights icon Rep. John Lewis will be laid to rest at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. Former president Barack Obama is expected to deliver a eulogy
Mike Pompeo will finally turn up to a Senate foreign relations committee session, for the first time since April 2019. It could prove contentious if he is asked about the firing of inspector general Steve Linick, who had an investigation of Pompeo in his sights. House speaker Nancy Pelosi warned back in May that the firing could be ‘unlawful if it’s retaliation’Mike Pompeo will finally turn up to a Senate foreign relations committee session, for the first time since April 2019. It could prove contentious if he is asked about the firing of inspector general Steve Linick, who had an investigation of Pompeo in his sights. House speaker Nancy Pelosi warned back in May that the firing could be ‘unlawful if it’s retaliation’
There’s also a Senate armed services committee confirmation hearing for retired army Brig. Gen. Anthony Tata to become under secretary of defence for policy. Tata has previously called Obama a Muslim and a “terrorist leader”, which may derail his appointmentThere’s also a Senate armed services committee confirmation hearing for retired army Brig. Gen. Anthony Tata to become under secretary of defence for policy. Tata has previously called Obama a Muslim and a “terrorist leader”, which may derail his appointment
Donald Trump will be visiting the American Red Cross national headquarters in Washington, where he will hold a roundtable on donating plasmaDonald Trump will be visiting the American Red Cross national headquarters in Washington, where he will hold a roundtable on donating plasma
After a last-ditch legal defeat, we may see the unsealing of what are described as “extremely personal” documents in the Ghislaine Maxwell caseAfter a last-ditch legal defeat, we may see the unsealing of what are described as “extremely personal” documents in the Ghislaine Maxwell case
We’ll get the first estimate of US GDP figures for the second quarter, and new unemployment figures, which will indicate just how deep the impact of Covid-19 has been on the economy that Trump had hoped would sweep him forward to November victoryWe’ll get the first estimate of US GDP figures for the second quarter, and new unemployment figures, which will indicate just how deep the impact of Covid-19 has been on the economy that Trump had hoped would sweep him forward to November victory
Oh, and Nasa is shooting for Mars - where they might discover “lyfe”Oh, and Nasa is shooting for Mars - where they might discover “lyfe”
I’m Martin Belam, I’ll be with you for the next few hours, and you can get in touch with me at martin.belam@theguardian.comI’m Martin Belam, I’ll be with you for the next few hours, and you can get in touch with me at martin.belam@theguardian.com