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Obama compares segregationist Jim Crow America to Trump's America – live Obama compares segregationist Jim Crow America to Trump's America – live
(about 1 hour later)
The former US president spoke at the Atlanta funeral for John Lewis, praising his perseverance and criticizing police violence at protestsThe former US president spoke at the Atlanta funeral for John Lewis, praising his perseverance and criticizing police violence at protests
Wrapping up tonight’s live politics news,
The morning began with the government’s announcement that the US economy shrank by an annual rate of 32.9% between April and June compared to the same time last year, its sharpest contraction since the second world war.
Shortly after the news broke, Donald Trump floated the idea of delaying November’s presidential election. He can’t do that. Republicans lawmakers said the election would not be delayed. More on the fact here.
The co-founder of the influential conservative Federalist Society said that Trump should be impeached over his “fascistic” tweet about delaying the election.
Senate Republicans took no action to extend federal unemployment benefits before they were slated to expire on Friday. No deal on an extension is in sight, though the $600 weekly payments have been a crucial lifeline for millions.
Herman Cain, a 2012 Republican presidential candidate and ardent supporter of Donald Trump, died from Covid-19. He was hospitalized less than two weeks after attending the US president’s campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on 20 June.
The funeral for the civil rights leader and congressmen John Lewis was held today in Atlanta, Georgia. Former US president Barack Obama inspired a standing ovation with his soaring eulogy for Lewis, who he said would “be a founding father of that fuller, fairer, better America” yet to be realized, and called on lawmakers to expand voting rights protections for all Americans in Lewis’ honor.
The New York Times also published an essay Lewis submitted two days before he died, which he asked to be published on the day of his funeral.
No ban on military recruiting on TwitchNo ban on military recruiting on Twitch
An update from tech reporter Kari Paul, who has been following Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s attempt to block military recruiting on gaming platforms: it has failed.An update from tech reporter Kari Paul, who has been following Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s attempt to block military recruiting on gaming platforms: it has failed.
Background on AOC’s effort from earlier today:Background on AOC’s effort from earlier today:
The Department of Homeland Security compiled “intelligence reports” on two journalists who shared leaked internal documents about the department’s response to protests in Portland, Oregon, the Washington Post reported.The Department of Homeland Security compiled “intelligence reports” on two journalists who shared leaked internal documents about the department’s response to protests in Portland, Oregon, the Washington Post reported.
The move was troubling, current and former officials said, an abuse of a government system “meant to share information about suspected terrorists and violent actors,” the Post reported.The move was troubling, current and former officials said, an abuse of a government system “meant to share information about suspected terrorists and violent actors,” the Post reported.
The creation of intelligence report on journalists is part of a broader pattern of aggressive tactics by the Department of Homeland Security in Portland. Some current government officials told The Post they worried that the department’s Intelligence and Analysis office, in particular, “is exceeding the boundaries of its authority in an effort to crackdown on ‘antifa’ protesters to please President Trump.”The creation of intelligence report on journalists is part of a broader pattern of aggressive tactics by the Department of Homeland Security in Portland. Some current government officials told The Post they worried that the department’s Intelligence and Analysis office, in particular, “is exceeding the boundaries of its authority in an effort to crackdown on ‘antifa’ protesters to please President Trump.”
“It’s not the sharing of my tweet that’s disturbing. It’s the construction of it as an intelligence report on a U.S. person that’s disturbing,” Benjamin Wittes, the editor of the Lawfare blog, and one of the two journalists reportedly targeted, told the Post.“It’s not the sharing of my tweet that’s disturbing. It’s the construction of it as an intelligence report on a U.S. person that’s disturbing,” Benjamin Wittes, the editor of the Lawfare blog, and one of the two journalists reportedly targeted, told the Post.
Wittes tweeted that he was considering his legal options:Wittes tweeted that he was considering his legal options:
Trump’s election & voting claims: ‘He’s just trying to intimidate people’Trump’s election & voting claims: ‘He’s just trying to intimidate people’
At a White House press briefing on Thursday, Trump denied that he wants the election to be postponed but again questioned mail-in voting, insisting that he he does not “want to have to wait for three months and then find out that the ballots are all missing and the election doesn’t mean anything”.He added: “Do I want to see a date change? No. But I don’t want to see a crooked election. This election will be the most rigged election in history, if that happens.”Election experts say that all forms of voter fraud are rare. In 2017 the Brennan Center for Justice ranked the risk of ballot fraud at 0.00004% to 0.0009%, based on studies of past elections.But analysts said the president’s chief objective is to sow doubt about the legitimacy of the outcome. Richard Painter, a former White House chief ethics lawyer, said: “He’s just trying to intimidate people. He wants to suppress the vote as much as he can and so he wants to discourage mail-in and, of course, he wants to complain about the election being rigged if he loses.“He pulled this in 2016, he thought he was going to lose that and he said it was a rigged election. So this is just the same old Trump playbook but he cannot change the date of the election because it’s set by statute. Congress is not going to change the statute.”Jon Meacham, a presidential biographer and historian, told the MSNBC network: “The delay thing may just be an entry point to an argument, largely emotional but nevertheless immensely disruptive, to setting up a November where he is crying foul and crooked election and fake news and fake president about Joe Biden if Biden wins.“The other thing to watch is yes, those senators were saying the right thing today, but what if Trump begins to make the case to the Senate Republican caucus that if the Senate were to flip on November 3rd and subsequent days, it becomes in their interest to join him in questioning the legitimacy of an election that puts them out of work?”At a White House press briefing on Thursday, Trump denied that he wants the election to be postponed but again questioned mail-in voting, insisting that he he does not “want to have to wait for three months and then find out that the ballots are all missing and the election doesn’t mean anything”.He added: “Do I want to see a date change? No. But I don’t want to see a crooked election. This election will be the most rigged election in history, if that happens.”Election experts say that all forms of voter fraud are rare. In 2017 the Brennan Center for Justice ranked the risk of ballot fraud at 0.00004% to 0.0009%, based on studies of past elections.But analysts said the president’s chief objective is to sow doubt about the legitimacy of the outcome. Richard Painter, a former White House chief ethics lawyer, said: “He’s just trying to intimidate people. He wants to suppress the vote as much as he can and so he wants to discourage mail-in and, of course, he wants to complain about the election being rigged if he loses.“He pulled this in 2016, he thought he was going to lose that and he said it was a rigged election. So this is just the same old Trump playbook but he cannot change the date of the election because it’s set by statute. Congress is not going to change the statute.”Jon Meacham, a presidential biographer and historian, told the MSNBC network: “The delay thing may just be an entry point to an argument, largely emotional but nevertheless immensely disruptive, to setting up a November where he is crying foul and crooked election and fake news and fake president about Joe Biden if Biden wins.“The other thing to watch is yes, those senators were saying the right thing today, but what if Trump begins to make the case to the Senate Republican caucus that if the Senate were to flip on November 3rd and subsequent days, it becomes in their interest to join him in questioning the legitimacy of an election that puts them out of work?”
For millions of Americans who have lost work during the pandemic, one source of basic security has been an additional $600 a week unemployment benefit from the federal government, on top of typical state unemployment benefits.For millions of Americans who have lost work during the pandemic, one source of basic security has been an additional $600 a week unemployment benefit from the federal government, on top of typical state unemployment benefits.
Experts say the extra money has been crucial to helping Americans stay afloat economically during the intense uncertainty of coronavirus-related shutdowns.Experts say the extra money has been crucial to helping Americans stay afloat economically during the intense uncertainty of coronavirus-related shutdowns.
But that additional benefit program, passed in Congress in late March, expires on Friday and the senate has adjourned for the weekend without any deal to extend unemployment benefits at any level.But that additional benefit program, passed in Congress in late March, expires on Friday and the senate has adjourned for the weekend without any deal to extend unemployment benefits at any level.
The White House chief of staff also said today that he was “not optimistic” about getting a comprehensive new relief bill completed even next week.The White House chief of staff also said today that he was “not optimistic” about getting a comprehensive new relief bill completed even next week.
House Democrats passed a bill that would extend the $600 payments through January, but Republicans countered with a plan this week that would offer a much lower payment of $200 extra a week.House Democrats passed a bill that would extend the $600 payments through January, but Republicans countered with a plan this week that would offer a much lower payment of $200 extra a week.
Trump said in his press conference today that he supported a plan to temporarily extend unemployment benefits while Congress continued to negotiate over the bigger picture bill, arguing that workers deserved support.Trump said in his press conference today that he supported a plan to temporarily extend unemployment benefits while Congress continued to negotiate over the bigger picture bill, arguing that workers deserved support.
State lawmakers in California said they might be able to step in to keep the $600 additional payments going out to state residents if Congress does not act, but they’re waiting to hear what federal lawmakers actually decide to do.State lawmakers in California said they might be able to step in to keep the $600 additional payments going out to state residents if Congress does not act, but they’re waiting to hear what federal lawmakers actually decide to do.
Meanwhile, the last checks with $600 payments have already gone out, meaning Americans who are out of work are already facing a steep drop in the money they have coming in this week.Meanwhile, the last checks with $600 payments have already gone out, meaning Americans who are out of work are already facing a steep drop in the money they have coming in this week.
Trump on schools reopening: ‘Can you assure anybody of anything?’Trump on schools reopening: ‘Can you assure anybody of anything?’
After taking a few questions about his coronavirus response, Trump abruptly ended his press conference. He had few answers to offer.After taking a few questions about his coronavirus response, Trump abruptly ended his press conference. He had few answers to offer.
Trump falsely claims that young people are ‘almost immune’Trump falsely claims that young people are ‘almost immune’
Asked about school re-openings, Trump falsely claimed that “young people are almost immune” to coronavirus, even as transmission of the disease among young people has become an area of increasing concern.Asked about school re-openings, Trump falsely claimed that “young people are almost immune” to coronavirus, even as transmission of the disease among young people has become an area of increasing concern.
The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the opposite in a press conference just hours ago, CNBC reported.The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the opposite in a press conference just hours ago, CNBC reported.
“We have said it before and we will say it again, young people are not invincible,” the WHO Director-General said. “Young people can be infected, young people can die and young people can transmit the virus to others.”“We have said it before and we will say it again, young people are not invincible,” the WHO Director-General said. “Young people can be infected, young people can die and young people can transmit the virus to others.”
In the United States, young people of color are disproportionately at risk from coronavirus, as my colleague Kenya Evelyn reported in early July.In the United States, young people of color are disproportionately at risk from coronavirus, as my colleague Kenya Evelyn reported in early July.
In Connecticut, “more than 23% of new patients were between 20 and 29,” the Hartford Courant reported this week, citing state public health statistics.In Connecticut, “more than 23% of new patients were between 20 and 29,” the Hartford Courant reported this week, citing state public health statistics.
Trump on mail-in ballots vs. the factsTrump on mail-in ballots vs. the facts
Asked about his tweet about delaying the election, Trump pivoted again into talking about a range of concerns about mail-in ballots, and about his frustration that the results of the 2020 election might not be available immediately.Asked about his tweet about delaying the election, Trump pivoted again into talking about a range of concerns about mail-in ballots, and about his frustration that the results of the 2020 election might not be available immediately.
My colleague Sam Levine has a comprehensive explainer about Trump’s comments today versus the facts, including what logistical hurdles Americans might anticipate when it comes to a larger number of mail-in ballots during the pandemic.My colleague Sam Levine has a comprehensive explainer about Trump’s comments today versus the facts, including what logistical hurdles Americans might anticipate when it comes to a larger number of mail-in ballots during the pandemic.
“Until recently, I had taken as political hyperbole the Democrats’ assertion that President Trump is a fascist,” Steven Calabresi, a law professor and co-founder of the Federalist Society, an influential conservative organization, writes in a new op-ed in the New York Times.“Until recently, I had taken as political hyperbole the Democrats’ assertion that President Trump is a fascist,” Steven Calabresi, a law professor and co-founder of the Federalist Society, an influential conservative organization, writes in a new op-ed in the New York Times.
But President Trump’s tweet this morning seeking a postponement of the 2020 election “is fascistic and is itself grounds for the president’s immediate impeachment again by the House of Representatives and his removal from office by the Senate,” Calabresi wrote.But President Trump’s tweet this morning seeking a postponement of the 2020 election “is fascistic and is itself grounds for the president’s immediate impeachment again by the House of Representatives and his removal from office by the Senate,” Calabresi wrote.
“President Trump needs to be told by every Republican in Congress that he cannot postpone the federal election. Doing so would be illegal, unconstitutional and without precedent in American history. Anyone who says otherwise should never be elected to Congress again,” he added.“President Trump needs to be told by every Republican in Congress that he cannot postpone the federal election. Doing so would be illegal, unconstitutional and without precedent in American history. Anyone who says otherwise should never be elected to Congress again,” he added.
Trump supports ‘temporary extension’ of unemployment benefitsTrump supports ‘temporary extension’ of unemployment benefits
The president appeared to endorse a last-minute plan by some Republican senators to temporarily extend a $600 a week addition to unemployment benefits funded by the federal government, to give Congress more time to negotiate on a longer-term plan.The president appeared to endorse a last-minute plan by some Republican senators to temporarily extend a $600 a week addition to unemployment benefits funded by the federal government, to give Congress more time to negotiate on a longer-term plan.
The $600 a week, on top of state unemployment benefits, has been a crucial lifeline to millions of Americans who have been laid off during the pandemic.The $600 a week, on top of state unemployment benefits, has been a crucial lifeline to millions of Americans who have been laid off during the pandemic.
Republicans senators including Mitt Romney and Susan Collins are pitching the temporary extension plan, Yahoo News reported. The additional benefits program expires tomorrow, and the final checks under the program hav already gone out.Republicans senators including Mitt Romney and Susan Collins are pitching the temporary extension plan, Yahoo News reported. The additional benefits program expires tomorrow, and the final checks under the program hav already gone out.
Trump did not discuss specifics but said he did want a temporary extension to the benefits to help American workers. “This wasn’t anybody’s fault,” he said, adding later, “It wasn’t our workers fault.”Trump did not discuss specifics but said he did want a temporary extension to the benefits to help American workers. “This wasn’t anybody’s fault,” he said, adding later, “It wasn’t our workers fault.”
A standout line from this Trump press conference so far:A standout line from this Trump press conference so far:
Trump presser: condolences and an argument things aren’t so badTrump presser: condolences and an argument things aren’t so bad
Trump opened the press conference with a note of condolence for Herman Cain, a former presidential candidate and “dear friend”, as well as for the 150,000 other Americans who have now died from coronavirus.Trump opened the press conference with a note of condolence for Herman Cain, a former presidential candidate and “dear friend”, as well as for the 150,000 other Americans who have now died from coronavirus.
Trump then shifted to talking about a rise in coronavirus cases in other countries he suggested had done well on coronavirus, and then saw increases in case numbers, including Israel, Japan and Australia, and suggested that coronavirus cases in Latin America are being undercounted.Trump then shifted to talking about a rise in coronavirus cases in other countries he suggested had done well on coronavirus, and then saw increases in case numbers, including Israel, Japan and Australia, and suggested that coronavirus cases in Latin America are being undercounted.
The context for these comments appears to be arguing that the United States, which has the highest number of confirmed coronavirus deaths in the world, is not an outlier in its current struggle to contain the virus after Trump encouraged states to reopen their economies earlier in the spring.The context for these comments appears to be arguing that the United States, which has the highest number of confirmed coronavirus deaths in the world, is not an outlier in its current struggle to contain the virus after Trump encouraged states to reopen their economies earlier in the spring.
This is Lois Beckett in our California office taking over tonight’s live politics coverage.This is Lois Beckett in our California office taking over tonight’s live politics coverage.
Donald Trump is expected to speak shortly at a news conference at 5.30 EST.Donald Trump is expected to speak shortly at a news conference at 5.30 EST.
The president’s comments will come after a day in politics that has focused on voting rights, and threats to voting rights. In his eulogy for civil rights hero John Lewis at his funeral today in Atlanta, Barack Obama argued that the best way to honor Lewis’ memory would be to take action to safeguard the voting rights of all Americans, including formerly incarcerated people.The president’s comments will come after a day in politics that has focused on voting rights, and threats to voting rights. In his eulogy for civil rights hero John Lewis at his funeral today in Atlanta, Barack Obama argued that the best way to honor Lewis’ memory would be to take action to safeguard the voting rights of all Americans, including formerly incarcerated people.
Trump, meanwhile, floated the idea of delaying November’s presidential election (which he cannot do) and then claimed he wasn’t serious. My colleagues offered more context on Trump’s ongoing assault on mail-in voting.Trump, meanwhile, floated the idea of delaying November’s presidential election (which he cannot do) and then claimed he wasn’t serious. My colleagues offered more context on Trump’s ongoing assault on mail-in voting.
The funeral for the civil rights leader and congressmen John Lewis was held today in Atlanta, Georgia. Former US president Barack Obama inspired a standing ovation with his soaring eulogy for Lewis, who he said would “be a founding father of that fuller, fairer, better America” yet to be realized.The funeral for the civil rights leader and congressmen John Lewis was held today in Atlanta, Georgia. Former US president Barack Obama inspired a standing ovation with his soaring eulogy for Lewis, who he said would “be a founding father of that fuller, fairer, better America” yet to be realized.
The New York Times also published an essay Lewis submitted two days before he died, which he asked to be published on the day of his funeral.The New York Times also published an essay Lewis submitted two days before he died, which he asked to be published on the day of his funeral.
The morning began with the government’s announcement that the US economy shrank by an annual rate of 32.9% between April and June compared to the same time last year, its sharpest contraction since the second world war.The morning began with the government’s announcement that the US economy shrank by an annual rate of 32.9% between April and June compared to the same time last year, its sharpest contraction since the second world war.
Shortly after the news broke, Donald Trump floated the idea of delaying November’s presidential election. He can’t do that.Shortly after the news broke, Donald Trump floated the idea of delaying November’s presidential election. He can’t do that.
Herman Cain, a 2012 Republican presidential candidate and ardent supporter of Donald Trump, died from Covid-19. He was hospitalized less than two weeks after attending the US president’s campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on 20 June.Herman Cain, a 2012 Republican presidential candidate and ardent supporter of Donald Trump, died from Covid-19. He was hospitalized less than two weeks after attending the US president’s campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on 20 June.
Guardian US senior political correspondent, Lauren Gambino, has the full write up of John Lewis’s funeral today:Guardian US senior political correspondent, Lauren Gambino, has the full write up of John Lewis’s funeral today:
“Today we witness with our own eyes, police officers kneeling on the necks of black Americans,” Obama said, never mentioning his successor. “George Wallace may be gone, but we can witness our federal government sending agents to use tear gas and batons against peaceful demonstrators.”“Today we witness with our own eyes, police officers kneeling on the necks of black Americans,” Obama said, never mentioning his successor. “George Wallace may be gone, but we can witness our federal government sending agents to use tear gas and batons against peaceful demonstrators.”
“Preach,” a voice rang out from the pews, where mourners sat apart in observation of safety protocols during the coronavirus pandemic.“Preach,” a voice rang out from the pews, where mourners sat apart in observation of safety protocols during the coronavirus pandemic.
In perhaps his most explicitly political speech since leaving office, Obama assailed Donald Trump’s false attacks on voting by mail, which Democratic officials have pushed to expand in light of the coronavirus pandemic. He called the filibuster, a Senate rule requiring a supermajority of the chamber to pass legislation, which Republicans used to block his agenda, “another Jim Crow relic”.In perhaps his most explicitly political speech since leaving office, Obama assailed Donald Trump’s false attacks on voting by mail, which Democratic officials have pushed to expand in light of the coronavirus pandemic. He called the filibuster, a Senate rule requiring a supermajority of the chamber to pass legislation, which Republicans used to block his agenda, “another Jim Crow relic”.
Singling out members of Congress who issued statements calling Lewis a “hero” but oppose legislation that would restore the protections afforded under the Voting Rights Act Lewis struggled for in the sixties, a law then granted under Lyndon Johnson but since weakened by a supreme court ruling in 2013, Obama said: “You want to honor John? Let’s honor him by revitalizing the law that he was willing to die for.”Singling out members of Congress who issued statements calling Lewis a “hero” but oppose legislation that would restore the protections afforded under the Voting Rights Act Lewis struggled for in the sixties, a law then granted under Lyndon Johnson but since weakened by a supreme court ruling in 2013, Obama said: “You want to honor John? Let’s honor him by revitalizing the law that he was willing to die for.”
Okay and now Donald Trump is suggesting he wasn’t serious when he floated the idea of delaying the election, which he can’t do.Okay and now Donald Trump is suggesting he wasn’t serious when he floated the idea of delaying the election, which he can’t do.
Luckily for Trump, the Guardian US actually has a voting rights desk. If you would like to read more about mail-in voting, a sliver of that reporting is collected in the live blog post linked here.Luckily for Trump, the Guardian US actually has a voting rights desk. If you would like to read more about mail-in voting, a sliver of that reporting is collected in the live blog post linked here.