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Trump calls for delay to election, falsely claiming mail-in voting will lead to fraud – live Trump calls for delay to election, falsely claiming mail-in voting will lead to fraud – live
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Trump makes unprecedented move of calling the November US election ‘inaccurate and fraudulent’ before it has happenedTrump makes unprecedented move of calling the November US election ‘inaccurate and fraudulent’ before it has happened
The Guardian’s world affairs editor, Julian Borger, is watching secretary of state Mike Pompeo testify before the Republican-led Senate Foreign Relations committee.
Mike Pompeo has been questioned on the decision announced yesterday to pull nearly 12,000 US troops out of Germany, bringing 6,400 of them back to the US, and how that squared with Pompeo’s claims to be leading a tough policy towards Russia. He confirmed the state department was “very involved at the strategic level” but argued that bringing the troops home did not mean they were “off the field”
“These units will participate in rotational activity. They’ll be forward deployed. They won’t be stationed or garrisoned. But make no mistake about it they will be fully available to ensure that we can properly prosecute the challenges we have from the global powers.”Senator Jeanne Shaheen asked him whether the impact on relations with Germany had been taken into account, to which Pompeo replied: “This is personal for me I fought on the border of East Germany when I was a young soldier I was stationed there.”
Pompeo was stationed in West Germany as an army lieutenant in the late eighties. There was no fighting there.
Mitt Romney, who continues to be the only Republican senator to seriously challenge the administration, picked up the issue in his own remarks, saying: “I have heard from the highest levels of the German government that this is seen by them as an insult to Germany, and I can’t imagine, at a time when we need to be drawing in our friends and allies so that we can collectively confront China, we want to insult them.”
Pompeo was also questioned about Donald Trump’s suggestion that the election might be delayed.
Senator Tom Udall asked the secretary of state: “Will you respect the results of the certified election as the State Department typically does throughout the world?”
Pompeo replied: “Senator I’m not going to speculate. You had about 15 ‘ifs’ in there.. I’ve said repeatedly to this committee I will follow the rule of law, follow the Constitution. I’ve endeavored to do that in everything I’ve done and I’ll continue to do that every day.”
Former presidential candidate Herman Cain, 74, has died from Covid-19 after contracting the illness nearly one month ago.
His official Twitter account, which had been providing updates on Cain’s hospitalization due to Covid-19, posted an announcement of his death on Thursday morning.
Cain, the co-chair of Black Voices for Trump, had attended Donald Trump’s rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma in June, where he did not wear a mask.
“We’re heartbroken, and the world is poorer,” said a post on Cain’s website, which provided insight into his Covid-19 infection.
“There were hopeful indicators, including a mere five days ago when doctors told us they thought he would eventually recover, although it wouldn’t be quick,” the post said. “We were relieved to be told that, and passed on the news via Herman’s social media. And yet we also felt real concern about the fact that he never quite seemed to get to the point where the doctors could advance him to the recovery phase.”
More on the staggering drop in GDP figures from the Guardian US’s business editor, Dominic Rushe:More on the staggering drop in GDP figures from the Guardian US’s business editor, Dominic Rushe:
The fall came as large parts of the US economy shutdown in March in an attempt to halt the spread of the coronavirus across the US. The closures led to a historic number of layoffs and sent unemployment soaring to levels unseen since the 1930s Great Depression.The fall came as large parts of the US economy shutdown in March in an attempt to halt the spread of the coronavirus across the US. The closures led to a historic number of layoffs and sent unemployment soaring to levels unseen since the 1930s Great Depression.
Lexie Testa, 26, from Lansing, Michigan lost her hotel job at the end of May and waited two months to receive her first unemployment payment. While her husband has retained his job, she said it had been a struggle since her layoff and that she was wary about finding new work as the virus continues to spread.Lexie Testa, 26, from Lansing, Michigan lost her hotel job at the end of May and waited two months to receive her first unemployment payment. While her husband has retained his job, she said it had been a struggle since her layoff and that she was wary about finding new work as the virus continues to spread.
Testa said it was too early to cut benefits given how hard it remains to find work and the fact that the virus is still spreading. “I know a lot of people who aren’t really comfortable returning to work with children in their home and actually I have a few friends that cannot because they have no child care,” she said.Testa said it was too early to cut benefits given how hard it remains to find work and the fact that the virus is still spreading. “I know a lot of people who aren’t really comfortable returning to work with children in their home and actually I have a few friends that cannot because they have no child care,” she said.
“I am lucky enough that I have a grandmother who usually babysits for me but I just am not really comfortable yet as I have always worked in the food service industry and I see places in my city of Lansing shut down and reopen due to Covid cases often.”“I am lucky enough that I have a grandmother who usually babysits for me but I just am not really comfortable yet as I have always worked in the food service industry and I see places in my city of Lansing shut down and reopen due to Covid cases often.”
The Guardian’s voting rights report, Sam Levine, notes that the president can’t unilaterally change the election date.The Guardian’s voting rights report, Sam Levine, notes that the president can’t unilaterally change the election date.
This is why people are speculating one of the reasons Trump asked whether the election should be delayed this morning is to distract from the very bad economic news this morning.This is why people are speculating one of the reasons Trump asked whether the election should be delayed this morning is to distract from the very bad economic news this morning.
Government figures revealed Thursday morning that the US economy shrank by an annualized rate of 32.9% between April and June, its sharpest contraction since the second world war.Government figures revealed Thursday morning that the US economy shrank by an annualized rate of 32.9% between April and June, its sharpest contraction since the second world war.
Secretary of state Mike Pompeo is appearing before the Senate foreign relations committee for the first time in more than a year, in what is already a particularly contentious hearing.Secretary of state Mike Pompeo is appearing before the Senate foreign relations committee for the first time in more than a year, in what is already a particularly contentious hearing.
The ranking Democrat, Bob Menendez said the Trump administration had “at worst simply abetted Putin’s efforts” to undermine the US, and said the state department was “at risk of catastrophic failure.”The ranking Democrat, Bob Menendez said the Trump administration had “at worst simply abetted Putin’s efforts” to undermine the US, and said the state department was “at risk of catastrophic failure.”
Menendez started his questioning on Trump’s admission on Wednesday that he had not confronted Vladimir Putin with intelligence reports that Russia was paying bounties to Taliban fighters for killing US soldiers in Afghanistan and asked Pompeo whether he had raised the issue with his counterpart, Sergei Lavrov.Menendez started his questioning on Trump’s admission on Wednesday that he had not confronted Vladimir Putin with intelligence reports that Russia was paying bounties to Taliban fighters for killing US soldiers in Afghanistan and asked Pompeo whether he had raised the issue with his counterpart, Sergei Lavrov.
Pompeo’s reply avoided confirming the reports, which Trump called “fake news”, but claimed that if it was true, he raised it.Pompeo’s reply avoided confirming the reports, which Trump called “fake news”, but claimed that if it was true, he raised it.
“Anytime there was a tactical threat on the lives for the health of the safety and security or our assets in place, we have raised this with our Russian counterparts not only at my level but Ambassador Sullivan [US ambassador to Moscow], and every one of our team that interacts with the Russians we’ve made very clear our expectations.”“Anytime there was a tactical threat on the lives for the health of the safety and security or our assets in place, we have raised this with our Russian counterparts not only at my level but Ambassador Sullivan [US ambassador to Moscow], and every one of our team that interacts with the Russians we’ve made very clear our expectations.”
One thing undermining Donald Trump’s ongoing quest against mail-in voting is that he and his officials have used it in the past.One thing undermining Donald Trump’s ongoing quest against mail-in voting is that he and his officials have used it in the past.
Mother Jones reporter Ari Berman notes that at least 16 Trump officials have either voted by mail or requested absentee ballots, including the president himself. Others include attorney general William Barr, adviser and president’s daughter Ivanka Trump and White House press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany.Mother Jones reporter Ari Berman notes that at least 16 Trump officials have either voted by mail or requested absentee ballots, including the president himself. Others include attorney general William Barr, adviser and president’s daughter Ivanka Trump and White House press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany.
McEnany has voted by mail in every Florida election she has participated in since 2010, according to the Tampa Bay Times.McEnany has voted by mail in every Florida election she has participated in since 2010, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
When asked about this in late May, McEnany said: “Absentee voting has the word absent in it for a reason. It means you’re absent from the jurisdiction or unable to vote in person. President Trump is against the Democrat plan to politicize the coronavirus and expand mass mail-in voting without a reason, which has a high propensity for voter fraud. This is a simple distinction that the media fails to grasp.”When asked about this in late May, McEnany said: “Absentee voting has the word absent in it for a reason. It means you’re absent from the jurisdiction or unable to vote in person. President Trump is against the Democrat plan to politicize the coronavirus and expand mass mail-in voting without a reason, which has a high propensity for voter fraud. This is a simple distinction that the media fails to grasp.”
On a brighter note, and sticking to their timetable, Nasa appears to have successfully launched the Perseverance mission, the third and final Mars launch from Earth this summer. China and the United Arab Emirates got a head start last week, but all three missions should reach their destination in February.On a brighter note, and sticking to their timetable, Nasa appears to have successfully launched the Perseverance mission, the third and final Mars launch from Earth this summer. China and the United Arab Emirates got a head start last week, but all three missions should reach their destination in February.
Nasa’s science mission chief, Thomas Zurbuchen, pronounced the launch the start of “humanity’s first round trip to another planet.”Nasa’s science mission chief, Thomas Zurbuchen, pronounced the launch the start of “humanity’s first round trip to another planet.”
“Oh, I loved it, punching a hole in the sky, right? Getting off the cosmic shore of our Earth, wading out there in the cosmic ocean,” he said. “Every time, it gets me.”“Oh, I loved it, punching a hole in the sky, right? Getting off the cosmic shore of our Earth, wading out there in the cosmic ocean,” he said. “Every time, it gets me.”
“There’s a reason we call the robot Perseverance. Because going to Mars is hard,” Nasa Administrator Jim Bridenstine said just before liftoff. “It is always hard. It’s never been easy. In this case, it’s harder than ever before because we’re doing it in the midst of a pandemic.”“There’s a reason we call the robot Perseverance. Because going to Mars is hard,” Nasa Administrator Jim Bridenstine said just before liftoff. “It is always hard. It’s never been easy. In this case, it’s harder than ever before because we’re doing it in the midst of a pandemic.”
The US is the only country to safely put a spacecraft on Mars, and is seeking its ninth successful landing on the planetThe US is the only country to safely put a spacecraft on Mars, and is seeking its ninth successful landing on the planet
Donald Trump has ratcheted up his claims that increased mail-in voting will lead to election fraud, and appears to be making a call to delay November’s presidential election.Donald Trump has ratcheted up his claims that increased mail-in voting will lead to election fraud, and appears to be making a call to delay November’s presidential election.
Even by Trump’s standards, it is truly unprecedented for a sitting American president to call a US election “the most inaccurate & fraudulent election in history” in advance and float the idea that the country cannot carry them out safely.Even by Trump’s standards, it is truly unprecedented for a sitting American president to call a US election “the most inaccurate & fraudulent election in history” in advance and float the idea that the country cannot carry them out safely.
There were mixed reviews for the tech giant CEOs that appeared before Congress yesterday - and for the people who posed them questions.There were mixed reviews for the tech giant CEOs that appeared before Congress yesterday - and for the people who posed them questions.
Matt Stoller, the author of Goliath: The 100-Year War Between Monopoly Power and Democracy, writes for us today, saying “Congress forced Silicon Valley to answer for its misdeeds. It was a glorious sight”Matt Stoller, the author of Goliath: The 100-Year War Between Monopoly Power and Democracy, writes for us today, saying “Congress forced Silicon Valley to answer for its misdeeds. It was a glorious sight”
Read it here: Matt Stoller – Congress forced Silicon Valley to answer for its misdeeds. It was a glorious sightRead it here: Matt Stoller – Congress forced Silicon Valley to answer for its misdeeds. It was a glorious sight
Over at Slate, however, Aaron Mak’s ire last night was reserved not for the CEOs, but for the people posing the questions:Over at Slate, however, Aaron Mak’s ire last night was reserved not for the CEOs, but for the people posing the questions:
Read it here: Slate – Republicans are too fixated on “bias” to conduct actual oversight of techRead it here: Slate – Republicans are too fixated on “bias” to conduct actual oversight of tech
Mike Pompeo is up before the Senate foreign relations committee right now, and they haven’t wasted any time in criticising his failure to appear since April 2019. You should be able to watch the session here in the blog by pressing play above - you may have to refresh the page to get the video to appear.Mike Pompeo is up before the Senate foreign relations committee right now, and they haven’t wasted any time in criticising his failure to appear since April 2019. You should be able to watch the session here in the blog by pressing play above - you may have to refresh the page to get the video to appear.
We’ve just had two bits of key economic data out. Jobless claims were up again by 12,000, with over 1.4m Americans making initial claims.We’ve just had two bits of key economic data out. Jobless claims were up again by 12,000, with over 1.4m Americans making initial claims.
Unsurprisingly yesterday the bureau reported that unemployment rates were higher in June 2020 than in June 2019 in 388 of the 389 metropolitan areas it measured.Unsurprisingly yesterday the bureau reported that unemployment rates were higher in June 2020 than in June 2019 in 388 of the 389 metropolitan areas it measured.
The GDP numbers were out too, and the US economy suffered its worst quarter since the second world war, as GDP shrunk by 32.9%. Here’s our full report:The GDP numbers were out too, and the US economy suffered its worst quarter since the second world war, as GDP shrunk by 32.9%. Here’s our full report:
There will be more market reaction to come, for sure, and we’ll have that on our business live blogThere will be more market reaction to come, for sure, and we’ll have that on our business live blog
The Joe Biden campaign has just put out a video on Twitter where Biden and former president Barack Obama phone a teacher to discuss the re-opening of schools during the coronavirus crisis.
In truth it is Obama not Biden who does most of the heavy-lifting in the video, telling Beth, who teaches eighth grade, that:
Obama promises that, if Biden and he do their campaign jobs right, then more consistency and help would be on its way to schools. It is typical of Obama’s approach to be obliquely critical of the current administration without directly naming Donald Trump. He did much the same when appearing on his wife Michelle Obama’s new podcast earlier this week.
For her part, the teacher in the video suggests that, compared to previous generations going back to the 1990s, the current crop of children coming through schools are “the most politically active group of kids” she’s ever taught.
The almost constant war of diplomatic words between China and the US continued today, this time with China’s ambassador to London, Liu Xiaoming, who accused the US of starting a trade war and stoking a new cold war with China. He said that there would be no winner from such an approach.
While he did not mention anybody by name, he said some US politicians were doing and saying anything to get elected.
“It is not China that has become assertive. It’s the other side of the Pacific Ocean who want to start new cold war on China, so we have to make response to that,” Liu told reporters. “We have no interest in any cold war, we have no interest in any war. We have all seen what is happening in the United States, they tried to scapegoat China, they want to blame China for their problems. We all know this is an election year.”
Away from earthly political concerns, Nasa are a few minutes away from launching the Perseverance mission which will be seeking life on mars. You can watch the lift-off here.
Rep. John Lewis’ funeral will take place today at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. Barack Obama is expected to deliver a eulogy, and former president George W. Bush is also expected to attend.
This morning the New York Times has published a short essay written by Lewis shortly before his death on 17 July, with the instructions for it to be published upon the day of his funeral.
It begins with a powerful opening, typical of the man’s oratory skill, and challenges the current generation to be the one that lays down the “heavy burdens of hate”.
It is well worth reading Lewis’ final words in full: John Lewis – Together, you can redeem the soul of our nation
Of course, it doesn’t help if the conspiracy theories and misinformation are coming from the top.
In comments that are being widely reported this morning, Texas Republican congressman Louie Gohmert, who has tested positive for Covid-19, told KETK his local news station:
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 things 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 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 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 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’
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 appointment
Donald 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 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 victory
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.com