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| 2020 Election Live Updates: Trump Floats Gettysburg as Site for Nomination Speech | 2020 Election Live Updates: Trump Floats Gettysburg as Site for Nomination Speech |
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| President Trump tweeted on Monday that his campaign had narrowed down the list of venues for his acceptance speech to the Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania — a possibility first reported by Annie Karni of The Times last week — or the White House. | President Trump tweeted on Monday that his campaign had narrowed down the list of venues for his acceptance speech to the Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania — a possibility first reported by Annie Karni of The Times last week — or the White House. |
| Both choices could be fraught with legal and political complications for Mr. Trump, who last month scrapped plans to accept the Republican nomination at a party convention in Jacksonville, Fla., because of an outbreak of infections in the state. | Both choices could be fraught with legal and political complications for Mr. Trump, who last month scrapped plans to accept the Republican nomination at a party convention in Jacksonville, Fla., because of an outbreak of infections in the state. |
| On Sunday, the president’s chief of staff, Mark Meadows, expressed disapproval for the idea of using the White House as the site of such an openly political event, a concept that was also widely panned by ethics experts. | On Sunday, the president’s chief of staff, Mark Meadows, expressed disapproval for the idea of using the White House as the site of such an openly political event, a concept that was also widely panned by ethics experts. |
| “Those decisions are still in flux, but I can tell you what I’m advocating for is miles and miles away from here,” Mr. Meadows said in an interview with Greta Van Susteren that aired Sunday morning. | “Those decisions are still in flux, but I can tell you what I’m advocating for is miles and miles away from here,” Mr. Meadows said in an interview with Greta Van Susteren that aired Sunday morning. |
| Mr. Meadows, a former North Carolina congressman who frequently accused President Barack Obama of abusing his executive authority, appeared to backtrack in a later interview with CNN on Sunday, saying that the ceremonial East Wing of the White House would be an appropriate venue. | |
| The Republican National Committee chairwoman, Ronna McDaniel, said on Monday that Mr. Trump had “every right” to give his acceptance speech from the South Lawn of the White House. | The Republican National Committee chairwoman, Ronna McDaniel, said on Monday that Mr. Trump had “every right” to give his acceptance speech from the South Lawn of the White House. |
| “If Joe Biden can live in his basement,” Ms. McDaniel said, repeating a regular Republican dig at Mr. Biden, “the president has every right to talk in front of his house, which is the White House.” Ms. McDaniel made her comments on “Fox & Friends” — a show Mr. Trump watches regularly. | “If Joe Biden can live in his basement,” Ms. McDaniel said, repeating a regular Republican dig at Mr. Biden, “the president has every right to talk in front of his house, which is the White House.” Ms. McDaniel made her comments on “Fox & Friends” — a show Mr. Trump watches regularly. |
| The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the Civil War, in which thousands of Union and Confederate soldiers were killed over several days of fighting in July 1863. The battlefield is among the most popular Civil War sites in the United States, and is operated by the National Park Service. | The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the Civil War, in which thousands of Union and Confederate soldiers were killed over several days of fighting in July 1863. The battlefield is among the most popular Civil War sites in the United States, and is operated by the National Park Service. |
| By choosing Gettysburg or the White House for a campaign speech, Mr. Trump would face scrutiny of his use of government property for political activities, a potential violation of the Hatch Act. The law prohibits federal employees from engaging in political activities while they are on the job. While the president and the vice president are exempt from the act’s restrictions, other federal employees — including White House staff members — are not. | By choosing Gettysburg or the White House for a campaign speech, Mr. Trump would face scrutiny of his use of government property for political activities, a potential violation of the Hatch Act. The law prohibits federal employees from engaging in political activities while they are on the job. While the president and the vice president are exempt from the act’s restrictions, other federal employees — including White House staff members — are not. |
| An acceptance speech on government property would not be the first time that the Trump administration has been accused of violating the Hatch Act. Last year, the United States Office of Special Counsel issued a report recommending that Kellyanne Conway, a top aide to Mr. Trump, be fired for flouting the act. | An acceptance speech on government property would not be the first time that the Trump administration has been accused of violating the Hatch Act. Last year, the United States Office of Special Counsel issued a report recommending that Kellyanne Conway, a top aide to Mr. Trump, be fired for flouting the act. |
| Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a rising star of the Democratic Party’s progressive wing, will deliver a brief speech during the Democratic National Convention next week, according to three people with direct knowledge of the planning. | |
| The inclusion of Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, who supported Senator Bernie Sanders in the Democratic primary, is emblematic of the party’s larger effort to unite the party’s left wing behind Joseph R. Biden Jr., a candidate whom many progressives see as too closely aligned with lobbyists and Wall Street. | |
| It is not clear when Ms. Ocasio-Cortez will speak. Mr. Sanders, who is expected to deliver a major address on the first night of the mostly-virtual convention, will have a far larger role, party officials said. | |
| Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, who threw her support behind Mr. Biden after Mr. Sanders dropped out of the race, complained this year that the Democratic Party had too “big of a tent,” in its attempt to bind moderates with democratic socialists like herself. | |
| In January, when a reporter asked her how she would cope if Mr. Biden won the Democratic nomination, Ocasio-Cortez, a first-term Queens Democrat, groaned. | |
| “In any other country, Joe Biden and I would not be in the same party, but in America, we are,” Ms. Ocasio-Cortez said. | |
| Hillary Clinton will deliver a prime-time speech next Wednesday for the Democratic National Convention, part of a preliminary lineup of speakers for the truncated, mostly virtual four-night event, three Democratic officials with knowledge of the schedule said Monday. | Hillary Clinton will deliver a prime-time speech next Wednesday for the Democratic National Convention, part of a preliminary lineup of speakers for the truncated, mostly virtual four-night event, three Democratic officials with knowledge of the schedule said Monday. |
| Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., the presumptive presidential nominee, has said he will not travel to Milwaukee, where the convention is nominally being held but has been scaled back to just a few hundred attendees. He will speak from Delaware on Thursday, the final night of the convention, in a form and fashion yet to be announced. | Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., the presumptive presidential nominee, has said he will not travel to Milwaukee, where the convention is nominally being held but has been scaled back to just a few hundred attendees. He will speak from Delaware on Thursday, the final night of the convention, in a form and fashion yet to be announced. |
| Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts will join Mrs. Clinton, the 2016 nominee, on the Wednesday night program if she is not selected as Mr. Biden’s running mate, according to the officials. Former President Bill Clinton will speak as well, one of the officials said. | Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts will join Mrs. Clinton, the 2016 nominee, on the Wednesday night program if she is not selected as Mr. Biden’s running mate, according to the officials. Former President Bill Clinton will speak as well, one of the officials said. |
| Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and former Gov. John Kasich of Ohio, a Republican who is a harsh critic of President Trump, will deliver addresses Monday night, the officials said. | Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and former Gov. John Kasich of Ohio, a Republican who is a harsh critic of President Trump, will deliver addresses Monday night, the officials said. |
| Former President Barack Obama’s time slot has not been announced (or leaked), but he could be included on a crammed Wednesday night program, or possibly introduce Mr. Biden on Thursday — to deliver a nationally televised rendition of the-Joe-I-know speech he has been giving during online Biden fund-raisers and round tables. | Former President Barack Obama’s time slot has not been announced (or leaked), but he could be included on a crammed Wednesday night program, or possibly introduce Mr. Biden on Thursday — to deliver a nationally televised rendition of the-Joe-I-know speech he has been giving during online Biden fund-raisers and round tables. |
| It is not clear when Michelle Obama, who delivered what was widely regarded as the best speech at the 2012 convention, will speak. But planners have privately said they believe her address could attract the widest viewership outside of Mr. Biden’s. | It is not clear when Michelle Obama, who delivered what was widely regarded as the best speech at the 2012 convention, will speak. But planners have privately said they believe her address could attract the widest viewership outside of Mr. Biden’s. |
| Mrs. Obama has been spending much of her time in recent days working on her speech at her family’s mansion on Martha’s Vineyard, and has told friends that she views it as her major contribution to the 2020 race, according to two people with knowledge of her planning. | Mrs. Obama has been spending much of her time in recent days working on her speech at her family’s mansion on Martha’s Vineyard, and has told friends that she views it as her major contribution to the 2020 race, according to two people with knowledge of her planning. |
| The big names will be augmented by testimonials from “voters of all kinds — delegates, parents, teachers, small-business owners, essential workers, activists and elected leaders,” culled from “1,000 crowdsourced videos,” officials with the convention’s organizing committee announced on Monday. | The big names will be augmented by testimonials from “voters of all kinds — delegates, parents, teachers, small-business owners, essential workers, activists and elected leaders,” culled from “1,000 crowdsourced videos,” officials with the convention’s organizing committee announced on Monday. |
| The “Big Three” broadcast networks — ABC, CBS and NBC — plan to air an hour of the convention live each night, from 10 to 11 p.m. Eastern, according to network officials. Cable channels like CNN, Fox News and MSNBC will cover the full length of the nightly proceedings. | The “Big Three” broadcast networks — ABC, CBS and NBC — plan to air an hour of the convention live each night, from 10 to 11 p.m. Eastern, according to network officials. Cable channels like CNN, Fox News and MSNBC will cover the full length of the nightly proceedings. |
| President Trump, seeking to block a subpoena for his tax returns, plans to ask a federal judge to order the Manhattan district attorney, Cyrus R. Vance Jr., to disclose details about his investigation into the president’s business practices, according to a letter filed on Monday. | President Trump, seeking to block a subpoena for his tax returns, plans to ask a federal judge to order the Manhattan district attorney, Cyrus R. Vance Jr., to disclose details about his investigation into the president’s business practices, according to a letter filed on Monday. |
| The letter, which Mr. Trump’s lawyers wrote to the federal judge in Manhattan, was in response to a filing from prosecutors in Mr. Vance’s office, who argued last week that they had wide legal basis to subpoena eight years of the president’s tax records and other financial documents. | The letter, which Mr. Trump’s lawyers wrote to the federal judge in Manhattan, was in response to a filing from prosecutors in Mr. Vance’s office, who argued last week that they had wide legal basis to subpoena eight years of the president’s tax records and other financial documents. |
| The office suggested it was investigating the president and his company for possible bank and insurance fraud, a significantly broader inquiry than prosecutors had acknowledged in the past. | The office suggested it was investigating the president and his company for possible bank and insurance fraud, a significantly broader inquiry than prosecutors had acknowledged in the past. |
| In their letter, Mr. Trump’s lawyers asked for a hearing to discuss whether Mr. Vance’s office should be forced to disclose the justifications for the subpoena. The president’s lawyers, who have called the subpoena “wildly overbroad” and the investigation politically motivated, said the prosecutors should be required to show that each item requested in the subpoena is relevant to their investigation and within their jurisdiction. | In their letter, Mr. Trump’s lawyers asked for a hearing to discuss whether Mr. Vance’s office should be forced to disclose the justifications for the subpoena. The president’s lawyers, who have called the subpoena “wildly overbroad” and the investigation politically motivated, said the prosecutors should be required to show that each item requested in the subpoena is relevant to their investigation and within their jurisdiction. |
| There are traditionally three hinge-point moments for presidential challengers: the selection of a running mate, the convention and the debates. | There are traditionally three hinge-point moments for presidential challengers: the selection of a running mate, the convention and the debates. |
| Of course, this is no traditional campaign. | Of course, this is no traditional campaign. |
| But with the pandemic transforming the conventions from balloon-and-bunting extravaganzas to online events, and Mr. Trump’s demands for additional debates and specific moderators, Mr. Biden’s announcement this week of his running mate could be as close as the campaign gets to normal. | But with the pandemic transforming the conventions from balloon-and-bunting extravaganzas to online events, and Mr. Trump’s demands for additional debates and specific moderators, Mr. Biden’s announcement this week of his running mate could be as close as the campaign gets to normal. |
| Mr. Biden’s advisers say he has spoken with several of the leading candidates in recent days, and it has been confirmed that he met in person Aug. 2 with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan. We do not know how many face-to-face interviews Mr. Biden has conducted with potential running mates. A small number of women remain under serious consideration. | Mr. Biden’s advisers say he has spoken with several of the leading candidates in recent days, and it has been confirmed that he met in person Aug. 2 with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan. We do not know how many face-to-face interviews Mr. Biden has conducted with potential running mates. A small number of women remain under serious consideration. |
| Mr. Biden’s vice-presidential rollout won’t look much like past unveilings. With him and his campaign strictly adhering to social distancing guidelines, the former vice president is expected to appear publicly with his running mate by the end of the week — just not before the usual crowd of cheering supporters. | Mr. Biden’s vice-presidential rollout won’t look much like past unveilings. With him and his campaign strictly adhering to social distancing guidelines, the former vice president is expected to appear publicly with his running mate by the end of the week — just not before the usual crowd of cheering supporters. |
| For a candidate who’s leading but not enjoying a groundswell of enthusiasm, that means an event that looks much like his appearances since he claimed the nomination: carefully staged, produced for television and online consumption, and decaffeinated. | For a candidate who’s leading but not enjoying a groundswell of enthusiasm, that means an event that looks much like his appearances since he claimed the nomination: carefully staged, produced for television and online consumption, and decaffeinated. |
| Democrats, of course, will take it, preferring a scripted and front-running Biden in these sober times to the alternative. But the vice-presidential reveal is just a trial run for next week. That’s when the party will have to recreate an entire convention across four nights of prime-time with no live audience — to say nothing of balloons or bunting. | Democrats, of course, will take it, preferring a scripted and front-running Biden in these sober times to the alternative. But the vice-presidential reveal is just a trial run for next week. That’s when the party will have to recreate an entire convention across four nights of prime-time with no live audience — to say nothing of balloons or bunting. |
| President Trump entered the roiling debate about canceling the college football season on Monday after reports emerged that the Big Ten Conference, one of the country’s most prominent leagues, was debating calling off its games this fall. | President Trump entered the roiling debate about canceling the college football season on Monday after reports emerged that the Big Ten Conference, one of the country’s most prominent leagues, was debating calling off its games this fall. |
| “Play College Football!” Mr. Trump tweeted, about an hour after he wrote that student-athletes had been “working too hard for their season to be cancelled.” | “Play College Football!” Mr. Trump tweeted, about an hour after he wrote that student-athletes had been “working too hard for their season to be cancelled.” |
| Mr. Trump’s tweets came amid reports that the Big Ten Conference is considering a plan to scrap its fall football season over coronavirus concerns. That placed him in the center of a debate that already included several high-profile Republicans, including Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, who floated the idea of poaching players from the Midwest to beef up college rosters in his state. | Mr. Trump’s tweets came amid reports that the Big Ten Conference is considering a plan to scrap its fall football season over coronavirus concerns. That placed him in the center of a debate that already included several high-profile Republicans, including Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, who floated the idea of poaching players from the Midwest to beef up college rosters in his state. |
| The presidents of the Big Ten’s 14 universities have been meeting in recent days to discuss the season, but a conference official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private deliberations, said that “no votes have been taken at this time.” | The presidents of the Big Ten’s 14 universities have been meeting in recent days to discuss the season, but a conference official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private deliberations, said that “no votes have been taken at this time.” |
| Once a largely Midwestern conference, the Big Ten’s expanded membership now cuts across states vital to Mr. Trump’s re-election hopes: from Rutgers and Penn State in the East through Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa. But he was not alone in pressing college football to play. | Once a largely Midwestern conference, the Big Ten’s expanded membership now cuts across states vital to Mr. Trump’s re-election hopes: from Rutgers and Penn State in the East through Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa. But he was not alone in pressing college football to play. |
| Congressman Jim Jordan, Republican of Ohio, wrote on Twitter, “America needs college football,” moments after the Detroit Free Press reported a decision to cancel the season had been reached. Senator Ben Sasse, Republican from Nebraska and a former president of a small, private college, wrote an open letter to Big Ten leaders on Monday. | Congressman Jim Jordan, Republican of Ohio, wrote on Twitter, “America needs college football,” moments after the Detroit Free Press reported a decision to cancel the season had been reached. Senator Ben Sasse, Republican from Nebraska and a former president of a small, private college, wrote an open letter to Big Ten leaders on Monday. |
| “Here’s the reality: Many of you think that football is safer than no football, but you also know that you will be blamed if there is football, whereas you can duck any blame if you cancel football,” he wrote. “This is a moment for leadership. These young men need a season. Please don’t cancel college football.” | “Here’s the reality: Many of you think that football is safer than no football, but you also know that you will be blamed if there is football, whereas you can duck any blame if you cancel football,” he wrote. “This is a moment for leadership. These young men need a season. Please don’t cancel college football.” |
| Mr. DeSantis, a Trump ally, went further, telling Fox Sports Radio that the conferences that include the University of Florida and Florida State University should not only play out the season but take advantage of any potential cancellation by the Big Ten. | Mr. DeSantis, a Trump ally, went further, telling Fox Sports Radio that the conferences that include the University of Florida and Florida State University should not only play out the season but take advantage of any potential cancellation by the Big Ten. |
| “What they should do is they should reach out to all the Big Ten athletes and say, ‘Hey, we’re playing,’” he said. “At the end of the day, I think you’re going to see if there’s parts of the country that won’t allow the opportunity in other parts.” | “What they should do is they should reach out to all the Big Ten athletes and say, ‘Hey, we’re playing,’” he said. “At the end of the day, I think you’re going to see if there’s parts of the country that won’t allow the opportunity in other parts.” |
| Immodest. Ambitious. Unlikable. These are the strangely enduring criticisms that travel with women in politics, no matter how many firsts keep adding up or how numerous their congressional numbers become, The Times’s Jessica Bennett writes in a news analysis. | Immodest. Ambitious. Unlikable. These are the strangely enduring criticisms that travel with women in politics, no matter how many firsts keep adding up or how numerous their congressional numbers become, The Times’s Jessica Bennett writes in a news analysis. |
| And those words have reignited another debate about sexist double standards, as Mr. Biden inches closer to announcing his running mate. | And those words have reignited another debate about sexist double standards, as Mr. Biden inches closer to announcing his running mate. |
| When Stacey Abrams, the former Georgia legislator and the first Black woman in the country to be a major party’s nominee for governor, stated bluntly in April that she “would be an excellent running mate” for Mr. Biden, she was criticized as being inadequately self-effacing. | When Stacey Abrams, the former Georgia legislator and the first Black woman in the country to be a major party’s nominee for governor, stated bluntly in April that she “would be an excellent running mate” for Mr. Biden, she was criticized as being inadequately self-effacing. |
| Senator Kamala Harris, one of three Black women considered a front-runner for that slot, has not said publicly that she wants the position. But she did of course run for president — causing at least one Democratic donor to remark that she had too much “ambition.” | Senator Kamala Harris, one of three Black women considered a front-runner for that slot, has not said publicly that she wants the position. But she did of course run for president — causing at least one Democratic donor to remark that she had too much “ambition.” |
| She can also “rub people the wrong way,” according to Ed Rendell, the former Pennsylvania governor who is close with Mr. Biden. And she was viewed as insufficiently apologetic after she excoriated Mr. Biden on an early debate stage, questioning his policies on busing, with the nerve to later laugh it off as “politics.” | She can also “rub people the wrong way,” according to Ed Rendell, the former Pennsylvania governor who is close with Mr. Biden. And she was viewed as insufficiently apologetic after she excoriated Mr. Biden on an early debate stage, questioning his policies on busing, with the nerve to later laugh it off as “politics.” |
| “She had no remorse,” Chris Dodd, a longtime friend of Mr. Biden’s who is on his vice-presidential vetting panel, reportedly told donors. | “She had no remorse,” Chris Dodd, a longtime friend of Mr. Biden’s who is on his vice-presidential vetting panel, reportedly told donors. |
| American politics may have moved beyond a time when a female candidate would be asked if she could bake a blueberry muffin (that was Geraldine Ferraro in 1984), but it hasn’t moved that far. | American politics may have moved beyond a time when a female candidate would be asked if she could bake a blueberry muffin (that was Geraldine Ferraro in 1984), but it hasn’t moved that far. |
| Attorney General William P. Barr, embracing dual roles of partisan warrior and the nation’s top law enforcement official, on Sunday described demonstrators against police brutality as “fascistic” standard-bearers of a Democratic Party veering dangerously to the left. | Attorney General William P. Barr, embracing dual roles of partisan warrior and the nation’s top law enforcement official, on Sunday described demonstrators against police brutality as “fascistic” standard-bearers of a Democratic Party veering dangerously to the left. |
| Mr. Barr, who was present when federal officers tear-gassed peaceful demonstrators near the White House in June, vowed to use the Justice Department to combat what he called “urban guerrilla warfare” waged by protesters in Portland, Ore., and other cities, during an interview with the right-wing radio personality Mark Levin. | Mr. Barr, who was present when federal officers tear-gassed peaceful demonstrators near the White House in June, vowed to use the Justice Department to combat what he called “urban guerrilla warfare” waged by protesters in Portland, Ore., and other cities, during an interview with the right-wing radio personality Mark Levin. |
| “They are a revolutionary group that is interested in some form of socialism, communism. They’re essentially Bolsheviks. Their tactics are fascistic,” Mr. Barr said when asked by Mr. Levin about Black Lives Matter protesters and demonstrators Mr. Levin described as “antifa.” | “They are a revolutionary group that is interested in some form of socialism, communism. They’re essentially Bolsheviks. Their tactics are fascistic,” Mr. Barr said when asked by Mr. Levin about Black Lives Matter protesters and demonstrators Mr. Levin described as “antifa.” |
| Mr. Barr has been a fierce defender of Mr. Trump throughout his tenure. But his comments to Mr. Levin were among his most pointed verbal attacks to date, blurring the distinction between mainstream Democratic leaders — who have expressed support for peaceful protest — and the violent minority of demonstrators in Oregon and elsewhere. | Mr. Barr has been a fierce defender of Mr. Trump throughout his tenure. But his comments to Mr. Levin were among his most pointed verbal attacks to date, blurring the distinction between mainstream Democratic leaders — who have expressed support for peaceful protest — and the violent minority of demonstrators in Oregon and elsewhere. |
| Mr. Trump has seized on scenes of national unrest to build a law-and-order message for his re-election campaign, and on Monday he again called for the National Guard to be sent to Portland. But the Trump administration’s decision to dispatch militarized federal agents to the city last month drew criticism from state and city officials, who said the agents exceeded their authority and harmed peaceful protesters. | Mr. Trump has seized on scenes of national unrest to build a law-and-order message for his re-election campaign, and on Monday he again called for the National Guard to be sent to Portland. But the Trump administration’s decision to dispatch militarized federal agents to the city last month drew criticism from state and city officials, who said the agents exceeded their authority and harmed peaceful protesters. |
| Mr. Biden said last month that the deployment of federal agents to an already volatile situation showed that Mr. Trump was “determined to sow chaos and division. To make matters worse instead of better.” | Mr. Biden said last month that the deployment of federal agents to an already volatile situation showed that Mr. Trump was “determined to sow chaos and division. To make matters worse instead of better.” |
| Mr. Barr on Sunday portrayed the protests, which erupted after the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, as part of a long-term strategy to defeat Mr. Trump. | Mr. Barr on Sunday portrayed the protests, which erupted after the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, as part of a long-term strategy to defeat Mr. Trump. |
| “They were trying to impeach him from Day 1,” he said. “It’s the lust for power. And they weren’t expecting Trump’s victory. And it outrages them.” | “They were trying to impeach him from Day 1,” he said. “It’s the lust for power. And they weren’t expecting Trump’s victory. And it outrages them.” |
| Alex Morse, the Democratic mayor of Holyoke, Mass., who is seeking to unseat the House Ways and Means Committee Chairman, Richard E. Neal, is remaining in the race despite allegations he misused his teaching position at the University of Massachusetts Amherst to have sex with students. | Alex Morse, the Democratic mayor of Holyoke, Mass., who is seeking to unseat the House Ways and Means Committee Chairman, Richard E. Neal, is remaining in the race despite allegations he misused his teaching position at the University of Massachusetts Amherst to have sex with students. |
| Mr. Morse, 31, admitted in a statement on Sunday that he had engaged in “consensual relationships with other men, including students enrolled at local universities that I’ve met using dating apps,” but denied he had done anything inappropriate or unethical. | Mr. Morse, 31, admitted in a statement on Sunday that he had engaged in “consensual relationships with other men, including students enrolled at local universities that I’ve met using dating apps,” but denied he had done anything inappropriate or unethical. |
| “While I am confident that a full investigation into these matters will clear my name completely of any unethical conduct, I also recognize that some students felt uncomfortable with interactions they had with me,” he wrote. “I am sorry for that. This is unacceptable behavior for anyone with institutional power.” | “While I am confident that a full investigation into these matters will clear my name completely of any unethical conduct, I also recognize that some students felt uncomfortable with interactions they had with me,” he wrote. “I am sorry for that. This is unacceptable behavior for anyone with institutional power.” |
| Mr. Morse, whose candidacy has been supported by progressive groups like Justice Democrats, faces Mr. Neal in a Sept. 1 primary. | Mr. Morse, whose candidacy has been supported by progressive groups like Justice Democrats, faces Mr. Neal in a Sept. 1 primary. |
| His statement came after the school’s student newspaper, The Massachusetts Daily Collegian, reported that the university was investigating claims, made in a letter from the College Democrats of Massachusetts, that Mr. Morse had abused “his position of power for romantic or sexual gain.” | His statement came after the school’s student newspaper, The Massachusetts Daily Collegian, reported that the university was investigating claims, made in a letter from the College Democrats of Massachusetts, that Mr. Morse had abused “his position of power for romantic or sexual gain.” |
| Mr. Morse was hired as a political science lecturer in 2014 and last taught as an adjunct professor in an urban politics course last fall. He is not currently employed at the school, university officials have said. | Mr. Morse was hired as a political science lecturer in 2014 and last taught as an adjunct professor in an urban politics course last fall. He is not currently employed at the school, university officials have said. |
| The allegations present a major challenge for a man widely seen as a rising star in local Democratic politics. Mr. Morse was elected mayor of Holyoke, a city of 40,000 near Springfield, nine years ago at the age of 22, becoming the city’s first openly gay and youngest mayor. | The allegations present a major challenge for a man widely seen as a rising star in local Democratic politics. Mr. Morse was elected mayor of Holyoke, a city of 40,000 near Springfield, nine years ago at the age of 22, becoming the city’s first openly gay and youngest mayor. |
| Mr. Biden has been critical of Big Tech, admonishing Facebook for mishandling misinformation and saying internet companies should lose a central legal protection. | Mr. Biden has been critical of Big Tech, admonishing Facebook for mishandling misinformation and saying internet companies should lose a central legal protection. |
| But his campaign has quietly welcomed onto its staff and policy groups people who have worked with or for Silicon Valley giants, raising concerns among the industry’s critics that the companies are seeking to co-opt a potential Biden administration. | But his campaign has quietly welcomed onto its staff and policy groups people who have worked with or for Silicon Valley giants, raising concerns among the industry’s critics that the companies are seeking to co-opt a potential Biden administration. |
| One of Mr. Biden’s closest aides joined the campaign from Apple, while others held senior roles at firms that consulted for major tech companies. And a nearly 700-person volunteer group advising the campaign, the Innovation Policy Committee, includes at least eight people who work for Facebook, Amazon, Google and Apple, according to documents reviewed by The New York Times. Other committee members have close ties to the companies, including economists and lawyers who have advised them, and officials at think tanks funded by them. | One of Mr. Biden’s closest aides joined the campaign from Apple, while others held senior roles at firms that consulted for major tech companies. And a nearly 700-person volunteer group advising the campaign, the Innovation Policy Committee, includes at least eight people who work for Facebook, Amazon, Google and Apple, according to documents reviewed by The New York Times. Other committee members have close ties to the companies, including economists and lawyers who have advised them, and officials at think tanks funded by them. |
| The group’s members also include some prominent progressives arguing for stiffer regulation of tech. But the presence of the industry’s allies inside Mr. Biden’s policy apparatus and campaign and transition teams — and his campaign’s effort to ensure the confidentiality of its policy process — has alarmed an increasingly influential coalition of liberals who say the tech titans stifle competition, disregard user privacy and fail to adequately police hate speech and disinformation. | The group’s members also include some prominent progressives arguing for stiffer regulation of tech. But the presence of the industry’s allies inside Mr. Biden’s policy apparatus and campaign and transition teams — and his campaign’s effort to ensure the confidentiality of its policy process — has alarmed an increasingly influential coalition of liberals who say the tech titans stifle competition, disregard user privacy and fail to adequately police hate speech and disinformation. |
| They are hoping to dissuade Mr. Biden, who has not made tech issues a major focus of his campaign, from following the example of his former boss, Mr. Obama, whose embrace of tech companies helped turn them into darlings in Washington. | They are hoping to dissuade Mr. Biden, who has not made tech issues a major focus of his campaign, from following the example of his former boss, Mr. Obama, whose embrace of tech companies helped turn them into darlings in Washington. |
| Reporting was contributed by Alexander Burns, Jessica Bennett, Shane Goldmacher, Michael M. Grynbaum, Nicole Hong, Thomas Kaplan, Kate Kelly, Jonathan Martin, David McCabe, William K. Rashbaum, Ben Smith, Glenn Thrush, Marc Tracy, Neil Vigdor, Kenneth P. Vogel and Benjamin Weiser. | |