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Trump tells Michelle Obama 'sit back and watch' after DNC speech - live updates Trump tells Michelle Obama 'sit back and watch' after DNC speech - live updates
(32 minutes later)
First lady’s blistering attack on president Trump is main talking point from opening night of the virtual DNCFirst lady’s blistering attack on president Trump is main talking point from opening night of the virtual DNC
Screen time at the national nominating conventions is considered a spotlight that can be used to further political ambitions, an effective way in getting on the radar of voters in a party.
Barack Obama is the most recent and pronounced example of this, with his rousing speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention getting the then-junior US representative attention that would eventually spring him into a successful presidential campaign.
In a story published this afternoon, Politico points out that a lineup of interested convention speakers at the Republican National Convention could be trying to position themselves for the 2024 election. Here’s more from Politico:
Eighteen states have agreed to take federal grants to boost their state’s unemployment insurance by $300 to $400, according to the AP.Eighteen states have agreed to take federal grants to boost their state’s unemployment insurance by $300 to $400, according to the AP.
Donald Trump, in an attempt to provide some economic relief in light of Congress’ stalled stimulus negotiations, signed four executive actions earlier this month that are supposed to boost unemployment insurance, among other things.Donald Trump, in an attempt to provide some economic relief in light of Congress’ stalled stimulus negotiations, signed four executive actions earlier this month that are supposed to boost unemployment insurance, among other things.
The executive action said the White House will use money from the Department of Homeland Security’s disaster relief fund, typically used in response to natural disasters, to provide $300 in additional unemployment insurance each week. States, which have been left completely cash-strapped due to coronavirus response, are expected to tack on an additional $100.The executive action said the White House will use money from the Department of Homeland Security’s disaster relief fund, typically used in response to natural disasters, to provide $300 in additional unemployment insurance each week. States, which have been left completely cash-strapped due to coronavirus response, are expected to tack on an additional $100.
It is unclear whether the states that have agreed to take on federal grants will decide to provide the additional $100.It is unclear whether the states that have agreed to take on federal grants will decide to provide the additional $100.
Thirty states are still deciding whether they will take the federal grants while two have declined. A spokesperson for Wyoming governor Mark Gordon said that states are hesitant to take on the grant as incorporating the funding into a state’s insurance program is complicated and the effort would be wasted if Congress ends up bolstering unemployment through its own bill.Thirty states are still deciding whether they will take the federal grants while two have declined. A spokesperson for Wyoming governor Mark Gordon said that states are hesitant to take on the grant as incorporating the funding into a state’s insurance program is complicated and the effort would be wasted if Congress ends up bolstering unemployment through its own bill.
The House may vote on a slimmed down version of its $3tn HEROES Act stimulus package, according to NBC News.The House may vote on a slimmed down version of its $3tn HEROES Act stimulus package, according to NBC News.
Sources told NBC News that a vote on a lighter HEROES Act was floated during a Democratic caucus yesterday, with one representative suggesting a vote on a $2 trillion to $2.4 trillion stimulus bill. The House is planning to hold a vote on a bill supporting the US Postal Service this weekend.Sources told NBC News that a vote on a lighter HEROES Act was floated during a Democratic caucus yesterday, with one representative suggesting a vote on a $2 trillion to $2.4 trillion stimulus bill. The House is planning to hold a vote on a bill supporting the US Postal Service this weekend.
House Democrats and Senate Republicans have been in a weeks-long stalemate over a new coronavirus stimulus package that has most recently culminated in the Senate ending its session last week with no compromise in sight. The Senate will be back in session September 8.House Democrats and Senate Republicans have been in a weeks-long stalemate over a new coronavirus stimulus package that has most recently culminated in the Senate ending its session last week with no compromise in sight. The Senate will be back in session September 8.
It has been nearly five months since Congress passed the CARES Act. A vote on a thinner HEROES Act would be an attempt from House Democrats to show they are making a good effort to compromise with Senate Republicans, whose $1 trillion HEALS Act they have criticized as being too little to save the economy.It has been nearly five months since Congress passed the CARES Act. A vote on a thinner HEROES Act would be an attempt from House Democrats to show they are making a good effort to compromise with Senate Republicans, whose $1 trillion HEALS Act they have criticized as being too little to save the economy.
Though today marks 100 years since the 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote in 1920, the right to vote is still very much at peril. From states enacting policies that lead to voter suppression to the dismantling of the US Postal Service before a largely mail-in voting election, the fight for fair voting is still waging across the country.Though today marks 100 years since the 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote in 1920, the right to vote is still very much at peril. From states enacting policies that lead to voter suppression to the dismantling of the US Postal Service before a largely mail-in voting election, the fight for fair voting is still waging across the country.
Here’s more from Megan Botel for the Guardian about six women who are leading today’s fight against voter suppression:Here’s more from Megan Botel for the Guardian about six women who are leading today’s fight against voter suppression:
Two former presidents will be speaking back-to-back at the virtual Democratic National Convention tonight. Jimmy Carter will be speaking alongside his wife Rosalynn, with Bill Clinton appearing after.Two former presidents will be speaking back-to-back at the virtual Democratic National Convention tonight. Jimmy Carter will be speaking alongside his wife Rosalynn, with Bill Clinton appearing after.
In some quick Covid-19 news, the Transportation Security Authority (TSA) announced this morning that it screened 773,319 people at checkpoints nationwide yesterday – the highest number on a Monday since March 16, before stay-at-home orders halted virtually all travel.In some quick Covid-19 news, the Transportation Security Authority (TSA) announced this morning that it screened 773,319 people at checkpoints nationwide yesterday – the highest number on a Monday since March 16, before stay-at-home orders halted virtually all travel.
The announcement comes after TSA said yesterday that 831,789 people passed through checkpoints on Sunday, the highest number since Tuesday, March 17. Airline stocks surged after the news.The announcement comes after TSA said yesterday that 831,789 people passed through checkpoints on Sunday, the highest number since Tuesday, March 17. Airline stocks surged after the news.
Though the virus is very much still thriving in many parts of the country, cases have started to taper down a bit in some states, perhaps encouraging people to travel to soak up the last few weeks of summer. Many states, especially along the Northeast, have implemented travel restrictions forcing visitors or returning residents to quarantine for 14 days to prevent further spread of the virus.Though the virus is very much still thriving in many parts of the country, cases have started to taper down a bit in some states, perhaps encouraging people to travel to soak up the last few weeks of summer. Many states, especially along the Northeast, have implemented travel restrictions forcing visitors or returning residents to quarantine for 14 days to prevent further spread of the virus.
Here’s something to add to the pile of news that would be bigger if all of *gestures wildly* this wasn’t happening.Here’s something to add to the pile of news that would be bigger if all of *gestures wildly* this wasn’t happening.
The Senate Intelligence Committee released this morning a bipartisan report into Russian interference in the 2016 election, the final volume in the committee’s five-part investigation.The Senate Intelligence Committee released this morning a bipartisan report into Russian interference in the 2016 election, the final volume in the committee’s five-part investigation.
The report offers more details about the connections to Russia that Trump’s team had during the election. For example, Donald Trump’s former campaign manager Paul Manafort passed along internal polling data to a Russian intelligence officer he had close ties to. The report also said Donald Trump Jr. expected to receive derogatory information that would benefit his father’s campaign during the 2016 Trump Tower meeting with people who had ties to the Russian government, but ultimately did not get any information.The report offers more details about the connections to Russia that Trump’s team had during the election. For example, Donald Trump’s former campaign manager Paul Manafort passed along internal polling data to a Russian intelligence officer he had close ties to. The report also said Donald Trump Jr. expected to receive derogatory information that would benefit his father’s campaign during the 2016 Trump Tower meeting with people who had ties to the Russian government, but ultimately did not get any information.
Axios has a helpful breakdown of the report.Axios has a helpful breakdown of the report.
The Republican National Committee has invited to speak at its convention next week the gun-toting couple from St. Louis, Missouri and the teenager from Kentucky whose confrontation with a Native American elder went viral last year.The Republican National Committee has invited to speak at its convention next week the gun-toting couple from St. Louis, Missouri and the teenager from Kentucky whose confrontation with a Native American elder went viral last year.
Nick Sandmann was in the center of the now-infamous picture of him in a red “Make American Great Again” cap smiling down at Nathan Phillips, a Native American elder, at a anti-abortion march in early 2019. Sandmann was criticized for appearing to disrespect a Native American elder.Nick Sandmann was in the center of the now-infamous picture of him in a red “Make American Great Again” cap smiling down at Nathan Phillips, a Native American elder, at a anti-abortion march in early 2019. Sandmann was criticized for appearing to disrespect a Native American elder.
His counterparts, Mark and Patricia McCloskey, are two lawyers from St. Louis who pointed guns at protestors who, as they were heading to the mayor’s house, marched outside their mansion.His counterparts, Mark and Patricia McCloskey, are two lawyers from St. Louis who pointed guns at protestors who, as they were heading to the mayor’s house, marched outside their mansion.
While the speakers have never had any official role in the Republican party, the announcement is likely meant to be a poke at Democrats, who heavily criticized the images and videos that centered on the three people. Breitbart first reported on the announcement yesterday. The convention will be held somewhat in-person next week in Charlotte, North Carolina.While the speakers have never had any official role in the Republican party, the announcement is likely meant to be a poke at Democrats, who heavily criticized the images and videos that centered on the three people. Breitbart first reported on the announcement yesterday. The convention will be held somewhat in-person next week in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Donald Trump just responded to the scathing speech Michelle Obama delivered last night at the virtual Democratic National Convention, where Obama said that Trump is “clearly over his head” and “simply cannot be who we need him to be for us”.Donald Trump just responded to the scathing speech Michelle Obama delivered last night at the virtual Democratic National Convention, where Obama said that Trump is “clearly over his head” and “simply cannot be who we need him to be for us”.
“It is what it is,” she said, using the same phrase Trump used earlier this month when asked about the country’s staggering Covid-19 death toll.“It is what it is,” she said, using the same phrase Trump used earlier this month when asked about the country’s staggering Covid-19 death toll.
In turn, Trump today said that the former first lady is in over her head. He also criticized her for not delivering her speech live. Trump pointed out that the coronavirus death toll she cited in her speech was inaccurate, since the numbers have since risen. He also said that her speech was “extremely divisive”.In turn, Trump today said that the former first lady is in over her head. He also criticized her for not delivering her speech live. Trump pointed out that the coronavirus death toll she cited in her speech was inaccurate, since the numbers have since risen. He also said that her speech was “extremely divisive”.
Donald Trump just pardoned Susan B. Anthony, an icon of the US women’s suffrage movement, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. Anthony was arrested in 1872 for voting when laws prohibited women from voting.Donald Trump just pardoned Susan B. Anthony, an icon of the US women’s suffrage movement, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. Anthony was arrested in 1872 for voting when laws prohibited women from voting.
Anthony died at 86 in 1906, 14 years before the 19th Amendment was ratified.Anthony died at 86 in 1906, 14 years before the 19th Amendment was ratified.
Reporters are saying that those with Trump at the signing of the pardon are members of the Susan B. Anthony List, an anti-abortion group. Though Anthony never publicly spoke out for or against abortion, her legacy has been appropriated by anti-abortion groups such as the Susan B. Anthony List. While some have attributed anti-abortion writing from a writer who went by the acronym “A” to Anthony, the activist’s connections to the writing is dubious at best.Reporters are saying that those with Trump at the signing of the pardon are members of the Susan B. Anthony List, an anti-abortion group. Though Anthony never publicly spoke out for or against abortion, her legacy has been appropriated by anti-abortion groups such as the Susan B. Anthony List. While some have attributed anti-abortion writing from a writer who went by the acronym “A” to Anthony, the activist’s connections to the writing is dubious at best.
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, the head of the US Postal Service (USPS), will testify even earlier than expected, testifying before the Senate’s Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Friday, the Washington Post is reporting this morning.
The move is likely an attempt from Senate Republicans to get the first word in before DeJoy testifies in front of the House. House Democrats had announced yesterday that they called DeJoy to testify in front of the House Oversight Committee on Monday.
DeJoy, who was appointed by Trump as postmaster general earlier this summer, has come under fire for cost-cutting measures like reducing overtime and extra trips that ensured on-time delivery. Democrats have particularly sounded the alarm over the cuts in service as USPS prepares to conduct the largest mail-in voting operation in US history.
Just a little bit of economics news in from Reuters. US homebuilding picked up for a third straight month in July in the latest sign the housing sector is emerging as one of the few areas of strength in an economy suffering a record slowdown because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Housing starts increased 22.6% - far more than expected - to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.496 million units last month, the Commerce Department said.
And that’s the lot from me, Martin Belam, today in London. I’m handing over to my colleague Lauren Aratani, and I’ll be back for more tomorrow.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has been doing the media round this morning talking about last night’s DNC opening. She said she felt it was pretty clear to everyone that “Michelle Obama knocked it out of the ballpark.”
She also spoke a little bit about the experience of appearing at a virtual convention, which is such an unprecedented oddity in this year’s election campaign. Michigan’s governor said that Michelle Obama had managed in her speech to talk “one on one to the American people” which she said was hard to do in the unusual situation.
And she again attacked the president over his coronavirus record, saying:
Kyle Daly has a slightly different take on QAnon this morning for Axios, analysing claims that the reason it has taken off successfully online is because it resembles a videogame.
And I did enjoy this play-off in the last paragraph
Read it here: Axios – How QAnon works like a video game to hook people
Some caution from political scientists Adam E Enders and Joseph E Uscinski this morning to reporters like me when covering the QAnon conspiracy theory, and just how widespread belief in it in the US actually is:
Read it here: Is QAnon taking over America? Not so fast
Yesterday, you may recall that a former senior member of the Trump administration – Miles Taylor – endorsed Joe Biden in the presidential race.
Taylor, who served as chief of staff to former homeland security secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, said in a video announcing his endorsement, “Given what I have experienced in the administration, I have to support Joe Biden for president.”
The endorsement made Taylor one of the most senior members of the Trump administration so far to publicly back Biden’s campaign. Activists immediately criticized Taylor, though, for not reckoning with his own complicity in separating kids from families.
Of course, the president has some views on the matter this morning too, claiming never to have heard of Taylor, but also describing him as “a real stiff”
An interesting, if a little niche, poll has caught my eye via social media this morning – polling people in the rural areas of Pennsylvania about their response to the United States Postal Service crisis. The authors say:
There’s some caveats around the numbers and the small sample-size, but the authors seem to have gone out of their way to make the polling bi-partisan, even if we don’t know the source of the funding.
What is interesting is the poll finds that
24% of people had noticed a deterioration in the USPS service, and over 50% polled say they are very or somewhat reliant on the service.
57% of these likely voters report they’d be less likely to support a candidate who reduced the budget for the USPS, or privatized the agency – which includes Republicans
There’s still a massively partisan split on how to vote in November. 68% of Republicans report they are “not at all likely” to vote by mail while 53% of Democrats say they are “very likely.”
88% of people questions in rural Pennsylvania approve or strongly approve of Trump’s handling of the pandemic
As I say, it is niche and a small polling size, which skews towards Republicans because of the demographic in the areas surveyed, but it asked some interesting questions.
Read it here: Niskanen Center – Poll shows rural voters oppose USPS cuts
There’s been a huge focus on the mechanics and logistics of the November election, with Trump’s attempts to undermine voting by mail.
Ed Pilkington has been looking for us about how some sports teams are stepping in to help out:
Read it in full here: Sports teams tackle voting crisis with plan to turn arenas into polling stations
Politico are reporting that Roger Stone has dropped his appeal against his seven felony convictions. Last month Donald Trump sparked outrage by commuting Stone’s prison sentence.
At the time, special counsel Robert Mueller weighed in declaring that “Roger Stone remains a convicted felon, and rightly so.”
Stone was convicted in November 2019 of obstructing a congressional investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to win the 2016 election.
Senator Mitt Romney, a Republican of Utah, described Trump’s decision back then as “unprecedented, historic corruption”.
In a statement Stone said:
This could be a 2+2=5 situation, but Trump yesterday told reporters that he was planning to pardon someone important today... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Kamala Harris has reportedly chosen her security name. Martin Pengelly reports for us:
Read it here: Kamala Harris reportedly chooses very apt Secret Service code name