This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2020/aug/18/us-politics-michelle-obama-joe-biden-kamala-harris-democratic-national-convention-dnc-donald-trump-coronavirus-live-updates

The article has changed 30 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 16 Version 17
Postmaster general suspends operational changes until after election - live updates Postmaster general suspends operational changes until after election - live updates
(32 minutes later)
Louis DeJoy says delay is to ‘to avoid even the appearance of any impact on election mail’Louis DeJoy says delay is to ‘to avoid even the appearance of any impact on election mail’
Criminal justice activist Alice Johnson, who received a commutation from Trump in 2018, will address the Republican convention next week.
Johnson announced she had been booked to speak at the convention in an interview with the Daily Beast.
“I’ll be there talking about criminal justice reform, that is my main mission,” Johnson told the Daily Beast. “I’m there because I’ve been affected by our criminal justice system, and that’s my mission.”
Trump commuted Johnson’s life sentence on federal cocaine trafficking charges two years ago, after celebrity Kim Kardashian brought the case to the president’s attention.
Trump and his allies have since sought to highlight Johnson’s commutation as a way to paint the president as a champion on criminal justice reform.
However, the president has been generally resistant to changes in policing since the death of George Floyd, a Black man who was killed by a white Minneapolis police officer in May.
Former second lady Jill Biden will address the virtual Democratic convention tonight, and NBC News has details on her speech.
According to NBC, Biden, a longtime teacher, will focus her remarks on the challenges facing schools amid the coronavirus pandemic and the ways Joe Biden’s presidency could ease the return to the classroom.
Biden will also offer a more personal endorsement of her husband through the lens of his family life.
House speaker Nancy Pelosi has released a statement on the Senate intelligence committee’s bipartisan report on Russian interference in the 2016 election.House speaker Nancy Pelosi has released a statement on the Senate intelligence committee’s bipartisan report on Russian interference in the 2016 election.
“The Senate’s bipartisan report further exposes the alarming lengths to which Donald Trump and his campaign welcomed and relied on a hostile foreign power’s interference in the 2016 election,” Pelosi said.“The Senate’s bipartisan report further exposes the alarming lengths to which Donald Trump and his campaign welcomed and relied on a hostile foreign power’s interference in the 2016 election,” Pelosi said.
Pelosi specifically called out Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell for not taking up a House-passed bill focused on protecting US elections.Pelosi specifically called out Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell for not taking up a House-passed bill focused on protecting US elections.
“This report is a chilling reminder that Leader McConnell’s obstruction of meaningful election security legislation is leaving our democracy exposed to foreign attack,” Pelosi said.“This report is a chilling reminder that Leader McConnell’s obstruction of meaningful election security legislation is leaving our democracy exposed to foreign attack,” Pelosi said.
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy announced he was postponing changes to USPS operations until after the election, following widespread criticism of his actions.Postmaster General Louis DeJoy announced he was postponing changes to USPS operations until after the election, following widespread criticism of his actions.
However, it’s unclear whether mail sorting machines that have already been removed will be restored and whether letter carriers will be allowed to take extra trips to ensure timely delivery of mail.However, it’s unclear whether mail sorting machines that have already been removed will be restored and whether letter carriers will be allowed to take extra trips to ensure timely delivery of mail.
So concerns remain about whether voters, particularly voters of color, will have reliable access to mail-in ballots for November’s presidential election.So concerns remain about whether voters, particularly voters of color, will have reliable access to mail-in ballots for November’s presidential election.
The Guardian’s Sam Levine reports:The Guardian’s Sam Levine reports:
There have been reports of widespread mail delays across the US in recent weeks. Postal workers and Democrats have blamed recent changes Postmaster General Louis DeJoy implemented, including cutting overtime and telling workers to leave the mail behind if it was going to delay them on routes.There have been reports of widespread mail delays across the US in recent weeks. Postal workers and Democrats have blamed recent changes Postmaster General Louis DeJoy implemented, including cutting overtime and telling workers to leave the mail behind if it was going to delay them on routes.
Trump said last week he opposed additional funding for USPS because it would make it easier to vote by mail, a key method for voting under the coronavirus pandemic.Trump said last week he opposed additional funding for USPS because it would make it easier to vote by mail, a key method for voting under the coronavirus pandemic.
DeJoy, a major Republican donor without prior USPS experience, said in a statement that post office hours would not change, mail processing facilities would not close, and equipment, including mailboxes, would not be removed. He also said the agency would continue to approve overtime.DeJoy, a major Republican donor without prior USPS experience, said in a statement that post office hours would not change, mail processing facilities would not close, and equipment, including mailboxes, would not be removed. He also said the agency would continue to approve overtime.
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy will likely discuss his decision to back away from the proposed operational changes to USPS when he testifies before Congress.Postmaster General Louis DeJoy will likely discuss his decision to back away from the proposed operational changes to USPS when he testifies before Congress.
DeJoy has agreed to testify before the Senate oversight committee on Friday, and he will appear before the House oversight committee on Monday.DeJoy has agreed to testify before the Senate oversight committee on Friday, and he will appear before the House oversight committee on Monday.
The decision to postpone the operational changes until after the election will certainly allay some of Democrats’ concerns, but they will still likely press DeJoy on ensuring reliable mail services for the election, especially because so many more Americans will be voting by mail this year due to the pandemic.The decision to postpone the operational changes until after the election will certainly allay some of Democrats’ concerns, but they will still likely press DeJoy on ensuring reliable mail services for the election, especially because so many more Americans will be voting by mail this year due to the pandemic.
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has just announced he will delay operational changes to the US Postal Service until after November’s presidential election.Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has just announced he will delay operational changes to the US Postal Service until after November’s presidential election.
In a new statement DeJoy said he still believed the changes he implemented, which prompted accusations that he and Trump were trying to hamper voting by mail, were necessary.In a new statement DeJoy said he still believed the changes he implemented, which prompted accusations that he and Trump were trying to hamper voting by mail, were necessary.
However, DeJoy decided to postpone the changes until after November “to avoid even the appearance of any impact on election mail.”However, DeJoy decided to postpone the changes until after November “to avoid even the appearance of any impact on election mail.”
“I came to the Postal Service to make changes to secure the success of this organization and its long-term sustainability. I believe significant reforms are essential to that objective, and work toward those reforms will commence after the election,” DeJoy said.“I came to the Postal Service to make changes to secure the success of this organization and its long-term sustainability. I believe significant reforms are essential to that objective, and work toward those reforms will commence after the election,” DeJoy said.
“In the meantime, there are some longstanding operational initiatives — efforts that predate my arrival at the Postal Service — that have been raised as areas of concern as the nation prepares to hold an election in the midst of a devastating pandemic.“In the meantime, there are some longstanding operational initiatives — efforts that predate my arrival at the Postal Service — that have been raised as areas of concern as the nation prepares to hold an election in the midst of a devastating pandemic.
“To avoid even the appearance of any impact on election mail, I am suspending these initiatives until after the election is concluded.”“To avoid even the appearance of any impact on election mail, I am suspending these initiatives until after the election is concluded.”
The announcement will come as a relief to Democrats, who accused the president of trying to suppress the vote by slowing mail services.The announcement will come as a relief to Democrats, who accused the president of trying to suppress the vote by slowing mail services.
This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Lauren Aratani.This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Lauren Aratani.
The Senate intelligence committee released a bipartisan report on Russian interference in the 2016 election, and the panel’s findings appear to be even more detailed than those of special counsel Robert Mueller.The Senate intelligence committee released a bipartisan report on Russian interference in the 2016 election, and the panel’s findings appear to be even more detailed than those of special counsel Robert Mueller.
One important finding to note: the committee concluded that Trump discussed the Democratic emails released by WikiLeaks with his former associate, Roger Stone, even though he told Mueller he did not recall doing so.One important finding to note: the committee concluded that Trump discussed the Democratic emails released by WikiLeaks with his former associate, Roger Stone, even though he told Mueller he did not recall doing so.
The report says, “Despite Trump’s recollection, the committee assesses that Trump did, in fact, speak with Stone about WikiLeaks and with members of his campaign about Stone’s access to WikiLeaks on multiple occasions.”The report says, “Despite Trump’s recollection, the committee assesses that Trump did, in fact, speak with Stone about WikiLeaks and with members of his campaign about Stone’s access to WikiLeaks on multiple occasions.”
The committee also concluded that the presidential transition team’s inexperience and willingness to conduct diplomacy through unofficial channels left the team open to foreign influence.The committee also concluded that the presidential transition team’s inexperience and willingness to conduct diplomacy through unofficial channels left the team open to foreign influence.
“Russia and other countries took advantage of the Transition Team’s inexperience, transparent opposition to Obama Administration policies, and Trump’s desire to deepen ties with Russia, to pursue unofficial channels through which Russia could conduct diplomacy,” the report said.“Russia and other countries took advantage of the Transition Team’s inexperience, transparent opposition to Obama Administration policies, and Trump’s desire to deepen ties with Russia, to pursue unofficial channels through which Russia could conduct diplomacy,” the report said.
“The lack of vetting of foreign interactions by Transition officials left the Transition open to influence and manipulation by foreign intelligence services, government leaders, and co-opted business executives.”“The lack of vetting of foreign interactions by Transition officials left the Transition open to influence and manipulation by foreign intelligence services, government leaders, and co-opted business executives.”
Here’s what has happened so far today:Here’s what has happened so far today:
The Senate Intelligence Committee released a bipartisan report on Russian interference in the 2016 election. The report, the fifth volume in the investigation, gave more details about connections to Russian Donald Trump’s campaign team had during the election.The Senate Intelligence Committee released a bipartisan report on Russian interference in the 2016 election. The report, the fifth volume in the investigation, gave more details about connections to Russian Donald Trump’s campaign team had during the election.
Head of the US Postal Service Louis DeJoy is set to testify in front of the Senate Oversight Committee on Friday. DeJoy will also testify in front of a House committee on Monday.Head of the US Postal Service Louis DeJoy is set to testify in front of the Senate Oversight Committee on Friday. DeJoy will also testify in front of a House committee on Monday.
Trump responded to Michelle Obama’s scathing speech against him by saying that, actually, she is the one who is in over her head and it was clear that the speech was pre-recorded as the number of Covid-19 deaths she cited against him are actually higher. Just moments before, he pardoned the late women’s rights icon Susan B. Anthony.Trump responded to Michelle Obama’s scathing speech against him by saying that, actually, she is the one who is in over her head and it was clear that the speech was pre-recorded as the number of Covid-19 deaths she cited against him are actually higher. Just moments before, he pardoned the late women’s rights icon Susan B. Anthony.
The Republican National Committee announced three people who were featured in viral photos largely criticized by Democrats will speak at its convention next week.The Republican National Committee announced three people who were featured in viral photos largely criticized by Democrats will speak at its convention next week.
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.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.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: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.