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Trump administration announces ban on TikTok and WeChat from Sunday – US politics live Trump administration announces ban on TikTok and WeChat from Sunday – US politics live
(32 minutes later)
Apps will be removed from Apple and Google stores following president’s orderApps will be removed from Apple and Google stores following president’s order
Both of Virginia’s Democratic senators voted early today, the first day of in-person early voting in Virginia.
Senator Mark Warner arrived at his polling station in Alexandria, Virginia, moments ago to cast his ballot for Joe Biden.
Senator Tim Kaine, who was Democrats’ vice presidential nominee in 2016, also voted early this morning, and he encouraged his constituents to do the same.
Early voting also begins today in South Dakota and Minnesota, where Trump and Biden will both campaign later in the day.
The Guardian’s Sam Levine reports:
Michigan must accept ballots that are postmarked the day before election day and arrive in the weeks following, a judge ruled Friday in a decision that will likely result in thousands of more voters having their ballots counted in a key battleground state.
Michigan is one of many states that requires absentee ballots to arrive by election day in order to be counted. But the Covid-19 pandemic, coupled with reports of mail delays, have made that deadline unrealistic, Judge Cynthia Diane Stevens of the Michigan court of claims wrote in her ruling on Friday.
The decision is deeply consequential in Michigan, a key swing state Donald Trump won by around 10,000 votes in 2016. One of the top reasons mail-in ballots get rejected is because they arrive past the deadline to be counted. 6,405 ballots were rejected for arriving late during Michigan’s August primary and Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat who serves as the state’s top election official, had called for extending the deadline.
“Applying the strict, 8:00 p.m. ballot receipt deadline on absent voter ballots imposes too great a restriction for the upcoming general election,” Stevens wrote in her opinion.
“Some flexibility must be built into the deadline in order to account for the significant inability of mail to arrive on what would typically be a reliable, predictable schedule.” She ordered ballots to be counted as long as they are postmarked by 2 November and arrive within 14 days of Election Day.
The Michigan ruling is the second in two days that extends ballot receipt deadlines in a key swing state. On Thursday, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court also blocked the state from enforcing an election night deadline for absentee ballots, instead ordering the state to count them as long as they were postmarked by election day and arrived by the following Friday.
The Michigan ruling came in a suit filed by Priorities USA, a top Democratic Super PAC.
Michigan also restricts who can return an absentee ballot on behalf of a voter. On Friday, Stevens, citing the pandemic, said the state could not enforce those restrictions from the Friday before election day through election night.
Joe Biden has started receiving classified intelligence briefings, according to NBC News.
NBC reported that Biden received a briefing in Wilmington on Wednesday, about a month after he formally accepted the Democratic presidential nomination.
Such briefings are usually only offered to candidates once they officially become nominees.
Biden referenced the briefings yesterday, during a virtual fundraiser with donors in Colorado.
The Democratic nominee criticized Trump for sowing doubts about the legitimacy of the election, saying, “It goes beyond what he’s saying. It goes to what he’s encouraging.”
The White House has just added two events to Trump’s schedule today, including a press conference this afternoon.The White House has just added two events to Trump’s schedule today, including a press conference this afternoon.
At 11:45 am ET, the president will greet Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah of Kuwait.At 11:45 am ET, the president will greet Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah of Kuwait.
Trump will then hold a press conference at 2 pm ET.Trump will then hold a press conference at 2 pm ET.
The president’s last press conference, on Wednesday, attracted criticism after Trump contradicted the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the timeline of developing a coronavirus vaccine.The president’s last press conference, on Wednesday, attracted criticism after Trump contradicted the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the timeline of developing a coronavirus vaccine.
Trump also controversially suggested the country’s coronavirus death toll would be much lower if Americans who died in Democratic-controlled states were not counted.Trump also controversially suggested the country’s coronavirus death toll would be much lower if Americans who died in Democratic-controlled states were not counted.
The polling analysis site FiveThirty unveiled its Senate election forecast today, and Democrats are currently “slightly favored” to take control of the chamber.The polling analysis site FiveThirty unveiled its Senate election forecast today, and Democrats are currently “slightly favored” to take control of the chamber.
According to the FiveThirtyEight model, Democrats have an 80% chance of holding between 47 and 54 seats in the Senate.According to the FiveThirtyEight model, Democrats have an 80% chance of holding between 47 and 54 seats in the Senate.
The model considered 40,000 simulations for the outcome of the Senate races, and Democrats win control of the chamber in 58 in 100 scenarios.The model considered 40,000 simulations for the outcome of the Senate races, and Democrats win control of the chamber in 58 in 100 scenarios.
A new set of polls shows Trump trailing Biden in Maine and Arizona, while the two are running neck and neck in North Carolina.A new set of polls shows Trump trailing Biden in Maine and Arizona, while the two are running neck and neck in North Carolina.
According to the New York Times-Siena College polls, Biden leads by 9 points among Arizona’s likely voters and 17 points among Maine’s likely voters.According to the New York Times-Siena College polls, Biden leads by 9 points among Arizona’s likely voters and 17 points among Maine’s likely voters.
In North Carolina, the two nominees are virtually tied, with Biden attracting the support of 45% of likely voters while Trump is the preferred candidate for 44% of likely voters.In North Carolina, the two nominees are virtually tied, with Biden attracting the support of 45% of likely voters while Trump is the preferred candidate for 44% of likely voters.
Trump’s lagging performance appears to be having down-ballot effects on the Senate races in the three states.Trump’s lagging performance appears to be having down-ballot effects on the Senate races in the three states.
According to the polls, Democratic candidate Sara Gideon leads Republican senator Susan Collins by 5 points, 49%-44%.According to the polls, Democratic candidate Sara Gideon leads Republican senator Susan Collins by 5 points, 49%-44%.
In Arizona, Democratic candidate Mark Kelly has pulled ahead of Republican senator Martha McSally by 8 points, 50%-42%.In Arizona, Democratic candidate Mark Kelly has pulled ahead of Republican senator Martha McSally by 8 points, 50%-42%.
And in North Carolina, Democratic candidate Cal Cunningham has opened up a larger lead than Biden in the state. Cunningham has a 5-point lead over Republican senator Thom Tillis, 42%-37%.And in North Carolina, Democratic candidate Cal Cunningham has opened up a larger lead than Biden in the state. Cunningham has a 5-point lead over Republican senator Thom Tillis, 42%-37%.
As a reminder, Democrats need to flip four Senate seats to take control of the chamber if they don’t win the White House. If Biden wins the presidential race, Democrats need to only flip three seats.As a reminder, Democrats need to flip four Senate seats to take control of the chamber if they don’t win the White House. If Biden wins the presidential race, Democrats need to only flip three seats.
Two other states -- Virginia and South Dakota -- will also start early voting today, along with Minnesota.Two other states -- Virginia and South Dakota -- will also start early voting today, along with Minnesota.
At one early voting site n Richmond, Virginia, dozens of people lined up outside the polling station even before it opened.At one early voting site n Richmond, Virginia, dozens of people lined up outside the polling station even before it opened.
Reminder: there are 46 days left until the presidential election on November 3.Reminder: there are 46 days left until the presidential election on November 3.
Trump and Joe Biden are both campaigning today in Minnesota, a state that Hillary Clinton won by just 1.5 points in 2016.Trump and Joe Biden are both campaigning today in Minnesota, a state that Hillary Clinton won by just 1.5 points in 2016.
The president will speak at a “Great American Comeback” event in Bemidji, and Biden will travel to Duluth for a tour of a union training center.The president will speak at a “Great American Comeback” event in Bemidji, and Biden will travel to Duluth for a tour of a union training center.
Trump has repeatedly said he wants to flip Minnesota in November, but polls indicate Biden has a significant edge in the state.Trump has repeatedly said he wants to flip Minnesota in November, but polls indicate Biden has a significant edge in the state.
According to a Washington Post-ABC News poll released this week, Biden leads Trump by 16 points among Minnesota’s likely voters, 57%-41%.According to a Washington Post-ABC News poll released this week, Biden leads Trump by 16 points among Minnesota’s likely voters, 57%-41%.
But there is another reason Trump and Biden may both be invested in traveling to Minnesota today: it is the first day of early voting in the state.But there is another reason Trump and Biden may both be invested in traveling to Minnesota today: it is the first day of early voting in the state.
This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Martin Belam.This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Martin Belam.
The AP has spoken to more migrant women who say they were operated on without their informed consent by a gynecologist, Dr Mahendra Amin, at an immigration detention center in Georgia.The AP has spoken to more migrant women who say they were operated on without their informed consent by a gynecologist, Dr Mahendra Amin, at an immigration detention center in Georgia.
The AP reports:The AP reports:
The lawyer who helped file the complaint previously told the Washington Post that she had not directly spoken to anyone from the detention center who had been forced to receive a hysterectomy, but rather she wanted to trigger an investigation into the possibility.The lawyer who helped file the complaint previously told the Washington Post that she had not directly spoken to anyone from the detention center who had been forced to receive a hysterectomy, but rather she wanted to trigger an investigation into the possibility.
The complaint sparked immediately outcry and comparisons to past historical instances of the US government forcing women from marginalized communities to undergo forced sterilization. As the AP notes, 33 US states had forced sterilization programs in the 20th century.The complaint sparked immediately outcry and comparisons to past historical instances of the US government forcing women from marginalized communities to undergo forced sterilization. As the AP notes, 33 US states had forced sterilization programs in the 20th century.
In an alternative timeline that you imagine he often thinks about, Tim Kaine would probably be less then fifty days away from standing for election for a second term as vice president. He very much isn’t. But he has this morning urged Virginians to go out and cast their vote, as it is another state, like Minnesota, where early voting starts today.In an alternative timeline that you imagine he often thinks about, Tim Kaine would probably be less then fifty days away from standing for election for a second term as vice president. He very much isn’t. But he has this morning urged Virginians to go out and cast their vote, as it is another state, like Minnesota, where early voting starts today.
It looks like it is busy already according to this report.It looks like it is busy already according to this report.
And with that, I’m now off to an alternative timeline myself, as I’m done for the day. Joan Greve will be with you shortly. Have a great weekend, take care and stay safe.And with that, I’m now off to an alternative timeline myself, as I’m done for the day. Joan Greve will be with you shortly. Have a great weekend, take care and stay safe.
Stephen Collinson at CNN offers us this review of Joe Biden’s performance at the network’s own town hall last night, saying that the Deomcratic nominee “shows the qualities Trump lacks”Stephen Collinson at CNN offers us this review of Joe Biden’s performance at the network’s own town hall last night, saying that the Deomcratic nominee “shows the qualities Trump lacks”
But, as he notes:But, as he notes:
Read it here: CNN – Biden shows the qualities Trump lacks at CNN town hallRead it here: CNN – Biden shows the qualities Trump lacks at CNN town hall
The Trump administration has ramped up efforts to purge “untrusted” Chinese apps from US digital networks throughout the year, and has called TikTok and WeChat “significant threats”.The Trump administration has ramped up efforts to purge “untrusted” Chinese apps from US digital networks throughout the year, and has called TikTok and WeChat “significant threats”.
TikTok has 100 million users in the United States and is especially popular among younger Americans. It was implicated earlier this year in the dismal attendance at the Trump campaign ‘comeback’ rally in Tulsa.TikTok has 100 million users in the United States and is especially popular among younger Americans. It was implicated earlier this year in the dismal attendance at the Trump campaign ‘comeback’ rally in Tulsa.
At the time Kenya Evelyn in Washington reported for us that K-pop fans and users of TikTok had claimed tickets to the rally in then did not use them, as part of a coordinated effort which helped to leave hundreds of seats empty in a 19,000-capacity venue.At the time Kenya Evelyn in Washington reported for us that K-pop fans and users of TikTok had claimed tickets to the rally in then did not use them, as part of a coordinated effort which helped to leave hundreds of seats empty in a 19,000-capacity venue.
The scheme stemmed from a 11 June tweet from the Trump campaign promoting free registration online and via cellphones. The scheme exploded on the TikTok app, where young users implored followers to join in.The scheme stemmed from a 11 June tweet from the Trump campaign promoting free registration online and via cellphones. The scheme exploded on the TikTok app, where young users implored followers to join in.
“Trump has been actively trying to disenfranchise millions of Americans in so many ways, and to me, this was the protest I was able to perform,” Erin Hoffman, an 18-year-old New Yorker, told the New York Times, adding that she reserved two tickets and persuaded a parent to book two more.“Trump has been actively trying to disenfranchise millions of Americans in so many ways, and to me, this was the protest I was able to perform,” Erin Hoffman, an 18-year-old New Yorker, told the New York Times, adding that she reserved two tickets and persuaded a parent to book two more.
WeChat has had an average of 19 million daily active users in the United States, analytics firms Apptopia said in early August. It is popular among Chinese students, ex-pats and some Americans who have personal or business relationships in China.WeChat has had an average of 19 million daily active users in the United States, analytics firms Apptopia said in early August. It is popular among Chinese students, ex-pats and some Americans who have personal or business relationships in China.
WeChat is an all-in-one mobile app that combines services similar to Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and Venmo. The app is an essential part of daily life for many in China and boasts more than 1 billion users.WeChat is an all-in-one mobile app that combines services similar to Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and Venmo. The app is an essential part of daily life for many in China and boasts more than 1 billion users.
Owners ByteDance have been going through the process of trying to sell the US operation of TikTok in a way that will satisfy both the US and the Chinese governments.Owners ByteDance have been going through the process of trying to sell the US operation of TikTok in a way that will satisfy both the US and the Chinese governments.
The US government is currently reviewing the plan for Oracle to acquire its US operation. However, earlier this week, Donald Trump questioned that acquisition.The US government is currently reviewing the plan for Oracle to acquire its US operation. However, earlier this week, Donald Trump questioned that acquisition.
“Conceptually I can tell you that I don’t like that,” Trump told a news conference on Wednesday when asked about a reported proposal to give Oracle only a minority share. “I’m not prepared to sign off on anything. They’re going to be reporting to me tomorrow morning and I’ll let you know.”“Conceptually I can tell you that I don’t like that,” Trump told a news conference on Wednesday when asked about a reported proposal to give Oracle only a minority share. “I’m not prepared to sign off on anything. They’re going to be reporting to me tomorrow morning and I’ll let you know.”
Trump said he would be briefed about a proposal that calls for Oracle to become a “trusted technology provider” for TikTok’s American operations, but he did not favour the idea of having the Chinese firm retain control. “It has to be 100% as far as national security is concerned,” Trump said. “I have to see the deal.”Trump said he would be briefed about a proposal that calls for Oracle to become a “trusted technology provider” for TikTok’s American operations, but he did not favour the idea of having the Chinese firm retain control. “It has to be 100% as far as national security is concerned,” Trump said. “I have to see the deal.”
In August TikTok announced that it was to sue the US government over Trump’s executive order. In a blogpost, TikTok said it strongly disagreed with the White House’s position that the company was a national security threat, saying it had “taken extraordinary measures to protect the privacy and security of TikTok’s US user data”.In August TikTok announced that it was to sue the US government over Trump’s executive order. In a blogpost, TikTok said it strongly disagreed with the White House’s position that the company was a national security threat, saying it had “taken extraordinary measures to protect the privacy and security of TikTok’s US user data”.
Chief executive Kevin Mayer subsequently resigned at the end of August.Chief executive Kevin Mayer subsequently resigned at the end of August.
“In recent weeks, as the political environment has sharply changed, I have done significant reflection on what the corporate structural changes will require, and what it means for the global role I signed up for,” his resignation letter to employees said.“In recent weeks, as the political environment has sharply changed, I have done significant reflection on what the corporate structural changes will require, and what it means for the global role I signed up for,” his resignation letter to employees said.
“Against this backdrop, and as we expect to reach a resolution very soon, it is with a heavy heart that I wanted to let you all know that I have decided to leave the company.”“Against this backdrop, and as we expect to reach a resolution very soon, it is with a heavy heart that I wanted to let you all know that I have decided to leave the company.”
In a statement, TikTok thanked Mayer for his time and wished him well. “We appreciate that the political dynamics of the last few months have significantly changed what the scope of Kevin’s role would be going forward, and fully respect his decision,” it said.In a statement, TikTok thanked Mayer for his time and wished him well. “We appreciate that the political dynamics of the last few months have significantly changed what the scope of Kevin’s role would be going forward, and fully respect his decision,” it said.
Speaking of polling, the New York Times widget on how polling might translate to Electoral College votes tells an interesting story today. They break it out into three separate categories.Speaking of polling, the New York Times widget on how polling might translate to Electoral College votes tells an interesting story today. They break it out into three separate categories.
If you only count states where one candidate or the other leads in the polls by at least three points, Joe Biden accumulates 291 Electoral College votes, easily enough to put him into the White House.If you only count states where one candidate or the other leads in the polls by at least three points, Joe Biden accumulates 291 Electoral College votes, easily enough to put him into the White House.
If the polls translate exactly to the results – which the New York Times says they clearly won’t – then Biden romps home with 353 votes to Donald Trump’s 185.If the polls translate exactly to the results – which the New York Times says they clearly won’t – then Biden romps home with 353 votes to Donald Trump’s 185.
However, the one that will be giving Democratic strategists heart palpitation is the last one. They calculate what would happen with the Electoral College “if state polls are as wrong as they were in 2016”. That sees Trump re-elected 278-260.However, the one that will be giving Democratic strategists heart palpitation is the last one. They calculate what would happen with the Electoral College “if state polls are as wrong as they were in 2016”. That sees Trump re-elected 278-260.
In this week’s Politics Weekly Extra podcast, Jonathan Freedland speaks with our Washington DC bureau chief David Smith about why Joe Biden is seemingly doing better than Hillary Clinton did in the polls in 2016. You can listen to it here:In this week’s Politics Weekly Extra podcast, Jonathan Freedland speaks with our Washington DC bureau chief David Smith about why Joe Biden is seemingly doing better than Hillary Clinton did in the polls in 2016. You can listen to it here:
Meanwhile, in a court in London, it appears that Julian Assange’s lawyer has this morning claimed that Assange was informed that Donald Trump would offer him a pardon if he could confirm that Russia was not the source of the DNC leaks.Meanwhile, in a court in London, it appears that Julian Assange’s lawyer has this morning claimed that Assange was informed that Donald Trump would offer him a pardon if he could confirm that Russia was not the source of the DNC leaks.
Assange’s lawyer, report Reuters, said she observed a meeting where former Republican US Representative Dana Rohrabacher and Charles Johnson, an associate known to have close ties to the Trump campaign, made the offer.Assange’s lawyer, report Reuters, said she observed a meeting where former Republican US Representative Dana Rohrabacher and Charles Johnson, an associate known to have close ties to the Trump campaign, made the offer.
“The proposal put forward by Congressman Rohrabacher was that Mr. Assange identify the source for the 2016 election publications in return for some form of pardon,” Robinson said in a witness statement given to the court.“The proposal put forward by Congressman Rohrabacher was that Mr. Assange identify the source for the 2016 election publications in return for some form of pardon,” Robinson said in a witness statement given to the court.
Australian-born Assange, 49, is fighting to stop being sent to the US, where he is charged with conspiring to hack government computers and violating an espionage law over the release of confidential cables by WikiLeaks in 2010-2011.Australian-born Assange, 49, is fighting to stop being sent to the US, where he is charged with conspiring to hack government computers and violating an espionage law over the release of confidential cables by WikiLeaks in 2010-2011.
Secretary of commerce Wilbur Ross has now issued an official confirmation that the commerce department plans to “prohibit WeChat and TikTok transactions to protect the national security of the United States”. The statement says:Secretary of commerce Wilbur Ross has now issued an official confirmation that the commerce department plans to “prohibit WeChat and TikTok transactions to protect the national security of the United States”. The statement says:
The statement goes on to say that as of September 20, 2020, the following transactions are prohibited:The statement goes on to say that as of September 20, 2020, the following transactions are prohibited:
Any provision of service to distribute or maintain the WeChat or TikTok mobile applications, constituent code, or application updates through an online mobile application store in the USAny provision of service to distribute or maintain the WeChat or TikTok mobile applications, constituent code, or application updates through an online mobile application store in the US
Any provision of services through the WeChat mobile application for the purpose of transferring funds or processing payments within the USAny provision of services through the WeChat mobile application for the purpose of transferring funds or processing payments within the US
The statement adds that as of September 20, 2020, for WeChat and as of November 12, 2020, for TikTok, the following transactions are prohibited:The statement adds that as of September 20, 2020, for WeChat and as of November 12, 2020, for TikTok, the following transactions are prohibited:
Any provision of internet hosting services enabling the functioning or optimization of the mobile application in the USAny provision of internet hosting services enabling the functioning or optimization of the mobile application in the US
Any provision of content delivery network services enabling the functioning or optimization of the mobile application in the USAny provision of content delivery network services enabling the functioning or optimization of the mobile application in the US
Any provision directly contracted or arranged internet transit or peering services enabling the function or optimization of the mobile application within the USAny provision directly contracted or arranged internet transit or peering services enabling the function or optimization of the mobile application within the US
Any utilization of the mobile application’s constituent code, functions, or services in the functioning of software or services developed and/or accessible within the USAny utilization of the mobile application’s constituent code, functions, or services in the functioning of software or services developed and/or accessible within the US
It also quotes Barr as saying:It also quotes Barr as saying:
Reuters have just posted up an exclusive where they report that the US commerce department plans to issue an order today that will bar people in the US from downloading Chinese-owned messaging app WeChat and video-sharing app TikTok starting on 20 September. David Shepardson writes:Reuters have just posted up an exclusive where they report that the US commerce department plans to issue an order today that will bar people in the US from downloading Chinese-owned messaging app WeChat and video-sharing app TikTok starting on 20 September. David Shepardson writes:
Read it here: Reuters – Trump to block US downloads of TikTok, WeChat on Sunda - officialsRead it here: Reuters – Trump to block US downloads of TikTok, WeChat on Sunda - officials
Texas is a big prize in a US presidential election - only California sends more electors than Texas’ 36. In 2016 the Lone Star state voted for Donald Trump, and a Democratic nominee hasn’t carried the state since Jimmy Carter in 1976. But one question constantly raised is the extent to which voter suppression keeps it a red state. Alexandra Villarreal reports for us:Texas is a big prize in a US presidential election - only California sends more electors than Texas’ 36. In 2016 the Lone Star state voted for Donald Trump, and a Democratic nominee hasn’t carried the state since Jimmy Carter in 1976. But one question constantly raised is the extent to which voter suppression keeps it a red state. Alexandra Villarreal reports for us:
Read it here: Texas is a ‘voter suppression’ state and one of the hardest places to vote. Will it help Trump win?Read it here: Texas is a ‘voter suppression’ state and one of the hardest places to vote. Will it help Trump win?