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/oct/26/amy-coney-barrett-supreme-court-vote-confirmation-donald-trump-joe-biden-latest-elections-live-news

The article has changed 45 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 29 Version 30
Trump lashes out after Obama mocks him for being 'jealous of Covid's media coverage' – live Trump lashes out after Obama mocks him for being 'jealous of Covid's media coverage' – live
(31 minutes later)
Ex-president says Trump ‘turned the White House into a hot zone’ as Amy Coney Barrett joins supreme court – follow all the latestEx-president says Trump ‘turned the White House into a hot zone’ as Amy Coney Barrett joins supreme court – follow all the latest
This is Lauren Aratani taking over for Joan E. Greve. Joe Biden’s campaign just released a statement on the shooting of Walter Wallace, a black man who was killed by police in Philadelphia yesterday.
“Our hearts are broken for the family of Walter Wallace Jr. and for all those suffering the emotional weight of learning about another Black life in America lost,” the statement reads. “We cannot accept that in this country a mental health crisis ends in death.”
The statement also alluded to the protests that erupted in Philadelphia in response to the killing. A police officer suffered a broken leg after being struck by a pickup truck in the midst of the protests, and there were multiple reports of vandalism and looting.
“No amount of anger at the very real injustices in our society excuses violence. Attacking police officers and vandalizing small businesses, which are already struggling during a pandemic, does not bend the moral arc of the universe closer to justice,” the statement said.
That’s it from me today. My Guardian colleague, Lauren Aratani, will take over the blog for the next couple of hours.
Here’s where the day stands so far:
Amy Coney Barrett officially joined the supreme court, after Chief Justice John Roberts delivered her judicial oath in a private ceremony this morning.
Trump lashed out against Barack Obama as the former president unleashed blistering criticism of his successor. Speaking at a drive-in rally in Orlando, Florida, Obama once again lambasted Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, noting the president has complained about the news coverage the pandemic has received as the US death toll continues to climb. “He’s jealous of Covid’s media coverage,” Obama said.
Biden delivered a speech in Warm Springs, Georgia, as polls show a close presidential race in the traditionally conservative state. “The president declared, he’s going to wage war on the virus. Instead he shrugged, swaggered and he surrendered,” Biden said in Warm Springs. “Well, I’m here to tell you we can and will get control of this virus.”
Trump falsely suggested it was illegal to count ballots after Election Day. “It would be very, very proper and very nice if a winner were declared on November 3, instead of counting ballots for two weeks, which is totally inappropriate, and I don’t believe that’s by our laws,” Trump told reporters before leaving Washington for his three campaign rallies today. In reality, states have until December 8 (known as the “safe harbor” deadline) to tabulate final election results.
A federal judge denied the justice department’s bid to take over Trump’s defense in E Jean Carroll’s defamation lawsuit. The judge ruled that the president was not acting in his official capacity when he denied Carroll’s rape allegation, as the justice department had argued.
Lauren will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
Trump baselessly cast doubt upon the foiled plot to kidnap Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer during his rally in Lansing, Michigan, which has now ended.Trump baselessly cast doubt upon the foiled plot to kidnap Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer during his rally in Lansing, Michigan, which has now ended.
“I don’t think she likes me too much,” Trump said of the Michigan governor, as the rally crowd cheered.“I don’t think she likes me too much,” Trump said of the Michigan governor, as the rally crowd cheered.
“Hey, hey, hey, hey, I’m the one, it was our people that helped her out with her problem,” Trump added. “And we’ll wait to see if it is a problem, right? People are entitled to say, ‘Maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t.’”“Hey, hey, hey, hey, I’m the one, it was our people that helped her out with her problem,” Trump added. “And we’ll wait to see if it is a problem, right? People are entitled to say, ‘Maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t.’”
The FBI charged 14 people, several of whom had ties to a rightwing militia group, in connection to the plot.The FBI charged 14 people, several of whom had ties to a rightwing militia group, in connection to the plot.
“It was our people, my people, our people, that helped her out. And then she blamed me for it,” Trump said.“It was our people, my people, our people, that helped her out. And then she blamed me for it,” Trump said.
Whitmer reflected on the threat against her in an Atlantic piece that was published today:Whitmer reflected on the threat against her in an Atlantic piece that was published today:
Whitmer writes:Whitmer writes:
Here are the latest early voting numbers: more than 69 million ballots have already been cast in the election.Here are the latest early voting numbers: more than 69 million ballots have already been cast in the election.
According to the US Elections Project, 69,257,810 Americans have voted by mail or early in person as of today. That accounts for more than half of the country’s total turnout in 2016.According to the US Elections Project, 69,257,810 Americans have voted by mail or early in person as of today. That accounts for more than half of the country’s total turnout in 2016.
Texas’ turnout remains the highest in the country, both in terms of raw vote count and as a proportion of its 2016 total.Texas’ turnout remains the highest in the country, both in terms of raw vote count and as a proportion of its 2016 total.
About 7.8 million Texans have already voted in the election, representing nearly 87% of the state’s total 2016 turnout.About 7.8 million Texans have already voted in the election, representing nearly 87% of the state’s total 2016 turnout.
And there is still a week left until Election Day.And there is still a week left until Election Day.
During her Pennsylvania campaign event, the first lady acknowledged she sometimes takes issue with Trump’s combative communication style.During her Pennsylvania campaign event, the first lady acknowledged she sometimes takes issue with Trump’s combative communication style.
“I don’t always agree with the way he says things,” Melania Trump said of her husband.“I don’t always agree with the way he says things,” Melania Trump said of her husband.
That line was met with laughter from the crowd assembled for the first lady’s event, according to pool reporter Emily Goodin of the Daily Mail.That line was met with laughter from the crowd assembled for the first lady’s event, according to pool reporter Emily Goodin of the Daily Mail.
Melania Trump has launched a campaign called “Be Best” to discourage online bullying, an effort that seems to be at odds with her husband’s frequent personal attacks against his opponents over Twitter.Melania Trump has launched a campaign called “Be Best” to discourage online bullying, an effort that seems to be at odds with her husband’s frequent personal attacks against his opponents over Twitter.
The first lady also echoed her husband’s attacks on Biden while speaking to Trump supporters in Pennsylvania.The first lady also echoed her husband’s attacks on Biden while speaking to Trump supporters in Pennsylvania.
Melania Trump nodded toward Biden’s frequent criticism of the president’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic.Melania Trump nodded toward Biden’s frequent criticism of the president’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Now he suggests that he could have done a better job,” the first lady said. “Well, the American people can look at Joe Biden’s 36 years in Congress and eight years in the vice presidency and determine whether they think he’ll finally be able to get something done for the American people.”“Now he suggests that he could have done a better job,” the first lady said. “Well, the American people can look at Joe Biden’s 36 years in Congress and eight years in the vice presidency and determine whether they think he’ll finally be able to get something done for the American people.”
Trump has similarly suggested his Democratic rival is “all talk and no action”, while dismissing criticism that his own administration did not act quickly enough to respond to the pandemic.Trump has similarly suggested his Democratic rival is “all talk and no action”, while dismissing criticism that his own administration did not act quickly enough to respond to the pandemic.
First lady Melania Trump is now speaking in Atglen, Pennsylvania, marking her first event on the campaign trail since she tested positive for coronavirus earlier this month.First lady Melania Trump is now speaking in Atglen, Pennsylvania, marking her first event on the campaign trail since she tested positive for coronavirus earlier this month.
The first lady opened her remarks by thanking everyone for their well wishes when her family was diagnosed with coronavirus, saying, “Thank you for the all the love you gave us when our family was diagnosed with Covid-19. We are feeling so much better now thanks to healthy living and some of the amazing therapeutic options available in our country.”The first lady opened her remarks by thanking everyone for their well wishes when her family was diagnosed with coronavirus, saying, “Thank you for the all the love you gave us when our family was diagnosed with Covid-19. We are feeling so much better now thanks to healthy living and some of the amazing therapeutic options available in our country.”
The first lady was supposed to make a campaign trip to Pennsylvania last week, but she canceled the visit because of her lingering coronavirus symptoms, including a persistent cough.The first lady was supposed to make a campaign trip to Pennsylvania last week, but she canceled the visit because of her lingering coronavirus symptoms, including a persistent cough.
As he often does during campaign stops in the Midwest, Trump went after Ilhan Omar, the progressive congresswoman from Minnesota.As he often does during campaign stops in the Midwest, Trump went after Ilhan Omar, the progressive congresswoman from Minnesota.
Speaking in Lansing, Michigan, the president warned Democrats would allow far more refugees from countries like Syria and Somalia into the US if they gain power.Speaking in Lansing, Michigan, the president warned Democrats would allow far more refugees from countries like Syria and Somalia into the US if they gain power.
“When I think of Somalia, I think of Omar,” Trump said. “Ilhan Omar, who truly does not like our country.”“When I think of Somalia, I think of Omar,” Trump said. “Ilhan Omar, who truly does not like our country.”
The president went on to predict that dislike of Omar would allow him to win Minnesota, where polls show Trump trailing Biden by about 9 points.The president went on to predict that dislike of Omar would allow him to win Minnesota, where polls show Trump trailing Biden by about 9 points.
Trump attacked Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer during his campaign rally in Lansing, Michigan.Trump attacked Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer during his campaign rally in Lansing, Michigan.
“Your governor’s a disaster,” Trump said of Whitmer. “They’ve got to open up this state.”“Your governor’s a disaster,” Trump said of Whitmer. “They’ve got to open up this state.”
The Lansing crowd responded to Trump’s attacks on Whitmer by chanting, “Lock her up!”The Lansing crowd responded to Trump’s attacks on Whitmer by chanting, “Lock her up!”
Whitmer was recently the target of a foiled kidnapping plot, and she wrote about the experience in a piece published by the Atlantic today.Whitmer was recently the target of a foiled kidnapping plot, and she wrote about the experience in a piece published by the Atlantic today.
Whitmer writes:Whitmer writes:
Speaking to supporters in Lansing, Trump predicted the country would see “a great red wave” next Tuesday.Speaking to supporters in Lansing, Trump predicted the country would see “a great red wave” next Tuesday.
Shortly before leaving for Michigan, the president similarly predicted Republicans would flip the House on Election Day.Shortly before leaving for Michigan, the president similarly predicted Republicans would flip the House on Election Day.
In reality, strategists from both parties say Democrats will keep control of the House, and many believe Republicans will lose additional seats next week.In reality, strategists from both parties say Democrats will keep control of the House, and many believe Republicans will lose additional seats next week.
Trump is now speaking at his campaign rally in Lansing, Michigan, the first of the president’s three rallies today.Trump is now speaking at his campaign rally in Lansing, Michigan, the first of the president’s three rallies today.
The president claimed that he is “leading almost everywhere,” with just one week to go until election day.The president claimed that he is “leading almost everywhere,” with just one week to go until election day.
In reality, Biden is ahead in national polls by an average of about 9 points, and the Democrat is leading in Michigan by an average of about 8 points.In reality, Biden is ahead in national polls by an average of about 9 points, and the Democrat is leading in Michigan by an average of about 8 points.
The Trump team is mocking Biden by deceptively editing a video of his remarks today in Warm Springs, Georgia.The Trump team is mocking Biden by deceptively editing a video of his remarks today in Warm Springs, Georgia.
One of the Trump campaign’s Twitter accounts tweeted out a video of Biden quoting questions that Pope Francis said politicians should ask themselves.One of the Trump campaign’s Twitter accounts tweeted out a video of Biden quoting questions that Pope Francis said politicians should ask themselves.
“Why am I doing this? Why? What is my real aim?” Biden asked, quoting the pope.“Why am I doing this? Why? What is my real aim?” Biden asked, quoting the pope.
The Trump campaign’s video did not include the context for Biden’s questions, making it seem like the Democratic nominee had gotten confused while delivering the speech.The Trump campaign’s video did not include the context for Biden’s questions, making it seem like the Democratic nominee had gotten confused while delivering the speech.
Biden’s deputy rapid response director pushed back against the Trump team by accusing the campaign of “attacking Joe Biden’s faith”.Biden’s deputy rapid response director pushed back against the Trump team by accusing the campaign of “attacking Joe Biden’s faith”.
The Guardian’s Sam Levine reports:The Guardian’s Sam Levine reports:
There’s just one week left until election day, which means that if voters still have a mail-in ballot, they should put it in the mail today to guarantee that it arrives by election day in order to be counted.There’s just one week left until election day, which means that if voters still have a mail-in ballot, they should put it in the mail today to guarantee that it arrives by election day in order to be counted.
Tuesday is the last day the United States Postal Service (USPS) says voters should put their ballot in the mail if they want to guarantee its delivery by election day.Tuesday is the last day the United States Postal Service (USPS) says voters should put their ballot in the mail if they want to guarantee its delivery by election day.
The USPS has long said it will do everything it can to deliver ballots on time, and early data shows it is trying to meet that commitment. NBC reported however that mail service has dipped.The USPS has long said it will do everything it can to deliver ballots on time, and early data shows it is trying to meet that commitment. NBC reported however that mail service has dipped.
Many election officials are already advising voters to forego the mail altogether and return their ballots in person if they are able to. If a voter is unable to put their ballot in the mail by Tuesday, they should not mail it later this week - they should either return it directly to their election office or a secure drop box.Many election officials are already advising voters to forego the mail altogether and return their ballots in person if they are able to. If a voter is unable to put their ballot in the mail by Tuesday, they should not mail it later this week - they should either return it directly to their election office or a secure drop box.
More than 44.6 million people have voted by mail so far, and there are still more than 28.9 unreturned mail in ballots, according to Michael McDonald, a political science professor at the University of Florida who closely tracks early voting data.More than 44.6 million people have voted by mail so far, and there are still more than 28.9 unreturned mail in ballots, according to Michael McDonald, a political science professor at the University of Florida who closely tracks early voting data.
Different states have different requirements for when ballots must be returned in order to count. Voters should check with their local election office to determine the deadline in their state.Different states have different requirements for when ballots must be returned in order to count. Voters should check with their local election office to determine the deadline in their state.