theguardian--2020-08-07--Trump bans US transactions with TikTok's Chinese-owned parent company

Donald Trump has issued an executive order that would ban any US transactions with the parent company of TikTok , saying the US must take “ aggressive action ” against the app in the interest of national security .
The executive order , issued late on Thursday , would prohibit “ any transaction by any person , or with respect to any property , subject to the jurisdiction of the United States , with ByteDance Ltd ” , beginning in 45 days .
The order came as the US Senate on Thursday unanimously voted to approve a bill banning federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , amid threats from the White House to ban the company .
The video-sharing app has come under fire from US lawmakers and the Trump administration over national security concerns because ByteDance , a Chinese company , owns the technology .
The company faces a deadline of 15 September either to sell its US operations to Microsoft or another US firm or face an outright ban .
Sources previously told Reuters that ByteDance executives valued all of TikTok at more than $ 50bn .
Under a Chinese law introduced in 2017 , companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the country ’ s national intelligence work .
“ I ’ m encouraged by the bipartisan support we have seen in this body to hold the Chinese Communist party accountable and that includes ... holding accountable those corporations who would just do China ’ s bidding , ” Senator Josh Hawley , who sponsored the bill , said in a statement .
“ And , if I have anything to say about it , we won ’ t be stopping here , ” the Republican senator added .
Last month , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees from downloading the app on government-issued devices as part of a proposal offered by the Republican Ken Buck .
A finalized version of the bill , combining the House and Senate versions , would need Donald Trump ’ s approval to become law .
When asked if the president favored the legislation , a White House official said : “ We support Congress ’ intent to protect government-issued devices against the privacy and security risks inherent in certain third-party applications.
” A TikTok spokeswoman said its growing US team had no higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that protected users ’ privacy .
On Wednesday , TikTok said it was working with experts from the US Department of Homeland Security to “ protect against foreign influence ” and fact-check potential misinformation about the election .
The company has increasingly emerged as a platform for political discourse and activism .
Users recently said they helped inflate attendance expectations at Trump ’ s June rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma .
Last year , the company said about 60 % of its 26.5 million monthly active US users were aged 16 to 24 @

Donald Trump has issued a pair of executive orders that would ban any US transactions with the Chinese companies that own TikTok and WeChat, saying the US must take “aggressive action” in the interest of national security.
Executive orders issued late on Thursday would prohibit “any transaction by any person, or with respect to any property, subject to the jurisdiction of the United States,” with the companies, beginning in 45 days.
BREAKING: President Trump just issued an executive order "on Addressing the Threat Posed by TikTok." It takes effect in 45 days, prohibits "any transaction" with ByteDance, the Chinese company that owns TikTok, and will almost certainly face legal challenges. pic.twitter.com/Ma9XOfYgOB — Hunter Walker (@hunterw) August 7, 2020
The video-sharing app has come under fire from US lawmakers and the Trump administration over national security concerns. TikTok’s parent company ByteDance faces a deadline of 15 September either to sell its US operations to Microsoft or another US firm or face an outright ban.
Sources previously told Reuters that ByteDance executives valued all of TikTok at more than $50bn.
Under a Chinese law introduced in 2017, companies have an obligation to support and cooperate with the country’s national intelligence work. “The spread in the United States of mobile applications developed and owned by companies in the People’s Republic of China (China) continues to threaten the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States,” Trump wrote in a letter to House speaker Nancy Pelosi.
WeChat, the other app targeted by Trump’s orders, is used widely around the world for payments, chatting and as an interface for other apps. It is a key channel of communication between the US and China. While most Western messaging apps are banned in China, users in the US use WeChat to conduct business transactions, advertise or communicate with friends and family in China.
The platform’s parent company Tencent has also invested in a number of US companies including Tesla and Reddit. It also owns a 48% share of Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite.
Shares in Tencent, Asia’s second-biggest company by market value, fell 9% in Hong Kong after the order was issued.
It remains unclear what “transactions” would be banned under Trump’s executive order, but the move represents an escalation of tensions between the US and China in a technological cold war. The US president’s order comes after India’s government recently banned nearly 60 Chinese mobile apps, including TikTok and WeChat, after a clash between the two nations’ militaries.
China has also blocked US tech companies from doing business in the country for years and has placed regulations on US websites and social media platforms that are accessible there.
The executive order came as the US Senate on Thursday unanimously voted to approve a bill banning federal employees from using TikTok on government-issued devices.
“I’m encouraged by the bipartisan support we have seen in this body to hold the Chinese Communist party accountable and that includes ... holding accountable those corporations who would just do China’s bidding,” said Senator Josh Hawley, who sponsored the bill, in a statement.
“And, if I have anything to say about it, we won’t be stopping here,” the Republican senator added.
Last month, the House of Representatives voted to bar federal employees from downloading the app on government-issued devices as part of a proposal offered by the Republican Ken Buck.
A finalized version of the bill, combining the House and Senate versions, would need Donald Trump’s approval to become law.
When asked if the president favored the legislation, a White House official said: “We support Congress’ intent to protect government-issued devices against the privacy and security risks inherent in certain third-party applications.”
A TikTok spokeswoman said its growing US team had no higher priority than promoting a safe app experience that protected users’ privacy. The platform said it would not share user information with the Communist party, even if asked – though digital security experts say it is possible that the Chinese government could compel the company to hand over data.
In a statement issued on Wednesday morning, the company said: “We are shocked by the recent executive order, which was issued without any due process. For nearly a year, we have sought to engage with the US government in good faith to provide a constructive solution to the concerns that have been expressed. What we encountered instead was that the administration paid no attention to facts, dictated terms of an agreement without going through standard legal processes, and tried to insert itself into negotiations between private businesses.
“It sets a dangerous precedent for the concept of free expression and open markets. We will pursue all remedies available to us in order to ensure that the rule of law is not discarded and that our company and our users are treated fairly – if not by the Administration, then by the US courts.”
TikTok added that it was working with experts from the US Department of Homeland Security to “protect against foreign influence” and fact-check potential misinformation about the election.
The company has increasingly emerged as a platform for political discourse and activism. Users recently said they helped inflate attendance expectations at Trump’s June rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Last year, the company said about 60% of its 26.5 million monthly active US users were aged 16 to 24.
The executive order comes amid growing tensions centred around technology between the US and China. On Thursday Twitter began labelling some media accounts as affiliated with the Chinese and Russian governments for “additional context” for users. China’s Xinhua, the Global Times and its editor Hu Xijin, CGTN, China Daily, and the People’s Daily all have “China state-affiliated media” attached to their profile and individual tweets.
Twitter said the labels were applied to media “where the state exercises control over editorial content through financial resources, direct or indirect political pressures, and/or control over production and distribution”.
Additional reporting by Lily Kuo, Helen Davidson and Alex Hern


theguardian--2020-08-07--Coronavirus relief bill negotiations sour as both sides dig in – as it happened

Some Republicans in Congress argue that the extra $ 600 in unemployment benefits is so generous that it is discouraging people from going back to work .
Several university studies have cast doubt on that .
Economists and labor experts say that the benefits certain jobs carry , such as health care , can be enough for people to go back to work even if the pay is low .
Bethany Racobs-Ashford , the makeup artist with two small children , said the $ 600 had been a “ lifeline.
” The 32-year-old Dallas resident was just entering the busy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bulk of her income , when the outbreak struck , and she lost her job .
Her state unemployment aid amounts to only about $ 828 a month .
“ I don ’ t know what we ’ re going to do now , ” she said .
Fearing eviction from their home , Racobs-Ashford and her family moved in with her 70-year-old mother .
She worries about taking on a new job that could compromise her family ’ s health .
Jackilyn Lopez of Tucson , Arizona , said the $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for her family since she lost her job as a hygienist in March , when most dental practices shut down .
She and her husband have an 18-month old daughter , and Lopez is due to give birth in three weeks .
Her employer has reopened but has yet to recall Lopez .
She feels fortunate that her husband has kept his job as an assembly worker at a laser manufacturer .
But Lopez , 30 , just received her first weekly unemployment check without the $ 600 , and it was only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than that each week , with the diapers and formula , ” she said .
Food banks , pantries and other safety net organizations report soaring demand from people in need .
Charitable groups worry the problem will worsen with the end of the $ 600 and the expiration of coronavirus-era moratoriums on evictions .

Maanvi Singh in Oakland (now), Joan E Greve in Washington and Martin Belam (earlier)

7 Aug 2020 01.00 BST Summary Negotiations dragged on over the latest coronavirus relief bill. Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer held strong that they would not compromise on an extension for the $600 per week unemployment benefit that Republicans have wanted to cut down. White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin remained in Pelosi’s office for hours as both sides strived to finalize a deal by the end of the week.
Democratic leaders held strong that they would not compromise on an extension for the $600 per week unemployment benefit that Republicans have wanted to cut down. White House chief of staff and Treasury Secretary remained in Pelosi’s office for hours as both sides strived to finalize a deal by the end of the week. A federal judge dismissed House Republicans lawsuit against Pelosi over rules that would allow lawmakers to vote by proxy during the pandemic. Even as legislative leaders debate the relief bill, the Senate as been adjourned till Monday and the House is on recess. It is unclear when lawmakers will vote on the relief package, as arriving at a deal by the Friday deadline that the White House and Democrats have set seems increasingly unlikely.
Even as legislative leaders debate the relief bill, the Senate as been adjourned till Monday and the House is on recess. It is unclear when lawmakers will vote on the relief package, as arriving at a deal by the Friday deadline that the White House and Democrats have set seems increasingly unlikely. Donald Trump signed an executive order directing some federal agencies only to purchase some types of drugs and medical supplies if they are manufactured in the US . The impact of the executive order is unclear - it tasks the Food and Drug Administration with developing a list of essential medications and supplies that would fall under the requirement. The move comes after the US faced shortages, and scambled to secure scarce supplies as the coronavirus pandemic struck.
. The impact of the executive order is unclear - it tasks the Food and Drug Administration with developing a list of essential medications and supplies that would fall under the requirement. The move comes after the US faced shortages, and scambled to secure scarce supplies as the coronavirus pandemic struck. A judge in New York allowed a defamation suit from a woman who alleges that Trump sexually assaulted her to move forward. The state supreme court judge maintained that the sitting president is not immune from legal challenge.
The state supreme court judge maintained that the sitting president is not immune from legal challenge. Another 1.18 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week. The figure marks a slight decline from a week before, but unemployment remains alarmingly high in the US, and economists warn many layoffs connected to the pandemic are now becoming permanent.
The figure marks a slight decline from a week before, but unemployment remains alarmingly high in the US, and economists warn many layoffs connected to the pandemic are now becoming permanent. The New York attorney general has filed a lawsuit against the National Rifle Association. The lawsuit accuses the NRA and its top leaders, including CEO Wayne LaPierre, of widespread misuse of charitable funds. New York attorney general Letitia James said she is seeking to dissolve the gun rights group.
The lawsuit accuses the NRA and its top leaders, including CEO of widespread misuse of charitable funds. New York attorney general said she is seeking to dissolve the gun rights group. Ohio governor Mike DeWine tested positive for coronavirus. The Republican governor received a test because he was slated to greet Trump today as the president arrived in Cleveland. DeWine is the third politician in roughly a week to test positive for coronavirus as part of the White House screenings to protect the president, who has downplayed the importance of testing.
The Republican governor received a test because he was slated to greet today as the president arrived in Cleveland. DeWine is the third politician in roughly a week to test positive for coronavirus as part of the White House screenings to protect the president, who has downplayed the importance of testing. Trump announced he had reimposed a 10% tariff on most Canadian imports of aluminum. The proclamation signed by Trump indicates he made the decision in consultation with the secretary of commerce following a “surge” of Canadian imports into the US.
The proclamation signed by Trump indicates he made the decision in consultation with the secretary of commerce following a “surge” of Canadian imports into the US. Trump said Joe Biden, a practicing Catholic, was “against God.” The president said during a short speech in Cleveland that Biden would “hurt God” and “hurt the Bible” if elected. “He’s against God, he’s against guns, he’s against energy,” Trump said. The Biden campaign denounced the comment, saying the former vice president’s faith “is at the core of who he is.”
6 Aug 2020 00.33 BST Pelosi, Schumer, Meadows and Mnuchin are reportedly still in Pelosi’s office – where they have been for the past two hours negotiating the coronavirus relief bill. As the tense negotiations drag on, new numbers from the labor department have heaped on pressure. The department reported than another 1.18m people filed for unemployment last week. The number of claims is beginning to slow after two weeks of increases. But the urgency to finalize a deal could mount further tomorrow when the department is expected to report how many jobs were created in July. As coronavirus cases swell and states walk back initial steps to reopen the economy, that number is likely to be lower in July than it was in May, when the country began the recovery process that was ultimately thwarted by the virus’s resurgence.
Updated at 00.45 BST
6 Aug 2020 00.13 BST For the Associated Press, Sarah Skidmore Sell and Paul Wiseman interviewed some of the Americans who have been collecting the extra $600-per-week jobless benefit that lawmakers are debating: Some Republicans in Congress argue that the extra $600 in unemployment benefits is so generous that it is discouraging people from going back to work. Several university studies have cast doubt on that. Economists and labor experts say that the benefits certain jobs carry, such as health care, can be enough for people to go back to work even if the pay is low. Bethany Racobs-Ashford, the makeup artist with two small children, said the $600 had been a “lifeline.” The 32-year-old Dallas resident was just entering the busy wedding season, when she typically earns the bulk of her income, when the outbreak struck, and she lost her job. Her state unemployment aid amounts to only about $828 a month. “I don’t know what we’re going to do now,” she said. Fearing eviction from their home, Racobs-Ashford and her family moved in with her 70-year-old mother. She worries about taking on a new job that could compromise her family’s health. Jackilyn Lopez of Tucson, Arizona, said the $600 had been a “godsend” for her family since she lost her job as a hygienist in March, when most dental practices shut down. She and her husband have an 18-month old daughter, and Lopez is due to give birth in three weeks. Her employer has reopened but has yet to recall Lopez. She feels fortunate that her husband has kept his job as an assembly worker at a laser manufacturer. But Lopez, 30, just received her first weekly unemployment check without the $600, and it was only $213. “Our groceries are more than that each week, with the diapers and formula,” she said. Food banks, pantries and other safety net organizations report soaring demand from people in need. Charitable groups worry the problem will worsen with the end of the $600 and the expiration of coronavirus-era moratoriums on evictions.
Updated at 00.13 BST
6 Aug 2020 23.57 BST Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer have refused to back down from their stance on extending the jobless benefit. The benefit is $600 a week. Republicans have opposed the measure, arguing that some families may earn slightly more with the unemployment benefit than they would if they worked, and GOP lawmakers have pushed to reduce the benefit to $200 per week. “They’re just demonstrating their condescension to American families,” Pelosi said at a news conference, indicating she was not willing to concede. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she would not back down to reinstate the $600 weekly enhanced unemployment payments that have been a lifeline for people who lost their jobs in the pandemic https://t.co/GutnVVAQPP pic.twitter.com/1zKxi7Z7Cu — Reuters (@Reuters) August 6, 2020
Updated at 00.47 BST
6 Aug 2020 23.39 BST Senators have been sent home and the House is on recess while negotiations over the coronavirus relief bill continue. Senate has adjourned until Monday at 3p. House is on recess. Members in both chambers told they will have 24 hours to come back for a vote on any stimulus deal. Open question about whether lawmakers return before September — Manu Raju (@mkraju) August 6, 2020
6 Aug 2020 23.38 BST A federal judge has dismissed the House Republicans’ lawsuit against speaker Nancy Pelosi that aimed to nix new rules allowing lawmakers to vote by proxy during the pandemic. The lawsuit, spearheaded by House minority leader Kevin McCarthy of California, alleged that Pelosi’s measure to protect lawmakers from contracting coronavirus was unconstitutional because the constitution requires a majority of lawmakers to be present in order to conduct work. Judge Rudolph Contreras ruled that Congress has “absolute immunity from civil suit” and threw out the legal challenge.
Updated at 00.49 BST
6 Aug 2020 23.21 BST Amanda Holpuch Anthony Fauci, the top infectious disease expert in the US, has had to hire security to protect himself and his family after receiving death threats in response to his work to stop the spread of coronavirus. Fauci, a member of the White House coronavirus taskforce, told CNN that the pandemic has brought out “the best of people and the worst of people, and, you know, getting death threats for me and my family and harassing my daughters to the point where I have to get security”. Donald Trump’s administration has consistently downplayed the public health threat of coronavirus, but Fauci has just as consistently rejected those efforts. Since the early days of the pandemic, Fauci has provided blunt assessments of the crisis in media appearances and in remarks at the White House, which have been less frequent in recent months. “I wouldn’t have imagined in my wildest dreams that people who object to things that are pure public health principles are so set against it and don’t like what you and I say, namely in the world of science, that they actually threaten you,” said Fauci.
Fauci tells of death threats as Birx pinpoints fresh areas of Covid concern Read more
6 Aug 2020 23.19 BST Defamation lawsuit from woman who alleges Trump sexually assaulted her is allowed to move forward Ed Pilkington A judge in the New York state supreme court has allowed a defamation suit from a woman who alleges Donald Trump sexually assaulted her to go ahead, on grounds that the sitting president is not immune from legal action. Judge Verna Saunders on Thursday denied Trump’s motion to stay the defamation case brought by journalist E Jean Carroll who has accused the US president of sexually attacking her in Bergdorf Goodman department store in Manhattan in the 1990s. Saunders allowed the case to proceed to its next hearing on 30 September. In her ruling, the judge cited last month’s US supreme court ruling, Trump v Vance, which dismissed Trump’s claim that as president he was not obliged to show prosecutors his tax records. Saunders quoted chief justice John Roberts who wrote the majority opinion in Trump v Vance. In it he said: “No citizen, not even the president, is categorically above the common duty to produce evidence when called upon in a criminal proceeding.” Carroll’s lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, has just put out a statement welcoming the judge’s decision and saying they now intend to move quickly to discovery, “so that we can prove that Donald Trump defamed E Jean Carroll”. At the heart of the case is Carroll’s claim that he damaged her reputation and career when he denied that he had assaulted her. He repeatedly called her a liar, demeaningly suggesting that she was “not my type”. Until last year Carroll was the long-standing agony aunt for Elle magazine. She has said she was fired from her column after Trump ridiculed her.
6 Aug 2020 23.16 BST Bitter negotiation for a coronavirus relief bill resumes The Democratic leaders of the House and Senate met with the White House chief of staff and treasury secretary this evening, to continue negotiating a coronavirus relief bill. On the table: $100bn for schools and another round of $1,200 direct payments to most Americans. Both sides have committed to finalizing a deal by Friday, but after a bitter back-and-forth, that seems increasingly unlikely. Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer have held firm that they want to extend a $600 weekly joblessness benefit. Republicans have opposed the benefit, on grounds that some people might make more money by collecting unemployment than working. Pelosi and Schumer are also demanding childcare assistance, funds for food stamps and assistance for renters facing eviction. Trump has threatened to use executive orders to address aspects of the bill, including the joblessness benefit, but it’s unclear what impact such a move would have. “I don’t think they know what they’re talking about,” Pelosi said at a news conference, indicating that executive orders were unlikely to achieve anything close to the comprehensive legislation that Congress could work out. A vote may not come until next week. Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell is sending lawmakers home rather than asking them to wait for a deal.
Updated at 00.50 BST
6 Aug 2020 22.52 BST Democrats confront Trump's postmaster general in letter In a letter to the postmaster general, Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer say that he confirmed to them, despite public denials, that the postal service had instituted operational changes including reducing overtime for employees and reducing the equipment at processing centers. “We believe these changes, made during the middle of a once-in-a-century pandemic, now threaten the timely delivery of mail – including medicines for seniors, paychecks for workers, and absentee ballots for voters – that is essential to millions of Americans,” the leaders of the House and Senate wrote to postmaster general Louis DeJoy. “While it is true that the postal service has and continues to face financial challenges, enacting these policies as cost-cutting or efficiency measures as the Covid-19 public health emergency continues is counterproductive and unacceptable.” Voting rights groups have expressed concern that DeJoy – a major Trump donor – is undermining the postal service ahead of the elections, when most voters are expected to cast their ballots by mail amid the coronavirus pandemic. The agency has already lost billions in revenue as the pandemic-induced recession caused a dip in the amount of mail. After recent operational changes were enacted, Americans have been reporting days-long delays in receiving letters and packages. Senator Gary Peters, a Democrat of Michigan, recently announced that the Senate homeland security and governmental affairs committee was investigating the impact of the changes. The House oversight committee has also called on DeJoy to testify next month.
Updated at 00.54 BST
6 Aug 2020 22.31 BST In a statement, NRA’s Wayne LaPierre indicated that the gun rights group is looking to fight the lawsuit from the New York attorney general, calling the suit “an affront to democracy and freedom”. “This is an unconstitutional, premeditated attack aiming to dismantle and destroy the NRA – the fiercest defender of America’s freedom at the ballot box for decades,” he said. “We’re ready for the fight. Bring it on.” (1/2) Statement from NRA CEO & EVP Wayne LaPierre:
“The NYAG’s actions are an affront to democracy and freedom. This is an unconstitutional, premeditated attack aiming to dismantle and destroy the NRA – the fiercest defender of America’s freedom at the ballot box for decades. — NRA (@NRA) August 6, 2020
Updated at 22.51 BST


theguardian--2020-08-06--New York attorney general accuses National Rifle Association of 'years of fraud' – video

Letitia James has announced she is seeking to dissolve the NRA after an investigation by her office uncovered what she @ @ @ @ @ illegal conduct ' .
James accused the NRA 's CEO , Wayne LaPierre , of @ @ @ @ @ to finance a luxury lifestyle for his family .
'The NRA is fraught with fraud @ @ @ @ @ said .
'Which is why , today , we seek to dissolve the NRA , @ @ @ @ @ the law . '
• New York attorney general sues to shut down NRA , @ @ @

Letitia James has announced she is seeking to dissolve the NRA after an investigation by her office uncovered what she called 'years of self-dealing and illegal conduct'. James accused the NRA's CEO, Wayne LaPierre, of using the group's funds to finance a luxury lifestyle for his family.
'The NRA is fraught with fraud and abuse,' James said. 'Which is why, today, we seek to dissolve the NRA, because no organisation is above the law.'


theguardian--2020-08-07--Coronavirus US: death toll tops 160,000 as relief package impasse continues – live updates

Donald Trump has repeatedly touted that he might take unilateral action over some kind of coronavirus economic rescue plan .
Patricia Zengerle at Reuters has been looking at how that might take shape in practice – and whether he can really do it at all : What does Trump want to do ?
Trump said on Twitter he is considering executive orders to continue expanded unemployment benefits , reinstate a moratorium on evictions , cut payroll taxes .
There have been no specifics .
Can he do it ?
The Constitution puts control of federal spending in the hands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump does not have the legal authority to issue executive orders determining how money should be spent on coronavirus .
Democrats said executive orders would prompt a court fight , and the legal action could take months .
But , he has managed to side-step this before to shift billions of dollars from the Pentagon budget to pay for the southern border wall .
Would Democrats or Republicans object ?
The $ 600 per week enhanced unemployment benefit has been a major sticking point in negotiations .
Democrats want to continue the payment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and have rejected a short-term extension .
Republicans have argued that is too high a payment , contending it is a disincentive to work .
Which might also tell you something about wages .
The moratorium on evictions was less contentious , and could be covered by reprogramming money that Congress has already approved for housing .
Congressional Republicans and Democrats alike reject cutting the payroll tax .
A cut would disproportionately benefit Americans with high salaries , and only benefits people still getting paychecks , not those who have lost their jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from me today , I ’ m about to hand over to Joan Greve in Washington .
I ’ ll see you next week , take care and stay safe .

8 Aug 2020 01.42 BST Summary From me and Joan E Greve: Negotiations over the next coronavirus relief package fell apart. The White House and congressional Democratic leaders had an unproductive meeting this afternoon. The Democrats previously said the White House had rejected their offer to compromise on a $2tn topline for the relief package.
The White House and congressional Democratic leaders had an unproductive meeting this afternoon. The Democrats previously said the White House had rejected their offer to compromise on a $2tn topline for the relief package. During an impromptu Friday evening press conference at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, Trump said he was likely too pass executive orders in lieu of working out a deal with Democrats. His proposals: to defer payroll tax and enhance unemployment benefits until the end of the year, defer student loans and forgive interest and extend eviction moratoriums.
His proposals: to defer payroll tax and enhance unemployment benefits until the end of the year, defer student loans and forgive interest and extend eviction moratoriums. Trump also said he was pursuing an executive order to protect patients from insurance hikes due to pre-existing conditions. But that protection is already part of the Affordable Care Act, which the Trump administration is seeking to have struck down.
But that protection is already part of the Affordable Care Act, which the Trump administration is seeking to have struck down. At the golf club, wealthy members who came to watch the president’s press conference did not practice social distancing. Many did not wear masks and were drinking. Their presence was also apparently in violation of New Jersey guidelines for golf clubs, which asks that patrons not eat or drink indoors and wear masks. Trump defended them by saying they were engaging in “peaceful protest” of the “fake news”.
Many did not wear masks and were drinking. Their presence was also apparently in violation of New Jersey guidelines for golf clubs, which asks that patrons not eat or drink indoors and wear masks. Trump defended them by saying they were engaging in “peaceful protest” of the “fake news”. A senior US intelligence official said China is against Trump’s re-election while Russia is spreading disinformation about Joe Biden. National Counterintelligence and Security Center director William Evanina said in a new statement that China, Russia and Iran are all working to influence US public opinion in the final months before the presidential election.
National Counterintelligence and Security Center director William Evanina said in a new statement that China, Russia and Iran are all working to influence US public opinion in the final months before the presidential election. The new jobs report showed the US economy regained 1.8 million jobs in July. That figure, while promising, represents a steep drop-off from June, indicating the country’s economic recovery from the pandemic will be long and difficult. The US unemployment rate also remains alarmingly high, at 10.2%.
That figure, while promising, represents a steep drop-off from June, indicating the country’s economic recovery from the pandemic will be long and difficult. The US unemployment rate also remains alarmingly high, at 10.2%. New York governor Andrew Cuomo announced all schools would have the option to reopen for the new academic year. Every region in the state has successfully lowered its rate of coronavirus transmission, Cuomo said, so schools have the option to reopen for at least part of the week. But the ultimate decision of how and when to reopen will be made by local leaders and school officials. Trump poised to intervene in Covid-19 relief plans after talks break down Read more
Updated at 02.04 BST
8 Aug 2020 01.20 BST Asked whether the press conference, which was attended by members of his golf club, some of whom were not wearing masks and who were not maintaining social distance, was violating New Jersey guidelines for golf clubs, Trump said no, “Because it’s a political activity they have exceptions.” Their gathering and refusal to wear masks is “also a peaceful protest,” Trump said, because his wealthy golf club members “know the news is fake.” The crowd cheered. The president recently reversed his anti-mask stance and suggested that wearing face coverings to stop the spread of coronavirus is “patriotic” - but he seems to have changed his mind again.
Updated at 01.22 BST
8 Aug 2020 01.14 BST Contradicting the intelligence community’s assessment, the president said, “The last person Russia wants to see in office is Donald Trump.” Pressed on the matter, he said: “I don’t care what anybody says”
8 Aug 2020 01.11 BST Asked if he’s worried about legal challenges to his proposed executive orders, Trump responded: “We’ll see, yeah. Probably we’ll get sued.” Democrats have indicated that they will challenge executive orders that bypass negotiations.
Updated at 01.12 BST
8 Aug 2020 01.04 BST Trump said he is also seeking to sign an executive order to require health insurance companies to cover “all pre-existing conditions”. “This has never been done before,” Trump said. But patients with pre-existing health conditions are currently protected by the Affordable Care Act - which the Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court to strike down. Twenty million Americans covered by the landmark healthcare law could lose coverage if Trump’s challenge is successful. Moreover, Trump previously backed Republican efforts to remove protections for people with pre-existing conditions.
7 Aug 2020 00.58 BST Fact check: Testing and cases “We’re constantly showing cases, cases, cases, cases,” Trump said - and said that’s because the US is doing more testing than other cases. “We’re doing tremendous testing, and we’re especially doing big testing at nursing homes.” Trump often makes the false claim that increased testing can explain the coronavirus surge. We can give him some credit here for hedging a bit saying that more testing is “one of the reasons” cases are up. While testing is catching a greater proportion of positive cases, the main reason we’re seeing more cases is that - there are more cases. In many regions, hospitalizations and deaths are also increasing.
Updated at 00.59 BST
7 Aug 2020 00.49 BST Trump said that if no coronavirus relief deal is reached, he will also defer the payroll tax until the end of the year, “and it’ll be retroactive to July 1,” and might extend it past the end of the year, defer student loan payments and extend an eviction moratorium. The extent of Trump’s authority here is unclear. His executive orders would be vulnerable to legal challenges - as it’s Congress, not the executive, that is responsible for allocating funds.
Updated at 00.51 BST
7 Aug 2020 00.42 BST Trump indicates he might extend unemployment benefits via executive order Trump is boasting about the 1.8m jobs added in July and 9.3m jobs added since May. But when the pandemic struck, 22 million jobs were lost in March and April. He said he will extend unemployment benefits through the end of the year via an executive order, though he doesn’t say how much the extra jobless benefit would be. Democrats want to extend the $600 per week benefit, but Republicans have been opposed - and suggested $200 per week.
Updated at 00.46 BST
7 Aug 2020 00.36 BST Trump's golf club press conference begins Trump has begun by discussing the economy. Per usual, he is using a racist term to refer to the coronavirus.
7 Aug 2020 00.06 BST Donald Trump is preparing for a press conference from his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. According to Politico’s Meridith McGraw, who is part of the press pool at the event, “dozens and dozens of club members, in golf gear and some holding wine glasses - have filed into the ballroom,” where the conference will take place. “Only a handful of the dozens of club members were seen wearing masks, and their temperatures were being taken as they went into the ballroom. It’s unclear if the club members will be present for the news conference with the President,” McGraw said. Country club members awaiting the president pic.twitter.com/cm9FOvtoC9 — Jonathan Lemire (@JonLemire) August 7, 2020 In New Jersey, the regulations for golf courses prohibit “the consumption of food or beverages and smoking in indoor areas” and require patrons to wear masks indoors.
Updated at 00.43 BST
7 Aug 2020 23.57 BST Joe Biden is expected to announce his running mate very soon. Here’s a closer look at one of the top contenders, California congresswoman Karen Bass: Representative Karen Bass (D-CA) speaks at a press conference of the Congressional Black Caucus. Photograph: Michael Brochstein/SOPA Images/REX/Shutterstock In Karen Bass’s home state, colleagues across the political spectrum sing her praises. Most of America is just getting to know the 66-year-old congresswoman from Los Angeles who in recent weeks emerged as a top contender to be Joe Biden’s vice-presidential running mate. But in California, Bass has built a reputation as a progressive and a pragmatist – a community organizer who fought police brutality and addiction in Los Angeles and a practical politician who helped dig the state out of a historical fiscal crisis in 2008. The congresswoman is “someone who can heal our country – not just from the pandemic, but also from the racial divisions, the economic divisions”, the legendary labor organizer Dolores Huerta told the Guardian. Biden is expected to announce his running mate in the coming days. When the former vice-president earlier this year committed to choosing a woman to join his ticket, public speculation immediately coalesced around Kamala Harris, the California senator who ran against him in the Democratic presidential primaries. Buzz also circled Susan Rice, the Obama administration national security adviser, and Val Demings, the Florida congresswoman. But in recent weeks, Californians who worked with Bass – including Huerta – have openly campaigned for her as vice-president, propelling her to the top of Biden’s shortlist. Karen Bass: the progressive congresswoman who could be Biden's vice-president Read more


theguardian--2020-08-07--US added 1.8m jobs in July as states grapple with Covid-19 resurgence

The US economy added just 1.8m jobs in July after a record gain in June , as signals mounted that a resurgence of coronavirus cases in some states is weighing on the labor market recovery .
The unemployment rate fell to 10.2 % from 11.1 % .
The unemployment rate has now fallen for three months in a row , but it remains above the 10 % peak of the Great Recession and is three times the 3.5 % rate from February , before the spread of the pandemic in the US .
July ’ s jobs increase was less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 2.7m added in May .
The largest gains were in leisure and hospitality , which increased by 592,000 as coronavirus restrictions were lifted .
Employment in food services and drinking places rose by 502,000 .
Despite the gains over the last three months , employment in food services and drinking places is down by 2.6m since February .
William Rodgers , former chief economist at the US Department of Labor , said the jobs market would not fully recover until the virus was under control .
“ We may have plateaued , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy and chief economist at the Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers University .
“ The spigot was turned on , we got some job growth back , but because we have 35 states with [ coronavirus ] positivity rates above 10 % , the next spurt of growth will come when we get these rates down and keep the rates down in the other states.
” On Thursday , the labor department said another 1.2 million people had filed for unemployment benefits .
The figure was the lowest since March , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are becoming permanent .
The total number of people claiming unemployment benefits rose to 31.8 million in the week ending 18 July , up from 30.8 million the week before .
When the virus struck , Congress implemented a $ 600-a-week supplement to unemployment benefits to help people frozen out of the workplace by the virus .
That benefit expires at the end of July , and Washington is deadlocked over a replacement as Republicans argue the extra money has acted as a disincentive for people to return to work .
Karen L @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her last name , was furloughed by American Airlines in April .
The resident of Miami has been struggling to get her unemployment checks ever since .
Florida and other states have been overwhelmed by the number of claims .
“ They owe me 15 weeks , ” she said .
“ I just keep calling but it ’ s a futile effort .
Every day , three or four hours , sending emails .
I am losing hope.
” Her partner , who also lost his job , was receiving the extra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just $ 125 a week .
His payments have stopped and the couple have no idea why .
“ We have maxed out our credit cards , ” she said .
“ I had to tell my landlord we couldn ’ t pay the rent.
” Rodgers said inaction from Congress was causing “ unnecessary strain and stress ” and that the money was needed for as long as the pandemic continued .
His research shows that the states with higher coronavirus rates have the highest unemployment claims .
“ I would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we had stronger job creation , ” he said .
Without more aid to states and local government , a new wave of layoffs is likely for federal employees .
Those losses would disproportionately affect women and people of color who have already been hit hardest by the recession , said Rodgers .
“ The public sector is where many women and minorities got their toehold in the middle class .
If these jobs aren ’ t supported , we will see an expansion in gender and racial income inequality.
” Karen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her boyfriend , originally from Columbia , have discussed leaving the country .
“ We don ’ t want to , ” she said .
“ It ’ s just disgraceful .
The system is so broken .
This shouldn ’ t happen in the United States .
”

The US economy added 1.8m jobs in July after a record gain in June, as signals mounted that a resurgence of coronavirus cases in some states is weighing on the labor market recovery.
The unemployment rate fell to 10.2% from 11.1%.
The unemployment rate has now fallen for three months in a row, but it remains above the 10% peak of the Great Recession and is three times the 3.5% rate from February, before the spread of the pandemic in the US. July’s jobs increase was less than the 4.8m jobs added in June and 2.7m added in May.
The largest gains were in leisure and hospitality, which increased by 592,000 as coronavirus restrictions were lifted. Employment in food services and drinking places rose by 502,000. Despite the gains over the last three months, employment in food services and drinking places is down by 2.6m since February.
William Rodgers, former chief economist at the US Department of Labor, said the jobs market would not fully recover until the virus was under control.
“We may have plateaued,” said Rodgers, professor of public policy and chief economist at the Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers University. “The spigot was turned on, we got some job growth back, but because we have 35 states with [coronavirus] positivity rates above 10%, the next spurt of growth will come when we get these rates down and keep the rates down in the other states.”
On Thursday, the labor department said another 1.2 million people had filed for unemployment benefits. The figure was the lowest since March, but came amid signs that temporary layoffs are becoming permanent. The total number of people claiming unemployment benefits rose to 31.8 million in the week ending 18 July, up from 30.8 million the week before.
When the virus struck, Congress implemented a $600-a-week supplement to unemployment benefits to help people frozen out of the workplace by the virus. That benefit expires at the end of July, and Washington is deadlocked over a replacement as Republicans argue the extra money has acted as a disincentive for people to return to work.
Karen L, who did not wish to give her last name, was furloughed by American Airlines in April. The resident of Miami has been struggling to get her unemployment checks ever since. Florida and other states have been overwhelmed by the number of claims.
“They owe me 15 weeks,” she said. “I just keep calling but it’s a futile effort. Every day, three or four hours, sending emails. I am losing hope.”
Her partner, who also lost his job, was receiving the extra $600 but is now qualified for just $125 a week. His payments have stopped and the couple have no idea why. “We have maxed out our credit cards,” she said. “I had to tell my landlord we couldn’t pay the rent.”
Rodgers said inaction from Congress was causing “unnecessary strain and stress” and that the money was needed for as long as the pandemic continued. His research shows that the states with higher coronavirus rates have the highest unemployment claims. “I would be more sympathetic to the Republican view if we had stronger job creation,” he said.
Without more aid to states and local government, a new wave of layoffs is likely for federal employees. Those losses would disproportionately affect women and people of color who have already been hit hardest by the recession, said Rodgers. “The public sector is where many women and minorities got their toehold in the middle class. If these jobs aren’t supported, we will see an expansion in gender and racial income inequality.”
Karen, originally from the Dominican Republic, and her boyfriend, originally from Columbia, have discussed leaving the country. “We don’t want to,” she said. “It’s just disgraceful. The system is so broken. This shouldn’t happen in the United States.”


theguardian--2020-08-07--'It’s a place where they try to destroy you': why concentration camps are still with us – podcast

Mass internment camps did not begin or end with the Nazis – today they are everywhere from China to Europe @ @ @ @ @ can we stop their spread ?
By Daniel Trilling How to listen to podcasts : @ @ @ @ @

Written by Daniel Trilling, read by Lola Ogunyemi and produced by Esther Opoku-Gyeni

Mass internment camps did not begin or end with the Nazis – today they are everywhere from China to Europe to the US. How can we stop their spread? By Daniel Trilling
How to listen to podcasts: everything you need to know


theguardian--2020-08-07--Joe Biden attacks Donald Trump for 'shameful' claim he is 'against God'

Donald Trump has claimed Joe Biden is “ against God ” in an attack on the presumptive Democratic presidential candidate ’ s faith .
In provocative remarks during a trip to Ohio , a key election battleground , the US president said Biden was “ following the radical left agenda ” .
Trump added : “ Take away your guns , destroy your second amendment .
No religion , no anything , hurt the Bible , hurt God .
“ He ’ s against God , he ’ s against guns , he ’ s against energy , our kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leading in the polls , has frequently spoken about how his Catholic faith helped him cope with the deaths of his first wife and daughter in a 1972 car accident .
In a statement , he said Trump ’ s comments were “ shameful ” .
He added : “ Like so many people , my faith has been the bedrock foundation of my life : it ’ s provided me comfort in moments of loss and tragedy , it ’ s kept me grounded and humbled in times of triumph and joy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ darkness for our country – of pain , of division , and of sickness for so many Americans – my faith has been a guiding light for me and a constant reminder of the fundamental dignity and humanity that God has bestowed upon all of us .
“ For President Trump to attack my faith is shameful .
It ’ s beneath the office he holds and it ’ s beneath the dignity the American people so rightly expect and deserve from their leaders.
” Biden ’ s stance on abortion has antagonised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1973 , he said the Roe v Wade supreme court decision went “ too far ” , but now believes Roe v Wade is “ the law of the land , a woman has a right to choose ” .
Biden is dealing with a controversy of his own , after suggesting the African American community was homogenous – a comment Trump described as “ very insulting ” .
Biden said : “ What you all know but most people don ’ t know , unlike the African American community with notable exceptions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diverse community with incredibly different attitudes about different things.
” He later tweeted : “ Earlier today , I made some comments about diversity in the African American and Latino communities that I want to clarify .
In no way did I mean to suggest the African American community is a monolith – not by identity , not on issues , not at all .
“ My commitment to you is this : I will always listen , I will never stop fighting for the African American community and I will never stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

Donald Trump has claimed Joe Biden is “against God” in an attack on the presumptive Democratic presidential candidate’s faith.
In provocative remarks during a trip to Ohio, a key election battleground, the US president said Biden was “following the radical left agenda”.
Trump added: “Take away your guns, destroy your second amendment. No religion, no anything, hurt the Bible, hurt God.
“He’s against God, he’s against guns, he’s against energy, our kind of energy.”
Biden, who is leading in the polls, has frequently spoken about how his Catholic faith helped him cope with the deaths of his first wife and daughter in a 1972 car accident.
In a statement, he said Trump’s comments were “shameful”.
He added: “Like so many people, my faith has been the bedrock foundation of my life: it’s provided me comfort in moments of loss and tragedy, it’s kept me grounded and humbled in times of triumph and joy.
“And in this moment of darkness for our country – of pain, of division, and of sickness for so many Americans – my faith has been a guiding light for me and a constant reminder of the fundamental dignity and humanity that God has bestowed upon all of us.
“For President Trump to attack my faith is shameful. It’s beneath the office he holds and it’s beneath the dignity the American people so rightly expect and deserve from their leaders.”
Biden’s stance on abortion has antagonised many of his fellow Catholics. In 1973, he said the Roe v Wade supreme court decision went “too far”, but now believes Roe v Wade is “the law of the land, a woman has a right to choose”.
Biden is dealing with a controversy of his own, after suggesting the African American community was homogenous – a comment Trump described as “very insulting”.
Biden said: “What you all know but most people don’t know, unlike the African American community with notable exceptions, the Latino community is an incredibly diverse community with incredibly different attitudes about different things.”
He later tweeted: “Earlier today, I made some comments about diversity in the African American and Latino communities that I want to clarify. In no way did I mean to suggest the African American community is a monolith – not by identity, not on issues, not at all.
“My commitment to you is this: I will always listen, I will never stop fighting for the African American community and I will never stop fighting for a more equitable future.”


theguardian--2020-08-07--'Never give up': Greek asylum fight is gifted student's hardest lesson

From the stack of books Amadou Diallo took with him last summer to the Greek islands , it was a biography of Frederick Douglass that kept finding its way back to the top .
One quote from the 19th-century slavery abolitionist particularly resonated : “ Once you learn to read , you will be forever free.
” Diallo was on Sifnos , a holiday destination for cultured Athenians and well-heeled foreign families .
An asylum seeker from Guinea , he was working long hours in a hotel .
At night he would read the life stories of great men , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take .
Still just 20 , the boy who arrived alone from west Africa nearly four years ago has seized every chance given to him .
From boutique hotels on fashionably offbeat islands , to a private school where diplomats send their children , he has seen a vision of what Europe has to offer .
He has read voraciously and worked hard to educate himself and to belong .
But his place in this new world relies on Greece ’ s asylum process .
Diallo did not grow up with dreams of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his father died that his life pitched into something that could have been imagined by a west African Dickens .
Along with his younger brother , he was sent to live with his stepmother , who he says was abusive and sold him to the owner of a gold mine .
His life at the mine was essentially one of forced labour .
The first time he tried to escape , he was caught and brutally punished .
Unbowed , he tried again .
Locked in with other children , he screamed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unlocked the door and in the chaos he managed to slip away .
He crossed the border into Mali and took the route north that would eventually lead him to Turkey .
From there , he caught a boat to the Greek island of Lesbos .
When the 16-year-old finally reached Athens , two months after leaving Guinea , he was spotted by an aid worker who brought him to a children ’ s shelter run by the Home Project , a non-profit organisation .
It focuses on sheltering lone children who , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ended up surviving on the streets , in camps or detention centres .
As an unaccompanied minor he was classed as vulnerable and granted temporary protection .
Through the Home Project he met Anna-Maria Kountouri , an immigration lawyer .
She explains that minors have a race against time to gain legal status to remain in Europe , as when they reach 18 it is more difficult .
To secure his future in Europe , Diallo needed the Greek authorities to accept his asylum claim .
But the rejection rate in Greece @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent years under new hardline asylum laws .
Children whose cases are rejected are not deported but coming of age sweeps away that protection .
Between June 2013 and January 2020 a total of 7,558 asylum applications from unaccompanied minors were processed in Greece , of which 63 % were rejected .
Of the 186 applications processed in January 2020 , 71 % were rejected .
In the shelter Diallo started learning Greek and English to add to his native French .
As his language skills developed , the shelter staff encountered a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was clearly bright .
They arranged for him to sit an entrance exam for a sought-after French private school in Athens , which he passed .
The school year had already started when he arrived , but he embraced the challenge : “ It was [ an ] opportunity to prove [ to ] them what I ’ m able to do if I get help , ” he says .
At first , Diallo ’ s troubled past made him reticent , even with a psychologist who was tasked with helping him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being a quiet 16-year-old to the leader of his shelter , and was elected president of the student body at his school .
Now he says he loves to be around other people and only spends time alone to study .
The last day of January was a big day for Diallo .
He was hoping to be granted asylum on appeal and finally let go of some of the uncertainty of his life .
Kountouri had spent weeks gathering evidence from his earlier life , including photos depicting the injuries he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mine .
But when the decision came , it was another rejection .
He remembers staring at the piece of paper in disbelief .
His mind filled with questions .
Why was his suffering not recognised ?
He had the presence of mind to take a photo of the decision and send it to Kountouri .
She reassured him they would find a solution .
Alone with his rejection paper , it was hard to feel reassured : “ I was alone and I didn ’ t feel any compassion even from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Diallo and his lawyer now faced an uphill struggle to get a judge to overrule the rejection on the grounds that it was “ illegal and arbitrary ” .
A third rejection would lead inexorably to a deportation order .
“ I told myself I would not let myself down and I will not give up school , ” he says .
“ Because this chance that I have now , being in a private school and graduating this year , not everyone has this opportunity.
” After the second rejection , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so just to walk the streets became nerve-racking .
Twice police stopped him and let him go when he showed a picture of his old ID .
His confidence slowly evaporated .
He felt embarrassed at the thought of being checked by police in front of classmates : “ It ’ s like you ’ re a criminal or something , not having an ID.
” The stakes became even higher when Diallo heard he had been awarded a full scholarship at Sciences Po in Paris , one of the world ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a triumphant moment initially left him in agonising limbo .
If his final asylum appeal failed , he would not be able to enrol .
His plight captured the attention of Sciences Po students , who struck up a petition in his name , calling for him to be allowed to come and study .
From late spring into summer , Diallo remained at this fork in the road .
One path presented a chance to study at a level that may equip him to do something about the travails of children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a possible deportation back to the country of his horrific childhood , Guinea .
On 21 July the agonising wait ended .
Diallo was called to Greece ’ s migration ministry , where he and two other “ dreamers ” were granted asylum .
All three were exceptionally gifted , with the other two an ace student and a possible future basketball star .
They are , in most senses , the exceptions that prove the rule .
Being an exception is its own kind of burden .
It exerts pressure to prove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still in limbo , Diallo trained himself to see things positively : “ I also try to remember that a lot of good things happened to me .
I have access to education , something that I [ always ] really wanted.
” Now he has the right to remain , a sense of responsibility weighs on his initial reaction to the changed circumstances : “ I wanted to be safe , and now I ’ m thinking that I can do more , I just need to work more and take more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we always have to try , to not give up , just keep trying.
” • None This article is part of a week-long Guardian series called ‘ Europe ’ s dreamers ’ , which tells the stories of undocumented young people in a climate of hardline European migration policies .

From the stack of books Amadou Diallo took with him last summer to the Greek islands, it was a biography of Frederick Douglass that kept finding its way back to the top. One quote from the 19th-century slavery abolitionist particularly resonated: “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.”
Diallo was on Sifnos, a holiday destination for cultured Athenians and well-heeled foreign families. An asylum seeker from Guinea, he was working long hours in a hotel. At night he would read the life stories of great men, wondering what shape his own freedom might take.
Still just 20, the boy who arrived alone from west Africa nearly four years ago has seized every chance given to him. From boutique hotels on fashionably offbeat islands, to a private school where diplomats send their children, he has seen a vision of what Europe has to offer. He has read voraciously and worked hard to educate himself and to belong. But his place in this new world relies on Greece’s asylum process.
Q&A Who are Europe's dreamers? Show Dreamers is the US term collectively given to young people without legal immigration status who were brought to the US as children. Some young people living in Europe without legal status now also call themselves 'dreamers' because their struggle against hostile European migration and asylum policies echoes the US campaign. Between 3.9 and 4.8 million people in Europe are believed to be living without residency permits, about 65% of whom are under 35 years old, according to the Pew Research Center. In the UK, a recent University of Wolverhampton study commissioned by the mayor of London estimated there are 332,000 children and young people living undocumented in the UK, including 106,000 children born in the country. Estimating numbers of undocumented people necessarily involves guesswork – and the methodologies are often criticised – but it is thought there are millions of dreamers across Europe.
Was this helpful? Thank you for your feedback.
Diallo did not grow up with dreams of leaving Guinea. It was only after his father died that his life pitched into something that could have been imagined by a west African Dickens. Along with his younger brother, he was sent to live with his stepmother, who he says was abusive and sold him to the owner of a gold mine.
His life at the mine was essentially one of forced labour. The first time he tried to escape, he was caught and brutally punished.
Unbowed, he tried again. Locked in with other children, he screamed that there was a fire. The guards unlocked the door and in the chaos he managed to slip away.
He crossed the border into Mali and took the route north that would eventually lead him to Turkey. From there, he caught a boat to the Greek island of Lesbos. When the 16-year-old finally reached Athens, two months after leaving Guinea, he was spotted by an aid worker who brought him to a children’s shelter run by the Home Project, a non-profit organisation. It focuses on sheltering lone children who, like Diallo, came in their thousands and ended up surviving on the streets, in camps or detention centres. As an unaccompanied minor he was classed as vulnerable and granted temporary protection.
Through the Home Project he met Anna-Maria Kountouri, an immigration lawyer. She explains that minors have a race against time to gain legal status to remain in Europe, as when they reach 18 it is more difficult.
To secure his future in Europe, Diallo needed the Greek authorities to accept his asylum claim. But the rejection rate in Greece for unaccompanied minors has risen sharply in recent years under new hardline asylum laws. Children whose cases are rejected are not deported but coming of age sweeps away that protection.
Between June 2013 and January 2020 a total of 7,558 asylum applications from unaccompanied minors were processed in Greece, of which 63% were rejected. Of the 186 applications processed in January 2020, 71% were rejected.
A child looks through a fence at the Moria refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos. Photograph: Adam Berry/Getty Images
In the shelter Diallo started learning Greek and English to add to his native French. As his language skills developed, the shelter staff encountered a boy who spoke softly and deliberately and was clearly bright. They arranged for him to sit an entrance exam for a sought-after French private school in Athens, which he passed.
The school year had already started when he arrived, but he embraced the challenge: “It was [an] opportunity to prove [to] them what I’m able to do if I get help,” he says.
At first, Diallo’s troubled past made him reticent, even with a psychologist who was tasked with helping him adjust. But gradually he progressed from being a quiet 16-year-old to the leader of his shelter, and was elected president of the student body at his school. Now he says he loves to be around other people and only spends time alone to study.
The last day of January was a big day for Diallo. He was hoping to be granted asylum on appeal and finally let go of some of the uncertainty of his life. Kountouri had spent weeks gathering evidence from his earlier life, including photos depicting the injuries he had suffered as a child labourer at the mine.
Amadou Diallo in Greece. Photograph: Enri Kanaj/Magnum
But when the decision came, it was another rejection. He remembers staring at the piece of paper in disbelief. His mind filled with questions. Why was his suffering not recognised? He had the presence of mind to take a photo of the decision and send it to Kountouri. She reassured him they would find a solution. Alone with his rejection paper, it was hard to feel reassured: “I was alone and I didn’t feel any compassion even from the person that was giving me the result.”
Diallo and his lawyer now faced an uphill struggle to get a judge to overrule the rejection on the grounds that it was “illegal and arbitrary”. A third rejection would lead inexorably to a deportation order.
It's like being a criminal, not having an ID. But I learned that you have to try, not give up, just keep trying
“I told myself I would not let myself down and I will not give up school,” he says. “Because this chance that I have now, being in a private school and graduating this year, not everyone has this opportunity.”
After the second rejection, Diallo’s ID was revoked, so just to walk the streets became nerve-racking. Twice police stopped him and let him go when he showed a picture of his old ID. His confidence slowly evaporated.
He felt embarrassed at the thought of being checked by police in front of classmates: “It’s like you’re a criminal or something, not having an ID.”
The stakes became even higher when Diallo heard he had been awarded a full scholarship at Sciences Po in Paris, one of the world’s most elite universities. What should have been a triumphant moment initially left him in agonising limbo. If his final asylum appeal failed, he would not be able to enrol. His plight captured the attention of Sciences Po students, who struck up a petition in his name, calling for him to be allowed to come and study.
From late spring into summer, Diallo remained at this fork in the road. One path presented a chance to study at a level that may equip him to do something about the travails of children like himself. The other path, a possible deportation back to the country of his horrific childhood, Guinea.
On 21 July the agonising wait ended. Diallo was called to Greece’s migration ministry, where he and two other “dreamers” were granted asylum. All three were exceptionally gifted, with the other two an ace student and a possible future basketball star. They are, in most senses, the exceptions that prove the rule.
Being an exception is its own kind of burden. It exerts pressure to prove you are deserving. While he was still in limbo, Diallo trained himself to see things positively: “I also try to remember that a lot of good things happened to me. I have access to education, something that I [always] really wanted.”
Now he has the right to remain, a sense of responsibility weighs on his initial reaction to the changed circumstances: “I wanted to be safe, and now I’m thinking that I can do more, I just need to work more and take more initiatives in my life. I learned that we always have to try, to not give up, just keep trying.”


theguardian--2020-08-07--Karen Bass: the progressive congresswoman who could be Biden's vice-president

In Karen Bass ’ home state , colleagues across the political spectrum sing her praises .
Most of America is just getting to know the 66-year-old congresswoman from Los Angeles who in recent weeks emerged as a top contender to be Joe Biden ’ s vice-presidential running mate .
But in California , Bass has built a reputation as a progressive and a pragmatist – a community organizer who fought police brutality and addiction in Los Angeles and a practical politician who helped dig the state out of a historical fiscal crisis in 2008 .
The congresswoman is “ someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just from the pandemic , but also from the racial divisions , the economic divisions ” , the legendary labor organizer Dolores Huerta told the Guardian .
Biden is expected to announce his running mate in the coming days .
When the former vice-president earlier this year committed to choosing a woman to join his ticket , public speculation immediately coalesced around Kamala Harris , the California senator who ran against him in the Democratic presidential primaries .
Buzz also circled Susan Rice , the Obama administration national security adviser , and Val @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in recent weeks , Californians who worked with Bass – including Huerta – have openly campaigned for her as vice-president , propelling her to the top of Biden ’ s shortlist .
Bass ’ supporters commend her fierce commitment to advancing social justice , and an easy charm that has helped her win over liberals and staunch conservatives alike .
But others worry her politics are too far to the left to appeal to moderate voters , as the vice-presidential vetting process resurfaced some of her political controversies – including past comments about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alienate expats in the political quagmire of Florida .
Bass grew up in a Black , middle-class neighborhood Los Angeles , trained as a physician assistant and worked in an emergency room .
As the crack epidemic hit LA , she began a substance abuse and treatment center – a non-profit that grew into the Community Coalition , which remains an influential advocacy group in the city .
At a time when the government moved to further criminalize drug possession and violently police Black and brown neighborhoods , Bass argued addiction was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infamous 1994 “ tough on crime ” law that Biden helped write .
She lobbied to replace liquor shops in South LA with housing and grocery stores , battled to build more schools and campaigned to keep children from being forced into foster care .
She won a seat in the California assembly in 2004 and was elected speaker of the assembly two years later , becoming the first Black woman to lead a state legislative house .
In the state capital , Sacramento , she found herself at the center of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Democrats had been locked in a months-long stalemate over how to address a $ 41m deficit in the aftermath of the Great Recession .
“ When Karen walked into the negotiations , it just changed the dynamics in the room , ” said Mike Villines , who was the assembly ’ s Republican minority leader .
“ She would really listen to everybody , and at first – we even thought – is this a trick ?
” Bass held firmly to her goals to minimize cuts to education and healthcare , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sacramento and the Democratic leader of the state senate at the time .
“ Yet she was also the epitome of ‘ you can disagree strongly without being disagreeable , ’ ” he said .
Steinberg , Bass , Villines and their colleagues won a John F Kennedy Profiles in Courage award for the compromise they reached in February 2009 .
The trust Bass built in Los Angeles and in Sacramento propelled her to Congress in 2010 .
She was elected to lead one of the most diverse districts in California – her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ white , 25 % Black , 40 % Latino and 8 % Asian American .
“ At a moment when we need to help rebuild our country from crisis , Karen is a builder – she builds coalitions , ” Huerta said .
Bass was elected chair of the Congressional Black Caucus in 2018 .
And in the aftermath of protests following the death of George Floyd , she is leading her party ’ s effort to reform the police , and , to an extent , reverse the legacy of Democratic policies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act she helped develop passed in Congress was backed by every Democratic representative and three Republicans .
The bill , which is unlikely to be taken up by the Republican-led Senate , curbs “ qualified immunity ” , a legal provision that shields police .
It makes lynching a federal crime , and incentivizes local police departments to ban chokeholds – but it doesn ’ t defund the police or direct resources away from law enforcement , as activists have long demanded .
“ No , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s time to defund the police , ” Bass told Fox LA , though she echoed an argument that many supporters of defunding make – that police shouldn ’ t be the ones responding to every type of emergency .
When the government underfunds social programs and healthcare , “ police are left to pick up the pieces , and that ’ s wrong ” , she said .
“ They ’ re not social workers – why should they be dealing with social , economic and health problems.
” Though Biden ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he spearheaded his crime bill , the duo ’ s politics still diverge significantly .
She supports the ambitious Green New Deal to tackle the climate crisis , and Medicare for All as a solution to the nation ’ s healthcare woes .
He prefers more moderate options .
But the two also have a lot in common personally , and philosophically .
She , like him , was struck by tragedy early in her political career .
In 2006 , less than two years after she was inaugurated to the California state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Emilia , and son-in-law Michael died in a car accident .
Bass has discussed the loss with Biden , whose wife and one-year-old daughter died in a car crash in 1972 .
“ The most difficult part of that was – and it was the same with him – when those accidents happened , both of us were in public life , ” Bass said in an interview with Ozy .
“ The world is watching you grieving.
” Like Biden , Bass said she struggled to “ carry on ” afterwards .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ led people to just cash it in , ” Biden wrote in his memoir about the period following his wife and daughter ’ s death .
For Bass , it was the memory of her daughter that “ allowed her to continue ” , she said .
“ Because she would have been very upset with me if I didn ’ t continue.
” Both politicians also share a commitment to bipartisanship – a motivation or obligation to reach out to those they don ’ t agree with , and look for common @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s supporters celebrate his goofball affability , Bass ’ colleagues and friends praise her disarming charm .
“ You can put Karen anywhere , even in the most rightwing , ultra conservative district , and she ’ ll get some of the people there into conversation with them , ” said Fabian Núñez , who was the California assembly speaker before Bass .
“ She ’ s genuinely very , very nice , ” Steinberg told the Guardian .
“ She ’ s good people.
” Villines , who remains a Republican , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very comfortable with Karen in high positions in government , because I know she absolutely is a real person who ’ s been through some really difficult things and who ’ s really just trying to get things done.
” Even the House minority leader , Kevin McCarthy – a Trump ally who shares almost no political common ground with progressive Bass – has called her his “ favorite Democrat ” for her ability to negotiate .
It may seem a remarkable contradiction then that progressives have openly endorsed Bass as a champion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give liberals a voice at the White House .
“ She knows where to hold the line , ” Steinberg explained .
It may help to understand her to know that Bass earned brown belts in taekwondo and hapkido .
“ Remember those old Bruce Lee movies ?
When somebody who had watched a Bruce Lee movie would think they knew how to fight – with no discipline , no control – they would come in just flailing , swinging , ” she told the LA Times in 2009 .
“ You should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where the beginning , middle and end game is , and that ’ s what I felt I was taught.
” Bass ’ s political goals at the moment don ’ t seem to include an eventual run for president – and she says it never has .
“ You can look back in my life , and I think it ’ s pretty clear that I didn ’ t set out to run for president , ’ ’ she said on NBC ’ s Meet the Press .
“ I have always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she is a top candidate for veep , her public vetting has been “ a very interesting process ; a trip down memory lane ” , she joked .
Her past work in Cuba has come under particular scrutiny .
In the 1970s , Bass worked for the Venceremos Brigade , a joint venture of Fidel Castro ’ s government and Students for a Democratic Society , the leftist , antiwar group in the US .
Bass has said that she helped build housing and healthcare facilities with the group , to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also faced criticism for referring to Castro as “ Comandante en Jefe ” – a title that Cuban expats in the US denounce – when the dictator died in 2016 , and for eulogizing Oneil Marion Cannon , a top member of the Communist Party USA as a “ friend and mentor ” .
Republicans have seized on an opportunity to paint Bass as a Castro supporter , and a communist , in particular to Cuban Americans in swing states like Florida .
Bass argues her position on Cuba “ is really no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration ” .
She accompanied Obama in 2016 on his historic visit to the country .
Bass has also stressed that she is not a communist , but said she appreciated Cannon ’ s work for his community in Los Angeles and his commitment to campaigning for Black and brown candidates .
Amid heightened scrutiny of her past , the Los Angeles Times also revealed that Bass has earned consulting fees from a community non-profit that she founded , and that her campaign had funded .
Bass has maintained that her income and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the non-profit has corroborated her position .
Another concern for critics is Bass ’ effusive speech at the 2010 opening of the Church of Scientology ’ s headquarters in LA , when she praised the group ’ s founder L Ron Hubbard .
She told a crowd of 6,000 , “ your creed is a universal creed and one that speaks to all people everywhere ” .
In a statement , Bass said she was looking for an “ area of agreement ” with the church , and in the decade since “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and documentaries have exposed this group ” .
Scientology defectors have alleged intimidation , abuse and human trafficking .
“ Just so you all know , I proudly worship at First New Christian Fellowship Baptist Church in South LA , ” Bass noted in her statement .
Huerta , who supported Kamala Harris in the presidential primaries , but recently published an op-ed endorsing Bass for vice-president said the discussions around the congresswoman ’ s have created a “ fantasma ” – a ghost or a boogeyman – “ designed to frighten supporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said “ You have Donald Trump who praised the dictator in North Korea , ” she said .
When the president has failed to condemn , and even exalted leaders who have overseen humanitarian atrocities , Huerta said , “ it ’ s silly ” for Republicans to fixate on Bass ’ record on Cuba .

In Karen Bass’s home state, colleagues across the political spectrum sing her praises.
Most of America is just getting to know the 66-year-old congresswoman from Los Angeles who in recent weeks emerged as a top contender to be Joe Biden’s vice-presidential running mate. But in California, Bass has built a reputation as a progressive and a pragmatist – a community organizer who fought police brutality and addiction in Los Angeles and a practical politician who helped dig the state out of a historical fiscal crisis in 2008.
The congresswoman is “someone who can heal our country – not just from the pandemic, but also from the racial divisions, the economic divisions”, the legendary labor organizer Dolores Huerta told the Guardian.
Biden is expected to announce his running mate in the coming days. When the former vice-president earlier this year committed to choosing a woman to join his ticket, public speculation immediately coalesced around Kamala Harris, the California senator who ran against him in the Democratic presidential primaries. Buzz also circled Susan Rice, the Obama administration national security adviser, and Val Demings, the Florida congresswoman. But in recent weeks, Californians who worked with Bass – including Huerta – have openly campaigned for her as vice-president, propelling her to the top of Biden’s shortlist.
Karen Bass votes for the first of two articles of impeachment against Donald Trump on 13 December 2019. Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/POOL/EPA
Bass’s supporters commend her fierce commitment to advancing social justice, and an easy charm that has helped her win over liberals and staunch conservatives alike. But others worry her politics are too far to the left to appeal to moderate voters, as the vice-presidential vetting process resurfaced some of her political controversies – including past comments about the Cuban dictator Fidel Castro that could alienate expats in the political quagmire of Florida.
‘She builds coalitions’
Bass grew up in a Black, middle-class neighborhood Los Angeles, trained as a physician assistant and worked in an emergency room. As the crack epidemic hit LA, she began a substance abuse and treatment center – a non-profit that grew into the Community Coalition, which remains an influential advocacy group in the city.
At a time when the government moved to further criminalize drug possession and violently police Black and brown neighborhoods, Bass argued addiction was a public health crisis and advocated against the infamous 1994 “tough on crime” law that Biden helped write. She lobbied to replace liquor shops in South LA with housing and grocery stores, battled to build more schools and campaigned to keep children from being forced into foster care.
She won a seat in the California assembly in 2004 and was elected speaker of the assembly two years later, becoming the first Black woman to lead a state legislative house.
In the state capital, Sacramento, she found herself at the center of a wholly different kind of crisis. Republicans and Democrats had been locked in a months-long stalemate over how to address a $41m deficit in the aftermath of the Great Recession. “When Karen walked into the negotiations, it just changed the dynamics in the room,” said Mike Villines, who was the assembly’s Republican minority leader. “She would really listen to everybody, and at first – we even thought – is this a trick?”
Bass held firmly to her goals to minimize cuts to education and healthcare, said Darrell Steinberg, the mayor of Sacramento and the Democratic leader of the state senate at the time. “Yet she was also the epitome of ‘you can disagree strongly without being disagreeable,’” he said. Steinberg, Bass, Villines and their colleagues won a John F Kennedy Profiles in Courage award for the compromise they reached in February 2009.
The trust Bass built in Los Angeles and in Sacramento propelled her to Congress in 2010. She was elected to lead one of the most diverse districts in California – her constituency in Los Angeles is 25% white, 25% Black, 40% Latino and 8% Asian American. “At a moment when we need to help rebuild our country from crisis, Karen is a builder – she builds coalitions,” Huerta said.
Bass was elected chair of the Congressional Black Caucus in 2018. And in the aftermath of protests following the death of George Floyd, she is leading her party’s effort to reform the police, and, to an extent, reverse the legacy of Democratic policies that unequally incarcerated Black and brown Americans.
Karen Bass at a press conference on Capitol Hill about legislation to address systemic racism on 1 July 2020. Photograph: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images
The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act she helped develop passed in Congress and was backed by every Democratic representative and three Republicans. The bill, which is unlikely to be taken up by the Republican-led Senate, curbs “qualified immunity”, a legal provision that shields police. It makes lynching a federal crime, and incentivizes local police departments to ban chokeholds – but it doesn’t defund the police or direct resources away from law enforcement, as activists have long demanded.
“No, I don’t think it’s time to defund the police,” Bass told Fox LA, though she echoed an argument that many supporters of defunding make – that police shouldn’t be the ones responding to every type of emergency. When the government underfunds social programs and healthcare, “police are left to pick up the pieces, and that’s wrong”, she said. “They’re not social workers – why should they be dealing with social, economic and health problems.”
Bass and Biden
Though Biden’s views on policing have evolved since he spearheaded his crime bill, the duo’s politics still diverge significantly. She supports the ambitious Green New Deal to tackle the climate crisis, and Medicare for All as a solution to the nation’s healthcare woes. He prefers more moderate options.
But the two also have a lot in common personally, and philosophically. She, like him, was struck by tragedy early in her political career. In 2006, less than two years after she was inaugurated to the California state assembly, her 23-year old daughter, Emilia, and son-in-law Michael died in a car accident.
Bass has discussed the loss with Biden, whose wife and one-year-old daughter died in a car crash in 1972. “The most difficult part of that was – and it was the same with him – when those accidents happened, both of us were in public life,” Bass said in an interview with Ozy. “The world is watching you grieving.”
Like Biden, Bass said she struggled to “carry on” afterwards. “I began to understand how despair led people to just cash it in,” Biden wrote in his memoir about the period following his wife and daughter’s death. For Bass, it was the memory of her daughter that “allowed her to continue”, she said. “Because she would have been very upset with me if I didn’t continue.”
Both politicians also share a commitment to bipartisanship – a motivation or obligation to reach out to those they don’t agree with, and look for common values. The same way Biden’s supporters celebrate his goofball affability, Bass’s colleagues and friends praise her disarming charm. “You can put Karen anywhere, even in the most rightwing, ultra-conservative district, and she’ll get some of the people there into conversation with them,” said Fabian Núñez, who was the California assembly speaker before Bass.
“She’s genuinely very, very nice,” Steinberg told the Guardian. “She’s good people.”
Villines, who remains a Republican, said that nonetheless “I would be very comfortable with Karen in high positions in government, because I know she absolutely is a real person who’s been through some really difficult things and who’s really just trying to get things done.”
Even the House minority leader, Kevin McCarthy – a Trump ally who shares almost no political common ground with progressive Bass – has called her his “favorite Democrat” for her ability to negotiate.
Kevin McCarthy hugs Bass during a ceremony to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the arrival of enslaved Africans in the US. Photograph: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images
It may seem a remarkable contradiction then that progressives have openly endorsed Bass as a champion of “transformative change” who would give liberals a voice at the White House. “She knows where to hold the line,” Steinberg explained.
It may help to understand her to know that Bass earned brown belts in taekwondo and hapkido. “Remember those old Bruce Lee movies? When somebody who had watched a Bruce Lee movie would think they knew how to fight – with no discipline, no control – they would come in just flailing, swinging,” she told the LA Times in 2009. “You should have goals; it should be clear where the beginning, middle and end game is, and that’s what I felt I was taught.”
Public vetting
Bass’s political goals at the moment don’t seem to include an eventual run for president – and she says it never has. “You can look back in my life, and I think it’s pretty clear that I didn’t set out to run for president,’’ she said on NBC’s Meet the Press. “I have always been focused on work.”
Now that she is a top candidate for veep, her public vetting has been “a very interesting process; a trip down memory lane”, she joked. Her past work in Cuba has come under particular scrutiny.
In the 1970s, Bass worked for the Venceremos Brigade, a joint venture of Fidel Castro’s government and Students for a Democratic Society, the leftist, antiwar group in the US. Bass has said that she helped build housing and healthcare facilities with the group, to help the Cuban people. She’s also faced criticism for referring to Castro as “Comandante en Jefe” – a title that Cuban expats in the US denounce – when the dictator died in 2016, and for eulogizing Oneil Marion Cannon, a top member of the Communist Party USA as a “friend and mentor”.
Republicans have seized on an opportunity to paint Bass as a Castro supporter, and a communist, in particular to Cuban Americans in swing states like Florida. Bass argues her position on Cuba “is really no different than the position of the Obama administration”. She accompanied Obama in 2016 on his historic visit to the country. Bass has also stressed that she is not a communist, but said she appreciated Cannon’s work for his community in Los Angeles and his commitment to campaigning for Black and brown candidates.
Amid heightened scrutiny of her past, the Los Angeles Times also revealed that Bass has earned consulting fees from a community non-profit that she founded, and that her campaign had funded. Bass has maintained that her income and the campaign donations are unrelated, and the non-profit has corroborated her position.
Another concern for critics is Bass’s effusive speech at the 2010 opening of the Church of Scientology’s headquarters in LA, when she praised the group’s founder L Ron Hubbard. She told a crowd of 6,000, “your creed is a universal creed and one that speaks to all people everywhere”.
In a statement, Bass said she was looking for an “area of agreement” with the church, and in the decade since “published first-hand accounts in books, interviews and documentaries have exposed this group”. Scientology defectors have alleged intimidation, abuse and human trafficking. “Just so you all know, I proudly worship at First New Christian Fellowship Baptist Church in South LA,” Bass noted in her statement.
Huerta, who supported Kamala Harris in the presidential primaries but recently published an op-ed endorsing Bass for vice-president, said the discussions around the congresswoman’s past had created a “fantasma”, or ghost, “designed to frighten supporters”.
“It’s ridiculous,” she said “You have Donald Trump who praised the dictator in North Korea,” she said. When the president has failed to condemn, and even exalted leaders who have overseen humanitarian atrocities, Huerta said, “it’s silly” for Republicans to fixate on Bass’s record on Cuba.