theguardian--2020-05-21--Trump goes without mask at Michigan Ford plant despite company request

Donald Trump defied requests from company executives and was called a “ petulant child ” by a state attorney general when he refused to wear a face mask during a visit to Michigan , a battleground state where he has repeatedly clashed with the Democratic governor , and on Thursday used a speech to urge American churches to reopen amid the pandemic .
Trump toured a plant belonging to the Ford car company , in Ypsilanti , Michigan , which has been recast to produce ventilators and personal protective equipment to use in the coronavirus crisis .
Surrounded by Ford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told reporters he had put one on earlier , out of the view of cameras .
“ I had one on before .
I wore one in the back area .
I didn ’ t want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it , ” Trump said .
When asked if Trump was told it was acceptable not to wear a mask in the plant , the Ford executive chairman , Bill Ford , said , “ It ’ s up to him.
” The company had indicated prior to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mask at the factory .
And the Michigan state attorney general , Dana Nessel , had written to the White House saying it was the law in Michigan that everyone should wear a mask in such a setting – an indoor venue with many people in attendance .
“ The president is like a petulant child who refuses to follow the rules .
This is not a joke , ” she told CNN , adding that Trump ’ s behavior was “ extremely disappointing ” and that thousands of people in Michigan have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toll on Thursday surpassed 94,000 and there are more than 1.5m confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the nation .
Trump said he tested negative for Covid-19 on Thursday morning , but within the last week two senior White House aides have tested positive , and the president has been taking the drug hydroxychloroquine as a prophylactic .
This despite it being not proven for treating the coronavirus and garnering stern warnings from federal regulators and the World Health Organization that it should not be taken for coronavirus outside clinical trials .
Earlier in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held a roundtable discussion with African-American leaders concerning vulnerable populations disproportionately hit by the virus .
Trump has consistently disregarded guidance from the top federal public health experts , both urging people to wear masks in close company and urging states not to rush to reopen while the coronavirus is not under control in the US .
But the president continued his pressure for states to reopen for business nonetheless and on Thursday , at the discussion with African-American leaders , urged the swift reopening of churches for in-person religious services .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal agency the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) when he told the roundtable : “ We are opening our churches again .
I think the CDC is going to put something out very soon , spoke to them today .
I think they are going to put something out very soon .
We got to open our churches.
” But he later acknowledged that if he held political rallies again soon they would be outdoors .
Governor Gretchen Whitmer , who has clashed in recent weeks with Trump over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and moves towards mail-in voting during the pandemic , prevailed Thursday in a high-stakes challenge from Republican lawmakers over her stay-at-home orders .
She was sued by the Republican controlled state legislature who disputed the extent of her authority to declare emergencies in Michigan , such as the coronavirus crisis , and mandate the reach and duration of restrictions as a result .
The legislature will now appeal , although Whitmer is now moving to gradual reopening .
Early Wednesday parts of central Michigan were hit by devastating flooding after two dams burst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following record rains .
And Trump on Wednesday threatened to withhold federal funding from Michigan over its plan for expanded mail-in voting , spuriously claiming that the practice could lead to voter fraud – though he later appeared to back off the threat .
Trump won Michigan in the 2016 election , the first Republican to do since 1988 .
Reuters and the Associated Press contributed reporting .

Donald Trump defied requests from company executives and was called a “petulant child” by a state attorney general when he refused to wear a face mask during a visit to Michigan, a battleground state where he has repeatedly clashed with the Democratic governor, and on Thursday used a speech to urge American churches to reopen amid the pandemic.
Trump toured a plant belonging to the Ford car company, in Ypsilanti, Michigan, which has been recast to produce ventilators and personal protective equipment to use in the coronavirus crisis.
Surrounded by Ford executives who were wearing masks, Trump told reporters he had put one on earlier, out of the view of cameras.
“I had one on before. I wore one in the back area. I didn’t want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it,” Trump said.
When asked if Trump was told it was acceptable not to wear a mask in the plant, the Ford executive chairman, Bill Ford, said, “It’s up to him.” The company had indicated before the visit that the president should wear a mask at the factory.
And the Michigan state attorney general, Dana Nessel, had written to the White House saying it was the law in Michigan that everyone should wear a mask in such a setting – an indoor venue with many people in attendance.
“The president is like a petulant child who refuses to follow the rules. This is not a joke,” she told CNN, adding that Trump’s behavior was “extremely disappointing” and that thousands of people in Michigan have died from coronavirus.
The US death toll on Thursday surpassed 94,000 and there are more than 1.5m confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the nation.
Trump said he tested negative for Covid-19 on Thursday morning, but within the last week two senior White House aides have tested positive, and the president has said he has been taking the drug hydroxychloroquine as a prophylactic.
This despite it being not proven for treating the coronavirus and garnering stern warnings from federal regulators and the World Health Organization that it should not be taken for coronavirus outside clinical trials.
Earlier in the visit to the state, Trump held a roundtable discussion with African American leaders concerning vulnerable populations disproportionately hit by the virus.
Trump has consistently disregarded guidance from the top federal public health experts, both urging people to wear masks in close company and urging states not to rush to reopen while the coronavirus is not under control in the US.
But the president continued his pressure for states to reopen for business nonetheless and on Thursday, at the discussion with African American leaders, urged the swift reopening of churches for in-person religious services.
He appeared to put pressure on the leading federal agency the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) when he told the roundtable: “We are opening our churches again. I think the CDC is going to put something out very soon, spoke to them today. I think they are going to put something out very soon. We got to open our churches.”
But he later acknowledged that if he held political rallies again soon they would be outdoors.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who has clashed in recent weeks with Trump over statewide social restrictions to limit coronavirus, and moves towards mail-in voting during the pandemic, prevailed on Thursday in a high-stakes challenge from Republican lawmakers over her stay-at-home orders.
She was sued by the Republican-controlled state legislature who disputed the extent of her authority to declare emergencies in Michigan, such as the coronavirus crisis, and mandate the reach and duration of restrictions as a result. The legislature will appeal, although Whitmer is moving to gradual reopening.
Early on Wednesday parts of central Michigan were hit by devastating flooding after two dams burst, after many years of warnings, following record rains.
And Trump on Wednesday threatened to withhold federal funding from Michigan over its plan for expanded mail-in voting, spuriously claiming that the practice could lead to voter fraud – though he later appeared to back off the threat.
Trump won Michigan in the 2016 election, the first Republican to do since 1988.
Reuters and the Associated Press contributed reporting


theguardian--2020-05-21--Trump to pull US out of third arms control deal

The US has declared its intention to leave the Open Skies Treaty , which is intended to reduce the risk of war by allowing Russia and western nations to conduct observation flights over each other ’ s territory .
Washington informed the other 33 parties to the treaty of its intention to deliver a formal six-month notice of withdrawal on Friday , accusing Russia of violations .
“ I think we have a very good relationship with Russia , but Russia didn ’ t adhere to the treaty , and so until they adhere to the treaty , we will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporters .
He added : “ There ’ s a very good chance we ’ ll make a new agreement or do something to put that agreement back together.
” In a written statement , the secretary of state Mike Pompeo said the US could reconsider its withdrawal during the six month notice period “ should Russia return to full compliance with the Treaty ” .
Moscow denies being in violation of the agreement .
By starting the six-month notice period now , the administration ensures that - even if Donald Trump loses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will have left the treaty before a Biden administration takes office .
“ The timing of the Trump administration ’ s decision to withdraw is clearly tied to the political calendar , ” said Bob Menendez , the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee .
“ By rushing this abrupt withdrawal , it is clear the Trump Administration is attempting to bind a future administration from participation in this longstanding and valuable treaty for our nation.
” America ’ s European allies are keen to keep the treaty going .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overflights carried out under the OST , allowing them to observe Russian military movements , and see it as a remaining element of international cohesion and transparency .
“ The writing has been on the wall for a long time , ” a European diplomat said , adding it was “ still disappointing ” .
The OST is the third arms control agreement Trump has left .
He took the US out of the Iran nuclear deal in 2018 , and the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces treaty in 2019 .
There are fears for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US and Russian strategic nuclear weapons , New Start , which is due to expire in February next year , and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty , which the US has signed ( observing a voluntary moratorium on nuclear tests ) but not ratified .
It is unclear how Russia will respond to US withdrawal .
They will now be able to fly over US bases in Europe but the US will no longer be allowed to overfly Russia .
Under the 2020 defence spending act , the administration is supposed to explain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security interests and give assurances that Washington has consulted its partners , 120 days before serving formal notice of withdrawal .
“ Reckless deal wrecking and the collapse of US leadership continues , ” Kingston Rief , director for disarmament and threat reduction policy at the Arms Control Association said .
“ The treaty benefits US and European security .
Our allies value it and don ’ t want us to leave .
It has been an important tool for responding to Russia ’ s aggression against Ukraine .
This is a propaganda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complained about curbs that Moscow has imposed on overflights that have violated the accord .
Russia limited the flight time of observation flights over the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad and set up an exclusion corridor along the border of the Russian-occupied regions of Georgia , South Ossetia and Abkhazia .
“ Realize the Russians were cheating , ” Tim Morrison , who was briefly the top arms control official in the Trump White House , said on Twitter .
“ They were misusing the treaty against the US – as senior military and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a collection tool – this is not a win for him.
” Russia ’ s foreign ministry rejected allegations of infringements as “ groundless ” on Thursday and said Moscow had an “ alternate plan ” in the event of US withdrawal , but did not provide details .
None of the other parties believed that the Russian infringements were enough to jeopardise the treaty .
US partners were informed of the decision on Thursday with calls from the national security adviser , Robert O ’ Brien , the defence secretary , Mark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undersecretary for policy , James Anderson .
“ This is insane , ” was the immediate tweeted reaction from Michael Hayden , a former CIA director .
In a joint statement earlier this month , a group of 16 retired military commanders and defence ministers said : “ Throughout its operation , the treaty has increased military transparency and predictability , helped build trust and confidence , and enhanced mutual understanding.
” On Thursday , German foreign minister Heiko Maas called on the US to “ reconsider ” .
“ I deeply regret @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding that “ we will work with our partners to urge the US to consider its decision ” .
He also said that Germany - along with France , Poland and Britain - had repeatedly explained to Washington that the difficulties on the Russian side in recent years “ did not justify ” pulling out .

The US has declared its intention to leave the Open Skies Treaty, which is intended to reduce the risk of war by allowing Russia and western nations to conduct observation flights over each other’s territory.
Washington informed the other 33 parties to the treaty of its intention to deliver a formal six-month notice of withdrawal on Friday, accusing Russia of violations.
“I think we have a very good relationship with Russia, but Russia didn’t adhere to the treaty, and so until they adhere to the treaty, we will pull out,” Donald Trump told reporters. He added: “There’s a very good chance we’ll make a new agreement or do something to put that agreement back together.”
In a written statement, the secretary of state Mike Pompeo said the US could reconsider its withdrawal during the six month notice period “should Russia return to full compliance with the Treaty”. Moscow denies being in violation of the agreement.
By starting the six-month notice period now, the administration ensures that - even if Donald Trump loses the election in November – the US will have left the treaty before a Biden administration takes office.
“The timing of the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw is clearly tied to the political calendar,” said Bob Menendez, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “By rushing this abrupt withdrawal, it is clear the Trump Administration is attempting to bind a future administration from participation in this longstanding and valuable treaty for our nation.”
America’s European allies are keen to keep the treaty going. They have benefited from the more than 1,500 overflights carried out under the OST, allowing them to observe Russian military movements, and see it as a remaining element of international cohesion and transparency.
“The writing has been on the wall for a long time,” a European diplomat said, adding it was “still disappointing”.
The OST is the third arms control agreement Trump has left. He took the US out of the Iran nuclear deal in 2018, and the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces treaty in 2019. There are fears for the future of the last treaty limiting US and Russian strategic nuclear weapons, New Start, which is due to expire in February next year, and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, which the US has signed (observing a voluntary moratorium on nuclear tests) but not ratified.
It is unclear how Russia will respond to US withdrawal. They will now be able to fly over US bases in Europe but the US will no longer be allowed to overfly Russia.
Under the 2020 defence spending act, the administration is supposed to explain to Congress how leaving OST serves US security interests and give assurances that Washington has consulted its partners, 120 days before serving formal notice of withdrawal.
“Reckless deal wrecking and the collapse of US leadership continues,” Kingston Reif, director for disarmament and threat reduction policy at the Arms Control Association said.
“The treaty benefits US and European security. Our allies value it and don’t want us to leave. It has been an important tool for responding to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. This is a propaganda coup for Moscow.”
The US has complained about curbs that Moscow has imposed on overflights that have violated the accord. Russia limited the flight time of observation flights over the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad and set up an exclusion corridor along the border of the Russian-occupied regions of Georgia, South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
“Realize the Russians were cheating,” Tim Morrison, who was briefly the top arms control official in the Trump White House, said on Twitter. “They were misusing the treaty against the US – as senior military and civilian leaders warned. Withdrawing denies Putin a collection tool – this is not a win for him.”
Russia’s foreign ministry rejected allegations of infringements as “groundless” on Thursday and said Moscow had an “alternate plan” in the event of US withdrawal, but did not provide details.
None of the other parties believed that the Russian infringements were enough to jeopardise the treaty.
US partners were informed of the decision on Thursday with calls from the national security adviser, Robert O’Brien, the defence secretary, Mark Esper and the Pentagon’s acting undersecretary for policy, James Anderson.
“This is insane,” was the immediate tweeted reaction from Michael Hayden, a former CIA director.
In a joint statement earlier this month, a group of 16 retired military commanders and defence ministers said: “Throughout its operation, the treaty has increased military transparency and predictability, helped build trust and confidence, and enhanced mutual understanding.”
On Thursday, German foreign minister Heiko Maas called on the US to “reconsider”.
“I deeply regret the announcement,” Maas said, adding that “we will work with our partners to urge the US to consider its decision”.
He also said that Germany - along with France, Poland and Britain - had repeatedly explained to Washington that the difficulties on the Russian side in recent years “did not justify” pulling out.


theguardian--2020-05-21--Michael Cohen released from prison over coronavirus concerns

Michael Cohen , Donald Trump ’ s longtime personal lawyer and fixer , returned to his New York home on Thursday after he was released from federal prison due to concerns over coronavirus exposure .
Cohen , 53 , had been serving a federal prison sentence at FCI Otisville in New York after pleading guilty to numerous charges , including campaign finance fraud and lying to Congress .
He had completed about a year of a three-year sentence for his role paying hush money to two women – the adult film actor and producer Stormy Daniels and the former Playboy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had sexual relationships with the president , as well as for financial crimes and lying to Congress .
Trump has denied relationships with either woman .
Cohen is expected to serve the rest of his sentence in home confinement , two sources familiar with the case said on condition of anonymity .
Cohen had been eligible for release from prison in November 2021 .
“ There is so much I want to say and intend to say .
But now is not the right time .
Soon , ” Cohen said on Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , wearing a white surgical mask , blue jeans and a dark blazer .
Trump ’ s former campaign chairman Paul Manafort was released from a federal prison in Pennsylvania last week to finish his sentence at home due to similar concerns .
A Cohen lawyer in March said the federal Bureau of Prisons ( BOP ) has been “ demonstrably incapable of safeguarding and treating BOP inmates who are obliged to live in close quarters and are at an enhanced risk of catching coronavirus ” .
Cohen , who once said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump , later turned on his former boss and cooperated with Democratic-led congressional inquiries .
Trump has called Cohen a “ rat ” .
Cohen has called Trump a “ racist ” , a “ con man ” and “ a cheat ” .
Cohen pleaded guilty to the charges that led to his imprisonment .
They also included lying to Congress about plans to build a Trump Tower in Moscow .
Prison advocates and congressional leaders have been pressing the justice department for weeks to release at-risk inmates ahead of a potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidance to stay 6ft away from other people is nearly impossible behind bars .
The attorney general , William Barr , ordered the Bureau of Prisons in March and April to increase the use of home confinement and expedite the release of eligible high-risk inmates , beginning at three prisons identified as coronavirus hotspots .
Otisville is not one of those facilities .
A federal judge had denied Cohen ’ s attempt for an early release and said in a ruling earlier this month that it “ appears to be just another effort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
But the Bureau of Prisons can take action to move him to home confinement without a judicial order .
The Bureau of Prisons said last week that more than 2,400 inmates had been moved to home confinement since Barr first issued his memo on home confinement in late March , and 1,200 others had been approved and were expected to be released in the coming weeks .
Michael Avenatti , the attorney who rose to fame representing Daniels in lawsuits against Trump , was temporarily freed from a federal jail in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a friend ’ s house in Los Angeles .
Former New York state senate leader Dean Skelos , 72 , who was also serving a sentence at Otisville , was released on home confinement after testing positive for the coronavirus .

Michael Cohen, Donald Trump’s longtime personal lawyer and fixer, returned to his New York home on Thursday after he was released from federal prison due to concerns over coronavirus exposure.
Cohen, 53, had been serving a federal prison sentence at FCI Otisville in New York after pleading guilty to numerous charges, including campaign finance fraud and lying to Congress.
He had completed about a year of a three-year sentence for his role paying hush money to two women – the adult film actor and producer Stormy Daniels and the former Playboy model Karen McDougal – who said they had sexual relationships with the president, as well as for financial crimes and lying to Congress. Trump has denied relationships with either woman.
Cohen is expected to serve the rest of his sentence in home confinement, two sources familiar with the case said on condition of anonymity. Cohen had been eligible for release from prison in November 2021.
“There is so much I want to say and intend to say. But now is not the right time. Soon,” Cohen said on Twitter after walking into his Manhattan apartment building, wearing a white surgical mask, blue jeans and a dark blazer.
Trump’s former campaign chairman Paul Manafort was released from a federal prison in Pennsylvania last week to finish his sentence at home due to similar concerns.
A Cohen lawyer in March said the federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has been “demonstrably incapable of safeguarding and treating BOP inmates who are obliged to live in close quarters and are at an enhanced risk of catching coronavirus”.
Cohen, who once said he would “take a bullet” for Trump, later turned on his former boss and cooperated with Democratic-led congressional inquiries. Trump has called Cohen a “rat”. Cohen has called Trump a “racist”, a “con man” and “a cheat”.
Cohen pleaded guilty to the charges that led to his imprisonment. They also included lying to Congress about plans to build a Trump Tower in Moscow.
Prison advocates and congressional leaders have been pressing the justice department for weeks to release at-risk inmates ahead of a potential outbreak, arguing that the public health guidance to stay 6ft away from other people is nearly impossible behind bars.
The attorney general, William Barr, ordered the Bureau of Prisons in March and April to increase the use of home confinement and expedite the release of eligible high-risk inmates, beginning at three prisons identified as coronavirus hotspots. Otisville is not one of those facilities.
A federal judge had denied Cohen’s attempt for an early release and said in a ruling earlier this month that it “appears to be just another effort to inject himself into the news cycle”. But the Bureau of Prisons can take action to move him to home confinement without a judicial order.
The Bureau of Prisons said last week that more than 2,400 inmates had been moved to home confinement since Barr first issued his memo on home confinement in late March, and 1,200 others had been approved and were expected to be released in the coming weeks.
Michael Avenatti, the attorney who rose to fame representing Daniels in lawsuits against Trump, was temporarily freed from a federal jail in New York City and is staying at a friend’s house in Los Angeles.
Former New York state senate leader Dean Skelos, 72, who was also serving a sentence at Otisville, was released on home confinement after testing positive for the coronavirus.


theguardian--2020-05-21--Trump loyalist John Ratcliffe confirmed as new US intelligence chief

The US Senate has confirmed John Ratcliffe as director of national intelligence , installing a Trump loyalist as head of the nation ’ s intelligence agencies .
The Texas Republican seemed unlikely to get the position when he was nominated in February , as he had already been nominated for the job last year and then withdrew after Republicans questioned his experience .
But senators warmed to him as they grew concerned about upheaval in the intelligence community under Trump following a series of oustings , and wanted a permanent , confirmed director .
Ratcliffe will replace Richard Grenell , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many of the personnel changes .
The last Senate-confirmed director , the former Indiana senator Dan Coats , left the post last summer after clashing with Trump .
Democrats allowed a quick vote on the nomination this week , dropping their usual procedural delays in a signal that they prefer Ratcliffe over Grenell .
But most Democrats still opposed his nomination , making Ratcliffe the first DNI not to win broad bipartisan support since the position was first created in 2005 .
The vote was 49-44 .
Democrats said they were skeptical that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despite his assurances during his confirmation hearing .
The Republican has been an ardent defender of the president through House impeachment and investigations into Russian interference .
Ratcliffe worked to separate himself from the president at his confirmation hearing , including by saying he believed Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election , a conclusion Trump has resisted .
He said he would communicate to Trump the intelligence community ’ s findings even if he knew Trump disagreed with them and might fire him .
Still , the position carries unique challenges given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intelligence and to bend intelligence agencies to his will .
Trump has openly rejected intelligence community assessments at odds with his own viewpoint , including on the Russian interference .
Trump has also shown himself as eager to have intelligence agencies investigate matters that he hopes will support his political positions , with agencies now trying to determine whether the coronavirus pandemic emerged in a laboratory in China , a notion that has so far been dismissed as a conspiracy theory .
In addition , the DNI is encountering ongoing political pressure , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declassify and make public information from the Russia investigation that Trump allies hope will cast senior Obama administration officials – including former vice-president and 2020 opponent Joe Biden – in a negative light .
Last week , for instance , Senate Republicans released a newly declassified list of former intelligence officials who requested the identity of an American from intelligence reports who turned out to be former Trump administration national security adviser Michael Flynn .
On Tuesday , Republicans released a January 2017 memo that Susan Rice , Barack Obama ’ s national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sensitive conversation about Flynn and his Russian contacts that she participated in earlier in the month with Obama and the then FBI director , James Comey .
And there have been calls from Democrats , and Flynn ’ s own lawyer , to release declassified transcripts of intercepted phone calls during the presidential transition period between Flynn and the then Russian ambassador , Sergey Kislyak .
Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about those communications , though the justice department has since moved to dismiss the case .
Demands to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his new role .
“ No lawyer for Flynn has ever seen it or heard the recording ” of the call , Flynn ’ s lawyer , Sidney Powell , said in an email to the Associated Press .
“ I would want both .
”

The US Senate has confirmed John Ratcliffe as director of national intelligence, installing a Trump loyalist as head of the nation’s intelligence agencies.
The Texas Republican seemed unlikely to get the position when he was nominated in February, as he had already been nominated for the job last year and then withdrew after Republicans questioned his experience. But senators warmed to him as they grew concerned about upheaval in the intelligence community under Trump following a series of oustings, and wanted a permanent, confirmed director.
Ratcliffe will replace Richard Grenell, the current acting director who has overseen many of the personnel changes. The last Senate-confirmed director, the former Indiana senator Dan Coats, left the post last summer after clashing with Trump.
Democrats allowed a quick vote on the nomination this week, dropping their usual procedural delays in a signal that they prefer Ratcliffe over Grenell. But most Democrats still opposed his nomination, making Ratcliffe the first DNI not to win broad bipartisan support since the position was first created in 2005. The vote was 49-44.
Democrats said they were skeptical that Ratcliffe would be an independent leader, despite his assurances during his confirmation hearing. The Republican has been an ardent defender of the president through House impeachment and investigations into Russian interference.
Ratcliffe worked to separate himself from the president at his confirmation hearing, including by saying he believed Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election, a conclusion Trump has resisted. He said he would communicate to Trump the intelligence community’s findings even if he knew Trump disagreed with them and might fire him.
Still, the position carries unique challenges given the president’s inclinations to politicize intelligence and to bend intelligence agencies to his will. Trump has openly rejected intelligence community assessments at odds with his own viewpoint, including on the Russian interference.
Trump has also shown himself as eager to have intelligence agencies investigate matters that he hopes will support his political positions, with agencies now trying to determine whether the coronavirus pandemic emerged in a laboratory in China, a notion that has so far been dismissed as a conspiracy theory.
In addition, the DNI is encountering ongoing political pressure, including from Republicans in Congress, to declassify and make public information from the Russia investigation that Trump allies hope will cast senior Obama administration officials – including former vice-president and 2020 opponent Joe Biden – in a negative light.
Last week, for instance, Senate Republicans released a newly declassified list of former intelligence officials who requested the identity of an American from intelligence reports who turned out to be former Trump administration national security adviser Michael Flynn.
On Tuesday, Republicans released a January 2017 memo that Susan Rice, Barack Obama’s national security adviser, wrote to herself documenting a sensitive conversation about Flynn and his Russian contacts that she participated in earlier in the month with Obama and the then FBI director, James Comey.
And there have been calls from Democrats, and Flynn’s own lawyer, to release declassified transcripts of intercepted phone calls during the presidential transition period between Flynn and the then Russian ambassador, Sergey Kislyak. Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about those communications, though the justice department has since moved to dismiss the case. Demands to make that information public could confront Ratcliffe in his new role.
“No lawyer for Flynn has ever seen it or heard the recording” of the call, Flynn’s lawyer, Sidney Powell, said in an email to the Associated Press. “I would want both.”


theguardian--2020-05-21--Social distancing a week earlier could have saved 36,000 US lives, study finds

Had the US begun social distancing just one week earlier , the country would have prevented 36,000 deaths through early May , according to researchers at Columbia University .
Had action been taken two weeks earlier , by 1 March , 54,000 fewer Americans would have died of the virus , the researchers determined .
“ It ’ s a big , big difference , ” Jeffrey Shaman , an epidemiologist at Columbia and the leader of the research team , told the New York Times .
“ That small moment in time , catching it in that growth phase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of deaths.
” Using infectious-disease modeling to examine the spread of the virus from mid-March , the epidemiologists were able to track how reduced contact between people slowed the virus ’ s transmission .
The country remained social and open for business for much of March , including for sports , political rallies and Mardi Gras in New Orleans .
Only 500 coronavirus infections had been reported nationwide at the time .
By April , large clusters were evident , including in major cities like New York .
From modeling , epidemiologists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread would have been changed by lockdown , producing a slower transmission rate in the weeks prior .
The researchers found that even small changes would have prevented the worst exponential growth .
The Trump administration rejected the study ’ s findings , and took the Times to task for publishing a detailed timeline of how Trump downplayed the outbreak .
“ What would have saved lives is if China had been transparent and the World Health Organization had fulfilled its mission , ” a White House spokesman , Judd Deere , told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ save American lives is the bold leadership of President Trump.
” Although the president banned travel from Europe on 13 March , he frequently dismissed reports of the virus ’ s spread as “ fake news ” , insisting that the “ USA [ is ] in great shape ” because the government had it “ totally under control ” .
“ At this moment there are 546 confirmed cases of coronavirus , with 22 deaths .
Think about that , ” he tweeted on 9 March .
“ Nothing is shut down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Internal emails and memorandums later revealed that , privately , Trump had been warned of a “ full-blown Covid-19 pandemic ” and “ 1-2 million ” American deaths.Federal officials ’ first caution to stay at home and avoid large crowds did not come until 15 March .
Deere said federal officials made the best decisions possible given the information available to them at the time .
“ You could sit there and point the finger at whoever you wanted to , ” researcher Shaman said .
“ In truth , each of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her own conclusions about where blame may be assigned.
” US states are reopening , despite an increase in confirmed cases .
Shaman and his team estimate that because of a lag between when infections occur and symptoms appear , more confirmed cases and deaths will probably result from a lack of extensive testing and tracing .
The US is expected to reach 100,000 deaths from the coronavirus by 1 June , if not before .

Had the US begun social distancing just one week earlier, the country would have prevented 36,000 deaths through early May, according to researchers at Columbia University.
Had action been taken two weeks earlier, by 1 March, 54,000 fewer Americans would have died of the virus, the researchers determined.
“It’s a big, big difference,” Jeffrey Shaman, an epidemiologist at Columbia and the leader of the research team, told the New York Times. “That small moment in time, catching it in that growth phase, is incredibly critical in reducing the number of deaths.”
Using infectious-disease modeling to examine the spread of the virus from mid-March, the epidemiologists were able to track how reduced contact between people slowed the virus’s transmission.
The country remained social and open for business for much of March, including for sports, political rallies and Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Only 500 coronavirus infections had been reported nationwide at the time.
By April, large clusters were evident, including in major cities like New York.
From modeling, epidemiologists were then able to test how the spread would have been changed by lockdown, producing a slower transmission rate in the weeks prior. The researchers found that even small changes would have prevented the worst exponential growth.
The Trump administration rejected the study’s findings, and took the Times to task for publishing a detailed timeline of how Trump downplayed the outbreak.
“What would have saved lives is if China had been transparent and the World Health Organization had fulfilled its mission,” a White House spokesman, Judd Deere, told the Washington Post. “What did save American lives is the bold leadership of President Trump.”
Although the president banned travel from Europe on 13 March, he frequently dismissed reports of the virus’s spread as “fake news”, insisting that the “USA [is] in great shape” because the government had it “totally under control”.
“At this moment there are 546 confirmed cases of coronavirus, with 22 deaths. Think about that,” he tweeted on 9 March. “Nothing is shut down, life and the economy go on.”
Internal emails and memorandums later revealed that, privately, Trump had been warned of a “full-blown Covid-19 pandemic” and “1-2 million” American deaths.Federal officials’ first caution to stay at home and avoid large crowds did not come until 15 March.
Deere said federal officials made the best decisions possible given the information available to them at the time.
“You could sit there and point the finger at whoever you wanted to,” researcher Shaman said. “In truth, each of us is going to draw his or her own conclusions about where blame may be assigned.”
US states are reopening, despite an increase in confirmed cases. Shaman and his team estimate that because of a lag between when infections occur and symptoms appear, more confirmed cases and deaths will probably result from a lack of extensive testing and tracing.
The US is expected to reach 100,000 deaths from the coronavirus by 1 June, if not before.


theguardian--2020-05-22--Pictures show Donald Trump wearing mask after Ford factory row

Pictures of Donald Trump wearing a face mask while on a visit in Michigan have emerged .
In a video published by Sky News , the US president can be seen wearing a navy blue mask .
The images emerged after a state attorney general called Trump a “ petulant child ” because he allegedly refused to wear the covering during a tour of a plant belonging to the Ford car company .
Surrounded by Ford executives who were wearing masks , Trump told reporters he had put one on earlier in the visit .
“ I had one on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back area .
I didn ’ t want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it , ” he said .
Trump toured a plant belonging to Ford in Ypsilanti , Michigan , which has been recast to produce ventilators and personal protective equipment to use in the coronavirus crisis .
When asked whether Trump was told it was acceptable not to wear a mask in the plant , the Ford executive chairman , Bill Ford , said : “ It ’ s up to him.
” The company had indicated prior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wear a mask at the factory .
The Michigan state attorney general , Dana Nessel , had written to the White House saying it was the law in Michigan that everyone should wear a mask in such a setting – an indoor venue with many people in attendance .
“ The president is like a petulant child who refuses to follow the rules .
This is not a joke , ” she told CNN , adding that Trump ’ s behaviour was “ extremely disappointing ” and that thousands of people in Michigan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death toll on Thursday surpassed 94,000 and there are more than 1.5m confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the country .
Trump said he had tested negative for Covid-19 on Thursday morning , but within the last week two senior White House aides have tested positive , and the president has been taking the drug hydroxychloroquine as a prophylactic .
This is despite it being not proven for treating the coronavirus , and stern warnings from federal regulators and the World Health Organization that it should not be taken for coronavirus outside clinical trials @

Pictures of Donald Trump wearing a face mask while on a visit in Michigan have emerged.
In a video published by Sky News, the US president can be seen wearing a navy blue mask.
The images emerged after a state attorney general called Trump a “petulant child” because he allegedly refused to wear the covering during a tour of a plant belonging to the Ford car company.
President Trump wears a mask during his tour of the Ford Rawsonville Components Plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan, where ventilators, masks and other medical supplies are being manufactured. https://t.co/UCqBVUEuBZ
📷 Anonymous pic.twitter.com/eiIFVNPVIh — NBC News (@NBCNews) May 22, 2020
Surrounded by Ford executives who were wearing masks, Trump told reporters he had put one on earlier in the visit.
“I had one on before. I wore one in the back area. I didn’t want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it,” he said.
Trump toured a plant belonging to Ford in Ypsilanti, Michigan, which has been recast to produce ventilators and personal protective equipment to use in the coronavirus crisis.
When asked whether Trump was told it was acceptable not to wear a mask in the plant, the Ford executive chairman, Bill Ford, said: “It’s up to him.” The company had indicated prior to the visit that the president should wear a mask at the factory.
The Michigan state attorney general, Dana Nessel, had written to the White House saying it was the law in Michigan that everyone should wear a mask in such a setting – an indoor venue with many people in attendance.
“The president is like a petulant child who refuses to follow the rules. This is not a joke,” she told CNN, adding that Trump’s behaviour was “extremely disappointing” and that thousands of people in Michigan had died from coronavirus.
The US death toll on Thursday surpassed 94,000 and there are more than 1.5m confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the country.
Trump said he had tested negative for Covid-19 on Thursday morning, but within the last week two senior White House aides have tested positive, and the president has been taking the drug hydroxychloroquine as a prophylactic.
This is despite it being not proven for treating the coronavirus, and stern warnings from federal regulators and the World Health Organization that it should not be taken for coronavirus outside clinical trials.


theguardian--2020-05-22--Donald Trump goes without mask at Michigan Ford plant despite company request


theguardian--2020-05-22--First families pay tribute after ex-White House butler dies from Covid-19

Tributes from former first families have rolled in after the death from Covid-19 of Wilson Jerman , a former White House butler who was a fixture in Washington under 11 presidents .
Jerman , who was 91 , started working as a cleaner under Dwight Eisenhower and retired as an elevator operator during the presidency of Barack Obama .
“ With his kindness and care , Wilson Jerman helped make the White House a home for decades of first families , including ours , ” said Michelle Obama .
“ His service to others his willingness to go above and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all those whose lives he touched is a legacy worthy of his generous spirit.
” Jerman became a White House butler under John Kennedy , a role that JFK ’ s wife , Jackie , was instrumental in landing for him , his oldest granddaughter , Jamila Garrett , told the local Fox news channel in Washington .
“ Jerman served as a White House butler across 11 presidencies and made generations of first families feel at home , including ours , ” wrote Hillary Clinton .
“ Our warmest condolences to his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first lady Laura Bush said Jerman was a lovely man .
“ He was the first person we saw in the morning when we left the residence and the last person we saw each night when we returned , ” the Bushes said in a statement to NBC News .
Desiree Barnes , who worked in the Obama administration , said Jerman treated the staff kindly .
She recalled that when she worked as an intern he would get her a meal if she had not eaten and that he even called her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure she was OK. “ It did not matter political party , he was there to serve , ” Barnes said .
“ He had been there on some of the hardest days for a lot of presidents … Imagine being there when President Kennedy was assassinated and having to receive the first lady at the time .
So he was a really empathetic man .
He just was a great listener .
”

Tributes from former first families have rolled in after the death from Covid-19 of Wilson Jerman, a former White House butler who was a fixture in Washington under 11 presidents.
Jerman, who was 91, started working as a cleaner under Dwight Eisenhower and retired as an elevator operator during the presidency of Barack Obama.
“With his kindness and care, Wilson Jerman helped make the White House a home for decades of first families, including ours,” said Michelle Obama. “His service to others his willingness to go above and beyond for the country he loved and all those whose lives he touched is a legacy worthy of his generous spirit.”
Wilson Roosevelt Jerman, former White House butler who served through 11 presidencies, dies of COVID-19 https://t.co/7pCdTAUNuj pic.twitter.com/b6JhNPB85g — The Hill (@thehill) May 20, 2020
Jerman became a White House butler under John Kennedy, a role that JFK’s wife, Jackie, was instrumental in landing for him, his oldest granddaughter, Jamila Garrett, told the local Fox news channel in Washington.
“Jerman served as a White House butler across 11 presidencies and made generations of first families feel at home, including ours,” wrote Hillary Clinton. “Our warmest condolences to his loved ones.”
George W Bush and first lady Laura Bush said Jerman was a lovely man. “He was the first person we saw in the morning when we left the residence and the last person we saw each night when we returned,” the Bushes said in a statement to NBC News.
Desiree Barnes, who worked in the Obama administration, said Jerman treated the staff kindly. She recalled that when she worked as an intern he would get her a meal if she had not eaten and that he even called her during a particularly rough snowstorm to make sure she was OK.
“It did not matter political party, he was there to serve,” Barnes said. “He had been there on some of the hardest days for a lot of presidents … Imagine being there when President Kennedy was assassinated and having to receive the first lady at the time. So he was a really empathetic man. He just was a great listener.”


theguardian--2020-05-23--Trump demands churches, synagogues and mosques reopen 'right now' – as it happened

A report from our west coast office , on California governor Gavin Newsom ’ s reopening plans in light of Donald Trump ’ s demand to open houses of worship : California has been approaching plans to reopen the state gingerly , but pressure is mounting as business owners , faith leaders and some county officials call on the governor to accelerate .
On Friday , speaking from a veteran ’ s home in Napa county , one that operated through a deadly influenza epidemic a century ago , Gavin Newsom said California was moving quickly but with diligence .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , he expects to have approved plans for 45 of 58 counties to move further into phases of reopening .
Many sectors , including manufacturing , retail and restaurants have already reopened to various degrees .
Soon , every sector will be given the green light , provided it can make good on safety protocols the new reality demands .
Churches and houses of worship are sure to remain a point of tension .
Newsom said he and his team have been working with faith leaders to craft plans to welcome back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other factors .
But with California just days away from releasing that guidance , Trump muddied the water , deeming houses of worship “ essential ” and threatening to “ override ” governors who don ’ t approve .
This week , more than 1,200 pastors in California said they would resume in-person services this month in defiance of Newsom ’ s stay-at-home order .
Even as case rates statewide appear to have stabilized , hospitals in Imperial county , in southern California , are stretching resources to cope with a surge in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the county was using more than 70 % of its ventilators .
Plans are in motion to dispatch a 125-bed field hospital to help alleviate pressure , Newsom said .
Newsom appeared unmoved by a legal challenge to the state ’ s plan to move forward with mail-in ballots for the November election .
“ We ’ re on firm legal ground .
Vote by mail is not novel in the state of California , nor was it in the recent special election ” said Newsom .

Sam Levin, and Martin Pengelly, Mark Oliver, Joanna Walters and Joan E Greve

22 May 2020 00.47 BST Trump has also just called the editor of the New York Times “one of the dumbest men” in journalism, and as CNN’s fact checker has noted, this is the third time in the last month he has called a prominent black journalist “dumb”. The president has called three prominent black journalists dumb in the last month alone. pic.twitter.com/XXUTeRL6XS — Daniel Dale (@ddale8) May 22, 2020 He has also been particularly aggressive in his attacks on women in the White House press corps during the pandemic: 04:30 How Trump has berated, insulted and demeaned female reporters – video
22 May 2020 00.28 BST The Guardian’s Mario Koran reports today on the devastating impacts on California’s Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander communities: The coronavirus is tearing through Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander communities in California, fanning longstanding health disparities and killing community members at a higher rate than any other racial group in the state. Data from California’s department of public health reveals that Pacific Islanders have contracted coronavirus at nearly twice the state’s overall rate. As of 17 May, they have died from the virus at a rate 2.6 times higher than the state population – the highest death rate of any racial or ethnic group. The pattern extends beyond California. Oregon, Utah, Washington and Arkansas – where many Marshallese work in meatpacking plants – have all seen similar trends. Public health experts have often said the group’s relatively small size can skew the numbers, making percentages appear outsized. But to community members and advocates, that argument obfuscates a long history of overlooked needs and health disparities. 'The disease is ripping through': why coronavirus is devastating California's Pacific Islanders Read more
22 May 2020 23.54 BST The Guardian’s Vivian Ho reports on San Francisco’s first sanctioned tent encampment for homeless individuals: The Safe Sleeping Village is one of San Francisco’s new officially sanctioned homeless encampments, a rare initiative announced by Mayor London Breed in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Occupants of the 70 tents spaced out in socially distanced, painted squares in the shadow of City Hall have access to steady meals, electricity to charge their phones, toilets, fresh water, hand-washing stations, healthcare – and those much-desired showers. But for many, the project comes as too little, too late. Breed launched the plan earlier this month as a solution to a homelessness crisis compounded by an outbreak. With shelters no longer taking in new guests during the pandemic and forced to reduce capacity by 76% to adhere by social distancing guidelines, the number of tents throughout the city had leapt by at least 71%.
In the historically underserved Tenderloin neighborhood, a low-income community in the heart of the city experiencing the brunt of the crisis, tents have increased by 258%. 'It's barely a Band-Aid': life inside San Francisco's first sanctioned tent camp Read more
22 May 2020 23.39 BST The Trump administration has sent a letter to the mayor of Los Angeles saying the federal government is concerned that the city’s “arbitrary and heavy-handed approach” to shelter-in-place regulations could be “unlawful”. The warning letter to LA’s mayor, Eric Garcetti, came from Eric S Dreiband, the assistant attorney general for the civil rights division of the US justice department, the LA Times reported. Dreiband wrote: Reports of your recent public statements indicate that you suggested the possibility of long-term lockdown of the residents in the city and county of Los Angeles, regardless of the legal justification for such restrictions. Any such approach may be both arbitrary and unlawful.” California had one of the earliest lockdowns in the US and has continued to take relatively cautious steps toward reopening. LA and the surrounding region remain the state’s primary hotspot for Covid-19 cases, and the DoJ letter came the same day that the White House coronavirus task force resource coordinator Deborah Birx said she was concerned about persistent high numbers of cases in LA, Washington DC and Chicago. Earlier this month, LA officials moved to make “minor adjustments” to lockdown rules, allowing some brick-and-mortar business to start curbside pickup, including music stores, bookshops, florists and clothing stores. In LA, residents must wear face coverings when they leave their homes and will be near other people. This first phase of reopening, LA officials said, is the beginning of “a slow and gradual change to a new reality” for Angelenos. We need you to keep taking these actions to remain healthy and safe, and protect those around us.
1. Stay home as much as possible.
2. Continue practicing physical distancing.
3. Wash your hands often for 20 seconds.
4. Wear a face covering when you go out and are around others. — MayorOfLA (@MayorOfLA) May 22, 2020 The mayor’s office didn’t immediately comment on the DoJ letter, the Times reported. More on the Covid crisis in LA: No insurance, no savings, no support: what happens when LA's least privileged get Covid Read more
Updated at 23.43 BST
22 May 2020 23.02 BST Tara Reade said she is looking for a new attorney. Following the announcement this morning that the attorney Douglas H Wigdor was no longer representing Joe Biden’s accuser, two weeks after he had taken her on as a client. Reade, through a spokesperson, told a BuzzFeed News reporter that she was “currently seeking counsel with PR support”: Tara Reade referred my question about her lawyer’s departure to her (new to me at least) PR consultant, Maria Villena, who told me Reade is looking for new counsel pic.twitter.com/WPIa4VVPFO — Rosie Gray (@RosieGray) May 22, 2020 In his earlier statement, Wigdor said his decision to no longer represent her was “by no means a reflection on whether then-Senator Biden sexually assaulted Ms Reade”.
22 May 2020 22.51 BST From our global coronavirus blog: The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has treated 1,300 coronavirus patients with the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine, which a study has tied to an increased risk of death. The Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, who received the information from the VA in response to questions he submitted on the issue, said he was “deeply troubled” by the data. Trump has urged use of hydroxychloroquine against the virus and recently said he has been taking it himself, despite evidence that the treatment could be harmful. A study published on Friday in the medical journal Lancet tied the drug to an increased risk of death in hospitalised patients with Covid-19.
22 May 2020 22.38 BST The US is planning a large testing effort involving more than 100,000 volunteers and the most promising vaccine candidates in hopes of producing a safe and effective one by the end of 2020, according to a new report in Reuters. The scientists involved say they aim to take only months to complete a process that is typically completed in a 10-year time frame. Leading vaccine makers will be sharing data and other resources. Vaccine candidates that prove to be safe in initial studies will be tested in larger trials, and that process will begin in July, Reuters said. Exclusive: The U.S. is planning a massive coronavirus vaccine testing effort involving more than 100,00 volunteers and half a dozen or so of the most promising vaccine candidates https://t.co/vtlBNpsQup https://t.co/vtlBNpsQup — Reuters (@Reuters) May 22, 2020 “If you don’t see a safety problem, you just keep going,” said Dr Larry Corey, with the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle, who is helping design the trials. Here’s the Guardian’s science editor on the long road ahead in the search for an effective vaccine: Why we might not get a coronavirus vaccine Read more
Updated at 22.44 BST
22 May 2020 22.01 BST Newsom details California reopening process Mario Koran A report from our west coast office, on California governor Gavin Newsom’s reopening plans in light of Donald Trump’s demand to open houses of worship: California has been approaching plans to reopen the state gingerly, but pressure is mounting as business owners, faith leaders and some county officials call on the governor to accelerate.
Gavin Newsom. Photograph: Rich Pedroncelli/AP On Friday, speaking from a veteran’s home in Napa county, one that operated through a deadly influenza epidemic a century ago, Gavin Newsom said California was moving quickly but with diligence. By day’s end, he said, he expects to have approved plans for 45 of 58 counties to move further into phases of reopening. Many sectors, including manufacturing, retail and restaurants have already reopened to various degrees. Soon, every sector will be given the green light, provided it can make good on safety protocols the new reality demands. Churches and houses of worship are sure to remain a point of tension. Newsom said he and his team have been working with faith leaders to craft plans to welcome back parishioners, depending on church size and other factors. But with California just days away from releasing that guidance, Trump muddied the water, deeming houses of worship “essential” and threatening to “override” governors who don’t approve. This week, more than 1,200 pastors in California said they would resume in-person services this month in defiance of Newsom’s stay-at-home order. Even as case rates statewide appear to have stabilized, hospitals in Imperial county, in southern California, are stretching resources to cope with a surge in cases. Last week, Newsom said, the county was using more than 70% of its ventilators. Plans are in motion to dispatch a 125-bed field hospital to help alleviate pressure, Newsom said. Newsom appeared unmoved by a legal challenge to the state’s plan to move forward with mail-in ballots for the November election. “We’re on firm legal ground. Vote by mail is not novel in the state of California, nor was it in the recent special election” said Newsom. “Public health is a nonpartisan issue”.
Updated at 22.19 BST


theguardian--2020-05-22--Biden apologizes for saying voters who back Trump 'ain't black'

Joe Biden has apologised for saying that if African Americans “ have a problem figuring out whether you ’ re for me or Trump , then you ain ’ t black ” , a remark which prompted a storm of controversy and fierce attacks from supporters of the president .
“ I shouldn ’ t have been such a wise guy , ” Biden said on a call with the US Black Chambers , an African-American business group , which was added to his public schedule .
“ I shouldn ’ t have been so cavalier.
” Biden also said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American community for granted ” .
The former vice-president made the offending remark in an interview with Charlamagne tha God , a co-host of the radio show The Breakfast Club .
After Biden had been pressed on issues including the legalization of marijuana and his choice of running mate , a campaign aide interjected to say he had to wrap it up , prompting the host to say : “ You can ’ t do that to black media.
” Saying “ I do that to black media and white media ” , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his studio .
Charlamagne said : “ Listen , you ’ ve got to come see us when you come to New York , VP Biden .
It ’ s a long way until November .
We ’ ve got more questions.
” “ You ’ ve got more questions ?
” Biden said .
“ Well I tell you what , if you have a problem figuring out whether you ’ re for me or Trump , then you ain ’ t black.
” “ It don ’ t have nothing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ It has to do with the fact [ that ] I want something for my community.
” “ Take a look at my record , man !
” Biden said , before claiming his record as a senator and vice-president was “ second to none ” .
Biden has been criticized and attacked for previous positions and comments on race , such as when he reminisced about past “ civility ” in the Senate by recalling his work with two senators who opposed racial integration .
His comment about black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backlash .
The South Carolina senator Tim Scott , the only black Republican in the upper chamber , tweeted : “ 1.3 million black Americans already voted for Trump in 2016 .
This morning , Joe Biden told every single one of us we ‘ ain ’ t black ’ .
” Katrina Pierson , who leads the Black Voices for Trump advisory board , said : “ Today he once again proved what a growing number of black Americans and I have always known : Joe Biden does not deserve our votes.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ press call quickly convened by the Trump campaign , in which Pierson reportedly grew defensive when pressed on Trump ’ s own lengthy history of racially insensitive comments .
Trump himself retweeted Scott ’ s view that Biden ’ s comments “ are the most arrogant and condescending thing I ’ ve heard in a very long time ” and commended an African American Fox News host , Harris Faulkner , as “ A GREAT AMERICAN ” .
Faulkner said Biden ’ s comment was “ more than just a little offensive , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blind spot for this former vice-president ” .
Before Biden ’ s apology , Symone Sanders , a senior adviser who is African American , said the comment was “ made in jest ” .
“ Let ’ s be clear about what the VP was saying , ” Sanders tweeted .
“ He was making the distinction that he would put his record with the African American community up against Trump ’ s any day .
Period.
”  Biden has committed to picking a woman as his running mate and two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abrams , are black .
Near the end of his interview on Friday , however , he was pressed on reports that he is considering Minnesota senator Amy Klobuchar , who is white .
Black voters “ saved your political life in the primaries ” , Charlamagne said , referring to Biden ’ s comeback from early defeats with a big win in South Carolina , and adding that such voters “ have things they want from you ” .
Biden said : “ I guarantee you there are multiple black women being @ @ @ @ @

Joe Biden has apologised for saying that if African Americans “have a problem figuring out whether you’re for me or Trump, then you ain’t black”, a remark which prompted a storm of controversy and fierce attacks from supporters of the president.
“I shouldn’t have been such a wise guy,” Biden said on a call with the US Black Chambers, an African-American business group, which was added to his public schedule. “I shouldn’t have been so cavalier.”
Biden also said he would never “take the African American community for granted”.
The former vice-president made the offending remark in an interview with Charlamagne tha God, a co-host of the radio show The Breakfast Club.
After Biden had been pressed on issues including the legalization of marijuana and his choice of running mate, a campaign aide interjected to say he had to wrap it up, prompting the host to say: “You can’t do that to black media.”
Saying “I do that to black media and white media”, Biden said his wife needed to use his studio.
Charlamagne said: “Listen, you’ve got to come see us when you come to New York, VP Biden. It’s a long way until November. We’ve got more questions.”
“You’ve got more questions?” Biden said. “Well I tell you what, if you have a problem figuring out whether you’re for me or Trump, then you ain’t black.”
“It don’t have nothing to do with Trump,” the host said. “It has to do with the fact [that] I want something for my community.”
“Take a look at my record, man!” Biden said, before claiming his record as a senator and vice-president was “second to none”.
Biden has been criticized and attacked for previous positions and comments on race, such as when he reminisced about past “civility” in the Senate by recalling his work with two senators who opposed racial integration.
His comment about black voters and Trump prompted fierce and instant backlash.
The South Carolina senator Tim Scott, the only black Republican in the upper chamber, tweeted: “1.3 million black Americans already voted for Trump in 2016. This morning, Joe Biden told every single one of us we ‘ain’t black’.”
Katrina Pierson, who leads the Black Voices for Trump advisory board, said: “Today he once again proved what a growing number of black Americans and I have always known: Joe Biden does not deserve our votes.”
Scott and Pierson featured on a press call quickly convened by the Trump campaign, in which Pierson reportedly grew defensive when pressed on Trump’s own lengthy history of racially insensitive comments.
Trump himself retweeted Scott’s view that Biden’s comments “are the most arrogant and condescending thing I’ve heard in a very long time” and commended an African American Fox News host, Harris Faulkner, as “A GREAT AMERICAN”.
Faulkner said Biden’s comment was “more than just a little offensive, it is short-sighted, it is a blind spot for this former vice-president”.
Before Biden’s apology, Symone Sanders, a senior adviser who is African American, said the comment was “made in jest”.
“Let’s be clear about what the VP was saying,” Sanders tweeted. “He was making the distinction that he would put his record with the African American community up against Trump’s any day. Period.”
Biden has committed to picking a woman as his running mate and two leading contenders, Kamala Harris and Stacey Abrams, are black. Near the end of his interview on Friday, however, he was pressed on reports that he is considering Minnesota senator Amy Klobuchar, who is white.
Black voters “saved your political life in the primaries”, Charlamagne said, referring to Biden’s comeback from early defeats with a big win in South Carolina, and adding that such voters “have things they want from you”.
Biden said: “I guarantee you there are multiple black women being considered. Multiple.”


theguardian--2020-05-22--Joe Biden accuser Tara Reade let go by lawyer

The lawyer representing Tara Reade , who has accused Joe Biden of sexual assault , said on Friday he was dropping her as a client although he continued to believe in the truth of her allegations .
“ Our decision … is by no means a reflection on whether then Senator Biden sexually assaulted Ms Reade , ” Douglas Wigdor said in a statement .
“ On that point , our view – which is the same view held by the majority of Americans , according to a Harvard CAPS-Harris Poll – has not changed.
” Reade is a former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was a senator from Delaware .
She alleges that he pushed her against a wall in the Senate buildings and assaulted her .
Biden has denied the accusation .
Wigdor said his decision was made on Wednesday , a day after CNN published a story raising questions about Reade ’ s background and her past statements .
Though in the statement announcing the split , the lawyer vociferously attacked Reade ’ s treatment by the press .
“ To a large extent Ms Reade has been subjected to a double standard in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received .
Much of what has been written about Ms Reade is not probative of whether then-Senator Biden sexually assaulted her , but rather is intended to victim-shame and attack her credibility on unrelated and irrelevant matters , ” Wigdor said .
Meanwhile , defense lawyers in California have said that they are reviewing criminal cases in which Reade has served as an expert witness on domestic violence , out of concern that she had misrepresented her educational credentials in court .
Days after CNN raised questions about Reade ’ s educational background @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the New York Times that she had not received a degree from the school .

The lawyer representing Tara Reade, who has accused Joe Biden of sexual assault, said on Friday he was dropping her as a client although he continued to believe in the truth of her allegations.
“Our decision … is by no means a reflection on whether then Senator Biden sexually assaulted Ms Reade,” Douglas Wigdor said in a statement. “On that point, our view – which is the same view held by the majority of Americans, according to a Harvard CAPS-Harris Poll – has not changed.”
Reade is a former staffer from Biden’s office when he was a senator from Delaware. She alleges that he pushed her against a wall in the Senate buildings and assaulted her. Biden has denied the accusation.
Wigdor said his decision was made on Wednesday, a day after CNN published a story raising questions about Reade’s background and her past statements. Though in the statement announcing the split, the lawyer vociferously attacked Reade’s treatment by the press.
“To a large extent Ms Reade has been subjected to a double standard in terms of the media coverage she has received. Much of what has been written about Ms Reade is not probative of whether then-Senator Biden sexually assaulted her, but rather is intended to victim-shame and attack her credibility on unrelated and irrelevant matters,” Wigdor said.
Meanwhile, defense lawyers in California have said that they are reviewing criminal cases in which Reade has served as an expert witness on domestic violence, out of concern that she had misrepresented her educational credentials in court.
Days after CNN raised questions about Reade’s educational background, a spokesperson for Antioch University confirmed to the New York Times that she had not received a degree from the school.


theguardian--2020-05-22--Joe Biden pushed to embrace radicalism of FDR by scale of economic crisis

When Joe Biden launched his campaign for president in April last year , the unemployment rate was 3.6 % , the lowest it had been in nearly half a century .
Now , months into a once-in-a-century public health crisis , unemployment in the US is nearly four times that , soaring to levels not seen since the Great Depression .
Millions of laid-off workers risk losing their health insurance , while many Americans with jobs deemed essential are demanding better protections from their employers .
It is only a matter of time before the death toll reaches 100,000 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of restoring normalcy after four years of Donald Trump , frequently appealing to voters ’ nostalgia for the presidency of Barack Obama .
But now , as he faces the general election amid the deepening economic turmoil , the presumptive Democratic nominee is reaching for the legacy of a radical American president : Franklin Delano Roosevelt .
“ The blinders have been taken off , ” Biden told supporters recently during a virtual fundraiser from his Delaware home , where he has been since March .
“ Because of this Covid crisis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ My Lord , look at what is possible .
Look at the institutional changes we can make.
’ ” In recent weeks , Biden , who has climbed above Trump in national polls , has openly courted progressive leaders and ideas , adopting some of the populist rhetoric more commonly associated with his vanquished rivals , Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren .
In turn , they have offered their full-throated endorsements , casting Biden , a pragmatic dealmaker who still believes in bipartisan comity , as the perhaps unlikely herald of a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frame matters – it ’ s not to be underestimated , ” the California congressman Ro Khanna , who was a co-chair of Sanders ’ presidential campaign , said of Biden ’ s bold messaging .
“ It ’ s a totally different vision for what he thinks the next four years should be about.
” Neither Biden nor Trump has yet laid out their vision for what the first 100 days of a new presidency might look like , a benchmark established by FDR during which he offered a series of sweeping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advisers believe they must be prepared to marshal a far more ambitious domestic agenda than they initially imagined .
During daily virtual meetings , Biden and his team are beginning to draft a new governing vision that reflects the scale and urgency of the crisis that Biden predicted may “ eclipse what FDR faced ” .
The task is not entirely new to Biden .
As vice-president , he led the Obama administration ’ s response to the recession , and his campaign hopes to leverage his remarkably scandal-free stewardship of the nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s handling of the economy .
In the coming weeks , Biden said he would share a detailed plan “ for the right kind of economic recovery ” , aspects of which are expected to include massive investment in public health , expansive legislative action on climate change , and broad new protections for workers .
Last week , Biden announced six policy taskforces – centered around issues that include healthcare , climate and the economy – that pair his supporters with ideological allies of Sanders .
Among those chosen to participate are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most skeptical of his approach , including the New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez .
In a joint press release announcing the taskforces , Biden said the groups would help “ transform our country ” .
“ Vice-President Biden understands in his gut that this is a totally different order of magnitude than any president has ever dealt with , ” said Mary Kay Henry , president of the Service Employees International Union and a member of the healthcare taskforce .
Henry said the coronavirus has exposed the underlying causes of the US ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues she believes government and business leaders can no longer afford to ignore .
“ We had [ 38 ] million people that have lost jobs .
But that ’ s on top of the 64 million Americans who already made less than $ 15 an hour before Covid , ” she said .
Without paid sick leave , some essential workers are reporting for work even if they feel ill because they can ’ t afford the alternative while fast-food and healthcare workers stage protests to demand protective equipment .
“ That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people between the eyes.
” Jared Bernstein , one of Biden ’ s economic advisers , said Biden was looking beyond the “ cyclical ” challenges posed by the pandemic to the many “ structural ” problems it has revealed .
“ Biden is , I think , developing a particularly robust agenda that really strikes at this reality that the Trump economy was built on a house of sand and has turned out to be totally non-resilient to any shock , ” said Bernstein , who advised Biden during his tenure as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recognizes the need for an “ urgent expansion ” that better insulates the American economy from the “ shocks that are coming fast and furiously ” not as a direct result of the pandemic but from climate change and income inequality .
Biden has also made other gestures .
He has adopted aspects of Sanders ’ free college tuition proposal .
He has embraced Elizabeth Warren ’ s bankruptcy proposal and joined with the senator , viewed as a potential running mate , to call for better oversight of how the Trump administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the left have scoffed at the notion of Biden as an FDR-style visionary .
After all , they say , Biden once told supporters that under his presidency “ nothing would fundamentally change ” .
David Sirota , a former adviser to Sanders 2020 presidential campaign , dismissed Biden ’ s overtures to the left as performative politics – a “ canned SNL skit ” that progressives were being asked to accept as “ something real ” .
Republicans , meanwhile , view Biden ’ s expanding policy aspirations as a political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced , the Republican National Committee tagged Biden a “ banner-man for the socialist agenda ” .
Biden ’ s policy platform – which includes a public option for healthcare and an aggressive plan to combat the climate crisis – might have been considered far-reaching in another presidential cycle .
But during the primary he resisted pressure from activists to embrace progressive litmus-test items such as Medicare for All and a Green New Deal .
Campaign aides and allies say Biden ’ s calls for change are part of a policy evolution in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sudden embrace of a Sanders-style agenda .
Biden himself has pointed to his nearly 50-year political career as a guide for how he would make “ institutional ” changes “ without us becoming a socialist country , or any of that malarkey ” .
Michael Gwin , a spokesman for Biden ’ s campaign , said : “ He ’ s scaling up the solutions he ’ s proposed so that we can meet this moment , get through this crisis , and ensure that we come out on the other end with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resilient country.
” Surrounding his planning for the presidency is the uncertainty over who will control the House and Senate , which is suddenly within reach for Democrats .
Yet there are signs that the coronavirus , and Trump ’ s handling of the crisis , have scrambled the political calculus , giving Biden new latitude to move in a far bolder direction .
A recent survey by the non-partisan Pew Research Center found that the public ’ s view of the economy has darkened dramatically : just 23 % of Americans describe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or “ good ” , down from 57 % at the start of the year .
The same poll found overwhelming support for the $ 2tn coronavirus relief measure passed by Congress last month , a marked contrast from the polarized , partisan views of the stimulus package passed to stem the economic fallout from the Great Recession .
“ I can ’ t underscore enough the extent to which this economic moment is unprecedented , ” said Steph Sterling , vice-president of advocacy and policy at the liberal Roosevelt Institute .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the moment in a way that only government can .
”

When Joe Biden launched his campaign for president in April last year, the unemployment rate was 3.6%, the lowest it had been in nearly half a century. Now, months into a once-in-a-century public health crisis, unemployment in the US is nearly four times that, soaring to levels not seen since the Great Depression.
Millions of laid-off workers risk losing their health insurance, while many Americans with jobs deemed essential are demanding better protections from their employers. It is only a matter of time before the death toll reaches 100,000.
During the Democratic primary, Biden spoke of restoring normalcy after four years of Donald Trump, frequently appealing to voters’ nostalgia for the presidency of Barack Obama. But now, as he faces the general election amid the deepening economic turmoil, the presumptive Democratic nominee is reaching for the legacy of a radical American president: Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
“The blinders have been taken off,” Biden told supporters recently during a virtual fundraiser from his Delaware home, where he has been since March. “Because of this Covid crisis, I think people are realizing, ‘My Lord, look at what is possible. Look at the institutional changes we can make.’”
In recent weeks, Biden, who has climbed above Trump in national polls, has openly courted progressive leaders and ideas, adopting some of the populist rhetoric more commonly associated with his vanquished rivals, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. In turn, they have offered their full-throated endorsements, casting Biden, a pragmatic dealmaker who still believes in bipartisan comity, as the perhaps unlikely herald of a new progressive era.
“A shift of frame matters – it’s not to be underestimated,” the California congressman Ro Khanna, who was a co-chair of Sanders’ presidential campaign, said of Biden’s bold messaging. “It’s a totally different vision for what he thinks the next four years should be about.”
Neither Biden nor Trump has yet laid out their vision for what the first 100 days of a new presidency might look like, a benchmark established by FDR during which he offered a series of sweeping reforms.
President Franklin D Roosevelt’s New Deal was a try-anything moment during the Great Depression that remade the role of the federal government in American life. Photograph: AP
But Biden and his economic advisers believe they must be prepared to marshal a far more ambitious domestic agenda than they initially imagined. During daily virtual meetings, Biden and his team are beginning to draft a new governing vision that reflects the scale and urgency of the crisis that Biden predicted may “eclipse what FDR faced”.
The task is not entirely new to Biden. As vice-president, he led the Obama administration’s response to the recession, and his campaign hopes to leverage his remarkably scandal-free stewardship of the nearly $800bn stimulus package with Trump’s handling of the economy.
In the coming weeks, Biden said he would share a detailed plan “for the right kind of economic recovery”, aspects of which are expected to include massive investment in public health, expansive legislative action on climate change, and broad new protections for workers.
Last week, Biden announced six policy taskforces – centered around issues that include healthcare, climate and the economy – that pair his supporters with ideological allies of Sanders. Among those chosen to participate are some of the young, progressive leaders most skeptical of his approach, including the New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
In a joint press release announcing the taskforces, Biden said the groups would help “transform our country”.
“Vice-President Biden understands in his gut that this is a totally different order of magnitude than any president has ever dealt with,” said Mary Kay Henry, president of the Service Employees International Union and a member of the healthcare taskforce.
Henry said the coronavirus has exposed the underlying causes of the US’s problems, calling public attention to issues she believes government and business leaders can no longer afford to ignore.
“We had [38] million people that have lost jobs. But that’s on top of the 64 million Americans who already made less than $15 an hour before Covid,” she said. Without paid sick leave, some essential workers are reporting for work even if they feel ill because they can’t afford the alternative while fast-food and healthcare workers stage protests to demand protective equipment.
“That level of inequality has sort of hit people between the eyes.”
Jared Bernstein, one of Biden’s economic advisers, said Biden was looking beyond the “cyclical” challenges posed by the pandemic to the many “structural” problems it has revealed.
“Biden is, I think, developing a particularly robust agenda that really strikes at this reality that the Trump economy was built on a house of sand and has turned out to be totally non-resilient to any shock,” said Bernstein, who advised Biden during his tenure as vice-president.
Biden, Bernstein said, recognizes the need for an “urgent expansion” that better insulates the American economy from the “shocks that are coming fast and furiously” not as a direct result of the pandemic but from climate change and income inequality.
Biden has also made other gestures. He has adopted aspects of Sanders’ free college tuition proposal. He has embraced Elizabeth Warren’s bankruptcy proposal and joined with the senator, viewed as a potential running mate, to call for better oversight of how the Trump administration spends the coronavirus relief fund.
Critics on the left have scoffed at the notion of Biden as an FDR-style visionary. After all, they say, Biden once told supporters that under his presidency “nothing would fundamentally change”.
David Sirota, a former adviser to Sanders 2020 presidential campaign, dismissed Biden’s overtures to the left as performative politics – a “canned SNL skit” that progressives were being asked to accept as “something real”.
Republicans, meanwhile, view Biden’s expanding policy aspirations as a political gift. After the taskforce members were announced, the Republican National Committee tagged Biden a “banner-man for the socialist agenda”.
Biden’s policy platform – which includes a public option for healthcare and an aggressive plan to combat the climate crisis – might have been considered far-reaching in another presidential cycle. But during the primary he resisted pressure from activists to embrace progressive litmus-test items such as Medicare for All and a Green New Deal.
Campaign aides and allies say Biden’s calls for change are part of a policy evolution in response to the crisis, not a sudden embrace of a Sanders-style agenda. Biden himself has pointed to his nearly 50-year political career as a guide for how he would make “institutional” changes “without us becoming a socialist country, or any of that malarkey”.
Michael Gwin, a spokesman for Biden’s campaign, said: “He’s scaling up the solutions he’s proposed so that we can meet this moment, get through this crisis, and ensure that we come out on the other end with a stronger middle class and a more resilient country.”
Surrounding his planning for the presidency is the uncertainty over who will control the House and Senate, which is suddenly within reach for Democrats. Yet there are signs that the coronavirus, and Trump’s handling of the crisis, have scrambled the political calculus, giving Biden new latitude to move in a far bolder direction.
A recent survey by the non-partisan Pew Research Center found that the public’s view of the economy has darkened dramatically: just 23% of Americans describe the economic outlook as “excellent” or “good”, down from 57% at the start of the year. The same poll found overwhelming support for the $2tn coronavirus relief measure passed by Congress last month, a marked contrast from the polarized, partisan views of the stimulus package passed to stem the economic fallout from the Great Recession.
“I can’t underscore enough the extent to which this economic moment is unprecedented,” said Steph Sterling, vice-president of advocacy and policy at the liberal Roosevelt Institute. “Our institutions need to shift to meet the moment in a way that only government can.”