cnbc--2020-05-21--Trump says he won't close the country if second wave of coronavirus hits

President Donald Trump on Thursday said `` we are not closing our country '' if the U.S. is hit by a second wave of coronavirus infections .
`` People say that 's a very distinct possibility , it 's standard , '' Trump said when asked about a second wave during a tour of a Ford factory in Michigan .
`` We are going to put out the fires .
We 're not going to close the country , '' Trump said .
`` We can put out the fires .
Whether it is an ember or a flame , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But we are not closing our country . ''
Trump has previously said there may be `` embers '' of the pandemic that persist in the U.S. past the summer , but he maintains that they will be stamped out .
Health experts , including those in the Trump administration , have said that the virus will likely continue to spread through the fall and winter , and may become even more difficult to combat once flu season begins .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House coronavirus task force , told The Washington Post this week that he has `` no doubt '' there will be new waves of cases .
`` The virus is not going to disappear , '' he told Post .
`` It 's a highly transmissible virus .
At any given time , it 's some place or another .
As long as that 's the case , there 's a risk of resurgence . ''
State leaders , not the federal government , have imposed harsh restrictions on residents and businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the disease .
But with the U.S. economy straining under the social distancing rules , Trump has loudly called on the country to begin the reopening process .
All 50 states have now begun some level of reopening – including New York , the epicenter of the crisis in the U.S. – even as cases continue to rise in some parts of the country .
Trump did not wear a mask while touring Ford Motor Co. 's Rawsonville Components Plant in Ypsilanti , despite a state law and company policy requiring facial coverings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ventilators in response to the Covid-19 pandemic in the United States .
The outbreak , which began near the Chinese city of Wuhan , has spread around the globe , with more than 5 million cases confirmed worldwide and over 328,471 deaths , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
There are at least 1.5 million cases and at least 93,439 deaths from the disease in the United States , according to the latest tallies from Johns Hopkins .
Trump is determined to revive the economy as he tries to convince voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House .
More than 38 million U.S. workers have filed unemployment claims in the past nine weeks as businesses shuttered amid the pandemic .
But markets have experienced a booming rally this week , amid optimistic news about vaccine development and a growing sense from some public figures that the country has turned a corner in its fight against Covid-19 .

President Donald Trump on Thursday said "we are not closing our country" if the U.S. is hit by a second wave of coronavirus infections.
"People say that's a very distinct possibility, it's standard," Trump said when asked about a second wave during a tour of a Ford factory in Michigan.
"We are going to put out the fires. We're not going to close the country," Trump said. "We can put out the fires. Whether it is an ember or a flame, we are going to put it out. But we are not closing our country."
Trump has previously said there may be "embers" of the pandemic that persist in the U.S. past the summer, but he maintains that they will be stamped out. Health experts, including those in the Trump administration, have said that the virus will likely continue to spread through the fall and winter, and may become even more difficult to combat once flu season begins.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a member of the White House coronavirus task force, told The Washington Post this week that he has "no doubt" there will be new waves of cases.
"The virus is not going to disappear," he told Post. "It's a highly transmissible virus. At any given time, it's some place or another. As long as that's the case, there's a risk of resurgence."
State leaders, not the federal government, have imposed harsh restrictions on residents and businesses to try to slow the spread of the disease. But with the U.S. economy straining under the social distancing rules, Trump has loudly called on the country to begin the reopening process.
All 50 states have now begun some level of reopening – including New York, the epicenter of the crisis in the U.S. – even as cases continue to rise in some parts of the country.
Trump did not wear a mask while touring Ford Motor Co. 's Rawsonville Components Plant in Ypsilanti, despite a state law and company policy requiring facial coverings there. The plant is currently making ventilators in response to the Covid-19 pandemic in the United States.
The outbreak, which began near the Chinese city of Wuhan, has spread around the globe, with more than 5 million cases confirmed worldwide and over 328,471 deaths, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
There are at least 1.5 million cases and at least 93,439 deaths from the disease in the United States, according to the latest tallies from Johns Hopkins.
Trump is determined to revive the economy as he tries to convince voters to give him four more years in the White House. More than 38 million U.S. workers have filed unemployment claims in the past nine weeks as businesses shuttered amid the pandemic.
But markets have experienced a booming rally this week, amid optimistic news about vaccine development and a growing sense from some public figures that the country has turned a corner in its fight against Covid-19.


cnbc--2020-05-21--Trump doesn't wear coronavirus mask in public at Ford plant

President Donald Trump on Thursday did not wear a mask for coronavirus protection during the public part of touring a Ford Motor Co. plant in Michigan , despite a state law and company policy requiring facial coverings there .
Trump , who has consistently refused to wear a mask in public , was visiting Ford 's Rawsonville Components Plant in Ypsilanti , which has a policy of requiring masks there .
The plant is currently making ventilators in response to the Covid-19 pandemic in the United States .
Video showed Trump on the factory floor talking to Ford executives who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Trump said , when a reporter asked why he was not wearing a facial covering .
`` Everybody 's been tested and I 've been tested . ''
Trump also claimed `` I had one [ a mask ] on before , '' in an area that was not visible to reporters , but added , `` I did n't want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it . ''
`` I was given a choice , and I had one on in an area where they preferred it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ford executives .
When Ford 's executive chairman , William Ford Jr. , was asked `` can you confirm the president was told it is OK not to wear a mask in this area , '' Ford shrugged and said , `` It 's up to him ! ''
Both William Ford and CEO Bill Hackett each were wearing masks when they accompanied Trump for the visit to the factory floor .
The Ford company later issued a statement saying : `` Bill Ford encouraged President Trump to wear a mask when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a private viewing of three Ford GTs from over the years .
The President later removed the mask for the remainder of the visit . ''
When William Ford introduced Trump for a speech to factory workers after the tour , the company chairman wore a mask as he spoke .
United Automobile Workers , the union representing factory workers , released a statement which said : `` Despite some in the President 's entourage not following health and safety protocols in the plant today , we want to make it clear that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is vitally important that our members continue to follow the protocols that have been put in place to safeguard them , their families and their communities .
`` This deadly virus has taken the lives of 25 of our UAW members already and thousands of Americans .
These protocols are literally a matter of life and death , and that is why the UAW has been working tirelessly with the companies to ensure that everything that can be done to keep our members and our communities safe . ''
The president 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier this week by Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer that prohibits nonessential visits to manufacturing facilities in the state to prevent the spread of the coronavirus .
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel on Wednesday said that while she would not seek to block Trump 's visit , he had a `` legal responsibility '' under state law to wear a mask when he visited the plant .
`` I ask that while you are on tour you respect the great efforts of the men and women at Ford — and across this state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Nessel wrote in an open letter to the president .
On Tuesday , Ford Motor told media outlets that it had a policy of requiring masks there and that the company had informed the White House about that policy .
But the company also said that day `` The White House has its own safety and testing policies in place and will make its own determination '' about whether Trump and his party will wear masks during the visit .
Ford twice this week briefly shuttered plants elsewhere after three workers tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was asked at the White House earlier Thursday if he would wear a mask when he visited the Ford factory , he had said , `` I do n't know , we 're going to look at it '' But Nessel , in her letter to Trump , wrote that the mask requirement `` is not just the policy of Ford , by virtue of the Governor 's Executive Orders .
It is currently the law of this State . ''
She also wrote , `` Anyone who has potentially been recently exposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States , has not only a legal responsibility , but also a social and moral responsibility , to take reasonable precautions to prevent further spread of the virus . ''
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , during an interview Wednesday on MSNBC 's `` The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell , '' criticized Trump for not wearing a mask while in public .
`` I also am concerned the example that is not being set for the rest of the country , and I 'm concerned about those lives because while the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it not in their interest to wear a mask , they have doctors around them all the time who can tend to their needs at any given moment , '' Pelosi said .
`` But most of the American people who might follow their lead do not have that same opportunity . ''
Rep. Debbie Dingell , a Democrat whose Michigan district includes the factory that Ford visited , said Thursday during an interview on MSNBC , `` Mr. President , I just hope you 'll wear that mask so people know that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that mask can save lives . ''

watch now
President Donald Trump on Thursday did not wear a mask for coronavirus protection during the public part of touring a Ford Motor Co . plant in Michigan, despite a state law and company policy requiring facial coverings there. Trump, who has consistently refused to wear a mask in public, was visiting Ford's Rawsonville Components Plant in Ypsilanti, which has a policy of requiring masks there. The plant is currently making ventilators in response to the Covid-19 pandemic in the United States. Video showed Trump on the factory floor talking to Ford executives who were wearing masks. "Not necessary," Trump said, when a reporter asked why he was not wearing a facial covering. "Everybody's been tested and I've been tested." Trump also claimed "I had one [a mask] on before," in an area that was not visible to reporters, but added, "I didn't want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it." "I was given a choice, and I had one on in an area where they preferred it," Trump said, referring to Ford executives. When Ford's executive chairman, William Ford Jr., was asked "can you confirm the president was told it is OK not to wear a mask in this area," Ford shrugged and said, "It's up to him!" Both William Ford and CEO Bill Hackett each were wearing masks when they accompanied Trump for the visit to the factory floor. The Ford company later issued a statement saying: "Bill Ford encouraged President Trump to wear a mask when he arrived. He wore a mask during a private viewing of three Ford GTs from over the years. The President later removed the mask for the remainder of the visit."
President Donald Trump wears a mask during a private viewing of three Ford GTs from over the years at the Ford Rawsonville plant. NBC News
When William Ford introduced Trump for a speech to factory workers after the tour, the company chairman wore a mask as he spoke. Trump did not. United Automobile Workers, the union representing factory workers, released a statement which said: "Despite some in the President's entourage not following health and safety protocols in the plant today, we want to make it clear that the CDC guidelines have not changed and it is vitally important that our members continue to follow the protocols that have been put in place to safeguard them, their families and their communities. "This deadly virus has taken the lives of 25 of our UAW members already and thousands of Americans. These protocols are literally a matter of life and death, and that is why the UAW has been working tirelessly with the companies to ensure that everything that can be done to keep our members and our communities safe." The president's tour occurred despite an executive order signed earlier this week by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer that prohibits nonessential visits to manufacturing facilities in the state to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel on Wednesday said that while she would not seek to block Trump's visit, he had a "legal responsibility" under state law to wear a mask when he visited the plant. "I ask that while you are on tour you respect the great efforts of the men and women at Ford — and across this state — by wearing a facial covering," Nessel wrote in an open letter to the president. On Tuesday, Ford Motor told media outlets that it had a policy of requiring masks there and that the company had informed the White House about that policy. But the company also said that day "The White House has its own safety and testing policies in place and will make its own determination" about whether Trump and his party will wear masks during the visit. Ford twice this week briefly shuttered plants elsewhere after three workers tested positive for the coronavirus. When Trump was asked at the White House earlier Thursday if he would wear a mask when he visited the Ford factory, he had said, "I don't know, we're going to look at it"
Ford Motor Company CEO Jim Hackett (L) speaks with US President Donald Trump as they toursthe Ford Rawsonville Plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan on May 21, 2020. Brendan Smialowski | AFP | Getty Images
But Nessel, in her letter to Trump, wrote that the mask requirement "is not just the policy of Ford, by virtue of the Governor's Executive Orders. It is currently the law of this State." She also wrote, "Anyone who has potentially been recently exposed, including the President of the United States, has not only a legal responsibility, but also a social and moral responsibility, to take reasonable precautions to prevent further spread of the virus." Tweet House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., during an interview Wednesday on MSNBC's "The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell," criticized Trump for not wearing a mask while in public. "I also am concerned the example that is not being set for the rest of the country, and I'm concerned about those lives because while the president and the vice president may consider it not in their interest to wear a mask, they have doctors around them all the time who can tend to their needs at any given moment," Pelosi said. "But most of the American people who might follow their lead do not have that same opportunity." Rep. Debbie Dingell, a Democrat whose Michigan district includes the factory that Ford visited, said Thursday during an interview on MSNBC, "Mr. President, I just hope you'll wear that mask so people know that it's important, and your wearing that mask can save lives."
watch now


cnbc--2020-05-21--The Pentagon won't talk about Saudi arms deals at center of Pompeo scandal involving State Departmen

The Pentagon won't talk about Saudi arms deals at center of Pompeo scandal involving State Department IG

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks at the U.S. State Department January 07 , 2020 in Washington , DC .
WASHINGTON — The Pentagon referred questions Thursday to the State Department about American arms deals with Saudi Arabia , amid a controversy over an internal watchdog who was fired while reportedly investigating the agreements .
`` I 'm not going to talk about the interagency process on that and there 's obviously a lot of scrutiny and interest in this .
I would refer you over to State Department , who handled the announcement on this , '' Pentagon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Foreign military sales are an important part of what the department does and how we work with our allies and partners , '' he added , saying that `` with regard to that particular transaction I 'm just gon na have to refer you over to the State Department I 'm not going to discuss the interagency conversations . ''
The State Department did n't immediately respond to a request for comment .
State Department Inspector General Steve Linick was looking into what role Secretary of State Mike Pompeo played in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign military sale to the kingdom .
Linick was also looking into other matters , such as whether Pompeo and his wife , Susan , had a State Department staffer walk their dog , pick up dry cleaning and perform other personal tasks .
Pompeo urged President Donald Trump to Linick last week , and Trump complied .
The nation 's top diplomat told reporters on Wednesday that he should have recommended Linick 's dismissal sooner , but did not elaborate on reasons as to why .
`` There are claims that this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the inspector general 's office here was engaged in .
Patently false , '' Pompeo said .
Saudi Arabia is America 's top weapons buyer , and the world 's largest arms importer .
Between 2015 and 2019 , Riyadh imported 73 % of its arms from Washington , according to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute .
In March 2018 , Trump praised Saudi Arabia 's defense acquisitions as he met with the nation 's powerful Crown Prince Mohammed at the White House — and pushed for even more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wealthy nation , and they 're going to give the United States some of that wealth , hopefully , in the form of jobs , in the form of the purchase of the finest military equipment anywhere in the world , '' Trump said at the time .
While Congress discussed the possibility of placing some restrictions on weapons exports to Saudi Arabia in 2019 , deliveries of air defense systems , combat aircraft and guided bombs continued throughout the year .

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks at the U.S. State Department January 07, 2020 in Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON — The Pentagon referred questions Thursday to the State Department about American arms deals with Saudi Arabia, amid a controversy over an internal watchdog who was fired while reportedly investigating the agreements.
"I'm not going to talk about the interagency process on that and there's obviously a lot of scrutiny and interest in this. I would refer you over to State Department, who handled the announcement on this," Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman told reporters Thursday.
"Foreign military sales are an important part of what the department does and how we work with our allies and partners," he added, saying that "with regard to that particular transaction I'm just gonna have to refer you over to the State Department I'm not going to discuss the interagency conversations."
In a statement Thursday night, a State Department spokesperson wrote that "the Department met the requirements of the law and followed relevant practice in invoking this emergency authority, and has moved these arms transfers forward.
State Department Inspector General Steve Linick was looking into what role Secretary of State Mike Pompeo played in the potential fast-tracking of an $8 billion foreign military sale to the kingdom. Linick was also looking into other matters, such as whether Pompeo and his wife, Susan, had a State Department staffer walk their dog, pick up dry cleaning and perform other personal tasks.
Pompeo urged President Donald Trump to Linick last week, and Trump complied. The nation's top diplomat told reporters on Wednesday that he should have recommended Linick's dismissal sooner, but did not elaborate on reasons as to why.
"There are claims that this was for retaliation for some investigation that the inspector general's office here was engaged in. Patently false," Pompeo said.
Saudi Arabia is America's top weapons buyer, and the world's largest arms importer. Between 2015 and 2019, Riyadh imported 73% of its arms from Washington, according to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
In March 2018, Trump praised Saudi Arabia's defense acquisitions as he met with the nation's powerful Crown Prince Mohammed at the White House — and pushed for even more.
"Saudi Arabia is a very wealthy nation, and they're going to give the United States some of that wealth, hopefully, in the form of jobs, in the form of the purchase of the finest military equipment anywhere in the world," Trump said at the time.
While Congress discussed the possibility of placing some restrictions on weapons exports to Saudi Arabia in 2019, deliveries of air defense systems, combat aircraft and guided bombs continued throughout the year.


cnbc--2020-05-21--Appeals court orders Michael Flynn judge to respond to demand for dismissal of case against ex-Trump

Appeals court orders Michael Flynn judge to respond to demand for dismissal of case against ex-Trump advisor

Former White House National Security Advisor Michael Flynn leaves the Prettyman Federal Courthouse following a sentencing hearing in U.S. District Court December 18 , 2018 in Washington , DC .
A federal appeals court on Thursday ordered the judge handling the criminal case of President Donald Trump 's former national security advisor , Michael Flynn , to respond to a request by Flynn 's lawyers to dismiss the case .
The order came two days after Flynn 's lawyers asked the U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to drop the case and assign any future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Justice two weeks earlier made the surprise move to abandon its own prosecution of Flynn , who had pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his conversations with then-Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak in the weeks before Trump 's inauguration .
But U.S. District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan did not immediately grant the DOJ 's motion to dismiss its case .
Instead , he appointed a former federal judge to argue against the request , and submitted a schedule to allow third parties to submit arguments in the case .
Flynn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court that Sullivan 's moves `` reveal his plan to continue the case indefinitely , rubbing salt in General Flynn 's open wound from the Government 's misconduct and threatening him with criminal contempt . ''
Sullivan has 10 days to respond to the appeals court 's order .
Sidney Powell , an attorney for Flynn , did not immediately respond to CNBC 's request for comment on the order .
Flynn had appeared in Sullivan 's courtroom in December 2018 to be sentenced , but the retired lieutenant general opted to delay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face jail time if he was sentenced before completing his cooperation with then-special counsel Robert Mueller 's investigators .
Months later , Flynn dismissed his legal team and hired Powell , a vocal Mueller critic , who soon began efforts to undo the criminal case .
Powell accused prosecutors of withholding exculpatory information from Flynn , a claim that the Justice Department for months repeatedly denied .
The Justice Department 's request this month to dismiss the charge against Flynn was signed by Timothy Shea , interim U.S. attorney for D.C. at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the prosecutors who had handled Flynn 's case up to that point .
The dismissal request has been highly controversial .
Former prosecutors say it smacked of favoritism toward an ally of Trump , and some have specifically accused Attorney General William Barr of manipulating the justice system to help the president .
Trump has frequently criticized the case against Flynn .

Former White House National Security Advisor Michael Flynn leaves the Prettyman Federal Courthouse following a sentencing hearing in U.S. District Court December 18, 2018 in Washington, DC.
A federal appeals court on Thursday ordered the judge handling the criminal case of President Donald Trump's former national security advisor, Michael Flynn, to respond to a request by Flynn's lawyers to dismiss the case.
The order came two days after Flynn's lawyers asked the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to drop the case and assign any future court proceedings to another judge.
The Department of Justice two weeks earlier made the surprise move to abandon its own prosecution of Flynn, who had pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his conversations with then-Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak in the weeks before Trump's inauguration.
But U.S. District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan did not immediately grant the DOJ's motion to dismiss its case. Instead, he appointed a former federal judge to argue against the request, and submitted a schedule to allow third parties to submit arguments in the case.
Flynn's lawyers had argued to the appeals court that Sullivan's moves "reveal his plan to continue the case indefinitely, rubbing salt in General Flynn's open wound from the Government's misconduct and threatening him with criminal contempt."
Sullivan has 10 days to respond to the appeals court's order. Sidney Powell, an attorney for Flynn, did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment on the order.
Flynn had appeared in Sullivan's courtroom in December 2018 to be sentenced, but the retired lieutenant general opted to delay the proceeding after Sullivan warned Flynn may face jail time if he was sentenced before completing his cooperation with then-special counsel Robert Mueller's investigators.
Months later, Flynn dismissed his legal team and hired Powell, a vocal Mueller critic, who soon began efforts to undo the criminal case. Powell accused prosecutors of withholding exculpatory information from Flynn, a claim that the Justice Department for months repeatedly denied.
The Justice Department's request this month to dismiss the charge against Flynn was signed by Timothy Shea, interim U.S. attorney for D.C. at the time, and not by any of the prosecutors who had handled Flynn's case up to that point.
The dismissal request has been highly controversial. Former prosecutors say it smacked of favoritism toward an ally of Trump, and some have specifically accused Attorney General William Barr of manipulating the justice system to help the president. Trump has frequently criticized the case against Flynn.


cnbc--2020-05-21--Trump pulls the U.S. out of surveillance treaty, his latest withdrawal from a major pact

U.S. President Donald Trump arrives to speak at a press briefing about coronavirus testing in the Rose Garden of the White House on May 11 , 2020 in Washington , DC .
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration said Thursday that it will withdraw from another major international treaty , a decision expected to disturb European allies as Washington pulls back further from global arms commitments and other pacts .
The Open Skies treaty allows 35 nations , including Russia , to conduct unarmed surveillance flights over each other 's territory in order to assure that nations are not preparing for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previously said that Russia has repeatedly violated the terms of the pact , which was brokered three decades ago .
Washington maintains that Moscow uses the flights as an opportunity to identify critical infrastructure to target during a potential conflict .
`` President Trump has made clear that the United States will not remain a party to international agreements that are being violated by the other parties and are no longer in America 's interests , '' said national security advisor Robert O'Brien in an emailed statement .
`` We look forward to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new arms control framework that moves beyond the Cold War constructs of the past and helps keep the entire world safe , '' the statement added .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wrote in a statement that the United States may reconsider its withdrawal should Russia return to full compliance with the treaty .
`` This is not a story exclusive to just the Treaty on Open Skies , unfortunately , for Russia has been a serial violator of many of its arms control obligations and commitments , '' Pompeo added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Russia `` implements the treaty in ways that contribute to military threats against the United States and our allies and partners . ''
`` We 've been clear on these concerns for years , and to your question , the Secretary has had conversations with his allies and partners about these concerns previously , '' he added .

U.S. President Donald Trump arrives to speak at a press briefing about coronavirus testing in the Rose Garden of the White House on May 11, 2020 in Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration said Thursday that it will withdraw from another major international treaty, a decision expected to disturb European allies as Washington pulls back further from global arms commitments and other pacts.
The Open Skies treaty allows 35 nations, including Russia, to conduct unarmed surveillance flights over each other's territory in order to assure that nations are not preparing for military action.
The Trump administration has previously said that Russia has repeatedly violated the terms of the pact, which was brokered three decades ago. Washington maintains that Moscow uses the flights as an opportunity to identify critical infrastructure to target during a potential conflict.
"President Trump has made clear that the United States will not remain a party to international agreements that are being violated by the other parties and are no longer in America's interests," said national security advisor Robert O'Brien in an emailed statement.
"We look forward to negotiating with both Russia and China on a new arms control framework that moves beyond the Cold War constructs of the past and helps keep the entire world safe," the statement added.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wrote in a statement that the United States may reconsider its withdrawal should Russia return to full compliance with the treaty.
"This is not a story exclusive to just the Treaty on Open Skies, unfortunately, for Russia has been a serial violator of many of its arms control obligations and commitments," Pompeo added.
Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman told reporters Thursday that Russia "implements the treaty in ways that contribute to military threats against the United States and our allies and partners."
"We've been clear on these concerns for years, and to your question, the Secretary has had conversations with his allies and partners about these concerns previously," he added.


cnbc--2020-05-21--Mike Bloomberg's political tech firm Hawkfish picks a new CEO, restructures after struggling to sign

Mike Bloomberg's political tech firm Hawkfish picks a new CEO, restructures after struggling to sign clients

Billionaire and former Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg 's tech company has a new CEO as it restructures for the general election against President Donald Trump .
The move also comes as the firm , Hawkfish , had been struggling to score new client contracts .
The company confirmed that its CEO is Josh Mendelsohn , a managing partner at Hangar , a start-up investment firm based out of New York .
Mendelsohn , according to a Hawkfish spokesperson , has been involved with the Bloomberg-backed business since the early days of the company 's creation in 2019 .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was the primary digital agency for Bloomberg 's run for president that led to him capturing 55 delegates , including the Democratic caucuses of American Samoa .
Gary Briggs , the company 's chairman and former chief marketing officer at Facebook , said the restructuring , which included the recent termination of employees who were on monthly contracts , is part of an effort to gear up for the battle with Trump .
It 's unclear how Hawkfish plans to take on the president , as it has yet to sign with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Hawkfish continues to focus on how we can collaboratively help defeat Donald Trump and Republicans in 2020 and beyond .
The staff needs of a focused political firm are different from a campaign team , '' Briggs told CNBC .
`` Hawkfish has revised our organizational structure and reduced a piece of our contingent workforce to get back to our original , specific goal : building great data and ad technology to help Democrats win up and down the ballot . ''
Beyond Mendelsohn , Hawkfish told CNBC that it has recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leadership team , such as Kate Kochman , a former White House official under President Barack Obama , to head its political team , and Mitch Stewart as a senior consultant .
Stewart is co-founder of 270 Strategies , a digital firm that he and Jeremy Bird started after working for Obama 's 2008 and 2012 runs for president .
Hawkfish was a key vendor that was used by the Bloomberg campaign to help craft mainly anti-Trump digital ads .
Prior to Bloomberg 's brief run for the White House , the data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats overtake Republicans in a digital space the GOP had been dominating in since the president 's 2016 campaign .
However , since Bloomberg , who has a net worth of just more than $ 60 billion , dropped out of the Democratic primary in March , the company has been searching for its next round of clients .
Bloomberg invested close to $ 1 billion of his own money into the entirely self-funded campaign .
Of that total , the campaign paid Hawkfish more than $ 66 million for its services .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ heavily on digital engagement to encourage young Latino voter participation , recently held virtual talks with Hawkfish .
The sides are discussing a short-term , five-figure test investment that would allow Hawkfish to fight for a chance to work with the group for a longer period of time .
As of early this week , Voto Latino had yet to come to an agreement with the Bloomberg-linked tech company .
Outside of that group , the company has yet to find many political clients that are willing to bring them on board as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many campaigns and outside groups have come off the campaign trail to go fully virtual , leaving political efforts reeling for cash .
Bloomberg himself is plotting a spending blitz to back Biden .
He and his team are discussing whether his investment will include a major donation to a pro-Biden super PAC , the Biden-Democratic National Committee joint fundraising effort , or another group .

Billionaire and former Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg's tech company has a new CEO as it restructures for the general election against President Donald Trump.
The move also comes as the firm, Hawkfish, had been struggling to score new client contracts.
The company confirmed that its CEO is Josh Mendelsohn, a managing partner at Hangar, a start-up investment firm based out of New York. Mendelsohn, according to a Hawkfish spokesperson, has been involved with the Bloomberg-backed business since the early days of the company's creation in 2019.
That includes working with the tech firm when it was the primary digital agency for Bloomberg's run for president that led to him capturing 55 delegates, including the Democratic caucuses of American Samoa.
Gary Briggs, the company's chairman and former chief marketing officer at Facebook, said the restructuring, which included the recent termination of employees who were on monthly contracts, is part of an effort to gear up for the battle with Trump. It's unclear how Hawkfish plans to take on the president, as it has yet to sign with Joe Biden's campaign for president.
"Hawkfish continues to focus on how we can collaboratively help defeat Donald Trump and Republicans in 2020 and beyond. The staff needs of a focused political firm are different from a campaign team," Briggs told CNBC. "Hawkfish has revised our organizational structure and reduced a piece of our contingent workforce to get back to our original, specific goal: building great data and ad technology to help Democrats win up and down the ballot."
Beyond Mendelsohn, Hawkfish told CNBC that it has recently added at least four others to its leadership team, such as Kate Kochman, a former White House official under President Barack Obama, to head its political team, and Mitch Stewart as a senior consultant. Stewart is co-founder of 270 Strategies, a digital firm that he and Jeremy Bird started after working for Obama's 2008 and 2012 runs for president.
Hawkfish was a key vendor that was used by the Bloomberg campaign to help craft mainly anti-Trump digital ads.
Prior to Bloomberg's brief run for the White House, the data and tech firm was created to help Democrats overtake Republicans in a digital space the GOP had been dominating in since the president's 2016 campaign.
However, since Bloomberg, who has a net worth of just more than $60 billion, dropped out of the Democratic primary in March, the company has been searching for its next round of clients. Bloomberg invested close to $1 billion of his own money into the entirely self-funded campaign. Of that total, the campaign paid Hawkfish more than $66 million for its services.
Voto Latino, a nonprofit that focuses heavily on digital engagement to encourage young Latino voter participation, recently held virtual talks with Hawkfish. The sides are discussing a short-term, five-figure test investment that would allow Hawkfish to fight for a chance to work with the group for a longer period of time. As of early this week, Voto Latino had yet to come to an agreement with the Bloomberg-linked tech company.
Outside of that group, the company has yet to find many political clients that are willing to bring them on board as the coronavirus pandemic has tightened budgets. Many campaigns and outside groups have come off the campaign trail to go fully virtual, leaving political efforts reeling for cash.
Bloomberg himself is plotting a spending blitz to back Biden. He and his team are discussing whether his investment will include a major donation to a pro-Biden super PAC, the Biden-Democratic National Committee joint fundraising effort, or another group.


cnbc--2020-05-21--Senate confirms Rep. John Ratcliffe as Trump's director of national intelligence

U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe ( R-TX ) testifies before a Senate Intelligence Committee nomination hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington , May 5 , 2020 .
The Senate voted Thursday to confirm the nomination of Republican Rep. John Ratcliffe of Texas to become President Donald Trump 's director of National Intelligence .
Ratcliffe 's nomination was approved by a party-line vote of 49-44 .
The number of `` nay '' votes from Democrats was the largest ever opposing a DNI nomination since the post was created in 2004 .
He will replace acting DNI Richard Grenell as chief of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director of national intelligence .
Grenell , who is also the U.S. ambassador to Germany , has held the DNI post since February .
Ratcliffe , who has been an ardent defender of Trump during multiple investigations of the president , will be the first permanent spy chief since Dan Coats stepped down last August , Trump nominated Ratcliffe after Coats resigned , but dropped the nomination after concerns were raised about the congressman 's lack of experience and partisanship , as well as about claims of his career as a federal prosecutor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he `` put terrorists in prison . ''
But NBC News reported last year that there is no evidence he ever prosecuted a terrorism case .
The president resubmitted his nomination this year .
Ratcliffe , who was elected to Congress in 2015 , was a member of the team that defended Trump during impeachment proceedings .
At his confirmation hearing on May 5 , Ratcliffe tried to assuage concerns about his independence by saying he would not `` shade intelligence for anyone . ''
`` The intelligence I provide , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ altered as a result of outside influence , '' Ratcliffe said .

U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-TX) testifies before a Senate Intelligence Committee nomination hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, May 5, 2020.
The Senate voted Thursday to confirm the nomination of Republican Rep. John Ratcliffe of Texas to become President Donald Trump's director of National Intelligence.
Ratcliffe's nomination was approved by a party-line vote of 49-44. The number of "nay" votes from Democrats was the largest ever opposing a DNI nomination since the post was created in 2004.
He will replace acting DNI Richard Grenell as chief of the nation's 17 intelligence agencies as the director of national intelligence.
Grenell, who is also the U.S. ambassador to Germany, has held the DNI post since February.
Ratcliffe, who has been an ardent defender of Trump during multiple investigations of the president, will be the first permanent spy chief since Dan Coats stepped down last August,
Trump nominated Ratcliffe after Coats resigned, but dropped the nomination after concerns were raised about the congressman's lack of experience and partisanship, as well as about claims of his career as a federal prosecutor.
Ratcliffe had said on his website that he "put terrorists in prison." But NBC News reported last year that there is no evidence he ever prosecuted a terrorism case.
The president resubmitted his nomination this year.
Ratcliffe, who was elected to Congress in 2015, was a member of the team that defended Trump during impeachment proceedings.
At his confirmation hearing on May 5, Ratcliffe tried to assuage concerns about his independence by saying he would not "shade intelligence for anyone."
"The intelligence I provide, if confirmed, will not be impacted or altered as a result of outside influence," Ratcliffe said.


cnbc--2020-05-21--Op-Ed: U.S. must guard against coronavirus medical shortages without resorting to nationalism

The instinct to stockpile — be it milk , eggs , bread , toilet paper , or hand sanitizer — is as ancient as humanity itself .
Having essentials on-hand is invaluable in an emergency .
It 's why as a young CIA officer stationed in Africa decades ago , I ordered dry goods in bulk and filled a freezer with impala and warthog meat .
That instinct has served us well , but the reemergence of fear-driven protectionism demonstrates how that instinct , in the extreme , can lead us astray .
Countries fearing medical equipment and drug shortages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ domestic needs are met first — at least 54 countries have placed some sort of export restriction on COVID-19 related medical equipment since the beginning of 2020 , according to a report from the University of St. Gallen .
This includes personal protective equipment , critical medicines , and ventilators .
Feeling the pinch , Israel tasked its spy agency with procuring desperately needed medical equipment .
The U.S. of course must act to protect against drug and medical equipment shortages , but in a way that does not feed the flames of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Globalization has proven benefits for the U.S. and the world , yet excessive reliance on foreign-produced medical supplies exposes a strategic risk for the U.S .
It is stunning that the U.S. has such glaring vulnerabilities .
The U.S. imported roughly one-third of its medical devices in 2018 , according to a report by Fitch Solutions , and nearly three-quarters of facilities registered to produce Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients ( API ) — the key components of drugs — for the U.S. market are located abroad .
Worse , the U.S. lacks a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not required to report API orders , tally quantities , and specify markets , according to 2019 Congressional testimony by Janet Woodcock , an FDA official .

The instinct to stockpile — be it milk, eggs, bread, toilet paper, or hand sanitizer — is as ancient as humanity itself. Having essentials on-hand is invaluable in an emergency. It's why as a young CIA officer stationed in Africa decades ago, I ordered dry goods in bulk and filled a freezer with impala and warthog meat. That instinct has served us well, but the reemergence of fear-driven protectionism demonstrates how that instinct, in the extreme, can lead us astray.
Countries fearing medical equipment and drug shortages during the pandemic have acted to ensure domestic needs are met first — at least 54 countries have placed some sort of export restriction on COVID-19 related medical equipment since the beginning of 2020, according to a report from the University of St. Gallen. This includes personal protective equipment, critical medicines, and ventilators. Feeling the pinch, Israel tasked its spy agency with procuring desperately needed medical equipment.
The U.S. of course must act to protect against drug and medical equipment shortages, but in a way that does not feed the flames of trade nationalism created by the current pandemic. Globalization has proven benefits for the U.S. and the world, yet excessive reliance on foreign-produced medical supplies exposes a strategic risk for the U.S.
It is stunning that the U.S. has such glaring vulnerabilities. The U.S. imported roughly one-third of its medical devices in 2018, according to a report by Fitch Solutions, and nearly three-quarters of facilities registered to produce Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) — the key components of drugs — for the U.S. market are located abroad.
Worse, the U.S. lacks a comprehensive understanding of these vulnerabilities. Companies are not required to report API orders, tally quantities, and specify markets, according to 2019 Congressional testimony by Janet Woodcock, an FDA official.


cnbc--2020-05-21--Democrats demand reinstatement of State Department inspector general fired by Trump

Steve Linick , State Department inspector general , center , exits after closed-door testimony on Capitol Hill in Washington , D.C. , U.S. , on Wednesday , Oct. 2 , 2019 .
House Democratic committee leaders Thursday demanded the immediate reinstatement of the inspector general President Donald Trump fired on a recommendation from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo .
State Department Inspector General Steve Linick 's ouster is the latest in `` a series of politically motivated firings of Inspectors General by President Trump , '' the Democrats said in letters to Pompeo and Linick 's temporary replacement , Stephen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ escalation in the backlash against Pompeo , who said Wednesday that he had recommended Trump fire Linick .
Pompeo denied that he was retaliating against Linick , who was reportedly conducting at least two investigations involving the nation 's top diplomat .
`` Based on longstanding concerns with your actions — and new reports this week about potential abuses — this assault on the integrity and independence of Inspectors General appears to be an intentional campaign to undermine their ability to expose corruption and protect taxpayer dollars from waste , fraud , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pompeo .
The committee chairs requested a slew of materials related to the Friday night firing , including communications about Linick 's removal and documents showing Akard 's qualifications to replace him .
The Democrats , citing a report this week from NBC News , also asked Pompeo to send them guest lists and manifests for a series of `` lavish , '' federally funded dinners reportedly held by Pompeo and his wife while in office .
The letters set a June 4 deadline for Pompeo and Akard to comply with the requests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resign as the department 's acting inspector general , or `` at a minimum '' step down from his prior role as director of the Office of Foreign Missions , which he reportedly continues to hold .
The Washington Post reported Wednesday that Akard would essentially be overseeing himself if he held onto both jobs .
The joint letter was signed by Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel , D-N.Y. , House Oversight Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney , D-N.Y. , Government Operations Subcommittee Chairman Gerry Connolly , D-Va. , and Oversight and Investigations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The State Department did not immediately provide a response to the letters , and did not immediately answer questions about Akard posed by CNBC .
Trump said in a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , on Friday night that he lost `` confidence '' in the watchdog , without providing further explanation .
Pompeo also did not provide a more detailed explanation for the firing when asked at the briefing .
Both have maintained that Trump had the right to fire Linick .
Linick had opened an investigation into alleged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ performing personal tasks for him and his wife , Susan Pompeo , NBC reported .
Linick was reportedly also nearly finished with another probe into Pompeo 's involvement in the Trump administration 's move to strike a multibillion-dollar arms deal with Saudi Arabia under an emergency declaration that bypassed the need for congressional approval .
Engel and Sen. Bob Menendez , D-N.J. , the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee , had already asked for the Trump administration to hand over documents related to Linick 's removal by Friday .

Steve Linick, State Department inspector general, center, exits after closed-door testimony on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019.
House Democratic committee leaders Thursday demanded the immediate reinstatement of the inspector general President Donald Trump fired on a recommendation from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
State Department Inspector General Steve Linick's ouster is the latest in "a series of politically motivated firings of Inspectors General by President Trump," the Democrats said in letters to Pompeo and Linick's temporary replacement, Stephen Akard.
The letters mark the latest escalation in the backlash against Pompeo, who said Wednesday that he had recommended Trump fire Linick. Pompeo denied that he was retaliating against Linick, who was reportedly conducting at least two investigations involving the nation's top diplomat.
"Based on longstanding concerns with your actions — and new reports this week about potential abuses — this assault on the integrity and independence of Inspectors General appears to be an intentional campaign to undermine their ability to expose corruption and protect taxpayer dollars from waste, fraud, and abuse," the Democrats wrote to Pompeo.
The committee chairs requested a slew of materials related to the Friday night firing, including communications about Linick's removal and documents showing Akard's qualifications to replace him. The Democrats, citing a report this week from NBC News, also asked Pompeo to send them guest lists and manifests for a series of "lavish," federally funded dinners reportedly held by Pompeo and his wife while in office.
The letters set a June 4 deadline for Pompeo and Akard to comply with the requests.
The Democrats also urged Akard to resign as the department's acting inspector general, or "at a minimum" step down from his prior role as director of the Office of Foreign Missions, which he reportedly continues to hold. The Washington Post reported Wednesday that Akard would essentially be overseeing himself if he held onto both jobs.
The joint letter was signed by Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., House Oversight Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., Government Operations Subcommittee Chairman Gerry Connolly, D-Va., and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Joaquin Castro, D-Texas.
The State Department did not immediately provide a response to the letters, and did not immediately answer questions about Akard posed by CNBC.
Trump said in a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., on Friday night that he lost "confidence" in the watchdog, without providing further explanation.
Pompeo also did not provide a more detailed explanation for the firing when asked at the briefing. Both have maintained that Trump had the right to fire Linick.
Linick had opened an investigation into alleged wrongdoing by Pompeo involving a department official performing personal tasks for him and his wife, Susan Pompeo, NBC reported. Linick was reportedly also nearly finished with another probe into Pompeo's involvement in the Trump administration's move to strike a multibillion-dollar arms deal with Saudi Arabia under an emergency declaration that bypassed the need for congressional approval.
Engel and Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, had already asked for the Trump administration to hand over documents related to Linick's removal by Friday.


cnbc--2020-05-21--Mitch McConnell says next coronavirus bill will not extend enhanced unemployment benefits

House Democrats passed a $ 3 trillion rescue package last week that would extend the financial backstop through January .
Their efforts to sustain the more generous assistance come as new government data shows more than 38 million people have filed jobless claims since widespread closures designed to slow infections began in March .
The Kentucky Republican made the comment Wednesday on a call with House GOP lawmakers as he talked about priorities for the next phase of the outbreak response , Politico first reported .
The $ 600 per week federal unemployment benefit , which adds to the sum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expire at the end of July .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the next coronavirus bill would not extend beefed-up unemployment insurance enacted as the pandemic ravaged the U.S. economy , according to a source familiar with his remarks .
McConnell has questioned the need for more immediate federal spending .
He has said he wants to first see how effective the more than $ 2.5 trillion already passed is in combating the crisis .
Some Senate Republicans have argued the enhanced unemployment insurance could deter work because , in certain cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ otherwise would have made at their jobs .
But failing to extend the benefit could leave millions of Americans facing a sudden income cliff in August in an economy where employers may still be unable or reluctant to hire .
While `` there is some concern '' the additional payments could discourage people from looking for work , many people likely will not have job options as the economy slowly recovers , said Demetra Nightingale , an institute fellow at the Urban Institute .
`` The added benefit is an important source of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this difficult time , with few job options .
It may be too soon to end the $ 600 enhancement , '' she said in an email .
Some have also questioned how cutting off the strengthened insurance will affect consumer spending .
For instance , Walmart CEO Doug McMillon told CNBC on Wednesday that he saw a period in the company 's better than expected first quarter `` driven by stimulus money in the U.S. more than anything else '' as certain parts of the business `` started to take off .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to $ 1,200 to most individuals as part of the March bill .
The question of whether to extend the federal unemployment benefit embodies a partisan gulf over how to clean up the economic wreckage left by the health crisis .
Republicans at the state and federal level have generally showed more comfort with rebooting businesses than Democrats have .
McConnell 's priorities for another coronavirus bill include expanded testing and liability protections for doctors and businesses as the economy restarts .
Democrats have criticized the potential to create broad shields from lawsuits @

House Democrats passed a $3 trillion rescue package last week that would extend the financial backstop through January. Their efforts to sustain the more generous assistance come as new government data shows more than 38 million people have filed jobless claims since widespread closures designed to slow infections began in March.
The Kentucky Republican made the comment Wednesday on a call with House GOP lawmakers as he talked about priorities for the next phase of the outbreak response, Politico first reported . The $600 per week federal unemployment benefit, which adds to the sum individuals normally get from states, will expire at the end of July.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the next coronavirus bill would not extend beefed-up unemployment insurance enacted as the pandemic ravaged the U.S. economy, according to a source familiar with his remarks.
McConnell has questioned the need for more immediate federal spending. He has said he wants to first see how effective the more than $2.5 trillion already passed is in combating the crisis. Some Senate Republicans have argued the enhanced unemployment insurance could deter work because, in certain cases, individuals receive more money than they otherwise would have made at their jobs.
But failing to extend the benefit could leave millions of Americans facing a sudden income cliff in August in an economy where employers may still be unable or reluctant to hire. While "there is some concern" the additional payments could discourage people from looking for work, many people likely will not have job options as the economy slowly recovers, said Demetra Nightingale, an institute fellow at the Urban Institute.
"The added benefit is an important source of income for many workers and families in this difficult time, with few job options. It may be too soon to end the $600 enhancement," she said in an email.
Some have also questioned how cutting off the strengthened insurance will affect consumer spending. For instance, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon told CNBC on Wednesday that he saw a period in the company's better than expected first quarter "driven by stimulus money in the U.S. more than anything else" as certain parts of the business "started to take off." The government sent payments of up to $1,200 to most individuals as part of the March bill.
The question of whether to extend the federal unemployment benefit embodies a partisan gulf over how to clean up the economic wreckage left by the health crisis. Republicans at the state and federal level have generally showed more comfort with rebooting businesses than Democrats have.
McConnell's priorities for another coronavirus bill include expanded testing and liability protections for doctors and businesses as the economy restarts. Democrats have criticized the potential to create broad shields from lawsuits.


cnbc--2020-05-21--Former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen released from prison into home confinement due to coronavirus conc

Former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen released from prison into home confinement due to coronavirus concern

Michael Cohen , the former longtime personal lawyer and fixer for President Donald Trump , on Thursday was released early from a federal prison into home confinement because of concerns about the coronavirus .
Cohen , whose expected release was mysteriously delayed more than two weeks ago , will serve out the remaining time on his three-year sentence in his family 's apartment in Manhattan .
The 53-year-old disbarred lawyer 's sentence is due to end in November 2021 .
Cohen arrived at his home Thursday morning wearing a black suit jacket , jeans and a mask , without making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he later wrote on Twitter that `` I am so glad to be home and back with my family . ''
`` There is so much I want to say and intend to say .
But now is not the right time .
Soon .
Thank you to all my friends and supporters , '' Cohen wrote .
His attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
Cohen originally was expected to be released May 1 after finishing a 14-day quarantine .
But his departure from prison was delayed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release because of his staunch criticism of Trump and plans to write a tell-all book about the president .

Michael Cohen, the former longtime personal lawyer and fixer for President Donald Trump, on Thursday was released early from a federal prison into home confinement because of concerns about the coronavirus.
Cohen, whose expected release was mysteriously delayed more than two weeks ago, will serve out the remaining time on his three-year sentence in his family's apartment in Manhattan.
The 53-year-old disbarred lawyer's sentence is due to end in November 2021.
Cohen arrived at his home Thursday morning wearing a black suit jacket, jeans and a mask, without making any comment to waiting reporters.
But he later wrote on Twitter that "I am so glad to be home and back with my family."
"There is so much I want to say and intend to say. But now is not the right time. Soon. Thank you to all my friends and supporters," Cohen wrote.
Tweet
His attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Cohen originally was expected to be released May 1 after finishing a 14-day quarantine.
But his departure from prison was delayed, raising concerns that he was being denied release because of his staunch criticism of Trump and plans to write a tell-all book about the president.


cnbc--2020-05-21--Lori Loughlin and husband Mossimo Giannulli to plead guilty in college admissions scandal

Lori Loughlin and her husband Mossimo Giannulli , right , leave the John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse in Boston on Aug. 27 , 2019 .
Actress Lori Loughlin and her fashion designer husband Mossimo Giannulli will plead guilty to charges related to the U.S. college admissions scandal .
Loughlin is one of the highest-profile celebrities connected to the scandal , in which wealthy parents paid bribes and falsified their children 's resumes to get them into elite schools .
She and Giannulli were accused of paying a total of $ 500,000 in bribes to get their two daughters into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recruits , though neither girl actually participated in the sport .
The charges were brought by the FBI and federal prosecutors almost a year ago .
Loughlin will plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud and Giannulli will plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud and honest services wire and mail fraud , according to prosecutors .
The court has currently set a date of May 22 for Loughlin to enter her guilty plea .
Loughlin agreed with the U.S. Attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months in prison , according to her guilty plea .
She also agreed to a $ 150,000 fine and 24 months of supervised release that will include 100 hours of community service .
Giannulli agreed to serve 5 months and faces a $ 250,000 fine , two years of supervised release and 250 hours of community service .
A judge could still alter their sentences .
Both Loughlin and Giannulli 's plea agreements include special provisions that allow them to argue during sentencing that there was prosecutorial misconduct during the legal proceedings , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their defense team .
Loughlin is known for her family-friendly role in the show `` Full House '' and its recent reboot `` Fuller House . ''
Loughlin also had multiple starring roles on the Hallmark Channel , which severed ties with the actress after her arrest .
Other major figures ensnared in the college admissions scandal include former Pimco CEO Douglas Hodge , who was sentenced to 9 months in prison , and `` Desperate Housewives '' actress Felicity Huffman , who served two weeks in jail .

Lori Loughlin and her husband Mossimo Giannulli, right, leave the John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse in Boston on Aug. 27, 2019.
Actress Lori Loughlin and her fashion designer husband Mossimo Giannulli will plead guilty to charges related to the U.S. college admissions scandal.
Loughlin is one of the highest-profile celebrities connected to the scandal, in which wealthy parents paid bribes and falsified their children's resumes to get them into elite schools. She and Giannulli were accused of paying a total of $500,000 in bribes to get their two daughters into the University of Southern California as crew recruits, though neither girl actually participated in the sport.
The charges were brought by the FBI and federal prosecutors almost a year ago. Loughlin will plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud and Giannulli will plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud and honest services wire and mail fraud, according to prosecutors. The court has currently set a date of May 22 for Loughlin to enter her guilty plea.
Loughlin agreed with the U.S. Attorney's Office to be sentenced to 2 months in prison, according to her guilty plea. She also agreed to a $150,000 fine and 24 months of supervised release that will include 100 hours of community service.
Giannulli agreed to serve 5 months and faces a $250,000 fine, two years of supervised release and 250 hours of community service.
A judge could still alter their sentences. Both Loughlin and Giannulli's plea agreements include special provisions that allow them to argue during sentencing that there was prosecutorial misconduct during the legal proceedings, and that they received ineffective counsel from their defense team.
Loughlin is known for her family-friendly role in the show "Full House" and its recent reboot "Fuller House." Loughlin also had multiple starring roles on the Hallmark Channel, which severed ties with the actress after her arrest.
Other major figures ensnared in the college admissions scandal include former Pimco CEO Douglas Hodge, who was sentenced to 9 months in prison, and "Desperate Housewives" actress Felicity Huffman, who served two weeks in jail.


cnbc--2020-05-21--Investor Ricky Sandler pushes for herd immunity approach to coronavirus after his hedge fund suffere

Investor Ricky Sandler pushes for herd immunity approach to coronavirus after his hedge fund suffered losses

A hedge fund chief who had a bullish view of the stock market when social distancing restrictions began is now supporting the idea of herd immunity to coronavirus as states begin to reopen .
Ricky Sandler , founder and CEO of Eminence Capital , recently told friends in a letter obtained by CNBC that he believes there should be a widespread attempt at protecting the vulnerable while large portions of the population develop herd immunity .
Sandler , who suffered losses on his stock market positions nearly two months ago , writes : `` With proper coordination , I can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young and healthy people go and hopefully get the virus and then the antibodies which allow them to donate blood to be used as a treatment or a prophylactic . ''
He went on to say that this proposal , which he calls `` Plan B , '' also would include `` citizens that are comfortable go back to life as we know it with no restrictions .
Individuals protect themselves and their families if they are worried .
Businesses and institutions protect their employees including the vulnerable the best way possible .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ experience , notes that he supports the proposal of herd immunity over the `` Plan A '' of long-term social distancing .
`` In my mind , the choice is obvious and clearly Plan B for so many reasons , not the least of which is that it is the path least likely to lead to civil unrest , '' he says in the letter .
Sandler later made it an open letter and published it on a website titled `` I Choose Herd Immunity . ''
There have been more than 1.5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and at least 91,000 deaths , according to a Johns Hopkins University tally .
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention released guidelines for reopening schools , mass transit and nonessential businesses that had previously been shutdown due to Covid-19 .
An article written by faculty at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health said getting the virus in order to hopefully achieve some form of immunity , might not be such a good idea , especially without a vaccine .
`` For less severe diseases , this approach might be reasonable .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ different : COVID-19 carries a much higher risk of severe disease and even death , '' the authors wrote in April .
Sandler 's letter comes after a rough March for his fund and a practical joke involving Memorial Day .
As the Dow Jones Industrial Average started to tank in March , Sandler went on CNBC to give his bullish prediction for the stock market .
`` I think the people are totally missing what is happening here .
Every new headline , every new hysteria is making people more nervous , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive , '' he said on `` Halftime Report '' at the time .
`` It 's all helping to contain the problem . ''
Reuters reported in April that Sandler 's market position led to the fund losing money .
His firm saw positive gains for most of the month of April , according to a person familiar with the matter , but it 's unclear how much of a bounce back it has seen since then .
Earlier this month , Sandler and his girlfriend sent out a prank invitation to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Day Bash , '' according to a flyer obtained by CNBC .
The invitation said it was supposed to take place Saturday , May 23 , at his home in upscale Sag Harbor , New York .
This came as New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo was continuing to put restrictions on large gatherings .
`` We 've never been rule followers , '' the invitation says .
A person familiar with the event said that it was meant as a joke and that those who were invited were informed of the attempt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent out to friends .
Another person with knowledge of the outreach told CNBC that as of earlier this week some of those invited were still RSVP'ing , apparently not aware that it was a joke .
Correction : This story has been updated to reflect a correct characterization of the hedge fund 's losses .

A hedge fund chief who had a bullish view of the stock market when social distancing restrictions began is now supporting the idea of herd immunity to coronavirus as states begin to reopen.
Ricky Sandler, founder and CEO of Eminence Capital, recently told friends in a letter obtained by CNBC that he believes there should be a widespread attempt at protecting the vulnerable while large portions of the population develop herd immunity.
Sandler, who suffered losses on his stock market positions nearly two months ago, writes: "With proper coordination, I can envision Artists hosting virus relief concerts where young and healthy people go and hopefully get the virus and then the antibodies which allow them to donate blood to be used as a treatment or a prophylactic."
He went on to say that this proposal, which he calls "Plan B," also would include "citizens that are comfortable go back to life as we know it with no restrictions. Individuals protect themselves and their families if they are worried. Businesses and institutions protect their employees including the vulnerable the best way possible."
Sandler, who has no medical experience, notes that he supports the proposal of herd immunity over the "Plan A" of long-term social distancing. "In my mind, the choice is obvious and clearly Plan B for so many reasons, not the least of which is that it is the path least likely to lead to civil unrest," he says in the letter.
Sandler later made it an open letter and published it on a website titled "I Choose Herd Immunity."
There have been more than 1.5 million coronavirus cases in the United States and at least 91,000 deaths, according to a Johns Hopkins University tally. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention released guidelines for reopening schools, mass transit and nonessential businesses that had previously been shutdown due to Covid-19. An article written by faculty at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health said getting the virus in order to hopefully achieve some form of immunity, might not be such a good idea, especially without a vaccine.
"For less severe diseases, this approach might be reasonable. But the situation for SARS-CoV-2 is very different: COVID-19 carries a much higher risk of severe disease and even death," the authors wrote in April.
Sandler's letter comes after a rough March for his fund and a practical joke involving Memorial Day.
As the Dow Jones Industrial Average started to tank in March, Sandler went on CNBC to give his bullish prediction for the stock market.
"I think the people are totally missing what is happening here. Every new headline, every new hysteria is making people more nervous, and it's actually very, very positive," he said on "Halftime Report" at the time. "It's all helping to contain the problem."
Reuters reported in April that Sandler's market position led to the fund losing money. His firm saw positive gains for most of the month of April, according to a person familiar with the matter, but it's unclear how much of a bounce back it has seen since then.
Earlier this month, Sandler and his girlfriend sent out a prank invitation to a house party dubbed a "Memorial Day Bash," according to a flyer obtained by CNBC. The invitation said it was supposed to take place Saturday, May 23, at his home in upscale Sag Harbor, New York. This came as New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo was continuing to put restrictions on large gatherings. "We've never been rule followers," the invitation says.
A person familiar with the event said that it was meant as a joke and that those who were invited were informed of the attempt at humor immediately after the memo was sent out to friends.
Another person with knowledge of the outreach told CNBC that as of earlier this week some of those invited were still RSVP'ing, apparently not aware that it was a joke.
Correction: This story has been updated to reflect a correct characterization of the hedge fund's losses.


cnbc--2020-05-22--Supreme Court prepares for major decisions on Trump taxes, LGBT rights, immigration and abortion

A woman walks her dog in front of he U.S. Supreme Court building May 12 , 2020 in Washington , DC .
When Gerald Bostock went to Washington last fall to ask the Supreme Court to rule that it was unlawful for him to be fired because he 's gay , there was no global pandemic .
Since then , the world — and his new job as a mental health counselor — have been flipped upside down by Covid-19 .
But Bostock is still waiting on the justices to say whether he and millions of other LGBTQ workers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This crisis is going to end .
But I sincerely hope that moving forward from this , everyone realizes this is a reality for the LGBT community every day we go to work , '' Bostock said in a recent interview .
`` Are we going to lose our jobs because of who we are , who we love , how we identify ? ''
Bostock 's is just one of several Supreme Court cases expected to be resolved in the coming weeks with major implications for U.S. politics and the economy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of not just LGBTQ workers but also hundreds of thousands of young migrants and their family members , women seeking abortions , and the president himself , who has fought vigorously to keep his financial records private .
The outcomes , coming in an election year , could have an impact on the race between President Donald Trump , who has championed the confirmation of nearly 200 of his conservative judicial picks , and former Vice President Joe Biden , who has pledged to nominate judges of a different mold .
The decisions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fore the high stakes of November 's elections for the president and Senate — the body that confirms federal judicial appointments , including justices .
With just six months before Election Day , the GOP hold on the Senate has recently shown signs of weakness , suggesting that Democrats may have a chance at seizing control of the chamber .
While the White House and Congress are focused on the next coronavirus stimulus package , decisions from the court over the next few weeks could also shape the political landscape for years to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the justices go to the heart of key Trump administration priorities and could inflame the battle between Trump and Biden .
Read more about the cases : LGBT workers head to Supreme Court for blockbuster discrimination cases Obama 's border enforcer is fighting Trump on DACA at the Supreme Court The Supreme Court just set up an election year fight over abortion Justices appear divided in arguments over Trump tax records For instance , in one case before the court , Trump 's Justice Department has asked the justices to allow him to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals , or DACA .
The program shields hundreds of thousands of young migrants known as `` Dreamers '' from deportation and allows them to receive work permits .
Lower courts in California , New York and the District of Columbia have blocked Trump from terminating the program .
He has claimed that President Barack Obama never had the authority to implement it in the first place .
In a twist , the challenge to the Trump administration came from Janet Napolitano , Obama 's Department of Homeland Security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be on the Supreme Court herself .
( He has since said he will nominate a black woman . )

When Gerald Bostock went to Washington last fall to ask the Supreme Court to rule that it was unlawful for him to be fired because he's gay, there was no global pandemic.
Since then, the world — and his new job as a mental health counselor — have been flipped upside down by Covid-19. But Bostock is still waiting on the justices to say whether he and millions of other LGBTQ workers are protected by federal anti-discrimination laws.
"This crisis is going to end. But I sincerely hope that moving forward from this, everyone realizes this is a reality for the LGBT community every day we go to work," Bostock said in a recent interview. "Are we going to lose our jobs because of who we are, who we love, how we identify?"
Bostock's is just one of several Supreme Court cases expected to be resolved in the coming weeks with major implications for U.S. politics and the economy. The decisions are key to the future of not just LGBTQ workers but also hundreds of thousands of young migrants and their family members, women seeking abortions, and the president himself, who has fought vigorously to keep his financial records private.
The outcomes, coming in an election year, could have an impact on the race between President Donald Trump, who has championed the confirmation of nearly 200 of his conservative judicial picks, and former Vice President Joe Biden, who has pledged to nominate judges of a different mold.
The decisions are also likely to bring to the fore the high stakes of November's elections for the president and Senate — the body that confirms federal judicial appointments, including justices. With just six months before Election Day, the GOP hold on the Senate has recently shown signs of weakness, suggesting that Democrats may have a chance at seizing control of the chamber.
While the White House and Congress are focused on the next coronavirus stimulus package, decisions from the court over the next few weeks could also shape the political landscape for years to come.
Some of the questions facing the justices go to the heart of key Trump administration priorities and could inflame the battle between Trump and Biden.
Read more about the cases:
LGBT workers head to Supreme Court for blockbuster discrimination cases
Obama's border enforcer is fighting Trump on DACA at the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court just set up an election year fight over abortion
Justices appear divided in arguments over Trump tax records
For instance, in one case before the court, Trump's Justice Department has asked the justices to allow him to end the Obama-era immigration program known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA. The program shields hundreds of thousands of young migrants known as "Dreamers" from deportation and allows them to receive work permits.
Lower courts in California, New York and the District of Columbia have blocked Trump from terminating the program. He has claimed that President Barack Obama never had the authority to implement it in the first place.
In a twist, the challenge to the Trump administration came from Janet Napolitano, Obama's Department of Homeland Security secretary — whom Biden once said should be on the Supreme Court herself. (He has since said he will nominate a black woman.)


cnbc--2020-05-22--Postal Service's financial stress might hurt its ability to handle large volume of mail-in ballots

As the coronavirus pandemic forces adjustments in 2020 races , some states worry that financial disruptions at the U.S .
Postal Service may lead to decreased voter turnout in the general election .
More than a dozen states are already preparing for the November election , with the anticipation that more voters will choose mail-in ballots over in-person voting .
If the USPS continues to endure financial stress , there are concerns that it may not be able to effectively carry out the expected onslaught of mail-in ballots for the election .
`` The Office of the Secretary of State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revenue of the United States Postal Service , '' said Kylee Zabel , communications director at the Washington state election agency .
`` If the USPS diminishes , or interruptions in mail service occur , every single state will have to mitigate the impacts to their by-mail voters . ''
Washington state is one of five that conduct voting entirely by mail .
Hawaii , which also conducts all-mail voting , worries that the pandemic might `` affect our timeline in mailing and receiving ballots , '' said Nedielyn Bueno , head of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Elections .
`` We are in contact with our local USPS representatives and our federal partners to stay informed of any shift in postal service . ''
Other states told CNBC they regularly touch base with their local USPS offices for updates .
`` We are continuing to follow that situation and will address any issues with mail service as it regards elections , should they arise , '' said Kristen Muszynski , director of communications at the Maine Department of the Secretary of State .
In Rhode Island , the Board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' with the local postmaster , informing the office of `` large mailings , '' according to deputy director of elections Miguel Nunez .
`` We have also requested that [ they ] make us aware of any local service interruptions that could potentially delay the return of ballots to us from voters , '' Nunez told CNBC .
The USPS , in a statement , emphasized its partnerships at the local , county and state levels .
`` As we anticipate that many voters may choose to use the mail to participate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic , we are conducting and will continue to proactively conduct outreach with state and local election officials and Secretaries of State so that they can make informed decisions and educate the public about what they can expect when using the mail to vote , '' said USPS public relations manager David Partenheimer .
The USPS has not had a profit since 2006 , according to a 2014 report on the agency 's finances .
Between then and March 2020 , the USPS reported more than $ 83 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its shortfall has been the requirement that the USPS prefund health benefits for its workers , a 2018 CNBC analysis said .
Other employee-related expenses , such as worker benefits , fluctuate from year to year based on `` changes in actuarial assumptions , such as interest and inflation rates , and employee and retiree demographics , '' as the USPS said in its 2019 annual report .
The coronavirus has exacerbated the Postal Service 's financial strain .
When the pandemic hit , mail volume fell by nearly a third , Postmaster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses cut back on sending advertisements or catalogs .
Some lawmakers have pushed for a bailout or additional funding in the next coronavirus stimulus package .
Senate Republicans , however , are skeptical that the USPS needs congressional aid , The Washington Post reported .
Under the $ 2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package passed in March , Congress authorized the Treasury Department to give a $ 10 billion loan to the USPS .
But President Donald Trump in late April threatened to withhold that loan unless the USPS raised rates for internet companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsible for the collapsing USPS .
Overwhelmed by the strain from the pandemic , the government-run postal service in April predicted it would run out of money by September .
Brennan , speaking to members of the House Oversight and Reform Committee , said the USPS is positioned to lose $ 13 billion because of the pandemic and more than $ 54 billion over the next decade .
The issue has caught the attention of prominent Democrats , including Sens .
Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren , who have urged Congress to allocate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next round of stimulus relief .
`` Without relief or intervention , the United States Postal Service will not be able to sustain itself for the long term , which means it will not be able to deliver mail and packages to 160 million addresses all over the country , '' Sanders wrote in an email to supporters last month .
The financial strain `` could affect its ability to meet payroll , purchase gasoline , maintain vehicles and provide reliable service , '' said James O'Rourke , professor of management at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ factors that some experts say could also lead to a decline in voter turnout in the general election as more states begin to rally around mail-in ballots .
Several states have begun planning for and expanding vote-by-mail measures to decrease the risk of spreading the coronavirus .
Earlier this month , California Gov .
Gavin Newsom signed an executive order allowing all registered voters in the state to receive a mail-in ballot for November 's election .
And on Tuesday , Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said every registered voter will receive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the general election .
Connecticut is also mailing out absentee ballot applications , including postage-paid return .
`` This plan will allow a larger number of voters to vote by absentee ballot than ever before , and do it at no cost to the towns or the voters , '' the office of Secretary of State Denise Merrill said .
The District of Columbia and 34 states , including five that conduct all-mail voting , use no-excuse absentee voting , according to the bipartisan National Conference of State Legislatures .
But Americans should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the added challenges brought on by the pandemic , the USPS said .
`` The Postal Service has continued and will continue to serve its customers during the COVID-19 pandemic through the delivery of not only Election Mail , but also medicine , essential consumer staples , benefits checks , and important information , '' USPS spokesperson Partenheimer told CNBC .
At the same time , the USPS `` recommends that election officials use First-Class Mail when mailing election materials ( including blank ballots ) to voters , and that voters mail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the due date to account for any unforeseen events or weather issues . ''
But the concern that some Americans might not get to cast a ballot this November still exists .
Rural communities might have the highest risk of low voter turnout , according to Betsy Huber , president of the National Grange , a nonprofit that advocates for support and equality for rural parts of the country .
Unlike other mail services , the USPS delivers to every ZIP code in the United States , a press release from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playing field '' for people in rural homes who often rely on their mail for connection .
`` Sending mail in rural areas is more difficult than urban areas where there are multiple mailboxes readily available to deposit mail , '' Huber told CNBC .
As a result , it 's generally not worth it financially for private companies like FedEx and the United Parcel Service to deliver to many of these homes .
`` Sparser population means more travel distance between delivery points , and between the warehouse and homes .
Private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delivery than they could do themselves , '' Huber noted .
The USPS might be able to save some money by closing small or little-used post offices and eliminate Saturday deliveries , Notre Dame 's O'Rourke said , but a move like this is likely to affect those voters living in rural areas .
There is evidence to suggest that people who vote by mail tend to be `` older , housebound , live in rural areas , or do not have access to transportation permitting them to vote at a polling station @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These factors make them particularly vulnerable to forgoing in-person voting , especially now with the additional threat of contracting the coronavirus looming over them .
At the same time , a damaged USPS system can also lead to difficulty for candidates to get out their names , according to Jacob Neiheisel , associate professor of political science at the University at Buffalo .
`` Candidates for public office still rely heavily on campaign mailers as a key part of their get-out-the-vote efforts , '' Neiheisel said .
`` Get-out-the-vote efforts are positively correlated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ability to get their message out or remind voters to turn in their ballots , many campaigns are going to be rendered less effective than they might otherwise have been in the event that the USPS experiences delays or service outages . ''
For candidates running for local offices , cost is a major factor when it comes to advertising their campaigns , so television ads , for example , `` may make less sense or be cost-prohibitive for them , '' Neiheisel said .
But even if candidates get their message out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see a delay down the line when it comes to receiving their ballots .
`` Unreliable , interrupted mail service would cause additional delays and possibly disenfranchise voters whose ballots are delayed in any part of the process , '' the National Grange 's Huber said .

In this article AMZN
USPS Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT
A U.S.P.S mailman wearing a protective mask and gloves walks near a sign thanking frontline workers amid the coronavirus pandemic on April 30, 2020 in New York City. COVID-19 has spread to most countries around the world, claiming over 230,000 lives with over 3.2 million cases. Alexi Rosenfeld | Getty Images
As the coronavirus pandemic forces adjustments in 2020 races, some states worry that financial disruptions at the U.S. Postal Service may lead to decreased voter turnout in the general election. More than a dozen states are already preparing for the November election, with the anticipation that more voters will choose mail-in ballots over in-person voting. If the USPS continues to endure financial stress, there are concerns that it may not be able to effectively carry out the expected onslaught of mail-in ballots for the election. "The Office of the Secretary of State has become increasingly concerned about the declining revenue of the United States Postal Service," said Kylee Zabel, communications director at the Washington state election agency. "If the USPS diminishes, or interruptions in mail service occur, every single state will have to mitigate the impacts to their by-mail voters." Washington state is one of five that conduct voting entirely by mail. Hawaii, which also conducts all-mail voting, worries that the pandemic might "affect our timeline in mailing and receiving ballots," said Nedielyn Bueno, head of voter services in the state's Office of Elections. "We are in contact with our local USPS representatives and our federal partners to stay informed of any shift in postal service." Other states told CNBC they regularly touch base with their local USPS offices for updates. "We are continuing to follow that situation and will address any issues with mail service as it regards elections, should they arise," said Kristen Muszynski, director of communications at the Maine Department of the Secretary of State. In Rhode Island, the Board of Election is "in regular contact" with the local postmaster, informing the office of "large mailings," according to deputy director of elections Miguel Nunez. "We have also requested that [they] make us aware of any local service interruptions that could potentially delay the return of ballots to us from voters," Nunez told CNBC. The USPS, in a statement, emphasized its partnerships at the local, county and state levels. "As we anticipate that many voters may choose to use the mail to participate in the upcoming elections due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are conducting and will continue to proactively conduct outreach with state and local election officials and Secretaries of State so that they can make informed decisions and educate the public about what they can expect when using the mail to vote," said USPS public relations manager David Partenheimer.
USPS under duress
The USPS has not had a profit since 2006, according to a 2014 report on the agency's finances. Between then and March 2020, the USPS reported more than $83 billion in losses. One big reason for its shortfall has been the requirement that the USPS prefund health benefits for its workers, a 2018 CNBC analysis said. Other employee-related expenses, such as worker benefits, fluctuate from year to year based on "changes in actuarial assumptions, such as interest and inflation rates, and employee and retiree demographics," as the USPS said in its 2019 annual report. The coronavirus has exacerbated the Postal Service's financial strain. When the pandemic hit, mail volume fell by nearly a third, Postmaster General Megan Brennan said, because distressed businesses cut back on sending advertisements or catalogs. Some lawmakers have pushed for a bailout or additional funding in the next coronavirus stimulus package. Senate Republicans, however, are skeptical that the USPS needs congressional aid, The Washington Post reported. Under the $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package passed in March, Congress authorized the Treasury Department to give a $10 billion loan to the USPS. But President Donald Trump in late April threatened to withhold that loan unless the USPS raised rates for internet companies like Amazon , which Trump says is responsible for the collapsing USPS. Overwhelmed by the strain from the pandemic, the government-run postal service in April predicted it would run out of money by September. Brennan, speaking to members of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, said the USPS is positioned to lose $13 billion because of the pandemic and more than $54 billion over the next decade. The issue has caught the attention of prominent Democrats, including Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, who have urged Congress to allocate money to the Postal Service in the next round of stimulus relief. "Without relief or intervention, the United States Postal Service will not be able to sustain itself for the long term, which means it will not be able to deliver mail and packages to 160 million addresses all over the country," Sanders wrote in an email to supporters last month.
Predicting voter turnout
The financial strain "could affect its ability to meet payroll, purchase gasoline, maintain vehicles and provide reliable service," said James O'Rourke, professor of management at the University of Notre Dame. These are factors that some experts say could also lead to a decline in voter turnout in the general election as more states begin to rally around mail-in ballots. Several states have begun planning for and expanding vote-by-mail measures to decrease the risk of spreading the coronavirus. Earlier this month, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order allowing all registered voters in the state to receive a mail-in ballot for November's election. And on Tuesday, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said every registered voter will receive an application for an absentee ballot for the general election. Connecticut is also mailing out absentee ballot applications, including postage-paid return. "This plan will allow a larger number of voters to vote by absentee ballot than ever before, and do it at no cost to the towns or the voters," the office of Secretary of State Denise Merrill said. The District of Columbia and 34 states, including five that conduct all-mail voting, use no-excuse absentee voting, according to the bipartisan National Conference of State Legislatures. But Americans should not worry about missing mail, even with the added challenges brought on by the pandemic, the USPS said. "The Postal Service has continued and will continue to serve its customers during the COVID-19 pandemic through the delivery of not only Election Mail, but also medicine, essential consumer staples, benefits checks, and important information," USPS spokesperson Partenheimer told CNBC. At the same time, the USPS "recommends that election officials use First-Class Mail when mailing election materials (including blank ballots) to voters, and that voters mail their completed ballots at least 1 week before the due date to account for any unforeseen events or weather issues." But the concern that some Americans might not get to cast a ballot this November still exists. Rural communities might have the highest risk of low voter turnout, according to Betsy Huber, president of the National Grange, a nonprofit that advocates for support and equality for rural parts of the country. Unlike other mail services, the USPS delivers to every ZIP code in the United States, a press release from the National Grange said, "leveling the playing field" for people in rural homes who often rely on their mail for connection.
A United States Postal Service (USPS) worker works in the rain in Manhattan during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in New York, April 13, 2020. Andrew Kelly | Reuters


cnbc--2020-05-22--Trump doesn't wear coronavirus mask in public at Ford plant