cnbc--2020-05-17--Pelosi says Trump firing of State Department inspector general could be 'unlawful' if done in retali

Pelosi says Trump firing of State Department inspector general could be 'unlawful' if done in retaliation

President Donald Trump 's surprise firing of the State Department 's internal watchdog could be `` unlawful '' if it was done in retaliation , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Sunday .
Trump on Friday night ordered the removal of State Department Inspector General Steve Linick , following through on a recommendation from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , according to the White House .
Linick had opened an investigation into Pompeo , according to House Foreign Affairs Chairman Eliot Engel , D-N.Y. A Democrat aide told NBC news that Linick `` was looking into the Secretary 's misuse of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perform personal tasks for himself and Mrs .
Pompeo . ''
NBC , citing two congressional officials , reported later Sunday that Linick was probing whether Pompeo made a staffer run a variety of his personal errands , such as walking his dog , picking up his dry cleaning .
Trump said in a letter to Pelosi that he had lost confidence in Linick , without providing further explanation .
`` The president has the right to fire any federal employee , but the fact is if it looks like it 's in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the inspector general is doing , that could be unlawful , '' Pelosi , D-Calif. , said on CBS ' `` Face The Nation . ''
`` They 're supposed to show cause , '' Pelosi said of the `` unsavory '' late-night firing , adding that `` even Republicans in Congress are concerned and have spoken out . ''
`` Congress requires written reasons justifying an IG 's removal , '' said GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley , the co-founder and chairman of the Whistleblower Protection Caucus , in a statement Saturday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not sufficient detail to satisfy Congress . ''
Sen. Mitt Romney , R-Utah , tweeted Saturday that firing inspectors general without good reason poses `` a threat to accountable democracy . ''
Engel and Sen. Bob Menendez , the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee , demanded that the Trump administration hand over all records related to Linick 's firing by next Friday .
In a statement , Engel and Menendez said that they understood Pompeo recommended Linick be fired `` because the Inspector General had opened an investigation into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Such an action , transparently designed to protect Secretary Pompeo from personal accountability , would undermine the foundation of our democratic institutions and may be an illegal act of retaliation , '' Engel and Menendez wrote .
`` This concern is amplified by the fact that it came only hours after the House of Representatives passed the Heroes Act , which contains additional legal protections for inspectors general . ''
Last month , Trump ordered the removal of Michael Atkinson , the inspector general of the intelligence community who had flagged the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ catalyst for Trump 's eventual impeachment in the House .
Trump was acquitted in the Senate .
In her own statement Friday , Pelosi said Trump 's `` late-night , weekend firing of the State Department Inspector General has accelerated his dangerous pattern of retaliation against the patriotic public servants charged with conducting oversight on behalf of the American people . ''

President Donald Trump's surprise firing of the State Department's internal watchdog could be "unlawful" if it was done in retaliation, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Sunday.
Trump on Friday night ordered the removal of State Department Inspector General Steve Linick, following through on a recommendation from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, according to the White House.
Linick had opened an investigation into Pompeo, according to House Foreign Affairs Chairman Eliot Engel, D-N.Y. A Democrat aide told NBC news that Linick "was looking into the Secretary's misuse of a political appointee at the Department to perform personal tasks for himself and Mrs. Pompeo."
NBC, citing two congressional officials, reported later Sunday that Linick was probing whether Pompeo made a staffer run a variety of his personal errands, such as walking his dog, picking up his dry cleaning.
Trump said in a letter to Pelosi that he had lost confidence in Linick, without providing further explanation.
"The president has the right to fire any federal employee, but the fact is if it looks like it's in retaliation for something that the IG, the inspector general is doing, that could be unlawful," Pelosi, D-Calif., said on CBS' "Face The Nation."
"They're supposed to show cause," Pelosi said of the "unsavory" late-night firing, adding that "even Republicans in Congress are concerned and have spoken out."
Face the nation TWEET WITH VIDEO
"Congress requires written reasons justifying an IG's removal," said GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley, the co-founder and chairman of the Whistleblower Protection Caucus, in a statement Saturday. "A general lack of confidence simply is not sufficient detail to satisfy Congress."
Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, tweeted Saturday that firing inspectors general without good reason poses "a threat to accountable democracy."
Romney TWEET
Engel and Sen. Bob Menendez, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, demanded that the Trump administration hand over all records related to Linick's firing by next Friday.
In a statement, Engel and Menendez said that they understood Pompeo recommended Linick be fired "because the Inspector General had opened an investigation into wrongdoing by Secretary Pompeo himself."
"Such an action, transparently designed to protect Secretary Pompeo from personal accountability, would undermine the foundation of our democratic institutions and may be an illegal act of retaliation," Engel and Menendez wrote. "This concern is amplified by the fact that it came only hours after the House of Representatives passed the Heroes Act, which contains additional legal protections for inspectors general."
Last month, Trump ordered the removal of Michael Atkinson, the inspector general of the intelligence community who had flagged the Ukraine whistleblower complaint that became a major catalyst for Trump's eventual impeachment in the House. Trump was acquitted in the Senate.
In her own statement Friday, Pelosi said Trump's "late-night, weekend firing of the State Department Inspector General has accelerated his dangerous pattern of retaliation against the patriotic public servants charged with conducting oversight on behalf of the American people."


cnbc--2020-05-18--Pharma fraudster Martin Shkreli denied prison release after he said he could help find coronavirus t

Pharma fraudster Martin Shkreli denied prison release after he said he could help find coronavirus treatment

It 's a no-go for the `` Pharma Bro . ''
A federal judge has flatly denied pharmaceutical fraudster Martin Shkreli 's request to be released early from prison despite his arguments that he both is at risk of catching the coronavirus and that he could help develop a treatment for Covid-19 .
Shkreli `` has not demonstrated 'extraordinary and compelling ' factors that would mandate his release , '' Judge Kiyo Matsumoto wrote in a nine-page ruling in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn , New York .
The ruling means that Shkreli will likely serve out the remaining 40 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraud in a prison .
`` Not surprised , but very disappointed , '' Shkreli 's lawyer , Benjamin Brafman , wrote in an email to CNBC about the ruling .
Mastumoto 's written ruling denying Shkreli 's request for `` compassionate release '' noted that the 37-year-old inmate is healthy , is not in a high-risk category for the coronavirus and is being kept in a prison with no known cases of Covid-19 .
Matsumoto also wrote that she `` did not find that releasing Mr. Shkreli will protect the public , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his experience with pharmaceuticals to help develop a cure for COVID-19 that he would purportedly provide at no cost . ''
She added , `` Mr. Shkreli 's self described altruistic intentions do not provide a legal basis to grant his motion . ''
She also noted that federal probation officials had argued that Shkreli 's claim that `` he can develop a cure for COVID-19 that has 'so far eluded the best medical and scientific minds in the world working around the clock ' is the type of 'delusional self-aggrandizing behavior ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was properly convicted . ''
Shkreli last month asked Matsumoto to grant him compassionate release to allow him to serve the remaining time of his sentence in home confinement with an unidentified fiance in Manhattan .
Matsuomoto presided over Shkreli 's 2017 trial , where he was convicted of defrauding investors in hedge funds he ran , and of conspiring to fraudulently manipulate stock shares of Retrophin , the pharma company that he created after his hedge funds collapsed .
Shkreli 's defense lawyers warned in a court filing that he has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus ] due to allergies and asthma . ''
They also said that while in prison he `` has been conducting significant research '' into finding a treatment for Covid-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus .
The judge wrote that Shkreli has no documented current diagnosis or treatment for asthma , and that he himself `` failed to mention asthma in his March 30 , 2020 petition '' to the federal Bureau of Prisons seeking early release .

It's a no-go for the "Pharma Bro."
A federal judge has flatly denied pharmaceutical fraudster Martin Shkreli's request to be released early from prison despite his arguments that he both is at risk of catching the coronavirus and that he could help develop a treatment for Covid-19.
Shkreli "has not demonstrated 'extraordinary and compelling' factors that would mandate his release," Judge Kiyo Matsumoto wrote in a nine-page ruling in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn, New York.
The ruling means that Shkreli will likely serve out the remaining 40 months of a seven-year sentence for securities fraud in a prison.
"Not surprised, but very disappointed," Shkreli's lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, wrote in an email to CNBC about the ruling.
Mastumoto's written ruling denying Shkreli's request for "compassionate release" noted that the 37-year-old inmate is healthy, is not in a high-risk category for the coronavirus and is being kept in a prison with no known cases of Covid-19.
Matsumoto also wrote that she "did not find that releasing Mr. Shkreli will protect the public, even though Mr. Shkreli seeks to leverage his experience with pharmaceuticals to help develop a cure for COVID-19 that he would purportedly provide at no cost."
She added, "Mr. Shkreli's self described altruistic intentions do not provide a legal basis to grant his motion."
She also noted that federal probation officials had argued that Shkreli's claim that "he can develop a cure for COVID-19 that has 'so far eluded the best medical and scientific minds in the world working around the clock' is the type of 'delusional self-aggrandizing behavior' that precipitated the offenses for which he was properly convicted."
Shkreli last month asked Matsumoto to grant him compassionate release to allow him to serve the remaining time of his sentence in home confinement with an unidentified fiance in Manhattan.
Matsuomoto presided over Shkreli's 2017 trial, where he was convicted of defrauding investors in hedge funds he ran, and of conspiring to fraudulently manipulate stock shares of Retrophin , the pharma company that he created after his hedge funds collapsed.
Shkreli's defense lawyers warned in a court filing that he has a "susceptibility to infection [from the coronavirus] due to allergies and asthma."
They also said that while in prison he "has been conducting significant research" into finding a treatment for Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
The judge wrote that Shkreli has no documented current diagnosis or treatment for asthma, and that he himself "failed to mention asthma in his March 30, 2020 petition" to the federal Bureau of Prisons seeking early release.


cnbc--2020-05-19--Former Trump advisor Michael Flynn asks appeals court to remove judge and dismiss criminal case

Former national security advisor Michael Flynn on Tuesday asked a federal appeals court to order a lower court to grant the Justice Department 's controversial request to dismiss the criminal case .
Flynn also asked the U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to take the case away from the lower court judge who has so far refused to sign off on that dismissal request .
That judge , Flynn 's lawyers argued in their appeals filing , by planning to continue the case `` indefinitely '' despite the wishes of the Justice Department is `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wound from '' the `` misconduct '' of prosecutors in the case .
The appeals court filing came days after Judge Emmet Sullivan appointed a former federal judge to argue against the Justice Department 's highly unusual request to drop the case against Flynn in U.S. District Court in Washington , D.C. Sullivan also has asked the ex-judge , John Gleeson , to analyze whether he should hold Flynn in criminal contempt for perjury for twice pleading guilty to a charge that he now says he is innocent of .
The retired Army @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to lying to FBI agents about his discussions with Russia 's ambassador to the United States in the weeks before President Donald Trump was inaugurated .
Flynn , who briefly served as Trump 's first national security advisor , was awaiting sentencing at the time that the Justice Department , in a bombshell move , this month said it wanted Sullivan to toss the case .
Flynn 's lawyer , Sidney Powell , in her appeals court filing Tuesday , suggested that Sullivan has `` exceeded [ his ] authority and egregiously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to grant the Government 's Motion to Dismiss the Criminal Information and , instead , appointing an amicus [ Gleeson ] to oppose the motion and to propose contempt and perjury charges against General Flynn . ''
Powell also objects to Sullivan 's decision to allow people and groups not involved in the case to file legal briefs objecting to or supporting the case 's dismissal .
Powell wrote that Sullivan , in his recent actions , has disregarded the constitutional rule that `` the power to prosecute '' rests `` solely in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district court has no authority to adopt the role of prosecutor or change the issues in the case by inviting or appointing [ Gleeson and other outside parties ] to perform the investigation or prosecution that the court deems appropriate , '' Powell wrote .

Former national security advisor Michael Flynn on Tuesday asked a federal appeals court to order a lower court to grant the Justice Department's controversial request to dismiss the criminal case.
Flynn also asked the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to take the case away from the lower court judge who has so far refused to sign off on that dismissal request.
That judge, Flynn's lawyers argued in their appeals filing, by planning to continue the case "indefinitely" despite the wishes of the Justice Department is "rubbing salt in General Flynn's open wound from" the "misconduct" of prosecutors in the case.
The appeals court filing came days after Judge Emmet Sullivan appointed a former federal judge to argue against the Justice Department's highly unusual request to drop the case against Flynn in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C.
Sullivan also has asked the ex-judge, John Gleeson, to analyze whether he should hold Flynn in criminal contempt for perjury for twice pleading guilty to a charge that he now says he is innocent of.
The retired Army lieutenant general has admitted, under oath, to lying to FBI agents about his discussions with Russia's ambassador to the United States in the weeks before President Donald Trump was inaugurated.
Flynn, who briefly served as Trump's first national security advisor, was awaiting sentencing at the time that the Justice Department, in a bombshell move, this month said it wanted Sullivan to toss the case.
Flynn's lawyer, Sidney Powell, in her appeals court filing Tuesday, suggested that Sullivan has "exceeded [his] authority and egregiously abused [his] discretion by failing to grant the Government's Motion to Dismiss the Criminal Information and, instead, appointing an amicus [Gleeson] to oppose the motion and to propose contempt and perjury charges against General Flynn."
Powell also objects to Sullivan's decision to allow people and groups not involved in the case to file legal briefs objecting to or supporting the case's dismissal.
Powell wrote that Sullivan, in his recent actions, has disregarded the constitutional rule that "the power to prosecute" rests "solely in the executive branch."
"The district court has no authority to adopt the role of prosecutor or change the issues in the case by inviting or appointing [Gleeson and other outside parties] to perform the investigation or prosecution that the court deems appropriate," Powell wrote.


cnbc--2020-05-19--Trump told to wear coronavirus mask for Ford ventilator factory visit — but he says 'we'll see'

President Donald Trump tours a Honeywell International Inc. factory producing N95 masks during his first trip since widespread COVID-19 related lockdowns went into effect May 5 , 2020 , in Phoenix , Arizona .
Ford Motor Company said Tuesday that it told the White House that President Donald Trump and other people with him will have to wear masks for coronavirus precautions when he visits a Michigan factory manufacturing ventilators Thursday .
But it 's not clear that Trump , who has shunned wearing a mask , will comply with that directive .
Asked later Tuesday if he will wear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Plant in Ypsilanti , Trump told reporters , `` I do n't know . ''
`` I have n't even thought of it , '' the president said .
`` It depends .
In certain areas I would . ''
`` So , we 'll see .
Where it 's appropriate , I will '' Trump 's visit will violate an order issued Monday by Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , who directed that manufacturing facilities `` suspend all non-essential in-person visits , including tours . ''
Whitmer 's spokesman , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not try to block Trump from visiting the Ford plant .
If he follows Ford 's mask policy , Trump 's visit to the factory could be the first time that he is photographed wearing a mask .
Ford initially did not say that it would stop Trump from entering the plant if he refuses to wear a mask .
`` Our policy is that everyone wears PPE [ personal protective equipment ] to prevent the spread of COVID-19 , '' Ford said in a statement .
`` We shared all of Ford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playbook , employee pamphlet and self-assessment survey with the White House ahead of time and in preparation for this trip . ''
After this article was first published , Ford issued an updated statement , which said , `` 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 .
Whitmer 's spokesman Zack Pohl said in an email to media outlets including The Detroit Free Press that `` Ford and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are doing incredible work for the country and their ingenuity will save lives . ''
`` While the president 's visit is contrary to the governor 's order , this is an opportunity to showcase how important Michigan is to the response to COVID-19 and rebuilding our nation 's economy , '' Pohl wrote .
Trump has resisted pressure to wear a mask even as the federal government encourages it for all Americans going out in public .

President Donald Trump tours a Honeywell International Inc. factory producing N95 masks during his first trip since widespread COVID-19 related lockdowns went into effect May 5, 2020, in Phoenix, Arizona.
Ford Motor Company said Tuesday that it told the White House that President Donald Trump and other people with him will have to wear masks for coronavirus precautions when he visits a Michigan factory manufacturing ventilators Thursday.
But it's not clear that Trump, who has shunned wearing a mask, will comply with that directive.
Asked later Tuesday if he will wear a mask at Ford's Rawsonville Components Plant in Ypsilanti, Trump told reporters, "I don't know."
"I haven't even thought of it," the president said. "It depends. In certain areas I would."
"So, we'll see. Where it's appropriate, I will"
Trump's visit will violate an order issued Monday by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who directed that manufacturing facilities "suspend all non-essential in-person visits, including tours."
Whitmer's spokesman, however, said Tuesday that the Democratic governor will not try to block Trump from visiting the Ford plant.
If he follows Ford's mask policy, Trump's visit to the factory could be the first time that he is photographed wearing a mask.
Ford initially did not say that it would stop Trump from entering the plant if he refuses to wear a mask.
"Our policy is that everyone wears PPE [personal protective equipment] to prevent the spread of COVID-19," Ford said in a statement.
"We shared all of Ford's safety protocols, including our manufacturing playbook, employee pamphlet and self-assessment survey with the White House ahead of time and in preparation for this trip."
After this article was first published, Ford issued an updated statement, which said, "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.
Whitmer's spokesman Zack Pohl said in an email to media outlets including The Detroit Free Press that "Ford and the UAW [United Auto Workers union] are doing incredible work for the country and their ingenuity will save lives."
"While the president's visit is contrary to the governor's order, this is an opportunity to showcase how important Michigan is to the response to COVID-19 and rebuilding our nation's economy," Pohl wrote.
Trump has resisted pressure to wear a mask even as the federal government encourages it for all Americans going out in public.


cnbc--2020-05-19--'We are fully prepared to take losses' on coronavirus business bailouts, Mnuchin says

WASHINGTON — Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told senators Tuesday that his department and the Fed are `` fully prepared to take losses in certain scenarios '' on the capital remaining to be distributed from the CARES Act .
Mnuchin did not describe the `` certain scenarios '' in which he is prepared to take losses , but he emphasized that the Treasury is ready to distribute the entire $ 500 billion initially appropriated to help struggling businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic .
So far , Mnuchin said , the government has committed up to $ 195 billion in credit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ create or expand programs as needed .
That total of $ 454 billion is equal to the original appropriation , minus the $ 46 billion specifically earmarked for airlines .
Mnuchin made the remarks in remote testimony before the Senate Banking Committee on the Trump administration 's efforts to stanch the economic bleeding caused by the pandemic .
The hearing marked the first time federal officials have answered questions from Congress about the massive stimulus program .
Mnuchin testified alongside Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell , and both men stressed that economic data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be key to determining the next steps in the federal response .
`` We 're going to see here fairly quickly how the opening goes .
It 's very hard to know .
We 're going to be getting a lot of information fairly quickly in terms of what might be needed , '' Powell told senators .
Mnuchin and Powell also assured lawmakers that the business lending program and the municipal loan program will both begin distributing capital by the end of the month .
Financial markets were largely unaffected by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Industrial Average was down less than half of one percent at midday .
Mnuchin acknowledged the `` unprecedented challenges the American people are experiencing due to the Covid-19 pandemic , '' telling senators `` the disease is impacting families and communities across the nation .
Through no fault of their own , the American people are also enduring economic challenges . ''
More than 36 million Americans have filed for unemployment during the pandemic .
Mnuchin also stressed that while there are several different models of what could become of the $ 500 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the government could ultimately lose all the money it plans to lend .
`` There are scenarios within [ the business lending programs ] where we could lose all of our capital , and we 're prepared to do that .
And there are scenarios where the world gets better , and we could actually make a small amount of money , '' Mnuchin said in an exchange with Sen. Mark Warner , D-Va. '' Our intention is that we expect to take some losses on these facilities .
That 's our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mnuchin defended the administration 's track record on disbursement of money from the $ 2 trillion CARES Act passed by Congress to aid struggling businesses , industries and individuals .

WASHINGTON — Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told senators Tuesday that his department and the Fed are "fully prepared to take losses in certain scenarios" on the capital remaining to be distributed from the CARES Act.
Mnuchin did not describe the "certain scenarios" in which he is prepared to take losses, but he emphasized that the Treasury is ready to distribute the entire $500 billion initially appropriated to help struggling businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
So far, Mnuchin said, the government has committed up to $195 billion in credit support, leaving $259 billion to create or expand programs as needed. That total of $454 billion is equal to the original appropriation, minus the $46 billion specifically earmarked for airlines.
Mnuchin made the remarks in remote testimony before the Senate Banking Committee on the Trump administration's efforts to stanch the economic bleeding caused by the pandemic. The hearing marked the first time federal officials have answered questions from Congress about the massive stimulus program.
Mnuchin testified alongside Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, and both men stressed that economic data from states that are beginning to reopen will be key to determining the next steps in the federal response.
"We're going to see here fairly quickly how the opening goes. It's very hard to know. We're going to be getting a lot of information fairly quickly in terms of what might be needed," Powell told senators.
Mnuchin and Powell also assured lawmakers that the business lending program and the municipal loan program will both begin distributing capital by the end of the month.
Financial markets were largely unaffected by the testimony, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down less than half of one percent at midday.
Mnuchin acknowledged the "unprecedented challenges the American people are experiencing due to the Covid-19 pandemic," telling senators "the disease is impacting families and communities across the nation. Through no fault of their own, the American people are also enduring economic challenges."
More than 36 million Americans have filed for unemployment during the pandemic.
Mnuchin also stressed that while there are several different models of what could become of the $500 billion loan fund, it's possible that the government could ultimately lose all the money it plans to lend.
"There are scenarios within [the business lending programs] where we could lose all of our capital, and we're prepared to do that. And there are scenarios where the world gets better, and we could actually make a small amount of money," Mnuchin said in an exchange with Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va.
"Our intention is that we expect to take some losses on these facilities. That's our base case scenario," said Mnuchin.
Mnuchin defended the administration's track record on disbursement of money from the $2 trillion CARES Act passed by Congress to aid struggling businesses, industries and individuals.


cnbc--2020-05-19--Pence says he isn't taking unproven hydroxychloroquine treatment for coronavirus that Trump takes

US Vice President Mike Pence speaks during the daily briefing on the novel coronavirus , which causes COVID-19 , in the Brady Briefing Room at the White House on April 13 , 2020 , in Washington , DC .
Vice President Mike Pence said Tuesday he is not taking hydroxychloroquine as a preventive treatment for the coronavirus .
`` My physician has n't recommended that , but I would n't hesitate to take the counsel of my doctor .
Any American should do likewise , '' Pence said when asked by Fox News about whether he was doing so .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump said he has been taking a daily dose of the anti-malaria drug for the past week .
Trump has called the drug a `` game changer , '' but no drug has been proven effective in treating the coronavirus or preventing transmission of the disease .
Trump said Monday he was taking hydroxychloroquine , as well as zinc and an `` original dose '' of antibiotic azithromycin , known as Z-Pak , after asking the White House physician about the drugs .
`` I asked him , 'What do you think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you 'd like it . '
I said , 'Yeah , I 'd like it .
I 'd like to take it , ' '' Trump told reporters at the White House .
After a lunch with GOP senators on Capitol Hill on Tuesday , Trump said that deciding whether to take hydroxychloroquine is a personal decision , but that he believes it provides an additional level of safety .
The Food and Drug Administration has warned that hydroxychloroquine can cause `` serious heart rhythm problems '' in patients with the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in combination with azithromycin .
Following Trump 's remarks , however , FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said in a statement Tuesday that `` The decision to take any drug is ultimately a decision between a patient and their doctor .
Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine are already FDA-approved for treating malaria , lupus , and rheumatoid arthritis . ''
During a Cabinet meeting later Tuesday afternoon , Trump pushed back when asked about the FDA 's warning .
Trump claimed there `` was a false study done where they gave [ hydroxychloroquine ] to very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It was given by obviously not friends of the administration . ''
Pence noted Tuesday that hydroxychloroquine has been approved for `` off-label '' use by the FDA , `` where physicians could prescribe hydroxychloroquine in terms they deemed appropriate . ''
Still , Pence said `` I 'm not '' taking the drug .
`` But I would never begrudge any American taking the advice of their physician . ''
The White House has not been sealed off from the disease : Earlier this month , Pence 's press secretary , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Her diagnosis came a day after one of Trump 's personal valets tested positive .
A senior official told NBC News at the time that Pence would distance himself from other people for a few days .

US Vice President Mike Pence speaks during the daily briefing on the novel coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, in the Brady Briefing Room at the White House on April 13, 2020, in Washington, DC.
Vice President Mike Pence said Tuesday he is not taking hydroxychloroquine as a preventive treatment for the coronavirus.
"My physician hasn't recommended that, but I wouldn't hesitate to take the counsel of my doctor. Any American should do likewise," Pence said when asked by Fox News about whether he was doing so.
The interview came a day after President Donald Trump said he has been taking a daily dose of the anti-malaria drug for the past week. Trump has called the drug a "game changer," but no drug has been proven effective in treating the coronavirus or preventing transmission of the disease.
Trump said Monday he was taking hydroxychloroquine, as well as zinc and an "original dose" of antibiotic azithromycin, known as Z-Pak, after asking the White House physician about the drugs.
"I asked him, 'What do you think?' He said, 'Well, if you'd like it.' I said, 'Yeah, I'd like it. I'd like to take it,'" Trump told reporters at the White House.
After a lunch with GOP senators on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, Trump said that deciding whether to take hydroxychloroquine is a personal decision, but that he believes it provides an additional level of safety.
The Food and Drug Administration has warned that hydroxychloroquine can cause "serious heart rhythm problems" in patients with the virus who were treated with it, often in combination with azithromycin.
Following Trump's remarks, however, FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said in a statement Tuesday that "The decision to take any drug is ultimately a decision between a patient and their doctor. Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine are already FDA-approved for treating malaria, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis."
During a Cabinet meeting later Tuesday afternoon, Trump pushed back when asked about the FDA's warning. Trump claimed there "was a false study done where they gave [hydroxychloroquine] to very sick people ... people ready to die. It was given by obviously not friends of the administration."
Pence noted Tuesday that hydroxychloroquine has been approved for "off-label" use by the FDA, "where physicians could prescribe hydroxychloroquine in terms they deemed appropriate."
Still, Pence said "I'm not" taking the drug. "But I would never begrudge any American taking the advice of their physician."
The White House has not been sealed off from the disease: Earlier this month, Pence's press secretary, Katie Miller, tested positive for Covid-19. Her diagnosis came a day after one of Trump's personal valets tested positive. A senior official told NBC News at the time that Pence would distance himself from other people for a few days.


cnbc--2020-05-19--CBO projects 38% drop in GDP, $2.1 trillion increase in the deficit

Capitol Hill signs ask for more PPE masks for healthcare workers in Washington , D. C. on April 17 , 2020 .
The forecasts are roughly in line with Wall Street economists and slightly less dour than the most recent tracking number from the Atlanta Federal Reserve , which sees GDP falling about 42 % in the April-to-June period .
In its latest projections , the CBO sees GDP capsizing 38 % on an annualized basis in the second quarter with the 26 million more unemployed Americans than there were at the end of 2019 .
The Congressional Budget Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic growth , unemployment and the federal budget , predicting job gains later this year but an overall climate that will remain subdued through 2021 .
If the collective outlook is anything close to accurate , it will represent the worst drop for a U.S. economy that was brought to a halt due to efforts to stem the coronavirus pandemic .
`` The economy is expected to begin recovering during the second half of 2020 as concerns about the pandemic diminish and as state and local governments ease restrictions , '' the CBO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ projections .
Job growth will improve `` materially '' in the third quarter as social distancing policies associated with the virus diminish somewhat .
However , the CBO said , `` persistence of social distancing will keep economic activity and labor market conditions suppressed for some time . ''
The office also cautioned that , `` The decline in economic activity has been so rapid and so recent that the depth of the downturn is still uncertain , and the data on spending are preliminary and incomplete . ''
Congress has reacted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ totaled close to $ 3 trillion and another that could be as much or more .
Looking at just the money approved so far , the CBO said it would increase the federal deficit by $ 2.1 trillion in fiscal 2020 and $ 600 billion in 2021 .
The levels equate to about 11 % of nominal GDP in fiscal 2020 and 3 % in 2021 .

Capitol Hill signs ask for more PPE masks for healthcare workers in Washington, D. C. on April 17, 2020.
The forecasts are roughly in line with Wall Street economists and slightly less dour than the most recent tracking number from the Atlanta Federal Reserve, which sees GDP falling about 42% in the April-to-June period.
In its latest projections, the CBO sees GDP capsizing 38% on an annualized basis in the second quarter with the 26 million more unemployed Americans than there were at the end of 2019.
The Congressional Budget Office released its own bleak outlook Tuesday for economic growth, unemployment and the federal budget, predicting job gains later this year but an overall climate that will remain subdued through 2021.
If the collective outlook is anything close to accurate, it will represent the worst drop for a U.S. economy that was brought to a halt due to efforts to stem the coronavirus pandemic.
"The economy is expected to begin recovering during the second half of 2020 as concerns about the pandemic diminish and as state and local governments ease restrictions," the CBO said in a narrative that accompanied its projections.
Job growth will improve "materially" in the third quarter as social distancing policies associated with the virus diminish somewhat. However, the CBO said, "persistence of social distancing will keep economic activity and labor market conditions suppressed for some time."
The office also cautioned that, "The decline in economic activity has been so rapid and so recent that the depth of the downturn is still uncertain, and the data on spending are preliminary and incomplete."
Congress has reacted to the pandemic with one rescue bill that totaled close to $3 trillion and another that could be as much or more.
Looking at just the money approved so far, the CBO said it would increase the federal deficit by $2.1 trillion in fiscal 2020 and $600 billion in 2021.
The levels equate to about 11% of nominal GDP in fiscal 2020 and 3% in 2021.


cnbc--2020-05-19--Texas man charged with allegedly seeking more than $5 million in SBA coronavirus loans by submitting

Texas man charged with allegedly seeking more than $5 million in SBA coronavirus loans by submitting 400 fake employee names

President Donald Trump speaks during a bill signing ceremony for H.R .
748 , the CARES Act in the Oval Office of the White House on March 27 , 2020 in Washington , DC .
WASHINGTON — A Texas man has been charged with fraud for allegedly seeking more than $ 5 million in forgivable loans backed by the Small Business Administration under the CARES Act , by claiming to have a business with more than 400 employees .
Samuel Yates , 32 , of Maud , Texas , allegedly made two fraudulent applications to two different lenders for emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Program ( PPP ) , the Department of Justice announced Tuesday .
In the application submitted to the first lender , Yates allegedly sought $ 5 million in PPP loans by fraudulently claiming to have 400 employees .
In the second application , Yates claimed to employ over 100 individuals and was successful in obtaining a $ 500,000 loan .
He also allegedly submitted forged tax documents .
Yates used a random name generator on the internet to come up with a list of purported employees , according to court documents unsealed Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Texas .
`` This defendant allegedly sought to steal millions of dollars in loans intended to aid legitimate small businesses grappling with the economic effects of COVID-19 , '' said Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski of the Justice Department 's Criminal Division .
`` The department and our law enforcement partners will use all the tools at our disposal to investigate and prosecute frauds against the Paycheck Protection Program . ''
Yates was charged Tuesday in the Eastern District of Texas by way of a federal criminal complaint with violations of wire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a financial institution , and false statements to the SBA .
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty .
The CARES Act , enacted on March 29 , provides emergency financial assistance to the nation 's smallest businesses amid the economic fallout caused by the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic .
The first-come , first-serve Paycheck Protection Program authorized up to $ 349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention , payroll costs , rent and utilities .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loan program hit its $ 349 billion limit and was out of money .
On April 21 , Congress authorized $ 310 billion in additional PPP funding .
`` Any time the government provides large amounts of money to the public there are people who will try to cheat the system , '' said U.S. Attorney Joseph Brown of the Eastern District of Texas .
`` We encourage lenders to be very careful , and to report suspicious applications . ''
Earlier this month , two New England men were the first people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aid from a federal program to ease the financial burden from the coronavirus pandemic .
The men allegedly applied more than $ 500,000 in assistance from the new CARES Act Payroll Protection Program .
Last week , an engineer in Texas was charged with allegedly filing bank loan applications fraudulently seeking more than $ 10 million dollars in relief loans guaranteed by the SBA .
The person claimed to have a business and a payroll of 250 employees .

President Donald Trump speaks during a bill signing ceremony for H.R. 748, the CARES Act in the Oval Office of the White House on March 27, 2020 in Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON — A Texas man has been charged with fraud for allegedly seeking more than $5 million in forgivable loans backed by the Small Business Administration under the CARES Act, by claiming to have a business with more than 400 employees.
Samuel Yates, 32, of Maud, Texas, allegedly made two fraudulent applications to two different lenders for emergency Covid-19 relief loans through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the Department of Justice announced Tuesday.
In the application submitted to the first lender, Yates allegedly sought $5 million in PPP loans by fraudulently claiming to have 400 employees. In the second application, Yates claimed to employ over 100 individuals and was successful in obtaining a $500,000 loan. He also allegedly submitted forged tax documents.
Yates used a random name generator on the internet to come up with a list of purported employees, according to court documents unsealed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court in Texarkana, Texas.
"This defendant allegedly sought to steal millions of dollars in loans intended to aid legitimate small businesses grappling with the economic effects of COVID-19," said Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski of the Justice Department's Criminal Division. "The department and our law enforcement partners will use all the tools at our disposal to investigate and prosecute frauds against the Paycheck Protection Program."
Yates was charged Tuesday in the Eastern District of Texas by way of a federal criminal complaint with violations of wire fraud, bank fraud, false statements to a financial institution, and false statements to the SBA. A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The CARES Act, enacted on March 29, provides emergency financial assistance to the nation's smallest businesses amid the economic fallout caused by the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic. The first-come, first-serve Paycheck Protection Program authorized up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention, payroll costs, rent and utilities.
In less than a month, the rescue loan program hit its $349 billion limit and was out of money. On April 21, Congress authorized $310 billion in additional PPP funding.
"Any time the government provides large amounts of money to the public there are people who will try to cheat the system," said U.S. Attorney Joseph Brown of the Eastern District of Texas. "We encourage lenders to be very careful, and to report suspicious applications."
Earlier this month, two New England men were the first people to be charged with fraudulently applying for aid from a federal program to ease the financial burden from the coronavirus pandemic. The men allegedly applied more than $500,000 in assistance from the new CARES Act Payroll Protection Program.
Last week, an engineer in Texas was charged with allegedly filing bank loan applications fraudulently seeking more than $10 million dollars in relief loans guaranteed by the SBA. The person claimed to have a business and a payroll of 250 employees.


cnbc--2020-05-19--Senate panel backs Trump's pick to lead U.S. spy agencies

John Ratcliffe , a Republican from Texas , questions Robert Mueller , former special counsel for the U.S. Department of Justice , during a House Judiciary Committee hearing in Washington , D.C. , July 24 , 2019 .
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday endorsed the confirmation of U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe , R-Texas , President Donald Trump 's nominee to be the nation 's top spy .
Following Tuesday 's party-line vote , Ratcliffe 's nomination must still be confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate .
A floor vote has not yet been scheduled .
Tuesday 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , said Sen. Marco Rubio , R-Fla. , will serve as the Intelligence committee 's acting chairman while Sen. Richard Burr , R-N.C. , steps aside amid an FBI investigation into his stock trades .
If confirmed , Ratcliffe will lead the nation 's 17 intelligence agencies as the director of national intelligence .
He will be the first permanent spy chief since Dan Coats stepped down last August .
Trump nominated Ratcliffe , a member of the House Intelligence Committee , on the heels of Coats ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns about his lack of experience and his overt partisan reputation .
Ratcliffe was renominated this year .
Ratcliffe was elected to Congress in 2015 and also sits on the House Judiciary committee .
He was one of the congressional members of Trump 's impeachment defense team .
In July 2018 , Ratcliffe drew attention when he tore into former special counsel Robert Mueller about his investigation of Russian election interference and its possible coordination between the Kremlin and Trump 's campaign .
`` It was not the special counsel 's job to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to exonerate him because the bedrock principle of our justice system is a presumption of innocence .
It exists for everyone , everyone is entitled to it , including sitting presidents , '' Ratcliffe said during the House Judiciary hearing .
`` You managed to violate every principle and the most sacred of traditions about prosecutors not offering extra prosecutorial analysis . ''

John Ratcliffe, a Republican from Texas, questions Robert Mueller, former special counsel for the U.S. Department of Justice, during a House Judiciary Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., July 24, 2019.
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday endorsed the confirmation of U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe, R-Texas, President Donald Trump's nominee to be the nation's top spy.
Following Tuesday's party-line vote, Ratcliffe's nomination must still be confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate. A floor vote has not yet been scheduled.
Tuesday's vote came a day after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will serve as the Intelligence committee's acting chairman while Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., steps aside amid an FBI investigation into his stock trades.
If confirmed, Ratcliffe will lead the nation's 17 intelligence agencies as the director of national intelligence. He will be the first permanent spy chief since Dan Coats stepped down last August.
Trump nominated Ratcliffe, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, on the heels of Coats' departure. The nomination was dropped amid concerns about his lack of experience and his overt partisan reputation. Ratcliffe was renominated this year.
Ratcliffe was elected to Congress in 2015 and also sits on the House Judiciary committee. He was one of the congressional members of Trump's impeachment defense team.
In July 2018, Ratcliffe drew attention when he tore into former special counsel Robert Mueller about his investigation of Russian election interference and its possible coordination between the Kremlin and Trump's campaign.
"It was not the special counsel's job to conclusively determine Donald Trump's innocence or to exonerate him because the bedrock principle of our justice system is a presumption of innocence. It exists for everyone, everyone is entitled to it, including sitting presidents," Ratcliffe said during the House Judiciary hearing.
"You managed to violate every principle and the most sacred of traditions about prosecutors not offering extra prosecutorial analysis."


cnbc--2020-05-19--Liability protections for businesses, doctors are top GOP priority in next coronavirus bill, McCarth

Liability protections for businesses, doctors are top GOP priority in next coronavirus bill, McCarthy says

Steven Mnuchin , U.S. Treasury secretary , from left , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , a Republican from Kentucky , U.S .
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy , a Republican from California , and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence listen as President Donald Trump speaks before signing the H.R .
748 , Coronavirus Aid , Relief , and Economic Security ( CARES ) Act , in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington , D.C. , U.S. , on Friday , March 27 , 2020 .
Republican leaders including Vice President Mike Pence , Treasury Secretary Steven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , R-Ky. , are set to discuss their priorities for another coronavirus relief bill Tuesday , House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said .
McCarthy , R-Calif. , told CNBC 's `` Squawk Box '' that the leaders will be `` looking at ways of where we can work together to move forward on what we do need '' in a legislative package .
That search would start with liability protections for doctors and businesses , McCarthy said .
`` Liability protections would be the No .
1 thing I would look at , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will pass without it . ''
Democrats on Friday night passed a sweeping $ 3 trillion bill , nearly $ 1 trillion of which would go toward funding state and local governments .
Republicans have condemned the measure as dead on arrival in the GOP-controlled Senate .
But that lengthy bill is merely `` another political game being played '' by Democrats , McCarthy told CNBC .
`` Much of that bill was about legislation that Democrats have wished and tried to pass in the House long before Covid ever came around .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Capitol will take place at 9 a.m .
ET , a GOP leadership aide told NBC News .
Mnuchin , alongside Fed Chairman Jerome Powell , is set to testify before the Senate Banking Committee at 10 a.m .

Steven Mnuchin, U.S. Treasury secretary, from left, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky,U.S. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a Republican from California, and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence listen as President Donald Trump speaks before signing the H.R. 748, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Friday, March 27, 2020.
Republican leaders including Vice President Mike Pence, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., are set to discuss their priorities for another coronavirus relief bill Tuesday, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said.
McCarthy, R-Calif., told CNBC's "Squawk Box" that the leaders will be "looking at ways of where we can work together to move forward on what we do need" in a legislative package. That search would start with liability protections for doctors and businesses, McCarthy said.
"Liability protections would be the No. 1 thing I would look at," McCarthy said. "No bill will pass without it."
Democrats on Friday night passed a sweeping $3 trillion bill, nearly $1 trillion of which would go toward funding state and local governments. Republicans have condemned the measure as dead on arrival in the GOP-controlled Senate.
But that lengthy bill is merely "another political game being played" by Democrats, McCarthy told CNBC. "Much of that bill was about legislation that Democrats have wished and tried to pass in the House long before Covid ever came around."
The meeting on the Senate side of the Capitol will take place at 9 a.m. ET, a GOP leadership aide told NBC News. Mnuchin, alongside Fed Chairman Jerome Powell, is set to testify before the Senate Banking Committee at 10 a.m.


cnbc--2020-05-19--Coronavirus outbreak delays rapist Harvey Weinstein's extradition to Los Angeles to face more charge

Coronavirus outbreak delays rapist Harvey Weinstein's extradition to Los Angeles to face more charges

Harvey Weinstein arrives using a walker at the Manhattan Criminal Court , on January 6 , 2020 in New York City .
The coronavirus outbreak has indefinitely delayed the planned extradition of fallen movie mogul Harvey Weinstein from a New York state prison to face rape and other sex crime charges in Los Angeles , prosecutors said Tuesday .
Weinstein , who was convicted at trial in New York earlier this year of rape and sex assault in attacks involving two women , is charged in Los Angeles with raping one woman and sexually assaulting a second one there over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was sentenced to 23 years in prison during a Manhattan court hearing on March 11 , which occurred shortly before New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo implemented an effective statewide lockdown of many nonessential services due to the Covid-19 pandemic .
Just hours after his sentencing , the Los Angeles District Attorney 's Office said it had began the process of having Weinstein , 68 , extradited to California so that he can face the charges there .
But the DA 's office , in a statement Tuesday to NBC News , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ processing of the extradition paperwork . ''
`` There is no time estimate on when he will appear in a Los Angeles courtroom , '' the prosecutors ' office said .
Weinstein , who is locked up in the Wende Correctional Facility in Alden , New York , has said he is innocent of the criminal accusations against him .
When he was convicted by a jury in February , Weinstein said to his lawyer , Arthur Aidala , ' I 'm innocent , I 'm innocent , I 'm innocent .
How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Aidala has told reporters .

Harvey Weinstein arrives using a walker at the Manhattan Criminal Court, on January 6, 2020 in New York City.
The coronavirus outbreak has indefinitely delayed the planned extradition of fallen movie mogul Harvey Weinstein from a New York state prison to face rape and other sex crime charges in Los Angeles, prosecutors said Tuesday.
Weinstein, who was convicted at trial in New York earlier this year of rape and sex assault in attacks involving two women, is charged in Los Angeles with raping one woman and sexually assaulting a second one there over a two-day period in 2013.
He was sentenced to 23 years in prison during a Manhattan court hearing on March 11, which occurred shortly before New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo implemented an effective statewide lockdown of many nonessential services due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Just hours after his sentencing, the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office said it had began the process of having Weinstein, 68, extradited to California so that he can face the charges there.
But the DA's office, in a statement Tuesday to NBC News, said, "The virus has delayed the processing of the extradition paperwork."
"There is no time estimate on when he will appear in a Los Angeles courtroom," the prosecutors' office said.
Weinstein's spokesman declined to comment.
Weinstein, who is locked up in the Wende Correctional Facility in Alden, New York, has said he is innocent of the criminal accusations against him.
When he was convicted by a jury in February, Weinstein said to his lawyer, Arthur Aidala, 'I'm innocent, I'm innocent, I'm innocent. How could this happen in America?," Aidala has told reporters.


cnbc--2020-05-19--Annie Glenn, widow of US Sen. John Glenn, dies at 100

Annie Glenn , widow of former astronaut and Senator John Glenn , pays her respects to her late husband as he lies in repose , under a United States Marine honor guard , in the Rotunda of the Ohio Statehouse December 16 , 2016 in Columbus , Ohio .
Annie Glenn , the widow of astronaut and U.S. Sen. John Glenn and a communication disorders advocate , died Tuesday of complications from Covid-19 .
She was 100 .
Glenn died at a nursing home near St. Paul , Minnesota , said Hank Wilson , a spokesman for the Glenn College @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University .
At the time of John Glenn 's death in 2016 , the two had been married 73 years .
She had moved out of the apartment they shared in Columbus in recent years and gone to live with her daughter , Lyn , according to Wilson .
Annie Glenn was thrust into the spotlight in 1962 , when her husband became the first American to orbit Earth .
She shied away from the media attention because of a severe stutter .
Later , she underwent an intensive program at the Communications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hollins University , in Roanoke , Virginia , that gave her the skills to control her stutter and to speak in public .
By the time 77-year-old John Glenn returned to space in 1998 aboard space shuttle Discovery , Annie showed she had become comfortable in her public role when she acknowledged that she had reservations about the retired senator 's second flight .
`` John had announced one year before that he was going to retire as a senator , so I was looking forward to having him as my own because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 55 years , '' she told a NASA interviewer .
Her career in advocacy for those with communication disorders included service on the advisory boards of numerous child abuse and speech and hearing organizations .
The Annie Glenn Award was created to honor individuals who overcome a communication disorder .
Defense Secretary William Cohen honored Annie Glenn with the Department of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service in 1998 .
He called her `` a hero in her own right '' and praised her for being `` a strong voice for children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disabled . ''
In 2009 , Glenn received an honorary doctorate of public service from Ohio State , where she served as an adjunct professor of speech pathology in the Department of Speech and Hearing Science .
The department bestows an Annie Glenn Leadership Award annually .
Glenn was born Anna Margaret Castor on Feb. 17 , 1920 , in Columbus .
She met her husband while they were children growing up in New Concord .
She was offered an organ scholarship to The Julliard School , but World War II began and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay with him , according to a biography on the Glenn College 's website .
The high school sweethearts attended Muskingum College and were married in 1943 .
They had two children , David and Lyn .
The Glenns served on the board of trustees of the college , now Muskingum University , and Annie Glenn was named a distinguished alumni fellow in speech communications at the school .
A virtual memorial service will be held on Saturday , June 6 , 2020 , at 11 a.m EDT .
The service will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , pastor for the Broad Street Presbyterian Church in Columbus .
The memorial will be virtual with no parishioners or guests in attendance due to the Covid-19 restrictions .
She is survived by her two children .

Annie Glenn, widow of former astronaut and Senator John Glenn, pays her respects to her late husband as he lies in repose, under a United States Marine honor guard, in the Rotunda of the Ohio Statehouse December 16, 2016 in Columbus, Ohio.
Annie Glenn, the widow of astronaut and U.S. Sen. John Glenn and a communication disorders advocate, died Tuesday of complications from Covid-19. She was 100.
Glenn died at a nursing home near St. Paul, Minnesota, said Hank Wilson, a spokesman for the Glenn College of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University.
At the time of John Glenn's death in 2016, the two had been married 73 years. She had moved out of the apartment they shared in Columbus in recent years and gone to live with her daughter, Lyn, according to Wilson.
Annie Glenn was thrust into the spotlight in 1962, when her husband became the first American to orbit Earth. She shied away from the media attention because of a severe stutter.
Later, she underwent an intensive program at the Communications Research Institute at Hollins College, now Hollins University, in Roanoke, Virginia, that gave her the skills to control her stutter and to speak in public.
By the time 77-year-old John Glenn returned to space in 1998 aboard space shuttle Discovery, Annie showed she had become comfortable in her public role when she acknowledged that she had reservations about the retired senator's second flight.
"John had announced one year before that he was going to retire as a senator, so I was looking forward to having him as my own because I had given him to our government for 55 years," she told a NASA interviewer.
Her career in advocacy for those with communication disorders included service on the advisory boards of numerous child abuse and speech and hearing organizations. The Annie Glenn Award was created to honor individuals who overcome a communication disorder.
Defense Secretary William Cohen honored Annie Glenn with the Department of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service in 1998. He called her "a hero in her own right" and praised her for being "a strong voice for children, speech and communications, and the disabled."
In 2009, Glenn received an honorary doctorate of public service from Ohio State, where she served as an adjunct professor of speech pathology in the Department of Speech and Hearing Science. The department bestows an Annie Glenn Leadership Award annually.
Glenn was born Anna Margaret Castor on Feb. 17, 1920, in Columbus. She met her husband while they were children growing up in New Concord. She was offered an organ scholarship to The Julliard School, but World War II began and John proposed — so she decided to stay with him, according to a biography on the Glenn College's website. The high school sweethearts attended Muskingum College and were married in 1943. They had two children, David and Lyn.
The Glenns served on the board of trustees of the college, now Muskingum University, and Annie Glenn was named a distinguished alumni fellow in speech communications at the school.
A virtual memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 6, 2020, at 11 a.m EDT. The service will be officiated by the Rev. Amy Miracle, pastor for the Broad Street Presbyterian Church in Columbus. The memorial will be virtual with no parishioners or guests in attendance due to the Covid-19 restrictions.
She is survived by her two children.


cnbc--2020-05-19--Trump threatens to permanently cut off WHO funding, withdraw U.S. membership

President Donald Trump threatened to permanently cut off U.S. funding of the World Health Organization , in a letter dated Monday that he shared on Twitter .
Trump said that if the WHO `` does not commit to major substantive improvements within the next 30 days , I will make my temporary freeze of United States funding to the World Health Organization permanent and reconsider our membership in the organization . ''
Last month , Trump halted U.S. funding for the WHO as his administration conducted a review of the agency 's response to the Covid-19 pandemic .
At the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are still in the acute phase of a pandemic so now is not the time to cut back on funding . ''
It 's not immediately clear how Trump would withhold those funds , much of which are appropriated by Congress .
The president typically does not have the authority to unilaterally redirect congressional funding .
The renewed threat comes as the Trump administration faces criticism for how it has handled the crisis .
The United States is the worst hit country with more than 1.5 million coronavirus cases reported and at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Johns Hopkins University .
In the Monday letter , Trump said the review `` confirmed many of the serious concerns I raised last month . ''
It also outlines what the White House perceived as `` repeated missteps '' by the organization and its director-general , Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus .
The letter echoes Trump 's previous complaint that the WHO resisted issuing a travel advisory in the early days of the outbreak .
When the agency declared the situation a global health emergency in late January , Tedros advised countries against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international trade or travel . ''
Trump 's letter also repeats growing scrutiny over how the WHO handled information reported by China .
The president previously accused the agency of being `` China centric . ''
`` The only way forward for the World Health Organization is if it can actually demonstrate independence from China ...
I can not allow American taxpayer dollars to continue to finance an organization that , in its present state , is so clearly not serving America 's interests , '' the letter said .
Trump himself faces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as treatment and vaccine candidates .
In January , he told CNBC 's Joe Kernen that he trusts the information coming out of China on the coronavirus .
In February , Trump said the coronavirus was the Democrats ' `` new hoax '' intended to damage him and his administration .
Trump has repeatedly touted the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine as a `` game-changer '' in treating Covid-19 .
But the drug has serious side effects and a small study was halted for safety reasons after coronavirus patients developed arrhythmia from taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients died .
On Monday , Trump said he had been taking hydroxychloroquine for over a week to prevent coronavirus infection , even though it is not yet a proven treatment .
White House physician Dr. Sean Conley said in a memo that `` the potential benefit from treatment outweighed the relative risks . ''
The news came after a member of Trump 's staff tested positive for coronavirus .
The president also previously suggested testing `` ultraviolet or just a very powerful light '' or disinfectant `` by injection , '' comments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials and household disinfectant makers quickly urged Americans against injecting or consuming such products .
— CNBC 's Berkeley Lovelace Jr. and Noah Higgins- Dunn contributed to this report .

President Donald Trump threatened to permanently cut off U.S. funding of the World Health Organization, in a letter dated Monday that he shared on Twitter.
@realDonaldTrump: This is the letter sent to Dr. Tedros of the World Health Organization. It is self-explanatory!
Trump said that if the WHO "does not commit to major substantive improvements within the next 30 days, I will make my temporary freeze of United States funding to the World Health Organization permanent and reconsider our membership in the organization."
Last month, Trump halted U.S. funding for the WHO as his administration conducted a review of the agency's response to the Covid-19 pandemic. At the time, the agency said "We are still in the acute phase of a pandemic so now is not the time to cut back on funding."
It's not immediately clear how Trump would withhold those funds, much of which are appropriated by Congress. The president typically does not have the authority to unilaterally redirect congressional funding.
The renewed threat comes as the Trump administration faces criticism for how it has handled the crisis. The United States is the worst hit country with more than 1.5 million coronavirus cases reported and at least 90,000 deaths, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
In the Monday letter, Trump said the review "confirmed many of the serious concerns I raised last month." It also outlines what the White House perceived as "repeated missteps" by the organization and its director-general, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The letter echoes Trump's previous complaint that the WHO resisted issuing a travel advisory in the early days of the outbreak. When the agency declared the situation a global health emergency in late January, Tedros advised countries against imposing "measures that unnecessarily interfere with international trade or travel."
Trump's letter also repeats growing scrutiny over how the WHO handled information reported by China. The president previously accused the agency of being "China centric."
"The only way forward for the World Health Organization is if it can actually demonstrate independence from China ... I cannot allow American taxpayer dollars to continue to finance an organization that, in its present state, is so clearly not serving America's interests," the letter said.
Trump himself faces scrutiny over misleading statements about the coronavirus as well as treatment and vaccine candidates. In January, he told CNBC's Joe Kernen that he trusts the information coming out of China on the coronavirus. In February, Trump said the coronavirus was the Democrats' "new hoax" intended to damage him and his administration.
Trump has repeatedly touted the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine as a "game-changer" in treating Covid-19. But the drug has serious side effects and a small study was halted for safety reasons after coronavirus patients developed arrhythmia from taking chloroquine. Nearly two dozen of those patients died.
On Monday, Trump said he had been taking hydroxychloroquine for over a week to prevent coronavirus infection, even though it is not yet a proven treatment. White House physician Dr. Sean Conley said in a memo that "the potential benefit from treatment outweighed the relative risks." The news came after a member of Trump's staff tested positive for coronavirus.
The president also previously suggested testing "ultraviolet or just a very powerful light" or disinfectant "by injection," comments he later claimed were sarcastic. Health officials and household disinfectant makers quickly urged Americans against injecting or consuming such products.
— CNBC's Berkeley Lovelace Jr. and Noah Higgins- Dunn contributed to this report.


cnbc--2020-05-19--Mike Pompeo refuses to say why he urged Trump to fire State Department IG, but denies it was because

Mike Pompeo refuses to say why he urged Trump to fire State Department IG, but denies it was because of investigations

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks about the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) during a media briefing at the State Department in Washington , May 6 , 2020 .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday that he was unaware the State Department 's inspector general was investigating him at the time he recommended that President Donald Trump fire the internal watchdog , a new report said .
But Pompeo , in a phone interview with The Washington Post , would not provide any specific reasons why Inspector General Steve Linick was being removed from his post .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or my recommendation rather , to the president rather , was based on any effort to retaliate for any investigation that was going on , or is currently going on , '' Pompeo told the Post .
`` Because I simply do n't know .
I 'm not briefed on it .
I usually see these investigations in final draft form 24 hours , 48 hours before the IG is prepared to release them , '' he said .
`` So it 's simply not possible for this to be an act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' When asked Monday about Linick 's firing , Trump told reporters , `` I do n't know the guy at all , I never even heard of him , but I was asked to by the State Department , by Mike . ''
`` I offered most of my people , almost all of them , I said , 'You know , these are [ former President Barack ] Obama appointees , if you 'd like to let them go I think you should let them go , but that 's up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Linick was appointed by Obama in 2013 .
`` They asked me to terminate him .
I have the absolute right as president to terminate , '' Trump added .
`` I do n't know what 's going on other than that but you 'd have to ask Mike Pompeo .
But they did ask me to do it and I did it . ''
Pompeo in his interview with the Post confirmed that he had recommended Linick 's removal to Trump .
`` I went to the president and made clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't performing a function in a way that we had tried to get him to , that was additive for the State Department , very consistent with what the statute says he 's supposed to be doing , '' he said .
`` The kinds of activities he 's supposed to undertake to make us better , to improve us . ''
Pompeo declined , however , to provide specific examples of Linick 's failings , the Post reported .
Trump fired Linick in a surprise move Friday night .
The president said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pelosi , D-Calif. , on Friday that he had lost confidence in Linick , without providing further explanation .
On Saturday , a Democratic aide told NBC News that Linick 's removal might have been in response to an investigation into Pompeo 's `` misuse of a political appointee at the Department to perform personal tasks for himself and Mrs .
Pompeo . ''
Those tasks included walking his dog , picking up his dry cleaning and making dinner reservations , according to NBC .
Pompeo also declined to tell the Post whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run his or his wife 's personal errands .
`` I 'm not going to answer the host of unsubstantiated allegations about any of that , '' he said , the newspaper reported .
State Department Undersecretary for Management Brian Bulatao said a `` pattern of unauthorized disclosures , or leaks '' to the media about early-stage investigations had cast a pall over Linick 's role , the Post reported .
Bulatao noted in the Post 's report that officials had no evidence Linick was personally responsible for the leaks .
Bulatao also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of state John Sullivan 's direction to refer the leaks to an outside council so that another agency 's inspector general could be appointed to look into it .
`` Our understanding is he picked another fed agency on his own , to pick the person he wanted to grade his own homework , which sets up a whole apparent conflict of interest , '' Bulatao reportedly said .
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel , D-N.Y. , and Sen. Bob Menendez , D-N.J. , the Senate Foreign Relations Committee 's ranking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration hand over all records related to Linick 's firing by Friday .
In a statement over the weekend , Engel and Menendez said that they understood Pompeo recommended Linick be fired `` because the Inspector General had opened an investigation into wrongdoing by Secretary Pompeo himself . ''
Some Republicans have also spoken out against Trump for firing Linick without providing a clear reason .
`` Congress 's intent is clear that an expression of lost confidence , without further explanation , is not sufficient to fulfill the requirements of the IG @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grassley of Iowa said in a letter to Trump on Monday .
`` As you work toward filling IG roles , it is absolutely imperative than any acting leadership do not create obvious conflicts that unduly threaten the statutorily required independence of inspectors general . ''
NBC and other outlets reported Monday that Linick was also nearly done with another probe , this one dealing with Pompeo 's approval of a multibillion-dollar arms sale to Saudi Arabia .
The Trump administration had issued an emergency declaration to push the deal through without requiring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal passed the Democrat-led House , but were vetoed by Trump .
A Senate attempt to override the veto failed .
At the time this story was published , the Post 's report on its interview with Pompeo did not mention Linick 's probe of the administration 's arms deal .
Engel in a statement Monday told CNBC : `` I have learned that there may be another reason for Mr. Linick 's firing .
His office was investigating — at my request — Trump 's phony declaration of an emergency so he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` We do n't have the full picture yet , but it 's troubling that Secretary Pompeo wanted Mr. Linick pushed out before this work could be completed , '' Engel said .
Read the full report from The Washington Post .

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks about the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) during a media briefing at the State Department in Washington, May 6, 2020.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday that he was unaware the State Department's inspector general was investigating him at the time he recommended that President Donald Trump fire the internal watchdog, a new report said.
But Pompeo, in a phone interview with The Washington Post, would not provide any specific reasons why Inspector General Steve Linick was being removed from his post.
"It is not possible that this decision, or my recommendation rather, to the president rather, was based on any effort to retaliate for any investigation that was going on, or is currently going on," Pompeo told the Post.
"Because I simply don't know. I'm not briefed on it. I usually see these investigations in final draft form 24 hours, 48 hours before the IG is prepared to release them," he said. "So it's simply not possible for this to be an act of retaliation. End of story."
When asked Monday about Linick's firing, Trump told reporters, "I don't know the guy at all, I never even heard of him, but I was asked to by the State Department, by Mike."
"I offered most of my people, almost all of them, I said, 'You know, these are [former President Barack] Obama appointees, if you'd like to let them go I think you should let them go, but that's up to you,'" Trump said.
Linick was appointed by Obama in 2013.
"They asked me to terminate him. I have the absolute right as president to terminate," Trump added. "I don't know what's going on other than that but you'd have to ask Mike Pompeo. But they did ask me to do it and I did it."
Pompeo in his interview with the Post confirmed that he had recommended Linick's removal to Trump.
"I went to the president and made clear to him that Inspector General Linick wasn't performing a function in a way that we had tried to get him to, that was additive for the State Department, very consistent with what the statute says he's supposed to be doing," he said. "The kinds of activities he's supposed to undertake to make us better, to improve us."
Pompeo declined, however, to provide specific examples of Linick's failings, the Post reported.
Trump fired Linick in a surprise move Friday night. The president said in a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., on Friday that he had lost confidence in Linick, without providing further explanation.
On Saturday, a Democratic aide told NBC News that Linick's removal might have been in response to an investigation into Pompeo's "misuse of a political appointee at the Department to perform personal tasks for himself and Mrs. Pompeo." Those tasks included walking his dog, picking up his dry cleaning and making dinner reservations, according to NBC.
Pompeo also declined to tell the Post whether he had ever asked government employees to run his or his wife's personal errands. "I'm not going to answer the host of unsubstantiated allegations about any of that," he said, the newspaper reported.
State Department Undersecretary for Management Brian Bulatao said a "pattern of unauthorized disclosures, or leaks" to the media about early-stage investigations had cast a pall over Linick's role, the Post reported. Bulatao noted in the Post's report that officials had no evidence Linick was personally responsible for the leaks.
Bulatao also reportedly said Linick had ignored then-deputy secretary of state John Sullivan's direction to refer the leaks to an outside council so that another agency's inspector general could be appointed to look into it.
"Our understanding is he picked another fed agency on his own, to pick the person he wanted to grade his own homework, which sets up a whole apparent conflict of interest," Bulatao reportedly said.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., and Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's ranking member, have demanded that the Trump administration hand over all records related to Linick's firing by Friday.
In a statement over the weekend, Engel and Menendez said that they understood Pompeo recommended Linick be fired "because the Inspector General had opened an investigation into wrongdoing by Secretary Pompeo himself."
Some Republicans have also spoken out against Trump for firing Linick without providing a clear reason.
"Congress's intent is clear that an expression of lost confidence, without further explanation, is not sufficient to fulfill the requirements of the IG Reform Act," GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa said in a letter to Trump on Monday. "As you work toward filling IG roles, it is absolutely imperative than any acting leadership do not create obvious conflicts that unduly threaten the statutorily required independence of inspectors general."
NBC and other outlets reported Monday that Linick was also nearly done with another probe, this one dealing with Pompeo's approval of a multibillion-dollar arms sale to Saudi Arabia.
The Trump administration had issued an emergency declaration to push the deal through without requiring congressional approval. Resolutions to block the deal passed the Democrat-led House, but were vetoed by Trump. A Senate attempt to override the veto failed.
At the time this story was published, the Post's report on its interview with Pompeo did not mention Linick's probe of the administration's arms deal.
Engel in a statement Monday told CNBC: "I have learned that there may be another reason for Mr. Linick's firing. His office was investigating — at my request — Trump's phony declaration of an emergency so he could send weapons to Saudi Arabia."
"We don't have the full picture yet, but it's troubling that Secretary Pompeo wanted Mr. Linick pushed out before this work could be completed," Engel said.
Read the full report from The Washington Post.


cnbc--2020-05-19--Taiwan 'disappointed and angry' about being excluded from WHO meeting, says it is developing its own

Taiwan 'disappointed and angry' about being excluded from WHO meeting, says it is developing its own coronavirus vaccine

Taiwan on Tuesday said it was `` disappointed and angry '' with the World Health Organization ( WHO ) for not inviting Taipei to join this year 's World Health Assembly ( WHA ) which kicked off Monday .
Taiwan has been lobbying hard to join this year 's meeting as an observer after its success with containing the coronavirus outbreak .
But it faced strong opposition from China , which claims Taiwan as its province with no right to its own diplomatic representation .
`` We feel disappointed and angry about WHO 's decision of not inviting Taiwan to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel we have so much to share about our successful experiences in this Covid-19 outbreak response '' said Yi-Chun Lo , deputy director general at Taiwan Centers for Disease Control .
On Monday , Taiwan 's foreign minister Joseph Wu said the issue of its participation would be put off until later in the year , so the assembly can focus on the coronavirus this time .
Despite its proximity to China , Taiwan has only reported 440 coronavirus cases and seven deaths so far even without a large-scale lockdown .
Secretary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. condemns Taiwan 's exclusion from the WHA .
`` No one disputes that Taiwan has mounted one of the world 's most successful efforts to contain the pandemic to date , despite its close proximity to the original outbreak in Wuhan , China , '' Pompeo said in a strongly worded statement .
Pompeo , a vocal China critic , also criticized Beijing 's handling of the coronavirus outbreak .
`` Taiwan is a model world citizen , while the PRC ( People 's Republic of China ) continues to withhold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ origins , deny access to their scientists and relevant facilities , censor discussion of the pandemic within China and on Chinese social media properties , and casts blame widely and recklessly , '' said Pompeo .
Taiwan has been praised globally for its virus containment measures that included early control measures at the borders , in the community and in healthcare settings .
It also uses a sophisticated contact tracing and quarantine network , Lo told CNBC 's `` Street Signs '' on Tuesday .
The island has not posted any domestic cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confident that there is `` zero '' community spread at the moment , said Lo .
He told CNBC the island shares concerns that China was not transparent with information about the outbreak at its onset .
The Taiwan CDC deputy director general also said the WHO did not seriously regard information from Taiwan in December that suggested possible human-to-human transmission .
The WHO has disputed Taiwan 's claims , saying that the island had not explicitly communicated that information .
Due to its exclusion from the WHO , Taiwan is relying on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a vaccine with health authorities working with academia and other industry partners , said Lo .
`` Our major concern is ( that ) because Taiwan is not included in WHO 's network , there might not be fair opportunity for Taiwan to get a share ( from ) the global vaccination program , '' said Lo .
`` So we have to have our own manufacturers ( really work ) very hard on producing vaccine for our domestic purpose , '' he said , adding that Taiwan would be happy to share @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Lo said Taiwan 's communication with the WHO is `` minimal '' even now and that it is mostly an observer in the WHO 's clinical trial , infectious disease control and vaccine trial networks with no authority or right for information .
`` We are trying very hard to participate in the networks as much as possible , but the opportunity ( has ) not ( been ) granted fairly by the WHO so far since the start of the outbreak , '' said Lo .

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Taiwan on Tuesday said it was "disappointed and angry" with the World Health Organization (WHO) for not inviting Taipei to join this year's World Health Assembly (WHA) which kicked off Monday. Taiwan has been lobbying hard to join this year's meeting as an observer after its success with containing the coronavirus outbreak. But it faced strong opposition from China, which claims Taiwan as its province with no right to its own diplomatic representation. "We feel disappointed and angry about WHO's decision of not inviting Taiwan to join this year's WHA. We feel we have so much to share about our successful experiences in this Covid-19 outbreak response" said Yi-Chun Lo, deputy director general at Taiwan Centers for Disease Control. On Monday, Taiwan's foreign minister Joseph Wu said the issue of its participation would be put off until later in the year, so the assembly can focus on the coronavirus this time. Despite its proximity to China, Taiwan has only reported 440 coronavirus cases and seven deaths so far even without a large-scale lockdown.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday said that the U.S. condemns Taiwan's exclusion from the WHA. "No one disputes that Taiwan has mounted one of the world's most successful efforts to contain the pandemic to date, despite its close proximity to the original outbreak in Wuhan, China," Pompeo said in a strongly worded statement. Pompeo, a vocal China critic, also criticized Beijing's handling of the coronavirus outbreak. "Taiwan is a model world citizen, while the PRC (People's Republic of China) continues to withhold vital information about the virus and its origins, deny access to their scientists and relevant facilities, censor discussion of the pandemic within China and on Chinese social media properties, and casts blame widely and recklessly," said Pompeo. Taiwan has been praised globally for its virus containment measures that included early control measures at the borders, in the community and in healthcare settings. It also uses a sophisticated contact tracing and quarantine network, Lo told CNBC's "Street Signs" on Tuesday. The island has not posted any domestic cases for more than a month and is confident that there is "zero" community spread at the moment, said Lo. He told CNBC the island shares concerns that China was not transparent with information about the outbreak at its onset. The Taiwan CDC deputy director general also said the WHO did not seriously regard information from Taiwan in December that suggested possible human-to-human transmission. The WHO has disputed Taiwan's claims, saying that the island had not explicitly communicated that information.
Taiwan in vaccine race


cnbc--2020-05-19--White House coronavirus vaccine advisor Moncef Slaoui to divest $12.4 million of Moderna holdings

Former GlaxoSmithKline pharmaceutical executive Moncef Slaoui , who will serve as chief adviser on the effort to find a vaccine for the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) pandemic , speaks as President Donald Trump listens during a coronavirus disease response event in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington , May 15 , 2020 .
WASHINGTON — Moncef Slaoui , a former Moderna executive who was recently appointed to co-chair the White House coronavirus vaccine project , will divest approximately $ 12.4 million worth of stock options he has in the pharmaceutical manufacturer , according to representatives from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Human Services .
Slaoui resigned from the board of Moderna last week , when President Donald Trump appointed him to lead Operation Warp Speed , a massive public-private effort often likened to the Manhattan Project , to develop a vaccine for the deadly coronavirus as soon as possible .
Filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission showed that as of Monday morning Slaoui still had 155,438 options in Moderna .
`` Dr. Slaoui has resigned from his position as an independent member of the Board of Directors for Moderna .
Further , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equity holdings in Moderna and that sale should be effective tomorrow morning , '' Caitlin Oakley , an HHS spokeswoman told CNBC on Monday .
`` Furthermore , Dr. Slaoui has committed to donate to cancer research all incremental value accrued from his Moderna shares between the evening of Thursday , May 14 , prior to the announcement of his position on Operation Warp Speed and the time of sale , scheduled for tomorrow morning , '' Oakley said .
It was previously reported that Slaoui will volunteer his time , and will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moderna representatives confirmed Slaoui 's plans , telling CNBC : `` Dr. Slaoui is divesting all of his equity interest in Moderna so that there is no conflict of interest with Dr. Slaoui in his new role .
We wish Dr. Slaoui well in this new role , and we know he has a lot to contribute as our nation - and the world - address the COVID-19 pandemic . ''
The divestiture may be the result , at least in part , of public pressure on Slaoui since reports first surfaced last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 150,000 shares of Moderna , one of the companies receiving federal funds to help develop a vaccine .
In April , Moderna stock jumped after CEO Stephane Bancel told CNBC the company had received as much as $ 483 million in taxpayer funds to accelerate development of a coronavirus vaccine .
Slaoui name-checked Moderna 's vaccine development last week at a White House event to announce his appointment to co-chair Operation Warp Speed .
The vaccine project 's other chair is Gustave Perna , a four-star U.S. Army General .
`` Mr. President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data from a clinical trial with a coronavirus vaccine , '' Slaoui said at the Rose Garden event .
`` And this data made me feel even more confident that we will be able to deliver a few hundred million doses of vaccine by the end of 2020 . ''
Slaoui did not provide a specific source of the data , but three days later , on Monday , Moderna announced promising early results of human trials for a coronavirus vaccine candidate .
At least one prominent lawmaker , Sen. Elizabeth Warren , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Moderna , calling it a `` huge conflict of interest . ''
Moderna 's stock soared Monday on news of a promising coronavirus vaccine candidate , jumping from a Friday close of $ 66.69 a share to $ 80 at the conclusion of Monday 's trading .
Based on a rough comparison of the stock 's value the day before Slaoui 's appointment was announced when it was $ 65 a share , and the value on Monday evening of $ 80 a share , it appears , based on the statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ donating roughly $ 2.4 million to charity .

Former GlaxoSmithKline pharmaceutical executive Moncef Slaoui, who will serve as chief adviser on the effort to find a vaccine for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, speaks as President Donald Trump listens during a coronavirus disease response event in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington.
WASHINGTON — Moncef Slaoui, a former Moderna executive who was recently appointed to co-chair the White House coronavirus vaccine project, will divest approximately $12.4 million worth of stock options he has in the pharmaceutical manufacturer, according to representatives from the company and the Department of Health and Human Services.
Slaoui resigned from the board of Moderna last week, when President Donald Trump appointed him to lead Operation Warp Speed, a massive public-private effort often likened to the Manhattan Project, to develop a vaccine for the deadly coronavirus as soon as possible. Filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission showed that as of Monday morning Slaoui still had 155,438 options in Moderna.
"Dr. Slaoui has resigned from his position as an independent member of the Board of Directors for Moderna. Further, he has directed the divestiture of his equity holdings in Moderna and that sale should be effective tomorrow morning," Caitlin Oakley, an HHS spokeswoman told CNBC on Monday.
"Furthermore, Dr. Slaoui has committed to donate to cancer research all incremental value accrued from his Moderna shares between the evening of Thursday, May 14, prior to the announcement of his position on Operation Warp Speed and the time of sale, scheduled for tomorrow morning," Oakley said. It was previously reported that Slaoui will volunteer his time, and will not be paid by the government.
Moderna representatives confirmed Slaoui's plans, telling CNBC: "Dr. Slaoui is divesting all of his equity interest in Moderna so that there is no conflict of interest with Dr. Slaoui in his new role. We wish Dr. Slaoui well in this new role, and we know he has a lot to contribute as our nation - and the world - address the COVID-19 pandemic."
The divestiture may be the result, at least in part, of public pressure on Slaoui since reports first surfaced last week that he still owned more than 150,000 shares of Moderna, one of the companies receiving federal funds to help develop a vaccine.
In April, Moderna stock jumped after CEO Stephane Bancel told CNBC the company had received as much as $483 million in taxpayer funds to accelerate development of a coronavirus vaccine.
Slaoui name-checked Moderna's vaccine development last week at a White House event to announce his appointment to co-chair Operation Warp Speed. The vaccine project's other chair is Gustave Perna, a four-star U.S. Army General.
"Mr. President, I have very recently seen early data from a clinical trial with a coronavirus vaccine," Slaoui said at the Rose Garden event. "And this data made me feel even more confident that we will be able to deliver a few hundred million doses of vaccine by the end of 2020."
Slaoui did not provide a specific source of the data, but three days later, on Monday, Moderna announced promising early results of human trials for a coronavirus vaccine candidate.
At least one prominent lawmaker, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., decried Slaoui's continued holdings in Moderna, calling it a "huge conflict of interest."
WARREN TWEET
Moderna's stock soared Monday on news of a promising coronavirus vaccine candidate, jumping from a Friday close of $66.69 a share to $80 at the conclusion of Monday's trading.
Based on a rough comparison of the stock's value the day before Slaoui's appointment was announced when it was $65 a share, and the value on Monday evening of $80 a share, it appears, based on the statement from HHS, that Slaoui would be donating roughly $2.4 million to charity.