cnbc--2020-06-20--Years of planning, millions of dollars: What it takes to host a Republican National Convention

Months of tension with North Carolina officials culminated in the GOP deciding to pull its national convention from Charlotte , just three months before it was scheduled to take place there .
The Republican National Convention is now scheduled for Jacksonville , Florida , in August .
The move , pushed by President Donald Trump , leaves only weeks to prepare for a grand-scale convention that typically attracts tens of thousands of people and takes years to plan .
Past convention organizers are skeptical that the GOP will be able to pull off an event of such scale on short @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planning a traditional convention of the size and scale that you normally see in a two-month period is not possible , '' said Joe Roman , former vice president of the Cleveland Host Committee , which organized the 2016 convention .
`` There are so many dots that have to get connected to pull this off . ''
Neither planning nor preparation appeared to concern Trump , who repeatedly threatened to move the convention out of North Carolina because of social distancing guidelines that would have severely restricted the number of participants during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24 .
Putting on a successful convention of this magnitude is a team effort between the GOP , the federal government , and the host committee that organizes it .
That committee is usually made up of individuals who have had a key role in shaping the city that 's preparing to host the convention .
Since the announcement of the move last week , Jacksonville convention organizers have begun to hustle to make arrangements for funding and prepare an adequate venue .
The Jacksonville host committee did not respond to a request @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normal circumstances , a city that 's itching to host either the Republican National Convention or the Democratic National Convention will put together a bid for review , outlining the reasons why that city is the best choice .
For previous conventions , host committees began the planning process years before the nominee was even known .
`` We were awarded the event about two years out , '' said David Gilbert , former president and CEO of the Cleveland Host Committee .
`` There 's so much that goes into the bid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the groundwork .
If you think about it in those terms , the planning really begins 2½ years out . ''
After a bid is accepted , the committee has to put together funding to prepare the venue in which the convention will occur .
That money also helps solidify transportation and pay people like construction workers who are making renovations happen .
Conventions like this can cost up to $ 100 million , according to multiple past organizers .
The Department of Homeland Security fronts about half for security to protect high-profile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rest of the money comes from private donations .
`` The biggest venue need , which does eliminate a number of cities , is a top-tier competitive indoor arena -- the kinds of arenas that cities traditionally host their NBA or NHL franchises in , '' Roman said .
But to turn that indoor arena into something like a concert hall is the real challenge .
Construction workers have to reconfigure and add seating , build production studios , and create a `` dramatic '' stage `` that pops , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hosting the equivalent of the Grammys .
So you need a stage that is going to be front and center in front of hundreds of millions of people for four nights , '' Roman said .
`` That 's not what a basketball arena was created to be . ''
The members in a host committee , a nonpartisan group , have an incentive to bring a large-scale convention to their city to highlight its development and present it as a hot spot for economic growth and activity , Gilbert and Roman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DNC or the RNC , the committee is working to bring one of them home .
Both teem with `` political tourists '' and thousands of credentialed media , likely bringing in a huge return on investment , the added .
About 45,000 people , including 15,000 credentialed media , came to Cleveland in 2016 for the RNC .
The Republican National Committee announced the selection of Charlotte on July 20 , 2018 .
Since then , Charlotte 's host committee , led by John Lassiter — a longtime Republican and former city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raise $ 70 million to prepare for the big event .
This involved months of outreach to local community members , groups and corporations to fund parts of the initiative .
Vance Opperman , former co-chair of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul host committee for the 2008 Republican National Convention , told CNBC he has `` friends in North Carolina who are overjoyed that they 're not going to have it . ''
Charlotte 's host committee did not respond to a request for comment from CNBC .
Eight years ago , Charlotte hosted the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had already undergone many infrastructural changes .
That experience may have been an factor in the RNC 's decision to choose Charlotte for 2020 .
`` They have the muscle memory in Charlotte for knowing how to do this , and I could see where that would be extremely relevant , '' Roman said .
But the weeks-long tussle between the GOP and North Carolina state officials revealed a disconnect in the vision of how the convention would play out .
Gov .
Roy Cooper , a Democrat , repeatedly insisted that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incorporated social distancing guidelines during the convention itself to avoid spreading the coronavirus .
RNC executives submitted a proposal for holding a safe convention , listing precautions such as mandatory temperature scans ahead of entry and maintaining an ample supply of disinfectant in the arena .
But the proposal did not include a plan for encouraging social distancing and capping the number of people at the convention , leading to a stalemate between the two parties .
`` As much as we want the conditions surrounding COVID-19 to be favorable enough for you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late August , it is very unlikely , '' Cooper said in a letter to GOP officials .
`` Neither public health officials nor I will risk the health and safety of North Carolinians by providing the guarantee you seek . ''
Trump railed against Cooper and other state and local officials .
Upon hearing his dissatisfaction , other states , including Florida , pitched themselves as potential hosts .
While the president and the RNC have said the convention will move to Jacksonville , many loose ends remain , particularly related to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the GOP .
Upon being selected as the convention site , the host committee signs a contract with the Republican National Committee , specifying the amount of money each party will contribute .
`` I 've got contracts that are a couple inches thick of what people promised to do and they 've breached them , '' host committee CEO Lassiter told The Charlotte Observer .
`` Now we 're trying to figure out how you work through the wind-down on an effort we 've been focused on for two years .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the convention itself , the committee also spent considerable time seeking venues and vendors for a delegate welcoming party and about 1,200 separate events , the Observer reported .
The committee had recruited thousands of volunteers from all over the country to facilitate the efforts .
City Attorney Patrick Baker said in a statement that Charlotte had spent $ 14 million on the convention before the GOP pulled out .
The city of Charlotte said in a separate statement that it `` believes it is in the parties ' best interest to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold the RNC accountable to fulfill all its outstanding obligations to the parties and make them whole . ''
`` We 'd indicated publicly that we ( already ) raised over $ 50 million , a lot of that comes in over pledges , '' Lassiter told the Observer .
`` We do not have enough cash on hand to pay all current obligations , '' like contractor deals for the renovation of the Spectrum Center , where the convention was to be held .
Glenn McCall , a Republican National Committee official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have attended the convention , and Charlotte would have seen a revenue of more than $ 200 million — money that would have gone out to restaurants , bars and other local businesses .
`` I 'm certain they have poured their hearts and souls into this , '' Cleveland 's Gilbert said of Charlotte convention organizers .
`` Just knowing when you are putting so much of the community into hosting a major event , it 's tough .
I really do sympathize . ''
Florida was among the states that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in response to Trump 's discontent with officials in North Carolina .
Upon speculation about where the convention might be moved , Joe Gruters , chair of the Florida Republican Party , told NBC News that it `` would welcome the opportunity to host the Republican National Convention . ''
And Republican Gov .
Ron DeSantis said at a briefing that `` Florida would love to have the RNC . ''
The convention is now set to be held in the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena , which normally has 15,000 seats and has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including Rihanna and Paul McCartney .
The Republican convention will be the city 's first political convention of such scale .
A representative from the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena did not return a request for comment asking whether renovations for the convention had already begun .
The Republican National Committee praised DeSantis and Florida for `` showing that their state and city is once again open for business , '' RNC press secretary Mandi Merritt said in a statement to CNBC .
`` Jacksonville is a great city and we look forward to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people . ''
In the next three months , Jacksonville will likely have to strike deals with hoteliers to ensure that thousands of conventiongoers have suitable accommodations ahead of time .
In 2016 , the Cleveland host committee asked hotels to guarantee 17,000 rooms .
The convention site was situated downtown , and it was hard to secure hotel rooms solely in the downtown area , Roman said .
But now , because of the pandemic , fewer people are traveling out of state or to Florida , likely leaving many hotels under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked about preparations for the convention , Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry told CNBC that the city has secured `` over 10,000 hotel rooms '' and expects the convention `` to bring an economic impact of more than $ 100 million to our city . ''
But with just months to go before the convention , organizers must take into account not just the short amount of time they have to get all aspects together , but also how the pandemic and protests will impact the event .
The Republican National Committee has indicated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to pull off the convention .
`` The RNC Convention team is highly skilled and is working around the clock to ensure a first rate experience , '' a national party official told CNBC , speaking on condition of anonymity .

A woman walks past the elephant logo of the Republican Party. Dominick Reuter | AFP | Getty Images
Months of tension with North Carolina officials culminated in the GOP deciding to pull its national convention from Charlotte, just three months before it was scheduled to take place there. Portions of the Republican National Convention are now scheduled to occur in Jacksonville, Florida, in August. The move, pushed by President Donald Trump, leaves only weeks to prepare for a grand-scale convention that typically attracts tens of thousands of people and takes years to plan. Past convention organizers are skeptical that the GOP will be able to pull off an event of such scale on short notice. "My personal opinion is planning a traditional convention of the size and scale that you normally see in a two-month period is not possible," said Joe Roman, former vice president of the Cleveland Host Committee, which organized the 2016 convention. "There are so many dots that have to get connected to pull this off." Neither planning nor preparation appeared to concern Trump, who repeatedly threatened to move the convention out of North Carolina because of social distancing guidelines that would have severely restricted the number of participants during the four-day event scheduled to start Aug. 24. Putting on a successful convention of this magnitude is a team effort between the GOP, the federal government, and the host committee that organizes it. That committee is usually made up of individuals who have had a key role in shaping the city that's preparing to host the convention. Since the announcement of the move last week, Jacksonville convention organizers have begun to hustle to make arrangements for funding and prepare an adequate venue. The Jacksonville host committee did not respond to a request for comment from CNBC.
Normal preparations
Under more normal circumstances, a city that's itching to host either the Republican National Convention or the Democratic National Convention will put together a bid for review, outlining the reasons why that city is the best choice. For previous conventions, host committees began the planning process years before the nominee was even known. "We were awarded the event about two years out," said David Gilbert, former president and CEO of the Cleveland Host Committee. "There's so much that goes into the bid. A lot of that information lays the groundwork. If you think about it in those terms, the planning really begins 2½ years out." After a bid is accepted, the committee has to put together funding to prepare the venue in which the convention will occur. That money also helps solidify transportation and pay people like construction workers who are making renovations happen. Conventions like this can cost up to $100 million, according to multiple past organizers. The Department of Homeland Security fronts about half for security to protect high-profile politicians and provide technology enhancements. The rest of the money comes from private donations. "The biggest venue need, which does eliminate a number of cities, is a top-tier competitive indoor arena -- the kinds of arenas that cities traditionally host their NBA or NHL franchises in," Roman said. But to turn that indoor arena into something like a concert hall is the real challenge. Construction workers have to reconfigure and add seating, build production studios, and create a "dramatic" stage "that pops," he said. "You go from playing basketball to hosting the equivalent of the Grammys. So you need a stage that is going to be front and center in front of hundreds of millions of people for four nights," Roman said. "That's not what a basketball arena was created to be." The members in a host committee, a nonpartisan group, have an incentive to bring a large-scale convention to their city to highlight its development and present it as a hot spot for economic growth and activity, Gilbert and Roman said. So whether it's the DNC or the RNC, the committee is working to bring one of them home. Both teem with "political tourists" and thousands of credentialed media, likely bringing in a huge return on investment, the added. About 45,000 people, including 15,000 credentialed media, came to Cleveland in 2016 for the RNC.
North Carolina
The Republican National Committee announced the selection of Charlotte on July 20, 2018. Since then, Charlotte's host committee, led by John Lassiter — a longtime Republican and former city council member — has been working to raise $70 million to prepare for the big event. This involved months of outreach to local community members, groups and corporations to fund parts of the initiative. Vance Opperman, former co-chair of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul host committee for the 2008 Republican National Convention, told CNBC he has "friends in North Carolina who are overjoyed that they're not going to have it." Charlotte's host committee did not respond to a request for comment from CNBC. Eight years ago, Charlotte hosted the Democratic National Convention, meaning the city had already undergone many infrastructural changes. That experience may have been an factor in the RNC's decision to choose Charlotte for 2020. "They have the muscle memory in Charlotte for knowing how to do this, and I could see where that would be extremely relevant," Roman said. But the weeks-long tussle between the GOP and North Carolina state officials revealed a disconnect in the vision of how the convention would play out. Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, repeatedly insisted that the RNC come up with a plan that incorporated social distancing guidelines during the convention itself to avoid spreading the coronavirus. RNC executives submitted a proposal for holding a safe convention, listing precautions such as mandatory temperature scans ahead of entry and maintaining an ample supply of disinfectant in the arena. But the proposal did not include a plan for encouraging social distancing and capping the number of people at the convention, leading to a stalemate between the two parties. "As much as we want the conditions surrounding COVID-19 to be favorable enough for you to hold the Convention you describe in late August, it is very unlikely," Cooper said in a letter to GOP officials. "Neither public health officials nor I will risk the health and safety of North Carolinians by providing the guarantee you seek." Trump railed against Cooper and other state and local officials. Upon hearing his dissatisfaction, other states, including Florida, pitched themselves as potential hosts.
The outstanding contracts
While the president and the RNC have said the convention will move to Jacksonville, many loose ends remain, particularly related to contractual obligations between the city of Charlotte and the GOP. Upon being selected as the convention site, the host committee signs a contract with the Republican National Committee, specifying the amount of money each party will contribute. "I've got contracts that are a couple inches thick of what people promised to do and they've breached them," host committee CEO Lassiter told The Charlotte Observer. "Now we're trying to figure out how you work through the wind-down on an effort we've been focused on for two years." In addition to fulfilling the obligations of the convention itself, the committee also spent considerable time seeking venues and vendors for a delegate welcoming party and about 1,200 separate events, the Observer reported. The committee had recruited thousands of volunteers from all over the country to facilitate the efforts. City Attorney Patrick Baker said in a statement that Charlotte had spent $14 million on the convention before the GOP pulled out. The city of Charlotte said in a separate statement that it "believes it is in the parties' best interest to immediately unwind the agreements among them and hold the RNC accountable to fulfill all its outstanding obligations to the parties and make them whole." "We'd indicated publicly that we (already) raised over $50 million, a lot of that comes in over pledges," Lassiter told the Observer. "We do not have enough cash on hand to pay all current obligations," like contractor deals for the renovation of the Spectrum Center, where the convention was to be held. Glenn McCall, a Republican National Committee official, predicted that more than 50,000 people would have attended the convention, and Charlotte would have seen a revenue of more than $200 million — money that would have gone out to restaurants, bars and other local businesses. "I'm certain they have poured their hearts and souls into this," Cleveland's Gilbert said of Charlotte convention organizers. "Just knowing when you are putting so much of the community into hosting a major event, it's tough. I really do sympathize."
Jacksonville


cnbc--2020-06-20--New directors at federal media agency have ties to anti-LGBT groups, fought pro-transgender policies

Michael Pack , President Donald Trump 's pick to lead the U.S. Agency for Global Media , has appointed to the organization 's board a person with ties to an anti-LGBT group and another who publicly bashed President Barack Obama 's transgender policy .
The board of directors for these media organizations that are overseen by the USAGM have a say on who is selected to become leaders of the companies they represent .
Their ties and previous remarks could give a preview into the way Michael Pack , the CEO of the agency , is remaking the federally funded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tone .
Democrats , including Sen. Robert Menendez , the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations committee , have voiced concern that these moves represent an attempt by Pack to destroy the USAGM .
These new board members were brought up in a letter from Reps. Eliot Engel and Nita Lowey , chairs of the House Appropriations Committee and Foreign Affairs Committee , sent to Pack on Friday .
The two lawmakers called on him to provide documents for why he chose to terminate and then replace various career officials at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pack purged longtime board members and executives just weeks after officially becoming USAGM 's new CEO .
Trump himself has publicly taken aim at Voice of America , one of the news organizations overseen by the agency .
In statement released on Thursday , Pack appeared to defend his decision to remove longtime agency officials .
The USAGM did not return a request for comment for this story .
Bethany Kozma , according to people familiar with the matter who declined to be named as these decisions have yet to be made public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty , and is currently working with the United States Agency for International Development .
She formerly worked in President George W. Bush 's administration and has been an activist against pro-transgender policies .
Kozma once wrote an op-ed blasting Obama 's policy that allowed transgender students to use restrooms that matched their gender identities .
The Trump administration rescinded the proposal in 2017 .
Jonathan Alexandre , these people added , is expected to be a corporate board member for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and reportedly is on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He is the senior counsel for government affairs at Liberty Counsel , a 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) nonprofit advocacy group that fights for pro-Christian legal rights , Alexandre 's LinkedIn profile says .
Both Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia are entities of USAGM and they did not return requests for comment .
Liberty Counsel has often publicly taken a stance against pro-gay or transgender policies .
There is no public record of Alexandre himself making similar comments .
Alexandre is also senior counsel for government affairs at Liberty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ c ) ( 4 ) , that , according to their website , `` advances religious freedom , the sanctity of human life , the family , responsible government , national security , and support for Israel at the federal , state , and local levels . ''

Michael Pack, President Donald Trump's pick to lead the U.S. Agency for Global Media, has appointed to the organization's board a person with ties to an anti-LGBT group and another who publicly bashed President Barack Obama's transgender policy.
The board of directors for these media organizations that are overseen by the USAGM have a say on who is selected to become leaders of the companies they represent. Their ties and previous remarks could give a preview into the way Michael Pack, the CEO of the agency, is remaking the federally funded news organization to fit a more conservative tone.
Democrats, including Sen. Robert Menendez, the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations committee, have voiced concern that these moves represent an attempt by Pack to destroy the USAGM. These new board members were brought up in a letter from Reps. Eliot Engel and Nita Lowey, chairs of the House Appropriations Committee and Foreign Affairs Committee, sent to Pack on Friday. The two lawmakers called on him to provide documents for why he chose to terminate and then replace various career officials at the agency.
The board moves come after Pack purged longtime board members and executives just weeks after officially becoming USAGM's new CEO. Trump himself has publicly taken aim at Voice of America, one of the news organizations overseen by the agency.
In statement released on Thursday, Pack appeared to defend his decision to remove longtime agency officials. The USAGM did not return a request for comment for this story.
Bethany Kozma, according to people familiar with the matter who declined to be named as these decisions have yet to be made public, is set to join the board of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and is currently working with the United States Agency for International Development. She formerly worked in President George W. Bush's administration and has been an activist against pro-transgender policies.
Kozma once wrote an op-ed blasting Obama's policy that allowed transgender students to use restrooms that matched their gender identities. The Trump administration rescinded the proposal in 2017.
Jonathan Alexandre, these people added, is expected to be a corporate board member for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and reportedly is on the board of Radio Free Asia. He is the senior counsel for government affairs at Liberty Counsel, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocacy group that fights for pro-Christian legal rights, Alexandre's LinkedIn profile says. Both Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia are entities of USAGM and they did not return requests for comment.
Liberty Counsel has often publicly taken a stance against pro-gay or transgender policies. There is no public record of Alexandre himself making similar comments.
Alexandre is also senior counsel for government affairs at Liberty Counsel Action, an associated 501(c)(4), that, according to their website, "advances religious freedom, the sanctity of human life, the family, responsible government, national security, and support for Israel at the federal, state, and local levels."


cnbc--2020-06-20--Trump threatens 'protesters, anarchists, agitators, looters or lowlifes' the day before his Tulsa ra

Trump threatens 'protesters, anarchists, agitators, looters or lowlifes' the day before his Tulsa rally

Nicholas Winford ( L ) debates Trump supporter Randall Thom ( R ) , on the racial policies of U.S. President Donald Trump outside the BOK Center June 18 , 2020 in Tulsa , Oklahoma .
President Donald Trump warned Friday that anyone coming to Oklahoma to protest against his campaign rally in Tulsa `` will not be treated '' like they have been in other areas of the country .
`` It will be a much different scene ! ''
Trump said in a tweet .
The president 's threat , which lumped protesters in with `` anarchists , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came a day before he plans to return to the campaign trail with a massive in-person rally .
The gatherings , once a hallmark of Trump 's campaign style , have not been held for months out of concerns about spreading the coronavirus .
The kickoff event to reboot Trump 's reelection campaign has been hugely controversial .
Public health experts — even some within the Trump administration , such as Dr. Anthony Fauci — have warned that the event could spread the deadly disease .
The White House declined to comment on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which comes amid a nationwide protest movement against police brutality in the wake of George Floyd 's death , is also expected to draw virtual and in-person opposition from activists and demonstrators .
Trump has criticized leaders in New York , Minneapolis and Seattle for their handling of the protests .
The president has taken an aggressive `` law and order '' stance against the demonstrations , at times blurring the distinction between the thousands of peaceful participants and those who have committed acts of violence or theft during the events .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced a last-minute 10 p.m. curfew that would take effect Friday and Saturday , explaining that local law enforcement informed had warned that people from violence-causing groups were traveling to Tulsa to foment unrest around Trump 's rally , multiple outlets reported .
But in a statement Friday afternoon , Tulsa Mayor G.T .
Bynum said the U.S. Secret Service asked him to lift the curfew order , and he complied .
`` Last night , I enacted a curfew at the request of Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin , following consultation with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intelligence they had received , '' Bynum said in the statement , NBC News reported .
`` Today , we were told the curfew is no longer necessary so I am rescinding it , '' Bynum said .
Before that statement was released , Trump tweeted that he had just spoken by phone with Bynum , who `` informed me there will be no curfew tonight or tomorrow for our many supporters attending the # MAGA Rally . ''
`` Enjoy yourselves - thank you to Mayor Bynum ! ''
Trump said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court on Friday denied a request to order the arena where the rally is being held to enforce social distancing precautions , NBC reported .
The court said in a unanimous decision denying the request that the groups involved could not establish that the BOK Center in Tulsa is compelled to enforce social distancing rules , according to NBC .

Nicholas Winford (L) debates Trump supporter Randall Thom (R), on the racial policies of U.S. President Donald Trump outside the BOK Center June 18, 2020 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
President Donald Trump warned Friday that anyone coming to Oklahoma to protest against his campaign rally in Tulsa "will not be treated" like they have been in other areas of the country.
"It will be a much different scene!" Trump said in a tweet.
TWEET
The president's threat, which lumped protesters in with "anarchists, agitators, looters or lowlifes," came a day before he plans to return to the campaign trail with a massive in-person rally. The gatherings, once a hallmark of Trump's campaign style, have not been held for months out of concerns about spreading the coronavirus.
The kickoff event to reboot Trump's reelection campaign has been hugely controversial. Public health experts — even some within the Trump administration, such as Dr. Anthony Fauci — have warned that the event could spread the deadly disease.
The White House declined to comment on Trump's tweet.
The rally, which comes amid a nationwide protest movement against police brutality in the wake of George Floyd's death, is also expected to draw virtual and in-person opposition from activists and demonstrators.
Trump has criticized leaders in New York, Minneapolis and Seattle for their handling of the protests. The president has taken an aggressive "law and order" stance against the demonstrations, at times blurring the distinction between the thousands of peaceful participants and those who have committed acts of violence or theft during the events.
The city of Tulsa on Thursday had initially announced a last-minute 10 p.m. curfew that would take effect Friday and Saturday, explaining that local law enforcement informed had warned that people from violence-causing groups were traveling to Tulsa to foment unrest around Trump's rally, multiple outlets reported.
But in a statement Friday afternoon, Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum said the U.S. Secret Service asked him to lift the curfew order, and he complied.
"Last night, I enacted a curfew at the request of Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin, following consultation with the United States Secret Service based on intelligence they had received," Bynum said in the statement, NBC News reported.
"Today, we were told the curfew is no longer necessary so I am rescinding it," Bynum said.
Before that statement was released, Trump tweeted that he had just spoken by phone with Bynum, who "informed me there will be no curfew tonight or tomorrow for our many supporters attending the #MAGA Rally."
"Enjoy yourselves - thank you to Mayor Bynum!" Trump said in the tweet.
TWEET
Meanwhile, the Oklahoma Supreme Court on Friday denied a request to order the arena where the rally is being held to enforce social distancing precautions, NBC reported.
The court said in a unanimous decision denying the request that the groups involved could not establish that the BOK Center in Tulsa is compelled to enforce social distancing rules, according to NBC.


cnbc--2020-06-21--Trump stokes culture wars, but low turnout mars Tulsa campaign rally

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump returned to one of his favorite pastimes on Saturday night : Headlining a big , brash Trump campaign rally .
After three months without a major campaign event , Trump 's rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma was billed as a sort of reunion for the president and his most ardent supporters , some of whom had been waiting in line for days to be sure they got a seat .
For Trump and his inner circle , the promise of a raucous , jam-packed MAGA rally in a deep red state was seen as an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calamitous spring of 2020 behind him , to fire up his army of loyal supporters , and to give his flagging reelection campaign a shot in the arm .
Talking up the rally last week , Trump said nearly a million people had requested tickets to attend .
`` We have a 22,000-seat arena , but I think we 're going to also take the convention hall next door , and that 's going to hold 40,000 ... We expect to have a record-setting crowd .
We 've never had an empty seat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oklahoma . ''
But they did have empty seats .
Approximately 13,000 of them , according to the Tulsa Fire Marshal , who counted slightly less than 6,200 attendees at the 19,000-seat Bank of Oklahoma Arena on Saturday night .
Shortly before Trump took the stage , construction crews dismantled the outdoor `` overflow '' space near the arena , after it was clear there would n't be enough people to fill it .
Trump and his campaign were quick to blame protesters outside the arena for scaring away prospective rally goers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ extensively on the risks associated with attending a massive indoor gathering during the coronavirus pandemic , especially one where neither masks nor social distancing are required .
Early Sunday morning , it was still unclear precisely what had accounted for the massive discrepancy between the number of ticket requests the Trump campaign said it received , and the number of people who showed up in Tulsa .
But several reports suggest that a loose network of young people on TikTok may have reserved thousands of tickets they never planned to use , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If this is what actually happened , it would amount to a jaw-dropping 21st century political prank .
The theme of dangerous protesters who pose a threat to law-abiding Americans ran throughout Trump 's nearly two hours on stage , and served as a thread weaving together and blurring various culture war issues that seemed to animate Trump more than talking about traditional issues like immigration and jobs .
`` The unhinged left wing mob is trying to vandalize our history , desecrate our monuments , our beautiful monuments , tear down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ persecute anyone who does not conform to their demands for absolute and total control , we 're not conforming , '' Trump said during an extended defense of Confederate monuments .
`` That 's why we 're here actually .
This cruel campaign of censorship and exclusion violates everything we hold dear as Americans .
They want to demolish our heritage so they can impose their new oppressive regime in its place . ''
Trump spent relatively little time on the coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 120,000 Americans over the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fact that six members of his campaign advance team had just tested positive for coronavirus .
The few times Trump did bring up the pandemic , it was usually to downplay the virus ' risk , or defend his administration 's slow response and monthslong testing shortages .
Coronavirus `` testing is a double-edged sword , '' Trump said .
`` We have tested 25 million people by now , which is probably 20 million people more than anybody else .
Germany has done a lot ; South Korea has done a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part : when you do testing to that extent , you will find more cases ! ''
`` So I said to my people , slow the testing down , please .
They test and they test . ''
The suggestion that the president told his aides to slow down testing in order to keep infection statistics low quickly drew condemnation from Democrats and from people watching the rally on social media .
White House officials , however , insisted that the president had been `` clearly speaking in jest . ''
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bernie Sanders dropped out of the Democratic primary , leaving Biden the party 's presumptive nominee .
In Tulsa , Trump appeared to be testing several lines of attack against the former vice president , including that Biden is a `` helpless puppet of the radical left . ''
`` Joe Biden has surrendered to his party and to the left-wing mob , '' Trump said , using a term he employs to lump together peaceful protesters , looters and progressive members of Congress .
`` He has no control .
Does anybody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ...
He has absolutely no control . ''
Trump continued : `` If the Democrats gain power , the rioters will be in charge , and no one will be safe .
No one will have control .
Joe Biden is not the leader of his party .
Joe Biden is a helpless puppet of the radical left . ''
These attacks on Biden were clearly designed to rile up Trump 's supporters the same way that his attacks on Hillary Clinton had prompted crowds to chant `` Lock Her Up ! ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump 's mention of Biden 's name failed to fire up the crowds in Tulsa .
This hints at a broader problem Trump is facing as he mounts a campaign against the former vice president : For a candidate like Trump , who fares better when voters are angry than when they 're not , Biden may not arouse enough anger in Trump 's supporters to really mobilize them .
This observation is supported by polling , which consistently shows that the majority of Americans have a favorable view of Biden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four years ago .
The most recent Fox News survey of the 2020 race , released last week , found that Biden 's favorability ratings are net positive 9 points , with 53 % of respondents saying they hold a favorable view of him , versus 44 % who view him unfavorably .
That same poll , however , found that Trump 's favorability was net negative 13 points , with 43 % reporting a favorable view of the president and 56 % an unfavorable one .
Taken together , this means Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in favorability .
Some candidates might see this gap and take it as a sign to focus more energy on expanding their support among different groups .
But judging from the president 's speech on Saturday , Trump has no plans to temper his grievance-driven , divisive campaign rhetoric in an attempt to broaden his appeal .
At a time when much of the country is working to identify and address systemic racism , Trump repeatedly boasted that he had helped Black Americans during his presidency .
And he accused Biden , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of having backed policies that hurt African Americans .
`` Virtually every policy that has hurt Black Americans for the last half a century , Joe Biden has supported or enacted , '' Trump claimed during one such riff .
`` I have done more for the Black community in four years then Joe Biden has done in 47 years . ''
Yet in his nearly two hours of speaking on Saturday , much of which was focused on protests , race and law enforcement , Trump did not once mention the name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black Minneapolis man whose death last month at the hands of police ignited a wave of civil unrest across the nation .
Instead , the president returned again and again to the idea that people who protest police brutality against Black Americans should be punished , arrested , or worse .
`` We will defend privacy , free thought , free speech , religious liberty , and the right to keep and bear arms , '' the president said .
`` And when you see those lunatics all over the streets , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ''

President Donald Trump arrives at a campaign rally at the BOK Center, June 20, 2020 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Win McNamee | Getty Images
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump returned to one of his favorite pastimes on Saturday night: Headlining a big, brash Trump campaign rally. After three months without a major campaign event, Trump's rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma was billed as a sort of reunion for the president and his most ardent supporters, some of whom had been waiting in line for days to be sure they got a seat. For Trump and his inner circle, the promise of a raucous, jam-packed MAGA rally in a deep red state was seen as an opportunity for the president to put the calamitous spring of 2020 behind him, to fire up his army of loyal supporters, and to give his flagging reelection campaign a shot in the arm. Talking up the rally last week, Trump said nearly a million people had requested tickets to attend. "We have a 22,000-seat arena, but I think we're going to also take the convention hall next door, and that's going to hold 40,000 ... We expect to have a record-setting crowd. We've never had an empty seat, and we certainly won't in Oklahoma." But they did have empty seats. Approximately 13,000 of them, according to the Tulsa Fire Marshal, who counted slightly less than 6,200 attendees at the 19,000-seat Bank of Oklahoma Arena on Saturday night.
A supporter sits in the upper seats during a campaign rally for U.S. President Donald Trump at the BOK Center, June 20, 2020 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Win McNamee | Getty Images
Shortly before Trump took the stage, construction crews dismantled the outdoor "overflow" space near the arena, after it was clear there wouldn't be enough people to fill it. Trump and his campaign were quick to blame protesters outside the arena for scaring away prospective rally goers. They also blamed the media for reporting extensively on the risks associated with attending a massive indoor gathering during the coronavirus pandemic, especially one where neither masks nor social distancing are required. Early Sunday morning, it was still unclear precisely what had accounted for the massive discrepancy between the number of ticket requests the Trump campaign said it received, and the number of people who showed up in Tulsa. But several reports suggest that a loose network of young people on TikTok may have reserved thousands of tickets they never planned to use, and encouraged their friends to do the same. If this is what actually happened, it would amount to a jaw-dropping 21st century political prank.
Supporters listen as U.S. President Donald Trump speaksat a campaign rally at the BOK Center, June 20, 2020 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Win McNamee | Getty Images
The theme of dangerous protesters who pose a threat to law-abiding Americans ran throughout Trump's nearly two hours on stage, and served as a thread weaving together and blurring various culture war issues that seemed to animate Trump more than talking about traditional issues like immigration and jobs. "The unhinged left wing mob is trying to vandalize our history, desecrate our monuments, our beautiful monuments, tear down our statues and punish, cancel and persecute anyone who does not conform to their demands for absolute and total control, we're not conforming," Trump said during an extended defense of Confederate monuments.
National Guard stand before anti-Trump protestors in Tulsa, Oklahoma where Donald Trump holds a campaign rally at the BOK Center on June 20, 2020. Brendan Smialowski | AFP | Getty images
"That's why we're here actually. This cruel campaign of censorship and exclusion violates everything we hold dear as Americans. They want to demolish our heritage so they can impose their new oppressive regime in its place." Trump spent relatively little time on the coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 120,000 Americans over the past five months. Nor did he acknowledge the fact that six members of his campaign advance team had just tested positive for coronavirus. The few times Trump did bring up the pandemic, it was usually to downplay the virus' risk, or defend his administration's slow response and monthslong testing shortages. Coronavirus "testing is a double-edged sword," Trump said. "We have tested 25 million people by now, which is probably 20 million people more than anybody else. Germany has done a lot; South Korea has done a lot. But here's the bad part: when you do testing to that extent, you will find more cases!" "So I said to my people, slow the testing down, please. They test and they test." The suggestion that the president told his aides to slow down testing in order to keep infection statistics low quickly drew condemnation from Democrats and from people watching the rally on social media.
A healthcare worker takes a patient's test at a new COVID-19 drive through testing center at 1 Canal Street in Lawrence, MA on May 22, 2020. Gov. Charlie Baker spoke at the center. John Tlumacki | Boston Globe | Getty Images
White House officials, however, insisted that the president had been "clearly speaking in jest." This was Trump's first rally since Sen. Bernie Sanders dropped out of the Democratic primary, leaving Biden the party's presumptive nominee. In Tulsa, Trump appeared to be testing several lines of attack against the former vice president, including that Biden is a "helpless puppet of the radical left." "Joe Biden has surrendered to his party and to the left-wing mob," Trump said, using a term he employs to lump together peaceful protesters, looters and progressive members of Congress. "He has no control. Does anybody honestly think he controls these maniacs? ... He has absolutely no control." Trump continued: "If the Democrats gain power, the rioters will be in charge, and no one will be safe. No one will have control. Joe Biden is not the leader of his party. Joe Biden is a helpless puppet of the radical left." These attacks on Biden were clearly designed to rile up Trump's supporters the same way that his attacks on Hillary Clinton had prompted crowds to chant "Lock Her Up!" in 2016. But time and again, Trump's mention of Biden's name failed to fire up the crowds in Tulsa. This hints at a broader problem Trump is facing as he mounts a campaign against the former vice president: For a candidate like Trump, who fares better when voters are angry than when they're not, Biden may not arouse enough anger in Trump's supporters to really mobilize them.
Democratic U.S. presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden listens as he meets with local residents at the sports bar Carlette?s Hideaway during a campaign stop in Yeadon, Pennsylvania U.S., June 17, 2020. Jonathan Ernst | Reuters
This observation is supported by polling, which consistently shows that the majority of Americans have a favorable view of Biden, something that was not true for Clinton four years ago. The most recent Fox News survey of the 2020 race, released last week, found that Biden's favorability ratings are net positive 9 points, with 53% of respondents saying they hold a favorable view of him, versus 44% who view him unfavorably. That same poll, however, found that Trump's favorability was net negative 13 points, with 43% reporting a favorable view of the president and 56% an unfavorable one. Taken together, this means Biden has a 22 point lead over Trump in favorability. Some candidates might see this gap and take it as a sign to focus more energy on expanding their support among different groups. But judging from the president's speech on Saturday, Trump has no plans to temper his grievance-driven, divisive campaign rhetoric in an attempt to broaden his appeal. At a time when much of the country is working to identify and address systemic racism, Trump repeatedly boasted that he had helped Black Americans during his presidency. And he accused Biden, who receives overwhelming support among Black voters, of having backed policies that hurt African Americans. "Virtually every policy that has hurt Black Americans for the last half a century, Joe Biden has supported or enacted," Trump claimed during one such riff. "I have done more for the Black community in four years then Joe Biden has done in 47 years."
Delano Frazir a "Black Lives Matter" protestor holds a sign in front of National Guards in Tulsa, Oklahoma where Donald Trump holds a campaign rally at the BOK Center on June 20, 2020. Brendan Smialowski | AFP | Getty Images
Yet in his nearly two hours of speaking on Saturday, much of which was focused on protests, race and law enforcement, Trump did not once mention the name of George Floyd, the unarmed, Black Minneapolis man whose death last month at the hands of police ignited a wave of civil unrest across the nation. Instead, the president returned again and again to the idea that people who protest police brutality against Black Americans should be punished, arrested, or worse. "We will defend privacy, free thought, free speech, religious liberty, and the right to keep and bear arms," the president said. "And when you see those lunatics all over the streets, it's damn nice to have arms."


cnbc--2020-06-21--Abortion case could end — or add to — streak of liberal wins at Supreme Court

People participate in an abortion rights rally outside of the Supreme Court as the justices hear oral arguments in the June Medical Services v. Russo case on March 4 , 2020 in Washington , DC .
The Supreme Court delivered surprising wins to liberals this week in a pair of blockbuster decisions that forbade businesses from firing workers base on their sexual orientation or gender identity and halted the Trump administration 's efforts to end the Obama-era DACA program , which shields the young migrants known as `` Dreamers . ''
But those on the left still see potential danger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the top court is expected to hand down a decision in a high-profile abortion dispute that could provide signals about how the panel , which counts two appointees of President Donald Trump in its conservative majority , will treat reproductive rights in the years to come .
`` Kind of feels like we 're being softened up for the blow , huh ? ''
Sasha Samberg-Champion , a liberal civil rights lawyer and former Justice Department attorney , wrote in a representative post on Twitter on Thursday , after the DACA decision was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guard up , '' Brian Fallon , the executive director of Demand Justice , a Supreme Court activist group , said in a statement .
Meanwhile , the decisions have unsettled those on the right , who have criticized even the Republican-appointed justices for their votes .
Sen. Josh Hawley , R-Mo.
, called it the `` most disappointing week at # SCOTUS in years . ''
The fight over abortion has animated clashes over the Supreme Court for decades , and continues to be a battleground in the 2020 presidential race between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The case , June Medical Services v. Russo , No .
18-1323 , concerns a Louisiana law that requires abortion providers to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of their clinic .
A federal district court found that it would limit Louisiana , a state of nearly five million people , to just one doctor providing abortions .
June Medical Services was the subject of outsized political attention even before the top court handed down its opinions in the LGBT worker and DACA cases .
As a result of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has gained even more weight as a loose barometer of the court 's conservatism during a high-stakes election year in which Trump has sought to make both abortion and his right-leaning court picks major elements of his campaign .
The case is the first abortion case to be argued at the court since Trump 's nominees , Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh , joined the bench .
As a candidate , Trump pledged to nominate justices who would `` automatically '' overturn the landmark abortion decision Roe v. Wade .
Among the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much alarm among reproductive rights activists is that the law in question is nearly identical to a Texas abortion measure that the Supreme Court struck down just four years ago .
The fact that the court agreed to hear a case involving a law so similar to the one it struck down in 2016 suggests that the court , with its new conservative majority , could be ready to pare back abortion precedents set when the top court was more liberal .
It 's quite possible , though , that the court hands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arguments in March , Chief Justice John Roberts signaled that he was open to striking down the law , though such questions are not always predictive of how a justice will vote .
Gorsuch and Kavanaugh provided few clues about their thinking at the time .
In an unusual move , Gorsuch asked no questions at all .
A decision in the case will likely be handed down by the end of June , though it could be delayed as a result of precautions taken in response to Covid-19 .
The unpredictability of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's efforts to make his Supreme Court nominees a campaign talking point .
While Trump often boasts of Gorsuch and Kavanaugh at speeches and campaign rallies , his tone was far more sour this week .
`` These horrible & politically charged decisions coming out of the Supreme Court are shotgun blasts into the face of people that are proud to call themselves Republicans or Conservatives , '' Trump wrote in a post on Twitter shortly after the DACA decision was released on Thursday .
`` The recent Supreme Court decisions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Census , and others , tell you only one thing , we need NEW JUSTICES of the Supreme Court , '' he wrote in another .
`` If the Radical Left Democrats assume power , your Second Amendment , Right to Life , Secure Borders , and Religious Liberty , among many other things , are OVER and GONE ! ''
To some extent , Trump 's attacks on the court are in line with his tangles , dating back years , against Roberts , an establishment Republican who was appointed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who leads the conservative Judicial Crisis Network , an influential activist organization , said in an interview that decisions like the DACA decision , written by Roberts , `` are part of the reason that we have President Trump . ''
`` The chief justice has created a real pattern of being complicit in efforts to weaponize the court as a tool against the Trump administration , '' Severino said .
Complicating Trump 's maneuvering , however , is the role played by his own justices in the legal defeats .
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minority in the DACA dispute , Gorsuch was the author of the court 's Monday decision applying Title 7 of the Civil Rights Act to LGBT workers .
The vote in that case was 6-3 , with Roberts joining Gorsuch and the court 's liberals , Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg , Stephen Breyer , Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan .
In the sanctuary case the president appeared to cite , the administration failed to garner even four votes to have the court review the administration 's challenge to a California law limiting state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Likewise , it only would have taken four votes for the court to agree to hear any of 10 Second Amendment cases that the court rejected on Monday , in a move that disappointed gun-rights activists .
Justice Clarence Thomas , one of the most conservative judges on the top court , dissented from his colleagues ' decision not to hear one of the cases .
While the vote tallies were not published in those disputes , it would not have required Roberts or any of the court 's liberals to vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's next term .
Melissa Murray , a law professor at New York University and the co-host of the Supreme Court podcast Strict Scrutiny , called Trump 's messaging around the Supreme Court `` a little idiosyncratic and perhaps incoherent . ''
`` There is at once some dissatisfaction that his conservative majority is n't acting in the way he wants , but also a realization that judges helped get him elected , '' she said .
Of the most recent week at the Supreme Court , Murray pointed out that the legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are distinct from those that were argued in the LGBT rights and DACA cases .
But , she said , `` one thing you might glean from this week is that the chief justice remains very much an institutional steward of the court and its legacy . ''
In that sense , it is possible that Roberts ' shepherding of the court 's reputation could play some role in all three cases .
`` He might be concerned with the perception that the court is in the pocket of the Trump administration , @ @ @ @

People participate in an abortion rights rally outside of the Supreme Court as the justices hear oral arguments in the June Medical Services v. Russo case on March 4, 2020 in Washington, DC.
The Supreme Court delivered surprising wins to liberals this week in a pair of blockbuster decisions that forbade businesses from firing workers base on their sexual orientation or gender identity and halted the Trump administration's efforts to end the Obama-era DACA program, which shields the young migrants known as "Dreamers."
But those on the left still see potential danger ahead. In the coming days, the top court is expected to hand down a decision in a high-profile abortion dispute that could provide signals about how the panel, which counts two appointees of President Donald Trump in its conservative majority, will treat reproductive rights in the years to come.
"Kind of feels like we're being softened up for the blow, huh?" Sasha Samberg-Champion, a liberal civil rights lawyer and former Justice Department attorney, wrote in a representative post on Twitter on Thursday, after the DACA decision was released.
"Progressives must keep their guard up," Brian Fallon, the executive director of Demand Justice, a Supreme Court activist group, said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the decisions have unsettled those on the right, who have criticized even the Republican-appointed justices for their votes. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., called it the "most disappointing week at #SCOTUS in years."
hawley tweet
The fight over abortion has animated clashes over the Supreme Court for decades, and continues to be a battleground in the 2020 presidential race between Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
The case, June Medical Services v. Russo, No. 18-1323, concerns a Louisiana law that requires abortion providers to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of their clinic. A federal district court found that it would limit Louisiana, a state of nearly five million people, to just one doctor providing abortions.
June Medical Services was the subject of outsized political attention even before the top court handed down its opinions in the LGBT worker and DACA cases.
As a result of those decisions, though, the case has gained even more weight as a loose barometer of the court's conservatism during a high-stakes election year in which Trump has sought to make both abortion and his right-leaning court picks major elements of his campaign.
The case is the first abortion case to be argued at the court since Trump's nominees, Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, joined the bench. As a candidate, Trump pledged to nominate justices who would "automatically" overturn the landmark abortion decision Roe v. Wade.
Among the reasons that the case has caused so much alarm among reproductive rights activists is that the law in question is nearly identical to a Texas abortion measure that the Supreme Court struck down just four years ago.
The fact that the court agreed to hear a case involving a law so similar to the one it struck down in 2016 suggests that the court, with its new conservative majority, could be ready to pare back abortion precedents set when the top court was more liberal.
It's quite possible, though, that the court hands another win to liberals.
During oral arguments in March, Chief Justice John Roberts signaled that he was open to striking down the law, though such questions are not always predictive of how a justice will vote. Gorsuch and Kavanaugh provided few clues about their thinking at the time. In an unusual move, Gorsuch asked no questions at all.
A decision in the case will likely be handed down by the end of June, though it could be delayed as a result of precautions taken in response to Covid-19.
The unpredictability of the high court showcases the difficulty of Trump's efforts to make his Supreme Court nominees a campaign talking point. While Trump often boasts of Gorsuch and Kavanaugh at speeches and campaign rallies, his tone was far more sour this week.
"These horrible & politically charged decisions coming out of the Supreme Court are shotgun blasts into the face of people that are proud to call themselves Republicans or Conservatives," Trump wrote in a post on Twitter shortly after the DACA decision was released on Thursday.
"The recent Supreme Court decisions, not only on DACA, Sanctuary Cities, Census, and others, tell you only one thing, we need NEW JUSTICES of the Supreme Court," he wrote in another. "If the Radical Left Democrats assume power, your Second Amendment, Right to Life, Secure Borders, and Religious Liberty, among many other things, are OVER and GONE!"
To some extent, Trump's attacks on the court are in line with his tangles, dating back years, against Roberts, an establishment Republican who was appointed by then-President George W. Bush.
Carrie Severino, who leads the conservative Judicial Crisis Network, an influential activist organization, said in an interview that decisions like the DACA decision, written by Roberts, "are part of the reason that we have President Trump."
"The chief justice has created a real pattern of being complicit in efforts to weaponize the court as a tool against the Trump administration," Severino said.
Complicating Trump's maneuvering, however, is the role played by his own justices in the legal defeats.
While both Gorsuch and Kavanaugh were in the minority in the DACA dispute, Gorsuch was the author of the court's Monday decision applying Title 7 of the Civil Rights Act to LGBT workers. The vote in that case was 6-3, with Roberts joining Gorsuch and the court's liberals, Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan.
In the sanctuary case the president appeared to cite, the administration failed to garner even four votes to have the court review the administration's challenge to a California law limiting state and local cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Likewise, it only would have taken four votes for the court to agree to hear any of 10 Second Amendment cases that the court rejected on Monday, in a move that disappointed gun-rights activists. Justice Clarence Thomas, one of the most conservative judges on the top court, dissented from his colleagues' decision not to hear one of the cases.
While the vote tallies were not published in those disputes, it would not have required Roberts or any of the court's liberals to vote to take them up in the court's next term.
Melissa Murray, a law professor at New York University and the co-host of the Supreme Court podcast Strict Scrutiny, called Trump's messaging around the Supreme Court "a little idiosyncratic and perhaps incoherent."
"There is at once some dissatisfaction that his conservative majority isn't acting in the way he wants, but also a realization that judges helped get him elected," she said.
Of the most recent week at the Supreme Court, Murray pointed out that the legal issues at play in June Medical Services are distinct from those that were argued in the LGBT rights and DACA cases.
But, she said, "one thing you might glean from this week is that the chief justice remains very much an institutional steward of the court and its legacy."
In that sense, it is possible that Roberts' shepherding of the court's reputation could play some role in all three cases.
"He might be concerned with the perception that the court is in the pocket of the Trump administration," Murray said.


cnbc--2020-06-21--How Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms became part of the Biden VP conversation

As the nation grapples with racial injustice , presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is reportedly considering several Black women to be his running mate .
Among the candidates is Keisha Lance Bottoms , the 50-year-old Atlanta mayor who sprung into the national spotlight for her handling of both the coronavirus pandemic and the protests in response to the police killing of George Floyd .
While she does n't have federal experience like other women said to be under consideration , such as Sen. Kamala Harris or former national security advisor Susan Rice , her executive performance during tumultuous times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's radar .
Harris , Rice and fellow potential nominee Rep. Val Demings are all Black , as well .
`` The idea that she 's had some experience where she had to manage a bureaucracy and she 's had to handle multiple offices would distinguish [ Bottoms ] , '' said Andra Gillespie , associate professor of political science at Emory University in Atlanta .
Being a federal lawmaker is `` very different than actually being in an elected position of power where the buck stops with you . ''
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pete Buttigieg was making : that having held executive office would probably make him better qualified than somebody who had been a senator only , '' Gillespie said .
Buttigieg is the former mayor of South Bend , Indiana , who ran for president but dropped out just ahead of Super Tuesday .
But Atlanta , far bigger and more complex than South Bend , might demonstrate that Bottoms has even more leadership potential than Buttigieg did , Gillespie said .
Atlanta has a population of about 500,000 people , according to U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of South Bend 's population .
Born in Atlanta , Bottoms was elected mayor in 2017 , after serving six years as a city councilmember .
Her father , Major Lance , was a prominent R & B singer in the 1960s .
As mayor , Bottoms , a mother to four kids , has delivered passionate speeches on Black children experiencing racial profiling .
More recently , Bottoms earned national recognition for her critical response to Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp , who she said was rushing the reopening process and endangering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued to spread .
Kemp announced reopening plans for the state as early as April 24 , despite increasing numbers of confirmed cases in Atlanta at the time .
`` I think that there was perhaps a way for us to be very thoughtful about a phased reopening , '' Bottoms said in an interview with NPR .
`` I do n't think that that should have begun with hair salons and barbershops and places that people can not appropriately socially distance or even have readily available access to the appropriate PPE .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been a more thoughtful approach . ''
It was around this time that Rep. Jim Clyburn , the most powerful Black man in Congress , floated the idea that Bottoms could be seen as a compelling VP pick .
`` There is a young lady right there in Georgia who I think would make a tremendous VP candidate , and that 's the mayor of Atlanta , Keisha Lance Bottoms , '' said Clyburn , the House majority whip who endorsed Biden ahead of the crucial primary in Clyburn 's home state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was also tested during the protests against Floyd 's death , where Bottoms made an impassioned speech calling for the end of destructive behavior that sprung out of the demonstrations .
`` What I see happening on the streets of Atlanta is not Atlanta .
This is not a protest .
This is not in the spirit of Martin Luther King , Jr. , '' Bottoms said at a news briefing .
`` This is chaos . ''
Protests erupted nationwide after video emerged showing a former Minneapolis police officer kneeling on Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eight minutes .
Floyd , a Black man who was handcuffed and face down on the ground , told officers he could n't breathe .
His death was ruled a homicide , and the officer who knelt on Floyd 's neck , Derek Chauvin , was charged with murder .
In an attempt to model peaceful demonstration , Bottoms herself participated in some of the protests calling for justice for Floyd .
`` In some ways she is trying to be responsive to the cries that might be coming from the progressive wing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Gillespie said , adding that Bottoms might also be trying to show conservative voters that police reform is n't necessarily something that `` looks disruptive and disorderly . ''
Neither the Biden campaign nor Bottoms ' office immediately responded to a request for comment from CNBC .
Bottoms could also help Biden further lock up the black vote for the Democratic ticket , although her lack of name recognition at the national level might be a drawback , experts say .
`` I 'm certain that the Biden folk understand that at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much one of the more significant constituents of the Democratic Party , '' said William Boone , political science professor at Clark Atlanta University .
`` But on the other hand , does she have that kind of national appeal ?
Do other African American women , groups and organizations know her well enough to say , 'Yeah , we pledge to support her . '
'' More than 90 % of Black women voted for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election .
Given such strong support for the Democratic nominee and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's death , it makes sense for Biden to seriously consider a Black woman as his running mate , Boone and Gillespie said .
Harris and Demings , meanwhile , come with a reputation defined in part by their experience in law enforcement .
`` Right now , having had prosecutorial or police experience is not viewed as a plus , '' Gillespie said .
Women like Demings and Harris have a challenge to show Biden why they would complement him best .
Sen. Amy Klobuchar , who served as a prosecutor in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was withdrawing from consideration for VP because `` this is a moment to put a woman of color on that ticket . ''
`` Klobuchar is accused , often by law enforcement , of letting the murderers go , and Harris is accused of [ putting ] so many Blacks in prison , '' said Marilyn Davis , associate professor of political science at Spelman College in Atlanta .
And while Bottoms is n't as well-known as Harris , that could work in her favor , Gillespie said .
Bottoms has the opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you have someone who is much more of a known quantity , it 's much harder to drive up the favorable and drive down the negative when people 's opinions of them have already been formulated , '' Gillespie said .
But on the other hand , Bottoms ' inexperience at the federal level might inhibit her on the debate stage against Vice President Mike Pence .
Biden 's running mate will face Pence on Oct. 7 during the vice presidential debate at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has become a seasoned public speaker in national affairs after delivering numerous addresses on the coronavirus and other issues .
Bottoms ' performances in the debate for mayor 's office fluctuated in terms of quality , Boone said .
`` Some were fairly good , and others were not so good . ''
`` Pence has far more experience at the national level than Mayor Bottoms .
So it becomes about how much prepping you have to do to get her up to speed , in terms of answering some of these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bottoms , a longtime Biden endorser , has stumped for the presumptive Democratic nominee in Iowa .
She pledged support for Biden as early as June last year , when there were about two dozen candidates for the nomination .
And in the last few months , her efforts to control the protests and respond strategically to the pandemic showed her speaking power could galvanize the people of Atlanta and makes waves nationally .
She went viral `` because she commanded the stage and had presence , '' Gillespie said .
`` Because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last few months , she 's had some opportunity to build a national reputation and has had opportunities to practice that could translate well into her being able to give speeches at conventions , at rallies and to go up against Mike Pence on the debate stage . ''

In this screengrab, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms speaks during "Saving Our Selves: A BET COVID-19 Effort" airing on April 22, 2020. “Saving Our Selves: A BET COVID-19 Relief Effort” will provide financial, educational and community support directly to Black communities hit hardest by COVID-19. BET2020 | Getty Images for BET NETWORKS
As the nation grapples with racial injustice, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is reportedly considering several Black women to be his running mate. Among the candidates is Keisha Lance Bottoms, the 50-year-old Atlanta mayor who sprung into the national spotlight for her handling of both the coronavirus pandemic and the protests in response to the police killing of George Floyd. While she doesn't have federal experience like other women said to be under consideration, such as Sen. Kamala Harris or former national security advisor Susan Rice, her executive performance during tumultuous times have put her on the Biden campaign's radar. Harris, Rice and fellow potential nominee Rep. Val Demings are all Black, as well. "The idea that she's had some experience where she had to manage a bureaucracy and she's had to handle multiple offices would distinguish [Bottoms]," said Andra Gillespie, associate professor of political science at Emory University in Atlanta. Being a federal lawmaker is "very different than actually being in an elected position of power where the buck stops with you." "It was the same type of argument that Pete Buttigieg was making: that having held executive office would probably make him better qualified than somebody who had been a senator only," Gillespie said. Buttigieg is the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, who ran for president but dropped out just ahead of Super Tuesday. But Atlanta, far bigger and more complex than South Bend, might demonstrate that Bottoms has even more leadership potential than Buttigieg did, Gillespie said. Atlanta has a population of about 500,000 people, according to U.S. Census records, five times the size of South Bend's population.
Coronavirus and protests
Born in Atlanta, Bottoms was elected mayor in 2017, after serving six years as a city councilmember. Her father, Major Lance, was a prominent R&B singer in the 1960s. As mayor, Bottoms, a mother to four kids, has delivered passionate speeches on Black children experiencing racial profiling. More recently, Bottoms earned national recognition for her critical response to Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, who she said was rushing the reopening process and endangering the state's population while the coronavirus continued to spread. Kemp announced reopening plans for the state as early as April 24, despite increasing numbers of confirmed cases in Atlanta at the time. "I think that there was perhaps a way for us to be very thoughtful about a phased reopening," Bottoms said in an interview with NPR. "I don't think that that should have begun with hair salons and barbershops and places that people cannot appropriately socially distance or even have readily available access to the appropriate PPE. So I do think that there could have been a more thoughtful approach." It was around this time that Rep. Jim Clyburn, the most powerful Black man in Congress, floated the idea that Bottoms could be seen as a compelling VP pick. "There is a young lady right there in Georgia who I think would make a tremendous VP candidate, and that's the mayor of Atlanta, Keisha Lance Bottoms," said Clyburn, the House majority whip who endorsed Biden ahead of the crucial primary in Clyburn's home state of South Carolina. Bottoms' leadership was also tested during the protests against Floyd's death, where Bottoms made an impassioned speech calling for the end of destructive behavior that sprung out of the demonstrations. "What I see happening on the streets of Atlanta is not Atlanta. This is not a protest. This is not in the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr.," Bottoms said at a news briefing. "This is chaos." Protests erupted nationwide after video emerged showing a former Minneapolis police officer kneeling on Floyd's neck on Memorial Day for nearly eight minutes. Floyd, a Black man who was handcuffed and face down on the ground, told officers he couldn't breathe. His death was ruled a homicide, and the officer who knelt on Floyd's neck, Derek Chauvin, was charged with murder.
Demonstrators march during a protest against racial inequality and the death of Rayshard Brooks in Atlanta, Georgia, June 15, 2020. Alex Hicks Jr. | USA TODAY NETWORK | Reuters
In an attempt to model peaceful demonstration, Bottoms herself participated in some of the protests calling for justice for Floyd. "In some ways she is trying to be responsive to the cries that might be coming from the progressive wing of the party for policing reform," Gillespie said, adding that Bottoms might also be trying to show conservative voters that police reform isn't necessarily something that "looks disruptive and disorderly." Neither the Biden campaign nor Bottoms' office immediately responded to a request for comment from CNBC.
The Black vote
Bottoms could also help Biden further lock up the black vote for the Democratic ticket, although her lack of name recognition at the national level might be a drawback, experts say. "I'm certain that the Biden folk understand that at this point African American women are pretty much one of the more significant constituents of the Democratic Party," said William Boone, political science professor at Clark Atlanta University. "But on the other hand, does she have that kind of national appeal? Do other African American women, groups and organizations know her well enough to say, 'Yeah, we pledge to support her.'" More than 90% of Black women voted for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election. Given such strong support for the Democratic nominee and given also the nationwide response to Floyd's death, it makes sense for Biden to seriously consider a Black woman as his running mate, Boone and Gillespie said. Harris and Demings, meanwhile, come with a reputation defined in part by their experience in law enforcement. "Right now, having had prosecutorial or police experience is not viewed as a plus," Gillespie said. Women like Demings and Harris have a challenge to show Biden why they would complement him best. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who served as a prosecutor in Minnesota, said on Thursday that she was withdrawing from consideration for VP because "this is a moment to put a woman of color on that ticket." "Klobuchar is accused, often by law enforcement, of letting the murderers go, and Harris is accused of [putting] so many Blacks in prison," said Marilyn Davis, associate professor of political science at Spelman College in Atlanta. And while Bottoms isn't as well-known as Harris, that could work in her favor, Gillespie said. Bottoms has the opportunity to "define" herself. "If you have someone who is much more of a known quantity, it's much harder to drive up the favorable and drive down the negative when people's opinions of them have already been formulated," Gillespie said.
Head to head with Mike Pence


cnbc--2020-06-22--Two Trump campaign staffers who attended Tulsa rally test positive for coronavirus

Two members of a campaign advance team who attended President Donald Trump 's rally in Oklahoma on Saturday have tested positive for the coronavirus , the campaign said Monday .
The new test results bring the tally of advance team members for the Tulsa event who have tested positive for Covid-19 up to eight .
The six earlier positive tests of advance members occurred just before the event , and those people did not attend the rally as a result .
At least two of the earlier positive tests were of Secret Service agents .
The number of people connected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to rise , NBC News reported , citing campaign and law enforcement officials .
The announcement of the two additional advance team members testing positive after they attended the rally came a day before Trump is scheduled to visit the Dream City Church in Phoenix for an event hosted by Students for Trump .
`` After another round of testing for campaign staff in Tulsa , two additional members of the advance team tested positive for the coronavirus , '' said Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh on Monday .
`` These @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wearing masks during the entire event .
Upon the positive tests , the campaign immediately activated established quarantine and contact tracing protocols , '' Murtaugh said .
The two staffers were among those tested after the rally as a precaution for flying home , according to NBC .
Trump reportedly was furious on Saturday afternoon when news broke that a half dozen members of the advance team had tested positive for the coronavirus .
Attendees of the event were required to sign a waiver releasing Trump and his campaign of any liability if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ During the rally , the president called coronavirus testing `` a double-edged sword . ''
`` We have tested 25 million people by now , which is probably 20 million people more than anybody else .
Germany has done a lot ; South Korea has done a lot , '' Trump said .
But here 's the bad part : when you do testing to that extent , you will find more cases ! ''
`` So I said to my people , slow the testing down , please .
They test and @ @ @ @

Two members of a campaign advance team who attended President Donald Trump's rally in Oklahoma on Saturday have tested positive for the coronavirus, the campaign said Monday.
The new test results bring the tally of advance team members for the Tulsa event who have tested positive for Covid-19 up to eight.
The six earlier positive tests of advance members occurred just before the event, and those people did not attend the rally as a result.
At least two of the earlier positive tests were of Secret Service agents.
The number of people connected to the event who test positive is expected to rise, NBC News reported, citing campaign and law enforcement officials.
The announcement of the two additional advance team members testing positive after they attended the rally came a day before Trump is scheduled to visit the Dream City Church in Phoenix for an event hosted by Students for Trump.
"After another round of testing for campaign staff in Tulsa, two additional members of the advance team tested positive for the coronavirus," said Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh on Monday.
"These staff members attended the rally but were wearing masks during the entire event. Upon the positive tests, the campaign immediately activated established quarantine and contact tracing protocols," Murtaugh said.
The two staffers were among those tested after the rally as a precaution for flying home, according to NBC.
Trump reportedly was furious on Saturday afternoon when news broke that a half dozen members of the advance team had tested positive for the coronavirus.
Attendees of the event were required to sign a waiver releasing Trump and his campaign of any liability if they became ill after the rally.
During the rally, the president called coronavirus testing "a double-edged sword."
"We have tested 25 million people by now, which is probably 20 million people more than anybody else. Germany has done a lot; South Korea has done a lot," Trump said. But here's the bad part: when you do testing to that extent, you will find more cases!"
"So I said to my people, slow the testing down, please. They test and they test."


cnbc--2020-06-22--Trump fired Berman to give U.S. attorney job to SEC Chairman Clayton, White House claims

The White House said Monday that President Donald Trump 's bombshell firing of Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman was not related to investigations of associates of Trump by prosecutors in Berman 's office .
Instead , Trump fired Berman because he refused to transfer willingly to another post in order to allow for the appointment of current Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Jay Clayton to Berman 's post , said White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany .
`` Mr. Clayton wanted to go back to New York City and we wanted to keep him in government , '' McEnany said at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Clayton is `` highly regarded '' by the president .
Asked directly whether Berman was fired from his post , which handles criminal cases involving federal crimes , because he oversaw cases and investigations of Trump 's associates , McEnany said : `` No , he was not . ''
`` No investigation will be affected by this '' change in leadership at the SDNY U.S. Attorney 's office , she said .
McEnany 's statement came as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , called Berman 's firing `` corrupt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the impression that the President interfered in ongoing criminal investigations into himself and his associates . ''
Schumer sent a letter to the Justice Department 's internal watchdog , Inspector General Michel Horowitz , and its Office of Professional Responsibility director , Jeffrey Ragsdale , asking that they conduct a joint investigation of Berman 's firing .
Another New York Democrat , House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler , said Sunday he is `` sure '' that Berman will testify to that committee about the events leading up to his termination .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that Attorney General William Barr `` was taking the lead on this matter '' to fire Berman , and that Trump had signed off on that highly controversial termination of Berman .
`` Mr. Clayton now will in time get to that position , '' she said .
But Clayton 's nomination could well be doomed .
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , has said he will respect a Senate tradition that gives effective veto power over the nomination of U.S. attorneys to the senators from the states that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York 's other senator , Kirsten Gillibrand , is also a Democrat and expected to block Clayton 's appointment , along with Schumer .
McEnany 's explanation for Berman 's firing echoed claims made by unidentified senior administration officials to reporters Friday and Saturday after the bombshell news broke that Barr wanted to oust Berman from the SDNY office .
That office has and is continuing to investigate associates of Trump , most notably his personal lawyer , Rudy Giuliani , a former New York City mayor and himself the former U.S. attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obtained convictions of Trump 's former lawyer , Michael Cohen , for multiple financial crimes , is currently prosecuting two associates of Giuliani who helped him with efforts to convince Ukraine officials to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden , the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee .
The now-official explanation of Berman 's dismissal to make way for Clayton has been widely scoffed at by former U.S. Attorney for Manhattan Preet Bharara , whom Trump fired and replaced with Berman , and other observers of the powerful prosecutors ' office .
Barr said Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no indication of plans to leave his job , would be stepping down as U.S. attorney , and that Trump would nominate Clayton for the position .
Berman shortly afterward , in an perhaps even more stunning move than Barr 's , announced he was refusing to leave the job until a successor was confirmed by the Senate .
Berman , according to the Justice Department 's own internal guidance , could not be fired by Barr because he had been appointed to the post by the judges of the federal district court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president , as is the norm .
The Justice Department 's guidance says the president does have the power to fire a court-appointed federal prosecutor .
But it is not clear that guidance has ever been tested in court .
On Saturday , Barr told Berman in a letter that Trump had fired him .
Trump later confused the issue Saturday by telling reporters `` that 's all up to the Attorney General ...
I 'm not involved . ''
But Berman nonetheless said he was immediately leaving the office .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had conceded that Berman 's deputy Audrey Strauss would lead the office on an interim basis .
Barr first said on Friday night that U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Craig Carpenito would also run the SDNY on an interim basis until Clayton is confirmed .
Berman 's statement said of Strauss , `` I could leave the District in no better hands than Audrey 's . ''
`` She is the smartest , most principled , and effective lawyer with whom I have ever had the privilege of working , '' Berman wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her leadership , this Office 's unparalleled [ assistant United States attorneys ] investigators , paralegals , and staff will continue to safeguard the Southern District 's enduring tradition of integrity and independence . ''
Sen. Doug Jones , D-Ala. , on Sunday night said on MSNBC that Berman 's firing `` is like deja vu all over again , as Yogi Berra would say . ''
`` This happened in 2006 in the Bush administration , when you had seven or eight U.S. attorneys fired – ultimately determined to be fired for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney general , [ Alberto ] Gonzales , his job , '' Jones said .
`` What we 'd like to see is see the attorney general and former U.S. Attorney Berman appear before House Committees , talk about it , answer questions , '' said Jones , who himself is a former U.S. attorney .
`` It just does n't add up to me that somebody fires one U.S. attorney because somebody else might want the job .
That 's just not the appropriate way to handle U.S. attorneys , '' Jones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not adding up , and I hope they 'll come , if it 's as innocent as they say , I hope they come to testify about it . ''

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The White House said Monday that President Donald Trump's bombshell firing of Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman was not related to investigations of associates of Trump by prosecutors in Berman's office. Instead, Trump fired Berman because he refused to transfer willingly to another post in order to allow for the appointment of current Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Jay Clayton to Berman's post, said White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany. "Mr. Clayton wanted to go back to New York City and we wanted to keep him in government," McEnany said at a White House press briefing.
U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Geoffrey Berman enters the courthouse ahead of a bail hearing in U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking case in New York City, July 15, 2019. Brendan McDermid | Reuters
She said Clayton is "highly regarded" by the president. Asked directly whether Berman was fired from his post, which handles criminal cases involving federal crimes, because he oversaw cases and investigations of Trump's associates, McEnany said: "No, he was not." "No investigation will be affected by this" change in leadership at the SDNY U.S. Attorney's office, she said. McEnany's statement came as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called Berman's firing "corrupt," and that it "gives the impression that the President interfered in ongoing criminal investigations into himself and his associates." Schumer sent a letter to the Justice Department's internal watchdog, Inspector General Michel Horowitz, and its Office of Professional Responsibility director, Jeffrey Ragsdale, asking that they conduct a joint investigation of Berman's firing. Another New York Democrat, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler, said Sunday he is "sure" that Berman will testify to that committee about the events leading up to his termination. At the press conference Monday, McEnany also said that Attorney General William Barr "was taking the lead on this matter" to fire Berman, and that Trump had signed off on that highly controversial termination of Berman. "Mr. Clayton now will in time get to that position," she said. But Clayton's nomination could well be doomed. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., has said he will respect a Senate tradition that gives effective veto power over the nomination of U.S. attorneys to the senators from the states that contain the prosecutors' offices. New York's other senator, Kirsten Gillibrand, is also a Democrat and expected to block Clayton's appointment, along with Schumer. McEnany's explanation for Berman's firing echoed claims made by unidentified senior administration officials to reporters Friday and Saturday after the bombshell news broke that Barr wanted to oust Berman from the SDNY office. That office has and is continuing to investigate associates of Trump, most notably his personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, a former New York City mayor and himself the former U.S. attorney for Manhattan. Berman's office previously obtained convictions of Trump's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, for multiple financial crimes, is currently prosecuting two associates of Giuliani who helped him with efforts to convince Ukraine officials to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.
Jay Clayton, chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Andrew Harrer | Bloomberg | Getty Images