cnbc--2020-06-19--Trump's legal battle to halt Bolton's book is only one part of a ferocious campaign against his form

Trump's legal battle to halt Bolton's book is only one part of a ferocious campaign against his former aide

WASHINGTON — Former national security advisor John Bolton filed a motion in federal court asking the judge to dismiss a last-minute Trump administration lawsuit against him that seeks to halt the release of his damning memoir , `` The Room Where it Happened . ''
The motion by the Justice Department late Thursday was the latest tactical maneuver in an ongoing battle between the career Republican foreign policy wonk and President Donald Trump over the book , which is scheduled for release Tuesday .
The Justice Department alleged in a lawsuit against Bolton filed one week before the book 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A day later , it asked a judge to halt distribution and sale of the book , details of which already have been widely reported .
In the motion to dismiss , Bolton attorney Charles Cooper denied there is classified information in the book , and detailed a months-long prepublication review process that Bolton underwent with the National Security Council .
This editing process ended in late April , Cooper said , when Bolton received an email from the official reviewer saying his manuscript did not contain any classified information .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an official letter clearing the book for publication is meaningless , he argued .
The White House 's subsequent claim that the NSC reviewer missed some classified information is `` pretext designed to cover up what is in fact a determined political effort to suppress Ambassador Bolton 's speech , '' said Cooper .
But barring all of this , Cooper said , the entire question of blocking the book 's release is already moot , because thousands of copies have already been shipped to stores across the United States and around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government 's lawsuit is scheduled for Friday at 1 p.m .
ET via videoconference .
Trump 's personal interest in quashing Bolton 's memoir goes as far back as February , when he told reporters at a private lunch : `` We 're going to try and block the publication of the book .
After I leave office , he can do this .
But not in the White House . ''
It 's easy to see why Trump wanted Bolton muzzled as long as Trump was in office .
`` The Room @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a `` stunningly uninformed , '' craven and mendacious chief executive , and one who repeatedly signaled his willingness to sell out the nation 's security interests if it meant advancing his own interests .
One of the key takeaways from the book is that it supports the heart of impeachment charges filed against Trump alleging that the president withheld U.S. foreign aid to Ukraine to coerce the U.S. ally into helping Trump 's reelection campaign as Kyiv battled a war with Russia-supported insurgents .
Bolton did not testify before the House impeachment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate trial if ordered by a court .
Before voting to acquit Trump , Senate Republicans blocked Democratic efforts to call him as a witness .
`` Trump commingled the personal and the national not just on trade questions but across the whole field of national security , '' Bolton wrote in an excerpt of the memoir published by The Wall Street Journal .
`` I am hard-pressed to identify any significant Trump decision during my White House tenure that was n't driven by reelection calculations . ''
In another damning chapter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask Chinese leader Xi Jinping to help Trump get reelected by agreeing to purchase agricultural products from American farmers .
In the published version of the book , Bolton writes that NSC reviewers made him remove Trump 's exact words to Xi during the meeting from his final draft .
But Vanity Fair 's Gabe Sherman reported Thursday that he had seen an unredacted copy of that section of the book , and that Trump allegedly said to Xi , `` Make sure I win . ''
Trump continued : `` I will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hurt my farms .
Buy a lot of soybeans and wheat and make sure we win . ''
CNBC has not seen the unredacted pages , but Bolton 's legal motion Thursday cited Sherman 's previous reporting on the book , suggesting that Bolton sees him as a credible source .
Bolton also uses the book to settle scores with his former colleagues .
He accuses former Defense Secretary James Mattis of being obstructionist , claims Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is `` basically a Democrat '' and says Jared Kushner , Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his depth .
The administration lawsuit against Bolton is only one piece of a ferocious pushback it has mounted against `` The Room Where it Happened . ''
The book 's imminent release has sent the West Wing into a spiral of damage control and defense in recent days , led by the president himself .
Ever since reports emerged about the book 's contents , Trump has alternated between calling Bolton a liar on one hand , and insisting that Bolton illegally revealed classified information on the other .
`` He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I mean , as much as it 's going to be broken .
This is highly classified , '' Trump said of Bolton 's book during a Wednesday interview with Fox News ' Sean Hannity .
`` It 's highly classified information .
And he did not have approval .
That 's come out now very loud and very strong . ''
Twelve hours later , Trump said the book was nothing but lies .
`` Bolton 's book , which is getting terrible reviews , is a compilation of lies and made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me look bad , '' Trump tweeted Thursday morning .
`` Many of the ridiculous statements he attributes to me were never made , pure fiction .
Just trying to get even for firing him like the sick puppy he is ! ''
Legal scholars say Trump 's dual claim that the material in Bolton 's book is classified , but is also false , is a very tricky one to make .
`` One interesting wrinkle for the government is that in order to claim elements of Bolton 's book are classified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in question is true , '' Susan Hennessey , a senior fellow in governance studies at the Brookings Institution , tweeted Wednesday .
`` There 's no such thing as a classified lie . ''
So far , neither Trump nor his top White House aides have detailed exactly what they believe to be false in Bolton 's book .
Instead , they have attacked Bolton 's motives for writing it , his patriotism and his sincerity .
On Thursday , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo carefully avoided directly challenging any of Bolton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released about the book .
Among the details that went unchallenged was Bolton 's account of Pompeo passing him a note during a 2019 negotiations with North Korea .
`` He is so full of s -- - , '' read the note , which Bolton understood to be in reference to Trump .
Instead of challenging Bolton on the specifics , Pompeo accused him of `` spreading a number of lies , fully-spun half-truths , and outright falsehoods , '' but he did not say what any of those were .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Pompeo 's statement , `` that John Bolton 's final public role is that of a traitor who damaged America by violating his sacred trust with its people . ''
Like Trump , Pompeo seems to be arguing that the book is full of lies , and at the same time , that it is full of damaging state secrets .
Mnuchin and trade advisor Peter Navarro also lashed out at Bolton on Thursday , as did several of Trump 's allies on Capitol Hill .
This task was made easier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House reportedly asking allies to claim that Bolton broke the law by publishing the book .
`` Mere months after he left the White House , Bolton negotiated a $ 2 million deal and drafted a 500 plus page manuscript rife with classified information , '' say the talking points , according to The Washington Post .
Despite all the White House firepower pointed in his direction , Bolton 's response to Trump 's public fury has been relatively muted this week , consisting mainly of clips from an upcoming ABC special on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think [ Trump 's ] fit for office .
I do n't think he has the competence to carry out the job , '' Bolton says in one of the clips .
`` There really is n't any guiding principle that I was able to discern other than what 's good for Donald Trump 's reelection . ''
For Trump 's reelection , however , this book could hardly have come at a worse time .
Battered by the twin crises of the coronavirus pandemic and the nationwide protests over police killings of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his Democratic rival , former Vice President Joe Biden , in polls five months from Election Day .
For Republicans focused on winning in November , Bolton 's book is an unnecessary distraction from the bigger issues facing the Trump presidency .
`` This is a time when Trump needs to be on offense for the country and for his reelection campaign , and this book means that all these people in the West Wing are focused on defense , '' said Dan Eberhart , a longtime Republican political donor and CEO of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's largest privately owned oil services firms .
`` This is the most credible book attacking the Trump administration that 's come out so far , and I think the administration made a tactical mistake by not letting the book be published in February , '' when Bolton had initially hoped to release it , Eberhart said in an interview Thursday .
Now that Trump is in a one-on-one battle with Biden , a former chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee , `` The contrast could n't be any sharper between the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who has no real foreign policy at all , and Biden , who effectively has endless foreign policy experience , '' said Eberhart .
On Thursday , Trump 's preferred network , Fox News , released a new monthly poll that showed the president trailing Biden by 12 points in a general election matchup , 50 % to 38 % .
It 's a startling shift from just two months ago , when the same poll showed Biden and Trump tied at 42 % .
Biden also has leads , albeit generally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Michigan , Pennsylvania , Arizona and Wisconsin .
`` Trump needs to expand beyond traditional Republican groups and cut Biden 's support among independents , '' said Daron Shaw , a Republican pollster who conducted the Fox News poll along with Democrat Chris Anderson .
`` The best news in the poll for the Trump campaign is a significant percentage of independents saying they have n't decided or are considering a third-party option , '' Shaw said .
But according to Eberhart , that 's precisely the danger that a book like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reelection prospects .
`` These persuadable Republican and independent voters , who say they like the economy but not Trump 's style , they would be the ones most likely to be influenced by this book , '' he said .
`` Trump 's base is steadfast , and one more book will make no difference to them .
But his base is n't growing anymore , either , '' he added .
`` If he wants another term , Trump will need to win over some voters who are still on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make that harder for him to do . ''

National Security Adviser John Bolton listens as President Donald Trump holds a Cabinet meeting at the White House, April 9, 2018. Kevin Lamarque | Reuters
WASHINGTON — Former national security advisor John Bolton filed a motion in federal court asking the judge to dismiss a last-minute Trump administration lawsuit against him that seeks to halt the release of his damning memoir, "The Room Where it Happened." The motion by the Justice Department late Thursday was the latest tactical maneuver in an ongoing battle between the career Republican foreign policy wonk and President Donald Trump over the book, which is scheduled for release Tuesday. The Justice Department alleged in a lawsuit against Bolton filed one week before the book's release that the memoir contains classified information. A day later, it asked a judge to halt distribution and sale of the book, details of which already have been widely reported. In the motion to dismiss, Bolton attorney Charles Cooper denied there is classified information in the book, and detailed a months-long prepublication review process that Bolton underwent with the National Security Council. This editing process ended in late April, Cooper said, when Bolton received an email from the official reviewer saying his manuscript did not contain any classified information. The fact that the government never sent Bolton an official letter clearing the book for publication is meaningless, he argued. The White House's subsequent claim that the NSC reviewer missed some classified information is "pretext designed to cover up what is in fact a determined political effort to suppress Ambassador Bolton's speech," said Cooper. But barring all of this, Cooper said, the entire question of blocking the book's release is already moot, because thousands of copies have already been shipped to stores across the United States and around the world. A preliminary hearing on the government's lawsuit is scheduled for Friday at 1 p.m. ET via videoconference.
A damning portrait of Trump
Trump's personal interest in quashing Bolton's memoir goes as far back as February, when he told reporters at a private lunch: "We're going to try and block the publication of the book. After I leave office, he can do this. But not in the White House." It's easy to see why Trump wanted Bolton muzzled as long as Trump was in office. "The Room Where it Happened" paints Trump as a "stunningly uninformed," craven and mendacious chief executive, and one who repeatedly signaled his willingness to sell out the nation's security interests if it meant advancing his own interests.
watch now
One of the key takeaways from the book is that it supports the heart of impeachment charges filed against Trump alleging that the president withheld U.S. foreign aid to Ukraine to coerce the U.S. ally into helping Trump's reelection campaign as Kyiv battled a war with Russia-supported insurgents. Bolton did not testify before the House impeachment inquiry but said he would testify at the Senate trial if ordered by a court. Before voting to acquit Trump, Senate Republicans blocked Democratic efforts to call him as a witness. "Trump commingled the personal and the national not just on trade questions but across the whole field of national security," Bolton wrote in an excerpt of the memoir published by The Wall Street Journal. "I am hard-pressed to identify any significant Trump decision during my White House tenure that wasn't driven by reelection calculations." In another damning chapter, Bolton describes watching Trump in 2019 ask Chinese leader Xi Jinping to help Trump get reelected by agreeing to purchase agricultural products from American farmers. In the published version of the book, Bolton writes that NSC reviewers made him remove Trump's exact words to Xi during the meeting from his final draft.
President Donald Trump meets with China's President Xi Jinping at the start of their bilateral meeting at the G20 leaders summit in Osaka, Japan, June 29, 2019. Kevin Lemarque | Reuters
But Vanity Fair's Gabe Sherman reported Thursday that he had seen an unredacted copy of that section of the book, and that Trump allegedly said to Xi, "Make sure I win." Trump continued: "I will probably win anyway, so don't hurt my farms. Buy a lot of soybeans and wheat and make sure we win." CNBC has not seen the unredacted pages, but Bolton's legal motion Thursday cited Sherman's previous reporting on the book, suggesting that Bolton sees him as a credible source. Bolton also uses the book to settle scores with his former colleagues. He accuses former Defense Secretary James Mattis of being obstructionist, claims Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is "basically a Democrat" and says Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and advisor, was constantly out of his depth.
A murky argument
The administration lawsuit against Bolton is only one piece of a ferocious pushback it has mounted against "The Room Where it Happened." The book's imminent release has sent the West Wing into a spiral of damage control and defense in recent days, led by the president himself. Ever since reports emerged about the book's contents, Trump has alternated between calling Bolton a liar on one hand, and insisting that Bolton illegally revealed classified information on the other. "He broke the law, very simple, I mean, as much as it's going to be broken. This is highly classified," Trump said of Bolton's book during a Wednesday interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity. "It's highly classified information. And he did not have approval. That's come out now very loud and very strong." Twelve hours later, Trump said the book was nothing but lies. "Bolton's book, which is getting terrible reviews, is a compilation of lies and made up stories, all intended to make me look bad," Trump tweeted Thursday morning. "Many of the ridiculous statements he attributes to me were never made, pure fiction. Just trying to get even for firing him like the sick puppy he is!" Legal scholars say Trump's dual claim that the material in Bolton's book is classified, but is also false, is a very tricky one to make. "One interesting wrinkle for the government is that in order to claim elements of Bolton's book are classified, the government must admit the information in question is true," Susan Hennessey, a senior fellow in governance studies at the Brookings Institution, tweeted Wednesday. "There's no such thing as a classified lie." So far, neither Trump nor his top White House aides have detailed exactly what they believe to be false in Bolton's book. Instead, they have attacked Bolton's motives for writing it, his patriotism and his sincerity. On Thursday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo carefully avoided directly challenging any of Bolton's specific recollections in a statement he released about the book.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo attends a news conference at the State Department in Washington, DC, June 10, 2020. Andrew Harnik | Pool via Reuters
Among the details that went unchallenged was Bolton's account of Pompeo passing him a note during a 2019 negotiations with North Korea. "He is so full of s---," read the note, which Bolton understood to be in reference to Trump. Instead of challenging Bolton on the specifics, Pompeo accused him of "spreading a number of lies, fully-spun half-truths, and outright falsehoods," but he did not say what any of those were. "It is both sad and dangerous," said Pompeo's statement, "that John Bolton's final public role is that of a traitor who damaged America by violating his sacred trust with its people." Like Trump, Pompeo seems to be arguing that the book is full of lies, and at the same time, that it is full of damaging state secrets. Mnuchin and trade advisor Peter Navarro also lashed out at Bolton on Thursday, as did several of Trump's allies on Capitol Hill. This task was made easier by talking points provided by the White House reportedly asking allies to claim that Bolton broke the law by publishing the book. "Mere months after he left the White House, Bolton negotiated a $2 million deal and drafted a 500 plus page manuscript rife with classified information," say the talking points, according to The Washington Post. Despite all the White House firepower pointed in his direction, Bolton's response to Trump's public fury has been relatively muted this week, consisting mainly of clips from an upcoming ABC special on the book. "I don't think [Trump's] fit for office. I don't think he has the competence to carry out the job," Bolton says in one of the clips. "There really isn't any guiding principle that I was able to discern other than what's good for Donald Trump's reelection." For Trump's reelection, however, this book could hardly have come at a worse time.
Bigger problems


cnbc--2020-06-19--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

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 , 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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--2020-06-19--GOP senator lifts hold on Trump nominees despite disagreeing with inspector general firings

Sen. Chuck Grassley ( R-Iowa ) questions Former Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing to discuss the FBI 's `` Crossfire Hurricane '' investigation in the Dirksen Senate Office Building June 3 , 2020 in Washington DC .
Sen. Chuck Grassley , R-Iowa , withdrew the holds he placed on President Donald Trump 's nominees after the Trump administration provided explanations for why it fired two inspectors general .
But even though he lifted the holds , Grassley said he disagreed with the reasons Trump gave for firing the watchdogs .
`` Although I do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasons for removing [ the inspectors general ] , my objection to these nominees was designed to prompt compliance with the IG Reform Act , which the President has now done , '' Grassley said in a statement updated Friday .
Grassley , a self-described government accountability advocate , said earlier this month he would block two of Trump 's nominees until the administration provided good reasons for terminating Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson and State Department Inspector General Steve Linick .
`` All I want is a reason , '' Grassley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congressional Record statement published Thursday , Grassley said that he has since received letters from the administration that `` fulfill the President 's requirement to provide Congress reasons for the removal '' of the watchdogs as required by law .
Grassley 's statement Thursday does not include his quote , `` I do not agree with the President 's stated reasons for removing IGs Atkinson and Linick , '' which was initially attributed to the Congressional Record in a press release .
When asked about the discrepancy , a spokesman for Grassley told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ updated .
Grassley had been blocking the nominations of Christopher Miller to be the director of the National Counterterrorism Center and Marshall Billingslea to be the State Department 's undersecretary for arms control and international security .
Both firings have been roundly criticized by Democrats who accuse the White House of retaliating against the watchdogs within the administration .
Democrats in the House and Senate launched an investigation into Linick 's removal .
Trump fired Linick in a surprise , late-night move on May 15 on a recommendation from Secretary of State Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least two investigations reportedly being conducted by the watchdog 's office at the time .
In a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , Trump said he lost `` confidence '' in Linick , without providing further explanation .
In April , Trump ordered the removal of Michael Atkinson , the inspector general of the intelligence community who had flagged the Ukraine whistleblower complaint that became a major catalyst for Trump 's eventual impeachment in the House .
Trump was acquitted in the Senate .
Grassley said that on June 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the White House counsel .
The White House 's letter `` repeats a previous letter from the White House which stated that the President had lost confidence '' in Atkinson , Grassley said .
`` However , the White House Counsel enclosed with that letter a transcript of President Trump providing his reasons for removing Mr. Atkinson to the press and has informed me that those reasons represent the President 's official explanation of Mr. Atkinson 's removal to Congress . ''
Grassley said he believes that was legally sufficient to lift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the President satisfied the requirements of the law , I do not agree that the provided reasons merited Mr. Atkinson 's removal , '' Grassley said .
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
The State Department 's letter to Grassley included its correspondence with another executive branch agency highlighting four reasons for firing Linick , `` all involving the investigation of the leak of information to a news reporter pertaining to an IG report , '' Grassley said .
`` These claims are as of yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional briefing on the matter from State Department officials , '' Grassley added .
Linick , who testified as part of the Democrats ' probe of his removal , reportedly told Congress in a private interview , `` The record shows that I have served without regard to politics . ''

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) questions Former Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing to discuss the FBI's "Crossfire Hurricane" investigation in the Dirksen Senate Office Building June 3, 2020 in Washington DC.
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, withdrew the holds he placed on President Donald Trump's nominees after the Trump administration provided explanations for why it fired two inspectors general.
But even though he lifted the holds, Grassley said he disagreed with the reasons Trump gave for firing the watchdogs.
"Although I do not agree with the President's stated reasons for removing [the inspectors general], my objection to these nominees was designed to prompt compliance with the IG Reform Act, which the President has now done," Grassley said in a statement updated Friday.
Grassley, a self-described government accountability advocate, said earlier this month he would block two of Trump's nominees until the administration provided good reasons for terminating Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson and State Department Inspector General Steve Linick.
"All I want is a reason," Grassley tweeted at the time.
In a Congressional Record statement published Thursday, Grassley said that he has since received letters from the administration that "fulfill the President's requirement to provide Congress reasons for the removal" of the watchdogs as required by law.
Grassley's statement Thursday does not include his quote, "I do not agree with the President's stated reasons for removing IGs Atkinson and Linick," which was initially attributed to the Congressional Record in a press release.
When asked about the discrepancy, a spokesman for Grassley told CNBC that the press release would be updated.
Grassley had been blocking the nominations of Christopher Miller to be the director of the National Counterterrorism Center and Marshall Billingslea to be the State Department's undersecretary for arms control and international security.
Both firings have been roundly criticized by Democrats who accuse the White House of retaliating against the watchdogs within the administration. Democrats in the House and Senate launched an investigation into Linick's removal.
Trump fired Linick in a surprise, late-night move on May 15 on a recommendation from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who was involved in at least two investigations reportedly being conducted by the watchdog's office at the time.
In a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Trump said he lost "confidence" in Linick, without providing further explanation.
In April, Trump ordered the removal of Michael Atkinson, the inspector general of the intelligence community who had flagged the Ukraine whistleblower complaint that became a major catalyst for Trump's eventual impeachment in the House. Trump was acquitted in the Senate.
Grassley said that on June 12 he received letters from the State Department and the White House counsel.
The White House's letter "repeats a previous letter from the White House which stated that the President had lost confidence" in Atkinson, Grassley said.
"However, the White House Counsel enclosed with that letter a transcript of President Trump providing his reasons for removing Mr. Atkinson to the press and has informed me that those reasons represent the President's official explanation of Mr. Atkinson's removal to Congress." Grassley said he believes that was legally sufficient to lift the hold.
But "even though the President satisfied the requirements of the law, I do not agree that the provided reasons merited Mr. Atkinson's removal," Grassley said.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The State Department's letter to Grassley included its correspondence with another executive branch agency highlighting four reasons for firing Linick, "all involving the investigation of the leak of information to a news reporter pertaining to an IG report," Grassley said.
"These claims are as of yet unverified but the President has offered an additional briefing on the matter from State Department officials," Grassley added.
Linick, who testified as part of the Democrats' probe of his removal, reportedly told Congress in a private interview, "The record shows that I have served without regard to politics."


cnbc--2020-06-19--Trump administration considers executive order to suspend certain work visas

The Trump administration has drafted an executive order to suspend new temporary work visas for overseas hires , three sources told CNBC .
The proclamation could target J-1 visas or other cultural or work exchange programs .
It would not rescind previously issued visas .
While the White House has not made a final decision on the policy , it could be finalized by this week , before a planned Trump campaign rally in Tulsa on Saturday .
Trump advisor Stephen Miller , who has repeatedly pushed for crackdowns on immigration , and Department of Homeland Security official Ken Cuccinelli @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the effort , it has received mixed reception from other top advisors .
The move would further the Trump administration 's nativist bent : the White House would justify the order by arguing American citizens should hold the jobs as the unemployment rate stands above 13 % following coronavirus lockdowns .
It could receive blowback from the travel industry , restaurants and other sectors that rely on temporary work visa programs .
It may include exceptions for some companies that can prove a specific need .
This story is developing .
Please check @ @ @ @

The Trump administration has drafted an executive order to suspend new temporary work visas for overseas hires, three sources told CNBC.
The proclamation could target J-1 visas or other cultural or work exchange programs. It would not rescind previously issued visas.
While the White House has not made a final decision on the policy, it could be finalized by this week, before a planned Trump campaign rally in Tulsa on Saturday.
Trump advisor Stephen Miller, who has repeatedly pushed for crackdowns on immigration, and Department of Homeland Security official Ken Cuccinelli led the plan. While Trump supports the effort, it has received mixed reception from other top advisors.
The move would further the Trump administration's nativist bent: the White House would justify the order by arguing American citizens should hold the jobs as the unemployment rate stands above 13% following coronavirus lockdowns. It could receive blowback from the travel industry, restaurants and other sectors that rely on temporary work visa programs.
It may include exceptions for some companies that can prove a specific need.
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.
Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube.


cnbc--2020-06-19--GOP senator and doctor on AMC theater policy: 'People ought to be wearing masks in those situations'

Sen. John Barrasso , who is a doctor , told CNBC on Friday that he is concerned about AMC Entertainment 's decision not to require face masks in its theaters .
`` I have a lot of concerns about that , '' the Wyoming Republican said on `` Squawk Box . ''
`` You 're talking about a confined space where people are there for extended periods of time , breathing essentially the same air . ''
Barrasso made his remarks Friday morning before AMC announced it was reversing course and would now mandate guests wear masks in its theaters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Wyoming Medical Society , compared movie theaters to being on an airplane during the coronavirus pandemic .
`` I think people 's increased risk is there .
People ought to be wearing masks in those situations , '' he said .
AMC recently announced plans to open most of its movie theaters in mid-July .
But its CEO , Adam Aron , had started to face criticism after saying the company did not plan to require movie attendees to don face masks .
Aron , in an interview with Variety published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to political concerns .
`` We did not want to be drawn into a political controversy , '' Aron told Variety , an entertainment trade publication .
`` We thought it might be counterproductive if we forced mask wearing on those people who believe strongly that it is not necessary .
We think that the vast majority of AMC guests will be wearing masks .
When I go to an AMC feature , I will certainly be wearing a mask and leading by example . ''
Public health experts say that wearing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread of Covid-19 .
The virus can be spread through respiratory droplets from a sneeze or cough , and studies suggest face masks can provide a barrier .
But there is a partisan divide about masks .
Democrats are more likely than Republicans to say they wear one , according to a CNBC poll last month .
And President Donald Trump , who has largely refused to wear a mask in public , told The Wall Street Journal this week he believes some people wear masks to `` signal disapproval of him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years as an orthopedic surgeon , said he thinks requiring masks would actually be better for business since people might not feel comfortable going to a theater unless they know everyone is wearing a mask .
`` I think people are going to be reluctant to spend their money and to go sit in a confined space for a couple of hours , breathing the same air as a lot of folks who are n't wearing masks , '' he said .

Sen. John Barrasso, who is a doctor, told CNBC on Friday that he is concerned about AMC Entertainment 's decision not to require face masks in its theaters.
"I have a lot of concerns about that," the Wyoming Republican said on "Squawk Box." "You're talking about a confined space where people are there for extended periods of time, breathing essentially the same air."
Barrasso made his remarks Friday morning before AMC announced it was reversing course and would now mandate guests wear masks in its theaters.
Barrasso, who was previously president of the Wyoming Medical Society, compared movie theaters to being on an airplane during the coronavirus pandemic. "I think people's increased risk is there. People ought to be wearing masks in those situations," he said.
AMC recently announced plans to open most of its movie theaters in mid-July. But its CEO, Adam Aron, had started to face criticism after saying the company did not plan to require movie attendees to don face masks. Aron, in an interview with Variety published Thursday, partly attributed the initial decision to political concerns.
"We did not want to be drawn into a political controversy," Aron told Variety, an entertainment trade publication. "We thought it might be counterproductive if we forced mask wearing on those people who believe strongly that it is not necessary. We think that the vast majority of AMC guests will be wearing masks. When I go to an AMC feature, I will certainly be wearing a mask and leading by example."
Public health experts say that wearing a face mask is critical in helping limit the spread of Covid-19. The virus can be spread through respiratory droplets from a sneeze or cough, and studies suggest face masks can provide a barrier.
But there is a partisan divide about masks. Democrats are more likely than Republicans to say they wear one, according to a CNBC poll last month. And President Donald Trump, who has largely refused to wear a mask in public, told The Wall Street Journal this week he believes some people wear masks to "signal disapproval of him."
Barrasso, who spent 24 years as an orthopedic surgeon, said he thinks requiring masks would actually be better for business since people might not feel comfortable going to a theater unless they know everyone is wearing a mask.
"I think people are going to be reluctant to spend their money and to go sit in a confined space for a couple of hours, breathing the same air as a lot of folks who aren't wearing masks," he said.


cnbc--2020-06-19--Top Pentagon official Wheelbarger resigns, urges colleagues to be guided by U.S. Constitution

Kathryn Wheelbarger , one of the Pentagon 's most prominent and respected policy officials , is resigning after three years in the job after President Donald Trump dropped plans to nominate her for an intelligence post , sources tell Reuters .
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
Wheelbarger , who is highly regarded by national security experts in Trump 's Republican Party and among Democrats , had been named by the White House on Feb. 13 to a senior intelligence position at the Department of Defense .
But in a surprise move last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to nominate Bradley Hansell , a former special assistant to Trump , to the position of deputy under secretary of defense for intelligence .
In her resignation letter , which was seen by Reuters , Wheelbarger said she trusted her colleagues would `` continue to be guided by the U.S. Constitution and the principles of our founding , which ensure both our security and our freedom . ''
Both current and former U.S. officials accused the White House of passing over Wheelbarger because of her past work with the late Republican Senator John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the former chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee .
Wheelbarger handled the committee 's intelligence portfolio and was well regarded by Congress , among both Republicans and Democrats .
`` It looks like she failed the loyalty test somehow , '' said one former U.S. official , speaking on condition of anonymity .

Kathryn Wheelbarger, one of the Pentagon's most prominent and respected policy officials, is resigning after three years in the job after President Donald Trump dropped plans to nominate her for an intelligence post, sources tell Reuters.
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Wheelbarger, who is highly regarded by national security experts in Trump's Republican Party and among Democrats, had been named by the White House on Feb. 13 to a senior intelligence position at the Department of Defense.
But in a surprise move last week, the White House instead announced plans to nominate Bradley Hansell, a former special assistant to Trump, to the position of deputy under secretary of defense for intelligence.
In her resignation letter, which was seen by Reuters, Wheelbarger said she trusted her colleagues would "continue to be guided by the U.S. Constitution and the principles of our founding, which ensure both our security and our freedom."
Both current and former U.S. officials accused the White House of passing over Wheelbarger because of her past work with the late Republican Senator John McCain, a fierce Trump critic and the former chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Wheelbarger handled the committee's intelligence portfolio and was well regarded by Congress, among both Republicans and Democrats.
"It looks like she failed the loyalty test somehow," said one former U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity.


cnbc--2020-06-19--Federal media chief Michael Pack installs Trump loyalists to leadership posts, memo says

President Donald Trump 's pick to be the CEO of a federal media agency is moving ahead with installing loyal administration officials to key leadership roles .
The newly appointed chief of staff to the U.S. Agency for Global Media [ USAGM ] , once known as the Broadcasting Board of Governors , sent out a memo to staff about the changes that are being made .
The new chief is Emily Newman , who was an advisor to the Department of Homeland Security prior to becoming a leader within USAGM , her financial disclosure report shows .
Beyond adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pack , the chief executive , terminated the membership of longtime board members on Wednesday that have been part of USAGM entities for years , including those on the boards of Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty , Radio Free Asia and the Open Technology Fund .
`` I have terminated your membership on the board , effective immediately , '' Pack said in emails reviewed by CNBC .
Newman said in the memo , which was first reviewed by CNBC , that the changes were being directed by Pack himself and that certain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders .
She also appeared to put in a warning to members of the staff about communicating with anyone outside the agency .
`` Until further notice , no actions are to be taken , and no external communications are to be made , without explicit approval from the Chief Operating Officer ; Vice President for Legal , Compliance , and Risk Management ; Deputy Chief of Staff ; or Chief of Staff , '' the memo reads .
The decision to add leaders that , based on their track record , have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes after Democrats have voiced concern that Pack could be on on the brink of moving ahead with purging the staff .
Pack , a conservative documentary filmmaker with ties to former White House chief strategists Steve Bannon , wrote a memo to the staff on Wednesday , introducing himself and laying out three objectives , including raise morale at the agency .
`` USAGM consistently ranks at the bottom in surveys of mid-sized Agencies in terms of morale and job satisfaction .
I will make it a priority to improve morale here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
USAGM oversees the Voice of America , a news network that has been publicly under siege by Trump and his allies .
Two network officials have already resigned since Pack was confirmed by the U.S. Senate earlier this month .
Meanwhile , a nonprofit run by Pack is under investigation by the Washington , D.C. , attorney general for potential self-dealing .
Those listed as new department heads within the organization include Michael Williams , who first worked at the Office of Management and Budget and later became a Deputy Assistant to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stint as general counsel for the American Suppressor Association , a lobbying group that pushes states to ease restrictions on gun suppressors , according to their website .
Williams will be the vice president for legal , compliance and risk management , the memo says .
Williams also once worked on Trump 's inaugural committee as an associate general counsel and the president 's 2016 campaign as director of election day operations , his financial disclosure report says .
The new director of public affairs is Jonathan Bronitsky , who once worked at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a chief speechwriter at the U.S. Department of Justice and held a similar role at the Claremont Institute , a conservative think tank that was once led by Pack himself .
Andre Mendes will be USAGM 's new chief operating officer .
He was previously employed by the U.S. Department of Commerce but , prior to that , had executive leadership roles at the federal media organization .
When reached for comment , Bronitsky said he would work to confirm the roles and past work history of those mentioned in this story .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A White House spokesperson also did not return requests for comment .
One of the Democrats that have sounded the alarm about a potential firing spree at USAGM is Rep. Eliot Engel , ( D-NY ) , the Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs .
`` I have learned that Michael Pack , the new CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media , intends to force out a number of the agency 's career senior leadership tomorrow morning , '' Engel said in a recent statement .
`` My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an unbiased news organization is in jeopardy under his leadership .
USAGM 's mission is 'to inform , engage , and connect people around the world in support of freedom and democracy'—not to be a mouthpiece for the President in the run up to an election . ''
Effective immediately , prior delegations of CEO authority have been revoked and re-delegated to the following individuals , until further notice : Effective immediately , the following will report to the USAGM Chief Operating Officer , Andre Mendes : Effective immediately , the following will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Legal , Compliance , and Risk Management , Michael Williams : Effective immediately , the following will report to the USAGM Principal Director of Public Affairs , Jonathan Bronitsky : Effective immediately , the following will report to the Deputy Chief of Staff , Diane Cullo : Until further notice , no actions are to be taken , and no external communications are to be made , without explicit approval from the Chief Operating Officer ; Vice President for Legal , Compliance , and Risk Management ; Deputy Chief of Staff ; or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheduled this week to include discussion of delegations and functions .

President Donald Trump's pick to be the CEO of a federal media agency is moving ahead with installing loyal administration officials to key leadership roles.
The newly appointed chief of staff to the U.S. Agency for Global Media [USAGM], once known as the Broadcasting Board of Governors, sent out a memo to staff about the changes that are being made. The new chief is Emily Newman, who was an advisor to the Department of Homeland Security prior to becoming a leader within USAGM, her financial disclosure report shows.
Beyond adding new leaders to the agency, Michael Pack, the chief executive, terminated the membership of longtime board members on Wednesday that have been part of USAGM entities for years, including those on the boards of Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia and the Open Technology Fund.
"I have terminated your membership on the board, effective immediately," Pack said in emails reviewed by CNBC.
Newman said in the memo, which was first reviewed by CNBC, that the changes were being directed by Pack himself and that certain personnel must report to their new department leaders. She also appeared to put in a warning to members of the staff about communicating with anyone outside the agency.
"Until further notice, no actions are to be taken, and no external communications are to be made, without explicit approval from the Chief Operating Officer; Vice President for Legal, Compliance, and Risk Management; Deputy Chief of Staff; or Chief of Staff," the memo reads.
The decision to add leaders that, based on their track record, have had a staunch loyalty to Trump, comes after Democrats have voiced concern that Pack could be on on the brink of moving ahead with purging the staff. Pack, a conservative documentary filmmaker with ties to former White House chief strategists Steve Bannon, wrote a memo to the staff on Wednesday, introducing himself and laying out three objectives, including raise morale at the agency.
"USAGM consistently ranks at the bottom in surveys of mid-sized Agencies in terms of morale and job satisfaction. I will make it a priority to improve morale here," Pack said at the time. USAGM oversees the Voice of America, a news network that has been publicly under siege by Trump and his allies. Two network officials have already resigned since Pack was confirmed by the U.S. Senate earlier this month. Meanwhile, a nonprofit run by Pack is under investigation by the Washington, D.C., attorney general for potential self-dealing.
Those listed as new department heads within the organization include Michael Williams, who first worked at the Office of Management and Budget and later became a Deputy Assistant to the President. He also had a stint as general counsel for the American Suppressor Association, a lobbying group that pushes states to ease restrictions on gun suppressors, according to their website. Williams will be the vice president for legal, compliance and risk management, the memo says.
Williams also once worked on Trump's inaugural committee as an associate general counsel and the president's 2016 campaign as director of election day operations, his financial disclosure report says.
The new director of public affairs is Jonathan Bronitsky, who once worked at the Office of Personnel Management, was a chief speechwriter at the U.S. Department of Justice and held a similar role at the Claremont Institute, a conservative think tank that was once led by Pack himself.
Andre Mendes will be USAGM's new chief operating officer. He was previously employed by the U.S. Department of Commerce but, prior to that, had executive leadership roles at the federal media organization.
When reached for comment, Bronitsky said he would work to confirm the roles and past work history of those mentioned in this story. He did not call back before publication. A White House spokesperson also did not return requests for comment.
One of the Democrats that have sounded the alarm about a potential firing spree at USAGM is Rep. Eliot Engel, (D-NY), the Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
"I have learned that Michael Pack, the new CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, intends to force out a number of the agency's career senior leadership tomorrow morning," Engel said in a recent statement. "My fear is that USAGM's role as an unbiased news organization is in jeopardy under his leadership. USAGM's mission is 'to inform, engage, and connect people around the world in support of freedom and democracy'—not to be a mouthpiece for the President in the run up to an election."
Copy of the memo:
Effective immediately, prior delegations of CEO authority have been revoked and re-delegated to the following individuals, until further notice:
Effective immediately, the following will report to the USAGM Chief Operating Officer, Andre Mendes:
o Deputy Director for Operations
o Chief Financial Officer
o Chief Strategy Officer
o Director of Technology, Services and Innovation
Effective immediately, the following will report to the USAGM Vice President for Legal, Compliance, and Risk Management, Michael Williams:
o General Counsel
o Executive Director
o Chief Risk Officer
Effective immediately, the following will report to the USAGM Principal Director of Public Affairs, Jonathan Bronitsky:
o Chief Global Communications Officer
o Director, Office of Policy
Effective immediately, the following will report to the Deputy Chief of Staff, Diane Cullo:
o Director of Management Services
o Acting Director of Congressional Affairs
Until further notice, no actions are to be taken, and no external communications are to be made, without explicit approval from the Chief Operating Officer; Vice President for Legal, Compliance, and Risk Management; Deputy Chief of Staff; or Chief of Staff. Meetings will be scheduled this week to include discussion of delegations and functions.


cnbc--2020-06-21--Attorney General Barr tells top Manhattan prosecutor Berman he is fired amid power struggle

U.S. Attorney General William Barr discusses a Trump administration executive order on the International Criminal Court during a joint news conference at the State Department in Washington , June 11 , 2020 .
Attorney General William Barr told the top federal prosecutor in Manhattan , Geoffrey Berman , that he has been fired by President Donald Trump in a letter Saturday after Berman initially refused to step down .
The letter informing Berman of his removal comes amid a power struggle over who will fill one of the most powerful federal law enforcement positions in the nation .
The U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York leads an office that has launched multiple investigations into associates of President Trump .
Attorney General Barr , in his letter Saturday , accused Berman of choosing `` public spectacle over public service '' by refusing to step aside and said the president has removed Berman as the top prosecutor in Manhattan upon his request effective immediately .
Deputy U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss is now acting U.S. attorney in the district , Barr said .
`` Because you have declared that you have no intention of resigning , I have asked the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and he has done so , '' Barr told Berman in the letter .
The Trump administration has moved to nominate Securities and Exchange Commissioner Jay Clayton to the position of U.S. attorney for New York 's southern district .
Barr said in a press release Friday night that Berman was stepping down from the position .
However , Berman said he had no intention to resign his post until the nominee appointed by Trump is confirmed by the Senate .
After Barr 's letter was made public , Berman said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since his deputy Strauss will become acting U.S. attorney for the district .
He said Strauss `` will continue to safeguard the Southern District 's enduring tradition of integrity and independence . ''
`` It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as this District 's U.S. Attorney and a custodian of its proud legacy , but I could leave the District in no better hands than Audrey 's , '' Berman said .
`` She is the smartest , most principled , and effective lawyer with whom I have ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York 's southern district is investigating Trump 's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani and obtained a conviction of the president 's previous personal attorney , Michael Cohen , for financial crimes .
The White House had originally sought to appoint the U.S. attorney for New Jersey , Craig Carpenito , as acting U.S. Attorney for New York 's southern district while the Senate considers the nomination of Clayton .
Carpenito is close to former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie , who in turn is an ally of Trump .
Trump told reporters before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not involved in the decision to dismiss Berman .

U.S. Attorney General William Barr discusses a Trump administration executive order on the International Criminal Court during a joint news conference at the State Department in Washington, June 11, 2020.
Attorney General William Barr told the top federal prosecutor in Manhattan, Geoffrey Berman, that he has been fired by President Donald Trump in a letter Saturday after Berman initially refused to step down.
The letter informing Berman of his removal comes amid a power struggle over who will fill one of the most powerful federal law enforcement positions in the nation. The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York leads an office that has launched multiple investigations into associates of President Trump.
Attorney General Barr, in his letter Saturday, accused Berman of choosing "public spectacle over public service" by refusing to step aside and said the president has removed Berman as the top prosecutor in Manhattan upon his request effective immediately. Deputy U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss is now acting U.S. attorney in the district, Barr said.
"Because you have declared that you have no intention of resigning, I have asked the President to remove you as of today, and he has done so," Barr told Berman in the letter.
The Trump administration has moved to nominate Securities and Exchange Commissioner Jay Clayton to the position of U.S. attorney for New York's southern district. Barr said in a press release Friday night that Berman was stepping down from the position.
However, Berman said he had no intention to resign his post until the nominee appointed by Trump is confirmed by the Senate.
After Barr's letter was made public, Berman said he was now in fact leaving his position since his deputy Strauss will become acting U.S. attorney for the district. He said Strauss "will continue to safeguard the Southern District's enduring tradition of integrity and independence."
"It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as this District's U.S. Attorney and a custodian of its proud legacy, but I could leave the District in no better hands than Audrey's," Berman said. "She is the smartest, most principled, and effective lawyer with whom I have ever had the privilege of working."
New York's southern district is investigating Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani and obtained a conviction of the president's previous personal attorney, Michael Cohen, for financial crimes.
The White House had originally sought to appoint the U.S. attorney for New Jersey, Craig Carpenito, as acting U.S. Attorney for New York's southern district while the Senate considers the nomination of Clayton. Carpenito is close to former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who in turn is an ally of Trump.
Trump told reporters before boarding Marine One Saturday that he was not involved in the decision to dismiss Berman.


cnbc--2020-06-21--Trump Tulsa rally advance team members test positive for coronavirus

Six members of President Donald Trump 's advance team preparing for his Tulsa rally that kicks off Saturday evening have tested positive for coronavirus , according to his re-election campaign .
`` Per safety protocols , campaign staff are tested for COVID-19 before events .
Six members of the advance team tested positive out of hundreds of tests performed , and quarantine procedures were immediately implemented , '' said Tim Murtaugh , the campaign 's communications director .
`` No COVID-positive staffers or anyone in immediate contact will be at today 's rally or near attendees and elected officials .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are given temperature checks before going through security , at which point they are given wristbands , facemasks and hand sanitizer . ''
A source familiar with the matter tells NBC News the staffers have been on the ground for about a week , have not been wearing masks and have been going out to restaurants .
The source says the Trump campaign is now doing contact tracing .
Of the six members of the Trump advance team who tested positive for coronavirus ahead of the Tulsa rally , at least two of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a law enforcement official told NBC News .
CNBC reached out to USSS for comment but did not immediately receive a response .
The news follows reports that leading members of the coronavirus task force , including White House health advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci , warned White House officials about the health risks of holding large-scale indoor campaign rallies .
The Trump campaign chose to proceed with the event , claiming that attendees `` assume a personal risk '' and `` that is part of life . ''
Trump 's rally in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20,000 people inside the Bank of Oklahoma convention center .
The Trump campaign said it would be doing temperature checks for attendees and providing them with masks and hand sanitizer upon entry , but did not indicate whether social distancing measures would be implemented and said wearing masks would be optional .
More than 2.2 million people have tested positive for coronavirus in the U.S. and at least 119,475 people have died , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
More than 10,000 people have tested positive in Oklahoma and at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Department declined to comment specifically on the rally , but said in a statement to CNBC that `` the Tulsa Health Department is concerned about the safety of any large gathering of people in enclosed spaces where social distancing is difficult to maintain . ''
Concerns were also raised about the event 's timing and location .
Tulsa , Oklahoma is the location of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre in which white mobs killed Black residents and destroyed Black-owned businesses .
The rally was originally scheduled to take place on Juneteenth — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the U.S. — but was rescheduled .
On Friday , Trump threatened those who might protest the event .

US President Donald Trump speaks to the press before departing the White House on June 20, 2020 in Washington, DC, for a campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Eric Baradat | AFP | Getty Images
Six members of President Donald Trump's advance team preparing for his Tulsa rally that kicks off Saturday evening have tested positive for coronavirus, according to his re-election campaign. "Per safety protocols, campaign staff are tested for COVID-19 before events. Six members of the advance team tested positive out of hundreds of tests performed, and quarantine procedures were immediately implemented," said Tim Murtaugh, the campaign's communications director. "No COVID-positive staffers or anyone in immediate contact will be at today's rally or near attendees and elected officials. As previously announced, all rally attendees are given temperature checks before going through security, at which point they are given wristbands, facemasks and hand sanitizer." A source familiar with the matter tells NBC News the staffers have been on the ground for about a week, have not been wearing masks and have been going out to restaurants. The source says the Trump campaign is now doing contact tracing.
Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump gather to attend his campaign rally later at the BOK Center, June 20, 2020 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Win McNamee | Getty Images
Of the six members of the Trump advance team who tested positive for coronavirus ahead of the Tulsa rally, at least two of them are United States Secret Service agents, a law enforcement official told NBC News. CNBC reached out to USSS for comment but did not immediately receive a response. The news follows reports that leading members of the coronavirus task force, including White House health advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci, warned White House officials about the health risks of holding large-scale indoor campaign rallies. The Trump campaign chose to proceed with the event, claiming that attendees "assume a personal risk" and "that is part of life." Trump's rally in Tulsa is expected to pack up to 20,000 people inside the Bank of Oklahoma convention center. The Trump campaign said it would be doing temperature checks for attendees and providing them with masks and hand sanitizer upon entry, but did not indicate whether social distancing measures would be implemented and said wearing masks would be optional.
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More than 2.2 million people have tested positive for coronavirus in the U.S. and at least 119,475 people have died, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. More than 10,000 people have tested positive in Oklahoma and at least 368 people have died. The Tulsa Health Department declined to comment specifically on the rally, but said in a statement to CNBC that "the Tulsa Health Department is concerned about the safety of any large gathering of people in enclosed spaces where social distancing is difficult to maintain." Concerns were also raised about the event's timing and location. Tulsa, Oklahoma is the location of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre in which white mobs killed Black residents and destroyed Black-owned businesses. The rally was originally scheduled to take place on Juneteenth — a day commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S. — but was rescheduled. On Friday, Trump threatened those who might protest the event.
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cnbc--2020-06-20--Judge denies Trump administration request to block John Bolton's book

John Bolton , Former United States Ambassador to the United Nations , at the Conservative Political Action Conference ( CPAC ) held at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Oxon Hill , Maryland in February .
WASHINGTON -- A federal judge on Saturday denied a request by the Department of Justice to halt the sale and distribution of a forthcoming memoir by former Trump national security advisor John Bolton .
U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth wrote that the government 's request to block distribution of `` The Room Where it Happened , '' a damning memoir of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be impossible to enforce because thousands of copies of the book have already been printed and shipped to distributors .
The ruling is a significant blow to the White House , which has taken extraordinary steps in the past week to quash the memoir , set for release on Tuesday and already a bestseller .
In addition to its motion requesting that Lamberth halt sales of the book , which the government filed on Wednesday , the Justice Department has also sued Bolton personally , alleging that he violated nondisclosure agreements he signed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Room Where it Happened '' paints Trump as a `` stunningly uninformed , '' craven and mendacious chief executive , one who repeatedly signaled his willingness to sell out the nation 's security interests if it meant advancing his own interests .
Saturday 's ruling was far from a total victory for Bolton , however .
At several points in his order , Lamberth suggested that Bolton probably did violate his employment contract , and that the government would likely prevail in its lawsuit against Bolton .
`` This was Bolton 's bet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he is right and the book does not contain classified information , he keeps the [ profits and the publicity for the book ] ; but if he is wrong , he stands to lose his profits from the book deal , exposes himself to criminal liability , and imperils national security .
Bolton was wrong . ''
Bolton 's attorney , Charles Cooper , said in a statement , `` We welcome today 's decision by the Court denying the Government 's attempt to suppress Ambassador Bolton 's book . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Court 's preliminary conclusion at this early stage of the case that Ambassador Bolton did not comply fully with his contractual prepublication obligation to the Government , '' Cooper continued .
`` The case will now proceed to development of the full record on that issue .
The full story of these events has yet to be told—but it will be . ''
Within minutes of Saturday 's ruling , Trump tweeted fresh attacks on Bolton .
`` Wow , I finally agree with failed political consultant Steve Schmidt , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man who failed in his duty to protect America . '
Also stated that he should never be allowed to serve in government again .
So true ! ''
Trump wrote .
`` Plain and simple , John Bolton , who was all washed up until I brought him back and gave him a chance , broke the law by releasing Classified Information ( in massive amounts ) .
He must pay a very big price for this , as others have before him .
This should never to happen again !
!
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's book contains classified information is at the heart of an ongoing legal battle between Bolton and the White House .
And while Lamberth did not directly rule on this question Saturday , he made little effort to hide the fact that he agrees with the government 's claim that it does , indeed , contain classified material .
Bolton and his attorneys have flatly denied that there is classified information in the book , and they point to a monthslong prepublication review process Bolton underwent with the National Security Council which resulted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NSC 's request .
Following the edits , the book 's primary reviewer wrote in an email to Bolton in late April that the book did not appear to contain any more classified information .
Yet according to the Justice Department , after this first review process was over , a second , unannounced review of the book was initiated , and this second review turned up more classified information that the first review had missed .
But by the time the White House informed Bolton , in June , that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it was too late .
Bolton had already instructed his publisher to print the book and distribute it around the world .
In his ruling Saturday , Lamberth repeatedly faulted Bolton for not waiting until he had final , written authorization from the government before telling his publisher to proceed with printing the book .
The judge also said that after personally reviewing the material in Bolton 's book that the government claims is classified , Lamberth agreed with the Justice Department : Bolton 's memoir discloses classified information .
For the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Lamberth set aside this question of whether there is classified information in the book .
Instead he zeroed in on the issue of whether a last-minute court order blocking the book was an appropriate remedy to prevent this information from becoming public .
And one of the things the government had to prove in order to convince him to issue such an order , Lamberth wrote , was that it would actually work .
With the book already in thousands of bookstores , distributed to reviewers and journalists and purchased by thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blocking it would not succeed in keeping the classified material under wraps , wrote the judge .
Below is a photo of `` The Room Where it Happened , '' taken at the White House earlier this week .
Many journalists there received advance copies of the memoir from the publisher .

John Bolton, Former United States Ambassador to the United Nations, at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) held at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland in February.
WASHINGTON -- A federal judge on Saturday denied a request by the Department of Justice to halt the sale and distribution of a forthcoming memoir by former Trump national security advisor John Bolton.
U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth wrote that the government's request to block distribution of "The Room Where it Happened," a damning memoir of Bolton's White House tenure, would be impossible to enforce because thousands of copies of the book have already been printed and shipped to distributors.
The ruling is a significant blow to the White House, which has taken extraordinary steps in the past week to quash the memoir, set for release on Tuesday and already a bestseller.
In addition to its motion requesting that Lamberth halt sales of the book, which the government filed on Wednesday, the Justice Department has also sued Bolton personally, alleging that he violated nondisclosure agreements he signed with the White House.
"The Room Where it Happened" paints Trump as a "stunningly uninformed," craven and mendacious chief executive, one who repeatedly signaled his willingness to sell out the nation's security interests if it meant advancing his own interests.
Saturday's ruling was far from a total victory for Bolton, however. At several points in his order, Lamberth suggested that Bolton probably did violate his employment contract, and that the government would likely prevail in its lawsuit against Bolton.
"This was Bolton's bet," wrote Lamberth. "If he is right and the book does not contain classified information, he keeps the [profits and the publicity for the book]; but if he is wrong, he stands to lose his profits from the book deal, exposes himself to criminal liability, and imperils national security. Bolton was wrong."
Bolton's attorney, Charles Cooper, said in a statement, "We welcome today's decision by the Court denying the Government's attempt to suppress Ambassador Bolton's book."
"We respectfully take issue, however, with the Court's preliminary conclusion at this early stage of the case that Ambassador Bolton did not comply fully with his contractual prepublication obligation to the Government," Cooper continued. "The case will now proceed to development of the full record on that issue. The full story of these events has yet to be told—but it will be."
Within minutes of Saturday's ruling, Trump tweeted fresh attacks on Bolton.
"Wow, I finally agree with failed political consultant Steve Schmidt, who called Wacko John Bolton 'a despicable man who failed in his duty to protect America.' Also stated that he should never be allowed to serve in government again. So true!" Trump wrote.
"Plain and simple, John Bolton, who was all washed up until I brought him back and gave him a chance, broke the law by releasing Classified Information (in massive amounts). He must pay a very big price for this, as others have before him. This should never to happen again!!!"
The question of whether Bolton's book contains classified information is at the heart of an ongoing legal battle between Bolton and the White House.
And while Lamberth did not directly rule on this question Saturday, he made little effort to hide the fact that he agrees with the government's claim that it does, indeed, contain classified material.
Bolton and his attorneys have flatly denied that there is classified information in the book, and they point to a monthslong prepublication review process Bolton underwent with the National Security Council which resulted in several changes to the book at the NSC's request. Following the edits, the book's primary reviewer wrote in an email to Bolton in late April that the book did not appear to contain any more classified information.
Yet according to the Justice Department, after this first review process was over, a second, unannounced review of the book was initiated, and this second review turned up more classified information that the first review had missed.
But by the time the White House informed Bolton, in June, that the second review had found more classified information, it was too late. Bolton had already instructed his publisher to print the book and distribute it around the world.
In his ruling Saturday, Lamberth repeatedly faulted Bolton for not waiting until he had final, written authorization from the government before telling his publisher to proceed with printing the book.
The judge also said that after personally reviewing the material in Bolton's book that the government claims is classified, Lamberth agreed with the Justice Department: Bolton's memoir discloses classified information.
For the purposes of Saturday's order, however, Lamberth set aside this question of whether there is classified information in the book.
Instead he zeroed in on the issue of whether a last-minute court order blocking the book was an appropriate remedy to prevent this information from becoming public.
And one of the things the government had to prove in order to convince him to issue such an order, Lamberth wrote, was that it would actually work.
With the book already in thousands of bookstores, distributed to reviewers and journalists and purchased by thousands of people online, a court order blocking it would not succeed in keeping the classified material under wraps, wrote the judge.
Below is a photo of "The Room Where it Happened," taken at the White House earlier this week. Many journalists there received advance copies of the memoir from the publisher.


cnbc--2020-06-20--Trump and RNC raised $74 million in May, trailing Biden's haul

US President Donald Trump speaks during a `` Keep America Great '' campaign rally at Huntington Center in Toledo , Ohio , on January 9 , 2020 .
President Donald Trump and the Republican National Committee combined to raise $ 74 million in the month of May , the Trump campaign announced on Saturday .
The haul is less than presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden 's total haul that same month and it represents the first time Biden and the Democratic National Committee combined to raise more than their Republican opponents .
The campaign says the amount was raised through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joint fundraising committees .
They combined to have $ 265 million on hand going into June .
The developments come as Trump holds his first in-person campaign rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma , since the peak of the coronavirus pandemic earlier this year .
It 's also on the heels of Biden and the DNC announcing they raised over $ 80 million over that same time period .
It 's the most his campaign and the DNC have combined to raise in the 2020 election cycle .
Trump has been under scrutiny for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goings of the pandemic and the ongoing nationwide protests that were initiated in the wake of George Floyd 's death at the hands of police in Minneapolis .
Biden has been leading in most national polls in recent months .
A Real Clear Politics national polling average has Biden up close to 9 points over the president .

US President Donald Trump speaks during a "Keep America Great" campaign rally at Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio, on January 9, 2020.
President Donald Trump and the Republican National Committee combined to raise $74 million in the month of May, the Trump campaign announced on Saturday.
The haul is less than presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden's total haul that same month and it represents the first time Biden and the Democratic National Committee combined to raise more than their Republican opponents. The campaign says the amount was raised through the campaign, the RNC and their joint fundraising committees.
They combined to have $265 million on hand going into June.
The developments come as Trump holds his first in-person campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, since the peak of the coronavirus pandemic earlier this year. It's also on the heels of Biden and the DNC announcing they raised over $80 million over that same time period. It's the most his campaign and the DNC have combined to raise in the 2020 election cycle.
Trump has been under scrutiny for how his administration has handled the early goings of the pandemic and the ongoing nationwide protests that were initiated in the wake of George Floyd's death at the hands of police in Minneapolis.
Biden has been leading in most national polls in recent months. A Real Clear Politics national polling average has Biden up close to 9 points over the president.