cnbc--2020-09-22--Mitt Romney supports holding a vote on Trump's Supreme Court pick this year

U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney ( R-UT ) speaks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol on September 21 , 2020 in Washington , DC .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-KY ) is planning to hold a vote to fill Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburgs Supreme Court seat , with U.S. President Donald Trump expected to unveil his nominee as early as Friday or Saturday .
`` The Constitution gives the President the power to nominate and the Senate the authority to provide advice and consent on Supreme Court nominees , '' the Utah Republican said in a statement .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Constitution and precedent in considering the President 's nominee .
If the nominee reaches the Senate floor , I intend to vote based upon their qualifications . ''
Sen. Mitt Romney said Tuesday he will support holding a vote on President Donald Trump 's Supreme Court nominee this year , all but assuring Republicans can push forward with filling the vacancy left by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg 's death .
Republicans aim to quickly confirm the next justice on the top U.S. court even with a presidential election only six weeks away .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Vice President Mike Pence can break a tie , four Republicans would have needed to buck their party to block consideration of a nominee before the election .
While Republican Sens .
Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska have opposed filling the seat before the election , it is unclear who other than Romney — the only senator to break from his party in voting to remove Trump from office this year — would join them .
Despite his support for considering a nominee , Romney did not commit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eventual court pick .
`` What I intend to do is to proceed with the consideration process , and if a nominee actually reaches the floor , then I will vote based upon the qualifications of that nominee , '' he told reporters Tuesday after issuing the statement .
Trump plans to announce his choice for the lifetime Supreme Court appointment on Saturday .
The court vacancy has supercharged tensions in an already fraught election .
While the GOP hopes the prospect of securing a 6-3 conservative majority on the court will excite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fill the seat before the end of Trump 's term as they try to gain Senate control from Republicans in November .
The party has decried the effort to confirm a justice before the election after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to consider former President Barack Obama 's court nominee Merrick Garland during the 2016 campaign .
McConnell has argued moving forward with a confirmation holds to precedent , because the same party controls the White House and Senate now but did not in 2016 .

U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) speaks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol on September 21, 2020 in Washington, DC. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is planning to hold a vote to fill Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburgs Supreme Court seat, with U.S. President Donald Trump expected to unveil his nominee as early as Friday or Saturday.
"The Constitution gives the President the power to nominate and the Senate the authority to provide advice and consent on Supreme Court nominees," the Utah Republican said in a statement. "Accordingly, I intend to follow the Constitution and precedent in considering the President's nominee. If the nominee reaches the Senate floor, I intend to vote based upon their qualifications."
Sen. Mitt Romney said Tuesday he will support holding a vote on President Donald Trump 's Supreme Court nominee this year, all but assuring Republicans can push forward with filling the vacancy left by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death.
Republicans aim to quickly confirm the next justice on the top U.S. court even with a presidential election only six weeks away. As the Senate has 53 GOP senators and Vice President Mike Pence can break a tie, four Republicans would have needed to buck their party to block consideration of a nominee before the election.
While Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska have opposed filling the seat before the election, it is unclear who other than Romney — the only senator to break from his party in voting to remove Trump from office this year — would join them. Despite his support for considering a nominee, Romney did not commit to voting to confirm the president's eventual court pick.
"What I intend to do is to proceed with the consideration process, and if a nominee actually reaches the floor, then I will vote based upon the qualifications of that nominee," he told reporters Tuesday after issuing the statement.
Trump plans to announce his choice for the lifetime Supreme Court appointment on Saturday.
The court vacancy has supercharged tensions in an already fraught election. While the GOP hopes the prospect of securing a 6-3 conservative majority on the court will excite voters, Democrats have denounced the push to fill the seat before the end of Trump's term as they try to gain Senate control from Republicans in November.
The party has decried the effort to confirm a justice before the election after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to consider former President Barack Obama's court nominee Merrick Garland during the 2016 campaign. McConnell has argued moving forward with a confirmation holds to precedent, because the same party controls the White House and Senate now but did not in 2016.


cnbc--2020-09-22--Trump says he will announce Supreme Court nomination to replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Satur

Trump says he will announce Supreme Court nomination to replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Saturday

President Donald Trump said Tuesday he will announce his nomination for the next Supreme Court justice on Saturday .
Trump is considering several candidates to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg , the liberal justice who died Friday at age 87 .
Two federal appeals court judges , Amy Coney Barrett of the 7th Circuit , and Barbara Lagoa of the 11th Circuit , are considered front-runners for the nomination .
The Republican president said in a Twitter post he would make his announcement of his pick at the White House , at a time to be determined .
If Trump follows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be revealed a day after Ginsburg lies in state at the U.S. Capitol , the first woman to be granted that honor .
Sen. Mitt Romney , R-Utah , said Tuesday he will vote on Trump 's pick if the nomination reaches the Senate floor .
Romney 's announcement makes it much more likely that Trump 's nominee will get a vote in the Senate .
Republicans can afford only three defections to approve Trump ' pick in the Senate , where they hold a 53-47 lead .
Before Romney committed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Maine 's Susan Collins , had said they opposed voting on the nomination before the presidential election in November .
Democrats oppose Trump naming a nominee , at least until the presidential election is resolved .
Democrats argue that if Joe Biden wins the election , he should be allowed to pick Ginsburg 's replacement , not a lame duck Trump .
But in a statement , Romney said : `` The Constitution gives the President the power to nominate and the Senate the authority to provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
`` Accordingly , I intend to follow the Constitution and precedent in considering the President 's nominee .
If the nominee reaches the Senate floor , I intend to vote based upon their qualifications , '' Romney said .
However , 52 % of voters in six so-called swing states want the winner of the election to name the next high court justice , according to a CNBC/Change Research poll released Tuesday .
And just 37 % of voters nationally think Trump should be able to nominate a justice if he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fifty-seven percent said he should not be able to do so .

President Donald Trump said Tuesday he will announce his nomination for the next Supreme Court justice on Saturday.
Trump is considering several candidates to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the liberal justice who died Friday at age 87.
Two federal appeals court judges, Amy Coney Barrett of the 7th Circuit, and Barbara Lagoa of the 11th Circuit, are considered front-runners for the nomination.
The Republican president said in a Twitter post he would make his announcement of his pick at the White House, at a time to be determined.
If Trump follows through on that timing, his selection will be revealed a day after Ginsburg lies in state at the U.S. Capitol, the first woman to be granted that honor.
Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, said Tuesday he will vote on Trump's pick if the nomination reaches the Senate floor.
Romney's announcement makes it much more likely that Trump's nominee will get a vote in the Senate. Republicans can afford only three defections to approve Trump' pick in the Senate, where they hold a 53-47 lead.
Before Romney committed to a vote, two other GOP senators, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Maine's Susan Collins, had said they opposed voting on the nomination before the presidential election in November.
Democrats oppose Trump naming a nominee, at least until the presidential election is resolved.
Democrats argue that if Joe Biden wins the election, he should be allowed to pick Ginsburg's replacement, not a lame duck Trump.
But in a statement, Romney said: "The Constitution gives the President the power to nominate and the Senate the authority to provide advice and consent on Supreme Court nominees."
"Accordingly, I intend to follow the Constitution and precedent in considering the President's nominee. If the nominee reaches the Senate floor, I intend to vote based upon their qualifications," Romney said.
However, 52% of voters in six so-called swing states want the winner of the election to name the next high court justice, according to a CNBC/Change Research poll released Tuesday.
And just 37% of voters nationally think Trump should be able to nominate a justice if he loses, according to the poll. Fifty-seven percent said he should not be able to do so.


cnbc--2020-09-22--Billionaires Haim and Cheryl Saban ramp up support for Biden and Democrats in Senate races

Film and television producer Haim Saban said in an exclusive interview with CNBC that he and his wife , Cheryl , plan to ramp up their campaign spending up and down the ballot to back Joe Biden and Democrats with just six weeks until Election Day .
The Sabans were relatively quiet with their contributions during the Democratic primary for president .
They decided they would not get involved with the race for president until after Super Tuesday , as Haim Saban publicly opposed Sen. Bernie Sanders last year .
They also acknowledged that they are planning to move ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inform and educate voters on how best to vote by mail during the coronavirus pandemic .
They made that commitment after CNBC pressed them on whether they 're looking to contribute to such groups .
`` From our view , we have done beyond what we have been asked to do and we continue what we are asked to do , '' Haim Saban said in a phone interview on Monday when discussing his contributions to help Democrats Senate candidates fighting in elections within key swing states .
`` We are going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked of us and then some , '' Saban said .
Their announcement of giving more toward competitive Senate races for Democrats follows the death of the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the ongoing battle on Capitol Hill on whether to move ahead with a new judicial nominee just before the election .
The Senate confirms the president 's Supreme Court nominations .
President Donald Trump has vowed to move to fill the seat quickly .
Saban , CEO of investment firm Saban Capital Group , has given at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PAC throughout the 2020 election cycle , according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics .
The super PAC is dedicated to helping Democratic candidates running for Senate seats .
Democrats raised at least $ 100 million in the days following Ginsburg 's death , according to data from ActBlue .
Trump has said he will choose Ginsburg 's potential replacement either Friday or Saturday .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell believes the Senate has enough time this year to confirm the presidents nominee .
Saban called the decision to move ahead with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' citing McConnell 's successful efforts to block President Barack Obama 's pick to the Supreme Court in 2016 , Merrick Garland , from receiving a hearing .
McConnell said at the time that the Senate would not hold hearings for Garland because it should be the next president who chooses their preferred Supreme Court nominee .
There are at least seven Senate races in which Democrats are challenging vulnerable Republicans , including in Arizona , Maine , Colorado , North Carolina and Georgia .
A Morning Consult poll taken after Ginsburg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roughly 2,000 participants said the winner of the presidential election should choose the next Supreme Court justice .
Saban , who brought the `` Mighty Morphin ' Power Rangers '' to the United States , said he and his wife are backing Biden in part because of his track record on supporting Israel and its alliance with the United States .
Saban , an Israeli-American , said he also sides with Biden 's support of a two-state solution between the Israelis and Palestinians .
When asked how they 're looking to assist Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PACs or other means , Saban told CNBC : `` Every avenue available to every supporter , we will go down that path . ''
The Sabans , along with California Rep. Adam Schiff , hosted a virtual fundraiser earlier this month for Biden , with tickets at $ 500,000 .
The event raised $ 4.5 million .
The Sabans would n't give a top line total of how much they 're looking to contribute down the campaign stretch .
They gave over $ 16 million to Democrats running for federal office during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toward supporting then Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton , CRP data shows .
At the time , they contributed millions to Priorities USA Action , a super PAC that backed Clinton and is now supporting Biden .
This cycle they 've contributed just over $ 4 million to Democrats , records show .
Haim Saban has a net worth of just under $ 3 billion , according to Forbes .
While Saban supports the Democratic Party , he has also has ties with Trump 's son-in-law and senior advisor , Jared Kushner .
Saban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four world leaders who should be given credit for putting together a diplomatic agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates .
Saban reportedly helped in the process of getting to a deal but insists his role was on the `` periphery '' and that the agreement came together after years of efforts on both sides .
Saban was pictured attending the signing ceremony between Israeli , UAE , Bahrain and U.S. leaders at the White House earlier this month .
Still , when it comes to the campaign , Saban is looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump .
Biden has had success fundraising already , making the media mogul 's entrance into the money race an extra lift that will give the former vice president and the groups supporting him necessary cash to stay ahead of Trump .
Biden and his joint fundraising groups with Democratic National Committee finished raising $ 364 million in August .
Trump and the Republican National Committee raised $ 210 million over that same period .
Biden and his DNC fundraising committees went into September with $ 466 million on hand , a campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign spokesman said last week on Twitter that the team , combined with the RNC , had $ 325 million on hand going into September .
After the story was first published , a spokeswoman for the couple told CNBC that the two combined to give $ 1.4 million in the third quarter to the Biden Victory Fund , a joint fundraising committee between Biden and the DNC .
The filing for that committee does not become public until October .
Beyond helping Democrats , the Sabans are focusing on financially assisting outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic .
With many states making mail-in ballots more accessible due to the pandemic , nonprofits and other organizations have been educating voters on how best to use the mail service as a way to vote .
Saban said he and his wife are going to move ahead with giving through their foundation to similar groups in the coming weeks after CNBC asked whether they plan to support the larger vote-by-mail efforts across the country .
`` We 're going to get together with the head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with you , '' Saban said about helping these groups .
`` This whole post office , voting by mail , voter suppression and all that .
All these things , I imagine , could be determining factors on the outcome of the presidency .
We are going to look at this right away and look to be helpful there . ''
Many business leaders , including James and Kathryn Murdoch , have poured money into those types of groups .
`` I think this is one of the best ways to give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , especially now , it is very complicated for rural communities and senior citizens , '' Cheryl Saban , president of the Saban Family Foundation , said about mail-in voting .
Since the Covid-19 lockdown started , she said , they 've contributed to a wide variety of groups that have focused on distributing food and aid to people affected by the coronavirus , especially those in marginalized communities .
The groups that have seen their help over the last few months include Children Mending Hearts , Project Angel Food and Homeboy Industries @

Film and television producer Haim Saban said in an exclusive interview with CNBC that he and his wife, Cheryl, plan to ramp up their campaign spending up and down the ballot to back Joe Biden and Democrats with just six weeks until Election Day.
The Sabans were relatively quiet with their contributions during the Democratic primary for president. They decided they would not get involved with the race for president until after Super Tuesday, as Haim Saban publicly opposed Sen. Bernie Sanders last year.
They also acknowledged that they are planning to move ahead with large investments into organizations looking to inform and educate voters on how best to vote by mail during the coronavirus pandemic. They made that commitment after CNBC pressed them on whether they're looking to contribute to such groups.
"From our view, we have done beyond what we have been asked to do and we continue what we are asked to do," Haim Saban said in a phone interview on Monday when discussing his contributions to help Democrats Senate candidates fighting in elections within key swing states.
"We are going to continue pushing and doing everything that's asked of us and then some," Saban said.
Their announcement of giving more toward competitive Senate races for Democrats follows the death of the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the ongoing battle on Capitol Hill on whether to move ahead with a new judicial nominee just before the election. The Senate confirms the president's Supreme Court nominations. President Donald Trump has vowed to move to fill the seat quickly.
Saban, CEO of investment firm Saban Capital Group, has given at least $2 million to the Senate Majority PAC throughout the 2020 election cycle, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. The super PAC is dedicated to helping Democratic candidates running for Senate seats. Democrats raised at least $100 million in the days following Ginsburg's death, according to data from ActBlue.
Trump has said he will choose Ginsburg's potential replacement either Friday or Saturday. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell believes the Senate has enough time this year to confirm the presidents nominee. Saban called the decision to move ahead with the nomination process a "cynical catastrophe," citing McConnell's successful efforts to block President Barack Obama's pick to the Supreme Court in 2016, Merrick Garland, from receiving a hearing. McConnell said at the time that the Senate would not hold hearings for Garland because it should be the next president who chooses their preferred Supreme Court nominee.
There are at least seven Senate races in which Democrats are challenging vulnerable Republicans, including in Arizona, Maine, Colorado, North Carolina and Georgia. A Morning Consult poll taken after Ginsburg's death shows that half of the roughly 2,000 participants said the winner of the presidential election should choose the next Supreme Court justice.
Saban, who brought the "Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers" to the United States, said he and his wife are backing Biden in part because of his track record on supporting Israel and its alliance with the United States. Saban, an Israeli-American, said he also sides with Biden's support of a two-state solution between the Israelis and Palestinians.
When asked how they're looking to assist Biden, either through contributions to pro-Biden super PACs or other means, Saban told CNBC: "Every avenue available to every supporter, we will go down that path."
The Sabans, along with California Rep. Adam Schiff, hosted a virtual fundraiser earlier this month for Biden, with tickets at $500,000. The event raised $4.5 million.
The Sabans wouldn't give a top line total of how much they're looking to contribute down the campaign stretch. They gave over $16 million to Democrats running for federal office during the 2016 election, with most going toward supporting then Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, CRP data shows. At the time, they contributed millions to Priorities USA Action, a super PAC that backed Clinton and is now supporting Biden.
This cycle they've contributed just over $4 million to Democrats, records show. Haim Saban has a net worth of just under $3 billion, according to Forbes.
While Saban supports the Democratic Party, he has also has ties with Trump's son-in-law and senior advisor, Jared Kushner. Saban told CNBC that Kushner is one of four world leaders who should be given credit for putting together a diplomatic agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates. Saban reportedly helped in the process of getting to a deal but insists his role was on the "periphery" and that the agreement came together after years of efforts on both sides. Saban was pictured attending the signing ceremony between Israeli, UAE, Bahrain and U.S. leaders at the White House earlier this month.
Still, when it comes to the campaign, Saban is looking to give Biden a boost to defeat Trump. Biden has had success fundraising already, making the media mogul's entrance into the money race an extra lift that will give the former vice president and the groups supporting him necessary cash to stay ahead of Trump.
Biden and his joint fundraising groups with Democratic National Committee finished raising $364 million in August. Trump and the Republican National Committee raised $210 million over that same period. Biden and his DNC fundraising committees went into September with $466 million on hand, a campaign aide confirmed to CNBC. Trump's campaign spokesman said last week on Twitter that the team, combined with the RNC, had $325 million on hand going into September.
After the story was first published, a spokeswoman for the couple told CNBC that the two combined to give $1.4 million in the third quarter to the Biden Victory Fund, a joint fundraising committee between Biden and the DNC. The filing for that committee does not become public until October.
Democratic super PACs backing Biden have largely combined to outspend committees supporting Trump.
Beyond helping Democrats, the Sabans are focusing on financially assisting outside groups that are looking to make an impact in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
With many states making mail-in ballots more accessible due to the pandemic, nonprofits and other organizations have been educating voters on how best to use the mail service as a way to vote. Saban said he and his wife are going to move ahead with giving through their foundation to similar groups in the coming weeks after CNBC asked whether they plan to support the larger vote-by-mail efforts across the country.
"We're going to get together with the head of our foundation after we hang up with you," Saban said about helping these groups. "This whole post office, voting by mail, voter suppression and all that. All these things, I imagine, could be determining factors on the outcome of the presidency. We are going to look at this right away and look to be helpful there." Many business leaders, including James and Kathryn Murdoch, have poured money into those types of groups.
"I think this is one of the best ways to give communities their chance to vote, when, especially now, it is very complicated for rural communities and senior citizens," Cheryl Saban, president of the Saban Family Foundation, said about mail-in voting.
Since the Covid-19 lockdown started, she said, they've contributed to a wide variety of groups that have focused on distributing food and aid to people affected by the coronavirus, especially those in marginalized communities. The groups that have seen their help over the last few months include Children Mending Hearts, Project Angel Food and Homeboy Industries.


cnbc--2020-09-22--Senate has more than enough time to confirm Trump Supreme Court nominee, McConnell says

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-KY ) wears a protective mask as he walks to his office at the U.S. Capitol on September 21 , 2020 in Washington , DC .
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Monday that the Senate has more than enough time to confirm President Donald Trump 's Supreme Court pick before the end of the year , or even before Election Day .
`` As of today there are 43 days before Nov. 3 and 104 days before the end of this Congress , '' the Kentucky Republican said on the Senate floor .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ time to process a nomination .
History and precedent make that perfectly clear . ''
McConnell 's comments come just three days after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , who died on Friday from complications due to pancreatic cancer .
Ginsburg sat on the Supreme Court for 27 years .
The fight over the nomination has consumed Washington with just over six weeks to go until Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden face off at the polls .
Recalling the bitter fight over Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2018 , McConnell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' would be in store .
A confirmation could secure Trump his third justice on the nine-member panel , solidifying a 6-3 conservative majority , with dramatic implications on issues such as health care , guns , voting rights and the power of government regulators .
Democrats , still energized by McConnell 's refusal to hold a vote on former President Barack Obama 's nominee in 2016 , have likened the battle to an existential fight .
McConnell pledged within hours of the announcement of Ginsburg 's death to hold a vote on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to name the person by the end of the week .
Trump has repeatedly said his preference is for a confirmation vote before the election .
McConnell did not pledge to hold a vote before Election Day , though he said it could be done .
He did commit to hold a vote by the end of the year .
`` There was clear precedent behind the predictable outcome that came out of 2016 , '' he said , referring to his refusal to hold hearings for Obama 's nominee that year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even more overwhelming precedent behind the fact that this Senate will vote on this nomination this year . ''
If Trump names his nominee on Friday or Saturday , as he said he would do on Monday morning , a confirmation vote by the end of the year is well within the typical time frame for Supreme Court confirmations .
But a confirmation before the election would be historically quick .
Going back to the 1970s , the average amount of time it takes between a nomination and a final confirmation vote is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congressional Research Service .
Ginsburg 's own confirmation was on the speedier end , at 42 days .
McConnell noted that Ginsburg could have been confirmed twice between Monday and the end of the year .
The 19-day confirmation process for Justice John Paul Stevens , who served between 1975 and 2010 , `` could have been played out twice between now and Nov. 3 , with time to spare , '' McConnell said .
McConnell , though , faces unique problems corralling a vote on a nominee before Election Day .
Two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska , said over the weekend that they opposed such a plan .
With 53 seats in the Senate , McConnell can only afford one more defection .
Another element is that Ginsburg herself expressed her wish not to be replaced before the election in a dying statement .
`` My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed , '' Ginsburg told her granddaughter , according to NPR .
Democrats have seized on Ginsburg 's statement as they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote .
During an address in Philadelphia over the weekend , Biden called on Republicans in the Senate to `` heed her final call to us , not as a personal service to her , but as a service to the country , our country , at a crossroads . ''

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) wears a protective mask as he walks to his office at the U.S. Capitol on September 21, 2020 in Washington, DC.
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Monday that the Senate has more than enough time to confirm President Donald Trump's Supreme Court pick before the end of the year, or even before Election Day.
"As of today there are 43 days before Nov. 3 and 104 days before the end of this Congress," the Kentucky Republican said on the Senate floor. "The Senate has more than sufficient time to process a nomination. History and precedent make that perfectly clear."
McConnell's comments come just three days after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died on Friday from complications due to pancreatic cancer. Ginsburg sat on the Supreme Court for 27 years.
The fight over the nomination has consumed Washington with just over six weeks to go until Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden face off at the polls. Recalling the bitter fight over Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2018, McConnell suggested an "even more appalling sequel" would be in store.
A confirmation could secure Trump his third justice on the nine-member panel, solidifying a 6-3 conservative majority, with dramatic implications on issues such as health care, guns, voting rights and the power of government regulators.
Democrats, still energized by McConnell's refusal to hold a vote on former President Barack Obama's nominee in 2016, have likened the battle to an existential fight.
McConnell pledged within hours of the announcement of Ginsburg's death to hold a vote on her successor, and Trump is expected to name the person by the end of the week. Trump has repeatedly said his preference is for a confirmation vote before the election.
McConnell did not pledge to hold a vote before Election Day, though he said it could be done. He did commit to hold a vote by the end of the year.
"There was clear precedent behind the predictable outcome that came out of 2016," he said, referring to his refusal to hold hearings for Obama's nominee that year, Merrick Garland. "And there's even more overwhelming precedent behind the fact that this Senate will vote on this nomination this year."
If Trump names his nominee on Friday or Saturday, as he said he would do on Monday morning, a confirmation vote by the end of the year is well within the typical time frame for Supreme Court confirmations. But a confirmation before the election would be historically quick.
Going back to the 1970s, the average amount of time it takes between a nomination and a final confirmation vote is about 70 days, according to the Congressional Research Service.
Ginsburg's own confirmation was on the speedier end, at 42 days. McConnell noted that Ginsburg could have been confirmed twice between Monday and the end of the year.
The 19-day confirmation process for Justice John Paul Stevens, who served between 1975 and 2010, "could have been played out twice between now and Nov. 3, with time to spare," McConnell said.
McConnell, though, faces unique problems corralling a vote on a nominee before Election Day. Two Republican senators, moderates Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, said over the weekend that they opposed such a plan. With 53 seats in the Senate, McConnell can only afford one more defection.
Another element is that Ginsburg herself expressed her wish not to be replaced before the election in a dying statement.
"My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed," Ginsburg told her granddaughter, according to NPR.
Democrats have seized on Ginsburg's statement as they have pressed the case to delay a nomination vote.
During an address in Philadelphia over the weekend, Biden called on Republicans in the Senate to "heed her final call to us, not as a personal service to her, but as a service to the country, our country, at a crossroads."


cnbc--2020-09-22--Trump could be facing criminal tax probe, Manhattan DA suggests in new court filing

President Donald Trump and his business could be facing a criminal tax probe by the Manhattan District Attorney 's office , prosecutors suggested Monday in a court filing .
Prosecutors from Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance Jr. 's office raised that possibility as they said that a grand jury subpoena seeking eight years of Trump 's tax returns and other records from the president 's accountants should be allowed by a federal appeals court , which is set to hear arguments in this case this week .
While prosecutors last month suggested that they might be eyeing the Trump Organization for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's filing was the first time they had publicly said that their probe might encompass potential tax crimes .
Before last month , reports had suggested that Trump 's company was under investigation for how it accounted for hush money payments made to two women who said they had affairs with Trump , who has denied their claims .
Trump 's lawyers have argued that the subpoeana is `` overbroad '' and was issued `` in bad faith . ''
But Vance 's team said in Monday 's court filing that the subpoena @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have raised the prospect that Trump and his company misstated the values of their business properties at different times .
The filings said that if misstatements about business properties were conveyed from the Trump Organization 's headquarters in New York to business partners , insurers , potential lenders or tax authorities , that could mean the breaking of state laws such as scheme to defraud , falsification of business records , insurance fraud and criminal tax fraud , the filing said .
Vance 's office also said in the filing that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when compared to the temporal scope of misconduct alleged in public reports . ''
`` The New York Times reported that Appellant engaged in 'dubious tax schemes during the 1990s , including instances of outright fraud ' and that he 'helped his parents dodge taxes ' by 'set [ ting ] up a sham corporation to disguise millions of dollars in gifts ' and undervaluing assets , '' the filing said .
Trump 's lawyer , Jay Sekulow , did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
A spokesman for Vance @ @ @ @

President Donald Trump and his business could be facing a criminal tax probe by the Manhattan District Attorney's office, prosecutors suggested Monday in a court filing.
Prosecutors from Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance Jr.'s office raised that possibility as they said that a grand jury subpoena seeking eight years of Trump's tax returns and other records from the president's accountants should be allowed by a federal appeals court, which is set to hear arguments in this case this week.
While prosecutors last month suggested that they might be eyeing the Trump Organization for possible bank and insurance fraud, Monday's filing was the first time they had publicly said that their probe might encompass potential tax crimes.
Before last month, reports had suggested that Trump's company was under investigation for how it accounted for hush money payments made to two women who said they had affairs with Trump, who has denied their claims.
Trump's lawyers have argued that the subpoeana is "overbroad" and was issued "in bad faith."
But Vance's team said in Monday's court filing that the subpoena is more than justified by news reports that have raised the prospect that Trump and his company misstated the values of their business properties at different times.
The filings said that if misstatements about business properties were conveyed from the Trump Organization's headquarters in New York to business partners, insurers, potential lenders or tax authorities, that could mean the breaking of state laws such as scheme to defraud, falsification of business records, insurance fraud and criminal tax fraud, the filing said.
Vance's office also said in the filing that the scope "of the subpoena is moderate when compared to the temporal scope of misconduct alleged in public reports."
"The New York Times reported that Appellant engaged in 'dubious tax schemes during the 1990s, including instances of outright fraud' and that he 'helped his parents dodge taxes' by 'set[ting] up a sham corporation to disguise millions of dollars in gifts' and undervaluing assets," the filing said.
Trump's lawyer, Jay Sekulow, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokesman for Vance declined to comment.


cnbc--2020-09-22--Ruth Bader Ginsburg to be first woman to lie in state at Capitol and will lie in repose at Supreme C

Ruth Bader Ginsburg to be first woman to lie in state at Capitol and will lie in repose at Supreme Court

A person holds a sign reading `` RBG HERO '' as mourners gather during a vigil for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg outside of the Supreme Court in Washington , D.C. , U.S. , on Friday , Sept. 18 , 2020 .
The late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg will become the first woman to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol and only the second Supreme Court justice to be honored that way .
Services for the justice , who died Friday at age 87 , will begin Wednesday morning with a private ceremony at the Supreme Court 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family and close friends .
She will then lie in repose at the top of the Supreme Court 's front steps on Wednesday and Thursday .
The public is invited to pay its respects between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. on both days , the court said .
On Friday , Ginsburg will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol Building , according to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. Pelosi said a formal ceremony would take place on Friday morning .
As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic , it will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services , an interment ceremony will be held next week at Arlington National Cemetery , where her husband , Martin , was buried in 2010 .
The announcements about Ginsburg 's services came hours after President Donald Trump said that he has reduced his list of potential replacements to just five names , and intends to formalize a pick by the end of the week .
Trump said he wanted to wait until after Ginsburg 's services , out of respect .
The justice was a cultural icon and hero to liberals .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , alongside a fierce partisan firestorm being waged over her successor .
Democrats , including presidential nominee Joe Biden , have urged the president to delay selecting a nominee until after Election Day , in line with the GOP 's stance in 2016 , when Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blocked former President Barack Obama 's efforts to name Judge Merrick Garland to the top court in the final year of Obama 's presidency .
But Trump and McConnell have said they intend to move forward without delay this time .
Ginsburg , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the second woman ever to sit on the Supreme Court , after the retired Justice Sandra Day O'Connor , and was the first female justice to pass away .
The only other justice to lie in state at the Capitol , according to a website maintained by the House of Representatives , was former Chief Justice William Howard Taft , who was also a U.S. president .
Taft was president from 1909–1913 and chief justice from 1921 until shortly before his death in 1930 .

A person holds a sign reading "RBG HERO" as mourners gather during a vigil for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg outside of the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Friday, Sept. 18, 2020.
The late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg will become the first woman to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol and only the second Supreme Court justice to be honored that way.
Services for the justice, who died Friday at age 87, will begin Wednesday morning with a private ceremony at the Supreme Court's Great Hall for Ginsburg's colleagues, family and close friends. She will then lie in repose at the top of the Supreme Court's front steps on Wednesday and Thursday.
Read more: Ruth Bader Ginsburg, towering Supreme Court Justice, dies at 87
The public is invited to pay its respects between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. on both days, the court said.
On Friday, Ginsburg will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol Building, according to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Pelosi said a formal ceremony would take place on Friday morning. As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, it will be limited to invited guests.
Following the services, an interment ceremony will be held next week at Arlington National Cemetery, where her husband, Martin, was buried in 2010.
The announcements about Ginsburg's services came hours after President Donald Trump said that he has reduced his list of potential replacements to just five names, and intends to formalize a pick by the end of the week.
Trump said he wanted to wait until after Ginsburg's services, out of respect. The justice was a cultural icon and hero to liberals.
Ginsburg's death has prompted national mourning, alongside a fierce partisan firestorm being waged over her successor.
Democrats, including presidential nominee Joe Biden, have urged the president to delay selecting a nominee until after Election Day, in line with the GOP's stance in 2016, when Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blocked former President Barack Obama's efforts to name Judge Merrick Garland to the top court in the final year of Obama's presidency. But Trump and McConnell have said they intend to move forward without delay this time.
Ginsburg, appointed by former President Bill Clinton, was the second woman ever to sit on the Supreme Court, after the retired Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, and was the first female justice to pass away. The only other justice to lie in state at the Capitol, according to a website maintained by the House of Representatives, was former Chief Justice William Howard Taft, who was also a U.S. president. Taft was president from 1909–1913 and chief justice from 1921 until shortly before his death in 1930.


cnbc--2020-09-22--New York City police officer spied on fellow Tibetans for China, prosecutors charge

The logo of the New York City Police Department ( NYPD ) is placed on a surveillance camera near Ground Zero during the 18th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11 , 2001 .
`` These are not the actions of an individual who fears torture or persecution at the hands of the PRC , thus showing that his U.S. citizenship was secured through false pretenses , '' the memo said .
The U.S. Attorney 's Office for the Eastern District of New York , in a detention memo , said that despite Angwang 's claims , an investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the PRC on numerous occasion since his asylum application was granted . ''
But after overstaying a second visa he `` eventually sought asylum in the United States on the basis that he had allegedly been arrested and tortured in the [ People 's Republic of China ] due partly to this Tibetan ethnicity , '' the complaint said .
Authorities noted in a criminal complaint that Angwang , who currently works for the New York Police Department 's community affairs unit in the 111th precinct in Queens , `` initially traveled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exchange visa . ''
Angwang , after appearing remotely in federal court in New York via teleconference , was ordered by a judge to be detained without bond after prosecutors said he `` presents a serious risk of flight '' to avoid the criminal charges .
Angwang 's lawyer reserved his right to argue for bail at a later date .
The 33-year-old cop , Baimadajie Angwang , who was born in the region of Tibet in China , allegedly reported to officials at the Chinese consulate in New York on the activities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area .
A New York City police officer who also serves in the U.S. Army Reserve was arrested Monday on federal charges that accuse him of spying on fellow ethnic Tibetans while acting as an illegal agent for China .
The criminal complaint said that beginning as early as 2014 , Angwan maintained a relationship with one Chinese official at the consulate , and then in 2018 developed a relationship with a second official there , who was his handler and whom he called `` Boss . ''
The second official is believed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsible for neutralizing sources of potential opposition to the PRC Tibet , which China occupied in 1951 , is seen as a threat to the stability of the communist regime because of calls for the region 's independence , particularly by Tibetans at home and overseas who consider the self-exiled Dalai Lama , a Buddhist leader , their spiritual guide .
The complaint says that Angwang texted or called the consulate officials more than 100 times since 2014 .
The complaint also contains transcripts of some of those calls , during which Angwang @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Queens , and asked whether that official `` wanted to attend NYPD events 'to raise our country 's soft power . '
`` According to court filings , Angwang `` currently holds the rank of Staff Sergeant '' in the Army Reserve , `` and is stationed at Fort Dix , New Jersey in an Airborne Civil Affairs battalion . ''
He previously served on active duty in the U.S. Marines from 2009 to 2014 , and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2013 through 2014 , according to the Army , which did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminal complaint said that Angwang , `` while acting at the direction and control of PRC officials , has , among other things ... reported on the activities of ethnic Tibetans , and others , in the New York metropolitan area to the Consulate '' of China .
He also allegedly `` spotted and assessed potential ethnic Tibetan intelligence sources in the New York metropolitan area and beyond , '' the complaint said .
And Angwang `` used his official position in the NYPD to provide Consulate officials access to senior NYPD officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the complaint said .
Angwang is charged with acting as an agent of a foreign government without prior notification to the U.S. attorney general , wire fraud , making false statements and obstruction of an official proceeding .
Angwang works as a civil affairs specialist for the Army Reserve .
As part of his job there , he holds `` Secret '' level security clearance .
Authorities said that Angwang 's father is a retired member of China 's army , and a member of the nation 's Communist Party , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member and a retired Chinese government official .
His parents live in China , as does his brother , who is a reservist in the People 's Liberation Army .
According to the complaint , Angwang in 2016 wired a total of $ 150,000 to accounts in China controlled by his brother and another individual .
`` Angwang has also received multiple substantial wire transfers from the PRC , '' the complaint said .
`` State and local officials should be aware that they are not immune to the threat of Chinese espionage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. assistant attorney general for national security , in a prepared statement .
`` According to the allegations , the Chinese government recruited and directed a U.S. citizen and member of our nation 's largest law enforcement department to further its intelligence gathering and repression of Chinese abroad . ''
New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea , in a statement said , `` As alleged in this federal complaint , Baimadajie Angwang violated every oath he took in this country . ''
`` One to the United States , another to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this Police Department , '' said Shea .
`` From the earliest stages of this investigation , the NYPD 's Intelligence and Internal Affairs bureaus worked closely with the FBI 's Counterintelligence Division to make sure this individual would be brought to justice . ''
A spokesman for China 's foreign ministry on Tuesday called the accusations against Angwan `` pure fabricaion . ''
`` The [ criminal complaint ] is full of hedging terms such as 'seems ' and 'possibly , ' indicating the falsehood of the accusations , '' the spokesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ succeed in its smears against Chinese consulates and personnel in the U.S. '' The New York Police Benevolent Association , the union that represents patrol officers such as Angwang , last November posted on Facebook a photo from a delegates meeting at which Angwang presented the American flag .
The post said that Angwang , while serving with the U.S. military , had served one tour in Iraq and two tours in Afghanistan .
That claim conflicts with the Army 's statement about Angwang 's service , which says he only did the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post was removed by the PBA after Angwang 's arrest became public .
A PBA spokesman said the union is not representing Angwang in the criminal case .

The logo of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) is placed on a surveillance camera near Ground Zero during the 18th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
"These are not the actions of an individual who fears torture or persecution at the hands of the PRC, thus showing that his U.S. citizenship was secured through false pretenses," the memo said.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, in a detention memo, said that despite Angwang's claims, an investigation found that "Angwang has traveled back to the PRC on numerous occasion since his asylum application was granted."
But after overstaying a second visa he "eventually sought asylum in the United States on the basis that he had allegedly been arrested and tortured in the [People's Republic of China] due partly to this Tibetan ethnicity," the complaint said.
Authorities noted in a criminal complaint that Angwang, who currently works for the New York Police Department's community affairs unit in the 111th precinct in Queens, "initially traveled to the United States on a cultural exchange visa."
Angwang, after appearing remotely in federal court in New York via teleconference, was ordered by a judge to be detained without bond after prosecutors said he "presents a serious risk of flight" to avoid the criminal charges. Angwang's lawyer reserved his right to argue for bail at a later date.
The 33-year-old cop, Baimadajie Angwang, who was born in the region of Tibet in China, allegedly reported to officials at the Chinese consulate in New York on the activities of other Tibetans in the New York area.
A New York City police officer who also serves in the U.S. Army Reserve was arrested Monday on federal charges that accuse him of spying on fellow ethnic Tibetans while acting as an illegal agent for China.
The criminal complaint said that beginning as early as 2014, Angwan maintained a relationship with one Chinese official at the consulate, and then in 2018 developed a relationship with a second official there, who was his handler and whom he called "Boss."
The second official is believed to have been assigned to a department responsible for neutralizing sources of potential opposition to the PRC
Tibet, which China occupied in 1951, is seen as a threat to the stability of the communist regime because of calls for the region's independence, particularly by Tibetans at home and overseas who consider the self-exiled Dalai Lama, a Buddhist leader, their spiritual guide.
The complaint says that Angwang texted or called the consulate officials more than 100 times since 2014. The complaint also contains transcripts of some of those calls, during which Angwang proposes his handler attend Tibetan events in Queens, and asked whether that official "wanted to attend NYPD events 'to raise our country's soft power.' "
According to court filings, Angwang "currently holds the rank of Staff Sergeant" in the Army Reserve, "and is stationed at Fort Dix, New Jersey in an Airborne Civil Affairs battalion."
He previously served on active duty in the U.S. Marines from 2009 to 2014, and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2013 through 2014, according to the Army, which did not comment on his arrest.
The criminal complaint said that Angwang, "while acting at the direction and control of PRC officials, has, among other things ... reported on the activities of ethnic Tibetans, and others, in the New York metropolitan area to the Consulate" of China.
He also allegedly "spotted and assessed potential ethnic Tibetan intelligence sources in the New York metropolitan area and beyond," the complaint said.
And Angwang "used his official position in the NYPD to provide Consulate officials access to senior NYPD officials through invitations to official NYPD events," the complaint said.
Angwang is charged with acting as an agent of a foreign government without prior notification to the U.S. attorney general, wire fraud, making false statements and obstruction of an official proceeding.
Angwang works as a civil affairs specialist for the Army Reserve. As part of his job there, he holds "Secret" level security clearance.
Authorities said that Angwang's father is a retired member of China's army, and a member of the nation's Communist Party, while his mother is both a Communist Party member and a retired Chinese government official. His parents live in China, as does his brother, who is a reservist in the People's Liberation Army.
According to the complaint, Angwang in 2016 wired a total of $150,000 to accounts in China controlled by his brother and another individual.
"Angwang has also received multiple substantial wire transfers from the PRC," the complaint said.
"State and local officials should be aware that they are not immune to the threat of Chinese espionage," said John Demers, the U.S. assistant attorney general for national security, in a prepared statement.
"According to the allegations, the Chinese government recruited and directed a U.S. citizen and member of our nation's largest law enforcement department to further its intelligence gathering and repression of Chinese abroad."
New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea, in a statement said, "As alleged in this federal complaint, Baimadajie Angwang violated every oath he took in this country."
"One to the United States, another to the U.S. Army, and a third to this Police Department," said Shea. "From the earliest stages of this investigation, the NYPD's Intelligence and Internal Affairs bureaus worked closely with the FBI's Counterintelligence Division to make sure this individual would be brought to justice."
A spokesman for China's foreign ministry on Tuesday called the accusations against Angwan "pure fabricaion."
"The [criminal complaint] is full of hedging terms such as 'seems' and 'possibly,' indicating the falsehood of the accusations," the spokesman said. "The U.S. won't succeed in its smears against Chinese consulates and personnel in the U.S."
The New York Police Benevolent Association, the union that represents patrol officers such as Angwang, last November posted on Facebook a photo from a delegates meeting at which Angwang presented the American flag.
The post said that Angwang, while serving with the U.S. military, had served one tour in Iraq and two tours in Afghanistan. That claim conflicts with the Army's statement about Angwang's service, which says he only did the tour in Afghanistan.
The PBA's post was removed by the PBA after Angwang's arrest became public.
A PBA spokesman said the union is not representing Angwang in the criminal case.


cnbc--2020-09-23--House passes spending bill to avoid government shutdown, sends it to Senate

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) speaks during her weekly news conference at the U.S. Capitol on August 6 , 2020 in Washington , DC .
The House passed a bill Tuesday that would fund the government into December and avoid a shutdown before a Sept. 30 deadline .
After clearing the House in an overwhelming vote , the legislation heads to the Republican-held Senate .
Earlier Tuesday , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she reached a spending agreement with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Republicans .
Pelosi said the proposal would include $ 8 billion for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It renews Pandemic EBT , a program that provides food benefits while schools are closed set to expire at the end of September , for a full year .
It also adds increased accountability for farm aid money to prevent it from gong to large oil companies , according to Pelosi .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had criticized a lack of farm assistance funds in a bill House Democrats released Monday .
The bill would fund the government through Dec. 11 , avoiding a potentially chaotic shutdown during the coronavirus pandemic and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then aim to hash out an agreement to fund the government through Sept. 30 , 2021 , the end of the next fiscal year .
Lawmakers have said they want to get past the shutdown threat to focus on passing more coronavirus relief , which they have failed to do for months amid disagreements over the size of a fifth aid package .
Correction : An earlier version of this story contained an incorrect headline about the timing of the bill 's approval .

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) speaks during her weekly news conference at the U.S. Capitol on August 6, 2020 in Washington, DC.
The House passed a bill Tuesday that would fund the government into December and avoid a shutdown before a Sept. 30 deadline.
After clearing the House in an overwhelming vote, the legislation heads to the Republican-held Senate. Earlier Tuesday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she reached a spending agreement with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Republicans.
Pelosi said the proposal would include $8 billion for nutrition assistance for schoolchildren and families. It renews Pandemic EBT, a program that provides food benefits while schools are closed set to expire at the end of September, for a full year.
It also adds increased accountability for farm aid money to prevent it from gong to large oil companies, according to Pelosi. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had criticized a lack of farm assistance funds in a bill House Democrats released Monday.


cnbc--2020-09-23--Most voters worry Trump is trying to release coronavirus vaccine too quickly, to help his reelection

Most voters worry Trump is trying to release coronavirus vaccine too quickly, to help his reelection, polls say

Dr. Matilde `` Mattie '' Castiel receives an injection from RN Bethany Trainor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester , MA on September 04 , 2020 .
Most voters , both nationally and in six key swing states , worry President Donald Trump is pushing to release a coronavirus vaccine too quickly in order to boost his reelection chances this year , according to new CNBC/Change Research polls .
Across the country , 61 % of likely voters said they are concerned the president is trying to push out the vaccine too early , to help his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ term in November , the survey released Wednesday found .
It included 52 % of respondents who said they are `` very concerned . ''
In the pivotal states of Arizona , Florida , Michigan , North Carolina , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin , a similar 57 % share of voters said they worry Trump is pressing to release a vaccine too quickly .
Among swing-state respondents , 46 % said they are `` very concerned . ''
At the same time , voters ' willingness to get a Covid-19 vaccine at the earliest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nationally , only 42 % of likely voters said they will definitely or probably receive the inoculation when it first becomes available .
That figure has fallen from 58 % in July .
Democrats have contributed to the change : In Thursday 's poll , only 30 % said they would definitely get a vaccine , down from 57 % in July .
The swing-state poll surveyed 3,018 likely voters from Friday to Sunday and has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.8 percentage points .
The national poll surveyed 1,430 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.6 percentage points .
Trump has repeatedly predicted a vaccine could be ready by the Nov. 3 election , contradicting key officials in his administration .
As the president struggles to contain a pandemic that has now killed 200,000 Americans , he has pointed to a vaccine as a solution to return to pre-outbreak life — and restart a struggling U.S. economy he once saw as his ticket to reelection .

Dr. Matilde "Mattie" Castiel receives an injection from RN Bethany Trainor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, MA on September 04, 2020.
Most voters, both nationally and in six key swing states, worry President Donald Trump is pushing to release a coronavirus vaccine too quickly in order to boost his reelection chances this year, according to new CNBC/Change Research polls.
Across the country, 61% of likely voters said they are concerned the president is trying to push out the vaccine too early, to help his chances of winning a second White House term in November, the survey released Wednesday found. It included 52% of respondents who said they are "very concerned."
In the pivotal states of Arizona, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, a similar 57% share of voters said they worry Trump is pressing to release a vaccine too quickly. Among swing-state respondents, 46% said they are "very concerned."
At the same time, voters' willingness to get a Covid-19 vaccine at the earliest chance has fallen in recent months. Nationally, only 42% of likely voters said they will definitely or probably receive the inoculation when it first becomes available.
That figure has fallen from 58% in July. Democrats have contributed to the change: In Thursday's poll, only 30% said they would definitely get a vaccine, down from 57% in July.
The swing-state poll surveyed 3,018 likely voters from Friday to Sunday and has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.8 percentage points. The national poll surveyed 1,430 likely voters from Friday to Sunday and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.6 percentage points.
Trump has repeatedly predicted a vaccine could be ready by the Nov. 3 election, contradicting key officials in his administration. As the president struggles to contain a pandemic that has now killed 200,000 Americans, he has pointed to a vaccine as a solution to return to pre-outbreak life — and restart a struggling U.S. economy he once saw as his ticket to reelection.
"We think we can start some time in October," Trump said last week about distributing the vaccine. "So as soon as it's announced we'll be able to start. That will be from mid-October on. It may be a little bit later than that."
Earlier in the same day, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield told lawmakers that high-risk populations could start to receive vaccinations in limited quantities by November or December. It could take "six to nine months" to vaccinate the whole U.S. population, he said.
Trump claimed Redfield was mistaken in his comments.
Both Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and vice presidential nominee Sen. Kamala Harris have said they worry Trump's comments could undermine Americans' confidence in a vaccine. Last week, Biden tried to make a distinction between listening to the experts in Trump's administration and believing the president's word.
"I trust vaccines. I trust scientists. But I don't trust Donald Trump," he said.


cnbc--2020-09-23--Trump won't commit to peaceful transfer of power if he loses the election

President Donald Trump refused Wednesday to commit to a peaceful transition of power if he loses the 2020 election to Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
`` Well , we 'll have to see what happens .
You know that .
I 've been complaining very strongly about the ballots .
And the ballots are a disaster , '' Trump said at a news conference at the White House .
It appeared Trump was referring to mail-in ballots , which he has repeatedly condemned , without evidence , as susceptible to massive fraud .
The president had been asked by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peaceful transfer of power , `` win , lose or draw . ''
When the reporter noted that `` people are rioting , '' Trump replied : `` Get rid of the ballots , and you 'll have a very – you 'll have a very peaceful – there wo n't be a transfer , frankly , there 'll be a continuation . ''
`` The ballots are out of control , '' Trump said , adding , `` The Democrats know it better than anybody else . ''
The Biden campaign issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declining to commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he were to lose the election : `` The American people will decide this election .
And the United States government is perfectly capable of escorting trespassers out of the White House . ''
Minutes later , the president abruptly left the briefing room , telling the press , `` I have to leave to take an emergency phone call . ''
The White House did not immediately respond to CNBC 's request for details on Trump 's departure .
Trump in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his upcoming announcement of a nominee to fill the Supreme Court seat vacated by the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
`` I think it will be a great nominee , a brilliant nominee , '' Trump said , noting that he had already committed to selecting a female judge for the Supreme Court .
Ginsburg , the Court 's senior liberal associate justice , died Friday evening at age 87 due to complications from pancreatic cancer .
Trump and most Senate Republicans , especially Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's seat filled before the Nov. 3 election .
Doing so would likely cement a conservative majority on the nine-member bench , which could alter the trajectory of U.S. law for decades to come .
It could also play a central role in the near term .
With the coronavirus pandemic spurring massive changes to vote-by-mail rules in numerous states , the 2020 election has already become a battlefield of partisan litigation .
The president has already predicted that the high court will decide the winner .
`` I think this well end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think it 's very important that we have nine justices , and I think the system 's going to go very quickly , '' Trump said at the White House earlier Wednesday .

President Donald Trump refused on Wednesday to commit to a peaceful transition of power if he loses the 2020 election to Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
"Well, we'll have to see what happens. You know that. I've been complaining very strongly about the ballots. And the ballots are a disaster," Trump said at a White House news conference. It appeared Trump was referring to mail-in ballots, which he has repeatedly condemned, without evidence, as susceptible to massive fraud.
The president had been asked by a reporter if he would commit to a peaceful transfer of power, "win, lose or draw."
When the reporter noted that "people are rioting," Trump replied: "Get rid of the ballots, and you'll have a very — you'll have a very peaceful — there won't be a transfer, frankly, there'll be a continuation."
"The ballots are out of control," Trump said. "The Democrats know it better than anybody else."
The Biden campaign responded by saying: "The American people will decide this election. And the United States government is perfectly capable of escorting trespassers out of the White House."
The Trump campaign pushed back on criticism of the president's answer. "The premise of the question the president was asked assumed that he would lose, which he naturally disagrees with, meaning there will not be a change in administration," said spokesman Tim Murtaugh.
Minutes after Trump discussed the potential outcome of the election, the president abruptly left the briefing room, telling the press, "I have to leave to take an emergency phone call."
The White House did not respond to a request for details on Trump's departure.
Trump in his brief time at the rostrum also discussed his planned announcement of a nominee to fill the Supreme Court seat vacated by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
"I think it will be a great nominee, a brilliant nominee," Trump said, noting that he had already committed to selecting a female judge for the Supreme Court.
Ginsburg, the court's senior liberal associate justice, died Friday evening at age 87 due to complications from pancreatic cancer.
Trump and most Senate Republicans, especially Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, have signaled eagerness to have Ginsburg's seat filled before the Nov. 3 election.
Doing so would likely cement a conservative majority on the nine-member bench, which could alter the trajectory of U.S. law for decades to come.
It could also play a central role in the near term. With the coronavirus pandemic spurring massive changes to vote-by-mail rules in numerous states, the 2020 election has already become a battlefield of partisan litigation.
The president has already predicted that the high court will decide the winner.
"I think this well end up in the Supreme Court and I think it's very important that we have nine justices, and I think the system's going to go very quickly," Trump said at the White House earlier Wednesday.


cnbc--2020-09-23--Biden takes aim at wealth inequality as he woos Black voters in battleground North Carolina

Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Joe Biden speaks at an outdoor `` Black Economic Summit '' while campaigning for president in Charlotte , North Carolina , September 23 , 2020 .
WASHINGTON — Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden traveled to the battleground state of North Carolina on Wednesday for a Black Economic Summit , part of a broader effort his campaign has launched to woo entrepreneurs and Black voters .
It was Biden 's first trip to this key state since the coronavirus pandemic forced him to cancel campaign travel this spring .
In 2016 , President Donald Trump won North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year it is again considered a must-win for the Republican .
As of Wednesday , state polling averages showed Trump and Biden running neck and neck in the Tar Heel State , with Biden leading by a statistically insignificant 0.5 points .
This week 's CNBC/Change Research poll showed Biden with a 2-point lead in the state .
Adding to the urgency of the contest is that voting in North Carolina has already begun .
The first absentee ballots were mailed out on Sept. 4 .
On Wednesday , Biden 's campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the former vice president delivered remarks and then took questions from a socially distanced audience of Black local business owners and community leaders .
Biden drew attention to several of his previously announced economic proposals , including his plan to provide an additional $ 70 billion to historically black colleges and universities .
He called for a national coronavirus business reopening standard backed by a multibillion-dollar federal testing and PPE supply chain , so that small business owners would not only have consistent health guidance , but the means to carry out those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wealth gap and the reality that the pandemic 's ongoing economic shock has only served to widen economic racial disparities .
`` We have to break a cycle , and the cycle is that the African-American community , by and large , finds itself at the bottom of the economic heap when businesses are doing better and when things are good , '' said Biden .
`` Then when things get bad , they 're the first ones in the hole .
And when things get better again , they 're the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backs up Biden 's argument .
In August , the unemployment rate among Black Americans was 13 % , while among White Americans it was only 7.2 % .

Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Joe Biden speaks at an outdoor "Black Economic Summit" while campaigning for president in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 23, 2020.
WASHINGTON — Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden traveled to the battleground state of North Carolina on Wednesday for a Black Economic Summit, part of a broader effort his campaign has launched to woo entrepreneurs and Black voters.
It was Biden's first trip to this key state since the coronavirus pandemic forced him to cancel campaign travel this spring. In 2016, President Donald Trump won North Carolina by nearly four points, and this year it is again considered a must-win for the Republican.
As of Wednesday, state polling averages showed Trump and Biden running neck and neck in the Tar Heel State, with Biden leading by a statistically insignificant 0.5 points. This week's CNBC/Change Research poll showed Biden with a 2-point lead in the state.
Adding to the urgency of the contest is that voting in North Carolina has already begun. The first absentee ballots were mailed out on Sept. 4.
On Wednesday, Biden's campaign hosted the summit in Charlotte, where the former vice president delivered remarks and then took questions from a socially distanced audience of Black local business owners and community leaders.
Biden drew attention to several of his previously announced economic proposals, including his plan to provide an additional $70 billion to historically black colleges and universities.
He called for a national coronavirus business reopening standard backed by a multibillion-dollar federal testing and PPE supply chain, so that small business owners would not only have consistent health guidance, but the means to carry out those recommendations.
Biden also addressed the racial wealth gap and the reality that the pandemic's ongoing economic shock has only served to widen economic racial disparities.
"We have to break a cycle, and the cycle is that the African-American community, by and large, finds itself at the bottom of the economic heap when businesses are doing better and when things are good," said Biden. "Then when things get bad, they're the first ones in the hole. And when things get better again, they're the last ones out."
Federal unemployment data backs up Biden's argument. In August, the unemployment rate among Black Americans was 13%, while among White Americans it was only 7.2%.


cnbc--2020-09-23--Grand jury indicts former Louisville cop Brett Hankison in Breonna Taylor raid, but no charges relat

Grand jury indicts former Louisville cop Brett Hankison in Breonna Taylor raid, but no charges related to her shooting death

A grand jury on Wednesday indicted a former Louisville , Kentucky , cop , Sgt .
Brett Hankison , on wanton endangerment charges connected to the police raid that led to the killing of Breonna Taylor — but he was not charged with any crimes related to her death .
Hankison , who fired 10 shots during the raid only was charged for having fired shots that ended up in a neighboring apartment to Taylor 's home , not into her residence itself .
Two other cops involved in the raid on Taylor 's home , Officer Myles Cosgrove and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminally charged by the grand jury .
An attorney for the Black woman 's family , Ben Crump , condemned the lack of criminal charges related to Taylor 's death .
`` Jefferson County Grand Jury indicts former ofc .
Brett Hankison with 3 counts of Wanton Endangerment in 1st Degree for bullets that went into other apartments but NOTHING for the murder of Breonna Taylor .
This is outrageous and offensive ! ''
Crump tweeted .
`` If Brett Hankison 's behavior was wanton endangerment to people in neighboring apartments , then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Breonna Taylor 's apartment too .
In fact , it should have been ruled wanton murder ! ''
Crump added .
Judge Annie O'Connell said a warrant will be issued for Hankison 's arrest .
She set bail at $ 15,000 .
The death of the 26-year-old Taylor , who was hit by six shots , along with the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis last spring , catalyzed the protest-driven movement to reform police organizations that spread nationwide this summer .
Wanton endangerment in the first degree is a Class D @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of five years in prison .

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A grand jury on Wednesday indicted a former Louisville, Kentucky, cop, Sgt. Brett Hankison, on wanton endangerment charges connected to the police raid that led to the killing of Breonna Taylor — but he was not charged with any crimes related to her death. Hankison, who fired 10 shots during the raid only was charged for having fired shots that ended up in a neighboring apartment to Taylor's home, not into her residence itself. Two other cops involved in the raid on Taylor's home, Officer Myles Cosgrove and Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly, were not criminally charged by the grand jury. An attorney for the Black woman's family, Ben Crump, condemned the lack of criminal charges related to Taylor's death. "Jefferson County Grand Jury indicts former ofc. Brett Hankison with 3 counts of Wanton Endangerment in 1st Degree for bullets that went into other apartments but NOTHING for the murder of Breonna Taylor. This is outrageous and offensive!" Crump tweeted.
Former Louisville Metropolitan Police Department officer Brett Hankison poses for an official portrait in Louisville, Kentucky, in an undated photograph. LMPD | via Reuters
"If Brett Hankison's behavior was wanton endangerment to people in neighboring apartments, then it should have been wanton endangerment in Breonna Taylor's apartment too. In fact, it should have been ruled wanton murder!" Crump added. Judge Annie O'Connell said a warrant will be issued for Hankison's arrest. She set bail at $15,000. The death of the 26-year-old Taylor, who was hit by six shots, along with the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis last spring, catalyzed the protest-driven movement to reform police organizations that spread nationwide this summer. Wanton endangerment in the first degree is a Class D felony that carries a maximum possible sentence of five years in prison. Hankison was charged with three counts of that crime. The multiple counts relate to the fact that the shots he fired went into an apartment, not Taylor's, which contained three other people. A lawyer for the former police officer did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Louisville Police Department in June terminated Hankison's employment, saying he had displayed "an extreme indifference to the value of human life." In anticipation of the grand jury's findings, Louisville's mayor, Greg Fischer, imposed a curfew from 9 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. starting Wednesday.
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cnbc--2020-09-23--Voter registration surges after Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death, groups say

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg 's death Friday helped prompt a surge in voter registration , according to voting groups .
Since then , these organizations have seen a wave of engagement that carried through to National Voter Registration Day , which was Tuesday , as early voting gets underway ahead of Election Day on Nov. 3 .
`` I do think that the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg has galvanized eligible voters , in particular , who understand the role of the Supreme Court and are concerned about the future of civil rights , '' Carolyn DeWitt , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CNBC on Tuesday .
Vote.org , a nonpartisan nonprofit that allows people to register through its website , processed more than 40,000 new voter registrations on Saturday and Sunday , a 68 % increase from the prior weekend , according to its spokesman .
The website saw more than 35,000 mail ballot requests on Saturday and Sunday , a 42 % increase from a week earlier .
On National Voter Registration Day , Vote.org processed over 74,000 new voter registrations and 41,000 mail-in ballot requests .
After the story was first published , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ key final data points for what turned out to be a historic day .
In the full 24 hours of National Voter Registration Day , Vote.org registered 135,000 new voters .
That 's double their voter registration day success during the 2018 elections .
Just over 62 % of those they helped register were female .
Those who registered the most through Vote.org were between the ages of 25 and 34 .
Close to 25 % were between the ages of 18 and 24 .
Many states are cutting back on restrictions for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the spread of the coronavirus .
Data from Johns Hopkins University shows that Covid-19 has killed more than 200,000 people in the U.S. DeWitt tweeted that Rock the Vote saw a wave of traffic to its website on National Voter Registration Day .
The group 's spokeswoman told CNBC that it had its biggest day for general website traffic so far in 2020 , surpassing Super Tuesday in March .
Rock the Vote and other groups had a similar surge in the wake of George Floyd 's death .
President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ginsburg on Saturday .
Senate Republicans appear to have enough votes to call for a vote in the coming weeks .
Democratic voters have largely shown their enthusiasm for the coming election with their increase in campaign contributions .
They raised at least $ 100 million in the days following Ginsburg 's death , according to data from ActBlue .
A Morning Consult poll shows a rise in importance of the Supreme Court for Democratic voters following Ginsburg 's death .
Only 48 % of Democrats surveyed said they looked at the Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue prior to her death , compared with 60 % afterward .
About 54 % of Republicans that were polled say that the court is a `` very important '' issue for them .
Vote.org initially said they had over 254,000 registration verifications on Tuesday .
They ended up conducting over 470,000 verifications , twice as much as they did two years ago , they later explained to CNBC .
In the days following Ginsburg 's death , it had more than 135,000 registration verifications , a 118 % increase from the prior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an organization co-chaired by Michelle Obama , has seen 82,000 voters starting or completing the process of registering to vote since the weekend , according to the group 's spokeswoman .
Vote Save America , a voter registration initiative launched by political media group Crooked Media , also had record success .
The media company was founded by three alumni of President Barack Obama 's administration : Jon Favreau , Obama 's head speechwriter ; Jon Lovett , a comedian and a fellow Obama administration speechwriter , and Tommy Vietor , a former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Baker , a senior manager at Crooked Media , said that Vote Save America saw 3,400 new voter registrations between Friday and Sunday , five times the number it did the previous weekend .
The site also saw 16,000 people verify they are registered to vote .
`` We do actively encourage people to make sure their registration is up to date and that they have n't been removed from the rolls for whatever reason , so we see a lot of traffic to our verification tool to make sure there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go vote , '' Baker told CNBC .
Vote Save America worked in tandem with NextGen America , a progressive nonprofit funded by Democratic billionaire Tom Steyer , on National Voter Registration Day to encourage young people to register .
Ben Wessel , an executive director at NextGen , told CNBC that on Tuesday the group estimated it helped over 4,700 people either register or update their voter registration records .
Wessel says that `` across the 15 hours of work we were doing , that 's basically one new voter registered ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 seconds . ''
The group focused its efforts on potential voters between the ages of 18 and 35 in the key states of Arizona , Florida , North Carolina , Michigan , Wisconsin , Pennsylvania , New Hampshire , Maine , Nevada and Iowa .
While Wessel could n't link its success directly to Ginsburg 's death , the group had new volunteers who he said were reaching out to friends and family because of her death .
`` I think that 'll keep up over the next 41 days , '' @ @ @

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death Friday helped prompt a surge in voter registration, according to voting groups.
Since then, these organizations have seen a wave of engagement that carried through to National Voter Registration Day, which was Tuesday, as early voting gets underway ahead of Election Day on Nov. 3.
"I do think that the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg has galvanized eligible voters, in particular, who understand the role of the Supreme Court and are concerned about the future of civil rights," Carolyn DeWitt, president of Rock the Vote, told CNBC on Tuesday.
Vote.org, a nonpartisan nonprofit that allows people to register through its website, processed more than 40,000 new voter registrations on Saturday and Sunday, a 68% increase from the prior weekend, according to its spokesman. The website saw more than 35,000 mail ballot requests on Saturday and Sunday, a 42% increase from a week earlier.
On National Voter Registration Day, Vote.org processed over 74,000 new voter registrations and 41,000 mail-in ballot requests. After the story was first published, the group later provided CNBC with their key final data points for what turned out to be a historic day. In the full 24 hours of National Voter Registration Day, Vote.org registered 135,000 new voters. That's double their voter registration day success during the 2018 elections.
Just over 62% of those they helped register were female. Those who registered the most through Vote.org were between the ages of 25 and 34. Close to 25% were between the ages of 18 and 24.
Many states are cutting back on restrictions for voting by mail this year, due to the spread of the coronavirus. Data from Johns Hopkins University shows that Covid-19 has killed more than 200,000 people in the U.S.
DeWitt tweeted that Rock the Vote saw a wave of traffic to its website on National Voter Registration Day. The group's spokeswoman told CNBC that it had its biggest day for general website traffic so far in 2020, surpassing Super Tuesday in March. Rock the Vote and other groups had a similar surge in the wake of George Floyd's death.
President Donald Trump plans to select a nominee to replace Ginsburg on Saturday. Senate Republicans appear to have enough votes to call for a vote in the coming weeks.
Democratic voters have largely shown their enthusiasm for the coming election with their increase in campaign contributions. They raised at least $100 million in the days following Ginsburg's death, according to data from ActBlue. A Morning Consult poll shows a rise in importance of the Supreme Court for Democratic voters following Ginsburg's death. Only 48% of Democrats surveyed said they looked at the Supreme Court as a "very important" issue prior to her death, compared with 60% afterward. About 54% of Republicans that were polled say that the court is a "very important" issue for them.
Vote.org initially said they had over 254,000 registration verifications on Tuesday. They ended up conducting over 470,000 verifications, twice as much as they did two years ago, they later explained to CNBC. In the days following Ginsburg's death, it had more than 135,000 registration verifications, a 118% increase from the prior weekend.
When We All Vote, an organization co-chaired by Michelle Obama, has seen 82,000 voters starting or completing the process of registering to vote since the weekend, according to the group's spokeswoman.
Vote Save America, a voter registration initiative launched by political media group Crooked Media, also had record success. The media company was founded by three alumni of President Barack Obama's administration: Jon Favreau, Obama's head speechwriter; Jon Lovett, a comedian and a fellow Obama administration speechwriter, and Tommy Vietor, a former White House national security spokesman.
E.J. Baker, a senior manager at Crooked Media, said that Vote Save America saw 3,400 new voter registrations between Friday and Sunday, five times the number it did the previous weekend. The site also saw 16,000 people verify they are registered to vote.
"We do actively encourage people to make sure their registration is up to date and that they haven't been removed from the rolls for whatever reason, so we see a lot of traffic to our verification tool to make sure there aren't any issues or surprises when they go vote," Baker told CNBC.
Vote Save America worked in tandem with NextGen America, a progressive nonprofit funded by Democratic billionaire Tom Steyer, on National Voter Registration Day to encourage young people to register.
Ben Wessel, an executive director at NextGen, told CNBC that on Tuesday the group estimated it helped over 4,700 people either register or update their voter registration records. Wessel says that "across the 15 hours of work we were doing, that's basically one new voter registered (or updating their voter address) every 12 seconds."
The group focused its efforts on potential voters between the ages of 18 and 35 in the key states of Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Maine, Nevada and Iowa.
While Wessel couldn't link its success directly to Ginsburg's death, the group had new volunteers who he said were reaching out to friends and family because of her death. "I think that'll keep up over the next 41 days," he added.


cnbc--2020-09-23--Judge orders Eric Trump to testify before election in New York attorney general probe of President T

Judge orders Eric Trump to testify before election in New York attorney general probe of President Trump's company

Eric Trump speaks in Portsmouth , NH on Sept. 17 , 2020 .
Eric Trump , son of President Donald Trump , makes a stop in Portsmouth during one stop on his 'Make America Great Again ! '
tour .
Eric Trump must testify in response to a subpoena from the New York Attorney General 's office before the presidential election as part of an investigation into whether President Donald Trump 's company improperly valued real estate assets in official statements , a judge ordered Wednesday .
Eric Trump , who is the president 's middle son and a top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testify no later than Oct. 7 , Judge Arthur Engoron ruled after a hearing in Manhattan Supreme Court , where Trump 's lawyers had asked to delay his deposition until after the election .
Engoron noted that , `` Mr. Trump cites no authority in support of his request , and at any event , neither petitioner nor this court is bound by timelines of the national election . ''
`` The court 's order today makes clear that no one is above the law , not even an organization or an individual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a prepared statement .
The attorney general is investigating whether the New York-based Trump Organization improperly inflated the values of several real estate assets on annual financial statements that were used to obtain loans , as well as to get economic and tax benefits related to those properties .
James last month had filed an action with the court seeking Eric Trump 's compliance with the subpoena after she said that he had reneged on an agreement to testify this summer .
James also sought to force compliance with subpoenas seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ properties .
Her office noted Wednesday that the judge 's order will give her access to documents that have been `` withheld by the Trump Organization . ''
Lawyers for Eric Trump later said that he was willing to be deposed as part of James 's probe of the Trump Organization , but only after the Nov. 3 contest between President Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
Attorneys for the AG 's office argued to the judge earlier Wednesday that Eric Trump has no right to delay a subpoena for his testimony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We simply ca n't delay compliance for another two months , '' one of those attorneys , Matthew Colangelo , said during a video conference before Engoron .
`` Mr. [ Eric ] Trump is asking for a further two-month delay ... to the middle of November in response to a subpoena that was served in may and where the parties agreed in early june on a date for his attendance , '' Colangelo said .
`` Mr. Trump should n't be able to profit from his own dilatory conduct here .
@

Eric Trump speaks in Portsmouth, NH on Sept. 17, 2020. Eric Trump, son of President Donald Trump, makes a stop in Portsmouth during one stop on his 'Make America Great Again!' tour.
Eric Trump must testify in response to a subpoena from the New York Attorney General's office before the presidential election as part of an investigation into whether President Donald Trump's company improperly valued real estate assets in official statements, a judge ordered Wednesday.
Eric Trump, who is the president's middle son and a top executive in the Trump Organization, must testify no later than Oct. 7, Judge Arthur Engoron ruled after a hearing in Manhattan Supreme Court, where Trump's lawyers had asked to delay his deposition until after the election.
Engoron noted that, "Mr. Trump cites no authority in support of his request, and at any event, neither petitioner nor this court is bound by timelines of the national election."
Attorney General Letitia James's office called the ruling a "major victory."
"The court's order today makes clear that no one is above the law, not even an organization or an individual with the name Trump," James said in a prepared statement.
Eric Trump, in a statement, said, "The New York Attorney General has called my father an 'illegitimate' president and pledged to take him down while she was running for office. Her actions since demonstrate a continued political vendetta and attempt to interfere with the upcoming election."
"That said, since I previously agreed to appear for an interview, I will do so as scheduled," Eric Trump said.
The attorney general is investigating whether the New York-based Trump Organization improperly inflated the values of several real estate assets on annual financial statements that were used to obtain loans, as well as to get economic and tax benefits related to those properties.
James last month had filed an action with the court seeking Eric Trump's compliance with the subpoena after she said that he had reneged on an agreement to testify this summer.
James also sought to force compliance with subpoenas seeking documentation and testimony related to several Trump properties. Her office noted Wednesday that the judge's order will give her access to documents that have been "withheld by the Trump Organization."
Lawyers for Eric Trump later said that he was willing to be deposed as part of James's probe of the Trump Organization, but only after the Nov. 3 contest between President Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
Attorneys for the AG's office argued to the judge earlier Wednesday that Eric Trump has no right to delay a subpoena for his testimony as part of an ongoing investigation.
"We simply can't delay compliance for another two months," one of those attorneys, Matthew Colangelo, said during a video conference before Engoron.
"Mr. [Eric] Trump is asking for a further two-month delay ... to the middle of November in response to a subpoena that was served in may and where the parties agreed in early june on a date for his attendance," Colangelo said.
"Mr. Trump shouldn't be able to profit from his own dilatory conduct here."