cnbc--2020-08-13--Yale 'illegally discriminates' against White and Asian students, Justice Department says

Yale University 's undergraduate admissions process `` illegally discriminates '' against White and Asian students , the Department of Justice said Thursday .
A two-year investigation into the Ivy League school found that `` race is the determinative factor in hundreds of admissions decisions each year , '' in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 , the DOJ said in a press release .
The department said Yale must agree not to use race or national origin as criteria in its next admissions cycle , and that if it plans to consider race in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Department of Justice a plan demonstrating its proposal is narrowly tailored as required by law , including by identifying a date for the end of race discrimination . ''
Yale denied the allegation .
Karen Peart , a spokeswoman for the university , said in a statement to CNBC that the Justice Department made its conclusions before Yale had provided enough information to show that its practices `` absolutely comply with decades of Supreme Court precedent . ''
`` At Yale , we look at the whole person when selecting whom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highly qualified applicants , '' Peart said .
`` We are proud of Yale 's admissions practices , and we will not change them on the basis of such a meritless , hasty accusation . ''
Earlier this year , the DOJ reportedly asked a federal appeals court to overturn a prior ruling that Harvard College does not discriminate against Asian Americans in its admissions process .
The DOJ 's probe of Yale found that Asian American and White students are one-tenth to one-fourth as likely to be admitted to the New Haven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with comparable academic resumes , the press release said .
`` There is no such thing as a nice form of race discrimination , '' said Eric Dreiband , assistant attorney general for the department 's Civil Rights Division , in the press release .
`` Unlawfully dividing Americans into racial and ethnic blocs fosters stereotypes , bitterness , and division .
It is past time for American institutions to recognize that all people should be treated with decency and respect and without unlawful regard to the color of their skin . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ scores of Asian American and White applicants each year based on their race , whom it otherwise would admit . ''
The Justice Department also accuses Yale of racially balancing its classes .
In a separate letter , the department warned that if Yale does not agree to the demanded changes by Aug. 27 , the DOJ `` will be prepared to file a lawsuit to enforce Yale 's Title VI obligations . ''

Yale University's undergraduate admissions process "illegally discriminates" against White and Asian students, the Department of Justice said Thursday.
A two-year investigation into the Ivy League school found that "race is the determinative factor in hundreds of admissions decisions each year," in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the DOJ said in a press release.
The department said Yale must agree not to use race or national origin as criteria in its next admissions cycle, and that if it plans to consider race in the future, "it must first submit to the Department of Justice a plan demonstrating its proposal is narrowly tailored as required by law, including by identifying a date for the end of race discrimination."
Yale denied the allegation. Karen Peart, a spokeswoman for the university, said in a statement to CNBC that the Justice Department made its conclusions before Yale had provided enough information to show that its practices "absolutely comply with decades of Supreme Court precedent."
"At Yale, we look at the whole person when selecting whom to admit among the many thousands of highly qualified applicants," Peart said.
"We are proud of Yale's admissions practices, and we will not change them on the basis of such a meritless, hasty accusation."
Earlier this year, the DOJ reportedly asked a federal appeals court to overturn a prior ruling that Harvard College does not discriminate against Asian Americans in its admissions process.


cnbc--2020-08-13--Joe Biden calls for a nationwide mask mandate as he pushes his plan to combat coronavirus

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee former Vice President Joe Biden puts his mask back on after delivering remarks following a coronavirus briefing with health experts at the Hotel DuPont on August 13 , 2020 in Wilmington , Delaware .
WASHINGTON — Joe Biden , the presumptive Democratic nominee for president , called for a nationwide mask mandate on Thursday , drawing a sharp contrast with President Donald Trump , who rarely wears a mask himself and opposes such mandates .
`` Every single American should be wearing a mask when they 're outside for the next three months at a minimum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appearance in Wilmington , Delaware .
`` Every governor should mandate mandatory mask wearing .
The estimates by the experts are that it will save over 40,000 lives in the next three months .
Forty thousand lives , if people act responsibly . ''
`` It 's not about your rights .
It 's about your responsibilities as an American , '' said Biden , flipping the script on Republicans who argue that mandates infringe on an individual 's right not to wear one .
The coronavirus has infected more than 5.2 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 166,000 .
Later Thursday , the campaign released an ad pushing Biden 's plan to beat back the coronavirus .
The former vice president was joined on stage by his newly announced running mate , Sen. Kamala Harris of California , who spoke after he did .

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee former Vice President Joe Biden puts his mask back on after delivering remarks following a coronavirus briefing with health experts at the Hotel DuPont on August 13, 2020 in Wilmington, Delaware.
WASHINGTON — Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, called for a nationwide mask mandate on Thursday, drawing a sharp contrast with President Donald Trump, who rarely wears a mask himself and opposes such mandates.
"Every single American should be wearing a mask when they're outside for the next three months at a minimum," Biden said at a press appearance in Wilmington, Delaware. "Every governor should mandate mandatory mask wearing. The estimates by the experts are that it will save over 40,000 lives in the next three months. Forty thousand lives, if people act responsibly."
"It's not about your rights. It's about your responsibilities as an American," said Biden, flipping the script on Republicans who argue that mandates infringe on an individual's right not to wear one.
The coronavirus has infected more than 5.2 million people in the United States, killing more than 166,000.
Later Thursday, the campaign released an ad pushing Biden's plan to beat back the coronavirus.
The former vice president was joined on stage by his newly announced running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris of California, who spoke after he did.


cnbc--2020-08-13--Sen. Elizabeth Warren demands 'corruption' probe after report of Amazon options purchase by Postal S

Sen. Elizabeth Warren demands 'corruption' probe after report of Amazon options purchase by Postal Service chief Louis DeJoy

Senator Elizabeth Warren speaks at a campaign rally at the Seattle Center Armory in Seattle , Washington , February 22 , 2020 .
Sen. Elizabeth Warren on Thursday demanded that the U.S .
Postal Service 's internal ethics watchdog investigate what she suggested was `` corruption '' in the purchase of Amazon stock options by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy after his appointment to that job .
The Massachussetts Democrat Warren , in a tweet , wrote that DeJoy 's `` investments in @ USPS competitors were already deeply problematic . ''
`` But his purchase of @ Amazon stock options @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she added .
`` The @ OIGUSPS must investigate this corruption , '' Warren wrote , using the Twitter address of the Postal Service 's Office of Inspector General .
A spokesperson for the OIG in an email to CNBC wrote , `` Inspector General Tammy L. Whitcomb received a congressional request last week and our office is reviewing it for appropriate response .
We can not comment on details of any ongoing work . ''
A USPS spokesman , when asked for comment about Warren 's tweet , in an email reply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week .
`` I take my ethical obligations seriously , and I have done what is necessary to ensure that I am and will remain in compliance with those obligations , '' DeJoy said in that statement .
Warren 's tweet linked to a CNN report on Wednesday , which said that DeJoy continues to hold at least at least $ 30 million in holdings in his former company XPO Logistics , which is a United States Postal Service contractor .
CNN reported that those holdings likely created `` a major conflict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial disclosures and ethics experts , '' who the news site said `` were shocked that ethics officials at the postal service approved this arrangement . ''
CNN , citing government financial disclosures , also reported that on the same day in June that `` DeJoy divested large amounts of Amazon shares , he purchased stock options giving him the right to buy new shares of Amazon at a price much lower than their current market price . ''
`` This could lead to a separate conflict , given President Donald Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort in 2018 to pressure DeJoy 's predecessor to raise prices on Amazon and other firms , while complaining about its founder Jeff Bezos , '' CNN noted .
DeJoy , who previously worked as chairman and CEO of New Breed Logistics , a company that had contracted with the U.S .
Postal Service , was selected as Postmaster General in May by the USPS 's board of governors .
DeJoy before his selection also had been a major Republican Party fundraiser .
In June , The Washington Post had reported that `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the ambassador-nominee to Canada , have between $ 30.1 million and $ 75.3 million in assets in USPS competitors or contractors , according to Wos 's financial disclosure paperwork filed with the Office of Government Ethics . ''
The Post noted that the `` vast majority '' of those holdings were in XPO Logistics , which acquired New Breed Logistics in 2014 .
But the couple 's `` combined stake in competitors UPS and trucking company J.B. Hunt is roughly $ 265,000 . ''
CNN 's article on Wednesday said that records @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 265,000 and $ 550,000 in UPS stock , but divested them after becoming postmaster general . ''

Senator Elizabeth Warren speaks at a campaign rally at the Seattle Center Armory in Seattle, Washington, February 22, 2020.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren on Thursday demanded that the U.S. Postal Service's internal ethics watchdog investigate what she suggested was "corruption" in the purchase of Amazon stock options by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy after his appointment to that job.
The Massachusetts Democrat Warren, in a tweet, wrote that DeJoy's "investments in @USPS competitors were already deeply problematic."
"But his purchase of @Amazon stock options after his appointment is inexcusable," she added.
"The @OIGUSPS must investigate this corruption," Warren wrote, using the Twitter address of the Postal Service's Office of Inspector General.
Tweet
A spokesperson for the OIG in an email to CNBC wrote, "Inspector General Tammy L. Whitcomb received a congressional request last week and our office is reviewing it for appropriate response. We cannot comment on details of any ongoing work."
A USPS spokesman, when asked for comment about Warren's tweet, in an email reply pointed to a statement issued by DeJoy last week.
"I take my ethical obligations seriously, and I have done what is necessary to ensure that I am and will remain in compliance with those obligations," DeJoy said in that statement.
Warren's tweet linked to a CNN report on Wednesday, which said that DeJoy continues to hold at least at least $30 million in holdings in his former company XPO Logistics, which is a United States Postal Service contractor.
CNN reported that those holdings likely created "a major conflict of interest, according to newly obtained financial disclosures and ethics experts," who the news site said "were shocked that ethics officials at the postal service approved this arrangement."
CNN, citing government financial disclosures, also reported that on the same day in June that "DeJoy divested large amounts of Amazon shares, he purchased stock options giving him the right to buy new shares of Amazon at a price much lower than their current market price."
"This could lead to a separate conflict, given President Donald Trump's disdain for Amazon, and his reported effort in 2018 to pressure DeJoy's predecessor to raise prices on Amazon and other firms, while complaining about its founder Jeff Bezos," CNN noted.
DeJoy, who previously worked as chairman and CEO of New Breed Logistics, a company that had contracted with the U.S. Postal Service, was selected as Postmaster General in May by the USPS's board of governors. DeJoy before his selection also had been a major Republican Party fundraiser.
In June, The Washington Post had reported that "DeJoy and his wife, Aldona Wos, the ambassador-nominee to Canada, have between $30.1 million and $75.3 million in assets in USPS competitors or contractors, according to Wos's financial disclosure paperwork filed with the Office of Government Ethics."
The Post noted that the "vast majority" of those holdings were in XPO Logistics, which acquired New Breed Logistics in 2014.
But the couple's "combined stake in competitors UPS and trucking company J.B. Hunt is roughly $265,000."
CNN's article on Wednesday said that records show that "DeJoy owned between $265,000 and $550,000 in UPS stock, but divested them after becoming postmaster general."


cnbc--2020-08-13--Trump says he is refusing additional post office funding as part of his fight against mail-in voting

President Donald Trump said that negotiations on additional coronavirus relief funding are at an impasse on Capitol Hill in large part because Democrats want to give billions of dollars to support the U.S .
Postal Service and mail-in voting efforts .
`` They need that money in order to have the Post Office work so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots , '' Trump said in a Fox Business interview Thursday morning .
`` But if they do n't get those two items that means you ca n't have universal mail-in voting , because they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` If we do n't make a deal , that means they do n't get the money , that means they ca n't have universal mail-in voting .
They just ca n't have it , '' Trump said .
`` Sort of a crazy thing .
Very interesting . ''
Trump had been asked what specifically was causing a breakdown in communication between the White House and Democrats on Capitol Hill .
The president has repeatedly claimed that the 2020 election will be `` rigged '' and rife with fraud if an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take place .
Election experts say those claims are false .
The president 's most recent comments suggest he believes he can quash expanded mail-in voting plans , and the Postal Service 's ability to accommodate them , if he refuses to agree to fund those efforts .
Democrats , meanwhile , worry that a slew of recent operational changes made by the new postmaster general , a major donor to Republicans and Trump-supporting committees , could harm the integrity of the election .
Members of both parties have called on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reverse the sweeping changes , which have been blamed by mail workers ' advocates for widespread mail delays .
`` We 're getting complaints across the board '' of a slowdown in mail deliveries , said Mark Dimondstein , president of the American Postal Workers Union , in an interview with CNBC .
`` Anything that slows down the mail is the opposite of what the people in this country want and deserve , '' Dimondstein said .
Democrats , as part of their $ 3 trillion Covid-19 relief proposal , want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Post Office , which has hemorrhaged billions of dollars during the pandemic .
That stimulus package also included $ 3.6 billion for election funding , which House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said is partly to ensure there are enough polling places and that they are spaced out and open long enough to mitigate the spread of the virus .
`` It 's a health issue .
You should n't have to choose between your health and the ability to cast your vote , '' said Pelosi , who accused Trump of `` undermining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refusing to put up money for absentee voting or the Postal Service .
Talks between Democratic leaders and the White House have broken off , as the two sides remain `` miles apart '' on a deal for more relief funding , according to Pelosi .
Trump 's remarks to Fox Business expanded on his prior claims that mail-in voting is impossible if he does n't approve the funding .
`` They 're admitting that they want $ 3.5 billion , and they 're not going to do a deal that 's good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they 're not going to get the $ 3.5 billion .
Therefore , they ca n't do the universal mail-in vote , '' Trump said Wednesday during a White House press briefing .
`` It 's very simple .
How are they going to do it if they do n't have the money to do it ? ''
he said .

watch now
President Donald Trump said that negotiations on additional coronavirus relief funding are at an impasse on Capitol Hill in large part because Democrats want to give billions of dollars to support the U.S. Postal Service and mail-in voting efforts. "They need that money in order to have the Post Office work so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots," Trump said in a Fox Business interview Thursday morning. "But if they don't get those two items that means you can't have universal mail-in voting, because they're not equipped to have it." "If we don't make a deal, that means they don't get the money, that means they can't have universal mail-in voting. They just can't have it," Trump said. "Sort of a crazy thing. Very interesting." Trump had been asked what specifically was causing a breakdown in communication between the White House and Democrats on Capitol Hill. The president has repeatedly claimed that the 2020 election will be "rigged" and rife with fraud if an expected surge of mail-in ballots is allowed to take place. Election experts say those claims are false. The president's most recent comments suggest he believes he can quash expanded mail-in voting plans, and the Postal Service's ability to accommodate them, if he refuses to agree to fund those efforts. Democrats, meanwhile, worry that a slew of recent operational changes made by the new postmaster general, a major donor to Republicans and Trump-supporting committees, could harm the integrity of the election. Members of both parties have called on the postmaster general, Louis DeJoy, to reverse the sweeping changes, which have been blamed by mail workers' advocates for widespread mail delays. "We're getting complaints across the board" of a slowdown in mail deliveries, said Mark Dimondstein, president of the American Postal Workers Union, in an interview with CNBC. "Anything that slows down the mail is the opposite of what the people in this country want and deserve," Dimondstein said. Democrats, as part of their $3 trillion Covid-19 relief proposal, want to include a $25 billion infusion for the Post Office, which has hemorrhaged billions of dollars during the pandemic. That stimulus package also included $3.6 billion for election funding, which House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said is partly to ensure there are enough polling places and that they are spaced out and open long enough to mitigate the spread of the virus. "It's a health issue. You shouldn't have to choose between your health and the ability to cast your vote," said Pelosi, who accused Trump of "undermining the health of our democracy" by refusing to put up money for absentee voting or the Postal Service. Talks between Democratic leaders and the White House have broken off, as the two sides remain "miles apart" on a deal for more relief funding, according to Pelosi. Trump's remarks to Fox Business expanded on his prior claims that mail-in voting is impossible if he doesn't approve the funding. "They're admitting that they want $3.5 billion, and they're not going to do a deal that's good for the American people. Therefore, they're not going to get the $3.5 billion. Therefore, they can't do the universal mail-in vote," Trump said Wednesday during a White House press briefing. "It's very simple. How are they going to do it if they don't have the money to do it?" he said.
A split over mail-in voting
Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards
Congress pressures DeJoy


cnbc--2020-08-13--Coronavirus stimulus stalemate could drag on for weeks as Congress leaves town

An impasse over the next round of coronavirus aid looks likely to drag on after Democrats and Republicans described themselves as hopelessly far apart on a deal to combat raging economic and health-care crises .
An agreement on legislation , let alone passage of a bill , looks weeks away .
The Senate wrapped up its session Thursday afternoon and will not return this month unless negotiators strike an agreement .
The House had already left Washington for all of August pending a deal on pandemic relief .
Leaders in Washington followed a familiar script Thursday .
They indicated the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreement .
They do not know when meaningful negotiations will restart .
They called the opposing party unreasonable as millions of Americans wonder whether they can afford food or housing in the coming days and weeks .
Negotiators ' path to resolving vast differences of opinion over the best tools to stabilize a country ravaged by the pandemic looks murkier than ever .
As the stalemate drags on , an ineffectual response from Congress risks hampering efforts to contain the world 's worst virus outbreak and blowing up positive steps toward an improved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conventions will consume their attention over the next two weeks .
If they return next month without an agreement , lawmakers will have to consider coronavirus aid while trying to avoid a government shutdown by Sept. 30 .
It is unclear now when Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer will sit down with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows to resume discussions .
Pelosi and Mnuchin last made contact by phone on Wednesday , when Mnuchin once again said the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 1 trillion aid offer .
On Thursday , Pelosi said she does not have a timeline for when the sides will talk again .
`` I do n't know .
When they come in with $ 2 trillion , '' she told reporters at the Capitol .
`` We ca n't wait until Sept. 30 .
People will die , '' Pelosi said earlier in her news conference .

An impasse over the next round of coronavirus aid looks likely to drag on after Democrats and Republicans described themselves as hopelessly far apart on a deal to combat raging economic and health-care crises.
An agreement on legislation, let alone passage of a bill, looks weeks away. The Senate wrapped up its session Thursday afternoon and will not return this month unless negotiators strike an agreement. The House had already left Washington for all of August pending a deal on pandemic relief.
Leaders in Washington followed a familiar script Thursday. They indicated the sides have made no progress toward an agreement.
They do not know when meaningful negotiations will restart. They called the opposing party unreasonable as millions of Americans wonder whether they can afford food or housing in the coming days and weeks.
Negotiators' path to resolving vast differences of opinion over the best tools to stabilize a country ravaged by the pandemic looks murkier than ever. As the stalemate drags on, an ineffectual response from Congress risks hampering efforts to contain the world's worst virus outbreak and blowing up positive steps toward an improved economy.
The parties' 2020 political conventions will consume their attention over the next two weeks. If they return next month without an agreement, lawmakers will have to consider coronavirus aid while trying to avoid a government shutdown by Sept. 30.
It is unclear now when Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer will sit down with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows to resume discussions. Pelosi and Mnuchin last made contact by phone on Wednesday, when Mnuchin once again said the White House would not double the GOP's roughly $1 trillion aid offer.
On Thursday, Pelosi said she does not have a timeline for when the sides will talk again.
"I don't know. When they come in with $2 trillion," she told reporters at the Capitol.
"We can't wait until Sept. 30. People will die," Pelosi said earlier in her news conference.


cnbc--2020-08-13--Mike Bloomberg to speak at DNC as Democrats wonder whether he will spend big for Biden

Democratic presidential candidate former New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg waves to his supporters at his Super Tuesday night event on March 03 , 2020 in West Palm Beach , Florida .
Billionaire former presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg is set to speak at the Democratic National Convention next week as party leaders wonder when he will start spending big to back Joe Biden 's campaign for president .
A spokeswoman for Bloomberg confirmed to CNBC that he will be a featured speaker at the virtual convention that 's slated to start on Monday .
Bloomberg , a former mayor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporter of Biden 's since his own withdrawal from the Democratic primary in March .
A convention official told CNBC that Bloomberg plans to target President Donald Trump in his speech and specifically go after his handling of the coronavirus pandemic .
He will make the case that Trump has poorly handled the economy – and that he made the economic crisis worse in the way he 's dealt with the spread of Covid-19 .
His remarks will include how he believes Biden is the leader the country needs to get through the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highlight his work with Biden and President Barack Obama during his time as mayor of New York , while highlighting the former vice president 's handling of the 2008-09 financial crisis .
The speech will take place next Thursday , which is the final day of the convention .
That development comes as Bloomberg 's allies have been speaking with him about when and where he 'll make his next big investment to support Biden .
`` My sense is that he is supportive but not yet fully engaged , '' a friend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lots of verbal shrugging , '' said another .
After spending $ 1 billion on his own campaign , which only won 60 delegates , CNBC reported in May that Bloomberg was huddling with his advisors and associates to plot where his big spending spree for Biden will go toward .

Democratic presidential candidate former New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg waves to his supporters at his Super Tuesday night event on March 03, 2020 in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Billionaire former presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg is set to speak at the Democratic National Convention next week as party leaders wonder when he will start spending big to back Joe Biden's campaign for president.
A spokeswoman for Bloomberg confirmed to CNBC that he will be a featured speaker at the virtual convention that's slated to start on Monday. Bloomberg, a former mayor of New York, has been a vocal supporter of Biden's since his own withdrawal from the Democratic primary in March.
A convention official told CNBC that Bloomberg plans to target President Donald Trump in his speech and specifically go after his handling of the coronavirus pandemic. He will make the case that Trump has poorly handled the economy – and that he made the economic crisis worse in the way he's dealt with the spread of Covid-19. His remarks will include how he believes Biden is the leader the country needs to get through the ongoing pandemic.
Bloomberg also plans to highlight his work with Biden and President Barack Obama during his time as mayor of New York, while highlighting the former vice president's handling of the 2008-09 financial crisis.
The speech will take place next Thursday, which is the final day of the convention.
That development comes as Bloomberg's allies have been speaking with him about when and where he'll make his next big investment to support Biden.
"My sense is that he is supportive but not yet fully engaged," a friend of Bloomberg's told CNBC. "Lots of verbal shrugging," said another.
After spending $1 billion on his own campaign, which only won 60 delegates, CNBC reported in May that Bloomberg was huddling with his advisors and associates to plot where his big spending spree for Biden will go toward.


cnbc--2020-08-13--Supreme Court rejects GOP effort to tighten mail-in voting rules in Rhode Island

An elections worker opens ballots at the King County Elections headquarters on August 4 , 2020 in Renton , Washington .
The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a Republican bid to tighten rules on mail-in voting that had been eased as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic .
The case , the latest to insert the Supreme Court into the unfolding legal drama over coronavirus-era election reforms , concerned requirements that voters in the state sign mail-in ballots in the presence of a notary or two witnesses .
In a sparse , unsigned order , the top court reasoned that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state officials and effectively maintain the status quo for elections in the state , given that they had also applied to the state 's June primaries .
Justices Clarence Thomas , Samuel Alito , and Neil Gorsuch said they would have granted the Republicans ' request .
The order comes as President Donald Trump has stepped up his attacks on absentee voting , which he has claimed without evidence leads to widespread voting fraud .
Earlier on Thursday , the president told a Fox Business Network interviewer that he opposed Democrats ' request @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Postal Service , saying `` that means you ca n't have universal mail-in voting . ''
State officials dropped those requirements in July response to a lawsuit from civil rights groups , including the American Civil Liberties Union and Common Cause .
But the Republican National Committee and the Rhode Island Republican Party challenged the relaxed rules , saying in court papers that they could increase the likelihood of fraudulent voting .
After a federal appeals court refused to block the new rules , the GOP took the case to the Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the ACLU of Rhode Island , said in a statement that his group was `` very pleased that the Republican Party 's efforts to turn the fundamental right to vote into an episode of 'Survivor ' has failed . ''
`` We are grateful that our vulnerable plaintiffs and others like them will be able to vote securely from the safety and privacy of their homes as they did in June , without needing to risk their health or lives .
Today 's action is a victory for basic principles of democracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Republican organizations did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
In court papers , the RNC and state Republican party cited an Alabama case that the Supreme Court ruled on last month , in which it sided 5-4 with the state to block a judge 's order that would have made it easier for some voters to cast absentee ballots .
`` If Alabama 's witness requirement did not violate the Constitution during COVID-19 , then neither does Rhode Island 's , '' wrote attorney Thomas McCarthy .
The Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Rhode Island case , unlike the Alabama case `` and other similar cases where a State defends its own law , here the state election officials support the challenged decree , and no state official has expressed opposition . ''
`` The status quo is one in which the challenged requirement has not been in effect , given the rules used in Rhode Island 's last election , and many Rhode Island voters may well hold that belief , '' the court added .

An elections worker opens ballots at the King County Elections headquarters on August 4, 2020 in Renton, Washington.
The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a Republican bid to tighten rules on mail-in voting that had been eased as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The case, the latest to insert the Supreme Court into the unfolding legal drama over coronavirus-era election reforms, concerned requirements that voters in the state sign mail-in ballots in the presence of a notary or two witnesses.
In a sparse, unsigned order, the top court reasoned that the eased requirements were not opposed by state officials and effectively maintain the status quo for elections in the state, given that they had also applied to the state's June primaries.
Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Neil Gorsuch said they would have granted the Republicans' request.
The order comes as President Donald Trump has stepped up his attacks on absentee voting, which he has claimed without evidence leads to widespread voting fraud.
Earlier on Thursday, the president told a Fox Business Network interviewer that he opposed Democrats' request for more funding for the United States Postal Service, saying "that means you can't have universal mail-in voting."
State officials dropped those requirements in July response to a lawsuit from civil rights groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union and Common Cause.
But the Republican National Committee and the Rhode Island Republican Party challenged the relaxed rules, saying in court papers that they could increase the likelihood of fraudulent voting. After a federal appeals court refused to block the new rules, the GOP took the case to the Supreme Court.
Steven Brown, the executive director of the ACLU of Rhode Island, said in a statement that his group was "very pleased that the Republican Party's efforts to turn the fundamental right to vote into an episode of 'Survivor' has failed."
"We are grateful that our vulnerable plaintiffs and others like them will be able to vote securely from the safety and privacy of their homes as they did in June, without needing to risk their health or lives. Today's action is a victory for basic principles of democracy," he said.
Attorneys for the Republican organizations did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In court papers, the RNC and state Republican party cited an Alabama case that the Supreme Court ruled on last month, in which it sided 5-4 with the state to block a judge's order that would have made it easier for some voters to cast absentee ballots.
"If Alabama's witness requirement did not violate the Constitution during COVID-19, then neither does Rhode Island's," wrote attorney Thomas McCarthy.
The Supreme Court rejected that argument, saying that in the Rhode Island case, unlike the Alabama case "and other similar cases where a State defends its own law, here the state election officials support the challenged decree, and no state official has expressed opposition."
"The status quo is one in which the challenged requirement has not been in effect, given the rules used in Rhode Island's last election, and many Rhode Island voters may well hold that belief," the court added.


cnbc--2020-08-13--Michael Cohen says book on Trump discusses Russia collusion, 'golden showers' at Vegas sex club, lyi

Michael Cohen says book on Trump discusses Russia collusion, 'golden showers' at Vegas sex club, lying to Melania

President Donald Trump 's former personal lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen on Thursday released the foreword of his upcoming book on working for the president , which says it will detail scandalous actions that include a back channel to Russian leader Vladimir Putin , `` golden showers '' at a Vegas sex club and lying to Trump 's wife Melania about his sexual infidelities .
Cohen in the foreword says that `` Trump had colluded with the Russians , but not in the sophisticated ways imagined by his detractors '' and `` cheated in the election , with Russian connivance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pages , because doing anything — and I mean anything — to 'win ' has always been his business model and way of life . ''
The fallen lawyer in his book , `` Disloyal , A Memoir , '' also calls Trump a `` cheat , a liar , a fraud , a bully , a racist , a predator , a con man '' whom he loyally served for years before Cohen turned on him after falling under federal criminal investigation .
`` One last thing I can say with great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and meet the real real Donald Trump for the first time : This is a book the President of the United States does not want you to read , '' Cohen writes in the foreword , which was posted online .
`` When Trump wanted to reach Russian President Vladimir Putin , via a secret back channel , I was tasked with making the connection in my Keystone Kop fashion , '' Cohen writes .
`` I stiffed contractors on his behalf , ripped off his business partners , lied to his wife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and bullied and screamed at anyone who threatened Trump 's path to power , '' Cohen wrote .
`` From golden showers in a sex club in Vegas , to tax fraud , to deals with corrupt officials from the former Soviet Union , to catch and kill conspiracies to silence Trump 's clandestine lovers , I was n't just a witness to the president 's rise — I was an active and eager participant . ''
Cohen also writes that , `` Trump had also continued to pursue a major real estate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` He attempted to insinuate himself into the world of President Vladimir Putin and his coterie of corrupt billionaire oligarchs , '' Cohen wrote .
`` I know because I personally ran that deal and kept Trump and his children closely informed of all updates , even as the candidate blatantly lied to the American people saying , 'there 's no Russian collusion , I have no dealings with Russia … there 's no Russia . '
'' A website set up for the book contains a link for pre-ordering it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but buyers who want a copy signed by Cohen can get one for $ 40 .
Cohen earlier on Thursday tweeted out a photo of the cover of the book with , along with the message : `` Coming Soon . ''
The tweet came weeks after Cohen , a Manhattan resident , was rereleased from a prison after a legal dispute over federal probation officials ' efforts to bar him from publishing a book , speaking to reporters or posting on social media while serving the remainder of a three-year criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to comment to CNBC on the book .
Cohen has indicated he plans to publish the book before the November presidential election , when Trump will face presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
Trump has considered Cohen disloyal to him because the former fixer cooperated with federal and state prosecutors in investigations of the president .
One of those probes is by the Manhattan District Attorney 's Office , which could be eyeing Trump and his company for possible bank and insurance fraud .
Trump said that Cohen was `` lying to reduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who since last year has publicly condemned the president in heated terms , considers Trump disloyal to his oath of office , among other infractions .
In testimony to Congress before he entered prison in early 2019 , Cohen called Trump a `` racist '' and a `` con man . ''
The White House had no immediate comment on the book , which would come on the heels of damning books about Trump by the president 's niece , Mary Trump , and by his former national security advisor John Bolton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Robert , to block Mary Trump 's book and by the Justice Department to stop Bolton 's book failed .
In May , Charles Harder , a lawyer for the Trump Organization , sent Cohen a letter warning him that he would be at legal risk if he wrote a book about his time working for Trump .
The letter came nearly two weeks after The Daily Beast reported that Cohen had been `` writing an explosive tell-all book about his stint '' as Trump 's lawyer `` and plans on releasing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actor Tom Arnold , who had been in contact with Cohen while he was in prison , told The Daily Beast that `` the book would pull no punches . ''

President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen on Thursday released the foreword of his upcoming book on working for the president, which says it will detail scandalous actions that include a back channel to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, "golden showers" at a Vegas sex club and lying to Trump's wife Melania about his sexual infidelities.
Cohen in the foreword says that "Trump had colluded with the Russians, but not in the sophisticated ways imagined by his detractors" and "cheated in the election, with Russian connivance, as you will discover in these pages, because doing anything — and I mean anything — to 'win' has always been his business model and way of life."
The fallen lawyer in his book, "Disloyal, A Memoir," also calls Trump a "cheat, a liar, a fraud, a bully, a racist, a predator, a con man" whom he loyally served for years before Cohen turned on him after falling under federal criminal investigation.
"One last thing I can say with great confidence, as you turn the page and meet the real real Donald Trump for the first time: This is a book the President of the United States does not want you to read," Cohen writes in the foreword, which was posted online.
"When Trump wanted to reach Russian President Vladimir Putin, via a secret back channel, I was tasked with making the connection in my Keystone Kop fashion," Cohen writes.
"I stiffed contractors on his behalf, ripped off his business partners, lied to his wife Melania to hide his sexual infidelities, and bullied and screamed at anyone who threatened Trump's path to power," Cohen wrote.
"From golden showers in a sex club in Vegas, to tax fraud, to deals with corrupt officials from the former Soviet Union, to catch and kill conspiracies to silence Trump's clandestine lovers, I wasn't just a witness to the president's rise — I was an active and eager participant."
Tweet
Cohen also writes that, "Trump had also continued to pursue a major real estate deal in Moscow during the campaign."
"He attempted to insinuate himself into the world of President Vladimir Putin and his coterie of corrupt billionaire oligarchs," Cohen wrote.
"I know because I personally ran that deal and kept Trump and his children closely informed of all updates, even as the candidate blatantly lied to the American people saying, 'there's no Russian collusion, I have no dealings with Russia … there's no Russia.'"
A website set up for the book contains a link for pre-ordering it. The book is selling for $32.50, but buyers who want a copy signed by Cohen can get one for $40.
Cohen earlier on Thursday tweeted out a photo of the cover of the book with, along with the message: "Coming Soon."
Cohen book Tweet
The tweet came weeks after Cohen, a Manhattan resident, was rereleased from a prison after a legal dispute over federal probation officials' efforts to bar him from publishing a book, speaking to reporters or posting on social media while serving the remainder of a three-year criminal sentence under home confinement.
Cohen declined to comment to CNBC on the book.
Cohen has indicated he plans to publish the book before the November presidential election, when Trump will face presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
Trump has considered Cohen disloyal to him because the former fixer cooperated with federal and state prosecutors in investigations of the president. One of those probes is by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, which could be eyeing Trump and his company for possible bank and insurance fraud.
Trump said that Cohen was "lying to reduce his jail time."
But Cohen, who since last year has publicly condemned the president in heated terms, considers Trump disloyal to his oath of office, among other infractions.
In testimony to Congress before he entered prison in early 2019, Cohen called Trump a "racist" and a "con man."
The White House slammed Cohen's book as "fan fiction."
Spokesman Brian Morgenstern said Cohen "readily admits to lying routinely but expects people to believe him now so that he can make money from book sales. It's unfortunate that the media is exploiting this sad and desperate man to attack President Trump."
The book comes on the heels of damning books about Trump by the president's niece, Mary Trump, and by his former national security advisor John Bolton.
Legal efforts by Trump's brother, Robert, to block Mary Trump's book and by the Justice Department to stop Bolton's book failed.
In May, Charles Harder, a lawyer for the Trump Organization, sent Cohen a letter warning him that he would be at legal risk if he wrote a book about his time working for Trump.
The letter came nearly two weeks after The Daily Beast reported that Cohen had been "writing an explosive tell-all book about his stint" as Trump's lawyer "and plans on releasing it before the election."
The actor Tom Arnold, who had been in contact with Cohen while he was in prison, told The Daily Beast that "the book would pull no punches."


cnbc--2020-08-13--U.S. seizes $2 million from more than 300 cryptocurrency accounts used by terror groups

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department said it dismantled an elaborate cyber campaign used by overseas terror organizations to finance their operations and seized $ 2 million from more than 300 cryptocurrency accounts in what it described as the largest-ever seizure of its kind .
The Justice Department said three overseas terrorist groups — al-Qassam Brigades , Hamas ' military wing ; al-Qaeda and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant , also known as ISIS — used cryptocurrencies and social media to raise funds for their terror campaigns .
`` It should not surprise anyone that our enemies use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cryptocurrency to facilitate their evil and violent agendas , '' Attorney General William Barr said in a release .
`` As announced today , we will seize the funds and the instrumentalities that provide a lifeline for their operations whenever possible , '' he added .
`` Terrorist networks have adapted to technology , conducting complex financial transactions in the digital world , including through cryptocurrencies .
IRS-CI special agents in the DC cybercrimes unit work diligently to unravel these financial networks , '' Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the U.S. secretly took over websites that were operated by al-Qassam Brigades and monitored those who thought they had opened up their cyber wallets to the terror group but instead donated money to an account controlled by the U.S. government , according to court documents unsealed Thursday in the District of Columbia .
A senior Justice Department official said that federal agents were investigating individuals who donated to those accounts .
Federal agents said that the al Qaeda campaign was based in Syria and solicited funds in order to buy weapons , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign sought to take advantage of the Covid-19 pandemic by selling fake personal protective equipment .

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department said it dismantled an elaborate cyber campaign used by overseas terror organizations to finance their operations and seized $2 million from more than 300 cryptocurrency accounts in what it described as the largest-ever seizure of its kind.
The Justice Department said three overseas terrorist groups — al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' military wing; al-Qaeda and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, also known as ISIS — used cryptocurrencies and social media to raise funds for their terror campaigns.
"It should not surprise anyone that our enemies use modern technology, social media platforms and cryptocurrency to facilitate their evil and violent agendas," Attorney General William Barr said in a release. "As announced today, we will seize the funds and the instrumentalities that provide a lifeline for their operations whenever possible," he added.
"Terrorist networks have adapted to technology, conducting complex financial transactions in the digital world, including through cryptocurrencies. IRS-CI special agents in the DC cybercrimes unit work diligently to unravel these financial networks," Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin said in a release.
In one of the cases, the U.S. secretly took over websites that were operated by al-Qassam Brigades and monitored those who thought they had opened up their cyber wallets to the terror group but instead donated money to an account controlled by the U.S. government, according to court documents unsealed Thursday in the District of Columbia.
A senior Justice Department official said that federal agents were investigating individuals who donated to those accounts.
Federal agents said that the al Qaeda campaign was based in Syria and solicited funds in order to buy weapons, including surface-to-air missiles, and the ISIS campaign sought to take advantage of the Covid-19 pandemic by selling fake personal protective equipment.


cnbc--2020-08-13--Trump says UAE and Israel to normalize relations in deal that pauses West Bank annexations

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates — President Donald Trump on Thursday announced that the United Arab Emirates and Israel agreed to establish normal diplomatic relations in a development that will put on pause Israel 's efforts to annex parts of the West Bank claimed by Palestinians .
The president released a joint statement from the two countries and the United States on Twitter announcing the move .
Leaders of the three countries spoke earlier in the day , according to the statement .
The news comes amid years of warming ties between the UAE and Israel , which until now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relations .
The UAE , as with many Arab countries , has had an economic boycott against Israel since its founding and does not formally recognize it .
But cooperation between the two on issues like security and the increasing frequency of unofficial meetings by leaders , often aided by Washington , have been widely reported for some time .
The deal makes the UAE the first Persian Gulf state to normalize ties with Israel and only the third Arab country , after Egypt and Jordan , to have open diplomatic ties to @ @ @

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — President Donald Trump on Thursday announced that the United Arab Emirates and Israel agreed to establish normal diplomatic relations in a development that will put on pause Israel's efforts to annex parts of the West Bank claimed by Palestinians.
The president released a joint statement from the two countries and the United States on Twitter announcing the move. Leaders of the three countries spoke earlier in the day, according to the statement.
The news comes amid years of warming ties between the UAE and Israel, which until now have not had official diplomatic or trade relations.
The UAE, as with many Arab countries, has had an economic boycott against Israel since its founding and does not formally recognize it. But cooperation between the two on issues like security and the increasing frequency of unofficial meetings by leaders, often aided by Washington, have been widely reported for some time.
The deal makes the UAE the first Persian Gulf state to normalize ties with Israel and only the third Arab country, after Egypt and Jordan, to have open diplomatic ties to the country.


cnbc--2020-08-13--'That's not our game': Kudlow says White House won't accept 'voting rights' provisions in virus aid

'That's not our game': Kudlow says White House won't accept 'voting rights' provisions in virus aid bill

President Donald Trump will not support a coronavirus relief deal that includes `` voting rights '' provisions backed by Democrats , White House economic advisor Larry Kudlow said Thursday .
`` So much of the Democratic asks are really liberal , left wish lists — voting rights and aid to aliens and so forth , '' he told CNBC 's `` Squawk on the Street '' when asked about the administration 's stalled aid talks with Democratic leaders .
`` That 's not our game , and the president ca n't accept that kind of deal , '' the director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` So , we 'll wait and see on the negotiations .
Treasury Secretary [ Steven ] Mnuchin is working on that , but so far it 's a stalemate . ''
It is unclear what provisions related to voting rights , a keystone of American democracy , Kudlow believes are a priority only for Democrats .
A White House spokesman did not immediately identify the specific voting plans Kudlow was criticizing .
His comments fueled growing fears that Trump will stifle efforts to make it easier for Americans to vote on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president has fought attempts to inject $ 25 billion into a cash-crunched U.S .
Postal Service to ensure smooth mail-in voting during a year when casting ballots in person is hazardous due to the virus .
Trump has also opposed Democratic plans to give states $ 3.6 billion to promote election security and mail-in voting during the once-in-a-lifetime pandemic .
A Republican pandemic aid bill unveiled late last month did not include additional money for elections beyond the $ 400 million in emergency funds approved earlier this year .
The president has repeatedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not secure and ripe for fraud .
He suggested Thursday morning that he opposes USPS funding because the money would promote voting by mail .
`` Now they need that money in order to make the post office work so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots , '' Trump told Fox Business Network .
`` But if they do n't get those two items , that means you ca n't have universal mail-in voting , because they 're not equipped to have it . ''
The president has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also recently promoted the use of mail-in ballots in that swing state specifically .
Democrats have also warned that changes made at USPS following the appointment of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy , a Trump ally and donor , will jeopardize the timely and accurate counting of mail-in ballots .
`` We knew the GOP opposed voting rights , but this is unmistakable , '' he wrote .
On Thursday , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , told reporters that Trump 's resistance to voting by mail threatens to undermine `` the health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that election funds Democrats have proposed would also go toward making sure states can set up sufficient physical polling locations , open them long enough and create enough space at the sites to ensure safe voting .
`` You should n't have to choose between your health and the ability to cast your vote , '' she said .

President Donald Trump will not support a coronavirus relief deal that includes "voting rights" provisions backed by Democrats, White House economic advisor Larry Kudlow said Thursday.
"So much of the Democratic asks are really liberal, left wish lists — voting rights and aid to aliens and so forth," he told CNBC's "Squawk on the Street" when asked about the administration's stalled aid talks with Democratic leaders.
"That's not our game, and the president can't accept that kind of deal," the director of the National Economic Council continued. "So, we'll wait and see on the negotiations. Treasury Secretary [Steven] Mnuchin is working on that, but so far it's a stalemate."
It is unclear what provisions related to voting rights, a keystone of American democracy, Kudlow believes are a priority only for Democrats. A White House spokesman did not immediately identify the specific voting plans Kudlow was criticizing.
His comments fueled growing fears that Trump will stifle efforts to make it easier for Americans to vote on his reelection during the coronavirus pandemic. The president has fought attempts to inject $25 billion into a cash-crunched U.S. Postal Service to ensure smooth mail-in voting during a year when casting ballots in person is hazardous due to the virus.
Trump has also opposed Democratic plans to give states $3.6 billion to promote election security and mail-in voting during the once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. A Republican pandemic aid bill unveiled late last month did not include additional money for elections beyond the $400 million in emergency funds approved earlier this year.
The president has repeatedly made unfounded claims that mail-in ballots are not secure and ripe for fraud. He suggested Thursday morning that he opposes USPS funding because the money would promote voting by mail.
"Now they need that money in order to make the post office work so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots," Trump told Fox Business Network. "But if they don't get those two items, that means you can't have universal mail-in voting, because they're not equipped to have it."
The president has voted by mail in Florida. He also recently promoted the use of mail-in ballots in that swing state specifically.
Democrats have also warned that changes made at USPS following the appointment of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a Trump ally and donor, will jeopardize the timely and accurate counting of mail-in ballots.
Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wisc., swiftly criticized Kudlow's comments in a tweet Thursday.
"We knew the GOP opposed voting rights, but this is unmistakable," he wrote.
Mark Pocan tweet
On Thursday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., told reporters that Trump's resistance to voting by mail threatens to undermine "the health of our democracy." She added that election funds Democrats have proposed would also go toward making sure states can set up sufficient physical polling locations, open them long enough and create enough space at the sites to ensure safe voting.
"You shouldn't have to choose between your health and the ability to cast your vote," she said.
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cnbc--2020-08-13--Kamala Harris blames Trump for severity of U.S. coronavirus outbreak: He failed to take it 'seriousl

Kamala Harris blames Trump for severity of U.S. coronavirus outbreak: He failed to take it 'seriously from the start'

Democratic vice presidential pick Sen. Kamala Harris on Wednesday blamed President Donald Trump for the severity of the coronavirus outbreak in the United States , saying Trump is `` delusional '' and failed to take the virus `` seriously from the start . ''
`` This virus has impacted almost every country , but there 's a reason it has hit America worse than any other advanced nation .
It 's because of Trump 's failure to take it seriously from the start , '' Harris said .
She spoke in Wilmington , Delaware , during her first joint appearance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she became his running mate Tuesday .
`` His refusal to get testing up and running , his flip-flopping on social distancing and wearing masks , his delusional belief that he knows better than the experts — all of that is the reason and the reason an American dies of Covid-19 every 80 seconds , '' she said .
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
In response to Harris ' remarks , Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh said the president `` has been leading the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel from China , and then Europe , way back in January . ''
`` Joe Biden called it xenophobic and fear-mongering , '' Murtaugh said .
`` We now know that the President 's decision saved countless thousands of American lives and that Joe Biden would not have done it .
If Joe Biden had been president , we would be in a much worse situation today . ''
The U.S. has the worst coronavirus outbreak in the world with more than 5 million cases and at least 165,328 deaths as of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johns Hopkins University .
Trump has repeatedly blamed China for causing the pandemic and exacerbating it in the U.S. , saying China early on hid the extent of its outbreak .
However , public health experts blame the surge of cases in the U.S. on failures in the Trump administration , saying it failed to act quickly to contain the virus , still lacks a coordinated response between the federal government and states and made early missteps on testing .

Democratic vice presidential pick Sen. Kamala Harris on Wednesday blamed President Donald Trump for the severity of the coronavirus outbreak in the United States, saying Trump is "delusional" and failed to take the virus "seriously from the start."
"This virus has impacted almost every country, but there's a reason it has hit America worse than any other advanced nation. It's because of Trump's failure to take it seriously from the start," Harris said. She spoke in Wilmington, Delaware, during her first joint appearance with former Vice President Joe Biden since she became his running mate Tuesday.
"His refusal to get testing up and running, his flip-flopping on social distancing and wearing masks, his delusional belief that he knows better than the experts — all of that is the reason and the reason an American dies of Covid-19 every 80 seconds," she said.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In response to Harris' remarks, Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh said the president "has been leading the nation through the coronavirus crisis and restricted travel from China, and then Europe, way back in January."
"Joe Biden called it xenophobic and fear-mongering," Murtaugh said. "We now know that the President's decision saved countless thousands of American lives and that Joe Biden would not have done it. If Joe Biden had been president, we would be in a much worse situation today."
The U.S. has the worst coronavirus outbreak in the world with more than 5 million cases and at least 165,328 deaths as of Wednesday, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
Trump has repeatedly blamed China for causing the pandemic and exacerbating it in the U.S., saying China early on hid the extent of its outbreak. However, public health experts blame the surge of cases in the U.S. on failures in the Trump administration, saying it failed to act quickly to contain the virus, still lacks a coordinated response between the federal government and states and made early missteps on testing.


cnbc--2020-08-14--Michael Cohen says book on Trump discusses Russia collusion, 'golden showers' at Vegas sex club, lyi

President Donald Trump 's former personal lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen on Thursday released the foreword of his upcoming book on working for the president , which says it will detail scandalous actions that include a back channel to Russian leader Vladimir Putin , `` golden showers '' at a Vegas sex club and lying to Trump 's wife Melania about his sexual infidelities .
Cohen in the foreword says that `` Trump had colluded with the Russians , but not in the sophisticated ways imagined by his detractors '' and `` cheated in the election , with Russian connivance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pages , because doing anything — and I mean anything — to 'win ' has always been his business model and way of life . ''
The fallen lawyer in his book , `` Disloyal , A Memoir , '' also calls Trump a `` cheat , a liar , a fraud , a bully , a racist , a predator , a con man '' whom he loyally served for years before Cohen turned on him after falling under federal criminal investigation .
`` One last thing I can say with great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and meet the real real Donald Trump for the first time : This is a book the President of the United States does not want you to read , '' Cohen writes in the foreword , which was posted online .
`` When Trump wanted to reach Russian President Vladimir Putin , via a secret back channel , I was tasked with making the connection in my Keystone Kop fashion , '' Cohen writes .
`` I stiffed contractors on his behalf , ripped off his business partners , lied to his wife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and bullied and screamed at anyone who threatened Trump 's path to power , '' Cohen wrote .
`` From golden showers in a sex club in Vegas , to tax fraud , to deals with corrupt officials from the former Soviet Union , to catch and kill conspiracies to silence Trump 's clandestine lovers , I was n't just a witness to the president 's rise — I was an active and eager participant . ''
Cohen also writes that , `` Trump had also continued to pursue a major real estate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` He attempted to insinuate himself into the world of President Vladimir Putin and his coterie of corrupt billionaire oligarchs , '' Cohen wrote .
`` I know because I personally ran that deal and kept Trump and his children closely informed of all updates , even as the candidate blatantly lied to the American people saying , 'there 's no Russian collusion , I have no dealings with Russia … there 's no Russia . '
'' A website set up for the book contains a link for pre-ordering it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but buyers who want a copy signed by Cohen can get one for $ 40 .
Cohen earlier on Thursday tweeted out a photo of the cover of the book with , along with the message : `` Coming Soon . ''
The tweet came weeks after Cohen , a Manhattan resident , was rereleased from a prison after a legal dispute over federal probation officials ' efforts to bar him from publishing a book , speaking to reporters or posting on social media while serving the remainder of a three-year criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to comment to CNBC on the book .
Cohen has indicated he plans to publish the book before the November presidential election , when Trump will face presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
Trump has considered Cohen disloyal to him because the former fixer cooperated with federal and state prosecutors in investigations of the president .
One of those probes is by the Manhattan District Attorney 's Office , which could be eyeing Trump and his company for possible bank and insurance fraud .
Trump said that Cohen was `` lying to reduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who since last year has publicly condemned the president in heated terms , considers Trump disloyal to his oath of office , among other infractions .
In testimony to Congress before he entered prison in early 2019 , Cohen called Trump a `` racist '' and a `` con man . ''
Spokesman Brian Morgenstern said Cohen `` readily admits to lying routinely but expects people to believe him now so that he can make money from book sales .
It 's unfortunate that the media is exploiting this sad and desperate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The book comes on the heels of damning books about Trump by the president 's niece , Mary Trump , and by his former national security advisor John Bolton .
Legal efforts by Trump 's brother , Robert , to block Mary Trump 's book and by the Justice Department to stop Bolton 's book failed .
In May , Charles Harder , a lawyer for the Trump Organization , sent Cohen a letter warning him that he would be at legal risk if he wrote a book about his time working for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks after The Daily Beast reported that Cohen had been `` writing an explosive tell-all book about his stint '' as Trump 's lawyer `` and plans on releasing it before the election . ''
The actor Tom Arnold , who had been in contact with Cohen while he was in prison , told The Daily Beast that `` the book would pull no punches . ''


cnbc--2020-08-14--Postal Service chief, under fire, admits 'unintended consequences' of his policy overhaul

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy departs from a meeting with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows in the Capitol on Wednesday , Aug. 5 , 2020 .
The embattled new chief of the U.S .
Postal Service acknowledged in an internal memo to staff that his sweeping operational changes have brought `` unintended consequences '' to the government agency , NBC News reported Friday .
But Postmaster General Louis DeJoy defended his overhaul of the Post Office despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scrutiny from lawmakers , mail workers ' unions and the media in the run-up to the 2020 election .
`` Let me be clear about the reasons behind our restructuring and the need for our plan .
Our financial condition is dire , '' DeJoy said in the memo , which was sent to USPS staff on Thursday , NBC reported .
`` Our critics are quick to point to our finances , yet they offer no solution . ''
Since starting his role in June , DeJoy has implemented a slew of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stabilize the Post Office , which has seen its financial troubles compounded by the coronavirus pandemic .
Those changes reportedly include crackdowns on overtime pay and curtailing late trips for mail carriers , as well as an overhaul of agency leadership .
In the memo , DeJoy admitted : `` Unfortunately , this transformative initiative has had unintended consequences that impacted our overall service levels . ''
He did n't elaborate on specific consequences .
He added : `` However , recent changes are not the only contributing factors .
Over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mail and package processing schedules , causing an increase in delayed mail between processing facilities and delivery units . ''
Lawmakers of both parties have called on DeJoy to reverse his new policies .
Democrats fear that the changes could impact the presidential race , where a record number of voters are expected to cast their ballots by mail to avoid risking exposure to the coronavirus .
Worries about the election have only grown this week amid reports of USPS warning states that it can not guarantee all mail-in ballots will arrive in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race .
Forty-six states and Washington , D.C. , have received letters from the agency 's general counsel , Thomas J. Marshall , The Washington Post reported Friday .
The letters were issued at the end of July and planned before DeJoy was selected as the new postmaster general , according to the newspaper .
In remarks at the Postal Service Board of Governors open session meeting last week , DeJoy insisted that USPS has `` ample capacity to deliver all election mail securely and on-time in accordance with our delivery standards , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DeJoy is a major donor to Republicans and committees supporting President Donald Trump , who has repeatedly claimed widespread mail-in voting will lead to a fraudulent election .
Federal funding for the Post Office has become a central sticking point in the White House 's negotiations with Democrats over an additional coronavirus relief package .
Democrats propose another round of stimulus should include $ 25 billion for the Postal Service , as well as $ 3.6 billion in election funding .
Trump has said he opposes those items and has suggested he can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denying those funds .
But at a White House press briefing Friday , Trump said he was open to reaching an agreement on the funding if Democrats `` give us what we want . ''
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , the top Democrats in Congress , who had been locked in negotiations with the White House before talks fell apart , said in a statement later Friday that Trump 's comments `` affirm that no patriotic tradition is immune from his abuse of power . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manipulate the operations of the Post Office to deny eligible voters the ballot in pursuit of his own re-election , '' the statement said .
`` The President 's own words confirm : he needs to cheat to win . ''

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy departs from a meeting with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows in the Capitol on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020.
The embattled new chief of the U.S. Postal Service acknowledged in an internal memo to staff that his sweeping operational changes have brought "unintended consequences" to the government agency, NBC News reported Friday.
But Postmaster General Louis DeJoy defended his overhaul of the Post Office despite reports of widespread mail delays and increasing scrutiny from lawmakers, mail workers' unions and the media in the run-up to the 2020 election.
"Let me be clear about the reasons behind our restructuring and the need for our plan. Our financial condition is dire," DeJoy said in the memo, which was sent to USPS staff on Thursday, NBC reported. "Our critics are quick to point to our finances, yet they offer no solution."
Since starting his role in June, DeJoy has implemented a slew of significant changes that he says are intended to stabilize the Post Office, which has seen its financial troubles compounded by the coronavirus pandemic. Those changes reportedly include crackdowns on overtime pay and curtailing late trips for mail carriers, as well as an overhaul of agency leadership.
In the memo, DeJoy admitted: "Unfortunately, this transformative initiative has had unintended consequences that impacted our overall service levels." He didn't elaborate on specific consequences.
He added: "However, recent changes are not the only contributing factors. Over the years we have grown undisciplined in our mail and package processing schedules, causing an increase in delayed mail between processing facilities and delivery units."
Lawmakers of both parties have called on DeJoy to reverse his new policies. Democrats fear that the changes could impact the presidential race, where a record number of voters are expected to cast their ballots by mail to avoid risking exposure to the coronavirus.


cnbc--2020-08-14--Trump tries to push for a coronavirus stimulus deal — after Congress has left town

President Donald Trump agitated Friday for coronavirus aid , after Congress left town following more than two weeks of flailing in efforts to boost the U.S. economy and health-care system .
Trump , who has not personally joined in pandemic relief talks this month , pushed for direct payments to Americans , small business loan funding , state and local government relief and rental assistance payments .
The policies Trump backed in a series of tweets and in a later news conference would need congressional approval .
The plans have appeared in some form in the aid packages lawmakers have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comments underscore the pressure he faces to provide assistance to Americans during a year in which his inability to contain the virus has hindered his reelection prospects .
Trump tried to get more involved in the effort Friday , a week after talks between his administration and Democratic leaders collapsed .
As the stalemate in Washington drags on , Trump took executive action to temporarily extend extra unemployment benefits , offer protections from eviction , sustain existing student loan aid and create a payroll tax holiday .
The orders are limited in scope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress controls federal spending .
Both chambers of Congress have left for their August recesses and do not plan to return until September unless they strike a coronavirus aid agreement .
The lack of a deal leaves millions of Americans in financial peril , as a $ 600 per week federal unemployment benefit , a moratorium on evictions and the window to apply for Paycheck Protection Program small business loans have all expired .
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has warned a lack of fiscal stimulus could jeopardize the U.S. economic recovery .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he is `` ready '' to take action on stimulus checks , state and municipal aid and small business loans .
But on every issue , he contended , `` DEMOCRATS ARE HOLDING THIS UP ! ''
Speaking to reporters later , he clarified that he did not plan to take unilateral action on those issues , but instead was `` waiting for the Democrats to approve '' the policies .
The impasse in Washington over aid is more complicated than Trump portrayed it Friday .
Democrats passed a $ 3 trillion coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their opening offer for a fifth aid bill .
It included a second round of direct payments of up to $ 1,200 to individuals , with a maximum of $ 6,000 per household .
It also had more than $ 900 billion in aid for cash-crunched state and local governments .
Officials have considered whether to trim essential services as they lose revenue and spend more during the pandemic .
The bipartisan National Governors Association has asked Congress for at least $ 500 billion in relief .
At that time , Republicans questioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they wanted to see how effective an earlier $ 2 trillion rescue package was .
The Senate GOP then released its coronavirus bill , a counter offer to the Democrats , in late July as the extra jobless benefits and eviction moratorium were expiring .
It started the talks on another relief package , which have since made little progress .

President Donald Trump agitated Friday for coronavirus aid, after Congress left town following more than two weeks of flailing in efforts to boost the U.S. economy and health-care system.
Trump, who has not personally joined in pandemic relief talks this month, pushed for direct payments to Americans, small business loan funding, state and local government relief and rental assistance payments. The policies Trump backed in a series of tweets and in a later news conference would need congressional approval. The plans have appeared in some form in the aid packages lawmakers have proposed since May.
The president's comments underscore the pressure he faces to provide assistance to Americans during a year in which his inability to contain the virus has hindered his reelection prospects. Trump tried to get more involved in the effort Friday, a week after talks between his administration and Democratic leaders collapsed.
As the stalemate in Washington drags on, Trump took executive action to temporarily extend extra unemployment benefits, offer protections from eviction, sustain existing student loan aid and create a payroll tax holiday. The orders are limited in scope. Some may not be constitutional because Congress controls federal spending.
Both chambers of Congress have left for their August recesses and do not plan to return until September unless they strike a coronavirus aid agreement. The lack of a deal leaves millions of Americans in financial peril, as a $600 per week federal unemployment benefit, a moratorium on evictions and the window to apply for Paycheck Protection Program small business loans have all expired. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has warned a lack of fiscal stimulus could jeopardize the U.S. economic recovery.
In his tweets Friday, Trump claimed he is "ready" to take action on stimulus checks, state and municipal aid and small business loans. But on every issue, he contended, "DEMOCRATS ARE HOLDING THIS UP!"
Speaking to reporters later, he clarified that he did not plan to take unilateral action on those issues, but instead was "waiting for the Democrats to approve" the policies.
Donald Trump tweet 1
Donald Trump tweet 2
Donald Trump tweet 3
The impasse in Washington over aid is more complicated than Trump portrayed it Friday.
Democrats passed a $3 trillion coronavirus relief package in May that they considered their opening offer for a fifth aid bill. It included a second round of direct payments of up to $1,200 to individuals, with a maximum of $6,000 per household.
It also had more than $900 billion in aid for cash-crunched state and local governments. Officials have considered whether to trim essential services as they lose revenue and spend more during the pandemic. The bipartisan National Governors Association has asked Congress for at least $500 billion in relief.
At that time, Republicans questioned the need for more aid and said they wanted to see how effective an earlier $2 trillion rescue package was. The Senate GOP then released its coronavirus bill, a counter offer to the Democrats, in late July as the extra jobless benefits and eviction moratorium were expiring. It started the talks on another relief package, which have since made little progress.


cnbc--2020-08-14--'There's going to be a lot of angry people.' Despite Trump tweets, Americans still face weeks before

'There's going to be a lot of angry people.' Despite Trump tweets, Americans still face weeks before more stimulus money arrives

President Donald Trump is `` ready to send '' more coronavirus stimulus money .
But it remains unclear if that is enough to move stalled Congressional negotiations forward so that Americans can see more money in their pockets .
On Friday , Trump posted several tweets with one key message : `` Democrats are holding this up ! ''
In the tweets , he addressed direct payments to families , which would amount to $ 3,400 for a family of four ; additional Paycheck Protection Program funds to small businesses affected by the shutdown ; money for state and local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs of firefighters , police officers , first responders and teachers ; funding for states to open schools safely ; and payments for rental assistance .
It is not clear if the president 's tweets will be enough to dislodge the political stalemate , which could last until September now that Congress is not in session and both parties are set to hold their national conventions in the coming weeks .
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle seem to be in agreement on the additional stimulus checks and small business funding .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a sticking point in negotiations between the parties .
Democrats want to fund state and local governments , while some Republican lawmakers have dug in their heels on providing the money .
Democrats are willing to spend more than $ 3 trillion on a new bill , while Republicans have said they want to keep the total cost down to about $ 1 trillion .
`` On the back of the envelope , that 's at least $ 1 trillion right there , '' Bill Hoagland , senior vice president at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priorities Trump mentioned in his tweets .
Trump needs Congress to authorize the aid spending , Hoagland said .
The executive orders he signed last weekend including extended unemployment insurance was possible because they were categorized as disaster rather than regular payments .
Key details , including who will get those unemployment benefits and when , are still unknown .
Millions of Americans will also have to wait for second stimulus checks , which both sides of the aisle have indicated they want , but would need to pass legislation in order to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of payments would likely be similar to the first checks , which were $ 1,200 per individual or $ 2,400 per married couple , plus $ 500 for eligible dependents .
Some changes have been proposed , including raising the dependent pay to $ 1,000 or $ 1,200 per person , raising the cap on the dependent eligibility age , and making it so that Americans who filed jointly with non-citizen spouses ( those without Social Security numbers ) would still get the money .
But action on that may not happen until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ address appropriations for fiscal year 2021 , which begins in October .
A delay on that would prompt a partial government shutdown .
`` I can not imagine any way in which Republicans or Democrats want to have a government shutdown a month out from the election , '' Hoagland said .
The stimulus aid could get taken up in a continuing resolution , he said .
Meanwhile , Americans who are counting on more financial help will have to wait , Hoagland said .
That 's as Trump 's executive order did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how the new extended unemployment benefits will be paid on a federal and state level is still getting sorted out .
`` I think there 's going to be some people that are going to be hurting between now and September , '' Hoagland said .
`` Come Labor Day , there 's going to be a lot of angry people . ''
If Congress signs off on the stimulus checks in September , Americans may have to wait until October or later to receive the money .
More from Personal Finance : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than $ 1,200 How HEALS Act stimulus checks would be different How soon you can expect another stimulus check in the mail `` Politically , some of the people in the White House might think it 's a good thing to get a check signed by Donald Trump right before the election , '' Hoagland said .
This time around , deploying millions of $ 1,200 payments will likely be easier for the IRS , which means people could receive the funds more quickly , said Kris Cox , senior tax policy analyst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Priorities .
`` Despite decades of funding cuts , the IRS impressively got stimulus payments out the door within weeks of the CARES legislation passing , '' Cox said .
`` We expect the IRS is anticipating a second round and they 're ready and equipped to get money out the door quickly . ''
But that depends on lawmakers coming back to the negotiating table and agreeing , she said .

President Donald Trump in the Cabinet Room of the White House on Aug. 3. Doug Mills-Pool/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump is "ready to send" more coronavirus stimulus money. But it remains unclear if that is enough to move stalled Congressional negotiations forward so that Americans can see more money in their pockets. On Friday, Trump posted several tweets with one key message: "Democrats are holding this up!" In the tweets, he addressed direct payments to families, which would amount to $3,400 for a family of four; additional Paycheck Protection Program funds to small businesses affected by the shutdown; money for state and local governments, so that they can save jobs of firefighters, police officers, first responders and teachers; funding for states to open schools safely; and payments for rental assistance. Tweet It is not clear if the president's tweets will be enough to dislodge the political stalemate, which could last until September now that Congress is not in session and both parties are set to hold their national conventions in the coming weeks. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle seem to be in agreement on the additional stimulus checks and small business funding. Money for state and local governments has been a sticking point in negotiations between the parties. Democrats want to fund state and local governments, while some Republican lawmakers have dug in their heels on providing the money.
watch now
Democrats are willing to spend more than $3 trillion on a new bill, while Republicans have said they want to keep the total cost down to about $1 trillion. "On the back of the envelope, that's at least $1 trillion right there," Bill Hoagland, senior vice president at the Bipartisan Policy Center, said of the priorities Trump mentioned in his tweets. Trump needs Congress to authorize the aid spending, Hoagland said. The executive orders he signed last weekend including extended unemployment insurance was possible because they were categorized as disaster rather than regular payments. Key details, including who will get those unemployment benefits and when, are still unknown. Millions of Americans will also have to wait for second stimulus checks, which both sides of the aisle have indicated they want, but would need to pass legislation in order to put in motion. The second round of payments would likely be similar to the first checks, which were $1,200 per individual or $2,400 per married couple, plus $500 for eligible dependents. Some changes have been proposed, including raising the dependent pay to $1,000 or $1,200 per person, raising the cap on the dependent eligibility age, and making it so that Americans who filed jointly with non-citizen spouses (those without Social Security numbers) would still get the money.
watch now
But action on that may not happen until September, when Congress also has to address appropriations for fiscal year 2021, which begins in October. A delay on that would prompt a partial government shutdown. "I cannot imagine any way in which Republicans or Democrats want to have a government shutdown a month out from the election," Hoagland said. The stimulus aid could get taken up in a continuing resolution, he said. Meanwhile, Americans who are counting on more financial help will have to wait, Hoagland said. That's as Trump's executive order did little to prevent evictions and details of how the new extended unemployment benefits will be paid on a federal and state level is still getting sorted out. "I think there's going to be some people that are going to be hurting between now and September," Hoagland said. "Come Labor Day, there's going to be a lot of angry people." If Congress signs off on the stimulus checks in September, Americans may have to wait until October or later to receive the money.
watch now
More from Personal Finance:
Trump wants stimulus checks to be more than $1,200
How HEALS Act stimulus checks would be different
How soon you can expect another stimulus check in the mail "Politically, some of the people in the White House might think it's a good thing to get a check signed by Donald Trump right before the election," Hoagland said. This time around, deploying millions of $1,200 payments will likely be easier for the IRS, which means people could receive the funds more quickly, said Kris Cox, senior tax policy analyst at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. "Despite decades of funding cuts, the IRS impressively got stimulus payments out the door within weeks of the CARES legislation passing," Cox said. "We expect the IRS is anticipating a second round and they're ready and equipped to get money out the door quickly." But that depends on lawmakers coming back to the negotiating table and agreeing, she said.


cnbc--2020-08-14--Obama rips Trump administration for 'suppressing the vote' amid pandemic, urges early voting

Former President Barack Obama slammed President Donald Trump on Friday , accusing his administration of undermining the U.S .
Postal Service and attempting to suppress votes during the coronavirus pandemic .
`` Everyone depends on the USPS .
Seniors for their Social Security , veterans for their prescriptions , small businesses trying to keep their doors open , '' Obama said on Twitter in a series of posts .
`` They ca n't be collateral damage for an administration more concerned with suppressing the vote than suppressing a virus . ''
Trump 's Democratic predecessor urged eligible voters in states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that now . ''
`` The more votes in early , the less likely you 're going to see a last minute crunch , both at polling places and in states where mail-in ballots are permitted .
Then tell everyone you know , '' Obama said .
The tweets marked the latest broadside against the Trump administration from Obama , who in the runup to the 2020 election has grown more open in his criticism of the White House .
During his eulogy late last month at the funeral of former Rep. John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts by `` those in power '' who are `` doing their darnedest to discourage people from voting — by closing polling locations , and targeting minorities and students with restrictive ID laws , and attacking our voting rights with surgical precision , even undermining the Postal Service in the run-up to an election that is going to be dependent on mailed-in ballots so people do n't get sick . ''
The USPS has come under intense scrutiny in recent months .
Lawmakers of both parties have voiced concerns about drastic operational changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a major donor to Republicans and Trump-supporting committees , which have led to reports of widespread mail delays .
Democrats in particular fear that the changes could impact the 2020 presidential election between Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden , where more voters than ever before are expected to cast their ballots by mail .

Former President Barack Obama slammed President Donald Trump on Friday, accusing his administration of undermining the U.S. Postal Service and attempting to suppress votes during the coronavirus pandemic.
"Everyone depends on the USPS. Seniors for their Social Security, veterans for their prescriptions, small businesses trying to keep their doors open," Obama said on Twitter in a series of posts.
"They can't be collateral damage for an administration more concerned with suppressing the vote than suppressing a virus."
Trump's Democratic predecessor urged eligible voters in states with early voting options to "do that now."
"The more votes in early, the less likely you're going to see a last minute crunch, both at polling places and in states where mail-in ballots are permitted. Then tell everyone you know," Obama said.
Obama Tweet 1
Obama Tweet 2/3
The tweets marked the latest broadside against the Trump administration from Obama, who in the runup to the 2020 election has grown more open in his criticism of the White House.
During his eulogy late last month at the funeral of former Rep. John Lewis, Obama had called out the efforts by "those in power" who are "doing their darnedest to discourage people from voting — by closing polling locations, and targeting minorities and students with restrictive ID laws, and attacking our voting rights with surgical precision, even undermining the Postal Service in the run-up to an election that is going to be dependent on mailed-in ballots so people don't get sick."
The USPS has come under intense scrutiny in recent months. Lawmakers of both parties have voiced concerns about drastic operational changes made by new Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a major donor to Republicans and Trump-supporting committees, which have led to reports of widespread mail delays.
Democrats in particular fear that the changes could impact the 2020 presidential election between Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden, where more voters than ever before are expected to cast their ballots by mail.


cnbc--2020-08-14--U.S. seizes multimillion-dollar Iranian fuel shipment bound for Venezuela, largest ever of its kind,

U.S. seizes multimillion-dollar Iranian fuel shipment bound for Venezuela, largest ever of its kind, DOJ says

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department said Friday that federal agents seized a multimillion-dollar Iranian fuel shipment bound for Venezuela , in what it described as the largest-ever seizure of its kind .
The U.S. , with the assistance of foreign partners , confiscated a total of 1.1 million barrels of petroleum from four foreign-flagged oil tankers , as Tehran and Caracas attempt to sidestep U.S. sanctions .
According to the Justice Department , after the seizure , `` Iran 's navy forcibly boarded an unrelated ship in an apparent attempt to recover the seized petroleum but was unsuccessful . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. military 's combatant command that oversees the wars in Iraq , Syria and Afghanistan , shows the failed Iranian operation .
`` We are seeing more and more global shipping fleets avoiding the Iran-Venezuela trade due to our sanctions implementation and enforcement efforts , '' State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus wrote in a statement .
`` The United States remains committed to our maximum pressure campaigns against the Iranian and Maduro regimes , '' she added .
In June , five Iranian oil tankers brought approximately 1.5 million barrels to gas-starved Venezuela @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exporter .
Gasoline is scarce in the South American nation due to a near-complete breakdown of the OPEC nation 's 1.3 million barrel-per-day refining network .
The two OPEC nations have previously helped each other in the face of U.S. sanctions .
In 2010-2011 , Venezuela 's state-run oil company , PDVSA , sent fuel to Iran , which was targeted by sanctions aimed at stifling its nuclear weapons program .
Venezuela — once the crown jewel of Latin America 's developing economy — has hit dire straits in recent years .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biggest export , has plummeted more than 60 % since Nicolas Maduro succeeded dictator Hugo Chavez as Venezuela 's president in 2013 .
Earlier this year , U.S. crude prices briefly traded in negative territory for the first time ever as the coronavirus dented the global economic growth outlook .
The drop in oil prices coupled with a massive depreciation of the Venezuelan bolivar and sky-high inflation have left Venezuela scrambling for cash , food , medicine and other essentials .

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department said Friday that federal agents seized a multimillion-dollar Iranian fuel shipment bound for Venezuela, in what it described as the largest-ever seizure of its kind.
The U.S., with the assistance of foreign partners, confiscated a total of 1.1 million barrels of petroleum from four foreign-flagged oil tankers, as Tehran and Caracas attempt to sidestep U.S. sanctions.
According to the Justice Department, after the seizure, "Iran's navy forcibly boarded an unrelated ship in an apparent attempt to recover the seized petroleum but was unsuccessful."
Footage released by Central Command, the U.S. military's combatant command that oversees the wars in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan, shows the failed Iranian operation.
Tweet
"We are seeing more and more global shipping fleets avoiding the Iran-Venezuela trade due to our sanctions implementation and enforcement efforts," State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus wrote in a statement. "The United States remains committed to our maximum pressure campaigns against the Iranian and Maduro regimes," she added.
In June, five Iranian oil tankers brought approximately 1.5 million barrels to gas-starved Venezuela, which was once a prominent fuel exporter. Gasoline is scarce in the South American nation due to a near-complete breakdown of the OPEC nation's 1.3 million barrel-per-day refining network.
The two OPEC nations have previously helped each other in the face of U.S. sanctions. In 2010-2011, Venezuela's state-run oil company, PDVSA, sent fuel to Iran, which was targeted by sanctions aimed at stifling its nuclear weapons program.
Venezuela — once the crown jewel of Latin America's developing economy — has hit dire straits in recent years.
The price of oil, the country's biggest export, has plummeted more than 60% since Nicolas Maduro succeeded dictator Hugo Chavez as Venezuela's president in 2013. Earlier this year, U.S. crude prices briefly traded in negative territory for the first time ever as the coronavirus dented the global economic growth outlook.
The drop in oil prices coupled with a massive depreciation of the Venezuelan bolivar and sky-high inflation have left Venezuela scrambling for cash, food, medicine and other essentials.
-- CNBC's Fred Imbert contributed to this report.