cnbc--2020-09-09--Trump admitted downplaying coronavirus dangers in early days of pandemic, new Bob Woodward book says

President Donald Trump announces opioid response grants to state governments in the Roosevelt Room of the White House , September 4 , 2019 .
President Donald Trump admitted that he wanted to publicly downplay the threat of the coronavirus even as his advisors warned him about the dangers of the disease , Bob Woodward wrote in his forthcoming book about the Trump administration , multiple outlets reported Wednesday .
`` I wanted to always play it down , '' Trump told Woodward in mid-March , CNN reported .
`` I still like playing it down , because I do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CNN , which also published audio of Woodward 's March 19 interview with the president , reported Woodward writing that Trump had been informed weeks before Covid-19 claimed its first lives in the U.S. that the virus was dangerous and highly contagious .
Less than three weeks before that interview reportedly took place , Trump had assured that the virus would `` disappear . ''
`` One day , it 's like a miracle , it will disappear , '' Trump said in public remarks on Feb. 28 .
But the president had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national security advisor Robert O'Brien that the coronavirus `` will be the biggest national security threat you face in your presidency , '' Woodward wrote in the book , according to a separate report from The Washington Post .

President Donald Trump admitted that he wanted to publicly downplay the threat of the coronavirus even as his advisors warned him about the dangers of the disease, Bob Woodward wrote in his forthcoming book about the Trump administration, multiple outlets reported Wednesday.
"I wanted to always play it down," Trump told Woodward in mid-March, CNN reported. "I still like playing it down, because I don't want to create a panic."
CNN, which also published audio of Woodward's March 19 interview with the president, reported Woodward writing that Trump had been informed weeks before Covid-19 claimed its first lives in the U.S. that the virus was dangerous and highly contagious.
Less than three weeks before that interview reportedly took place, Trump had assured that the virus would "disappear."
"One day, it's like a miracle, it will disappear," Trump said in public remarks on Feb. 28.
But the president had already been told in late January by national security advisor Robert O'Brien that the coronavirus "will be the biggest national security threat you face in your presidency," Woodward wrote in the book, according to a separate report from The Washington Post.


cnbc--2020-09-09--Trump campaign raises hefty $210 million in August, but it's well short of Biden's record haul

US President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he makes his way to board Air Force One before departing from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on September 1 , 2020 .
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump 's reelection campaign and its joint Republican committees raised $ 210 million in August , a monthly record for Trump but far short of the $ 364 million raised by Trump 's opponent , former Vice President Joe Biden , during the same period .
`` The Trump campaign will have all the resources we need to spread the message of President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the ground and on the air , '' said Trump 's campaign manager Bill Stepien in a statement on the August numbers .
Stepien 's assurance Wednesday came as both Trump campaign strategists and top GOP donors are confronting the harsh reality of the campaign 's financial situation relative to Trump 's standing in the polls .
So far this year , the Trump campaign has spent more than $ 800 million , including millions of dollars of strategically questionable expenses , according to a recent New York Times probe of the @ @ @ @

US President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he makes his way to board Air Force One before departing from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on September 1, 2020.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump's reelection campaign and its joint Republican committees raised $210 million in August, a monthly record for Trump but far short of the $364 million raised by Trump's opponent, former Vice President Joe Biden, during the same period.
"The Trump campaign will have all the resources we need to spread the message of President Trump's incredible record of achievement, on the ground and on the air," said Trump's campaign manager Bill Stepien in a statement on the August numbers.
Stepien's assurance Wednesday came as both Trump campaign strategists and top GOP donors are confronting the harsh reality of the campaign's financial situation relative to Trump's standing in the polls.
So far this year, the Trump campaign has spent more than $800 million, including millions of dollars of strategically questionable expenses, according to a recent New York Times probe of the campaign's spending.


cnbc--2020-09-09--White House asked DOJ to intervene in Trump rape defamation suit by E. Jean Carroll, taxpayers will

White House asked DOJ to intervene in Trump rape defamation suit by E. Jean Carroll, taxpayers will pay damages if agency loses, Barr says

E. Jean Carroll visits 'Tell Me Everything ' with John Fugelsang the SiriusXM Studios on July 11 , 2019 in New York .
The White House requested that the U.S. Justice Department launch a last-minute , controversial effort to intervene in a lawsuit in which President Donald Trump is accused of defaming E. Jean Carroll , a writer who says Trump raped her years ago , Attorney General William Barr revealed Wednesday .
Barr also said that American taxpayers — and not Trump personally — will be responsible for any monetary damages awarded Carroll , if she proves her claims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judge agrees to allow the Department of Justice to handle the case .
Barr defended the DOJ 's intervention in the case as proper and warranted by both the law and recent practice by other administrations .
The DOJ on Tuesday filed a legal action seeking to transfer Carroll 's defamation lawsuit against Trump , which was filed in New York state court , to Manhattan federal court .
The action also asks that the United States government replace Trump as the defendant in the case .
The case was assigned Wednesday to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was appointed to the bench by President Bill Clinton .
Kaplan has yet to schedule a hearing on the DOJ 's request to remove the case from state court .
The request comes two months before the U.S. presidential election , but 10 months after Carroll sued Trump .
Carroll sued Trump last November after he said she was lying when she claimed in a published account that he had raped her in a Manhattan department store in the mid-1990s .
Since the suit was filed in Manhattan Supreme Court , Trump has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not a DOJ attorney .
But in its filing Tuesday , the DOJ said that it had certified that Trump `` was acting within the scope of his office or employment at the time of the incident out of which the claim arose . ''
`` The United States will file a motion to substitute itself for President Trump in this action for any claim for which the [ Federal Tort Claims Act ] provides the exclusive remedy , '' the DOJ said in its filing in federal court .
Barr , during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , defended the filing , and said it was done at the behest of the White House .
He said that the DOJ 's request to transfer the case , and to replace Trump as the defendant , was authorized by the Federal Employees Liability Reform and Tort Compensation Act , which is also known as the Westfall Act .
That act protects government employees from civil liability for acts related to their official duties .
Barr said that an appeals court decision has ruled that the law protects government employees even in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked questions by the press that `` relate to their personal activity . ''
The attorney general has said that the process for invoking the act that has been developed is for the employer of the employee to ask the Justice Department to certify that the act applies to the employee for the lawsuit that was filed .
`` That process was followed in this particular case , '' Barr said , after referring to the White House as Trump 's employer .
`` This was a normal application of the law , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done frequently , '' Barr said .
`` And the little tempest that is going on [ the controversy over the action ] is largely because of the bizarre political environment in which we live . ''
Asked by a reporter if `` taxpayers would be on the hook '' if the DOJ is allowed to take over the case , and loses it — as opposed to Trump — Barr indicated taxpayers would foot the bill for any damages .
`` As they always are under Westfall , '' Barr said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Despite Barr and the DOJ 's matter-of-fact portrayal of the intervention , Carroll 's legal team and lawyers not connected to the case blasted the move .
`` The DOJ was not meant to serve as the president 's personal in-house counsel , particularly on the taxpayer 's dime , '' said Joseph Tacopina , a New York defense attorney who is not involved in the case .
`` Trump calling an alleged victim of rape ... a liar is not an act in his official capacity , '' said Tacopina .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the regular public may be a regular occurrence in the Oval Office these days , Article II of the Constitution does not include within the functions of the presidency the role of Chief Mudslinger . ''
Carroll 's lawyer , Roberta Kaplan , noted in a statement that the DOJ 's move came a month after a state court judge rejected Trump 's claim that `` he is immune from a private lawsuit concerning defamatory statements he made about a sexual assault he committed in the 1990s . ''
`` As a result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to be required to produce documents , provide a DNA sample , and sit for a deposition , '' said Kaplan .
She accused Trump of then enlisting the Justice Department to file its action and claim he was acting in his official capacity when he denied the rape claim .
`` Even in today 's world , that argument is shocking , '' Kaplan said .
Gerald Lefcourt , another top New York defense lawyer , who is not connected to the case , called the DOJ 's action `` pretty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because you 're president , if you hit a cop or rape a woman , that does n't mean that the Department of Justice defends you , '' Lefcourt said .
`` The DOJ is not your lawyer . ''
Lefcourt said the DOJ 's move is part of `` a pattern of doing Trump 's legal work '' by U.S. Attorney General William Barr .
Lefcourt pointed to the DOJ 's sudden and stunning reversal of its position in the criminal case of former national security advisor Michael Flynn , who has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about his conversations with a Russian diplomat .
After pushing for Flynn to be sentenced and fighting his efforts to get the case dismissed , the DOJ last spring sought to drop the prosecution .
Trump had long been critical of the case against Flynn .
`` Now [ Barr 's ] going to court to help Trump in his personal affairs , such as this defamation suit , '' Lefcourt said , referring to the Carroll lawsuit .
`` It makes them [ the DOJ ] look ridiculous . ''

E. Jean Carroll visits 'Tell Me Everything' with John Fugelsang in the SiriusXM Studios on July 11, 2019 in New York.
The White House requested that the U.S. Justice Department launch a last-minute, controversial effort to intervene in a lawsuit in which President Donald Trump is accused of defaming E. Jean Carroll, a writer who says Trump raped her years ago, Attorney General William Barr revealed Wednesday.
Barr also said that American taxpayers — and not Trump personally — will be responsible for any monetary damages awarded Carroll, if she proves her claims against the president, and if a judge agrees to allow the Department of Justice to handle the case.
Barr defended the DOJ's intervention in the case as proper and warranted by both the law and recent practice by other administrations.
The DOJ on Tuesday filed a legal action seeking to transfer Carroll's defamation lawsuit against Trump, which was filed in New York state court, to Manhattan federal court.
The action also asks that the United States government replace Trump as the defendant in the case.
The case was assigned Wednesday to U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan, who was appointed to the bench by President Bill Clinton. Kaplan has yet to schedule a hearing on the DOJ's request to remove the case from state court.
The request comes two months before the U.S. presidential election, but 10 months after Carroll sued Trump.
Carroll sued Trump last November after he said she was lying when she claimed in a published account that he had raped her in a Manhattan department store in the mid-1990s. Since the suit was filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, Trump has been represented by a private attorney, not a DOJ attorney.
But in its filing Tuesday, the DOJ said that it had certified that Trump "was acting within the scope of his office or employment at the time of the incident out of which the claim arose."
"The United States will file a motion to substitute itself for President Trump in this action for any claim for which the [Federal Tort Claims Act] provides the exclusive remedy," the DOJ said in its filing in federal court.
Barr, during a press conference in Chicago on Wednesday, defended the filing, and said it was done at the behest of the White House.
He said that the DOJ's request to transfer the case, and to replace Trump as the defendant, was authorized by the Federal Employees Liability Reform and Tort Compensation Act, which is also known as the Westfall Act. That act protects government employees from civil liability for acts related to their official duties.
Barr said that an appeals court decision has ruled that the law protects government employees even in cases where a claim involves them being asked questions by the press that "relate to their personal activity."
The attorney general has said that the process for invoking the act that has been developed is for the employer of the employee to ask the Justice Department to certify that the act applies to the employee for the lawsuit that was filed.
"That process was followed in this particular case," Barr said, after referring to the White House as Trump's employer.
"This was a normal application of the law, the law is clear, it is done frequently," Barr said.
"And the little tempest that is going on [the controversy over the action] is largely because of the bizarre political environment in which we live."
Asked by a reporter if "taxpayers would be on the hook" if the DOJ is allowed to take over the case, and loses it — as opposed to Trump — Barr indicated taxpayers would foot the bill for any damages.
"As they always are under Westfall," Barr said. "That's the statute."
Despite Barr and the DOJ's matter-of-fact portrayal of the intervention, Carroll's legal team and lawyers not connected to the case blasted the move.
"The DOJ was not meant to serve as the president's personal in-house counsel, particularly on the taxpayer's dime," said Joseph Tacopina, a New York defense attorney who is not involved in the case.
"Trump calling an alleged victim of rape ... a liar is not an act in his official capacity," said Tacopina.
"Although ad hominem attacks on members of the regular public may be a regular occurrence in the Oval Office these days, Article II of the Constitution does not include within the functions of the presidency the role of Chief Mudslinger."
Carroll's lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, noted in a statement that the DOJ's move came a month after a state court judge rejected Trump's claim that "he is immune from a private lawsuit concerning defamatory statements he made about a sexual assault he committed in the 1990s."
"As a result of that decision, Trump was soon going to be required to produce documents, provide a DNA sample, and sit for a deposition," said Kaplan. She accused Trump of then enlisting the Justice Department to file its action and claim he was acting in his official capacity when he denied the rape claim.
"Even in today's world, that argument is shocking," Kaplan said.
Gerald Lefcourt, another top New York defense lawyer, who is not connected to the case, called the DOJ's action "pretty much unheard of."
"Just because you're president, if you hit a cop or rape a woman, that doesn't mean that the Department of Justice defends you," Lefcourt said. "The DOJ is not your lawyer."
Lefcourt said the DOJ's move is part of "a pattern of doing Trump's legal work" by U.S. Attorney General William Barr.
Lefcourt pointed to the DOJ's sudden and stunning reversal of its position in the criminal case of former national security advisor Michael Flynn, who has pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his conversations with a Russian diplomat.
After pushing for Flynn to be sentenced and fighting his efforts to get the case dismissed, the DOJ last spring sought to drop the prosecution. Trump had long been critical of the case against Flynn.
"Now [Barr's] going to court to help Trump in his personal affairs, such as this defamation suit," Lefcourt said, referring to the Carroll lawsuit.
"It makes them [the DOJ] look ridiculous."


cnbc--2020-09-09--Joe Biden struggling with Latino voters in key state Florida, polls show

People attend a rally for Vice President Mike Pence as he speaks during the Donald J. Trump for President Latino Coalition Rollout at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Miami Airport & Convention Center on June 25 , 2019 in Miami , Florida .
Polls show Democratic nominee Joe Biden underperforming among Latino voters in Florida , putting him neck-and-neck with President Donald Trump in the crucial battleground state less than eight weeks out from Election Day .
An NBC News/Marist poll released Tuesday showed Trump leading Biden among Latinos in Florida , 50 % -46 % .
That survey found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % among likely voters in the state overall .
The results came from phone interviews with 766 likely voters from Aug. 31 to Sunday — just after the Republican National Convention .
The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percentage points .
Another survey of Miami-Dade County voters , shared Tuesday by Bendixen & Amandi International and The Miami Herald , also gave Trump a slight lead over Biden among Hispanic voters , though the result fell within the margin of error .
While Biden is still leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states , including the Sunshine State , the recent surveys show the nominee 's support among Latinos in Florida is well behind where Hillary Clinton stood in 2016 exit polls of the state – which she lost to Trump .
`` While Donald Trump divides the community and falls short on plans to achieve democracy in Latin America , Joe Biden offers a real plan to empower the Cuban and Venezuelan people , stand up for democracy , and defend human right , '' Biden campaign spokesman Kevin Munoz said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ready to lift up Hispanic communities to reach their full potential , whether by fighting for the success of our small businesses or ensuring access to quality , affordable health care .
As Hispanic voters continue to lean in more on this race , their support for Joe Biden will continue to grow , '' Munoz said .
The shifting ground in the delegate-rich swing state follows months of criticism toward the Biden campaign 's lackluster approach to courting Latino voters .
Politico reported in May that Latino political operatives felt unclear about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the demographic .
In an op-ed for CNBC last month , Voto Latino CEO Maria Teresa Kumar argued that the Biden campaign has fallen short on reaching out to the Latino community .
`` While Trump will not assume his path to victory will be with majority support among Latinos , he will surely exploit any weakness to undercut the vice president and other candidates , '' Kumar wrote .
Hispanics are projected to become the largest minority voting bloc in the country in 2020 , Pew Research reported last year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of eligible voters are Latino .
But that broad Latino label masks a wide range of political diversity among people from different countries .
While Clinton in 2016 won 62 % of the Latino vote in Florida — compared with just 35 % for Trump — Trump handily beat Clinton among Cuban Americans in the state , 54 % -41 % , according to CNN 's exit poll .
In Tuesday 's survey from Bendixen & Amandi , Cuban Americans broke for Trump over Biden by a whopping 38 percentage points .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fled the communist government of Cuba , tend to vote Republican , though younger generations have a lower identification with the GOP .
Still , the demographic is n't always a lock for the Republican candidate : Barack Obama won a slightly larger share of Cuban Americans in Florida than Mitt Romney in the 2012 race .
Polling averages from RealClearPolitics show Biden 's lead in Florida narrowing in recent weeks .
The site currently gives the Democrat a 0.8-point spread over Trump , which is only slightly ahead of where Clinton was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Biden campaign appears to be responding accordingly , announcing increased Spanish-language television spending and new hires aimed at targeting the Hispanic community , NBC News reported last week .
Trump , meanwhile , has sought to tar Biden and the Democratic Party as far-left socialists — a message that Democratic operatives say could tap into fears of those in Latino communities wary of authoritarian regimes .
The president visited Jupiter , Florida , on Tuesday to announce he would sign an extension and expansion of a moratorium on oil drilling off the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump accused his political opponents of using environmental policy as `` an excuse to advance a socialist platform that will impose trillions and trillions of dollars in new taxes , and send our jobs overseas , making it impossible to open up new companies and to live less expensively . ''
Biden 's running mate , Sen. Kamala Harris of California , is scheduled to visit Miami with her husband on Thursday .

People attend a rally for Vice President Mike Pence as he speaks during the Donald J. Trump for President Latino Coalition Rollout at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Miami Airport & Convention Center on June 25, 2019 in Miami, Florida.
Polls show Democratic nominee Joe Biden underperforming among Latino voters in Florida, putting him neck-and-neck with President Donald Trump in the crucial battleground state less than eight weeks out from Election Day.
An NBC News/Marist poll released Tuesday showed Trump leading Biden among Latinos in Florida, 50%-46%. That survey found Trump and Biden virtually tied at 48% among likely voters in the state overall. The results came from phone interviews with 766 likely voters from Aug. 31 to Sunday — just after the Republican National Convention. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percentage points.
Another survey of Miami-Dade County voters, shared Tuesday by Bendixen & Amandi International and The Miami Herald, also gave Trump a slight lead over Biden among Hispanic voters, though the result fell within the margin of error.
While Biden is still leading Trump in a series of key swing states, including the Sunshine State, the recent surveys show the nominee's support among Latinos in Florida is well behind where Hillary Clinton stood in 2016 exit polls of the state – which she lost to Trump.
"While Donald Trump divides the community and falls short on plans to achieve democracy in Latin America, Joe Biden offers a real plan to empower the Cuban and Venezuelan people, stand up for democracy, and defend human right," Biden campaign spokesman Kevin Munoz said in a statement to CNBC.
"Joe Biden is ready to lift up Hispanic communities to reach their full potential, whether by fighting for the success of our small businesses or ensuring access to quality, affordable health care. As Hispanic voters continue to lean in more on this race, their support for Joe Biden will continue to grow," Munoz said.
The shifting ground in the delegate-rich swing state follows months of criticism toward the Biden campaign's lackluster approach to courting Latino voters.
Politico reported in May that Latino political operatives felt unclear about the campaign's strategy for marshaling support from the demographic. In an op-ed for CNBC last month, Voto Latino CEO Maria Teresa Kumar argued that the Biden campaign has fallen short on reaching out to the Latino community.
"While Trump will not assume his path to victory will be with majority support among Latinos, he will surely exploit any weakness to undercut the vice president and other candidates," Kumar wrote.
Hispanics are projected to become the largest minority voting bloc in the country in 2020, Pew Research reported last year. In Florida, Pew found that 20% of eligible voters are Latino.
But that broad Latino label masks a wide range of political diversity among people from different countries. While Clinton in 2016 won 62% of the Latino vote in Florida — compared with just 35% for Trump — Trump handily beat Clinton among Cuban Americans in the state, 54%-41%, according to CNN's exit poll.
In Tuesday's survey from Bendixen & Amandi, Cuban Americans broke for Trump over Biden by a whopping 38 percentage points.
First-generation Cuban Americans, many of whom fled the communist government of Cuba, tend to vote Republican, though younger generations have a lower identification with the GOP. Still, the demographic isn't always a lock for the Republican candidate: Barack Obama won a slightly larger share of Cuban Americans in Florida than Mitt Romney in the 2012 race.
Polling averages from RealClearPolitics show Biden's lead in Florida narrowing in recent weeks. The site currently gives the Democrat a 0.8-point spread over Trump, which is only slightly ahead of where Clinton was on this date four years ago.
The Biden campaign appears to be responding accordingly, announcing increased Spanish-language television spending and new hires aimed at targeting the Hispanic community, NBC News reported last week.
Trump, meanwhile, has sought to tar Biden and the Democratic Party as far-left socialists — a message that Democratic operatives say could tap into fears of those in Latino communities wary of authoritarian regimes.
The president visited Jupiter, Florida, on Tuesday to announce he would sign an extension and expansion of a moratorium on oil drilling off the Atlantic coast. In his remarks, Trump accused his political opponents of using environmental policy as "an excuse to advance a socialist platform that will impose trillions and trillions of dollars in new taxes, and send our jobs overseas, making it impossible to open up new companies and to live less expensively."
Biden's running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris of California, is scheduled to visit Miami with her husband on Thursday.


cnbc--2020-09-09--Op-ed: Trump's campaign against Huawei, Chinese tech will backfire

U.S. President Donald Trump faces reporters prior to boarding Air Force One as he departs Washington for campaign travel to Florida and North Carolina at Joint Base Andrews , Maryland , U.S. , September 8 , 2020 .
The Trump Administration has amplified its campaign to harm Chinese technology companies , widening its focus from Huawei and 5G to the Chinese social media apps TikTok and WeChat .
It 's clear that these maneuvers are designed to distract from pressing domestic issues and to hobble Chinese tech firms for the commercial benefit of U.S. competitors .
Sen. Marco Rubio , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , called for the U.S. and its allies to find alternatives to Huawei to develop 5G networks .
This desperately misguided strategy is destined to backfire .
First , it will destroy U.S. dominance in the global semiconductor industry -- American chip-making equipment firms currently export about 90 % of their production , most of it to East Asia , including China .
It will also deny U.S. businesses the chance to sell hardware , software and apps : last year alone , Huawei spent $ 18.7 billion buying components from U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs are jeopardized by the actions against Huawei at a time of massive unemployment .
Cutting off Huawei 's supply of US technologies may be intended to hurt the company in the short run .
But the longer-term effect will be to push Huawei – and other companies headquartered in China – toward greater self-reliance , as a recent report by CSIS , a U.S. think tank , points out .
Research by the Boston Consulting Group shows that , over the long term , a full decoupling would shrink American chip-makers ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global market share to 30 % – while boosting the market share of Chinese chip companies by an order of magnitude .

U.S. President Donald Trump faces reporters prior to boarding Air Force One as he departs Washington for campaign travel to Florida and North Carolina at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., September 8, 2020.
The Trump Administration has amplified its campaign to harm Chinese technology companies, widening its focus from Huawei and 5G to the Chinese social media apps TikTok and WeChat. It's clear that these maneuvers are designed to distract from pressing domestic issues and to hobble Chinese tech firms for the commercial benefit of U.S. competitors.
Sen. Marco Rubio, in an op-ed published by CNBC last week, called for the U.S. and its allies to find alternatives to Huawei to develop 5G networks.
This desperately misguided strategy is destined to backfire. First, it will destroy U.S. dominance in the global semiconductor industry -- American chip-making equipment firms currently export about 90% of their production, most of it to East Asia, including China.
It will also deny U.S. businesses the chance to sell hardware, software and apps: last year alone, Huawei spent $18.7 billion buying components from U.S. companies. Tens of thousands of American jobs are jeopardized by the actions against Huawei at a time of massive unemployment.
Cutting off Huawei's supply of US technologies may be intended to hurt the company in the short run. But the longer-term effect will be to push Huawei – and other companies headquartered in China – toward greater self-reliance, as a recent report by CSIS, a U.S. think tank, points out.
Research by the Boston Consulting Group shows that, over the long term, a full decoupling would shrink American chip-makers' revenue by 37% and lower their global market share to 30% – while boosting the market share of Chinese chip companies by an order of magnitude.


cnbc--2020-09-09--Pro-Trump super PAC America First Action kicks off $22 million ad blitz in swing states

U.S. President Donald Trump talks to reporters prior to boarding Air Force One as he departs Washington for campaign travel to Florida and North Carolina at Joint Base Andrews , Maryland , September 8 , 2020 .
A super PAC backing President Donald Trump is unleashing a wave of new ads against Democratic nominee Joe Biden as the commander in chief struggles in nationwide polls and the campaign appears to be in need of air cover .
The PAC , America First Action , is announcing a $ 22 million spending spree on digital and TV ads that will target @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pennsylvania , Wisconsin and Ohio .
These ads will air from now until Election Day in November .
It 's in addition to the PAC 's recent decision to spend more than $ 18 million on ads in those four states .
The spots focus , in part , on the ongoing protests in states such as Wisconsin .
One of the PAC 's messages is that under a Biden administration , small business owners wo n't be as protected from potential rioters as they are under Trump .
The ads contend that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be president .
Another ad looks to paint Biden as a president who will defund the police .
The nation has been experiencing widespread protests often in reaction to the killing of Black men and women by police .
Biden , who is not in favor of defunding the police , has said that looters and rioters should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law .
A health assessment of Biden showed that he is a `` healthy , vigorous , 77-year-old male , who is fit to successfully execute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brian O. Walsh , president of America First Action , told CNBC late Tuesday that the additional $ 22 million is just the beginning of its spending spree for the final months of the election .
`` To be frank , we look at these battleground states , and we are feeling optimistic and aggressive , and we have to put the pedal to the metal all the way until the end , '' Walsh said .
The group is committed to spending more than $ 200 million in the 2020 election cycle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a spokeswoman for the PAC said .
So far it has invested at least $ 36 million , according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics .

U.S. President Donald Trump talks to reporters prior to boarding Air Force One as he departs Washington for campaign travel to Florida and North Carolina at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, September 8, 2020.
A super PAC backing President Donald Trump is unleashing a wave of new ads against Democratic nominee Joe Biden as the commander in chief struggles in nationwide polls and the campaign appears to be in need of air cover.
The PAC, America First Action, is announcing a $22 million spending spree on digital and TV ads that will target the key battleground states of Florida, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Ohio. These ads will air from now until Election Day in November. It's in addition to the PAC's recent decision to spend more than $18 million on ads in those four states.
The spots focus, in part, on the ongoing protests in states such as Wisconsin. One of the PAC's messages is that under a Biden administration, small business owners won't be as protected from potential rioters as they are under Trump. The ads contend that Biden doesn't have the mental stamina to be president. Another ad looks to paint Biden as a president who will defund the police.
The nation has been experiencing widespread protests often in reaction to the killing of Black men and women by police. Biden, who is not in favor of defunding the police, has said that looters and rioters should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. A health assessment of Biden showed that he is a "healthy, vigorous, 77-year-old male, who is fit to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency."
Brian O. Walsh, president of America First Action, told CNBC late Tuesday that the additional $22 million is just the beginning of its spending spree for the final months of the election.
"To be frank, we look at these battleground states, and we are feeling optimistic and aggressive, and we have to put the pedal to the metal all the way until the end," Walsh said.
The group is committed to spending more than $200 million in the 2020 election cycle to assist Trump's bid for reelection, a spokeswoman for the PAC said. So far it has invested at least $36 million, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.


cnbc--2020-09-09--U.S. is cutting troops in Iraq to 3,000 this month, commander of U.S. Central Command says

U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to Bravo Troop , 5th Squadron , 73rd Cavalry Regiment , 3rd Brigade , 82nd Airborne Division , maneuver through a hallway as part of squad level training at Camp Taji , Iraq .
The United States is reducing its troop presence in Iraq this month from 5,200 to 3,000 , the top American commander for the Middle East said Wednesday , as President Donald Trump tries to make good on his campaign promise to get the United States out of `` endless wars . ''
During a visit to Iraq , Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said the reduction in Iraq reflects U.S. confidence in the ability of U.S.-trained Iraqi security forces to handle the militant threat from the Islamic State group , which entered Iraq from Syria in 2014 .
Late Tuesday , a senior Trump administration official , speaking on condition of anonymity , told reporters aboard Air Force One that such an announcement was coming and that an announcement on the withdrawal of additional troops from Afghanistan also could be expected in the coming days .
Trump has been trying to make the case that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four years ago as he campaigns for a second term .
U.S. forces have been in Afghanistan since 2001 .
They invaded Iraq in 2003 and left in 2011 but returned in 2014 after the Islamic State group overran large parts of Iraq .
`` In recognition of the great progress the Iraqi forces have made and in consultation and coordination with the government of Iraq and our coalition partners , the United States has decided to reduce our troop presence in Iraq from about 5,200 to 3,000 troops during the month of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an excerpt of his remarks provided by his office .
McKenzie said the remaining U.S. troops would continue advising and assisting Iraqi security forces as they attempt to root out remnants of the Islamic State group , sometimes called ISIS .
`` The U.S. decision is a clear demonstration of our continued commitment to the ultimate goal , which is an Iraqi security force that is capable of preventing an ISIS resurgence and of securing Iraq 's sovereignty without external assistance , '' McKenzie said .
`` The journey has been difficult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the progress has been significant . ''
Tensions spiked between the U.S. and Iraq in January after a U.S. drone strike near the Baghdad airport killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis .
Angry Iraqi lawmakers , spurred on by Shiite political factions , passed a nonbinding resolution to oust all U.S.-led coalition forces from the country .
In response to the Soleimani killing , Iran on Jan. 8 launched a ballistic missile attack on al-Asad air base in Iraq , which resulted in traumatic brain injuries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Two months later , U.S. fighter jets struck five sites in retaliation , targeting Iranian-backed Shiite militia members believed responsible for the January rocket attack .

U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to Bravo Troop, 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, maneuver through a hallway as part of squad level training at Camp Taji, Iraq.
The United States is reducing its troop presence in Iraq this month from 5,200 to 3,000, the top American commander for the Middle East said Wednesday, as President Donald Trump tries to make good on his campaign promise to get the United States out of "endless wars."
During a visit to Iraq, Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, the commander of U.S. Central Command, said the reduction in Iraq reflects U.S. confidence in the ability of U.S.-trained Iraqi security forces to handle the militant threat from the Islamic State group, which entered Iraq from Syria in 2014.
Late Tuesday, a senior Trump administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told reporters aboard Air Force One that such an announcement was coming and that an announcement on the withdrawal of additional troops from Afghanistan also could be expected in the coming days.
Trump has been trying to make the case that he has fulfilled the promises he made four years ago as he campaigns for a second term.
U.S. forces have been in Afghanistan since 2001. They invaded Iraq in 2003 and left in 2011 but returned in 2014 after the Islamic State group overran large parts of Iraq.
"In recognition of the great progress the Iraqi forces have made and in consultation and coordination with the government of Iraq and our coalition partners, the United States has decided to reduce our troop presence in Iraq from about 5,200 to 3,000 troops during the month of September," McKenzie said, according to an excerpt of his remarks provided by his office.
McKenzie said the remaining U.S. troops would continue advising and assisting Iraqi security forces as they attempt to root out remnants of the Islamic State group, sometimes called ISIS.
"The U.S. decision is a clear demonstration of our continued commitment to the ultimate goal, which is an Iraqi security force that is capable of preventing an ISIS resurgence and of securing Iraq's sovereignty without external assistance," McKenzie said. "The journey has been difficult, the sacrifice has been great, but the progress has been significant."
Tensions spiked between the U.S. and Iraq in January after a U.S. drone strike near the Baghdad airport killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. Angry Iraqi lawmakers, spurred on by Shiite political factions, passed a nonbinding resolution to oust all U.S.-led coalition forces from the country.
In response to the Soleimani killing, Iran on Jan. 8 launched a ballistic missile attack on al-Asad air base in Iraq, which resulted in traumatic brain injuries to more than 100 American troops. Two months later, U.S. fighter jets struck five sites in retaliation, targeting Iranian-backed Shiite militia members believed responsible for the January rocket attack.


cnbc--2020-09-09--When does vote by mail and early voting start? A state by state guide

An election worker opens envelopes containing vote-by-mail ballots for the August 4 Washington state primary at King County Elections in Renton , Washington on August 3 , 2020 .
The contest between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden has officially entered the voting phase .
North Carolina was scheduled to start mailing out more than 600,000 absentee ballots on Friday .
The state , a hotly contested battleground , is the first to begin its vote-by-mail process .
Other states will follow suit in the coming days , with more than half starting to send out their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eight states are also scheduled to open up early in-person voting in September .
Early voting , whether in person or by mail , is generally consequential , with more than 40 million Americans casting ballots ahead of Election Day in 2016 .
But because of the Covid-19 pandemic , it could be dramatically more important in 2020 .
According to an NBC|SurveyMonkey poll released this week , 52 % of adults plan to vote early this year , the bulk of which say they will do so via the mail .
Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will vote by mail , while both Republicans and Democrats are about as likely to say they will vote early in person .
Below , you can see when your state starts sending out absentee ballots and when it opens in-person early voting .
The data is compiled from the National Conference of State Legislatures and Vote.org .
It is possible that dates may have changed in response to coronavirus , however , and it is best to check directly with your local elections office .

An election worker opens envelopes containing vote-by-mail ballots for the August 4 Washington state primary at King County Elections in Renton, Washington on August 3, 2020.
The contest between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden has officially entered the voting phase.
North Carolina was scheduled to start mailing out more than 600,000 absentee ballots on Friday. The state, a hotly contested battleground, is the first to begin its vote-by-mail process.
Other states will follow suit in the coming days, with more than half starting to send out their ballots before the start of October. Eight states are also scheduled to open up early in-person voting in September.
Early voting, whether in person or by mail, is generally consequential, with more than 40 million Americans casting ballots ahead of Election Day in 2016. But because of the Covid-19 pandemic, it could be dramatically more important in 2020.
According to an NBC|SurveyMonkey poll released this week, 52% of adults plan to vote early this year, the bulk of which say they will do so via the mail. Democrats are far more likely to say they will vote by mail, while both Republicans and Democrats are about as likely to say they will vote early in person.
Below, you can see when your state starts sending out absentee ballots and when it opens in-person early voting. The data is compiled from the National Conference of State Legislatures and Vote.org.
It is possible that dates may have changed in response to coronavirus, however, and it is best to check directly with your local elections office.


cnbc--2020-09-10--Most swing-state voters give Trump poor marks on keeping Americans safe, CNBC/Change Research poll f

Most swing-state voters give Trump poor marks on keeping Americans safe, CNBC/Change Research poll finds

U.S. President Donald Trump talks to reporters as he stands with local law enforcement and business people while examining property damage while visiting Kenosha in the aftermath of recent protests against police brutality and racial injustice and the ensuing violence after the shooting of Jacob Blake by a police officer in Kenosha , Wisconsin , September 1 , 2020 .
Most voters in six 2020 swing states give President Donald Trump poor marks on his ability to keep Americans safe and handle a crisis , as the president centers his reelection message around preventing violence , according to a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Florida , Michigan , North Carolina , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin , 48 % of likely voters said they approve of the job the president is doing on keeping communities safe , the survey findings released Thursday found .
Another 52 % said they disapprove .
Further , asked if the phrase , `` will keep us safe '' describes Trump well , 48 % agreed .
Again , 52 % answered that it does not represent the president well .
Even so , a majority of voters stopped short of blaming Trump directly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Asked if , `` at the end of the day , Donald Trump is responsible for the current violence in the country because he is president , '' 48 % of voters agreed and 52 % disagreed .
The poll , taken Friday through Sunday , surveyed 4,143 likely voters across the six states and has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.4 percentage points .
It found Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden leading Trump by at least a narrow margin in all of the states surveyed .
The findings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which will shape the outcome of November 's presidential election — come as Trump argues Americans should give him a second term in the White House to ensure their safety .
He contends limited destruction of property that has accompanied protests against racial injustice , along with calls from some liberals to defund police departments , will jeopardize security in communities around the country .
Facing Republican attacks on the issue , Biden has condemned rioting .
The former vice president has also argued Trump has put American lives at risk , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 200,000 deaths from the coronavirus pandemic have taken place during the president 's first term .
Asked who would better handle a range of issues , a majority of respondents chose Biden and Democrats on all but two topics : recovering from a recession and getting people back to work .
• Bringing our country together in times of national crisis : Biden/Democrats 52 % , Trump/Republicans 48 % Trump also received poor marks for how he responded to the police shooting of Jacob Blake , a Black man in Kenosha , Wisconsin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states , 52 % of voters said the president 's actions taken after police shot Blake and protests erupted in Wisconsin were harmful .
Only 23 % said Trump 's response was helpful , while 25 % said it made no difference .
In Wisconsin itself , 54 % of respondents called Trump 's response harmful .
Another 32 % said it was helpful , and 14 % answered that it made no difference .
The poll also found that swing-state voters said they support both protesters and cops in their areas .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of respondents said they have a favorable view of people protesting for criminal justice reform , while 34 % said they have an unfavorable opinion .
At the same time , 72 % of voters said they have a positive view of their local police department , while 12 % responded that they have a negative opinion .
The positive opinions of police departments do not mean that voters would resist change .
A majority , or 55 % , of swing-state respondents said they agree that `` we should invest more in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and spend less on policing . ''
That is what certain activists mean by defunding the police , as opposed to pulling all money from departments as constructed now , which other activists support .

U.S. President Donald Trump talks to reporters as he stands with local law enforcement and business people while examining property damage while visiting Kenosha in the aftermath of recent protests against police brutality and racial injustice and the ensuing violence after the shooting of Jacob Blake by a police officer in Kenosha, Wisconsin, September 1, 2020.
Most voters in six 2020 swing states give President Donald Trump poor marks on his ability to keep Americans safe and handle a crisis, as the president centers his reelection message around preventing violence, according to a new CNBC/Change Research poll.
In Arizona, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, 48% of likely voters said they approve of the job the president is doing on keeping communities safe, the survey findings released Thursday found. Another 52% said they disapprove.
Further, asked if the phrase, "will keep us safe" describes Trump well, 48% agreed. Again, 52% answered that it does not represent the president well.
Even so, a majority of voters stopped short of blaming Trump directly for increased violence in some American cities. Asked if, "at the end of the day, Donald Trump is responsible for the current violence in the country because he is president," 48% of voters agreed and 52% disagreed.
The poll, taken Friday through Sunday, surveyed 4,143 likely voters across the six states and has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.4 percentage points. It found Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden leading Trump by at least a narrow margin in all of the states surveyed.
The findings in the six states — all of which will shape the outcome of November's presidential election — come as Trump argues Americans should give him a second term in the White House to ensure their safety. He contends limited destruction of property that has accompanied protests against racial injustice, along with calls from some liberals to defund police departments, will jeopardize security in communities around the country.


cnbc--2020-09-10--Trump adds 20 names to Supreme Court shortlist, including Ted Cruz, Tom Cotton

U.S. President Donald Trump faces reporters prior to boarding Air Force One as he departs Washington for campaign travel to Florida and North Carolina at Joint Base Andrews , Maryland , U.S. , September 8 , 2020 .
President Donald Trump on Wednesday added 20 names to his list of potential nominees to the Supreme Court and called on his Democratic rival Joe Biden to do the same , renewing a tactic he first employed during his last presidential campaign .
Among the nearly two dozen additions to the list are GOP Sens .
Ted Cruz of Texas , Tom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Missouri , as well as Noel Francisco , the former Trump administration solicitor general , and a number of judges whom Trump had previously appointed to the federal bench .
`` Every one of these individuals will ensure equal justice , equal treatment and equal rights for citizens of every race , color , religion and creed , '' Trump said at a press conference announcing the names .
`` Together we will defend our righteous heritage and preserve our magnificent American way of life . ''
Trump first took the unprecedented step @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court picks during his 2016 campaign , a move designed to shore up support among Christian conservatives .
The release of the new list once again seemed geared toward energizing the GOP 's religious base .
Shortly after the announcement , Cotton wrote in a post on Twitter , `` It 's time for Roe v. Wade to go , '' referring to the landmark abortion ruling .
Hawley said on the social media platform that he had no interest in being on the court , but did `` look forward to confirming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement that his placement on the list was humbling .
The timing of Wednesday 's release , which Trump said months ago would be out by September , suggested it was intended to bolster the president 's electoral odds .
The president has been trailing Biden in national surveys , as polling data shows voters are focused on his administration 's response to the Covid-19 crisis .
He released the names on a day he has come under fire for admitting that he downplayed coronavirus dangers in the early days of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gave to author Bob Woodward for a new book .
Trump defended himself , saying at the news conference that his role is as a `` cheerleader for this country '' and that he did not want to foment panic about the virus .
Notably , neither of the president 's eventual nominees to the top court were included on his first shortlist , released in May 2016 , though they were added to subsequent drafts .
Justice Neil Gorsuch , Trump 's first nominee to the high court , was included on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in September of 2016 .
Gorsuch was confirmed to the court , which had a vacancy when Trump was inaugurated as a result of the death of Antonin Scalia .
After taking office , Trump added five more names to his list , including Brett Kavanaugh .
Trump tapped Kavanaugh to fill the seat vacated by Anthony Kennedy .
Trump has touted the rapid appointment of young , conservative judges to the federal bench as one of the signature successes of his first term .
There are no vacancies on the top court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stephen Breyer , both liberals , are in their 80s .
The court has a 5-4 majority of justices appointed by Republican presidents .
Biden has not released a list of potential nominees , though he has pledged to nominate a Black woman to the bench .
His campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment .

Among the nearly two dozen additions to the list are GOP Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas, Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Josh Hawley of Missouri, as well as Noel Francisco, the former Trump administration solicitor general, and a number of judges whom Trump had previously appointed to the federal bench.
President Donald Trump on Wednesday added 20 names to his list of potential nominees to the Supreme Court and called on his Democratic rival Joe Biden to do the same, renewing a tactic he first employed during his last presidential campaign.
Senator Ted Cruz, a Republican from Texas, speaks during a news conference following the weekly Senate Republican caucus luncheon in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Tuesday, June 2, 2020.
"Every one of these individuals will ensure equal justice, equal treatment and equal rights for citizens of every race, color, religion and creed," Trump said at a press conference announcing the names. "Together we will defend our righteous heritage and preserve our magnificent American way of life."
Trump first took the unprecedented step of releasing two lists of potential Supreme Court picks during his 2016 campaign, a move designed to shore up support among Christian conservatives. The release of the new list once again seemed geared toward energizing the GOP's religious base.
Shortly after the announcement, Cotton wrote in a post on Twitter, "It's time for Roe v. Wade to go," referring to the landmark abortion ruling.
Hawley said on the social media platform that he had no interest in being on the court, but did "look forward to confirming constitutional conservatives." Cruz said in a statement that his placement on the list was humbling.
The timing of Wednesday's release, which Trump said months ago would be out by September, suggested it was intended to bolster the president's electoral odds.
The president has been trailing Biden in national surveys, as polling data shows voters are focused on his administration's response to the Covid-19 crisis.
He released the names on a day he has come under fire for admitting that he downplayed coronavirus dangers in the early days of the pandemic, according to an interview he gave to author Bob Woodward for a new book.
Trump defended himself, saying at the news conference that his role is as a "cheerleader for this country" and that he did not want to foment panic about the virus.
Notably, neither of the president's eventual nominees to the top court were included on his first shortlist, released in May 2016, though they were added to subsequent drafts.
Justice Neil Gorsuch, Trump's first nominee to the high court, was included on the second list, which was released in September of 2016. Gorsuch was confirmed to the court, which had a vacancy when Trump was inaugurated as a result of the death of Antonin Scalia.
After taking office, Trump added five more names to his list, including Brett Kavanaugh. Trump tapped Kavanaugh to fill the seat vacated by Anthony Kennedy.
Trump has touted the rapid appointment of young, conservative judges to the federal bench as one of the signature successes of his first term.
There are no vacancies on the top court, though Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer, both liberals, are in their 80s. The court has a 5-4 majority of justices appointed by Republican presidents.
Biden has not released a list of potential nominees, though he has pledged to nominate a Black woman to the bench. His campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.


cnbc--2020-09-10--Biden leads in six 2020 swing states as Trump sees no convention bounce, CNBC/Change Research poll f

Biden leads in six 2020 swing states as Trump sees no convention bounce, CNBC/Change Research poll finds

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden leads President Donald Trump in six 2020 swing states , as the Republican National Convention changed little in the race for the White House , according to a new CNBC/Change Research poll .
Across Arizona , Florida , Michigan , North Carolina , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin , the former vice president holds a 49 % to 45 % edge over the Republican incumbent , the survey released Wednesday found .
It compares with a 49 % to 46 % edge Biden held in a poll taken two weeks ago , after the Democratic National Convention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Biden holds at least a narrow lead in all six of the states , which will play a major role in determining who wins the White House on Nov. 3 .
Here is where the race stands in all of those states , and how it has changed from the last survey : The poll , taken Friday through Sunday , surveyed 4,143 likely voters across the six states and has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.4 percentage points .
It shows a race changing little even in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temporary bump after they inundate voters at their nominating conventions .
Though Biden 's lead in both national and swing-state polling averages has fallen from highs seen during the worst of the coronavirus pandemic in June and July , the CNBC/Change Research polls find the presidential race largely unchanged by events in recent weeks .
The survey released Wednesday found swing-state voters ' views of Trump and Biden have not meaningfully changed over the last two weeks .
This week , 45 % of respondents said they have favorable feelings about Trump , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him unfavorably .
It compares with a 46 % to 51 % favorable to unfavorable spread two weeks ago .
Opinions on Biden did not budge at all .
In Wednesday 's survey , 45 % of likely voters said they had a favorable view of the Democratic nominee , while 49 % responded that they had unfavorable feelings about him .
The numbers were the same two weeks ago .
Respondents were asked to choose the three most important issues facing the country .
The most common choice was the economy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 43 % of likely voters , followed by political corruption at 38 % .
Another 35 % of respondents chose Covid-19 , followed by law and order at 29 % , and racism and discrimination at 27 % .
The major parties have drastically different views on the most important issues .
Among Democrats , 61 % chose Covid-19 and 51 % picked racism and discrimination .
But among GOP voters , 58 % chose law and order — a common rhetorical device Trump uses to criticize protests against police brutality and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy , jobs and cost of living .

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Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden leads President Donald Trump in six 2020 swing states, as the Republican National Convention changed little in the race for the White House, according to a new CNBC/Change Research poll. Across Arizona, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, the former vice president holds a 49% to 45% edge over the Republican incumbent, the survey released Wednesday found. It compares with a 49% to 46% edge Biden held in a poll taken two weeks ago, after the Democratic National Convention but before the GOP's nominating events.
Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards
Biden holds at least a narrow lead in all six of the states, which will play a major role in determining who wins the White House on Nov. 3. Here is where the race stands in all of those states, and how it has changed from the last survey: Arizona: Biden 49%, Trump 45% (was Biden 49%, Trump 47%)
Biden 49%, Trump 45% (was Biden 49%, Trump 47%) Florida: Biden 49%, Trump 46% (unchanged)
Biden 49%, Trump 46% (unchanged) Michigan: Biden 49%, Trump 43% (was Biden 50%, Trump 44%)
Biden 49%, Trump 43% (was Biden 50%, Trump 44%) North Carolina: Biden 49%, Trump 47% (was Biden 48%, Trump 47%)
Biden 49%, Trump 47% (was Biden 48%, Trump 47%) Pennsylvania: Biden 50%, Trump 46% (was Biden 49%, Trump 46%)
Biden 50%, Trump 46% (was Biden 49%, Trump 46%) Wisconsin: Biden 50%, Trump 44% (was Biden 49%, Trump 44%) The poll, taken Friday through Sunday, surveyed 4,143 likely voters across the six states and has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.4 percentage points. It shows a race changing little even in a period where presidential candidates can see a temporary bump after they inundate voters at their nominating conventions. Though Biden's lead in both national and swing-state polling averages has fallen from highs seen during the worst of the coronavirus pandemic in June and July, the CNBC/Change Research polls find the presidential race largely unchanged by events in recent weeks.
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cnbc--2020-09-10--Senate Republicans fail to advance coronavirus stimulus bill as stalemate drags on

The Senate failed Thursday to advance a Republican coronavirus stimulus plan , the latest blow to stalled efforts to pass another package to mitigate the pandemic 's economic damage .
The measure fell short of the 60 votes needed on a procedural step to move toward passage .
All Democrats present , and one Republican — Rand Paul of Kentucky — opposed it in a 52-47 vote .
The nearly unanimous vote for the GOP followed weeks of disagreements within the Republican caucus about whether to pass any more aid at all .
The legislation would have reinstated enhanced federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 300 per week , half of the $ 600 weekly payment that expired at the end of July .
It also would have authorized new small business loans and put money toward schools and into Covid-19 testing , treatment and vaccines .
The measure did not include a second $ 1,200 direct payment to individuals .
It also lacked new relief for cash-strapped state and local governments or money for rental and mortgage assistance and food aid — all priorities for Democrats .
`` It is beyond insufficient .
It is completely inadequate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , D-N.Y. , said of the GOP plan earlier Thursday .

The Senate failed Thursday to advance a Republican coronavirus stimulus plan, the latest blow to stalled efforts to pass another package to mitigate the pandemic's economic damage.
The measure fell short of the 60 votes needed on a procedural step to move toward passage. All Democrats present, and one Republican — Rand Paul of Kentucky — opposed it in a 52-47 vote. The nearly unanimous vote for the GOP followed weeks of disagreements within the Republican caucus about whether to pass any more aid at all.
The legislation would have reinstated enhanced federal unemployment insurance at a rate of $300 per week, half of the $600 weekly payment that expired at the end of July. It also would have authorized new small business loans and put money toward schools and into Covid-19 testing, treatment and vaccines.
The measure did not include a second $1,200 direct payment to individuals. It also lacked new relief for cash-strapped state and local governments or money for rental and mortgage assistance and food aid — all priorities for Democrats.
"It is beyond insufficient. It is completely inadequate," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said of the GOP plan earlier Thursday.


cnbc--2020-09-10--U.S. sanctions Ukrainian lawmaker and Rudy Giuliani ally for involvement in 2020 election meddling

Ukrainian lawmaker Andriy Derkach attends a news conference titled `` Publication of facts of pressure of U.S. Embassy on Ukraine 's law enforcement agencies to interfere in electoral process in U.S. '' , in Kiev , Ukraine October 9 , 2019 .
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on three Kremlin-linked individuals and a Ukrainian lawmaker Thursday for attempting to meddle in the 2020 U.S. presidential election .
In a statement Thursday , Treasury described Andrii Derkach , a member of the Ukrainian parliament , as an `` active Russian agent for over a decade '' with close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the United States , Russia has used a wide range of influence methods and actors to target our electoral process , including targeting U.S. presidential candidates , '' Treasury said in a statement without naming Biden or Trump .
`` From at least late 2019 through mid-2020 , Derkach waged a covert influence campaign centered on cultivating false and unsubstantiated narratives concerning U.S. officials in the upcoming 2020 presidential election , '' the statement added .
Derkach has previously worked with Rudy Giuliani to dig up damaging information on President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his son Hunter .
Giuliani has acted as a personal lawyer for Trump , and his efforts to get Ukraine to launch an investigation into the Bidens led to Trump 's impeachment after the president withheld military aid to Ukraine while asking for such a probe .

Ukrainian lawmaker Andriy Derkach attends a news conference titled "Publication of facts of pressure of U.S. Embassy on Ukraine's law enforcement agencies to interfere in electoral process in U.S.", in Kiev, Ukraine October 9, 2019.
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on three Kremlin-linked individuals and a Ukrainian lawmaker Thursday for attempting to meddle in the 2020 U.S. presidential election.
In a statement Thursday, Treasury described Andrii Derkach, a member of the Ukrainian parliament, as an "active Russian agent for over a decade" with close connections to Russian intelligence services.
"In the United States, Russia has used a wide range of influence methods and actors to target our electoral process, including targeting U.S. presidential candidates," Treasury said in a statement without naming Biden or Trump. "From at least late 2019 through mid-2020, Derkach waged a covert influence campaign centered on cultivating false and unsubstantiated narratives concerning U.S. officials in the upcoming 2020 presidential election," the statement added.
Derkach has previously worked with Rudy Giuliani to dig up damaging information on President Donald Trump's Democratic opponent, Joe Biden, and his son Hunter. Giuliani has acted as a personal lawyer for Trump, and his efforts to get Ukraine to launch an investigation into the Bidens led to Trump's impeachment after the president withheld military aid to Ukraine while asking for such a probe.


cnbc--2020-09-10--How Trump v. Biden could be Bush v. Gore ‘on steroids’

Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Al Gore talks to the audience while the Republican candidate Texas governor George W. Bush looks on October 17 , 2000 in St. Louis , Missouri at the third and final presidential debate of the campaign .
In a normal election year , Bush v. Gore is the worst-case scenario for those hoping for a smooth transition of American power .
This year , an unusually fierce onslaught of litigation over the presidential contest between President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden has created the conditions for a battle that would dwarf the Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two decades ago , top elections experts warn .
A chief concern is that the legal drama on Election Day and in the days immediately after could play out simultaneously in multiple crucial states , leaving the ultimate outcome of the presidential race up in the air .
That worry is compounded by the fact that more voters than ever are expected to vote by mail as a result of the coronavirus , potentially delaying the release of results beyond election night .
`` In the event that the election is effectively tied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of these states with a large number of absentee ballots , then we have a version of Bush v. Gore on steroids , '' said Nathaniel Persily , a democracy scholar at Stanford Law School and co-founder of the Stanford-MIT Project on a Healthy Election .
A flood of legal battles that are already underway provides some insight into what 's to come .
Already , more than 300 Covid-19-related election suits have been filed across at least 44 states , according to a tracker maintained by the Stanford-MIT team .
As was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disproportionately taking place in states that are the most likely to matter in a close election , such as Pennsylvania , Wisconsin and Michigan .
Persily said the 2020 election was already going to be litigious before the Covid-19 pandemic hit because of the high-stakes nature of the race , in which both sides view success or defeat as existentially important .
`` Add on top of that the curveball the pandemic throws into the electoral system , and you have a series of novel legal issues that need to be resolved before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a time that the electoral infrastructure is undergoing the most major renovation , in the shortest time , in years , '' he said .
The suits follow familiar patterns .
Democrats are pushing for expanded access to voting , particularly vote by mail .
On the other side , Republicans have filed suits to make voting rules more restrictive , arguing that loosened rules could lead to voter fraud .

Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Al Gore talks to the audience while the Republican candidate Texas governor George W. Bush looks on October 17, 2000 in St. Louis, Missouri at the third and final presidential debate of the campaign.
In a normal election year, Bush v. Gore is the worst-case scenario for those hoping for a smooth transition of American power.
Not 2020.
This year, an unusually fierce onslaught of litigation over the presidential contest between President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden has created the conditions for a battle that would dwarf the Supreme Court fight over hanging chads in Florida two decades ago, top elections experts warn.
A chief concern is that the legal drama on Election Day and in the days immediately after could play out simultaneously in multiple crucial states, leaving the ultimate outcome of the presidential race up in the air. That worry is compounded by the fact that more voters than ever are expected to vote by mail as a result of the coronavirus, potentially delaying the release of results beyond election night.
"In the event that the election is effectively tied, and comes down to a few of these states with a large number of absentee ballots, then we have a version of Bush v. Gore on steroids," said Nathaniel Persily, a democracy scholar at Stanford Law School and co-founder of the Stanford-MIT Project on a Healthy Election.
A flood of legal battles that are already underway provides some insight into what's to come.
Already, more than 300 Covid-19-related election suits have been filed across at least 44 states, according to a tracker maintained by the Stanford-MIT team. As was to be expected, the lawsuits are disproportionately taking place in states that are the most likely to matter in a close election, such as Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan.
Persily said the 2020 election was already going to be litigious before the Covid-19 pandemic hit because of the high-stakes nature of the race, in which both sides view success or defeat as existentially important.
"Add on top of that the curveball the pandemic throws into the electoral system, and you have a series of novel legal issues that need to be resolved before the election — and this is happening at a time that the electoral infrastructure is undergoing the most major renovation, in the shortest time, in years," he said.
The suits follow familiar patterns. Democrats are pushing for expanded access to voting, particularly vote by mail. On the other side, Republicans have filed suits to make voting rules more restrictive, arguing that loosened rules could lead to voter fraud.


cnbc--2020-09-10--Trump health official Seema Verma spent millions in taxpayer funds to boost 'personal brand,' Democr

Trump health official Seema Verma spent millions in taxpayer funds to boost 'personal brand,' Democrats charge

Seema Verma , administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services , speaks at the daily coronavirus briefing at the White House on April 19 , 2020 in Washington , DC .
Congressional Democrats are accusing a top health official in President Donald Trump 's administration of `` extensive abuse '' of millions of taxpayers ' dollars , in part by retaining a raft of Republican-tied media consultants in an attempt to boost her `` personal brand . ''
Leaders from four congressional committees , who on Thursday revealed the results of a 17-month investigation into Centers for Medicare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use of public funds , are now calling on her to `` personally reimburse the taxpayers for these inappropriate expenditures . ''
The Democrats say they obtained tens of thousands of documents showing dozens of questionable billing statements – including that one consultant , Pam Stevens , billed almost $ 3,000 for work related to setting up a `` Girl 's Night to honor the Administrator '' at the home of journalist Susan Page .
The probe was conducted by Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee , House Oversight and Reform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate Health , Education , Labor and Pensions Committee .
`` Our investigation found that Administrator Verma misused funds appropriated by Congress and wasted taxpayer dollars intended to support critical federal health care programs , '' the Democratic committee leaders said in a joint statement .
`` Congress did not intend for taxpayer dollars to be spent on handpicked communications consultants used to promote Administrator Verma 's public profile and personal brand .
Administrator Verma has shown reckless disregard for the public 's trust , '' they said .
The Democrats accuse Verma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sidelined CMS 's Office of Communications . ''
Her cadre of handpicked consultants charged CMS nearly $ 6 million in less than two years , the 56-page report alleges .
The investigation suggests that CMS `` may have violated applicable law governing the agency 's use of appropriated funds '' due to Verma 's spending on private consultants .
`` CMS appears to have made unlawful expenditures in violation of these conditions , '' the report says .
Consultants for Verma also failed to comply with standard federal expense protocol , the report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invoices and not providing dates for the work .
The report alleges that Verma 's `` outsized reliance '' on consultants led to redundancies in staffing , particularly on office travel , that created `` a significant cost to taxpayers . ''
CMS did not immediately respond to CNBC 's request for comment on the probe .
The White House did not immediately provide comment .
HHS spokesman Michael Caputo blasted the report in a statement to CNBC .
`` This is just another reckless , politically timed , drive-by hit job on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by extension , on President Trump himself , '' Caputo said .
`` Administrator Verma will continue the Administration 's unprecedented success transforming the American healthcare system in a manner that ensures free-market , pro-taxpayer health policy innovations and achievements drive public discussion — not partisan smears . ''
The Democrats ' findings come two months after the Office of the Inspector General in the Department of Health and Human Services published a report accusing Verma of misusing more than $ 5 million in taxpayer money to pay politically connected contractors and subcontractors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agencies in the federal government , oversees the massive public health-care programs Medicare and Medicaid , which provide crucial coverage and services to primarily older and poorer Americans , respectively .
The agency also administers the Children 's Health Insurance Program and the Obamacare private health insurance exchanges and the Obamacare program .
Verma was confirmed by the Senate in 2017 .
As part of the probe , Democrats obtained tens of thousands of pages of documents from HHS and other parties , conducted interviews with associates of two consulting firms used by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` databases , court records , and press reports , among other sources . ''
The report says Verma was most reliant on consultant Marcus Barlow , who had reportedly been blocked by the White House from becoming the official CMS communications director due to his prior criticisms of Trump .
Barlow , who had previously been the spokesman for Verma 's former consulting firm , SVC Inc. , `` billed CMS for hours that approximated those of a full-time employee while charging a rate that would result in more than double the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top communications official , '' the report says .
Also featured heavily in the report is Stevens , who organized the November 2018 `` Girl 's Night '' at the home of Page , USA Today 's Washington , D.C. , bureau chief .
Page is scheduled to moderate an upcoming debate between Democratic nominee Joe Biden 's running mate Kamala Harris and Vice President Mike Pence .
The Commission on Presidential Debates did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
Page did not provide comment .
A spokeswoman for Gannett @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told CNBC in a statement that Page `` was not paid or reimbursed by the federal government for the Girls Night event held at her home , '' and that she was `` unaware CMS was being billed for the event . ''
`` USA TODAY is fully aware of these long-standing events that recognize the accomplishments of women and fall well within the ethical standards that our journalist are expected to uphold , '' the spokeswoman , Chrissy Terrell , said in the statement .
Terrell said the events are `` routinely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Norah O'Donnell , Rita Braver , Andrea Mitchell and others to honor significant accomplishments of both Democratic and Republican Women . ''
`` All the expenses for these receptions are paid for by the journalists themselves , '' Terrell said .
A source familiar with the event told CNBC that Page personally paid a total of $ 4,025 for catering , plus hundreds more in drinks and tips for wait staff .
The Democrats ' report allege that some of the work detailed in the obtained documents could be illegal forms of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the report says , includes matters that personally benefited Verma and not the agency she leads .
The report also touches on a two-page `` Executive Visibility Proposal , '' drafted by Stevens , to boost Verma 's image by targeting media outlets for potential profile pieces and placement on lists that would portray her as a powerful and influential figure .
Those media targets included `` Badass Women of DC , '' Glamour 's `` Women of the Year Awards '' and Washingtonian 's `` Most Powerful Women in Washington '' list @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least $ 13,000 to `` pitch '' Verma for consideration for awards , panels and other events , according to the report .

Seema Verma, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, speaks at the daily coronavirus briefing at the White House on April 19, 2020 in Washington, DC.
Congressional Democrats are accusing a top health official in President Donald Trump's administration of "extensive abuse" of millions of taxpayers' dollars, in part by retaining a raft of Republican-tied media consultants in an attempt to boost her "personal brand."
Leaders from four congressional committees, who on Thursday revealed the results of a 17-month investigation into Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma's use of public funds, are now calling on her to "personally reimburse the taxpayers for these inappropriate expenditures."
The Democrats say they obtained tens of thousands of documents showing dozens of questionable billing statements – including that one consultant, Pam Stevens, billed almost $3,000 for work related to setting up a "Girl's Night to honor the Administrator" at the home of journalist Susan Page.
The probe was conducted by Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, House Oversight and Reform Committee, Senate Finance Committee, and Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
"Our investigation found that Administrator Verma misused funds appropriated by Congress and wasted taxpayer dollars intended to support critical federal health care programs," the Democratic committee leaders said in a joint statement.
"Congress did not intend for taxpayer dollars to be spent on handpicked communications consultants used to promote Administrator Verma's public profile and personal brand. Administrator Verma has shown reckless disregard for the public's trust," they said.
The Democrats accuse Verma of building a "shadow operation that sidelined CMS's Office of Communications." Her cadre of handpicked consultants charged CMS nearly $6 million in less than two years, the 56-page report alleges.
The investigation suggests that CMS "may have violated applicable law governing the agency's use of appropriated funds" due to Verma's spending on private consultants. "CMS appears to have made unlawful expenditures in violation of these conditions," the report says.
Consultants for Verma also failed to comply with standard federal expense protocol, the report says, by providing vague descriptions on invoices and not providing dates for the work.
The report alleges that Verma's "outsized reliance" on consultants led to redundancies in staffing, particularly on office travel, that created "a significant cost to taxpayers."
CMS did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment on the probe. The White House did not immediately provide comment.
HHS spokesman Michael Caputo blasted the report in a statement to CNBC.
"This is just another reckless, politically timed, drive-by hit job on a reform-driven Trump Administration official and, by extension, on President Trump himself," Caputo said. "Administrator Verma will continue the Administration's unprecedented success transforming the American healthcare system in a manner that ensures free-market, pro-taxpayer health policy innovations and achievements drive public discussion — not partisan smears."
The Democrats' findings come two months after the Office of the Inspector General in the Department of Health and Human Services published a report accusing Verma of misusing more than $5 million in taxpayer money to pay politically connected contractors and subcontractors.
CMS, one of the largest agencies in the federal government, oversees the massive public health-care programs Medicare and Medicaid, which provide crucial coverage and services to primarily older and poorer Americans, respectively. The agency also administers the Children's Health Insurance Program and the Obamacare private health insurance exchanges and the Obamacare program.
Verma was confirmed by the Senate in 2017.
As part of the probe, Democrats obtained tens of thousands of pages of documents from HHS and other parties, conducted interviews with associates of two consulting firms used by CMS, and collected additional information from "databases, court records, and press reports, among other sources."
The report says Verma was most reliant on consultant Marcus Barlow, who had reportedly been blocked by the White House from becoming the official CMS communications director due to his prior criticisms of Trump. Barlow, who had previously been the spokesman for Verma's former consulting firm, SVC Inc., "billed CMS for hours that approximated those of a full-time employee while charging a rate that would result in more than double the $179,700 annual salary of CMS's top communications official," the report says.
Also featured heavily in the report is Stevens, who organized the November 2018 "Girl's Night" at the home of Page, USA Today's Washington, D.C., bureau chief.
Page is scheduled to moderate an upcoming debate between Democratic nominee Joe Biden's running mate Kamala Harris and Vice President Mike Pence. The Commission on Presidential Debates did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Page did not provide comment.
A spokeswoman for Gannett, the owner of USA Today, told CNBC in a statement that Page "was not paid or reimbursed by the federal government for the Girls Night event held at her home," and that she was "unaware CMS was being billed for the event."
"USA TODAY is fully aware of these long-standing events that recognize the accomplishments of women and fall well within the ethical standards that our journalist are expected to uphold," the spokeswoman, Chrissy Terrell, said in the statement.
Terrell said the events are "routinely hosted by well-respected journalists including Judy Woodruff, Norah O'Donnell, Rita Braver, Andrea Mitchell and others to honor significant accomplishments of both Democratic and Republican Women."
"All the expenses for these receptions are paid for by the journalists themselves," Terrell said.
A source familiar with the event told CNBC that Page personally paid a total of $4,025 for catering, plus hundreds more in drinks and tips for wait staff.
The Democrats' report allege that some of the work detailed in the obtained documents could be illegal forms of "self-aggrandizement." Such work, the report says, includes matters that personally benefited Verma and not the agency she leads.
The report also touches on a two-page "Executive Visibility Proposal," drafted by Stevens, to boost Verma's image by targeting media outlets for potential profile pieces and placement on lists that would portray her as a powerful and influential figure.
Those media targets included "Badass Women of DC," Glamour's "Women of the Year Awards" and Washingtonian's "Most Powerful Women in Washington" list, among others.
Stevens billed CMS at least $13,000 to "pitch" Verma for consideration for awards, panels and other events, according to the report.
-- CNBC's Dan Mangan contributed to this report.


cnbc--2020-09-10--Most voters don't see Trump and Biden as mentally fit to be president, new poll shows

Most voters in six 2020 swing states do not consider either President Donald Trump or Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ , according to a new CNBC/Change Research poll .
The findings in the pivotal states @ @ @ @ @ Michigan , North Carolina , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin were released Thursday amid a sustained push @ @ @ @ @ portray Biden as incapable of handling the demands of office .
Most respondents in those @ @ @ @ @ a huge role in determining the presidential election winner , do not have confidence in @ @ @ @ @ on the job , either .
A 51 % majority said Trump is mentally unfit @ @ @ @ @ 49 % answered that he is fit to hold the job .
A similar share @ @ @ @ @ to 48 % margin , responded that Biden is mentally unfit to be president .

Most voters in six 2020 swing states do not consider either President Donald Trump or Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden mentally fit to be president, according to a new CNBC/Change Research poll.
The findings in the pivotal states of Arizona, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin were released Thursday amid a sustained push by the Trump campaign to portray Biden as incapable of handling the demands of office. Most respondents in those states, which will play a huge role in determining the presidential election winner, do not have confidence in Trump's ability to take on the job, either.
A 51% majority said Trump is mentally unfit to be president, while 49% answered that he is fit to hold the job. A similar share, by a 52% to 48% margin, responded that Biden is mentally unfit to be president.


cnbc--2020-09-10--U.S. has charged 57 people in PPP fraud cases, Justice Department says

US President Donald Trump shows a signed Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington , DC , on April 24 , 2020 .
Federal law enforcement authorities have charged 57 people with stealing $ 175 million from an aid program meant to help small businesses weather pandemic lockdowns , officials said on Thursday , adding that they are eyeing hundreds more suspected cases of fraud .
Officials said they have identified 500 individuals who may have defrauded the $ 660 billion Paycheck Protection Program ( PPP ) and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had worked together to steal funds from the program .
The Justice Department along with other agencies would focus more closely on this organized criminal activity , officials said .
`` The involvement of these rings is n't surprising , but it is particularly troubling to us here at the department , we will be focusing on these types of cases , going forward , '' acting assistant Attorney General Brian Rabbitt said during a press conference .
Officials said they believed fraud in the program was `` significant '' but declined to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which were passed by Congress as part of a $ 3 trillion pandemic rescue package , had been stolen .
A congressional panel last week said it had identified tens of thousands of the program 's 5.2 million loans that may have been defrauded or misused , amounting to potentially billions of taxpayer funds .
This week , JPMorgan Chase , which dished out nearly $ 30 billion PPP loans , said it was working with law enforcement after identifying cases of customers `` misusing '' the funds .
Senator Marco Rubio , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committee , on Thursday wrote to JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon asking for more details on the potential fraud and what the bank was doing to mitigate it .
Law enforcement officials have been working with lenders to identify problematic loans and on Thursday said they were using cutting edge data analytics technology which they had honed here on corporate and healthcare fraud probes to quickly identify red flags .
`` You can not hide from these digital and paper trails '' Internal Revenue Service criminal investigations chief James Lee warned fraudsters at the @ @

US President Donald Trump shows a signed Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on April 24, 2020.
Federal law enforcement authorities have charged 57 people with stealing $175 million from an aid program meant to help small businesses weather pandemic lockdowns, officials said on Thursday, adding that they are eyeing hundreds more suspected cases of fraud.
Officials said they have identified 500 individuals who may have defrauded the $660 billion Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and that, in many cases, criminal rings had worked together to steal funds from the program. The Justice Department along with other agencies would focus more closely on this organized criminal activity, officials said.
"The involvement of these rings isn't surprising, but it is particularly troubling to us here at the department, we will be focusing on these types of cases, going forward," acting assistant Attorney General Brian Rabbitt said during a press conference.
Officials said they believed fraud in the program was "significant" but declined to estimate what proportion of the funds, which were passed by Congress as part of a $3 trillion pandemic rescue package, had been stolen.
A congressional panel last week said it had identified tens of thousands of the program's 5.2 million loans that may have been defrauded or misused, amounting to potentially billions of taxpayer funds.
This week, JPMorgan Chase , which dished out nearly $30 billion PPP loans, said it was working with law enforcement after identifying cases of customers "misusing" the funds.
Senator Marco Rubio, chair of the Senate's small business committee, on Thursday wrote to JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon asking for more details on the potential fraud and what the bank was doing to mitigate it.
Law enforcement officials have been working with lenders to identify problematic loans and on Thursday said they were using cutting edge data analytics technology which they had honed here on corporate and healthcare fraud probes to quickly identify red flags.
"You cannot hide from these digital and paper trails" Internal Revenue Service criminal investigations chief James Lee warned fraudsters at the briefing.