cnbc--2020-09-03--Twitter slaps warning labels on Trump tweets that suggest voting twice

President Donald Trump is seen tapping the screen on a mobile phone at the approximate time a tweet was released from his Twitter account , during a roundtable discussion on the reopening of small businesses in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington , U.S. , June 18 , 2020 .
Twitter on Thursday slapped warning labels on several of President Donald Trump 's posts , suggesting the messages violated a policy against advocating illegal election activity .
The move is at least the third time that the president 's preferred social media company has placed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ posts .
`` Our goal is to prevent people from sharing advice about voting twice , which may be illegal , '' the company wrote in a tweet , part of a thread explaining its enforcement action .
The tweets , which were sent out Thursday morning and shared widely on the platform before Twitter took action , encouraged voters who submitted ballots by mail to go to their polling place on Election Day in order to verify that their vote had been counted .
`` If it has not been Counted , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right to do ) , '' Trump wrote in one of the posts that was hidden behind a label .
Trump wrote the same comments on Facebook , which placed a notice beneath the post noting that `` voting by mail has a long history of trustworthiness in the US and the same is predicted this year . ''
The Facebook label directs readers to the company 's voting information center .
Unlike Facebook 's action , Twitter 's move prevents users from reading the posts unless they click through a dialogue warning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rules about civic and election integrity '' but that it `` may be in the public 's interest for the Tweet to remain accessible . ''
It is against the law to intentionally vote twice .
After the president encouraged residents of North Carolina to vote twice on Wednesday evening , the state 's top election official issued a memorandum warning that doing so is a felony .
Karen Brinson Bell , the executive director of the North Carolina State Board of Elections , also discouraged voters from attempting to verify that their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noting that they could do so via an online tracker .
North Carolina , a key battleground state , begins sending out absentee ballots on Friday , the first state in the nation to do so .
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany defended the president 's comments about double voting earlier on Thursday during an interview on Fox News .
McEnany said the president was `` not suggesting anyone do anything unlawful . ''
`` What he said very clearly there is make sure your vote is tabulated and if it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Twitter , in explaining its actions , said that the `` laws regarding the invalidation of mail-in ballots when individuals choose to vote in person are complex , and vary significantly by state . ''
`` To protect people on Twitter , we err on the side of limiting the circulation of Tweets which advise people to take actions which could be illegal in the context of voting or result in the invalidation of their votes , '' the company said .
The White House did not immediately respond to a request @ @ @

President Donald Trump is seen tapping the screen on a mobile phone at the approximate time a tweet was released from his Twitter account, during a roundtable discussion on the reopening of small businesses in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., June 18, 2020.
Twitter on Thursday slapped warning labels on several of President Donald Trump's posts, suggesting the messages violated a policy against advocating illegal election activity.
The move is at least the third time that the president's preferred social media company has placed a "public interest notice" on his posts.
"Our goal is to prevent people from sharing advice about voting twice, which may be illegal," the company wrote in a tweet, part of a thread explaining its enforcement action.
The tweets, which were sent out Thursday morning and shared widely on the platform before Twitter took action, encouraged voters who submitted ballots by mail to go to their polling place on Election Day in order to verify that their vote had been counted.
"If it has not been Counted, VOTE (which is a citizen's right to do)," Trump wrote in one of the posts that was hidden behind a label.
Trump wrote the same comments on Facebook , which placed a notice beneath the post noting that "voting by mail has a long history of trustworthiness in the US and the same is predicted this year." The Facebook label directs readers to the company's voting information center.
Unlike Facebook's action, Twitter's move prevents users from reading the posts unless they click through a dialogue warning that the tweet "violated the Twitter Rules about civic and election integrity" but that it "may be in the public's interest for the Tweet to remain accessible."
It is against the law to intentionally vote twice. After the president encouraged residents of North Carolina to vote twice on Wednesday evening, the state's top election official issued a memorandum warning that doing so is a felony.
Karen Brinson Bell, the executive director of the North Carolina State Board of Elections, also discouraged voters from attempting to verify that their vote had been counted in person, noting that they could do so via an online tracker.
North Carolina, a key battleground state, begins sending out absentee ballots on Friday, the first state in the nation to do so.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany defended the president's comments about double voting earlier on Thursday during an interview on Fox News.
McEnany said the president was "not suggesting anyone do anything unlawful."
"What he said very clearly there is make sure your vote is tabulated and if it is not then vote," she said.
Twitter, in explaining its actions, said that the "laws regarding the invalidation of mail-in ballots when individuals choose to vote in person are complex, and vary significantly by state."
"To protect people on Twitter, we err on the side of limiting the circulation of Tweets which advise people to take actions which could be illegal in the context of voting or result in the invalidation of their votes," the company said.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.


cnbc--2020-09-03--Judge orders Trump Organization to court for fight over NY attorney general subpoenas eyeing asset v

Judge orders Trump Organization to court for fight over NY attorney general subpoenas eyeing asset values

President Donald Trump delivers remarks at a Keep America Great Rally at the Rupp Arena in Lexington , Kentucky , November 4 , 2019 .
James in late August filed a court action seeking to compel the Trump Organization , Eric Trump , and several Trump entities and lawyers to comply with investigative subpoenas she issued as part of her probe .
Attorney General Letitia James is investigating whether the Trump Organization incorrectly valued several real estate assets on annual financial statements that were used to obtain loans , as well as to get economic and tax benefits related to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has ordered lawyers for President Donald Trump 's company and his son Eric to court later in September to explain why they should not be subject to subpoenas issued by the state attorney general 's office as part of an ongoing civil investigation .
James wants Eric Trump , who runs the Trump Organization with his brother , Donald Trump Jr. , to testify in the investigation , and is also seeking thousands of pages of documents related to the properties , which she says are being withheld .
James ' office has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be interviewed by AG investigators in July , but `` now refuses to appear . ''
On Wednesday , Judge Arthur Engoron of state Supreme Court in Manhattan , issued an order to show cause to the Trump Organization , Eric Trump and the other subpoena targets , telling them to appear in court Sept. 23 to explain why they should not be compelled to comply with James ' subpoenas .
Engoron also ordered that they file any legal papers opposing the subpoenas by Sept. 16 in Supreme Court , the state 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ James , and lawyers for the Trump Organization and Eric Trump , had no comment .
Eric Trump on Aug. 24 , the same day that James ' court filings about the subpoenas became public , accused the attorney general on Twitter of `` the highest level of prosecutorial misconduct , '' which was `` purposely dropped on the eve of the Republican '' National Convention `` for political points . ''
Trump Organization spokesman Alan Garten , in a statement that same day , called the case `` simply a discovery dispute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Discovery is the process of parties in a legal case exchanging documents , submitting to depositions , and providing other information to each other .
Engoron is the second judge to be assigned to the case .
The first judge , Debra James , removed herself from the case on her own accord shortly after James filed it .
Judge James in a court filing said she had determined `` that she must recuse herself . ''
The judge did not explain what led her to make that determination .
James ' office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment from CNBC .
A spokesman for the court system said that James ' recusal spoke for itself .
AG James launched the investigation into the Trump Organization in 2019 following testimony before Congress by Michael Cohen , the former personal lawyer and fixer for President Trump , who testified `` that Trump 's annual financial statements inflated the values of Trump 's assets to obtain favorable terms for loans and insurance coverage , while also deflating the value of other assets to reduce real estate taxes , '' the attorney general 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One focus of James ' probe is the Trump Organization 's Seven Springs Estate , a 212-acre property in Westchester County , New York .
Court filings have noted that valuations of Seven Springs were used to claim an apparent tax deduction of more than $ 21 million for donating a conservation easement on the property in 2015 .
The Financial Times last year noted that Trump purchased Seven Springs for $ 7.5 million in 1996 , but valued it at more than $ 290 million in 2012 .
Forbes magazine in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less than $ 19.5 million , citing recent property sales and local realtors and assessors .
James ' office in a statement also said it was eyeing a Trump building at 40 Wall St. in Manhattan , the Trump International Hotel and Tower Chicago and the Trump National Golf Club – Los Angeles .
In a statement last month , James said , `` Nothing will stop us from following the facts and the law , wherever they may lead .
For months , the Trump Organization has made baseless claims in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation into its financial dealings . ''
`` They have stalled , withheld documents , and instructed witnesses , including Eric Trump , to refuse to answer questions under oath , '' James said .

James in late August filed a court action seeking to compel the Trump Organization, Eric Trump, and several Trump entities and lawyers to comply with investigative subpoenas she issued as part of her probe.
Attorney General Letitia James is investigating whether the Trump Organization incorrectly valued several real estate assets on annual financial statements that were used to obtain loans, as well as to get economic and tax benefits related to those properties.
A New York judge has ordered lawyers for President Donald Trump 's company and his son Eric to court later in September to explain why they should not be subject to subpoenas issued by the state attorney general 's office as part of an ongoing civil investigation.
James wants Eric Trump, who runs the Trump Organization with his brother, Donald Trump Jr., to testify in the investigation, and is also seeking thousands of pages of documents related to the properties, which she says are being withheld.
James' office has said that Eric Trump was scheduled to be interviewed by AG investigators in July, but "now refuses to appear."
On Wednesday, Judge Arthur Engoron of state Supreme Court in Manhattan, issued an order to show cause to the Trump Organization, Eric Trump and the other subpoena targets, telling them to appear in court Sept. 23 to explain why they should not be compelled to comply with James' subpoenas.
Engoron also ordered that they file any legal papers opposing the subpoenas by Sept. 16 in Supreme Court, the state's trial court level.
A spokesman for James, and lawyers for the Trump Organization and Eric Trump, had no comment.
Eric Trump on Aug. 24, the same day that James' court filings about the subpoenas became public, accused the attorney general on Twitter of "the highest level of prosecutorial misconduct," which was "purposely dropped on the eve of the Republican" National Convention "for political points."
EricTrumpTweet
Trump Organization spokesman Alan Garten, in a statement that same day, called the case "simply a discovery dispute over documents and the like." Discovery is the process of parties in a legal case exchanging documents, submitting to depositions, and providing other information to each other.
Engoron is the second judge to be assigned to the case. The first judge, Debra James, removed herself from the case on her own accord shortly after James filed it.
Judge James in a court filing said she had determined "that she must recuse herself." The judge did not explain what led her to make that determination. James' office did not respond to a request for comment from CNBC. A spokesman for the court system said that James' recusal spoke for itself.
AG James launched the investigation into the Trump Organization in 2019 following testimony before Congress by Michael Cohen, the former personal lawyer and fixer for President Trump, who testified "that Trump's annual financial statements inflated the values of Trump's assets to obtain favorable terms for loans and insurance coverage, while also deflating the value of other assets to reduce real estate taxes," the attorney general's office noted in a statement last month.
One focus of James' probe is the Trump Organization's Seven Springs Estate, a 212-acre property in Westchester County, New York.
Court filings have noted that valuations of Seven Springs were used to claim an apparent tax deduction of more than $21 million for donating a conservation easement on the property in 2015.
The Financial Times last year noted that Trump purchased Seven Springs for $7.5 million in 1996, but valued it at more than $290 million in 2012. Forbes magazine in 2014 said that the property was worth less than $19.5 million, citing recent property sales and local realtors and assessors.
James' office in a statement also said it was eyeing a Trump building at 40 Wall St. in Manhattan, the Trump International Hotel and Tower Chicago and the Trump National Golf Club – Los Angeles.
In a statement last month, James said, "Nothing will stop us from following the facts and the law, wherever they may lead. For months, the Trump Organization has made baseless claims in an effort to shield evidence from a lawful investigation into its financial dealings."
"They have stalled, withheld documents, and instructed witnesses, including Eric Trump, to refuse to answer questions under oath," James said.


cnbc--2020-09-03--Anti-Trump Lincoln Project to unleash Facebook army to get out the vote for Biden

A super PAC led by a group of `` Never Trump '' Republicans is planning to unleash a Facebook grassroots army in its latest effort to erode support for President Donald Trump .
The Lincoln Project on Friday will launch the new initiative , The Lincoln Project Digital Coalition , or TLPDC , according to the group 's spokesman , Keith Edwards .
The plan , according to Edwards , is to have thousands of Lincoln Project Facebook members reach out to Republican voters who have previously backed Trump to try to persuade them to vote for Democratic nominee Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Facebook , he added .
Similar to the PAC 's political advertisements , it plans to target GOP voters in the states of Arizona , Texas , Florida , North Carolina and Pennsylvania .
The digital push comes as in-person get-out-the-vote efforts in both parties have been largely sidelined due to the coronavirus pandemic .
`` We maintain an email list , but Facebook groups operate as our central hubs or 'virtual campaign offices , ' because they allow us to moderate participants , creating a more constructive gathering place , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook groups , we share our ads first , paired with data-backed talking points .
Trump 's support is strongest on Facebook , so given our target audience are Republicans , Facebook needs to lead our TLPDC efforts . ''
Trump has had a strong presence on Facebook since he ran for president in 2016 .
Trump has spent over $ 140 million on Facebook and Google advertising since the 2018 congressional midterms , according to data collected by the nonprofit Acronym .
The group looks to launch TLPDC on Friday after a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a co-founder of The Lincoln Project , who was previously a political director for the California State Republican Party .
Others who founded the group include Steve Schmidt , the leader of the late Sen. John McCain 's 2008 run for president , and Jennifer Horn , the former chair of the New Hampshire Republican Party .
So far , the PAC has spent at least $ 13 million attacking Trump , according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics .
Biden and the Democratic National Committee raised a record-shattering $ 364 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggest that The Lincoln Project has a long road ahead of it in persuading Republican voters to abandon Trump .
A Gallup poll shows Trump 's approval rating among Republicans at 90 % and among independents at 39 % .
Biden , for his part , has been regularly picking up high-profile endorsements from both Republicans and independent leaders .
Reuters reported on Thursday that nearly 100 GOP and independent leaders planned to back Biden .
Biden is currently ahead of Trump by 7 percentage points , according to Real Clear Politics ' @ @ @ @

A super PAC led by a group of "Never Trump" Republicans is planning to unleash a Facebook grassroots army in its latest effort to erode support for President Donald Trump.
The Lincoln Project on Friday will launch the new initiative, The Lincoln Project Digital Coalition, or TLPDC, according to the group's spokesman, Keith Edwards.
The plan, according to Edwards, is to have thousands of Lincoln Project Facebook members reach out to Republican voters who have previously backed Trump to try to persuade them to vote for Democratic nominee Joe Biden. They have over 50,000 members on Facebook, he added.
Similar to the PAC's political advertisements, it plans to target GOP voters in the states of Arizona, Texas, Florida, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. The digital push comes as in-person get-out-the-vote efforts in both parties have been largely sidelined due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"We maintain an email list, but Facebook groups operate as our central hubs or 'virtual campaign offices,' because they allow us to moderate participants, creating a more constructive gathering place," Edwards told CNBC. "Within those Facebook groups, we share our ads first, paired with data-backed talking points. Trump's support is strongest on Facebook, so given our target audience are Republicans, Facebook needs to lead our TLPDC efforts."
Trump has had a strong presence on Facebook since he ran for president in 2016. Trump has spent over $140 million on Facebook and Google advertising since the 2018 congressional midterms, according to data collected by the nonprofit Acronym.
The group looks to launch TLPDC on Friday after a Zoom briefing with volunteers and Mike Madrid, a co-founder of The Lincoln Project, who was previously a political director for the California State Republican Party. Others who founded the group include Steve Schmidt, the leader of the late Sen. John McCain's 2008 run for president, and Jennifer Horn, the former chair of the New Hampshire Republican Party.
So far, the PAC has spent at least $13 million attacking Trump, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. Biden and the Democratic National Committee raised a record-shattering $364 million in August.
The latest surveys suggest that The Lincoln Project has a long road ahead of it in persuading Republican voters to abandon Trump. A Gallup poll shows Trump's approval rating among Republicans at 90% and among independents at 39%.
Biden, for his part, has been regularly picking up high-profile endorsements from both Republicans and independent leaders. Reuters reported on Thursday that nearly 100 GOP and independent leaders planned to back Biden.
Biden is currently ahead of Trump by 7 percentage points, according to Real Clear Politics' national polling average.


cnbc--2020-09-03--North Carolina warns voting twice is illegal after Trump urges people to do so

Fayetteville State University students fill out ballots at Smith Recreation Center on March 3 , 2020 in Fayetteville , North Carolina .
1,357 Democratic delegates are at stake as voters cast their ballots in 14 states and American Samoa on what is known as Super Tuesday .
Officials in North Carolina are scrambling to counteract President Donald Trump 's call for residents of the state to attempt to vote twice in the upcoming contest for the White House , issuing a notice on Thursday warning voters that doing so intentionally is a felony .
Karen Brinson Bell , executive director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elections , said in the memo to voters that the board also discouraged people from showing up at polling sites on Election Day to check whether their absentee ballot had been counted .
`` That is not necessary , and it would lead to longer lines and the possibility of spreading COVID-19 , '' Brinson Bell wrote .
North Carolina , a crucial swing state that Trump carried in 2016 and Barack Obama narrowly won in 2008 , is due to begin sending out absentee ballots on Friday .
Trump is nearly neck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state , according to recent polling .
The president , who has for years spread baseless conspiracy theories about rampant voter fraud , on Wednesday encouraged North Carolina voters to test the state 's election apparatus by attempting to cast multiple ballots , which is a crime .
`` So let them send it in and let them go vote , and if their system 's as good as they say it is , then obviously they wo n't be able to vote , '' Trump said of voters who cast mail-in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tabulated , they 'll be able to vote . ''
Trump doubled down on his misinformation campaign in Twitter posts sent on Thursday morning , urging voters who send in mail-in ballots to go to their polling place on Election Day `` to see whether or not your Mail In Vote has been Tabulated ( Counted ) . ''
`` If it has you will not be able to Vote & the Mail In System worked properly .
If it has not been Counted , VOTE ( which is a citizen 's right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Kayleigh McEnany , the White House press secretary , told Fox News on Thursday that the president was `` not suggesting anyone do anything unlawful . ''
`` What he said very clearly there is make sure your vote is tabulated and if it is not then vote , '' she said .
Brinson Bell said that there were `` numerous checks '' in place to prevent individuals from voting twice .
`` Electronic pollbooks with information about who has already voted are used at every early voting site .
If a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already voted , they will be prevented from voting a regular ballot , '' she said .
`` A voter will be offered a provisional ballot if they insist on voting , and this ballot will be researched after Election Day to determine whether it should be counted . ''
Brinson Bell encouraged residents who wanted to verify that their ballot was counted to check the Board of Election 's website , where they can track their vote `` much like they can track their online order or pizza delivery . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ request their ballot as soon as possible and return it as soon as they are ready to do so , '' she said .
`` By doing so , you can track your ballot and ensure your vote counts . ''
`` Memo sent out : A Message from Karen Brinson Bell to NC Voters RALEIGH , N.C. – The following is a message to North Carolina voters from Karen Brinson Bell , executive director of the North Carolina State Board of Elections : It is illegal to vote twice in an election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) makes it a Class I felony for a voter , `` with intent to commit a fraud to register or vote at more than one precinct or more than one time…in the same primary or election . ''
Attempting to vote twice in an election or soliciting someone to do so also is a violation of North Carolina law .
There are numerous checks in place in North Carolina that prevent people from double voting .
Electronic pollbooks with information about who has already voted are used at every early voting site @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in who has already voted , they will be prevented from voting a regular ballot .
A voter will be offered a provisional ballot if they insist on voting , and this ballot will be researched after Election Day to determine whether it should be counted .
On Election Day , voters who have voted absentee are removed from the pollbook , which is updated before voting starts at 6:30 a.m. Absentee ballots that are received on Election Day are not counted until after the election , and this prevents double voting .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ after each election that check voter history against ballots cast and would detect if someone tries to vote more than once in an election .
Because absentee ballots and early voting ballots are retrievable , if someone tries to get around the system , their ballot can be retrieved and not counted , so it will not affect the outcome of an election .
The State Board has a dedicated investigations team that investigates allegations of double voting , which are referred to prosecutors when warranted .
If you request an absentee by-mail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like to vote in person instead , you may .
You should discard your absentee ballot .
Do not send it back in .
If you have already placed your ballot in the mail but are not sure whether it has been accepted by your county board of elections , North Carolina offers a few ways to check the status of your absentee by-mail ballot without leaving your home .
1 .
Check your voter record at the State Board 's Voter Search Tool to find out whether your ballot was accepted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information will appear in the voter record after a ballot has been accepted .
2 .
Sign up for BallotTrax , when it launches in the next few days , to track your ballot through the system .
BallotTrax is a new service that will allow voters to track their ballot through the mail and confirm receipt by the county board of elections , much like they can track their online order or pizza delivery .
When it launches , a link will be available at NCSBE.gov .
3 .
Contact your county @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about their ballot status .
The State Board office strongly discourages people from showing up at the polls on Election Day to check whether their absentee ballot was counted .
That is not necessary , and it would lead to longer lines and the possibility of spreading COVID-19 .
North Carolina elections officials encourage voters to request their ballot as soon as possible and return it as soon as they are ready to do so .
By doing so , you can track your ballot and ensure your vote counts . ''

Officials in North Carolina are scrambling to counteract President Donald Trump's call for residents of the state to attempt to vote twice in the upcoming contest for the White House, issuing a notice on Thursday warning voters that doing so intentionally is a felony.
Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the North Carolina State Board of Elections, said in the memo to voters that the board also discouraged people from showing up at polling sites on Election Day to check whether their absentee ballot had been counted.
"That is not necessary, and it would lead to longer lines and the possibility of spreading COVID-19," Brinson Bell wrote.
North Carolina, a crucial swing state that Trump carried in 2016 and Barack Obama narrowly won in 2008, is due to begin sending out absentee ballots on Friday. Trump is nearly neck and neck with Democrat Joe Biden in the state, according to recent polling.
The president, who has for years spread baseless conspiracy theories about rampant voter fraud, on Wednesday encouraged North Carolina voters to test the state's election apparatus by attempting to cast multiple ballots, which is a crime.
"So let them send it in and let them go vote, and if their system's as good as they say it is, then obviously they won't be able to vote," Trump said of voters who cast mail-in ballots. "If it isn't tabulated, they'll be able to vote."
Trump doubled down on his misinformation campaign in Twitter posts sent on Thursday morning, urging voters who send in mail-in ballots to go to their polling place on Election Day "to see whether or not your Mail In Vote has been Tabulated (Counted)."
"If it has you will not be able to Vote & the Mail In System worked properly. If it has not been Counted, VOTE (which is a citizen's right to do)," he wrote.
Kayleigh McEnany, the White House press secretary, told Fox News on Thursday that the president was "not suggesting anyone do anything unlawful."
"What he said very clearly there is make sure your vote is tabulated and if it is not then vote," she said.
Brinson Bell said that there were "numerous checks" in place to prevent individuals from voting twice.
"Electronic pollbooks with information about who has already voted are used at every early voting site. If a voter tries to check in who has already voted, they will be prevented from voting a regular ballot," she said. "A voter will be offered a provisional ballot if they insist on voting, and this ballot will be researched after Election Day to determine whether it should be counted."
Brinson Bell encouraged residents who wanted to verify that their ballot was counted to check the Board of Election's website, where they can track their vote "much like they can track their online order or pizza delivery."
"North Carolina elections officials encourage voters to request their ballot as soon as possible and return it as soon as they are ready to do so," she said. "By doing so, you can track your ballot and ensure your vote counts."
Read Brinson Bell's full memorandum below.
"Memo sent out: A Message from Karen Brinson Bell to NC Voters
RALEIGH, N.C. – The following is a message to North Carolina voters from Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the North Carolina State Board of Elections:
It is illegal to vote twice in an election. N.C.G.S. § 163-275(7) makes it a Class I felony for a voter, "with intent to commit a fraud to register or vote at more than one precinct or more than one time…in the same primary or election." Attempting to vote twice in an election or soliciting someone to do so also is a violation of North Carolina law.
There are numerous checks in place in North Carolina that prevent people from double voting. Electronic pollbooks with information about who has already voted are used at every early voting site. If a voter tries to check in who has already voted, they will be prevented from voting a regular ballot. A voter will be offered a provisional ballot if they insist on voting, and this ballot will be researched after Election Day to determine whether it should be counted.
On Election Day, voters who have voted absentee are removed from the pollbook, which is updated before voting starts at 6:30 a.m. Absentee ballots that are received on Election Day are not counted until after the election, and this prevents double voting.
Also, the State Board conducts audits after each election that check voter history against ballots cast and would detect if someone tries to vote more than once in an election. Because absentee ballots and early voting ballots are retrievable, if someone tries to get around the system, their ballot can be retrieved and not counted, so it will not affect the outcome of an election.
The State Board has a dedicated investigations team that investigates allegations of double voting, which are referred to prosecutors when warranted.
If you request an absentee by-mail ballot but decide later that you would like to vote in person instead, you may. You should discard your absentee ballot. Do not send it back in.
If you have already placed your ballot in the mail but are not sure whether it has been accepted by your county board of elections, North Carolina offers a few ways to check the status of your absentee by-mail ballot without leaving your home.
Voters can:
1. Check your voter record at the State Board's Voter Search Tool to find out whether your ballot was accepted by your county board of elections. This information will appear in the voter record after a ballot has been accepted.
2. Sign up for BallotTrax, when it launches in the next few days, to track your ballot through the system. BallotTrax is a new service that will allow voters to track their ballot through the mail and confirm receipt by the county board of elections, much like they can track their online order or pizza delivery. When it launches, a link will be available at NCSBE.gov.
3. Contact your county board of elections if you have questions about their ballot status.
The State Board office strongly discourages people from showing up at the polls on Election Day to check whether their absentee ballot was counted. That is not necessary, and it would lead to longer lines and the possibility of spreading COVID-19.
North Carolina elections officials encourage voters to request their ballot as soon as possible and return it as soon as they are ready to do so. By doing so, you can track your ballot and ensure your vote counts."


cnbc--2020-09-04--Chuck Schumer calls GOP's latest coronavirus stimulus plan 'completely inadequate' as stalemate drag

Chuck Schumer calls GOP's latest coronavirus stimulus plan 'completely inadequate' as stalemate drags on

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D-NY ) speaks at a press conference June 09 , 2020 in Washington , DC .
Schumer and Sen. Mazie Hirono ( D-HI ) answered questions related to reforming law enforcement policies in the wake of the death of George Floyd .
`` With no money for rental assistance , no money for nutrition assistance , and no money for state and local services , the census , or safe elections , [ Majority ] Leader [ Mitch ] McConnell and Senate Republicans would be making another unacceptable and ineffective attempt at providing relief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may call their proposal 'skinny , ' but it would be more appropriate to call it 'emaciated . '
Their proposal appears to be completely inadequate and , by every measure , fails to meet the needs of the American people , '' Schumer wrote to Senate Democrats .
In a letter to his caucus , the New York Democrat argued a bill the GOP-held chamber aims to consider next week does not go far enough to mitigate damage from the outbreak .
The legislation , which is expected to cost $ 500 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than other plans currently on the table , CNBC previously reported .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer voiced opposition to a Republican coronavirus stimulus plan Thursday , assuring the impasse over more pandemic aid will drag on for days .
A spokesman for McConnell declined to comment on Schumer 's letter .
Efforts to pass a fifth coronavirus rescue package ground to a halt last month as Democratic leaders and the White House accused the other side of the negotiating table of being intractable and unrealistic .
As an employment crisis lingers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disparate views on how much money the federal government needs to spend to boost the U.S. economic recovery and fight the outbreak .
Senate Republicans have not released the final version of their bill .
Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming , the third-ranking GOP senator , told reporters Tuesday that `` the goal '' is to vote on a `` focused , targeted '' solution next week .
As of late last month , the plan was expected to include enhanced unemployment insurance , more small business loans , funding for schools , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and vaccines .
Republicans aimed to include policies both parties support , disregarding Democratic priorities such as state and local government aid and rent and mortgage assistance .
The Republican legislation would set extra federal jobless benefits at $ 300 to $ 400 per week .
The sum would drop from the $ 600 per week payments which expired at the end of July .
Democrats have pushed to reinstate the $ 600 per week policy .
The bill follows a roughly $ 1 trillion plan the GOP released in late July .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 3 trillion package through the House in May , have called for Republicans to increase their stimulus offer to $ 2.2 trillion .
The White House has so far not gone higher than about $ 1.3 trillion .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , spoke to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Tuesday .
After the phone call , Pelosi said the sides `` continue to have serious differences understanding the gravity of the situation that America 's working families are facing . ''
During congressional testimony on Tuesday before he spoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate GOP approach of passing a limited plan .
He said he and President Donald Trump want to `` move forward on a bipartisan basis on points we can agree upon . ''
As Senate Republicans debate how much more money the federal government should put into the pandemic fight , it is unclear how many votes the GOP bill will get .
The debate over additional aid comes as the job market shows signs of improving .
The Labor Department on Thursday reported 881,000 new jobless claims last week , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record .
The monthly employment report due Friday will show whether the U.S. in August sustained a rebound from record job losses in the spring .
Meanwhile , new Covid-19 infections in the U.S. have started to decline , despite problem spots in the Midwest .
Still , the economic pain from the pandemic has intensified for some amid improvements in the broader economy .
Millions of Americans are unemployed , and the expiration of the extra unemployment benefits and a federal moratorium on evictions has hurt people already reeling from job losses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials in Washington have started to show more urgency to pass aid ahead of November 's election .
About half of the House Democratic caucus previously urged Pelosi to take up a stand-alone bill to refresh federal unemployment benefits .
The Trump administration also moved this week to halt evictions until the end of the year using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention powers .
Congress has a lot on its plate when lawmakers return from their recesses .
The legislature also has to fund the government by Sept. 30 to avoid a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relief provisions in must-pass spending legislation .

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) speaks at a press conference June 09, 2020 in Washington, DC. Schumer and Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) answered questions related to reforming law enforcement policies in the wake of the death of George Floyd.
"With no money for rental assistance, no money for nutrition assistance, and no money for state and local services, the census, or safe elections, [Majority] Leader [Mitch] McConnell and Senate Republicans would be making another unacceptable and ineffective attempt at providing relief," he continued.
"Republicans may call their proposal 'skinny,' but it would be more appropriate to call it 'emaciated.' Their proposal appears to be completely inadequate and, by every measure, fails to meet the needs of the American people," Schumer wrote to Senate Democrats.
In a letter to his caucus, the New York Democrat argued a bill the GOP-held chamber aims to consider next week does not go far enough to mitigate damage from the outbreak. The legislation, which is expected to cost $500 billion, would offer more narrow relief than other plans currently on the table, CNBC previously reported .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer voiced opposition to a Republican coronavirus stimulus plan Thursday, assuring the impasse over more pandemic aid will drag on for days.
A spokesman for McConnell declined to comment on Schumer's letter.
Efforts to pass a fifth coronavirus rescue package ground to a halt last month as Democratic leaders and the White House accused the other side of the negotiating table of being intractable and unrealistic. As an employment crisis lingers and the virus spreads, the parties have disparate views on how much money the federal government needs to spend to boost the U.S. economic recovery and fight the outbreak.
Senate Republicans have not released the final version of their bill. Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming, the third-ranking GOP senator, told reporters Tuesday that "the goal" is to vote on a "focused, targeted" solution next week.
As of late last month, the plan was expected to include enhanced unemployment insurance, more small business loans, funding for schools, and money for Covid-19 testing, treatment and vaccines. Republicans aimed to include policies both parties support, disregarding Democratic priorities such as state and local government aid and rent and mortgage assistance.
The Republican legislation would set extra federal jobless benefits at $300 to $400 per week. The sum would drop from the $600 per week payments which expired at the end of July. Democrats have pushed to reinstate the $600 per week policy.
The bill follows a roughly $1 trillion plan the GOP released in late July. Democrats, who pushed a more than $3 trillion package through the House in May, have called for Republicans to increase their stimulus offer to $2.2 trillion. The White House has so far not gone higher than about $1.3 trillion.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., spoke to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Tuesday. After the phone call, Pelosi said the sides "continue to have serious differences understanding the gravity of the situation that America's working families are facing."
During congressional testimony on Tuesday before he spoke to Pelosi, Mnuchin appeared to endorse the Senate GOP approach of passing a limited plan. He said he and President Donald Trump want to "move forward on a bipartisan basis on points we can agree upon."
As Senate Republicans debate how much more money the federal government should put into the pandemic fight, it is unclear how many votes the GOP bill will get.
The debate over additional aid comes as the job market shows signs of improving. The Labor Department on Thursday reported 881,000 new jobless claims last week, a better-than-expected figure that nonetheless tops the pre-pandemic record.
The monthly employment report due Friday will show whether the U.S. in August sustained a rebound from record job losses in the spring.
Meanwhile, new Covid-19 infections in the U.S. have started to decline, despite problem spots in the Midwest.
Still, the economic pain from the pandemic has intensified for some amid improvements in the broader economy. Millions of Americans are unemployed, and the expiration of the extra unemployment benefits and a federal moratorium on evictions has hurt people already reeling from job losses.
Despite the roadblocks to legislation, officials in Washington have started to show more urgency to pass aid ahead of November's election. About half of the House Democratic caucus previously urged Pelosi to take up a stand-alone bill to refresh federal unemployment benefits.
The Trump administration also moved this week to halt evictions until the end of the year using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention powers.
Congress has a lot on its plate when lawmakers return from their recesses. The legislature also has to fund the government by Sept. 30 to avoid a shutdown. Lawmakers could potentially include coronavirus relief provisions in must-pass spending legislation.
Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube.


cnbc--2020-09-03--Op-ed: America and its allies must reject China's Huawei and lead on 5G development

Less than six months ago , it appeared Chinese telecom giant Huawei was winning over America 's European allies .
Now , countries that decided to allow Huawei to build their 5G networks are waking up to the dangers posed by allowing Chinese state-directed companies into their infrastructure .
In July , the British government reversed its decision to accept Huawei 's assistance and banned the Chinese tech giant from its telecommunications network .
In France , authorities recently announced a similar ban on Huawei , which will go into full effect by 2028 .
Similarly , Singapore has rejected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Nokia .
For some , the reversal comes down to growing awareness of the serious accusations aimed at Huawei , ranging from intellectual property theft to enabling Beijing 's digital authoritarianism .
Until recently , too many foreign leaders dismissed warnings about allowing Huawei into their telecommunication infrastructure from the Trump Administration as bluster amid trade negotiations .
However , Beijing 's horrific abuses this year are showing the world the true nature of the Chinese Communist Party , forcing countries to be wary of partnering with China on sensitive projects .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the early days of the outbreak to the crackdown in Hong Kong to its continued human rights violations in Xinjiang , China has provided zero reason for trust .
The shift provides an opening for the U.S. and our partners to work together to ensure alternatives exist .
Because Huawei has so far competed against private telecom firms with the force of the Chinese government backing it , legitimate competitors find it difficult if not impossible to compete .
Beijing has tilted the playing field by subsidizing Huawei and providing financing to its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ otherwise restrict Huawei , the more effective market-based solutions among the no-Huawei zone will be .

Less than six months ago, it appeared Chinese telecom giant Huawei was winning over America's European allies. Now, countries that decided to allow Huawei to build their 5G networks are waking up to the dangers posed by allowing Chinese state-directed companies into their infrastructure.
In July, the British government reversed its decision to accept Huawei's assistance and banned the Chinese tech giant from its telecommunications network. In France, authorities recently announced a similar ban on Huawei, which will go into full effect by 2028. Similarly, Singapore has rejected Huawei and decided to go with Ericsson and Nokia.
For some, the reversal comes down to growing awareness of the serious accusations aimed at Huawei, ranging from intellectual property theft to enabling Beijing's digital authoritarianism. Until recently, too many foreign leaders dismissed warnings about allowing Huawei into their telecommunication infrastructure from the Trump Administration as bluster amid trade negotiations.
However, Beijing's horrific abuses this year are showing the world the true nature of the Chinese Communist Party, forcing countries to be wary of partnering with China on sensitive projects. From covering up the COVID-19 virus in the early days of the outbreak to the crackdown in Hong Kong to its continued human rights violations in Xinjiang, China has provided zero reason for trust.
The shift provides an opening for the U.S. and our partners to work together to ensure alternatives exist. Because Huawei has so far competed against private telecom firms with the force of the Chinese government backing it, legitimate competitors find it difficult if not impossible to compete. Beijing has tilted the playing field by subsidizing Huawei and providing financing to its customers. The more nations ban or otherwise restrict Huawei, the more effective market-based solutions among the no-Huawei zone will be.


cnbc--2020-09-03--Trump will roll back more environmental regulations if reelected, says EPA chief

Andrew Wheeler , administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) , speaks during a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing , May 20 , 2020 on Capitol Hill in Washington , D.C. President Donald Trump will move to weaken more environmental regulations on industries if reelected in November , while work to complete Superfund cleanup projects , according to Environmental Protection Agency administrator Andrew Wheeler .
The Trump administration in a second term would establish a cost-benefit analysis of any new regulation and expand the use of `` science transparency '' in order to justify the science @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an interview with The Wall Street Journal .
The EPA also plans to continue working on cleanup efforts at Superfund sites that have gotten delayed .
`` We need to make sure we are speaking to people where they live and we 're addressing the problems they see on a daily basis , '' Wheeler told the Journal .
After three years in office , the Trump administration has moved to reverse more than 100 major climate and environmental rules that it has deemed burdensome to the fossil fuel industry , even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gas emissions rise .
Analysts say many of the administration 's rollbacks could increase emissions and lead to thousands of additional deaths from bad air quality .
Among many rollbacks to rules that protect air , water and land , the administration repealed and replaced the Obama-era emissions rules for power plants and vehicles , weakened the country 's landmark environmental law , cut protections for most of the country 's wetlands and weakened regulations on methane , a potent climate-changing gas .
Some of the rollbacks have been criticized by businesses they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major oil and gas producers looking to reduce their carbon footprint .
Many of the reversals also face legal challenges from environmental groups and states .
As the November presidential election approaches , the Trump administration has worked quickly to finish some of its major regulatory goals , since some of the new rules could be reversed if Democrats win control of the White House and Congress .
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has released a plan to put $ 2 trillion into green infrastructure and energy over four years to curb climate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump campaign has argued would hurt the oil and gas industry .
`` The Obama-Biden administration only focused on climate change at the expense of the communities here in the United States and the expense of reducing pollution where people live , '' Wheeler said .
Read the full interview in The Wall Street Journal .

Andrew Wheeler, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), speaks during a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing, May 20, 2020 on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
President Donald Trump will move to weaken more environmental regulations on industries if reelected in November, while work to complete Superfund cleanup projects, according to Environmental Protection Agency administrator Andrew Wheeler.
The Trump administration in a second term would establish a cost-benefit analysis of any new regulation and expand the use of "science transparency" in order to justify the science behind implementing new regulations, Wheeler said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal. The EPA also plans to continue working on cleanup efforts at Superfund sites that have gotten delayed.
"We need to make sure we are speaking to people where they live and we're addressing the problems they see on a daily basis," Wheeler told the Journal.
After three years in office, the Trump administration has moved to reverse more than 100 major climate and environmental rules that it has deemed burdensome to the fossil fuel industry, even as climate change accelerates and global greenhouse gas emissions rise. Analysts say many of the administration's rollbacks could increase emissions and lead to thousands of additional deaths from bad air quality.
Among many rollbacks to rules that protect air, water and land, the administration repealed and replaced the Obama-era emissions rules for power plants and vehicles, weakened the country's landmark environmental law, cut protections for most of the country's wetlands and weakened regulations on methane, a potent climate-changing gas.
Some of the rollbacks have been criticized by businesses they're meant to help, including some major oil and gas producers looking to reduce their carbon footprint. Many of the reversals also face legal challenges from environmental groups and states.
As the November presidential election approaches, the Trump administration has worked quickly to finish some of its major regulatory goals, since some of the new rules could be reversed if Democrats win control of the White House and Congress.
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has released a plan to put $2 trillion into green infrastructure and energy over four years to curb climate change and spur economic growth, which the Trump campaign has argued would hurt the oil and gas industry.
"The Obama-Biden administration only focused on climate change at the expense of the communities here in the United States and the expense of reducing pollution where people live," Wheeler said.
Read the full interview in The Wall Street Journal.


cnbc--2020-09-03--Trump encourages North Carolina residents to vote twice to test mail-in system

President Donald Trump suggested that people in North Carolina should vote twice in the November election , once by mail and once in-person , escalating his attempts to cast confusion and doubt on the validity of the results .
`` So let them send it in and let them go vote , and if their system 's as good as they say it is , then obviously they wo n't be able to vote .
If it is n't tabulated , they 'll be able to vote , '' Trump said when asked whether he has confidence in the mail-in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If it 's as good as they say it is then obviously they wo n't be able to vote .
If it is n't tabulated , they 'll be able to vote .
So that 's the way it is .
And that 's what they should do , '' he said .
It is illegal to vote more than once in an election .
Trump has made countless false statements about the security of voting by mail ahead of the 2020 election , as much of the country braces for an increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic .
`` I do n't like that , '' Trump responded when a reporter told him that 600,000 voters in North Carolina , a critical battleground state , could vote absentee .
When asked about Trump 's comments during an interview later Wednesday with CNN , Attorney General William Barr argued that a 2005 bipartisan report on election reform found that mail-in voting is `` fraught with the risk of fraud and coercion . ''
Asked why there have been no findings , however , of widespread fraud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't had the kind of widespread use of mail-in ballots that 's being proposed . ''
Barr said he was unaware of the specific laws in North Carolina and did not respond directly to questions about Trump 's earlier comments .
Trump made similar claims about mail-in ballots during his 2016 campaign , essentially encouraging his supporters to commit voter fraud .
At a rally in Colorado just days before he was elected , Trump told supporters to obtain new ballots because `` do you think those ( mail-in ) ballots are properly @ @ @

President Donald Trump suggested that people in North Carolina should vote twice in the November election, once by mail and once in-person, escalating his attempts to cast confusion and doubt on the validity of the results.
"So let them send it in and let them go vote, and if their system's as good as they say it is, then obviously they won't be able to vote. If it isn't tabulated, they'll be able to vote," Trump said when asked whether he has confidence in the mail-in system in the battleground state.
"If it's as good as they say it is then obviously they won't be able to vote. If it isn't tabulated, they'll be able to vote. So that's the way it is. And that's what they should do," he said.
It is illegal to vote more than once in an election.
Trump has made countless false statements about the security of voting by mail ahead of the 2020 election, as much of the country braces for an increase of voters to opt for mail-in ballots amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
"I don't like that," Trump responded when a reporter told him that 600,000 voters in North Carolina, a critical battleground state, could vote absentee.
When asked about Trump's comments during an interview later Wednesday with CNN, Attorney General William Barr argued that a 2005 bipartisan report on election reform found that mail-in voting is "fraught with the risk of fraud and coercion."
Asked why there have been no findings, however, of widespread fraud, Barr responded: "We haven't had the kind of widespread use of mail-in ballots that's being proposed."
Barr said he was unaware of the specific laws in North Carolina and did not respond directly to questions about Trump's earlier comments.
Trump made similar claims about mail-in ballots during his 2016 campaign, essentially encouraging his supporters to commit voter fraud.
At a rally in Colorado just days before he was elected, Trump told supporters to obtain new ballots because "do you think those (mail-in) ballots are properly counted?"


cnbc--2020-09-02--Trump administration continues its process of unraveling ties with the WHO

World Health Organization ( WHO ) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus attends a daily press briefing on COVID-19 virus at the WHO headquaters on March 11 , 2020 in Geneva .
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration outlined on Wednesday the next steps it will take as the U.S. withdraws from the World Health Organization , a convoluted process that will take at least a year to complete .
`` The position of the White House is that the WHO needs to reform and that is starting with demonstrating its independence from the Chinese Communist Party , '' explained Nerissa Cook , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organization affairs .
`` We are advocating for greater transparency and greater accountability and we want to see speedier and higher quality of communications , '' Cook said , adding that the administration wants `` to see very strong management and focus on the prevention and detection and response to pandemics . ''
Cook added that the U.S. could still reconsider its position of withdrawing from the WHO if the administration finds that the organization made enough reforms .
The WHO did not immediately respond to CNBC 's request for comment .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unravel its financial ties by reprogramming millions of dollars .
The United States is understood to be the largest funder to the WHO .
`` Right now the Department is in the process of notifying Congress of the reprogramming of the funds , '' Cook said , without providing additional details .
The latest revelation comes on the heels of the Trump administration 's decision to not participate in the WHO-led coronavirus vaccine effort .
The Covid-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility , or COVAX , initiative includes more than 170 nations and is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to provide countries worldwide equitable access to safe and effective vaccines . ''
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo downplayed concerns on Wednesday that the United States ' absence from the initiative would be detrimental to global health .
`` There is no nation that has been more willing and as deeply committed to delivering vaccines all around the world as the United States of America , '' Pompeo told reporters at the State Department .
`` We will dwarf every nation in terms of the financial resources , '' he added .

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus attends a daily press briefing on COVID-19 virus at the WHO headquaters on March 11, 2020 in Geneva.
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration outlined on Wednesday the next steps it will take as the U.S. withdraws from the World Health Organization, a convoluted process that will take at least a year to complete.
"The position of the White House is that the WHO needs to reform and that is starting with demonstrating its independence from the Chinese Communist Party," explained Nerissa Cook, deputy assistant secretary of state for international organization affairs.
"We are advocating for greater transparency and greater accountability and we want to see speedier and higher quality of communications," Cook said, adding that the administration wants "to see very strong management and focus on the prevention and detection and response to pandemics."
Cook added that the U.S. could still reconsider its position of withdrawing from the WHO if the administration finds that the organization made enough reforms.
The WHO did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment.
One step the administration has taken is to unravel its financial ties by reprogramming millions of dollars. The United States is understood to be the largest funder to the WHO.
"Right now the Department is in the process of notifying Congress of the reprogramming of the funds," Cook said, without providing additional details.
The latest revelation comes on the heels of the Trump administration's decision to not participate in the WHO-led coronavirus vaccine effort. The Covid-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility, or COVAX, initiative includes more than 170 nations and is aimed at "working with vaccine manufacturers to provide countries worldwide equitable access to safe and effective vaccines."
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo downplayed concerns on Wednesday that the United States' absence from the initiative would be detrimental to global health.
"There is no nation that has been more willing and as deeply committed to delivering vaccines all around the world as the United States of America," Pompeo told reporters at the State Department. "We will dwarf every nation in terms of the financial resources," he added.


cnbc--2020-09-04--North Carolina warns voting twice is illegal after Trump urges people to do so

Officials in North Carolina are scrambling to counteract President Donald Trump 's call for residents of the state to attempt to vote twice in the upcoming contest for the White House , issuing a notice on Thursday warning voters that doing so intentionally is a felony .
Karen Brinson Bell , executive director of the North Carolina State Board of Elections , said in the memo to voters that the board also discouraged people from showing up at polling sites on Election Day to check whether their absentee ballot had been counted .
`` That is not necessary , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the possibility of spreading COVID-19 , '' Brinson Bell wrote .
North Carolina , a crucial swing state that Trump carried in 2016 and Barack Obama narrowly won in 2008 , is due to begin sending out absentee ballots on Friday .
Trump is nearly neck and neck with Democrat Joe Biden in the state , according to recent polling .
The president , who has for years spread baseless conspiracy theories about rampant voter fraud , on Wednesday encouraged North Carolina voters to test the state 's election apparatus by attempting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crime .
`` So let them send it in and let them go vote , and if their system 's as good as they say it is , then obviously they wo n't be able to vote , '' Trump said of voters who cast mail-in ballots .
`` If it is n't tabulated , they 'll be able to vote . ''
Trump doubled down on his misinformation campaign in Twitter posts sent on Thursday morning , urging voters who send in mail-in ballots to go to their polling place on Election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your Mail In Vote has been Tabulated ( Counted ) . ''
`` If it has you will not be able to Vote & the Mail In System worked properly .
If it has not been Counted , VOTE ( which is a citizen 's right to do ) , '' he wrote .
Kayleigh McEnany , the White House press secretary , told Fox News on Thursday that the president was `` not suggesting anyone do anything unlawful . ''
`` What he said very clearly there is make sure your vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then vote , '' she said .
Brinson Bell said that there were `` numerous checks '' in place to prevent individuals from voting twice .
`` Electronic pollbooks with information about who has already voted are used at every early voting site .
If a voter tries to check in who has already voted , they will be prevented from voting a regular ballot , '' she said .
`` A voter will be offered a provisional ballot if they insist on voting , and this ballot will be researched after Election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counted . ''
Brinson Bell encouraged residents who wanted to verify that their ballot was counted to check the Board of Election 's website , where they can track their vote `` much like they can track their online order or pizza delivery . ''
`` North Carolina elections officials encourage voters to request their ballot as soon as possible and return it as soon as they are ready to do so , '' she said .
`` By doing so , you can track your ballot and ensure your vote counts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Message from Karen Brinson Bell to NC Voters RALEIGH , N.C. – The following is a message to North Carolina voters from Karen Brinson Bell , executive director of the North Carolina State Board of Elections : It is illegal to vote twice in an election .
N.C.G.S .
§ 163-275 ( 7 ) makes it a Class I felony for a voter , `` with intent to commit a fraud to register or vote at more than one precinct or more than one time…in the same primary or election . ''
Attempting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soliciting someone to do so also is a violation of North Carolina law .
There are numerous checks in place in North Carolina that prevent people from double voting .
Electronic pollbooks with information about who has already voted are used at every early voting site .
If a voter tries to check in who has already voted , they will be prevented from voting a regular ballot .
A voter will be offered a provisional ballot if they insist on voting , and this ballot will be researched after Election Day to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Election Day , voters who have voted absentee are removed from the pollbook , which is updated before voting starts at 6:30 a.m. Absentee ballots that are received on Election Day are not counted until after the election , and this prevents double voting .
Also , the State Board conducts audits after each election that check voter history against ballots cast and would detect if someone tries to vote more than once in an election .
Because absentee ballots and early voting ballots are retrievable , if someone tries to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be retrieved and not counted , so it will not affect the outcome of an election .
The State Board has a dedicated investigations team that investigates allegations of double voting , which are referred to prosecutors when warranted .
If you request an absentee by-mail ballot but decide later that you would like to vote in person instead , you may .
You should discard your absentee ballot .
Do not send it back in .
If you have already placed your ballot in the mail but are not sure whether it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of elections , North Carolina offers a few ways to check the status of your absentee by-mail ballot without leaving your home .
1 .
Check your voter record at the State Board 's Voter Search Tool to find out whether your ballot was accepted by your county board of elections .
This information will appear in the voter record after a ballot has been accepted .
2 .
Sign up for BallotTrax , when it launches in the next few days , to track your ballot through the system .
BallotTrax is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to track their ballot through the mail and confirm receipt by the county board of elections , much like they can track their online order or pizza delivery .
When it launches , a link will be available at NCSBE.gov .
3 .
Contact your county board of elections if you have questions about their ballot status .
The State Board office strongly discourages people from showing up at the polls on Election Day to check whether their absentee ballot was counted .
That is not necessary , and it would lead to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 .
North Carolina elections officials encourage voters to request their ballot as soon as possible and return it as soon as they are ready to do so .
By doing so , you can track your ballot and ensure your vote counts . ''


cnbc--2020-09-04--Op-ed: America and its allies must reject China's Huawei and lead on 5G development


cnbc--2020-09-04--‘It is a disgrace’: Biden demands apology after reports Trump called fallen troops ‘losers’

`` The servicemen and women he served with , particularly those who did not come home , were not losers .
If these statements are true , the president should humbly apologize to every Gold Star mother and father and every Blue Star family that he 's denigrated and insulted , '' Biden added .
`` When my son was an assistant U.S. attorney and he volunteered to go to Kosovo while the war was going on as a civilian , he was n't a sucker , '' Biden said .
`` When my son volunteered and joined the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went to Iraq for a year , won the Bronze Star and other commendations , he was n't a sucker , '' Biden said .
Biden , the Democratic nominee , invoked the military history of his own son — Beau Biden , who died of cancer in 2015 — as he denounced the president , who has denied making the reported comments .
WASHINGTON — A furious Joe Biden demanded Friday that President Donald Trump `` humbly apologize '' to the families of fallen U.S. service members following reports that Trump called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden talks with his son U.S. Army Capt .
Beau Biden ( L ) at Camp Victory on July 4 , 2009 near Baghdad , Iraq .
Bidden 's first visit to Iraq as the Vice President comes days after U.S. forces pulled out from Iraq 's cities .
Biden 's remarks came a day after The Atlantic reported that Trump declined to visit an American cemetery near Paris in 2018 and referred to U.S. Marines buried there as `` losers '' and `` suckers . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cemetery ?
It 's filled with losers , '' Trump told aides after scrapping the visit to Aisne-Marne American Cemetery , according to The Atlantic .
The magazine did not identify the aides .
The report said Trump later referred to the more than 1,800 Marines who lost their lives in the Battle of Belleau Wood in France as `` suckers '' for getting killed .
At the time , Trump publicly blamed his decision to scrap the visit on bad weather that scuttled his helicopter flight .
He never explained why he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ site .
The 1918 Battle of Belleau Wood dragged on for 20 days and ended with U.S. Marines successfully clearing out German camps .
The Allied victory became an enduring symbol in U.S. Marine Corps history .
`` I 've just never been as disappointed in my whole career , '' Biden later said in the remarks .
`` It is a disgrace . ''
Trump had used the same word to describe the article itself .
`` To think that I would make statements negative to our military and fallen heroes when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' for the U.S. armed forces , Trump told reporters Thursday night .
`` It 's a total lie ...
It 's a disgrace . ''
Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said in a statement to CNBC that , `` The bogus attacks are the same as we heard in 2018 immediately following the trip to Paris and they are just as false now .
`` Every aspect of this charade should be dismissed out of hand , '' Murtaugh said in the statement , which did not directly address Biden 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also denied that the president spoke disparagingly about fallen U.S. military personnel buried at the cemetery .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said during an interview on `` Fox & Friends '' that he has `` never heard the president use the language that is certainly said in that article about him calling military suckers and losers . ''
`` Indeed , just the contrary , he has always had the deepest respect .
I 'm a veteran , too .
I care deeply about these young men and women , and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every situation that I 've been in with him as well , '' Pompeo said .
In a statement Friday , Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said Trump `` has the highest respect and admiration for our nation 's military members , veterans and families , '' adding , `` That is why he has fought for greater pay and more funding for our armed forces . ''
Vice President Mike Pence told CNBC on Friday that he was not on the particular trip referenced in The Atlantic article but , `` it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the president that day , I know how disappointed the president was that there was a bad weather call .
I 've never been with anyone who cares more deeply about the men and women of our armed forces or respects them and their families than President Donald Trump , '' Pence said .

"The servicemen and women he served with, particularly those who did not come home, were not losers. If these statements are true, the president should humbly apologize to every Gold Star mother and father and every Blue Star family that he's denigrated and insulted," Biden added.
"When my son was an assistant U.S. attorney and he volunteered to go to Kosovo while the war was going on as a civilian, he wasn't a sucker," Biden said. "When my son volunteered and joined the United States military as the attorney general and went to Iraq for a year, won the Bronze Star and other commendations, he wasn't a sucker," Biden said.
Biden, the Democratic nominee, invoked the military history of his own son — Beau Biden, who died of cancer in 2015 — as he denounced the president, who has denied making the reported comments.
WASHINGTON — A furious Joe Biden demanded Friday that President Donald Trump "humbly apologize" to the families of fallen U.S. service members following reports that Trump called them "losers" and "suckers."
Democratic presidential candidate and former US Vice President Joe Biden speaks on the state of the US economy on September 4, 2020, in Wilmington, Delaware.
Biden's remarks came a day after The Atlantic reported that Trump declined to visit an American cemetery near Paris in 2018 and referred to U.S. Marines buried there as "losers" and "suckers."
"Why should I go to that cemetery? It's filled with losers," Trump told aides after scrapping the visit to Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, according to The Atlantic. The magazine did not identify the aides. The report said Trump later referred to the more than 1,800 Marines who lost their lives in the Battle of Belleau Wood in France as "suckers" for getting killed.
At the time, Trump publicly blamed his decision to scrap the visit on bad weather that scuttled his helicopter flight. He never explained why he didn't take a car to the site.
The 1918 Battle of Belleau Wood dragged on for 20 days and ended with U.S. Marines successfully clearing out German camps. The Allied victory became an enduring symbol in U.S. Marine Corps history.
"I've just never been as disappointed in my whole career," Biden later said in the remarks. "It is a disgrace."
Trump had used the same word to describe the article itself. "To think that I would make statements negative to our military and fallen heroes when nobody has done what I've done," for the U.S. armed forces, Trump told reporters Thursday night. "It's a total lie ... It's a disgrace."
Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said in a statement to CNBC that, "The bogus attacks are the same as we heard in 2018 immediately following the trip to Paris and they are just as false now. "Every aspect of this charade should be dismissed out of hand," Murtaugh said in the statement, which did not directly address Biden's remarks.
Members of the Trump administration also denied that the president spoke disparagingly about fallen U.S. military personnel buried at the cemetery.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said during an interview on "Fox & Friends" that he has "never heard the president use the language that is certainly said in that article about him calling military suckers and losers."
"Indeed, just the contrary, he has always had the deepest respect. I'm a veteran, too. I care deeply about these young men and women, and I have watched the president honor them and every situation that I've been in with him as well," Pompeo said.
In a statement Friday, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said Trump "has the highest respect and admiration for our nation's military members, veterans and families," adding, "That is why he has fought for greater pay and more funding for our armed forces."
Vice President Mike Pence told CNBC on Friday that he was not on the particular trip referenced in The Atlantic article but, "it never happened."
"I talked to the president that day, I know how disappointed the president was that there was a bad weather call. I've never been with anyone who cares more deeply about the men and women of our armed forces or respects them and their families than President Donald Trump," Pence said.


cnbc--2020-09-04--John Bolton fears Trump decisions could be worse in second term if re-elected, criticizes coronaviru

John Bolton fears Trump decisions could be worse in second term if re-elected, criticizes coronavirus response

National security advisor , John Bolton , right , attends a meeting with President Donald Trump and President of Chile , Sebastian Piñera in the Oval Office of the White House on September 28 , 2018 in Washington , DC .
Former national security advisor John Bolton said Friday that President Donald Trump 's failure to think strategically worsened the impact of the coronavirus in the United States , and warned that his former boss 's decisions could actually get worse if the president is re-elected this fall .
`` I 'm actually worried that the second term might be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bolton said when asked by CNBC 's Steve Sedgwick about whether he believes there would be any change in how Trump makes decisions if he defeats Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
Bolton , who was interviewed via Zoom at the European House Ambrosetti Forum , served as Trump 's national security advisor from April 2018 to September 2019 , when the president fired him in a tweet .
This summer he published a book critical of Trump , `` The Room Where It Happened : A White House Memoir , '' after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delay its release .
Bolton said that during his tenure , `` In many cases , the president came to decisions in the national security space that I agreed with . ''
`` But he did it not because of the merits of the argument in favor of a particular policy , but because of the fear of the political blowback he would get domestically if he went in a different direction , '' said Bolton .
He said that if Trump is re-elected , `` that political guardrail is , if it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certainly minimized . ''
`` And so I think the possibility for erratic decisions centered on what Trump perceives as his own personal good fortune increases and the political pressure to move in other directions decreases , '' Bolton said .

National security advisor, John Bolton, right, attends a meeting with President Donald Trump and President of Chile, Sebastian Piñera in the Oval Office of the White House on September 28, 2018 in Washington, DC.
Former national security advisor John Bolton said Friday that President Donald Trump's failure to think strategically worsened the impact of the coronavirus in the United States, and warned that his former boss's decisions could actually get worse if the president is re-elected this fall.
"I'm actually worried that the second term might be worse than the first term," Bolton said when asked by CNBC's Steve Sedgwick about whether he believes there would be any change in how Trump makes decisions if he defeats Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
Bolton, who was interviewed via Zoom at the European House Ambrosetti Forum, served as Trump's national security advisor from April 2018 to September 2019, when the president fired him in a tweet.
This summer he published a book critical of Trump, "The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir," after the Trump administration failed in legal efforts to delay its release.
Bolton said that during his tenure, "In many cases, the president came to decisions in the national security space that I agreed with."
"But he did it not because of the merits of the argument in favor of a particular policy, but because of the fear of the political blowback he would get domestically if he went in a different direction," said Bolton.
He said that if Trump is re-elected, "that political guardrail is, if it's not eliminated entirely, it's certainly minimized."
"And so I think the possibility for erratic decisions centered on what Trump perceives as his own personal good fortune increases and the political pressure to move in other directions decreases," Bolton said.


cnbc--2020-09-04--North Carolina starts sending absentee ballots Friday — here's when voting begins in other states

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--2020-09-04--'His soul is that of a coward’: Biden camp blasts Trump over reports he called dead U.S. troops ‘suc

'His soul is that of a coward’: Biden camp blasts Trump over reports he called dead U.S. troops ‘suckers’ and ‘losers’

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks following the ceremonial swearing-in of James Mattis as secretary of defense on January 27 , 2017 , at the Pentagon in Washington , DC .
WASHINGTON — Surrogates for Democratic nominee Joe Biden , including two military veterans and a Gold Star father , ripped into President Donald Trump on Friday following a report that he called fallen U.S. service members `` suckers '' and `` losers '' while in office .
`` He is incapable of understanding service , valor and courage .
His soul can not conceive of integrity and honor , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2004 during the Iraq War , said in a campaign call with reporters .
`` His soul is that of a coward , '' Khan said .
Trump had previously criticized Khan following the latter 's appearance at the 2016 Democratic National Convention .
`` I 'm not shocked , but I am appalled , '' said Sen. Tammy Duckworth , D-Ill. , a Purple Heart veteran who lost her legs in Iraq when her helicopter was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade .
`` I take my wheelchair and my titanium legs over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day , '' Duckworth said on the call , sniping at Trump 's excuse for not serving in the Vietnam War .
Duckworth earlier this year had been viewed as a possible vice presidential pick for Biden , who ultimately selected Sen. Kamala Harris of California as his running mate .
Rep. Conor Lamb , D-Pa. , a Marine Corps reservist , also spoke on the call .
The attacks from the Biden camp came a day after The Atlantic reported that Trump declined to visit an American cemetery near Paris in 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as `` losers '' and `` suckers . ''
He also reportedly expressed concerns that the rain he now says prevented him from flying to the site would mess up his hair .
`` Why should I go to that cemetery ?
It 's filled with losers , '' Trump told aides after scrapping the visit to Aisne-Marne American Cemetery , according to The Atlantic .
The magazine did not identify the aides .
The report said Trump later referred to the more than 1,800 Marines who lost their lives in the Battle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suckers '' for getting killed .
The 1918 Battle of Belleau Wood dragged on for 20 days and ended with U.S. Marines successfully clearing out German camps .
The Allied victory became an enduring symbol in U.S. Marine Corps history .
Biden himself criticized Trump in a statement Thursday evening .
`` If the revelations in today 's Atlantic article are true , then they are yet another marker of how deeply President Trump and I disagree about the role of the president of the United States , '' Biden said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the next commander in chief , I will ensure that our American heroes know that I will have their back and honor their sacrifice always . ''
Trump , who is running for reelection in November , told reporters that the magazine report was `` a total lie '' and `` a disgrace . ''
`` To think that I would make statements negative to our military and fallen heroes when nobody has done what I 've done , '' for the U.S. armed forces , Trump told reporters .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a disgrace . ''
Members of the Trump administration also denied that the president spoke disparagingly about fallen U.S. military personnel buried at the cemetery .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said during an interview on `` Fox & Friends '' that he has `` never heard the president use the language that is certainly said in that article about him calling military suckers and losers . ''
`` Indeed , just the contrary , he has always had the deepest respect .
I 'm a veteran , too .
I care deeply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I have watched the president honor them and every situation that I 've been in with him as well , '' Pompeo said .
`` I was n't in Paris , but it never happened , '' Vice President Mike Pence told CNBC on Friday when asked about the report .
`` I talked to the president that day , I know how disappointed the president was that there was a bad weather call .
I 've never been with anyone who cares more deeply about the men and women of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families than President Donald Trump . ''

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks following the ceremonial swearing-in of James Mattis as secretary of defense on January 27, 2017, at the Pentagon in Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON — Surrogates for Democratic nominee Joe Biden, including two military veterans and a Gold Star father, ripped into President Donald Trump on Friday following a report that he called fallen U.S. service members "suckers" and "losers" while in office.
Trump denies the report.
"He is incapable of understanding service, valor and courage. His soul cannot conceive of integrity and honor," Khizr Khan, whose son died in 2004 during the Iraq War, said in a campaign call with reporters.
"His soul is that of a coward," Khan said. Trump had previously criticized Khan following the latter's appearance at the 2016 Democratic National Convention.
"I'm not shocked, but I am appalled," said Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., a Purple Heart veteran who lost her legs in Iraq when her helicopter was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade.
"I take my wheelchair and my titanium legs over Donald Trump's supposed bone spurs any day," Duckworth said on the call, sniping at Trump's excuse for not serving in the Vietnam War. Duckworth earlier this year had been viewed as a possible vice presidential pick for Biden, who ultimately selected Sen. Kamala Harris of California as his running mate.
Rep. Conor Lamb, D-Pa., a Marine Corps reservist, also spoke on the call.
The attacks from the Biden camp came a day after The Atlantic reported that Trump declined to visit an American cemetery near Paris in 2018 and referred to U.S. Marines buried there as "losers" and "suckers." He also reportedly expressed concerns that the rain he now says prevented him from flying to the site would mess up his hair.
"Why should I go to that cemetery? It's filled with losers," Trump told aides after scrapping the visit to Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, according to The Atlantic. The magazine did not identify the aides. The report said Trump later referred to the more than 1,800 Marines who lost their lives in the Battle of Belleau Wood in France as "suckers" for getting killed.
The 1918 Battle of Belleau Wood dragged on for 20 days and ended with U.S. Marines successfully clearing out German camps. The Allied victory became an enduring symbol in U.S. Marine Corps history.
Biden himself criticized Trump in a statement Thursday evening.
"If the revelations in today's Atlantic article are true, then they are yet another marker of how deeply President Trump and I disagree about the role of the president of the United States," Biden said. "If I have the honor of serving as the next commander in chief, I will ensure that our American heroes know that I will have their back and honor their sacrifice always."
Trump, who is running for reelection in November, told reporters that the magazine report was "a total lie" and "a disgrace."
"To think that I would make statements negative to our military and fallen heroes when nobody has done what I've done," for the U.S. armed forces, Trump told reporters. "It's a total lie ... It's a disgrace."
Members of the Trump administration also denied that the president spoke disparagingly about fallen U.S. military personnel buried at the cemetery.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said during an interview on "Fox & Friends" that he has "never heard the president use the language that is certainly said in that article about him calling military suckers and losers."
"Indeed, just the contrary, he has always had the deepest respect. I'm a veteran, too. I care deeply about these young men and women, and I have watched the president honor them and every situation that I've been in with him as well," Pompeo said.
"I wasn't in Paris, but it never happened," Vice President Mike Pence told CNBC on Friday when asked about the report. "I talked to the president that day, I know how disappointed the president was that there was a bad weather call. I've never been with anyone who cares more deeply about the men and women of our armed forces or respects them and their families than President Donald Trump."