cnbc--2020-07-22--'Pretty surreal': How the rest of the world views the U.S. stance on masks

While most of the world has gotten used to wearing face masks as a protective measure against the coronavirus , the U.S. has appeared to vacillate wildly .
President Donald Trump appears to have finally adopted a face covering and has seemingly endorsed the wearing of masks , tweeting on Monday that it was a `` patriotic '' act to do so during the pandemic .
Then on Tuesday , he went further , telling reporters at a White House briefing that `` whether you like the mask or not , they have an impact , they have an effect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get . ''
In many countries in Europe , anyone entering shops or using public transport has to wear a mask or risk a fine .
Face masks are compulsory in many states in India , and not wearing a mask in parts of China can lead to arrest .
The U.K. is also bringing in the mandatory wearing of masks in shops and supermarkets from this Friday , after indecision by the government over the benefits of wearing masks .
To the rest of the world then , the White House 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are something of a curiosity .
`` We 've seen a change in tone from the White House , the president talking about wearing masks at long last .
But I must say being based in Europe that this whole debate and politicization of the mask issue , ( it ) becoming part of U.S. culture wars , is pretty surreal to observe , '' Tina Fordham , head of global political strategy at Avonhurst , told CNBC Wednesday .

While most of the world has gotten used to wearing face masks as a protective measure against the coronavirus, the U.S. has appeared to vacillate wildly.
President Donald Trump appears to have finally adopted a face covering and has seemingly endorsed the wearing of masks, tweeting on Monday that it was a "patriotic" act to do so during the pandemic.
Then on Tuesday, he went further, telling reporters at a White House briefing that "whether you like the mask or not, they have an impact, they have an effect, and we need everything we can get."
In many countries in Europe, anyone entering shops or using public transport has to wear a mask or risk a fine. Face masks are compulsory in many states in India, and not wearing a mask in parts of China can lead to arrest. The U.K. is also bringing in the mandatory wearing of masks in shops and supermarkets from this Friday, after indecision by the government over the benefits of wearing masks.
To the rest of the world then, the White House's evolving message on the issue and U-turn are something of a curiosity.
"We've seen a change in tone from the White House, the president talking about wearing masks at long last. But I must say being based in Europe that this whole debate and politicization of the mask issue, (it) becoming part of U.S. culture wars, is pretty surreal to observe," Tina Fordham, head of global political strategy at Avonhurst, told CNBC Wednesday.


cnbc--2020-07-22--Pelosi says more aid directly to Americans is needed to support economic recovery

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told CNBC on Wednesday that additional financial aid to Americans is needed to support the U.S. economy 's recovery from the coronavirus-induced recession .
`` You can help people stay open , pay the rent , pay the utilities ... even pay employees , but if you do n't have people coming in the doors , you 're still having a problem , '' the California Democrat said in an interview with Jim Cramer on `` Mad Money . ''
`` So that 's why we want to put money in the pockets of the American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this consumer economy , spend , inject demand into the economy , create jobs , '' she said .
Pelosi 's comments Wednesday come as lawmakers in Washington begin working on another piece of coronavirus relief legislation , ahead of the scheduled expiration of a key financial lifeline for millions of Americans who lost their jobs during the pandemic .
The talks on Capitol Hill also are transpiring as Covid-19 cases in the U.S. have been rising in recent weeks .
Daily deaths from the virus on Tuesday eclipsed 1,000 for the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Covid Tracking Project .
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy , R-Calif. , told CNBC on Tuesday that he believes it will likely be August before Congress approves another piece of coronavirus relief legislation .
Republicans and Democrats must iron out differences on issues such as liability protections for businesses ; a potential second round of stimulus checks to individuals ; and the federal supplement to unemployment insurance , which is one of the biggest unanswered questions .
The current $ 600 per week supplement — on top of state-level benefits — is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the month .
Republicans are considering extending it at a lower rate of $ 400 per month through December , CNBC reported earlier Wednesday .
Some GOP lawmakers contended that $ 600 each week may be too generous and deter people from returning to work .
Senate Democrats have proposed tying the level of the federal supplement to state unemployment rates , with the weekly benefit amount being reduced as the economic conditions in a state improve .
Democrats in the House extended the $ 600 weekly benefit through January in a $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chamber in May .
Pelosi told Cramer that an extension of the benefit is necessary because it provides `` a floor for America 's working families , '' comparing it to the support for financial markets provided by the Federal Reserve 's monetary policy .
`` We should not be quibbling over $ 400 or $ 600 when people are in desperate need and have great uncertainty , '' Pelosi said .
`` You know how the markets and the business community does n't like uncertainty .
We should n't inject uncertainty further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families . ''
Pelosi also reiterated her support for another round of direct payments to Americans , building off of the $ 1,200 checks that many received earlier this spring .
The White House and congressional Republicans also have expressed support for another batch of stimulus checks , but there is debate on who would qualify to receive them and the amount .
The ultimate support for the U.S. economy is reducing transmission of the coronavirus , Pelosi contended .
`` It 's all a health issue .
If we just defeat the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools and our economy . ''

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told CNBC on Wednesday that additional financial aid to Americans is needed to support the U.S. economy's recovery from the coronavirus-induced recession.
"You can help people stay open, pay the rent, pay the utilities ... even pay employees, but if you don't have people coming in the doors, you're still having a problem," the California Democrat said in an interview with Jim Cramer on "Mad Money."
"So that's why we want to put money in the pockets of the American people so that they can, in this consumer economy, spend, inject demand into the economy, create jobs," she said.
Pelosi's comments Wednesday come as lawmakers in Washington begin working on another piece of coronavirus relief legislation, ahead of the scheduled expiration of a key financial lifeline for millions of Americans who lost their jobs during the pandemic.
The talks on Capitol Hill also are transpiring as Covid-19 cases in the U.S. have been rising in recent weeks. Daily deaths from the virus on Tuesday eclipsed 1,000 for the first time since May 29, according to the Covid Tracking Project.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., told CNBC on Tuesday that he believes it will likely be August before Congress approves another piece of coronavirus relief legislation.
Republicans and Democrats must iron out differences on issues such as liability protections for businesses; a potential second round of stimulus checks to individuals; and the federal supplement to unemployment insurance, which is one of the biggest unanswered questions.
The current $600 per week supplement — on top of state-level benefits — is set to expire at the end of the month. Republicans are considering extending it at a lower rate of $400 per month through December, CNBC reported earlier Wednesday. Some GOP lawmakers contended that $600 each week may be too generous and deter people from returning to work.
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Senate Democrats have proposed tying the level of the federal supplement to state unemployment rates, with the weekly benefit amount being reduced as the economic conditions in a state improve. Democrats in the House extended the $600 weekly benefit through January in a $3 trillion rescue package approved by the chamber in May.
Pelosi told Cramer that an extension of the benefit is necessary because it provides "a floor for America's working families," comparing it to the support for financial markets provided by the Federal Reserve's monetary policy.
"We should not be quibbling over $400 or $600 when people are in desperate need and have great uncertainty," Pelosi said. "You know how the markets and the business community doesn't like uncertainty. We shouldn't inject uncertainty further into the lives of America's working families."
Pelosi also reiterated her support for another round of direct payments to Americans, building off of the $1,200 checks that many received earlier this spring. The White House and congressional Republicans also have expressed support for another batch of stimulus checks, but there is debate on who would qualify to receive them and the amount.
The ultimate support for the U.S. economy is reducing transmission of the coronavirus, Pelosi contended. "It's all a health issue. If we just defeat the virus, we can open up our schools and our economy."


cnbc--2020-07-23--Beijing likely to retaliate, but analysts unsure of how far U.S., China will go in consulate fight

The relationship between the U.S. and China may continue to worsen after the State Department ordered Beijing to close a consulate in Houston , making it `` almost certain '' the Asian country will retaliate , experts said on Thursday .
U.S. officials said the move was made to protect American intellectual property and `` private information . ''
The dramatic event on Wednesday came after recent tumultuous developments between the world 's two largest economies .
On Tuesday , the Justice Department claimed that two Chinese citizens had tried to steal trade secrets by hacking into firms working on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also alleges that a researcher focusing on biology who lied about her connection to the Chinese military in order to receive a U.S. visa has avoided arrest by taking refuge in the Chinese consulate in San Francisco , according to a July 20 court filing .
Domestic politics in the U.S. ahead of the presidential election in November could have played a part in the closure order , said Orville Schell , Arthur Ross director of the Center on U.S.-China Relations at the Asia Society .
`` The president is bent on blaming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — for the virus , but I think the failure of the United States to be able to bring the virus under control has meant that he does wants to emphasize its source , namely China , '' said Schell .
`` This is where our foreign policies then get interlocked with domestic issues , namely the elections .
So , that is alarming , '' Schell added .
But there are still ample reasons for the U.S. to seek a more balanced , reciprocal and equitable relationship with China in many areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues other countries also have with Beijing , said Schell .
How the rhetoric and narrative surrounding U.S.-China relations evolve will depend on who the American president will be a year from now , said Robert Daly , director of the Wilson Center 's Kissinger Institute on China and the United States .
But `` it 's almost certain China will retaliate '' for the U.S. move against its consulate in Houston , which is `` the beginning of a dramatic escalation in tension '' and is more serious than retaliatory journalist expulsions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closure order is one that `` gets us a giant step closer to at least the withdrawal of ambassadors '' or something similar .

The relationship between the U.S. and China may continue to worsen after the State Department ordered Beijing to close a consulate in Houston, making it "almost certain" the Asian country will retaliate, experts said on Thursday.
U.S. officials said the move was made to protect American intellectual property and "private information."
The dramatic event on Wednesday came after recent tumultuous developments between the world's two largest economies. On Tuesday, the Justice Department claimed that two Chinese citizens had tried to steal trade secrets by hacking into firms working on a vaccine for Covid-19.
The FBI also alleges that a researcher focusing on biology who lied about her connection to the Chinese military in order to receive a U.S. visa has avoided arrest by taking refuge in the Chinese consulate in San Francisco, according to a July 20 court filing.
Domestic politics in the U.S. ahead of the presidential election in November could have played a part in the closure order, said Orville Schell, Arthur Ross director of the Center on U.S.-China Relations at the Asia Society.
"The president is bent on blaming China — and not without some justification — for the virus, but I think the failure of the United States to be able to bring the virus under control has meant that he does wants to emphasize its source, namely China," said Schell.
"This is where our foreign policies then get interlocked with domestic issues, namely the elections. So, that is alarming," Schell added.
But there are still ample reasons for the U.S. to seek a more balanced, reciprocal and equitable relationship with China in many areas such as trade and intellectual property, issues other countries also have with Beijing, said Schell.
How the rhetoric and narrative surrounding U.S.-China relations evolve will depend on who the American president will be a year from now, said Robert Daly, director of the Wilson Center's Kissinger Institute on China and the United States.
But "it's almost certain China will retaliate" for the U.S. move against its consulate in Houston, which is "the beginning of a dramatic escalation in tension" and is more serious than retaliatory journalist expulsions, said Daly.
Schell said the closure order is one that "gets us a giant step closer to at least the withdrawal of ambassadors" or something similar.


cnbc--2020-07-23--Schumer demands action on coronavirus relief as GOP mulls temporary unemployment benefit extension

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D-NY ) speaks to reporters during a news conference on Democrats ' demand for an extension of eviction protections in the next coronavirus disease ( Covid-19 ) aid bill on Capitol Hill in Washington , July 22 , 2020 .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer chided Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for a lack of urgency Wednesday as Republicans try to craft a coronavirus relief bill with only days until financial lifelines expire .
Senate Republicans , meanwhile , have discussed a short-term extension of enhanced unemployment benefits .
In Senate floor remarks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's delays in releasing a plan meant to kickstart negotiations with Democrats would inflict financial pain on Americans struggling to cover costs during the outbreak .
He contended that earlier McConnell remarks that touched on the National Defense Authorization Act and `` cancel culture '' — but not coronavirus aid — showed disorganization within the Republican Party .
`` When Leader McConnell at this crucial moment ca n't even mention [ Covid-19 ] , it shows what a knot the Republicans are tied in , '' Schumer said .
On Tuesday , McConnell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planned to `` introduce a bill in the next few days that is a starting place '' for talks on a final plan that could pass the GOP-controlled Senate and Democratic-held House .
But congressional leaders indicated that legislation likely would not pass until August — after a federal moratorium on evictions and the $ 600 per week enhanced federal unemployment benefit expire at the end of next week .
McConnell acknowledged Tuesday that his developing proposal `` enjoys fairly significant support among Republican senators , '' but `` probably not everyone .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the White House , which wants a payroll tax holiday that 's unpopular on Capitol Hill and to stop additional funding for coronavirus testing .
Leaders of both parties in Congress want more federal money for testing .
Congress ' failure to come to a relief agreement nearly three months since it last passed a coronavirus aid bill threatens to upend stabilizing measures including the extra jobless benefit and eviction moratorium as the U.S. jobless rate stands above 11 % .
The talks come as U.S. Covid-19 cases approach 4 million and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deadly that even President Donald Trump admitted it is getting worse after weeks of denying its severity .
On Wednesday , Schumer stressed the need to act on legislation `` as we 're on the edge of so many cliffs . ''
A spokesman for McConnell did not immediately respond to a request to comment on Schumer 's remarks .
Republicans and Democrats have to resolve several major issues before they can approve a rescue bill .
Democrats want to either extend the unemployment benefit outright or phase it out as state unemployment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reduce the sum .
Senate Republicans are discussing the possibility of passing a separate short-term extension of the benefit , which expires at the end of the month , as lawmakers struggle to reach a consensus on broader legislation , NBC News reported , citing three senators .
It is unclear how they would structure the assistance or for how long , and lawmakers have made no final decisions .
Sen. John Cornyn , R-Texas , said he is `` open '' to a temporary extension of enhanced unemployment insurance , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ R-Wyo.
, added that `` discussions come down to both the duration and at what price point . ''
But Democrats , who have pushed to extend the assistance at least into next year , are unlikely to embrace a temporary fix .
In a statement , Senate Finance Committee ranking member Ron Wyden , D-Ore. , said , `` Republicans have had months to propose a plan for extending supercharged unemployment benefits , and they still have nothing to offer . ''
He pushed to tie an ongoing unemployment insurance boost to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduced with Schumer earlier this year would do .
Democrats also want to approve new relief for states and municipalities , along with rent and mortgage assistance .
GOP leaders have indicated they instead want to give state and local governments more flexibility in how they spend existing federal aid dollars , and have not mentioned the possibility of more housing relief in recent days .
While both parties back another round of direct payments to individuals , it is unclear if Congress will send money as widely as it did when it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in March .
The GOP has also insisted on liability protections for businesses , doctors and universities , which McConnell has described as a red line in negotiations .
He also said the Republican proposal would include $ 105 billion to help reopen schools in the fall .
CORRECTION : A photo caption in this story has been updated to show that Chuck Schumer is Senate Minority Leader .

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) speaks to reporters during a news conference on Democrats' demand for an extension of eviction protections in the next coronavirus disease (Covid-19) aid bill on Capitol Hill in Washington, July 22, 2020.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer chided Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for a lack of urgency Wednesday as Republicans try to craft a coronavirus relief bill with only days until financial lifelines expire.
Senate Republicans, meanwhile, have discussed a short-term extension of enhanced unemployment benefits.
In Senate floor remarks, the New York Democrat said the GOP's delays in releasing a plan meant to kickstart negotiations with Democrats would inflict financial pain on Americans struggling to cover costs during the outbreak. He contended that earlier McConnell remarks that touched on the National Defense Authorization Act and "cancel culture" — but not coronavirus aid — showed disorganization within the Republican Party.
"When Leader McConnell at this crucial moment can't even mention [Covid-19], it shows what a knot the Republicans are tied in," Schumer said.
On Tuesday, McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said he planned to "introduce a bill in the next few days that is a starting place" for talks on a final plan that could pass the GOP-controlled Senate and Democratic-held House. But congressional leaders indicated that legislation likely would not pass until August — after a federal moratorium on evictions and the $600 per week enhanced federal unemployment benefit expire at the end of next week.
McConnell acknowledged Tuesday that his developing proposal "enjoys fairly significant support among Republican senators," but "probably not everyone." GOP lawmakers have to resolve differences with the White House, which wants a payroll tax holiday that's unpopular on Capitol Hill and to stop additional funding for coronavirus testing. Leaders of both parties in Congress want more federal money for testing.
Congress' failure to come to a relief agreement nearly three months since it last passed a coronavirus aid bill threatens to upend stabilizing measures including the extra jobless benefit and eviction moratorium as the U.S. jobless rate stands above 11%. The talks come as U.S. Covid-19 cases approach 4 million and deaths top 142,000, a crisis so deadly that even President Donald Trump admitted it is getting worse after weeks of denying its severity.
On Wednesday, Schumer stressed the need to act on legislation "as we're on the edge of so many cliffs."
A spokesman for McConnell did not immediately respond to a request to comment on Schumer's remarks.
Republicans and Democrats have to resolve several major issues before they can approve a rescue bill. Democrats want to either extend the unemployment benefit outright or phase it out as state unemployment rates fall, while the GOP aims to reduce the sum.
Senate Republicans are discussing the possibility of passing a separate short-term extension of the benefit, which expires at the end of the month, as lawmakers struggle to reach a consensus on broader legislation, NBC News reported, citing three senators. It is unclear how they would structure the assistance or for how long, and lawmakers have made no final decisions.
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said he is "open" to a temporary extension of enhanced unemployment insurance, according to NBC. Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., added that "discussions come down to both the duration and at what price point."
But Democrats, who have pushed to extend the assistance at least into next year, are unlikely to embrace a temporary fix. In a statement, Senate Finance Committee ranking member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said, "Republicans have had months to propose a plan for extending supercharged unemployment benefits, and they still have nothing to offer." He pushed to tie an ongoing unemployment insurance boost to economic conditions, which a bill he introduced with Schumer earlier this year would do.
Democrats also want to approve new relief for states and municipalities, along with rent and mortgage assistance. GOP leaders have indicated they instead want to give state and local governments more flexibility in how they spend existing federal aid dollars, and have not mentioned the possibility of more housing relief in recent days.
While both parties back another round of direct payments to individuals, it is unclear if Congress will send money as widely as it did when it approved checks of up to $1,200 in March.
The GOP has also insisted on liability protections for businesses, doctors and universities, which McConnell has described as a red line in negotiations.
He also said the Republican proposal would include $105 billion to help reopen schools in the fall.
CORRECTION: A photo caption in this story has been updated to show that Chuck Schumer is Senate Minority Leader.
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cnbc--2020-07-23--Trump cancels parts of GOP convention set for Jacksonville, Florida, citing coronavirus

President Donald Trump on Thursday moved to cancel the Jacksonville , Florida , portions of the Republican National Convention , scheduled for August , citing the threat of the coronavirus .
`` I told my team it 's time to cancel the Jacksonville , Florida , component of the GOP convention , '' Trump said at a White House briefing on the coronavirus .
The state has become a hot spot for the virus .
`` Thousands of people [ are ] wanting to be there , and I mean in some cases desperately be there , '' Trump said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the country . ''
Trump said he will still deliver a campaign speech but `` in a different form , '' without giving any additional details .
He said he would announce more details on the speech in the coming days .
`` We wo n't do a big crowded convention , per se , '' he said , adding that he cares `` deeply about the people of Florida . ''
The Jacksonville 2020 Host Committee issued the following statement : `` President Trump made the absolute right decision for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jacksonville and of the entire state of Florida .
The rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in Florida is serious and the President and the RNC have demonstrated great concern for the safety of all Floridians . ''
The announcement marked a staggering turnaround for Trump , who pushed for the convention to be moved from Charlotte , North Carolina , after a fight with the state 's Democratic governor over whether coronavirus precautions would limit the size of crowds .
In recent weeks , the convention has undergone significant changes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed coronavirus cases continues to spike in Florida , forcing the Republican Party to rethink its planning to account for measures to avoid spreading the disease to attendees and employees .
Earlier this month , organizers for the Republican National Convention announced a severe cap on the number of people who can attend the event in Jacksonville .

President Donald Trump on Thursday moved to cancel the Jacksonville, Florida, portions of the Republican National Convention, scheduled for August, citing the threat of the coronavirus.
"I told my team it's time to cancel the Jacksonville, Florida, component of the GOP convention," Trump said at a White House briefing on the coronavirus. The state has become a hot spot for the virus.
"Thousands of people [are] wanting to be there, and I mean in some cases desperately be there," Trump said. "People making travel arrangements all over the country."
Trump said he will still deliver a campaign speech but "in a different form," without giving any additional details. He said he would announce more details on the speech in the coming days.
"We won't do a big crowded convention, per se," he said, adding that he cares "deeply about the people of Florida."
The Jacksonville 2020 Host Committee issued the following statement: "President Trump made the absolute right decision for the health and safety of the people of Jacksonville and of the entire state of Florida. The rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in Florida is serious and the President and the RNC have demonstrated great concern for the safety of all Floridians."
The announcement marked a staggering turnaround for Trump, who pushed for the convention to be moved from Charlotte, North Carolina, after a fight with the state's Democratic governor over whether coronavirus precautions would limit the size of crowds.
In recent weeks, the convention has undergone significant changes in logistics and execution as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases continues to spike in Florida, forcing the Republican Party to rethink its planning to account for measures to avoid spreading the disease to attendees and employees.
Earlier this month, organizers for the Republican National Convention announced a severe cap on the number of people who can attend the event in Jacksonville.


cnbc--2020-07-23--Pompeo, in fiery speech, hammers China over international abuses

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during a news briefing at the State Department in Washington , November 18 , 2019 .
WASHINGTON — Capping a string of searing speeches by Trump administration officials , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo slammed the Chinese government in a sweeping address Thursday , saying the United States will no longer tolerate Beijing 's playbook to usurp global order .
`` The truth is that our policies , and those of other free nations , resurrected China 's failing economy , only to see Beijing bite the international hands that fed it , '' Pompeo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Presidential Library in Yorba Linda , California .
The crumbling relationship between Washington and Beijing , strained from an ongoing trade battle , has intensified as the Trump administration places blame squarely on China for the coronavirus pandemic and its devastation on the global economy .
This week , in another sign of escalating tension , the U.S. government ordered the closure of the Chinese consulate in Houston .
Beijing vowed to retaliate .
`` We opened our arms to Chinese citizens , only to see the CCP exploit our free and open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press conferences , our research centers , our high-school and college campuses , '' the nation 's top diplomat said Thursday , adding that the Chinese government had also `` ripped off our prized intellectual property '' and `` sucked supply chains away from America . ''
Pompeo then sharpened his focus to Chinese telecom giant Huawei , a firm that he has previously described as a `` Trojan horse for Chinese intelligence . ''
`` We have stopped pretending Huawei is an innocent telecommunications company ... we have called it what it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and taken action accordingly , '' he said .
U.S. officials have long complained that Chinese intellectual property theft has cost the economy billions of dollars in revenue and thousands of jobs .
They have also said that it threatens national security .
Meanwhile , Beijing maintains that it does not engage in intellectual property theft .
Pompeo 's remarks follow those of U.S. Attorney General William Barr , national security advisor Robert O'Brien and FBI Director Christopher Wray .
In a blistering speech last week , Barr accused the Chinese government of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blitzkrieg .
`` The American people are more attuned than ever to the threat that the Chinese Communist Party poses not only to our way of life , but to our very lives and livelihoods , '' Barr said .
Last month , O'Brien slammed China for a laundry list of offenses before saying that `` the days of American passivity and naivety regarding the People 's Republic of China are over . ''
Similarly , Wray said the Trump administration would not allow the Chinese to carry on with espionage and cyberattacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to what he called `` one of the largest transfers of wealth in human history . ''

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during a news briefing at the State Department in Washington, November 18, 2019.
WASHINGTON — Capping a string of searing speeches by Trump administration officials, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo slammed the Chinese government in a sweeping address Thursday, saying the United States will no longer tolerate Beijing's playbook to usurp global order.
"The truth is that our policies, and those of other free nations, resurrected China's failing economy, only to see Beijing bite the international hands that fed it," Pompeo told an audience at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library in Yorba Linda, California.
The crumbling relationship between Washington and Beijing, strained from an ongoing trade battle, has intensified as the Trump administration places blame squarely on China for the coronavirus pandemic and its devastation on the global economy.
This week, in another sign of escalating tension, the U.S. government ordered the closure of the Chinese consulate in Houston. Beijing vowed to retaliate.
"We opened our arms to Chinese citizens, only to see the CCP exploit our free and open society. It sent propagandists into our press conferences, our research centers, our high-school and college campuses," the nation's top diplomat said Thursday, adding that the Chinese government had also "ripped off our prized intellectual property" and "sucked supply chains away from America."
Pompeo then sharpened his focus to Chinese telecom giant Huawei, a firm that he has previously described as a "Trojan horse for Chinese intelligence."
"We have stopped pretending Huawei is an innocent telecommunications company ... we have called it what it is, a national security threat, and taken action accordingly," he said.
U.S. officials have long complained that Chinese intellectual property theft has cost the economy billions of dollars in revenue and thousands of jobs. They have also said that it threatens national security. Meanwhile, Beijing maintains that it does not engage in intellectual property theft.
Pompeo's remarks follow those of U.S. Attorney General William Barr, national security advisor Robert O'Brien and FBI Director Christopher Wray.
In a blistering speech last week, Barr accused the Chinese government of human rights abuses, espionage and economic blitzkrieg.
"The American people are more attuned than ever to the threat that the Chinese Communist Party poses not only to our way of life, but to our very lives and livelihoods," Barr said.
Last month, O'Brien slammed China for a laundry list of offenses before saying that "the days of American passivity and naivety regarding the People's Republic of China are over."
Similarly, Wray said the Trump administration would not allow the Chinese to carry on with espionage and cyberattacks against the United States which has amounted to what he called "one of the largest transfers of wealth in human history."


cnbc--2020-07-23--Mnuchin says GOP plan for unemployment extension will be based on '70% wage replacement'

The Republican coronavirus relief plan will extend enhanced unemployment insurance `` based on approximately 70 % wage replacement , '' Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Thursday .
The Treasury secretary also said a payroll tax holiday , which President Donald Trump has repeatedly pushed for , `` wo n't be in the base bill . ''
The president appeared to concede defeat on the issue in a tweet Thursday and blamed Democrats for sinking the proposal ( though many Republicans on Capitol Hill also oppose a payroll tax cut ) .
Mnuchin spoke to CNBC about the state of negotiations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration said they reached a tentative deal on legislation they say will serve as a starting point in talks with Democrats .
Congress faces pressure to pass an aid package , as Covid-19 case and death counts rise around the country and the critical extra $ 600 per week unemployment benefit expires at the end of the month .
But Republican plans to release their plan as soon as Thursday appeared to hit a snag as they tried to craft legislative text , further adding to doubts about Congress ' ability to provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a lack of urgency for a second straight day , and rejected the possibility of breaking a coronavirus package into more than one bill if lawmakers can not reach a broad agreement in July .
`` This is a package .
We can not piecemeal this , '' House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , told reporters at a news conference with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y .
He added that `` we 're not going to take care of one portion of suffering people and leave everyone else hanging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would structure the plan to provide 70 % wage replacement .
Lawmakers chose the $ 600 per week sum in the March rescue package because they decided outdated state unemployment systems could not handle processing payouts for 100 % of a worker 's previous wages .
As of Wednesday afternoon , the GOP was considering slashing the extra benefit from about $ 600 to $ 100 a week through the rest of the year , sources told CNBC .
Negotiators had not made any final decisions at that time .

The Republican coronavirus relief plan will extend enhanced unemployment insurance "based on approximately 70% wage replacement," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Thursday.
The Treasury secretary also said a payroll tax holiday, which President Donald Trump has repeatedly pushed for, "won't be in the base bill." The president appeared to concede defeat on the issue in a tweet Thursday and blamed Democrats for sinking the proposal (though many Republicans on Capitol Hill also oppose a payroll tax cut).
Donald Trump tweet
Mnuchin spoke to CNBC about the state of negotiations hours after Senate Republicans and the Trump administration said they reached a tentative deal on legislation they say will serve as a starting point in talks with Democrats. Congress faces pressure to pass an aid package, as Covid-19 case and death counts rise around the country and the critical extra $600 per week unemployment benefit expires at the end of the month.
But Republican plans to release their plan as soon as Thursday appeared to hit a snag as they tried to craft legislative text, further adding to doubts about Congress' ability to provide immediate relief. Democrats hammered the GOP for a lack of urgency for a second straight day, and rejected the possibility of breaking a coronavirus package into more than one bill if lawmakers cannot reach a broad agreement in July.
"This is a package. We cannot piecemeal this," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., told reporters at a news conference with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. He added that "we're not going to take care of one portion of suffering people and leave everyone else hanging."
It is unclear how Republicans would structure the plan to provide 70% wage replacement. Lawmakers chose the $600 per week sum in the March rescue package because they decided outdated state unemployment systems could not handle processing payouts for 100% of a worker's previous wages.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the GOP was considering slashing the extra benefit from about $600 to $100 a week through the rest of the year, sources told CNBC. Negotiators had not made any final decisions at that time.


cnbc--2020-07-23--Judge orders release of former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen by Friday, says book publication ban was r

Judge orders release of former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen by Friday, says book publication ban was retaliation

Michael Cohen arrives at his Park Avenue home after being released from federal prison on furlough due to medical concerns related to Covid-19 on May 21 , 2020 in New York City .
A federal judge on Thursday ordered the release from prison of President Donald Trump 's former lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen by Friday afternoon .
Judge Alvin Hellerstein found that Cohen was taken into custody July 9 and returned to prison in retaliation for balking at a condition that he not publish a book — about Trump or anyone else — while serving the remainder of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I 've never seen such a clause , in 21 years in being a judge and sentencing people , '' Hellerstein said at a Manhattan federal court hearing held after Cohen sued this week to win his re-release from prison .
`` How can I take any other inference but that it was retaliatory ?
Hellerstein asked about the condition , which also would have barred Cohen from speaking to journalists or posting on social media .
Cohen , who pleaded guilty in 2018 to multiple felonies , was furloughed from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in late May due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic .
Cohen has multiple health issues that make him particularly vulnerable to Covid-19 , his lawyers say .
`` Any assertion that the decision to remand Michael Cohen to prison was a retaliatory action is patently false , '' the Bureau of Prisons said in a statement .
`` While it is not uncommon for BOP to place certain restrictions on inmates ' contact with the media , Mr. Cohen 's refusal to agree to those conditions here played no role whatsoever in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ custody nor did his intent to publish a book . ''
Shortly before being taken into custody earlier this month , he had been posting on social media about his upcoming book , which is going to be critical of Trump .
During Thursday 's hearing , Hellerstein was highly skeptical of arguments by a federal prosecutor that Cohen was not locked up in retaliation for the book or that the book-related condition was not sought by officials for a specific reason in his case .
At one point , when another prosecutor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the prosecutor who was answering the judge 's questions , Hellerstein angrily cut him off , reminding him of the rule that only one lawyer argued for each side in a case .
Hellerstein in ordering Cohen 's release , said that he found that `` the purpose of transferring Mr. Cohen from furlough and home confinement to jail is retaliatory , and it 's retaliatory because of his desire to exercise his First Amendment rights to publish a book and discuss anything about the book or anything else he wants on social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has been in quarantine in Otisville since his arrival there , will be released by 2 p.m. after being tested for the coronavirus and will be driven back to his home on Manhattan 's Upper East Side by his son , Hellerstein said .
After his release into home confinement , he will be subject to a number of restrictions on his movement , employment and contact with other people .
But the restriction sought by federal probation officials that he not speak to reporters , post on social media or publish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gutted .
Cohen 's lawyer Danya Perry and a prosecutor said that in the next several days they will negotiate the issue of any restrictions on Cohen dealing with the media .
Hellerstein suggested it would be inappropriate for Cohen to host a press conference in his apartment with a large number of reporters to promote his book while at the same time still serving his criminal sentence .
`` This order is a victory for the First Amendment and we appreciate the Judge 's ruling confirming that the government can not block @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the president as a condition of his release to home confinement , '' said Perry in a statement issued after Hellerstein said Cohen would be freed .
`` This principle transcends politics and we are gratified that the rule of law prevails , '' Perry said .
Prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney 's Office for the Southern District of New York had said that Cohen was locked up after being combative and argumentative during the July 9 meeting with probation officials about the conditions of his home confinement .
They also said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after objecting to all of them .
Prosecutors denied that he was sent back to prison in retaliation for not agreeing to the restrictions on a book or media contacts .
But Hellerstein noted that court filings by both prosecutors and Cohen 's lawyers agree on a key point : that Cohen and his lawyer Jeffrey Levine , after taking issue with at least one of the conditions , were left in a room alone for some time by a probation officer .
They then were abruptly confronted by Bureau of Prisons officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Levine has said the officials did so even after Cohen said he would then agree to all of the conditions .
Hellerstein repeatedly noted that probation officials had not given Cohen a warning that if he did not agree to all the conditions presented to him that he would be sent back to prison .
The judge brushed aside arguments by the prosecutor that Cohen and Levine were not allowed to negotiate the terms of the home confinement agreement .

Michael Cohen arrives at his Park Avenue home after being released from federal prison on furlough due to medical concerns related to Covid-19 on May 21, 2020 in New York City.
A federal judge on Thursday ordered the release from prison of President Donald Trump's former lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen by Friday afternoon.
Judge Alvin Hellerstein found that Cohen was taken into custody July 9 and returned to prison in retaliation for balking at a condition that he not publish a book — about Trump or anyone else — while serving the remainder of his three-year criminal sentence on home confinement.
"I've never seen such a clause, in 21 years in being a judge and sentencing people," Hellerstein said at a Manhattan federal court hearing held after Cohen sued this week to win his re-release from prison.
"How can I take any other inference but that it was retaliatory?" Hellerstein asked about the condition, which also would have barred Cohen from speaking to journalists or posting on social media.
Cohen, who pleaded guilty in 2018 to multiple felonies, was furloughed from the federal prison in Otisville, N.Y., in late May due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.
Cohen has multiple health issues that make him particularly vulnerable to Covid-19, his lawyers say.
"Any assertion that the decision to remand Michael Cohen to prison was a retaliatory action is patently false," the Bureau of Prisons said in a statement. "While it is not uncommon for BOP to place certain restrictions on inmates' contact with the media, Mr. Cohen's refusal to agree to those conditions here played no role whatsoever in the decision to remand him to secure custody nor did his intent to publish a book."
Shortly before being taken into custody earlier this month, he had been posting on social media about his upcoming book, which is going to be critical of Trump.
During Thursday's hearing, Hellerstein was highly skeptical of arguments by a federal prosecutor that Cohen was not locked up in retaliation for the book or that the book-related condition was not sought by officials for a specific reason in his case.
At one point, when another prosecutor tried to come to the aid of the prosecutor who was answering the judge's questions, Hellerstein angrily cut him off, reminding him of the rule that only one lawyer argued for each side in a case.
Hellerstein in ordering Cohen's release, said that he found that "the purpose of transferring Mr. Cohen from furlough and home confinement to jail is retaliatory, and it's retaliatory because of his desire to exercise his First Amendment rights to publish a book and discuss anything about the book or anything else he wants on social media and others."
Cohen, who has been in quarantine in Otisville since his arrival there, will be released by 2 p.m. after being tested for the coronavirus and will be driven back to his home on Manhattan's Upper East Side by his son, Hellerstein said.
After his release into home confinement, he will be subject to a number of restrictions on his movement, employment and contact with other people.
But the restriction sought by federal probation officials that he not speak to reporters, post on social media or publish a book is likely to be largely gutted.
Cohen's lawyer Danya Perry and a prosecutor said that in the next several days they will negotiate the issue of any restrictions on Cohen dealing with the media.
Hellerstein suggested it would be inappropriate for Cohen to host a press conference in his apartment with a large number of reporters to promote his book while at the same time still serving his criminal sentence.
"This order is a victory for the First Amendment and we appreciate the Judge's ruling confirming that the government cannot block Mr. Cohen from publishing a book critical of the president as a condition of his release to home confinement," said Perry in a statement issued after Hellerstein said Cohen would be freed.
"This principle transcends politics and we are gratified that the rule of law prevails," Perry said.
Prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York had said that Cohen was locked up after being combative and argumentative during the July 9 meeting with probation officials about the conditions of his home confinement.
They also said that Cohen refused to sign the conditions after objecting to all of them.
Prosecutors denied that he was sent back to prison in retaliation for not agreeing to the restrictions on a book or media contacts.
But Hellerstein noted that court filings by both prosecutors and Cohen's lawyers agree on a key point: that Cohen and his lawyer Jeffrey Levine, after taking issue with at least one of the conditions, were left in a room alone for some time by a probation officer.
They then were abruptly confronted by Bureau of Prisons officials who arrived to take Cohen into custody. Levine has said the officials did so even after Cohen said he would then agree to all of the conditions.
Hellerstein repeatedly noted that probation officials had not given Cohen a warning that if he did not agree to all the conditions presented to him that he would be sent back to prison.
The judge brushed aside arguments by the prosecutor that Cohen and Levine were not allowed to negotiate the terms of the home confinement agreement.


cnbc--2020-07-23--Judge unseals documents about accused Jeffrey Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, but delays relea

Judge unseals documents about accused Jeffrey Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, but delays release

A federal judge on Thursday unsealed civil court documents related to Ghislaine Maxwell , the British socialite arrested earlier this month on charges of aiding the sexual abuse of minor girls by the now-dead investor Jeffrey Epstein .
But Judge Loretta Preska postponed the release of the documents in U.S. District Court in Manhattan by up to one week to give Maxwell 's lawyers time to file an appeal of her decision .
Preska reportedly said during a hearing that the public 's right to see the documents `` far outweighed '' Maxwell 's right to avoid being embarrassed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more-than-400-page deposition that Maxwell gave during litigation in the civil case , as well as depositions of several accusers of Epstein .
Maxwell 's lawyers reportedly argued during a hearing Thursday that they had `` grave concerns about our client 's ability to seek and receive an impartial and fair trial and jury due to the intense media scrutiny around anything that is unsealed . ''
The documents are part of a now-settled civil case filed by Virginia Giuffre , who has accused Maxwell of recruiting her for Epstein 's abuse years ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At the time , Giuffre was working as an assistant in the spa at President Donald Trump 's Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach , Florida .
Giuffre has said Maxwell directed her to have sex with Prince Andrew of Britain , a then friend of Epstein 's , as well as with Epstein 's lawyer , Alan Dershowitz .
Both of those men deny Giuffre 's claims .
The Miami Herald , whose investigation of Epstein led to his arrest on federal child sex trafficking charges in July 2019 , had sued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Epstein , 66 , died last August in a Manhattan jail while awaiting trial in what authorities ruled was a suicide by hanging .
Shortly before his death , a federal appeals court ordered the release of more than 2,000 pages of documents from Maxwell 's civil case .
Among those documents was a deposition of Giuffre , in which she says that Maxwell directed her to have sex with former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell , ex-New Mexico Gov .
Bill Richardson , hedge funder Glenn Dubin , late MIT scientist Marvin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the owner of a large hotel chain , and another prince besides Andrew .
All of the living men named by Giuffre have denied her claim .
A former friend of Trump and President Bill Clinton , Epstein was worth hundreds of millions of dollars , and owned luxurious residential properties on Manhattan 's Upper East Side , Palm Beach and New Mexico , and he owned a private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands .

A federal judge on Thursday unsealed civil court documents related to Ghislaine Maxwell, the British socialite arrested earlier this month on charges of aiding the sexual abuse of minor girls by the now-dead investor Jeffrey Epstein.
But Judge Loretta Preska postponed the release of the documents in U.S. District Court in Manhattan by up to one week to give Maxwell's lawyers time to file an appeal of her decision.
Preska reportedly said during a hearing that the public's right to see the documents "far outweighed" Maxwell's right to avoid being embarrassed by their contents.
The documents include a more-than-400-page deposition that Maxwell gave during litigation in the civil case, as well as depositions of several accusers of Epstein.
Maxwell's lawyers reportedly argued during a hearing Thursday that they had "grave concerns about our client's ability to seek and receive an impartial and fair trial and jury due to the intense media scrutiny around anything that is unsealed."
The documents are part of a now-settled civil case filed by Virginia Giuffre, who has accused Maxwell of recruiting her for Epstein's abuse years ago, when she was 17 years old.
At the time, Giuffre was working as an assistant in the spa at President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida.
Giuffre has said Maxwell directed her to have sex with Prince Andrew of Britain, a then friend of Epstein's, as well as with Epstein's lawyer, Alan Dershowitz.
Both of those men deny Giuffre's claims.
The Miami Herald, whose investigation of Epstein led to his arrest on federal child sex trafficking charges in July 2019, had sued to win release of the documents.
Epstein, 66, died last August in a Manhattan jail while awaiting trial in what authorities ruled was a suicide by hanging.
Shortly before his death, a federal appeals court ordered the release of more than 2,000 pages of documents from Maxwell's civil case.
Among those documents was a deposition of Giuffre, in which she says that Maxwell directed her to have sex with former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, ex-New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, hedge funder Glenn Dubin, late MIT scientist Marvin Minsky, modeling company founder Jean Luc-Brunel, the owner of a large hotel chain, and another prince besides Andrew.
All of the living men named by Giuffre have denied her claim.
A former friend of Trump and President Bill Clinton, Epstein was worth hundreds of millions of dollars, and owned luxurious residential properties on Manhattan's Upper East Side, Palm Beach and New Mexico, and he owned a private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands.


cnbc--2020-07-23--Workers continue strike at key Navy shipbuilding yard amid missed deadlines and fight over contracto

Workers continue strike at key Navy shipbuilding yard amid missed deadlines and fight over contractors

WASHINGTON — For the past month , thousands of production workers at a key U.S. Navy shipbuilding facility have been on strike as federal mediators and union leaders struggle to settle a contracting dispute .
Nearly 4,300 workers at Bath Iron Works in Maine went on strike on June 22 following a decision by the company to expand its use of low-wage and out-of-state contractors .
Bath Iron Works , a subsidiary of defense giant General Dynamics , contends its aim is to streamline the hiring of subcontractors .
The shipyard , which has delivered more than 425 vessels , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guided-missile destroyers , which are considered the workhorse of America 's fleet .
And while the shipyard represents a vital component of U.S. defense manufacturing , the production site has recently missed out on lucrative Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security contracts .
The worker standoff comes as Bath Iron Works struggles to meet Pentagon contract delivery deadlines .
The company is currently operating on a year-long delay , with the worker strike as well as the coronavirus further complicating logistics and production timetables .
Earlier this year , the Pentagon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion to develop the U.S. Navy 's newest class of warships .
According to the U.S. Navy contract , the Italian Fregata Europea Multi-Missione , or FREMM , multimission warship will be built at Fincantieri 's shipyard in Marinette , Wisconsin .
`` This is one example of why the company wants to supplement the work at the yard by bringing in more contractors , '' a person familiar with the company 's plan told CNBC .
`` This is an effort to get the yard back to being competitive and to catch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the person , who spoke on the condition of anonymity .
As union workers take to the sidelines , forfeiting pay and health-care coverage , the company 's production line has hummed along .

WASHINGTON — For the past month, thousands of production workers at a key U.S. Navy shipbuilding facility have been on strike as federal mediators and union leaders struggle to settle a contracting dispute.
Nearly 4,300 workers at Bath Iron Works in Maine went on strike on June 22 following a decision by the company to expand its use of low-wage and out-of-state contractors. Bath Iron Works, a subsidiary of defense giant General Dynamics , contends its aim is to streamline the hiring of subcontractors.
The shipyard, which has delivered more than 425 vessels, builds the U.S. Navy's Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, which are considered the workhorse of America's fleet. And while the shipyard represents a vital component of U.S. defense manufacturing, the production site has recently missed out on lucrative Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security contracts.
The worker standoff comes as Bath Iron Works struggles to meet Pentagon contract delivery deadlines. The company is currently operating on a year-long delay, with the worker strike as well as the coronavirus further complicating logistics and production timetables.
Earlier this year, the Pentagon awarded Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri Marine $5.5 billion to develop the U.S. Navy's newest class of warships. According to the U.S. Navy contract, the Italian Fregata Europea Multi-Missione, or FREMM, multimission warship will be built at Fincantieri's shipyard in Marinette, Wisconsin.
"This is one example of why the company wants to supplement the work at the yard by bringing in more contractors," a person familiar with the company's plan told CNBC. "This is an effort to get the yard back to being competitive and to catch up on its delivery schedule," said the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
As union workers take to the sidelines, forfeiting pay and health-care coverage, the company's production line has hummed along.


cnbc--2020-07-23--White House defends Trump's well-wishes for alleged Jeffrey Epstein sex crimes accomplice Ghislaine

White House defends Trump's well-wishes for alleged Jeffrey Epstein sex crimes accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell

Ghislaine Maxwell attends VIP Evening of Conversation for Women 's Brain Health Initiative , Moderated by Tina Brown at Spring Studios on October 18 , 2016 in New York City .
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany attempted to explain on Thursday why President Donald Trump sent well-wishes this week to Ghislaine Maxwell , who is jailed on charges of helping to facilitate Jeffrey Epstein 's sexual abuse of underage girls .
`` What the president was noting is that the last person who was charged in this case ended up dead in a jail cell , '' McEnany said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` And the president wants justice to be served for victims in this case , and he prefers that to play out in a courtroom . ''
Trump made the remarks Tuesday at a White House press conference after a reporter asked him about Maxwell , with whom he used to socialize .
`` I just wish her well , frankly , '' Trump replied , adding that he had `` met her numerous times over the years . ''
Given the gravity of the crimes with which Maxwell is charged , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from his critics and at least one member of his own party .
One group , Republican Voters Against Trump , released on Wednesday a 30-second ad slamming Trump for his comments .
`` You wish her well ? ''
the ad , featuring photos of Trump and Epstein together , asks .
`` No sympathy for Maxwell 's victims ?
No sympathy for young girls who were molested by powerful people ? ''
The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the ad .
McEnany , however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should have taken a harder line against Maxwell .
On the contrary , said McEnany , Trump had been `` ahead of '' law enforcement and prosecutors when he banned Epstein from his private club in Palm Beach , Mar-a-Lago , in the early 2000s .
`` This president is the president that banned Jeffrey Epstein from coming to Mar-a-Lago , '' said McEnany .
`` This president was always on top of this , ahead of this , banning this man from his property long before this case was even being played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Trump and Epstein partied together in the 1980s and 1990s but reportedly had a falling out sometime between 2002 and 2005 .
There are conflicting reports as to what prompted Trump to end his friendship with the millionaire financier and ban him from Mar-a-Lago .
Maxwell , 58 , was the longtime girlfriend of Epstein , who was found dead in his jail cell last year while awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges .
Jail officials said the death was suicide .
Maxwell was arrested July 2 at a million-dollar home in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the daughter of the late British media baron Robert Maxwell had been a mystery since Epstein 's death , prompting widespread speculation that she had permanently left the United States .
Following her arrest , Maxwell was transferred to New York , where she pleaded not guilty to federal charges of enticement of minors , sex trafficking of children and perjury .
At Maxwell 's bail hearing in Manhattan federal court , Judge Alison Nathan denied bail , agreeing with prosecutors that Maxwell posed `` a substantial risk of flight '' because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ triple citizenship in the United States , France and the United Kingdom .
Maxwell is being held in a Brooklyn federal jail awaiting her trial , which is scheduled to begin next summer .

Ghislaine Maxwell attends VIP Evening of Conversation for Women's Brain Health Initiative, Moderated by Tina Brown at Spring Studios on October 18, 2016 in New York City.
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany attempted to explain on Thursday why President Donald Trump sent well-wishes this week to Ghislaine Maxwell, who is jailed on charges of helping to facilitate Jeffrey Epstein's sexual abuse of underage girls.
"What the president was noting is that the last person who was charged in this case ended up dead in a jail cell," McEnany said on Fox News, referring to Epstein. "And the president wants justice to be served for victims in this case, and he prefers that to play out in a courtroom."
Trump made the remarks Tuesday at a White House press conference after a reporter asked him about Maxwell, with whom he used to socialize.
"I just wish her well, frankly," Trump replied, adding that he had "met her numerous times over the years."
Given the gravity of the crimes with which Maxwell is charged, Trump's sympathetic tone quickly drew scrutiny from his critics and at least one member of his own party.
One group, Republican Voters Against Trump, released on Wednesday a 30-second ad slamming Trump for his comments.
"You wish her well?" the ad, featuring photos of Trump and Epstein together, asks. "No sympathy for Maxwell's victims? No sympathy for young girls who were molested by powerful people?"
The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the ad.
McEnany, however, rejected the insinuation that the president should have taken a harder line against Maxwell.
On the contrary, said McEnany, Trump had been "ahead of" law enforcement and prosecutors when he banned Epstein from his private club in Palm Beach, Mar-a-Lago, in the early 2000s.
"This president is the president that banned Jeffrey Epstein from coming to Mar-a-Lago," said McEnany. "This president was always on top of this, ahead of this, banning this man from his property long before this case was even being played out in a court of law."
Trump and Epstein partied together in the 1980s and 1990s but reportedly had a falling out sometime between 2002 and 2005. There are conflicting reports as to what prompted Trump to end his friendship with the millionaire financier and ban him from Mar-a-Lago.
Maxwell, 58, was the longtime girlfriend of Epstein, who was found dead in his jail cell last year while awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges. Jail officials said the death was suicide.
Maxwell was arrested July 2 at a million-dollar home in rural New Hampshire. The whereabouts of the daughter of the late British media baron Robert Maxwell had been a mystery since Epstein's death, prompting widespread speculation that she had permanently left the United States.
Following her arrest, Maxwell was transferred to New York, where she pleaded not guilty to federal charges of enticement of minors, sex trafficking of children and perjury.
At Maxwell's bail hearing in Manhattan federal court, Judge Alison Nathan denied bail, agreeing with prosecutors that Maxwell posed "a substantial risk of flight" because of her personal wealth and because she has triple citizenship in the United States, France and the United Kingdom.
Maxwell is being held in a Brooklyn federal jail awaiting her trial, which is scheduled to begin next summer.


cnbc--2020-07-23--Mary Trump's tell-all memoir sells 1.35 million copies in blockbuster first week

The book `` Too Much and Never Enough '' by Mary Trump is pictured in a bookstore in New York , July 14 , 2020 .
A tell-all memoir by President Donald Trump 's niece — who claims he has world-endangering emotional problems stemming from childhood trauma inflicted by his parents — has sold 1.35 million copies in its first week , according to publisher Simon & Schuster .
Mary Trump 's `` Too Much and Never Enough : How My Family Created the World 's Most Dangerous Man '' is in its 17th printing , the publisher said Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ languages .
The sales figure , which includes all formats , puts the book on track to being one of the most popular books of the year .
`` Mary Trump 's memoir has transcended the usual ceiling for political books to reach a larger audience of people who want to read stories about unusual families , '' Simon & Schuster CEO Jonathan Karp said in a statement .
The publisher said the book was ranked No .
1 in Canada , Ireland , the United Kingdom and the United States , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ memoir was published ahead of schedule after litigation brought by the president 's brother Robert failed to halt its release .
Simon & Schuster said it published the book early because of extraordinary demand .
In the memoir , Mary Trump , trained as a clinical psychologist , writes that the president 's father , Fred , `` perverted his son 's perception of the world and damaged his ability to live in it . ''
Mary Trump also accused Trump of paying someone else to take his SATs while in high school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of self-aggrandizement meant to convince other people he was better than he actually was , '' she writes .
The White House has said the allegations in the book are false .
A spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment on the book 's sales .
Mary Trump is the daughter of Fred Trump Jr. , the president 's older brother , who died of a heart attack in the 1980s that the family has said was related to alcoholism .
Robert Trump claims that publication of the book violates a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family from publicly discussing their relationships to each other following a dispute over Fred Trump Sr. 's will .
President Trump has also said that Mary Trump was forbidden from publishing the book .
Books written by those critical of the president have effectively spawned their own genre , with many coming from former members of his administration .
But Mary Trump 's book is unique in that it was written by a family member .
It also appears to have outdone many of the previous books ' sales figures .
Earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ book by former national security advisor John Bolton , `` The Room Where it Happened , '' sold 780,000 copies in all formats in its first week on sale .
Former FBI director James Comey 's book `` A Higher Loyalty : Truth , Lies , and Leadership '' sold about 600,000 copies in its first week on sale in 2018 .
Both of those books were relative blockbusters for political memoirs .
For instance , Hillary Clinton 's `` What Happened , '' which detailed her loss to Trump in 2016 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 300,000 copies in its first week in all formats .

The book "Too Much and Never Enough" by Mary Trump is pictured in a bookstore in New York, July 14, 2020.
A tell-all memoir by President Donald Trump's niece — who claims he has world-endangering emotional problems stemming from childhood trauma inflicted by his parents — has sold 1.35 million copies in its first week, according to publisher Simon & Schuster.
Mary Trump's "Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man" is in its 17th printing, the publisher said Thursday. It has been sold in five languages. The sales figure, which includes all formats, puts the book on track to being one of the most popular books of the year.
"Mary Trump's memoir has transcended the usual ceiling for political books to reach a larger audience of people who want to read stories about unusual families," Simon & Schuster CEO Jonathan Karp said in a statement.
The publisher said the book was ranked No. 1 in Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States, and No. 2 in Australia.
The memoir was published ahead of schedule after litigation brought by the president's brother Robert failed to halt its release. Simon & Schuster said it published the book early because of extraordinary demand.
In the memoir, Mary Trump, trained as a clinical psychologist, writes that the president's father, Fred, "perverted his son's perception of the world and damaged his ability to live in it."
Mary Trump also accused Trump of paying someone else to take his SATs while in high school.
"Lying was primarily a mode of self-aggrandizement meant to convince other people he was better than he actually was," she writes.
The White House has said the allegations in the book are false. A spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment on the book's sales.
Mary Trump is the daughter of Fred Trump Jr., the president's older brother, who died of a heart attack in the 1980s that the family has said was related to alcoholism. Robert Trump claims that publication of the book violates a nondisclosure agreement that bound members of the family from publicly discussing their relationships to each other following a dispute over Fred Trump Sr.'s will. President Trump has also said that Mary Trump was forbidden from publishing the book.
Books written by those critical of the president have effectively spawned their own genre, with many coming from former members of his administration. But Mary Trump's book is unique in that it was written by a family member. It also appears to have outdone many of the previous books' sales figures.
Earlier this month, Simon & Schuster said a book by former national security advisor John Bolton, "The Room Where it Happened," sold 780,000 copies in all formats in its first week on sale.
Former FBI director James Comey's book "A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership" sold about 600,000 copies in its first week on sale in 2018.
Both of those books were relative blockbusters for political memoirs.
For instance, Hillary Clinton's "What Happened," which detailed her loss to Trump in 2016, was considered a success after selling about 300,000 copies in its first week in all formats.


cnbc--2020-07-23--Judge denies gag order request by Ghislaine Maxwell in Jeffrey Epstein sex crimes case

Ghislaine Maxwell attends day 1 of the 4th Annual WIE Symposium at Center 548 on September 20 , 2013 in New York City .
A federal judge on Thursday rejected a request for a gag order sought by lawyers for British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell , who is charged with helping the late investor Jeffrey Epstein procure underage girls to be sexually abused .
But Judge Alison Nathan warned prosecutors , defense lawyers and attorneys for Maxwell 's accuser and other witnesses that she would `` not hesitate to take appropriate action in the face of violations of any relevant rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affect Maxwell 's ability to receive a fair trial .
`` The Court will ensure strict compliance with those rules and will ensure that the Defendant 's right to a fair trial will be safeguarded , '' Nathan wrote in a filing in U.S. District Court in Manhattan , where last week she ordered the 58-year-old Maxwell held without bail , calling her an extreme flight risk .
Maxwell 's lawyers on Wednesday had asked Nathan to issue an order prohibiting prosecutors , FBI agents and lawyers for witnesses from making statements about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in legal filings .
Maxwell 's lawyers said in their request that federal prosecutors and witnesses ' attorneys `` have made , and continue to make , statements prejudicial to a fair trial '' for the defendant , who has pleaded not guilty to sex crime and perjury charges .
Maxwell 's lawyers noted a local court rule that bars law enforcement officials and lawyers from releasing nonpublic information or opinion which is likely to interfere with a defendant 's right to a fair trial .
`` It appears that given any opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case will offer any opinion that damages Ms. Maxwell 's opportunity for a fair trial , '' the filing said .
But in her ruling Thursday , Nathan said that she `` firmly expects that counsel for all involved parties will exercise great care to ensure compliance with this Court 's local rules ... and the rules of professional responsibility . ''
`` In light of this clear expectation , the Court does not believe that further action is needed at this time to protect the Defendant 's right to a fair trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote .
The judge 's denial of the gag order request was `` without prejudice , '' meaning that Mawell 's lawyers can re-file their gag order request if other grounds arise for it in the future .
Those lawyers had asked for the gag order on the same day that President Donald Trump , a former friend of Epstein , said at a White House press conference , `` I just wish her well , '' when asked about Maxwell 's criminal case .
Trump had socialized with Epstein and Maxwell years @ @

Ghislaine Maxwell attends day 1 of the 4th Annual WIE Symposium at Center 548 on September 20, 2013 in New York City.
A federal judge on Thursday rejected a request for a gag order sought by lawyers for British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, who is charged with helping the late investor Jeffrey Epstein procure underage girls to be sexually abused.
But Judge Alison Nathan warned prosecutors, defense lawyers and attorneys for Maxwell's accuser and other witnesses that she would "not hesitate to take appropriate action in the face of violations of any relevant rules" about making public statements that could affect Maxwell's ability to receive a fair trial.
"The Court will ensure strict compliance with those rules and will ensure that the Defendant's right to a fair trial will be safeguarded," Nathan wrote in a filing in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, where last week she ordered the 58-year-old Maxwell held without bail, calling her an extreme flight risk.
Maxwell's lawyers on Wednesday had asked Nathan to issue an order prohibiting prosecutors, FBI agents and lawyers for witnesses from making statements about the case outside of the courtroom or in legal filings.
Maxwell's lawyers said in their request that federal prosecutors and witnesses' attorneys "have made, and continue to make, statements prejudicial to a fair trial" for the defendant, who has pleaded not guilty to sex crime and perjury charges.
Maxwell's lawyers noted a local court rule that bars law enforcement officials and lawyers from releasing nonpublic information or opinion which is likely to interfere with a defendant's right to a fair trial.
"It appears that given any opportunity lawyers associated with the prosecution of this case will offer any opinion that damages Ms. Maxwell's opportunity for a fair trial," the filing said.
But in her ruling Thursday, Nathan said that she "firmly expects that counsel for all involved parties will exercise great care to ensure compliance with this Court's local rules ... and the rules of professional responsibility."
"In light of this clear expectation, the Court does not believe that further action is needed at this time to protect the Defendant's right to a fair trial by an impartial jury," Nathan wrote.
The judge's denial of the gag order request was "without prejudice," meaning that Mawell's lawyers can re-file their gag order request if other grounds arise for it in the future.
Those lawyers had asked for the gag order on the same day that President Donald Trump, a former friend of Epstein, said at a White House press conference, "I just wish her well," when asked about Maxwell's criminal case. Trump had socialized with Epstein and Maxwell years ago.


cnbc--2020-07-23--Trump denies telling Jets owner, Ambassador Johnson, to ask U.K. for help getting British Open at pr

Trump denies telling Jets owner, Ambassador Johnson, to ask U.K. for help getting British Open at president's golf course

United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom Robert Wood Johnson attends the Commonwealth Day Service 2020 at Westminster Abbey on March 9 , 2020 in London , England .
President Donald Trump on Wednesday denied telling his ambassador to Great Britain , the New York Jets football team owner Woody Johnson , to speak to United Kingdom officials about possibly helping Trump 's Turnberry golf course in Scotland be chosen as a site for the British Open tournament .
`` No .
I never spoke to Woody Johnson about Turnberry , '' Trump said at press conference , a day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Johnson raised the issue with a British official at the president 's behest .
Trump added , `` It is a highly respected course , one of the best in the world . ''
`` I read a story about it today .
I never spoke to him about it , '' the president said of Johnson , who was a major donor to the Trump 's 2016 campaign before being appointed ambassador .
Johnson , who is also an heir to the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical fortune , additionally is facing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sexist comments while serving as Trump 's ambassador to the Court of St. James .
The comments and the golf course issues may have been the subject of an inquiry by the U.S. State Department 's internal ethics watchdog , who last October opened an inspection of the U.S. embassy in London .
The resulting report from the State Department 's inspector general was completed but marked classified as of May .
Lewis Lukens , the American London embassy 's former second-in-command , after Trump spoke confirmed to NBC News the report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Turnberry .
Lukens declined to comment on `` all the other allegations '' as his understanding is that they were still the subject of the pending report by the State Department 's Office of Inspector General .
Lukens told National Public Radio that he had advised Johnson it would `` would violate federal ethics rules and be generally inappropriate '' if the ambassador acted on Trump 's request toto find out if the British government would assist in efforts to have the British Open played at Turnberry course .

United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom Robert Wood Johnson attends the Commonwealth Day Service 2020 at Westminster Abbey on March 9, 2020 in London, England.
President Donald Trump on Wednesday denied telling his ambassador to Great Britain, the New York Jets football team owner Woody Johnson, to speak to United Kingdom officials about possibly helping Trump's Turnberry golf course in Scotland be chosen as a site for the British Open tournament.
"No. I never spoke to Woody Johnson about Turnberry," Trump said at press conference, a day after The New York Times first reported that Johnson raised the issue with a British official at the president's behest.
Trump added, "It is a highly respected course, one of the best in the world."
"I read a story about it today. I never spoke to him about it," the president said of Johnson, who was a major donor to the Trump's 2016 campaign before being appointed ambassador.
Johnson, who is also an heir to the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical fortune, additionally is facing allegations that he reportedly has made racist and sexist comments while serving as Trump's ambassador to the Court of St. James.
The comments and the golf course issues may have been the subject of an inquiry by the U.S. State Department's internal ethics watchdog, who last October opened an inspection of the U.S. embassy in London.
The resulting report from the State Department's inspector general was completed but marked classified as of May.
Lewis Lukens, the American London embassy's former second-in-command, after Trump spoke confirmed to NBC News the report by The New York Times on Trump and Turnberry.
Lukens declined to comment on " all the other allegations" as his understanding is that they were still the subject of the pending report by the State Department's Office of Inspector General.
Lukens told National Public Radio that he had advised Johnson it would "would violate federal ethics rules and be generally inappropriate" if the ambassador acted on Trump's request toto find out if the British government would assist in efforts to have the British Open played at Turnberry course.


cnbc--2020-07-24--China orders U.S. to close consulate in Chengdu

A Chinese paramilitary policeman stands guard at the entrance to the U.S. consulate in Chengdu , southwest China 's Sichuan @ @ @ @ @ 2012 .
China 's Foreign Ministry announced Friday it is revoking the license for the @ @ @ @ @ southwestern city of Chengdu .
The ministry also ordered the consulate general to cease operations @ @ @ @ @ between China and the U.S. is something the Chinese side does not want to see @ @ @ @ @ said in a Chinese-language statement translated by CNBC .
`` The responsibility lies entirely with @ @ @ @ @ the statement added .
`` We again urge the U.S. side to immediately revoke its @ @ @ @ @ create necessary conditions for the two countries ' relationship to return to normal . ''
@ @ @ @ @ declined to comment .

A Chinese paramilitary policeman stands guard at the entrance to the U.S. consulate in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan province on September 17, 2012.
China's Foreign Ministry announced Friday it is revoking the license for the U.S. consulate general in the southwestern city of Chengdu.
The ministry also ordered the consulate general to cease operations.
"The current situation between China and the U.S. is something the Chinese side does not want to see," the foreign ministry said in a Chinese-language statement translated by CNBC.
"The responsibility lies entirely with the U.S. side," the statement added. "We again urge the U.S. side to immediately revoke its relevant wrong decisions, to create necessary conditions for the two countries' relationship to return to normal."
The U.S. Embassy in Beijing declined to comment.


cnbc--2020-07-24--Pompeo's speech slamming China will have the 'opposite effect,' says former U.S. diplomat

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo 's speech slamming China was an `` angry lament '' and `` extended ideological rant '' that would do little to change Beijing 's behavior , said a former top American diplomat to Asia .
Specifically , Pompeo 's seeming attempt to rally the Chinese people against the Communist Party of China is `` primitive and ineffective '' that 's likely to increase support for Chinese President Xi Jinping , said Daniel Russel , who was appointed as assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs by President Barack Obama and served @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sort of denunciation ( is ) having the opposite effect , in bolstering support in China for Xi Jinping and deepening anger towards the United States , '' he told CNBC 's `` Squawk Box Asia '' on Friday .
`` Complaining is not fixing and denouncing is not diplomacy , '' said Russel , who 's now vice president for international security and diplomacy at the Asia Society Policy Institute .
Pompeo on Thursday delivered a sweeping address at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library , saying the U.S. will no longer tolerate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and calling on allies to `` induce China to change . ''
He also called for the engagement and empowerment of the Chinese people , whom he described as `` dynamic and freedom-loving people who are completely distinct from the Chinese Communist Party . ''

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's speech slamming China was an "angry lament" and "extended ideological rant" that would do little to change Beijing's behavior, said a former top American diplomat to Asia.
Specifically, Pompeo's seeming attempt to rally the Chinese people against the Communist Party of China is "primitive and ineffective" that's likely to increase support for Chinese President Xi Jinping, said Daniel Russel, who was appointed as assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs by President Barack Obama and served from 2013 to 2017.
"This sort of denunciation (is) having the opposite effect, in bolstering support in China for Xi Jinping and deepening anger towards the United States," he told CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia" on Friday.
"Complaining is not fixing and denouncing is not diplomacy," said Russel, who's now vice president for international security and diplomacy at the Asia Society Policy Institute.
Pompeo on Thursday delivered a sweeping address at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library, saying the U.S. will no longer tolerate Beijing's playbook to usurp global order and calling on allies to "induce China to change."
He also called for the engagement and empowerment of the Chinese people, whom he described as "dynamic and freedom-loving people who are completely distinct from the Chinese Communist Party."


cnbc--2020-07-24--Judge orders release of former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen by Friday, says book publication ban was r

Michael Cohen arrives at his Park Avenue home after being released from federal prison on furlough due to medical concerns related to Covid-19 on May 21 , 2020 in New York City .
A federal judge on Thursday ordered the release from prison of President Donald Trump 's former lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen by Friday afternoon .
Judge Alvin Hellerstein found that Cohen was taken into custody July 9 and returned to prison in retaliation for balking at a condition that he not publish a book — about Trump or anyone else — while serving the remainder of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I 've never seen such a clause , in 21 years in being a judge and sentencing people , '' Hellerstein said at a Manhattan federal court hearing held after Cohen sued this week to win his re-release from prison .
`` How can I take any other inference but that it was retaliatory ? ''
Hellerstein asked about the condition , which also would have barred Cohen from speaking to journalists or posting on social media .
Cohen , who pleaded guilty in 2018 to multiple felonies , was furloughed from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in late May due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic .
Cohen has multiple health issues that make him particularly vulnerable to Covid-19 , his lawyers say .
`` Any assertion that the decision to remand Michael Cohen to prison was a retaliatory action is patently false , '' the Bureau of Prisons said in a statement .
`` While it is not uncommon for BOP to place certain restrictions on inmates ' contact with the media , Mr. Cohen 's refusal to agree to those conditions here played no role whatsoever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secure custody nor did his intent to publish a book . ''
Shortly before being taken into custody earlier this month , he had been posting on social media about his upcoming book , which is going to be critical of Trump .
During Thursday 's hearing , Hellerstein was highly skeptical of arguments by a federal prosecutor that Cohen was not locked up in retaliation for the book or that the book-related condition was not sought by officials for a specific reason in his case .
At one point , when another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the prosecutor who was answering the judge 's questions , Hellerstein angrily cut him off , reminding him of the rule that only one lawyer argued for each side in a case .
Hellerstein in ordering Cohen 's release , said that he found that `` the purpose of transferring Mr. Cohen from furlough and home confinement to jail is retaliatory , and it 's retaliatory because of his desire to exercise his First Amendment rights to publish a book and discuss anything about the book or anything else he wants on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who has been in quarantine in Otisville since his arrival there , will be released by 2 p.m. after being tested for the coronavirus and will be driven back to his home on Manhattan 's Upper East Side by his son , Hellerstein said .
After his release into home confinement , he will be subject to a number of restrictions on his movement , employment and contact with other people .
But the restriction sought by federal probation officials that he not speak to reporters , post on social media or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largely gutted .
Cohen 's lawyer Danya Perry and a prosecutor said that in the next several days they will negotiate the issue of any restrictions on Cohen dealing with the media .
Hellerstein suggested it would be inappropriate for Cohen to host a press conference in his apartment with a large number of reporters to promote his book while at the same time still serving his criminal sentence .
`` This order is a victory for the First Amendment and we appreciate the Judge 's ruling confirming that the government can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical of the president as a condition of his release to home confinement , '' said Perry in a statement issued after Hellerstein said Cohen would be freed .
`` This principle transcends politics and we are gratified that the rule of law prevails , '' Perry said .
Prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney 's Office for the Southern District of New York had said that Cohen was locked up after being combative and argumentative during the July 9 meeting with probation officials about the conditions of his home confinement .
They also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conditions after objecting to all of them .
Prosecutors denied that he was sent back to prison in retaliation for not agreeing to the restrictions on a book or media contacts .
But Hellerstein noted that court filings by both prosecutors and Cohen 's lawyers agree on a key point : that Cohen and his lawyer Jeffrey Levine , after taking issue with at least one of the conditions , were left in a room alone for some time by a probation officer .
They then were abruptly confronted by Bureau of Prisons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ custody .
Levine has said the officials did so even after Cohen said he would then agree to all of the conditions .
Hellerstein repeatedly noted that probation officials had not given Cohen a warning that if he did not agree to all the conditions presented to him that he would be sent back to prison .
The judge brushed aside arguments by the prosecutor that Cohen and Levine were not allowed to negotiate the terms of the home confinement agreement .