cnbc--2020-07-29--Oregon, federal government reach deal for withdrawal of agents from Portland

A federal law enforcement officer is covered in red paint during a protest against racial inequality and police violence in Portland , Oregon , U.S. , July 26 , 2020 .
Oregon and the federal government have reached a deal for the withdrawal of agents from the anti-racism protests in Portland , according to statements released simultaneously by Gov .
Kate Brown and the acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday .
`` After my discussions with VP Pence and others , the federal government has agreed to withdraw federal officers from Portland .
They have acted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Brown , a Democrat , wrote in a post on Twitter .
`` Starting tomorrow , all Customs and Border Protection & ICE officers will leave downtown Portland . ''
Chad Wolf , the DHS chief , said that he had been in regular communication with Brown and that the two `` have agreed to a joint plan to end the violent activity in Portland directed at federal properties and law enforcement officers . ''
`` That plan includes a robust presence of Oregon State Police in downtown Portland .
State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ properties and streets , especially those surrounding federal properties , that have been under nightly attack for the past two months , '' Wolf said .
While Brown 's statement indicated that some federal officers , including all Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents , will depart as soon as Thursday , Wolf indicated that DHS agents will remain .
CBP and ICE are divisions of the DHS .
The Federal Protective Service , another DHS division , and the U.S .
Marshals Service , a division of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assigned to the Portland protests , the federal government has said .
Wolf wrote that the DHS would keep its personnel in Portland `` until we are assured that the Hatfield Federal Courthouse and other federal properties will no longer be attacked and that the seat of justice in Portland will remain secure . ''
`` This has been our mission and objective since the violent , criminal activity began , '' he said .
A CBP spokesperson referred CNBC to Wolf 's statement when asked whether CBP agents would leave Portland on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a request for comment .
The protests in Portland have occurred nightly for two months , originally spurred by the May killing of George Floyd , a Black man , in police custody in Minneapolis .
The federal government deployed agents to the protests in early July , claiming their presence was necessary to protect federal property , including the Mark O. Hatfield Courthouse .
Local leaders and Democrats across the country have opposed the presence of the federal agents .
Video from the protests has shown federal officers appearing to target @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which agents repeatedly clubbed a Navy veteran with a baton and gassed him with pepper spray .
In court papers , attorneys for the federal government have said that officers have been attacked with lasers , bottles , fireworks and a sledgehammer .
The deal between the federal government and Oregon comes amid mounting litigation .
A federal judge on Thursday ordered officers to refrain from targeting journalists and legal observers .
On Tuesday , the journalists and legal observers who brought the case asked the judge to hold the DHS and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , citing their alleged failure to abide by the order .
An effort by Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum to halt federal officers from arresting demonstrators at the protests was rejected on Friday on technical grounds .
While the Portland protests have been simmering for months , they attracted widespread national attention after federal agents were sent to assist in law enforcement efforts .
President Donald Trump has accused the protesters involved of being `` radical left ANARCHISTS ! ''
and taunted Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler , a Democrat , who was hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near the courthouse last week .
On Tuesday , Attorney General William Barr defended the presence of the agents during a contentious hearing before the House Judiciary Committee in which Democrats accused him of using the unrest to benefit Trump 's reelection campaign .
Joe Biden , the presumptive Democratic nominee for president in 2020 , has criticized Trump for amplifying racial tensions in connection with the protests .
`` Of course the U.S. government has the right and duty to protect federal property , '' Biden said in a statement last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ property across the country without resorting to these egregious tactics — and without trying to stoke the fires of division in this country . ''
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment .

A federal law enforcement officer is covered in red paint during a protest against racial inequality and police violence in Portland, Oregon, U.S., July 26, 2020.
Oregon and the federal government have reached a deal for the withdrawal of agents from the anti-racism protests in Portland, according to statements released simultaneously by Gov. Kate Brown and the acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday.
"After my discussions with VP Pence and others, the federal government has agreed to withdraw federal officers from Portland. They have acted as an occupying force & brought violence," Brown, a Democrat, wrote in a post on Twitter. "Starting tomorrow, all Customs and Border Protection & ICE officers will leave downtown Portland."
Chad Wolf, the DHS chief, said that he had been in regular communication with Brown and that the two "have agreed to a joint plan to end the violent activity in Portland directed at federal properties and law enforcement officers."
"That plan includes a robust presence of Oregon State Police in downtown Portland. State and local law enforcement will begin securing properties and streets, especially those surrounding federal properties, that have been under nightly attack for the past two months," Wolf said.
While Brown's statement indicated that some federal officers, including all Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, will depart as soon as Thursday, Wolf indicated that DHS agents will remain.
CBP and ICE are divisions of the DHS. The Federal Protective Service, another DHS division, and the U.S. Marshals Service, a division of the Department of Justice, also have officers assigned to the Portland protests, the federal government has said.
Wolf wrote that the DHS would keep its personnel in Portland "until we are assured that the Hatfield Federal Courthouse and other federal properties will no longer be attacked and that the seat of justice in Portland will remain secure."
"This has been our mission and objective since the violent, criminal activity began," he said.
A CBP spokesperson referred CNBC to Wolf's statement when asked whether CBP agents would leave Portland on Thursday. ICE did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Later on Wednesday, President Donald Trump threatened to send more officers to Portland "If the Mayor and Governor do not stop the Crime and Violence from the Anarchists and Agitators immediately."
Trump twitter
The protests in Portland have occurred nightly for two months, originally spurred by the May killing of George Floyd, a Black man, in police custody in Minneapolis.
The federal government deployed agents to the protests in early July, claiming their presence was necessary to protect federal property, including the Mark O. Hatfield Courthouse. Local leaders and Democrats across the country have opposed the presence of the federal agents.
Video from the protests has shown federal officers appearing to target peaceful demonstrators, including one now-viral scene in which agents repeatedly clubbed a Navy veteran with a baton and gassed him with pepper spray. In court papers, attorneys for the federal government have said that officers have been attacked with lasers, bottles, fireworks and a sledgehammer.
The deal between the federal government and Oregon comes amid mounting litigation. A federal judge on Thursday ordered officers to refrain from targeting journalists and legal observers.
On Tuesday, the journalists and legal observers who brought the case asked the judge to hold the DHS and the U.S. Marshals Service in contempt, citing their alleged failure to abide by the order.
An effort by Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum to halt federal officers from arresting demonstrators at the protests was rejected on Friday on technical grounds.
While the Portland protests have been simmering for months, they attracted widespread national attention after federal agents were sent to assist in law enforcement efforts.
Trump has accused the protesters involved of being "radical left ANARCHISTS!" and taunted Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, a Democrat, who was hit with tear gas while attending a demonstration near the courthouse last week.
On Tuesday, Attorney General William Barr defended the presence of the agents during a contentious hearing before the House Judiciary Committee in which Democrats accused him of using the unrest to benefit Trump's reelection campaign.
Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president in 2020, has criticized Trump for amplifying racial tensions in connection with the protests.
"Of course the U.S. government has the right and duty to protect federal property," Biden said in a statement last week. "The Obama-Biden administration protected federal property across the country without resorting to these egregious tactics — and without trying to stoke the fires of division in this country."
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.


cnbc--2020-07-29--Attorney General William Barr tested for coronavirus after Rep. Gohmert tests positive

WASHINGTON — Attorney General William Barr was tested for coronavirus Wednesday after coming into contact with Texas Republican Rep. Louie Gohmert , who tested positive earlier in the day .
Barr had contact with Gohmert on Tuesday when the attorney general visited Capitol Hill to testify before the House Judiciary Committee .
The Justice Department has so far declined to answer questions about Barr 's results .
Gohmert received his test results at the White House shortly before he was scheduled to fly to Texas with President Donald Trump .
The news of Gohmert 's positive test was first reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video message about it .
Gohmert appears to be the 11th member of Congress to test positive , a list that had thus far included nine members of the House and one senator , Kentucky 's Rand Paul .
Gohmert 's diagnosis is likely to spark concerns about infection among his colleagues in Congress .
Gohmert is in Washington this week , where he has been working in his office and has attended at least one congressional hearing .
Gohmert wore a mask and maintained social distance at the hearing , but at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been spotted without a mask and in close contact with people .
Upon learning of Gohmert 's diagnosis , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , told reporters , `` I 'm so sorry for him .
But I 'm also sorry my members are concerned because he has been showing up at meetings without a mask and making a thing of it .
Hopefully now he will look after his health , and others . ''
The White House declined CNBC 's request for comment on the reports .
Gohmert previously said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he tested positive , despite the fact that most lawmakers wear them when they 're around other people .
`` I do n't have the coronavirus , turns out as of yesterday I 've never had it .
But if I get it , you 'll never see me without a mask , '' Gohmert told CNN in late June .
Gohmert has also previously touted a powder he said `` killed '' coronavirus , but he was quickly contradicted by health experts , who said no such powder exists .
Speaking to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this year , Gohmert said the powder was being mixed with water and `` used in Germany as a mist .
Health care workers go through a misting tent going into the hospital and it kills the coronavirus completely dead . ''
`` Not only right then , but any time in the next 14 days that the virus touches anything that 's been sprayed , it is killed , '' Gohmert added .
But when the fact-checking site PolitiFact asked the German Hospital Association about Gohmert 's claim , a spokesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ congressman said is absolute nonsense .
There are no such tents and there 's no powder or magical cure . ''
UPDATE 4:48 p.m .
-- This story has been updated to reflect that Barr was tested on Wednesday .

WASHINGTON — Attorney General William Barr was tested for coronavirus Wednesday after coming into contact with Texas Republican Rep. Louie Gohmert, who tested positive earlier in the day.
Barr had contact with Gohmert on Tuesday when the attorney general visited Capitol Hill to testify before the House Judiciary Committee. The Justice Department has so far declined to answer questions about Barr's results.
Gohmert received his test results at the White House shortly before he was scheduled to fly to Texas with President Donald Trump. The news of Gohmert's positive test was first reported by Politico. Gohmert later released a video message about it.
GOHMERT MESSAGE
Gohmert appears to be the 11th member of Congress to test positive, a list that had thus far included nine members of the House and one senator, Kentucky's Rand Paul.
Gohmert's diagnosis is likely to spark concerns about infection among his colleagues in Congress. Gohmert is in Washington this week, where he has been working in his office and has attended at least one congressional hearing.
Gohmert wore a mask and maintained social distance at the hearing, but at other times in recent days he has been spotted without a mask and in close contact with people.
Upon learning of Gohmert's diagnosis, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., told reporters, "I'm so sorry for him. But I'm also sorry my members are concerned because he has been showing up at meetings without a mask and making a thing of it. Hopefully now he will look after his health, and others."
The White House declined CNBC's request for comment on the reports.
Gohmert previously said he would not wear a mask unless he tested positive, despite the fact that most lawmakers wear them when they're around other people. "I don't have the coronavirus, turns out as of yesterday I've never had it. But if I get it, you'll never see me without a mask," Gohmert told CNN in late June.
Gohmert has also previously touted a powder he said "killed" coronavirus, but he was quickly contradicted by health experts, who said no such powder exists.
Speaking to a local Texas TV station in April of this year, Gohmert said the powder was being mixed with water and "used in Germany as a mist. Health care workers go through a misting tent going into the hospital and it kills the coronavirus completely dead."
"Not only right then, but any time in the next 14 days that the virus touches anything that's been sprayed, it is killed," Gohmert added.
But when the fact-checking site PolitiFact asked the German Hospital Association about Gohmert's claim, a spokesman told the site, "What your congressman said is absolute nonsense. There are no such tents and there's no powder or magical cure."
UPDATE 4:48 p.m . -- This story has been updated to reflect that Barr was tested on Wednesday.


cnbc--2020-07-29--Most swing-state voters support extending $600 weekly unemployment benefit, CNBC/Change Research pol

Most swing-state voters support extending $600 weekly unemployment benefit, CNBC/Change Research poll finds

Reading Police Officer Bucklin helps to hand out boxes of MREs .
At City Light Ministries on Spruce Street in Reading Saturday afternoon May 2 , 2020 where a large group came out for the food distribution by One Luv during the coronavirus / COVID-19 outbreak .
The poll released Wednesday surveyed likely voters in Arizona , Florida , Michigan , North Carolina , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin .
Those states will help determine whether President Donald Trump can defeat his Democratic challenger Joe Biden in November 's presidential election and whether Republicans keep control of the Senate .
As Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of coronavirus relief , most voters in six swing states want lawmakers to continue the aid that buoyed Americans through the early stages of the economic crisis , according to a new CNBC/Change Research poll .
A majority , or 62 % , of voters in those states support extending the $ 600 per week enhanced federal unemployment insurance , the poll found .
Only 36 % oppose continuing the benefit , which states stopped paying out last week .
The survey found widespread support in the swing states for other stimulus spending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 respondents said they back another direct payment of up to $ 1,200 for people making less than $ 99,000 .
Only 18 % oppose another round of checks .
More than two-thirds of voters — 68 % — support relief for state and local governments facing budget shortfalls due to the pandemic , versus 28 % who oppose the aid , the poll found .
Only 32 % of respondents back giving corporations immunity from lawsuits related to Covid-19 , while 58 % oppose such protections , according to the survey .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the six states from Friday through Sunday .
It has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.9 percentage points .
As Congress finds itself divided over how much money to spend to try to combat the health and economic crises created by the coronavirus , the poll shows strong support for more federal stimulus .
The unemployment insurance extension , assistance for states and municipalities and a liability shield for businesses and doctors are among the thorniest issues officials need to resolve in talks between Republicans and Democrats .
Negotiators hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can pass the Republican-held Senate and Democratic-controlled House .
The GOP unveiled its opening offer on Monday .
Talks then started between the Trump administration and the top congressional Democrats , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y .
The Republican legislation would slash the extra federal unemployment benefit to $ 200 per week , on top of what recipients get from states , through September .
It would then shift to a 70 % replacement of an individual 's previous wages .
The GOP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deters people from returning to work because many recipients make more money at home than they otherwise would have .
Democrats want to extend the benefit at least into next year , saying the government should not cut off income at a time when roughly 30 million people are still receiving some form of unemployment insurance .
The GOP plan for direct payments largely mirrors the one Congress passed in March as part of a $ 2 trillion rescue package .
It would send up to $ 1,200 to individuals and $ 2,400 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 198,000 .
It would also provide $ 500 per dependent , regardless of age .
The Republican proposal would not allocate any new aid to states and municipalities , instead giving them more flexibility in how they spend relief money approved earlier this year .
House Democrats included nearly $ 1 trillion in state and local assistance in the bill they passed in May .
In addition , it calls for liability protections for businesses , doctors and schools except for cases of `` gross negligence '' or `` willful misconduct '' as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Democrats have generally opposed legal immunity for companies .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , has called the provision a `` red line '' in discussions .
The negotiations have already taken on a more bitter tone than talks that led to relief packages earlier this year , in part due to the fact that the presidential and Senate elections are just over three months away .

Reading Police Officer Bucklin helps to hand out boxes of MREs. At City Light Ministries on Spruce Street in Reading Saturday afternoon May 2, 2020 where a large group came out for the food distribution by One Luv during the coronavirus / COVID-19 outbreak.
The poll released Wednesday surveyed likely voters in Arizona, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Those states will help determine whether President Donald Trump can defeat his Democratic challenger Joe Biden in November's presidential election and whether Republicans keep control of the Senate.
As Congress debates how to shape the next phase of coronavirus relief , most voters in six swing states want lawmakers to continue the aid that buoyed Americans through the early stages of the economic crisis, according to a new CNBC/Change Research poll.
A majority, or 62%, of voters in those states support extending the $600 per week enhanced federal unemployment insurance, the poll found. Only 36% oppose continuing the benefit, which states stopped paying out last week.
The survey found widespread support in the swing states for other stimulus spending measures, as well. Four in 5 respondents said they back another direct payment of up to $1,200 for people making less than $99,000. Only 18% oppose another round of checks.
More than two-thirds of voters — 68% — support relief for state and local governments facing budget shortfalls due to the pandemic, versus 28% who oppose the aid, the poll found. Only 32% of respondents back giving corporations immunity from lawsuits related to Covid-19, while 58% oppose such protections, according to the survey.
The poll surveyed 2,565 likely voters in the six states from Friday through Sunday. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.9 percentage points.
As Congress finds itself divided over how much money to spend to try to combat the health and economic crises created by the coronavirus, the poll shows strong support for more federal stimulus. The unemployment insurance extension, assistance for states and municipalities and a liability shield for businesses and doctors are among the thorniest issues officials need to resolve in talks between Republicans and Democrats.
Negotiators hope to craft a pandemic aid bill that can pass the Republican-held Senate and Democratic-controlled House. The GOP unveiled its opening offer on Monday. Talks then started between the Trump administration and the top congressional Democrats, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
The Republican legislation would slash the extra federal unemployment benefit to $200 per week, on top of what recipients get from states, through September. It would then shift to a 70% replacement of an individual's previous wages.
The GOP contends the $600 per week benefit deters people from returning to work because many recipients make more money at home than they otherwise would have. Democrats want to extend the benefit at least into next year, saying the government should not cut off income at a time when roughly 30 million people are still receiving some form of unemployment insurance.
The GOP plan for direct payments largely mirrors the one Congress passed in March as part of a $2 trillion rescue package. It would send up to $1,200 to individuals and $2,400 to couples who make less than $198,000. It would also provide $500 per dependent, regardless of age.
The Republican proposal would not allocate any new aid to states and municipalities, instead giving them more flexibility in how they spend relief money approved earlier this year. House Democrats included nearly $1 trillion in state and local assistance in the bill they passed in May.
In addition, it calls for liability protections for businesses, doctors and schools except for cases of "gross negligence" or "willful misconduct" as they try to operate during the pandemic. Democrats have generally opposed legal immunity for companies.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has called the provision a "red line" in discussions.
The negotiations have already taken on a more bitter tone than talks that led to relief packages earlier this year, in part due to the fact that the presidential and Senate elections are just over three months away.


cnbc--2020-07-29--Biden campaign blasts Trump over Putin call that did not discuss Russian bounties on U.S. troops in

Biden campaign blasts Trump over Putin call that did not discuss Russian bounties on U.S. troops in Afghanistan

Joe Biden 's presidential campaign blasted President Donald Trump 's conduct as `` absolutely despicable '' after Trump said he did not ask in a recent call with Russian President Vladimir Putin about alleged Russian bounties on U.S. troops in Afghanistan .
When asked by the news site Axios about statements by a top U.S. commander that Russian was arming Taliban fighters who fought U.S. troops , Trump replied : `` Well , we supplied weapons when they were fighting Russia , too . ''
Andrew Bates , a spokesman for Biden , in a statement said , `` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commander-in-chief is to protect those who serve our nation in harm 's way . ''
`` But months after the U.S. intelligence community sounded the alarm — to Donald Trump and to our allies — that Russia was placing bounties on the heads of American servicemen and women in a war zone , our president continues to turn his back on those who put their lives on the line for our country , and on his own duty , '' Bates said .
`` This continues an indefensible pattern of Donald Trump weakening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a manner that no American president ever has before , and it 's absolutely despicable , '' he said .
In the Axios interview , Trump said he never asked or challenged Putin during their call Thursday on allegations , first reported by The New York Times in June , about a U.S. intelligence finding that Russia was paying Islamic fighters bounties for killing American troops in Afghanistan .
`` No , that was a phone call to discuss other things , '' Trump told Axios .
`` Frankly , that 's an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news , '' Trump said , adding that `` a lot of people '' had said as much .
In brief exchange Wednesday with reporters on the South Lawn of the White House , Trump was asked if he thinks Russia did not put bounties on the heads of U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan '' As I told you , I have certainly read about it and since then I 've talked about it , '' Trump said .
He added that former Secretary of State `` Colin Powell says it 's not true @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that I 'm a big fan of , Colin Powell says it 's not true , other people say it 's not true , if it were true I 'd be very angry about it . ''
But Powell , a retired Army general , has not said that the bounty reports are false .
Powell earlier this month had said , `` Our military commanders on the ground did not think that it was as serious a problem as the newspapers were reporting and television was reporting . ''
Powell added at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of out of control before we really had an understanding of what had happened .
I 'm not sure we fully understand now . ''

Joe Biden's presidential campaign blasted President Donald Trump's conduct as "absolutely despicable" after Trump said he did not ask in a recent call with Russian President Vladimir Putin about alleged Russian bounties on U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
When asked by the news site Axios about statements by a top U.S. commander that Russian was arming Taliban fighters who fought U.S. troops, Trump replied: "Well, we supplied weapons when they were fighting Russia, too."
Andrew Bates, a spokesman for Biden, in a statement said, "The most critical and sacred obligation of a commander-in-chief is to protect those who serve our nation in harm's way."
"But months after the U.S. intelligence community sounded the alarm — to Donald Trump and to our allies — that Russia was placing bounties on the heads of American servicemen and women in a war zone, our president continues to turn his back on those who put their lives on the line for our country, and on his own duty," Bates said.
"This continues an indefensible pattern of Donald Trump weakening the United States in the world in a manner that no American president ever has before, and it's absolutely despicable," he said.
Axios TWEET
In the Axios interview, Trump said he never asked or challenged Putin during their call Thursday on allegations, first reported by The New York Times in June, about a U.S. intelligence finding that Russia was paying Islamic fighters bounties for killing American troops in Afghanistan.
"No, that was a phone call to discuss other things," Trump told Axios.
"Frankly, that's an issue that many people said was fake news," Trump said, adding that "a lot of people" had said as much.
In brief exchange Wednesday with reporters on the South Lawn of the White House, Trump was asked if he thinks Russia did not put bounties on the heads of U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan
"As I told you, I have certainly read about it and since then I've talked about it," Trump said.
He added that former Secretary of State "Colin Powell says it's not true and Colin Powell's not exactly someone that I'm a big fan of, Colin Powell says it's not true, other people say it's not true, if it were true I'd be very angry about it."
But Powell, a retired Army general, has not said that the bounty reports are false.
Powell earlier this month had said, "Our military commanders on the ground did not think that it was as serious a problem as the newspapers were reporting and television was reporting."
Powell added at the time, "It got kind of out of control before we really had an understanding of what had happened. I'm not sure we fully understand now."


cnbc--2020-07-29--Mnuchin confirms TikTok is under CFIUS review following national security concerns

US Secretary of the Treasury Steve Mnuchin speaks in the Brady Briefing Room at the White House on April 2 , 2020 , in Washington , DC .
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin confirmed Wednesday that social media app TikTok is being reviewed by department 's Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S .
In comments on the South Lawn of the White House alongside President Donald Trump , Mnuchin told reporters his department would be `` making a recommendation to the president . ''
CFIUS has authority to review foreign investments , and in this case appears to be looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parent company , ByteDance .
The company acquired TikTok precursor Musical.ly in 2017 and CNBC previously reported that CFIUS was looking into potential national security risks involved in that deal .
`` We are looking at TikTok , '' Trump said Wednesday .
`` We are thinking about making a decision . ''
Earlier this month , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the U.S. was looking at banning TikTok as well as other Chinese social media apps , citing national security concerns .
Pompeo added that the Trump administration was evaluating TikTok @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ZTE , which he has previously described as `` Trojan horses for Chinese intelligence . ''
U.S. officials have long complained that Chinese intellectual property theft has cost the economy billions of dollars in revenue and thousands of jobs and threatens national security .
Beijing maintains it does not engage in intellectual property theft .
The comments Wednesday by Trump and Mnuchin came just ahead of a midday hearing where the CEOs of tech giants Amazon , Apple , Facebook and Google are scheduled to testify before the House Judiciary subcommittee on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be watching the hearings today very closely .
Because there is no question that what the Big Tech companies are doing is very bad . ''
In his prepared testimony , Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg referred to the threat of tech companies built without democratic American values , calling out China in particular .
The line could be easily interpreted as a jab at TikTok , though it was not mentioned by name .
TikTok is not offered in China and says it does not store U.S. users ' data there .
Still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese Communist Party could compel the company to hand over data on U.S. users , a claim the company has denied .
Republicans and Democrats have recently pushed to remove TikTok from government-owned devices .
An amendment to a defense bill that would ban TikTok from such devices passed in the House last week , and former Vice President Joe Biden 's presidential campaign reportedly told staff to remove it from their personal and work devices due to security concerns , according to multiple outlets .
The Pentagon has taken concrete steps to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from using Chinese-backed tech .
In December , the Defense Information Systems Agency advised that all Department of Defense personnel should not use the Chinese-owned social media platform , citing a `` potential risk associated with using the TikTok app . ''
A year earlier , the Pentagon halted sales of Huawei and ZTE mobile phones and modems on military bases around the world again citing national security concerns .
Ahead of Wednesday 's hearing , TikTok made a publicity push seemingly meant to preempt arguments against it that will likely come up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new CEO , ex-Disney executive Kevin Mayer , accused Facebook in a blog post of wrapping itself in patriotic language to distract from issues of competition .
Facebook 's Instagram now has a competing app with TikTok called Reels , which according to The Wall Street Journal has offered TikTok influencers incentives to move over to the new service .
TikTok 's top lobbyist sent Mayer 's blog post to leaders of the antitrust subcommittee and Judiciary Committee along with a letter objecting to `` misconceptions '' about its service 's connections to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment on a CFIUS review but provided a statement about its job growth in the U.S. '' Our U.S. team has tripled since the start of 2020 , and under the leadership of our American CEO Kevin Mayer , we 're proud to be creating more than 10,000 jobs across the country as we continue our work to develop a best-in-class security infrastructure , promote a safe and positive app experience , and bring joy to millions of American families , '' the spokesperson said .
WATCH : The U.S. is looking at @ @ @ @ @ @ @

US Secretary of the Treasury Steve Mnuchin speaks in the Brady Briefing Room at the White House on April 2, 2020, in Washington, DC.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin confirmed Wednesday that social media app TikTok is being reviewed by department's Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S.
In comments on the South Lawn of the White House alongside President Donald Trump, Mnuchin told reporters his department would be "making a recommendation to the president." CFIUS has authority to review foreign investments, and in this case appears to be looking at a prior acquisition by TikTok's parent company, ByteDance. The company acquired TikTok precursor Musical.ly in 2017 and CNBC previously reported that CFIUS was looking into potential national security risks involved in that deal.
"We are looking at TikTok," Trump said Wednesday. "We are thinking about making a decision."
Earlier this month, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the U.S. was looking at banning TikTok as well as other Chinese social media apps, citing national security concerns.
Pompeo added that the Trump administration was evaluating TikTok akin to Chinese state-backed tech companies Huawei and ZTE, which he has previously described as "Trojan horses for Chinese intelligence."
U.S. officials have long complained that Chinese intellectual property theft has cost the economy billions of dollars in revenue and thousands of jobs and threatens national security. Beijing maintains it does not engage in intellectual property theft.
The comments Wednesday by Trump and Mnuchin came just ahead of a midday hearing where the CEOs of tech giants Amazon , Apple , Facebook and Google are scheduled to testify before the House Judiciary subcommittee on antitrust. Trump said he would "be watching the hearings today very closely. Because there is no question that what the Big Tech companies are doing is very bad."
In his prepared testimony, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg referred to the threat of tech companies built without democratic American values, calling out China in particular. The line could be easily interpreted as a jab at TikTok, though it was not mentioned by name. TikTok is not offered in China and says it does not store U.S. users' data there. Still, lawmakers have expressed concerns that the Chinese Communist Party could compel the company to hand over data on U.S. users, a claim the company has denied.
Republicans and Democrats have recently pushed to remove TikTok from government-owned devices. An amendment to a defense bill that would ban TikTok from such devices passed in the House last week, and former Vice President Joe Biden's presidential campaign reportedly told staff to remove it from their personal and work devices due to security concerns, according to multiple outlets.
The Pentagon has taken concrete steps to discourage U.S. service members and their families from using Chinese-backed tech.
In December, the Defense Information Systems Agency advised that all Department of Defense personnel should not use the Chinese-owned social media platform, citing a "potential risk associated with using the TikTok app." A year earlier, the Pentagon halted sales of Huawei and ZTE mobile phones and modems on military bases around the world again citing national security concerns.
Ahead of Wednesday's hearing, TikTok made a publicity push seemingly meant to preempt arguments against it that will likely come up at the hearing. The company's new CEO, ex-Disney executive Kevin Mayer, accused Facebook in a blog post of wrapping itself in patriotic language to distract from issues of competition. Facebook's Instagram now has a competing app with TikTok called Reels, which according to The Wall Street Journal has offered TikTok influencers incentives to move over to the new service.
TikTok's top lobbyist sent Mayer's blog post to leaders of the antitrust subcommittee and Judiciary Committee along with a letter objecting to "misconceptions" about its service's connections to China.
A TikTok spokesperson declined to comment on a CFIUS review but provided a statement about its job growth in the U.S.
"Our U.S. team has tripled since the start of 2020, and under the leadership of our American CEO Kevin Mayer, we're proud to be creating more than 10,000 jobs across the country as we continue our work to develop a best-in-class security infrastructure, promote a safe and positive app experience, and bring joy to millions of American families," the spokesperson said.
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WATCH: The U.S. is looking at banning TikTok—Here's what you should know


cnbc--2020-07-29--GOP senator urges Congress to pass unemployment benefit replacement by Friday

Sen .
Rob Portman on Wednesday urged Congress to come to an agreement on the federal unemployment insurance supplement , telling CNBC that a solution needs to be in place this week .
`` If we do nothing because we end up in a partisan gridlock here and both sides go to their corners , the people who get hurt are the workers because the $ 600 will end , '' the Ohio Republican said on `` Squawk Box . ''
`` There 's a cliff , and we ca n't let that happen so we need to do something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 1 trillion coronavirus relief plan released Monday , Senate Republicans proposed a reduced benefit of $ 200 a week through September .
The GOP plan then proposes to replace it with a different formula that would cap total state and federal unemployment benefits at 70 % of lost wages .
The $ 600-per-week boost — on top of state-level benefits — is technically on the books until Friday .
But because of a technicality with unemployment programs , states have stopped paying it out to the millions of Americans receiving jobless benefits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefit , which was instituted as part of the $ 2.2 trillion CARES Act passed in March , can act as a deterrent for some workers to return to the job because they might make more on unemployment insurance than before the pandemic .
Democrats in Washington want to extend the $ 600 benefit at least into next year , arguing the assistance is still necessary to help laid-off workers weather perhaps the worst economic crisis in the U.S. since the Great Depression .
Portman 's comments Wednesday came shortly after a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swing states found that 62 % of respondents were in favor of extending the $ 600-per-week federal unemployment insurance .
Portman , a member of the Senate Finance Committee , said he felt `` very strongly '' about the need for congressional action this week on the unemployment enhancement '' We can not allow us to go through a period where there is no employment insurance going out to people .
Six hundred dollars to zero is not a good option , '' Portman said .
`` But again , there are practical @ @ @ @

Sen. Rob Portman on Wednesday urged Congress to come to an agreement on the federal unemployment insurance supplement, telling CNBC that a solution needs to be in place this week.
"If we do nothing because we end up in a partisan gridlock here and both sides go to their corners, the people who get hurt are the workers because the $600 will end," the Ohio Republican said on "Squawk Box." "There's a cliff, and we can't let that happen so we need to do something before Friday."
In their roughly $1 trillion coronavirus relief plan released Monday, Senate Republicans proposed a reduced benefit of $200 a week through September. The GOP plan then proposes to replace it with a different formula that would cap total state and federal unemployment benefits at 70% of lost wages.
The $600-per-week boost — on top of state-level benefits — is technically on the books until Friday. But because of a technicality with unemployment programs, states have stopped paying it out to the millions of Americans receiving jobless benefits.
Republicans contend the $600 weekly benefit, which was instituted as part of the $2.2 trillion CARES Act passed in March, can act as a deterrent for some workers to return to the job because they might make more on unemployment insurance than before the pandemic.
Democrats in Washington want to extend the $600 benefit at least into next year, arguing the assistance is still necessary to help laid-off workers weather perhaps the worst economic crisis in the U.S. since the Great Depression.
Portman's comments Wednesday came shortly after a new CNBC/Change Research poll of voters in six swing states found that 62% of respondents were in favor of extending the $600-per-week federal unemployment insurance.
Portman, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, said he felt "very strongly" about the need for congressional action this week on the unemployment enhancement
"We cannot allow us to go through a period where there is no employment insurance going out to people. Six hundred dollars to zero is not a good option," Portman said. "But again, there are practical solutions here."


cnbc--2020-07-29--U.S. moves nearly 12,000 troops out of Germany

U.S. Army paratroopers of an immediate reaction force from the 2nd Battalion , 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment , 1st Brigade Combat Team , 82nd Airborne Division , board their C-17 transport aircraft as they leave Fort Bragg , North Carolina , January 1 , 2020 .
WASHINGTON — Spurred on by President Donald Trump 's demand to pull troops out of Germany , the U.S. will bring about 6,400 forces home and shift about 5,400 to other countries in Europe , U.S. defense officials said Wednesday , detailing a Pentagon plan that will cost billions of dollars and take years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan will reposition approximately 11,900 military personnel from Germany , from roughly 36,000 down to 24,000 , in a manner that will strengthen NATO , enhance the deterrence of Russia , and meet the other principles I set forth , '' Secretary of Defense Mark Esper told reporters , referring to U.S. European Command which oversees U.S. military mission on the continent .
The decision fulfills Trump 's announced desire to withdraw troops from Germany , at least in part due to its failure to spend enough on defense .
Trump has frequently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduce U.S. military support if allies do not increase spending .
Last year while in London , Trump singled out German Chancellor Angela Merkel for not meeting the 2 % of GDP spending goal set in 2014 .
`` So we 're paying 4 to 4.3 % when Germany 's paying 1 to 1.2 % , at max 1.2 % , of a much smaller GDP .
That 's not fair , '' Trump said in December .
According to the NATO figures , the U.S. spends less than Trump noted , 3.42 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Germany now spends 1.38 % , which is an increase of about 11 % from 2018 .
Read more : Here 's what each NATO country contributes financially to the world 's strongest military alliance The announcement is closely tied to the plan to increase the U.S. troop presence in Poland , a shift long-desired by Warsaw and Polish President Andrzej Duda .
The officials , who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss plans not yet announced , said the moves will cost `` billions '' and require construction at bases in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The officials said that in the future other troops would rotate in and out of Europe .
Members of Trump 's own political party have criticized the troop move as a gift to Russia and a threat to U.S. national security .
Twenty-two Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee fired back with a letter to Trump saying a reduced U.S. commitment to Europe 's defense would encourage Russian aggression and opportunism .
It 's also unclear if the plan would survive if Trump is not reelected .
Germany is a hub @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Africa .
The decision to keep nearly half the forces in Europe , is a clear move by the Pentagon to assuage allies by avoiding the complete withdrawal of 10,000 troops out of the region .
And by spreading forces into the east , it sends a message to Russia that the U.S. is not reducing its commitment to region and remains ready to protect Eastern Europe from any Moscow aggression .
Sen. Jim Inhofe , the Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee , has voiced support for the plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` months to plan , and years to execute . ''
He was briefed on the issue last week , and issued a statement saying the `` concept for realigning U.S. military posture in Europe '' is sound .
Last month , senior administration officials discussed Duda 's visit to the White House , the first by a foreign leader since the start of the coronavirus pandemic .
The White House officials would not offer details of the partial withdrawal of U.S. forces from Germany and would not discuss the possibility that service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Instead , the officials touted Warsaw 's financial commitments to NATO as well as the approximately $ 16 billion in foreign military sales , which includes the U.S.′ most expensive weapons system , the F-35 Lightning II fighter .
The administration officials also volleyed questions on the matter to White House National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien 's op-ed in The Wall Street Journal .
`` The Cold War practice of garrisoning large numbers of troops with their families on massive bases in places like Germany is now , in part , obsolete @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requires platforms with extended range , flexibility and endurance .
While air bases and logistics hubs remain important , the Cold War-style garrisoning of troops makes less military and fiscal sense than it did in the 1970s , '' O'Brien wrote in an op-ed published on June 21 .
He added that the 25,000 U.S. troops slated to remain in Germany still represents a `` strong '' commitment to Germany by the United States .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .

U.S. Army paratroopers of an immediate reaction force from the 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, board their C-17 transport aircraft as they leave Fort Bragg, North Carolina, January 1, 2020.
WASHINGTON — Spurred on by President Donald Trump's demand to pull troops out of Germany, the U.S. will bring about 6,400 forces home and shift about 5,400 to other countries in Europe, U.S. defense officials said Wednesday, detailing a Pentagon plan that will cost billions of dollars and take years to complete.
"The current EUCOM plan will reposition approximately 11,900 military personnel from Germany, from roughly 36,000 down to 24,000, in a manner that will strengthen NATO, enhance the deterrence of Russia, and meet the other principles I set forth," Secretary of Defense Mark Esper told reporters, referring to U.S. European Command which oversees U.S. military mission on the continent.
The decision fulfills Trump's announced desire to withdraw troops from Germany, at least in part due to its failure to spend enough on defense.
Trump has frequently dressed down NATO counterparts and threatened to reduce U.S. military support if allies do not increase spending. Last year while in London, Trump singled out German Chancellor Angela Merkel for not meeting the 2% of GDP spending goal set in 2014.
"So we're paying 4 to 4.3% when Germany's paying 1 to 1.2%, at max 1.2%, of a much smaller GDP. That's not fair," Trump said in December. According to the NATO figures, the U.S. spends less than Trump noted, 3.42% of GDP on defense, while Germany now spends 1.38%, which is an increase of about 11% from 2018.
Read more: Here's what each NATO country contributes financially to the world's strongest military alliance
The announcement is closely tied to the plan to increase the U.S. troop presence in Poland, a shift long-desired by Warsaw and Polish President Andrzej Duda. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss plans not yet announced, said the moves will cost "billions" and require construction at bases in the U.S. to accommodate the additional forces. The officials said that in the future other troops would rotate in and out of Europe.
Members of Trump's own political party have criticized the troop move as a gift to Russia and a threat to U.S. national security. Twenty-two Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee fired back with a letter to Trump saying a reduced U.S. commitment to Europe's defense would encourage Russian aggression and opportunism.
It's also unclear if the plan would survive if Trump is not reelected.
Germany is a hub for U.S. operations in the Middle East and Africa. The decision to keep nearly half the forces in Europe, is a clear move by the Pentagon to assuage allies by avoiding the complete withdrawal of 10,000 troops out of the region. And by spreading forces into the east, it sends a message to Russia that the U.S. is not reducing its commitment to region and remains ready to protect Eastern Europe from any Moscow aggression.
Sen. Jim Inhofe, the Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has voiced support for the plan, while also acknowledging it will take "months to plan, and years to execute." He was briefed on the issue last week, and issued a statement saying the "concept for realigning U.S. military posture in Europe" is sound.
Last month, senior administration officials discussed Duda's visit to the White House, the first by a foreign leader since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. The White House officials would not offer details of the partial withdrawal of U.S. forces from Germany and would not discuss the possibility that service members could potentially be relocated to Poland.
Instead, the officials touted Warsaw's financial commitments to NATO as well as the approximately $16 billion in foreign military sales, which includes the U.S.′ most expensive weapons system, the F-35 Lightning II fighter.
The administration officials also volleyed questions on the matter to White House National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien's op-ed in The Wall Street Journal.
"The Cold War practice of garrisoning large numbers of troops with their families on massive bases in places like Germany is now, in part, obsolete. Modern warfare is increasingly expeditionary and requires platforms with extended range, flexibility and endurance. While air bases and logistics hubs remain important, the Cold War-style garrisoning of troops makes less military and fiscal sense than it did in the 1970s," O'Brien wrote in an op-ed published on June 21.
He added that the 25,000 U.S. troops slated to remain in Germany still represents a "strong" commitment to Germany by the United States.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.


cnbc--2020-07-30--Obama eulogizes the late civil rights icon John Lewis, calls for expanded ballot access

WASHINGTON — Former President Barack Obama delivered an impassioned eulogy for the late congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis on Thursday and called on Congress to honor Lewis ' legacy by expanding the Voting Rights Act .
Speaking in Atlanta , the nation 's first Black president warned that the same forces that empowered and motivated some of the most infamous segregationists in American history are still at work today .
Lewis , said Obama , `` knew that the march is not over .
That the race is not yet won , '' and `` we have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this country 's history . ''
`` Bull Connor may be gone , but today , we witness with our own eyes police officers kneeling on the necks of Black Americans , '' said Obama , referring to the police killing of George Floyd , an unarmed Black man in Minneapolis this spring .
`` George Wallace may be gone , but we can witness our federal government sending agents to use tear gas and batons against peaceful demonstrators , '' he continued , referring to the Trump administration 's violent response to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd 's death .
`` We may no longer have to guess the number of jellybeans in a jar in order to cast a ballot , but even as we sit here , there are those in power who are doing their darndest to discourage people from voting by closing polling locations and targeting minorities and students with restrictive I.D .
laws and attacking our voting rights with surgical precision , '' said Obama .
`` Even undermining the postal service in the runup to an election that 's going to be dependent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get sick ! ''
There was little doubt to whom Obama was referring here .
Earlier in the day , Trump continued his monthslong war on mail-in voting with a tweet claiming without evidence that widespread mail-in ballots would result in an `` inaccurate and fraudulent '' election , before suggesting that perhaps the election should be delayed .
Trump also recently appointed a political donor with no relevant experience to the position of U.S. Postmaster General .
The appointee , Louis Dejoy , recently unveiled an operating plan that would slow down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country ramp up mail-in voting to help protect citizens amid the coronavirus pandemic .
In order to honor Lewis ' legacy , Obama called on elected officials to go further than merely renaming the landmark 1965 Voting Rights Act the John Lewis Voting Rights Act .
`` Once we pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act , we should keep marching to make it even better , '' said Obama , `` by making sure every American is automatically registered to vote , including former inmates who have earned their second chance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expanding early voting and making Election Day a national holiday .
So if you are somebody who is working in a factory or you 're a single mom who 's got to go to her job and does n't get time off , you can still cast your ballot , '' Obama continued .
`` By guaranteeing that every American citizen has equal representation in our government , including the American citizens who live in Washington , D.C. , and in Puerto Rico ; they 're also Americans .
By ending some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters have the power to choose their politicians , and not the other way around , '' said Obama .
`` And if all this takes eliminating the filibuster , another Jim Crow relic , in order to secure the God-given rights of every American , then that 's what we should do , '' he said .
Former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton also paid homage to Lewis , who died earlier this month at age 80 .
`` John Lewis always looked outward , not inward , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last president to renew the Voting Rights Act .
`` He always thought of others .
He always believed in preaching the gospel , in word and in deed , insisting that hate and fear had to be answered with love and hope . ''
Clinton encouraged people to honor Lewis ' legacy by continuing to get into `` good trouble , '' a phrase Lewis often used to describe the consequences of fighting against oppression .
Lewis , he said , `` left us with marching orders '' in the form of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died , which was published Thursday in The New York Times .
`` Salute , suit up , and march on , '' said Clinton .
Trump , who had an acrimonious relationship with Lewis , did not attend the funeral .
Nor did he pay tribute to Lewis while the late congressman rested in state in the Capitol this week .
Trump did , however , order flags to be flown at half staff for a day in Lewis ' honor .

WASHINGTON — Former President Barack Obama delivered an impassioned eulogy for the late congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis on Thursday and called on Congress to honor Lewis' legacy by expanding the Voting Rights Act.
Speaking in Atlanta, the nation's first Black president warned that the same forces that empowered and motivated some of the most infamous segregationists in American history are still at work today.
Lewis, said Obama, "knew that the march is not over. That the race is not yet won," and "we have to be vigilant against the darker currents of this country's history."
"Bull Connor may be gone, but today, we witness with our own eyes police officers kneeling on the necks of Black Americans," said Obama, referring to the police killing of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man in Minneapolis this spring.
"George Wallace may be gone, but we can witness our federal government sending agents to use tear gas and batons against peaceful demonstrators," he continued, referring to the Trump administration's violent response to racial justice protests in the wake of Floyd's death.
"We may no longer have to guess the number of jellybeans in a jar in order to cast a ballot, but even as we sit here, there are those in power who are doing their darndest to discourage people from voting by closing polling locations and targeting minorities and students with restrictive I.D. laws and attacking our voting rights with surgical precision," said Obama. "Even undermining the postal service in the runup to an election that's going to be dependent on mail-in ballots so people don't get sick!"
There was little doubt to whom Obama was referring here. Earlier in the day, Trump continued his monthslong war on mail-in voting with a tweet claiming without evidence that widespread mail-in ballots would result in an "inaccurate and fraudulent" election, before suggesting that perhaps the election should be delayed.
Trump also recently appointed a political donor with no relevant experience to the position of U.S. Postmaster General. The appointee, Louis Dejoy, recently unveiled an operating plan that would slow down mail delivery, even as states across the country ramp up mail-in voting to help protect citizens amid the coronavirus pandemic.
In order to honor Lewis' legacy, Obama called on elected officials to go further than merely renaming the landmark 1965 Voting Rights Act the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.
"Once we pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, we should keep marching to make it even better," said Obama, "by making sure every American is automatically registered to vote, including former inmates who have earned their second chance.
"By adding polling places and expanding early voting and making Election Day a national holiday. So if you are somebody who is working in a factory or you're a single mom who's got to go to her job and doesn't get time off, you can still cast your ballot," Obama continued.
"By guaranteeing that every American citizen has equal representation in our government, including the American citizens who live in Washington, D.C., and in Puerto Rico; they're also Americans. By ending some of the partisan gerrymandering, so that all voters have the power to choose their politicians, and not the other way around," said Obama.
"And if all this takes eliminating the filibuster, another Jim Crow relic, in order to secure the God-given rights of every American, then that's what we should do," he said.
Former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton also paid homage to Lewis, who died earlier this month at age 80.
"John Lewis always looked outward, not inward," said Bush, a Republican who was the last president to renew the Voting Rights Act. "He always thought of others. He always believed in preaching the gospel, in word and in deed, insisting that hate and fear had to be answered with love and hope."
Clinton encouraged people to honor Lewis' legacy by continuing to get into "good trouble," a phrase Lewis often used to describe the consequences of fighting against oppression. Lewis, he said, "left us with marching orders" in the form of an op-ed Lewis wrote shortly before he died, which was published Thursday in The New York Times. "Salute, suit up, and march on," said Clinton.
Trump, who had an acrimonious relationship with Lewis, did not attend the funeral. Nor did he pay tribute to Lewis while the late congressman rested in state in the Capitol this week. Trump did, however, order flags to be flown at half staff for a day in Lewis' honor.


cnbc--2020-07-30--Joe Biden says Trump's failure to lead is responsible for historic economic slump

Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden speaks about his plans to combat racial inequality at a campaign event in Wilmington , Delaware , July 28 , 2020 .
Joe Biden came out swinging against President Donald Trump 's record on the economy Thursday , hours after new data showed the U.S. suffered its worst quarterly downturn in history in the midst of the spreading coronavirus pandemic .
`` The depth of economic devastation our nation is experiencing is not an act of God , it 's a failure of presidential leadership , '' the presumptive Democratic nominee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by his campaign .
`` Had President Trump taken immediate and decisive action , tens of thousands of lives and millions of jobs would never have been lost . ''
Data released by the Department of Commerce earlier in the day showed that U.S. gross domestic product plunged 32.9 % between April and June on an annualized basis , the sharpest drop on record .
GDP is a broad measure of all the goods and services produced in a country .
A separate Labor Department report showed that more than 1.4 million Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rising for a second week and marking the 19th consecutive week with initial claims greater than 1 million .
The bleak economic numbers , which turned out to be slightly better than forecast , reflected the fact that much of the U.S. was put under lockdown beginning in March in order to slow the spread of Covid-19 .
The disease has so far killed more than 150,000 people in the United States .

Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden speaks about his plans to combat racial inequality at a campaign event in Wilmington, Delaware, July 28, 2020.
Joe Biden came out swinging against President Donald Trump's record on the economy Thursday, hours after new data showed the U.S. suffered its worst quarterly downturn in history in the midst of the spreading coronavirus pandemic.
"The depth of economic devastation our nation is experiencing is not an act of God, it's a failure of presidential leadership," the presumptive Democratic nominee for president said in a statement released by his campaign. "Had President Trump taken immediate and decisive action, tens of thousands of lives and millions of jobs would never have been lost."
Data released by the Department of Commerce earlier in the day showed that U.S. gross domestic product plunged 32.9% between April and June on an annualized basis, the sharpest drop on record. GDP is a broad measure of all the goods and services produced in a country.
A separate Labor Department report showed that more than 1.4 million Americans filed initial jobless claims last week, rising for a second week and marking the 19th consecutive week with initial claims greater than 1 million.
The bleak economic numbers, which turned out to be slightly better than forecast, reflected the fact that much of the U.S. was put under lockdown beginning in March in order to slow the spread of Covid-19. The disease has so far killed more than 150,000 people in the United States.


cnbc--2020-07-30--Congress can't agree on the next coronavirus stimulus deal as relief funds dry up

A coronavirus relief agreement in Congress looked illusory Thursday as new economic data showed a U.S. economy buckling under the pandemic 's weight .
Sen. Ron Johnson , R-Wisc.
, tried to unanimously pass an extension of the weekly enhanced federal unemployment insurance Thursday afternoon that would slash the benefit from $ 600 to $ 200 per week .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , rejected it .
Schumer then attempted to unanimously approve the $ 3 trillion rescue package House Democrats passed in May .
That legislation also failed , leaving Congress no closer to breaking an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health-care system and economy ravaged by the pandemic .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. will hold a meeting in her office at 8:00 p.m. Thursday night with Schumer , Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows , NBC News reported .
Democratic leaders and Trump administration officials left a meeting Wednesday saying they had not come close to bridging a gulf in their priorities for an aid package .
Congress is struggling to find common ground on coronavirus relief as statistics show an economy still experiencing damage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Initial jobless claims climbed to 1.43 million last week , rising for the second straight week .
U.S. GDP also fell by a record 32.9 % in the second quarter during the peak of pandemic-related shutdowns — an expected but still devastating plunge .

Negotiators on the next coronavirus relief bill appeared as far as ever from an agreement Friday and rushed to lay blame as a key financial lifeline expires.
Underscoring the gulf between Democrats and Repbulicans as they try to boost an economy and health-care system buckling under the weight of the pandemic, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows offered derision during dueling news conferences Friday morning. The pair met with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Thursday night but appeared to make little progress toward cracking the impasse.
Schumer said the lack of a Republican consensus on pandemic aid has hindered progress toward a deal. Multiple GOP senators have said a large share of the caucus does not support the legislation Republicans released this week.
The current $600 per week enhanced federal unemployment benefit lapses at the end of the day, though states stopped paying it out last week. After last-ditch efforts to pass an extension failed Thursday, the Senate left for the weekend, guaranteeing the money buoying roughly 30 million people during an economic crisis will at least temporarily dry up.
While the House was scheduled to leave for all of August, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., told members their recess would not start until the chamber passes a coronavirus relief bill. He said he would give representatives 24 hours' notice before a vote.
On Friday, Meadows told reporters the Trump administration officials made "no less than four different offers" to Democrats to temporarily extend the unemployment insurance. Pelosi acknowledged she rejected at least one proposal, a one-week extension of the $600 benefit, saying Congress usually uses such a stopgap plan if it is near an agreement.
"No, let's sit down and get this done. Let's recognize people need $600," the speaker said. Pelosi later added, "We don't have shared values. That's just the way it is."
Meadows accused Democrats of holding out to get a better deal "at the expense of those that are hurting."
"We're going in the wrong direction. They're going in the wrong direction because of partisan politics. It is very disappointing," he said.
Even so, both Pelosi and Meadows said they would continue talks to try to strike an agreement. They were set to talk Friday and meet at 9 a.m. ET on Saturday, an aide familiar with the plans said.


cnbc--2020-07-30--Appeals court will reconsider order to dismiss criminal case of former Trump aide Michael Flynn

President Donald Trump ’ s former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn leaves the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S .
Courthouse on June 24 , 2019 in Washington , DC .
A federal appeals court on Thursday tossed out its order that a trial court judge dismiss the criminal case against former Trump national security advisor Michael Flynn , and said it will rehear arguments on the issue .
The ruling is a blow to the retired Army lieutenant general and the Justice Department , which has asked the trial judge to drop the charge .
Flynn pleaded guilty in late 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conversations with a Russian diplomat in the weeks before the inauguration of President Donald Trump .
But for more than a year , he has sought to undo the plea , and recently found support from top Justice Department officials .
The trial judge , Emmet Sullivan of U.S. District Court in Washington , D.C. , has not acted on the department 's motion to toss the case .
Instead , Sullivan appointed an outside lawyer to argue that the case be continued , and proceed toward sentencing of Flynn .
The judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the question of whether to dismiss the case .
The lawyer appointed by Sullivan , John Gleeson , said in a court filing that the Justice Department 's bid to abruptly drop the case after defending the legitimacy of the prosecution for years was `` highly irregular conduct to benefit a political ally of the President . ''
Flynn 's lawyers opposed Sullivan 's foot-dragging on the dismissal request and related actions allowing outside commentary in the case , and asked an appeals court to force him to endorse the dismissal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court of Appeals in Washington in late June ordered Sullivan to dismiss the case after hearing arguments .
But Sullivan asked the full appeals court to reconsider that order .
The appeals court agreed Thursday to do so , saying a majority of the 10 judges who considered Sullivan 's request voted to approve it .
The order vacates the three-judge panel 's order that Sullivan dismiss Flynn 's case .
The full line-up of judges on the appeals court set oral arguments for the so-called en banc reconsideration hearing for Aug. 11 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be ready to address the question of whether there are `` no other adequate means to attain the relief desired . ''
Its order implies that at least some judges on the appeals court believe Sullivan should be given the opportunity to rule on the dismissal request before an appeal is heard of his refusal to do so .

President Donald Trump’s former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn leaves the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse on June 24, 2019 in Washington, DC.
A federal appeals court on Thursday tossed out its order that a trial court judge dismiss the criminal case against former Trump national security advisor Michael Flynn, and said it will rehear arguments on the issue.
The ruling is a blow to the retired Army lieutenant general and the Justice Department, which has asked the trial judge to drop the charge.
Flynn pleaded guilty in late 2017 to lying to FBI agents about his conversations with a Russian diplomat in the weeks before the inauguration of President Donald Trump.
But for more than a year, he has sought to undo the plea, and recently found support from top Justice Department officials.
The trial judge, Emmet Sullivan of U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., has not acted on the department's motion to toss the case.
Instead, Sullivan appointed an outside lawyer to argue that the case be continued, and proceed toward sentencing of Flynn. The judge also allowed outside parties to weigh in on the question of whether to dismiss the case.
The lawyer appointed by Sullivan, John Gleeson, said in a court filing that the Justice Department's bid to abruptly drop the case after defending the legitimacy of the prosecution for years was "highly irregular conduct to benefit a political ally of the President."
Flynn's lawyers opposed Sullivan's foot-dragging on the dismissal request and related actions allowing outside commentary in the case, and asked an appeals court to force him to endorse the dismissal.
A three-judge panel in the federal Circuit Court of Appeals in Washington in late June ordered Sullivan to dismiss the case after hearing arguments.
But Sullivan asked the full appeals court to reconsider that order.
The appeals court agreed Thursday to do so, saying a majority of the 10 judges who considered Sullivan's request voted to approve it.
The order vacates the three-judge panel's order that Sullivan dismiss Flynn's case.
The full line-up of judges on the appeals court set oral arguments for the so-called en banc reconsideration hearing for Aug. 11.
The court said both sides should be ready to address the question of whether there are "no other adequate means to attain the relief desired."
Its order implies that at least some judges on the appeals court believe Sullivan should be given the opportunity to rule on the dismissal request before an appeal is heard of his refusal to do so.


cnbc--2020-07-30--Pompeo slams U.S. tech firms for downplaying Chinese cyberthreat to lawmakers

Mike Pompeo , U.S. secretary of state , sits during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing in Washington , D.C. , U.S. , on Thursday , July 30 , 2020 .
Pompeo is testifying on the State Department 's fiscal 2021 budget request .
WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo slammed U.S. tech companies on Thursday for their lack of transparency in regard to the breadth and depth of intellectual property theft the Chinese government conducts on American industries .
`` The idea that anyone in the tech space could not know of what the Chinese Communist Party is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are making seems incredulous to me , '' Pompeo said before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations .
Pompeo 's comments come a day after the CEOs of tech giants Amazon , Apple , Facebook and Google testified before the House Judiciary subcommittee on antitrust .
When asked by lawmakers if China steals technology from U.S. tech firms , Apple CEO Tim Cook , Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos largely downplayed the notion .
`` Only the CEO of Facebook said , 'yes absolutely , ' '' Sen. Marco @ @ @ @ @ @ @ referring to the tech CEO testimonies and specifically that of Mark Zuckerberg .
`` So Apple , Google and Amazon answered that question by saying either they had n't experienced it or they 've read that somewhere but would n't comment further , '' Rubio said .
`` Why would three of the four CEOs of the four largest tech companies headquartered in the United States be afraid to answer that question ? ''
he added .
`` I can only speculate , it 's patently clear to anyone who is watching that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of intellectual property threat , including technology , '' Pompeo responded .
U.S. officials have long complained that Chinese intellectual property theft threatens national security and has cost the economy billions of dollars in revenue and thousands of jobs .
Beijing maintains it does not engage in intellectual property theft .
Sen. Cory Gardner , R-Colo. , also questioned Pompeo on the testimony given by tech CEOs , reiterating that tech leaders said they were largely unaware of Chinese espionage , the nation 's top diplomat quipped , `` well , they need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I mean there 's a long history , a decades-long history of Chinese intellectual property threat , including against technologies , '' Pompeo added , saying that the Chinese government is `` completely willing to bully and to threaten '' companies .

WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo slammed U.S. tech companies on Thursday for their lack of transparency in regard to the breadth and depth of intellectual property theft the Chinese government conducts on American industries.
"The idea that anyone in the tech space could not know of what the Chinese Communist Party is attempting to steal and the cyberattacks they are making seems incredulous to me," Pompeo said before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
Pompeo's comments come a day after the CEOs of tech giants Amazon , Apple , Facebook and Google testified before the House Judiciary subcommittee on antitrust. When asked by lawmakers if China steals technology from U.S. tech firms, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos largely downplayed the notion.
"Only the CEO of Facebook said, 'yes absolutely,'" Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., told Pompeo, referring to the tech CEO testimonies and specifically that of Mark Zuckerberg. "So Apple, Google and Amazon answered that question by saying either they hadn't experienced it or they've read that somewhere but wouldn't comment further," Rubio said. "Why would three of the four CEOs of the four largest tech companies headquartered in the United States be afraid to answer that question?" he added.
"I can only speculate, it's patently clear to anyone who is watching that the Chinese are engaged in intense efforts of intellectual property threat, including technology," Pompeo responded.
U.S. officials have long complained that Chinese intellectual property theft threatens national security and has cost the economy billions of dollars in revenue and thousands of jobs. Beijing maintains it does not engage in intellectual property theft.
Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., also questioned Pompeo on the testimony given by tech CEOs, reiterating that tech leaders said they were largely unaware of Chinese espionage, the nation's top diplomat quipped, "well, they need to get out more."
"I mean there's a long history, a decades-long history of Chinese intellectual property threat, including against technologies," Pompeo added, saying that the Chinese government is "completely willing to bully and to threaten" companies.
Earlier this month, Pompeo said the U.S. was looking at banning TikTok as well as other Chinese social media apps, citing national security concerns.
Pompeo added that the Trump administration was evaluating TikTok akin to Chinese state-backed tech companies Huawei and ZTE, which he has previously described as "Trojan horses for Chinese intelligence."
There has been bipartisan support to remove TikTok from government-owned devices. The new version of the National Defense Authorization Act, if signed into law by President Donald Trump, would ban TikTok from such devices.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon has taken concrete steps to discourage U.S. service members and their families from using Chinese-backed tech.
In December, the Defense Information Systems Agency advised that all Department of Defense personnel should not use the Chinese-owned social media platform, citing a "potential risk associated with using the TikTok app." A year earlier, the Pentagon halted sales of Huawei and ZTE mobile phones and modems on military bases around the world, again citing national security concerns.


cnbc--2020-07-30--Former GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain dies after battle with coronavirus

Herman Cain , a former presidential hopeful who was once considered by President Donald Trump for the Federal Reserve , has died after being hospitalized with the coronavirus .
He was 74 .
Cain 's death was announced Thursday on his website by Dan Calabrese , who edits the site and had previously written about his colleague 's diagnosis .
`` Herman Cain – our boss , our friend , like a father to so many of us – has passed away , '' Calabrese said in the blog post .
`` We all prayed so hard every day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Lord would call him home , but we really liked having him here with us , and we held out hope he 'd have a full recovery . ''
Cain was among the highest-profile public figures in the United States to have died from Covid-19 .
Less than two weeks before receiving his diagnosis , Cain attended Trump 's campaign rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma , which had been staged despite concerns about mass gatherings during the pandemic .
Cain , a stage 4 cancer survivor , tweeted a photograph of himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by other attendees , none of whom appeared to be wearing masks or other protective gear .
A July 2 statement from Cain 's social media accounts announcing his hospitalization said , `` There is no way of knowing for sure how or where Mr. Cain contracted the coronavirus . ''
The Trump campaign said after Cain 's diagnosis that he had not met with the president at the Tulsa rally .
The campaign said that all attendees at the event had their temperatures checked upon entry , and that masks and hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to use .
Before the event , the campaign revealed that six members of the team involved in the rally preparations had tested positive for the virus and had been quarantined .
Trump later Thursday tweeted his condolences for Cain and his family .
`` My friend Herman Cain , a Powerful Voice of Freedom and all that is good , passed away this morning , '' the president wrote .
`` Herman had an incredible career and was adored by everyone that ever met him , especially me .
He was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and great friend . ''
At a Thursday evening press briefing on the coronavirus pandemic , Trump added that Cain `` was a very special person , i got know him very well .
And unfortunately he passed away from a thing called the China virus . ''
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany had earlier tweeted that Cain `` embodied the American Dream and represented the very best of the American spirit . ''
Cain had been hospitalized in Atlanta on July 1 , two days after being told he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his social media .
He did not require a respirator and was `` awake and alert '' when he checked in to the hospital , the statement said .
`` Please join with us in praying for Mr. Cain , and for everyone who has contracted the coronavirus – as well as their families , '' it said .
Cain had been a business executive and board chairman of a branch of Kansas City 's Federal Reserve Bank before moving into Republican politics and eventually becoming a presidential candidate and a favorite of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , Trump briefly considered picking Cain as his nominee to join the Federal Reserve Board .
Cain remained a vocal supporter of Trump 's after his nomination was withdrawn .
A former CEO of the restaurant chain Godfather 's Pizza , Cain became a player in Republican politics as an economic advisor to Bob Dole 's 1996 presidential campaign before briefly launching his own bid in 2000 .
In the 2012 GOP presidential primary season , Cain gained outsized media coverage with his catchy `` 9-9-9 '' economic plan to replace much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9 % business transactions tax , a 9 % personal income tax and a 9 % sales tax .
Critics called the plan `` dubious '' and impractical .
Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah , who would clinch the GOP nomination in 2012 , tweeted Thursday that he was saddened to hear of Cain 's passing .
Cain suspended that campaign in December 2011 following multiple allegations of sexual harassment , ranging back to his time as chief executive of the National Restaurant Association in the 1990s .
Cain denied the allegations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ media accounts occasionally provided vague updates on his condition .
A message on July 5 said he was `` making progress '' and that `` more encouraging news '' was expected to come soon .
Two days later , Cain 's Twitter account said `` doctors are trying to make sure his oxygen levels are right . ''
On July 10 , another tweet said Cain himself described his status as `` cruise control , '' because `` the progress is slow but his breathing is getting stronger every day .
Make no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The most recent update came Monday , when Cain 's social media revealed that he was `` being treated with oxygen for his lungs '' nearly a month after entering the hospital .
`` He really is getting better , which means it is working , '' the update said .
Calabrese repeatedly declined CNBC 's requests for additional information on Cain 's condition throughout his struggle with the virus .
`` We 're not saying anything else beyond what we 've posted on social media , '' Calabrese said in a July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's and Gloria 's wish so I appreciate you respecting it . ''
In addition to his wife Gloria Etchison , survivors include his two children , Melanie and Vincent , Calabrese said .

Herman Cain, a former presidential hopeful who was once considered by President Donald Trump for the Federal Reserve, has died after being hospitalized with the coronavirus. He was 74.
Cain's death was announced Thursday on his website by Dan Calabrese, who edits the site and had previously written about his colleague's diagnosis.
"Herman Cain – our boss, our friend, like a father to so many of us – has passed away," Calabrese said in the blog post. "We all prayed so hard every day. We knew the time would come when the Lord would call him home, but we really liked having him here with us, and we held out hope he'd have a full recovery."
Cain was among the highest-profile public figures in the United States to have died from Covid-19. Less than two weeks before receiving his diagnosis, Cain attended Trump's campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which had been staged despite concerns about mass gatherings during the pandemic.
Cain, a stage 4 cancer survivor, tweeted a photograph of himself at Trump's rally showing him surrounded by other attendees, none of whom appeared to be wearing masks or other protective gear.
Cain TWEET June 20
A July 2 statement from Cain's social media accounts announcing his hospitalization said, "There is no way of knowing for sure how or where Mr. Cain contracted the coronavirus." The Trump campaign said after Cain's diagnosis that he had not met with the president at the Tulsa rally.
The campaign said that all attendees at the event had their temperatures checked upon entry, and that masks and hand sanitizer were handed out but not required to use. Before the event, the campaign revealed that six members of the team involved in the rally preparations had tested positive for the virus and had been quarantined.
Trump later Thursday tweeted his condolences for Cain and his family.
"My friend Herman Cain, a Powerful Voice of Freedom and all that is good, passed away this morning," the president wrote. "Herman had an incredible career and was adored by everyone that ever met him, especially me. He was a very special man, an American Patriot, and great friend."
Trump TWEETS
At a Thursday evening press briefing on the coronavirus pandemic, Trump added that Cain "was a very special person, I got know him very well. And unfortunately he passed away from a thing called the China virus."
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany had earlier tweeted that Cain "embodied the American Dream and represented the very best of the American spirit."
McEnany tweet
Cain had been hospitalized in Atlanta on July 1, two days after being told he had tested positive for Covid-19, according to his social media.
He did not require a respirator and was "awake and alert" when he checked in to the hospital, the statement said. "Please join with us in praying for Mr. Cain, and for everyone who has contracted the coronavirus – as well as their families," it said.
Cain had been a business executive and board chairman of a branch of Kansas City's Federal Reserve Bank before moving into Republican politics and eventually becoming a presidential candidate and a favorite of the conservative tea party faction.
Last year, Trump briefly considered picking Cain as his nominee to join the Federal Reserve Board. Cain remained a vocal supporter of Trump's after his nomination was withdrawn.
A former CEO of the restaurant chain Godfather's Pizza, Cain became a player in Republican politics as an economic advisor to Bob Dole's 1996 presidential campaign before briefly launching his own bid in 2000.
In the 2012 GOP presidential primary season, Cain gained outsized media coverage with his catchy "9-9-9" economic plan to replace much of the federal tax code with a 9% business transactions tax, a 9% personal income tax and a 9% sales tax. Critics called the plan "dubious" and impractical.
Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, who would clinch the GOP nomination in 2012, tweeted Thursday that he was saddened to hear of Cain's passing.
Romney TWEET
Cain suspended that campaign in December 2011 following multiple allegations of sexual harassment, ranging back to his time as chief executive of the National Restaurant Association in the 1990s. Cain denied the allegations.
After his hospitalization, Cain's social media accounts occasionally provided vague updates on his condition. A message on July 5 said he was "making progress" and that "more encouraging news" was expected to come soon. Two days later, Cain's Twitter account said "doctors are trying to make sure his oxygen levels are right."
On July 10, another tweet said Cain himself described his status as "cruise control," because "the progress is slow but his breathing is getting stronger every day. Make no mistake: He is improving!"
Cain TWEET July 5 making progress
Cain TWEET July 7 oxygen levels
Cain TWEET July 10 Cruise Control
The most recent update came Monday, when Cain's social media revealed that he was "being treated with oxygen for his lungs" nearly a month after entering the hospital. "He really is getting better, which means it is working," the update said.
Calabrese repeatedly declined CNBC's requests for additional information on Cain's condition throughout his struggle with the virus.
"We're not saying anything else beyond what we've posted on social media," Calabrese said in a July 7 email. "That's Herman's and Gloria's wish so I appreciate you respecting it."
In addition to his wife Gloria Etchison, survivors include his two children, Melanie and Vincent, Calabrese said.
— CNBC's Marty Steinberg contributed to this report.