cnbc--2020-05-08--Lincoln Project called Facebook to dispute fact-check warning label on anti-Trump ad 'Mourning in Am

Lincoln Project called Facebook to dispute fact-check warning label on anti-Trump ad 'Mourning in America'

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters during a meeting with Texas Governor Greg Abbott about coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) response in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington , May 7 , 2020 .
The Lincoln Project , a super PAC run by Republicans who oppose President Donald Trump , contacted Facebook to push the social media giant to remove a warning label it attached to the group 's blistering `` Mourning in America '' ad .
Reed Galen , a member of the Lincoln Project 's advisory board , said the group has been in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter .
The ad , which recently aired on Fox News , triggered a Twitter tirade from Trump , who slammed some of the group 's most prominent members , including George Conway , the husband of top White House advisor Kellyanne Conway .
The Lincoln Project said it had its biggest day of fundraising , hauling in $ 1 million , after Trump 's outburst .
The Facebook warning argues there is partly false information within the ad , which rips Trump 's response to the coronavirus pandemic .
The company cites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put up the warning .
The article says a line in the ad , `` Trump bailed out Wall Street , but not Main Street , '' is false .
`` When I pointed out to Facebook folks that dozens of QAnon and other conspiracy [ and ] false pieces of content go by on their platform I got the verbal equivalent of a shrug , '' Galen told CNBC .
He also said the group has made a direct appeal to Politifact , the third-party fact-checker for Facebook that recently labeled one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ false .
The conversations with Facebook started Thursday , when the warning label was added , and have continued into Friday .
A Facebook spokesman declined to comment for this story .
The company 's fact-checking policies state that if a group is successful in its appeal to the third-party organization , the template on the ad will be removed .
`` If a rating is successfully corrected or disputed , the demotion on the content will be lifted , associated ad disapprovals may be lifted , and the strike against the Page @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook 's website says .
In a separate statement , the Lincoln Project argued Politifact is wrong .
`` Facebook states that their censorship is the result of a Politifact claim that the Mourning in America ad is 'false . '
However , Politifact 's 'grade ' is based on incorrect and misleading information .
Politifact cites the CARES Act as the reasoning behind their tag of 'False , ' '' the statement says .
`` The Lincoln Project does not cite the CARES Act as the basis of the claims in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Common Dreams , NBC , Rolling Stone and a list of other reputable sources that back up The Lincoln Project 's claim . ''
Facebook has come under fire by some opponents of the president after working with his 2016 campaign .
The leaders of the PAC themselves have taken aim at the company since their ad received the warning label .
`` Trump allies at Facebook are censoring the Project Lincoln 'Mourning in America ' ad page with a b.s .
'fact check , ' '' Wilson said on Twitter .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday slamming the decision by Facebook .
`` It 's no secret that Facebook has stood by and done little to nothing as lie after lie — from the Liar-In-Chief himself — runs wild on their platform , '' the email reads .
Other leaders of the organization include Steve Schmidt , John Weaver , Rick Wilson and Jennifer Horn .
The PAC finished the first quarter raising $ 1.9 million and has just more than $ 1.2 million on hand .
Its top donors include Walmart heir Christy Walton and Silicon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters during a meeting with Texas Governor Greg Abbott about coronavirus disease (COVID-19) response in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, May 7, 2020.
The Lincoln Project, a super PAC run by Republicans who oppose President Donald Trump, contacted Facebook to push the social media giant to remove a warning label it attached to the group's blistering "Mourning in America" ad.
Reed Galen, a member of the Lincoln Project's advisory board, said the group has been in touch with leaders at Facebook over the matter.
The ad, which recently aired on Fox News, triggered a Twitter tirade from Trump, who slammed some of the group's most prominent members, including George Conway, the husband of top White House advisor Kellyanne Conway. The Lincoln Project said it had its biggest day of fundraising, hauling in $1 million, after Trump's outburst.
The Facebook warning argues there is partly false information within the ad, which rips Trump's response to the coronavirus pandemic. The company cites a Politifact article for the reason it put up the warning. The article says a line in the ad, "Trump bailed out Wall Street, but not Main Street," is false.
"When I pointed out to Facebook folks that dozens of QAnon and other conspiracy [and] false pieces of content go by on their platform I got the verbal equivalent of a shrug," Galen told CNBC. He also said the group has made a direct appeal to Politifact, the third-party fact-checker for Facebook that recently labeled one of the lines in the ad as false.
The conversations with Facebook started Thursday, when the warning label was added, and have continued into Friday.
A Facebook spokesman declined to comment for this story. The company's fact-checking policies state that if a group is successful in its appeal to the third-party organization, the template on the ad will be removed.
"If a rating is successfully corrected or disputed, the demotion on the content will be lifted, associated ad disapprovals may be lifted, and the strike against the Page or domain will be removed," Facebook's website says.
In a separate statement, the Lincoln Project argued Politifact is wrong.
"Facebook states that their censorship is the result of a Politifact claim that the Mourning in America ad is 'false.' However, Politifact's 'grade' is based on incorrect and misleading information. Politifact cites the CARES Act as the reasoning behind their tag of 'False,'" the statement says. "The Lincoln Project does not cite the CARES Act as the basis of the claims in our ad. We cite Bloomberg, Businessweek, Common Dreams, NBC, Rolling Stone and a list of other reputable sources that back up The Lincoln Project's claim."
Facebook has come under fire by some opponents of the president after working with his 2016 campaign.
The leaders of the PAC themselves have taken aim at the company since their ad received the warning label.
"Trump allies at Facebook are censoring the Project Lincoln 'Mourning in America' ad page with a b.s. 'fact check,'" Wilson said on Twitter.
The group sent out a fundraising email on Thursday slamming the decision by Facebook.
"It's no secret that Facebook has stood by and done little to nothing as lie after lie — from the Liar-In-Chief himself — runs wild on their platform," the email reads.
Other leaders of the organization include Steve Schmidt, John Weaver, Rick Wilson and Jennifer Horn. The PAC finished the first quarter raising $1.9 million and has just more than $1.2 million on hand. Its top donors include Walmart heir Christy Walton and Silicon Valley executive Ron Conway, records show.


cnbc--2020-05-08--Chief Justice John Roberts pauses order requiring Trump administration to turn over Mueller docs to

Chief Justice John Roberts pauses order requiring Trump administration to turn over Mueller docs to Congress

Chief Justice John Roberts on Friday paused a lower court order that would have required the Trump administration to turn @ @ @ @ @ produced in connection with former special counsel Robert Mueller 's investigation into Russian interference in @ @ @ @ @ order is procedural and was not opposed by the Democratic-led House Judiciary Committee , which @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court to ultimately require the Department of Justice to hand over the documents .
@ @ @ @ @ day after the Trump administration asked the top court to temporarily halt a March ruling @ @ @ @ @ Court of Appeals for the D.C .
Circuit ordering the Justice Department to hand over @ @ @ @ @ .
Without Roberts ' order , Solicitor General Noel Francisco said the Justice Department would @ @ @ @ @ the records on Monday .
Grand jury materials , which are generally protected from disclosure @ @ @ @ @ by a court in connection with judicial proceedings .
House Democrats successfully argued before a @ @ @ @ @ appeals court that an impeachment trial qualifies as judicial proceeding .

Chief Justice John Roberts on Friday paused a lower court order that would have required the Trump administration to turn over to Congress secretive materials produced in connection with former special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
The order is procedural and was not opposed by the Democratic-led House Judiciary Committee, which is expected to ask the Supreme Court to ultimately require the Department of Justice to hand over the documents.
Roberts' action comes one day after the Trump administration asked the top court to temporarily halt a March ruling by the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ordering the Justice Department to hand over Mueller's grand jury materials.
Without Roberts' order, Solicitor General Noel Francisco said the Justice Department would have had to turn over the records on Monday.
Grand jury materials, which are generally protected from disclosure, can be ordered released by a court in connection with judicial proceedings. House Democrats successfully argued before a panel of the D.C. federal appeals court that an impeachment trial qualifies as judicial proceeding.


cnbc--2020-05-08--Rural retail chain owner Stage Stores prepares for bankruptcy that could come as soon as next week

Stage Stores , which operates department store brands in predominantly rural areas and small and midsized markets , is preparing for a bankruptcy filing that could come as soon as next week , people familiar with the situation tell CNBC .
The people , who requested anonymity because the plans are not yet public , cautioned that the plans are not yet definite , and a filing could still be delayed or avoided .
Representatives for Stage Stores did n't respond to multiple requests for comment .
The move would further underline how the coronavirus pandemic has hammered companies regardless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or the working class .
Bankruptcy for the Houston-based Stage Stores – which owns the Gordmans , Bealls and Goody 's chains in states like Kansas , Mississippi and West Virginia – would be the latest in a string of retail bankruptcies this month .
This week already , preppy apparel chain J.Crew and luxury retailer Neiman Marcus have filed for bankruptcy .
It would also put further pressure on the job market after a record 20.5 million positions were lost in April , helping to drive the unemployment rate up to 14.7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full-time and part-time employees as of February 2019 .
Stage Stores has about 700 department stores predominately in small towns and rural communities .
They sell mostly brands like Adidas , Calvin Klein , Estee Lauder and Levi 's .
It also has a number of off-price stores selling brands at a cheaper price point in larger Midwestern markets .
In its last fiscal year , Stage Stores had a loss of $ 87 million off of $ 1.58 billion in net sales , as it was hampered by costs related to buying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it had $ 26 million in cash and cash equivalents on hand .
The company was founded as a family owned business in the 1920s .
Over the years , it grew through acquisitions of regional department stores , buying up brands like C.R .
Anthony Co. , located in the South Central United States , and Uhlman 's stores in Indiana , Ohio and Michigan .
It 's also bought the brands or leases of bankrupt retailers , including Goody 's in 2009 and off-price retailer Gordmans in 2017 .
The 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gordmans leases and the opportunity for more , paved the way for Stage Stores to announce two years later plans to convert all of its department store brands to the Gordmans banner .
But time may be running short for regional department store owners like Stage Stores .
They were already struggling to compete with the scale of giants like Macy 's , which have greater clout to negotiate with brands and more resources to invest in e-commerce .
Walmart , Target and Amazon have all further encroached on department stores ' territory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ digital brands .
As with Neiman Marcus and J.Crew , the coronavirus may serve as a fatal blow to Stage Stores , as stores close and consumers keep tighter watch on their finances during the pandemic .
Stage Stores disclosed in a regulatory filing last month that it had begun discussions with landlords , vendors and other business partners to reduce its lease and contract payments , as well as other concessions .
It also said that it was `` exploring financing opportunities to enhance liquidity . ''
`` We can not predict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our stores , and our ability to reopen will depend in part on the actions of a number of governmental bodies over which we have no control , '' the company wrote in the filing .
It added , `` Moreover , once restrictions are lifted , it is unclear how quickly guests will return to our stores , which may be a function of continued concerns over safety and/or depressed consumer sentiment due to adverse economic conditions , including job losses . ''

Stage Stores , which operates department store brands in predominantly rural areas and small and midsized markets, is preparing for a bankruptcy filing that could come as soon as next week, people familiar with the situation tell CNBC.
The people, who requested anonymity because the plans are not yet public, cautioned that the plans are not yet definite, and a filing could still be delayed or avoided. Representatives for Stage Stores didn't respond to multiple requests for comment.
The move would further underline how the coronavirus pandemic has hammered companies regardless of whether they cater to the wealthy or the working class. Bankruptcy for the Houston-based Stage Stores – which owns the Gordmans, Bealls and Goody's chains in states like Kansas, Mississippi and West Virginia – would be the latest in a string of retail bankruptcies this month. This week already, preppy apparel chain J.Crew and luxury retailer Neiman Marcus have filed for bankruptcy.
It would also put further pressure on the job market after a record 20.5 million positions were lost in April, helping to drive the unemployment rate up to 14.7%. Stage Stores employed roughly 13,600 full-time and part-time employees as of February 2019.
Stage Stores has about 700 department stores predominately in small towns and rural communities. They sell mostly brands like Adidas, Calvin Klein, Estee Lauder and Levi's. It also has a number of off-price stores selling brands at a cheaper price point in larger Midwestern markets.
In its last fiscal year, Stage Stores had a loss of $87 million off of $1.58 billion in net sales, as it was hampered by costs related to buying and distribution. As of November, it had $26 million in cash and cash equivalents on hand.
The company was founded as a family owned business in the 1920s. Over the years, it grew through acquisitions of regional department stores, buying up brands like C.R. Anthony Co., located in the South Central United States, and Uhlman's stores in Indiana, Ohio and Michigan.
It's also bought the brands or leases of bankrupt retailers, including Goody's in 2009 and off-price retailer Gordmans in 2017. The 2017 deal, which included at least 50 Gordmans leases and the opportunity for more, paved the way for Stage Stores to announce two years later plans to convert all of its department store brands to the Gordmans banner.
But time may be running short for regional department store owners like Stage Stores. They were already struggling to compete with the scale of giants like Macy's , which have greater clout to negotiate with brands and more resources to invest in e-commerce. Walmart , Target and Amazon have all further encroached on department stores' territory, as have a number of upstart digital brands.
As with Neiman Marcus and J.Crew, the coronavirus may serve as a fatal blow to Stage Stores, as stores close and consumers keep tighter watch on their finances during the pandemic.
Stage Stores disclosed in a regulatory filing last month that it had begun discussions with landlords, vendors and other business partners to reduce its lease and contract payments, as well as other concessions. It also said that it was "exploring financing opportunities to enhance liquidity."
"We cannot predict when we will be able to reopen our stores, and our ability to reopen will depend in part on the actions of a number of governmental bodies over which we have no control," the company wrote in the filing.
It added, "Moreover, once restrictions are lifted, it is unclear how quickly guests will return to our stores, which may be a function of continued concerns over safety and/or depressed consumer sentiment due to adverse economic conditions, including job losses."


cnbc--2020-05-08--Kamala Harris, Bernie Sanders and Ed Markey want to give Americans $2,000 a month during coronavirus

Kamala Harris, Bernie Sanders and Ed Markey want to give Americans $2,000 a month during coronavirus crisis

Democratic presidential hopefuls Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders ( L ) and California Senator Kamala Harris chat during the fifth Democratic primary debate of the 2020 presidential campaign season co-hosted by MSNBC and The Washington Post at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta , Georgia on November 20 , 2019 .
Sens .
Kamala Harris , Bernie Sanders and Ed Markey introduced a bill Friday to give most Americans $ 2,000 a month during the coronavirus pandemic , as historic job losses leave millions scrambling to cover bills .
The legislation would provide a direct payment to people who make up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three months after it .
Married couples filing jointly would receive $ 4,000 , and parents would get $ 2,000 per child for up to three children .
The plan would be retroactive to March .
Harris , D-Calif. , Sanders , I-Vt. , and Markey , D-Mass.
, released the plan on the day the government jobs report for April showed the wreckage left by business closures designed to slow Covid-19 infections .
The U.S. lost a record 20.5 million jobs for the month as the unemployment rate spiked to 14.7 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Depression .
The bill would try to iron out what critics called issues with the $ 1,200 direct payments to individuals included in the $ 2 trillion stimulus package passed in March .
The senators said it would ensure `` every U.S. resident '' gets money , even if they have not filed a recent tax return or do not have a Social Security number .
It would also bar debt collectors from taking the relief money , and deliver payments to homeless and foster youth .
The proposal , which likely carries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to gain much traction in a Republican-held Senate growing increasingly wary of spending taxpayer money to blunt the health and economic damage created by the outbreak .
Even so , it sets a marker for debate as Congress considers how next to offer relief to Americans devastated by the pandemic .
In six 2020 battleground states — Arizona , Florida , Michigan , North Carolina , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — 31 % of likely voters said they could afford food , housing and other essential items for less than a month if they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a CNBC/Change Research poll released this week .
Among people who make less than $ 50,000 , 47 % said they could cover their cost of living for less than a month if they lost their income .
The same survey found 74 % of respondents approved of continuing direct payments until the country can safely resume economic activity .
Congress in the coming weeks will mull how best to support individuals and the economy as businesses in most of the country remain closed to respond to the public health crisis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill , Democratic congressional leaders have pushed for at least one more round of direct payments to Americans .
Asked Thursday if Americans should expect more money than the initial $ 1,200 , President Donald Trump said `` there is talk about something happening and we 'll see what — what 's going on . ''
He added that `` the greatest thing that could happen '' is to `` get our country open again and get it going again and have people have these great jobs again . ''
Governors such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backlash for moving to reopen certain businesses even as Covid-19 infections rise .
Correction : This story has been updated to reflect that Sen. Ed Markey , D-Mass.
, is the third sponsor of the bill .

Democratic presidential hopefuls Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders (L) and California Senator Kamala Harris chat during the fifth Democratic primary debate of the 2020 presidential campaign season co-hosted by MSNBC and The Washington Post at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia on November 20, 2019.
Sens. Kamala Harris, Bernie Sanders and Ed Markey introduced a bill Friday to give most Americans $2,000 a month during the coronavirus pandemic, as historic job losses leave millions scrambling to cover bills.
The legislation would provide a direct payment to people who make up to $120,000 throughout the crisis and for three months after it. Married couples filing jointly would receive $4,000, and parents would get $2,000 per child for up to three children. The plan would be retroactive to March.
Harris, D-Calif., Sanders, I-Vt., and Markey, D-Mass., released the plan on the day the government jobs report for April showed the wreckage left by business closures designed to slow Covid-19 infections. The U.S. lost a record 20.5 million jobs for the month as the unemployment rate spiked to 14.7% — the highest level since the Great Depression.
The bill would try to iron out what critics called issues with the $1,200 direct payments to individuals included in the $2 trillion stimulus package passed in March. The senators said it would ensure "every U.S. resident" gets money, even if they have not filed a recent tax return or do not have a Social Security number. It would also bar debt collectors from taking the relief money, and deliver payments to homeless and foster youth.
The proposal, which likely carries a hefty price tag, is unlikely to gain much traction in a Republican-held Senate growing increasingly wary of spending taxpayer money to blunt the health and economic damage created by the outbreak. Even so, it sets a marker for debate as Congress considers how next to offer relief to Americans devastated by the pandemic.
In six 2020 battleground states — Arizona, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — 31% of likely voters said they could afford food, housing and other essential items for less than a month if they lost their source of income, according to a CNBC/Change Research poll released this week. Among people who make less than $50,000, 47% said they could cover their cost of living for less than a month if they lost their income.
The same survey found 74% of respondents approved of continuing direct payments until the country can safely resume economic activity.
Congress in the coming weeks will mull how best to support individuals and the economy as businesses in most of the country remain closed to respond to the public health crisis. As they look to the next rescue bill, Democratic congressional leaders have pushed for at least one more round of direct payments to Americans.
Asked Thursday if Americans should expect more money than the initial $1,200, President Donald Trump said "there is talk about something happening and we'll see what — what's going on."
He added that "the greatest thing that could happen" is to "get our country open again and get it going again and have people have these great jobs again."
Governors such as Republican Brian Kemp of Georgia have faced backlash for moving to reopen certain businesses even as Covid-19 infections rise.
Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., is the third sponsor of the bill.
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cnbc--2020-05-08--Trump shrugs off the brutal jobs report, focuses more on Michael Flynn case

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Greg Abbott , governor of Texas , not pictured , at the White House in Washington , D.C. , U.S. , on Thursday , May 7 , 2020 .
President Donald Trump said Friday he 's not to blame after the Labor Department reported that more than 20 million jobs had been slashed last month , when the U.S. economy buckled under the strain of the coronavirus pandemic .
`` It 's fully expected , there 's no surprise , '' Trump said in a Fox News interview , which took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out .
`` Even the Democrats are n't blaming me for that , '' Trump said .
`` But what I can do is I 'll bring it back . ''
The president 's comments on the economy followed lengthy remarks celebrating the Justice Department 's move a day earlier to drop its case against Michael Flynn , Trump 's first national security advisor .
Trump decried the `` deep state '' and attacked the government officials who pursued the `` hoax '' investigation into whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dirty politicians and dirty cops and horrible people .
And hopefully they 're going to pay a big price someday in the not-too-distant future , '' Trump said .

U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on May 7, 2020.
President Donald Trump said Friday he's not to blame after the Labor Department reported that more than 20 million jobs had been slashed last month, when the U.S. economy buckled under the strain of the coronavirus pandemic.
"It's fully expected, there's no surprise," Trump said in a Fox News interview, which took place as the devastating jobs report came out.
"Even the Democrats aren't blaming me for that," Trump said. "But what I can do is I'll bring it back."
The president's comments on the economy followed lengthy remarks celebrating the Justice Department's move a day earlier to drop its case against Michael Flynn, Trump's first national security advisor.
Trump decried the "deep state" and attacked the government officials who pursued the "hoax" investigation into whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia during the 2016 election.
"These are dirty politicians and dirty cops and horrible people. And hopefully they're going to pay a big price someday in the not-too-distant future," Trump said.


cnbc--2020-05-08--US, China trade negotiators talk about phase one deal as uncertainty looms

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer ( C ) gestures as he chats with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He ( R ) as U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin ( L ) looks on after posing for a `` family photo '' at the Xijiao Conference Centre in Shanghai on July 31 , 2019 .
Top officials from the U.S. and China held a phone call late Thursday Eastern time to discuss trade matters including the `` phase one '' deal that was signed in January .
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer also spoke to Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and public health issues , according to the government from both sides .
The call came as investors globally raised concerns over increasing tensions between the U.S. and China — two of the largest economies in the world .
The two countries were embroiled in a trade war for the last two years and added significant amounts of tariffs on each other 's products — before tensions took a pause when they signed the phase one agreement .
But relations between the two appeared to worsen again in recent weeks , with Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues , including the origin of the coronavirus .
The coronavirus pandemic also raised questions about whether China could fulfill its obligations in the phase one deal , which include purchasing an additional $ 200 billion of U.S. goods over two years .
Over the weekend , U.S. President Donald Trump said he would `` terminate '' the agreement if Beijing failed to meet those obligations .
But during the Thursday call , both sides `` agreed that in spite of the current global health emergency , both countries fully expect to meet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ timely manner , '' according to the Office of the U.S.Trade Representative .
A statement by China 's Ministry of Commerce also said both countries are working toward implementing what 's outlined in the trade deal .
The two countries also agreed to maintain communication , said both statements .
— CNBC 's Tucker Higgins and Yelena Dzahanova contributed to this report .

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer (C) gestures as he chats with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He (R) as U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin (L) looks on after posing for a "family photo" at the Xijiao Conference Centre in Shanghai on July 31, 2019.
Top officials from the U.S. and China held a phone call late Thursday Eastern time to discuss trade matters including the "phase one" deal that was signed in January.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer also spoke to Chinese Vice Premier Liu He about the economic and public health issues, according to the government from both sides.
The call came as investors globally raised concerns over increasing tensions between the U.S. and China — two of the largest economies in the world.
The two countries were embroiled in a trade war for the last two years and added significant amounts of tariffs on each other's products — before tensions took a pause when they signed the phase one agreement. But relations between the two appeared to worsen again in recent weeks, with Washington and Beijing disputing over a variety of issues, including the origin of the coronavirus.
The coronavirus pandemic also raised questions about whether China could fulfill its obligations in the phase one deal, which include purchasing an additional $200 billion of U.S. goods over two years. Over the weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump said he would "terminate" the agreement if Beijing failed to meet those obligations.
But during the Thursday call, both sides "agreed that in spite of the current global health emergency, both countries fully expect to meet their obligations under the agreement in a timely manner," according to the Office of the U.S.Trade Representative. A statement by China's Ministry of Commerce also said both countries are working toward implementing what's outlined in the trade deal.
The two countries also agreed to maintain communication, said both statements.
— CNBC's Tucker Higgins and Yelena Dzahanova contributed to this report.


cnbc--2020-05-08--Vice President Mike Pence torched after jokingly asking to carry empty boxes at nursing home 'just f

Vice President Mike Pence torched after jokingly asking to carry empty boxes at nursing home 'just for the camera'

The vice president got roasted on Twitter , on TV and by the campaign of Joe Biden after being caught by a live microphone jokingly offering to carry empty boxes `` just for the camera '' into a nursing home treating coronavirus cases .
The offer , seemingly made in jest , came during a photo opportunity for media on Thursday at the the Woodbine Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Alexandria , Virginia .
This happened a day before a Pence aide tested positive for coronavirus , and on the same day that news broke that a personal valet for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus , which causes Covid-19 .
During the visit , Pence did lug some boxes off a van which appeared to contain something to the front door of the health facility , which was about 15 feet away .
With him was Seema Verma , the administrator of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services .
Pence , who like other visitors outside the facility was not wearing a mask , at one point walked back to the van after several round trips , where there were some other cardboard boxes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sir , '' Pence was told by a worker , according to video .
Pence replies , `` Well , can I carry the empty ones ?
Just for the camera ? ''
drawing laughter from people around him .
But Pence did n't actually carry the empty boxes , video shows .
He closed the van door and then walked away .
ABC late night show host Jimmy Kimmel unloaded on Pence for even making the empty offer , which the `` Jimmy Kimmel Live ! ''
star featured on his show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to carry empty boxes of PPEs into a hospital is the perfect metaphor for who he is and what he 's doing : A big box of nothing , delivering another box of nothing , '' Kimmel cracked .
Kimmel later Friday posted a backhanded apology to Pence on Twitter , writing , `` It would appear that @ vp was joking about carrying empty boxes for a staged publicity stunt . ''
`` The full video reveals that he was carrying full boxes for a staged publicity stunt .
My apologies .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ truth , '' Kimmel wote .
A spokesman for the Democratic presidential campaign of Biden ripped Pence for the comment in a scathing Twitter post .
`` No , Mike Pence , the health care heroes on the frontlines do n't need you to carry the empty boxes 'just for the camera , ' '' wrote the spokesman , Matt Hill .
`` There are more than 75,000 Americans dead , so they do n't need your jokes — they need the personal protective equipment that is going to save lives .
U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeted , `` You would be hardpressed to find a better metaphor for the comically malicious incompetence of this failed government . ''
A spokeswoman for the vice president did not immediately respond to a request from CNBC for comment on the video .
Pence 's photo op came as nursing homes have been desperately asking for PPE from the federal government .

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Mike Pence, meet hot mic. The vice president got roasted on Twitter, on TV and by the campaign of Joe Biden after being caught by a live microphone jokingly offering to carry empty boxes "just for the camera" into a nursing home treating coronavirus cases. The offer, seemingly made in jest, came during a photo opportunity for media on Thursday at the the Woodbine Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Alexandria, Virginia. This happened a day before a Pence aide tested positive for coronavirus, and on the same day that news broke that a personal valet for President Donald Trump also tested positive for the virus, which causes Covid-19.
Video stills show Vice President Mike Pence at a health facility in Arlington, VA on May 7th, 2020. CSPAN
During the visit, Pence did lug some boxes off a van which appeared to contain something to the front door of the health facility, which was about 15 feet away. With him was Seema Verma, the administrator of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Pence, who like other visitors outside the facility was not wearing a mask, at one point walked back to the van after several round trips, where there were some other cardboard boxes remaining. "Those are empty, sir," Pence was told by a worker, according to video. Pence replies, "Well, can I carry the empty ones? Just for the camera?" drawing laughter from people around him. The worker replied: "Absolutely." "They're a lot easier," the worker added. But Pence didn't actually carry the empty boxes, video shows. He closed the van door and then walked away.
Video stills show Vice President Mike Pence at a health facility in Arlington, VA on May 7th, 2020. CSPAN
ABC late night show host Jimmy Kimmel unloaded on Pence for even making the empty offer, which the "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" star featured on his show Thursday night. "Mike Pence pretending to carry empty boxes of PPEs into a hospital is the perfect metaphor for who he is and what he's doing: A big box of nothing, delivering another box of nothing," Kimmel cracked. Kimmel later Friday posted a backhanded apology to Pence on Twitter, writing, "It would appear that @vp was joking about carrying empty boxes for a staged publicity stunt." "The full video reveals that he was carrying full boxes for a staged publicity stunt. My apologies. I know how dearly this administration values truth," Kimmel wote. A spokesman for the Democratic presidential campaign of Biden ripped Pence for the comment in a scathing Twitter post. "No, Mike Pence, the health care heroes on the frontlines don't need you to carry the empty boxes 'just for the camera,'" wrote the spokesman, Matt Hill. "There are more than 75,000 Americans dead, so they don't need your jokes — they need the personal protective equipment that is going to save lives. Twitter U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, D-New Jersey, tweeted, "You would be hardpressed to find a better metaphor for the comically malicious incompetence of this failed government." Tweet A spokeswoman for the vice president did not immediately respond to a request from CNBC for comment on the video. Pence's photo op came as nursing homes have been desperately asking for PPE from the federal government.


cnbc--2020-05-10--Vice President Mike Pence's press secretary tests positive for coronavirus

Miller , who had handled communications for the coronavirus task force , did not respond to multiple requests for comment from CNBC .
Miller was at the White House on Friday morning before her positive result came in , a White House official told NBC .
The official told NBC that Miller was showing `` symptoms '' while she was there .
President Donald Trump said earlier Friday that a `` press person '' named Katie was the Pence aide who tested positive .
Earlier this year , Miller married senior Trump White House adviser Stephen Miller .
Miller said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested negative a day before testing positive Friday , NBC reported .
Katie Miller , press secretary for Vice President Mike Pence , is seen in the Capitol during the Senate Policy luncheons in the Capitol on Tuesday , February 11 , 2020 .
Trump 's physician and White House staff `` continue to work closely to ensure every precaution is taken to keep the President , First Family and the entire White House Complex safe and healthy at all times , '' White House spokesman Judd Deere said in a statement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily temperature checks and symptom histories , hand sanitizer , and regular deep cleaning of all work spaces , every staff member in close proximity to the president and vice president is being tested daily for COVID-19 as well as any guests , '' Deere said .
On Thursday , news broke that Trump 's personal valet has also tested positive .
Pence was scheduled to travel to Des Moines , Iowa , in the morning , but his departure from Andrews Air Force Base was delayed by nearly an hour as staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reporters traveling with Pence said several staffers disembarked from Air Force Two just before takeoff .
Those staffers left the plane because they had been in contact with the staffer who tested positive , NBC News reported .
In response to the positive test , the White House medical office has embarked on a program of contact tracing for the individual , an official told NBC .
Some of these staffers have already been retested .
As of Friday , more than 75,000 Americans have died of Covid-19 , and more than 1.2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Trump by and large refuse to wear masks , despite a recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that face coverings be used to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus .
Trump has never been inclined to wear a mask .
Moments after the CDC issued its initial guidance on masks in April , the president said , `` I do n't think that I 'm going to be doing it . ''
This has not changed , even with news of his valet 's positive test .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the anniversary of VE Day , and neither he nor first lady Melania Trump wore a mask .

Miller, who had handled communications for the coronavirus task force, did not respond to multiple requests for comment from CNBC.
Miller was at the White House on Friday morning before her positive result came in, a White House official told NBC. The official told NBC that Miller was showing "symptoms" while she was there.
President Donald Trump said earlier Friday that a "press person" named Katie was the Pence aide who tested positive. Earlier this year, Miller married senior Trump White House adviser Stephen Miller. Miller said she is asymptomatic, and that she tested negative a day before testing positive Friday, NBC reported.
Katie Miller, press secretary for Vice President Mike Pence, is seen in the Capitol during the Senate Policy luncheons in the Capitol on Tuesday, February 11, 2020.
Trump's physician and White House staff "continue to work closely to ensure every precaution is taken to keep the President, First Family and the entire White House Complex safe and healthy at all times," White House spokesman Judd Deere said in a statement.
"In addition to social distancing, daily temperature checks and symptom histories, hand sanitizer, and regular deep cleaning of all work spaces, every staff member in close proximity to the president and vice president is being tested daily for COVID-19 as well as any guests," Deere said.
On Thursday, news broke that Trump's personal valet has also tested positive.
Pence was scheduled to travel to Des Moines, Iowa, in the morning, but his departure from Andrews Air Force Base was delayed by nearly an hour as staff dealt with news of the diagnosis. Reporters traveling with Pence said several staffers disembarked from Air Force Two just before takeoff.
Those staffers left the plane because they had been in contact with the staffer who tested positive, NBC News reported. In response to the positive test, the White House medical office has embarked on a program of contact tracing for the individual, an official told NBC. Some of these staffers have already been retested.
As of Friday, more than 75,000 Americans have died of Covid-19, and more than 1.2 million have tested positive.
Yet Pence and Trump by and large refuse to wear masks, despite a recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that face coverings be used to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Trump has never been inclined to wear a mask. Moments after the CDC issued its initial guidance on masks in April, the president said, "I don't think that I'm going to be doing it."
This has not changed, even with news of his valet's positive test. On Friday Trump attended an event to mark the anniversary of VE Day, and neither he nor first lady Melania Trump wore a mask.


cnbc--2020-05-10--All California voters will be able to vote by mail in November, Newsom says

California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks in front of the hospital ship USNS Mercy that arrived into the Port of Los Angeles on Friday , March 27 , 2020 , to provide relief for Southland hospitals overwhelmed by the coronavirus pandemic .
California Gov .
Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Friday allowing all registered voters in the state to receive a mail-in ballot for November 's election .
The move comes as several states weigh how to carry out their remaining 2020 elections while keeping voters safe from contracting and spreading the deadly coronavirus .
`` I signed an executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that will allow every registered voter in California to receive a mail-in ballot . ''
Newsom , who announced the move at a press conference , clarified that California will still provide an opportunity for people to vote in person at a polling center .
`` That mail-in ballot is important , but it 's not an exclusive substitute to physical locations , '' he said .
`` People that are otherwise not familiar with mail-in ballots , are uncomfortable with them , may have disabilities , may have other issues that may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we still want to have the appropriate number of physical sites for people to vote as well , '' he said .
Newsom also signaled that California , with almost 21 million voters , will issue a `` detailed '' plan for in-person voting in the next few days .
`` There 's a lot of concern and excitement around this November 's election in terms of making sure that ... your health is protected and to make sure we are reaching out to all registered , eligible voters , '' Newsom said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choice not to feel like they have to go into a concentrated , dense environment where their health may be at risk but provide an additional asset and additional resources by way of voting by mail . ''
This is the latest election update in a string of changes that have been brought on by the coronavirus pandemic .
In the last two months , multiple states and U.S. territories either delayed or adjusted their presidential primaries due to a fear of spreading the virus among large groups .
The outbreak has spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 3.8 million confirmed cases worldwide and over 269,881 deaths so far , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
There are at least 1.2 million cases in the United States and at least 75,852 deaths , according to the latest tallies .

California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks in front of the hospital ship USNS Mercy that arrived into the Port of Los Angeles on Friday, March 27, 2020, to provide relief for Southland hospitals overwhelmed by the coronavirus pandemic.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Friday allowing all registered voters in the state to receive a mail-in ballot for November's election.
The move comes as several states weigh how to carry out their remaining 2020 elections while keeping voters safe from contracting and spreading the deadly coronavirus.
"I signed an executive order," Newsom said, "that will allow every registered voter in California to receive a mail-in ballot."
Newsom, who announced the move at a press conference, clarified that California will still provide an opportunity for people to vote in person at a polling center.
"That mail-in ballot is important, but it's not an exclusive substitute to physical locations," he said.
"People that are otherwise not familiar with mail-in ballots, are uncomfortable with them, may have disabilities, may have other issues that may preclude that as an appropriate option, we still want to have the appropriate number of physical sites for people to vote as well," he said.
Newsom also signaled that California, with almost 21 million voters, will issue a "detailed" plan for in-person voting in the next few days.
"There's a lot of concern and excitement around this November's election in terms of making sure that ... your health is protected and to make sure we are reaching out to all registered, eligible voters," Newsom said, "and giving them the ... choice not to feel like they have to go into a concentrated, dense environment where their health may be at risk but provide an additional asset and additional resources by way of voting by mail."
This is the latest election update in a string of changes that have been brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
In the last two months, multiple states and U.S. territories either delayed or adjusted their presidential primaries due to a fear of spreading the virus among large groups.
The outbreak has spread to dozens of countries, with more than 3.8 million confirmed cases worldwide and over 269,881 deaths so far, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. There are at least 1.2 million cases in the United States and at least 75,852 deaths, according to the latest tallies.


cnbc--2020-05-11--Trump abruptly ends press conference after reporters challenge him on coronavirus testing

WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump stormed out of a coronavirus press conference at the White House on Monday after becoming angry with two reporters , one who asked a question about testing , and another who did n't get to ask a question at all .
The event in the Rose Garden was meant to give the president a chance to boast about the recent increases in testing , and Trump spoke and answered questions for nearly an hour .
The briefing got off to a bumpy start when the president misstated the dollar amount that would be allocated to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are sending $ 1 billion to American states , territories and tribes , '' Trump announced , in what officials had told reporters would be a high-point of the event .
But those same officials said the amount would be $ 11 billion , not $ 1 billion .
Moreover , the $ 11 billion was appropriated in the CARES Act passed by Congress and signed into law in April , calling into question why it was being held up almost three weeks later as a major success point .
A White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the amount is in fact , $ 11 billion .
For the remainder of his remarks , the president ran through the numbers of personal protective equipment , ventilators and other essential gear that the U.S. has produced and distributed to fight the virus .
But it was in the question and answer session that tempers erupted .
At around 5:15 p.m. , CBS News White House correspondent Weijia Jiang asked Trump , `` You have said many times that the U.S. is doing far better than any other country when it comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , `` Yes . ''
Jiang , who is Chinese American , continued , `` Why does that matter ?
Why is it global competition to you , if every day Americans are still losing their lives , and we are still seeing more cases every day ? ''
`` They 're losing their lives everywhere in the world , '' Trump replied , `` And maybe that 's a question you should ask China .
Do n't ask me .
Ask China that question , okay ?
If you ask them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very unusual answer . ''
As Trump proceeded to call on another reporter , Jiang followed up .
`` Sir , why are you saying that to me , specifically ? ''
`` I 'm not saying it specifically to anybody , '' Trump responded , growing visibly irate .
`` I 'm saying that to anyone who would ask a nasty question like that . ''
`` That 's not a nasty question , '' Jiang insisted , but Trump had already moved on .
`` Anyone else ? ''
Trump said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on CNN 's Kaitlan Collins , who was standing in line behind Jiang .
`` OK , yes , please go ahead , in the back , '' he said .
Collins approached the microphone , `` I have two questions , '' she said .
`` No , it 's ok , '' Trump said , dismissing Collins , `` we 'll go up here . ''
`` But you pointed to me , Mr. President , and I have two questions . ''
`` Next , next please , '' Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` But you called on me , '' Collins protested .
`` I did .
And you did n't respond , and now I 'm calling on the other young lady in the back , '' Trump said .
`` But I just wanted to let my colleague finish , '' Collins said , but Trump cut her off .
`` Ladies and gentlemen , thank you very much .
appreciate it , thank you very much , '' Trump said , and he turned and walked away .
The exchange was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back-and-forths Trump has had with reporters since he started giving near daily press briefings on the coronavirus pandemic in mid-March .
Trump has also accused China of withholding information about the virus , which originated in the city of Wuhan , thereby causing harm to the rest of the world that could have been avoided .
And Trump has suggested that the virus could have been accidentally released from a Chinese laboratory , an allegation for which U.S. intelligence agencies have so far said they have no evidence .
Most recently , U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is using cyber warfare to steal research on a coronavirus vaccine from American labs .

WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump stormed out of a coronavirus press conference at the White House on Monday after becoming angry with two reporters, one who asked a question about testing, and another who didn't get to ask a question at all.
The event in the Rose Garden was meant to give the president a chance to boast about the recent increases in testing, and Trump spoke and answered questions for nearly an hour.
The briefing got off to a bumpy start when the president misstated the dollar amount that would be allocated to states to help with testing. "We are sending $1 billion to American states, territories and tribes," Trump announced, in what officials had told reporters would be a high-point of the event.
But those same officials said the amount would be $11 billion, not $1 billion. Moreover, the $11 billion was appropriated in the CARES Act passed by Congress and signed into law in April, calling into question why it was being held up almost three weeks later as a major success point.
A White House spokesman later confirmed to CNBC that the amount is in fact, $11 billion.
For the remainder of his remarks, the president ran through the numbers of personal protective equipment, ventilators and other essential gear that the U.S. has produced and distributed to fight the virus.
But it was in the question and answer session that tempers erupted.
At around 5:15 p.m., CBS News White House correspondent Weijia Jiang asked Trump, "You have said many times that the U.S. is doing far better than any other country when it comes to testing," to which Trump said, "Yes."


cnbc--2020-05-11--Trump says he would 'certainly consider' mandating states to test all nursing home residents

President Donald Trump said Monday that he would `` certainly consider '' mandating governors to test all nursing home residents for the coronavirus .
`` I will mandate it if you like , '' Trump told a reporter who asked why the White House had not issued such an order .
Nursing homes have in some states become hotbeds for the spread of the disease .
In New York , the state hardest hit by the pandemic , more than 5,300 people living in nursing homes have died from the virus , according to the Associated Press .
In nursing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 26,000 people have died of the virus , the AP reported .
Those deaths count for more than one-quarter of all coronavirus deaths in the U.S. so far , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
A federal mandate to test nursing home residents would mark the Trump administration 's first national coronavirus order .
Experts have noted that trying to impose coronavirus-related restrictions at a national level may be legally murky .
The White House declined to provide additional comment on the president 's remarks .
`` I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nursing home residents tested , Trump said at a White House press conference meant to highlight nationwide Covid-19 testing efforts .
`` I think , frankly , some of the governors were very lax with respect to nursing homes , '' Trump said .
`` It was obvious right from the beginning . ''
Trump pointed to a nursing home in Washington – the state where the first coronavirus cases were confirmed – in which dozens of residents died early on in the crisis .
`` And I would have said , 'nursing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 'nursing homes , ' that 's what they should [ do ] , '' Trump said .
`` Now , some of the states , many of the states are doing that .
But I think all of the states should be .
They have the capacity , they should be doing nursing homes .
That is a real vulnerability , '' the president added .
The Trump administration has issued broad guidelines to states on slowing the spread of the virus , as well as an outline for states to follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules .
But those guidelines are not binding , and the administration has not intervened when some state governors began to lift their social distancing rules without meeting the criteria recommended by the White House .
Trump and other top officials have maintained that enforcement be left up to the states , arguing that a `` one size fits all '' approach to fighting the virus would not work across the country .

President Donald Trump said Monday that he would "certainly consider" mandating governors to test all nursing home residents for the coronavirus.
"I will mandate it if you like," Trump told a reporter who asked why the White House had not issued such an order.
Nursing homes have in some states become hotbeds for the spread of the disease.
In New York, the state hardest hit by the pandemic, more than 5,300 people living in nursing homes have died from the virus, according to the Associated Press. In nursing homes and long-term care facilities nationwide, more than 26,000 people have died of the virus, the AP reported.
Those deaths count for more than one-quarter of all coronavirus deaths in the U.S. so far, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
A federal mandate to test nursing home residents would mark the Trump administration's first national coronavirus order. Experts have noted that trying to impose coronavirus-related restrictions at a national level may be legally murky. The White House declined to provide additional comment on the president's remarks.
"I think it's important" to have all nursing home residents tested, Trump said at a White House press conference meant to highlight nationwide Covid-19 testing efforts.
"I think, frankly, some of the governors were very lax with respect to nursing homes," Trump said. "It was obvious right from the beginning."


cnbc--2020-05-11--Joe Biden to host private 3-day virtual forum for donors who have raised over $50,000

Former Vice President Joe Biden , presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , speaks during a virtual event seen on an Apple Inc. laptop computer in Arlington , Virginia , U.S. , on Monday , April 13 , 2020 .
CNBC has previously reported that each member of Biden 's `` Protector '' fundraising group is responsible for raising $ 50,000 while a `` Unifier '' must help raise $ 100,000 .
A flyer of the multiday gathering shows that the conference for Biden 's top bundlers starts Thursday and goes through Saturday .
A link to RSVP for the virtual conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have helped bring in $ 50,000 and are at the `` Protector level and above . ''
Former Vice President Joe Biden 's 2020 presidential campaign is hosting a private three-day virtual forum for donors who have helped the candidate raise over $ 50,000 .
All campaigns have had to go virtual during the coronavirus pandemic .
Biden is ahead of President Donald Trump by nearly 5 points in the Real Clear Politics national polling average .
The agenda starts Thursday with Biden , the apparent Democratic nominee for president , and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and conducting a question-and-answer session .
The weekend will also feature presentations by Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez , former Biden campaign manager Greg Schultz , current campaign manager Jen O'Malley Dillon , deputy campaign manager Rufus Gifford and campaign Chairman Steve Ricchetti .
Representatives for Biden and the DNC did not respond to a request for comment .
The decision to hold this meeting comes after Biden 's campaign struck a joint fundraising agreement with the DNC , with the creation of the `` Biden Victory Fund . ''
Biden and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a hiring spree , bringing on a range of talent from previous primary competitors , including new digital advisors .
Biden and the DNC have been working to build a fundraising machine that can take on Trump and Republicans up and down the ballot .
Trump and the Republican National Committee have had nearly four years to put together a war chest with over $ 240 million on hand .
Biden 's team and party leaders have privately signaled to donors that they should start opening up their networks to the joint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hosting virtual events that will largely be tailored to both the DNC and Biden campaign .
Donors can now give up to $ 360,600 directly to the committee with $ 5,600 of that total going to the Biden campaign .
Biden raised more than $ 46 million in March and went into April with $ 36 million on hand .
The DNC raised $ 32 million and has just over $ 35 million on hand .

Former Vice President Joe Biden, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, speaks during a virtual event seen on an Apple Inc. laptop computer in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., on Monday, April 13, 2020.
CNBC has previously reported that each member of Biden's "Protector" fundraising group is responsible for raising $50,000 while a "Unifier" must help raise $100,000.
A flyer of the multiday gathering shows that the conference for Biden's top bundlers starts Thursday and goes through Saturday. A link to RSVP for the virtual conference says it's only for fundraisers who have helped bring in $50,000 and are at the "Protector level and above."
Former Vice President Joe Biden's 2020 presidential campaign is hosting a private three-day virtual forum for donors who have helped the candidate raise over $50,000.
All campaigns have had to go virtual during the coronavirus pandemic. Biden is ahead of President Donald Trump by nearly 5 points in the Real Clear Politics national polling average.
The agenda starts Thursday with Biden, the apparent Democratic nominee for president, and his wife, Jill Biden, thanking attendees and conducting a question-and-answer session. The weekend will also feature presentations by Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez, former Biden campaign manager Greg Schultz, current campaign manager Jen O'Malley Dillon, deputy campaign manager Rufus Gifford and campaign Chairman Steve Ricchetti.
Representatives for Biden and the DNC did not respond to a request for comment.
The decision to hold this meeting comes after Biden's campaign struck a joint fundraising agreement with the DNC, with the creation of the "Biden Victory Fund."
Biden and his campaign have been in the midst of a hiring spree, bringing on a range of talent from previous primary competitors, including new digital advisors.
Biden and the DNC have been working to build a fundraising machine that can take on Trump and Republicans up and down the ballot. Trump and the Republican National Committee have had nearly four years to put together a war chest with over $240 million on hand.
Biden's team and party leaders have privately signaled to donors that they should start opening up their networks to the joint fundraising committee. They've also started hosting virtual events that will largely be tailored to both the DNC and Biden campaign. Donors can now give up to $360,600 directly to the committee with $5,600 of that total going to the Biden campaign.
Biden raised more than $46 million in March and went into April with $36 million on hand. The DNC raised $32 million and has just over $35 million on hand.


cnbc--2020-05-11--White House issues memo requiring staff to wear masks in West Wing

White House advisor Jared Kushner ( C ) and others wear face masks while attending a press briefing about coronavirus testing in the Rose Garden of the White House on May 11 , 2020 in Washington , DC .
The White House is requiring all staffers to wear masks or facial coverings when entering the West Wing of the building , NBC News reported Monday , citing two sources familiar with the matter .
The new precaution comes days after two staffers close to President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence tested positive for the coronavirus .
The directive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laid out in a memo to staffers Monday afternoon , NBC reported .
The White House said it will make masks available for employees who need them , according to NBC .
The memo also asked staff members to avoid visiting the West Wing , where the Oval Office is located , unless it is necessary , the sources told NBC .
Trump and Pence have both resisted wearing masks in public or at the White House .
Trump did not wear a mask last week while touring a Honeywell factory in Phoenix @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks .
A White House official said at the time that Honeywell had told the White House that Trump and other visitors did not need to wear masks .
When asked Friday at a roundtable event with Republican members of Congress why White House staffers were not seen wearing masks by the reporters stationed at the building , Trump said , `` They are ... the people that are serving me are . ''
Pence was criticized for refusing to wear a mask during an April 28 visit to the Mayo Clinic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ two days later , during a visit to a General Motors plant in Indiana .
The Centers for Disease Control , a division of the Trump administration 's Health and Human Services Department , in early April updated its guidance to recommend `` wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain . ''
Trump , who first announced that update , said at the time , `` I do n't think I 'm going to be doing it . ''
On Thursday , a personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president with his food , clothes and other personal needs , tested positive for the coronavirus .
A White House spokesman said later that day that Trump and Pence had since tested negative .
On Friday , Pence 's press secretary , Katie Miller , who is married to senior Trump advisor Stephen Miller , also tested positive .
Katie Miller said she was asymptomatic and that she tested negative a day before testing positive Friday , NBC reported .
Trump 's physician and White House staff `` continue to work closely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep the President , First Family and the entire White House Complex safe and healthy at all times , '' White House spokesman Judd Deere said in a statement later Friday .
Deere said the White House was taking steps to prevent transmission of the disease in the building , including daily temperature checks , making hand sanitizer available and regularly deep-cleaning work spaces . ''
Trump and Pence also said that they would be tested for Covid-19 daily , as would every staff member and guest in proximity to them .

White House advisor Jared Kushner (C) and others wear face masks while attending a press briefing about coronavirus testing in the Rose Garden of the White House on May 11, 2020 in Washington, DC.
The White House is requiring all staffers to wear masks or facial coverings when entering the West Wing of the building, NBC News reported Monday, citing two sources familiar with the matter.
The new precaution comes days after two staffers close to President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence tested positive for the coronavirus.
The directive from the White House management office was laid out in a memo to staffers Monday afternoon, NBC reported. The White House said it will make masks available for employees who need them, according to NBC.
The memo also asked staff members to avoid visiting the West Wing, where the Oval Office is located, unless it is necessary, the sources told NBC.
Trump and Pence have both resisted wearing masks in public or at the White House. Trump did not wear a mask last week while touring a Honeywell factory in Phoenix, Arizona, that was producing N95 masks. A White House official said at the time that Honeywell had told the White House that Trump and other visitors did not need to wear masks.
When asked Friday at a roundtable event with Republican members of Congress why White House staffers were not seen wearing masks by the reporters stationed at the building, Trump said, "They are ... the people that are serving me are."
Pence was criticized for refusing to wear a mask during an April 28 visit to the Mayo Clinic. The vice president did wear a mask two days later, during a visit to a General Motors plant in Indiana.


cnbc--2020-05-11--Trump may let workers take Social Security benefits early in exchange for reduced payments later. Re

Trump may let workers take Social Security benefits early in exchange for reduced payments later. Retirement advocate calls it 'harebrained idea.'

President Donald Trump is reportedly considering another way to get more money to struggling Americans by letting them take an advance on their Social Security benefits .
Many Americans are eager for more financial help from the effects of the coronavirus as the government wraps up sending millions of $ 1,200 checks to individuals who qualify .
However , some Republican lawmakers are digging in their heels at the thought of sending more money , due to the high price tag .
The Trump administration is said to be considering prepaying Social Security retirement benefits to workers before they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Generally , workers have to be at least 62 and have worked and paid into the system for at least 10 years in order to collect benefits .
More from Personal Finance : Consumer advocate Richard Cordray fears rise of 'vehement ' debt collectors 130 million stimulus checks have gone out .
Here 's which states got the most money It pays to stay unemployed .
That might be a good thing One proposal the White House is reportedly considering calls for letting Americans take up to $ 5,000 from Social Security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the future .
The $ 5,000 would be structured as a loan with a government-set interest rate that would reimburse the Social Security trust fund with interest .
Individuals who opt into the program would pay that money back when they start collecting Social Security benefits .
Their first checks would go toward repaying the loan , for a period of up to three months .
After that , they would receive normal benefits .
The plan was developed by Andrew Biggs of the American Enterprise Institute and Joshua Rauh of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Security advocates fear this could be the beginning of efforts to curtail the program .
Currently , about 45 million retired workers depend on Social Security , with average monthly benefits totaling $ 1,503 .
In a statement , Richard Fiesta , executive director of the Alliance for Retired Americans , slammed the proposal .
`` Asking working Americans to give up even one dime of their future Social Security benefits to survive today 's economic crisis is a harebrained idea that would hurt families for decades to come , '' Fiesta said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the idea of borrowing against Social Security benefits has been proposed , said Richard Johnson , director of the program on retirement policy at the Urban Institute , a non-partisan think tank .
One proposal would have allowed people to borrow against their future benefits in order to obtain paid parental leave .
But those ideas do n't coincide with the fundamental reason Social Security was created in the first place — to provide protection against disability and financial security in old age , Johnson said .
`` These proposals kind of fundamentally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Security , '' Johnson said .
Joe Elsasser , president of Covisum , a Social Security software company , said he is skeptical of the idea .
`` I am not a fan , primarily because I think it is the most vulnerable people that would be impacted , '' Elsasser said .
That would include those who need Social Security the most for longevity protection and old age insurance , he said .
And while such a plan could be structured so it was actuarially fair , and therefore not hurt Social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be harmful to Americans ' bottom lines .
`` People are always surprised at how much it costs in 40 years ' down the road 's money to get $ 5,000 today , '' Elsasser said .

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Republican members of Congress in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., May 8, 2020. Tom Brenner | Reuters
President Donald Trump is reportedly considering another way to get more money to struggling Americans by letting them take an advance on their Social Security benefits. Many Americans are eager for more financial help from the effects of the coronavirus as the government wraps up sending millions of $1,200 checks to individuals who qualify. However, some Republican lawmakers are digging in their heels at the thought of sending more money, due to the high price tag.
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The Trump administration is said to be considering prepaying Social Security retirement benefits to workers before they are eligible, according to The Washington Post. Generally, workers have to be at least 62 and have worked and paid into the system for at least 10 years in order to collect benefits. More from Personal Finance:
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It pays to stay unemployed. That might be a good thing One proposal the White House is reportedly considering calls for letting Americans take up to $5,000 from Social Security now in exchange for delaying their benefits in the future. The $5,000 would be structured as a loan with a government-set interest rate that would reimburse the Social Security trust fund with interest. Individuals who opt into the program would pay that money back when they start collecting Social Security benefits. Their first checks would go toward repaying the loan, for a period of up to three months. After that, they would receive normal benefits. The plan was developed by Andrew Biggs of the American Enterprise Institute and Joshua Rauh of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University.
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Social Security advocates fear this could be the beginning of efforts to curtail the program. Currently, about 45 million retired workers depend on Social Security, with average monthly benefits totaling $1,503. In a statement, Richard Fiesta, executive director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, slammed the proposal. "Asking working Americans to give up even one dime of their future Social Security benefits to survive today's economic crisis is a harebrained idea that would hurt families for decades to come," Fiesta said. This isn't the first time the idea of borrowing against Social Security benefits has been proposed, said Richard Johnson, director of the program on retirement policy at the Urban Institute, a non-partisan think tank. One proposal would have allowed people to borrow against their future benefits in order to obtain paid parental leave. But those ideas don't coincide with the fundamental reason Social Security was created in the first place — to provide protection against disability and financial security in old age, Johnson said. "These proposals kind of fundamentally change the way we think about Social Security," Johnson said. Joe Elsasser, president of Covisum, a Social Security software company, said he is skeptical of the idea. "I am not a fan, primarily because I think it is the most vulnerable people that would be impacted," Elsasser said. That would include those who need Social Security the most for longevity protection and old age insurance, he said. And while such a plan could be structured so it was actuarially fair, and therefore not hurt Social Security's funding, it could still be harmful to Americans' bottom lines. "People are always surprised at how much it costs in 40 years' down the road's money to get $5,000 today," Elsasser said. The White House declined to comment.


cnbc--2020-05-11--Pentagon's inspector general will evaluate US Navy's response to coronavirus outbreaks on vessels

The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt transits the Pacific Ocean while conducting training off the coast of California .
WASHINGTON — The Pentagon 's inspector general said Monday that it will evaluate the U.S. Navy 's response to coronavirus outbreaks on vessels .
In a memo to the Department of the Navy , dated May 11 , the Pentagon 's inspector general 's office wrote that it will `` determine whether the Navy has implemented policies and procedures to prevent and mitigate the spread of infectious diseases , such as coronavirus-disease-2019 ( COVID-19 ) , on ships and submarines .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ determine whether mitigation measures that are effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19 were implemented across the fleet . ''
The latest revelation comes as the Pentagon conducts a deeper investigation into the handling of a coronavirus outbreak on the USS Theodore Roosevelt which subsequently led to the firing of U.S Navy Capt .
Brett Crozier and the resignation of then-acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly .
Over the weekend , the Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday was absent from a Saturday meeting of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday that Gilday was self-isolating after possibly being exposed to the coronavirus .
`` The CNO , Admiral Gilday , had contact with a COVID-positive family member and , although testing negative , will be quarantining this week , '' the Pentagon said in a statement .
The U.S. Navy reported on Monday a total of 2,162 confirmed cases of the coronavirus .
Of those confirmed cases , more than half are sailors that were either aboard the Roosevelt or the USS Kidd .

The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt transits the Pacific Ocean while conducting training off the coast of California.
WASHINGTON — The Pentagon's inspector general said Monday that it will evaluate the U.S. Navy's response to coronavirus outbreaks on vessels.
In a memo to the Department of the Navy, dated May 11, the Pentagon's inspector general's office wrote that it will "determine whether the Navy has implemented policies and procedures to prevent and mitigate the spread of infectious diseases, such as coronavirus-disease-2019 (COVID-19), on ships and submarines."
"In addition, we will determine whether mitigation measures that are effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19 were implemented across the fleet."
The latest revelation comes as the Pentagon conducts a deeper investigation into the handling of a coronavirus outbreak on the USS Theodore Roosevelt which subsequently led to the firing of U.S Navy Capt. Brett Crozier and the resignation of then-acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly.
Over the weekend, the Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday was absent from a Saturday meeting of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the White House. The Pentagon revealed Sunday that Gilday was self-isolating after possibly being exposed to the coronavirus.
"The CNO, Admiral Gilday, had contact with a COVID-positive family member and, although testing negative, will be quarantining this week," the Pentagon said in a statement.
The U.S. Navy reported on Monday a total of 2,162 confirmed cases of the coronavirus. Of those confirmed cases, more than half are sailors that were either aboard the Roosevelt or the USS Kidd.
Read the letter:


cnbc--2020-05-11--House will not vote on its next coronavirus relief bill before Friday

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer , a Democrat from Maryland , speaks while participating in a signing ceremony of H.R .
266 , The Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act , in the Rayburn Room of the U.S. Capitol in Washington , D.C. , U.S. , on Thursday , April 23 , 2020 .
The House will not vote on its next coronavirus relief plan before Friday , Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said Monday .
Democratic leaders have worked to cement their next bill to try to rescue an economy and health-care system battered by the pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat , told representatives `` that pending introduction of legislation , it is possible that the House may meet this week , no earlier than Friday . ''
Democrats and Republicans are also discussing a rules change that would make it easier for lawmakers who are not physically in the Capitol to vote on legislation .
Late last month , Democrats canceled a planned vote to allow representatives to vote by proxy , instead setting up a bipartisan task force to consider the issue .
Hoyer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have pushed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as U.S. unemployment soars to levels unseen since the Great Depression and states move to reboot their economies despite inadequate Covid-19 testing infrastructures .
The legislation could near the $ 2 trillion in spending in the emergency package passed in March .
In a letter to Democrats on Monday , Pelosi outlined legislative priorities such as money for state and local governments , direct payments to Americans , rent and mortgage relief and student loan assistance .
She called for a `` clear strategy of testing , tracing and treatment . ''
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House have downplayed the need to spend more taxpayer money now to curb the damage from the pandemic .
Pelosi contended Monday that `` not acting is the most expensive course . ''
Last week , White House economic advisor Larry Kudlow said he did not expect formal talks between the Trump administration and Congress to restart until late May or early June .
However , Kudlow said Sunday that the White House is still holding `` informal '' talks with lawmakers .
Potential sticking points include $ 500 billion or more in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has criticized — and liability protections for businesses reopening their doors , which the GOP backs but Democrats oppose .
If the House passes a Democratic-written relief bill , it is unlikely to get through the Republican-held Senate .
The pandemic has now led to nearly 80,000 deaths in the U.S. , according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University .
The U.S. jobs report Friday showed the economy lost more than 20 million jobs in April as businesses shuttered to slow the pandemic 's spread .

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, a Democrat from Maryland, speaks while participating in a signing ceremony of H.R. 266, The Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, in the Rayburn Room of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Thursday, April 23, 2020.
The House will not vote on its next coronavirus relief plan before Friday, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said Monday.
Democratic leaders have worked to cement their next bill to try to rescue an economy and health-care system battered by the pandemic. The office of Hoyer, a Maryland Democrat, told representatives "that pending introduction of legislation, it is possible that the House may meet this week, no earlier than Friday."
Democrats and Republicans are also discussing a rules change that would make it easier for lawmakers who are not physically in the Capitol to vote on legislation. Late last month, Democrats canceled a planned vote to allow representatives to vote by proxy, instead setting up a bipartisan task force to consider the issue.
Hoyer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have pushed for additional funding to combat the outbreak as U.S. unemployment soars to levels unseen since the Great Depression and states move to reboot their economies despite inadequate Covid-19 testing infrastructures. The legislation could near the $2 trillion in spending in the emergency package passed in March.
In a letter to Democrats on Monday, Pelosi outlined legislative priorities such as money for state and local governments, direct payments to Americans, rent and mortgage relief and student loan assistance. She called for a "clear strategy of testing, tracing and treatment."
However, Republicans in the Senate and White House have downplayed the need to spend more taxpayer money now to curb the damage from the pandemic. Pelosi contended Monday that "not acting is the most expensive course."
Last week, White House economic advisor Larry Kudlow said he did not expect formal talks between the Trump administration and Congress to restart until late May or early June. However, Kudlow said Sunday that the White House is still holding "informal" talks with lawmakers.
Potential sticking points include $500 billion or more in relief for states and municipalities — which Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has criticized — and liability protections for businesses reopening their doors, which the GOP backs but Democrats oppose.
If the House passes a Democratic-written relief bill, it is unlikely to get through the Republican-held Senate.
The pandemic has now led to nearly 80,000 deaths in the U.S., according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. The U.S. jobs report Friday showed the economy lost more than 20 million jobs in April as businesses shuttered to slow the pandemic's spread.
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cnbc--2020-05-11--Attorney General Barr's intervention for Trump allies Michael Flynn and Roger Stone was 'egregious,'

Attorney General Barr's intervention for Trump allies Michael Flynn and Roger Stone was 'egregious,' says prosecutor who quit DOJ

Attorney General William Barr waits in the press briefing room of the White House March 23 , 2020 , in Washington , DC .
He had reaffirmed his guilt at a sentencing hearing a year later that was aborted to give him more time to cooperate with then-special counsel Robert Mueller .
A retired Army general who briefly served as Trump 's first national security advisor , Flynn pleaded guilty in late 2017 to lying to FBI agents .
Barr is head of the Justice Department .
A spokeswoman for the attorney general did not immediately respond to a request @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am convinced that the department 's conduct in the Stone and Flynn cases will do lasting damage to the institution , '' Kravis wrote in an op-ed in The Washington Post .
The ex-prosecutor , Jonathan Kravis , also warned that the Justice Department 's intervention in the Stone and Flynn cases , `` to protect an ally of the president ... betrays this principle '' of a `` commitment to equal justice under the law . ''
A former federal prosecutor who quit the Justice Department in protest over its handling of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a scathing article Monday accused the department of a `` betrayal of the rule of law '' and Attorney General William Barr of `` egregious '' conduct by intervening in that case and the one of Michael Flynn , President Donald Trump 's first national security advisor .
In a filing Thursday , the interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia , former Barr advisor Timothy Shea , argued that the FBI 's interview of Flynn was not justified by a counterintelligence investigation , and that his lies about what he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` material '' to that probe .
None of the career prosecutors who handled Flynn 's case signed off on the dismissal request , which has yet to be approved by the judge in the case .
Kravis ' op-ed also came three months after he resigned from the Justice Department , where he had worked for a decade .
`` I left a job I loved because I believed the department had abandoned its responsibility to do justice in one of my cases , United States v. Roger Stone , '' Kravis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I thought that the handling of the Stone case , with senior officials intervening to recommend a lower sentence for a longtime ally of President Trump , was a disastrous mistake that the department would not make again , '' he wrote .
In that case , Stone , who was a longtime friend of Trump , had been convicted at trial last fall of lying to Congress and witness tampering .
Kravis and three other trial prosecutors then recommended that Stone be sentenced to between seven and nine years in prison for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filed that recommendation , Trump called it `` disgraceful '' in a tweet .
The next day , in a move that had few if any precedents , Shea , with the approval of senior Justice Department officials , filed a new recommendation with the judge in Stone 's case , saying that he deserved to be sentenced to `` far less '' time than what the career prosecutors had requested .
The three other prosecutors in addition to Kravis quit the case in apparent protest , although they stayed employed by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentenced to 40 months in prison , but remains free as he appeals his conviction and sentence .
Kravis wrote that in both Stone 's and Flynn 's cases `` the department undercut the work of career employees to protect an ally of the president , an abdication of the commitment to equal justice under the law .
`` Prosecutors must make decisions based on facts and law , not on the defendant 's political connections .
When the department takes steps that it would never take in any other case to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ betrays this principle . ''
Kravis also noted that in both cases , the Justice Department had assigned a special counsel , former FBI director Mueller , to handle both investigations , `` precisely to avoid the appearance of political influence . ''
`` For the attorney general now to directly intervene to benefit the president 's associates makes this betrayal of the rule of law even more egregious , '' Kravis wrote .
The former prosecutor also blasted Barr for doing an interview on the heels of the decision to ask for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In that interview , Kravis noted , Barr had said that the Stone prosecutors had lost their `` perspective '' in handling the case , and criticized the Flynn prosecutors for becoming `` wedded to a particular outcome . ''
Kravis wrote that Barr knows that the career prosecutors whom he criticized are prohibited from speaking to the media without Justice Department approval , and thus `` can not respond '' to the attorney general .
`` Barr 's decision to excuse himself from these obligations and attack his own silenced employees is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It sends an unmistakable message to prosecutors and agents — if the president demands , we will throw you under the bus . ''
Kravis also scoffed at the idea that the Justice Department had acted in the cases of Stone and Flynn `` because of good-faith commitments to legal positions . ''
`` Where is the evidence of those commitments in other cases that do not involve friends of the president ?
, '' he wrote .
`` Where are the narcotics cases in which the department has filed a sentencing memorandum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other false-statements cases dismissed after a guilty plea ? ''
Kravis concluded his op-ed by saying he was writing it for the Justice Department 's career agents and prosecutors , who will have , `` the task of repairing this damage . ''
He wrote that their work already is hard , `` and it becomes even harder when witnesses and jurors start to believe that the Justice Department 's handling of these cases is infected by politics . ''
`` Your service during these times is a credit to the department , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be at your posts , serving justice , long after this attorney general is gone . ''

Attorney General William Barr waits in the press briefing room of the White House March 23, 2020, in Washington, DC.
He had reaffirmed his guilt at a sentencing hearing a year later that was aborted to give him more time to cooperate with then-special counsel Robert Mueller.
A retired Army general who briefly served as Trump's first national security advisor, Flynn pleaded guilty in late 2017 to lying to FBI agents.
Barr is head of the Justice Department. A spokeswoman for the attorney general did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CNBC.
"I am convinced that the department's conduct in the Stone and Flynn cases will do lasting damage to the institution," Kravis wrote in an op-ed in The Washington Post.
The ex-prosecutor, Jonathan Kravis, also warned that the Justice Department's intervention in the Stone and Flynn cases, "to protect an ally of the president ... betrays this principle" of a "commitment to equal justice under the law."
A former federal prosecutor who quit the Justice Department in protest over its handling of Republican operative Roger Stone's criminal case in a scathing article Monday accused the department of a "betrayal of the rule of law" and Attorney General William Barr of "egregious" conduct by intervening in that case and the one of Michael Flynn, President Donald Trump 's first national security advisor.
In a filing Thursday, the interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, former Barr advisor Timothy Shea, argued that the FBI's interview of Flynn was not justified by a counterintelligence investigation, and that his lies about what he said to a Russian diplomat were not "material" to that probe.
None of the career prosecutors who handled Flynn's case signed off on the dismissal request, which has yet to be approved by the judge in the case.
Kravis' op-ed also came three months after he resigned from the Justice Department, where he had worked for a decade.
"I left a job I loved because I believed the department had abandoned its responsibility to do justice in one of my cases, United States v. Roger Stone," Kravis wrote.
"At the time, I thought that the handling of the Stone case, with senior officials intervening to recommend a lower sentence for a longtime ally of President Trump, was a disastrous mistake that the department would not make again," he wrote.
"I was wrong."
In that case, Stone, who was a longtime friend of Trump, had been convicted at trial last fall of lying to Congress and witness tampering.
Kravis and three other trial prosecutors then recommended that Stone be sentenced to between seven and nine years in prison for his crimes.
But hours after they filed that recommendation, Trump called it "disgraceful" in a tweet.
The next day, in a move that had few if any precedents, Shea, with the approval of senior Justice Department officials, filed a new recommendation with the judge in Stone's case, saying that he deserved to be sentenced to "far less" time than what the career prosecutors had requested.
The three other prosecutors in addition to Kravis quit the case in apparent protest, although they stayed employed by the Justice Department. Stone ended up being sentenced to 40 months in prison, but remains free as he appeals his conviction and sentence.
Kravis wrote that in both Stone's and Flynn's cases "the department undercut the work of career employees to protect an ally of the president, an abdication of the commitment to equal justice under the law.
"Prosecutors must make decisions based on facts and law, not on the defendant's political connections. When the department takes steps that it would never take in any other case to protect an ally of the president, it betrays this principle."
Kravis also noted that in both cases, the Justice Department had assigned a special counsel, former FBI director Mueller, to handle both investigations, "precisely to avoid the appearance of political influence."
"For the attorney general now to directly intervene to benefit the president's associates makes this betrayal of the rule of law even more egregious," Kravis wrote.
The former prosecutor also blasted Barr for doing an interview on the heels of the decision to ask for a dismissal of Flynn's case.
In that interview, Kravis noted, Barr had said that the Stone prosecutors had lost their "perspective" in handling the case, and criticized the Flynn prosecutors for becoming "wedded to a particular outcome."
Kravis wrote that Barr knows that the career prosecutors whom he criticized are prohibited from speaking to the media without Justice Department approval, and thus "cannot respond" to the attorney general.
"Barr's decision to excuse himself from these obligations and attack his own silenced employees is alarming," Kravis wrote.
"It sends an unmistakable message to prosecutors and agents — if the president demands, we will throw you under the bus."
Kravis also scoffed at the idea that the Justice Department had acted in the cases of Stone and Flynn "because of good-faith commitments to legal positions."
"Where is the evidence of those commitments in other cases that do not involve friends of the president?," he wrote.
"Where are the narcotics cases in which the department has filed a sentencing memorandum overruling career prosecutors? Where are the other false-statements cases dismissed after a guilty plea?"
Kravis concluded his op-ed by saying he was writing it for the Justice Department's career agents and prosecutors, who will have, "the task of repairing this damage."
He wrote that their work already is hard, "and it becomes even harder when witnesses and jurors start to believe that the Justice Department's handling of these cases is infected by politics."
"Your service during these times is a credit to the department," Kravis wrote. "And you will be at your posts, serving justice, long after this attorney general is gone."