cnbc--2020-07-15--Trump weakens environmental law to speed up permits for pipelines and other infrastructure

President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce proposed rollbacks to the National Environmental Policy Act regulations in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington , January 9 , 2020 .
President Donald Trump on Wednesday finalized a rollback to the country 's landmark environmental law , the National Environmental Policy Act , by speeding up approval for federal projects like pipelines , highways and power plants .
NEPA was signed into law by President Richard Nixon 50 years ago and requires federal agencies to consider the environmental consequences of infrastructure projects before they are approved .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowing communities to weigh in on how such projects impact climate change and their own health and safety .
In a major victory for the energy industry , the administration 's changes will aim to decrease the number of infrastructure projects that will be subject to NEPA review , effectively shortening long permit processes that have historically delayed projects .
Trump made the announcement at the UPS Hapeville Airport Hub in Atlanta , Georgia .
The president pointed to some U.S. infrastructure projects that have been delayed due to extensive litigation and permit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today , '' he said .
`` We 're doing something very dramatic . ''
The move is the latest effort from the Trump administration to roll back a slew of environmental regulations in place to combat accelerating climate change and protect natural habitats from drilling and development .
The administration has so far rolled back more than 100 environmental rules , and previously announced its intent to weaken NEPA in January .
Environmentalists swiftly condemned Trump 's announcement , arguing that the decision curtail the public 's right to have a say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ projects in their neighborhoods and disproportionately affects poor and minority communities , many of whom live in areas with higher rates of pollution .
`` The Trump administration 's anti-environment agenda is a racist agenda .
Dismantling NEPA is a blatant attempt to silence the working class communities of color who are resisting the expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure into their communities , '' said Lisa Ramsden , senior climate campaigner of Greenpeace USA .
Gina McCarthy , president and CEO of the Natural Resources Defense Council , said the administration 's roll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to allow industries to more easily pollute communities and limits the ability of communities to have input on projects .
`` People have a right to weigh in before a highway project tears up their neighborhood or a pipeline goes through their backyard , '' McCarthy said in a statement .
`` Steamrolling their concerns will mean more polluted air , more contaminated water , more health threats and more environmental destruction . ''
`` Now more than ever our leaders should be helping people breathe easier , not handing out favors to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polluters , '' McCarthy said .
However , Republican officials and the oil and gas industry have long complained of lengthy , burdensome approval process for projects that are often under scrutiny of environmental groups .
The American Petroleum Institute was one of the industry groups that was urging the administration last year to modernize and speed up NEPA reviews in a way that `` strengthens our economy and enhances environmental stewardship . ''
The move to dismantle NEPA will likely be challenged in court and also comes before the November election .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ potentially put an end to Trump 's weakening of NEPA by a majority vote and the president 's signature .
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , who recently unveiled a $ 2 trillion climate change plan , has vowed to reverse Trump 's environmental rollbacks .
`` This may be the single biggest giveaway to polluters in the past 40 years , '' said Brett Hartl , government affairs director at the Center for Biological Diversity .
`` NEPA 's dismantling is a win for corruption , a win for polluters , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the destruction of our planet , '' Hartl said .
`` Everyone else loses . ''

President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce proposed rollbacks to the National Environmental Policy Act regulations in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, January 9, 2020.
President Donald Trump on Wednesday finalized a rollback to the country's landmark environmental law, the National Environmental Policy Act, by speeding up approval for federal projects like pipelines, highways and power plants.
NEPA was signed into law by President Richard Nixon 50 years ago and requires federal agencies to consider the environmental consequences of infrastructure projects before they are approved. The law has also been vital in allowing communities to weigh in on how such projects impact climate change and their own health and safety.
In a major victory for the energy industry, the administration's changes will aim to decrease the number of infrastructure projects that will be subject to NEPA review, effectively shortening long permit processes that have historically delayed projects.
Trump made the announcement at the UPS Hapeville Airport Hub in Atlanta, Georgia. The president pointed to some U.S. infrastructure projects that have been delayed due to extensive litigation and permit processes: "All of that ends today," he said. "We're doing something very dramatic."
The move is the latest effort from the Trump administration to roll back a slew of environmental regulations in place to combat accelerating climate change and protect natural habitats from drilling and development. The administration has so far rolled back more than 100 environmental rules, and previously announced its intent to weaken NEPA in January.
Environmentalists swiftly condemned Trump's announcement, arguing that the decision curtail the public's right to have a say in the development of pipelines and other projects in their neighborhoods and disproportionately affects poor and minority communities, many of whom live in areas with higher rates of pollution.
"The Trump administration's anti-environment agenda is a racist agenda. Dismantling NEPA is a blatant attempt to silence the working class communities of color who are resisting the expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure into their communities," said Lisa Ramsden, senior climate campaigner of Greenpeace USA.
Gina McCarthy, president and CEO of the Natural Resources Defense Council, said the administration's roll back of NEPA is a clear effort to allow industries to more easily pollute communities and limits the ability of communities to have input on projects.
"People have a right to weigh in before a highway project tears up their neighborhood or a pipeline goes through their backyard," McCarthy said in a statement. "Steamrolling their concerns will mean more polluted air, more contaminated water, more health threats and more environmental destruction."
"Now more than ever our leaders should be helping people breathe easier, not handing out favors to oil drillers, pipeline developers and other polluters," McCarthy said.
However, Republican officials and the oil and gas industry have long complained of lengthy, burdensome approval process for projects that are often under scrutiny of environmental groups.
The American Petroleum Institute was one of the industry groups that was urging the administration last year to modernize and speed up NEPA reviews in a way that "strengthens our economy and enhances environmental stewardship."
The move to dismantle NEPA will likely be challenged in court and also comes before the November election. Under a different administration, Congress could potentially put an end to Trump's weakening of NEPA by a majority vote and the president's signature. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, who recently unveiled a $2 trillion climate change plan, has vowed to reverse Trump's environmental rollbacks.
"This may be the single biggest giveaway to polluters in the past 40 years," said Brett Hartl, government affairs director at the Center for Biological Diversity.
"NEPA's dismantling is a win for corruption, a win for polluters, and a win for those that profit off the destruction of our planet," Hartl said. "Everyone else loses."


cnbc--2020-07-15--Family of George Floyd files lawsuit against city of Minneapolis and 4 former police officers

A protester wearing a mask holds a large black power raised fist in the middle of the crowd that gathered at Columbus Circle .
Members of George Floyd 's family filed a lawsuit in federal court Wednesday against the city of Minneapolis and the four police officers involved in his fatal arrest in May .
The suit , filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota , alleges that the officers violated Floyd 's constitutional rights .
It claims that the city `` caused officers [ to ] act with impunity and without fear of retribution '' and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family is seeking unspecified financial damages in addition to the appointment of a `` receiver or similar authority '' to ensure that the city `` properly trains and supervises its police officers . ''
Video of Floyd 's Memorial Day arrest shows former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin , who is white , kneeling on Floyd 's neck while Floyd , who was Black , cries out that he can not breathe .
According to charging documents , Chauvin held his knee on Floyd 's neck for about eight minutes .
Floyd 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of protests against police violence around the globe .
Ben Crump , an attorney for the family , said at a press conference announcing the lawsuit that the case was `` unprecedented . ''
`` With this lawsuit , we seek to set a precedent to make it financially prohibitive '' for police to `` wrongfully kill marginalized people , especially Black people , in the future , '' Crump said .
`` The city of Minneapolis has a history of policies and procedures and deliberate indifference when it comes to the treatment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that cries out for training and discipline , '' he said .
The four officers involved in Floyd 's arrest are facing charges , and Minnesota is pursuing an investigation into the `` policies , procedures , and practices '' of the Minneapolis Police Department over the past decade .
A separate federal investigation into the arrest is also underway .
The suit names Chauvin as well as the other former officers involved in the arrest , Tou Thao , Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng .
The lawsuit claims that Chauvin 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the other former officers had a duty to intervene to stop him .
`` Every reasonable officer would have known that using force against a compliant , handcuffed individual who is not resisting arrest constitutes excessive force in violation of the Fourth Amendment , '' the suit says .
The suit also alleges that each of the former officers `` had a duty to intervene on behalf of a citizen whose constitutional rights were being violated in their presence by another officer . ''
Chauvin has been charged with second-degree murder and second-degree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter .
All four were fired from the police department .
The suit claims that Minneapolis `` frequently fails to terminate or discipline officers who demonstrate patterns of misconduct . ''
It alleges that the Minneapolis Police Department `` has observed unlawful or otherwise improper conduct by Chauvin throughout his career but has tolerated it and refused to remedy or mitigate it . ''
The suit says that the Minneapolis Police Department characterized neck restraints as `` non-deadly '' force `` and did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2012 until June .
`` Training materials offered to officers in 2014 , including Defendants Chauvin and Thao , depict an officer placing a knee on the neck of an arrestee who is handcuffed in a prone position , '' the suit says .
Attorneys for the former officers either declined to comment or did not respond to requests for comment .
A judge last week imposed a gag order barring the attorneys from discussing the cases against the officers with the media .
Minneapolis interim City Attorney Erik Nilsson said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuit and that Floyd 's death was a `` tragedy . ''
`` Criminal charges are pending against four Minneapolis police officers and it 's very important that the criminal case proceed without interference , '' Nilsson said .

A protester wearing a mask holds a large black power raised fist in the middle of the crowd that gathered at Columbus Circle.
Members of George Floyd's family filed a lawsuit in federal court Wednesday against the city of Minneapolis and the four police officers involved in his fatal arrest in May.
The suit, filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, alleges that the officers violated Floyd's constitutional rights. It claims that the city "caused officers [to] act with impunity and without fear of retribution" and failed to properly train police.
The family is seeking unspecified financial damages in addition to the appointment of a "receiver or similar authority" to ensure that the city "properly trains and supervises its police officers."
Video of Floyd's Memorial Day arrest shows former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who is white, kneeling on Floyd's neck while Floyd, who was Black, cries out that he cannot breathe. According to charging documents, Chauvin held his knee on Floyd's neck for about eight minutes.
Floyd's death while in police custody sparked weeks of protests against police violence around the globe.
Ben Crump, an attorney for the family, said at a press conference announcing the lawsuit that the case was "unprecedented."
"With this lawsuit, we seek to set a precedent to make it financially prohibitive" for police to "wrongfully kill marginalized people, especially Black people, in the future," Crump said.
"The city of Minneapolis has a history of policies and procedures and deliberate indifference when it comes to the treatment of arrestees, especially Black men, that cries out for training and discipline," he said.
The four officers involved in Floyd's arrest are facing charges, and Minnesota is pursuing an investigation into the "policies, procedures, and practices" of the Minneapolis Police Department over the past decade. A separate federal investigation into the arrest is also underway.
The suit names Chauvin as well as the other former officers involved in the arrest, Tou Thao, Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng. The lawsuit claims that Chauvin's actions were unreasonable and that each of the other former officers had a duty to intervene to stop him.
"Every reasonable officer would have known that using force against a compliant, handcuffed individual who is not resisting arrest constitutes excessive force in violation of the Fourth Amendment," the suit says. The suit also alleges that each of the former officers "had a duty to intervene on behalf of a citizen whose constitutional rights were being violated in their presence by another officer."
Chauvin has been charged with second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. The other former officers were charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. All four were fired from the police department.
The suit claims that Minneapolis "frequently fails to terminate or discipline officers who demonstrate patterns of misconduct." It alleges that the Minneapolis Police Department "has observed unlawful or otherwise improper conduct by Chauvin throughout his career but has tolerated it and refused to remedy or mitigate it."
The suit says that the Minneapolis Police Department characterized neck restraints as "non-deadly" force "and did not warn it can cause death" from 2012 until June.
"Training materials offered to officers in 2014, including Defendants Chauvin and Thao, depict an officer placing a knee on the neck of an arrestee who is handcuffed in a prone position," the suit says.
Attorneys for the former officers either declined to comment or did not respond to requests for comment. A judge last week imposed a gag order barring the attorneys from discussing the cases against the officers with the media.
Minneapolis interim City Attorney Erik Nilsson said in a statement that the city was reviewing the lawsuit and that Floyd's death was a "tragedy."
"Criminal charges are pending against four Minneapolis police officers and it's very important that the criminal case proceed without interference," Nilsson said.


cnbc--2020-07-15--Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt tests positive for coronavirus

Governor Kevin Stitt ( R-OK ) speaks during a roundtable at the State Dining Room of the White House June 18 , 2020 in Washington , DC .
WASHINGTON — Oklahoma Gov .
Kevin Stitt announced Wednesday that he has tested positive for coronavirus , becoming the first governor since the start of the pandemic to publicly announce a positive diagnosis .
`` I got tested yesterday for Covid-19 and the results came back positive , '' Stitt told reporters .
`` I feel fine ; I felt a little bit achy yesterday . ''
The Republican governor said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from home .
He resisted calls to roll back Oklahoma 's reopening plans , which are being tested by a viral resurgence .
`` Going back and bunkering in place does n't remove '' the virus , Stitt said , adding , `` It 's way , way premature to think of slowing down or backing up '' the reopening .
Stitt is one of several Republican governors around the country who have been especially vocal in questioning whether coronavirus safety recommendations from public health experts are really necessary .
On a recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event to showcase governors who were moving quickly to reopen businesses , Stitt boasted that Oklahoma was one of the first states to reopen .
`` We have to learn how to be safe and to move on , '' said Stitt .
Later in the month , with cases in Oklahoma already rising a second time , Stitt answered a question about a possible mask mandate by saying , `` I 'm always reluctant to mandate things . ''
Instead of adopting strict public health measures , Stitt has said Oklahomans will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live with '' the deadly coronavirus .
The phrase `` learn to live with it '' has gained popularity during this latest spike of coronavirus cases , as a sort of alternative theory to aggressive public health action .
Repeated by Trump and other Republican governors , the phrase reflects a hands-off approach to government intervention aimed at stopping the spread of the virus .

Governor Kevin Stitt (R-OK) speaks during a roundtable at the State Dining Room of the White House June 18, 2020 in Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON — Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt announced Wednesday that he has tested positive for coronavirus, becoming the first governor since the start of the pandemic to publicly announce a positive diagnosis.
"I got tested yesterday for Covid-19 and the results came back positive," Stitt told reporters. "I feel fine; I felt a little bit achy yesterday."
The Republican governor said he is isolating from his family and working from home. He resisted calls to roll back Oklahoma's reopening plans, which are being tested by a viral resurgence.
"Going back and bunkering in place doesn't remove" the virus, Stitt said, adding, "It's way, way premature to think of slowing down or backing up" the reopening.
Stitt is one of several Republican governors around the country who have been especially vocal in questioning whether coronavirus safety recommendations from public health experts are really necessary.
On a recent visit to the White House for an event to showcase governors who were moving quickly to reopen businesses, Stitt boasted that Oklahoma was one of the first states to reopen. "We have to learn how to be safe and to move on," said Stitt.
Later in the month, with cases in Oklahoma already rising a second time, Stitt answered a question about a possible mask mandate by saying, "I'm always reluctant to mandate things."
Instead of adopting strict public health measures, Stitt has said Oklahomans will "just have to learn how to live with" the deadly coronavirus.
The phrase "learn to live with it" has gained popularity during this latest spike of coronavirus cases, as a sort of alternative theory to aggressive public health action.
Repeated by Trump and other Republican governors, the phrase reflects a hands-off approach to government intervention aimed at stopping the spread of the virus.


cnbc--2020-07-15--Jared Kushner decides not to divest from real estate tech start-up he co-founded — for now

Senior Advisor to the President Jared Kushner walks off Marine One at the White House after spending the weekend at Bedminster , New Jersey on June 14 , 2020 in Washington , DC .
President Donald Trump 's son-in-law and senior advisor has decided to remain an investor for the time being in real estate tech start-up Cadre , which he co-founded .
Jared Kushner made the decision as part of a private agreement he made with the company , according to people with direct knowledge of the matter .
Kushner and the company put the divestiture on hold with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investor , Cadre will not seek out foreign investors , these people said .
`` The transaction [ divestiture ] is still planned and has been on hold only due to Covid , and in the meantime Cadre and Jared have an understanding that while Jared continues to be an investor in the company , Cadre will not seek foreign investment and therefore avoid any perceptions of conflict , '' one of the people with direct knowledge said .
These people declined to be named because the efforts have been made in private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups question the move and the president himself continues to be under scrutiny by his political opponents for his own business dealings while he seeks a second term .
The White House , Cadre and Kushner 's attorneys did not return requests for comment .
Kushner , along with his brother Josh and their friend Ryan Williams , the current CEO , founded the company in 2014 .
Cadre uses data and technology to assist their often high-end clients with investments in commercial real estate .
After becoming senior White House advisor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ walk away from his investment as reports started to emerge that the business was backed by foreign investors .
Kushner 's original stake in Cadre ranged from $ 25 million to $ 50 million , according to his latest financial disclosure form .
Bloomberg reported in February that Kushner transferred his interest in Cadre to a trust that was supposed to sell his shares back to the company .
A month later , as the pandemic swept through the country , states started shutting down and the Dow Jones Industrial Average eventually hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Kushner 's brother 's venture capital firm , Thrive Capital , along with Goldman Sachs and Peter Thiel 's Founders Fund , are listed on Cadre 's website as key financial backers .
Kushner has been involved with multiple projects involving leaders of foreign countries , including the crafting of a Middle East peace plan , leaving the possibility that his investment in the company could have brought at least an appearance of a conflict of interest .
Yet in late June , a filing that said Kushner would defer taxes on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ withdrawn , according to a Office of Government Ethics disclosure report .
The new filing was first flagged by the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington , which recently said in an online post that their experts `` have never seen a situation like this before . ''
Cadre itself has tried to play down its link to Kushner during his time in the White House .
In a Forbes cover story last year , which at the time said Cadre had a valuation of $ 800 million , CEO Williams brushed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his partial ownership has pushed away potential business allies .
`` There are people who wo n't work with us [ because of the Kushner connection ] , and we get that .
But we have over 80 investors in the company .
Jared is a passive investor who has no operational control , '' Williams told Forbes last year .

Senior Advisor to the President Jared Kushner walks off Marine One at the White House after spending the weekend at Bedminster, New Jersey on June 14, 2020 in Washington, DC.
President Donald Trump's son-in-law and senior advisor has decided to remain an investor for the time being in real estate tech start-up Cadre, which he co-founded.
Jared Kushner made the decision as part of a private agreement he made with the company, according to people with direct knowledge of the matter. Kushner and the company put the divestiture on hold with the understanding that while he remains an investor, Cadre will not seek out foreign investors, these people said.
"The transaction [divestiture] is still planned and has been on hold only due to Covid, and in the meantime Cadre and Jared have an understanding that while Jared continues to be an investor in the company, Cadre will not seek foreign investment and therefore avoid any perceptions of conflict," one of the people with direct knowledge said. These people declined to be named because the efforts have been made in private.
The move comes as ethics watchdog groups question the move and the president himself continues to be under scrutiny by his political opponents for his own business dealings while he seeks a second term.
The White House, Cadre and Kushner's attorneys did not return requests for comment.
Kushner, along with his brother Josh and their friend Ryan Williams, the current CEO, founded the company in 2014. Cadre uses data and technology to assist their often high-end clients with investments in commercial real estate.
After becoming senior White House advisor, Jared Kushner decided it was time to walk away from his investment as reports started to emerge that the business was backed by foreign investors. Kushner's original stake in Cadre ranged from $25 million to $50 million, according to his latest financial disclosure form.
Bloomberg reported in February that Kushner transferred his interest in Cadre to a trust that was supposed to sell his shares back to the company. A month later, as the pandemic swept through the country, states started shutting down and the Dow Jones Industrial Average eventually hit its lowest mark since Trump was inaugurated.
Kushner's brother's venture capital firm, Thrive Capital, along with Goldman Sachs and Peter Thiel's Founders Fund, are listed on Cadre's website as key financial backers.
Kushner has been involved with multiple projects involving leaders of foreign countries, including the crafting of a Middle East peace plan, leaving the possibility that his investment in the company could have brought at least an appearance of a conflict of interest.
Yet in late June, a filing that said Kushner would defer taxes on the sale of his Cadre shares was withdrawn, according to a Office of Government Ethics disclosure report. The new filing was first flagged by the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, which recently said in an online post that their experts "have never seen a situation like this before."
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Cadre itself has tried to play down its link to Kushner during his time in the White House.
In a Forbes cover story last year, which at the time said Cadre had a valuation of $800 million, CEO Williams brushed off Kushner's involvement and said even his partial ownership has pushed away potential business allies.
"There are people who won't work with us [because of the Kushner connection], and we get that. But we have over 80 investors in the company. Jared is a passive investor who has no operational control," Williams told Forbes last year.


cnbc--2020-07-16--Supreme Court leaves in place Florida 'pay-to-vote' law aimed at felons

The Supreme Court on Thursday said it would not step in to block a Florida law requiring those with felony convictions to pay fines before they may vote , potentially blocking about three-quarters of a million otherwise eligible voters from the polls .
The decision was announced in an unsigned order .
Justices Sonia Sotomayor , Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Elena Kagan dissented from the decision .
The move will prevent voters from registering for the state 's August primary and potentially the upcoming November presidential contest .
Those prevented from voting are likely to be disproportionately Black and Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swing state .
`` This Court 's order prevents thousands of otherwise eligible voters from participating in Florida 's primary election simply because they are poor , '' Sotomayor wrote in dissent .
Calling Florida 's law a `` voter paywall , '' Sotomayor wrote the court 's `` inaction continues a trend of condoning disfranchisement . ''
The majority did not provide a written explanation for its decision .
The case concerned a 2018 ballot initiative in which voters in the state ended the permanent disenfranchisement of felons who had completed `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probation . ''
The legislature defined the phrase the following year to include fines , restitution and other fees .
Gov .
Ron DeSantis , a Republican , signed the bill in June 2019 .
After civil rights groups challenged the legislature 's move , a federal judge blocked the law from going into effect , but that decision was halted by the 11th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals , which is continuing to consider the matter .
The American Civil Liberties Union , the Southern Poverty Law Center and Campaign Legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 11th Circuit 's decision .
The groups argued in court papers that most of the 750,000 potential voters could not afford what they owed and that many had no way of knowing how much they were required to pay .
In court papers , they urged the justices to block the law so that the August and November elections would not be `` undermined by chaos and disenfranchisement . ''
Attorneys for DeSantis argued that states were `` under no obligation to reenfranchise felons at all . ''
They argued that `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the court allowed `` hundreds of thousands of ineligible voters to take part in the upcoming elections . ''
Paul Smith , vice president of the Campaign Legal Center , said in a statement on Thursday that the Supreme Court 's order was `` deeply disappointing . ''
`` Florida 's voters spoke loud and clear when nearly two-thirds of them supported rights restoration at the ballot box in 2018 , '' Smith said .
`` The Supreme Court stood by as the Eleventh Circuit prevented hundreds of thousands of otherwise eligible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election simply because they ca n't afford to pay fines and fees . ''
Julie Ebenstein , an attorney with the ACLU 's Voting Rights Project , noted that the 11th Circuit will hear the case on Aug. 18 .
`` We are hopeful that the appellate court will uphold the trial court 's decision , protecting the right to vote for hundreds of thousands of Floridians in time for the November election , '' Ebenstein said .
Nancy Abudu , deputy legal director for the Southern Poverty Law Center , called the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insurmountable , setback in the ongoing struggle to achieve true democracy in our country . ''

The Supreme Court on Thursday said it would not step in to block a Florida law requiring those with felony convictions to pay fines before they may vote, potentially blocking about three-quarters of a million otherwise eligible voters from the polls.
The decision was announced in an unsigned order. Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Elena Kagan dissented from the decision.
The move will prevent voters from registering for the state's August primary and potentially the upcoming November presidential contest. Those prevented from voting are likely to be disproportionately Black and Democratic, a potential game changer in the swing state.
"This Court's order prevents thousands of otherwise eligible voters from participating in Florida's primary election simply because they are poor," Sotomayor wrote in dissent. Calling Florida's law a "voter paywall," Sotomayor wrote the court's "inaction continues a trend of condoning disfranchisement."
The majority did not provide a written explanation for its decision.
The case concerned a 2018 ballot initiative in which voters in the state ended the permanent disenfranchisement of felons who had completed "all terms of sentence including parole or probation."
The legislature defined the phrase the following year to include fines, restitution and other fees. Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, signed the bill in June 2019.
After civil rights groups challenged the legislature's move, a federal judge blocked the law from going into effect, but that decision was halted by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which is continuing to consider the matter.
The American Civil Liberties Union, the Southern Poverty Law Center and Campaign Legal Center asked the top court to reverse the 11th Circuit's decision. The groups argued in court papers that most of the 750,000 potential voters could not afford what they owed and that many had no way of knowing how much they were required to pay.
In court papers, they urged the justices to block the law so that the August and November elections would not be "undermined by chaos and disenfranchisement."
Attorneys for DeSantis argued that states were "under no obligation to reenfranchise felons at all." They argued that "all Floridians will be irreparably harmed" if the court allowed "hundreds of thousands of ineligible voters to take part in the upcoming elections."
Paul Smith, vice president of the Campaign Legal Center, said in a statement on Thursday that the Supreme Court's order was "deeply disappointing."
"Florida's voters spoke loud and clear when nearly two-thirds of them supported rights restoration at the ballot box in 2018," Smith said. "The Supreme Court stood by as the Eleventh Circuit prevented hundreds of thousands of otherwise eligible voters from participating in Florida's primary election simply because they can't afford to pay fines and fees."
Julie Ebenstein, an attorney with the ACLU's Voting Rights Project, noted that the 11th Circuit will hear the case on Aug. 18.
"We are hopeful that the appellate court will uphold the trial court's decision, protecting the right to vote for hundreds of thousands of Floridians in time for the November election," Ebenstein said.
Nancy Abudu, deputy legal director for the Southern Poverty Law Center, called the order an "unfortunate, but not insurmountable, setback in the ongoing struggle to achieve true democracy in our country."
A spokesperson for DeSantis declined to comment.


cnbc--2020-07-16--Trump's approval rating on the economy tanks in new poll

U.S. President Donald Trump arrives to attend a news conference in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington , July 14 , 2020 .
President Donald Trump 's approval rating on his handling of the U.S. economy has dropped dramatically in the last month , according to a new poll .
The poll , from Quinnipiac University , shows that only 44 % of people approve of the way Trump is handling the U.S. economy , compared with 52 % from the month before .
Trump 's stewardship of the economy had been one of the only bright @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The dramatic drop is an ominous sign for his reelection prospects .
The results come just after the release of what Trump called a `` spectacular '' jobs report , which revealed that the economy in June added 4.8 million jobs , a figure that surpassed projections .
But his rival , former Vice President Joe Biden , has suggested that the jobs report was n't reflective of the reality for many Americans .
`` Make no mistake , we 're still in a deep , deep job hole because Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus , '' the presumptive Democratic nominee said .
`` For everyone whose job has n't come back , for everyone who does n't own stock , who ca n't get a sweetheart loan through connections , does this feel like a victory ? ''
Meanwhile , 50 % of those surveyed say that Biden would do a better job handling the economy than Trump , while 45 % said he would not .
The poll was conducted between July 9 and July 13 .
There were 1,273 respondents , and the poll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2.8 percentage points .
New polling released Wednesday by CNBC/Change Research found that only 46 % of likely voters approved of Trump 's handling of the economy , versus 54 % who disapproved .

U.S. President Donald Trump arrives to attend a news conference in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, July 14, 2020.
President Donald Trump's approval rating on his handling of the U.S. economy has dropped dramatically in the last month, according to a new poll.
The poll, from Quinnipiac University, shows that only 44% of people approve of the way Trump is handling the U.S. economy, compared with 52% from the month before.
Trump's stewardship of the economy had been one of the only bright spots for the president in recent polls. The dramatic drop is an ominous sign for his reelection prospects.
The results come just after the release of what Trump called a "spectacular" jobs report, which revealed that the economy in June added 4.8 million jobs, a figure that surpassed projections.
But his rival, former Vice President Joe Biden, has suggested that the jobs report wasn't reflective of the reality for many Americans.
"Make no mistake, we're still in a deep, deep job hole because Donald Trump has so badly bungled the response to coronavirus," the presumptive Democratic nominee said. "For everyone whose job hasn't come back, for everyone who doesn't own stock, who can't get a sweetheart loan through connections, does this feel like a victory?"
Meanwhile, 50% of those surveyed say that Biden would do a better job handling the economy than Trump, while 45% said he would not. The poll was conducted between July 9 and July 13. There were 1,273 respondents, and the poll had a margin of error of +/- 2.8 percentage points.
New polling released Wednesday by CNBC/Change Research found that only 46% of likely voters approved of Trump's handling of the economy, versus 54% who disapproved.


cnbc--2020-07-17--Nancy Pelosi says coronavirus aid bill will cost at least $1.3 trillion, but 'that's not enough'

Democrats and Republicans need to resolve several disputes about what to include in a developing coronavirus relief bill as the pandemic wreaks havoc across the United States and financial lifelines are set to expire , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday .
Leaders in the Democratic-held House and GOP-controlled Senate acknowledge they need to approve more aid to combat the deadly disease 's unabated spread while supporting the economy and educating students .
But with only about two weeks until Congress plans to leave Washington for all of August , Pelosi still sees a gulf in the breadth of relief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide .
`` They know there 's going to be a bill .
… First it was going to be no bill .
And then it was going to be some little bill .
Now it 's $ 1.3 [ trillion ] .
That 's not enough , '' she told reporters Thursday in Washington .
The Senate aims to unveil coronavirus relief plans next week , Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in his home state of Kentucky on Wednesday .
The Republican added that `` kids in school , jobs and health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the bill . ''

Democrats and Republicans need to resolve several disputes about what to include in a developing coronavirus relief bill as the pandemic wreaks havoc across the United States and financial lifelines are set to expire, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday.
Leaders in the Democratic-held House and GOP-controlled Senate acknowledge they need to approve more aid to combat the deadly disease's unabated spread while supporting the economy and educating students. But with only about two weeks until Congress plans to leave Washington for all of August, Pelosi still sees a gulf in the breadth of relief she and her Republican counterparts want to provide.
"They know there's going to be a bill. … First it was going to be no bill. And then it was going to be some little bill. Now it's $1.3 [trillion]. That's not enough," she told reporters Thursday in Washington.
The Senate aims to unveil coronavirus relief plans next week, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in his home state of Kentucky on Wednesday. The Republican added that "kids in school, jobs and health care are likely to be the focus of the bill."


cnbc--2020-07-17--Trump properties have made over $17 million from the campaign and the RNC since 2016

President Donald Trump speaks on the `` Rebuilding of America 's Infrastructure : Faster , Better , Stronger '' in Atlanta on July 15 .
At the weeklong event , Trump tried to reassure donors that his administration had everything under control regarding the virus , as CNBC first reported .
Vice President Mike Pence at the time echoed Trump 's sense of calm .
The payments to the president 's business came in the second quarter , as the coronavirus pandemic was spreading .
The payments were largely for the RNC donor retreat at Trump 's private Mar-a-Lago resort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of the first quarter , according to a Republican official familiar with the matter .
That includes close to $ 400,000 recently paid by Trump Victory , Trump 's joint fundraising committee with the Republican National Committee , to the Trump Hotel Collection .
President Donald Trump 's properties have made over $ 17 million from the Trump campaign and his joint fundraising committees since 2016 .
President Donald Trump 's Mar-a-Lago resort is seen on November 1 , 2019 in Palm Beach , Florida .
Following that gathering , Trump and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fully virtual campaign , including for fundraising events .
A person familiar with the matter said that even though the meeting was in March , the payments showed up on the second-quarter filing due to a delay in processing the payments during the start of Covid-19 .
The second-quarter filing shows data ranging from April through June .
The second-quarter payments to Trump Hotels were first flagged by Anna Massoglia , a researcher at the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics , or CRP .
Beyond Trump 's hotels getting paid the massive six-figure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business ally of the president 's also saw campaign expenditures come its way .
Las Vegas Sands , the massive casino company owned by longtime Trump and GOP donor Sheldon Adelson , saw payments from Trump Victory last quarter .
The payments totaled nearly $ 250,000 and they came on the heels of the president looking to take part in a fundraiser in March at Adelson 's home .
That gathering and the Republican Jewish Coalition 's annual event were eventually cancelled .
The RJC conference was supposed to take place at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Adelson and many other large casino owners have had their facilities mostly shut down for months due to the pandemic .
The vendor payments to Trump 's hotels have rankled government ethics experts and triggered debates over whether his company is benefiting from his presidency .
An RNC official defended holding events at Trump-owned facilities .
`` We hold some of our events at Trump properties because they are great venues that fit our needs , '' the official said .
Tim Murtaugh , a spokesman for the Trump campaign , said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and abides by all FEC laws and regulations . ''
A representative from the Trump Organization did not respond to a request for comment .
The data from CRP shows that in the 2020 election cycle alone , Trump 's properties have been paid close to $ 4 million by the president 's campaign , RNC and joint committees , including thousands of dollars to Trump Tower , Trump Restaurants and Mar-a-Lago .
The same groups paid Trump 's businesses nearly $ 13 million during the 2016 election , data shows .

President Donald Trump speaks on the "Rebuilding of America's Infrastructure: Faster, Better, Stronger" in Atlanta on July 15.
At the weeklong event, Trump tried to reassure donors that his administration had everything under control regarding the virus, as CNBC first reported . Vice President Mike Pence at the time echoed Trump's sense of calm.
The payments to the president's business came in the second quarter, as the coronavirus pandemic was spreading. The payments were largely for the RNC donor retreat at Trump's private Mar-a-Lago resort in early March, just before the end of the first quarter, according to a Republican official familiar with the matter.
That includes close to $400,000 recently paid by Trump Victory, Trump's joint fundraising committee with the Republican National Committee, to the Trump Hotel Collection.
President Donald Trump's properties have made over $17 million from the Trump campaign and his joint fundraising committees since 2016.
Following that gathering, Trump and the RNC opted to go to a fully virtual campaign, including for fundraising events. A person familiar with the matter said that even though the meeting was in March, the payments showed up on the second-quarter filing due to a delay in processing the payments during the start of Covid-19. The second-quarter filing shows data ranging from April through June.
The second-quarter payments to Trump Hotels were first flagged by Anna Massoglia, a researcher at the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, or CRP.
Beyond Trump's hotels getting paid the massive six-figure totals, a company run by a business ally of the president's also saw campaign expenditures come its way. Las Vegas Sands, the massive casino company owned by longtime Trump and GOP donor Sheldon Adelson, saw payments from Trump Victory last quarter.
The payments totaled nearly $250,000 and they came on the heels of the president looking to take part in a fundraiser in March at Adelson's home. That gathering and the Republican Jewish Coalition's annual event were eventually cancelled. The RJC conference was supposed to take place at the Venetian, a property of Sands.
Adelson and many other large casino owners have had their facilities mostly shut down for months due to the pandemic.
Tweet:
The vendor payments to Trump's hotels have rankled government ethics experts and triggered debates over whether his company is benefiting from his presidency.
An RNC official defended holding events at Trump-owned facilities.
"We hold some of our events at Trump properties because they are great venues that fit our needs," the official said.
Tim Murtaugh, a spokesman for the Trump campaign, said: "The campaign pays fair market value and abides by all FEC laws and regulations."
A representative from the Trump Organization did not respond to a request for comment.
The data from CRP shows that in the 2020 election cycle alone, Trump's properties have been paid close to $4 million by the president's campaign, RNC and joint committees, including thousands of dollars to Trump Tower, Trump Restaurants and Mar-a-Lago.
The same groups paid Trump's businesses nearly $13 million during the 2016 election, data shows.


cnbc--2020-07-17--Oregon outrage: Elected officials blast federal authorities for grabbing protesters off the streets

Oregon outrage: Elected officials blast federal authorities for grabbing protesters off the streets in Portland

Oregon elected officials blasted President Donald Trump 's administration after reports that federal law enforcement personnel in recent days have arrested protesters off the streets of Portland while using unmarked government vehicles and refusing to tell people why they are being detained .
The tactics came as federal authorities already were being criticized for shooting a protester in the head with an impact munition on Saturday night outside of Portland 's federal courthouse .
`` This political theater from President Trump has nothing to do with public safety , '' said Oregon Gov .
Kate Brown , a Democrat , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The President is failing to lead this nation .
Now he is deploying federal officers to patrol the streets of Portland in a blatant abuse of power by the federal government , '' Brown wrote .
U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley , an Oregon Democrat , pinned a video of one of the arrests in question to the top of his official Twitter account , and wrote , `` Authoritarian governments , not democratic republics , send unmarked authorities after protesters . ''
`` These Trump/Barr tactics designed to eliminate any accountability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must end , '' wrote Merkley , referring to the president and U.S. Attorney General William Barr .
The protests in Portland , like others nationwide , were initially sparked by the Memorial Day killing by Minneapolis police of George Floyd , a Black man who was being arrested on suspicion of using a counterfeit bill to make a purchase .
Oregon Public Broadcasting , in a report Thursday night , said that federal authorities , including the U.S .
Marshals ' Special Operations Group , and a tactical unit from U.S. Customs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday have used unmarked vehicles to patrol downtown Portland and arrest protesters .
`` Personal accounts and multiple videos posted online show the officers driving up to people , detaining individuals with no explanation of why they are being arrested , and driving off , '' OPB reported .
`` But interviews conducted by OPB show officers are also detaining people on Portland streets who are n't near federal property , nor is it clear that all of the people being arrested have engaged in criminal activity , '' the report said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ local press to his statement earlier in the week about federal law enforcement agencies dealing with protesters .
`` We do not need or want their help , '' Wheeler , a Democrat said in that statement .
`` The best thing they can do is stay inside their building , or leave Portland altogether . ''
The White House referred a request for comment from CNBC to the Department of Homeland Security , which did not immediately respond .
In a statement , U.S. Border Patrol said its `` agents have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Presidential Executive Order and the newly established DHS Protecting American Communities Task Force ( PACT ) . ''
`` As a law enforcement component under DHS , CBP will be providing support , as needed at the request of the Federal Protective Service , to protect Federal facilities and property , '' Border Patrol said .
A Marshals ' Service spokeswoman said the agency does use unmarked vehicles , but also said that its personnel wear clear identification on their uniforms , and do inform suspects about why they are being detained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Homeland Security Chad Wolf , in a letter issued Thursday , on the same day he visited Portland , said that the city `` has been under siege for 47 straight days by a violent mob while local political leaders refuse to restore order to protect their city . ''
The letter included a long list of vandalism or attempted vandalism of federal properties , including the courthouse , in Portland by what Wolf repeatedly called `` violent anarchists . ''
`` Instead of addressing violent criminals in their communities , local and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blame on law enforcement and requesting fewer officers in their community , '' Wolf wrote .
`` This failed response has only emboldened the violent mob as it escalates violence day after day . ''
`` DHS will not abdicate its solemn duty to protect federal facilities and those within them . ''
Wolf on Friday tweeted a photo of him addressing men in camouflage , writing , `` Our men and women in uniform are patriots .
We will never surrender to violent extremists on my watch . ''
During an interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ken Cuccinelli , acting deputy secretary of Homeland Security , said , `` What we 've seen around the country is where responsible policing is advanced , violence recedes . ''
`` And Portland has n't gotten that memo .
Nor have a lot of other cities .
And the president is determined to do what we can , within our jurisdiction , to help restore peace to these beleaguered cities , '' Cuccinelli said .
But Oregon 's other senator , Democrat Ron Wyden , wrote on Twitter , `` ' A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the head by one of Donald Trump 's secret police . ''
`` Now Trump and Chad Wolf are weaponizing the DHS as their own occupying army to provoke violence on the streets of my hometown because they think it plays well with right-wing media , '' Wyden wrote .
Brown , in her Twitter post , wrote , `` I told Acting Secretary Wolf that the federal government should remove all federal officers from our streets . ''
`` His response showed me he is on a mission to provoke confrontation for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oregonians and local law enforcement officers in harm 's way , '' the governor wrote .
Brown pointed her finger at Trump , saying the tactics in Portland are `` coming from the same President who used tear gas to clear out peaceful protesters in Washington , DC to engineer a photo opportunity . ''
She said that `` Trump is looking for a confrontation in Oregon in the hopes of winning political points in Ohio or Iowa , '' two battleground states in the 2020 presidential election .
The criticisms of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Trump were strongly criticized over federal law enforcement authorities violently clearing demonstrators from Lafayette Square , an area just outside of the White House , so that the president could walk to a nearby church and pose with a Bible in front of it .
On the heels of that incident , federal authorities who did not wear identification showing either their names or agencies ' names were deployed in the area surrounding the White House .
OPB , in its report on the situation in Portland , cited an account by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ O'Shea , who were walking home early Wednesday morning after protesting outside the federal courthouse .
The men described an unmarked van pulling up to them , with four or five men in camouflage hopping out and moving to detain them .
O'Shea ran off , and eluded a second unmarked van that pursued him , he told OPB .
But Pettibone was caught , he said .
`` I am basically tossed into the van , '' Pettibone told OPB .
`` And I had my beanie pulled over my face so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my hands over my head . ''
After being taken to a place he later learned was the federal courthouse , he was detained for 90 minutes , read his Miranda rights and refused to submit to an interview , saying he wanted a lawyer , Pettibone said .
He soon after was released without being given any paperwork indicating he was arrested or charged .
`` I just happened to be wearing black on a sidewalk in downtown Portland at the time , '' Pettibone told the news site .
`` And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Drew Wade , a spokesman for the U.S .
Marshals Service , told NBC News that `` All United States Marshals Service arrestees have public records of arrest documenting their charges .
Our agency did not arrest or detain Mark James Pettibone . ''
Jann Carson , interim executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon , in a statement said , `` What is happening now in Portland should concern everyone in the United States . ''
`` Usually when we see people in unmarked cars forcibly grab @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kidnapping .
The actions of the militarized federal officers are flat-out unconstitutional and will not go unanswered , '' Carson said .

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Oregon elected officials blasted President Donald Trump's administration after reports that federal law enforcement personnel in recent days have arrested protesters off the streets of Portland while using unmarked government vehicles and refusing to tell people why they are being detained. The tactics came as federal authorities already were being criticized for shooting a protester in the head with an impact munition on Saturday night outside of Portland's federal courthouse. "This political theater from President Trump has nothing to do with public safety," said Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, a Democrat, in a Twitter thread condemning the arrests. "The President is failing to lead this nation. Now he is deploying federal officers to patrol the streets of Portland in a blatant abuse of power by the federal government," Brown wrote.
Senator Jeff Merkley, a Democrat from Oregon, speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020. Zach Gibson | Bloomberg | Getty Images
U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, an Oregon Democrat, pinned a video of one of the arrests in question to the top of his official Twitter account, and wrote, "Authoritarian governments, not democratic republics, send unmarked authorities after protesters." "These Trump/Barr tactics designed to eliminate any accountability are absolutely unacceptable in America, and must end," wrote Merkley, referring to the president and U.S. Attorney General William Barr. MerkleyTweet The protests in Portland, like others nationwide, were initially sparked by the Memorial Day killing by Minneapolis police of George Floyd, a Black man who was being arrested on suspicion of using a counterfeit bill to make a purchase. Oregon Public Broadcasting, in a report Thursday night, said that federal authorities, including the U.S. Marshals' Special Operations Group, and a tactical unit from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, since at least Tuesday have used unmarked vehicles to patrol downtown Portland and arrest protesters. "Personal accounts and multiple videos posted online show the officers driving up to people, detaining individuals with no explanation of why they are being arrested, and driving off," OPB reported. "But interviews conducted by OPB show officers are also detaining people on Portland streets who aren't near federal property, nor is it clear that all of the people being arrested have engaged in criminal activity," the report said.
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Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler's office referred local press to his statement earlier in the week about federal law enforcement agencies dealing with protesters. "We do not need or want their help," Wheeler, a Democrat said in that statement. "The best thing they can do is stay inside their building, or leave Portland altogether." The White House referred a request for comment from CNBC to the Department of Homeland Security, which did not immediately respond.
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In a statement, U.S. Border Patrol said its "agents have been deployed to Portland in direct support of the Presidential Executive Order and the newly established DHS Protecting American Communities Task Force (PACT)." "As a law enforcement component under DHS, CBP will be providing support, as needed at the request of the Federal Protective Service, to protect Federal facilities and property," Border Patrol said. A Marshals' Service spokeswoman said the agency does use unmarked vehicles, but also said that its personnel wear clear identification on their uniforms, and do inform suspects about why they are being detained.
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf looks up during the launch of a new initiative to combat online child sexual exploitation during a news conference at the Department of Justice in Washington, U.S., March 5, 2020. Kevin Lemarque | Reuters
Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Chad Wolf, in a letter issued Thursday, on the same day he visited Portland, said that the city "has been under siege for 47 straight days by a violent mob while local political leaders refuse to restore order to protect their city." The letter included a long list of vandalism or attempted vandalism of federal properties, including the courthouse, in Portland by what Wolf repeatedly called "violent anarchists." "Instead of addressing violent criminals in their communities, local and state leaders are instead focusing on placing blame on law enforcement and requesting fewer officers in their community," Wolf wrote. "This failed response has only emboldened the violent mob as it escalates violence day after day." "DHS will not abdicate its solemn duty to protect federal facilities and those within them." Wolf on Friday tweeted a photo of him addressing men in camouflage, writing, "Our men and women in uniform are patriots. We will never surrender to violent extremists on my watch." Wolf tweet During an interview with Fox News on Friday morning, Ken Cuccinelli, acting deputy secretary of Homeland Security, said, "What we've seen around the country is where responsible policing is advanced, violence recedes." "And Portland hasn't gotten that memo. Nor have a lot of other cities. And the president is determined to do what we can, within our jurisdiction, to help restore peace to these beleaguered cities," Cuccinelli said. But Oregon's other senator, Democrat Ron Wyden, wrote on Twitter, "'A peaceful protester in Portland was shot in the head by one of Donald Trump's secret police." "Now Trump and Chad Wolf are weaponizing the DHS as their own occupying army to provoke violence on the streets of my hometown because they think it plays well with right-wing media," Wyden wrote. WydenTweet Brown, in her Twitter post, wrote, "I told Acting Secretary Wolf that the federal government should remove all federal officers from our streets." "His response showed me he is on a mission to provoke confrontation for political purposes. He is putting both Oregonians and local law enforcement officers in harm's way," the governor wrote.
Police make arrests after a 'riot' is declared as hundreds gather at the Portland, Oregon Police Association building on July 13, 2020 to protest police brutality and racial inequities. John Rudoff | Sipa USA | AP Images


cnbc--2020-07-17--In an apparent break with Trump, Pentagon effectively bans Confederate flag from U.S. military insta

In an apparent break with Trump, Pentagon effectively bans Confederate flag from U.S. military installations

Supporters of Confederate statues and symbols display a Confederate flag under a U.S. flag during the Lee-Jackson Day state holiday in Lexington , Virginia , U.S. January 17 , 2020 .
WASHINGTON — The Pentagon on Friday unveiled what 's effectively a ban on public displays of the Confederate flag on U.S. military installations .
The policy change may draw ire from President Donald Trump , who said last month that his administration would `` not even consider '' the removal of Confederate symbols .
The carefully worded policy approved by Secretary of Defense Mark Esper on Thursday does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Instead it clarifies that the American flag is the `` principal flag we are authorized and encouraged to display . ''
The memo also lists authorized flags that may be displayed .
The Confederate flag is not named .
`` The flags we fly must accord with the military imperatives of good order and discipline , treating all our people with dignity and respect , and rejecting divisive symbols , '' Esper wrote in a Friday memo explaining the policy change .
`` With this change in policy , we will further improve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the force in defense of our great nation , '' the statement added .
A push to remove Confederate symbols has gained renewed force after the killing of George Floyd , an unarmed black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly eight minutes .
Esper recently told lawmakers that a process was underway to evaluate the potential removal of Confederate symbols from U.S. military installations .

Supporters of Confederate statues and symbols display a Confederate flag under a U.S. flag during the Lee-Jackson Day state holiday in Lexington, Virginia, U.S. January 17, 2020.
WASHINGTON — The Pentagon on Friday unveiled what's effectively a ban on public displays of the Confederate flag on U.S. military installations.
The policy change may draw ire from President Donald Trump, who said last month that his administration would "not even consider" the removal of Confederate symbols.
The carefully worded policy approved by Secretary of Defense Mark Esper on Thursday does not specifically mention the Confederate battle flag. Instead it clarifies that the American flag is the "principal flag we are authorized and encouraged to display."
The memo also lists authorized flags that may be displayed. The Confederate flag is not named.
"The flags we fly must accord with the military imperatives of good order and discipline, treating all our people with dignity and respect, and rejecting divisive symbols," Esper wrote in a Friday memo explaining the policy change. "With this change in policy, we will further improve the morale, cohesion, and readiness of the force in defense of our great nation," the statement added.
A push to remove Confederate symbols has gained renewed force after the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly eight minutes.
Esper recently told lawmakers that a process was underway to evaluate the potential removal of Confederate symbols from U.S. military installations.


cnbc--2020-07-17--Progressive Jamaal Bowman defeats House Foreign Affairs Chairman Eliot Engel in Democratic primary

New York Congressional candidate Jamaal Bowman campaigns the day before election day on June 22 , 2020 in Edenwald Houses in the Bronx borough in New York City .
Jamaal Bowman , a progressive candidate running in his first ever political campaign , has defeated longtime Rep. Eliot Engel in the New York Democratic primary , according to an Associated Press tally .
Bowman 's victory over Engel in New York 's 16th Congressional District is a mirror image of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez 's stunning upset win over longtime Rep. Joe Crowley in the 15th district in 2018 .
Ocasio-Cortez endorsed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 23 primary .
Bowman , a 44-year-old father of three , centered his campaign on racial injustice and human rights .
`` Coming into the campaign , we felt that structural racism , institutional racism , institutional classism , institutional sexism and militarism are the evils that continue to plague American society generally , '' he told NBC News last month .
The win is a major victory for the progressive wing of the party .
In addition to AOC , Bowman , who resigned as the principal of a middle school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on his race , was endorsed by Sens .
Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , and Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass .
Engel , a New York congressman since 1989 , was backed by former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , and Gov .
Andrew Cuomo .
Bowman had been leading in the vote count since the night of the June 23 primary , but a surge in absentee voting as a result of the coronavirus pandemic resulted in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York state law , absentee votes ca n't begin to be counted until one week after the primary .

New York Congressional candidate Jamaal Bowman campaigns the day before election day on June 22, 2020 in Edenwald Houses in the Bronx borough in New York City.
Jamaal Bowman, a progressive candidate running in his first ever political campaign, has defeated longtime Rep. Eliot Engel in the New York Democratic primary, according to an Associated Press tally.
Bowman's victory over Engel in New York's 16th Congressional District is a mirror image of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's stunning upset win over longtime Rep. Joe Crowley in the 15th district in 2018. Ocasio-Cortez endorsed Bowman over her congressional colleague before the June 23 primary.
Read more from NBC News:
Bowman, a 44-year-old father of three, centered his campaign on racial injustice and human rights.
"Coming into the campaign, we felt that structural racism, institutional racism, institutional classism, institutional sexism and militarism are the evils that continue to plague American society generally," he told NBC News last month.
The win is a major victory for the progressive wing of the party. In addition to AOC, Bowman, who resigned as the principal of a middle school in the Bronx to focus full time on his race, was endorsed by Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.
Engel, a New York congressman since 1989, was backed by former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Bowman had been leading in the vote count since the night of the June 23 primary, but a surge in absentee voting as a result of the coronavirus pandemic resulted in a delay in the final results. Under New York state law, absentee votes can't begin to be counted until one week after the primary.


cnbc--2020-07-17--Supreme Court's Ginsburg says she's being treated for liver cancer, but still working 'full steam'

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said Friday she is being treated for liver cancer but remains able to work `` full steam . ''
The 87-year-old justice said she began a course of chemotherapy in May to treat a recurrence of cancer after a February scan revealed lesions on her liver .
`` Immunotherapy first essayed proved unsuccessful .
The chemotherapy course , however , is yielding positive results .
Satisfied that my treatment course is now clear , I am providing this information , '' Ginsburg said in a statement .
Ginsburg , a liberal , is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has a 5-4 majority of Republican-appointed justices , and a vacancy could allow President Donald Trump to nominate a conservative replacement .
Ginsburg said her most recent scan was conducted on July 7 and showed `` significant reduction of the liver lesions and no new disease . ''
`` I am tolerating chemotherapy well and am encouraged by the success of my current treatment .
I will continue bi-weekly chemotherapy to keep my cancer at bay , and am able to maintain an active daily routine , '' Ginsburg said .
She added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up with opinion writing and all other Court work .
I have often said I would remain a member of the Court as long as I can do the job full steam .
I remain fully able to do that . ''
Ginsburg has wrestled with a slew of health problems , including multiple cancer scares in recent years .
On Wednesday , she was discharged from Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore after being admitted the day before with a possible infection .
A court spokesperson said Wednesday that she was `` home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in May for a benign gallbladder condition , Ginsburg called into the court 's arguments over Trump rules expanding exemptions to the Affordable Care Act 's contraceptive mandate .
The arguments were held over the phone as a precaution against the spread of Covid-19 .
Ginsburg said those hospitalizations were `` unrelated '' to the recent cancer recurrence .
The court will next hear arguments in October .
Ginsburg has been treated for colon and pancreatic cancer and in 2018 underwent a procedure to remove cancerous growths from one of her lungs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the most sought after prizes in November 's presidential contest .
Trump , who has already named two conservative justices to the bench , has made his appointments to the top court and the rest of the federal judiciary a signature element of his campaign .
The GOP has a majority in the Senate , which must approve presidential nominations to the court , and is fighting to keep its hold on the chamber in the November election .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , has said he would work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that opened up in 2020 .
Trump reacted to the news earlier in the week that Ginsburg had been hospitalized by saying that `` I wish her the absolute best . ''
`` On May 19 , I began a course of chemotherapy ( gemcitabine ) to treat a recurrence of cancer .
A periodic scan in February followed by a biopsy revealed lesions on my liver .
My recent hospitalizations to remove gall stones and treat an infection were unrelated to this recurrence .
Immunotherapy first essayed proved unsuccessful .
The chemotherapy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results .
Satisfied that my treatment course is now clear , I am providing this information .
My most recent scan on July 7 indicated significant reduction of the liver lesions and no new disease .
I am tolerating chemotherapy well and am encouraged by the success of my current treatment .
I will continue bi-weekly chemotherapy to keep my cancer at bay , and am able to maintain an active daily routine .
Throughout , I have kept up with opinion writing and all other Court work .
I have often said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court as long as I can do the job full steam .
I remain fully able to do that . ''
Correction : This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Ruth Bader Ginsburg 's name .

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg participates in taking a new family photo with her fellow justices at the Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 1, 2017. Jonathan Ernst | Reuters
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said Friday she is being treated for liver cancer but remains able to work "full steam." The 87-year-old justice said she began a course of chemotherapy in May to treat a recurrence of cancer after a February scan revealed lesions on her liver. "Immunotherapy first essayed proved unsuccessful. The chemotherapy course, however, is yielding positive results. Satisfied that my treatment course is now clear, I am providing this information," Ginsburg said in a statement. Ginsburg, a liberal, is the court's eldest justice. The court has a 5-4 majority of Republican-appointed justices, and a vacancy could allow President Donald Trump to nominate a conservative replacement. Ginsburg said her most recent scan was conducted on July 7 and showed "significant reduction of the liver lesions and no new disease." "I am tolerating chemotherapy well and am encouraged by the success of my current treatment. I will continue bi-weekly chemotherapy to keep my cancer at bay, and am able to maintain an active daily routine," Ginsburg said.
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She added: "Throughout, I have kept up with opinion writing and all other Court work. I have often said I would remain a member of the Court as long as I can do the job full steam. I remain fully able to do that." Ginsburg has wrestled with a slew of health problems, including multiple cancer scares in recent years. On Wednesday, she was discharged from Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore after being admitted the day before with a possible infection. A court spokesperson said Wednesday that she was "home and doing well." While hospitalized in May for a benign gallbladder condition, Ginsburg called into the court's arguments over Trump rules expanding exemptions to the Affordable Care Act's contraceptive mandate. The arguments were held over the phone as a precaution against the spread of Covid-19. Ginsburg said those hospitalizations were "unrelated" to the recent cancer recurrence. The court will next hear arguments in October. Ginsburg has been treated for colon and pancreatic cancer and in 2018 underwent a procedure to remove cancerous growths from one of her lungs. Possible control of the court is one of the most sought after prizes in November's presidential contest. Trump, who has already named two conservative justices to the bench, has made his appointments to the top court and the rest of the federal judiciary a signature element of his campaign.
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cnbc--2020-07-17--Op-ed: Investors are wrong to worry about a President Biden

Democratic U.S. presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden speaks about the Trump administration 's handling of the coronavirus disease pandemic during a campaign event in Wilmington , Delaware , June 30 , 2020 .
Second , many of the regulatory changes enacted by the Trump administration may have led to short-term cost decreases for businesses but also to long term costs for working Americans .
For example , environmental rollbacks and the resulting increase in greenhouse gas emissions could lead to thousands of additional deaths each year .
Instead , the tax cut provided a very temporary `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to buy back their own shares that will provide no particular long term , broad-based benefit .
First , Republicans have increased the country 's deficit spending and resulting debt without any benefit for the vast majority of Americans .
When Republicans supported Trump 's 2017 tax cut , they promised that the resulting economic gains would more than make up for lost tax revenues .
They were wrong .
It 's ironic that we are starting to read reports about investors fretting over the possible election of Joe Biden as president .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the GOP have broken every rule about what it takes to secure long term prosperity .
U.S. consumers end up on the short end of these changes .
As a report from Energy Innovation noted , `` Freezing federal fuel economy and [ greenhouse gas ] emissions standards will harm U.S. consumers , who will pay more money to drive their cars the same distance . ''
The EPA justified these changes by claiming they will `` provide certainty for states , tribes and local governments . ''
Hardly .
The real certainty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health outcomes and investments to reverse these policies in a future administration .
When Biden talks about reversing the 2017 tax cut by raising taxes on the wealthiest Americans , he makes it clear that families earning less than $ 400,000 annually wo n't be affected .
The Trump administration has also proposed rules to roll back protections for workers , ranging from coal miners to oil rig operators to those at meat-packing plants .
An analysis from the Center for American Progress estimates that the Trump Administration 's rollbacks on overtime eligibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cost working Americans $ 18 billion annually .
So regular Americans will pay the price in poorer health , higher expenses and less savings as a result of Trump 's short-sighted policies to benefit a portion of the business community .
Third , investors value certainty .
Trump provides none .
How are investors or anybody else to predict what a second Trump term might look like when in the first term he tweeted his way out of the Paris accords and World Health Organization , pretended to battle China and Russia and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the fly on a weekly basis .
Will he start more trade wars or fewer ?
Will he respect science in any fashion or continue to proclaim himself as the only person smart enough to decide important issues ?
Finally , the best employers know they have to build their businesses by partnering with a healthy and talented workforce .
Yet Trump has closed our borders to skilled foreign workers and shredded the Affordable Care Act 's protections designed to keep our people healthy .
Long term prosperity does n't look anything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ build .
Joe Biden 's plans would not only lead to greater long term economic growth ; they would also spread the bounties of that growth much more broadly than Trump has done .
They also reflect a more sophisticated understanding than Trump 's about how to use the federal balance sheet to create long term growth for the economy in a way that will benefit a much broader swath of our population .
When Biden talks about reversing the 2017 tax cut by raising taxes on the wealthiest Americans , he makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 400,000 annually wo n't be affected .
But he knows that there are more productive uses for these additional funds – like investing in infrastructure , improving educational opportunities , buying more American-made goods and advancing research and development – than facilitating share buybacks .
When he promises to bring supply chains back to the U.S. , he is n't only responding to the problems we 've had accessing protective equipment in the battle against Covid-19 .
He 's also prepared to fix an almost unbelievable problem that Trump 's 2017 tax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shifted profits linked to U.S. research and production to foreign countries .
And when he promises to be a friend to working people , making it easier for them to join unions , it 's because he knows that collective negotiation and collaboration are great ways for Americans to secure a better future for themselves and their families .
So indeed , it is ironic that investors worry about a President Biden .
Stronger finances , shored up infrastructure , less pollution , more domestic manufacturing and more secure workers are a much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offered up by the Trump administration .
After a career as a senior executive in the telecommunications industry , Jack Markell served as Governor of Delaware from 2009-2017 and as Chair of both the National Governors Association and the Democratic Governors Association .

Democratic U.S. presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden speaks about the Trump administration's handling of the coronavirus disease pandemic during a campaign event in Wilmington, Delaware, June 30, 2020.
Second, many of the regulatory changes enacted by the Trump administration may have led to short-term cost decreases for businesses but also to long term costs for working Americans. For example, environmental rollbacks and the resulting increase in greenhouse gas emissions could lead to thousands of additional deaths each year .
Instead, the tax cut provided a very temporary "sugar high" that employers used largely to buy back their own shares that will provide no particular long term, broad-based benefit.
First, Republicans have increased the country's deficit spending and resulting debt without any benefit for the vast majority of Americans. When Republicans supported Trump's 2017 tax cut, they promised that the resulting economic gains would more than make up for lost tax revenues . They were wrong .
It's ironic that we are starting to read reports about investors fretting over the possible election of Joe Biden as president. President Donald Trump and his accomplices in the GOP have broken every rule about what it takes to secure long term prosperity.
U.S. consumers end up on the short end of these changes. As a report from Energy Innovation noted, "Freezing federal fuel economy and [greenhouse gas] emissions standards will harm U.S. consumers, who will pay more money to drive their cars the same distance."
The EPA justified these changes by claiming they will "provide certainty for states, tribes and local governments." Hardly. The real certainty is increased health care expenses, poorer health outcomes and investments to reverse these policies in a future administration.
When Biden talks about reversing the 2017 tax cut by raising taxes on the wealthiest Americans, he makes it clear that families earning less than $400,000 annually won't be affected.
The Trump administration has also proposed rules to roll back protections for workers, ranging from coal miners to oil rig operators to those at meat-packing plants.
An analysis from the Center for American Progress estimates that the Trump Administration's rollbacks on overtime eligibility and protections related to retirement advice could cost working Americans $18 billion annually.
So regular Americans will pay the price in poorer health, higher expenses and less savings as a result of Trump's short-sighted policies to benefit a portion of the business community.
Third, investors value certainty. Trump provides none. How are investors or anybody else to predict what a second Trump term might look like when in the first term he tweeted his way out of the Paris accords and World Health Organization, pretended to battle China and Russia and then bowed to them and made policy on the fly on a weekly basis.
Will he start more trade wars or fewer? Will he respect science in any fashion or continue to proclaim himself as the only person smart enough to decide important issues?
Finally, the best employers know they have to build their businesses by partnering with a healthy and talented workforce. Yet Trump has closed our borders to skilled foreign workers and shredded the Affordable Care Act's protections designed to keep our people healthy.
Long term prosperity doesn't look anything like the economy Trump is trying to build.
Joe Biden's plans would not only lead to greater long term economic growth; they would also spread the bounties of that growth much more broadly than Trump has done.
They also reflect a more sophisticated understanding than Trump's about how to use the federal balance sheet to create long term growth for the economy in a way that will benefit a much broader swath of our population.
When Biden talks about reversing the 2017 tax cut by raising taxes on the wealthiest Americans, he makes it clear that families earning less than $400,000 annually won't be affected. But he knows that there are more productive uses for these additional funds – like investing in infrastructure, improving educational opportunities, buying more American-made goods and advancing research and development – than facilitating share buybacks.
When he promises to bring supply chains back to the U.S., he isn't only responding to the problems we've had accessing protective equipment in the battle against Covid-19. He's also prepared to fix an almost unbelievable problem that Trump's 2017 tax cut created: it rewarded companies that shifted profits linked to U.S. research and production to foreign countries.
And when he promises to be a friend to working people, making it easier for them to join unions, it's because he knows that collective negotiation and collaboration are great ways for Americans to secure a better future for themselves and their families.
So indeed, it is ironic that investors worry about a President Biden. Stronger finances, shored up infrastructure, less pollution, more domestic manufacturing and more secure workers are a much better bet on future prosperity than anything offered up by the Trump administration.
After a career as a senior executive in the telecommunications industry, Jack Markell served as Governor of Delaware from 2009-2017 and as Chair of both the National Governors Association and the Democratic Governors Association.