Report: Newly unsealed evidence connects Russian tech entrepreneur to 2016 election hacking
A report from a former FBI cyberexpert unsealed today revealed new evidence that Russian entrepreneur Aleksej Gubarev may have played a more direct role in hacking the 2016 election, the New York Times reports.
The newly unsealed report, which was commissioned by @BuzzFeed from a former @FBI cyber-expert, has lots of details on the Russian election hacking. @AllMattNYT, who has the report, breaks it down:https://t.co/ynMKNI0qC4
— Kenneth P. Vogel (@kenvogel) March 14, 2019
Gubarev was first named by former British spy Christopher Steele, who alleged in his now infamous dossier published in full by BuzzFeed, that the tech businessman helped Russian agents target the Democratic Party in a series of data-stealing internet attacks done to secure Donald Trump’s victory in the 2016 US election.
The new report found that Gubarev’s companies, which provide web-hosting services in Europe and the US, were used to interfere in the election along with other nefarious actions, including a 2015 attack on Ukraine’s power grid, but did not link Gubarev himself to the crimes.
Per the New York Times:
As Anthony Ferrante, the report’s lead author and a former F.B.I. agent, noted in a deposition: “I have no evidence of them actually sitting behind a keyboard.”
Mr. Gubarev has insisted that neither he nor his businesses knowingly took part in the Russian hacking. He backed up his denials by filing a defamation lawsuit against BuzzFeed, the first news organization to publish the dossier, which became public in January 2017. The report unsealed Thursday was commissioned by BuzzFeed to fend off Mr. Gubarev’s suit, which was dismissed in December when the court found BuzzFeed’s decision to publish protected under the law.
Evan Fray-Witzer, a lawyer for Mr. Gubarev, said that hackers using a client’s servers was hardly unique for a web-hosting company, or any tech company. Mr. Gubarev should not be held responsible for the misuse of his network by others that he neither approved nor knew about, Mr. Fray-Witzer said.
‘You could say the same thing about Google’s infrastructure and Amazon’s infrastructure — and no one is accusing them of hacking anyone just because hackers used their infrastructure,’ he said”.
Commerce Secretary testifies before Oversight Committee
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross appeared before the House Oversight Committee today, to answer questions about the controversial citizenship question he attempted to add to the 2020 census.
The question, pushed for by the Trump Administration and seen as discriminatory by immigrant advocates, was struck down by a federal judge, who also accused Ross of circumventing administrative procedures and adding the question without proving why it was necessary.
Democrats on the committee questioned Ross the origination of the question, who testified last year that the request had come from the Justice Department. Emails that surfaced during legal challenges to the question contradicted the Commerce Department head, ABC reports, and revealed that he began work long before receiving that request.
Wilbur Ross tried to run out the clock on @AOC. It didn't go so well for him or Republicans who professed confusion on her question.https://t.co/Prq1Q7XxNp
— Michael McAuliff (@mmcauliff) March 14, 2019
Per ABC:
Democrats hammered Ross over specific document requests from the Commerce Department to clarify the secretary’s role in the citizenship question. One Democrat, Rep. William Lacy Clay, D-Missouri, called on Ross to resign Thursday, citing his earlier testimony.
“I have never intentionally misled Congress or intentionally lied under oath,” Ross said.
At the hearing, Democrats revealed new information from an interview with a senior Justice Department official, John Gore, who said that in the fall of 2017, he spoke to James Uthmeier, in the office of general counsel at the Commerce Department, about the citizenship question, and that Uthmeier had a memo delivered to the Justice Department about the citizenship question.
The final decision on whether the question can be added will go to the Supreme Court, which will hear the cases before June, the deadline to finalize next year’s census.
Updated
Republican Senators Ben Sasse and Thom Tillis are trending on Twitter after supporting Trump’s emergency border declaration, despite previously having strong stances on pushing back against presidential overreach.
Tillis, who wrote an op-ed for the Washington Post in February, in which he promised his vote for a resolution disapproving of Trump’s national emergency declaration, voted instead to support the president.
Tillis two weeks ago: "There is no intellectual honesty in now turning around and arguing that there’s an imaginary asterisk attached to executive overreach — that it’s acceptable for my party but not thy party.”
— Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) March 14, 2019
Tillis today: never mind!
Sasse, who is a self-declared “Constitutional conservative,” issued a statement in February warning Trump of the dangerous precedent the declaration could set. “If we get used to presidents just declaring an emergency any time they can’t get what they want from Congress, it will be almost impossible to go back to a Constitutional system of checks and balances,” he said. “Over the past decades, the legislative branch has given away too much power and the executive branch has taken too much power.”
Today he changed course, instead casting the move to curb the president’s power as a “politically motivated resolution” and pushed for support for Republican-backed alternative that would only do so after Trump’s declaration goes through.
“We have an obvious crisis at the border — everyone who takes an honest look at the spiking drug and human trafficking numbers knows this — and the President has a legal path to a rapid response under the National Emergencies Act of 1976 (NEA),” he said in a statement issued after the vote. “I think that law is overly broad and I want to fix it, but at present Nancy Pelosi doesn’t, so I am therefore voting against her politically motivated resolution”.
Sen. @BenSasse statement on his vote against the resolution to terminate the emergency declaration: pic.twitter.com/dJuSmM1idT
— Phil Mattingly (@Phil_Mattingly) March 14, 2019
Extremely disappointed in Senators Scott, Cruz, and Sasse. I expected them to put #PrinciplesFirst. They let conservatives down today.
— Heath Mayo (@HeathMayo) March 14, 2019
Both Senators are up for reelection, and have been strong supporters of Trump in the past. Now they are facing harsh criticism from both sides of the aisle.
Speaks with a lot of Sasse but ends up as a Flake https://t.co/v2cKXD4f1Y
— Brian Klaas (@brianklaas) March 14, 2019
In a remarkable flip-flop, Tillis votes with Trump, saying: “A lot has changed over the last three weeks”
— Chris Lu (@ChrisLu44) March 14, 2019
Actually, nothing has changed, except someone’s principles. And spine. https://t.co/vDDaigiGnO
Updated
The Sanders Institute has stopped accepting donations and will shut down during Bernie Sanders’ campaign for president, AP reports, to ensure ethical issues don’t arise. The think tank was founded and is operated by his wife Jane.
Sanders rebuked Hilary Clinton in 2016 for not shuttering her family’s foundation, saying then that the nonprofit provided ways to buy influence from the candidate, who was then expected to win the election.
Per AP:
Jane Sanders said in an interview that the Vermont-based institute has stopped accepting donations and plans to suspend all operations by the end of May.
The move comes as Bernie Sanders, a leading candidate for the Democratic nomination, prepares for a wave of scrutiny into his political network and his family’s role”.
El Pasoans have largely expressed excitement about having their former congressman announcing he’s entering the already-crowded field for the White House in 2020 - though some have questions about his record and his long odds to secure the Democratic nomination.
Among local leaders in El Paso, county commissioner David Stout told The Guardian on Thursday that he’d been waiting for O’Rourke to announce a run for president from the moment of his narrow loss for Ted Cruz’s US Senate seat in the November midterm elections. Stout highlighted O’Rourke’s well-known charisma and ability to connect with ordinary people as his most important qualities.
“It’s amazing for someone we all know from our community to have this opportunity and I’m glad he and his wife made this decision,” he said.
He noted that O’Rourke’s hailing from El Paso will be important as the US-Mexico border continues to be a focal point in the immigration debate.
“It’s going to be very beneficial to have someone telling the truth about our community to a national audience,” Stout said. “It’s important to share the fact that the border is a safe and amazing community and debunk all the false narratives.”
Though the city overwhelmingly supported O’Rourke by a three to one margin over Cruz last November, not all his supporters were thrilled by Thursday’s news.
Chatting with El Pasoans downtown on Thursday, Carlos Medina, who voted for O’Rourke in the midterm elections, told the Guardian he had some serious questions.
“I’m a huge supporter of Beto and I’m glad that his campaign will bring national attention to the city. I thought he was the right man for the Senate, but as president, I’m not so sure, there are a lot of good candidates he’ll have to go up against,” Medina said.
The fact that O’Rourke wasn’t able to upset Cruz in the midterm election was a major talking point for locals who don’t automatically support him, such as Christian Madrid.
Madrid, who considers himself an independent, said he felt, beyond personality, that O’Rourke lacks a strong message.
“He is not the type of candidate I like. The fact that we couldn’t win in his own state should be a big concern for him. I don’t think he’ll be able to convince enough people from other parts of the country to support him,” Madrid said.
Amid all the Beto-buzz, such early doubts could spark trouble for the rising star.
The Green New Deal is forcing conservatives and liberals alike to talk more about climate change, fueling attacks from Republicans and dividing some Democrats.
The proposal from progressives laid out goals to limit heat-trapping pollution and reduce inequity, but it provided few practical details.
House minority leader Kevin McCarthy today dared the chamber’s top Democrat, Nancy Pelosi, to hold hearings on the Green New Deal—which some Democrats see as unachievable compared to more targeted proposals to cut greenhouse gases.
“This is the start of a conversation that I believe is long overdue,” McCarthy said at a press conference.
He said the plan introduced by congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Ed Markey would “control nearly every element of our lives,” from travel and home ownership, to agriculture.
Greg Walden, the ranking Republican on the energy committee, said House Democrats are “afraid to have this debate in public and in the committees”.
Rob Bishop, the top Republican on the natural resources committee, claimed the Green New Deal ideals would be “tantamount to genocide” for rural communities, quickly adding “that may be an overstatement but not by a lot.”
Many congressional Republicans in recent years have continued to vocally question scientists’ findings that humans are warming the planet and that climate change is a serious and urgent threat.
But Garret Graves, the top Republican on the newly-formed select committee on climate change, thanked Green New Deal authors for “brainstorming and throwing out concepts to help improve our environment, to help bring down energy costs, to help to raise wages and provide better job opportunities for all Americans.”
At the same time, he called the Green New Deal a “utopian grammar school exercise.”
While the Green New Deal has pushed more Republicans to address climate change, it hasn’t led them to lay out their own substantive solutions.
McCarthy declined to elaborate on ways Republicans might cut carbon dioxide pollution.
Moderate Democrats in the New Democrat Coalition today said the Green New Deal has helped to elevate the urgency of climate change but that they would pursue more “achievable” policies.
“We all care about these same issues. The Green New Deal is aspirational. But what we plan to do is offer tangible, achievable things,” said congresswoman Elaine Luria (D-Va.)
Pennsylvania Democrat Susan Wild said “we really haven’t seen anything since it was rolled out in terms of concrete proposals,” she said.
“Regardless of approach,” she said, “There is not a member of Democratic caucus that is not seriously concerned about climate change.”
Summary
- Beto O’Rourke launched his presidential campaign this morning and has been barnstorming in Iowa
- Four members of Congress have already endorsed O’Rourke
- 12 Republicans broke with President Donald Trump vote for a resolution disapproving his declaration of a national emergency on the southern border
- Trump has pledged to veto the legislation. It would be the first veto of his administration.
Although Beto O’Rourke announced his presidential campaign today and is on the trail in Iowa, he will be holding a formal campaign at the end of the month.
Politico reports he will hold an event on March 30 in his hometown of El Paso.
Fox News reports Trump will likely veto the resolution of disapproval tomorrow. It will be the first veto of his presidency.
Colleague John Roberts rpts likely Trump will veto bill to end national emergency tomorrow.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) March 14, 2019
In an overview of Bernie Sanders’s past political positions, CNN reports that the Vermont senator once favor mass nationalization of industries and taxing 100% of all income over $1 million.
CNN reports:
After moving to Vermont in 1968 several years after graduating college, Sanders became an active member of the left-wing Liberty Union Party. Under the Liberty Union banner, Sanders, then in his early 30s, ran for governor of Vermont in 1972 and 1976 and as a candidate for US Senate in 1972 and 1974. Sanders, also served as chairman of the party from 1973-1975. During this time, Sanders and Liberty Union argued for nationalization of the energy industry, public ownership of banks, telephone, electric, and drug companies and of the major means of production such as factories and capital, as well as other proposals such as a 100% income tax on the highest income earners in America. Sanders also rejected political violence and criticized the anti-democratic nature of communist states such as the Soviet Union.”I favor the public ownership of utilities, banks and major industries,” Sanders said in one interview with the Burlington Free Press in 1976.
Trump just reaffirmed on Twitter that he would veto the resolution
I look forward to VETOING the just passed Democrat inspired Resolution which would OPEN BORDERS while increasing Crime, Drugs, and Trafficking in our Country. I thank all of the Strong Republicans who voted to support Border Security and our desperately needed WALL!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 14, 2019
Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina who flipped to vote against the resolution of disapproval just issued a statement on his vote:
“I agree with President Trump that there is a crisis at our southern border and have always supported his desire to build new infrastructure and barriers.
“The concerns I’ve raised were never about what President Trump is trying to accomplish but rather with setting a precedent that a future Democratic president would exploit to bypass Congress to implement policies well outside the mainstream.
“Over the past several weeks, I’ve met with the Vice President and senior White House staff to build consensus on amending the National Emergencies Act to prevent a future left-wing president from misusing their authority. I’m incredibly encouraged by the historic commitment from the President to restore proper balance between the executive and legislative branches.
“While the Trump Administration is working in good-faith with Congress to amend the National Emergencies Act, Democratic leaders have outright rejected attempts to do so, in addition to calling the dire situation at the southern border a ‘manufactured crisis.’
“In the coming weeks, I’ll continue to work with the White House and my Republican colleagues on a long-term solution, and I hope some of my Democratic colleagues will join us.”
Beto O’Rourke just got received his fourth congressional endorsement from Sean Patrick Maloney of New York.
Maloney is the second New York Democrat to endorse O’Rourke joining Kathleen Rice.
More House Dem support for @BetoORourke - New York’s @RepSeanMaloney tells me he’s endorsing his friend Beto.
— Garrett Haake (@GarrettHaake) March 14, 2019
Lindsey Graham objected to an attempt to unanimously pass the House-passed resolution that asks for Mueller’s report to be made public.
Graham wanted the resolution to be amended to call on a new special counsel to investigate:
— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) March 14, 2019
- Misconduct around handling of Clinton email investigation
- "abuse of the FISA warrant process against @carterwpage
Full stmt: pic.twitter.com/8nohEQGRDg
Trump tweets 'VETO!'
It appears Donald Trump will veto the resolution of disapproval.
VETO!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 14, 2019
Updated
Actress Rosario Dawson confirmed to TMZ that she is dating New Jersey Senator Cory Booker.
She said “I am just grateful to be with someone that I respect and love and admire so much.”
Booker is running for president and hopes to be the second bachelor elected to the White House, following James Buchanan.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is bringing the Green New Deal up for a vote in the Senate in an attempt to get Democrats on the record supporting the proposal.
Leader McConnell has filed cloture on the motion to proceed to Cal. #27, S.J.Res.8, Green New Deal
— Senate Cloakroom (@SenateCloakroom) March 14, 2019
Senate disapproves Trump's declaration
President Donald Trump is now likely to veto his first bill since taking office as the Senate has voted to disapprove the declaration of a national emergency on the border. All 47 Democrats and 12 Republicans voted to disapprove the emergency.
It is unlikely though that opposition will be sufficient for Trump’s veto to be overriden. That requires 2/3rds majorities in both the House and the Senate.
Updated
The Senate is now voting on the resolution to disapprove to Trump’s declaration of a national emergency on the southern border. It blocks Trump’s efforts to use money that was not appropriated by Congress to build a border wall.
The resolution was approved by the House last month. It is likely to force a veto from Trump. However, although a number of Republicans are backing the disapproval resolution, it is not likely that there will be the two-thirds majority in either the House or the Senate to override the veto.
Speaking in Iowa today, Beto O’Rourke expressed openness to increasing the size of the Supreme Court, an issue some of the left are promoting.
Per @ajjaffe in IA, O’Rourke said today that expanding the size of the Supreme Court is “an idea we should explore.” An idea that Buttigieg has leaned into and @PackSCOTUS is promoting.
— Elana Schor (@eschor) March 14, 2019
North Carolina Republican Thom Tillis is flipped on voting for the disapproval resolution. Although Tillis originally said he would vote to disapprove the national emergency, he has since changed his mind.
In an effort to ensure he qualifies for the Democratic debate, John Delaney announced that he will donate $2 to charity for every individual donation he receives.
In a statement the Delaney campaign said:
John Delaney will personally donate $2 dollars to non-profits and charities for each new donor that contributes to his campaign as part of the Delaney Debate Challenge, a new online program launched today. Through pages linked on Delaney’s website and social media channels, new donors will be able to select one of eleven charities that John will donate to in the person’s name.
This initiative is in response to the DNC’s requirement that candidates have at least 65,000 donors. The Delaney Debate Challenge will apply to the next 100,000 new donors.
“This campaign isn’t about me, it’s about bringing people together and serving the common good. The Delaney Debate Challenge is a way for us to highlight the incredible work done by charities and non-profits around the country as part of our larger effort to reach the 65,000 donor threshold being used for the debates,” said Delaney.
Rob Portman of Ohio just became the latest Republican senator to announce that he was voting to disapprove Trump’s national emergency.
Sen. Rob Portman on Senate floor argues that Trump doesn't need a national emergency to build a border wall and that making the emergency declaration sets a "dangerous precedent." Says he will support disapproval resolution.
— Alex Bolton (@alexanderbolton) March 14, 2019
The campaign of new age author Marianne Williamson has bought a billboard in Des Moines to demand CNN host a town hall for Williamson.
CNN has hosted events for number of candidates including three back to back last week with John Delaney, Tulsi Gabbard and Pete Buttigieg.
2020 Dem candidate Marianne Williamson with a message for CNN on scheduling a town hall with her: pic.twitter.com/SRAdApvWjM
— Iowa Starting Line (@IAStartingLine) March 14, 2019
Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas just became the 8th Republican senator to support the resolution of disapproval on the declaration of a national emergency on the southern border.
Moran makes eight Senate GOP for disapproval resolution https://t.co/Y7vZxIjNUm
— Burgess Everett (@burgessev) March 14, 2019
A town hall that Elizabeth Warren is holding in Mississippi will be closed to the public and the media. The town hall, televised by CNN, is now invite only and members of the press will not be allowed to attend.
Former Vice President Joe Biden is meeting with Stacey Abrams, the losing Democratic gubernatorial candidate in Georgia in 2018.
Biden is moving closer to a presidential bid while Abrams has expressed openness both to running for Senate and running for the White House.
Beto O’Rourke just received his third congressional endorsement from Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy from Florida. She joins Kathleen Rice of New York and Veronica Escobar of Texas in supporting his campaign.
I proudly endorse my friend & former colleague @BetoORourke for President. Our party will benefit from his ideas, energy & pragmatism. Our country would benefit from his compassion, authenticity & unifying vision. He’s the candidate I trust with our nation’s future. Count me in! https://t.co/WPI4iWUJuV
— Stephanie Murphy (@SMurphyCongress) March 14, 2019
Donald Trump seemed to hint at armed pushback towards political opponents in an interview with Breitbart published today.
You know, the left plays a tougher game, it’s very funny. I actually think that the people on the right are tougher, but they don’t play it tougher. Okay? I can tell you I have the support of the police, the support of the military, the support of the Bikers for Trump – I have the tough people, but they don’t play it tough — until they go to a certain point, and then it would be very bad, very bad.
Beto O’Rourke has just started his second event of his nascent campaign at sub shop in Fort Madison, Iowa.
Beto O’Rourke enters a sub shop in southeastern Iowa and shouts “Hola!” Then launches into a no-notes pitch he’s continuing to develop. pic.twitter.com/X6Wu8GP8EO
— Matt Viser (@mviser) March 14, 2019
Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania became the latest Senate Republican to announce that he would break Trump and vote to disapprove the declaration of a national emergency.
News: PAs @SenToomey says he will vote for the resolution to reject Trump’s emergency.
— Jonathan Tamari (@JonathanTamari) March 14, 2019
In the Oval Office, Trump reiterated his threat to veto the resolution to disapprove the national emergency.
“I don’t know what the vote will be. I’ll probably have to veto it. It’s not going to be overturned ... The legal scholars all say it’s totally constitutional. ... It’s pure and simple, it’s a vote for border security, it’s a vote for no crime.”
A New York court ruled that a defamation lawsuit against Donald Trump can proceed.
The lawsuit was filed by former Apprentice contestant Summer Zervos who accused Trump of sexual misconduct. He called her a liar which she said is defamatory.
NEW YORK (AP) — New York court rules President Donald Trump isn't immune from defamation lawsuit filed by former "Apprentice" contestant.
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) March 14, 2019
Beto O’Rourke was just endorsed by former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley who ran for President himself in 2016.
You bet! We’re all in for Beto here in Maryland and I look forward to doing everything in my power to help him beat Donald Trump. https://t.co/7oCoA0mAzg
— Martin O'Malley (@MartinOMalley) March 14, 2019
Trump weighs in on Brexit
Trump commented on Brexit in the Oval Office earlier today:
“I’m not going to comment on Brexit. I can tell you it’s a very complex thing that’s going on right now … It’s tearing a lot of countries apart. And it’s a shame it has to be that way. I think we will stay right in our lane. We’re doing fantastically as a country. Our economy is booming. We’re the envy of the world. Other economies are not doing well.”
“It wasn’t that I was a supporter. I predicted that it was going to happen. I was right and people laughed when I predicted it. …”
Updated
Lamar Alexander became the sixth Republican senator to announce that he will vote for the resolution to disapprove Trump’s national emergency today. There are more enough Republican votes to force a veto by Trump. It is unlikely that there are enough to override a veto though.
And Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) sets up his resolution vote. "His declaration to take an additional $3.6 billion that Congress has appropriated for military hospitals, barracks and schools is inconsistent with the U.S. Constitution that I swore an oath to support and defend." https://t.co/tBRu4NcQe3
— Jared Halpern (@JaredHalpern) March 14, 2019
In a statement, Veronica Escobar, Beto O’Rourke’s successor as the member of Congress representing El Paso, became the second member of Congress to endorse him.
We have not had a presidential election this important in my lifetime. Our country is at an historic crossroads, and if we continue on this reckless path, we all have much to lose. I have endorsed Beto O’Rourke in every election he’s run — including this exciting run for President of the United States — because he is an extraordinary public servant, driven by compassion and a desire to unify. He is a son of the border, and during an era of unprecedented racist attacks on safe, secure communities like ours, I am grateful that he consistently stands up to the xenophobia and bigotry that has driven the ugliest of political debates. It is that kind of courage that we need today, now more than ever.”
Speaking to reporters in the White House, Donald Trump wondered if Beto O’Rourke was crazy because of the amount of hand movement he used.
Trump says Beto had a lot of hand movement, wonders if he is crazy pic.twitter.com/i3Q2SloJD8
— Jeff Mason (@jeffmason1) March 14, 2019
The House passed a measure unanimously to ask the Justice Department to release Robert Mueller’s report in full.
The nonbinding resolution passed 420-0 with four Republicans voting present.
Former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney will vote to disapprove Trump’s declaration of a national emergency on the southern border today.
My statement on today’s emergency declaration vote→ pic.twitter.com/QbP7VCL81S
— Senator Mitt Romney (@SenatorRomney) March 14, 2019
Julián Castro has used Beto O’Rourke’s announcement to roll out a number of local endorsements in Texas. O’Rourke joins Castro, the former mayor of San Antonio and HUD Secretary, as the second Texan running for the Democratic presidential nomination.
An hour or so after @BetoORourke announces his 2020 bid, @JulianCastro announces a long list of endorsements from texas dems. pic.twitter.com/8teioz6UEX
— Lisa Lerer (@llerer) March 14, 2019
Updated
Roger Stone is currently in federal court for a hearing and its been announced that his trial will begin in November.
Roger Stone trial will start on November 5th in DC federal court-- Judge said she expects the trial will take about two weeks.
— Kristen Holmes (@KristenhCNN) March 14, 2019
Andrew Weissmann, one of Robert Mueller’s top prosecutors, is reportedly planning on leaving the Justice Department to teach at NYU.
Weissmann’s departure would be a sign that the investigation of collusion in the 2016 election was approaching its conclusion.
Longtime Indiana Senator Birch Bayh died this morning at the age of 91.
Bayh was a liberal stalwart who served three terms in the United States Senate and wrote two amendments to the United States Constitution. He was a dogged advocate for women’s rights and wrote both the Equal Rights Amendment and Title IX, which banned gender discrimination in schools.
Republican senators showed up at the White House last night to try to urge a compromise to avoid a bipartisan vote to disapprove Trump’s national emergency on the southern border. It didn’t go well.
Sens. Ted Cruz (Tex.), Lindsey O. Graham (S.C.) and Ben Sasse (Neb.) unexpectedly arrived as Trump was having dinner in the residence with family, according to two people familiar with the episode, who requested anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter.
The senators argued for a last-minute proposal aimed at satisfying concerns of senators who are inclined to vote Thursday afternoon for a measure nullifying Trump’s declaration, the people said. Details on their proposal could not immediately be learned.
The people familiar with what transpired said a White House lawyer was brought in to explain why the proposal wouldn’t work, and the discussion was ultimately unsuccessful, irritating Trump, who renewed his veto threat with an early morning tweet on Thursday.
NEW -- Graham, Sasse and Cruz unexpectedly showed up at the White House last night to make a last-ditch plea on emergency resolution to Trump in the middle of dinner w/ @ericawerner @WPJohnWagner https://t.co/ABIaSRJwG1
— Seung Min Kim (@seungminkim) March 14, 2019
Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said that if Congress requests Trump’s tax returns he will turn them over in compliance with the law.
Treasury Secretary Mnuchin says he'll comply with the law if he receives a request from Congress to turn over President Trump’s tax returns. Mnuchin said he hasn't received a request yet but has been in talks with his general counsel in anticipation of one.
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) March 14, 2019
Beto O’Rourke is currently holding his first campaign event in Keokuk, Iowa.
Beto O’Rourke speaks in Iowa after launching his 2020 bid: “We have the single greatest mechanism to call forth the genius of our fellow human beings. This democracy … can bring the ingenuity, the creativity, the resolve of an entire country” https://t.co/vjldpxJmP9 pic.twitter.com/Iwfs5Yr7TC
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) March 14, 2019
He spent the night there at a Quality Inn
Kim in Keokuk! Thanks for the first photo of our campaign for president. pic.twitter.com/2nhnw2PrmO
— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) March 14, 2019
The Trump administration is proposing to strip protections for the gray wolf, arguing that its populations have rebounded enough to remove it from the endangered species list.
Gray wolves have been protected since the 1970s, after ranchers and governments enacted programs to kill the predators to protect livestock. At their lowest numbers, only a few hundred remained in the contiguous US.
There are now more than 6,000 gray wolves in the lower 48 states, with more in Alaska where the species was not listed as endangered, according to the US government. The iconic species was already delisted in the Northern Rocky Mountains.
Acting Interior secretary David Bernhardt said it’s “clear and indisputable” that gray wolves are no longer threatened or endangered.
“Today’s action puts us one step closer to transitioning the extraordinary effort that we have invested in gray wolf recovery to other species who actually need the protections of the Endangered Species Act, leaving the states to carry on the legacy of wolf conservation,” he said.
But Collette Adkins, a senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity, said the move would be a “death sentence” for gray wolves. “The Trump administration is dead set on appeasing special interests that want to kill wolves,” she said.
The gray wolf proposal follows other changes the Interior Department is undertaking that conservation advocates say will significantly weaken species protections.
Updated
Beto O’Rourke has been running for President for three hours but has already received his first congressional endorsement from Kathleen Rice of New York.
I’m proud to endorse my friend @BetoORourke for President!
— Kathleen Rice (@KathleenRice) March 14, 2019
He’s honest, authentic and has the courage of his convictions and a bold vision for our future. Most importantly, he'll build a movement that will rise above the toxic division in our politics and unite this country.
Beto O’Rourke announced that he will base his presidential bid in his hometown of El Paso.
Beto O’Rourke tells the El Paso Times that his presidential campaign will be headquartered in El Paso and those who want to join his team will have to move to the border city. https://t.co/MZ9vkNCaYt
— Matt Viser (@mviser) March 14, 2019
Donald Trump, who once named himself Mr. Brexit, promised a trade deal with the UK post-Brexit on Twitter this morning.
My Administration looks forward to negotiating a large scale Trade Deal with the United Kingdom. The potential is unlimited!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 14, 2019
Opening summary
Good morning,
Former Congressman Beto O’Rourke became the latest Democrat to announce a presidential bid this morning. The Senate is poised to disapprove Trump’s declaration of national emergency on the southern border and the Irish prime minister is making his annual visit to the United States ahead of St Patrick’s Day.
It’s Thursday in American politics.
Updated
