The White House has boasted a 'big win' in the Supreme Court's birth control ruling, which stated employers were not required to provide employees with contraceptives if it went against their religious beliefs.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump has threatened to cut school funding for areas that refuse to reopen amid the coronavirus pandemic, adding he disagrees with the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) “very tough” and “expensive” guidelines. This comes as the US reaches 3 million coronavirus cases, with hospitals in states like Florida and Texas reporting full capacity in their ICU's.
Key impeachment witness Alexander Vindman announced his retirement from the army by citing “intimidation” led by Mr Trump. ”The president of the United States attempted to force Lieutenant Colonel Vindman to choose: Between adhering to the law or pleasing a president,” Colonel Vindman’s lawyer said.
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Trump did not ask Mexican president about paying for border wall
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany was asked if the discussion of the border wall was brought up when President Donald Trump met with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Wednesday.
"That discussion did not come up when I was in the room," Ms McEnany said.
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany was asked if the discussion of the border wall was brought up when President Donald Trump met with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Wednesday.
"That discussion did not come up when I was in the room," Ms McEnany said.
One of Mr Trump's key 2016 campaign items included the promise to the American people that it would be Mexico, not US residents, that would pay for the wall. But thus far the building of the wall has been funded by US taxpayers.
White House denies Trump pressured health officials to change school reopening guidelines
The White House on Wednesday denied pressuring the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention into scrapping and revising guidelines for reopening schools in the fall even after Donald Trump made clear his opposition to the suggested rules in a morning tweet.
"No, not at all," Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany told a reporter when asked if pressure to change them was applied. "We're all on the same page."
John T Bennett with the breaking news:
The White House on Wednesday denied pressuring the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention into scrapping and revising guidelines for reopening schools in the fall even after Donald Trump made clear his opposition to the suggested rules in a morning tweet.
"No, not at all," Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany told a reporter when asked if pressure to change them was applied. "We're all on the same page."
John T Bennett with the breaking news:
White House denies Trump pressured health officials to change school reopening guidelines
The White House on Wednesday denied pressuring the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention into scrapping and revising guidelines for reopening schools in the fall even after Donald Trump made clear his opposition to the suggested rules in a morning tweet. "No, not at all," Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany told a reporter when asked if pressure to change them was applied.
Trump says the United States' relationship with Mexico has never been better
Donald Trump welcomed Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to the White House for the first time on Wednesday.
Donald Trump welcomed Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to the White House for the first time on Wednesday.
Neil Young taunts Trump with song suggestion for president's next rally
Neil Young has taunted Donald Trump by making a song suggestion the president should play at his next campaign rally.
The rock icon has made it clear he does not support Trump using his songs during rallies, as he believes it "indicates that I support your agenda". But the president has refused to stop playing the music.
Our report:
Neil Young has taunted Donald Trump by making a song suggestion the president should play at his next campaign rally.
The rock icon has made it clear he does not support Trump using his songs during rallies, as he believes it "indicates that I support your agenda". But the president has refused to stop playing the music.
Our report:
Neil Young taunts Donald Trump by suggesting a song for his next rally
The rock icon has asked the president to stop playing his music
Mexican president visits Lincoln Memorial ahead of meeting with Trump
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador shared a picture of himself standing in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC on Wednesday.
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador shared a picture of himself standing in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC on Wednesday.
The snap comes ahead of a meeting between himself and President Donald Trump.
Mr Trump later shared the picture on his own Twitter page.
Trump is meeting Mexican President AMLO today in Washington -- and everything could go wrong
Carli Pierson with her analysis:
Carli Pierson with her analysis:
Everything could go wrong between Trump and Mexican President AMLO today
The far-left Mexican politican and the far-right US leader have more in common than you'd think, with their well-known hatred of the press and their 'outsider' mythologies. But there's also a lot of controversy on the table this time roundMexican president used two issues important to Trump to warm relations: trade and a militarised border
Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador inherited a toxic relationship with Donald Trump when he took office in December 2018. Eighteen months later, he is headed to the White House for a Wednesday summit with the US president.
"Tomorrow, I'm meeting with the president of Mexico," the US president said on Tuesday in a striking change from his candidacy and the early years of his presidency. "I say that to the media because it's going to be quite a meeting. He's a good man. He's a friend of mine. And we have a great relationship with Mexico."
Mr Lopez Obrador had little interest in continuing the cross-border feud with his country's northern neighbour. Major parts of how he warmed US-Mexico relations were vintage Trump: a trade pact and tens of thousands of Mexican troops deployed to the two countries' border.
John T Bennett with his analysis:
Analysis: Mexican president uses two issues important to Trump to warm relations
One expert warns Trump could still turn on AMLO and impose tariffs on some Mexican goods before Election DayFlorida governor Ron DeSantis quietly signs controversial abortion bill
Governor Ron Desantis has quietly signed an abortion law that will require those under the age of 18 to get a parent's permission before having an abortion.
Governor DeSantis, who is a Republican, discreetly passed the bill last Tuesday, choosing to sign the legislation without providing a public statement on the matter.
"The governor was pleased to sign this historic legislation to support and protect Florida families," spokeswoman Meredith Beatrice said.
Louise Hall reports:
Florida governor quietly signs controversial abortion bill
'This law will put already at-risk young people in even greater danger at the worst possible time’, Planned Parenthood says
The top-secret transcript that reveals why Trump really pulled out of the WHO
Satirist Ed Manning imagines the scenario which led to the president dumping the World Health Organization during a pandemic:
Satirist Ed Manning imagines the scenario which led to the president dumping the World Health Organization during a pandemic:
Satire: The top-secret transcript that reveals why Trump really pulled out of the WHO
Satirist Ed Manning imagines the scenario which led to the president dumping the World Health Organization during a pandemic
Kanye West 2020: Can he actually run for president?
Clémence Michallon with her analysis:
Clémence Michallon with her analysis:
Can Kanye West actually run for president? The law doesn't look promising
Whether he chooses to run as a Republican or as an independent candidate, West has already missed several important filing deadlines
Press secretary calls Supreme Court ruling on birth control 'big win for religious freedom'
Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany released a statement about the US Supreme Court's decision today that allowed employers to not cover birth control for employees under their health insurance plans.
"Today's Supreme Court ruling is a big win for religious freedom and freedom of conscience," she said in a statement released by the White House.
Under the Obama administration, employers were required to provide contraception coverage to employees. But the Supreme Court has since ruled the Trump administration could protect religious groups from this requirement.
"As the Supreme Court has previously stated, protecting the ability of people to worship and live according to the dictates of their conscience is part of 'the best of our traditions.' The Court's decision today carries forward that noble tradition," Ms McEnany added.
The decision today could impact about 126,000 people from accessing birth control, according to governmental data.
Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany released a statement about the US Supreme Court's decision today that allowed employers to not cover birth control for employees under their health insurance plans.
"Today's Supreme Court ruling is a big win for religious freedom and freedom of conscience," she said in a statement released by the White House.
Under the Obama administration, employers were required to provide contraception coverage to employees. But the Supreme Court has since ruled the Trump administration could protect religious groups from this requirement.
"As the Supreme Court has previously stated, protecting the ability of people to worship and live according to the dictates of their conscience is part of 'the best of our traditions.' The Court's decision today carries forward that noble tradition," Ms McEnany added.
The decision today could impact about 126,000 people from accessing birth control, according to governmental data.
CDC director says guidance should not be used to keep schools closed
Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr Robert Redfield addressed his organisations guidelines for schools when reopening amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr Robert Redfield addressed his organisations guidelines for schools when reopening amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"The guidance that CDC continues to put out for schools K-12 and higher learning is intentional for reopening and keeping our schools open," Dr Redfield said.
New guidance by the CDC would be issued next week regarding schools reopening. This comes after Donald Trump slammed the guidance for being "very tough" and "expensive".
"I want to make it very clear that what is not the intent of CDC's guidelines is to be used as a rationale to keep schools closed," Dr Redfield added.
The CDC would be working with individual schools and districts about reopening plans depending on what the coronavirus pandemic looked like in that area.
New guidance by the CDC would be issued next week regarding schools reopening. This comes after Donald Trump slammed the guidance for being "very tough" and "expensive".
"I want to make it very clear that what is not the intent of CDC's guidelines is to be used as a rationale to keep schools closed," Dr Redfield added.
The CDC would be working with individual schools and districts about reopening plans depending on what the coronavirus pandemic looked like in that area.
During the press briefing, a reporter later asked Dr Redfield if his agency was then going to weaken CDC guidance regarding reopening schools after the backlash from Mr Trump. He responded: "We will continue to develop and evolve our guidance to meet the needs of schools and the states that we continue to provide that assistance to."
Harvard and MIT sue Trump administration to block international student ban
The federal lawsuit, filed on Wednesday in Boston, seeks to block the Department of Homeland Security from stripping international students of their student visas and making them go back to their native countries as the coronavirus pandemic forces schools to move most classes online.
Germania Rodriguez Poleo reports:
Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have sued the Trump administration over a measure that bans foreign students from staying in the country if their classes are held exclusively online next Fall.
The federal lawsuit, filed on Wednesday in Boston, seeks to block the Department of Homeland Security from stripping international students of their student visas and making them go back to their native countries as the coronavirus pandemic forces schools to move most classes online.
Germania Rodriguez Poleo reports:
Harvard and MIT sue Trump administration to block international student ban
The lawsuit seeks to block the Department of Homeland Security stripping international students of their visas as schools move to classes online
United Airlines sending layoff notices to nearly half of US employees
United Airline officials announced on Wednesday that the company will send layoff notices to 36,000 of its employees. That number accounts for nearly half of the airline's US staff.
Company officials said the 36,000 number was a worst case scenario and that they hope United can curb some of the layoffs by offering early retirement to qualifying employees.
The cuts will include 15,000 flight attendants, 11,000 customer service and gate agents, 5,500 maintenance workers and 2,250 pilots. Layoffs could begin as early as 1 October.
Full report here:
United Airline officials announced on Wednesday that the company will send layoff notices to 36,000 of its employees. That number accounts for nearly half of the airline's US staff.
Company officials said the 36,000 number was a worst case scenario and that they hope United can curb some of the layoffs by offering early retirement to qualifying employees.
The cuts will include 15,000 flight attendants, 11,000 customer service and gate agents, 5,500 maintenance workers and 2,250 pilots. Layoffs could begin as early as 1 October.
Full report here:
United Airlines sending layoff notices to nearly half of US employees
United Airline officials announced on Wednesday that the company will send layoff notices to 36,000 of its employees. That number accounts for nearly half of the airline's US staff.
Pence says government will be 'respectful' of schools that decide not to reopen
Vice President Mike Pence appeared to walk back the threat Donald Trump made earlier on Wednesday about denying funding for schools unable to reopen in the fall.
Vice President Mike Pence appeared to walk back the threat Donald Trump made earlier on Wednesday about denying funding for schools unable to reopen in the fall.
A reporter asked the vice president how the White House Coronavirus Task Force would handle schools that were in areas with a surge of Covid-19 cases, which is when he went slightly against what the president said.
"I think we would account for the fact that while we hope every school in America opens this fall, there may be some that...adjust to either a certain set of days or limitations. And we'll be respectful of that," he said.
"I think we would account for the fact that while we hope every school in America opens this fall, there may be some that...adjust to either a certain set of days or limitations. And we'll be respectful of that," he said.
Mr Pence mentioned how states control about 90 per cent of their own school budget while the federal government contributes to about 10 per cent of that budget. This fact seemingly hinted that Mr Trump's threat would not harm schools if implemented.
Pence says 'it's time' to get kids back to school, adding CDC will release new guidelines
Vice President Mike Pence, a member of the White House's Coronavirus Task Force, addressed the issue with schools reopening in the fall during a press briefing on Wednesday.
He said the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will now release new guidelines after Donald Trump called the current ones "very tough" and "expensive".
Vice President Mike Pence, a member of the White House's Coronavirus Task Force, addressed the issue with schools reopening in the fall during a press briefing on Wednesday.
He said the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will now release new guidelines after Donald Trump called the current ones "very tough" and "expensive".
"We're absolutely determined to work in partnership with our states to give the guidance for states and communities to be able to safely reopen our schools," Mr Pence said.
The new guidelines would be "part of a five-part series of recommendations that will give all new tools to our schools," he added.
Earlier on Wednesday Mr Trump threatened to cut the federal funding of any school or district that refused to reopen in the fall. The president also pushed for schools reopening earlier in the week.
"As the President made clear yesterday it's time. It's time for us to get our kids back to school," Mr Pence said.
The new guidelines would be "part of a five-part series of recommendations that will give all new tools to our schools," he added.
Earlier on Wednesday Mr Trump threatened to cut the federal funding of any school or district that refused to reopen in the fall. The president also pushed for schools reopening earlier in the week.
"As the President made clear yesterday it's time. It's time for us to get our kids back to school," Mr Pence said.
United States hits 3 million coronavirus cases
The United States has reported 3 million coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic in March, according to Johns Hopkins University.
The United States has reported 3 million coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic in March, according to Johns Hopkins University.
This grim milestone comes as more states are reporting a surge in cases instead of declining numbers. ICU beds in states like Texas and Florida have reached capacity in some hospitals, concerning healthcare professionals about how they will treat any future patients.
Despite a surge in cases, Donald Trump has doubled down on states continuing their reopen plans, including opening schools come August.
Trump administration can allow employers to deny birth control, Supreme Court rules
The US Supreme Court has sided with a policy under Donald Trump's administration that allows employers with religious or moral objections to limit access to birth control.
Alex Woodward with the breaking news:
The US Supreme Court has sided with a policy under Donald Trump's administration that allows employers with religious or moral objections to limit access to birth control.
Alex Woodward with the breaking news:
Trump administration can allow employers to deny birth control, Supreme Court rules
The US Supreme Court has sided with a policy under Donald Trump's administration that allows employers with religious or moral objections to limit access to birth control, a blow to an Affordable Care Act mandate to expand women's access to preventative healthcare. Rule changes could impact as many as 126,000 people, according to government estimates. More follows…
Cuomo attacks Trump's threat to cut school funding if districts don't reopen in the fall
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has responded to Donald Trump's threat to cut federal funding for schools that refuse to reopen in the fall.
The governor said New York would make its decision in August on if schools would remain online or reopen pending the coronavirus pandemic, adding it was not up to the federal government.
He said the state "will reopen if it's safe" and would be looking at all the data that first week in August when making the decision.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has responded to Donald Trump's threat to cut federal funding for schools that refuse to reopen in the fall.
The governor said New York would make its decision in August on if schools would remain online or reopen pending the coronavirus pandemic, adding it was not up to the federal government.
He said the state "will reopen if it's safe" and would be looking at all the data that first week in August when making the decision.
Trump boasts strong economy as coronavirus cases continue to soar
Donald Trump shared his enthusiasm over job numbers increasing and stocks rallying this week.
The president claimed that the mortality rate was the lowest in the country, but there is concern coronavirus death toll will increase following a significant increase in both cases and hospitalisations. In past months, it took about two weeks following an increase in hospitalisations for coronavirus deaths to then follow.
Donald Trump shared his enthusiasm over job numbers increasing and stocks rallying this week.
The president claimed that the mortality rate was the lowest in the country, but there is concern coronavirus death toll will increase following a significant increase in both cases and hospitalisations. In past months, it took about two weeks following an increase in hospitalisations for coronavirus deaths to then follow.
