The US Supreme Court has ruled that Donald Trump must hand over his final records to a New York prosecutor investigating him, a judgement effectively establishing that a sitting president is not above the law, while also deciding that he does not have to extend the same courtesy to the House of Representatives in response to a congressional subpoena.
When responding to the ruling later on Thursday, though, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany insisted the high court did not rule against Mr Trump in the judgement because the case is being thrown back to lower courts.
This comes as Mr Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen has been ordered back to prison after he broke his house arrest by visiting a New York City restaurant this week. Mr Cohen was released to his home to serve the remainder of his sentence due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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'Creepy' Trump vs 'Creepy' Biden
Who will reign supreme in the battle between "Creepy Trump" and "Creepy Biden" for control of the free world in a game we call "Creepy Politics"?
As The Independent's Louise Hall reports, a new political attack advert against Donald Trump has hit out at the president's past behaviour around women, including his own daughters.
The two-minute clip uses comments made by Kellyanne Conway against Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden to highlight the president's own behaviour.
Ms Conway says that Mr Biden has had "a lot really creepy statements" and "actions" in the past.
In the interests of hearing from both sides of the creepy aisle, below is the "Creepy Joe Biden" compilation from way back in 2019.
Who is creepier? Cast the vote that matters most in 2020 down in the comments below.
Who will reign supreme in the battle between "Creepy Trump" and "Creepy Biden" for control of the free world in a game we call "Creepy Politics"?
As The Independent's Louise Hall reports, a new political attack advert against Donald Trump has hit out at the president's past behaviour around women, including his own daughters.
The two-minute clip uses comments made by Kellyanne Conway against Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden to highlight the president's own behaviour.
Ms Conway says that Mr Biden has had "a lot really creepy statements" and "actions" in the past.
In the interests of hearing from both sides of the creepy aisle, below is the "Creepy Joe Biden" compilation from way back in 2019.
Who is creepier? Cast the vote that matters most in 2020 down in the comments below.
Elon Musk already reconsidering his endorsement of Kanye West for president
What goes up must come down. And like his SpaceX rockets, Elon Musk's support of Kanye West for president appears to have fallen back to Earth.
What goes up must come down. And like his SpaceX rockets, Elon Musk's support of Kanye West for president appears to have fallen back to Earth.
Musk's new-found scepticism came after West's first interview as a presidential candidate in Forbes revealed plans to run the White House like Wakanda, which would assume the fictional home of Black Panther was also anti-abortion and anti-vaccinations.
"We may have more differences of opinion than I anticipated," Musk said in a now-deleted tweet, according to screenshots circulating across Twitter on Thursday.
This guy right here has the full story.
BREAKING: Mail carrier admits attempted election fraud
A West Virginia postal carrier pleaded guilty on Thursday to altering mail-in request for absentee voter ballots, according to Associated Press reporting.
The wire reports that Thomas Cooper entered the plea in federal court in Elkins to attempted election fraud and injury to the mail, US Attorney Bill Powell said in a statement.
Cooper was charged in May after eight mail-in requests for absentee voter ballots had their party affiliations altered.
Cooper, 47, of Dry Fork, held a postal contract to pick up mail in the three towns in which the voters live and delivered the forms in April to the Pendleton County clerk, according to a federal affidavit.
An investigation by the secretary of state's office found five of the ballot requests were changed from Democrat to Republican with a black ink pen, the affidavit said.
Absentee ballots became a political flashpoint nationally in recent months, often along partisan lines. Some state governors have moved to make absentee ballots more available in this year's elections because of concerns about the spread of the coronavirus.
Other elected officials, including President Donald Trump, have raised concerns that expanding the practice would increase the likelihood of election fraud.
Associated Press
A West Virginia postal carrier pleaded guilty on Thursday to altering mail-in request for absentee voter ballots, according to Associated Press reporting.
The wire reports that Thomas Cooper entered the plea in federal court in Elkins to attempted election fraud and injury to the mail, US Attorney Bill Powell said in a statement.
Cooper was charged in May after eight mail-in requests for absentee voter ballots had their party affiliations altered.
Cooper, 47, of Dry Fork, held a postal contract to pick up mail in the three towns in which the voters live and delivered the forms in April to the Pendleton County clerk, according to a federal affidavit.
An investigation by the secretary of state's office found five of the ballot requests were changed from Democrat to Republican with a black ink pen, the affidavit said.
Absentee ballots became a political flashpoint nationally in recent months, often along partisan lines. Some state governors have moved to make absentee ballots more available in this year's elections because of concerns about the spread of the coronavirus.
Other elected officials, including President Donald Trump, have raised concerns that expanding the practice would increase the likelihood of election fraud.
Associated Press
Ghislaine Maxwell didn't kill herself
Expecting the outrage, conspiracy theories and memes if Maxwell suffers the same fate as Epstein before she can potentially implicate bigger fish in the FBI's investigation, the alleged sex trafficking accomplice has reportedly been given paper clothes and denied bedsheets.
Graig Graziosi has the full story. Oh, and, of course we'd be remis without saying #Espsteindidntkillhimself
Expecting the outrage, conspiracy theories and memes if Maxwell suffers the same fate as Epstein before she can potentially implicate bigger fish in the FBI's investigation, the alleged sex trafficking accomplice has reportedly been given paper clothes and denied bedsheets.
Graig Graziosi has the full story. Oh, and, of course we'd be remis without saying #Espsteindidntkillhimself
TLDR: Coronavirus edition
The only things spreading faster than coronavirus are stories about coronavirus. It can be hard to keep up, so here are some of the top stories doing the rounds of the outbreak's breaking news today:
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Mnuchin backs "another round" or stimulus checks
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The World Health Organisation acknowledges airborne spread of coronavirus is possible
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Dr Fauci says hot spots should pause but not cancel reopenings
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Benefits of another shutdown questionable, says Rubio
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Record-breaking cases in Florida, Texas and California erode hopes of economic revival
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Disney World reopening amid surge in Florida
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Ohio politician says "stop getting tested"
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Coronavirus has given investors a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, says billionaire
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Tyson shifts to robot butchers after coronavirus outbreaks
Pentagon: US will respond if Russia bounty reports are true
Top Pentagon leaders told Congress on Thursday that reports of Russia offering Taliban militants bounties for killing Americans were not corroborated by defence intelligence agencies, but said they are looking into it and the US will respond if necessary.
Defense Secretary Mark Esper said his military commanders heard initial reports on the bounty issue in January and he first saw an intelligence paper about it in February. While the threats were taken seriously, he said they have not yet been found credible.
Esper and Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, were testifying before the House Armed Services Committee on the role of the military during recent protests triggered by the killing of George Floyd. Several House members asked about the Russian bounty reports. Milley said Russia and other nations have long worked against the U.S. in Afghanistan and provided support to the Taliban, but the specific notion of bounties hasn't been proven.
President Donald Trump initially labelled the reports about bounties "just another hoax" made up by the media. The White House has said Trump wasn't briefed on the intelligence until after the stories broke. According to US intelligence officials, information that Russia offered bounties to Taliban militants for killing American troops was included in a briefing for Trump in late February.
Milley and Esper appeared to walk a fine line. Esper said he didn't recall a briefing that mentioned the word "bounties." But, under questioning, he later acknowledged that there were reports that mentioned "payments."
And Milley was pressed about the difference between Iran backing militants in Iraq -- which has triggered US retaliation -- and what the Russians are doing in Afghanistan. He said that while Russia continues to back the Taliban, there is no evidence it directed militant attacks on US troops in Afghanistan.
"In the case of the Russians, we do not have concrete, corroborating evidence, intelligence, to show 'directing.' That's a big difference. If we did, it would be a different response, too," he said, adding that the military is still digging into the matter and will get to the bottom of it.
"If in fact there's bounties directed by the government of Russia or any of their institutions to kill American soldiers, that's a big deal," Milley said. "I and the secretary and many others are taking it seriously, we're going to get to the bottom of it, we're going to find out if, in fact, it's true. And if it is true we will take action."
Associated Press
Top Pentagon leaders told Congress on Thursday that reports of Russia offering Taliban militants bounties for killing Americans were not corroborated by defence intelligence agencies, but said they are looking into it and the US will respond if necessary.
Defense Secretary Mark Esper said his military commanders heard initial reports on the bounty issue in January and he first saw an intelligence paper about it in February. While the threats were taken seriously, he said they have not yet been found credible.
Esper and Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, were testifying before the House Armed Services Committee on the role of the military during recent protests triggered by the killing of George Floyd. Several House members asked about the Russian bounty reports. Milley said Russia and other nations have long worked against the U.S. in Afghanistan and provided support to the Taliban, but the specific notion of bounties hasn't been proven.
President Donald Trump initially labelled the reports about bounties "just another hoax" made up by the media. The White House has said Trump wasn't briefed on the intelligence until after the stories broke. According to US intelligence officials, information that Russia offered bounties to Taliban militants for killing American troops was included in a briefing for Trump in late February.
Milley and Esper appeared to walk a fine line. Esper said he didn't recall a briefing that mentioned the word "bounties." But, under questioning, he later acknowledged that there were reports that mentioned "payments."
And Milley was pressed about the difference between Iran backing militants in Iraq -- which has triggered US retaliation -- and what the Russians are doing in Afghanistan. He said that while Russia continues to back the Taliban, there is no evidence it directed militant attacks on US troops in Afghanistan.
"In the case of the Russians, we do not have concrete, corroborating evidence, intelligence, to show 'directing.' That's a big difference. If we did, it would be a different response, too," he said, adding that the military is still digging into the matter and will get to the bottom of it.
"If in fact there's bounties directed by the government of Russia or any of their institutions to kill American soldiers, that's a big deal," Milley said. "I and the secretary and many others are taking it seriously, we're going to get to the bottom of it, we're going to find out if, in fact, it's true. And if it is true we will take action."
Associated Press
Teachers' union 'double-dog dares' Trump to sit in class during pandemic
Mr Trump has demanded that schools resume in-person classes in fall, and has also criticised the Centre for Disease Control's (CDC) guidelines for re-opening as "expensive" and "tough".
"There's no one that wants their kids back with us more than teachers... but we want to open it safely," National Education Association (NEA) President Lily Eskelsen García told CNN on Wednesday.
Louise Hall reports:
The president of the largest US teachers union has said they "double-dog dare" Donald Trump to sit in one of their classrooms during the pandemic when schools reopen.
Mr Trump has demanded that schools resume in-person classes in fall, and has also criticised the Centre for Disease Control's (CDC) guidelines for re-opening as "expensive" and "tough".
"There's no one that wants their kids back with us more than teachers... but we want to open it safely," National Education Association (NEA) President Lily Eskelsen García told CNN on Wednesday.
Louise Hall reports:
Teachers' union 'double-dog dares' Trump to sit in class during pandemic
'There’s no one that wants their kids back with us more than teachers... but we want to open it safely'New York Mayor Bill de Blasio helps paint Black Lives Matter mural in front of Trump Tower
Work has begun on the "Black Lives Matter" mural being painted outside Trump Tower in New York, after Donald Trump described it as a "symbol of hate."
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio attended to help paint the large yellow letters outside the Trump Organisation's headquarters on Thursday.
"Our city isn't just painting the words on Fifth Avenue. We're committed to the meaning of the message. #BlackLivesMatter," Mr de Blasio tweeted.
Gino Spocchia and Louise Hall report:
Black Lives Matter mural painted in front of Trump Tower
'Our city isn’t just painting the words on Fifth Avenue. We’re committed to the meaning of the message', mayor says
Trump doubles down on 'political witch hunt' claims after Supreme Court ruling
Donald Trump was asked in person on Thursday what his thoughts were on the ruling by the Supreme Court that he would have to turn over his tax documents to the Manhattan DA.
Donald Trump was asked in person on Thursday what his thoughts were on the ruling by the Supreme Court that he would have to turn over his tax documents to the Manhattan DA.
The president noted that the ruling opened the door for him to approach the lower courts again about the decision, but he still thought it was all a "political witch hunt".
We are "basically starting all over again, sending everything back down to the lower court ... So, from a certain point I'm satisfied, on another point I'm not satisfied because frankly, this is a political witch hunt," Mr Trump said, according to CNN.
We are "basically starting all over again, sending everything back down to the lower court ... So, from a certain point I'm satisfied, on another point I'm not satisfied because frankly, this is a political witch hunt," Mr Trump said, according to CNN.
"You know what's going on in New York. Everyone is leaving, and it turned out to be a hellhole, and they better do something about it because people are leaving New York. But this is a political witch hunt. It just continues, and it's been from before I got here..."
US-China relationship at 'lowest point' in decades as sanctions announced over Uighur concentration camps
The US announced sanctions on Chinese Communist Party officials for human rights abuses against Uighur Muslims as the two countries reached their lowest point since establishing diplomatic ties in 1979.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in a speech on Thursday that one of the most important diplomatic relationships in the world is facing "its most serious challenge" in more than 40 years.
His comments came as both the Treasury Department and the State Department announced sanctions and visa restrictions on senior officials involved in the mass imprisonment of ethnic minorities in China's Xinjiang Province.
Justin Vallejo reports:
US-China relationship at 'lowest point' in decades as sanctions announced over Uighur concentration camps
Treasury and State department target property and place visa restrictions on top Communist Party members
Trump signs executive order to launch the White House Hispanic Prosperity Initiative
Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday aimed at boosting up Hispanic workers in the US and making sure they have the opportunity to prosper.
Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday aimed at boosting up Hispanic workers in the US and making sure they have the opportunity to prosper.
Coronavirus: Nearly 90% of infected meat plant workers are minorities, says CDC
Minority workers at meat processing plants are particularly affected by coronavirus, a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found.
The report found that as many as 87 per cent of those who contracted coronavirus belonged to racial and ethnic minorities even though they are only 61 per cent of the total worker population.
Germania Rodriguez Poleo reports:
Nearly 90% of meat plant workers infected with coronavirus are minorities
While white workers made up 39 per cent of the overall workforce, they represented only 13 per cent of cases
Business group says Trump administration policy to remove international students could impact economy
The US Chamber of Commerce, a top business lobbying group, has released a statement against the Trump administration's new policy not allowing international students to take online classes while in the country.
It was announced earlier this week by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that international students studying at universities in the US would face deportation if their classes were strictly online amid the coronavirus pandemic.
US Chamber of Commerce CEO Thomas J Donohue called the move "ill-conceived" and said it would "inflict significant harm" on both American colleges and the US economy.
"We urge the administration to rethink this ill-conceived policy," he said.
The US Chamber of Commerce, a top business lobbying group, has released a statement against the Trump administration's new policy not allowing international students to take online classes while in the country.
It was announced earlier this week by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that international students studying at universities in the US would face deportation if their classes were strictly online amid the coronavirus pandemic.
US Chamber of Commerce CEO Thomas J Donohue called the move "ill-conceived" and said it would "inflict significant harm" on both American colleges and the US economy.
"We urge the administration to rethink this ill-conceived policy," he said.
Since the announcement, Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology have sued the Trump administration over the guidance. Other universities, such as Columbia University and New York University, have created one-credit "in-person" classes that international students could sign up for that would step around ICE's policy.
Universities and colleges are currently working with state and local officials about reopening plans that would protect students and staff while still providing students with an education.
Anti-mask Republican wields chainsaw and blowtorch while comparing safety mandates to Nazi Germany
A state representative in Louisianna has protested against mask safety orders while wielding a chainsaw and comparing the measures to Nazi Germany in a video posted on social media.
A state representative in Louisianna has protested against mask safety orders while wielding a chainsaw and comparing the measures to Nazi Germany in a video posted on social media.
In the advert, Louisiana Rep Danny McCormick tries to destroy masks with a blowtorch and a chainsaw and tramples a piece of paper with a stick.
Throughout the video, Rep McCormick speaks about his grievances of "mask mandates" stating that "masks aren't bad, mandates are".
Louise Hall reports:
Louise Hall reports:
Anti-mask Republican wields chainsaw and blowtorch while comparing safety mandates to Nazi Germany
‘The constitution is being shredded before our very eyes’, representative insists
I've documented Trump every day of his presidency -- and now he's in free-fall
John T Bennett with his analysis:
John T Bennett with his analysis:
I've documented Trump every day of his presidency — and now he's in free-fall
The president, it seems, is losing grip at the worst possible timeBreaking News: Michael Cohen ordered back to prison after breaking house arrest
Donald Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen has been returned to federal custody after he allegedly violated the terms of his coronavirus-related release to serve the remainder of his sentence at home.
Cohen pleaded guilty to lying to Congress and campaign finance violations by facilitating hush money payments to women who alleged affairs with the president, which Mr Trump has denied.
He began a three-year sentence late last year but was among nonviolent offenders who were released from prison amid Covid-19 pandemic fears in US detention centres.
Alex Woodward reports:
Michael Cohen ordered back to prison after breaking house arrest
Donald Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen has been returned to federal custody after he allegedly violated the terms of his coronavirus-related release to serve the remainder of his sentence at home.Eastern half of Oklahoma is Native American tribal land, Supreme Court rules
The US Supreme Court has ruled that a major portion of the state of Oklahoma must be considered Native American tribal territory.
The 5-4 decision found that the previously designated "Indian Country" was never diminished or disestablished as a reservation by Congress, meaning criminal cases in the area must be prosecuted by federal authorities under the Major Crimes Act.
The ruling in the case of McGirt vs Oklahoma overturns a 1997 conviction in the rape of an underage girl as the location should have been outside the jurisdiction of state criminal law.
Justin Vallejo reports:
Eastern half of Oklahoma is Native American tribal land, Supreme Court rules
Decision overturns a tribe member's rape conviction determined to be outside the jurisdiction of state law
Press secretary says schools in coronavirus hotspots should reopen
Debate launched this week about which schools should reopen in the fall amid the coronavirus pandemic, specifically because multiple states are reporting a surge of cases.
White House Press Secretary reiterated during her Thursday press briefing that the Trump administration thought all schools should reopen, including those in hotspots.
This comes as issues between the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Trump administration arose about recommendations for schools on reopening. Donald Trump slammed the agency's recommendations earlier this week for being "very tough" and "expensive".
Debate launched this week about which schools should reopen in the fall amid the coronavirus pandemic, specifically because multiple states are reporting a surge of cases.
White House Press Secretary reiterated during her Thursday press briefing that the Trump administration thought all schools should reopen, including those in hotspots.
This comes as issues between the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Trump administration arose about recommendations for schools on reopening. Donald Trump slammed the agency's recommendations earlier this week for being "very tough" and "expensive".
CDC Directer Dr Robert Redfield said on Thursday the agency would not be altering the recommendations but instead adding to them.
White House says Supreme Court justices did not rule against Trump on tax documents
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany responded to the Supreme Court ruling earlier on Thursday that said Donald Trump must turnover his tax documents to the Manhattan District Attorney.
"The justices did not rule against him," Ms McEnany said.
She was later asked why the president wouldn't want to disclose the documents to the public like all other presidential candidates, including Joe Biden, has previously done. Ms McEnany blamed current "audits".
"His taxes are under audit. When they are no longer under audit, he will release them," she said.
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany responded to the Supreme Court ruling earlier on Thursday that said Donald Trump must turnover his tax documents to the Manhattan District Attorney.
"The justices did not rule against him," Ms McEnany said.
She was later asked why the president wouldn't want to disclose the documents to the public like all other presidential candidates, including Joe Biden, has previously done. Ms McEnany blamed current "audits".
"His taxes are under audit. When they are no longer under audit, he will release them," she said.
More than 1.3m Americans file for unemployment as coronavirus cases surge
More than 1.3 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week, as several states begin reversing plans to reopen their economies and resume statewide shutdowns after surging coronavirus case numbers across the US.
Initial unemployment claims fell by 99,000, marking a gradual decline since jobless claims were at their peak in mid-March.
Though last week's jobless claims marked a four-month low amid the pandemic, nearly 33 million people continued to receive unemployment benefits
Alex Woodward reports:
More than 1.3 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week, as several states begin reversing plans to reopen their economies and resume statewide shutdowns after surging coronavirus case numbers across the US.
Initial unemployment claims fell by 99,000, marking a gradual decline since jobless claims were at their peak in mid-March.
Though last week's jobless claims marked a four-month low amid the pandemic, nearly 33 million people continued to receive unemployment benefits
Alex Woodward reports:
