This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2019/feb/22/house-democrats-plan-to-block-trumps-declaration-of-emergency-live

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 8 Version 9
Mueller report will not be filed to justice department next week– live Michael Cohen 'told prosecutors of possible irregularities at Trump Organization' – live
(about 1 hour later)
Need a break from political news? It’s the Friday before the Oscars, and Vanity Fair has reportedly disinvited the New York Times from its storied Oscars party.
The Times Style section ran a critical story yesterday questioning whether Vanity Fair’s annual party was still the “hottest” Oscars event.
The magazine was apparently unhappy with the coverage, Choire Sicha, the editor of the Times Style section, noted.
Just got word that Vanity Fair has disinvited The New York Times from covering their annual Oscars party. They said it "feels like the Times has already run their coverage of the VF party this year," they said. I guess we did!https://t.co/xZUWpbQnJH
Lois Beckett here, taking over our live coverage.
Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer, met with federal prosecutors in New York last month to offer information about “possible irregularities within the president’s family business”, the New York Times reports. The conversation involved “insurance claims the company had filed over the years”, the Times reported, and there was “no indication” that President Trump was implicated in the “irregularities.”
Cohen was also questioned about Zuberi, the one person named in the inaugural committee subpoena. Zuberi had tried to downplay his interactions w Cohen in NYT interview weeks ago. Turns out he gave Cohen a $100k business check that was never cashed. https://t.co/Rx2znQI7nS
Donald Trump tried to change the subject when asked about a North Carolina election invalidated because of absentee ballot fraud, instead pointing to other questionable allegations of voter fraud.Donald Trump tried to change the subject when asked about a North Carolina election invalidated because of absentee ballot fraud, instead pointing to other questionable allegations of voter fraud.
The state board of elections has ordered a new election for a House seat after an operative working for the Republican candidate, Mark Harris, was found to have run an illegal absentee ballot harvesting operation.The state board of elections has ordered a new election for a House seat after an operative working for the Republican candidate, Mark Harris, was found to have run an illegal absentee ballot harvesting operation.
“I condemn any voter fraud of any kind, whether it’s Democrat or Republican,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, Politico reports. “But when you look at some of the things that happened in California in particular, when you look at what has happened in Texas with all of those votes that they recently found that were not exactly properly done. I condemn all of it.”“I condemn any voter fraud of any kind, whether it’s Democrat or Republican,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, Politico reports. “But when you look at some of the things that happened in California in particular, when you look at what has happened in Texas with all of those votes that they recently found that were not exactly properly done. I condemn all of it.”
A reporter attempted to point out the cases he was referring to were unsubstantiated.A reporter attempted to point out the cases he was referring to were unsubstantiated.
“I condemn all of it. And that includes North Carolina if anything — I guess they’re going to be doing a final report. But I’d like to see the final report. Any form of election fraud, I condemn,” he said.“I condemn all of it. And that includes North Carolina if anything — I guess they’re going to be doing a final report. But I’d like to see the final report. Any form of election fraud, I condemn,” he said.
Trump has repeatedly made false allegations of mass voter fraud in the 2016 election, blaming it for his loss of the popular vote to Hillary Clinton.Trump has repeatedly made false allegations of mass voter fraud in the 2016 election, blaming it for his loss of the popular vote to Hillary Clinton.
Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello says Donald Trump is refusing to meet with him to discuss Hurricane Maria relief.Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello says Donald Trump is refusing to meet with him to discuss Hurricane Maria relief.
He told the Associated Press that the White House declined public and private requests to meet ahead of a governors’ conference in Washington this weekend to discuss the response to the storm, which has drawn heavy criticism.He told the Associated Press that the White House declined public and private requests to meet ahead of a governors’ conference in Washington this weekend to discuss the response to the storm, which has drawn heavy criticism.
Donald Trump said he doesn’t believe a resolution to block his border emergency declaration can survive his veto.Donald Trump said he doesn’t believe a resolution to block his border emergency declaration can survive his veto.
“Will I veto it? One hundred percent. One hundred percent. And I don’t think it survives a veto. We have too many smart people who want border security,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “I will veto it, yes.”“Will I veto it? One hundred percent. One hundred percent. And I don’t think it survives a veto. We have too many smart people who want border security,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “I will veto it, yes.”
The resolution was introduced in the Democratic-controlled House Friday, where it is expected to pass. It’s fate is unclear in the Senate, where it would need some Republican votes and a handful of moderate Republicans are wavering.The resolution was introduced in the Democratic-controlled House Friday, where it is expected to pass. It’s fate is unclear in the Senate, where it would need some Republican votes and a handful of moderate Republicans are wavering.
Prosecutors have begun presenting evidence to a grand jury in Washington in their investigation of whether former interior Secretary Ryan Zinke lied to federal investigators, the Washington Post reports.Prosecutors have begun presenting evidence to a grand jury in Washington in their investigation of whether former interior Secretary Ryan Zinke lied to federal investigators, the Washington Post reports.
The grand jury deliberations are focused on Zinke’s decision not to grant a petition by two Indian tribes to operate a commercial casino in Connecticut, two sources told the Post.The grand jury deliberations are focused on Zinke’s decision not to grant a petition by two Indian tribes to operate a commercial casino in Connecticut, two sources told the Post.
The tribes say Zinke denied their application for political reasons, and investigators with the Interior Department inspector general’s office believe that Zinke lied to them when they questioned him about that claim.The tribes say Zinke denied their application for political reasons, and investigators with the Interior Department inspector general’s office believe that Zinke lied to them when they questioned him about that claim.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will be the star of a new comic book, CBR reports.Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will be the star of a new comic book, CBR reports.
It’s called Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the Freshman Force and will be released on May 15.It’s called Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the Freshman Force and will be released on May 15.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Is Getting Her Own Comic Bookhttps://t.co/CZJElDAamgAlexandria Ocasio-Cortez Is Getting Her Own Comic Bookhttps://t.co/CZJElDAamg
Donald Trump blames Amazon’s abandonment of a planned campus in New York on the “radical left.”Donald Trump blames Amazon’s abandonment of a planned campus in New York on the “radical left.”
Trump on Amazon being chased out of New York: “It’s the kind of thinking that our country is going to on the left, on the radical left. But ultimately it’s not good for jobs and it’s not good for the economy," he said. “I think it was a big loss for New York City.” https://t.co/mez6ToijPjTrump on Amazon being chased out of New York: “It’s the kind of thinking that our country is going to on the left, on the radical left. But ultimately it’s not good for jobs and it’s not good for the economy," he said. “I think it was a big loss for New York City.” https://t.co/mez6ToijPj
He also disparaged New York Mayor Bill de Blasio’s presidential aspirations, per Bloomberg News.He also disparaged New York Mayor Bill de Blasio’s presidential aspirations, per Bloomberg News.
PRESS: Thoughts on Bill de Blasio heading to Iowa? TRUMP in Oval: “I think he has to learn New York City before he starts running the country because he hasn't done a very good job. Including, by the way, with Amazon."PRESS: Thoughts on Bill de Blasio heading to Iowa? TRUMP in Oval: “I think he has to learn New York City before he starts running the country because he hasn't done a very good job. Including, by the way, with Amazon."
Donald Trump said Friday that he bears no responsibility for a Coast Guard lieutenant’s domestic terror plot against a hit list of Democrats and news media figures.Donald Trump said Friday that he bears no responsibility for a Coast Guard lieutenant’s domestic terror plot against a hit list of Democrats and news media figures.
“No I don’t. I think my language is very nice,” Trump told reporters when asked whether his language bears any responsibility for inspiring the plot.“No I don’t. I think my language is very nice,” Trump told reporters when asked whether his language bears any responsibility for inspiring the plot.
“I think it’s a shame. I think it’s a very sad thing when a thing like that happens,” he said.“I think it’s a shame. I think it’s a very sad thing when a thing like that happens,” he said.
The chairs of six House committees wrote to Attorney General Bill Barr Friday saying that they expect special counsel Robert Mueller’s report to be made public.The chairs of six House committees wrote to Attorney General Bill Barr Friday saying that they expect special counsel Robert Mueller’s report to be made public.
“The public is entitled to know what the Special Counsel has found. We write to you to express, in the strongest possible terms, our expectation that the Department of Justice will release to the public the report Special Counsel Mueller submits to you—without delay and to the maximum extent permitted by law,” they wrote.“The public is entitled to know what the Special Counsel has found. We write to you to express, in the strongest possible terms, our expectation that the Department of Justice will release to the public the report Special Counsel Mueller submits to you—without delay and to the maximum extent permitted by law,” they wrote.
The letter was signed by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, Committee on Oversight and Reform Chairman Elijah Cummings, Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff, Committee on Financial Services Chairwoman Maxine Waters, Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal and Committee on Foreign Affairs Chairman Eliot Engel.The letter was signed by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, Committee on Oversight and Reform Chairman Elijah Cummings, Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff, Committee on Financial Services Chairwoman Maxine Waters, Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal and Committee on Foreign Affairs Chairman Eliot Engel.
Donald Trump said that alleged misconduct by his labor secretary Alex Acosta when he was a federal prosecutor happened “a long time ago.”
A judge ruled that Acosta, when he was US attorney in Miami, broke the law in a sex trafficking case against billionaire Jeffrey Epstein by failing to inform his alleged underage sex victims of a 2007 plea agreement.
“I really don’t know too much about it. I know he’s done a great job as labor secretary,” Trump told reporters in the White House.
“That seems like a long time ago,” he said, adding that Acosta was doing a “fantastic” job.
Donald Trump said he looks forward to seeing special counsel Robert Mueller’s report, which we’ve just heard will not be coming next week.
“There was no collusion, there was no obstruction, there was no anything, so that’s the nice part,” Trump told reporters at the White House Friday afternoon, adding that he won the 2016 election because, “I was a better candidate than she was, and it had nothing to do with Russia.”
“I look forward to seeing the report. If it’s an honest report, it will say that. If it’s not an honest report, it won’t,” he said.
Senator Cory Booker will be making a stop in Nevada in his presidential campaign this weekend.
Nevada! In just 2 days I will make my first trip to your state since I announced my run for president. Looking forward to seeing you all and my favorite longtime Nevada resident...my mom! Please join us. #HomeMeansNevada https://t.co/Rnbey9Te6n
Special counsel Robert Mueller’s report on the Russia investigation will not be issued next week, a senior Justice Department official tells NBC News and the Washington Post.
There had been speculation the report would come out next week.
“Reports that the Attorney General will receive the report from the Special Counsel by the end of next week are incorrect. They will not receive the report by the end of next week,” a senior Justice Department official tells @JuliaEAinsley
senior DoJ official: Mueller's report will not be delivered next week.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican considering a primary bid against Donald Trump, asks the Trump campaign, “What are you so afraid of?”
Hogan told the Washington Post the Republican National Committee has taken “unprecedented” steps to block a possible challenge, referring to an RNC resolution declaring undivided support for Trump.
“If he has unanimous support and everybody is on board, why shut down the normal process?” he said. “It’s almost like a hostage situation.”
Senator Bernie Sanders is backing a strike by teachers in Oakland.
I stand with @OaklandEA teachers who are fighting for smaller class sizes, fairer pay, more student support, and fundamentally defending public education. Oakland must not shut down 24 of the city’s 87 public schools.
Donald Trump says he’s “surprised” by charges of soliciting prostitution against Patriots owner Robert Kraft, a friend of his. He stressed Kraft has denied the allegations, according to a pool report.
President Trump on Bob Kraft charges, per pooler @HallieJackson: "Surprised to see it. He has denied it."
President Trump on Robert Kraft prostitution charges: "Well, it's very sad."Read more: https://t.co/7lJlI92frZ pic.twitter.com/qsvDj7qv84
Donald Trump said today he would definitely veto a congressional resolution to block his declaration of an emergency at the southern border, according to a pool report.
According to pooler @HallieJackson, President Trump said he would 100 percent veto any effort to block his national emergency. House Democrats introduced a resolution to do so today.
Virginia House Republicans have announced plans to hold a public hearing where the lieutenant governor, Justin Fairfax, and the two women who have recently accused him of sexual assault can testify, the Associated Press reports:
Republican Del. Rob Bell said Friday that the House Courts of Justice Committee will invite Vanessa Tyson, Meredith Watson and Fairfax at an unnamed future hearing date.
“This will give all parties a chance to be heard,” Bell said in brief remarks on the House floor.
He added that Republicans believe they have a duty to investigate the allegations made against the lieutenant governor, who is first in line to replace the governor in the event of a vacancy.
Democratic House members have said they don’t believe the General Assembly is the best place to investigate the allegations at this time and said they don’t want to impede possible criminal investigations.
More stories of mistreatment by staffers of Senator Amy Klobuchar are featured in a new story from the New York Times.
In one incident, a staffer forgot to bring a fork with a salad he brought her on a flight. She berated him, then used a comb from her purse to eat the salad, and ordered him to clean it.
Klobuchar wrote in one email seen by the Times, “In 20 years in politics I have never seen worse prep.” Another said, “This is the worst press staff I ever had.” In another email, she told an aide, “How can you treat me like this time and time again?”
Her office also had an unusually punitive parental leave policy. Aides who took paid leave were required to remain employed for the office for three times as long as they had been on leave. If they did not, the policy called for them to pay back the money they were paid while on leave. Klobuchar’s office told the Times they never actually required any staffer to repay the money.
“Many of these former aides say she was not just demanding but often dehumanizing — not merely a tough boss in a capital full of them” https://t.co/b39sd5hoE1