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| Mueller report release: Barr says Congress will get redacted version by mid-April – live | Mueller report release: Barr says Congress will get redacted version by mid-April – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| That’s the latest line from the president holding a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, his private club in Florida. | |
| The pool reporter at Mar-a-Lago says: | |
| News conference begins at 4:20 pm. Trump seated on sofa beside Linda McMahon. He announces she is resigning as Small Business Administration director and is going to help with Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign.“This is an outstanding woman. Who has done an outstanding job,” Trump said.Trump says he will nominate her successor in a short time.The president also says he has a lot of confidence in AG Barr. Again calls Mueller investigation a hoax and says he has nothing to hide. | |
| Here are some quick-fire thoughts from the Guardian’s Jon Swaine on the latest developments re: Barr, Mueller, Trump, Congress. | Here are some quick-fire thoughts from the Guardian’s Jon Swaine on the latest developments re: Barr, Mueller, Trump, Congress. |
| Attorney general William Barr’s latest letter, sent Friday afternoon, is unlikely to calm the restive Democrats who have demanded to see Robert Mueller’s full report on the Trump-Russia investigation – and it may have actually set off more alarm bells. | Attorney general William Barr’s latest letter, sent Friday afternoon, is unlikely to calm the restive Democrats who have demanded to see Robert Mueller’s full report on the Trump-Russia investigation – and it may have actually set off more alarm bells. |
| Democrats in Congress knew Barr would want to redact material relating to grand jury proceedings, which are secret and may not be published without a court order. They acknowledged he would also seek to protect the sources of sensitive intelligence. | Democrats in Congress knew Barr would want to redact material relating to grand jury proceedings, which are secret and may not be published without a court order. They acknowledged he would also seek to protect the sources of sensitive intelligence. |
| But Barr’s pledge to use his redacting pen to guard the “privacy and reputational interests of peripheral third parties” in the report will raise concerns that questionable activity by people around Trump who were not prosecuted by Mueller stand a worrying chance of being covered up. | But Barr’s pledge to use his redacting pen to guard the “privacy and reputational interests of peripheral third parties” in the report will raise concerns that questionable activity by people around Trump who were not prosecuted by Mueller stand a worrying chance of being covered up. |
| We should expect a dispute between Barr, who will say he is just following Justice Department policy, and Democrats who argue that this extraordinary investigation requires an extraordinary amount of transparency. | We should expect a dispute between Barr, who will say he is just following Justice Department policy, and Democrats who argue that this extraordinary investigation requires an extraordinary amount of transparency. |
| Ahead of an expected press conference at Mar-a-Lago and announcements by the president, any moment, here is a refreshed version of a neat summary and explainer relating to Barr’s letter to Congress last weekend. | Ahead of an expected press conference at Mar-a-Lago and announcements by the president, any moment, here is a refreshed version of a neat summary and explainer relating to Barr’s letter to Congress last weekend. |
| Barr’s has just sent another letter to Congress, telling them he’ll hand over the report (with redactions) by mid-April, as reported here by Guardian senior reporter Jon Swaine. | Barr’s has just sent another letter to Congress, telling them he’ll hand over the report (with redactions) by mid-April, as reported here by Guardian senior reporter Jon Swaine. |
| Barr first summed up his initial take on the Mueller report (into allegations of collusion between the Trump election campaign and Russia, and obstruction of justice by the president and/or his circle) in a four-page letter to Congress last Sunday, here explained by Guardian senior reporter Oliver Laughland. | Barr first summed up his initial take on the Mueller report (into allegations of collusion between the Trump election campaign and Russia, and obstruction of justice by the president and/or his circle) in a four-page letter to Congress last Sunday, here explained by Guardian senior reporter Oliver Laughland. |
| In this tiny window between AG Bill Barr telling Congress he will release (most of) the Mueller report by mid-April and Donald Trump holding a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, just to let you know that things at the US-Mexico border are still tense. | In this tiny window between AG Bill Barr telling Congress he will release (most of) the Mueller report by mid-April and Donald Trump holding a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, just to let you know that things at the US-Mexico border are still tense. |
| Reporter-on-the-spot Edwin Delgado sent this mini-dispatch for the Guardian just now, ahead of a press conference in El Paso, Texas, very soon, following his witnessing of the chaos at the border there earlier this week. | Reporter-on-the-spot Edwin Delgado sent this mini-dispatch for the Guardian just now, ahead of a press conference in El Paso, Texas, very soon, following his witnessing of the chaos at the border there earlier this week. |
| On Friday afternoon, El Paso Congresswoman Veronica Escobar and local leaders of the border community are expected to address the media on the recent influx of migrants to the border after Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan said the entire system is at a “breaking point”. | On Friday afternoon, El Paso Congresswoman Veronica Escobar and local leaders of the border community are expected to address the media on the recent influx of migrants to the border after Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan said the entire system is at a “breaking point”. |
| The press conference is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. ET (2:15 p.m. local time), where Escobar and local advocates are expected to discuss what has led to this humanitarian crisis at the border and the current situation in which hundreds of migrants are being held in a transitory shelter surrounded by chain link fence and barbed wire underneath the Paso del Norte International bridge connecting Ciudad Juarez on the Mexican side of the border and El Paso, separated by barriers. | The press conference is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. ET (2:15 p.m. local time), where Escobar and local advocates are expected to discuss what has led to this humanitarian crisis at the border and the current situation in which hundreds of migrants are being held in a transitory shelter surrounded by chain link fence and barbed wire underneath the Paso del Norte International bridge connecting Ciudad Juarez on the Mexican side of the border and El Paso, separated by barriers. |
| McAleenan said on Wednesday CBP is ‘reluctantly’ considering releasing migrants directly into the streets as they have already done in Del Rio, Texas, and as happened in El Paso just before Christmas, if the high volume of migrants continues and no other agencies are able to take them. | McAleenan said on Wednesday CBP is ‘reluctantly’ considering releasing migrants directly into the streets as they have already done in Del Rio, Texas, and as happened in El Paso just before Christmas, if the high volume of migrants continues and no other agencies are able to take them. |
| Local leaders are expected to address the possible scenario in which hundreds of migrants find themselves stranded at local bus stations trying to reach their relatives as it happened in October and Christmas week. | Local leaders are expected to address the possible scenario in which hundreds of migrants find themselves stranded at local bus stations trying to reach their relatives as it happened in October and Christmas week. |
| Other potential topics of discussion include the request made by the Department of Homeland Security requesting authority to be able to deport unaccompanied minors faster than the current laws and court rulings facilitate. | Other potential topics of discussion include the request made by the Department of Homeland Security requesting authority to be able to deport unaccompanied minors faster than the current laws and court rulings facilitate. |
| “Once again, [DHS Secretary Kirstjen] Nielsen is using an increase in the number of asylum seekers as a vehicle to promote an abhorrent policy,” Escobar said in a statement ahead of the press conference. | “Once again, [DHS Secretary Kirstjen] Nielsen is using an increase in the number of asylum seekers as a vehicle to promote an abhorrent policy,” Escobar said in a statement ahead of the press conference. |
| “Her request for broader authority to detain families indefinitely and deport migrant children, denying them their right to due process, is offensive and anti-American,” she added. | “Her request for broader authority to detain families indefinitely and deport migrant children, denying them their right to due process, is offensive and anti-American,” she added. |
| Earlier today, the president threatened to shut the US-Mexico border next week if the flow of migrants unlawfully entering the US is not stemmed. | Earlier today, the president threatened to shut the US-Mexico border next week if the flow of migrants unlawfully entering the US is not stemmed. |
| AG Bill Barr sent his letter this afternoon to Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, chairman of the Senate judiciary committee, and Jerrold Nadler, Democrat of New York, chairman of the House judiciary committee, and made it public in the process. | AG Bill Barr sent his letter this afternoon to Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, chairman of the Senate judiciary committee, and Jerrold Nadler, Democrat of New York, chairman of the House judiciary committee, and made it public in the process. |
| He notes that portions of the report will be redacted. And that the president, despite having the right to assert executive privilege over some parts of the report, had said he intended to defer to the attorney general. | He notes that portions of the report will be redacted. And that the president, despite having the right to assert executive privilege over some parts of the report, had said he intended to defer to the attorney general. |
| “[A]ccordingly, there are no plans to submit the report to the White House for a privilege review,” Barr said. | “[A]ccordingly, there are no plans to submit the report to the White House for a privilege review,” Barr said. |
| Breaking news: Barr gives update on the fate of the Mueller report. | Breaking news: Barr gives update on the fate of the Mueller report. |
| Attorney general William Barr has sent a new letter to lawmakers on Capitol Hill this afternoon saying the report by special counsel Robert Mueller, with his findings on Trump, his 2016 election campaign, and Russia’s election interference will be delivered to Congress by mid-April, if not sooner. | Attorney general William Barr has sent a new letter to lawmakers on Capitol Hill this afternoon saying the report by special counsel Robert Mueller, with his findings on Trump, his 2016 election campaign, and Russia’s election interference will be delivered to Congress by mid-April, if not sooner. |
| However, the AG warned that some parts would be redacted. | However, the AG warned that some parts would be redacted. |
| Last word on the eco-system that Lake Okeechobee keeps alive. | Last word on the eco-system that Lake Okeechobee keeps alive. |
| The Everglades includes the National Park but also unique areas such as the Big Cypress National Preserve and the Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve (hello, the Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean and, for better or worse, the film Adaptation). | The Everglades includes the National Park but also unique areas such as the Big Cypress National Preserve and the Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve (hello, the Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean and, for better or worse, the film Adaptation). |
| It’s hard to know why Donald Trump chose today to visit the area. He’s holding a press conference at Mar-a-Lago at 4PM but that won’t shed light on anything related to the environment or his sudden urge to catch a glimpse of Lake Okeechobee. | It’s hard to know why Donald Trump chose today to visit the area. He’s holding a press conference at Mar-a-Lago at 4PM but that won’t shed light on anything related to the environment or his sudden urge to catch a glimpse of Lake Okeechobee. |
| So before we leave this delicate topic and return to the topics of healthcare, the border and the economy, here’s a picture of the increasingly-rare Florida panther, which still survives in the Everglades. | So before we leave this delicate topic and return to the topics of healthcare, the border and the economy, here’s a picture of the increasingly-rare Florida panther, which still survives in the Everglades. |
| Most of us humans will never get to see one in the wild but, as it’s 3PM on a Friday I’m going to remind you what to do if you do, courtesy of verse by Ogden Nash: | Most of us humans will never get to see one in the wild but, as it’s 3PM on a Friday I’m going to remind you what to do if you do, courtesy of verse by Ogden Nash: |
| A panther is like a leopard | A panther is like a leopard |
| except it hasn’t been peppered | except it hasn’t been peppered |
| should you behold a panther crouch | should you behold a panther crouch |
| prepare to say ouch | prepare to say ouch |
| better yet, if called by a panther | better yet, if called by a panther |
| don’t anther. | don’t anther. |
| Walls, dikes, barriers, bluster. | Walls, dikes, barriers, bluster. |
| The pool reporters report that the president has left Lake Okeechobee now and is “wheels up” in the Marine One helicopter on his way to Palm Beach and Mar-a-Lago. | The pool reporters report that the president has left Lake Okeechobee now and is “wheels up” in the Marine One helicopter on his way to Palm Beach and Mar-a-Lago. |
| At the lakeshore just prior, apparently, around 15 people stood for several minutes around a sign that appeared to include a map of the project. The pool couldn’t hear the conversation. The group then went close to the water and looked out at the lake. | At the lakeshore just prior, apparently, around 15 people stood for several minutes around a sign that appeared to include a map of the project. The pool couldn’t hear the conversation. The group then went close to the water and looked out at the lake. |
| Your blogger presents the next exchange, as reported by the pool, but without comment because I have face-planted. | Your blogger presents the next exchange, as reported by the pool, but without comment because I have face-planted. |
| “Great project,” Trump told reporters. | “Great project,” Trump told reporters. |
| Pool reports POTUS talked for several minutes about the project. He said Okeechobee has been a success but has had problems. | Pool reports POTUS talked for several minutes about the project. He said Okeechobee has been a success but has had problems. |
| Pointing to earthen walls along the dike, he said: “I’m looking at all of the walls and I’m saying ...don’t forget our southern border.” | Pointing to earthen walls along the dike, he said: “I’m looking at all of the walls and I’m saying ...don’t forget our southern border.” |
| Linda McMahon will chair Trump’s 2020 Super PAC, Politico is reporting. | Linda McMahon will chair Trump’s 2020 Super PAC, Politico is reporting. |
| Earlier we heard that McMahon is stepping down as head of the Small Business Administration – but it seems she won’t be going far. | Earlier we heard that McMahon is stepping down as head of the Small Business Administration – but it seems she won’t be going far. |
| Instead, she’ll take up a role at “America First Action”, which will play a key role in Trump’s re-election effort. From Politico: | Instead, she’ll take up a role at “America First Action”, which will play a key role in Trump’s re-election effort. From Politico: |
| Trump allies have spent weeks searching for someone to chair the super PAC, which officials view as a key plank in the president’s reelection campaign. The president’s top aides believe they will need to raise around $1 billion, and say the super PAC will be a major part of the effort. Brian Walsh, America First Action’s president, declined to comment. | Trump allies have spent weeks searching for someone to chair the super PAC, which officials view as a key plank in the president’s reelection campaign. The president’s top aides believe they will need to raise around $1 billion, and say the super PAC will be a major part of the effort. Brian Walsh, America First Action’s president, declined to comment. |
| The president is expected to huddle with major donors on Saturday evening at Mar-a-Lago, according to two people familiar with the plans. Trump is planning to speak to reporters at 4pm. McMahon is joining the president at his private club this weekend. | The president is expected to huddle with major donors on Saturday evening at Mar-a-Lago, according to two people familiar with the plans. Trump is planning to speak to reporters at 4pm. McMahon is joining the president at his private club this weekend. |
| Speaking after his tour of Lake Okeechobee, Trump doubled-down on closing the border over what he describes as an immigration crisis. | Speaking after his tour of Lake Okeechobee, Trump doubled-down on closing the border over what he describes as an immigration crisis. |
| “If they don’t stop it we will keep the border closed. And we will keep it stopped for a long time. I’m not playing games,” Trump said, according to a White House pool report. | “If they don’t stop it we will keep the border closed. And we will keep it stopped for a long time. I’m not playing games,” Trump said, according to a White House pool report. |
| In other Trump news, the president will hold a press conference at 4pm, where he will respond to reports that Linda McMahon is resigning as head of the Small Business Administration. | In other Trump news, the president will hold a press conference at 4pm, where he will respond to reports that Linda McMahon is resigning as head of the Small Business Administration. |
| According to a White House pool report Trump will speak from Mar-a-Lago. | According to a White House pool report Trump will speak from Mar-a-Lago. |
| Meanwhile, Democratic 2020 election hopeful Elizabeth Warren, the Massachusetts Senator, is hitting Iowa this weekend. | Meanwhile, Democratic 2020 election hopeful Elizabeth Warren, the Massachusetts Senator, is hitting Iowa this weekend. |
| She just took the stage in Marshalltown “in her first stop focusing on rural Iowa this weekend”, Leigh Ann Caldwell of NBC just tweeted. | She just took the stage in Marshalltown “in her first stop focusing on rural Iowa this weekend”, Leigh Ann Caldwell of NBC just tweeted. |
| .@ewarren takes the stage in Marshalltown Iowa in her first stop focusing on rural Iowa this weekend pic.twitter.com/K5yFKr5b9N | .@ewarren takes the stage in Marshalltown Iowa in her first stop focusing on rural Iowa this weekend pic.twitter.com/K5yFKr5b9N |