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/mar/29/trump-news-today-latest-live-updates-democrats-mueller-report-economy

The article has changed 22 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 19 Version 20
Mueller report release: Barr says Congress will get redacted version by mid-April – live Mueller report release: Democrats demand full report by early April - live
(32 minutes later)
My colleague Sam Levin is reporting from a press conference that Willie McCoy’s family is holding now in Oakland, in response to the public release of body-cam footage of the 2o-year-old’s killing.
Follow Sam on Twitter for live updates and video:
“Willie was a sitting duck in that car ... They didn’t want to give him a chance” - David Harrison, Willie’s cousin pic.twitter.com/iqsLMpduIq
The footage of McCoy’s death is extremely painful to watch. McCoy’s brother said that he thinks it is important for the public to see the footage, but that “there’s a thousand videos on YouTube that show police misconduct...it gets dismissed.”
Marc, Willie's older brother, told me he was glad the public would finally see the video, but added: “There’s a thousand videos on YouTube that show police misconduct, whether it’s beatings of citizens or killing them ... It gets dismissed."
In California, Vallejo police have released body cam footage of Willie McCoy’s killing, which shows the 20-year-old asleep in his car before police open fire.
The footage is consistent with claims of McCoy’s family, who said officers did not try to wake him or talk to him before shooting, my colleague Sam Levin reports.
The footage shows:
That officers did not try to wake McCoy up or talk to him after they spotted a gun in his lap, and instead pointed their firearms at his head directly outside the car as he slept for several minutes.
The officers then appeared to make a plan to fire at him, with one saying, “If he reaches for it, you know what to do.”
McCoy eventually started to move, scratching his shoulder and not yet appearing alert or saying anything to officers, and several seconds later, all six officers fired at him.
Police officials did not give the family or their attorney a heads-up about their decision to release the video today, according to the attorney.
Some of the footage, which is extremely disturbing, is included in with article below. The video will not start playing automatically. It is located part-way down the article page.
Read an in-depth profile of McCoy’s life, and hear his friends speak on video about their memories of him, here.
Police release body-cam video of Willie McCoy killing, showing him asleep in car
Save this one for your weekend read: Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke is holding his first rally in his hometown of El Paso, Texas, on Saturday. Ahead of the event, the Associated Press has a revealing profile of O’Rourke’s relationship with El Paso, and with Ciudad Juarez, the Mexican city just across the Rio Grande.Save this one for your weekend read: Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke is holding his first rally in his hometown of El Paso, Texas, on Saturday. Ahead of the event, the Associated Press has a revealing profile of O’Rourke’s relationship with El Paso, and with Ciudad Juarez, the Mexican city just across the Rio Grande.
The profile highlights some important tensions between O’Rourke’s current rhetoric and his record:The profile highlights some important tensions between O’Rourke’s current rhetoric and his record:
“Though now he calls for tearing down the border walls that have stood between El Paso and Juarez in some form since the 1970s, O’Rourke voted just last year to approve new border barrier construction.”“Though now he calls for tearing down the border walls that have stood between El Paso and Juarez in some form since the 1970s, O’Rourke voted just last year to approve new border barrier construction.”
In 2008, O’Rourke also cast a key vote that some El Paso residents say allowed the city to displace poor Mexican families from some of the city’s oldest neighborhoods. “He has charisma for people who don’t know him,” said Angie Martinez, a 74-year-old, retired school cafeteria worker. “But here we know the truth.”In 2008, O’Rourke also cast a key vote that some El Paso residents say allowed the city to displace poor Mexican families from some of the city’s oldest neighborhoods. “He has charisma for people who don’t know him,” said Angie Martinez, a 74-year-old, retired school cafeteria worker. “But here we know the truth.”
The profile details how O’Rourke took Amy Sanders, the woman he would later marry, on a blind date to Juarez as a “test.” It also includes an astonishing anecdote from O’Rourke’s sister, Charlotte, about the early signs of O’Rourke’s ambition.The profile details how O’Rourke took Amy Sanders, the woman he would later marry, on a blind date to Juarez as a “test.” It also includes an astonishing anecdote from O’Rourke’s sister, Charlotte, about the early signs of O’Rourke’s ambition.
At one point, when she was considering becoming a teacher, her brother sat down and presented a very different vision for what she should do with her life. It was “this big spiel about how I am going to be this amazing, like, politician who’s going to change El Paso....And I was like, ‘Uh-huh. Uh-huh,’” Charlotte O’Rourke said. “Now I always say, ‘Oh, he was talking to himself that day.’”At one point, when she was considering becoming a teacher, her brother sat down and presented a very different vision for what she should do with her life. It was “this big spiel about how I am going to be this amazing, like, politician who’s going to change El Paso....And I was like, ‘Uh-huh. Uh-huh,’” Charlotte O’Rourke said. “Now I always say, ‘Oh, he was talking to himself that day.’”
Read the full profile here.Read the full profile here.
Trump’s re-election campaign is selling t-shirts decorated with a cartoon of House Intelligence Committee chair Adam Schiff, and emblazoned with the president’s nickname for him: “Little Pencil-Neck.”Trump’s re-election campaign is selling t-shirts decorated with a cartoon of House Intelligence Committee chair Adam Schiff, and emblazoned with the president’s nickname for him: “Little Pencil-Neck.”
It’s yet another reminder, commenters noted, that Melania Trump’s campaign against social media bullying, “Be Best,” might have some work to do in the White House.It’s yet another reminder, commenters noted, that Melania Trump’s campaign against social media bullying, “Be Best,” might have some work to do in the White House.
Adults should teach children that “when they are using their voices—whether verbally or online—they must choose their words wisely and speak with respect and compassion,” the White House’s “Be Best” site advises.Adults should teach children that “when they are using their voices—whether verbally or online—they must choose their words wisely and speak with respect and compassion,” the White House’s “Be Best” site advises.
The president’s son, Donald Trump Jr., previously referred to the Democratic congressman as “the pencil neck geek” earlier this week.The president’s son, Donald Trump Jr., previously referred to the Democratic congressman as “the pencil neck geek” earlier this week.
Little Pencil-Neck Adam SchiffHe spent two years knowingly and unlawfully lying and leaking. He should be forced to resign from Congress!Everyone should buy a Pencil-Neck Adam Schiff shirt today!BUY Now: https://t.co/5SMsrJC8nU pic.twitter.com/v3Vvmma0e6Little Pencil-Neck Adam SchiffHe spent two years knowingly and unlawfully lying and leaking. He should be forced to resign from Congress!Everyone should buy a Pencil-Neck Adam Schiff shirt today!BUY Now: https://t.co/5SMsrJC8nU pic.twitter.com/v3Vvmma0e6
In San Francisco, local residents are contributing to dueling crowdfunding campaigns to pay for a legal battle over whether the city will be able to construct a desperately needed homeless shelter in a wealthy area of town.In San Francisco, local residents are contributing to dueling crowdfunding campaigns to pay for a legal battle over whether the city will be able to construct a desperately needed homeless shelter in a wealthy area of town.
San Francisco residents have been publicly contributing money, under their names, to help block the construction of a homeless shelter on a vacant lot beneath the Bay Bridge.San Francisco residents have been publicly contributing money, under their names, to help block the construction of a homeless shelter on a vacant lot beneath the Bay Bridge.
Billionaire Salesforce founder Marc Benioff, who has set himself apart from the city’s other tech leaders in his commitment to addressing the city’s homelessness crisis, just donated $10,000 to support the fight for the shelter.Billionaire Salesforce founder Marc Benioff, who has set himself apart from the city’s other tech leaders in his commitment to addressing the city’s homelessness crisis, just donated $10,000 to support the fight for the shelter.
Upto 61k thanks @Benioff absolutely amazing (!!!!) pic.twitter.com/CEzeiSCqIkUpto 61k thanks @Benioff absolutely amazing (!!!!) pic.twitter.com/CEzeiSCqIk
San Francisco currently has an estimated 7,500 homeless residents in the city and more than 1,400 are waiting for temporary spots to open in shelters.San Francisco currently has an estimated 7,500 homeless residents in the city and more than 1,400 are waiting for temporary spots to open in shelters.
Lois Beckett here picking up our live coverage from Oakland.Lois Beckett here picking up our live coverage from Oakland.
Speaking at a news conference in Mar-a-Lago this afternoon, President Trump told reporters that he decided to stop sanctions against North Korea because he didn’t think they were necessary at this time.Speaking at a news conference in Mar-a-Lago this afternoon, President Trump told reporters that he decided to stop sanctions against North Korea because he didn’t think they were necessary at this time.
Trump is slated to meet with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in Washington on April 11.Trump is slated to meet with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in Washington on April 11.
The Guardian’s US east coast reporting and blogging team will be handing over to our colleagues on the west coast very shortly. My colleague Lois Beckett, in Oakland, California, will take over the live blog, so don’t head for the bar (juice bar or bar bar) just yet - loads more action to come.The Guardian’s US east coast reporting and blogging team will be handing over to our colleagues on the west coast very shortly. My colleague Lois Beckett, in Oakland, California, will take over the live blog, so don’t head for the bar (juice bar or bar bar) just yet - loads more action to come.
Here’s a summary of events of the day so far:Here’s a summary of events of the day so far:
Democrats on Capitol Hill are demanding the full report of special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation - into allegations of collusion by Donald Trump or his 2016 election campaign team with the Kremlin to stymie Hillary Clinton, and accusations of obstruction of justice by the president or his circle - by Tuesday April 2, without redactions.Democrats on Capitol Hill are demanding the full report of special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation - into allegations of collusion by Donald Trump or his 2016 election campaign team with the Kremlin to stymie Hillary Clinton, and accusations of obstruction of justice by the president or his circle - by Tuesday April 2, without redactions.
Attorney general William Barr sent a letter to Congress on Friday saying he would hand the report over to Congress by mid-April or sooner, without giving the president the chance to edit it, but with redactions.Attorney general William Barr sent a letter to Congress on Friday saying he would hand the report over to Congress by mid-April or sooner, without giving the president the chance to edit it, but with redactions.
Donald Trump has threatened to shut the US-Mexico border next week if Mexico doesn’t act to stem the surge of migrants from Central America reaching the US unlawfully. Also blames Democrats for shortcomings in immigration laws and US policy.Donald Trump has threatened to shut the US-Mexico border next week if Mexico doesn’t act to stem the surge of migrants from Central America reaching the US unlawfully. Also blames Democrats for shortcomings in immigration laws and US policy.
The president is in Florida, where he swung by Lake Okeechobee with some GOP mates, then ‘coptered off to Mar-a-Lago, where he accepted the resignation of Linda McMahon, director of the small business administration.The president is in Florida, where he swung by Lake Okeechobee with some GOP mates, then ‘coptered off to Mar-a-Lago, where he accepted the resignation of Linda McMahon, director of the small business administration.
New York magazine published a jolting article about Joe Biden’s habit of giving unsolicited kisses and intimate hugs and “nuzzles” to women and girls he meets at public events and on campaign trails.New York magazine published a jolting article about Joe Biden’s habit of giving unsolicited kisses and intimate hugs and “nuzzles” to women and girls he meets at public events and on campaign trails.
House of Representatives judiciary committee chairman Jerry Nadler is still insisting that Congress get the full Mueller report - without redactions - by Tuesday, regardless of AG Bill Barr’s letter a few hours ago saying he would present the report, with redactions, by “mid-April if not sooner”.House of Representatives judiciary committee chairman Jerry Nadler is still insisting that Congress get the full Mueller report - without redactions - by Tuesday, regardless of AG Bill Barr’s letter a few hours ago saying he would present the report, with redactions, by “mid-April if not sooner”.
Barr wrote to Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, chairman of the Senate judiciary committee, and Nadler, Democrat of New York, earlier today with his pledge.Barr wrote to Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, chairman of the Senate judiciary committee, and Nadler, Democrat of New York, earlier today with his pledge.
The offering by Barr, appointed by Donald Trump a few short months ago, appears to have done nothing to quell tempers on the other side of the aisle and there’ll be sparks flying next week on Capitol Hill.The offering by Barr, appointed by Donald Trump a few short months ago, appears to have done nothing to quell tempers on the other side of the aisle and there’ll be sparks flying next week on Capitol Hill.
When we mentioned earlier that we’d be returning to the subject of Joe Biden, we weren’t quite expecting this:When we mentioned earlier that we’d be returning to the subject of Joe Biden, we weren’t quite expecting this:
New York magazine has just published a first-person piece about the former vice-president and potential 2020 election candidate for the Democratic Party nomination, and it’s not a pretty picture.New York magazine has just published a first-person piece about the former vice-president and potential 2020 election candidate for the Democratic Party nomination, and it’s not a pretty picture.
Lucy Flores, who in 2014 was the 35-year-old Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in Nevada, describes how Joe Biden turned out last minute to campaign for her, but left her feeling appalled.Lucy Flores, who in 2014 was the 35-year-old Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in Nevada, describes how Joe Biden turned out last minute to campaign for her, but left her feeling appalled.
She describes how the then-in-office, then 70-year-old, Veep came up behind her, put his hands on both of her shoulders, inhaled deeply the scent of her hair and planted “a big slow kiss” on the back of her head just before she was about to go on stage at an eve-of-election campaign rally.She describes how the then-in-office, then 70-year-old, Veep came up behind her, put his hands on both of her shoulders, inhaled deeply the scent of her hair and planted “a big slow kiss” on the back of her head just before she was about to go on stage at an eve-of-election campaign rally.
The article goes on to describe and illustrate lots of other examples of Biden hugging, gripping, lips-kissing, “nuzzling” and intimately whispering in the ears of daughters and wives of politicians, and women he’s encountered on the campaign trail or at political events.The article goes on to describe and illustrate lots of other examples of Biden hugging, gripping, lips-kissing, “nuzzling” and intimately whispering in the ears of daughters and wives of politicians, and women he’s encountered on the campaign trail or at political events.
In some of the pictures the objects of this seemingly-unilateral display of “affection” are visibly uncomfortable.In some of the pictures the objects of this seemingly-unilateral display of “affection” are visibly uncomfortable.
Tweeting about the article, Flores, describing herself on Twitter as a social justice advocate, former Nevada assemblywoman and “troll slayer”, amongst other things, said:Tweeting about the article, Flores, describing herself on Twitter as a social justice advocate, former Nevada assemblywoman and “troll slayer”, amongst other things, said:
“This was an incredibly difficult thing to do, but something that felt necessary. It took a while before I found the words and the support that made me feel like this was finally a story I could tell.”“This was an incredibly difficult thing to do, but something that felt necessary. It took a while before I found the words and the support that made me feel like this was finally a story I could tell.”
This was an incredibly difficult thing to do, but something that felt necessary. It took awhile before I found the words and the support that made me feel like this was finally a story I could tell. https://t.co/Sr5Go3xuTeThis was an incredibly difficult thing to do, but something that felt necessary. It took awhile before I found the words and the support that made me feel like this was finally a story I could tell. https://t.co/Sr5Go3xuTe
That’s the latest line from the president holding a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, his private club in Florida.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: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.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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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”.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
However, the AG warned that some parts would be redacted.
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).
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.
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
except it hasn’t been peppered
should you behold a panther crouch
prepare to say ouch
better yet, if called by a panther
don’t anther.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
.@ewarren takes the stage in Marshalltown Iowa in her first stop focusing on rural Iowa this weekend pic.twitter.com/K5yFKr5b9N