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Top Democrat: 'inevitable' Mueller will testify before Congress – live Top Democrat: 'inevitable' Mueller will testify before Congress – live
(32 minutes later)
Lots of dramatic language in an email sent to Department of Homeland Security staffers last night by Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen looking for volunteers to go to the southern border, obtained by BuzzFeed.
"If you haven't already done so, please consider volunteering to support our frontline agencies -- Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE -- during this critical time,' the email continues.
Two more women have said former Vice President Joe Biden touched them in a way that made them feel uncomfortable.
From the New York Times in a story published Tuesday night:
Caitlyn Caruso, a former college student and sexual assault survivor, said Mr. Biden rested his hand on her thigh — even as she squirmed in her seat to show her discomfort — and hugged her “just a little bit too long” at an event on sexual assault at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She was 19.
Ms. Caruso, now 22, said she chalked up the encounter at the time to how men act, and did not say anything publicly. But she said it was particularly uncomfortable because she had just shared her own story of sexual assault and had expected Mr. Biden — an architect of the 1994 Violence Against Women Act — to understand the importance of physical boundaries.
“It doesn’t even really cross your mind that such a person would dare perpetuate harm like that,” she said. “These are supposed to be people you can trust.”
D. J. Hill, 59, a writer who recalled meeting Mr. Biden in 2012 at a fund-raising event in Minneapolis, said that when she and her husband, Robert, stepped up to take their photograph with the vice president, he put his hand on her shoulder and then started dropping it down her back, which made her “very uncomfortable.”
Her husband, seeing the movement, put his hand on Mr. Biden’s shoulder and interrupted with a joke. Ms. Hill did not say anything at the time and acknowledged that she does not know what Mr. Biden’s intention was or whether he was aware of her discomfit.
Tech billionaire Mark Cuban calls current US immigration policy “really, really, really stupid.”
“Right now, we’re being really, really, really stupid by taking really, really, really educated people who could do a lot for our really, really important economy and sending them home,” he said at Dallas Startup Week, the Dallas Morning News reports.
Republican state lawmakers in Georgia are proposing to create a journalism “ethics board,” and force news organizations to give copies of photographs and audio and video recordings to subjects who request them, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports.
Media outlets could be fined for not turning over the documents.
The proposal by Rep. Andy Welch appears to be motivated by his grudge against a TV reporter who asked him questions about legislation recently, per AJC.
“First I thought this was an April Fools joke, but this is clearly an effort to rein in those who have been scrutinizing what’s been happening at the Legislature. In this country there is a First Amendment which reads, in part: Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech or of the press. This applies even to the Georgia Legislature,” said Richard T. Griffiths, president of the Georgia First Amendment Foundation.
The White House has not explained why Donald Trump has falsely and repeatedly claimed his father was born in Germany.The White House has not explained why Donald Trump has falsely and repeatedly claimed his father was born in Germany.
But a Trump adviser suggested to CNN he was just confused. “Obama thought we had 57 states. Sometimes mistakes happen,” the person said.But a Trump adviser suggested to CNN he was just confused. “Obama thought we had 57 states. Sometimes mistakes happen,” the person said.
President Donald Trump signed a presidential memorandum on Wednesday to rein in what the administration calls the “Wild West” of online trafficking in counterfeit goods. From the Associated Press:President Donald Trump signed a presidential memorandum on Wednesday to rein in what the administration calls the “Wild West” of online trafficking in counterfeit goods. From the Associated Press:
The memorandum is aimed at stopping the sale of counterfeit products on sites like Amazon, Ebay and China’s e-commerce leader, Alibaba.The memorandum is aimed at stopping the sale of counterfeit products on sites like Amazon, Ebay and China’s e-commerce leader, Alibaba.
“This president has decided that it’s time to clean up this Wild West of counterfeiting and trafficking,” said Peter Navarro, director of the White House National Trade Council.“This president has decided that it’s time to clean up this Wild West of counterfeiting and trafficking,” said Peter Navarro, director of the White House National Trade Council.
“The central core of the problem is that right now, third-party online marketplaces ... have zero liability when it comes to trafficking in these counterfeit goods. That simply has to stop. We are going to attack that on numerous fronts.”“The central core of the problem is that right now, third-party online marketplaces ... have zero liability when it comes to trafficking in these counterfeit goods. That simply has to stop. We are going to attack that on numerous fronts.”
But Navarro said discussion of possible actions the administration will take to deter online trafficking in counterfeit merchandise is premature. He says the directive orders the Department of Homeland Security to work with other agencies on a report identifying the scope of the problem. The report also is to identify the origin of the fake goods and recommend administrative, regulatory, legislative or policy changes to stem the problem.But Navarro said discussion of possible actions the administration will take to deter online trafficking in counterfeit merchandise is premature. He says the directive orders the Department of Homeland Security to work with other agencies on a report identifying the scope of the problem. The report also is to identify the origin of the fake goods and recommend administrative, regulatory, legislative or policy changes to stem the problem.
Virginia lieutenant governor Justin Fairfax released the results of polygraph tests Wednesday which he says support his denials of sexual assault allegations by two women.Virginia lieutenant governor Justin Fairfax released the results of polygraph tests Wednesday which he says support his denials of sexual assault allegations by two women.
“I knew that the allegations made against me were false from the moment I first heard them,” he said, according to Politico. “That is why I denied them.”“I knew that the allegations made against me were false from the moment I first heard them,” he said, according to Politico. “That is why I denied them.”
He said he passed both polygraph exams “on the first try.”He said he passed both polygraph exams “on the first try.”
He asked prosecutors in Boston and North Carolina, where the alleged incidents took place, to investigate the charges.He asked prosecutors in Boston and North Carolina, where the alleged incidents took place, to investigate the charges.
Republican New York Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis has raised $300,000 to run for Congress against Rep. Max Rose, who flipped the seat to Democratic control last year, her campaign said.Republican New York Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis has raised $300,000 to run for Congress against Rep. Max Rose, who flipped the seat to Democratic control last year, her campaign said.
Several leading Republicans have donated to the campaign, including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s Leadership PAC contributed the maximum $10,000.Several leading Republicans have donated to the campaign, including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s Leadership PAC contributed the maximum $10,000.
It indicates party leadership is lining up behind Malliotakis - not former Rep. and convicted felon Michael Grimm, who is considering running yet again for the seat. He ran last year but lost the primary.It indicates party leadership is lining up behind Malliotakis - not former Rep. and convicted felon Michael Grimm, who is considering running yet again for the seat. He ran last year but lost the primary.
Thank you to everyone who contributed during the first 2 months since I announced my intention to run for Congress! With your help, I’m reporting an impressive $300k in my first filing. This is just the beginning, so please continue to share my website! https://t.co/IQWQsvnP22Thank you to everyone who contributed during the first 2 months since I announced my intention to run for Congress! With your help, I’m reporting an impressive $300k in my first filing. This is just the beginning, so please continue to share my website! https://t.co/IQWQsvnP22
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee also has its eyes on her, sending out a release criticizing her on healthcare.The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee also has its eyes on her, sending out a release criticizing her on healthcare.
The Commission on Presidential Debates identified six cities that have applied to host 2020 presidential debates.The Commission on Presidential Debates identified six cities that have applied to host 2020 presidential debates.
The commission will pick spots from among the following contenders:The commission will pick spots from among the following contenders:
Belmont University, Nashville, TNBelmont University, Nashville, TN
City of Hartford, Hartford, CTCity of Hartford, Hartford, CT
Creighton University, Omaha, NECreighton University, Omaha, NE
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MIUniversity of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, INUniversity of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
Utah Debate Commission and the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UTUtah Debate Commission and the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch has a book coming in the fall, per the Washington Post.Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch has a book coming in the fall, per the Washington Post.
Inbos: Justice Gorsuch publishing a book in the fall: A republic, If You Can Keep It. Personal stories and 8 original essays pic.twitter.com/runtuXHn26Inbos: Justice Gorsuch publishing a book in the fall: A republic, If You Can Keep It. Personal stories and 8 original essays pic.twitter.com/runtuXHn26
President Donald Trump’s Senate GOP allies, frustrated by delays in confirming dozens of lower-profile nominees, are forcing through a rules change to cut back debate on most of his picks. The Associated Press reports:President Donald Trump’s Senate GOP allies, frustrated by delays in confirming dozens of lower-profile nominees, are forcing through a rules change to cut back debate on most of his picks. The Associated Press reports:
The GOP plan is to indefinitely restore rules in place during the first few years of President Barack Obama’s second term. Those rules have lapsed, allowing any senator to force 30 hours of debate on a nominee.The GOP plan is to indefinitely restore rules in place during the first few years of President Barack Obama’s second term. Those rules have lapsed, allowing any senator to force 30 hours of debate on a nominee.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who’s no stranger to obstructionist tactics himself, says the situation has gotten out of hand, with the Senate taking 128 votes to end debate on Trump’s nominees during his first two years in office, far more than under other presidents.Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who’s no stranger to obstructionist tactics himself, says the situation has gotten out of hand, with the Senate taking 128 votes to end debate on Trump’s nominees during his first two years in office, far more than under other presidents.
“The Senate’s advice and consent power is not supposed to be used to slow-walk all of a president’s nominees simply because one party doesn’t like the president who is doing the nominating,” said South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the second-ranking Republican.“The Senate’s advice and consent power is not supposed to be used to slow-walk all of a president’s nominees simply because one party doesn’t like the president who is doing the nominating,” said South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the second-ranking Republican.
The proposed rules change would limit debate on most nominees to two hours instead of the 30 hours now required. Cabinet secretaries, Supreme Court nominations, and appeals court judges would be exempted from the new rules.The proposed rules change would limit debate on most nominees to two hours instead of the 30 hours now required. Cabinet secretaries, Supreme Court nominations, and appeals court judges would be exempted from the new rules.
McConnell is set to employ a procedural maneuver to effectively change the rules by a party-line vote instead of the supermajority that would ordinarily be required.McConnell is set to employ a procedural maneuver to effectively change the rules by a party-line vote instead of the supermajority that would ordinarily be required.
Former Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada used the same approach in 2013 to lower the filibuster threshold on most nominations to a simple majority when faced with what Democrats said was GOP obstructionism.Former Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada used the same approach in 2013 to lower the filibuster threshold on most nominations to a simple majority when faced with what Democrats said was GOP obstructionism.
Republicans said at the time that Reid and Democrats would come to regret that rules change, which has given Trump largely free rein to fill numerous judicial vacancies that have piled up over the years.Republicans said at the time that Reid and Democrats would come to regret that rules change, which has given Trump largely free rein to fill numerous judicial vacancies that have piled up over the years.
Democrats, who benefited from prior rules changes under Obama, are strongly protesting now. They say the GOP move would enable Trump and future presidents, so long as their party controls the Senate, to run roughshod over the Senate.Democrats, who benefited from prior rules changes under Obama, are strongly protesting now. They say the GOP move would enable Trump and future presidents, so long as their party controls the Senate, to run roughshod over the Senate.
They say the hurdles required to win confirmation should be difficult as a way to ensure nominees are ethical, qualified and responsive to requests by senators for information.They say the hurdles required to win confirmation should be difficult as a way to ensure nominees are ethical, qualified and responsive to requests by senators for information.
“There is no emergency that justifies changing the Senate rules. Sen. McConnell himself admitted the Senate has plenty of time to consider nominees,” said Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill. “This is all about avoiding close scrutiny for extreme ideological nominees that Republicans want to pack onto the federal courts for lifetime appointments.”“There is no emergency that justifies changing the Senate rules. Sen. McConnell himself admitted the Senate has plenty of time to consider nominees,” said Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill. “This is all about avoiding close scrutiny for extreme ideological nominees that Republicans want to pack onto the federal courts for lifetime appointments.”
Democrats also say that GOP complaints over their tactics now ring hollow after the obstructionism Obama experienced over his two terms.Democrats also say that GOP complaints over their tactics now ring hollow after the obstructionism Obama experienced over his two terms.
Merrick Garland, a federal appeals court judge nominated to the Supreme Court by Obama, failed to get a Senate hearing, and Republicans stalled numerous other Obama judicial nominees — both when the GOP was in the minority and then after retaking the Senate in 2015.Merrick Garland, a federal appeals court judge nominated to the Supreme Court by Obama, failed to get a Senate hearing, and Republicans stalled numerous other Obama judicial nominees — both when the GOP was in the minority and then after retaking the Senate in 2015.
Armed with the White House and control of the Senate, Trump is now confirming both district and appeals court judges at a dizzying pace and is positioned to reshape the federal judiciary even if he fails to win a second term.Armed with the White House and control of the Senate, Trump is now confirming both district and appeals court judges at a dizzying pace and is positioned to reshape the federal judiciary even if he fails to win a second term.
The New York Post has quite the front page today on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s warning to Joe Biden to keep his hands to himself.The New York Post has quite the front page today on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s warning to Joe Biden to keep his hands to himself.
I’m here to report that the @nypost is at it again. pic.twitter.com/EeOKf5hCsJI’m here to report that the @nypost is at it again. pic.twitter.com/EeOKf5hCsJ
New York Attorney General Letitia James and a coalition of other states have sued the Trump administration over its move to weaken nutritional standards for school meals.New York Attorney General Letitia James and a coalition of other states have sued the Trump administration over its move to weaken nutritional standards for school meals.
California, Illinois, New Mexico, Vermont and Washington DC have joined New York in the suit.California, Illinois, New Mexico, Vermont and Washington DC have joined New York in the suit.
The Trump administration rolled back sodium limits and whole grain requirements for school meals.The Trump administration rolled back sodium limits and whole grain requirements for school meals.
“Over a million children in New York – especially those in low-income communities and communities of color – depend on the meals served daily by their schools to be healthy, nutritious, and prepare them for learning,” James said. “The Trump Administration has undermined key health benefits for our children – standards for salt and whole grains in school meals – with deliberate disregard for science, expert opinion, and the law.“Over a million children in New York – especially those in low-income communities and communities of color – depend on the meals served daily by their schools to be healthy, nutritious, and prepare them for learning,” James said. “The Trump Administration has undermined key health benefits for our children – standards for salt and whole grains in school meals – with deliberate disregard for science, expert opinion, and the law.
New York City voters are overwhelmingly uninterested in seeing Mayor Bill de Blasio run for President, a new poll finds.New York City voters are overwhelmingly uninterested in seeing Mayor Bill de Blasio run for President, a new poll finds.
They say he shouldn’t run by a 76% to 18% margin in the new Quinnipiac Poll.They say he shouldn’t run by a 76% to 18% margin in the new Quinnipiac Poll.
“Mayor Bill de Blasio’s flirtation with a 2020 White House bid is prompting a rare moment of unity among New Yorkers. Three-quarters of them say, ‘Mr. Mayor: Don’t do it,’” said Mary Snow, polling analyst for the Quinnipiac University Poll.“Mayor Bill de Blasio’s flirtation with a 2020 White House bid is prompting a rare moment of unity among New Yorkers. Three-quarters of them say, ‘Mr. Mayor: Don’t do it,’” said Mary Snow, polling analyst for the Quinnipiac University Poll.
"De Blasio should not run for president, New York City voters say 76 – 18 percent. Every listed party,gender, racial, borough and age group agrees that the mayor should not hit the campaign trail." -- new @QuinnipiacPoll today"De Blasio should not run for president, New York City voters say 76 – 18 percent. Every listed party,gender, racial, borough and age group agrees that the mayor should not hit the campaign trail." -- new @QuinnipiacPoll today
Democratic presidential contender Julian Castro brought up reparations in his speech to the National Action Network, saying, “Our country will never truly heal until we address the original sin of slavery,” according to a Newsday reporter.Democratic presidential contender Julian Castro brought up reparations in his speech to the National Action Network, saying, “Our country will never truly heal until we address the original sin of slavery,” according to a Newsday reporter.
Castro also pitched policies universal pre-kindergarten and legalizing marijuana, per WNYC.Castro also pitched policies universal pre-kindergarten and legalizing marijuana, per WNYC.
.@JulianCastro is first of 3 prez candidates speaking so far at NAN to bring up reparations w/o being asked about it. “Our country will never truly heal until we address the original sin of slavery,” he says. “You got my vote,” woman in back shouts..@JulianCastro is first of 3 prez candidates speaking so far at NAN to bring up reparations w/o being asked about it. “Our country will never truly heal until we address the original sin of slavery,” he says. “You got my vote,” woman in back shouts.
“Smartest, healthiest, most prosperous nation on earth,” @JulianCastro says repeating the line for emphasis before running the policies that support that description: universal pre-k, guaranteed healthcare, criminal justice reform including legalizing marijuana“Smartest, healthiest, most prosperous nation on earth,” @JulianCastro says repeating the line for emphasis before running the policies that support that description: universal pre-k, guaranteed healthcare, criminal justice reform including legalizing marijuana
Former Attorney General Eric Holder is pushing Democratic presidential candidates to get more involved in local legislative and court elections, and is crafting a pledge for them to promise to do so, the Washington Post reports.Former Attorney General Eric Holder is pushing Democratic presidential candidates to get more involved in local legislative and court elections, and is crafting a pledge for them to promise to do so, the Washington Post reports.
NEWS: Eric Holder tells me that he wants 2020 Dems to get more involved in state legislative and court elections. Crafting a pledge for them about their commitment, reaching out to campaigns.NEWS: Eric Holder tells me that he wants 2020 Dems to get more involved in state legislative and court elections. Crafting a pledge for them about their commitment, reaching out to campaigns.
Fox News will be hosting a town hall with Sen. Bernie Sanders later this month, according to TVNewser.Fox News will be hosting a town hall with Sen. Bernie Sanders later this month, according to TVNewser.
Inbox: "Fox News Channel will present a town hall with @BernieSanders on Monday, April 15th. Co-anchored by Special Report’s @BretBaier and The Story’s @marthamaccallum, the town hall will focus on the economy and jobs."Inbox: "Fox News Channel will present a town hall with @BernieSanders on Monday, April 15th. Co-anchored by Special Report’s @BretBaier and The Story’s @marthamaccallum, the town hall will focus on the economy and jobs."