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Trump denies trying to restart family separations while blaming Obama for policy – live Trump denies trying to restart family separations while blaming Obama for policy – live
(32 minutes later)
Gabrielle Canon here, taking over for Sabrina Siddiqui.
Things are not looking good for Trump’s Federal Reserve pick, Herman Cain. The 2012 GOP presidential candidate and former pizza executive has yet to be officially nominated, but politicians from his own party are already pushing back.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) on Herman Cain's expected nomination to Federal Reserve Board: "I'm going to do my due diligence but I'm not so favorably inclined right now.""I have some concerns about some of the things that relate to Mr. Cain," she added.
“There are concerns that are being voiced to the administrations about qualifications,” Senator John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota told Politico. “They’re probably going to hear from a number of our members about concerns that they have. Whether or not that gets them to make a course change or not, I don’t know.”
Trump’s other potential nominee, Stephen Moore, is also facing backlash after The Guardian exposed issues with his taxes and finances.
Trump Fed pick was held in contempt for failing to pay ex-wife over $300,000
While Republicans have been quick to support Trump’s picks for other positions, Fed nominees are expected not to be partisan, and there are concerns that the president is trying to make the financial body more political.
Per Politico:
‘Do you seriously want a guy on the Fed that has a whole organization, the only purpose of it is to encourage Republicans to do whatever the president says he’d like you to do?’ said one Republican senator distressed about the nomination. The senator said confirming Cain would be ‘hard’ but his nomination alone ‘might confirm Stephen Moore’.
Cain’s group recently said Republicans that opposed the president’s emergency declaration were ‘traitors’ in a fundraising request”.
Ok folks, I’m handing over the blog to the great Gabrielle Canon on the West Coast. She’ll take you through the rest of the day. Until next time...!Ok folks, I’m handing over the blog to the great Gabrielle Canon on the West Coast. She’ll take you through the rest of the day. Until next time...!
Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer said the Trump administration’s ‘chaos’ on immigration is a problem of the president’s own making.Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer said the Trump administration’s ‘chaos’ on immigration is a problem of the president’s own making.
Speaking on the Senate floor, Schumer said Trump “cannot keep changing personnel, changing strategy, tweeting your way through a problem as serious” as immigration.Speaking on the Senate floor, Schumer said Trump “cannot keep changing personnel, changing strategy, tweeting your way through a problem as serious” as immigration.
“Chaos stems from one source and one source only,” the Democratic leader said.“Chaos stems from one source and one source only,” the Democratic leader said.
“I hope that the president or some of the people around him will realize that his administration is far from a fine-tuned machine. It’s a slow-motion disaster that the American people see in action every day.”“I hope that the president or some of the people around him will realize that his administration is far from a fine-tuned machine. It’s a slow-motion disaster that the American people see in action every day.”
House Democratic leaders have canceled a planned vote on a budget proposal after amid internal opposition from moderates and progressives alike.House Democratic leaders have canceled a planned vote on a budget proposal after amid internal opposition from moderates and progressives alike.
According to Politico, progressives believe the budget measure provides a disproportionate amount of funding to the Pentagon, as opposed to domestic programs; moderates, meanwhile, think the legislation is too costly.According to Politico, progressives believe the budget measure provides a disproportionate amount of funding to the Pentagon, as opposed to domestic programs; moderates, meanwhile, think the legislation is too costly.
The debate over the bill, which will set budget caps for the next year, is a test of the Democratic Party’s priorities as they mark 100 days in control he House majority.The debate over the bill, which will set budget caps for the next year, is a test of the Democratic Party’s priorities as they mark 100 days in control he House majority.
The party is poised to huddle behind closed doors this week at an annual retreat just outside of Washington.The party is poised to huddle behind closed doors this week at an annual retreat just outside of Washington.
Looks like they’ve got their work cut out for them!Looks like they’ve got their work cut out for them!
Faced with mounting pressure, Senator Bernie Sanders has pledged to release ten years of tax returns by Monday.Faced with mounting pressure, Senator Bernie Sanders has pledged to release ten years of tax returns by Monday.
Sanders, the perceived frontrunner for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, told the New York Times he would release the returns by Tax Day on 15 April.Sanders, the perceived frontrunner for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, told the New York Times he would release the returns by Tax Day on 15 April.
“We wanted to release 10 years of tax returns. April 15, 2019, will be the 10th year, so I think you will see them,” Sanders said in an interview published Tuesday afternoon.“We wanted to release 10 years of tax returns. April 15, 2019, will be the 10th year, so I think you will see them,” Sanders said in an interview published Tuesday afternoon.
Sanders has been pressed in recent weeks on when he will release his tax returns, particularly as other Democratic candidates make their own financial records public. Reports have indicated that Sanders’ campaign has been less than forthcoming about the process, even as the senator insisted they will not contain any particularly noteworthy information.Sanders has been pressed in recent weeks on when he will release his tax returns, particularly as other Democratic candidates make their own financial records public. Reports have indicated that Sanders’ campaign has been less than forthcoming about the process, even as the senator insisted they will not contain any particularly noteworthy information.
The lack of clarity led to some comparisons between Sanders and Donald Trump, who in 2016 refused to release his tax returns – thus breaking a 40-year precedent of major-party candidates.The lack of clarity led to some comparisons between Sanders and Donald Trump, who in 2016 refused to release his tax returns – thus breaking a 40-year precedent of major-party candidates.
Sanders chafed at the notion that there were any parallels between him and the president.Sanders chafed at the notion that there were any parallels between him and the president.
“Not being a billionaire, not having investments in Saudi Arabia, wherever he has investments, all over the world, mine will be a little bit more boring,” he said.“Not being a billionaire, not having investments in Saudi Arabia, wherever he has investments, all over the world, mine will be a little bit more boring,” he said.
“On the day in the very immediate future, certainly before April 15, we release ours, I hope that Donald Trump will do exactly the same,” Sanders added.“On the day in the very immediate future, certainly before April 15, we release ours, I hope that Donald Trump will do exactly the same,” Sanders added.
The senator also downplayed his own status as a millionaire and whether he was now part of the club he has railed against throughout his political career.The senator also downplayed his own status as a millionaire and whether he was now part of the club he has railed against throughout his political career.
“I wrote a best-selling book,” Sanders said. “If you write a best-selling book, you can be a millionaire, too.”“I wrote a best-selling book,” Sanders said. “If you write a best-selling book, you can be a millionaire, too.”
Speaking of hearings, sounds like Democrats aren’t exactly rolling out the red carpet for secretary of state Mike Pompeo...Speaking of hearings, sounds like Democrats aren’t exactly rolling out the red carpet for secretary of state Mike Pompeo...
Pompeo in Senate hearing on State's proposed budget today.Sen. Leahy: "I hope this time when I submit questions for the record they'll actually get answered"Pompeo: I'll do my best, Senator"Leahy: "You didn't last time, but thank you."Pompeo in Senate hearing on State's proposed budget today.Sen. Leahy: "I hope this time when I submit questions for the record they'll actually get answered"Pompeo: I'll do my best, Senator"Leahy: "You didn't last time, but thank you."
Feisty!Feisty!
“Sen. Leahy” refers to Patrick Leahy, the OG senator from Vermont (sorry Bernie). He’s also a massive Batman fan and has appeared in several of the caped crusader films, because sure, why not? (More on hat bit here...)“Sen. Leahy” refers to Patrick Leahy, the OG senator from Vermont (sorry Bernie). He’s also a massive Batman fan and has appeared in several of the caped crusader films, because sure, why not? (More on hat bit here...)
My colleague Lois Beckett reports on a hearing in the House of Representatives on hate crimes and white nationalism:My colleague Lois Beckett reports on a hearing in the House of Representatives on hate crimes and white nationalism:
A House Judiciary committee hearing today on hate crimes and the threat of white nationalism highlighted the Republican Party’s unwillingness to treat white supremacist terror as a serious threat.A House Judiciary committee hearing today on hate crimes and the threat of white nationalism highlighted the Republican Party’s unwillingness to treat white supremacist terror as a serious threat.
The YouTube live stream of the hearing itself provided a dramatic example of how social media companies are struggling with how to deal with racism and hate on their platforms.The YouTube live stream of the hearing itself provided a dramatic example of how social media companies are struggling with how to deal with racism and hate on their platforms.
In the middle of the hearing, YouTube announced that it was disabling comments on its live stream, because of the proliferation of racist and anti-semitic remarks it had prompted.In the middle of the hearing, YouTube announced that it was disabling comments on its live stream, because of the proliferation of racist and anti-semitic remarks it had prompted.
In the most meta thing today, the House Judiciary Committee has a YouTube livestream of its hearing on hate on social media. The live comments are.... full of hate. https://t.co/2ZODaGTcgr pic.twitter.com/us3kNq6NarIn the most meta thing today, the House Judiciary Committee has a YouTube livestream of its hearing on hate on social media. The live comments are.... full of hate. https://t.co/2ZODaGTcgr pic.twitter.com/us3kNq6Nar
Hate speech has no place on YouTube. We’ve invested heavily in teams and technology dedicated to removing hateful comments / videos. Due to the presence of hateful comments, we disabled comments on the livestream of today’s House Judiciary Committee hearing.Hate speech has no place on YouTube. We’ve invested heavily in teams and technology dedicated to removing hateful comments / videos. Due to the presence of hateful comments, we disabled comments on the livestream of today’s House Judiciary Committee hearing.
But when one Democratic congressman cited this real-time incident as an example of the challenge companies are facing, a Republican congressman asked if the comments might just be “another hate hoax.”But when one Democratic congressman cited this real-time incident as an example of the challenge companies are facing, a Republican congressman asked if the comments might just be “another hate hoax.”
Nadler is reading my story out loud at the hearing right now. Nadler: "This just illustrates part of the problem we're dealing with"Gohmert: "Could that be another hate hoax... just keep an open mind" https://t.co/vdvth6ml6jNadler is reading my story out loud at the hearing right now. Nadler: "This just illustrates part of the problem we're dealing with"Gohmert: "Could that be another hate hoax... just keep an open mind" https://t.co/vdvth6ml6j
Jerry Nadler acknowledges that YouTube had to ban comments from the committee's livestream because of racists. Gohmert cuts in: "Could that be another hate hoax?"Jerry Nadler acknowledges that YouTube had to ban comments from the committee's livestream because of racists. Gohmert cuts in: "Could that be another hate hoax?"
The hearing came weeks after a white supremacist terror attack on two mosques in New Zealand, which left 50 people dead. The shooter, who appeared to be deeply familiar with the inside jokes and preoccupations of online white supremacist communities, live-streamed his murder of Muslim worshippers. Footage of the shooting spread swiftly on Facebook and YouTube.The hearing came weeks after a white supremacist terror attack on two mosques in New Zealand, which left 50 people dead. The shooter, who appeared to be deeply familiar with the inside jokes and preoccupations of online white supremacist communities, live-streamed his murder of Muslim worshippers. Footage of the shooting spread swiftly on Facebook and YouTube.
While representatives from Facebook and Google had been called to answer Congressional questions about the ways that racist terrorists have used social media platforms for mobilization and recruitment, much of the hearing was derailed by partisan attacks from Republican lawmakers and their witnesses, including Twitter-famous conservative provocateur Candace Owens, who had been named in the manifesto of the New Zealand mosque shooter as one of his inspirations.While representatives from Facebook and Google had been called to answer Congressional questions about the ways that racist terrorists have used social media platforms for mobilization and recruitment, much of the hearing was derailed by partisan attacks from Republican lawmakers and their witnesses, including Twitter-famous conservative provocateur Candace Owens, who had been named in the manifesto of the New Zealand mosque shooter as one of his inspirations.
The reference to Owens, who is black, in an explicitly white nationalist manifesto was likely sarcastic, and an attempt to manipulate and confuse news coverage of the shooting. But Owens’ response to the use of her name in the manifesto-- she tweeted “LOL”--was criticized as inappropriate.The reference to Owens, who is black, in an explicitly white nationalist manifesto was likely sarcastic, and an attempt to manipulate and confuse news coverage of the shooting. But Owens’ response to the use of her name in the manifesto-- she tweeted “LOL”--was criticized as inappropriate.
Owens, who previously appeared on the conspiracy website InfoWars, used her Congressional testimony today to cast doubt on how much white nationalism was a real threat, to accuse Democrats of fearmongering over white supremacist terror and racism as a way to win votes in 2020, and to promote her personal campaign of encouraging black Americans to leave the Democratic party, which she calls “Blexit.”Owens, who previously appeared on the conspiracy website InfoWars, used her Congressional testimony today to cast doubt on how much white nationalism was a real threat, to accuse Democrats of fearmongering over white supremacist terror and racism as a way to win votes in 2020, and to promote her personal campaign of encouraging black Americans to leave the Democratic party, which she calls “Blexit.”
Republicans chose to bring Candace Owens here. And as their witness, she has said that the hearing -- and the focus on white nationalism and supremacy -- amount to "nothing more than election strategies" for Dems in 2020.Republicans chose to bring Candace Owens here. And as their witness, she has said that the hearing -- and the focus on white nationalism and supremacy -- amount to "nothing more than election strategies" for Dems in 2020.
Owens testified alongside experts who track the proliferation of hate groups across the United States, and alongside Dr Mohammad Abu-Salha, a Muslim American whose two daughters and son-in-law were shot to death by a white man in North Carolina in 2015.Owens testified alongside experts who track the proliferation of hate groups across the United States, and alongside Dr Mohammad Abu-Salha, a Muslim American whose two daughters and son-in-law were shot to death by a white man in North Carolina in 2015.
The man, a neighbor, had previously made it clear to his daughters, who wore head scarves, that they were unwelcome in the neighborhood, he said.The man, a neighbor, had previously made it clear to his daughters, who wore head scarves, that they were unwelcome in the neighborhood, he said.
What's the word for Candace Owens, in a hearing about white nationalist violence, complaining about how she was victimized by being labeled a "conservative activist" while sitting next to a man whose two daughters and son-in-law were murdered in a hate crime?What's the word for Candace Owens, in a hearing about white nationalist violence, complaining about how she was victimized by being labeled a "conservative activist" while sitting next to a man whose two daughters and son-in-law were murdered in a hate crime?
Some observers said the repeated questions to Dr. Abu-Salha about whether Islam teaches hate were a troubling, particularly in a hearing that followed a terror attack in which innocent Muslim worshippers were the the victims.Some observers said the repeated questions to Dr. Abu-Salha about whether Islam teaches hate were a troubling, particularly in a hearing that followed a terror attack in which innocent Muslim worshippers were the the victims.
Dr. Mohammad Abu-Salha was called as a witness for the #HateCrimeHearing to offer a victim’s perspective, because of the killings of his daughters & son-in-law. Instead he’s been asked repeatedly to explain Islamic teachings on hate & whether he taught his kids to hate.Dr. Mohammad Abu-Salha was called as a witness for the #HateCrimeHearing to offer a victim’s perspective, because of the killings of his daughters & son-in-law. Instead he’s been asked repeatedly to explain Islamic teachings on hate & whether he taught his kids to hate.
An investigative reporter who has covered white nationalism in America for years called the hearing “dispiriting,” and said it highlighted “how incapable” the government is when it comes to “confronting the crisis of fascist violence.”An investigative reporter who has covered white nationalism in America for years called the hearing “dispiriting,” and said it highlighted “how incapable” the government is when it comes to “confronting the crisis of fascist violence.”
I knew this House hearing on white nationalism would be awful, but it's actually hard to describe how dispiriting it is to watch this thing, to see how utterly incompetent our government is, and how incapable it is of confronting the crisis of fascist violenceI knew this House hearing on white nationalism would be awful, but it's actually hard to describe how dispiriting it is to watch this thing, to see how utterly incompetent our government is, and how incapable it is of confronting the crisis of fascist violence
Hello everyone! Sabrina Siddiqui here, taking over for the next few hours ... which in Trump’s Washington, already feels like days.Hello everyone! Sabrina Siddiqui here, taking over for the next few hours ... which in Trump’s Washington, already feels like days.
I would say let’s hope we’re soon heading into a quiet evening. But who am I kidding?I would say let’s hope we’re soon heading into a quiet evening. But who am I kidding?
Stay tuned!Stay tuned!
Hold on to your hats, folks, the afternoon is young. Handing over from a brief blogging stint out of New York to my colleague in Washington DC, Sabrina Siddiqui.Hold on to your hats, folks, the afternoon is young. Handing over from a brief blogging stint out of New York to my colleague in Washington DC, Sabrina Siddiqui.
Attorney general William Barr was quizzed at a hearing on Capitol Hill and said he expects to issue the Mueller report to Congress – with color-coded redactions – within a week.Attorney general William Barr was quizzed at a hearing on Capitol Hill and said he expects to issue the Mueller report to Congress – with color-coded redactions – within a week.
Senior Republicans are urging Donald Trump not to continue his purge of the top echelons of the Department of Homeland Security.Senior Republicans are urging Donald Trump not to continue his purge of the top echelons of the Department of Homeland Security.
The president is denying that he will reinstate a family separations policy at the border, while others debunk his claims that it was all Obama’s doing anyway.The president is denying that he will reinstate a family separations policy at the border, while others debunk his claims that it was all Obama’s doing anyway.
Treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin says US bracing for Britain to crash out of the European Union with no deal, aka a “hard Brexit”.Treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin says US bracing for Britain to crash out of the European Union with no deal, aka a “hard Brexit”.
A congressional hearing on hate crimes and white nationalism was trolled when a live stream of the proceedings was bombarded with racist and antisemitic comments from internet users.A congressional hearing on hate crimes and white nationalism was trolled when a live stream of the proceedings was bombarded with racist and antisemitic comments from internet users.
John Kerry gives a huge shout out to AOC on climate changeJohn Kerry gives a huge shout out to AOC on climate change
To wit, in a busy day of hearings, former Secretary of State and Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry earlier gave testimony on Capitol Hill and praised representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the much buzzed-about social media wizard, scourge of the right and freshman Democrat of New York.To wit, in a busy day of hearings, former Secretary of State and Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry earlier gave testimony on Capitol Hill and praised representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the much buzzed-about social media wizard, scourge of the right and freshman Democrat of New York.
“Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez has...offered more leadership in one day or in one week than #PresidentTrump has in his lifetime on this,” Kerry said on climate change.“Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez has...offered more leadership in one day or in one week than #PresidentTrump has in his lifetime on this,” Kerry said on climate change.
Some video below.Some video below.
ICYMI: @JohnKerry praises Rep @AOC efforts to combat #climatechange as opposed to #PresidentTrump who refuses to lead on this issue. “Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez has in fact offered more leadership in one day or in one week than #PresidentTrump has in his lifetime on this. " pic.twitter.com/iQEtLpHZWAICYMI: @JohnKerry praises Rep @AOC efforts to combat #climatechange as opposed to #PresidentTrump who refuses to lead on this issue. “Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez has in fact offered more leadership in one day or in one week than #PresidentTrump has in his lifetime on this. " pic.twitter.com/iQEtLpHZWA
It’s been a busy day for congressional hearings.It’s been a busy day for congressional hearings.
Mnuchin mentioned Brexit earlier today at a hearing of the US House Committee on Financial Services.Mnuchin mentioned Brexit earlier today at a hearing of the US House Committee on Financial Services.
The United States is monitoring the developments around United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union and has been working with regulators to prepare for any market or trade disruptions, he said.The United States is monitoring the developments around United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union and has been working with regulators to prepare for any market or trade disruptions, he said.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says US is preparing for a ‘hard Brexit’Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says US is preparing for a ‘hard Brexit’
Mnuchin has told politicians on Capitol Hill today that America is making preparations for Britain to crash out of the European Union without a deal, AKA a hard Brexit, calling it “a very realistic outcome”.Mnuchin has told politicians on Capitol Hill today that America is making preparations for Britain to crash out of the European Union without a deal, AKA a hard Brexit, calling it “a very realistic outcome”.
Mnuchin tells House lawmakers: “At this point we need to prepared for a hard Brexit as a very realistic outcome,” says U.S. financial institutions are prepared but there could be significant market disruptions.Mnuchin tells House lawmakers: “At this point we need to prepared for a hard Brexit as a very realistic outcome,” says U.S. financial institutions are prepared but there could be significant market disruptions.
Hearing on Capitol Hill on hate crime and white nationalism becomes a bit too real.Hearing on Capitol Hill on hate crime and white nationalism becomes a bit too real.
A congressional hearing on online hate turned into a vivid demonstration of the problem earlier today when a YouTube live stream of the proceedings was bombarded with racist and antisemitic comments from internet users, the AP writes.A congressional hearing on online hate turned into a vivid demonstration of the problem earlier today when a YouTube live stream of the proceedings was bombarded with racist and antisemitic comments from internet users, the AP writes.
YouTube disabled the live chat section of the streaming video about 30 minutes into the hearing because of what it called “hateful comments.”YouTube disabled the live chat section of the streaming video about 30 minutes into the hearing because of what it called “hateful comments.”
The incident came as executives from Google and Facebook appeared before the House judiciary committee to answer questions about the companies’ role in the spread of hate crimes and the rise of white nationalism in the US.The incident came as executives from Google and Facebook appeared before the House judiciary committee to answer questions about the companies’ role in the spread of hate crimes and the rise of white nationalism in the US.
They were joined by leaders of such human rights organizations as the Anti-Defamation League and the Equal Justice Society, along with conservative commentator Candace Owens.They were joined by leaders of such human rights organizations as the Anti-Defamation League and the Equal Justice Society, along with conservative commentator Candace Owens.
Neil Potts, Facebook director of public policy, and Alexandria Walden, counsel for free expression and human rights at Google, defended policies at the two companies that prohibit material that incites violence or hate. Google owns YouTube.Neil Potts, Facebook director of public policy, and Alexandria Walden, counsel for free expression and human rights at Google, defended policies at the two companies that prohibit material that incites violence or hate. Google owns YouTube.
“There is no place for terrorism or hate on Facebook,” Potts testified. “We remove any content that incites violence.”“There is no place for terrorism or hate on Facebook,” Potts testified. “We remove any content that incites violence.”
The hearing broke down into partisan disagreement among the lawmakers and among some of the witnesses, with Republican members of Congress denouncing as hate speech Democrat Ilhan Omar’s criticism of American supporters of Israel.The hearing broke down into partisan disagreement among the lawmakers and among some of the witnesses, with Republican members of Congress denouncing as hate speech Democrat Ilhan Omar’s criticism of American supporters of Israel.
As the bickering went on, committee chairman Representative Jerrold Nadler of New York was handed a news report that included the hateful comments about the hearing on YouTube.As the bickering went on, committee chairman Representative Jerrold Nadler of New York was handed a news report that included the hateful comments about the hearing on YouTube.
He read them aloud, along with the users’ screen names, as the room quieted. “This just illustrates part of the problem we’re dealing with,” Nadler said.He read them aloud, along with the users’ screen names, as the room quieted. “This just illustrates part of the problem we’re dealing with,” Nadler said.
The hearing was prompted by the mosque shootings last month in Christchurch, New Zealand, that left 50 people dead.The hearing was prompted by the mosque shootings last month in Christchurch, New Zealand, that left 50 people dead.
The gunman live-streamed the attacks on Facebook and published a long post online that espoused white supremacist views.The gunman live-streamed the attacks on Facebook and published a long post online that espoused white supremacist views.
But controversy over white nationalism and hate speech has dogged online platforms such as Facebook and Google’s YouTube for years.But controversy over white nationalism and hate speech has dogged online platforms such as Facebook and Google’s YouTube for years.