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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)
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 anti-Semitic 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.” 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.
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.”
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 Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., 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.
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. But controversy over white nationalism and hate speech has dogged online platforms such as Facebook and Google’s YouTube for years.
Crisis at Department of Homeland Security
More top Republicans are expressing concern over vacancies at the DHS and cautioning Donald Trump to hold off on further shake-ups after the forced resignation of DHS secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and talk of a purge in the upper ranks of various agencies under the department’s umbrella.Senator Susan Collins of Maine said on Tuesday that, having participated in creating the department more than a decade ago, she knows “these are vital positions,” the Associated Press writes.Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley made both a public and private plea to the White House not to dismiss career homeland security officials. He said he spoke to chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, but would only know if Trump heard the message “if they don’t get fired.” As Trump considers replacements at DHS, Republican John Cornyn of Texas, said he hoped the administration would work in “collaboration, consultation” with the senate before sending nominees for confirmation.
Here’s another family separations fact check:Here’s another family separations fact check:
Pres Trump just said several times in Oval Office that Obama had a child separation policy at the border."I was the one who changed it," he said to a Q from @jonkarlBut that's FALSE. It's been fact checked many times - inc this from @JustinFishelABChttps://t.co/uvLAHl4JcbPres Trump just said several times in Oval Office that Obama had a child separation policy at the border."I was the one who changed it," he said to a Q from @jonkarlBut that's FALSE. It's been fact checked many times - inc this from @JustinFishelABChttps://t.co/uvLAHl4Jcb
Will Melania intervene if Trump returns to a policy of separating families at the border, as it appeared she did last year? And, in fact - has she already just intervened, this very day, as Trump denies trying to reboot the policy?Will Melania intervene if Trump returns to a policy of separating families at the border, as it appeared she did last year? And, in fact - has she already just intervened, this very day, as Trump denies trying to reboot the policy?
Rewind:Rewind:
Donald Trump signed an executive order on June 20, 2018, ending family separations, after widespread uproar in the US and internationally.Donald Trump signed an executive order on June 20, 2018, ending family separations, after widespread uproar in the US and internationally.
Just a couple of days earlier, Melania Trump’s spokeswoman has said the first lady “hates to see children separated from their families”, in what at first appeared to be a rare public statement at odds with her husband’s policy.Just a couple of days earlier, Melania Trump’s spokeswoman has said the first lady “hates to see children separated from their families”, in what at first appeared to be a rare public statement at odds with her husband’s policy.
Stephanie Grisham said the first lady believed “we need to be a country that follows all laws”, but also one “that governs with heart”. She added: “Mrs Trump … hopes both sides of the aisle can finally come together to achieve successful immigration reform.”Stephanie Grisham said the first lady believed “we need to be a country that follows all laws”, but also one “that governs with heart”. She added: “Mrs Trump … hopes both sides of the aisle can finally come together to achieve successful immigration reform.”
Family separations in pictures.Family separations in pictures.
In case anyone has forgotten the chaos, the misery and outrage, we published a short series early last summer that we called The Guardian at the border, with reporters at the crisis points in Texas as families were being separated.In case anyone has forgotten the chaos, the misery and outrage, we published a short series early last summer that we called The Guardian at the border, with reporters at the crisis points in Texas as families were being separated.
The parents were being cattle-driven through courts that were unable to process them fairly and their children, including babies, were being whisked away to detention in as varied settings as indoor cages, desert tent camps that grew and grew as separated children were mixed in with minors who had crossed the border unaccompanied, and foster homes of differing quality all across the country.The parents were being cattle-driven through courts that were unable to process them fairly and their children, including babies, were being whisked away to detention in as varied settings as indoor cages, desert tent camps that grew and grew as separated children were mixed in with minors who had crossed the border unaccompanied, and foster homes of differing quality all across the country.
Poor records were kept that hampered reunions, with the risk of children being permanently separated from their parents and many more dealing with deep trauma.Poor records were kept that hampered reunions, with the risk of children being permanently separated from their parents and many more dealing with deep trauma.
This was the result of the implementation of a particular interpretation of policy and law by the Trump administration.This was the result of the implementation of a particular interpretation of policy and law by the Trump administration.
My colleague Oliver Laughland wrote from McAllen and Brownsville at the very eastern end of the US-Mexico border about families “going through hell”.My colleague Oliver Laughland wrote from McAllen and Brownsville at the very eastern end of the US-Mexico border about families “going through hell”.
The United Nations denounced the policy as possibly amounting to torture.The United Nations denounced the policy as possibly amounting to torture.
A few moments ago, the NPR politics team tweeted: “FACT CHECK: Today, President Trump claimed the Obama administration started the policy of separating families at the southern U.S. border. That’s not true.”A few moments ago, the NPR politics team tweeted: “FACT CHECK: Today, President Trump claimed the Obama administration started the policy of separating families at the southern U.S. border. That’s not true.”
FACT CHECK: Today, President Trump claimed the Obama administration started the policy of separating families at the southern U.S. border.That's not true. https://t.co/svI2SXtrOcFACT CHECK: Today, President Trump claimed the Obama administration started the policy of separating families at the southern U.S. border.That's not true. https://t.co/svI2SXtrOc
For some desperately-needed context, here is just one of our analysis pieces from early last summer, at the height of the family separations scandal last time around, under the Trump administration.For some desperately-needed context, here is just one of our analysis pieces from early last summer, at the height of the family separations scandal last time around, under the Trump administration.
The Guardian’s Amanda Holpuch and Lauren Gambino wrote some sharp analysis that explained the chaos last June.The Guardian’s Amanda Holpuch and Lauren Gambino wrote some sharp analysis that explained the chaos last June.
Here’s the crucial excerpt:Here’s the crucial excerpt:
Why are children being separated from their families?Why are children being separated from their families?
In April (2018), the (then) US attorney general, Jeff Sessions, announced a “zero-tolerance” policy, stating “our goal is to prosecute every case that is brought to us”. Under the Trump administration’s new enforcement policy, every migrant who crosses the border illegally – even those seeking asylum in the US – is subject to criminal prosecution.In April (2018), the (then) US attorney general, Jeff Sessions, announced a “zero-tolerance” policy, stating “our goal is to prosecute every case that is brought to us”. Under the Trump administration’s new enforcement policy, every migrant who crosses the border illegally – even those seeking asylum in the US – is subject to criminal prosecution.
Since children are not allowed to be held in a federal jail, they are taken from their parents and placed in the care of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR).Since children are not allowed to be held in a federal jail, they are taken from their parents and placed in the care of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR).
Almost 2,000 children have been separated from their families at the US southern border over a six-week period during a crackdown on illegal entries, according to the Department of Homeland Security.Almost 2,000 children have been separated from their families at the US southern border over a six-week period during a crackdown on illegal entries, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
What happened to families before?What happened to families before?
When an influx of families and unaccompanied children from Central America arrived at the border in 2014, Barack Obama’s administration detained families.When an influx of families and unaccompanied children from Central America arrived at the border in 2014, Barack Obama’s administration detained families.
This was harshly criticized and a federal court in 2015 stopped the government from holding families for months without explanation. Instead, they were released while they waited for their immigration cases to be heard in court. Not everyone shows up for those court dates, leading the Trump administration to condemn what it calls a “catch and release” program.This was harshly criticized and a federal court in 2015 stopped the government from holding families for months without explanation. Instead, they were released while they waited for their immigration cases to be heard in court. Not everyone shows up for those court dates, leading the Trump administration to condemn what it calls a “catch and release” program.
Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump said he would not restart child separation at the border and blamed Obama for the policySpeaking in the Oval Office, Trump said he would not restart child separation at the border and blamed Obama for the policy
“Just so you understand, President Obama separated the children. Those cages that were shown – I think they were very inappropriate – were by President Obama’s administration not by Trump. President Obama had child separation,” said the president said.“Just so you understand, President Obama separated the children. Those cages that were shown – I think they were very inappropriate – were by President Obama’s administration not by Trump. President Obama had child separation,” said the president said.
“Take a look. The press knows it. You know it. We all know it. I’m the one who stopped it. President Obama had child separation.”“Take a look. The press knows it. You know it. We all know it. I’m the one who stopped it. President Obama had child separation.”
Trump also said the policy was effective. “I’ll tell you something, once you don’t have it that’s why you have many more people coming. They are coming like it’s a picnic, like ‘let’s go to Disney Land.’ President Obama separated children. I was the one who that changed it.”Trump also said the policy was effective. “I’ll tell you something, once you don’t have it that’s why you have many more people coming. They are coming like it’s a picnic, like ‘let’s go to Disney Land.’ President Obama separated children. I was the one who that changed it.”
Meghan McCain, the daughter of the late John McCain, is not happy with Trump’s tweet paying tribute to American prisoners of war. Trump famously said McCain “was not a war hero” because he had been captured during the Vietnam War.Meghan McCain, the daughter of the late John McCain, is not happy with Trump’s tweet paying tribute to American prisoners of war. Trump famously said McCain “was not a war hero” because he had been captured during the Vietnam War.
No one believes you care about prisoners of war and “people who get captured”. https://t.co/ZkKEjI01XDNo one believes you care about prisoners of war and “people who get captured”. https://t.co/ZkKEjI01XD
The New York Times has done an interesting study that shows those Democrats active on Twitter bear little resemblence to Democrats who actually vote.The New York Times has done an interesting study that shows those Democrats active on Twitter bear little resemblence to Democrats who actually vote.
The Times reports:The Times reports:
The outspoken group of Democratic-leaning voters on social media is outnumbered, roughly 2 to 1, by the more moderate, more diverse and less educated group of Democrats who typically don’t post political content online, according to data from the Hidden Tribes Project. This latter group has the numbers to decide the Democratic presidential nomination in favor of a relatively moderate establishment favorite, as it has often done in the past.The outspoken group of Democratic-leaning voters on social media is outnumbered, roughly 2 to 1, by the more moderate, more diverse and less educated group of Democrats who typically don’t post political content online, according to data from the Hidden Tribes Project. This latter group has the numbers to decide the Democratic presidential nomination in favor of a relatively moderate establishment favorite, as it has often done in the past.
Even these results might understate the leftward lean of the most politically active, Democratic Twitter users, who often engage with political journalists and can have a powerful effect in shaping the conventional wisdom. In an informal poll of Democrats on one of our Twitter accounts on Monday, about 80 percent said they were liberal, and a similar percentage said they had a college degree. Only 20 percent said political correctness was a problem, and only 2 percent said they were black.Even these results might understate the leftward lean of the most politically active, Democratic Twitter users, who often engage with political journalists and can have a powerful effect in shaping the conventional wisdom. In an informal poll of Democrats on one of our Twitter accounts on Monday, about 80 percent said they were liberal, and a similar percentage said they had a college degree. Only 20 percent said political correctness was a problem, and only 2 percent said they were black.
One potential nominee to be the next DHS Secretary is getting pushback from Republicans in his own state.
Senator Pat Roberts of Kansas said of Kris Kobach, the controversial former Secretary of State in Kansas, that he was unconformable. “Don’t go there. We can’t confirm him” said Roberts.
"Don't go there. We can't confirm him," warns one of the senators from Kris Kobach's home state https://t.co/j6FHvO6dZl #ksleg
Congress is moving towards passing legislation that would make it illegal for the IRS to create a system to allow Americans to file their taxes for free.
Pro Publica reports:
Last week, the House Ways and Means Committee, led by Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass., passed the Taxpayer First Act, a wide-ranging bill making several administrative changes to the IRS that is sponsored by Reps. John Lewis, D-Ga., and Mike Kelly, R-Pa.
In one of its provisions, the bill makes it illegal for the IRS to create its own online system of tax filing. Companies like Intuit, the maker of TurboTax, and H&R Block have lobbied for years to block the IRS from creating such a system. If the tax agency created its own program, which would be similar to programs other developed countries have, it would threaten the industry’s profits.
“This could be a disaster. It could be the final nail in the coffin of the idea of the IRS ever being able to create its own program,” said Mandi Matlock, a tax attorney who does work for the National Consumer Law Center.
The AP also reports that Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin was noncommittal about the formal request from Congress to review Trump’s tax returns and said simply that he would “follow the law.”
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Tuesday that his department intends to “follow the law” and is reviewing a request by a top House Democrat to provide President Donald Trump’s tax returns to lawmakers.
Mnuchin also revealed that Treasury Department lawyers have talked to the White House counsel’s office about the question of releasing Trump’s returns, telling lawmakers that the consultations occurred before the request arrived last week. Mnuchin said the conversations were “purely informational” and he has not been briefed on their content.
But Mnuchin told a House panel that he personally has not had any communications with the president or his top staff about the department’s decision on whether to provide Trump’s tax returns under a nearly century-old that says the Treasury Department “shall furnish” them when requested.
“It is our intent to follow the law and that is in the process of being reviewed,” Mnuchin told a House Appropriations subcommittee with responsibility for his budget.
The AP reports Vladimir Putin commented on Barr’s release of a summary letter of the Mueller report today.
Russian President Vladimir Putin mocked U.S. special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation Tuesday, saying “a mountain gave birth to a mouse” and the probe validated the Kremlin’s continuous denials of collusion with President Donald Trump’s campaign.
In his first comments since Mueller presented his investigation report last month, Putin said claims of a campaign conspiracy of Democrats reflected their failure to accept the outcome of the 2016 presidential election.
“It was clear for us from the start that it would end like this,” the Russian leader said of the Trump-Russia investigation. “A mountain gave birth to a mouse.”
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is hoping to use a CNN town hall tonight as a breakout moment.
The AP reports:
Over four months, Kirsten Gillibrand has campaigned for the White House across eight states, pushed her rivals to release their tax returns and delivered a major speech outside a Trump-branded property in Manhattan.
What the New York senator hasn’t done: Break out of a crowded early field of Democratic candidates.
Gillibrand hopes her fortunes will change on Tuesday, when she participates in a town hall televised on CNN. She hopes the platform will give her a fresh opportunity to introduce herself to the voters and donors she’ll need to ensure her campaign stays on track, according to a person familiar with the campaign who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss strategy.
The AP reports about another hearing on Capitol Hill today:
A Congressional committee hearing on white nationalism has begun with statements criticizing the spread of hate crimes in the U.S. and social media’s role in the spread.
The House Judiciary committee is hearing from Facebook and Google executives, as well as human rights leaders, about the spread of hate crimes and white nationalism in the U.S.
The hearing room and the hallway outside were thronged with young people, some wearing T-shirts with names of people said to have been victims of hate crimes.
Mohammad Abu-Salha, whose two daughters and son-in-law were shot and killed in a hate crime in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in 2015, tells lawmakers that the government must stand up against bigotry and social media companies must stop “providing platforms and safe haven” for hate groups.
Barr has also said he won’t go to a judge to try to allow grand jury material to be unredacted in the Mueller Report. The attorney general has the right to make a request but indicated that he would not do so.
Barr says he doesn’t not know why members of Mueller’s team might be frustrated with him as reported in several outlets.
No I don’t. I suspect that they wanted more put out but in my view, I was not interested in putting out summaries.”
Barr declines to get into more detail about whether the Mueller report cleared Trump, as the president insists and relies on his letter.
Rep. GRAVES tries to get Barr to agree that his four-page memo concluded "No collusion, no obstruction."BARR doesn't bite: "Well, the letter speaks for itself."
Dan McCready, the Democrat running in the re-run election in North Carolina’s Ninth Congressional District, raised an eye-popping $1.6 million in the last quarter.
Democrat @McCreadyForNC raised $1.6 MILLION in Q1 in his bid for #NC09
McCready, who was the Democratic nominee in the 2018 election which was thrown out due to voter fraud, will face a crowded Republican field. Mark Harris, the Republican candidate in 2018 whose campaign was mired by allegations of absentee ballot fraud, opted not to run again.