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| Federal judge orders Trump to hand over eight years of tax returns – live | Federal judge orders Trump to hand over eight years of tax returns – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| The Guardian’s Middle East correspondent, Martin Chulov, explains how the US’s decision to back Turkey in northern Syria threatens the fight against Islamic State: | |
| The abandonment of the Kurds is perhaps the most impactful of all. The debt owed to Kurdish forces is acknowledged by western security partners who realise Isis remains unfinished business. Trump’s US had found itself atop a world order it no longer wanted to lead and, more consequentially, no longer seemed to believe in. In the eyes of some bewildered regional allies, Iraq and Saudi Arabia in particular, the US has nothing left to offer but a chequebook. | |
| Trump’s transactional worldview offers no place for history or morality. His ruthless short-term realism ignores the fact that the regional interests he does want to secure – containing Iran and securing Israel – are jeopardised by such a blatant betrayal. | |
| For all the US president’s talk of taking on Iran, the Iranian attack on Saudi Arabia’s oil supply last month received no response from the US and has instead sparked a detente between Riyadh and Tehran that will inevitably lead to new trade openings and puncture US efforts to crush Iran’s economy. | |
| Latest betrayal of Kurds risks undermining defeat of Isis | |
| Senator Rand Paul, a Republican, is the first prominent Republican in Congress to come out in support of Trump’s decision to abandon US allies in northern Syria, the Kurds, and instead support a Turkish offensive in the area. | |
| I stand with @realDonaldTrump today as he once again fulfills his promises to stop our endless wars and have a true America First foreign policy. | |
| The decision reportedly caught the Pentagon off-guard and led one of Trump’s most powerful allies in Congress, South Carolina senator Lindsey Graham, to criticize the decision on Fox News and on Twitter. | |
| “I like President Trump, I’ve tried to help him,” Graham said. “This to me is just unnerving to its core.” | |
| Michelle Obama is releasing a companion book to her bestselling memoir, Becoming, in November, her published announced on Monday. | Michelle Obama is releasing a companion book to her bestselling memoir, Becoming, in November, her published announced on Monday. |
| The book is a journal which “includes more than 150 inspiring questions and quotes that resonate with key themes in Mrs Obama’s memoir and that are designed to help readers reflect on their personal and family history, their goals, challenges, and dreams, what moves them and brings them hope, and what future they imagine for themselves and their community,” according to publisher Penguin Random House. | The book is a journal which “includes more than 150 inspiring questions and quotes that resonate with key themes in Mrs Obama’s memoir and that are designed to help readers reflect on their personal and family history, their goals, challenges, and dreams, what moves them and brings them hope, and what future they imagine for themselves and their community,” according to publisher Penguin Random House. |
| It will also feature an introduction by Obama. | It will also feature an introduction by Obama. |
| Becoming was the best-selling book of 2018 and the former first lady followed its release with a sell-out book tour across the country. Her husband, Barack Obama, is also writing a memoir. | Becoming was the best-selling book of 2018 and the former first lady followed its release with a sell-out book tour across the country. Her husband, Barack Obama, is also writing a memoir. |
| A federal court has issued a stay in the case allowing the Manhattan district attorney to subpoena eight years of tax returns, hours after the court said the president couldn’t be protected from a criminal investigation simply because he was president. | A federal court has issued a stay in the case allowing the Manhattan district attorney to subpoena eight years of tax returns, hours after the court said the president couldn’t be protected from a criminal investigation simply because he was president. |
| This comes after the president tweeted a possible response to the lawsuit response: | This comes after the president tweeted a possible response to the lawsuit response: |
| The Radical Left Democrats have failed on all fronts, so now they are pushing local New York City and State Democrat prosecutors to go get President Trump. A thing like this has never happened to any President before. Not even close! | The Radical Left Democrats have failed on all fronts, so now they are pushing local New York City and State Democrat prosecutors to go get President Trump. A thing like this has never happened to any President before. Not even close! |
| This tweet comes amid apparently no Republicans, so far, coming out in support of the White House decision to move the US out of northern Syria; an impeachment inquiry; and a federal judge ruling against the president being able to fight subpoenas in criminal investigations because he is president (it is not even 11am in DC). | This tweet comes amid apparently no Republicans, so far, coming out in support of the White House decision to move the US out of northern Syria; an impeachment inquiry; and a federal judge ruling against the president being able to fight subpoenas in criminal investigations because he is president (it is not even 11am in DC). |
| The US has given diplomatic immunity to the wife of a US diplomat after she was treated as suspect in relation to a fatal car crash. | The US has given diplomatic immunity to the wife of a US diplomat after she was treated as suspect in relation to a fatal car crash. |
| UK prime minister Boris Johnson encouraged the US to reconsider its decision to grant immunity to Anne Sacoolas, who left the UK despite telling officers she intended to remain in the UK. | UK prime minister Boris Johnson encouraged the US to reconsider its decision to grant immunity to Anne Sacoolas, who left the UK despite telling officers she intended to remain in the UK. |
| Johnson said he would also raise the issue with the White House, if necessary. | Johnson said he would also raise the issue with the White House, if necessary. |
| Harry Dunn: PM ready to raise Anne Sacoolas case with White House | Harry Dunn: PM ready to raise Anne Sacoolas case with White House |
| The acting homeland security secretary, Kevin McAleenan, walked off the stage at an immigration conference he was supposed to speak at today because of interruptions by protesters. | |
| When McAleenan took the stage to speak, demonstrators shouted “when immigrants are under attack, stand up fight back” and chanted the names of children who died at the border. Demonstrators ignored requests from the conference organizers to stop disrupting McAleenan’s speech so the gathered crowd could ask him questions during the Q&A scheduled for after his remarks. | When McAleenan took the stage to speak, demonstrators shouted “when immigrants are under attack, stand up fight back” and chanted the names of children who died at the border. Demonstrators ignored requests from the conference organizers to stop disrupting McAleenan’s speech so the gathered crowd could ask him questions during the Q&A scheduled for after his remarks. |
| WATCH: Protesters disrupt Acting Homeland Security Sec. Kevin McAleenan remarks. Following multiple attempts to start, he thanks hosts and departs.Full video: https://t.co/xPU4Fdpliv pic.twitter.com/Up6tygy3JO | WATCH: Protesters disrupt Acting Homeland Security Sec. Kevin McAleenan remarks. Following multiple attempts to start, he thanks hosts and departs.Full video: https://t.co/xPU4Fdpliv pic.twitter.com/Up6tygy3JO |
| And after many attempts to speak, McAleenan leaves without giving his remarks — He was going to take questions from the audience, but now the lawyers and advocates in attention will not have that opportunity.“You brought the right point to the wrong place,” a man calls out. | And after many attempts to speak, McAleenan leaves without giving his remarks — He was going to take questions from the audience, but now the lawyers and advocates in attention will not have that opportunity.“You brought the right point to the wrong place,” a man calls out. |
| As expected, Trump’s attorneys have filed an appeal to the judge’s decision that his tax returns can be subpoenaed as part of an investigation into whether he violated New York state laws. | As expected, Trump’s attorneys have filed an appeal to the judge’s decision that his tax returns can be subpoenaed as part of an investigation into whether he violated New York state laws. |
| What remains unclear is whether he has to comply with the ruling and turn over his tax returns during the appeal. | What remains unclear is whether he has to comply with the ruling and turn over his tax returns during the appeal. |
| Here is a link to the 75-page ruling on Trump’s tax return lawsuit – where federal judge Victor Marrero rejects Trump’s legal team’s claim that the president can’t be investigated because he is president. Marrero writes: | Here is a link to the 75-page ruling on Trump’s tax return lawsuit – where federal judge Victor Marrero rejects Trump’s legal team’s claim that the president can’t be investigated because he is president. Marrero writes: |
| This court cannot endorse such a categorical and limitless assertion of presidential immunity from judicial process as being countenanced by the nation’s constitutional plan, especially in the light of the fundamental concerns over excessive arrogation of power that animated the Constitution’s delicate structure and its calibrated balance of authority among the three branches of the national government, as well as between the federal and state authorities. Hence, the expansive notion of constitutional immunity invoked here to shield the president from judicial process would constitute an overreach of executive power. | This court cannot endorse such a categorical and limitless assertion of presidential immunity from judicial process as being countenanced by the nation’s constitutional plan, especially in the light of the fundamental concerns over excessive arrogation of power that animated the Constitution’s delicate structure and its calibrated balance of authority among the three branches of the national government, as well as between the federal and state authorities. Hence, the expansive notion of constitutional immunity invoked here to shield the president from judicial process would constitute an overreach of executive power. |
| Federal Judge Victor Marrero this morning rejected Donald Trump’s challenge to the release of his tax returns for a New York state criminal investigation after Trump’s lawyers alleged being president makes him immune to any inquiry. | Federal Judge Victor Marrero this morning rejected Donald Trump’s challenge to the release of his tax returns for a New York state criminal investigation after Trump’s lawyers alleged being president makes him immune to any inquiry. |
| In a 75-page ruling, Marrero said he cannot endorse such a “categorical and limitless assertion of presidential immunity from judicial process,” according to the AP. | In a 75-page ruling, Marrero said he cannot endorse such a “categorical and limitless assertion of presidential immunity from judicial process,” according to the AP. |
| Manhattan district attorney, Cyrus R Vance Jr, is seeking the tax returns as part of his office’s investigation of the Trump Organization’s involvement in paying two women to keep quiet about their claims of having had affairs with the president. | Manhattan district attorney, Cyrus R Vance Jr, is seeking the tax returns as part of his office’s investigation of the Trump Organization’s involvement in paying two women to keep quiet about their claims of having had affairs with the president. |
| Marrero’s ruling allows the DA’s office to subpoena eight years of the president’s personal and corporate tax returns. | Marrero’s ruling allows the DA’s office to subpoena eight years of the president’s personal and corporate tax returns. |
| Trump’s lawyers have already indicated they will appeal the judge’s decision. | Trump’s lawyers have already indicated they will appeal the judge’s decision. |
| Republican senator Lindsey Graham is enraged this morning, taking the rare step of challenging Donald Trump on Twitter and in a phone call to Fox News – the two direct lines to the president. | Republican senator Lindsey Graham is enraged this morning, taking the rare step of challenging Donald Trump on Twitter and in a phone call to Fox News – the two direct lines to the president. |
| On Twitter, Graham outlined his opposition to the president’s decision to abandon US allies in northern Syria, the Kurds, and support a Turkish offensive in the area. Graham said the abrupt foreign policy change “ensures Isis comeback,” “forces Kurds to align with Assad and Iran,” “destroys Turkey’s relationship with US congress” and “will be a stain on America’s honor for abandoning the Kurds.” | On Twitter, Graham outlined his opposition to the president’s decision to abandon US allies in northern Syria, the Kurds, and support a Turkish offensive in the area. Graham said the abrupt foreign policy change “ensures Isis comeback,” “forces Kurds to align with Assad and Iran,” “destroys Turkey’s relationship with US congress” and “will be a stain on America’s honor for abandoning the Kurds.” |
| He also said if the plan goes forward, the Senate will ask for a reversal of the decision. | He also said if the plan goes forward, the Senate will ask for a reversal of the decision. |
| Also, if this plan goes forward will introduce Senate resolution opposing and asking for reversal of this decision. Expect it will receive strong bipartisan support. | Also, if this plan goes forward will introduce Senate resolution opposing and asking for reversal of this decision. Expect it will receive strong bipartisan support. |
| “If I’m an Isis fighter, I’ve got a second lease on life,” Graham told Fox News. “So to those who think ISIS has been defeated, you will soon see.” | “If I’m an Isis fighter, I’ve got a second lease on life,” Graham told Fox News. “So to those who think ISIS has been defeated, you will soon see.” |
| “I like President Trump, I’ve tried to help him,” Graham said. “This to me is just unnerving to its core.” | “I like President Trump, I’ve tried to help him,” Graham said. “This to me is just unnerving to its core.” |
| Hello and welcome. | Hello and welcome. |
| Monday has begun with ruptures between the president and members of his own party, the military and the intelligence community because of the White House’s endorsement of a Turkish offensive into northern Syria. This moves US forces out of the area in an abrupt foreign policy change that will in effect abandon Washington’s longtime military partners, the Kurds. | Monday has begun with ruptures between the president and members of his own party, the military and the intelligence community because of the White House’s endorsement of a Turkish offensive into northern Syria. This moves US forces out of the area in an abrupt foreign policy change that will in effect abandon Washington’s longtime military partners, the Kurds. |
| The White House announced the major policy shift just before 11pm in Washington on Sunday. | The White House announced the major policy shift just before 11pm in Washington on Sunday. |
| Two Fox News reporters said the decision “blindsided” the Pentagon and the Republican South Carolina senator, Lindsey Graham, tweeted the decision is a “disaster in the making”. | Two Fox News reporters said the decision “blindsided” the Pentagon and the Republican South Carolina senator, Lindsey Graham, tweeted the decision is a “disaster in the making”. |
| Trump sudden decision to pull out of N Syria, leaving Kurdish allies to Turks “blindsides” US commanders and Pentagon, comes a week after Chairman of Joint Chiefs Gen Joe Dunford hands-over to Gen Mark Milley. Dunford had been point person keeping delicate balance with Turks. | Trump sudden decision to pull out of N Syria, leaving Kurdish allies to Turks “blindsides” US commanders and Pentagon, comes a week after Chairman of Joint Chiefs Gen Joe Dunford hands-over to Gen Mark Milley. Dunford had been point person keeping delicate balance with Turks. |
| I don’t know all the details regarding President Trump’s decision in northern Syria. In process of setting up phone call with Secretary Pompeo.If press reports are accurate this is a disaster in the making. | I don’t know all the details regarding President Trump’s decision in northern Syria. In process of setting up phone call with Secretary Pompeo.If press reports are accurate this is a disaster in the making. |
| This abrupt decision comes as Trump faces an impeachment inquiry because of a whistleblower report detailing a months-long attempt by the president and allies to get a foreign government to investigate a political rival. Last week, Trump doubled down and asked the country identified in the report (Ukraine) and a whole different country (China) to do the same. | This abrupt decision comes as Trump faces an impeachment inquiry because of a whistleblower report detailing a months-long attempt by the president and allies to get a foreign government to investigate a political rival. Last week, Trump doubled down and asked the country identified in the report (Ukraine) and a whole different country (China) to do the same. |
| Many Republicans have been silent about this extraordinary decision and have yet to present a cohesive strategy for defending the leader of their party. On the Sunday political talkshow circuit, no member of the Trump administration appeared to defend the president. | Many Republicans have been silent about this extraordinary decision and have yet to present a cohesive strategy for defending the leader of their party. On the Sunday political talkshow circuit, no member of the Trump administration appeared to defend the president. |
| Amid these two major controversies, Trump is scheduled to lunch today with secretary of state, Mike Pompeo. And Trump will also be briefed by military leaders before dining with them and their spouses in the evening. | Amid these two major controversies, Trump is scheduled to lunch today with secretary of state, Mike Pompeo. And Trump will also be briefed by military leaders before dining with them and their spouses in the evening. |