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Acting homeland security secretary Kevin McAleenan steps down, Trump says – live Acting homeland security secretary Kevin McAleenan steps down, Trump says – as it happened
(32 minutes later)
Here’s a rundown of the top stories of the day:
Maria Yovanovitch testified to the House impeachment inquiry, in defiance of an order by the state department.
Yovanovitch said in her opening statement to the House committees that she was told Trump placed pressure on the state department to recall her.
Shep Smith, the Fox News anchor who has repeatedly criticized Trump, announced that he was resigning.
Trump announced that the US and China have reached a “phase one” agreement on a trade deal, but it has not yet been written. The administration added that the new tariffs on Chinese imports, which were set to go into effect on Tuesday, had been canceled.
The Trump administration suffered multiple legal defeats. Namely, a federal appeals court upheld House Democrats’ subpoena for the president’s financial records, and two of Trump’s controversial immigration policies were blocked by judges.
The Pentagon announced it would send more troops to Saudi Arabia, despite Trump’s insistence this week that he was withdrawing troops from northern Syria to reduce America’s military presence in the Middle East.
Kevin McAleenan, the acting secretary of homeland security, resigned. McAleenan was the fourth person to hold the position under Trump.
Here’s McAleenan’s statement:Here’s McAleenan’s statement:
I want to thank the President for the opportunity to serve alongside the men and women of the Department of Homeland Security. With his support, over the last 6 months, we have made tremendous progress mitigating the border security and humanitarian crisis we faced this year... pic.twitter.com/A4rTcZgJKFI want to thank the President for the opportunity to serve alongside the men and women of the Department of Homeland Security. With his support, over the last 6 months, we have made tremendous progress mitigating the border security and humanitarian crisis we faced this year... pic.twitter.com/A4rTcZgJKF
Kevin McAleenan has resigned as acting secretary of homeland security.Kevin McAleenan has resigned as acting secretary of homeland security.
McAleenan had only been in the position since April, when he was appointed acting secretary to replace Kirstjen Nielsen. Nielsen succeeded John Kelly in the job when Kelly was tapped to be Trump’s White House chief of staff. (Update to clarify: Elaine Duke served as acting secretary for six months between Kelly and Nielsen.)McAleenan had only been in the position since April, when he was appointed acting secretary to replace Kirstjen Nielsen. Nielsen succeeded John Kelly in the job when Kelly was tapped to be Trump’s White House chief of staff. (Update to clarify: Elaine Duke served as acting secretary for six months between Kelly and Nielsen.)
McAleenan was never formerly nominated for the Cabinet position, which would have required senate confirmation.McAleenan was never formerly nominated for the Cabinet position, which would have required senate confirmation.
Prior to his appointment with DHS, he worked in various positions with Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and was confirmed as commissioner of CBP in March 2018.Prior to his appointment with DHS, he worked in various positions with Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and was confirmed as commissioner of CBP in March 2018.
Just last week, he spoke to the Washington Post about what the paper described as his “unease” with a law enforcement agency being used for partisan political purposes.Just last week, he spoke to the Washington Post about what the paper described as his “unease” with a law enforcement agency being used for partisan political purposes.
“What I don’t have control over is the tone, the message, the public face and approach of the department in an increasingly polarized time,” he told the Washington Post. “That’s uncomfortable, as the accountable, senior figure.”“What I don’t have control over is the tone, the message, the public face and approach of the department in an increasingly polarized time,” he told the Washington Post. “That’s uncomfortable, as the accountable, senior figure.”
Donald Trump just tweeted that Kevin McAleenan, the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security, is leaving the administration to “spend more time with his family and go to the private sector”.Donald Trump just tweeted that Kevin McAleenan, the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security, is leaving the administration to “spend more time with his family and go to the private sector”.
Trump also said that a new acting secretary will be named next said.Trump also said that a new acting secretary will be named next said.
....Congratulations Kevin, on a job well done! I will be announcing the new Acting Secretary next week. Many wonderful candidates!....Congratulations Kevin, on a job well done! I will be announcing the new Acting Secretary next week. Many wonderful candidates!
Facebook has been under pressure all week over its decision to exempt politicians from a policy banning false statements from advertisements.Facebook has been under pressure all week over its decision to exempt politicians from a policy banning false statements from advertisements.
Now Elizabeth Warren – who has responded to Mark Zuckerberg’s leaked remarks promising to “go to the mat and ... fight” her plan to break Facebook up by, well, going to the mat and fighting – is running intentionally false ads to critique the company.Now Elizabeth Warren – who has responded to Mark Zuckerberg’s leaked remarks promising to “go to the mat and ... fight” her plan to break Facebook up by, well, going to the mat and fighting – is running intentionally false ads to critique the company.
Elizabeth Warren is now running FB ads with a false statement about Mark Zuckerberg and FB endorsing Trump for president, to draw attention to FB's controversial policy allowing politicians to make false statements in ads. https://t.co/hulwrb3cc3 pic.twitter.com/6zsPwXESKRElizabeth Warren is now running FB ads with a false statement about Mark Zuckerberg and FB endorsing Trump for president, to draw attention to FB's controversial policy allowing politicians to make false statements in ads. https://t.co/hulwrb3cc3 pic.twitter.com/6zsPwXESKR
Warren’s ad goes on to correct the record, unlike a controversial set of Trump ads that deceptively promote misleading information about Joe Biden. I wrote more about the contretemps and what it tells us about Facebook here.Warren’s ad goes on to correct the record, unlike a controversial set of Trump ads that deceptively promote misleading information about Joe Biden. I wrote more about the contretemps and what it tells us about Facebook here.
A Facebook spokesman told CNN: “If Senator Warren wants to say things she knows to be untrue, we believe Facebook should not be in the position of censoring that speech.”A Facebook spokesman told CNN: “If Senator Warren wants to say things she knows to be untrue, we believe Facebook should not be in the position of censoring that speech.”
The Commission on Presidential Debates today announced the dates and locations for three presidential debates and one vice presidential debate next year.The Commission on Presidential Debates today announced the dates and locations for three presidential debates and one vice presidential debate next year.
The presidential debates will be:The presidential debates will be:
Tuesday 29 September 2020 at the University of Notre DameTuesday 29 September 2020 at the University of Notre Dame
Thursday 15 October 2020 at the University of Michigan, Ann ArborThursday 15 October 2020 at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Thursday 22 October 2020 at Belmont University in Nashville, TennesseeThursday 22 October 2020 at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee
The vice presidential debate will be on Wednesday 7 October 2020 at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City.The vice presidential debate will be on Wednesday 7 October 2020 at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City.
Mark your calendars!Mark your calendars!
It sounds like the Trump campaign is ignoring the Prince estate’s demand that it stop using his music at campaign events.It sounds like the Trump campaign is ignoring the Prince estate’s demand that it stop using his music at campaign events.
"Purple Rain" was played again tonight at the president's rally in Louisiana. https://t.co/C8vFRVCSMc"Purple Rain" was played again tonight at the president's rally in Louisiana. https://t.co/C8vFRVCSMc
The justice department has waded into Trump’s fight to continue concealing his tax returns by filing a brief supporting the president’s appeal of a Monday court ruling, the New York Times reports.The justice department has waded into Trump’s fight to continue concealing his tax returns by filing a brief supporting the president’s appeal of a Monday court ruling, the New York Times reports.
The case stems from efforts by Manhattan district attorney Cy Vance to subpoena Trump’s tax returns as part of an investigation into the hush-money payments made to Stormy Daniels during Trump’s campaign.The case stems from efforts by Manhattan district attorney Cy Vance to subpoena Trump’s tax returns as part of an investigation into the hush-money payments made to Stormy Daniels during Trump’s campaign.
Trump sued to stop the subpoena, but on Monday a federal judge rejected his arguments, calling them “repugnant to the nation’s governmental structure and constitutional values”.Trump sued to stop the subpoena, but on Monday a federal judge rejected his arguments, calling them “repugnant to the nation’s governmental structure and constitutional values”.
Trump is now appealing that decision, and today the justice department filed a brief in his support.Trump is now appealing that decision, and today the justice department filed a brief in his support.
The appeals court will hear arguments on 23 October.The appeals court will hear arguments on 23 October.
Michael McKinley, a career foreign service officer and the de facto chief of staff to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, announced his resignation on Friday, the AP reports.Michael McKinley, a career foreign service officer and the de facto chief of staff to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, announced his resignation on Friday, the AP reports.
McKinley’s departure adds to what the AP describes as “tumult in the State Department over the Trump administration’s handling of Ukraine and treatment of diplomats”.McKinley’s departure adds to what the AP describes as “tumult in the State Department over the Trump administration’s handling of Ukraine and treatment of diplomats”.
Per the AP:Per the AP:
Michael McKinley announced his retirement after a nearly four-decade career as an American diplomat. McKinley told colleagues he was leaving for personal reasons, and officials did not directly link his departure to the Ukraine situation that is now at the center of an impeachment probe.Michael McKinley announced his retirement after a nearly four-decade career as an American diplomat. McKinley told colleagues he was leaving for personal reasons, and officials did not directly link his departure to the Ukraine situation that is now at the center of an impeachment probe.
McKinley’s resignation took effect Friday, the same day the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine told congressional investigators that she had been removed from her post due to political pressure from the White House.McKinley’s resignation took effect Friday, the same day the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine told congressional investigators that she had been removed from her post due to political pressure from the White House.
Beto O’Rourke says that he raised $4.5m in the past three months, CNN reports.Beto O’Rourke says that he raised $4.5m in the past three months, CNN reports.
The total ranks him ninth among the Democratic presidential candidates, who are, in order of the total raised in the third quarter:The total ranks him ninth among the Democratic presidential candidates, who are, in order of the total raised in the third quarter:
Bernie SandersBernie Sanders
Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth Warren
Pete ButtigiegPete Buttigieg
Joe BidenJoe Biden
Kamala HarrisKamala Harris
Andrew YangAndrew Yang
Cory BookerCory Booker
Amy KlobucharAmy Klobuchar
Beto O’RourkeBeto O’Rourke
Marianne WilliamsonMarianne Williamson
Steve BullockSteve Bullock
Michael BennetMichael Bennet
Tom SteyerTom Steyer
These self-reported announcements only give us the topline numbers for fundraising information. Stay tuned for next week, when the candidates file their disclosures with the FEC and we’ll be able to bring you much more analysis of who these donors are.These self-reported announcements only give us the topline numbers for fundraising information. Stay tuned for next week, when the candidates file their disclosures with the FEC and we’ll be able to bring you much more analysis of who these donors are.
Schrödinger’s personal attorney...Schrödinger’s personal attorney...
"Yes," Giuliani just texted me, when I asked if he was still representing Trump. https://t.co/000Hig2frt"Yes," Giuliani just texted me, when I asked if he was still representing Trump. https://t.co/000Hig2frt
Hello everyone, this is Julia Carrie Wong in San Francisco picking up the live blog for the rest of this busy Friday.Hello everyone, this is Julia Carrie Wong in San Francisco picking up the live blog for the rest of this busy Friday.
Adam Schiff, the chair of the House intelligence committee, has written a letter to house Democrats describing the progress thus far in the impeachment inquiry and promising that the process will “accelerate”.Adam Schiff, the chair of the House intelligence committee, has written a letter to house Democrats describing the progress thus far in the impeachment inquiry and promising that the process will “accelerate”.
Schiff just sent this letter to House Dems updating them on the impeachment inquiry, promising to “continue & accelerate our efforts” when lawmakers return to Washington next week.Also says “we have been working urgently and with purpose, and we are making substantial progress” pic.twitter.com/QGPSPLwMoLSchiff just sent this letter to House Dems updating them on the impeachment inquiry, promising to “continue & accelerate our efforts” when lawmakers return to Washington next week.Also says “we have been working urgently and with purpose, and we are making substantial progress” pic.twitter.com/QGPSPLwMoL
The letter notes that depositions are scheduled for the following witnesses:The letter notes that depositions are scheduled for the following witnesses:
Dr Fiona Hill, former National Security Council director for European and Russian affairs,Dr Fiona Hill, former National Security Council director for European and Russian affairs,
George Kent, deputy assistant secretary of state, who oversees policy on Ukraine and other countries,George Kent, deputy assistant secretary of state, who oversees policy on Ukraine and other countries,
Gordon Sondlond, ambassador to the EU, andGordon Sondlond, ambassador to the EU, and
T Ulrich Brechbuhl, counselor of the state departmentT Ulrich Brechbuhl, counselor of the state department
Schiff added that additional witnesses will be announced in the coming days.Schiff added that additional witnesses will be announced in the coming days.
That’s it from me this week. My west coast colleague, Julia Carrie Wong, will take over the blog for the next few hours.That’s it from me this week. My west coast colleague, Julia Carrie Wong, will take over the blog for the next few hours.
Here’s where the day stands so far:Here’s where the day stands so far:
The Democratic chairmen of the House committees leading the impeachment inquiry said that the state department (at the direction of the White House) told Maria Yovanovitch not to testify, an order that the the former US ambassador to Ukraine defied.The Democratic chairmen of the House committees leading the impeachment inquiry said that the state department (at the direction of the White House) told Maria Yovanovitch not to testify, an order that the the former US ambassador to Ukraine defied.
Yovanovitch said in her opening statement to the House committees that she was told Trump placed pressure on the state department to recall her.Yovanovitch said in her opening statement to the House committees that she was told Trump placed pressure on the state department to recall her.
Shep Smith, the Fox News anchor who has repeatedly criticized Trump, announced that he was resigning.Shep Smith, the Fox News anchor who has repeatedly criticized Trump, announced that he was resigning.
Trump announced that the US and China have reached a “phase one” agreement on a trade deal, but it has not yet been written. The administration added that the new tariffs on Chinese imports, which were set to go into effect on Tuesday, had been canceled.Trump announced that the US and China have reached a “phase one” agreement on a trade deal, but it has not yet been written. The administration added that the new tariffs on Chinese imports, which were set to go into effect on Tuesday, had been canceled.
The Trump administration suffered multiple legal defeats. Namely, a federal appeals court upheld House Democrats’ subpoena for the president’s financial records, and two of Trump’s controversial immigration policies were blocked by judges.The Trump administration suffered multiple legal defeats. Namely, a federal appeals court upheld House Democrats’ subpoena for the president’s financial records, and two of Trump’s controversial immigration policies were blocked by judges.
The Pentagon announced it would send more troops to Saudi Arabia, despite Trump’s insistence this week that he was withdrawing troops from northern Syria to reduce America’s military presence in the Middle East.The Pentagon announced it would send more troops to Saudi Arabia, despite Trump’s insistence this week that he was withdrawing troops from northern Syria to reduce America’s military presence in the Middle East.
Julia will have more on the news of the day, so stay tuned.Julia will have more on the news of the day, so stay tuned.
Trump did not seem very heartbroken at the news that Shep Smith, whom the president has repeatedly slammed for criticizing him, was leaving Fox News.Trump did not seem very heartbroken at the news that Shep Smith, whom the president has repeatedly slammed for criticizing him, was leaving Fox News.
Trump on FOX’s Shep Smith: “Is he leaving? Oh that’s a shame.” pic.twitter.com/ieVfDGTQMuTrump on FOX’s Shep Smith: “Is he leaving? Oh that’s a shame.” pic.twitter.com/ieVfDGTQMu
Meanwhile, Maria Yovanovitch continues to testify before the House committees investigating impeachment.Meanwhile, Maria Yovanovitch continues to testify before the House committees investigating impeachment.
The former US ambassador to Ukraine arrived on Capitol Hill for her closed-door testimony more than six hours ago.The former US ambassador to Ukraine arrived on Capitol Hill for her closed-door testimony more than six hours ago.
Expect at least another hour of Yovanovitch closed-door testimony, Rep. Mike Quigley tells reporters. Her deposition started around 10AM ET.Expect at least another hour of Yovanovitch closed-door testimony, Rep. Mike Quigley tells reporters. Her deposition started around 10AM ET.
In announcing his departure, Fox News anchor Shep Smith told his viewers that he had requested to leave and that the network had tried to convince him to stay.In announcing his departure, Fox News anchor Shep Smith told his viewers that he had requested to leave and that the network had tried to convince him to stay.
The anchor, who has previously been critical of Trump, added that he would not be reporting elsewhere for the time being.The anchor, who has previously been critical of Trump, added that he would not be reporting elsewhere for the time being.
Shepard Smith:“Recently I asked the company to allow me to leave Fox News. After requesting that I stay, they obliged. Under our agreement, I won’t be reporting elsewhere, at least in the near future." pic.twitter.com/ZJHszeBHS4Shepard Smith:“Recently I asked the company to allow me to leave Fox News. After requesting that I stay, they obliged. Under our agreement, I won’t be reporting elsewhere, at least in the near future." pic.twitter.com/ZJHszeBHS4
In some media news: Shep Smith, the Fox News anchor who was arguably most critical of Trump, is stepping down from his role at the network.In some media news: Shep Smith, the Fox News anchor who was arguably most critical of Trump, is stepping down from his role at the network.
Breaking: Shep Smith out at @FoxNews. From press release: pic.twitter.com/cFhgzb4ryCBreaking: Shep Smith out at @FoxNews. From press release: pic.twitter.com/cFhgzb4ryC
Smith has repeatedly called out the president for his falsehoods and his treatment of journalists, a habit that has attracted Trump’s scorn.Smith has repeatedly called out the president for his falsehoods and his treatment of journalists, a habit that has attracted Trump’s scorn.
Late last month, Smith condemned Trump’s false corruption allegations against Joe Biden as “baseless” and a “conspiracy theory.”Late last month, Smith condemned Trump’s false corruption allegations against Joe Biden as “baseless” and a “conspiracy theory.”