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| G7 summit at Trump resort will not cover climate crisis, says White House – live | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Mulvaney has now concluded his press briefing, during which Trump’s acting chief of staff dismissed any notion that it was inappropriate to allow political calculations to impact foreign policy. | |
| Mulvaney said: “We do it all the time. Get over it.” | |
| Mulvaney concedes that Trump’s desire to investigate “DNC server” was part of the reason Ukraine aide was held upreporter: so it was a quid pro quoMulvaney: we do that all the time. get over it. politics is going to be involved in foreign policy elections do have consequences | |
| Mulvaney is still speaking at the White House, but it’s worth taking a moment to recognize what Trump’s acting chief of staff just confirmed. | |
| Trump has insisted for weeks that there was no quid pro quo involved in the delaying of US military aid to Ukraine. | |
| However, Mulvaney is now essentially saying that there was a quid pro quo but that the quid pro quo in question involved an investigation of a conspiracy theory linked to the 2016 election, not a probe of Joe Biden. | |
| White House admits the quid pro quo occurred, says it’s totally cool though. >> https://t.co/yZ1zG9rS0G | |
| Trump’s acting chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, said that the delay in distributing military aid to Ukraine was indeed connected to an investigation of the 2016 hacking of the Democratic National Committee. | |
| Mulvaney on Ukraine: says the request for a look back to what happened in 2016 WAS part of the reason why Trump held up military aid to Ukraine. The president has previously denied that. Says “we do that all the time with foreign policy.” pic.twitter.com/Q83ZZHaqNu | |
| This is only the latest in a long series of shifting explanations from the White House for why the money was held up. | |
| Mulvaney is at the WH podium saying casually that the WH held up security money from Ukraine until Trump got assurances that the government investigate a conspiracy theory about the 2016 election and the DNC server. A conspiracy theory. | |
| But Mulvaney said there was nothing improper in the president’s communications with Ukraine because the delayed aid was not at all connected to a potential investigation of Joe Biden. | |
| However, the White House’s own memo on the president’s call with the Ukrainian president shows that Trump brought up a potential investigation of Biden and his son, despite lacking any evidence to back up his corruption claims against the pair. | |
| The G7 summit will be hosted at one of Trump’s resorts near Miami, which is already seeing the consequences of the climate crisis in higher temperatures and rising sea levels. | |
| But the president’s acting chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, said the climate crisis would not be on the agenda for the multi-nation summit. | |
| "Climate change will not be on the agenda" at next year's G-7, Mulvaney says | |
| Trump was criticized earlier this year for skipping a climate session at the G7 summit in France. | |
| Mulvaney brushed off a question from a reporter about how Trump could criticize Joe Biden for alleged self-dealing (with no evidence) when he is hosting a G7 summit at the president’s resort. | |
| Asked how the president can hit Joe Biden's family for profiting off his vice presidency when he's hosting the G7 at his property, Mick Mulvaney says with a chuckle: "He's going to do that extraordinarily well." | |
| The WH announces that the absolute best place in the United States of America to host the G-7 just happens to be owned by the president. Pretty incredible given their efforts to attack Biden, with no evidence, over the appearance of getting some kind of benefit from US policy. | |
| Criticism of hosting the G7 summit at Trump’s Florida resort first surfaced earlier this year, when reports emerged that the property was being considered as a host site. | Criticism of hosting the G7 summit at Trump’s Florida resort first surfaced earlier this year, when reports emerged that the property was being considered as a host site. |
| Some noted that the club had previously settled a case with a guest who complained his room had beg bugs. | Some noted that the club had previously settled a case with a guest who complained his room had beg bugs. |
| When reports emerged in Aug that Doral golf club could host the G7, Trump said he was "not at all" concerned about ethical implications of using a diplomatic gathering to promote club run by his own company. He also denied it had bed bugs...@alex_mallinhttps://t.co/rKbpraMa0x | When reports emerged in Aug that Doral golf club could host the G7, Trump said he was "not at all" concerned about ethical implications of using a diplomatic gathering to promote club run by his own company. He also denied it had bed bugs...@alex_mallinhttps://t.co/rKbpraMa0x |
| Mulvaney defended the selection of Trump’s resort as the site of the next G7 summit, saying the Doral club was the best option for hosting the multi-nation event. | Mulvaney defended the selection of Trump’s resort as the site of the next G7 summit, saying the Doral club was the best option for hosting the multi-nation event. |
| The acting White House chief of staff said: “It’s almost like they built this facility to host that type of event.” | The acting White House chief of staff said: “It’s almost like they built this facility to host that type of event.” |
| Mulvaney insisted that the president would not profit off the event and has not financially benefited from his office, echoing an oft-repeated claim from Trump himself. | Mulvaney insisted that the president would not profit off the event and has not financially benefited from his office, echoing an oft-repeated claim from Trump himself. |
| But Mulvaney acknowledged that he was initially “skeptical” of holding the summit at Trump National Doral because of the inevitable political fallout. | But Mulvaney acknowledged that he was initially “skeptical” of holding the summit at Trump National Doral because of the inevitable political fallout. |
| Mick Mulvaney, the acting White House chief of staff, announced that the next G-7 summit would be held at one of Trump’s clubs in Doral, Florida, in June. | Mick Mulvaney, the acting White House chief of staff, announced that the next G-7 summit would be held at one of Trump’s clubs in Doral, Florida, in June. |
| Mick Mulvaney announces that the G7 will take place June 10-12 at Trump National in Doral pic.twitter.com/pSlmzMwFWj | Mick Mulvaney announces that the G7 will take place June 10-12 at Trump National in Doral pic.twitter.com/pSlmzMwFWj |
| The announcement will certainly raise concerns that Trump is attempting to personally profit off the office of the presidency. | The announcement will certainly raise concerns that Trump is attempting to personally profit off the office of the presidency. |
| The acting White House chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, has now taken the podium at the press briefing. | The acting White House chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, has now taken the podium at the press briefing. |
| The former congressman opened his comments by mourning the loss of representative Elijah Cummings, saying his former colleague was a “classy guy” and would be missed. | The former congressman opened his comments by mourning the loss of representative Elijah Cummings, saying his former colleague was a “classy guy” and would be missed. |
| Vice president Mike Pence has now been meeting with the Turkish president for about four hours in Ankara, even though the pair’s press conference was supposed to start more than an hour ago. | Vice president Mike Pence has now been meeting with the Turkish president for about four hours in Ankara, even though the pair’s press conference was supposed to start more than an hour ago. |
| Food is being brought in for the reporters gathered there, indicating that the meeting could go on for a while longer. | Food is being brought in for the reporters gathered there, indicating that the meeting could go on for a while longer. |
| The expanded bilat, which is the current meeting, has stretched over 2 hours. (It started at 5:12p) https://t.co/51cJmZmhCk | The expanded bilat, which is the current meeting, has stretched over 2 hours. (It started at 5:12p) https://t.co/51cJmZmhCk |
| Carolyn Maloney to chair House Oversight Committee | Carolyn Maloney to chair House Oversight Committee |
| In wake of US Congressman Elijah Cummings’ death, US Representative Carolyn Maloney will take over as acting chair of the House Oversight Committee. Maloney, a Democrat from New York City, was the second most senior member on the committee. The committee plays a key role in the House’s impeachment inquiry. | In wake of US Congressman Elijah Cummings’ death, US Representative Carolyn Maloney will take over as acting chair of the House Oversight Committee. Maloney, a Democrat from New York City, was the second most senior member on the committee. The committee plays a key role in the House’s impeachment inquiry. |
| Expressing her sadness over Cummings’ passing, Maloney said in a statement that he was a “dear friend and mentor. ... His legacy – his fight for fairness, justice and equality – should be an inspiration to us all.” | Expressing her sadness over Cummings’ passing, Maloney said in a statement that he was a “dear friend and mentor. ... His legacy – his fight for fairness, justice and equality – should be an inspiration to us all.” |
| The White House announced that Trump’s acting chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, will appear at a previously unannounced press briefing in about half an hour. | The White House announced that Trump’s acting chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, will appear at a previously unannounced press briefing in about half an hour. |
| Press Briefing with White House Acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney at 12:30 p.m. (Mulvaney faces a Friday deadline to produce materials to the House impeachment committees.) | Press Briefing with White House Acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney at 12:30 p.m. (Mulvaney faces a Friday deadline to produce materials to the House impeachment committees.) |
| The briefing will occur as Trump travels to Texas for a campaign rally and Pence continues his talks with the Turkish president in Ankara. | The briefing will occur as Trump travels to Texas for a campaign rally and Pence continues his talks with the Turkish president in Ankara. |
| Rick Perry says Trump directed him to Giuliani | Rick Perry says Trump directed him to Giuliani |
| Energy Secretary Rick Perry, who was a top liaison between the Trump administration and Ukraine officials, says that Donald Trump directed him to his personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, to discuss Ukraine matters. | Energy Secretary Rick Perry, who was a top liaison between the Trump administration and Ukraine officials, says that Donald Trump directed him to his personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, to discuss Ukraine matters. |
| Perry has been dodging questions about the impeachment inquiry and told the Journal he has no plans of leaving the administration. | Perry has been dodging questions about the impeachment inquiry and told the Journal he has no plans of leaving the administration. |
| Here’s more from the Wall Street Journal’s story: | Here’s more from the Wall Street Journal’s story: |
| Energy Secretary Rick Perry said he sought out Rudy Giuliani this spring at President Trump’s direction to address Mr. Trump’s concerns about alleged Ukrainian corruption, a sign of how closely the president’s personal lawyer worked with the administration on Ukraine policy. | Energy Secretary Rick Perry said he sought out Rudy Giuliani this spring at President Trump’s direction to address Mr. Trump’s concerns about alleged Ukrainian corruption, a sign of how closely the president’s personal lawyer worked with the administration on Ukraine policy. |
| Mr. Perry, in an exclusive interview with The Wall Street Journal, said he contacted Mr. Giuliani in an effort to ease a path to a meeting between Mr. Trump and his new Ukrainian counterpart. He said Mr. Giuliani described to him during their phone call several concerns about Ukraine’s alleged interference in the 2016 U.S. election, concerns that haven’t been substantiated. | Mr. Perry, in an exclusive interview with The Wall Street Journal, said he contacted Mr. Giuliani in an effort to ease a path to a meeting between Mr. Trump and his new Ukrainian counterpart. He said Mr. Giuliani described to him during their phone call several concerns about Ukraine’s alleged interference in the 2016 U.S. election, concerns that haven’t been substantiated. |
| Nancy Pelosi has just concluded her weekly press conference, where the House speaker accused her Republican colleagues of distorting the meeting that senior lawmakers had with Trump yesterday. | Nancy Pelosi has just concluded her weekly press conference, where the House speaker accused her Republican colleagues of distorting the meeting that senior lawmakers had with Trump yesterday. |
| Pelosi said she sometimes wished that such meetings could be recorded because her recollection of these sit-downs is always so drastically different than that of her Republican colleagues. (Most journalists would probably embrace the idea of recording meetings between Trump and congressional leadership.) | Pelosi said she sometimes wished that such meetings could be recorded because her recollection of these sit-downs is always so drastically different than that of her Republican colleagues. (Most journalists would probably embrace the idea of recording meetings between Trump and congressional leadership.) |
| Nancy Pelosi on the instant classic photo the president tweeted of their meeting: "At that moment, I was probably saying, 'All roads lead to Putin.' " https://t.co/xY3eTlEDc5 | Nancy Pelosi on the instant classic photo the president tweeted of their meeting: "At that moment, I was probably saying, 'All roads lead to Putin.' " https://t.co/xY3eTlEDc5 |
| Asked about the widely shared photo of her standing and pointing a finger at Trump during the meeting, Pelosi initially said she believed she was excusing herself when the picture was taken. She then corrected herself, saying she believed that at that specific moment, she was saying, “All roads lead to Putin.” | Asked about the widely shared photo of her standing and pointing a finger at Trump during the meeting, Pelosi initially said she believed she was excusing herself when the picture was taken. She then corrected herself, saying she believed that at that specific moment, she was saying, “All roads lead to Putin.” |
| The House speaker did not specifically weigh in on the president’s alleged taunts and name-calling in the meeting, but she did criticize him and his team for lacking a plan on how to combat a potential resurgence of ISIS after the withdrawal of US troops from northern Syria. | The House speaker did not specifically weigh in on the president’s alleged taunts and name-calling in the meeting, but she did criticize him and his team for lacking a plan on how to combat a potential resurgence of ISIS after the withdrawal of US troops from northern Syria. |
| ‘Steely yet compassionate, principled yet open to new perspectives’ | ‘Steely yet compassionate, principled yet open to new perspectives’ |
| Former president Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama just released a statement on the death of US Congressman Elijah Cummings. | Former president Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama just released a statement on the death of US Congressman Elijah Cummings. |
| “True to the giants of progress he followed into public service, Chairman Cummings stood tallest and most resolute when our country needed him most,” read the statement. | “True to the giants of progress he followed into public service, Chairman Cummings stood tallest and most resolute when our country needed him most,” read the statement. |
| NEW: Former Pres. Barack Obama on passing of Rep. Elijah Cummings: "May his example inspire more Americans to pick up the baton and carry it forward in a manner worthy of his service." https://t.co/kYpkXcbIvV pic.twitter.com/4F7KrnCIeW | NEW: Former Pres. Barack Obama on passing of Rep. Elijah Cummings: "May his example inspire more Americans to pick up the baton and carry it forward in a manner worthy of his service." https://t.co/kYpkXcbIvV pic.twitter.com/4F7KrnCIeW |
| Pelosi on Elijah Cummings: He lived the American dream | Pelosi on Elijah Cummings: He lived the American dream |
| Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is in the middle of her weekly press conference. She started it off by remembering US Congressman Elijah Cummings. She announced that the House will name a bill lowering the cost of prescription drugs, a cause Cummings was passionate about, after the late Congressman in his honor. | Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is in the middle of her weekly press conference. She started it off by remembering US Congressman Elijah Cummings. She announced that the House will name a bill lowering the cost of prescription drugs, a cause Cummings was passionate about, after the late Congressman in his honor. |
| Pelosi remembers the late Rep. Elijah Cummings: "He lived the American dream and he wanted it for everyone else. He spoke with unsurpassed clarity and moral integrity when he spoke on the floor." https://t.co/bYrSEHy1Sm pic.twitter.com/vbxu5gGiN0 | Pelosi remembers the late Rep. Elijah Cummings: "He lived the American dream and he wanted it for everyone else. He spoke with unsurpassed clarity and moral integrity when he spoke on the floor." https://t.co/bYrSEHy1Sm pic.twitter.com/vbxu5gGiN0 |
| Meanwhile, lawmakers continue to offer condolences and memories in light of Democratic representative Elijah Cummings’ unexpected death. | Meanwhile, lawmakers continue to offer condolences and memories in light of Democratic representative Elijah Cummings’ unexpected death. |
| The flag at the White House has been lowered to half-staff, and Nancy Pelosi is expected to soon address the loss in her weekly press conference. | The flag at the White House has been lowered to half-staff, and Nancy Pelosi is expected to soon address the loss in her weekly press conference. |
| It was my honor to work closely with Rep. Elijah Cummings over the years. His integrity and moral vision for his community and the country were extraordinary. He will be sorely missed. Jane and I are deeply saddened by the loss of our friend. Our thoughts are with his family. | It was my honor to work closely with Rep. Elijah Cummings over the years. His integrity and moral vision for his community and the country were extraordinary. He will be sorely missed. Jane and I are deeply saddened by the loss of our friend. Our thoughts are with his family. |
| Today our country lost a true leader. Congressman Elijah Cummings was a friend, a passionate fighter for justice, and a powerful voice of moral conscience in our government who served his country for decades with dignity and integrity. I’m blessed to have known him. #RIPElijah | Today our country lost a true leader. Congressman Elijah Cummings was a friend, a passionate fighter for justice, and a powerful voice of moral conscience in our government who served his country for decades with dignity and integrity. I’m blessed to have known him. #RIPElijah |
| Our nation has lost a mighty fighter for democracy, accountability, equity and justice with the tragic loss of Congressman Elijah Cummings. He never forgot that his was borrowed power, which he wielded in defense of the vulnerable and on behalf of the American people. #RIPElijah | Our nation has lost a mighty fighter for democracy, accountability, equity and justice with the tragic loss of Congressman Elijah Cummings. He never forgot that his was borrowed power, which he wielded in defense of the vulnerable and on behalf of the American people. #RIPElijah |