Trump news: President threatens Portland protesters with ‘strong offensive force’ as White House condemns delay of Hong Kong elections
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Donald Trump has threatened Portland protesters with "very strong offensive force" as the federal government and residents continue to clash in the liberal city. The president warned he might send the National Guard to stop the "terrorists" in the city.
In Albuquerque, meanwhile, activists vowed to meet federal agents with peaceful protests and civil disobedience as Trump said the government's response would expand to more cities, including Detroit, Cleveland and Milwaukee.
This comes as White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany has slammed China for delaying Hong Kong elections, even though that is what Mr Trump suggested on Twitter for the United States' own presidential election.
Mr Trump refused to back down from his controversial suggestion that November's election be postponed despite an outcry among his fellow Republicans, insisting "I don't want to see a crooked election", as he continues to claim mail-in voting - a likely necessity given the coronavirus outbreak - is vulnerable to fraud.
Dr Anthony Fauci testified before lawmakers about the Trump administration's coronavirus response, with the president praising a line of questioning from Republican Jim Jordan. The infectious disease expert was asked he wouldn't make a recommendation on the virus spreading at protests after while he was quick to make recommendations about baseball.
The CDC is forecasting 173,000 deaths by mid-August. Democrats and Republicans are expected to meet on Saturday to discuss the next coronavirus relief package after Trump tweeted criticism at Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer for failing to reach an agreement by Friday.
Fauci insists hydroxychloroquine not effective at treating coronavirus
Justin Vallejo has this on the latestly timely interjection from the country's top medical expert, who has been working hard to shoot down the resurgent interest in the anti-malaria drug the American right is insistent on promoting as a treatment for Covid, despite its potentially dangerous side effects for those with weak hearts.
"We've got to follow the science," says Doc Fauci, which really should not be a radical statement.
Task force leader Dr Deborah Birx also spoke yesterday and suggested for the first time that face shields ought to be worn in addition to masks in severely impacted areas, a suggestion unlikely to prove popular with the wider public.
Louis Gohmert branded America’s ‘dumbest’ congressman
Right on cue, the Texas Republican - who tested postive for coronavirus this week and told his staff in person, risking their health in the process - has said he is all up for a dose of hydroxychloroquine.
Lincoln Project co-founder Steve Schmidt had a withering response, as James Crump is here to tell us.
Surgeon general told Trump 'you look badass in a face mask' after people in Florida told him to
Well, appealing to this president's narcissim never hurt anyone.
Here's John T Bennett on the resourceful Dr Jerome Adams, playing the big man like a cheap fiddle.
US Department of Homeland Security found to be gathering ‘intelligence’ on journalists covering Oregon protests
This doesn't sound altogether healthy if you ask me, democracy fans.
'Are the Wall of Moms the real deal – or a distraction from a bigger truth?'
Also on Portland, here's Andrew Buncombe for Indy Premium to reflect on one of the city's newest protest collectives, whose example has been followed nationwide.
The mechanics of delaying a presidential election
The US Constitution does not permit a sitting president to postpone a public vote - that requires the consent of both chambers of Congress - but Trump raising it yesterday is not the first instance of its kind.
Here's Gino Spocchia with a little history.
Ex-KKK grand wizard has Twitter account suspended
David Duke has endorsed Trump again this year and been busy spreading coronavirus misinformation in recent months, you will not be all that suprised to learn.
Andrew Naughtie has the full story.
Trump heckles House select committee on coronavirus
The president is evidently watching the congressional panel at which Fauci, Dr Robert Redford and Admiral Brett Giroir are all currently appearing and does not like the damning case being made against his handling of the pandemic by the chairman, Democrat Jim Clyburn.
Trump adviser Stephen Miller appears on Fox and Friends to scaremonger on mail voting and attack Obama
The president’s senior policy adviser has also been attempting to portray his boss as some kind of strongman for threatening to send the National Guard into Portland, which is not exactly how I would characterise it.
US seals $2.1bn deal with drug companies for 100m doses of experimental coronavirus vaccine
The deal with British pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline and French counterpart Sanofi Pasteur was announced by the US government on Friday and is believed to be the largest of its kind to date, as countries begin purchasing vaccine doses in the hope that one will complete trials.
Gino Spocchia has the fine print.
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