In a walkback of President’s claim of “absolute power” to reopen states new WH proposal for a phased approach to easing social distancing defers to states. Page 4 says plan “Implementable on statewide or county-by-county basis at Governors’s discretion.” @CBSNews
Reading through 18-page plan presented to state Governors today it appears White House is just encouraging states to do what they are already doing on #coronavirus. Not much new guidance, no clear enforcement mechanism. H/T @edokeefe
Even in Phase 3 - final phase of this plan WH presented to state governors today - life will still look a little different at church, movies, sports, gyms, and bars. #Covid_19#SocialDistanacing (HT @edokeefe) @CBSNews
"You're going to be running it, we're going to be helping you. We're going to be supplying you as needed, if you need something that you don't have," President Trump told state governors today per audio of meeting obtained by @CBSNews' @edokeefe.
"Nobody has to hang their head, because you've all worked really hard and we have made the best out of a horrible situation and I'm very proud to have worked with you & we're going to continue to work together" Trump told state govs on call today per @edokeefe#coronavirus
"If you're ready & if you have those beautiful low numbers like some of you have let's get going let's open up your state. Let's get America back, let's get our country open." President Trump told state governors on call today #coronavirus#Covid_19. HT @edokeefe
New WH Guidelines could provide cover to local leaders who want to get back to business. Pres. Trump has heard from several outside advisors that he should re-open economies in lieu of Phase 4 stimulus...even as medical experts & econ council say we need more #COVID19 testing
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JUST IN: Joel Greenberg, former FL tax collector with close ties Rep Matt Gaetz, has asked a federal judge to delay his sentencing for the second time as he continues to cooperate with govt pursuant to his plea deal. (1/3)
2/3 What does it mean for Gaetz? Unclear. Greenberg has provided feds info related to Gaetz probe since last year. Greenberg, who admits to falsely accusing another man of being a pedophile, is a problematic witness so his value is in docs he can provide to DOJ related to Gaetz.
3/3 Greenberg request to delay sentencing doesn’t provide insight into status of Gaetz probe. Gaetz case has expanded beyond sex crimes to include possible lobbying violations & obstruction of justice. Takes more time & requires more witnesses & evidence than just Greenberg.
President Trump Drs briefing reporters now - appears that while White House was telling us Friday morning that President only had “mild symptoms” from #COVID he had been on oxygen for an hour?
Asked if tests show any damage to the lungs, Dr. Conely says he has “Expected findings, but nothing of concern.” He was also evasive about lung damage when asked yesterday.
Dr. Conley was asked about discrepancy between his rosy assessment yesterday and Chief of Staff’s subsequent (anonymous) more dire assessment to reporters. Dr. says he thinks Meadows was misconstrued. Meadows confirmed the statement to Associated Press.
Strong Pawnee vibes at White House this morning as a raccoon attacked multiple news crews on North Lawn. 🦝 allegedly grabbed pant leg of a photographer & then a corespondent before being fended off. (WH 🦝🦝 🦝 pictured here in more peaceful times.)
UPDATE: Sources tell @CBSNews White House reaching out to @USGSA about aggressive 🦝 who allegedly attacked crews this AM. #MondayMorning
MORE: It’s a trap. We found one of the traps set out for the 🦝 who attacked a few journalists yesterday on the White House north lawn. Feds using marshmallows as bait.... #TuesdayThoughts
JUST IN: @realDonaldTrump will hold a press conference this afternoon. Since this is not taking place during @CBSEveningNews, I will be able to attend along with other network corespondents.
President Trump is expected to sign executive orders today on coronavirus aid as talks are at a stalemate on the Hill. But action is expected to be met with litigation over whether President can circumvent Congress - this will delay or permanently block any relief. @CBSNews
Trump Club members/spectators have gathered in the back of the room where Trump will have presser. Yesterday some of them booed the press....which the President appeared to enjoy. Will note they are all wearing masks today.
THREAD: Just spoke w/Rudy Giuliani about firing of Geoffrey Berman. Tells me he was not involved in decision & he recommended Berman to be a US Attorney (in NJ, but he ended up in NY). “I recommended him. I gave him a good recommendation for that I said he'd be very good.”
2/5 @CBSNews has learned federal investigators have been looking into Giuliani’s lobbying work in Ukraine. Giuliani tells me today he has “not heard anything from DOJ in eight months.” Insists he has documents that can disprove allegations about improper lobbying.
3/5 Giuliani tells me he talks to the President, his client, all the time. When I asked if he has ever discussed Berman or federal investigations with the President, he cited attorney-client privilege.
BREAKING: DOJ files civil action against John Bolton, to prevent him publishing upcoming book. @CBSNews
In the complaint, DOJ alleges NSC learned Bolton book would be published from press reports on June 7th....without completing the pre-publican review process for classified information.
DOJ alleges Bolton engaged in review process for classified info but then "became dissatisfied at the pace of NSC's review.....decided to take matters into his own hands." Govt wants court to order him to complete review process and not disclose classified information. .....