Trump news - live: Texts between homeland security officials before Jan 6 missing, says report

Donald Trump is preparing to welcome the hugely contentious LIV Golf series to his resort in Bedminster, New Jersey, with both he and his son Eric set to join a pro-am round today.

The fact the league is backed by Saudi money has disgusted the families of 9/11 victims who have long called on the US government to make clear what it knows about the alleged role of Saudi Arabia in the attacks. In comments to ESPN, the former president called the attack “horrible” and said “Nobody’s gotten to the bottom of 9/11, unfortunately”.

Meanwhile, Mr Trump has threatened to sue CNN for branding him a liar and calling his unfounded claims about the 2020 election the “Big Lie”.

In an extended letter released last night, he claims that the network defamed him in its coverage of the 2016 and 2020 elections, the investigation into his ties to Russia, and the attack on the US Capitol.

Mr Trump has also lashed out at reports that the US Department of Justice is investigating his actions as he tried to subvert Joe Biden’s election victory, with Attorney General Merrick Garland confirming that the department has no qualms about any political blowback as a result of criminally indicting him.

Key Points

• Trump wanted to stay in power ‘at all costs’ because he was making ‘millions’ says Raskin

• Trump under criminal investigation in Justice Department probe, report says

• Trump says he sent Secret Service agents to move on homeless in DC

• US attorney general hints Trump could be criminally charged

• ‘Nobody’s got to the bottom of 9/11’ says Trump as he hosts Saudi LIV Golf event

Key texts between Trump homeland security officials before Jan 6 missing - Report

05:19 , Arpan Rai

A critical exchange of text messages between two top security officials Chad Wolf and Ken Cuccinelli from the Donald Trump administration before the January 6 attack took place on the US capitol is missing, people aware of the matter have said, reported The Washington Post.

The report said that the messages between the top officials of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) — the acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf and acting deputy secretary Ken Cuccinelli — were lost “in a reset” of their official phones when they left their jobs in January last year.

This comes at a time the House Committee officials have learnt that the text message exchange between the US Secret Service agents were also deleted more than a year ago and may never be recovered, diluting a critical firsthand account of the events leading up to the violent attacks on the historic building.

In rare remarks, Obama praises Biden breakthroughs on climate, drug prices and economy

05:01 , Oliver O'Connell

Former President Barack Obama issued a rare statement praising President Joe Biden and the Democrats for achieving a set of wins this week that could see the party pass historic legislation to fight climate change, draw down inflation, and address other issues.

Mr Obama spoke via Twitter in recognition of his former VP’s progress this week, a day after it was announced that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had struck a deal with a moderate Democrat senator, Joe Manchin, to revive parts of Mr Biden’s Build Back Better agenda.

The deal’s passage is far from a certainty given the yet-unannounced position of Mr Manchin’s fellow centrist Senator Kyrsten Sinema, but it is still a major step for DC Democrats hoping for major progress on the president’s priorities before the midterms.

John Bowden reports on what the former president said.

Obama praises Biden’s breakthroughs in rare remarks

Donald Trump’s no-makeup appearance stuns people

04:46 , Arpan Rai

In a rare first, Donald Trump on Thursday made a public appearance sans makeup at the LIV Golf tournament and people could not stop looking at his face.

The 75-year-old former president teed off at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey to play in the Saudi-back tournament alongside notable celebrities including his son Eric Trump, professional golfer Dustin Johnson, Caitlyn Jenner and more.

Wearing a white polo, black pants, and a MAGA hat, many noted the former president’s face look surprisingly more natural than usual as he took practice swings.

Read the full story here:

Donald Trump's no-makeup appearance has shocked people

Here’s what is included in the monster spending deal agreed to by Democrats

04:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Senator Joe Manchin and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer shocked Washington on Wednesday when they announced they had reached an agreement on a spending bill to lower the cost of prescription drugs and combat climate change.

The legislation is significantly pared down from Democrats’ proposed Build Back Better spending package – which would have included everything from child care; an expanded child tax credit; hearing and dental coverage for Medicare; and home care for elderly people and people with disabilities.

Eric Garcia reports on what’s in the Inflation Reduction Act.

What’s in Manchin and Schumer’s climate and health care deal?

ICYMI: Democrats reach deal on major climate and health care bill

03:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia has reached an agreement with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer worth hundreds of billions of dollars to lower prescription drug prices, raise taxes, combat climate change and invest in renewable energy.

The bill represents a slimmer version of a massive domestic spending plan dubbed Build Back Better, which was a central pillar of Joe Biden’s first-term agenda.

Eric Garcia reports on what has been nicknamed “Build Back Manchin” — the Inflation Reduction Act.

Manchin says he has reached deal with Schumer on major climate and health care bill

Kushner alleges ex-White House chief of staff ‘shoved’ wife Ivanka Trump

02:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Jared Kushner alleges in a new memoir that former White House Chief of Staff John Kelly shoved Ivanka Trump out of the way that the former Commander of US Southern Command had both a bullying demeanour and a “Jekyll-and-Hyde” persona.

Mr Kelly, a retired Marine Corps general, has rejected the allegation.

Gustaf Kilander has more on the allegation.

Jared Kushner alleges White House chief of staff ‘shoved’ Ivanka Trump out of the way

Senate passes computer chips bill to challenge Chinese dominance

02:00 , Oliver O'Connell

The Senate passed legislation to support research and development in the computer chips and semiconductor industry, with nearly every Democrat voting for the legislation and a large number of Republicans joining them. The bill’s passage tees up a vote in the House of Representatives.

The legislation is meant to support the manufacturing of semiconductor chips in the United States as a means for the US to compete with China and create jobs.

Eric Garcia reports from Capitol Hill.

Senate passes computer chips bill to be more competitive with China

Trump wanted to stay in power ‘at all costs’ says Jan 6 committee member

01:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump wanted to stay in power “at all costs” because he was making “millions” off of being president, a January 6 committee member has said.

Maryland Democrat Jamie Raskin appeared on Washington Journal on C-SPAN on Wednesday, saying that “to my mind, Donald Trump was really engaged in a lot of for-profit money-making activities in his administration, which would also explain his determination to stay in office at all costs”.

Gustaf Kilander reports on what else Mr Raskin had to say about the former president.

Raskin: Trump wanted to stay in power ‘at all costs’ because he was making ‘millions’

Cassidy Hutchinson cooperating with Department of Justice probe, report says

01:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson is cooperating with the Department of Justice’s criminal investigation into the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, according to a report.

Ms Hutchinson, a former top adviser to then-president Donald Trump’s White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, gave explosive testimony to the House committee that is also investigating the violent events of January 6 last month. Investigators from the Justice Department reached out to Ms Hutchinson after her testimony to the House committee, reports ABC News.

The outlet also reported that the “extent of her cooperation was not immediately clear.”

Graeme Massie reports.

Jan 6 witness Cassidy Hutchinson cooperating with DoJ probe, report says

ICYMI: Biden compares his ‘quick recovery’ from Covid to Trump’s ‘severe’ illness

Friday 29 July 2022 00:30 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden has ended his five days of isolation after a positive Covid-19 test last week with a triumphant return to the Oval Office. He delivered remarks comparing his “quick recovery” to the “severe” illness faced by his predecessor just under two years ago.

Roughly 90 minutes after it was announced that he had twice tested negative for the coronavirus on Wednesday, Mr Biden emerged from the White House residence and strode triumphantly along the West Colonnade to the sound of “Hail to the Chef” before taking his place on a podium in the White House Rose Garden.

“Thankfully ... my symptoms were mild, my recovery was quick, and I’m feeling great,” he said, addressing an audience composed mainly of staffers from his administration.

Read more:

Biden compares his ‘quick recovery’ to Trump’s ‘severe’ illness after negative test

Cheney ad calls out opponents’ stance on Trump’s ‘Big Lie’

Friday 29 July 2022 00:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Liz Cheney’s re-election campaign has launched a new ad contrasting her rejection of Donald Trump’s lies about the 2020 election with the stances taken by her primary opponents.

Ms Cheney, who was ousted from the House Republican leadership last year, is campaigning to remain as the lone Wyoming representative in the House, but she’s facing stiff competition from candidates who haven’t rejected former President Donald Trump.

Gustaf Kilander reports.

Liz Cheney ad calls out opponents’ stance on Trump’s ‘Big Lie’

The tough words Trump never spoke

Thursday 28 July 2022 23:30 , Oliver O'Connell

An original script for Donald Trump’s speech the day after the Capitol insurrection included tough talk ordering the Justice Department to “ensure all lawbreakers are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law’ and stating the rioters “do not represent me.” But those lines were crossed out with thick black lines, apparently by Trump, according to exhibits released by House investigators.

Virginia Rep. Elaine Luria, a Democratic member of the House panel investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack, tweeted out a short video Monday that included testimony from White House aides discussing Trump’s speech on Jan. 7 and a screenshot of the speech, with notes and with lines to be deleted.

The tough words Trump never spoke: Jan. 6 panel's new video

Trump lays out plan to fire career civil servants

Thursday 28 July 2022 23:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Former president Donald Trump said on Tuesday that it should be easier to “fire rogue bureaucrats” while speaking at the America First Agenda Summit in Washington, DC.

“We need to make it much easier to fire rogue bureaucrats who are deliberately undermining democracy or at a minimum just want to keep their jobs,” he said while affirming his intent to fire non-loyalist federal government employees if he wins a second term in office.

Maroosha Muzaffar reports.

Trump lays out plan to fire civil servants and replace them with loyalists

Elizabeth Warren says DoJ can’t avoid prosecuting Trump after revelations from Jan 6 hearings

Thursday 28 July 2022 22:48 , Josh Marcus

Senator Elizabeth Warren has said she does not see how the Department of Justice can do anything but indict former President Donald Trump following recent revelations made during the House Select Committee investigating the Capitol riot.

Ms Warren spoke with Raw Story, saying she could not see a scenario in which the Department of Justice can proceed with their investigation into the Capitol riot without pursuing charges against Mr Trump.

“Based on the House investigation I don’t see how they could avoid that,” she said. “Ultimately the Department of Justice will make their own independent decision about whether they have enough evidence to prosecute some or all of the people involved in the January 6 insurrection. DOJ has to make their own independent decision and that means independent of the politics. That’s how the justice system works.”

Attorney General Merrick Garland said the probe into the Capitol riot was the “most wide-ranging investigation, and the most important investigation, that the Justice Department has ever entered into.”

Graig Graziosi has the details.

Elizabeth Warren says DoJ can’t avoid prosecuting Trump after Jan 6 hearings

Trump’s former defence secretary contradicts own sworn Jan 6 testimony

Thursday 28 July 2022 22:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump’s former acting defence secretary contradicted his previous remarks about his former boss lodging a formal request to have more than 10,000 troops deployed to the Capitol on 6 January 2021, according to a video released by the committee investigating the riot.

Chris Miller, who served under the former president in the waning months of his first term after he tweeted in November 2020 that he’d “terminated” Mr Miller’s predecessor, Mark Esper, from the position, was heard in a newly released closed-door testimony from the House select committee stating that he was never ordered by Trump to send National Guard troops to protect the Capitol, contradicting previous statements and testimonies he’d provided months earlier.

Joanna Chisholm reports.

Trump’s ex-defence secretary contradicts his own sworn Jan 6 testimony on Fox News

RNC threatening to stop paying Trump’s legal bills if he announces 2024 bid too early, report says

Thursday 28 July 2022 22:11 , Josh Marcus

Some GOP leaders are concerned that their midterm prospects could be harmed if former President Donald Trump announces a 2024 White House run before the November vote.

A Republican National Committee (RNC) official has told ABC News that they’re hoping to stop him from announcing his candidacy too early by saying that RNC payments for Mr Trump’s legal bills would cease as soon as the declaration is made.

The RNC has shelled out almost $2m in legal costs for Mr Trump, as he defends himself in both personal litigations as well as government investigations.

The RNC official told ABC that the payments would end as soon as he reveals a run for president because of the GOP’s neutrality policy stopping the party from being partisan in a presidential primary.

Gustaf Kilander has the full report.

RNC threatening to stop paying Trump’s legal bills if he announces 2024 bid too early

Voices: Holly Baxter’s take on Trump’s first DC speech since losing the presidency

Thursday 28 July 2022 22:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump returned to Washington DC this week for the first time since he lost the election and tried to steal it back. And the speech he made was just as weird as you might expect.

Trump just made his first DC speech since losing the presidency. It was weird

Obamas to return to White House for first time for unveiling of portraits

Thursday 28 July 2022 21:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Barack Obama‘s presidential portrait will be unveiled at the White House in a September ceremony hosted by his former No. 2, President Joe Biden.

Portraits of the former president and Michelle Obama will be presented in the East Room as is traditional, on 7 September, according to Mr Obama’s office.

It will mark the first time the former first lady has returned to the White House since her husband left office in January 2017.

Obama White House portrait to be unveiled at Sept. 7 event

Biden throws support behind ‘historic’ Inflation Reduction Act: ‘It’s a big deal'

Thursday 28 July 2022 21:30 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden on Thursday hailed the Inflation Reduction Act, the $433bn reconciliation package negotiated by West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, as an “historic agreement to fight inflation and lower costs for American families” and offered his full support for the bill.

Speaking from the State Dining Room in the White House, Mr Biden said the proposed legislation will cut health care costs for “millions of Americans” and make the “most important investment” the US has ever made in “energy security,” and “begin to restore fairness” to the US tax code.

“It’s a big deal,” he said.

Andrew Feinberg reports for The Independent from Washington, DC.

‘It’s a big deal’: Biden throws support behind ‘historic’ Inflation Reduction Act

AOC condemns Democrat strategy of meddling in GOP primaries

Thursday 28 July 2022 21:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York blasted Democratic leaders’ attempts to meddle in Republican primaries to promote extremist candidates whom they think Democrats could beat in a general election, calling it dangerous.

The self-described democratic socialist congresswoman criticised the efforts, saying that Democrats hoped that former president Donald Trump would be the 2016 Republican nominee.

“I don’t think we should be elevating dangerous elements of the right-wing”, she told The Independent. “Democrats who have that type of thinking should have learned that lesson with Trump in 2016 but, I personally am not supportive.”

Eric Garcia spoke with the congresswoman.

AOC condemns Democrats’ strategy of backing ‘dangerous’ right-wing GOP candidates

CNN given 10-day ultimatum over ‘lies’ about Trump or will face legal action, spokesperson says

Thursday 28 July 2022 20:39 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump’s spokesperson has given CNN 10 days to stop pointing out the former president’s election lies or he will sue them.

On Thursday, Liz Harrington told the right-wing One America News Network that Mr Trump has “truth and facts on his side” and is prepared to take action against CNN.

Graeme Massie reports.

Trump spokeswoman gives CNN 10-day ultimatum to stop pointing out his election lies

Neo-Nazis outside TPUSA summit were ‘paid Democrat agitators’ suggest Charlie Kirk

Thursday 28 July 2022 20:29 , Oliver O'Connell

Conservative provocateur and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk suggested that “Nazis“ who demonstrated outside a TPUSA event in Florida might actually be paid Democrats trying to discredit his organisation.

In a Twitter post on Wednesday, Mr Kirk said it was “super weird” that the media wasn’t trying to determine the identities of the “Nazis” who were outside his group’s event. It is unclear if any media organisations are attempting to determine the identities of the individuals outside the event.

“I want to know who these people are. Are they actually Nazis, or paid Democrat agitators? I plan to find out,” Mr Kirk wrote.

Graig Graziosi reports.

Charlie Kirk suggests neo-Nazis outside TPUSA summit were ‘paid Democrat agitators’

DeSantis administration files complaint about Miami drag brunch

Thursday 28 July 2022 20:20 , Oliver O'Connell

The administration of Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis has filed a formal state complaint concerning the R House in Miami, claiming that the restaurant in the Wynwood neighbourhood hosts weekend brunches during which minors are exposed to “sexually explicit drag shows”.

The bar is accused of disorderly conduct, according to the complaint, which argues that “the nature of the performances ... particularly when conducted in the presence of young children, corrupts the public morals and outrages the sense of public decency”, according to The Miami Herald.

Gustaf Kilander reports.

Ron DeSantis’ agency files complaint about drag show being performed in front of kids

Analysis: Dramatic deal by US Democrats resuscitates global climate fight

Thursday 28 July 2022 20:05 , Oliver O'Connell

With a dramatic timing worthy of The West Wing, Senator Joe Manchin has delivered an 11th hour deal that comes as a much-needed shot in the arm in the effort to tackle the climate crisis.

The bill, if passed into law, will be the biggest step that US Congress has taken to address domestic planet-heating greenhouse gas emissions at a dark moment when global targets are faltering.

It will also bolster US credibility on the international stage when demanding that other major emitters in China, Europe and beyond sharply cut their own fossil fuel use.

Louise Boyle, senior climate correspondent for The Independent, takes a closer look at the planned legislation.

Dramatic deal at the 11th hour by US Democrats resuscitates global climate fight

Manchin has handed Biden a lifeline. So what now?

Thursday 28 July 2022 19:50 , Oliver O'Connell

If the only news Joe Biden received on Wednesday had been a negative test for Covid-19, he would still have had a pretty great day – but the good news didn’t stop there.

First, the Senate passed a major piece of legislation to support the manufacturing of computer chips in the United States, guaranteeing that it will go to the House for a vote. And then Mr Biden got perhaps the best news he could have hoped for: Senator Joe Manchin, the incredibly fickle conservative Democrat from West Virginia, said that he and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had reached an agreement on passing a spending bill that would focus on health care and combating climate change.

Eric Garcia takes a look at the enormous breakthrough for Democrats.

Joe Manchin has handed Joe Biden a lifeline. So what now?

Democrats and veterans outraged as GOP senators block burn pits bill

Thursday 28 July 2022 19:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Republican senators have been accused of “sentencing veterans to death” after they blocked the passage of a landmark bill that would finally give US service members sick and dying from toxic exposure to burn pits access to the healthcare that they need.

Democratic lawmakers, veterans and advocates including TV host Jon Stewart spoke out in a highly emotional press conference on Thursday morning as the bill that was expected to become law by the end of the week was suddenly derailed by the Republican party hours earlier.

“This is total bulls***,” shouted Senator Kristen Gillibrand.

“They have just sentenced veterans to death.”

Rachel Sharp has the latest for The Independent.

Democrats and veterans outraged as GOP senators block burn pits bill

Watch: Trump’s 9/11 comments at Saudi golf event in Bedminster

Thursday 28 July 2022 19:18 , Oliver O'Connell

US economy shrank 0.9 per cent in second quarter

Thursday 28 July 2022 19:10 , Oliver O'Connell

The US economy shrank by 0.9 per cent during the second quarter of the year, further stoking fears the country is heading into a recession.

Thursday morning’s data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, part of the Commerce Department, posted a second straight quarterly contraction in gross domestic product — the broadest measure of economic output.

Back-to-back negative GDP quarters constitute an informal definition of recession, but most economists point to a still-robust labour market, with 11 million job openings and an uncommonly low 3.6 per cent unemployment rate. They argue that a recession if one were to occur, is still a way off.

Read more:

US economy shrank 0.9 per cent in second quarter further stoking recession fears

Here’s what is included in the monster spending deal agreed to by Democrats

Thursday 28 July 2022 19:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Senator Joe Manchin and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer shocked Washington on Wednesday when they announced they had reached an agreement on a spending bill to lower the cost of prescription drugs and combat climate change.

The legislation is significantly pared down from Democrats’ proposed Build Back Better spending package – which would have included everything from child care; an expanded child tax credit; hearing and dental coverage for Medicare; and home care for elderly people and people with disabilities. It’s a sign that Mr Manchin, the conservative Democrat from West Virginia’s, has some nervousness about increase spending and inflation.

Indeed, the legislation is dubbed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 as a reflection of how it will reduce prices in the next few years.

Eric Garcia reports for The Independent from Capitol Hill.

What’s in Manchin and Schumer’s climate and health care deal?

‘Nobody’s got to the bottom of 9/11’ says Trump as he hosts Saudi LIV Golf event

Thursday 28 July 2022 18:45 , Oliver O'Connell

The former president was asked about the families of the terror attack victims planning to protest the event in Bedminster because of the link to the Middle East country, and replied “Nobody’s gotten to the bottom of 9/11, unfortunately.”

Graeme Massie reports on the former president’s bewildering statement.

Trump claims ‘Nobody’s got to the bottom of 9/11’ as he hosts Saudi LIV Golf event

Schumer rallies Democrats after surprise Manchin deal

Thursday 28 July 2022 18:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer told fellow Senate Democrats on Thursday they now have an opportunity to achieve two “hugely important” priorities on health care and climate change, if they stick together and approve a deal he brokered with hold-out Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin.

Schumer spoke at a private caucus meeting after the startling turnaround over an expansive agreement he and Manchin struck that had eluded them for months. The Democratic leader’s comments were relayed by a person familiar with the meeting at the Capitol complex and granted anonymity to discuss it.

The $739bn package package would address health care and climate, raising taxes on high earners and large corporations and reducing federal debt.

Schumer rallies Democrats after surprise deal with Manchin

Trump treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin has met with Jan 6 committee

Thursday 28 July 2022 18:10 , Oliver O'Connell

The House January 6 select committee’s investigation is now gathering evidence from more of former president Donald Trump’s Cabinet members in hopes of learning whether they seriously considered declaring him incapacitated after he incited a riotous mob to attack the US Capitol.

According to multiple reports, the panel has interviewed Steven Mnuchin, the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice producer who served as Mr Trump’s treasury secretary from 2017 until the end of his term on 20 January 2021.

Andrew Feinberg has the latest.

Trump treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin has been interviewed by Jan 6 committee

In rare remarks, Obama praises Biden progress on climate, drug prices and economy

Thursday 28 July 2022 17:50 , Oliver O'Connell

Former President Barack Obama issued a rare statement praising President Joe Biden and the Democrats for achieving a set of wins this week that could see the party pass historic legislation to fight climate change, draw down inflation, and address other issues.

Mr Obama spoke via Twitter in recognition of his former VP’s progress this week a day after it was announced that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had struck a deal with a moderate Democrat senator, Joe Manchin, to revive parts of Mr Biden’s Build Back Better agenda.

John Bowden reports.

Obama praises Biden’s breakthroughs in rare remarks