Feb 10, 2017

Flynn faces a gusher of leaks on Russia call

The Washington Post and the New York Times are out with new stories contradicting National Security Adviser Michael Flynn's claim that he didn't talk sanctions during his Russia phone call back in December. Details:

WaPo cites 9 former and current officials in a position to know: "All of those officials said Flynn's references to the election-related sanctions were explicit."
NYT: "The officials said that Mr. Flynn had never made explicit promises of sanctions relief, but that he had appeared to leave the impression it would be possible."
Flynn's shifting denials: Flynn told WaPo twice on Wednesday that he didn't discuss sanctions. On Thursday, a spokesman said while "[Flynn] had no recollection of discussing sanctions, he couldn't be certain that the topic never came up."
The FBI is still investigating Flynn: But a case against him remains unlikely. The Logan Act has never been prosecuted.

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Axios

Updated 18 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

Global: Total confirmed cases as of 2 p.m. ET: 5,991,102— Total deaths: 366,875 — Total recoveries — 2,530,050 — Map.
U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 2 p.m. ET: 1,758,304 — Total deaths: 103,353 — Total recoveries: 406,446 — Total tested: 16,099,515 — Map.
Economy: What U.S. workplaces may look like next — George Floyd's killing and economic calamity are both part of America's unfinished business — The future of mobility in the post-pandemic world.
Public health: CDC pares down guidance on how to reopen houses of worship — The coronavirus could give bioterrorists ideas, security group warns.
States: New York City will reopen June 8, Cuomo says.
Supreme Court: Chief Justice Roberts sides with liberals in denying challenge to California's pandemic worship rules.

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Orion Rummler

Updated 35 mins ago - Politics & Policy

In photos: Protesters clash with police nationwide over George Floyd

Police officers grapple with protesters in Atlanta. Photo: Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images

Police used tear gas, rubber bullets and pepper spray as the protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd spread nationwide on Friday evening.

The big picture: Police responded in force in cities ranging from Atlanta to Des Moines, Houston to Detroit, Milwaukee to Washington, D.C. and Denver to Louisville. In Los Angeles, police declared a stretch of downtown off limits, with Oakland issuing a similar warning.

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Rashaan Ayesh

Updated 54 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Gov. Tim Walz to mobilize Minnesota's full National Guard

Photo: Steel Brooks/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced on Saturday he is activating the full National Guard to respond to street violence in Minneapolis that broke out during protests of a police encounter that left a black man, George Floyd, dead.

Why it matters: This is the first time the state has activated the full National Guard since World War II. " The Minnesota National Guard told Axios in an email that up to 10,000 soldiers and airmen would be deployed after all activations and processing are complete.

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