Mar 26, 2019

George Papadopoulos formally applies for Trump pardon

George Papadopoulos. Photo: Alex Wroblewski/Getty Images

Former Trump campaign aide George Papadopoulos, who served a 12-day prison sentence after being charged by the Mueller investigation for lying to the FBI, told Reuters on Tuesday that his lawyers have formally applied for a pardon from President Trump.

The big picture: In May 2016, Papadopoulos drunkenly told an Australian diplomat that he had been informed by a mysterious Maltese professor that Russia had "dirt" on Hillary Clinton — prompting the FBI to launch a counterintelligence investigation into the Trump campaign's ties to Russia. Papadopoulos says the lies he told the FBI about his interactions with the professor were unintentional and that he was pressured by investigators into signing the plea deal, which he is now considering withdrawing.

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Coronavirus dashboard

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Global: Total confirmed cases as of 7 p.m. ET: 855,007 — Total deaths: 42,032 — Total recoveries: 176,714.
U.S.: Leads the world in confirmed cases. Total confirmed cases as of 7 p.m. ET: 186,265 — Total deaths: 3,810 — Total recoveries: 6,910.
Business updates: Should you pay your rent or mortgage during the coronavirus pandemic? Find out if you are protected under the CARES Act.
Public health updates: More than 400 long-term care facilities across the U.S. report patients with coronavirus — Older adults and people with underlying health conditions are more at risk, new data shows.
Federal government latest: President Trump said the next two weeks would be "very painful" on Tuesday, with projections indicating the virus could kill 100,000–240,000 Americans. The White House and other institutions are observing several models to help prepare for when COVID-19 is expected to peak in the U.S.
U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt: Captain of nuclear aircraft carrier docked in Guam pleaded with the U.S. Navy for more resources after more than 100 members of his crew tested positive.
What should I do? Answers about the virus from Axios experts — What to know about social distancing — Q&A: Minimizing your coronavirus risk.
Other resources: CDC on how to avoid the virus, what to do if you get it.

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White House projects 100,000 to 240,000 U.S. coronavirus deaths

President Trump said at a press briefing on Tuesday that the next two weeks in the U.S. will be "very painful" and that he wants "every American to be prepared for the days that lie ahead," before giving way to Deborah Birx to explain the models informing the White House's new guidance on the coronavirus.

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