Mar 17, 2019

Mick Mulvaney: No one can say Trump is anti-Muslim

Marisa Fernandez

Acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney took to the Sunday cable talk shows to defend President Trump against allegations that his rhetoric or policies somehow played a role in the mass shooting by a white supremacist in New Zealand on Friday, saying on CBS' "Face the Nation," "I don't think anybody could say that the president is anti-Muslim."

Details: Pressed by host Margaret Brennan about Trump's call during the campaign to ban Muslims from entering the United States, Mulvaney said, "Take the words and put them in one category, and take the actions and put them in another." He pointed to Trump's work in defense of religious minorities all around the world, "including in the Middle East."

  • Reality check: Muslims are not in a minority in any Middle Eastern country besides Israel.

The big picture: During a press conference on Friday, President Trump denied that white nationalism is becoming a threat around the world. He also failed to specifically mention or condemn the targeting of Muslims in the New Zealand shooting in his statement extending condolences. In a series of tweets on Sunday, Trump defended Fox News host Jeanine Pirro, who was suspended by the network after making anti-Muslim comments about Rep. Ilhan Omar.

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Marisa Fernandez

Alaska becomes latest state to issue coronavirus stay-at-home order

Data: Axios reporting; Map: Danielle Alberti/Axios

All Alaskans in the state are under a mandate to "remain at their place of residence and practice social distancing" except for those engaged in essential services, including health care and government functions.

The big picture: This is the latest state to announce policies to enforce social distancing. More than 1.5 billion people worldwide were asked to stay home Monday.

Go deeperArrowUpdated 2 mins ago - Health
Dave Lawler

Hungary's Viktor Orbán granted sweeping powers amid coronavirus crisis

Viktor Orbán. Photo: Michal Cizek/AFP via Getty Images

Hungary's parliament passed a law Monday to allow Prime Minister Viktor Orbán almost unlimited power, for an indefinite period, to fight the coronavirus outbreak.

Why it matters: Hungary has taken a sharply authoritarian turn over the past decade under Orbán, and its likely that he and other strongman leaders around the world will seek to maintain powers they gain during the current crisis long after it's over.

Go deeperArrow37 mins ago - World
Axios

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 9:30 a.m. ET: 737,929 — Total deaths: 35,019 — Total recoveries: 156,507.
  2. U.S.: Leads the world in cases. Total confirmed cases as of 9:30 a.m. ET: 143,055 — Total deaths: 2,513 — Total recoveries: 4,865.
  3. Federal government latest: The White House will extend its social distancing guidelines until April 30.
  4. Trump latest: The president brushed aside allegations that China is spreading misinformation about the origin of the coronavirus on "Fox & Friends."
  5. Business updates: Americans are calm about their retirement savings despite coronavirus fallout.
  6. World updates: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will self-isolate after an aide tested positive for coronavirus.
  7. What should I do? Answers about the virus from Axios experts — What to know about social distancing — Q&A: Minimizing your coronavirus risk
  8. Other resources: CDC on how to avoid the virus, what to do if you get it.

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Keep ReadingArrowUpdated 48 mins ago - Politics & Policy