Feb 2, 2017

Pelosi: Democrats want to return the favor for Merrick Garland

J. Scott Applewhite / AP

Axios caught up with Nancy Pelosi on Capitol Hill today. The House Minority Leader told us she wasn't worried about political backlash if Democrats obstruct Trump's Supreme Court.

In our caucus, yes, our members want to see the same standard that they applied to President Obama [with Merrick Garland] applied to the President.

Why this matters: We reported yesterday that Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, aren't afraid of the political fallout from forcing Republicans to use the so-called "nuclear option" to confirm Judge Neil Gorsuch. The House members are in closer touch with the Democratic base, which is energized and calling for total opposition to Trump.

As Pelosi's message makes clear: When it comes to the Supreme Court, Democrats see political value in forcing a fight (even though they know it's one they'll ultimately lose.)

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Axios
Updated 23 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 2 p.m. ET: 6,800,604 — Total deaths: 396,591 — Total recoveries — 2,785,268 — Map.
  2. U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 2 p.m. ET: 1,908,235 — Total deaths: 109,443 — Total recoveries: 491,706 — Total tested: 19,231,444 — Map.
  3. Public health: Some people are drinking and inhaling cleaning products in attempt to fight coronavirus — Fauci: "Very concerned" about spread of virus amid George Floyd protests — Cities offer free testing for protesters.
  4. Tech: The pandemic is accelerating next-generation disease diagnostics — Robotics looks to copy software-as-a-service model as use of robots accelerates.
  5. Business: Sports, film production in California to resume June 12 after 3-month hiatus
  6. Education: Students and teachers flunked remote learning.
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Rebecca Falconer, Orion Rummler, Rashaan Ayesh
Updated 28 mins ago - Politics & Policy

George Floyd updates

A protester holds a placard reading "Covid kills People, Racism kills Communities" as they attend a demonstration in Manchester, northern England, on June 6, to show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement in the wake of the killing of George Floyd. Photo: Paul Ellis/Contributor.

Thousands are gathering for a day of protests in Washington, D.C., almost two weeks after George Floyd's killing. Protesters in Australia and Europe staged anti-racism demonstrations on Saturday as well.

What's happening: A memorial service for Floyd is taking place in Raeford, North Carolina — near where he was born. Gov. Roy Cooper ordered all flags to fly at half-staff to honor Floyd until sunset. Thousands of demonstrators have gathered in Philadelphia and Chicago.

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Rashaan Ayesh
3 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Buffalo police officers arrested after shoving 75-year-old protester

Photo: Mike Desmond/WBFO via AP

Two Buffalo police officers were charged with assault on Saturday after a video emerged of them shoving a 75-year-old protester while clearing a demonstration in the wake of George Floyd's killing, AP reports, citing prosecutors.

The state of play: Both officers pleaded not guilty to second-degree assault, and were released without bail. After the law enforcement officers were initially suspended without pay on Friday, all 57 officers on the Buffalo Police Department's Emergency Response Team resigned in a show of support for their fellow officers' suspensions.

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