Trump’s reported request for Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden is part of a secret whistleblower complaint over an alleged "promise" made between the president and an unnamed foreign leader, the New York Times reports.
The big picture: Many details about the whistleblower report, "submitted by a member of the intelligence community," per the Times, are still unknown. The Trump administration "has not shared the complaint with Congress, as is generally required by law," the Times reports.
Former Vice President Joe Biden called for President Trump to release a transcript of his July phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, amid reports that Ukraine is at the center of a whistleblower's complaint over Trump's contacts with a foreign leader.
"If these reports are true, then ... It means that he [Trump] used the power and resources of the United States to pressure a sovereign nation—a partner that is still under direct assault from Russia—pushing Ukraine to subvert the rule of law in the express hope of extracting a political favor."
President Trump is pushing the limits on how much Congress will tolerate of a president using his office to target political rivals.
Why it matters: Ukraine is reportedly at the center of a whistleblower's concerns over Trump's contact with a foreign leader, the WashPost and N.Y. Times report.
The Trump administration signed an asylum agreement with El Salvador on Friday, which could force Central American migrants who pass through the country to first seek asylum there or be sent back to the country once they reach the U.S..
Why it matters: The new agreement is the latest attempt to curtail Central Americans seeking asylum in the U.S.
The Trump administration froze some foreign aid intended to ease the impact of climate change in Guatemala despite evidence from one of its own agencies that it is a factor driving record Central American migration, NBC News reports.
The big picture: The White House has instead focused on stemming the flow of migrants by agreeing to use law enforcement measures, centered on sending U.S. officials, vehicles and equipment to Guatemala to stop immigrants from other countries from passing through on their way to the U.S.
Wall Street's fear of Elizabeth Warren puts its many never-Trumpers in an electoral pickle.
The big picture: Warren regularly aims her ire at professional financiers, whereas progressive rival Bernie Sanders is typically more generic in his "millionaires and billionaires" rhetoric.
Editor's note: De Blasiodropped outof contention for the Democratic presidential nomination on Sept. 20, 2019. Below is our original article on his candidacy.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is joining the crowded Democratic field for the 2020 presidency — making him the third mayor in the race and the second New Yorker. The mayor has gained some national recognition over the years for his progressive policies.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Friday that he is dropping out of the 2020 presidential race during an appearance on MSNBC's "Morning Joe."
The big picture: De Blasio gained recognition over the years for his progressive policies, but also drew criticism for focusing on his national profile more than the city he was elected to serve. Throughout the campaign, New York City issues came to the forefront, including when protestors infiltrated the second debate to demand he fire New York police officer Daniel Pantaleo over the 2014 killing of Eric Garner.
Small-dollar political donations have exploded this campaign cycle, thanks in large part to technology that makes it possible for candidates to target potential donors with cheap ads and easy-to-use online donation platforms.
Why it matters: A surge in fundraising for contributions under $200 has expanded the 2020 election field, propelling lesser-known candidates to the debate stage and political stardom.
Contest Every Race, a new coalition of Democratic groups, is launching a seven-figure campaign to challenge Republican incumbents in 26,849 down-ballot local races, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: 2020 is more than just the presidential election. Democrats are getting serious about trying to gain more power at the local level, whether through city council seats, school boards, or state legislatures.
Colombia expects the number of Venezuelan refugees within its borders to rise from an already staggering 1.4 million to 3 million by 2021 if the current crisis continues, Ambassador Francisco Santos told reporters at a briefing on Wednesday, adding, “to be very sincere, if it goes to 3 million, we don’t have the money.”
The big picture:Venezuela’s exodus now rivals Syria’s, and countries including Ecuador and Peru are taking steps to stem the flow of refugees. Not Colombia. “With this government, with this president, that’s going to be the policy: open doors,” Santos says.
An alleged promise made between a foreign leader and President Trump recently reported by a whistleblower is said to involve Ukraine, 2 people familiar with the issue said, per a Washington Post report confirmed by the New York Times.
The state of play: On Aug. 12, a whistleblower filed a complaint with intelligence community inspector general Michael Atkinson, which he deemed "credible and urgent within the definition of the law." While the nature of Trump's alleged "promise" remains unclear, he spoke with newly elected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky roughly 2 weeks before the complaint was submitted. Per the Post, that conversation is being investigated by House Democrats.
