Former President Obama tweeted a rare rebuke of President Trump on Tuesday over the current administration's rollback of Obama-era vehicle emissions standards.
What he said: "We've seen all too terribly the consequences of those who denied warnings of a pandemic," Obama tweeted, linking to a Los Angeles Times article addressing the rollback. "We can't afford any more consequences of climate denial. All of us, especially young people, have to demand better of our government at every level and vote this fall."
The Justice Department inspector general found errors in 29 out of 29 randomized FBI applications for acquiring wiretap warrants through the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, according to a report released Tuesday.
Why it matters: The broad DOJ audit of the FISA program stems from a damning investigation into the FBI's surveillance of former Trump campaign aide Carter Page, which uncovered "serious performance failures" by some FBI officials during the Russia probe. The IG's final findings come as Congress debates whether to renew the authority it grants to the FISA courts.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will headline a virtual town hall on Facebook Tuesday that will highlight the Trump administration's "failures" in responding to the coronavirus pandemic and outline a series of new health priorities that Democrats say are needed to stem the spread of COVID-19, advocacy group Health Care Voter tells Axios.
Why it matters: Discussions on the phase 4 stimulus bill are already underway now that the $2.2 trillion rescue package has been signed into law. Several Democrats, including Pelosi, who are participating in Tuesday evening's town hall, see the legislation as an opportunity to pass new health and economic policies that failed to make it into the last deal, Democratic aides on Capitol Hill tell Axios.
As the coronavirus outbreak persists, President Trump tweeted Tuesday about a $2 trillion bill "focused solely on jobs and rebuilding the once great infrastructure of our Country!"
Why it matters via Axios' Jonathan Swan: Trump has long wanted to pursue massive debt-funded infrastructure. However, he’s faced resistance from congressional Republicans. In a crisis, perhaps, he can overwhelm them.
Rep. Max Rose (D-N.Y.) will deploy to the National Guard for several weeks to help with coronavirus response efforts in New York, the epicenter of the crisis in the United States, his office announced Monday.
The big picture: Starting Wednesday, Rose will spend several weeks working as an operations officer in his home district of State Island. The 33-year-old previously served as an active-duty officer in Afghanistan from 2012 to 2013 and earned a Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Combat Infantry Badge.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Tuesday on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" that President Trump should "immediately" invoke the Defense Production Act to require U.S. companies to assemble medical equipment for health care workers fighting coronavirus.
Why it matters: Hospitals around the country lack medical equipment, like ventilators and respirators, as the number of Americans in need of treatment for the virus rises — and the wartime measure would ramp up production of the materials.
The coronavirus is providing cover to autocrats, dictators, and even some democratically-elected leaders who were already looking for reasons to undermine the independent media.
Driving the news: Recent examples show the press is being shut out by the government under the guise of stopping misinformation from spreading about the pandemic.
Scenes out of New York, including bleak hospital images played on Fox News, struck a nerve with President Trump and caused him to drop his aspiration of reopening America by Easter, senior administration officials tell Axios.
Between the lines: By the time the president's medical advisers showed him modeling on Sunday of predicted deaths, emotional and economic factors had been bearing on him for days.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) was repeatedly pressed by his brother Chris Cuomo on CNN Monday evening on whether he would consider running for president — and he consistently replied with a firm "no."
Why it matters: Cuomo has risen to national prominence during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Several Democrats have expressed presidential aspirations for him, even for the 2020 campaign. President Trump told "Fox and Friends" Monday he "wouldn't mind" if Cuomo did run, adding he thinks he's a "better candidate" than 2020 hopeful Joe Biden. Cuomo, for his part, said he "can't say enough good things" about Biden, whom he said was a "tremendous asset to the state of New York when he was the vice president."
Rep. Mark Meadows officially resigned from Congress on Monday, ahead of becoming the new White House chief of staff.
The big picture: Meadows announced last year his retirement from Congress and was named by President Trump as Mick Mulvaney's replacement earlier this month. Per Axios' Alayna Treene, Meadows has been actively preparing for the role during the transition period and has been working closely with Mulvaney. Alayna reported Sunday that he would formally start as Trump's new chief on Tuesday.
Idaho Gov. Brad Little (R) signed two anti-transgender bills on Monday — one limiting the ability of transgender people to participate in school sports and the other making it harder to change birth certificates, the Idaho Statesman reports.
Why it matters: The governor's signature, which came the day before International Transgender Day of Visibility, makes Idaho the first state to enact such legislation, though anti-transgender bills have been introduced in several states.
Two major outside Democratic groups launched a general election partnership to boost Joe Biden's presidential campaign with polling, opposition research and ads.
Why it matters: This is significant support — financially and in terms of resources — to get at a time when the novel coronavirus outbreak has pushed the election to the back burner for the country.
