President Trump threatened Wednesday to force Congress into a formal recess so that he can make recess appointments, claiming that the lack of permanent positions filled in his administration has made it "very hard" to govern, especially during the pandemic.
Why it matters: Trump told the Senate to either "fulfill its duty and vote on my nominees" or formally adjourn so that he can make recess appointments, attacking the chamber for using "scam" pro forma sessions in which it convenes briefly.
Protestors stormed the state Capitol on Wednesday in response to Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's stringent stay-at-home order, NBC News reports.
The latest: TheMichigan Conservative Coalition and the Michigan Freedom Fund organized the event, designated "Operation Gridlock." Coordinators invited participants to instigate traffic jams — writing on Facebook: "Do not park and walk — stay in your vehicles!"
A sailor on the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt died this week from COVID-19, and nearly 600 sailors on the ship have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
Why it matters: The effective loss of one of the U.S. Navy's prime assets because of the spreading pandemic underscores the threat infectious disease poses to American military readiness — and the failure of the national defense establishment to prepare for it.
Unauthorized immigrants in California can apply to receive $500 of coronavirus relief provided by the state starting in May, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday.
Why it matters: The undocumented population was left out of the federal cash assistance provided in the CARES Act passed by Congress. They also do not qualify for unemployment insurance benefits.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said Wednesday that large gatherings in the city, including sporting events and concerts, could be delayed until 2021 due to the coronavirus outbreak, the Los Angeles Times reports.
The big picture: Cities and states are grappling with plans to restart their economies while maintaining public health. Garcetti said in a conference call with his staff that reopening should begin with "essential businesses and small businesses ... phased in over a period of time [6-10 months]," per the Times.
The Supreme Court is slated to hear President Trump's financial records cases by teleconference on May 12.
The big picture: The cases involve Trump's attempts to defy subpoenas from House Democrats and New York prosecutors seeking to view his financial records and tax returns as part of various investigations.
Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) "owes everybody in North Carolina and the United States an explanation" after his February stock sell-off that followed private briefings on the coronavirus outbreak, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) told radio host Hugh Hewitt Wednesday.
Why it matters: It's a rare condemnation from Burr's fellow North Carolina senator. FewRepublicans, including Rep. Matt Gaetz (Fla.), have spoken out against Burr or Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.), who also came under fire for dumping stocks just before the pandemic hit the U.S.
Senate Democratic leadership announced Wednesday a plan, authored by Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), that calls for $30 billion in emergency funds to bolster national coronavirus testing and contact tracing.
A group of 91 Democratic lawmakers is calling on the Trump administration to halt border wall construction during the coronavirus pandemic.
Driving the news: The lawmakers, led by Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Tex.) and Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), are making their case in letters being sent today to agency heads at the Departments of Homeland Security (DHS), Justice and Defense.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) told Politico Playbook on Wednesday that her team and former Vice President Joe Biden's campaign are having "policy conversations," and a source familiar told Axios that AOC and Biden have not yet spoken directly.
Why it matters: The freshman representative hasn't endorsed Biden, and in a New York Times interview published Monday, Ocasio-Cortez said the “process of coming together should be uncomfortable for everyone involved.”
Andrew Yang, the founder of Humanity First and a former 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, did not deny that he was considering a run for New York City mayor in 2021 during an Axios virtual event on Wednesday.
The big picture: Yang, who first floated the idea to BuzzFeed News last month, called the position "a high-impact role" and said that he "wants to help solve the problems that are coming down the pike" that have been accelerated by the coronavirus crisis, noting Humanity First's work in the Bronx.
Andrew Yang, the founder of Humanity Forward and a former 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, brushed off the cost concerns of an expanded coronavirus stimulus package for all Americans, calling the situation a "$21 trillion fire" during an Axios virtual event Wednesday.
The state of play: Yang reiterated his call for a $2,000-per-month stimulus — far more than the one-time $1,200 payment included in the last stimulus package — for every American for the duration of the coronavirus crisis, saying that the country needs to "make very dramatic moves to allow millions of Americans to have, frankly, the knowledge that they can feed their families in the days to come."
UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Tuesday denounced President Trump's announcement that he's suspending U.S. funding to the World Health Organization over its handing of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The big picture: Trump has faced widespread backlash to his decision to halt funding in the middle of the pandemic, with the conservative Heritage Foundation and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce among the outside groups that have called the move a mistake.
The Pentagon's inspector general reported Wednesday that the White House did not influence the Defense Department's decision to award a $10 billion cloud-computing contract to Microsoft over Amazon, CNBC reports.
Why it matters: Amazon sued the department last year, claiming that President Trump influenced the decision by repeatedly and publicly criticizing the company and its CEO, Jeff Bezos.
The state of Washington sued Facebook on Tuesday, saying that the social network continues to sell political advertising in the state despite an agreement not to do so.
Why it matters: While Facebook continues to accept political advertising in most places, it had said it would stop selling such ads in Washington rather than comply with the state's strict disclosure law.
Stacey Abrams told Elle she would be "honored" to be Joe Biden's vice presidential pick, arguing that she has "the capacity to attract voters by motivating typically ignored communities."
Flashback: Biden advisers pondered packaging his campaign announcement last year with a pledge to choose Abrams as his running mate, as Axios' Mike Allen reported, and the former vice president has since committed to choosing a woman for the slot.
Why it matters: Warren's progressive vision for the future and detailed plans could help Biden build a bridge to the Sanders wing of the party he needs to turn out.
People losing their employer-based health insurance in the coronavirus economy would find a pretty stable Affordable Care Act market if they need it — not that the Trump administration is advertising that fact.
Why it matters: ACA plans will be an important backstop for some newly uninsured people, many of whom could likely find affordable coverage on the law's insurance marketplaces.
An appeals court on Tuesday upheld a 2007 deal between Jeffrey Epstein and prosecutors allowing him to avoid federal sex trafficking charges — denying an effort by one of his accusers to challenge the action in a lawsuit.
The big picture: A judge ruled last year that federal prosecutors in Florida violated the law by striking the deal. "It's not a result we like, but it's the result we think the law requires," a panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals wrote in its opinion following the 2-1 ruling. A lawyer for Courtney Wild, who's spoken of being molested by Epstein at age 14, said in a statement they plan to file a petition for a rehearing.
President Trump announced Tuesday that the U.S. is placing a hold on funding to the World Health Organization for 60–90 days over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic, pending a review.
Driving the news: Trump accused the WHO of "severely mismanaging and covering up" the coronavirus crisis, adding that the U.S. "has a duty to insist on full accountability."
President Trump's name will be added to printed coronavirus stimulus checks that are set to begin rolling out next month, per the Washington Post.
Why it matters: It will be the first time an IRS disbursement features a presidential signature. But the president does not hold authorization to sign disbursements by the U.S. Treasury, so Trump's name will be placed in the memo line instead.
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam this week signed multiple criminal justice bills, including one that eliminates jail time for possession of marijuana in the state, making the offense a civil penalty and fine.
Why it matters: Virginia becomes the 27th state to legalize or decriminalize marijuana. "These bills combat mass incarceration, increase support for returning citizens, and ensure that those who have paid their debt to society have a meaningful second chance," he said in a statement.
