Democrats are now acknowledging that the coronavirus may make it impossible to conduct the in-person convention in August that they'd envisioned, and they're taking steps to allow virtual or socially distanced elements.
Driving the news: The Democratic National Committee's Rules and Bylaws Committee meets Tuesday to consider a resolution giving the convention team "maximum flexibility to plan a safe event that guarantees every delegate can accomplish their official business without putting their own health at risk," per a DNC memo.
Joe Biden's campaign ties President Trump's coronavirus response to the U.S. economic downturn and death toll in a new digital ad previewed by Axios.
What they're saying: "Trump didn't want to upset the markets," the narrator says, adding, "Trump didn't build a great economy. His failure to lead destroyed one."
President Trump repeatedly declined at a press briefing to specify what crime he accused former President Obama of committing in a series of tweets over the weekend and Monday morning, telling reporters: "You know what the crime is. The crime is very obvious to everybody."
Why it matters: In the wake of the Justice Department's decision to drop charges against former national security adviser Michael Flynn, Trump has sent hundreds of tweets and retweets of conservative media — many of which use the phrase "Obamagate" — that allege the Russia investigation was a political hit job directed by the former president.
The White House Management Office sent a memo on Monday directing staff to wear face masks or facial coverings while moving throughout the West Wing, ABC News first reported.
Why it matters: The move underscores fears of the coronavirus spreading within the White House, after at least two aides — President Trump's valet and Vice President Mike Pence's press secretary Katie Miller — tested positive last week.
Bernie Sanders told the Washington Post during a live conversation on Monday that there is only a "very, very slim" chance that he would run for president again, noting that there will likely be "another candidate carrying the progressive banner" in 2024.
The big picture: The 78-year-old Vermont senator added that "the focus, not only of progressives, not only of Democrats, but independents, moderate Republicans, has got to be how we come together to defeat this very dangerous president."
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said Monday that she plans to follow a "modified quarantine plan" after her visit to the White House last week, reports the Des Moines Register.
The big picture: Reynolds joined a coronavirus task force meeting last Wednesday with Vice President Pence and his staff, including press secretary Katie Miller, who later tested positive for the coronavirus. Reynolds said she tested negative for the coronavirus this week and feels healthy, but will continue daily testing.
Almost 2,000 former Justice Department officials have signed onto a statement condemning the DOJ's decision to drop charges against former national security adviser Michael Flynn and calling on Attorney General Bill Barr to resign for "repeated assaults on the rule of law."
Why it matters: There has been intense backlash by Democrats and many career prosecutors over Barr's interventions in criminal cases against President Trump's allies. Barr denied doing "the president's bidding" in an interview with CBS News last week, arguing that "partisan feelings are so strong that people have lost any sense of justice."
The Department of Justice announced Monday it is "assessing all of the evidence to determine whether federal hate crimes charges are appropriate" in the killing of Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old Georgia black man who was shot while out jogging.
Why it matters: Cellphone video that appears to show his shooting sparked a national outcry. President Trump called the video "disturbing" and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden called for a "swift, full, and transparent investigation" into his Arbery's death.
A restaurant in Castle Rock, Colorado, reopened on Sunday, serving hundreds of customers Mother's Day meals with no social-distancing measures despite the state's "safer-at-home" coronavirus-linked executive order, Colorado Community Media first reported.
The big picture: It's the latest example of small businesses shirking their states' coronavirus restrictions — and going viral in the process. April Arellano, the owner of C & C Coffee & Kitchen, told the outlet that the restaurant opened to "support the Constitution and stand up for what is right."
Joe Biden called President Trump's plans to reopen the economy a "false choice that none of us should fall for" designed to stoke partisan tensions to deflect from his administration's public-health failings in a Washington Post op-ed.
What he's saying: "If we're going to have thriving workplaces, restaurants, stores and parks, we need widespread testing. Trump can’t seem to provide it — to say nothing of worker safety protocols, consistent health guidelines or clear federal leadership to coordinate a responsible reopening," the former vice president wrote.
Even after the White House's delayed response to the coronavirus outbreak, unprecedented job losses and a bruising recession, investors and betting markets are still putting their money on President Trump to win re-election.
The big picture: Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden holds a sizable lead in most national and individual swing state polls — but money managers expect Trump to retake the White House in November.
Forces behind a “Vote Early Day 2020” initiative are launching a paid media campaign this week to get U.S. companies to encourage people to seek absentee ballots or vote early in person amid the coronavirus threat.
Driving the news: Businesses, advocates and bipartisan election officials behind the effort will run a $100,000 ad on Tuesday in the Wall Street Journal addressed "Dear CEOs and Business Leaders," organizers tell Axios.
On the most recent episode of "Axios on HBO," Axios co-founder Mike Allen and Vice President Mike Pence discussed whether people should be wearing masks in the White House after two staffers tested positive for the coronavirus.
The West Wing mandated face masks on Monday, with exceptions for President Trump and Pence.
President Trump followed up on Sunday evening his previous night's tweetstorm on the investigations into his campaign's alleged ties to Russia with more tweets and retweets on the matter. And he lashed out at former President Obama in some posts — days after his predecessor criticized him.
The big picture: Trump addressed Obama's comments that were leaked to Yahoo News calling his response to the novel coronavirus pandemic a "chaotic disaster" and warning the "rule of law is at risk" over the Justice Department dropping of charges against former national security adviser Michael Flynn.
Adm. Michael Gilday, chief of naval operations, is self-quarantining against the novel coronavirus following contact with a family member who tested positive for the virus, the Pentagon said in a statement to news outlets Sunday.
The big picture: A Navy official told CNN that Gilday had tested negative for COVID-19 and was taking the action as a precautionary measure. Gen. Joseph Lengyel will have a third test Monday after an earlier one indicated he'd tested positive and another showed a negative reading, per Reuters. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Anthony Fauci, FDA commissioner Stephen Hahn and CDC director Robert Redfiel have also self-quarantined after contact with people who tested positive.
Senate Health Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) is going into self-quarantine after a staff member tested positive for the novel coronavirus, his office said in a statement on Sunday.
Why it matters: Alexander's committee is due to hold a COVID-19 hearing on Tuesday on safely returning to work and school. Anthony Fauci, FDA commissioner Stephen Hahn, CDC director Robert Redfiel are due to testify remotely after coming in "low risk" contact with a White House staffer who tested positive for the virus. The three health officials are all self-quarantining.
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