Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday

Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday

May 10, 2017

The firing of James Comey

Cliff Owen / AP

President Trump fired FBI Director James Comey today, and we're working to get everyone up to speed:

BREAKING: "Grand jury subpoenas issued in FBI's Russia investigation: CNN reports that it learned of federal subpoenas seeking business records related to Michael Flynn in the hours before Comey's firing. We're updating along, live.
The basics: Trump wrote in a letter to Comey that while he appreciated their three previously undisclosed conversations during which Comey had told Trump there was no FBI probe into Russia, he had lost faith in his ability to lead the Bureau. The cited reason: his handling of the Clinton email probe. More questions answered in a post with rolling updates, here.
Full timeline: How Comey got fired.
The reactions: Lawmakers and activists, ranging from Chuck Schumer to John McCain to the ACLU to Edward Snowden, have weighed in.
The Nixon thing: Democrats have seized on a theme to react to the news.
The Russia thing: The calls are pouring in to appoint a special investigation on Russia, in light of this firing. Justin Amash called Trump's comments to Comey "bizarre."
Clintonworld sounds the alarm: They're concerned about the future of the Russia investigation.
Read the letters yourself: If you want to see the letters, we've got them embedded.

Go deeper

Rebecca Falconer

Updated 47 mins ago - Axios Twin Cities

In photos: Thousands rally for George Floyd ahead of Derek Chauvin's trial

Demonstrators on March 7 outside the Hennepin County Government Center, where the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, charged with murdering George Floyd, will begin in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photo: Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images

Thousands of protesters marched through Minneapolis' streets Sunday, urging justice for George Floyd on the eve of the start of former police officer Derek Chauvin's trial over the 46-year-old's death, per AFP.

The big picture: Chauvin faces charges for second-degree murder and manslaughter over Floyd's death last May, which ignited massive nationwide and global protests against racism and for police reform. His trial is due to start Monday, with jury selection procedures.

See photos (<1 min. read)

Caitlin Owens, author of Vitals

5 hours ago - Health

Pfizer CEO feels "liberated" after taking COVID vaccine

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla. Photo: "Axios on HBO"

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla tells "Axios on HBO" that he recently received his first of two doses of the company's coronavirus vaccine.

Why it matters: Bourla told CNBC in December that company polling found that one of the most effective ways to increase confidence in the vaccine was to have the CEO take it.

Go deeper (1 min. read)

Dan Primack, author of Pro Rata

5 hours ago - Economy & Business

Ripple CEO: SEC lawsuit is "bad for crypto" in the U.S.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse tells "Axios on HBO" that if his company loses a lawsuit brought by U.S. regulators, it would put the country at a competitive disadvantage when it comes to cryptocurrencies.

Between the lines: The SEC in December sued Ripple, and Garlinghouse personally, for allegedly selling over $1.3 billion in unregistered securities. Ripple's response is that its cryptocurrency, called XRP, didn't require registration because it's an asset rather than a security.

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