Feb 9, 2017

Trump lashes out over "disheartening" Gorsuch story

Carolyn Kaster / AP

The presidential response has arrived to Neil Gorsuch, Trump's SCOTUS nominee, telling Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal that he found Trump's "so-called judge" tweet "disheartening" and "demoralizing."

Sen.Richard Blumenthal, who never fought in Vietnam when he said for years he had (major lie),now misrepresents what Judge Gorsuch told him? — @realdonaldtrump

Checking these two claims: 1) The first part of Trump's tweet refers to 2010, when Blumenthal admitted his claims about serving in Vietnam were not truthful. Like Trump, the Democratic Senator obtained five draft deferments during the war, and Blumenthal entered the Marine Reserve in 1970, ensuring he wouldn't go to Vietnam. 2) But Trump's claim that Blumenthal misrepresented Gorsuch's claim doesn't make much sense. Ron Bonjean, the Republican communicator who is representing Gorsuch, confirmed the story yesterday to CNN.

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Rebecca Falconer

Deadly clashes erupt in Delhi ahead of Trump's visit

Rival protesters over the Citizenship Amendment Act in Delhi, India, on Monday. Photo: Yawar Nazir/ Getty Images

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called for calm Tuesday as deadly clashes erupted in the city's northeast between supporters and opponents of India's controversial new citizenship law.

Why it matters: Per the BBC, a police officer and six civilians "died in the capital's deadliest day" since last year's passing of the Citizenship Amendment Act — which allows religious minorities but excludes Muslims from nearby countries to become citizens if they can show they were persecuted for their religion — hours before President Trump and members of the U.S. first family were due to visit the city as part of their visit to India.

Go deeper: India's citizenship bill continues Modi's Hindu nationalist offensive

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Rebecca Falconer

South Carolina paper The State backs Buttigieg for Democratic primary

Democratic presidential candidate and former South Bend Pete Buttigieg speaks at an event in Charleston, South Carolina on Monday. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images

South Carolina newspaper The State endorsed former Southbend Mayor Pete Buttigieg on Monday night for the state's Democratic primary.

Why it matters: It's a welcome boost for Buttigieg ahead of Tuesday's Democratic debate in South Carolina and the state's primary on Saturday.

Go deeper1 hour ago - Politics & Policy

Axios

White House requests $2.5 billion to fight coronavirus as U.S. cases rise

Data: The Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins, the CDC, and China's Health Ministry. Note: China numbers are for the mainland only and U.S. numbers include repatriated citizens.

The Trump administration sent a letter to Congress Monday requesting a funding commitment of at least $2.5 billion to help combat the spread of the novel coronavirus, as the number of confirmed cases in the U.S. rose to 53.

The big picture: As South Korea and Italy stepped up emergency measures in efforts to thwart the spread of the virus, WHO expressed concern about infections with no clear link to China. COVID-19 has killed at least 2,699 people and infected more than 80,000 others, with all but 27 deaths occurring in mainland China.

Go deeperUpdated 2 hours ago - Health