Aug 19, 2017

Trump weighs in on Boston protests

Evan Vucci / AP

Thousands marched in Boston today in opposition of a planned "free speech rally," which invited "libertarians, conservatives, traditionalists, classical liberals, (Donald) Trump supporters or anyone else who enjoys their right to free speech," according to a group calling itself the Boston Free Speech Coalition, per CNN.

This comes exactly one week after the white nationalist "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville last weekend. Trump had a terrible week of responding to the violent Charlottesville attack, but he quickly made a statement on Twitter about today's Boston protests:

Why it matters: Trump called for a "swift restoration of law and order" in his initial remarks about the Charlottesville rally last weekend. Today's response echoes that sentiment and, similar to his remarks on Tuesday doubling down on the "both sides" argument in which he only condemned the "alt-left," today Trump labeled the left-wing protestors as "anti-police agitators" deserving of "tough" police presence.

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Rebecca Falconer

Acting Navy head apologizes for calling fired captain "stupid"

Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly testifies on Capitol Hill in December. Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly apologized Monday for calling Capt. Brett Crozier, the ousted commander of the USS Theodore Roosevelt, "too naive or too stupid" over his letter pleading for help following a coronavirus outbreak onboard.

The big picture: His apology came after President Trump told a news briefing earlier Monday he would "get involved" following a leak of Modly's remarks to the ship's crew on Crozier, who has since been diagnosed with coronavirus, which were obtained by CNN.

Go deeperUpdated 20 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Axios

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Global: Total confirmed cases as of 9:30 p.m. ET: 1,346,299 — Total deaths: 74,679 — Total recoveries: 276,636 — Map.
U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 9:30 p.m. ET: 367,507— Total deaths: 10,908 — Total recoveries: 19,598 — Map.
2020 update: Wisconsin Supreme Court blocks governor's attempt to delay in-person primary voting delayed until June.
States latest: West Coast states send ventilators to New York and other states with more immediate need — Data suggest coronavirus curve may be flattening in New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.
World update: U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson moved to intensive care as coronavirus symptoms worsen.
Stocks latest: The S&P 500 closed up 7% on Monday, while the Dow rose more than 1,500 points.
What should I do? Pets, moving and personal health. Answers about the virus from Axios experts — What to know about social distancing — Q&A: Minimizing your coronavirus risk.
Other resources: CDC on how to avoid the virus, what to do if you get it.

Subscribe to Mike Allen's Axios AM to follow our coronavirus coverage each morning from your inbox.

Keep ReadingUpdated 26 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Rebecca Falconer

Former Vatican treasurer George Pell's sexual abuse convictions overturned

Cardinal George Pell at the County Court in Melbourne, Australia, in 2019. Photo: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

George Pell, the former Vatican treasurer, has won his appeal and had his child sexual abuse convictions overturned by Australia's High Court.

Why it matters: The cardinal became last year the highest-ranking Catholic Church official to go to trial and be convicted for sex abuse. But the High Court's ruling means he can be immediately released from prison, where he was serving a six-year sentence.

Go deeperUpdated 1 hour ago - World