Jun 6, 2017

What Trump will be doing during the Comey testimony

Evan Vucci / AP

President Trump has scheduled a speech to religious conservatives for 12:30pm EST on Thursday, the AP reports. That means the speech is likely to fall during James Comey's highly-anticipated testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Flashback: This is part of the Trump playbook. He once held a televised fundraiser for veterans during a primary election debate he had boycotted.
Watch your Twitter feed: Comey's testimony will begin at 10am, and Trump will almost certainly be watching. Per the Washington Post's Robert Costa, he'll also be on Twitter: "I'm told by two WH sources that Pres. Trump... may live tweet if he feels the need to respond."
Why it matters: Comey is expected to confirm that Trump asked him to ease up on his investigation of Michael Flynn. Responding to his testimony in real time, and without consultation from aides or lawyers, is a risky move.

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Jennifer A. Kingson

5 mins ago - Economy & Business

A big hiring pledge from New York CEOs

Illustration: Rebecca Zisser/Axios

Leaders of more than two dozen of the New York City area's largest employers — including JPMorgan Chase, Ernst & Young, IBM, McKinsey & Company and Accenture — aim to hire 100,000 low-income residents and people of color by 2030 and will help prep them for tech jobs.

Why it matters: As the city's economy has boomed, many New Yorkers have been left behind — particularly during the pandemic. The hiring initiative marks an unusual pact among firms, some of them competitors, to address systemic unemployment.

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Axios

Updated 23 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios

Global: Total confirmed cases as of 9:30 p.m. ET: 20,004,254 — Total deaths: 733,929 — Total recoveries — 12,209,226 — Map.
U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 9:30 p.m. ET: 5,088,516 — Total deaths: 163,400 — Total recoveries: 1,670,755 — Total tests: 62,513,174 — Map.
Politics: Trump claims he would have not called for Obama to resign over 160,000 virus deaths — House will not hold votes until Sept. 14 unless stimulus deal is reached.
Business: Richer Americans are more comfortable eating out.
Public health: 5 states set single-day coronavirus case records last week — A dual coronavirus and flu threat is set to deliver a winter from hell.
Sports: The cost of kids losing gym class — College football is on the brink.
World: Europe's CDC recommends new restrictions amid "true resurgence in cases."

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Alexi McCammond

54 mins ago - Politics & Policy

AOC to speak at Dem convention

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez during an April a press conference in Queens, New York City. Photo: Scott Heins/Getty Images)

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will speak at the Democratic convention next week ahead of Sen. Bernie Sanders' appearance on the Tuesday night, CNN first reported and Axios has confirmed

Why it matters: Her involvement is a strategic decision to energize young progressives without tying former Vice President Joe Biden too closely or directly with her agenda.