Trump’s Ineptitude Is No Joke
The administration’s missteps continue unabated. Plus, Jonathan Bernstein’s morning links.
By
637
July 3, 2018, 12:34 AM GMT+10
We’re not laughing, either. Photographer: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
It’s hard to imagine a better quick story summing up the Donald Trump administration than the one that broke Sunday night about a bill the White House was preparing to, as Jonathan Swan at Axios put it, “declare America’s abandonment of fundamental World Trade Organization rules” by giving the president authority to unilaterally break those rules.
Let’s see …
The policy is nuts; virtually all experts, both in trade and in foreign policy, believe global trade is very good for the U.S.
In fact, according to Swan’s reporting, almost everyone in the White House thinks the bill “is unrealistic or unworkable.”
Why does it exist, then? Because Trump ordered it, and sometimes the best way to mollify a president is to give him what he wants — very slowly, and without anything actually happening. Apparently this thing has been kicking around for months.
The bill has virtually no chance whatsoever of being enacted into law.
The draft bill has a title, the United States Fair and Reciprocal Tariff Act, which yields an acronym that had every Twitter wag making fart jokes Sunday night.
On that last point, political scientist Brendan Nyhan made the crucial point: There are actually two perfectly plausible explanations. The ridiculous title could be just another sign of an administration that routinely botches basic tasks; after all, official White House communications have been plagued by typos ever since Trump took office, and just a few days ago a prankster claiming to be New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez managed to get a call through to the president. But it’s equally possible it was a malicious effort to undermine the policy by someone in the White House or an executive-branch agency; all administrations leak, but none before this have leaked so often with information that looked this bad for the president.
So to summarize: The president ordered something inept; he’s not going to get what he wanted; and everyone in the administration has egg on their faces over it.
What’s even more amazing about this is that Trump seems to be oblivious to all of it. For all we know, he really thinks that North Korea is giving up its nuclear weapons (it isn’t), the border wall is under construction (nope), and that he’s going to get his Space Force (seems extremely unlikely, even if Trump thinks wars against the Pentagon bureaucracy are good and easy to win).
He remains such a weak president that he has to select a Supreme Court nominee from a list supplied by an interest group. But he doesn’t appear to realize it — and he certainly isn’t demonstrating any ability to change the situation. Meanwhile, he’ll just keep ordering people to do things that (most of the time at least) will never happen, while the few competent people he’s somehow managed to put in place will continue to do things in his name whether he likes it or not. I could add a fart joke, but the whole thing really isn’t very funny.
1. Stephanie Carvin at the Monkey Cage on Trump and Canadian foreign policy.
2. Seth Masket takes me to task over the importance of hypocrisy. Where I’d agree with him is that I do think it’s important, as he says, for politicians to offer reasons for the things they do — reasons more public-oriented than simply doing it because they want to.
3. My Bloomberg Opinion colleague Brooke Sutherland on GM and Trump’s trade war.
4. Alec MacGillis on Mitch McConnell’s legacy.
5. Jonathan Chait on Lawrence Kudlow and the federal budget deficit. The update at the bottom is the best part.
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This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.
To contact the author of this story:
Jonathan Bernstein at jbernstein62@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story:
Brooke Sample at bsample1@bloomberg.net
Tuesday, July 3, 2018
Cohen’s Next Phase, Manafort’s Trial Looms: Trump Legal Update - Bloomberg
Cohen’s Next Phase, Manafort’s Trial Looms: Trump Legal Update
Bloomberg News
July 2, 2018, 6:00 PM GMT+10
House Republicans (still) want to shut down the probe into Russian election meddling. President Donald Trump’s former campaign chairman Paul Manafort -- facing trial this month on fraud charges -- told a judge that government leaks to reporters were meant to bias jurors against him. And lawyers for Trump’s onetime fixer Michael Cohen, who’s being scrutinized in a separate criminal investigation, finished a review of seized evidence for records that they claim are protected by the attorney-client privilege.
These are just a few of the developments during the past week in the legal cases entangling the president. Here’s a recap of where things stand and what to watch in the coming week:
Cohen’s Next Phase
For a case involving an FBI investigation, a fixer for the future president and an adult film star, it was a quiet week for Cohen. The exception was a suggestive selfie of Cohen and actor Tom Arnold, who says he’s producing a TV series critical of Trump. The photo, posted to Twitter by Arnold, stirred speculation that Cohen was turning on Trump. Otherwise, developments in that probe were limited to courtroom procedures.
Federal agents are completing their review of millions of items seized by the FBI during an April raid of Cohen’s home, hotel room and office. Cohen’s lawyers said last week that they had completed their review. Cohen asked a retired judge appointed to oversee the process to withhold about 12,000 files from the government, saying they were covered by the attorney-client privilege.
The investigation is focused on Cohen’s business activities. He presumably learned a great deal about Trump’s dealings in the years he worked for the Trump Organization -- making it especially risky for the president if Cohen opts to cooperate with investigators. The company has until Thursday to complete its own review of the seized evidence.
Here are some of the most recent stories on Cohen’s travails:
Trump Organization Must End Cohen Document Review by July 5
Michael Cohen Lawyer Completed Review of Files Seized by FBI
Mueller Probe
Republican criticism of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election and possible collusion by the Trump campaign was intense last week, as the House approved a Republican-backed resolution demanding the Justice Department turn over all remaining documents sought by congressional committees related to the investigation. It was the latest attempt by Trump’s Republican allies to derail the probe, which they contend has been a political witch hunt from the beginning.
Representative Mark Meadows, a North Carolina Republican who co-sponsored the resolution, said on the House floor that “when we get these documents, we believe that it will do away with this whole fiasco of what they call the Russian collusion investigation because there wasn’t any!”
On Wednesday, FBI agent Peter Strzok, who has been accused of bias by Trump and his supporters, appeared for closed-door questioning before two House committees as part of their investigation “into decisions made by the Department of Justice in 2016” intended to undermine Mueller’s probe. Lawmakers who heard Strzok defend his actions later said he was grilled about his text messages to a former colleague, including one that said he’d “stop” Trump from becoming president.
The special counsel’s team has indicted 20 people and three Russian companies, secured five guilty pleas -- with several of Trump’s former associates also agreeing to cooperate with the probe.
Here are some of recent stories on Mueller’s investigation:
Russian Firm Tied to Putin’s Cook Attacks Mueller in Filing
Mueller Poised to Zero In on Trump-Russia Collusion Allegations
Mueller Seeks to Secure Troll Evidence From ‘Putin’s Chef’
Mueller Wins Key Victory as Manafort Judge Upholds Authority
Ex-Roger Stone Aide Fighting Mueller Subpoena, His Lawyer Says
Manafort Gives Mueller a Win
Paul ManafortPhotographer: Zach Gibson/Bloomberg
Manafort, Trump’s onetime campaign manager, will have the distinction later his month of being the first person to go on trial in a case stemming from Mueller’s investigation. Manafort’s attempt to have the case thrown out on the grounds that Mueller lacked authority instead gave the special counsel a key victory when a federal judge on June 26 ruled the tax- and bank-fraud charges had been filed properly.
The ruling cleared the way for Manafort to go to trial on July 25 in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, where he’s accused of cheating banks and failing to pay taxes on income he earned as a political consultant for pro-Russian groups in Ukraine. Manafort, 69, faces a separate trial in Washington in September on charges of acting as an unregistered agent of Ukraine, laundering money and obstructing justice.
Mueller’s prosecutors acted properly because the crimes charged “clearly arise out of the special counsel’s investigation into the payments defendant allegedly received from Russian-backed leaders and pro-Russian political officials,” U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III wrote in the 31-page opinion.
The cases against Manafort relate to his business dealings before he joined Trump’s campaign, but some legal experts say Mueller may be trying to pressure him to cooperate in the larger probe.
Here are some of recent stories on Mueller’s investigation and a link to the Special Counsel site:
Reporters Gave Tip on Manafort Storage Unit, FBI Agent Says
Manafort Reported $10 Million Loan From Russian Oligarch in 2010
Manafort Appeals Dismissal of Suit Disputing Mueller’s Authority
Mueller Wins Key Victory as Manafort Judge Upholds Authority
The Porn Star v. the President
The most sensational case against Trump was brought by Stephanie Clifford, an adult-film actress who performs as Stormy Daniels. She says she had a tryst with Trump in 2006 and was threatened and manipulated to cover it up.
Stephanie Clifford and Michael AvenattiPhotographer: Wes Bruer/Bloomberg
Clifford last week challenged a request by Cohen to gag her lawyer, Michael Avenatti, from discussing the lawsuit against Trump and his longtime personal attorney, who paid her $130,000 in October 2016 to keep quiet about the alleged sexual encounter.
Cohen previously got a 90-day hold placed on the lawsuit to protect his right against self-incrimination in the criminal probe.
Avenatti has said he wants to question Trump under oath. The California lawyer has kept the scandal alive with television appearances and additional lawsuits questioning Cohen’s competence and ethics. And he’s using his spare time to pick another fight with Trump, this time on behalf of immigration whistle-blowers who he says reached out to him to expose the “truth” behind the government’s child-separation policy at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Here is a recent story:
Stormy Daniels Says Cohen’s Request for Gag Order Is Premature
Russian Trolls and Fake News
Less lurid (but no less compelling) is an indictment Mueller brought against 13 Russians and three entities including a Russia-based research operation -- a case that offers a glimpse of just how extensive the 2016 election meddling was.
The two sides are fighting over how much evidence prosecutors must disclose to a company led by Russian businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin, who is under indictment for financing the cyber activities. U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich in Washington said the government has made a good case to keep some of the evidence under wraps. Among the topics the government doesn’t want to disclose are cooperating witnesses who may be helping with the broader Russia investigation.
Russians spent a couple of years collecting intelligence on U.S. elections, then got directly engaged in the 2016 race, reaching out to unwitting Trump supporters to promote the candidate, according to Mueller. Meanwhile, programmers at the Saint Petersburg-based Internet Research Agency, which is allegedly bankrolled by Prigozhin, allegedly concocted social media accounts that seemingly represented groups aligned with actual movements, such as Black Lives Matter, to sow further disinformation to voters.
Separately, the Democratic National Committee sued Russia, the campaign, WikiLeaks and Trump’s associates claiming widespread election interference. Its case in Manhattan could force campaign staffers to answer questions under oath. A hearing is scheduled for Sept. 13.
Here are some of the most recent stories on the Russian hackers:
‘Putin’s Chef’ Judge Scolds Lawyers Over Evidence-Access Fight
Russian Firm Says Mueller Can’t Bar Access to Troll Evidence
Russia Keeps Meddling, Mueller Says in Bid to Guard Evidence
Defamation Claims and Possible Deposition
Summer Zervos, a former contestant on “The Apprentice,” claims Trump groped her in 2005. She sued the president for defamation after he labeled her, and other women who accused him of sexual misconduct, as liars.
Summer ZervosPhotographer: Kena Betancur/AFP via Getty Images
A New York judge rejected Trump’s claim that the Constitution bars the president from being dragged into court. “No one is above the law,” the judge wrote. Trump has lost several efforts to derail the suit, most recently on June 14, but he’s continuing to wage appeals. Meanwhile, trial preparations are under way and a schedule has been set for exchanging evidence and filing submissions. Zervos wants to depose Trump and seeks documents relating to similar claims by other women. The deadline for depositions is Jan. 31, but there hasn’t been a decision on whether Trump must face questioning.
Here’s the most recent story on the Zervos case:
Trump Keeps Failing to Derail Contestant’s Defamation Suit
Another NDA Fight
Clifford isn’t the only one seeking to void a nondisclosure agreement to air a tale about Trump: A Los-Angeles-based actress who worked as a manager on Trump’s 2016 campaign is pressing to keep her case public.
The actress, Jessica Denson, asked a New York judge on June 18 to deny the campaign’s request to force the case into arbitration. Denson, whose credits include the CBS crime drama “Person of Interest,” sued to nullify the agreement, saying it’s making it more difficult to pursue a separate lawsuit in which she claims she was harassed while she worked on Trump’s campaign.
Here’s the most recent coverage of Denson’s suit:
Trump Campaign Ex-Staffer Asks Judge to Keep NDA Suit Public
Tax Returns, Trump Foundation
Presidents have long disclosed their tax returns. Trump refused. But he may not have a choice.
Several lawsuits accuse Trump of violating the Constitution’s foreign emoluments clause by taking payments without Congress’s approval from foreign governments at his Washington hotel, golf courses and elsewhere, as well as the domestic clause that bars payments from federal or state governments.
Lawsuits by about 200 Democrats in Congress, and by attorneys general of Maryland and the District of Columbia, are pending. A third case, by an ethics-watchdog group and restaurant-industry competitors, is on appeal after a Manhattan federal judge tossed it out. The cases could force Trump to divest his holdings or put them in a blind trust. At a minimum, the plaintiffs will seek Trump’s tax returns.
The Maryland judge is to rule by late July whether to allow the lawsuit to go forward.
In another battle over the president’s holdings, New York state sued to dissolve Trump’s charitable foundation, claiming it persistently broke state and federal laws through improper political activity, self-dealing and failing to follow basic fiduciary obligations. In response, Trump tweeted that “sleazy New York Democrats” are attacking a charity that “gave out more money than it took in.” Barbara Underwood, the state’s attorney general, has also referred the findings to the Federal Election Commission and Internal Revenue Service.
Here are the most recent stories on challenges to Trump’s business and charity:
Trump Used Charity as His Checkbook, N.Y. Says as It Flags IRS
Trump, Democrats Clash in D.C. Court Over President’s Empire
The Case Files:
The Flynn case is U.S. v. Flynn, 17-cr-232, U.S. District Court, District of Columbia (Washington).
The Cohen case is In the Matter of Search Warrants Executed on April 9, 2018, 18-mj-3161, Southern District of New York (Manhattan).
The Manafort cases are U.S. v. Manafort, 17-cr-201, U.S. District Court, District of Columbia (Washington), and 18-cr-83, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia (Alexandria).
The Clifford cases are Clifford v. Trump, 18-cv-2217, U.S. District Court, Central District of California (Los Angeles); Clifford v. Trump, 18-cv-3842, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan); and Clifford v. Davidson, 18-cv-5052, U.S. District Court, Central District of California (Los Angeles).
The Denson case: Denson v. Trump, 18-cv-2690, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan).
The hacking indictment is U.S. v. Concord Management, 18-cr-00032, U.S. District Court, District of Columbia (Washington). The DNC case is Democratic National Committee v. the Russian Federation, 18-cv-3501, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan).
The Apprentice case is Zervos v. Trump, 150522/2017, New York Supreme Court, New York County.
The emoluments cases are Blumenthal v. Trump, 17-cv-1154, U.S. District Court, District of Columbia (Washington); District of Columbia v. Trump, 17-cv-1596, U.S. District Court, District of Maryland (Greenbelt); Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington v. Trump, 17-cv-00458, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan).
The Trump Foundation case is People of the State of New York v. Trump, 451130/2018, New York Supreme Court, New York County.
— With assistance by Erik Larson
Bloomberg News
July 2, 2018, 6:00 PM GMT+10
House Republicans (still) want to shut down the probe into Russian election meddling. President Donald Trump’s former campaign chairman Paul Manafort -- facing trial this month on fraud charges -- told a judge that government leaks to reporters were meant to bias jurors against him. And lawyers for Trump’s onetime fixer Michael Cohen, who’s being scrutinized in a separate criminal investigation, finished a review of seized evidence for records that they claim are protected by the attorney-client privilege.
These are just a few of the developments during the past week in the legal cases entangling the president. Here’s a recap of where things stand and what to watch in the coming week:
Cohen’s Next Phase
For a case involving an FBI investigation, a fixer for the future president and an adult film star, it was a quiet week for Cohen. The exception was a suggestive selfie of Cohen and actor Tom Arnold, who says he’s producing a TV series critical of Trump. The photo, posted to Twitter by Arnold, stirred speculation that Cohen was turning on Trump. Otherwise, developments in that probe were limited to courtroom procedures.
Federal agents are completing their review of millions of items seized by the FBI during an April raid of Cohen’s home, hotel room and office. Cohen’s lawyers said last week that they had completed their review. Cohen asked a retired judge appointed to oversee the process to withhold about 12,000 files from the government, saying they were covered by the attorney-client privilege.
The investigation is focused on Cohen’s business activities. He presumably learned a great deal about Trump’s dealings in the years he worked for the Trump Organization -- making it especially risky for the president if Cohen opts to cooperate with investigators. The company has until Thursday to complete its own review of the seized evidence.
Here are some of the most recent stories on Cohen’s travails:
Trump Organization Must End Cohen Document Review by July 5
Michael Cohen Lawyer Completed Review of Files Seized by FBI
Mueller Probe
Republican criticism of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election and possible collusion by the Trump campaign was intense last week, as the House approved a Republican-backed resolution demanding the Justice Department turn over all remaining documents sought by congressional committees related to the investigation. It was the latest attempt by Trump’s Republican allies to derail the probe, which they contend has been a political witch hunt from the beginning.
Representative Mark Meadows, a North Carolina Republican who co-sponsored the resolution, said on the House floor that “when we get these documents, we believe that it will do away with this whole fiasco of what they call the Russian collusion investigation because there wasn’t any!”
On Wednesday, FBI agent Peter Strzok, who has been accused of bias by Trump and his supporters, appeared for closed-door questioning before two House committees as part of their investigation “into decisions made by the Department of Justice in 2016” intended to undermine Mueller’s probe. Lawmakers who heard Strzok defend his actions later said he was grilled about his text messages to a former colleague, including one that said he’d “stop” Trump from becoming president.
The special counsel’s team has indicted 20 people and three Russian companies, secured five guilty pleas -- with several of Trump’s former associates also agreeing to cooperate with the probe.
Here are some of recent stories on Mueller’s investigation:
Russian Firm Tied to Putin’s Cook Attacks Mueller in Filing
Mueller Poised to Zero In on Trump-Russia Collusion Allegations
Mueller Seeks to Secure Troll Evidence From ‘Putin’s Chef’
Mueller Wins Key Victory as Manafort Judge Upholds Authority
Ex-Roger Stone Aide Fighting Mueller Subpoena, His Lawyer Says
Manafort Gives Mueller a Win
Paul ManafortPhotographer: Zach Gibson/Bloomberg
Manafort, Trump’s onetime campaign manager, will have the distinction later his month of being the first person to go on trial in a case stemming from Mueller’s investigation. Manafort’s attempt to have the case thrown out on the grounds that Mueller lacked authority instead gave the special counsel a key victory when a federal judge on June 26 ruled the tax- and bank-fraud charges had been filed properly.
The ruling cleared the way for Manafort to go to trial on July 25 in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, where he’s accused of cheating banks and failing to pay taxes on income he earned as a political consultant for pro-Russian groups in Ukraine. Manafort, 69, faces a separate trial in Washington in September on charges of acting as an unregistered agent of Ukraine, laundering money and obstructing justice.
Mueller’s prosecutors acted properly because the crimes charged “clearly arise out of the special counsel’s investigation into the payments defendant allegedly received from Russian-backed leaders and pro-Russian political officials,” U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III wrote in the 31-page opinion.
The cases against Manafort relate to his business dealings before he joined Trump’s campaign, but some legal experts say Mueller may be trying to pressure him to cooperate in the larger probe.
Here are some of recent stories on Mueller’s investigation and a link to the Special Counsel site:
Reporters Gave Tip on Manafort Storage Unit, FBI Agent Says
Manafort Reported $10 Million Loan From Russian Oligarch in 2010
Manafort Appeals Dismissal of Suit Disputing Mueller’s Authority
Mueller Wins Key Victory as Manafort Judge Upholds Authority
The Porn Star v. the President
The most sensational case against Trump was brought by Stephanie Clifford, an adult-film actress who performs as Stormy Daniels. She says she had a tryst with Trump in 2006 and was threatened and manipulated to cover it up.
Stephanie Clifford and Michael AvenattiPhotographer: Wes Bruer/Bloomberg
Clifford last week challenged a request by Cohen to gag her lawyer, Michael Avenatti, from discussing the lawsuit against Trump and his longtime personal attorney, who paid her $130,000 in October 2016 to keep quiet about the alleged sexual encounter.
Cohen previously got a 90-day hold placed on the lawsuit to protect his right against self-incrimination in the criminal probe.
Avenatti has said he wants to question Trump under oath. The California lawyer has kept the scandal alive with television appearances and additional lawsuits questioning Cohen’s competence and ethics. And he’s using his spare time to pick another fight with Trump, this time on behalf of immigration whistle-blowers who he says reached out to him to expose the “truth” behind the government’s child-separation policy at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Here is a recent story:
Stormy Daniels Says Cohen’s Request for Gag Order Is Premature
Russian Trolls and Fake News
Less lurid (but no less compelling) is an indictment Mueller brought against 13 Russians and three entities including a Russia-based research operation -- a case that offers a glimpse of just how extensive the 2016 election meddling was.
The two sides are fighting over how much evidence prosecutors must disclose to a company led by Russian businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin, who is under indictment for financing the cyber activities. U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich in Washington said the government has made a good case to keep some of the evidence under wraps. Among the topics the government doesn’t want to disclose are cooperating witnesses who may be helping with the broader Russia investigation.
Russians spent a couple of years collecting intelligence on U.S. elections, then got directly engaged in the 2016 race, reaching out to unwitting Trump supporters to promote the candidate, according to Mueller. Meanwhile, programmers at the Saint Petersburg-based Internet Research Agency, which is allegedly bankrolled by Prigozhin, allegedly concocted social media accounts that seemingly represented groups aligned with actual movements, such as Black Lives Matter, to sow further disinformation to voters.
Separately, the Democratic National Committee sued Russia, the campaign, WikiLeaks and Trump’s associates claiming widespread election interference. Its case in Manhattan could force campaign staffers to answer questions under oath. A hearing is scheduled for Sept. 13.
Here are some of the most recent stories on the Russian hackers:
‘Putin’s Chef’ Judge Scolds Lawyers Over Evidence-Access Fight
Russian Firm Says Mueller Can’t Bar Access to Troll Evidence
Russia Keeps Meddling, Mueller Says in Bid to Guard Evidence
Defamation Claims and Possible Deposition
Summer Zervos, a former contestant on “The Apprentice,” claims Trump groped her in 2005. She sued the president for defamation after he labeled her, and other women who accused him of sexual misconduct, as liars.
Summer ZervosPhotographer: Kena Betancur/AFP via Getty Images
A New York judge rejected Trump’s claim that the Constitution bars the president from being dragged into court. “No one is above the law,” the judge wrote. Trump has lost several efforts to derail the suit, most recently on June 14, but he’s continuing to wage appeals. Meanwhile, trial preparations are under way and a schedule has been set for exchanging evidence and filing submissions. Zervos wants to depose Trump and seeks documents relating to similar claims by other women. The deadline for depositions is Jan. 31, but there hasn’t been a decision on whether Trump must face questioning.
Here’s the most recent story on the Zervos case:
Trump Keeps Failing to Derail Contestant’s Defamation Suit
Another NDA Fight
Clifford isn’t the only one seeking to void a nondisclosure agreement to air a tale about Trump: A Los-Angeles-based actress who worked as a manager on Trump’s 2016 campaign is pressing to keep her case public.
The actress, Jessica Denson, asked a New York judge on June 18 to deny the campaign’s request to force the case into arbitration. Denson, whose credits include the CBS crime drama “Person of Interest,” sued to nullify the agreement, saying it’s making it more difficult to pursue a separate lawsuit in which she claims she was harassed while she worked on Trump’s campaign.
Here’s the most recent coverage of Denson’s suit:
Trump Campaign Ex-Staffer Asks Judge to Keep NDA Suit Public
Tax Returns, Trump Foundation
Presidents have long disclosed their tax returns. Trump refused. But he may not have a choice.
Several lawsuits accuse Trump of violating the Constitution’s foreign emoluments clause by taking payments without Congress’s approval from foreign governments at his Washington hotel, golf courses and elsewhere, as well as the domestic clause that bars payments from federal or state governments.
Lawsuits by about 200 Democrats in Congress, and by attorneys general of Maryland and the District of Columbia, are pending. A third case, by an ethics-watchdog group and restaurant-industry competitors, is on appeal after a Manhattan federal judge tossed it out. The cases could force Trump to divest his holdings or put them in a blind trust. At a minimum, the plaintiffs will seek Trump’s tax returns.
The Maryland judge is to rule by late July whether to allow the lawsuit to go forward.
In another battle over the president’s holdings, New York state sued to dissolve Trump’s charitable foundation, claiming it persistently broke state and federal laws through improper political activity, self-dealing and failing to follow basic fiduciary obligations. In response, Trump tweeted that “sleazy New York Democrats” are attacking a charity that “gave out more money than it took in.” Barbara Underwood, the state’s attorney general, has also referred the findings to the Federal Election Commission and Internal Revenue Service.
Here are the most recent stories on challenges to Trump’s business and charity:
Trump Used Charity as His Checkbook, N.Y. Says as It Flags IRS
Trump, Democrats Clash in D.C. Court Over President’s Empire
The Case Files:
The Flynn case is U.S. v. Flynn, 17-cr-232, U.S. District Court, District of Columbia (Washington).
The Cohen case is In the Matter of Search Warrants Executed on April 9, 2018, 18-mj-3161, Southern District of New York (Manhattan).
The Manafort cases are U.S. v. Manafort, 17-cr-201, U.S. District Court, District of Columbia (Washington), and 18-cr-83, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia (Alexandria).
The Clifford cases are Clifford v. Trump, 18-cv-2217, U.S. District Court, Central District of California (Los Angeles); Clifford v. Trump, 18-cv-3842, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan); and Clifford v. Davidson, 18-cv-5052, U.S. District Court, Central District of California (Los Angeles).
The Denson case: Denson v. Trump, 18-cv-2690, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan).
The hacking indictment is U.S. v. Concord Management, 18-cr-00032, U.S. District Court, District of Columbia (Washington). The DNC case is Democratic National Committee v. the Russian Federation, 18-cv-3501, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan).
The Apprentice case is Zervos v. Trump, 150522/2017, New York Supreme Court, New York County.
The emoluments cases are Blumenthal v. Trump, 17-cv-1154, U.S. District Court, District of Columbia (Washington); District of Columbia v. Trump, 17-cv-1596, U.S. District Court, District of Maryland (Greenbelt); Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington v. Trump, 17-cv-00458, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan).
The Trump Foundation case is People of the State of New York v. Trump, 451130/2018, New York Supreme Court, New York County.
— With assistance by Erik Larson
Thailand cave rescue: How can rescuers free the boys? - BBC News
July 3, 2018
Thailand cave rescue: How can rescuers free the boys?
By Toby Luckhurst
BBC News
After nine days, the group of boys and their coach have finally been found
After nine days trapped in darkness in a cave in Thailand, 12 boys and their football coach have been found alive.
Two British divers found all 13 safe in a cavern in the Tham Luang cave system in the northern Chiang Rai province.
But the issue now is to get them all out of the cave with rising waters and mud hindering access and the trapped group's health a major concern.
The army says the group might have to wait in the cave for up to four months for floods to recede.
So what are the options to free the youngsters and their coach?
Finding the Thai cave boys and getting them out
Missing Thai boys found alive in caves
What to do to survive underground
Diving
"The option to bring them out by diving is the quickest but it's also the most dangerous," Anmar Mirza, national co-ordinator of the US Cave Rescue Commission, told the BBC.
Thai navy divers, three top British cave divers and US military personnel all attempted to find the boys.
In total, more than 1,000 people have been involved in the operation, including teams from China, Myanmar, Laos and Australia.
Oxygen tanks were prepared for divers outside the cave complex
These skilled professional divers still needed several hours to get to the trapped group from the entrance, through tiny, debris-strewn passages and aided by round-the-clock water pumping efforts to try to clear the flood waters. And these boys are not trained divers.
Edd Sorenson, regional co-ordinator in Florida for the International Underwater Cave Rescue and Recovery Organisation, told the BBC the diving option is "extremely dangerous and hazardous", saying he would consider it "an absolute last resort".
"Having somebody in zero visibility that's not familiar with... that kind of extreme conditions, it's real easy and very likely that they would panic, and either kill themselves and/ or the rescuers."
Drilling
Authorities have tried to drill holes in the cave walls to help drain some of the flood water - although the thick rock has hampered efforts.
There have also been suggestions that drilling could be another way to get to the boys, and to help them out.
But to even begin the process, new roads would need to be built up above the caves to accommodate the heavy drilling equipment needed to break through the rock.
Image copyrightEPA
Image caption
Authorities have tried to drill holes to let out flood waters
On top of that, Mr Mirza explains you would need to have conducted a survey of the caves and to know them back to front before you could start drilling - otherwise there would be little chance of digging a hole in the correct place for the boys and their coach.
"It sounds easy but it's actually very difficult," he says. "It's a needle in a haystack problem."
Resupply?
In a press conference, Chiang Rai governor Narongsak Osottanakorn said they would continue to drain water out of the cave while sending doctors and nurses in to check the health of the boys and their coach.
"If the doctors say their physical condition is strong enough to be moved, they will take them out from the cave," he said.
But Mr Mirza says their health is a serious concern. "After nine days without food, you have to watch their food intake," he says.
Authorities have set up a temporary hospital near the cave entrance in preparation to handle the trapped team
People deprived of food can suffer ill-health effects if not properly reintroduced to food - sometimes as severe as heart failure or comas.
Mr Mirza says if the group are on high ground, safe from flooding, and can be resupplied there that might be a good option for now. Their ill-health "significantly compromises the rescue effort," he says.
Mr Sorenson agrees. "I think they would be better off bringing in food, water, filtration systems, oxygen if the air space needs it and requires it", he says.
"They have lights and hope now, so I think waiting it out, as long as they can get supplies in there to make them comfortable and warm and fed and hydrated."
Thailand cave rescue: How can rescuers free the boys?
By Toby Luckhurst
BBC News
After nine days, the group of boys and their coach have finally been found
After nine days trapped in darkness in a cave in Thailand, 12 boys and their football coach have been found alive.
Two British divers found all 13 safe in a cavern in the Tham Luang cave system in the northern Chiang Rai province.
But the issue now is to get them all out of the cave with rising waters and mud hindering access and the trapped group's health a major concern.
The army says the group might have to wait in the cave for up to four months for floods to recede.
So what are the options to free the youngsters and their coach?
Finding the Thai cave boys and getting them out
Missing Thai boys found alive in caves
What to do to survive underground
Diving
"The option to bring them out by diving is the quickest but it's also the most dangerous," Anmar Mirza, national co-ordinator of the US Cave Rescue Commission, told the BBC.
Thai navy divers, three top British cave divers and US military personnel all attempted to find the boys.
In total, more than 1,000 people have been involved in the operation, including teams from China, Myanmar, Laos and Australia.
Oxygen tanks were prepared for divers outside the cave complex
These skilled professional divers still needed several hours to get to the trapped group from the entrance, through tiny, debris-strewn passages and aided by round-the-clock water pumping efforts to try to clear the flood waters. And these boys are not trained divers.
Edd Sorenson, regional co-ordinator in Florida for the International Underwater Cave Rescue and Recovery Organisation, told the BBC the diving option is "extremely dangerous and hazardous", saying he would consider it "an absolute last resort".
"Having somebody in zero visibility that's not familiar with... that kind of extreme conditions, it's real easy and very likely that they would panic, and either kill themselves and/ or the rescuers."
Drilling
Authorities have tried to drill holes in the cave walls to help drain some of the flood water - although the thick rock has hampered efforts.
There have also been suggestions that drilling could be another way to get to the boys, and to help them out.
But to even begin the process, new roads would need to be built up above the caves to accommodate the heavy drilling equipment needed to break through the rock.
Image copyrightEPA
Image caption
Authorities have tried to drill holes to let out flood waters
On top of that, Mr Mirza explains you would need to have conducted a survey of the caves and to know them back to front before you could start drilling - otherwise there would be little chance of digging a hole in the correct place for the boys and their coach.
"It sounds easy but it's actually very difficult," he says. "It's a needle in a haystack problem."
Resupply?
In a press conference, Chiang Rai governor Narongsak Osottanakorn said they would continue to drain water out of the cave while sending doctors and nurses in to check the health of the boys and their coach.
"If the doctors say their physical condition is strong enough to be moved, they will take them out from the cave," he said.
But Mr Mirza says their health is a serious concern. "After nine days without food, you have to watch their food intake," he says.
Authorities have set up a temporary hospital near the cave entrance in preparation to handle the trapped team
People deprived of food can suffer ill-health effects if not properly reintroduced to food - sometimes as severe as heart failure or comas.
Mr Mirza says if the group are on high ground, safe from flooding, and can be resupplied there that might be a good option for now. Their ill-health "significantly compromises the rescue effort," he says.
Mr Sorenson agrees. "I think they would be better off bringing in food, water, filtration systems, oxygen if the air space needs it and requires it", he says.
"They have lights and hope now, so I think waiting it out, as long as they can get supplies in there to make them comfortable and warm and fed and hydrated."
Thailand cave rescue: Boys 'could be in cave for months' - BBC News
July 3, 2018
Thailand cave rescue: Boys 'could be in cave for months'
Finding the Thai cave boys and getting them out
Twelve boys and their football coach trapped in a Thai cave are alive, but will need to learn to dive or wait months for flooding to recede before they can get out, the army says.
The group had been missing for nine days before they were found by divers late on Monday on a small dry ledge.
Rescuers are now battling rising water to bring more supplies to the group.
They may need to have food sent in for at least the next four months, according to the military.
Attempts were being made to install power and telephone lines inside the cave to let the boys speak with their parents, Chiang Rai Governor Narongsak Osotthanakon said.
How were they found?
Two British rescuer divers who had flown over to join the search operation found the boys on Monday night.
The video of that first contact was posted on Facebook by Thai Navy SEAL special forces.
The boys are seen by torchlight sitting on a ledge above water, responding to the divers that all 13 were there and that they were very hungry.
Thailand rejoices as boys found
The Brits who found the group alive
The hours after the boys were found
Media captionBill Whitehouse of the British Cave Rescue Council has been in touch with the divers
They ask how long they have been underground and whether they can leave now. The divers tell them they have to wait, but say people will come back for them.
One boy replies: "Oh. See you tomorrow."
The search for the group had gripped the nation as it was unclear where they were or whether they even were still alive.
Families of the missing group were ecstatic at news of the rescue.
How did they get there?
The boys, aged between 11 and 16, and their 25-year-old coach went missing on 23 June. It's believed they entered the cave when it was dry and sudden heavy rains blocked the exit.
They were found on a rock shelf around 4km (2.5 miles) from the mouth of the cave.
It is thought the boys could move through parts of the cave in dry conditions but rushing waters clogged the narrow passages with mud and debris, blocking visibility and access.
One of the toughest stretches for the divers came as they neared so-called Pattaya Beach - an elevated mound in the cave complex - where it was hoped the boys had sought refuge.
Divers had to navigate a series of sharp, narrow bends in near-darkness. They completed the difficult journey to find Pattaya Beach flooded, so swam on and found the boys about 400m away.
How can they get out?
Bringing the trapped boys to safety is an extremely dangerous task given the conditions inside.
The Tham Luang cave complex in Chiang Rai in northern Thailand is regularly flooded during the rainy season which lasts until September or October.
A Facebook photo shows the coach with some of the missing children
If the children are to be brought out before then, they will have to learn basic diving skills.
But experts have cautioned that taking inexperienced divers through the dangerous corridors of muddy, zero-visibility waters would be very risky.
Attempts to pump the water levels lower have so far not been successful.
If they are to wait until the water recedes by itself, it would mean the boys will have to stay in the cave for months and have to be continuously supplied with food and assistance.
Specially trained doctors will go in to carry out medical checks in the coming days to establish their condition and treat possible injuries.
BBC South East Asia correspondent Jonathan Head, who is at the scene, said the Thai military has a few doctors with the diving skills required to reach them.
"But even when they recover their strength, pulling them back through miles of partly flooded tunnels will be a daunting challenge. And the rainy season has just started here - water levels will rise," he said.
Other teams are still scouring the mountainside in the hope of finding another way in to the cave.
Who are they?
The 12 boys are all members of a local football team and their coach is known to have taken them on occasional excursions and field trips.
Tinnakorn Boonpiem, whose 12-year-old son Mongkol is among the 13, told AFP news agency near the caves she was "so glad" to hear they were safe.
"I want him to be physically and mentally fit," she said.
"I'm so happy I can't put it into words," another relative of one of the group told reporters as tears of joy streamed down his cheeks.
Thailand cave rescue: Boys 'could be in cave for months'
Finding the Thai cave boys and getting them out
Twelve boys and their football coach trapped in a Thai cave are alive, but will need to learn to dive or wait months for flooding to recede before they can get out, the army says.
The group had been missing for nine days before they were found by divers late on Monday on a small dry ledge.
Rescuers are now battling rising water to bring more supplies to the group.
They may need to have food sent in for at least the next four months, according to the military.
Attempts were being made to install power and telephone lines inside the cave to let the boys speak with their parents, Chiang Rai Governor Narongsak Osotthanakon said.
How were they found?
Two British rescuer divers who had flown over to join the search operation found the boys on Monday night.
The video of that first contact was posted on Facebook by Thai Navy SEAL special forces.
The boys are seen by torchlight sitting on a ledge above water, responding to the divers that all 13 were there and that they were very hungry.
Thailand rejoices as boys found
The Brits who found the group alive
The hours after the boys were found
Media captionBill Whitehouse of the British Cave Rescue Council has been in touch with the divers
They ask how long they have been underground and whether they can leave now. The divers tell them they have to wait, but say people will come back for them.
One boy replies: "Oh. See you tomorrow."
The search for the group had gripped the nation as it was unclear where they were or whether they even were still alive.
Families of the missing group were ecstatic at news of the rescue.
How did they get there?
The boys, aged between 11 and 16, and their 25-year-old coach went missing on 23 June. It's believed they entered the cave when it was dry and sudden heavy rains blocked the exit.
They were found on a rock shelf around 4km (2.5 miles) from the mouth of the cave.
It is thought the boys could move through parts of the cave in dry conditions but rushing waters clogged the narrow passages with mud and debris, blocking visibility and access.
One of the toughest stretches for the divers came as they neared so-called Pattaya Beach - an elevated mound in the cave complex - where it was hoped the boys had sought refuge.
Divers had to navigate a series of sharp, narrow bends in near-darkness. They completed the difficult journey to find Pattaya Beach flooded, so swam on and found the boys about 400m away.
How can they get out?
Bringing the trapped boys to safety is an extremely dangerous task given the conditions inside.
The Tham Luang cave complex in Chiang Rai in northern Thailand is regularly flooded during the rainy season which lasts until September or October.
A Facebook photo shows the coach with some of the missing children
If the children are to be brought out before then, they will have to learn basic diving skills.
But experts have cautioned that taking inexperienced divers through the dangerous corridors of muddy, zero-visibility waters would be very risky.
Attempts to pump the water levels lower have so far not been successful.
If they are to wait until the water recedes by itself, it would mean the boys will have to stay in the cave for months and have to be continuously supplied with food and assistance.
Specially trained doctors will go in to carry out medical checks in the coming days to establish their condition and treat possible injuries.
BBC South East Asia correspondent Jonathan Head, who is at the scene, said the Thai military has a few doctors with the diving skills required to reach them.
"But even when they recover their strength, pulling them back through miles of partly flooded tunnels will be a daunting challenge. And the rainy season has just started here - water levels will rise," he said.
Other teams are still scouring the mountainside in the hope of finding another way in to the cave.
Who are they?
The 12 boys are all members of a local football team and their coach is known to have taken them on occasional excursions and field trips.
Tinnakorn Boonpiem, whose 12-year-old son Mongkol is among the 13, told AFP news agency near the caves she was "so glad" to hear they were safe.
"I want him to be physically and mentally fit," she said.
"I'm so happy I can't put it into words," another relative of one of the group told reporters as tears of joy streamed down his cheeks.
Trump administration seeks to block China Mobile in the US - BBC News
July 3, 2018
Trump administration seeks to block China Mobile in the US
State-owned China Mobile is the world's biggest mobile phone operator. It is listed in Hong Kong and New York
The Trump administration has said it does not want one of the world's biggest phone carriers, China Mobile, to provide telecom services within the US, citing national security concerns.
State-owned China Mobile applied to the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for a licence to do so in 2011.
But the US Department of Commerce has recommended the licence request be denied.
The advice comes amid rising trade tensions between the US and China.
"After significant engagement with China Mobile, concerns about increased risks to US law enforcement and national security interests were unable to be resolved," said the assistant secretary for communications and information at the Commerce Department, David J Redl.
"Therefore, the executive branch of the US government, through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration [NTIA]... recommends that the FCC deny China Mobile's Section 214 license request."
Neither China Mobile nor the FCC were immediately available for comment on what their next steps would be.
The move by the NTIA - an arm of the Commerce Department that advises US President Donald Trump on telco and information issues - comes at a time of heightened tensions between the US and China over trade and telecom issues.
In April, the Commerce Department found that the Chinese state-owned technology giant ZTE had violated trade bans with North Korea and Iran.
ZTE is based in Shenzhen and is a Chinese state-owned technology giant
A ban was placed on the firm that prevented it from buying parts from US suppliers - a move that forced Shenzhen-based ZTE to suspend major operations, and threatened to destroy its business.
However, following some pressure from Beijing, the US struck a deal with ZTE that would involve the firm paying a $1bn penalty, hiring a compliance team chosen by the US, and replacing much of its management board, among other measures.
US reaches deal with China's ZTE
China's ZTE 'poses risk to UK security'
In return, the US said it would remove the ban - a negotiation that has been linked to wider trade tensions between the US and China.
ZTE has fulfilled many of these requirements, however, a group of bipartisan senators, including US Senator for Florida Marco Rubio, is currently attempting to maintain the ban on the firm via an amendment to a defense bill.
Reacting to research by The Wall Street Journal that has shown ZTE's management overhaul may not be as dramatic as first thought, Mr Rubio last week questioned why the Trump administration was continuing negotiations with the Chinese firm.
A group of bipartisan US senators including Republican Marco Rubio are attempting maintain the ban on ZTE
Meanwhile, on Friday, as part of the ongoing trade spat between the US and China, the two giants are expected to introduce further tariffs on each other's goods.
The Trump administration is expected to bring into effect the first tranche of 25% tariffs on $34bn of Chinese goods.
And in retaliation, China is expected to enact its first round of tariffs on $34bn worth of US products.
Trump administration seeks to block China Mobile in the US
State-owned China Mobile is the world's biggest mobile phone operator. It is listed in Hong Kong and New York
The Trump administration has said it does not want one of the world's biggest phone carriers, China Mobile, to provide telecom services within the US, citing national security concerns.
State-owned China Mobile applied to the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for a licence to do so in 2011.
But the US Department of Commerce has recommended the licence request be denied.
The advice comes amid rising trade tensions between the US and China.
"After significant engagement with China Mobile, concerns about increased risks to US law enforcement and national security interests were unable to be resolved," said the assistant secretary for communications and information at the Commerce Department, David J Redl.
"Therefore, the executive branch of the US government, through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration [NTIA]... recommends that the FCC deny China Mobile's Section 214 license request."
Neither China Mobile nor the FCC were immediately available for comment on what their next steps would be.
The move by the NTIA - an arm of the Commerce Department that advises US President Donald Trump on telco and information issues - comes at a time of heightened tensions between the US and China over trade and telecom issues.
In April, the Commerce Department found that the Chinese state-owned technology giant ZTE had violated trade bans with North Korea and Iran.
ZTE is based in Shenzhen and is a Chinese state-owned technology giant
A ban was placed on the firm that prevented it from buying parts from US suppliers - a move that forced Shenzhen-based ZTE to suspend major operations, and threatened to destroy its business.
However, following some pressure from Beijing, the US struck a deal with ZTE that would involve the firm paying a $1bn penalty, hiring a compliance team chosen by the US, and replacing much of its management board, among other measures.
US reaches deal with China's ZTE
China's ZTE 'poses risk to UK security'
In return, the US said it would remove the ban - a negotiation that has been linked to wider trade tensions between the US and China.
ZTE has fulfilled many of these requirements, however, a group of bipartisan senators, including US Senator for Florida Marco Rubio, is currently attempting to maintain the ban on the firm via an amendment to a defense bill.
Reacting to research by The Wall Street Journal that has shown ZTE's management overhaul may not be as dramatic as first thought, Mr Rubio last week questioned why the Trump administration was continuing negotiations with the Chinese firm.
A group of bipartisan US senators including Republican Marco Rubio are attempting maintain the ban on ZTE
Meanwhile, on Friday, as part of the ongoing trade spat between the US and China, the two giants are expected to introduce further tariffs on each other's goods.
The Trump administration is expected to bring into effect the first tranche of 25% tariffs on $34bn of Chinese goods.
And in retaliation, China is expected to enact its first round of tariffs on $34bn worth of US products.
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