Trump news – live: Ex-president ‘illegally retaliated’ against impeachment whistleblower, probe concludes

As the 6 January committee prepares for a summer of what promise to be shocking and disturbing hearings about the Capitol riot, Donald Trump has laid into committee member Liz Cheney, claiming that she has taken her topposition to him to extremes.

In an interview with The Washington Post, he called her a “crazed lunatic.” The committee’s first public hearing since last year is set for 9 June.

Meanwhile, Enrique Tarroio, a former leader of the Proud Boys and one of the key figures in the many 6 January-related cases underway, is appearing in a virtual court hearing. He is seeking release from pre-trial detention while he awaits trial on conspiracy charges related to the Capitol attack.

Elsewhere, a report from an inspector general with the US Department of Defense has found that the ex-president’s administration unlawfully retaliated against a whistleblower who sounded alarms about his dealings with Ukraine that led to his first impeachment.

Key points

• Trump administration unlawfully retaliated against whistleblower, probe finds

• Ex-president’s endorsee Dr Oz thanks Hannity for campaign advice

• DoJ asks Jan 6 committee for transcripts in relation to criminal investigation

• Trump agrees to limit Twitter engagement

ICYMI: Is this the end of Madison Cawthorn’s political career?

07:10 , Alex Woodward

Less than 24 hours after results in the GOP congressional primary for North Carolina’s 11th district showed the incumbent Trump-endorsed congressman losing definitively, it appears Madison Cawthorn is winding down any plans to get back into office after he finishes his current term.

His Making A Difference In Service to Our Nation (or MADISON) leadership PAC has filed its termination with the Federal Election Commission, less than 24 hours after results rolled in, according to Business Insider.

The Trump-backed candidate and once-ascendent young Republican in Congress conceded his loss to Chuck Edwards for the Republican nomination in the race.

Garland meets with Supreme Court officials over “security needs” of justices

06:00 , Alex Woodward

US Attorney General Merrick Garland held a meeting with officials from the Justice Department and Supreme Court officials “to discuss the security needs of Justices and the Court since the unauthorized release” of a draft opinion that could overturn the landmark ruling from Roe v Wade, according to an announcement from the Justice Department on Wednesday.

The US Marshals Service has “accelerated the provision of around-the-clock security at the homes of all Justices, among other actions” and officials discussed ways to “enhance coordination, intelligence sharing, and technical support as it relates to judicial security.”

“The rise of violence and unlawful threats of violence directed at those who serve the public is unacceptable and dangerous to our democracy,” according to Mr Garland. “I want to be clear: while people vote, argue, and debate in a democracy, we must not – we cannot – allow violence or unlawful threats of violence to permeate our national life. The Justice Department will not tolerate violence or threats of violence against judges or any other public servants at work, home, or any other location.”

The meeting came after demonstrations outside the homes of conservative justices who have joined the opinion to end constitutional protections for abortion care, which is likely to trigger laws banning the procedure outright in more than a dozen states.

Justice Department expands indictment of Trump ally accused of illegally lobbying White House for UAE

05:00 , Alex Woodward

The US Department of Justice has updated its indictment against Thomas Barrack, a Trump ally and chair on his inauguration committee who is alleged to have sought investments from United Arab Emirates while illegally lobbying the administration on its behalf.

This week, federal prosecutors replaced an initial charging document with a 55-page superseding indictment that details how the billionaire allegedly relied on his proximity to the Trump universe to facilitate his dealings with the UAE.

Prosecutors allege that he sought money from the UAE for an investment fund to elecate the Trump agenda and “garner political credibility for its contributions” of the administrations policies, according an aide to Mr Barrck included in the indictment.

The fund would make money by “sourcing, financing, operationally improving and harvesting assets” in areas that would “benefit the most” from Trump being in office, according to the filing.

Trump administration unlawfully punished impeachment whistleblower, report finds

04:10 , Alex Woodward

Several Trump-era administration officials unlawfully retaliated against a whistleblower on the National Security Council who raised concerns about Trump’s call with Volodymyr Zelensky that was central to his first impeachment.

Trump administration unlawfully punished impeachment whistleblower, report finds

From Madison Cawthorn to Dr Oz, who really won and lost on Trump’s big primary night

03:00 , Alex Woodward

From The Independent’s Eric Garcia:

Trump saw many of his preferred candidates triumph in Pennsylvania and North Carolina while others flopped or are in races that are too tight to call; we can expect plenty of arguments about who triumphed and who truly lost.

It’s clear that while Trump’s endorsement helps, it isn’t a guarantee.

Who really won and lost on Trump’s big primary night?

A ‘bat****’ bill shows how far Louisiana lawmakers will push an anti-abortion agenda

02:10 , Alex Woodward

With the end of Roe v Wade in sight, Republican legislators emboldened by the loss of federal protections for abortion care are eying severe restrictions on abortion access and criminalising physicians – and patients – while millions of vulnerable Americans’ lives and families are at stake.

One bill in Louisiana proposed charging patients with homicide.

A ‘bat****’ bill shows how far states could push their anti-abortion agenda

Kinzinger: Cawthorn’s loss is ‘good for the country'

01:00 , Alex Woodward

Illinois Republican congressman and Trump critic called the loss of the former president’s pick in North Carolina “good for the country.”

“It’s good for the party. It’s good for the 11th District of North Carolina,” he told CNN.

“DC has become kind of a growing ground for people that are just more interested in fame than governing, that are more interested in becoming famous than in actually doing the really serious work, at a time when we have a lot of challenges here at home and a lot of challenges overseas.”

Kinzinger is notably not running for re-election. He joins Liz Cheney as the only two Republican House members on the congressional committee investigating the Capitol attack. Both of them are routinely attacked by far-right members of their party.

Elon Musk predicts Democrat ‘dirty tricks campaign’ against him after switching his vote to Republican

Thursday 19 May 2022 00:00 , Alex Woodward

Elon Musk has long shied away from partisan affiliation, often describing himself as a centrist who leans liberal on social issues and conservative on economic issues.

Now the world’s wealthiest person is going to “vote Republican” – though it’s unclear what that means, or for which candidates in what races – as he describes a presidential administration as rudderless and “captured” by labour unions, which he opposes.

Elon Musk predicts Democrat ‘dirty tricks’ after switching his vote to Republican

Breaking: Biden invokes Defence Production Act and orders Pentagon airlift to boost baby formula supply

Wednesday 18 May 2022 23:19 , Alex Woodward

President Biden has invoked a national defense law to speed production of baby formula and allow overseas imports for what the White House is calling “Operation Fly Formula.”

Biden invokes Defense Production Act to boost baby formula supply

Sarah Palin made most of her money in 2021 from Cameo

Wednesday 18 May 2022 22:30 , Alex Woodward

Sarah Palin, whose candidacy for Alaska’s at-large seat in the House is backed by Donald Trump, made most of her money last year on the pay-per-shoutout video app Cameo.

She made $211,529 from video requests, nearly $38,000 more than she would receive as her congressional salary, if elected.

Her latest financial disclosure follows the announcement of her political comeback – and a failed attempt to sue The New York Times – following the death of longtime Alaska Rep Don Young, who died in March.

What’s Trump posting on Truth? Golf updates – including backing the Saudi-supported rival to the PGA

Wednesday 18 May 2022 22:11 , Alex Woodward

The PGA Championship tees off this week but Trump is endorsing the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Investments.

The long, winding road to the beef between Trump and the PGA includes the organization’s withdrawal from his New Jersey estate for the 2022 PGA Championship, which was agreed in the months leading up to his announcement that he would run for president back in 2015.

But the organization pulled out and moved the event to Tulsa in the wake of the Capitol riots, enraging the aspirational golfer, desperate to have a PGA event on his properties.

Golf legend Jack Nicklaus called the decision “cancel culture.”

Trump-backed Cawthorn appears to put his political ambitions on pause

Wednesday 18 May 2022 21:17 , Alex Woodward

Less than 24 hours after results rolled in, it appears Congressman Madison Cawthorn is winding down any plans to get back into office after he finishes his current term following his GOP primary election loss on Tuesday night.

His Making A Difference In Service to Our Nation (or MADISON) leadership PAC has filed its termination with the Federal Election Commission, less than 24 hours after results rolled in, according to Business Insider.

The Trump-backed candidate and once-ascendent young Republican in Congress conceded his loss to Chuck Edwards for the Republican nomination for North Carolina’s 11th congressional district race.

Trump administration unlawfully punished impeachment whistleblower, report finds

Wednesday 18 May 2022 19:54 , Alex Woodward

Multiple Trump administration officials violated federal whistle-blower protection laws by removing Yevgeny Vindman from his position as a National Security Council lawyer after he made “protected communications” alerting others to the former president’s Ukraine call central to his first impeachment, according to a new report from the Defense Department’s inspector general.

Trump administration unlawfully punished impeachment whistleblower, report finds

Judge overseeing ex-Proud Boys leader’s pretrial detention hearing says charges are ‘very serious'

Wednesday 18 May 2022 19:02 , Alex Woodward

Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio is back in (virtual) federal court seeking release from jail ahead of trial on charges of conspiracy realted to the attack on the US Capitol.

Trump-appointed US District Court Tim Kelly said the charges are “very serious” and suggested he is unlikely to make a decision today.

“The fact that he has two other convictions ... doesn’t weigh in his favor,” Judge Kelly said, referring to his convictions for torching a Black Lives Matter banner belonging to a Black church in Washington DC and bringing high-capacity magazines into the city.

Trump administration unlawfully retaliated against whistleblower, Pentagon inspector general report finds

Wednesday 18 May 2022 18:27 , Alex Woodward

A report from the inspector general the Department of Defense finds that the Trump administration unlawfully retaliated against Yevgeny Vindman, the twin brother of Alexander Vindman, and who was fired in 2020 after raising concerns about Trump’s dealings with Ukraine.

The report finds that then-Lt. Col. Vindman “was the subject of unfavorable personnel actions from administration officials” after he alerted his concerns about the former president’s attempts to withhold military aid to Ukraine in exchange for investigations into his political rival Joe Biden.

Officials “reprised against him because he made protected communications and because of his association with his twin brother’s protected communications to Members of Congress,” according to the report’s findings.

Their actions violated statutes regarding “protected communications; prohibition of retaliatory personnel actions,” the report found.

The report not recommend any punishment against Trump-era officials, because they have since left the White House.

Wednesday 18 May 2022 18:07 , Alex Woodward

After the 2020 election, in which Biden won Pennsylvania, Doug Mastriano was one of 10 Republican state senators to call for delaying certification of the Electoral College and also said that the state legislature in Pennsylvania had the “sole power” to nominate electors.

He declared victory in his gubernatorial campaign last night within moments of the race call from news networks.

The Independent’s Andrew Buncombe asks: What changed? Why do Mastriano and all the other previous deniers who won their races now believe the election process is fair?

Do Republicans like Doug Mastriano suddenly now believe in legitimacy of elections?

Trump whines about elections and says ally Dr Oz should declare victory in Pennsylvania primary

Wednesday 18 May 2022 17:47 , Alex Woodward

Trump has suggested that his preferred candidate in the Pennsylvania GOP Senate primary – Dr Mehmet Oz – should simply declare victory in the Republican contest despite the race being too close to call.

“It makes it much harder to cheat with the ballots they ‘just happened to find.’”

Clearly, that is not how elections work, or how the ballot-counting process works in Pennsylvania, which Trump has suggested has been marred by fraud despite no evidence whatsoever.

Trump whines that ally Dr Oz should declare victory in Pennsylvania Senate primary

Poll: Should Trump be allowed back on Twitter?

Wednesday 18 May 2022 17:30 , Andrew Naughtie

Elon Musk’s plan to take over Twitter has hit some road bumps lately, with the sometimes-erratic tech billionaire indicating he may not be happy with the originally agreed $44bn price tag and questioning whether the company’s estimate of the number of spam accounts is accurate. But for now, he insists the buyout is going ahead – and he has also said that Donald Trump should have his account restored.

Mr Trump so far insists he will remain on Truth Social, which has struggled to retain users since its botched launch earlier this year. Do you think Trump should be allowed to return to Twitter? Vote in the poll below and feel free to let us know what answer you chose and why in the comments.

Should Donald Trump be allowed back on Twitter? Have your say

ICYMI: DOJ asks Jan 6 committee for transcripts

Wednesday 18 May 2022 17:00 , Andrew Naughtie

The Department of Justice has reportedly asked the 6 January committee to provide it with copies of transcripts from its many witness interviews – apparently because the interviews may have yielded “information relevant to a criminal investigation we are conducting”. The identity of the subject (or subjects) of that investigation is not yet clear.

The department’s slowness to act on potential criminal charges related to the insurrection has caused consternation among many Trump critics, though some have cautioned that acting rashly could set a bad precedent of the department being abused to investigate presidents’ enemies.

Andrew Feinberg has the story.

Justice Department has asked Jan 6 committee for witness transcripts, report says

“BIG MESS”: Trump enraged by close PA result

Wednesday 18 May 2022 15:57 , Andrew Naughtie

Donald Trump is awake and posting on Truth Social – and as some have predicted, he is furious at the possibility that his chosen candidate, Dr Mehmet Oz, might lose the Pennsylvania Senate primary because of his rival Dave McCormick’s possible strength in the mail-in vote:

Thompson says Jan 6 committee likely won’t ask Trump to testify

Wednesday 18 May 2022 14:55 , Andrew Naughtie

As the 6 January select committee prepares for the kickoff of its summer hearings, chair Bennie Thompson told reporters yesterday that the panel probably will not ask or compel Donald Trump to testify, explaining that “We’re not sure that the evidence that we receive can be any more validated with his presence. I think the concern is whether or not he would add any more value with his testimony.”

Read more below from Abe Asher.

Jan 6 committee not likely to seek Donald Trump’s testimony

Leading Proud Boy to ask court for pre-trial release

Wednesday 18 May 2022 14:01 , Andrew Naughtie

Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio is awaiting trial on charges of conspiracy and other crimes related to the 6 January riot – and today, he will be apperaring virtually to ask a court for release from pre-trial detention.

According to CBS’s Scott MacFarlane, it seems Mr Tarrio’s legal team have lately visited the target of the attack.

Catch up on the details of Mr Tarrio’s indictment here.

Watch: Dr Oz thanks Hannity for help with campaign

Wednesday 18 May 2022 13:15 , Andrew Naughtie

The days when Fox News worked hard to present itself as “fair and balanced” are long gone, but there is at least still some pretense among the network’s highest-profile stars that they remain outside politics looking in.

The latest incident to dispel that image came last night with Dr Mehmet Oz’s speech after the Pennsylvania primary, in which he explicitly thanked Sean Hannity for making a difference “behind the scenes” of his Trump-endorsed campaign – “giving me advice on late night conversations, again, the kinds of things that true friends do for each other”.

The Trump-endorsed Dr Oz appeared on Mr Hannity’s show multiple times during the campaign without these chats being mentioned.

Jan 6 panel talking to Trump admin witnesses again

Wednesday 18 May 2022 12:13 , Andrew Naughtie

It seems the 6 January select committee is reaching back out to key witnesses from the Trump administration. Appearing today will be press secretary-turned-critic Stephanie Grisham, who has spoken to the panel before.

The committee’s public hearings are set to begin on 9 June.

DOJ suing casino mogul who lobbied Trump admin for China

Wednesday 18 May 2022 11:29 , Andrew Naughtie

The Chinese government was one of Donald Trump’s go-to targets even before he became president, with Beijing’s supposed gaming of the international system and malign influence in US politics providing ample fodder for his isolationist, grievance-laden speeches. But now, a key figure who lobbied Mr Trump’s administration is in hot water over his Chinese links.

The Justice Department is suing Las Vegas casino mogul Steve Wynn to compel him to register as a foreign agent because of lobbying work it says he performed on behalf of the Chinese government.

The department said it had advised Wynn repeatedly over the last four years to register under the Foreign Agents Registration, and that it’s taken the decision to sue him now because he is still refusing to do so.

Read more:

US sues casino mogul Steve Wynn over relationship with China

How arch-Trumpist Madison Cawthorn lost his seat

Wednesday 18 May 2022 10:31 , Andrew Naughtie

John Bowden has this report from North Carolina, where hardcore right-winger Madison Cawthorn has lost his seat despite Donald Trump’s endorsement. The freshman congressman has been engulfed by embarrassing and shocking stories since he was elected in 2020, and in recent months things reached the point that even the pro-Trump party establishment began to marshal resources against him.

Read John’s full dispatch below.

‘It is what it is’: On the scene of Madison Cawthorn’s stunning loss

Report: DOJ asks Jan 6 committee for transcripts

Wednesday 18 May 2022 09:01 , Andrew Naughtie

Federal prosecutors have asked the House of Representatives committee investigating the 6 January 2021 attack on the Capitol to provide transcripts of witness interviews and depositions taken by committee members and staff, according to a New York Times report.

A “person with knowledge of the matter” told the Times committee chairman Bennie Thompson has not reached any agreement with Attorney General Merrick Garland or other Justice Department officials regarding what, if any, documents will be provided.

But the department has been in communication with the panel since 20 April. The communications between the department and the select committee are an indication that the department is looking more closely at efforts byDonald Trump and his allies to install Mr Trump in the White House for a second term against the wishes of American voters.

Andrew Feinberg has more.

Justice Department has asked Jan 6 committee for witness transcripts, report says

‘Cancel culture’ reason PGA moved from Trump-owned course, says Jack Nicklaus

Wednesday 18 May 2022 07:55 , Graeme Massie

ICYMI: Jack Nicklaus said that PGA Tour pulled its championship out of New Jersey in favour of Tulsa, Oklahoma because of Donald Trump.

He said that the PGA Tour pulled out because Mr Trump owns the course in New Jersey.

He said: “But this move is cancel culture. Donald Trump may be a lot of things, but he loves golf, and he loves this country. He’s a student of the game and a formidable figure in the game. What he does in the future in golf will depend on what the cancel culture will allow him to do.”

Mr Nicklaus has won 18 majors — the most in history. He also endorsed Mr Trump ahead of the 2020 election.

Trump phones in to Oz event in Pennsylvania

Wednesday 18 May 2022 07:01 , Graeme Massie

ICYMI: Donald Trump is selective with his in-person appearances on the campaign trail these days, restricting himself mainly to rallies in carefully chosen states with candidates he has heartily endorsed. He held such an event for Dr Mehmet Oz not long ago, but since it became clear the TV medic is in danger of losing his primary, Mr Trump has not appeared in Pennsylvania again.

However, an Oz campaign event last night – billed as a “telerally” – saw the president dial in on speakerphone to address a roomful of supporters, reassuring them that the candidate was in fact pro-life and pro-gun. Dr Oz’s long record of relatively liberal positions on both issues is the main strike against him for many conservatives, who have been resistant to his entreaties despite Mr Trump’s backing.

Report: Trump official met with Jan 6 conspiracy-mongers

Wednesday 18 May 2022 06:18 , Graeme Massie

ICYMI: The investigation into the events between the 2020 election and 6 January 2021 has focused in large part on meetings between Trump administration officials and outside figures who were specifically involved in “stop the steal” efforts of various kinds.

Now, another such meeting has come to light. The Washington Post has confirmed that on 6 January itself, Robert A. Destro, a senior Trump appointee at the State Department, met with podcaster Joe Oltmann and Michigan lawyer Matthew DePerno, both of whom claimed that a “coup” against Mr Trump was being mounted by the Biden team.

Read the report below.

Trump agrees to limit his Twitter engagement

Wednesday 18 May 2022 05:20 , Graeme Massie

ICYMI: Many Trump fans are eager to see their leader back on Twitter, and Elon Musk has said that he thinks the former president’s account should never have been blocked. But according to financial filings from the company that will oversee the IPO of his own platform, Truth Social, the ex-president has agreed to limit what he can post on Twitter and when if he returns.

Under the agreement, Mr Trump must post anything unrelated to politics first on Truth Social, and can only post on another social media site six hours later, the federal securities filing shows.

But if Mr Trump wants to post on a personal social media account anything “related to political messaging, political fundraising or get-out-the-vote efforts” he can do so at any time.

Graeme Massie has the story.

Trump has agreed to limit himself from Twitter, according to financial filings

Court allows Jan 6 Oath Keeper to leave his house

Wednesday 18 May 2022 04:09 , Graeme Massie

ICYMI: At a hearing today, one of several members of the Oath Keepers militia indicted for his behaviour on 6 January 2021 was granted a reprieve of sorts: permission to leave home confinement and instead abide by a curfew.

Joshua A. James has pleaded guilty in the case, which also involves figures including the militia group’s founder, Stewart Rhodes. Prosecutors say that the Oath Keepers who attended the Capitol riot stashed weapons in hotels around the DC area and expected Donald Trump to call them to use force to halt the electoral certification.

Elon Musk says he’s voting Republican this year

Wednesday 18 May 2022 03:01 , Graeme Massie

ICYMI: Tech billionaire and Twitter buyer Elon Musk is known for his eclectic and sometimes erratic political views, but it has heartened some Republicans lately that he wants to see Donald Trump allowed back on Twitter. And now, it seems he is joining their side for the sake of the midterms.

At a conference yesterday, Mr Musk compared Joe Biden to Anchorman’s Ron Burgundy, who loses his job as a newsreader because he lacks the ability to improvise.

“The real president is whoever controls the teleprompter. The path to power is the path to the teleprompter,” Mr Musk told the conference via Zoom.

The world’s alleged richest man continued by attacking Mr Biden’s support for unions and said the Democrat’s administration seemed less able than its predecessor to “get a lot done”.

“He is simply too much captured by the unions, which was not the case with Obama,” said Mr Musk, who did not make clear what was not getting “done”.

Read more from Gino Spocchia.

Elon Musk compares Biden to Anchorman and says he’s voting GOP at next election