US Attorney General William Barr may be the latest in the line of fire of current US President Donald Trump who is still mounting a desperate battle to prove that US Election 2020 was a fraud. Barr on Tuesday said that the Justice Department had not found indication that there was fraud in recently concluded elections.

"... to date, we have not seen fraud on a scale that could have effected a different outcome in the election" Barr told Associated Press on Tuesday.

Now, NBC News has mentioned an unnamed US administrative official who said that Trump has not ruled out firing Barr.

Donald Trump is yet to concede the elections to Joe Biden even when it is amply clear that he has lost. He has continued with his allegations of fraud without presenting evidence. He has maintained that he has a lot of evidence.

Trump's legal team has failed to bring any luck their way as it has suffered setbacks after setbacks in number of courts in the US.

Trump's ire has claimed more officials in the past. Head of Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Chris Krebs was fired soon after he said that US Elections were "most secure".

If Trump fires William Barr, he will not be the first Attorney General Trump has compelled to leave office. Jeff Sessions, the former Attorney General had angered Trump when he recused himself in a Russian election interference investigation.

US Attorney General William Barr may be the latest in the line of fire of current US President Donald Trump who is still mounting a desperate battle to prove that US Election 2020 was a fraud.

US Attorney General William Barr may be the latest in the line of fire of current US President Donald Trump who is still mounting a desperate battle to prove that US Election 2020 was a fraud. Barr on Tuesday said that the Justice Department had not found indication that there was fraud in recently concluded elections. "... to date, we have not seen fraud on a scale that could have effected a different outcome in the election" Barr told Associated Press on Tuesday. Now, NBC News has mentioned an unnamed US administrative official who said that Trump has not ruled out firing Barr. Donald Trump is yet to concede the elections to Joe Biden even when it is amply clear that he has lost. He has continued with his allegations of fraud without presenting evidence. He has maintained that he has a lot of evidence. Trump's legal team has failed to bring any luck their way as it has suffered setbacks after setbacks in number of courts in the US. Trump's ire has claimed more officials in the past. Head of Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Chris Krebs was fired soon after he said that US Elections were "most secure". If Trump fires William Barr, he will not be the first Attorney General Trump has compelled to leave office. Jeff Sessions, the former Attorney General had angered Trump when he recused himself in a Russian election interference investigation.

Will Trump fire US Attorney General Barr? It can't be ruled out

A lawyer part of current US President Donald Trump's campaign&nbsp;is facing widespread flak for his extreme comments directed at former head of a federal cyber-security agency. Chris Krebs (pictured above), the former head of Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (Cisa) had dismissed claims of fraud in US Presidential Election 2020. Joe DiGenova, the lawyer associated with the Trump campaign, said that Krebs should be "taken out at dawn and shot".

Donald Trump is yet to concede in spite of Joe Biden having a clear lead in the electoral college. Trump has mounted a legal offensive to challenge the validity of US election results.

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DiGenova, the Trump campaign lawyer made the extreme comments on The Howie Carr show, a podcast on Youtube. After Digenova made the remarks about Krebs, the host did not challenge his assertions.

Chris Krebs was fired as the head of Cisa not long after he said that US Elections were "most secure".

Although Trump has mounted number of lawsuits against election results, he or his team have not been able to produce substantial evidence and have suffered defeats in various courts.

A lawyer part of current US President Donald Trump's campaign is facing widespread flak for his extreme comments directed at former head of a federal cyber-security agency.

A lawyer part of current US President Donald Trump's campaign is facing widespread flak for his extreme comments directed at former head of a federal cyber-security agency. Chris Krebs (pictured above), the former head of Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (Cisa) had dismissed claims of fraud in US Presidential Election 2020. Joe DiGenova, the lawyer associated with the Trump campaign, said that Krebs should be "taken out at dawn and shot". Donald Trump is yet to concede in spite of Joe Biden having a clear lead in the electoral college. Trump has mounted a legal offensive to challenge the validity of US election results. Also Read | US probes pardon bribery scheme; no govt official under investigation DiGenova, the Trump campaign lawyer made the extreme comments on The Howie Carr show, a podcast on Youtube. After Digenova made the remarks about Krebs, the host did not challenge his assertions. Chris Krebs was fired as the head of Cisa not long after he said that US Elections were "most secure". Although Trump has mounted number of lawsuits against election results, he or his team have not been able to produce substantial evidence and have suffered defeats in various courts.

Ex-US Election cybersecurity chief should be taken out and shot, says Trump lawyer

In his first TV interview since losing US Presidential Election 2020, current US President Donald Trump said that he will continue to allege that the elections were a fraud. Trump or his associates are yet to present substantial evidence to back&nbsp;claims of rigged elections. He has faced legal setbacks in various courts in the US. However, he hasn't budged from his position.

"It's not like you're gonna change my mind. My mind will not change in six months," Trump told Fox News interviewer Maria Bartiromo.

"This election was rigged. This election was a total fraud," he claimed, again without backing this up. "We won the election easily."

As he attempts to challenge the validity of elections, case after case has been rejected by judges around the country. The latest rebuff came from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, which on Saturday turned down a lawsuit filed by Trump supporters seeking to contest Biden's win in the state.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-supreme-court-weighs-trump-bid-to-bar-illegal-immigrants-from-census-totals-346274">US Supreme Court weighs Trump bid to bar illegal immigrants from census totals</a>

"We're trying to put the evidence in and the judges won't allow us to do it," Trump said. "We are trying. We have so much evidence."

Ignoring the usual boundaries between his office and the judicial and law enforcement system, Trump complained that the Department of Justice and FBI were not helping him.

They are "missing in action," he said, also questioning the point of the Supreme Court if it doesn't intervene.

"We should be heard by the Supreme Court. Something has to be able to get up there. Otherwise, what is the Supreme Court?" he asked.

The 2020 election was not especially close.

Biden won the electoral college vote -- the state-by-state competition deciding the winner -- by 306 to 232. In the popular national vote, which does not decide the result but still has political and symbolic heft, Biden won by 51 to 47 percent.

Losers of US presidential elections traditionally concede almost immediately.

But whether or not Trump ever acknowledges defeat, the Electoral College is all but certain to go through the formal motions of confirming Biden when it meets on December 14 and the Democrat will be sworn in on Inauguration Day January 20.

Even as the clock runs down on his single term, Trump declined to say on Fox News whether he sees an expiry date for his unsuccessful legal campaign.

"I'm not going to say a date," he said.

Asked if he saw a path to victory, he said: "I hope so."

(With AFP inputs)

In his first TV interview since losing US Presidential Election 2020, current US President Donald Trump said that he will continue to allege that the elections were a fraud.

In his first TV interview since losing US Presidential Election 2020, current US President Donald Trump said that he will continue to allege that the elections were a fraud. Trump or his associates are yet to present substantial evidence to back claims of rigged elections. He has faced legal setbacks in various courts in the US. However, he hasn't budged from his position. "It's not like you're gonna change my mind. My mind will not change in six months," Trump told Fox News interviewer Maria Bartiromo. "This election was rigged. This election was a total fraud," he claimed, again without backing this up. "We won the election easily." As he attempts to challenge the validity of elections, case after case has been rejected by judges around the country. The latest rebuff came from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, which on Saturday turned down a lawsuit filed by Trump supporters seeking to contest Biden's win in the state. Also Read | US Supreme Court weighs Trump bid to bar illegal immigrants from census totals "We're trying to put the evidence in and the judges won't allow us to do it," Trump said. "We are trying. We have so much evidence." Ignoring the usual boundaries between his office and the judicial and law enforcement system, Trump complained that the Department of Justice and FBI were not helping him. They are "missing in action," he said, also questioning the point of the Supreme Court if it doesn't intervene. "We should be heard by the Supreme Court. Something has to be able to get up there. Otherwise, what is the Supreme Court?" he asked. The 2020 election was not especially close. Biden won the electoral college vote -- the state-by-state competition deciding the winner -- by 306 to 232. In the popular national vote, which does not decide the result but still has political and symbolic heft, Biden won by 51 to 47 percent. Losers of US presidential elections traditionally concede almost immediately. But whether or not Trump ever acknowledges defeat, the Electoral College is all but certain to go through the formal motions of confirming Biden when it meets on December 14 and the Democrat will be sworn in on Inauguration Day January 20. Even as the clock runs down on his single term, Trump declined to say on Fox News whether he sees an expiry date for his unsuccessful legal campaign. "I'm not going to say a date," he said. Asked if he saw a path to victory, he said: "I hope so." (With AFP inputs)

Donald Trump still refuses to budge from election fraud claims

Showing his true support and friendship towards the US outgoing president <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>, the Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has alleged that there was "a lot of fraud"&nbsp;in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/us-election">US elections</a>.&nbsp;

The accusation was made by Bolsonaro on Sunday while he was talking to the reporters after casting a ballot in municipal races.&nbsp;

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dont-be-embarrassing-czech-president-asks-donald-trump-to-step-down-344233">'Don't be embarrassing': Czech President asks Donald Trump to step down</a>

"I have my sources of information that there really was a lot of fraud there," he said. "Nobody talks about that. If it was enough to define (victory) for one or the other, I don't know."

This statement by Bolsonaro has come after Donald Trump has refused to concede to the President-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>'s historic win.&nbsp;The accusation made by Bolsonaro echoes Trump's campaign. The outgoing President has been alleging voter fraud from his opponent for the last few weeks now. Trump has been challenging the election result with various legal cases, the majority of which he lost. However, he has refused to give up and concede. "It's not like you're gonna change my mind. My mind will not change in six months," he recently said in an interview with a local national TV.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-still-refuses-to-budge-from-election-fraud-claims-346310">Donald Trump still refuses to budge from election fraud claims</a>

"This election was rigged. This election was a total fraud," he claimed, without providing any proof. "We won the election easily."

While many world leaders have come ahead and congratulated Biden, Bolsonaro said he will be waiting for a while before reaching out to the Democratic President-elect. "I am holding back a little more," he said.

Bolsonaro expressed his concern for the alleged US election voter fraud simply to support his argument against the electronic voting system that will be used in the 2022 Brazilian presidential elections. He has been urging leaders and people to go back to the paper ballot system for the 2022 elections, and now he has used Trump's allegations to further his own motives.

Donald Trump has not yet reacted to this rare support he has received from a world leader since the election results. He has been keeping off the grid since Biden's win was announced, and leaders flocked to congratulate him and his Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. Trump's lawyers have been busy filing legal challenges against the election result in various states — leading to defeat in those too.

Showing his true support and friendship towards the US outgoing president Donald Trump, the Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has alleged that there was "a lot of fraud" in the US elections.

Showing his true support and friendship towards the US outgoing president Donald Trump, the Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has alleged that there was "a lot of fraud" in the US elections. The accusation was made by Bolsonaro on Sunday while he was talking to the reporters after casting a ballot in municipal races. Also read| 'Don't be embarrassing': Czech President asks Donald Trump to step down "I have my sources of information that there really was a lot of fraud there," he said. "Nobody talks about that. If it was enough to define (victory) for one or the other, I don't know." This statement by Bolsonaro has come after Donald Trump has refused to concede to the President-elect Joe Biden's historic win. The accusation made by Bolsonaro echoes Trump's campaign. The outgoing President has been alleging voter fraud from his opponent for the last few weeks now. Trump has been challenging the election result with various legal cases, the majority of which he lost. However, he has refused to give up and concede. "It's not like you're gonna change my mind. My mind will not change in six months," he recently said in an interview with a local national TV. Also read| Donald Trump still refuses to budge from election fraud claims "This election was rigged. This election was a total fraud," he claimed, without providing any proof. "We won the election easily." While many world leaders have come ahead and congratulated Biden, Bolsonaro said he will be waiting for a while before reaching out to the Democratic President-elect. "I am holding back a little more," he said. Bolsonaro expressed his concern for the alleged US election voter fraud simply to support his argument against the electronic voting system that will be used in the 2022 Brazilian presidential elections. He has been urging leaders and people to go back to the paper ballot system for the 2022 elections, and now he has used Trump's allegations to further his own motives. Donald Trump has not yet reacted to this rare support he has received from a world leader since the election results. He has been keeping off the grid since Biden's win was announced, and leaders flocked to congratulate him and his Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. Trump's lawyers have been busy filing legal challenges against the election result in various states — leading to defeat in those too.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro alleges 'lot of fraud' in US election 2020

The outgoing US President&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;once again snapped at a journalist when he was asked question about his defeat in the recently-conducted&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/us-election">US elections</a>.

When the Reuters White House correspondent Jeff Mason repeatedly asked Trump if he would be willing to concede his defeat against the&nbsp;President-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>, Trump lost his cool yet again and reacted with "Don't ever talk to me that way".

Similar to many of the past incidents during his four years of Presidency, this time, too, Trump decided to ignore a reporter asking 'tough' questions and said, "I'm the president of the United States. Don't ever talk to the president that way."

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-court-denies-trumps-pennsylvania-election-challenge-345967" hreflang="en">US court denies Trump's Pennsylvania election challenge</a>

After having to demand more 'respect', he continued to explain how he has not lost the elections and it was only due to alleged rigged elections and voter fraud that led to Biden's historic win.

This press conference was the first one since his defeat in the elections, where Trump allowed the media to ask questions. However, he did not guarantee an answer (with calmness) to every reporter — much like his previous pressers.&nbsp;

The Thanksgiving press conference is one where the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/the-white-house">White House</a>&nbsp;invites reporters to observe, and sometimes also interact/ask questions from the US President.&nbsp;

For the first time, he was also trolled for his choice of table. Trump was photographed sitting at a small table which is usually used only to be photographed with other leaders or guests present at the White House while the president signs important documents. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-and-his-tiny-desk-diaperdon-trends-on-twitter-345984">Twitter was quick to react with several memes about Trump and his 'little table'.</a>

Trump's snap comment is not limited to the reporters, it seems. He also took a snap decision of demanding a vote recount in Wisconsin which backfired at him as the vote re-count ended with Joe Biden gaining a lead with a much larger margin than the original count. However, the Trump campaign may fire another legal challenge over the state count.

The outgoing US President Donald Trump once again snapped at a journalist when he was asked question about his defeat in the recently-conducted US elections. When the Reuters White House correspondent Jeff Mason repeatedly asked Trump if he would be willing to concede his defeat against the President-elect Joe Biden, Trump lost his cool yet again and reacted with "Don't ever talk to me that way".

The outgoing US President Donald Trump once again snapped at a journalist when he was asked question about his defeat in the recently-conducted US elections. When the Reuters White House correspondent Jeff Mason repeatedly asked Trump if he would be willing to concede his defeat against the President-elect Joe Biden, Trump lost his cool yet again and reacted with "Don't ever talk to me that way". Similar to many of the past incidents during his four years of Presidency, this time, too, Trump decided to ignore a reporter asking 'tough' questions and said, "I'm the president of the United States. Don't ever talk to the president that way." Also read| US court denies Trump's Pennsylvania election challenge After having to demand more 'respect', he continued to explain how he has not lost the elections and it was only due to alleged rigged elections and voter fraud that led to Biden's historic win. This press conference was the first one since his defeat in the elections, where Trump allowed the media to ask questions. However, he did not guarantee an answer (with calmness) to every reporter — much like his previous pressers. The Thanksgiving press conference is one where the White House invites reporters to observe, and sometimes also interact/ask questions from the US President. For the first time, he was also trolled for his choice of table. Trump was photographed sitting at a small table which is usually used only to be photographed with other leaders or guests present at the White House while the president signs important documents. Twitter was quick to react with several memes about Trump and his 'little table'. Trump's snap comment is not limited to the reporters, it seems. He also took a snap decision of demanding a vote recount in Wisconsin which backfired at him as the vote re-count ended with Joe Biden gaining a lead with a much larger margin than the original count. However, the Trump campaign may fire another legal challenge over the state count.

'Don't ever talk to the president that way': Donald Trump snaps at reporter

Pennsylvania on Tuesday certified Democrat President-elect <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-elections-results-2020-joe-biden-wins-georgia-after-recount-says-state-election-official-344393">Joe Biden's</a> victory in the US election 2020.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/antony-blinken-joe-bidens-pick-for-us-secretary-of-state-345124/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Governor Tom Wolf said that Pennsylvania had "certified" the results of the November 3 vote.

"As required by federal law, I've signed the Certificate of Ascertainment for the slate of electors for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris," Tom Wolf said on Twitter.

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Today <a href="https://twitter.com/PAStateDept?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PAStateDept</a> certified the results of the November 3 election in Pennsylvania for president and vice president of the United States. 
 
As required by federal law, I’ve signed the Certificate of Ascertainment for the slate of electors for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
— Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovernorTomWolf/status/1331263684681867266?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/what-donald-trump-liked-about-being-president-345060">Trump </a>had earlier won the state during the 2016 presidential elections when he defeated Hillary Clinton. According to reports, Biden won Pennsylvania by 81,000 votes out of nearly 6.9 million votes cast.&nbsp;

Earlier, Michigan had declared Biden as the winner in the state.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-trump-biden-faces-pressure-to-stand-up-to-china-by-embracing-taiwan-345058">Trump</a> had earlier claimed that was defeated due to fraudulent voting, however, Michigan secretary of state Jocelyn Benson said it "confirms the truth: the election was fair and secure, and the results accurately reflect the will of the voters."

A Pennsylvania judge had earlier rejected a legal challenge by Trump's election campaign which sought to nullify votes.

President Trump had earlier authorised a transition amid growing pressure to concede, although the US president hasn't officially conceded the November 3 elections.&nbsp;

The green signal given by Trump would allow president-elect Biden to have access to office space and to meet with federal officials to ensure a smooth transition.

Meanwhile, the Dow surged past 30,000 points for the first time over Trump's decision on transition and hopes for coronavirus vaccines.

Pennsylvania on Tuesday certified Democrat President-elect Joe Biden's victory in the US election 2020. Watch: Governor Tom Wolf said that Pennsylvania had "certified" the results of the November 3 vote.

Pennsylvania on Tuesday certified Democrat President-elect Joe Biden's victory in the US election 2020. Watch: Governor Tom Wolf said that Pennsylvania had "certified" the results of the November 3 vote. "As required by federal law, I've signed the Certificate of Ascertainment for the slate of electors for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris," Tom Wolf said on Twitter. Today @PAStateDept certified the results of the November 3 election in Pennsylvania for president and vice president of the United States. As required by federal law, I’ve signed the Certificate of Ascertainment for the slate of electors for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. — Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) November 24, 2020 × Trump had earlier won the state during the 2016 presidential elections when he defeated Hillary Clinton. According to reports, Biden won Pennsylvania by 81,000 votes out of nearly 6.9 million votes cast. Earlier, Michigan had declared Biden as the winner in the state. Trump had earlier claimed that was defeated due to fraudulent voting, however, Michigan secretary of state Jocelyn Benson said it "confirms the truth: the election was fair and secure, and the results accurately reflect the will of the voters." A Pennsylvania judge had earlier rejected a legal challenge by Trump's election campaign which sought to nullify votes. President Trump had earlier authorised a transition amid growing pressure to concede, although the US president hasn't officially conceded the November 3 elections. The green signal given by Trump would allow president-elect Biden to have access to office space and to meet with federal officials to ensure a smooth transition. Meanwhile, the Dow surged past 30,000 points for the first time over Trump's decision on transition and hopes for coronavirus vaccines.

Pennsylvania certifies Joe Biden's victory in US elections as stocks surge

Joe Biden's administration can formally begin its transition to power after President Trump, who has still hasn't conceded the White House race, tweeted he was "recommending" the GSA and others in his administration begin "initial protocols" to kick-start the formal transfer of presidential power. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-announces-cabinet-team-check-out-who-gets-what-here-344970">Also read | Joe Biden announces Cabinet team: Check out who gets what here</a> 
 
Trump said he directed Murphy and his administration to “follow the protocols,” which will open up federal funds for use by Biden’s transition team and allow him to receive daily intelligence briefings.

While Trump acknowledged an impending transition to Biden, he has yet to concede and is still pursuing legal action in multiple states.

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...fight, and I believe we will prevail! Nevertheless, in the best interest of our Country, I am recommending that Emily and her team do what needs to be done with regard to initial protocols, and have told my team to do the same.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1331013908971261953?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 23, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Trump has spent the last three weeks since the November 3 election claiming without any evidence that Biden's convincing victory was the result of fraud.

Murphy, who denies acting under political pressure, has refused until now to release the standard package of aid that her agency manages to Biden's incoming team.

Biden's team welcomed the decision, saying in a statement it will provide the incoming administration "with the resources and support necessary to carry out a smooth and peaceful transfer of power."

"Today's decision is a needed step to begin tackling the challenges facing our nation, including getting the pandemic under control and our economy back on track. This final decision is a definitive administrative action to formally begin the transition process with federal agencies."

The decision frees up millions of dollars in financing to support the transition, as well as formally allows Biden to coordinate with current government officials.

Murphy, who had faced harsh criticism over her previous refusal to act, said in her letter to Biden obtained by various US news outlets that "contrary to media reports and insinuations, my decision was not made out of fear or favouritism."

The step by her GSA is usually a routine one following a US presidential election, but Trump's continuing efforts to overturn the results of the vote and refusal to concede have complicated the process.

(With inputs from agencies)

Joe Biden's administration can formally begin its transition to power after President Trump, who has still hasn't conceded the White House race, tweeted he was "recommending" the GSA and others in his administration begin "initial protocols" to kick-start the formal transfer of presidential power.

Joe Biden's administration can formally begin its transition to power after President Trump, who has still hasn't conceded the White House race, tweeted he was "recommending" the GSA and others in his administration begin "initial protocols" to kick-start the formal transfer of presidential power. Also read | Joe Biden announces Cabinet team: Check out who gets what here Trump said he directed Murphy and his administration to “follow the protocols,” which will open up federal funds for use by Biden’s transition team and allow him to receive daily intelligence briefings. While Trump acknowledged an impending transition to Biden, he has yet to concede and is still pursuing legal action in multiple states. ...fight, and I believe we will prevail! Nevertheless, in the best interest of our Country, I am recommending that Emily and her team do what needs to be done with regard to initial protocols, and have told my team to do the same. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 23, 2020 × Trump has spent the last three weeks since the November 3 election claiming without any evidence that Biden's convincing victory was the result of fraud. Murphy, who denies acting under political pressure, has refused until now to release the standard package of aid that her agency manages to Biden's incoming team. Biden's team welcomed the decision, saying in a statement it will provide the incoming administration "with the resources and support necessary to carry out a smooth and peaceful transfer of power." "Today's decision is a needed step to begin tackling the challenges facing our nation, including getting the pandemic under control and our economy back on track. This final decision is a definitive administrative action to formally begin the transition process with federal agencies." The decision frees up millions of dollars in financing to support the transition, as well as formally allows Biden to coordinate with current government officials. Murphy, who had faced harsh criticism over her previous refusal to act, said in her letter to Biden obtained by various US news outlets that "contrary to media reports and insinuations, my decision was not made out of fear or favouritism." The step by her GSA is usually a routine one following a US presidential election, but Trump's continuing efforts to overturn the results of the vote and refusal to concede have complicated the process. (With inputs from agencies)

‘Do what needs to be done’: Trump clears the way for Biden's transition

One of China’s top political scientists, Zheng Yongnian has said that China must drop its illusion that its relations with the United States will automatically improve under President-elect Joe Biden's administration. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/us-china-trade-war-in-10-dates-241155">In pictures: US-China trade war in 10 dates</a> 
 
Zheng, a Chinese government advisor has said that Beijing should be prepared for a tough stance from Washington.

He recently said that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade pact would make it “challenging” for the US to form a new united trade front against China.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-is-mulling-joining-trade-pact-dumped-by-trump-344669">Also read: China is mulling joining trade pact dumped by Trump</a>

"Chinese government should utilise every opportunity to mend ties with the US," said Yongnian.

Zheng is the Dean of the Advanced Institute of Global and Contemporary China Studies, a Shenzhen-based think tank.

"The good old days are over... the Cold War hawks in the US have been in a highly mobilised state for several years, and they will not disappear overnight," Zheng said in an interview on the sidelines of the Understanding China Conference in Guangzhou recently.

Zheng, who attended a symposium hosted by President Xi Jinping in August to offer advice on China's long-term strategy, said there was now a bipartisan consensus in the US on containing China.

Zheng said President-elect Joe Biden might take advantage of the public resentment towards China after he entered the White House. "American society is torn apart. I don't think Biden can do anything about it," Zheng said.

"He is certainly a very weak President, if he can't sort out domestic issues, then he will do something on the diplomatic front, do something against China. If we say Trump is not interested in promoting democracy and freedom, Biden is. (President Donald) Trump is not interested in war... but a Democratic President could start wars."

The relationship between China and the United States has deteriorated under President Trump over a variety of reasons, including COVID-19 handling, trade and human rights.

Over 300 separate Bills targeting China have been drawn up by both Democrats and Republicans in the Congress, and the important ones addressing the catastrophes in Hong Kong and Xinjiang enjoyed full bipartisan support. The most potentially effective law, the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, which Trump only reluctantly signed, was co-sponsored by Republican Marco Rubio and Kamala Harris, the Democrats' Vice-President-elect.

Chinese foreign policy specialists have said they expect tensions between the US and China to continue under the Biden presidency.

At times during the election campaign, Biden took a tough line on China, calling Xi a "thug".

(With inputs from agencies)

One of China’s top political scientists, Zheng Yongnian has said that China must drop its illusion that its relations with the United States will automatically improve under President-elect Joe Biden's administration.

One of China’s top political scientists, Zheng Yongnian has said that China must drop its illusion that its relations with the United States will automatically improve under President-elect Joe Biden's administration. In pictures: US-China trade war in 10 dates Zheng, a Chinese government advisor has said that Beijing should be prepared for a tough stance from Washington. He recently said that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade pact would make it “challenging” for the US to form a new united trade front against China. Also read: China is mulling joining trade pact dumped by Trump "Chinese government should utilise every opportunity to mend ties with the US," said Yongnian. Zheng is the Dean of the Advanced Institute of Global and Contemporary China Studies, a Shenzhen-based think tank. "The good old days are over... the Cold War hawks in the US have been in a highly mobilised state for several years, and they will not disappear overnight," Zheng said in an interview on the sidelines of the Understanding China Conference in Guangzhou recently. Zheng, who attended a symposium hosted by President Xi Jinping in August to offer advice on China's long-term strategy, said there was now a bipartisan consensus in the US on containing China. Zheng said President-elect Joe Biden might take advantage of the public resentment towards China after he entered the White House. "American society is torn apart. I don't think Biden can do anything about it," Zheng said. "He is certainly a very weak President, if he can't sort out domestic issues, then he will do something on the diplomatic front, do something against China. If we say Trump is not interested in promoting democracy and freedom, Biden is. (President Donald) Trump is not interested in war... but a Democratic President could start wars." The relationship between China and the United States has deteriorated under President Trump over a variety of reasons, including COVID-19 handling, trade and human rights. Over 300 separate Bills targeting China have been drawn up by both Democrats and Republicans in the Congress, and the important ones addressing the catastrophes in Hong Kong and Xinjiang enjoyed full bipartisan support. The most potentially effective law, the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, which Trump only reluctantly signed, was co-sponsored by Republican Marco Rubio and Kamala Harris, the Democrats' Vice-President-elect. Chinese foreign policy specialists have said they expect tensions between the US and China to continue under the Biden presidency. At times during the election campaign, Biden took a tough line on China, calling Xi a "thug". (With inputs from agencies)

Joe Biden is a very weak President, could start wars: China’s top political scientist

Voters have decided that President-elect Joe Biden should guide the country through the next four years. But on issues of war, the environment, criminal justice, trade, the economy and more, President Donald Trump and top administration officials are doing what they can to make changing direction more difficult.

Trump has spent the last two weeks hunkered down in the White House, raging about a “stolen” election and refusing to accept the reality of his loss. But in other ways he is acting as if he knows he will be departing soon and showing none of the deference that presidents traditionally give their successors in their final days in office.

During the past four years Trump has not spent much time thinking about policy, but he has shown a penchant for striking back at his adversaries. And with his encouragement, top officials are racing against the clock to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, secure oil drilling leases in Alaska, punish China, carry out executions and thwart any plans Biden might have to reestablish the Iran nuclear deal.

In some cases, like the executions and the oil leases, Trump’s government plans to act just days — or even hours — before Biden is inaugurated Jan. 20.

At a wide range of departments and agencies, Trump’s political appointees are going to extraordinary lengths to try to prevent Biden from rolling back the president’s legacy. They are filling vacancies on scientific panels, pushing to complete rules that weaken environmental standards, nominating judges and rushing their confirmations through the Senate, and trying to eliminate health care regulations that have been in place for years.

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In the latest instance, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin declined to extend key emergency lending programs that the Federal Reserve had been using to help keep credit flowing to businesses, state and local governments and other parts of the financial system. He also moved to claw back much of the money that supports them, hindering Biden’s ability to use the central bank’s vast powers to cushion the economic fallout from the virus.

Terry Sullivan, a professor of political science and the executive director of the White House Transition Project, a nonpartisan group which has studied presidential transitions for decades, said Trump was not behaving like past presidents who cared about how their final days in office shaped their legacy.

“They are upping tension in Iran, which could lead to a confrontation. The economy is tanking, and they are not doing anything about unemployment benefits,” he said.

It is one final norm shattered by Trump — and a stark contrast to the last Republican president who handed over power to a Democrat.

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Former President George W. Bush consciously left it to his successor, Barack Obama, to decide how to rescue the auto industry and whether to approve Afghan troop increases. And when Congress demanded negotiations over the bank bailouts, Bush stepped aside and let Obama cut a deal with lawmakers even before he was inaugurated.

Aides to Bush said the outgoing president wanted to leave Obama with a range of policy options as he began his presidency, a mindset clearly reflected in a 2008 email about negotiations over the status of U.S. forces in Iraq from Joshua Bolten, Bush’s chief of staff at the time, to John Podesta, who ran Obama’s transition, just a week after the election.

“We believe we have negotiated an agreement that provides President-Elect Obama the authorities and protections he needs to exercise the full prerogatives as commander in chief,” Bolten wrote to Podesta on November 11, 2008, in an email later made public by WikiLeaks. “We would like to offer, at your earliest convenience, a full briefing to you and your staff.”

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That has not been Trump’s approach.

The president has continued to deny Biden briefings and access to agency officials — delays that the president-elect has said threatened to undermine the country’s response to the pandemic. And far from seeking to help Biden’s team, Trump has spent more than two weeks actively seeking to undermine the legitimacy of his victory.

Biden and his top aides have not publicly criticized the president’s policy actions at home or abroad, abiding by the tradition that there is only one president at a time. But the president-elect has vowed to move quickly to undo many of Trump’s domestic and foreign policies.

That will most likely start with a blitz of executive actions in his first days in office as well as an aggressive legislative agenda during his first year.

Some of Trump’s advisers make no attempt to hide the fact that their actions are aimed at deliberately hamstringing Biden’s policy options even before he begins.

One administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of not being authorized to talk publicly, said that in the coming days there would be more announcements made related in particular to China, with whom Trump advisers believe that Biden would try to improve relations.

Judd Deere, a White House spokesperson, defended the administration’s actions, saying the president was elected because voters were “tired of the same old business-as-usual politicians who always pledged to change Washington but never did.” Trump, he said, had rolled back regulations and brought accountability to agencies and “remains focused on that important work.”

Some previous transitions have also been rancorous. Incoming Bush administration officials accused the exiting Clinton White House of minor mischief, last-minute pardons to friends and delays because of the disputed 2000 election.

Trump has long alleged that after his election, he faced a stealth effort to undermine his transition because of the investigations that were underway into his campaign’s possible connections to Russia. And there were documented instances of Obama officials making last-ditch efforts to put roadblocks in the way of what they expected would be Trump’s policy reversals on immigration and other issues.

Still, in his inauguration speech, Trump said Obama and his wife had been “magnificent” in carrying out an orderly transition and thanked them for their “gracious aid” throughout the period.

And rarely in modern times have a president and his allies been as deliberate in their desire to hobble the incoming administration as Trump has been toward Biden.

“It’s not consistent with anything we experienced,” said Denis McDonough, who served as Obama’s chief of staff and was part of Obama’s team during the transition from Bush’s administration. He said Trump’s actions in the final days of his administration were foreshadowed by his determination to sever agreements Obama had reached on climate change and Iran’s nuclear program — something presidents rarely do.

“It’s a breach of that norm,” McDonough said.

Some of Trump’s actions are all but permanent, like the nomination of judges with lifetime appointments or the naming of his supporters to government panels with terms that stretch beyond Biden’s likely time in office. Once done, there is little that the new president can do to reverse them.

But they are not the only nominees administration officials are trying to rush through.

Among the others are two nominees to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, who would serve until 2024 and 2030 respectively; a trio of possible members to the Federal Election Commission to serve six-year terms; and nominees to the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, who, if confirmed, would prevent Biden from installing majorities on those bodies until well into 2021.

Other actions may be possible to reverse but are designed to exact a political price for doing so.

Since the election, Trump has ordered the withdrawal of thousands of troops from Afghanistan, where Trump aims to halve an already pared-down force of 4,500 by the time he leaves office, defying the advice of some top generals.

Biden’s vision for U.S. troop deployments is not radically different. He has said that he supports only small numbers of combat forces, mainly tasked with fighting terrorist groups like al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. But Trump’s last-minute withdrawals could force Biden into an unwanted confrontation with Democrats in Congress if he decides he needs to return to the modest preelection status quo.

Analysts say that Trump’s withdrawal of troops also deprives the United States of any leverage in the ongoing peace process in Afghanistan between the Taliban and the Afghan government, potentially allowing the Taliban to make important military gains.

Trump officials are also working to impose new sanctions on Iran that may be difficult for Biden to reverse, out of a fear of opening himself up to charges that he is soft on one of the country’s most dangerous adversaries.

The sanctions could also undermine any move by Biden to return to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, a step that would require providing Iran with economic breathing room after years of Trump’s constrictions.

“I think you’re going to see a pretty rapid clip of new actions before Jan. 20,” said Mark Dubowitz, chief executive of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, who often consults with the Trump administration on Iran.

In an Oval Office meeting last week, Trump also asked his senior advisers what military options were available to him in response to Iran’s stockpiling of nuclear material, although he was dissuaded from pursuing the idea. Any military action would undermine attempts by Biden to reset U.S. policy.

Similarly, Trump officials continue to take punitive actions against China that are likely to further strain the tense relationship with Beijing that Biden will inherit. Last week, Trump issued an executive order barring Americans from investing in Chinese companies with ties to China’s military. Administration officials say more steps are in the works.

Mnuchin’s shutdown of emergency lending programs this past week could also have long-lasting implications for Biden as the new president struggles to contain the economic fallout from the pandemic. The pandemic-era programs are run by the Fed but use Treasury money to insure against losses.

Mnuchin defended his decision Friday, insisting that he was following the intent of Congress in calling for the Fed to return unused money to the Treasury. But it will be Biden who will be left to deal with the consequences. And restoring the programs would require new negotiations with a Congress that is already deadlocked over COVID relief.

In the summer of 2008, officials in Bush’s White House sent a memo to agency officials warning them to wrap up new regulations — and not to try to rush new ones in right before the next president. Trump is doing the opposite.

The Environmental Protection Agency is rushing to try to complete work on a new rule that will change the way the federal government counts costs and benefits, an adjustment that could make it harder for Biden to expand certain air or water pollution regulations.

At Health and Human Services, the agency moved just after Election Day to adopt a rule that would automatically suspend thousands of agency regulations if they are not individually confirmed to be “still needed” and “having appropriate impacts.” The agency itself called the plan radical — realizing it would tie the hands of the next administration.

Brian Harrison, the agency’s chief of staff, called it “the boldest and most significant regulatory reform effort ever undertaken by HHS.”

Voters have decided that President-elect Joe Biden should guide the country through the next four years. But on issues of war, the environment, criminal justice, trade, the economy and more, President Donald Trump and top administration officials are doing what they can to make changing direction more difficult.

Voters have decided that President-elect Joe Biden should guide the country through the next four years. But on issues of war, the environment, criminal justice, trade, the economy and more, President Donald Trump and top administration officials are doing what they can to make changing direction more difficult. Trump has spent the last two weeks hunkered down in the White House, raging about a “stolen” election and refusing to accept the reality of his loss. But in other ways he is acting as if he knows he will be departing soon and showing none of the deference that presidents traditionally give their successors in their final days in office. During the past four years Trump has not spent much time thinking about policy, but he has shown a penchant for striking back at his adversaries. And with his encouragement, top officials are racing against the clock to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, secure oil drilling leases in Alaska, punish China, carry out executions and thwart any plans Biden might have to reestablish the Iran nuclear deal. In some cases, like the executions and the oil leases, Trump’s government plans to act just days — or even hours — before Biden is inaugurated Jan. 20. At a wide range of departments and agencies, Trump’s political appointees are going to extraordinary lengths to try to prevent Biden from rolling back the president’s legacy. They are filling vacancies on scientific panels, pushing to complete rules that weaken environmental standards, nominating judges and rushing their confirmations through the Senate, and trying to eliminate health care regulations that have been in place for years. Also Read | Saudi confident of 'friendly' ties with Biden: official In the latest instance, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin declined to extend key emergency lending programs that the Federal Reserve had been using to help keep credit flowing to businesses, state and local governments and other parts of the financial system. He also moved to claw back much of the money that supports them, hindering Biden’s ability to use the central bank’s vast powers to cushion the economic fallout from the virus. Terry Sullivan, a professor of political science and the executive director of the White House Transition Project, a nonpartisan group which has studied presidential transitions for decades, said Trump was not behaving like past presidents who cared about how their final days in office shaped their legacy. “They are upping tension in Iran, which could lead to a confrontation. The economy is tanking, and they are not doing anything about unemployment benefits,” he said. It is one final norm shattered by Trump — and a stark contrast to the last Republican president who handed over power to a Democrat. Also Read | China is mulling joining trade pact dumped by Trump Former President George W. Bush consciously left it to his successor, Barack Obama, to decide how to rescue the auto industry and whether to approve Afghan troop increases. And when Congress demanded negotiations over the bank bailouts, Bush stepped aside and let Obama cut a deal with lawmakers even before he was inaugurated. Aides to Bush said the outgoing president wanted to leave Obama with a range of policy options as he began his presidency, a mindset clearly reflected in a 2008 email about negotiations over the status of U.S. forces in Iraq from Joshua Bolten, Bush’s chief of staff at the time, to John Podesta, who ran Obama’s transition, just a week after the election. “We believe we have negotiated an agreement that provides President-Elect Obama the authorities and protections he needs to exercise the full prerogatives as commander in chief,” Bolten wrote to Podesta on November 11, 2008, in an email later made public by WikiLeaks. “We would like to offer, at your earliest convenience, a full briefing to you and your staff.” × That has not been Trump’s approach. The president has continued to deny Biden briefings and access to agency officials — delays that the president-elect has said threatened to undermine the country’s response to the pandemic. And far from seeking to help Biden’s team, Trump has spent more than two weeks actively seeking to undermine the legitimacy of his victory. Biden and his top aides have not publicly criticized the president’s policy actions at home or abroad, abiding by the tradition that there is only one president at a time. But the president-elect has vowed to move quickly to undo many of Trump’s domestic and foreign policies. That will most likely start with a blitz of executive actions in his first days in office as well as an aggressive legislative agenda during his first year. Some of Trump’s advisers make no attempt to hide the fact that their actions are aimed at deliberately hamstringing Biden’s policy options even before he begins. One administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of not being authorized to talk publicly, said that in the coming days there would be more announcements made related in particular to China, with whom Trump advisers believe that Biden would try to improve relations. Judd Deere, a White House spokesperson, defended the administration’s actions, saying the president was elected because voters were “tired of the same old business-as-usual politicians who always pledged to change Washington but never did.” Trump, he said, had rolled back regulations and brought accountability to agencies and “remains focused on that important work.” Some previous transitions have also been rancorous. Incoming Bush administration officials accused the exiting Clinton White House of minor mischief, last-minute pardons to friends and delays because of the disputed 2000 election. Trump has long alleged that after his election, he faced a stealth effort to undermine his transition because of the investigations that were underway into his campaign’s possible connections to Russia. And there were documented instances of Obama officials making last-ditch efforts to put roadblocks in the way of what they expected would be Trump’s policy reversals on immigration and other issues. Still, in his inauguration speech, Trump said Obama and his wife had been “magnificent” in carrying out an orderly transition and thanked them for their “gracious aid” throughout the period. And rarely in modern times have a president and his allies been as deliberate in their desire to hobble the incoming administration as Trump has been toward Biden. “It’s not consistent with anything we experienced,” said Denis McDonough, who served as Obama’s chief of staff and was part of Obama’s team during the transition from Bush’s administration. He said Trump’s actions in the final days of his administration were foreshadowed by his determination to sever agreements Obama had reached on climate change and Iran’s nuclear program — something presidents rarely do. “It’s a breach of that norm,” McDonough said. Some of Trump’s actions are all but permanent, like the nomination of judges with lifetime appointments or the naming of his supporters to government panels with terms that stretch beyond Biden’s likely time in office. Once done, there is little that the new president can do to reverse them. But they are not the only nominees administration officials are trying to rush through. Among the others are two nominees to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, who would serve until 2024 and 2030 respectively; a trio of possible members to the Federal Election Commission to serve six-year terms; and nominees to the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, who, if confirmed, would prevent Biden from installing majorities on those bodies until well into 2021. Other actions may be possible to reverse but are designed to exact a political price for doing so. Since the election, Trump has ordered the withdrawal of thousands of troops from Afghanistan, where Trump aims to halve an already pared-down force of 4,500 by the time he leaves office, defying the advice of some top generals. Biden’s vision for U.S. troop deployments is not radically different. He has said that he supports only small numbers of combat forces, mainly tasked with fighting terrorist groups like al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. But Trump’s last-minute withdrawals could force Biden into an unwanted confrontation with Democrats in Congress if he decides he needs to return to the modest preelection status quo. Analysts say that Trump’s withdrawal of troops also deprives the United States of any leverage in the ongoing peace process in Afghanistan between the Taliban and the Afghan government, potentially allowing the Taliban to make important military gains. Trump officials are also working to impose new sanctions on Iran that may be difficult for Biden to reverse, out of a fear of opening himself up to charges that he is soft on one of the country’s most dangerous adversaries. The sanctions could also undermine any move by Biden to return to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, a step that would require providing Iran with economic breathing room after years of Trump’s constrictions. “I think you’re going to see a pretty rapid clip of new actions before Jan. 20,” said Mark Dubowitz, chief executive of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, who often consults with the Trump administration on Iran. In an Oval Office meeting last week, Trump also asked his senior advisers what military options were available to him in response to Iran’s stockpiling of nuclear material, although he was dissuaded from pursuing the idea. Any military action would undermine attempts by Biden to reset U.S. policy. Similarly, Trump officials continue to take punitive actions against China that are likely to further strain the tense relationship with Beijing that Biden will inherit. Last week, Trump issued an executive order barring Americans from investing in Chinese companies with ties to China’s military. Administration officials say more steps are in the works. Mnuchin’s shutdown of emergency lending programs this past week could also have long-lasting implications for Biden as the new president struggles to contain the economic fallout from the pandemic. The pandemic-era programs are run by the Fed but use Treasury money to insure against losses. Mnuchin defended his decision Friday, insisting that he was following the intent of Congress in calling for the Fed to return unused money to the Treasury. But it will be Biden who will be left to deal with the consequences. And restoring the programs would require new negotiations with a Congress that is already deadlocked over COVID relief. In the summer of 2008, officials in Bush’s White House sent a memo to agency officials warning them to wrap up new regulations — and not to try to rush new ones in right before the next president. Trump is doing the opposite. The Environmental Protection Agency is rushing to try to complete work on a new rule that will change the way the federal government counts costs and benefits, an adjustment that could make it harder for Biden to expand certain air or water pollution regulations. At Health and Human Services, the agency moved just after Election Day to adopt a rule that would automatically suspend thousands of agency regulations if they are not individually confirmed to be “still needed” and “having appropriate impacts.” The agency itself called the plan radical — realizing it would tie the hands of the next administration. Brian Harrison, the agency’s chief of staff, called it “the boldest and most significant regulatory reform effort ever undertaken by HHS.”

Trump using last days to lock in policies and make Biden’s task more difficult

Two separate New York state fraud investigations into President Donald Trump and his businesses, one criminal and one civil, have expanded to include tax write-offs on millions of dollars in consulting fees, some of which appear to have gone to Ivanka Trump, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

The inquiries — a criminal investigation by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr., and a civil one by state Attorney General Letitia James — are being conducted independently. But both offices issued subpoenas to the Trump Organization in recent weeks for records related to the fees, the people said.

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The subpoenas were the latest steps in the two investigations of the Trump Organization, and underscore the legal challenges awaiting the president when he leaves office in January. There is no indication that his daughter is a focus of either inquiry, which the Trump Organization has derided as politically motivated.

The development follows a recent New York Times examination of more than two decades of Donald Trump’s tax records, which found that he had paid little or no federal income taxes in most years, largely because of his chronic business losses.

Among the revelations was that Trump reduced his taxable income by deducting about $26 million in fees to unidentified consultants as a business expense on numerous projects between 2010 and 2018.

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Some of those fees appear to have been paid to Ivanka Trump, The Times found. On a 2017 disclosure she filed when joining the White House as a presidential adviser, she reported receiving payments from a consulting company she co-owned, totaling $747,622, that exactly matched consulting fees claimed as tax deductions by the Trump Organization for hotel projects in Hawaii and Vancouver, British Columbia.

The subpoenas were focused on fees paid to the firm on her disclosures, TTT Consulting LLC, and represented just a portion of the $26 million, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. The name of the firm appears to be a reference to Ivanka Trump and other members of her family.

Ivanka Trump was an executive officer of the Trump companies that made the payments, meaning she appears to have been treated as a consultant while also working for the company. While companies can deduct professional fees, the Internal Revenue Service requires that consulting arrangements be market-based and reasonable, as well as “ordinary and necessary” to running a business.

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Alan Garten, general counsel for the Trump Organization, said in a statement that “this is just the latest fishing expedition in an ongoing attempt to harass the company.”

“Everything was done in strict compliance with applicable law and under the advice of counsel and tax experts,” he added. “All applicable taxes were paid and no party received any undue benefit.”

The IRS has sometimes rejected attempts to write off consulting fees if they were meant to avoid taxes and did not reflect arm's-length business relationships. It is not known if the IRS has ever questioned the Trump Organization about the practice. The tax benefit to Donald Trump from deducting the fees on his companies’ federal returns would also be reflected on his New York returns, making it of possible interest to the state.

A tax adviser who has worked with the Trump Organization said that such consulting fees were not uncommon.

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The offices of the district attorney and the attorney general declined to comment. Ivanka Trump did not respond to requests for comment but said on Twitter after publication that “there was no tax benefit whatsoever.”

Few details have been publicly disclosed about the district attorney’s investigation, the only known active criminal case involving Donald Trump. Vance’s office began the inquiry more than two years ago, initially focusing on the Trump Organization’s role in hush money paid during the 2016 presidential campaign to Stormy Daniels, a pornographic film actress who claimed to have had an affair with Trump.

The investigation has been stalled since last fall, after the president filed a lawsuit to block a subpoena for his tax returns and other financial records.

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The legal fight is before the U.S. Supreme Court for a second time, with a ruling expected soon. Prosecutors have suggested in court filings that their investigation has expanded far beyond the hush money and is focused on a number of potential financial crimes, including insurance and bank-related fraud, tax evasion and grand larceny.

Trump has said the investigation is part of “the greatest witch hunt in history.” Both Vance and James are Democrats.

James’ civil investigation is focused on the Trump Organization’s business practices, though she can make a criminal referral and can seek authority from Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s administration or the state comptroller to bring charges on her own.

Her inquiry began last year in March, after Michael Cohen, the president’s former lawyer, told Congress that Trump had inflated his assets in financial statements to secure bank loans and understated them elsewhere to reduce his tax bill. In August, the attorney general’s office asked a judge to force the president’s son Eric Trump to testify in the inquiry, and he did so last month. Eric Trump is an executive vice president at the Trump Organization, running its day-to-day operations.

Investigators in James’ office have scrutinized a widening array of transactions. One of them is a 2010 financial restructuring of the Trump Hotel &amp; Tower in Chicago, when the Fortress Credit Corp. forgave debt worth more than $100 million. The attorney general’s office said in court documents filed in August that the Trump Organization had thwarted efforts to determine how that money was reflected in its tax filings, and whether it was declared as income, as the law requires in most instances. The Times’ analysis of Trump’s financial records found that he had avoided federal income tax on almost all of the forgiven debt.

The attorney general’s office is also examining whether the Trump Organization used inflated appraisals when it received large tax breaks for promising to conserve land where its development efforts faltered, including at its Seven Springs estate in Westchester County, New York.

“The outcome of the election will have no impact on our investigations,” James said in a television interview this month, adding: “No one is above the law. We will just follow the facts and the evidence, wherever they lead us.”

Two separate New York state fraud investigations into President Donald Trump and his businesses, one criminal and one civil, have expanded to include tax write-offs on millions of dollars in consulting fees, some of which appear to have gone to Ivanka Trump, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

Two separate New York state fraud investigations into President Donald Trump and his businesses, one criminal and one civil, have expanded to include tax write-offs on millions of dollars in consulting fees, some of which appear to have gone to Ivanka Trump, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The inquiries — a criminal investigation by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr., and a civil one by state Attorney General Letitia James — are being conducted independently. But both offices issued subpoenas to the Trump Organization in recent weeks for records related to the fees, the people said. Also read| Donald Trump to address APEC summit a day after China's Xi Jinping The subpoenas were the latest steps in the two investigations of the Trump Organization, and underscore the legal challenges awaiting the president when he leaves office in January. There is no indication that his daughter is a focus of either inquiry, which the Trump Organization has derided as politically motivated. The development follows a recent New York Times examination of more than two decades of Donald Trump’s tax records, which found that he had paid little or no federal income taxes in most years, largely because of his chronic business losses. Among the revelations was that Trump reduced his taxable income by deducting about $26 million in fees to unidentified consultants as a business expense on numerous projects between 2010 and 2018. Also read| Donald Trump asks judge to declare him winner in Pennsylvania Some of those fees appear to have been paid to Ivanka Trump, The Times found. On a 2017 disclosure she filed when joining the White House as a presidential adviser, she reported receiving payments from a consulting company she co-owned, totaling $747,622, that exactly matched consulting fees claimed as tax deductions by the Trump Organization for hotel projects in Hawaii and Vancouver, British Columbia. The subpoenas were focused on fees paid to the firm on her disclosures, TTT Consulting LLC, and represented just a portion of the $26 million, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. The name of the firm appears to be a reference to Ivanka Trump and other members of her family. Ivanka Trump was an executive officer of the Trump companies that made the payments, meaning she appears to have been treated as a consultant while also working for the company. While companies can deduct professional fees, the Internal Revenue Service requires that consulting arrangements be market-based and reasonable, as well as “ordinary and necessary” to running a business. Also read| Ivanka Trump is narcissistic and obsessed with status, like Donald: Former friend Alan Garten, general counsel for the Trump Organization, said in a statement that “this is just the latest fishing expedition in an ongoing attempt to harass the company.” “Everything was done in strict compliance with applicable law and under the advice of counsel and tax experts,” he added. “All applicable taxes were paid and no party received any undue benefit.” The IRS has sometimes rejected attempts to write off consulting fees if they were meant to avoid taxes and did not reflect arm's-length business relationships. It is not known if the IRS has ever questioned the Trump Organization about the practice. The tax benefit to Donald Trump from deducting the fees on his companies’ federal returns would also be reflected on his New York returns, making it of possible interest to the state. A tax adviser who has worked with the Trump Organization said that such consulting fees were not uncommon. Also read| Donald Trump's daughter-in-law, Lara, may run for Senate in North Carolina The offices of the district attorney and the attorney general declined to comment. Ivanka Trump did not respond to requests for comment but said on Twitter after publication that “there was no tax benefit whatsoever.” Few details have been publicly disclosed about the district attorney’s investigation, the only known active criminal case involving Donald Trump. Vance’s office began the inquiry more than two years ago, initially focusing on the Trump Organization’s role in hush money paid during the 2016 presidential campaign to Stormy Daniels, a pornographic film actress who claimed to have had an affair with Trump. The investigation has been stalled since last fall, after the president filed a lawsuit to block a subpoena for his tax returns and other financial records. Also read| 'Don't be embarrassing': Czech President asks Donald Trump to step down The legal fight is before the U.S. Supreme Court for a second time, with a ruling expected soon. Prosecutors have suggested in court filings that their investigation has expanded far beyond the hush money and is focused on a number of potential financial crimes, including insurance and bank-related fraud, tax evasion and grand larceny. Trump has said the investigation is part of “the greatest witch hunt in history.” Both Vance and James are Democrats. James’ civil investigation is focused on the Trump Organization’s business practices, though she can make a criminal referral and can seek authority from Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s administration or the state comptroller to bring charges on her own. Her inquiry began last year in March, after Michael Cohen, the president’s former lawyer, told Congress that Trump had inflated his assets in financial statements to secure bank loans and understated them elsewhere to reduce his tax bill. In August, the attorney general’s office asked a judge to force the president’s son Eric Trump to testify in the inquiry, and he did so last month. Eric Trump is an executive vice president at the Trump Organization, running its day-to-day operations. Investigators in James’ office have scrutinized a widening array of transactions. One of them is a 2010 financial restructuring of the Trump Hotel & Tower in Chicago, when the Fortress Credit Corp. forgave debt worth more than $100 million. The attorney general’s office said in court documents filed in August that the Trump Organization had thwarted efforts to determine how that money was reflected in its tax filings, and whether it was declared as income, as the law requires in most instances. The Times’ analysis of Trump’s financial records found that he had avoided federal income tax on almost all of the forgiven debt. The attorney general’s office is also examining whether the Trump Organization used inflated appraisals when it received large tax breaks for promising to conserve land where its development efforts faltered, including at its Seven Springs estate in Westchester County, New York. “The outcome of the election will have no impact on our investigations,” James said in a television interview this month, adding: “No one is above the law. We will just follow the facts and the evidence, wherever they lead us.”

Trump tax write-offs are ensnared in 2 New York fraud investigations

US President-elect Joe Biden on Thursday accused Donald Trump of brazenly damaging democracy as the incumbent pressed on with a campaign to reverse his election loss through fraud claims and personal outreach to election authorities. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-elections-2020-trump-campaign-drops-michigan-vote-count-lawsuit-344169">Also read: US elections 2020 — Trump campaign drops Michigan vote count lawsuit</a>

Trump is behind "incredibly damaging messages being sent to the rest of the world about how democracy functions," Biden told reporters in his home state of Delaware.

Asked about Trump's calls with officials in Michigan, which Biden won on November 3 election by 155,000 votes, Biden said it was "another incident where he will go down in history as being one of the most irresponsible presidents in American history."

"It's hard to fathom how this man thinks," Biden said. "I'm confident he knows he hasn't won, is not going to be able to win and we're going to be sworn on January 20th."

Trump has refused to accept his loss on November 3, despite his opponent getting over six million more votes.

Biden also won the Electoral College votes that ultimately decide who takes the White House by 306 to 232, flipping five states that went to Trump four years ago.

After initially making baseless claims of widespread fraud, Trump has appeared to shift his strategy to asking states to overrule the will of voters.

In Michigan, Trump placed a telephone call to a Republican on a once-obscure board who wants to withdraw her certification of the election result in the heavily Democratic county that includes majority-Black Detroit.

"He was checking to make sure I was safe after seeing/hearing about the threats and doxxing," Wayne County Board of Canvassers chairwoman Monica Palmer told the Detroit Free Press, referring to personal information posted about her on social media.

Trump also reportedly invited Michigan Republican lawmakers to the White House, even as his campaign withdrew a federal lawsuit that asked the courts to block final certification of the state's results.

Biden's margin of victory in Michigan is more than 10 times higher than Trump's when he won the state in 2016.

More accusations by Trump camp

Georgia is preparing to release results of a hand recount of its five million ballots that is expected to show that Biden is the first Democratic presidential candidate to win the southern state in almost three decades.

Trump dispatched his lawyer Rudy Giuliani to give a news conference Thursday where he read affidavits claiming fraudulent voter activity in multiple states and said the campaign would file a new lawsuit in Georgia.

Giuliani, a former mayor of New York, also brazenly accused Democrats of being "crooks" who committed massive fraud in several battleground states "to steal an election from the American people."

"It changes the results of the election in Michigan if you take out Wayne County," said Giuliani, who repeatedly wiped the sweat from his brow and at one point had a dark liquid which may or may not has been hair dye snaking down the side of his face.

As Giuliani and other Trump lawyers outlined claims that included charges of communist involvement, the president -- apparently watching on television -- took to Twitter to applaud them for laying out "an open-and-shut case of voter fraud."

Chris Krebs, the top US election security official who was fired by Trump after calling the election the most secure ever, wrote on Twitter that the news conference was "the most dangerous 1hr 45 minutes of television in American history" and "possibly the craziest."

Recount 'did its job'

In Georgia, Biden's original winning margin was just over 14,000 votes.

The hand recount that began last week and concluded late Wednesday narrowed that gap slightly to more than 12,700 as of early Thursday.

Some discrepancies were found in Republican-leaning counties, according to Gabriel Sterling, Georgia's voting system manager who helped monitor the so-called risk-level audit.

"The good part was, the audit did its job. It found those tranches of votes," he told Fox News.

The issues, which were chalked up to the human error and not fraud, included memory cards that were not scanned in Douglas and Walton counties, more than 2,700 missing votes in Fayette County, and 2,600 ballots from Floyd County that were not scanned.

Georgia's Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who like Sterling is a Republican, said there was no widespread voter fraud.

"I don't believe at the end of the day it'll change the total results," Raffensperger told CNN.

The laser-like focus on Georgia is not just because of the recount. The state's two US Senate races are going to runoffs on January 5 that will determine control of the chamber and Biden's ability to push through his agenda.

US President-elect Joe Biden on Thursday accused Donald Trump of brazenly damaging democracy as the incumbent pressed on with a campaign to reverse his election loss through fraud claims and personal outreach to election authorities.

US President-elect Joe Biden on Thursday accused Donald Trump of brazenly damaging democracy as the incumbent pressed on with a campaign to reverse his election loss through fraud claims and personal outreach to election authorities. Also read: US elections 2020 — Trump campaign drops Michigan vote count lawsuit Trump is behind "incredibly damaging messages being sent to the rest of the world about how democracy functions," Biden told reporters in his home state of Delaware. Asked about Trump's calls with officials in Michigan, which Biden won on November 3 election by 155,000 votes, Biden said it was "another incident where he will go down in history as being one of the most irresponsible presidents in American history." "It's hard to fathom how this man thinks," Biden said. "I'm confident he knows he hasn't won, is not going to be able to win and we're going to be sworn on January 20th." Trump has refused to accept his loss on November 3, despite his opponent getting over six million more votes. Biden also won the Electoral College votes that ultimately decide who takes the White House by 306 to 232, flipping five states that went to Trump four years ago. After initially making baseless claims of widespread fraud, Trump has appeared to shift his strategy to asking states to overrule the will of voters. In Michigan, Trump placed a telephone call to a Republican on a once-obscure board who wants to withdraw her certification of the election result in the heavily Democratic county that includes majority-Black Detroit. "He was checking to make sure I was safe after seeing/hearing about the threats and doxxing," Wayne County Board of Canvassers chairwoman Monica Palmer told the Detroit Free Press, referring to personal information posted about her on social media. Trump also reportedly invited Michigan Republican lawmakers to the White House, even as his campaign withdrew a federal lawsuit that asked the courts to block final certification of the state's results. Biden's margin of victory in Michigan is more than 10 times higher than Trump's when he won the state in 2016. More accusations by Trump camp Georgia is preparing to release results of a hand recount of its five million ballots that is expected to show that Biden is the first Democratic presidential candidate to win the southern state in almost three decades. Trump dispatched his lawyer Rudy Giuliani to give a news conference Thursday where he read affidavits claiming fraudulent voter activity in multiple states and said the campaign would file a new lawsuit in Georgia. Giuliani, a former mayor of New York, also brazenly accused Democrats of being "crooks" who committed massive fraud in several battleground states "to steal an election from the American people." "It changes the results of the election in Michigan if you take out Wayne County," said Giuliani, who repeatedly wiped the sweat from his brow and at one point had a dark liquid which may or may not has been hair dye snaking down the side of his face. As Giuliani and other Trump lawyers outlined claims that included charges of communist involvement, the president -- apparently watching on television -- took to Twitter to applaud them for laying out "an open-and-shut case of voter fraud." Chris Krebs, the top US election security official who was fired by Trump after calling the election the most secure ever, wrote on Twitter that the news conference was "the most dangerous 1hr 45 minutes of television in American history" and "possibly the craziest." Recount 'did its job' In Georgia, Biden's original winning margin was just over 14,000 votes. The hand recount that began last week and concluded late Wednesday narrowed that gap slightly to more than 12,700 as of early Thursday. Some discrepancies were found in Republican-leaning counties, according to Gabriel Sterling, Georgia's voting system manager who helped monitor the so-called risk-level audit. "The good part was, the audit did its job. It found those tranches of votes," he told Fox News. The issues, which were chalked up to the human error and not fraud, included memory cards that were not scanned in Douglas and Walton counties, more than 2,700 missing votes in Fayette County, and 2,600 ballots from Floyd County that were not scanned. Georgia's Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who like Sterling is a Republican, said there was no widespread voter fraud. "I don't believe at the end of the day it'll change the total results," Raffensperger told CNN. The laser-like focus on Georgia is not just because of the recount. The state's two US Senate races are going to runoffs on January 5 that will determine control of the chamber and Biden's ability to push through his agenda.

‘I am confident he knows he hasn't won’: Joe Biden on Trump

When the top lawmakers who oversee the Defense Department met privately this week to discuss a year-end effort to pass the annual military policy bill, a Republican senator, James Inhofe, issued an ultimatum: If they wanted the measure to pass this year, they would need to kill its requirement to strip the names of Confederate leaders from military bases.

The provision had broad support from members of both parties and top military officials when it passed the House and the Senate this year, amid a national outcry for racial justice, including removing historical symbols of oppression. But it infuriated President Donald Trump, who threatened to veto it, and Inhofe, the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, privately promised the president that he would scrap it before that became necessary.

Inhofe’s comments Monday night, which were described by two people familiar with the private discussion, previewed a looming fight over the issue that could snarl the entire defense bill in the waning days of the Trump administration. Lawmakers began formal negotiations on Wednesday to reconcile the two chambers’ versions of the legislation.

In the months preceding the election, Inhofe had publicly warned that the bill could not become law if it included the provision, given Trump’s opposition. His comments this week reflected how, even as his presidency winds down, Trump has continued to cast a cloud over the fate of critical legislation that authorizes pay raises for American troops — all because of an issue on which he has found himself almost entirely alone.

They also raised the prospect of a messy legislative showdown over whether to defend Confederate symbols. The defense bill passed both chambers with veto-proof majorities, but Congress has never been able to muster the votes to override any of Trump’s eight vetoes during his term.

Still, many Democrats are spoiling for a fight to keep the provision, and a number of Republicans have made it clear they want to preserve it as well.

“I don’t think we should back away from our values and what we stand for,” said Rep. Anthony Brown, D-Md. and an Army veteran who wrote the House measure. “I don’t think we should turn a blind eye to what would be viewed by many as a perpetuation of a racist symbol in a name, simply because he threatens to veto the Defense Authorization Act.”

Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California on Wednesday evening said retaining the provision in the final bill was vital.

“It is imperative that the conference report include provisions that secure this essential priority,” Pelosi said in a statement. “Our bases should reflect our highest ideals as Americans.”

The two top Democrats on the armed services panels, Rep. Adam Smith of Washington, the chairman on the House side, and Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the ranking member in the Senate, are both institutionalists who have prided themselves on passing a bipartisan defense bill every year, even if it meant making compromises that disappointed their party’s base.

But Reed said in a brief interview that he believed Congress must pass the legislation with the removal of Confederate base names included — and force Trump to make a decision on a veto.

It is highly unusual for a provision that has been passed by both the House and the Senate to be jettisoned in final negotiations over the bill, and Reed said he did not think anyone, including Inhofe, would be able to “strip things out unilaterally.”

“I think we should pass the bill,” Reed said Tuesday. “Hopefully, the president will reconsider. It was a bipartisan effort. The committee passed it by a voice vote with very few objections. Then on the floor, the bill was passed with more than 80 votes and the House bill essentially has the equivalent language. It was a bipartisan effort in both houses, and has to be recognized and supported.”

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., said the language reflected the clear will of the majority in Congress.

“If it passed both houses, leave it in,” Capito said. “I would say most Americans would agree with that.”

A congressional aide tracking the negotiations said there were a number of issues that lawmakers still needed to iron out. But the clash over the military bases looms largest, raising the prospect that the defense bill could be delayed for the first time in 60 years.

Rep. Mac Thornberry of Texas, the top Republican on the Armed Services Committee, fretted aloud about the possibility on Tuesday before a speech at the Heritage Foundation.

“It would be a shame for any of us to have a role in blowing it for No. 60,” Thornberry told reporters. “The question is, will the politics above us allow us to?”

The base-renaming language was crafted this summer amid nationwide protests against racism in policing, which fed calls across the country to tear down historical representations of racism. As part of their annual defense policy bills, the House and the Senate each adopted measures mandating that the Pentagon remove Confederate names from military assets.

Both versions received widespread bipartisan support. Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the majority leader, told The Wall Street Journal in July that he would not block the effort to rename the bases, and in an interview with a Louisville radio station, he said he did not “have any problem” with renaming the bases for “people who didn’t rebel against the country.” Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Trump’s senior military adviser, told lawmakers the same month that he supported taking “a hard look” at renaming efforts.

Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., who wrote the House measure with Brown, said in a statement that “changing the names of these bases is right.”

“While I do not want this issue to imperil this must-pass legislation, my strong desire is that Congress and the White House show leadership on this issue,” Bacon said. “I’m not dogmatic on the process or the exact timing, but we need to fix this and stand on the right side of history.”

Sen. Todd Young of Indiana, who is a member of McConnell’s leadership team, said it was imperative that Congress enact the military policy measure.

“My preference is to move forward with a bipartisan compromise,” Young said. “We can’t not authorize our national defense programs.”

But Inhofe has always opposed the provision, arguing that the decision of whether to rename bases should be left up to local communities and states, rather than mandated by Congress. In July, Inhofe was overheard on speakerphone at a Washington restaurant assuring Trump that the provision would not make it into the final defense bill.

“We’re going to keep the name of Robert E. Lee?” Trump asked Inhofe.

Inhofe replied: “Just trust me. I’ll make it happen.”

Asked for details of the negotiations on Tuesday, Inhofe declined to discuss private conversations. A spokesman for Smith also declined to comment, citing an informal policy of keeping details of their negotiations private.

Several House Democrats, including those with military experience, have privately signaled that they would be willing to oppose the entire bill if it is removed.

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va. and his party’s former nominee for vice president, said there is “absolutely no way we’re backing down.”

“My belief is if we put this bill on the president’s desk, he’s not going to veto it,” Kaine said. “It’s a big bluff. We’re not backing down.”

When the top lawmakers who oversee the Defense Department met privately this week to discuss a year-end effort to pass the annual military policy bill, a Republican senator, James Inhofe, issued an ultimatum: If they wanted the measure to pass this year, they would need to kill its requirement to strip the names of Confederate leaders from military bases.

When the top lawmakers who oversee the Defense Department met privately this week to discuss a year-end effort to pass the annual military policy bill, a Republican senator, James Inhofe, issued an ultimatum: If they wanted the measure to pass this year, they would need to kill its requirement to strip the names of Confederate leaders from military bases. The provision had broad support from members of both parties and top military officials when it passed the House and the Senate this year, amid a national outcry for racial justice, including removing historical symbols of oppression. But it infuriated President Donald Trump, who threatened to veto it, and Inhofe, the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, privately promised the president that he would scrap it before that became necessary. Inhofe’s comments Monday night, which were described by two people familiar with the private discussion, previewed a looming fight over the issue that could snarl the entire defense bill in the waning days of the Trump administration. Lawmakers began formal negotiations on Wednesday to reconcile the two chambers’ versions of the legislation. In the months preceding the election, Inhofe had publicly warned that the bill could not become law if it included the provision, given Trump’s opposition. His comments this week reflected how, even as his presidency winds down, Trump has continued to cast a cloud over the fate of critical legislation that authorizes pay raises for American troops — all because of an issue on which he has found himself almost entirely alone. They also raised the prospect of a messy legislative showdown over whether to defend Confederate symbols. The defense bill passed both chambers with veto-proof majorities, but Congress has never been able to muster the votes to override any of Trump’s eight vetoes during his term. Still, many Democrats are spoiling for a fight to keep the provision, and a number of Republicans have made it clear they want to preserve it as well. “I don’t think we should back away from our values and what we stand for,” said Rep. Anthony Brown, D-Md. and an Army veteran who wrote the House measure. “I don’t think we should turn a blind eye to what would be viewed by many as a perpetuation of a racist symbol in a name, simply because he threatens to veto the Defense Authorization Act.” Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California on Wednesday evening said retaining the provision in the final bill was vital. “It is imperative that the conference report include provisions that secure this essential priority,” Pelosi said in a statement. “Our bases should reflect our highest ideals as Americans.” The two top Democrats on the armed services panels, Rep. Adam Smith of Washington, the chairman on the House side, and Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the ranking member in the Senate, are both institutionalists who have prided themselves on passing a bipartisan defense bill every year, even if it meant making compromises that disappointed their party’s base. But Reed said in a brief interview that he believed Congress must pass the legislation with the removal of Confederate base names included — and force Trump to make a decision on a veto. It is highly unusual for a provision that has been passed by both the House and the Senate to be jettisoned in final negotiations over the bill, and Reed said he did not think anyone, including Inhofe, would be able to “strip things out unilaterally.” “I think we should pass the bill,” Reed said Tuesday. “Hopefully, the president will reconsider. It was a bipartisan effort. The committee passed it by a voice vote with very few objections. Then on the floor, the bill was passed with more than 80 votes and the House bill essentially has the equivalent language. It was a bipartisan effort in both houses, and has to be recognized and supported.” Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., said the language reflected the clear will of the majority in Congress. “If it passed both houses, leave it in,” Capito said. “I would say most Americans would agree with that.” A congressional aide tracking the negotiations said there were a number of issues that lawmakers still needed to iron out. But the clash over the military bases looms largest, raising the prospect that the defense bill could be delayed for the first time in 60 years. Rep. Mac Thornberry of Texas, the top Republican on the Armed Services Committee, fretted aloud about the possibility on Tuesday before a speech at the Heritage Foundation. “It would be a shame for any of us to have a role in blowing it for No. 60,” Thornberry told reporters. “The question is, will the politics above us allow us to?” The base-renaming language was crafted this summer amid nationwide protests against racism in policing, which fed calls across the country to tear down historical representations of racism. As part of their annual defense policy bills, the House and the Senate each adopted measures mandating that the Pentagon remove Confederate names from military assets. Both versions received widespread bipartisan support. Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the majority leader, told The Wall Street Journal in July that he would not block the effort to rename the bases, and in an interview with a Louisville radio station, he said he did not “have any problem” with renaming the bases for “people who didn’t rebel against the country.” Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Trump’s senior military adviser, told lawmakers the same month that he supported taking “a hard look” at renaming efforts. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., who wrote the House measure with Brown, said in a statement that “changing the names of these bases is right.” “While I do not want this issue to imperil this must-pass legislation, my strong desire is that Congress and the White House show leadership on this issue,” Bacon said. “I’m not dogmatic on the process or the exact timing, but we need to fix this and stand on the right side of history.” Sen. Todd Young of Indiana, who is a member of McConnell’s leadership team, said it was imperative that Congress enact the military policy measure. “My preference is to move forward with a bipartisan compromise,” Young said. “We can’t not authorize our national defense programs.” But Inhofe has always opposed the provision, arguing that the decision of whether to rename bases should be left up to local communities and states, rather than mandated by Congress. In July, Inhofe was overheard on speakerphone at a Washington restaurant assuring Trump that the provision would not make it into the final defense bill. “We’re going to keep the name of Robert E. Lee?” Trump asked Inhofe. Inhofe replied: “Just trust me. I’ll make it happen.” Asked for details of the negotiations on Tuesday, Inhofe declined to discuss private conversations. A spokesman for Smith also declined to comment, citing an informal policy of keeping details of their negotiations private. Several House Democrats, including those with military experience, have privately signaled that they would be willing to oppose the entire bill if it is removed. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va. and his party’s former nominee for vice president, said there is “absolutely no way we’re backing down.” “My belief is if we put this bill on the president’s desk, he’s not going to veto it,” Kaine said. “It’s a big bluff. We’re not backing down.”

Trump’s Confederate base veto threat imperils defense bill

Donald <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-trump-refuses-to-concede-bidens-camp-gets-to-work-343775">Trump's</a> lawyer Rudy Giuliani said today that US president's campaign team is withdrawing the lawsuit in Michigan which complained against vote results in the state as the president struggles to put a legal challenge to his re-election bid.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-trump-faces-a-barrage-of-calls-to-enable-a-transition-343781/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">&nbsp;</div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">“This morning we are withdrawing our lawsuit in Michigan as a direct result of achieving the relief we sought: to stop the election in Wayne County from being prematurely certified before residents can be assured that every legal vote has been counted and every illegal vote has not been counted,” Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani said.</div>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/judy-shelton-trump-fed-nominee-fails-to-advance-to-final-vote-343889">Also Read:&nbsp;Judy Shelton, Trump fed nominee, fails to advance to final vote</a>

Earlier, Trump's election team had asked a judge to declare him the winner in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-asks-judge-to-declare-him-winner-in-pennsylvania-344151">Pennsylvania</a> asserting that the state's Republican-controlled legislature should select the electors that will cast votes in the US electoral college system.

In Michigan, elections workers had started opening envelopes on November 2, one day before election day.

"The results of the 2020 presidential general election are defective and providing for the Pennsylvania General Assembly to choose Pennsylvania’s electors," Trump's team said in a court filing.

A judge in Michigan had rejected Republican claims of fraud. US networks had earlier declared Democrat Joe Biden winner in the crucial battleground state of Michigan. The state has 16 electoral vote.

President-elect Joe Biden has won 306 electoral college votes against 232 votes won by President Trump in the US elections held on November 3.

Trump's early leads in Michigan was built by high in-person voting, however, the advantage evaporated after mail-in votes were counted.

Donald Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani said today that US president's campaign team is withdrawing the lawsuit in Michigan which complained against vote results in the state as the president struggles to put a legal challenge to his re-election bid.

Donald Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani said today that US president's campaign team is withdrawing the lawsuit in Michigan which complained against vote results in the state as the president struggles to put a legal challenge to his re-election bid. Watch: “This morning we are withdrawing our lawsuit in Michigan as a direct result of achieving the relief we sought: to stop the election in Wayne County from being prematurely certified before residents can be assured that every legal vote has been counted and every illegal vote has not been counted,” Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani said. Also Read: Judy Shelton, Trump fed nominee, fails to advance to final vote Earlier, Trump's election team had asked a judge to declare him the winner in Pennsylvania asserting that the state's Republican-controlled legislature should select the electors that will cast votes in the US electoral college system. In Michigan, elections workers had started opening envelopes on November 2, one day before election day. "The results of the 2020 presidential general election are defective and providing for the Pennsylvania General Assembly to choose Pennsylvania’s electors," Trump's team said in a court filing. A judge in Michigan had rejected Republican claims of fraud. US networks had earlier declared Democrat Joe Biden winner in the crucial battleground state of Michigan. The state has 16 electoral vote. President-elect Joe Biden has won 306 electoral college votes against 232 votes won by President Trump in the US elections held on November 3. Trump's early leads in Michigan was built by high in-person voting, however, the advantage evaporated after mail-in votes were counted.

US elections 2020: Trump campaign drops Michigan vote count lawsuit

Judy Shelton’s nomination to fill one of two remaining open seats on the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors failed to advance to a final vote Tuesday, a significant setback but one that does not kill her chances at ultimately winning confirmation.

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the majority leader, took steps that will allow him to bring up the nomination again, which could give Shelton another shot at joining the Fed. Still, her failure to clear a closely watched procedural vote signaled the tough road ahead for President Donald Trump’s nominee, whose bid has been contentious from the start.

Trump announced that he would nominate Shelton 16 months ago, but her confirmation has been delayed time and again by lawmakers’ skepticism over her views — she is a loyal fan of the president and a longtime proponent of some sort of gold standard, which most economists oppose.

While she had appeared to be on the brink of confirmation this week, the coronavirus complicated Republicans’ last-minute attempt to place Shelton in a role at the nerve center of the U.S. economy.

On Tuesday morning, Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, announced that he had been exposed to the coronavirus and by late afternoon he disclosed that he had tested positive. With Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., also in quarantine, Democrats who opposed her nomination had a chance to hold back confirmation with some Republican support.

Sens. Mitt Romney of Utah and Susan Collins of Maine, both Republicans, voted against advancing her nomination, and a third Republican, Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, also opposed Shelton but was not present for the vote because of what a spokesman said were family matters.

In a sign of how narrow the margin was, Sen. Kamala Harris of California, the vice president-elect, returned to Capitol Hill for the first time since the presidential election in part to vote against Shelton’s advancement.

“Sen. Harris knows this is an important vote, and she’s here for it,” Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., the minority leader, said at his weekly news conference. “She didn’t need contacting.”

The procedural vote ultimately failed 47-50, with McConnell changing his vote from agreeing to advance the nomination to opposing it so he could revive it before the end of the lame-duck session.

If confirmed, Shelton, 66, would take one of seven seats on the central bank’s Washington-based board. With her addition, five of the six filled seats would contain Trump’s appointees. The president has nominated Christopher Waller, a Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis official, to fill the remaining seat. It is unclear when his less contested nomination could come to a vote.

But Shelton’s prospects might prove dim. Mark Kelly, a Democratic senator-elect who flipped a Senate seat in Arizona, can be sworn in once his election is certified at the end of the month. Shelton has such a narrow margin of support that losing that one vote could cost her any chance of confirmation.

Still, if Grassley or Scott returns before Kelly is seated, Shelton might be approved.

Judy Shelton’s nomination to fill one of two remaining open seats on the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors failed to advance to a final vote Tuesday, a significant setback but one that does not kill her chances at ultimately winning confirmation.

Judy Shelton’s nomination to fill one of two remaining open seats on the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors failed to advance to a final vote Tuesday, a significant setback but one that does not kill her chances at ultimately winning confirmation. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the majority leader, took steps that will allow him to bring up the nomination again, which could give Shelton another shot at joining the Fed. Still, her failure to clear a closely watched procedural vote signaled the tough road ahead for President Donald Trump’s nominee, whose bid has been contentious from the start. Trump announced that he would nominate Shelton 16 months ago, but her confirmation has been delayed time and again by lawmakers’ skepticism over her views — she is a loyal fan of the president and a longtime proponent of some sort of gold standard, which most economists oppose. While she had appeared to be on the brink of confirmation this week, the coronavirus complicated Republicans’ last-minute attempt to place Shelton in a role at the nerve center of the U.S. economy. On Tuesday morning, Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, announced that he had been exposed to the coronavirus and by late afternoon he disclosed that he had tested positive. With Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., also in quarantine, Democrats who opposed her nomination had a chance to hold back confirmation with some Republican support. Sens. Mitt Romney of Utah and Susan Collins of Maine, both Republicans, voted against advancing her nomination, and a third Republican, Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, also opposed Shelton but was not present for the vote because of what a spokesman said were family matters. In a sign of how narrow the margin was, Sen. Kamala Harris of California, the vice president-elect, returned to Capitol Hill for the first time since the presidential election in part to vote against Shelton’s advancement. “Sen. Harris knows this is an important vote, and she’s here for it,” Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., the minority leader, said at his weekly news conference. “She didn’t need contacting.” The procedural vote ultimately failed 47-50, with McConnell changing his vote from agreeing to advance the nomination to opposing it so he could revive it before the end of the lame-duck session. If confirmed, Shelton, 66, would take one of seven seats on the central bank’s Washington-based board. With her addition, five of the six filled seats would contain Trump’s appointees. The president has nominated Christopher Waller, a Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis official, to fill the remaining seat. It is unclear when his less contested nomination could come to a vote. But Shelton’s prospects might prove dim. Mark Kelly, a Democratic senator-elect who flipped a Senate seat in Arizona, can be sworn in once his election is certified at the end of the month. Shelton has such a narrow margin of support that losing that one vote could cost her any chance of confirmation. Still, if Grassley or Scott returns before Kelly is seated, Shelton might be approved.

Judy Shelton, Trump fed nominee, fails to advance to final vote

Madame Tussauds wax museum in London has taken its Donald Trump waxwork out of his usual presidential-looking attire and put him in some golf clothes

Donald Trump was playing a round of golf on one of his courses in Sterling, Virginia when Joe Biden was being announced the winner of the 2020 US Presidential election.

In its posts on social media platforms, Madame Tussauds London shared an image of Trump’s wax statue’s new attire and wrote that Trump’s campaign may not have been a hole in one, but he will be on course to dedicate more of his time to his favourite sports golf.

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His campaign may not have been a hole in one, but <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> is now on course to dedicate more of his time to his favourite sport as <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MadameTussaudsLondon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MadameTussaudsLondon</a> re-dresses his figure in golfing attire to reflect his potential 2021 wardrobe 📷 <a href="https://twitter.com/PA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PA</a> <a href="https://t.co/pGUs8jKOnW">pic.twitter.com/pGUs8jKOnW</a>
— Madame Tussauds London (@MadameTussauds) <a href="https://twitter.com/MadameTussauds/status/1325158317904125953?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Biden cleared the threshold of 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the White House on Saturday, four days after the November&nbsp;3 election. He beat Trump by more than 4 million votes nationwide, making Trump the first president since 1992 to lose re-election.&nbsp;

Biden, 77, will be the oldest president-elect in US history and the first to oust a sitting commander-in-chief after one term since Bill Clinton defeated George H.W. Bush in 1992.

Biden's running mate, California Senator Kamala Harris, is the first Black and Indian-American woman to serve as vice president.

(With inputs from agencies)

Madame Tussauds wax museum in London has taken its Donald Trump waxwork out of his usual presidential-looking attire and put him in some golf clothes Donald Trump was playing a round of golf on one of his courses in Sterling, Virginia when Joe Biden was being announced the winner of the 2020 US Presidential election.

Madame Tussauds wax museum in London has taken its Donald Trump waxwork out of his usual presidential-looking attire and put him in some golf clothes Donald Trump was playing a round of golf on one of his courses in Sterling, Virginia when Joe Biden was being announced the winner of the 2020 US Presidential election. In its posts on social media platforms, Madame Tussauds London shared an image of Trump’s wax statue’s new attire and wrote that Trump’s campaign may not have been a hole in one, but he will be on course to dedicate more of his time to his favourite sports golf. His campaign may not have been a hole in one, but @realDonaldTrump is now on course to dedicate more of his time to his favourite sport as #MadameTussaudsLondon re-dresses his figure in golfing attire to reflect his potential 2021 wardrobe 📷 @PA pic.twitter.com/pGUs8jKOnW — Madame Tussauds London (@MadameTussauds) November 7, 2020 × Biden cleared the threshold of 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the White House on Saturday, four days after the November 3 election. He beat Trump by more than 4 million votes nationwide, making Trump the first president since 1992 to lose re-election. Biden, 77, will be the oldest president-elect in US history and the first to oust a sitting commander-in-chief after one term since Bill Clinton defeated George H.W. Bush in 1992. Biden's running mate, California Senator Kamala Harris, is the first Black and Indian-American woman to serve as vice president. (With inputs from agencies)

Madame Tussauds in London

Madame Tussauds in London changes Trump statue's outfit to golfing attire after Joe Biden wins US election

Incumbent US President Donald Trump received a defeat at the hands of Joe Biden just a day ago. But if reports are true, another storm may be heading his way. As per a news report published by Daily Mail, Melania Trump may soon divorce her husband.

Daily Mail has quoted former aides of Donald Trump who, from their quotes published in the news report, have appeared to suggest a serious marital discord in America's first couple.&nbsp;

Stephanie Wolkoff, a former aide of Donald Trump made a claim to Daily Mail and said that Melania Trump was negotiating a postnuptial agreement in order to give their son Barron&nbsp;an equal share of the Trump fortune. Wolkoff claimed that Donald Trump and Melania had separate bedrooms in the White House and that their marriage was just 'transactional'.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-vows-to-unite-america-in-first-address-as-us-president-elect-341540">Biden vows to unite America in first address as US president-elect</a> 
 
Daily Mail quoted another former Trump aide, Omarosa Newman who claimed that Melania was 'counting every minute' before Donald Trump was out of the Oval Office so that she could divorce him. Newman said that Melania is apprehensive that Donald Trump would punish her if she divorced him while he was still in office as this would be a great humiliation to incumbent US President.&nbsp;

Incumbent US President Donald Trump received a defeat at the hands of Joe Biden just a day ago. But if reports are true, another storm may be heading his way. As per a news report published by Daily Mail, Melania Trump may soon divorce her husband.

Incumbent US President Donald Trump received a defeat at the hands of Joe Biden just a day ago. But if reports are true, another storm may be heading his way. As per a news report published by Daily Mail, Melania Trump may soon divorce her husband. Daily Mail has quoted former aides of Donald Trump who, from their quotes published in the news report, have appeared to suggest a serious marital discord in America's first couple. Stephanie Wolkoff, a former aide of Donald Trump made a claim to Daily Mail and said that Melania Trump was negotiating a postnuptial agreement in order to give their son Barron an equal share of the Trump fortune. Wolkoff claimed that Donald Trump and Melania had separate bedrooms in the White House and that their marriage was just 'transactional'. Also Read | Biden vows to unite America in first address as US president-elect Daily Mail quoted another former Trump aide, Omarosa Newman who claimed that Melania was 'counting every minute' before Donald Trump was out of the Oval Office so that she could divorce him. Newman said that Melania is apprehensive that Donald Trump would punish her if she divorced him while he was still in office as this would be a great humiliation to incumbent US President.

Melania to leave Donald Trump? Former aides predict divorce

The world has its eyes on America as it elects its 46th President today. While the results are yet to be announced, the ongoing counting and the narrow chase to the power is enough to keep the voters anxious. Celebrities are no different. While many have already cast their votes, there are others who are not a citizen but closely observing the proceedings. This election has seen a great divide, with celebrities being quite vocal about their support and encouraging&nbsp;citizens to come out and exercise their right to vote for a better future.&nbsp;

As the counting is underway, many celebs took to social media&nbsp;to discuss their feelings about the elections and asked the fans to stay calm and hope. Actor Mark Ruffalo tweeted to remind his fans that absentee votes may not be counted until the end of the week. “Take a deep breath folks,” he wrote. “Remember the #RedMirage we won’t know in important states tonight.” 
&nbsp;

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Take a deep breath folks. Remember the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RedMirage?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RedMirage</a> we won’t know in important states tonight. <a href="https://t.co/EtTaAzLckI">https://t.co/EtTaAzLckI</a>
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkRuffalo/status/1323840566971478017?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Katy Perry reminded voters that every vote counts.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COUNTEVERYVOTE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COUNTEVERYVOTE</a> <a href="https://t.co/stZn1j7ky0">pic.twitter.com/stZn1j7ky0</a>
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) <a href="https://twitter.com/katyperry/status/1323824071851663363?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Charlize Theron admitted&nbsp;to fans that they're a mess of anxiety right now but also celebrated the win of Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender senator in the US history.

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We are all a mess of anxiety right now but at least we can celebrate this incredible news 🙌🏻 <a href="https://t.co/MlUMCnXfEF">https://t.co/MlUMCnXfEF</a>
— Charlize Theron (@CharlizeAfrica) <a href="https://twitter.com/CharlizeAfrica/status/1323847316734791680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Elizabeth Banks kept it real, writing: “I’m just pacing back and forth. At least I’m burning off the gallon of ice cream I just ate.”&nbsp;

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I’m just pacing back and forth. At least I’m burning off the gallon of ice cream I just ate. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ElectionNight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ElectionNight</a>
— Elizabeth Banks (@ElizabethBanks) <a href="https://twitter.com/ElizabethBanks/status/1323791473716854784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Trump has won the state of Florida, commenting on it Josh Gad, who has been an open supporter of Biden-Harris wrote, “This election isn’t for the President of Florida. It’s for President of the United States. Do not sweat FL. It will do what it always does and be Florida. Keep voting where you can and stay focused.” 
&nbsp;

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Hey gang, I’m a Floridian. This election isn’t for the President of Florida. It’s for President of the United States. Do not sweat FL. It will do what it always does and be Florida. Keep voting where you can and stay focused. 🙏
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) <a></a>

<a>Hey gang, I’m a Floridian. This election isn’t for the President of Florida. It’s for President of the United States. Do not sweat FL. It will do what it always does and be Florida. Keep voting where you can and stay focused. 🙏</a>
<a>— Josh Gad (@joshgad) </a><a href="https://twitter.com/joshgad/status/1323790919523471361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>href="https://twitter.com/joshgad/status/1323790919523471361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;November 4, 2020 <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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Commenting upon the amount of time being taken, Kumail Nanjiani wrote, "What time is it? It feels like a million o'clock"

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What time is it? It feels like a million o'clock
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) <a href="https://twitter.com/kumailn/status/1323829930979848192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The US media gives Biden 224 electoral votes and Trump 213 after Nebraska split its electoral votes between the two -- four for Trump and one for Biden, CNN and Fox News projected.

A number of key battleground states are still up in the air, including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.&nbsp;

The magic number of electoral votes is 270.&nbsp;

The world has its eyes on America as it elects its 46th President today. While the results are yet to be announced, the ongoing counting and the narrow chase to the power is enough to keep the voters anxious.

The world has its eyes on America as it elects its 46th President today. While the results are yet to be announced, the ongoing counting and the narrow chase to the power is enough to keep the voters anxious. Celebrities are no different. While many have already cast their votes, there are others who are not a citizen but closely observing the proceedings. This election has seen a great divide, with celebrities being quite vocal about their support and encouraging citizens to come out and exercise their right to vote for a better future. As the counting is underway, many celebs took to social media to discuss their feelings about the elections and asked the fans to stay calm and hope. Actor Mark Ruffalo tweeted to remind his fans that absentee votes may not be counted until the end of the week. “Take a deep breath folks,” he wrote. “Remember the #RedMirage we won’t know in important states tonight.” Take a deep breath folks. Remember the #RedMirage we won’t know in important states tonight. https://t.co/EtTaAzLckI — Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) November 4, 2020 × Katy Perry reminded voters that every vote counts. #COUNTEVERYVOTE pic.twitter.com/stZn1j7ky0 — KATY PERRY (@katyperry) November 4, 2020 × Charlize Theron admitted to fans that they're a mess of anxiety right now but also celebrated the win of Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender senator in the US history. We are all a mess of anxiety right now but at least we can celebrate this incredible news 🙌🏻 https://t.co/MlUMCnXfEF — Charlize Theron (@CharlizeAfrica) November 4, 2020 × Elizabeth Banks kept it real, writing: “I’m just pacing back and forth. At least I’m burning off the gallon of ice cream I just ate.” I’m just pacing back and forth. At least I’m burning off the gallon of ice cream I just ate. #ElectionNight — Elizabeth Banks (@ElizabethBanks) November 4, 2020 × Trump has won the state of Florida, commenting on it Josh Gad, who has been an open supporter of Biden-Harris wrote, “This election isn’t for the President of Florida. It’s for President of the United States. Do not sweat FL. It will do what it always does and be Florida. Keep voting where you can and stay focused.” Hey gang, I’m a Floridian. This election isn’t for the President of Florida. It’s for President of the United States. Do not sweat FL. It will do what it always does and be Florida. Keep voting where you can and stay focused. 🙏 — Josh Gad (@joshgad) Hey gang, I’m a Floridian. This election isn’t for the President of Florida. It’s for President of the United States. Do not sweat FL. It will do what it always does and be Florida. Keep voting where you can and stay focused. 🙏 — Josh Gad (@joshgad) November 4, 2020 href="https://twitter.com/joshgad/status/1323790919523471361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2020 × Commenting upon the amount of time being taken, Kumail Nanjiani wrote, "What time is it? It feels like a million o'clock" What time is it? It feels like a million o'clock — Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) November 4, 2020 × The US media gives Biden 224 electoral votes and Trump 213 after Nebraska split its electoral votes between the two -- four for Trump and one for Biden, CNN and Fox News projected. A number of key battleground states are still up in the air, including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The magic number of electoral votes is 270.

We are a mess of anxiety: Celebrities tweet amid narrow chase between Trump and Biden

US President Donald Trump in a tweet said the US Special Forces had managed a "big win" today, while adding that "details will follow".

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Big win for our very elite U.S. Special Forces today. Details to follow!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1322534172339150853?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The President's tweet comes just days ahead of the US presidential poll on November 3.

The US president did not specify where the operation took place.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon said the US forces have rescued an American hostage in Nigeria.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States is committed to the safe return of all US citizens taken captive.&nbsp;

"We delivered on that commitment late last night in Nigeria, where some of our bravest and most skilled warriors rescued a US citizen," he added.

US President Donald Trump in a tweet said the US Special Forces had managed a "big win" today, while adding that "details will follow". Big win for our very elite U.

US President Donald Trump in a tweet said the US Special Forces had managed a "big win" today, while adding that "details will follow". Big win for our very elite U.S. Special Forces today. Details to follow! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 31, 2020 × The President's tweet comes just days ahead of the US presidential poll on November 3. The US president did not specify where the operation took place. Meanwhile, the Pentagon said the US forces have rescued an American hostage in Nigeria. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States is committed to the safe return of all US citizens taken captive. "We delivered on that commitment late last night in Nigeria, where some of our bravest and most skilled warriors rescued a US citizen," he added.

Big win for our very elite US Special Forces today: Trump

The Trump administration has proposed to scrap the computerised lottery system to grant H-1B work visas to foreign technology professionals and replace it with a wage-level-based selection process, a move that is expected to counter the downward pressure on the wages of US workers.

A notification on the new system is being published in the Federal Register on Thursday. Stakeholders have 30 days to respond to the notification, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said on Wednesday, less than a week before the US presidential election.

Replacing the computerised draw of lots to decide on the successful H-1B applicants, the DHS said it is expected to help counter the downward pressure on the wages of American workers that is created by an annual influx of relatively lower-paid, new cap-subject H-1B workers.

The H-1B visa, most sought-after among Indian IT professionals, is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.

If finalised as proposed, US Citizenship and Immigration Services would first select registrations (or petitions, if the registration process is suspended) generally based on the highest Occupational Employment Statistics prevailing wage level that the offered wage equals or exceeds for the relevant Standard Occupational Classification code and areas of intended employment.

"Prioritisation and selection based on wage levels better balances the interests of petitioners, H-1B workers, and U.S. Workers,"&nbsp;the DHS said.

"With this proposed rule, the Trump administration is continuing to deliver on its promise to protect the American worker while strengthening the economy. The H-1B programme is often exploited and abused by U.S. Employers, and their U.S. Clients, primarily seeking to hire foreign workers and pay lower wages,"&nbsp;said Acting DHS Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli.

US President Donald Trump, keen to regulate the country's immigration policies, on June 22, signed the executive order temporarily banning issuing fresh H-1B and L-1 visas till December 31. Reforming America's immigration regime is a major election promise of the Republican leader under his America First policy.

"The current use of random selection to allocate H-1B visas makes it harder for businesses to plan their hiring, fails to leverage the H-1B programme to truly compete for the world's best and brightest, and hurts American workers by bringing in relatively lower-paid foreign labour at the expense of the American workforce," Cuccinelli said.

According to the DHS, modifying the H-1B cap selection process by replacing the random selection process with a wage-level-based selection process is a better way to allocate H-1Bs when demand exceeds supply.

This new selection process would incentivise employers to offer higher wages or petition for positions requiring higher skills and higher-skilled workers instead of using the programme to fill relatively lower-paid vacancies.

The proposed changes would maintain the effective and efficient administration of the H-1B cap selection process while providing some prospective petitioners the ability to potentially improve their chance of selection by agreeing to pay H-1B beneficiaries higher wages that equal or exceed higher prevailing wage levels, it said.

This is necessary to further the administration's goal of prioritising H-1B cap-subject registrations for petitioners seeking to employ higher-skilled and higher paid workers, which is more aligned with the general congressional intent for the H-1B programme, the DHS said.

According to the federal notification, prioritising wage levels in the registration selection process incentivises employers to offer higher wages, or to petition for positions requiring higher skills that commensurate with higher wage levels, to increase the likelihood of selection for an eventual petition.

Similarly, it disincentivises abuse of the H-1B programme to fill lower-paid, lower-skilled positions, which is a significant problem under the present selection system. With limited exceptions, H-1B petitioners are not required to demonstrate a labour shortage as a prerequisite for obtaining H-1B workers, it said.

The number of H-1B cap-subject petitions, including those filed for the advanced degree exemption, has frequently exceeded the annual H-1B numerical allocations. 
For at least the last decade, USCIS has received more H-1B petitions than the annual H-1B numerical allocation in those respective years.

Since the fiscal 2014 cap season (April 2013), USCIS has received more H-1B petitions (or registrations) in the first five days of filing (or the initial registration period) than the annual H-1B numerical allocations.

The Trump administration has proposed to scrap the computerised lottery system to grant H-1B work visas to foreign technology professionals and replace it with a wage-level-based selection process, a move that is expected to counter the downward pressure on the wages of US workers.

The Trump administration has proposed to scrap the computerised lottery system to grant H-1B work visas to foreign technology professionals and replace it with a wage-level-based selection process, a move that is expected to counter the downward pressure on the wages of US workers. A notification on the new system is being published in the Federal Register on Thursday. Stakeholders have 30 days to respond to the notification, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said on Wednesday, less than a week before the US presidential election. Replacing the computerised draw of lots to decide on the successful H-1B applicants, the DHS said it is expected to help counter the downward pressure on the wages of American workers that is created by an annual influx of relatively lower-paid, new cap-subject H-1B workers. The H-1B visa, most sought-after among Indian IT professionals, is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. If finalised as proposed, US Citizenship and Immigration Services would first select registrations (or petitions, if the registration process is suspended) generally based on the highest Occupational Employment Statistics prevailing wage level that the offered wage equals or exceeds for the relevant Standard Occupational Classification code and areas of intended employment. "Prioritisation and selection based on wage levels better balances the interests of petitioners, H-1B workers, and U.S. Workers," the DHS said. "With this proposed rule, the Trump administration is continuing to deliver on its promise to protect the American worker while strengthening the economy. The H-1B programme is often exploited and abused by U.S. Employers, and their U.S. Clients, primarily seeking to hire foreign workers and pay lower wages," said Acting DHS Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli. US President Donald Trump, keen to regulate the country's immigration policies, on June 22, signed the executive order temporarily banning issuing fresh H-1B and L-1 visas till December 31. Reforming America's immigration regime is a major election promise of the Republican leader under his America First policy. "The current use of random selection to allocate H-1B visas makes it harder for businesses to plan their hiring, fails to leverage the H-1B programme to truly compete for the world's best and brightest, and hurts American workers by bringing in relatively lower-paid foreign labour at the expense of the American workforce," Cuccinelli said. According to the DHS, modifying the H-1B cap selection process by replacing the random selection process with a wage-level-based selection process is a better way to allocate H-1Bs when demand exceeds supply. This new selection process would incentivise employers to offer higher wages or petition for positions requiring higher skills and higher-skilled workers instead of using the programme to fill relatively lower-paid vacancies. The proposed changes would maintain the effective and efficient administration of the H-1B cap selection process while providing some prospective petitioners the ability to potentially improve their chance of selection by agreeing to pay H-1B beneficiaries higher wages that equal or exceed higher prevailing wage levels, it said. This is necessary to further the administration's goal of prioritising H-1B cap-subject registrations for petitioners seeking to employ higher-skilled and higher paid workers, which is more aligned with the general congressional intent for the H-1B programme, the DHS said. According to the federal notification, prioritising wage levels in the registration selection process incentivises employers to offer higher wages, or to petition for positions requiring higher skills that commensurate with higher wage levels, to increase the likelihood of selection for an eventual petition. Similarly, it disincentivises abuse of the H-1B programme to fill lower-paid, lower-skilled positions, which is a significant problem under the present selection system. With limited exceptions, H-1B petitioners are not required to demonstrate a labour shortage as a prerequisite for obtaining H-1B workers, it said. The number of H-1B cap-subject petitions, including those filed for the advanced degree exemption, has frequently exceeded the annual H-1B numerical allocations. For at least the last decade, USCIS has received more H-1B petitions than the annual H-1B numerical allocation in those respective years. Since the fiscal 2014 cap season (April 2013), USCIS has received more H-1B petitions (or registrations) in the first five days of filing (or the initial registration period) than the annual H-1B numerical allocations.

Trump admin proposes to scrap computerised lottery system to select H-1B visas

With just 15 days to go for the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/us-election">US elections</a>, early voting started in San Francisco as US presidential race enters its home stretch.

Watch:

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Amid the election frenzy, President Donald <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-calls-coronavirus-expert-anthony-fauci-a-disaster-336526">Trump</a> and Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden have been criss-crossing states in a bid to capture the last minute voters as the final polling day nears.

According to US elections project, over 30 million Americans have already exercised their franchise. The tracker informed that 30,738,627 ballots have been cast across the United States with over 4 million voters in Texas who have already chosen their president.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-biden-trump-campaigns-and-the-role-of-faith-in-american-elections-336518">Also Read:&nbsp;Biden-Trump campaigns and the role of faith in American elections</a>

In California, over 3 million votes have been cast with over 2 million in Florida.

As the election heat reaches fever pitch, Donald Trump told supporters to deliver Democrats "a thundering defeat" at a campaign rally in Tuscon, Arizona even as he objected to the "mute" button in next TV <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-elections-mikes-to-be-muted-in-next-us-presidential-debate-between-trump-and-biden-to-stop-interruptions-336543">presidential debate </a>with Biden.

Voters have turned in southern Florida with masks for the start of in-person as voters poured in throughout Hialeah and Miami beach.

According to an opinion poll, Biden leads Trump by 8.9 percentage points with the Democratic presidential hopeful ahead by an average 1.4 percentage points as the presidential race enters the final stage.

"Together, we can put an end to the last four years of darkness, division, and chaos," Biden he tweeted, adding, "We can unite, mend our wounds, and begin to heal."

Biden has already campaigned in North Carolina as his vice presidential pics Kamla Harris was pitched to take on a drive-in rally in Orlando amid a voter mobilization event in Jacksonville. 
 
Meanwhile, more than 70 million Americans have cast ballots in the U.S. presidential election, more than half the total turnout of the 2016 election with one week to go until Election Day, according to a Tuesday tally from the U.S. Elections Project.

With just 15 days to go for the US elections, early voting started in San Francisco as US presidential race enters its home stretch. Watch: Amid the election frenzy, President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden have been criss-crossing states in a bid to capture the last minute voters as the final polling day nears.

With just 15 days to go for the US elections, early voting started in San Francisco as US presidential race enters its home stretch. Watch: Amid the election frenzy, President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden have been criss-crossing states in a bid to capture the last minute voters as the final polling day nears. According to US elections project, over 30 million Americans have already exercised their franchise. The tracker informed that 30,738,627 ballots have been cast across the United States with over 4 million voters in Texas who have already chosen their president. Also Read: Biden-Trump campaigns and the role of faith in American elections In California, over 3 million votes have been cast with over 2 million in Florida. As the election heat reaches fever pitch, Donald Trump told supporters to deliver Democrats "a thundering defeat" at a campaign rally in Tuscon, Arizona even as he objected to the "mute" button in next TV presidential debate with Biden. Voters have turned in southern Florida with masks for the start of in-person as voters poured in throughout Hialeah and Miami beach. According to an opinion poll, Biden leads Trump by 8.9 percentage points with the Democratic presidential hopeful ahead by an average 1.4 percentage points as the presidential race enters the final stage. "Together, we can put an end to the last four years of darkness, division, and chaos," Biden he tweeted, adding, "We can unite, mend our wounds, and begin to heal." Biden has already campaigned in North Carolina as his vice presidential pics Kamla Harris was pitched to take on a drive-in rally in Orlando amid a voter mobilization event in Jacksonville. Meanwhile, more than 70 million Americans have cast ballots in the U.S. presidential election, more than half the total turnout of the 2016 election with one week to go until Election Day, according to a Tuesday tally from the U.S. Elections Project.

Early voting begins in Florida with over 30 million votes cast in US elections

A confluence of structural megatrends and issues like the emergent Cold War 2.0, the putative 4th Industrial Revolution and the uncertainties induced by the Covid 19 pandemic, geopolitical permutations and combinations and turbulence in financial markets, domestic political churns in many countries lend themselves to a cliched assessment and observation: ‘ we live in interesting times’. This leaves pundits baffled and unable to discern how the world, in all its dimensions, will look like, say, in the next five years? For now, however, the major thematic issue gripping the attention of powers that be in the world is the November election in the United States- a paradoxical nation when it sneezes, the world catches a proverbial cold.

So who among the two- Joseph Biden and Donald Trump- will win?

Even though opinion polls give Biden a lead and financial markets are factoring in a Biden victory, it still remains unclear as to who will win the US presidential elections. (The former are not an exact science and there is a lot of subjectivity to these and the latter appears to be premised on a reversion to the norms of the international system and relations if Biden wins).

Consider the chances of Trump first. While his chances of re-election are dimmed by many factors like the pandemic, impact on the economy thereof and many unfulfilled promises, but the primeval forces or even impulses that propelled him to the White House remain. Or, in other words, the populist instincts, premised as they were on the fading of the white superstructure of the United &nbsp;States, identity issues and politics thereof, globalization and immigrant are ever-present in the US body politic. Overlaying these is that Trump not only presented himself as a political leader who mirrored his constituents(or the base), but also an insurgent who defied and undermined the normative basis of international relations that had emerged after the Second Great War. This, in the Trumpian schema, was a natural complement to his domestic political agenda. That he won the 2016 elections and that he still retains significant support testifies to the power of these ideas.

Can Biden, if he wins, reverse these aspects of politics that are now ensconced in American political life? Unlikely. The reasons are both domestic and pertain to international political life. Domestically, Biden if he totally goes contra Trump and his policy political posture, &nbsp;risks alienating a substantial portion of the American population. This would mean further polarization of the country and crystallization of deep angst and disaffection. Biden then has very few choices: he can co-opt populism, so to speak, and then guide its impulses in a different direction. But, this carries obvious risks, popular sentiment is difficult to channelize and the law of unintended consequences also kicks in.

What happens to international relations in case of &nbsp;Biden victory?

Nothing much. &nbsp;It is, to state the obvious, a fact that the norms, or some of the norms defining international relations since the end of the second Great war, need a fundamental review and revision. The world in 2020, even though there are some residual similarities, stands in sharp contradistinction to that of the 20th century let alone the post-war world. But, international norms have not kept pace. This has led to both paradoxes and contradictions in international politics and, given that there is no neat distinction between the domestic and the external anymore, on domestic politics of most nations as well. This disjunction can only be remedied by a review and revision of the normative underpinnings of international relations. &nbsp;Biden, if he wins, cannot and, in all likelihood, will not revert to the normative consensus that held albeit in flawed manner pre-1916. There will be change and churn but the depth, form and shape of these cannot be foretold at this point in time.

Financial markets then might not be correct in assuming a reversion to the same in case of a Biden victory. This also holds for pundits and analysts who think along similar lines. All in all the 21st-century portents great change- even transformations- defined by deep uncertainties. So that the world retains or gains a degree of equipoise and is prepared to deal with these transformations, a new normative consensus that builds upon the old and adjusts some of these to the new realities is imperative. Fundamentally speaking, &nbsp;bold and beautiful leadership would be required to make this happen. While whether it is forthcoming remains to be seen, but those who think or feel a reversion to pre 2016 politics- domestically and internationally- in the United States, and by extension the world, are likely to be disappointed.

A confluence of structural megatrends and issues like the emergent Cold War 2.0, the putative 4th Industrial Revolution and the uncertainties induced by the Covid 19 pandemic, geopolitical permutations and combinations and turbulence in financial markets, domestic political churns in many countries lend themselves to a cliched assessment and observation: ‘ we live in interesting times’.

A confluence of structural megatrends and issues like the emergent Cold War 2.0, the putative 4th Industrial Revolution and the uncertainties induced by the Covid 19 pandemic, geopolitical permutations and combinations and turbulence in financial markets, domestic political churns in many countries lend themselves to a cliched assessment and observation: ‘ we live in interesting times’. This leaves pundits baffled and unable to discern how the world, in all its dimensions, will look like, say, in the next five years? For now, however, the major thematic issue gripping the attention of powers that be in the world is the November election in the United States- a paradoxical nation when it sneezes, the world catches a proverbial cold. So who among the two- Joseph Biden and Donald Trump- will win? Even though opinion polls give Biden a lead and financial markets are factoring in a Biden victory, it still remains unclear as to who will win the US presidential elections. (The former are not an exact science and there is a lot of subjectivity to these and the latter appears to be premised on a reversion to the norms of the international system and relations if Biden wins). Consider the chances of Trump first. While his chances of re-election are dimmed by many factors like the pandemic, impact on the economy thereof and many unfulfilled promises, but the primeval forces or even impulses that propelled him to the White House remain. Or, in other words, the populist instincts, premised as they were on the fading of the white superstructure of the United States, identity issues and politics thereof, globalization and immigrant are ever-present in the US body politic. Overlaying these is that Trump not only presented himself as a political leader who mirrored his constituents(or the base), but also an insurgent who defied and undermined the normative basis of international relations that had emerged after the Second Great War. This, in the Trumpian schema, was a natural complement to his domestic political agenda. That he won the 2016 elections and that he still retains significant support testifies to the power of these ideas. Can Biden, if he wins, reverse these aspects of politics that are now ensconced in American political life? Unlikely. The reasons are both domestic and pertain to international political life. Domestically, Biden if he totally goes contra Trump and his policy political posture, risks alienating a substantial portion of the American population. This would mean further polarization of the country and crystallization of deep angst and disaffection. Biden then has very few choices: he can co-opt populism, so to speak, and then guide its impulses in a different direction. But, this carries obvious risks, popular sentiment is difficult to channelize and the law of unintended consequences also kicks in. What happens to international relations in case of Biden victory? Nothing much. It is, to state the obvious, a fact that the norms, or some of the norms defining international relations since the end of the second Great war, need a fundamental review and revision. The world in 2020, even though there are some residual similarities, stands in sharp contradistinction to that of the 20th century let alone the post-war world. But, international norms have not kept pace. This has led to both paradoxes and contradictions in international politics and, given that there is no neat distinction between the domestic and the external anymore, on domestic politics of most nations as well. This disjunction can only be remedied by a review and revision of the normative underpinnings of international relations. Biden, if he wins, cannot and, in all likelihood, will not revert to the normative consensus that held albeit in flawed manner pre-1916. There will be change and churn but the depth, form and shape of these cannot be foretold at this point in time. Financial markets then might not be correct in assuming a reversion to the same in case of a Biden victory. This also holds for pundits and analysts who think along similar lines. All in all the 21st-century portents great change- even transformations- defined by deep uncertainties. So that the world retains or gains a degree of equipoise and is prepared to deal with these transformations, a new normative consensus that builds upon the old and adjusts some of these to the new realities is imperative. Fundamentally speaking, bold and beautiful leadership would be required to make this happen. While whether it is forthcoming remains to be seen, but those who think or feel a reversion to pre 2016 politics- domestically and internationally- in the United States, and by extension the world, are likely to be disappointed.

Even if Biden wins, the world will not be the same

Just a day after the US recorded largest single day jump in coronavirus cases, US President Donald Trump said it was 'foolish' to test for the deadly infection. He was speaking at election rally in Lumberton, North Carolina on Saturday. In his speech, Trump again sought to blame huge number of coronavirus cases on testing.&nbsp;

“You know why we have cases? It’s because we test so much,” the president told his rally crowd. “In a lot of ways it’s good, and in a lot of ways it’s foolish.”&nbsp;

“If we tested half, cases would be half," Mr Trump said.&nbsp;

It was reported on Friday that 83,000 new cases were detected in the US. This is the highest single-day jump in the US.

North Carolina is one of the states in US that has reported increase in both, number of cases and hospitalisations. The state reported its highest number of new cases in a day this week.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thats-not-how-you-talk-about-friends-says-biden-on-trumps-filthy-india-remark-337751">That's not how you talk about friends, says Biden on Trump's 'filthy' India remark</a>

During his speech in the rally Trump expressed his unhappiness over what he suggested was over-coverage of COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

"That's all I hear about now. Turn on television, ‘Covid, Covid, Covid, Covid, Covid, Covid’" he said.

Trump further suggested that even if a plane crashed and '500' people were dead, all news coverage would be&nbsp;about COVID-19.

This is not the first time Donald Trump has downplayed the pandemic. In past he has gone on record to say things like coronavirus was "just a flu". He claimed later on that the position he took at the start of the pandemic was to ensure that there was no panic in American public.

Just a day after the US recorded largest single day jump in coronavirus cases, US President Donald Trump said it was 'foolish' to test for the deadly infection. He was speaking at election rally in Lumberton, North Carolina on Saturday.

Just a day after the US recorded largest single day jump in coronavirus cases, US President Donald Trump said it was 'foolish' to test for the deadly infection. He was speaking at election rally in Lumberton, North Carolina on Saturday. In his speech, Trump again sought to blame huge number of coronavirus cases on testing. “You know why we have cases? It’s because we test so much,” the president told his rally crowd. “In a lot of ways it’s good, and in a lot of ways it’s foolish.” “If we tested half, cases would be half," Mr Trump said. It was reported on Friday that 83,000 new cases were detected in the US. This is the highest single-day jump in the US. North Carolina is one of the states in US that has reported increase in both, number of cases and hospitalisations. The state reported its highest number of new cases in a day this week. Also Read | That's not how you talk about friends, says Biden on Trump's 'filthy' India remark During his speech in the rally Trump expressed his unhappiness over what he suggested was over-coverage of COVID-19 pandemic. "That's all I hear about now. Turn on television, ‘Covid, Covid, Covid, Covid, Covid, Covid’" he said. Trump further suggested that even if a plane crashed and '500' people were dead, all news coverage would be about COVID-19. This is not the first time Donald Trump has downplayed the pandemic. In past he has gone on record to say things like coronavirus was "just a flu". He claimed later on that the position he took at the start of the pandemic was to ensure that there was no panic in American public.

In many ways it's 'foolish' to test for coronavirus, says Donald Trump in US election rally

US President Donald Trump is seeking a second term to help himself and his wealthy friends, Barack Obama has alleged, as he tore into his successor for not having a plan to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and walking out of an interview.

Seeking support for former vice president Joe Biden, who is the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party, and his running mate Senator Kamala Harris, Obama at a drive-in car rally in the battle ground State of Florida on Saturday urged Americans not to give a second term to Trump.

Claiming that Trump has no empathy and no concern for average Americans, Obama, said the US president was seeking a second term only "to help himself" and his wealthy friends.

On the other hand, Biden and Harris are going to be in the fight, not for themselves, "but for you and us", he said.

"They're not going to surround themselves with hacks and lobbyists. They're going to surround themselves with people who care about you.

"That more than anything is what separates them from their opponents: They actually care about Americans, even the ones who aren't voting for them," Obama said at an election rally in Miami, Florida.

Miami Dade has the highest enrollment of any county in Florida.

Florida has the highest enrollment of any state in the country.

Nobody has a bigger stake in making sure those protections stay in place than right here in Florida, he said.

"We have got a POTUS who actually suggested selling Puerto Rico. Believe it or not, it could've been worse. He once asked our national security officials if he could nuke hurricanes. I mean, at least he didn't do that. A nuclear hurricane seems like it would have been bad," Obama said.

"I've sat in the Oval Office with both of the men who are running for president and they are very different people.

"You know, Donald Trump, I knew he wasn't going to embrace my vision, I knew he wasn't going to continue my policies, but I did hope that for the country's sake he would have shown at least a little bit of interest in taking the job seriously. That's not how it worked out," he said.

Obama criticised Trump for walking out of his interview with reporter Lesley Stahl of CBS News.

"He got mad and walked out of the 60 Minutes interview. He thought the questions were too tough. If he can't answer a tough question like 'what would you like to do in your second term,' then we can't give him a second term.

When 60 Minutes and Lesley Stahl are too tough for you, you ain't all that tough," he said.

"He was asked 'What is your new plan for the next phase of COVID?' Which is a pretty good question considering we just saw the highest number of cases spike up yesterday.&nbsp;

"So you'd think he'd be ready for a response. Instead, he just said it wasn't his fault and he didn't have (a plan). He doesn't have a plan, he doesn't even acknowledge the reality," Obama claimed.

Trump complained about being asked "tough questions".

The president cried foul about the interview on Tuesday, before releasing it on Facebook on Thursday.

Responding to Obama, Trump, in a tweet, later said that no one is showing up for the former US president.

"Nobody is showing up for Obama's hate laced speeches. 47 people! No energy, but still better than Joe!" he said.

Obama claimed that his administration left the White House a pandemic playbook that showed them how to respond before a virus reached the US shores.

"It must be lost along with the Republican healthcare plan. We can't find it. Eight months into this pandemic, new cases are breaking records. Donald Trump isn't suddenly going to protect all of us. He can't even take the basic steps to protect himself," he said.

"Florida man wouldn't even do this stuff. Why are we accepting it from the president of the United States? It's not normal behaviour,' he said.

Obama said that Biden was not a socialist.

"Look, some of the rhetoric you're hearing down here in South Florida, it's just made up. It's just nonsense. Listening to the Republicans, you'd think Joe was more communist than the Castros. Don't fall for that garbage," he said.

"Don't fall for that okie doke. Joe Biden isn't a socialist. He was a senator from Delaware I think folks would know if he was a super socialist right now. What's true is he'll stand up for regular people," said the former president.

US President Donald Trump is seeking a second term to help himself and his wealthy friends, Barack Obama has alleged, as he tore into his successor for not having a plan to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and walking out of an interview.

US President Donald Trump is seeking a second term to help himself and his wealthy friends, Barack Obama has alleged, as he tore into his successor for not having a plan to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and walking out of an interview. Seeking support for former vice president Joe Biden, who is the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party, and his running mate Senator Kamala Harris, Obama at a drive-in car rally in the battle ground State of Florida on Saturday urged Americans not to give a second term to Trump. Claiming that Trump has no empathy and no concern for average Americans, Obama, said the US president was seeking a second term only "to help himself" and his wealthy friends. On the other hand, Biden and Harris are going to be in the fight, not for themselves, "but for you and us", he said. "They're not going to surround themselves with hacks and lobbyists. They're going to surround themselves with people who care about you. "That more than anything is what separates them from their opponents: They actually care about Americans, even the ones who aren't voting for them," Obama said at an election rally in Miami, Florida. Miami Dade has the highest enrollment of any county in Florida. Florida has the highest enrollment of any state in the country. Nobody has a bigger stake in making sure those protections stay in place than right here in Florida, he said. "We have got a POTUS who actually suggested selling Puerto Rico. Believe it or not, it could've been worse. He once asked our national security officials if he could nuke hurricanes. I mean, at least he didn't do that. A nuclear hurricane seems like it would have been bad," Obama said. "I've sat in the Oval Office with both of the men who are running for president and they are very different people. "You know, Donald Trump, I knew he wasn't going to embrace my vision, I knew he wasn't going to continue my policies, but I did hope that for the country's sake he would have shown at least a little bit of interest in taking the job seriously. That's not how it worked out," he said. Obama criticised Trump for walking out of his interview with reporter Lesley Stahl of CBS News. "He got mad and walked out of the 60 Minutes interview. He thought the questions were too tough. If he can't answer a tough question like 'what would you like to do in your second term,' then we can't give him a second term. When 60 Minutes and Lesley Stahl are too tough for you, you ain't all that tough," he said. "He was asked 'What is your new plan for the next phase of COVID?' Which is a pretty good question considering we just saw the highest number of cases spike up yesterday. "So you'd think he'd be ready for a response. Instead, he just said it wasn't his fault and he didn't have (a plan). He doesn't have a plan, he doesn't even acknowledge the reality," Obama claimed. Trump complained about being asked "tough questions". The president cried foul about the interview on Tuesday, before releasing it on Facebook on Thursday. Responding to Obama, Trump, in a tweet, later said that no one is showing up for the former US president. "Nobody is showing up for Obama's hate laced speeches. 47 people! No energy, but still better than Joe!" he said. Obama claimed that his administration left the White House a pandemic playbook that showed them how to respond before a virus reached the US shores. "It must be lost along with the Republican healthcare plan. We can't find it. Eight months into this pandemic, new cases are breaking records. Donald Trump isn't suddenly going to protect all of us. He can't even take the basic steps to protect himself," he said. "Florida man wouldn't even do this stuff. Why are we accepting it from the president of the United States? It's not normal behaviour,' he said. Obama said that Biden was not a socialist. "Look, some of the rhetoric you're hearing down here in South Florida, it's just made up. It's just nonsense. Listening to the Republicans, you'd think Joe was more communist than the Castros. Don't fall for that garbage," he said. "Don't fall for that okie doke. Joe Biden isn't a socialist. He was a senator from Delaware I think folks would know if he was a super socialist right now. What's true is he'll stand up for regular people," said the former president.

Trump is seeking second term to help himself and his wealthy friends, says Ex-US President Barack Obama

US President Donald Trump, during a discussion on climate change said India was 'filthy'. He squared off against his Democratic challenger Joe Biden in second and final presidential debate in the run up to US Elections 2020.

"We have best carbon emission numbers that we've had in 35 years," he said.

"But here's what we can't do.." he continued,

"..look at China, how filthy it is. Look at Russia. Look at India. It's filthy," he said with a look of disdain on his face.

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&nbsp;

Apparently realising what he said. Trump added that the air was filthy. But this quip of his appears likely to be discussed everywhere, including among Indian-American voters in the US.

Donald Trump is known for his hawkish views even on climate change. Under his watch, the US withdrew from Paris accords.

Trump's main contention over years has been that USA must not be forced to bear greater burden as compared to other countries in the world. During the presidential debate, he appeared to reiterate his stance.

"The Paris accords, I took us out because we were going to have to spend trillions of dollars and we were treated very unfairly," said Trump.

Lashing out at previous administrations, Trump said that they did a great 'disservice' by being part of the treaty and alleged that previous governments were going to take away our businesses.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-cannot-guarantee-donald-trump-backtracks-on-covid-19-vaccine-joe-biden-slams-his-approach-337283">'I cannot guarantee': Donald Trump backtracks on COVID-19 vaccine; Joe Biden slams his approach</a>

"I will not sacrifice tens and millions of jobs, thousands and thousands of companies because of the Paris accords," he said.

Donald Trump has been dismissive in past about climate issues. He has also termed climate change and global warming "a hoax".

During the presidential debate Trump said that the harsher limits on USA's carbon emissions would have destroyed American businesses. He decried the lax regulations other countries had to follow.

When asked about his stand on the issue, Joe Biden said that climate change and global warming were 'existential threat' to humanity and that everyone had moral responsibility to tackle it.

He said that he was able to get both,&nbsp;environmental organisations and labour on board over his climate plan and that it would create millions of good-paying jobs for the Americans.

Biden claimed his plans would create more jobs than the one Trump had.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-joe-biden-calls-donald-trumps-immigration-policies-criminal-337306">US election 2020: Joe Biden calls Donald Trump's immigration policies 'criminal'</a>

Trump shot back by saying that BIden's plan was an "economic disaster".

"Do you know who made his plan? AOC plus three," said Trump, apparently referring to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Biden was smiling on number of occasions when Trump was making his point. When it was his turn to speak,&nbsp;Biden challenged the numbers Trump cited saying "I don't know where he comes up this with these numbers from".

"He is against wind," said Biden as he mentioned that wind and solar energy were one of the fastest-growing sectors in the US.

"(Wind energy) is very expensive, kills a lot of birds," said Trump as Biden burst into laughter.

Trump claimed that the fumes that come up in making wind turbines were dangerous, on which, Biden said "Find me a scientist who says this"

This was the last debate between the presidential candidates. They will square off against each in polls that are due to take place on November 3.

US President Donald Trump, during a discussion on climate change said India was 'filthy'. He squared off against his Democratic challenger Joe Biden in second and final presidential debate in the run up to US Elections 2020.

US President Donald Trump, during a discussion on climate change said India was 'filthy'. He squared off against his Democratic challenger Joe Biden in second and final presidential debate in the run up to US Elections 2020. "We have best carbon emission numbers that we've had in 35 years," he said. "But here's what we can't do.." he continued, "..look at China, how filthy it is. Look at Russia. Look at India. It's filthy," he said with a look of disdain on his face. × Apparently realising what he said. Trump added that the air was filthy. But this quip of his appears likely to be discussed everywhere, including among Indian-American voters in the US. Donald Trump is known for his hawkish views even on climate change. Under his watch, the US withdrew from Paris accords. Trump's main contention over years has been that USA must not be forced to bear greater burden as compared to other countries in the world. During the presidential debate, he appeared to reiterate his stance. "The Paris accords, I took us out because we were going to have to spend trillions of dollars and we were treated very unfairly," said Trump. Lashing out at previous administrations, Trump said that they did a great 'disservice' by being part of the treaty and alleged that previous governments were going to take away our businesses. Also Read | 'I cannot guarantee': Donald Trump backtracks on COVID-19 vaccine; Joe Biden slams his approach "I will not sacrifice tens and millions of jobs, thousands and thousands of companies because of the Paris accords," he said. Donald Trump has been dismissive in past about climate issues. He has also termed climate change and global warming "a hoax". During the presidential debate Trump said that the harsher limits on USA's carbon emissions would have destroyed American businesses. He decried the lax regulations other countries had to follow. When asked about his stand on the issue, Joe Biden said that climate change and global warming were 'existential threat' to humanity and that everyone had moral responsibility to tackle it. He said that he was able to get both, environmental organisations and labour on board over his climate plan and that it would create millions of good-paying jobs for the Americans. Biden claimed his plans would create more jobs than the one Trump had. Also Read | US election 2020: Joe Biden calls Donald Trump's immigration policies 'criminal' Trump shot back by saying that BIden's plan was an "economic disaster". "Do you know who made his plan? AOC plus three," said Trump, apparently referring to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Biden was smiling on number of occasions when Trump was making his point. When it was his turn to speak, Biden challenged the numbers Trump cited saying "I don't know where he comes up this with these numbers from". "He is against wind," said Biden as he mentioned that wind and solar energy were one of the fastest-growing sectors in the US. "(Wind energy) is very expensive, kills a lot of birds," said Trump as Biden burst into laughter. Trump claimed that the fumes that come up in making wind turbines were dangerous, on which, Biden said "Find me a scientist who says this" This was the last debate between the presidential candidates. They will square off against each in polls that are due to take place on November 3.

US elections: Look at Russia, China and India, it's filthy, says Trump on carbon emissions

The US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a> on Saturday attacked a longtime congressional critic who warned this week that his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and authoritarian leaders could cause a "Republican bloodbath in the Senate" in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/us-election?page=1">November 3 elections</a>.

US Senator Ben Sasse is the least effective of the 53 Republican senators, Trump wrote on Twitter, calling him "a liability to the Republican Party, and an embarrassment to the Great State of Nebraska. Other than that, he’s just a wonderful guy."

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
...Nomination to run for a second term. Then he went back to his rather stupid and obnoxious ways. Must feel he can’t lose to a Dem. Little Ben is a liability to the Republican Party, and an embarrassment to the Great State of Nebraska. Other than that, he’s just a wonderful guy!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1317460179223498753?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Sasse criticized Trump in a town hall with constituents on Wednesday, and questioned whether the president would ultimately drive the country further to the left.

Trump "kisses dictators` butts" and has "flirted with white supremacists," according to a transcript of the virtual town hall. Trump`s leadership through the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19 pandemic</a> has not been "reasonable, or responsible, or right," Sasse said.

He added that Trump refused to take the coronavirus seriously for months and had treated it like a news cycle rather that a multi-year public health challenge.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/republican-senator-repeatedly-mispronounces-kamala-harris-name-at-trump-rally-335970">Also read|&nbsp;Republican Senator repeatedly mispronounces Kamala Harris' name at Trump rally</a>

Sasse is a frequent critic of Trump, and said before the 2016 election he would not endorse him. However, he has voted in line with Trump`s positions in Congress nearly 87 per cent of the time, according to a tally of votes through Sept. 24 by the fivethirtyeight.com website.

Senate Republicans are battling to keep their 53-47 majority in the election. Recent polling of Reuters/Ipsos shows Democratic challenger Mark Kelly pulling far ahead of Republican incumbent Martha McSally in Arizona, one of 10 states where Republican incumbents are vulnerable to being unseated.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-heads-to-michigan-wisconsin-in-us-election-campaign-push-336036">Also read|&nbsp;Trump heads to Michigan, Wisconsin in US election campaign push</a>

Several, including Trump`s frequent golfing partner Senator Lindsey Graham, face funding shortfalls. Democrat Jaime Harrison who is running against Graham in South Carolina, has raised nearly $58 million during the three-month period ended Sept. 30, more than twice the $28 million reported by Graham`s campaign.

Democratic candidates in nine hotly contested Senate races amassed&nbsp;more than $240 million in contributions during that period, leaving their Republican opponents far behind in fundraising.

This week Graham expressed worries that Trump, who is behind Democratic candidate Joe Biden in many polls, could lose.

"Y`all have a good chance of winning the White House," Graham told Democratic colleagues during hearings for Amy Coney Barrett, Trump`s nominee for the Supreme Court vacancy left by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

The US President Donald Trump on Saturday attacked a longtime congressional critic who warned this week that his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and authoritarian leaders could cause a "Republican bloodbath in the Senate" in the November 3 elections.

The US President Donald Trump on Saturday attacked a longtime congressional critic who warned this week that his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and authoritarian leaders could cause a "Republican bloodbath in the Senate" in the November 3 elections. US Senator Ben Sasse is the least effective of the 53 Republican senators, Trump wrote on Twitter, calling him "a liability to the Republican Party, and an embarrassment to the Great State of Nebraska. Other than that, he’s just a wonderful guy." ...Nomination to run for a second term. Then he went back to his rather stupid and obnoxious ways. Must feel he can’t lose to a Dem. Little Ben is a liability to the Republican Party, and an embarrassment to the Great State of Nebraska. Other than that, he’s just a wonderful guy! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 17, 2020 × Sasse criticized Trump in a town hall with constituents on Wednesday, and questioned whether the president would ultimately drive the country further to the left. Trump "kisses dictators` butts" and has "flirted with white supremacists," according to a transcript of the virtual town hall. Trump`s leadership through the COVID-19 pandemic has not been "reasonable, or responsible, or right," Sasse said. He added that Trump refused to take the coronavirus seriously for months and had treated it like a news cycle rather that a multi-year public health challenge. Also read| Republican Senator repeatedly mispronounces Kamala Harris' name at Trump rally Sasse is a frequent critic of Trump, and said before the 2016 election he would not endorse him. However, he has voted in line with Trump`s positions in Congress nearly 87 per cent of the time, according to a tally of votes through Sept. 24 by the fivethirtyeight.com website. Senate Republicans are battling to keep their 53-47 majority in the election. Recent polling of Reuters/Ipsos shows Democratic challenger Mark Kelly pulling far ahead of Republican incumbent Martha McSally in Arizona, one of 10 states where Republican incumbents are vulnerable to being unseated. Also read| Trump heads to Michigan, Wisconsin in US election campaign push Several, including Trump`s frequent golfing partner Senator Lindsey Graham, face funding shortfalls. Democrat Jaime Harrison who is running against Graham in South Carolina, has raised nearly $58 million during the three-month period ended Sept. 30, more than twice the $28 million reported by Graham`s campaign. Democratic candidates in nine hotly contested Senate races amassed more than $240 million in contributions during that period, leaving their Republican opponents far behind in fundraising. This week Graham expressed worries that Trump, who is behind Democratic candidate Joe Biden in many polls, could lose. "Y`all have a good chance of winning the White House," Graham told Democratic colleagues during hearings for Amy Coney Barrett, Trump`s nominee for the Supreme Court vacancy left by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Trump slams Republican critic who warned of November 'bloodbath'

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-killing-of-teacher-islamist-terrorist-attack-says-macron-335921">France: Killing of teacher 'Islamist terrorist attack', says Macron</a>

Police said the assailant was shot by cops and later died of his injuries as French anti-terror prosecutors said they were treating the assault as "a murder linked to a terrorist organisation"...<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-killing-of-teacher-islamist-terrorist-attack-says-macron-335921">Read More</a>

<img alt="France" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="aba6890f-92a5-4bb5-a28e-4e753654aca4" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/France_0.JPG" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-cases-cross-8-million-in-united-states-daily-infections-on-the-rise-since-september-335923">Coronavirus cases cross 8 million in United States; daily infections on the rise since September</a>

The number of COVID-19 cases has been on the rise since September in the United States with an average of 50,000 daily cases worrying health experts..<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-cases-cross-8-million-in-united-states-daily-infections-on-the-rise-since-september-335923">Read More</a>

<img alt="Coronavirus" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8836d9fc-0772-45db-af83-8812eda4f600" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/coronavirus_0.JPG" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-have-nothing-but-disdain-for-your-values-says-trump-in-florida-rally-as-crowd-chants-lock-up-bidens-335925">Democrats have nothing but disdain for your values, says Trump in Florida rally as crowd chants 'Lock up Bidens'</a>

The rally is President Trump's second in one week in central Florida which was a Republican stronghold in 2016, however, the US president has been trailing in opinion polls to Biden in the state...<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-have-nothing-but-disdain-for-your-values-says-trump-in-florida-rally-as-crowd-chants-lock-up-bidens-335925">Read More</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-have-nothing-but-disdain-for-your-values-says-trump-in-florida-rally-as-crowd-chants-lock-up-bidens-335925"><img alt="Trump" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9e441620-33b6-4e91-99ec-bd34536edd49" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Trump_3.JPG" /></a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/last-wine-and-dine-for-parisians-as-covid-19-curfew-kicks-in-335927">Last wine and dine for Parisians as COVID-19 curfew kicks in</a>

 
The curfew will be enforced in large cities of France between 9pm to 6 am each night at least for a month. The decision has been taken to avoid a new wave of coronavirus infections..<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/last-wine-and-dine-for-parisians-as-covid-19-curfew-kicks-in-335927">Read More</a>

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&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-biden-vs-trump-the-story-of-dueling-town-halls-335917">Gravitas: Biden Vs Trump: The story of dueling town halls</a>

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France: Killing of teacher 'Islamist terrorist attack', says Macron Police said the assailant was shot by cops and later died of his injuries as French anti-terror prosecutors said they were treating the assault as "a murder linked to a terrorist organisation".

France: Killing of teacher 'Islamist terrorist attack', says Macron Police said the assailant was shot by cops and later died of his injuries as French anti-terror prosecutors said they were treating the assault as "a murder linked to a terrorist organisation"...Read More Coronavirus cases cross 8 million in United States; daily infections on the rise since September The number of COVID-19 cases has been on the rise since September in the United States with an average of 50,000 daily cases worrying health experts..Read More Democrats have nothing but disdain for your values, says Trump in Florida rally as crowd chants 'Lock up Bidens' The rally is President Trump's second in one week in central Florida which was a Republican stronghold in 2016, however, the US president has been trailing in opinion polls to Biden in the state...Read More Last wine and dine for Parisians as COVID-19 curfew kicks in The curfew will be enforced in large cities of France between 9pm to 6 am each night at least for a month. The decision has been taken to avoid a new wave of coronavirus infections..Read More Gravitas: Biden Vs Trump: The story of dueling town halls ×

Morning news brief: Teacher beheaded in France, Trump campaigns in Florida & more!

President Donald Trump clashed with his own party Thursday over a stimulus package to stabilize the economy, calling for a big-spending plan of the kind envisioned by Democrats even as the top Republican leader declared that such a measure had little support within the party.

Trump declared he “would go higher” than the latest $1.8 trillion framework the White House has put forward in negotiations with Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California, faulting his own Treasury secretary for failing to offer enough money in the talks.&nbsp;

A short time later, Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the majority leader, all but ruled out such a deal, saying senators in his party would never support a package of that magnitude.

“He’s talking about a much larger amount than I can sell to my members,” McConnell told reporters in Kentucky, a refrain he reiterated in multiple appearances across the state. Instead, he plans next week to try to advance a scaled-down $500 billion package, which is likely to fail without Democratic support.

The stark division between the top two Republicans in Washington was the latest indication of the dim preelection prospects for enactment of a broad pandemic recovery package that economists have said is badly needed.&nbsp;

Tens of millions of Americans have slipped into poverty, and the country’s economic recovery has faltered without federal assistance.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-joe-biden-halts-kamala-harris-travel-after-campaign-staffers-test-positive-335540">US election 2020: Joe Biden halts Kamala Harris' travel after campaign staffers test positive</a>

The public divisions also further undercut Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin in his attempts to reach an accord with Pelosi, who remains unmoved from the latest Democratic offer of $2.2 trillion.

Trump said in an interview with Fox Business that her proposal was so littered with Democratic priorities that his “pride” would not allow him to accept, but he also took aim at Mnuchin, saying he should “go big or go home.”

“So far he hasn’t come home with the bacon,” the president said.

His comments directly contradicted Republicans’ efforts to foist blame onto Pelosi and Democrats as the impasse has dragged on for months.

“Pelosi is holding up STIMULUS, not the Republicans!” he posted on Twitter on Thursday.

But it was Trump who abruptly pulled the plug on the talks last week, courting political risk before reversing course under pressure from alarmed Republicans.

In his most recent public concession to Pelosi, Mnuchin announced the administration would accept a key Democratic demand for carrying out a national testing strategy. “We’ll fundamentally agree with their testing language, subject to some minor issues,” he said on CNBC.

In a nearly 90-minute phone conversation with Pelosi, Mnuchin reiterated his willingness to accept Democratic language with “minor” edits and said he would provide a proposal Friday, Drew Hammill, a spokesperson for Pelosi, said in a statement summarizing the conversation. “The speaker looks forward to reviewing.”

But a number of unresolved differences remain, such as how much money to provide to state and local governments and lapsed federal unemployment benefits.

Investors, who have been following the stimulus talks closely, seemed unmoved by statements from Trump and Mnuchin on Thursday, with stocks on Wall Street dropping for a third consecutive day.&nbsp;

And Senate Republicans, who have grown increasingly frustrated with Mnuchin’s willingness to buck their narrow proposals and capitulate to Pelosi’s demands for a sweeping relief package, were equally reticent about the prospects of a deal before Nov. 3.

“I’m proposing what we think is appropriate,” McConnell said after voting in Louisville, Kentucky, when asked about the targeted bill he was preparing.&nbsp;

At later events in the state, he noted that the administration had not yet successfully reached a deal and said he felt “it was important to indicate to the American people before the election — not after — that we were not in favor of a stalemate, that we were not in favor of doing nothing.”

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/two-americans-240-yemen-rebel-supporters-freed-in-apparent-prisoner-exchange-335628">Two Americans, 240 Yemen rebel supporters freed in apparent prisoner exchange</a>

McConnell, who has not formally unveiled legislation before an expected vote next week, said it would be similar to a scaled-down package that Senate Republicans proposed in September, which failed to meet the 60-vote threshold.

While some Democrats have pushed for Pelosi to accept a smaller relief package, she has insisted that the toll of the pandemic merits another broad package.&nbsp;

With the original Democratic offer costing about $3.4 trillion, the speaker has repeatedly argued that she has been more than willing to compromise with her Republican counterparts, counseling Democrats in a private phone call Tuesday that “I don’t think our leverage has ever been greater than it is now.”

“The disdain that they have for the state and local, the contempt that they have for science by not wanting to have a national strategic plan, and again, the unfairness when it comes to America’s workers is a tough nut to crack,” Pelosi said in an interview on MSNBC on Wednesday. “Still and all, we want to try and find our common ground.”

During the phone call, Pelosi raised McConnell’s comments in Kentucky and Mnuchin “indicated that the president would weigh in with Leader McConnell should an agreement be reached,” Hammill said.

In the CNBC interview, Mnuchin did not directly address the lack of support for a bill among Republicans, though he acknowledged that they preferred a more targeted relief bill that would provide a fraction of the new funding he and Pelosi were discussing.

And after conceding Wednesday that it would be difficult to pass and enact a deal in the next three weeks, Mnuchin continued to push for Congress to give him the authority to repurpose about $300 billion in unused relief money from the $2.2 trillion legislation that was passed in March.

Pelosi and Democrats have largely resisted voting on stand-alone bills.

President Donald Trump clashed with his own party Thursday over a stimulus package to stabilize the economy, calling for a big-spending plan of the kind envisioned by Democrats even as the top Republican leader declared that such a measure had little support within the party.

President Donald Trump clashed with his own party Thursday over a stimulus package to stabilize the economy, calling for a big-spending plan of the kind envisioned by Democrats even as the top Republican leader declared that such a measure had little support within the party. Trump declared he “would go higher” than the latest $1.8 trillion framework the White House has put forward in negotiations with Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California, faulting his own Treasury secretary for failing to offer enough money in the talks. A short time later, Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the majority leader, all but ruled out such a deal, saying senators in his party would never support a package of that magnitude. “He’s talking about a much larger amount than I can sell to my members,” McConnell told reporters in Kentucky, a refrain he reiterated in multiple appearances across the state. Instead, he plans next week to try to advance a scaled-down $500 billion package, which is likely to fail without Democratic support. The stark division between the top two Republicans in Washington was the latest indication of the dim preelection prospects for enactment of a broad pandemic recovery package that economists have said is badly needed. Tens of millions of Americans have slipped into poverty, and the country’s economic recovery has faltered without federal assistance. Also Read | US election 2020: Joe Biden halts Kamala Harris' travel after campaign staffers test positive The public divisions also further undercut Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin in his attempts to reach an accord with Pelosi, who remains unmoved from the latest Democratic offer of $2.2 trillion. Trump said in an interview with Fox Business that her proposal was so littered with Democratic priorities that his “pride” would not allow him to accept, but he also took aim at Mnuchin, saying he should “go big or go home.” “So far he hasn’t come home with the bacon,” the president said. His comments directly contradicted Republicans’ efforts to foist blame onto Pelosi and Democrats as the impasse has dragged on for months. “Pelosi is holding up STIMULUS, not the Republicans!” he posted on Twitter on Thursday. But it was Trump who abruptly pulled the plug on the talks last week, courting political risk before reversing course under pressure from alarmed Republicans. In his most recent public concession to Pelosi, Mnuchin announced the administration would accept a key Democratic demand for carrying out a national testing strategy. “We’ll fundamentally agree with their testing language, subject to some minor issues,” he said on CNBC. In a nearly 90-minute phone conversation with Pelosi, Mnuchin reiterated his willingness to accept Democratic language with “minor” edits and said he would provide a proposal Friday, Drew Hammill, a spokesperson for Pelosi, said in a statement summarizing the conversation. “The speaker looks forward to reviewing.” But a number of unresolved differences remain, such as how much money to provide to state and local governments and lapsed federal unemployment benefits. Investors, who have been following the stimulus talks closely, seemed unmoved by statements from Trump and Mnuchin on Thursday, with stocks on Wall Street dropping for a third consecutive day. And Senate Republicans, who have grown increasingly frustrated with Mnuchin’s willingness to buck their narrow proposals and capitulate to Pelosi’s demands for a sweeping relief package, were equally reticent about the prospects of a deal before Nov. 3. “I’m proposing what we think is appropriate,” McConnell said after voting in Louisville, Kentucky, when asked about the targeted bill he was preparing. At later events in the state, he noted that the administration had not yet successfully reached a deal and said he felt “it was important to indicate to the American people before the election — not after — that we were not in favor of a stalemate, that we were not in favor of doing nothing.” Also Read | Two Americans, 240 Yemen rebel supporters freed in apparent prisoner exchange McConnell, who has not formally unveiled legislation before an expected vote next week, said it would be similar to a scaled-down package that Senate Republicans proposed in September, which failed to meet the 60-vote threshold. While some Democrats have pushed for Pelosi to accept a smaller relief package, she has insisted that the toll of the pandemic merits another broad package. With the original Democratic offer costing about $3.4 trillion, the speaker has repeatedly argued that she has been more than willing to compromise with her Republican counterparts, counseling Democrats in a private phone call Tuesday that “I don’t think our leverage has ever been greater than it is now.” “The disdain that they have for the state and local, the contempt that they have for science by not wanting to have a national strategic plan, and again, the unfairness when it comes to America’s workers is a tough nut to crack,” Pelosi said in an interview on MSNBC on Wednesday. “Still and all, we want to try and find our common ground.” During the phone call, Pelosi raised McConnell’s comments in Kentucky and Mnuchin “indicated that the president would weigh in with Leader McConnell should an agreement be reached,” Hammill said. In the CNBC interview, Mnuchin did not directly address the lack of support for a bill among Republicans, though he acknowledged that they preferred a more targeted relief bill that would provide a fraction of the new funding he and Pelosi were discussing. And after conceding Wednesday that it would be difficult to pass and enact a deal in the next three weeks, Mnuchin continued to push for Congress to give him the authority to repurpose about $300 billion in unused relief money from the $2.2 trillion legislation that was passed in March. Pelosi and Democrats have largely resisted voting on stand-alone bills.

Republicans clash on stimulus as Trump says ‘Go Big’ and McConnell demurs

Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., castigated President Donald Trump in a telephone town hall with constituents on Wednesday, accusing the president of bungling the response to the coronavirus pandemic, cozying up to dictators and white supremacists, and offending voters so broadly that he might cause a “Republican bloodbath” in the Senate.

In a dire, nine-minute indictment of Trump’s foreign policy and what Sasse called his “deficient” values, the senator said the president had mistreated women and alienated important allies around the globe, been a profligate spender, ignored human rights and treated the pandemic like a “PR crisis.” He predicted that a loss by Trump on Election Day, less than three weeks away, “looks likely,” and said that Republicans would face steep repercussions for having backed him so staunchly over four tumultuous years.

“The debate is not going to be, ‘Ben Sasse, why were you so mean to Donald Trump?’” Sasse said, according to audio obtained by The Washington Examiner and authenticated by The New York Times. “It’s going to be, ‘What the heck were any of us thinking, that selling a TV-obsessed, narcissistic individual to the American people was a good idea?’”

“We are staring down the barrel of a blue tsunami,” he added.

Sasse also hinted at more drastic consequences: a “Venezuela style” Supreme Court with dozens of justices installed by ascendant Democrats; an empowered China ruling the Pacific because of Trump’s “weak” policies; and American allies doubting whether they can “trust in U.S. strength and U.S. will.”

Sasse, who is up for reelection on Nov. 3, went public with his concerns at a time when Republicans are increasingly worried that Trump is careening toward a devastating loss in November’s elections that could also cost them the Senate, handing Democrats, who already hold the House, unified control. After years of tolerating the president’s Twitter bullying and disregard for party orthodoxy and basic American norms, their patience appears to be wearing thin.

He spoke to constituents on Wednesday around the same time that senators on the Judiciary Committee were concluding their questioning of Judge Amy Coney Barrett, Trump’s nominee to the Supreme Court, on Capitol Hill. Sasse, a member of the panel, had lavished praise on Barrett, a favorite of conservatives who would tilt the court decidedly to the right.

Rarely has a split screen better encapsulated the trade-offs congressional Republicans have accepted over four years of Trump’s presidency than a Republican senator exulting over his conservative Supreme Court nominee in one moment and lamenting his norm-shattering behavior — and his party’s willingness to quietly tolerate it — in the next.

Sasse did not exactly try to keep his criticism quiet. James Wegmann, a spokesman who confirmed his comments, said 17,000 Nebraskans had been invited to participate in the call, though it does not appear to have been open to the general public. Sasse’s critique played out after someone on the call asked the senator about his previous criticisms of Trump.

“Like a lot of Nebraskans, I am trying to understand your relationship with the president,” the woman said. “Why do you have to criticize him so much?”

Sasse, a former university president with a doctorate in American history from Yale who styles himself as a principled conservative, has never made a secret of his distaste for Trump. During the 2016 campaign, he compared Trump to David Duke and refused to vote for him. In office, he called Trump’s signature trade war with China “nuts.”

But he had toned down his criticism in recent years, earning a crucial endorsement from the president he once savaged.

The remarks on Wednesday were far more scathing than any others he has made recently, and particularly notable given the tight hold Trump has taken over the Republican Party in his four years as president.

Sasse, 48, began by saying that he had worked hard to develop a “working relationship” with Trump, and even prayed for the president because he is one of “our leaders.” He said he was pleased when Trump adopted traditionally conservative policy stances and nominated conservative judges. And, he added, he understood that some Nebraska voters were “frustrated” with his criticisms of the president.

But the compliments stopped there.

“I’m not at all apologetic for having fought for my values against his in places where I think his are deficient, not just for a Republican but for an American,” Sasse said.

He argued that Trump had “careened from curb to curb” as he sought to respond to a pandemic that has claimed more than 217,000 American lives this year.

“He refused to treat it seriously,” Sasse said. “For months, he treated it like a news-cycle-by-news-cycle PR crisis.”

He added that he did not think Trump’s leadership through the crisis had been “reasonable or responsible, or right.”

The “deficiencies” added up from there.

“The way he kisses dictators’ butts,” Sasse said, listing his reservations about Trump. “I mean, the way he ignores that the Uighurs are in literal concentration camps in Xinjiang right now. He hasn’t lifted a finger on behalf of the Hong Kongers.”

He continued: “The United States now regularly sells out our allies under his leadership, the way he treats women, spends like a drunken sailor.”

Trump “mocks evangelicals behind closed doors,” he added. “His family has treated the presidency like a business opportunity. He’s flirted with white supremacists.”

Each of these things, Sasse predicted, would have consequences, for Republicans and the nation. He sounded particularly alarmed about the potential damage Trump, who supported Democrats for decades as a businessman, could do to the conservative cause in the long term by driving the country “to the left.”

Young people, he said, could “become permanent Democrats because they’ve just been repulsed by the obsessive nature of our politics.” Women, who have abandoned the party in droves, could decide “they need to turn away from this party permanently in the future.”

“I’m now looking at the possibility of a Republican bloodbath in the Senate, and that’s why I’ve never been on the Trump train,” he said. “It’s why I didn’t agree to be on his reelection committee, and it’s why I’m not campaigning for him.”

In a statement, Wegmann did not comment on Sasse’s remarks. He said the senator would remain focused on Senate races.

“I don’t know how many more times we can shout this,” Wegmann said. “Even though the Beltway is obsessing exclusively about the presidential race, control of the Senate is 10 times more important.”

Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., castigated President Donald Trump in a telephone town hall with constituents on Wednesday, accusing the president of bungling the response to the coronavirus pandemic, cozying up to dictators and white supremacists, and offending voters so broadly that he might cause a “Republican bloodbath” in the Senate.

Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., castigated President Donald Trump in a telephone town hall with constituents on Wednesday, accusing the president of bungling the response to the coronavirus pandemic, cozying up to dictators and white supremacists, and offending voters so broadly that he might cause a “Republican bloodbath” in the Senate. In a dire, nine-minute indictment of Trump’s foreign policy and what Sasse called his “deficient” values, the senator said the president had mistreated women and alienated important allies around the globe, been a profligate spender, ignored human rights and treated the pandemic like a “PR crisis.” He predicted that a loss by Trump on Election Day, less than three weeks away, “looks likely,” and said that Republicans would face steep repercussions for having backed him so staunchly over four tumultuous years. “The debate is not going to be, ‘Ben Sasse, why were you so mean to Donald Trump?’” Sasse said, according to audio obtained by The Washington Examiner and authenticated by The New York Times. “It’s going to be, ‘What the heck were any of us thinking, that selling a TV-obsessed, narcissistic individual to the American people was a good idea?’” “We are staring down the barrel of a blue tsunami,” he added. Sasse also hinted at more drastic consequences: a “Venezuela style” Supreme Court with dozens of justices installed by ascendant Democrats; an empowered China ruling the Pacific because of Trump’s “weak” policies; and American allies doubting whether they can “trust in U.S. strength and U.S. will.” Sasse, who is up for reelection on Nov. 3, went public with his concerns at a time when Republicans are increasingly worried that Trump is careening toward a devastating loss in November’s elections that could also cost them the Senate, handing Democrats, who already hold the House, unified control. After years of tolerating the president’s Twitter bullying and disregard for party orthodoxy and basic American norms, their patience appears to be wearing thin. He spoke to constituents on Wednesday around the same time that senators on the Judiciary Committee were concluding their questioning of Judge Amy Coney Barrett, Trump’s nominee to the Supreme Court, on Capitol Hill. Sasse, a member of the panel, had lavished praise on Barrett, a favorite of conservatives who would tilt the court decidedly to the right. Rarely has a split screen better encapsulated the trade-offs congressional Republicans have accepted over four years of Trump’s presidency than a Republican senator exulting over his conservative Supreme Court nominee in one moment and lamenting his norm-shattering behavior — and his party’s willingness to quietly tolerate it — in the next. Sasse did not exactly try to keep his criticism quiet. James Wegmann, a spokesman who confirmed his comments, said 17,000 Nebraskans had been invited to participate in the call, though it does not appear to have been open to the general public. Sasse’s critique played out after someone on the call asked the senator about his previous criticisms of Trump. “Like a lot of Nebraskans, I am trying to understand your relationship with the president,” the woman said. “Why do you have to criticize him so much?” Sasse, a former university president with a doctorate in American history from Yale who styles himself as a principled conservative, has never made a secret of his distaste for Trump. During the 2016 campaign, he compared Trump to David Duke and refused to vote for him. In office, he called Trump’s signature trade war with China “nuts.” But he had toned down his criticism in recent years, earning a crucial endorsement from the president he once savaged. The remarks on Wednesday were far more scathing than any others he has made recently, and particularly notable given the tight hold Trump has taken over the Republican Party in his four years as president. Sasse, 48, began by saying that he had worked hard to develop a “working relationship” with Trump, and even prayed for the president because he is one of “our leaders.” He said he was pleased when Trump adopted traditionally conservative policy stances and nominated conservative judges. And, he added, he understood that some Nebraska voters were “frustrated” with his criticisms of the president. But the compliments stopped there. “I’m not at all apologetic for having fought for my values against his in places where I think his are deficient, not just for a Republican but for an American,” Sasse said. He argued that Trump had “careened from curb to curb” as he sought to respond to a pandemic that has claimed more than 217,000 American lives this year. “He refused to treat it seriously,” Sasse said. “For months, he treated it like a news-cycle-by-news-cycle PR crisis.” He added that he did not think Trump’s leadership through the crisis had been “reasonable or responsible, or right.” The “deficiencies” added up from there. “The way he kisses dictators’ butts,” Sasse said, listing his reservations about Trump. “I mean, the way he ignores that the Uighurs are in literal concentration camps in Xinjiang right now. He hasn’t lifted a finger on behalf of the Hong Kongers.” He continued: “The United States now regularly sells out our allies under his leadership, the way he treats women, spends like a drunken sailor.” Trump “mocks evangelicals behind closed doors,” he added. “His family has treated the presidency like a business opportunity. He’s flirted with white supremacists.” Each of these things, Sasse predicted, would have consequences, for Republicans and the nation. He sounded particularly alarmed about the potential damage Trump, who supported Democrats for decades as a businessman, could do to the conservative cause in the long term by driving the country “to the left.” Young people, he said, could “become permanent Democrats because they’ve just been repulsed by the obsessive nature of our politics.” Women, who have abandoned the party in droves, could decide “they need to turn away from this party permanently in the future.” “I’m now looking at the possibility of a Republican bloodbath in the Senate, and that’s why I’ve never been on the Trump train,” he said. “It’s why I didn’t agree to be on his reelection committee, and it’s why I’m not campaigning for him.” In a statement, Wegmann did not comment on Sasse’s remarks. He said the senator would remain focused on Senate races. “I don’t know how many more times we can shout this,” Wegmann said. “Even though the Beltway is obsessing exclusively about the presidential race, control of the Senate is 10 times more important.”

Slamming Trump, GOP Senator warns of a ‘Republican bloodbath’

In the last <a href="https://www.wionews.com/us-election?page=1">US elections</a>&nbsp;2016, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;was not leading in the initial and exit polls. However, at the end Trump came out a winner&nbsp; which was majorly credited to the late-deciding voters.

However, this year, that might not be the case. As per a poll conducted by Reuters/Ipsos, it has been revealed that the late-deciding voters may not be able to save Trump&nbsp;this time.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-elections-key-issues-and-donald-trump-joe-bidens-stand-on-them-335441">Also read|&nbsp;US election's key issues and Donald Trump, Joe Biden's stand on them</a>

Reuters conducted a poll between October 09 and 13 which showed that there are very few undecided voters this year and the opinion polls may be correct and voters might pick Biden over Trump even towards the end.

The elections are scheduled for November 03 this year and will see Donald Trump and Joe Biden&nbsp;fighting for the position with Mike Pence and Kamala Harris as their respective running mates.

The polls show that&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;is currently holding a&nbsp;10-percentage-point lead nationally, with a tighter margin in the battleground states that will help to decide the election.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-how-the-states-vote-for-the-presidential-elections-335430">Also read|&nbsp;US election 2020: How the States vote for the Presidential elections</a>

"The candidate who is behind — Trump — needs to win undecideds at a disproportionate rate to catch up. So, if that isn’t happening, he’s not really cutting into Biden’s lead,” said Kyle Kondik, an election analyst at the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia.

This year the change in voting pattern has majorly been due to the fear of contracting the novel coronavirus. More and&nbsp; more people are now opting for early voting and mail-in voting as people want to cautiously avoid crowded spaces.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-how-are-votes-counted-in-the-presidential-election-335422">Also read|&nbsp;US election 2020: How are votes counted in the presidential election?</a>

As per the unofficial figures, almost 15 million Americans have already cast their vote, which is a lot in comparison to the figure of 1.4 million early voters in the 2016 elections.

Another difference this year is that unlike the 106 elections, majority of the voters have already made up their mind, as per the opinion polls.

The Reuters/Ipsos national poll found that only about 8 per cent&nbsp;of likely voters appear to be undecided, saying either that they do not know whom to support or that they are thinking about backing a third-party candidate. This number in the last elections was twice more than this — with&nbsp;55 per cent picking Trump and only 36 per cent picking Hillary Clinton, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll of voters on Election Day.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-republicans-clash-with-california-officials-over-ballot-boxes-335425">Also read|&nbsp;US election 2020: Republicans clash with California officials over ballot boxes</a>

The poll also found that 9 out of 10 likely Biden voters and 9 out of 10 likely Trump voters say they have locked in their decision and will not change their mind.

However, Trump&nbsp;and his team has not lost hope.&nbsp;"Our campaign is confident in the big tent, diverse coalition of support we’ve built over the last six years," said Ken Farnaso, a Trump spokesman.

(With inputs from Reuters)

In the last US elections 2016, Donald Trump was not leading in the initial and exit polls. However, at the end Trump came out a winner which was majorly credited to the late-deciding voters.

In the last US elections 2016, Donald Trump was not leading in the initial and exit polls. However, at the end Trump came out a winner which was majorly credited to the late-deciding voters. However, this year, that might not be the case. As per a poll conducted by Reuters/Ipsos, it has been revealed that the late-deciding voters may not be able to save Trump this time. Also read| US election's key issues and Donald Trump, Joe Biden's stand on them Reuters conducted a poll between October 09 and 13 which showed that there are very few undecided voters this year and the opinion polls may be correct and voters might pick Biden over Trump even towards the end. The elections are scheduled for November 03 this year and will see Donald Trump and Joe Biden fighting for the position with Mike Pence and Kamala Harris as their respective running mates. The polls show that Biden is currently holding a 10-percentage-point lead nationally, with a tighter margin in the battleground states that will help to decide the election. Also read| US election 2020: How the States vote for the Presidential elections "The candidate who is behind — Trump — needs to win undecideds at a disproportionate rate to catch up. So, if that isn’t happening, he’s not really cutting into Biden’s lead,” said Kyle Kondik, an election analyst at the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia. This year the change in voting pattern has majorly been due to the fear of contracting the novel coronavirus. More and more people are now opting for early voting and mail-in voting as people want to cautiously avoid crowded spaces. Also read| US election 2020: How are votes counted in the presidential election? As per the unofficial figures, almost 15 million Americans have already cast their vote, which is a lot in comparison to the figure of 1.4 million early voters in the 2016 elections. Another difference this year is that unlike the 106 elections, majority of the voters have already made up their mind, as per the opinion polls. The Reuters/Ipsos national poll found that only about 8 per cent of likely voters appear to be undecided, saying either that they do not know whom to support or that they are thinking about backing a third-party candidate. This number in the last elections was twice more than this — with 55 per cent picking Trump and only 36 per cent picking Hillary Clinton, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll of voters on Election Day. Also read| US election 2020: Republicans clash with California officials over ballot boxes The poll also found that 9 out of 10 likely Biden voters and 9 out of 10 likely Trump voters say they have locked in their decision and will not change their mind. However, Trump and his team has not lost hope. "Our campaign is confident in the big tent, diverse coalition of support we’ve built over the last six years," said Ken Farnaso, a Trump spokesman. (With inputs from Reuters)

US election 2020: Donald Trump cannot rely on late voters this year, reports say

The US Justice Department has accused Melania Trump's former friend turned foe of breaking a&nbsp;nondisclosure agreement between the two friends for her personal benefits.

As per this accusation,&nbsp;Stephanie Winston Wolkoff — who wrote a tell-all book about the first lady — had violated the terms of a&nbsp;nondisclosure agreement, and the department has therefore asked the court to set&nbsp;aside profits from the book in a government trust.

In her book titled, "Melania and Me: The Rise and Fall of My Friendship with the First Lady",&nbsp;Wolkoff has discussed the relationships between the Trump family at lengths. The book has brought out a highly&nbsp;unflattering portrayal of the First Lady.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-profane-rant-melania-trump-takes-aim-at-migrant-children-and-critics-331901">Also read|&nbsp;In profane rant, Melania Trump takes aim at migrant children and critics</a>

The Justice Department claims that the writer failed to submit the first draft of the book for a review, which is against the agreement.

However, Wolkoff has denied these accusations stating that the&nbsp;confidentiality provisions ended "when the White House terminated the agreement."

"The president and first lady’s use of the U.S. Department of Justice to silence me is a violation of my First Amendment Rights and a blatant abuse of the government to pursue their own personal interests and goals," she said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-book-fuels-gossip-about-melania-trumps-icy-relationship-with-ivanka-324652">Also read|&nbsp;New book fuels gossip about Melania Trump's icy relationship with Ivanka</a>

The US government has asked the writer to set aside the profits from the book or anhy subsequent movie deal into a "constructive trust".

"The United States seeks to hold Ms. Wolkoff to her contractual and fiduciary obligations and to ensure that she is not unjustly enriched by her breach of the duties she freely assumed when she served as an adviser to the first lady," said a copy of the complaint seen by Reuters.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/heres-who-has-tested-positive-and-negative-in-trumps-circle-332571">Also read|&nbsp;Here's who has tested positive and negative in Trump's circle</a>

The book was published nearly six weeks ago and appeared on New York Times bestseller list for a while.

The accusation&nbsp;has come weeks before the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/us-election">US election 2020</a>, in which Melania's husband <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a> is rallying against <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>.

The US Justice Department has accused Melania Trump's former friend turned foe of breaking a nondisclosure agreement between the two friends for her personal benefits.

The US Justice Department has accused Melania Trump's former friend turned foe of breaking a nondisclosure agreement between the two friends for her personal benefits. As per this accusation, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff — who wrote a tell-all book about the first lady — had violated the terms of a nondisclosure agreement, and the department has therefore asked the court to set aside profits from the book in a government trust. In her book titled, "Melania and Me: The Rise and Fall of My Friendship with the First Lady", Wolkoff has discussed the relationships between the Trump family at lengths. The book has brought out a highly unflattering portrayal of the First Lady. Also read| In profane rant, Melania Trump takes aim at migrant children and critics The Justice Department claims that the writer failed to submit the first draft of the book for a review, which is against the agreement. However, Wolkoff has denied these accusations stating that the confidentiality provisions ended "when the White House terminated the agreement." "The president and first lady’s use of the U.S. Department of Justice to silence me is a violation of my First Amendment Rights and a blatant abuse of the government to pursue their own personal interests and goals," she said. Also read| New book fuels gossip about Melania Trump's icy relationship with Ivanka The US government has asked the writer to set aside the profits from the book or anhy subsequent movie deal into a "constructive trust". "The United States seeks to hold Ms. Wolkoff to her contractual and fiduciary obligations and to ensure that she is not unjustly enriched by her breach of the duties she freely assumed when she served as an adviser to the first lady," said a copy of the complaint seen by Reuters. Also read| Here's who has tested positive and negative in Trump's circle The book was published nearly six weeks ago and appeared on New York Times bestseller list for a while. The accusation has come weeks before the US election 2020, in which Melania's husband Donald Trump is rallying against Joe Biden.

US accuses Stephanie Wolkoff of breaking nondisclosure agreement with Melania Trump

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