US President Donald Trump has been admitted to the Walter Reed hospital after getting with coronavirus yesterday. Watch report.

Trump checks in at Walter Reed hospital: Trump hospitalised after coronavirus diagnosis

Joe Biden and his wife have tested negative for the coronavirus, his primary care doctor confirmed on Friday.

Joe Biden and wife tests negative for coronavirus: Shared stage with Donald Trump

A coronavirus outbreak that infected President Donald Trump and spread to the Senate threw a fresh element of uncertainty Friday into the politically fraught fight over installing Judge Amy Coney Barrett on the Supreme Court before Election Day, as Republicans vowed to press ahead and Democrats insisted on a pause.

Pulling off a complex confirmation that touches all three branches of government in the four weeks remaining before the election always promised to be a daunting task for Republicans in the middle of a pandemic. But by Friday evening, with the White House and Congress in turmoil and two Republican members of the Judiciary Committee, Sens. Mike Lee of Utah and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, among those announcing they had tested positive for the virus, it was clear that the challenge had grown steeper.

Top Republicans insisted they would move ahead at an uncommonly swift pace to hold hearings on Barrett’s nomination by Oct. 12, send her nomination to the full Senate by Oct. 22 and confirm her as soon as Oct. 26, eight days before Election Day — even if it meant breaking Senate norms and considering a lifetime judicial nomination by videoconference.

But the latest outbreak raised the possibility that Republicans could lose their slim majority in the Judiciary Committee or on the Senate floor.

It gave Democrats, who were already objecting to Trump’s push to install a new Supreme Court justice so close to the election, a new reason to call for a delay. Seeing a potential opening, top Democrats called for the Senate to pause and assess the scope of the outbreak.

They declared that a fully virtual hearing for a candidate for a lifetime appointment to the nation’s highest court would be unacceptable.

“It’s critical that Chairman Graham put the health of senators, the nominee and staff first — and ensure a full and fair hearing that is not rushed, not truncated and not virtual,” Sens. Chuck Schumer of New York, the minority leader, and Dianne Feinstein of California, the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, said in a joint statement. “Otherwise, this already illegitimate process will become a dangerous one.”

On Friday evening, after Tillis announced his positive test result, Schumer renewed his call for delay, writing on Twitter that going forward with hearings would be “irresponsible and dangerous.”

“There is absolutely no good reason to do so,” he said.

But Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., chair of the panel, vowed he would stick to his schedule, and Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the majority leader, said he intended to move the nomination as soon as the committee approved it.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/physicians-decided-to-start-remdesivir-therapy-for-trump-332270/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

“Just finished a great phone call with @POTUS,” McConnell wrote on Twitter on Friday. “He’s in good spirits and we talked business — especially how impressed Senators are with the qualifications of Judge Barrett. Full steam ahead with the fair, thorough, timely process that the nominee, the Court, &amp;amp; the country deserve.”

Republican officials said they had no doubt that senators would find a way to muscle through the nomination over Democrats’ protests.

But Republicans cannot afford to have many members sidelined by illness, which could provide Democrats an opportunity to stall the proceedings. Two Republican senators, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, have already raised objections to moving ahead before the election, reducing the wiggle room in the 53-47 Republican majority.

McConnell has insisted throughout the pandemic that the Senate continue to meet in person, but he conceded Friday that keeping Republican senators healthy was crucial to the fate of the nomination.

“I think every precaution needs to be taken because we don’t anticipate any Democratic support at all, either in committee or the full Senate, and therefore everybody needs to be in an all-hands-on-deck mindset,” he said in an interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt.

The posturing around the court fight played out as government officials at the White House and on Capitol Hill spent Friday racing to trace those who had come in contact with known carriers of the virus to determine how far it had spread.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-having-trouble-breathing-at-hospital-report-332269">Trump having 'trouble breathing' at hospital: Report</a>

Trump was in proximity to Barrett when he announced her nomination in the Rose Garden a week ago at a well-attended celebration where few masks or other precautions were evident.

At least two other high-profile attendees, the Rev. John Jenkins, the president of the University of Notre Dame, and Kellyanne Conway, a former White House counselor, said Friday that they had also tested positive.

Lee and Tillis were among at least eight Republican senators present at the White House event, where some guests also gathered indoors and where video captured Lee hugging other attendees without a mask. Tillis wore a mask.

Both men are on the Judiciary Committee and met with Barrett on Capitol Hill this week indoors, without masks, as did more than a dozen others. Tillis’ office released a photograph of the senator and the nominee bumping elbows.

Both senators said they felt fine but would isolate for 10 days, placing them on track to reemerge on the day Graham intends to begin Barrett’s hearing.

Other lawmakers who had been in proximity to Trump or his aides said they were getting tested. Among them were Speaker Nancy Pelosi; Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla.; and Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., who all announced they had tested negative.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/even-the-white-houses-testing-regime-couldnt-stop-coronavirus-332226">Even the White House’s testing regime couldn’t stop coronavirus</a>

Republican members of Minnesota’s congressional delegation, who flew with the president on Air Force One from Washington to a campaign rally in Duluth, also said they were being tested.

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, flew to the presidential debate in Cleveland on Tuesday on Air Force One with the president and Hope Hicks, a close aide to Trump who tested positive Thursday. Jordan announced Friday that he had tested negative.

Concerns about the outbreak appeared to lead to a change in Congress’s much-maligned approach to testing the thousands of people who stream in and out of the Capitol complex each week, many of them flying in from around the country.

The Office of the Attending Physician informed lawmakers Friday that same-day testing would now be offered in the Capitol to lawmakers who showed possible coronavirus symptoms or had been exposed to someone who had tested positive. Staff members who came into contact with someone who tested positive could also get tests, the office said.

The announcement came after Schumer had expressed deepened anxiety about the health outlook in the Capitol after Trump’s positive test.

“This episode demonstrates that the Senate needs a testing and contact-tracing program for senators, staff and all who work in the Capitol complex,” Schumer said. “We simply cannot allow the administration’s cavalier attitude to adversely affect this branch of government.

It is imperative that all results be made public in order to contain a possible outbreak and so we can determine the need for senators and staff to quarantine or self-isolate.”

Fresh fears about the spread of the virus only stiffened resistance to Barrett’s nomination among Democrats, who were already outraged that Republicans were racing to confirm a Supreme Court justice so close to the election after having blocked President Barack Obama from filling a vacancy nine months before Election Day in 2016.

But with Trump’s reelection in doubt and their party in danger of losing its Senate majority, Republicans are even more eager to confirm the nominee quickly.

They have insisted they are justified in moving ahead with the nomination because Trump was elected in 2016 and Republicans gained seats in the Senate in 2018, an argument that would be undercut by losses in November.

Some Republican advisers were pushing to scrap plans to keep the Senate in session next week, hoping to reduce the risk of more Republican senators becoming infected.

But adjourning may not be in McConnell’s control. He had been in favor of allowing senators to go home, but Democrats trying to inflict pain on Republicans for their rush to fill the Supreme Court seat refused to go along, using parliamentary tactics to prevent it.

As for Barrett, two officials with knowledge of her medical history said that she had already had the coronavirus and recovered this year, potentially providing some immunity for her. But it was not yet clear whether she would continue her courtesy meetings with senators in person next week.

She tested negative for the virus Friday, officials said.

A coronavirus outbreak that infected President Donald Trump and spread to the Senate threw a fresh element of uncertainty Friday into the politically fraught fight over installing Judge Amy Coney Barrett on the Supreme Court before Election Day, as Republicans vowed to press ahead and Democrats insisted on a pause.

A coronavirus outbreak that infected President Donald Trump and spread to the Senate threw a fresh element of uncertainty Friday into the politically fraught fight over installing Judge Amy Coney Barrett on the Supreme Court before Election Day, as Republicans vowed to press ahead and Democrats insisted on a pause. Pulling off a complex confirmation that touches all three branches of government in the four weeks remaining before the election always promised to be a daunting task for Republicans in the middle of a pandemic. But by Friday evening, with the White House and Congress in turmoil and two Republican members of the Judiciary Committee, Sens. Mike Lee of Utah and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, among those announcing they had tested positive for the virus, it was clear that the challenge had grown steeper. Top Republicans insisted they would move ahead at an uncommonly swift pace to hold hearings on Barrett’s nomination by Oct. 12, send her nomination to the full Senate by Oct. 22 and confirm her as soon as Oct. 26, eight days before Election Day — even if it meant breaking Senate norms and considering a lifetime judicial nomination by videoconference. But the latest outbreak raised the possibility that Republicans could lose their slim majority in the Judiciary Committee or on the Senate floor. It gave Democrats, who were already objecting to Trump’s push to install a new Supreme Court justice so close to the election, a new reason to call for a delay. Seeing a potential opening, top Democrats called for the Senate to pause and assess the scope of the outbreak. They declared that a fully virtual hearing for a candidate for a lifetime appointment to the nation’s highest court would be unacceptable. “It’s critical that Chairman Graham put the health of senators, the nominee and staff first — and ensure a full and fair hearing that is not rushed, not truncated and not virtual,” Sens. Chuck Schumer of New York, the minority leader, and Dianne Feinstein of California, the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, said in a joint statement. “Otherwise, this already illegitimate process will become a dangerous one.” On Friday evening, after Tillis announced his positive test result, Schumer renewed his call for delay, writing on Twitter that going forward with hearings would be “irresponsible and dangerous.” “There is absolutely no good reason to do so,” he said. But Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., chair of the panel, vowed he would stick to his schedule, and Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the majority leader, said he intended to move the nomination as soon as the committee approved it. × “Just finished a great phone call with @POTUS,” McConnell wrote on Twitter on Friday. “He’s in good spirits and we talked business — especially how impressed Senators are with the qualifications of Judge Barrett. Full steam ahead with the fair, thorough, timely process that the nominee, the Court, &amp; the country deserve.” Republican officials said they had no doubt that senators would find a way to muscle through the nomination over Democrats’ protests. But Republicans cannot afford to have many members sidelined by illness, which could provide Democrats an opportunity to stall the proceedings. Two Republican senators, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, have already raised objections to moving ahead before the election, reducing the wiggle room in the 53-47 Republican majority. McConnell has insisted throughout the pandemic that the Senate continue to meet in person, but he conceded Friday that keeping Republican senators healthy was crucial to the fate of the nomination. “I think every precaution needs to be taken because we don’t anticipate any Democratic support at all, either in committee or the full Senate, and therefore everybody needs to be in an all-hands-on-deck mindset,” he said in an interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt. The posturing around the court fight played out as government officials at the White House and on Capitol Hill spent Friday racing to trace those who had come in contact with known carriers of the virus to determine how far it had spread. Also Read | Trump having 'trouble breathing' at hospital: Report Trump was in proximity to Barrett when he announced her nomination in the Rose Garden a week ago at a well-attended celebration where few masks or other precautions were evident. At least two other high-profile attendees, the Rev. John Jenkins, the president of the University of Notre Dame, and Kellyanne Conway, a former White House counselor, said Friday that they had also tested positive. Lee and Tillis were among at least eight Republican senators present at the White House event, where some guests also gathered indoors and where video captured Lee hugging other attendees without a mask. Tillis wore a mask. Both men are on the Judiciary Committee and met with Barrett on Capitol Hill this week indoors, without masks, as did more than a dozen others. Tillis’ office released a photograph of the senator and the nominee bumping elbows. Both senators said they felt fine but would isolate for 10 days, placing them on track to reemerge on the day Graham intends to begin Barrett’s hearing. Other lawmakers who had been in proximity to Trump or his aides said they were getting tested. Among them were Speaker Nancy Pelosi; Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla.; and Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., who all announced they had tested negative. Also Read | Even the White House’s testing regime couldn’t stop coronavirus Republican members of Minnesota’s congressional delegation, who flew with the president on Air Force One from Washington to a campaign rally in Duluth, also said they were being tested. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, flew to the presidential debate in Cleveland on Tuesday on Air Force One with the president and Hope Hicks, a close aide to Trump who tested positive Thursday. Jordan announced Friday that he had tested negative. Concerns about the outbreak appeared to lead to a change in Congress’s much-maligned approach to testing the thousands of people who stream in and out of the Capitol complex each week, many of them flying in from around the country. The Office of the Attending Physician informed lawmakers Friday that same-day testing would now be offered in the Capitol to lawmakers who showed possible coronavirus symptoms or had been exposed to someone who had tested positive. Staff members who came into contact with someone who tested positive could also get tests, the office said. The announcement came after Schumer had expressed deepened anxiety about the health outlook in the Capitol after Trump’s positive test. “This episode demonstrates that the Senate needs a testing and contact-tracing program for senators, staff and all who work in the Capitol complex,” Schumer said. “We simply cannot allow the administration’s cavalier attitude to adversely affect this branch of government. It is imperative that all results be made public in order to contain a possible outbreak and so we can determine the need for senators and staff to quarantine or self-isolate.” Fresh fears about the spread of the virus only stiffened resistance to Barrett’s nomination among Democrats, who were already outraged that Republicans were racing to confirm a Supreme Court justice so close to the election after having blocked President Barack Obama from filling a vacancy nine months before Election Day in 2016. But with Trump’s reelection in doubt and their party in danger of losing its Senate majority, Republicans are even more eager to confirm the nominee quickly. They have insisted they are justified in moving ahead with the nomination because Trump was elected in 2016 and Republicans gained seats in the Senate in 2018, an argument that would be undercut by losses in November. Some Republican advisers were pushing to scrap plans to keep the Senate in session next week, hoping to reduce the risk of more Republican senators becoming infected. But adjourning may not be in McConnell’s control. He had been in favor of allowing senators to go home, but Democrats trying to inflict pain on Republicans for their rush to fill the Supreme Court seat refused to go along, using parliamentary tactics to prevent it. As for Barrett, two officials with knowledge of her medical history said that she had already had the coronavirus and recovered this year, potentially providing some immunity for her. But it was not yet clear whether she would continue her courtesy meetings with senators in person next week. She tested negative for the virus Friday, officials said.

Trump’s diagnosis imperils quick Supreme Court confirmation timeline

In a heat of exchange with the White House Secretary said that Trump has denounced white supremacy. Kayleigh Mcenany defended Trump's stand on white supremacy. Watch report.

US Election 2020: Trump refused to condemn white supremacy

US President Donald Trump confirmed on Thursday night that he and first lady Melania Trump will begin their "quarantine process" while they await their COVID-19 test results, a day after top aide Hope Hicks tested positive for coronavirus.

Donald Trump and Melania Trump under quarantine: Awaits COVID-19 results

Trump's top aide tests COVID-19 positive | Melania and Trump awaits COVID test report

US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he and First Lady Melania had tested positive for the coronavirus. Trump tweeted: "Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!."

Breaking News: Donald Trump tests positive for COVID-19

The White House Doctor has said that President Donald Trump is "well" and will continue to perform his duties "without disruption" while quarantining along with the first lady, after both tested positive for the coronavirus.

White House Doctor: 'Both Trump and Melania well at this point'

According to a study by Cornell University, Trump is the root of all COVID-19 misinformation. watch report.

Coronavirus Pandemic: Trump largest driver of misinformation, says study

Dr. Conley: Trump will carry duties without disruption, Trump-Melania COVID-19 positive

The reopening of the U.S. economy in the wake of the COVID pandemic dominated much of the discussion about the overall economy during the first U.S. presidential debate between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden.

COVID recovery dominates discussion of economy during presidential debate

A 'tax bomb' has struck Donald Trump's campaign. The President of the world's largest economy is being accused of consistently failing to pay his dues to the Income tax department. WION's Palki Sharma gets you the story.

Gravitas: Will Trump release his tax returns?

President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden square off on Tuesday in their first presidential debate. With five weeks to go until the November 3 general election, the stakes are high.

US Election 2020: Less than 24 hours to first presidential debate

United States President Donald Trump on Monday claimed that he paid “many millions of dollars in taxes" after a bombshell report came out earlier suggesting Trump had evaded taxes.&nbsp;

Trump added that he was entitled to depreciation, and tax credits, while also claiming he was under-leveraged. The US president said that he has more assets than debt.

A New York Times report released on Sunday said that Trump had paid just $750 in federal income taxes in both 2016 and 2017. Before this, he had reported heavy losses from his business undertakings.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-one-liners-rehearsed-performances-and-mammoth-audiences-expected-as-biden-trump-gear-up-for-debates-330793">US: One-liners, rehearsed performances and mammoth audiences expected as Biden, Trump gear up for debates</a>

"I paid many millions of dollars in taxes but was entitled, like everyone else, to depreciation &amp; tax credits," he wrote on Twitter. "I am extremely under leveraged - I have very little debt compared to the value of assets."

Trump called the allegations "totally fake news" and said he "he paid a lot of state income taxes", adding everything will be "revealed".&nbsp;

"First of all, I paid a lot and I paid a lot of state income taxes too... It'll all be revealed," Trump said.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://wionews.com/videos/2-decades-of-trumps-tax-returns-zero-income-taxes-in-10-of-last-15-years-330931/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The report said the US president reduced his taxes through a $72.9 million refund that gets audited by Internal Revenue audit.&nbsp; 
 
It added that Trump used deductions on aircraft, residences, including $70,000 in hairstyling for TV appearances.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/business-economy/donald-trump-faces-fresh-controversy-as-bombshell-report-claims-president-avoided-tax-for-years-330801" hreflang="en">Donald Trump faces fresh controversy as bombshell report claims president avoided tax for years</a>

The report said his golf courses showed a loss of large amounts of money, and hundreds of millions of dollars in loans he took on personal guarantee will soon be due for repayment.&nbsp;

Democrats have sharpened their attacks on the US president with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi describing the findings as "Trump's disdain for America's working families."

Massachusetts representative Richard Neal, the chair of the House Ways and Means Committee who earlier has unsuccessfully attempted knowing Trump's tax records, said now it is more essential for his committee to access the documents.

"It appears that the President has gamed the tax code to his advantage and used legal fights to delay or avoid paying what he owes," he said.&nbsp;

United States President Donald Trump on Monday claimed that he paid “many millions of dollars in taxes" after a bombshell report came out earlier suggesting Trump had evaded taxes.

United States President Donald Trump on Monday claimed that he paid “many millions of dollars in taxes" after a bombshell report came out earlier suggesting Trump had evaded taxes. Trump added that he was entitled to depreciation, and tax credits, while also claiming he was under-leveraged. The US president said that he has more assets than debt. A New York Times report released on Sunday said that Trump had paid just $750 in federal income taxes in both 2016 and 2017. Before this, he had reported heavy losses from his business undertakings. Also read | US: One-liners, rehearsed performances and mammoth audiences expected as Biden, Trump gear up for debates "I paid many millions of dollars in taxes but was entitled, like everyone else, to depreciation & tax credits," he wrote on Twitter. "I am extremely under leveraged - I have very little debt compared to the value of assets." Trump called the allegations "totally fake news" and said he "he paid a lot of state income taxes", adding everything will be "revealed". "First of all, I paid a lot and I paid a lot of state income taxes too... It'll all be revealed," Trump said. The report said the US president reduced his taxes through a $72.9 million refund that gets audited by Internal Revenue audit. It added that Trump used deductions on aircraft, residences, including $70,000 in hairstyling for TV appearances. Also read: Donald Trump faces fresh controversy as bombshell report claims president avoided tax for years The report said his golf courses showed a loss of large amounts of money, and hundreds of millions of dollars in loans he took on personal guarantee will soon be due for repayment. Democrats have sharpened their attacks on the US president with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi describing the findings as "Trump's disdain for America's working families." Massachusetts representative Richard Neal, the chair of the House Ways and Means Committee who earlier has unsuccessfully attempted knowing Trump's tax records, said now it is more essential for his committee to access the documents. "It appears that the President has gamed the tax code to his advantage and used legal fights to delay or avoid paying what he owes," he said.

US President Trump claims he paid 'millions' in taxes after bombshell report

US President Donald Trump paid just USD 750 in federal income taxes in the year he was elected US president and also in his first year in the White House, according to a media report.

2 decades of Trump's tax returns: 'Zero income taxes in 10 of last 15 years'

US President Donald Trump has repeated his demand for a drug test for his Democratic Party opponent Joe Biden. But this time, Trump has made the demand with a reference to upcoming US Presidential debates. Trump said he would "strongly" demand a drug test for "sleepy" Joe Biden before or after presidential debates. In his tweet, he said that he will undergo a test "also".

US Election 2020: Donald Trump demands drug test for Joe Biden

US President Donald Trump paid extremely little in income taxes in recent years as heavy losses from his business enterprises offset hundreds of millions of dollars in income, the New York Times reported on Sunday (September 27), citing tax-return data.

Trump paid no income taxes in 10 of last 15 years: NYT Report

US President Donald Trump has nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett for the Supreme Court to fill up the vacancy following the death of Judge Ruth Bader Ginsberg.

Trump's US Supreme Court pick is Judge Amy Coney Barrett

The volatile US presidential election enters a fierce new stage this week when Donald Trump and Joe Biden hold their first debate

US Election 2020: Top court in the middle of a storm

US President Donald Trump seems to be a softening stance on a possible transfer of power after the election. Trump has been warning his supporters that there could be a big case of fraud by Democrats.

Donald Trump: Want a friendly transition of power

The US Presidential debate is just 2 days away. President Donald Trump and Former Vice-President Joe Biden are going to take a common floor. Maybe they can learn from some of the historic debate moments that shaped US politics.

Most memorable moments of US Presidential debates

Republicans are expecting US President Donald Trump to announce Amy Coney Barret as his nominee to the Supreme Court.

Donald Trump may select Amy Barrett as new Supreme Court judge

US President Donald Trump has offered to mediate in the India-China standoff. The U.S. electoral battle has entered its final six-week stretch. Republicans are split over Trump's refusal to accept the results. Palki Sharma Upadhyay gets you the story.

Gravitas: Can Trump solve India-China standoff?

In U.S. Election Dialogues, watch conversations with experts and representatives of both sides of the political divide.

Watch: U.S. Election Dialogues

US President Donald Trump's campaign swings through Pennsylvania. U.S President Donald Trump mocked his election rival for wearing a face mask on Tuesday (September 22), alleging that it was covering up his cosmetic surgery work. "What the hell did he spend all that money on the plastic surgery if he's gonna cover it up with a mask?" Trump asked a crowd of supporters at an election rally in Pennsylvania.

US Election 2020 New York Direct: Trump's campaign swings through Pennsylvania

According to a US Senate Committee report, Joe Biden's son Hunter was paid $50,000 a month to serve as the board of Burisma which is a Ukrainian natural gas company with a corrupt owner while his father was the US vice president during the Obama administration.

US Election 2020 | Senate report: No sign of improper influence by Biden

Chris Wallace reveals major topics for the first presidential debate. The brutal supreme court nomination battle, the worst pandemic in a century, a flattened national economy and the ongoing nation-wide protests. With the latest report on Hunter Biden, the debate can swiftly turn towards the records of contenders & integrity of elections.

US Election 2020: Trump & Biden gear up for live face-off

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump on Wednesday imposed new curbs on imports of Cuban rum and cigars and banned Americans from staying at properties owned by the Cuban government, as he seeks to lock in the Cuban-American vote in the swing state of Florida ahead of November's presidential election.

"Today, as part of our continuing fight against communist oppression, I am announcing that the Treasury Department will prohibit U.S. travellers from staying at properties owned by the Cuban government," Trump said at a White House event.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/is-there-a-link-between-trumps-supreme-court-candidate-and-the-handmaids-tale-329762" hreflang="en">Is there a link between Trump's Supreme Court candidate and 'The Handmaid's Tale'?</a>

"We're also further restricting the importation of alcohol and Cuban tobacco," the Republican president said at the ceremony honouring Bay of Pigs veterans and commemorating the 40th anniversary of the 1980 Mariel boatlift that brought 120,000 Cubans to Miami.

Since taking office in January 2017, Trump has sought to unwind a detente with Cuba pursued by his Democratic predecessor, President Barack Obama.

In June 2019, the Trump administration imposed heavy new restrictions on travel to Cuba, saying the move aimed to further pressure the Communist government over its support for Venezuela’s embattled President Nicolas Maduro.

The Treasury Department said at the time the United States would no longer allow so-called group people-to-people educational travel, one of the most popular exemptions to the overall ban on U.S. tourism to Cuba.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/trump-appointed-justice-could-signal-major-supreme-court-shift-on-abortion-329661" hreflang="en">Trump-appointed justice could signal major Supreme Court shift on abortion</a>

Earlier this year, the Trump administration ordered Marriott International to wind down hotel operations in Communist-run Cuba. Starwood Hotels, now owned by Marriott, was the first U.S. hotel company to sign a deal with Cuba since the 1959 revolution amid the normalisation of relations sought by Obama.

The U.S. sanctions have further crippled an economy already struggling with a decline in aid from leftist ally Venezuela.

The move also comes as Trump and Democratic hopeful Joe Biden remained locked in a tight race in Florida, a state which Trump won in 2016 by just 1.2 percentage points.

Trump's aides believe his toughened stance on Cuba, as well as Venezuela, has gone down well in the large Cuban-American community in south Florida, an important voting bloc in the state.

No Republican has won the presidency without Florida since Calvin Coolidge in 1924, and Trump will hold a rally in Jacksonville on Thursday.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday imposed new curbs on imports of Cuban rum and cigars and banned Americans from staying at properties owned by the Cuban government, as he seeks to lock in the Cuban-American vote in the swing state of Florida ahead of November's presidential election.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday imposed new curbs on imports of Cuban rum and cigars and banned Americans from staying at properties owned by the Cuban government, as he seeks to lock in the Cuban-American vote in the swing state of Florida ahead of November's presidential election. "Today, as part of our continuing fight against communist oppression, I am announcing that the Treasury Department will prohibit U.S. travellers from staying at properties owned by the Cuban government," Trump said at a White House event. Also read: Is there a link between Trump's Supreme Court candidate and 'The Handmaid's Tale'? "We're also further restricting the importation of alcohol and Cuban tobacco," the Republican president said at the ceremony honouring Bay of Pigs veterans and commemorating the 40th anniversary of the 1980 Mariel boatlift that brought 120,000 Cubans to Miami. Since taking office in January 2017, Trump has sought to unwind a detente with Cuba pursued by his Democratic predecessor, President Barack Obama. In June 2019, the Trump administration imposed heavy new restrictions on travel to Cuba, saying the move aimed to further pressure the Communist government over its support for Venezuela’s embattled President Nicolas Maduro. The Treasury Department said at the time the United States would no longer allow so-called group people-to-people educational travel, one of the most popular exemptions to the overall ban on U.S. tourism to Cuba. Also read: Trump-appointed justice could signal major Supreme Court shift on abortion Earlier this year, the Trump administration ordered Marriott International to wind down hotel operations in Communist-run Cuba. Starwood Hotels, now owned by Marriott, was the first U.S. hotel company to sign a deal with Cuba since the 1959 revolution amid the normalisation of relations sought by Obama. The U.S. sanctions have further crippled an economy already struggling with a decline in aid from leftist ally Venezuela. The move also comes as Trump and Democratic hopeful Joe Biden remained locked in a tight race in Florida, a state which Trump won in 2016 by just 1.2 percentage points. Trump's aides believe his toughened stance on Cuba, as well as Venezuela, has gone down well in the large Cuban-American community in south Florida, an important voting bloc in the state. No Republican has won the presidency without Florida since Calvin Coolidge in 1924, and Trump will hold a rally in Jacksonville on Thursday.

Trump unveils new sanctions against Cuban rum and cigars

US President Donald Trump in a recorded message to the UN General Assembly said, "The United Nations must hold China accountable for their actions," referring to the virus. "The Chinese government and the World Health Organization which is virtually controlled by China falsely declared that there was no evidence of human-to-human transmission, the US president said, adding, "Later, they falsely said people without symptoms would not spread the disease,"

Trump takes aim at China over COVID-19 pandemic

The US Presidential elections are still a month away but polling has begun in seven states in the form of mail-in ballots and absentee voting. Watch report.

US Election 2020: States begin early and absentee voting

With President Donald Trump poised to nominate a U.S. Supreme Court justice to fill the vacancy created by the death of liberal icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a new 6-3 conservative majority could be emboldened to roll back abortion rights.

The ultimate objective for U.S. conservative activists for decades has been to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide. But short of that, there are other options the court has in curtailing abortion rights.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/in-major-ruling-us-supreme-court-strikes-down-strict-louisiana-abortion-law-309474" hreflang="en">In major ruling, US Supreme Court strikes down strict Louisiana abortion law</a>

Republican-led states including Ohio, Georgia, Missouri, Arkansas and Alabama have passed a variety of abortion restrictions in recent years. Some that seek to ban abortion at an early stage of pregnancy are still being litigated in lower courts and could reach the justices relatively soon.

Abortion is one the most divisive issues in the United States. Conservative opposition to it has been a driving force behind Republicans, including Trump, making a high priority of judicial appointments in recent years.

"Roe v. Wade is on the line in a way it never has been before," said Julie Rikelman, a lawyer with the Center for Reproductive Rights, which regularly challenges abortion restrictions.

Even if Roe is not overturned, "we could be in a situation where the court is upholding even more restrictions on abortion," Rikelman added.

Trump has said he intends to announce his nomination on Saturday, with conservative appeals court judges Amy Coney Barrett and Barbara Lagoa considered the frontrunners to be named to succeed Ginsburg, who was a strong defender of abortion rights. Ginsburg died on Friday at age 87.

The leadership of the Republican-controlled Senate is poised to move forward with the nomination even as Trump seeks re-election on Nov. 3.

Even though the court had a 5-4 conservative majority before Ginsburg's death, some activists on the right were concerned about Chief Justice John Robert's incremental approach. Roberts angered conservatives by siding with the court's liberals in June when the court ruled 5-4 to strike down a Louisiana abortion restriction involving a requirement imposed on doctors who perform the procedure.

Roberts, who wrote a separate opinion explaining his views, signaled he may back other abortion restrictions in future cases but said he felt compelled to strike down Louisiana's law because the justices just four years earlier had invalidated a similar law in Texas.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/us-election-2020-trump-and-biden-battle-for-an-advantage-in-brewing-fight-329526" hreflang="en">US election 2020: Trump and Biden battle for an advantage in brewing fight</a>

Trump vowed during the 2016 presidential campaign to appoint justices who would overturn Roe v. Wade. He already has appointed conservatives Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh to the court. Both voted to uphold the Louisiana law.

Anti-abortion groups are pushing for Trump to pick Barrett, a conservative Roman Catholic who he appointed to the Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2017. Although she has not yet ruled directly on abortion as a judge, Barrett has twice signaled opposition to rulings that struck down abortion-related restrictions.

Abortion rights activists have voiced concern that Barrett would vote to overturn Roe v. Wade.

STATE-BY-STATE EFFORTS

Broadly speaking, Republican-controlled states have enacted two types of abortion laws: measures that would impose burdensome regulations on abortion providers and those that would ban abortions during the early stages of pregnancy.

The latter laws in particular directly challenge Roe v. Wade and a subsequent 1992 ruling that upheld it. Those two rulings made clear that women have a constitutional right to obtain an abortion at least up until the point when the fetus is viable outside the womb, usually around 24 weeks or soon after.

Legal challenges to laws recently enacted in conservative states that directly challenge the Roe precedent by banning abortion outright or in early stages of pregnancy are still being litigated in lower courts.

One appeal pending at the Supreme Court that the justices will discuss whether to hear in the coming months is Mississippi's bid to revive a law that bans abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

In a separate case the court could act upon at any time, the Trump administration has asked the justices to put on hold a federal judge's decision to block during the coronavirus pandemic a U.S. Food and Drug Administration rule requiring women to visit a hospital or clinic to obtain a drug used for medication-induced abortions.

Clarke Forsythe, a lawyer with the Americans United for Life anti-abortion group that has urged Barrett's appointment, said he expects the Supreme Court to "continue with an incremental approach" even if Trump's nominee is confirmed, in part because of Roberts' opinion in the Louisiana case.

But Jennifer Dalven, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union, which backs abortion rights, said that with only four votes among the justices needed to take up a case, a newly emboldened conservative wing could force Roberts' hand and take up a more direct challenge to Roe.

"Now," Dalven said, "Chief Justice Roberts and his concern for the integrity for the court and his potential for being an incrementalist is not enough."

With President Donald Trump poised to nominate a U.S. Supreme Court justice to fill the vacancy created by the death of liberal icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a new 6-3 conservative majority could be emboldened to roll back abortion rights.

With President Donald Trump poised to nominate a U.S. Supreme Court justice to fill the vacancy created by the death of liberal icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a new 6-3 conservative majority could be emboldened to roll back abortion rights. The ultimate objective for U.S. conservative activists for decades has been to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide. But short of that, there are other options the court has in curtailing abortion rights. Also read: In major ruling, US Supreme Court strikes down strict Louisiana abortion law Republican-led states including Ohio, Georgia, Missouri, Arkansas and Alabama have passed a variety of abortion restrictions in recent years. Some that seek to ban abortion at an early stage of pregnancy are still being litigated in lower courts and could reach the justices relatively soon. Abortion is one the most divisive issues in the United States. Conservative opposition to it has been a driving force behind Republicans, including Trump, making a high priority of judicial appointments in recent years. "Roe v. Wade is on the line in a way it never has been before," said Julie Rikelman, a lawyer with the Center for Reproductive Rights, which regularly challenges abortion restrictions. Even if Roe is not overturned, "we could be in a situation where the court is upholding even more restrictions on abortion," Rikelman added. Trump has said he intends to announce his nomination on Saturday, with conservative appeals court judges Amy Coney Barrett and Barbara Lagoa considered the frontrunners to be named to succeed Ginsburg, who was a strong defender of abortion rights. Ginsburg died on Friday at age 87. The leadership of the Republican-controlled Senate is poised to move forward with the nomination even as Trump seeks re-election on Nov. 3. Even though the court had a 5-4 conservative majority before Ginsburg's death, some activists on the right were concerned about Chief Justice John Robert's incremental approach. Roberts angered conservatives by siding with the court's liberals in June when the court ruled 5-4 to strike down a Louisiana abortion restriction involving a requirement imposed on doctors who perform the procedure. Roberts, who wrote a separate opinion explaining his views, signaled he may back other abortion restrictions in future cases but said he felt compelled to strike down Louisiana's law because the justices just four years earlier had invalidated a similar law in Texas. Also read: US election 2020: Trump and Biden battle for an advantage in brewing fight Trump vowed during the 2016 presidential campaign to appoint justices who would overturn Roe v. Wade. He already has appointed conservatives Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh to the court. Both voted to uphold the Louisiana law. Anti-abortion groups are pushing for Trump to pick Barrett, a conservative Roman Catholic who he appointed to the Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2017. Although she has not yet ruled directly on abortion as a judge, Barrett has twice signaled opposition to rulings that struck down abortion-related restrictions. Abortion rights activists have voiced concern that Barrett would vote to overturn Roe v. Wade. STATE-BY-STATE EFFORTS Broadly speaking, Republican-controlled states have enacted two types of abortion laws: measures that would impose burdensome regulations on abortion providers and those that would ban abortions during the early stages of pregnancy. The latter laws in particular directly challenge Roe v. Wade and a subsequent 1992 ruling that upheld it. Those two rulings made clear that women have a constitutional right to obtain an abortion at least up until the point when the fetus is viable outside the womb, usually around 24 weeks or soon after. Legal challenges to laws recently enacted in conservative states that directly challenge the Roe precedent by banning abortion outright or in early stages of pregnancy are still being litigated in lower courts. One appeal pending at the Supreme Court that the justices will discuss whether to hear in the coming months is Mississippi's bid to revive a law that bans abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy. In a separate case the court could act upon at any time, the Trump administration has asked the justices to put on hold a federal judge's decision to block during the coronavirus pandemic a U.S. Food and Drug Administration rule requiring women to visit a hospital or clinic to obtain a drug used for medication-induced abortions. Clarke Forsythe, a lawyer with the Americans United for Life anti-abortion group that has urged Barrett's appointment, said he expects the Supreme Court to "continue with an incremental approach" even if Trump's nominee is confirmed, in part because of Roberts' opinion in the Louisiana case. But Jennifer Dalven, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union, which backs abortion rights, said that with only four votes among the justices needed to take up a case, a newly emboldened conservative wing could force Roberts' hand and take up a more direct challenge to Roe. "Now," Dalven said, "Chief Justice Roberts and his concern for the integrity for the court and his potential for being an incrementalist is not enough."

Trump-appointed justice could signal major Supreme Court shift on abortion

trump

Trump, News on Trump, stories on Trump, articles on Trump, Trump stories at Wion, Trump news, Trump latest news