A top adviser to Donald Trump says his daughter, Ivanka, and her husband, Jared Kushner, would be the most likely family members to have official staff roles.

Kellyanne Conway said Thursday that any of the president-elect's adult children who work in the administration would separate from their father's business empire.

Trump's transition aides say lawyers are working to untangle Trump and his family from their business empire after criticism that failing to do anything short of creating a blind trust would expose them to conflict of interest investigations and lawsuits.

President-elect Trump met with Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, Peter King on Thursday as well as a group from the US Conference of Mayors.

POOL

New York - December 15, 2016

1. Kellyanne Conway approaching reporters

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Kellyanne Conway, senior advisor, Trump transition team:

"So Ivanka and Jared will make their own decision and announcement in due course. I think that we would benefit tremendously by having them inside the administration, if in fact that could happen. Ivanka is incredibly committed to women in the workplace, women and the economy, women entrepreneurs. She's had a wonderful platform during the campaign. Certainly, she and her father announcing the childcare and elder care plan I think was a big highlight of our campaign and our outreach to women particularly."

3. Conway near elevators

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Kellyanne Conway, senior advisor, Trump transition team:

"I was not in their meeting. And I wouldn't disclose that anyways, but I will tell you that Congressman Pete King has been a tremendous asset and he's offered his counsel to the president-elect on any number of occasions. You see him on TV, you see his voting record, you see he's very emphatic about keeping America and Americans and her allies and her interests abroad at here at home safe. And it's a dangerous role. You see what's going on. We know that he's got an opinion about the latest CIA information and he's always welcome here."

5. Mayors approaching microphones

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Mick Cornett, Mayor Oklahoma City:

"We had a fairly interesting meeting with the president-elect. It lasted about 15-20 minutes. He showed great interest in helping cities progress. Our priorities are based around infrastructure, public safety and he has pledged to be a partner in those efforts."

7. Mayors approaching microphones

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Mick Cornett, Mayor Oklahoma City:

"We gave him our input that we hope that a former mayor or present mayor is elevated to a position of interest inside the White House, who could guide the administration on inter-governmental affairs as it applies to local governments."

9. Trump Tower lobby

President-elect Donald Trump is shaking up his transition team, elevating Vice President-elect Mike Pence to head the operations.

This comes amid a flurry of visitors seen going into Trump Tower Friday, which included Trump's daughter Ivanka, Former Trump campaign chairman Corey Lewandowski and Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Trump picked his transition chairman and other leaders on Friday.

It's his biggest staffing announcement since he won the election this week.

It amounts to a demotion for New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who had been running Trump's transition planning for months.

He will now serve as vice chairman.

Chrisite joined on the executive committee by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions and Giuliani.

A statement says more than a dozen other people will also advise Trump on transition matters.

They include some of Trump's children, Republican Party Chairman Reince Priebus and former Breitbart news executive Steve Bannon.

POOL

New York - 11 November 2016

1. Various of Ivanka Trump waiting for elevator while on phone, then getting on

2. Various of Former Trump campaign chairman Corey Lewandowski

3. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani walking

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Rudy Giuliani, Former New York City Mayor:

"Just giving advice."

5. SOUNDBUP: (ENGLISH) Reporter question off camera

"How about AD?"

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Rudy Giuliani, Former New York City Mayor:

"Just giving advice."

7. SOUNDBUP: (ENGLISH) Reporter question off camera

"Will you have a role with the Trump administration? What will your role expected to be?"

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Rudy Giuliani, Former New York City Mayor:

"I have no expectation, all I do is give my advice, that's all. Donald has been my friend for 28 years, all my work on behalf of him has been out of great loyalty and friendship to him. I can see already how he is going to be a great President and I am glad I can play a small role."

10. SOUNDBUP: (ENGLISH) Reporter question off camera

"What is your advice in picking his cabinet?"

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Rudy Giuliani, Former New York City Mayor:

"That I give to him personally." (LAUGHS)

12. Giuliani walking away amid reporters

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus066851

President-elect Donald Trump is shaking up his transition team, elevating Vice President-elect Mike Pence to head the operations.

This comes amid a flurry of visitors seen going into Trump Tower Friday, which included Trump's daughter Ivanka, Former Trump campaign chairman Corey Lewandowski and Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Trump picked his transition chairman and other leaders on Friday.

It's his biggest staffing announcement since he won the election this week.

It amounts to a demotion for New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who had been running Trump's transition planning for months.

He will now serve as vice chairman.

Chrisite joined on the executive committee by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions and Giuliani.

A statement says more than a dozen other people will also advise Trump on transition matters.

They include some of Trump's children, Republican Party Chairman Reince Priebus and former Breitbart news executive Steve Bannon.

POOL

New York - 11 November 2016

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Rudy Giuliani, Former New York City Mayor:

"Just giving advice."

2. SOUNDBUP: (ENGLISH) Reporter question off camera

"How about AD?"

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Rudy Giuliani, Former New York City Mayor:

"Just giving advice."

4. SOUNDBUP: (ENGLISH) Reporter question off camera

"Will you have a role with the Trump administration? What will your role expected to be?"

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Rudy Giuliani, Former New York City Mayor:

"I have no expectation, all I do is give my advice, that's all. Donald has been my friend for 28 years, all my work on behalf of him has been out of great loyalty and friendship to him. I can see already how he is going to be a great President and I am glad I can play a small role."

6. Various of Ivanka Trump waiting for elevator while on phone, then getting on

7 . Various of Former Trump campaign chairman Corey Lewandowski

President-elect Donald Trump resumed meetings Tuesday with longtime allies after indicating he had worked out agreements to fill major posts in his administration.

One of Trump's most loyal and public allies, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who is a prospect for secretary of state "and other things" met with Trump Tuesday.

After news broke that the president-elect does not plan to pursue further investigations into Hillary Clinton's email practices, Giuliani said he 'supported' the decision, but also indicated he would have been equally supportive of 'continuing the investigation'.

Giuliani at one point had been considered for attorney general, but Trump has chosen Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions to fill that position.

The president-elect apparently is working to get important Cabinet jobs settled before heading to Florida for Thanksgiving. Aides said Monday he will spend the holiday at his Mar-a-Lago estate. He is expected to fly there either Tuesday or Wednesday, while Vice president-elect Mike Pence will spend Thanksgiving in Mississippi, where his Marine son is stationed.

US POOL

New York - 22 November, 2016

1. Mid tracking former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani walking into elevator

AP TELEVISION

New York - 22 November, 2016

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Rudy Giuliani, former mayor New York City:

"Well I'm not commenting on anything that went on upstairs. I was really here more in my capacity as vice-chairman of the transition committee than I was on my behalf. It had more to do with other candidates and other issues, but that's all private, all confidential. Anything having to do with them, having to do with me, is between me, the transition team and the president-elect."

3. Zoom in Giuliani walking towards cameras

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Rudy Giuliani, former mayor New York City:

(addressing report that Trump does not plan to pursue charges against Hillary Clinton)

"Look there's tradition in American politics that after you win an election you sort of put things behind you. And if that's the decision he reached, that's perfectly consistent with sort of a historical patterns of things come up, you say a lot of things, even some bad things might happen, and then you can sort of put it behind you in order to unite the nation. So if he made that decision I would be supportive of it. I also would be supportive of continuing the investigation. I think the president-elect had a tough choice there where you could go either way. If he made the choice to unite the nation, I think all those people who didn't vote against him maybe can take another look at him."

US POOL

New York - 22 November, 2016

5. Zoom in former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski on phone

6. Mid tracking former campaign manager Paul Manafort walking past cameras

President-elect Donald Trump resumed meetings Tuesday with longtime allies after indicating he had worked out agreements to fill major posts in his administration.

One of Trump's most loyal and public allies, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who is a prospect for secretary of state "and other things" met with Trump Tuesday.

After news broke that the president-elect does not plan to pursue further investigations into Hillary Clinton's email practices, Giuliani said he 'supported' the decision, but also indicated he would have been equally supportive of 'continuing the investigation'.

Giuliani at one point had been considered for attorney general, but Trump has chosen Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions to fill that position.

The president-elect apparently is working to get important Cabinet jobs settled before heading to Florida for Thanksgiving. Aides said Monday he will spend the holiday at his Mar-a-Lago estate. He is expected to fly there either Tuesday or Wednesday, while Vice president-elect Mike Pence will spend Thanksgiving in Mississippi, where his Marine son is stationed.

US POOL

New York - November 22, 2016

1. Mid tracking former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani walking into elevator

AP TELEVISION

New York - November 22, 2016

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Rudy Giuliani, former mayor New York City:

"Well I'm not commenting on anything that went on upstairs. I was really here more in my capacity as vice-chairman of the transition committee than I was on my behalf. It had more to do with other candidates and other issues, but that's all private, all confidential. Anything having to do with them, having to do with me, is between me, the transition team and the president-elect."

3. Zoom in Giuliani walking towards cameras

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Rudy Giuliani, former mayor New York City:

(addressing report that Trump does not plan to pursue charges against Hillary Clinton)

"Look there's tradition in American politics that after you win an election you sort of put things behind you. And if that's the decision he reached, that's perfectly consistent with sort of a historical patterns of things come up, you say a lot of things, even some bad things might happen, and then you can sort of put it behind you in order to unite the nation. So if he made that decision I would be supportive of it. I also would be supportive of continuing the investigation. I think the president-elect had a tough choice there where you could go either way. If he made the choice to unite the nation, I think all those people who didn't vote against him maybe can take another look at him."

US POOL

New York - November 22, 2016

5. Zoom in former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski on phone

6. Mid tracking former campaign manager Paul Manafort walking past cameras

RESTRICTION SUMMARY: AP CLIENTS ONLY

SHOTLIST:

POOL - AP CLIENTS ONLY

New York - 28 July 2017

1. Various of President Donald Trump arriving on stage for speech

2. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"For many years they exploited America's week borders and lax immigration enforcement, to bring drugs and violence to cities and towns all across America. They are there right now because of weak political leadership, weak leadership, weak policing and in many cases because the police weren't allowed to do their job. I met police, that are great police, that aren't allowed to do their job because they have a pathetic mayor or a mayor that doesn't know what's going on, but..." (CHEERING)

++SEPARATED BY BLACK++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"They have transformed peaceful parks and beautiful, quiet neighborhoods into blood stained killing fields. They are animals, we cannot tolerate as a society the spilling of innocent, young, wonderful, vibrant people."

++SEPARATED BY BLACK++

4. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"One by one we are liberating our American towns. Can you believe that I'm saying that? I'm talking about liberating our towns, it's like I see in a movie, they are liberating the town, like in the old Wild West. Right? We are liberating our towns, I never thought I would be standing up here talking about liberating the towns on Long Island, where I grew up, but that is what you are doing."

++SEPARATED BY BLACK++

5. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"But I have a simple message today for every gang member and criminal alien, that are threatening, so violently our people, we will find you, we will arrest you, we will jail you and we will deport you." (CHEERING)

++SEPARATED BY BLACK++

6. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"We need more resources from Congress and we are getting them. Congress is actually opening up and really doing a job. They should have approved health care last night, but you can't have everything. Boy oh boy, they have been working on that one for seven years, can you believe that? The swamp, but we will get it done. We are going to get it done. You know I said from the beginning, let Obamacare implode and then do it, I turned out to be right, let Obamacare implode." (CLAPPING)

++SEPARATED BY BLACK++

7. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"And when you see these towns and when you see these thugs being thrown into the back of a paddy wagon, you just see them thrown in, rough, I said please don't be too nice, like when you guys put somebody in the care and you are protecting their head, you know, the way you put your hand over, like don't hit their head and they have just killed somebody, don't hit their head, I said you can take the hand away, okay." (LAUGHING and CHEERING)

8. Cutaway

STORYLINE:

President Trump is calling on Congress to dedicate more funding to illegal immigration and violent crime, but also reminding them of their failure on health care.

During a speech in Long Island, New York Friday, Trump said Congress should have approved legislation to repeal the Obama-era health law after working on it for seven years. But he says "you can't have everything."

Trump says he said from the beginning to "let Obamacare implode" and then repeal it.

He says "I turned out to be right."

Trump has made cracking down on MS-13, also called Mara Salvatrucha, a top priority of his administration.

The gang, which is believed to have originated in immigrant communities in Los Angeles in the 1980s and then entrenched itself in Central America when its leaders were deported, is infamous for its violent tactics, including torturing victims and hacking them with machetes.

The Trump administration blames the gang's recent resurgence in certain areas on illegal immigration and believes policies like building a wall along the southern border and cracking down on so-called "sanctuary cities" will eradicate the problem.

Critics see the focus misplaced and argue resources could be better spent on other enforcement efforts.

Trump also appeared to advocate rougher treatment of people in police custody.

He spoke dismissively of arresting officers who protect suspects' heads while putting them in police cars in a speech in front of law enforcement on Long Island.

He said: "You can take the hand off," drawing cheers from his audience.

===========================================================

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On March 5th 2018 the British media reported that the Zizi restaurant in Salisbury had been closed as a precaution in connection with an incident in which 66-year-old former Russian spy Sergei Skripal was left critically ill by exposure to an unknown substance.

The media is quoting Wiltshire Police.

Skripal, 66, who was convicted in Russia on charges of spying for Britain and sentenced in 2006 to 13 years in prison.

He was freed in 2010 as part of a US-Russian spy swap.

The discovery of the two people led to a dramatic decontamination effort.

Crews in billowing yellow moon suits worked into the night spraying down the street, and the Salisbury hospital's emergency room was closed.

***

There was a heavy police presence on March 6th near a shopping mall in a town in southern England where a former Russian spy was found after ,it is said, he suffered exposure to an "unknown substance".

The Kremlin said Russia has not been approached to help in an investigation over how and why the former spy was found critically ill on a bench near Maltings Shopping Centre in Salisbury.

A woman was also found unconscious on March 4th in Salisbury, about 90 miles (145 kilometres) west of London.

Dimitry Peskov, President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, said March 6th that there has been no request for help but that "Moscow is always ready to cooperate."

***

On March 7th ambulances and emergency vehicles rushed to central Salisbury in England amid jitters following the collapse of a former Russian spy and his daughter there.

An eyewitness says emergency services escorted two women on March 7th from a building near a restaurant that had been cordoned off by police searching for clues as to what prompted Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia to fall ill on March 4th.

Police and ambulance services declined to comment and it was not immediately clear if the incident had anything to do with the ongoing investigation.

Meanwhile British counter-terror police cordoned off a new site in the case of the former Russian spy and his daughter.

London's Metropolitan Police secured Solstice Park, a business park in Amesbury near Stonehenge, the prehistoric monument and world heritage site.

Amesbury is about nine miles (14 kilometres) from Salisbury, where Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found collapsed on a bench on March 4th.

Lloyd Ridley, who works nearby as a mechanic, told the Associated Press on Wednesday that some 40 firemen stood outside as the area was cordoned off, adding there were four people "dressed up in hazmats going inside and retrieving stuff in these boxes and putting them outside in the cornered area."

British counterterrorism specialists have taken control of the case from local police trying to unravel the mystery of what happened to the pair.

The matter has not been declared a terrorist incident.

Police are also asking members of the public to come forward if they had visited a Salisbury pizza restaurant or pub where the couple were last seen on March 4th.

***

Britain's armed forces arrived in Salisbury on March 9th to help police investigate the nerve-agent poisoning of a former spy.

Counterterrorism detectives asked for military help to remove vehicles and objects from a number of scenes related to March 4th's attack.

In a statement on the deployment, the defence secretary said the armed forces had the "right people with the right skills" to assist in the investigation.

More than 100 personnel from the Royal Marines, the RAF and chemical teams are said to have been sent to Salisbury.

***

A large-scale investigation continued on March 11th in Salisbury as forensics experts wearing protective gear searched for clues after a Russian ex-spy and his daughter were poisoned with a nerve agent.

Authorities said earlier that small traces of contamination have been found in a restaurant and a pub in the English city of Salisbury.

Hospital officials in Salisbury also said there is no evidence of a wider risk beyond the three people hospitalized since the March 4th attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia.

Ex-spy Skripal and his daughter Yulia reportedly ate at a Zizzi restaurant before falling critically ill.

A British police detective is also hospitalized in serious condition.

Among the sites they are searching are the Zizzi restaurant, which is closed to the public, and the gravesites where Skripal's wife and son are buried.

Skripal's house has also been extensively searched for clues and traces of the nerve agent.

Authorities haven't revealed how or where the Skripals were exposed to the nerve agent. It's not known if it happened in a restaurant, a pub, Skripal's house or elsewhere.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd said on March 10th it is still "too early" to determine who is to blame for the attack.

Senior government officials have vowed to respond robustly if the Russian government is found to be responsible.

Rudd said more than 250 counterterrorism officers are on the scene evaluating more than 240 pieces of evidence and interviewing about 200 witnesses.

They are backed by roughly 180 military personnel providing logistical support, including the removal of ambulances feared to possibly be contaminated by the nerve agent.

***

Russia will only cooperate with Britain on the investigation into March 4th's poisoning of an ex-Russian spy and his daughter if it receives samples of the nerve agent that is believed to have been used, Russia's foreign minister said March 13th.

Sergey Lavrov spoke in response to the British government's demand for an explanation of the use of a military-grade nerve agent produced in Russia in the attack in the English city of Salisbury.

Lavrov told reporters on March 13th Moscow's requests to see samples of the nerve agent have been turned down, which he called a violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, which outlaws the production of chemical weapons. He insisted that Russia is "not to blame" for the poisoning.

He said Moscow is willing to cooperate with the probe but suggested that London would be "better off" complying with its international obligations "before putting forward ultimatums."

British Prime Minister Theresa May said Russia's involvement is "highly likely" and delivered a March 13th deadline for a Russian response.

Officials said March 13thPrime Minister Theresa May is reviewing a range of economic and diplomatic measures in retaliation for the assault with a military-grade nerve agent.

The poisoning left 66-year-old Sergei Skripal and his 33-year-old daughter Yulia in critical condition.

***

British Home Secretary Amber Rudd chaired a meeting of the Government's Cobra emergencies committee on March 13th to discuss the response to the recent poisoning of a former Russian spy and his daughter.

Rudd reiterated Prime Minister Theresa May's deadline of midnight on March 13th for Moscow to explain how the Russian-made nerve agent Novichok came to be used on British soil.

Rudd said that until that response she would not be commenting on what action the UK would be taking against Russia.

Authorities say the pair were poisoned with a military-grade nerve agent and that Russia is "highly likely" to be behind it.

May is demanding an explanation.

***

British counterterrorism police on March 13th took charge of the investigation into the death in London of a Russian businessman because he was connected to a prominent Kremlin foe.

The death of Nikolai Glushkov, confirmed by his lawyer in Russia, came a week after former spy Sergei Skripal was left critically ill from nerve agent poisoning in the city of Salisbury.

Police said there was no evidence to suggest a link to the March 4th poisoning of Skripal and his daughter Yulia.

Attorney Andrei Borovkov told Russian media outlets that Glushkov had died, but said he was unaware of the time and circumstances. Reports in British and Russian media said Glushkov, who was in his late 60s, was found dead at his home in southwest London.

London's Metropolitan Police force said it was investigating the unexplained death of a man found at a house in the New Malden area late March 12th. It didn't release his name, saying formal identification had yet to take place.

Police said counterterrorism detectives are leading the investigation "as a precaution because of associations that the man is believed to have had."

Glushkov was an associate of Boris Berezovsky, a Russian oligarch and Kremlin critic who died in London in 2013. An inquest failed to determine whether he had killed himself or died from foul play.

Glushkov told The Guardian newspaper in 2013 he didn't believe Berezovsky's death was suicide. "I'm definite Boris was killed," he said.

Glushkov was arrested in 1999 and put on trial for embezzling 7 million US dollars from Aeroflot.

In 2004, he was sentenced to three years and three months in prison, but released because of time served before and during his trial.

Russian media reported that Glushkov was granted political asylum in Britain in 2010.

***

On March 15th President Donald Trump pointed the finger at Russia in the poisoning of a former Russian spy in Great Britain, saying he had spoken with British Prime Minister Theresa May.

During a meeting with Ireland's prime minister in the Oval Office, Trump said it's something "that should never, ever happen."

March 15th, the U.S. joined the Britain, France and Germany in a joint statement blaming Moscow for the poisoning of an ex-Russian spy who was living in England.

The list of Russians now under sanction includes the 13 indicted in February by U.S. special counsel Robert Mueller as part of his Russia-related investigation into alleged election interference.

Altogether, 19 Russians were cited. Also sanctioned were five Russian companies, including the Internet Research Agency, which is accused of orchestrating a mass online disinformation campaign to affect the presidential election result.

The Treasury Department announced the sanctions amid withering criticism of Trump and his administration for failing to use its congressionally mandated authority to punish Russia. Trump himself has been skeptical of the election accusations.

The sanctions are the first use of the new powers that Congress passed last year to punish Moscow for meddling in an election that Republican Donald Trump won over Democrat Hillary Clinton.

The accusations and accompanying sanctions are some of the strongest actions to date by the administration to punish Russia for hacking and other efforts to sow discord in the American democracy.

The Trump administration is also accusing Russia on March 15th of a concerted, ongoing operation to hack and spy on the U.S. energy grid and other critical infrastructure, and separately imposed sanctions on Russian officials for alleged high-tech interference in the 2016 American presidential election.

U.S. national security officials said the FBI, the Homeland Security Department and American intelligence agencies determined that Russian intelligence and others were behind the attacks on the energy sector.

The officials said the Russians deliberately chose U.S. energy industry targets, obtaining access to computer systems and then conducting "network reconnaissance" of industrial control systems that run American factories and the electricity grid.

The U.S. government has helped energy businesses kick out the Russians from all systems currently known to have been penetrated, according to the officials.

The officials, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive national security information, left open the possibility of discovering more breaches, and said the federal government was issuing an alert to the energy industry to raise awareness about the threat and improve preparation.

***

British Prime Minister Theresa May said on March 19th that Russia had the "capability", motive and intent" to poison a Russian ex-spy and his daughter and that the attack was "part of a pattern of behaviour by Russia across Europe".

Britain has accused Russia of using a military-grade nerve agent to poison former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter, who have been in critical condition for two weeks.

Britain has announced the expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats, and Russia has responded in kind.

Asked to comment on weekend newspaper reports about the possible exhumation of Russians who died in the UK in suspicious circumstances, May said that would be a matter for the police.

She said the focus of the investigation at this stage was on the Skripals' case.

May added that officials from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons were expected to arrive in the UK on March 19th and would discuss with police taking samples of the nerve agent in order to conduct an independent verification.

British police have contacted other Russian exiles in the last few days to discuss their safety in light of the recent attacks.

The Kremlin says Britain will eventually have to offer proof to back up its claim of Russia's involvement in the poisoning or apologise.

00:00:00

UK restaurant closed after former Russian spy exposed to unknown substance

4142885

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Salisbury - 5 March 2018

++NIGHT SHOTS++

1. Various of restaurant exteriors

00:07:14

Police cordon off area where former Russian spy was taken ill

4142914

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Salisbury - 6 March 2018

2. Bench believed to be where Skripal was found unconscious, police cordon

3. Media near Maltings Shopping Centre

4. Police outside Skripal's home in Salisbury

00:21:04

Latest from scene of "poisoning"; graves of Skripal relatives

4143219

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Salisbury - 7 March 2018

5. Tent covering bench where former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Julia were taken ill

6. Gravestone of the wife of Sergei Skripal, flowers

00:28:24

Troops at hospital in Salisbury where poison victims treated

4143568

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Salisbury - 9 March 2018

7. Troops standing next to support vehicles in car park of Salisbury District Hospital

00:32:24

Military remove potentially-contaminated vehicles in Salisbury

4143756

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Salisbury - 11 March 2018

8. Police car being lifted onto truck

9. Police cars and forensic officials

10. Trucks leaving

00:44:24

Lavrov: Russia is 'not to blame' for poisoning of ex-spy

4144005

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Moscow - 13 March 2018

11. SOUNDBITE (Russian) Sergei Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister:

"Russia is not guilty, Russia is ready to cooperate in the framework of the Chemical Weapons Convention only if the United Kingdom takes the pains to fulfill their legal obligations according to the same document."

01:01:20

UK emergencies committee meets to discuss Salisbury nerve agent case

4144037

UK POOL

London - 13 March 2018

12. British Prime Minister Theresa May leaving Number 10 Downing Street to attend Cobra meeting (a cross-departmental crisis committee that is formed to respond to national emergencies) meeting

01:06:12

Detectives busy at house of dead Russian businessman

4144116

ASSOCIATED PRESS

London - 13 March 2018

New Malden, London - 13 March 2018

13. Various of house belonging to Russian businessman Nikolai Glushkov with police tents outside

01:14:21

Trump points to Russia in poisoning of former spy in UK

4144428

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington DC - 15 March 2018

14. SOUNDBITE: (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President

" It looks like the Russians were behind it, something that should never, ever happen, and we're taking it very seriously, as I think are many others. "

01:24:24

May: The Russian state is responsible for nerve agent attack

4144999

UK POOL

Birmingham - 19 March 2018

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Theresa May, British Prime Minister:

"I set out clearly in the House of Commons last week why it is that we believe the Russian state is culpable for the incident that took place, for the acts that took place, for the use of this nerve agent on the streets of Salisbury.

It was a few days before the one-year anniversary of President Donald Trump's inauguration and a Lebanese-American businessman was on his way to Mar-a-Lago.

George Nader, an international fixer whose long history included intrepid back-channel mediation between Israel and Arab countries - and a 15-year-old pedophilia conviction in Europe that has not been previously reported - was transiting through Dulles International Airport outside Washington.

It was hardly his first far-flung journey to see top aides of the world's most powerful leader, as Nader had met the U.S. president's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and chief strategist Steve Bannon in the days before they stormed the White House.

But he encountered an altogether different scene awaiting him at the airport.

There, special counsel Robert Mueller's investigators stopped Nader, people familiar with the case said. His electronics were seized and he was then allowed to go to his lawyer. Nader later agreed to cooperate with Mueller's investigation, said the people with knowledge of the case as it pertains to Nader. They weren't authorized to speak publicly on the case and demanded anonymity.

Mueller, whose team has spent the last 10 months investigating possible Trump-related wrongdoing connected to Russia, is interested in high-level get-togethers Nader participated in after the presidential election, according to three people familiar with the case.

The first took place in Trump Tower in New York in December 2016 and brought together Nader, Kushner, Bannon - whom Trump fired last August - and Mohammed bin Zayed, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi and de facto leader of the United Arab Emirates. The second occurred a month later in the Indian Ocean archipelago of Seychelles and involved Nader, bin Zayed, former Blackwater boss Erik Prince and Kirill Dmitriev, a Russian banker close to President Vladimir Putin.

For Nader, it was the latest brush with the law in an eventful, globe-trotting career.

Many of Nader's former contacts and onetime friends have noted in recent weeks how they lost touch with him in the early 2000s.

On Wednesday, an official in the Czech Republic told The Associated Press that Nader is a convicted pedophile and served time in a Prague prison around that time.

Nader was convicted by Prague's Municipal Court of 10 cases of sexually abusing minors and sentenced to a one-year prison term in May 2003, said Marketa Puci, the court spokeswoman. She said the crimes occurred between 1999 and 2002.

Nader's legal problems in Prague appear unrelated to his role in Mueller's probe in the United States. But they contribute to the portrait of a man who has led a shadowy existence as a go-between across numerous Middle East capitals and who gave testimony to Mueller's Washington grand jury earlier this month.

Nader had worked in recent times as an adviser to bin Zayed, one of the most powerful men in the Middle East, according to people who know Nader. The questioning of Nader in the Mueller probe suggests possible interest in UAE relations with Trump's transition team or his administration.

Puci, the court spokeswoman, said Nader was convicted of "moral corruption of minors, sexual abuse and impairing morals," after abusing underage boys.

In one case, Nader requested oral sex from a 14-year-old in a room at the Hilton Hotel in Prague, Puci said. After the boy refused, Nader masturbated in front of the boy and paid him 2,000 koruna - worth about $100 today, she said.

The verdict cites other examples of Nader providing money, jewelry, cellphones, clothes and accommodation for sexual services. The AP was able to see a copy of the verdict, which gives Nader's birthdate as May 15, 1959. Nader was separately accused in Washington, D.C., of child pornography infractions in 1985, but those charges were later dropped. A criminal docket sheet obtained by the AP shows the same birthdate for Nader.

Two people with knowledge of the case say it involved the same Nader now cooperating with Mueller.

Puci said it wasn't clear how much of the one-year sentence Nader served in the Czech Republic. He was ordered expelled following his time served.

Kathy Ruemmler, who previously served as White House counsel to President Barack Obama, is among the lawyers representing Nader. She declined to answer questions about her client.

But Sandeep Savla, another lawyer for Nader, said: "This is nothing more than an orchestrated, disgusting scheme by those who are trying to intimidate Mr. Nader into silence. It won't work. Mr. Nader will continue to answer truthfully questions put to him by the special counsel."

Nader's connections with Trump confidants include Elliott Broidy, a top Republican fundraiser who co-hosted a Tuesday night event attended by the president in Beverly Hills, California.

Earlier this month, several media organizations, including the AP, obtained emails belonging to Broidy, a California-based venture capitalist and the Republican National Committee's deputy finance chairman. They show Broidy emailing Nader with a summary of Broidy's talks with Kushner and Trump in the White House in October 2017, touching on matters including the UAE's bitter dispute with fellow Persian Gulf country Qatar.

Broidy accused Qatar of hacking his emails. The Qataris denied the charge.

"Your government's actions against U.S. citizens will jeopardize your nation's relationship with the United States," Broidy wrote in a public letter to Qatar's U.S. ambassador.

In response, the Qatari government called Broidy's "baseless accusations" a "diversionary tactic."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Prague - 14 March 2018

1. Portion of court verdict and sentence with George Nader's name on it and stating he is a citizen of the United States

2. Various, Prague Municipal Court Spokesperson, Marketa Puci, holding court verdict and sentence

3. SOUNDBITE (Czech) Marketa Puci, Prague Municipal Court Spokesperson:

"I'm holding a verdict by which an American citizen, George Nader, together with Czech offenders was in 2003 convicted, for crimes that I will now read to you. The court sentenced him to one year in prison and to an indefinite deportation."

4. Shot of first page of court verdict and sentence reading, "judgment on behalf of the Republic"

5. SOUNDBITE (Czech) Marketa Puci, Prague Municipal Court Spokesperson:

"According to the then valid law, Mr. Nader was convicted of moral corruption of minors, sexual abuse and impairing morals."

6. Shot of first page of court verdict and sentence reading, "judgment on behalf of the Republic"

7. SOUNDBITE (Czech) Marketa Puci, Prague Municipal Court Spokesperson:

"At that time was (the victim) was 14-years-old. He (Nader) requested oral sex and after the boy refused, he with the boy's consent, pulled out his private parts and masturbated in front of him and for that mister Nader paid the boy 2000 Koruna. And there have been 10 similar cases like this."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington, D.C. - 15 May 2017

8. Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan with President Donald Trump in Oval Office

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington - 13 June 2013

8. Various, then-FBI Director Robert Mueller being sworn in

9. STILL Image Mueller in committee hearing

POOL

New York - 17 August 2016

10. Various views, then candidate Donald Trump meeting with advisers in Trump Tower, including Stephen Bannon and Paul Manafort

POOL

New York - 15 December 2016

11. Wide, Trump Tower lobby

ASSOCIATED PRESS

New York - 11 November 2016

12. STILL Image, Stephen Bannon leaving Trump Tower

ASSOCIATED PRESS

New York - 9 December 2016

13. STILL Images, Steve Bannon speaking on cellphone outside Trump Tower

ASSOCIATED PRESS

New York - 14 November 2016

14. Mid, Jared Kushner arrives in lobby of Trump Tower

POOL

New York - 6 December 2016

15. US President-elect Donald Trump walks out of elevator at Trump Tower

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald J. Trump, President-elect: ++SHOT CONTINUES FROM PREVIOUS++

"Good morning, how are you? Everything fine? We have got some great people coming in today. You'll see them."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Dulles, Virginia - 6 October 2014

17. Wide, zoom Dulles airport

President Donald Trump was a dominant force in the 2018 midterm elections as attitudes toward the polarizing leader influenced the decisions of more than 6 in 10 voters.

Nearly 40 percent of voters cast their ballots to express opposition to the president, according to AP VoteCast, a national survey of the electorate, while about 25 percent said they voted to express support for Trump.

While Trump is not on the ballot, his controversial presidency has animated voters on both sides of the aisle, with 2018 likely to set turnout records for a midterm election. Democrats have been activated in opposition to Trump since the moment of his election, while in recent weeks Trump has driven Republicans to the polls by trying to cast the race a referendum on his administration. The outcomes of Tuesday's races, which will determine control of Congress, stand to alter the course of the Trump presidency.

The snapshot of who voted and why comes from preliminary results of VoteCast, a nationwide survey of more than 113,000 voters and about 20,000 nonvoters conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago.

Democrats looking to seize control of Congress have pinned their hopes on women and minority voters, while Republicans have hoped to retain majorities by preserving support among the bloc of voters who propelled Trump to the White House in 2016.

According to VoteCast, women voted considerably more in favor of their congressional Democratic candidate: About 6 in 10 voted for the Democrat, compared with 4 in 10 for the Republican. Men, by contrast, were more divided in their vote.

Urbanites voted almost 2 to 1 in favor of Democrats, and small-town and rural voters cast votes for the Republicans by a smaller margin.

In suburban areas where key House races will be decided, voters skewed significantly toward Democrats by a nearly 10-point margin.

Non-white voters cast ballots for Democrats by a roughly 3-to-1 margin.

Democrats need to gain a net of at least 23 seats in the House and two seats in the Senate to win majorities in the respective chambers.

++SOUNDBITES OVERLAID WITH VIDEO++

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington, DC 6 November 2018

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Zeke Miller, Associated Press:

"The latest we've learned from AP VoteCast is that President Donald Trump was a was a dominant figure in American politics and he's a dominant figure in these midterm elections. Six in 10 voters or so said told AP vote cast that they voted because either to support or to oppose Donald Trump. About one third of voters said he didn't factor in their decisions. But more voters said that they voted to oppose Donald Trump than to support him. Voters give the president strong marks on the economy but they give him more marks on his temperament and that's something we've seen in a lot of other surveys. We saw that in advance of 2016 when the president won the White House. They gave him mice's temperament. So it will be interesting to see over the course of night what that actually does to those votes."

2. AP VoteCast graphic showing 64 percent of voters said Trump was a factor in their decision

3. AP VoteCast graphic showing 36 percent of voters said Trump was not a factor

4. AP Votecast graphic showing that 39 percent of voters voted to oppose Trump

POOL

Joint Base Andrews, Maryland - 20 October 2018

5. President Trump pumps his fist while boarding Air Force One

POOL

Fort Wayne, Indiana - 5 November 2018

6. Trump speaking at a campaign rally

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington, DC 6 November 2018

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Zeke Miller, Associated Press:

"So 2018 is billed as The Year of the woman and so all eyes are really on are on female voters this year. And what we've learned from the vote cast right now is that there is certainly a gender gap in this election. Female voters voted for far more in favor for the Democrats than for the Republican on a national level for the House candidates. If you look at the breakdown of beef seen that in years a year after year but certainly in this election that's something a number that we're all looking for answers maybe give us some indication where things are going to go. But right now there is a significant gender gap for women voting for Democrats."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Newport Beach - 6 November 2018

8. Women voting at machines

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Columbus, Ohio - 6 Nov 2012

9. Voters in an Ohio precinct for early voting

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Wisconsin - 14 August 2018

10. Voters at polling precinct in Wisconsin for its primary

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Columbus, Ohio - 6 Nov 2012

11. Close shot of woman's hand touching voting machine

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Atlanta - 6 November 2018

12. People waiting in line to vote in a gymnasium

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington, DC 6 November 2018

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Zeke Miller, Associated Press:

"Urban voters are are trending more towards Democrats and that's something we've seen consistent with previous elections. Rural voters small town voters are leaning more towards Republicans and those suburban voters in the middle. And that's really where a lot of these key districts are going to be won and lost. Those are trending towards Democrats at the national level. We'll see how that breaks down over the course of the individual districts but the at the national level suburban voters told AP vote cast that they are either voting for the Democrats."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

New York - 6 November 2018

14. People voting in New York City

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Stockton, Missouri - 6 November 2018

15. STILL photo of a man voting at a campground

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Allis,Wisconsin - 6 November 2018

16. Various shots of voters in polling precinct

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Atlanta - 6 November 2018

17. People waiting in line to vote in a gymnasium

President Donald Trump was a dominant force in the 2018 midterm elections as attitudes toward the polarizing leader influenced the decisions of more than 6 in 10 voters.

Nearly 40 percent of voters cast their ballots to express opposition to the president, according to AP VoteCast, a national survey of the electorate, while about 25 percent said they voted to express support for Trump.

While Trump is not on the ballot, his controversial presidency has animated voters on both sides of the aisle, with 2018 likely to set turnout records for a midterm election. Democrats have been activated in opposition to Trump since the moment of his election, while in recent weeks Trump has driven Republicans to the polls by trying to cast the race a referendum on his administration. The outcomes of Tuesday's races, which will determine control of Congress, stand to alter the course of the Trump presidency.

The snapshot of who voted and why comes from preliminary results of VoteCast, a nationwide survey of more than 113,000 voters and about 20,000 nonvoters conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago.

Democrats looking to seize control of Congress have pinned their hopes on women and minority voters, while Republicans have hoped to retain majorities by preserving support among the bloc of voters who propelled Trump to the White House in 2016.

According to VoteCast, women voted considerably more in favor of their congressional Democratic candidate: About 6 in 10 voted for the Democrat, compared with 4 in 10 for the Republican. Men, by contrast, were more divided in their vote.

Urbanites voted almost 2 to 1 in favor of Democrats, and small-town and rural voters cast votes for the Republicans by a smaller margin.

In suburban areas where key House races will be decided, voters skewed significantly toward Democrats by a nearly 10-point margin.

Non-white voters cast ballots for Democrats by a roughly 3-to-1 margin.

Democrats need to gain a net of at least 23 seats in the House and two seats in the Senate to win majorities in the respective chambers.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington, DC 6 November 2018

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Zeke Miller, Associated Press:

"The latest we've learned from AP VoteCast is that President Donald Trump was a was a dominant figure in American politics and he's a dominant figure in these midterm elections. Six in 10 voters or so said told AP vote cast that they voted because either to support or to oppose Donald Trump. About one third of voters said he didn't factor in their decisions. But more voters said that they voted to oppose Donald Trump than to support him. Voters give the president strong marks on the economy but they give him more marks on his temperament and that's something we've seen in a lot of other surveys. We saw that in advance of 2016 when the president won the White House. They gave him mice's temperament. So it will be interesting to see over the course of night what that actually does to those votes."

2. AP Graphic showing 64 percent of voters said Trump was a factor in their decision

3. AP Graphic showing 36 percent of voters said Trump was not a factor

4. AP Graphic showing that 39 percent of voters voted to oppose Trump

POOL

Joint Base Andrews, Maryland - 20 October 2018

5. President Trump pumps his fist while boarding Air Force One

POOL

Fort Wayne, Indiana - 5 November 2018

6. Trump speaking at a campaign rally

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington, DC 6 November 2018

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Zeke Miller, Associated Press:

"So 2018 is billed as The Year of the woman and so all eyes are really on are on female voters this year. And what we've learned from the vote cast right now is that there is certainly a gender gap in this election. Female voters voted for far more in favor for the Democrats than for the Republican on a national level for the House candidates. If you look at the breakdown of beef seen that in years a year after year but certainly in this election that's something a number that we're all looking for answers maybe give us some indication where things are going to go. But right now there is a significant gender gap for women voting for Democrats."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Newport Beach - 6 November 2018

8. Women voting at machines

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Columbus, Ohio - 6 Nov 2012

9. Voters in an Ohio precinct for early voting

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Wisconsin - 14 August 2018

10. Voters at polling precinct in Wisconsin for its primary

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Columbus, Ohio - 6 Nov 2012

11. Close shot of woman's hand touching voting machine

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Atlanta - 6 November 2018

12. People waiting in line to vote in a gymnasium

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington, DC 6 November 2018

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Zeke Miller, Associated Press:

"Urban voters are are trending more towards Democrats and that's something we've seen consistent with previous elections. Rural voters small town voters are leaning more towards Republicans and those suburban voters in the middle. And that's really where a lot of these key districts are going to be won and lost. Those are trending towards Democrats at the national level. We'll see how that breaks down over the course of the individual districts but the at the national level suburban voters told AP vote cast that they are either voting for the Democrats."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

New York - 6 November 2018

14. People voting in New York City

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Stockton, Missouri - 6 November 2018

15. STILL photo of a man voting at a campground

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Allis,Wisconsin - 6 November 2018

16. Various shots of voters in polling precinct

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Atlanta - 6 November 2018

17. People waiting in line to vote in a gymnasium

President Donald Trump was a dominant force in the 2018 midterm elections as attitudes toward the polarizing leader influenced the decisions of more than 6 in 10 voters.

Nearly 40 percent of voters cast their ballots to express opposition to the president, according to AP VoteCast, a national survey of the electorate, while about 25 percent said they voted to express support for Trump.

While Trump is not on the ballot, his controversial presidency has animated voters on both sides of the aisle, with 2018 likely to set turnout records for a midterm election. Democrats have been activated in opposition to Trump since the moment of his election, while in recent weeks Trump has driven Republicans to the polls by trying to cast the race a referendum on his administration. The outcomes of Tuesday's races, which will determine control of Congress, stand to alter the course of the Trump presidency.

The snapshot of who voted and why comes from preliminary results of VoteCast, a nationwide survey of more than 113,000 voters and about 20,000 nonvoters conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago.

Democrats looking to seize control of Congress have pinned their hopes on women and minority voters, while Republicans have hoped to retain majorities by preserving support among the bloc of voters who propelled Trump to the White House in 2016.

According to VoteCast, women voted considerably more in favor of their congressional Democratic candidate: About 6 in 10 voted for the Democrat, compared with 4 in 10 for the Republican. Men, by contrast, were more divided in their vote.

Urbanites voted almost 2 to 1 in favor of Democrats, and small-town and rural voters cast votes for the Republicans by a smaller margin.

In suburban areas where key House races will be decided, voters skewed significantly toward Democrats by a nearly 10-point margin.

Non-white voters cast ballots for Democrats by a roughly 3-to-1 margin.

Democrats need to gain a net of at least 23 seats in the House and two seats in the Senate to win majorities in the respective chambers.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington, DC 6 November 2018

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Zeke Miller, Associated Press:

"The latest we've learned from AP VoteCast is that President Donald Trump was a was a dominant figure in American politics and he's a dominant figure in these midterm elections. Six in 10 voters or so said told AP vote cast that they voted because either to support or to oppose Donald Trump. About one third of voters said he didn't factor in their decisions. But more voters said that they voted to oppose Donald Trump than to support him. Voters give the president strong marks on the economy but they give him more marks on his temperament and that's something we've seen in a lot of other surveys. We saw that in advance of 2016 when the president won the White House. They gave him mice's temperament. So it will be interesting to see over the course of night what that actually does to those votes."

2. AP VoteCast graphic showing 64 percent of voters said Trump was a factor in their decision

3. AP VoteCast graphic showing 36 percent of voters said Trump was not a factor

4. AP Votecast graphic showing that 39 percent of voters voted to oppose Trump

POOL

Joint Base Andrews, Maryland - 20 October 2018

5. President Trump pumps his fist while boarding Air Force One

POOL

Fort Wayne, Indiana - 5 November 2018

6. Trump speaking at a campaign rally

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington, DC 6 November 2018

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Zeke Miller, Associated Press:

"So 2018 is billed as The Year of the woman and so all eyes are really on are on female voters this year. And what we've learned from the vote cast right now is that there is certainly a gender gap in this election. Female voters voted for far more in favor for the Democrats than for the Republican on a national level for the House candidates. If you look at the breakdown of beef seen that in years a year after year but certainly in this election that's something a number that we're all looking for answers maybe give us some indication where things are going to go. But right now there is a significant gender gap for women voting for Democrats."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Newport Beach - 6 November 2018

8. Women voting at machines

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Columbus, Ohio - 6 Nov 2012

9. Voters in an Ohio precinct for early voting

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Wisconsin - 14 August 2018

10. Voters at polling precinct in Wisconsin for its primary

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Columbus, Ohio - 6 Nov 2012

11. Close shot of woman's hand touching voting machine

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Atlanta - 6 November 2018

12. People waiting in line to vote in a gymnasium

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington, DC 6 November 2018

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Zeke Miller, Associated Press:

"Urban voters are are trending more towards Democrats and that's something we've seen consistent with previous elections. Rural voters small town voters are leaning more towards Republicans and those suburban voters in the middle. And that's really where a lot of these key districts are going to be won and lost. Those are trending towards Democrats at the national level. We'll see how that breaks down over the course of the individual districts but the at the national level suburban voters told AP vote cast that they are either voting for the Democrats."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

New York - 6 November 2018

14. People voting in New York City

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Stockton, Missouri - 6 November 2018

15. STILL photo of a man voting at a campground

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Allis,Wisconsin - 6 November 2018

16. Various shots of voters in polling precinct

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Atlanta - 6 November 2018

17. People waiting in line to vote in a gymnasium

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus140027

Chicago's mayor says she doesn't want federal forces intervening in her city's protests against racial injustice.

Lori Lightfoot, a Democrat, says she has great concerns with what has been happening in Portland, Oregon, where federal officers wearing no insignia have been firing tear gas and detaining people during ongoing demonstrations.

Top leaders in the U.S. House said Sunday they were "alarmed" by the Trump administration's tactics against protesters in Portland and other cities, including Washington, D.C.

They've called on federal inspectors general to investigate.

Lightfoot said at a community event in Chicago Monday that the White House should do more to fight violence in the city by helping to stem the flow of illegal guns.

POOL

Chicago - 20 July 2020

1. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot in mask before start of community event

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Mayor Lori Lightfoot, (D) Chicago:

"We don't need federal agents without any insignia taking people off the streets and holding them, I think, unlawfully. That's not what we need."

++WHITE FLASH++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Mayor Lori Lightfoot, (D) Chicago:

"If the president is truly sincere about wanting to help, there are a number of things that the federal government is uniquely qualified to do that we could use his help with. And they all revolve around the fact that we have way too many illegal guns on our streets."

++WHITE FLASH++

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Mayor Lori Lightfoot, (D) Chicago:

"He could fully fund the ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms) here in Chicago. He could fully fund additional prosecutors to focus on gun violence cases. He could empower the ATF to actually do what they're saying they're supposed to do, which is go after illegal gun sales, go after federally licensed gun dealers that aren't doing their job, are selling to people that they know are straw purchasers that have no intent whatsoever to possess those guns and turn them over in a parking lot to the real person who's going to take those guns."

++EDITS ENDS ON SOUNDBITE++

Chicago's mayor says she doesn't want federal forces intervening in her city's protests against racial injustice.

Lori Lightfoot, a Democrat, says she has great concerns with what has been happening in Portland, Oregon, where federal officers wearing no insignia have been firing tear gas and detaining people during ongoing demonstrations.

Top leaders in the U.S. House said Sunday they were "alarmed" by the Trump administration's tactics against protesters in Portland and other cities, including Washington, D.C.

They've called on federal inspectors general to investigate.

Lightfoot said at a community event in Chicago Monday that the White House should do more to fight violence in the city by helping to stem the flow of illegal guns.

POOL

Chicago - 20 July 2020

1. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot in mask before start of community event

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Mayor Lori Lightfoot, (D) Chicago:

"I have great concerns about that, particularly given the track record in the city of Portland. I spent a lot of time yesterday talking with the mayor of Portland to get a sense of what's happened there. We don't need federal agents without any insignia taking people off the streets and holding them, I think, unlawfully. That's not what we need."

++BLACK FRAMES++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Mayor Lori Lightfoot, (D) Chicago:

"If the president is truly sincere about wanting to help. there are a number of things that the federal government is uniquely qualified to do that we could use his help with, and they all revolve around the fact that we have way too many illegal guns on our streets."

++BLACK FRAMES++

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Mayor Lori Lightfoot, (D) Chicago:

"He could fully fund the ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms) here in Chicago. He could fully fund additional prosecutors to focus on gun violence cases. He could empower the ATF to actually do what they're saying they're supposed to do, which is go after illegal gun sales, go after federally licensed gun dealers that aren't doing their job, are selling to people that they know are straw purchasers that have no intent whatsoever to possess those guns and turn them over in a parking lot to the real person who's going to take those guns. These are some easy, simple things that the president could do. He could make sure that we close the gun show loophole. We could pass universal background checks. He could make sure that people that aren't allowed to fly don't get guns"

5. Mayor Lightfoot and others walking away following community event.

Chicago's mayor says she doesn't want federal forces intervening in her city's protests against racial injustice.

Lori Lightfoot, a Democrat, says she has great concerns with what has been happening in Portland, Oregon, where federal officers wearing no insignia have been firing tear gas and detaining people during ongoing demonstrations.

Top leaders in the U.S. House said Sunday they were "alarmed" by the Trump administration's tactics against protesters in Portland and other cities, including Washington, D.C.

They've called on federal inspectors general to investigate.

Lightfoot said at a community event in Chicago Monday that the White House should do more to fight violence in the city by helping to stem the flow of illegal guns.

POOL

Chicago - 20 July 2020

1. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot in mask before start of community event

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Mayor Lori Lightfoot, (D) Chicago:

"I have great concerns about that, particularly given the track record in the city of Portland. I spent a lot of time yesterday talking with the mayor of Portland to get a sense of what's happened there. We don't need federal agents without any insignia taking people off the streets and holding them, I think, unlawfully. That's not what we need."

++BLACK FRAMES++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Mayor Lori Lightfoot, (D) Chicago:

"If the president is truly sincere about wanting to help. there are a number of things that the federal government is uniquely qualified to do that we could use his help with, and they all revolve around the fact that we have way too many illegal guns on our streets."

++BLACK FRAMES++

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Mayor Lori Lightfoot, (D) Chicago:

"He could fully fund the ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms) here in Chicago. He could fully fund additional prosecutors to focus on gun violence cases. He could empower the ATF to actually do what they're saying they're supposed to do, which is go after illegal gun sales, go after federally licensed gun dealers that aren't doing their job, are selling to people that they know are straw purchasers that have no intent whatsoever to possess those guns and turn them over in a parking lot to the real person who's going to take those guns. These are some easy, simple things that the president could do. He could make sure that we close the gun show loophole. We could pass universal background checks. He could make sure that people that aren't allowed to fly don't get guns"

5. Mayor Lightfoot and others walking away following community event.

STORY

On April 9th 2018 about 600 remaining participants in the migrant caravan that drew US President Donald Trump's ire made a last stop in Mexico City to give thanks to the Virgin of Guadalupe.

The migrants travelled by bus to the Basilica of Guadalupe, which is dedicated to Mexico's patroness.

The largely Honduran migrants gave thanks on April 9th to the Virgin for having made it this far.

The caravan started about two weeks ago near Mexico's southern border.

Though it once numbered as many 1,500 migrants, the caravan itself was never intended to reach the US border.

The largely symbolic caravan was meant to draw attention to the dangers faced by migrants.

The group planned a couple of days' more activity in Mexico City, visiting international and human rights organisations.

***

With the deployment of 1,000 additional Texas National Guard soldiers to the US-Mexico border, quiet border towns have new guests along the Rio Grande.

Freddy Guerra, the assistant city manager of Roma, Texas, welcomes the additional manpower for border security, but says the uniformed personnel are really more "for perception," than functional service.

He adds that they're not in the way of anything the city or its approximately 10,000 residents, but hopes nothing disrupts the harmonious trading relationship Roma has with their neighbors to the south.

A half-dozen national guard soldiers bivouacked their Humvee and tent underneath one of Roma's historic bluffs overlooking the river. Across the river is Miguel Aleman, a small city in Tamulipas State, Mexico.

***

Packed into five old school buses, hundreds of Central American migrants arrived at the U.S. border April 29th for a rally, to be followed by a planned mass attempt to apply for asylum in a direct challenge to the Trump administration.

The migrants, many traveling with children, left a downtown Tijuana shelter where they had been staying.

The arrival at San Diego's San Ysidro border crossing, the nation's busiest, marked the end of a monthlong journey by foot, freight train and bus for the migrants, many of whom said they feared for their lives in their violence-wracked home countries.

But the travelers faced an uncertain future as they prepared to turn themselves in and ask for asylum. U.S. immigration lawyers warned them they face possible separation from their children and detention for many months.

President Donald Trump and members of his Cabinet have been tracking the caravan of migrants, calling it a threat to the U.S. since it started March 25th in the Mexican city of Tapachula, near the Guatemala border.

***

Following the arrival of a caravan of Central American asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border, Vice President Mike Pence made a trip to a U.S. Border Patrol station in California, stressing the administration's commitment to border security.

"We have to close the dangerous loopholes," said Pence," and our entire system that essentially entice people or entice people that would take advantage of vulnerable families, to encourage them to make the long and often dangerous trip up to our border."

About 200 asylum seekers were not being allowed to turn themselves in to U.S. border inspectors for a second straight day on April 30th.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection said a San Diego border crossing facility has reached capacity and that it will resume processing when it has more space and resources.

***

While railing against California for its so-called sanctuary immigration policies, President Donald Trump referred to some people who cross the border illegally as "animals."

Trump's remark at meeting with local leaders was in response to a complaint about gang members.

"We have people coming into the country, or trying to come in -- and we're stopping a lot of them," Trump said during the immigration roundtable after a sheriff commented about gangs. "You wouldn't believe how bad these people are. These aren't people. These are animals."

Trump was joined at the May 16th White House meeting by mayors, sheriffs and other local leaders from California who oppose the state's immigration policies and who applauded his administration's hard-line efforts.

***

Nearly 2,000 children were separated from their families over a six-week period in April and May after Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the new "zero-tolerance" policy that refers all cases of illegal entry for criminal prosecution.

Prior procedure had limited prosecution for many family entrants, in part because regulations prohibit detaining children with their parents since the children are not charged with a crime and the parents are.

Texas Congressman and Democrat, Filemon Vela, who represents a district encompassing Brownsville, Texas invited fellow congressional Democrats to visit facilities where immigrant children were separated from their parents.

This happens after a parent has been charged with unlawful entry into the US and is subject to deportation proceedings.

Some of the US representatives who visited child holding facilities operated by the Department of Health and Human Services, said they held and played with infants and toddlers.

Rep. Joaquin Castro and Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, both Texas Democrats, said they held one baby boy who was no more than eight months old and had been in the facility for almost two months.

Castro urged President Donald Trump to change his policy.

***

As criticism sharpens of the Trump administration's "zero tolerance policy" toward immigration and separation of families, migrants from central America still arrive in a familiar rhythm in McAllen.

Migrants who are detained for unlawfully crossing into the United States, are processed into the federal system in the Texas town.

Prior to the Trump administration they were released and given a court notice to appear.

Now, the federal authorities are detaining parents with children, charging them in immigration courts and subsequently separating the children into facilities run by the Department of Health and Human Services.

***

US President Donald Trump on June 19th hugged an American flag positioned on the stage, following a speech in which he said he would detain family units together, instead of separating the children.

***

Three-year-old Genesis Gonzalez Lopez giggled excitedly as she played with her father at a sunny Utah park, zipping down a slide again and again into his arms.

The happy scene this week in Provo, south of Salt Lake City, was a far cry from what the pair experienced on Thanksgiving, when U.S. immigration authorities took Romulo Gonzalez Rodriguez into custody at the U.S.-Mexico border and whisked away the frightened girl, with no explanation of where she'd end up.

Gonzalez had fled Guatemala with the then-2-year-old after kidnappers held him captive, ripped out his right eye and forced his family to pay a $13,500 ransom for his life. He traveled by bus and train to a San Diego port of entry to seek asylum in the United States and was separated from his daughter for seven days.

"It's painful to be running away and come to where you think they're going to rescue you, and they take the measure of separating children," the father told The Associated Press in Spanish on Tuesday. "You fall again into fear and the same anguish that you're leaving behind."

Gonzalez's experience offers a window into the distress and uncertainty parents endure when they are separated from their children at the border, even though it happened before President Donald Trump's administration in April adopted a "zero tolerance" policy in which all unlawful border crossings were referred for prosecution.

The policy led to a spike in family separations in recent weeks, provoking a national uproar and pressure from Trump's allies. In a dramatic reversal, the president on Wednesday signed an executive order ending the practice, keeping families together while they're in custody, expediting their cases and asking the Department of Defense to help house families.

In Gonzalez's case, it's unclear why he and his daughter were separated since he surrendered at the border and is not being prosecuted for illegal entry.

It has been longstanding practice for Homeland Security to separate adults and minors at the border when it's unable to confirm they're related or if it believes a child is at risk. But Gonzalez has no record criminal record, his attorney Mari Alvarado Tsosie said.

Gonzalez has a brother in Provo who sought Alvarado's advice after Gonzalez was held for ransom in his home country. Gonzalez followed her instructions, arriving at the San Ysidro Port of Entry with his daughter Nov. 23 and handing U.S. immigration authorities a Guatemalan police report about his kidnapping.

Authorities shepherded his young daughter into another room while Gonzalez answered questions. He thought they would be reunited when he was done, but he was instead taken to a detention center without his daughter, Alvarado said. When he asked where she was, they wouldn't tell him, he said.

Gonzalez said he then spent seven days at a cold facility where the lights never turned off, wondering if his daughter was safe and if he would ever see her again. In Guatemala, his kidnappers had threated to dismember the child, and he suspected corrupt authorities were involved. His mind raced with worries U.S. law enforcement was corrupt too.

"It's tremendous anguish because you don't get any answers from authorities," Gonzalez said at his attorney's office in Provo, his daughter sitting on his lap. "They don't give you information, and you don't know the laws. ... You're wondering: Where is she? What is she doing? Such a small child."

Parents who surrender at U.S. ports of entry have occasionally been separated from their children with no formal explanation since long before the Trump administration's zero tolerance policy, said Dan Kowalski, editor of Bender's Immigration Bulletin, a national journal focused on immigration cases and law. He believes it's because of a lack of training, leadership and standard operating procedures that allows border agents to make up rules as they go.

If they suspected Gonzalez was abusing the child or trafficking her, they would have sent the case to prosecutors, Kowalski said.

A spokesman with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement had no immediate comment on the case.

After learning of Gonzalez's situation, Alvarado began calling every ICE facility in Southern California looking for him and the child. It took her three days to find Gonzalez at San Diego's Otay Mesa Detention Center and another four days to reunite him with his daughter.

To this day, Alvarado doesn't know where Genesis was held, though she believes the girl was somewhere in San Diego. All the girl has said is that she ate a lot of cereal.

The father and daughter are staying with Gonzalez's brother while they await word on the asylum request. A hearing is set for Oct. 22 at a Salt Lake City immigration court.

Gonzalez's wife and two step-children are in hiding in Guatemala and waiting until he can send enough money for them to make the journey north.

Genesis is too young to say what happened to her while they were apart or express how it affected her. But her father said she was sickly when they reunited, and seems nervous and clingier now. She starts therapy later this month.

On June 19th, Genesis looked like a typical, sweet toddler, hugging her father tightly and giving him kisses while he spoke.

Gonzalez is happy to be safe for now but said he's living in limbo not knowing if he'll be forced to return to the Guatemalan beach town that he once loved, where he now fears he'll be killed if he returns. He wears a glass eye following his attack.

Between that ordeal and the separation from Genesis, Gonzalez said he suffered significant trauma of his own that he has yet to deal with.

"It's a situation I don't wish upon any father or human being," he said. "It affects you a lot psychologically, emotionally. There are moments when I remember it all, and I start to cry for no reason."

***

A mother and child separated at the US border were reunited on June 22nd, just hours after the Justice Department agreed to release the boy.

Beata Mariana de Jesus Mejia-Mejia filed for political asylum after crossing the border with her seven-year old son, Darwin, following a trek from Guatemala.

The Justice Department agreed to release the boy after she sued the US government in order to be reunited with him following their separation.

The happy reunion took place at Baltimore-Washington international airport, from where the pair were expected to travel to Texas, where they will live while the mother's asylum claim is being decided.

01:57:12

SHOWS

'Caravan of migrants' reaches final stop in Mexico City

4148224

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Mexico City - 9 April 2018

1. Caravan of buses carrying migrants arriving

2. Migrants organizing their belongings

00:08:00

US National Guard troops arriving at Mexico Border

4148598

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Roma, Texas - 11 April 2018

3. Wide, the international bridge from the bluff

4. Texas National Guard soldiers observing the reporter recording them

00:16:00

Caravan of asylum seekers head to US-Mexico border rally

4151412

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Tijuana - 29 April 2018

5. Wide migrants' rally next to border fence

6. Various migrants sitting on top of the fence with signs

00:23:23

As migrants try to cross, Pence visits US-Mexico border

4151568

POOL

Imperial - 30 April 2018

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pence, US Vice President:

" But the simple reality is that this caravan, and caravans that have come before- are a result of individuals who are attempting to exploit the suffering of people in Central America to try and advance their agenda."

00:37:22

Trump: Some deported gang members are 'animals'

4154242

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington - 16 May 2018

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"We have people coming into the country, or trying to come in - and we're stopping a lot of them - but we're taking people out of the country. You wouldn't believe how bad these people are. These aren't people. These are animals"

00:50:24

Texas Democrats speak of their visit to immigration facility, urge change in policy

4159308

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Brownsville, Texas - 18 June 2018

9. Various exteriors and surrounds of Southwest Key Casa El Presidente, a facility that holds infants and young children separated from parents who have been charged with unlawful entry into the US, after being detained by US Border Patrol

10. Facility gate opens, pickup truck driving out

01:01:12

Migrants Arrive at Texas Processing Facility

4159477

ASSOCIATED PRESS

McAllen, Texas - June 19, 2018

11. Various, migrants exiting bus, entering facility

12. Migrants being processed

01:15:18

Trump hugs flag after immigration speech

4159478

POOL

Washington, DC - 19 June 2018

13. U.S. President Donald Trump celebrates the end of a speech, hugs an American flag

01:21:05

Guatemalan man recounts separation from toddler on US border

4159654

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Provo, Utah - June 19, 2018

14. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Romulo Gonzalez Rodriguez, asylum applicant:

" It's tremendous anguish because you don't get any answers from authorities in that moment. They set you apart and you don't know anything. They don't give you information and you don't know the laws, you don't know anything. It's a tremendous anguish. You're wondering: Where is she? What is she doing? What is happening with her? Such a small child."

01:46:04

Mother and son reunited after separation at US border

4159923

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Baltimore-Washington Internation Thurgood Marshall Airport - 22 June 2018

15. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Beata Mariana de Jesus Mejia-Mejia, Reunited with son

(Question: What message do you send to the other mothers that are in the same situation you were few minutes ago?)

"They can fight the same way I did it. They have to fight to get out from there, to fight for their children. One has to win the battle."

The Mayor of New Orleans, LaToya Cantrell, met on Thursday with the Vice President of the Provincial Assembly of Havana, during a week-long trip to Cuba.

The visit has has been criticized for its secrecy.

Cantrell addressing media, praised how Cuban history had generated unique opportunities and challenges in the field of economic development, trade, public health and education.

She said the US delegation in Cuba was a sign that improved US-Cuban relations had a benefit to both countries.

"We want to cultivate that relationship," Cantrell said.

Cuba and the United States resumed their diplomatic relations in 2014 under the administration of Barack Obama, but under the administration of Donald Trump, ties have stalled.

In addition to immigration restrictions and the reinstatement of the embargo, the Trump administration increased the requirements for Americans to travel to Cuba and accused the island of sonic attacks on its diplomats.

POOL

Havana - 4 April 2019

1. LaToya Cantrell, New Orleans Mayor arriving and shaking hands with Tatiana Vera (green dress), Vice President of the Provincial Assembly

2. Cantrell entering room

3. Cantrell talking to media

4. SOUNDBITE (English) LaToya Cantrell, New Orleans Mayor:

"This delegation here but it is a symbol and a sign that there is a real benefit to not only Cuba but to the people of the United States and more importantly to the city of New Orleans. We are New Orleans because of the root partnership that we have experienced for over 300 years. We understand that, it's a value and we want to cultivate that relationship."

5. Various Cantrell and Vera meeting with official delegations

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus140530

Attorney General William Barr clashed with the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee over the federal response to unrest in U.S. cities, with Rep. Jerrold Nadler asking whether the deployment of federal agents is tied to President Donald Trump's re-election campaign, and Barr rebuffing Nadler's questions.

"Have you discussed the president's reelection campaign with the president or with any White House official or any surrogate of the president?" Nadler asked.

"I'm not going to get into my discussions with the president," Barr responded.

"But I've made it clear that I would like to pick the cities based on law enforcement need and based on neutral criteria," he said.  

The hearing marks Barr’s first appearance before the House Judiciary Committee, bringing him face-to-face with a panel that voted last year to hold him in contempt and is holding hearings on what Democrats allege is politicization of the Justice Department under his watch.

It comes during a tumultuous stretch in which Barr has taken actions cheered by President Donald Trump but condemned by Democrats and other critics.

Nadler also excoriated Barr and the Justice Department for turning a blind eye to necessary reforms to police departments, for dismissing Black Lives Matter protests and for flooding streets with federal agents to stop protesters.

Republicans hit back hard in defense of Barr and Trump's administration.

POOL

Washington, DC - 28 July 2020

+++CAMERA SWITCHED AT SOURCE+++

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Jerrold Nadler, (D) New York, Judiciary Committee Chair:

"Have you discussed the president's reelection campaign with the president or with any White House official or any surrogate of the president?" (Barr: Well, I'm going to get into my discussions with the president.)  Well, have you discussed that topic with him yes, or no? (Barr: Not in relation to this program.) I didn't ask. I asked if you'd discussed that.

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) William Barr, Attorney General

"I'm a member of the cabinet and there's an election going on, obviously the topic comes up. (Nadler: So, the answer is yes.) The topic comes up in cabinet meetings and other things. It shouldn't be a surprise that the topic of the election comes up." (Nadler: I didn't say I was surprised. I just asked if you'd done that.)

+++WHITE FLASH+++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Jerrold Nadler, (D) New York, Judiciary Committee Chair

"Have you ever discussed the current or future deployment of federal law enforcement?"

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) William Barr, Attorney General

Well,  I say I'm not going to get into my discussions with the president, but I've made it clear that I would like to pick the cities based on law enforcement need and based on neutral criteria. (Nadler: But you can't tell me whether you discussed.) No, I'm not going to discuss what I discuss with the president."

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D) New York, Judiciary Committee Chair

"Can you commit today that the department will not use federal law enforcement as a prop in the president's reelection campaign. (Barr: We are not using federal law enforcment.) I just want to close with this thought. You really can't hide behind legal fictions this time. Mr. Barr. It's all out in the open where the people can see what you are doing for themselves. The president wants footage for his campaign ads and you appear to be serving it up to him as ordered.  

+++WHITE FLASH+++

6. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General

"I just reject the idea that the department is flooded anywhere and attempted to suppress demonstrators. We make a clear distinction between demonstrators (Nadler: The facts speak for themselves.) I'm answering The fact of the matter is, if you take Portland the courthouse is under attack."

Attorney General William Barr clashed with the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee over the federal response to unrest in U.S. cities, with Rep. Jerrold Nadler asking whether the deployment of federal agents is tied to President Donald Trump's re-election campaign, and Barr rebuffing Nadler's questions.

"Have you discussed the president's reelection campaign with the president or with any White House official or any surrogate of the president?" Nadler asked.

"I'm not going to get into my discussions with the president," Barr responded.

"But I've made it clear that I would like to pick the cities based on law enforcement need and based on neutral criteria," he said.  

The hearing marks Barr’s first appearance before the House Judiciary Committee, bringing him face-to-face with a panel that voted last year to hold him in contempt and is holding hearings on what Democrats allege is politicization of the Justice Department under his watch.

It comes during a tumultuous stretch in which Barr has taken actions cheered by President Donald Trump but condemned by Democrats and other critics.

Nadler also excoriated Barr and the Justice Department for turning a blind eye to necessary reforms to police departments, for dismissing Black Lives Matter protests and for flooding streets with federal agents to stop protesters.

Republicans hit back hard in defense of Barr and Trump's administration.

POOL

Washington, DC - 28 July 2020

+++CAMERA SWITCHED AT SOURCE+++

1. Mid of Attorney General William Barr

2. Wide of House Judiciary Committee hearing

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Jerrold Nadler, (D) New York, Judiciary Committee Chair:

"Have you discussed the president's reelection campaign with the president or with any White House official or any surrogate of the president?

(Barr: Well, I'm not going to get into my discussions with the president.)  

Well, have you discussed that topic with him yes, or no? (Barr: Not in relation to this program.)

I didn't ask that. I asked if you'd discussed that..."

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) William Barr, Attorney General:

"I'm a member of the cabinet and there's an election going on, obviously the topic comes up.

(Nadler: So, the answer is yes.)

The topic comes up in cabinet meetings and other things. It shouldn't be a surprise that the topic of the election comes up.

(Nadler: I didn't say I was surprised. I just asked if you'd done that.)"

5. Wide of committee hearing

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Jerrold Nadler, (D) New York, Judiciary Committee Chair:

"Have you ever discussed the current or future deployment of federal law enforcement?"

7. SOUNDBITE: (English) William Barr, Attorney General:

"As I say I'm not going to get into my discussions with the president, but I've made it clear that I would like to pick the cities based on law enforcement need and based on neutral criteria.

(Nadler: But you can't tell me whether you discussed.)

No, I'm not going to discuss what I discuss with the president."

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D) New York, Judiciary Committee Chair:

"Can you commit today that the department will not use federal law enforcement as a prop in the president's reelection campaign?

(Barr: We are not using federal law enforcment.)

I just want to close with this thought. You really can't hide behind legal fictions this time, Mr. Barr. It's all out in the open where the people can see what you are doing for themselves. The president wants footage for his campaign ads and you appear to be serving it up to him as ordered. In most of these cities, the protest had begun to wind down before you marched in and confronted the protesters. And the protesters aren't mobs. They are mothers and veterans, mayors. In this moment, real leadership would entail de-escalation, collaboration and looking for ways to peacefully resolve our differences. Instead, you used pepper spray and truncheons of American citizens. You did it here in Washington. You did it Lafayette Square. You expanded to Portland. And now you are projecting fear and violence nationwide in pursuit of obvious political objectives. Shame on you, Mr. Barr.

(Barr: Can I just say Mr...)

Shame on you. My time is expired."

9. Wide of committee hearing

10. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General:

"I just reject the idea that the department is flooded anywhere and attempted to suppress demonstrators. We make a clear distinction between demonstrators...

(Nadler: The facts speak for themselves.)

I'm answering. The fact of the matter is, if you take Portland, the courthouse is under attack."

11. Wide of committee hearing

Attorney General William Barr clashed with the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee over the federal response to unrest in U.S. cities, with Rep. Jerrold Nadler asking whether the deployment of federal agents is tied to President Donald Trump's re-election campaign, and Barr rebuffing Nadler's questions.

"Have you discussed the president's reelection campaign with the president or with any White House official or any surrogate of the president?" Nadler asked.

"I'm not going to get into my discussions with the president," Barr responded.

"But I've made it clear that I would like to pick the cities based on law enforcement need and based on neutral criteria," he said.  

The hearing marks Barr’s first appearance before the House Judiciary Committee, bringing him face-to-face with a panel that voted last year to hold him in contempt and is holding hearings on what Democrats allege is politicization of the Justice Department under his watch.

It comes during a tumultuous stretch in which Barr has taken actions cheered by President Donald Trump but condemned by Democrats and other critics.

Nadler also excoriated Barr and the Justice Department for turning a blind eye to necessary reforms to police departments, for dismissing Black Lives Matter protests and for flooding streets with federal agents to stop protesters.

Republicans hit back hard in defense of Barr and Trump's administration.

POOL

Washington, DC - 28 July 2020

+++CAMERA SWITCHED AT SOURCE+++

1. Mid of Attorney General William Barr

2. Wide of House Judiciary Committee hearing

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Jerrold Nadler, (D) New York, Judiciary Committee Chair:

"Have you discussed the president's reelection campaign with the president or with any White House official or any surrogate of the president?

(Barr: Well, I'm not going to get into my discussions with the president.)  

Well, have you discussed that topic with him yes, or no? (Barr: Not in relation to this program.)

I didn't ask that. I asked if you'd discussed that..."

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) William Barr, Attorney General:

"I'm a member of the cabinet and there's an election going on, obviously the topic comes up.

(Nadler: So, the answer is yes.)

The topic comes up in cabinet meetings and other things. It shouldn't be a surprise that the topic of the election comes up.

(Nadler: I didn't say I was surprised. I just asked if you'd done that.)"

5. Wide of committee hearing

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Jerrold Nadler, (D) New York, Judiciary Committee Chair:

"Have you ever discussed the current or future deployment of federal law enforcement?"

7. SOUNDBITE: (English) William Barr, Attorney General:

"As I say I'm not going to get into my discussions with the president, but I've made it clear that I would like to pick the cities based on law enforcement need and based on neutral criteria.

(Nadler: But you can't tell me whether you discussed.)

No, I'm not going to discuss what I discuss with the president."

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D) New York, Judiciary Committee Chair:

"Can you commit today that the department will not use federal law enforcement as a prop in the president's reelection campaign?

(Barr: We are not using federal law enforcment.)

I just want to close with this thought. You really can't hide behind legal fictions this time, Mr. Barr. It's all out in the open where the people can see what you are doing for themselves. The president wants footage for his campaign ads and you appear to be serving it up to him as ordered. In most of these cities, the protest had begun to wind down before you marched in and confronted the protesters. And the protesters aren't mobs. They are mothers and veterans, mayors. In this moment, real leadership would entail de-escalation, collaboration and looking for ways to peacefully resolve our differences. Instead, you used pepper spray and truncheons of American citizens. You did it here in Washington. You did it Lafayette Square. You expanded to Portland. And now you are projecting fear and violence nationwide in pursuit of obvious political objectives. Shame on you, Mr. Barr.

(Barr: Can I just say Mr...)

Shame on you. My time is expired."

9. Wide of committee hearing

10. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General:

"I just reject the idea that the department is flooded anywhere and attempted to suppress demonstrators. We make a clear distinction between demonstrators...

(Nadler: The facts speak for themselves.)

I'm answering. The fact of the matter is, if you take Portland, the courthouse is under attack."

11. Wide of committee hearing

Vice President Mike Pence told Philadelphia police officers that President Donald Trump "backed the Blue" and that presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden would cut funding for police if he was elected in November.

Speaking at a lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, Pence took aim at the Minneapolis city council for defunding the police department, as well as New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio for cuts to law enforcement.

"I want you to hear this directly from me. Under this president, and this administration, we're not going to defund the police. Not now, not ever," he said.

Pence touted the executive order that Trump signed last month to create a database to track police officers with multiple instances of misconduct.

"Nobody hates bad cops more than good cops," Pence said.

Trump's executive order also uses federal grants to encourage departments to meet certain higher certification standards on use of force.

Pence decried the killing of George Floyd while in police custody, saying "justice will be done."

But he also condemned the violence that came in the aftermath of the killing.

"We will join with you to stand against the rioters, and the looters and the anarchists who would pull down our statues and try and destroy our communities," he said.

He also touted Trump's record on the economy before the economic freefall that occured at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

"We saw seven million jobs created and we saw the lowest unemployment ever recorded for African-Americans and Hispanic Americans," he said.

POOL

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  - 9 July 2020

++BLACK FRAMES BETWEEN SOUNDBITES++

1. Wide of Vice President Mike Pence on stage

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pence, U.S. Vice President:

"But we live in a time when the radical left is presenting the American people with one false choice after another. Like lately we've been hearing people say that we've got to choose between funding our police and funding our communities. The urging of the radical left. You've seen it. Some cities around the country are already starting to make that wrong choice. Minneapolis, it was just reported, has begun dismantling their police department. New York City's Mayor de Blasio has actually cut the NYPD's budget by about a billion dollars. And I heard that just yesterday, Joe Biden said that well-armed police, in his words, become the enemy. And he said that he would, quote, absolutely cut funding for law enforcement. So I want you to hear this directly from me, under this president and this administration, we're not going to defund the police. Not now, not ever."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pence, U.S. Vice President

" We've backed the Blue, I'm proud to report, by funding nearly 4,000 new police officer positions through the COPS program. And as the deputy attorney general just said, we've backed the blue by prosecuting violent crimes more than ever before, resulting in a historic decrease in crime to show for it. You've done the work on the thin blue line, and we're putting them away."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pence, U.S. Vice President

"Nobody hates bad cops more than good cops. And that's why this president is also backed the blue, by signing an executive order that immediately provides law enforcement across the country with the resources that you need to improve training and accountability, and to prevent bad cops from moving from one department to another."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

5.  SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pence, U.S. Vice President:

"There's no excuse for what happened to George Floyd. Justice will be served. But there's also no excuse for the rioting and looting and protests that turned violent that followed. I actually heard we've seen in recent days support for a convicted cop killers here in the Philadelphia area. Well, burning churches is not protest, tearing down statues is not free speech. And we're going to continue to stand with the freedom of speech and the freedom to peaceably assembly of every American. But we will join with you to stand against the rioters, and the looters and the anarchists who would pull down our statues and try and destroy our communities."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pence, U.S. Vice President:

"This administration has been committed to safe and thriving communities for all Americans. Including our minority communities and our African-American communities, and our record proves it. Prior to the onset of this pandemic, your president cut taxes, rolled back regulations, unleashed American energy, fought for free and fair trade. We saw seven million jobs created and we saw the lowest unemployment ever recorded for African-Americans and Hispanic Americans."

7. Wide of Pence on stage after remarks