Top Stories Today – May 2, 2019
Top Stories Today – May 2, 2019
Barr declines to testify in US House
Attorney General William Barr told the House Judiciary Committee that he won’t testify in front of the panel regarding Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report, Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) announced Wednesday evening.
Barr was scheduled to appear on Thursday, but does not agree with the format of the hearing, objecting to committee lawyers being able to ask him questions. Nadler said Barr is “terrified of having to face a skilled attorney” and “is trying to blackmail the committee.” Nadler also said the panel will still meet on Thursday, and he hopes Barr changes his mind and shows up. The Washington Post
Democrats call on Barr to resign
Attorney General William Barr appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday to testify about Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report. Democrats on the committee like Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said Barr had ruined his credibility, pointing to discrepancies between his testimony and documents from Mueller, including a letter disputing Barr’s characterization of Mueller’s probe.
Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) both called on Barr to resign, accusing him of wrongfully defending President Trump in the face of evidence of wrongdoing. Barr defended his handling of the Mueller report and maintained that he did not misrepresent the findings. Barr is scheduled to testify again before the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday, but it remains unclear if he will appear. The Week
Venezuelan’s Guaidó promises sustained resistance
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó on Wednesday addressed a crowd of supporters in Caracas, one day after calling for the beginning of an uprising to wrest control from President Nicolás Maduro and his government. After a confusing day of dueling protests and rival claims of military backing, Maduro claimed victory and promised to punish Guaidó and his supporters. Guaidó, recognized as interim president by the US and much of Europe and Latin America, admitted to the crowd on Wednesday that he did not win enough military support the day before, but called for “all the armed forces” to join together “on the side of the people.” He also encouraged holding daily protests until the opposition reaches its “objective.” CNN via The Week
Saudi responding to Iran oil tanker emergency
An Iranian oil tanker carrying more than 1 million barrels of fuel oil suffered a malfunction in the Red Sea off the coast of Saudi Arabia, authorities said Thursday, raising concerns that the vessel could be leaking. The incident involving the Happiness I came as US oil exemptions for Iranian crude oil purchases expired, part of President Donald Trump’s maximalist approach against Tehran.
Saudi Arabia’s state-run television channels and news agency said authorities received a distress call from the Happiness I over an “engine failure and the loss of control.” The vessel had a crew of 26, including 24 Iranians and two Bangladeshis, Saudi state media said. Saudi authorities said various government agencies were involved in the operation, including those who handle environmental protection. It did not elaborate on whether oil had spilled from the tanker. The Voice of America
WH requests $4.5 B for southern border
President Donald Trump asked Congress for $4.5 billion in emergency funds to address what he described as a “humanitarian crisis” at the US-Mexican border, setting up another showdown with lawmakers over immigration.
The money would be used to handle an influx of migrants, not Trump’s proposed border wall, according to administration officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss details of the proposal. The request is likely to run into opposition from Democrats concerned with the administration’s overall approach to immigration. USA Today