Below is a selection of articles the Federal Relations team read this week.
COVID-19: Modeling shows the US may be at the “peak” of the pandemic, stay at home orders remain in effect, new cases continue to climb daily, and some countries refuse to lockdown. Live updates at CNN.
Sanders Ends Presidential Run: Senator Bernie Sanders ended his campaign to be the Democratic nominee for President. Former Vice President Joe Biden is the remaining Democratic candidate. See the Washington Post.
Barr Supports Removal of IC Inspector General: US Attorney General William Barr came out in public support of President Trump’s decision to fire Michael Atkinson, formerly the Inspector General for the Intelligence Community. Atkinson had decided to take to Congress the whistleblower report detailing a phone conversation between Trump and the Ukrainian President. The whistelblower report resulted in President Trump being impeached. More at CBS.
Former Marine on Trial in Moscow: Paul Whelan, a former marine who has been detained in Russia for over fifteen months, is set to stand trial for espionage despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and shutdown of Moscow. Whelan is accused of accepting a flashdrive containing Russian state secrets while on a personal trip in 2018. His family has discussed the possibility of a prisoner swap between the US and Russia. Full story at Washington Post.
Federal Appeals Court Rules in Favor of Texas: A federal appeals court has ruled that Texas’ Executive Order classifying abortion access as “non-essential” during COVID-19 is constitutional. Planned Parenthood, a plaintiff in the case, has stated they plan to take the case to the Supreme Court. More at CNN.