President Trump on Thursday used the Lincoln Memorial as the backdrop for a tribute to the country's armed forces.
| | | July 5, 2019 | Morning Edition | | | | Good Friday morning. Here are some of the stories making news in Washington and politics today. | |
| _____________________ | | • In a made-for-television Independence Day production starring America’s military weaponry, President Trump on Thursday used the Lincoln Memorial as the backdrop for a tribute to the country’s armed forces. Speaking to a rain-soaked audience, the president finally presided over the grand military display that he has wanted since witnessing the Bastille Day parade in Paris two years ago. | | • On the Fourth of July, the National Mall hosted two distinct versions of America: On one side, a smattering of locals waited for the traditional Independence Day concert featuring the National Symphony Orchestra and a guest appearance by the Muppets; on the other side, a raucous crowd of Mr. Trump’s faithful. | | • Joe Biden and Kamala Harris brought their debate-stage fight to Iowa on the Fourth, as he expressed frustration with her pointed criticism about his 1970s-era opposition to busing, and she sought to clarify her position on the issue. | | • The field of Democratic candidates is too large, many voters say, leading them to tune out the debates. But with big names like the Clintons and Obamas remaining mostly silent during the primary, the party lacks a leader to elevate the best candidates or weed out the worst. | | | | • Mr. Trump contradicted statements by his Justice and Commerce Departments that census forms were being printed without the citizenship question, instead vowing Wednesday to move forward with his plans of adding the question to the 2020 census. | | • The government plans to deploy new technology for next year’s head count. The plans include giving households the option of responding to the census questionnaire online and equipping filed workers with smartphones. But hacking and data mining risks are leaving experts worried. | | • Mr. Biden has raised $21.5 million since entering the presidential race in late April. The amount cements his status as one of the financial heavyweights among the Democratic presidential contenders, though he fell short of Pete Buttigieg’s total for the second quarter of the year. | | • Female candidates are climbing in the polls and dominating debates. But no matter what they do, the female candidates are still being asked if a woman can be elected president. | | | | • Fourteen candidates are assured a place onstage for the second round of debates in July. Ten are battling it out for six remaining slots. | | _____________________ | | Today’s On Politics briefing was compiled by Isabella Grullón Paz in New York. | | Were you forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox. | | Is there anything you think we’re missing? Anything you want to see more of? We’d love to hear from you. Email us at onpolitics@nytimes.com. | | |
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