AG Barr spars with House panel

Attorney General William Barr faced off with a House panel on Tuesday as members grilled him about his involvement in the legal issues surrounding allies of President Trump and the Justice Department’s response to protests and disturbances.

Members of the House Judiciary Committee peppered Barr with questions about Roger Stone and Michael Flynn. “The president’s friends don’t deserve special breaks,” he said, “but they also don’t deserve to be treated more harshly than other people.”

Defending the actions of federal agents in confronting disorder in several American cities, Barr said, “Rioters and anarchists have hijacked legitimate protests to wreak senseless havoc and destruction on innocent victims.”

Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) said that Barr had “aided and abetted the worst failings of the president.”

Short baseball season may get even shorter

Against the backdrop of what some are calling a resurgence of the coronavirus pandemic, the Major League Baseball season is already being affected.

Less than a week into the 60-game season, MLB has called off several games and suspended the Miami Marlins from playing at least through Sunday after at least 15 of the team’s players tested positive for the COVID-19.

Members of the Washington Nationals – the Marlins’ next opponent – had voted not to travel to Miami for their scheduled series.

“I don’t see it as a nightmare,” said Commissioner Ron Manfred. “We built the protocols to allow us to continue to play.”

Also in the news: “Watchmen” leads Emmy honors

• The science fiction series “The Watchmen” received 26 nominations for the Emmy Awards on Tuesday. Other high-scoring TV shows are “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” with 20 nominations and “Ozark” with 18. The awarding of the trophies is set for Sunday, Sept. 20, broadcasting on ABC from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
• Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden on Tuesday outlined an economic plan that he said would counter racial inequalities. Speaking from a community center in Wilmington, Delaware, he said he wants to provide federal funds and tax credits to small businesses and economic development aimed not just at minority-owned businesses but also to “disadvantaged neighborhoods” in general. He criticized President Donald Trump’s handling of the economy and the coronavirus crisis.
• President Donald Trump defended the use of a malaria drug as a treatment for coronavirus on Tuesday, despite arguments by medical researchers that the hydroxychloroquine was ineffective or even dangerous. Speaking in support of a group of doctors who have posted a video backing the drug, he said, “I think they’re very respected doctors.” Twitter and Facebook have removed the videos under their policy of addressing what they consider to be false or dangerous material.

Sports: Angels and Dodgers victorious

The Angels and Dodgers both posted wins on Tuesday night.

• Angels 10, Seattle 2: Albert Pujols hit his 657th career home run in the Halos’ 2020 home opener in Anaheim. Also homering were Max Stassi and Anthony Rendon. Six pitchers took the mound, with Patrick Sandoval making the start and Ryan Buchter (1-0) getting the win. The Angels are now 2-3 and face the M’s again on Wednesday with Andrew Heaney the starter.
• Dodgers 5, Houston 2: A five-run fifth inning propelled the team to the win, improving its record to 3-2. LA had 10 hits and six walks for the game with A.J Pollock getting three hits and scoring once. Corey Seager and Mookie Betts each had two hits. The Dodgers used eight pitchers, with Walker Buehler making the start and Brusdar Graterol (1-1) getting the win. The two teams go again on Wednesday.