Prisoner swap underway between the U.S., Russia and other countries, senior official says
A prisoner swap was underway between the United States, Russia and other countries today, according to a senior Biden administration official.
The trade is a rare example of cooperation amid heightened political tensions between the U.S. and Russia, including from sanctions imposed on Russia and Russian officials over the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Relations between the two countries had been strained before the invasion, following Russian interference in the 2016 election and its annexation of Crimea.
The most high-profile known U.S. prisoners in Russia right now are Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan. It is not confirmed that they are part of this swap.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro met with Harris' vetting team
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro met with Harris’ vetting team yesterday as her selection process for a running mate nears its end, a source familiar with the meeting told NBC News.
Harris was not present at the meeting with Shapiro, the source said. Bloomberg first reported the meeting.
Shapiro and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer rallied together for Harris on Monday in the Philadelphia suburbs.
Harris' vetting team also met with Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., yesterday afternoon, two sources familiar with Kelly’s movements told NBC News.
Harris to eulogize Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee in Houston
Harris is scheduled to deliver a eulogy for Democratic Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee in Houston today at 1:20 p.m. CT, according to the White House.
The congresswoman died last month at the age of 74 following a battle with cancer. She had served in the House since 1995.
Harris was her longtime friend as they bonded over their work as elected officials and as members of Alpha Kappa Alpha, the nation’s first historically Black sorority.
DNC virtual roll call to nominate Harris for president begins today
The Democratic National Committee's virtual roll call to nominate Harris for president began today at 9 a.m. ET and will end Monday.
DNC Chair Jaime Harrison announced Tuesday that only Harris qualified for the ballot and 3,923 delegates petitioned to put her on the ballot for the nomination. The DNC said that Harris secured the support of 99% of participating delegates.
Democrats are holding the unusual pre-convention virtual roll call to finalize the nomination before an Aug. 7 ballot access deadline in Ohio.
Anti-Trump GOP group launches $3.5 million campaign
Republican Voters Against Trump is rolling out its biggest ad campaign yet, putting $3.5 million behind video ads and billboards in key swing states featuring testimonials from people who voted for Trump and now plan to support Harris.
“Trump is not running for the country or democracy,” a woman named Beth says in one of the ads. “He’s running to keep himself out of jail. He is a criminal, and he should be prosecuted for his crimes. Kamala is a prosecutor. She is going to uphold the rule of law.”
The billboards feature photos of battleground state voters next to block text that reads: "I’m a former Trump voter. I love the Constitution. I’m voting for Kamala Harris."
The ads and billboards will run in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin.
“Donald Trump thought he could coast through this election, but now he’s feeling the pressure from voters who have real concerns about his age, his criminality and his anti-democratic behavior,” said Sarah Longwell, a Republican pollster who runs Republican Voters Against Trump. “Even for those who supported him in the past, these liabilities are real — and they are alarming. We are reminding voters that there is a better choice."
More than 400 Silicon Valley investors pledge support for Harris
More than 400 venture capitalists and tech leaders have pledged their support for Harris’ presidential campaign.
Entrepreneurs Mark Cuban and LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman are among the growing list of business leaders who've signed a letter published on a new “VCs for Kamala” website.
“We spend our days looking for, investing in and supporting entrepreneurs who are building the future,” the letter says. “We are pro-business, pro-American dream, pro-entrepreneurship, and pro-technological progress.”
“We also believe in democracy as the backbone of our nation. We believe that strong, trustworthy institutions are a feature, not a bug, and that our industry — and every other industry — would collapse without them,” it continues. “That is what’s at stake in this election. Everything else, we can solve through constructive dialogue with political leaders and institutions willing to talk to us.”
Vance set to visit southern border in Arizona today
Vance, Trump’s running mate, is scheduled to visit the U.S.-Mexico border in Cochise County, Arizona.
Vance is expected to attack Harris on her record on immigration as Trump has sought to paint Harris as a “border czar” who has failed to stem the flow of migrants after Biden in 2021 tasked her with addressing the root causes of migration with a focus on Central America.
Vance's visits to Western states this week come amid recent backlash for past comments criticizing women who do not have children, whom he called “childless cat ladies.”
Harris and future running mate will hold battleground state tour
Harris and her future running mate will travel to battleground states across the country next week, with the first stop in Philadelphia on Tuesday, her campaign announced.
In addition, from Aug. 6-10, Harris and her soon-to-be running mate will travel to Eau Claire, Wisconsin; Detroit; the Research Triangle area in North Carolina; Savannah, Georgia; Phoenix and Las Vegas.
A source familiar with the matter told NBC News earlier this week that the choice of Philadelphia as the first stop didn't mean Harris had tapped Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro as her running mate.
NBC News' Chuck Todd, Steve Kornacki and Dasha Burns report on the latest developments in the presidential race. Trump speaks at the National Association of Black Journalists and Harris prepares to hit the campaign trail in seven battleground states.
Chuck Schumer rolls out ‘No Kings Act’ to eliminate presidential immunity
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., announced a bill today that would ensure that presidents do not have criminal immunity.
The legislation is a direct response to the Supreme Court’s ruling last month that Trump has some immunity for aspects of his presidential conduct. However, even if the bill passes the Senate, it would face an uphill climb in the House, which is controlled by Republican allies of Trump.