thedailycaller--2020-04-20--‘Keep Your Voice Down’: Trump Unloads On CBS Reporter During Coronavirus Briefing

President Donald Trump unloaded Sunday on CBS White House correspondent Weijia Jiang , telling her at one point to “ keep your voice down.
” Jiang pressed the president several times on the response to the coronavirus pandemic as it spread to the United States .
( RELATED : ‘ I ’ m Going To Leave ’ : Trump Calls Brian Karem A ‘ Showboat , ’ Threatens To Walk Out Of Coronavirus Briefing ) “ I have a question about something you said Thursday , ” Jiang began , referencing Trump ’ s comments about the World Health Organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the virus should have been told to us earlier and sooner .
People knew it was coming and people did not want to talk about it .
Many Americans are saying the same thing about you , you should have warned them the virus was spreading like wildfire through February instead of holding rallies with thousands of people .
Why did you not have social distancing until March 16 ?
” “ If you look at what I did in terms of cutting off or banning China from coming in — ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese nationals .
But by the way , not Americans who were also coming from China — ” “ Just relax .
We cut it off , ” Trump interrupted .
“ People were amazed .
Everybody was amazed that I did it .
21 people in the room , everybody was against it but me .
Dr. Fauci said , had I not done that , perhaps tens of thousands , may much more than that , people would have died.
” Trump went on to note that , as Fox News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not even mentioned at the Democratic primary debate that was held in Las Vegas in February .
“ And by the way , when you issued the ban , the virus was already here , ” Jiang protested .
“ You know how many people when I issued the ban — how many cases of virus were in the United States ?
Do you know the number ?
” Trump asked then , and Jiang started to respond but Trump kept talking .
“ Remember I said one person .
How many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ban ?
You have to do your research.
” “ I did my research .
On the 23rd of March , you said you knew this was going to be a pandemic , ” Jiang pressed again .
“ I did know it .
Anybody knew it .
Are you ready ?
How many cases were in the United States when I did my ban ?
How many people had died in the United States ?
” Trump asked .
“ Did you acknowledge that you didn ’ t think it was going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tack .
“ Keep your voice down .
How many people — I did a ban where I am closing the country .
How many people died ?
How many people died in the United States ?
Yet I closed up the country and I believe there were no deaths , zero deaths , at the time I closed up the country , ” Trump concluded , adding , “ You should say , thank you for good judgment.
” Trump issued a ban on travel from China — with exceptions for American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The first official coronavirus-related death in the United States was recorded in Washington state on February 29 .

President Donald Trump unloaded Sunday on CBS White House correspondent Weijia Jiang, telling her at one point to “keep your voice down.”
Jiang pressed the president several times on the response to the coronavirus pandemic as it spread to the United States. (RELATED: ‘I’m Going To Leave’: Trump Calls Brian Karem A ‘Showboat,’ Threatens To Walk Out Of Coronavirus Briefing)
WATCH:
“I have a question about something you said Thursday,” Jiang began, referencing Trump’s comments about the World Health Organization. “You were angry because information about the virus should have been told to us earlier and sooner. People knew it was coming and people did not want to talk about it. Many Americans are saying the same thing about you, you should have warned them the virus was spreading like wildfire through February instead of holding rallies with thousands of people. Why did you not have social distancing until March 16?”
“Who are you?” Trump asked.
“I am Weijia Jiang with CBS News,” Jiang replied.
“If you look at what I did in terms of cutting off or banning China from coming in —” Trump continued.
Jiang interrupted: “Chinese nationals. But by the way, not Americans who were also coming from China —”
“Just relax. We cut it off,” Trump interrupted. “People were amazed. Everybody was amazed that I did it. 21 people in the room, everybody was against it but me. Dr. Fauci said, had I not done that, perhaps tens of thousands, may much more than that, people would have died.”
Trump went on to note that, as Fox News anchor Bret Baier had reported, coronavirus was not even mentioned at the Democratic primary debate that was held in Las Vegas in February.
“And by the way, when you issued the ban, the virus was already here,” Jiang protested.
“You know how many people when I issued the ban — how many cases of virus were in the United States? Do you know the number?” Trump asked then, and Jiang started to respond but Trump kept talking. “Remember I said one person. How many cases were here when I issued the ban? You have to do your research.”
“I did my research. On the 23rd of March, you said you knew this was going to be a pandemic,” Jiang pressed again.
“I did know it. Anybody knew it. Are you ready? How many cases were in the United States when I did my ban? How many people had died in the United States?” Trump asked.
“Did you acknowledge that you didn’t think it was going to spread —” Jiang tried another tack.
“Keep your voice down. How many people — I did a ban where I am closing the country. How many people died? How many people died in the United States? Yet I closed up the country and I believe there were no deaths, zero deaths, at the time I closed up the country,” Trump concluded, adding, “You should say, thank you for good judgment.”
Trump issued a ban on travel from China — with exceptions for American citizens abroad — on January 31. The first official coronavirus-related death in the United States was recorded in Washington state on February 29.


thedailycaller--2020-04-20--FBI Informant Bragged About Links To Russian Spies In Secret Recording Of Trump Aide

• The Senate Judiciary Committee released a declassified transcript of FBI source Stefan Halper ’ s conversation in September 2016 with George Papadopoulos .
• The transcript shows that Halper name-checked several former Russian intelligence officials who he has met throughout his storied career .
• The former Cambridge professor plied Papadopoulos with questions about the Trump campaign ’ s possible collusion with Russia and WikiLeaks .
It wasn ’ t long into his conversation with George Papadopoulos at a prestigious social club in London weeks before the 2016 election that FBI confidential informant Stefan Halper mentioned his links to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a lot of friends in Russia , ” Halper told Papadopoulos during their conversation , which occurred over drinks , and which the FBI recorded .
“ My point is that , ” Halper said , “ the Russians can be very helpful to us at this time and we ’ ve got some great information coming out.
” Halper , a former Cambridge professor , rattled off the names of the Russians , Vyacheslav Trubnikov , Leonid Shebarshin , and Yuri Traughtoff , according to a transcript of the secretly recorded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not bluffing about his friendship with at least one of the ex-Russian spies .
He has collaborated with Trubnikov , the former head of Russia ’ s foreign intelligence service , the SVR .
Halper hosted Trubnikov at two intelligence seminars at Cambridge in 2012 and 2015 , and interviewed the former Kremlin insider for a 2015 study on China-Russia relations he did for the Pentagon ’ s Office of Net Assessment ( ONA ) .
Halper ’ s goal in bringing up his Kremlin links was to get Papadopoulos to reveal whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Russian government or involved the WikiLeaks release of Democrats ’ emails , according to the Justice Department inspector general ’ s ( IG ) report on the FBI ’ s Trump-Russia probe .
“ You know this stuff out of WikiLeaks is really superb , ” Halper said .
In a virtually unprecedented move , Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham released the newly declassified transcript on Thursday as part of a GOP-led effort to publish documents related to the FBI ’ s Crossfire Hurricane investigation .
Two other Republican senators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week that shows that the FBI had evidence that the infamous Steele dossier was based on Russian disinformation .
The FBI had opened a counterintelligence investigation on Papadopoulos and several other Trump campaign aides on July 31 , 2016 , shortly after WikiLeaks released emails stolen from the DNC .
( RELATED : EXCLUSIVE : A London Meeting Before The Election Aroused George Papadopoulos ’ s Suspicions ) As part of the Crossfire Hurricane investigation , the FBI turned to Halper , a seasoned political veteran of three Republican administrations who had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the bureau since 2008 .
The FBI used another CHS to surveil Papadopoulos before the campaign .
The Daily Caller News Foundation published a transcript last week of that spy effort , in which a friend of Papadopoulos tried to pry information out of him during a four-hour lunch and casino visit just before Halloween 2016 .
The Justice Department IG ’ s report said that Halper agreed “ without any hesitation ” to help the FBI with the probe when he was approached about it on Aug. 11 , 2016 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ IG that investigators decided to lure Papadopoulos from the U.S. to the U.K. in hopes he might be relaxed to discuss any nefarious activity involving the Trump campaign .
They also sought to recreate the conditions of another encounter that Papadopoulos had in London several months earlier , the IG report said .
The young Trump aide , to whom the FBI gave the nickname “ Crossfire Typhoon , ” allegedly told Australian diplomat Alexander Downer over drinks that Russians might have information on Democrats that would help the Trump campaign .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FBI in late July 2016 , just after WikiLeaks released the DNC emails .
After the FBI brought Halper into the Crossfire Hurricane investigation , the 70-something-year-old operative met with and secretly recorded Carter Page , another Trump foreign policy adviser , on Aug. 20 , 2016 , according to the IG report .
He met Sam Clovis , a Trump campaign official , on Aug. 30 , 2016 , but did not record that conversation .
Halper reached out to Papadopoulos on Sept. 2 , 2016 , to offer to fly the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ met , to London to discuss writing a paper on energy issues for $ 3,000 .
Papadopoulos has said he agreed to the offer and met Halper in London , along with a woman the professor claimed was his assistant , Azra Turk .
Halper and Papadopoulos met twice on Sept. 15 , 2016 , once for brunch and a second time for pre-dinner drinks .
The IG report says that in the first meeting they discussed details of the research paper Papadopoulos had agreed to write .
The FBI team decided to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Halper could ask Papadopoulos “ direct questions about whether the Trump campaign benefitted from , or anyone in the Trump campaign had knowledge of , Russian assistance or the Wikileaks release of information that was damaging to the Clinton campaign , ” according to the IG report .
Papadopoulos shot down Halper ’ s questions about WikiLeaks and Russian help for the Trump campaign , the transcript shows .
“ No one knows what he ’ s going to release , ” Papadopoulos said of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange .
He said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ ploy to basically dismantle ” and “ undercut ” the Republican .
Papadopoulos also said that the Trump campaign would not engage in “ this type of activity because at the end of the day it ’ s…illegal.
” The transcript jumbles the names of the ex-Russian spies Halper mentioned , but enough context is provided in the transcript that two of them can be identified from open source records .
“ One of them is , ah , Slava Truvnikoff .
Do-do you , do you know Truvnikoff ?
Truvnikoff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the FSB , ” said Halper , referring to Vyacheslav Trubnikov , the former head of Russia ’ s SVR .
Halper told Papadopoulos that he hosted Trubnikov at an event to discuss Russia ’ s intelligence operations .
“ So I brought him to [ redacted ] to talk to us about how-how their intelligence service works , ” Halper said .
“ He was very forthcoming .
I mean he ’ s retired now and he ’ s , ah , ah very much a , um , sort of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He ’ s a private citizen but he ’ s , ah , really plugged in , ” Halper said .
Halper hosted the spy in 2012 and 2015 at the Cambridge Intelligence Seminar , which he convened alongside Sir Richard Dearlove , the former chief of MI6 .
The DCNF has previously reported that Halper interviewed Trubnikov for a 2015 study he conducted for the Pentagon ’ s Office of Net Assessment ( ONA ) .
( RELATED : British University Deserves More Scrutiny Over Stefan Halper Ties ) While Halper was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inked $ 1.1 million in contracts with ONA for four studies on geopolitical events in Russia , China , and India .
His offer to Papadopoulos closely matched his pitch to scholars for those studies , in which Halper paid scholars a small honorarium for analysis of geopolitical issues .
Halper told Papadopoulos that he had “ developed a friendship with a really senior KGB general.
” The transcript spells the general ’ s name as “ Shebasheen , ” but other information provided by Halper suggests he was referring to Leonid Shebarshin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days in the early 1990s .
He also said he knew a KGB officer identified in the transcript as “ Yuri Traughtoff.
” The transcript notes that the spelling of the name may not have been accurate , and the DCNF was unable to determine who Halper was talking about .
Halper ’ s attorney did not respond to a request for comment about the transcripts .
Halper became an FBI informant in 2008 , and had a brief falling out with the bureau in 2011 .
The IG report said that Halper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ source in 2011 because of “ aggressiveness toward handling agents ” that arose out of a dispute over his compensation as a CHS .
Halper also was sidelined because of “ questionable allegiance to the [ intelligence ] targets ” with whom he maintained contact , the IG report said .
The report does not identify the intelligence targets , or suggest that they are the Russians that Halper mentioned to Papadopoulos .
Trubnikov has been name-dropped in other conversations related to the Trump probe .
Steele , the former British spy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official during an Oct. 11 , 2016 meeting that Trubnikov was a source of some sort for the dossier .
Steele relied on a single source to collect information from a network of contacts inside and outside of Russia .
Many of the sub-sources are believed to have unwittingly provided information to Steele ’ s intermediary .
The IG report blasted the FBI for failing to disclose the potentially exculpatory information that both Page and Papadopoulos shared with Halper .
The FBI failed to tell the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court ( FISC ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Trump campaign was working with Russia .
Carter Page had told Halper that he had never met Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort , but the FBI failed to share that information with the FISC .
It was a key claim in Christopher Steele ’ s dossier , which the FBI cited extensively in applications to obtain surveillance authority from the FISC to spy on Page .
Halper ’ s FBI handler , Stephen Somma , is identified as one of the main villains in the IG report .
The report cites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsible ” for some of the “ most significant ” errors in the Crossfire Hurricane probe .
Somma failed to disclose the exculpatory information related to Page and Papadopoulos , as well as information from interviews with Steele ’ s main source , who disputed many of the allegations from the dossier .
Somma was also aware by mid-August 2016 that Page was an “ operational contact ” for the CIA , but he did not disclose it in applications to the FISC .
Somma insisted to the IG that an encounter that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the start of Crossfire Hurricane was a coincidence .
Halper first met Page on July 10 , 2016 at a Cambridge event centered around the presidential campaign .
The FBI transcript indicates that Halper arranged dinner for Papadopoulos and Arza Turk , the woman he falsely claimed was his assistant .
The New York Times has reported that Turk was actually a government investigator operating under a pseudonym .
The transcript shows Halper and Papadopoulos exchanged farewells , with Halper saying he would like to help the Trump campaign as an outside adviser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued to rage for months after the London meeting , though Halper himself was spent for the night .
“ I ’ m three sheets to the wind , ” he said into his hidden microphone .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

The Senate Judiciary Committee released a declassified transcript of FBI source Stefan Halper’s conversation in September 2016 with George Papadopoulos.
The transcript shows that Halper name-checked several former Russian intelligence officials who he has met throughout his storied career.
The former Cambridge professor plied Papadopoulos with questions about the Trump campaign’s possible collusion with Russia and WikiLeaks.
It wasn’t long into his conversation with George Papadopoulos at a prestigious social club in London weeks before the 2016 election that FBI confidential informant Stefan Halper mentioned his links to several retired Russian spies.
“I have a lot of friends in Russia,” Halper told Papadopoulos during their conversation, which occurred over drinks, and which the FBI recorded.
“My point is that,” Halper said, “the Russians can be very helpful to us at this time and we’ve got some great information coming out.”
Halper, a former Cambridge professor, rattled off the names of the Russians, Vyacheslav Trubnikov, Leonid Shebarshin, and Yuri Traughtoff, according to a transcript of the secretly recorded conversation released on Thursday.
Halper was not bluffing about his friendship with at least one of the ex-Russian spies. He has collaborated with Trubnikov, the former head of Russia’s foreign intelligence service, the SVR. Halper hosted Trubnikov at two intelligence seminars at Cambridge in 2012 and 2015, and interviewed the former Kremlin insider for a 2015 study on China-Russia relations he did for the Pentagon’s Office of Net Assessment (ONA).
Halper’s goal in bringing up his Kremlin links was to get Papadopoulos to reveal whether he or the Trump campaign were working with the Russian government or involved the WikiLeaks release of Democrats’ emails, according to the Justice Department inspector general’s (IG) report on the FBI’s Trump-Russia probe.
“You know this stuff out of WikiLeaks is really superb,” Halper said.
In a virtually unprecedented move, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham released the newly declassified transcript on Thursday as part of a GOP-led effort to publish documents related to the FBI’s Crossfire Hurricane investigation. Two other Republican senators have released declassified information over the past week that shows that the FBI had evidence that the infamous Steele dossier was based on Russian disinformation.
The FBI had opened a counterintelligence investigation on Papadopoulos and several other Trump campaign aides on July 31, 2016, shortly after WikiLeaks released emails stolen from the DNC. (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: A London Meeting Before The Election Aroused George Papadopoulos’s Suspicions)
As part of the Crossfire Hurricane investigation, the FBI turned to Halper, a seasoned political veteran of three Republican administrations who had been a confidential human source (CHS) for the bureau since 2008.
The FBI used another CHS to surveil Papadopoulos before the campaign. The Daily Caller News Foundation published a transcript last week of that spy effort, in which a friend of Papadopoulos tried to pry information out of him during a four-hour lunch and casino visit just before Halloween 2016.
The Justice Department IG’s report said that Halper agreed “without any hesitation” to help the FBI with the probe when he was approached about it on Aug. 11, 2016. Halper’s FBI handler told the IG that investigators decided to lure Papadopoulos from the U.S. to the U.K. in hopes he might be relaxed to discuss any nefarious activity involving the Trump campaign.
They also sought to recreate the conditions of another encounter that Papadopoulos had in London several months earlier, the IG report said. The young Trump aide, to whom the FBI gave the nickname “Crossfire Typhoon,” allegedly told Australian diplomat Alexander Downer over drinks that Russians might have information on Democrats that would help the Trump campaign.
The Australian government shared that tip with the FBI in late July 2016, just after WikiLeaks released the DNC emails.
After the FBI brought Halper into the Crossfire Hurricane investigation, the 70-something-year-old operative met with and secretly recorded Carter Page, another Trump foreign policy adviser, on Aug. 20, 2016, according to the IG report. He met Sam Clovis, a Trump campaign official, on Aug. 30, 2016, but did not record that conversation.
Halper reached out to Papadopoulos on Sept. 2, 2016, to offer to fly the Trump aide, whom he had never met, to London to discuss writing a paper on energy issues for $3,000. Papadopoulos has said he agreed to the offer and met Halper in London, along with a woman the professor claimed was his assistant, Azra Turk.
Halper and Papadopoulos met twice on Sept. 15, 2016, once for brunch and a second time for pre-dinner drinks.
The IG report says that in the first meeting they discussed details of the research paper Papadopoulos had agreed to write. The FBI team decided to set up a second meeting so that Halper could ask Papadopoulos “direct questions about whether the Trump campaign benefitted from, or anyone in the Trump campaign had knowledge of, Russian assistance or the Wikileaks release of information that was damaging to the Clinton campaign,” according to the IG report.
Papadopoulos shot down Halper’s questions about WikiLeaks and Russian help for the Trump campaign, the transcript shows.
“No one knows what he’s going to release,” Papadopoulos said of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. He said that Assange might release information about Trump as a “ploy to basically dismantle” and “undercut” the Republican.
Papadopoulos also said that the Trump campaign would not engage in “this type of activity because at the end of the day it’s…illegal.”
“This is a form of treason.”
The transcript jumbles the names of the ex-Russian spies Halper mentioned, but enough context is provided in the transcript that two of them can be identified from open source records.
“One of them is, ah, Slava Truvnikoff. Do-do you, do you know Truvnikoff? Truvnikoff was the director of the KGB and the FSB,” said Halper, referring to Vyacheslav Trubnikov, the former head of Russia’s SVR.
Halper told Papadopoulos that he hosted Trubnikov at an event to discuss Russia’s intelligence operations.
“So I brought him to [redacted] to talk to us about how-how their intelligence service works,” Halper said. “He was very forthcoming. I mean he’s retired now and he’s, ah, ah very much a, um, sort of an international participant in nuclear disarmament.”
“He’s a private citizen but he’s, ah, really plugged in,” Halper said.
Halper hosted the spy in 2012 and 2015 at the Cambridge Intelligence Seminar, which he convened alongside Sir Richard Dearlove, the former chief of MI6. The DCNF has previously reported that Halper interviewed Trubnikov for a 2015 study he conducted for the Pentagon’s Office of Net Assessment (ONA). (RELATED: British University Deserves More Scrutiny Over Stefan Halper Ties)
While Halper was serving as an FBI informant, he inked $1.1 million in contracts with ONA for four studies on geopolitical events in Russia, China, and India. His offer to Papadopoulos closely matched his pitch to scholars for those studies, in which Halper paid scholars a small honorarium for analysis of geopolitical issues.
Halper told Papadopoulos that he had “developed a friendship with a really senior KGB general.” The transcript spells the general’s name as “Shebasheen,” but other information provided by Halper suggests he was referring to Leonid Shebarshin, who led the KGB for two days in the early 1990s.
He also said he knew a KGB officer identified in the transcript as “Yuri Traughtoff.” The transcript notes that the spelling of the name may not have been accurate, and the DCNF was unable to determine who Halper was talking about.
Halper’s attorney did not respond to a request for comment about the transcripts.
Halper became an FBI informant in 2008, and had a brief falling out with the bureau in 2011. The IG report said that Halper was shut down as a confidential human source in 2011 because of “aggressiveness toward handling agents” that arose out of a dispute over his compensation as a CHS.
Halper also was sidelined because of “questionable allegiance to the [intelligence] targets” with whom he maintained contact, the IG report said.
The report does not identify the intelligence targets, or suggest that they are the Russians that Halper mentioned to Papadopoulos.
Trubnikov has been name-dropped in other conversations related to the Trump probe.
Steele, the former British spy and dossier author, told a State Department official during an Oct. 11, 2016 meeting that Trubnikov was a source of some sort for the dossier. Steele relied on a single source to collect information from a network of contacts inside and outside of Russia. Many of the sub-sources are believed to have unwittingly provided information to Steele’s intermediary.
The IG report blasted the FBI for failing to disclose the potentially exculpatory information that both Page and Papadopoulos shared with Halper.
The FBI failed to tell the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) about Papadopoulos’s denials to Halper that the Trump campaign was working with Russia. Carter Page had told Halper that he had never met Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, but the FBI failed to share that information with the FISC. It was a key claim in Christopher Steele’s dossier, which the FBI cited extensively in applications to obtain surveillance authority from the FISC to spy on Page.
Halper’s FBI handler, Stephen Somma, is identified as one of the main villains in the IG report. The report cites the counterintelligence veteran as being “primarily responsible” for some of the “most significant” errors in the Crossfire Hurricane probe.
Somma failed to disclose the exculpatory information related to Page and Papadopoulos, as well as information from interviews with Steele’s main source, who disputed many of the allegations from the dossier. Somma was also aware by mid-August 2016 that Page was an “operational contact” for the CIA, but he did not disclose it in applications to the FISC.
Somma insisted to the IG that an encounter that Halper had with Page several weeks before the start of Crossfire Hurricane was a coincidence. Halper first met Page on July 10, 2016 at a Cambridge event centered around the presidential campaign.
The FBI transcript indicates that Halper arranged dinner for Papadopoulos and Arza Turk, the woman he falsely claimed was his assistant. The New York Times has reported that Turk was actually a government investigator operating under a pseudonym.
The transcript shows Halper and Papadopoulos exchanged farewells, with Halper saying he would like to help the Trump campaign as an outside adviser on foreign policy issues.
Crossfire Hurricane continued to rage for months after the London meeting, though Halper himself was spent for the night.
“I’m three sheets to the wind,” he said into his hidden microphone.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.


thedailycaller--2020-04-19--Miami Herald Columnist Says Crowded Beaches Will ‘Thin The Ranks’ Of Trump And DeSantis Supporters

Miami Herald columnist Fabiola Santiago said Sunday that Florida residents crowding newly reopened beaches would “ thin the ranks ” of President Donald Trump ’ s supporters .
Within hours of some of Florida ’ s beaches reopening — after being closed temporarily due to the coronavirus threat — reports and photos began to circulate showing crowds beginning to arrive .
( RELATED : Ron DeSantis Says Florida May Soon Reopen Its Schools ) Santiago suggested that those hitting the beach and apparently ignoring continued recommendations of social distancing were probably fans of President Trump , Republican Florida Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Packed beaches should work nicely to thin the ranks of Trump/DeSantis/Gimenez supporters in # Florida who value money over health , ” Santiago tweeted .
Santiago went on to criticize others who were out and about in Florida , referring to them as “ the red-hatted ” who obeyed Trump .
“ Here ’ s the # miamilakes version of stupid this morning , a gathering of Mustang enthusiasts , no masks , and viejos , young people and children as it grew .
The red-hatted listening to their masters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 200 deaths and almost 10,000 confirmed cases in Miami-Dade alone , 764 deaths in the state and 26,000 confirmed cases in state as of today and they still don ’ t get the seriousness of an easily transmissible virus , ” Santiago concluded .
The Miami Herald has yet to responded to requests for comment .

Miami Herald columnist Fabiola Santiago said Sunday that Florida residents crowding newly reopened beaches would “thin the ranks” of President Donald Trump’s supporters.
Within hours of some of Florida’s beaches reopening — after being closed temporarily due to the coronavirus threat — reports and photos began to circulate showing crowds beginning to arrive. (RELATED: Ron DeSantis Says Florida May Soon Reopen Its Schools)
Packed Florida beach offers glimpse of what may come when outdoor spaces are reopened https://t.co/leeY6dFy1Z — Adriana Brasileiro (@AdriBras) April 19, 2020
Santiago suggested that those hitting the beach and apparently ignoring continued recommendations of social distancing were probably fans of President Trump, Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Miami Mayor Carlos Gimenez.
“Packed beaches should work nicely to thin the ranks of Trump/DeSantis/Gimenez supporters in #Florida who value money over health,” Santiago tweeted.
Packed beaches should work nicely to thin the ranks of Trump/DeSantis/Gimenez supporters in #Florida who value money over health. https://t.co/u35pOSBCiq — Fabiola Santiago (@fabiolasantiago) April 19, 2020
Santiago went on to criticize others who were out and about in Florida, referring to them as “the red-hatted” who obeyed Trump. “Here’s the #miamilakes version of stupid this morning, a gathering of Mustang enthusiasts, no masks, and viejos, young people and children as it grew. The red-hatted listening to their masters,” she added.
Here’s the #miamilakes version of stupid this morning, a gathering of Mustang enthusiasts, no masks, and viejos, young people and children as it grew. The red-hatted listening to their masters. pic.twitter.com/bVm4WVj5RJ — Fabiola Santiago (@fabiolasantiago) April 19, 2020
“More than 200 deaths and almost 10,000 confirmed cases in Miami-Dade alone, 764 deaths in the state and 26,000 confirmed cases in state as of today and they still don’t get the seriousness of an easily transmissible virus,” Santiago concluded.
More than 200 deaths and almost 10,000 confirmed cases in Miami-Dade alone, 764 deaths in the state and 26,000 confirmed cases in state as of today and they still don’t get the seriousness of an easily transmissible virus. — Fabiola Santiago (@fabiolasantiago) April 19, 2020
The Miami Herald has yet to respond to requests for comment.


thedailycaller--2020-04-19--At Least 10 People Including Officer Dead In Canada Shooting Rampage

At least 10 people including a policewoman were killed in a shooting rampage in Canada that began Saturday , numerous sources reported .
Gabriel Wortman , 51 , was identified by authorities as the gunman who went on a 12-hour shooting rampage in Nova Scotia beginning Saturday night , killing at least 10 people in multiple locations before the rampage ended at a gas station , the New York Times reported .
Wortman was also killed , although it ’ s unclear whether the reported number of deaths includes the gunman .
One officer was killed and another was injured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Times .
“ I never imagined when I went to bed last night that I would wake up to the horrific news that an active shooter was on the loose in Nova Scotia , ” Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil said , according to USA Today .
“ This is one of the most senseless acts of violence in our province ’ s history.
” Police first responded to reports of a shooting Saturday night in Portapique , a small , rural community about 35 miles from Truro , Nova Scotia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been driving a Royal Canadian Mounted Police vehicle and wearing an RCMP uniform , Canada ’ s federal law enforcement .
( RELATED : Trudeau Government Funding Research Project That ’ s Partnering With Chinese Lab Where COVID-19 May Have Started ) Several building fires were reported by residents , although police didn ’ t immediately confirm details , the National Post reported .
Police warned people to lock their doors and remain inside during the manhunt .
Wortman was in custody at the Enfield , Nova Scotia gas station where by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surrounded by a half dozen police vehicles and a body was seen lying at the station .
Police did not comment on the body ’ s identity , according to the National Post .
“ My heart goes out to everyone affected in what is a terrible situation , ” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said during a media briefing Sunday .

At least 10 people including a policewoman were killed in a shooting rampage in Canada that began Saturday, numerous sources reported.
Gabriel Wortman, 51, was identified by authorities as the gunman who went on a 12-hour shooting rampage in Nova Scotia beginning Saturday night, killing at least 10 people in multiple locations before the rampage ended at a gas station, the New York Times reported.
Wortman was also killed, although it’s unclear whether the reported number of deaths includes the gunman. One officer was killed and another was injured in the shooting, according to the New York Times.
“I never imagined when I went to bed last night that I would wake up to the horrific news that an active shooter was on the loose in Nova Scotia,” Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil said, according to USA Today. “This is one of the most senseless acts of violence in our province’s history.”
Police first responded to reports of a shooting Saturday night in Portapique, a small, rural community about 35 miles from Truro, Nova Scotia. Police initially believed the gunman might have been driving a Royal Canadian Mounted Police vehicle and wearing an RCMP uniform, Canada’s federal law enforcement. (RELATED: Trudeau Government Funding Research Project That’s Partnering With Chinese Lab Where COVID-19 May Have Started)
#Colchester: Gabriel Wortman may be driving what appears to be an RCMP vehicle & may be wearing an RCMP uniform. There’s 1 difference btwn his car and our RCMP vehicles: the car #. The suspect’s car is 28B11, behind rear passenger window. If you see 28B11 call 911 immediately. pic.twitter.com/yyeOeBt8Ui — RCMP, Nova Scotia (@RCMPNS) April 19, 2020
Several building fires were reported by residents, although police didn’t immediately confirm details, the National Post reported. Police warned people to lock their doors and remain inside during the manhunt.
Wortman was in custody at the Enfield, Nova Scotia gas station where by late Sunday morning, the scene was surrounded by a half dozen police vehicles and a body was seen lying at the station. Police did not comment on the body’s identity, according to the National Post.
To those who lost loved ones following the senseless violence in Nova Scotia, and to the @RCMPNS family mourning the loss of Cst. Heidi Stevenson, know Canadians across the country are mourning with you – and are here to support you through this tragedy. https://t.co/J6TM2od0Le — Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) April 19, 2020
“My heart goes out to everyone affected in what is a terrible situation,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said during a media briefing Sunday.


thedailycaller--2020-04-19--Judge Blocks Kansas From Limiting Attendance At Religious Services

A federal judge blocked Kansas from limiting attendance at religious services during the coronavirus pandemic Saturday .
Wichita U.S. District Judge John Broomes blocked an order from Democratic Kansas Gov .
Laura Kelly limiting attendance at religious services to ten people or fewer .
Broomes ’ s ruling prevents Kelly ’ s enforcement of the order as long as pastors and congregations observe social distancing , Politico reports .
The decision will remain in effect until May 2 .
“ Churches and religious activities appear to have been singled out among essential functions for stricter treatment , ” the judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not about religion , ” the Kansas governor said in a statement following the decision .
“ This is about a public health crisis.
” ( RELATED : Barr : ‘ Even In Times Of Emergency , ’ Federal Law Prohibits Religious Discrimination ) The judge ’ s order still requires religious services to abide by social distancing recommendations , such as requiring people to stay 6 feet apart .
Broomes also has a hearing scheduled for Thursday regarding a lawsuit filed by two churches and their pastors against Kelly , Politico @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruling comes after Attorney General William Barr released a statement on religious practices and social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic saying that that “ even in times of emergency , ” federal law prohibits religious discrimination .
“ Thus , government may not impose special restrictions on religious activity that do not also apply to similar nonreligious activity , ” Barr said .
“ For example , if a government allows movie theaters , restaurants , concert halls , and other comparable places of assembly to remain open and unrestricted , it may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , limit their congregation size , or otherwise impede religious gatherings.
” He added : “ Religious institutions must not be singled out for special burdens.
” ( RELATED : Attorney General Bill Barr Intervenes In Mississippi Church Case , Says City Appeared To ‘ Single Churches Out ’ In Social Distancing Orders ) Where states have not acted evenhandedly , they must have compelling reason to impose restrictions on places of worship , the attorney general said .
They also must ensure that the restrictions are “ narrowly tailored to advance its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

A federal judge blocked Kansas from limiting attendance at religious services during the coronavirus pandemic Saturday.
Wichita U.S. District Judge John Broomes blocked an order from Democratic Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly limiting attendance at religious services to ten people or fewer.
Broomes’s ruling prevents Kelly’s enforcement of the order as long as pastors and congregations observe social distancing, Politico reports. The decision will remain in effect until May 2.
“Churches and religious activities appear to have been singled out among essential functions for stricter treatment,” the judge wrote in his order.
“This is not about religion,” the Kansas governor said in a statement following the decision. “This is about a public health crisis.” (RELATED: Barr: ‘Even In Times Of Emergency,’ Federal Law Prohibits Religious Discrimination)
During this sacred week for many Americans, AG Barr is monitoring govt regulation of religious services. While social distancing policies are appropriate during this emergency, they must be applied evenhandedly & not single out religious orgs. Expect action from DOJ next week! — KerriKupecDOJ (@KerriKupecDOJ) April 12, 2020
The judge’s order still requires religious services to abide by social distancing recommendations, such as requiring people to stay 6 feet apart. Broomes also has a hearing scheduled for Thursday regarding a lawsuit filed by two churches and their pastors against Kelly, Politico reports.
News of Broomes’s ruling comes after Attorney General William Barr released a statement on religious practices and social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic saying that that “even in times of emergency,” federal law prohibits religious discrimination.
“Thus, government may not impose special restrictions on religious activity that do not also apply to similar nonreligious activity,” Barr said.
“For example, if a government allows movie theaters, restaurants, concert halls, and other comparable places of assembly to remain open and unrestricted, it may not order houses of worship to close, limit their congregation size, or otherwise impede religious gatherings.”
He added: “Religious institutions must not be singled out for special burdens.” (RELATED: Attorney General Bill Barr Intervenes In Mississippi Church Case, Says City Appeared To ‘Single Churches Out’ In Social Distancing Orders)
Where states have not acted evenhandedly, they must have compelling reason to impose restrictions on places of worship, the attorney general said. They also must ensure that the restrictions are “narrowly tailored to advance its compelling interest.”
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.


thedailycaller--2020-04-19--How China’s Coronavirus Cover-Up Happened

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to kill thousands a day and bring the global economy to its knees , the origins of the virus are still being investigated and debated .
A recent Fox News report said that the virus came from a lab in the Chinese province of Wuhan , contradicting earlier reports that it originated in one of China ’ s infamously unsanitary wet markets .
The Wall Street Journal reported last month that coronavirus “ Patient Zero ” may have been Wei Guixian , a 57-year-old seafood merchant who felt like she was coming down with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ herself unconscious in a hospital just eight days later .
From there , the situation spiraled as the number of cases climbed .
Wuhan doctor Li Wenliang attempted to sound the alarms in late December , but was threatened and admonished by China ’ s totalitarian government .
The government forced Wienlang to write a self-criticism letter , where he said that his decision to blow the whistle had a “ negative impact ” on China ’ s ability to investigate and control the virus .
Wienlang himself succumbed to the virus in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( RELATED : China Lifts Lockdown Restrictions On Wuhan After 76 Days ) Chinese Communist Party Dictator Xi Jinping ordered Wuhan to get things under control on Jan. 7 , and locked down the city on Jan. 23 .
During that time period , China was covering up the extent of the virus , with the help of the World Health Organization ( WHO ) .
Millions of people were still allowed to leave the country in January , and Dr. Anthony Fauci later said the devastating outbreak in Italy occurred largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump banned travel to the U.S. from China at the end of January , but over 40,000 people have arrived from there since then , taking advantage of exceptions .
Experts have suggested that 95 % of the outbreak could have been avoided if China had not attempted to cover up the virus .
The WHO wrote on Jan. 14 that ” based on the available information there is no clear evidence of human-to-human transmission , ” which turned out to be gravely wrong , and severely tarnished the organization ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ties between the WHO ’ s leadership and China , leading President Donald Trump to suspend U.S. funding for the organization .
China has relied on organizations like the WHO to provide cover for its campaign of censorship and disinformation .
( RELATED : WHO Official Says She Suspected Human-To-Human COVID-19 Transmission ‘ Right From The Start ’ — But The WHO Echoed Misleading Chinese Claims To The Contrary For Weeks ) As the official coronavirus death toll in the U.S. nears 40,000 , China continues to report less than 5,000 deaths .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ been under-reporting its numbers .
Even as the effects of the virus became evident , the Chinese Communist Party continued to go to great lengths to cover it up .
China announced in mid March that they were expelling U.S. journalists from the Wall Street Journal , New York Times , and The Washington Post .
The regime previously expelled three Wall Street Journal reporters from the country in February .
Despite the communist country ’ s repeated missteps , China has not taken responsibility or demonstrated any remorse for the havoc the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese government officials have continued to underreport their numbers , and have promoted conspiracy theories that the U.S. Army injected the virus into China .
The coronavirus spread and China ’ s attempts to cover it up have thrown the future of their relationship with the U.S. into doubt .
President Donald Trump has stated that China will face consequences if it is proven that they knowingly covered up the virus , while members of Congress have vowed to make China pay .
The future of the U.S.-China relationship will also play a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden have already run advertisements accusing the other of being weak on China .
Republicans have highlighted Biden ’ s family ties to China , as well as his past praise for the communist regime .
A Pro-Trump Super PAC recently labeled the former vice president as “ Beijing Biden , ” in a campaign commercial being run in the crucial swing states of Wisconsin , Michigan and Pennsylvania .
( RELATED : FLASHBACK : Joe Biden : ‘ China Is Not Our Problem ’ ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the communist nation ’ s deception , which has now been exposed for the whole world to see .
While the origins of the virus and the extent of China ’ s cover-up are not yet known , there seems to be a consensus that they must be held accountable for the damage inflicted upon the world .

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to kill thousands a day and bring the global economy to its knees, the origins of the virus are still being investigated and debated.
A recent Fox News report said that the virus came from a lab in the Chinese province of Wuhan, contradicting earlier reports that it originated in one of China’s infamously unsanitary wet markets.
The Wall Street Journal reported last month that coronavirus “Patient Zero” may have been Wei Guixian, a 57-year-old seafood merchant who felt like she was coming down with a cold on Dec. 10, and found herself unconscious in a hospital just eight days later.
From there, the situation spiraled as the number of cases climbed. Wuhan doctor Li Wenliang attempted to sound the alarms in late December, but was threatened and admonished by China’s totalitarian government. The government forced Wienlang to write a self-criticism letter, where he said that his decision to blow the whistle had a “negative impact” on China’s ability to investigate and control the virus. Wienlang himself succumbed to the virus in early February at the age of 34. (RELATED: China Lifts Lockdown Restrictions On Wuhan After 76 Days)
Chinese Communist Party Dictator Xi Jinping ordered Wuhan to get things under control on Jan. 7, and locked down the city on Jan. 23. During that time period, China was covering up the extent of the virus, with the help of the World Health Organization (WHO). Millions of people were still allowed to leave the country in January, and Dr. Anthony Fauci later said the devastating outbreak in Italy occurred largely as a result of Chinese tourists. President Donald Trump banned travel to the U.S. from China at the end of January, but over 40,000 people have arrived from there since then, taking advantage of exceptions. Experts have suggested that 95% of the outbreak could have been avoided if China had not attempted to cover up the virus.
The WHO wrote on Jan. 14 that ” based on the available information there is no clear evidence of human-to-human transmission,” which turned out to be gravely wrong, and severely tarnished the organization’s credibility. Later analysis found deep ties between the WHO’s leadership and China, leading President Donald Trump to suspend U.S. funding for the organization. China has relied on organizations like the WHO to provide cover for its campaign of censorship and disinformation. (RELATED: WHO Official Says She Suspected Human-To-Human COVID-19 Transmission ‘Right From The Start’ — But The WHO Echoed Misleading Chinese Claims To The Contrary For Weeks)
As the official coronavirus death toll in the U.S. nears 40,000, China continues to report less than 5,000 deaths. U.S. intelligence later confirmed that China has been under-reporting its numbers. Even as the effects of the virus became evident, the Chinese Communist Party continued to go to great lengths to cover it up. China announced in mid March that they were expelling U.S. journalists from the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and The Washington Post. The regime previously expelled three Wall Street Journal reporters from the country in February. Despite the communist country’s repeated missteps, China has not taken responsibility or demonstrated any remorse for the havoc the virus has wreaked on the world. Chinese government officials have continued to underreport their numbers, and have promoted conspiracy theories that the U.S. Army injected the virus into China.
The coronavirus spread and China’s attempts to cover it up have thrown the future of their relationship with the U.S. into doubt. President Donald Trump has stated that China will face consequences if it is proven that they knowingly covered up the virus, while members of Congress have vowed to make China pay. The future of the U.S.-China relationship will also play a significant role in the upcoming presidential campaign. Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden have already run advertisements accusing the other of being weak on China. Republicans have highlighted Biden’s family ties to China, as well as his past praise for the communist regime. A Pro-Trump Super PAC recently labeled the former vice president as “Beijing Biden,” in a campaign commercial being run in the crucial swing states of Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania. (RELATED: FLASHBACK: Joe Biden: ‘China Is Not Our Problem’)
China hawks have spent years warning about the communist nation’s deception, which has now been exposed for the whole world to see. While the origins of the virus and the extent of China’s cover-up are not yet known, there seems to be a consensus that they must be held accountable for the damage inflicted upon the world.


thedailycaller--2020-04-19--New York Assemblyman Sounds Off On Gov. Cuomo Over Extended Closures

New York state assemblyman and Republican congressional candidate Mike LiPetri is calling out New York Governor Andrew Cuomo over his administration ’ s extended closures due to coronavirus concerns .
“ I find it ironic where [ Cuomo ] makes reference to the king when he in New York state is acting as such king rather than delegating it to cities and local governments to decide how they should run their county and towns , and so as I said he ’ s is the ultimate decision maker , ” LiPetri said .
( RELATED : EXCLUSIVE : Lara Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Press Briefings — ‘ It ’ s Un-American ’ . )
LiPetri also went on to discuss the issue with releasing some inmates in his state due to coronavirus concerns .
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of The Daily Caller .
Check out TheDC ’ s fantastic videos and subscribe to our YouTube channel to avoid missing out .
NOW CHECK OUT The Daily Caller ’ s most popular shows : Would You Rather Date A Trump Supporter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ About The ‘ Muslim Extremist ’ Compound In New Mexico Democrats ’ New Campaign Message : ‘ Drain The Swamp ’

New York state assemblyman and Republican congressional candidate Mike LiPetri is calling out New York Governor Andrew Cuomo over his administration’s extended closures due to coronavirus concerns.
“I find it ironic where [Cuomo] makes reference to the king when he in New York state is acting as such king rather than delegating it to cities and local governments to decide how they should run their county and towns, and so as I said he’s is the ultimate decision maker,” LiPetri said. (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Lara Trump Unloads On Media’s Double-Standard For Press Briefings — ‘It’s Un-American’.)
LiPetri also went on to discuss the issue with releasing some inmates in his state due to coronavirus concerns.
WATCH:
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of The Daily Caller.
Check out TheDC’s fantastic videos and subscribe to our YouTube channel to avoid missing out.
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thedailycaller--2020-04-19--Neiman Marcus To File For Bankruptcy As Lockdowns Hammer Department Stores: Report

Neiman Marcus is seeking bankruptcy protection as government officials continue locking down their economies to prevent the spread of the coronavirus , Reuters reported Sunday .
The pandemic forced Neman Marcus to temporarily shutter all 43 stores of its stores , the Reuters report states before noting that the massive store chain is in the final stages of negotiating a loan with creditors .
The company furloughed nearly 14,000 employees as the lockdowns took hold .
Reuters ’ s report was based on anonymous sources who say the filing could happen within the next several days .
( RELATED : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With Unemployment Hitting 20 Percent ) Neiman Marcus borrowed nearly $ 4.8 billion , according to credit ratings firm Standard & Poor ’ s , some of which is due to the $ 6 billion leveraged buyout in 2013 by its owners .
Other major department stores are fighting to delay Neiman Marcus ’ s fate .
Macy ’ s Inc and Nordstrom are trying to secure new financing , while J.C. Penney is contemplating a bankruptcy filing to stave off possible ruin , reports show .
“ In light of the significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our expectation for a U.S. recession this year , we believe the company ’ s prospects for a turnaround are increasingly low , ” Standard & Poor ’ s analysts wrote in a note on April 2 .
Meanwhile , roughly 22.5 million people filed unemployment applications over the past four weeks as officials feverishly lockdown their state ’ s economies amid a coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 100,000 people worldwide .
Financial institutions are gearing up for extraordinary pain .
JP Morgan , for instance , foresees a 40 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a surge in April ’ s unemployment rate to roughly 20 % .
Economists previously forecasted the GDP dropping 25 % in the second quarter .
Neiman Marcus has not responded to the Daily Caller News Foundation ’ s request for comment .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

Neiman Marcus is seeking bankruptcy protection as government officials continue locking down their economies to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Reuters reported Sunday.
The pandemic forced Neman Marcus to temporarily shutter all 43 stores of its stores, the Reuters report states before noting that the massive store chain is in the final stages of negotiating a loan with creditors. The company furloughed nearly 14,000 employees as the lockdowns took hold.
Reuters’s report was based on anonymous sources who say the filing could happen within the next several days. (RELATED: JPMorgan Foresees An Apocalyptic Second Quarter, With Unemployment Hitting 20 Percent)
Neiman Marcus borrowed nearly $4.8 billion, according to credit ratings firm Standard & Poor’s, some of which is due to the $6 billion leveraged buyout in 2013 by its owners. Other major department stores are fighting to delay Neiman Marcus’s fate.
Macy’s Inc and Nordstrom are trying to secure new financing, while J.C. Penney is contemplating a bankruptcy filing to stave off possible ruin, reports show.
“In light of the significant headwinds stemming from the coronavirus pandemic and our expectation for a U.S. recession this year, we believe the company’s prospects for a turnaround are increasingly low,” Standard & Poor’s analysts wrote in a note on April 2 .
Meanwhile, roughly 22.5 million people filed unemployment applications over the past four weeks as officials feverishly lockdown their state’s economies amid a coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 100,000 people worldwide.
Financial institutions are gearing up for extraordinary pain.
JP Morgan, for instance, foresees a 40% decline in the gross domestic product and a surge in April’s unemployment rate to roughly 20%. Economists previously forecasted the GDP dropping 25% in the second quarter.
Neiman Marcus has not responded to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.


thedailycaller--2020-04-19--MSNBC Guest Calls Anti-Lockdown Protesters The ‘Fox News Nazi Death Cult Rump’ Of The GOP

MSNBC guest Dave Zirin called lockdown protesters the “ Fox News nazi death cult rump of the Republican Party ” — and got no pushback from host Joy Reid .
Zirin , a sports editor at The Nation , appeared on a Sunday morning panel on MSNBC ’ s “ AM Joy ” to discuss the coronavirus pandemic and recent protests aimed at reopening the economy .
Reid began the segment on the recent spate of protests by noting that defenders had compared them to civil rights protesters .
( RELATED : Anyone Who Fails To Call Out The Suspected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Malcolm Nance ) “ I don ’ t understand this idea of an inherent civil right to infect other people with coronavirus .
Do you understand it ?
” Reid asked .
The Root ’ s Michael Harriot argued that the protesters were simply “ angry white people , ” saying , “ It is this disaffected , angry , white people who are economically , they say , disenfranchised and they want their country back … The right to exist no matter how much they harm the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poor people , the people who are sick , the people who are suffering from a global pandemic .
They don ’ t care , as long as they can get their paycheck .
We saw that when Donald Trump was elected and we ’ re seeing it again now that we ’ re on the eve of another election.
” Reid agreed , noting the appearance of confederate flags at some of the protests , and adding , “ They make it clear with the waving of confederate flags , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it under a bushel .
It would be more direct and open to chant , ‘ Let us infect you , ’ because that ’ s what they ’ re saying .
We ’ re in a bunch , we ’ re not social distancing , we could be passing this virus around here .
So let us come back to work and infect y ’ all.
” “ No , they ’ ve gone from all lives matter to no lives matter , ” Zirin said .
“ These folks are — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are .
They are the Fox News Nazi confederate death cult rump of the Republican Party .
Their very existence is a slap in the face , not only to the health care workers on the front lines risking their lives every single day , but also a slap in the face of the people who are dying from this virus in disproportionate numbers , black and brown people.
” “ These are not economically disenfranchised folks , ” Zirin concluded .
“ These are small business owners , retirees , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s a complete farce.
” Zirin went on to say that , while it was fine to give critical coverage to the protests , he thought that the best thing to do would be for media to ignore them and deprive them of the attention .

MSNBC guest Dave Zirin called lockdown protesters the “Fox News nazi death cult rump of the Republican Party” — and got no pushback from host Joy Reid.
Zirin, a sports editor at The Nation, appeared on a Sunday morning panel on MSNBC’s “AM Joy” to discuss the coronavirus pandemic and recent protests aimed at reopening the economy.
WATCH:
Reid began the segment on the recent spate of protests by noting that defenders had compared them to civil rights protesters. (RELATED: Anyone Who Fails To Call Out The Suspected Mail Bomber Is Supporting Terrorism, Says Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Malcolm Nance)
“I don’t understand this idea of an inherent civil right to infect other people with coronavirus. Do you understand it?” Reid asked.
The Root’s Michael Harriot argued that the protesters were simply “angry white people,” saying, “It is this disaffected, angry, white people who are economically, they say, disenfranchised and they want their country back … The right to exist no matter how much they harm the people who are around them, the poor people, the people who are sick, the people who are suffering from a global pandemic. They don’t care, as long as they can get their paycheck. We saw that when Donald Trump was elected and we’re seeing it again now that we’re on the eve of another election.”
Reid agreed, noting the appearance of confederate flags at some of the protests, and adding, “They make it clear with the waving of confederate flags, it’s not like they’re hiding it under a bushel. It would be more direct and open to chant, ‘Let us infect you,’ because that’s what they’re saying. We’re in a bunch, we’re not social distancing, we could be passing this virus around here. So let us come back to work and infect y’all.”
“No, they’ve gone from all lives matter to no lives matter,” Zirin said. “These folks are — let’s be honest of what they are. They are the Fox News Nazi confederate death cult rump of the Republican Party. Their very existence is a slap in the face, not only to the health care workers on the front lines risking their lives every single day, but also a slap in the face of the people who are dying from this virus in disproportionate numbers, black and brown people.”
“These are not economically disenfranchised folks,” Zirin concluded. “These are small business owners, retirees, they want their workers sent back to work. It’s a complete farce.”
Zirin went on to say that, while it was fine to give critical coverage to the protests, he thought that the best thing to do would be for media to ignore them and deprive them of the attention.


thedailycaller--2020-04-19--Trudeau Government Funding Research Project That’s Partnering With Chinese Lab Where COVID-19 May Ha

Trudeau Government Funding Research Project That’s Partnering With Chinese Lab Where COVID-19 May Have Started

Canada ’ s Trudeau government is reportedly funding a University of Alberta project that is collaborating with the Wuhan Institute of Virology — the Chinese lab that may have spawned the coronavirus .
The federal government has provided an $ 828,000 grant to professor Le Xiaochun , who is an environmental toxicology researcher at the Edmonton , Alberta academic facility , the Globe and Mail reported Saturday .
President Donald Trump said Friday he will end federal funding established by his predecessor , President Barack Obama in 2015 , for the Chinese lab .
Numerous reports have cited the lab @ @ @ @ @ @ @ originated and was subsequently leaked to the local community — wreaking a devastating loss in human lives .
( RELATED : 3M Will Send China-Produced Respirators To Canada For COVID-19 Crisis ) At the daily coronavirus task force news conference , the president was asked why the National Institutes of Health was including the Chinese laboratory in a $ 3.7 million dollar stipend to conduct research .
Prof.
Le ’ s research team is working with scientists from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in an effort to create coronavirus detection procedures that would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Virology for verification .
The Trudeau government has not explained why , with all the controversy surrounding it , the Wuhan lab was named as a partner in the research project .
( RELATED : Trudeau Sent 17 Tons Of Coronavirus Protective Supplies To China — Now Canada Running Low ) Funding for the initiative is provided by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research ( CIHR ) , via Canadian Health Minister Patty Hajdu .
Hajdu has been a vocal critic of those who did not accept China ’ s early estimates of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who questioned that data of spreading “ conspiracy ” theories .
“ There is no indication that the data that came out of China in terms of their infection rate , and their death rate , was falsified in any way , ” she told reporters in Ottawa .
Hajdu ’ s spokesman , Cole Davidson , told the Globe and Mail that all CIHR projects are subject to a “ rigorous peer review ” by “ expert scientists in an impartial , objective and fair manner .
”

Canada’s Trudeau government is reportedly funding a University of Alberta project that is collaborating with the Wuhan Institute of Virology — the Chinese lab that may have spawned the coronavirus.
The federal government has provided an $828,000 grant to professor Le Xiaochun, who is an environmental toxicology researcher at the Edmonton, Alberta academic facility, the Globe and Mail reported Saturday.
President Donald Trump said Friday he will end federal funding established by his predecessor, President Barack Obama in 2015, for the Chinese lab. Numerous reports have cited the lab as the place where the COVID-19 virus originated and was subsequently leaked to the local community — wreaking a devastating loss in human lives.(RELATED: 3M Will Send China-Produced Respirators To Canada For COVID-19 Crisis)
At the daily coronavirus task force news conference, the president was asked why the National Institutes of Health was including the Chinese laboratory in a $3.7 million dollar stipend to conduct research.
Prof. Le’s research team is working with scientists from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in an effort to create coronavirus detection procedures that would be provided to the Wuhan Institute of Virology for verification.
The Trudeau government has not explained why, with all the controversy surrounding it, the Wuhan lab was named as a partner in the research project. (RELATED: Trudeau Sent 17 Tons Of Coronavirus Protective Supplies To China — Now Canada Running Low)
Funding for the initiative is provided by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), via Canadian Health Minister Patty Hajdu. Hajdu has been a vocal critic of those who did not accept China’s early estimates of its coronavirus deaths, accusing a journalist who questioned that data of spreading “conspiracy” theories.
“There is no indication that the data that came out of China in terms of their infection rate, and their death rate, was falsified in any way,” she told reporters in Ottawa.
Hajdu’s spokesman, Cole Davidson, told the Globe and Mail that all CIHR projects are subject to a “rigorous peer review” by “expert scientists in an impartial, objective and fair manner.”


thedailycaller--2020-04-19--NYC Has Formed A Coronavirus Anti-Discrimination Response Team

New York City , the focal point of the coronavirus crisis within the United States , has formed a task force to specifically handle coronavirus-related discrimination claims .
In light of hundreds of discrimination complaints based on COVID-19 fears , New York City ’ s Commission on Human Rights said it has formed a task force to process the reports , according to the Wall Street Journal .
The commission can transfer a complaint to the NYPD Hate Crime Task Force if it determines the incident constitutes a hate crime .
“ The response team came together because we saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in after this pandemic started , ” Sapna Raj , deputy commissioner of the commission ’ s law enforcement bureau , said to the Wall Street Journal .
“ We realized we needed to respond rapidly to unique issues that New Yorkers were facing , ” Raj continued .
The commission says it formed the task force in early April to manage the influx of reports , which included complaints about employment or housing discrimination based on age , race , disability , and immigration status .
Some calls , for example , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immune systems whose landlords were restricting deliveries of groceries .
The commission garnered 105 calls about anti-Asian incidents between Feb. 1 and April 26 .
As comparison , only five such cases were reported during the same time frame last year .
Manjusha P. Kulkarni , the executive director of the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council , believes many in the Asian community are hesitant to report such instances , and that New York City is likely indicative of what ’ s taking place across the United States .
( RELATED : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More Than Any Other Event In Recent History ) “ Even though the numbers are small overall , I think it ’ s an indication of what we ’ re seeing across the country , ” Kulkarni stated .
“ All those efforts are important to get a better understanding of the problem.
” New York has more coronavirus cases than any other state in the country .
As of Sunday , the state reported more than 236,700 positive cases , and more than 13,300 deaths .
In New York City specifically , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus-related illnesses .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

New York City, the focal point of the coronavirus crisis within the United States, has formed a task force to specifically handle coronavirus-related discrimination claims.
In light of hundreds of discrimination complaints based on COVID-19 fears, New York City’s Commission on Human Rights said it has formed a task force to process the reports, according to the Wall Street Journal. The commission can transfer a complaint to the NYPD Hate Crime Task Force if it determines the incident constitutes a hate crime.
“The response team came together because we saw that we had so many inquiries coming in after this pandemic started,” Sapna Raj, deputy commissioner of the commission’s law enforcement bureau, said to the Wall Street Journal.
“We realized we needed to respond rapidly to unique issues that New Yorkers were facing,” Raj continued.
Since the beginning of February, the city’s Commission on Human Rights has received 248 complaints regarding coronavirus-related discrimination. Most of these complaints were lodged in March and April, and roughly 42% of them were about anti-Asian discrimination specifically.
The commission says it formed the task force in early April to manage the influx of reports, which included complaints about employment or housing discrimination based on age, race, disability, and immigration status. Some calls, for example, included handicapped individuals or those with compromised immune systems whose landlords were restricting deliveries of groceries. The commission garnered 105 calls about anti-Asian incidents between Feb. 1 and April 26. As comparison, only five such cases were reported during the same time frame last year.
Manjusha P. Kulkarni, the executive director of the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council, believes many in the Asian community are hesitant to report such instances, and that New York City is likely indicative of what’s taking place across the United States. (RELATED: Study: Coronavirus Has Reduced Fatal Crashes More Than Any Other Event In Recent History)
“Even though the numbers are small overall, I think it’s an indication of what we’re seeing across the country,” Kulkarni stated. “All those efforts are important to get a better understanding of the problem.”
New York has more coronavirus cases than any other state in the country. As of Sunday, the state reported more than 236,700 positive cases, and more than 13,300 deaths. In New York City specifically, more than 8,600 people have died from coronavirus-related illnesses.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.


thedailycaller--2020-04-19--Trump Warns That Chris Wallace, Fox News Are ‘On A Bad Path’ After Pelosi Interview

President Donald Trump once again lashed out at Fox News and its flagship weekend host Chris Wallace in a tweet Sunday , saying that the network is on a “ bad path ” after an interview with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi .
“ Nervous Nancy is an inherently ‘ dumb ’ person .
She wasted all of her time on the Impeachment Hoax .
She will be overthrown , either by inside or out , just like her last time as ‘ Speaker , ' ” Trump said .
The president has repeatedly gone after the Fox News host .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wallace : Taylor Testimony ‘ Very Damaging ’ To Trump ) This tweet also comes after Trump attacked another longtime conservative media figure , Matt Drudge , in a tweet on Saturday .
“ I gave up on Drudge ( a really nice guy ) long ago , as have many others .
People are dropping off like flies !
” Trump said .
Drudge , in a rare move , responded in a statement to CNN , saying , “ The past 30 days has been the most eyeballs in Drudge Report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it has been under such tragic circumstances .
”

President Donald Trump once again lashed out at Fox News and its flagship weekend host Chris Wallace in a tweet Sunday, saying that the network is on a “bad path” after an interview with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
“Nervous Nancy is an inherently ‘dumb’ person. She wasted all of her time on the Impeachment Hoax. She will be overthrown, either by inside or out, just like her last time as ‘Speaker,'” Trump said.
“Wallace & @FoxNews are on a bad path, watch!”
Nervous Nancy is an inherently “dumb” person. She wasted all of her time on the Impeachment Hoax. She will be overthrown, either by inside or out, just like her last time as “Speaker”. Wallace & @FoxNews are on a bad path, watch! https://t.co/nkEj5YeRjb — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 19, 2020
The president has repeatedly gone after the Fox News host. (RELATED: Fox News’ Chris Wallace: Taylor Testimony ‘Very Damaging’ To Trump)
This tweet also comes after Trump attacked another longtime conservative media figure, Matt Drudge, in a tweet on Saturday.
“I gave up on Drudge (a really nice guy) long ago, as have many others. People are dropping off like flies!” Trump said.
Drudge, in a rare move, responded in a statement to CNN, saying, “The past 30 days has been the most eyeballs in Drudge Report’s 26 year-history. Heartbreaking that it has been under such tragic circumstances.”


thedailycaller--2020-04-19--Unfit To Print Episode 48: Trump Unloads On Media During Coronavirus Briefing

President Donald Trump took the fight directly to the media this week , playing a video of all of their @ @ @ @ @ outbreak and showing all of the steps the Trump administration has taken to try to @ @ @ @ @ accused the president of playing “ propaganda , ” while CBS News ’ Paula Reid @ @ @ @ @ had a “ gap ” where they didn ’ t take any action in February @ @ @ @ @ ” host Amber Athey shares the list of actions taken in February and more of @ @ @ @ @ bias in this week ’ s episode .
Thanks for watching and check out past @ @ @ @ @ Unfit to Print , then check out Amber ’ s work at Spectator USA .
@ @ @ @ @ a three-month free subscription HERE .
Use the promo code AMBER !

President Donald Trump took the fight directly to the media this week, playing a video of all of their poor coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and showing all of the steps the Trump administration has taken to try to mitigate the pandemic.
CNN accused the president of playing “propaganda,” while CBS News’ Paula Reid falsely claimed that the administration had a “gap” where they didn’t take any action in February. “Unfit to Print” host Amber Athey shares the list of actions taken in February and more of the biggest stories of media bias in this week’s episode.
LISTEN:
LISTEN:
WATCH:
Thanks for watching and check out past episodes:
Unfit To Print Episode 47: CBS News’ Viral Weeping Nurse Video Debunked
Unfit To Print Episode 46: MyPillow’s Mike Lindell Punches Back At Jim Acosta
Unfit To Print Episode 45: Media Blames Trump For Man Eating Fish Tank Cleaner
If you like Unfit to Print, then check out Amber’s work at Spectator USA. They’re currently offering a three-month free subscription HERE. Use the promo code AMBER!


thedailycaller--2020-04-19--NBC News Reporter: Trump Is ‘Leader Of Resistance Against His Own Policies’

NBC News White House correspondent Peter Alexander said President Donald Trump Sunday is “ the leader of the resistance against his own policies.
” Trump is opposing his own coronavirus guidelines by tweeting “ Liberate ” to several states and backing protests there , Alexander said on NBC News ’ “ Meet the Press.
” “ I ’ m struck by the continued mixed messaging by this administration here .
Consider the president with the ‘ liberate tweets ’ about Minnesota , Michigan and Virginia , all three states with Democratic governors , all three states are battlegrounds , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Says He ’ ll End Obama-Era Funding To Chinese Lab That May Have Spawned Coronavirus ) “ You have the president as the leader of the resistance against his own policies .
Right ?
The bottom line is , he ’ s back and forth once again on this issue .
One day , he claims total authority .
The next day , he ’ s blaming the governors .
They put out the guidelines — the day after that , he says , ‘ Hey , we need to remove the guidelines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The past week saw protests in Michigan , Virginia , Kentucky , North Carolina and Texas aimed at reversing stay-at-home orders that many see as a violation of basic civil liberties .
Alexander described Trump as “ this me president and what is best described as a we crisis ” who is claiming credit for issuing standardized COVID-19 isolation guidelines while pushing the states to begin to reopen their economies by his May 1 deadline .
( RELATED : Governor Said He Tried To Call Trump , Pence To Find Out What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He ’ s trying to move the economy on , get things back to normal life [ but ] is now casting the blame for perceived failures on testing and other issues , if the economy isn ’ t to come back quick enough , on the governors here.
” Alexander suggested Trump should adopt a more globalist perspective and develop a “ sense of togetherness right now .
Acting selflessly , working together with other nations including , frankly , the World Health Organization.
” Trump announced last week that he is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Organization because of criticism that the organization has been little more than a mouthpiece and apologist for China throughout the coronavirus pandemic .
Trump has said the decision to reopen the country is “ the biggest ” that he has ever been faced with .

NBC News White House correspondent Peter Alexander said President Donald Trump Sunday is “the leader of the resistance against his own policies.”
Trump is opposing his own coronavirus guidelines by tweeting “Liberate” to several states and backing protests there, Alexander said on NBC News’ “Meet the Press.”
“I’m struck by the continued mixed messaging by this administration here. Consider the president with the ‘liberate tweets’ about Minnesota, Michigan and Virginia, all three states with Democratic governors, all three states are battlegrounds,” Alexander noted. (RELATED: Trump Says He’ll End Obama-Era Funding To Chinese Lab That May Have Spawned Coronavirus)
“You have the president as the leader of the resistance against his own policies. Right? The bottom line is, he’s back and forth once again on this issue. One day, he claims total authority. The next day, he’s blaming the governors. They put out the guidelines — the day after that, he says, ‘Hey, we need to remove the guidelines,’ in effect in those places.”
The past week saw protests in Michigan, Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina and Texas aimed at reversing stay-at-home orders that many see as a violation of basic civil liberties.
Alexander described Trump as “this me president and what is best described as a we crisis” who is claiming credit for issuing standardized COVID-19 isolation guidelines while pushing the states to begin to reopen their economies by his May 1 deadline. (RELATED: Governor Said He Tried To Call Trump, Pence To Find Out What ‘Liberate Minnesota’ Means)
“He’s trying to move the economy on, get things back to normal life [but] is now casting the blame for perceived failures on testing and other issues, if the economy isn’t to come back quick enough, on the governors here.”
Alexander suggested Trump should adopt a more globalist perspective and develop a “sense of togetherness right now. Acting selflessly, working together with other nations including, frankly, the World Health Organization.”
Trump announced last week that he is suspending all federal funding to the World Health Organization because of criticism that the organization has been little more than a mouthpiece and apologist for China throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
Trump has said the decision to reopen the country is “the biggest” that he has ever been faced with.


thedailycaller--2020-04-19--Dan Crenshaw Squares Off With Bill Maher Over Trump Response To Coronavirus

Republican Texas Rep. Dan Crenshaw stood his ground as comedian Bill Maher claimed that President Donald Trump had slow-rolled the nation ’ s response to coronavirus .
Crenshaw appeared Friday on “ Real Time with Bill Maher , ” and addressed everything from the federal response timeline to what House Democrats — led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi — had been doing at the time .
Maher began by claiming that Trump had been warned in January that the novel coronavirus was going to be a problem , but Crenshaw quickly countered by pointing out that Trump had implemented the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RELATED : ‘ We Should Blame China ’ : Bill Maher Unloads On People Tip-Toeing Around Coronavirus Origins ) “ Two days later he implemented a restrictive travel ban from China which he was widely criticized for , ” Crenshaw said , adding , “ That same day , on January 31st , Nancy Pelosi proposed the ‘ No Ban Act , ’ which would be congressional limitation on what President Trump is actually able to do with that travel restriction.
” Maher responded by arguing that thousands of people had still been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from China after the ban was put into place .
“ He lies about that , ” Maher said .
“ He said he stopped people coming in from China and he did not.
” “ Look , let me address that , ” Crenshaw jumped in , pointing out the fact that the people who had been allowed to travel from China after the ban was put into place were American citizens .
“ U.S .
citizens , ” he repeated , saying , “ So you have to make the argument @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them in.
” “ It sounds to me like you ’ re fully agreeing with President Trump on this when everybody else disagreed with him , ” Crenshaw continued as Maher visibly recoiled .
“ And if you ’ re saying that you wish that travel restriction had been more extreme , okay fine , you apparently had the foresight when nobody else did .
The fact is that if Joe Biden was in charge at that moment , he ’ s already said he wouldn ’ t have done it , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pelosi actually proposed legislation to stop it.
” “ Okay , but people are still coming in from China , ” Maher said as he tried to redirect the conversation to what the federal government had been doing during the month of February .
Crenshaw responded by pointing out that much of February had been spent not making the bold policy moves but developing the necessary tests that would later be in demand .
“ We were in a fact-finding mode in February , and people forget this , ” Crenshaw explained .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ month , it ’ s really not .
It ’ s just an easy , cheap accusation because there ’ s no big bold moves taken like there was in January or like there was in March , ” Crenshaw continued .
“ But the reality is , the government was working to create that test .
Did it work as fast as we would like ?
Of course not , and there ’ s a lot of reasons for that.
” Crenshaw went on to note that , as of March 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases in the U.S. — and suggested that even if the going recommendation from the experts had been a full lockdown , Americans would not have accepted it at that point in time .

Republican Texas Rep. Dan Crenshaw stood his ground as comedian Bill Maher claimed that President Donald Trump had slow-rolled the nation’s response to coronavirus.
Crenshaw appeared Friday on “Real Time with Bill Maher,” and addressed everything from the federal response timeline to what House Democrats — led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi — had been doing at the time.
WATCH:
Bill Maher gets REKT without the high production spell that is Hollywood. No phony studio audience to save him. Great job by @DanCrenshawTX. pic.twitter.com/FWBgGsYJnO — Austen Fletcher (@fleccas) April 19, 2020
Maher began by claiming that Trump had been warned in January that the novel coronavirus was going to be a problem, but Crenshaw quickly countered by pointing out that Trump had implemented the Chinese travel ban within days. (RELATED: ‘We Should Blame China’: Bill Maher Unloads On People Tip-Toeing Around Coronavirus Origins)
“Two days later he implemented a restrictive travel ban from China which he was widely criticized for,” Crenshaw said, adding, “That same day, on January 31st, Nancy Pelosi proposed the ‘No Ban Act,’ which would be congressional limitation on what President Trump is actually able to do with that travel restriction.”
Maher responded by arguing that thousands of people had still been allowed to travel to the United States from China after the ban was put into place. “He lies about that,” Maher said. “He said he stopped people coming in from China and he did not.”
“Look, let me address that,” Crenshaw jumped in, pointing out the fact that the people who had been allowed to travel from China after the ban was put into place were American citizens. “U.S. citizens,” he repeated, saying, “So you have to make the argument then that we shouldn’t allow them in.”
“It sounds to me like you’re fully agreeing with President Trump on this when everybody else disagreed with him,”Crenshaw continued as Maher visibly recoiled. “And if you’re saying that you wish that travel restriction had been more extreme, okay fine, you apparently had the foresight when nobody else did. The fact is that if Joe Biden was in charge at that moment, he’s already said he wouldn’t have done it, he criticized it at the time. Nancy Pelosi actually proposed legislation to stop it.”
“Okay, but people are still coming in from China,” Maher said as he tried to redirect the conversation to what the federal government had been doing during the month of February.
Crenshaw responded by pointing out that much of February had been spent not making the bold policy moves but developing the necessary tests that would later be in demand.
“We were in a fact-finding mode in February, and people forget this,” Crenshaw explained.
“We weren’t!” Maher protested, but Crenshaw continued.
“You keep calling February this lost month, it’s really not. It’s just an easy, cheap accusation because there’s no big bold moves taken like there was in January or like there was in March,” Crenshaw continued. “But the reality is, the government was working to create that test. Did it work as fast as we would like? Of course not, and there’s a lot of reasons for that.”
Crenshaw went on to note that, as of March 3, there were still just over 100 cases in the U.S. — and suggested that even if the going recommendation from the experts had been a full lockdown, Americans would not have accepted it at that point in time.
WATCH the full segment here:


thedailycaller--2020-04-19--McClatchy ‘Taking A Close Look’ At Its Cohen-Prague Reports In Wake Of New Evidence

McClatchy news service says it is reviewing two reports published in 2018 that claimed to validate a key part of the infamous Steele dossier after declassified information showed that Russian operatives may have fed disinformation to dossier author Christopher Steele .
“ We are taking a close look at this new information and will update or correct our story based on its merits .
Until then , we continue to stand by our reporting , ” McClatchy said in a statement to The Washington Post ’ s Erik Wemple .
Greg Gordon and Peter Stone , the two McClatchy reporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quick to concede problems with their reports .
“ We will stand by the information that we reported concerning Michael Cohen ’ s alleged trip to Prague unless clear evidence demonstrates that it is false , ” Gordon and Stone told Wemple .
The two journalists reported on April 13 , 2018 and Dec. 27 , 2018 , that the special counsel ’ s office received evidence that former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen ’ s cell phone was tracked to the Prague area in Summer 2016 .
If true , the stories would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s most explosive allegations of collusion between Trump associates and the Kremlin .
Steele , a former MI6 officer , wrote in his dossier that Cohen visited Prague in August 2016 to meet with Kremlin insiders to discuss paying off Russian hackers .
( RELATED : FBI Received Evidence Of Russian Disinformation In Steele Dossier ) The McClatchy reports were viewed with some skepticism in journalism circles because of the vague sourcing in the reports , and because other news outlets could not independently verify the bombshell allegation .
But Trump critics and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence of a conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russian government to influence the 2016 election .
The stories suffered their first heavy blow with the April 18 , 2019 release of the special counsel ’ s report , which stated that Cohen did not visit Prague .
McClatchy only made one slight concession following the release of that report .
The company attached editor ’ s notes saying that the special counsel ’ s report noted that Cohen did not visit Prague .
But the company said that the special counsel was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cohen ’ s phone pinged a cell tower near Prague .
The reports suffered a heavier blow on April 10 with the declassification of footnotes from the Justice Department inspector general ’ s report of the FBI ’ s probe of the Trump campaign .
One footnote said that the FBI received evidence on Jan. 12 , 2017 that the Cohen story was the product of a Russian disinformation campaign .
The footnotes also said that the U.S. intelligence community had evidence that two Russian intelligence officers were aware as early as July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign .
Steele ’ s firm , Orbis Business Intelligence , has declined comment on the new revelations .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

McClatchy news service says it is reviewing two reports published in 2018 that claimed to validate a key part of the infamous Steele dossier after declassified information showed that Russian operatives may have fed disinformation to dossier author Christopher Steele.
“We are taking a close look at this new information and will update or correct our story based on its merits. Until then, we continue to stand by our reporting,” McClatchy said in a statement to The Washington Post’s Erik Wemple.
Greg Gordon and Peter Stone, the two McClatchy reporters behind the stories, were not as quick to concede problems with their reports.
“We will stand by the information that we reported concerning Michael Cohen’s alleged trip to Prague unless clear evidence demonstrates that it is false,” Gordon and Stone told Wemple.
The two journalists reported on April 13, 2018 and Dec. 27, 2018, that the special counsel’s office received evidence that former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen’s cell phone was tracked to the Prague area in Summer 2016.
If true, the stories would have bolstered one of the Steele’s most explosive allegations of collusion between Trump associates and the Kremlin.
Steele, a former MI6 officer, wrote in his dossier that Cohen visited Prague in August 2016 to meet with Kremlin insiders to discuss paying off Russian hackers. (RELATED: FBI Received Evidence Of Russian Disinformation In Steele Dossier)
The McClatchy reports were viewed with some skepticism in journalism circles because of the vague sourcing in the reports, and because other news outlets could not independently verify the bombshell allegation.
But Trump critics and Steele defenders continued citing the stories as evidence of a conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russian government to influence the 2016 election.
The stories suffered their first heavy blow with the April 18, 2019 release of the special counsel’s report, which stated that Cohen did not visit Prague.
McClatchy only made one slight concession following the release of that report. The company attached editor’s notes saying that the special counsel’s report noted that Cohen did not visit Prague.
But the company said that the special counsel was “silent” on the claim that Cohen’s phone pinged a cell tower near Prague.
The reports suffered a heavier blow on April 10 with the declassification of footnotes from the Justice Department inspector general’s report of the FBI’s probe of the Trump campaign.
One footnote said that the FBI received evidence on Jan. 12, 2017 that the Cohen story was the product of a Russian disinformation campaign. The footnotes also said that the U.S. intelligence community had evidence that two Russian intelligence officers were aware as early as July 2016 that Steele was investigating the Trump campaign.
Steele’s firm, Orbis Business Intelligence, has declined comment on the new revelations.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.