bipartisanreport--2020-08-14--Government Watchdog Rules Top Trump Goons Were Appointed Illegally

The Government Accountability Office ( GAO ) , which is an independent watchdog agency in the federal government , has concluded that two currently serving top Trump goons were appointed illegally .
The goons in question are Chad Wolf , who is the current acting Secretary of Homeland Security , and Ken Cuccinelli , who is currently serving in the department ’ s number two role , as the Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security .
( He also serves as the acting chief of U.S .
Citizenship and Immigration Services , or USCIS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Homeland Security role that the GAO ’ s new report covers . )
The GAO concluded that they are improperly in their roles in light of their concurrent conclusion that Wolf ’ s predecessor , Kevin McAleenan , improperly assumed the role of acting Secretary of Homeland Security after the resignation of the last Senate-confirmed individual to serve in the role , Kirstjen Nielsen .
He circumvented the established order of succession at the department when he assumed the position .
Thus , the changes to the order of succession that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wolf and Cuccinelli to serve in the top two department roles are themselves invalid , the GAO concluded .
America ’ s Voice ’ s Ur Jaddou , who actually worked at USCIS in the Obama era , explained to Axios that the GAO ’ s report “ could be important evidence in litigation over policies enacted under Wolf and Cuccinelli ’ s leadership , ” as the outlet summarizes .
The Government Accountability Office has referred the case to the inspector general overseeing the Department of Homeland Security for further review , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legality of other actions taken by these officials.
” A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told Axios that they “ wholeheartedly disagree with the GAO ’ s baseless report and plan to issue a formal response to this shortly , ” but it ’ s not as though they can simply wish the relevant legislation out of existence .
Rep. Bennie G. Thompson ( D-MS ) and Rep. Carolyn Maloney ( D-N.Y. ) , who are the chairpersons of the House Homeland Security and Oversight Committees , respectively , are the ones who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On Friday , they said : The leaders also insisted that Wolf and Cuccinelli should both step aside from the top leadership roles at the department .
As they put it : ‘ In light of this decision , Mr. Wolf should immediately step down and return to his Senate-confirmed position as Under Secretary for Strategy , Policy , and Plans… As for Mr. Cuccinelli , a political pundit plucked by the President to serve in multiple senior roles at DHS for which he is woefully unqualified , he should immediately resign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unprofessional official Twitter account.
’ The next steps in the situation are unclear ; the GAO ’ s conclusion is not legally binding , but as CNN notes , there are “ pending [ court ] cases challenging the appointments of Wolf and Cuccinelli .
”

The Government Accountability Office (GAO), which is an independent watchdog agency in the federal government, has concluded that two currently serving top Trump goons were appointed illegally. The goons in question are Chad Wolf, who is the current acting Secretary of Homeland Security, and Ken Cuccinelli, who is currently serving in the department’s number two role, as the Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security. (He also serves as the acting chief of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS, but it’s his other Department of Homeland Security role that the GAO’s new report covers.)
BREAKING: Acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf (and Ken Cucinelli) are ineligible to be serving in their current roles because they were appointed illegally, the GAO rules. https://t.co/vArKU3fanr pic.twitter.com/KWTie460Vg — Harry Cramer (@HarrisonCramer) August 14, 2020
The GAO concluded that they are improperly in their roles in light of their concurrent conclusion that Wolf’s predecessor, Kevin McAleenan, improperly assumed the role of acting Secretary of Homeland Security after the resignation of the last Senate-confirmed individual to serve in the role, Kirstjen Nielsen. He circumvented the established order of succession at the department when he assumed the position. Thus, the changes to the order of succession that he made to pave the way for Wolf and Cuccinelli to serve in the top two department roles are themselves invalid, the GAO concluded.
America’s Voice’s Ur Jaddou, who actually worked at USCIS in the Obama era, explained to Axios that the GAO’s report “could be important evidence in litigation over policies enacted under Wolf and Cuccinelli’s leadership,” as the outlet summarizes. The Government Accountability Office has referred the case to the inspector general overseeing the Department of Homeland Security for further review, including on the question of “the legality of other actions taken by these officials.”
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told Axios that they “wholeheartedly disagree with the GAO’s baseless report and plan to issue a formal response to this shortly,” but it’s not as though they can simply wish the relevant legislation out of existence.
Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) and Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), who are the chairpersons of the House Homeland Security and Oversight Committees, respectively, are the ones who first requested the review from the GAO. On Friday, they said:
‘GAO’s damning opinion paints a disturbing picture of the Trump Administration playing fast and loose by bypassing the Senate confirmation process to install ideologues. In its haste to circumvent Congress’s constitutional role in confirming the government’s top officials to deliver on the President’s radical agenda, the Administration violated the Department’s order of succession, as required by law.’
The leaders also insisted that Wolf and Cuccinelli should both step aside from the top leadership roles at the department. As they put it:
‘In light of this decision, Mr. Wolf should immediately step down and return to his Senate-confirmed position as Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans… As for Mr. Cuccinelli, a political pundit plucked by the President to serve in multiple senior roles at DHS for which he is woefully unqualified, he should immediately resign from the Federal government and retire his unprofessional official Twitter account.’
The next steps in the situation are unclear; the GAO’s conclusion is not legally binding, but as CNN notes, there are “pending [court] cases challenging the appointments of Wolf and Cuccinelli.”


bipartisanreport--2020-08-14--Trump Rage Tweets About ‘Crooked Hillary’ & ‘Fake Dossier’ Like It’s 2016

President Donald Trump continues to seem unable to take even the slightest amount of scrutiny .
Longtime journalist Bob Woodward has a new book about the Trump administration coming out on September 25 , and this Friday afternoon , Trump freaked out on Twitter about it .
Sure , there ’ s a raging economic crisis unfolding across the country amidst the public health devastation of the Coronavirus pandemic — but Trump seems to be spending his time highly , highly concerned about the way that he ’ s depicted in a book .
Trump called the book — which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , since it ’ s not out — “ fake , ” although he himself got interviewed by Woodward during the book ’ s preparation .
Why on earth did he sit for an interview if he thought the book was going to be “ fake ” ?
Where on earth does this dubiously alleged “ fakeness ” come from if Woodward ’ s book simply reports the facts of the Trump administration , including what the president himself has said ?
There is not some “ fake news ” conspiracy to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prefers engaging in this theatrical nonsense to actually engaging with the substantive issues at hand .
‘ Everybody does phony books on Donald Trump and Republicans , just like the Fake Dossier , which turned out to be a total fraud perpetrated by Crooked Hillary Clinton and the DNC .
The Bob Woodward book will be a FAKE , as always , just as many of the others have been .
But , believe it or not , lately I ’ ve been getting lots of GREAT books !
’ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earth can anyone see this outrageously self-obsessed excuse for a president and see anything but ridiclousness ?
On Thursday , one prominent tally reports that over 1,200 new Coronavirus deaths among Americans were reported .
The disease is fundamentally preventable , and what ’ s Trump concerned about ?
How he ’ s depicted in books !
Check out Twitter ’ s response to Trump below :

President Donald Trump continues to seem unable to take even the slightest amount of scrutiny. Longtime journalist Bob Woodward has a new book about the Trump administration coming out on September 25, and this Friday afternoon, Trump freaked out on Twitter about it. Sure, there’s a raging economic crisis unfolding across the country amidst the public health devastation of the Coronavirus pandemic — but Trump seems to be spending his time highly, highly concerned about the way that he’s depicted in a book.
Trump called the book — which he obviously hasn’t even read, since it’s not out — “fake,” although he himself got interviewed by Woodward during the book’s preparation. Why on earth did he sit for an interview if he thought the book was going to be “fake”? Where on earth does this dubiously alleged “fakeness” come from if Woodward’s book simply reports the facts of the Trump administration, including what the president himself has said? There is not some “fake news” conspiracy to make the president look bad. Trump just prefers engaging in this theatrical nonsense to actually engaging with the substantive issues at hand.
He tweeted:
‘Everybody does phony books on Donald Trump and Republicans, just like the Fake Dossier, which turned out to be a total fraud perpetrated by Crooked Hillary Clinton and the DNC. The Bob Woodward book will be a FAKE, as always, just as many of the others have been. But, believe it or not, lately I’ve been getting lots of GREAT books!’
…The Bob Woodward book will be a FAKE, as always, just as many of the others have been. But, believe it or not, lately I’ve been getting lots of GREAT books! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 14, 2020
It’s been said before, but how on earth can anyone see this outrageously self-obsessed excuse for a president and see anything but ridiclousness? On Thursday, one prominent tally reports that over 1,200 new Coronavirus deaths among Americans were reported. The disease is fundamentally preventable, and what’s Trump concerned about? How he’s depicted in books!
Check out Twitter’s response to Trump below:


bipartisanreport--2020-08-14--Trump Declares Himself Best President For Women In ‘History’

In three and a half years , Donald Trump has barely registered gains in women ’ s unemployment and poverty rates , appointed Supreme Court justices dedicated to curbing their reproductive rights , tried to take away their healthcare protections under the Affordable Care Act , and repeatedly said vile and sexist things about women in Congress and the media who dare to speak out against him .
That ’ s okay , he says .
He ’ ll give women a statue .
That should shut them up .
Trump has repeatedly bragged about jobs numbers for women under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unemployment at it ’ s lowest point in history .
While that ’ s true , it doesn ’ t tell the whole story .
It doesn ’ t even tell about 20 percent of the story , actually , because that ’ s how much the unemployment rate has fallen under Trump compared to Obama .
In 2011 , at the height of the economic crash following 2009 , women ’ s unemployment was at a high of 9.0 percent .
In 2017 , when President Obama left office , it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points .
Under Trump , it ’ s down to 3.6 percent .
For anyone counting , that ’ s a drop of 1.1 percent compared to 4.3 percent .
‘ Even as Trump keeps crowing that women ’ s unemployment rate is at historic lows , it is important to note that working full-time does not inoculate women and their families from economic hardship .
NWLC analysis of the most recent data show that nearly one in six full-time workers struggled to make ends meet with a household income less than twice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of color are twice as likely as workers overall to face economic insecurity.
’ But of course , the status of women in this country isn ’ t solely related to having a job .
In addition to barely registering gains in women ’ s employment , Trump has also appointed Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court , two white men opposed to women having reproductive rights , issued a global gag rule that prevents women in third world countries from access to reproductive rights , praised a SCOTUS decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to decide whether she can have birth control covered by her insurance , curbed protections for survivors of sexual abuse on college campuses , and locked undocumented immigrant women in detention centers where they reported numerous instances of sexual abuse .
That new statue won ’ t fix any of that .
Twitter wasn ’ t impressed with Trump ’ s promises of “ a beautiful statue , ” either .
Most of them want the right to vote safely , a right Trump is working to undermine .
Read some of their @ @ @

In three and a half years, Donald Trump has barely registered gains in women’s unemployment and poverty rates, appointed Supreme Court justices dedicated to curbing their reproductive rights, tried to take away their healthcare protections under the Affordable Care Act, and repeatedly said vile and sexist things about women in Congress and the media who dare to speak out against him.
That’s okay, he says. He’ll give women a statue. That should shut them up.
Trump has repeatedly bragged about jobs numbers for women under his administration, with women’s unemployment at it’s lowest point in history. While that’s true, it doesn’t tell the whole story. It doesn’t even tell about 20 percent of the story, actually, because that’s how much the unemployment rate has fallen under Trump compared to Obama.
In 2011, at the height of the economic crash following 2009, women’s unemployment was at a high of 9.0 percent. In 2017, when President Obama left office, it was 4.7 percent, a drop of 4.3 points. Under Trump, it’s down to 3.6 percent.
For anyone counting, that’s a drop of 1.1 percent compared to 4.3 percent.
The National Women’s Law Center notes that:
‘Even as Trump keeps crowing that women’s unemployment rate is at historic lows, it is important to note that working full-time does not inoculate women and their families from economic hardship. NWLC analysis of the most recent data show that nearly one in six full-time workers struggled to make ends meet with a household income less than twice the poverty line. Full-time working mothers of color are twice as likely as workers overall to face economic insecurity.’
But of course, the status of women in this country isn’t solely related to having a job. In addition to barely registering gains in women’s employment, Trump has also appointed Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, two white men opposed to women having reproductive rights, issued a global gag rule that prevents women in third world countries from access to reproductive rights, praised a SCOTUS decision to allow a woman’s boss to decide whether she can have birth control covered by her insurance, curbed protections for survivors of sexual abuse on college campuses, and locked undocumented immigrant women in detention centers where they reported numerous instances of sexual abuse.
That new statue won’t fix any of that.
Twitter wasn’t impressed with Trump’s promises of “a beautiful statue,” either. Most of them want the right to vote safely, a right Trump is working to undermine. Read some of their comments below:
Featured image screenshot via YouTube


bipartisanreport--2020-08-14--Obama Tweets Defiant Friday USPS Sabotage Declaration

Donald Trump is desperate to do anything to curb voter turnout because high voter turnout numbers tend to favor Democrats more than Republicans .
Although Trump has named red states with “ good systems ” for mail-in voting , he insists that universal mail-in voting , something blue states have requested during the COVID-19 pandemic , will lead to massive voter fraud .
As a result , he ’ s threatening to withhold funds from the United States Postal Service and his appointed postmaster general , a man with financial ties to a shipping company that competes with the postal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the best answer to this crisis is a president who cares about democracy and wants every eligible voter to have the option to safely cast a ballot , that president no longer lives in the White House .
The last one who did said on Friday that voting early is the best alternative as it will help to reduce long lines on Election Day , where social distancing may be less possible than during early voting .
Americans can only hope that the current resident of the White House won ’ t make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hundred different ways , but voting early or using ballot drop-off locations are the best options to safely vote in 2020 .
In addition , voting Donald Trump out of office is the best option to safely live in the United States after 2020 , so it ’ s more imperative than ever that people get out and vote in whatever way is available to them .
Twitter was happy to hear from a sane president after three and a half years of Donald Trump .
Read some of their comments below :

Donald Trump is desperate to do anything to curb voter turnout because high voter turnout numbers tend to favor Democrats more than Republicans. Although Trump has named red states with “good systems” for mail-in voting, he insists that universal mail-in voting, something blue states have requested during the COVID-19 pandemic, will lead to massive voter fraud. As a result, he’s threatening to withhold funds from the United States Postal Service and his appointed postmaster general, a man with financial ties to a shipping company that competes with the postal service, dismantles its structure.
Although the best answer to this crisis is a president who cares about democracy and wants every eligible voter to have the option to safely cast a ballot, that president no longer lives in the White House. The last one who did said on Friday that voting early is the best alternative as it will help to reduce long lines on Election Day, where social distancing may be less possible than during early voting.
Americans can only hope that the current resident of the White House won’t make attempts to suppress the vote in a hundred different ways, but voting early or using ballot drop-off locations are the best options to safely vote in 2020. In addition, voting Donald Trump out of office is the best option to safely live in the United States after 2020, so it’s more imperative than ever that people get out and vote in whatever way is available to them.
Twitter was happy to hear from a sane president after three and a half years of Donald Trump. Read some of their comments below:
Featured image screenshot via YouTube


bipartisanreport--2020-08-14--Lindsey Graham Makes Kamala Harris ‘Birther’ Statement That Will Enrage Trump

In 2008 , Barack Obama became the first black nominee on a national party presidential ticket in history .
Donald Trump went on a “ birther tour ” after he was elected to convince Republican voters that he was not eligible to be president because he was born in Kenya , a scary African place .
Trump and his supporters insisted that he wasn ’ t a natural born citizen even though he was a citizen at birth because his mother was because he was born on foreign soil .
He wasn ’ t .
He was born in Hawaii @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just wouldn ’ t accept it .
Now , Kamala Harris has become the first black woman nominee for Vice President on a national party ticket .
She was born in Oakland , California to immigrant parents who were in the country legally .
Born on American soil , Harris was legally a full U.S. citizen at birth .
Suddenly , that doesn ’ t matter to Trump ’ s supporters as much as it once did .
The birtherism argument has already begun .
On Friday , Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-SC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues with Harris as a vice presidential nominee , but that none of them are related to her citizenship status .
It ’ s noteworthy of him to say so , but hard to stomach after three and a half years of his supporter for the king of the birther movement .
Less crazed Republican lawmakers will face a deluge of supporters who buy into the conspiracy theories and make birtherism an issue in the 2020 elections .
Having to deal with that conspiracy theory is no less than Republicans deserve .
Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Graham ’ s attempt to distance himself from the crazies .
Read some of their comments below :

In 2008, Barack Obama became the first black nominee on a national party presidential ticket in history. Donald Trump went on a “birther tour” after he was elected to convince Republican voters that he was not eligible to be president because he was born in Kenya, a scary African place. Trump and his supporters insisted that he wasn’t a natural born citizen even though he was a citizen at birth because his mother was because he was born on foreign soil.
He wasn’t. He was born in Hawaii, but Trump and his racist followers just wouldn’t accept it.
Now, Kamala Harris has become the first black woman nominee for Vice President on a national party ticket. She was born in Oakland, California to immigrant parents who were in the country legally. Born on American soil, Harris was legally a full U.S. citizen at birth.
Suddenly, that doesn’t matter to Trump’s supporters as much as it once did. The birtherism argument has already begun.
On Friday, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) tweeted that he has plenty of issues with Harris as a vice presidential nominee, but that none of them are related to her citizenship status. It’s noteworthy of him to say so, but hard to stomach after three and a half years of his supporter for the king of the birther movement.
Less crazed Republican lawmakers will face a deluge of supporters who buy into the conspiracy theories and make birtherism an issue in the 2020 elections. Having to deal with that conspiracy theory is no less than Republicans deserve.
Twitter wasn’t all that grateful for Graham’s attempt to distance himself from the crazies. Read some of their comments below:
Featured image screenshot via YouTube


bipartisanreport--2020-08-14--Trump Becomes Incoherent & Delusional During New W.H. Interview

President Donald Trump has , by all appearances , delusionally high opinions of himself .
During a Thursday Oval Office interview with the New York Post , he suggested that he could win New York , which not a single Republican presidential candidate has won since Ronald Reagan in 1984 .
Trump cited recent increases in crime as supposedly helpful for his aim of winning the state , although it ’ s entirely unclear that there ’ s any evidence whatsoever suggesting that anything , crime-related or not , could fuel a potential Trump victory in the state .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by over 20 percent , and that was , of course , in a year when Dems lost many other places .
‘ Over the last six months what ’ s happened is insane .
It ’ s insane .
So we ’ re going to try very hard to win New York and that will be the first time — is that since Ronald Reagan , I guess ?
Since Ronald Reagan .
I will bring down taxes and I ’ ll make sure that New York City is a safe place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our cherished — this is a cherished diamond of this country .
And we can ’ t let this happen to New York.
’ It is important to note that , although rates of some crimes have recently increased in New York , current levels are still a far cry from the rates at which the same sorts of violent crimes were committed in New York City decades ago .
Calling the current crime levels apocalyptic and using that characterization as a justification for pointlessly broad police action is not going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meanwhile , doesn ’ t entirely seem focused on legitimately trying to solve problems , real or imaginary .
He seems motivated by political profiteering .
He claimed to the Post that his campaign will “ invest ” in the state — although again , Hillary Clinton won it by over 20 percent in 2016 — and he said : ‘ I ’ ll solve the crime problem .
I ’ ll solve their tax problem .
I ’ ll solve all their problems .
Who would not vote for me ?
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we ’ re going to look into crime , we ’ re going to look into all of the things and solve the problems — of many problems that they have in New York.
’ That ’ s where he goes with his claim that he ’ ll solve New York ’ s problems — to using his supposed solutions as leverage to pressure people to vote for him .
His comment “ who would not vote for me ?
” helps reveal , yet again , his staggering self-aggrandizement .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his administration ’ s policies .
Meanwhile , not only does Trump not have a legitimately high chance of winning New York in November , he also doesn ’ t have a particularly high chance of winning the country as a whole .
Besides his current over seven percent average losing margin to Joe Biden in national polls , electoral college estimates from sources like FiveThirtyEight and the Cook Political Report help reveal that the deck is stacked against Trump .
Americans have now had almost four years to see the chaos @ @ @ @ @ @ @

President Donald Trump has, by all appearances, delusionally high opinions of himself. During a Thursday Oval Office interview with the New York Post, he suggested that he could win New York, which not a single Republican presidential candidate has won since Ronald Reagan in 1984. Trump cited recent increases in crime as supposedly helpful for his aim of winning the state, although it’s entirely unclear that there’s any evidence whatsoever suggesting that anything, crime-related or not, could fuel a potential Trump victory in the state. In 2016, Hillary Clinton won the state by over 20 percent, and that was, of course, in a year when Dems lost many other places.
Nevertheless, Trump told the Post:
‘Over the last six months what’s happened is insane. It’s insane. So we’re going to try very hard to win New York and that will be the first time — is that since Ronald Reagan, I guess? Since Ronald Reagan. I will bring down taxes and I’ll make sure that New York City is a safe place. I mean, this is one of our cherished — this is a cherished diamond of this country. And we can’t let this happen to New York.’
It is important to note that, although rates of some crimes have recently increased in New York, current levels are still a far cry from the rates at which the same sorts of violent crimes were committed in New York City decades ago. Calling the current crime levels apocalyptic and using that characterization as a justification for pointlessly broad police action is not going to help the actual problems.
Trump, meanwhile, doesn’t entirely seem focused on legitimately trying to solve problems, real or imaginary. He seems motivated by political profiteering. He claimed to the Post that his campaign will “invest” in the state — although again, Hillary Clinton won it by over 20 percent in 2016 — and he said:
‘I’ll solve the crime problem. I’ll solve their tax problem. I’ll solve all their problems. Who would not vote for me? We’re going to look into SALT, we’re going to look into crime, we’re going to look into all of the things and solve the problems — of many problems that they have in New York.’
That’s where he goes with his claim that he’ll solve New York’s problems — to using his supposed solutions as leverage to pressure people to vote for him. His comment “who would not vote for me?” helps reveal, yet again, his staggering self-aggrandizement. He pathologically refuses to acknowledge the real problems of his administration’s policies.
Meanwhile, not only does Trump not have a legitimately high chance of winning New York in November, he also doesn’t have a particularly high chance of winning the country as a whole.
Besides his current over seven percent average losing margin to Joe Biden in national polls, electoral college estimates from sources like FiveThirtyEight and the Cook Political Report help reveal that the deck is stacked against Trump. Americans have now had almost four years to see the chaos of the Trump administration in action.


bipartisanreport--2020-08-15--Mitt Romney Stands Up To Trump Over USPS Sabotage

Donald Trump ’ s recent attempts to convince his base , successfully in some instances , that mail-in voting is rife with fraud and shouldn ’ t be expanded during the coronavirus epidemic has , at times , reached drama level .
Swearing that Democrats will rig the election , stuff ballot boxes , and have their dogs and dead grandmothers voting , Trump has denounced mail-in voting…in blue states .
On Friday , Sen. Mitt Romney ( R-UT ) criticized politicians who have spread misinformation about mail-in voting , but stopped short of calling Trump out by his name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that doesn ’ t lean toward Trump , Romney doesn ’ t risk much by criticizing him , but on this issue he spoke passionately .
In an interview with the Sutherland Institute , Romney said : ‘ I don ’ t know of any evidence that voting by mail would increase voter fraud .
My biggest concern , frankly , with regards to voting fraud has been that there would be some kind of hacking of our voting electronic systems , and that voting machines or tabulating equipment would be hacked.
’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting is “ threatening global democracy , ” and there is an increasing number of Republican lawmakers joining Trump in the practice .
His most recent attempts , which include withholding needed funds , and assisted by a postmaster general he appointed who owns financial stock in a USPS competitor , is currently under review by the New Jersey attorney general .
‘ Trump has suggested that increased mail-in voting because of the coronavirus pandemic could result in fraud and cost him reelection .
This week he acknowledged that he ’ s starving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make it harder to process the expected flood of ballots from voters who are seeking to avoid polling places.
’ Romney said that the most important thing that lawmakers should do is protect the right of American citizens to vote , and that every citizen who wishes to cast a ballot should do so .
It was a far cry from the recent attacks on democracy by the current occupant of the White House .
‘ That ’ s more important than even the outcome of the vote .
We have got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the trend we ’ re on is going to continue to get worse .
When politicians attack a judicial system , attack a voting system , attack a free press , these things threaten the foundation upon which not only our own democracy rests but democracies around the world rest .
’

Donald Trump’s recent attempts to convince his base, successfully in some instances, that mail-in voting is rife with fraud and shouldn’t be expanded during the coronavirus epidemic has, at times, reached drama level. Swearing that Democrats will rig the election, stuff ballot boxes, and have their dogs and dead grandmothers voting, Trump has denounced mail-in voting…in blue states.
Mitt Romney slams politicians attacking mail-in voting – once more the only decent Republican inside the Beltway https://t.co/t0653zQf6k — Jennifer Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) August 14, 2020
On Friday, Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) criticized politicians who have spread misinformation about mail-in voting, but stopped short of calling Trump out by his name. As a senator from a district that doesn’t lean toward Trump, Romney doesn’t risk much by criticizing him, but on this issue he spoke passionately.
In an interview with the Sutherland Institute, Romney said:
‘I don’t know of any evidence that voting by mail would increase voter fraud. My biggest concern, frankly, with regards to voting fraud has been that there would be some kind of hacking of our voting electronic systems, and that voting machines or tabulating equipment would be hacked.’
Mail-In Voting, unless changed by the courts, will lead to the most CORRUPT ELECTION in our Nation’s History! #RIGGEDELECTION — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 21, 2020
Romney said that attempts to thwart mail-in voting is “threatening global democracy,” and there is an increasing number of Republican lawmakers joining Trump in the practice. His most recent attempts, which include withholding needed funds, and assisted by a postmaster general he appointed who owns financial stock in a USPS competitor, is currently under review by the New Jersey attorney general.
According to PBS:
‘Trump has suggested that increased mail-in voting because of the coronavirus pandemic could result in fraud and cost him reelection. This week he acknowledged that he’s starving the U.S. Postal Service of money to make it harder to process the expected flood of ballots from voters who are seeking to avoid polling places.’
Romney breaks with Trump's criticism of mail-in voting: "I don't know of any evidence that voting by mail would increase voter fraud." https://t.co/04nqJxddcb pic.twitter.com/KVWEE4GHSk — The Hill (@thehill) August 15, 2020
Romney said that the most important thing that lawmakers should do is protect the right of American citizens to vote, and that every citizen who wishes to cast a ballot should do so. It was a far cry from the recent attacks on democracy by the current occupant of the White House.
‘That’s more important than even the outcome of the vote. We have got to preserve the principle of democracy or the trend we’re on is going to continue to get worse. When politicians attack a judicial system, attack a voting system, attack a free press, these things threaten the foundation upon which not only our own democracy rests but democracies around the world rest.’
Where is the rest of the GOP??Mitt Romney slams politicians attacking mail-in voting – ABC News – https://t.co/yR0abX2rb6 via @ABC — Sherri (@SHERRIMAMA) August 15, 2020
Featured image screenshot via YouTube


bipartisanreport--2020-08-15--Trump Blindsided By Criminal Referral For USPS Sabotage

Donald Trump has never been a fan of inspector generals unless they say what he wants them to say .
After his recent attempts to hobble the United States Postal Service in order to thwart increased mail-in voting during a global pandemic , it ’ s unlikely that the postal service watchdog will say what Trump wants them to say .
Democratic Rep. Bill Pascrell ( D-NJ ) made a criminal referral to the New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal , asking him to investigate recent reports regarding Trump ’ s attempts to prevent universal mail-in voting , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus outbreaks .
Reports have stated that Trump appointed a postmaster general with financial ties to a USPS competitor who has implemented policies making it impossible for postal workers to do their jobs efficiently , that mail sorting machines are being removed from post offices , and that drop boxes are being removed .
In an email with CNN , the internal watchdog of the postal service confirmed that an investigation is being opened into these matters .
Postmaster General Louis Dejoy ’ s conflicts of interest and policy changes will be under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States Postal Service is reviewing controversial policy changes recently imposed under Postmaster General Louis DeJoy , and is also examining DeJoy ’ s compliance with federal ethics rules , according to a spokeswoman for the USPS inspector general and an aide to Sen. Elizabeth Warren , who requested the review… Agapi Doulaveris , a spokeswoman for the USPS watchdog , told CNN in an email , “ We have initiated a body of work to address the concerns raised , but can not comment on the details.
” ‘ Dejoy ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s finances will likely also be under review , and policies around how the post office is currently funded should be .
The post office is reporting that they may not be able to meet payroll as early as the first part of 2021 .

Donald Trump has never been a fan of inspector generals unless they say what he wants them to say. After his recent attempts to hobble the United States Postal Service in order to thwart increased mail-in voting during a global pandemic, it’s unlikely that the postal service watchdog will say what Trump wants them to say.
Democratic Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) made a criminal referral to the New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal, asking him to investigate recent reports regarding Trump’s attempts to prevent universal mail-in voting, a measure Democrats have fought for during the coronavirus outbreaks. Reports have stated that Trump appointed a postmaster general with financial ties to a USPS competitor who has implemented policies making it impossible for postal workers to do their jobs efficiently, that mail sorting machines are being removed from post offices, and that drop boxes are being removed.
The Daily Beast reports that:
‘Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ) made a criminal referral to the New Jersey Attorney General on Friday night, asking him to impanel a grand jury to look at possible breach of state election laws by President Trump, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and others for “their accelerating arson of the post office,” he said.’
We’ve filed two complaints with the USPS Inspector General, in May and this week calling for wide-ranging probes of trump and dejoy’s destruction of the post office. https://t.co/NAnpBOuTfm pic.twitter.com/wnM8blhp2i — Bill Pascrell, Jr. (@BillPascrell) August 14, 2020
In an email with CNN, the internal watchdog of the postal service confirmed that an investigation is being opened into these matters. Postmaster General Louis Dejoy’s conflicts of interest and policy changes will be under review.
‘The internal watchdog at the United States Postal Service is reviewing controversial policy changes recently imposed under Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, and is also examining DeJoy’s compliance with federal ethics rules, according to a spokeswoman for the USPS inspector general and an aide to Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who requested the review… Agapi Doulaveris, a spokeswoman for the USPS watchdog, told CNN in an email, “We have initiated a body of work to address the concerns raised, but cannot comment on the details.”‘
UPDATE: Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. made a criminal referral to the NJ Attorney General, asking him to impanel a grand jury to look at possible breach of state election laws by President Trump, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and others https://t.co/FcB5k71hdX — The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) August 14, 2020
Dejoy’s handling of the postal service’s finances will likely also be under review, and policies around how the post office is currently funded should be. The post office is reporting that they may not be able to meet payroll as early as the first part of 2021.
‘Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and other Democratic lawmakers requested a review into DeJoy’s actions, like eliminating overtime and slowing certain types of mail delivery, and whether he “met all ethics requirements.”’
The internal watchdog at the United States Postal Service is reviewing controversial policy changes recently imposed under Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, and is also examining DeJoy's compliance with federal ethics rules. https://t.co/o3BBKOjQ8d — Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) August 14, 2020
Featured image screenshot via YouTube
Tonight I’ve made a criminal referral to the New Jersey Attorney General asking him to empanel a grand jury to look at subversion of NJ election laws by donald trump, louis dejoy, and other trump officials in their accelerating arson of the post office. pic.twitter.com/mxqbV8EmVn — Bill Pascrell, Jr. (@BillPascrell) August 14, 2020


bipartisanreport--2020-08-15--Trump Has Obama Jealousy Induced ‘Mail In Scam’ Afternoon Meltdown

The U.S. is in the throes of multiple national crises , and President Donald Trump is spending his Saturday afternoon on Twitter .
This Saturday afternoon , among about 17 tweets and retweets that he posted in a little more than an hour , Trump claimed that if the Obama administration had struck a deal to normalize diplomatic relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates , then the media would lavish praise on Obama for it .
He seems to conveniently skip over the fact that Obama did strike a major Middle East peace deal — the Iran nuclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more immediately relevant ground ( the Iranian nuclear program ) than the Israel-U.A.E .
agreement , which publicly admits to basic diplomatic negotiations that have already been going on behind the scenes , as journalist Mehdi Hasan noted .
Trump also , among other tweets , hurled insults at the media over their new positive coverage for Democratic vice presidential pick Kamala Harris and alleged , yet again , that “ absentee ” and “ mail-in ” ballots are two distinct things and — not only that — but that “ mail-in ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballots are good .
Trump is a profoundly ignorant , staggeringly moronic individual , it seems .
Mail-in ballots and absentee ballots are the same thing — the terms are synonyms .
( How does he think that absentee ballots get to election authorities ?
Via the mail ! )
The Trump team has tried to suggest that they ’ re different because , as they describe it , voters have to qualify for “ absentee ” ballots — but it ’ s not as though any form of ballot just gets handed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by .
Furthermore , in a state that Trump singled out as supposedly handling mail-in voting the “ right ” way ( Florida ) , any voter can get a mail-in ballot , no questions asked .
In another tweet , Trump again referenced reports of issues surrounding mail-in ballots in an attempt to drum up opposition to mail-in voting on a national level , but these reports do not change the facts : yes , there are issues , and those issues are consistently found out and dealt with , and this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to question the systematic integrity of elections across the country .
Mail-in voting is already used at a rather high rate across the country , and it ’ s been used for a very long time .
Check out Twitter ’ s response to the president below :

The U.S. is in the throes of multiple national crises, and President Donald Trump is spending his Saturday afternoon on Twitter. This Saturday afternoon, among about 17 tweets and retweets that he posted in a little more than an hour, Trump claimed that if the Obama administration had struck a deal to normalize diplomatic relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, then the media would lavish praise on Obama for it. He seems to conveniently skip over the fact that Obama did strike a major Middle East peace deal — the Iran nuclear deal — and that Obama-era deal covered more immediately relevant ground (the Iranian nuclear program) than the Israel-U.A.E. agreement, which publicly admits to basic diplomatic negotiations that have already been going on behind the scenes, as journalist Mehdi Hasan noted.
If Obama did this, they would speak of nothing else. Biden could NEVER do it! https://t.co/1djK42xawI — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 15, 2020
Trump also, among other tweets, hurled insults at the media over their new positive coverage for Democratic vice presidential pick Kamala Harris and alleged, yet again, that “absentee” and “mail-in” ballots are two distinct things and — not only that — but that “mail-in” ballots are bad and “absentee” ballots are good. Trump is a profoundly ignorant, staggeringly moronic individual, it seems. Mail-in ballots and absentee ballots are the same thing — the terms are synonyms. (How does he think that absentee ballots get to election authorities? Via the mail!) The Trump team has tried to suggest that they’re different because, as they describe it, voters have to qualify for “absentee” ballots — but it’s not as though any form of ballot just gets handed out on street corners to anyone passing by. Furthermore, in a state that Trump singled out as supposedly handling mail-in voting the “right” way (Florida), any voter can get a mail-in ballot, no questions asked.
The honorable thing to do is drop the Mail-In Scam before it is too late! Absentee Ballots, like they have in Florida, are good! https://t.co/uuVyliWEwS — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 15, 2020
In another tweet, Trump again referenced reports of issues surrounding mail-in ballots in an attempt to drum up opposition to mail-in voting on a national level, but these reports do not change the facts: yes, there are issues, and those issues are consistently found out and dealt with, and this is neither news nor grounds for trying to question the systematic integrity of elections across the country. Mail-in voting is already used at a rather high rate across the country, and it’s been used for a very long time.
Trump is, again, lying.
Check out Twitter’s response to the president below:


bipartisanreport--2020-08-15--Trump Accidentally Exposes COVID Incompetence During Saturday Press Conference

A press conference billed as a presidential update to the country on the coronavirus , a global pandemic that has killed 170,000 Americans , turned into a makeshift campaign rally as Trump touted his record on the economy , praised himself on his handling of the virus , lied about the numbers around the virus , and warned that “ Iran is dreaming of Joe Biden.
” Trump meandered through random subjects , going on for some time about football and how he misses it and wants it back .
He decried a story in CNN asking whether Trump will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the South , which he dismissed by saying he ’ s called for football to come back .
He didn ’ t seem to understand that it ’ s the virus he ’ s being blamed for .
However , football is a big priority to him , he said .
“ We ’ re trying to help the NFL , as long as they stand for our flag and our country.
” The NBA , on the other hand , is not worth watching .
Trump said the NBA ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the national anthem , and that what they did was “ disgusting.
” With a straight face , Trump taunted that the NBA , who are not playing in front of fans at the moment , are being punished with “ a lot of empty seats.
” Trump blamed Democrats for the lack of funding going to the USPS , saying “ the Democrats are not approving proper funding for postal.
” He then repeated his much analyzed statement from Thursday , saying “ if they can ’ t get the money they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t see how they can have it.
” He defended his appointed postmaster general Louis Dejoy , the man who was recently exposed as owning stock in a USPS competitor and taking steps to slow down processing of the mail .
Trump said that his measures are warranted since “ the post office has lost billions and billions of dollars , I looked at numbers today.
” In one rare moment of truth Trump said of Dejoy “ I don ’ t know what he ’ s doing…he ’ s gon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats aren ’ t willing to provide other things therefore they ’ re not gon na get that.
” Trump also offered his daily self-own , saying that the next president should be decided by voters “ when you see numbers like this on the virus and on the economy.
” Let ’ s hope that holds true .
For the full press conference , see video below :

A press conference billed as a presidential update to the country on the coronavirus, a global pandemic that has killed 170,000 Americans, turned into a makeshift campaign rally as Trump touted his record on the economy, praised himself on his handling of the virus, lied about the numbers around the virus, and warned that “Iran is dreaming of Joe Biden.”
Trump begins his August 15 Bedminster news conference by claiming US coronavirus cases are going down "despite" testing, which reveals a profound confusion about how testing works. (Also there were over 55,000 news cases yesterday, so cases are not significantly dropping.) pic.twitter.com/hu3BFFZaiZ — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 15, 2020
Trump meandered through random subjects, going on for some time about football and how he misses it and wants it back. He decried a story in CNN asking whether Trump will be blamed for the lack of football in the South, which he dismissed by saying he’s called for football to come back. He didn’t seem to understand that it’s the virus he’s being blamed for.
However, football is a big priority to him, he said. “We’re trying to help the NFL, as long as they stand for our flag and our country.” The NBA, on the other hand, is not worth watching. Trump said the NBA’s ratings are down after players kneeled during the national anthem, and that what they did was “disgusting.” With a straight face, Trump taunted that the NBA, who are not playing in front of fans at the moment, are being punished with “a lot of empty seats.”
Pres Trump: @NBA’s ratings down because of their notorious act. https://t.co/XSQdImTLTs — beenewsdaily (@BeeNewsDaily) August 15, 2020
Trump blamed Democrats for the lack of funding going to the USPS, saying “the Democrats are not approving proper funding for postal.” He then repeated his much analyzed statement from Thursday, saying “if they can’t get the money they need for universal mail-in voting, I don’t see how they can have it.” He defended his appointed postmaster general Louis Dejoy, the man who was recently exposed as owning stock in a USPS competitor and taking steps to slow down processing of the mail. Trump said that his measures are warranted since “the post office has lost billions and billions of dollars, I looked at numbers today.”
In one rare moment of truth Trump said of Dejoy “I don’t know what he’s doing…he’s gonna obviously need funding, but the Democrats aren’t willing to provide other things therefore they’re not gonna get that.”
Tonight I’ve made a criminal referral to the New Jersey Attorney General asking him to empanel a grand jury to look at subversion of NJ election laws by donald trump, louis dejoy, and other trump officials in their accelerating arson of the post office. pic.twitter.com/mxqbV8EmVn — Bill Pascrell, Jr. (@BillPascrell) August 14, 2020
Trump also offered his daily self-own, saying that the next president should be decided by voters “when you see numbers like this on the virus and on the economy.” Let’s hope that holds true.
For the full press conference, see video below:
Featured image screenshot via YouTube


bipartisanreport--2020-08-15--Two Top CDC Officials Abruptly Announce Their Resignation

Amidst the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic , two top officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) have announced their resignations , which are effective immediately .
Kyle McGowan , who was serving as the agency ’ s chief of staff , and Amanda Campbell , who was the deputy chief of staff , have both left the agency “ to start a consulting firm , ” according to CNN , which was summarizing information from an anonymous senior official at the agency .
The abrupt departures underscore the continuously churning chaos that has marked the Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throughout the duration of the pandemic .
Meanwhile , according to CNN , McGowan and Campbell “ had been criticized by Trump administration officials for not being loyal enough , ” although loyalty to the Trump agenda obviously should not ordinarily be used as a test of whether or not a public health official is up to the task of their job !
It ’ s worth noting — the senior agency official told CNN that McGowan “ was the first ever CDC chief of staff who was a political appointee , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t even as closely attuned to the Trump agenda as some on the president ’ s team would have wanted .
Talk about strictness .
Amidst the chaos of the Coronavirus pandemic , the White House has at times attempted to place blame for the federal government ’ s failures on the CDC , although it ’ s not as though they were operating in some kind of vacuum .
As the pandemic set in , President Trump and some of his closest political allies tried to tamper down efforts to take the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an infamous late February rally appearance , Trump called concern over the virus a “ hoax , ” and on other occasions , he and some of his allies claimed that coverage of the looming crisis was just meant to make Trump look bad .
As reality set in , Trump started claiming , among other things , that the virus might just go away on its own , repeatedly refusing to mobilize national resources as needed .
Now , over 172,000 Americans are dead , according to one prominent tally .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Amidst the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, two top officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have announced their resignations, which are effective immediately. Kyle McGowan, who was serving as the agency’s chief of staff, and Amanda Campbell, who was the deputy chief of staff, have both left the agency “to start a consulting firm,” according to CNN, which was summarizing information from an anonymous senior official at the agency. The abrupt departures underscore the continuously churning chaos that has marked the Trump administration’s response to the Coronavirus throughout the duration of the pandemic.
Meanwhile, according to CNN, McGowan and Campbell “had been criticized by Trump administration officials for not being loyal enough,” although loyalty to the Trump agenda obviously should not ordinarily be used as a test of whether or not a public health official is up to the task of their job! It’s worth noting — the senior agency official told CNN that McGowan “was the first ever CDC chief of staff who was a political appointee,” and apparently, he still wasn’t even as closely attuned to the Trump agenda as some on the president’s team would have wanted. Talk about strictness.
Amidst the chaos of the Coronavirus pandemic, the White House has at times attempted to place blame for the federal government’s failures on the CDC, although it’s not as though they were operating in some kind of vacuum. As the pandemic set in, President Trump and some of his closest political allies tried to tamper down efforts to take the virus seriously and prepare accordingly. At an infamous late February rally appearance, Trump called concern over the virus a “hoax,” and on other occasions, he and some of his allies claimed that coverage of the looming crisis was just meant to make Trump look bad.
As reality set in, Trump started claiming, among other things, that the virus might just go away on its own, repeatedly refusing to mobilize national resources as needed. Now, over 172,000 Americans are dead, according to one prominent tally. This is the legacy of the Trump administration.


bipartisanreport--2020-08-15--Taylor Swift Mobilizes Against Trump Over USPS Sabotage

President Donald Trump has received a lot of criticism for the recent undercuts to the Postal Service from him and his ally who ’ s newly in charge there , and this weekend , high-profile music star Taylor Swift joined the fray calling out the president .
She has made her anti-Trump political positions clear in the past , and this time , in a Twitter post that got about 180 thousand likes within a little more than an hour and a half , she insisted that Trump ’ s broadsides against the Postal Service make clear that he “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want him as our president.
” In an age of the Coronavirus , with increased levels of mail-in voting , the Postal Service is crucial to a free and fair election in which Americans get to make their voices heard .
‘ Trump ’ s calculated dismantling of USPS proves one thing clearly : He is WELL AWARE that we do not want him as our president .
He ’ s chosen to blatantly cheat and put millions of Americans ’ lives at risk in an effort to hold on to power .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ worsened the crisis that we are in and he is now taking advantage of it to subvert and destroy our right to vote and vote safely .
Request a ballot early .
Vote early.
’ Although Trump does not directly control policy at the Postal Service , its current Postmaster General , Louis DeJoy , is definitely a political ally of the administration .
Besides DeJoy ’ s big money donations to GOP causes , he even met with Trump at the White House earlier this month .
The president ’ s team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meant to celebrate DeJoy ’ s appointment as Postmaster General by the Postal Service ’ s Board of Governors , but by early August , DeJoy had already been appointed for quite awhile — so what were he and the president ’ s team truly discussing ?
Trump , on his own time , has indicated a readiness to hold up emergency funding that the Postal Service needs , explicitly pointing out how doing so could undercut the efficacy of mail-in ballots this November , although he did say that he might agree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turn , concede to the Trump administration ’ s own demands .
Meanwhile , at the Postal Service , DeJoy has already implemented policy changes that have slowed down the mail , including the cancellation of overtime opportunities for large swathes of the workforce .
Check out Twitter ’ s response to the tweets from Swift below : Featured Image : edited & via Eva Rinaldi on Flickr , available under a Creative Commons License

President Donald Trump has received a lot of criticism for the recent undercuts to the Postal Service from him and his ally who’s newly in charge there, and this weekend, high-profile music star Taylor Swift joined the fray calling out the president. She has made her anti-Trump political positions clear in the past, and this time, in a Twitter post that got about 180 thousand likes within a little more than an hour and a half, she insisted that Trump’s broadsides against the Postal Service make clear that he “is WELL AWARE that we do not want him as our president.” In an age of the Coronavirus, with increased levels of mail-in voting, the Postal Service is crucial to a free and fair election in which Americans get to make their voices heard.
Swift said:
‘Trump’s calculated dismantling of USPS proves one thing clearly: He is WELL AWARE that we do not want him as our president. He’s chosen to blatantly cheat and put millions of Americans’ lives at risk in an effort to hold on to power. Donald Trump’s ineffective leadership gravely worsened the crisis that we are in and he is now taking advantage of it to subvert and destroy our right to vote and vote safely. Request a ballot early. Vote early.’
Donald Trump’s ineffective leadership gravely worsened the crisis that we are in and he is now taking advantage of it to subvert and destroy our right to vote and vote safely. Request a ballot early. Vote early. — Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) August 15, 2020
Although Trump does not directly control policy at the Postal Service, its current Postmaster General, Louis DeJoy, is definitely a political ally of the administration. Besides DeJoy’s big money donations to GOP causes, he even met with Trump at the White House earlier this month. The president’s team has claimed that the meeting was just meant to celebrate DeJoy’s appointment as Postmaster General by the Postal Service’s Board of Governors, but by early August, DeJoy had already been appointed for quite awhile — so what were he and the president’s team truly discussing?
Trump, on his own time, has indicated a readiness to hold up emergency funding that the Postal Service needs, explicitly pointing out how doing so could undercut the efficacy of mail-in ballots this November, although he did say that he might agree to the funding if Democrats, in turn, concede to the Trump administration’s own demands. Meanwhile, at the Postal Service, DeJoy has already implemented policy changes that have slowed down the mail, including the cancellation of overtime opportunities for large swathes of the workforce.
Check out Twitter’s response to the tweets from Swift below:
Featured Image: edited & via Eva Rinaldi on Flickr, available under a Creative Commons License


bipartisanreport--2020-08-15--USPS Sabotage Backfires On Trump In Swing States

Donald Trump ’ s recent attacks on free and fair elections , which have always included mail-in ballots , are not helping him politically .
In fact , in key swing states needed by Trump to win in 2020 , voters are being warned about his efforts to attack the postal service and thwart mail-in voting .
Trump needs the electoral college votes of some combination of six states that he barely won in 2016 in order to beat Joe Biden : Florida , Arizona , Wisconsin , Pennsylvania , North Carolina , and Michigan .
Major newspapers in each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warning voters against Trump ’ s election interference .
In each of those states , Trump currently polls behind his challenger , Joe Biden , and in some of those states by a significant number of voters .
The Tampa Bay Times in Florida ran an article on its front page titled “ Mail-in votes are threatened ” as its lead story .
Trump won Florida by just 1.2 percent in 2016 and is currently losing to Biden in polls by six points .
The Charlotte Observer ran a lead story titled “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absentee ballots earlier.
” Trump won North Carolina in 2016 by 3.2 points over Hillary Clinton and is currently losing to Biden by one point .
The Arizona Republic ran a front page story titled “ Postal service warns 46 states about ballot delays.
” Trump won in Arizona by nearly four points in 2016 and is behind in polls against Biden there by four percent .
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel ‘ s lead story warned that “ USPS warns ballot delivery at risk.
” Trump won in Wisconsin by less than one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent behind Biden in the latest polls .
The Detroit Free Press pointed to problems in the 2018 primaries to warn voters ahead of November ’ s vote , saying “ More than 10,000 Mich. ballots did not count.
” Michigan is a key swing state for Trump , which he won in 2016 by just 0.3 percent over Hillary Clinton , and he currently stands four points behind Biden in polls .
The Philadelphia Inquirer ran as its lead story an article titled “ Murphy : Mail-In Ballots for All , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just 0.7 percent of the vote in 2016 , and is behind by the largest margin currently in that swing state by a full nine percent .
It ’ s unclear what Trump ’ s strategy is at this point .
If restricting mail-in ballots hurts him politically , what is the purpose of it ?
While it ’ s true that higher voter turnout tends to favor Democrats , the answer could also be that Trump expects to lose and is preparing a defense for delegitimizing the 2020 election results .

Donald Trump’s recent attacks on free and fair elections, which have always included mail-in ballots, are not helping him politically. In fact, in key swing states needed by Trump to win in 2020, voters are being warned about his efforts to attack the postal service and thwart mail-in voting.
Check out the front page of major newspapers in the six closest states Trump won in 2016. All had stories about the mail and voting. https://t.co/Xnddyt8IQMhttps://t.co/rq8TtlYnjahttps://t.co/oD38aDEwZahttps://t.co/yLuOn4YL0vhttps://t.co/NrU54fXF00https://t.co/Rgh25X93vx — (((Harry Enten))) (@ForecasterEnten) August 15, 2020
Trump needs the electoral college votes of some combination of six states that he barely won in 2016 in order to beat Joe Biden: Florida, Arizona, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Michigan. Major newspapers in each state ran front page stories on Saturday warning voters against Trump’s election interference. In each of those states, Trump currently polls behind his challenger, Joe Biden, and in some of those states by a significant number of voters.
The Tampa Bay Times in Florida ran an article on its front page titled “Mail-in votes are threatened” as its lead story. Trump won Florida by just 1.2 percent in 2016 and is currently losing to Biden in polls by six points.
The Charlotte Observer ran a lead story titled “NC voters urged to request, mail absentee ballots earlier.” Trump won North Carolina in 2016 by 3.2 points over Hillary Clinton and is currently losing to Biden by one point.
North Carolina Poll: Biden 45% (+1)
Trump 44%
3rd Party 4%@HarperPolling/@NCCivitas (R) — Political Polls (@PpollingNumbers) August 13, 2020
The Arizona Republic ran a front page story titled “Postal service warns 46 states about ballot delays.” Trump won in Arizona by nearly four points in 2016 and is behind in polls against Biden there by four percent.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel‘s lead story warned that “USPS warns ballot delivery at risk.” Trump won in Wisconsin by less than one percent in 2016, and is five percent behind Biden in the latest polls.
The Detroit Free Press pointed to problems in the 2018 primaries to warn voters ahead of November’s vote, saying “More than 10,000 Mich. ballots did not count.” Michigan is a key swing state for Trump, which he won in 2016 by just 0.3 percent over Hillary Clinton, and he currently stands four points behind Biden in polls.
The Philadelphia Inquirer ran as its lead story an article titled “Murphy: Mail-In Ballots for All,” referring to … Trump won Pennsylvania by just 0.7 percent of the vote in 2016, and is behind by the largest margin currently in that swing state by a full nine percent.
It’s unclear what Trump’s strategy is at this point. If restricting mail-in ballots hurts him politically, what is the purpose of it? While it’s true that higher voter turnout tends to favor Democrats, the answer could also be that Trump expects to lose and is preparing a defense for delegitimizing the 2020 election results.
Featured image screenshot via YouTube


bipartisanreport--2020-08-15--Secretary Of State Requests Criminal Investigation Of USPS Sabotage

The new Trump-allied Postmaster General , Louis DeJoy , has implemented policy changes at the Postal Service that have slowed down mail processing and delivery , which has sparked concerns about the security of mail-in voting during the upcoming presidential election .
Although Trump does not directly control policy at the Postal Service , DeJoy is clearly a political ally of the administration ( he ’ s donated big money to GOP causes ) , and Trump has ranted ad nauseum against mail-in voting , which he has falsely claimed is full of opportunities for fraud .
Now , Arizona @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) says she has requested a criminal investigation from the state ’ s attorney general into whether the Trump administration has broken the law through the potential mail-in ballot delays .
In a statement posted to Twitter , Hobbs said : ‘ In Arizona , it ’ s against the law to “ delay the delivery of a ballot.
” I ’ ve asked Attorney General Brnovich to investigate recent changes at USPS , and whether or not the Trump administration has committed a crime .
Our postal workers have a motto : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nor heat… ” I have every confidence that these couriers will work diligently to overcome this political interference and ensure timely delivery of the mail , including election mail.
’ The policy changes that DeJoy has implemented that have slowed down the mail include , among other things , the cancellation of overtime opportunities for huge swathes of the workforce and the removal of hundreds of mail-sorting machines from facilities around the country .
Just one of those machines can sort about 35,000 letters an hour , and a staggering 671 of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of commission , according to NBC .
The state of Arizona is not the only entity that is attempting to hold the Trump administration accountable for these policy changes and their potential impact on the election .
At the request of a group of Democratic members of Congress , the inspector general overseeing the Postal Service recently started their own investigation of the issues .
Although Trump claims that he ’ s concerned with stopping fraud , that alleged fraud is non-existent , and Trump may simply be paranoid about high election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The new Trump-allied Postmaster General, Louis DeJoy, has implemented policy changes at the Postal Service that have slowed down mail processing and delivery, which has sparked concerns about the security of mail-in voting during the upcoming presidential election. Although Trump does not directly control policy at the Postal Service, DeJoy is clearly a political ally of the administration (he’s donated big money to GOP causes), and Trump has ranted ad nauseum against mail-in voting, which he has falsely claimed is full of opportunities for fraud. Now, Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs (D) says she has requested a criminal investigation from the state’s attorney general into whether the Trump administration has broken the law through the potential mail-in ballot delays.
In a statement posted to Twitter, Hobbs said:
‘In Arizona, it’s against the law to “delay the delivery of a ballot.” I’ve asked Attorney General Brnovich to investigate recent changes at USPS, and whether or not the Trump administration has committed a crime. Our postal workers have a motto: “neither snow, nor rain, nor heat…” I have every confidence that these couriers will work diligently to overcome this political interference and ensure timely delivery of the mail, including election mail.’
Our postal workers have a motto: “neither snow, nor rain, nor heat…” I have every confidence that these couriers will work diligently to overcome this political interference and ensure timely delivery of the mail, including election mail. pic.twitter.com/t2uzPa7eHT — Secretary Katie Hobbs (@SecretaryHobbs) August 14, 2020
The policy changes that DeJoy has implemented that have slowed down the mail include, among other things, the cancellation of overtime opportunities for huge swathes of the workforce and the removal of hundreds of mail-sorting machines from facilities around the country. Just one of those machines can sort about 35,000 letters an hour, and a staggering 671 of the machines have been set to be taken out of commission, according to NBC.
The state of Arizona is not the only entity that is attempting to hold the Trump administration accountable for these policy changes and their potential impact on the election. At the request of a group of Democratic members of Congress, the inspector general overseeing the Postal Service recently started their own investigation of the issues. Although Trump claims that he’s concerned with stopping fraud, that alleged fraud is non-existent, and Trump may simply be paranoid about high election turnout equaling a big loss for him.


bipartisanreport--2020-08-15--Top Mueller Deputy Exposes Bill Barr’s Corruption Over Phony FBI Charge

Donald Trump and his conspiracy theory fanatic followers were overjoyed and declared vindication this week over the announcement of an upcoming guilty plea from FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith , who was found to have changed the contents of an email in a report to the FISA court , a full and unaltered copy of which was also attached to the report .
Pointing to the plea as proof of the “ deep state ” out to get Trump in the probe of alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin in the 2016 presidential elections , Trump fans and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deputy Andrew Weissmann , however , says that holding Clinesmith accountable for what he says was an unintentional mistake may be warranted , but not after the Department of Justice stepped in on the prosecution of Trump ’ s former national security advisor , Michael Flynn .
Flynn also pleaded guilty twice to lying to the FBI about his Russian contacts prior to Trump ’ s 2017 inauguration and has yet to be sentenced for his crime .
‘ The charge against Clinesmith marks the first criminal case arising from the probe led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice Department alleges that the former FBI attorney altered an email to say that Page was not a source for the CIA , even though Page had had a relationship with the agency.
’ Clinesmith ’ s lawyers say that he never intended to mislead the FISA court , having included a full copy of the original email in documents submitted to obtain a FISA warrant to pursue an investigation into former Trump campaign advisor Carter Paige .
It ’ s notable that Trump once said Paige was an advisor , later said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ volunteer once Paige was being investigated , and then later said was a member of the Trump campaign again once it served his Obama/Comey “ spying ” scandal story .
Inspector General Michael Horowitz found inaccuracies in the FISA warrant application , none of which actually relates to the procedures used in the Mueller probe .
The FISA warrant had been obtained long before Mueller was appointed to investigate the allegations .
Regardless , that IG report has been used to discredit the entire investigation .

Donald Trump and his conspiracy theory fanatic followers were overjoyed and declared vindication this week over the announcement of an upcoming guilty plea from FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith, who was found to have changed the contents of an email in a report to the FISA court, a full and unaltered copy of which was also attached to the report. Pointing to the plea as proof of the “deep state” out to get Trump in the probe of alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin in the 2016 presidential elections, Trump fans and the president himself declared victory.
Question for Barr: how are Flynn’s confessed lies to the FBI (repeated to the VP) not a crime, but Clinesmith changing an email (the full version of which he also sent to DOJ) is? — Andrew Weissmann (@AWeissmann_) August 14, 2020
Mueller deputy Andrew Weissmann, however, says that holding Clinesmith accountable for what he says was an unintentional mistake may be warranted, but not after the Department of Justice stepped in on the prosecution of Trump’s former national security advisor, Michael Flynn. Flynn also pleaded guilty twice to lying to the FBI about his Russian contacts prior to Trump’s 2017 inauguration and has yet to be sentenced for his crime.
The Hill reports that:
‘The charge against Clinesmith marks the first criminal case arising from the probe led by U.S. Attorney John Durham. The Justice Department alleges that the former FBI attorney altered an email to say that Page was not a source for the CIA, even though Page had had a relationship with the agency.’
Questions judge should ask before accepting Clinesmith guilty plea:
What precisely is the falsity of the statement that Clinesmith made?
What investigation was it material to?
He gave DOJ accurate information for the Page FISA?
How does the Barr materiality std for Flynn apply? — Andrew Weissmann (@AWeissmann_) August 14, 2020
Clinesmith’s lawyers say that he never intended to mislead the FISA court, having included a full copy of the original email in documents submitted to obtain a FISA warrant to pursue an investigation into former Trump campaign advisor Carter Paige. It’s notable that Trump once said Paige was an advisor, later said he was just an unpaid, low-level volunteer once Paige was being investigated, and then later said was a member of the Trump campaign again once it served his Obama/Comey “spying” scandal story.
‘Kevin deeply regrets having altered the email. It was never his intent to mislead the court or his colleagues as he believed the information he relayed was accurate. But Kevin understands what he did was wrong and accepts responsibility.’
Mueller Deputy Weissmann Lashes at Justice Department Over Indictment of FBI Attorney: ‘Two Systems of Justice at Play’https://t.co/XGRkzmXurL — Mediaite (@Mediaite) August 15, 2020
Inspector General Michael Horowitz found inaccuracies in the FISA warrant application, none of which actually relates to the procedures used in the Mueller probe. The FISA warrant had been obtained long before Mueller was appointed to investigate the allegations. Regardless, that IG report has been used to discredit the entire investigation.
‘The DOJ’s probe into Clinesmith came at Barr’s behest after a report from Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz found “significant inaccuracies and omissions” in the FBI’s application to a court to obtain permission to monitor Page.’
Kevin Clinesmith, "a corrupt FBI attorney who falsified FISA warrants" in James Comey's FBI, is expected to plead guilty. pic.twitter.com/ucAksf4JZ9 — The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 14, 2020
Featured image screenshot via YouTube


bipartisanreport--2020-08-15--‘The Lincoln Project’ Releases Saturday Morning Stunner

In a newly released video , the anti-Trump Republicans behind The Lincoln Project compare President Donald Trump to the character Regina George , the antagonist of the 2004 movie Mean Girls .
Specifically , they superimposed an image of Trump into a clip from the film in which Regina goes on an angry tirade against someone , and they superimposed an image of newly announced Democratic Vice Presidential contender Kamala Harris in place of Regina George ’ s actual target in the movie .
The funny thing is : putting Trump in place of George and Harris in place of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quite well .
The Trump campaign talks about Harris as if they ’ re actively trying to take cues from the 2004 movie character .
Check out the video below : In a Trump campaign email that The Lincoln Project highlighted , Harris is referred to as “ the meanest , most horrible , most disrespectful , MOST LIBERAL of anyone in the U.S. Senate , ” which is just a staggeringly petty , hollow way for the president ’ s re-election campaign to describe the presumptive Democratic vice presidential nominee .
Is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re going to go with as the general election approaches ?
They ’ re going to try and convince people that Harris is the “ most horrible ” Senator ?
What on earth does that even mean ?
Trump has complained about Harris ’ s harsh scrutiny of Brett Kavanaugh during the Supreme Court pick ’ s confirmation process — but scrutinizing Supreme Court picks is quite literally her Constitutionally-mandated job as a member of the Senate !
Besides that nonsensical email from his campaign , Trump has also derided Harris as “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent White House press conference , touted the brazenly racist conspiracy theory that Harris might not be eligible to serve as vice president after all , although she was born in the United States .
Sure , he said that he didn ’ t know if the conspiracy theory was true , but he was clearly nonetheless ready and willing to give it some traction , because he did not rule it out .
Check out Twitter ’ s response to the new Lincoln Project video below :

In a newly released video, the anti-Trump Republicans behind The Lincoln Project compare President Donald Trump to the character Regina George, the antagonist of the 2004 movie Mean Girls. Specifically, they superimposed an image of Trump into a clip from the film in which Regina goes on an angry tirade against someone, and they superimposed an image of newly announced Democratic Vice Presidential contender Kamala Harris in place of Regina George’s actual target in the movie. The funny thing is: putting Trump in place of George and Harris in place of the character’s target actually fits quite well. The Trump campaign talks about Harris as if they’re actively trying to take cues from the 2004 movie character.
Check out the video below:
Regina Trump pic.twitter.com/qQ3rEVLbCe — The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) August 15, 2020
In a Trump campaign email that The Lincoln Project highlighted, Harris is referred to as “the meanest, most horrible, most disrespectful, MOST LIBERAL of anyone in the U.S. Senate,” which is just a staggeringly petty, hollow way for the president’s re-election campaign to describe the presumptive Democratic vice presidential nominee. Is that really the message that they’re going to go with as the general election approaches? They’re going to try and convince people that Harris is the “most horrible” Senator? What on earth does that even mean? Trump has complained about Harris’s harsh scrutiny of Brett Kavanaugh during the Supreme Court pick’s confirmation process — but scrutinizing Supreme Court picks is quite literally her Constitutionally-mandated job as a member of the Senate!
Besides that nonsensical email from his campaign, Trump has also derided Harris as “nasty,” and, at a recent White House press conference, touted the brazenly racist conspiracy theory that Harris might not be eligible to serve as vice president after all, although she was born in the United States. Sure, he said that he didn’t know if the conspiracy theory was true, but he was clearly nonetheless ready and willing to give it some traction, because he did not rule it out.
Check out Twitter’s response to the new Lincoln Project video below:


bipartisanreport--2020-08-15--Protesters Swarm Postmaster General’s House In Saturday Protest

The position of postmaster general is usually a non-controversial one and the appointment of one most often goes unnoticed by the vast majority of Americans .
Louis Dejoy , however , will go down in history thanks to his decision to help Donald Trump thwart mail-in voting an influence an American presidential election .
Outside the Washington , D. C. home of Dejoy , a Trump appointee embattled with controversy , protesters are demonstrating their frustrations with the man who has actively worked to , in President Obama ’ s words , “ kneecap ” the post office to slow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when many are trying to stay socially distanced .
Dejoy was recently exposed as being a shareholder in XPO Logistics , a competitor service to the USPS , and it was discovered that he did not give up those stocks upon his appointment , creating a significant conflict of interest that has sparked ethics violation investigations in New Jersey .
It is a naked power grab on an extreme and obvious level , with Dejoy profiting from his position , using it to help keep Donald Trump in power , which in turn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A group of socially distanced and masked protesters gathered outside of Dejoy ’ s home to stand up for the democratic process and bring attention to Trump ’ s and Dejoy ’ s attempts to interfere with it .
With just 80 days until the 2020 elections , it is an unfolding story worth watching unfold .
Twitter was in full support of the protesters .
Read some of their comments below :

The position of postmaster general is usually a non-controversial one and the appointment of one most often goes unnoticed by the vast majority of Americans. Louis Dejoy, however, will go down in history thanks to his decision to help Donald Trump thwart mail-in voting an influence an American presidential election.
Things I never thought I'd see, volume 1,303: Protests outside of the Postmaster General's home this morning pic.twitter.com/nUc7ErR6hk — Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) August 15, 2020
Outside the Washington, D. C. home of Dejoy, a Trump appointee embattled with controversy, protesters are demonstrating their frustrations with the man who has actively worked to, in President Obama’s words, “kneecap” the post office to slow down mail-in voting during a global pandemic when many are trying to stay socially distanced.
Dejoy was recently exposed as being a shareholder in XPO Logistics, a competitor service to the USPS, and it was discovered that he did not give up those stocks upon his appointment, creating a significant conflict of interest that has sparked ethics violation investigations in New Jersey. It is a naked power grab on an extreme and obvious level, with Dejoy profiting from his position, using it to help keep Donald Trump in power, which in turn keeps Dejoy in power and profiting.
A group of socially distanced and masked protesters gathered outside of Dejoy’s home to stand up for the democratic process and bring attention to Trump’s and Dejoy’s attempts to interfere with it. With just 80 days until the 2020 elections, it is an unfolding story worth watching unfold.
Twitter was in full support of the protesters. Read some of their comments below:
Featured image screenshot via Twitter video


bipartisanreport--2020-08-15--Mitt Romney Publicly Shames Trump Over USPS Sabotage


bipartisanreport--2020-08-15--‘The Lincoln Project’ Strikes Again With Hilarious Anti-Trump Ad


bipartisanreport--2020-08-16--Congressman Demands Arrest Of Postmaster General DeJoy Unless He Testifies

As the final days to the November election wind down , Donald Trump has sped up his attack on America ’ s democracy .
His last antic is to blatantly take down the centuries-old US Postal Service ( USPS ) .
Not only is it of great historical importance with Benjamin Franklin as the first Postmaster General , it is still a lifeline for the American public .
Certainly , mail-in ballots may be the only alternative for a nation under siege from the coronavirus pandemic .
Even the Democrats ’ impeachment of Trump carried little impact .
POTUS apparently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actions .
That hearing only emboldened the president .
The Senate led by “ Moscow Mitch ” McConnell ( R-KY ) has done nothing to halt the commander-in-chief ’ s actions .
Attorney General ( AG ) Willaim Barr , unlike previous heads of the Department of Justice ( DOJ ) , has only facilitated the president .
In a surprising turn of events , the House Democrats have come up with a way to stop the systemic dismantling of our mail .
Sunday , Democratic leaders requested the new top-level administrators of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an emergency congressional hearing.
” The purpose of that hearing will be to analyze how the USPS changes could impact the mail-in votes during the November elections .
In the past , approximately 30 percent of voters used mail-in ballots .
With the COVID-19 pandemic , officials anticipate that number would rise to 50 percent rather than risk their lives .
A group of Democratic leaders headed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer released a statement on Sunday .
It told the USPS Postmaster General Louis DeJoy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Chair of the USPS Board of Governors Robert Duncan appear for an emergency hearing on August 24 .
That date marks the Republican National Convention kick-off , according to MSN .
The problem started with the USPS sending 46 states and the District of Columbia ( Washington DC ) a notice telling them that they could not count on all the mail-in ballots reaching their destination “ in time to be counted : ” The Democrats ’ responding statement addressed Trump denying “ eligible voters access to the ballot : ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( D-TN ) explained the sequence of events : Cooper told Pelosi that the Postmaster General must comply with their subpoena .
Then , the representative added they should “ send the Sgt ( Sergeant ) at Arms to arrest him ” otherwise : After that , Representative Gerry Connolly ( D-VA ) addressed DeJoy directly , saying that “ this invite is not optional : ” Trump brought in DeJoy as Postmaster General early this summer .
The man immediately began trying to stream-line aka dismantle the Postal Service .
Republicans have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ implemented a law forcing the governmental agency and top government employee to pay for retirement unreasonable years in advance .
No other agency or business has had to do likewise .
The USPS was never intended to be a money-maker .
As its title reads , it was named the “ Postal Service.
” Some of those changes Trump implemented via DeJoy have been : • A price increase less than two weeks prior to the election • Refusal to allocate funds in the next stimulus package • Removal of local postal collection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ postponed 90 days • Allocating voter ballots as third-class rather than first-class mail .
What can Congress do as Trump runs roughshod over Americans ’ right to vote without endangering themselves ?
Inherent Contempt gives the House the ability to fine and/or jail Trump officials who will not cooperate with Congress , according to The Washington Post .
Congress has used this authority throughout American history .
It forced people to comply with subpoenas either in person if so requested or by proving documents .
Although Inherent Contempt has not been used in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it out of the closet and dusted it off .
The Congressional Research Service defines the term as not adhering to a subpoena issued by Congress : Legislators can also sue persons who do not comply with their subpoenas .

As the final days to the November election wind down, Donald Trump has sped up his attack on America’s democracy. His last antic is to blatantly take down the centuries-old US Postal Service (USPS). Not only is it of great historical importance with Benjamin Franklin as the first Postmaster General, it is still a lifeline for the American public. Certainly, mail-in ballots may be the only alternative for a nation under siege from the coronavirus pandemic.
Even the Democrats’ impeachment of Trump carried little impact. POTUS apparently has never been held accountable for his actions. That hearing only emboldened the president. The Senate led by “Moscow Mitch” McConnell (R-KY) has done nothing to halt the commander-in-chief’s actions. Attorney General (AG) Willaim Barr, unlike previous heads of the Department of Justice (DOJ), has only facilitated the president.
In a surprising turn of events, the House Democrats have come up with a way to stop the systemic dismantling of our mail. Sunday, Democratic leaders requested the new top-level administrators of the US Postal Service testify “at an emergency congressional hearing.”
The purpose of that hearing will be to analyze how the USPS changes could impact the mail-in votes during the November elections. In the past, approximately 30 percent of voters used mail-in ballots. With the COVID-19 pandemic, officials anticipate that number would rise to 50 percent rather than risk their lives.
A group of Democratic leaders headed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer released a statement on Sunday. It told the USPS Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, who has no postal experience, and the Chair of the USPS Board of Governors Robert Duncan appear for an emergency hearing on August 24. That date marks the Republican National Convention kick-off, according to MSN.
The problem started with the USPS sending 46 states and the District of Columbia (Washington DC) a notice telling them that they could not count on all the mail-in ballots reaching their destination “in time to be counted:”
‘USPS warns 46 states, D.C. that some mailed ballots may not arrive in time to be counted for November election.’
The Democrats’ responding statement addressed Trump denying “eligible voters access to the ballot:”
‘The President has explicitly stated his intention to manipulate the Postal Service to deny eligible voters access to the ballot in pursuit of his own re-election. Alarmingly, the Postmaster General – a Trump mega-donor – has acted as an accomplice in the President’s campaign to cheat in the election, as he launches sweeping new operational changes that degrade delivery standards and delay the mail.’
In his tweet, Representative Jim Cooper (D-TN) explained the sequence of events:
‘I called Speaker Pelosi today and asked her to call the House back into session immediately to deal with the crisis at the post office. Trump is attempting to sabotage the USPS.’
Cooper told Pelosi that the Postmaster General must comply with their subpoena. Then, the representative added they should “send the Sgt (Sergeant) at Arms to arrest him” otherwise:
‘We need to subpoena the Postmaster General, and if he fails to appear, we should send the Sgt at Arms to arrest him.’
After that, Representative Gerry Connolly (D-VA) addressed DeJoy directly, saying that “this invite is not optional:”
‘A note to DeJoy: this invite is not optional. Congress must assert itself if he wont (sic) appear. That means subpoenas and if we have to then we must use inherent contempt.’
Trump brought in DeJoy as Postmaster General early this summer. The man immediately began trying to stream-line aka dismantle the Postal Service. Republicans have long wanted to privatize the USPS and implemented a law forcing the governmental agency and top government employee to pay for retirement unreasonable years in advance. No other agency or business has had to do likewise. The USPS was never intended to be a money-maker. As its title reads, it was named the “Postal Service.”
Some of those changes Trump implemented via DeJoy have been:
A price increase less than two weeks prior to the election
Refusal to allocate funds in the next stimulus package
Removal of local postal collection boxes until after the election, now postponed 90 days
Removal and destruction of expensive fast-sorting mail equipment
Halting overtime
Allocating voter ballots as third-class rather than first-class mail.
What can Congress do as Trump runs roughshod over Americans’ right to vote without endangering themselves? Inherent Contempt gives the House the ability to fine and/or jail Trump officials who will not cooperate with Congress, according to The Washington Post. Congress has used this authority throughout American history. It forced people to comply with subpoenas either in person if so requested or by proving documents.
Although Inherent Contempt has not been used in a century, the Democrats have pulled it out of the closet and dusted it off. The Congressional Research Service defines the term as not adhering to a subpoena issued by Congress:
‘[It is a crime with a] substantial fine and imprisonment for up to one year.’
Legislators can also sue persons who do not comply with their subpoenas.
Featured image is a screenshot via YouTube.


bipartisanreport--2020-08-16--Trump Rage Rants Against Fox News During Sunday Afternoon Conniption Fit

Fox News is not known for being particularly critical of the Republican Party — to put it lightly .
Sure , the network ’ s hosts sometimes ask tough questions of those on President Donald Trump ’ s team , but the network ’ s hosts also frequently give those presidential team members the space to share just about as much nonsense as they want .
Still , Trump can ’ t even take the light level of scrutiny that does come from the network — this Sunday afternoon , the president took to Twitter to insist that Fox is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and in the same post , he admonished his followers to check out the One America News Network ( OANN ) instead , which is a wildly far-right propaganda machine that Trump , laughably enough , called “ fair and balanced.
” In other words , the president is , by all appearances , an unhinged egomaniac .
If just about anything poses even the slightest threat to his public image , then he ’ s liable to rush to social media with a conspiracy-riddled meltdown about how supposedly nefarious that his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a lousy excuse for a president who has left Americans to struggle through the crises that he has helped exacerbate while he rushes off into these tirades of self-obsession .
It ’ s unclear what particular piece of coverage at Fox might have sent Trump spiraling this time — he didn ’ t bother mentioning it .
What is clear , however , is that One America News Network ’ s “ greatest hits ” include the utterly cuckoo conspiracy theory that a 75-year-old New York man named Martin Gugino who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and left with a fractured skull may have been a secret Antifa provocateur .
That idea is utter nonsense — but , OANN broadcast the nonsense idea , and Trump posted about it on his Twitter feed .
Check out Twitter ’ s response to the president ’ s nonsense below :

Fox News is not known for being particularly critical of the Republican Party — to put it lightly. Sure, the network’s hosts sometimes ask tough questions of those on President Donald Trump’s team, but the network’s hosts also frequently give those presidential team members the space to share just about as much nonsense as they want. Still, Trump can’t even take the light level of scrutiny that does come from the network — this Sunday afternoon, the president took to Twitter to insist that Fox is “not watchable during weekend afternoons,” and in the same post, he admonished his followers to check out the One America News Network (OANN) instead, which is a wildly far-right propaganda machine that Trump, laughably enough, called “fair and balanced.”
He tweeted:
‘@FoxNews is not watchable during weekend afternoons. It is worse than Fake News @CNN . I strongly suggest turning your dial to @OANN . They do a really “Fair & Balanced” job!’
.@FoxNews is not watchable during weekend afternoons. It is worse than Fake News @CNN. I strongly suggest turning your dial to @OANN. They do a really “Fair & Balanced” job! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 16, 2020
In other words, the president is, by all appearances, an unhinged egomaniac. If just about anything poses even the slightest threat to his public image, then he’s liable to rush to social media with a conspiracy-riddled meltdown about how supposedly nefarious that his political opponents really are. He’s a lousy excuse for a president who has left Americans to struggle through the crises that he has helped exacerbate while he rushes off into these tirades of self-obsession.
It’s unclear what particular piece of coverage at Fox might have sent Trump spiraling this time — he didn’t bother mentioning it. What is clear, however, is that One America News Network’s “greatest hits” include the utterly cuckoo conspiracy theory that a 75-year-old New York man named Martin Gugino who was violently shoved to the ground by cops and left with a fractured skull may have been a secret Antifa provocateur. That idea is utter nonsense — but, OANN broadcast the nonsense idea, and Trump posted about it on his Twitter feed.
Check out Twitter’s response to the president’s nonsense below: