crooksandliars--2020-12-27--Unemployment Benefits Lapse For Millions As Trump Refuses To Sign COVID Relief Bill

As Trump continues to rage about the election supposedly being `` stolen '' from him and demanding $ 2000 checks after the fact rather than when it would have done some good , emergency pandemic relief is set to expire for millions of Americans .
Millions of Americans will see their unemployment benefits lapse , at least temporarily , after President Donald Trump let Saturday night pass without signing a bipartisan stimulus package containing various pandemic aid .
While the president dug in over the size of direct checks to be sent to many Americans , the $ 900 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including extended unemployment benefits , funding for food banks , rental assistance , support for small businesses and for Covid vaccination programs , and other items .
Trump took no action on the stimulus bill that Congress approved , which has been delivered to him at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida , beyond expressing his displeasure with a series of tweets up to and beyond midnight Saturday .
Trump has demanded that Congress increase stimulus checks from $ 600 to $ 2,000 for eligible Americans -- an abrupt proposal that blindsided lawmakers after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and is opposed by many Republicans .
He ’ s also complained about some of the items in the stimulus plan or in the omnibus spending bill .
“ I simply want to get our great people $ 2000 , rather than the measly $ 600 that is now in the bill , ” Trump tweeted on Saturday .
Given the potential lapse in funding , it could take as long as a month before people receive their funds and even longer for the effects to filter into the economy , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Action Economics LLC .

As Trump continues to rage about the election supposedly being "stolen" from him and demanding $2000 checks after the fact rather than when it would have done some good, emergency pandemic relief is set to expire for millions of Americans.
Millions of Americans will see their unemployment benefits lapse, at least temporarily, after President Donald Trump let Saturday night pass without signing a bipartisan stimulus package containing various pandemic aid.
While the president dug in over the size of direct checks to be sent to many Americans, the $900 billion stimulus accord contains numerous other measures, including extended unemployment benefits, funding for food banks, rental assistance, support for small businesses and for Covid vaccination programs, and other items.
[...]
Trump took no action on the stimulus bill that Congress approved, which has been delivered to him at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, beyond expressing his displeasure with a series of tweets up to and beyond midnight Saturday.
[...]
Trump has demanded that Congress increase stimulus checks from $600 to $2,000 for eligible Americans -- an abrupt proposal that blindsided lawmakers after they spent months negotiating the final package, and is opposed by many Republicans. He’s also complained about some of the items in the stimulus plan or in the omnibus spending bill.
“I simply want to get our great people $2000, rather than the measly $600 that is now in the bill,” Trump tweeted on Saturday.
[...]
Given the potential lapse in funding, it could take as long as a month before people receive their funds and even longer for the effects to filter into the economy, according to Michael Englund, chief economist at Action Economics LLC.


crooksandliars--2020-12-28--Trump Waited Long Enough To Let Covid Benefits Lapse Before He Signed Relief Bill

Alysin Camerota was trying to make sense of Trump 's irresponsible delay in signing the covid relief bill -- but as we know , trying to impose logic on Trump 's actions is a losing proposition .
`` After 7 p.m. , the president finally signed this coronavirus relief package and government spending bill .
Had he signed it at midnight , by midnight , on Saturday night , instead of waiting til Sunday , millions of Americans would not have their benefits lapse .
But because he waited a few more hours , they will .
And that means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to pay for groceries or wo n't be able to pay their rent .
Why ?
Why did he do that ? ''
`` Alisyn , basically , all of Washington is scratching their heads asking this question this morning , including top Republican leaders .
It is correct , if you are an American who is waiting for that $ 600 per person to arrive this week as the secretary , President Trump 's Treasury secretary told you , is not going to happen most likely this week , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're expecting that extra $ 300 expansion in unemployment benefits , that is -- you 're probably going to miss the first week of it .
That is going to be delayed .
And it is because of the president 's delay on this .
`` And in the end , it does n't change what package people got .
It does n't make you anymore likely to get $ 2,000 .
None of that will change as a result of the president holding back on this .
Another interesting detail , my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that this deal , the president 's decision to go ahead and sign it was actually cemented yesterday afternoon in a phone call with Mnuchin , with house Republican leader Kevin McCarthy .
So we did n't hear that he would sign it for sure until last night .
But he 'd actually made that decision hours earlier , '' Talev said .
`` So what you had was a very public campaign to try goad and embarrass the president into signing it .
And a private campaign that was actually probably for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'you 're the leader , the country ca n't do without you , you 've fought a good fight , you 've helped frame the conversation for the things you care about . '
That is what it took to get it done .
And even then , we all had to wait several hours to hear the decision and that extra time delay , you know , has probably made a difference in people 's ability to get the relief .
And if you really need the $ 600 , that day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Americans , perhaps many watching right now , '' Jim Sciutto said .
`` As so often happens here , it 's about ego management of the president .
His friends kind of cajoling , pushing a little bit .
'Mr .
President , you did so well here , ' to finally get him to act . ''

Alysin Camerota was trying to make sense of Trump's irresponsible delay in signing the covid relief bill -- but as we know, trying to impose logic on Trump's actions is a losing proposition.
"After 7 p.m., the president finally signed this coronavirus relief package and government spending bill. Had he signed it at midnight, by midnight, on Saturday night, instead of waiting til Sunday, millions of Americans would not have their benefits lapse. But because he waited a few more hours, they will. And that means something like 12 million Americans won't be able to pay for groceries or won't be able to pay their rent. Why? Why did he do that?"
Margaret Talev, CNN's White House correspondent, tried to explain.
"Alisyn, basically, all of Washington is scratching their heads asking this question this morning, including top Republican leaders. It is correct, if you are an American who is waiting for that $600 per person to arrive this week as the secretary, President Trump's Treasury secretary told you, is not going to happen most likely this week, is going to be delayed. If you're expecting that extra $300 expansion in unemployment benefits, that is -- you're probably going to miss the first week of it. That is going to be delayed. And it is because of the president's delay on this.
"And in the end, it doesn't change what package people got. It doesn't make you anymore likely to get $2,000. None of that will change as a result of the president holding back on this. Another interesting detail, my colleague, Mike Allen reporting this morning that this deal, the president's decision to go ahead and sign it was actually cemented yesterday afternoon in a phone call with Mnuchin, with house Republican leader Kevin McCarthy. So we didn't hear that he would sign it for sure until last night. But he'd actually made that decision hours earlier," Talev said.
"So what you had was a very public campaign to try goad and embarrass the president into signing it. And a private campaign that was actually probably for effective in terms of convincing him, 'you're the leader, the country can't do without you, you've fought a good fight, you've helped frame the conversation for the things you care about.' That is what it took to get it done. And even then, we all had to wait several hours to hear the decision and that extra time delay, you know, has probably made a difference in people's ability to get the relief. And if you really need the $600, that day mattered."
"As do millions of Americans, perhaps many watching right now," Jim Sciutto said. "As so often happens here, it's about ego management of the president. His friends kind of cajoling, pushing a little bit. 'Mr. President, you did so well here,' to finally get him to act."


crooksandliars--2020-12-28--Even The NY Post Turns On Trump: 'Give It Up, Mr. President'

It 's not as if the New York Post has had some kind of epiphany .
They 're worried that Trump will cost Republicans control of the Senate , and they 're telling him not to risk it : If Republicans David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler win , they will prevent Biden from rolling back what you have accomplished .
A Republican Senate can pressure Biden against returning to the old , failed Iran deal , can stop him from throwing open our southern border , will prevent him from packing the court .
Now imagine a government controlled by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House , Chuck Schumer in the Senate , Joe Biden in the White House .
How high will taxes go ?
How many of your initiatives will be strangled ?
And , on a personal note , do you think they won ’ t spend the next four years torturing you with baseless hearings and investigations ?
Ah , yes .
`` Baseless investigations . ''
There 's that New York Post we know so well .
If Georgia falls , all that is threatened .
You will leave your party out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what you have to say or to capitalize on your successes , such as expanding the Hispanic voting bloc for the GOP .
Democrats will try to write you off as a one-term aberration and , frankly , you ’ re helping them do it .
The King Lear of Mar-a-Lago , ranting about the corruption of the world .
They did have one brief moment of clarity : It 's Trump 's favorite newspaper .
Will he stop calling for anarchy ?

It's not as if the New York Post has had some kind of epiphany. They're worried that Trump will cost Republicans control of the Senate, and they're telling him not to risk it:
If Republicans David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler win, they will prevent Biden from rolling back what you have accomplished. A Republican Senate can pressure Biden against returning to the old, failed Iran deal, can stop him from throwing open our southern border, will prevent him from packing the court. Now imagine a government controlled by your nemeses — Nancy Pelosi in the House, Chuck Schumer in the Senate, Joe Biden in the White House. How high will taxes go? How many of your initiatives will be strangled? And, on a personal note, do you think they won’t spend the next four years torturing you with baseless hearings and investigations?
Ah, yes. "Baseless investigations." There's that New York Post we know so well.
If Georgia falls, all that is threatened. You will leave your party out of power, less likely to listen to what you have to say or to capitalize on your successes, such as expanding the Hispanic voting bloc for the GOP. Democrats will try to write you off as a one-term aberration and, frankly, you’re helping them do it. The King Lear of Mar-a-Lago, ranting about the corruption of the world.
They did have one brief moment of clarity:
Sidney Powell is a crazy person. Michael Flynn suggesting martial law is tantamount to treason. It is shameful.
It's Trump's favorite newspaper. Will he stop calling for anarchy?


crooksandliars--2020-12-28--CNN Fact-Checker: Many News Outlets Still Reluctant To Use The Word 'Lie'

CNN 's fact-checker Daniel Dale bemoaned the fact that many news outlets are still reluctant to use the word `` lie '' when it comes to Donald Trump and others , even after we 've watched the serial-liar-in-chief for the last four years .
One thing that is a fact is that Trump has kept this guy extremely busy for years , trying to keep up with the deluge of gaslighting bulls**t streaming from both his Twitter feed , and his mouth on a constant basis .
STELTER : Let me bring Dale in for a conversation about what these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you think fact check is the best word ?
Or is it reality checking at this point ?
What is it that you do ?
DALE : I think fact check is fine .
I think , you know , the broader pieces where we take a step back and look at the dishonest narratives rather than a particular claim .
You can call that reality checking or something of the like .
Fundamentally , whatever you call it , it 's about providing readers , viewers with the truth behind the lies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't want to use the word lies , that they are getting from the president and other public officials .
STELTER : What about you and the word lies ?
This used to be a big deal .
People would debate this for hours and hours , and now I do n't hear those debates anymore .
DALE : You know what ?
I would disagree .
I think that in many newsrooms , thankfully not ours , not at CNN , but I think in much of this country newsrooms are still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the end of the Trump presidency reluctant or even unwilling to use the word lie .
Certainly in news copy .
They might leave it to the columnists .
You know , they might leave it to the editorial board .
In those realms , it 's fine .
But I think objectively ... it could and should be in a news story every day about president Donald Trump , and it still is n't happening .
Thankfully , CNN took a different approach from the beginning .
In my negotiations with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I asked them , is it okay if I keep saying lie ?
You 're fine with that ?
They are like , yeah , that 's cool .
That 's accurate .
That was a big relief to me .
I think it says something that I did n't just take that for granted , because other newsrooms are n't the same way .
[ … ] STELTER : Our job is to call lies , lies , and stand on the side of truth .
It should n't be that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not the hardest job in the world as we long as we keep our back up straight .
DALE : That 's exactly right .
I think for a lot of reporters and even beyond reporters , for editors , publishers , CEOs , people who run media outlets , I think for a lot of them it 's like , well , we are going to be called biased if we say in our news copy that someone is lying .
Even if we do n't use the word lie , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not telling the truth or saying something false .
And so , I 've tried really hard to argue that calling a lie a lie or a falsehood a falsehood if you are afraid of the word lie , that 's not bias .
That is objective truth .
That 's objective reporting .
And when we shy away from that , Brian , I think it does damage to readers and viewers ' trust in us , because readers and viewers want people , journalists who tell it like it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell it like it is , I think that erodes our credibility with a significant segment of the population .

CNN's fact-checker Daniel Dale bemoaned the fact that many news outlets are still reluctant to use the word "lie" when it comes to Donald Trump and others, even after we've watched the serial-liar-in-chief for the last four years. One thing that is a fact is that Trump has kept this guy extremely busy for years, trying to keep up with the deluge of gaslighting bulls**t streaming from both his Twitter feed, and his mouth on a constant basis.
STELTER: Let me bring Dale in for a conversation about what these four years have been like. Do you think fact check is the best word? Or is it reality checking at this point? What is it that you do?
DALE: I think fact check is fine. I think, you know, the broader pieces where we take a step back and look at the dishonest narratives rather than a particular claim. You can call that reality checking or something of the like. Fundamentally, whatever you call it, it's about providing readers, viewers with the truth behind the lies and other deceptions, if you don't want to use the word lies, that they are getting from the president and other public officials.
STELTER: What about you and the word lies? This used to be a big deal. People would debate this for hours and hours, and now I don't hear those debates anymore.
DALE: You know what? I would disagree. I think that in many newsrooms, thankfully not ours, not at CNN, but I think in much of this country newsrooms are still to this day, you know, at the end of the Trump presidency reluctant or even unwilling to use the word lie.
Certainly in news copy. They might leave it to the columnists. You know, they might leave it to the editorial board. In those realms, it's fine. But I think objectively... it could and should be in a news story every day about president Donald Trump, and it still isn't happening.
Thankfully, CNN took a different approach from the beginning. In my negotiations with CNN to come from the Toronto Star, I asked them, is it okay if I keep saying lie? You're fine with that? They are like, yeah, that's cool. That's accurate. That was a big relief to me. I think it says something that I didn't just take that for granted, because other newsrooms aren't the same way. […]
STELTER: Our job is to call lies, lies, and stand on the side of truth. It shouldn't be that hard. Like you said it's not the hardest job in the world as we long as we keep our back up straight.
DALE: That's exactly right. I think for a lot of reporters and even beyond reporters, for editors, publishers, CEOs, people who run media outlets, I think for a lot of them it's like, well, we are going to be called biased if we say in our news copy that someone is lying. Even if we don't use the word lie, if we say in the news copy someone is not telling the truth or saying something false.
And so, I've tried really hard to argue that calling a lie a lie or a falsehood a falsehood if you are afraid of the word lie, that's not bias. That is objective truth. That's objective reporting. And when we shy away from that, Brian, I think it does damage to readers and viewers' trust in us, because readers and viewers want people, journalists who tell it like it is. And if we are afraid to tell it like it is, I think that erodes our credibility with a significant segment of the population.


crooksandliars--2020-12-28--Fox Pundit: 'Lockdowns Are The Problem, Not The Fact That Checks Are Supposedly Too Small'

Fox regular and opinion writer for the Wall Street Journal , Jason Riley , wants us to believe that the real problem we have right now is n't that the stimulus checks are too small , or that there is n't enough assistance for struggling Americans in the coronavirus relief bill that Trump finally signed on Sunday evening , but that the peons might not get back to work if unemployment benefits are too generous in the middle of a pandemic .
Heaven forbid we pay them more in emergency unemployment benefits than their low-wage jobs are paying them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fox News Sunday bemoaning Trump 's demand for the $ 2000 stimulus checks and whining about coronavirus lockdowns .
EMANUEL : It does n't look like Republicans are going to go along with president Trump 's demand of $ 2,000 stimulus checks .
Jason , are we heading for a government shutdown ?
RILEY : I do n't know if we are headed for a shutdown , Mike .
I do think that Republicans however feel like the president 's really pulled out the rug from under them at the last minute here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elect Republicans because Democrats do n't spend enough money .
They elect them because they want some fiscal responsibility .
And the president 's own negotiator , Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin thought he was negotiating in good faith for a $ 600 payment .
I understand the president wanting to give people more money , but frankly , that is not , I think , what the country needs right now so much as they need for businesses to reopen , for the economy to get back up to speed .
And these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact that checks are supposedly too small .
People need to get back to work , and to the extent that some of the unemployment insurance relief supplements in this bill are too high , there will be a disincentive for people to go back to work if they can be paid more to not work .
So we have to worry about that as well .
Funny how they never mind making sure rich people have more money than they can spend , but the working class can go pound sand .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump was sitting on that Riley believes is too generous : Pandemic unemployment assistance , a lifeline for 7.3 million American workers out of work because of the coronavirus , expired at midnight Sunday morning after President Donald Trump continued to resist signing the $ 2.3 trillion package that combines government funding with Covid-19 relief .
The bill — the result of protracted negotiations between both parties and the Trump administration that the president himself largely sat out — includes a $ 900 billion Covid-19 stimulus package that would extend those unemployment benefits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payments to unemployed gig workers and self-employed people whose businesses have stalled .

Fox regular and opinion writer for the Wall Street Journal, Jason Riley, wants us to believe that the real problem we have right now isn't that the stimulus checks are too small, or that there isn't enough assistance for struggling Americans in the coronavirus relief bill that Trump finally signed on Sunday evening, but that the peons might not get back to work if unemployment benefits are too generous in the middle of a pandemic.
Heaven forbid we pay them more in emergency unemployment benefits than their low-wage jobs are paying them. Here's Riley on this weekend's Fox News Sunday bemoaning Trump's demand for the $2000 stimulus checks and whining about coronavirus lockdowns.
EMANUEL: It doesn't look like Republicans are going to go along with president Trump's demand of $2,000 stimulus checks. Jason, are we heading for a government shutdown? RILEY: I don't know if we are headed for a shutdown, Mike. I do think that Republicans however feel like the president's really pulled out the rug from under them at the last minute here. You know, people don't elect Republicans because Democrats don't spend enough money. They elect them because they want some fiscal responsibility. And the president's own negotiator, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin thought he was negotiating in good faith for a $600 payment. I understand the president wanting to give people more money, but frankly, that is not, I think, what the country needs right now so much as they need for businesses to reopen, for the economy to get back up to speed. And these lockdowns are the problem, not the fact that checks are supposedly too small. People need to get back to work, and to the extent that some of the unemployment insurance relief supplements in this bill are too high, there will be a disincentive for people to go back to work if they can be paid more to not work. So we have to worry about that as well.
Funny how they never mind making sure rich people have more money than they can spend, but the working class can go pound sand.
Here's more on the bill that Trump was sitting on that Riley believes is too generous:


crooksandliars--2020-12-28--Trump Shouldn't Be Tried For Tax Fraud, He Should Be Tried For Mass Murder

Once he is pulled out of the White House and unprotected by the Department of Justice ’ s utterly screwed up concept of absolute executive immunity , many people would love to see Donald Trump promptly indicted and convicted on charges of tax fraud .
And that ’ s fine .
After all , as people rightly note , after he had evaded prosecution for all other crimes , it was the IRS that finally got Al Capone and sent him off to Alcatraz .
But eventually Capone was released from Alcatraz and went home .
Granted , that was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the long-term effects of syphilis .
Still … I want more when it comes to Trump .
I want Trump to be taken to the The Hague and tried before the International Criminal Court for genocide and crimes against humanity .
To be clear right off the bat , I understand that this isn ’ t going to happen .
The United States is not a signatory to the International Criminal Court ( ICC ) .
And while the Obama administration vowed to cooperate with the court , conservatives have been so anti-ICC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even passed a law saying the United States would help to free prisoners being held for trial by the ICC .
So … that .
But that doesn ’ t mean some appropriate venue for Trump can ’ t be found .
Should be found .
Has to be found .
Because Trump ’ s crimes far exceed anything that can be dealt with in a New York state court looking into how he shuffled funds among his 500+ shell companies .
Arguments might be made that all American executives might be held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s hard to name a leader who hasn ’ t been involved in war , in sanctions that have cost the lives of thousands or millions , and in providing military assistance to leaders who we know to be just plain vile .
Maybe they could all go to trial .
And maybe they all should .
But what Trump did wasn ’ t an act of war .
It can not hide behind some claim of national security .
There was no delusion that his actions might prevent more deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t even reach the most base emotional appeal of exacting revenge for some past wrong .
When determining the scale of any crime , motivation plays a key role .
There are good arguments to be made that someone who accidentally kills a stranger in a bar brawl is more dangerous to society than the person who sets out to kill a family member over some long-held grudge .
But that ’ s not the way we treat it , either in court or in public opinion .
Likewise , intent is vital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even when that accident was the result of staggering bad judgment , is not held to either the same level of horror or judgment as those who set out to take a life intentionally .
Again , it would be hard to find any executive who could stand up to the rigors of a court that held them accountable for simple mistakes .
And again , that is not the case with Trump .
The person who determines to kill with cold knowledge of what they are doing , and with expectation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the worst form of killer .
And that is exactly what Donald Trump did when he knowingly made the decision to halt plans for national testing and contact tracing .
Trump understood that aggressive national guidelines on social distancing , the institution of a national testing program , and follow-up with a program of contact tracing could save a large number of lives and restrict the spread of COVID-19 .
He had examples before him of exactly how successful a program could be .
On March 13 , the day that Trump rolled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationwide set of drive-thru testing facilities sited at thousands of “ big box ” retailers and backed by a website created by “ 7,000 engineers from Google , ” South Korea had just finished utterly crushing the initial outbreak in that country .
They had done so using exactly the techniques that were being advocated on that day : widespread testing , detailed contact tracing , strict quarantine of infected individuals , and isolation of those in contact with the infected .
It wasn ’ t just South Korea .
Other nations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surge of cases in the same way , and did so in spite of close proximity and regular contact with the area of China that had seen the original outbreak .
But Trump did not follow the announcement on March 13 with an actual system of either testing or case tracing .
The website that he cited did not exist .
The testing facilities themselves never went past a handful of poorly supplied locations mismanaged by Jared Kushner and his college buddies .
That was not a failure born from ignorance or bumbling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go around .
It was an intentional decision made by Trump and his White House staff to allow COVID-19 to ravage the country because he believed it would be to his political advantage .
As Trump watched disaster unfold in New York City , he didn ’ t think , “ What can I do to help ?
” He thought , “ Excellent.
” He thought that if he continued to pull his punches against the virus , the death toll would climb primarily in blue states .
He thought the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He thought he could hold on to power by walking over a sea of bodies .
Trump murdered Americans for personal gain , with calculated intent and full knowledge of what he was doing .
Whether the United States honors the ICC or not , there is absolutely no doubt that Trump ’ s actions fit the definition of both genocide and crimes against humanity .
He deserves a trial and punishment appropriate to scale of those crimes .
And don ’ t even get me started on the sedition …

Once he is pulled out of the White House and unprotected by the Department of Justice’s utterly screwed up concept of absolute executive immunity, many people would love to see Donald Trump promptly indicted and convicted on charges of tax fraud. And that’s fine. After all, as people rightly note, after he had evaded prosecution for all other crimes, it was the IRS that finally got Al Capone and sent him off to Alcatraz.
But eventually Capone was released from Alcatraz and went home. Granted, that was in part because he was suffering from the long-term effects of syphilis. Still … I want more when it comes to Trump.
I want Trump to be taken to the The Hague and tried before the International Criminal Court for genocide and crimes against humanity.
To be clear right off the bat, I understand that this isn’t going to happen. The United States is not a signatory to the International Criminal Court (ICC). And while the Obama administration vowed to cooperate with the court, conservatives have been so anti-ICC that under George W. Bush that they even passed a law saying the United States would help to free prisoners being held for trial by the ICC. So … that.
But that doesn’t mean some appropriate venue for Trump can’t be found. Should be found. Has to be found. Because Trump’s crimes far exceed anything that can be dealt with in a New York state court looking into how he shuffled funds among his 500+ shell companies.
Arguments might be made that all American executives might be held on such charges. After all, it’s hard to name a leader who hasn’t been involved in war, in sanctions that have cost the lives of thousands or millions, and in providing military assistance to leaders who we know to be just plain vile. Maybe they could all go to trial. And maybe they all should. But what Trump did wasn’t an act of war. It cannot hide behind some claim of national security. There was no delusion that his actions might prevent more deaths in the future. It doesn’t even reach the most base emotional appeal of exacting revenge for some past wrong.
When determining the scale of any crime, motivation plays a key role. There are good arguments to be made that someone who accidentally kills a stranger in a bar brawl is more dangerous to society than the person who sets out to kill a family member over some long-held grudge. But that’s not the way we treat it, either in court or in public opinion.
Likewise, intent is vital. Someone who kills by accident, even when that accident was the result of staggering bad judgment, is not held to either the same level of horror or judgment as those who set out to take a life intentionally. Again, it would be hard to find any executive who could stand up to the rigors of a court that held them accountable for simple mistakes. And again, that is not the case with Trump.
The person who determines to kill with cold knowledge of what they are doing, and with expectation of some personal gain, is regarded as the worst form of killer. And that is exactly what Donald Trump did when he knowingly made the decision to halt plans for national testing and contact tracing.
Trump understood that aggressive national guidelines on social distancing, the institution of a national testing program, and follow-up with a program of contact tracing could save a large number of lives and restrict the spread of COVID-19. He had examples before him of exactly how successful a program could be.
On March 13, the day that Trump rolled out what was supposed to be a nationwide set of drive-thru testing facilities sited at thousands of “big box” retailers and backed by a website created by “7,000 engineers from Google,” South Korea had just finished utterly crushing the initial outbreak in that country. They had done so using exactly the techniques that were being advocated on that day: widespread testing, detailed contact tracing, strict quarantine of infected individuals, and isolation of those in contact with the infected. It wasn’t just South Korea. Other nations, such as Taiwan, smashed their first surge of cases in the same way, and did so in spite of close proximity and regular contact with the area of China that had seen the original outbreak.
But Trump did not follow the announcement on March 13 with an actual system of either testing or case tracing. The website that he cited did not exist. The testing facilities themselves never went past a handful of poorly supplied locations mismanaged by Jared Kushner and his college buddies. That was not a failure born from ignorance or bumbling, though there was plenty of both to go around. It was an intentional decision made by Trump and his White House staff to allow COVID-19 to ravage the country because he believed it would be to his political advantage.
As Trump watched disaster unfold in New York City, he didn’t think, “What can I do to help?” He thought, “Excellent.” He thought that if he continued to pull his punches against the virus, the death toll would climb primarily in blue states. He thought the blame would fall on Democratic politicians. He thought he could hold on to power by walking over a sea of bodies.
Trump murdered Americans for personal gain, with calculated intent and full knowledge of what he was doing. Whether the United States honors the ICC or not, there is absolutely no doubt that Trump’s actions fit the definition of both genocide and crimes against humanity. He deserves a trial and punishment appropriate to scale of those crimes.
And don’t even get me started on the sedition …
Posted with permission from Daily Kos.


crooksandliars--2020-12-28--BREAKING: Trump Signs Stimulus Bill, Well After Unemployment Benefits Expired, But Before Government

BREAKING: Trump Signs Stimulus Bill, Well After Unemployment Benefits Expired, But Before Government Shut Down

Trump released the stimulus and government spending funds , even though it did n't include the $ 2000 payment he claimed he wanted .
A shut down was avoided , but millions of Americans ' unemployment benefits ran out last night .
This will cause not only at least an entire week 's loss in benefits , but innumerable inconvenience and devastating uncertainty .
According to The Washington Post : The government would have shut down on Tuesday if Trump didn ’ t act .
In addition to containing money to fund government operations , the spending package also includes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ round of stimulus checks , unemployment aid , and small business assistance , among other things .
[ ... ] Congress overwhelmingly passed the bipartisan bill on Monday night and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin praised it , something congressional leaders in both parties interpreted as a sign that Trump was supportive .
But the president released a video on Tuesday demanding changes .
He said , among other things , that the bill should have authorized stimulus checks of $ 2,000 per person instead of the $ 600 payments .
Trump also wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ package , a concern he hadn ’ t raised until after Congress passed the bill .
[ ... ] If the bill isn ’ t signed into law by Tuesday , hundreds of thousands of federal employees would be sent home without pay .
And even the many federal employees who continue to work because they are deemed “ essential , ” such as members of the military , will not be paid until a new funding bill is authorized .
In addition to a government shutdown on Tuesday , eviction protections for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week ; more than 14 million people are losing unemployment benefits ; and no stimulus checks would be issued .
Failing to sign the bill into law would also freeze new money for vaccine distribution , small business aid , the ailing airline industry , and school aid , among other things .
So , the guy who had no interest in the negotiations whatsoever , decided suddenly to undermine his Treasury Secretary , presumably to make Mitch McConnell sweat , by suddenly demanding families receive a stimulus check of $ 2000 instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bill negotiated by both sides and passed by both houses , allegedly with Trump 's blessing and promise to sign .
But do n't worry .
He still wants us to get $ 2000 .
Hahahaha - like he cares about getting Americans any relief whatsoever .

Trump released the stimulus and government spending funds, even though it didn't include the $2000 payment he claimed he wanted. A shut down was avoided, but millions of Americans' unemployment benefits ran out last night. This will cause not only at least an entire week's loss in benefits, but innumerable inconvenience and devastating uncertainty.
According to The Washington Post:
The government would have shut down on Tuesday if Trump didn’t act. In addition to containing money to fund government operations, the spending package also includes emergency relief money that finances a new round of stimulus checks, unemployment aid, and small business assistance, among other things.
[...]
Congress overwhelmingly passed the bipartisan bill on Monday night and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin praised it, something congressional leaders in both parties interpreted as a sign that Trump was supportive. But the president released a video on Tuesday demanding changes. He said, among other things, that the bill should have authorized stimulus checks of $2,000 per person instead of the $600 payments. Trump also wanted spending cuts to be included in the package, a concern he hadn’t raised until after Congress passed the bill.
[...]
If the bill isn’t signed into law by Tuesday, hundreds of thousands of federal employees would be sent home without pay. And even the many federal employees who continue to work because they are deemed “essential,” such as members of the military, will not be paid until a new funding bill is authorized. In addition to a government shutdown on Tuesday, eviction protections for millions of Americans would lapse later this week; more than 14 million people are losing unemployment benefits; and no stimulus checks would be issued. Failing to sign the bill into law would also freeze new money for vaccine distribution, small business aid, the ailing airline industry, and school aid, among other things.
So, the guy who had no interest in the negotiations whatsoever, decided suddenly to undermine his Treasury Secretary, presumably to make Mitch McConnell sweat, by suddenly demanding families receive a stimulus check of $2000 instead of $600 - the amount in the bill negotiated by both sides and passed by both houses, allegedly with Trump's blessing and promise to sign.
Meanwhile:
States cannot pay out benefits for weeks that begin before the bill is signed. Since Trump delayed signing the bill, benefits will not restart until the first week of January. But the benefits will still end in mid-March, effectively trimming the extension to 10 weeks from 11. — Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) December 28, 2020
But don't worry. He still wants us to get $2000.
Trump signs bill, calls for spending recissions and says the Senate will "start the process for a vote that increases checks to $2,000, repeals Section 230, and starts an investigation into voter fraud."
Reminder that this Congress ends in six days — Burgess Everett (@burgessev) December 28, 2020
Hahahaha - like he cares about getting Americans any relief whatsoever.


crooksandliars--2020-12-28--House Passes $2K COVID Relief Payment, Overrides Trump's NDAA Veto

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has delivered a bill for larger stimulus relief checks , increasing the one-time payment @ @ @ @ @ 2,000 .
The final vote was 275-134 , with 44 Republicans joining all but 2 @ @ @ @ @ the bill .
Mitch McConnell has a problem on his hands now , because he @ @ @ @ @ bill on the Senate floor or not .
Either way , Georgia Senate candidates Kelly @ @ @ @ @ been against these payments , while Jon Ossoff and Rev .
Raphael Warnock have been @ @ @ @ @ Mixed into this is Donald Trump 's petulant temper tantrums .
I could see him @ @ @ @ @ the bill , get it passed with Dems , and then not signing it .
@ @ @ @ @ of an extended hissy fit over his loss and does n't actually care what damage @ @ @ @ @ out .
UPDATE : The House just overrode Trump 's veto by a vote of @ @ @ @ @ also moves to the Senate for a vote to override .

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has delivered a bill for larger stimulus relief checks, increasing the one-time payment from $600 to $2,000. The final vote was 275-134, with 44 Republicans joining all but 2 Blue Dog Dems to pass the bill.
Mitch McConnell has a problem on his hands now, because he can either bring up the bill on the Senate floor or not. Either way, Georgia Senate candidates Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue have been against these payments, while Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock have been vocal about their support.
Mixed into this is Donald Trump's petulant temper tantrums. I could see him getting McConnell to bring up the bill, get it passed with Dems, and then not signing it. Trump is in the throes of an extended hissy fit over his loss and doesn't actually care what damage he does on his way out.
UPDATE: The House just overrode Trump's veto by a vote of 322-87. That bill now also moves to the Senate for a vote to override.


crooksandliars--2020-12-28--President-Elect Joe Biden Rips Trump's 'Hollowed Out' 'Sidelined' National Security Agencies

It 's always nice to hear from an actual adult in times of crisis .
After a national security briefing today , President-elect Joe Biden spoke to the press about his goals for restoring confidence in America and also his concerns about national security roadblocks thrown up by the Trump administration .
`` We 've encountered road blocks from the political leadership in the DoD and the OMB , '' he said .
`` Right now , we just are n't getting all the information that we need from the outgoing administration in key national security areas .
It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of irresponsibility . ''
`` The truth is , many of the agencies that are critical to our security have incurred enormous damage , '' he added .
`` Many of them have been hollowed out in personnel , capacity , and in morale .
The policy processes have atrophied or have been sidelined . ''
He also painted a larger vision of his view of the future and recovery of the moral authority to lead .
`` We will reclaim our credibility to lead the free world , '' he promised .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , lead not just by the example of our power , but by the power of our example . ''
As he was leaving , a reporter shouted out a question about whether he supports the $ 2,000 payments .
He shouted back that he did . '
Full video of his remarks are above .
Here is a clip of his national security remarks .
Full text of Biden 's remarks ( File opens in new window )

It's always nice to hear from an actual adult in times of crisis.
After a national security briefing today, President-elect Joe Biden spoke to the press about his goals for restoring confidence in America and also his concerns about national security roadblocks thrown up by the Trump administration.
"We've encountered road blocks from the political leadership in the DoD and the OMB," he said. "Right now, we just aren't getting all the information that we need from the outgoing administration in key national security areas. It's nothing short, in my view, of irresponsibility."
"The truth is, many of the agencies that are critical to our security have incurred enormous damage," he added. "Many of them have been hollowed out in personnel, capacity, and in morale. The policy processes have atrophied or have been sidelined."
That's a scary thought.
He also painted a larger vision of his view of the future and recovery of the moral authority to lead.
"We will reclaim our credibility to lead the free world," he promised. "And we will, once again, lead not just by the example of our power, but by the power of our example."
As he was leaving, a reporter shouted out a question about whether he supports the $2,000 payments. He shouted back that he did.'
Full video of his remarks are above. Here is a clip of his national security remarks.
Biden: We have encountered roadblocks from the political leadership at the Department of Defense and the Office of Management and Budget pic.twitter.com/AyjzeQCQ0I — Acyn Torabi (@Acyn) December 28, 2020
Full text of Biden's remarks (File opens in new window)


crooksandliars--2020-12-28--Rasmussen Quotes Stalin To Argue Trump Can Still Win

Just pure vile evilness from Rasmussen , and incredibly irresponsible .
No , Mike Pence does not have the power to subvert democracy by rejecting Electoral College results .
And then they used that awful , but sometimes accurate quote when referring to authoritarian regimes like Putin 's Russia where subverting democracy is normal .
We 're not them , nor are we Stalin 's Soviet Union .
Not yet anyway .
Republican-leaning pollster Rasmussen invoked a quote attributed to Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in a Twitter thread Sunday suggesting Vice President Pence could attempt to overturn the results of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cast the votes decide nothing .
Those who count the votes decide everything .
– Stalin , ” the pollster tweeted , before going on to outline a scenario in which Pence refuses to certify the results in swing states .
Supporters of President Trump have made similar arguments that Pence , as president of the Senate , has the power to reject Electoral College results .
However , the theory is based on a misreading of U.S. code that simply authorizes the vice president to call on states to submit their electoral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the fourth Wednesday in December , according to The Washington Post .
As for Rasmussen , they just laughed the criticism off .
A special place in hell should be reserved for such assholes .

Just pure vile evilness from Rasmussen, and incredibly irresponsible. No, Mike Pence does not have the power to subvert democracy by rejecting Electoral College results. And then they used that awful, but sometimes accurate quote when referring to authoritarian regimes like Putin's Russia where subverting democracy is normal. We're not them, nor are we Stalin's Soviet Union. Not yet anyway.
Source: The Hill
Republican-leaning pollster Rasmussen invoked a quote attributed to Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in a Twitter thread Sunday suggesting Vice President Pence could attempt to overturn the results of the presidential election.
“Those who cast the votes decide nothing. Those who count the votes decide everything. – Stalin,” the pollster tweeted, before going on to outline a scenario in which Pence refuses to certify the results in swing states.
Supporters of President Trump have made similar arguments that Pence, as president of the Senate, has the power to reject Electoral College results.
However, the theory is based on a misreading of U.S. code that simply authorizes the vice president to call on states to submit their electoral votes if they do not do so by the fourth Wednesday in December, according to The Washington Post.


crooksandliars--2020-12-28--Stacey Abrams Says Those Pandemic Checks Won't Turn The GA Runoff Election

How does Trump finally signing the pandemic relief bill affect the GA Senate runoff ?
CNN 's Jim Sciutto interviews Stacey Abrams .
`` Not only is this a belated investment , it is also a very poor investment .
Six hundred dollars will not help most families survive , and we need two U.S. senators who are willing to go to Washington and be in partnership with the new president , to deliver real covid relief to the state of Georgia , '' Abrams said .
`` We have to have supports for those 161,000 families that were facing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get better because of the extended moratorium .
We have 4.1 million job loss claims in the state , a quarter of small businesses in operation in 2019 have shut down permanently in 2020 and Mitch McConnell has declared that he intends not to do more .
He has shown his obstructionism many times before and unfortunately , both Kelly Loeffler and David Purdue have been his strongest supporters , making sure no progress happens or relief comes to Georgia . ''
Sciutto brought up Trump 's plan for a Jan. 4th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I wonder if you think that President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris have invested enough time down there to help turn the races .
Do you want to see more of Biden and Harris before January 6th ? ''
he asked .
`` We 're always excited to have the president-elect and vice president-elect in Georgia .
The numbers tell their own story , 2 million cast their ballots , 65,000 voters disproportionately under the age of 29 and people of color .
We are seeing active engagement across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state , among black and brown voters , turnout rates that are incredible for the state of Georgia .
While we are always excited to see our leaders on the ground here in Georgia , Raphael Warnock and Jon Osoff engaged voters , increasing participation and leading the turnout to win the election January 5th , '' she said .
`` We have the single highest population of African-American voters for any battleground state .
We have burgeoning population of Asian-American and Latino voters .
Asian population participation increased by 91 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 72 % and young people , black people and white voters , all of that requires investment and that 's what what we 're seeing in Georgia . ''
She said the campaign cash is being spent `` organizing , immobilizing and engaging .
Sixty-five thousand voters who did not vote in November are engaged in this election .
`` That is a testament to the thoughtfulness that we have seen coming from these candidates , raising money not simply to talk about who they are but to talk about what they will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Raphael Warnock invested in communities in ways we 've never seen from previous senator candidates -- and certainly doing more than David Purdue and Kelly Loeffler have as candidates or senators , '' she said .

How does Trump finally signing the pandemic relief bill affect the GA Senate runoff? CNN's Jim Sciutto interviews Stacey Abrams.
"Not only is this a belated investment, it is also a very poor investment. Six hundred dollars will not help most families survive, and we need two U.S. senators who are willing to go to Washington and be in partnership with the new president, to deliver real covid relief to the state of Georgia," Abrams said.
"We have to have supports for those 161,000 families that were facing eviction whose lives aren't suddenly going to get better because of the extended moratorium. We have 4.1 million job loss claims in the state, a quarter of small businesses in operation in 2019 have shut down permanently in 2020 and Mitch McConnell has declared that he intends not to do more. He has shown his obstructionism many times before and unfortunately, both Kelly Loeffler and David Purdue have been his strongest supporters, making sure no progress happens or relief comes to Georgia."
Sciutto brought up Trump's plan for a Jan. 4th "victory rally" in Georgia. "I wonder if you think that President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris have invested enough time down there to help turn the races. Do you want to see more of Biden and Harris before January 6th?" he asked.
"We're always excited to have the president-elect and vice president-elect in Georgia. The numbers tell their own story, 2 million cast their ballots, 65,000 voters disproportionately under the age of 29 and people of color. We are seeing active engagement across the state, including in rural parts of the state, among black and brown voters, turnout rates that are incredible for the state of Georgia. While we are always excited to see our leaders on the ground here in Georgia, Raphael Warnock and Jon Osoff engaged voters, increasing participation and leading the turnout to win the election January 5th," she said.
Abrams explained that Georgia is a unique state.
"We have the single highest population of African-American voters for any battleground state. We have burgeoning population of Asian-American and Latino voters. Asian population participation increased by 91% over 2016, Latino population participation increased 72% and young people, black people and white voters, all of that requires investment and that's what what we're seeing in Georgia."
She said the campaign cash is being spent "organizing, immobilizing and engaging. Sixty-five thousand voters who did not vote in November are engaged in this election.
"That is a testament to the thoughtfulness that we have seen coming from these candidates, raising money not simply to talk about who they are but to talk about what they will do and we know that Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock invested in communities in ways we've never seen from previous senator candidates -- and certainly doing more than David Purdue and Kelly Loeffler have as candidates or senators," she said.


crooksandliars--2020-12-28--Of Course, MAGA Q-Nuts Think Nashville Bomb Was Chinese Plot To Overturn Trump 'Win'

Hundreds of followers of QAnon who support President Donald Trump claimed over the weekend that a Nashville suicide bombing was actually a military operation to steal the election .
The complicated theory began circulating soon after an RV exploded in downtown Nashville .
The Trump followers believe that the explosion was actually a missile strike aimed at destroying Dominion voting machines that were allegedly being audited at an AT & T facility .
Lin Wood , an attorney who challenged Trump 's loss , advanced the idea that there is a link between AT & T and Dominion Voting Systems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the owners of Dominion Voting Systems and the owners of the AT & T building .
By Monday , thousands of tweets and posts on Parler made wild claims about the bomb .
Some believed that a U.S. military missile struck the building while others linked the bombing to China .
Some conspiracy theorists suggested that the bombing suspect was already dead when the explosion occurred .
`` As Q says , there are no coincidences , '' one QAnon broadcaster said .
`` This explosion has a lot to do with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in right now . ''
Read a sampling of the tweets below .

Hundreds of followers of QAnon who support President Donald Trump claimed over the weekend that a Nashville suicide bombing was actually a military operation to steal the election.
The complicated theory began circulating soon after an RV exploded in downtown Nashville. The Trump followers believe that the explosion was actually a missile strike aimed at destroying Dominion voting machines that were allegedly being audited at an AT&T facility.
Lin Wood, an attorney who challenged Trump's loss, advanced the idea that there is a link between AT&T and Dominion Voting Systems.
Because my name is Lucian, I have read about Saint Lucian of Antioch. He was falsely accused of heresy.
Kyle Rittenhouse lives in Antioch, Illinois. Kyle was falsely accused of murder.
Anthony Quinn Warner is under investigation for Nashville bombing. He lives in Antioch, Tenn. pic.twitter.com/aA76xMWbH0
— Lin Wood (@LLinWood) December 27, 2020
Tariq Nasheed pointed out a connection between the owners of Dominion Voting Systems and the owners of the AT&T building.
This might just be a strange coincidence...but
The ATT building in Nashville that was blown up today was owned by Cerebus Capital. Owners of Dominion Voting Systems,(the company many people are accusing of voter fraud) are former executives from Cerebus.
🤔#FelizNavidad pic.twitter.com/JvfJwjeuqf
— Tariq Nasheed 🇺🇸 (@tariqnasheed) December 26, 2020
Nasheed's tweet was quickly circulated by QAnon's followers.
By Monday, thousands of tweets and posts on Parler made wild claims about the bomb. Some believed that a U.S. military missile struck the building while others linked the bombing to China. Some conspiracy theorists suggested that the bombing suspect was already dead when the explosion occurred.
"As Q says, there are no coincidences," one QAnon broadcaster said. "This explosion has a lot to do with the electoral fraud crisis that we're in right now."
Read a sampling of the tweets below.
Because my name is Lucian, I have read about Saint Lucian of Antioch. He was falsely accused of heresy.
Kyle Rittenhouse lives in Antioch, Illinois. Kyle was falsely accused of murder.
Anthony Quinn Warner is under investigation for Nashville bombing. He lives in Antioch, Tenn. pic.twitter.com/aA76xMWbH0
— Lin Wood (@LLinWood) December 27, 2020
Military black op missions going down in Nashville 🤔. I wonder if that was an nsa “patroit act" listening hub. I woner if it held dominion voting records. I wonder if anyones gonna watch the explosion in slow mo.
— AP (@DuffleBagBoi_50) December 28, 2020
Sounds about right. Covid made him try to destroy evidence at the AT&T building where Dominion machines were being held for evaluation. I hope the plan of Democrats failed.
— Caren D. (@CarenDaniel5) December 28, 2020
Total BS...Definitely Military-Grade Explosives intended to destroy evidence in the AT&T building.
BTW, why is AT&T conducting "the audit" and not a major CPA firm?
— "President-Elect" HL3 (@HL356876250) December 28, 2020
Dominion Voting systems were not to go online in any way shape or form because it would have been illegal to do so. Not to worry though, Dems can just blow up AT&T and wipe that evidence clean, and of course FBI has their back, suspect dead in explosion, End of investigation.🤬 pic.twitter.com/tbFn0Cjmp6
— 🇺🇸★ᴍɪᴄʜᴀᴇʟ★🇺🇸 (@MichaelT_45) December 28, 2020
And why was ATT in Nashville blown up? IT expert Hasland says Georgia Voting Machines were connected to China. Then ATT building that covers Georgia is blown up!https://t.co/Hw08N5Nqm1
— Bg G (@9bb2e5c43a21469) December 28, 2020
6) So, the explosion “just happened" to be at the AT&T location where they “just so happen" to control the cooling system for the super computer and house the dominion voting machines and drives for forensic audit.
— Mama Athelia 🇨🇦 (@AtheliaMama) December 28, 2020
It is a war on Christmas and this man is a terrorist for the democrats. Destroying At&t/dominion server evidence for voter fraud and this guy in the name of socialism gave his life for it, which means he is a terrorist. All socialist have a war on Christmas agenda, so here I am. pic.twitter.com/2hsuN6bcQ6
— Tonita (@mmariscal111) December 28, 2020
This guy was used. ATT hub server for TN and GA and Dominion information on server. Could be a dry run to knock down our communications so Left controls the message on TV. They want to bring in Communism. Pray! President Trump is fighting so hard for us to keep our freedom .
— Diana Weber (@Dianaweber123) December 28, 2020
Can ANYONE put two and two together? An audit by Hasland of Georgia Voting Machines says they were connected to China. Then the ATT building that covers Georgia is blown up! Was it to hide evidence of the China connection?????https://t.co/Hw08N5Nqm1
— Bg G (@9bb2e5c43a21469) December 28, 2020
Destruction of AT&T /Dominion server evidence of voter fraud and the MSM want to put the sole blame on this guy. Nice try. We are nit buying it. pic.twitter.com/ssKg8PAz7m
— Tonita (@mmariscal111) December 28, 2020
Destruction of AT&T /Dominion server evidence of voter fraud and the MSM want to put the sole blame on this guy. Nice try. We are nit buying it. pic.twitter.com/ssKg8PAz7m
— Tonita (@mmariscal111) December 28, 2020
A cousin in Nashville says the explosion was a missile strike, not a bomb. She says the actual target was the AT&T building, where voting machines are being examined. The goal was to destroy proof of election fraud. This is how fucking delusional Trump supporters are...
— Uncle Todd 🇺🇸 🇳🇱 🏳🌈 (@unkltodd) December 28, 2020
Because you're not. The FBI is lying. It was not a bomb, it was a missle strike. A military missle. AT&T kept Domoninion Voting machines with evidence and they also Housed the NSA spying office that allowed them to listen in on phone conversations of any American using AT&T https://t.co/g58xO2PK7b
— Brian Shelton (@bkshelton1) December 28, 2020
Fake story. It was not the RV it was a missile strike on At&t building housing the computer cooling system. Also where the got the contract to audit the voting machines
— President-elect-Conway (@ConwayEsli) December 28, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-12-28--Trump's Economic Counsel Stephen Moore Attacks COVID Relief As 'Helicopter Money' For The Poor

On Varney & Co. , Stephen Moore of Freedomworks fame told FOX Business that the latest COVID relief checks are free `` helicopter money '' that working people will put in the bank instead of spending .
On Varney & Co. guest host David Assman attacked the COVID relief bill that Trump finally signed , claiming it was not a stimulus at all and cited the 2008 George Bush tax rebates and other stimulus monies before the pandemic as monies the American people never spent , but only saved .
Assman curiously forgets the rounds of stimulus passed this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic to working class Americans around this country , but whatevs .
Moore , who was the Director of the US National Economic Council for Trump replied , `` I call it helicopter money .
The Fed printing a lot of hundred dollar bills and then taking helicopters over cities and dropping the money out of the windows . ''
You may remember when Moore was an odious Trump appointee to the Fed .
His appointment was so bad , Trump was quickly was forced to withdraw his nomination .
This Freedomworks motherf**ker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the House today on a $ 2000 stimulus check because the poors should get nothing .
Now , if this check was for corporations ?
He would call it incredible .
Moore continued his disgusting rant , `` Where are the tax cuts , David ?
Where is the deregulation , the things that make a productive economy grow ?
and that 's what 's missing . ''
Trump already gave a massive `` helicopter money '' gift to corporations and the wealthy with his incredibly dumb tax cuts that added almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Be assured these same Republicans who voted for stimulus because Trump was in office , will suddenly become penny pinchers , tout austerity , and whine about the deficit once we have a Democratic president .
Moore then explained that it was the poor people that were suffering the most from the pandemic , which undermines his earlier points entirely .
`` I have a piece on Foxnews.com .
making that point , which is , that liberals obsess about income inequality . ''
We do because it 's destructive to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say they want to do what they can to reduce racial disparities in the country , but the people who have been flattened by these lockdowns are the lowest income groups and everyone acknowledges that and minorities have been particularly hard hit . ''
So why then does n't he support $ 2000 dollars going to those suffering ?
This right-wing jackass will never want the working class of America to receive any government help , ever .
How many people are out of work and are desperate to continue getting unemployment and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ themselves through this pandemic ?
Small local businesses have suffered the brunt of the coronavirus outbreak and there is no pity offered to them by the snakes of conservatism .
They ca n't just re-open because the virus causes death .
The only free money FOX Business hosts and people like Stephen Moore enjoy are incredible tax cuts to corporations and the very wealthy .
And they use it to buy back stock and purchase a third or fourth house .

On Varney & Co., Stephen Moore of Freedomworks fame told FOX Business that the latest COVID relief checks are free "helicopter money" that working people will put in the bank instead of spending.
On Varney & Co. guest host David Assman attacked the COVID relief bill that Trump finally signed, claiming it was not a stimulus at all and cited the 2008 George Bush tax rebates and other stimulus monies before the pandemic as monies the American people never spent, but only saved.
Assman curiously forgets the rounds of stimulus passed this year that helped soften the blow of the pandemic to working class Americans around this country, but whatevs.
Moore, who was the Director of the US National Economic Council for Trump replied, "I call it helicopter money. The Fed printing a lot of hundred dollar bills and then taking helicopters over cities and dropping the money out of the windows."
You may remember when Moore was an odious Trump appointee to the Fed. His appointment was so bad, Trump was quickly was forced to withdraw his nomination.
This Freedomworks motherf**ker is also worried about the additional vote in the House today on a $2000 stimulus check because the poors should get nothing.
Now, if this check was for corporations? He would call it incredible.
Moore continued his disgusting rant, "Where are the tax cuts, David? Where is the deregulation, the things that make a productive economy grow? and that's what's missing."
Trump already gave a massive "helicopter money" gift to corporations and the wealthy with his incredibly dumb tax cuts that added almost $2 trillion to the federal debt.
Be assured these same Republicans who voted for stimulus because Trump was in office, will suddenly become penny pinchers, tout austerity, and whine about the deficit once we have a Democratic president.
Moore then explained that it was the poor people that were suffering the most from the pandemic, which undermines his earlier points entirely.
"I have a piece on Foxnews.com. making that point, which is, that liberals obsess about income inequality."
We do because it's destructive to the fabric of our nation.
"They say they want to do what they can to reduce racial disparities in the country, but the people who have been flattened by these lockdowns are the lowest income groups and everyone acknowledges that and minorities have been particularly hard hit."
So why then doesn't he support $2000 dollars going to those suffering?
This right-wing jackass will never want the working class of America to receive any government help, ever. How many people are out of work and are desperate to continue getting unemployment and receive any monies they can to sustain themselves through this pandemic?
Small local businesses have suffered the brunt of the coronavirus outbreak and there is no pity offered to them by the snakes of conservatism. They can't just re-open because the virus causes death.
The only free money FOX Business hosts and people like Stephen Moore enjoy are incredible tax cuts to corporations and the very wealthy. And they use it to buy back stock and purchase a third or fourth house.
The same Stephen Moore that doesn't have a PhD? That Stephen Moore? — Mike (@Antidote4BS) December 28, 2020
It's Stephen Moore. You can just stop right there. — 𝐀 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 (@🏡🇺🇲✊🏼✊🏿 ) (@TruthSalvo) December 28, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-12-28--President Nutso Thinks He Can 'Line-Item Veto' The Bill He Just Signed

The so-called president has no idea how government works and is a megalomaniac dumbass , but you knew that .
@ @ @ @ @ In an official statement issued last night , the White House said Trump was signing @ @ @ @ @ also sending back `` a redlined version '' of the legislation to Congress , alerting @ @ @ @ @ spending provisions in the bill that he wants them to remove .
Oh ffs .
@ @ @ @ @ In 23 days you 're no longer president .
You are `` negotiating '' after @ @ @ @ @ your own Florida GOLF COURSE ?
Your Vice-President is in Vail .
And your chief @ @ @ @ @ is in Cabo .
The same place he was during the LAST government shutdown .
@ @ @ @ @ of unemployment checks for 19 million Americans , tho , with your utter incompetence .
@ @ @ @ @ next round of pardons .

The so-called president has no idea how government works and is a megalomaniac dumbass, but you knew that. MSNBC has the latest:
In an official statement issued last night, the White House said Trump was signing the package, but was also sending back "a redlined version" of the legislation to Congress, alerting lawmakers to a list of spending provisions in the bill that he wants them to remove.
Oh ffs. Wake up, Donald. In 23 days you're no longer president. You are "negotiating" after the bill is signed from your own Florida GOLF COURSE?
Your Vice-President is in Vail.
“Nearly 50 Secret Service agents have reportedly booked rooms at the Grand Hyatt Vail and in other locations around the valley, and ski instructors at Beaver Creek Resort were booked for the Pence.”
God-awful, as the nation starves w no relief money. https://t.co/9BEZNEVRYn — Cherie Cole (@wildwillow65) December 25, 2020
He's at The Beaver Creek Resort. pic.twitter.com/OwjZsZr3cJ — Murrow's Girl (@MadelineTriebw3) December 27, 2020
And your chief negotiator, Steve Mnuchin, is in Cabo. The same place he was during the LAST government shutdown.
While the Trump cabal shut down the government and expected federal employees to work for free, Steve Mnuchin and Louise Linton chose to vacation at the ultra-exclusive El Dorado Beach Club in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. #TrumpShutdown pic.twitter.com/XWh0UaqSHj — Catherine K DeGeer (@CatherineDeGeer) January 10, 2019
Thanks for canceling one week of unemployment checks for 19 million Americans, tho, with your utter incompetence. Can't wait for the next round of pardons.


crooksandliars--2020-12-29--Bernie Sanders To Filibuster Defense Bill Funding To Force Vote On $2000 Checks

Bernie Sanders is planning to filibuster an override of Trump ’ s defense bill veto unless the Senate holds a vote on providing $ 2,000 checks to Americans .
The tactic ties the refusal firmly around the necks of the Republican party the week before the Georgia runoff election .
Via Politico : “ McConnell and the Senate want to expedite the override vote and I understand that .
But I ’ m not going to allow that to happen unless there is a vote , no matter how long that takes , on the $ 2,000 direct payment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday night .
The Vermont independent can ’ t ultimately stop the veto override vote , but he can delay it until New Year ’ s Day and make things more difficult for the GOP .
[ ... ] Under Senate rules , Sanders has the ability to keep the chamber in session during the holiday week and likely mess with the campaign schedules of Sens .
David Perdue ( R-Ga. ) and Kelly Loeffler ( R-Ga. ) .
Those two face Jan. 5 runoff races for control of the Senate against Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are both campaigning on the $ 2,000 checks .
A source close to Sanders said the Senate races were a factor in his decision — part of a bid to keep Perdue and Loeffler in D.C. and focus the campaign on their position regarding the $ 2,000 checks .
Sanders also threatened to shut down the government earlier this month if the coronavirus relief bill did not include direct payments ; ultimately it included checks of up to $ 600 and the government stayed open , though now Trump wants to go much @ @

Bernie Sanders is planning to filibuster an override of Trump’s defense bill veto unless the Senate holds a vote on providing $2,000 checks to Americans. The tactic ties the refusal firmly around the necks of the Republican party the week before the Georgia runoff election. Via Politico:
“McConnell and the Senate want to expedite the override vote and I understand that. But I’m not going to allow that to happen unless there is a vote, no matter how long that takes, on the $2,000 direct payment,” Sanders said in an interview on Monday night. The Vermont independent can’t ultimately stop the veto override vote, but he can delay it until New Year’s Day and make things more difficult for the GOP.
[...] Under Senate rules, Sanders has the ability to keep the chamber in session during the holiday week and likely mess with the campaign schedules of Sens. David Perdue (R-Ga.) and Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.). Those two face Jan. 5 runoff races for control of the Senate against Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, who are both campaigning on the $2,000 checks.
A source close to Sanders said the Senate races were a factor in his decision — part of a bid to keep Perdue and Loeffler in D.C. and focus the campaign on their position regarding the $2,000 checks. Sanders also threatened to shut down the government earlier this month if the coronavirus relief bill did not include direct payments; ultimately it included checks of up to $600 and the government stayed open, though now Trump wants to go much higher.


crooksandliars--2020-12-29--Debbie Dingell Doesn't Sugarcoat Her Disgust For Trump

Rep. Debbie Dingell made no effort on Thursday to hide her contempt for House Republicans ' decision to obstruct the approval of $ 2,000 relief checks for Americans , nine months into a pandemic that has left more than 300,000 Americans dead , hundreds of thousands of small businesses permanently shuttered , an estimated 50 million people facing food insecurity , and tens of millions facing possible eviction .
`` It is Christmas Eve , but it is not a silent night .
All is not calm .
For too many , nothing is bright . ''
—Rep .
Debbie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adjourned the U.S. House after Majority Leader Steny Hoyer ( D-Md . )
requested unanimous consent for an amendment that would increase $ 600 direct payments in the coronavirus relief package passed on Monday , to $ 2,000 .
Though the sum was endorsed by President Donald Trump this week , House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy ( R-Calif. ) objected to the measure .
`` So we do not have unanimous consent , '' Dingell said in a disbelieving tone before announcing , `` The House stands adjourned until 2:00 p.m. on Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Merry Christmas , '' the congresswoman said with an emotional pause and discernible disgust after banging the gavel .
Dingell 's closing remark was `` about the most disgusted , sarcastic I 've heard in awhile , '' tweeted congressional reporter Michael McAuliff .
Another observer noted that it appeared Dingell `` wanted to insert a choice expletive in the middle of that . ''
After adjourning the House , Dingell spoke angrily at a press conference about the suffering she has seen in her own district and across the country and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help alleviate it .
`` It is Christmas Eve , but it is not a silent night , '' Dingell said .
`` All is not calm .
For too many , nothing is bright .
And for too many , they are not sleeping peacefully .
I gave a town hall last night that had people crying , people terrified of what is going to happen ...
I 've been talking to people who are scared they 're going to be kicked out from their homes during the Christmas holiday , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sign this bill . ''
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) called on Trump to ensure that House Republicans stop obstructing the badly-needed relief and announced her intention to hold a recorded vote on a stand-alone bill offering $ 2,000 payments next week .
`` House and Senate Democrats have repeatedly fought for bigger checks for the American people , which House and Senate Republicans haverepeatedly rejected , '' Pelosi said .
`` To vote against this bill is to deny the financial hardship that families face and to deny them the @ @ @ @ @

Rep. Debbie Dingell made no effort on Thursday to hide her contempt for House Republicans' decision to obstruct the approval of $2,000 relief checks for Americans, nine months into a pandemic that has left more than 300,000 Americans dead, hundreds of thousands of small businesses permanently shuttered, an estimated 50 million people facing food insecurity, and tens of millions facing possible eviction.
"It is Christmas Eve, but it is not a silent night. All is not calm. For too many, nothing is bright."
—Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.)
The Michigan Democrat adjourned the U.S. House after Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) requested unanimous consent for an amendment that would increase $600 direct payments in the coronavirus relief package passed on Monday, to $2,000. Though the sum was endorsed by President Donald Trump this week, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) objected to the measure.
"So we do not have unanimous consent," Dingell said in a disbelieving tone before announcing, "The House stands adjourned until 2:00 p.m. on Monday, December 28, 2020."
"Merry Christmas," the congresswoman said with an emotional pause and discernible disgust after banging the gavel.
Dingell's closing remark was "about the most disgusted, sarcastic I've heard in awhile," tweeted congressional reporter Michael McAuliff.
And seriously, this Merry Christmas' from Debbie Dingell is about the most disgusted, sarcastic I've heard in a while, after Republicans blocked quick $2,000 check legislation. pic.twitter.com/ifCa7sbZ2w — Michael McAuliff (@mmcauliff) December 24, 2020
Another observer noted that it appeared Dingell "wanted to insert a choice expletive in the middle of that."
I feel like she wanted to insert a choice expletive in the middle of that. — Brian Smith (@SmithBrianA) December 24, 2020
After adjourning the House, Dingell spoke angrily at a press conference about the suffering she has seen in her own district and across the country and condemned the Republicans for their refusal to help alleviate it.
"It is Christmas Eve, but it is not a silent night," Dingell said. "All is not calm. For too many, nothing is bright. And for too many, they are not sleeping peacefully. I gave a town hall last night that had people crying, people terrified of what is going to happen... I've been talking to people who are scared they're going to be kicked out from their homes during the Christmas holiday, and still might be if we don't sign this bill."
Watch:
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) called on Trump to ensure that House Republicans stop obstructing the badly-needed relief and announced her intention to hold a recorded vote on a stand-alone bill offering $2,000 payments next week.
"House and Senate Democrats have repeatedly fought for bigger checks for the American people, which House and Senate Republicans haverepeatedly rejected," Pelosi said. "To vote against this bill is to deny the financial hardship that families face and to deny them the relief they need."


crooksandliars--2020-12-29--Adviser Says Biden Will Invoke Defense Production Act To Accelerate COVID-19 Vaccine Production

While Donald Trump golfs and pouts , not always in that order , President-elect Joe Biden 's office is taking it upon themselves to offer up some leadership previews—some declarations of what they intend to do immediately upon taking office to fill the hollow spaces after Trump lost the election and simply stopped pretending to give a damn about his supposed presidential duties .
On CNBC , Biden pandemic advisory board member Dr. Celine Gounder let it be known that Biden will be invoking the Defense Production Act to accelerate vaccine production .
It will happen , she told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make sure the personal protective equipment , the test capacity and the raw materials for the vaccines are produced in adequate supply . ''
Vaccine distribution is currently happening at a far more sluggish pace than the Trump-led federal government claimed it would , and the current administration has given no indication they intend to prod things along in their last weeks of office .
Theoretical task force head Mike Pence is on a ski vacation in Colorado .
Trump is at Mar-a-Lago , mingling with pardoned guests and generally being an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Biden team ca n't do much about that other than prod until the inauguration .
So for now we 're getting the equivalent of leadership movie trailers—little previews of what president-ing during a national crisis might look like if everyone in the building had n't been selected solely based on how vigorously they could shine Dear Leader 's boots .

While Donald Trump golfs and pouts, not always in that order, President-elect Joe Biden's office is taking it upon themselves to offer up some leadership previews—some declarations of what they intend to do immediately upon taking office to fill the hollow spaces after Trump lost the election and simply stopped pretending to give a damn about his supposed presidential duties.
On CNBC, Biden pandemic advisory board member Dr. Celine Gounder let it be known that Biden will be invoking the Defense Production Act to accelerate vaccine production. It will happen, she told the network: "The idea there is to make sure the personal protective equipment, the test capacity and the raw materials for the vaccines are produced in adequate supply."
Vaccine distribution is currently happening at a far more sluggish pace than the Trump-led federal government claimed it would, and the current administration has given no indication they intend to prod things along in their last weeks of office. Theoretical task force head Mike Pence is on a ski vacation in Colorado. Trump is at Mar-a-Lago, mingling with pardoned guests and generally being an ass. They've given up.
The Biden team can't do much about that other than prod until the inauguration. So for now we're getting the equivalent of leadership movie trailers—little previews of what president-ing during a national crisis might look like if everyone in the building hadn't been selected solely based on how vigorously they could shine Dear Leader's boots.
Posted with permission from Daily Kos.


crooksandliars--2020-12-29--World's Dumbest GOP Congressman Sues Pence In Last-Ditch Effort To Overturn Presidential Election

Yeah , I know , he 's got some stiff competition from Gym Jordan , Matt Gaetz and others , but there 's a good argument to be made that Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert really is the dumbest member of the United States House of Representatives .
Gohmert and others filed a lawsuit this week making the ridiculous claim that Mike Pence has the ability to unilaterally overturn the results of the presidential election , and decide not to count the electoral votes in swing states that Biden won : Vice President Pence was sued Sunday by Rep. Louie Gohmert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a far-fetched bid that appeared aimed at overturning President-elect Joe Biden 's election win .
The lawsuit focuses on Pence ’ s role in an upcoming Jan. 6 meeting of Congress to count states ’ electoral votes and finalize Biden ’ s victory over President Trump .
Typically , the vice president ’ s role in presiding over the meeting is a largely ceremonial one governed by an 1887 federal law known as the Electoral Count Act .
But the Republican lawsuit , which was filed against Pence in his official capacity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judge in Texas to strike down the law as unconstitutional .
The GOP plaintiffs go further : They ask the court to grant Pence the authority on Jan. 6 to effectively overturn Trump ’ s defeat in key battleground states .
Election law experts were dismissive of the lawsuit ’ s prospects for success .
Yeah , that 's the understatement of the year .
Here 's more from Hunter at Kos on this madness : The important thing to know is that lawsuit has roughly zero chance of working , because ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , ( 2 ) the claim that Gohmert has standing because as a congressthing , counting electors he does n't want counted will make him officially Sad , and ( 3 ) all the rest of it .
It 's a broadly dishonest retread of the previous Dumbest Lawsuit in the Land , with some of the most egregious errors removed and new ones added .
The backstory here , though , is mildly more interesting .
Exactly a week ago , Gohmert and a host of Republican fascism-peddlers met with both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out strategies for sabotaging the acceptance of the Electoral College results .
House Republicans have been strongly pressuring Pence to cause a scene at the Jan. 6 tally , Donald Trump 's pseudolegal bullshitters have been hyping conspiracy theories rallying the base around the same premise , and we can gather that this lawsuit against Pence was either a planned move between House Republicans and Pence to give him plausible deniability for creating a scene or , perhaps more likely , a disgruntled loner move from Gohmert himself after Pence refused to explicitly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along with their ridiculous , seditious , and doomed-to-failure plan .
So this is what they came up with .
Or , at least , what Rep. Louie Gohmert and Kelli Freaking Ward came up with .
We 're going to no doubt see different versions appear in coming days from Jim Jordan and Trump 's other most willing traitors , but all of it is meant mostly as rube fodder .
It is meant to rile the far-right Republican base into believing the election was `` illegitimate '' based on hoaxes peddled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conspiracy and fraud .
It 's already been made clear that even conservative courts are not going to go along with Republican attempts to stage an outright coup .
House Republicans and Trump are instead working to so delegitimize our elections process that the violent far right comes out to do what the courts will not .
Just because it probably wo n't work does n't make it less dangerous .
This is another test of the system 's bounds .
They will be tested again , and again , and again .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ this on Twitter about the chances of the suit prevailing and who filed it .

Yeah, I know, he's got some stiff competition from Gym Jordan, Matt Gaetz and others, but there's a good argument to be made that Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert really is the dumbest member of the United States House of Representatives.
Gohmert and others filed a lawsuit this week making the ridiculous claim that Mike Pence has the ability to unilaterally overturn the results of the presidential election, and decide not to count the electoral votes in swing states that Biden won:
Vice President Pence was sued Sunday by Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) and several other Republicans in a far-fetched bid that appeared aimed at overturning President-elect Joe Biden's election win. The lawsuit focuses on Pence’s role in an upcoming Jan. 6 meeting of Congress to count states’ electoral votes and finalize Biden’s victory over President Trump. Typically, the vice president’s role in presiding over the meeting is a largely ceremonial one governed by an 1887 federal law known as the Electoral Count Act. But the Republican lawsuit, which was filed against Pence in his official capacity as vice president, asks a federal judge in Texas to strike down the law as unconstitutional. The GOP plaintiffs go further: They ask the court to grant Pence the authority on Jan. 6 to effectively overturn Trump’s defeat in key battleground states. Election law experts were dismissive of the lawsuit’s prospects for success.
Yeah, that's the understatement of the year.
Here's more from Hunter at Kos on this madness:
The important thing to know is that lawsuit has roughly zero chance of working, because (1) the Constitution does not say that, (2) the claim that Gohmert has standing because as a congressthing, counting electors he doesn't want counted will make him officially Sad, and (3) all the rest of it. It's a broadly dishonest retread of the previous Dumbest Lawsuit in the Land, with some of the most egregious errors removed and new ones added. The backstory here, though, is mildly more interesting. Exactly a week ago, Gohmert and a host of Republican fascism-peddlers met with both Donald Trump and Mike Pence to plot out strategies for sabotaging the acceptance of the Electoral College results. House Republicans have been strongly pressuring Pence to cause a scene at the Jan. 6 tally, Donald Trump's pseudolegal bullshitters have been hyping conspiracy theories rallying the base around the same premise, and we can gather that this lawsuit against Pence was either a planned move between House Republicans and Pence to give him plausible deniability for creating a scene or, perhaps more likely, a disgruntled loner move from Gohmert himself after Pence refused to explicitly promise House crackpots that he'd go along with their ridiculous, seditious, and doomed-to-failure plan. So this is what they came up with. Or, at least, what Rep. Louie Gohmert and Kelli Freaking Ward came up with. We're going to no doubt see different versions appear in coming days from Jim Jordan and Trump's other most willing traitors, but all of it is meant mostly as rube fodder. It is meant to rile the far-right Republican base into believing the election was "illegitimate" based on hoaxes peddled by Republican leaders claiming all manner of conspiracy and fraud. It's already been made clear that even conservative courts are not going to go along with Republican attempts to stage an outright coup. House Republicans and Trump are instead working to so delegitimize our elections process that the violent far right comes out to do what the courts will not. Just because it probably won't work doesn't make it less dangerous. This is another test of the system's bounds. They will be tested again, and again, and again.
"Kraken Buster" Marc Elias shared this on Twitter about the chances of the suit prevailing and who filed it.