crooksandliars--2020-06-24--Finally, Advertisers Are Boycotting Facebook

Finally punching Facebook by withholding the only thing they care about , money .
Below is a press release from ADL and the NAACP .
-- eds .
In response to Facebook ’ s repeated failure to meaningfully address the vast proliferation of hate on its platforms , six organizations today announced a new campaign , # StopHateforProfit , that asks large Facebook advertisers to show they will not support a company that puts profit over safety .
ADL ( the Anti-Defamation League ) , the NAACP , Sleeping Giants , Color Of Change , Free Press and Common Sense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s most storied civil rights organizations calling for some of the world ’ s largest corporations to pause advertising on Facebook during the month of July 2020 .
The campaign is a response to Facebook ’ s long history of allowing racist , violent and verifiably false content to run rampant on its platform .
The campaign will organize corporate and public pressure to demand Facebook stop generating ad revenue from hateful content , provide more support to people who are targets of racism and hate , and to increase safety for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other measures .
The # StopHateforProfit campaign was launched today with an ad in The Los Angeles Times asking what Facebook could do with the $ 70 billion in revenue that it makes from advertising each year , and highlighting that the social media company is amplifying the messages of white supremacists , permitting incitement to violence , and is failing to disrupt bad actors using the platform to do harm .
The ad calls on large corporate advertisers to “ send Facebook a powerful message : Your profits will never be worth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ antisemitism and violence.
” “ Facebook remains unwilling to take significant steps to remove political propaganda from its platform , ” said Derrick Johnson , President and CEO of the NAACP .
“ It is clear that Facebook and its CEO , Mark Zuckerberg , are no longer simply negligent , but in fact , complacent in the spread of misinformation , despite the irreversible damage to our democracy .
Such actions will upend the integrity of our elections as we head into 2020 .
We will not stand for this .
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in connecting people of color with one another , we call into question a platform that profits from the suppression of Black votes or Black voices.
” “ We have long seen how Facebook has allowed some of the worst elements of society into our homes and our lives .
When this hate spreads online it causes tremendous harm and also becomes permissible offline , ” said Jonathan Greenblatt , ADL CEO .
“ Our organizations have tried individually and collectively to push Facebook to make their platforms safer , but they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We hope this campaign finally shows Facebook how much their users and their advertisers want them to make serious changes for the better.
” “ We have been continually disappointed and stunned by Mark Zuckerberg ’ s commitment to protecting white supremacy , voter suppression and outright lies on Facebook .
As corporations take a stand against racism in our society , they should consider how their advertising dollars support Facebook making Black people less safe online , ” said Rashad Robinson , President of Color Of Change .
“ Facebook ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racial hatred we see in our country and even profits off its proliferation .
A key way for major corporations to demand racial justice is to withhold their dollars until Facebook becomes more responsible and accountable to Black communities on the platform.
” Over the last few years , Facebook has : • Allowed incitement to violence against protestors fighting for racial justice in America in the wake of George Floyd , Breonna Taylor , Tony McDade , Ahmaud Arbery , Rayshard Brooks , and many others ; • Made Breitbart News a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Daily Caller a “ fact checker ” despite both publications having records of working with known white nationalists and neo-Nazis ; • Was forced to make changes to their advertising platform after a lawsuit alleged Facebook had allowed for widespread housing discrimination against communities of color ; • Silenced Black users on the platforms for calling out racism and also refused to adequately protect users from online threats ; • Failed to recognize and remove Holocaust denial as a form of hate ; and • Allowed the Facebook platform to be used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ targeted disinformation aimed at Black voters .
“ Facebook has become one of the largest and most profitable companies in the world by allowing disinformation , hate and incitement on its platform , '' said James P. Steyer , Founder and CEO of Common Sense .
“ Facebook has refused to stop prioritizing profits over the well-being of our society , but advertisers can , which is why we are urging companies to take a pause from spending on Facebook ads until it makes common sense changes on the platform that protect our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this country . ''
ADL ’ s 2019 survey of Americans using social media found that Facebook was the platform where most Americans reported experiencing hate and harassment .
More than 55 percent of Facebook users reporting experiencing hate and harassment on the platform .
Founded in 1909 , the NAACP is the nation ’ s oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization .
Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities .
You can read more about the NAACP ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Changer ” issue areas at naacp.org .

Finally punching Facebook by withholding the only thing they care about, money. Below is a press release from ADL and the NAACP. -- eds.
In response to Facebook’s repeated failure to meaningfully address the vast proliferation of hate on its platforms, six organizations today announced a new campaign, #StopHateforProfit, that asks large Facebook advertisers to show they will not support a company that puts profit over safety. ADL (the Anti-Defamation League), the NAACP, Sleeping Giants, Color Of Change, Free Press and Common Sense have created a coalition of the nation’s most storied civil rights organizations calling for some of the world’s largest corporations to pause advertising on Facebook during the month of July 2020.
The campaign is a response to Facebook’s long history of allowing racist, violent and verifiably false content to run rampant on its platform. The campaign will organize corporate and public pressure to demand Facebook stop generating ad revenue from hateful content, provide more support to people who are targets of racism and hate, and to increase safety for private groups on the platform, among other measures.
The #StopHateforProfit campaign was launched today with an ad in The Los Angeles Times asking what Facebook could do with the $70 billion in revenue that it makes from advertising each year, and highlighting that the social media company is amplifying the messages of white supremacists, permitting incitement to violence, and is failing to disrupt bad actors using the platform to do harm. The ad calls on large corporate advertisers to “send Facebook a powerful message: Your profits will never be worth promoting hate, bigotry, racism, antisemitism and violence.”
“Facebook remains unwilling to take significant steps to remove political propaganda from its platform,” said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP. “It is clear that Facebook and its CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, are no longer simply negligent, but in fact, complacent in the spread of misinformation, despite the irreversible damage to our democracy. Such actions will upend the integrity of our elections as we head into 2020. We will not stand for this. While we recognize the value that Facebook provides in connecting people of color with one another, we call into question a platform that profits from the suppression of Black votes or Black voices.”
“We have long seen how Facebook has allowed some of the worst elements of society into our homes and our lives. When this hate spreads online it causes tremendous harm and also becomes permissible offline,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO. “Our organizations have tried individually and collectively to push Facebook to make their platforms safer, but they have repeatedly failed to take meaningful action. We hope this campaign finally shows Facebook how much their users and their advertisers want them to make serious changes for the better.”
“We have been continually disappointed and stunned by Mark Zuckerberg’s commitment to protecting white supremacy, voter suppression and outright lies on Facebook. As corporations take a stand against racism in our society, they should consider how their advertising dollars support Facebook making Black people less safe online,” said Rashad Robinson, President of Color Of Change. “Facebook’s failure of leadership has actively stoked the racial hatred we see in our country and even profits off its proliferation. A key way for major corporations to demand racial justice is to withhold their dollars until Facebook becomes more responsible and accountable to Black communities on the platform.”
Over the last few years, Facebook has:
Allowed incitement to violence against protestors fighting for racial justice in America in the wake of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Ahmaud Arbery, Rayshard Brooks, and many others;
Made Breitbart News a “trusted news source” and made The Daily Caller a “fact checker” despite both publications having records of working with known white nationalists and neo-Nazis;
Was forced to make changes to their advertising platform after a lawsuit alleged Facebook had allowed for widespread housing discrimination against communities of color;
Silenced Black users on the platforms for calling out racism and also refused to adequately protect users from online threats;
Failed to recognize and remove Holocaust denial as a form of hate; and
Allowed the Facebook platform to be used in widespread voter suppression efforts, using targeted disinformation aimed at Black voters.
“Facebook has become one of the largest and most profitable companies in the world by allowing disinformation, hate and incitement on its platform," said James P. Steyer, Founder and CEO of Common Sense. “Facebook has refused to stop prioritizing profits over the well-being of our society, but advertisers can, which is why we are urging companies to take a pause from spending on Facebook ads until it makes common sense changes on the platform that protect our children, our democracy and social justice in this country."
ADL’s 2019 survey of Americans using social media found that Facebook was the platform where most Americans reported experiencing hate and harassment. More than 55 percent of Facebook users reporting experiencing hate and harassment on the platform.
Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities. You can read more about the NAACP’s work and our six “Game Changer” issue areas at naacp.org.
Republished from ADL
As champions of platforms and technologies that are good for the people who use them, we quit @Facebook advertising in March of 2018, and we're thrilled others are joining the call to #StopHateForProfit from partners @ColorOfChange and @ADL. https://t.co/RF3dPj4Prk — Mozilla (@mozilla) June 22, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-06-24--SHOCK: Court Backs Up Barr's Dismissal Of Michael Flynn Charges

In an astounding ruling , the D.C .
Circuit of the Court of Appeals has ordered the district court to accept the Department of Justice ’ s ( DOJ ) motion to dismiss all charges against Michael Flynn .
This action completely overturns the actions of U.S. District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan and explicitly dismisses the findings of former federal judge John Gleeson , who was appointed by Sullivan to review the case following the DOJ ’ s extraordinary move to end prosecution .
Two weeks ago , Gleeson produced a lengthy document that blasted the DOJ ’ s efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case .
But all of Gleeson ’ s findings appear to be set aside by this brief ruling .
Making the ruling even more unusual , even though it was Flynn ’ s attorneys who filed for writ of mandamus , it appears the appeals court has ruled in favor of … the DOJ , which was not a party to that claim .
And it comes following previous suggestions that the appeals court was prepared to reject Flynn ’ s appeal .
This surprise ruling comes from a three-judge panel and was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ During arguments , Rao appeared reluctant to accept Flynn ’ s plea and questioned what harm would be done by allowing a hearing where Judge Sullivan could question the DOJ attorneys .
Marcy Wheeler suggests that the actual motivation behind Rao ’ s out-of-right-field decision has little to do with law .

In an astounding ruling, the D.C. Circuit of the Court of Appeals has ordered the district court to accept the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) motion to dismiss all charges against Michael Flynn. This action completely overturns the actions of U.S. District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan and explicitly dismisses the findings of former federal judge John Gleeson, who was appointed by Sullivan to review the case following the DOJ’s extraordinary move to end prosecution.
Two weeks ago, Gleeson produced a lengthy document that blasted the DOJ’s efforts to undermine and withdraw from their own case. But all of Gleeson’s findings appear to be set aside by this brief ruling.
Making the ruling even more unusual, even though it was Flynn’s attorneys who filed for writ of mandamus, it appears the appeals court has ruled in favor of … the DOJ, which was not a party to that claim. And it comes following previous suggestions that the appeals court was prepared to reject Flynn’s appeal.
This surprise ruling comes from a three-judge panel and was authored by Trump-appointed Judge Neomi Rao. During arguments, Rao appeared reluctant to accept Flynn’s plea and questioned what harm would be done by allowing a hearing where Judge Sullivan could question the DOJ attorneys.
Marcy Wheeler suggests that the actual motivation behind Rao’s out-of-right-field decision has little to do with law.
“Rao’s opinion makes no attempt to defend Flynn’s argument. Rather, her order is entirely about preventing DOJ—Bill Barr—from the embarrassment of being forced to explain his decision.”
Republished with permission from Daily Kos.


crooksandliars--2020-06-24--Crying For Voter Access In Kentucky, Woman Pleads For Unity

In a bout of blatant , racist , voter suppression , Kentucky officials , guess which party , eradicated the @ @ @ @ @ for the state 's primary .
At 6pm Tuesday , Election Day , election `` @ @ @ @ @ and didn ’ t allow people in line to vote .
People were lined up @ @ @ @ @ to into the parking lot to vote .
It took an emergency court order in @ @ @ @ @ to get the doors open again .
It was too much for this woman and @ @ @ @ @ was voting for the first time .
( Video above from Joe Sonka )

In a bout of blatant, racist, voter suppression, Kentucky officials, guess which party, eradicated the number of in-person polling places for the state's primary.
Kentucky has used Covid-19 as an excuse to slash polling places for Tuesday’s vital primary to defeat #MitchMcConnell. There were 3500+. Now, there are 200.
Jefferson County, where half the Black voters are, will have 1 polling place for 610,000+ voters.https://t.co/mTJT1dSVP9 — Ava DuVernay (@ava) June 20, 2020
At 6pm Tuesday, Election Day, election "officials" locked the doors and didn’t allow people in line to vote. People were lined up in their cars to get to into the parking lot to vote.
It took an emergency court order in a filing by the candidates to get the doors open again.
Here’s a copy of the handwritten order keeping polls open until 6:30 p.m. for voters in line at the @kyexpocenter.
More on @Booker4KY’s injunction: https://t.co/ay1VChtAej pic.twitter.com/G73bbQPXYp — Darcy Costello (@dctello) June 24, 2020
Doors are back open and they’re letting people in. About 50 or so people had been waiting outside for a little more than 20 minutes. pic.twitter.com/mSnQS3J0h2 — Matt Mencarini (@MattMencarini) June 23, 2020
It was too much for this woman and her 18-year-old daughter, who was voting for the first time. (Video above from Joe Sonka)
I'm with Rachel Bitecofer.


crooksandliars--2020-06-24--Trump Goes Racist Again In Arizona Rally: "Kungflu"

During a `` Students for Trump '' rally in Arizona , Trump went full-on racist again focusing on the `` many names '' for coronavirus rather than the 120,000 plus deaths it has caused .
During Saturday 's complete failure of a campaign rally in Tulsa , Trump referred to the virus as `` Kungflu ' , mocked the severity of the pandemic , and let his racist flag fly .
In Tuesday 's press briefing a reporter pressed Kayleigh McEnany on why Trump continues to use racist and offensive language in discussing the virus .
She never claimed he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to gaslight the whole idea by blaming the media .
Now McEnany has been replaced ( after only two months on the job ) by Hogan Gidley and he will not be able to dodge this question any longer .
Trump does n't give speeches at his campaign rallies .
He just goes off on wild tangents for most of his time making up unhinged and vapid stories like a crazy uncle who comes over to your house , drunk on himself .
Trump was describing a town that was infected with `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his racist dance .
`` There 's never been anything that has so many names , '' he said .
`` I could give you 19 or 20 names for that , right .
It 's got all different names .
Wuhan — Wuhan was catching on .
Coronavirus , right ? ''
Trump paused and then slowly and clearly said , `` Kungflu , yeah ?
” He shrugged and said , `` Kungflu . ''
Trump continued with his mockery , `` COVID , COVID-19 , COVID !
I said what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some people can ’ t explain what the nineteen.
” Only Trump and his supporters ca n't explain the nineteen .
And this is seriously demented because he still -- to this day -- does n't understand why the coronavirus was designated as COVID-19 .
This new virus is a coronavirus that was given the name Covid19 because it was discovered in 2019 .
Any of the many , many different names that were created for the pandemic was thought up and spewed by the Trump administration as a way of trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and deadly reaction to the virus to China .
Trump continued , `` COVID19 , I said that 's an odd name .
I can give you many many names . ''
“ Some people call it the Chinese flu , the China flu , right ?
They call it the Chin-A as opposed to China .
I never seen anything like it , '' Trump said .
Racists ca n't help but be racist .
Like so many topics before , we have to believe he does n't understand WTF he 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasoning behind his continuing ignorance to slow down testing which extends to any topic that he 's forced to deal with .
`` I have come to believe that Trump is intellectually incapable of understanding this .
It ’ s not just a strategy .
The way he talks about it shows that he can only see this in terms of the numbers looking bad for him , that much we know .
But I also think he truly doesn ’ t understand that the cases would exist whether we tested for them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases reduces the spread because people can self-isolate and contact tracers can find those who ’ ve been exposed .
He can ’ t see this , no matter how many times it ’ s explained to him . ''

During a "Students for Trump" rally in Arizona, Trump went full-on racist again focusing on the "many names" for coronavirus rather than the 120,000 plus deaths it has caused.
During Saturday's complete failure of a campaign rally in Tulsa, Trump referred to the virus as "Kungflu', mocked the severity of the pandemic, and let his racist flag fly.
In Tuesday's press briefing a reporter pressed Kayleigh McEnany on why Trump continues to use racist and offensive language in discussing the virus .
She never claimed he didn't say it, but tried to gaslight the whole idea by blaming the media.
Now McEnany has been replaced (after only two months on the job) by Hogan Gidley and he will not be able to dodge this question any longer.
Trump doesn't give speeches at his campaign rallies. He just goes off on wild tangents for most of his time making up unhinged and vapid stories like a crazy uncle who comes over to your house, drunk on himself.
Trump was describing a town that was infected with "COVID," and then went into his racist dance.
"There's never been anything that has so many names," he said.
"I could give you 19 or 20 names for that, right. It's got all different names. Wuhan — Wuhan was catching on. Coronavirus, right?"
Trump paused and then slowly and clearly said, "Kungflu, yeah?”
His followers went wild.
He shrugged and said, "Kungflu."
Trump continued with his mockery, "COVID, COVID-19, COVID! I said what’s the nineteen? Covid-19? Some people can’t explain what the nineteen.”
Only Trump and his supporters can't explain the nineteen.
And this is seriously demented because he still -- to this day -- doesn't understand why the coronavirus was designated as COVID-19.
This new virus is a coronavirus that was given the name Covid19 because it was discovered in 2019.
Any of the many, many different names that were created for the pandemic was thought up and spewed by the Trump administration as a way of trying to shift the blame from Trump's inadequate and deadly reaction to the virus to China.
Trump continued, "COVID19, I said that's an odd name. I can give you many many names."
“Some people call it the Chinese flu, the China flu, right? They call it the Chin-A as opposed to China. I never seen anything like it," Trump said.
Racists can't help but be racist.
Like so many topics before, we have to believe he doesn't understand WTF he's talking about.
Digby writes about his reasoning behind his continuing ignorance to slow down testing which extends to any topic that he's forced to deal with.
"I have come to believe that Trump is intellectually incapable of understanding this. It’s not just a strategy. The way he talks about it shows that he can only see this in terms of the numbers looking bad for him, that much we know. But I also think he truly doesn’t understand that the cases would exist whether we tested for them or not and that knowing about the cases reduces the spread because people can self-isolate and contact tracers can find those who’ve been exposed. He can’t see this, no matter how many times it’s explained to him."


crooksandliars--2020-06-24--DOJ Whistleblowers Testify About Bill Barr's DOJ

Aaron Zelinsky was the prosecutor who resigned from the Roger Stone case earlier this year rather than petition the court to drop Stone 's case .
You can read his entire opening statement here .
Here are some excerpts : • `` In the many cases I have been privileged to work on in my career , I have never seen political influence play any role in prosecutorial decision making .
With one exception : United States v. Roger Stone . ''
• `` What I saw was the Department of Justice exerting significant pressure on the line prosecutors in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidelines calculation to which Roger Stone was subject — and to water down and in some cases outright distort the events that transpired in his trial and the criminal conduct that gave rise to his conviction . ''
• `` What I heard — repeatedly — was that Roger Stone was being treated differently from any other defendant because of his relationship to the president .
I was told that the Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia , Timothy Shea , was receiving heavy pressure from the highest levels of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ break , and that the U.S. Attorney ’ s sentencing instructions to us were based on political considerations . ''
• `` I was explicitly told that the motivation for changing the sentencing memo was political , and because the U.S. Attorney was 'afraid of the President . '
'' John Elias is also expected to testify about his concerns regarding various antitrust cases Bill Barr launched .
Watch here and share your thoughts in the comments .

Aaron Zelinsky was the prosecutor who resigned from the Roger Stone case earlier this year rather than petition the court to drop Stone's case.
You can read his entire opening statement here.
Here are some excerpts:
"In the many cases I have been privileged to work on in my career, I have never seen political influence play any role in prosecutorial decision making. With one exception: United States v. Roger Stone."
"What I saw was the Department of Justice exerting significant pressure on the line prosecutors in the case to obscure the correct sentencing guidelines calculation to which Roger Stone was subject — and to water down and in some cases outright distort the events that transpired in his trial and the criminal conduct that gave rise to his conviction."
"What I heard — repeatedly — was that Roger Stone was being treated differently from any other defendant because of his relationship to the president. I was told that the Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Timothy Shea, was receiving heavy pressure from the highest levels of the Department of Justice to cut Stone a break, and that the U.S. Attorney’s sentencing instructions to us were based on political considerations."
"I was explicitly told that the motivation for changing the sentencing memo was political, and because the U.S. Attorney was 'afraid of the President.'"
John Elias is also expected to testify about his concerns regarding various antitrust cases Bill Barr launched.
Watch here and share your thoughts in the comments.


crooksandliars--2020-06-24--'Student For Trump' Says Aunt Jemima Is American Dream

Someone is grooming Reagan Escude to be the next Tomi Lahren .
She went from this in 2019 ... to this in 2020 Totally victimized !
via Glenn Beck .
And we do n't know who `` fired '' her but who cares she 's now got a job with right-wing mailing list Turning Point USA .
And now she 's Twitter famous for being a casual racist idiot , just like Treadmill Lobotomy !
Newsweek : A student at the Trump Rally in Arizona on Tuesday said Aunt Jemima was a `` picture of the American Dream . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was canceled .
And if you did n't know , Nancy Green , the original , first Aunt Jemima , she was the picture of the American dream .
She was a freed slave who went on to be the face of the pancake syrup that we love and we have in our pantries today . ''
Twitter gets it .
Sure she 's racist , stupid , and blind to her own privilege .
She 's also blond , thin , and spouts `` Christian conservative '' dogma .
She 'll have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Student ?
She 's clearly majoring in self-marketing for that sweet , sweet wingnut dollar .
As her so-called president would say , `` congratulations !
`` .

Someone is grooming Reagan Escude to be the next Tomi Lahren.
She went from this in 2019
...to this in 2020
Totally victimized! via Glenn Beck. And we don't know who "fired" her but who cares she's now got a job with right-wing mailing list Turning Point USA.
And now she's Twitter famous for being a casual racist idiot, just like Treadmill Lobotomy! Newsweek:
A student at the Trump Rally in Arizona on Tuesday said Aunt Jemima was a "picture of the American Dream." Reagan Escudé said: "Aunt Jemima was canceled. And if you didn't know, Nancy Green, the original, first Aunt Jemima, she was the picture of the American dream. She was a freed slave who went on to be the face of the pancake syrup that we love and we have in our pantries today."
I ... I just don’t know where to begin... 🤦🏾♀🤦🏾♀🤦🏾♀ https://t.co/HZtDHb2kfe — Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) June 24, 2020
Imagine thinking the "American dream" could plausibly begin with being someone's property — Mangy Jay (@magi_jay) June 24, 2020
I look forward to flipping right by her show on Fox News 10 years from now. — TrumpsTaxes (@TrumpsTaxes) June 24, 2020
Ladies and gentlemen, meet your new Press Secretary. — Jocelyn Champagne (@JocelynChampag7) June 24, 2020
Twitter gets it. Sure she's racist, stupid, and blind to her own privilege. She's also blond, thin, and spouts "Christian conservative" dogma. She'll have a TV deal before you know it.
Student? She's clearly majoring in self-marketing for that sweet, sweet wingnut dollar. As her so-called president would say, "congratulations!".


crooksandliars--2020-06-24--Jamaal Bowman Poised To Knock Out Eliot Engel

We wo n't know officially until absentee ballots are counted next week , but Jamaal Bowman has a commanding lead @ @ @ @ @ .
Bowman , 44 , was leading Engel , the chairman of the House Foreign @ @ @ @ @ % to 35.31 % , the New York state elections board said , with 627 @ @ @ @ @ .
Whoever wins the Democratic nomination is likely to win the seat in November .
@ @ @ @ @ say he was a thorn in the side of ( Republican President ) Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ .
“ But you know what Donald Trump is more afraid of than anything else @ @ @ @ @ power .
That is what Donald Trump is afraid of , ” Bowman said .

We won't know officially until absentee ballots are counted next week, but Jamaal Bowman has a commanding lead against the longtime Democratic congressman.
Source: Reuters
Bowman, 44, was leading Engel, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, by 59.48% to 35.31%, the New York state elections board said, with 627 of 732 election precincts reporting. Whoever wins the Democratic nomination is likely to win the seat in November.
“Eliot Engel used to say he was a thorn in the side of (Republican President) Donald Trump,” Bowman told supporters. “But you know what Donald Trump is more afraid of than anything else? A Black man with power. That is what Donald Trump is afraid of,” Bowman said.


crooksandliars--2020-06-24--Groups Pile On With Attack Ads After Trump Admits He Slowed Covid Testing

Yes , progressive PAC MeidasTouch calls Trump 's admission that he slowed down covid testing “ mass murder on a @ @ @ @ @ 's what the Lincoln Project did with the same clip : “ The most deceptive @ @ @ @ @ finally told the truth .
Somehow , it was more shocking than all his deceptions.
@ @ @ @ @ job of a president is to protect the American people , but not to Donald @ @ @ @ @ to slow the spread , Donald Trump says he slowed down the testing .
Now @ @ @ @ @ I would never think of telling you to spread these on your Facebook page where @ @ @ @ @ them .
Nope , nope , nope !
It might upset them .

Yes, progressive PAC MeidasTouch calls Trump's admission that he slowed down covid testing “mass murder on a national scale.”
And here's what the Lincoln Project did with the same clip:
“The most deceptive, lying president in history finally told the truth. Somehow, it was more shocking than all his deceptions.”
Here's Priorities USA's take:
“The most important job of a president is to protect the American people, but not to Donald Trump. Instead of working to slow the spread, Donald Trump says he slowed down the testing. Now, over 120,000 dead.”
I would never think of telling you to spread these on your Facebook page where your Uncle George might see them. Nope, nope, nope! It might upset them.


crooksandliars--2020-06-25--As Virus Spikes In Most Populated States, Trump Opens New Front In War To Protect ... Statues!

As our three most heavily populated states enter a virus stage some experts are describing as `` apocalyptic , '' @ @ @ @ @ on the real crisis : Protecting statues !

As our three most heavily populated states enter a virus stage some experts are describing as "apocalyptic," Trump is hard at work on the real crisis: Protecting statues!
The Trump administration is preparing to assign US Marshals to protect monuments and statues after several thought to be racist or problematic were torn down https://t.co/jzWgyGNqg0 — CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) June 25, 2020
The country is being ravaged by a deadly pandemic and the president is worried about lobsters and statues — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 25, 2020
Two sources tell NBC News that Pres. Trump personally called Interior Sec. Bernhardt and asked the Park Service to put back up the statue of Gen. Albert Pike – Washington, D.C.’s only outdoor Confederate statue, which protesters tore down and set on fire the night of Juneteenth. — Geoff Bennett (@GeoffRBennett) June 24, 2020
The Trump administration plans to close 13 federally run coronavirus testing sites in five states at the end of the month.
Critics at the state and federal levels say the shutdowns are a dangerous idea as infections surge in many states. https://t.co/WjUOZrsXmj — NPR (@NPR) June 25, 2020
Why is Trump more interested in statues THAN testing sites being canceled? #JoeByeDon pic.twitter.com/vIxqVwq5Lk — marla U.S. Navy(ret) (@blackbeauty691) June 25, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-06-25--Angry 'Florida Lady' Loses Her Mind At City Council Meeting Over Masks

So ... yesterday we were treated to the spectacle of a few Floridians losing their minds over being forced to wear masks .
Or as one woman put it , “ they want to throw God ’ s wonderful breathing system out the door.
” With over 5,000 new Covid-19 cases reported on Wednesday , Florida has the potential to become the next epicenter of the Coronavirus pandemic which has local leaders moving quickly to try to slow the spread of the virus .
On Tuesday , Palm Beach County held a vote on a measure that would require everyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Before the vote , the county commission listened to several citizens argue against the mandate and things got weird when one woman ’ s rant went off the rails .
Watch as this lady blames the devil , 5G , Bill Gates , Hillary Clinton and the deep state for the new mask law .
And this particular lady gained her own hashtags today , # AngryFloridaLady and # Florida Woman .
And some speaking-in-tongues gibberish here as a partial transcript .
You literally can not mandate somebody to wear a mask knowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We the people are waking up… Every single one of you will be arrested for crimes against humanity , every single one of you are going to get punished by God… You can not escape God , not with the mask or six feet , six feet like I said before is military protocol , you ’ re trying to get the people to train them so when the 5G comes out they ’ re gon na scan everybody .
All of you are practicing the devil ’ s laws , what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he not in jail ?
Why is Hillary Clinton not in jail ?
Why are all these pedophiles that are demanding you all to listen to their rules .
Why are they not in jail ?
Is it because you ’ re part of them ?
Are you part of the deep state ?
And perhaps too much information from this one ... .
And naturally this bunch of sad sacks are big fans of this guy .

So...yesterday we were treated to the spectacle of a few Floridians losing their minds over being forced to wear masks. Or as one woman put it, “they want to throw God’s wonderful breathing system out the door.”
Source: BroBible
With over 5,000 new Covid-19 cases reported on Wednesday, Florida has the potential to become the next epicenter of the Coronavirus pandemic which has local leaders moving quickly to try to slow the spread of the virus. On Tuesday, Palm Beach County held a vote on a measure that would require everyone to wear masks in public places. Before the vote, the county commission listened to several citizens argue against the mandate and things got weird when one woman’s rant went off the rails. Watch as this lady blames the devil, 5G, Bill Gates, Hillary Clinton and the deep state for the new mask law.
And this particular lady gained notoriety with her own hashtags today, #AngryFloridaLady and #Florida Woman.
This angry Florida woman argued today against the mask mandate, while bringing up the devil, 5G, Bill Gates, Hillary Clinton, "the pedophiles" and the deep state.
Enjoy... pic.twitter.com/yqKUZNQYLQ — Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) June 24, 2020
And some speaking-in-tongues gibberish here as a partial transcript.
You literally cannot mandate somebody to wear a mask knowing that mask is going to kill people. We the people are waking up… Every single one of you will be arrested for crimes against humanity, every single one of you are going to get punished by God… You cannot escape God, not with the mask or six feet, six feet like I said before is military protocol, you’re trying to get the people to train them so when the 5G comes out they’re gonna scan everybody. All of you are practicing the devil’s laws, what happened to Bill Gates? Why is he not in jail? Why is Hillary Clinton not in jail? Why are all these pedophiles that are demanding you all to listen to their rules. Why are they not in jail? Is it because you’re part of them? Are you part of the deep state?
And perhaps too much information from this one....
Florida woman "I don't wear a mask for the same reason I don't wear underwear, things gotta breathe" pic.twitter.com/ww1EiZDP99 — gifdsports (@gifdsports) June 24, 2020
And naturally this bunch of covidiots are big fans of this guy.


crooksandliars--2020-06-25--Mike's Blog Round Up

Mike's Blog Round Up

Brad Delong : Obama economic adviser Austan Goolsbee argues that fear of rising COVID-19 cases , and not state lockdowns @ @ @ @ @ .
Balkinization : The George Washington University School of Law stood up for the rule @ @ @ @ @ lawlessness of its alumnus , William Barr .
Eschaton : Judging by this picture , @ @ @ @ @ betting that nothing succeeds like failure .
Speaking of which , your quote of the @ @ @ @ @ reached out to me and said , 'As a senior citizen , are you willing @ @ @ @ @ your survival in exchange for keeping the America that all America loves for your children @ @ @ @ @ if that 's the exchange , I 'm all in . ''
( Texas Lt @ @ @ @ @ March 23 , 2020 . )
Guest blogging Mike 's Blog Round Up this week @ @ @ @ @ .
Send your tips , recommendations , comments and angst to mbru AT crooksandliars DOT @ @

Brad Delong: Obama economic adviser Austan Goolsbee argues that fear of rising COVID-19 cases, and not state lockdowns, is depressing the economy.
Balkinization: The George Washington University School of Law stood up for the rule of law and against the lawlessness of its alumnus, William Barr.
Eschaton: Judging by this picture, the Trump White House is betting that nothing succeeds like failure.
Juanita Jean’s: Speaking of failure, Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott.
Speaking of which, your quote of the day:
"No one reached out to me and said, 'As a senior citizen, are you willing to take a chance on your survival in exchange for keeping the America that all America loves for your children and grandchildren?' And if that's the exchange, I'm all in." (Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, March 23, 2020.)
Guest blogging Mike's Blog Round Up this week is Jon Perr from Perrspectives. Send your tips, recommendations, comments and angst to mbru AT crooksandliars DOT com.


crooksandliars--2020-06-25--Matt Gaetz Is Sad About Protesters 'Being Ashamed' Of The Confederacy

Rep. Matt Gaetz ( R-FL ) on Wednesday said that the march to remove Confederate and other racially insensitive statues was effectively “ erasing ” the history of the United States .
“ Roger Stone should be pardoned , ” Gaetz said at a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Stone ’ s prosecution .
“ I believe Roger Stone will be pardoned .
And then this proceeding will look even more ridiculous than it does today.
” After accusing Hillary Clinton of “ colluding ” with Russia , Gaetz turned his attention to the protests sparked by the killing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here today , America ’ s cities are burning , ” he complained .
“ Our monuments are being desecrated .
Our history is being presumably erased by people who are ashamed of the United States of America.
” “ And we have the audacity to have a meeting about the rule of law , ” the Florida Republican added , “ on a case that ’ s already over , on an impeachment that ’ s already failed , when there is real work for this committee to do .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) on Wednesday said that the march to remove Confederate and other racially insensitive statues was effectively “erasing” the history of the United States.
“Roger Stone should be pardoned,” Gaetz said at a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Stone’s prosecution. “I believe Roger Stone will be pardoned. And then this proceeding will look even more ridiculous than it does today.”
After accusing Hillary Clinton of “colluding” with Russia, Gaetz turned his attention to the protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd.
“As we sit here today, America’s cities are burning,” he complained. “Our monuments are being desecrated. Our history is being presumably erased by people who are ashamed of the United States of America.”
“And we have the audacity to have a meeting about the rule of law,” the Florida Republican added, “on a case that’s already over, on an impeachment that’s already failed, when there is real work for this committee to do. It’s a joke.”


crooksandliars--2020-06-24--Rep. Louie Gohmert Plays The Fool,  Relentlessly Bangs On Table To Interrupt Witness

During today 's House Judiciary Hearing on Justice Department Oversight , as former Bush Deputy Attorney General Donald Ayer was @ @ @ @ @ Rep. Louie Gohmert acted like a petulant child who did n't get his toy truck @ @ @ @ @ sandbox .
Gohmert continually started banging on the table which was highly audible trying to @ @ @ @ @ claimed he did so because he passed his five minute limit .
All the Republicans @ @ @ @ @ disrupt , whine and complain about Chairman Nadler for supposed rule violations regarding the hearing @ @ @ @ @ true defense .
Rep. Jordan , Collins and Gohmert bring no merits whatsoever to the @ @ @ @ @ like a**holes as usual .
Rep. Hank Johnson finally got so disgusted with Gohmert 's @ @ @ @ @ the chairman would call the sergeant-at-arms to remove the idiotic Gohmert for disrupting the proceedings @ @ @ @ @ down and let Ayer finish his opening statement .
Republicans always turn any hearing into @ @ @ @ @ sh*t show .
They are incapable of doing anything otherwise .

During today's House Judiciary Hearing on Justice Department Oversight, as former Bush Deputy Attorney General Donald Ayer was giving his opening comments, Rep. Louie Gohmert acted like a petulant child who didn't get his toy truck to play with in the sandbox.
Gohmert continually started banging on the table which was highly audible trying to disrupt Ayer's remarks and claimed he did so because he passed his five minute limit.
All the Republicans on the committee tried to disrupt, whine and complain about Chairman Nadler for supposed rule violations regarding the hearing because they have no other true defense.
Rep. Jordan, Collins and Gohmert bring no merits whatsoever to the committee proceedings except to act like a**holes as usual.
Rep. Hank Johnson finally got so disgusted with Gohmert's actions that he asked if the chairman would call the sergeant-at-arms to remove the idiotic Gohmert for disrupting the proceedings.
Chairman Nadler shut things down and let Ayer finish his opening statement.
Republicans always turn any hearing into the Trump administration into a sh*t show.
They are incapable of doing anything otherwise.


crooksandliars--2020-06-25--Jon Stewart Joins With Stephen Colbert To Address 'Gaping Racial Wound' Reflected In Protests

Old friends Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert reunited to talk about some pretty heavy material hanging over their white , middle-aged , male consciences .
Normally the two have used satire and comedy to point out the absurdity and hypocrisy of racism and sexism as it operates in modern society , even as white folks were denying we still had work to do .
This time , in the wake of international protests against police brutality that have truly taken on a life of their own , Colbert and Stewart talked about the roots of institutional racism , going all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Deal .
Stewart attributed the power of this movement in particular to the pandemic .
It 's given us the opportunity or the mandate to `` stare into this sort of abyss of a gaping racial wound that we never seemed to do anything about , '' but now we have `` stopped to smell the racism . ''
What followed was an excellent history lesson many of us never got in school .
STEWART : The biggest obstacle to change has always been our inability to understand that it 's not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about dismantling the barriers ... .While they [ Black people ] were fighting for equality , white people were building equity .
The disparity , then , between the lack of equality , and the rising of equity just exacerbated .
So , they 're always negotiation from a subservient position what SHOULD NOT be a negotiation .
They had to , from the get-go , ASK for humanhood .
He went on to explain all the legal boundaries our government put into place to keep Black people from gaining equity , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He talked about The Homestead Act , where once the slaves were freed , they were n't given millions of acres of land like white people were .
[ ... ] The GI bill , in Long Island , when everyone was buying into Levittown , and they used those low-cost loans , explicitly excluded Black people .
Until we address THAT , equality wo n't come .
That , to me , feels like the root.j STEWART : The Federal Housing Administration , in the New Deal , explicitly said you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intended so that white people could get equity , you can not give them to Black people.
[ ... ] The GI bill , in Long Island , when everyone was buying into Levittown , and they used those low-cost loans , explicitly excluded Black people .
Until we address THAT , equality wo n't come .
That , to me , feels like the root.j COLBERT : I think that is the root , and I would only add to that , that I think one of the reasons why this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the work done by Black organizers over the years , specifically Black Lives Matter , who , four years ago , during the election , was like , `` Well , who is this radical organization ? ''
and now is recognized as having a proper goal .
The understanding of what Black Lives Matter means is more broadly accepted .
Then Stewart identified one of the most immovable barriers to progress .
He called them the `` but '' people .
The ones who say , `` Yeah , it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But ... '' There is always a `` but '' that negates the need for real change .
For introspection .
For hard work on the part of white people , who find it easier to lay the responsibility of the murder of Black people at the feet of those same Black people .
STEWART : I think the problem is two-fold .
I think there 's a large swath of the white population that believes that somehow , that the inequality in the Black community is on them .
COLBERT : That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough . ''
STEWART : Correct .
That there is a problem of virtue and culture .
`` Pull your pants up ! ''
`` Get a job ! ''
`` If you just worked — MY grandfather had to work ! ''
Right , YOUR grandfather , when HE came home from World War II , they gave him a low-cost loan to buy a house .
When a Black GI came home from World War II , they were n't allowed to .
They were never allowed to build that equity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many others have made , about these bullies and psychos who taunt Black people with their Trump hats and Confederate flags .
The ones who think the Black community should just get over slavery because it happened so long ago , and , hey , these white dudes are n't slaveholders !
They just love their great-grandpappy 's flag !
Stewart asked what those idiots would do if THEY had to endure what generations of Black people in America have had to suffer .
White people are in quarantine for six weeks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ building with swastika flags and weapons of war .

Old friends Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert reunited to talk about some pretty heavy material hanging over their white, middle-aged, male consciences. Normally the two have used satire and comedy to point out the absurdity and hypocrisy of racism and sexism as it operates in modern society, even as white folks were denying we still had work to do.
This time, in the wake of international protests against police brutality that have truly taken on a life of their own, Colbert and Stewart talked about the roots of institutional racism, going all the way back to FDR and the New Deal. Stewart attributed the power of this movement in particular to the pandemic. It's given us the opportunity or the mandate to "stare into this sort of abyss of a gaping racial wound that we never seemed to do anything about," but now we have "stopped to smell the racism." What followed was an excellent history lesson many of us never got in school.
STEWART: The biggest obstacle to change has always been our inability to understand that it's not just about ending segregation, it's about dismantling the barriers....While they [Black people] were fighting for equality, white people were building equity. The disparity, then, between the lack of equality, and the rising of equity just exacerbated. So, they're always negotiation from a subservient position what SHOULD NOT be a negotiation. They had to, from the get-go, ASK for humanhood.
He went on to explain all the legal boundaries our government put into place to keep Black people from gaining equity, while forcing them to fight for equality. He talked about The Homestead Act, where once the slaves were freed, they weren't given millions of acres of land like white people were.
[...]
The GI bill, in Long Island, when everyone was buying into Levittown, and they used those low-cost loans, explicitly excluded Black people. Until we address THAT, equality won't come. That, to me, feels like the root.j STEWART: The Federal Housing Administration, in the New Deal, explicitly said you cannot loan these low-cost loans that were intended so that white people could get equity, you cannot give them to Black people.[...]The GI bill, in Long Island, when everyone was buying into Levittown, and they used those low-cost loans, explicitly excluded Black people. Until we address THAT, equality won't come. That, to me, feels like the root.j COLBERT: I think that is the root, and I would only add to that, that I think one of the reasons why this is such a catalytic moment is because of all the work done by Black organizers over the years, specifically Black Lives Matter, who, four years ago, during the election, was like, "Well, who is this radical organization?" and now is recognized as having a proper goal. The understanding of what Black Lives Matter means is more broadly accepted.
Then Stewart identified one of the most immovable barriers to progress. He called them the "but" people. The ones who say, "Yeah, it's awful that George Floyd was killed. But..." There is always a "but" that negates the need for real change. For introspection. For hard work on the part of white people, who find it easier to lay the responsibility of the murder of Black people at the feet of those same Black people.
STEWART: I think the problem is two-fold. I think there's a large swath of the white population that believes that somehow, that the inequality in the Black community is on them. COLBERT: That "they're just not working hard enough." STEWART: Correct. That there is a problem of virtue and culture. "Pull your pants up!" "Get a job!" "If you just worked — MY grandfather had to work!" Right, YOUR grandfather, when HE came home from World War II, they gave him a low-cost loan to buy a house. When a Black GI came home from World War II, they weren't allowed to. They were never allowed to build that equity.
He ended with the point that many others have made, about these bullies and psychos who taunt Black people with their Trump hats and Confederate flags. The ones who think the Black community should just get over slavery because it happened so long ago, and, hey, these white dudes aren't slaveholders! They just love their great-grandpappy's flag! Stewart asked what those idiots would do if THEY had to endure what generations of Black people in America have had to suffer. White people are in quarantine for six weeks, and they're storming their state capitol building with swastika flags and weapons of war.


crooksandliars--2020-06-25--Biden Scorches Trump's ACA Cruelty: 'Stop Stealing Americans' Peace Of Mind'

Look , the people who still need convincing that voting for Trump is the worst possible idea are beyond help , in my personal opinion , but that is probably why I am not a politician .
God bless Joe Biden for still doing it in the most empathetic and clear way possible .
Obama 's former vice president spoke on Thursday to a crowd in Lancaster , Pennsylvania , explaining why Trump 's criminally inept response to the COVID-19 pandemic , combined with his obsession with repealing the Affordable Care Act is putting millions of Americans in a `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health crisis in living memory .
And Donald Trump will file in the Supreme Court today an attempt to strip away health care coverage from tens of millions of families in the United States .
Strip away their peace of mind away from more than 100 million people with pre-existing conditions .
If he succeeds , more than 23 million Americans will lose their coverage overnight .
Including nearly a million Pennsylvanians .
Insurance could once again discriminate or deny services or drop coverage for people living with pre-existing conditions like asthma , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more .
Perhaps most cruelly of all , if Donald Trump has his way , those who have complications from COVID-19 could become the new pre-existing conditions .
Some survivors will experience lasting health impacts like lung scarring and heart damage .
And if Donald Trump prevails in court , insurers would be allowed once again to strip away coverage , jack up premiums , simply because of the battle they survived fighting coronavirus .
Those survivors , having struggled and won the fight of their lives , would have their peace of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it most .
They would live their lives caught in a vise between Donald Trump 's twin legacies , his failure to protect the American people from the coronavirus , and his heartless crusade to take health care protections away from American families .
You know , I have called on Donald Trump many times to withdraw his lawsuit .
Today , I 'm renewing that call .
Mr. President , drop the lawsuit .
Stop trying to get rid of the Affordable Care Act .
Stop taking away people 's health care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than ever , stop trying to steal their peace of mind .
I can not comprehend the cruelty that 's driving him to inflict this pain on the very people he is supposed to serve .
And people think Trump will fight for them ?
Has their interests in mind ?
Biden is right — the `` twin legacies '' of Donald Trump amount to maximizing Americans ' exposure to a ruthless deadly disease , and doing everything he can to make sure they have no money to pay for treatment should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full speech below : Full text of his remarks as prepared for delivery .

Look, the people who still need convincing that voting for Trump is the worst possible idea are beyond help, in my personal opinion, but that is probably why I am not a politician. God bless Joe Biden for still doing it in the most empathetic and clear way possible.
Obama's former vice president spoke on Thursday to a crowd in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, explaining why Trump's criminally inept response to the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with his obsession with repealing the Affordable Care Act is putting millions of Americans in a "vise."
BIDEN: Worst global health crisis in living memory. And Donald Trump will file in the Supreme Court today an attempt to strip away health care coverage from tens of millions of families in the United States. Strip away their peace of mind away from more than 100 million people with pre-existing conditions. If he succeeds, more than 23 million Americans will lose their coverage overnight. Including nearly a million Pennsylvanians. Insurance could once again discriminate or deny services or drop coverage for people living with pre-existing conditions like asthma, diabetes, cancer, and so much more. Perhaps most cruelly of all, if Donald Trump has his way, those who have complications from COVID-19 could become the new pre-existing conditions. Some survivors will experience lasting health impacts like lung scarring and heart damage. And if Donald Trump prevails in court, insurers would be allowed once again to strip away coverage, jack up premiums, simply because of the battle they survived fighting coronavirus. Those survivors, having struggled and won the fight of their lives, would have their peace of mind stolen at that moment they needed it most. They would live their lives caught in a vise between Donald Trump's twin legacies, his failure to protect the American people from the coronavirus, and his heartless crusade to take health care protections away from American families. You know, I have called on Donald Trump many times to withdraw his lawsuit. Today, I'm renewing that call. Mr. President, drop the lawsuit. Stop trying to get rid of the Affordable Care Act. Stop taking away people's health care and their peace of mind. Now more than ever, stop trying to steal their peace of mind. I cannot comprehend the cruelty that's driving him to inflict this pain on the very people he is supposed to serve.
And people think Trump will fight for them? Has their interests in mind? Biden is right — the "twin legacies" of Donald Trump amount to maximizing Americans' exposure to a ruthless deadly disease, and doing everything he can to make sure they have no money to pay for treatment should they survive.
You can watch the full speech below:
Full text of his remarks as prepared for delivery.


crooksandliars--2020-06-25--Former DAG: ‘What’s Happening Now Is Much Worse’ Than Watergate

As today 's House Judiciary Committee hearing on DOJ corruption ended , Rep. Veronica Escobar ( D-TX ) asked former Deputy Attorney General Donald Ayer , “ What happens to our democracy if we do not hold Barr accountable ?
” Ayer first reminded us that in Watergate , the Justice Department failed and became untrustworthy .
Then he laid out a powerful call for everyone to mobilize and demand Barr ’ s resignation .
AYER : I do n't want to get too apocalyptic but … when people lose trust in the government and they lose trust in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law .
Then you have lawlessness and you go from there .
And you know what ends up happening .
So , it 's very important that we recognize what 's happening now .
What 's happening now is much worse than what happened in Watergate .
Much worse .
It 's across the board .
It 's a systematic effort to undo the checks that were put in place in Watergate and others that existed in the Constitution .
And we need to do something about it .
People need to stand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done about it .
This guy has got to go and we need to get back on the track of having a system of justice where we care about doing it right and being fair and even handed .
If you do n't already know , you can find out how to contact your congressperson here and your senator here .

As today's House Judiciary Committee hearing on DOJ corruption ended, Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX) asked former Deputy Attorney General Donald Ayer, “What happens to our democracy if we do not hold Barr accountable?”
Ayer first reminded us that in Watergate, the Justice Department failed and became untrustworthy. Then he laid out a powerful call for everyone to mobilize and demand Barr’s resignation.
AYER: I don't want to get too apocalyptic but … when people lose trust in the government and they lose trust in the law, then you don't have law. Then you have lawlessness and you go from there. And you know what ends up happening. So, it's very important that we recognize what's happening now. What's happening now is much worse than what happened in Watergate. Much worse. It's across the board. It's a systematic effort to undo the checks that were put in place in Watergate and others that existed in the Constitution. And we need to do something about it. People need to stand up now and demand that something be done about it. This guy has got to go and we need to get back on the track of having a system of justice where we care about doing it right and being fair and even handed.
If you don't already know, you can find out how to contact your congressperson here and your senator here.


crooksandliars--2020-06-25--Judge Rules That Devin Nunes Can’t Sue Twitter Over Statements Made By Fake Cow

It 's 2020 so of course a Republican keeps trying to sue over comments made by a fake Internet cow .
This ruling lets Twitter off the hook but Nunes is still free to pursue his vendetta against said cow , his mom , and Republican strategist Liz Mair .
A judge has ruled that Rep. Devin Nunes has no right to sue Twitter over statements made by a fake Internet cow , someone parodying his mother and a Republican strategist .
Judge John Marshall said in a decision Friday that Twitter was “ immune from the defamation claims of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal law that says social media companies are not liable for what people post on their platforms .
Nunes “ seeks to have the court treat Twitter as the publisher or speaker of the content provided by others based on its allowing or not allowing certain content to be on its internet platform , ” Marshall wrote .
“ The court refuses to do so.
” Nunes sued Twitter , the two parody accounts known as Devin Nunes ’ Cow and Devin Nunes ’ Mom and strategist Liz Mair in March 2019 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ him online , ruining his reputation and causing him to win his 2018 election by a narrower margin than normal .
He accused Twitter of being negligent for allowing the alleged defamation .

It's 2020 so of course a Republican keeps trying to sue over comments made by a fake Internet cow. This ruling lets Twitter off the hook but Nunes is still free to pursue his vendetta against said cow, his mom, and Republican strategist Liz Mair.
Asshat.
Source: Fresno Bee
A judge has ruled that Rep. Devin Nunes has no right to sue Twitter over statements made by a fake Internet cow, someone parodying his mother and a Republican strategist.
Judge John Marshall said in a decision Friday that Twitter was “immune from the defamation claims of” Nunes, R-Tulare, due to federal law that says social media companies are not liable for what people post on their platforms.
Nunes “seeks to have the court treat Twitter as the publisher or speaker of the content provided by others based on its allowing or not allowing certain content to be on its internet platform,” Marshall wrote. “The court refuses to do so.”
Nunes sued Twitter, the two parody accounts known as Devin Nunes’ Cow and Devin Nunes’ Mom and strategist Liz Mair in March 2019. He alleged the latter three had defamed him online, ruining his reputation and causing him to win his 2018 election by a narrower margin than normal. He accused Twitter of being negligent for allowing the alleged defamation.


crooksandliars--2020-06-25--John Yoo Gets Bashed Over Claim Of 'Unfettered Executive Power'

On Wednesday , recent Trump appointee Judge Neomi Rao gave a ridiculous ruling on the Flynn case .
Her decision is not based on any legal precedent , but on strictly partisan politics .
It 's all about bailing out Trump and his pal Michael Flynn .
Fox 's Shannon Bream brought on John Yoo , ( the infamous lawyer that wrote the Dubya-era opinion that it was perfectly legal to torture detainees ) and Bradley Moss , a national security attorney , to discuss Mark Joseph Stern 's excellent article on the legal debacle brought about by Neomi Rao @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , `` The Constitution gives only to the executive branch , and ultimately the president , the power to decide who to prosecute and how to carry it out . ''
`` Judges have no constitutional means to force the executive branch to keep prosecuting people that the executive branch does n't want to , '' he said .
During his monologue , Yoo kept saying `` when President Biden is in office . ''
`` How would liberals feel if Biden was n't afforded these privileges ? ''
-- which made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not forget that Michael Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI -- the prosecution was over , Mr. Yoo .
After Bream read off a statement by Flynn 's attorney she turned to Bradley Moss for a response .
Moss considered Flynn 's lawyer 's statement a nice conspiratorial take , because President Obama and his team had every right to look into Michael Flynn 's actions with Russia .
`` So what , '' Moss said .
They are allowed to have those conversations .
There was an ongoing counterintelligence concern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` To protect Donald Trump how much are you going to insulate the presidency from any and all scrutiny that we put in place after Watergate ? ''
He continued , `` Now we have 'Congress ca n't sue to compel witnesses to testify , judges have to rubber-stamp when the DOJ and Fed lawyers collude together to throw out a case for the president 's buddy -- and the government today just issued an opinion saying there can be personal animus behind DOJ investigations and it 's fine . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limitation on the executive branch ? ''
To protect Donald Trump , conservatives have thrown out the rule of law and the Constitution .
They 've abandoned every `` principle '' they used against Democrats , all to insulate and defend Donald Trump 's indefensible actions in the Oval Office .
Make sure to read Mark Joseph Stern 's excellent article on the legal debacle resulting from Neomi Rao ’ s highly political decision .

On Wednesday, recent Trump appointee Judge Neomi Rao gave a ridiculous ruling on the Flynn case. Her decision is not based on any legal precedent, but on strictly partisan politics. It's all about bailing out Trump and his pal Michael Flynn.
Fox's Shannon Bream brought on John Yoo, (the infamous lawyer that wrote the Dubya-era opinion that it was perfectly legal to torture detainees) and Bradley Moss, a national security attorney, to discuss Mark Joseph Stern's excellent article on the legal debacle brought about by Neomi Rao’s highly political decision.
While gutting a vital check of executive misconduct, Rao whitewashed the Justice Department’s flagrantly political decision to drop charges against Flynn—hours before the House Judiciary Committee heard whistleblowers testify about political interference at the DOJ, including in Flynn’s case.
Yoo said, "The Constitution gives only to the executive branch, and ultimately the president, the power to decide who to prosecute and how to carry it out."
"Judges have no constitutional means to force the executive branch to keep prosecuting people that the executive branch doesn't want to," he said.
During his monologue, Yoo kept saying "when President Biden is in office." "How would liberals feel if Biden wasn't afforded these privileges?" -- which made Shannon Bream quite uncomfortable.
Let's not forget that Michael Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI -- the prosecution was over, Mr. Yoo.
After Bream read off a statement by Flynn's attorney she turned to Bradley Moss for a response.
Moss considered Flynn's lawyer's statement a nice conspiratorial take, because President Obama and his team had every right to look into Michael Flynn's actions with Russia.
"So what," Moss said. They are allowed to have those conversations. There was an ongoing counterintelligence concern..."
Then he lowered the boom.
"To protect Donald Trump how much are you going to insulate the presidency from any and all scrutiny that we put in place after Watergate?"
He continued, "Now we have 'Congress can't sue to compel witnesses to testify, judges have to rubber-stamp when the DOJ and Fed lawyers collude together to throw out a case for the president's buddy -- and the government today just issued an opinion saying there can be personal animus behind DOJ investigations and it's fine."
"So my question is is there any limitation on the executive branch?"
To protect Donald Trump, conservatives have thrown out the rule of law and the Constitution. They've abandoned every "principle" they used against Democrats, all to insulate and defend Donald Trump's indefensible actions in the Oval Office.
It's despicable.
Make sure to read Mark Joseph Stern's excellent article on the legal debacle resulting from Neomi Rao’s highly political decision.


crooksandliars--2020-06-25--Scottsdale City Councilman Leads Anti-Mask 'I Can't Breathe!' Rally

How completely debased and ignorant does one have to be to pull sh*t like this in a time of pandemic and disgust with overt racism stemming from the death of George Floyd ?
Scottsdale , Ariz. , Councilman Guy Phillips ( R ) is facing calls to resign after using George Floyd 's dying words during a June 24 anti-mask rally , many from other Republicans , including the state 's Governor , Doug Ducey .
Taking the stage Wednesday at an anti-mask rally in Scottsdale , Ariz. , Councilman Guy Phillips ( R ) appeared in a black face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tapered into shouts .
“ Take the mask off !
” they yelled .
Phillips stood looking at them for a moment .
Then , in a monotone voice , he said into the microphone , “ I can ’ t breathe.
” He said it again , louder : “ I can ’ t breathe ” — echoing the dying words of George Floyd that have become a rallying cry in nationwide protests against police violence .
Then Phillips ripped off the mask , rolled his eyes and feigned relief as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
” he said of the mask mandate .
Now , he ’ s facing calls to step down , as critics on both sides of the aisle have condemned his “ callous ” insult to Floyd ’ s memory and the nation ’ s reckoning over racial injustice .
Sen. Martha McSally ( R-Ariz. ) called Phillips ’ s “ I can ’ t breathe ” comment “ despicable ” while Arizona Gov .
Doug Ducey ( R ) said “ despicable doesn ’ t go far enough ” to describe Phillips @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Franklin 's famous quote about taxation for his own specious , political ends .

How completely debased and ignorant does one have to be to pull sh*t like this in a time of pandemic and disgust with overt racism stemming from the death of George Floyd?
Scottsdale, Ariz., Councilman Guy Phillips (R) is facing calls to resign after using George Floyd's dying words during a June 24 anti-mask rally, many from other Republicans, including the state's Governor, Doug Ducey.
Source: Washington Post
Taking the stage Wednesday at an anti-mask rally in Scottsdale, Ariz., Councilman Guy Phillips (R) appeared in a black face mask. The crowd’s applause tapered into shouts. “Take the mask off!” they yelled. Phillips stood looking at them for a moment. Then, in a monotone voice, he said into the microphone, “I can’t breathe.” He said it again, louder: “I can’t breathe” — echoing the dying words of George Floyd that have become a rallying cry in nationwide protests against police violence. Then Phillips ripped off the mask, rolled his eyes and feigned relief as the crowd cheered for him. “Insanity!” he said of the mask mandate. Now, he’s facing calls to step down, as critics on both sides of the aisle have condemned his “callous” insult to Floyd’s memory and the nation’s reckoning over racial injustice. Sen. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.) called Phillips’s “I can’t breathe” comment “despicable” while Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) said “despicable doesn’t go far enough” to describe Phillips’s behavior.
Just flat out wrong. Despicable doesn’t go far enough. The final words of George Floyd should NEVER be invoked like this. Anyone who mocks the murder of a fellow human has no place in public office. Period. https://t.co/l0wyVE2BP4 — Doug Ducey (@dougducey) June 25, 2020
And perverting Benjamin Franklin's famous quote about taxation for his own specious, political ends.


crooksandliars--2020-06-25--The Lincoln Project: How A President Leads

Easily the best ad for Joe Biden we 've seen so far , and it was made by an anti-Trump Republican super PAC .
Here 's what they say in the video description .
Biden is the clear choice when it comes to compassionate and decent leadership .
In a battle of heart , mind , and character Joe Biden wins by a landslide .
We need to ensure that ’ s reflected in the vote this November .
Biden is the clear choice when it comes to compassionate and decent leadership .
In a battle of heart , mind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a landslide .
We need to ensure that ’ s reflected in the vote this November .
pic.twitter.com/338AECInep Sitting here in tears .
Thank you so much for helping us in this fight to a return to decency and saving our country .
I ’ m bawling my eyes out .
We need to return to decency .
Setting politics aside , in times of crisis , we need a leader who can empathize .
We need a leader who can console .
We need a leader to cry with & to lean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that in trump .
Never will .
He ’ s not capable of that .

Easily the best ad for Joe Biden we've seen so far, and it was made by an anti-Trump Republican super PAC.
Here's what they say in the video description.
Biden is the clear choice when it comes to compassionate and decent leadership. In a battle of heart, mind, and character Joe Biden wins by a landslide. We need to ensure that’s reflected in the vote this November.
Biden is the clear choice when it comes to compassionate and decent leadership. In a battle of heart, mind, and character @JoeBiden wins by a landslide. We need to ensure that’s reflected in the vote this November. pic.twitter.com/338AECInep — The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) June 25, 2020
Some Twitter reactions.
Sitting here in tears. Thank you so much for helping us in this fight to a return to decency and saving our country. — Jackie (@YatkoChronicles) June 25, 2020
This is beautiful. Thank you, @ProjectLincoln. — Holly Figueroa O'Reilly (@AynRandPaulRyan) June 25, 2020
I’m bawling my eyes out.
We need to return to decency.
Setting politics aside, in times of crisis, we need a leader who can empathize. We need a leader who can console. We need a leader to cry with & to lean on.
We haven’t had that in trump. Never will. He’s not capable of that. — Jo (@JoJoFromJerz) June 25, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-06-25--Shocking Racist Remarks Result In Firing Of Three North Carolina Cops

The Wilmington , NC police department fired three cops this week -- Cpl .
Jessie Moore , and officers Kevin Piner and Brian Gilmore .
Each was accused of violating standards of conduct , criticism and use of inappropriate jokes and slurs .
A recording was discovered of one of the officers saying a civil war was necessary to wipe Black people off the map .
Via the Wilmington News-Observer : At the 46-minute mark of the video , Piner and Gilmore began talking from their respective cars , at which time Piner criticized the department , saying its only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black folks.
” About 30 minutes later , Piner received a phone call from Moore , according to the investigation , a segment in which Moore referred to a Black female as a “ negro.
” He also referred to the woman by using a racial slur .
He repeated the use of the slur in describing a Black magistrate , and Moore used a gay slur to describe the magistrate as well .
Later , according to the investigation , Piner told Moore that he feels a civil war is coming and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was going to buy a new assault rifle , and soon “ we are just going to go out and start slaughtering them ( expletive ) ” Blacks .
“ I can ’ t wait .
God , I can ’ t wait.
” Moore responded that he wouldn ’ t do that .
Piner then told Moore that he felt a civil war was needed to “ wipe them off the ( expletive ) map .
That ’ ll put them back about four or five generations.
” Moore told Piner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the recording stopped a short time later .
According to police , the officers admitted it was their voices on the video and didn ’ t deny any of the content .
While the officers denied that they were racists , they blamed their comments on the stress on law enforcement in light of the protests over the death of George Floyd .
Floyd , a Black man , died last month after a Minneapolis police officer put his knee on Floyd ’ s neck for several minutes .

The Wilmington, NC police department fired three cops this week -- Cpl. Jessie Moore, and officers Kevin Piner and Brian Gilmore. Each was accused of violating standards of conduct, criticism and use of inappropriate jokes and slurs. A recording was discovered of one of the officers saying a civil war was necessary to wipe Black people off the map. Via the Wilmington News-Observer:
At the 46-minute mark of the video, Piner and Gilmore began talking from their respective cars, at which time Piner criticized the department, saying its only concern was “kneeling down with the black folks.” About 30 minutes later, Piner received a phone call from Moore, according to the investigation, a segment in which Moore referred to a Black female as a “negro.” He also referred to the woman by using a racial slur. He repeated the use of the slur in describing a Black magistrate, and Moore used a gay slur to describe the magistrate as well.
Later, according to the investigation, Piner told Moore that he feels a civil war is coming and that he is ready. Piner said he was going to buy a new assault rifle, and soon “we are just going to go out and start slaughtering them (expletive)” Blacks. “I can’t wait. God, I can’t wait.” Moore responded that he wouldn’t do that.
Piner then told Moore that he felt a civil war was needed to “wipe them off the (expletive) map. That’ll put them back about four or five generations.” Moore told Piner he was “crazy,” and the recording stopped a short time later.
According to police, the officers admitted it was their voices on the video and didn’t deny any of the content. While the officers denied that they were racists, they blamed their comments on the stress on law enforcement in light of the protests over the death of George Floyd. Floyd, a Black man, died last month after a Minneapolis police officer put his knee on Floyd’s neck for several minutes.


crooksandliars--2020-06-25--Grand Jury Indicts Three For Murder In Shooting Death Of Jogger Ahmaud Arbery

CNN 's New Day with the latest development in the `` jogging while black '' murder of Ahmaud Arbery in an Atlanta suburb .
A grand jury has indicted Travis McMichael , Greg McMichael and William “ Roddie ” Bryan Jr. in Arbery ’ s death .
`` A grand jury has indicted three men on murder charges in the shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery .
The decision comes after prosecutors took three months to press charges initially .
CNN 's Martin Savidge , who 's been covering the story for months and months , live in Cobb County , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' John Berman said .
Savidge said the big surprise was not the indictments , but that they were handed down so quickly during a pandemic .
`` Those counts include malicious murder , which is implying that you intended to kill someone .
Four counts of felon murder .
That 's , of course , someone dying in the process of you committing a felony , and four felony counts , including false imprisonment .
The district attorney , Joyette Holmes , described it as another step forward in seeking justice for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The attorney for one of the men , who took the video , said he was surprised his client was indicted .
Said he 's only been a witness that provided a key piece of evidence .
Meanwhile , Ahmaud Arbery 's family had this reaction . ''
I just never want to see them on the streets again , because my son , he is gone and he 's not coming back , so they need to see what they 've done .
And they need to see every day when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did .
And they got to answer to God for it , because I know they 're going to hell for it , because God do n't -- God do n't uphold stuff like that .
Savidge said if convicted , all three men could face life in prison .

CNN's New Day with the latest development in the "jogging while black" murder of Ahmaud Arbery in an Atlanta suburb. A grand jury has indicted Travis McMichael, Greg McMichael and William “Roddie” Bryan Jr. in Arbery’s death.
"A grand jury has indicted three men on murder charges in the shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery. The decision comes after prosecutors took three months to press charges initially. CNN's Martin Savidge, who's been covering the story for months and months, live in Cobb County, Georgia, with the very latest," John Berman said.
Savidge said the big surprise was not the indictments, but that they were handed down so quickly during a pandemic.
"Those counts include malicious murder, which is implying that you intended to kill someone. Four counts of felon murder. That's, of course, someone dying in the process of you committing a felony, and four felony counts, including false imprisonment. The district attorney, Joyette Holmes, described it as another step forward in seeking justice for Ahmad," he said.
"The attorney for one of the men, who took the video, said he was surprised his client was indicted. Said he's only been a witness that provided a key piece of evidence. Meanwhile, Ahmaud Arbery's family had this reaction."
I just never want to see them on the streets again, because my son, he is gone and he's not coming back, so they need to see what they've done. And they need to see every day when they wake up and realize what wrong they did. And they got to answer to God for it, because I know they're going to hell for it, because God don't -- God don't uphold stuff like that.
Savidge said if convicted, all three men could face life in prison.


Which Lives Matter?

The Racist-in-Chief is not taking the news well that he will be greeted with a huge “ BLACK LIVES MATTER @ @ @ @ @ steps in or out of Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue .

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crooksandliars--2020-06-26--Co-Founder Of ReOpen Maryland Tests Postive For COVID-19

From a ReOpen Maryland rally in Annapolis on May 16 .
No sympathy here for this ahole .
And of course he 's declined to participate in any contact tracing , because that 's just how these covidiots roll .
A co-founder of the ReOpen Maryland movement has said on social media that he tested positive for coronavirus this week but won ’ t work with public health officials trying to track the spread of the pandemic .
Tim Walters , a two-time Republican candidate for the General Assembly from Linthicum , said in a series of Facebook videos starting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 , the respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus .
“ I was diagnosed yesterday at the ER with COVID-19 and here I am months after not wearing a mask at rallies , churches and so on and so it ’ s funny how capricious this thing is , ” he said .
Walters helped organize ReOpen Maryland protests in Annapolis , on the Eastern Shore and elsewhere in Maryland to challenge state and local measures put in place by Gov .
Larry Hogan to slow the spread of the virus .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said the protests were about infringement on freedom to worship and he was critical of The Capital for not contacting him Thursday night when it first reported on his announcement .
He declined a request for an additional interview .
ReOpen Maryland describes itself as pursuing “ peaceful , law-abiding advocacy for public health measures that respect Marylanders ’ civil rights , economic well-being and educational access .
”

From a ReOpen Maryland rally in Annapolis on May 16.
No sympathy here for this ahole. And of course he's declined to participate in any contact tracing, because that's just how these covidiots roll.
Source: Capital Gazette
A co-founder of the ReOpen Maryland movement has said on social media that he tested positive for coronavirus this week but won’t work with public health officials trying to track the spread of the pandemic.
Tim Walters, a two-time Republican candidate for the General Assembly from Linthicum, said in a series of Facebook videos starting Tuesday that he has come down with COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus.
“I was diagnosed yesterday at the ER with COVID-19 and here I am months after not wearing a mask at rallies, churches and so on and so it’s funny how capricious this thing is,” he said.
Walters helped organize ReOpen Maryland protests in Annapolis, on the Eastern Shore and elsewhere in Maryland to challenge state and local measures put in place by Gov. Larry Hogan to slow the spread of the virus. In a new video released Friday morning, he said the protests were about infringement on freedom to worship and he was critical of The Capital for not contacting him Thursday night when it first reported on his announcement.
He declined a request for an additional interview.
ReOpen Maryland describes itself as pursuing “peaceful, law-abiding advocacy for public health measures that respect Marylanders’ civil rights, economic well-being and educational access.”


crooksandliars--2020-06-26--Katie Porter Grills SEC Chair: Can You Be Independent If You're Golfing Buddies With Trump?

SEC Chairman Jay Clayton appeared at a hearing Thursday titled `` Capital Markets and Emergency Lending in the COVID-19 ERA . ''
As head of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission , he had expected to field economic questions .
But all that changed when Trump and Bill Barr decided to install him as the top prosecutor for Manhattan , having fired Geoffrey Berman late last Friday night .
As Trump 's expected nominee for the position Clayton had to field this question , whether he can truly be an autonomous federal prosecutor while being one of Trump 's golfing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York has multiple ongoing investigations into Trump associates and other interests linked to the president .
In the days since his planned nomination was announced , Clayton has come under scrutiny over golf outings with Trump .
The New York Times reported that Clayton and Trump played golf together over the weekend before controversy erupted over the handoff of power in the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office in Manhattan .
On Thursday , U.S. Rep. Katie Porter , D-California , asked Clayton whether he believes “ independence from the president is possible if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ I absolutely do , because I do it—I do my job every day without fear or favor .
And we do justice at the SEC , and I think if you look at the record of the SEC , it ’ s absolutely clear , ” Clayton replied .
Pressed about how frequently he ’ s golfed with Trump , Clayton said he has joined the president a “ handful ” of times and consulted SEC ethics counsel about the outings .

SEC Chairman Jay Clayton appeared at a hearing Thursday titled "Capital Markets and Emergency Lending in the COVID-19 ERA." As head of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, he had expected to field economic questions. But all that changed when Trump and Bill Barr decided to install him as the top prosecutor for Manhattan, having fired Geoffrey Berman late last Friday night. As Trump's expected nominee for the position Clayton had to field this question, whether he can truly be an autonomous federal prosecutor while being one of Trump's golfing buddies. The Southern District of New York has multiple ongoing investigations into Trump associates and other interests linked to the president.
Source: Law.com
In the days since his planned nomination was announced, Clayton has come under scrutiny over golf outings with Trump. The New York Times reported that Clayton and Trump played golf together over the weekend before controversy erupted over the handoff of power in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan.
On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, D-California, asked Clayton whether he believes “independence from the president is possible if you and the president are golfing buddies.”
“I absolutely do, because I do it—I do my job every day without fear or favor. And we do justice at the SEC, and I think if you look at the record of the SEC, it’s absolutely clear,” Clayton replied.
Pressed about how frequently he’s golfed with Trump, Clayton said he has joined the president a “handful” of times and consulted SEC ethics counsel about the outings.


crooksandliars--2020-06-26--Trump Couldn't Even Answer Hannity's Easiest Question

Sean Hannity interviewed Donald Trump Thursday night in a faux town hall setting .
Even with his BFF pillow-talk buddy asking the softball questions , Trump could n't offer coherent answers .
Trump will only sit still for Fox News hosts because they will never question any of his actions , only glorify them .
But when asked what he envisions his top priorities would be if he wins re-election , Trump could n't even offer up a modicum of a rational answer .
Hannity asked , `` We can now project Donald J. Trump has been reelected as 45th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What are your top priority items for a second term ? ''
You can boil his rambling word salad answer to this : `` I will be smart enough not to hire another John Bolton . ''
Well , one of the things that will be really great , you know the word experience is still good .
I always say talent is more important than experience .
I ’ ve always said that .
But the word experience is a very important word .
It ’ s an — a very important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I never slept over in Washington .
I was in Washington , I think , 17 times .
All of a sudden , I ’ m president of the United States .
You know the story .
I ’ m riding down Pennsylvania Avenue with our First Lady and I say , ‘ This is great .
But I didn ’ t know very many people in Washington .
It wasn ’ t my thing .
I was from Manhattan , from New York .
Now I know everybody , and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You make some mistakes .
Like , you know , an idiot like Bolton .
All he wanted to do was drop bombs on everybody .
You don ’ t have to drop bombs on everybody .
You don ’ t have to kill people .
I 'm surprised he did n't break out in a chorus of `` Me , me , me , me ! ''

Sean Hannity interviewed Donald Trump Thursday night in a faux town hall setting. Even with his BFF pillow-talk buddy asking the softball questions, Trump couldn't offer coherent answers.
Trump will only sit still for Fox News hosts because they will never question any of his actions, only glorify them. But when asked what he envisions his top priorities would be if he wins re-election, Trump couldn't even offer up a modicum of a rational answer.
Hannity asked, "We can now project Donald J. Trump has been reelected as 45th president of the United States ---
What are your top priority items for a second term?"
You can boil his rambling word salad answer to this: "I will be smart enough not to hire another John Bolton."
Well, one of the things that will be really great, you know the word experience is still good. I always say talent is more important than experience. I’ve always said that. But the word experience is a very important word. It’s an — a very important meaning. I never did this before. I never slept over in Washington. I was in Washington, I think, 17 times. All of a sudden, I’m president of the United States. You know the story. I’m riding down Pennsylvania Avenue with our First Lady and I say, ‘This is great. But I didn’t know very many people in Washington. It wasn’t my thing. I was from Manhattan, from New York. Now I know everybody, and I have great people in the administration.” You make some mistakes. Like, you know, an idiot like Bolton. All he wanted to do was drop bombs on everybody. You don’t have to drop bombs on everybody. You don’t have to kill people.
I'm surprised he didn't break out in a chorus of "Me, me, me, me!"