thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-05--Supreme Court Smacks Down Appeal By Official Who Refused Same-Sex Marriage Licenses

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE - In this Nov. 6 , 2018 , file photo , Kim Davis , the county clerk for Rowan County in Kentucky , works with the county election board on Election Day , in Morehead , Ky .
This one of the top stories in Kentucky in 2018 .
( AP Photo/John Flavell , File ) Oct 5 ( Reuters ) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rebuffed a bid by a county clerk in Kentucky briefly jailed in 2015 for refusing to issue marriage licenses to two same-sex couples to avoid lawsuits they filed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The justices turned away an appeal by Kim Davis , who no longer serves as Rowan County Clerk , of a lower court ruling that allowed the lawsuits to proceed .
But two conservative justices who voted in dissent against legalizing gay marriage in the court ’ s landmark 2015 ruling said in an opinion released as part of Monday ’ s action that the case , Obergefell v. Hodges , continues to have “ ruinous consequences ” for religious liberty .
“ Davis may have been one of the first victims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of religion in its Obergefell decision , but she will not be the last , ” Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in an opinion joined by Justice Samuel Alito .
Thomas said the Obergefell decision has left “ those with religious objections in the lurch ” and made it easier to label them as bigots “ merely for refusing to alter their religious beliefs in the wake of prevailing orthodoxy.
” The Cincinnati-based 6th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals ruled last year that Davis could be sued in her individual capacity in her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6th Circuit rejected her argument that she is protected by a legal doctrine known as qualified immunity , which can shield government officials from liability in certain cases .
Davis , who has earned praise from some conservative Christians , defended her actions by saying that she stopped issuing marriage licenses to everyone regardless of sexual orientation , and the plaintiffs could have obtained licenses elsewhere .
She was jailed for five days in the aftermath of the Obergefell decision for defying court orders to issue licenses in accordance with the high court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ David Ermold and David Moore , and Will Smith and James Yates - sued Davis in 2015 , accusing her of violating their constitutional right to marry as recognized in the Obergefell ruling for refusing to provide them marriage licenses .
Both couples received their licenses while Davis was in jail .
The stance taken by Thomas and Alito , two of the court ’ s most conservative justices , comes as the Senate is moving forward quickly with the confirmation process for PresidentDonald Trump ’ s Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With the death of JusticeRuth Bader Ginsburg and the retirement of Justice AnthonyKennedy , only three of the justices who made up the court ’ s 5-4majority in the Obergefell ruling still serve on the bench .
In recent years , a number of cases have arisen around the country testing the scope of the Obergefell decision , and the rights of those to object to gay marriage on religious grounds .
On Nov. 4 , the justices are due to hear a major religious rights dispute involving the city of Philadelphia ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care with a Catholic agency that bars same-sex couples from serving as foster parents .

FILE - In this Nov. 6, 2018, file photo, Kim Davis, the county clerk for Rowan County in Kentucky, works with the county election board on Election Day, in Morehead, Ky. This one of the top stories in Kentucky in 2018. (AP Photo/John Flavell, File) ASSOCIATED PRESS
Oct 5 (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rebuffed a bid by a county clerk in Kentucky briefly jailed in 2015 for refusing to issue marriage licenses to two same-sex couples to avoid lawsuits they filed that accuse her of violating their constitutional rights.
The justices turned away an appeal by Kim Davis, who no longer serves as Rowan County Clerk, of a lower court ruling that allowed the lawsuits to proceed. But two conservative justices who voted in dissent against legalizing gay marriage in the court’s landmark 2015 ruling said in an opinion released as part of Monday’s action that the case, Obergefell v. Hodges, continues to have “ruinous consequences” for religious liberty.
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“Davis may have been one of the first victims of this court’s cavalier treatment of religion in its Obergefell decision, but she will not be the last,” Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in an opinion joined by Justice Samuel Alito.
Thomas said the Obergefell decision has left “those with religious objections in the lurch” and made it easier to label them as bigots “merely for refusing to alter their religious beliefs in the wake of prevailing orthodoxy.”
Both justices agreed with the decision to reject the Davis appeal for technical reasons.
The Cincinnati-based 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled last year that Davis could be sued in her individual capacity in her former role as county clerk. The 6th Circuit rejected her argument that she is protected by a legal doctrine known as qualified immunity, which can shield government officials from liability in certain cases.
Davis, who has earned praise from some conservative Christians, defended her actions by saying that she stopped issuing marriage licenses to everyone regardless of sexual orientation, and the plaintiffs could have obtained licenses elsewhere.
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She was jailed for five days in the aftermath of the Obergefell decision for defying court orders to issue licenses in accordance with the high court’s ruling.
The couples - David Ermold and David Moore, and Will Smith and James Yates - sued Davis in 2015, accusing her of violating their constitutional right to marry as recognized in the Obergefell ruling for refusing to provide them marriage licenses. Both couples received their licenses while Davis was in jail.
The stance taken by Thomas and Alito, two of the court’s most conservative justices, comes as the Senate is moving forward quickly with the confirmation process for PresidentDonald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, a favorite of Christian conservatives. With the death of JusticeRuth Bader Ginsburg and the retirement of Justice AnthonyKennedy, only three of the justices who made up the court’s 5-4majority in the Obergefell ruling still serve on the bench.
In the Obergefell ruling, the court found that theConstitution’s guarantees of due process and equal protection under the law meant states cannot ban same-sex marriages.
In recent years, a number of cases have arisen around the country testing the scope of the Obergefell decision, and the rights of those to object to gay marriage on religious grounds.
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On Nov. 4, the justices are due to hear a major religious rights dispute involving the city of Philadelphia’s refusal to place children for foster care with a Catholic agency that bars same-sex couples from serving as foster parents.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-05--GOP: Trump Is So Tough For Not Dying Of COVID After Getting World-Class Medical Care

mpi34/MediaPunch /IPX Trump supporters gathered outside Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Sunday to show their support for President Donald Trump .
That image was punctured last week when Trump , 74 , tested positive for the coronavirus after months of refusing to take COVID-19 seriously .
The severity of Trump ’ s condition is not clear , although he has received treatment that medical experts believe may indicate a more severe case than the administration has portrayed .
Trump ’ s medical team has given scant details on what the president has undergone , often offering contradictory information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the president ’ s physician , refused to tell reporters when Trump received his last negative coronavirus result .
Still infected and contagious , Trump announced Monday that he was nevertheless leaving Walter Reed medical center to go back to the White House .
I will be leaving the great Walter Reed Medical Center today at 6:30 P.M .
Feeling really good !
Don ’ t be afraid of Covid .
Don ’ t let it dominate your life .
We have developed , under the Trump Administration , some really great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than I did 20 years ago !
— Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) October 5 , 2020 Conley declined to say at his press conference Monday when Trump would stop being contagious , acknowledging that “ there ’ s a chance ” he could continue to infect others for more than 10 days after first contracting the virus .
Yet the president ’ s supporters hailed him as a strong , conquering hero Monday for overcoming the virus ― even though he ’ s not yet in the clear .
Sen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is in a tough race to hold on to the seat , put up a tweet showing Trump taking down the coronavirus in a wrestling move .
Rep. Matt Gaetz ( R-Fla. ) tweeted a variation of the Chuck Norris meme , suggesting that if Trump wins his fight with the coronavirus , it will be because he ’ s tough as nails ― not because he received top-flight medical care unavailable to just about everyone else in the country .
“ He is battling it as toughly as only President Trump can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Perrine on Fox News on Monday .
She added that the fact that Trump has had coronavirus is a plus in his battle against Democratic rival Joe Biden in the presidential election .
“ He has experience now fighting the coronavirus as an individual .
Those firsthand experiences , Joe Biden , he doesn ’ t have those , ” Perrine said , without noting that Trump has refused to abide by public health recommendations to wear a face mask and maintain social distancing .
If Trump comes out clean on the other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it won ’ t just be because he ’ s “ tough.
” He has at least 13 doctors attending to him .
He was able to take a helicopter to a top-notch hospital for care .
He ’ s receiving an experimental antibody treatment that fewer than 10 other people have received outside of a clinical trial .

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Few things are more important to President Donald Trump’s image than appearing to be strong.
That image was punctured last week when Trump, 74, tested positive for the coronavirus after months of refusing to take COVID-19 seriously.
The severity of Trump’s condition is not clear, although he has received treatment that medical experts believe may indicate a more severe case than the administration has portrayed.
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Trump’s medical team has given scant details on what the president has undergone, often offering contradictory information. On Monday, Dr. Sean Conley, the president’s physician, refused to tell reporters when Trump received his last negative coronavirus result.
“Everyone wants that,” he said with a laugh.
Trump supporters gathered outside Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Sunday to show their support for President Donald Trump. mpi34/MediaPunch /IPX
Conley has also admitted to withholding information about Trump’s condition to reflect an “upbeat attitude” that wouldn’t upset the president.
Still infected and contagious, Trump announced Monday that he was nevertheless leaving Walter Reed medical center to go back to the White House.
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I will be leaving the great Walter Reed Medical Center today at 6:30 P.M. Feeling really good! Don’t be afraid of Covid. Don’t let it dominate your life. We have developed, under the Trump Administration, some really great drugs & knowledge. I feel better than I did 20 years ago! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 5, 2020
Conley declined to say at his press conference Monday when Trump would stop being contagious, acknowledging that “there’s a chance” he could continue to infect others for more than 10 days after first contracting the virus.
Trump is reportedly just five days into the illness.
Yet the president’s supporters hailed him as a strong, conquering hero Monday for overcoming the virus ― even though he’s not yet in the clear.
Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.), who is in a tough race to hold on to the seat, put up a tweet showing Trump taking down the coronavirus in a wrestling move.
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Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) tweeted a variation of the Chuck Norris meme, suggesting that if Trump wins his fight with the coronavirus, it will be because he’s tough as nails ― not because he received top-flight medical care unavailable to just about everyone else in the country.
President Trump won't have to recover from COVID.
COVID will have to recover from President Trump. #MAGA — Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) October 5, 2020
“He is battling it as toughly as only President Trump can,” added Trump campaign spokesperson Erin Perrine on Fox News on Monday. She added that the fact that Trump has had coronavirus is a plus in his battle against Democratic rival Joe Biden in the presidential election.
“He has experience now fighting the coronavirus as an individual. Those firsthand experiences, Joe Biden, he doesn’t have those,” Perrine said, without noting that Trump has refused to abide by public health recommendations to wear a face mask and maintain social distancing.
If Trump comes out clean on the other side of his battle with coronavirus, it won’t just be because he’s “tough.” He has at least 13 doctors attending to him. He was able to take a helicopter to a top-notch hospital for care. He’s receiving an experimental antibody treatment that fewer than 10 other people have received outside of a clinical trial.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-05--White House Made Case Against Trump Driving By Supporters Just A Day Before He Did It

It seems the White House can ’ t even take its own advice .
On Saturday , a White House official said first lady Melania Trump — who tested positive for COVID-19 along with President Donald Trump late last week — would not leave quarantine to visit her husband while he was being treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center .
“ She has COVID , ” the unnamed official said , according to NBC News .
“ That would expose the agents who would drive her there and the medical staff who would walk her up to him.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ president posted a video to Twitter , announcing that he would “ pay a little surprise to some of the great patriots that we have out on the street.
” The presidential motorcade then drove him past supporters gathered outside the hospital , and he waved to them through the window of an SUV .
President Donald Trump waves to supporters gathered outside Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda , Maryland , on Sunday .
At least two other people were in the vehicle with him .
There was also a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is hermetically sealed .
“ Every single person in the vehicle during that completely unnecessary Presidential ‘ drive-by ’ just now has to be quarantined for 14 days , ” Dr. James Phillips , an attending physician at Walter Reed , tweeted Sunday .
“ They might get sick .
They may die .
For political theater .
Commanded by Trump to put their lives at risk for theater .
This is insanity.
” Phillips also noted that the risk of COVID-19 transmission inside a hermetically sealed vehicle is “ as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ procedures.
” The seal is meant to protect against chemical attacks .
Every single person in the vehicle during that completely unnecessary Presidential “ drive-by ” just now has to be quarantined for 14 days .
They might get sick .
They may die .
For political theater .
Commanded by Trump to put their lives at risk for theater .
This is insanity .
— Dr. James P. Phillips , MD ( @ DrPhillipsMD ) October 4 , 2020 This latest act of “ political theater ” is just another example of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when it comes to coronavirus safety procedures .

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It seems the White House can’t even take its own advice.
On Saturday, a White House official said first lady Melania Trump — who tested positive for COVID-19 along with President Donald Trump late last week — would not leave quarantine to visit her husband while he was being treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
“She has COVID,” the unnamed official said, according to NBC News. “That would expose the agents who would drive her there and the medical staff who would walk her up to him.”
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Yet the next day, the president posted a video to Twitter, announcing that he would “pay a little surprise to some of the great patriots that we have out on the street.” The presidential motorcade then drove him past supporters gathered outside the hospital, and he waved to them through the window of an SUV.
President Donald Trump waves to supporters gathered outside Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, on Sunday. At least two other people were in the vehicle with him. ASSOCIATED PRESS
There was also a driver and a passenger in the vehicle, which is hermetically sealed.
“Every single person in the vehicle during that completely unnecessary Presidential ‘drive-by’ just now has to be quarantined for 14 days,” Dr. James Phillips, an attending physician at Walter Reed, tweeted Sunday. “They might get sick. They may die. For political theater. Commanded by Trump to put their lives at risk for theater. This is insanity.”
Phillips also noted that the risk of COVID-19 transmission inside a hermetically sealed vehicle is “as high as it gets outside of medical procedures.” The seal is meant to protect against chemical attacks.
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Every single person in the vehicle during that completely unnecessary Presidential “drive-by” just now has to be quarantined for 14 days. They might get sick. They may die. For political theater. Commanded by Trump to put their lives at risk for theater. This is insanity. — Dr. James P. Phillips, MD (@DrPhillipsMD) October 4, 2020
This latest act of “political theater” is just another example of the White House’s mixed messaging when it comes to coronavirus safety procedures.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-05--Trump, Infected With COVID-19, Takes Mask Off To Enter White House Full Of Staffers

President Donald Trump immediately removed his face mask when he returned to the White House on Monday evening , despite testing positive for the coronavirus less than a week ago and amid an ongoing outbreak among staffers in the West Wing .
The president left Walter Reed National Military Medical Center just minutes earlier after a three-day stay in the hospital .
He had been admitted on Friday just hours after he revealed that both he and first lady Melania Trump had tested positive for the virus , a cluster that has since spread through his White House staff and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learned so much about coronavirus , and one thing that ’ s for certain : Don ’ t let it dominate you .
Don ’ t be afraid of it .
You ’ re going to beat it , ” Trump declared in a video shortly after his arrival ( more than 210,000 people have died of COVID-19 in the U.S. ) .
“ I went , I didn ’ t feel so good , and two days ago , I could ’ ve left two days ago , I felt great , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long time .
Don ’ t let it dominate , don ’ t let it take over your lives , don ’ t let that happen.
” Reporters noted that several photographers filming Trump ’ s return to the White House appeared to be near the president as he took off his mask .
Soon after , Trump released a video of his arrival on Twitter , which includes footage of him without a face covering as military members and White House aides look on .
The White House did not immediately return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s unclear if Trump will wear a mask at the White House while he remains infectious ( the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that period could last between 10 and 20 days , depending on the severity of the individual case ) .
Questions remain about the severity of the president ’ s illness .
His medical team has said repeatedly that he is doing “ very well , ” but outside experts have expressed concern amid reports that Trump ’ s blood oxygen levels fell below 95 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus .
Trump moved quickly to minimize his own infection , regularly tweeting that he is “ feeling really good !
” while releasing campaign-style videos from inside the hospital and driving outside for a photo op .
“ Don ’ t be afraid of Covid .
Don ’ t let it dominate your life , ” the president posted on Monday shortly before departing Walter Reed .
“ We have developed , under the Trump Administration , some really great drugs & knowledge .
I feel better than I did 20 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he wasn ’ t feeling well , at least temporarily , in the days after his first positive test as he went to the hospital .
“ As your leader , I had to do that .
I knew there ’ s danger to it , but I had to do it , ” he said in the Twitter video .
He added : “ I stood out front , I led .
Nobody that ’ s a leader would not do what I did .
And I know there ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but that ’ s OK. And now I ’ m better , and maybe I ’ m immune , I don ’ t know.
” The nation ’ s top medical officials have continued to urge the use of face masks to minimize the spread of COVID-19 .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , said Monday that a White House event last month to celebrate the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court was the type of “ dangerous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about .
At least nine attendees have since tested positive for the virus .
“ I would ask him to do this : Listen to the scientists , ” Biden said while speaking in Miami .
“ Support masks .
Support a mask mandate nationwide .
Require masks in every federal building and facility , and in interstate travel .
Urge every governor and mayor to do the same .
We know it saves lives .
”

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President Donald Trump immediately removed his face mask when he returned to the White House on Monday evening, despite testing positive for the coronavirus less than a week ago and amid an ongoing outbreak among staffers in the West Wing.
The president left Walter Reed National Military Medical Center just minutes earlier after a three-day stay in the hospital. He had been admitted on Friday just hours after he revealed that both he and first lady Melania Trump had tested positive for the virus, a cluster that has since spread through his White House staff and congressional halls of power.
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Only days into his diagnosis, the first thing President Trump does when he gets back to the White House is take his mask off. pic.twitter.com/kyqvHcSbIl — Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) October 5, 2020
“I learned so much about coronavirus, and one thing that’s for certain: Don’t let it dominate you. Don’t be afraid of it. You’re going to beat it,” Trump declared in a video shortly after his arrival (more than 210,000 people have died of COVID-19 in the U.S.). “I went, I didn’t feel so good, and two days ago, I could’ve left two days ago, I felt great, like better than I have in a long time. Don’t let it dominate, don’t let it take over your lives, don’t let that happen.”
Reporters noted that several photographers filming Trump’s return to the White House appeared to be near the president as he took off his mask.
Soon after, Trump released a video of his arrival on Twitter, which includes footage of him without a face covering as military members and White House aides look on.
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The White House did not immediately return HuffPost’s request for comment. It’s unclear if Trump will wear a mask at the White House while he remains infectious (the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that period could last between 10 and 20 days, depending on the severity of the individual case).
Questions remain about the severity of the president’s illness. His medical team has said repeatedly that he is doing “very well,” but outside experts have expressed concern amid reports that Trump’s blood oxygen levels fell below 95% at least twice since he contracted the virus.
Trump moved quickly to minimize his own infection, regularly tweeting that he is “feeling really good!” while releasing campaign-style videos from inside the hospital and driving outside for a photo op.
“Don’t be afraid of Covid. Don’t let it dominate your life,” the president posted on Monday shortly before departing Walter Reed. “We have developed, under the Trump Administration, some really great drugs & knowledge. I feel better than I did 20 years ago!”
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Trump did acknowledge that he wasn’t feeling well, at least temporarily, in the days after his first positive test as he went to the hospital.
“As your leader, I had to do that. I knew there’s danger to it, but I had to do it,” he said in the Twitter video.
He added: “I stood out front, I led. Nobody that’s a leader would not do what I did. And I know there’s a risk, there’s a danger, but that’s OK. And now I’m better, and maybe I’m immune, I don’t know.”
The nation’s top medical officials have continued to urge the use of face masks to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said Monday that a White House event last month to celebrate the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court was the type of “dangerous situation” he’d long warned about. At least nine attendees have since tested positive for the virus.
Also on Monday, former Vice President Joe Biden, Trump’s Democratic competitor for the White House, called for the president to “listen to the scientists” and implement a nationwide mask mandate.
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“I would ask him to do this: Listen to the scientists,” Biden said while speaking in Miami. “Support masks. Support a mask mandate nationwide. Require masks in every federal building and facility, and in interstate travel. Urge every governor and mayor to do the same. We know it saves lives.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-05--CNN Anchor Slams Campaign Adviser's Claim That Trump Followed All COVID-19 Protocols

CNN anchor Ana Cabrera blasted President Donald Trump ’ s campaign adviser Jason Miller on Sunday for falsely claiming that the president followed social distancing and mask protocols prior to his diagnosis with COVID-19 .
The interview began with Cabrera asking Miller about the president ’ s joyride on Sunday , in which Trump left the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to wave to supporters from a car while still undergoing treatment for COVID-19 .
After Miller claimed Trump was feeling better and that compelled him to make the trip , Cabrera challenged him : “ How does a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ puts a spotlight on the inequities on the president ’ s cavalier attitude to this virus , but endangers the lives of others ― help his campaign ?
” Miller argued that this wasn ’ t a stunt , but rather a show of graciousness for supporters , but Cabrera countered that Trump could have kept doing that via the videos he has posted on Twitter .
Miller claimed that the Secret Service took the risk seriously and took great care .
“ He can ’ t just stay locked up , whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , forever , ” said Miller .
( In fact , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says a person should stay isolated for at least 10 days after first showing symptoms . )
Jason Miller tried to tell Ana Cabrera that Trump has taken the coronavirus seriously and took all the proper precautions at his pandemic rallies .
It did not go well .
pic.twitter.com/OjFHAFNrFY — Aaron Rupar ( @ atrupar ) October 4 , 2020 Cabrera pushed back on Miller , insisting Trump has been “ downplaying the virus ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tapes that reveal Trump admitting he intentionally downplayed this coronavirus pandemic .
“ He hasn ’ t worn a mask every time .
He ’ s been holding these rallies without social distancing , with most of the people in the crowd not wearing masks either , ” she said , adding : “ Even as he goes out there , Jason , he is not taking the simple precautions that could save lives .
He ’ s encouraging his supporters to come to his campaign rallies.
” As the pair continued to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offering examples of Trump not adhering to protocol and Miller defending him , CNN cut to video and images of Trump ’ s crowded rallies where supporters are clearly not social distancing or wearing masks .
Miller insisted that the White House has been doing everything it can to implement mask-wearing and distancing , which Cabrera slammed with a simple statement : “ Jason , let ’ s be clear : The president is in the hospital right now because he contracted the virus and he has put himself at risk by conducting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conducting some of these events .
”

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CNN anchor Ana Cabrera blasted President Donald Trump’s campaign adviser Jason Miller on Sunday for falsely claiming that the president followed social distancing and mask protocols prior to his diagnosis with COVID-19.
The interview began with Cabrera asking Miller about the president’s joyride on Sunday, in which Trump left the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to wave to supporters from a car while still undergoing treatment for COVID-19.
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After Miller claimed Trump was feeling better and that compelled him to make the trip, Cabrera challenged him: “How does a stunt like this ― that not only puts a spotlight on the inequities on the president’s cavalier attitude to this virus, but endangers the lives of others ― help his campaign?”
Miller argued that this wasn’t a stunt, but rather a show of graciousness for supporters, but Cabrera countered that Trump could have kept doing that via the videos he has posted on Twitter. Miller claimed that the Secret Service took the risk seriously and took great care.
“He can’t just stay locked up, whether it be in the attic or basement, forever,” said Miller. (In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says a person should stay isolated for at least 10 days after first showing symptoms.)
Jason Miller tried to tell Ana Cabrera that Trump has taken the coronavirus seriously and took all the proper precautions at his pandemic rallies. It did not go well. pic.twitter.com/OjFHAFNrFY — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 4, 2020
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Cabrera pushed back on Miller, insisting Trump has been “downplaying the virus” and citing the recent Washington Post audio tapes that reveal Trump admitting he intentionally downplayed this coronavirus pandemic.
“He hasn’t worn a mask every time. He’s been holding these rallies without social distancing, with most of the people in the crowd not wearing masks either,” she said, adding: “Even as he goes out there, Jason, he is not taking the simple precautions that could save lives. He’s encouraging his supporters to come to his campaign rallies.”
As the pair continued to talk over each other, with Cabrera offering examples of Trump not adhering to protocol and Miller defending him, CNN cut to video and images of Trump’s crowded rallies where supporters are clearly not social distancing or wearing masks.
"President Trump followed all of the protocols," Jason Miller claims, absurdly. In fact, Trump eschewed social distancing and mask-wearing at this pandemic rallies and White House events. pic.twitter.com/Lo2da6xATN — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 4, 2020
Miller insisted that the White House has been doing everything it can to implement mask-wearing and distancing, which Cabrera slammed with a simple statement: “Jason, let’s be clear: The president is in the hospital right now because he contracted the virus and he has put himself at risk by conducting the business the way he has and conducting some of these events.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-05--Photos And Video Of Trump In Walter Reed Raise Eyebrows

A video and photos released by the White House meant to show that President Trump is winning his battle with COVID-19 have only raised more questions about an episode clouded by suspicion , rumors and confusion .
While multiple photos were released showing Trump in different locations and with different clothes , the corresponding metadata shows they were taken 10 minutes apart , implying to some observers they were staged to create the impression of a full day of presidential business .
The White House also released a video of Trump discussing his improved health and his intention of getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 4-minute video , Trump appears to have coughed but the moment was inexpertly edited out .
A study from Cornell released last week concluded that Trump himself was likely the largest driver of the COVID-19 misinformation to the public .
Mistrust of the White House was fueled by conflicting information during Saturday ’ s update on the president ’ s health , including information about when Trump was first diagnosed that had to be corrected by a subsequent press release .
The White House physician , Dr. Sean Conley , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been fever-free for 24 hours and could have walked out of the military hospital , but he refused to specify the president ’ s vital signs and avoided questions about whether he had received oxygen at any point in his treatment .
Minutes after Conley ’ s evasive press conference , an anonymous source , later identified as White House chief of staff Mark Meadows , gave pool reporters conflicting information , saying , “ The president ’ s vitals over the last 24 hours were very concerning and the next 48 hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care .
We ’ re still not on a clear path to a full recovery.
” The news of Trump ’ s positive COVID-19 test , when it was announced after midnight Friday , sparked doubts and conspiracy theories from many directions , given his long history of misstatements and falsehoods about the virus , and incomplete information about his own health .
“ Honestly , when a man lies so damn much , am I wrong to imagine another cry of wolf for an October surprise ?
” asked TV writer/producer David @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The Wire ” knows a thing or two about duplicity .
“ That Trump is claiming a positive test , will present as asymptomatic , or claim himself cured with bleach , then dismiss COVID again as a Democratic hoax ?
I ’ m wrong , right ?
” Trump supporter and conservative author Kurt Schlichter hinted that the news was intended to reboot the news cycle , which has been inundated with negative stories about the president , ranging from the New York Times report on his taxes and poor polling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Donald Trump is pretending to have COVID to cause the left to freak out in a frenzy of murder wishes and to wash all the garbage stories off the front page , but I ’ m not saying I ’ m not saying that , ” wrote Schlichter .
Supporters of the QAnon conspiracy theory , which alleges the president is secretly working to destroy a global pedophile operation run by Democrats and celebrities , were excited about Trump ’ s announcements .
Adherents of Q believe that the coronavirus pandemic — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — is a hoax and parsed Trump ’ s communications early Friday morning for clues .
Many interpreted his note that he and first lady Melania Trump would get through their positive diagnoses “ TOGETHER ” actually meant “ To Get Her , ” meaning he would finally be arresting Hillary Clinton .
“ Does anyone else find it odd that no prominent Democrats have had the virus but the list of Republicans goes on and on ?
” asked DeAnna Lorraine , a conservative YouTuber with nearly 400,000 Twitter followers who ran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ congressional primary earlier this year , and received 1.8 percent of the vote .
According to polling , Republicans are less likely to say they wear masks than Democrats , and a number of GOP politicians at the local , state and federal level have boasted about their refusal to submit to face-covering recommendations or mandates .

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A video and photos released by the White House meant to show that President Trump is winning his battle with COVID-19 have only raised more questions about an episode clouded by suspicion, rumors and confusion.
Saturday evening the White House released photos of Trump purportedly working at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. His daughter and senior adviser Ivanka posted one on Twitter, captioned, “Nothing can stop him from working for the American people. RELENTLESS!”
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In one photo, Trump is putting his signature on a sheet of paper, which on close observation appears to be blank.
Love to review documents pic.twitter.com/AGZa1tFAGx — southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) October 4, 2020
While multiple photos were released showing Trump in different locations and with different clothes, the corresponding metadata shows they were taken 10 minutes apart, implying to some observers they were staged to create the impression of a full day of presidential business.
The White House also released a video of Trump discussing his improved health and his intention of getting back to work. At one point in the 4-minute video, Trump appears to have coughed but the moment was inexpertly edited out.
Clearly a cut here. Hard to imagine any rationale other than persuading the American public that he is healthier than he actually is, https://t.co/f98KKRlTlp — Christopher Orr (@OrrChris) October 4, 2020
A study from Cornell released last week concluded that Trump himself was likely the largest driver of the COVID-19 misinformation to the public. Mistrust of the White House was fueled by conflicting information during Saturday’s update on the president’s health, including information about when Trump was first diagnosed that had to be corrected by a subsequent press release. The White House physician, Dr. Sean Conley, said Trump was in good spirits, had been fever-free for 24 hours and could have walked out of the military hospital, but he refused to specify the president’s vital signs and avoided questions about whether he had received oxygen at any point in his treatment.
Minutes after Conley’s evasive press conference, an anonymous source, later identified as White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, gave pool reporters conflicting information, saying,“The president’s vitals over the last 24 hours were very concerning and the next 48 hours will be critical in terms of his care. We’re still not on a clear path to a full recovery.”
Sources also confirmed that Trump had received oxygen at the White House Friday afternoon before he was moved by helicopter to Walter Reed.
On Saturday night, Meadows told Fox News, “Yesterday morning we were real concerned with that. He had a fever and his blood oxygen level had dropped rapidly.”
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The news of Trump’s positive COVID-19 test, when it was announced after midnight Friday, sparked doubts and conspiracy theories from many directions, given his long history of misstatements and falsehoods about the virus, and incomplete information about his own health.
“Honestly, when a man lies so damn much, am I wrong to imagine another cry of wolf for an October surprise?” asked TV writer/producer David Simon, who as the creator of “The Wire” knows a thing or two about duplicity. “That Trump is claiming a positive test, will present as asymptomatic, or claim himself cured with bleach, then dismiss COVID again as a Democratic hoax? I’m wrong, right?”
Trump supporter and conservative author Kurt Schlichter hinted that the news was intended to reboot the news cycle, which has been inundated with negative stories about the president, ranging from the New York Times report on his taxes and poor polling.
“I’m not saying that Donald Trump is pretending to have COVID to cause the left to freak out in a frenzy of murder wishes and to wash all the garbage stories off the front page, but I’m not saying I’m not saying that,” wrote Schlichter.
Supporters of the QAnon conspiracy theory, which alleges the president is secretly working to destroy a global pedophile operation run by Democrats and celebrities, were excited about Trump’s announcements. Adherents of Q believe that the coronavirus pandemic — which has killed more than 200,000 Americans — is a hoax and parsed Trump’s communications early Friday morning for clues. Many interpreted his note that he and first lady Melania Trump would get through their positive diagnoses “TOGETHER” actually meant “To Get Her,” meaning he would finally be arresting Hillary Clinton.
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Others on the right found it strange that so many Republicans had been infected.
“Does anyone else find it odd that no prominent Democrats have had the virus but the list of Republicans goes on and on?” asked DeAnna Lorraine, a conservative YouTuber with nearly 400,000 Twitter followers who ran against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in a congressional primary earlier this year, and received 1.8 percent of the vote.
According to polling, Republicans are less likely to say they wear masks than Democrats, and a number of GOP politicians at the local, state and federal level have boasted about their refusal to submit to face-covering recommendations or mandates.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-05--Trump Is Losing Because He Ignored The Coronavirus

The last six months of President Donald Trump ’ s political life have consisted mostly of attempts to make something ― protests over a racist criminal justice system in American cities , a Supreme Court nomination , false suggestions that Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden will raise taxes on middle-class families ― other than the coronavirus pandemic matter .
Those efforts have failed , and they have cost him nearly every conceivable political advantage .
Now , the very event Republicans hoped would finally change the subject ― the nomination of conservative Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court ― @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spreading rapidly through the upper ranks of the Republican Party .
The White House ignored public health guidelines at an event celebrating the nomination , placing attendees close together .
Photos show a selection of the nation ’ s most prominent Republicans chatting freely while unmasked and indoors .
At the same time , his campaign has ignored the pandemic politically .
Throughout July and August , Trump ’ s campaign did not air a single television ad mentioning the virus .
In September , they aired just a handful .
Mostly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was before the pandemic hit in March .
Another ad promises the “ finish line is approaching ” in the “ race for a vaccine.
” ( Most medical experts disagree . )
The ads amounted to just 14 % of the Trump campaign ’ s broadcast television spending last month .
Trump ’ s decision to ignore the politics , governing and public health consequences of the pandemic harmed him politically well before his positive test result .
But the events of the past week ― the collapse of a new round @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which he alienated voters with unscientific bluster , a spike in cases nationwide , and finally his own diagnosis ― crystalized how inextricable Trump ’ s mishandling of the virus is with the deep political hole he finds himself in .
And that hole , to be clear , is deep .
Biden has a clear and consistent lead in public surveys of crucial battleground states , with majorities saying they trust him more than Trump to deal with the pandemic .
And time to persuade voters has nearly run out .
Ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters in crucial states like North Carolina , Minnesota and Florida .
The president will not be able to campaign in person for at least a week , and potentially longer .
“ Trump getting the virus is the latest data point in how profoundly serious this threat is , and how profoundly his response has failed on it , ” said Jesse Ferguson , a Democratic strategist .
“ The White House ’ s personal handling of the response now matches their public policy handling of the response : dismissing experts and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more people get infected.
” “ I learned it by really going to school , ” Trump said .
“ This is the real school .
This isn ’ t the ‘ let ’ s read the book ’ school , and I get it and I understand it , and it ’ s a very interesting thing and I ’ m going to be letting you know about it.
” But if Trump had really learned something , his campaign was not showing it .
On Saturday , the campaign hosted an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the state ’ s governor .
On Sunday morning , one of his top campaign advisers claimed Biden has “ used the mask as a prop.
” Trump also sent out a Twitter message declaring : “ OUR GREAT USA WANTS & NEEDS STIMULUS .
WORK TOGETHER AND GET IT DONE .
Thank you !
” But progress on a stimulus deal was stalled yet again last week , with Trump having largely outsourced the negotiations to Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin , and many Senate Republicans ― who may be susceptible to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in further negotiations .
That dropped drastically in August , when the campaign spent less than 2 % of its budget on crime messaging and 74 % on ads about taxes .
It was only in September that it returned to coronavirus messaging , and even then spent just 14 % of the budget on ads about the virus .
Crime spots took up 41 % of the campaign ’ s $ 52-million message , and ads on taxes took up 36 % .
“ One message is always more effective than a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the problem Tuesday night , ” said Alex Conant , a GOP strategist and partner at Firehouse Strategies , referring to Trump ’ s debate strategy .
“ Trump attacked Biden for being dumb , for being too liberal , for being in Washington too long and for having a kid who got in trouble .
He hasn ’ t been able to find a message for people to latch on to.
” In contrast , Biden ’ s message has been relentlessly focused on the virus , which he returned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Biden campaign spent 96 % of their broadcast television dollars on coronavirus ads in July , and 80 % in August .
In September , when broadcast television spending spiked dramatically to $ 110 million , 56 % of Biden ’ s spending went to coronavirus ads .

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First it was China. Then it was “law and order.” Then it was taxes. Then it was “law and order” again. Then the Supreme Court. But it was never, ever the coronavirus pandemic.
The last six months of President Donald Trump’s political life have consisted mostly of attempts to make something ― protests over a racist criminal justice system in American cities, a Supreme Court nomination, false suggestions that Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden will raise taxes on middle-class families ― other than the coronavirus pandemic matter. Those efforts have failed, and they have cost him nearly every conceivable political advantage.
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Now, the very event Republicans hoped would finally change the subject ― the nomination of conservative Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court ― appears to have resulted in the coronavirus spreading rapidly through the upper ranks of the Republican Party. The White House ignored public health guidelines at an event celebrating the nomination, placing attendees close together. Photos show a selection of the nation’s most prominent Republicans chatting freely while unmasked and indoors.
Trump has consistently tried to ignore his governing responsibilities during the pandemic, suggesting states with lockdowns should be “liberated,” mocking the wearing of masks, hawking supposed miracle cures, undercutting his own medical advisers, failing to create a national testing strategy, outsourcing major decisions to states and playing only a minor role in negotiations with Congress over relief legislation.
At the same time, his campaign has ignored the pandemic politically. Throughout July and August, Trump’s campaign did not air a single television ad mentioning the virus. In September, they aired just a handful. Mostly, these spots discuss how strong the economy was before the pandemic hit in March. Another ad promises the “finish line is approaching” in the “race for a vaccine.” (Most medical experts disagree.) The ads amounted to just 14% of the Trump campaign’s broadcast television spending last month.
Trump’s decision to ignore the politics, governing and public health consequences of the pandemic harmed him politically well before his positive test result. But the events of the past week ― the collapse of a new round of economic talks, a debate in which he alienated voters with unscientific bluster, a spike in cases nationwide, and finally his own diagnosis ― crystalized how inextricable Trump’s mishandling of the virus is with the deep political hole he finds himself in.
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And that hole, to be clear, is deep. Biden has a clear and consistent lead in public surveys of crucial battleground states, with majorities saying they trust him more than Trump to deal with the pandemic. And time to persuade voters has nearly run out. Ballots are already in the hands of some voters in crucial states like North Carolina, Minnesota and Florida. The president will not be able to campaign in person for at least a week, and potentially longer.
“Trump getting the virus is the latest data point in how profoundly serious this threat is, and how profoundly his response has failed on it,” said Jesse Ferguson, a Democratic strategist. “The White House’s personal handling of the response now matches their public policy handling of the response: dismissing experts and downplaying the threat even if it means more people get infected.”
President Donald Trump's armored SUV drives past supporters in a motorcade outside of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, on Oct. 4. ALEX EDELMAN via Getty Images
In many polls, voters still say they see Trump as a “stronger leader” than Biden. But now, some Republicans privately fear the imagery of Trump at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, with his aides and doctors providing the public with contradictory and confusing updates about his status, risks blunting that edge.
In Tweets and video over the weekend, Trump tried to change the story again. On Saturday night, there was a video where Trump insisted he felt “much better.” On Sunday, there was another video, with Trump saying he “learned a lot about COVID.”
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“I learned it by really going to school,” Trump said. “This is the real school. This isn’t the ‘let’s read the book’ school, and I get it and I understand it, and it’s a very interesting thing and I’m going to be letting you know about it.”
But if Trump had really learned something, his campaign was not showing it. On Saturday, the campaign hosted an event in Iowa where unmasked attendees mingled with the state’s governor. On Sunday morning, one of his top campaign advisers claimed Biden has “used the mask as a prop.”
“They want to get life back to normal,” said Jason Miller, the campaign adviser, on ABC’s “This Week.” “You can’t just stay hidden in your basement the entire time.”
Miller’s comments show the Trump campaign hasn’t learned its lesson. Voters, over and over in public polling, have made it clear they care more about public health than reopening the economy.
Trump also continued to show his penchant for wishcasting and magical thinking. In his Saturday night video, he claimed new therapeutics he is taking to treat the virus were “miracles, if you want to know the truth.”
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“We have things happening that look like they’re miracles, coming down from God,” he continued.
Trump also sent out a Twitter message declaring: “OUR GREAT USA WANTS & NEEDS STIMULUS. WORK TOGETHER AND GET IT DONE. Thank you!” But progress on a stimulus deal was stalled yet again last week, with Trump having largely outsourced the negotiations to Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, and many Senate Republicans ― who may be susceptible to pressure from Trump ― are openly uninterested in further negotiations.
Instead of talking about the virus, the Trump campaign has whiplashed from message to message. In July, 81% of the broadcast advertising dollars focused on promoting the president’s so-called law and order message, often with ads falsely suggesting Biden supports abolishing the police, according to data from Kantar/CMAG.
That dropped drastically in August, when the campaign spent less than 2% of its budget on crime messaging and 74% on ads about taxes. It was only in September that it returned to coronavirus messaging, and even then spent just 14% of the budget on ads about the virus. Crime spots took up 41% of the campaign’s $52-million message, and ads on taxes took up 36%.
The messaging from Trump personally has been even more scattered, often driven by personal grievances and whatever he’s seen on Fox News.
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“One message is always more effective than a dozen messages, and that was part of the problem Tuesday night,” said Alex Conant, a GOP strategist and partner at Firehouse Strategies, referring to Trump’s debate strategy. “Trump attacked Biden for being dumb, for being too liberal, for being in Washington too long and for having a kid who got in trouble. He hasn’t been able to find a message for people to latch on to.”
In contrast, Biden’s message has been relentlessly focused on the virus, which he returned to again and again during the debate. The Biden campaign spent 96% of their broadcast television dollars on coronavirus ads in July, and 80% in August. In September, when broadcast television spending spiked dramatically to $110 million, 56% of Biden’s spending went to coronavirus ads.
And the challenger is reaping the political rewards for his focus. While Biden’s polling lead over Trump is longstanding, the campaign’s single-minded focus on combatting the disease has improved his personal image. A new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll released Sunday showed 43% of Americans had a positive opinion of Biden, while 41% had an unfavorable opinion ― an 8-point positive swing since August.
The same poll showed just 39% of Americans had a favorable opinion of the president, while 55% had a negative opinion, a 4-point downturn from Trump’s standing in August.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-05--Judge Rejects Cops' Bid To Usurp Prosecutor's Power In Confederate Monument Cases

Courtesy of Commonwealth 's Attorney 's Office Portsmouth police appeared to be trying to stop Commonwealth 's Attorney Stephanie Morales from handling felony cases they brought against local politicians and civil rights leaders .
A Virginia state judge rejected an attempt by the Portsmouth Police Department to have the city ’ s elected prosecutor removed from felony cases that police have brought against state Sen. Louise Lucas ( D ) , local NAACP leaders , and a number of the city ’ s public defenders in connection with what police allege was a criminal conspiracy to destroy the city ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Judge Claire Cardwell would allow Commonwealth ’ s Attorney Stephanie Morales to handle the cases , as she was generally elected to do .
The Portsmouth police , in what seemed like an effort to conflict her out of the cases , tried to subpoena Morales even though she wasn ’ t on the scene of the destruction back in June .
“ The judge ’ s ruling was that there was no basis for a request for the subpoena , and therefore she said the subpoena couldn ’ t issue , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told HuffPost .
“ I think the judge made her decision based upon the facts and the relevant law.
” It is unclear precisely how Morales will handle the cases now that she ’ s poised to take over the prosecutions , but she has aligned herself with the progressive prosecutors ’ movement and successfully prosecuted a former Portsmouth police officer for killing an unarmed Black teenager .
“ The upshot of today is that Ms. Morales is the prosecutor in all of the cases and she will address the cases in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The next step , he said , would be for the police department to provide Morales with police reports and other investigative files , which may then be shown to the defendants where legally required .
The unusual and questionable felony charges against Lucas and other prominent figures have thrown the Portsmouth government into a state of chaos .
Portsmouth Police Chief Angela Greene ― who has now aligned herself with Lucas ’ political opponents ― was suspended by the city ’ s now-former city manager .
The majority-white city council , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seemed prepared to fire the city manager , who resigned just ahead of a council meeting .
In the early afternoon of June 10 , Lucas was at the site of Portsmouth ’ s Confederate monument after police officers arrested two NAACP leaders who approached the monument .
Lucas , who had no formal role in the Portsmouth city government , told officers they should not arrest protesters , some of whom spray painted the monument while she was on the scene .
Hours later , after night fell , demonstrators brought sledgehammers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One of the statues of a Confederate soldier fell on a protester , severely injuring him .
Lucas subsequently called for Chief Greene ’ s resignation , saying the police department should have stepped in when the situation became a threat to public safety .
Portsmouth Police Sgt .
Kevin McGee wrote a letter to the city government blasting Lucas , calling her rhetoric against the chief “ disgusting ” and “ repulsive.
” Greene subsequently praised McGee for sending that letter and allowed him to bring felony charges against Lucas and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacked .
McGee also disparaged Morales in the letter and wrote that he was “ afraid of ... persecution and prosecution for doing my job.
” Police sources previously told HuffPost that McGee was one of the officers who had pushed for the ouster of then-Chief Tonya Chapman , who was the first Black female police chief in the state of Virginia and who spoke out against a culture of racism inside the Portsmouth Police Department after her dismissal .
“ Once she has the investigative materials , she ’ ll look at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normal course , just like she looks at and addresses all cases , and then make whatever actions and decisions are appropriate , ” Ungvarsky said .

Portsmouth police appeared to be trying to stop Commonwealth's Attorney Stephanie Morales from handling felony cases they brought against local politicians and civil rights leaders. Courtesy of Commonwealth's Attorney's Office
A Virginia state judge rejected an attempt by the Portsmouth Police Department to have the city’s elected prosecutor removed from felony cases that police have brought against state Sen. Louise Lucas (D), local NAACP leaders, and a number of the city’s public defenders in connection with what police allege was a criminal conspiracy to destroy the city’s Confederate monument.
The decision by Judge Claire Cardwell would allow Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephanie Morales to handle the cases, as she was generally elected to do. The Portsmouth police, in what seemed like an effort to conflict her out of the cases, tried to subpoena Morales even though she wasn’t on the scene of the destruction back in June.
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“The judge’s ruling was that there was no basis for a request for the subpoena, and therefore she said the subpoena couldn’t issue,” Edward Ungvarsky, an attorney representing Morales, told HuffPost. “I think the judge made her decision based upon the facts and the relevant law.”
It is unclear precisely how Morales will handle the cases now that she’s poised to take over the prosecutions, but she has aligned herself with the progressive prosecutors’ movement and successfully prosecuted a former Portsmouth police officer for killing an unarmed Black teenager.
“The upshot of today is that Ms. Morales is the prosecutor in all of the cases and she will address the cases in the normal fashion,” Ungvarsky said. The next step, he said, would be for the police department to provide Morales with police reports and other investigative files, which may then be shown to the defendants where legally required.
The unusual and questionable felony charges against Lucas and other prominent figures have thrown the Portsmouth government into a state of chaos. Portsmouth Police Chief Angela Greene ― who has now aligned herself with Lucas’ political opponents ― was suspended by the city’s now-former city manager. The majority-white city council, which appears to back Greene, had seemed prepared to fire the city manager, who resigned just ahead of a council meeting.
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In the early afternoon of June 10, Lucas was at the site of Portsmouth’s Confederate monument after police officers arrested two NAACP leaders who approached the monument. Lucas, who had no formal role in the Portsmouth city government, told officers they should not arrest protesters, some of whom spray painted the monument while she was on the scene. Hours later, after night fell, demonstrators brought sledgehammers to the monument and decapitated four statues. One of the statues of a Confederate soldier fell on a protester, severely injuring him.
Lucas subsequently called for Chief Greene’s resignation, saying the police department should have stepped in when the situation became a threat to public safety. Portsmouth Police Sgt. Kevin McGee wrote a letter to the city government blasting Lucas, calling her rhetoric against the chief “disgusting” and “repulsive.”
Greene subsequently praised McGee for sending that letter and allowed him to bring felony charges against Lucas and other defendants that he’d previously attacked. McGee also disparaged Morales in the letter and wrote that he was “afraid of ... persecution and prosecution for doing my job.” Police sources previously told HuffPost that McGee was one of the officers who had pushed for the ouster of then-Chief Tonya Chapman, who was the first Black female police chief in the state of Virginia and who spoke out against a culture of racism inside the Portsmouth Police Department after her dismissal.
Ungvarsky, Morales’ attorney, said the prosecutor hasn’t yet determined how she’ll handle the 19 cases going forward.
“Once she has the investigative materials, she’ll look at the cases and address them in the normal course, just like she looks at and addresses all cases, and then make whatever actions and decisions are appropriate,” Ungvarsky said.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-05--Matt Gaetz Resurrects Chuck Norris Joke To Praise Trump And 2005 Is Pissed

Rep. Matt Gaetz ( R-Fla. ) attempted to lift the spirits of President Donald Trump on Monday by lifting a joke from 2005 .
The Trump-aligned lawmaker posted a tweet about the president ’ s coronavirus with a crack echoing “ fact ” based jokes typically associated with Chuck Norris that were popular 15 years ago .
President Trump wo n't have to recover from COVID .
COVID will have to recover from President Trump .
# MAGA — Rep. Matt Gaetz ( @ RepMattGaetz ) October 5 , 2020 Many people noticed what Gaetz was doing ― and they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ... .
just make a Chuck Norris-like joke in 2020 ?
🤦♀ https : //t.co/0g69555Xr6 — Daisy Ruth ( @ WFLADaisy ) October 5 , 2020 Get this Chuck Norris joke format out of here .
https : //t.co/r3WRKzQAAS — Allie Goertz ( @ AllieGoertz ) October 5 , 2020 the Chuck Norris-ification of trump , a sickly ball of pillsbury dough , is maybe the funniest part of his cult of personality https : //t.co/8SNhIDhLbz — Ryan Simmons ( @ rysimmons ) October 5 , 2020 Other people thought Gaetz ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instance , Phil Ehr , who is challenging Gaetz in next month ’ s election , had strong words for the incumbent .
Just a reminder that Matt Gaetz still doesn ’ t take this pandemic seriously .
https : //t.co/OM4I1iNT88 — Phil Ehr ( @ PhilEhr ) October 5 , 2020 Others had different theories .
So from your tweet we can determine : A .
You 're the ultimate ass-kisser .
B. Trump is more dangerous to us than the pandemic .
C. You really are a loon .
@ RepMattGaetz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ J. Karem ( @ BrianKarem ) October 5 , 2020 Matt Gaetz eclipsing Eric and Don Jr. in the tone of deep despair surrounding their pathetic clamoring for daddy Trump ’ s approval https : //t.co/NSmmiHICuT — Cam ( @ cameron_kasky ) October 5 , 2020 '' The president is a worse disease than the pandemic send tweet '' https : //t.co/UkhIex9qo5 — Johnny `` The Crypt Renter '' McNulty ( @ JohnnyMcNulty ) October 5 , 2020 No word on whether Trump took note of Gaetz ’ s tweet .
Either way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think it will ― or should ― be forgotten .
Sorry , folks—we 're calling it early this year : the Most Bile-Inducing Sycophantic Tweet of 2020 has been chosen !
!
https : //t.co/PBtjdxpYZx — Jennifer M. Wood ( @ j_m_wood ) October 5 , 2020

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Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) attempted to lift the spirits of President Donald Trump on Monday by lifting a joke from 2005.
The Trump-aligned lawmaker posted a tweet about the president’s coronavirus with a crack echoing “fact” based jokes typically associated with Chuck Norris that were popular 15 years ago.
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President Trump won't have to recover from COVID.
COVID will have to recover from President Trump. #MAGA — Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) October 5, 2020
Many people noticed what Gaetz was doing ― and they weren’t particularly impressed.
Did you.... just make a Chuck Norris-like joke in 2020? 🤦♀ https://t.co/0g69555Xr6 — Daisy Ruth (@WFLADaisy) October 5, 2020
Get this Chuck Norris joke format out of here. https://t.co/r3WRKzQAAS — Allie Goertz (@AllieGoertz) October 5, 2020
Uncreative shitheads don't rely on Chuck Norris memes.
Chuck Norris memes rely on uncreative shitheads. https://t.co/Ri8ipDhjOc — Mike Schuster (@mcs212) October 5, 2020
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the Chuck Norris-ification of trump, a sickly ball of pillsbury dough, is maybe the funniest part of his cult of personality https://t.co/8SNhIDhLbz — Ryan Simmons (@rysimmons) October 5, 2020
Other people thought Gaetz’ tweet sent an unintended message. For instance, Phil Ehr, who is challenging Gaetz in next month’s election, had strong words for the incumbent.
Just a reminder that Matt Gaetz still doesn’t take this pandemic seriously. https://t.co/OM4I1iNT88 — Phil Ehr (@PhilEhr) October 5, 2020
Others had different theories.
So from your tweet we can determine:
A. You're the ultimate ass-kisser.
B. Trump is more dangerous to us than the pandemic.
C. You really are a loon. @RepMattGaetz @realDonaldTrump https://t.co/MC0gMZDIse — Brian J. Karem (@BrianKarem) October 5, 2020
Matt Gaetz eclipsing Eric and Don Jr. in the tone of deep despair surrounding their pathetic clamoring for daddy Trump’s approval https://t.co/NSmmiHICuT — Cam (@cameron_kasky) October 5, 2020
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"The president is a worse disease than the pandemic send tweet" https://t.co/UkhIex9qo5 — Johnny "The Crypt Renter" McNulty (@JohnnyMcNulty) October 5, 2020
No word on whether Trump took note of Gaetz’s tweet. Either way, one Twitter user doesn’t think it will ― or should ― be forgotten.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-05--Fauci: Amy Coney Barrett Nomination Event Was A ‘Dangerous Situation’

Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s top infectious diseases expert , said Monday that President Donald Trump ’ s gathering to celebrate the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett was the type of “ dangerous situation ” medical officials have long warned could become the new COVID-19 superspreader events .
“ As you might know , I have been very vocal and visible about the fundamental tenets of public health with coronavirus , and that is universal wearing of masks , keeping distance , avoiding crowds , doing things outdoor more than indoor , and washing hands frequently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , told Britain ’ s Times Radio on Monday .
The Sept. 26 ceremony to celebrate Barrett ’ s nomination to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has come under intense scrutiny after at least nine attendees have tested positive for COVID-19 , including President Trump himself .
Very few of those gathered at the event , which was held in the White House Rose Garden , were wearing masks .
Trump then met with smaller groups of people indoors , again without face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have warned could lead to outbreaks of the virus .
“ When I see pictures like that , not only there but anywhere , people who are in bars congregating , people who are at parties congregating without masks , that is a dangerous situation that can lead to a high risk of transmissibility , and , unfortunately , and I say really , unfortunately , that ’ s exactly what happened during that meeting that was had to celebrate the appointment of a Supreme Court justice , ” Fauci said Monday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the White House meeting was a superspreader event but noted that he agreed “ it looks like that could have been an event where there was multiple people infected.
” The doctor has been a regular voice of reason throughout the pandemic , warning Americans to socially distance and don masks even as the president and many Republican leaders have instead declared the country had largely moved past the coronavirus in their efforts to restart the economy .
But those plans were thrown into chaos last week after Trump tested positive for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reed National Military Medical Center .
The status of the president ’ s health has been unclear since : His medical team has repeatedly said he ’ s doing “ very well , ” but there have been several troubling signs that Trump may have symptoms of a more serious infection .
Despite those concerns , Trump left Walter Reed on Monday evening and has said Americans should not be scared of the virus that has killed more than 210,000 people in the U.S .
I will be leaving the great Walter Reed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Feeling really good !
Don ’ t be afraid of Covid .
Don ’ t let it dominate your life .
We have developed , under the Trump Administration , some really great drugs & knowledge .
I feel better than I did 20 years ago !
— Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) October 5 , 2020

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Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious diseases expert, said Monday that President Donald Trump’s gathering to celebrate the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett was the type of “dangerous situation” medical officials have long warned could become the new COVID-19 superspreader events.
“As you might know, I have been very vocal and visible about the fundamental tenets of public health with coronavirus, and that is universal wearing of masks, keeping distance, avoiding crowds, doing things outdoor more than indoor, and washing hands frequently,” Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told Britain’s Times Radio on Monday.
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The Sept. 26 ceremony to celebrate Barrett’s nomination to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has come under intense scrutiny after at least nine attendees have tested positive for COVID-19, including President Trump himself. Very few of those gathered at the event, which was held in the White House Rose Garden, were wearing masks. Trump then met with smaller groups of people indoors, again without face coverings, which Fauci and other experts have warned could lead to outbreaks of the virus.
“When I see pictures like that, not only there but anywhere, people who are in bars congregating, people who are at parties congregating without masks, that is a dangerous situation that can lead to a high risk of transmissibility, and, unfortunately, and I say really, unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened during that meeting that was had to celebrate the appointment of a Supreme Court justice,” Fauci said Monday.
He added that it was still undetermined if the White House meeting was a superspreader event but noted that he agreed “it looks like that could have been an event where there was multiple people infected.”
The doctor has been a regular voice of reason throughout the pandemic, warning Americans to socially distance and don masks even as the president and many Republican leaders have instead declared the country had largely moved past the coronavirus in their efforts to restart the economy.
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But those plans were thrown into chaos last week after Trump tested positive for the virus and was transported to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The status of the president’s health has been unclear since: His medical team has repeatedly said he’s doing “very well,” but there have been several troubling signs that Trump may have symptoms of a more serious infection.
Despite those concerns, Trump left Walter Reed on Monday evening and has said Americans should not be scared of the virus that has killed more than 210,000 people in the U.S.
“Don’t be afraid of COVID,” the president wrote. “Don’t let it dominate your life.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-05--Democrats Demand Delay In Supreme Court Hearing Due To Coronavirus Outbreak

Democrats say the coronavirus outbreak among senior Republican officials in Washington is yet another reason why the hearings for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett ought to be postponed .
In addition to President Donald Trump , the first lady and several White House aides , three GOP senators , including two members of the Senate Judiciary Committee , have tested positive for the virus and are in quarantine .
“ If this were a baseball team or a football team and three of the players came down with COVID-19 , we would have canceled the game and postponed it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dick Durbin ( D-Ill. ) , another member of the committee , told MSNBC on Monday .
The hearings on Barrett ’ s nomination to the high court are scheduled to begin the week of Oct. 12 , and a final vote on her confirmation is expected prior to Nov. 3 , Election Day .
Last week , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) vowed there would be no delays in the process , declaring “ full steam ahead ” despite the positive coronavirus diagnoses among his members .
GOP Sens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mike Lee of Utah , both Judiciary Committee members , and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin have all tested positive .
McConnell did , however , cancel planned votes this week in the Senate following news of the outbreak .
The chamber now stands in recess until Oct. 19 .
While Democrats have few procedural tools available to block Barrett ’ s confirmation outright , the alarming rise in cases among Washington officials ― which appears to have stemmed at least in part from a Rose Garden ceremony in honor of Barrett ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line of attack .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Senator , speaking in New York City on Oct. 4 , holds up a picture of the Rose Garden ceremony where the coronavirus likely spread .
At a press conference in New York City on Sunday , Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D-N.Y. ) called for a delay in the hearings and for the establishment of a robust testing regimen for members of Congress and staff .
“ If it ’ s not safe for the Senate to meet in session , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go forward , ” Schumer said after slamming Trump for holding that tightly packed ceremony at the White House with few masks and no social distancing .
In a statement on Monday , Schumer added that if Republicans push forward with the hearings , “ every Senator and relevant staff must have negative tests on two consecutive days and have completed the appropriate quarantining period , and there should be mandatory testing every day of the hearing.
” Democrats are also insisting that Supreme Court confirmation hearings ought to take place in person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in-person hearings are more important for nominees to the highest court in the land than for those picked for lower courts .
Amid the pandemic , Democrats have been participating virtually in most committee hearings on Capitol Hill out of an abundance of caution .
Republicans are unlikely to accede to those demands , however , dismissing them as stalling tactics designed to thwart Barrett ’ s nomination rather than legitimate concerns about the health of senators and staff on the Hill .
“ When a military member gets infected , you don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-S.C. ) , the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee , during a weekend debate with his Democratic challenger Jamie Harrison .

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Democrats say the coronavirus outbreak among senior Republican officials in Washington is yet another reason why the hearings for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett ought to be postponed.
In addition to President Donald Trump, the first lady and several White House aides, three GOP senators, including two members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, have tested positive for the virus and are in quarantine.
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“If this were a baseball team or a football team and three of the players came down with COVID-19, we would have canceled the game and postponed it to a future date,” Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), another member of the committee, told MSNBC on Monday.
The hearings on Barrett’s nomination to the high court are scheduled to begin the week of Oct. 12, and a final vote on her confirmation is expected prior to Nov. 3, Election Day. Last week, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) vowed there would be no delays in the process, declaring “full steam ahead” despite the positive coronavirus diagnoses among his members. GOP Sens. Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Mike Lee of Utah, both Judiciary Committee members, and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin have all tested positive.
McConnell did, however, cancel planned votes this week in the Senate following news of the outbreak. The chamber now stands in recess until Oct. 19.
While Democrats have few procedural tools available to block Barrett’s confirmation outright, the alarming rise in cases among Washington officials ― which appears to have stemmed at least in part from a Rose Garden ceremony in honor of Barrett’s nomination ― has given Democrats a new line of attack.
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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Senator, speaking in New York City on Oct. 4, holds up a picture of the Rose Garden ceremony where the coronavirus likely spread. Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images
At a press conference in New York City on Sunday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called for a delay in the hearings and for the establishment of a robust testing regimen for members of Congress and staff.
“If it’s not safe for the Senate to meet in session, it’s not safe for the hearing to go forward,” Schumer said after slamming Trump for holding that tightly packed ceremony at the White House with few masks and no social distancing.
In a statement on Monday, Schumer added that if Republicans push forward with the hearings, “every Senator and relevant staff must have negative tests on two consecutive days and have completed the appropriate quarantining period, and there should be mandatory testing every day of the hearing.”
Democrats are also insisting that Supreme Court confirmation hearings ought to take place in person rather than virtually. They argue that in-person hearings are more important for nominees to the highest court in the land than for those picked for lower courts. Amid the pandemic, Democrats have been participating virtually in most committee hearings on Capitol Hill out of an abundance of caution.
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Republicans are unlikely to accede to those demands, however, dismissing them as stalling tactics designed to thwart Barrett’s nomination rather than legitimate concerns about the health of senators and staff on the Hill.
“When a military member gets infected, you don’t shut down the whole unit,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, during a weekend debate with his Democratic challenger Jamie Harrison.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-05--Biden Urges Trump To Implement Nationwide Mask Mandate

President Donald Trump claims to be on the mend after COVID-19 landed him in the hospital Saturday , and Democratic nominee Joe Biden hopes he ’ ll put that newfound energy to use implementing a national policy to contain the coronavirus instead of just “ tweeting campaign messages.
” Speaking Monday in Miami , Biden called on Trump to “ listen to the scientists ” and support a nationwide mask mandate .
“ My prayers continue to be with the President and the First Lady for their health and safety as they , like so many American families , are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I was glad to see the President speaking and recording videos over the weekend.
” “ Now that he ’ s busy tweeting campaign messages , ” Biden added , “ I would ask him to do this : Listen to the scientists .
Support masks .
Support a mask mandate nationwide .
Require masks in every federal building and facility , and in interstate travel .
Urge every governor and mayor to do the same .
We know it saves lives.
” Joe Biden : `` I was glad to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the weekend .
Now that he 's busy tweeting campaign messages , I would ask him to do this : Listen to the scientists .
Support masks . ''
https : //t.co/0beYRm7W1Z pic.twitter.com/gEFtblbwra — Evan McMurry ( @ evanmcmurry ) October 5 , 2020 Trump tweeted Monday that he plans to return to the White House despite White House physician Sean Conley ’ s analysis that “ he may not entirely be out of the woods yet.
” A growing outbreak of the virus has ensnared more than a dozen of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ packed White House Rose Garden event on Sept. 26 , where Trump nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett for a Supreme Court seat , seems likely to have been a superspreader event .

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President Donald Trump claims to be on the mend after COVID-19 landed him in the hospital Saturday, and Democratic nominee Joe Biden hopes he’ll put that newfound energy to use implementing a national policy to contain the coronavirus instead of just “tweeting campaign messages.”
Speaking Monday in Miami, Biden called on Trump to “listen to the scientists” and support a nationwide mask mandate.
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“My prayers continue to be with the President and the First Lady for their health and safety as they, like so many American families, are dealing with COVID-19,” Biden said. “I was glad to see the President speaking and recording videos over the weekend.”
“Now that he’s busy tweeting campaign messages,” Biden added, “I would ask him to do this: Listen to the scientists. Support masks. Support a mask mandate nationwide. Require masks in every federal building and facility, and in interstate travel. Urge every governor and mayor to do the same. We know it saves lives.”
Joe Biden: "I was glad to see the president speaking and recording videos over the weekend. Now that he's busy tweeting campaign messages, I would ask him to do this: Listen to the scientists. Support masks." https://t.co/0beYRm7W1Z pic.twitter.com/gEFtblbwra — Evan McMurry (@evanmcmurry) October 5, 2020
Trump tweeted Monday that he plans to return to the White House despite White House physician Sean Conley’s analysis that “he may not entirely be out of the woods yet.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-05--GOP Sen. John Cornyn Criticizes Trump On COVID-19: 'A Lesson To All Of Us'

In some of his harshest criticism of the president to date , Sen. John Cornyn ( R-Texas ) on Monday said Donald Trump ’ s inconsistent rhetoric on the COVID-19 pandemic has stoked confusion , as the coronavirus continues its spread among high-ranking White House and GOP officials .
“ I think he let his guard down , ” the Republican senator told the Houston Chronicle when asked about Trump ’ s repeated flouting of various public health guidelines .
“ And I think in his desire to try to demonstrate that we are somehow coming out of this and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us — I think he got out over his skis and frankly , I think it ’ s a lesson to all of us that we need to exercise self-discipline.
” Cornyn , the former second-ranking Senate Republican , has himself shared misinformation about COVID-19 , and defended and espoused Trump ’ s use of racist misnomers to blame the virus on China .
On Monday , he defended Trump ’ s policy responses such as shutting off travel from China , which he said “ demonstrated the seriousness of the virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ messaging .
“ He tries to balance that with saying , ‘ Well , you know , we got this.
’ And clearly we don ’ t have this , ” Cornyn said , according to the Chronicle .
“ I think the biggest mistake people make in public life is not telling the truth , particularly in something with as much public interest as here because you know the real story is going to come out.
” Sen. John Cornyn attended Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on Capitol Hill last week .
Two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested positive for the coronavirus .
His comments came as the coronavirus tears through the West Wing and Capitol , where a mounting number of top Republicans , including Trump , his press secretary Kayleigh McEnany , his campaign manager Bill Stepien and Sens .
Mike Lee ( R-Utah . )
and Thom Tillis ( R-N.C. ) ― both members of the Senate Judiciary Committee ― have tested positive .
Cornyn , who also sits on that committee , may have been exposed to the virus when he attended hearings last week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ who attended a Sept. 26 Rose Garden ceremony for Judge Amy Coney Barrett , Trump ’ s Supreme Court pick to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
Maskless people did not socially distance at the event .
Trump has persistently ignored mask-wearing , social distancing and other public health guidelines throughout the pandemic , which has now killed more than 200,000 people in America .
He ’ s mocked others for wearing masks ; held packed campaign rallies for hundreds , sometimes thousands , of supporters ; pushed to reopen schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for safely doing so had not been met ; and acted as though the disease would just miraculously disappear of its own accord , even after admitting on tape in March that it ’ s much more deadly than he was letting on .

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In some of his harshest criticism of the president to date, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) on Monday said Donald Trump’s inconsistent rhetoric on the COVID-19 pandemic has stoked confusion, as the coronavirus continues its spread among high-ranking White House and GOP officials.
“I think he let his guard down,” the Republican senator told the Houston Chronicle when asked about Trump’s repeated flouting of various public health guidelines. “And I think in his desire to try to demonstrate that we are somehow coming out of this and that the danger is not still with us — I think he got out over his skis and frankly, I think it’s a lesson to all of us that we need to exercise self-discipline.”
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Cornyn, the former second-ranking Senate Republican, has himself shared misinformation about COVID-19, and defended and espoused Trump’s use of racist misnomers to blame the virus on China.
On Monday, he defended Trump’s policy responses such as shutting off travel from China, which he said “demonstrated the seriousness of the virus,” but went after Trump’s messaging.
“He tries to balance that with saying, ‘Well, you know, we got this.’ And clearly we don’t have this,” Cornyn said, according to the Chronicle. “I think the biggest mistake people make in public life is not telling the truth, particularly in something with as much public interest as here because you know the real story is going to come out.”
Sen. John Cornyn attended Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on Capitol Hill last week. Two other senators on that committee have since tested positive for the coronavirus. ASSOCIATED PRESS
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His comments came as the coronavirus tears through the West Wing and Capitol, where a mounting number of top Republicans, including Trump, his press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, his campaign manager Bill Stepien and Sens. Mike Lee (R-Utah.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) ― both members of the Senate Judiciary Committee ― have tested positive.
Cornyn, who also sits on that committee, may have been exposed to the virus when he attended hearings last week.
Many of the positive cases involve those who attended a Sept. 26 Rose Garden ceremony for Judge Amy Coney Barrett, Trump’s Supreme Court pick to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Maskless people did not socially distance at the event.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-05--California Governor Nominates First Openly Gay Man To State Supreme Court

California Gov .
Gavin Newsom nominated an openly gay man to the state ’ s Supreme Court for the first time in California history on Monday .
Justice Martin Jenkins , a former prosecutor and judge , accepted the nomination at a press conference with Newsom .
If the state ’ s Commission on Judicial Appointments confirms Jenkins , as it is expected to do , he will be the first Black man to serve on the court in 29 years and the first openly LGBTQ person ever to join the team of justices .
Jenkins , 66 , delivered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his sexual orientation has had on his career .
“ Anyone who knows me knows my identity as a gay man has been the greatest challenge of my life , ” he said .
“ It has not been easy , ” he continued .
“ But I want to say today to those young people who may be watching ... that I am not here in spite of the struggle ; I ’ m here because of the struggle.
” Being his “ authentic self , ” Jenkins concluded , is what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his career .
“ I want these young people to know that living a life of authenticity is the greatest gift you can give yourself , ” he said .
“ And if you do that , you too will find yourself in a position where people see you .
...
Thank you , Governor Newsom , for seeing me.
” Jenkins , a Democrat , was nominated to replace retired Justice Ming Chin , a Republican who was the court ’ s most conservative member .
If Jenkins is confirmed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man in history to serve on the court .
“ Trust me , ” Newsom said Monday .
“ As someone who understands firsthand the role of the court in determining marriage equality to be a fundamental right , I can ’ t tell you how important it is to have someone on the bench who ’ s a living , breathing example of the idea that ‘ love means love.
’ ” Jenkins , who was born in San Francisco to a nurse and a Coit Tower janitor , has been Newsom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 ― a role for which he came out of retirement .
Prior to that , he served as a justice in the California Court of Appeals and as a judge in the U.S. District Court of Northern California .
He also briefly played professional football for the Seattle Seahawks .

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom nominated an openly gay man to the state’s Supreme Court for the first time in California history on Monday.
Justice Martin Jenkins, a former prosecutor and judge, accepted the nomination at a press conference with Newsom. If the state’s Commission on Judicial Appointments confirms Jenkins, as it is expected to do, he will be the first Black man to serve on the court in 29 years and the first openly LGBTQ person ever to join the team of justices.
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Jenkins, 66, delivered deeply personal remarks Monday about the influence his sexual orientation has had on his career. “Anyone who knows me knows my identity as a gay man has been the greatest challenge of my life,” he said.
“It has not been easy,” he continued. “But I want to say today to those young people who may be watching ... that I am not here in spite of the struggle; I’m here because of the struggle.”
Being his “authentic self,” Jenkins concluded, is what helped him make it to this point in his career.
“I want these young people to know that living a life of authenticity is the greatest gift you can give yourself,” he said. “And if you do that, you too will find yourself in a position where people see you. ... Thank you, Governor Newsom, for seeing me.”
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Governor @GavinNewsom announced the nomination of Justice Martin Jenkins (Ret.) for Associate Justice of the CA Supreme Court.
He will be the first openly gay CA Supreme Court justice & only the 3rd African American man to serve on the state’s highest court. #CaliforniaForAll pic.twitter.com/q07dxct6Lg — Office of the Governor of California (@CAgovernor) October 5, 2020
Jenkins, a Democrat, was nominated to replace retired Justice Ming Chin, a Republican who was the court’s most conservative member. If Jenkins is confirmed, he will be only the third Black man in history to serve on the court.
Newsom applauded the life experience Jenkins will bring to the panel of justices.
“Trust me,” Newsom said Monday. “As someone who understands firsthand the role of the court in determining marriage equality to be a fundamental right, I can’t tell you how important it is to have someone on the bench who’s a living, breathing example of the idea that ‘love means love.’”