thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-24--Madison Cawthorn, 24, Defeats Trump's Pick In North Carolina GOP Congressional Primary

Madison Cawthorn handily defeated Lynda Bennett to complete an upset for the GOP nomination in the 11th Congressional District .
Bennett had received the president ’ s backing on Twitter and the earlier endorsement of Trump Chief of Staff Mark Meadows , who until recently had held the seat .
Cawthorn , who also supports Trump , won by a roughly 2-to-1 margin while handing a setback for the president , who had recorded a phone message for Bennett ’ s campaign .
Meadows is a former House Freedom Caucus leader who represented the 11th District for more than seven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bennett endorsements — Sen. Ted Cruz among them — and outside support from the political arms of the Freedom Caucus .
On Tuesday night , Cawthorn said he won because of a superior ground game with voters and a message about freedom “ that translated across generations and across ethnic groups.
” “ My opponent seemed like she was really focused on national politics , but I wanted to be a representative for the people of North Carolina , ” he told The Associated Press in a phone interview .
Cawthorn ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PAC that backs candidates allied with Sen. Rand Paul .
Cawthorn , who would reach the constitutionally-mandated age of 25 to serve in the House in August , was paralyzed from the abdomen down after a 2014 car accident .
He ’ ll face Democrat Moe Davis , a former military prosecutor , and other party nominees in November .
The district is still considered Republican-leaning despite recent boundary changes following litigation .
Chris Cooper , a political science professor at Western Carolina University , said Cawthorn had a compelling story and benefited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how Bennett entered the race .
Meadows announced the day before the December filing deadline that he wouldn ’ t seek reelection .
The surprise departure came so late that candidates who had already committed to run for other elected offices were barred from switching .
Some disgruntled GOP activists felt that Meadows concealed his decision from them , while Bennett , a friend of Meadows ’ wife , announced her candidacy within a few hours of his announcement .
“ The Trump endorsement obviously didn ’ t play well , and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unpopular in the district , ” Cooper said .
Rather , he said , the endorsement looked like it was done as a favor to Meadows .
Cawthorn called for the runoff after he finished second to Bennett in a 12-candidate primary in early March .
Bennett had failed to get more than 30 % of the vote needed to win outright .
Cooper said the size of Cawthorn ’ s victory signals the local party isn ’ t fiercely divided , which should help Cawthorn in his general election race .
Davis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tribunals at Guantanamo Bay , Cuba , who later became a critic of how cases there were being handled .
With voters worried about the pandemic ’ s spread , mail-in absentee ballots were popular in the 17 mountain counties within the 11th District leading up to the runoff .
Poll workers at in-person voting sites wore face masks and provided voters single-use pens and cotton swabs to mark ballots .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A 24-year-old real estate investment CEO won Tuesday’s Republican primary runoff for a western North Carolina congressional seat over President Donald Trump’s endorsed candidate for the nomination.
Madison Cawthorn handily defeated Lynda Bennett to complete an upset for the GOP nomination in the 11th Congressional District. Bennett had received the president’s backing on Twitter and the earlier endorsement of Trump Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, who until recently had held the seat.
Advertisement
Cawthorn, who also supports Trump, won by a roughly 2-to-1 margin while handing a setback for the president, who had recorded a phone message for Bennett’s campaign. Meadows is a former House Freedom Caucus leader who represented the 11th District for more than seven years.
Cawthorn won despite other notable Bennett endorsements — Sen. Ted Cruz among them — and outside support from the political arms of the Freedom Caucus.
Madison Cawthorn handily defeated Lynda Bennett to complete an upset for the GOP nomination in the 11th Congressional District. Patrick Sebastian via AP
On Tuesday night, Cawthorn said he won because of a superior ground game with voters and a message about freedom “that translated across generations and across ethnic groups.”
Advertisement
“My opponent seemed like she was really focused on national politics, but I wanted to be a representative for the people of North Carolina,” he told The Associated Press in a phone interview. Cawthorn’s campaign also got help from a super PAC that backs candidates allied with Sen. Rand Paul.
Cawthorn, who would reach the constitutionally-mandated age of 25 to serve in the House in August, was paralyzed from the abdomen down after a 2014 car accident. He’ll face Democrat Moe Davis, a former military prosecutor, and other party nominees in November. The district is still considered Republican-leaning despite recent boundary changes following litigation.
Chris Cooper, a political science professor at Western Carolina University, said Cawthorn had a compelling story and benefited from local Republicans unhappy with details around how Bennett entered the race.
Meadows announced the day before the December filing deadline that he wouldn’t seek reelection. The surprise departure came so late that candidates who had already committed to run for other elected offices were barred from switching.
Some disgruntled GOP activists felt that Meadows concealed his decision from them, while Bennett, a friend of Meadows’ wife, announced her candidacy within a few hours of his announcement.
Advertisement
“The Trump endorsement obviously didn’t play well, and I don’t think that Trump is unpopular in the district,” Cooper said. Rather, he said, the endorsement looked like it was done as a favor to Meadows.
A House Freedom Caucus spokeswoman didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Neither did Bennett’s campaign.
Cawthorn called for the runoff after he finished second to Bennett in a 12-candidate primary in early March. Bennett had failed to get more than 30% of the vote needed to win outright.
Cooper said the size of Cawthorn’s victory signals the local party isn’t fiercely divided, which should help Cawthorn in his general election race. Davis is a former chief prosecutor for military tribunals at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, who later became a critic of how cases there were being handled.
The scheduled May runoff was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With voters worried about the pandemic’s spread, mail-in absentee ballots were popular in the 17 mountain counties within the 11th District leading up to the runoff. Poll workers at in-person voting sites wore face masks and provided voters single-use pens and cotton swabs to mark ballots.
Advertisement


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-24--Anderson Cooper Blasts ‘Biological Bunker’ Dweller Trump Over Coronavirus Hypocrisy

CNN ’ s Anderson Cooper on Tuesday took Donald Trump to task for his hypocrisy over the coronavirus , accusing @ @ @ @ @ a “ fantasy world ” when it comes to the pandemic .
“ Publicly , @ @ @ @ @ virus has passed .
Privately , he ’ s living in a biological bunker , @ @ @ @ @ , noting how the president gets “ more tests for the virus than probably anyone @ @ @ @ @ if not in the world.
” “ He ’ s as sanitized and protected from @ @ @ @ @ be and in the midst of that epicenter of sanitation , he is encouraging everyone @ @ @ @ @ follow the guidelines , ” the news anchor continued .
“ Publicly , he ’ @ @ @ @ @ guidelines , except the one about hand washing , ” Cooper added .
“ He @ @ @ @ @ of all of it .
”

LOADING ERROR LOADING
CNN’s Anderson Cooper on Tuesday took Donald Trump to task for his hypocrisy over the coronavirus, accusing the president of living in a “fantasy world” when it comes to the pandemic.
“Publicly, he’s pretending the virus has passed. Privately, he’s living in a biological bunker,” Cooper said of Trump, noting how the president gets “more tests for the virus than probably anyone else in this country, if not in the world.”
Advertisement
“He’s as sanitized and protected from the virus as anyone can be and in the midst of that epicenter of sanitation, he is encouraging everyone else, don’t follow the guidelines,” the news anchor continued.
“Publicly, he’s flouting all of those guidelines, except the one about hand washing,” Cooper added. “He’s washing his hands of all of it.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-24--Barack Obama Explains Why Democrats Can’t Afford To Get Smug About Donald Trump

Former President Barack Obama on Tuesday warned Democrats against thinking they ’ ve already won the 2020 election .
“ We can ’ t be complacent or smug or sense that somehow it ’ s so obvious that this president hasn ’ t done a good job because , look , he won once , ” Obama said of President Donald Trump during a virtual fundraiser for and with presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
“ This is serious business , ” Obama continued during the online event , which raised a reported $ 11 million for his former vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ ve done so far is not enough , ” he said .
“ And I hold myself and Michelle and our kids to that same standard.
” Obama , who endorsed Biden via the video below in April , said there ’ s a “ great awakening ” among young people who are “ fed up with the shambolic , disorganized , mean-spirited approach ” to governance .
But he warned that “ just because this energy is out there , it does not mean that it assures our victory.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign looks different from a traditional campaign due to the coronavirus pandemic , which has now killed more than 120,000 people nationwide .
“ Unlike our current president , we recognize that we have a public health crisis going on , ” said Obama , an apparent reference to Trump ’ s decision to press on with hosting rallies against the advice of public health experts and as the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases starts to rise again in multiple states .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Former President Barack Obama on Tuesday warned Democrats against thinking they’ve already won the 2020 election.
“We can’t be complacent or smug or sense that somehow it’s so obvious that this president hasn’t done a good job because, look, he won once,” Obama said of President Donald Trump during a virtual fundraiser for and with presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
Advertisement
“This is serious business,” Obama continued during the online event, which raised a reported $11 million for his former vice president’s campaign.
“Whatever you’ve done so far is not enough,” he said. “And I hold myself and Michelle and our kids to that same standard.”
Obama, who endorsed Biden via the video below in April, said there’s a “great awakening” among young people who are “fed up with the shambolic, disorganized, mean-spirited approach” to governance. But he warned that “just because this energy is out there, it does not mean that it assures our victory.”
He also acknowledged that Biden’s campaign looks different from a traditional campaign due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has now killed more than 120,000 people nationwide.
Advertisement


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-24--Rachel Maddow Spells Out The Danger That Donald Trump’s Rallies Pose To The World

MSNBC ’ s Rachel Maddow on Tuesday pointed out the danger that President Donald Trump ’ s in-person campaign rallies amid the coronavirus pandemic pose not only to the United States , but the rest of the world .
Similar events just aren ’ t happening in any other industrialized country , she said .
“ How does this look to other countries ?
” Maddow asked , noting that Trump ’ s underattended rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma , on Saturday and his Tuesday address in Phoenix , Arizona , were “ the only indoor events in the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have congregated inside the same space.
” Attendees were not forced to wear face masks at the events , contrary to guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
“ How do we explain that in terms of our responsibility as a country in the midst of a global worldwide pandemic where countries , even when they isolate themselves from one another , are still interlinked , a country where this thing is out of this control is a risk to every place else on Earth ?
” Maddow added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the entire coronavirus era — the only mass indoor events being held for any reason anywhere are being held in the United States to celebrate the president ’ s reelection effort , ” she said .
“ Because that ’ s the one priority thing we need to do as a country ?
” The coronavirus has now killed more than 120,000 people nationwide .
Following the easing of lockdown restrictions last month , more than 20 states are now experiencing record upticks in the number of new confirmed cases .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow on Tuesday pointed out the danger that President Donald Trump’s in-person campaign rallies amid the coronavirus pandemic pose not only to the United States, but the rest of the world. Similar events just aren’t happening in any other industrialized country, she said.
“How does this look to other countries?” Maddow asked, noting that Trump’s underattended rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Saturday and his Tuesday address in Phoenix, Arizona, were “the only indoor events in the country in months in which thousands of people have congregated inside the same space.”
Advertisement
Attendees were not forced to wear face masks at the events, contrary to guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“How do we explain that in terms of our responsibility as a country in the midst of a global worldwide pandemic where countries, even when they isolate themselves from one another, are still interlinked, a country where this thing is out of this control is a risk to every place else on Earth?” Maddow added.
The host then suggested there were some misplaced priorities.
“The largest indoor congregate events of the entire coronavirus era — the only mass indoor events being held for any reason anywhere are being held in the United States to celebrate the president’s reelection effort,” she said. “Because that’s the one priority thing we need to do as a country?”
The coronavirus has now killed more than 120,000 people nationwide. Following the easing of lockdown restrictions last month, more than 20 states are now experiencing record upticks in the number of new confirmed cases.
Advertisement


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-24--Georgia Lawmakers Pass Hate Crimes Legislation, More Police Protections

The action comes after Senate Republicans had added police as a protected class to the hate crimes legislation last week in committee , but then later moved those protections to a separate bill in a deal between the parties .
“ Victims need protection against any attack motivated by hatred due to bias or prejudice , ” said Sen. Donzella James , a Democrat from Atlanta , who spoke about her own experiences facing discrimination as a Black woman .
“ House Bill 426 is a measured approach at doing all of the things that we need to do to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time that Georgia rise up and show that we will not stand for crimes done out of hate.
” A push for passage of the hate crimes bill has gained momentum after the killing of Ahmaud Arbery , as well as nationwide protests of racial injustice and police brutality .
Arbery , a Black man , was pursued and fatally shot near Brunswick , Georgia , in February .
Three white men , including a father and son , are charged in his death .
The hate crimes bill would impose additional penalties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s race , color , religion , national origin , sex , sexual orientation , gender or disability .
Georgia ’ s Supreme Court overturned an earlier state law in 2004 , leaving the state as one of four without specific anti-bias protections .
House Speaker David Ralston , who had heavily pressured the Senate to act on the measure , congratulated lawmakers after the House agreed 127-38 to the Senate changes on the hate crimes legislation .
“ Today we can all stand together .
Today we have said that we will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of evil , and by the murder of Ahmaud Arbery , but that our Georgia is better than this , ” said Ralston , a Blue Ridge Republican .
Bipartisan support for the hate crimes measure was thrown in doubt after Senate Republicans added “ status of being or having been a first responder ” as a protected class in a committee last week .
The ACLU , NAACP and House and Senate Democratic caucuses are among groups that came out against the bill with the first responder provision added .
But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was removed Monday in a deal that saw police protections split off into a separate bill .
“ Frankly that disturbed me because I thought it was extremely important that this be a bipartisan bill , ” Ralston said .
“ You don ’ t pass a hate crimes bill , which is a piece of legislation with this kind of historic nature and consequence , along party lines.
” Some of the groups seeking hate crimes protections said they were more concerned with keeping police protections out of the hate crimes law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ‘ no ’ votes on the hate crimes bill came from Republicans .
Some have a philosophical disagreement with the measure , like Rep. Matt Gurtler , a Republican from Tiger who is seeking the GOP nomination in a congressional race .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia’s legislature on Tuesday passed hate crimes legislation deemed essential by business and many political leaders, sending the measure to Gov. Brian Kemp’s desk.
The price Republicans exacted for moving that legislation forward was simultaneous passage of a separate bill that would mandate penalties for crimes targeting police and other first responders.
Advertisement
The action comes after Senate Republicans had added police as a protected class to the hate crimes legislation last week in committee, but then later moved those protections to a separate bill in a deal between the parties.
Democrats on Tuesday voted overwhelmingly against House Bill 838, which includes the increased protections for first responders. The hate crimes legislation, House Bill 426, had bipartisan support, though some conservatives voted against it.
Kemp’s office said in a statement that the Republican will sign the hate crimes bill, pending a legal review.
“Victims need protection against any attack motivated by hatred due to bias or prejudice,” said Sen. Donzella James, a Democrat from Atlanta, who spoke about her own experiences facing discrimination as a Black woman. “House Bill 426 is a measured approach at doing all of the things that we need to do to treat this injustice. It’s time that Georgia rise up and show that we will not stand for crimes done out of hate.”
Advertisement
A push for passage of the hate crimes bill has gained momentum after the killing of Ahmaud Arbery, as well as nationwide protests of racial injustice and police brutality. Arbery, a Black man, was pursued and fatally shot near Brunswick, Georgia, in February. Three white men, including a father and son, are charged in his death.
The hate crimes bill would impose additional penalties for crimes motivated by a victim’s race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender or disability. Georgia’s Supreme Court overturned an earlier state law in 2004, leaving the state as one of four without specific anti-bias protections.
House Speaker David Ralston, who had heavily pressured the Senate to act on the measure, congratulated lawmakers after the House agreed 127-38 to the Senate changes on the hate crimes legislation.
“Today we can all stand together. Today we have said that we will not be defined by a senseless act of evil, and by the murder of Ahmaud Arbery, but that our Georgia is better than this,” said Ralston, a Blue Ridge Republican.
Bipartisan support for the hate crimes measure was thrown in doubt after Senate Republicans added “status of being or having been a first responder” as a protected class in a committee last week. The ACLU, NAACP and House and Senate Democratic caucuses are among groups that came out against the bill with the first responder provision added. But the language protecting police and other emergency responders was removed Monday in a deal that saw police protections split off into a separate bill.
Advertisement
Ralston told reporters that he had “rejected” the Senate Judiciary Committee’s vote along party lines to add police and emergency personnel and that he “communicated” that to Senate leaders.
“Frankly that disturbed me because I thought it was extremely important that this be a bipartisan bill,” Ralston said. “You don’t pass a hate crimes bill, which is a piece of legislation with this kind of historic nature and consequence, along party lines.”
But the speaker said he told senators that they could bring the language in a separate bill if they wanted.
Some of the groups seeking hate crimes protections said they were more concerned with keeping police protections out of the hate crimes law than blocking them entirely.
“Having it not in the hate crimes bill is acceptable,” said Allison Padilla-Goodman, the southern division vice president of the Anti-Defamation League.
Advertisement
Most of the ‘no’ votes on the hate crimes bill came from Republicans. Some have a philosophical disagreement with the measure, like Rep. Matt Gurtler, a Republican from Tiger who is seeking the GOP nomination in a congressional race.
“We should not be lowering and highering the standard of justice based on immutable factors such as race, ethnicity and gender,” Gurtler said.
Many critics of the legislation containing enhanced police protections say that the law isn’t needed because Georgia already has strong protections for law enforcement.
Marissa McCall Dodson, public policy director for the Southern Center for Human Rights, urged lawmakers to vote down the bill providing increased protection for police, saying in a statement that it “creates a hate crime for cops and other first responders.”
Dodson added, “There is no need to increase punishments for people who commit crimes against first responders because Georgia law already provides adequate protection as well as enhanced penalties when first responders are the victims of crime.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-24--Bubba Wallace Debunks Noose Hoax Conspiracy Theories: 'I'm Pissed'

Federal investigators determined earlier in the day that a noose found in the stall used by Wallace ’ s team at the Talladega Superspeedway in Lincoln , Alabama , over the weekend had been there since October 2019 and wasn ’ t intended as a racist attack on him .
The area was only assigned to Wallace last week .
“ I ’ m mad because people are trying to test my character and the person that I am and my integrity , ” said NASCAR ’ s only top-level Black driver , who earlier this month persuaded the racing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ events .
“ They ’ re not stealing that from me , but trying to test that , ” he continued .
“ And as a person that doesn ’ t need to fame or the hype or the media , I could care less .
I give two craps about that .
To sit and reading too much into it .
Investing too much time.
” Wallace explained he was informed of the existence of the noose by NASCAR president Steve Phelps , and said he didn ’ t initially see it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the noose , described by the FBI as a “ garage door pull rope fashioned like a noose , ” was definitely a noose .
“ Whether tied in 2019 or whatever , it was a noose , ” he said .
“ So , it wasn ’ t directed at me but somebody tied a noose .
That ’ s what I ’ m saying.
” Lemon told Wallace only “ knuckleheads ” would accuse him of perpetrating a hoax .
“ Fair-minded people are not accusing you of doing anything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NASCAR , what the head of NASCAR told you happened.
” “ None of the allegations of being a hoax will break me or tear me down , ” Wallace told Lemon .
“ That only fuels the competitive drive in me to shut everybody up and get on the track next week and showcase what I can do behind the wheel under tremendous amounts of BS.
” “ Whatever it is you want to say .
It won ’ t break me or tear me down , ” he added .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m at .
”

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Federal investigators determined earlier in the day that a noose found in the stall used by Wallace’s team at the Talladega Superspeedway in Lincoln, Alabama, over the weekend had been there since October 2019 and wasn’t intended as a racist attack on him. The area was only assigned to Wallace last week.
Advertisement
“I’m pissed,” Wallace told CNN’s Don Lemon, referring to baseless conspiracy claims that the noose was a hoax.
“I’m mad because people are trying to test my character and the person that I am and my integrity,” said NASCAR’s only top-level Black driver, who earlier this month persuaded the racing body to ban Confederate flags from its events.
“They’re not stealing that from me, but trying to test that,” he continued. “And as a person that doesn’t need to fame or the hype or the media, I could care less. I give two craps about that. To sit and reading too much into it. Investing too much time.”
Wallace explained he was informed of the existence of the noose by NASCAR president Steve Phelps, and said he didn’t initially see it or report it.
Advertisement
He also insisted that the noose, described by the FBI as a “garage door pull rope fashioned like a noose,” was definitely a noose. “Whether tied in 2019 or whatever, it was a noose,” he said. “So, it wasn’t directed at me but somebody tied a noose. That’s what I’m saying.”
Lemon told Wallace only “knuckleheads” would accuse him of perpetrating a hoax. “Fair-minded people are not accusing you of doing anything wrong. You were reacting to what NASCAR, what the head of NASCAR told you happened.”
“None of the allegations of being a hoax will break me or tear me down,” Wallace told Lemon. “That only fuels the competitive drive in me to shut everybody up and get on the track next week and showcase what I can do behind the wheel under tremendous amounts of BS.”
“Whatever it is you want to say. It won’t break me or tear me down,” he added. “I will stand proud of where I’m at.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-24--Crowds Tear Down Statues At Wisconsin Capitol, Attack State Senator

MADISON , Wis. ( AP ) — Crowds outside the Wisconsin State Capitol tore down two statues and attacked a state senator amid protests following the arrest of a Black man who was at a restaurant with a megaphone and a baseball bat .
Video released by the Madison Police Department shows the man talking through the megaphone Tuesday while walking near the restaurant ’ s outdoor patio .
He goes inside and says he ’ s “ disturbing ” the restaurant .
The unrest followed weeks of mostly peaceful protests of the death of George Floyd , who died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ white police officer used his knee to pin down the handcuffed Black man ’ s neck even after Floyd stopped moving .
Late Tuesday in Madison , Democratic state Sen. Tim Carpenter was assaulted after taking a photo of protesters , the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported .
“ I don ’ t know what happened ... all I did was stop and take a picture ... and the next thing I ’ m getting five-six punches , getting kicked in the head , ” Carpenter told a reporter for the newspaper .
Statues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and of Col. Hans Christian Heg were dragged away from the statehouse .
The statue of Heg , an anti-slavery activist who fought and died for the Union during the U.S. Civil War , was decapitated and thrown into a Madison lake by protesters , the newspaper said .
Protesters chanting for the release of the man who ’ d been arrested also broke glass at the Tommy Thompson Center and smashed windows and lights at the state Capitol .
Early Wednesday , police in riot gear worked to clear a crowd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the area .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Crowds outside the Wisconsin State Capitol tore down two statues and attacked a state senator amid protests following the arrest of a Black man who was at a restaurant with a megaphone and a baseball bat.
Video released by the Madison Police Department shows the man talking through the megaphone Tuesday while walking near the restaurant’s outdoor patio. He goes inside and says he’s “disturbing” the restaurant.
Advertisement
The unrest followed weeks of mostly peaceful protests of the death of George Floyd, who died on May 25 in Minneapolis after a white police officer used his knee to pin down the handcuffed Black man’s neck even after Floyd stopped moving.
Late Tuesday in Madison, Democratic state Sen. Tim Carpenter was assaulted after taking a photo of protesters, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.
“I don’t know what happened ... all I did was stop and take a picture ... and the next thing I’m getting five-six punches, getting kicked in the head,” Carpenter told a reporter for the newspaper.
Statues of Wisconsin’s motto “Forward” and of Col. Hans Christian Heg were dragged away from the statehouse. The statue of Heg, an anti-slavery activist who fought and died for the Union during the U.S. Civil War, was decapitated and thrown into a Madison lake by protesters, the newspaper said.
Advertisement


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-24--Exasperated Colbert Hits ‘Naive’ Bolton In Blunt Interview: ‘How Did You Not Know?’

Stephen Colbert put former national security adviser John Bolton on the spot over his all-too-late realization that President Donald Trump represents a danger to the country .
“ What I thought in 2016 was , we at least have to try it out , ” Bolton , a longtime Republican foreign policy apparatchik , told Colbert .
“ So I voted for Trump.
” “ There is absolutely nothing that Donald Trump has done that is surprising to me , ” Colbert said , adding : “ My rule is : Everything you think about Donald Trump is probably true @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough to get your socks wet in .
He ’ s incredibly readable , that ’ s why when he ran casinos , the house lost.
” Bolton said he at first didn ’ t believe Trump was as bad as people were saying .
“ But you ’ re an international negotiator .
How could you be naive ?
” Colbert said .
“ You ’ ve dealt with the worst people in the world.
” “ You ’ ve really insulted me now by calling me naive , ” Bolton said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time .
He said he thought it would be possible to work with Trump , and for Trump to learn about complex foreign policy issues such as arms control .
“ As I detail in the book , that turned out not to be true , ” he confessed .
See more of the interview below :

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Stephen Colbert put former national security adviser John Bolton on the spot over his all-too-late realization that President Donald Trump represents a danger to the country.
“What I thought in 2016 was, we at least have to try it out,” Bolton, a longtime Republican foreign policy apparatchik, told Colbert. “So I voted for Trump.”
Advertisement
Colbert found that answer “exasperating.”
“There is absolutely nothing that Donald Trump has done that is surprising to me,” Colbert said, adding:
“My rule is: Everything you think about Donald Trump is probably true, because he’s not deep enough to get your socks wet in. He’s incredibly readable, that’s why when he ran casinos, the house lost.”
Bolton said he at first didn’t believe Trump was as bad as people were saying.
“But you’re an international negotiator. How could you be naive?” Colbert said. “You’ve dealt with the worst people in the world.”
“You’ve really insulted me now by calling me naive,” Bolton said, although he was smiling at the time. He said he thought it would be possible to work with Trump, and for Trump to learn about complex foreign policy issues such as arms control.
Advertisement
“As I detail in the book, that turned out not to be true,” he confessed.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-23--Woman Who Deliberately Coughed In Baby's Face Is Wanted By Police

Police are searching for a woman who appeared to intentionally cough on a 1-year-old boy in a store after accusing the child ’ s mother of failing to socially distance herself .
The incident took place in a Yogurtland store in San Jose , California , on June 12 .
The assault suspect , described as a white female in her 60s , had been standing in line in front of the mother and her son , who was in a stroller .
“ The preliminary investigation revealed the suspect was upset the female was not maintaining proper social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mask , got close to the baby ’ s face , and coughed 2-3 times , ” a press release from the San Jose Police Department stated .
The woman left the store and hasn ’ t been identified , police said .
The child ’ s mother , Mireya Mora , is Latina and told San Francisco station KGO-TV that she believed the incident was motivated by race .
“ She said , ‘ So you don ’ t understand , and do you even understand what I ’ m saying , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ English , ’ ” Mora told NBC Bay Area .
Mora said her son had a slight fever after the incident but is doing OK , according to KGO-TV .
“ If he were to get sick ...
I can ’ t even imagine , ” she said .
The San Jose Police Department has released surveillance footage of the incident , which can be viewed below .
Anyone with information is asked to contact Det .
Dan Bowman of the San Jose Police Department ’ s Assaults Unit .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Police are searching for a woman who appeared to intentionally cough on a 1-year-old boy in a store after accusing the child’s mother of failing to socially distance herself.
The incident took place in a Yogurtland store in San Jose, California, on June 12. The assault suspect, described as a white female in her 60s, had been standing in line in front of the mother and her son, who was in a stroller.
Advertisement
“The preliminary investigation revealed the suspect was upset the female was not maintaining proper social distancing, so the suspect removed her face mask, got close to the baby’s face, and coughed 2-3 times,” a press release from the San Jose Police Department stated. The woman left the store and hasn’t been identified, police said.
The child’s mother, Mireya Mora, is Latina and told San Francisco station KGO-TV that she believed the incident was motivated by race.
“She said, ‘So you don’t understand, and do you even understand what I’m saying, like I’m not even speaking English,’” Mora told NBC Bay Area.
Mora said her son had a slight fever after the incident but is doing OK, according to KGO-TV.
“If he were to get sick ... I can’t even imagine,” she said.
The San Jose Police Department has released surveillance footage of the incident, which can be viewed below. Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Dan Bowman of the San Jose Police Department’s Assaults Unit.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-24--Daily Coronavirus Cases Peak Once Again As Lockdown Measures Lift

New coronavirus cases reported each day in the U.S. are reaching levels unseen since the initial height of the pandemic as states are lifting economically devastating shutdown measures meant to avert the spread of infections .
New cases have topped 30,000 each day this week and are on track to surpass the peak of daily infections last seen in mid-April .
Infections began to fall last month as states imposed restrictive social distancing measures and ordered millions of Americans to stay home , but the efforts wrought havoc on the economy .
Nearly 21 million people were unemployed as of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close their doors .
But unlike other regions — namely Europe , where cases have continued to decline amid those efforts — the U.S. has seen infectious surge once more as bars , churches and summer camps reopen around the country .
President Donald Trump and many Republican officials have urged the country to jump-start the economy despite concerns from public health officials who have warned that the first wave of the pandemic is far from over .
More than 2.3 million people in the U.S. have now been infected with the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least 20 states are seeing infection rates rise , with many setting daily records again and again .
On Wednesday , California reported more than 7,000 new cases in the previous 24-hour period , a new record .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom ( D ) urged residents to “ be more vigilant ” as the virus spreads but noted the state ’ s hospital system had prepared for such an outcome during the initial stay-at-home order .
“ We are confident in our capacity , in the short run , to meet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the state of California , ” he said .
Other officials had a more dire outlook .
In Texas , one of the first states to reopen , Gov .
Greg Abbott ( R ) said the surge was a “ massive outbreak ” and warned that hospitals would need to prepare for a shortage in hospital capacity .
“ Our # COVID19 numbers are moving in the wrong direction , ” Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner wrote on Twitter .
He told the city council Wednesday that Houston ’ s intensive-care units @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than one-quarter of patients infected with the coronavirus .
Several states have considered imposing orders mandating that people wear masks outside .
Washington Gov .
Jay Inslee ( D ) did so this week , saying the move was “ about saving lives , ” and North Carolina Gov .
Roy Cooper ( R ) followed suit , delaying reopening measures for at least three weeks .
The governors of New York , New Jersey and Connecticut went a step further , announcing a travel advisory for visitors from a handful of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Those travelers will be required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in the tri-state area .
“ A lot of people come into this region and they could literally bring the infection with them , ” New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ( D ) said Wednesday .
“ It wouldn ’ t be malicious or malevolent , but it would still be real .
”

LOADING ERROR LOADING
New coronavirus cases reported each day in the U.S. are reaching levels unseen since the initial height of the pandemic as states are lifting economically devastating shutdown measures meant to avert the spread of infections.
New cases have topped 30,000 each day this week and are on track to surpass the peak of daily infections last seen in mid-April.
Advertisement
Infections began to fall last month as states imposed restrictive social distancing measures and ordered millions of Americans to stay home, but the efforts wrought havoc on the economy. Nearly 21 million people were unemployed as of last week after businesses were forced to close their doors.
But unlike other regions — namely Europe, where cases have continued to decline amid those efforts — the U.S. has seen infections surge once more as bars, churches and summer camps reopen around the country. President Donald Trump and many Republican officials have urged the country to jump-start the economy despite concerns from public health officials who have warned that the first wave of the pandemic is far from over.
More than 2.3 million people in the U.S. have now been infected with the virus and nearly 122,000 have died. And at least 20 states are seeing infection rates rise, with many setting daily records again and again.
On Wednesday, California reported more than 7,000 new cases in the previous 24-hour period, a new record. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) urged residents to “be more vigilant” as the virus spreads but noted the state’s hospital system had prepared for such an outcome during the initial stay-at-home order.
Advertisement
“We are confident in our capacity, in the short run, to meet the needs of those most in need in the state of California,” he said.
Other officials had a more dire outlook. In Texas, one of the first states to reopen, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said the surge was a “massive outbreak” and warned that hospitals would need to prepare for a shortage in hospital capacity.
“Our #COVID19 numbers are moving in the wrong direction,” Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner wrote on Twitter. He told the city council Wednesday that Houston’s intensive-care units were at 97% capacity, with more than one-quarter of patients infected with the coronavirus.
Several states have considered imposing orders mandating that people wear masks outside. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) did so this week, saying the move was “about saving lives,” and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) followed suit, delaying reopening measures for at least three weeks.
The governors of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut went a step further, announcing a travel advisory for visitors from a handful of states that have “significant community spread.” Those travelers will be required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in the tri-state area.
Advertisement
“A lot of people come into this region and they could literally bring the infection with them,” New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) said Wednesday. “It wouldn’t be malicious or malevolent, but it would still be real.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-24--USCIS Prepares For Massive Staff Cuts In Blow To Legal Immigration System

NEW YORK , June 24 ( Reuters ) - The U.S. agency in charge of processing immigration applications said on Wednesday it was preparing to furlough nearly 70 % of its workforce unless it received fresh funding , a move employees say could bring an already backlogged system to a virtual halt .
U.S .
Citizenship and Immigration Services ( USCIS ) is dependent on fees from new immigration applications for its operations and is facing a historic budget shortfall .
Republican President Donald Trump has made cutting legal and illegal immigration a centerpiece of his 2020 re-election campaign .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ actions , along with travel restrictions put in place in response to the coronavirus pandemic , have dramatically reduced the number of immigrants coming to the United States .
A USCIS spokesperson said in a statement that the agency has already seen a 50 % drop in fees since March when most travel and immigration stopped as countries moved to control the spread of coronavirus .
USCIS has asked for a $ 1.2 billion bailout from Congress to avoid the projected staff reductions .
“ On or before July 2 , approximately 13,400 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ USCIS must proceed with an administrative furlough , they would be furloughed beginning August 3 , ” the USCIS spokesperson ’ s statement said .
The furloughs , if implemented , “ will for sure cause noticeable delays immediately , ” said one USCIS employee who asked not to be named because they were not authorized to speak on the record .
“ There are already so many backlogs to work through .
It ’ s insane to even contemplate how bad this is going to get.
” The staff of the Refugee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ USCIS was informed in an email seen by Reuters that notices were being sent on July 24 and 25 to approximately 1,500 employees of the 2,200 on staff in that unit .
Those kept on would be a “ skeleton crew ” to “ keep the lights on , ” the email said .
On Monday , Trump signed a presidential proclamation banning entry for several categories of temporary visa holders and extended a ban on some green card applicants , which the administration said would help open more jobs for unemployed Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economy .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
NEW YORK, June 24 (Reuters) - The U.S. agency in charge of processing immigration applications said on Wednesday it was preparing to furlough nearly 70% of its workforce unless it received fresh funding, a move employees say could bring an already backlogged system to a virtual halt.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is dependent on fees from new immigration applications for its operations and is facing a historic budget shortfall.
Advertisement
Republican President Donald Trump has made cutting legal and illegal immigration a centerpiece of his 2020 re-election campaign. New regulations and a series of executive actions, along with travel restrictions put in place in response to the coronavirus pandemic, have dramatically reduced the number of immigrants coming to the United States.
A USCIS spokesperson said in a statement that the agency has already seen a 50% drop in fees since March when most travel and immigration stopped as countries moved to control the spread of coronavirus. USCIS has asked for a $1.2 billion bailout from Congress to avoid the projected staff reductions.
“On or before July 2, approximately 13,400 USCIS employees will receive notice that if USCIS must proceed with an administrative furlough, they would be furloughed beginning August 3,” the USCIS spokesperson’s statement said.
The furloughs, if implemented, “will for sure cause noticeable delays immediately,” said one USCIS employee who asked not to be named because they were not authorized to speak on the record. “There are already so many backlogs to work through. It’s insane to even contemplate how bad this is going to get.”
Advertisement
The staff of the Refugee, Asylum and International Operations division of USCIS was informed in an email seen by Reuters that notices were being sent on July 24 and 25 to approximately 1,500 employees of the 2,200 on staff in that unit. Those kept on would be a “skeleton crew” to “keep the lights on,” the email said.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-24--NY, NJ And Connecticut Order Visitors From New COVID Hot Spots To Quarantine

New York , New Jersey and Connecticut will require people from other states with a high percentage of new COVID-19 cases to self-quarantine for two weeks upon entering the three states , their governors announced Wednesday .
The travel mandate goes into effect at midnight and affects travelers from states with a “ positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents over a 7-day rolling average or a state with a 10 % or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average , ” said New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ( D ) at an afternoon press conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday were : Alabama , Arkansas , Arizona , Florida , North Carolina , South Carolina , Washington , Utah and Texas .
States can be added or removed from this list based on their infection rate , Cuomo said .
Washington Gov .
Jay Inslee ( D ) said later on Wednesday that his state was “ erroneously included ” on the list and that “ we were told that we can expect that to be corrected shortly.
” The announcement comes as coronavirus cases in New York are steadily declining .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ now has the country ’ s lowest infection rate .
“ We did a full 180-degrees , ” Cuomo said .
“ We worked really had to get the viral transmission rate down ; we don ’ t want to see it go up because a lot of people come into this region and they could literally bring the infection with them.
” Several states , including Florida , enforced a similar 14-day quarantine for people traveling from New York , New Jersey and Connecticut at the start of the pandemic .
Those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dozen others that are now seeing a rise in new COVID-19 cases as the tri-state area ’ s new cases drop .
People traveling to New York , New Jersey and Connecticut from states with a high percentage of new COVID-19 cases will be required to self-quarantine upon their arrival , the states ’ governors announced .
Florida ’ s health department reported a record of 5,508 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday — 1,400 more than the previous daily record of new cases .
Also on Tuesday , Texas reported more than 5,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an all-time high for the state .
New York , New Jersey and Connecticut will have their own ways of enforcing the quarantine .
In New York , people found violating the quarantine risk fines ranging from $ 2,000 to $ 10,000 as well as a judicial order and a mandatory quarantine that the violator must cover the costs of , Cuomo said .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
New York, New Jersey and Connecticut will require people from other states with a high percentage of new COVID-19 cases to self-quarantine for two weeks upon entering the three states, their governors announced Wednesday.
The travel mandate goes into effect at midnight and affects travelers from states with a “positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents over a 7-day rolling average or a state with a 10% or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average,” said New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) at an afternoon press conference.
Advertisement
The states meeting that criteria on Wednesday were: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington, Utah and Texas. States can be added or removed from this list based on their infection rate, Cuomo said. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) said later on Wednesday that his state was “erroneously included” on the list and that “we were told that we can expect that to be corrected shortly.”
I am announcing with @GovMurphy and @GovNedLamont a joint travel advisory. All individuals traveling from states with significant community spread of COVID into NY, NJ, or CT must quarantine for 14 days.
This travel advisory is effective midnight tonight. — Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) June 24, 2020
The announcement comes as coronavirus cases in New York are steadily declining. According to the governor, the state now has the country’s lowest infection rate.
“We did a full 180-degrees,” Cuomo said. “We worked really had to get the viral transmission rate down; we don’t want to see it go up because a lot of people come into this region and they could literally bring the infection with them.”
Advertisement
Several states, including Florida, enforced a similar 14-day quarantine for people traveling from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut at the start of the pandemic. Those states are now among more than two dozen others that are now seeing a rise in new COVID-19 cases as the tri-state area’s new cases drop.
People traveling to New York, New Jersey and Connecticut from states with a high percentage of new COVID-19 cases will be required to self-quarantine upon their arrival, the states’ governors announced. Noam Galai via Getty Images
Florida’s health department reported a record of 5,508 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday — 1,400 more than the previous daily record of new cases. Also on Tuesday, Texas reported more than 5,000 new cases in a single day, an all-time high for the state.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-24--Feds Set To Cut Coronavirus Testing Funds As COVID-19 Cases Soar

COVID-19 testing centers across five states are set to lose federal funding next week after the Trump administration decided not to extend the program that established them .
As a result , 13 testing sites across Colorado ( 1 ) , Illinois ( 2 ) , New Jersey ( 2 ) , Pennsylvania ( 1 ) and Texas ( 7 ) will likely close if those states are unable to replace the necessary funding .
“ All 13 sites were provided an extra 30 days from the original transition date in May , ” Giroir said , “ and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states involved , and/or their leadership designees , who agreed that it was the appropriate time to transition out of the original 13 sites and into the thousands of new testing options.
” In a follow-up call with the media Wednesday afternoon , Giroir emphasized that the fate of these sites ― constituting a small portion of overall testing capacity nationwide ― will be up to the states , who can administer them or close them as they see fit .
“ The federal government just sent out 11 billion dollars to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their state and local testing plans , ” he said .
“ There is no reason that a locally unresponsive , bulky , parallel system needs to occur when the states could happily take these over.
” The decision is nevertheless receiving scrutiny as new coronavirus infections soar across the country .
More than half of all states are now seeing an increase in cases and more than a dozen states recently saw a record number of infections ― including Texas , home to seven of the testing sites set to lose funding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to me , and I think it ’ s clear to all of us , that with the uptick of cases , now is not a time to retreat from our vigilance in testing , ” Sen. John Cornyn ( R-Texas ) said in a statement , distancing himself from the decision .
While U.S. testing capacity has steadily increased since states began implementing stay-at-home orders in March , it badly lags a number of other countries on the measure of tests administered per infection found .
That ’ s an important metric @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to relax social distancing restrictions , according to Johns Hopkins University .
“ The rate of positivity is an important indicator because it can provide insights into whether a community is conducting enough testing to find cases , ” Johns Hopkins explains on its website .
“ If a community ’ s positivity is high , it suggests that that community may largely be testing the sickest patients and possibly missing milder or asymptomatic cases.
” As of June 22 , one out of every 12 tests administered in the U.S. came back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the University of Oxford-based Our World in Data .
In South Korea , long a world leader in testing , 93 tests were administered for every positive case .
And in New Zealand , which has effectively eliminated the coronavirus , the ratio is 300 to 1 .
Despite the continued and persistent testing shortfall , President Donald Trump this week repeatedly called for a slowdown in COVID-19 testing , because the surge in new cases they help reveal is making his administration ’ s response look bad .
“ Cases are going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing far more than any other country , and ever expanding , ” he tweeted on Tuesday .
“ With smaller testing we would show fewer cases !
” The White House claimed that Trump was “ joking ” and his comments were made “ in jest.
” But when asked if he was in fact joking when he made such remarks , he told a CBS reporter , “ I don ’ t kid .
”

LOADING ERROR LOADING
COVID-19 testing centers across five states are set to lose federal funding next week after the Trump administration decided not to extend the program that established them.
As a result, 13 testing sites across Colorado (1), Illinois (2), New Jersey (2), Pennsylvania (1) and Texas (7) will likely close if those states are unable to replace the necessary funding.
Advertisement
In a statement to HuffPost, Assistant Secretary for Health Brett Giroir confirmed that the program that originally funded 41 such sites across 48 states would end next week.
Giroir said it’s part of a planned transition to “more efficient and effective testing sites,” noting that the original end date had already been postponed once.
“All 13 sites were provided an extra 30 days from the original transition date in May,” Giroir said, “and I personally spoke with Governors from all 5 states involved, and/or their leadership designees, who agreed that it was the appropriate time to transition out of the original 13 sites and into the thousands of new testing options.”
In a follow-up call with the media Wednesday afternoon, Giroir emphasized that the fate of these sites ― constituting a small portion of overall testing capacity nationwide ― will be up to the states, who can administer them or close them as they see fit.
Advertisement
“The federal government just sent out 11 billion dollars to the states and tribes in order to support their state and local testing plans,” he said. “There is no reason that a locally unresponsive, bulky, parallel system needs to occur when the states could happily take these over.”
The decision is nevertheless receiving scrutiny as new coronavirus infections soar across the country. More than half of all states are now seeing an increase in cases and more than a dozen states recently saw a record number of infections ― including Texas, home to seven of the testing sites set to lose funding.
“It’s pretty clear to me, and I think it’s clear to all of us, that with the uptick of cases, now is not a time to retreat from our vigilance in testing,” Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said in a statement, distancing himself from the decision.
While U.S. testing capacity has steadily increased since states began implementing stay-at-home orders in March, it badly lags a number of other countries on the measure of tests administered per infection found. That’s an important metric for deciding whether it’s safe to relax social distancing restrictions, according to Johns Hopkins University.
“The rate of positivity is an important indicator because it can provide insights into whether a community is conducting enough testing to find cases,” Johns Hopkins explains on its website. “If a community’s positivity is high, it suggests that that community may largely be testing the sickest patients and possibly missing milder or asymptomatic cases.”
Advertisement
As of June 22, one out of every 12 tests administered in the U.S. came back positive, according to data tracked by the University of Oxford-based Our World in Data. In South Korea, long a world leader in testing, 93 tests were administered for every positive case. And in New Zealand, which has effectively eliminated the coronavirus, the ratio is 300 to 1.
Despite the continued and persistent testing shortfall, President Donald Trump this week repeatedly called for a slowdown in COVID-19 testing, because the surge in new cases they help reveal is making his administration’s response look bad.
“Cases are going up in the U.S. because we are testing far more than any other country, and ever expanding,” he tweeted on Tuesday. “With smaller testing we would show fewer cases!”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-24--New York City Marathon Canceled Due To Coronavirus

NEW YORK ( AP ) — The New York City Marathon scheduled for Nov. 1 has been canceled because of @ @ @ @ @ York Road Runners announced the cancellation of the world ’ s largest marathon Wednesday after @ @ @ @ @ s office and deciding the race posed too many health and safety concerns for runners @ @ @ @ @ others .
“ While the marathon is an iconic and beloved event in our city @ @ @ @ @ Road Runners for putting the health and safety of both spectators and runners first , @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement .
“ We look forward to hosting the 50th running of @ @ @ @ @ 2021.
” Last year ’ s marathon included a world record 53,640 finishers .
Entrants @ @ @ @ @ be offered a full refund of their entry fee or a guaranteed entry to either @ @ @ @ @ 2023 marathon .
The 2021 New York City Marathon is scheduled for Nov. 7 .

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York City Marathon scheduled for Nov. 1 has been canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
New York Road Runners announced the cancellation of the world’s largest marathon Wednesday after coordinating with the mayor’s office and deciding the race posed too many health and safety concerns for runners, volunteers, spectators and others.
“While the marathon is an iconic and beloved event in our city, I applaud New York Road Runners for putting the health and safety of both spectators and runners first,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement. “We look forward to hosting the 50th running of the marathon in November of 2021.”
Advertisement
Last year’s marathon included a world record 53,640 finishers. Entrants for the 2020 race will be offered a full refund of their entry fee or a guaranteed entry to either the 2021, 2022 or 2023 marathon.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-24--New U.S. Coronavirus Cases Hit Highest Level In 2 Months

BEIJING ( AP ) — New coronavirus cases in the U.S. have surged to their highest level in two months and are now back to where they were at the peak of the outbreak .
The U.S. on Tuesday reported 34,700 new cases of the virus , according to a tally compiled by Johns Hopkins University that was published Wednesday .
There have been only two previous days that the U.S. has reported more cases : April 9 and April 24 , when a record 36,400 cases were logged .
New cases in the U.S. have been surging for more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than six weeks .
While early hot spots like New York and New Jersey have seen cases steadily decrease , the virus has been hitting the south and west .
Several states on Tuesday set single-day records , including Arizona , California , Mississippi , Nevada and Texas .
Cases were also surging in other parts of the world .
India reported a record daily increase of nearly 16,000 new cases .
Mexico , where testing rates have been low , also set a record with more than 6,200 new cases .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ new outbreak of the virus in Beijing , once again demonstrating its ability to quickly mobilize vast resources by testing nearly 2.5 million people in 11 days .
In the U.S. state of Arizona , which on Tuesday reported a record 3,600 new infections , hundreds of young conservatives packed a megachurch to hear President Donald Trump ’ s call for them to back his reelection bid .
As he did at a rally in Oklahoma over the weekend , Trump referred to the virus with a pejorative term directed at its emergence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Democratic mayor of Phoenix , Kate Gallego , made clear that she did not believe the speech could be safely held in her city — and urged the president to wear a face mask .
He did not .
Trump has refused to wear a mask in public , instead turning it into a red-vs.-blue cultural issue .
In China , an outbreak that has infected more than 200 people in the capital this month appeared to be firmly waning .
China on Wednesday reported 12 cases , down from 22 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new cases , down from 13 .
Officials in Beijing said they tested more than 2.4 million people between June 12 and June 22 .
That ’ s more than 10 % of the capital ’ s population of about 20 million .
Authorities began testing people at food markets and in the areas around them .
They expanded that to include restaurant staff and the city ’ s 100,000 delivery workers .
China also said it used big data to find people who had been near markets for testing , without specifying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tamed its first wave of infections , is seeing another rise .
While the first outbreak was centered in its fourth-largest city , the current outbreak is in the Seoul region , where most South Koreans live .
Authorities reported 51 cases Wednesday .
Its increase of 40 to 50 cases every day over the past two weeks comes amid increased public activity and eased attitudes on social distancing .
In India , with a population of more than 1.3 billion , the densely populated cities of Mumbai and New Delhi have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 450,000 cases of the virus , including more than 14,000 deaths .
Mexico reported nearly 800 new deaths on Wednesday .
The country has recorded more than 190,000 cases and more than 23,000 deaths , although officials acknowledge both are undercounts due to extremely low testing rates .
Mexico has performed only about half a million tests , or about one for every 250 inhabitants .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
BEIJING (AP) — New coronavirus cases in the U.S. have surged to their highest level in two months and are now back to where they were at the peak of the outbreak.
The U.S. on Tuesday reported 34,700 new cases of the virus, according to a tally compiled by Johns Hopkins University that was published Wednesday. There have been only two previous days that the U.S. has reported more cases: April 9 and April 24, when a record 36,400 cases were logged.
Advertisement
New cases in the U.S. have been surging for more than a week after trending down for more than six weeks. While early hot spots like New York and New Jersey have seen cases steadily decrease, the virus has been hitting the south and west. Several states on Tuesday set single-day records, including Arizona, California, Mississippi, Nevada and Texas.
Cases were also surging in other parts of the world. India reported a record daily increase of nearly 16,000 new cases. Mexico, where testing rates have been low, also set a record with more than 6,200 new cases.
But China appears to have tamed a new outbreak of the virus in Beijing, once again demonstrating its ability to quickly mobilize vast resources by testing nearly 2.5 million people in 11 days.
In the U.S. state of Arizona, which on Tuesday reported a record 3,600 new infections, hundreds of young conservatives packed a megachurch to hear President Donald Trump’s call for them to back his reelection bid.
Advertisement
As he did at a rally in Oklahoma over the weekend, Trump referred to the virus with a pejorative term directed at its emergence in China.
Ahead of the event, the Democratic mayor of Phoenix, Kate Gallego, made clear that she did not believe the speech could be safely held in her city — and urged the president to wear a face mask. He did not. Trump has refused to wear a mask in public, instead turning it into a red-vs.-blue cultural issue.
Earlier Tuesday, Dr. Anthony Fauci told Congress that the next few weeks are critical to tamping down the surge.
“Plan A, don’t go in a crowd. Plan B, if you do, make sure you wear a mask,” said Fauci, the infectious disease chief at the National Institutes of Health.
In China, an outbreak that has infected more than 200 people in the capital this month appeared to be firmly waning. China on Wednesday reported 12 cases, down from 22 the day before. Beijing reported seven new cases, down from 13.
Advertisement
Officials in Beijing said they tested more than 2.4 million people between June 12 and June 22. That’s more than 10% of the capital’s population of about 20 million.
Authorities began testing people at food markets and in the areas around them. They expanded that to include restaurant staff and the city’s 100,000 delivery workers. China also said it used big data to find people who had been near markets for testing, without specifying how.
The vast majority have tested negative, though one courier delivering groceries from supermarkets tested positive.
A single inflatable mobile lab in one district was capable of conducting 30,000 tests a day, the official Xinhua News Agency said.
South Korea, which successfully tamed its first wave of infections, is seeing another rise. While the first outbreak was centered in its fourth-largest city, the current outbreak is in the Seoul region, where most South Koreans live. Authorities reported 51 cases Wednesday. Its increase of 40 to 50 cases every day over the past two weeks comes amid increased public activity and eased attitudes on social distancing.
Advertisement
In India, with a population of more than 1.3 billion, the densely populated cities of Mumbai and New Delhi have been hardest hit. The country has reported more than 450,000 cases of the virus, including more than 14,000 deaths.
The situation in New Delhi is a rising concern, with the federal government criticizing its poor contact tracing and a lack of hospital beds.
Mexico reported nearly 800 new deaths on Wednesday. The country has recorded more than 190,000 cases and more than 23,000 deaths, although officials acknowledge both are undercounts due to extremely low testing rates. Mexico has performed only about half a million tests, or about one for every 250 inhabitants.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-24--Appeals Court Forces Dismissal Of Michael Flynn Case Over Judge's Objections

Alex Wroblewski via Getty Images Former White House national security adviser Michael Flynn lied to the FBI about his communications with the Russian government .
WASHINGTON ― A federal appeals court , in a 2-1 decision , moved to force a federal judge to dismiss a criminal case against former White House national security adviser Michael Flynn , who has twice admitted his guilt .
The Justice Department , led by Attorney General William Barr , had moved to dismiss the case against Donald Trump associate Flynn , who has admitted to lying to the FBI about his communications with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C .
Circuit , a Trump appointee who formerly served in the Trump administration , wrote the majority opinion , saying that allowing U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan to examine the Justice Department ’ s reasons for moving to drop the charge “ will result in specific harms to the exercise of the Executive Branch ’ s exclusive prosecutorial power.
” She was joined by Judge Karen LeCraft Henderson , a George W. Bush appointee .
In a dissent , Circuit Judge Robert Leon Wilkins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the majority opinion declares that the government had no duty to inform the court of its reasons for seeking dismissal “ in spite of the Government ’ s abrupt reversal on the facts and the law , and although the Government declares itself entitled not to be forthcoming with the District Court.
” “ This is no mere about-face ; it is more akin to turning around an aircraft carrier , ” Wilkins wrote , adding that district court “ must be given a reasonable opportunity to consider and hold a hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure that it is not clearly contrary to the public interest.
” It wasn ’ t clear whether the entire federal appeals court will review the ruling by the panel of three judges .
The opinion came down less than two hours before a federal prosecutor who worked on the case against Roger Stone was scheduled to testify before the House Judiciary Committee on alleged political interference in the sentencing process .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
WASHINGTON ― A federal appeals court, in a 2-1 decision, moved to force a federal judge to dismiss a criminal case against former White House national security adviser Michael Flynn, who has twice admitted his guilt.
The Justice Department, led by Attorney General William Barr, had moved to dismiss the case against Donald Trump associate Flynn, who has admitted to lying to the FBI about his communications with the Russian government.
Advertisement
Judge Neomi Rao of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, a Trump appointee who formerly served in the Trump administration, wrote the majority opinion, saying that allowing U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan to examine the Justice Department’s reasons for moving to drop the charge “will result in specific harms to the exercise of the Executive Branch’s exclusive prosecutorial power.” She was joined by Judge Karen LeCraft Henderson, a George W. Bush appointee.
Former White House national security adviser Michael Flynn lied to the FBI about his communications with the Russian government. Alex Wroblewski via Getty Images
In a dissent, Circuit Judge Robert Leon Wilkins, a Barack Obama appointee, wrote that the majority opinion declares that the government had no duty to inform the court of its reasons for seeking dismissal “in spite of the Government’s abrupt reversal on the facts and the law, and although the Government declares itself entitled not to be forthcoming with the District Court.”
“This is no mere about-face; it is more akin to turning around an aircraft carrier,” Wilkins wrote, adding that district court “must be given a reasonable opportunity to consider and hold a hearing on the Government’s request to ensure that it is not clearly contrary to the public interest.”
Advertisement
It wasn’t clear whether the entire federal appeals court will review the ruling by the panel of three judges.
The opinion came down less than two hours before a federal prosecutor who worked on the case against Roger Stone was scheduled to testify before the House Judiciary Committee on alleged political interference in the sentencing process.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-24--Young Gay Liberal Leads Homophobic Preacher In Heated New York U.S. House Race

Brendan McDermid/Reuters New York City Councilman Ritchie Torres seems set to prevail in the 12-person primary for the open seat in New York 's strongly Democratic 15th Congressional District .
With over 96 % of polling stations reporting , Torres ― who made history in 2013 as the first openly gay candidate to win a legislative seat in the Bronx borough , becoming the youngest member of the New York City Council ― received 30 % of the in-person vote , well ahead of his 11 rivals .
“ I ’ m not prepared to declare victory until every vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win the election , it ’ s governing that matters , ” Torres , 32 , said Tuesday night , choking back tears in an interview on NY1 .
“ It would be the honor of my life to represent this borough .
It ’ s my home.
” His campaign raked in nearly $ 1.4 million , Federal Election Commission filings show , more than any other candidate in the race .
The vast majority of donations came from outside the district .
Torres got major boosts from the city ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeking to transform one of the country ’ s poorest districts into what one developer pitched as “ the next Williamsburg , ” a reference to the hyper-gentrified neighborhood in northern Brooklyn .
Torres also received strong backing from well-funded LGBTQ groups who were alarmed that his most serious opponent in the race appeared to be conservative Rev .
Rubén Díaz Sr. , a dynastic figure in the Bronx who has fought against policies to protect the civil rights of queer and transgender New Yorkers for most of his three-decade political career .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an advantage .
When Serrano , a Democrat first elected in 1990 , announced his retirement in March 2019 , he set off a mad rush into the race to replace him , drawing political heavyweights such as Melissa Mark-Viverito , the former council speaker ; state Assemblyman Michael Blake ; and Ydanis Rodríguez , a councilman nearly twice Torres ’ s age .
Although Torres had significant progressive support , including from the Congressional Progressive Caucus , he did not win the backing of New York City ’ s increasingly influential socialist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and finance magnates and his decision to water down a hotly debated police reform bill in 2017 were disqualifying in the eyes of many would-be allies on the left .
López won endorsements from Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) but failed to garner more than 2 % support in a poll conducted in May by the left-leaning think tank Data for Progress .
( She is currently in fourth place with just over 13 % of the in-person vote . )
Buoyed by high-profile endorsements from Black leaders such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Rev .
Jesse Jackson , Blake , so far has held a firm second place , with just over 19 % of in-person ballots .
Yet throughout the campaign , Díaz ― presently a close third with nearly 15 % of the votes ― emerged as Torres ’ s foremost rival .
The 77-year-old Pentecostal preacher , who opposes abortion and was pressed to resign from the City Council last year over homophobic remarks he made , was favored to win in a district where he has deep roots .
While Torres @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worked a familiar church circuit and handed out turkeys and toys to voters .
Often the subject of media gawking for his penchant for wearing cowboy hats and bolo ties , the Puerto Rico-born preacher built a vast patronage network in New York City ’ s northernmost borough .
In the early 1990s , he parlayed his influence in churches into an appointment to the city ’ s Civilian Complaint Review Board , where he began his crusade to block LGBTQ safeguards .
In 2001 , he won a seat on the City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senator in Albany , he returned to the city ’ s legislature in 2018 .
His son , Rubén Díaz Jr. , is the widely loved Bronx borough president who had been considered a top contender in the mayoral election next year before he bowed out in January , stating the desire to exit public life .
The elder Díaz , in a move widely seen as angling to benefit from his son ’ s popularity , dropped the suffix from his name on this year ’ s ballot .
George Leal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ site , had been impressed with Torres after speaking to him .
“ He looks like a very sincere person , ” Leal said .
“ He ’ s very friendly , unlike some other people that I don ’ t know what they ’ re about.
” Torres , the son of a Puerto Rican father and a Black mother , grew up in a housing project in the Throggs Neck neighborhood of the East Bronx .
He enrolled in New York University , but ― struggling with his sexuality and suffering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during his sophomore year .
He later began taking antidepressants and got involved housing advocacy .
At 25 , he ran for City Council and won .
In a 2016 profile in The New Yorker , Torres acknowledged the bigotry in a district he dubbed the “ Bible Belt of New York City.
” While phonebanking for his campaign , he said , his mother was told , “ Your son is going to Hell !
” Yet the Data for Progress survey of the district found that the vast majority of voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 75 % of Blacks and 73 % of registered Democrats overall ― found “ gay and lesbian relations ” to be “ morally acceptable .
”

New York City Councilman Ritchie Torres seems set to prevail in the 12-person primary for the open seat in New York's strongly Democratic 15th Congressional District. Brendan McDermid/Reuters
Ritchie Torres has taken a comfortable lead in the crowded Democratic primary to replace Rep. José E. Serrano, who represented a heavily Latino, impoverished stretch of the South Bronx for three decades.
With over 96% of polling stations reporting, Torres ― who made history in 2013 as the first openly gay candidate to win a legislative seat in the Bronx borough, becoming the youngest member of the New York City Council ― received 30% of the in-person vote, well ahead of his 11 rivals.
Advertisement
A record number of New York City voters requested absentee ballots due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and those votes likely won’t be counted until next month. But Dave Wasserman, a polling expert at the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, declared at 1:22 a.m.: “I’ve seen enough... [Torres] has won.”
“I’m not prepared to declare victory until every vote is counted, but even if I win the election, it’s governing that matters,” Torres, 32, said Tuesday night, choking back tears in an interview on NY1. “It would be the honor of my life to represent this borough. It’s my home.”
His campaign raked in nearly $1.4 million, Federal Election Commission filings show, more than any other candidate in the race. The vast majority of donations came from outside the district. Torres got major boosts from the city’s powerful real estate interests, who are seeking to transform one of the country’s poorest districts into what one developer pitched as “the next Williamsburg,” a reference to the hyper-gentrified neighborhood in northern Brooklyn.
Councilman @RitchieTorres says it's too early to declare victory in his congressional race, but he does have an early lead. He told @JuanMaBenitez it would be the honor of his life to represent the Bronx. "It's my home." #NY1Politics pic.twitter.com/grY8KfDref — Spectrum News NY1 (@NY1) June 24, 2020
Advertisement
Torres also received strong backing from well-funded LGBTQ groups who were alarmed that his most serious opponent in the race appeared to be conservative Rev. Rubén Díaz Sr., a dynastic figure in the Bronx who has fought against policies to protect the civil rights of queer and transgender New Yorkers for most of his three-decade political career.
The crowded field seemed to give Díaz an advantage. When Serrano, a Democrat first elected in 1990, announced his retirement in March 2019, he set off a mad rush into the race to replace him, drawing political heavyweights such as Melissa Mark-Viverito, the former council speaker; state Assemblyman Michael Blake; and Ydanis Rodríguez, a councilman nearly twice Torres’s age.
Although Torres had significant progressive support, including from the Congressional Progressive Caucus, he did not win the backing of New York City’s increasingly influential socialist left. His support from real estate and finance magnates and his decision to water down a hotly debated police reform bill in 2017 were disqualifying in the eyes of many would-be allies on the left.
He openly spurned some of the groups, including the Democratic Socialists of America, that helped propel Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s surprise 2018 upset in the neighboring congressional district. Those forces ultimately rallied behind Samelys López, a 40-year-old housing organizer whose story of childhood poverty and homelessness added heft to her unflinchingly socialist policy platform.
López won endorsements from Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) but failed to garner more than 2% support in a poll conducted in May by the left-leaning think tank Data for Progress. (She is currently in fourth place with just over 13% of the in-person vote.)
Advertisement
City Council member Rubén Díaz Sr., a conservative who is anti-gay and anti-abortion, was favored to win the Democratic primary, in part because of his wide name recognition. Andrew Lichtenstein via Getty Images
Buoyed by high-profile endorsements from Black leaders such as Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) and the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Blake, so far has held a firm second place, with just over 19% of in-person ballots. Yet throughout the campaign, Díaz ― presently a close third with nearly 15% of the votes ― emerged as Torres’s foremost rival. The 77-year-old Pentecostal preacher, who opposes abortion and was pressed to resign from the City Council last year over homophobic remarks he made, was favored to win in a district where he has deep roots.
While Torres and López drew national attention, Díaz worked a familiar church circuit and handed out turkeys and toys to voters. Often the subject of media gawking for his penchant for wearing cowboy hats and bolo ties, the Puerto Rico-born preacher built a vast patronage network in New York City’s northernmost borough. In the early 1990s, he parlayed his influence in churches into an appointment to the city’s Civilian Complaint Review Board, where he began his crusade to block LGBTQ safeguards.
In 2001, he won a seat on the City Council. After two decades as a senator in Albany, he returned to the city’s legislature in 2018. His son, Rubén Díaz Jr., is the widely loved Bronx borough president who had been considered a top contender in the mayoral election next year before he bowed out in January, stating the desire to exit public life. The elder Díaz, in a move widely seen as angling to benefit from his son’s popularity, dropped the suffix from his name on this year’s ballot.
The prospect of one of the most Democratic districts in the country sending an anti-gay figure like Díaz Sr. to Congress prompted a surge of independent spending from Democratic groups, like the Voter Protection Project, to stop him.
Advertisement
The Data for Progress poll showing Torres as the most viable alternative to Díaz also helped.
“He wasn’t my initial option but after looking at the numbers ... I had to, in the end, prioritize going against Rubén Díaz Sr.,” said Marcel Bravo, a retail worker who voted for Torres at M.S. 301 Paul L. Dunbar in the South Bronx.
George Leal, a hospital worker voting at the same site, had been impressed with Torres after speaking to him. “He looks like a very sincere person,” Leal said. “He’s very friendly, unlike some other people that I don’t know what they’re about.”
Torres, the son of a Puerto Rican father and a Black mother, grew up in a housing project in the Throggs Neck neighborhood of the East Bronx. He enrolled in New York University, but ― struggling with his sexuality and suffering from severe depression ― he dropped out during his sophomore year. He later began taking antidepressants and got involved housing advocacy. At 25, he ran for City Council and won.
In a 2016 profile in The New Yorker, Torres acknowledged the bigotry in a district he dubbed the “Bible Belt of New York City.” While phonebanking for his campaign, he said, his mother was told, “Your son is going to Hell!” Yet the Data for Progress survey of the district found that the vast majority of voters across demographics ― 71% of Latinos, 75% of Blacks and 73% of registered Democrats overall ― found “gay and lesbian relations” to be “morally acceptable.”
Still, the poll showed Díaz ahead of Torres by 2% with Democrats, 1% with Black voters and 4% with Latino voters. Roughly 30% of voters in each category were undecided at the time.
Advertisement
Unless thousands of absentee ballots fuel a last-minute surge for one of the underdog opponents, those voters appear to have decided on Torres.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-24--Trump Notches His 200th Lifetime Federal Judge

Zero of his judges at the highest levels ― on the nation ’ s appeals courts and the Supreme Court ― have been Black .
And it ’ s the first time in four decades that there isn ’ t a single appeals court vacancy left nationwide .
Trump will almost definitely brag about this number ― he should !
It ’ s a big part of his legacy .
Broken down , he has confirmed two Supreme Court justices , 53 appeals court judges , 143 district court judges and two judges on the U.S. Court of International Trade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; they serve for life and can only be removed by impeachment .
But if you look at the percentage of court seats Trump has filled compared to the total number of judgeships that exist , he ’ s about in the middle of past presidents .
That ’ s because the number of total judgeships has changed over the years .
“ You know , 200 may be a snazzy number , ” said Russell Wheeler , a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution ’ s Governance Studies Program and president of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tank .
“ But if you ’ re trying to weigh Trump ’ s impact on jurisprudential change , by one measure , it ’ s obviously significant ― he ’ s ahead of most of his predecessors on the courts of appeals ― but on the district courts , he ’ s not ahead of them by any matter of means.
” The White House has worked closely with the Federalist Society , a conservative legal group , and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) to funnel members of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve focused on appeals courts because , while most people pay attention to the Supreme Court , it generally refuses to hear appeals .
That means that appeals courts have the final say in more than 99 % of the cases they decide .
So you can think of appeals courts as mini-Supreme Courts .
Wilson is Trump ’ s 53rd appeals court judge .
For context on how many that is , Obama confirmed 55 appeals court judges in eight years .
And what do Trump ’ s appeals court judges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young , conservative , white men with records of being hostile toward voting rights , women ’ s reproductive rights and LGBTQ rights .
Of Trump ’ s 53 appeals court judges , none are Black .
Eleven are female .
Seven are Asian Pacific American .
One is Latino .
Thirty-six are white men .
( Beyond the appeals courts , if you look at all 200 of Trump ’ s judges , just nine are Black . )
His record on voting rights is particularly relevant amid the national reckoning on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Wilson dismissed the NAACP ’ s concerns about a proposed Mississippi voter ID law as “ poppycock.
” He ripped the Justice Department in 2013 for sending election observers to the state , which has a long history of voter suppression and intimidation , and instead suggested federal officials go after rare cases of “ voter fraud.
” He similarly dismissed the Obama administration ’ s concerns about voter suppression in a 2012 op-ed : “ The Rachel Maddows of the media world have joined the chorus of ‘ voter suppression ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is as phony as the ‘ war on women.
’ ” He also directly attacked Obama , calling him “ King Barack , ” “ petty and small ” and “ a fit-throwing teenager.
” Organizations including the NAACP strongly opposed Wilson , who will now oversee Mississippi , Louisiana and Texas on the 5th Circuit , which presides over the highest percentage of people of color in the country .
But every Senate Republican except for one , Susan Collins of Maine , voted to confirm him .
Every Democrat voted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extremism over all else , and the result is the least diverse group of judges in decades , further undermining the legitimacy of our courts , ” said Chris King , chief counsel of Demand Justice , a progressive judicial advocacy group .
“ To repair this damage , when Democrats are in power , they must not only prioritize our courts like never before , they must take affirmative steps , such as expanding the number of district and circuit court seats , to restore balance and legitimacy.
” Trump still has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and McConnell will definitely make this a top priority ― especially in the lame duck , if Trump loses reelection in November .
But at the moment , there are no more appeals court seats to fill .
McConnell has responded by personally reaching out to Republican-appointed judges and encouraging them to retire so he and Trump can fill their seats this year .
Even if Trump doesn ’ t confirm any more judges , his 53 relatively young appeals court judges will have an impact on jurisprudence , though it will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll be deciding cases on panels with other judges appointed by Obama , Bush , Clinton and others .
“ If Trump somehow gets reelected ― boy , Katy bar the door ― I have to think there are a lot of Democratic court appointees who are eligible for senior status … who have been holding off in the hopes that Biden will appoint their successor , not Trump , ” he said .
“ But you reach a point where you can ’ t go on .
”

Trump has filled the nation's top courts with white male judges. Rebecca Zisser
WASHINGTON ― Senate Republicans on Wednesday confirmed President Donald Trump’s 200th lifetime federal judge, a number higher than any president has confirmed in a first term in decades.
Zero of his judges at the highest levels ― on the nation’s appeals courts and the Supreme Court ― have been Black. And it’s the first time in four decades that there isn’t a single appeals court vacancy left nationwide.
Advertisement
The president hit the milestone as Republicans voted to put Cory Wilson onto the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit.
Trump will almost definitely brag about this number ― he should! It’s a big part of his legacy. Broken down, he has confirmed two Supreme Court justices, 53 appeals court judges, 143 district court judges and two judges on the U.S. Court of International Trade. These are all Article III judges; they serve for life and can only be removed by impeachment.
Trump has gotten more judges confirmed by this point in his presidency than President Barack Obama (152), President George W. Bush (190) and President Bill Clinton (186). He falls short of President Jimmy Carter, though, who had confirmed 239 judges by this point.
But if you look at the percentage of court seats Trump has filled compared to the total number of judgeships that exist, he’s about in the middle of past presidents. That’s because the number of total judgeships has changed over the years.
Advertisement
“You know, 200 may be a snazzy number,” said Russell Wheeler, a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution’s Governance Studies Program and president of the Governance Institute, a nonpartisan think tank. “But if you’re trying to weigh Trump’s impact on jurisprudential change, by one measure, it’s obviously significant ― he’s ahead of most of his predecessors on the courts of appeals ― but on the district courts, he’s not ahead of them by any matter of means.”
Here’s a Brookings Institution chart that shows how Trump stacks up with past presidents in terms of the percentage of court seats they had filled by this point. Trump ranks fourth.
There’s more to this than sheer numbers, though.
The White House has worked closely with the Federalist Society, a conservative legal group, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to funnel members of the organization into appeals court seats. They’ve focused on appeals courts because, while most people pay attention to the Supreme Court, it generally refuses to hear appeals. That means that appeals courts have the final say in more than 99% of the cases they decide. So you can think of appeals courts as mini-Supreme Courts.
Wilson is Trump’s 53rd appeals court judge. For context on how many that is, Obama confirmed 55 appeals court judges in eight years. And what do Trump’s appeals court judges have in common? They are overwhelmingly young, conservative, white men with records of being hostile toward voting rights, women’s reproductive rights and LGBTQ rights.
Advertisement
Of Trump’s 53 appeals court judges, none are Black. Eleven are female. Seven are Asian Pacific American. One is Latino. Thirty-six are white men. (Beyond the appeals courts, if you look at all 200 of Trump’s judges, just nine are Black.)
His record on voting rights is particularly relevant amid the national reckoning on racial justice. In a 2011 op-ed, Wilson dismissed the NAACP’s concerns about a proposed Mississippi voter ID law as “poppycock.” He ripped the Justice Department in 2013 for sending election observers to the state, which has a long history of voter suppression and intimidation, and instead suggested federal officials go after rare cases of “voter fraud.”
He similarly dismissed the Obama administration’s concerns about voter suppression in a 2012 op-ed: “The Rachel Maddows of the media world have joined the chorus of ‘voter suppression’ right on cue from Team Obama. This is as phony as the ‘war on women.’” He also directly attacked Obama, calling him “King Barack,” “petty and small” and “a fit-throwing teenager.”
Organizations including the NAACP strongly opposed Wilson, who will now oversee Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas on the 5th Circuit, which presides over the highest percentage of people of color in the country. But every Senate Republican except for one, Susan Collins of Maine, voted to confirm him. Every Democrat voted no.
Advertisement
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has made confirming judges his No. 1 priority with Donald Trump in the White House. It's paid off on the nation's appeals courts. NICHOLAS KAMM via Getty Images
Progressive groups have increasingly made judicial nominations a central reason why they must flip the Senate back to Democratic control.
“Trump has prioritized ideological extremism over all else, and the result is the least diverse group of judges in decades, further undermining the legitimacy of our courts,” said Chris King, chief counsel of Demand Justice, a progressive judicial advocacy group. “To repair this damage, when Democrats are in power, they must not only prioritize our courts like never before, they must take affirmative steps, such as expanding the number of district and circuit court seats, to restore balance and legitimacy.”
Trump still has several months to fill more court vacancies, and McConnell will definitely make this a top priority ― especially in the lame duck, if Trump loses reelection in November. But at the moment, there are no more appeals court seats to fill. McConnell has responded by personally reaching out to Republican-appointed judges and encouraging them to retire so he and Trump can fill their seats this year.
Even if Trump doesn’t confirm any more judges, his 53 relatively young appeals court judges will have an impact on jurisprudence, though it will be modest, speculated Wheeler. They’ll be deciding cases on panels with other judges appointed by Obama, Bush, Clinton and others.
Advertisement
In the meantime, Democrat-appointed judges itching to retire may be hanging onto their seats until November to see if Joe Biden wins.
“If Trump somehow gets reelected ― boy, Katy bar the door ― I have to think there are a lot of Democratic court appointees who are eligible for senior status … who have been holding off in the hopes that Biden will appoint their successor, not Trump,” he said. “But you reach a point where you can’t go on.”