thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-14--Fox's Neil Cavuto Bashes Trump's Claim Of 'Mutiny' By Governors

Fox Business host Neil Cavuto on Tuesday blasted President Donald Trump ’ s attack on governors for staging a “ mutiny ” against him after several state leaders rebuked the president ’ s claim he had total authority to force them to relax stay-at-home measures imposed to slow the spread of coronavirus .
Cavuto appeared baffled by the president ’ s take , which contradicts his previous refusal to call a national stay-at-home order , insisting that governors should call the shots in their own states .
“ Just surprising , because he was the one himself who left it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they wanted to practice social distancing , shelter-at-home provisions , that each governor would decide , ” Cavuto said .
“ He was never critical of Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis , among the later entrants in that policy , ” he said , referring to the pro-Trump Republican .
“ So the states say they ultimately want to decide ― as the Constitution provides ― whether it ’ s safe or not to reopen , and then all of the sudden it ’ s a bad ‘ Mutiny on the Bounty , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump had accused Democratic governors of being “ mutineers ” after several rebutted his declaration of “ total ” authority and said they would start to revive their state economies only when it appears safe to do so .
Tell the Democrat Governors that “ Mutiny On The Bounty ” was one of my all time favorite movies .
A good old fashioned mutiny every now and then is an exciting and invigorating thing to watch , especially when the mutineers need so much from the Captain .
Too easy !
— @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April 14 , 2020 The president ’ s claim of power over governors was widely criticized by legal experts , who noted that the Constitution gives powers to states , not the federal government , to enforce local orders during public health crises .
The president had said just more than a week earlier that he would not force governors holding out on enforcing local shelter-at-home measures to act , saying , “ We have a thing called the Constitution , which I cherish.
” Cavuto forecast a potential “ legal nightmare ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ( D ) has threatened to sue Trump if he endangers public health by ordering states to lift stay-at-home measures too soon .
Cavuto also noted that the Commerce Clause of the Constitution could allow Congress , not the president , to intervene , but even then , states maintain considerable authority over their jurisdictions .
“ It ’ s not to say that the president lacks a powerful bully pulpit , he indeed does , ” Cavuto said .
“ But it is not the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not in our Constitution .
And it invites a sort of confusion on the part of people who want to know , you ’ ve granted us — the states — the power to do a lot of the things you said we should decide at our level , and now you ’ ve come up with a decision that is counter to that .
We are the ones ignoring policy and the Constitution ?
It ’ s crazy .
”

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Fox Business host Neil Cavuto on Tuesday blasted President Donald Trump’s attack on governors for staging a “mutiny” against him after several state leaders rebuked the president’s claim he had total authority to force them to relax stay-at-home measures imposed to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Cavuto appeared baffled by the president’s take, which contradicts his previous refusal to call a national stay-at-home order, insisting that governors should call the shots in their own states.
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“Just surprising, because he was the one himself who left it up to the governors to decide if they wanted to practice social distancing, shelter-at-home provisions, that each governor would decide,” Cavuto said.
“He was never critical of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, among the later entrants in that policy,” he said, referring to the pro-Trump Republican.
“So the states say they ultimately want to decide ― as the Constitution provides ― whether it’s safe or not to reopen, and then all of the sudden it’s a bad ‘Mutiny on the Bounty,’” he said.
“That I don’t get. The Constitution allows them to do that.”
Earlier Tuesday, Trump had accused Democratic governors of being “mutineers” after several rebutted his declaration of “total” authority and said they would start to revive their state economies only when it appears safe to do so.
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Tell the Democrat Governors that “Mutiny On The Bounty” was one of my all time favorite movies. A good old fashioned mutiny every now and then is an exciting and invigorating thing to watch, especially when the mutineers need so much from the Captain. Too easy! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 14, 2020
The president’s claim of power over governors was widely criticized by legal experts, who noted that the Constitution gives powers to states, not the federal government, to enforce local orders during public health crises.
The president had said just more than a week earlier that he would not force governors holding out on enforcing local shelter-at-home measures to act, saying, “We have a thing called the Constitution, which I cherish.”
Cavuto forecast a potential “legal nightmare” if the president were to push ahead. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) has threatened to sue Trump if he endangers public health by ordering states to lift stay-at-home measures too soon.
Cavuto also noted that the Commerce Clause of the Constitution could allow Congress, not the president, to intervene, but even then, states maintain considerable authority over their jurisdictions.
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“It’s not to say that the president lacks a powerful bully pulpit, he indeed does,” Cavuto said. “But it is not the law of the land, it is not in our Constitution. And it invites a sort of confusion on the part of people who want to know, you’ve granted us — the states — the power to do a lot of the things you said we should decide at our level, and now you’ve come up with a decision that is counter to that. We are the ones ignoring policy and the Constitution? It’s crazy.”
Watch the full segment below via Raw Story.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-14--White House Misses Deadline To explain Firing Intelligence Watchdog

A group of eight senators , including Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley , wrote President Trump a letter on April 8 demanding he explain in detail his decision to fire Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson to reassure Congress it was “ not for reasons unrelated to [ his ] performance.
” Otherwise , the decision could threaten the integrity of what are supposed to be independent overseers of government agencies , they wrote .
The senators had set a deadline of Monday , April 13 , but as of early Tuesday morning , the White House had missed that deadline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grassley ’ s office .
A follow-up request from Grassley ’ s office to the White House on Tuesday also went unanswered .
While it ’ s not uncommon for the executive branch to be tardy in responding to demands for information from Congress , the issue of preserving independence within the inspector general system has recently garnered more attention than is typical .
On April 3 , Trump dismissed Atkinson , whose role turning over a whistleblower complaint to Congress on the president ’ s communications with Ukrainian officials earned him enemies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chose to remove the acting Pentagon Inspector General Glenn Fine , who had just been appointed chairman of the federal panel overseeing Congress ’ s $ 2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package , and threatened to remove additional independent overseers .
The bipartisan letter , signed by Sens .
Susan Collins , Mitt Romney , Gary Peters , Ron Wyden , Mark Warner , Dianne Feinstein and John Tester , notes that while the inspectors general are political appointees , “ Congress set clear , statutory notice requirements for their potential removal.
” Removal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not satisfy congressional requirements .
“ President Trump ’ s note to Congress didn ’ t provide a proper explanation that satisfied the minimal protections watchdogs enjoy , ” McCullough wrote .
“ This removal stinks of political retaliation , and it ’ s the White House ’ s duty to convince us otherwise .
Unfortunately , given the reported circumstances in this case , I ’ m not sure they can.
” Dysfunction within the inspector general system is not a new issue , and predates President Trump .
Atkinson himself inherited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turf battles , as well as multiple outstanding whistleblower protection cases .
A tragic suicide within the Pentagon inspector general ’ s office left a dark mark on its reputation handling whistleblower complaints .
Critics also say that when an inspector general does substantiate whistleblower complaints , sometimes he or she has little authority to find accountability or bring about change or prevent retaliation .
Grassley , the senator from Iowa , has long pushed for whistleblower rights , and has used his power to hold up presidential appointments within the intelligence community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on agency officials to provide answers on how they protect whistleblowers .
That job has become more complicated to accomplish in a bipartisan way following the Democratic-led impeachment process that was kicked off by a whistleblower complaint from inside the intelligence community , leading to criticism on both sides that the inspector general was being weaponized for politics .
Regardless of specific concerns about individual inspectors general or problems with the system of whistleblower protection , President Trump ’ s decision to clean house has pushed lawmakers to seek additional accountability .
Seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision , as well as thoroughly vetting whoever he chooses to replace Atkinson and Fine , will be a vital next step .
“ Deadlines in letters are often missed , ” wrote Dan Meyer , a managing partner at law firm Tully Rinckey and the former head of the whistleblowing and source protection program at the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community in an email to Yahoo News .
The “ critical question , ” Meyer continued , is whether the White House will work with Congress on getting new appointees through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and House have only a few tools to use in these situations .
Sitting on the President ’ s appointments , not letting them go to confirmation , is one of them.
” Click here for the latest coronavirus news and updates .
According to experts , people over 60 and those who are immunocompromised continue to be the most at risk .
If you have questions , please refer to the CDC ’ s and WHO ’ s resource guides .

Jonathan Ernst / Reuters
WASHINGTON — The White House is still refusing to give Congress a reason for firing Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson, as required by law, missing a deadline set by a bipartisan group of senators.
A group of eight senators, including Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley, wrote President Trump a letter on April 8 demanding he explain in detail his decision to fire Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson to reassure Congress it was “not for reasons unrelated to [his] performance.” Otherwise, the decision could threaten the integrity of what are supposed to be independent overseers of government agencies, they wrote.
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The senators had set a deadline of Monday, April 13, but as of early Tuesday morning, the White House had missed that deadline, according to a spokesperson for Senator Grassley’s office. A follow-up request from Grassley’s office to the White House on Tuesday also went unanswered.
The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
While it’s not uncommon for the executive branch to be tardy in responding to demands for information from Congress, the issue of preserving independence within the inspector general system has recently garnered more attention than is typical.
On April 3, Trump dismissed Atkinson, whose role turning over a whistleblower complaint to Congress on the president’s communications with Ukrainian officials earned him enemies in the White House. He also chose to remove the acting Pentagon Inspector General Glenn Fine, who had just been appointed chairman of the federal panel overseeing Congress’s $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package, and threatened to remove additional independent overseers.
The bipartisan letter, signed by Sens. Susan Collins, Mitt Romney, Gary Peters, Ron Wyden, Mark Warner, Dianne Feinstein and John Tester, notes that while the inspectors general are political appointees, “Congress set clear, statutory notice requirements for their potential removal.” Removal for reasons other than job performance would not satisfy congressional requirements.
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“When creating Inspectors General, Congress fiercely debated protections that would maintain their independence,” explained Irvin McCullough, a national security analyst at the whistleblower protection nonprofit Government Accountability Project.
“President Trump’s note to Congress didn’t provide a proper explanation that satisfied the minimal protections watchdogs enjoy,” McCullough wrote. “This removal stinks of political retaliation, and it’s the White House’s duty to convince us otherwise. Unfortunately, given the reported circumstances in this case, I’m not sure they can.”
Dysfunction within the inspector general system is not a new issue, and predates President Trump. Atkinson himself inherited an office besieged with internal chaos and turf battles, as well as multiple outstanding whistleblower protection cases. A tragic suicide within the Pentagon inspector general’s office left a dark mark on its reputation handling whistleblower complaints. Critics also say that when an inspector general does substantiate whistleblower complaints, sometimes he or she has little authority to find accountability or bring about change or prevent retaliation.
Grassley, the senator from Iowa, has long pushed for whistleblower rights, and has used his power to hold up presidential appointments within the intelligence community, for example, to put pressure on agency officials to provide answers on how they protect whistleblowers. That job has become more complicated to accomplish in a bipartisan way following the Democratic-led impeachment process that was kicked off by a whistleblower complaint from inside the intelligence community, leading to criticism on both sides that the inspector general was being weaponized for politics.
Regardless of specific concerns about individual inspectors general or problems with the system of whistleblower protection, President Trump’s decision to clean house has pushed lawmakers to seek additional accountability. Seeking further information about the president’s decision, as well as thoroughly vetting whoever he chooses to replace Atkinson and Fine, will be a vital next step.
Advertisement
“Deadlines in letters are often missed,” wrote Dan Meyer, a managing partner at law firm Tully Rinckey and the former head of the whistleblowing and source protection program at the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community in an email to Yahoo News.
The “critical question,” Meyer continued, is whether the White House will work with Congress on getting new appointees through the confirmation process. “The Senate and House have only a few tools to use in these situations. Sitting on the President’s appointments, not letting them go to confirmation, is one of them.”
_____
Click here for the latest coronavirus news and updates. According to experts, people over 60 and those who are immunocompromised continue to be the most at risk. If you have questions, please refer to the CDC’s and WHO’s resource guides.
Read more:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-14--Bernie Sanders Tells Supporters It Would Be 'Irresponsible' To Oppose Joe Biden

Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) said Tuesday that it would be “ irresponsible ” for his strongest supporters not to get behind former Vice President Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential race .
In an interview with The Associated Press , Sanders warned that progressives who “ sit on their hands ” in the months ahead of the November vote would just be enabling President Donald Trump ’ s reelection .
“ Do we be as active as we can in electing Joe Biden and doing everything we can to move Joe and his campaign in a more progressive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Or do we choose to sit it out and allow the most dangerous president in modern American history get reelected ?
” Sanders formally endorsed Biden in a livestream on Monday , about a week after the Vermont senator dropped out of the presidential primary .
Democrats hope the endorsement will help heal the party after the primary revealed vast ideological differences within it .
After Sanders suspended his campaign , many progressive individuals and groups announced they would not be endorsing Biden ― including Sanders ’ own campaign press secretary , Briahna @ @ @ @ @ @ @ himself from Gray , saying she ’ s “ not on the payroll ” for the campaign , but the AP clarified with a Sanders spokesperson that all campaign staffers will still get a severance check next month despite no longer being on the campaign payroll .
The Vermont senator promised to support whoever is the Democratic nominee since he launched his campaign in early 2019 and has continued to stress the importance of getting Trump out of the White House above all else .
“ I believe that it ’ s irresponsible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I disagree with Joe Biden ― I disagree with Joe Biden !
― and therefore I ’ m not going to get involved , ” Sanders told the AP .
With Sanders ’ endorsement of Biden , the former vice president is now expected to make some concessions to appeal to progressive voters .
The Vermont senator said the campaigns plan to create joint task forces to develop policy positions on key issues like the economy , criminal justice , climate change , immigration and education .
Biden has signaled that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leftward , recently announcing his support for canceling student debt for many Americans who make less than $ 125,000 a year and adopting a proposal from Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-Mass . )
to repeal a bankruptcy law he once championed .
Still , Sanders and many progressives see ample room to push Biden further left .
Eight progressive groups wrote a letter to Biden last week pushing him to adopt a list of left-wing policies while promising to spend $ 100 million to encourage young voters to vote .
Sanders also plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that haven ’ t yet held their primaries to gather as many delegates as he can before the Democratic National Convention this year .
The hope is that gathering more delegates will help influence Biden ’ s platform and push him in a more progressive direction .
“ I will do everything I can to help elect Joe , ” he told the AP .
“ We had a contentious campaign .
We disagree on issues .
But my job now is to not only rally my supporters , but to do everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see that [ Trump ] is not elected president .
”

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Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said Tuesday that it would be “irresponsible” for his strongest supporters not to get behind former Vice President Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential race.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Sanders warned that progressives who “sit on their hands” in the months ahead of the November vote would just be enabling President Donald Trump’s reelection.
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“Do we be as active as we can in electing Joe Biden and doing everything we can to move Joe and his campaign in a more progressive direction?” Sanders asked. “Or do we choose to sit it out and allow the most dangerous president in modern American history get reelected?”
Sanders formally endorsed Biden in a livestream on Monday, about a week after the Vermont senator dropped out of the presidential primary. Democrats hope the endorsement will help heal the party after the primary revealed vast ideological differences within it.
After Sanders suspended his campaign, many progressive individuals and groups announced they would not be endorsing Biden ― including Sanders’ own campaign press secretary, Briahna Joy Gray.
With the utmost respect for Bernie Sanders, who is an incredible human being & a genuine inspiration, I don't endorse Joe Biden.
I supported Bernie Sanders because he backed ideas like #MedicareForAll, cancelling ALL student debt, & a wealth tax. Biden supports none of those. — Briahna Joy Gray (@briebriejoy) April 13, 2020
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“I supported Bernie Sanders because he backed ideas like #MedicareForAll, cancelling ALL student debt, & a wealth tax,” Gray tweeted on Monday. “Biden supports none of those.”
Sanders appeared to distance himself from Gray, saying she’s “not on the payroll” for the campaign, but the AP clarified with a Sanders spokesperson that all campaign staffers will still get a severance check next month despite no longer being on the campaign payroll.
The Vermont senator promised to support whoever is the Democratic nominee since he launched his campaign in early 2019 and has continued to stress the importance of getting Trump out of the White House above all else.
“I believe that it’s irresponsible for anybody to say, ’Well, I disagree with Joe Biden ― I disagree with Joe Biden! ― and therefore I’m not going to get involved,” Sanders told the AP.
With Sanders’ endorsement of Biden, the former vice president is now expected to make some concessions to appeal to progressive voters. The Vermont senator said the campaigns plan to create joint task forces to develop policy positions on key issues like the economy, criminal justice, climate change, immigration and education.
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Biden has signaled that he’s open to shifting his campaign leftward, recently announcing his support for canceling student debt for many Americans who make less than $125,000 a year and adopting a proposal from Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) to repeal a bankruptcy law he once championed.
Still, Sanders and many progressives see ample room to push Biden further left. Eight progressive groups wrote a letter to Biden last week pushing him to adopt a list of left-wing policies while promising to spend $100 million to encourage young voters to vote.
Sanders also plans to stay on the ballot in states that haven’t yet held their primaries to gather as many delegates as he can before the Democratic National Convention this year. The hope is that gathering more delegates will help influence Biden’s platform and push him in a more progressive direction.
“I will do everything I can to help elect Joe,” he told the AP. “We had a contentious campaign. We disagree on issues. But my job now is to not only rally my supporters, but to do everything I can to bring the party together to see that [Trump] is not elected president.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-15--Gutted U.S. Airline Industry Set To Receive $25 Billion Bailout Amid Pandemic

The nation ’ s biggest airlines have tentatively agreed to terms for $ 25 billion in government aid to pay workers and avoid massive layoffs in an industry that has been slammed by the coronavirus pandemic .
The assistance will include a mix of cash and loans , with the government getting warrants that can be converted into small ownership stakes in the leading airlines .
Ten airlines — including Delta , American , United and Southwest – fell in line after objecting to some of the Treasury Department ’ s demands .
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Tuesday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deals and hand over the money as quickly as possible .
He said talks were continuing with other carriers .
That streak came to a crashing end in just a few weeks , as governments restricted travel to slow the spread of the new coronavirus , and people feared contracting the illness on a plane .
Air travel ground to a near complete halt .
Airlines cut thousands of flights , and those that remain often carry just a few passengers .
With the payroll grants , airlines and their workers got special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2.2 trillion measure designed to help businesses and workers get through the pandemic , which has hit every sector of the economy .
“ Our airlines are now in good shape , and they will get over a very tough period of time that was not caused by them , ” Trump said .
American Airlines said Treasury approved $ 5.8 billion for the airline — a $ 4.1 billion grant and a $ 1.7 billion low-interest loan .
CEO Doug Parker called it “ fantastic news , ” and “ we now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help us withstand this crisis.
” Delta Air Lines said it reached agreement with Treasury for $ 5.4 billion — a $ 3.8 billion grant and a $ 1.6 billion loan .
CEO Ed Bastian said that the aid , along with cutting 80 % of its schedule and having 35,000 employees agree to voluntary leave , will let Delta operate a minimal schedule for people who must travel .
Analysts expected United Airlines to also be eligible for more than $ 5 billion .
United said it expected to complete a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next few days , ” but gave no figures .
The airlines had expected to begin receiving federal aid — entirely in cash that didn ’ t have to be repaid — from the government by April 6 , the deadline set by Congress .
Instead , they found themselves locked in several days of tense negotiations with the Treasury Department , which insisted that only 70 % of the aid should be in cash , with the rest in loans that airlines must repay .
In addition , Treasury demanded that to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over warrants equal to 10 % of the loan amounts .
They can be exercised at each airline ’ s closing stock price on April 9 .
The airlines did not want to give up equity , but they had little leverage in negotiations with Treasury — they desperately wanted the aid .
Delta said the government will get warrants for about 1 % of its stock , and Southwest put Treasury ’ s warrants at less than 1 % of its shares .
Others gave no details .
Last month ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 billion program to provide loans to airlines .
Analysts expect fewer airlines to take part because they can tap private credit markets .
But American said it plans to seek a $ 4.75 billion government loan , and Alaska Airlines indicated it too will apply under the separate program .
“ I don ’ t think air travel will snap right back to where it was here this year , maybe it will come back next year , ” said Southwest CEO Gary Kelly .
“ If this is a real recession @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take four or five years .
”

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The nation’s biggest airlines have tentatively agreed to terms for $25 billion in government aid to pay workers and avoid massive layoffs in an industry that has been slammed by the coronavirus pandemic.
The assistance will include a mix of cash and loans, with the government getting warrants that can be converted into small ownership stakes in the leading airlines.
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Ten airlines — including Delta, American, United and Southwest – fell in line after objecting to some of the Treasury Department’s demands. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Tuesday that the department would work to finalize the deals and hand over the money as quickly as possible. He said talks were continuing with other carriers.
The airlines entered 2020 riding a decade-long hot streak in which together they earned tens of billions of dollars due to strong travel demand. They bought new planes, enriched shareholders, and hired thousands more workers.
That streak came to a crashing end in just a few weeks, as governments restricted travel to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, and people feared contracting the illness on a plane. Air travel ground to a near complete halt. Airlines cut thousands of flights, and those that remain often carry just a few passengers.
With the payroll grants, airlines and their workers got special treatment in last month’s $2.2 trillion measure designed to help businesses and workers get through the pandemic, which has hit every sector of the economy.
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President Donald Trump — perhaps mindful of criticism that the government was bailing out a previously profitable industry — said the deals will support airline workers and protect taxpayers.
“Our airlines are now in good shape, and they will get over a very tough period of time that was not caused by them,” Trump said.
The payroll aid is roughly based on each airline’s spending on wages and benefits from April through September 2019.
American Airlines said Treasury approved $5.8 billion for the airline — a $4.1 billion grant and a $1.7 billion low-interest loan. CEO Doug Parker called it “fantastic news,” and “we now believe we have the financial resources necessary to help us withstand this crisis.”
Delta Air Lines said it reached agreement with Treasury for $5.4 billion — a $3.8 billion grant and a $1.6 billion loan. CEO Ed Bastian said that the aid, along with cutting 80% of its schedule and having 35,000 employees agree to voluntary leave, will let Delta operate a minimal schedule for people who must travel.
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Analysts expected United Airlines to also be eligible for more than $5 billion. United said it expected to complete a final deal with Treasury “in the next few days,” but gave no figures.
Southwest Airlines said it expects to get $3.2 billion, including more than $2.3 billion in cash and the balance in an unsecured loan.
The airlines had expected to begin receiving federal aid — entirely in cash that didn’t have to be repaid — from the government by April 6, the deadline set by Congress. Instead, they found themselves locked in several days of tense negotiations with the Treasury Department, which insisted that only 70% of the aid should be in cash, with the rest in loans that airlines must repay.
In addition, Treasury demanded that to compensate taxpayers, the largest airlines turn over warrants equal to 10% of the loan amounts. They can be exercised at each airline’s closing stock price on April 9. The airlines did not want to give up equity, but they had little leverage in negotiations with Treasury — they desperately wanted the aid.
Delta said the government will get warrants for about 1% of its stock, and Southwest put Treasury’s warrants at less than 1% of its shares. Others gave no details.
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Last month’s economic-relief package also includes a separate $25 billion program to provide loans to airlines. Analysts expect fewer airlines to take part because they can tap private credit markets. But American said it plans to seek a $4.75 billion government loan, and Alaska Airlines indicated it too will apply under the separate program.
Even with the federal aid, airlines are likely to emerge slowly and smaller when the pandemic recedes.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-15--Chris Cuomo’s Biggest Coronavirus Fear Comes True As His Wife Is Now Infected

CNN ’ s Chris Cuomo says his wife , Cristina , now has COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus , that he ’ s been battling for more than two weeks .
“ Cristina now has COVID , ” he said on Wednesday night .
“ She is now positive , and it just breaks my heart .
It is the one thing I was hoping wouldn ’ t happen , and now it has.
” Cuomo said when he was diagnosed that his biggest fear about the infection was spreading it to his family .
“ You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me as a husband and a father , ” he said on March 31 .
But as he noted Wednesday night , “ it is very rare for a family to be one and done.
” Cuomo ’ s brother , New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , described how difficult it is to self-quarantine with coronavirus without getting others in the home sick ― and couldn ’ t help but needle the CNN host a little while he was at it : Families all over know the reality our family faces : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sure enough , Cristina has covid now .
Kids are still healthy but this shook us at our literal core .
All are stepping up .
Ca n't wait to shake this fever so I can help her as she helped me .
Sucks .
pic.twitter.com/ncyoQ3saWc — Christopher C. Cuomo ( @ ChrisCuomo ) April 16 , 2020 Cristina Cuomo , founder of the wellness website Purist , had been posting updates about her husband ’ s battle with the disease on Instagram .
“ He successfully turned the corner away from his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pneumonia , but still feels consistently light-headed , week , fever on , fever off , ” she wrote on Tuesday .
Cuomo said on the air that evening that he thought his fever was gone ... but then it returned .
“ I ’ ve got to start again , ” he said .
“ And that ’ s just how it goes .
”

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CNN’s Chris Cuomo says his wife, Cristina, now has COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, that he’s been battling for more than two weeks.
“Cristina now has COVID,” he said on Wednesday night. “She is now positive, and it just breaks my heart. It is the one thing I was hoping wouldn’t happen, and now it has.”
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Cuomo said when he was diagnosed that his biggest fear about the infection was spreading it to his family.
“You can understand how sickening that is to me as a husband and a father,” he said on March 31.
But as he noted Wednesday night, “it is very rare for a family to be one and done.”
Cuomo’s brother, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, described how difficult it is to self-quarantine with coronavirus without getting others in the home sick ― and couldn’t help but needle the CNN host a little while he was at it:
Families all over know the reality our family faces: few are one case and done. Sure enough, Cristina has covid now. Kids are still healthy but this shook us at our literal core. All are stepping up. Can't wait to shake this fever so I can help her as she helped me. Sucks. pic.twitter.com/ncyoQ3saWc — Christopher C. Cuomo (@ChrisCuomo) April 16, 2020
Cristina Cuomo, founder of the wellness website Purist, had been posting updates about her husband’s battle with the disease on Instagram.
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“He successfully turned the corner away from his severe symptoms and the potential danger of pneumonia, but still feels consistently light-headed, week, fever on, fever off,” she wrote on Tuesday.
Cuomo said on the air that evening that he thought his fever was gone... but then it returned.
“I’ve got to start again,” he said. “And that’s just how it goes.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-15--Trump Looks To Ease Distancing In Places; CEOs Urge Caution

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — President Donald Trump said Wednesday he ’ s prepared to announce new guidelines allowing some states to quickly ease up on social distancing even as business leaders told him they need more coronavirus testing and personal protective equipment before people can safely go back to work .
The new guidelines , expected to be announced Thursday , are aimed at clearing the way for an easing of restrictions in areas with low transmission of the coronavirus , while keeping them in place in harder-hit places .
The ultimate decisions will remain with governors .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ envisions a gradual recovery from the virus , in which disruptive mitigation measures may be needed in some places at least until a vaccine is available — a milestone unlikely to be reached until sometime next year .
Trump said at his daily briefing that data indicates the U.S. is “ past the peak ” of the COVID-19 epidemic , clearing the way for his plans to roll out guidelines to begin to “ reopen ” the country .
She said nine states have fewer than 1,000 cases and just a few dozen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those would likely be the first to see a lifting in social distancing restrictions at the direction of their governors under the guidelines set to be released Thursday .
Birx said the White House was particularly concerned about Rhode Island , noting it is now seeing a surge in cases from the Boston metro area after seeing a spike several weeks ago from cases from New York .
He received a mixed message from the industry leaders .
They , too , said they want to get the economy going but had worries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Another person who participated in Wednesday ’ s calls said it was stressed to Trump that expansion of testing and contact tracing was crucial , as well as guidelines for best practices on reopening businesses in phases or in one fell swoop .
The participant said those on the call noted to the administration that there was about to be a massive rush on personal protective equipment .
Many businesses that are now shuttered will need the protective equipment to keep their employees and customers safe .
Mark Cuban , the billionaire entrepreneur @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was among several representatives from major sports leagues to speak with Trump .
During a Fox News interview ahead of the calls , he credited the president with gathering some of the “ best of the best ” to help shape his approach on reopening the economy .
Still , Cuban did not embrace Trump ’ s push to reopen parts of the economy May 1 .
“ This is such a moving target that I think the biggest mistake we can make is rush to a decision , ” said Cuban , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s response to the pandemic .
“ But I ’ m going to help him in every way I can , whatever he needs me to do.
” The panel , which Trump dubbed the new Great American Economic Revival Industry Groups , also could help give Trump a measure of cover .
If cases surge once restrictions are lifted , as many experts have warned , Trump will be able to tell the public he didn ’ t act alone and the nation ’ s top minds — from manufacturing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan .
Rich Nolan , president and CEO of the National Mining Association , who participated in one of the calls with Trump , said there was also discussion about tax relief as well as “ making sure that people are optimistic about the economy and they feel safe coming back to work.
” AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka didn ’ t know until he heard his name announced in the Rose Garden on Tuesday that he would be part of the advisory group , according to Carolyn Bobb , a spokeswoman for the @ @

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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Wednesday he’s prepared to announce new guidelines allowing some states to quickly ease up on social distancing even as business leaders told him they need more coronavirus testing and personal protective equipment before people can safely go back to work.
The industry executives cautioned Trump that the return to normalcy will be anything but swift.
The new guidelines, expected to be announced Thursday, are aimed at clearing the way for an easing of restrictions in areas with low transmission of the coronavirus, while keeping them in place in harder-hit places. The ultimate decisions will remain with governors.
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“We’ll be opening some states much sooner than others,” Trump said.
But in a round of calls with business leaders Wednesday, Trump was warned that a dramatic increasing in testing and wider availability of protective equipment will be necessary for the safe restoration of their operations.
The new guidelines come as the federal government envisions a gradual recovery from the virus, in which disruptive mitigation measures may be needed in some places at least until a vaccine is available — a milestone unlikely to be reached until sometime next year.
Trump said at his daily briefing that data indicates the U.S. is “past the peak” of the COVID-19 epidemic, clearing the way for his plans to roll out guidelines to begin to “reopen” the country.
He called the latest data “encouraging,” saying the numbers have “put us in a very strong position to finalize guidelines for states on reopening the country.”
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Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus task force coordinator, added that data from across the country showed the nation “improving,” but that Americans had to recommit to social distancing to keep up the positive momentum.
She said nine states have fewer than 1,000 cases and just a few dozen new cases per day. She said those would likely be the first to see a lifting in social distancing restrictions at the direction of their governors under the guidelines set to be released Thursday.
Birx said the White House was particularly concerned about Rhode Island, noting it is now seeing a surge in cases from the Boston metro area after seeing a spike several weeks ago from cases from New York.
Trump consulted dozens of high-profile CEOs, union officials and other executives via conference calls Wednesday.
He received a mixed message from the industry leaders. They, too, said they want to get the economy going but had worries about how to safely do so.
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In a tweet midway through Trump’s round of conference calls with the executives, the president said the participants were “all-in on getting America back to work, and soon.”
But participants in a morning call that included dozens of leading American companies raised concerns about the testing issue, according to one participant who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the private discussion.
Another person who participated in Wednesday’s calls said it was stressed to Trump that expansion of testing and contact tracing was crucial, as well as guidelines for best practices on reopening businesses in phases or in one fell swoop.
The participant said those on the call noted to the administration that there was about to be a massive rush on personal protective equipment. Many businesses that are now shuttered will need the protective equipment to keep their employees and customers safe.
Trump was told “the economy will look very different and operations will look very different,” one participant said.
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Mark Cuban, the billionaire entrepreneur and owner of the Dallas Mavericks, was among several representatives from major sports leagues to speak with Trump. During a Fox News interview ahead of the calls, he credited the president with gathering some of the “best of the best” to help shape his approach on reopening the economy. Still, Cuban did not embrace Trump’s push to reopen parts of the economy May 1.
“This is such a moving target that I think the biggest mistake we can make is rush to a decision,” said Cuban, who previously had been critical of Trump’s response to the pandemic. “But I’m going to help him in every way I can, whatever he needs me to do.”
The panel, which Trump dubbed the new Great American Economic Revival Industry Groups, also could help give Trump a measure of cover. If cases surge once restrictions are lifted, as many experts have warned, Trump will be able to tell the public he didn’t act alone and the nation’s top minds — from manufacturing to defense to technology — helped shape the plan.
Rich Nolan, president and CEO of the National Mining Association, who participated in one of the calls with Trump, said there was also discussion about tax relief as well as “making sure that people are optimistic about the economy and they feel safe coming back to work.”
“I think you’ll see steps to reopen the country at different rates in different states in the not too distant future,” Nolan said.
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The launch of the council was not without hiccups.
AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka didn’t know until he heard his name announced in the Rose Garden on Tuesday that he would be part of the advisory group, according to Carolyn Bobb, a spokeswoman for the union.
“We were not asked,” Bobb said in an email. It was “just announced.”
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said Trump has appointed some “smart people” to his task force who could offer state leaders helpful guidelines as they negotiate the way forward.
“There are certain roles that only the federal government can play and should play, but I think the governors are going to make their own decisions within those recommended guidelines,” Hogan said.
___
Associated Press writers Jill Colvin in Washington, Brian Witte in Annapolis, Maryland, and Cathy Bussewitz in New York contributed reporting. Madhani reported from Chicago.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-15--Trump Threatens To Adjourn Congress For Not Confirming His Judicial Nominees

President Donald Trump spent much of Wednesday ’ s coronavirus briefing railing against Democrats for blocking his judicial nominees , threatening to shut down both chambers of Congress in the middle of a pandemic so that he can install them himself .
The president complained about what he called the “ partisan obstruction ” of nominees to federal judgeships and key administration roles that he said needed to be filled to address the spread of coronavirus , though he did not explain how .
Trump blamed Senate Democrats ― who are the minority in the chamber ― for blocking his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vacancies are a result of the president not selecting anyone to fill them .
Trump threatened to exercise a never-used constitutional power that allows the president to adjourn Congress if leaders of the House and Senate can ’ t agree on whether to adjourn .
The Senate is not slated to meet until May 4 and has been staying open in a “ pro forma ” session , holding generally brief meetings in the chamber .
These sessions prevent Trump from being able to make recess appointments that bypass the regular Senate confirmation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaving town while conducting phony pro forma sessions is a dereliction of duty that the American people can not afford during this crisis , ” Trump said in the Rose Garden .
“ It is a scam , what they do .
It ’ s been that way for a long time .
It ’ s a scam , and everybody knows it.
” The Republican-majority Senate would have to agree to adjourn itself before Trump could exercise the power .
And for the Senate to adjourn , either every member — regardless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agree , or Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) would have to force a vote to formally adjourn .
Such a move would require calling the entire chamber back to the Capitol during a pandemic .
McConnell spoke to the president on Wednesday and “ pledged to find ways to confirm nominees considered mission-critical to the COVID-19 pandemic , ” his spokesperson told HuffPost .
Although his office did not address Trump ’ s threat to adjourn the chamber , it did suggest that advancing Trump ’ s nominees would require @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have worked together during Trump ’ s tenure to confirm as many judicial nominees as possible to reshape federal courts across the country .
In February , the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to send 44 of Trump ’ s court picks to the Senate floor for a confirmation vote .
The president has also seen at least 31 circuit judges , 53 district judges and two Supreme Court justices confirmed during his time in office .
One in 6 seats on the U.S. circuit courts are now filled by Trump-nominated judges ― more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this point in their first term .
The nominees tend to be young conservatives with records of opposition to reproductive rights , LGBTQ rights , voting rights and the Affordable Care Act ― and Trump ’ s latest pick is no different .
The president announced earlier this month , during the pandemic , that he plans to nominate 37-year-old Justin Walker to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit , the nation ’ s second-most-powerful court .

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President Donald Trump spent much of Wednesday’s coronavirus briefing railing against Democrats for blocking his judicial nominees, threatening to shut down both chambers of Congress in the middle of a pandemic so that he can install them himself.
The president complained about what he called the “partisan obstruction” of nominees to federal judgeships and key administration roles that he said needed to be filled to address the spread of coronavirus, though he did not explain how. Trump blamed Senate Democrats ― who are the minority in the chamber ― for blocking his nominations, though most of the federal vacancies are a result of the president not selecting anyone to fill them.
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Trump threatened to exercise a never-used constitutional power that allows the president to adjourn Congress if leaders of the House and Senate can’t agree on whether to adjourn.
The Senate is not slated to meet until May 4 and has been staying open in a “pro forma” session, holding generally brief meetings in the chamber. These sessions prevent Trump from being able to make recess appointments that bypass the regular Senate confirmation process.
“The current practice of leaving town while conducting phony pro forma sessions is a dereliction of duty that the American people cannot afford during this crisis,” Trump said in the Rose Garden. “It is a scam, what they do. It’s been that way for a long time. It’s a scam, and everybody knows it.”
Trump's pandemic press conference has now veered into a rant about ... [checks notes] ... judges pic.twitter.com/SJnoykKWSL — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 15, 2020
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The Republican-majority Senate would have to agree to adjourn itself before Trump could exercise the power. And for the Senate to adjourn, either every member — regardless of political party — would have to agree, or Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) would have to force a vote to formally adjourn. Such a move would require calling the entire chamber back to the Capitol during a pandemic.
McConnell spoke to the president on Wednesday and “pledged to find ways to confirm nominees considered mission-critical to the COVID-19 pandemic,” his spokesperson told HuffPost. Although his office did not address Trump’s threat to adjourn the chamber, it did suggest that advancing Trump’s nominees would require Democrats’ agreement.
Spokespeople for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) did not immediately respond to HuffPost’s request for comment.
Under Article II Section 3 the President does have the authority to convene Congress. Read more about those powers here via the @ConstitutionCtr pic.twitter.com/L5zy9JUnFY — Willie James Inman (@WillieJames) April 15, 2020
Trump also told reporters that “it’s never, ever happened before” that a political party has blocked numerous judicial nominees chosen by the president of the opposing party.
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That claim is false. The Republican-controlled Senate repeatedly blocked judges nominated by then-President Barack Obama ― most notably his Supreme Court pick Merrick Garland, which McConnell was mainly responsible for.
Trump and McConnell have worked together during Trump’s tenure to confirm as many judicial nominees as possible to reshape federal courts across the country. In February, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to send 44 of Trump’s court picks to the Senate floor for a confirmation vote.
The president has also seen at least 31 circuit judges, 53 district judges and two Supreme Court justices confirmed during his time in office. One in 6 seats on the U.S. circuit courts are now filled by Trump-nominated judges ― more than any other president had confirmed by this point in their first term.
The nominees tend to be young conservatives with records of opposition to reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, voting rights and the Affordable Care Act ― and Trump’s latest pick is no different. The president announced earlier this month, during the pandemic, that he plans to nominate 37-year-old Justin Walker to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, the nation’s second-most-powerful court.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-16--Trump Supporters Protest Shutdowns And People Say It Looks Like A Zombie Movie

Protesters in several cities are demonstrating against restrictions meant to stop the spread of coronavirus .
The demonstrators in Michigan , North Carolina and Ohio want stay-at-home instructions eased and shuttered businesses reopened despite the ongoing threat of the pandemic , which has so far claimed more than 28,000 American lives .
In one demonstration in Columbus , Ohio , on Monday , the protesters ― some decked out in President Donald Trump ’ s signature “ Make American Great Again ” accoutrement and waving Trump-Pence signs ― gathered in a dense crowd outside the statehouse atrium .
Photographer Joshua @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an image of the scene : To many on social media , the image resembled a scene from a zombie film , drawing comparisons to the “ Walking Dead ” TV series as well as films such as the “ Night of the Living Dead ” series and “ Shaun of the Dead , ” the 2004 horror-comedy starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost : I thought this was a screencap from a zombie movie .
This is a protest in Ohio today , during a pandemic .
We , and I can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
pic.twitter.com/M2FB8ubGe6 — Yvette wants you to stay the @ # $ % home .
( @ TheSciBabe ) April 15 , 2020 When there ’ s no more room in Hell , the mediocre will walk the earth https : //t.co/K6tB900bDo — Mike Drucker ( @ MikeDrucker ) April 16 , 2020 Covid-19 is significantly more contagious then the flu and at least ten times more fatal but let ’ s crowd together to protest the government trying to protect us because rights .
https : //t.co/cgaStXl8K8 — Molly Jong-Fast🏡 ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there 's no more room in hell , the dead will walk the Earth .
pic.twitter.com/hX9edMfJ8E — Frater Pera ( @ ThatWerewolfTho ) April 15 , 2020 Real life MAGA zombies protesting in Ohio today because they want people to go out and die for capitalism .
🤦♂ pic.twitter.com/tLfbQoYgKE — Ryan Knight 🌹 ( @ ProudResister ) April 15 , 2020

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Protesters in several cities are demonstrating against restrictions meant to stop the spread of coronavirus.
The demonstrators in Michigan, North Carolina and Ohio want stay-at-home instructions eased and shuttered businesses reopened despite the ongoing threat of the pandemic, which has so far claimed more than 28,000 American lives.
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In one demonstration in Columbus, Ohio, on Monday, the protesters ― some decked out in President Donald Trump’s signature “Make American Great Again” accoutrement and waving Trump-Pence signs ― gathered in a dense crowd outside the statehouse atrium. Photographer Joshua A. Bickel of the Columbus Dispatch snapped an image of the scene:
To many on social media, the image resembled a scene from a zombie film, drawing comparisons to the “Walking Dead” TV series as well as films such as the “Night of the Living Dead” series and “Shaun of the Dead,” the 2004 horror-comedy starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost:
its uncanny pic.twitter.com/anWmn9ufoh — The Urban Hermit (@sssssparkers) April 15, 2020
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World War Q pic.twitter.com/rd5mSNR5ub — Scott Linnen (@ScottLinnen) April 15, 2020
good lord, this is every zombie movie ever — Jeff Tiedrich (@itsJeffTiedrich) April 15, 2020
I thought this was a screencap from a zombie movie.
This is a protest in Ohio today, during a pandemic.
We, and I cannot stress this enough, are doomed. pic.twitter.com/M2FB8ubGe6 — Yvette wants you to stay the @#$% home. (@TheSciBabe) April 15, 2020
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Braaaaaaaiiiiins — Helen Kennedy (@HelenKennedy) April 15, 2020
When there’s no more room in Hell, the mediocre will walk the earth https://t.co/K6tB900bDo — Mike Drucker (@MikeDrucker) April 16, 2020
The Walking Dead, season 2020. — Michael Marshall Smith (@ememess) April 15, 2020
28 Business Days Later (2020) https://t.co/InjHj0PrdE — Zack Bornstein (@ZackBornstein) April 15, 2020
Covid-19 is significantly more contagious then the flu and at least ten times more fatal but let’s crowd together to protest the government trying to protect us because rights. https://t.co/cgaStXl8K8 — Molly Jong-Fast🏡 (@MollyJongFast) April 15, 2020
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This @joshuabickel photo is a window into Esoteric Trumpism: pic.twitter.com/b8FmDXbUQL — Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) April 15, 2020
When there's no more room in hell, the dead will walk the Earth. pic.twitter.com/hX9edMfJ8E — Frater Pera (@ThatWerewolfTho) April 15, 2020
Which is more terrifying? Zombie horde or red hate brigade protestors demanding Michigan reopen for business? pic.twitter.com/PLj5GHFNPN — Julie DiCaro (@JulieDiCaro) April 15, 2020
Y’all, @joshuabickel got an actual photo of zombies. That’s gotta be a guaranteed Pulitzer, no? https://t.co/ir5m8elVI5 — Franklin Leonard (@franklinleonard) April 15, 2020
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the zombies were inside us all along https://t.co/deSy8nWiY5 — Alanah Pearce @ HOME (@Charalanahzard) April 15, 2020
Real life MAGA zombies protesting in Ohio today because they want people to go out and die for capitalism. 🤦♂ pic.twitter.com/tLfbQoYgKE — Ryan Knight 🌹 (@ProudResister) April 15, 2020
Making George Romero's point all over again. pic.twitter.com/6Dw1eBqlMR — Flatten the curve, not the webrant🕺------🕺 (@web_rant) April 15, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-16--GOP Group Dethrones 'King' Trump Over Coronavirus Power Grab In Fox News Ad

A conservative group is calling out President Donald Trump ’ s claim of “ total ” authority over America ’ s governors amid the coronavirus pandemic in a new ad to run on Fox News later this week .
On Monday , Trump said his “ authority is total ” and insisted he could force states to reopen their shuttered economies .
“ When somebody ’ s the president of the United States , the authority is total .
And that is the way it ’ s gon na be , ” Trump said .
“ It ’ s total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The new video from Republicans for the Rule of Law , along with the nonpartisan group Protect Democracy launched by ex-Obama administration attorneys , said Trump thinks he ’ s a king , not a president : Trump ’ s claim of “ total ” authority was met with immediate pushback from Republican and Democratic governors alike .
Trump softened his stance ― sort of ― the following day , when he announced he was “ authorizing ” governors to determine when to reopen states .
Republicans for the Rule of Law communications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release that Trump had claimed new authorities for himself while denying all responsibility for his administration ’ s flawed response to the crisis .
“ His job is to be a leader , ” Putnam said .
“ Not a king , not a commentator , not a rabble-rouser , but a responsible leader in a time of crisis.
” Protect Democracy policy advocate Justin Vail said Trump was acting like an authoritarian by using the crisis to claim new powers for himself .
“ The president ’ s authority is not total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release .
“ There is no debate here.
” The ad will run Friday morning in Washington , D.C. , on “ Fox & Friends , ” known to be one of the president ’ s favorite shows .
Experts are still learning about the novel coronavirus .
The information in this story is what was known or available as of press time , but it ’ s possible guidance around COVID-19 could change as scientists discover more about the virus .
Please check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the @ @ @ @

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A conservative group is calling out President Donald Trump’s claim of “total” authority over America’s governors amid the coronavirus pandemic in a new ad to run on Fox News later this week.
On Monday, Trump said his “authority is total” and insisted he could force states to reopen their shuttered economies.
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“When somebody’s the president of the United States, the authority is total. And that is the way it’s gonna be,” Trump said. “It’s total. And the governors know that.”
The new video from Republicans for the Rule of Law, along with the nonpartisan group Protect Democracy launched by ex-Obama administration attorneys, said Trump thinks he’s a king, not a president:
Trump’s claim of “total” authority was met with immediate pushback from Republican and Democratic governors alike. Trump softened his stance ― sort of ― the following day, when he announced he was “authorizing” governors to determine when to reopen states.
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Republicans for the Rule of Law communications chief Carson Putnam said in a news release that Trump had claimed new authorities for himself while denying all responsibility for his administration’s flawed response to the crisis.
“His job is to be a leader,” Putnam said. “Not a king, not a commentator, not a rabble-rouser, but a responsible leader in a time of crisis.”
Protect Democracy policy advocate Justin Vail said Trump was acting like an authoritarian by using the crisis to claim new powers for himself.
“The president’s authority is not total,” Vail said in the news release. “There is no debate here.”
The ad will run Friday morning in Washington, D.C., on “Fox & Friends,” known to be one of the president’s favorite shows.
Experts are still learning about the novel coronavirus. The information in this story is what was known or available as of press time, but it’s possible guidance around COVID-19 could change as scientists discover more about the virus. Please check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the most updated recommendations.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-15--Elizabeth Warren Says She Would Be Joe Biden’s Vice President

Warren and Biden have clashed ideologically in the past and battled each other for the Democratic nomination for much of the last year , with Warren ultimately finishing third in the delegate count , well behind the victorious Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) .
But Warren endorsed Biden for president earlier in the day Wednesday , not long after Biden adopted a number of Warren ’ s progressive priorities into his own platform .
“ We both want the same thing : We want this country to work , and we want it to work for everyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So I ’ m in this fight to help in any way I can : to help on the policy front , to help by getting out there and talking about it.
” Warren ’ s answer indicates the former Harvard Law professor believes she can accomplish more of her agenda , which is focused on fighting corruption and reducing income inequality , as a top official in Biden ’ s administration than as a member of the Senate pressuring the administration from the outside .
“ At a moment of crisis for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ideas will be more important than ever as we chart a path forward , ” Biden said in a statement earlier Wednesday after her endorsement .
“ We know how much work it will take to come through this crisis , and I am proud to have Senator Warren in my corner for the fight ahead — not just as we work to defeat Donald Trump in November , but in the years to come , as we push through a bold and progressive policy agenda for the American people.
” Sen. Elizabeth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vice President Joe Biden appeared in many debates against each other during the Democratic presidential primaries .
Now , Warren says she ’ d be willing to be Biden ’ s running mate .
Biden ’ s public declaration that he would select a woman as his running mate as he challenges Trump and Vice President Mike Pence has helped narrow the list of potential picks .
Besides Warren , two other female senators who ran for president ― Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Kamala Harris of California ― are also considered top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden , and their respective staffs , have been in regular contact since she dropped out of the race in March .
Not long after her exit , Biden adopted her proposal to reverse a bankruptcy law the former vice president had long championed and a plan she helped author to forgive up to $ 10,000 of student debt per person as part of the government ’ s response to the coronavirus recession .
Warren originally offered her endorsement to Biden last week after Sanders officially dropped out of the race , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out after endorsements from Sanders and Obama .
Warren also allowed Biden to send a fundraising message on Wednesday to her extensive email list and made a pitch for small-dollar donations to Biden during her Maddow appearance .
“ It ’ s time our government worked harder for the middle class , but to do that we can demand nothing less than ‘ big , structural change , ’ ” Biden wrote in the e-mail , echoing Warren ’ s campaign slogan .
“ I know , for some of you , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my campaign .
I understand that .
But I intend to earn your votes .
And I intend to earn your trust.
” The 77-year-old Biden has often said he wants to serve as a bridge to a younger generation of leaders , and Warren is also a septuagenarian .
And Biden has often said he would prefer a vice president whom he was ideologically aligned with , at one point saying it would be difficult to pick one who , like Warren , supports “ Medicare for All .
”

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Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) said on Wednesday night that she would accept an offer from presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden to serve as his vice president.
Asked directly by MSNBC host Rachel Maddow if she’d accept the position if Biden offered, Warren gave a one-word answer: “Yes.”
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Warren and Biden have clashed ideologically in the past and battled each other for the Democratic nomination for much of the last year, with Warren ultimately finishing third in the delegate count, well behind the victorious Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). But Warren endorsed Biden for president earlier in the day Wednesday, not long after Biden adopted a number of Warren’s progressive priorities into his own platform.
“We both want the same thing: We want this country to work, and we want it to work for everyone,” Warren told Maddow. “So I’m in this fight to help in any way I can: to help on the policy front, to help by getting out there and talking about it.”
Warren’s answer indicates the former Harvard Law professor believes she can accomplish more of her agenda, which is focused on fighting corruption and reducing income inequality, as a top official in Biden’s administration than as a member of the Senate pressuring the administration from the outside.
As vice president, Warren ― who was not afraid to criticize the administration of President Barack Obama ― would be sharply limited in her ability to publicly criticize Biden’s decisions.
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“At a moment of crisis for our nation, Senator Warren’s ideas will be more important than ever as we chart a path forward,” Biden said in a statement earlier Wednesday after her endorsement. “We know how much work it will take to come through this crisis, and I am proud to have Senator Warren in my corner for the fight ahead — not just as we work to defeat Donald Trump in November, but in the years to come, as we push through a bold and progressive policy agenda for the American people.”
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and former Vice President Joe Biden appeared in many debates against each other during the Democratic presidential primaries. Now, Warren says she’d be willing to be Biden’s running mate. SAUL LOEB via Getty Images
Biden’s public declaration that he would select a woman as his running mate as he challenges Trump and Vice President Mike Pence has helped narrow the list of potential picks. Besides Warren, two other female senators who ran for president ― Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Kamala Harris of California ― are also considered top contenders for the ticket.
But the list of potential picks also includes several Democrats with slightly lower profiles, including Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams.
Warren and Biden, and their respective staffs, have been in regular contact since she dropped out of the race in March. Not long after her exit, Biden adopted her proposal to reverse a bankruptcy law the former vice president had long championed and a plan she helped author to forgive up to $10,000 of student debt per person as part of the government’s response to the coronavirus recession.
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Warren originally offered her endorsement to Biden last week after Sanders officially dropped out of the race, with the Biden campaign opting to roll it out after endorsements from Sanders and Obama. Warren also allowed Biden to send a fundraising message on Wednesday to her extensive email list and made a pitch for small-dollar donations to Biden during her Maddow appearance.
“It’s time our government worked harder for the middle class, but to do that we can demand nothing less than ‘big, structural change,’” Biden wrote in the e-mail, echoing Warren’s campaign slogan. “I know, for some of you, that you might be skeptical of me or my campaign. I understand that. But I intend to earn your votes. And I intend to earn your trust.”
Warren does offer a potential bridge to two groups of voters skeptical of Biden: progressives and young voters. But there are significant factors working against her.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-15--California To Give Cash Payments To Immigrants Impacted By Coronavirus

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) — California will be the first state to give cash to immigrants living in the country illegally who are hurt by the coronavirus , offering $ 500 apiece to 150,000 adults who were left out of the $ 2.2 trillion stimulus package approved by Congress .
Many Americans began receiving $ 1,200 checks from the federal government this week , and others who are unemployed are getting an additional $ 600 a week from the government that has ordered them to stay home and disrupted what had been a roaring economy .
But people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eligible for any of that money , and advocates have been pushing for states to fill in the gap .
Wednesday , Gov .
Gavin Newsom announced he would spend $ 75 million of taxpayer money to create a Disaster Relief Fund for immigrants living in the country illegally .
“ We feel a deep sense of gratitude for people that are in fear of deportations that are still addressing essential needs of tens of millions of Californians , ” said Newsom , who noted 10 % of the state ’ s workforce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who paid more than $ 2.5 billion in state and local taxes last year .
California has an estimated 2.2 million immigrants living in the country illegally , the most of any state , according to the Pew Research Center .
State officials wo n't decide who gets the money .
Instead , the state will give the money to a network of regional nonprofits to find and vet potential recipients .
Advocates say that 's key to making the plan work because immigrants are unlikely to contact the government for fear of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committed to raising another $ 50 million for the fund from private donors , potentially offering benefits to another 100,000 people .
But that money will have fewer limitations , meaning grants could be more than $ 500 or less , depending on the cost-of-living where a person lives .
Organizers began raising money on Friday and have raised more than $ 6 million so far , with contributions from the Emerson Collective , Blue Shield of California Foundation , the California Endowment , the James Irvine Foundation , the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want this to be as equitable as possible and benefit as many people as possible , ” said Daranee Petsod , president of Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees .
California has been the most aggressive state in the nation when it comes to giving benefits to immigrants living in the country illegally .
Last year , California became the first state to give taxpayer-funded health benefits to low-income adults 25 and younger living in the country illegally .
This year , Newsom had proposed expanding those benefits to seniors 65 and older @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposed those measures , arguing the state should not use public money for people who are not citizens .
But immigrants rights advocates say California — the fifth largest economy in the world with a population of nearly 40 million people — has a responsibility to care for all of its residents .
The spending announced Wednesday means Newsom has committed to spending more than $ 2 billion responding to the coronavirus , an extraordinary amount in just over one month .
Thursday , state lawmakers are scheduled to have their first oversight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .
California has more than 26,600 confirmed coronavirus cases and more than 850 deaths , according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University .
Those numbers are far behind other virus hot spots like U.S. like New York and New Jersey , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state 's aggressive implementation of physical distancing and stay-at-home orders .
Wednesday , Newsom announced the state 's call center will expand its hours to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. , seven days a week .
More than 1,300 state employees have been reassigned to help process the claims .
And Newsom said the state will begin distributing federal unemployment benefits by the end of the month to people who usually are n't eligible for them , including the gig workers and the self-employed .

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California will be the first state to give cash to immigrants living in the country illegally who are hurt by the coronavirus, offering $500 apiece to 150,000 adults who were left out of the $2.2 trillion stimulus package approved by Congress.
Many Americans began receiving $1,200 checks from the federal government this week, and others who are unemployed are getting an additional $600 a week from the government that has ordered them to stay home and disrupted what had been a roaring economy.
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But people living in the country illegally are not eligible for any of that money, and advocates have been pushing for states to fill in the gap. Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced he would spend $75 million of taxpayer money to create a Disaster Relief Fund for immigrants living in the country illegally.
“We feel a deep sense of gratitude for people that are in fear of deportations that are still addressing essential needs of tens of millions of Californians,” said Newsom, who noted 10% of the state’s workforce are immigrants living in the country illegally who paid more than $2.5 billion in state and local taxes last year.
California has an estimated 2.2 million immigrants living in the country illegally, the most of any state, according to the Pew Research Center. State officials won't decide who gets the money. Instead, the state will give the money to a network of regional nonprofits to find and vet potential recipients. Advocates say that's key to making the plan work because immigrants are unlikely to contact the government for fear of deportation.
“You need to use organizations that have trusted relationships with these families,” said Jacqueline Martinez, CEO of the Latino Community Foundation.
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A group of charities has committed to raising another $50 million for the fund from private donors, potentially offering benefits to another 100,000 people. But that money will have fewer limitations, meaning grants could be more than $500 or less, depending on the cost-of-living where a person lives.
Organizers began raising money on Friday and have raised more than $6 million so far, with contributions from the Emerson Collective, Blue Shield of California Foundation, the California Endowment, the James Irvine Foundation, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and an anonymous donor.
“We want this to be as equitable as possible and benefit as many people as possible,” said Daranee Petsod, president of Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees.
California has been the most aggressive state in the nation when it comes to giving benefits to immigrants living in the country illegally. Last year, California became the first state to give taxpayer-funded health benefits to low-income adults 25 and younger living in the country illegally. This year, Newsom had proposed expanding those benefits to seniors 65 and older.
Republicans and conservative groups have mostly opposed those measures, arguing the state should not use public money for people who are not citizens. But immigrants rights advocates say California — the fifth largest economy in the world with a population of nearly 40 million people — has a responsibility to care for all of its residents.
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The spending announced Wednesday means Newsom has committed to spending more than $2 billion responding to the coronavirus, an extraordinary amount in just over one month. Thursday, state lawmakers are scheduled to have their first oversight hearing of Newsom's spending.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.
California has more than 26,600 confirmed coronavirus cases and more than 850 deaths, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. Those numbers are far behind other virus hot spots like U.S. like New York and New Jersey, which public health officials attribute to the state's aggressive implementation of physical distancing and stay-at-home orders.
Since mid-March, 2.7 million Californians have filed for unemployment benefits — more than all of the claims California processed in 2019 combined. The state's Employment Development Department has been overwhelmed, causing delays for many people seeking assistance.
Wednesday, Newsom announced the state's call center will expand its hours to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. More than 1,300 state employees have been reassigned to help process the claims. And Newsom said the state will begin distributing federal unemployment benefits by the end of the month to people who usually aren't eligible for them, including the gig workers and the self-employed.
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At least five other states are already issuing those benefits, prompting criticism from some state lawmakers.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-16--‘Tremendous Victory’ For Wildlife: Federal Judge Invalidates Keystone XL Pipeline Permit

A federal judge in Montana on Wednesday overturned a key water crossing permit needed to build the controversial Keystone XL pipeline , handing a major victory to environmental groups who said the oil network could imperil endangered species and threaten drinking water .
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian Morris said in his decision that the Army Corps of Engineers had failed to consider how a 2017 permit allowing the pipeline to cross waterways could harm some species , including the endangered pallid sturgeon .
A coalition of environmental groups , including the Sierra Club , the Center for Biological Diversity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among others , filed suit last year .
“ Today ’ s ruling confirms , once again , that there ’ s just no getting around the fact that Keystone XL would devastate communities , wildlife , and clean drinking water , ” Doug Hayes , a senior attorney for the Sierra Club , said in a statement .
“ It was true a decade ago , and it ’ s just as true today : Keystone XL would be a bad deal for the American people and should never be built.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for years and been subject to a litany of legal challenges and protests .
Former President Barack Obama refused to grant a permit to build it during his administration , saying it would undercut efforts to fight climate change .
But President Donald Trump reissued the permit during the first days of his term , effectively reviving the project despite widespread outcry .
Wednesday ’ s ruling does not stop work along the U.S.-Canada border , but it would apply to future construction over rivers and streams , according to The Associated Press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other pipeline projects that were approved under the Army Corps decision in 2017 .
The Keystone XL project , when completed , could carry up to 830,000 barrels of crude oil from Canada ’ s tar sands into Nebraska , where it will then be transferred to refineries along the Gulf of Mexico .
Other parts of the Keystone pipeline system are already operational and have already leaked several times .
TC Energy , the company that is building the XL pipeline , said it was still “ committed to building this important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the AP , although the ruling is sure to delay the project .
Other environmental groups praised the judge ’ s ruling on Wednesday , saying the decision had dealt a blow to the Trump administration ’ s environmental policies .
“ This is a tremendous victory for imperiled wildlife that rely on rivers , streams and wetlands , ” Jared Margolis , a senior attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity , said in a statement .
“ This ruling makes it clear that the Trump administration can ’ t continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ignoring the devastating impacts they have on the environment.
” The Guardian noted that tribal groups have filed a separate legal challenge , set to go to court Thursday , in which they will ask a judge to delay construction amid the coronavirus pandemic .
The tribes are arguing the work would bring out-of-state teams to the region , potentially imperiling local communities .

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A federal judge in Montana on Wednesday overturned a key water crossing permit needed to build the controversial Keystone XL pipeline, handing a major victory to environmental groups who said the oil network could imperil endangered species and threaten drinking water.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian Morris said in his decision that the Army Corps of Engineers had failed to consider how a 2017 permit allowing the pipeline to cross waterways could harm some species, including the endangered pallid sturgeon.
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A coalition of environmental groups, including the Sierra Club, the Center for Biological Diversity and the Natural Resources Defense Council, among others, filed suit last year.
“Today’s ruling confirms, once again, that there’s just no getting around the fact that Keystone XL would devastate communities, wildlife, and clean drinking water,” Doug Hayes, a senior attorney for the Sierra Club, said in a statement. “It was true a decade ago, and it’s just as true today: Keystone XL would be a bad deal for the American people and should never be built.”
The Keystone XL pipeline has been fraught for years and been subject to a litany of legal challenges and protests. Former President Barack Obama refused to grant a permit to build it during his administration, saying it would undercut efforts to fight climate change. But President Donald Trump reissued the permit during the first days of his term, effectively reviving the project despite widespread outcry.
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Wednesday’s ruling does not stop work along the U.S.-Canada border, but it would apply to future construction over rivers and streams, according to The Associated Press. It could, however, affect other pipeline projects that were approved under the Army Corps decision in 2017.
The Keystone XL project, when completed, could carry up to 830,000 barrels of crude oil from Canada’s tar sands into Nebraska, where it will then be transferred to refineries along the Gulf of Mexico. Other parts of the Keystone pipeline system are already operational and have already leaked several times.
TC Energy, the company that is building the XL pipeline, said it was still “committed to building this important energy infrastructure project” in a statement to the AP, although the ruling is sure to delay the project.
Some construction work began earlier his month in Montana.
Other environmental groups praised the judge’s ruling on Wednesday, saying the decision had dealt a blow to the Trump administration’s environmental policies.
BREAKING: A federal judge just invalidated a key permit for #KeystoneXL. "This is a tremendous victory for imperiled wildlife that rely on rivers, streams and wetlands.” - The Center's Jared Margolis https://t.co/guqUq3qDIs — Center for Bio Div (@CenterForBioDiv) April 15, 2020
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“This is a tremendous victory for imperiled wildlife that rely on rivers, streams and wetlands,” Jared Margolis, a senior attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity, said in a statement. “This ruling makes it clear that the Trump administration can’t continue to push dirty fossil fuel pipelines while ignoring the devastating impacts they have on the environment.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-15--Pastors Sue California Governor For Limiting Religious Gatherings

Pastors from three California churches are suing Gov .
Gavin Newsom ( D ) and several local officials for restricting religious gatherings during the coronavirus pandemic ― arguing that their congregations can worship in person and practice social distancing at the same time .
In a federal lawsuit filed in the Central District of California on Monday , the evangelical Christian plaintiffs insist it ’ s unconstitutional for the state to allow some businesses to stay open ― such as grocery stores , restaurants , and laundromats ― while houses of worship are forced to close , even if they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s guidelines for social distancing .
“ If a Californian is able to go to Costco or the local marijuana shop or liquor store and buy goods in a responsible , socially distanced manner , then he or she must be allowed to practice their faith using the same precautions , ” Harmeet Dhillon , former vice chairwoman of the California Republican Party and a lawyer representing the plaintiffs , told The Associated Press .
The plaintiffs include the pastors of three churches , one in San Bernardino County and two in Riverside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ San Bernardino church is also listed as a plaintiff .
Moffatt had his church building cleaned and disinfected after hearing about the virus , according to the complaint .
The pastor also made sanitizers available to everyone who entered , encouraged families to sit at least six feet apart , and told anyone who was sick or uncomfortable with coming to church to stay at home .
Moffatt believes it is important for Christians to “ come together , remember , and celebrate all that Jesus has done for this world , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believes the Bible commands him to baptize people and pray for the sick by laying his hands on them ― two acts that can ’ t be done online .
Brenda Wood , senior pastor of Riverside ’ s Word of Life Ministries International , held a drive-up church service at her church on Easter .
Parishioners wore masks and each car was parked at least six feet from other vehicles , the complaint says .
Church restrooms were off-limits during the service .
Wood spoke through a portable sound amplification system , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to listen .
Wood wants to continue holding drive-up church services until the state of emergency has been lifted , the lawsuit states , citing a Bible verse from the book of Hebrews as the pastor ’ s inspiration .
The verse encourages believers to not give up on “ meeting together , as some are in the habit of doing.
” Patrick Scales , lead pastor of Shield of Faith Family Church in San Bernardino , also wants to have church services while practicing social distancing guidelines .
Scales said most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but he would like to be available for those who are healthy and believe they can safely attend in-person services .
Families would stay six feet apart from other families and all worshippers would wear masks , the complaint says .
Scales “ believes that religious services are essential for the spiritual health of the congregation so that the congregants can exhort one another during these difficult times , ” the lawsuit states .
The way California and these two counties have enforced their bans on religious gatherings has been inconsistent and “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Riverside , for example , made an exception to its order for Easter Sunday , but didn ’ t make exceptions for other Holy Week events or for the holidays of other faiths .

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Pastors from three California churches are suing Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and several local officials for restricting religious gatherings during the coronavirus pandemic ― arguing that their congregations can worship in person and practice social distancing at the same time.
In a federal lawsuit filed in the Central District of California on Monday, the evangelical Christian plaintiffs insist it’s unconstitutional for the state to allow some businesses to stay open ― such as grocery stores, restaurants, and laundromats ― while houses of worship are forced to close, even if they agree to abide by the government’s guidelines for social distancing.
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“If a Californian is able to go to Costco or the local marijuana shop or liquor store and buy goods in a responsible, socially distanced manner, then he or she must be allowed to practice their faith using the same precautions,” Harmeet Dhillon, former vice chairwoman of the California Republican Party and a lawyer representing the plaintiffs, told The Associated Press.
The plaintiffs include the pastors of three churches, one in San Bernardino County and two in Riverside County. A woman who attends the San Bernardino church is also listed as a plaintiff.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a stay-at-home order to combat COVID-19 on March 19. Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
The lawsuit claims Newsom’s stay-at-home order from March 19, and similar measures by Riverside and San Bernardino local officials, are a “gross abuse” of power that takes advantage of the pandemic to expand government authority “by unprecedented lengths.”
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Newsom’s order deems as essential “faith-based services that are provided through streaming or other technology, but in-person services are not listed.
James Dean Moffatt, senior pastor of Church Unlimited in Indio, California, was fined $1,000 for violating Riverside’s order prohibiting social gatherings after holding an in-person service on April 5, Palm Sunday, the lawsuit states.
Moffatt had his church building cleaned and disinfected after hearing about the virus, according to the complaint. The pastor also made sanitizers available to everyone who entered, encouraged families to sit at least six feet apart, and told anyone who was sick or uncomfortable with coming to church to stay at home.
Moffatt believes it is important for Christians to “come together, remember, and celebrate all that Jesus has done for this world,” the lawsuit states. The pastor also believes the Bible commands him to baptize people and pray for the sick by laying his hands on them ― two acts that can’t be done online.
A 5-year-old child put his head down on an empty pew at a church in Oakland, California, on March 22. Shannon Stapleton / Reuters
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Days later, Riverside issued a clarification to its order stating that drive-up church services that practiced social distancing would be allowed just for Easter Sunday.
Brenda Wood, senior pastor of Riverside’s Word of Life Ministries International, held a drive-up church service at her church on Easter. Parishioners wore masks and each car was parked at least six feet from other vehicles, the complaint says. Church restrooms were off-limits during the service. Wood spoke through a portable sound amplification system, which meant congregants rolled down their windows to listen.
Communion was served by an individual wearing a mask and gloves, who handed out pre-packaged elements using tongs.
The pastor shared photos of the service on her Facebook page on Tuesday.
Wood wants to continue holding drive-up church services until the state of emergency has been lifted, the lawsuit states, citing a Bible verse from the book of Hebrews as the pastor’s inspiration. The verse encourages believers to not give up on “meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing.”
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“Wood believes she can implement proper social distancing measures similar to those practiced by restaurants, auto mechanics, and abortion clinics,” the lawsuit states.
Patrick Scales, lead pastor of Shield of Faith Family Church in San Bernardino, also wants to have church services while practicing social distancing guidelines. Scales said most of his congregants will stay at home, but he would like to be available for those who are healthy and believe they can safely attend in-person services. Families would stay six feet apart from other families and all worshippers would wear masks, the complaint says.
Scales “believes that religious services are essential for the spiritual
health of the congregation so that the congregants can exhort one another during these difficult times,” the lawsuit states.
The way California and these two counties have enforced their bans on religious gatherings has been inconsistent and “ad hoc,” the complaint alleges. Riverside, for example, made an exception to its order for Easter Sunday, but didn’t make exceptions for other Holy Week events or for the holidays of other faiths.
Neither Newsom’s office nor officials in Riverside and San Bernardino counties have responded to HuffPost requests for comments on the lawsuit.
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A church in Sacramento held a Palm Sunday service on April 5, despite California Gov. Gavin Newsom's stay-at-home order. Melina Mara/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Most churches in California have stopped holding in-person services, The Associated Press reported.
California’s legal tussle over the constitutionality of limiting religious gatherings emerges as similar debates take shape nationwide. States have approached the issue in a variety of ways ― some have explicitly prohibited religious groups from worshipping in-person while others have offered religious exemptions to statewide stay-at-home orders.