thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-26--Most Medicare Enrollees May Soon Only Pay $35 A Month For Insulin

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — Medicare recipients will be able to get prescription plans that limit copays for insulin , a potential savings of hundreds of dollars , the White House announced Tuesday in a pivot to pocketbook issues that could influence November ’ s election .
The new benefit — to be formally unveiled at a Rose Garden event Tuesday afternoon — is being touted as a major accomplishment by Trump administration officials eager to change the subject from the grim drumbeat of coronavirus pandemic news .
The new insulin benefit will be voluntary , so during open enrollment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must make sure to pick an insurance plan that provides it .
Most people with Medicare will have access to them .
Stable copays for insulin are the result of a deal shepherded by the administration between insulin manufacturers and major insurers , Medicare chief Seema Verma told The Associated Press .
The three major suppliers , Eli Lilly , Novo Nordisk and Sanofi , were all involved .
“ It was a delicate negotiation , ” Verma said .
Drugmakers and insurers have been at odds in recent years , blaming one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do think this is a big step.
” The cost of insulin is one the biggest worries for consumers generally concerned about high prices for brand name drugs .
Millions of people with diabetes use insulin to keep their blood sugars within normal ranges and stave off complications that can include heart disease , blindness , kidney failure and amputations .
People with diabetes also suffer worse outcomes from COVID-19 .
Trump last week told Republican senators at a Capitol Hill meeting he still wants to pass a bill this year to lower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you have to do it , ” according to a summary from an attendee .
Bipartisan legislation to limit price increases and reduce costs for older people with high drug bills is pending in the Senate .
An AP-NORC poll in May found that 54 % of adults 60 and older said they disapproved of how Trump is handling his job as president , while 45 % approved .
The fate of drug pricing legislation ultimately seems to rest with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , who has a much more ambitious plan for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drugs , not just insulin .
Pelosi would use expected savings to provide vision , dental and hearing coverage for older adults .
Most Republicans oppose that approach as an expansion of government price-setting .
Although the White House and Pelosi ’ s office were in conversations last year about prescription drug legislation , the relationship between the two leaders has been tense and angry for months .
Verma , head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services , said 1,750 insurance plans that offer drug coverage to Medicare recipients have agreed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of $ 35 a month next year .
It will be available through “ enhanced ” plans that may cost more per month but offer additional benefits such as reduced cost-sharing on certain drugs .
The cap on copays is expected to lead to a small increase in premiums .
One out of three people with Medicare have diabetes , and more than 3 million use insulin .
At list prices , the drug can cost more than $ 5,000 a year .
Although insured patients don ’ t pay that , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the full cost .
People who can ’ t afford their insulin may try to cope by reducing their doses , a dangerous calculation that can put their lives in jeopardy .
Medicare ’ s prescription drug benefit is offered by private insurers , either as a stand-alone “ Part D ” drug plan added to traditional Medicare , or as part of a managed care plan under Medicare Advantage .
The taxpayer-subsidized private plans are closely regulated by the government , but by law Medicare is barred from negotiating drug prices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden want to change .
Insurers and drugmakers welcomed the announcement .
The industry group America ’ s Health Insurance Plans called it an “ excellent example of public-private partnerships where everyone wins.
” The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America said it ’ s pleased to see the administration focused on lowering out-of-pocket costs for patients .
Medicare estimates that about 6 in 10 beneficiaries are already in prescription drug plans that will offer the new insulin benefit .
Those whose plans don ’ t offer the new option can switch during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 .
Medicare ’ s online plan finder will help beneficiaries find plans that cap insulin copays .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Medicare recipients will be able to get prescription plans that limit copays for insulin, a potential savings of hundreds of dollars, the White House announced Tuesday in a pivot to pocketbook issues that could influence November’s election.
The new benefit — to be formally unveiled at a Rose Garden event Tuesday afternoon — is being touted as a major accomplishment by Trump administration officials eager to change the subject from the grim drumbeat of coronavirus pandemic news.
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Older adults who pick a drug plan offering the new insulin benefit would pay a maximum of $35 a month starting next year, a savings estimated at $446 annually. Fluctuating cost-sharing amounts that are common now would be replaced by a manageable amount.
The new insulin benefit will be voluntary, so during open enrollment this fall Medicare recipients who are interested must make sure to pick an insurance plan that provides it. Most people with Medicare will have access to them.
Stable copays for insulin are the result of a deal shepherded by the administration between insulin manufacturers and major insurers, Medicare chief Seema Verma told The Associated Press. The three major suppliers, Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi, were all involved.
“It was a delicate negotiation,” Verma said. Drugmakers and insurers have been at odds in recent years, blaming one another for high prices. “I do think this is a big step.”
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The deal comes as President Donald Trump returns to the issue of drug prices, trying to woo older people whose votes are critical to his reelection prospects.
The cost of insulin is one the biggest worries for consumers generally concerned about high prices for brand name drugs. Millions of people with diabetes use insulin to keep their blood sugars within normal ranges and stave off complications that can include heart disease, blindness, kidney failure and amputations. People with diabetes also suffer worse outcomes from COVID-19.
Trump last week told Republican senators at a Capitol Hill meeting he still wants to pass a bill this year to lower drug costs, saying “I think you have to do it,” according to a summary from an attendee. Bipartisan legislation to limit price increases and reduce costs for older people with high drug bills is pending in the Senate.
An AP-NORC poll in May found that 54% of adults 60 and older said they disapproved of how Trump is handling his job as president, while 45% approved.
The fate of drug pricing legislation ultimately seems to rest with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has a much more ambitious plan for Medicare to negotiate prices for the costliest drugs, not just insulin. Pelosi would use expected savings to provide vision, dental and hearing coverage for older adults. Most Republicans oppose that approach as an expansion of government price-setting.
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Although the White House and Pelosi’s office were in conversations last year about prescription drug legislation, the relationship between the two leaders has been tense and angry for months.
White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway told AP the administration can’t wait for the Democratic-controlled House on drug prices. “Waiting for them to act is very perilous,” Conway said.
Verma, head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said 1,750 insurance plans that offer drug coverage to Medicare recipients have agreed to provide insulin for a maximum copay of $35 a month next year. It will be available through “enhanced” plans that may cost more per month but offer additional benefits such as reduced cost-sharing on certain drugs. The cap on copays is expected to lead to a small increase in premiums.
Importantly for patients, the new benefit would cover a range of insulin products, including pen and vial forms for rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting and long-acting versions.
One out of three people with Medicare have diabetes, and more than 3 million use insulin. At list prices, the drug can cost more than $5,000 a year. Although insured patients don’t pay that, they do notice rising copays that are based on the full cost. People who can’t afford their insulin may try to cope by reducing their doses, a dangerous calculation that can put their lives in jeopardy.
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Medicare’s prescription drug benefit is offered by private insurers, either as a stand-alone “Part D” drug plan added to traditional Medicare, or as part of a managed care plan under Medicare Advantage. The taxpayer-subsidized private plans are closely regulated by the government, but by law Medicare is barred from negotiating drug prices — something Democrats including presidential candidate Joe Biden want to change.
Insurers and drugmakers welcomed the announcement. The industry group America’s Health Insurance Plans called it an “excellent example of public-private partnerships where everyone wins.” The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America said it’s pleased to see the administration focused on lowering out-of-pocket costs for patients.
Medicare estimates that about 6 in 10 beneficiaries are already in prescription drug plans that will offer the new insulin benefit. Those whose plans don’t offer the new option can switch during open enrollment season, which starts Oct. 15. Medicare’s online plan finder will help beneficiaries find plans that cap insulin copays.
The insulin benefit will be available in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Participation is voluntary for insurers and Medicare recipients alike.
In a twist, the new Trump insulin option stems in part from experimentation authority that Medicare gained under the Obama-era Affordable Care Act, which the White House is seeking to overturn as unconstitutional.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-25--Protesters Hang Effigy Of Kentucky Governor At Capitol

A group of protesters gathered for a “ Patriot Day 2nd Amendment Rally ” near the Kentucky State Capitol concluded Sunday ’ s event by hanging an effigy of Gov .
Andy Beshear in a tree down the street from the governor ’ s mansion .
Video and photos from the event in Frankfort , captured by Courier Journal reporter Sarah Ladd , show two men hoisting the effigy with a sign reading “ Sic Semper Tyrannis ” as the song “ God Bless the U.S.A. ” plays in the background .
Gerry Seavo , a freelance photographer who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the event ’ s organizer , Ben Kennedy , brought out the effigy at the end .
“ As we were leaving , one of the guys said , ‘ Hey , stick around .
We ’ re gon na hang an effigy , ’ and it didn ’ t strike me at the time what it was , ” Seavo said .
“ I didn ’ t think they would hang Gov .
Beshear .
I just stuck around.
” “ It was eerie to me because as an African American , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Seavo said .
“ It ’ s a lynching .
It ’ s a lynching .
That popped into my mind and I thought , ‘ What am I doing here ?
’ ” Seavo said the effigy was hung by men who appeared to be Kentucky Three Percenters , an anti-government , pro-gun group that the Southern Poverty Law Center identifies as part of the right-wing militia movement .
The effigy was cut down by Tony Wheatley of Constitutional Kentucky , the leader of a different group in attendance .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” about the act and that some of the Three Percenters tried to distance themselves from it afterward .
( A Facebook page claiming to represent the Sons of Liberty Three Percenters issued a statement disavowing responsibility after the event . )
“ After that happened , no one would talk about it , ” Seavo said .
“ Who made it and stuff .
Now they ’ re trying to push this off as a media hoax.
” “ Doing this in front of our Capitol , just a short walk from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and their two young children live , is an act that reeks of hate and intimidation and does nothing but undermine our leading work to battle this deadly disease and restore our economy safely , ” the statement concluded .
“ What occurred at today ’ s rally was unacceptable and has no place in Kentucky ’ s political discourse , ” the statement read .
“ The Republican Party of Kentucky strongly condemns the violent imagery against the Governor in today ’ s protest.
” CORRECTION : This article incorrectly located the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s mansion .
While the protestors did march to the mansion , the hanging occurred later near the capitol .

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A group of protesters gathered for a “Patriot Day 2nd Amendment Rally” near the Kentucky State Capitol concluded Sunday’s event by hanging an effigy of Gov. Andy Beshear in a tree down the street from the governor’s mansion.
Video and photos from the event in Frankfort, captured by Courier Journal reporter Sarah Ladd, show two men hoisting the effigy with a sign reading “Sic Semper Tyrannis” as the song “God Bless the U.S.A.” plays in the background.
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“Sic semper tyrannis” loosely translates from Latin to “thus always to tyrants.” John Wilkes Booth allegedly shouted the phrase after assassinating President Abraham Lincoln.
The demonstrators were reportedly protesting restrictions that the Democratic governor implemented to help curb the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gerry Seavo James, a freelance journalist who was covering the event, told HuffPost that the event’s organizer, Ben Kennedy, brought out the effigy at the end.
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“As we were leaving, one of the guys said, ‘Hey, stick around. We’re gonna hang an effigy,’ and it didn’t strike me at the time what it was,” James said. “I didn’t think they would hang Gov. Beshear. I just stuck around.”
Then he realized what was happening.
“It was eerie to me because as an African American, there’s these intergenerational trauma triggers,” James said. “It’s a lynching. It’s a lynching. That popped into my mind and I thought, ‘What am I doing here?’”
James said the effigy was hung by men who appeared to be Kentucky Three Percenters, an anti-government, pro-gun group that the Southern Poverty Law Center identifies as part of the right-wing militia movement.
Protesters hang an effigy of Gov. Andy Beshear during a Patriot Day 2nd Amendment Rally in Frankfort, Kentucky. Bryan Woolston / Reuters
The effigy was cut down by Tony Wheatley of Constitutional Kentucky, the leader of a different group in attendance. James said Wheatley was “very upset” about the act and that some of the Three Percenters tried to distance themselves from it afterward. (A Facebook page claiming to represent the Sons of Liberty Three Percenters issued a statement disavowing responsibility after the event.)
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“After that happened, no one would talk about it,” James said. “Who made it and stuff. Now they’re trying to push this off as a media hoax.”
The act was roundly condemned by Kentucky politicians.
Kentucky state House Democrats released a statement calling the act “beyond reprehensible” and charged the state’s Republican leadership with condoning similar “hateful rhetoric” in the past, effectively enabling Sunday’s event.
“Doing this in front of our Capitol, just a short walk from where the Governor, First Lady, and their two young children live, is an act that reeks of hate and intimidation and does nothing but undermine our leading work to battle this deadly disease and restore our economy safely,” the statement concluded.
The state Republican Party also issued a statement decrying the act as “unacceptable.”
“What occurred at today’s rally was unacceptable and has no place in Kentucky’s political discourse,” the statement read. “The Republican Party of Kentucky strongly condemns the violent imagery against the Governor in today’s protest.”
CORRECTION: This article incorrectly located the hanging of the effigy outside the governor’s mansion. While the protestors did march to the mansion, the hanging occurred later near the capitol.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-26--Conservative Commentator Rips 'Weak, Insecure Coward' Trump In Blistering Column

Conservative commentator and CNN host S.E .
Cupp didn ’ t hold back on President Donald Trump in a new column , calling him out for attacking people who can ’ t defend themselves .
Specifically , Cupp targeted his consistent pattern of “ picking on the dead and harassing their surviving family members , ” as she wrote in an op-ed in the New York Daily News .
Trump in recent days has been tweeting a baseless conspiracy theory that implies MSNBC ’ s Joe Scarborough might have killed a congressional intern in 2001 , Lori Klausutis .
Klausutis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Florida district offices when he was a Republican member of Congress .
She was found dead in the office one morning , and authorities later determined that she had fainted due to an undiagnosed heart condition and fatally struck her head on a table .
Klausutis ’ s widowed husband , Timothy Klausutis , has asked Trump to stop spreading the “ vicious lie , ” but Trump has refused .
“ Even someone with just a modicum of decency and awareness of social mores would know better than to drag the deceased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no good reason at all.
” But Trump , she said , “ has neither decency nor awareness.
” And she noted Trump ’ s longtime pattern of using the deceased to advance his own agenda , mocking the late Sen. John McCain ( R-Ariz. ) and suggesting that the late Rep. John Dingell ( D-Mich. ) might be in hell .
Cupp said Trump was “ punching down ” by attacking those who can ’ t defend themselves .
“ Punching down — even at the dead — isn ’ t the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ courageous man , ” she wrote .
“ It ’ s the mark of a small , weak , insecure coward with no impulse control , compassion or common decency .
That ’ s our president .
”

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Conservative commentator and CNN host S.E. Cupp didn’t hold back on President Donald Trump in a new column, calling him out for attacking people who can’t defend themselves.
Specifically, Cupp targeted his consistent pattern of “picking on the dead and harassing their surviving family members,” as she wrote in an op-ed in the New York Daily News.
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Trump in recent days has been tweeting a baseless conspiracy theory that implies MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough might have killed a congressional staffer in 2001, Lori Klausutis.
Klausutis worked in one of Scarborough’s Florida district offices when he was a Republican member of Congress. She was found dead in the office one morning, and authorities later determined that she had fainted due to an undiagnosed heart condition and fatally struck her head on a table.
Cupp wrote:
“Even someone with just a modicum of decency and awareness of social mores would know better than to drag the deceased and their relatives through the muck for no good reason at all.”
But Trump, she said, “has neither decency nor awareness.”
And she noted Trump’s longtime pattern of using the deceased to advance his own agenda, mocking the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and suggesting that the late Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) might be in hell.
Cupp said Trump was “punching down” by attacking those who can’t defend themselves.
“Punching down — even at the dead — isn’t the mark of a strong, secure, courageous man,” she wrote. “It’s the mark of a small, weak, insecure coward with no impulse control, compassion or common decency. That’s our president.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-26--Trump Taunts Reporter For Wearing Mask During White House News Conference

President Donald Trump told a reporter to take off his mask during a White House news conference on Tuesday .
Trump said he had a hard time hearing Reuters White House correspondent Jeff Mason ask his question .
Mason said he would just speak louder instead ― and Trump used one of his go-to lines to mock the reporter .
“ Oh , OK , because you want to be politically correct , ” the president said at the Rose Garden event .
“ No , sir , I just want to wear the mask , ” Mason replied .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a link to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ’ s recommendations for face coverings to prevent the spread of the coronavirus .
Trump ’ s own task force has recommended face coverings while in public to help stop the spread of the virus .
But Trump himself has simultaneously endorsed the mask guidelines , mocked former Vice President Joe Biden for wearing one and largely avoided donning one himself , although a photo of him wearing a mask during a tour of a Ford facility surfaced last week .
“ He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fool to talk that way , ” Biden told CNN on Tuesday .
“ This macho stuff , for a guy ...
I shouldn ’ t get going .
It ’ s costing people ’ s lives .
”

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President Donald Trump told a reporter to take off his mask during a White House news conference on Tuesday.
Trump said he had a hard time hearing Reuters White House correspondent Jeff Mason ask his question.
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Mason said he would just speak louder instead ― and Trump used one of his go-to lines to mock the reporter.
“Oh, OK, because you want to be politically correct,” the president said at the Rose Garden event.
“No, sir, I just want to wear the mask,” Mason replied. After the event, the reporter tweeted a link to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations for face coverings to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Trump’s own task force has recommended face coverings while in public to help stop the spread of the virus.
But Trump himself has simultaneously endorsed the mask guidelines, mocked former Vice President Joe Biden for wearing one and largely avoided donning one himself, although a photo of him wearing a mask during a tour of a Ford facility surfaced last week.
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Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, called Trump a “fool” for mocking the masks.
“He’s a fool, an absolute fool to talk that way,” Biden told CNN on Tuesday. “This macho stuff, for a guy ... I shouldn’t get going. It’s costing people’s lives.”
Later, he tweeted:
Wear a mask. — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) May 27, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-27--Republican Group Gives Trump A Harsh Reminder Of His Biggest Coronavirus Blunder

A group of conservative critics of President Donald Trump is out with a stark new video highlighting the growing death toll due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic .
And it puts one of the president ’ s most infamous statements about the disease into a harsh spotlight .
Trump in February predicted that the 15 infected patients in the country at the time “ within a couple of days is going to be down to close to zero.
” Now , the Lincoln Project ― a group launched last year by conservative attorney George Conway and GOP strategists Rick Wilson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among others ― uses that phrase at the center of its video : Another group of conservative critics , Republicans for the Rule Law , also uses the president ’ s own words against him ― pointing out his litany of tweets implying that MSNBC ’ s Joe Scarborough might have killed congressional intern Lori Klausutis in 2001 .
The video slams Trump for fixating on the baseless conspiracy theory to attack one of his critics instead of the nearly 100,000 Americans who ’ ve died due to the virus .
And it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hold the president accountable .
The spot urges Americans to vote against him in November ’ s election to “ make it stop ” :

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A group of conservative critics of President Donald Trump is out with a stark new video highlighting the growing death toll due to the coronavirus pandemic.
And it puts one of the president’s most infamous falsehoods about the disease into a harsh spotlight.
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Trump in February predicted that the country’s 15 infections at the time “within a couple of days is going to be down to close to zero.”
Now, the anti-Trump Lincoln Project ― a group launched last year by conservative attorney George Conway and GOP strategists Rick Wilson, Steve Schmidt and John Weaver, among others ― uses that phrase at the center of its video:
Another group of conservative critics, Republicans for the Rule Law, also uses the president’s own words against him ― pointing out his litany of tweets baselessly implying that MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough might have killed congressional intern Lori Klausutis in 2001.
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The video slams Trump for fixating on the conspiracy theory to attack one of his critics instead of mourning the nearly 100,000 Americans who’ve died due to the virus.
And it calls out Republicans in Congress for failing to hold the president accountable.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-26--Hundreds Protest George Floyd's Death In Minneapolis

Hundreds of people took to the streets of Minneapolis on Tuesday evening to protest police violence in the wake of the death of George Floyd , a Black man who died after a white police officer knelt on his neck .
Crowds gathered near the spot where a bystander ’ s now-viral video captured Floyd on Monday being held face-down by a Minneapolis police officer , who kept his knee on Floyd ’ s neck as he pleaded , “ I can ’ t breathe.
” Demonstrators — most wearing masks , following requests from organizers based on guidance to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marched toward a police precinct .
They held signs with the rallying cries “ No justice , no peace , ” “ Black lives matter ” and “ Stop lynching us.
” Later Tuesday evening , police arrived in riot gear at the scene of the protest outside the local precinct and appeared to use tear gas to disperse demonstrators , according to local reporters and photographers .
Minneapolis police did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
Four Minneapolis police officers were fired on Tuesday after Floyd ’ s death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bureau of Criminal Apprehension are investigating the incident .
Organizers of Tuesday ’ s protest are demanding “ justice for the victim and his family , ” including the release of the officers ’ names and criminal charges against the four .
Floyd was unarmed and handcuffed on the ground when the officer kneeled on his neck .
Floyd eventually closed his eyes and stopped speaking .
Police called for an ambulance , but Floyd died shortly after arriving at a hospital , the Minneapolis Police Department said .
Floyd ’ s death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of unarmed Black people at the hands of law enforcement , his case echoing that of Eric Garner in New York , who was also unarmed and died in 2014 after pleading “ I can ’ t breathe ” as a cop held him in a chokehold .
( Video taken at 4:30pm but would n't send due to service issues ) Crowd at the protest for George Floyd extends well down each block as people try to be socially distant .
@ WCCO pic.twitter.com/ptgHEX4bGm — Jeff Wagner ( @ Jeff_Wagner4 ) May @ @ @

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Hundreds of people took to the streets of Minneapolis on Tuesday evening to protest police violence in the wake of the death of George Floyd, a Black man who died after a white police officer knelt on his neck.
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Later Tuesday evening, police arrived in riot gear at the scene of the protest outside the local precinct and appeared to use tear gas to disperse demonstrators, according to local reporters and photographers. Minneapolis police did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Four Minneapolis police officers were fired on Tuesday after Floyd’s death. The FBI and Minnesota’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension are investigating the incident.
Organizers of Tuesday’s protest are demanding “justice for the victim and his family,” including the release of the officers’ names and criminal charges against the four.
Floyd was unarmed and handcuffed on the ground when the officer kneeled on his neck. Floyd eventually closed his eyes and stopped speaking. Police called for an ambulance, but Floyd died shortly after arriving at a hospital, the Minneapolis Police Department said.
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Floyd’s death follows in a long line of killings of unarmed Black people at the hands of law enforcement, his case echoing that of Eric Garner in New York, who was also unarmed and died in 2014 after pleading “I can’t breathe” as a cop held him in a chokehold.
Here are some images from Tuesday’s protest:
The view of the protest from the top of a building next door. @mprnews pic.twitter.com/prBI5cJl1g — Evan Frost (@efrostee) May 26, 2020
You could say there’s a bit of a crowd gathering in Minneapolis. #GeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/03d06yQxYm — Omar Jimenez (@OmarJimenez) May 26, 2020
(Video taken at 4:30pm but wouldn't send due to service issues)
Crowd at the protest for George Floyd extends well down each block as people try to be socially distant. @WCCO pic.twitter.com/ptgHEX4bGm — Jeff Wagner (@Jeff_Wagner4) May 26, 2020
More signs from today's protest and march at 38th and Chicago Ave in Minneapolis. pic.twitter.com/3y1ynE6vRX — bengarvin (@bengarvin) May 26, 2020
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We are out covering protests—Callen Gray and I almost hit by chemical agents—protestors are not budging outside 3rd precinct @kstp pic.twitter.com/X8gBn1UnDC — Eric Chaloux (@EChalouxKSTP) May 27, 2020
So much tear gas. pic.twitter.com/mEW2lwqB7c — Evan Frost (@efrostee) May 27, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-26--Kayleigh McEnany: 'Peculiar' That Joe Biden Doesn't Wear Mask In His Home

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany made a dig at former Vice President Joe Biden on Tuesday for wearing a face mask in public but not in his own home , claiming it was a “ peculiar ” move .
The comment came in response to a reporter ’ s question about President Donald Trump ’ s apparent criticism of Biden for wearing a mask in public on Memorial Day .
In Delaware , where the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee lives , wearing a mask in public is required by law as part of public health efforts to mitigate the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president ’ s excited to see that Joe emerged from the basement , ” McEnany said at the White House press briefing .
“ It is a bit peculiar , though , that in his basement , right next to his wife , he ’ s not wearing a mask , but he ’ s wearing one outdoors when he ’ s socially distanced.
” She added that the president wasn ’ t “ shaming anyone ” and noted that Trump wore a mask in private during a tour of a Ford plant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump appeared barefaced for much of the tour , despite a Michigan executive order that required facial coverings to be worn in any enclosed public space .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ’ s federal guidelines also call for people to wear cloth face coverings in public , in concert with social distancing rules .
Masks are not required in the home among household members .
When Reuters reporter Jeff Mason pointed to this guidance , McEnany said that “ it ’ s recommended but not required , so it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but it didn ’ t strike him as a very data-driven decision.
” .
@ jeffmason1 : POTUS retweeted a criticism of Joe Biden wearing a mask .
Why would he do that ?
McENANY : It 's a bit peculiar that he does n't wear a mask in his basement , but he wears one outdoors MASON : Is n't that the guidance though ?
McENANY : It 's recommended but not required pic.twitter.com/gW7imNwLMn — Aaron Rupar ( @ atrupar ) May 26 , 2020 Biden had appeared with his wife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Memorial Bridge Veterans Memorial Park on Monday to lay a wreath , marking his first public appearance in more than two months .
Sharing an image of Biden during the outing , Fox News political analyst Brit Hume attempted to mask-shame the Democratic front-runner on Twitter ― a move that was met with swift backlash .
The president then retweeted Hume ’ s comment .
In an interview with CNN on Tuesday , Biden called Trump an “ absolute fool ” for belittling his use of a mask and slammed his “ macho @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s cost people ’ s lives , ” he said .
In response to McEnany ’ s remarks , a Biden spokesperson told HuffPost that Trump ’ s “ historic disregard for the guidance of public health experts is responsible for a failed response that has led to the deaths of nearly 100,000 Americans .
”

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White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany made a dig at former Vice President Joe Biden on Tuesday for wearing a face mask in public but not in his own home, claiming it was a “peculiar” move.
The comment came in response to a reporter’s question about President Donald Trump’s apparent criticism of Biden for wearing a mask in public on Memorial Day. In Delaware, where the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee lives, wearing a mask in public is required by law as part of public health efforts to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.
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“The president’s excited to see that Joe emerged from the basement,” McEnany said at the White House press briefing. “It is a bit peculiar, though, that in his basement, right next to his wife, he’s not wearing a mask, but he’s wearing one outdoors when he’s socially distanced.”
She added that the president wasn’t “shaming anyone” and noted that Trump wore a mask in private during a tour of a Ford plant last week in Michigan. Publicly, Trump appeared barefaced for much of the tour, despite a Michigan executive order that required facial coverings to be worn in any enclosed public space.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s federal guidelines also call for people to wear cloth face coverings in public, in concert with social distancing rules. Masks are not required in the home among household members.
When Reuters reporter Jeff Mason pointed to this guidance, McEnany said that “it’s recommended but not required, so it’s the personal choice of the individual, but it didn’t strike him as a very data-driven decision.”
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.@jeffmason1: POTUS retweeted a criticism of Joe Biden wearing a mask. Why would he do that?
McENANY: It's a bit peculiar that he doesn't wear a mask in his basement, but he wears one outdoors
MASON: Isn't that the guidance though?
McENANY: It's recommended but not required pic.twitter.com/gW7imNwLMn — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 26, 2020
Biden had appeared with his wife, Jill Biden, at the Delaware Memorial Bridge Veterans Memorial Park on Monday to lay a wreath, marking his first public appearance in more than two months.
Sharing an image of Biden during the outing, Fox News political analyst Brit Hume attempted to mask-shame the Democratic front-runner on Twitter ― a move that was met with swift backlash. The president then retweeted Hume’s comment.
In an interview with CNN on Tuesday, Biden called Trump an “absolute fool” for belittling his use of a mask and slammed his “macho stuff” behavior. “It’s cost people’s lives,” he said.
In response to McEnany’s remarks, a Biden spokesperson told HuffPost that Trump’s “historic disregard for the guidance of public health experts is responsible for a failed response that has led to the deaths of nearly 100,000 Americans.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-27--Jeffrey Toobin Drops The Hammer On Twitter Ignoring Its Own Rules For Donald Trump

CNN ’ s chief legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin on Tuesday slammed Twitter for once again failing to enforce its own rules against President Donald Trump .
Toobin , appearing on the “ Newsroom ” show , ripped as “ corporate gibberish ” the social media platform ’ s explanation for not deleting Trump ’ s tweets baselessly accusing MSNBC ’ s Joe Scarborough of being involved in the 2001 death of an intern , Lori Klausutis , when he was a GOP congressman .
But Trump has continued to push the outrageous conspiracy theory about the death in recent days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over his fumbled handling of the coronavirus pandemic .
A spokesperson for Twitter earlier in the day told HuffPost it was “ deeply sorry about the pain ” caused by Trump ’ s tweets and said it was “ working to expand existing product features and policies so we can more effectively address things like this going forward.
” The statement came after Klausutis ’ widowed husband , Timothy Klausutis , penned a powerful letter to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey asking for Trump ’ s tweets to be removed .
“ Twitter is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Like Greyhound buses have rules , ” Toobin said on Tuesday .
“ You can ’ t stay on a Greyhound bus if you break the rules .
President Trump has broken the rules of Twitter over and over again , and Twitter has done nothing but put out statements of corporate gibberish like the one it did today.
” Toobin suggested Trump ’ s tweets were in clear violation of Twitter ’ s rule against targeted harassment .
“ All Twitter should do is follow its own rules and take these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Twitter is just afraid of both the president and right-wing trolls who follow him and that ’ s why they ’ re not doing what they should be doing , which is taking this tweet down , ” Toobin continued .
He added : “ If Twitter had any decency , if Twitter had any corporate conscience , they would just take it down automatically.
” Twitter did , however , on Tuesday label two of Trump ’ s unfounded tweeted claims about mail-in ballot fraud with a fact-check warning .

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CNN’s chief legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin on Tuesday slammed Twitter for once again failing to enforce its own rules against President Donald Trump.
Toobin, appearing on the “Newsroom” show, ripped as “corporate gibberish” the social media platform’s explanation for not deleting Trump’s tweets baselessly accusing MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough of being involved in the 2001 death of an intern, Lori Klausutis, when he was a GOP congressman.
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Authorities ruled Klausutis’ death an accident and no foul play was suspected.
But Trump has continued to push the outrageous conspiracy theory about the death in recent days amid soaring criticism from Scarborough and others over his fumbled handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
A spokesperson for Twitter earlier in the day told HuffPost it was “deeply sorry about the pain” caused by Trump’s tweets and said it was “working to expand existing product features and policies so we can more effectively address things like this going forward.”
The statement came after Klausutis’ widowed husband, Timothy Klausutis, penned a powerful letter to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey asking for Trump’s tweets to be removed.
Toobin wasn’t having Twitter’s excuse.
“Twitter is a private company. They have rules. Like Greyhound buses have rules,” Toobin said on Tuesday. “You can’t stay on a Greyhound bus if you break the rules. President Trump has broken the rules of Twitter over and over again, and Twitter has done nothing but put out statements of corporate gibberish like the one it did today.”
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Toobin suggested Trump’s tweets were in clear violation of Twitter’s rule against targeted harassment. “All Twitter should do is follow its own rules and take these tweets down,” he said.
“Twitter is just afraid of both the president and right-wing trolls who follow him and that’s why they’re not doing what they should be doing, which is taking this tweet down,” Toobin continued. He added: “If Twitter had any decency, if Twitter had any corporate conscience, they would just take it down automatically.”
Twitter did, however, on Tuesday label two of Trump’s unfounded tweeted claims about mail-in ballot fraud with a fact-check warning.
Trump immediately fired back, accusing the platform of “stifling free speech.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-26--Justice Department Drops Probes Of 3 Senators Who Sold Stock After Coronavirus Briefings

The Justice Department is dropping investigations into three senators who made large stock trades as cases of the coronavirus first began appearing in the U.S. , according to multiple reports .
Officials informed attorneys for Sens .
Kelly Loeffler ( R-Ga. ) , James Inhofe ( R-Okla. ) and Dianne Feinstein ( D-Calif. ) on Tuesday that they would not pursue the investigations after financial disclosure reports revealed that the lawmakers or their spouses had sold hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars in stock .
The sales , first reported in March , came shortly after Congress began receiving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saved lawmakers from substantial financial losses as the stock market began an ongoing period of upheaval .
Sen. Richard Burr ( R-N.C. ) is reportedly still under investigation for his own stock trades after ProPublica first reported he had sold between $ 628,000 and $ 1.72 million worth of holdings .
Federal investigators seized one of his cellphones earlier this month as part of that probe .
He has denied any wrongdoing .
The DOJ ’ s disclosure is welcome news for the other lawmakers , who were roundly criticized for the sales @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
More than 1.6 million Americans have been infected with the virus and nearly 100,000 have died .
The pandemic has also caused widespread financial havoc , leading to more than 38 million joblessness claims .
“ Today ’ s clear exoneration by the Department of Justice affirms what Senator Loeffler has said all along — she did nothing wrong , ” an aide to the Georgia Republican said Tuesday .
“ This was a politically motivated attack shamelessly promoted by the fake news media and her political opponents.
” Loeffler , whose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York Stock Exchange , had previously announced the pair would divest from all individual holdings .
Inhofe told The Oklahoman he was “ pleased ” investigators had exonerated him , affirming he did “ nothing wrong.
” He added : “ As I ’ ve said all along , I wasn ’ t even at the briefing and do not make my own stock trades.
” Feinstein did not immediately reply to HuffPost ’ s request for comment , although she had previously rejected claims of impropriety and said her holdings were in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stepped down as the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee .
The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that investigators may have obtained evidence the senator could have used information that wasn ’ t public to make his financial decisions .
He has broad leeway and constitutional protections as a member of Congress , however , which could prevent investigators from questioning him .
The New York Times notes that , although lawmakers can hold and trade stocks while in office , federal law bars them from making financial decisions based on private information @ @ @ @ @ @

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The Justice Department is dropping investigations into three senators who made large stock trades as cases of the coronavirus first began appearing in the U.S., according to multiple reports.
Officials informed attorneys for Sens. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.), James Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) on Tuesday that they would not pursue the investigations after financial disclosure reports revealed that the lawmakers or their spouses had sold hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars in stock. The sales, first reported in March, came shortly after Congress began receiving regular briefings on the coronavirus and potentially saved lawmakers from substantial financial losses as the stock market began an ongoing period of upheaval.
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Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) is reportedly still under investigation for his own stock trades after ProPublica first reported he had sold between $628,000 and $1.72 million worth of holdings. Federal investigators seized one of his cellphones earlier this month as part of that probe. He has denied any wrongdoing.
The DOJ’s disclosure is welcome news for the other lawmakers, who were roundly criticized for the sales as the coronavirus spread across the nation. More than 1.6 million Americans have been infected with the virus and nearly 100,000 have died. The pandemic has also caused widespread financial havoc, leading to more than 38 million joblessness claims.
“Today’s clear exoneration by the Department of Justice affirms what Senator Loeffler has said all along — she did nothing wrong,” an aide to the Georgia Republican said Tuesday. “This was a politically motivated attack shamelessly promoted by the fake news media and her political opponents.”
Loeffler, whose husband is the chairman of the New York Stock Exchange, had previously announced the pair would divest from all individual holdings.
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Inhofe told The Oklahoman he was “pleased” investigators had exonerated him, affirming he did “nothing wrong.” He added: “As I’ve said all along, I wasn’t even at the briefing and do not make my own stock trades.”
Feinstein did not immediately reply to HuffPost’s request for comment, although she had previously rejected claims of impropriety and said her holdings were in a blind trust.
Burr has temporarily stepped down as the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee. The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that investigators may have obtained evidence the senator could have used information that wasn’t public to make his financial decisions. He has broad leeway and constitutional protections as a member of Congress, however, which could prevent investigators from questioning him.
The New York Times notes that, although lawmakers can hold and trade stocks while in office, federal law bars them from making financial decisions based on private information gleaned in their official duties.
The Times reported that the Senate Ethics Committee may also be investigating the trades.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-27--Wall Street Journal Board Condemns Trump's 'Presidential Smear' Of Joe Scarborough

The editorial board of The Wall Street Journal published a column Tuesday condemning President Donald Trump ’ s implications that MSNBC host Joe Scarborough was responsible for an aide ’ s death .
The column , titled “ A Presidential Smear , ” deplores Trump ’ s baseless accusations against the “ Morning Joe ” host .
The president has been tweeting suggestions that Scarborough , a former Republican congressman , was involved in the 2001 death of an intern in his Florida office .
The editorial noted that Trump “ sometimes traffics in conspiracy theories ” but labeled his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Lori Klausutis , 28 , died after hitting her head on a desk .
Authorities determined that she fainted due to a previously undiagnosed heart condition and ruled that her death was accidental .
“ Mr .
Trump always hits back at critics , and Mr. Scarborough has called the President mentally ill , among other things .
But suggesting that the talk-show host is implicated in the woman ’ s death isn ’ t political hardball .
It ’ s a smear , ” the editorial board wrote .
“ Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about him in the Steele dossier , yet here he is trafficking in the same sort of trash.
” The editorial also praised Rep. Adam Kinzinger ( R-Ill. ) for calling out the president last weekend for spreading the unfounded conspiracy theory and asking him : “ Just stop .
Stop spreading it , stop creating paranoia .
It will destroy us.
” The board acknowledged it had little expectation the president would stop .
“ Perhaps he even thinks this helps him politically , though we can ’ t imagine how , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Trump is debasing his office , and he ’ s hurting the country in doing so .
”

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The editorial board of The Wall Street Journal published a column Tuesday condemning President Donald Trump’s implications that MSNBC host Joe Scarborough was responsible for an aide’s death.
The column, titled “A Presidential Smear,” deplores Trump’s baseless accusations against the “Morning Joe” host. The president has been tweeting suggestions that Scarborough, a former Republican congressman, was involved in the 2001 death of a staffer in his Florida office.
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The editorial noted that Trump “sometimes traffics in conspiracy theories” but labeled his latest accusation “ugly even for him.”
Lori Klausutis, 28, died after hitting her head on a desk. Authorities determined that she fainted due to a previously undiagnosed heart condition and ruled that her death was accidental.
“Mr. Trump always hits back at critics, and Mr. Scarborough has called the President mentally ill, among other things. But suggesting that the talk-show host is implicated in the woman’s death isn’t political hardball. It’s a smear,” the editorial board wrote.
“Mr. Trump rightly denounces the lies spread about him in the Steele dossier, yet here he is trafficking in the same sort of trash.”
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The editorial also praised Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) for calling out the president last weekend for spreading the unfounded conspiracy theory and asking him: “Just stop. Stop spreading it, stop creating paranoia. It will destroy us.”
The board acknowledged it had little expectation the president would stop.
“Perhaps he even thinks this helps him politically, though we can’t imagine how,” the board wrote. “But Mr. Trump is debasing his office, and he’s hurting the country in doing so.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-27--Historian Slaps Donald Trump With Disastrous Grade For Coronavirus Response

But historian John M. Barry , author of the 2005 bestseller “ The Great Influenza : The Story of the @ @ @ @ @ about the 1918 pandemic , thinks it ’ s at best a 3.5 .
And @ @ @ @ @ Washington Post published Tuesday , Barry suggested even that score was “ overly generous.
” @ @ @ @ @ threat of the virus that has gone on to kill almost 100,000 people nationwide .
@ @ @ @ @ to take the outbreak more seriously , he continued to give out “ inaccurate information @ @ @ @ @ The United States ’ response to this pandemic will be remembered in 100 years ’ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Barry said , arguing that the most important lesson was to “ tell @ @ @ @

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But historian John M. Barry, author of the 2005 bestseller “The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History” about the 1918 pandemic, thinks it’s at best a 3.5.
And in an interview with The Washington Post published Tuesday, Barry suggested even that score was “overly generous.”
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Barry noted Trump downplayed the threat of the virus that has gone on to kill almost 100,000 people nationwide. Although the president eventually began to take the outbreak more seriously, he continued to give out “inaccurate information on a daily basis.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-27--USA Today Mourns Nation's Coronavirus Victims With Powerful Front Page

USA Today on Wednesday remembered those who have died from the coronavirus with a striking front page ― as the @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic was predicted to pass 100,000 : “ These are the faces of some @ @ @ @ @ the newspaper wrote on its cover under the photographs of 100 people killed by COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ the true staggering scale of how many people have lost their lives as a result @ @ @ @ @ New York Times similarly highlighted the imminent grim landmark with its Sunday front page , @ @ @ @ @ names of people who had died : The front page of The New York Times @ @ @ @ @ pic.twitter.com/d14JhFp4CP — The New York Times ( @ nytimes ) May 24 , 2020

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USA Today remembered those who have died from the coronavirus with a striking front page on Wednesday as the nation’s official death toll from the pandemic was predicted to pass 100,000:
USA Today
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“These are the faces of some of the victims,” the newspaper wrote on its cover under the photographs of 100 people killed by COVID-19.
Beneath, a graphic showed the staggering scale of the contagion’s death toll.
CNN’s Brian Stelter shared the cover image on Twitter late Tuesday.
The New York Times similarly highlighted the grim landmark with its Sunday front page, which it filled with the names of people who had died:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-27--Editor Of The Atlantic Trolls Donald Trump With Subtle Tweak Of His Twitter Bio

The editor-in-chief of The Atlantic is wearing President Donald Trump ’ s attack on the magazine like a badge of honor .
Trump late Tuesday rejoiced on Twitter at reports that the coronavirus pandemic had forced the 163-year-old publication to lay off 68 employees , some 17 % of its workforce : Great News : The boring but very nasty magazine , The Atlantic , is rapidly failing , going down the tubes , and has just been forced to announce it is laying off at least 20 % of its staff in order to limp into the future .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Fake News Business !
— Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) May 27 , 2020 Trump said it was “ great news ” that the “ boring but very nasty magazine ” was “ going down the tubes.
” “ This is a tough time to be in the Fake News Business !
” the president ranted .
Jeffrey Goldberg , the magazine ’ s editor-in-chief , fired back via his Twitter biography .
He rewrote it to read : “ Boring but very nasty editor in chief of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a tactic that Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg has used on various occasions to mock Trump , Russian President Vladimir Putin and others who have criticized her .
Goldberg also suggested Trump had been triggered by an article headlined “ Donald Trump , the Most Unmanly President , ” and used the magazine ’ s time in the spotlight to promote its subscription services .
The Atlantic announced the layoffs , alongside executive pay cuts and salary freezes , on Thursday .
Some 22 editorial staffers were fired .
Its live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also hit .
“ I know that the pandemic is indiscriminate in its course , cutting through various industries and geographies , ” Atlantic Media Chair David Bradley reportedly told staff .
“ But , as has been the case for decades , our media economy is especially hard hit.
” “ They are some of the most wonderful people I know , and I can not overstate how much I ’ ve learned from them.
” I 'm devastated today for my brilliant , generous , kind colleagues .
They are some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and I can not overstate how much I 've learned from them .
They made working at The Atlantic a joy , and any workplace would be lucky to have them .
— Rachel Gutman ( @ rachgutman ) May 21 , 2020

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The editor-in-chief of The Atlantic is wearing President Donald Trump’s attack on the magazine like a badge of honor.
Trump late Tuesday rejoiced on Twitter at reports that the coronavirus pandemic had forced the 163-year-old publication to lay off 68 employees, some 17% of its workforce:
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Great News: The boring but very nasty magazine, The Atlantic, is rapidly failing, going down the tubes, and has just been forced to announce it is laying off at least 20% of its staff in order to limp into the future. This is a tough time to be in the Fake News Business! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 27, 2020
Trump said it was “great news” that the “boring but very nasty magazine” was “going down the tubes.”
“This is a tough time to be in the Fake News Business!” the president ranted.
Jeffrey Goldberg, the magazine’s editor-in-chief, fired back via his Twitter biography. He rewrote it to read: “Boring but very nasty editor in chief of the boring but very nasty Atlantic.”
It’s a tactic that Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg has used on various occasions to mock Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and others who have criticized her.
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Goldberg also suggested Trump had been triggered by an article headlined “Donald Trump, the Most Unmanly President,” and used the magazine’s time in the spotlight to promote its subscription services.
This is the article that probably triggered Trump:https://t.co/8BPGyEXR1x — Jeffrey Goldberg (@JeffreyGoldberg) May 27, 2020
The Atlantic announced the layoffs, alongside executive pay cuts and salary freezes, on Thursday. Some 22 editorial staffers were fired. Its live events, sales and marketing teams were also hit.
“I know that the pandemic is indiscriminate in its course, cutting through various industries and geographies,” Atlantic Media Chair David Bradley reportedly told staff. “But, as has been the case for decades, our media economy is especially hard hit.”
Deputy managing editor Rachel Gutman tweeted she was “devastated.”
“They are some of the most wonderful people I know, and I cannot overstate how much I’ve learned from them.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-27--Jennifer Carroll Foy Jumps Into Virginia Governor's Race, Hoping To Make History

“ I ’ ve been fighting for the issues that COVID-19 has exposed for other people since day one , ” she said .
“ I ’ ve always been fighting for increasing the minimum wage and paid sick days , paid family medical leave and ending pregnancy discrimination .
All of these issues have lent itself to bear doing this pandemic.
” Carroll Foy praised the job Gov .
Ralph Northam ( D ) ― who can not run again because of term limits ― has done , but said there are areas where she ’ d like to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making sure all bus drivers and grocery workers have masks and personal protective equipment , raising the minimum wage , implementing paid sick days and instituting a vote-by-mail system .
“ Campaigning during a global pandemic is a challenge in and of itself .
... Now that doors are closed ― and we don ’ t know the next time we ’ ll be able to knock on a door ― we have to turn our attention to where we can meet people where they are .
And the best way to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ digital and through the mail , ” she said .
“ Being born in Petersburg and raised by my grandmother , I remember at a young age , sitting down at my dining room table with my aunt after my grandmother had a stroke and became a quadriplegic , having to decide if we were going to pay for our mortgage that month , or for the medications keeping my grandmother alive .
And as a mother of twins , I don ’ t want my children or anyone ’ s children to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisions , ” she said , adding , “ I ’ ve dedicated my entire life to fighting for those who can not fight for themselves , and I will continue to fight as the next governor of Virginia.
” One area where many progressives were disappointed with the Democratic-controlled state legislature recently was its failure to repeal the state ’ s right-to-work law .
These anti-union laws forbid employers from forcing all their workers to pay union dues .
This arrangement means that some people get all the benefits of representation without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stand on the side that we are No .
1 in the country for businesses .
But we can also be No .
1 in the country for workers , ” Carroll Foy said .
“ And our economy is working very well for the very wealthy , but it ’ s not for those people who are working two to three jobs and still living paycheck to paycheck .
And there ’ s been a concerted effort to end unions and labor here in Virginia , even though they are the other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have minimum wage pay , we have child protection .
They were the way that we got to the middle class.
” “ What that says to me is that people are motivated and people want change , ” she said .
“ They want to do something different than what is currently happening in the White House , and they will come out in historic numbers in order to make that happen .
”

Virginia state Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy (D), holding her son, is running for governor. Steve Helber/Associated Press
Jennifer Carroll Foy is jumping into the 2021 gubernatorial race in Virginia, making her the first Black woman to run for the job in 30 years. If elected, she would be the first Black female governor anywhere in the country.
“I look forward to being more bold in what we get done here in Virginia, especially dealing with everyday, kitchen table issues,” Carroll Foy, a 38-year-old state delegate, said in an interview with HuffPost.
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The election of Carroll Foy would be a dramatic move, cementing the new blue, diverse character of the state that once was the capital of the Confederacy.
Virginia has never had a female governor. Democrat Douglas Wilder, who served 1990-1994, is the only Black person elected to the job in the state.
Carroll Foy is considered a dynamic rising star in Virginia politics. She grew up in Petersburg ― about 30 miles south of Richmond. After the Supreme Court forced the Virginia Military Institute to start accepting female cadets in 1996, Carroll Foy received a full scholarship to attend college was part of the third class of women to graduate ever.
She became a public defender and was elected to the General Assembly in 2017.
Carroll Foy has made her mark in office by leading the fight to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment as the chief sponsor in the state House.
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In January, Virginia became the 38th state to ratify the provision, which guarantees equal protection for women. There will now be a legal battle about whether Virginia’s vote means that the ERA can be added to the U.S. Constitution.
Passage of the ERA was a central campaign promise for many Democrats when they swept control of the state legislature in 2019.
Launching a campaign in the middle of a pandemic likely isn’t what Carroll Foy had planned. But, she said, her priorities haven’t changed.
“I’ve been fighting for the issues that COVID-19 has exposed for other people since day one,” she said. “I’ve always been fighting for increasing the minimum wage and paid sick days, paid family medical leave and ending pregnancy discrimination. All of these issues have lent itself to bear doing this pandemic.”
Carroll Foy praised the job Gov. Ralph Northam (D) ― who cannot run again because of term limits ― has done, but said there are areas where she’d like to be “bolder.” She pointed to making sure all bus drivers and grocery workers have masks and personal protective equipment, raising the minimum wage, implementing paid sick days and instituting a vote-by-mail system.
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“Campaigning during a global pandemic is a challenge in and of itself. ... Now that doors are closed ― and we don’t know the next time we’ll be able to knock on a door ― we have to turn our attention to where we can meet people where they are. And the best way to do that is through social media, through digital and through the mail,” she said.
“I stand on the side that we are No. 1 in the country for businesses. But we can also be No. 1 in the country for workers.” - Virginia state Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy
Carroll Foy is a former foster mom and mother to twin boys. She became pregnant during her campaign and was frequently asked how she could manage both motherhood and a career ― with people suggesting she should choose just one.
In office, Carroll Foy has introduced anti-pregnancy discrimination legislation and a bill requiring school boards to write their dress codes in a way that eliminate gender and racial discrimination.
“Being born in Petersburg and raised by my grandmother, I remember at a young age, sitting down at my dining room table with my aunt after my grandmother had a stroke and became a quadriplegic, having to decide if we were going to pay for our mortgage that month, or for the medications keeping my grandmother alive. And as a mother of twins, I don’t want my children or anyone’s children to have to make those type of impossible decisions,” she said, adding, “I’ve dedicated my entire life to fighting for those who cannot fight for themselves, and I will continue to fight as the next governor of Virginia.”
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Carroll Foy is likely going to face a number of challengers for the Democratic nomination next year. Attorney General Mark Herring, former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, state Sen. Jennifer McClellan and Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney have all expressed interest in running. (McClellan is African-American and would also make history if she won.)
On the GOP side, state Sen. Amanda Chase is the only declared candidate. She’s a fervent supporter of President Donald Trump and has decried “the liberal, socialistic agenda that has taken control of the Capitol.”
Herring and Fairfax, who were considered leading contenders for the top job, have been beset by scandals.
Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring (D), Gov. Ralph Northam (D) and Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax (D) all faced scandals in 2019. Steve Helber/Associated Press
Herring admitted that he wore blackface at a college party in 1980. His comments came after a racist photograph on Gov. Northam’s medical school yearbook page surfaced. Northam said he was in the picture, but then he retracted his admission.
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Last year, two women accused Fairfax of sexual assault in the early 2000s. He has denied the allegations.
“I believe that women should be believed, and I believe they should be heard,” Carroll Foy said. “And as the next governor Virginia, I hope to create a climate where women feel empowered to come forward to tell their stories.”
“While controversies may be happening around me,” she added, “I was focused on passing Medicaid expansion for 400,000 Virginians, ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment for women’s equality, carrying paid family medical leave, ending pregnancy discrimination here in Virginia and reforming our criminal justice system in a way that’s unrecognizable so everyone is treated fairly and equitably.”
One area where many progressives were disappointed with the Democratic-controlled state legislature recently was its failure to repeal the state’s right-to-work law. These anti-union laws forbid employers from forcing all their workers to pay union dues. This arrangement means that some people get all the benefits of representation without having to contribute anything.
While some people may decide not to pay because they are against the union, others may simply stop giving money because there’s little financial reason to do so if the union is obligated to provide representation anyway.
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The repeal bill failed to pass out of the General Assembly, but Northam also made clear he believed the legislation was unrealistic and had no interest in signing it.
Carroll Foy, however, supported the repeal bill and said she would sign it if it came to her desk when she was governor.
“If it is the will of Virginians, if it is the will of the body and the General Assembly, then I will be happy to put pen to paper to sign that,” she told HuffPost.
The human rights group Oxfam has ranked Virginia dead last in its ranking of the “best places to work in America.” States with right-to-work laws have wages that are, on average, 3.1% lower than pro-union states, according to a 2015 study by the liberal Economic Policy Institute.
“I stand on the side that we are No. 1 in the country for businesses. But we can also be No. 1 in the country for workers,” Carroll Foy said. “And our economy is working very well for the very wealthy, but it’s not for those people who are working two to three jobs and still living paycheck to paycheck. And there’s been a concerted effort to end unions and labor here in Virginia, even though they are the other reason that we have weekends, we have minimum wage pay, we have child protection. They were the way that we got to the middle class.”
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Carroll Foy said she was encouraged by the March 3 presidential primary in the state, which saw historic turnout, and hoped that it meant good news for Democrats in November.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-27--Pelosi Says Republican Effort To Block Pandemic Voting Rules A 'Sad Stunt'

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi rejected a lawsuit filed Tuesday by Republican leaders over plans to use a remote voting system as a “ sad stunt ” and accused her GOP colleagues of “ dangerous obstruction ” as the nation reels from the ongoing coronavirus pandemic .
The House approved a slate of historic rule changes on party lines earlier this month that would allow lawmakers to vote by proxy without being present in the chamber for the duration of the crisis .
Under the procedures , any lawmaker not in Washington can designate another member who is present to vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is necessary to keep members safe while still able to do their jobs .
But Republicans argue those shifts go against the Constitution , which mandates lawmakers be “ present ” to cast a vote .
More than 20 Republicans , including Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy ( R-Calif. ) , sued Pelosi and other congressional officials earlier Tuesday over the move , calling it a “ brazen violation of the Constitution ” and a “ dereliction of our duty.
” I just filed a lawsuit in federal court to overturn Speaker Pelosi ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could allow as few as 20 Representatives to control the votes of 220 .
This is NOT the representative democracy our Founders envisioned or what our Constitution allows .
— Kevin McCarthy ( @ GOPLeader ) May 26 , 2020 Pelosi rejected their arguments in a pointed statement , accusing the GOP of being focused on delaying “ urgently needed action to meet the needs of American workers and families during the coronavirus crisis.
” “ The House made its will clear two weeks ago when it voted to implement remote voting by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Congress can continue to protect lives and livelihoods , ” the California Democrat said in a statement Tuesday night .
“ The House ’ s position that remote voting by proxy during a pandemic is fully consistent with the Constitution is supported by expert legal analyses.
” She continued : “ As our nation approaches the heartbreaking milestone of 100,000 lives lost to COVID-19 , House Republicans must stop their dangerous obstruction and join Democrats to save lives , defeat the virus and grow the economy.
” The notion of voting remotely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Congress debates how to operate in the coming months amid the pandemic .
More than 1.6 million people in the U.S. have been infected with the virus and the country is closing in on a major moment in the crisis : 100,000 deaths across the nation .
But The New York Times notes any suit is likely to be an uphill battle as the courts have generally allowed Congress to set its own rules .
Despite those concerns , McCarthy said Tuesday the move broke more than 230 years of chamber tradition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to other lasting effects .
The Republican leader noted more than 60 Democrats have already written to the House Clerk to nominate a proxy this week .
“ Those numbers can and will grow , while the number of members who cast votes in person shrinks , ” McCarthy said in a statement earlier Tuesday .
“ Ultimately , as few as 20 members could control the vote of over 220 members under this rule for the foreseeable future.
” He continued : “ The Speaker ’ s reckless and partisan decision to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposition from the minority and even members of her own party .
This is a serious matter that will damage the integrity of the House ’ s actions now and in the future .
”

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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi rejected a lawsuit filed Tuesday by Republican leaders over plans to use a remote voting system as a “sad stunt” and accused her GOP colleagues of “dangerous obstruction” as the nation reels from the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The House approved a slate of historic rule changes on party lines earlier this month that would allow lawmakers to vote by proxy without being present in the chamber for the duration of the crisis. Under the procedures, any lawmaker not in Washington can designate another member who is present to vote for them, a change Democrats argue is necessary to keep members safe while still able to do their jobs.
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But Republicans argue those shifts go against the Constitution, which mandates lawmakers be “present” to cast a vote. More than 20 Republicans, including Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), sued Pelosi and other congressional officials earlier Tuesday over the move, calling it a “brazen violation of the Constitution” and a “dereliction of our duty.”
I just filed a lawsuit in federal court to overturn Speaker Pelosi’s unconstitutional proxy voting scheme.
It could allow as few as 20 Representatives to control the votes of 220. This is NOT the representative democracy our Founders envisioned or what our Constitution allows. — Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) May 26, 2020
Pelosi rejected their arguments in a pointed statement, accusing the GOP of being focused on delaying “urgently needed action to meet the needs of American workers and families during the coronavirus crisis.”
“The House made its will clear two weeks ago when it voted to implement remote voting by proxy and other necessary measures to ensure that Congress can continue to protect lives and livelihoods,” the California Democrat said in a statement Tuesday night. “The House’s position that remote voting by proxy during a pandemic is fully consistent with the Constitution is supported by expert legal analyses.”
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She continued: “As our nation approaches the heartbreaking milestone of 100,000 lives lost to COVID-19, House Republicans must stop their dangerous obstruction and join Democrats to save lives, defeat the virus and grow the economy.”
The notion of voting remotely or by proxy is controversial, even as Congress debates how to operate in the coming months amid the pandemic. More than 1.6 million people in the U.S. have been infected with the virus and the country is closing in on a major moment in the crisis: 100,000 deaths across the nation.
But The New York Times notes any suit is likely to be an uphill battle as the courts have generally allowed Congress to set its own rules.
Despite those concerns, McCarthy said Tuesday the move broke more than 230 years of chamber tradition and warned such rule changes could lead to other lasting effects. The Republican leader noted more than 60 Democrats have already written to the House Clerk to nominate a proxy this week.
“Those numbers can and will grow, while the number of members who cast votes in person shrinks,” McCarthy said in a statement earlier Tuesday. “Ultimately, as few as 20 members could control the vote of over 220 members under this rule for the foreseeable future.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-27--The Plan To Get Young Voters Excited About Joe Biden Is Surprisingly Simple

A super PAC funded by one of the Democratic Party ’ s largest donors is reserving $ 11 million worth of digital advertising space targeting young voters , hoping that simply pointing them to the basic policy differences between former Vice President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump will increase their enthusiasm to vote in November .
NextGen America , which is funded by former presidential candidate and billionaire investor Tom Steyer , will officially endorse Biden on Wednesday and has reserved the digital ad buy to reach voters younger than 35 .
The group ’ s decision to back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had already announced plans to spend more than $ 40 million targeting Trump and key Republican-held Senate seats this year .
The message NextGen is deploying , however , is surprisingly simple .
The best way to get young voters eager to pull the lever for a 77-year-old they overwhelmingly rejected in favor of Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) during the presidential primaries is to point out his agreement with them on a host of issues .
The ads don ’ t make grandiose arguments about how Biden will unite the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best bet for progress on issues younger adults care about .
NextGen ’ s research into young voter opinions about Biden found many knew little about the former vice president , especially those whose political awakening post-dated former President Barack Obama ’ s successful 2008 campaign .
Some were unaware of Biden ’ s stances on issues such as gun control , immigration and health care , and saw him as little more than another career politician .
The goal of the advertising is to remind liberal-leaning young people that one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agrees with them on the issues a lot more than the other does .
One of NextGen ’ s first ads is design to rebut the idea that there is little difference between Biden and Trump , comparing and contrasting Biden ’ s pledge to expand health care coverage with Trump ’ s support for repealing Obamacare ; and Biden ’ s support for clean energy with Trump ’ s backing of “ unchecked pollution , ” among other issues .
“ We can have a president who wants 100 % clean energy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weapons ban , or we can have a white supremacist who tells Americans to drink bleach , ” said Ben Wessel , the group ’ s executive director .
“ This election is about young Americans and our future , and the choice for us is clear : Joe Biden is the best candidate for president.
” Another ad similarly paints Biden ’ s election as simply a part of the solution rather than a revolutionary act .
“ Our generation deserves better , and Joe Biden can help us get there , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We know the fight for progress won ’ t stop after Election Day , but there are enough of us to start making progress again.
” The super PAC has also hired 150 organizers spread across 11 battleground states and is also aiming to register tens of thousands of young voters in 2020 .
They also created a simple fact sheet they plan to digitally pass out to voters at online organizing events , aiming to answer questions about Biden ’ s and Trump ’ s records .
NextGen ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign unveiled a new youth outreach effort , dubbed “ League 46.
” That effort , led by Biden senior adviser Symone Sanders , includes an expansion of an existing Students for Biden group , along with the launch of groups of young professionals for Biden and young elected officials for Biden .
Polling shows Biden leading Trump by significant margins among young people , both nationally and in key swing states .
But top Democratic operatives have long worried about young people ’ s relative lack of enthusiasm to actually cast a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prove politically deadly in a close race .

Presidential candidate Joe Biden takes selfies with supporters at a March 2 rally at Texas Southern University in Houston. MARK FELIX/AFP via Getty Images
A super PAC funded by one of the Democratic Party’s largest donors is reserving $11 million worth of digital advertising space targeting young voters, hoping that simply pointing them to the basic policy differences between former Vice President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump will increase their enthusiasm to vote in November.
NextGen America, which is funded by former presidential candidate and billionaire investor Tom Steyer, will officially endorse Biden on Wednesday and has reserved the digital ad buy to reach voters younger than 35. The group’s decision to back Biden isn’t surprising; it had already announced plans to spend more than $40 million targeting Trump and key Republican-held Senate seats this year.
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The message NextGen is deploying, however, is surprisingly simple. The best way to get young voters eager to pull the lever for a 77-year-old they overwhelmingly rejected in favor of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) during the presidential primaries is to point out his agreement with them on a host of issues. The ads don’t make grandiose arguments about how Biden will unite the country but instead argue he’s the best bet for progress on issues younger adults care about.
NextGen’s research into young voter opinions about Biden found many knew little about the former vice president, especially those whose political awakening post-dated former President Barack Obama’s successful 2008 campaign. Some were unaware of Biden’s stances on issues such as gun control, immigration and health care, and saw him as little more than another career politician.
The goal of the advertising is to remind liberal-leaning young people that one of the two old men vying for the presidency agrees with them on the issues a lot more than the other does. One of NextGen’s first ads is design to rebut the idea that there is little difference between Biden and Trump, comparing and contrasting Biden’s pledge to expand health care coverage with Trump’s support for repealing Obamacare; and Biden’s support for clean energy with Trump’s backing of “unchecked pollution,” among other issues.
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“We can have a president who wants 100% clean energy, student debt forgiveness and an assault weapons ban, or we can have a white supremacist who tells Americans to drink bleach,” said Ben Wessel, the group’s executive director. “This election is about young Americans and our future, and the choice for us is clear: Joe Biden is the best candidate for president.”
Another ad similarly paints Biden’s election as simply a part of the solution rather than a revolutionary act. “Our generation deserves better, and Joe Biden can help us get there,” the ad’s narrator says. “We know the fight for progress won’t stop after Election Day, but there are enough of us to start making progress again.”
The ads will start running on June 1 in the presidential battleground states of Arizona, Florida, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and North Carolina. NextGen has purchased advertising space on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Pandora and Steam.
The super PAC has also hired 150 organizers spread across 11 battleground states and is also aiming to register tens of thousands of young voters in 2020. They also created a simple fact sheet they plan to digitally pass out to voters at online organizing events, aiming to answer questions about Biden’s and Trump’s records.
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NextGen’s announcement comes one day after the Biden campaign unveiled a new youth outreach effort, dubbed “League 46.” That effort, led by Biden senior adviser Symone Sanders, includes an expansion of an existing Students for Biden group, along with the launch of groups of young professionals for Biden and young elected officials for Biden.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-27--Minneapolis Mayor Calls For Charges In George Floyd Death

“ I ’ ve wrestled with one fundamental question : Why is the man who killed George Floyd not in jail ?
” Frey said in a press conference Wednesday .
Floyd , who was Black , died following his encounter with Minneapolis police on Monday .
“ If you had done it , or I had , you ’ d be behind bars right now , ” Frey added .
“ I ’ m calling on the Hennepin County attorney to charge the arresting officer in this case.
” Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman has yet to announce charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not immediately respond to a request for comment .
In a statement Tuesday , his office said they were “ shocked and saddened ” by the now-viral video , noting the FBI and Minnesota ’ s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension are investigating the incident , after which they ’ ll make a decision on prosecution .
On Tuesday evening , hundreds of people took to the streets in Minneapolis , protesting Floyd ’ s death and calling on the officers involved to be charged ( all four have been fired ) .
Asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the county to arrest and charge the officer , identified as Derek Chauvin , Frey said that based on what he saw in the video , “ the officer who had his knee on the neck of George Floyd should be charged.
” The video showed Floyd , who was unarmed and handcuffed , being held face-down by a Minneapolis police officer , who kept his knee on Floyd ’ s neck as he pleaded , “ I can ’ t breathe.
” Floyd eventually closed his eyes and stopped speaking .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ died shortly after arriving at a hospital , the Minneapolis Police Department said .
“ How could I not speak out when an offense took place that you or I or many people in our city would have been behind bars if they did ?
Yet this particular officer was not , ” he added .
“ And by the way , Black men have been put in prison before for far , far less.
” As Tuesday ’ s protests moved from the site of Floyd ’ s arrest to the local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gear arrived at the scene and launched what appeared to be tear gas into the crowd .
Asked about the heavy law enforcement response to protesters , Frey said that he “ gets the need to protest , ” but that “ those rights must stop when others ’ safety is put at risk , ” noting how some police officers ’ cars were busted and building glass was broken by some demonstrators .
He said he trusted the judgment of the city ’ s police chief , whom he called “ an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He also called on people to not “ lump in ” the “ 99 % ” of protesters who demonstrated peacefully with those who didn ’ t .
“ We watched for an excruciating 5 minutes as a white officer pressed his knee into the neck of an unarmed , handcuffed Black man , ” Frey said .
“ I saw no threat , I saw nothing that would signal that this kind of force was necessary.
” “ We are not talking about a split-second decision that was made incorrectly , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s somewhere around 300 seconds in those 5 minutes .
Every one of which , the officer could have turned back .
Every second of which he could have removed his knee from George Floyd ’ s neck .
Every one of which he could have listened to the community around him clearly saying he needed to stop .
Every one of which you heard George Floyd himself articulating the pain he was feeling , an inability to breathe .
I can ’ t see coming to a different answer there and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of us to say that .
”

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Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey is calling on the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office to criminally charge the white police officer who was filmed kneeling on George Floyd’s neck before he died.
“I’ve wrestled with one fundamental question: Why is the man who killed George Floyd not in jail?” Frey said in a press conference Wednesday. Floyd, who was Black, died following his encounter with Minneapolis police on Monday.
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“If you had done it, or I had, you’d be behind bars right now,” Frey added. “I’m calling on the Hennepin County attorney to charge the arresting officer in this case.”
“We cannot turn a blind eye,” the mayor said. “George Floyd deserves justice, his family deserves justice, the Black community deserves justice.”
Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman has yet to announce charges in the case. His office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In a statement Tuesday, his office said they were “shocked and saddened” by the now-viral video, noting the FBI and Minnesota’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension are investigating the incident, after which they’ll make a decision on prosecution.
On Tuesday evening, hundreds of people took to the streets in Minneapolis, protesting Floyd’s death and calling on the officers involved to be charged (all four have been fired).
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Asked why the mayor was making the call for the county to arrest and charge the officer, identified as Derek Chauvin, Frey said that based on what he saw in the video, “the officer who had his knee on the neck of George Floyd should be charged.”
The video showed Floyd, who was unarmed and handcuffed, being held face-down by a Minneapolis police officer, who kept his knee on Floyd’s neck as he pleaded, “I can’t breathe.” Floyd eventually closed his eyes and stopped speaking. Police called for an ambulance and Floyd died shortly after arriving at a hospital, the Minneapolis Police Department said.
“How could I not speak out when an offense took place that you or I or many people in our city would have been behind bars if they did? Yet this particular officer was not,” he added. “And by the way, Black men have been put in prison before for far, far less.”
Protesters gather calling for justice for George Floyd on Tuesday, May 26, 2020, in Minneapolis. Carlos Gonzalez/Star Tribune via AP
As Tuesday’s protests moved from the site of Floyd’s arrest to the local police precinct, law enforcement in riot gear arrived at the scene and launched what appeared to be tear gas into the crowd.
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Asked about the heavy law enforcement response to protesters, Frey said that he “gets the need to protest,” but that “those rights must stop when others’ safety is put at risk,” noting how some police officers’ cars were busted and building glass was broken by some demonstrators. He said he trusted the judgment of the city’s police chief, whom he called “an exceptional leader in our Black community.” He also called on people to not “lump in” the “99%” of protesters who demonstrated peacefully with those who didn’t.
Frey detailed further why he chose to publicly call on the county attorney to charge the officer in this case.
“We watched for an excruciating 5 minutes as a white officer pressed his knee into the neck of an unarmed, handcuffed Black man,” Frey said. “I saw no threat, I saw nothing that would signal that this kind of force was necessary.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-27--You Can’t Deplatform The President Of The United States

Brzezinski wasn ’ t alone in calling for Dorsey to stop Trump ’ s belligerent false accusations of murder .
T.J. Klausutis similarly pleaded in a letter to Dorsey to , at the very least , remove the president ’ s false tweets slandering his deceased wife , Lori Klausutis , whom the president falsely accuses Scarborough of having an affair with before murdering .
“ I ’ m asking you to intervene in this instance because the president of the United States has taken something that does not belong to him — the memory of my dead wife — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Klausutis wrote to Dorsey .
The president is undoubtedly cruel and vicious in his slander of a deceased woman and her widowed husband , both private citizens , as well as in his slander of public figure Scarborough .
He falsely tweeted that Klausutis ’ death is a “ Cold Case ” ( it is not ) and had no basis for claiming she had “ an affair ” with Scarborough .
Social media platforms are designed to be addictive attention machines .
This can skew them to favor outrageous statements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conspiracy theorists and neo-Nazis have successfully gamed these platforms in the middle of the last decade to gain attention , silence opponents and influence public discourse .
Calls to ban or deplatform those groups and individuals from digital platforms have increased as their behavior becomes more toxic .
Deplatforming succeeded in diminishing the fame of right-wing troll Milo Yiannopoulos after he instigated the online harassment and hacking of comedian Leslie Jones .
It has also mitigated the reach of conspiracy agitator Alex Jones after his admittedly false claims that the mass killing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hook Elementary School was faked .
But deplatforming would have no such impact when applied to the president of the United States .
The office itself is arguably the most powerful platform in the world .
The president ’ s every statement is effectively newsworthy .
Trump is followed by a press pool almost everywhere he goes .
He can summon attention at any moment by stepping before a microphone .
You can ’ t deplatform the president , as journalist Adam Serwer noted .
If Twitter deplatformed Trump , he could simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If Facebook kicked him off its platform , he could move to YouTube or TikTok .
He could also just call in to “ Fox & Friends , ” appear at a press conference , or otherwise issue statements that the press will cover because he is the president of the United States .
Trump accused Rafael Cruz , the father of Sen. Ted Cruz ( R-Texas ) , of helping Lee Harvey Oswald assassinate former President John F. Kennedy during a phone interview on Fox News .
In a 2016 interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton murdered former Clinton administration official Vince Foster , who died by suicide in 1993 .
Twitter has no plans to remove Trump from its platform .
The social media company issued a statement in 2018 claiming that it would not remove the accounts or tweets of “ world leaders ” because such a move “ would hide important information people should be able to see and debate.
” ( Twitter has , however , deleted tweets by Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Along with lobbing murder accusations , Trump has tweeted false allegations about casting ballots by mail during the viral pandemic that has killed nearly 100,000 Americans .
He claimed , without evidence , that such efforts would be rife with crime and fraud , and falsely claimed that California Gov .
Gavin Newsom ( D ) planned to mail ballots to everyone living in California , rather than only to active registered voters .
These comments , designed to cast doubt on the nation ’ s democratic elections , led Twitter to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ append a fact-check link to the president ’ s tweets that reads , “ Get the facts about mail-in ballots.
” The president has since stated his intention to use the federal government to regulate or shutter Twitter .
In the end , the problem here is not that Trump is on Twitter .
It ’ s that he was elected president .
And he will not lose that platform , even if he ’ s removed from office or defeated for reelection .
This is the consequence of giving the most powerful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like Trump .
And it ’ s too late to take it back .

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President Donald Trump’s latest barrage of conspiratorial accusations and lies, designed to undermine the nation’s democratic elections, has induced new calls for his removal from his favorite social media platform: Twitter.
“At what point is @Twitter a part of this?” MSNBC host Mika Brzezinski tweeted at Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey after Trump accused her husband and co-host Joe Scarborough of murder. “TAKE DOWN TRUMP’s ACCOUNT— the world would be safer.” (Trump first falsely insinuated that Scarborough committed murder in November 2017.)
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Brzezinski wasn’t alone in calling for Dorsey to stop Trump’s belligerent false accusations of murder. T.J. Klausutis similarly pleaded in a letter to Dorsey to, at the very least, remove the president’s false tweets slandering his deceased wife, Lori Klausutis, whom the president falsely accuses Scarborough of having an affair with before murdering.
“I’m asking you to intervene in this instance because the president of the United States has taken something that does not belong to him — the memory of my dead wife — and perverted it for perceived political gain,” Klausutis wrote to Dorsey.
.@jack At what point is @Twitter a part of this? TAKE DOWN TRUMP’s ACCOUNT— the world world be safer. Retweet if you agree — Mika Brzezinski (@morningmika) May 20, 2020
The president is undoubtedly cruel and vicious in his slander of a deceased woman and her widowed husband, both private citizens, as well as in his slander of public figure Scarborough. He falsely tweeted that Klausutis’ death is a “Cold Case” (it is not) and had no basis for claiming she had “an affair” with Scarborough.
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But removing Trump’s Twitter account, an act called deplatforming, serves no ultimate purpose.
Social media platforms are designed to be addictive attention machines. This can skew them to favor outrageous statements, hyperbole and conspiracy theories. Demagogic conspiracy theorists and neo-Nazis have successfully gamed these platforms in the middle of the last decade to gain attention, silence opponents and influence public discourse. Calls to ban or deplatform those groups and individuals from digital platforms have increased as their behavior becomes more toxic.
Deplatforming succeeded in diminishing the fame of right-wing troll Milo Yiannopoulos after he instigated the online harassment and hacking of comedian Leslie Jones. It has also mitigated the reach of conspiracy agitator Alex Jones after his admittedly false claims that the mass killing of 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School was faked.
But deplatforming would have no such impact when applied to the president of the United States. The office itself is arguably the most powerful platform in the world. The president’s every statement is effectively newsworthy. Trump is followed by a press pool almost everywhere he goes. He can summon attention at any moment by stepping before a microphone. You can’t deplatform the president, as journalist Adam Serwer noted.
“In the end, the problem here is not that Trump is on Twitter. It’s that he was elected president.”
If Twitter deplatformed Trump, he could simply post his accusations on Facebook or Instagram. If Facebook kicked him off its platform, he could move to YouTube or TikTok. He could also just call in to “Fox & Friends,” appear at a press conference, or otherwise issue statements that the press will cover because he is the president of the United States.
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It is not as though Trump is afraid of making the same baseless accusations live in front of a microphone.
Trump accused Rafael Cruz, the father of Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), of helping Lee Harvey Oswald assassinate former President John F. Kennedy during a phone interview on Fox News. In a 2016 interview with The Washington Post, Trump insinuated that former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton murdered former Clinton administration official Vince Foster, who died by suicide in 1993.
Twitter has no plans to remove Trump from its platform. The social media company issued a statement in 2018 claiming that it would not remove the accounts or tweets of “world leaders” because such a move “would hide important information people should be able to see and debate.” (Twitter has, however, deleted tweets by Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.)
President Donald Trump will always have a platform to say whatever he wants because he's the president of the United States. AP Photo/Evan Vucci
While Twitter may not delete Trump’s tweets or deplatform him from the site, the company did take its first step in correcting false information Trump disseminated on Wednesday.
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Along with lobbing murder accusations, Trump has tweeted false allegations about casting ballots by mail during the viral pandemic that has killed nearly 100,000 Americans. He claimed, without evidence, that such efforts would be rife with crime and fraud, and falsely claimed that California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) planned to mail ballots to everyone living in California, rather than only to active registered voters.
These comments, designed to cast doubt on the nation’s democratic elections, led Twitter to do something it had never done before: append a fact-check link to the president’s tweets that reads, “Get the facts about mail-in ballots.” The president has since stated his intention to use the federal government to regulate or shutter Twitter.