thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-12--Partisanship is Making Americans Vote For Things They Don’t Actually Want

Emily Michot/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images Miami Shores voters fill in their ballots at the C. Lawton McCall Community Center on Election Day , November 3 , 2020 .
Voters in Florida decisively passed a ballot initiative to raise the minimum wage , but also decisively favored Donald Trump , a candidate who believes the minimum wage is just fine where it is .
Deep-red Montana , Mississippi and South Dakota liberalized marijuana laws .
Bright-blue California and Illinois rejected rent control and income taxes , respectively .
This is nothing new .
Every election is a fresh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation of individuals , not groups , and that those individuals have beliefs that don ’ t fall neatly along partisan lines .
“ Most people aren ’ t ideological in the way journalists , political scientists and talking heads are , ” said Christopher Witko , a professor at Pennsylvania State University who researches inequality and American elections .
“ If you ’ re someone who follows politics closely , knowing your position on the minimum wage makes it pretty easy to predict your position on taxes and abortion .
But that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most of the public.
” Most Americans , Witko said , have political beliefs that are less consistent than those of the politicians they vote for .
They want better health care but lower taxes ; a smaller government but a bigger military ; higher wages but cheaper products .
In a 2014 study , researchers found that most so-called “ moderate voters ” were , in fact , people who hold extreme positions from both the political right and the political left .
“ You ’ ve got voters who say they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want abortion criminalized , ” said Chris Ellis , a political science professor at Bucknell University .
“ That person doesn ’ t exist in Congress , but they do exist in the population in large numbers.
” Partisanship Is Becoming An Identity The explanation for this mismatch of voters ’ inconsistent beliefs and their strikingly consistent voting patterns is the influence of political parties .
Over the last 40 years , partisanship has become a kind of social identity , a way of signaling to other people that you hold a distinct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and social issues .
“ I always chuckle when people say , ‘ I ’ m tired of identity politics , ’ ” said Andrea Benjamin , a University of Oklahoma professor who studies race and voting behavior .
“ What do you think ‘ Democrat ’ or ‘ Republican ’ mean ?
For a lot of people , that is an identity.
” The benefit of ballot initiatives is that they appear as independent ideas free from the influence of partisanship .
Over the last 10 years , proposals to raise the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wealthy pass nearly every time they appear on ballots , even in places where voters reject progressive politicians .
“ Candidates run on partisan platforms , and people already know how they feel about the parties , ” Benjamin said .
“ But when it comes to ballot initiatives , voters have to engage and consider where they stand on the issue.
” This trend may be good for passing liberal ballot initiatives , but it is alarming for American democracy .
As partisanship becomes a defining schism in our social lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to assess their policy ideas .
According to Ellis , political identities are already beginning to resemble sports fandom or other group memberships .
They have less to do with political ideals and more to do with unspoken cultural values and a sense of belonging to a group .
“ When we ask people whether they ’ re conservative or liberal , they ’ re not talking about the minimum wage or Obamacare , ” Ellis said .
“ They ’ re talking about things like respecting tradition , eating dinner with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s permission before proposing to his daughter .
It ’ s about things that express people ’ s cultural values and give them self-esteem.
” What Does This Mean For American Politics ?
This incoherence creates a paradox for politicians .
Americans generally favor a set of policies more liberal than any president has endorsed since Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal : universal health care , strict gun control and progressive taxation all enjoy majority support .
And yet they also overwhelmingly identify as conservative or moderate .
The coming decades @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partisanship becomes a more important aspect of identity , voters are becoming more rigid in their beliefs .
So-called “ split-ticket ” voting — ticking the box for , say , a Democratic president and a Republican senator — has fallen to its lowest level in decades .
Even as votes are still being counted , the 2020 election has already broken turnout records , largely due to the expansion of early voting and mail-in ballots .
Texas and Florida are gaining population ; Illinois and New Jersey are shedding it .
Young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the pandemic anyway ) arriving in Seattle .
All this flux means counties could have “ flipped ” from one party to the other without anyone changing their political preferences .

Miami Shores voters fill in their ballots at the C. Lawton McCall Community Center on Election Day, November 3, 2020. Emily Michot/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images
Last week’s election was, as usual, utterly baffling.
Voters in Florida decisively passed a ballot initiative to raise the minimum wage, but also decisively favored Donald Trump, a candidate who believes the minimum wage is just fine where it is. Deep-red Montana, Mississippi and South Dakota liberalized marijuana laws. Bright-blue California and Illinois rejected rent control and income taxes, respectively.
This is nothing new. Every election is a fresh demonstration that the United States is a nation of individuals, not groups, and that those individuals have beliefs that don’t fall neatly along partisan lines.
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“Most people aren’t ideological in the way journalists, political scientists and talking heads are,” said Christopher Witko, a professor at Pennsylvania State University who researches inequality and American elections. “If you’re someone who follows politics closely, knowing your position on the minimum wage makes it pretty easy to predict your position on taxes and abortion. But that’s not how it works for most of the public.”
Most Americans, Witko said, have political beliefs that are less consistent than those of the politicians they vote for. They want better health care but lower taxes; a smaller government but a bigger military; higher wages but cheaper products. In a 2014 study, researchers found that most so-called “moderate voters” were, in fact, people who hold extreme positions from both the political right and the political left.
As opposed to party platforms, which at least hint at ideological consistency, most voters’ opinions are all over the map.
“You’ve got voters who say they want single-payer health care and they also want abortion criminalized,” said Chris Ellis, a political science professor at Bucknell University. “That person doesn’t exist in Congress, but they do exist in the population in large numbers.”
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Partisanship Is Becoming An Identity
Despite these confounding political views, Americans’ voting behavior is remarkably consistent. Only around 7% of Americans regularly switch parties.
The explanation for this mismatch of voters’ inconsistent beliefs and their strikingly consistent voting patterns is the influence of political parties. Over the last 40 years, partisanship has become a kind of social identity, a way of signaling to other people that you hold a distinct set of views about values, economics and social issues.
“I always chuckle when people say, ‘I’m tired of identity politics,’” said Andrea Benjamin, a University of Oklahoma professor who studies race and voting behavior. “What do you think ‘Democrat’ or ‘Republican’ mean? For a lot of people, that is an identity.”
“Most elections are decided by people who don’t follow politics very closely.” - Christopher Witko, Pennsylvania State University political scientist
The benefit of ballot initiatives is that they appear as independent ideas free from the influence of partisanship. Over the last 10 years, proposals to raise the minimum wage, legalize marijuana and tax the wealthy pass nearly every time they appear on ballots, even in places where voters reject progressive politicians.
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“Candidates run on partisan platforms, and people already know how they feel about the parties,” Benjamin said. “But when it comes to ballot initiatives, voters have to engage and consider where they stand on the issue.”
This trend may be good for passing liberal ballot initiatives, but it is alarming for American democracy. As partisanship becomes a defining schism in our social lives, politicians will struggle to convince voters to assess their policy ideas.
According to Ellis, political identities are already beginning to resemble sports fandom or other group memberships. They have less to do with political ideals and more to do with unspoken cultural values and a sense of belonging to a group.
“When we ask people whether they’re conservative or liberal, they’re not talking about the minimum wage or Obamacare,” Ellis said. “They’re talking about things like respecting tradition, eating dinner with the family every night and asking Dad’s permission before proposing to his daughter. It’s about things that express people’s cultural values and give them self-esteem.”
What Does This Mean For American Politics?
This incoherence creates a paradox for politicians. Americans generally favor a set of policies more liberal than any president has endorsed since Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal: universal health care, strict gun control and progressive taxation all enjoy majority support. And yet they also overwhelmingly identify as conservative or moderate.
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“Most people are conservative in their values but liberal in their ideas,” Witko said. “They don’t like liberal candidates, but they like their policies, and vice-versa.”
The coming decades could make this disparity worse. As partisanship becomes a more important aspect of identity, voters are becoming more rigid in their beliefs. So-called “split-ticket” voting — ticking the box for, say, a Democratic president and a Republican senator — has fallen to its lowest level in decades.
“The reason the vote totals change each election isn’t primarily that people are changing their minds, it’s that the electorate changes,” Witko said. “People move from state to state or you get different turnout rates.”
Even as votes are still being counted, the 2020 election has already broken turnout records, largely due to the expansion of early voting and mail-in ballots. Texas and Florida are gaining population; Illinois and New Jersey are shedding it. Young adults are fleeing New York and (before the pandemic anyway) arriving in Seattle. All this flux means counties could have “flipped” from one party to the other without anyone changing their political preferences.
In the future, Witko said, political campaigns could become even more devoid of policy debates. Parties will continue to shift from persuading swing voters to boosting turnout. Local politics, until now relatively free from national-level partisan battles, could become more polarized.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-12--Sean Hannity's Rant At 'Hypocritical Democrats' Reeks Of Hypocrisy

Sean Hannity on Wednesday accused Democrats of caring only about power .
Never mind that Joe Biden won the presidency @ @ @ @ @ swing states overseen by Republican election officials .
Never mind that even Fox News has @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump .
Hannity has led the cable channel ’ s right-wing charge to @ @ @ @ @ baseless case of widespread election fraud and stolen triumph for Democrats .
On his show @ @ @ @ @ vehement Trump acolyte , griped about the “ mob in the media ” and “ @ @ @ @ @ outraged at Trump ’ s refusal to recognize defeat while he flings unfounded accusations of @ @ @ @ @ As we have witnessed over the past five years , they will do anything and @ @ @ @ @ , ” Hannity ranted from his prime time soapbox .
“ No conspiracy theory too @ @ @ @ @ deadly , no witch hunt too insane .
For the left , power is all @ @ @ @

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Sean Hannity on Wednesday accused Democrats of caring only about power.
Never mind that Joe Biden won the presidency, earning electoral victories in swing states overseen by Republican election officials. Never mind that even Fox News has declared Biden the victor over President Donald Trump.
Hannity has led the cable channel’s right-wing charge to press the president’s baseless case of widespread election fraud and stolen triumph for Democrats.
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On his show Wednesday, Hannity, a vehement Trump acolyte, griped about the “mob in the media” and “hypocritical Democrats” who are outraged at Trump’s refusal to recognize defeat while he flings unfounded accusations of mass vote rigging.
“As we have witnessed over the past five years, they will do anything and everything to achieve their goals,” Hannity ranted from his prime time soapbox. “No conspiracy theory too grand, no riot too deadly, no witch hunt too insane. For the left, power is all that matters.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-12--Samantha Bee’s Election Celebration Comes With A Sobering Warning

But the late night host also had a warning : “ Trump will still exist and so will the base @ @ @ @ @ declared it “ a sad fact that almost half of voters were ready to embrace @ @ @ @ @ racism , sexism and science denial.
” “ Trump ’ s most ardent supporters are @ @ @ @ @ are not going away , ” she continued .
“ They have been fed a @ @ @ @ @ eager politicians and right-wing media.
” And Trump won ’ t go away either , @ @ @ @ @ as “ an aging , bitter fame-hungry personality who craves the spotlight more than anything.
@ @ @ @ @ a lot to celebrate right now .
We have a chance to reverse four years @ @ @ @ @ with cruelty , deceit and dangerous disinformation , ” said Bee .
“ But we @ @ @ @ @ because Trumpism isn ’ t going anytime soon.
” Check out the first part of @ @ @ @ @ : And the second installment here :

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Samantha Bee celebrated President Donald Trump’s election defeat on Wednesday’s episode of “Full Frontal.”
But the late night host also had a warning: “Trump will still exist and so will the base he fired up.”
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Bee declared it “a sad fact that almost half of voters were ready to embrace more of Trump’s racism, sexism and science denial.”
“Trump’s most ardent supporters are mad as hell and they are not going away,” she continued. “They have been fed a steady diet of hate from eager politicians and right-wing media.”
And Trump won’t go away either, she added, describing him as “an aging, bitter fame-hungry personality who craves the spotlight more than anything.”
“There’s a lot to celebrate right now. We have a chance to reverse four years of an administration that ruled with cruelty, deceit and dangerous disinformation,” said Bee. “But we have to stay vigilant, because Trumpism isn’t going anytime soon.”
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Check out the first part of Bee’s monologue here:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-12--Karl Rove Predicts Donald Trump Will Fail To Overturn Election Result

Veteran GOP strategist Karl Rove on Wednesday broke ranks with prominent Republicans backing President Donald Trump ’ s reality-defying refusal to accept defeat in the 2020 election .
In an op-ed published by The Wall Street Journal , Rove predicted Trump ’ s efforts to overturn President-elect Joe Biden ’ s win are doomed .
Rove , a former adviser to President George W. Bush who helped steer the U.S. into the Iraq War , said he agreed with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ’ s ( R-Ky. ) assessment that Trump was “ 100 % within his rights ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ But the president ’ s efforts are unlikely to move a single state from Mr. Biden ’ s column , and certainly they ’ re not enough to change the final outcome , ” Rove wrote in the opinion piece .
“ To win , Mr. Trump must prove systemic fraud , with illegal votes in the tens of thousands , ” Rove continued .
“ There is no evidence of that so far.
” Rove , a polarizing political figure seen as the architect of Bush ’ s 2000 and 2004 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some advice for Trump : “ Once his days in court are over , the president should do his part to unite the country by leading a peaceful transition and letting grievances go .
”

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Veteran GOP strategist Karl Rove on Wednesday broke ranks with prominent Republicans backing President Donald Trump’s reality-defying refusal to accept defeat in the 2020 election.
In an op-ed published by The Wall Street Journal, Rove predicted Trump’s efforts to overturn President-elect Joe Biden’s win are doomed.
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Rove, a former adviser to President George W. Bush who helped steer the U.S. into the Iraq War, said he agreed with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-Ky.) assessment that Trump was “100% within his rights” to legally challenge the election result.
“But the president’s efforts are unlikely to move a single state from Mr. Biden’s column, and certainly they’re not enough to change the final outcome,” Rove wrote in the opinion piece.
“To win, Mr. Trump must prove systemic fraud, with illegal votes in the tens of thousands,” Rove continued. “There is no evidence of that so far.”
Rove, a polarizing political figure seen as the architect of Bush’s 2000 and 2004 election victories, concluded the column with some advice for Trump:
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-12--Montage Of Alex Trebek Cursing In Old 'Jeopardy!' Outtakes Goes Viral

Fans are remembering the late “ Jeopardy !
” host Alex Trebek via a hilarious , curse-filled montage of his outtakes .
Footage of Trebek swearing while filming promos for a telephone version of the game show has gone viral following the TV legend ’ s death over the weekend from cancer at age 80 .
“ You dumb son of a bitch , ” Trebek rebukes himself at one point in the video .
“ No shit , ” he says in another clip .
Elsewhere , he has a blunt reply to someone on set , saying : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Footage Festival website shared the montage on Twitter Monday : No host likes shooting promos , especially for a phone version of their hit game show , but Trebek did them with good humor .
So long , Alex , and fuck 'em .
pic.twitter.com/7Z1hh1vl2w — Found Footage Fest ( @ foundfootage ) November 9 , 2020 “ No host likes shooting promos , especially for a phone version of their hit game show , but Trebek did them with good humor , ” the website that celebrates old TV footage captioned its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and fuck ’ em.
” It ’ s now been seen more than 3.7 million times .
Fans were unanimous with their verdict of the video : Hearing him curse is so strange .
And makes me love him even more .
— Caitlin S. , Masked PhD😷 ( @ Paleophile ) November 11 , 2020 OMG ALEX !
I ❤ him even more after seeing this 💙💙💙 — kathryn akita ( @ akitasan ) November 11 , 2020

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Fans are remembering the late “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek via a hilarious, curse-filled montage of his outtakes.
Footage of Trebek swearing while filming promos for a telephone version of the game show has gone viral following the TV legend’s death over the weekend from cancer at age 80.
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“You dumb son of a bitch,” Trebek rebukes himself at one point in the video.
“No shit,” he says in another clip. Elsewhere, he has a blunt reply to someone on set, saying: “Fuck ’em.”
The Found Footage Festival website shared the montage on Twitter Monday:
No host likes shooting promos, especially for a phone version of their hit game show, but Trebek did them with good humor. So long, Alex, and fuck 'em. pic.twitter.com/7Z1hh1vl2w — Found Footage Fest (@foundfootage) November 9, 2020
“No host likes shooting promos, especially for a phone version of their hit game show, but Trebek did them with good humor,” the website that celebrates old TV footage captioned its tweet. “So long, Alex, and fuck ’em.”
It’s now been seen more than 3.7 million times.
Fans were unanimous with their verdict of the video:
Hearing him curse is so strange. And makes me love him even more. — Caitlin S., Masked PhD😷 (@Paleophile) November 11, 2020
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This made my year — Applepeyer (@Applepeyer) November 11, 2020
This made me smile 😁 — leslie brown (@homefried3) November 11, 2020
OMG ALEX! I ❤ him even more after seeing this 💙💙💙 — kathryn akita (@akitasan) November 11, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-12--Stephen Colbert Uses Cthulhu To Show The Cosmic Horror Of Republicans Coddling Trump

“ McConnell believes it is 100 % within the rights of this earthly manifestation of eldritch horror to look into @ @ @ @ @ What ’ s the downside of humoring him for this little bit of time of @ @ @ @ @ ?
No one seriously thinks he ’ ll rise from the boiling seas to spread @ @ @ @ @ ’ s minds with visions of non-Euclidean geometry .
”

“McConnell believes it is 100% within the rights of this earthly manifestation of eldritch horror to look into allegations of voting irregularities. What’s the downside of humoring him for this little bit of time of beyond our concept of time? No one seriously thinks he’ll rise from the boiling seas to spread his tentacles and melt men’s minds with visions of non-Euclidean geometry.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-12--'Borat' Co-star Maria Bakalova Reveals What Happened In That Room With Rudy Giuliani

“ Sacha jumped into the room quickly , because he ’ s been worried about me , ” she told the newspaper .
“ So , if he were late , I don ’ t know how things were going to go .
But he came just in time.
” In the film , Bakalova ― who is 24 ― plays Borat ’ s 15-year-old daughter , Tutar , who scores an interview with Giuliani , personal attorney to President Donald Trump .
After the interview , which was conducted in a hotel suite , they head into a bedroom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Giuliani lies back in bed and sticks his hands down his pants , which he said was to tuck his shirt back in .
“ She ’ s 15 , she ’ s too old for you , ” he said as he and Bakalova fled the scene .
“ I was kind of scared that something would happen , ” Bakalova told the Times .
“ But fortunately , we escaped.
” So was Giuliani really tucking in his shirt ?
“ We want everybody to see the movie and judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first .
Asked again , she took a long pause .
“ What do you think he was doing ?
” she asked .
So did Bakalova feel bad for Giuliani after he became the butt of jokes around the world because of the scene .
“ Movies like this are showing people ’ s true colors , ” she said .
“ It ’ s going to show Rudy ’ s real character .
You ’ re responsible for your own decisions .
So , no , I don ’ t feel @ @ @

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“Sacha jumped into the room quickly, because he’s been worried about me,” she told the newspaper. “So, if he were late, I don’t know how things were going to go. But he came just in time.”
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In the film, Bakalova ― who is 24 ― plays Borat’s 15-year-old daughter, Tutar, who scores an interview with Giuliani, personal attorney to President Donald Trump. After the interview, which was conducted in a hotel suite, they head into a bedroom. Bakalova helps Giuliani remove his mic and Giuliani lies back in bed and sticks his hands down his pants, which he said was to tuck his shirt back in.
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That’s when Cohen’s Borat burst into the room.
“She’s 15, she’s too old for you,” he said as he and Bakalova fled the scene.
Giuliani called the police.
“I was kind of scared that something would happen,” Bakalova told the Times. “But fortunately, we escaped.”
So was Giuliani really tucking in his shirt?
“We want everybody to see the movie and judge for themselves,” she said at first. Asked again, she took a long pause.
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“What do you think he was doing?” she asked.
So did Bakalova feel bad for Giuliani after he became the butt of jokes around the world because of the scene.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-12--709,000 Seek U.S. Jobless Aid As Pandemic Escalates

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — The number of people seeking U.S. unemployment benefits fell last week to 709,000 , a still-high level but the lowest figure since March and a further sign that the job market might be slowly healing .
Yet the improvement will be put at risk by the sharp resurgence in confirmed viral infections to an all-time high well above 120,000 a day .
Cases are rising in 49 states , and deaths are increasing in 39 .
The nation has now recorded 240,000 virus-related deaths and 10.3 million confirmed infections .
As colder weather sets in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consumers may turn more cautious about traveling , shopping , dining out and visiting gyms , barber shops and retailers .
Companies in many sectors could cut jobs or workers ’ hours .
In recent days , the virus ’ resurgence has triggered tighter restrictions on businesses , mostly restaurants and bars , in a range of states , including Texas , New York , Maryland , and Oregon .
Last week ’ s count of new applications for unemployment benefits was down from 757,000 the previous week , the Labor Department said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eight months after the pandemic flattened the economy , many employers are still slashing jobs .
So far , the spike in viral cases hasn ’ t triggered a wave of new layoffs .
The number of applications for unemployment insurance fell last week in 29 states , including such hot spots as Wisconsin and Illinois .
At the same time , the figure jumped by more than 5,000 in California , 10,000 in Washington State and 2,800 in Massachusetts .
The number of people who are continuing to receive traditional unemployment benefits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , from 7.2 million .
That suggests that more Americans are finding jobs and no longer receiving unemployment aid .
But it also indicates that many jobless people have used up their state unemployment aid — which typically expires after six months — and have transitioned to a federal extended benefits program that lasts 13 more weeks .
The viral outbreak is threatening to upend the improvement in the job market in recent months .
The unemployment rate plunged a full percentage point in October to 6.9 % while employers added a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ applications for jobless aid remain at historically high levels .
The applications likely include some people who lost jobs weeks ago but who have had to wait for states to process their claims .
Some of them might not have filed for benefits until last week even though they were laid off earlier .
Workers can also seek aid if they ’ re still working but have had their hours cut .
Still others might have lost jobs more than once ; when they file for benefits again , it can count as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has roughly 10 million fewer jobs than it had before the pandemic — a total that exceeds all the jobs that vanished in the 2008-2009 Great Recession .
Government stimulus , in the form of federal unemployment benefits , aid for small businesses and checks to most individuals has largely run out .
Without further assistance , economists worry that more restaurants and other small businesses will close and the plight of the unemployed will worsen .
Among them is Victoria Perez , who was working two delivery jobs before the pandemic struck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spring , she is now living with her children in city-subsidized housing near Oakland , California , and hoping to avoid homelessness .
Before the virus struck , Perez had been delivering lunch from restaurants to office workers .
She also had a job with a company called Replate , taking leftover food from tech firms in San Francisco to homeless shelters .
Both jobs dried up once everyone began working from home .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of people seeking U.S. unemployment benefits fell last week to 709,000, a still-high level but the lowest figure since March and a further sign that the job market might be slowly healing.
Yet the improvement will be put at risk by the sharp resurgence in confirmed viral infections to an all-time high well above 120,000 a day. Cases are rising in 49 states, and deaths are increasing in 39. The nation has now recorded 240,000 virus-related deaths and 10.3 million confirmed infections.
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As colder weather sets in and fear of the virus escalates, consumers may turn more cautious about traveling, shopping, dining out and visiting gyms, barber shops and retailers. Companies in many sectors could cut jobs or workers’ hours. In recent days, the virus’ resurgence has triggered tighter restrictions on businesses, mostly restaurants and bars, in a range of states, including Texas, New York, Maryland, and Oregon.
“The risk may be for more layoffs as coronavirus cases surge and some states impose restrictions on activity,” said Nancy Vanden Houten, an economist at the forecasting firm Oxford Economics.
Last week’s count of new applications for unemployment benefits was down from 757,000 the previous week, the Labor Department said Thursday. The still-elevated figure shows that eight months after the pandemic flattened the economy, many employers are still slashing jobs.
So far, the spike in viral cases hasn’t triggered a wave of new layoffs. The number of applications for unemployment insurance fell last week in 29 states, including such hot spots as Wisconsin and Illinois. At the same time, the figure jumped by more than 5,000 in California, 10,000 in Washington State and 2,800 in Massachusetts.
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The number of people who are continuing to receive traditional unemployment benefits fell to 6.8 million, the government said, from 7.2 million. That suggests that more Americans are finding jobs and no longer receiving unemployment aid. But it also indicates that many jobless people have used up their state unemployment aid — which typically expires after six months — and have transitioned to a federal extended benefits program that lasts 13 more weeks.
The number of people on federal and state extended benefits rose 130,000 in the week that ended Oct. 24, the latest period for which data is available, to 4.7 million.
The viral outbreak is threatening to upend the improvement in the job market in recent months. The unemployment rate plunged a full percentage point in October to 6.9% while employers added a solid 640,000 new jobs. Yet weekly applications for jobless aid remain at historically high levels. The applications likely include some people who lost jobs weeks ago but who have had to wait for states to process their claims. Some of them might not have filed for benefits until last week even though they were laid off earlier.
Workers can also seek aid if they’re still working but have had their hours cut. Still others might have lost jobs more than once; when they file for benefits again, it can count as a new claim.
The economy still has roughly 10 million fewer jobs than it had before the pandemic — a total that exceeds all the jobs that vanished in the 2008-2009 Great Recession. Government stimulus, in the form of federal unemployment benefits, aid for small businesses and checks to most individuals has largely run out. Without further assistance, economists worry that more restaurants and other small businesses will close and the plight of the unemployed will worsen.
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And unless Congress continues the extended benefit program, millions of jobless people will run out of aid entirely by year’s end.
Among them is Victoria Perez, who was working two delivery jobs before the pandemic struck. Having lost both jobs in the spring, she is now living with her children in city-subsidized housing near Oakland, California, and hoping to avoid homelessness.
The city housing, provided to people at heightened risk of the coronavirus, lasts only through December. Perez, 38, is a cancer survivor.
“The pandemic just ruined everything,” she said. “I was doing really good, and then nothing.”
Before the virus struck, Perez had been delivering lunch from restaurants to office workers. She also had a job with a company called Replate, taking leftover food from tech firms in San Francisco to homeless shelters. Both jobs dried up once everyone began working from home.
She did some grocery deliveries for DoorDash but stopped doing that out of fear of contracting the virus.
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Perez now receives just $91 in jobless aid every two weeks. She recently began working for Replate again for about 15 to 20 hours a week.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-12--Dr. Scott Atlas: Fauci Is A 'Political Animal,' COVID-19 Lockdowns 'Kill People'

Dr. Scott Atlas , the White House ’ s controversial coronavirus adviser , took aim at Dr. Anthony Fauci on Tuesday , labeling the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases a “ political animal ” while also dismissing the idea of further COVID-19 lockdowns in the U.S. Atlas , who was appointed by Trump in August , made the remarks during an appearance on Laura Ingraham ’ s Fox News show .
He lambasted the widely respected Fauci for saying last month that the country “ could not be positioned more poorly ” heading into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s coronavirus vaccine and stating that doses of it may be available for high-priority recipients as early as December .
“ Maybe he ’ s cheered up because of the election , ” Atlas said .
“ There ’ s all kind of prognostications that were made , all negative , all to undermine what the reality of the timelines were , all to undermine the president ... and once you do that sort of thing and make yourself a political animal , basically you lose your credibility , ” he continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Michael Osterholm , director of the University of Minnesota ’ s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy and a newly minted member of the president-elect ’ s task force .
Osterholm has warned of “ COVID hell ” in the coming winter , pointed to rising pressures on the health care system , and spoken in favor of further lockdowns .
Atlas had a different take : “ The lockdowns kill people , the lockdowns destroy families , the lockdowns increase the risks of suicide and drug overdose , missed cancer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those things happen with the lockdown .
But then when you open up , the virus comes back , and we see this all over Europe , we see this in plenty of the states here that have had various levels of lockdown.
” He claimed that anybody who supports the use of lockdowns “ just either doesn ’ t know the science , doesn ’ t understand the science or is lying .
It ’ s one of those three.
” Atlas seemed to walk back those remarks slightly one day later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and “ there will no longer be personal criticisms in the media , regardless of differences in policy solutions or differing interpretations of data.
” Unlike Fauci and Osterholm , Atlas is a neuroradiologist who does not have formal training in treating infectious diseases .
He has garnered criticism for promoting COVID-19 herd immunity ― the idea that the coronavirus will become manageable once many more individuals contract it and develop antibodies ― as a solution to the pandemic .
This plan has been slammed by the American Public Health Association , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has repeatedly argued that letting COVID-19 run rampant would result in far too many deaths .

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Dr. Scott Atlas, the White House’s controversial coronavirus adviser, took aim at Dr. Anthony Fauci on Tuesday, labeling the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases a “political animal” while also dismissing the idea of further COVID-19 lockdowns in the U.S.
Atlas, who was appointed by Trump in August, made the remarks during an appearance on Laura Ingraham’s Fox News show. He lambasted the widely respected Fauci for saying last month that the country “could not be positioned more poorly” heading into the winter and then more recently lauding Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine and stating that doses of it may be available for high-priority recipients as early as December.
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“Maybe he’s cheered up because of the election,” Atlas said. “There’s all kind of prognostications that were made, all negative, all to undermine what the reality of the timelines were, all to undermine the president ... and once you do that sort of thing and make yourself a political animal, basically you lose your credibility,” he continued.
Ingraham agreed with Atlas’ assessment, calling Fauci a “political pundit for Joe Biden.”
Atlas also had harsh words for Dr. Michael Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy and a newly minted member of the president-elect’s task force. Osterholm has warned of “COVID hell” in the coming winter, pointed to rising pressures on the health care system, and spoken in favor of further lockdowns.
Atlas had a different take: “The lockdowns kill people, the lockdowns destroy families, the lockdowns increase the risks of suicide and drug overdose, missed cancer diagnosis, missed medical care, all those things happen with the lockdown. But then when you open up, the virus comes back, and we see this all over Europe, we see this in plenty of the states here that have had various levels of lockdown.”
He claimed that anybody who supports the use of lockdowns “just either doesn’t know the science, doesn’t understand the science or is lying. It’s one of those three.”
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Atlas seemed to walk back those remarks slightly one day later, tweeting that saving lives is paramount and “there will no longer be personal criticisms in the media, regardless of differences in policy solutions or differing interpretations of data.”
And for the record ... there will no longer be personal criticisms in the media, regardless of differences in policy solutions or differing interpretations of data. The common goal is saving lives. #FactsMatter — Scott W. Atlas (@SWAtlasHoover) November 11, 2020
Unlike Fauci and Osterholm, Atlas is a neuroradiologist who does not have formal training in treating infectious diseases. He has garnered criticism for promoting COVID-19 herd immunity ― the idea that the coronavirus will become manageable once many more individuals contract it and develop antibodies ― as a solution to the pandemic. This plan has been slammed by the American Public Health Association, the World Health Organization and Fauci, who has repeatedly argued that letting COVID-19 run rampant would result in far too many deaths.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-12--Corey Lewandowski Becomes Latest In Trump's Orbit To Test Positive For The Coronavirus

People close to Trump who have reportedly caught the virus recently include Ben Carson , the secretary of housing and @ @ @ @ @ , White House political affairs director ; David Bossie , who is steering the Trump @ @ @ @ @ on the election results ; Healy Baumgardner , a former campaign staffer ; and Mark @ @ @ @ @ chief of staff .
Rep. Matt Gaetz ( R-Fla. ) confirmed over the weekend that @ @ @ @ @ antibodies , meaning he had the virus at some time over the last eight months @ @ @ @ @ virus can take up to 14 days to show symptoms , so it is possible @ @ @ @ @ election night party have yet to be diagnosed .

People close to Trump who have reportedly caught the virus recently include Ben Carson, the secretary of housing and urban development; Brian Jack, White House political affairs director; David Bossie, who is steering the Trump campaign’s legal attacks on the election results; Healy Baumgardner, a former campaign staffer; and Mark Meadows, Trump’s chief of staff.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) confirmed over the weekend that he tested positive for coronavirus antibodies, meaning he had the virus at some time over the last eight months.
People who contract the virus can take up to 14 days to show symptoms, so it is possible that others who attended the election night party have yet to be diagnosed.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-12--How To Help A Friend With Anxiety When You're Struggling Yourself

“ It ’ s becoming less about having conversations and more about listening to an exhausting monologue , ” the advice-seeker wrote of their relationship with an anxious friend in the pandemic .
They just didn ’ t have the bandwidth to deal with all of that anxiety , in addition to their own .
So , how can you support an anxious friend ?
It can be hard to know where to begin when supporting someone who is anxious – especially as we all experience anxiety differently , and at varying levels .
Not everyone has lots of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either .
Some of the best support you can offer is letting your friend know you ’ re there to support them , and you can understand and empathize with how they are feeling , says psychotherapist Lucy Fuller .
But it can be “ very difficult ” to be in the presence of someone who is feeling really anxious when you yourself are feeling that way , she adds .
If this resonates with you , it might be helpful to ask yourself what you need in a given moment .
Chand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she knows she needs fresh air or exercise to take her mind off concerns , and at other times she needs to sit and dissect the issues with her loved one .
Don ’ t dismiss your own anxiety in the process , she adds .
“ I think many of us are good at subtly dismissing ourselves by ending sentences with things like ‘ but I ’ m really lucky , lots of people have it much worse.
’ Whilst perspective is good , notice where you are on a spectrum of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your anxiety won ’ t help it ultimately.
” Be gentle on yourself if you know you just haven ’ t got the bandwidth at that time , on that particular day , to shoulder someone else ’ s concerns .
And do feel free to let them know that – albeit kindly .
“ I would suggest being honest and letting them know that you are sorry it is so difficult for them , but that you are also on a cliff edge and can ’ t cope with it all right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Comfort might be gained from just being together , even not talking.
” One way of doing this might be taking a walk together in natural and beautiful surroundings ( a forest perhaps , along the coast , or even around the block or park ) so you ’ re both moving away from the biggest points of stress for an hour .
“ Try to share the activity of taking in the surroundings and being in the moment , ” says Fuller .
“ There can be comfort gained from being in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have great respect for , without sharing words , but experiencing a parallel sense of calm.
” It ’ s also worth noting that if you are regularly finding you simply can ’ t deal with a friend ’ s anxieties because you feel under a lot of strain , it may be a sign that you too should seek some help .
“ If you regularly haven ’ t got space to support or listen to them then maybe it ’ s time to speak to a professional , ” says Chand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last thing people need when they are feeling wobbly is for someone they rely on to try to fix the problem , or tell them what they ‘ should ’ be doing in order to make themselves feel better , ” says Fuller .
“ It isn ’ t always as simple as that , so by coming supportively ‘ alongside ’ someone who is experiencing emotional difficulties is a very comforting way of supporting them .
”

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Anxiety levels are through the roof, which can only be expected in a pandemic – and sadly some friendships are feeling the strain as a result.
Friends are catching up on Zoom, messaging on Whatsapp and in some cases meeting one-on-one to chew the fat over the pandemic, subsequent lockdowns and the huge life – and therefore, mental – impact it’s having.
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Anxiety levels appear to remain the same as they were back in April, according to a survey by the U.K.’s Office for National Statistics (ONS), which is monitoring the social impacts of the coronavirus in Britain.
Its most recent survey revealed 76% of adults are now “very or somewhat” worried about the effect of the coronavirus on their life – this has increased gradually since the end of the summer.
It’s getting to the point where some friendships are feeling increasingly strained, and sometimes one-sided – people are playing host to their friends’ venting sessions while struggling to deal with their own anxieties – and finding it hard to juggle the two.
“My friend unloads her anxiety on me, and now I feel drained,” was the title of a Guardian advice column submission that had heads bobbing in agreement.
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“It’s becoming less about having conversations and more about listening to an exhausting monologue,” the advice-seeker wrote of their relationship with an anxious friend in the pandemic. They just didn’t have the bandwidth to deal with all of that anxiety, in addition to their own.
So, how can you support an anxious friend?
It can be hard to know where to begin when supporting someone who is anxious – especially as we all experience anxiety differently, and at varying levels. Not everyone has lots of people they can rely on for support, either.
A good place to start is by stopping and specifically asking your friend (or loved one) what they might want or need, says psychotherapist and member of the British Association for Counseling and Psychotherapy, Rakhi Chand.
This could be a distraction – why not chat about something that doesn’t involve the timeframe for a coronavirus vaccine or the state of American politics? – or it could just be offering a listening ear.
Ponomariova_Maria via Getty Images
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Some of the best support you can offer is letting your friend know you’re there to support them, and you can understand and empathize with how they are feeling, says psychotherapist Lucy Fuller. But it can be “very difficult” to be in the presence of someone who is feeling really anxious when you yourself are feeling that way, she adds.
If this resonates with you, it might be helpful to ask yourself what you need in a given moment. Chand says, for example, that sometimes she knows she needs fresh air or exercise to take her mind off concerns, and at other times she needs to sit and dissect the issues with her loved one.
Don’t dismiss your own anxiety in the process, she adds. “I think many of us are good at subtly dismissing ourselves by ending sentences with things like ‘but I’m really lucky, lots of people have it much worse.’ Whilst perspective is good, notice where you are on a spectrum of dismissing yourself. Too much of dismissing your anxiety won’t help it ultimately.”
Be gentle on yourself if you know you just haven’t got the bandwidth at that time, on that particular day, to shoulder someone else’s concerns. And do feel free to let them know that – albeit kindly.
“I would suggest being honest and letting them know that you are sorry it is so difficult for them, but that you are also on a cliff edge and can’t cope with it all right now,” suggests Fuller. “Comfort might be gained from just being together, even not talking.”
Advertisement
One way of doing this might be taking a walk together in natural and beautiful surroundings (a forest perhaps, along the coast, or even around the block or park) so you’re both moving away from the biggest points of stress for an hour.
“Try to share the activity of taking in the surroundings and being in the moment,” says Fuller. “There can be comfort gained from being in the presence of someone you love or have great respect for, without sharing words, but experiencing a parallel sense of calm.”
It’s also worth noting that if you are regularly finding you simply can’t deal with a friend’s anxieties because you feel under a lot of strain, it may be a sign that you too should seek some help. “If you regularly haven’t got space to support or listen to them then maybe it’s time to speak to a professional,” says Chand.
What not to do
Therapists generally advise against trying to fix the problem for your friend – unless they specifically ask for your advice. The listening is more important.
“Often the last thing people need when they are feeling wobbly is for someone they rely on to try to fix the problem, or tell them what they ‘should’ be doing in order to make themselves feel better,” says Fuller. “It isn’t always as simple as that, so by coming supportively ‘alongside’ someone who is experiencing emotional difficulties is a very comforting way of supporting them.”
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Telling a friend that you know how they feel isn’t usually helpful either, adds Fuller, “as it takes away the seriousness of the emotional condition that they are experiencing”.
Similarly, she cautions against your friendship catch-ups turning into an “anxiety competition” – which can develop, consciously or subconsciously.
“To say or suggest to someone that they don’t feel as bad as you diminishes their experience and can shame them into thinking that it isn’t safe to share their feelings with you,” she says. So best not to go down that route.
While venting is a “very healthy and important way to alleviate stress and anxiety,” ultimately if either of you need to vent more and you’re feeling totally overwhelmed by everything, doing so to a professional in person or using a mental health helpline might be a good solution.
This story originally appeared in HuffPost UK.
If you or someone you know needs help, call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You can also text HOME to 741-741 for free, 24-hour support from the Crisis Text Line. Outside of the U.S., please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention for a database of resources.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-12--Trump Attorney Mocked For Demanding Biden Prove Trump's Fraud Claims

He does n't have to prove anything .
That 's like saying that a person has to prove they 're @ @ @ @ @ law .
The burden of proof is on those making the accusation .
I thought @ @ @ @ @ Do n't you understand any of this ?
Literally none of it ?
Is that @ @ @ @ @ //t.co/k5nlZIHc2Y

He doesn't have to prove anything. That's like saying that a person has to prove they're innocent in a court of law. The burden of proof is on those making the accusation.
I thought you were a lawyer. Don't you understand any of this? Literally none of it? Is that the problem? https://t.co/k5nlZIHc2Y


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-12--Kevin McCarthy Refuses To Recognize Biden Won, Continues To Undermine Democracy

WASHINGTON ― House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy ( R-Calif. ) continued to cast doubt on the U.S. election results on Thursday , refusing to acknowledge that President-elect Joe Biden had won and furthering a half-hearted GOP attempt to reverse the outcome .
When asked if Biden should be receiving intelligence briefings ― as is the custom for a president-elect ― McCarthy said that Biden was not the president right now and , “ I don ’ t know if he ’ ll be president January 20th.
” McCarthy and other Republicans have refused to recognize that Biden won the Nov. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump ’ s ego and furthering his inane conspiracy theories .
McCarthy has repeatedly shown a willingness to undermine the U.S. electoral system .
Last week , the highest ranking Republican in the House said “ every legal challenge should be heard ” before a winner of the presidential race is declared .
McCarthy also said that , “ President Trump won this election , so everyone who ’ s listening , do not be quiet .
We can not allow this to happen before our very eyes.
” He later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ telling a reporter that he meant Trump should get credit for helping Republicans win seats in the House .
But if there were any doubt about McCarthy ’ s stance , he clarified it Thursday , continuing to lie and say that Trump may have actually won the election , despite Biden ’ s lead of over 5 million votes in the popular vote , and a projected difference in the Electoral College of more than 70 votes .
There is no evidence of systemic voter fraud , and Biden ’ s win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instances of it wouldn ’ t come close to overturning the results .
Yet the California Republican ― like many other Republicans ― refuses to tell voters the truth .
McCarthy has long been at peace with his decision to unflinchingly support Trump and his takeover of the Republican Party .
McCarthy was also asked Thursday about some new GOP members entering Congress who support QAnon ― the absurd conspiracy theory that secret elements of the U.S. government are working with Trump to uncover a Satan-worshipping , child sex-trafficking ring run by Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previously denounced the completely unfounded conspiracy theory by saying “ there is no place for QAnon in the Republican Party , ” changed his tune Thursday .
“ These are new members .
Give them an opportunity before you claim what you believe they have done and what they will do , ” he said .
Read live updates on the election below .
( Note : An ad blocker may prevent you from seeing the blog , so if you ’ re using one , please pause or turn it off .
@

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WASHINGTON ― House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) continued to cast doubt on the U.S. election results on Thursday, refusing to acknowledge that President-elect Joe Biden had won and furthering a half-hearted GOP attempt to reverse the outcome.
When asked if Biden should be receiving intelligence briefings ― as is the custom for a president-elect ― McCarthy said that Biden was not the president right now and, “I don’t know if he’ll be president January 20th.”
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“But whoever it is will get the information,” McCarthy added.
McCarthy and other Republicans have refused to recognize that Biden won the Nov. 3 election, in service of stroking President Donald Trump’s ego and furthering his inane conspiracy theories.
McCarthy has repeatedly shown a willingness to undermine the U.S. electoral system. Last week, the highest ranking Republican in the House said “every legal challenge should be heard” before a winner of the presidential race is declared.
“Then and only then will America decide who won the race,” he said.
McCarthy also said that, “President Trump won this election, so everyone who’s listening, do not be quiet. We cannot allow this to happen before our very eyes.”
He later tried to walk back those comments, telling a reporter that he meant Trump should get credit for helping Republicans win seats in the House.
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But if there were any doubt about McCarthy’s stance, he clarified it Thursday, continuing to lie and say that Trump may have actually won the election, despite Biden’s lead of over 5 million votes in the popular vote, and a projected difference in the Electoral College of more than 70 votes.
There is no evidence of systemic voter fraud, and Biden’s win was convincing enough that the limited proven instances of it wouldn’t come close to overturning the results. Yet the California Republican ― like many other Republicans ― refuses to tell voters the truth.
McCarthy has long been at peace with his decision to unflinchingly support Trump and his takeover of the Republican Party. McCarthy was also asked Thursday about some new GOP members entering Congress who support QAnon ― the absurd conspiracy theory that secret elements of the U.S. government are working with Trump to uncover a Satan-worshipping, child sex-trafficking ring run by Democrats and Hollywood.
McCarthy, who had previously denounced the completely unfounded conspiracy theory by saying “there is no place for QAnon in the Republican Party,” changed his tune Thursday.
“These are new members. Give them an opportunity before you claim what you believe they have done and what they will do,” he said.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-12--GOP Won't Endorse — Or Reject — Trump's 'Hail Mary' Plan To Hijack Electoral College

According to The Wall Street Journal , the far-fetched plan involves positioning Republican-controlled state legislatures in states Biden won like Pennsylvania , Arizona , and Georgia to ignore their voters and appoint pro-Trump electors who would then swing the Electoral College in Trump ’ s favor and install him in office for another four years .
The so-called Hail Mary option has been dismissed by legal experts in both parties as undemocratic and deeply dangerous , one that would directly subvert the will of the people .
The move is viewed as an extreme long shot that would be subject @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to the Supreme Court .
The bigger fear , however , is that , even if it is unsuccessful , it would falsely propagate the notion among millions of Trump supporters that the election was unfairly conducted and that Biden is an illegitimate president .
Trump allies like Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis ( R ) , conservative radio host Mark Levin and Donald Trump Jr. have continued to push for it , urging the president not to give up fighting the 2020 election result .
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategy on Thursday .
Top Republicans on Capitol Hill didn ’ t seem enthused by the idea when asked about it on Thursday , but they also didn ’ t shoot it down outright , either .
Instead , they mostly stuck to their talking points about giving Trump his day in court and allowing investigations into unsubstantiated voter fraud and other irregularities to proceed before election results are formally certified next month .
“ The only familiarity with that theory is what you just told me , ” Sen. Josh Hawley ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibility that state legislatures might refuse to seat Biden electors .
“ I haven ’ t heard that , ” Sen. Marco Rubio ( R-Fla. ) added .
“ The Constitution gives the legislature the right to choose the process by which electors are selected , but you can ’ t do it retroactively.
” “ You ’ d have to have a reason , wouldn ’ t you ?
” he said .
“ What would be the reason to get an elector to vote against the outcome ?
” Only Sen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frequent Trump critic and one of only four GOP senators who have so far congratulated Biden on his election victory ― was openly willing to throw cold water on the notion of state GOP legislatures overruling the will of the people .
“ That ’ s not going to happen , ” Romney told HuffPost .
“ I understand people are showing that the president will put up a good fight , but in the final analysis , the person who gets the most votes becomes president.
” Pennsylvania ’ s Senate Majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for example , has repeatedly rejected the idea of appointing electors in defiance of the state ’ s popular vote .
The state ’ s Democratic attorney general , Josh Shapiro , also shot it down on Thursday , noting that the state ’ s governor , who is also a Democrat , has the power of certifying the electors chosen by Pennsylvania ’ s voters .
Congressional Democrats , meanwhile , were dumbfounded that anyone was even discussing trying to overrule the will of the voters , a bedrock principle of democracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ theory ’ ?
” Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware , Biden ’ s top ally in Congress , asked incredulously when presented with the framework of the plan reportedly being discussed by Trump ’ s legal team .
“ I have not heard any argument about how their legal claims or their lawsuits or their complicated fact patterns in terms of challenging electors make any sense , ” he added .
“ All this is doing is slowing down the transition to the duly elected president and vice president .
”

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President Donald Trump’s legal team is reportedly considering a radical and last-ditch strategy aimed at overturning President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in the Electoral College as part of their efforts seeking to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the far-fetched plan involves positioning Republican-controlled state legislatures in states Biden won like Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Georgia to ignore their voters and appoint pro-Trump electors who would then swing the Electoral College in Trump’s favor and install him in office for another four years.
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Scroll down or click here for the latest updates from HuffPost’s election live blog.
The so-called Hail Mary option has been dismissed by legal experts in both parties as undemocratic and deeply dangerous, one that would directly subvert the will of the people. The move is viewed as an extreme long shot that would be subject to litigation and likely go all the way to the Supreme Court.
The bigger fear, however, is that, even if it is unsuccessful, it would falsely propagate the notion among millions of Trump supporters that the election was unfairly conducted and that Biden is an illegitimate president.
Trump allies like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), conservative radio host Mark Levin and Donald Trump Jr. have continued to push for it, urging the president not to give up fighting the 2020 election result. White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany also left the door open to the strategy on Thursday.
“Constitutionally, that is an accurate argument,” McEnany said in an interview on Fox News. “But right now, [Trump’s legal team is] zeroed in completely on litigation.”
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Top Republicans on Capitol Hill didn’t seem enthused by the idea when asked about it on Thursday, but they also didn’t shoot it down outright, either.
Instead, they mostly stuck to their talking points about giving Trump his day in court and allowing investigations into unsubstantiated voter fraud and other irregularities to proceed before election results are formally certified next month.
“The only familiarity with that theory is what you just told me,” Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) said when asked the possibility that state legislatures might refuse to seat Biden electors.
“I haven’t heard that,” Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) added. “The Constitution gives the legislature the right to choose the process by which electors are selected, but you can’t do it retroactively.”
Asked if it was a viable legal strategy for Trump’s campaign, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who previously declined to dismiss the move in an interview on Fox News, appeared skeptical.
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“You’d have to have a reason, wouldn’t you?” he said. “What would be the reason to get an elector to vote against the outcome?”
Even Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), a top Trump ally who has amplified Trump’s debunked conspiracies about fraudulent voting machines, declined to weigh in on the matter, calling it a “hypothetical.”
Only Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) ― a frequent Trump critic and one of only four GOP senators who have so far congratulated Biden on his election victory ― was openly willing to throw cold water on the notion of state GOP legislatures overruling the will of the people.
“That’s not going to happen,” Romney told HuffPost. “I understand people are showing that the president will put up a good fight, but in the final analysis, the person who gets the most votes becomes president.”
State officials have spoken more decisively about ruling out such a scenario.
Pennsylvania’s Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman (R), for example, has repeatedly rejected the idea of appointing electors in defiance of the state’s popular vote. The state’s Democratic attorney general, Josh Shapiro, also shot it down on Thursday, noting that the state’s governor, who is also a Democrat, has the power of certifying the electors chosen by Pennsylvania’s voters.
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Congressional Democrats, meanwhile, were dumbfounded that anyone was even discussing trying to overrule the will of the voters, a bedrock principle of democracy.
“What do you mean by ‘theory’?” Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware, Biden’s top ally in Congress, asked incredulously when presented with the framework of the plan reportedly being discussed by Trump’s legal team.
“I have not heard any argument about how their legal claims or their lawsuits or their complicated fact patterns in terms of challenging electors make any sense,” he added. “All this is doing is slowing down the transition to the duly elected president and vice president.”
Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut simply said Democrats shouldn’t get distracted.
“They’re going to float a bunch of fringy theories just as they have in the last seven days. Our job is to bat them down and stay on track,” he said.
Read live updates on the election below. (Note: An ad blocker may prevent you from seeing the blog, so if you’re using one, please pause or turn it off.)


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-12--Trump Turns Against Fox News As Reality Of Election Loss Sets In

“ That ’ s an explosive charge to make , that the other side is effectively rigging and cheating , @ @ @ @ @ added .
“ Not so fast.
” The Trump campaign has tried desperately to produce @ @ @ @ @ since it became clear Biden won the election , coming up short each time and @ @ @ @ @ process .
Even Tucker Carlson , one of Trump ’ s staunchest allies , told @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s claims of voter fraud simply aren ’ t “ enough to alter @ @ @ @ @

“That’s an explosive charge to make, that the other side is effectively rigging and cheating,” the Fox News anchor added. “Not so fast.”
The Trump campaign has tried desperately to produce evidence of widespread voter fraud since it became clear Biden won the election, coming up short each time and losing legal battles in the process.
Even Tucker Carlson, one of Trump’s staunchest allies, told his Fox News audience that Trump’s claims of voter fraud simply aren’t “enough to alter the election result.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-12--White House Ousts Senior Cybersecurity Official Amid Post-Election Purge

WASHINGTON ( Reuters ) ― A senior U.S. cybersecurity official is leaving government after being asked to resign , an @ @ @ @ @ said Thursday , part of a wider thinning of President Donald Trump ’ s administration @ @ @ @ @ election win .
Bryan Ware , the Assistant Director for Cybersecurity for the Department of @ @ @ @ @ and Infrastructure Security Agency ( CISA ) , confirmed to Reuters that he had handed @ @ @ @ @ .
He didn ’ t provide details , but a U.S. official familiar with the @ @ @ @ @ asked for Ware ’ s resignation earlier this week .
CISA and the White House @ @ @ @ @ email seeking comment .
The news was first reported here by cybersecurity-focused news site CyberScoop @ @ @ @ @ several officials who ’ ve left national security-related posts after Trump ’ s loss , @ @ @ @ @ to concede .
The churn is being closely watched amid concern for the integrity of @ @ @ @ @ Biden .

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) ― A senior U.S. cybersecurity official is leaving government after being asked to resign, an official familiar with the matter said Thursday, part of a wider thinning of President Donald Trump’s administration following Joe Biden’s election win.
Bryan Ware, the Assistant Director for Cybersecurity for the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), confirmed to Reuters that he had handed in his resignation on Thursday.
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He didn’t provide details, but a U.S. official familiar with the matter said the White House asked for Ware’s resignation earlier this week.
CISA and the White House did not immediately return an email seeking comment.
The news was first reported here by cybersecurity-focused news site CyberScoop.
Ware is one of several officials who’ve left national security-related posts after Trump’s loss, which the president has yet to concede.
The churn is being closely watched amid concern for the integrity of the transition from Trump to Biden.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-12--Georgia Democrats To The Resistance: Please Don't Come Here For Senate Runoffs

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press Democrats Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff are competing in Jan. 5 runoff elections that will determine control of the Senate .
Georgia Democrats appreciate the enthusiasm .
They really do .
They very much want to win the Jan. 5 runoff elections that will determine control of the Senate , and they want all the help they can get .
But they really don ’ t want people from around the country rushing there to help out in the middle of a pandemic .
“ We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support , but please do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ book plane tickets or gas up your car and make plans to travel to Georgia , ” said Seth Bringman , spokesperson for former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams .
“ There is a pandemic , and thanks to so-called leaders like Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue ― who downplayed the virus while profiting from it ― cases are rising across the country.
” Bringman emphasized that Democrats in the state are “ not looking for an influx of people at this time ” and that contributing money and reaching out to voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help out .
“ We are thrilled to have so much volunteer interest in helping our efforts in battleground Georgia , and look forward to continuing our strong volunteer program into this runoff , ” Maggie Chambers , a spokesperson for the Georgia Democratic Party , said .
“ Our team encourages out-of-state folks to put public health and safety first , and take advantage of one of our many opportunities to volunteer remotely and safely from home.
” On Jan. 5 , Democrat Raphael Warnock will face off against Sen. Kelly Loeffler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ossoff will attempt to unseat Sen. David Perdue ( R ) .
No candidate won a majority of the votes in the November elections , which forced the races into runoffs .
And with no other elections going on that day , the nation ’ s attention will be focused on those contests , which have taken on even more significance with the balance of the Senate hanging in the air .
Democrats across the country are already mobilizing .
Last week , former presidential candidate Andrew Yang said he was moving to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ followers if they had rooms available to house volunteers coming to the state .
Great news # yanggang - Evelyn and I are moving to Georgia to help @ ossoff and @ ReverendWarnock win !
This is our only chance to clear Mitch out of the way and help Joe and Kamala get things done in the next 4 years .
More details to come but let ’ s go !
!
!
😀🇺🇸🚀 https : //t.co/egcdwqC1qZ — Andrew Yang🧢🇺🇸 ( @ AndrewYang ) November 8 , 2020 Groups in Georgia are getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the campaigns .
But while the sentiment is appreciated , it ’ s not necessarily what people in the state want right now .
“ Due to the pandemic , it is important for those who are wanting to help to coordinate directly with organizations directly on the ground , ” said James Woodall , president of the Georgia NAACP .
“ Financial contributions are definitely helpful as it will take a lot of resources to pull this off , but there are other ways to support !
We will be doing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hands on deck to continue our virtual GOTV campaign.
” What the ground game for the runoff elections will look like is still taking shape .
The Warnock campaign has been doing “ no-contact lit drops , ” giving out information about voting at people ’ s homes while practicing social distancing .
Although the focus right now is on digital , text and phone communications , a Democratic strategist in the state acknowledged that at some point , canvassing could significantly pick up .
“ Joe Biden won Georgia without a massive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost while knocking on doors , ” said the strategist , who requested anonymity to speak freely .
“ That said , it is a runoff so voter awareness is lower .
Safe door-knocking closer to Jan. 5 may be necessary to win .
”

Democrats Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff are competing in Jan. 5 runoff elections that will determine control of the Senate. Brynn Anderson/Associated Press
Georgia Democrats appreciate the enthusiasm. They really do. They very much want to win the Jan. 5 runoff elections that will determine control of the Senate, and they want all the help they can get.
But they really don’t want people from around the country rushing there to help out in the middle of a pandemic.
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“We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support, but please do not ― I repeat, do not book plane tickets or gas up your car and make plans to travel to Georgia,” said Seth Bringman, spokesperson for former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams. “There is a pandemic, and thanks to so-called leaders like Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue ― who downplayed the virus while profiting from it ― cases are rising across the country.”
Bringman emphasized that Democrats in the state are “not looking for an influx of people at this time” and that contributing money and reaching out to voters from afar is the best way to help out.
“We are thrilled to have so much volunteer interest in helping our efforts in battleground Georgia, and look forward to continuing our strong volunteer program into this runoff,” Maggie Chambers, a spokesperson for the Georgia Democratic Party, said. “Our team encourages out-of-state folks to put public health and safety first, and take advantage of one of our many opportunities to volunteer remotely and safely from home.”
On Jan. 5, Democrat Raphael Warnock will face off against Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R), while Democrat Jon Ossoff will attempt to unseat Sen. David Perdue (R). No candidate won a majority of the votes in the November elections, which forced the races into runoffs.
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And with no other elections going on that day, the nation’s attention will be focused on those contests, which have taken on even more significance with the balance of the Senate hanging in the air.
Democrats across the country are already mobilizing. Last week, former presidential candidate Andrew Yang said he was moving to Georgia to help out and asked his followers if they had rooms available to house volunteers coming to the state.
Great news #yanggang - Evelyn and I are moving to Georgia to help @ossoff and @ReverendWarnock win! This is our only chance to clear Mitch out of the way and help Joe and Kamala get things done in the next 4 years. More details to come but let’s go!!! 😀🇺🇸🚀 https://t.co/egcdwqC1qZ — Andrew Yang🧢🇺🇸 (@AndrewYang) November 8, 2020
Groups in Georgia are getting an outpouring of in-person offers to help the campaigns. But while the sentiment is appreciated, it’s not necessarily what people in the state want right now.
“Due to the pandemic, it is important for those who are wanting to help to coordinate directly with organizations directly on the ground,” said James Woodall, president of the Georgia NAACP. “Financial contributions are definitely helpful as it will take a lot of resources to pull this off, but there are other ways to support! We will be doing a lot of digital organizing and welcome all hands on deck to continue our virtual GOTV campaign.”
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The Warnock campaign declined to weigh in, and the campaigns for Ossoff, Perdue and Loeffler didn’t return HuffPost’s requests for comment.
What the ground game for the runoff elections will look like is still taking shape. The Warnock campaign has been doing “no-contact lit drops,” giving out information about voting at people’s homes while practicing social distancing.
Although the focus right now is on digital, text and phone communications, a Democratic strategist in the state acknowledged that at some point, canvassing could significantly pick up.
“Joe Biden won Georgia without a massive door-knocking effort, and the Trump campaign lost while knocking on doors,” said the strategist, who requested anonymity to speak freely. “That said, it is a runoff so voter awareness is lower. Safe door-knocking closer to Jan. 5 may be necessary to win.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-12--Former Louisville Cop Involved In Killing Of Breonna Taylor Sued For Sexual Assault

Former Louisville , Kentucky , police officer Brett Hankison , one of three cops involved in the death of Breonna Taylor , is being sued by a woman who says Hankison used his power as a police officer to prey on and later sexually assault her in 2018 .
In March of this year , Hankison , along with Sgt .
Jonathan Mattingly and officer Myles Cosgrove , executed a “ no-knock ” warrant into Taylor ’ s apartment .
She was shot at least seven times by police and bled out in her apartment while her boyfriend Kenneth Walker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and faces criminal charges , Mattingly and Cosgrove are on administrative leave and still employed by the force .
This week , Margo Borders , a Kentucky resident and law school student , accused Hankison , 44 , of “ willfully , intentionally , painfully and violently ” sexually assaulting her after a night out at a local bar called the Tin Roof in April 2018 , according to the lawsuit .
The suit , filed by the same attorneys representing Taylor ’ s family , also names former Louisville Police Chief Steve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as defendants , alleging that they consistently failed to intervene or punish Hankison for rampant misconduct .
The lawsuit lays out a pattern of misbehavior , alleging that Hankison repeatedly used his badge and uniform to harass and sexually assault intoxicated women at the Tin Roof , where he worked a second job as security .
Hankison “ routinely identified intoxicated young women , put them in his vehicle while in uniform and left the premises with them while already beginning to engage in visible misconduct , ” the suit states .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was necessary to come forward and pursue justice , and hold Brett accountable , ” attorney Lonita Baker told ABC News .
“ He used his uniform and badge to target unsuspecting women whom he knew were in a possible state where they could not consent and took advantage of them .
It ’ s disgusting.
” Hankison was fired from the Louisville Metro Police Department in June after his involvement in the killing of Taylor , a 26-year-old Black EMT .
The officer , who already had a long list of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , had displayed “ an extreme indifference to the value of human life , ” Police Chief Robert Schroeder said in Hankison ’ s termination letter .
Several women described Hankison ’ s predatory behavior in testimonials included in the lawsuit .
According to the suit , he would “ spot young women which fit his type ; build trust with them through law enforcement status ; add the women as friends to social media accounts ; identify the women when they are at the bar in a vulnerable or intoxicated state ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ driver in a police uniform ; make advances towards the women ; sexually pursue the women and , if they do not consent or are otherwise incapable of consenting , sexually assault them.
” Borders alleges that Hankison followed this exact playbook in assaulting her .
She says Hankison used social media to cultivate a friendship with her in 2017 , and the two became friendly .
Borders , who was in a relationship at the time , often gave Hankison advice on relationship issues he was having with his then-girlfriend .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Hankison at the Tin Roof while he was working security .
When the bar closed , Hankison , who was sober , offered Borders a ride home because she had become intoxicated .
“ Margo ’ s intention was to take an Uber home , but Hankison insisted upon giving her a ride , ” the lawsuit states .
“ Margo had no objections to a ride home from a police officer .
She wouldn ’ t have to pay for an Uber and felt protected with an officer making sure she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Hankinson invited himself in when the two arrived at Borders ’ apartment .
As Hankinson sat on the couch , she went to change clothes but fell asleep .
According to the lawsuit , Hankison then went to Borders ’ room and sexually assaulted her , leaving her “ in tremendous physical pain.
” Later in the day , Hankison messaged Borders and tried to “ suggest that the two had engaged in consensual relations , ” according to the suit .
“ I never reported him out of fear of retaliation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happened and he had the upper hand because he was a police officer , ” Borders wrote on Facebook in June .
“ Who do you call when the person who assaulted you is a police officer ?
Who were they going to believe ?
I knew it wouldn ’ t be me.
”  Management for the Tin Roof , which is accused of “ negligent supervision ” in the suit , confirmed in a Wednesday statement that Hankison was one of a “ rotating group of off-duty police officers ” who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was fired from the Tin Roof this spring , around two years after he allegedly assaulted Borders .
“ We feel there is an obligation to provide a safe environment for guests as they enter and exit the venue and would never deliberately put the safety of our patrons at risk especially by those contracted to serve and protect , ” the Tin Roof statement reads .
“ We find the allegations to be reprehensible , and our company does not tolerate abuse of power or discrimination in any form .
”

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Former Louisville, Kentucky, police officer Brett Hankison, one of three cops involved in the death of Breonna Taylor, is being sued by a woman who says Hankison used his power as a police officer to prey on and later sexually assault her in 2018.
In March of this year, Hankison, along with Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly and officer Myles Cosgrove, executed a “no-knock” warrant into Taylor’s apartment. She was shot at least seven times by police and bled out in her apartment while her boyfriend Kenneth Walker looked on. Although Hankison was fired and faces criminal charges, Mattingly and Cosgrove are on administrative leave and still employed by the force.
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Although Hankison was charged in connection with the incident, it wasn’t for Taylor’s death: He was indicted on three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment for shots fired into a neighboring apartment.
This week, Margo Borders, a Kentucky resident and law school student, accused Hankison, 44, of “willfully, intentionally, painfully and violently” sexually assaulting her after a night out at a local bar called the Tin Roof in April 2018, according to the lawsuit. The suit, filed by the same attorneys representing Taylor’s family, also names former Louisville Police Chief Steve Conrad and five other law enforcement officers as defendants, alleging that they consistently failed to intervene or punish Hankison for rampant misconduct.
The lawsuit lays out a pattern of misbehavior, alleging that Hankison repeatedly used his badge and uniform to harass and sexually assault intoxicated women at the Tin Roof, where he worked a second job as security. Hankison “routinely identified intoxicated young women, put them in his vehicle while in uniform and left the premises with them while already beginning to engage in visible misconduct,” the suit states.
“Our client, Margo, felt that it was necessary to come forward and pursue justice, and hold Brett accountable,” attorney Lonita Baker told ABC News. “He used his uniform and badge to target unsuspecting women whom he knew were in a possible state where they could not consent and took advantage of them. It’s disgusting.”
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HuffPost was unable to reach Hankison for comment.
Hankison was fired from the Louisville Metro Police Department in June after his involvement in the killing of Taylor, a 26-year-old Black EMT. The officer, who already had a long list of misconduct issues according to Borders’ suit, had displayed “an extreme indifference to the value of human life,” Police Chief Robert Schroeder said in Hankison’s termination letter.
Former Louisville police officer Brett Hankison poses for a booking photo at Shelby County Detention Center in Shelbyville, Kentucky, on Sept. 23, 2020, on charges related to the killing of Breonna Taylor. Handout/Reuters
Several women described Hankison’s predatory behavior in testimonials included in the lawsuit. According to the suit, he would “spot young women which fit his type; build trust with them through law enforcement status; add the women as friends to social media accounts; identify the women when they are at the bar in a vulnerable or intoxicated state; take the women home as their designated driver in a police uniform; make advances towards the women; sexually pursue the women and, if they do not consent or are otherwise incapable of consenting, sexually assault them.”
Borders alleges that Hankison followed this exact playbook in assaulting her. She says Hankison used social media to cultivate a friendship with her in 2017, and the two became friendly. Borders, who was in a relationship at the time, often gave Hankison advice on relationship issues he was having with his then-girlfriend. In April 2018, Borders was hanging out with Hankison at the Tin Roof while he was working security. When the bar closed, Hankison, who was sober, offered Borders a ride home because she had become intoxicated.
“Margo’s intention was to take an Uber home, but Hankison insisted upon giving her a ride,” the lawsuit states. “Margo had no objections to a ride home from a police officer. She wouldn’t have to pay for an Uber and felt protected with an officer making sure she got home safely.”
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“Who do you call when the person who assaulted you is a police officer? Who were they going to believe? I knew it wouldn’t be me.” - Margo Borders
The suit alleges that Hankinson invited himself in when the two arrived at Borders’ apartment. As Hankinson sat on the couch, she went to change clothes but fell asleep. According to the lawsuit, Hankison then went to Borders’ room and sexually assaulted her, leaving her “in tremendous physical pain.” Later in the day, Hankison messaged Borders and tried to “suggest that the two had engaged in consensual relations,” according to the suit.
This summer, amid protests against police brutality nationwide, Borders and several other women publicly accused Hankison of using his badge to commit sexual misconduct.
“I never reported him out of fear of retaliation. I had no proof of what happened and he had the upper hand because he was a police officer,” Borders wrote on Facebook in June. “Who do you call when the person who assaulted you is a police officer? Who were they going to believe? I knew it wouldn’t be me.”
Management for the Tin Roof, which is accused of “negligent supervision” in the suit, confirmed in a Wednesday statement that Hankison was one of a “rotating group of off-duty police officers” who worked security for the bar. Hankison was fired from the Tin Roof this spring, around two years after he allegedly assaulted Borders.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-12--Military Wary That Trump's Shakeup Could Upend Its Apolitical Nature

“ We are unique among militaries , ” said Gen. Mark Milley , the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff .
“ We do not take an oath to a king or a queen , a tyrant or a dictator .
We do not take an oath to an individual.
” Milley was speaking Wednesday at the dedication of an Army museum in a week that saw President Donald Trump fire Defense Secretary Mark Esper and install three staunch loyalists to senior Pentagon policy positions .
The abrupt changes have raised fears about what Trump may try to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — and whether the military ’ s long held apolitical nature could be upended .
But his message in a time of turmoil — Trump has refused to concede his election loss — was unmistakable : The military exists to defend democracy and is not to be used as a political pawn .
“ We take an oath to the Constitution , ” Milley said , adding that every service member “ will protect and defend that document regardless of personal price.
” Trump ’ s motives for the Pentagon shakeup are unclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal of unease within the building .
Was he simply striking out at Esper and others he deemed not loyal enough ?
Is there a broader plan to enact policy changes that Trump could tout in his final days as commander in chief ?
Or , in the most extreme scenario , would Trump try to get the military to help him stay in office beyond Inauguration Day ?
Milley has pushed back against that last possibility , telling Congress that “ In the event of a dispute over some aspect of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. Congress are required to resolve any disputes , not the U.S. military.
” He said service members must not get involved in the transfer of power after an election .
If the motive is to hand Trump some quick policy changes , then filling top jobs with more amenable loyalists will help — particularly in any effort to impede the smooth transition of power to President-elect Joe Biden .
Accelerating troop withdrawals may also be a goal — but there is a fairly limited pool of other options .
Swift and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 weeks are unlikely in a building that prides itself on exhaustive planning .
The Pentagon is a massive bureaucracy and doesn ’ t turn on a dime .
And while the department is rooted in the democratic bedrock of a civilian-controlled military , the members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff are powerful presidential advisers with decades of experience , and armed with documents detailing the potential consequences of national security actions .
Most are watching Afghanistan as a possible bellwether .
Trump has long talked about getting troops home for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a more methodical withdrawal that gives them time to get equipment out and to apply pressure on the Taliban during peace talks .
Fulfilling the goal of pulling all troops out could be Trump ’ s final fist pump as commander in chief .
Over nearly four years , Milley and his predecessor , Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford , have been able to curb or shape White House impulses in matters of war .
They successfully argued against pulling all U.S. forces out of Syria , and they slowed troop withdrawals in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ status with the Taliban and keep an eye on resurging Islamic State militants .
Milley joined Esper in persuading Trump not to use active-duty troops to quash civil unrest .
But on other policy matters , Pentagon leaders saluted and marched forward .
They found ways to use Defense Department money to help build Trump ’ s promised wall on the southern border , created his much-wanted Space Force , sidestepped an explicit ban on the Confederate flag and backed away from changing bases named after Confederate generals .
Esper also carried Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to NATO allies , with modest success .
The move for more allied spending was a continuation of a push by the Obama administration .
The abrupt personnel changes this week , however , have amped up the anxiety of civilian and military staff in the five-sided building .
In addition to replacing Esper with former National Counterterrorism Center director Miller , Trump installed loyalists Anthony Tata in the undersecretary for policy job and Esra Cohen-Watnick as the acting intelligence undersecretary .
James Anderson , who had been acting undersecretary for policy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for intelligence , both resigned Tuesday .
Miller also brought in his own chief of staff , Kash Patel , who was among the small group of aides who traveled with Trump extensively during the final stretch of the campaign .
And he has brought in Douglas MacGregor , a fervent voice for an Afghanistan withdrawal , as a senior adviser .
Miller has said little about his plans .
During his first meetings with top defense leaders this week , he took time to lay out his biography — it includes his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a stint as the Pentagon ’ s assistant secretary for special operations .
He has joined video calls , including on the pandemic , and has spoken to combatant commanders .
Wednesday ’ s opening of the National Museum of the U.S. Army at Fort Belvoir , Virginia , was his first public event , and he used it to talk about his enlistment and pride in military service .
Flanking him were Milley , Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy and Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville .
All spoke and Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mentioned .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The words spoken by America’s top military officer carried a familiar ring, but in the midst of a chaotic week at the Pentagon, they were particularly poignant.
“We are unique among militaries,” said Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. “We do not take an oath to a king or a queen, a tyrant or a dictator. We do not take an oath to an individual.”
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Milley was speaking Wednesday at the dedication of an Army museum in a week that saw President Donald Trump fire Defense Secretary Mark Esper and install three staunch loyalists to senior Pentagon policy positions. The abrupt changes have raised fears about what Trump may try to do in his final two months of office — and whether the military’s long held apolitical nature could be upended.
Scroll down or click here for the latest updates from HuffPost’s election live blog
Milley’s comments, made as he stood alongside Esper’s successor, acting defense chief Christopher Miller, reflected a view he has long been passionate about: the military’s unequivocal duty to protect and defend the Constitution — what he called the “moral north star” for everyone in uniform.
But his message in a time of turmoil — Trump has refused to concede his election loss — was unmistakable: The military exists to defend democracy and is not to be used as a political pawn. “We take an oath to the Constitution,” Milley said, adding that every service member “will protect and defend that document regardless of personal price.”
Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller attends a Veterans Day wreath laying ceremony led by President Donald Trump at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) ASSOCIATED PRESS
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Trump’s motives for the Pentagon shakeup are unclear, but it has created a great deal of unease within the building. Was he simply striking out at Esper and others he deemed not loyal enough? Is there a broader plan to enact policy changes that Trump could tout in his final days as commander in chief? Or, in the most extreme scenario, would Trump try to get the military to help him stay in office beyond Inauguration Day?
Milley has pushed back against that last possibility, telling Congress that “In the event of a dispute over some aspect of the elections, by law U.S. courts and the U.S. Congress are required to resolve any disputes, not the U.S. military.” He said service members must not get involved in the transfer of power after an election.
Trump had grown increasingly angry with Esper, who openly disagreed with his desire to use the active-duty military during the civil unrest in June. Esper also had worked with military leaders to talk Trump out of complete troop withdrawals from Syria and Afghanistan.
If the motive is to hand Trump some quick policy changes, then filling top jobs with more amenable loyalists will help — particularly in any effort to impede the smooth transition of power to President-elect Joe Biden. Accelerating troop withdrawals may also be a goal — but there is a fairly limited pool of other options.
Swift and radical changes in Trump’s final 10 weeks are unlikely in a building that prides itself on exhaustive planning. The Pentagon is a massive bureaucracy and doesn’t turn on a dime. And while the department is rooted in the democratic bedrock of a civilian-controlled military, the members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff are powerful presidential advisers with decades of experience, and armed with documents detailing the potential consequences of national security actions.
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President Donald Trump participates in a Veterans Day wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) ASSOCIATED PRESS
As yet, military commanders have gotten no new orders. And top military leaders — including Milley — are counseling patience and stability. They are projecting an America that remains a strong and reliable world power, where things remain steady.
Most are watching Afghanistan as a possible bellwether. Trump has long talked about getting troops home for the holidays, while military leaders have urged for a more methodical withdrawal that gives them time to get equipment out and to apply pressure on the Taliban during peace talks. Fulfilling the goal of pulling all troops out could be Trump’s final fist pump as commander in chief.
Over nearly four years, Milley and his predecessor, Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford, have been able to curb or shape White House impulses in matters of war. They successfully argued against pulling all U.S. forces out of Syria, and they slowed troop withdrawals in Afghanistan to preserve America’s negotiating status with the Taliban and keep an eye on resurging Islamic State militants. Milley joined Esper in persuading Trump not to use active-duty troops to quash civil unrest.
But on other policy matters, Pentagon leaders saluted and marched forward. They found ways to use Defense Department money to help build Trump’s promised wall on the southern border, created his much-wanted Space Force, sidestepped an explicit ban on the Confederate flag and backed away from changing bases named after Confederate generals. Esper also carried Trump’s message on increasing defense spending to NATO allies, with modest success. The move for more allied spending was a continuation of a push by the Obama administration.
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The abrupt personnel changes this week, however, have amped up the anxiety of civilian and military staff in the five-sided building. In addition to replacing Esper with former National Counterterrorism Center director Miller, Trump installed loyalists Anthony Tata in the undersecretary for policy job and Esra Cohen-Watnick as the acting intelligence undersecretary. James Anderson, who had been acting undersecretary for policy, and Joseph Kernan, who was undersecretary for intelligence, both resigned Tuesday.
Miller also brought in his own chief of staff, Kash Patel, who was among the small group of aides who traveled with Trump extensively during the final stretch of the campaign. And he has brought in Douglas MacGregor, a fervent voice for an Afghanistan withdrawal, as a senior adviser.
Miller has said little about his plans. During his first meetings with top defense leaders this week, he took time to lay out his biography — it includes his service as an Army Green Beret and a stint as the Pentagon’s assistant secretary for special operations. He has joined video calls, including on the pandemic, and has spoken to combatant commanders.
Wednesday’s opening of the National Museum of the U.S. Army at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, was his first public event, and he used it to talk about his enlistment and pride in military service. Flanking him were Milley, Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy and Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville. All spoke and Trump’s name and the election were never mentioned.
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