thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-28--Defiant William Barr Denies Politicizing Justice For Trump's Friends

Attorney General William Barr made a defiant appearance before a House committee on Tuesday , rejecting claims that he ’ d improperly interfered in the prosecutorial decision-making process to benefit President Donald Trump ’ s allies and defending the deployment of federal agents to cities against the wishes of local leaders .
Barr , appearing before the House Judiciary Committee for the first time since he was sworn in last February , has faced withering criticism from Democrats since his early days in office , when he mischaracterized the findings of Robert Mueller ’ s special counsel report ahead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has come under fire for his handling of cases against Trump associates Michael Flynn and Roger Stone , his involvement in the firing of a top federal prosecutor overseeing cases against other Trump associates , and his oversight of the federal law enforcement response to protests in Washington , D.C. , and in cities across the nation following the police killing of George Floyd in May .
Democrats on the committee used much of their time Tuesday laying out complaints about Barr ’ s tenure to date , and most didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ answers from the attorney general .
Rep. Jerry Nadler ( D-N.Y. ) , the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee , accused Barr of engaging in a “ persistent war against the department ’ s professional core in an apparent effort to secure favors for the president , ” and of “ seeking out conflict with American citizens ” who were protesting against the government .
In his opening statement , Barr downplayed the threat of police violence against Black Americans , calling the “ shocking ” death of Floyd “ quite rare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black-on-Black crime , claiming the “ threat to Black lives posed by crime on the streets is massively greater than any threat posed by police misconduct.
” He did acknowledge that Black Americans ’ concerns about improper treatment by police “ are legitimate , ” but later denied the existence of systemic racism in policing ― an institution deeply intertwined with the racism embedded in American history .
After Barr referenced the late Rep. John Lewis in his opening statement and downplayed the existence of systemic racism in American life , Rep. Cedric @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the makeup of Barr ’ s own staff shows the reality of American racism .
“ One thing that you have in common with your two predecessors ― both Attorney General [ Jeff ] Sessions and Attorney General [ Matthew ] Whitaker ― is that when you all came here and brought your top staff , you brought no Black people .
That , sir , is systematic racism .
That is exactly what John Lewis spent his life fighting , ” Richmond said .
“ And so I would suggest that actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really should keep the name of the Honorable John Lewis out of the Department of Justice ’ s mouth.
” Barr said he ’ s been “ trying to restore the rule of law ” to the Justice Department , and that Trump “ has not attempted to interfere ” in his decisions .
Trump has routinely disparaged federal prosecutors and FBI agents in public , and shattered norms concerning how presidents speak about ongoing federal investigations and prosecutions .
But Barr claimed Trump “ has played a role properly and traditionally played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and appropriately ” mentioned that the Justice Department is aware of key events .
Barr claimed DOJ decisions have been left to his “ independent judgment , based on the law and fact , without any direction or interference from the White House or anyone outside the Department.
” Barr hasn ’ t made a habit of reviewing all of the Justice Department ’ s prosecutorial decisions , an impossible task given the massive scope of DOJ ’ s criminal caseload .
The cases that have received special attention and review from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved the president ’ s allies .
In the Stone case , Barr claimed prosecutors ’ sentencing recommendation was too harsh .
He dismissed the case against Flynn , who twice pleaded guilty to federal charges .

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Attorney General William Barr made a defiant appearance before a House committee on Tuesday, rejecting claims that he’d improperly interfered in the prosecutorial decision-making process to benefit President Donald Trump’s allies and defending the deployment of federal agents to cities against the wishes of local leaders.
Barr, appearing before the House Judiciary Committee for the first time since he was sworn in last February, has faced withering criticism from Democrats since his early days in office, when he mischaracterized the findings of Robert Mueller’s special counsel report ahead of its release. More recently, Barr has come under fire for his handling of cases against Trump associates Michael Flynn and Roger Stone, his involvement in the firing of a top federal prosecutor overseeing cases against other Trump associates, and his oversight of the federal law enforcement response to protests in Washington, D.C., and in cities across the nation following the police killing of George Floyd in May.
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Democrats on the committee used much of their time Tuesday laying out complaints about Barr’s tenure to date, and most didn’t end up asking questions that generated news-making answers from the attorney general.
Attorney General William Barr listens to testimony during a House Judiciary Committee hearing, July 28, 2020, in Washington, D.C. Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, accused Barr of engaging in a “persistent war against the department’s professional core in an apparent effort to secure favors for the president,” and of “seeking out conflict with American citizens” who were protesting against the government.
In his opening statement, Barr downplayed the threat of police violence against Black Americans, calling the “shocking” death of Floyd “quite rare” and raising a familiar retort about Black-on-Black crime, claiming the “threat to Black lives posed by crime on the streets is massively greater than any threat posed by police misconduct.” He did acknowledge that Black Americans’ concerns about improper treatment by police “are legitimate,” but later denied the existence of systemic racism in policing ― an institution deeply intertwined with the racism embedded in American history.
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After Barr referenced the late Rep. John Lewis in his opening statement and downplayed the existence of systemic racism in American life, Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.) said that the makeup of Barr’s own staff shows the reality of American racism.
“One thing that you have in common with your two predecessors ― both Attorney General [Jeff] Sessions and Attorney General [Matthew] Whitaker ― is that when you all came here and brought your top staff, you brought no Black people. That, sir, is systematic racism. That is exactly what John Lewis spent his life fighting,” Richmond said. “And so I would suggest that actions speak louder than words, and you really should keep the name of the Honorable John Lewis out of the Department of Justice’s mouth.”
Barr said he’s been “trying to restore the rule of law” to the Justice Department, and that Trump “has not attempted to interfere” in his decisions. Trump has routinely disparaged federal prosecutors and FBI agents in public, and shattered norms concerning how presidents speak about ongoing federal investigations and prosecutions.
But Barr claimed Trump “has played a role properly and traditionally played by presidents” and only “occasionally, and appropriately” mentioned that the Justice Department is aware of key events. Barr claimed DOJ decisions have been left to his “independent judgment, based on the law and fact, without any direction or interference from the White House or anyone outside the Department.”
Barr hasn’t made a habit of reviewing all of the Justice Department’s prosecutorial decisions, an impossible task given the massive scope of DOJ’s criminal caseload. The cases that have received special attention and review from the nation’s attorney general have involved the president’s allies. In the Stone case, Barr claimed prosecutors’ sentencing recommendation was too harsh. He dismissed the case against Flynn, who twice pleaded guilty to federal charges.
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“I agree the president’s friends don’t deserve special breaks, but they also don’t deserve to be treated more harshly than other people,” Barr said Tuesday.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-28--Complaint: Trump Making Illegal Secret Payments, Including To His Own Family

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump ’ s campaign is violating federal election law by funneling close to a quarter-billion dollars to date through private companies in order to hide the ultimate recipients of the money , including the wife of one of his sons and the girlfriend of another , a watchdog group charged in a complaint filed Tuesday .
“ The money is being laundered through corporations run by top Trump campaign officials , ” said Brendan Fischer , a lawyer with the Campaign Legal Center .
“ That has the effect of keeping the public in the dark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign spending.
” How quickly any of that might happen , though , is an open question , given that the commission currently does not have a quorum to take official actions .
Even with one in place , investigations can last for several years .
According to the complaint , both Trump ’ s reelection campaign and a related fundraising group , the “ Trump Make America Great Again Committee , ” are breaking federal campaign law by running payments through former Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale ’ s private firm as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a company created specifically to place ads and buy related services for the campaign .
Parscale ’ s companies have already received $ 39 million from Trump ’ s campaign , the Republican National Committee and their joint fundraising committees , according to a HuffPost analysis of FEC filings from Jan. 20 , 2017 , through the end of June 2020 .
American Made Media Consultants has been paid $ 177.6 million from those same committees through that time period .
One of the basic concepts behind federal campaign finance law is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidates , parties and political action committees raise money and spend it .
“ AMMC is a campaign vendor responsible for arranging and executing media buys and related services at fair market value , ” Murtaugh said .
“ AMMC does not earn any commissions or fees .
It builds efficiencies and saves the campaign money by providing these in-house services that otherwise would be done by outside vendors .
The campaign reports all payments to AMMC as required by the FEC.
” The Republican National Committee , which also benefits from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement from communications director Michael Ahrens : “ The RNC and its joint fundraising committees comply with all FEC regulations and campaign finance laws.
” The Campaign Legal Center ’ s complaint says that previous rulings from the FEC make clear that paying vendors to perform services without itemizing sub-contractors and employees is only permissible when those payments are made in “ arms-length ” transactions .
But when campaign officials are involved with a vendor ’ s business — such as Parscale ’ s clear involvement with his own private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payments to contractors and employees must be itemized , the complaint said .
Under the Trump campaign ’ s theory that it can pay a lump sum to a private company like Parscale ’ s , there is nothing stopping it from funneling all of its spending that way each month , with the public getting zero details on how any of it is being spent , Fischer said .
He acknowledged that previous campaigns have used similar entities in the past — the presidential campaign of Republican Mitt Romney in 2012 created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buy all of its television advertising — but nothing on this scale .
Parscale was recently demoted from campaign manager to the head of digital strategy , the same job he had in Trump ’ s 2016 campaign , during which his firms were paid $ 93.9 million .
Trump , according to informal advisers close to the White House , was unhappy with how much money Parscale had made for himself , even as the campaign and the RNC together spent close to a billion dollars and Trump himself slid in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Parscale , who just a few years ago was designing websites in San Antonio for Trump ’ s properties , has been able to buy a $ 2.4 million waterfront house in Fort Lauderdale , Florida , a pair of million-dollar condos , a brand new $ 400,000 boat , and another half-million dollars in luxury cars , including a Range Rover and a Ferrari .

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WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s campaign is violating federal election law by funneling close to a quarter-billion dollars to date through private companies in order to hide the ultimate recipients of the money, including the wife of one of his sons and the girlfriend of another, a watchdog group charged in a complaint filed Tuesday.
“The money is being laundered through corporations run by top Trump campaign officials,” said Brendan Fischer, a lawyer with the Campaign Legal Center. “That has the effect of keeping the public in the dark as to a big chunk of Trump campaign spending.”
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The group’s complaint with the Federal Election Commission asks for an investigation to put an end to the practice and to punish the campaign with fines.
How quickly any of that might happen, though, is an open question, given that the commission currently does not have a quorum to take official actions. Even with one in place, investigations can last for several years.
According to the complaint, both Trump’s reelection campaign and a related fundraising group, the “Trump Make America Great Again Committee,” are breaking federal campaign law by running payments through former Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale’s private firm as well as American Made Media Consultants, a company created specifically to place ads and buy related services for the campaign.
Parscale’s companies have already received $39 million from Trump’s campaign, the Republican National Committee and their joint fundraising committees, according to a HuffPost analysis of FEC filings from Jan. 20, 2017, through the end of June 2020. American Made Media Consultants has been paid $177.6 million from those same committees through that time period.
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Among those payments: $180,000 a year each to Kimberly Guilfoyle, the girlfriend of Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., and to Lara Trump, the wife of his second son, Eric Trump.
In April, Parscale acknowledged paying them through his firm, Parscale Strategy. “I can pay them however I want to pay them,” he told HuffPost.
Other secretly paid vendors appear to include those belonging to a Parscale associate, Gary Coby, that send out the ubiquitous mass fundraising text messages to many hundreds of thousands of Trump supporters multiple times per day.
One of the basic concepts behind federal campaign finance law is that Americans have a right to know how candidates, parties and political action committees raise money and spend it.
“This scheme violated the law and undermines the public’s right to know. What precisely is being hidden is unknown. We don’t know for sure,” Fischer said.
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Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh denied that the payments broke any laws.
“AMMC is a campaign vendor responsible for arranging and executing media buys and related services at fair market value,” Murtaugh said. “AMMC does not earn any commissions or fees. It builds efficiencies and saves the campaign money by providing these in-house services that otherwise would be done by outside vendors. The campaign reports all payments to AMMC as required by the FEC.”
The Republican National Committee, which also benefits from the work of Guilfoyle and Lara Trump, said in a statement from communications director Michael Ahrens: “The RNC and its joint fundraising committees comply with all FEC regulations and campaign finance laws.”
The Campaign Legal Center’s complaint says that previous rulings from the FEC make clear that paying vendors to perform services without itemizing sub-contractors and employees is only permissible when those payments are made in “arms-length” transactions. But when campaign officials are involved with a vendor’s business — such as Parscale’s clear involvement with his own private firm — then the vendor’s payments to contractors and employees must be itemized, the complaint said.
Under the Trump campaign’s theory that it can pay a lump sum to a private company like Parscale’s, there is nothing stopping it from funneling all of its spending that way each month, with the public getting zero details on how any of it is being spent, Fischer said.
He acknowledged that previous campaigns have used similar entities in the past — the presidential campaign of Republican Mitt Romney in 2012 created a firm, American Rambler, to buy all of its television advertising — but nothing on this scale.
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“The Trump campaign has taken it to another level,” Fischer said.
Parscale was recently demoted from campaign manager to the head of digital strategy, the same job he had in Trump’s 2016 campaign, during which his firms were paid $93.9 million. Trump, according to informal advisers close to the White House, was unhappy with how much money Parscale had made for himself, even as the campaign and the RNC together spent close to a billion dollars and Trump himself slid in the polls.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-28--People Can’t Just Get Back To Work

People Can’t Just Get Back To Work

President Donald Trump , his economic advisers and many other Republicans say Americans need to get back to work , even as the COVID-19 pandemic spreads throughout the United States .
And they ’ re trying now to force people back on the job by drastically cutting unemployment benefits meant to help those who couldn ’ t work because of the pandemic .
But people aren ’ t just staying home because they want to or the money is so good .
They ’ re stuck there .
Millions of Americans are caring for children whose schools , camps or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others at high risk if they contract COVID-19 can ’ t safely go back to work .
Americans aren ’ t sitting at home enjoying their government-sponsored vacation .
They ’ re trying to survive .
Roughly 8 million Americans who are getting unemployment benefits aren ’ t looking for work right now because of their caregiving responsibilities , according to a survey released earlier this week from the Bipartisan Policy Center and Morning Consult .
About 6 in 10 of these caregivers are looking after children ; the rest are caring for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the start of the pandemic , Scarpelli and her partner took unpaid leave from their jobs working in group homes for people with Alzheimer ’ s and dementia .
But their leave ran out and they were both fired , losing their health insurance .
Scarpelli and her partner have been getting by since May on the expanded unemployment benefits that were enacted to help people deal with the coronavirus-fueled recession .
On Friday , that money is set to run out .
Scarpelli said they have enough money to pay rent in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t have a plan .
The rent on their house is $ 1,500 a month ; her diabetes medication costs about $ 1,000 a month .
Without the enhanced unemployment insurance , she and her partner will be receiving about $ 400 a week in state benefits combined .
“ After September , when things are running out , we won ’ t have enough to pay rent , utilities , our phone bills , medical supplies , plus groceries for the kids , all their special needs , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arizona decides to reopen the schools , her kids won ’ t be able to attend because of their medical condition .
The risks are too great .
Even if Scarpelli could find some kind of relatively safe paid work , she can ’ t leave every day for a full-time job .
She ’ s gearing up for another round of home-schooling and remote learning .
Of course , that is if she ’ s able to keep the family in their house .
Most of those surveyed had been laid off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6 % reported quitting because of caregiving responsibilities .
And now while 75 % of those folks are spending most of their time actively looking for work , about a quarter said they ’ re primarily caregiving ― that translates to about 8 million Americans .
Parents have been struggling throughout this crisis , and there ’ s no end in sight .
With the current increases in COVID-19 cases and deaths , it ’ s not clear if schools will reopen this fall .
Already some have announced hybrid schedules or fully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remotely , but others , particularly low-income and “ essential ” workers , have jobs they must do in person .
Women , who are shouldering a disproportionate burden of care at home , may be unable to do remote work even if their job would allow it .
Many of the adult care centers attended by elderly folks are also shuttered .
That puts more pressure on people who need to look after older loved ones .
Also , millions of people remain sick , often with family looking after them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ many people can ’ t go back to work yet because there aren ’ t enough jobs .
Job listings are down significantly from this time last year , according to Indeed.com .
In some sectors hard hit by the pandemic ― like hospitality ― the declines have been especially grim .
But there are ways to start reviving the economy .
The big one is to contain the spread of COVID-19 ― which will allow schools and businesses to reopen in greater safety and people who are immuno-compromised or living with those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with less fear .
Then , to help caregivers get back into the job market , the U.S. needs to ensure they will have paid leave to take care of family members when necessary .
Two out of three unemployed workers said they would be somewhat or very likely to return to work sooner if they knew they had access to paid leave , according to the Bipartisan Policy Center survey .

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President Donald Trump, his economic advisers and many other Republicans say Americans need to get back to work, even as the COVID-19 pandemic spreads throughout the United States. And they’re trying now to force people back on the job by drastically cutting unemployment benefits meant to help those who couldn’t work because of the pandemic.
“We’re not going to use taxpayer money to pay people more to stay home,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said over the weekend, suggesting it’s the generosity of unemployment insurance that’s keeping people out of the workforce.
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But people aren’t just staying home because they want to or the money is so good. They’re stuck there. Millions of Americans are caring for children whose schools, camps or day care centers are closed; many others at high risk if they contract COVID-19 can’t safely go back to work. Americans aren’t sitting at home enjoying their government-sponsored vacation. They’re trying to survive.
Roughly 8 million Americans who are getting unemployment benefits aren’t looking for work right now because of their caregiving responsibilities, according to a survey released earlier this week from the Bipartisan Policy Center and Morning Consult. About 6 in 10 of these caregivers are looking after children; the rest are caring for a sick or older relative.
In Prescott, Arizona, Laurin Scarpelli has been at her home since March 8, looking after her 6-year-old and 9-year-old. Both kids have cystic fibrosis. Scarpelli herself has type-1 diabetes. “We have a full family of people at high risk,” she told HuffPost.
At the start of the pandemic, Scarpelli and her partner took unpaid leave from their jobs working in group homes for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia. But their leave ran out and they were both fired, losing their health insurance.
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Scarpelli and her partner have been getting by since May on the expanded unemployment benefits that were enacted to help people deal with the coronavirus-fueled recession. On Friday, that money is set to run out.
Laurin Scarpelli and her daughter Courtesy of Laurin Scarpelli
Scarpelli said they have enough money to pay rent in August, but after that, they don’t have a plan. The rent on their house is $1,500 a month; her diabetes medication costs about $1,000 a month. Without the enhanced unemployment insurance, she and her partner will be receiving about $400 a week in state benefits combined.
“After September, when things are running out, we won’t have enough to pay rent, utilities, our phone bills, medical supplies, plus groceries for the kids, all their special needs,” said Scarpelli, who added that even if Arizona decides to reopen the schools, her kids won’t be able to attend because of their medical condition. The risks are too great.
Even if Scarpelli could find some kind of relatively safe paid work, she can’t leave every day for a full-time job. She’s gearing up for another round of home-schooling and remote learning. Of course, that is if she’s able to keep the family in their house.
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“It’s scary right now,” Scarpelli said. “The safest place to be is at home. If you’re going to lose your home, what do you have?”
The survey from the Bipartisan Policy Center was conducted over two-and-a-half weeks in June and July. Fifteen hundred people receiving unemployment insurance participated.
Most of those surveyed had been laid off or furloughed from their jobs, but 6% reported quitting because of caregiving responsibilities. And now while 75% of those folks are spending most of their time actively looking for work, about a quarter said they’re primarily caregiving ― that translates to about 8 million Americans.
Parents have been struggling throughout this crisis, and there’s no end in sight. With the current increases in COVID-19 cases and deaths, it’s not clear if schools will reopen this fall. Already some have announced hybrid schedules or fully remote learning.
Some parents can work remotely, but others, particularly low-income and “essential” workers, have jobs they must do in person. Women, who are shouldering a disproportionate burden of care at home, may be unable to do remote work even if their job would allow it.
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Many of the adult care centers attended by elderly folks are also shuttered. That puts more pressure on people who need to look after older loved ones. Also, millions of people remain sick, often with family looking after them.
“People say money can’t buy happiness, but it does buy safety.” - Laurin Scarpelli
On top of the caregiving issue, many people can’t go back to work yet because there aren’t enough jobs. Job listings are down significantly from this time last year, according to Indeed.com. In some sectors hard hit by the pandemic ― like hospitality ― the declines have been especially grim.
And despite Mnuchin’s claims, most economists say it’s not the size of pandemic-related unemployment benefits that’s keeping people at home. In his recent research, former U.S. Treasury economist Ernie Tedeschi found no evidence that enhanced benefits were a drag on the economy.
But there are ways to start reviving the economy. The big one is to contain the spread of COVID-19 ― which will allow schools and businesses to reopen in greater safety and people who are immuno-compromised or living with those with chronic conditions to leave their homes with less fear.
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Then, to help caregivers get back into the job market, the U.S. needs to ensure they will have paid leave to take care of family members when necessary. Two out of three unemployed workers said they would be somewhat or very likely to return to work sooner if they knew they had access to paid leave, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center survey.
Ninety-four percent of those receiving unemployment benefits today did not have paid family leave through their jobs. And the provisions enacted by Congress this spring to expand leave left out most of the workforce.
Cutting unemployment benefits, however, won’t solve anybody’s problems.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-28--Cedric Richmond To William Barr: Keep John Lewis' Name Out Of Your Mouth

Attorney General William Barr started out his testimony to the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday by paying respects to the late Rep. John Lewis ( D-Ga. ) , the civil rights icon who died this month .
“ On behalf of the Department of Justice , I want to pay my respects to your colleague John Lewis , an indomitable champion of civil rights and the rule of law , ” Barr said .
Democrats were in no mood for flimsy shows of bipartisan niceties .
During the hearing , they hammered Barr on issues of racial justice and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to benefit President Donald Trump .
“ When you all came here and brought your top staff , you brought no Black people .
That , sir , is systematic racism , ” Rep. Cedric Richmond ( D-La . )
said .
“ You really should keep the name of the Honorable John Lewis out of the Department of Justice ’ s mouth.
” Lewis put his life on the line for voting rights and continued to fight for access to the ballot until the day he died .
Barr , on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s crusade to make it harder for people to vote during the pandemic and advocated against mail-in ballots ( even though he , like other top Trump administration officials , has voted by mail in the past ) .
Democrats ’ complaints about Barr have had plenty of time to build up .
Last year , not long after Barr spun special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s report in a more positive light for the president , the attorney general bailed on a House Judiciary Committee hearing because he didn ’ t want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of members of Congress Tuesday ’ s testimony marked the first time Barr has testified before the committee in his entire year-and-a-half term as head of the Justice Department .
Some members , who launched into lengthy speeches against Barr but didn ’ t necessarily succeed in extracting any substantive answers from the attorney general , helped illustrate why Barr might ’ ve preferred their questions over inquiries from professional staff .
“ I just asked for a yes or no .
I ’ m starting to lose my temper , ” Rep. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when Barr attempted to dodge her question about whether he supported allowing authorities to “ pepper spray , tear gas and beat protesters and injure American citizens.
” Rep. Karen Bass ( D-Calif. ) , who has been on Joe Biden ’ s vice presidential shortlist , pressed Barr on his prior claim before the nation ’ s largest police union that there should be “ zero tolerance for resisting police ” and that such a policy would save lives .
“ A zero-tolerance attitude is costing lives , not saving them , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bass told Barr .
She raised the case of Elijah McClain , a 23-year-old Black massage therapist who died last year after police in Aurora , Colorado , locked him into a since-banned chokehold and injected him with a sedative .
“ Consider James Holmes , who murdered 12 people and injured 70 others in a movie theater , ” Bass said .
“ James wore body armor , had a knife , semi-automatic weapons and an AR-15 .
Yet he was calmly arrested by the same police department as Elijah McLean without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barr , at another point in the hearing , said he believes there is no “ systemic racism in police departments generally in this country .
”

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Attorney General William Barr started out his testimony to the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday by paying respects to the late Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), the civil rights icon who died this month.
“On behalf of the Department of Justice, I want to pay my respects to your colleague John Lewis, an indomitable champion of civil rights and the rule of law,” Barr said.
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Barr ― who later said that “violent rioters and anarchists” had “hijacked” protests ― also emphasized Lewis’ “unwavering commitment to nonviolence.”
Democrats were in no mood for flimsy shows of bipartisan niceties. During the hearing, they hammered Barr on issues of racial justice and his willingness to politicize the Department of Justice to benefit President Donald Trump.
“When you all came here and brought your top staff, you brought no Black people. That, sir, is systematic racism,” Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.) said. “You really should keep the name of the Honorable John Lewis out of the Department of Justice’s mouth.”
Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) later tweeted a clip of Barr, writing a similar message.
Bill Barr hasn’t lifted a finger as Attorney General to protect voting rights in America. He has no business speaking John Lewis’s name. pic.twitter.com/njjrUzKOu1 — Kamala Harris (@SenKamalaHarris) July 28, 2020
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Lewis put his life on the line for voting rights and continued to fight for access to the ballot until the day he died. Barr, on the other hand, has supported Trump’s crusade to make it harder for people to vote during the pandemic and advocated against mail-in ballots (even though he, like other top Trump administration officials, has voted by mail in the past).
Democrats’ complaints about Barr have had plenty of time to build up. Last year, not long after Barr spun special counsel Robert Mueller’s report in a more positive light for the president, the attorney general bailed on a House Judiciary Committee hearing because he didn’t want to be questioned by staff members instead of members of Congress
Tuesday’s testimony marked the first time Barr has testified before the committee in his entire year-and-a-half term as head of the Justice Department. Some members, who launched into lengthy speeches against Barr but didn’t necessarily succeed in extracting any substantive answers from the attorney general, helped illustrate why Barr might’ve preferred their questions over inquiries from professional staff.
Barr consistently held down the Trump administration line, proving again to be the loyal defender that the president always wanted.
“I just asked for a yes or no. I’m starting to lose my temper,” Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) cut in when Barr attempted to dodge her question about whether he supported allowing authorities to “pepper spray, tear gas and beat protesters and injure American citizens.”
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Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.), who has been on Joe Biden’s vice presidential shortlist, pressed Barr on his prior claim before the nation’s largest police union that there should be “zero tolerance for resisting police” and that such a policy would save lives.
“A zero-tolerance attitude is costing lives, not saving them, especially in communities of color,” Bass told Barr. She raised the case of Elijah McClain, a 23-year-old Black massage therapist who died last year after police in Aurora, Colorado, locked him into a since-banned chokehold and injected him with a sedative.
Bass contrasted McClain’s treatment with that of a mass murderer who killed a dozen people in the .
“Consider James Holmes, who murdered 12 people and injured 70 others in a movie theater,” Bass said. “James wore body armor, had a knife, semi-automatic weapons and an AR-15. Yet he was calmly arrested by the same police department as Elijah McLean without a chokehold or injection of ketamine.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-28--Bernie Sanders' Campaign Co-Chair Nina Turner Compares Voting For Biden To Eating 'S**t'

The co-chair of Sen. Bernie Sanders ’ failed presidential campaign profanely blasted presumed Democratic nominee Joe Biden on Monday , striking a divisive note on behalf of unsatisfied progressive voters .
Nina Turner , assessing the choice of Biden against President Donald Trump in the November presidential election , told The Atlantic : “ It ’ s like saying to somebody , ‘ You have a bowl of shit in front of you , and all you ’ ve got to do is eat half of it instead of the whole thing.
’ It ’ s still shit.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t Count Trump Out , ” detailed several ways Trump could end up winning on Election Day .
Sanders , an independent from Vermont , dropped out of the Democratic race in April after a series of losses to Biden in the primaries .
Sanders said in May that he believes his supporters would vote for Biden , but that the former vice president would have to earn his votes among the senator ’ s backers , focusing on health insurance , climate change , racism and other hot-button issues for the left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ delegates to the Democratic National Convention had asked the former vice president this month to consider Turner as a running mate .
Turner , a former Ohio state senator , accused Biden of betraying Black voters in a January op-ed .
But that was in the heat of the Democratic race .
Her comment in the Atlantic article defies the party ’ s efforts to unify before the convention next month ― and the general election .

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The co-chair of Sen. Bernie Sanders’ failed presidential campaign profanely blasted presumed Democratic nominee Joe Biden on Monday, striking a divisive note on behalf of unsatisfied progressive voters.
Nina Turner, assessing the choice of Biden against President Donald Trump in the November presidential election, told The Atlantic: “It’s like saying to somebody, ‘You have a bowl of shit in front of you, and all you’ve got to do is eat half of it instead of the whole thing.’ It’s still shit.”
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The Atlantic article, headlined “Don’t Count Trump Out,” detailed several ways Trump could end up winning on Election Day.
Sanders, an independent from Vermont, dropped out of the Democratic race in April after a series of losses to Biden in the primaries.
Sanders said in May that he believes his supporters would vote for Biden, but that the former vice president would have to earn his votes among the senator’s backers, focusing on health insurance, climate change, racism and other hot-button issues for the left.
Mediaite noted that some of Sanders’ delegates to the Democratic National Convention had asked the former vice president this month to consider Turner as a running mate.
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Biden may announce his choice this week.
Turner, a former Ohio state senator, accused Biden of betraying Black voters in a January op-ed. But that was in the heat of the Democratic race.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-28--National Teachers Union Approves Potential Educator 'Safety Strikes'

The union ’ s executive council approved a resolution last week backing such action as a last resort and on a case-by-case basis , Weingarten revealed in a speech during the union ’ s annual convention , held online this year .
“ If authorities don ’ t protect the safety and health of those we represent and those we serve , as our executive council voted last week , nothing is off the table , ” Weingarten said .
The AFT represents around 1.7 million members , including mostly teachers and school employees , but also nurses and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 76 % of polled members said they were comfortable returning to school given adequate safeguards .
But a month later , after President Donald Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos pressured schools to reopen at all costs , even without assurances of federal funds to help implement COVID-19 safeguards , teachers are “ afraid and angry , ” said Weingarten .
At the same time , the virus has continued to surge in multiple states .
“ These funds should have been distributed to communities months ago .
How dare [ Senate Majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this aid ?
And how dare Trump tweet , in all caps , ‘ SCHOOLS MUST OPEN IN THE FALL !
!
!
’ With no plan .
No funding .
And , frankly , no idea what he is talking about , ” Weingarten said , noting that advocacy , protests , negotiations , grievances or lawsuits are also on the table to oppose schools that reopen without prioritizing the safety of workers .
The resolution approved by the union ’ s executive council contends that school buildings should only reopen in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; where high-risk staff are given special accommodations ; where local authorities are able to close schools if the virus spikes ; and in buildings with proper ventilation systems , mask-wearing protocols and where 6-feet social distancing is possible .
Additionally , buildings should only reopen in places where “ the average daily community infection rate among those tested for COVID-19 is below 5 % and the transmission rate is below 1 % , ” the resolution says .
Indeed , just last week , Florida ’ s teachers union , the Florida @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Florida , with the support of the AFT .
The lawsuit opposes a Florida executive order commanding all schools to open five days a week , even as cases there continue to ravage communities .
The lawsuit alleges that the order violated Florida ’ s state constitution , which mandates a “ safe , secure , and high quality system of free public schools.
” Meanwhile , leading Republicans continue to try to force school reopenings .
The latest version of a new coronavirus stimulus bill from Senate Republicans ties federal funding for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the $ 70 billion allocated to schools in the bill would only be available to these institutions .
A report from National Academies of Sciences , Engineering , and Medicine previously said that schools should push to reopen , especially for students with disabilities and younger children , though they need an injection of federal funds to do so safely , and that local health should be top of mind .
Polls , though , show that many Americans are wary of the push to reopen schools .
Just 19 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they think schools should fully reopen in the fall .
Many big-city districts , like Los Angeles , have already announced plans to begin the fall semester online .
New York City , the largest school district in the country , plans to offer in-person instruction at least one day a week for students .

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American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten told members Tuesday that the union’s leadership would support potential teacher “safety strikes” amid calls to reopen schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The union’s executive council approved a resolution last week backing such action as a last resort and on a case-by-case basis, Weingarten revealed in a speech during the union’s annual convention, held online this year.
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“If authorities don’t protect the safety and health of those we represent and those we serve, as our executive council voted last week, nothing is off the table,” Weingarten said.
The AFT represents around 1.7 million members, including mostly teachers and school employees, but also nurses and other health care professionals. In June, 76% of polled members said they were comfortable returning to school given adequate safeguards. But a month later, after President Donald Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos pressured schools to reopen at all costs, even without assurances of federal funds to help implement COVID-19 safeguards, teachers are “afraid and angry,” said Weingarten. At the same time, the virus has continued to surge in multiple states.
"Nothing is off the table,” Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, said Tuesday. Tom Williams via Getty Images
“These funds should have been distributed to communities months ago. How dare [Senate Majority Leader Mitch] McConnell stonewall and stall this aid? And how dare Trump tweet, in all caps, ‘SCHOOLS MUST OPEN IN THE FALL!!!’ With no plan. No funding. And, frankly, no idea what he is talking about,” Weingarten said, noting that advocacy, protests, negotiations, grievances or lawsuits are also on the table to oppose schools that reopen without prioritizing the safety of workers.
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The resolution approved by the union’s executive council contends that school buildings should only reopen in places where tracing mechanisms are in place; where high-risk staff are given special accommodations; where local authorities are able to close schools if the virus spikes; and in buildings with proper ventilation systems, mask-wearing protocols and where 6-feet social distancing is possible. Additionally, buildings should only reopen in places where “the average daily community infection rate among those tested for COVID-19 is below 5% and the transmission rate is below 1%,” the resolution says.
Absent these requirements, the resolution says, the union will use every tool available to push back on school reopenings.
Indeed, just last week, Florida’s teachers union, the Florida Education Association, sued the governor of Florida, with the support of the AFT. The lawsuit opposes a Florida executive order commanding all schools to open five days a week, even as cases there continue to ravage communities. The lawsuit alleges that the order violated Florida’s state constitution, which mandates a “safe, secure, and high quality system of free public schools.”
Meanwhile, leading Republicans continue to try to force school reopenings. The latest version of a new coronavirus stimulus bill from Senate Republicans ties federal funding for schools to in-person school instruction. Two-thirds of the $70 billion allocated to schools in the bill would only be available to these institutions.
A report from National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine previously said that schools should push to reopen, especially for students with disabilities and younger children, though they need an injection of federal funds to do so safely, and that local health should be top of mind. Polls, though, show that many Americans are wary of the push to reopen schools. Just 19% of Americans in a recent HuffPost/YouGov poll said they think schools should fully reopen in the fall.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-28--Ex-FBI Agent Peter Strzok Set To Release Book About Trump, Russia

ASSOCIATED PRESS Then-FBI Deputy Assistant Director Peter Strzok waits for the start of a House Judiciary Committee joint hearing on `` oversight of FBI and Department of Justice actions surrounding the 2016 election '' on Capitol Hill in Washington , Thursday , July 12 , 2018 .
( AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta ) WASHINGTON ( AP ) — Former FBI counterintelligence agent Peter Strzok , who played a key role in the Russia investigation but whose pejorative text messages about Donald Trump during the 2016 campaign made him a target of the president ’ s wrath , is releasing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The book will offer an insider ’ s view on some of the most sensational and politically freighted investigations in modern American history , including into whether the 2016 Trump campaign coordinated with Russia to sway the presidential election .
Due out two months before the November election , the book adds to the list of first-person accounts from other senior FBI and Justice Department officials during the Trump era .
“ Russia has long regarded the United States as its ‘ Main Enemy , ’ and I spent decades trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weaken and undermine us , ” Strzok said Tuesday in a statement accompanying the book announcement .
“ In this book , ” he added , “ I use that background to explain how the elevation by President Trump and his collaborators of Trump ’ s own personal interests over the interests of the country allowed Putin to succeed beyond Stalin ’ s wildest dreams , and how the national security implications of Putin ’ s triumph will persist through our next election and beyond.
” As a senior counterintelligence agent with more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Strzok helped lead the investigation into whether Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton mishandled classified information on the private email server she relied on as secretary of state .
The FBI ultimately recommended against criminal charges .
He also played a pivotal role in the Russia investigation , including by interviewing former national security adviser Michael Flynn about his contacts with the Russian ambassador during the presidential transition period .
Strzok briefly served on special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s team but was removed from his role after the Justice Department inspector general flagged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Strzok sent and received during the 2016 campaign .
Once the texts were made public , Strzok became a regular Twitter target of the Republican president ’ s attacks , with Trump alleging that Strzok and others in the FBI had plotted against his campaign and had even committed treason — an accusation that Strzok ’ s lawyer rejected as “ beyond reckless.
” The text messages were exchanged with an FBI lawyer , Lisa Page , and Trump routinely refers to the two of them together as “ the lovers.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in July 2018 , Strzok insisted that he never allowed personal viewpoints to influence his work , though he did acknowledge being dismayed by Trump ’ s behavior during the campaign .
The text messages featured prominently in the inspector general investigations into the Clinton and Russia probes , but the watchdog office said it did not find evidence in either case that the actions that Strzok and other FBI officials took were motivated by political bias .
Strzok was fired from the FBI in August 2018 , though he has since sued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frequent target of Trump ’ s scornful tweets .
In a statement announcing the book , the publishing company said “ the Trump administration used his private expression of political opinions to force him out.
” “ But by that time , ” the statement added , “ Strzok had seen more than enough to convince him that the commander in chief had fallen under the sway of America ’ s adversary in the Kremlin.
” Though Mueller did not allege a criminal conspiracy between Moscow and the Trump campaign , the publisher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ grapples with a question that should concern every U.S. citizen : When a president appears to favor personal and Russian interests over those of our nation , has he become a national security threat ?
”

Then-FBI Deputy Assistant Director Peter Strzok waits for the start of a House Judiciary Committee joint hearing on "oversight of FBI and Department of Justice actions surrounding the 2016 election" on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, July 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former FBI counterintelligence agent Peter Strzok, who played a key role in the Russia investigation but whose pejorative text messages about Donald Trump during the 2016 campaign made him a target of the president’s wrath, is releasing a book on his concerns about the president.
“Compromised: Counterintelligence and the Threat of Donald J. Trump” is due out Sept. 8, publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books & Media said in a statement to The Associated Press.
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The book will offer an insider’s view on some of the most sensational and politically freighted investigations in modern American history, including into whether the 2016 Trump campaign coordinated with Russia to sway the presidential election. Due out two months before the November election, the book adds to the list of first-person accounts from other senior FBI and Justice Department officials during the Trump era.
“Russia has long regarded the United States as its ‘Main Enemy,’ and I spent decades trying to protect our country from their efforts to weaken and undermine us,” Strzok said Tuesday in a statement accompanying the book announcement.
“In this book,” he added, “I use that background to explain how the elevation by President Trump and his collaborators of Trump’s own personal interests over the interests of the country allowed Putin to succeed beyond Stalin’s wildest dreams, and how the national security implications of Putin’s triumph will persist through our next election and beyond.”
As a senior counterintelligence agent with more than 20 years at the FBI, Strzok helped lead the investigation into whether Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton mishandled classified information on the private email server she relied on as secretary of state. The FBI ultimately recommended against criminal charges.
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He also played a pivotal role in the Russia investigation, including by interviewing former national security adviser Michael Flynn about his contacts with the Russian ambassador during the presidential transition period.
Strzok briefly served on special counsel Robert Mueller’s team but was removed from his role after the Justice Department inspector general flagged derogatory and pejorative text messages about Trump that Strzok sent and received during the 2016 campaign.
Once the texts were made public, Strzok became a regular Twitter target of the Republican president’s attacks, with Trump alleging that Strzok and others in the FBI had plotted against his campaign and had even committed treason — an accusation that Strzok’s lawyer rejected as “beyond reckless.” The text messages were exchanged with an FBI lawyer, Lisa Page, and Trump routinely refers to the two of them together as “the lovers.”
At a fiery, daylong congressional hearing in July 2018, Strzok insisted that he never allowed personal viewpoints to influence his work, though he did acknowledge being dismayed by Trump’s behavior during the campaign.
The text messages featured prominently in the inspector general investigations into the Clinton and Russia probes, but the watchdog office said it did not find evidence in either case that the actions that Strzok and other FBI officials took were motivated by political bias.
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Strzok was fired from the FBI in August 2018, though he has since sued over the termination. He remains a frequent target of Trump’s scornful tweets. In a statement announcing the book, the publishing company said “the Trump administration used his private expression of political opinions to force him out.”
“But by that time,” the statement added, “Strzok had seen more than enough to convince him that the commander in chief had fallen under the sway of America’s adversary in the Kremlin.”
Though Mueller did not allege a criminal conspiracy between Moscow and the Trump campaign, the publisher said that in the book, Strzok “grapples with a question that should concern every U.S. citizen: When a president appears to favor personal and Russian interests over those of our nation, has he become a national security threat?”
Former FBI Director James Comey and former Deputy Director Andrew McCabe have each released books that describe aspects of the Trump investigation.
Andrew Weissmann, a former Justice Department prosecutor who served on Mueller’s team, is due out with a book in September.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-28--This Was John Lewis' Final Message To Joe Biden

ASSOCIATED PRESS Presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden was among the dignitaries paying respects on Monday to Rep. John Lewis of Georgia , the longtime civil rights crusader whose body lay in state at the U.S. Capitol .
President Donald Trump decided not to make a similar visit .
The late civil rights icon John Lewis spoke with Joe Biden in the days before his death and advised him to stay focused on the “ the work left undone to heal this nation , ” the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee said in a Tuesday speech on racial inequality in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lewis , on his deathbed , kept their conversation centered on the former vice president ’ s White House bid and the state of the nation .
“ He asked that we stay focused on the work left undone to heal this nation , to remain undaunted by the public health crisis and the economic crisis that has taken the blinders off in this crisis and shown the systemic racism that plagues this nation , ” Biden said .
Biden ’ s campaign has been unveiling a series of economic recovery plans , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” in recent weeks .
Previous plans have emphasized ways to promote and help create manufacturing jobs , green infrastructure and the caregiving profession .
The fourth and last installment , which Biden detailed Tuesday , addressed systemic racism in the economy .
Speaking from Wilmington , Delaware , Biden noted the disproportionate number of Black and brown Americans who have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic .
Black unemployment , at 15 % , sits higher than for other demographics and more than 40 % of black-owned businesses reportedly have had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Biden said .
His plan to address these disparities includes programs to increase funding for new equity investment and venture capital for black and brown entrepreneurs , increase lending through the Small Business Administration for black-owned businesses and advance a tax credit of up to $ 15,000 for new homeowners .
Biden ’ s speech comes as demonstrations protesting racism and police brutality continue in many cities across the nation .
He has either opposed or declined to embrace some of the prominent demands pushed by the Black Lives Matter movement , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , 50 progressive groups signed a letter urging Biden to adopt bolder measures to address police brutality and racial justice , unhappy with the limited scope of his plan for Black Americans and his police reform proposal .
The lawmaker ’ s body lay in state at the U.S. Capitol on Monday and Tuesday .
Biden and his wife , Jill , were among those to pay their respects on Monday .
President Donald Trump , who frequently sparred with Lewis over policies and the status of the country ’ s race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do so .

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The late civil rights icon John Lewis spoke with Joe Biden in the days before his death and advised him to stay focused on the “the work left undone to heal this nation,” the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee said in a Tuesday speech on racial inequality in the economy.
Biden took note of how Lewis, on his deathbed, kept their conversation centered on the former vice president’s White House bid and the state of the nation.
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“He asked that we stay focused on the work left undone to heal this nation, to remain undaunted by the public health crisis and the economic crisis that has taken the blinders off in this crisis and shown the systemic racism that plagues this nation,” Biden said.
The 80-year-old Lewis, a fierce advocate for voting rights and longtime congressman from Georgia, died on July 17 after battling cancer.
Presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden was among the dignitaries paying respects on Monday to Rep. John Lewis of Georgia, the longtime civil rights crusader whose body lay in state at the U.S. Capitol. President Donald Trump decided not to make a similar visit. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Biden’s campaign has been unveiling a series of economic recovery plans, under the slogan “Build Back Better,” in recent weeks. Previous plans have emphasized ways to promote and help create manufacturing jobs, green infrastructure and the caregiving profession. The fourth and last installment, which Biden detailed Tuesday, addressed systemic racism in the economy.
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Speaking from Wilmington, Delaware, Biden noted the disproportionate number of Black and brown Americans who have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Black unemployment, at 15%, sits higher than for other demographics and more than 40% of black-owned businesses reportedly have had to shut down because of the pandemic, Biden said.
His plan to address these disparities includes programs to increase funding for new equity investment and venture capital for black and brown entrepreneurs, increase lending through the Small Business Administration for black-owned businesses and advance a tax credit of up to $15,000 for new homeowners.
Biden’s speech comes as demonstrations protesting racism and police brutality continue in many cities across the nation. He has either opposed or declined to embrace some of the prominent demands pushed by the Black Lives Matter movement, especially “defund the police.”
Last week, 50 progressive groups signed a letter urging Biden to adopt bolder measures to address police brutality and racial justice, unhappy with the limited scope of his plan for Black Americans and his police reform proposal.
Biden’s campaign has backed investing $300 million in community policing.
Lewis, in the months before his death, visited protesters demonstrating for the Black Lives Movement in Washington.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-28--Trump Administration To Offer Extensions For Some Dreamers, But No New Applications

WASHINGTON , July 28 ( Reuters ) - U.S. President Donald Trump ’ s administration plans to allow so-called “ Dreamer ” immigrants to renew deportation protections for a year while it reviews a Supreme Court ruling , a senior administration official said on Tuesday .
The administration is preparing a fresh attempt to end the program that shields from deportation hundreds of thousands of immigrants living in the United States illegally after entering as children ― a group often called “ Dreamers.
” The review follows the court ruling last month that found the administration had erred in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals ( DACA ) program in 2017 .
DACA was put in place by former President Barack Obama and currently some 644,000 immigrants are enrolled .
The administration plans to continue its existing policy of not accepting new DACA applicants , a policy in place since 2017 , the official told Reuters .
But the administration will extend the eligibility by a year for those DACA immigrants whose protection from deportation was due to expire , as long as they do not have a criminal record , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refiles , if they are eligible and were set to expire , we will renew them on a case by case basis into the next year for an extension , ” the official said .
The decision means the program will remain in place through the Nov. 3 presidential election , in which Trump is fighting for a second term against Democrat Joe Biden .
Trump has made his hardline stance on both legal and illegal immigration a central platform of his presidency and his 2020 re-election campaign , but DACA is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public support of the program .
The Supreme Court left the door open for Trump to attempt again to rescind the program , ruling only that the administration had not met procedural requirements and its actions were “ arbitrary and capricious ” under a federal law called the Administrative Procedure Act .
The official said the administration will conduct “ an exhaustive review ” of the memos that the administration initially used to justify the winding down of the program .
“ We ’ re going to review all of that and all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so that when the administration next acts on DACA , it will be anchored on this comprehensive review , ” the official said .
Trump , in an interview with Noticias Telemundo earlier this month , said he would soon unveil an immigration measure that he said would include some protections for DACA .
“ We ’ re working out the legal complexities right now , but I ’ m going to be signing a very major immigration bill as an executive order , which the Supreme Court now , because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the power to do that , ” Trump said .

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WASHINGTON, July 28 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration plans to allow so-called “Dreamer” immigrants to renew deportation protections for a year while it reviews a Supreme Court ruling, a senior administration official said on Tuesday. The administration is preparing a fresh attempt to end the program that shields from deportation hundreds of thousands of immigrants living in the United States illegally after entering as children ― a group often called “Dreamers.”
The review follows the court ruling last month that found the administration had erred in the way that it had decided to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in 2017. DACA was put in place by former President Barack Obama and currently some 644,000 immigrants are enrolled.
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The administration plans to continue its existing policy of not accepting new DACA applicants, a policy in place since 2017, the official told Reuters. But the administration will extend the eligibility by a year for those DACA immigrants whose protection from deportation was due to expire, as long as they do not have a criminal record, the official said.
“For anyone who refiles, if they are eligible and were set to expire, we will renew them on a case by case basis into the next year for an extension,” the official said.
The decision means the program will remain in place through the Nov. 3 presidential election, in which Trump is fighting for a second term against Democrat Joe Biden.
Trump has made his hardline stance on both legal and illegal immigration a central platform of his presidency and his 2020 re-election campaign, but DACA is a complicated issue for him because of increasing public support of the program.
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A February Reuters/Ipsos poll found 64% of U.S. adult respondents supported DACA’s core tenets. A similar December 2014 poll found that 47% of U.S. adults supported DACA.
The Supreme Court left the door open for Trump to attempt again to rescind the program, ruling only that the administration had not met procedural requirements and its actions were “arbitrary and capricious” under a federal law called the Administrative Procedure Act.
The administration is due to file paperwork with the district court in Maryland on Tuesday clarifying its plan.
The decision to not accept new applications will likely face more legal challenges.
President Donald Trump attempted to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, but was blocked in the courts. Evan Vucci/Associated Press
The official said the administration will conduct “an exhaustive review” of the memos that the administration initially used to justify the winding down of the program.
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“We’re going to review all of that and all the underlying communications that informed those documents, so that when the administration next acts on DACA, it will be anchored on this comprehensive review,” the official said.
The official said it was unclear how long the review would take.
Trump, in an interview with Noticias Telemundo earlier this month, said he would soon unveil an immigration measure that he said would include some protections for DACA.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-28--Biden Releases Racial Equity Plan, Omits Reparations

Joe Biden ’ s presidential campaign on Tuesday released a long list of policies that the former vice president would use to combat racial inequality , but the plan excludes a controversial but potentially more effective remedy : reparations .
It ’ s short on ideas for more direct assistance , like compensation for slavery and the discriminatory policies that created persistent racial disparities in employment , criminal justice and overall wealth .
For years , congressional Democrats have proposed appointing a special commission to study the feasibility of paying reparations , but the proposal has never moved off the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t have a problem with the study , but he believes there are things we can do right now that we don ’ t have to wait on a study to tell us that will change the lives of Black and brown people in America , ” a senior Biden campaign official said Tuesday on a conference call with reporters .
As an example of something that would be more immediately beneficial , the official pointed specifically to the campaign ’ s proposal requiring the Federal Reserve to regularly report on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic gaps ― and what actions the Fed is taking through its monetary and regulatory policies to close these gaps.
” If there ’ s ever been a good time to talk about reparations , it ’ s now .
The police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis prompted a global surge of Black Lives Matter protests , and polls show that voters increasingly recognize that Black and brown people suffer from discrimination .
Racial resentment has long affected public attitudes toward government spending , however , and for decades Democratic politicians , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to propose direct assistance when they could talk about tax credits instead .
Biden has previously said he supports the idea of a commission to study reparations , as did almost all of the other Democratic primary candidates .
But the study proposal is not the same thing as actually providing reparations in the form of cash payments — or some other subsidy — to Black Americans , which no major candidate has supported .
“ While my administration takes major actions to address systemic racism , it will also study how reparations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure the voices of descendants are central when gathering data and information , ” Biden told The Washington Post .
Other key policies in Biden ’ s plan include expanding a tax write-off for private equity firms that invest in businesses serving low-income areas , increasing funds for financial institutions operating in such areas , and making sure that small businesses can get help applying for any pandemic relief programs that might be running in early 2021 .
The former vice president would also push for “ a new refundable , advanceable tax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for first-time homebuyers .
Housing has been a driving factor of the racial wealth gap , which is wide : The net worth of the average white family is more than 10 times greater than that of the average Black family .
Biden ’ s strength with Black voters was crucial to winning the Democratic primary , with a victory in South Carolina launching his comeback .
He holds an overwhelming lead with Black voters against Republican President Donald Trump , though many polls show that his lead is slightly smaller than Hillary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago .
In particular , many Democrats worry that young Black men are less enthusiastic about Biden ’ s candidacy .
But the former Delaware senator ’ s advantages among Black voters in the primary were based more on his ties to President Barack Obama and other long-standing Black politicians in the South than they were on policy detail .
While candidates like Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker released detailed proposals to close the racial wealth gap , Biden focused more on promising to battle Trump ’ s @ @

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Joe Biden’s presidential campaign on Tuesday released a long list of policies that the former vice president would use to combat racial inequality, but the plan excludes a controversial but potentially more effective remedy: reparations.
The Biden plan to “Build Back Better by Advancing Racial Equity Across the American Economy” is full of technocratic proposals like tax credits, public-private partnerships and low-interest loan programs that would indirectly benefit Black people.
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It’s short on ideas for more direct assistance, like compensation for slavery and the discriminatory policies that created persistent racial disparities in employment, criminal justice and overall wealth. For years, congressional Democrats have proposed appointing a special commission to study the feasibility of paying reparations, but the proposal has never moved off the back burner.
“The vice president doesn’t have a problem with the study, but he believes there are things we can do right now that we don’t have to wait on a study to tell us that will change the lives of Black and brown people in America,” a senior Biden campaign official said Tuesday on a conference call with reporters.
As an example of something that would be more immediately beneficial, the official pointed specifically to the campaign’s proposal requiring the Federal Reserve to regularly report on “current data and trends in racial economic gaps ― and what actions the Fed is taking through its monetary and regulatory policies to close these gaps.”
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said last month that the Fed pays attention to disproportionately higher unemployment for Black Americans but that “we don’t target different groups” when setting policy.
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“That’s something that’s going to require an all-of-society, all-of-government response,” he added.
If there’s ever been a good time to talk about reparations, it’s now. The police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis prompted a global surge of Black Lives Matter protests, and polls show that voters increasingly recognize that Black and brown people suffer from discrimination. Racial resentment has long affected public attitudes toward government spending, however, and for decades Democratic politicians, especially moderates like Biden, have hesitated to propose direct assistance when they could talk about tax credits instead.
Biden has previously said he supports the idea of a commission to study reparations, as did almost all of the other Democratic primary candidates. But the study proposal is not the same thing as actually providing reparations in the form of cash payments — or some other subsidy — to Black Americans, which no major candidate has supported.
“While my administration takes major actions to address systemic racism, it will also study how reparations may be part of those efforts and ensure the voices of descendants are central when gathering data and information,” Biden told The Washington Post.
Other key policies in Biden’s plan include expanding a tax write-off for private equity firms that invest in businesses serving low-income areas, increasing funds for financial institutions operating in such areas, and making sure that small businesses can get help applying for any pandemic relief programs that might be running in early 2021.
The former vice president would also push for “a new refundable, advanceable tax credit of up to $15,000” for first-time homebuyers. Housing has been a driving factor of the racial wealth gap, which is wide: The net worth of the average white family is more than 10 times greater than that of the average Black family.
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The plan is the final plank of Biden’s “Build Back Better” proposal. He had previously rolled out plans on trade and manufacturing, climate change and caregiving for children and seniors.
Biden’s strength with Black voters was crucial to winning the Democratic primary, with a victory in South Carolina launching his comeback. He holds an overwhelming lead with Black voters against Republican President Donald Trump, though many polls show that his lead is slightly smaller than Hillary Clinton’s landslide margin four years ago. In particular, many Democrats worry that young Black men are less enthusiastic about Biden’s candidacy.
But the former Delaware senator’s advantages among Black voters in the primary were based more on his ties to President Barack Obama and other long-standing Black politicians in the South than they were on policy detail. While candidates like Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker released detailed proposals to close the racial wealth gap, Biden focused more on promising to battle Trump’s racism.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-28--Biden Says He'll Choose His Running Mate Next Week

Joe Biden said Tuesday he ’ ll be making a long-anticipated announcement next week : The naming of a running mate on the Democratic presidential ticket he will head .
After detailing in Wilmington , Delaware , his plan to combat racial inequality , the presumptive nominee told reporters he is “ going to have a choice the first week in August , and I promise I ’ ll let you know when I do.
” Biden said in May he hoped to name his running mate by Aug. 1 .
He vowed to select a woman — someone , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with me , both in terms of personality as well as substance ” but who has “ strengths and capacities I don ’ t. ” Sens .
Kamala Harris of California , Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Tammy Duckworth of Illinois are among those reportedly on Biden ’ s shortlist .
Others who name have been floated prominently include former national security adviser Susan Rice , and Reps. Val Demings of Florida and Karen Bass of California .
Asked on Tuesday whether he ’ ll meet potential candidates in person before making a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We ’ ll see , ” he said , after joking that he would need to “ trick ” the press so he could meet finalists in person .
“ You got crews outside my house ” in Delaware , he quipped to a reporter .
Since the nationwide quarantining due to the coronavirus pandemic began , Biden has conducted his campaign from his home with only occasional forays to nearby venues for speeches where social distancing guidelines are observed .
That contrasts with the man Biden aims to unseat , President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about such practices .

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Joe Biden said Tuesday he’ll be making a long-anticipated announcement next week: The naming of a running mate on the Democratic presidential ticket he will head.
After detailing in Wilmington, Delaware, his plan to combat racial inequality, the presumptive nominee told reporters he is “going to have a choice the first week in August, and I promise I’ll let you know when I do.”
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Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said he would name his running mate in the first week of August https://t.co/1mK9iyR5dp pic.twitter.com/4ddLCpik7I — Reuters (@Reuters) July 28, 2020
Biden said in May he hoped to name his running mate by Aug. 1. He vowed to select a woman — someone, he said, who is “simpatico with me, both in terms of personality as well as substance” but who has “strengths and capacities I don’t.”
Sens. Kamala Harris of California, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Tammy Duckworth of Illinois are among those reportedly on Biden’s shortlist. Others who name have been floated prominently include former national security adviser Susan Rice, and Reps. Val Demings of Florida and Karen Bass of California.
Asked on Tuesday whether he’ll meet potential candidates in person before making a final decision, Biden was noncommittal.
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“We’ll see,” he said, after joking that he would need to “trick” the press so he could meet finalists in person.
“You got crews outside my house” in Delaware, he quipped to a reporter.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-28--Miami Man Arrested After Buying Lamborghini With $4 Million COVID Relief Aid: Feds

A Florida man is facing charges after authorities say he fraudulently obtained $ 3.9 million in federal loans meant for small businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and used it to buy a Lamborghini and other personal expenses .
David Tyler Hines , 29 , of Miami was charged Monday with bank fraud , making false statements to a financial institution and engaging in transactions in unlawful proceeds , according to a copy of the criminal complaint .
Authorities said Hines , in all , requested approximately $ 13.5 million in Paycheck Protection Program ( PPP ) loans .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which contained “ numerous false and misleading statements ” about his alleged moving companies ’ respective payroll expenses .
David Hines was charged Friday with fraudulently obtaining $ 3.9 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans and using the money , in part , to purchase a sports car for himself , authorities said .
He claimed that his four companies paid millions in payroll during the first quarter of 2020 , though state and bank records show that his companies had little to no payroll expense during this period , Postal Inspector Bryan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Those purported employees either did not exist or earned a fraction of what Hines claimed in his PPP applications , ” stated Masmela , who also noted that authorities were unable to find any record of operating websites linked to Hines ’ businesses .
Hines ’ loan request was ultimately approved , however , and he was given $ 3.9 million , which within days he began spending , authorities said .
Hines ’ spending spree allegedly included the purchase of a 2020 Lamborghini Huracan sports car , for approximately $ 318,000 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ payments to dating websites , jewelry stores and luxury clothing retailers , as well as to Miami Beach resorts .
Two payments totaling $ 30,000 were also documented as going to “ mom , ” according to the criminal complaint .
The bank accounts listed as belonging to his moving companies were closed on June 24 and $ 3.4 million was seized from the accounts at the time of his Friday arrest , authorities said .
“ Businesses must use PPP loan proceeds for payroll costs , interest on mortgages , rent and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a release announcing Hines ’ charges .
“ The PPP allows the interest and principal to be forgiven if businesses spend the proceeds on these expenses within a set time period and use at least a certain percentage of the loan towards payroll expenses.
” An attorney for Hines , in a statement to The Washington Post , defended him as a “ legitimate business owner who , like millions of Americans , suffered financially during the pandemic.
” “ While the allegations appear very serious , especially in light of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell his side of the story when the time comes , ” said attorney Chad Piotrowski .
Hines ’ Lamborghini purchase was discovered by investigators earlier this month after he was involved in a hit-and-run accident involving the vehicle on July 11 , the Miami Herald reported .
Hines was released Monday on a $ 100,000 bond during his first court appearance .
He is being allowed to stay at his mother ’ s home with a GPS monitor .
His next arraignment is scheduled for October 14 , the Herald reported .

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A Florida man is facing charges after authorities say he fraudulently obtained $3.9 million in federal loans meant for small businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and used it to buy a Lamborghini and other personal expenses.
David Tyler Hines, 29, of Miami was charged Monday with bank fraud, making false statements to a financial institution and engaging in transactions in unlawful proceeds, according to a copy of the criminal complaint.
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Authorities said Hines, in all, requested approximately $13.5 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. He submitted seven loan applications in May, which contained “numerous false and misleading statements” about his alleged moving companies’ respective payroll expenses.
David Hines was charged Friday with fraudulently obtaining $3.9 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans and using the money, in part, to purchase a sports car for himself, authorities said. MIAMI-DADE COUNTY CORRECTIONS
He claimed that his four companies paid millions in payroll during the first quarter of 2020, though state and bank records show that his companies had little to no payroll expense during this period, Postal Inspector Bryan Masmela said in the complaint.
“Those purported employees either did not exist or earned a fraction of what Hines claimed in his PPP applications,” stated Masmela, who also noted that authorities were unable to find any record of operating websites linked to Hines’ businesses.
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Hines’ loan request was ultimately approved, however, and he was given $3.9 million, which within days he began spending, authorities said.
Hines’ spending spree allegedly included the purchase of a 2020 Lamborghini Huracan sports car, for approximately $318,000. He also made thousands of dollars in payments to dating websites, jewelry stores and luxury clothing retailers, as well as to Miami Beach resorts. Two payments totaling $30,000 were also documented as going to “mom,” according to the criminal complaint.
A Lamborghini Huracan EVO Spyder convertible sports car is seen on display in Brussels, Belgium, in January. Sjoerd van der Wal via Getty Images
The bank accounts listed as belonging to his moving companies were closed on June 24 and $3.4 million was seized from the accounts at the time of his Friday arrest, authorities said.
“Businesses must use PPP loan proceeds for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent and utilities,” the Department of Justice said in a release announcing Hines’ charges. “The PPP allows the interest and principal to be forgiven if businesses spend the proceeds on these expenses within a set time period and use at least a certain percentage of the loan towards payroll expenses.”
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An attorney for Hines, in a statement to The Washington Post, defended him as a “legitimate business owner who, like millions of Americans, suffered financially during the pandemic.”
“While the allegations appear very serious, especially in light of the pandemic, David is anxious to tell his side of the story when the time comes,” said attorney Chad Piotrowski.
Hines’ Lamborghini purchase was discovered by investigators earlier this month after he was involved in a hit-and-run accident involving the vehicle on July 11, the Miami Herald reported.
The Lamborghini was linked back to Hines and impounded by Miami police, the Herald reported.
Hines was released Monday on a $100,000 bond during his first court appearance. He is being allowed to stay at his mother’s home with a GPS monitor. His next arraignment is scheduled for October 14, the Herald reported.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-28--Russian Operatives Spreading Coronavirus Disinformation, U.S. Officials Say

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — Russian intelligence operatives are using a trio of English-language websites to spread disinformation about the coronavirus pandemic , seeking to exploit a crisis that America is struggling to contain ahead of the presidential election in November , U.S. officials said Tuesday .
Two Russians who have held senior roles in Moscow ’ s military intelligence service known as the GRU have been identified as responsible for a disinformation effort directed at American and Western audiences , U.S. government officials said .
They spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had previously been classified , but officials said it had been downgraded so they could more freely discuss it .
Officials said they were doing so now to sound the alarm about the particular websites and to expose a connection between the sites and Russian intelligence .
U.S. government officials tell me they have identified three English-language websites that they say are GRU proxies to spread disinformation on Covid , other topics of the day _ they 've also ID'ed two men with deep GRU ties who are linked to the sites and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( @ etuckerAP ) July 28 , 2020 Between late May and early July , one of the officials said , a trio of websites published about 150 articles about the pandemic response , including coverage aimed at propping up Russia and denigrating the U.S .
Among the headlines that caught the attention of U.S. officials are “ Russia ’ s Counter COVID-19 Aid to America Advances Case for Détente , ” which suggested that Russia had given urgent and substantial aid to the U.S. to fight the pandemic , and “ Beijing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The disclosure comes as the spread of disinformation , including by Russia , is an urgent concern heading into November ’ s presidential election as U.S. officials look to avoid a repeat of the 2016 contest , when Russia launched a covert social media campaign to divide American public opinion to favor then-candidate Donald Trump .
The country ’ s chief counterintelligence official warned in a public statement Friday about Russia ’ s continued use of internet trolls to advance their goals .
Even apart from politics , the twin crises buffeting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic and race relations and protests — have offered fertile territory for misinformation or outfight falsehoods .
Officials described the disinformation as part of an ongoing and persistent Russian effort to cause confusion .
They did not say whether the effort was directly related to the November election , though some of the coverage on the websites appeared to denigrate Trump ’ s Democratic challenger , Joe Biden .
The stories call to mind Russian efforts from 2016 to exacerbate race relations in America and drive corruption allegations against U.S. political figures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a news agency , InfoRos.ru , that operates a trio of websites InfoRos.ru , Infobrics.org and OneWorld.press — that they say have leveraged the pandemic to promote anti-Western objectives and to spread disinformation .
The sites promote their narratives in a sophisticated but insidious effort that officials liken to money laundering , where stories in well-written English — and often with pro-Russian sentiment and anti-U.S. sentiment — are cycled through other news sources to conceal their origin and enhance the legitimacy of the information .
The sites focus on contemporary politics as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the unrest roiling major American cities read “ Chaos in the Blue Cities , ” accompanying a story that lamented how New Yorkers who grew up in the tough-on-crime approach of Mayors Rudy Giuliani and Michael Bloomberg “ must adapt to life in high-crime urban areas.
” Two individuals who have also held leadership roles at InfoRos , identified Tuesday as Denis Valeryevich Tyurin and Aleksandr Gennadyevich Starunskiy , have previously served in a GRU unit specializing in military psychological intelligence and maintain deep contacts there , the officials said .
In 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ studies disinformation campaigns identified One World as “ a new addition to the pantheon of Moscow-based disinformation outlets.
” The task force noted that One World ’ s content often parrots the Russian state agenda on issues including the war in Syria .
A report published last month by a second , nongovernmental organization , Brussels-based EU DisinfoLab , examined links between InfoRos and One World to Russian military intelligence .
The researchers identified technical clues tying their websites to Russia and identified some financial connections between InfoRos and the government .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Russian intelligence operatives are using a trio of English-language websites to spread disinformation about the coronavirus pandemic, seeking to exploit a crisis that America is struggling to contain ahead of the presidential election in November, U.S. officials said Tuesday.
Two Russians who have held senior roles in Moscow’s military intelligence service known as the GRU have been identified as responsible for a disinformation effort directed at American and Western audiences, U.S. government officials said. They spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
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The information had previously been classified, but officials said it had been downgraded so they could more freely discuss it. Officials said they were doing so now to sound the alarm about the particular websites and to expose a connection between the sites and Russian intelligence.
U.S. government officials tell me they have identified three English-language websites that they say are GRU proxies to spread disinformation on Covid, other topics of the day _ they've also ID'ed two men with deep GRU ties who are linked to the sites and behind the effort. — Eric Tucker (@etuckerAP) July 28, 2020
Between late May and early July, one of the officials said, a trio of websites published about 150 articles about the pandemic response, including coverage aimed at propping up Russia and denigrating the U.S.
Among the headlines that caught the attention of U.S. officials are “Russia’s Counter COVID-19 Aid to America Advances Case for Détente,” which suggested that Russia had given urgent and substantial aid to the U.S. to fight the pandemic, and “Beijing Believes COVID-19 is a Biological Weapon.”
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The disclosure comes as the spread of disinformation, including by Russia, is an urgent concern heading into November’s presidential election as U.S. officials look to avoid a repeat of the 2016 contest, when Russia launched a covert social media campaign to divide American public opinion to favor then-candidate Donald Trump. The country’s chief counterintelligence official warned in a public statement Friday about Russia’s continued use of internet trolls to advance their goals.
Even apart from politics, the twin crises buffeting the country and much of the world — the pandemic and race relations and protests — have offered fertile territory for misinformation or outfight falsehoods.
Officials described the disinformation as part of an ongoing and persistent Russian effort to cause confusion. They did not say whether the effort was directly related to the November election, though some of the coverage on the websites appeared to denigrate Trump’s Democratic challenger, Joe Biden. The stories call to mind Russian efforts from 2016 to exacerbate race relations in America and drive corruption allegations against U.S. political figures.
U.S. officials on Tuesday singled out a news agency, InfoRos.ru, that operates a trio of websites InfoRos.ru, Infobrics.org and OneWorld.press — that they say have leveraged the pandemic to promote anti-Western objectives and to spread disinformation.
The sites promote their narratives in a sophisticated but insidious effort that officials liken to money laundering, where stories in well-written English — and often with pro-Russian sentiment and anti-U.S. sentiment — are cycled through other news sources to conceal their origin and enhance the legitimacy of the information.
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The sites also amplify stories that originate elsewhere, the government officials said.
The sites focus on contemporary politics as well. A headline Tuesday on InfoRos.ru about the unrest roiling major American cities read “Chaos in the Blue Cities,” accompanying a story that lamented how New Yorkers who grew up in the tough-on-crime approach of Mayors Rudy Giuliani and Michael Bloomberg “must adapt to life in high-crime urban areas.”
Another story carried the headline of “Ukrainian Trap for Biden,” and claimed that “Ukrainegate” — a reference to stories surrounding Biden’s son Hunter’s former ties to a Ukraine gas company — “keeps unfolding with renewed vigors.”
Two individuals who have also held leadership roles at InfoRos, identified Tuesday as Denis Valeryevich Tyurin and Aleksandr Gennadyevich Starunskiy, have previously served in a GRU unit specializing in military psychological intelligence and maintain deep contacts there, the officials said.
InfoRos and One World’s ties to the Russian state have attracted scrutiny in the past from European disinformation analysts.
In 2019, a European Union task force that studies disinformation campaigns identified One World as “a new addition to the pantheon of Moscow-based disinformation outlets.” The task force noted that One World’s content often parrots the Russian state agenda on issues including the war in Syria.
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A report published last month by a second, nongovernmental organization, Brussels-based EU DisinfoLab, examined links between InfoRos and One World to Russian military intelligence. The researchers identified technical clues tying their websites to Russia and identified some financial connections between InfoRos and the government.
“InfoRos is evolving in a shady grey zone, where regular information activities are mixed with more controversial actions that could be quite possibly linked to the Russian state’s information operations,” the report’s authors concluded.