thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-23--GM Drops Support For Trump Administration Lawsuit Against California Clean-Air Standards

DETROIT ( AP ) — General Motors says it will no longer support the Trump administration in legal efforts to end California ’ s right to set its own clean-air standards .
CEO Mary Barra said in a letter Monday to environmental groups that GM will pull out of the lawsuit , and it urges other automakers to do so .
She said the company agrees with President-elect Joe Biden ’ s plan to expand electric vehicle use .
Last week , GM said it is testing a new battery chemistry that will bring electric-vehicle costs down to those of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We believe the ambitious electrification goals of the President-elect , California , and General Motors are aligned , to address climate change by drastically reducing automobile emissions , ” Barra said in the letter .
Mary Nichols , the head of California ’ s Air Resources Board , called GM ’ s announcement “ good news , ” saying Barra told her about it in a telephone call Monday morning .
The board is the state ’ s air pollution regulator .
“ I was pleased to be in communication with Mary Barra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s been a while since we had talked.
” Dan Becker of the Center for Biological Diversity , one of the environmental groups Barra wrote to , said GM was wrong in trying to stop California from protecting its people from auto pollution .
“ Now the other automakers must follow GM and withdraw support for ( President Donald ) Trump ’ s attack on clean cars , ” he said in an email .
Last year General Motors , Fiat Chrysler , Toyota and 10 smaller automakers sided with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California has the right to set its own standards for greenhouse gas emissions and fuel economy .
The companies said they would intervene in a lawsuit filed by the Environmental Defense Fund against the Trump administration , which has rolled back national pollution and gas mileage standards enacted while Barack Obama was president .
“ With our industry facing the possibility of multiple , overlapping and inconsistent standards that drive up costs and penalize consumers , we had an obligation to intervene , ” John Bozzella , CEO of Global Automakers and spokesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time .
The move put the automakers at odds with five other companies — BMW , Ford , Volkswagen , Volvo and Honda — that backed California and endorsed stricter emissions and fuel economy standards than proposed by the Trump administration .
But the coalition ’ s stance was not so straightforward .
For instance , although it opposed California , it still wanted Trump and the state to compromise on one national regulation .
In September of 2019 , Trump announced his administration would seek to revoke California ’ s congressionally granted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than those issued by federal regulators .
The move came after Ford , BMW , Honda and Volkswagen signed a deal with the California Air Resources Board , which had been at odds with the Trump administration for months .
Many automakers have said in the past that they support increasing the standards , but not as much as those affirmed in the waning days of the Obama administration in 2016 .
Under the Obama administration requirements , the fleet of new vehicles would have to average 30 mpg in real-world driving by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2025 .
Those increases would be about 5 % per year .
The Trump administration ’ s plan increased fuel economy by 1.5 % per year , backing off an earlier proposal to freeze the requirements at 2021 levels .

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DETROIT (AP) — General Motors says it will no longer support the Trump administration in legal efforts to end California’s right to set its own clean-air standards.
CEO Mary Barra said in a letter Monday to environmental groups that GM will pull out of the lawsuit, and it urges other automakers to do so.
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She said the company agrees with President-elect Joe Biden’s plan to expand electric vehicle use. Last week, GM said it is testing a new battery chemistry that will bring electric-vehicle costs down to those of gas-powered vehicles within five years.
Barra sent the letter after a call with California Gov. Gavin Newsom, the company said.
“We believe the ambitious electrification goals of the President-elect, California, and General Motors are aligned, to address climate change by drastically reducing automobile emissions,” Barra said in the letter.
Mary Nichols, the head of California’s Air Resources Board, called GM’s announcement “good news,” saying Barra told her about it in a telephone call Monday morning. The board is the state’s air pollution regulator.
“I was pleased to be in communication with Mary Barra again,” she said. “It’s been a while since we had talked.”
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Dan Becker of the Center for Biological Diversity, one of the environmental groups Barra wrote to, said GM was wrong in trying to stop California from protecting its people from auto pollution.
“Now the other automakers must follow GM and withdraw support for (President Donald) Trump’s attack on clean cars,” he said in an email.
Last year General Motors, Fiat Chrysler, Toyota and 10 smaller automakers sided with the Trump administration in a lawsuit over whether California has the right to set its own standards for greenhouse gas emissions and fuel economy.
The companies said they would intervene in a lawsuit filed by the Environmental Defense Fund against the Trump administration, which has rolled back national pollution and gas mileage standards enacted while Barack Obama was president.
The group called itself the “Coalition or Sustainable Automotive Regulation” and included Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, Subaru, Isuzu, Suzuki, Maserati, McLaren, Aston-Martin and Ferrari.
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“With our industry facing the possibility of multiple, overlapping and inconsistent standards that drive up costs and penalize consumers, we had an obligation to intervene,” John Bozzella, CEO of Global Automakers and spokesman for the coalition, said at the time.
The move put the automakers at odds with five other companies — BMW, Ford, Volkswagen, Volvo and Honda — that backed California and endorsed stricter emissions and fuel economy standards than proposed by the Trump administration.
But the coalition’s stance was not so straightforward. For instance, although it opposed California, it still wanted Trump and the state to compromise on one national regulation.
In September of 2019, Trump announced his administration would seek to revoke California’s congressionally granted authority to set standards that are stricter than those issued by federal regulators.
The move came after Ford, BMW, Honda and Volkswagen signed a deal with the California Air Resources Board, which had been at odds with the Trump administration for months.
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Many automakers have said in the past that they support increasing the standards, but not as much as those affirmed in the waning days of the Obama administration in 2016.
Under the Obama administration requirements, the fleet of new vehicles would have to average 30 mpg in real-world driving by 2021, rising to 36 mpg in 2025. Those increases would be about 5% per year. The Trump administration’s plan increased fuel economy by 1.5% per year, backing off an earlier proposal to freeze the requirements at 2021 levels.
Automakers say that because buyers are switching to larger trucks and SUVs, many companies would not be able to meet the stricter standards.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-23--Biden Announces More Cabinet Picks, Including First Latino Homeland Security Chief

President-elect Joe Biden announced another wave of senior staff picks for his administration on Monday , including the first Latino person to be nominated for secretary of the Department of Homeland Security .
Alejandro Mayorkas , a Cuban American who served as the deputy secretary of DHS during the Obama administration , has been nominated for the agency ’ s top position .
He is the first Latino and immigrant to be nominated for the role .
Prior to serving as deputy secretary of DHS , Mayorkas was a U.S. attorney in California .
He later served as the director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during then-President Barack Obama ’ s first term in office .
The Biden transition team announced five other Cabinet picks Monday , including Avril Haines as the director of national intelligence .
If the Senate confirms her , she would be the first woman to lead the U.S. intelligence community .
Haines previously served as White House deputy national security adviser in the Obama White House .
She made history in 2013 when she became the first woman to take on the role of deputy director of the CIA .
“ We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to our national security and foreign policy , ” Biden said in a statement , adding that individuals nominated are “ equally as experienced and crisis-tested as they are innovative and imaginative.
” “ Their accomplishments in diplomacy are unmatched , but they also reflect the idea that we can not meet the profound challenges of this new moment with old thinking and unchanged habits ― or without diversity of background and perspective , ” he added .
Biden also named former Secretary of State John Kerry as his special presidential envoy on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the National Security Council , marking the first time the body will have an official dedicated to fighting climate change .
Biden nominated longtime aide Antony Blinken to serve as secretary of state .
Blinken , who served as deputy secretary of state during Obama ’ s second term , is popular among U.S. allies abroad and with many officials at the State Department .
Former U.S .
Ambassador to Liberia Linda Thomas-Greenfield has been nominated to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations .
Previously , she ’ s held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for African affairs and as director-general of the U.S. Foreign Service .
Biden appointed Jake Sullivan , currently his senior policy adviser , to serve as his national security adviser .
At 43 years old , Sullivan will be one of the youngest national security advisers in decades .
The Wall Street Journal reported later Monday that Biden planned to nominate former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen to become treasury secretary , citing people familiar with the decision .
Yellen , who was the first woman to lead the Fed , would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department if confirmed .

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President-elect Joe Biden announced another wave of senior staff picks for his administration on Monday, including the first Latino person to be nominated for secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
Alejandro Mayorkas, a Cuban American who served as the deputy secretary of DHS during the Obama administration, has been nominated for the agency’s top position. He is the first Latino and immigrant to be nominated for the role.
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Prior to serving as deputy secretary of DHS, Mayorkas was a U.S. attorney in California. He later served as the director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services during then-President Barack Obama’s first term in office.
The Biden transition team announced five other Cabinet picks Monday, including Avril Haines as the director of national intelligence. If the Senate confirms her, she would be the first woman to lead the U.S. intelligence community.
Haines previously served as White House deputy national security adviser in the Obama White House. She made history in 2013 when she became the first woman to take on the role of deputy director of the CIA.
“We have no time to lose when it comes to our national security and foreign policy,” Biden said in a statement, adding that individuals nominated are “equally as experienced and crisis-tested as they are innovative and imaginative.”
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“Their accomplishments in diplomacy are unmatched, but they also reflect the idea that we cannot meet the profound challenges of this new moment with old thinking and unchanged habits ― or without diversity of background and perspective,” he added.
Biden also named former Secretary of State John Kerry as his special presidential envoy on climate on Monday. Kerry will sit on the National Security Council, marking the first time the body will have an official dedicated to fighting climate change.
Biden nominated longtime aide Antony Blinken to serve as secretary of state. Blinken, who served as deputy secretary of state during Obama’s second term, is popular among U.S. allies abroad and with many officials at the State Department.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Liberia Linda Thomas-Greenfield has been nominated to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Previously, she’s held positions as the assistant secretary of state for African affairs and as director-general of the U.S. Foreign Service.
Biden appointed Jake Sullivan, currently his senior policy adviser, to serve as his national security adviser. At 43 years old, Sullivan will be one of the youngest national security advisers in decades.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-23--Rush Limbaugh Knocks Trump's Lawyers For Not Providing Voter Fraud Proof

The controversial talk show host admitted on Monday that he was underwhelmed by the “ evidence ” presented by Trump ’ s legal team during a news conference last Thursday .
During the press event , now-ousted Trump lawyer Sidney Powell claimed without evidence that the 2020 election was rigged by a consortium that included Venezuela , Cuba , Antifa , George Soros , the Clinton Foundation and the late Venezuelan leader Hugo Chávez .
“ You call a gigantic press conference like that — one that lasts an hour — and you announce massive bombshells , then you better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something at that press conference other than what we got , ” Limbaugh said .
“ They promised blockbuster stuff , and then nothing happened .
And that ’ s just , that ’ s not — well , it ’ s not good.
” Limbaugh also suggested that “ if you ’ re gon na do a press conference like that with the promise of blockbusters , then there has to be something more than what that press conference delivered.
” On Saturday , Powell appeared on Newsmax to spout some more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one accusing Georgia ’ s Republican Gov .
Brian Kemp , a Trump ally , of being bribed by a voting machine company to ensure the president ’ s defeat .
The Trump campaign apparently thought Powell went a little too far .
On Sunday , Powell was sidelined , though it remains unclear whether she was fired .
Limbaugh isn ’ t the only Republican media personality who is having a hard time believing the Trump campaign ’ s false claims of voter fraud .
During his show on Thursday , Fox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for not providing him evidence to support her election claims “ despite a lot of requests , polite requests , not a page.
” Carlson told viewers that when his crew continued to press her for evidence , Powell “ got angry and told us to stop contacting her.
” You can see Limbaugh ’ s segment below , courtesy of Media Matters For America .

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The controversial talk show host admitted on Monday that he was underwhelmed by the “evidence” presented by Trump’s legal team during a news conference last Thursday.
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During the press event, now-ousted Trump lawyer Sidney Powell claimed without evidence that the 2020 election was rigged by a consortium that included Venezuela, Cuba, Antifa, George Soros, the Clinton Foundation and the late Venezuelan leader Hugo Chávez.
Limbaugh chided the Trump campaign for making big claims without any actual proof.
“You call a gigantic press conference like that — one that lasts an hour — and you announce massive bombshells, then you better have some bombshells. There better be something at that press conference other than what we got,” Limbaugh said. “They promised blockbuster stuff, and then nothing happened. And that’s just, that’s not — well, it’s not good.”
Limbaugh also suggested that “if you’re gonna do a press conference like that with the promise of blockbusters, then there has to be something more than what that press conference delivered.”
On Saturday, Powell appeared on Newsmax to spout some more really dubious voter fraud conspiracies, including one accusing Georgia’s Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, a Trump ally, of being bribed by a voting machine company to ensure the president’s defeat.
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The Trump campaign apparently thought Powell went a little too far. On Sunday, Powell was sidelined, though it remains unclear whether she was fired.
Limbaugh isn’t the only Republican media personality who is having a hard time believing the Trump campaign’s false claims of voter fraud.
During his show on Thursday, Fox News’ Tucker Carlson called out Powell for not providing him evidence to support her election claims “despite a lot of requests, polite requests, not a page.”
Carlson told viewers that when his crew continued to press her for evidence, Powell “got angry and told us to stop contacting her.”
You can see Limbaugh’s segment below, courtesy of Media Matters For America.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-23--Ted Cruz Gets His Election Predictions Thrown Back In His Face

Sen. Ted Cruz took a stab at forecasting the presidential election in July , and ended up wrong on so many levels , people noticed on Twitter Monday .
In the clip reposted Sunday , the Texas Republican said he didn ’ t think President-elect Joe Biden would win , but if he did , “ I ’ ll guarantee you the week after the election suddenly all those Democratic governors , all those Democratic mayors will say everything ’ s magically better .
Go back to work .
Go back to school .
Suddenly the problems are solved.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ― coronavirus is surging almost everywhere in the country and has now infected more than 12.3 million in the U.S. and killed at least 256,000 .
Democratic and Republican governors alike are instituting tighter COVID-19 safety restrictions repeatedly dismissed by lame-duck President Donald Trump and the GOP .
Biden won the election , and Trump is trying to make Democracy magically disappear by baselessly claiming victory was stolen from him .
Well , Ted , I want to see you eat some crow !
!
!
!
!
Will you do that for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mallory ( @ MalloryJeri ) November 23 , 2020 With people dying from COVID at record numbers , I sincerely hope Texas voters note his response to this crisis because this is pathetic .
— Dave ( @ opusworks ) November 23 , 2020 I wonder it it hurts to consistently be this wrong .
@ tedcruz — Ramon A Palacios ( @ tweetlacios ) November 23 , 2020

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Sen. Ted Cruz took a stab at forecasting the presidential election in July, and ended up wrong on so many levels, people noticed on Twitter Monday.
In the clip reposted Sunday, the Texas Republican said he didn’t think President-elect Joe Biden would win, but if he did, “I’ll guarantee you the week after the election suddenly all those Democratic governors, all those Democratic mayors will say everything’s magically better. Go back to work. Go back to school. Suddenly the problems are solved.”
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Twitter reminded Cruz that nothing is better ― coronavirus is surging almost everywhere in the country and has now infected more than 12.3 million in the U.S. and killed at least 256,000. Democratic and Republican governors alike are instituting tighter COVID-19 safety restrictions repeatedly dismissed by lame-duck President Donald Trump and the GOP.
Biden won the election, and Trump is trying to make Democracy magically disappear by baselessly claiming victory was stolen from him.
A soothsayer you aren’t, Ted.
Well, Ted, I want to see you eat some crow!!!!! Will you do that for us???? — Jeri Mallory (@MalloryJeri) November 23, 2020
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With people dying from COVID at record numbers, I sincerely hope Texas voters note his response to this crisis because this is pathetic. — Dave (@opusworks) November 23, 2020
Well, that aged well..... — Adrian Galli (@adriangalli) November 23, 2020
That’s a lot of refined bullpucky! pic.twitter.com/mkiHqwROXQ — egopotato (@cyberpygmy) November 23, 2020
Mr. Know It All—Wrong — Martin Moran (@MartinM62215014) November 23, 2020
@tedcruz knows a lot about what’s wrong and cynical — That Fuzzy Bastard (@thefuzzybastard) November 23, 2020
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-23--Dianne Feinstein Won't Seek Senate Judiciary Leadership After Backlash

Sen. Dianne Feinstein ( D-Calif. ) said Monday that she will not seek a leadership position in any of the chamber ’ s committees next year , including the coveted Senate Judiciary Committee where she currently serves as the ranking Democrat .
“ California is a huge state confronting two existential threats — wildfire and drought — that are only getting worse with climate change , ” Feinstein wrote in a statement .
“ In the next Congress , I plan to increase my attention on those two crucial issues .
I also believe that defeating COVID-19 , combating climate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are critical national priorities that require even more concentration.
” The 87-year-old is the second-oldest lawmaker in Congress and has served in the Senate since 1992 , making her one of the Democratic Party ’ s most seasoned legislators .
Feinstein wrote the first federal assault weapons ban — which expired in 2004 — and fought the Obama-era CIA and Republicans to release unclassified sections of a massive government investigation into the nation ’ s use of torture .
The California senator has served as the lead Democrat on the Senate Judiciary for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to become the committee ’ s first female chair in the event that Democrats take control of the Senate — at least until recently .
“ It ’ s very hard to watch a colleague in decline .
That this is occurring publicly is even harder , ” one Democratic senator who spoke on the condition of anonymity told HuffPost at the time .
Feinstein also hugged ( without a mask ) and heaped praise on Senate Judiciary Chair Lindsey Graham ( R-S.C. ) as the confirmation hearing came to a close , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the best set of hearings that I ’ ve participated in.
” Graham angered Democrats by abandoning his 2016 promise not to confirm a Supreme Court justice in a presidential election year , after Republicans blocked President Barack Obama from appointing a justice in a similar election year .
“ I disagree strongly with Sen. Feinstein that that set of hearings was one of the best or was even acceptable , ” progressive Rep. Katie Porter ( D-Calif. ) said in an interview at the time with HuffPost .
“ We got many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of most Supreme Court hearings .
...
I thought it was a very poor set of hearings.
” Democrats were already concerned that Feinstein would not be up to the task of leading her party in the fight for the Supreme Court , but her performance during the hearings symbolized to progressives the Democratic establishment ’ s inability to play hardball on extremely important court nominations .
“ She has undercut Democrats ’ position at every step of this process , from undermining calls for filibuster and court reform straight through to thanking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grab in the modern history of the Supreme Court , ” Brian Fallon , founder of progressive judicial advocacy group Demand Justice , said at the time of the hearings .
When asked if he planned to make any changes to the Judiciary Committee , Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D-N.Y. ) told reporters in October that he ’ s “ had a long and serious talk with Sen. Feinstein.
” The leader did not provide more context about what that talk entailed .
Schumer said in a statement Monday that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s leadership and contributions ” as the Judiciary Committee ’ s top Democrat .
He added that Feinstein ’ s “ experience , decades-long relationship with President-elect [ Joe ] Biden , and leadership on so many issues will continue to be an asset for our caucus , California , and the country as we begin a new term with the new president.
” Sen. Dick Durbin ( D-Ill. ) , who is also a senior member of the Judiciary Committee , said soon after Feinstein ’ s announcement that he intends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s top Democrat .
The senator said in a statement that “ we have to roll up our sleeves and get to work on undoing the damage of the last four years and protecting fundamental civil and human rights.
” “ While President Trump assaulted the Constitution , the Judiciary Committee abdicated its oversight responsibilities and became little more than a conveyor belt to rubberstamp ideological and largely underqualified judicial nominees , ” he continued .
“ The to-do list for the Senate Judiciary Committee is long , and of critical importance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

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Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) said Monday that she will not seek a leadership position in any of the chamber’s committees next year, including the coveted Senate Judiciary Committee where she currently serves as the ranking Democrat.
“California is a huge state confronting two existential threats — wildfire and drought — that are only getting worse with climate change,” Feinstein wrote in a statement. “In the next Congress, I plan to increase my attention on those two crucial issues. I also believe that defeating COVID-19, combating climate change and protecting access to health care are critical national priorities that require even more concentration.”
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The 87-year-old is the second-oldest lawmaker in Congress and has served in the Senate since 1992, making her one of the Democratic Party’s most seasoned legislators. Feinstein wrote the first federal assault weapons ban — which expired in 2004 — and fought the Obama-era CIA and Republicans to release unclassified sections of a massive government investigation into the nation’s use of torture.
The California senator has served as the lead Democrat on the Senate Judiciary for four years and had been in line to become the committee’s first female chair in the event that Democrats take control of the Senate — at least until recently.
Feinstein received widespread backlash from her party, particularly from progressives, about how she handled the rushed Senate confirmation hearings as ranking Democrat for conservative Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett in October.
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“It’s very hard to watch a colleague in decline. That this is occurring publicly is even harder,” one Democratic senator who spoke on the condition of anonymity told HuffPost at the time.
“I disagree strongly with Sen. Feinstein that that set of hearings was one of the best or was even acceptable,” progressive Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) said in an interview at the time with HuffPost. “We got many fewer direct answers than we have out of most Supreme Court hearings. ... I thought it was a very poor set of hearings.”
Senate Judiciary Committee ranking member Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) speaks during an Oct. 22, 2020, news conference after boycotting the vote by the Republican-led panel to advance the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to sit on the Supreme Court. J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo
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Democrats were already concerned that Feinstein would not be up to the task of leading her party in the fight for the Supreme Court, but her performance during the hearings symbolized to progressives the Democratic establishment’s inability to play hardball on extremely important court nominations.
“She has undercut Democrats’ position at every step of this process, from undermining calls for filibuster and court reform straight through to thanking Republicans for the most egregious partisan power grab in the modern history of the Supreme Court,” Brian Fallon, founder of progressive judicial advocacy group Demand Justice, said at the time of the hearings.
When asked if he planned to make any changes to the Judiciary Committee, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) told reporters in October that he’s “had a long and serious talk with Sen. Feinstein.” The leader did not provide more context about what that talk entailed.
Schumer said in a statement Monday that he is “deeply grateful for Senator Feinstein’s leadership and contributions” as the Judiciary Committee’s top Democrat. He added that Feinstein’s “experience, decades-long relationship with President-elect [Joe] Biden, and leadership on so many issues will continue to be an asset for our caucus, California, and the country as we begin a new term with the new president.”
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), who is also a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, said soon after Feinstein’s announcement that he intends to seek her role as the panel’s top Democrat. The senator said in a statement that “we have to roll up our sleeves and get to work on undoing the damage of the last four years and protecting fundamental civil and human rights.”
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“While President Trump assaulted the Constitution, the Judiciary Committee abdicated its oversight responsibilities and became little more than a conveyor belt to rubberstamp ideological and largely underqualified judicial nominees,” he continued. “The to-do list for the Senate Judiciary Committee is long, and of critical importance to the future progress of our country.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-23--National Security Experts Urge Republicans To Demand Trump Concede The Election

A group of over 100 former national security officials and Republican former members of Congress published a statement Monday calling on GOP leaders to publicly demand President Donald Trump concede the election .
“ We believe that President Trump ’ s refusal to concede the election and allow for an orderly transition constitutes a serious threat to America ’ s democratic process and to our national security , ” the former officials wrote in their statement .
“ We therefore call on Republican leaders ― especially those in Congress ― to publicly demand that President Trump cease his anti-democratic assault @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the statement continued .
The signatories include former Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge , former CIA Director Michael Hayden , former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel , and former Director of National Intelligence John Negroponte .
In their letter , the former officials noted that Trump has presented “ no evidence of widespread fraud or any other significant irregularities ” and that nearly every lawsuit filed by his campaign across multiple states has been dismissed .
“ Although some Republican leaders have supported President Trump ’ s right to challenge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for the good of the country , they should now strongly oppose his dangerous and extra-legal efforts to intimidate state election officials and distort the Electoral College process , ” they wrote .
The number of top Republicans who have publicly recognized Joe Biden as president-elect has slowly grown in recent days , though most GOP senators have either refused to do so or remained silent on the matter .
Some ― like Sens .
Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Ted Cruz of Texas ― have enthusiastically encouraged Trump to pursue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still a path to victory for the president , despite early election results indicating otherwise .
Asked for a response to the former officials ’ statement , an aide for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) referred The Washington Post to remarks McConnell made last week about Trump ’ s refusal to concede .
“ In all of these presidential elections we go through this process .
What we all say about it is frankly irrelevant , ” McConnell told reporters Tuesday .
“ All of it will happen right on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next administration on January 20 .
”

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A group of over 100 former national security officials and Republican former members of Congress published a statement Monday calling on GOP leaders to publicly demand President Donald Trump concede the election.
“We believe that President Trump’s refusal to concede the election and allow for an orderly transition constitutes a serious threat to America’s democratic process and to our national security,” the former officials wrote in their statement.
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“We therefore call on Republican leaders ― especially those in Congress ― to publicly demand that President Trump cease his anti-democratic assault on the integrity of the presidential election,” the statement continued.
The signatories include former Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, former CIA Director Michael Hayden, former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, and former Director of National Intelligence John Negroponte.
In their letter, the former officials noted that Trump has presented “no evidence of widespread fraud or any other significant irregularities” and that nearly every lawsuit filed by his campaign across multiple states has been dismissed.
“Although some Republican leaders have supported President Trump’s right to challenge aspects of the voting in various states, for the good of the country, they should now strongly oppose his dangerous and extra-legal efforts to intimidate state election officials and distort the Electoral College process,” they wrote.
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“By encouraging President Trump’s delaying tactics or remaining silent, Republican leaders put American democracy and national security at risk,” they added.
The number of top Republicans who have publicly recognized Joe Biden as president-elect has slowly grown in recent days, though most GOP senators have either refused to do so or remained silent on the matter.
Some ― like Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Ted Cruz of Texas ― have enthusiastically encouraged Trump to pursue legal challenges and have stated there is still a path to victory for the president, despite early election results indicating otherwise.
Asked for a response to the former officials’ statement, an aide for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) referred The Washington Post to remarks McConnell made last week about Trump’s refusal to concede.
“In all of these presidential elections we go through this process. What we all say about it is frankly irrelevant,” McConnell told reporters Tuesday. “All of it will happen right on time, and we will swear in the next administration on January 20.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-23--Twitter Users Mock GSA Boss Emily Murphy's Letter To Joe Biden

That means millions of dollars in funds can be released to help set things up for the new administration and provide briefings on an array of domestic and international matters .
It also meant Twitter users could let loose on her .
Murphy , a Trump appointee , has been the target of scathing and intensifying criticism for delaying her needed approval of the transition process even after it became clear less than a week after the Nov. 3 election that Biden had won .
Trump and his allies have pursued baseless and futile challenges to the outcome ― both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speculation that Murphy was doing the president ’ s bidding .
In her Monday announcement to Biden via a letter that the transition would begin , Murphy insisted the Trump administration didn ’ t pressure her to delay the process : “ Please know that I came to my decision independently , based on the law and the available facts .
I was never directly or indirectly pressured by any Executive Branch official — including those who work at the White House or GSA — with regard to the substance or timing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden hadn ’ t commented on Murphy ’ s decision to belatedly do her job .
But many Twitter users had strong opinions about her letter , specifically its tone .
Self-pitying , self-righteous , self-justifiying .
but at least @ GSAEmily has finally agreed to acknowledge an election that ended two weeks ago .
https : //t.co/5RnvPHaJlC — Anne Applebaum ( @ anneapplebaum ) November 23 , 2020 Amazed at the passive aggressive pettiness of this letter .
Wants us to feel sorry for her–cries people have been mean to her .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ calling him `` president elect . ''
https : //t.co/wQMe8vvePW — Andy Lewis ( @ andyblewis ) November 23 , 2020 i too am putting democracy on hold until you all start being nicer to me # onhere https : //t.co/fn2h8vktNq — Jacob Gallagher ( @ jacobwgallagher ) November 23 , 2020 A whole lot of self-aggrandizing words taking up space here .
This letter should have been the last two paragraphs and that 's it .
https : //t.co/h27hrQU0QD — Tyler S. Bugg ( @ tylersbugg ) November 23 , 2020 You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unless you know you have n't been doing your job .
Thank goodness it 's almost over .
https : //t.co/AvdOhYeT5p — Joyce Alene ( @ JoyceWhiteVance ) November 23 , 2020 Dedicating two paragraphs to making sure everyone knows there was no outside influence seems like gilding the lily here .
In doing her job , @ GSAEmily comes off as self serving and shitty as you would imagine .
https : //t.co/hcSFB3ldws — Mitchell Fink ( @ themitchellfink ) November 23 , 2020 In 2008 , GSA `` ascertained '' that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and thus the President-elect .
Now , Emily Murphy is providing transition resources , but notably she 's not saying that Biden is the President-elect .
And Trump still is n't conceding .
Here 's the 2008 letter https : //t.co/mptDRoPW6Q pic.twitter.com/45NGmx3XsV — Chris Lu ( @ ChrisLu44 ) November 23 , 2020 Read the letter : Whiny , self-serving , misleading , unwilling to recognize Biden as the president elect ( as opposed to just releasing transition funds ) .
No one should feel sorry for this Trump lackey .
https : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) November 23 , 2020 “ Mr .
Biden , let me tell you about how this is all about me ... ” https : //t.co/nYC0vc8zUG — Brian Murphy ( @ Burrite ) November 23 , 2020 Trump , as is his wont , also seemed to undercut Murphy ’ s contention that she had acted independently in a pair of Twitter posts : I want to thank Emily Murphy at GSA for her steadfast dedication and loyalty to our Country .
She has been harassed , threatened , and abused – and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen to her , her family , or employees of GSA .
Our case STRONGLY continues , we will keep up the good ... — Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) November 23 , 2020 ... fight , and I believe we will prevail !
Nevertheless , in the best interest of our Country , I am recommending that Emily and her team do what needs to be done with regard to initial protocols , and have told my team to do the same .
— Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump @ @ @ @ @

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That means millions of dollars in funds can be released to help set things up for the new administration and provide briefings on an array of domestic and international matters. It also meant Twitter users could let loose on her.
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Murphy, a Trump appointee, has been the target of scathing and intensifying criticism for delaying her needed approval of the transition process even after it became clear less than a week after the Nov. 3 election that Biden had won. Trump and his allies have pursued baseless and futile challenges to the outcome ― both in the courts and rhetorically ― prompting speculation that Murphy was doing the president’s bidding.
In her Monday announcement to Biden via a letter that the transition would begin, Murphy insisted the Trump administration didn’t pressure her to delay the process:
“Please know that I came to my decision independently, based on the law and the available facts. I was never directly or indirectly pressured by any Executive Branch official — including those who work at the White House or GSA — with regard to the substance or timing of my decision.”
Here's the full letter from Murphy to Biden: pic.twitter.com/DJ4SFLzrfP — Jeremy Herb (@jeremyherb) November 23, 2020
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As of Monday evening Biden hadn’t commented on Murphy’s decision to belatedly do her job. But many Twitter users had strong opinions about her letter, specifically its tone.
Spoiler alert: they weren’t impressed.
Self-pitying, self-righteous, self-justifiying. but at least @GSAEmily has finally agreed to acknowledge an election that ended two weeks ago. https://t.co/5RnvPHaJlC — Anne Applebaum (@anneapplebaum) November 23, 2020
Amazed at the passive aggressive pettiness of this letter. Wants us to feel sorry for her–cries people have been mean to her. Won't give Biden the courtesy of calling him "president elect." https://t.co/wQMe8vvePW — Andy Lewis (@andyblewis) November 23, 2020
i too am putting democracy on hold until you all start being nicer to me #onhere https://t.co/fn2h8vktNq — Jacob Gallagher (@jacobwgallagher) November 23, 2020
A whole lot of self-aggrandizing words taking up space here. This letter should have been the last two paragraphs and that's it. https://t.co/h27hrQU0QD — Tyler S. Bugg (@tylersbugg) November 23, 2020
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You don't have to write this letter unless you know you haven't been doing your job. Thank goodness it's almost over. https://t.co/AvdOhYeT5p — Joyce Alene (@JoyceWhiteVance) November 23, 2020
Dedicating two paragraphs to making sure everyone knows there was no outside influence seems like gilding the lily here.
In doing her job, @GSAEmily comes off as self serving and shitty as you would imagine. https://t.co/hcSFB3ldws — Mitchell Fink (@themitchellfink) November 23, 2020
“Okay fine, I guess you’re the President now or whatever. Did I mention someone threatened my goldfish?” https://t.co/F1DR0KAWb1 — Mike Schmidt (@The40YearOldBoy) November 23, 2020
In 2008, GSA "ascertained" that Obama was the "successful candidate" and thus the President-elect.
Now, Emily Murphy is providing transition resources, but notably she's not saying that Biden is the President-elect. And Trump still isn't conceding.
Here's the 2008 letter https://t.co/mptDRoPW6Q pic.twitter.com/45NGmx3XsV — Chris Lu (@ChrisLu44) November 23, 2020
Read the letter: Whiny, self-serving, misleading, unwilling to recognize Biden as the president elect (as opposed to just releasing transition funds). No one should feel sorry for this Trump lackey. https://t.co/wQMe8vvePW — Andy Lewis (@andyblewis) November 23, 2020
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“Mr. Biden, let me tell you about how this is all about me...” https://t.co/nYC0vc8zUG — Brian Murphy (@Burrite) November 23, 2020
Trump, as is his wont, also seemed to undercut Murphy’s contention that she had acted independently in a pair of Twitter posts:
I want to thank Emily Murphy at GSA for her steadfast dedication and loyalty to our Country. She has been harassed, threatened, and abused – and I do not want to see this happen to her, her family, or employees of GSA. Our case STRONGLY continues, we will keep up the good... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 23, 2020
...fight, and I believe we will prevail! Nevertheless, in the best interest of our Country, I am recommending that Emily and her team do what needs to be done with regard to initial protocols, and have told my team to do the same. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 23, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-23--Maskless Trump Supporter Charged After Blowing On 2 Women At Trump Golf Course

A man seen forcefully exhaling on two women outside President Donald Trump ’ s Virginia golf course has been charged with assault .
( See the video below . )
Raymond Deskins , 61 , was charged with misdemeanor assault after a private citizen obtained a warrant through a county magistrate , the Loudoun County Sheriff ’ s Office said Sunday .
Deskin did not immediately return a request for comment .
Video widely shared on social media shows Deskins blowing air on two unidentified women after one of them asks him to get away and points out that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ That ’ s assault ” one of the women said afterwards .
Virginia mandates masks be worn in certain locations to stop the spread of the coronavirus , but they are not required to be worn outside .
The altercation happened Saturday outside Trump National Golf Club , where the president was playing .
Protestors and supporters regularly gather outside the club ’ s entrance when he plays .
Deskins was wearing a Trump shirt and an inflatable pool tube with Trump ’ s likeness on it around his waist .
Several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supervisors sent a letter to law enforcement authorities Sunday asking for a full investigation .
The letter said the two women had been protesting the president outside the golf club .
The sheriff ’ s office said the altercation was investigated at the scene but was not witnessed by law enforcement and the video did not capture its entirety .
The sheriff ’ s office said it advised the two parties who said they ’ d been assaulted that they could seek a warrant through a county magistrate .

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A man seen forcefully exhaling on two women outside President Donald Trump’s Virginia golf course has been charged with assault. (See the video below.)
Raymond Deskins, 61, was charged with misdemeanor assault after a private citizen obtained a warrant through a county magistrate, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office said Sunday. Deskin did not immediately return a request for comment.
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Video widely shared on social media shows Deskins blowing air on two unidentified women after one of them asks him to get away and points out that he’s not wearing a mask.
“That’s assault” one of the women said afterwards.
“I breathed on you,” Deskins replied.
Virginia mandates masks be worn in certain locations to stop the spread of the coronavirus, but they are not required to be worn outside.
The altercation happened Saturday outside Trump National Golf Club, where the president was playing. Protestors and supporters regularly gather outside the club’s entrance when he plays.
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Deskins was wearing a Trump shirt and an inflatable pool tube with Trump’s likeness on it around his waist.
Several members of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors sent a letter to law enforcement authorities Sunday asking for a full investigation. The letter said the two women had been protesting the president outside the golf club.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-23--Biden Names John Kerry As Climate Envoy

Biden Names John Kerry As Climate Envoy

“ America will soon have a government that treats the climate crisis as the urgent national security threat it is , ” Kerry said in a tweeted statement .
“ I ’ m proud to partner with the President-elect , our allies , and the young leaders of the climate movement to take on this crisis as the President ’ s Climate Envoy.
” The 76-year-old will represent his country at a moment scholars increasingly see as a period of American imperial decline amid unprecedented planetary changes .
Under President Donald Trump , the United States sought to censor its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home and promote fossil fuels abroad , even as wildfires , heatwaves and storms routinely smashed records for death toll and destruction .
The U.S. long allowed its fossil fuel companies ’ misinformation on climate science to guide its policy overseas under past presidents .
The role , announced alongside secretary of state pick Antony Blinken , was last filled by Todd Stern , a career diplomat who held the seat for both of former President Barack Obama ’ s terms and served as the U.S. chief negotiator at the 2015 Paris climate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ position in 2017 shortly before announcing the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement , the non-binding pact signed by every other country in the world .
“ We ’ ve always insisted if there ’ s an individual focused on climate on the National Security Council , that person has to be senior enough to have the ear of the national security adviser and the president ― if this person isn ’ t senior enough or doesn ’ t have that authority , the issue is likely to get sidelined , ” Femia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very , very strong signal that the former secretary of state and a former presidential candidate ― that ’ s as senior as it gets ― is sitting on the National Security Council with a climate portfolio.
” “ Calling this the ‘ climate czar ’ is just misleading in that I don ’ t think his role will be that much focused on domestic climate policy , ” said Marcela Mulholland , the deputy climate director at the progressive think tank Data for Progress .
“ There ’ s no shortage of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope Kerry is just the first of many appointments to new climate positions.
” Sunrise Movement , the influential youth campaigners behind the Green New Deal , called Kerry ’ s appointment “ an encouraging development from the Biden team ” but said it was still pushing for the administration to create an Office of Climate Mobilization “ to convene the federal departments and agencies and civil societies , states , local governments and industries to marshal all of nation ’ s effort toward this challenge.
” “ It shows at least they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priority to create a new climate-focused position , and having a former secretary of state serving in that role definitely highlights the importance , ” Evan Weber , Sunrise Movement ’ s political director , said by phone .
“ That said , what good is negotiating and diplomatting abroad if we ’ re not doing everything we can at home ?
We hope this position is a sign of more things to come , and that there will be a powerful domestic counterpart as well.
” “ In addition to the Kerry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ council to act on the substantive changes we need to survive , ” Janet Redman , Greenpeace ’ s climate campaign director , said in a statement .
“ We deserve a world beyond fossil fuels ― a world in which workers ’ rights , community health , and our shared climate come before corporate profits .
Right now , John Kerry has an unprecedented chance to lay the groundwork.
” There ’ s reason to doubt Kerry as a harbinger of “ a world beyond fossil fuels.
” Last December , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign of politicians and Hollywood celebrities calling for climate action .
What form that action would take , however , was left vague .
When the group launched , Kerry gave Ohio ’ s former Republican Gov .
John Kasich a leading role articulating the conservative support of increasing domestic gas drilling , despite scientific projections showing expanded gas production is out of sync with keeping warming in a safe range .
What good is negotiating and diplomatting abroad if we ’ re not doing everything we can at home ?
We hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things to come , and that there will be a powerful domestic counterpart as well .
“ There are people advocating for specific policies in the group .
And there are differences of opinions within the group as to what those policies ought to be , ” Kerry said last year in an interview with the climate newsletter Heated .
“ So , one person in the group may say , ‘ We need a bridge fuel like natural gas for a longer period of time.
’ Others will say ‘ No , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ That ’ s a healthy debate.
” “ Those interested in a sensible climate policy should welcome a figure with political experience and substantive expertise , ” Scott Segal , a partner at the energy law firm Bracewell , said in a statement .
“ However , the details have yet to emerge regarding the contours of the new post .
It will be interesting to see how the envoy will interact with other components of the U.S. government that possess statutory portfolios related to climate change.
” Kerry ’ s individual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ envoy role than his ability to project influence on the global stage , said Jeff Hauser , director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research ’ s Revolving Door Project .
Such scrutiny will be better reserved , he said , for nominees to lead the Office of Management and Budget , the Treasury and the Securities and Exchange Commission , positions that climate advocates expect to play a much bigger role in regulating climate-changing emissions than in years past .
“ If he appointed someone from Sunrise to go around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person had the president ’ s full confidence in the way the former secretary of state and longtime Biden confidant can be seen as genuinely speaking for Biden ?
” Hauser said .
“ If you are China or Russia or the African Union and you ’ re negotiating , you want to know you ’ re negotiating with someone who really speaks for Joe Biden .
John Kerry would be seen as having that gravitas .
”

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President-elect Joe Biden named John Kerry as his special envoy on climate, tasking the former secretary of state with steering a 180-degree turn in U.S. diplomacy on the issue and advising the incoming administration on the security challenges a warming planet poses.
“America will soon have a government that treats the climate crisis as the urgent national security threat it is,” Kerry said in a tweeted statement. “I’m proud to partner with the President-elect, our allies, and the young leaders of the climate movement to take on this crisis as the President’s Climate Envoy.”
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The 76-year-old will represent his country at a moment scholars increasingly see as a period of American imperial decline amid unprecedented planetary changes. Under President Donald Trump, the United States sought to censor its own scientists, gut climate regulations at home and promote fossil fuels abroad, even as wildfires, heatwaves and storms routinely smashed records for death toll and destruction. The U.S. long allowed its fossil fuel companies’ misinformation on climate science to guide its policy overseas under past presidents.
But Kerry must now allay concerns that a Biden administration can build a climate legacy that will withstand another Republican presidency and pitch the U.S. as a worthwhile partner as China emerges as a dependable alternative, both as a steady economic superpower and wellspring of clean energy technology.
The role, announced alongside secretary of state pick Antony Blinken, was last filled by Todd Stern, a career diplomat who held the seat for both of former President Barack Obama’s terms and served as the U.S. chief negotiator at the 2015 Paris climate talks. President Donald Trump abolished the position in 2017 shortly before announcing the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, the non-binding pact signed by every other country in the world.
Former 2004 Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry campaigned for Biden's nomination in December 2019. Shannon Stapleton / Reuters
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The restored role will for the first time include a seat on the National Security Council. Francesco Femia, the co-founder of the military-focused Center for Climate and Security, called the new position on the National Security Council a “very positive sign” after four years of the Trump administration’s Orwellian erasure of climate change from Pentagon planning documents.
“We’ve always insisted if there’s an individual focused on climate on the National Security Council, that person has to be senior enough to have the ear of the national security adviser and the president ― if this person isn’t senior enough or doesn’t have that authority, the issue is likely to get sidelined,” Femia said. “It’s a very, very strong signal that the former secretary of state and a former presidential candidate ― that’s as senior as it gets ― is sitting on the National Security Council with a climate portfolio.”
While some news outlets used a Slavic monarchic term to describe Kerry’s appointment, the position outlined was not the “climate czar” role advocates envisioned for a central White House lever-puller in charge of coordinating a domestic effort across disparate federal agencies to slash planet-heating emissions and transition off fossil fuels.
“Calling this the ‘climate czar’ is just misleading in that I don’t think his role will be that much focused on domestic climate policy,” said Marcela Mulholland, the deputy climate director at the progressive think tank Data for Progress. “There’s no shortage of work to be done, so I hope Kerry is just the first of many appointments to new climate positions.”
That job could still come to fruition. In 2009, Carol Browner, the Clinton-era Environmental Protection Agency administrator, served as the Obama administration’s director of the newly established White House Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy. She left that job in 2011 after the administration’s effort to pass a major climate bill through Congress failed, and the position was scrapped.
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Sunrise Movement, the influential youth campaigners behind the Green New Deal, called Kerry’s appointment “an encouraging development from the Biden team” but said it was still pushing for the administration to create an Office of Climate Mobilization “to convene the federal departments and agencies and civil societies, states, local governments and industries to marshal all of nation’s effort toward this challenge.”
“It shows at least they want to make this a big international priority to create a new climate-focused position, and having a former secretary of state serving in that role definitely highlights the importance,” Evan Weber, Sunrise Movement’s political director, said by phone. “That said, what good is negotiating and diplomatting abroad if we’re not doing everything we can at home? We hope this position is a sign of more things to come, and that there will be a powerful domestic counterpart as well.”
In the closing weeks of the election, both Bloomberg and Politico reported that Biden was considering creating such a role in his administration. Ronald Klain, Biden’s pick for White House chief of staff, tweeted Monday afternoon that activists should “stay tuned” for a domestic-side pick.
Possible names floated are John Podesta, a top Democratic operative who has made climate his central issue in recent years; Jay Inslee, the newly reelected Washington governor who challenged Biden as the “climate candidate” in last year’s Democratic presidential primary; and Ali Zaidi, a climate policy expert and the Office of Management and Budget’s former associate director for natural resources, energy and science.
“In addition to the Kerry appointment, Biden must empower a climate council to act on the substantive changes we need to survive,” Janet Redman, Greenpeace’s climate campaign director, said in a statement. “We deserve a world beyond fossil fuels ― a world in which workers’ rights, community health, and our shared climate come before corporate profits. Right now, John Kerry has an unprecedented chance to lay the groundwork.”
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There’s reason to doubt Kerry as a harbinger of “a world beyond fossil fuels.” Last December, he launched World War Zero, a star-studded campaign of politicians and Hollywood celebrities calling for climate action. What form that action would take, however, was left vague. When the group launched, Kerry gave Ohio’s former Republican Gov. John Kasich a leading role articulating the conservative support of increasing domestic gas drilling, despite scientific projections showing expanded gas production is out of sync with keeping warming in a safe range.
“What good is negotiating and diplomatting abroad if we’re not doing everything we can at home? We hope this position is a sign of more things to come, and that there will be a powerful domestic counterpart as well.” - Evan Weber, Sunrise Movement political director
“There are people advocating for specific policies in the group. And there are differences of opinions within the group as to what those policies ought to be,” Kerry said last year in an interview with the climate newsletter Heated. “So, one person in the group may say, ‘We need a bridge fuel like natural gas for a longer period of time.’ Others will say ‘No, we need to move to renewables faster.’ That’s a healthy debate.”
The American Petroleum Institute, the industry’s largest and most powerful lobby, told HuffPost it stood “ready to engage with the incoming administration to advance environmental progress through industry-led solutions.”
“We congratulate and look forward to working with John Kerry to tackle the challenge of climate change while delivering affordable, reliable and sustainable energy around the world,” Mike Sommers, API’s chief executive and president, said in an emailed statement.
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Asked about Kerry’s appointment, Exxon Mobil Corp. spokesman Casey Norton said: “We congratulate President-elect Biden on his election and will work with the administration and members of Congress to support market-based policies to promote economic recovery, affordable energy development and management of environmental issues, including the important issue of climate change.”
“Those interested in a sensible climate policy should welcome a figure with political experience and substantive expertise,” Scott Segal, a partner at the energy law firm Bracewell, said in a statement. “However, the details have yet to emerge regarding the contours of the new post. It will be interesting to see how the envoy will interact with other components of the U.S. government that possess statutory portfolios related to climate change.”
Kerry’s individual policy compromises may matter less in the envoy role than his ability to project influence on the global stage, said Jeff Hauser, director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research’s Revolving Door Project. Such scrutiny will be better reserved, he said, for nominees to lead the Office of Management and Budget, the Treasury and the Securities and Exchange Commission, positions that climate advocates expect to play a much bigger role in regulating climate-changing emissions than in years past.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-23--Former SWAT Group Head Endorses Campaign Zero's Push To End No-Knock Warrants

The former head of an organization for tactical officers has endorsed an effort by the prominent police reform and racial justice group Campaign Zero to end the type of no-knock warrant raid that killed Breonna Taylor .
“ The ends may not always justify the means when it comes to the service of search warrants and especially no-knock raids , ” Lomax said in a statement issued through the Black Lives Matter-associated group Campaign Zero , which launched its # EndAllNoKnocks initiative on Monday .
Lomax said it would be tough to reform what he called one of the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s time to take a look at techniques and practices that “ have been shown to have caused disproportionate harm to communities of color for years.
” The March killing of 26-year-old Taylor during a raid by the Louisville , Kentucky , police should not be in vain , he said .
“ Our law enforcement and government leaders need to engage and step up and fight against discriminatory and unsafe tactics that not only disproportionately put the lives of Black and Brown Americans at risk –– but also the lives of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The time is now .
It is time to adopt meaningful legislation and policies that will work for all of us , our communities , and our police officers.
” Lomax , in an interview with HuffPost , explained that he thinks there should be some exceptions to bans on no-knock raids when “ lives are in jeopardy , ” but not when police are “ saving dope ” as part of a search warrant .
“ My son is in law enforcement , and I do not want him to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serving a warrant when it wasn ’ t necessary , ” said Lomax , a retired major with the Pennsylvania State Police .
“ I had friends who were shot doing dope deals , and then years later marijuana was legalized in that state.
” Campaign Zero ’ s initiative also received the endorsement of Taylor ’ s mother , Tamika Palmer , who said the drug raid in which police killed her daughter should have never been authorized .
“ I ’ m not the only parent who has lost a child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doors with hopes of scoring drugs and cash , ” Palmer said in a statement .
“ These reform efforts need to continue so that no one else loses a loved one as a result of these dangerous , deadly and unnecessary practices .
DeRay Mckesson , a prominent Black Lives Matter activist and the co-founder of Campaign Zero , said Palmer and her legal team “ helped us understand the necessary scope of a solution to end no knock raids and the necessity to go beyond only ending no knock warrants.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city council unanimously voted for “ Breonna ’ s Law ” to end no-knock warrants in the city .
In September , Kentucky ’ s attorney general announced that a grand jury declined to indict the officers who killed Taylor on murder charges in connection with her death .
Pete Kraska , a professor in the School of Justice Studies at Eastern Kentucky University and an expert on police militarization , said he met Lomax back in 2014 when they were testifying about the federal 1033 program , which sends military tactical gear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was very concerned about how SWAT had been running amok in regard to drug raids , and really thought deep in his bones that they shouldn ’ t be in the business of what he calls ‘ rescuing drugs , ’ ” Kraska said .
“ He looked very carefully and reviewed our model legislation , and he ended up at a place where he felt like he could fully endorse it.
” Kraska , who has been a research leader on the use of SWAT going back to the mid-1990s , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police institutions has been “ tragic ” and “ probably the worst consequence of what I call the normalization of police militarization.
” “ I just think people in general ― and people of color specifically ― are really ready for some real changes to take place in policing , and the Breonna Taylor case is a tragedy that I think has just woke up a lot of people , ” Kraska said .
“ So I ’ m really pleased to see the momentum .
”

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The former head of an organization for tactical officers has endorsed an effort by the prominent police reform and racial justice group Campaign Zero to end the type of no-knock warrant raid that killed Breonna Taylor.
Mark Lomax, the former executive director of the National Tactical Officers Association, said it’s time to take a “serious look” at “ending the dangerous practice of no-knock warrants and raids,” outside of extenuating circumstances.
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“The ends may not always justify the means when it comes to the service of search warrants and especially no-knock raids,” Lomax said in a statement issued through the Black Lives Matter-associated group Campaign Zero, which launched its #EndAllNoKnocks initiative on Monday.
Lomax said it would be tough to reform what he called one of the most intrusive acts in policing, but it’s time to take a look at techniques and practices that “have been shown to have caused disproportionate harm to communities of color for years.” The March killing of 26-year-old Taylor during a raid by the Louisville, Kentucky, police should not be in vain, he said.
A new Campaign Zero effort follows the death of Breonna Taylor, who was memorialized at this site in front of Louisville Metro Hall. Brandon Bell via Getty Images
“Our law enforcement and government leaders need to engage and step up and fight against discriminatory and unsafe tactics that not only disproportionately put the lives of Black and Brown Americans at risk –– but also the lives of our police officers,” Lomax said. “The time is now. It is time to adopt meaningful legislation and policies that will work for all of us, our communities, and our police officers.”
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Lomax, in an interview with HuffPost, explained that he thinks there should be some exceptions to bans on no-knock raids when “lives are in jeopardy,” but not when police are “saving dope” as part of a search warrant.
“My son is in law enforcement, and I do not want him to get hurt, shot, killed while serving a warrant when it wasn’t necessary,” said Lomax, a retired major with the Pennsylvania State Police. “I had friends who were shot doing dope deals, and then years later marijuana was legalized in that state.”
Campaign Zero’s initiative also received the endorsement of Taylor’s mother, Tamika Palmer, who said the drug raid in which police killed her daughter should have never been authorized.
“I’m not the only parent who has lost a child due to these practices of breaking down doors with hopes of scoring drugs and cash,” Palmer said in a statement. “These reform efforts need to continue so that no one else loses a loved one as a result of these dangerous, deadly and unnecessary practices.
Palmer’s statement continued:
Please support these critically important efforts. The lives of innocent daughters, sons, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers AND police officers depend upon immediate elimination of these raids. We’re counting on legislators nationwide to act NOW. Otherwise, it could just as easily be their own families who are next ones grieving over a loss resulting out of a police home invasion.
DeRay Mckesson, a prominent Black Lives Matter activist and the co-founder of Campaign Zero, said Palmer and her legal team “helped us understand the necessary scope of a solution to end no knock raids and the necessity to go beyond only ending no knock warrants.”
Tamika Palmer, the mother of Breonna Taylor, has endorsed Campaign Zero's effort. Lawrence Bryant / Reuters
Over the summer, Louisville’s city council unanimously voted for “Breonna’s Law” to end no-knock warrants in the city. In September, Kentucky’s attorney general announced that a grand jury declined to indict the officers who killed Taylor on murder charges in connection with her death.
Pete Kraska, a professor in the School of Justice Studies at Eastern Kentucky University and an expert on police militarization, said he met Lomax back in 2014 when they were testifying about the federal 1033 program, which sends military tactical gear to local police departments.
“He was very concerned about how SWAT had been running amok in regard to drug raids, and really thought deep in his bones that they shouldn’t be in the business of what he calls ‘rescuing drugs,’” Kraska said. “He looked very carefully and reviewed our model legislation, and he ended up at a place where he felt like he could fully endorse it.”
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Kraska, who has been a research leader on the use of SWAT going back to the mid-1990s, said the spread of SWAT culture throughout entire police institutions has been “tragic” and “probably the worst consequence of what I call the normalization of police militarization.”
Kraska said he’s watched tragedies similar to Taylor’s death take place since 1992, and that he’s been trying to shine a light on the issue for decades.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-23--San Francisco DA Charges Officer With Homicide In Historic First

In an historic first , San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin charged former police officer Chris Samayoa with homicide over the 2017 fatal shooting of Keita O ’ Neil , who was Black .
It was the first time the city had ever prosecuted a law enforcement officer for a killing while on duty , per Boudin .
“ As recent events have reminded us , for far too long we ’ ve seen the failure of our legal system to hold police accountable for violence committed against the very members of the public that they have sworn to serve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a press conference announcing the charges on Monday .
The progressive DA , elected last year , said he hopes to send a message “ loud and clear ” to the city ’ s Black community , as well as its police department : “ No one is above the law ... We are here to enforce laws equally , no matter what the color of your skin , no matter how much money you have in your bank , and no matter your job title or whether you wear a uniform to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outraged after the police shooting in December 2017 of 42-year-old O ’ Neil , who was unarmed .
Officers responded to a report of a suspected carjacking and pursued the stolen van in their vehicle .
After O ’ Neil , who was driving the van , stopped to get out of the car and flee running , officer Samayoa allegedly shot out of the passenger window of the police car , killing O ’ Neil in the streets of the historic Black neighborhood of Bayview .
Samayoa , who was a rookie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was fired months later , but remains at liberty .
An internal affairs investigation is still open , reports the San Francisco Chronicle .
The new charges come after months of national reckoning with racism and police violence over the police killings earlier this year of George Floyd , Breonna Taylor and other Black people nationwide .
Boudin said O ’ Neil ’ s family told him that the charges being brought against the officer who killed their loved one “ gives them hope that justice may finally be served.
” Today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the former officer who shot and killed Keita O ’ Neil , an unarmed , Black man in 2017 .
As far as we are aware , this is the first time in San Francisco history that an officer has been prosecuted for homicide .
— Chesa Boudin 博徹思 ( @ chesaboudin ) November 23 , 2020 In neighboring Alameda County in September , DA Nancy O ’ Neil announced charges against a San Leandro police officer who fatally shot a Black man in a Walmart in April — the first such charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grant by a BART transportation officer .
On Monday morning , the San Francisco DA ’ s office charged Samayoa with voluntary manslaughter , involuntary manslaughter , assault by an executive officer , assault with a semi-automatic firearm and negligent discharge of a firearm .
Boudin expects Samayoa to turn himself in later this week and does not plan to seek to detain him in jail pre-trial .
California ’ s AB392 law , which went into effect earlier this year , aims to make it easier to hold officers accountable for deadly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use of force from “ when reasonable ” to “ when necessary.
” It will not apply to the San Francisco case , as it is not retroactive .
Under Boudin , San Francisco ended its use of cash bail , a practice long criticized for discriminating against poor people , and disproportionately against people of color .
California voters earlier this month struck down an attempt to eliminate cash bail statewide .

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In an historic first, San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin charged former police officer Chris Samayoa with homicide over the 2017 fatal shooting of Keita O’Neil, who was Black.
It was the first time the city had ever prosecuted a law enforcement officer for a killing while on duty, per Boudin.
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“As recent events have reminded us, for far too long we’ve seen the failure of our legal system to hold police accountable for violence committed against the very members of the public that they have sworn to serve and protect,” Boudin said in a press conference announcing the charges on Monday.
The progressive DA, elected last year, said he hopes to send a message “loud and clear” to the city’s Black community, as well as its police department: “No one is above the law ... We are here to enforce laws equally, no matter what the color of your skin, no matter how much money you have in your bank, and no matter your job title or whether you wear a uniform to work.”
The San Francisco community was outraged after the police shooting in December 2017 of 42-year-old O’Neil, who was unarmed. Officers responded to a report of a suspected carjacking and pursued the stolen van in their vehicle. After O’Neil, who was driving the van, stopped to get out of the car and flee running, officer Samayoa allegedly shot out of the passenger window of the police car, killing O’Neil in the streets of the historic Black neighborhood of Bayview.
Samayoa, who was a rookie in his first days on the job, was fired months later, but remains at liberty. An internal affairs investigation is still open, reports the San Francisco Chronicle.
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The San Francisco Police Department did not immediately respond to HuffPost’s request for comment.
The new charges come after months of national reckoning with racism and police violence over the police killings earlier this year of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and other Black people nationwide.
Boudin said O’Neil’s family told him that the charges being brought against the officer who killed their loved one “gives them hope that justice may finally be served.”
Today, my office filed homicide charges against the former officer who shot and killed Keita O’Neil, an unarmed, Black man in 2017.
As far as we are aware, this is the first time in San Francisco history that an officer has been prosecuted for homicide. — Chesa Boudin 博徹思 (@chesaboudin) November 23, 2020
In neighboring Alameda County in September, DA Nancy O’Neil announced charges against a San Leandro police officer who fatally shot a Black man in a Walmart in April — the first such charges since the infamous 2009 killing of Oscar Grant by a BART transportation officer.
On Monday morning, the San Francisco DA’s office charged Samayoa with voluntary manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter, assault by an executive officer, assault with a semi-automatic firearm and negligent discharge of a firearm. Boudin expects Samayoa to turn himself in later this week and does not plan to seek to detain him in jail pre-trial.
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California’s AB392 law, which went into effect earlier this year, aims to make it easier to hold officers accountable for deadly shootings, by changing the standard for use of force from “when reasonable” to “when necessary.” It will not apply to the San Francisco case, as it is not retroactive.
Monday’s historic announcement follows along the lines of Boudin’s campaign promises, which included criminal justice reform and namely holding officers accountable for excessive force.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-23--Biden Backs Democrats' Pursuit Of Bigger COVID-19 Relief Deal

President-elect Joe Biden supports congressional Democrats in holding out for a more comprehensive coronavirus relief package than Republicans have been willing to support , a spokesman for the presidential transition said Monday .
The New York Times had reported over the weekend that advisers to Biden wanted Democratic leaders in Congress to “ reach a quick stimulus deal with Senate Republicans , even if it falls short of the larger package Democrats have been seeking.
” On Monday , Biden ’ s spokesman called the story “ incorrect.
” For months , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) have pushed for a large stimulus bill they say is needed to jump-start the economy and provide additional relief to millions of Americans suffering amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Nearly 12 million people are set to lose federal unemployment benefits next month unless lawmakers agree to a deal extending relief measures they passed early in the pandemic .
A moratorium on evictions , student debt forbearance and tax breaks are also at risk of expiring .
Democrats have been pushing for a multitrillion-dollar package of new relief while Republicans remain flatly opposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monthslong standoff threatens to kneecap a sputtering economy saddled with historically high unemployment claims that are on the rise once again .
Biden last week held his first in-person meeting with Pelosi and Schumer since the Nov. 3 election .
At the president-elect ’ s transition office in Wilmington , Delaware , the three Democratic leaders projected a unified front on stimulus negotiations , saying in a statement afterward that lawmakers “ needed to pass a bipartisan emergency aid package in the lame-duck session , ” before Congress adjourns for the year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ anytime soon , however .
Republicans who have rediscovered fiscal conservatism following President Donald Trump ’ s loss are hoping to retain control of the Senate in January after two runoff elections in Georgia , an outcome that would give them an upper hand in negotiations with Biden ’ s incoming administration .
“ Looks like Pelosi still calling the shots , ” Sen. John Cornyn ( R-Texas ) tweeted on Monday in response to Biden ’ s team suggesting he was on the same page as congressional Democrats .
Kristine Astolfi of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when she lost her job with a company that designs and builds trade show booths .
With the virus spreading like crazy , the trade show industry , like many others that rely on big rooms full of people , has begged Congress for more help .
Astolfi , 57 , said she ’ s been frantically applying for jobs that would pay enough for her to make car and house payments , but hasn ’ t been getting any callbacks .
The unemployment rate in Las Vegas in September , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14.8 % ― much higher than the national average .
Her savings are dwindling , and she feels she ’ s only got enough money to make it through January .
“ It ’ s very , very scary , and I have no idea what ’ s going to happen , ” Astolfi said .
“ I wish Congress didn ’ t have to send us more money , but I have no idea what else we can do .
”

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President-elect Joe Biden supports congressional Democrats in holding out for a more comprehensive coronavirus relief package than Republicans have been willing to support, a spokesman for the presidential transition said Monday.
The New York Times had reported over the weekend that advisers to Biden wanted Democratic leaders in Congress to “reach a quick stimulus deal with Senate Republicans, even if it falls short of the larger package Democrats have been seeking.” On Monday, Biden’s spokesman called the story “incorrect.”
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For months, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) have pushed for a large stimulus bill they say is needed to jump-start the economy and provide additional relief to millions of Americans suffering amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“The President-elect fully supports the Speaker and Leader in their negotiations,” Biden transition spokesman Andrew Bates told HuffPost when asked about the Times story on Monday.
Nearly 12 million people are set to lose federal unemployment benefits next month unless lawmakers agree to a deal extending relief measures they passed early in the pandemic. A moratorium on evictions, student debt forbearance and tax breaks are also at risk of expiring.
Democrats have been pushing for a multitrillion-dollar package of new relief while Republicans remain flatly opposed to a large spending bill. The monthslong standoff threatens to kneecap a sputtering economy saddled with historically high unemployment claims that are on the rise once again.
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Biden last week held his first in-person meeting with Pelosi and Schumer since the Nov. 3 election. At the president-elect’s transition office in Wilmington, Delaware, the three Democratic leaders projected a unified front on stimulus negotiations, saying in a statement afterward that lawmakers “needed to pass a bipartisan emergency aid package in the lame-duck session,” before Congress adjourns for the year.
It’s unlikely that will happen anytime soon, however. Republicans who have rediscovered fiscal conservatism following President Donald Trump’s loss are hoping to retain control of the Senate in January after two runoff elections in Georgia, an outcome that would give them an upper hand in negotiations with Biden’s incoming administration.
“Looks like Pelosi still calling the shots,” Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) tweeted on Monday in response to Biden’s team suggesting he was on the same page as congressional Democrats.
Kristine Astolfi of Las Vegas has been unemployed since April, when she lost her job with a company that designs and builds trade show booths. With the virus spreading like crazy, the trade show industry, like many others that rely on big rooms full of people, has begged Congress for more help.
Astolfi, 57, said she’s been frantically applying for jobs that would pay enough for her to make car and house payments, but hasn’t been getting any callbacks. The unemployment rate in Las Vegas in September, according to the most recent data, was 14.8% ― much higher than the national average.
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“They’re going to hire all the young people before I get a job,” she said.
Her savings are dwindling, and she feels she’s only got enough money to make it through January.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-23--Michigan Certifies Election Results, Declaring Biden Winner In New Blow To Trump

Michigan ’ s Board of Canvassers certified the state ’ s election results on Monday , declaring President-elect Joe Biden the winner of the state and handing President Donald Trump an official loss despite his unprecedented attempts to somehow negate a 154,000-vote chasm .
Three of the board ’ s four members voted to certify the results , with one of its two Republican members , Norman Shinkle , abstaining .
Shinkle last week cited debunked conspiracy theories about voting machines in an interview with The Washington Post and said he was leaning toward opposing certification .
Shinkle ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his allies have spouted continuously since the Nov. 3 election .
But Monday ’ s certification effectively awards Biden Michigan ’ s 16 electoral votes ― one of his key victories in his defeat of Trump .
Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ( D ) hailed the board ’ s vote just moments after it took place in front of a virtual crowd of thousands .
“ The people of Michigan have spoken , ” she said in a statement .
“ President-elect Biden won the State of Michigan by more than 154,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next president on January 20th .
… Now , it ’ s time to put this election behind us and come together as a state to defeat our common enemy : COVID-19.
” The board ’ s action is yet another blow to the president ’ s assault on the results of the 2020 election after a series of defeats in the courts .
Georgia , a key battleground state that Biden won by a bit less than 13,000 voters , certified its results last week .
And in Pennsylvania , which Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the certification process is underway .
In the fight over Michigan , Trump invited two of the state ’ s GOP leaders to the White House last Friday in a last-ditch effort to see them halt the certification process , pushing his unfounded claims of voter fraud .
The president specifically targeted Wayne County , home to Detroit , and effectively sought to disenfranchise Black voters there who overwhelmingly voted for Biden .
Democrats and even some in the GOP condemned the move as “ inconsistent with our democratic process.
” And shortly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both state legislative leaders ― said they saw no evidence to warrant a delay in the certification process .
“ I ’ ve had a pretty good chance to look at the law , ” Aaron Van Langevelde , the other Republican on the canvasser board , said Monday .
“ There is nothing in the law that gives me the authority to request an audit ( of votes ) .
I think the law is on my side here , we have no authority to request an audit or delay or block @ @ @ @

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Michigan’s Board of Canvassers certified the state’s election results on Monday, declaring President-elect Joe Biden the winner of the state and handing President Donald Trump an official loss despite his unprecedented attempts to somehow negate a 154,000-vote chasm.
Three of the board’s four members voted to certify the results, with one of its two Republican members, Norman Shinkle, abstaining. Shinkle last week cited debunked conspiracy theories about voting machines in an interview with The Washington Post and said he was leaning toward opposing certification.
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Shinkle’s qualms echoed baseless conspiracies the president and his allies have spouted continuously since the Nov. 3 election. But Monday’s certification effectively awards Biden Michigan’s 16 electoral votes ― one of his key victories in his defeat of Trump.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) hailed the board’s vote just moments after it took place in front of a virtual crowd of thousands.
“The people of Michigan have spoken,” she said in a statement. “President-elect Biden won the State of Michigan by more than 154,000 votes, and he will be our next president on January 20th. … Now, it’s time to put this election behind us and come together as a state to defeat our common enemy: COVID-19.”
The board’s action is yet another blow to the president’s assault on the results of the 2020 election after a series of defeats in the courts. Georgia, a key battleground state that Biden won by a bit less than 13,000 voters, certified its results last week. And in Pennsylvania, which Biden won by more than 81,000 votes, the certification process is underway.
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Inbox: Statement from @GovWhitmer on board of canvassers vote: "I commend the three members of the State Board of Canvassers who voted to follow the law and certify the 2020 election results today." pic.twitter.com/i1oSuJ1jZi — Nick Corasaniti (@NYTnickc) November 23, 2020
In the fight over Michigan, Trump invited two of the state’s GOP leaders to the White House last Friday in a last-ditch effort to see them halt the certification process, pushing his unfounded claims of voter fraud. The president specifically targeted Wayne County, home to Detroit, and effectively sought to disenfranchise Black voters there who overwhelmingly voted for Biden.
Democrats and even some in the GOP condemned the move as “inconsistent with our democratic process.” And shortly after the meeting the two Michiganders ― both state legislative leaders ― said they saw no evidence to warrant a delay in the certification process.
“I’ve had a pretty good chance to look at the law,” Aaron Van Langevelde, the other Republican on the canvasser board, said Monday. “There is nothing in the law that gives me the authority to request an audit (of votes). I think the law is on my side here, we have no authority to request an audit or delay or block the certification.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-23--Florida's 'Gay Conversion' Therapy Bans Struck Down By Federal Court

TALLAHASSEE , Fla. ( AP ) — A federal appeals court is blocking the enforcement of local ordinances in Florida that ban therapy that seeks to change the sexual orientation of LGBTQ minors .
The ruling issued Friday could put similar prohibitions at risk .
The U.S. 11th District Court of Appeals in Atlanta overturned a lower court decision not to grant an injunction in a lawsuit challenging ordinances established by Palm Beach County and Boca Raton that ban what ’ s known as conversion therapy .
The local laws were challenged by therapists Robert Otto and Julie Hamilton , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on their constitutional right to free speech .
“ This decision allows speech that many find concerning — even dangerous , ” the court wrote in its 2-1 decision .
But it said if local governments were able to ban conversation therapy , then they could do the opposite , the court said .
“ Local communities could prevent therapists from validating a client ’ s same-sex attractions if the city council deemed that message harmful .
And the same goes for gender transition — counseling supporting a client ’ s gender identification @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote .
The therapists were represented by the Orlando-based Liberty Counsel , an organization that provides legal services on religious issues and is opposed to LGBTQ rights .
“ This is a huge victory for counselors and their clients to choose the counsel of their choice free of political censorship from government ideologues .
This case is the beginning of the end of similar unconstitutional counseling bans around the country , ” Liberty Counsel Chairman Mat Staver said in a media release .
“ So-called ‘ conversion therapy ’ is nothing less than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proven critical health risks , including depression , shame , decreased self-esteem , social withdrawal , substance abuse , self-harm and suicide , ” the group ’ s CEO , Kevin Jennings , said in a news release .
The judges who supported the injunction were appointed by President Donald Trump , including Barbara Lagoa , who previously served on the Florida Supreme Court .
“ We fear that today ’ s decision may be the tip of the iceberg in terms of the harm that may come from a federal judiciary that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years with dangerous ideologues , ” Jennings said .
“ The damage done by this misguided opinion is incalculable and puts young people in danger.
” The lawsuit now goes back to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida .

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A federal appeals court is blocking the enforcement of local ordinances in Florida that ban therapy that seeks to change the sexual orientation of LGBTQ minors. The ruling issued Friday could put similar prohibitions at risk.
The U.S. 11th District Court of Appeals in Atlanta overturned a lower court decision not to grant an injunction in a lawsuit challenging ordinances established by Palm Beach County and Boca Raton that ban what’s known as conversion therapy.
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The local laws were challenged by therapists Robert Otto and Julie Hamilton, who argued that they are an infringement on their constitutional right to free speech.
“This decision allows speech that many find concerning — even dangerous,” the court wrote in its 2-1 decision.
But it said if local governments were able to ban conversation therapy, then they could do the opposite, the court said.
“Local communities could prevent therapists from validating a client’s same-sex attractions if the city council deemed that message harmful. And the same goes for gender transition — counseling supporting a client’s gender identification could be banned,” the court wrote.
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The therapists were represented by the Orlando-based Liberty Counsel, an organization that provides legal services on religious issues and is opposed to LGBTQ rights.
“This is a huge victory for counselors and their clients to choose the counsel of their choice free of political censorship from government ideologues. This case is the beginning of the end of similar unconstitutional counseling bans around the country,” Liberty Counsel Chairman Mat Staver said in a media release.
Lambda Legal, a New York City-based organization that fights for LGBTQ civil rights, criticized the decision.
“So-called ‘conversion therapy’ is nothing less than child abuse. It poses documented and proven critical health risks, including depression, shame, decreased self-esteem, social withdrawal, substance abuse, self-harm and suicide,” the group’s CEO, Kevin Jennings, said in a news release.
The judges who supported the injunction were appointed by President Donald Trump, including Barbara Lagoa, who previously served on the Florida Supreme Court.
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“We fear that today’s decision may be the tip of the iceberg in terms of the harm that may come from a federal judiciary that has been packed for the last four years with dangerous ideologues,” Jennings said. “The damage done by this misguided opinion is incalculable and puts young people in danger.”