thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-26--The RNC Ignored Police Brutality And Kenosha Violence To Praise Trump For ‘Law And Order’

Republicans leaned into President Donald Trump ’ s “ law and order ” message on the third night of their party convention Wednesday .
But with no substantive mentions of the unrest in Kenosha , Wisconsin , the night felt very separated from the moment .
Before the Republican National Convention kicked off for the night , the country was in severe turmoil stemming from the Kenosha police shooting of Jacob Blake , a Black man .
An apparent white vigilante was arrested for murder hours before the convention began for allegedly shooting three protesters , two of whom died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the evening as players demanded action to end police violence ; several MLB and Major League Soccer games were canceled for the same reason .
During the only live address of the evening , Vice President Mike Pence briefly addressed protests that have taken place around the country .
But he did not acknowledge the incident that sparked the most recent wave : a police officer shooting Blake in the back seven times .
“ From Seattle and Portland to Washington and New York , Democrat-run cities across this country are being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is rampant .
There ’ s looting , chaos , destruction and murder , ” South Dakota Gov .
Kristi Noem said , echoing one of Trump ’ s central arguments .
“ Leftists try to turn them into villains .
They try to ‘ cancel ’ them .
But I ’ m here to tell you that these heroes can ’ t be canceled , ” Blackburn said , tying policing to one of the right ’ s biggest complaints about Democrats and the media ― so-called “ cancel culture.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also featured Michael McHale , the president of the National Association of Police Organizations lobbying group , who praised law enforcement while dismissing problems in U.S. policing by claiming “ nobody hates bad cops more than good cops.
” “ Chaos results when elected officials in cities like Portland , Minneapolis , Chicago and New York make the conscious and very public decision not to support law enforcement , ” he said , claiming he was “ shocked and disgusted by how far left Joe Biden has swung and how anti-law enforcement he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also called for a boycott of all Nike products on behalf of the organization ’ s members after the company featured Colin Kaepernick in an ad campaign .
At the time , he called Kaepernick ― an NFL quarterback who kneeled during the national anthem before games to protest police brutality and systemic racism — “ a shallow dilettante seeking to gain notoriety by disrespecting the flag for which so many Americans have fought and died.
” During the convention , pundits on Fox News framed protests and violence as the result of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ law and order ” that only Trump could bring .
Tucker Carlson appeared to dismiss the actions of Kyle Rittenhouse , the 17-year-old aspiring police officer who is charged with first-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the killing of two people at protests in Kenosha .
Police were present during the protests where Rittenhouse allegedly shot multiple people , however .
Footage from earlier in the night shows officers giving him water and thanking him for his presence .
Police officers ignored Rittenhouse immediately after the shooting , even as protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a witness told Vice News .
Republicans on Wednesday sought to capitalize on the racial unrest in Wisconsin as well as other protests across the country , accusing Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden of not forcefully denouncing violence and of being beholden to the far-left elements of his party .
GOP officials and the Trump campaign have turned to images of violent protests in U.S. cities in an attempt to fire up their base — and , more importantly , make suburban voters who may not personally like Trump hold their nose and @ @ @ @ @

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Republicans leaned into President Donald Trump’s “law and order” message on the third night of their party convention Wednesday. But with no substantive mentions of the unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the night felt very separated from the moment.
Before the Republican National Convention kicked off for the night, the country was in severe turmoil stemming from the Kenosha police shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man. An apparent white vigilante was arrested for murder hours before the convention began for allegedly shooting three protesters, two of whom died. The NBA and WNBA shut down for the evening as players demanded action to end police violence; several MLB and Major League Soccer games were canceled for the same reason.
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During the only live address of the evening, Vice President Mike Pence briefly addressed protests that have taken place around the country. But he did not acknowledge the incident that sparked the most recent wave: a police officer shooting Blake in the back seven times.
“The violence must stop — whether in Minneapolis, Portland or Kenosha,” Pence said. “Too many heroes have died defending our freedoms to see Americans strike each other down.”
The rest of the night’s speeches, which were previously recorded, offered only general warnings about supposed mob violence and did not address the burgeoning crisis head-on.
“From Seattle and Portland to Washington and New York, Democrat-run cities across this country are being overrun by violent mobs. The violence is rampant. There’s looting, chaos, destruction and murder,” South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem said, echoing one of Trump’s central arguments.
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Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee started off her convention speech by saying America is a “land of heroes.” She then accused Democrats of trying to “cancel” heroes like police officers.
“Leftists try to turn them into villains. They try to ‘cancel’ them. But I’m here to tell you that these heroes can’t be canceled,” Blackburn said, tying policing to one of the right’s biggest complaints about Democrats and the media ― so-called “cancel culture.”
Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) speaks during the largely virtual 2020 Republican National Convention on Wednesday night. She said during her address that Democrats are trying to "cancel" heroes. Handout . / reuters
The “law and order”-themed night also featured Michael McHale, the president of the National Association of Police Organizations lobbying group, who praised law enforcement while dismissing problems in U.S. policing by claiming “nobody hates bad cops more than good cops.”
An overwhelming majority of the country supports changes to policing, but McHale put the blame on Democratic officials.
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“Chaos results when elected officials in cities like Portland, Minneapolis, Chicago and New York make the conscious and very public decision not to support law enforcement,” he said, claiming he was “shocked and disgusted by how far left Joe Biden has swung and how anti-law enforcement he has become.”
McHale has previously praised Trump for directing Attorney General William Barr to “aggressively prosecute” people attacking police, and claimed his organization needed the president’s support to stop “unfair and inaccurate opprobrium” against officers.
In 2018, McHale also called for a boycott of all Nike products on behalf of the organization’s members after the company featured Colin Kaepernick in an ad campaign. At the time, he called Kaepernick ― an NFL quarterback who kneeled during the national anthem before games to protest police brutality and systemic racism — “a shallow dilettante seeking to gain notoriety by disrespecting the flag for which so many Americans have fought and died.”
During the convention, pundits on Fox News framed protests and violence as the result of Democratic officials being unwilling to enforce the “law and order” that only Trump could bring. Tucker Carlson appeared to dismiss the actions of Kyle Rittenhouse, the 17-year-old aspiring police officer who is charged with first-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the killing of two people at protests in Kenosha.
“How shocked are we that 17-year-olds with rifles decided they had to maintain order when no one else would?” Carlson asked.
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Police were present during the protests where Rittenhouse allegedly shot multiple people, however. Footage from earlier in the night shows officers giving him water and thanking him for his presence. Police officers ignored Rittenhouse immediately after the shooting, even as protesters yelled that he was the gunman, a witness told Vice News.
Rittenhouse appeared in the front row of a Trump rally in January, BuzzFeed News reported.
Republicans on Wednesday sought to capitalize on the racial unrest in Wisconsin as well as other protests across the country, accusing Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden of not forcefully denouncing violence and of being beholden to the far-left elements of his party. GOP officials and the Trump campaign have turned to images of violent protests in U.S. cities in an attempt to fire up their base — and, more importantly, make suburban voters who may not personally like Trump hold their nose and vote for him anyway.
The former vice president also called for protests to remain peaceful.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-27--Virginia School Board's Transgender Bathroom Policy Is Unconstitutional, Court Rules

The ruling is a victory for transgender rights advocates and Gavin Grimm , a former student at Gloucester High School who was required to use restrooms that corresponded with his biological sex — female — or private bathrooms .
The Richmond-based 4th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals found that the Gloucester County School Board violated Grimm ’ s constitutional rights when it banned him from using the boys bathrooms .
The decision by the three-judge panel was 2 to 1 .
In the majority opinion , the appeals court wrote that Grimm was forced to use “ special bathrooms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gavin ’ on the sign.
” “ Grimm was treated worse than students with whom he was similarly situated because he alone could not use the restroom corresponding with his gender , ” the ruling stated .
“ Unlike the other boys , he had to use either the girls restroom or a single-stall option.
” The Gloucester County school board had argued that laws protect against discrimination based on sex , not gender identity .
Because Grimm had not undergone sex-reassignment surgery and still had female genitalia , the board ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ female .
The ruling is another decision by a federal appeals court that could have a wide-ranging effect on how schools treat transgender students .
But it remains to be seen whether the issue will make its way to the U.S. Supreme Court .
Similar decisions have been made by other federal appeals courts .
For instance , the 11th Circuit ruled this month in favor of a former high school student in Florida in an opinion that would cover schools in that state as well as Georgia and Alabama .
The Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ’ s been a split decision between circuit courts , and there hasn ’ t been one on this issue , Castillo said .
“ The point is that transgender students across the country who are enrolled in schools with affirming policies have had no problems with respect to many of the concerns that are raised , ” Castillo said .
“ In fact , it improves diversity and school climates when you embrace all students.
” Grimm , who was represented by the American Civil Liberties Union , released a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s ruling “ is an incredible affirmation for not just me , but for trans youth around the country.
” “ All transgender students should have what I was denied : the opportunity to be seen for who we are by our schools and our government , ” he said .
The panel upheld a decision from a federal judge in Norfolk who ruled last year that Grimm ’ s rights were violated under the U.S. Constitution ’ s equal protection clause as well as under Title IX , a federal civil rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on sex in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance .
Grimm began transitioning from female to male while he was a student at his high school , located in a mostly rural area about 60 miles ( 95 kilometers ) east of Richmond .
He had chest reconstruction surgery and hormone therapy .
The lawsuit became a federal test case when it was supported by the administration of then-President Barack Obama .
It was scheduled to go before the U.S. Supreme Court in 2017 .
But the high court hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an Obama-era directive that students can choose bathrooms corresponding with their gender identity .

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RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A federal appeals court ruled Wednesday that a Virginia school board’s transgender bathroom ban is unconstitutional and discriminated against a transgender male student who was barred from using the boys bathrooms in his high school.
The ruling is a victory for transgender rights advocates and Gavin Grimm, a former student at Gloucester High School who was required to use restrooms that corresponded with his biological sex — female — or private bathrooms.
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The Richmond-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that the Gloucester County School Board violated Grimm’s constitutional rights when it banned him from using the boys bathrooms. The decision by the three-judge panel was 2 to 1.
In the majority opinion, the appeals court wrote that Grimm was forced to use “special bathrooms that might as well have said ‘Gavin’ on the sign.”
“Grimm was treated worse than students with whom he was similarly situated because he alone could not use the restroom corresponding with his gender,” the ruling stated. “Unlike the other boys, he had to use either the girls restroom or a single-stall option.”
The Gloucester County school board had argued that laws protect against discrimination based on sex, not gender identity. Because Grimm had not undergone sex-reassignment surgery and still had female genitalia, the board’s position was that he remained anatomically a female.
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David Corrigan, an attorney for the school board, wrote in an email Wednesday that the board is reviewing the decision and declined to comment further.
The ruling is another decision by a federal appeals court that could have a wide-ranging effect on how schools treat transgender students. But it remains to be seen whether the issue will make its way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The five states in the 4th Circuit’s region — Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia — are bound by the court’s ruling, said Paul D. Castillo, an attorney for the LGBT rights group Lambda Legal.
Similar decisions have been made by other federal appeals courts. For instance, the 11th Circuit ruled this month in favor of a former high school student in Florida in an opinion that would cover schools in that state as well as Georgia and Alabama.
The Supreme Court often takes up a case when there’s been a split decision between circuit courts, and there hasn’t been one on this issue, Castillo said.
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“The point is that transgender students across the country who are enrolled in schools with affirming policies have had no problems with respect to many of the concerns that are raised,” Castillo said. “In fact, it improves diversity and school climates when you embrace all students.”
Grimm, who was represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, released a statement through the organization that said Wednesday’s ruling “is an incredible affirmation for not just me, but for trans youth around the country.”
“All transgender students should have what I was denied: the opportunity to be seen for who we are by our schools and our government,” he said.
The panel upheld a decision from a federal judge in Norfolk who ruled last year that Grimm’s rights were violated under the U.S. Constitution’s equal protection clause as well as under Title IX, a federal civil rights law that protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance.
The appeals court’s opinion offered a sweeping look at the challenges that transgender students face, including widespread harassment and major mental health disparities.
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Grimm began transitioning from female to male while he was a student at his high school, located in a mostly rural area about 60 miles (95 kilometers) east of Richmond. He had chest reconstruction surgery and hormone therapy.
Grimm filed his lawsuit in 2015 and argued that he suffered from urinary tract infections from avoiding school bathrooms as well as suicidal thoughts that led to hospitalization.
The lawsuit became a federal test case when it was supported by the administration of then-President Barack Obama. It was scheduled to go before the U.S. Supreme Court in 2017. But the high court hearing was canceled after President Donald Trump rescinded an Obama-era directive that students can choose bathrooms corresponding with their gender identity.
The appeals court also backed the lower court’s ruling that the school district must update the gender on Grimm’s transcripts.
Grimm, now 21, graduated in 2017. He now lives in California and is an activist for transgender rights.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-27--Minnesota Governor Activates National Guard To Help Quell Unrest in Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS ( AP ) — The governor of Minnesota activated the National Guard on Wednesday night to help quell unrest that broke out in downtown Minneapolis following what authorities said was misinformation about the suicide death of a Black homicide suspect .
“ We once again see the unrest on our streets .
And not just Minnesota but as a nation , this pain continues on , ” Gov .
Tim Walz said at a late night news conference .
Walz declared a peacetime emergency in Minneapolis and said he was mobilizing the Minnesota National Guard but did not say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey imposed a curfew Wednesday night until 6 a.m. Thursday and requested National Guard help after people broke windows and stole merchandise from downtown stores .
Minneapolis was rocked by protests that turned violent after George Floyd , a handcuffed Black man , died after a white police officer pressed his knee against Floyd ’ s neck for nearly eight minutes on May 25 .
Floyd ’ s death sparked protests worldwide .
Demonstrators also have gathered in downtown Minneapolis this week to protest after Jacob Blake , a Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police in Wisconsin on Sunday , leaving him paralyzed .
In Minneapolis , Floyd ’ s death set off several nights of violence , including the burning of a Minneapolis police precinct office , until Walz activated the National Guard .
South Minneapolis , where Floyd was arrested , and North Minneapolis saw the brunt of vandalism , but downtown Minneapolis was largely spared .
TV footage and reporter ’ s tweets Wednesday night showed people grabbing merchandise at a Saks OFF 5TH store , a fire at a British pub and broken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the sidewalk outside Ruth ’ s Chris Steak House .
Minnesota Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell said fireworks were being set off and bottles thrown late Wednesday , and there were reports of gunshots .
Police were making arrests and trying to clear downtown , Schnell told reporters .
The number of arrests would not be available until Thursday morning , Minneapolis police spokesman John Elder said .
One officer was hospitalized with a serious injury that was not life-threatening , Elder said .
“ This is part of a larger narrative .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd , it has spread across this nation .
It does us no good to try and either divide or ignore or to make it worse or to blame someone .
We ’ re just , as a state and as a nation , going to have to come together and figure out what our next steps are , ” Walz told reporters .
Frey said during a news conference Wednesday night that he and Walz had been in contact to address the unrest .
Frey said bolstering enforcement was an effort to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much as possible.
” “ What we ’ re calling for right now is peace , ” Frey said .
“ What we ’ re calling for right now is for people to return to their homes.
” Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo dispelled rumors on social media about the death of an unidentified Black man suspected in a Wednesday afternoon homicide , who later fatally shot himself on the Nicollet Mall as officers approached .
The incident , which was captured on city surveillance video and released by police within 90 minutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the heart of downtown .
The video confirmed the police account of what happened and showed the man glancing over his shoulder before pulling out the gun and firing , then collapsing to the ground as a half-dozen witnesses ran away with their hands in the air , according to the Star Tribune .
The officers , one of whom had his gun drawn , shooed a remaining witness away and kicked the suspect ’ s gun away before performing chest compressions .
“ This is not an officer-related incident , ” Arradondo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more tragedy by the destruction and folks wanting to do harm to our communities in our downtown sector this evening .
”

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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The governor of Minnesota activated the National Guard on Wednesday night to help quell unrest that broke out in downtown Minneapolis following what authorities said was misinformation about the suicide death of a Black homicide suspect.
“We once again see the unrest on our streets. And not just Minnesota but as a nation, this pain continues on,” Gov. Tim Walz said at a late night news conference.
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Walz declared a peacetime emergency in Minneapolis and said he was mobilizing the Minnesota National Guard but did not say how many troops were being deployed. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey imposed a curfew Wednesday night until 6 a.m. Thursday and requested National Guard help after people broke windows and stole merchandise from downtown stores.
“Minneapolis, it’s time to heal. We must rebuild and recover. Dangerous, unlawful behavior will not be tolerated,” the Democratic governor said in a statement.
Soldiers from the @MNNationalGuard 257th Military Police Company are assisting local law enforcement in protecting property and ensuring the safety of MPLS residents. We are working in coordination with the @CityMinneapolis and the @MinneapolisPD at the direction of @GovTimWalz. pic.twitter.com/0zDpylZfQS — MN National Guard (@MNNationalGuard) August 27, 2020
Minneapolis was rocked by protests that turned violent after George Floyd, a handcuffed Black man, died after a white police officer pressed his knee against Floyd’s neck for nearly eight minutes on May 25. Floyd’s death sparked protests worldwide. Demonstrators also have gathered in downtown Minneapolis this week to protest after Jacob Blake, a Black man, was shot multiple times by police in Wisconsin on Sunday, leaving him paralyzed.
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In Minneapolis, Floyd’s death set off several nights of violence, including the burning of a Minneapolis police precinct office, until Walz activated the National Guard. South Minneapolis, where Floyd was arrested, and North Minneapolis saw the brunt of vandalism, but downtown Minneapolis was largely spared.
TV footage and reporter’s tweets Wednesday night showed people grabbing merchandise at a Saks OFF 5TH store, a fire at a British pub and broken windows on the door and shrimp scattered on the sidewalk outside Ruth’s Chris Steak House. Minnesota Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell said fireworks were being set off and bottles thrown late Wednesday, and there were reports of gunshots.
Police were making arrests and trying to clear downtown, Schnell told reporters. The number of arrests would not be available until Thursday morning, Minneapolis police spokesman John Elder said. One officer was hospitalized with a serious injury that was not life-threatening, Elder said.
The Minnesota State Patrol has mobilized about 150 troopers and all available metro area state troopers in response to the unrest in Minneapolis, Walz said.
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“This is part of a larger narrative. It was the flash point of George Floyd, it has spread across this nation. It does us no good to try and either divide or ignore or to make it worse or to blame someone. We’re just, as a state and as a nation, going to have to come together and figure out what our next steps are,” Walz told reporters.
Police spray a substance to clear the area where a colleague was injured on the Nicollet Mall Wednesday in Minneapolis. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Frey said during a news conference Wednesday night that he and Walz had been in contact to address the unrest. Frey said bolstering enforcement was an effort to “stay ahead of the game as much as possible.”
“What we’re calling for right now is peace,” Frey said. “What we’re calling for right now is for people to return to their homes.”
Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo dispelled rumors on social media about the death of an unidentified Black man suspected in a Wednesday afternoon homicide, who later fatally shot himself on the Nicollet Mall as officers approached. The incident, which was captured on city surveillance video and released by police within 90 minutes, nonetheless sparked protests and looting in the heart of downtown.
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The video confirmed the police account of what happened and showed the man glancing over his shoulder before pulling out the gun and firing, then collapsing to the ground as a half-dozen witnesses ran away with their hands in the air, according to the Star Tribune. The officers, one of whom had his gun drawn, shooed a remaining witness away and kicked the suspect’s gun away before performing chest compressions.
“This is not an officer-related incident,” Arradondo said. “We’re compounding more tragedy by the destruction and folks wanting to do harm to our communities in our downtown sector this evening.”
“This is my city. We will not tolerate that,” he continued.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-26--Mike Pence Says Little About Kenosha Violence, Hurricane Laura In RNC Speech

Vice President Mike Pence barely touched on crises facing America ― including police brutality , racial injustices and Hurricane Laura ― in his speech that wrapped up Wednesday ’ s session of the Republican National Convention on Wednesday .
As he praised President Donald Trump at length , Pence glossed over the administration ’ s disastrous handling of the coronavirus pandemic , which still rages across parts of the country and as of his comments had claimed the lives of almost 180,000 U.S. residents .
Meanwhile , Texas and Louisiana residents braced for Laura , a Category 4 hurricane , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powerful storm to hit the country this year .
“ This is a serious storm , ” Pence said from a podium at Fort McHenry in Baltimore .
Pledging White House assistance , he added , “ We urge all those in the affected areas to heed state and local authorities.
” Later , the vice president briefly mentioned the civil rights protests in Kenosha , Wisconsin , following the Sunday shooting by a white police officer of Jacob Blake , a Black man , outside his car while his three children sat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for days after Blake was hit seven times in his back .
He may be left paralyzed from the waist down .
In line with Trump ’ s messaging , Pence focused on the need for “ law and order ” instead of the reasons widespread protests ― overwhelmingly peaceful ― have erupted across much of the U.S. in recent months in response to high-profile shootings of Black people by police officers .
“ Rioting and looting is not peaceful protest , and tearing down statues is not free speech , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racist Confederate statues that still litter much of the South and have at times been toppled .
″We will have law and order on the streets of this country for every American of every race and creed and color , ” Pence said , ignoring in his comments that two people in Kenosha were fatally shot and a third suffered a serious gunshot wound late Tuesday night as heavily-armed vigilantes who claimed they intended to protect local businesses confronted Black Lives Matter protesters .
Charged Wednesday in connection with the shootings was 17-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of the vigilante group .
Police identified the deceased only as a 26-year-old Silver Lake , Wisconsin , resident and a 36-year-old from Kenosha , The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported .
A 36-year-old from West Allis , Wisconsin , was wounded .
Hundreds of people had defied an 8 p.m. curfew Tuesday to attend the demonstration in Kenosha outside the county courthouse , and police later began deploying tear gas against the crowd ― pushing some down the street toward the armed vigilantes .
Video posted to social media showed law enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying , “ We appreciate you guys , we really do.
” The night before , anti-racism demonstrations saw 34 fires set and 30 businesses either destroyed or damaged , according to The Associated Press .
The city ’ s Department of Corrections was among those structures burnt down .

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Vice President Mike Pence barely touched on crises facing America ― including police brutality, racial injustices and Hurricane Laura ― in his speech that wrapped up Wednesday’s session of the Republican National Convention on Wednesday.
As he praised President Donald Trump at length, Pence glossed over the administration’s disastrous handling of the coronavirus pandemic, which still rages across parts of the country and as of his comments had claimed the lives of almost 180,000 U.S. residents.
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Meanwhile, Texas and Louisiana residents braced for Laura, a Category 4 hurricane, to slam the coastline as the most powerful storm to hit the country this year.
“This is a serious storm,” Pence said from a podium at Fort McHenry in Baltimore. Pledging White House assistance, he added, “We urge all those in the affected areas to heed state and local authorities.”
Later, the vice president briefly mentioned the civil rights protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin, following the Sunday shooting by a white police officer of Jacob Blake, a Black man, outside his car while his three children sat inside. Protesters have demonstrated in Kenosha for days after Blake was hit seven times in his back. He may be left paralyzed from the waist down.
In line with Trump’s messaging, Pence focused on the need for “law and order” instead of the reasons widespread protests ― overwhelmingly peaceful ― have erupted across much of the U.S. in recent months in response to high-profile shootings of Black people by police officers.
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“Rioting and looting is not peaceful protest, and tearing down statues is not free speech,” he said, a reference to protests over racist Confederate statues that still litter much of the South and have at times been toppled.
″We will have law and order on the streets of this country for every American of every race and creed and color,” Pence said, ignoring in his comments that two people in Kenosha were fatally shot and a third suffered a serious gunshot wound late Tuesday night as heavily-armed vigilantes who claimed they intended to protect local businesses confronted Black Lives Matter protesters.
Charged Wednesday in connection with the shootings was 17-year-old Illinois resident Kyle Rittenhouse who apparently was part of the vigilante group.
Police identified the deceased only as a 26-year-old Silver Lake, Wisconsin, resident and a 36-year-old from Kenosha, The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported. A 36-year-old from West Allis, Wisconsin, was wounded.
Hundreds of people had defied an 8 p.m. curfew Tuesday to attend the demonstration in Kenosha outside the county courthouse, and police later began deploying tear gas against the crowd ― pushing some down the street toward the armed vigilantes. Video posted to social media showed law enforcement officers embracing the vigilantes, with one saying, “We appreciate you guys, we really do.”
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The night before, anti-racism demonstrations saw 34 fires set and 30 businesses either destroyed or damaged, according to The Associated Press. The city’s Department of Corrections was among those structures burnt down.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-27--Donald Trump Jr. Urges Republicans In Robocall To Vote — By Mail

Months after President Donald Trump began ranting , without compelling evidence , about “ fraudulent ” voting by mail , a robocall from his eldest son is urging thousands of Republicans to vote — by mail .
Donald Trump Jr. ’ s call alerts his fellow Republicans in more than a dozen key states that the president ’ s campaign has already mass-mailed them requests for absentee mail-in ballots .
″Hi , This is Donald Trump Jr. , ” the president ’ s son says in the recorded phone message .
“ I ’ m calling on behalf of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald J. Trump ... has already made you an official absentee ballot request which may have already arrived or will soon arrive .
President Trump is counting on you to make a plan to return your absentee ballot request.
” The elder Trump continually has railed that mail-in voting will be “ rigged , ” even though election officials ― including Republicans ― in states where the practice has been widespread consistently have disputed those claims .
The president and first lady Melania Trump voted by mail in the Florida primary earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that this year ’ s election will be the “ most corrupt ” in U.S. history because of the expected surge in mail-in ballots by voters who want to avoid the risk of contracting COVID-19 at polling stations .
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic , which his administration failed to stem , has claimed more than 180,000 lives in the nation .
“ Voting absentee is a safe and secure way to guarantee your voice is heard , ” he said in the robocall .
“ Help President Trump make America great again by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year.
” Trump Jr. ’ s message began going out this week to 13 states targeted by his father ’ s campaign : Arizona , Florida , Iowa , New Mexico , North Carolina , Pennsylvania , Wisconsin , Michigan , Ohio , Virginia , Georgia , Texas and Maine , according to Politico , which was the first to report the robocall .
Trump has attempted to make a distinction between “ mail-in ” ballots and “ absentee ” ballots , but in most jurisdictions they ’ re the same or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RNC spokesperson Mandi Merritt insisted to Politico that Trump Jr. ’ s robocall is “ completely in line ” with the president ’ s message — that “ proper ” mail-in absentee voting is safe , while Democrats aim to “ implement widespread vote-by-mail with no safeguards.
” Critics accuse Trump of attacking mail-in balloting as part of his strategy to raise doubts about the electoral process .
In the event he loses to Democratic nominee Joe Biden , Trump will likely challenge the result by claiming widespread fraud in the mail-in balloting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the meantime , Postmaster General Louis DeJoy — a prominent Trump campaign contributor — appears to be crippling the U.S .
Postal Service operation ahead of the election by ripping out hundreds of mail-sorting machines and letter collection boxes , and eliminating overtime and extended mail deliveries .
As DeJoy began to undermine service , the USPS sent a letter to 46 states warning that voters could be disenfranchised because their mail-in ballots may not be delivered in time to make vote deadlines .
The inspector general of the USPS has launched an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential ethics conflicts of DeJoy .
The postmaster general has maintained a $ 30 million equity stake in his former company , XPO Logistics , a USPS contractor , which could conceivably partner with a competitor as DeJoy weakens the Postal Service .

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Months after President Donald Trump began ranting, without compelling evidence, about “fraudulent” voting by mail, a robocall from his eldest son is urging thousands of Republicans to vote — by mail.
Donald Trump Jr.’s call alerts his fellow Republicans in more than a dozen key states that the president’s campaign has already mass-mailed them requests for absentee mail-in ballots.
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″Hi, This is Donald Trump Jr.,” the president’s son says in the recorded phone message. “I’m calling on behalf of the Republican National Committee because my father, President Donald J. Trump ... has already made you an official absentee ballot request which may have already arrived or will soon arrive. President Trump is counting on you to make a plan to return your absentee ballot request.”
The elder Trump continually has railed that mail-in voting will be “rigged,” even though election officials ― including Republicans ― in states where the practice has been widespread consistently have disputed those claims. The president and first lady Melania Trump voted by mail in the Florida primary earlier this month.
He has also declared that this year’s election will be the “most corrupt” in U.S. history because of the expected surge in mail-in ballots by voters who want to avoid the risk of contracting COVID-19 at polling stations. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic, which his administration failed to stem, has claimed more than 180,000 lives in the nation.
Mail-In Voting, unless changed by the courts, will lead to the most CORRUPT ELECTION in our Nation’s History! #RIGGEDELECTION — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 21, 2020
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Donald Trump Jr. insisted to Republican voters that mail-in balloting is secure.
“Voting absentee is a safe and secure way to guarantee your voice is heard,” he said in the robocall. “Help President Trump make America great again by joining him in being an absentee voter this year.”
Trump Jr.’s message began going out this week to 13 states targeted by his father’s campaign: Arizona, Florida, Iowa, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Virginia, Georgia, Texas and Maine, according to Politico, which was the first to report the robocall.
Trump has attempted to make a distinction between “mail-in” ballots and “absentee” ballots, but in most jurisdictions they’re the same or part of the overall voting-by-mail system.
RNC spokesperson Mandi Merritt insisted to Politico that Trump Jr.’s robocall is “completely in line” with the president’s message — that “proper” mail-in absentee voting is safe, while Democrats aim to “implement widespread vote-by-mail with no safeguards.”
Critics accuse Trump of attacking mail-in balloting as part of his strategy to raise doubts about the electoral process. In the event he loses to Democratic nominee Joe Biden, Trump will likely challenge the result by claiming widespread fraud in the mail-in balloting process, the critics predict.
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In the meantime, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy — a prominent Trump campaign contributor — appears to be crippling the U.S. Postal Service operation ahead of the election by ripping out hundreds of mail-sorting machines and letter collection boxes, and eliminating overtime and extended mail deliveries.
As DeJoy began to undermine service, the USPS sent a letter to 46 states warning that voters could be disenfranchised because their mail-in ballots may not be delivered in time to make vote deadlines.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-26--Kellyanne Conway's RNC Speech Praises Trump As Champion Of Women

Kellyanne Conway , a senior adviser to President Donald Trump , used her time in the spotlight at the Republican National Convention to paint the president as a supposedly kindhearted champion of women .
“ A woman in a leadership role still can seem novel , ” Conway said .
In 2016 , she became the first woman to run a successful U.S. presidential campaign .
Later , she claimed to have “ seen firsthand many times the president comforting and encouraging a child who has lost a parent , a parent who has lost a child , a worker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has lost her way to drugs.
” “ There always will be people who have far more than us , ” she continued .
“ Our responsibility is to focus on those who have far less than us.
” Contrary to Conway ’ s depiction of Republican leadership , the RNC featured a speaker the night before who has argued that only the “ head ” of a household should have voting power because “ in a Godly household , the husband would get the final say.
” Conway delivered her speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from her position at the White House at the end of August , citing the need to spend more time with her family .
Her husband , George Conway , will take a step back from The Lincoln Project , an anti-Trump group he co-founded with fellow Republicans .
He is also taking a hiatus from Twitter , where he frequently posts searing criticisms of the president , who once called him “ Moonface ” in retort .
The Conways ’ marriage ― between a strident Trump supporter and an unrelenting Trump detractor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the state of America ’ s right wing , divided by Trumpism .
“ We disagree about plenty , but we are united on what matters most : the kids , ” Kellyanne Conway wrote in a statement released Sunday .
“ Our four children are teens and ‘ tweens starting a new academic year , in middle school and high school , remotely from home for at least a few months .
As millions of parents nationwide know , kids ‘ doing school from home ’ requires a level of attention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these times.
” She concluded : “ For now , and for my beloved children , it will be less drama , more mama.
” Conway did not mention her 15-year-old daughter by name , but Claudia Conway announced publicly over the weekend that she would seek emancipation from her parents , claiming unspecified abuses .
For months , she has attracted attention by posting fierce criticisms of her mother and Trump to TikTok , and by publicly goading both her parents on Twitter .
The teen said on Twitter that she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be speaking at the RNC , and she is now on a break from social media .
“ In honor of the women who empowered me and for the future of the children we all cherish , thank you and God bless you , ” she said .

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Kellyanne Conway, a senior adviser to President Donald Trump, used her time in the spotlight at the Republican National Convention to paint the president as a supposedly kindhearted champion of women.
“A woman in a leadership role still can seem novel,” Conway said. In 2016, she became the first woman to run a successful U.S. presidential campaign.
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Later, she claimed to have “seen firsthand many times the president comforting and encouraging a child who has lost a parent, a parent who has lost a child, a worker who lost his job, an adolescent who has lost her way to drugs.”
“There always will be people who have far more than us,” she continued. “Our responsibility is to focus on those who have far less than us.”
Contrary to Conway’s depiction of Republican leadership, the RNC featured a speaker the night before who has argued that only the “head” of a household should have voting power because “in a Godly household, the husband would get the final say.”
Conway delivered her speech three days after announcing she would resign from her position at the White House at the end of August, citing the need to spend more time with her family.
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Her husband, George Conway, will take a step back from The Lincoln Project, an anti-Trump group he co-founded with fellow Republicans. He is also taking a hiatus from Twitter, where he frequently posts searing criticisms of the president, who once called him “Moonface” in retort.
The Conways’ marriage ― between a strident Trump supporter and an unrelenting Trump detractor ― has been regarded as a microcosm of the state of America’s right wing, divided by Trumpism.
“We disagree about plenty, but we are united on what matters most: the kids,” Kellyanne Conway wrote in a statement released Sunday. “Our four children are teens and ‘tweens starting a new academic year, in middle school and high school, remotely from home for at least a few months. As millions of parents nationwide know, kids ‘doing school from home’ requires a level of attention and vigilance that is as unusual as these times.”
She concluded: “For now, and for my beloved children, it will be less drama, more mama.”
Conway did not mention her 15-year-old daughter by name, but Claudia Conway announced publicly over the weekend that she would seek emancipation from her parents, claiming unspecified abuses. For months, she has attracted attention by posting fierce criticisms of her mother and Trump to TikTok, and by publicly goading both her parents on Twitter. The teen said on Twitter that she was “devastated” to learn her mother would be speaking at the RNC, and she is now on a break from social media.
Conway appeared to include a nod to her children as she concluded her remarks Wednesday night.
“In honor of the women who empowered me and for the future of the children we all cherish, thank you and God bless you,” she said.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-26--Trump Jr. And Kimberly Guilfoyle's Paris Trip Cost Taxpayers At Least $64,000 For Security

WASHINGTON ― Taxpayers shelled out at least $ 64,443 to safeguard the president ’ s eldest son and his girlfriend during a two-day visit to Paris in 2018 that included a stay at a $ 1,000-a-night hotel a few blocks from the Champs-Elysees , according to U.S. Secret Service records .
Donald Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle , a fundraiser for President Donald Trump ’ s reelection campaign , visited the Louvre and Eiffel Tower , posting photos on social media , a few months after they began a romantic relationship .
According to those posts , the pair then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s birthday party .
Secret Service documents show that taxpayers spent $ 31,104 on air travel and $ 23,036 for hotel rooms on July 11-12 , 2018 , split between the Hotel de Sers and the Prince de Galles .
An additional $ 10,303 was spent to rent three cars from an agency that offers armored vehicles .
The hotels wound up being so expensive that the agency had to seek an $ 8,575 “ lodging variance ” to make up for the overrun beyond the $ 14,460 estimate .
The State Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paris at the time was $ 425 per day .
It is unknown how many agents traveled with the pair , as that is information the agency never reveals about those it protects .
Nor is it known how much more was spent in Monaco because the records covered only the France portion of the trip .
There ’ s also no report on other charges , such as meals .
“ He gets an astonishingly high number of death threats and though he would much prefer not to be , for his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but to be under Secret Service protection , ” Andrew Surabian said .
Trump Jr. and Guilfoyle , as well as other Republicans , have been complaining about nepotism and privilege for the family of Democratic nominee Joe Biden , and in particular his son Hunter , over the past two weeks .
Trump Jr. claimed on Fox News on Aug. 20 that Hunter Biden , a lawyer and investment adviser who had come under scrutiny for joining the board of a Ukrainian energy company , had spent his life profiting off his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online event for the Trump campaign the same day , Guilfoyle said : “ We ’ re in this problem with China because of Biden and his policies , and the way he allows his son to profit off his office.
” Trump ’ s elder daughter and son-in-law are top White House aides .
Middle son Eric ’ s wife , Lara Trump , is a top campaign official , while Guilfoyle is the finance chair of Trump Victory , a joint fundraising committee for the Trump campaign and the Republican National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said on condition of anonymity that the odds of Guilfoyle having gotten her job if she hadn ’ t been dating Trump Jr. were “ less than zero , if that ’ s possible.
” Donald Trump Jr. , meanwhile , has made at least tens of thousands of dollars , and possibly far more , thanks to the Republican National Committee ’ s purchase of thousands of copies of his books , “ Triggered ” and “ Liberal Privilege.
” The president has also used the power of his office to enrich @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at his own properties in Florida , New Jersey , Scotland and Ireland , he is able to direct food and lodging payments for his support staff to his own hotels and restaurants .
An exact amount is unknowable because the White House refuses to release those records , but HuffPost estimates that at least several million taxpayer dollars have flowed into his cash registers thus far .
That is on top of the $ 6.9 million his businesses have received from Republican donors from the start of his presidency through June 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RNC ’ s use of Trump properties for office space and fundraisers .

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WASHINGTON ― Taxpayers shelled out at least $64,443 to safeguard the president’s eldest son and his girlfriend during a two-day visit to Paris in 2018 that included a stay at a $1,000-a-night hotel a few blocks from the Champs-Elysees, according to U.S. Secret Service records.
Donald Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle, a fundraiser for President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign, visited the Louvre and Eiffel Tower, posting photos on social media, a few months after they began a romantic relationship. According to those posts, the pair then went to Monaco for a friend’s birthday party.
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Donald Trump Jr. (right) watches his girlfriend, Kimberly Guilfoyle, a Trump campaign aide, as she records her address for Monday night's Republican National Convention program. Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
Secret Service documents show that taxpayers spent $31,104 on air travel and $23,036 for hotel rooms on July 11-12, 2018, split between the Hotel de Sers and the Prince de Galles. An additional $10,303 was spent to rent three cars from an agency that offers armored vehicles.
The hotels wound up being so expensive that the agency had to seek an $8,575 “lodging variance” to make up for the overrun beyond the $14,460 estimate. The State Department’s limit for lodging costs in Paris at the time was $425 per day.
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It is unknown how many agents traveled with the pair, as that is information the agency never reveals about those it protects. Nor is it known how much more was spent in Monaco because the records covered only the France portion of the trip. There’s also no report on other charges, such as meals.
The president eldest son, who is considered a potential 2024 GOP candidate, said through a spokesperson that he needed security because of “unhinged conspiracies” about him published by “left-wing outlets.”
“He gets an astonishingly high number of death threats and though he would much prefer not to be, for his personal safety, he has no choice but to be under Secret Service protection,” Andrew Surabian said.
Trump Jr. and Guilfoyle, as well as other Republicans, have been complaining about nepotism and privilege for the family of Democratic nominee Joe Biden, and in particular his son Hunter, over the past two weeks.
Trump Jr. claimed on Fox News on Aug. 20 that Hunter Biden, a lawyer and investment adviser who had come under scrutiny for joining the board of a Ukrainian energy company, had spent his life profiting off his father’s position.
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In an online event for the Trump campaign the same day, Guilfoyle said: “We’re in this problem with China because of Biden and his policies, and the way he allows his son to profit off his office.”
Others at this week’s Republican National Convention have repeated the accusation of nepotism, even though the Trump administration and campaign are replete with Trumps.
Trump’s elder daughter and son-in-law are top White House aides. Middle son Eric’s wife, Lara Trump, is a top campaign official, while Guilfoyle is the finance chair of Trump Victory, a joint fundraising committee for the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee.
Both Lara Trump and Guilfoyle receive $15,000 a month through former campaign manager Brad Parscale’s private firm to avoid publicly disclosing the payments in Federal Election Commission filings.
One White House informal adviser said on condition of anonymity that the odds of Guilfoyle having gotten her job if she hadn’t been dating Trump Jr. were “less than zero, if that’s possible.”
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Donald Trump Jr., meanwhile, has made at least tens of thousands of dollars, and possibly far more, thanks to the Republican National Committee’s purchase of thousands of copies of his books, “Triggered” and “Liberal Privilege.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-26--Barack Obama Praises Players Boycotting In Solidarity With Jacob Blake: ‘I Commend’ Them

Former President Barack Obama praised professional sports teams that boycotted scheduled games on Wednesday following the police shooting of Jacob Blake , a Black man , in Kenosha , Wisconsin .
“ I commend the players on the Bucks for standing up for what they believe in , ” Obama wrote on Twitter , pointing to Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers and the broader NBA and WNBA organizations .
“ It ’ s going to take all our institutions to stand up for our values.
” I commend the players on the @ Bucks for standing up for what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DocRivers , and the @ NBA and @ WNBA for setting an example .
It ’ s going to take all our institutions to stand up for our values .
pic.twitter.com/rUGETgAt7P — Barack Obama ( @ BarackObama ) August 27 , 2020 The NBA postponed all playoff games on Wednesday night after several teams said they would not participate .
The move followed the Milwaukee Bucks ’ walkout during a game against the Orlando Magic .
“ The past four months have shed a light on the ongoing racial injustices facing our African @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brown said in a statement after the walkout .
“ Despite the overwhelming plea for change , there have been no actions , so our focus can not be on basketball.
” The protest quickly spread to other teams and leagues .
The WNBA canceled all games on Wednesday , and several MLB teams , including the Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds , said they would also postpone in an apparent show of solidarity .
The strikes come amid an ongoing reckoning across the nation over police brutality and systemic racism .
Wisconsin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blake ’ s shooting at the hands of a police officer .
The state ’ s attorney general has identified Rusten Sheskey as the officer who shot Blake seven times in the back after an “ unsuccessful ” attempt to Taser him .
Sheskey , a seven-year veteran of the Kenosha police , has been placed on administrative leave , as have the other officers on scene .
The Department of Justice is investigating the shooting .
Protests in Kenosha turned violent Tuesday night when armed white vigilantes arrived .
Kyle Rittenhouse , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with shooting three people , two of whom died .
Blake is still in the hospital .
His family said he has been paralyzed from the waist down .

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Former President Barack Obama praised professional sports teams that boycotted scheduled games on Wednesday following the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man, in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
“I commend the players on the Bucks for standing up for what they believe in,” Obama wrote on Twitter, pointing to Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers and the broader NBA and WNBA organizations. “It’s going to take all our institutions to stand up for our values.”
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I commend the players on the @Bucks for standing up for what they believe in, coaches like @DocRivers, and the @NBA and @WNBA for setting an example. It’s going to take all our institutions to stand up for our values. pic.twitter.com/rUGETgAt7P — Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 27, 2020
The NBA postponed all playoff games on Wednesday night after several teams said they would not participate. The move followed the Milwaukee Bucks’ walkout during a game against the Orlando Magic.
“The past four months have shed a light on the ongoing racial injustices facing our African American community,” Bucks guard Sterling Brown said in a statement after the walkout. “Despite the overwhelming plea for change, there have been no actions, so our focus cannot be on basketball.”
The protest quickly spread to other teams and leagues. The WNBA canceled all games on Wednesday, and several MLB teams, including the Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds, said they would also postpone in an apparent show of solidarity.
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FUCK THIS MAN!!!! WE DEMAND CHANGE. SICK OF IT — LeBron James (@KingJames) August 26, 2020
The strikes come amid an ongoing reckoning across the nation over police brutality and systemic racism. Wisconsin has seen several nights of protests following Blake’s shooting at the hands of a police officer. The state’s attorney general has identified Rusten Sheskey as the officer who shot Blake seven times in the back after an “unsuccessful” attempt to Taser him.
Sheskey, a seven-year veteran of the Kenosha police, has been placed on administrative leave, as have the other officers on scene. The Department of Justice is investigating the shooting.
Protests in Kenosha turned violent Tuesday night when armed white vigilantes arrived. Kyle Rittenhouse, 17, has been arrested and charged with shooting three people, two of whom died.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-26--Why A Sex Scandal Toppled Jerry Falwell Jr. When It Seemed Like Nothing Else Could

Former members of Liberty ’ s community have taken note of how quickly the institution reacted after learning that Falwell may have deviated from conservative Christian norms about sexual purity .
In the end , it wasn ’ t the allegations of racism , Islamophobia , nepotism , bullying or the numerous other controversies that swirled around Falwell for years that awakened the board to action .
It was the sex stuff .
Scott told HuffPost he lost faith in Falwell ’ s leadership a long time ago , back when Falwell started supporting President Donald Trump in a way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump “ above God.
” The racist tweet was the last straw .
Scott believed the university should have pushed the leader out after that tweet and ultimately resigned in protest .
Falwell ’ s departure from Liberty University , which he confirmed on Tuesday , came after years of growing dissatisfaction with his leadership among some students and staff .
After taking over the reins at Liberty in 2007 , Falwell helped transform the university founded by his famous televangelist father by investing in its football team , expanding its campus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and increasing enrollment to over 100,000 students .
Save71 , an alumni group that pressed for his removal , has compiled a list of over 80 controversies Falwell had been entangled in over the past five years ― things like defending Trump after the president said there were “ very fine people on both sides ” of a white supremacist rally and counterprotest in Charlottesville , Virginia , pursuing business deals that benefited his friends and family , and promoting conspiracy theories about the origins of COVID-19 .
Former students and staff reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the university , claiming that Falwell silenced those who criticized him or his support for Trump .
He called one parent a “ dummy ” on Twitter for questioning his approach to the pandemic .
Fellow evangelical leaders weren ’ t safe from his scorn .
When Southern Baptist leader Russell Moore decried the conditions the Trump administration had created for migrant children at the border , Falwell responded on Twitter by belittling Moore ’ s credentials .
Falwell had also nurtured Liberty ’ s profile as a platform for conservative politicians .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ conservative activist Charlie Kirk to create a conservative think tank at the university that seeks to defend “ traditional Judeo-Christian beliefs ” against the “ creeds of secularism.
” One of the main reasons for the center ’ s formation was to challenge the idea that Jesus would have supported Democrats ’ efforts to increase government aid to the poor .
The center has also published articles condemning the Black Lives Matter movement , deriding calls to take down statues of American leaders who held racist views , and criticizing The New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to investigate America ’ s legacy of slavery .
But even after Falwell admitted that his attempt at political satire had caused pain for Black members of Liberty ’ s community , the school ’ s board of trustees continued to vouch for him .
The trustees said they were “ satisfied ” with Falwell ’ s explanations about the purpose of the tweet and insisted that they “ know him not to be a racist.
” What did ultimately cross the line for the board was the possibility that Falwell had acted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sexual morality .
Just five days after Falwell posted and deleted a provocative Instagram image of himself with his arms around a young woman ― both with their pants unzipped and bellies exposed ― the board ’ s executive committee placed Falwell on an indefinite leave of absence .
And on the same day that Reuters published a report claiming that Falwell looked on while his wife had sex with another man , Liberty ’ s leaders asked Falwell to officially resign .
( Falwell has claimed he “ was not involved ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Dustin Wahl , co-founder of Save71 , said that the trustees , who are all close allies of the Falwells , were part of the problem .
The board was only moved to act after powerful members of Liberty ’ s network called for Falwell to step down over the Instagram post ― including Rep. Mark Walker ( R-N.C. ) , a former Liberty instructor .
“ [ The photo ] generated more controversy than the years of racist comments that Falwell has said and the hateful things that Falwell has done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ importance to this , and Liberty ’ s community is more upset by this embarrassing photo , ” Wahl said .
“ Which is pathetic and shows that their priorities are completely in the wrong place.
” The Reuters report was probably particularly hard for Liberty ’ s leadership to ignore , according to Anthea Butler , an associate professor of religion at the University of Pennsylvania .
Evangelicals already have established ways of thinking about heterosexual sex , same-sex relationships and adultery , she said .
But this was something else entirely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believed that sexual purity is the most important moral issue .
Individual acts of racism or nativism , failing to call out lies in public officials , or treating others in a way that degrades their human dignity may be sinful , but they can be overlooked , ” Fea said via email .
“ Adultery or sexual promiscuity can not be overlooked.
” LeeQuan McLaurin , a Black Liberty graduate , is another former staffer who resigned from his job at the university after the blackface tweet .
For McLaurin , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frustration with how the university dealt with race issues .
While working as a director of diversity retention at Liberty ’ s office of equity and inclusion , McLaurin claims he faced censorship from higher-ups when he tried to post a message on his office ’ s social media account this year stating that Black Lives Matter .

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It took nearly two weeks for Jerry Falwell Jr. to delete and apologize for tweeting out a racist image in May, when he was still serving as Liberty University’s president. School leadership didn’t dole out any lasting punishment as a result of that tweet.
But when Liberty’s trustees heard there was a possibility that Falwell had been sexually promiscuous, their response was swift and decisive. Falwell’s hold on the university ― which had previously seemed unbreakable ― crumbled in a matter of days.
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Former members of Liberty’s community have taken note of how quickly the institution reacted after learning that Falwell may have deviated from conservative Christian norms about sexual purity. In the end, it wasn’t the allegations of racism, Islamophobia, nepotism, bullying or the numerous other controversies that swirled around Falwell for years that awakened the board to action. It was the sex stuff.
“I honestly feel disrespected,” said Keyvon Scott, a Black Liberty graduate and former online admissions counselor for the school.
“It took all of this to come out for you to have him resign,” Scott said. “I’m just baffled about it.”
Scott told HuffPost he lost faith in Falwell’s leadership a long time ago, back when Falwell started supporting President Donald Trump in a way that Scott felt was divisive and placed Trump “above God.” The racist tweet was the last straw. Scott believed the university should have pushed the leader out after that tweet and ultimately resigned in protest.
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“As a student and former employee, I couldn’t keep telling Black, Spanish, Asian students and others to, ‘Come to Liberty, it’s so good,’ when it’s really not,” he said.
Jerry Falwell Jr. has resigned as head of Liberty University after a provocative photo and revelations of his wife’s extramarital affair. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Falwell’s departure from Liberty University, which he confirmed on Tuesday, came after years of growing dissatisfaction with his leadership among some students and staff. After taking over the reins at Liberty in 2007, Falwell helped transform the university founded by his famous televangelist father by investing in its football team, expanding its campus, building an extensive online learning program, and increasing enrollment to over 100,000 students.
Save71, an alumni group that pressed for his removal, has compiled a list of over 80 controversies Falwell had been entangled in over the past five years ― things like defending Trump after the president said there were “very fine people on both sides” of a white supremacist rally and counterprotest in Charlottesville, Virginia, pursuing business deals that benefited his friends and family, and promoting conspiracy theories about the origins of COVID-19.
Former students and staff reported a “culture of fear” at the university, claiming that Falwell silenced those who criticized him or his support for Trump. He called one parent a “dummy” on Twitter for questioning his approach to the pandemic. Fellow evangelical leaders weren’t safe from his scorn. When Southern Baptist leader Russell Moore decried the conditions the Trump administration had created for migrant children at the border, Falwell responded on Twitter by belittling Moore’s credentials.
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Falwell had also nurtured Liberty’s profile as a platform for conservative politicians. Last December, Falwell teamed up with conservative activist Charlie Kirk to create a conservative think tank at the university that seeks to defend “traditional Judeo-Christian beliefs” against the “creeds of secularism.” One of the main reasons for the center’s formation was to challenge the idea that Jesus would have supported Democrats’ efforts to increase government aid to the poor. The center has also published articles condemning the Black Lives Matter movement, deriding calls to take down statues of American leaders who held racist views, and criticizing The New York Times’ 1619 Project, which seeks to investigate America’s legacy of slavery.
Falwell claims his May 27 tweet featuring racist imagery was meant to mock a mask-wearing requirement issued by Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, a Democrat. Falwell’s tweet included a photo of a face mask customized to show an image of two men ― one in blackface and another wearing a Ku Klux Klan robe. The photo appeared in Northam’s medical school yearbook.
After Falwell’s tweet, a group of 35 Black Liberty alumni published a statement suggesting that the evangelical leader step down because he had “repeatedly violated and misrepresented” Christian principles.
“You have belittled staff, students and parents, you have defended inappropriate behaviors of politicians, encouraged violence, and disrespected people of other faiths,” the alumni group wrote.
But even after Falwell admitted that his attempt at political satire had caused pain for Black members of Liberty’s community, the school’s board of trustees continued to vouch for him. The trustees said they were “satisfied” with Falwell’s explanations about the purpose of the tweet and insisted that they “know him not to be a racist.”
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Jerry Falwell Jr. appears with his wife, Becki Falwell, at a town hall on the opioid crisis at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, on Nov. 28, 2018. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
What did ultimately cross the line for the board was the possibility that Falwell had acted in ways that contradicted its standards on sexual morality. Just five days after Falwell posted and deleted a provocative Instagram image of himself with his arms around a young woman ― both with their pants unzipped and bellies exposed ― the board’s executive committee placed Falwell on an indefinite leave of absence. And on the same day that Reuters published a report claiming that Falwell looked on while his wife had sex with another man, Liberty’s leaders asked Falwell to officially resign. (Falwell has claimed he “was not involved” in his wife’s affair).
Dustin Wahl, co-founder of Save71, said that the trustees, who are all close allies of the Falwells, were part of the problem. The board was only moved to act after powerful members of Liberty’s network called for Falwell to step down over the Instagram post ― including Rep. Mark Walker (R-N.C.), a former Liberty instructor.
“[The photo] generated more controversy than the years of racist comments that Falwell has said and the hateful things that Falwell has done. The board seems to give more importance to this, and Liberty’s community is more upset by this embarrassing photo,” Wahl said. “Which is pathetic and shows that their priorities are completely in the wrong place.”
Wahl said he and his group believe the board isn’t qualified to find Falwell’s replacement, and that its members need to apologize for abdicating their “moral and fiduciary responsibilities.”
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Liberty University did not respond to HuffPost’s request for comment.
During his tenure as president, Falwell invested in improvements to Liberty University's football stadium. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
The Reuters report was probably particularly hard for Liberty’s leadership to ignore, according to Anthea Butler, an associate professor of religion at the University of Pennsylvania. Evangelicals already have established ways of thinking about heterosexual sex, same-sex relationships and adultery, she said. But this was something else entirely.
“It’s like a whole other level of sex that evangelicals aren’t even supposed to know about,” she said. “It’s not in their sexual pantheon of things.”
“Racism was not a problem for them, that’s clear,” she said of the board. “But this is.”
Liberty University and many other evangelical institutions and churches emerged from a fundamentalist movement in the 20th century that treated sexual purity as an important marker of Christian faith, according to John Fea, a professor of American history at Messiah University. The movement placed an emphasis on personal holiness and marital fidelity.
“Historically, evangelicals have always believed that sexual purity is the most important moral issue. Individual acts of racism or nativism, failing to call out lies in public officials, or treating others in a way that degrades their human dignity may be sinful, but they can be overlooked,” Fea said via email. “Adultery or sexual promiscuity cannot be overlooked.”
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LeeQuan McLaurin, Liberty University's former director of diversity retention, quit after Falwell's blackface tweet. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
LeeQuan McLaurin, a Black Liberty graduate, is another former staffer who resigned from his job at the university after the blackface tweet. For McLaurin, the tweet was the culmination of years of frustration with how the university dealt with race issues. While working as a director of diversity retention at Liberty’s office of equity and inclusion, McLaurin claims he faced censorship from higher-ups when he tried to post a message on his office’s social media account this year stating that Black Lives Matter.
McLaurin told HuffPost he’s “disappointed and frustrated, but not shocked” about the fact that the blackface tweet wasn’t enough to topple Falwell.
“The board and leadership at Liberty only care about things that will cost them money. Their base doesn’t care about racism, xenophobia or ethical misconduct. In a lot of ways they have OK’d that behavior in their circles with their silence or selective extensions of ‘grace,’ Jerry being a prime example,” he said via email. “However, sexual morality has always been at the forefront of the values that conservatives and evangelicals champion.”
“They have long let us know that they don’t care about the issues faced by Black and Brown people both on their campus and within our nation,” McLaurin added. “This is just further confirmation of it.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-26--Donald Trump Jr. Denies Rumors That He Was On Cocaine During His RNC Speech

Donald Trump Jr. has denied rumors that he was under the influence of cocaine while delivering his Republican National Convention speech on Monday night .
Speaking to “ Fox & Friends ” host Steve Doocy on Wednesday , Trump Jr. addressed his sweaty forehead and “ glassy ” eyes ” during the speech — features that had been noticed across social media and even by “ The Late Show ” host Stephen Colbert , who speculated that he was high .
“ I guess there must have been something with the lighting , ” Trump Jr. said .
“ They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump Jr. ‘ s on cocaine ’ and all of that — I said , no no no .
You have me confused with Hunter Biden.
” Hunter Biden , the second son of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden , has struggled with using cocaine and other drugs in the past and was discharged from the Navy Reserve in 2013 after failing a drug test .
“ It was pretty ridiculous , ” Trump Jr. continued .
“ When they can ’ t attack the delivery , when they can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack something.
” Before signing off , Trump Jr. also took aim at the Democratic National Convention , calling it a “ never-ending Zoom call of ‘ I Hate America , ’ ” and said that the RNC , in contrast , had “ the gall to showcase real Americans who have benefited from Donald Trump ’ s policies .
”

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Donald Trump Jr. has denied rumors that he was under the influence of cocaine while delivering his Republican National Convention speech on Monday night.
Speaking to “Fox & Friends” host Steve Doocy on Wednesday, Trump Jr. addressed his sweaty forehead and “glassy” eyes” during the speech — features that had been noticed across social media and even by “The Late Show” host Stephen Colbert, who speculated that he was high.
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“I guess there must have been something with the lighting,” Trump Jr. said. “They started doing this trending thing — ‘Donald Trump Jr.‘s on cocaine’ and all of that — I said, no no no. You have me confused with Hunter Biden.”
Hunter Biden, the second son of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, has struggled with using cocaine and other drugs in the past and was discharged from the Navy Reserve in 2013 after failing a drug test.
“It was pretty ridiculous,” Trump Jr. continued. “When they can’t attack the delivery, when they can’t attack the substance, they gotta attack something.”
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Before signing off, Trump Jr. also took aim at the Democratic National Convention, calling it a “never-ending Zoom call of ‘I Hate America,’” and said that the RNC, in contrast, had “the gall to showcase real Americans who have benefited from Donald Trump’s policies.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-26--Trump Mocked For Suggesting He And Biden Take Drug Tests Before Debates

President Donald Trump was thoroughly mocked on Twitter Wednesday for suggesting that he and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden take drug tests before their upcoming debates .
Trump made the suggestion to Washington Examiner reporter Byron York after claiming , without evidence , that Biden was under the influence of drugs during the last Democratic primary debate against Sen. Bernie Sanders .
“ I don ’ t know how he could have been so incompetent in his debate performances and then all of a sudden be OK against Bernie , ” Trump said .
“ My point is , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those numerous debates , he was so bad .
He wasn ’ t even coherent .
And against Bernie , he was .
And we ’ re calling for a drug test.
” This isn ’ t exactly a new tactic of Trump ’ s .
In October 2016 , he suggested that he and then-Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton take drug tests before their last debate after alleging , again without evidence , that she had been on drugs during their second debate .
Not surprisingly , the president ’ s idea that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be tested for drugs before debating was the subject of much Twitter snark .
Trump says he 's calling for both himself and Biden to be drug tested before they debate , because Biden improved so much in his last debate against Sanders that `` there 's no way '' it could be natural , and `` somebody said to me he must be on drugs . ''
Bonkers https : //t.co/aFeREdk4T0 — Daniel Dale ( @ ddale8 ) August 26 , 2020 Does trump think the movie limitless was real life and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
How is someone this out of touch with reality our POTUS ?
https : //t.co/JWAqSIt4KA — Russell Foster for Texas ( @ RussellFosterTX ) August 26 , 2020 Former GOP presidential candidate Joe Walsh was more direct in his antipathy .
One person predicted what the results of those drug tests might say .

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President Donald Trump was thoroughly mocked on Twitter Wednesday for suggesting that he and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden take drug tests before their upcoming debates.
Trump made the suggestion to Washington Examiner reporter Byron York after claiming, without evidence, that Biden was under the influence of drugs during the last Democratic primary debate against Sen. Bernie Sanders.
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“I don’t know how he could have been so incompetent in his debate performances and then all of a sudden be OK against Bernie,” Trump said. “My point is, if you go back and watch some of those numerous debates, he was so bad. He wasn’t even coherent. And against Bernie, he was. And we’re calling for a drug test.”
This isn’t exactly a new tactic of Trump’s. In October 2016, he suggested that he and then-Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton take drug tests before their last debate after alleging, again without evidence, that she had been on drugs during their second debate.
Not surprisingly, the president’s idea that he and his Democratic opponent this year be tested for drugs before debating was the subject of much Twitter snark.
Trump says he's calling for both himself and Biden to be drug tested before they debate, because Biden improved so much in his last debate against Sanders that "there's no way" it could be natural, and "somebody said to me he must be on drugs."
Bonkers https://t.co/aFeREdk4T0 — Daniel Dale (@ddale8) August 26, 2020
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This is what certified batshit crazy looks like. https://t.co/48ox5Ae9WH — Jason Page (@TheBackPage) August 26, 2020
I bet Biden has bigger hands too https://t.co/cPzGsHNmOU — Michael Muscato For Congress (@michael_muscato) August 26, 2020
Does trump think the movie limitless was real life and there is a smart pill out there? How is someone this out of touch with reality our POTUS? https://t.co/JWAqSIt4KA — Russell Foster for Texas (@RussellFosterTX) August 26, 2020
Former GOP presidential candidate Joe Walsh was more direct in his antipathy.
Trump is a horrible human being. https://t.co/UprOEIgV1m — Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) August 26, 2020
One person predicted what the results of those drug tests might say.
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One person thought Biden should offer an alternative.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-26--Wisconsin Attorney General Identifies Officer In Jacob Blake Shooting

Sheskey , who appears to be white , shot Blake , who is Black , in the back seven times on Sunday as he opened the door of his car .
The officers present were responding to a call from a woman about a domestic issue and attempted to arrest Blake .
They were “ unsuccessful ” in using a Taser on him , Kaul said .
As Blake returned to his car , Sheskey was the only officer to fire his weapon , according to Kaul , who said all of the officers involved are on administrative leave .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kenosha for seven years .
Kaul said law enforcement will be identifying the other officers who were present “ soon.
” He said law enforcement agents found a knife on the driver ’ s side floorboard of Blake ’ s car , but no additional weapons .
The Department of Justice is leading the ongoing investigation into the shooting , assisted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Kenosha County Sheriff ’ s Department .
Blake is still at the hospital and has been paralyzed from the waist down , according to his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the police shooting since Sunday .
On Wednesday , 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse was charged with murder and arrested for allegedly shooting several people at a protest for Blake on Tuesday night .
Two people are now dead and a third person is injured .
“ This eruption is based on years of oppression , ” James Hall , the president of Urban League of Kenosha , who is Black , said of the protests .
“ What you see is a lot of pain , a lot of fear and a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibility that this young man could never walk again — think about that , ” he added .
“ Let the community heal .
Let them be emotional .
Let them express themselves .
... Change is now .
”

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Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul identified the police officer who shot Jacob Blake in Kenosha on Sunday as Rusten Sheskey.
Sheskey, who appears to be white, shot Blake, who is Black, in the back seven times on Sunday as he opened the door of his car. The officers present were responding to a call from a woman about a domestic issue and attempted to arrest Blake. They were “unsuccessful” in using a Taser on him, Kaul said.
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As Blake returned to his car, Sheskey was the only officer to fire his weapon, according to Kaul, who said all of the officers involved are on administrative leave. Sheskey has been a police officer in Kenosha for seven years.
Kaul said law enforcement will be identifying the other officers who were present “soon.” He said law enforcement agents found a knife on the driver’s side floorboard of Blake’s car, but no additional weapons.
The Department of Justice is leading the ongoing investigation into the shooting, assisted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department.
Blake is still at the hospital and has been paralyzed from the waist down, according to his family. Protesters have been demonstrating against the police shooting since Sunday.
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On Wednesday, 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse was charged with murder and arrested for allegedly shooting several people at a protest for Blake on Tuesday night. Two people are now dead and a third person is injured.
“This eruption is based on years of oppression,” James Hall, the president of Urban League of Kenosha, who is Black, said of the protests. “What you see is a lot of pain, a lot of fear and a lot of trauma.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-26--Turbulent Reality Collides With GOP Convention Plans

A potentially catastrophic hurricane is bearing down on the Gulf Coast , wildfires have ravaged huge areas of California , protests are growing in Wisconsin after the shooting of a Black man by police — and the still-raging coronavirus pandemic is killing more than 1,000 Americans a day .
Adding still another controversial element , late Wednesday the NBA postponed three playoff games after the Milwaukee Bucks refused to take the court for their game following the shooting of a 29-year-old Black man , Jacob Blake , in Kenosha , Wisconsin .
That was a few hours before Vice President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Fort McHenry , where an 1814 battle inspired the National Anthem .
Trump has strongly criticized athletes who kneel rather than stand during the anthem in protest of racial injustice .
The historic convergence of health , economic , environmental and social emergencies is only increasing the pressure on Trump , as he looks to reshape the contours of his lagging campaign against former Vice President Joe Biden with Election Day just 10 weeks off and early voting beginning much sooner .
The GOP ’ s convention response to those growing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nights featured virtually no reference to the hurricane or wildfires .
The lineup has included speakers who have been at odds with the Black Lives Matter movement , including a St. Louis couple who brandished guns and the Kentucky attorney general who has not yet filed charges in the death of a woman killed by police .
Trump turned to Twitter on Wednesday to say his administration was engaged with state and local officials in areas in Hurricane Laura ’ s path .
The storm was forecast to make landfall along the Louisiana-Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ address Wednesday night .
Adding to the sense of convention uncertainty , another speaker was abruptly pulled from the lineup .
The Trump campaign confirmed that Robert Unanue , the president and CEO of Goya Foods , would not be speaking Wednesday night , citing a “ logistical problem.
” Unanue ’ s appearance at the White House earlier this month and his praise of Trump sparked a boycott movement of his company ’ s products .
Also unclear was the status of a speech by former professional football player Jack Brewer .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brewer this month of illegal insider trading in the stock of a small company that operated a communications network for police .
Brewer 's investment advisory firm is registered with the SEC .
The campaign would not say definitively whether or not he would speak .
A message to Brewer through one of his companies was n't returned Wednesday .
Wednesday night 's lineup was expected to include Clarence Henderson , who participated in the 1960 Greensboro , North Carolina , Woolworth lunch counter sit-ins for what Trump 's team said would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the president 's record of trying to help Black Americans .
“ These achievements demonstrate that Donald Trump truly cares about black lives , '' Henderson was to say .
`` His policies show his heart .
He has done more for black Americans in four years than Joe Biden has done in 50.
” Convention speakers were also reinforcing Trump ’ s law-and-order message , warning that electing Biden would lead to violence in American cities spilling into the suburbs , a message with racist undertones .
Trump on Wednesday tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help quell unrest , and the Justice Department said it was sending in the FBI and federal marshals .
Trump 's campaign believes his aggressive response will help him with suburban women voters who may be concerned by the protests — though it may only deepen his deficit with Black voters .
Michael McHale , the president of the National Association of Police Organizations , was to tell the convention , “ The violence we are seeing in these and other cities isn ’ t happening by chance ; it ’ s the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow law enforcement to protect our communities . ''
While the coronavirus wrought havoc on Trump ’ s convention plans — he had to shelve plans for arena events in either North Carolina or Florida — it has thus far taken a back seat in the programming .
However , Pence , the chair of the White House virus task force , was ready to defend the administration ’ s response in his remarks .
Republicans believe concerns about Trump ’ s handling of the pandemic have become a drag on his campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday with news that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was easing its testing recommendations for those exposed to the virus , which is still spreading across the country .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Turbulent reality is clashing with the smooth, steady image Republicans are hoping to paint of President Donald Trump and his leadership on the third night of the GOP’s convention.
A potentially catastrophic hurricane is bearing down on the Gulf Coast, wildfires have ravaged huge areas of California, protests are growing in Wisconsin after the shooting of a Black man by police — and the still-raging coronavirus pandemic is killing more than 1,000 Americans a day.
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Adding still another controversial element, late Wednesday the NBA postponed three playoff games after the Milwaukee Bucks refused to take the court for their game following the shooting of a 29-year-old Black man, Jacob Blake, in Kenosha, Wisconsin. That was a few hours before Vice President Mike Pence was to speak from Baltimore’s Fort McHenry, where an 1814 battle inspired the National Anthem. Trump has strongly criticized athletes who kneel rather than stand during the anthem in protest of racial injustice.
The historic convergence of health, economic, environmental and social emergencies is only increasing the pressure on Trump, as he looks to reshape the contours of his lagging campaign against former Vice President Joe Biden with Election Day just 10 weeks off and early voting beginning much sooner.
The GOP’s convention response to those growing challenges has been uneven. The opening nights featured virtually no reference to the hurricane or wildfires. The lineup has included speakers who have been at odds with the Black Lives Matter movement, including a St. Louis couple who brandished guns and the Kentucky attorney general who has not yet filed charges in the death of a woman killed by police.
Trump turned to Twitter on Wednesday to say his administration was engaged with state and local officials in areas in Hurricane Laura’s path. The storm was forecast to make landfall along the Louisiana-Texas border shortly after Pence concluded his keynote address Wednesday night.
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Adding to the sense of convention uncertainty, another speaker was abruptly pulled from the lineup. The Trump campaign confirmed that Robert Unanue, the president and CEO of Goya Foods, would not be speaking Wednesday night, citing a “logistical problem.” Unanue’s appearance at the White House earlier this month and his praise of Trump sparked a boycott movement of his company’s products.
Also unclear was the status of a speech by former professional football player Jack Brewer. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission accused Brewer this month of illegal insider trading in the stock of a small company that operated a communications network for police. Brewer's investment advisory firm is registered with the SEC. The campaign would not say definitively whether or not he would speak. A message to Brewer through one of his companies wasn't returned Wednesday.
Organizers on Tuesday had pulled another featured speaker, “Angel Mom” Mary Ann Mendoza after she directed her Twitter followers to a series of anti-Semitic, conspiratorial messages hours before her pre-recorded segment was to air.
Wednesday night's lineup was expected to include Clarence Henderson, who participated in the 1960 Greensboro, North Carolina, Woolworth lunch counter sit-ins for what Trump's team said would be a discussion of “peaceful protest" and the president's record of trying to help Black Americans.
“These achievements demonstrate that Donald Trump truly cares about black lives," Henderson was to say. "His policies show his heart. He has done more for black Americans in four years than Joe Biden has done in 50.”
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Convention speakers were also reinforcing Trump’s law-and-order message, warning that electing Biden would lead to violence in American cities spilling into the suburbs, a message with racist undertones. Trump on Wednesday tweeted about sending federal agents to Kenosha to help quell unrest, and the Justice Department said it was sending in the FBI and federal marshals.
Trump's campaign believes his aggressive response will help him with suburban women voters who may be concerned by the protests — though it may only deepen his deficit with Black voters.
Michael McHale, the president of the National Association of Police Organizations, was to tell the convention, “The violence we are seeing in these and other cities isn’t happening by chance; it’s the direct result of elected leaders refusing to allow law enforcement to protect our communities."
And Burgess Owens, a former NFL player now running for Congress in Utah, declared, “This November, we stand at a crossroads. Mobs torch our cities while popular members of Congress promote the same socialism my father fought against in World War II.”
While the coronavirus wrought havoc on Trump’s convention plans — he had to shelve plans for arena events in either North Carolina or Florida — it has thus far taken a back seat in the programming. However, Pence, the chair of the White House virus task force, was ready to defend the administration’s response in his remarks.
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Republicans believe concerns about Trump’s handling of the pandemic have become a drag on his campaign, and the criticism only grew stronger Wednesday with news that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was easing its testing recommendations for those exposed to the virus, which is still spreading across the country.
Pence was expected to spend much of his speech detailing the administration’s record on the economy and foreign policy, capping a lineup that would “showcase American heroes” and their stories, organizers said.
The night was to include remarks from the president’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, as well as several administration officials including departing Counselor Kellyanne Conway, the manager of Trump’s 2016 general election campaign, and press secretary Kayleigh McEnany.
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Associated Press writers Michelle L. Price in Las Vegas, Kevin Freking in Washington, Dave Bauder in New York and Aamer Madhani in Chicago contributed.