thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-15--Biden’s Campaign Is Ready To Go After Georgia, Arizona And Texas

“ We believe there will be an expanded map in 2020 , ” Biden campaign manager Jennifer O ’ Malley Dillon said in a news briefing .
“ We believe that there will be battleground states that have never been battleground states before.
” Biden and Trump are battling to reach 270 electoral votes .
The easiest way for Biden to reach that mark would be to flip back three states Trump won in 2016 after they had gone Democratic for decades in previous presidential elections : Pennsylvania , Michigan and Wisconsin .
The Biden campaign also indicated it hoped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other Midwest states where Trump romped in 2016 after President Barack Obama won them four years earlier .
“ If we kept these numbers , and we kept them through November , that would put us at 318 electoral votes , ” O ’ Malley Dillon said .
The Biden campaign has faced criticism for not staffing up more aggressively in crucial states , but O ’ Malley Dillon said that top aides for each state would be in place by June , with plans to send 600 organizers to those key states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Malley Dillon said she was “ bullish ” on Arizona , where Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema had a breakthrough victory in 2018 and where public polling has given Biden a consistent advantage over Trump .
Polls have been less optimistic in Georgia and Texas , two states with expensive media markets where breakthroughs narrowly eluded Democrats two years ago , though two Republican internal polls released this week show Biden within striking distance of Trump in the Peach State .
In particular , the Biden campaign highlighted Trump ’ s erosion with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advantage with voters over the age of 65 after they broke overwhelmingly for Trump four years prior .
O ’ Malley Dillon said they expected there would be some on-the-ground campaigning and canvassing during the election .
But she said the campaign “ will never make any choices that put our staff or voters in harm ’ s way.
” “ Our expectation is we will have people on the ground in this campaign doing the traditional work of organizing , but we will do that when safety allows , and we will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” O ’ Malley Dillon said .
“ And that might mean different things in different places.
” The Biden campaign also revealed that it and the DNC have a combined $ 103 million on hand , greatly trailing the Trump campaign and the RNC ’ s $ 255 million bank account .
Trump and the RNC only narrowly outraised Biden and the DNC during the month of April , banking $ 61.7 million to the Democratic haul of $ 60.5 million .
“ Joe Biden can ’ t put on a simple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s hilarious that he thinks he can command an organized national campaign , ” Trump communications director Tim Murtaugh said in a statement that attacked Biden for supporting the North American Free Trade Agreement and for working with liberal Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-N.Y. ) on energy policy .
“ President Trump is building a winning coalition even stronger than 2016 and is increasing his support among Black and Latino voters , which will help him expand his map and post a bigger victory than the first time , ” Murtaugh added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fact of life in this campaign is Donald Trump carries a very unfavorable rating in the mid- to high 40s , ” he said , which he described as “ the single biggest driver ” of the campaign .
“ I think one of the most remarkable things about this campaign so far is that the Trump campaign themselves would admit they could not win a referendum on this presidency in this country today , ” Donilon said .

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Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden plans to contest Georgia, Arizona and Texas as he campaigns against incumbent Republican Donald Trump, his campaign manager told reporters Friday.
“We believe there will be an expanded map in 2020,” Biden campaign manager Jennifer O’Malley Dillon said in a news briefing. “We believe that there will be battleground states that have never been battleground states before.”
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Biden and Trump are battling to reach 270 electoral votes. The easiest way for Biden to reach that mark would be to flip back three states Trump won in 2016 after they had gone Democratic for decades in previous presidential elections: Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin.
Those three states — along with Florida, North Carolina and Arizona — are considered the core battlegrounds for 2020 by strategists in both parties.
The Biden campaign also indicated it hoped to contest Ohio and Iowa ― two other Midwest states where Trump romped in 2016 after President Barack Obama won them four years earlier.
Biden has a consistent lead in public polling both nationally and in key swing states, and O’Malley Dillon and another top Biden aide, Mike Donilon, were bullish on their chances to defeat Trump.
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“If we kept these numbers, and we kept them through November, that would put us at 318 electoral votes,” O’Malley Dillon said.
The Biden campaign has faced criticism for not staffing up more aggressively in crucial states, but O’Malley Dillon said that top aides for each state would be in place by June, with plans to send 600 organizers to those key states soon after.
In particular, O’Malley Dillon said she was “bullish” on Arizona, where Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema had a breakthrough victory in 2018 and where public polling has given Biden a consistent advantage over Trump.
Polls have been less optimistic in Georgia and Texas, two states with expensive media markets where breakthroughs narrowly eluded Democrats two years ago, though two Republican internal polls released this week show Biden within striking distance of Trump in the Peach State.
In particular, the Biden campaign highlighted Trump’s erosion with seniors, noting Biden now has an advantage with voters over the age of 65 after they broke overwhelmingly for Trump four years prior.
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O’Malley Dillon said they expected there would be some on-the-ground campaigning and canvassing during the election. But she said the campaign “will never make any choices that put our staff or voters in harm’s way.”
“Our expectation is we will have people on the ground in this campaign doing the traditional work of organizing, but we will do that when safety allows, and we will not do that a day sooner,” O’Malley Dillon said. “And that might mean different things in different places.”
The Biden campaign also revealed that it and the DNC have a combined $103 million on hand, greatly trailing the Trump campaign and the RNC’s $255 million bank account. Trump and the RNC only narrowly outraised Biden and the DNC during the month of April, banking $61.7 million to the Democratic haul of $60.5 million.
The Trump campaign responded to the call by mocking Biden’s efforts.
“Joe Biden can’t put on a simple webcast without catastrophic technical failures so it’s hilarious that he thinks he can command an organized national campaign,” Trump communications director Tim Murtaugh said in a statement that attacked Biden for supporting the North American Free Trade Agreement and for working with liberal Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) on energy policy.
“President Trump is building a winning coalition even stronger than 2016 and is increasing his support among Black and Latino voters, which will help him expand his map and post a bigger victory than the first time,” Murtaugh added.
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Donilon, meanwhile, emphasized Trump’s consistent unpopularity.
“One thing that’s a fact of life in this campaign is Donald Trump carries a very unfavorable rating in the mid- to high 40s,” he said, which he described as “the single biggest driver” of the campaign.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-15--‘Obamagate’ May Just Be Trump’s Return To His Racist ‘Birtherism’ Comfort Zone

A political world trying to make sense of President Donald Trump ’ s weeklong push of a nonsensical accusation against his predecessor is again overthinking the issue , according to two top Republicans close to Trump .
It is more akin to Trump indulging in one of his favorite comfort foods ― in this case , a return to the race-based attacks on the country ’ s first Black president that won Trump his stature within the Republican Party nine years ago .
“ There ’ s no strategy .
This White House could never be accused of having any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans , an informal White House adviser who spoke on condition of anonymity .
He added that he doubted Trump ’ s fixation on the faux scandal would last long .
“ There ’ s going to be something else that pisses him off.
” Trump began sprinkling the term “ Obamagate ” into his public statements last week after his attorney general decided to drop charges against Trump ’ s first national security adviser , retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn , who had already twice pleaded guilty to lying to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s ambassador after Trump was elected but before he took office .
Trump ’ s current acting director of national intelligence followed up by releasing a list of officials under then-President Barack Obama who had sought to learn details of those calls , and Trump has now turned that list into an accusation that Obama illegally spied on him .
“ It was the greatest political crime in the history of our country .
... People should be going to jail for this stuff , ” Trump told Fox Business this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama and his vice president , Joe Biden , who is now the presumed 2020 Democratic presidential nominee .
“ This was all Obama .
This was all Biden.
” Trump ’ s baseless assertion is illogical on its face .
It requires Americans to believe that Obama is devious enough to have ordered an unfounded prosecution of Flynn to hamstring Trump ’ s presidency , but not devious enough to have publicized the ongoing FBI probe into the Trump campaign ’ s links with Russia prior to Election Day 2016 .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon after the U.S. intelligence community revealed in January 2017 that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin had wanted Trump to win the presidency and had ordered Russian intelligence services to help him do so .
Trump at that time falsely accused Obama of “ spying ” on him and supposedly wiretapping his home at Trump Tower in Manhattan .
“ How low has President Obama gone to tapp my phones during the very sacred election process .
This is Nixon/Watergate .
Bad ( or sick ) guy !
” Trump posted on Twitter on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump claimed that he had sent investigators to Hawaii to look into Obama ’ s birth certificate and that “ they can not believe what they ’ re finding.
” None of that was true , but his enthusiastic support for the “ birther ” conspiracy theory helped make him an early favorite in the 2016 Republican primaries .
Attacking Obama was a common theme among candidates in that race .
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz frequently rallied his audiences by promising to “ repeal every word of Obamacare ” and rip the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on his first day in office .
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio suggested that Obama ’ s policies were not merely misguided but intentionally designed to hurt America .
Over his first three years in office , Trump has consistently taken credit for Obama ’ s accomplishments while blaming his predecessor for his own failures .
For example , Trump repeatedly and falsely claimed that the economy under Obama had been terrible and that Trump had turned it around into a great success .
In fact , steady growth began under Obama following the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until the pandemic .
And when the pandemic struck , Trump ― who downplayed it for two months and called concerns about it “ a hoax ” ― blamed Obama again .
He has complained that Obama did not leave him enough medical supplies , and even that Obama did not somehow leave him tests for a virus that did not come into being until nearly three years after Obama had left office .
Top Democratic strategists said Trump ’ s new fixation on “ Obamagate ” is clearly an attempt to change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the United States climbs toward 90,000 less than three months after Trump promised that it would be zero .
“ Trump knows this virus-economic story is not going well for him and is following his pattern of starting a dumpster fire elsewhere to divert attention , ” said David Axelrod , the architect of Obama ’ s first-term victory in 2008 .
And Josh Schwerin , who worked for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton ’ s 2016 campaign , said the new accusation gives Trump ’ s supporters fresh material to work with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in right-wing media something other than deaths and job losses to talk about all day , ” Schwerin said .
“ It ’ s a relatively low-risk , high-reward move for Trump , and so far it has worked pretty much every time he ’ s ever tried it.
” But the Republican White House adviser said the Democrats are giving Trump too much credit .
He said that “ Obamagate ” has more to do with acting DNI Richard Grenell ’ s willingness to wreak some havoc before his permanent replacement is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Trump ’ s willingness to say anything , regardless of whether it ’ s true or not .

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WASHINGTON ― “Obamagate” as campaign strategy or “Obamagate” as distraction from the coronavirus may be missing a much simpler explanation: “Obamagate” as Big Macs.
A political world trying to make sense of President Donald Trump’s weeklong push of a nonsensical accusation against his predecessor is again overthinking the issue, according to two top Republicans close to Trump. It is more akin to Trump indulging in one of his favorite comfort foods ― in this case, a return to the race-based attacks on the country’s first Black president that won Trump his stature within the Republican Party nine years ago.
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“There’s no strategy. This White House could never be accused of having any strategy,” laughed one of the Republicans, an informal White House adviser who spoke on condition of anonymity. He added that he doubted Trump’s fixation on the faux scandal would last long. “There’s going to be something else that pisses him off.”
Trump began sprinkling the term “Obamagate” into his public statements last week after his attorney general decided to drop charges against Trump’s first national security adviser, retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, who had already twice pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI regarding his phone conversations with Russia’s ambassador after Trump was elected but before he took office. Trump’s current acting director of national intelligence followed up by releasing a list of officials under then-President Barack Obama who had sought to learn details of those calls, and Trump has now turned that list into an accusation that Obama illegally spied on him.
“It was the greatest political crime in the history of our country. ... People should be going to jail for this stuff,” Trump told Fox Business this week. He went on to accuse both Obama and his vice president, Joe Biden, who is now the presumed 2020 Democratic presidential nominee. “This was all Obama. This was all Biden.”
Trump’s baseless assertion is illogical on its face. It requires Americans to believe that Obama is devious enough to have ordered an unfounded prosecution of Flynn to hamstring Trump’s presidency, but not devious enough to have publicized the ongoing FBI probe into the Trump campaign’s links with Russia prior to Election Day 2016.
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It also renews attacks Trump began against Obama soon after the U.S. intelligence community revealed in January 2017 that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin had wanted Trump to win the presidency and had ordered Russian intelligence services to help him do so.
Trump at that time falsely accused Obama of “spying” on him and supposedly wiretapping his home at Trump Tower in Manhattan. “How low has President Obama gone to tapp my phones during the very sacred election process. This is Nixon/Watergate. Bad (or sick) guy!” Trump posted on Twitter on March 4, 2017.
His own Justice Department admitted months later in a court filing that there was no basis for Trump’s claim.
And that 2017 accusation was itself a continuation of Trump’s yearslong pattern of vilifying the country’s first African American president and questioning his very legitimacy.
In 2011, Trump claimed that he had sent investigators to Hawaii to look into Obama’s birth certificate and that “they cannot believe what they’re finding.” None of that was true, but his enthusiastic support for the “birther” conspiracy theory helped make him an early favorite in the 2016 Republican primaries.
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Attacking Obama was a common theme among candidates in that race. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz frequently rallied his audiences by promising to “repeal every word of Obamacare” and rip the Iran nuclear deal “to shreds” on his first day in office. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio suggested that Obama’s policies were not merely misguided but intentionally designed to hurt America.
Trump went far beyond anyone else, calling Obama and his policies “stupid” and claiming that Obama was incompetent.
Over his first three years in office, Trump has consistently taken credit for Obama’s accomplishments while blaming his predecessor for his own failures. For example, Trump repeatedly and falsely claimed that the economy under Obama had been terrible and that Trump had turned it around into a great success. In fact, steady growth began under Obama following the 2008-09 economic crisis and continued largely uninterrupted until the pandemic.
And when the pandemic struck, Trump ― who downplayed it for two months and called concerns about it “a hoax” ― blamed Obama again. He has complained that Obama did not leave him enough medical supplies, and even that Obama did not somehow leave him tests for a virus that did not come into being until nearly three years after Obama had left office.
Top Democratic strategists said Trump’s new fixation on “Obamagate” is clearly an attempt to change the subject as the coronavirus death toll in the United States climbs toward 90,000 less than three months after Trump promised that it would be zero.
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“Trump knows this virus-economic story is not going well for him and is following his pattern of starting a dumpster fire elsewhere to divert attention,” said David Axelrod, the architect of Obama’s first-term victory in 2008.
And Josh Schwerin, who worked for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign, said the new accusation gives Trump’s supporters fresh material to work with. “It immediately gives his allies in right-wing media something other than deaths and job losses to talk about all day,” Schwerin said. “It’s a relatively low-risk, high-reward move for Trump, and so far it has worked pretty much every time he’s ever tried it.”
But the Republican White House adviser said the Democrats are giving Trump too much credit. He said that “Obamagate” has more to do with acting DNI Richard Grenell’s willingness to wreak some havoc before his permanent replacement is confirmed by the Senate, as well as Trump’s willingness to say anything, regardless of whether it’s true or not.
“It’s just an opportunity to stick his finger in Obama’s eye,” the adviser said. “This is something that just landed in his lap and they’re going to have fun with it.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-15--Montage Exposes Trump’s Off-The-Rails Pandemic Rhetoric Compared To Other Leaders

A damning new montage , released Friday by The Atlantic , compares U.S. President Donald Trump ’ s wild and often misleading rhetoric about the coronavirus to what other world leaders have said about the pandemic .
In the video , Canada ’ s Justin Trudeau , Germany ’ s Angela Merkel , New Zealand ’ s Jacinda Ardern and others strike a sobering tone as they call for international cooperation and ask citizens for their help in slowing the spread of the virus .
The clips of Trump , however , show him downplaying the threat of COVID-19 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , attacking journalists and pondering injecting disinfectant as a treatment .
The supercut omits comments from other leaders such as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson , who also initially downplayed the threat of the public health crisis and boasted about shaking hands with people during a visit to a hospital .
Johnson later contracted the virus and was hospitalized for one week .
The video , headlined “ Donald Trump : A Study in Leadership , ” ends with Trump referring to the virus as “ the plague.
” Check out The Atlantic @ @ @ @ @

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A damning new montage, released Friday by The Atlantic, compares U.S. President Donald Trump’s wild and often misleading rhetoric about the coronavirus to what other world leaders have said about the pandemic.
In the video, Canada’s Justin Trudeau, Germany’s Angela Merkel, New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern and others strike a sobering tone as they call for international cooperation and ask citizens for their help in slowing the spread of the virus.
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The clips of Trump, however, show him downplaying the threat of COVID-19, calling the virus by a racist term, attacking journalists and pondering injecting disinfectant as a treatment.
The supercut omits comments from other leaders such as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who also initially downplayed the threat of the public health crisis and boasted about shaking hands with people during a visit to a hospital. Johnson later contracted the virus and was hospitalized for one week.
The video, headlined “Donald Trump: A Study in Leadership,” ends with Trump referring to the virus as “the plague.”
Check out The Atlantic’s montage here:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-15--Joe Biden Says Voters 'Probably Shouldn't Vote For Me' If They Believe Tara Reade

Former Vice President Joe Biden emphatically denies the sexual assault allegations made against him by former staffer Tara Reade .
But on Thursday night , Biden acknowledged for the first time that the gravity of the accusations could be putting voters in a moral quandary .
“ If they believe Tara Reade , they probably shouldn ’ t vote for me , ” Biden told MSNBC ’ s Lawrence O ’ Donnell .
He added : “ I wouldn ’ t vote for me if I believed Tara Reade.
” The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee first addressed the accusations in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when he said , “ They aren ’ t true .
This never happened.
” Throughout the controversy , Biden has asserted his support for sexual assault survivors while maintaining that this particular woman is not telling the truth .
A woman ’ s sexual abuse claim “ should be taken seriously ” and “ vetted , ” Biden said Thursday , echoing his earlier statements .
About Reade ’ s claim , however , he said , “ I promise you , it never happened.
” Reade said earlier this year that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ penetrated her with his fingers when she was a staffer in his Senate office in 1993 , expanding on her previous accusations of sexual harassment .
She told several reporters last year that Biden made inappropriate comments about her legs at the time , and she alleged that — after she made complaints about his touch — Biden ’ s office pushed her out of the job .
Biden has pointed to inconsistencies in what Reade has told reporters and called on the National Archives to release any documents related to her claim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complaint around the time of the alleged incident , but no such document has been found .
Several people — including a former neighbor and a former coworker — have corroborated parts of Reade ’ s story .
Her ex-husband made reference to sexual harassment in Biden ’ s office in a 1996 court document .
Reade ’ s employment in Biden ’ s Senate office ― between December 1992 and August 1993 ― has also been confirmed .
Reade said last week that she wishes Biden would drop out of the presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expect him to do so .
“ You and I were there , Joe Biden .
Please step forward and be held accountable , ” Reade told former Fox News and NBC anchor Megyn Kelly .
She added : “ You should not be running on character for the president of the United States .
”

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Former Vice President Joe Biden emphatically denies the sexual assault allegations made against him by former staffer Tara Reade. But on Thursday night, Biden acknowledged for the first time that the gravity of the accusations could be putting voters in a moral quandary.
“If they believe Tara Reade, they probably shouldn’t vote for me,” Biden told MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell. He added: “I wouldn’t vote for me if I believed Tara Reade.”
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“They should vote with their heart,” Biden said earlier.
The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee first addressed the accusations in a lengthy statement on May 1, when he said, “They aren’t true. This never happened.”
Throughout the controversy, Biden has asserted his support for sexual assault survivors while maintaining that this particular woman is not telling the truth.
A woman’s sexual abuse claim “should be taken seriously” and “vetted,” Biden said Thursday, echoing his earlier statements. About Reade’s claim, however, he said, “I promise you, it never happened.”
Reade said earlier this year that Biden shoved her against a wall and penetrated her with his fingers when she was a staffer in his Senate office in 1993, expanding on her previous accusations of sexual harassment. She told several reporters last year that Biden made inappropriate comments about her legs at the time, and she alleged that — after she made complaints about his touch — Biden’s office pushed her out of the job.
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Biden has pointed to inconsistencies in what Reade has told reporters and called on the National Archives to release any documents related to her claim. Reade has said she filed a complaint around the time of the alleged incident, but no such document has been found.
Several people — including a former neighbor and a former coworker — have corroborated parts of Reade’s story. Her ex-husband made reference to sexual harassment in Biden’s office in a 1996 court document. Reade’s employment in Biden’s Senate office ― between December 1992 and August 1993 ― has also been confirmed.
Reade said last week that she wishes Biden would drop out of the presidential race but added that she does not expect him to do so.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-15--Pence's Former Doctor Calls Him Out For Not Wearing A Mask

Mike Pence ’ s former personal physician has a special request for the vice president : Start wearing a mask in public .
Dr. Jennifer Peña served as Pence ’ s personal doctor during his first two years in office .
On Friday , Peña appeared on MSNBC and said the vice president has a duty to set an example of proper pandemic behavior .
“ Leadership comes from the top — that ’ s my motto , ” Peña said .
“ You have to lead by example .
If the federal government is putting out guidance that this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take for citizens to protect ourselves and protect this country , then , again , leadership has to come from the top , and we have to lead by example.
” Last week , Pence announced he would be isolating himself after his press secretary , Katie Miller , tested positive for COVID-19 last week .
Pence has publicly claimed he ’ s following the doctor-recommended procedures to reduce spreading COVID-19 .
But four CEOs of food companies and the president of the American Farm Bureau Federation were told to remove their face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday .
Peña said the decision to wear a mask is a personal one , adding that she has “ all the faith in the world ” that the vice president is “ getting the appropriate recommendations and guidance.
” But if Peña was still working for Pence , she “ would tell him to put on the mask , ” she said .
You can see the complete exchange below .

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Mike Pence’s former personal physician has a special request for the vice president: Start wearing a mask in public.
Dr. Jennifer Peña served as Pence’s personal doctor during his first two years in office.
On Friday, Peña appeared on MSNBC and said the vice president has a duty to set an example of proper pandemic behavior.
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“Leadership comes from the top — that’s my motto,” Peña said. “You have to lead by example. If the federal government is putting out guidance that this is the measures that we have to take for citizens to protect ourselves and protect this country, then, again, leadership has to come from the top, and we have to lead by example.”
Last week, Pence announced he would be isolating himself after his press secretary, Katie Miller, tested positive for COVID-19 last week.
Pence has publicly claimed he’s following the doctor-recommended procedures to reduce spreading COVID-19. But four CEOs of food companies and the president of the American Farm Bureau Federation were told to remove their face masks before meeting Pence in Iowa last Friday.
Peña said the decision to wear a mask is a personal one, adding that she has “all the faith in the world” that the vice president is “getting the appropriate recommendations and guidance.”
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But if Peña was still working for Pence, she “would tell him to put on the mask,” she said.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-15--Some Workers Would Rather Say No To Work And Lose Benefits Than Risk Getting Sick

He likes his job and wants to return to work , Birkhoff said ― but only if it ’ s safe .
“ It ’ s not worth me getting sick , ” he said .
He doesn ’ t know if the restaurant will hold his job for him .
Congress granted extra-generous unemployment insurance in March to help people stay home during the coronavirus pandemic , which has killed more than 85,000 Americans since February .
Republicans immediately complained that the benefits , in place through July , would actually make it too easy to stay home , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary weapon against the virus .
The U.S. Department of Labor has since said that when an employer asks its workers to come back on the job , they can ’ t refuse and keep receiving unemployment benefits .
There are exceptions , such as for people who are sick with COVID-19 , have a compromised immune system or are primary caregivers for children whose schools are closed .
The National Employment Law Project ( NELP ) , in a letter to the Labor Department this week co-signed by the AFL-CIO , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizations , highlighted the regulatory language on suitable work .
The department ’ s advisories to states so far “ fail to put the states , employers and workers on notice of the critical federal protections , ” the letter says .
A Labor Department spokesperson acknowledged that the letter accurately cited the language on “ suitable work ” amid a disaster , but said eligibility for benefits is based on its more recent guidance .
The department ’ s website says that fear of catching the coronavirus is a legitimate basis for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been advised by a healthcare provider to self-quarantine as a result of such concerns.
” The Louisiana agency declined to comment on the scenario of a worker concerned about a person known to have had COVID-19 at their place of employment , saying a claimant “ should read the eligibility requirements and make a decision that is best for his or her situation.
” Even as states struggle with the basic task of distributing benefits , the Trump administration has encouraged them to ask employers for notification of individual workers refusing to return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job refusals as part of the unemployment insurance system , but several Republican-led states have emphasized the importance of doing so lately , as President Donald Trump urges states to reopen and calls on workers to be “ warriors ” for the economy .
Some states may also be less strict in interpreting the federal policy than others .
California ’ s Employment Development Department , for example , has said that a worker would have good cause to refuse to return to work if they felt unsafe and their job was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistance agent at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport , got fired from her job this week for refusing to come to work because she has diabetes ― one of the health conditions that puts someone at higher risk for a severe case of COVID-19 , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Arceneaux , 49 , started receiving unemployment benefits last month after her shifts were reduced .
She subsequently took unpaid leave .
Last week , her employer , a contractor that provides airport services , asked her to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away from the airport .
Arceneaux told her boss that she didn ’ t know whether that was a good idea given her health concerns .
She said her employer told her she would be fired and no longer eligible for unemployment benefits , but she still opted to stay home , reasoning that not receiving benefits is safer than risking exposure to a deadly virus .
She received an email formally notifying her of the termination this week .
“ We offered you an opportunity to return to work as a commissary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to return to work in that role , ” the email said , according to a screenshot Arceneaux shared with HuffPost .
Arceneaux ’ s fate is not entirely in the hands of her former employer .
If a claimant can provide documentation of their health problems , the Georgia Labor Department has said it will take that into consideration in assessing an unemployment claim .
While declining to discuss the specifics of an individual case , spokeswoman Kersha Cartwright said the agency would want to look at a claimant ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that reason .

OLIVIER DOULIERY via Getty Images
David Birkhoff, a cook at a small restaurant in La Place, Louisiana, stopped working in March when the state told restaurants to shut down. The 43-year-old has received unemployment benefits since then.
At the beginning of this month, Birkhoff got a message from the owner that he and his wife had tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, but that “we have no symptoms and feel great.”
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The owner said they’d be retested on May 6, according to a screenshot of the message. Once he tested negative, the restaurant would reopen and everyone would come back to work.
Birkhoff balked. The father of five asked to see the test results showing that his boss had cleared the virus. He said he didn’t receive them and so he skipped his scheduled shift on Friday morning.
He likes his job and wants to return to work, Birkhoff said ― but only if it’s safe. “It’s not worth me getting sick,” he said. He doesn’t know if the restaurant will hold his job for him.
It’s a decision confronting a lot of workers as states loosen restrictions on commerce and more businesses reopen: Give up your income or go back to work ― and never mind that pandemic outside.
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Congress granted extra-generous unemployment insurance in March to help people stay home during the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed more than 85,000 Americans since February. Republicans immediately complained that the benefits, in place through July, would actually make it too easy to stay home, even though social distancing has been our primary weapon against the virus.
The U.S. Department of Labor has since said that when an employer asks its workers to come back on the job, they can’t refuse and keep receiving unemployment benefits. There are exceptions, such as for people who are sick with COVID-19, have a compromised immune system or are primary caregivers for children whose schools are closed.
The Labor Department has specifically said, however, that if you’re just afraid of contracting the coronavirus, you can’t refuse an offer of “suitable work” and remain on benefits.
This federal guidance contradicts regulations for unemployment insurance in a disaster, which state that work is not suitable “if the circumstances present any unusual risk to the health, safety, or morals of the individual.”
The National Employment Law Project (NELP), in a letter to the Labor Department this week co-signed by the AFL-CIO, the NAACP and more than 200 other pro-worker organizations, highlighted the regulatory language on suitable work. The department’s advisories to states so far “fail to put the states, employers and workers on notice of the critical federal protections,” the letter says.
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A Labor Department spokesperson acknowledged that the letter accurately cited the language on “suitable work” amid a disaster, but said eligibility for benefits is based on its more recent guidance. The department’s website says that fear of catching the coronavirus is a legitimate basis for declining work “only if you have been advised by a healthcare provider to self-quarantine as a result of such concerns.”
Michele Evermore, an unemployment policy expert with NELP, has hoped the Labor Department would update its guidance. “I don’t understand by what logic we are shoving people back into unsafe environments,” she said in an email.
“As a general matter, you are likely to be eligible for [pandemic unemployment assistance] due to concerns about exposure to the coronavirus only if you have been advised by a healthcare provider to self-quarantine as a result of such concerns.” - U.S. Department of Labor
Even with more favorable guidance, workers could still lose out. The unprecedented surge in unemployment claims has swamped state workforce agencies, and it can be difficult for people to get answers about whether they qualify based on their particular situation.
“I couldn’t get through to anybody,” Birkhoff said, when he tried calling the Louisiana Workforce Commission this week about the possible change in his job status.
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The Louisiana agency declined to comment on the scenario of a worker concerned about a person known to have had COVID-19 at their place of employment, saying a claimant “should read the eligibility requirements and make a decision that is best for his or her situation.”
Even as states struggle with the basic task of distributing benefits, the Trump administration has encouraged them to ask employers for notification of individual workers refusing to return to their jobs. Employers regularly report job refusals as part of the unemployment insurance system, but several Republican-led states have emphasized the importance of doing so lately, as President Donald Trump urges states to reopen and calls on workers to be “warriors” for the economy.
If someone refuses to return to work and then loses their unemployment compensation, they can continue to certify that they’re unemployed while filing an appeal and, if it’s successful, could win back benefits for the weeks they missed.
Some states may also be less strict in interpreting the federal policy than others. California’s Employment Development Department, for example, has said that a worker would have good cause to refuse to return to work if they felt unsafe and their job was not essential.
JoAnn Arceneaux, a wheelchair assistance agent at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, got fired from her job this week for refusing to come to work because she has diabetes ― one of the health conditions that puts someone at higher risk for a severe case of COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Arceneaux, 49, started receiving unemployment benefits last month after her shifts were reduced. She subsequently took unpaid leave. Last week, her employer, a contractor that provides airport services, asked her to return to work in a different role away from the airport. Arceneaux told her boss that she didn’t know whether that was a good idea given her health concerns.
“The government is saying people with these health conditions are advised to shelter in place,” she said.
She said her employer told her she would be fired and no longer eligible for unemployment benefits, but she still opted to stay home, reasoning that not receiving benefits is safer than risking exposure to a deadly virus. She received an email formally notifying her of the termination this week. “We offered you an opportunity to return to work as a commissary agent and you decided you did not want to return to work in that role,” the email said, according to a screenshot Arceneaux shared with HuffPost.
Arceneaux’s fate is not entirely in the hands of her former employer. If a claimant can provide documentation of their health problems, the Georgia Labor Department has said it will take that into consideration in assessing an unemployment claim. While declining to discuss the specifics of an individual case, spokeswoman Kersha Cartwright said the agency would want to look at a claimant’s medical history if they refused work for that reason.
“If that is the reason for your separation, then we need to know those kinds of facts and would love to see some documentation with your claim,” Cartwright said.
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Arceneaux followed the advice of public health experts when she quit her job, and she hopes she isn’t punished for it.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-15--Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club To Partially Reopen This Weekend

An email sent Thursday to members says the Palm Beach resort ’ s Beach Club restaurant , its pool and its whirlpool will reopen Saturday after being closed two months , but its main building that includes hotel rooms , the main dining area and the president ’ s private residence will remain closed .
Members will have to practice social distancing and lounge chairs will be set 6 feet ( 2 meters ) apart .
They will have to bring their own towels .
The email was first reported by The Washington Post .
The Trump Organization did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security guard who answered at Mar-a-Lago on Thursday afternoon said no administrators were available .
Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis , a close ally of the president , has been slowly allowing the state to reopen , with the hard-hit counties of South Florida trailing the rest of the state .
Restaurants in Palm Beach County , like most of the state , can operate at 25 % capacity indoors and must maintain 6 feet ( 2 meters ) between tables outdoors .
DeSantis is expected to soon boost the capacity limit to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed .
Mar-a-Lago executives told Florida officials last month that it was temporarily laying off 153 workers because of the shutdown , a decision the president defended at the time .
“ You can ’ t have many hundreds of employees standing around doing nothing , ” he said April 21 .
“ There ’ s no customer .
You ’ re not allowed to have a customer.
” The federal government ’ s economic relief bill specifically bars Trump ’ s businesses , as well as those with ties to other top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their immediate families , from receiving emergency loans and other benefits meant to help businesses retain workers during the pandemic .
Palm Beach County has had nearly 4,300 confirmed COVID-19 cases since early March and at least 263 deaths .
As of 2018 , Mar-a-Lago ’ s approximately 500 members paid $ 14,000 annual dues for access to the 17-acre ( 6.9-hectare ) estate , with new members paying a $ 200,000 initiation fee that doubled after Trump ’ s 2016 election .
Members pay extra to dine and stay on the property @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world ’ s most celebrated private club , ” according to its website — from the foundation of cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post in 1985 for $ 10 million and has invested tens of millions of dollars improving the property .
He opened it as a club in 1995 .

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club will partially reopen to members this weekend as South Florida slowly reopens from the coronavirus lockdown.
An email sent Thursday to members says the Palm Beach resort’s Beach Club restaurant, its pool and its whirlpool will reopen Saturday after being closed two months, but its main building that includes hotel rooms, the main dining area and the president’s private residence will remain closed. Members will have to practice social distancing and lounge chairs will be set 6 feet (2 meters) apart. They will have to bring their own towels.
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The email was first reported by The Washington Post. The Trump Organization did not return a call seeking comment and a security guard who answered at Mar-a-Lago on Thursday afternoon said no administrators were available.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a close ally of the president, has been slowly allowing the state to reopen, with the hard-hit counties of South Florida trailing the rest of the state. Restaurants in Palm Beach County, like most of the state, can operate at 25% capacity indoors and must maintain 6 feet (2 meters) between tables outdoors. DeSantis is expected to soon boost the capacity limit to 50%. Bars and nightclubs are closed.
Mar-a-Lago executives told Florida officials last month that it was temporarily laying off 153 workers because of the shutdown, a decision the president defended at the time.
“You can’t have many hundreds of employees standing around doing nothing,” he said April 21. “There’s no customer. You’re not allowed to have a customer.”
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The federal government’s economic relief bill specifically bars Trump’s businesses, as well as those with ties to other top government officials and members of Congress and their immediate families, from receiving emergency loans and other benefits meant to help businesses retain workers during the pandemic.
Palm Beach County has had nearly 4,300 confirmed COVID-19 cases since early March and at least 263 deaths.
As of 2018, Mar-a-Lago’s approximately 500 members paid $14,000 annual dues for access to the 17-acre (6.9-hectare) estate, with new members paying a $200,000 initiation fee that doubled after Trump’s 2016 election. Members pay extra to dine and stay on the property.
Trump purchased Mar-a-Lago — “the world’s most celebrated private club,” according to its website — from the foundation of cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post in 1985 for $10 million and has invested tens of millions of dollars improving the property. He opened it as a club in 1995.
The property now boasts 58 bedrooms, 33 bathrooms, a 20,000-square-foot (1,858-square-meter) ballroom, tennis and croquet courts and three bomb shelters.
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___


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-15--Trump Celebrates New Space Force Flag By Touting 'Super Duper Missile'

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — The U.S. Space Force — the newest branch of the armed services — now has its own flag .
Defense Department officials presented President Donald Trump with the Space Force flag during a short Oval Office event on Friday .
The dark blue and white flag includes elements intended to evoke the vast recesses of outer space .
The Space Force , which was officially established in December , is the first new military service since the U.S. Air Force was established in 1947 .
The 16,000 airmen and civilians that make up the Space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Force , which previously oversaw offensive operations in space .
But Trump has made clear he sees the newest service as critical to the future of American defense .
The president said during Friday ’ s ceremony that the U.S. is building a “ super-duper missile ” that can travel “ 17 times faster than what we have right now.
” The flag includes a Delta Wing ― long a symbol in the Air Force ― meant to signify change and innovation .
Dark and light shades of gray within the delta were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nature of the Space Force ’ s work .
The flag also features a globe , for the Space Force fighters ’ home turf , and an elliptical orbit around the globe was incorporated to signify the force ’ s mission to defend and protect from adversaries and threats emanating in space .
This flag was produced by artists and crafts people at the Defense Logistics Agency flag room in Philadelphia from a design finalized and documented by the Department ’ s Institute of Heraldry at Fort Belvoir , Virginia .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Space Force — the newest branch of the armed services — now has its own flag.
Defense Department officials presented President Donald Trump with the Space Force flag during a short Oval Office event on Friday. The dark blue and white flag includes elements intended to evoke the vast recesses of outer space.
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The Space Force, which was officially established in December, is the first new military service since the U.S. Air Force was established in 1947. The 16,000 airmen and civilians that make up the Space Force technically remain part of the Air Force, which previously oversaw offensive operations in space. But Trump has made clear he sees the newest service as critical to the future of American defense.
The president said during Friday’s ceremony that the U.S. is building a “super-duper missile” that can travel “17 times faster than what we have right now.”
The flag includes a Delta Wing ― long a symbol in the Air Force ― meant to signify change and innovation. Dark and light shades of gray within the delta were incorporated in a nod to the 24/7 nature of the Space Force’s work.
The flag also features a globe, for the Space Force fighters’ home turf, and an elliptical orbit around the globe was incorporated to signify the force’s mission to defend and protect from adversaries and threats emanating in space.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-15--House Progressives Sat Out Fight Over COVID-19 Relief Vote

But what began with a roar , ended with a whimper on Friday when progressives narrowly lost a procedural vote to postpone consideration of the legislation .
Ahead of the critical vote , the caucus did not whip its members to cast votes against the bill .
That decision not to whip opposition to the bill among the caucus gave some the impression it was made to avoid the embarrassment of a potential loss .
“ No one wants to be seen as trying and failing , ” said a progressive House aide , who was not authorized to speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party-line vote by the full House was surprisingly close , however , indicating that a more strident effort might have produced a different result .
Every Republican , 14 Democrats and the one independent voted against the bill , providing Democratic leadership a win by just an eight-vote margin .
As with any massive spending bill , the HEROES Act ― as the House legislation is called ― contained a host of policies popular among both the Democratic Party ’ s moderate and progressive wings .
It would allot $ 1 trillion in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , provide hazard pay for essential workers , mandate tougher health and safety standards for health care professionals , rescue the U.S .
Postal Service , enact universal mail-in voting , and issue a second $ 1,200 stimulus payment that Americans would be eligible for regardless of their immigration status .
Still , critics found the inclusion of certain conservative features especially insulting because the bill was a partisan document designed to serve as an opening bid in talks with Senate Republicans , rather than a bipartisan compromise .
To plug holes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic , the legislation offered more Medicaid funding to states and expanded and subsidized COBRA , a program enabling people to keep the health insurance they had from their previous job .
In lieu of the COBRA expansion , Jayapal had advocated allowing unemployed Americans to temporarily enroll in Medicare , which has lower costs and would enable more people to stay covered .
Automatic stabilizing mechanisms ensuring that crisis-related safety net expansions could remain in effect as long as the economy remained poor ended up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) told reporters that while they were good policy , the stabilizers simply made the already-expensive bill look too costly on paper .
“ There is greater frustration now than there was at the beginning , ” Khanna said .
“ If we ’ re going to have a negotiating starting point , why not have our priorities in it ?
” The following day , Rep. Ilhan Omar ( D-Minn. ) , the CPC ’ s whip , developed a plan to try to rally the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take to sink the procedural vote on a “ rule ” clearing the path for a vote on the broader bill .
If they were successful , it would at the very least give progressives more time to make their case to leadership .
In the event though , the CPC merely surveyed its more than 90 members ― some of whom also belong to the business-friendly New Democrat Coalition ― to gauge how willing they might be to resist the bill .
Of the 14 Democrats who did vote “ no , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the rest were moderates in swing seats who tend to break with party leadership for political rather than ideological reasons .
Neither Jayapal nor Pocan responded to requests for comment on whether they tried to coordinate with the moderates in a cross-ideological coalition against House leadership .
“ We want to applaud the progressive leaders in Congress who rallied votes to push this bill in the right direction , ” said Waleed Shahid , a spokesman for Justice Democrats , a left-wing group that supports primary challenges against moderate Democratic incumbents .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ think it ’ s an important step towards building a stronger , more aligned progressive bloc that delivers real relief .
”

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When House Democratic leaders introduced a $3 trillion relief bill on Tuesday to address the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, Congressional Progressive Caucus co-chair Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) sounded like she was on a mission to sink the bill for omitting key progressive priorities.
But what began with a roar, ended with a whimper on Friday when progressives narrowly lost a procedural vote to postpone consideration of the legislation. Ahead of the critical vote, the caucus did not whip its members to cast votes against the bill.
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That decision not to whip opposition to the bill among the caucus gave some the impression it was made to avoid the embarrassment of a potential loss. “No one wants to be seen as trying and failing,” said a progressive House aide, who was not authorized to speak to the press.
Friday’s party-line vote by the full House was surprisingly close, however, indicating that a more strident effort might have produced a different result. Every Republican, 14 Democrats and the one independent voted against the bill, providing Democratic leadership a win by just an eight-vote margin.
Congressional Progressive Caucus co-chairs, Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), left, and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), have struggled to unite a group of more than 90 lawmakers. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
As with any massive spending bill, the HEROES Act ― as the House legislation is called ― contained a host of policies popular among both the Democratic Party’s moderate and progressive wings. It would allot $1 trillion in aid to cash-strapped state and local governments, provide hazard pay for essential workers, mandate tougher health and safety standards for health care professionals, rescue the U.S. Postal Service, enact universal mail-in voting, and issue a second $1,200 stimulus payment that Americans would be eligible for regardless of their immigration status.
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Still, critics found the inclusion of certain conservative features especially insulting because the bill was a partisan document designed to serve as an opening bid in talks with Senate Republicans, rather than a bipartisan compromise. To plug holes in health care coverage that would emerge due to the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, the legislation offered more Medicaid funding to states and expanded and subsidized COBRA, a program enabling people to keep the health insurance they had from their previous job. In lieu of the COBRA expansion, Jayapal had advocated allowing unemployed Americans to temporarily enroll in Medicare, which has lower costs and would enable more people to stay covered.
“When you hear the word ‘COBRA’ you just get shudders down your spine,” Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), a vice chair of the CPC, told HuffPost on Friday. “It ends up increasing complexity and that’s discouraging to people.”
“If we’re going to have a negotiating starting point, why not have our priorities in it?” - Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.)
And Democratic leaders insisted on preserving a system of routing government cash assistance for small business and their workers through middlemen and tax credits, rather than guaranteeing paychecks directly as Jayapal demanded.
Automatic stabilizing mechanisms ensuring that crisis-related safety net expansions could remain in effect as long as the economy remained poor ended up on the cutting-room floor as well. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) told reporters that while they were good policy, the stabilizers simply made the already-expensive bill look too costly on paper.
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After quietly accepting imperfect relief legislation in March and April on the grounds that there was no alternative, progressive lawmakers finally made it seem like they were fed up.
“There is greater frustration now than there was at the beginning,” Khanna said. “If we’re going to have a negotiating starting point, why not have our priorities in it?”
Jayapal and her co-chair, Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), demanded in a Tuesday letter that Pelosi delay a vote on the bill until next week. Jayapal also gave Pelosi a piece of her mind on a Tuesday conference call with the House Democratic Caucus.
The following day, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), the CPC’s whip, developed a plan to try to rally the 18 votes that she estimated it would take to sink the procedural vote on a “rule” clearing the path for a vote on the broader bill. If they were successful, it would at the very least give progressives more time to make their case to leadership.
In the event though, the CPC merely surveyed its more than 90 members ― some of whom also belong to the business-friendly New Democrat Coalition ― to gauge how willing they might be to resist the bill.
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Caucus leadership never explicitly asked its varied members to vote “no” on the rule.
14 Dem "no" votes against rule to vote on the HEROES Act include five moderates (I've starred them):
1. AOC
2. Omar
3. Tlaib
4. Pocan
5. Pressley
6. Jayapal
7. Khanna
8. Porter
9. Garcia
10. Lamb*
11. Finkenauer*
12. Axne*
13. Spanberger*
14. Stevens*https://t.co/lNFPpaNoYF — Daniel Marans (@danielmarans) May 15, 2020
Of the 14 Democrats who did vote “no,” nine were members of the CPC and the rest were moderates in swing seats who tend to break with party leadership for political rather than ideological reasons. Neither Jayapal nor Pocan responded to requests for comment on whether they tried to coordinate with the moderates in a cross-ideological coalition against House leadership.
Some progressives celebrated the outcome as evidence of how close the CPC is to achieving its goals, given the slightest effort.
“We want to applaud the progressive leaders in Congress who rallied votes to push this bill in the right direction,” said Waleed Shahid, a spokesman for Justice Democrats, a left-wing group that supports primary challenges against moderate Democratic incumbents. “It came late, but we think it’s an important step towards building a stronger, more aligned progressive bloc that delivers real relief.”
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David Segal, executive director of Demand Progress, which strongly encouraged members of Congress to stop the bill, framed the week’s events as an argument for greater discipline among outside progressive groups. Even as Jayapal fumed about the bill on Tuesday, a coalition of liberal organizations that includes MoveOn and Indivisible had already praised the legislation.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-15--Pregnant Women In New York Are Stuck In Prison Despite Governor’s Promise

Late last month , a top aide to Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ( D ) announced that pregnant women in New York prisons would be released if they had fewer than six months left on their sentences and were convicted of nonviolent offenses .
But more than two weeks later , at least four pregnant women remain at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility , where the coronavirus outbreak has infected 42 people and killed one .
The delay has caused two other women who were eligible for release to give birth in custody , according to the Legal Aid Society .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is bureaucratic incompetence , a disingenuous interpretation of Cuomo ’ s direction , or simply the criminal justice system ’ s inhumane rigidity that is keeping these women locked up , ” said Sophie Gebreselassie , staff attorney with the Prisoners ’ Rights Project at the Legal Aid Society .
“ What we do know is that they and their soon to be born children remain at risk of grievous harm and should be released immediately.
” A spokesperson for the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision said that eight pregnant or postpartum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and two more individuals are expected to transition to the community next week .
The department is continuing to review cases for eligibility .
Prisons are perfect breeding grounds for the coronavirus , with people crammed together into confined spaces with limited control over cleaning supplies or protective equipment like masks .
Since the COVID-19 outbreak began , more than 28,000 prisoners have been infected and 393 have died , according to a tally kept by the COVID-19 Behind Bars Data Project , though it is unknown how many of those affected are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only use her first name , said she was relieved when she heard that New York ’ s pregnant inmates were going to be released .
Her 19-year-old daughter , imprisoned at Bedford Hills , was nearing her due date and was terrified of going into labor behind bars .
On Friday , the teen gave birth to a baby girl at a local hospital with correctional officers in the room .
In a few days , she will be returned to Bedford Hills , where she will stay in a trailer with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Virginia urged Cuomo to immediately release her daughter , who has severe asthma , so she can care for her newborn in a safe environment .
Once freed , Virginia said , the new mom and infant will return to their house in a small upstate town where there are few COVID-19 cases .
Legal Aid said another client gave birth in custody on May 10 ― about a week before she was officially due to be released .
According to the woman ’ s lawyers , she was guarded by eight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and is now in quarantine for the remaining few days of her sentence .
Her family is worried about the impact of severe isolation during the postpartum period .
Among the remaining pregnant women at Bedford Hills is a woman who is due to give birth in a month .
Her lawyers believe that an outstanding warrant stemming from a small unpaid fine and restitution balance may be preventing her from returning home to her family .
“ In essence , a nominal sum may stand in the way of her release from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the higher rates of incidence of COVID-19 in the DOCCS system , to her mother ’ s home in a western New York town with relatively few cases , ” Legal Aid said in a statement .

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Late last month, a top aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced that pregnant women in New York prisons would be released if they had fewer than six months left on their sentences and were convicted of nonviolent offenses.
But more than two weeks later, at least four pregnant women remain at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, where the coronavirus outbreak has infected 42 people and killed one. The delay has caused two other women who were eligible for release to give birth in custody, according to the Legal Aid Society.
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“We do not know if it is bureaucratic incompetence, a disingenuous interpretation of Cuomo’s direction, or simply the criminal justice system’s inhumane rigidity that is keeping these women locked up,” said Sophie Gebreselassie, staff attorney with the Prisoners’ Rights Project at the Legal Aid Society. “What we do know is that they and their soon to be born children remain at risk of grievous harm and should be released immediately.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision said that eight pregnant or postpartum women have been released from Bedford Hills and two more individuals are expected to transition to the community next week. The department is continuing to review cases for eligibility.
Cuomo’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, in Westchester County, New York, has 42 reported coronavirus cases, and one person has died. Seth Harrison/The Journal News/Imagn
Prisons are perfect breeding grounds for the coronavirus, with people crammed together into confined spaces with limited control over cleaning supplies or protective equipment like masks. Since the COVID-19 outbreak began, more than 28,000 prisoners have been infected and 393 have died, according to a tally kept by the COVID-19 Behind Bars Data Project, though it is unknown how many of those affected are women.
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In light of the public health crisis, advocates have urged officials to take swift action to release the most vulnerable: the elderly, people with underlying health conditions and pregnant women.
But for some families, the efforts have not moved fast enough.
Virginia, who asked to only use her first name, said she was relieved when she heard that New York’s pregnant inmates were going to be released. Her 19-year-old daughter, imprisoned at Bedford Hills, was nearing her due date and was terrified of going into labor behind bars.
“She was very nervous, very scared to give birth,” she said.
Lawyers for Virginia’s daughter say she is eligible for release under Cuomo’s guidelines. But the call never came.
On Friday, the teen gave birth to a baby girl at a local hospital with correctional officers in the room. In a few days, she will be returned to Bedford Hills, where she will stay in a trailer with her newborn to quarantine, Virginia said.
Virginia urged Cuomo to immediately release her daughter, who has severe asthma, so she can care for her newborn in a safe environment. Once freed, Virginia said, the new mom and infant will return to their house in a small upstate town where there are few COVID-19 cases.
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“I want my daughter home safe,” Virginia said. “It’s not that I’m trying to take away the punishment. I’m trying to protect my child.”
Legal Aid said another client gave birth in custody on May 10 ― about a week before she was officially due to be released. According to the woman’s lawyers, she was guarded by eight different corrections officers while in the hospital and is now in quarantine for the remaining few days of her sentence. Her family is worried about the impact of severe isolation during the postpartum period.
Among the remaining pregnant women at Bedford Hills is a woman who is due to give birth in a month. Her lawyers believe that an outstanding warrant stemming from a small unpaid fine and restitution balance may be preventing her from returning home to her family.
“In essence, a nominal sum may stand in the way of her release from Bedford Hills, a prison with one of the higher rates of incidence of COVID-19 in the DOCCS system, to her mother’s home in a western New York town with relatively few cases,” Legal Aid said in a statement.
Another pregnant woman at Bedford Hills has high blood pressure and gestational diabetes. She is due to give birth just one week before her official release date.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-15--House Of Representatives To Allow Remote Voting During Coronavirus Pandemic

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — Neither Civil War nor Great Depression nor any other national crisis has pushed the House to allow lawmakers to vote by proxy — without being “ present , ” as the Constitution requires .
That ’ s about to change during the coronavirus pandemic .
The House approved Friday a package of historic rules changes so Congress can keep functioning even while it ’ s partly closed .
The shift will dramatically change the look , if not the operation , of the legislative branch — launching a 21st century WFH House , like others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This House must continue legislating , ” Rep. Jim McGovern , the chairman of the House Rules Committee , said during a lengthy session ahead of the vote .
“ And we have to do so in a way that is safe for all those around us.
” Debate over the changes has been fierce .
As President Donald Trump encourages Americans back to work , the 435-member House has stayed away due to health risks while the smaller Senate has resumed operations .
Democrats argue the House can rely on technology for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But Republicans objected to what they see as a power grab during the crisis .
The vote was 217-189 .
Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma , the top Republican on the rules panel , warned the changes will fundamentally alter the nature of the institution , “ and not for the better.
” Under the new rules , House lawmakers will no longer be required to travel to Washington to participate in floor votes .
They will be allowed to vote by proxy — assigning their vote to another lawmaker who will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for them .
Eventually , a provision allows for direct remote voting , once the technology is approved .
Just as important , the House committees — the bread and butter of legislative work — will be able to fully function remotely .
Committee hearings are prime-time for lawmakers — the chance to grill officials , spar with colleagues and have much of it captured on C-SPAN .
House lawmakers will be able to draft bills , conduct oversight and even issue subpoenas from the comfort of their homes .
An earlier proposal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Speaker Nancy Pelosi insisted she wanted any change of this significance to be bipartisan .
She tapped a task force to try to reach a bipartisan compromise .
A key Trump ally , McCarthy argues if other Americans are at work , Congress should be , too .
“ It ’ s a very sad day inside this House , ” the California Republican said .
He mocked Pelosi for having claimed the House would serve as the “ captain ” of the ship , last to leave during the crisis , only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to be temporary , only through the remainder of this session of Congress , at the end of the year .
Democrats insist the changes should be used only under times of crisis .
But Republicans warn there will be legal challenges to legislation passed during this period , questioning the constitutional legitimacy of proxy votes .
The House has never allowed proxy floor votes , even during some of the most challenging eras in the nation ’ s history .
Lawmakers convened during the 1918 Spanish Flu epidemic and only stayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terror attacks .
Proxy votes had been allowed in committees , but that ended decades ago .
Under the new rules , one lawmaker can carry up to 10 votes by proxy to the Capitol .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Neither Civil War nor Great Depression nor any other national crisis has pushed the House to allow lawmakers to vote by proxy — without being “present,” as the Constitution requires. That’s about to change during the coronavirus pandemic.
The House approved Friday a package of historic rules changes so Congress can keep functioning even while it’s partly closed. The shift will dramatically change the look, if not the operation, of the legislative branch — launching a 21st century WFH House, like others, “working from home.”
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“This House must continue legislating,” Rep. Jim McGovern, the chairman of the House Rules Committee, said during a lengthy session ahead of the vote. “And we have to do so in a way that is safe for all those around us.”
Debate over the changes has been fierce. As President Donald Trump encourages Americans back to work, the 435-member House has stayed away due to health risks while the smaller Senate has resumed operations.
Democrats argue the House can rely on technology for remote work as the pandemic drags on. But Republicans objected to what they see as a power grab during the crisis. The vote was 217-189.
Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma, the top Republican on the rules panel, warned the changes will fundamentally alter the nature of the institution, “and not for the better.”
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One by one Republicans lined up Friday to speak against it.
“We should all get to Washington, do our jobs,” said Rep. Bradley Byre, R-Ala.
Under the new rules, House lawmakers will no longer be required to travel to Washington to participate in floor votes. They will be allowed to vote by proxy — assigning their vote to another lawmaker who will be at the Capitol to cast it for them. Eventually, a provision allows for direct remote voting, once the technology is approved.
Just as important, the House committees — the bread and butter of legislative work — will be able to fully function remotely. Committee hearings are prime-time for lawmakers — the chance to grill officials, spar with colleagues and have much of it captured on C-SPAN. House lawmakers will be able to draft bills, conduct oversight and even issue subpoenas from the comfort of their homes.
“This is about allowing the people’s House — and the people’s representatives in committees — to work,” Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., who has helped lead the effort, testified before the Rules Committee.
With the Capitol physician warning it could be years before Congress resumes full operations, lawmakers are anxious to chart a new normal and not be sidelined.
An earlier proposal was shelved two weeks ago as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi insisted she wanted any change of this significance to be bipartisan. She tapped a task force to try to reach a bipartisan compromise.
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House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy proposed a “hybrid” plan that would allow the committees to conduct work remotely but stopped short of allowing the proxy voting on the floor.
A key Trump ally, McCarthy argues if other Americans are at work, Congress should be, too. “It’s a very sad day inside this House,” the California Republican said. He mocked Pelosi for having claimed the House would serve as the “captain” of the ship, last to leave during the crisis, only to go home.
The changes are expected to be temporary, only through the remainder of this session of Congress, at the end of the year. Democrats insist the changes should be used only under times of crisis.
But Republicans warn there will be legal challenges to legislation passed during this period, questioning the constitutional legitimacy of proxy votes. The House has never allowed proxy floor votes, even during some of the most challenging eras in the nation’s history. Lawmakers convened during the 1918 Spanish Flu epidemic and only stayed away a short time after the 2001 terror attacks. Proxy votes had been allowed in committees, but that ended decades ago. Under the new rules, one lawmaker can carry up to 10 votes by proxy to the Capitol.
“You got to be here,” said another Trump ally, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio. “You can’t phone it in.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-15--Here's How People Feel About The Coronavirus Restrictions Where They Live

Most Americans still support stay-at-home orders and are making an effort to stay at home themselves , a new HuffPost/YouGov poll finds , even as views have been less unanimous than they were at the start of last month .
Dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump and the U.S. government ’ s response to the crisis is continuing to mount , with the latter seeing negative numbers for the first time .
About one-fifth of Americans say there are too many restrictions in the place where they live , with 47 % saying there ’ s about the right level of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t enough .
And given a binary choice , two-thirds of Americans say that states with stay-at-home orders are currently making the right decision , with 21 % saying they ’ re making the wrong decision and the rest unsure .
As some states begin reopening to various extents , the poll finds many Americans holding views that fall somewhere between a willingness to maintain a full lockdown and a desire to do away with requirements entirely .
Just shy of half , 46 % , say that they ’ d like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nonessential businesses and activities , but allow others to reopen .
Another 30 % say all nonessential businesses and activities should be shut down .
Just 12 % want to see all restrictions lifted .
The variation between those sets of results suggest that how poll questions are framed can have a significant effect .
But it also shows that desire to completely reopen the country remains a minority position ― and that if pushed to choose , the public remains inclined to err on the side of caution .
Most of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behavior .
Seventy-nine percent of Americans say they ’ re still trying to stay home as much as possible , down 10 points from the peak in early April , but still representing a vast majority of the nation , across demographic and partisan lines .
Of those who are currently trying to stay home , 54 % say they ’ d continue to do so even if all restrictions were lifted where they live , 33 % that they ’ d leave the house more but continue to take major precautions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go back to living as normally as possible .
Americans ’ opinions about the right local policies on the coronavirus divide along both political and geographical lines .
Support for maintaining a complete shutdown is highest among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents living in cities and towns , 55 % of whom want to see all nonessential businesses and activities shut down in their area .
Support for total reopening is highest among Republicans and Republican-leaning independents in towns and rural areas , 35 % of whom say restrictions should be lifted entirely .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ handling of the coronavirus have reached a low ebb , as have ratings for Trump ’ s performance .
Americans say , 47 % to 44 % that they disapprove of the government ’ s response , the first time that number has been negative in HuffPost/YouGov polling since February .
They say 48 % to 42 % that they disapprove of Trump ’ s response .
About two-thirds of Americans say they expect the outbreak to have a lasting effect on the U.S. , with only about a quarter believing things will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the widget below to further explore the results of the HuffPost/YouGov survey , using the menu at the top to select survey questions and the buttons at the bottom to filter the data by subgroups .
HuffPost has teamed up with YouGov to conduct daily opinion polls .
You can learn more about this project and take part in YouGov ’ s nationally representative opinion polling .
More details on the polls ’ methodology are available here .
Most surveys report a margin of error that represents some but not all potential survey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a model-based margin of error , which rests on a specific set of statistical assumptions about the selected sample rather than the standard methodology for random probability sampling .
If these assumptions are wrong , the model-based margin of error may also be inaccurate .

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Most Americans still support stay-at-home orders and are making an effort to stay at home themselves, a new HuffPost/YouGov poll finds, even as views have been less unanimous than they were at the start of last month. Dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump and the U.S. government’s response to the crisis is continuing to mount, with the latter seeing negative numbers for the first time.
About one-fifth of Americans say there are too many restrictions in the place where they live, with 47% saying there’s about the right level of restrictions and 24% saying there aren’t enough. And given a binary choice, two-thirds of Americans say that states with stay-at-home orders are currently making the right decision, with 21% saying they’re making the wrong decision and the rest unsure.
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As some states begin reopening to various extents, the poll finds many Americans holding views that fall somewhere between a willingness to maintain a full lockdown and a desire to do away with requirements entirely. Just shy of half, 46%, say that they’d like their area to maintain restrictions on some nonessential businesses and activities, but allow others to reopen. Another 30% say all nonessential businesses and activities should be shut down. Just 12% want to see all restrictions lifted.
The variation between those sets of results suggest that how poll questions are framed can have a significant effect. But it also shows that desire to completely reopen the country remains a minority position ― and that if pushed to choose, the public remains inclined to err on the side of caution.
Most of the public also remains cautious in their own behavior. Seventy-nine percent of Americans say they’re still trying to stay home as much as possible, down 10 points from the peak in early April, but still representing a vast majority of the nation, across demographic and partisan lines.
Of those who are currently trying to stay home, 54% say they’d continue to do so even if all restrictions were lifted where they live, 33% that they’d leave the house more but continue to take major precautions, and 10% that they’d go back to living as normally as possible.
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Results of a new HuffPost/YouGov poll. Ariel Edwards-Levy/HuffPost
A 57% majority say they’re more concerned about states lifting restrictions too quickly, with 29% more concerned about states acting too slowly, and the rest unsure.
Americans’ opinions about the right local policies on the coronavirus divide along both political and geographical lines. Support for maintaining a complete shutdown is highest among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents living in cities and towns, 55% of whom want to see all nonessential businesses and activities shut down in their area. Support for total reopening is highest among Republicans and Republican-leaning independents in towns and rural areas, 35% of whom say restrictions should be lifted entirely.
Results of a new HuffPost/YouGov poll. Ariel Edwards-Levy/HuffPost
Ratings for the U.S. government’s handling of the coronavirus have reached a low ebb, as have ratings for Trump’s performance. Americans say, 47% to 44% that they disapprove of the government’s response, the first time that number has been negative in HuffPost/YouGov polling since February. They say 48% to 42% that they disapprove of Trump’s response.
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About two-thirds of Americans say they expect the outbreak to have a lasting effect on the U.S., with only about a quarter believing things will soon go back to normal.
Use the widget below to further explore the results of the HuffPost/YouGov survey, using the menu at the top to select survey questions and the buttons at the bottom to filter the data by subgroups.
The HuffPost/YouGov poll consisted of 1,000 completed interviews conducted May 8-10 among U.S. adults, using a sample selected from YouGov’s opt-in online panel to match the demographics and other characteristics of the adult U.S. population.
HuffPost has teamed up with YouGov to conduct daily opinion polls. You can learn more about this project and take part in YouGov’s nationally representative opinion polling. More details on the polls’ methodology are available here.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-15--Trump Administration Ousts Yet Another Inspector General

Linick , a Justice Department veteran appointed in 2013 , is the latest of a number of watchdogs ejected recently as President Donald Trump seeks to purge anyone from the government he believes has not been loyal to him .
“ It is vital that I have the fullest confidence in the appointees serving as Inspectors General .
That is no longer the case with regard to this Inspector General , ” Trump wrote in a letter sent late Friday to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) .
The letter stated that the dismissal will be effective in 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department inspector general in his latest effort targeting key watchdogs across the government .
According to this letter he sent to Pelosi , Trump says he “ no longer ” has the “ fullest confidence ” in the State inspector general .
Effective in 30 days .
pic.twitter.com/9U4Q3HXd9W — Manu Raju ( @ mkraju ) May 16 , 2020 Linick played a minor role in the House impeachment proceedings against Trump , noted Politico , which was the first to report his ouster .
He provided documents to House leaders that had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani .
But Rep. Eliot Engel ( D.-N.Y. ) , chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee , said in a statement that Linick had recently opened an investigation into Secretary of State Mike Pompeo .
The congressman provided no other details .
But Engel said the timing suggested “ an unlawful act of retaliation.
” A source told CNN , The Washington Post and NPR that the probe involved possible misuse of a political appointee ’ s time by Pompeo and his wife for personal tasks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of a “ dangerous pattern of retaliation against patriotic public servants charged with conducting oversight on behalf of the American people.
” Ambassador Stephen Akard , a State Department appointee who worked for Vice President Mike Pence when he was governor of Indiana , has been tapped as Linick ’ s interim replacement .
Akard was Pence ’ s chief of staff for the Indiana Economic Development Corp. A State Department representative told Politico that Akard , a former Foreign Service officer , “ will now lead the Office of the Inspector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an “ acting ” role .
Sen. Bob Menendez ( D-N.J. ) called the “ Friday night attack ” by Trump “ shameful.
” He added in a tweet : “ At this point , the President ’ s paralyzing fear of any oversight is undeniable.
” Walter Shaub , former head of the U.S. Government Office of Ethics under both Barack Obama and Trump , praised Linick as an “ honorable ” inspector general who “ dug in on issues , not politics.
” He pointed out that Linick had once written @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for keeping emails while she was secretary of state on a personal server .
Steve Linick is an honorable inspector general who dug in on issues , not politics .
Before the Trump supporters start painting him as a partisan `` deep stater , '' it might be worth recalling that he wrote an investigative report criticizing Hillary Clinton .
https : //t.co/4G2e7LVLqW pic.twitter.com/1tA3WhQCZ3 — Walter Shaub ( @ waltshaub ) May 16 , 2020 Shaub accused Trump of “ tearing down the fabric of our republic ” with his vendetta against inspectors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law requiring Trump to give Congress 30 days notice of Linick ’ s removal gives lawmakers time to fight his decision .
Just weeks ago Trump removed Christi Grimm as principal deputy inspector general for the Department of Health and Human Services after her office criticized his administration ’ s response to the COVID-19 crisis .

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President Donald Trump is removing State Department Inspector General Steve Linick from his position in what Rep. Eliot Engel is calling a potential act of “retaliation” for opening an investigation into Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Engel, the Democratic chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said in a statement that Linick had recently opened an investigation into Pompeo. The congressman provided no other details. But Engel noted the timing suggested “an unlawful act of retaliation” and said he would press the State Department for answers.
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A source told CNN, The Washington Post and NPR that the probe involved possible misuse of a political appointee’s time by Pompeo and his wife for personal tasks.
Linick, a Justice Department veteran appointed in 2013, is the latest of a number of watchdogs ejected recently as Trump seeks to purge anyone from the government he believes has not been loyal to him.
“It is vital that I have the fullest confidence in the appointees serving as Inspectors General. That is no longer the case with regard to this Inspector General,” Trump wrote in a letter sent late Friday to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). The letter stated that the dismissal will be effective in 30 days.
Trump has fired the State Department inspector general in his latest effort targeting key watchdogs across the government. According to this letter he sent to Pelosi, Trump says he “no longer” has the “fullest confidence” in the State inspector general. Effective in 30 days. pic.twitter.com/9U4Q3HXd9W — Manu Raju (@mkraju) May 16, 2020
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Linick played a minor role in the House impeachment proceedings against Trump, noted Politico, which was the first to report his ouster. He provided documents to House leaders that had been given to the State Department by Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani.
🔴 #BREAKING @NPR has learned ousted State Department Inspector General Steve Linik was looking into allegations Secretary of State Pompeo was misusing a Department political employee for personal tasks for both Pompeo and his wife. — John Stempin (@johnstempinNPR) May 16, 2020
Pelosi slammed Linick’s removal as part of a “dangerous pattern of retaliation against patriotic public servants charged with conducting oversight on behalf of the American people.”
Ambassador Stephen Akard, a State Department appointee who worked for Vice President Mike Pence when he was governor of Indiana, has been tapped as Linick’s interim replacement. Akard was Pence’s chief of staff for the Indiana Economic Development Corp.
A State Department representative told Politico that Akard, a former foreign service officer, “will now lead the Office of the Inspector General at the State Department” in an “acting” role.
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Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) called the “Friday night attack” by Trump “shameful.” He added in a tweet: “At this point, the President’s paralyzing fear of any oversight is undeniable.”
Shameful. Another late Friday night attack on independence, accountability, and career officials.
At this point, the President's paralyzing fear of any oversight is undeniable. https://t.co/6qV55sRDlo — Senator Bob Menendez (@SenatorMenendez) May 16, 2020
Walter Shaub, former head of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics under both Barack Obama and Trump, praised Linick as an “honorable” inspector general who “dug in on issues, not politics.” He pointed out that Linick had once written a critical report on Democrat Hillary Clinton for keeping emails on a personal server while she was secretary of state.
Steve Linick is an honorable inspector general who dug in on issues, not politics. Before the Trump supporters start painting him as a partisan "deep stater," it might be worth recalling that he wrote an investigative report criticizing Hillary Clinton. https://t.co/4G2e7LVLqW pic.twitter.com/1tA3WhQCZ3 — Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) May 16, 2020
Shaub accused Trump of “tearing down the fabric of our republic” with his vendetta against inspectors general. He pointed out that the law requiring Trump to give Congress 30 days notice of Linick’s removal gives lawmakers time to fight his decision.
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Congress amended the law in 2008 "to enhance the independence of the Inspectors General" by, among other things, adding the 30-day advance notice requirement.https://t.co/IfNmUEsOW8 — Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) May 16, 2020
Just weeks ago Trump removed Christi Grimm as principal deputy inspector general for the Department of Health and Human Services after her office criticized his administration’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.
Last month, Trump booted intelligence community Inspector General Michael Atkinson, who forwarded the whistleblower complaint that led to the president’s impeachment.
Trump also forced out acting Pentagon Inspector General Glenn Fine, who had been chosen as chairman of the federal panel Congress created to oversee management of the government’s $2 trillion COVID-19 stimulus package.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-16--'Art Of The Deal' Co-Author Spells Out Why Coronavirus Deaths 'Don't Matter' To Trump

Donald Trump ’ s former ghostwriter declared Friday that the president really doesn ’ t care about the deaths resulting from the coronavirus pandemic because he has “ no conscience ” and is solely motivated by the need to dominate .
Tony Schwartz , who co-authored Trump ’ s 1987 book “ The Art of the Deal , ” explained to MSNBC ’ s Ari Melber how the president ’ s repeated premature declarations of victory in the fight against the contagion had prompted him to “ really rethink Trump ’ s motivation.
” “ I ’ ve always assumed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ motivation is to be loved and admired and recognized and praised , ” said Schwartz .
“ That is a motivation but the deeper motivation is domination , is to win .
And that is a function of the fact that he has no conscience.
” Schwartz acknowledged most people find it hard to understand how Trump doesn ’ t feel or make a distinction between right or wrong .
It gives the president “ an enormous advantage in a situation where most people would be limited by their respect for the truth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were going to have an impact on others , ” added Schwartz .
“ The deaths , I know this is extreme , the deaths don ’ t matter to him , ” Schwartz concluded , in reference to the nationwide 88,000 death toll from the pandemic .
“ If it ’ s this decision between saving himself and saving others , it is no contest .
”

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Donald Trump’s former ghostwriter declared Friday that the president really doesn’t care about the deaths resulting from the coronavirus pandemic because he has “no conscience” and is solely motivated by the need to dominate.
Tony Schwartz, who co-authored Trump’s 1987 book “The Art of the Deal,” explained to MSNBC’s Ari Melber how the president’s repeated premature declarations of victory in the fight against the contagion had prompted him to “really rethink Trump’s motivation.”
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“I’ve always assumed like most people have that the primary motivation is to be loved and admired and recognized and praised,” said Schwartz. “That is a motivation but the deeper motivation is domination, is to win. And that is a function of the fact that he has no conscience.”
“And let’s be clear. No conscience,” he added.
Schwartz acknowledged most people find it hard to understand how Trump doesn’t feel or make a distinction between right or wrong.
It gives the president “an enormous advantage in a situation where most people would be limited by their respect for the truth and by their concern for how they were going to have an impact on others,” added Schwartz.
“The deaths, I know this is extreme, the deaths don’t matter to him,” Schwartz concluded, in reference to the nationwide 88,000-person death toll from the pandemic. “If it’s this decision between saving himself and saving others, it is no contest.”
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