thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-07--Trump Campaign Official Mocked Joe Biden For Visiting Graves Of Late Family Members

President Donald Trump ’ s campaign is coming under criticism after one of its senior staffers on Sunday mocked Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden for “ meandering ” through a cemetery .
Biden was visiting the graves of his late son , Beau Biden , and his first wife , Neilia Biden , and daughter , Naomi Biden .
Beau Biden died of brain cancer in 2015 ; Neilia and Naomi Biden were killed in a car accident in 1972 .
REPORTER : `` Mr. Vice President come talk to us . ''
Joe Biden just keeps meandering along .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) September 6 , 2020 The former vice president had just come from St. Joseph on the Brandywine church in Wilmington , Delaware , and was walking on a path through the cemetery .
Trump was playing golf at roughly the same time .
The incident came days after it was reported that Trump didn ’ t want to visit the graves of fallen U.S. soldiers in France , calling them “ losers ” and “ suckers.
” Brennan was roundly criticized on Twitter for the callous message : Meet Trump campaign Director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden for visiting the grave of his late son who is a US military vet .
It 's not just Trump- it 's the entire Trump team that hates our veterans !
# TrumpHatesOurVeterans https : //t.co/eQYbX2iy6Y — ( ( ( DeanObeidallah ) ) ) ( @ DeanObeidallah ) September 7 , 2020 In July , a RNC spokesman mockingly tweeted a photo of Biden and his dead son as a boy .
Today , a Trump campaign spokesman mockingly tweeted a video of Biden visiting his son ’ s grave .
pic.twitter.com/3v15U4eWe7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ September 6 , 2020 Joe Biden visits his son 's grave after attending church this morning .
Punk from Trump campaign ridicules him .
https : //t.co/2rYPqCKImv — Bill Kristol ( @ BillKristol ) September 6 , 2020 Joe Biden was visiting his son ’ s grave .
You are not even human https : //t.co/VXXoCHb0gK — Mia Farrow ( @ MiaFarrow ) September 6 , 2020 He 's in a cemetery .
You know , those places where Trump wo n't go ?
— Leslie - 58 Days 🇺🇲 🌊 ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FrancisBrennan , like the next President @ JoeBiden , I understand what it 's like to go to a cemetery to visit your child .
I actually do meander and focus on my personal grief and my daughter .
What sub human life form are you that you would tweet this & think it was a good idea ?
https : //t.co/XHruNFdG3h — Fred Guttenberg ( @ fred_guttenberg ) September 7 , 2020 If you had a soul , you would ’ ve taken this tweet down .
@ JoeBiden went to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grave .
While our troop hating president @ realDonaldTrump went golfing .
200,000 dead Americans.I wish you never ending explosive diarrhea @ FrancisBrennan https : //t.co/f7z65Xcy6T — Amy Aiello Lofgren ( @ azsweetheart013 ) September 6 , 2020 So much of the criticism of Biden from the Trump campaign , I look at and I ca n't understand who it 's appealing to .
Biden politely declined to talk to a reporter while at the cemetery visiting his son 's grave .
Which voters will dislike Biden for this ?
https : //t.co/cNuo3XTpTN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) September 6 , 2020 You are a sick person who will live with the stain of enabling @ realDonaldTrump for the rest of your life .
— Joe Lockhart ( @ joelockhart ) September 6 , 2020

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President Donald Trump’s campaign is coming under criticism after one of its senior staffers on Sunday mocked Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden for “meandering” through a cemetery. Biden was visiting the graves of his late son, Beau Biden, and his first wife, Neilia Biden, and daughter, Naomi Biden.
Beau Biden died of brain cancer in 2015; Neilia and Naomi Biden were killed in a car accident in 1972.
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Francis Brennan, the Trump campaign’s director of strategic response, tweeted:
REPORTER: "Mr. Vice President come talk to us."
Joe Biden just keeps meandering along. pic.twitter.com/6tnNQj2Ucg — Francis Brennan (@FrancisBrennan) September 6, 2020
The former vice president had just come from St. Joseph on the Brandywine church in Wilmington, Delaware, and was walking on a path through the cemetery. Trump was playing golf at roughly the same time.
The incident came days after it was reported that Trump didn’t want to visit the graves of fallen U.S. soldiers in France, calling them “losers” and “suckers.”
Brennan was roundly criticized on Twitter for the callous message:
Meet Trump campaign Director of Strategic Response @FrancisBrennan mocking Joe Biden for visiting the grave of his late son who is a US military vet. It's not just Trump- it's the entire Trump team that hates our veterans! #TrumpHatesOurVeterans https://t.co/eQYbX2iy6Y — (((DeanObeidallah))) (@DeanObeidallah) September 7, 2020
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You are a ghoul — Jennifer Gunter (@DrJenGunter) September 7, 2020
In July, a RNC spokesman mockingly tweeted a photo of Biden and his dead son as a boy. Today, a Trump campaign spokesman mockingly tweeted a video of Biden visiting his son’s grave. pic.twitter.com/3v15U4eWe7 — Edward-Isaac Dovere (@IsaacDovere) September 6, 2020
Joe Biden visits his son's grave after attending church this morning. Punk from Trump campaign ridicules him. https://t.co/2rYPqCKImv — Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) September 6, 2020
It’s a cemetery. Where his son is buried. Are you human? https://t.co/MSEIPlUxUq — Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) September 6, 2020
Joe Biden was visiting his son’s grave. You are not even human https://t.co/VXXoCHb0gK — Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) September 6, 2020
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He's in a cemetery. You know, those places where Trump won't go? — Leslie - 58 Days 🇺🇲 🌊 (@Leslieoo7) September 6, 2020
You have no soul, Francis. — Jon Cooper 🇺🇸 (@joncoopertweets) September 7, 2020
.@FrancisBrennan, like the next President @JoeBiden, I understand what it's like to go to a cemetery to visit your child. I actually do meander and focus on my personal grief and my daughter. What sub human life form are you that you would tweet this & think it was a good idea? https://t.co/XHruNFdG3h — Fred Guttenberg (@fred_guttenberg) September 7, 2020
If you had a soul, you would’ve taken this tweet down. @JoeBiden went to church, and then to his sons grave. While our troop hating president @realDonaldTrump went golfing. 200,000 dead Americans.I wish you never ending explosive diarrhea @FrancisBrennan https://t.co/f7z65Xcy6T — Amy Aiello Lofgren (@azsweetheart013) September 6, 2020
So much of the criticism of Biden from the Trump campaign, I look at and I can't understand who it's appealing to. Biden politely declined to talk to a reporter while at the cemetery visiting his son's grave. Which voters will dislike Biden for this? https://t.co/cNuo3XTpTN — Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) September 6, 2020
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-07--'We're Screwed': Kevin McCarthy Gives Trump Some Tough Election Talk

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy ( R-Calif. ) said he has warned President Donald Trump that his repeated attacks on voting by mail could backfire and hurt both his reelection efforts and Republicans in other races .
“ We could lose based on that , ” McCarthy told Axios , saying the result could be that Democrats vote by mail while Republicans don ’ t ― and because of the coronavirus pandemic , Trump supporters might not vote in person , either .
“ I tried to show him ... You know who is most afraid of COVID ?
Seniors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they ’ re not going to go vote , period , we ’ re screwed.
” That , he added , would not only hurt Trump ’ s reelection chances but could also cost Republicans seats in down-ballot races .
Trump has repeatedly attacked voting by mail , claiming without evidence that mail-in ballots lead to fraud — despite the fact that he and his family and colleagues have routinely voted by mail themselves .
Surveys have shown that Trump ’ s attacks have hit home with his base : According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last month , 48 % of Biden supporters plan to vote by mail , versus 23 % of Trump voters .

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House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said he has warned President Donald Trump that his repeated attacks on voting by mail could backfire and hurt both his reelection efforts and Republicans in other races.
“We could lose based on that,” McCarthy told Axios, saying the result could be that Democrats vote by mail while Republicans don’t ― and because of the coronavirus pandemic, Trump supporters might not vote in person, either.
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“I tried to show him ... You know who is most afraid of COVID? Seniors,” he said. “And if they’re not going to go vote, period, we’re screwed.”
That, he added, would not only hurt Trump’s reelection chances but could also cost Republicans seats in down-ballot races.
Trump has repeatedly attacked voting by mail, claiming without evidence that mail-in ballots lead to fraud — despite the fact that he and his family and colleagues have routinely voted by mail themselves.
Surveys have shown that Trump’s attacks have hit home with his base: According to a Democracy Fund + UCLA Nationscape poll last month, 48% of Biden supporters plan to vote by mail, versus 23% of Trump voters.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-06--Trump Threatens To Yank Funding From Schools That Teach 1619 Project

On Sunday morning , Trump tweeted that the Department of Education was investigating whether California public schools had implemented the New York Times ’ 1619 Project into their curriculum .
The Pulitzer Prize-winning initiative aims to reframe American history around the year slaves landed on its shores and by “ placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans at the very center of our national narrative.
” “ Department of Education is looking at this .
If so , they will not be funded !
” Trump wrote , sharing a Sept. 1 tweet from an unverified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the curriculum .
It follows a White House memo released on Friday and obtained by the Washington Post that ordered federal agencies to discontinue racial sensitivity training .
The Trump administration claimed the training sessions were “ divisive , anti-American propaganda ” and that trainings that mention white privilege or suggest that racism is part of the nation ’ s foundation undercut the government ’ s core values .
All agencies were directed to cancel any training related to white privilege or critical race theory , a school of thought which views race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by white people to perpetuate institutional racism at the expense of people of color .
It ’ s unclear how much of this training was conducted at federal agencies .
The memo was issued days after a guest on Fox News ’ “ Tucker Carlson Tonight ” bashed critical race theory and called for its removal from federal government institutions .
Similarly , while some schools have moved to incorporate the 1619 Project into classes , the extent is not known .
The curriculum is available for free online .
On Sunday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ book about right-wing media ’ s role in transforming American politics , weighed in on Trump ’ s directives in an interview with CNN ’ s Brian Stelter .
“ I don ’ t think any of us believe that the president has deep thoughts about critical race theory or that he ’ s read the 1619 Project , ” she said .
“ These have really become watchwords for what the right sees as anti-white racism.
” Trump ’ s allies have also attacked teaching a version of history that is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton introduced the Saving American History Act of 2020 , legislation that would prohibit the use of federal funds to teach the 1619 Project .
He said the project was “ a racially divisive , revisionist account of history that denies the noble principles of freedom and equality on which our nation was founded .
”

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President Donald Trump has launched another assault against education intended to address racism in America.
On Sunday morning, Trump tweeted that the Department of Education was investigating whether California public schools had implemented the New York Times’ 1619 Project into their curriculum. The Pulitzer Prize-winning initiative aims to reframe American history around the year slaves landed on its shores and by “placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans at the very center of our national narrative.”
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“Department of Education is looking at this. If so, they will not be funded!” Trump wrote, sharing a Sept. 1 tweet from an unverified account stating that California schools were using the curriculum.
Department of Education is looking at this. If so, they will not be funded! https://t.co/dHsw6Y6Y3M — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 6, 2020
It follows a White House memo released on Friday and obtained by the Washington Post that ordered federal agencies to discontinue racial sensitivity training. The Trump administration claimed the training sessions were “divisive, anti-American propaganda” and that trainings that mention white privilege or suggest that racism is part of the nation’s foundation undercut the government’s core values.
All agencies were directed to cancel any training related to white privilege or critical race theory, a school of thought which views race as a social construct that is used by white people to perpetuate institutional racism at the expense of people of color.
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It’s unclear how much of this training was conducted at federal agencies. The memo was issued days after a guest on Fox News’ “Tucker Carlson Tonight” bashed critical race theory and called for its removal from federal government institutions.
Similarly, while some schools have moved to incorporate the 1619 Project into classes, the extent is not known. The curriculum is available for free online.
On Sunday, historian Nicole Hemmer, who authored a book about right-wing media’s role in transforming American politics, weighed in on Trump’s directives in an interview with CNN’s Brian Stelter.
“I don’t think any of us believe that the president has deep thoughts about critical race theory or that he’s read the 1619 Project,” she said. “These have really become watchwords for what the right sees as anti-white racism.”
Trump’s allies have also attacked teaching a version of history that is not flattering to the U.S. Earlier this year, Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton introduced the Saving American History Act of 2020, legislation that would prohibit the use of federal funds to teach the 1619 Project. He said the project was “a racially divisive, revisionist account of history that denies the noble principles of freedom and equality on which our nation was founded.”
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Trump has claimed systemic racism is not a problem in America.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-07--Trump Helped Himself To Art From Ambassador's Mansion In Paris For White House

President Donald Trump helped himself to art treasures he fancied in the U.S. ambassador ’ s historic 1842 mansion in Paris when he visited two years ago —and had them shipped to the White House with him on Air Force One , Bloomberg reported Sunday .
Trump had extra time on his hands during his visit to Paris to commemorate the centennial of the end of World War I when he controversially skipped a trip to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery outside the city .
The cancellation is now causing a world of trouble for Trump since The Atlantic reported that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fallen heroes “ losers , ” according to their sources .
Trump spent some of the six hours of his newly found free time after skipping out on the cemetery visit by “ shopping ” for art in the ambassador ’ s mansion where he was staying , Bloomberg reported .
The following day Trump pointed out a Benjamin Franklin bust , a Franklin portrait and figurines of Greek gods , which he ordered to be returned to Washington with him .
They were valued at $ 750,000 , according to Bloomberg .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ get the art back in six years .
Ambassador Jamie McCourt was “ startled , ” while others were amused and astonished , according to Bloomberg .
“ The President brought these beautiful , historical pieces , which belong to the American people , back to the United States to be prominently displayed in the People ’ s House , ” Judd Deere said .
The Greek figurines are currently on the fireplace mantel in the Oval Office , according to Bloomberg .
The Benjamin Franklin portrait and bust turned out to be @ @ @ @ @

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President Donald Trump helped himself to art treasures he fancied in the U.S. ambassador’s historic 1842 mansion in Paris when he visited two years ago —and had them shipped to the White House with him on Air Force One, Bloomberg reported Sunday.
Trump had extra time on his hands during his visit to Paris to commemorate the centennial of the end of World War I when he controversially skipped a trip to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery outside the city. The cancellation is now causing a world of trouble for Trump since The Atlantic reported that he blew it off after calling the fallen heroes “losers,” according to their sources.
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The White House has confirmed — but downplayed — Trump’s highly unusual art “caper,” Bloomberg noted.
Trump spent some of the six hours of his newly found free time after skipping out on the cemetery visit by “shopping” for art in the ambassador’s mansion where he was staying, Bloomberg reported.
The following day Trump pointed out a Benjamin Franklin bust, a Franklin portrait and figurines of Greek gods, which he ordered to be returned to Washington with him. They were valued at $750,000, according to Bloomberg. He reportedly quipped that the mansion would get the art back in six years.
Ambassador Jamie McCourt was “startled,” while others were amused and astonished, according to Bloomberg.
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Nothing to see here, a White House spokesperson told Bloomberg in a statement.
“The President brought these beautiful, historical pieces, which belong to the American people, back to the United States to be prominently displayed in the People’s House,” Judd Deere said.
The Greek figurines are currently on the fireplace mantel in the Oval Office, according to Bloomberg.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-06--Top German Official Rips Trump's Call To Vote Twice: 'Unscrupulous' And 'Disturbing'

A top German official on Sunday attacked Donald ’ s Trump ’ s “ unscrupulous ” and “ disturbing ” call to Americans to vote twice , calling it an effort to undermine the U.S. presidential election in the event of Trump ’ s defeat .
“ We owe an incredible number of things to the United States and the country remains one of our closest partners .
But ... it is disturbing to see that an American president thinks he might need such ” a strategy , Foreign Affair Minister Heiko Maas told the Bild newspaper , Agence France @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Americans ’ good sense will scupper this unscrupulous effort to sow doubt on the validity of the election with the later aim , probably , of not accepting defeat , ” he added .
Trump , who has railed without evidence about “ corrupt ” voting by mail called on Americans to vote twice — once by mail and once in person — in an interview in North Carolina and a speech in Pennsylvania last week .
It ’ s illegal to vote twice in an election .
Our election laws are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
PA , you can track your ballot right here to ensure it is counted > > https : //t.co/D1D9ZhCTUU https : //t.co/SgX37LQZOg — Josh Shapiro ( @ JoshShapiroPA ) September 4 , 2020 When Attorney General William Barr was pressed on CNN about the president ’ s call to illegally vote twice , Barr professed : “ I don ’ t know what the law in those particular states says.
” News host Wolfe Blitzer asked him if Barr knew of any states where it ’ s legal to vote twice for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Why are you asking me what he ’ s saying ?
” Blitzer responded : “ You ’ re the attorney general of the United States.
” '' I do n't know what the law in the particular state says '' -- Wolf Blitzer has to explain to the Attorney General of the United States that it 's actually illegal to vote twice pic.twitter.com/ytDfzZoZV6 — Aaron Rupar ( @ atrupar ) September 2 , 2020 Critics say Trump and his campaign are working to depress the number of mail-in ballots in a bid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If that doesn ’ t work and Trump loses to Democratic nominee Joe Biden , they argue , he ’ ll cry rigged election and may refuse to accept the results .
Maas stepped in the battle as the historic ties between the U.S. and the German government continue to unravel due to several issues with Trump , especially defense spending .

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A top German official on Sunday attacked Donald’s Trump’s “unscrupulous” and “disturbing” call to Americans to vote twice, calling it an effort to undermine the U.S. presidential election in the event of Trump’s defeat.
“We owe an incredible number of things to the United States and the country remains one of our closest partners. But ... it is disturbing to see that an American president thinks he might need such” a strategy, Foreign Affair Minister Heiko Maas told the Bild newspaper, Agence France Press reported.
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“I have confidence that Americans’ good sense will scupper this unscrupulous effort to sow doubt on the validity of the election with the later aim, probably, of not accepting defeat,” he added.
Trump, who has railed without evidence about “corrupt” voting by mail called on Americans to vote twice — once by mail and once in person — in an interview in North Carolina and a speech in Pennsylvania last week. It’s illegal to vote twice in an election.
Our election laws are clear: One person, one vote.
PA, you can track your ballot right here to ensure it is counted >> https://t.co/D1D9ZhCTUU https://t.co/SgX37LQZOg — Josh Shapiro (@JoshShapiroPA) September 4, 2020
When Attorney General William Barr was pressed on CNN about the president’s call to illegally vote twice, Barr professed: “I don’t know what the law in those particular states says.” News host Wolfe Blitzer asked him if Barr knew of any states where it’s legal to vote twice for a candidate. He responded: “Why are you asking me what he’s saying?” Blitzer responded: “You’re the attorney general of the United States.”
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"I don't know what the law in the particular state says" -- Wolf Blitzer has to explain to the Attorney General of the United States that it's actually illegal to vote twice pic.twitter.com/ytDfzZoZV6 — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 2, 2020
Critics say Trump and his campaign are working to depress the number of mail-in ballots in a bid to sway the election in his favor. If that doesn’t work and Trump loses to Democratic nominee Joe Biden, they argue, he’ll cry rigged election and may refuse to accept the results.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-06--Trump Sics Followers On Laurene Powell Jobs For Her Investment In The Atlantic

Donald Trump called on his supporters Sunday to bombard Laurene Powell Jobs with complaints because of her investment in The Atlantic , which reported that the president has called fallen war heroes “ suckers ” and “ losers.
” “ Steve Jobs would not be happy that his wife is wasting money he left her , ” Trump presumed in a tweet about his widow .
He blasted The Atlantic , which he described as a “ Radical Left Magazine ” run by a “ con man ” — Editor in Chief Jeffrey Goldberg , who wrote the Atlantic ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Trump has also called Goldberg a “ slimeball.
” ) Trump urged his followers to hound Jobs , the widow of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs .
“ Call her , write her , let her know how you feel !
!
!
” Trump tweeted .
Steve Jobs would not be happy that his wife is wasting money he left her on a failing Radical Left Magazine that is run by a con man ( Goldberg ) and spews FAKE NEWS & HATE .
Call her , write her , let her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ https : //t.co/wwuoP85bQE — Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) September 6 , 2020 Jobs ’ Emerson Collective holds a majority stake in The Atlantic magazine .
The billionaire philanthropist is the sixth-richest woman in the world .
The Atlantic article cited multiple accounts of shocking incidents when Trump denigrated military service members , including referring to fallen war heroes as “ losers ” and “ suckers.
” It also revealed details of the president ’ s refusal to visit the graves of America ’ s war dead at Aisne-Marne Cemetery while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A number of other journalists — including from Fox News , which is usually supportive of Trump — have confirmed the story .
Trump has denied everything .
Goldberg said on CNN Sunday that the Atlantic piece is just the “ tip of the iceberg ” of what ’ s going to come out concerning Trump .
“ I would fully expect more reporting to come out about this and more confirmation , and new pieces of information in the coming days and weeks , ” Goldberg told Brian Stelter on “ Reliable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we ’ re going to do it regardless of what he [ Trump ] says.
” Trump ’ s tweet blasting Jobs got furious pushback from critics , especially after his recent attacks on what he calls “ cancel culture ” by “ evil people ” on the left who silence voices that disagree with them .
Several critics on Twitter reported Trump ’ s tweet as a violation of Twitter ’ s policy against “ targeted harassment.
” Conservative pundit Bill Kristol pointed out that Trump appallingly indicated in 2013 tweet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a boyfriend two years after her husband died and left her “ everything.
” On Sunday morning , Trump is urging the harassment of Steve Jobs ’ widow in a desperate attempt to distract from the corroborated facts of his appalling denigration of American soldiers as “ losers ” & “ suckers.
” I prefer presidents who wake up reflecting on how to improve lives .
— Steven Beschloss ( @ StevenBeschloss ) September 6 , 2020 Trump seems to have been obsessed with Laurene Powell Jobs for a while -- a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couple of years after Steve Jobs ' death .
Trump 's an awful president -- but it 's also worth remembering occasionally what a sick and deformed human being he is .
https : //t.co/4iWzmF3IIe — Bill Kristol ( @ BillKristol ) September 6 , 2020 Trump just asked his supporters to harass a deadman 's ( Steve Jobs ' ) widow .
Laurene Powell Jobs spends her life donating her time & money to make sure America is a better place .
Every little thing she does is for the good of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Who 's with me ?
— Mrs. Krassenstein ( @ HKrassenstein ) September 6 , 2020

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Donald Trump called on his supporters Sunday to bombard Laurene Powell Jobs with complaints because of her investment in The Atlantic, which reported that the president has called fallen war heroes “suckers” and “losers.”
“Steve Jobs would not be happy that his wife is wasting money he left her,” Trump presumed in a tweet about his widow. He blasted The Atlantic, which he described as a “Radical Left Magazine” run by a “con man” — Editor in Chief Jeffrey Goldberg, who wrote the Atlantic’s bombshell story published last Thursday. (Trump has also called Goldberg a “slimeball.”)
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Trump urged his followers to hound Jobs, the widow of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. “Call her, write her, let her know how you feel!!!” Trump tweeted.
Steve Jobs would not be happy that his wife is wasting money he left her on a failing Radical Left Magazine that is run by a con man (Goldberg) and spews FAKE NEWS & HATE. Call her, write her, let her know how you feel!!! https://t.co/wwuoP85bQE — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 6, 2020
Jobs’ Emerson Collective holds a majority stake in The Atlantic magazine. The billionaire philanthropist is the sixth-richest woman in the world.
The Atlantic article cited multiple accounts of shocking incidents when Trump denigrated military service members, including referring to fallen war heroes as “losers” and “suckers.” It also revealed details of the president’s refusal to visit the graves of America’s war dead at Aisne-Marne Cemetery while he was in France in 2018. A number of other journalists — including from Fox News, which is usually supportive of Trump — have confirmed the story. Trump has denied everything.
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Jobs has not responded to Trump’s tweet targeting her.
Goldberg said on CNN Sunday that the Atlantic piece is just the “tip of the iceberg” of what’s going to come out concerning Trump.
“I would fully expect more reporting to come out about this and more confirmation, and new pieces of information in the coming days and weeks,” Goldberg told Brian Stelter on “Reliable Sources.” “We have a responsibility and we’re going to do it regardless of what he [Trump] says.”
Trump’s tweet blasting Jobs got furious pushback from critics, especially after his recent attacks on what he calls “cancel culture” by “evil people” on the left who silence voices that disagree with them.
Several critics on Twitter reported Trump’s tweet as a violation of Twitter’s policy against “targeted harassment.” Conservative pundit Bill Kristol pointed out that Trump appallingly indicated in 2013 tweet that it was wrong for Jobs to have a boyfriend two years after her husband died and left her “everything.”
Stop harassing Americans — Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) September 6, 2020
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On Sunday morning, Trump is urging the harassment of Steve Jobs’ widow in a desperate attempt to distract from the corroborated facts of his appalling denigration of American soldiers as “losers” & “suckers.”
I prefer presidents who wake up reflecting on how to improve lives. — Steven Beschloss (@StevenBeschloss) September 6, 2020
Trump seems to have been obsessed with Laurene Powell Jobs for a while--a friend remembered this creepy tweet from a couple of years after Steve Jobs' death. Trump's an awful president--but it's also worth remembering occasionally what a sick and deformed human being he is. https://t.co/4iWzmF3IIe — Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) September 6, 2020
Is this that cancel culture I've heard so much about? — Paul 👻 (@pablo_honey1) September 6, 2020
Reported for targeted harassment — KD (@Fly_Sistah) September 6, 2020
REPORTED
Targeted harassment. — 🌊Christine #BidenHarris2020🌊 (@CHR1ST1N3P) September 6, 2020
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-06--Fox News Grills Mnuchin About Hypocrisy Of Trump's 'Cancel Culture' Call To Ax Reporter

“ Fox News Sunday ” challenged Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin about the hypocrisy of President Donald Trump ’ s demand that the network fire a reporter after Trump harshly attacked a so-called “ cancel culture ” that aims to silence targeted voices .
Mnuchin claimed to know nothing about the issue and said he ’ s been too busy grappling with the economy .
Trump on Saturday called on Fox to fire national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin after she confirmed much of the bombshell Atlantic story Friday that the president referred to fallen military heroes as “ suckers ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporting , based on an anonymous source , also revealed that Trump once said that including “ wounded guys ” would not be a “ good look ” at a Fourth of July parade honoring the military .
Fox host Bret Baier pressed Mnuchin on Trump ’ s call to fire Griffin .
“ The president also says he ’ s against the cancel culture , ” Baier said .
“ But do you think it ’ s right for him to call for the firing of a reporter who has unnamed sources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Mnuchin pleaded ignorance .
“ Bret , I really don ’ t know anything about that , ” he said .
“ So it ’ s just not something I can comment on.
” “ He ’ s tweeted about it , ” Baier told Mnuchin .
“ Obviously , he says he wants a reporter who happens to work here at Fox fired.
” Mnuchin dodged the question .
“ I ’ ve been busy on economic issues , to be honest with you.
” he said .
“ I focus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I said , on the military , I ’ ve always heard him [ Trump ] to be 150 % supportive .
I ’ m just not aware of the issues that you ’ re talking about.
” Trump previously attacked what he called the “ cancel culture ” of “ evil people ” on the left , speaking on July 3 at Mount Rushmore National Memorial .
“ One of their political weapons is ‘ cancel culture ’ — driving people from their jobs , shaming dissenters and demanding total submission from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This is the very definition of totalitarianism , and it is completely alien to our culture and our values , and it has absolutely no place in the United States.
” Yet in the space of six days , Trump called for Griffin ’ s firing , for the termination of the “ very untalented ” Joy Reid of MSNBC and for the firing of CNN ’ s Chris Cuomo .
He also called on supporters Sunday to harass Laurene Powell Jobs , the widow of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Atlantic .
Steve Jobs would not be happy that his wife is wasting money he left her on a failing Radical Left Magazine that is run by a con man ( Goldberg ) and spews FAKE NEWS & HATE .
Call her , write her , let her know how you feel !
!
!
https : //t.co/wwuoP85bQE — Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) September 6 , 2020

“Fox News Sunday” challenged Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin about the hypocrisy of President Donald Trump’s demand that the network fire a reporter after Trump harshly attacked a so-called “cancel culture” that aims to silence targeted voices.
Mnuchin claimed to know nothing about the issue and said he’s been too busy grappling with the economy.
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Trump on Saturday called on Fox to fire national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin after she confirmed much of the bombshell Atlantic story Friday that the president referred to fallen military heroes as “suckers” and “losers.”
Griffin’s own reporting, based on an anonymous source, also revealed that Trump once said that including “wounded guys” would not be a “good look” at a Fourth of July parade honoring the military.
Fox host Bret Baier pressed Mnuchin on Trump’s call to fire Griffin. “The president also says he’s against the cancel culture,” Baier said. “But do you think it’s right for him to call for the firing of a reporter who has unnamed sources who confirm parts of that story?”
Mnuchin pleaded ignorance. “Bret, I really don’t know anything about that,” he said. “So it’s just not something I can comment on.”
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“He’s tweeted about it,” Baier told Mnuchin. “Obviously, he says he wants a reporter who happens to work here at Fox fired.”
Mnuchin dodged the question. “I’ve been busy on economic issues, to be honest with you.” he said. “I focus on a lot of things. As I said, on the military, I’ve always heard him [Trump] to be 150% supportive. I’m just not aware of the issues that you’re talking about.”
Trump previously attacked what he called the “cancel culture” of “evil people” on the left, speaking on July 3 at Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
“One of their political weapons is ‘cancel culture’ — driving people from their jobs, shaming dissenters and demanding total submission from anyone who disagrees,” Trump said. “This is the very definition of totalitarianism, and it is completely alien to our culture and our values, and it has absolutely no place in the United States.”
Yet in the space of six days, Trump called for Griffin’s firing, for the termination of the “very untalented” Joy Reid of MSNBC and for the firing of CNN’s Chris Cuomo.
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He also called on supporters Sunday to harass Laurene Powell Jobs, the widow of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, because of her investment links to The Atlantic.
Steve Jobs would not be happy that his wife is wasting money he left her on a failing Radical Left Magazine that is run by a con man (Goldberg) and spews FAKE NEWS & HATE. Call her, write her, let her know how you feel!!! https://t.co/wwuoP85bQE — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 6, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-07--Louis DeJoy Reportedly Pressured Former Employees To Donate To GOP, Then Reimbursed Them

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy allegedly pressured former employees to donate to Republican candidates he supported and then reimbursed them with large bonuses , according to multiple media reports .
Both The Washington Post and The New York Times said Sunday that DeJoy , a top Republican fundraiser and Trump megadonor , urged workers at his former business , New Breed Logistics , to write checks to lawmakers for more than a decade between 2003 and 2014 .
The Post spoke with five former employees who corroborated the accounts and analyzed campaign finance records which showed more than $ 1 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and state GOP candidates .
Only $ 700 was donated to Democratic candidates during the same period by company employees .
“ He asked employees for money .
We gave him the money , and then he reciprocated by giving us big bonuses , ” David Young , a former director of human resources at DeJoy ’ s company , told the Post .
“ When we got our bonuses , let ’ s just say they were bigger , they exceeded expectations — and that covered the tax and everything else.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never approached to make political donations , and it ’ s unclear how they may have been solicited .
But Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D-N.Y. ) said the allegations were serious enough that the North Carolina attorney general should open an investigation into the matter .
Federal election laws prohibit straw-donor donation schemes , in which individuals bypass political donation limits by reimbursing others that effectively donate on their behalf .
The New York Times notes it is legal , however , for people to encourage their employees to donate .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign fundraising laws and regulations should be complied with in all respects , ” the spokesman , Monty Hagler , told the publication .
“ Mr .
DeJoy was never notified by the New Breed employees referenced by the Washington Post of any pressure they might have felt to make a political contribution , and he regrets if any employee felt uncomfortable for any reason.
” DeJoy angrily pushed back against assertions he reimbursed former employees after they were pressured to donate to GOP candidates in testimony to House lawmakers last month .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , sir , and I resent it .
.
.
.
The answer is no , ” he told Rep. Jim Cooper ( D-Tenn. ) during a pointed question about the details of the alleged arrangements .
Aug. 24 , 2020 COOPER : Did you pay back several of your top executives for contributing to Trump 's campaign by bonus-ing or rewarding them ?
DEJOY : That 's an outrageous claim , sir , and I resent it .
… The answer is no .
… I 'm fully aware of legal campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RiegerReport ) September 6 , 2020 DeJoy has faced fierce criticism from Democrats in recent months following his appointment to lead the U.S .
Postal Service in May .
He has come under fire for decisions to cut costs at the federal agency including moves to reduce overtime and decommission mail sorting machines ahead of the November election .
Critics have accused DeJoy of kowtowing to President Donald Trump ’ s frustrations with the Postal Service and deals the agency has with Amazon , a frequent target of the president ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lies about mail-in voting ahead of an expected surge in the coming months as millions of Americans vote from home due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic .
“ I am not engaged in sabotaging the election , ” DeJoy told House lawmakers last month amid question about the election .
“ We will do everything in our power and structure to deliver the ballots on time .
”

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy allegedly pressured former employees to donate to Republican candidates he supported and then reimbursed them with large bonuses, according to multiple media reports.
Both The Washington Post and The New York Times said Sunday that DeJoy, a top Republican fundraiser and Trump megadonor, urged workers at his former business, New Breed Logistics, to write checks to lawmakers for more than a decade between 2003 and 2014.
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The Post spoke with five former employees who corroborated the accounts and analyzed campaign finance records which showed more than $1 million in donations during that period to federal and state GOP candidates. Only $700 was donated to Democratic candidates during the same period by company employees.
“He asked employees for money. We gave him the money, and then he reciprocated by giving us big bonuses,” David Young, a former director of human resources at DeJoy’s company, told the Post. “When we got our bonuses, let’s just say they were bigger, they exceeded expectations — and that covered the tax and everything else.”
Other employees told the Times they were never approached to make political donations, and it’s unclear how they may have been solicited. But Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said the allegations were serious enough that the North Carolina attorney general should open an investigation into the matter.
These are very serious allegations that must be investigated immediately, independent of the Trump Justice Department
North Carolina’s Attorney General—an elected official who is independent of Donald Trump—is the right person to start this investigationhttps://t.co/eL5Z6G6HLl — Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) September 6, 2020
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Federal election laws prohibit straw-donor donation schemes, in which individuals bypass political donation limits by reimbursing others that effectively donate on their behalf. The New York Times notes it is legal, however, for people to encourage their employees to donate.
A spokesperson for DeJoy told the Post that the postmaster general believed “he has always followed campaign fundraising laws and regulations.”
“Mr. DeJoy believes that all campaign fundraising laws and regulations should be complied with in all respects,” the spokesman, Monty Hagler, told the publication. “Mr. DeJoy was never notified by the New Breed employees referenced by the Washington Post of any pressure they might have felt to make a political contribution, and he regrets if any employee felt uncomfortable for any reason.”
DeJoy angrily pushed back against assertions he reimbursed former employees after they were pressured to donate to GOP candidates in testimony to House lawmakers last month.
“That’s an outrageous claim, sir, and I resent it. . . . The answer is no,” he told Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.) during a pointed question about the details of the alleged arrangements.
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Aug. 24, 2020
COOPER: Did you pay back several of your top executives for contributing to Trump's campaign by bonus-ing or rewarding them?
DEJOY: That's an outrageous claim, sir, and I resent it. … The answer is no. … I'm fully aware of legal campaign contributions. pic.twitter.com/3OjJK9U0on — JM Rieger (@RiegerReport) September 6, 2020
DeJoy has faced fierce criticism from Democrats in recent months following his appointment to lead the U.S. Postal Service in May. He has come under fire for decisions to cut costs at the federal agency including moves to reduce overtime and decommission mail sorting machines ahead of the November election. Critics have accused DeJoy of kowtowing to President Donald Trump’s frustrations with the Postal Service and deals the agency has with Amazon, a frequent target of the president’s ire.
Trump has also regularly spread lies about mail-in voting ahead of an expected surge in the coming months as millions of Americans vote from home due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
DeJoy has vehemently denied any efforts to undercut the distribution of ballots to voters.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-06--Rochester Mayor Announces Policing Changes In Light Of Daniel Prude's Death

The report also noted that excited delirium and acute intoxication by phencyclidine ( PCP ) were contributing factors .
The @ @ @ @ @ Prude ’ s encounter with police prompted days of protests in Rochester , attracting residents @ @ @ @ @ well as protesters from out-of-state .
Prude ’ s death adds to the ongoing turmoil @ @ @ @ @ as protesters call for the end of racial injustice and police brutality against Black people @ @ @ @ @ deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd , as well as the police shooting of @ @ @ @ @ health professionals held a peaceful protest on Sunday morning , urging city officials to send @ @ @ @ @ on police calls involving mental illness or substance abuse .
Other protests in the city @ @ @ @ @ protesters , including some local politicians and some people with shields , clashed with police @

The report also noted that excited delirium and acute intoxication by phencyclidine (PCP) were contributing factors.
The release of the footage of Prude’s encounter with police prompted days of protests in Rochester, attracting residents and local politicians, as well as protesters from out-of-state.
Prude’s death adds to the ongoing turmoil in cities across the country as protesters call for the end of racial injustice and police brutality against Black people, in light of the deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, as well as the police shooting of Jacob Blake.
Local mental health professionals held a peaceful protest on Sunday morning, urging city officials to send a mental health task force on police calls involving mental illness or substance abuse.
Other protests in the city have been more contentious as protesters, including some local politicians and some people with shields, clashed with police.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-06--States Brace For Painful Budget Cuts With Congress Deadlocked Over Coronavirus Aid

Mike Segar / reuters New York Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks in front of a mural on April 29 , 2020 .
New York is among several states facing revenue shortfalls that , absent help from Congress , are likely to inflict financial pain throughout the state .
REUTERS/Mike Segar With Congress deadlocked for months on a new coronavirus relief package , many states haven ’ t had the luxury of waiting to see whether more money is on the way .
Some that have delayed budget decisions are growing frustrated by the uncertainty .
As the U.S. Senate returns to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers are again urging action on proposals that could provide hundreds of billions of additional dollars to states and local governments .
“ There is a lot at stake in the next federal stimulus package and , if it ’ s done wrong , I think it could be catastrophic for California , ” said Assemblyman Phil Ting , a Democrat from San Francisco and chairman of the Assembly Budget Committee .
The budget that Democratic Gov .
Gavin Newsom signed in June includes $ 11.1 billion in automatic spending cuts and deferrals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unless Congress sends the state $ 14 billion in additional aid .
California ’ s public schools , colleges , universities and state workers ’ salaries all stand to be hit .
Some state officials , such as Republican Gov .
Eric Holcomb of Indiana , are pushing for greater flexibility in spending the money they already received .
Others , such as Republican Gov .
Mike DeWine of Ohio , say more federal aid is needed , especially to help small businesses and emergency responders working for municipalities with strained budgets .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ voted to provide nearly $ 1 trillion of additional aid to states and local governments as part of a broad relief bill .
But the legislation has stalled amid disagreements among President Donald Trump ’ s administration , Republican Senate leaders and Democrats over the size , scope and necessity of another relief package .
In general , Republicans want a smaller , less costly version .
The bipartisan National Governors Association and Moody ’ s Analytics have cited a need for about $ 500 billion in additional aid to states and local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy .
At least three-quarters of states have lowered their 2021 revenue projections , according to the National Conference of State Legislatures .
Wyoming Gov .
Mark Gordon , a Republican , recently announced $ 250 million of “ agonizing ” cuts that he described as “ just the tip of the iceberg ” in addressing a $ 1 billion budget shortfall caused by the coronavirus and declining revenue from coal and other natural resources .
The cuts will reduce funding for childhood vaccinations and eliminate a program to help adults learn new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It is not likely that these trends are going to turn around rapidly or as significantly as we would like , ” Gordon said .
Previous federal legislation pumped money into the economy through business subsidies , larger unemployment benefits and $ 1,200 direct payments to individuals .
The resulting consumer spending led to a rebound in sales tax revenue in some states .
Many states also delayed their individual income tax deadlines from April to July , which led to a larger than usual influx of summer revenue from taxpayers ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers are expected to work on a budget next week , a deficit that some had feared could reach $ 400 million now is pegged around $ 55 million .
A predicted $ 518 million shortfall in Arizona for the current fiscal year has been revised to just $ 62 million .
Local governments in New Mexico said revenue has been propped up by surprisingly strong sales taxes .
But “ that sugar high from the federal stimulus will fall off , and our communities will be affected , ” said A.J .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mexico Municipal League .
New Mexico Gov .
Michelle Lujan Grisham , a Democrat , is urging the Legislature to legalize and tax recreational marijuana as a way to shore up state revenue .
Democratic Pennsylvania Gov .
Tom Wolf also wants the Legislature to legalize marijuana , with the tax revenue going toward grants for small businesses and criminal justice reforms .
State tax revenue often lags economic trends because individuals ’ income losses aren ’ t reflected on tax returns until months later .
As a result , experts warn that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the recession well into their 2021 and 2022 budget years .
The 2021 fiscal year began July 1 in most states .
But seven states have yet to enact a full-year budget , in some cases because they have been waiting for congressional action on another relief bill .
One such state is New Jersey , which shifted the start of its budget year from July to October because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Democratic Gov .
Phil Murphy recently proposed a budget that would slash about $ 1 billion in spending , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and raise taxes on millionaires , businesses , yachts , cigarettes and health insurance plans .

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks in front of a mural on April 29, 2020. New York is among several states facing revenue shortfalls that, absent help from Congress, are likely to inflict financial pain throughout the state. REUTERS/Mike Segar Mike Segar / reuters
Spending cuts to schools, childhood vaccinations and job-training programs. New taxes on millionaires, cigarettes and legalized marijuana. Borrowing, drawing from rainy day funds and reducing government workers’ pay.
These are some actions states are considering to shore up their finances amid a sharp drop in tax revenue caused by the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.
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With Congress deadlocked for months on a new coronavirus relief package, many states haven’t had the luxury of waiting to see whether more money is on the way. Some that have delayed budget decisions are growing frustrated by the uncertainty.
As the U.S. Senate returns to session Tuesday, some governors and state lawmakers are again urging action on proposals that could provide hundreds of billions of additional dollars to states and local governments.
“There is a lot at stake in the next federal stimulus package and, if it’s done wrong, I think it could be catastrophic for California,” said Assemblyman Phil Ting, a Democrat from San Francisco and chairman of the Assembly Budget Committee.
The budget that Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed in June includes $11.1 billion in automatic spending cuts and deferrals that will kick in Oct. 15, unless Congress sends the state $14 billion in additional aid. California’s public schools, colleges, universities and state workers’ salaries all stand to be hit.
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In Michigan, schools are grappling with uncertainty as they begin classes because the state lacks a budget for the fiscal year that starts Oct. 1.
Ryan McLeod, superintendent of the Eastpointe school district near Detroit, said it is trying to reopen with in-person instruction, “but the costs are tremendous” to provide a safe environment for students.
“The only answer, really, is to have federal assistance,” McLeod said.
Congress approved $150 billion for states and local governments in March. That money was targeted to cover coronavirus-related costs, not to offset declining revenue resulting from the recession.
Some state officials, such as Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb of Indiana, are pushing for greater flexibility in spending the money they already received. Others, such as Republican Gov. Mike DeWine of Ohio, say more federal aid is needed, especially to help small businesses and emergency responders working for municipalities with strained budgets.
In mid-May, the Democratic-led U.S. House voted to provide nearly $1 trillion of additional aid to states and local governments as part of a broad relief bill. But the legislation has stalled amid disagreements among President Donald Trump’s administration, Republican Senate leaders and Democrats over the size, scope and necessity of another relief package. In general, Republicans want a smaller, less costly version.
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The prospects for a pre-election COVID-19 relief measure appear to be dimming, with aid to states and local governments one of the key areas of conflict.
The bipartisan National Governors Association and Moody’s Analytics have cited a need for about $500 billion in additional aid to states and local governments to avoid major damage to the economy. At least three-quarters of states have lowered their 2021 revenue projections, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
While Congress has been at loggerheads, many states have pressed forward with budget cuts.
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon, a Republican, recently announced $250 million of “agonizing” cuts that he described as “just the tip of the iceberg” in addressing a $1 billion budget shortfall caused by the coronavirus and declining revenue from coal and other natural resources. The cuts will reduce funding for childhood vaccinations and eliminate a program to help adults learn new job skills, among other things.
“It is not likely that these trends are going to turn around rapidly or as significantly as we would like,” Gordon said.
In August, Rhode Island Management and Budget Director Jonathan Womer sent a memo to state agencies instructing them to plan for a 15% cut in the fiscal year that starts next July.
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In some states, however, the financial outlook is not as dire as some had feared earlier this year.
Previous federal legislation pumped money into the economy through business subsidies, larger unemployment benefits and $1,200 direct payments to individuals. The resulting consumer spending led to a rebound in sales tax revenue in some states. Many states also delayed their individual income tax deadlines from April to July, which led to a larger than usual influx of summer revenue from taxpayers’ 2019 earnings.
In Vermont, where lawmakers are expected to work on a budget next week, a deficit that some had feared could reach $400 million now is pegged around $55 million. A predicted $518 million shortfall in Arizona for the current fiscal year has been revised to just $62 million.
Local governments in New Mexico said revenue has been propped up by surprisingly strong sales taxes. But “that sugar high from the federal stimulus will fall off, and our communities will be affected,” said A.J. Forte, executive director of the New Mexico Municipal League.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, is urging the Legislature to legalize and tax recreational marijuana as a way to shore up state revenue. Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf also wants the Legislature to legalize marijuana, with the tax revenue going toward grants for small businesses and criminal justice reforms.
State tax revenue often lags economic trends because individuals’ income losses aren’t reflected on tax returns until months later. As a result, experts warn that states might experience the lagging effects of the recession well into their 2021 and 2022 budget years.
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“The worst is still yet to come,” said Brian Sigritz, director of state fiscal studies at the National Association of State Budget Officers.
The 2021 fiscal year began July 1 in most states. But seven states have yet to enact a full-year budget, in some cases because they have been waiting for congressional action on another relief bill.
One such state is New Jersey, which shifted the start of its budget year from July to October because of the coronavirus pandemic. Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy recently proposed a budget that would slash about $1 billion in spending, take on $4 billion in debt and raise taxes on millionaires, businesses, yachts, cigarettes and health insurance plans.
Murphy has said the initial federal aid didn’t provide enough “to deal with the variety of tsunamis that we’re facing.”
In New York, Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration estimates the state will receive about $8 billion less in tax revenue than once expected this fiscal year. Cuomo, who recently became chairman of the National Governors Association, wants Congress to provide an additional $30 billion to New York to plug budget holes that he warns will compound in coming years.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-07--No, The Government Did Not Break Up A Child Sex Trafficking Ring In Georgia

Wait , So Was This A Trafficking Bust Or Not ?
The operation was a success .
Authorities found all @ @ @ @ @ missing children .
Of the 65 they located , 39 were “ recovered , ” @ @ @ @ @ whatever situation they were in — which could be anything from living on the streets @ @ @ @ @ ’ s couch to staying with a parent who didn ’ t have custody rights @ @ @ @ @ were closed without the child being “ recovered.
” Albright said this could mean that @ @ @ @ @ Child Protective Services , found them — or that they had been home all along @ @ @ @ @ Those Kids They Found In The Trailer ?
But At Least They Rescued A Bunch @ @ @ @ @ Right ?
You ’ re Not Implying That Child Sex Trafficking Is Fake , Are @ @ @ @ @ What About The Kids Who Were Trafficked ?

Human trafficking has been having an eventful summer. In July, internet sleuths accused online retailer Wayfair of selling missing children in overpriced cabinets. In August, QAnon supporters (along with some well-meaning if ill-informed influencers) held nationwide “Save the Children” rallies.
And last week, there was the trailer story.
“U.S. Marshals Find 39 Missing Children in Georgia During ‘Operation Not Forgotten,’” proclaimed the government’s official press release. Federal agents and local law enforcement, it said, had rescued 26 children, “safely located” 13 more and arrested nine perpetrators, some of whom were charged with sex trafficking.
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The facts of the operation weren’t clear (what does “safely located” mean, exactly?), but it didn’t stop media outlets from taking up the story. “Missing Children Rescued in Georgia Sex Trafficking Bust” wrote The Associated Press, a headline dutifully repeated in The New York Times. “39 Missing Children Located in Georgia Sex Trafficking Sting Operation” was People magazine’s version. Few media outlets contributed any original reporting; the vast majority of stories were little more than rewritten versions of the U.S. Marshals Service’s press release.
Within hours, social media users continued the game of telephone. “39 kids were just recovered from traffickers in Georgia,” Charlie Kirk, the founder of the right-wing student group Turning Point USA, wrote in a tweet. “Law enforcement officers saved their lives. How is this not the biggest story in America right now?”
39 kids were just recovered from traffickers in Georgia. At least 15 were sexually abused.
Law enforcement officers saved their lives.
How is this not the biggest story in America right now? — Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) August 30, 2020
Thousands of other social media users repeated the same information and asked the same rhetorical question: Why wasn’t this a bigger deal?
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“The media is so hell-bent on demonizing the law enforcement profession that they have to find really weak excuses to not cover it when cops rescue 39 children from a sex trafficking ring,” the National Fraternal Order of Police, the law enforcement union, told its followers.
How is finding 39 missing children in a double wide trailer here in Georgia NOT the biggest news story in America? — King Randall, I. (@NewEmergingKing) August 28, 2020
More than 150,000 people shared a single-sentence tweet from someone named King Randall, I: “How is finding 39 missing children in a double wide trailer here in Georgia NOT the biggest news story in America?”
Well, to answer a one-sentence question with a one-sentence answer, 39 kids being rescued from a trailer in Georgia is not the biggest news story in America because 39 kids were not rescued from a trailer in Georgia.
“This is not the big trafficking bust everyone thinks it is,” said Erin Albright, a human trafficking and law enforcement consultant who works with cities to develop anti-trafficking strategies. “Any time a child is being harmed and is connected with meaningful support, that’s good. But at the same time, we have to recognize that these stories are not what they look like at first.”
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Wait, So Was This A Trafficking Bust Or Not?
It wasn’t.
“This was not a designated anti-trafficking operation,” Darby Kirby, a U.S. Marshals Service inspector involved with the operation, told HuffPost. Operation Not Forgotten, the name law enforcement gave the recovery effort, was a collaboration between state and federal authorities to locate 78 “critically missing” children. That term means they could be at risk for trafficking, but they could also be at risk of parental abuse or have medical conditions that make their recovery more urgent.
The operation was a success. Authorities found all but 13 of the 78 missing children. Of the 65 they located, 39 were “recovered,” meaning they were removed from whatever situation they were in — which could be anything from living on the streets to crashing on a friend’s couch to staying with a parent who didn’t have custody rights. The other 26 cases were closed without the child being “recovered.” Albright said this could mean that another agency, such as Child Protective Services, found them — or that they had been home all along.
State authorities said they suspected that 15 of the 78 children were victims of trafficking (meaning they were engaging in commercial sex) but confirmed only six cases. Those children were transferred to a victims’ rehabilitation facility, and we’re going to talk about them later.
The operation netted only one new charge of sex trafficking against a perpetrator. Of the seven men and two women arrested, three were charged with probation violations, one was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and two were accused of violating custody arrangements. One person was arrested on a warrant for a previous sex trafficking charge, and two more were arrested on warrants for sex crimes in other states.
“We need to keep in mind that ‘rescuing’ these kids is not the end. They’re still incredibly vulnerable. A year from now the U.S. Marshals could do this again and pick up the same 39 kids.” - Erin Albright, law enforcement and human trafficking consultant
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But What About All Those Kids They Found In The Trailer?
Yeah, there was no trailer.
Federal agents did not rescue a large number of children from a single location — or even a single jurisdiction. Kirby told HuffPost that only two children were recovered together. The other kids were found individually across 15 Georgia counties and six other states: South Carolina, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Florida, Kentucky and Michigan. The operation took place over two weeks, not one night.
In other words, the “sex trafficking sting” described in headlines and social media posts was neither a sex trafficking operation nor a sting. Kirby noted that the agency did not conduct any raids (she capitalized and underlined the word “not” in her email) during the effort to locate the 78 children. This was a knock-on-doors and question-suspects situation, not a bust-in-with-a-battering-ram kind of deal.
It’s worth noting that the operation was also set up to arrest children, not just rescue them. Katie Byrd, the communications director for the Georgia attorney general’s office, noted that two of the missing kids were suspects in homicide cases, and one was a person of interest in another.
Plus, 11 of the kids had, in Byrd’s words, “some kind of gang affiliation.” Byrd did not specify how many juveniles were arrested in connection with the operation, but, according to numbers her office provided, it appears that up to seven warrants were issued for underage offenders.
The vast majority of the children recovered in Operation Not Forgotten were homeless teens and endangered runaways. Despite myths perpetuated in airport posters and Liam Neeson movies, child sex trafficking does not typically involve kidnapping or coercion. Most children who end up performing commercial sex are simply trying to survive while living on the streets. Shane T. McCoy/U.S. Marshals Service
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But At Least They Rescued A Bunch Of Kids From Traffickers, Right?
Nope again.
One of the greatest misconceptions about child sex trafficking is that it requires a trafficker. Legally speaking, every time a person under 18 trades sex for anything of value, they have been trafficked. The statutory definition does not require coercion, force or the involvement of a pimp.
In the majority of underage sex trafficking cases, Albright said, the child is homeless, has run away from foster care or has been kicked out by their parents, often due to being queer or transgender. Many of these kids end up trading sex for money, drugs or a place to sleep because it’s their only way to survive. Under the legal definition, their “trafficker” could be a pimp but could also be a customer.
“These kids sometimes end up with folks that traffic them and sometimes end up trading sex for a place to stay or food to eat,” Albright said. Implying that all child victims of trafficking are abducted can cause policymakers to ignore critical supports like youth homeless shelters and gender-affirming housing.
“No one is saying it’s OK to pay a 15-year-old for sex,” Albright said. “What we’re saying is that law enforcement can’t be our only response. Children in these situations need a lot of support. What they don’t need is to be arrested, which unfortunately still happens in too many cases.”
Byrd said that 54 of the 78 children involved in Operation Not Forgotten had been in foster care before they went missing. Kirby, at the U.S. Marshals Service, confirmed that most of the children the agency was looking for were endangered runaways.
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You’re Not Implying That Child Sex Trafficking Is Fake, Are You?
No, I’m not a monster. Child sex trafficking is real, and it’s important for America to do something about it.
It’s also important, however, to acknowledge that the actual drivers of underage sex work are far more complicated than airport posters and Liam Neeson movies would have you believe.
First of all, decades of social science research has found that the vast majority of children are abused by someone they know, usually their parents but sometimes other children or figures of authority they trust. “Stranger danger” kidnappings, on the other hand, are extremely rare — the latest estimate is 115 per year in the entire United States.
Second, the summer-long panic about missing children is almost entirely based on faulty statistics. Though it’s true that more than 400,000 children are reported missing each year, that is not even close to the number who disappear. The vast majority of these reports are misunderstandings or runaways. Roughly 10% are kidnapped by a parent as part of a custody dispute. Over 99% return home, most within a few days.
Finally, when it comes to child sexual exploitation, the problem persists for complicated, heartbreaking reasons that have more to do with the failure of America’s social safety net than the rapaciousness of its criminal sex offenders. In 2016, the Center for Court Innovation published a survey of nearly 1,000 young sex workers in six American cities. The average age at which they had left home was 15. More than half had dropped out of high school, and more than 1 in 3 cisgender female sex workers had children of their own.
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The study also found, strikingly, that only 15% of the young sex workers had relationships with pimps. Leroy Lamar, the co-founder of Comprehensive Community Services, a nonprofit that works with street-based sex workers in Atlanta, said “managers” — the sex industry term — generally recruit women who are already doing sex work.
”It’s not that they saw a girl at school and they started buying her things and lured her into their car,’ he said. “The ‘Romeo’ scenario does happen, but it’s rare.” It doesn’t make sense, he said, for pimps to spend time trying to recruit random teenagers when they could just go to Fulton Industrial — Atlanta’s red-light district — and threaten the workers who are already there.
The problem with the term “trafficking,” Lamar said, isn’t that it’s false. It’s that it simplifies the complex reasons teenagers end up selling sex to survive.
“The system here is deeply, deeply flawed,” Lamar said. Georgia’s foster care system is chronically underfunded, and services for homeless teens are sparse. Lamar estimates that roughly 90% of street-based sex workers in Atlanta are functionally homeless, living out of the motels where they meet clients every night.
“Providing adequate services for kids before they end up on the streets would do a lot more for them than ‘rescuing’ them afterwards,” Lamar said.
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Despite being widely described as a "trafficking bust," Operation Not Forgotten was not an anti-trafficking effort and did not involve any law enforcement raids or stings. The operation took place over two weeks and involved authorities in seven states. Shane T. McCoy/U.S. Marshals Service
Fine, But What About The Kids Who Were Trafficked?
Of the 65 children located during Operation Not Forgotten, six were considered trafficked and transferred to the Receiving Hope Center, a victims’ residential facility in Paulding, Georgia.
Pamela Morris, the director of youth residential services for the center, couldn’t provide details on the six victims but estimated that roughly 85% of the facility’s residents are referred there from the foster care or juvenile justice systems. Some were homeless before they were trafficked; most were poor kids of color; almost all were abused by their parents or other guardians.
“Ninety-nine percent of the kids we serve have already suffered some sort of trauma at home,” Morris said.
But while “rescuing” underage trafficking victims sounds like the end of their problems, the victims recovered in Operation Not Forgotten have a long road ahead of them. The Receiving Hope Center is a temporary facility — victims can’t stay longer than 90 days — that confines victims to the premises until they’re assessed and transferred elsewhere.
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“We have children who are suicidal, homicidal or aggressive — these are skills they’ve had to learn to survive,” Morris said. “They don’t have the capacity to make decisions to keep themselves safe.”
The center offers counseling, group therapy and on-site education. After their 90 days are up, the victims will either be given back to their parents, sent back to foster care facilities or transferred to longer-term trafficking victims’ rehabilitation programs.
Georgia has only three dedicated facilities for trafficking victims, with a combined capacity of fewer than 50 beds. All three facilities are run by Christian organizations and confine victims to the premises, take away their cellphones and restrict their internet access. Morris referred to the circumstances at the Receiving Hope Center as “maximum watchful oversight.”
Lamar said many of the sex workers he encounters on Fulton Industrial have been “rescued” by law enforcement agencies and enrolled in victims’ services programs in the past, but they ended up dropping out because they could not handle the cold-turkey rules, religious programming and loss of independence.
“People need a place where they can rest and clear their head without any restrictions,” Lamar said. Since he started his nonprofit in 2007, he has seen fewer than 10 cases in which a sex worker was able to start a new life after their pimp was arrested in a trafficking sting.
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For those who want a new start, he said, the real barriers are lack of child care, free education and well-paying jobs. Without those, even graduates from long-term residential programs can end up back on the streets.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-06--Trump Reportedly Spent $58 Million In Campaign Funds On Legal Fees And Compliance

President Donald Trump has commandeered an astonishing $ 58.4 million in campaign donations for legal and compliance fees , The New York Times reported Saturday .
The president has treated campaign coffers like his own “ piggy bank , ” sending millions to law firms for whatever battle he wants to fight , including some protecting his own interests , according to the Times .
The legal fees are in addition to the contributions that Trump is funneling into his own pockets by charging his campaign and the Republican National Committee for lodging , event space and catering .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some $ 400,000 in just two days for a campaign event earlier this year .
As of last year , his businesses had collected nearly $ 17 million since he launched his first presidential campaign .
As for legal expenses , Trump had lawyers seek $ 1 million in damages from a former campaign aide who had accused another aide of sexual harassment and discrimination , the Times reported .
Trump also reportedly lassoed campaign donations to help him fight a California law that would have blocked him from running in the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That fight and others handled by the same firm cost his campaign and the RNC $ 1.8 million in legal fees , according to the Times .
In addition , the president and campaign associates hired lawyers to aid staff and family members — including Donald Trump Jr. and son-in-law Jared Kushner — when they were targeted in Russia and Ukraine probes .
The RNC has already paid some $ 2.5 million in legal bills for that and other legal work , according to the Times .
The president has racked up a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least $ 58.4 million since 2015 from Trump campaign and RNC contributions , according to data gathered by the Times and the Campaign Finance Institute .
Barack Obama and the Democratic National Committee spent a fraction of that — $ 10.7 million — on legal and compliance expenses in the same period of time beginning in 2007 .
“ Vindicating President Trump ’ s personal interests is now so intertwined with the interests of the Republican Party they are one and the same — and that includes the legal fights the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finance lawyer Matthew T. Sanderson told the Times .

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President Donald Trump has commandeered an astonishing $58.4 million in campaign donations for legal and compliance fees, The New York Times reported Saturday.
The president has treated campaign coffers like his own “piggy bank,” sending millions to law firms for whatever battle he wants to fight, including some protecting his own interests, according to the Times.
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The legal fees are in addition to the contributions that Trump is funneling into his own pockets by charging his campaign and the Republican National Committee for lodging, event space and catering. Trump’s Mar-a-Lago golf resort hoovered up some $400,000 in just two days for a campaign event earlier this year. As of last year, his businesses had collected nearly $17 million since he launched his first presidential campaign.
As for legal expenses, Trump had lawyers seek $1 million in damages from a former campaign aide who had accused another aide of sexual harassment and discrimination, the Times reported.
Trump also reportedly lassoed campaign donations to help him fight a California law that would have blocked him from running in the state unless he released his tax returns. That fight and others handled by the same firm cost his campaign and the RNC $1.8 million in legal fees, according to the Times.
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In addition, the president and campaign associates hired lawyers to aid staff and family members — including Donald Trump Jr. and son-in-law Jared Kushner — when they were targeted in Russia and Ukraine probes. The RNC has already paid some $2.5 million in legal bills for that and other legal work, according to the Times.
The president has racked up a total in legal and compliance fees of at least $58.4 million since 2015 from Trump campaign and RNC contributions, according to data gathered by the Times and the Campaign Finance Institute.
Barack Obama and the Democratic National Committee spent a fraction of that — $10.7 million — on legal and compliance expenses in the same period of time beginning in 2007.
“Vindicating President Trump’s personal interests is now so intertwined with the interests of the Republican Party they are one and the same — and that includes the legal fights the party is paying for now,” campaign finance lawyer Matthew T. Sanderson told the Times.
The White House refused to respond to the Times’ request for comment.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-06--Republicans In Swing States Were Fixing Vote-By-Mail Systems. Then Trump Tweeted.

The bill was supposed to be uncontroversial , and at first , it was .
Early this year , Michigan advanced a bipartisan measure to let election officials take absentee ballots out of their mailing envelopes — but not to unseal the ballots or count them — the day before Election Day .
The loss of momentum in Michigan follows a pattern that voting rights advocates say they are seeing in key swing states : As Trump has worked furiously to undermine mail-in voting , rank-and-file Republicans , who were previously serious about adapting elections amid the coronavirus pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
All three are swing states that could determine the presidential race .
And in all three states , laws bar officials from opening mail-in ballots before Election Day , making it virtually impossible to report accurate results on election night — a delay that Trump has said he won ’ t abide : “ Must know Election results on the night of the Election , not days , months , or even years later !
” Though Trump can ’ t stop absentee voting entirely , he can attack its legitimacy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declare himself the winner before all votes are counted .
Because more Republicans will likely vote in person , early returns may show Trump with a large lead until officials can tally a flood of absentee ballots .
Democrats are already preparing for a legal brawl to see that every vote is counted .
State lawmakers could permit their states to start tallying absentee ballots before Election Day .
About a dozen states , all over the ideological map , already allow election officials to begin counting mail-in ballots before Election Day ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Many other states allow officials to open ballots , verify voters ’ signatures or load them into counting machines to be turned on as soon as the polls close on Election Day .
State Sen. Ruth Johnson , the bill ’ s sponsor , denies that partisanship or Trump ’ s input has delayed the bill .
But she would not say if her party leader , Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey , had committed to bringing it to the floor for a vote — only that she had urged him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shirkey did not respond to a request for comment . )
A bipartisan group of county clerks , the officials who oversee the state ’ s election , disagree that partisanship plays no role .
Trump ’ s public campaign “ definitely has slowed down the ability to make the change , ” said Chris Swope , the president of the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks .
“ It does feel more partisan now .
And yet it ’ s what the voters want , overwhelmingly , ” added Swope , whose group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Michigan voters approved no-excuse absentee voting by a margin of 2-to-1 . )
Democrats and many of the state ’ s election officials have called for state legislators , who are meeting this week , to change the law so that election officials can begin to process ballots days or weeks before Election Day .
That could mean simply opening the envelopes in which ballots arrive without unsealing the ballots , or opening the ballots and tallying the votes without publicly reporting the results .
But Pennsylvania Republicans have said that tallying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed and that the legislature should get rid of the absentee ballot dropboxes some counties have erected as an alternative to the postal service .
A lawsuit filed by the Trump campaign this summer is seeking the exact same thing .
Only a year ago , Boyle pointed out , nearly every Republican in the statehouse joined Democrats in expanding the option of no-excuse absentee voting to most Pennsylvania voters .
“ It was not a partisan issue whatsoever , ” he said .
“ Republicans did not express any reticence , didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was somehow beneficial to Democrats or it was corrupt or would be used for corrupt purposes , until now.
” “ I personally fear Trump and his supporters falsely claiming that there would be fraud going on in those Democratic areas , ” Boyle said .
“ The Republicans are aware of this issue .
I think they are not motivated to want to do anything about this because chaos has been part of Donald Trump ’ s operating procedure .
And the inability of the legislature to address this clear and present @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Some swing states are making progress .
In Republican-held Georgia , the National Vote at Home Institute is working with the secretary of state and the legislature and has achieved what McReynolds called “ baby steps.
” The state has made it easier for voters to apply online to vote absentee and to track their ballots through the mail .
The legislature is now out of session but lawmakers are drawing up a list of reforms that Republican Gov .
Brian Kemp could make himself .

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The bill was supposed to be uncontroversial, and at first, it was. Early this year, Michigan advanced a bipartisan measure to let election officials take absentee ballots out of their mailing envelopes — but not to unseal the ballots or count them — the day before Election Day.
It was the kind of small, bureaucratic switch that could make the difference between timely results in this fall’s presidential election and chaos. And it was moving steadily, with Republican support, through Michigan’s GOP-led Senate.
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Then, President Donald Trump made it clear that he preferred chaos.
“There is NO WAY (ZERO!) that Mail-In Ballots will be anything less than substantially fraudulent,” he tweeted in May. Since then, the bill has barely budged.
President Donald Trump has tweeted ferociously to undermine the legitimacy of mail-in voting. Leah Millis/Reuters
The loss of momentum in Michigan follows a pattern that voting rights advocates say they are seeing in key swing states: As Trump has worked furiously to undermine mail-in voting, rank-and-file Republicans, who were previously serious about adapting elections amid the coronavirus pandemic, have fallen in line to help him.
“We were making good progress. And then somebody started tweeting about mail-in voting and made it partisan,” said Amber McReynolds, the CEO of the National Vote at Home Institute, a nonpartisan group helping states prepare for Election Day. “I’m very concerned about the states that haven’t adjusted their laws to process the huge number of absentee ballots we’re expecting.”
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Michigan is just one example. In Pennsylvania, Republicans have signaled that they won’t agree to speed up absentee ballot counting without also adding new voter restrictions. In Wisconsin, the Republican-controlled state legislature has altogether ignored calls to prepare for a tidal wave of mail-in ballots.
All three are swing states that could determine the presidential race. And in all three states, laws bar officials from opening mail-in ballots before Election Day, making it virtually impossible to report accurate results on election night — a delay that Trump has said he won’t abide: “Must know Election results on the night of the Election, not days, months, or even years later!”
For Trump, the attack on absentee voting serves a dual purpose. Supporters of former Vice President Joe Biden are twice as likely as Trump supporters to say they plan to vote by mail, so Trump’s campaign has launched a barrage of lawsuits to stop states from expanding access to mail-in voting.
Though Trump can’t stop absentee voting entirely, he can attack its legitimacy and, potentially, lay the groundwork to declare himself the winner before all votes are counted. Because more Republicans will likely vote in person, early returns may show Trump with a large lead until officials can tally a flood of absentee ballots. Democrats are already preparing for a legal brawl to see that every vote is counted.
“We were making good progress. And then somebody started tweeting.” - Amber McReynolds, CEO of the National Vote at Home Institute
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State lawmakers could permit their states to start tallying absentee ballots before Election Day. About a dozen states, all over the ideological map, already allow election officials to begin counting mail-in ballots before Election Day (with the results kept a secret). Many other states allow officials to open ballots, verify voters’ signatures or load them into counting machines to be turned on as soon as the polls close on Election Day.
But thanks to Trump, the kinds of common-sense fixes that could help election officials handle an unprecedented number of mail-in ballots have suddenly become stalled or nonstarters.
“Their legislatures have refused to act, and they’re putting their election officials in a terrible position,” McReynolds said. “That is the reason why there’s going to be delayed results.”
Some states have already struggled with delays. In Michigan’s August primary, results from the city of Detroit were delayed for days by the U.S. Postal Service slowdown, staffing shortages caused by the pandemic and rules that prevented any ballot processing before Election Day.
In the general election, Michigan officials are anticipating that 3 million or more voters will mail in their ballots rather than vote in person.
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Few doubt that Trump’s stance is what has cowed the state’s Republicans out of passing much-needed reforms.
“It was moving right along,” said a lobbyist working on the bill who asked for anonymity to discuss lawmakers’ private conversations. “Now when I sit down with Republican members, they tell me, ‘I had so-and-so, the attorney for the state party, telling me this is not good legislation.’”
The sponsor of the bill, a Republican state senator and Michigan’s former secretary of state, has stopped defending it “vociferously,” the lobbyist added. “That happened to coincide with the president talking about mail-in voting.”
State Sen. Ruth Johnson, the bill’s sponsor, denies that partisanship or Trump’s input has delayed the bill. But she would not say if her party leader, Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, had committed to bringing it to the floor for a vote — only that she had urged him to make it a priority. (Shirkey did not respond to a request for comment.)
A bipartisan group of county clerks, the officials who oversee the state’s election, disagree that partisanship plays no role. Trump’s public campaign “definitely has slowed down the ability to make the change,” said Chris Swope, the president of the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks. “It does feel more partisan now. And yet it’s what the voters want, overwhelmingly,” added Swope, whose group supports the bill. (In 2018, Michigan voters approved no-excuse absentee voting by a margin of 2-to-1.)
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“Republicans ... are not motivated to want to do anything about this because chaos has been part of Donald Trump’s operating procedure.” - Pennsylvania state Rep. Kevin Boyle
Pennsylvania, too, is at partisan loggerheads over how to manage a huge wave of absentee ballots.
Democrats and many of the state’s election officials have called for state legislators, who are meeting this week, to change the law so that election officials can begin to process ballots days or weeks before Election Day. That could mean simply opening the envelopes in which ballots arrive without unsealing the ballots, or opening the ballots and tallying the votes without publicly reporting the results.
But Pennsylvania Republicans have said that tallying votes before Election Day will not be allowed and that the legislature should get rid of the absentee ballot dropboxes some counties have erected as an alternative to the postal service. A lawsuit filed by the Trump campaign this summer is seeking the exact same thing.
“The dynamic around vote-by-mail just completely changed once Donald Trump began to demonize it,” said state Rep. Kevin Boyle, the Democratic chairman of the Pennsylvania House’s State Government Committee.
Only a year ago, Boyle pointed out, nearly every Republican in the statehouse joined Democrats in expanding the option of no-excuse absentee voting to most Pennsylvania voters. “It was not a partisan issue whatsoever,” he said. “Republicans did not express any reticence, didn’t express any misgivings that this was somehow beneficial to Democrats or it was corrupt or would be used for corrupt purposes, until now.”
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Boyle’s Republican counterpart on the committee did not respond to an interview request.
“I personally fear Trump and his supporters falsely claiming that there would be fraud going on in those Democratic areas,” Boyle said. “The Republicans are aware of this issue. I think they are not motivated to want to do anything about this because chaos has been part of Donald Trump’s operating procedure. And the inability of the legislature to address this clear and present danger only increases the chance of chaos.”
Some swing states are making progress. In Republican-held Georgia, the National Vote at Home Institute is working with the secretary of state and the legislature and has achieved what McReynolds called “baby steps.” The state has made it easier for voters to apply online to vote absentee and to track their ballots through the mail. The legislature is now out of session but lawmakers are drawing up a list of reforms that Republican Gov. Brian Kemp could make himself.
And in Michigan, the clerks responsible for counting every vote are still hopeful that the legislature will expand their window.