thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-17--Trump 'Came After Our Family,' Says Alexander Vindman's Angry Wife In Lincoln Project Ad

President Donald Trump “ came after our family , ” the angry wife of decorated Iraq war veteran Alexander Vindman said Friday in a dramatic new political ad .
“ The first time I felt threatened was just after Alex ’ s testimony ” against Trump at the House impeachment hearings late last year , Rachel Vindman revealed in the ad created by The Lincoln Project and VoteVets .
That was the case even though her husband put his life on the line in combat and suffered a serious injury in a bomb explosion .
“ The most powerful man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said of Trump .
“ But what happened to us can happen to anyone.
” Vindman , then an Army lieutenant colonel , moved listeners in his opening remarks before his testimony at the hearings in November 2019 , when he made a statement assuring his father : “ Dad ... do not worry , I will be fine for telling the truth.
” Vindman testified that Trump in a phone call more than a year ago attempted to leverage U.S. military aid to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Democratic presidential rival Joe Biden .
Vindman , then the head of European affairs for the White House National Security Council , listened to the call between the presidents as part of his job .
“ I suspected it was illegal , but I knew immediately that it was wrong and my duty was to report it , ” he told NBC News last month .
He told The Atlantic that he found it “ repulsive and un-American ” for a U.S. president “ to try to get a leg up by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” on a rival politician .
The Vindman family has received “ thousands of letters in support ” of her husband ’ s testimony , Rachel Vindman said in the ad .
“ America is so much better than Donald Trump.
” But she warned : “ He can cost this nation so much more in four more years.
” The ad ends with a recording of Alexander Vindman ’ s last line of his opening remarks at the impeachment hearing : “ Here , right matters.
” Lt. Col. Vindman ends his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his dad fleeing the Soviet Union for the US : `` Do not worry , I will be fine for telling the truth '' pic.twitter.com/5eMgI7MaSd — BuzzFeed News ( @ BuzzFeedNews ) November 19 , 2019 Just three months after his testimony , Vindman was ejected from his National Security Council position because of what he believes was an order directly from Trump , and was ignominiously escorted from the White House .
Trump has insulted and vilified Vindman , which the combat vet characterized as a “ campaign of bullying , intimidation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” his career in the armed forces .
Vindman retired from the military in July after 21 years in the Army .
Trump was impeached by the House , but the Senate , without hearings , voted against his removal from office in February .
We want to know what you ’ re hearing on the ground from the candidates .
If you get any interesting ― or suspicious !
― campaign mailers , robocalls or hear anything else you think we should know about , email us at scoops @ huffpost.com .

President Donald Trump “came after our family,” the angry wife of decorated Iraq war veteran Alexander Vindman said Friday in a dramatic new political ad.
“The first time I felt threatened was just after Alex’s testimony” against Trump at the House impeachment hearings late last year, Rachel Vindman revealed in the ad created by The Lincoln Project and VoteVets. That was the case even though her husband put his life on the line in combat and suffered a serious injury in a bomb explosion.
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“The most powerful man in the world came after our family,” she said of Trump. “But what happened to us can happen to anyone.”
Vindman, then an Army lieutenant colonel, moved listeners in his opening remarks before his testimony at the hearings in November 2019, when he made a statement assuring his father: “Dad ... do not worry, I will be fine for telling the truth.”
Vindman testified that Trump in a phone call more than a year ago attempted to leverage U.S. military aid to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to come up with dirt Trump could use against Democratic presidential rival Joe Biden.
Vindman, then the head of European affairs for the White House National Security Council, listened to the call between the presidents as part of his job. “I suspected it was illegal, but I knew immediately that it was wrong and my duty was to report it,” he told NBC News last month.
He told The Atlantic that he found it “repulsive and un-American” for a U.S. president “to try to get a leg up by pressuring a foreign leader to get dirt” on a rival politician.
The Vindman family has received “thousands of letters in support” of her husband’s testimony, Rachel Vindman said in the ad. “America is so much better than Donald Trump.”
But she warned: “He can cost this nation so much more in four more years.”
The ad ends with a recording of Alexander Vindman’s last line of his opening remarks at the impeachment hearing: “Here, right matters.”
Lt. Col. Vindman ends his opening remarks by telling the story of his dad fleeing the Soviet Union for the US: "Do not worry, I will be fine for telling the truth" pic.twitter.com/5eMgI7MaSd — BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) November 19, 2019
Just three months after his testimony, Vindman was ejected from his National Security Council position because of what he believes was an order directly from Trump, and was ignominiously escorted from the White House.
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Trump has insulted and vilified Vindman, which the combat vet characterized as a “campaign of bullying, intimidation, and retaliation” that “destroyed” his career in the armed forces. Vindman retired from the military in July after 21 years in the Army.
Vindman has called Trump Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “useful idiot,” who is serving the interests of the Kremlin.
Trump was impeached by the House, but the Senate, without hearings, voted against his removal from office in February.
We want to know what you’re hearing on the ground from the candidates. If you get any interesting ― or suspicious! ― campaign mailers, robocalls or hear anything else you think we should know about, email us at scoops@huffpost.com.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-17--'Home Improvement' Actor Zachery Ty Bryan Arrested On Assault, Strangulation Charges

EUGENE , Ore. ( AP ) — Zachery Ty Bryan , the actor who played the oldest son on the @ @ @ @ @ Improvement ” was arrested in Oregon and faces charges of strangulation and assault .
The @ @ @ @ @ were dispatched to a North Eugene apartment Friday night on a report of a physical @ @ @ @ @ , 39 , sitting outside and his girlfriend , 27 , at a neighboring apartment @ @ @ @ @ arrives at the premiere of `` Dark Tourist '' in August 2013 .
Bryan reportedly @ @ @ @ @ her breathing , and took her phone away when she tried to call 911 , @ @ @ @ @ declined medical assistance .
Bryan was booked into Lane County jail after 1 a.m. Saturday @ @ @ @ @ a possible agent for Bryan was not immediately returned .
It wasn ’ t immediately @ @ @ @ @ lawyer who could speak on his behalf .

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — Zachery Ty Bryan, the actor who played the oldest son on the long-running 1990s sit-com “Home Improvement” was arrested in Oregon and faces charges of strangulation and assault.
The Eugene Police Department said officers were dispatched to a North Eugene apartment Friday night on a report of a physical dispute. They found Bryan, 39, sitting outside and his girlfriend, 27, at a neighboring apartment.
Actor Zachery Ty Bryan arrives at the premiere of "Dark Tourist" in August 2013. Paul A. Hebert/Invision/AP
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Bryan reportedly assaulted the victim, impeded her breathing, and took her phone away when she tried to call 911, police said. The victim declined medical assistance.
Bryan was booked into Lane County jail after 1 a.m. Saturday.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-17--Thousands Join Nationwide Women's Marches To Protest Barrett Supreme Court Nomination

Thousands of people — some dressed as the titular handmaidens from “ The Handmaid ’ s Tale ” — joined demonstrations in Washington , D.C. , and hundreds of other cities across the country on Saturday to protest President Donald Trump and his nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court .
The Republican-led Senate is scheduled to hold its first vote to confirm Barrett next week , less than two weeks before the general election .
Democrats have vehemently opposed Barrett ’ s confirmation , characterizing the rushed effort to install Barrett as a power grab by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s confirmation could lead to the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the loss of health insurance for millions of Americans , among other seismic changes .
“ Women are threatened in a world where a Christian theocracy is threatening to take over , ” protester Kelsey Weir told The Washington Post , referring to Barrett ’ s leadership position in the Christian group People of Praise .
“ This is the crisis for our world .
The next few weeks are going to decide so many things for women.
” This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court protests as well as today ’ s @ womensmarch .
Their mother says this is her daughter ’ s third # WomensMarch and her son ’ s second .
# WomensMarch2020 @ wusa9 # RBG # johnlewis pic.twitter.com/rn8TRsiRir — Kolbie Satterfield ( @ KolbieReports ) October 17 , 2020 Women ’ s March organizers said more than 116,000 people nationwide had pledged to participate in marches or other actions , including virtual events , on Saturday .
“ We want our lives back from this administration .
And we want a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are all written into , ” the organization wrote on Twitter .
“ We aren ’ t scared ― we ’ re mobilized , we ’ re organized , and most of all , we ’ re motivated ... Women have the power to end this presidency.
” As the Post noted , a smaller counter-protest attended by supporters of Barrett was also organized in D.C. on Saturday .
Those protesters held up placards with pro-life messages and phrases like , “ I ’ m with her ” and “ Confirm Amy.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( left ) and Nikki Cole ( right ) rally at the base of an 18-foot wooden statue of Elena the Essential , representing service worker ’ s demand for respect , full pay and fair elections as part of the protests on Saturday .
The late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , whose seat Barrett has been nominated to fill , appeared on many signs on Saturday .

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Thousands of people — some dressed as the titular handmaidens from “The Handmaid’s Tale” — joined demonstrations in Washington, D.C., and hundreds of other cities across the country on Saturday to protest President Donald Trump and his nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.
The Republican-led Senate is scheduled to hold its first vote to confirm Barrett next week, less than two weeks before the general election. Democrats have vehemently opposed Barrett’s confirmation, characterizing the rushed effort to install Barrett as a power grab by the GOP.
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Women dressed as handmaidens protest against Donald Trump's presidency on Saturday. Paul Morigi via Getty Images
Critics fear that Barrett’s confirmation could lead to the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the loss of health insurance for millions of Americans, among other seismic changes.
“Women are threatened in a world where a Christian theocracy is threatening to take over,” protester Kelsey Weir told The Washington Post, referring to Barrett’s leadership position in the Christian group People of Praise. “This is the crisis for our world. The next few weeks are going to decide so many things for women.”
Our marchers in Phoenix, AZ! #CountOnUs pic.twitter.com/NeQ192DDLA — Women's March - Text VOTE to 44310 (@womensmarch) October 17, 2020
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We are united for justice and change. @womensmarch is marching today and turning out in record numbers. Today in Fort Lauderdale we ensured our vote counts #CountOnUs @michellecarroll @HolnessD9 pic.twitter.com/VCKxzThR40 — Caitlan Etchevers (@cmaeetchevers) October 17, 2020
Over 500 people at Tucson's @womensmarch pic.twitter.com/YIhnwFOXEm — Pima County Democratic Party (@PimaDems) October 17, 2020
Happening now: @womensmarch is holding its second DC march this year to call for a coronavirus relief package, pay tribute to late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, and protest Amy Coney Barrett’s SCOTUS nomination. 📸: @EvyMages pic.twitter.com/bwMVgBmR9a — Washingtonian (@washingtonian) October 17, 2020
I’m proud of my daughter for wanting to make her voice heard in Ocala today. #WomensMarch #CountOnUs pic.twitter.com/XZm6asM7rS — Leia (@princessswigg) October 17, 2020
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We’re at the @womensmarch in Brooklyn. Come find us at Grand Army Plaza in from of the Brooklyn Public Library—stepping off soon! #CountOnUs #Persist #WomensMarch pic.twitter.com/vOJGyYHZCW — Persist Brooklyn 🗽💙🇺🇸 #SCOTUS (@PersistBrooklyn) October 17, 2020
This family came from Boston to attend the Supreme Court protests as well as today’s @womensmarch. Their mother says this is her daughter’s third #WomensMarch and her son’s second. #WomensMarch2020 @wusa9 #RBG #johnlewis pic.twitter.com/rn8TRsiRir — Kolbie Satterfield (@KolbieReports) October 17, 2020
Women’s March organizers said more than 116,000 people nationwide had pledged to participate in marches or other actions, including virtual events, on Saturday.
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“We want our lives back from this administration. And we want a whole different future: a story we are all written into,” the organization wrote on Twitter. “We aren’t scared ― we’re mobilized, we’re organized, and most of all, we’re motivated ... Women have the power to end this presidency.”
As the Post noted, a smaller counter-protest attended by supporters of Barrett was also organized in D.C. on Saturday. Those protesters held up placards with pro-life messages and phrases like, “I’m with her” and “Confirm Amy.”
Scroll down for more images from Saturday’s protests:
Demonstrators in Washington, D.C., on Saturday. Paul Morigi via Getty Images
Demonstrators in New York City. KENA BETANCUR via Getty Images
Supporters of Barrett stage a counter-protest on Saturday in Washington, D.C. Tasos Katopodis via Getty Images
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One Fair Wage team members Breanne Delgado (left) and Nikki Cole (right) rally at the base of an 18-foot wooden statue of Elena the Essential, representing service worker’s demand for respect, full pay and fair elections as part of the protests on Saturday. Paul Morigi via Getty Images
A protester on Saturday in Washington. DANIEL SLIM via Getty Images
The late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, whose seat Barrett has been nominated to fill, appeared on many signs on Saturday. KENA BETANCUR via Getty Images
Elena the Essential also appeared at a protest in New York City. KENA BETANCUR via Getty Images
More protesters in New York City. KENA BETANCUR via Getty Images
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WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 17: Demonstrators on the move during the #CountonUs March Women's Voter Rally on October 17, 2020 in Washington, DC. Paul Morigi via Getty Images
An anti-Trump sign at the Washington protest. Paul Morigi via Getty Images
A woman dressed as handmaiden in Washington. Paul Morigi via Getty Images


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-17--'There's A Lemur!' 5-Year-Old Helps Crack San Francisco Zoo Theft Case

SAN FRANCISCO ( AP ) — Police said Friday they arrested a man suspected of stealing a ring-tailed lemur from the San Francisco Zoo , where officials rewarded a 5-year-old boy who helped recapture the endangered primate with a lifetime membership .
The theft of Maki , an arthritic 21-year-old lemur , made the news Wednesday in San Francisco and beyond when zoo officials reported the animal missing and found evidence of forced entry at his enclosure .
Five-year-old James Trinh was unaware of the headlines when leaving his preschool Thursday in Daly City , about 5 miles from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a lemur !
There ’ s a lemur !
” Cynthia Huang , director of the Hope Lutheran Day School , told the San Francisco Chronicle Friday .
Huang was skeptical at first .
“ I thought , Are you sure it ’ s not a raccoon ?
” she said .
Maki scurried from the parking lot into the school ’ s playground and took refuge in a miniature play house , as the school called police who quickly alerted animal control and zoo officials .
The children , parents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coaxed the lemur into a transport cage , Huang said .
McGilloway , whom investigators had identified as a suspect in the lemur ’ s abduction , was arrested Thursday evening by San Rafael police on unrelated charges .
He was expected to be transferred to San Francisco County Jail to be booked on charges of burglary , grand theft of an animal , looting and vandalism all related to the lemur theft , Ryan said .
Police did not provide other details , saying the investigation was still underway but credited a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tip line that led to the suspect ’ s capture .
San Francisco Zoo director Tanya Peterson said Maki was “ an aging wild animal who needed special care ” for ailments including arthritis .
“ He ’ s still agitated , dehydrated and hungry , ” she said , adding that veterinarian teams were working to get him back to health .
Due to his travels , she added , “ He ’ s socially distancing from his primate family ” but would hopefully join the other lemurs soon .
Authorities had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maki , which the zoo will be giving to the church .
“ I understand there is a young boy there who witnessed this and also called in the tip , and we are giving his family a free membership to the zoo , ” said Peterson , who thanked the boy and everyone who helped .
“ They literally saved a life .
”

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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Police said Friday they arrested a man suspected of stealing a ring-tailed lemur from the San Francisco Zoo, where officials rewarded a 5-year-old boy who helped recapture the endangered primate with a lifetime membership.
The theft of Maki, an arthritic 21-year-old lemur, made the news Wednesday in San Francisco and beyond when zoo officials reported the animal missing and found evidence of forced entry at his enclosure.
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Five-year-old James Trinh was unaware of the headlines when leaving his preschool Thursday in Daly City, about 5 miles from the zoo, and exclaimed, “There’s a lemur! There’s a lemur!” Cynthia Huang, director of the Hope Lutheran Day School, told the San Francisco Chronicle Friday.
Huang was skeptical at first. “I thought, Are you sure it’s not a raccoon?” she said.
Maki scurried from the parking lot into the school’s playground and took refuge in a miniature play house, as the school called police who quickly alerted animal control and zoo officials. The children, parents and teachers watched as caretakers arrived and coaxed the lemur into a transport cage, Huang said.
Also Thursday, police took 30-year-old Cory McGilloway into custody, San Francisco police Lt. Scott Ryan told reporters Friday.
McGilloway, whom investigators had identified as a suspect in the lemur’s abduction, was arrested Thursday evening by San Rafael police on unrelated charges. He was expected to be transferred to San Francisco County Jail to be booked on charges of burglary, grand theft of an animal, looting and vandalism all related to the lemur theft, Ryan said.
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Police did not provide other details, saying the investigation was still underway but credited a multi-agency effort and tips on a public tip line that led to the suspect’s capture.
San Francisco Zoo director Tanya Peterson said Maki was “an aging wild animal who needed special care” for ailments including arthritis. “He’s still agitated, dehydrated and hungry,” she said, adding that veterinarian teams were working to get him back to health. Due to his travels, she added, “He’s socially distancing from his primate family” but would hopefully join the other lemurs soon.
Authorities had offered a $2,100 reward for locating Maki, which the zoo will be giving to the church.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-18--COVID-19 Case Confirmed In Pope's Vatican Residence

VATICAN CITY ― A man living in the same Vatican residence as Pope Francis has tested positive for COVID-19 and gone into isolation , the Vatican said on Saturday .
The man , who was not identified and did not have symptoms of the illness , left the Santa Marta residence and went into isolation along with others with whom he had had direct contact , a statement said .
Someone else living in the residence - which has about 130 rooms and suites - tested positive for the coronavirus when the pandemic hit Italy in March .
Pope Francis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is seen delivering the Angelus noon prayer in St. Peter 's Square at the Vatican on Sunday .
Pope Francis , who had part of one lung removed during an illness when he was a young man in his native Argentina , is tested regularly for COVID-19 .
He had a normal schedule on Saturday , receiving three people in separate private audiences and addressing a large group of Italian police .
The Vatican , a tiny city-state surrounded by Rome , has been only lightly affected by the coronavirus , with about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Four members of the Swiss Guard , the elite and colorfully dressed corps that protects the pope , tested positive for COVID-19 last week .

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VATICAN CITY ― A man living in the same Vatican residence as Pope Francis has tested positive for COVID-19 and gone into isolation, the Vatican said on Saturday.
The man, who was not identified and did not have symptoms of the illness, left the Santa Marta residence and went into isolation along with others with whom he had had direct contact, a statement said.
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Someone else living in the residence - which has about 130 rooms and suites - tested positive for the coronavirus when the pandemic hit Italy in March.
Pope Francis is tested regularly for COVID-19. He is seen delivering the Angelus noon prayer in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Sunday. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Pope Francis, who had part of one lung removed during an illness when he was a young man in his native Argentina, is tested regularly for COVID-19.
He had a normal schedule on Saturday, receiving three people in separate private audiences and addressing a large group of Italian police.
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The Vatican, a tiny city-state surrounded by Rome, has been only lightly affected by the coronavirus, with about two dozen confirmed cases in total.
Three Vatican residents who tested positive recently have recovered, Saturday’s statement added.
Four members of the Swiss Guard, the elite and colorfully dressed corps that protects the pope, tested positive for COVID-19 last week.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-17--Global Coronavirus Cases Rise By One-Day Record Of 400,000

( Reuters ) - Global coronavirus cases rose by more than 400,000 for the first time late on Friday , a record one-day increase as much of Europe enacts new restrictions to curb the outbreak .
Europe , which successfully tamped down the first surge of infections , has emerged as the new coronavirus epicentre in recent weeks and is reporting on average 140,000 cases a day over the past week .
Of every 100 infections reported around the world , 34 were from European countries , according to a Reuters analysis .
The region is currently reporting a million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has reported more than 6.3 million cases since the pandemic began .
Major European countries - United Kingdom , France , Russia , Netherlands and Spain ― accounted for about half of Europe ’ s new cases in the week to Oct. 18 , according to Reuters tally .
France is reporting the highest seven-day average of new cases in Europe with 19,425 infections per day followed by the United Kingdom , Russia , Spain and Netherlands in worst affected European countries .
Russia is moving students to online learning and Northern Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurants for four .
In Spain , authorities in Catalonia ordered bars and restaurants to close for 15 days and limited the numbers of people allowed in shops .
The Czech Republic has also shifted schools to distance learning and plans to call up thousands of medical students .
Hospitals are cutting non-urgent medical procedures to free up beds .
Polish health officials have warned the country is on the brink of a disaster as a record 6,526 new coronavirus infections and 116 deaths were reported this week .
Poland is ramping up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ field hospitals .
Latin America is the worst-affected region with about 27 % of total COVID-19 cases followed by Asia , North America and Europe , according to a Reuters analysis .
India is reporting fewer cases this month compared with September , with 69,000 cases per day , according to Reuters analysis .
The numbers have fallen by more than 20,400 over the last three weeks , down 22 % from its previous peak .
In the United States , which has the largest total number of cases and deaths in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along with the most hospitalized COVID-19 patients since early September .
Efforts to develop a vaccine hit snags , with Johnson & Johnson JNJ.N pausing its trial after an unexplained illness in a study participant .
AstraZeneca ’ s AZN.L U.S. trial has remained on hold for more than a month .

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(Reuters) - Global coronavirus cases rose by more than 400,000 for the first time late on Friday, a record one-day increase as much of Europe enacts new restrictions to curb the outbreak.
Europe, which successfully tamped down the first surge of infections, has emerged as the new coronavirus epicentre in recent weeks and is reporting on average 140,000 cases a day over the past week.
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As a region, Europe is reporting more daily cases than India, Brazil and the United States combined.
Of every 100 infections reported around the world, 34 were from European countries, according to a Reuters analysis. The region is currently reporting a million new infections about every nine days and has reported more than 6.3 million cases since the pandemic began.
Major European countries - United Kingdom, France, Russia, Netherlands and Spain ― accounted for about half of Europe’s new cases in the week to Oct. 18, according to Reuters tally.
France is reporting the highest seven-day average of new cases in Europe with 19,425 infections per day followed by the United Kingdom, Russia, Spain and Netherlands in worst affected European countries.
Several European countries are closing schools, cancelling elective surgeries and enlisting student medics as the authorities face a COVID-19 resurgence.
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Russia is moving students to online learning and Northern Ireland is closing schools for two weeks and restaurants for four.
In Spain, authorities in Catalonia ordered bars and restaurants to close for 15 days and limited the numbers of people allowed in shops.
The Czech Republic has also shifted schools to distance learning and plans to call up thousands of medical students. Hospitals are cutting non-urgent medical procedures to free up beds.
Polish health officials have warned the country is on the brink of a disaster as a record 6,526 new coronavirus infections and 116 deaths were reported this week. Poland is ramping up training for nurses and considering creating military field hospitals.
Latin America is the worst-affected region with about 27% of total COVID-19 cases followed by Asia, North America and Europe, according to a Reuters analysis.
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India is reporting fewer cases this month compared with September, with 69,000 cases per day, according to Reuters analysis. The numbers have fallen by more than 20,400 over the last three weeks, down 22% from its previous peak.
India reported 55,342 cases on Oct. 13, its lowest daily increase since Aug. 18.
In the United States, which has the largest total number of cases and deaths in the world, new infections are edging higher along with the most hospitalized COVID-19 patients since early September.
Efforts to develop a vaccine hit snags, with Johnson & Johnson JNJ.N pausing its trial after an unexplained illness in a study participant. AstraZeneca’s AZN.L U.S. trial has remained on hold for more than a month.
Russia, which recorded a record daily increase in cases, has meanwhile granted regulatory approval to a second vaccine.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-18--Kate McKinnon's Savannah Guthrie Goes In For The Kill At 'Trump' Town Hall On 'SNL'

Plenty of viewers were furious that the home network of “ SNL ” set up a town hall for Trump during the same time Democratic rival Joe Biden was on ABC for his town hall .
“ If you were angry at NBC for doing this town hall , just let me get a few questions in and I think you ’ ll thank me , ” assured McKinnon ’ s Guthrie .
First , she explained to Baldwin ’ s Trump : “ I ’ d like to start by tearing you a new one.
” She grilled Baldwin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list of conspiracy theories and hate groups .
“ If your car breaks down , you call Triple K , ” Baldwin ’ s Trump explained , referring to the Ku Klux Klan .
As for the Aryan Brotherhood , they ’ re “ very pro-family , ” he added .
He claimed he knew absolutely nothing about conspiracy-peddling QAnon — except that it ’ s the “ group that thinks Democrats are a cabal of Satan-worshipping pedophiles ” and believes “ I ’ m their messiah.
” Baldwin ’ s Trump added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they ’ re against pedophilia , and I agree with that .
If anyone is against pedophiles it ’ s me , the man who was close personal friends with one of the most famous pedophiles on Earth .
Rest in power , Jeffrey [ Epstein ] .
” Maya Rudolph popped up as Sen. Kamala Harris to wonder what the hell was up with the “ spooky-ass Jordan Peele nonsense ” of the nodding woman behind Trump .
Ego Nwodim , who played real-life Trump supporter Mayra Joli , flashed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fox News !
” In another “ cameo , ” Chloe Fineman played the real-life Paulette Dale , who told the actual Trump that he had a beautiful smile at his town hall — but later told the media she was voting for Biden .
Jim Carrey ’ s Biden , meanwhile , was lost in the ozone at his own town hall with Mikey Day ’ s George Stephanopoulos .
He was launched on a lazy , folksy ramble in which he talked to God , and eventually slipped into Mister Rogers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Viewers could toggle between Biden ’ s “ Hallmark movie ” version of the “ dueling ” town halls ... or an “ alien autopsy , ” noted “ SNL.
” In a wrapup , Baldwin asked America if they are better off than they were four years ago .
When a graphic of the U.S. map shouted loudly : “ No , ” he answered : “ All right , then just try and take me alive .
”

Plenty of viewers were furious that the home network of “SNL” set up a town hall for Trump during the same time Democratic rival Joe Biden was on ABC for his town hall.
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“If you were angry at NBC for doing this town hall, just let me get a few questions in and I think you’ll thank me,” assured McKinnon’s Guthrie.
First, she explained to Baldwin’s Trump: “I’d like to start by tearing you a new one.”
She grilled Baldwin on where he stood on a long list of conspiracy theories and hate groups. “If your car breaks down, you call Triple K,” Baldwin’s Trump explained, referring to the Ku Klux Klan. As for the Aryan Brotherhood, they’re “very pro-family,” he added.
He claimed he knew absolutely nothing about conspiracy-peddling QAnon — except that it’s the “group that thinks Democrats are a cabal of Satan-worshipping pedophiles” and believes “I’m their messiah.”
Baldwin’s Trump added: “All I do know is that they’re against pedophilia, and I agree with that. If anyone is against pedophiles it’s me, the man who was close personal friends with one of the most famous pedophiles on Earth. Rest in power, Jeffrey [Epstein].”
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Maya Rudolph popped up as Sen. Kamala Harris to wonder what the hell was up with the “spooky-ass Jordan Peele nonsense” of the nodding woman behind Trump. Ego Nwodim, who played real-life Trump supporter Mayra Joli, flashed a sign reading: “Call Me, Fox News!”
In another “cameo,” Chloe Fineman played the real-life Paulette Dale, who told the actual Trump that he had a beautiful smile at his town hall — but later told the media she was voting for Biden.
Jim Carrey’s Biden, meanwhile, was lost in the ozone at his own town hall with Mikey Day’s George Stephanopoulos. He was launched on a lazy, folksy ramble in which he talked to God, and eventually slipped into Mister Rogers’ sweater to save the world. Viewers could toggle between Biden’s “Hallmark movie” version of the “dueling” town halls ... or an “alien autopsy,” noted “SNL.”
In a wrapup, Baldwin asked America if they are better off than they were four years ago. When a graphic of the U.S. map shouted loudly: “No,” he answered: “All right, then just try and take me alive.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-17--Chilling Training Videos Released Of Militia Men Charged In Michigan Gov. Kidnap Plot

Federal officials have released disturbing videos , including what appears to be practice for an armed assault , of members of a Michigan militia who have been charged with allegedly plotting to kidnap the state ’ s governor .
The videos , along with photos and other exhibits , were introduced into evidence at a preliminary examination in a federal district court in Grand Rapids for six men charged with conspiring to kidnap Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer .
The videos presented a dramatic contrast to a defense attorney ’ s claim in court Friday that the alleged plot to kidnap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talk.
” The men planned to kidnap Whitmer , whom they referred to as a “ tyrant bitch , ” because of her restrictions on businesses and safety requirements such as face masks to help stem the spread of COVID-19 , according to an FBI affidavit filed in court last week .
The apparent training video emerged as President Donald Trump continued his attacks on Whitmer at a Michigan rally Saturday .
He worked the crowd into a frenzy , calling for all business restrictions to be dropped , then repeated the crowd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up ” — though Whitmer has not been charged or even suspected of any crime whatsoever .
Whitmer shot back on Twitter that Trump ’ s renewed attack on her over COVID-19 safety measures is “ exactly the rhetoric that has put me , my family , and other government officials ’ lives in danger while we try to save the lives of our fellow Americans.
” This is exactly the rhetoric that has put me , my family , and other government officials ’ lives in danger while we try to save @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It needs to stop .
https : //t.co/EWkNQx3Ppx — Governor Gretchen Whitmer ( @ GovWhitmer ) October 17 , 2020 One of the videos released Friday shows a pair of men in fatigues and armed with what appear to be assault-style rifles leaping from a car and firing at an imaginary , unknown target .
Other armed men in military fatigues are seen already positioned outside the car .
If this “ whole thing starts to happen , I ’ m telling you what , dude , I ’ m taking out as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Every single one , dude , ” he says in the video .
“ I ’ m sick of being robbed and enslaved by the state ... they are the fucking enemy .
Period.
” All six of the charged militia members are being held without bond .
One of them is awaiting extradition from Delaware .
Eight other men are facing terrorism-related state charges .

Federal officials have released disturbing videos, including what appears to be practice for an armed assault, of members of a Michigan militia who have been charged with allegedly plotting to kidnap the state’s governor.
The videos, along with photos and other exhibits, were introduced into evidence at a preliminary examination in a federal district court in Grand Rapids for six men charged with conspiring to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
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The videos presented a dramatic contrast to a defense attorney’s claim in court Friday that the alleged plot to kidnap the Democratic governor was just “loose talk.”
The apparent training video emerged as President Donald Trump continued his attacks on Whitmer at a Michigan rally Saturday. He worked the crowd into a frenzy, calling for all business restrictions to be dropped, then repeated the crowd’s chant: “Lock her up” — though Whitmer has not been charged or even suspected of any crime whatsoever.
Whitmer shot back on Twitter that Trump’s renewed attack on her over COVID-19 safety measures is “exactly the rhetoric that has put me, my family, and other government officials’ lives in danger while we try to save the lives of our fellow Americans.”
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This is exactly the rhetoric that has put me, my family, and other government officials’ lives in danger while we try to save the lives of our fellow Americans. It needs to stop. https://t.co/EWkNQx3Ppx — Governor Gretchen Whitmer (@GovWhitmer) October 17, 2020
One of the videos released Friday shows a pair of men in fatigues and armed with what appear to be assault-style rifles leaping from a car and firing at an imaginary, unknown target. Other armed men in military fatigues are seen already positioned outside the car.
Other videos show individuals showing off and handling an arsenal of weapons.
In another video, indicted suspect Brandon Caserta talks into a camera about taking out “government thugs.”
If this “whole thing starts to happen, I’m telling you what, dude, I’m taking out as many of those motherf**kers as I can. Every single one, dude,” he says in the video. “I’m sick of being robbed and enslaved by the state ... they are the fucking enemy. Period.”
All six of the charged militia members are being held without bond. One of them is awaiting extradition from Delaware. Eight other men are facing terrorism-related state charges.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-18--Angry 'Fortunate Son' Rocker John Fogerty Hitting Trump With Cease-And-Desist Order

Rock legend John Fogerty is sending a cease-and-desist order to President Donald Trump to stop him from using his hit song “ Fortunate Son ” at campaign rallies .
Fogerty is the latest in a long line of musicians furious that Trump has appropriated their songs to promote himself without permission and regardless of how much they despise him .
Trump ’ s use of “ Fortunate Son ” is bizarre because he is the kind of “ fortunate son ” that ’ s blasted in the song .
It ’ s about how the rich and politically connected get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , unlike everyone else .
“ I ain ’ t no millionaire ’ s son , ” notes the angry lyrics in the Creedence Clearwater Revival classic .
Trump skipped out of service in Vietnam with student deferments , and a highly suspect medical claim of “ bone spurs.
” He once joked to shock jock Howard Stern that he fought his “ own personal Vietnam ” by battling to avoid sexually transmitted diseases from all the women he had slept with .
“ I feel like a great and very brave soldier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reference to the period in which American men his age were dying in Vietnam .
It ’ s Trump ’ s rich guy dodge of service in Vietnam as he helps himself to Fogerty ’ s song that particularly galls the rocker — as does the fact that Trump avoids paying taxes .
“ I wrote this song because , as a veteran , I was disgusted that some people were allowed to be excluded from serving our country because they had access to political and financial privilege , ” Fogerty tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wealthy people not paying their fair share of taxes.
” Trump is a “ prime example of both of these issues .
The fact that Mr. Trump also fans the flames of hatred , racism and fear while rewriting recent history , is even more reason to be troubled by his use of my song , ” Fogerty added .
Trump , a self-proclaimed billionaire , paid only $ 750 in federal income taxes in both 2016 and 2017 , reported The New York Times , which obtained several years of Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the previous 15 years , he didn ’ t pay a penny of federal income taxes .
“ I object to the President using my song , ‘ Fortunate Son ’ in any way for his campaign .
He is using my words and my voice to portray a message that I do not endorse , ” Fogerty tweeted .
“ Therefore , I am issuing a ‘ cease and desist ’ order.
” Fogerty has said he ’ s mystified by Trump ’ s use of the song because he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s skewering in the lyrics .
Twitter last year removed a Trump campaign video from the president ’ s account after Queen complained about unauthorized use of the band ’ s song “ We Will Rock You.
” A doctored video featuring “ Photograph ” by Nickelback posted by Trump was also taken down .

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Rock legend John Fogerty is sending a cease-and-desist order to President Donald Trump to stop him from using his hit song “Fortunate Son” at campaign rallies.
Fogerty is the latest in a long line of musicians furious that Trump has appropriated their songs to promote himself without permission and regardless of how much they despise him.
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Trump’s use of “Fortunate Son” is bizarre because he is the kind of “fortunate son” that’s blasted in the song. It’s about how the rich and politically connected get special breaks, including dodging the draft, unlike everyone else. “I ain’t no millionaire’s son,” notes the angry lyrics in the Creedence Clearwater Revival classic.
Trump skipped out of service in Vietnam with student deferments, and a highly suspect medical claim of “bone spurs.” He once joked to shock jock Howard Stern that he fought his “own personal Vietnam” by battling to avoid sexually transmitted diseases from all the women he had slept with. “I feel like a great and very brave soldier,” he thoughtlessly boasted, with a reference to the period in which American men his age were dying in Vietnam.
It’s Trump’s rich guy dodge of service in Vietnam as he helps himself to Fogerty’s song that particularly galls the rocker — as does the fact that Trump avoids paying taxes.
“I wrote this song because, as a veteran, I was disgusted that some people were allowed to be excluded from serving our country because they had access to political and financial privilege,” Fogerty tweeted Friday. “I also wrote about wealthy people not paying their fair share of taxes.”
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Trump is a “prime example of both of these issues. The fact that Mr. Trump also fans the flames of hatred, racism and fear while rewriting recent history, is even more reason to be troubled by his use of my song,” Fogerty added.
Trump, a self-proclaimed billionaire, paid only $750 in federal income taxes in both 2016 and 2017, reported The New York Times, which obtained several years of Trump’s tax returns. In 10 of the previous 15 years, he didn’t pay a penny of federal income taxes.
“I object to the President using my song, ‘Fortunate Son’ in any way for his campaign. He is using my words and my voice to portray a message that I do not endorse,” Fogerty tweeted. “Therefore, I am issuing a ‘cease and desist’ order.”
Fogerty has said he’s mystified by Trump’s use of the song because he’s exactly the kind of guy he’s skewering in the lyrics.
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Trump has helped himself to music against the wishes of a list of artists, including Neil Young, Adele, Rihanna, the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith and Elton John — and Prince’s estate last year.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-18--How Trump Got Played By The Military-Industrial Complex

“ Saudi Arabia has been a very great friend and a big purchaser of equipment … but if you look , in terms of dollars , $ 3 billion , $ 533 million , $ 525 million — that ’ s peanuts for you .
You should have increased it , ” Trump said to the prince , who was ( and still is ) overseeing a military campaign in Yemen that has deployed U.S. weaponry to commit scores of alleged war crimes .
Trump has used his job as commander-in-chief to be America ’ s arms-dealer-in-chief in a way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as he prepared to leave the presidency , warned in early 1961 of the military-industrial complex ’ s political influence .
Trump ’ s posture makes sense personally ― this is a man who regularly fantasizes about violence , usually toward foreigners ― and he and his advisers see it as politically useful , too .
The president has repeatedly appeared at weapons production facilities in swing states , promoted the head of Lockheed Martin using White House resources , appointed defense industry employees to top government jobs in an unprecedented way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to near-historic highs ― a guarantee of future income for companies like Lockheed and Boeing .
In courting the billion-dollar industry , Trump has trampled on moral considerations about how buyers like the Saudis misuse American weapons , ethical concerns about conflicts of interest and even part of his own political message , the deceptive claim that he is a peace candidate .
He justifies his policy by citing job growth , but data from Hartung , a prominent analyst , shows he exaggerates the impact .
And Trump has made clear that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the possible electoral benefit it could have .
Next month ’ s election will show if the bargain was worth it .
As of now , it looks like Trump ’ s bet didn ’ t pay off ― for him , at least .
Campaign contribution records , analysts in swing states and polls suggest arms dealers have given the president no significant political boost .
The defense contractors , meanwhile , are expected to continue getting richer , as they have in a dramatic way under Trump .
The theoretical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reality last year , when a former employee for the weapons producer Raytheon used his job at the State Department to advocate for a rare emergency declaration allowing the Saudis and their partner the United Arab Emirates to buy $ 8 billion in arms ― including $ 2 billion in Raytheon products ― despite congressional objections .
As other department employees warned that Saudi Arabia was defying U.S. pressure to behave less brutally in Yemen , former lobbyist Charles Faulkner led a unit that urged Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out Faulkner soon afterward , and earlier this year , the State Department ’ s inspector general criticized the process behind the emergency declaration for the arms .
The president has frequently claimed credit for jobs in the defense industry , highlighting the impact on manufacturing in swing states rather than employees like Washington lobbyists , whose numbers have also grown as he has expanded the Pentagon ’ s budget .
Lockheed has helped him in his messaging : In one instance in Wisconsin , Hewson announced she was adding at least 45 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump spoke there , saying his tax cuts for corporations made that possible .
Hartung of the Center for International Policy drew a parallel to President George H.W .
Bush , who during his 1992 reelection campaign promoted plans for Taiwan and Saudi Arabia to purchase fighter jets produced in Missouri and Texas .
Bush announced the decisions at events at the General Dynamics facility in Fort Worth , Texas , and the McDonnell Douglas plant in St. Louis that made the planes .
That November , as Bill Clinton defeated him , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of any Republican in almost 30 years and won Texas by a slimmer margin than had become the norm for a GOP presidential candidate .
Yet arms manufacturers aren ’ t reciprocating Trump ’ s affection .
A HuffPost review of Federal Election Commission records showed that top figures and groups at major industry organizations like the National Defense Industrial Association and the Aerospace Industries Association and at Lockheed , Trump ’ s favorite defense firm , are donating this cycle much as they normally do : giving to both sides of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the party currently wielding the most power , which for now is Republicans .
( The few notable exceptions include the chairman of the NDIA ’ s board , Arnold Punaro , who has given more than $ 58,000 to Trump and others in the GOP . )
For weapons producers , backing both parties makes sense .
The military budget will have increased 29 % under Trump by the end of the current fiscal year , per the White House Office of Management and Budget .
Biden has said he doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” if he is elected , and his circle of advisers includes many from the national security world who have worked closely with ― and in many cases worked for ― the defense industry .
Meanwhile , defense contractors continue to have an outsize effect on the way policies are designed in Washington through less political means .
A recent report from the Center for International Policy found that such companies have given at least $ 1 billion to the nation ’ s most influential think tanks since 2014 ― potentially spending taxpayer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have also found less obvious ways to maintain support from powerful people , like running the databases that many congressional offices use to connect with constituents , Scherb of Common Cause said .

On March 20, 2018, President Donald Trump sat beside Saudi crown prince Muhammed bin Salman at the White House and lifted a giant map that said Saudi weapons purchases would support jobs in “key” states — including Pennsylvania, Michigan, Florida and Ohio, all of which were crucial to Trump’s 2016 election victory.
“Saudi Arabia has been a very great friend and a big purchaser of equipment … but if you look, in terms of dollars, $3 billion, $533 million, $525 million — that’s peanuts for you. You should have increased it,” Trump said to the prince, who was (and still is) overseeing a military campaign in Yemen that has deployed U.S. weaponry to commit scores of alleged war crimes.
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Trump has used his job as commander-in-chief to be America’s arms-dealer-in-chief in a way no other president has since Dwight Eisenhower, as he prepared to leave the presidency, warned in early 1961 of the military-industrial complex’s political influence. Trump’s posture makes sense personally ― this is a man who regularly fantasizes about violence, usually toward foreigners ― and he and his advisers see it as politically useful, too. The president has repeatedly appeared at weapons production facilities in swing states, promoted the head of Lockheed Martin using White House resources, appointed defense industry employees to top government jobs in an unprecedented way and expanded the Pentagon’s budget to near-historic highs ― a guarantee of future income for companies like Lockheed and Boeing.
Trump is “on steroids in terms of promoting arms sales for his own political benefit,” said William Hartung, a scholar at the Center for International Policy who has tracked the defense industry for decades. “It’s a targeted strategy to get benefits from workers in key states.”
In courting the billion-dollar industry, Trump has trampled on moral considerations about how buyers like the Saudis misuse American weapons, ethical concerns about conflicts of interest and even part of his own political message, the deceptive claim that he is a peace candidate. He justifies his policy by citing job growth, but data from Hartung, a prominent analyst, shows he exaggerates the impact. And Trump has made clear that a major motivation for his defense strategy is the possible electoral benefit it could have.
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Next month’s election will show if the bargain was worth it. As of now, it looks like Trump’s bet didn’t pay off ― for him, at least. Campaign contribution records, analysts in swing states and polls suggest arms dealers have given the president no significant political boost. The defense contractors, meanwhile, are expected to continue getting richer, as they have in a dramatic way under Trump.
Playing Corporate Favorites
Trump has thrice chosen the person who decides how the Defense Department spends its gigantic budget. Each time, he has tapped someone from a business that wants those Pentagon dollars. Mark Esper, the current defense secretary, worked for Raytheon; his predecessor, Pat Shanahan, for Boeing; and Trump’s first appointee, Jim Mattis, for General Dynamics, which reappointed him to its board soon after he left the administration.
Of the senior officials serving under Esper, almost half have connections to military contractors, per the Project on Government Oversight. The administration is now rapidly trying to fill more Pentagon jobs under the guidance of a former Trump campaign worker, Foreign Policy magazine recently revealed ― prioritizing political reasons and loyalty to Trump in choosing people who could help craft policy even under a Joe Biden presidency.
Such personnel choices are hugely important for defense companies’ profit margins and risk creating corruption or the impression of it. Watchdog groups argue Trump’s handling of the hiring process is more evidence that lawmakers and future presidents must institute rules to limit the reach of military contractors and other special interests.
“Given the hundreds of conflicts of interest flouting the rule of law in the Trump administration, certainly these issues have gotten that much more attention and are that much more salient now than they were four years ago,” said Aaron Scherb, the director of legislative affairs at Common Cause, a nonpartisan good-government group.
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The theoretical dangers of Trump’s approach became a reality last year, when a former employee for the weapons producer Raytheon used his job at the State Department to advocate for a rare emergency declaration allowing the Saudis and their partner the United Arab Emirates to buy $8 billion in arms ― including $2 billion in Raytheon products ― despite congressional objections. As other department employees warned that Saudi Arabia was defying U.S. pressure to behave less brutally in Yemen, former lobbyist Charles Faulkner led a unit that urged Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to give the kingdom more weapons. Pompeo pushed out Faulkner soon afterward, and earlier this year, the State Department’s inspector general criticized the process behind the emergency declaration for the arms.
Red Crescent medics walk next to bags containing the bodies of victims of Saudi-linked airstrikes on a Houthi detention center in Yemen on Sept. 1, 2019. The Saudis military campaign in Yemen has relied on U.S. weaponry to commit scores of alleged war crimes. Mohamed Al-Sayaghi / Reuters
Even Trump administration officials not clearly connected to the defense industry have shown an interest in moves that benefit it. In 2017, White House economic advisor Peter Navarro pressured Republican lawmakers to permit exports to Saudi Arabia and Jared Kushner, the president’s counselor and son-in-law, personally spoke with Lockheed Martin’s chief to iron out a sale to the kingdom, The New York Times found.
When Congress gave the Pentagon $1 billion to develop medical supplies as part of this year’s coronavirus relief package, most of the money went to defense contractors for projects like jet engine parts instead, a Washington Post investigation showed.
“It’s a very close relationship and there’s no kind of sense that they’re supposed to be regulating these people,” Hartung said. “It’s more like they’re allies, standing shoulder to shoulder.”
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Seeking Payback
In June 2019, Lockheed Martin announced that it would close a facility that manufactures helicopters in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, and employs more than 450 people. Days later, Trump tweeted that he had asked the company’s then-chief executive, Marillyn Hewson, to keep the plant open. And by July 10, Lockheed said it would do so ― attributing the decision to Trump.
The president has frequently claimed credit for jobs in the defense industry, highlighting the impact on manufacturing in swing states rather than employees like Washington lobbyists, whose numbers have also grown as he has expanded the Pentagon’s budget. Lockheed has helped him in his messaging: In one instance in Wisconsin, Hewson announced she was adding at least 45 new positions at a plant directly after Trump spoke there, saying his tax cuts for corporations made that possible.
Trump is pursuing a strategy that the arms industry uses to insulate itself from political criticism. “They’ve reached their tentacles into every state and many congressional districts,” Scherb of Common Cause said. That makes it hard for elected officials to question their operations or Pentagon spending generally without looking like they are harming their local economy.
Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, a Democrat who represents Coatesville, welcomed Lockheed’s change of course, though she warned, “This decision is a temporary reprieve. … I am concerned that Lockheed Martin and [its subsidiary] Sikorsky are playing politics with the livelihoods of people in my community.”
The political benefit for Trump, though, remains in question, given that as president he has a broad set of responsibilities and is judged in different ways.
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“Do I think it’s important to keep jobs? Absolutely,” said Marcel Groen, a former Pennsylvania Democratic party chair. “And I think we need to thank the congresswoman and thank the president for it. But it doesn’t change my views and I don’t think it changes most people’s in terms of the state of the nation.”
With polls showing that Trump’s disastrous response to the health pandemic dominates voters’ thoughts and Biden sustaining a lead in surveys of most swing states, his argument on defense industry jobs seems like a minor factor in this election.
Hartung of the Center for International Policy drew a parallel to President George H.W. Bush, who during his 1992 reelection campaign promoted plans for Taiwan and Saudi Arabia to purchase fighter jets produced in Missouri and Texas. Bush announced the decisions at events at the General Dynamics facility in Fort Worth, Texas, and the McDonnell Douglas plant in St. Louis that made the planes. That November, as Bill Clinton defeated him, he lost Missouri by the highest margin of any Republican in almost 30 years and won Texas by a slimmer margin than had become the norm for a GOP presidential candidate.
President Donald Trump greets then-Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Hewson at the Derco Aerospace Inc. plant in Milwaukee on July 12, 2019. Trump does not appear to be winning his political bet that increased defense spending would help his political fortunes. MANDEL NGAN via Getty Images
Checking The Receipts
The defense industry can’t control whether voters buy Trump’s arguments about his relationship with it. But it could, if it wanted to, try to help him politically in a more direct way: by donating to his reelection campaign and allied efforts.
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Yet arms manufacturers aren’t reciprocating Trump’s affection. A HuffPost review of Federal Election Commission records showed that top figures and groups at major industry organizations like the National Defense Industrial Association and the Aerospace Industries Association and at Lockheed, Trump’s favorite defense firm, are donating this cycle much as they normally do: giving to both sides of the political aisle, with a slight preference to the party currently wielding the most power, which for now is Republicans. (The few notable exceptions include the chairman of the NDIA’s board, Arnold Punaro, who has given more than $58,000 to Trump and others in the GOP.)
Data from the Center for Responsive Politics shows that’s the case for contributions from the next three biggest groups of defense industry donors after Lockheed’s employees.
One smaller defense company, AshBritt Environmental, did donate $500,000 to a political action committee supporting Trump ― prompting a complaint from the Campaign Legal Center, which noted that businesses that take federal dollars are not allowed to make campaign contributions. Its founder told ProPublica he meant to make a personal donation.
For weapons producers, backing both parties makes sense. The military budget will have increased 29% under Trump by the end of the current fiscal year, per the White House Office of Management and Budget. Biden has said he doesn’t see cuts as “inevitable” if he is elected, and his circle of advisers includes many from the national security world who have worked closely with ― and in many cases worked for ― the defense industry.
And arms manufacturers are “busy pursuing their own interests” in other ways, like trying to get a piece of additional government stimulus legislation, Hartung said ― an effort that’s underway as the Pentagon’s inspector general investigates how defense contractors got so much of the first coronavirus relief package.
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Meanwhile, defense contractors continue to have an outsize effect on the way policies are designed in Washington through less political means. A recent report from the Center for International Policy found that such companies have given at least $1 billion to the nation’s most influential think tanks since 2014 ― potentially spending taxpayer money to influence public opinion. They have also found less obvious ways to maintain support from powerful people, like running the databases that many congressional offices use to connect with constituents, Scherb of Common Cause said.
“This goes into a much bigger systemic issue about big money in politics and the role of corporations versus the role of Americans,” Scherb said.
Given its reach, the defense industry has little reason to appear overtly partisan. Instead, it’s projecting confidence despite the generally dreary state of the global economy: Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun has said he expects similar approaches from either winner of the election, arguing even greater Democratic control and the rise of less conventional lawmakers isn’t a huge concern.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-18--Twitter Removes Tweet By Trump Adviser Saying Masks Don't Work

“ Masks work ?
NO , ” Atlas , a radiologist with no background in infectious diseases or public health , tweeted Saturday .
The post cited the World Health Organization as having said that the “ widespread use ” of masks is not supported — an interpretation that experts have disputed .
In a follow-up tweet , he said that masks should be used when close to others , especially those who are high risk .
He added that there should not be widespread mask mandates , something that other infectious disease experts have advocated .
The Centers for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be worn in all public settings , especially when social distancing measures are difficult to maintain .
The WHO ’ s website also advises wearing face masks in busy public places such as workplaces , grocery stores and public transportation .
It urges people to follow local authorities ’ advice on them .
Atlas , who joined the task force in August , has become known for making controversial claims and recommendations about the virus .
In addition to questioning the efficacy of masks , he suggested that achieving herd immunity could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak and that young people becoming infected is “ not really a problem.
” In an email obtained by The New York Times , Atlas reportedly said that herd immunity could be achieved with COVID-19 infections in just 20 % of the population ― a percentage denied by top health experts , including Dr. Anthony Fauci .
Fauci has said that herd immunity is not a solution to the pandemic .
Fauci , speaking with CNN last month , expressed concern that information Atlas gave to the White House about the pandemic was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or actually incorrect.
” Robert Redfield , the director of the CDC , last month slammed Atlas ’ handling of the virus .
“ Everything he says is false , ” Redfield said about his task force teammate , according to NBC News .
More than 70 of Atlas ’ former colleagues at the Stanford University School of Medicine signed an open letter last month that criticized his handling of the pandemic , saying that he delivers “ falsehoods and misrepresentations of science ” that undermine public health authorities and established science .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ who signed the letter unless they agreed to retract their statements , Politico reported .
The signatories refused to back down .

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Twitter removed a tweet by White House coronavirus task force member Scott Atlas that said masks don’t work to stop the spread of COVID-19, the social media site confirmed Sunday.
“Masks work? NO,” Atlas, a radiologist with no background in infectious diseases or public health, tweeted Saturday. The post cited the World Health Organization as having said that the “widespread use” of masks is not supported — an interpretation that experts have disputed.
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In a follow-up tweet, he said that masks should be used when close to others, especially those who are high risk. He added that there should not be widespread mask mandates, something that other infectious disease experts have advocated.
Atlas’ initial post about masks not working was removed for violating the site’s policy on sharing misleading information about COVID-19, a Twitter spokesperson told HuffPost.
White House coronavirus adviser Scott Atlas in September. ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that masks be worn in all public settings, especially when social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
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The WHO’s website also advises wearing face masks in busy public places such as workplaces, grocery stores and public transportation. It urges people to follow local authorities’ advice on them.
Atlas, who joined the task force in August, has become known for making controversial claims and recommendations about the virus.
In addition to questioning the efficacy of masks, he suggested that achieving herd immunity could be a solution to the nation’s outbreak and that young people becoming infected is “not really a problem.”
In an email obtained by The New York Times, Atlas reportedly said that herd immunity could be achieved with COVID-19 infections in just 20% of the population ― a percentage denied by top health experts, including Dr. Anthony Fauci. Fauci has said that herd immunity is not a solution to the pandemic.
Fauci, speaking with CNN last month, expressed concern that information Atlas gave to the White House about the pandemic was “really taken either out of context or actually incorrect.”
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Robert Redfield, the director of the CDC, last month slammed Atlas’ handling of the virus. “Everything he says is false,” Redfield said about his task force teammate, according to NBC News.
More than 70 of Atlas’ former colleagues at the Stanford University School of Medicine signed an open letter last month that criticized his handling of the pandemic, saying that he delivers “falsehoods and misrepresentations of science” that undermine public health authorities and established science.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-18--Infectious Disease Expert: The 'Darkest Of The Entire Pandemic' Has Yet To Come

Michael Osterholm , a renowned infectious disease expert , told NBC ’ s “ Meet the Press ” Sunday that “ the next six to 12 weeks are going to be the darkest of the entire pandemic ” and expressed concern that the U.S. lacks a leading voice to guide the public .
“ Vaccines will not become available in any meaningful way until early to [ the ] third quarter of next year .
And even then , about half of the U.S. population at this point is skeptical of even taking the vaccine , ” said Osterholm , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota .
Osterholm pointed to the daily tally of 70,000 new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. Friday , the highest level since July .
Between now and the holidays , the number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. will likely “ blow right through that , ” he said .
He stressed that one reason for concern is that there are a number of voices guiding the public instead of just one , “ which is part of the problem.
” “ This is more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together to understand why we are doing this .
This is FDR fireside chat approach , and we ’ re just not doing that , ” he said , referring to President Franklin D. Roosevelt ’ s evening radio addresses during the Great Depression that boosted public confidence .
Osterholm said the goal is to achieve herd immunity , not by allowing people to contract the virus , but by inoculating them through a vaccination program .
That requires strengthening public confidence .
“ We need somebody to start to articulate , ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are we going to get there ?
Why are we asking people to sacrifice distancing ?
Why are we telling people if you really love your family , you won ’ t go home for Thanksgiving or Christmas and end up infecting mom or dad or grandpa and grandma.
’ We don ’ t have that storytelling going on right now , and that ’ s every bit as important as the science itself , ” he said .
Osterholm expected COVID-19 cases to rise in coming weeks , but he vehemently dismissed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a solution to the pandemic or that it can be achieved with just 20 % of the population infected .
That low percentage was reportedly proposed by Trump medical adviser Scott Atlas .
“ First of all , that 20 % number is the most amazing combination of pixie dust and pseudoscience I ’ ve ever seen , ” Osterholm said .
“ It ’ s 50 % to 70 % at minimum.
” Attempts to achieve herd immunity by infection , and not by vaccination , will have negative results , Osterholm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of deaths , a lot of serious illnesses , ” he said .
Even if 50 % to 70 % of the population becomes infected , virus transmission is merely slowed down , not stopped , he said .
“ So this virus is going to keep looking for wood to burn for as long as it can .
...
So our goal is to get as many people protected with vaccines , ” he said .

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Michael Osterholm, a renowned infectious disease expert, told NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday that “the next six to 12 weeks are going to be the darkest of the entire pandemic” and expressed concern that the U.S. lacks a leading voice to guide the public.
“Vaccines will not become available in any meaningful way until early to [the] third quarter of next year. And even then, about half of the U.S. population at this point is skeptical of even taking the vaccine,” said Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota.
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Osterholm pointed to the daily tally of 70,000 new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. Friday, the highest level since July. Between now and the holidays, the number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. will likely “blow right through that,” he said.
He stressed that one reason for concern is that there are a number of voices guiding the public instead of just one, “which is part of the problem.”
Michael Osterholm NBC News / Meet The Press
“This is more than just science. This is bringing people together to understand why we are doing this. This is FDR fireside chat approach, and we’re just not doing that,” he said, referring to President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s evening radio addresses during the Great Depression that boosted public confidence.
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Osterholm said the goal is to achieve herd immunity, not by allowing people to contract the virus, but by inoculating them through a vaccination program. That requires strengthening public confidence.
“We need somebody to start to articulate, ‘What is our long-term plan? How are we going to get there? Why are we asking people to sacrifice distancing? Why are we telling people if you really love your family, you won’t go home for Thanksgiving or Christmas and end up infecting mom or dad or grandpa and grandma.’ We don’t have that storytelling going on right now, and that’s every bit as important as the science itself,” he said.
Osterholm expected COVID-19 cases to rise in coming weeks, but he vehemently dismissed the idea that herd immunity can be a solution to the pandemic or that it can be achieved with just 20% of the population infected. That low percentage was reportedly proposed by Trump medical adviser Scott Atlas.
“First of all, that 20% number is the most amazing combination of pixie dust and pseudoscience I’ve ever seen,” Osterholm said. “It’s 50% to 70% at minimum.”
Dr. Anthony Fauci has also dismissed the idea that herd immunity can be achieved with such a low percentage.
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Attempts to achieve herd immunity by infection, and not by vaccination, will have negative results, Osterholm added. “There will be lots of deaths, a lot of serious illnesses,” he said.
Even if 50% to 70% of the population becomes infected, virus transmission is merely slowed down, not stopped, he said.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-18--Lara Trump Defends 'Lock Her Up' Chants About Whitmer, Says Trump Was 'Having Fun'

Lara Trump on Sunday defended calls for Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer to be locked up that came during a rally for her father-in-law , President Donald Trump on Saturday .
She claimed the calls had “ nothing to do with ” a recent kidnapping plot against Whitmer and that Trump was merely having fun .
“ He wasn ’ t doing anything , I don ’ t think , to provoke people to threaten this woman , at all , ” Lara Trump , who serves as a senior Trump campaign adviser , said of the president on CNN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ He was having fun at a Trump rally .
And quite frankly , there are bigger issues than this.
” Her dismissal of the chants came hours after a crowd of Trump supporters in Michigan called for the governor to be locked up in response to the state ’ s handling of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic .
When asked if the President should tone down his rhetoric against Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , Trump campaign senior adviser Lara Trump says , `` He was n't doing anything , I do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threaten this woman at all .
He was having fun at a Trump rally '' # CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/Hm9GIWeH5d — State of the Union ( @ CNNSotu ) October 18 , 2020 “ You ’ ve got to get your governor to open up your state , OK ?
And get your schools open .
Get your schools open .
The schools have to be open , right ?
” Trump told the crowd as some in the group began chanting , “ Lock her up !
” Whitmer , who authorities said was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Trump-supporting militia members earlier this month , emphasized the seriousness of the president ’ s behavior , declaring on Twitter shortly after the incident : “ It needs to stop.
” This is exactly the rhetoric that has put me , my family , and other government officials ’ lives in danger while we try to save the lives of our fellow Americans .
It needs to stop .
https : //t.co/EWkNQx3Ppx — Governor Gretchen Whitmer ( @ GovWhitmer ) October 17 , 2020 “ This is exactly the rhetoric that has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government officials ’ lives in danger while we try to save the lives of our fellow Americans , ” she said , while sharing a video of Trump ’ s behavior at the rally .
Asked whether the rhetoric should be toned down , Laura Trump argued that the comments about Whitmer had “ nothing to do with this attack against her.
” She further argued that she and her family receive their own threats , suggesting that makes it OK. Six members of a Michigan militia were arrested earlier this month and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response to significant restrictions she placed on the state to try to stop the coronavirus from spreading .
Separately , seven others were charged for allegedly seeking to storm the Michigan Capitol and instigate a “ civil war , ” according to an affidavit released by the FBI .
After Whitmer condemned Trump for encouraging violence among his supporters with hate speech and support of violent groups , Trump accused her in an interview on Thursday of wanting “ to be a dictator.
” We want to know what you ’ re hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you get any interesting ― or suspicious !
― campaign mailers , robocalls or hear anything else you think we should know about , email us at scoops @ huffpost.com .

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Lara Trump on Sunday defended calls for Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to be locked up that came during a rally for her father-in-law, President Donald Trump on Saturday. She claimed the calls had “nothing to do with” a recent kidnapping plot against Whitmer and that Trump was merely having fun.
“He wasn’t doing anything, I don’t think, to provoke people to threaten this woman, at all,” Lara Trump, who serves as a senior Trump campaign adviser, said of the president on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “He was having fun at a Trump rally. And quite frankly, there are bigger issues than this.”
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Her dismissal of the chants came hours after a crowd of Trump supporters in Michigan called for the governor to be locked up in response to the state’s handling of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
When asked if the President should tone down his rhetoric against Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Trump campaign senior adviser Lara Trump says, "He wasn't doing anything, I don't think, to provoke people to threaten this woman at all. He was having fun at a Trump rally" #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/Hm9GIWeH5d — State of the Union (@CNNSotu) October 18, 2020
“You’ve got to get your governor to open up your state, OK? And get your schools open. Get your schools open. The schools have to be open, right?” Trump told the crowd as some in the group began chanting, “Lock her up!”
Trump appeared to laugh at the chant. He added: “Lock ’em all up.”
Whitmer, who authorities said was the victim of a foiled armed abduction by Trump-supporting militia members earlier this month, emphasized the seriousness of the president’s behavior, declaring on Twitter shortly after the incident: “It needs to stop.”
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This is exactly the rhetoric that has put me, my family, and other government officials’ lives in danger while we try to save the lives of our fellow Americans. It needs to stop. https://t.co/EWkNQx3Ppx — Governor Gretchen Whitmer (@GovWhitmer) October 17, 2020
“This is exactly the rhetoric that has put me, my family and other government officials’ lives in danger while we try to save the lives of our fellow Americans,” she said, while sharing a video of Trump’s behavior at the rally.
Asked whether the rhetoric should be toned down, Laura Trump argued that the comments about Whitmer had “nothing to do with this attack against her.” She further argued that she and her family receive their own threats, suggesting that makes it OK.
Six members of a Michigan militia were arrested earlier this month and charged with plotting to kidnap Whitmer in response to significant restrictions she placed on the state to try to stop the coronavirus from spreading. Separately, seven others were charged for allegedly seeking to storm the Michigan Capitol and instigate a “civil war,” according to an affidavit released by the FBI.
After Whitmer condemned Trump for encouraging violence among his supporters with hate speech and support of violent groups, Trump accused her in an interview on Thursday of wanting “to be a dictator.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-18--Trump And Biden Each Go On Offense In States They're Trying To Flip

LAS VEGAS ( AP ) — President Donald Trump and Democratic rival Joe Biden went on offense Sunday , with each campaigning in states they are trying to flip during the Nov. 3 election that is just over two weeks away .
Both candidates are trying to make inroads in states that could help secure a path to victory , but the dynamics of the race are remarkably stable .
Biden enjoys a significant advantage in national polls , while carrying a smaller edge in battleground surveys .
With Trump seated in the front row at the nondenominational International Church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pastor , Denise Goulet , said God told her the president is the apple of his eye and would secure a second term .
Trump offered brief remarks , saying “ I love going to churches ” and that it was “ a great honor ” to attend the service .
The president also said that “ we have a group on the other side that doesn ’ t agree with us , ” and he urged people to “ get out there on Nov. 3 or sooner ” to vote .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the collection plate before leaving .
Biden held up a rosary , which he said he carries in his pocket every day , and described it as “ what the Irish call a prisoner ’ s rosary ” since it was small enough to be smuggled into prisons .
In addition to public polling that indicates Biden has an edge , the former vice president enjoys another considerable advantage over Trump : money .
Over the past four months , his campaign has raised over $ 1 billion , and that has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once-massive cash advantage .
That ’ s become apparent in advertising , where Biden and his Democratic allies are on pace to spend twice as much as Trump and the Republicans in the closing days of the race , according to data from the ad tracking firm Kantar/CMAG .
As tries to keep more voters from turning against him , Trump has sought to paint Democrats as “ anti-American radicals ” on a “ crusade against American history.
” He told moderate voters they had a “ a moral duty ” to join @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden would be only the second Roman Catholic president in U.S. history and first since John F. Kennedy .
Biden speaks frequently about his faith and its importance in his life .
Biden started his day with Mass in Delaware at St. Joseph ’ s on the Brandywine , as he does nearly every week .
He and his wife , Jill , entered wearing dark-colored face masks .
She carried a bunch of flowers that including pink roses .
Trump attends church far less often but has drawn strong support from white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pastors at the White House .
Trump often goes to the Church of Bethesda-By-The Sea near Mar-a-Lago in Florida for major holidays , including Easter , and he attended a Christmas Eve service last year at Family Church in West Palm Beach before the onset of the pandemic .

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CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — President Donald Trump and Democratic rival Joe Biden went on offense over the weekend as both campaigned in states they are trying to flip during the Nov. 3 election, just over two weeks away.
Trump began his Sunday in Nevada, making a rare visit to church before a fundraiser and an evening rally in Carson City. Once considered a battleground, Nevada has not swung for a Republican presidential contender since 2004.
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The rally drew thousands of supporters who sat elbow to elbow, cheering Trump and booing Biden and the press. The vast majority wore no masks to guard against the coronavirus, though cases in the state are on the rise, with more than 1,000 new infections reported Saturday. The Republican president, as he often does, warned that a Biden election would lead to further lockdowns and appeared to mock Biden for saying he would listen to scientists.
“He’ll listen to the scientists. If I listened totally to the scientists, we would right now have a country that would be in a massive depression,” Trump said.
Biden, a practicing Catholic, attended Mass in Delaware before campaigning in North Carolina, where a Democrat has not won in a presidential race since Barack Obama in 2008.
President Donald Trump attends church at International Church of Las Vegas, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Las Vegas, Nev. Alex Brandon/AP
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Both candidates are trying to make inroads in states that could help secure a path to victory, but the dynamics of the race are remarkably stable. Biden enjoys a significant advantage in national polls, while carrying a smaller edge in battleground surveys.
Earlier in the day, Trump sat in the front row at the nondenominational International Church of Las Vegas as the senior associate pastor, Denise Goulet, said God told her early that morning that the president would secure a second term.
“At 4:30, the Lord said to me, ‘I am going to give your president a second win,’” she said, telling Trump, “you will be the president again.”
Trump spoke briefly, saying “I love going to churches” and that it was “a great honor” to attend the service. He dropped a wad of $20 bills in the collection plate before leaving.
The message was far different in both style and substance later in the day, when Biden attended a virtual discussion with African American faith leaders from around the country.
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Biden held up a rosary, which he said he carries in his pocket every day, and described it as “what the Irish call a prisoner’s rosary” since it was small enough to be smuggled into prisons.
“I happen to be a Roman Catholic,” Biden said. “I don’t pray for God to protect me. I pray to God to give me strength to see what other people are dealing with.”
Supporters listen while sitting atop their car as Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden speaks during a drive-in campaign rally at Riverside High School on October 18, 2020 in Durham, North Carolina. Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Earlier, at a drive-in rally in Durham, North Carolina, Biden focused heavily on promoting criminal justice changes to combat institutional racism and promised to help build wealth in the Black community.
He noted that Trump had said at one of his rallies that the country had turned the corner on the pandemic.
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“As my grandfather would say, this guy’s gone around the bend if he thinks we’ve turned the corner. Turning the corner? Things are getting worse,” Biden said.
In addition to public polling that indicates Biden has an edge, the former vice president enjoys another considerable advantage over Trump: money.
Trump raked in $12 million during a fundraiser Sunday afternoon at the Newport Beach home of top GOP donor and tech mogul Palmer Luckey, which also featured a performance by the Beach Boys.
But over the past four months, Biden has raised over $1 billion, a massive amount of money that has eclipsed Trump’s once-overwhelming cash advantage.
That’s become apparent in advertising, where Biden and his Democratic allies are on pace to spend twice as much as Trump and the Republicans in the closing days of the race, according to data from the ad tracking firm Kantar/CMAG.
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Though Trump has pulled back from advertising in Midwestern states that secured his 2016 win, he’s invested heavily elsewhere, including North Carolina, where he is on pace to slightly outspend Biden in the days ahead.
In Nevada, which Trump came close to winning in 2016, Democrats are set to outspend Trump in the closing days by a more than 3-to-1 ratio.
Trump’s visit to the state is part of an aggressive schedule of campaign events, where he has leaned heavily into fear tactics.
Trump’s Carson City rally was held at an airport with a golden scrub brush-covered hill providing a dramatic backdrop. He relived fond moments from his 2016 campaign against Hillary Clinton, revisited his long-running feud with NFL players and went on an extended rant about water management policy, which he blamed for people having to “flush their toilet 15 times.”
He also added to his litany of hyperbolic attacks against Biden, claiming that, if Biden were elected, he would mandate new lockdown measures that would make Carson City “a ghost town” and “the Christmas season will be cancelled.”
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As he surveyed his crowd, Trump expressed disbelief that he could possibly be tied (in fact losing, according to public polls) to Biden in the state.
“How the hell can we be tied?” he asked. “What’s going on? ... We get these massive crowds. He gets nobody.... It doesn’t make sense!” Biden has held very small and virtual events in recent months because of the ongoing pandemic.
Biden started his day with Mass in Delaware at St. Joseph’s on the Brandywine, as he does nearly every week. He and his wife, Jill, entered wearing dark-colored face masks. She carried a bunch of flowers that including pink roses.
The church is a few minutes’ drive from Biden’s home. Biden’s son Beau, who died of brain cancer in 2015, is buried in the cemetery on its grounds. Joe and Jill Biden visited the grave after the service.
Trump attends church far less often but has drawn strong support from white Evangelical leaders and frequently hosts groups of pastors at the White House. Trump often goes to the Church of Bethesda-By-The Sea near Mar-a-Lago in Florida for major holidays, including Easter, and he attended a Christmas Eve service last year at Family Church in West Palm Beach before the onset of the pandemic.
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If elected, Biden would be only the second Roman Catholic president in U.S. history and first since John F. Kennedy. The former vice president speaks frequently about his faith and its importance in his life.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-18--Trump Campaign Doubles Down On Attacks On Gov. Whitmer After Pushback

President Donald Trump and his campaign on Sunday doubled down on their attacks against Michigan ’ s Democratic Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , who was the target of an alleged kidnapping plot involving some of the president ’ s militant supporters .
The campaign tweeted a conspiracy theory Sunday suggesting that Whitmer encouraged “ assassination attempts against President Trump ” by displaying a sign that said “ 86 45 ” in the background of her Sunday interview on NBC ’ s “ Meet the Press.
” The tweet argued that “ 86 ” is shorthand for killing someone .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as sources for its theory .
The Merriam-Webster dictionary said that “ 86 ” is a slang term in the food industry that can mean either to refuse service to a customer or to “ get rid of ” or “ throw out ” an item .
The definition does not mention killing as a meaning for the term .
“ The silly season is officially here .
It ’ s pretty clear nobody in the Trump campaign has ever worked a food service job , ” Bobby Leddy , Whitmer ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
“ Here ’ s the bottom line : The president is not only a superspreader of COVID-19 , he is also a superspreader of hate and fear .
His divisive rhetoric needs to stop , and we need a president who will bring Americans together to defeat COVID-19.
” The Trump campaign tweet comes one day after the president attacked the Democratic governor at a rally in Muskegon , Michigan .
The crowd chanted , “ Lock her up !
” in response to Trump ’ s rhetoric .
“ You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up your state , ” Trump told rallygoers Saturday .
“ And get your schools open , get your schools open .
The schools have to be open , right ?
” Lara Trump — the president ’ s daughter-in-law , who works as a campaign adviser — said Sunday that Donald Trump was merely “ having fun ” at his rally and that the calls had “ nothing to do with ” the recent alleged kidnapping plot aimed at Whitmer .
Trump attacks against Whitmer continued even after several members of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week and charged with plotting to kidnap the governor in response to business restrictions and safety measures she implemented to help stop the spread of COVID-19 .
The Trump-supporting extremists considered the restrictions to be an overreach of power and discussed other violent actions , such as taking hostages , overthrowing the state government and kidnapping Democratic Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam as well , according to an FBI affidavit .
“ Ten days after a plot to kidnap , put me on trial and execute me .
Ten days after that was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again and inspiring and incentivizing … this kind of domestic terrorism , ” Whitmer told NBC ’ s Chuck Todd “ Meet the Press ” Sunday .
“ It is wrong .
It ’ s got to end .
It is dangerous , not just for me and my family , but for public servants everywhere who are doing their jobs and trying to protect their fellow Americans.
” She added : “ People of good will on both sides of the aisle need to step up and call this out and bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States of America .
We do not tolerate actions like he is giving comfort to .
”

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President Donald Trump and his campaign on Sunday doubled down on their attacks against Michigan’s Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who was the target of an alleged kidnapping plot involving some of the president’s militant supporters.
The campaign tweeted a conspiracy theory Sunday suggesting that Whitmer encouraged “assassination attempts against President Trump” by displaying a sign that said “86 45” in the background of her Sunday interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
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The tweet argued that “86” is shorthand for killing someone. A second tweet cited Wikipedia and Urban Dictionary as sources for its theory.
The president’s campaign is inciting violence against an elected official who was just the victim of a kidnapping/assassination plot hatched by his supporters. Completely insane. pic.twitter.com/qknzESADqz — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 18, 2020
The Merriam-Webster dictionary said that “86” is a slang term in the food industry that can mean either to refuse service to a customer or to “get rid of” or “throw out” an item. The definition does not mention killing as a meaning for the term.
“The silly season is officially here. It’s pretty clear nobody in the Trump campaign has ever worked a food service job,” Bobby Leddy, Whitmer’s campaign spokesperson, told HuffPost in a statement. “Here’s the bottom line: The president is not only a superspreader of COVID-19, he is also a superspreader of hate and fear. His divisive rhetoric needs to stop, and we need a president who will bring Americans together to defeat COVID-19.”
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The Trump campaign tweet comes one day after the president attacked the Democratic governor at a rally in Muskegon, Michigan. The crowd chanted, “Lock her up!” in response to Trump’s rhetoric.
“You gotta get your governor to open up your state,” Trump told rallygoers Saturday. “And get your schools open, get your schools open. The schools have to be open, right?”
In response to the crowd’s chants, Trump smiled and and added, “Lock ’em all up.”
Lara Trump — the president’s daughter-in-law, who works as a campaign adviser — said Sunday that Donald Trump was merely “having fun” at his rally and that the calls had “nothing to do with” the recent alleged kidnapping plot aimed at Whitmer.
The President mentions the Governor of Michigan, the crowd chants lock her up, and the President says lock them all up pic.twitter.com/9wuB7blnoP — Acyn Torabi (@Acyn) October 17, 2020
Trump attacks against Whitmer continued even after several members of a Michigan far-right paramilitary group were arrested last week and charged with plotting to kidnap the governor in response to business restrictions and safety measures she implemented to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
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The Trump-supporting extremists considered the restrictions to be an overreach of power and discussed other violent actions, such as taking hostages, overthrowing the state government and kidnapping Democratic Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam as well, according to an FBI affidavit.
Trump tweeted “LIBERATE MICHIGAN” in April as a response to the state’s COVID-19 restrictions.
After the arrests, Whitmer attacked Trump for encouraging violence with his apparent support of extremist and hate groups.
WATCH: Trump’s supporters chant “lock her up” at Mich. rally.@GovWhitmer: “Ten days after a plot to kidnap, put me on trial and execute me. Ten days after that was uncovered, the president is at it again. And inspiring and incentivizing and inciting ... domestic terrorism.” pic.twitter.com/ipN3xvEbQ7 — Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) October 18, 2020
“Ten days after a plot to kidnap, put me on trial and execute me. Ten days after that was uncovered, the president is at it again and inspiring and incentivizing … this kind of domestic terrorism,” Whitmer told NBC’s Chuck Todd “Meet the Press” Sunday. “It is wrong. It’s got to end. It is dangerous, not just for me and my family, but for public servants everywhere who are doing their jobs and trying to protect their fellow Americans.”
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