thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-15--Whistleblower Says Doctor Performed Excessive Hysterectomies On ICE Detainees

Several people , including a nurse , expressed alarm at the number of hysterectomies being performed on immigrant women at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Ocilla , Georgia , according to a new whistleblower complaint sent to the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General .
The complaint alleges that officials have fostered unsanitary conditions and allowed for “ jarring medical neglect ” at the Irwin County Detention Center , which is operated by the private prison company LaSalle Corrections .
In addition to the allegedly high number of hysterectomies performed on female detainees , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basic steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
ICE told HuffPost that it “ does not comment on matters presented to the Office of the Inspector General , which provides independent oversight and accountability within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
” The agency continued : “ ICE takes all allegations seriously and defers to the OIG regarding any potential investigation and/or results .
That said , in general , anonymous , unproven allegations , made without any fact-checkable specifics , should be treated with the appropriate skepticism they deserve.
” According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regularly sent to an off-site doctor who sometimes ends up removing all or part of their uteruses .
Due to language barriers , many of the women may not be able to properly consent to the procedure .
Some nurses end up “ simply googling Spanish ” to obtain patient consent , she alleged .
“ I ’ ve had several inmates tell me that they ’ ve been to see the doctor and they ’ ve had hysterectomies and they don ’ t know why they went or why they ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the women are told that they have severe menstruation issues requiring the procedure , Wooten doubts that is really the case , saying , “ everybody ’ s uterus can not be that bad.
” “ Everybody he sees has a hysterectomy ― just about everybody .
He ’ s even taken out the wrong ovary on a young lady [ detained immigrant woman ] , ” Wooten said in the complaint .
The patient was supposed to have her left ovary removed due to a cyst , but the doctor allegedly took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was upset , ” Wooten said .
“ She had to go back to take out the left and she wound up with a total hysterectomy .
She still wanted children ― so she has to go back home now and tell her husband that she can ’ t bear kids.
” Detained immigrants play soccer behind a barbed wire fence at the Irwin County Detention Center in Ocilla , Georgia on Feb. 20 , 2018 .
A new complaint says the facility is allowing excessive hysterectomies to be performed on female detainees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 .
For attempting to voice her concerns about ICDC ― including that rooms and equipment were not properly cleaned and that medical records were being fabricated ― Wooten says in the complaint that she was demoted and issued a reprimand .
Since the coronavirus crisis began , employees have struggled to obtain sufficient personal protective equipment , according to the complaint , which notes that social distancing is not observed at the facility .
Employees are also allegedly made to work even while presenting symptoms of COVID-19 .
Wooten says she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work while experiencing symptoms and that she was not permitted to tell her co-workers which detainees had tested positive .
“ Interviews with another current member of Irwin ’ s medical staff ― who asked not to be named for fear of retaliation ― and four people currently or recently detained there ” have backed up Wooten ’ s accusations , according to a report by The Intercept .
The outlet did not mention the allegedly excessive hysterectomies .

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Several people, including a nurse, expressed alarm at the number of hysterectomies being performed on immigrant women at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Ocilla, Georgia, according to a new whistleblower complaint sent to the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General.
Multiple legal advocacy groups filed the complaint, dated Monday, on behalf of Dawn Wooten, a licensed practical nurse with a decade of experience.
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The complaint alleges that officials have fostered unsanitary conditions and allowed for “jarring medical neglect” at the Irwin County Detention Center, which is operated by the private prison company LaSalle Corrections. In addition to the allegedly high number of hysterectomies performed on female detainees, the center is accused of failing to take basic steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Wooten said in a press conference Tuesday that she had to speak out publicly after witnessing the “inhumane” treatment of immigrants.
ICE told HuffPost that it “does not comment on matters presented to the Office of the Inspector General, which provides independent oversight and accountability within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.”
The agency continued: “ICE takes all allegations seriously and defers to the OIG regarding any potential investigation and/or results. That said, in general, anonymous, unproven allegations, made without any fact-checkable specifics, should be treated with the appropriate skepticism they deserve.”
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HuffPost did not immediately receive a response from LaSalle Corrections.
According to the nurse, female detainees are regularly sent to an off-site doctor who sometimes ends up removing all or part of their uteruses. Due to language barriers, many of the women may not be able to properly consent to the procedure. Some nurses end up “simply googling Spanish” to obtain patient consent, she alleged.
“That’s his specialty, he’s the uterus collector,” Wooten said of the doctor, who is not named in the public version of the complaint.
“I’ve had several inmates tell me that they’ve been to see the doctor and they’ve had hysterectomies and they don’t know why they went or why they’re going,” she said.
Although the women are told that they have severe menstruation issues requiring the procedure, Wooten doubts that is really the case, saying, “everybody’s uterus cannot be that bad.”
“Everybody he sees has a hysterectomy ― just about everybody. He’s even taken out the wrong ovary on a young lady [detained immigrant woman],” Wooten said in the complaint. The patient was supposed to have her left ovary removed due to a cyst, but the doctor allegedly took out her right ovary.
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“She was upset,” Wooten said. “She had to go back to take out the left and she wound up with a total hysterectomy. She still wanted children ― so she has to go back home now and tell her husband that she can’t bear kids.”
Detained immigrants play soccer behind a barbed wire fence at the Irwin County Detention Center in Ocilla, Georgia on Feb. 20, 2018. A new complaint says the facility is allowing excessive hysterectomies to be performed on female detainees and failing to take basic precautions against COVID-19. REUTERS/Reade Levinson
Wooten’s statements were bolstered by other, anonymous accounts given to Project South, a human rights group that helped file the complaint.
“Several immigrant women have reported to Project South their concerns about how many women have received a hysterectomy while detained at ICDC,” the complaint read.
For attempting to voice her concerns about ICDC ― including that rooms and equipment were not properly cleaned and that medical records were being fabricated ― Wooten says in the complaint that she was demoted and issued a reprimand.
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Since the coronavirus crisis began, employees have struggled to obtain sufficient personal protective equipment, according to the complaint, which notes that social distancing is not observed at the facility. Employees are also allegedly made to work even while presenting symptoms of COVID-19.
Wooten says she was personally written up for not reporting to work while experiencing symptoms and that she was not permitted to tell her co-workers which detainees had tested positive.
“Interviews with another current member of Irwin’s medical staff ― who asked not to be named for fear of retaliation ― and four people currently or recently detained there” have backed up Wooten’s accusations, according to a report by The Intercept. The outlet did not mention the allegedly excessive hysterectomies.
America’s prisons and jails have faced harsh criticism for allowing coronavirus infection and death rates to spike in the cramped facilities.
“Ms. Wooten’s whistleblowing disclosures reveal not only gross mismanagement from LaSalle leadership, but actions that deliberately put the health of detainees, workers, and the public at risk,” said attorney John Whitty of the Government Accountability Project, which also helped file the complaint.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-15--This Mom Draws Comics For New Mothers With Postpartum Depression

Jamina Bone has always been good with kids .
She loved babysitting and being a nanny so much , she decided to get a degree in special education to continue to work with kids .
When she had her first baby , she took to motherhood quickly .
But after giving birth to her second daughter , the Kansas City-based mom said that , more often than not , she felt more hopeless than happy .
Sure , she was dealing with the death of her mother-in-law , but her pain felt specific to taking care of her new daughter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would cringe when she cried , it took too long for my milk to come in , and I just didn ’ t want to be there , ” she said .
“ I often felt my baby took me away from my first daughter .
I envisioned myself sinking into my bed and disappearing so that nobody could need me.
” After months of feeling “ exhausted and irritable ” and yelling “ out of rage , ” Bone talked to her midwife , who suggested she may have postpartum depression ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ angry is that I made excuse after excuse for why I was struggling , ” she said .
“ I got knocked down .
Like receiving physical and occupational therapy after an injury , I had to relearn everything .
I can see this now , but back then I felt like a failure .
I felt ungrateful , selfish , and definitely not good enough.
” In the thick of her depression , Bone said drawing helped her feel more like herself .
Now , through a series she calls “ Still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she hopes her artwork can inspire other new moms to hang in there , especially if they ’ re dealing with PPD .
“ When I was going through PPD , I felt isolated , embarrassed and didn ’ t want to bring anyone down , so I never talked about it , ” she said .
“ Drawing was a way for me to talk about it.
” As many as 50 % to 75 % of new mothers experience the “ baby blues ” after delivery , according to the Cleveland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these women will develop a more severe and longer-lasting depression ― postpartum depression ― after delivery .
In her series , Bone explores how much of a struggle it is for new moms with PPD to balance their expectations of motherhood with its reality .
“ All these drawings came from reminding myself and my community that we are doing our best and that means something , ” said Bone , who also recently collaborated with writer Blake Nolan for a baby board book titled “ I Love My Happy Mama.
” Bone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reminder that motherhood ― in all its glory and in all its hardships ― isn ’ t something you have to go it alone .
“ Reach out to other mamas who get it ― feel free to message me !
― and know you are not alone , ” she said .
“ If you ’ re struggling with PPD , know that you are enough , and you will find yourself again .
”

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Jamina Bone has always been good with kids. She loved babysitting and being a nanny so much, she decided to get a degree in special education to continue to work with kids. When she had her first baby, she took to motherhood quickly.
But after giving birth to her second daughter, the Kansas City-based mom said that, more often than not, she felt more hopeless than happy. Sure, she was dealing with the death of her mother-in-law, but her pain felt specific to taking care of her new daughter.
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“With my second child I would cringe when she cried, it took too long for my milk to come in, and I just didn’t want to be there,” she said. “I often felt my baby took me away from my first daughter. I envisioned myself sinking into my bed and disappearing so that nobody could need me.”
After six weeks of feeling “exhausted and irritable” and yelling “out of rage,” Bone talked to her midwife. The midwife suggested she may have postpartum depression (PPD) and recommended getting further help. Bone didn’t and things got worse. Months later, the new mom started having intrusive thoughts.
“What makes me angry is that I made excuse after excuse for why I was struggling,” she said. “I got knocked down. Like receiving physical and occupational therapy after an injury, I had to relearn everything. I can see this now, but back then I felt like a failure. I felt ungrateful, selfish, and definitely not good enough.”
In the thick of her depression, Bone said drawing helped her feel more like herself. Now, through a series she calls “Still A Good Mom,” Bone said she hopes her artwork can inspire other new moms to hang in there, especially if they’re dealing with PPD.
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Jamina Bone
“When I was going through PPD, I felt isolated, embarrassed and didn’t want to bring anyone down, so I never talked about it,” she said. “Drawing was a way for me to talk about it.”
As many as 50% to 75% of new mothers experience the “baby blues” after delivery, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Up to 15% of these women will develop a more severe and longer-lasting depression ― postpartum depression ― after delivery. In her series, Bone explores how much of a struggle it is for new moms with PPD to balance their expectations of motherhood with its reality.
Jamina Bone
In other drawings, Bone chides other moms and women who judge:
Jamina Bone
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“All these drawings came from reminding myself and my community that we are doing our best and that means something,” said Bone, who also recently collaborated with writer Blake Nolan for a baby board book titled “I Love My Happy Mama.”
Bone said she hopes her work serves as a reminder that motherhood ― in all its glory and in all its hardships ― isn’t something you have to go it alone.
“Reach out to other mamas who get it ― feel free to message me! ― and know you are not alone,” she said. “If you’re struggling with PPD, know that you are enough, and you will find yourself again.”
Scroll down for more of Bone’s “Still a Good Mom” series and visit her site for more of her drawings.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-17--911 Call From Intoxicated Jerry Falwell Jr.’s House Last Month Describes ‘A Lot Of Blood’

One week after Reuters published an explosive report on an alleged sexual and financial relationship between Jerry Falwell Jr. , his wife and a Miami man named Giancarlo Granda , responders were called to the Falwells ’ house in Bedford County , Virginia .
Alcohol use lurked behind the series of scandals that led Jerry Falwell Jr. to resign as president of Liberty University last month .
He initially announced a leave of absence from Liberty , a private evangelical university founded by his father , Jerry Falwell Sr. , on Aug. 7 after he posted a racy photo on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his arm around a woman with her midriff exposed .
A dark drink was in his hand , which he later claimed was “ black water ” that was “ a prop only.
” Liberty University stringently forbids alcohol use by students .
Jerry Falwell Jr. resigned as president of Liberty on Aug. 25 , one day after Reuters published a story on Granda ’ s allegations he had a yearslong sexual relationship with Becki Falwell , with the approval of her husband , and that also led to some interlocking business relationships @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claimed that the Falwells ’ “ lavish lifestyle consisted of heavy drinking and going to nightclubs , which is strictly prohibited by the honor code that they expect everyone else to follow.
” She described being at church around 11 p.m. and receiving a call from her husband , who said he was bleeding after a fall down the stairs .
Finding the doors locked when she got home , she used a chair to break through the back door .
The dispatcher asked whether her husband had been drinking alcohol ; Becki @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if he had been drinking “ heavily , ” she said , “ I ’ m not going to answer that question.
” “ The more I tell you the name , the more you ’ re going to understand why we ’ re not talking to you right now , ” Becki Falwell said .
Dispatch logs , obtained by HuffPost via a public records request , state that “ He won ’ t let her take him to the hospital as he is stubborn .
Caller was not forthcoming.
” But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residence later that night .
A responder observed lacerations on Jerry Falwell Jr. ’ s face , including under his left eye , across the bridge of his nose , and above both his right and left eyes .
The responder also recorded in a report that Jerry Falwell Jr. said he hit his head on a trash can , and that there was “ blood in the area he indicated ” as well as “ empty alcohol containers.
” The officer also noted “ Jerry had slurred and slowed speach ( sic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The son of an influential televangelist and megachurch co-founder , Jerry Falwell Jr. had attracted attention for incendiary political commentary .
In a 2015 speech , for example , he bragged about his concealed carry permit and said if more people had them , “ we could end those Muslims before they walked in and killed them.
” Many evangelicals forgo alcohol , which Jerry Falwell Sr. called “ the worst , most offensive drug in American society.
” The Liberty University code of conduct prohibits students from drinking — whether on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age 21 .
The school requires students to submit to random breath , blood and urine tests to enforce the ban .
The Wall Street Journal reported last week that “ Former school administrators said staff and donors complained that he showed up to campus appearing drunk or smelling of alcohol.
” Jerry Falwell Jr. told the Journal he did not come to campus drunk , though noted alcohol was not banned for faculty .
But Jerry Falwell Jr. had long appeared anxious about his public image as it related to alcohol use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Aug. 21 , about photos on the internet from 2014 of him partying at a Miami nightclub .
He claimed the photos were “ likely photo-shopped.
” However , the Politico report says several Liberty staffers claim that when the photos came out several years ago , Jerry Falwell Jr. urged Liberty ’ s head of IT to help him deprioritize the photos in Google search results .

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One week after Reuters published an explosive report on an alleged sexual and financial relationship between Jerry Falwell Jr., his wife and a Miami man named Giancarlo Granda, responders were called to the Falwells’ house in Bedford County, Virginia.
According to records and 911 audio obtained by HuffPost, on the night of Aug. 30, Jerry Falwell Jr. was intoxicated and apparently injured; his wife, Becki Falwell, described “a lot of blood right now.”
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Alcohol use lurked behind the series of scandals that led Jerry Falwell Jr. to resign as president of Liberty University last month. He initially announced a leave of absence from Liberty, a private evangelical university founded by his father, Jerry Falwell Sr., on Aug. 7 after he posted a racy photo on Instagram with his pants unzipped, and his arm around a woman with her midriff exposed. A dark drink was in his hand, which he later claimed was “black water” that was “a prop only.” Liberty University stringently forbids alcohol use by students.
Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. pauses during the school's commencement ceremonies in Lynchburg, Virginia, on May 11, 2019. Jonathan Drake / reuters
Jerry Falwell Jr. resigned as president of Liberty on Aug. 25, one day after Reuters published a story on Granda’s allegations he had a yearslong sexual relationship with Becki Falwell, with the approval of her husband, and that also led to some interlocking business relationships. In other news accounts, Granda claimed that the Falwells’ “lavish lifestyle consisted of heavy drinking and going to nightclubs, which is strictly prohibited by the honor code that they expect everyone else to follow.”
On Aug. 31, Liberty’s board of trustees announced a comprehensive investigation by an outside firm of Jerry Falwell Jr.’s tenure as president. Earlier that morning, around 2:30 a.m., Bedford County dispatchers received a 911 call from Becki Falwell.
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She described being at church around 11 p.m. and receiving a call from her husband, who said he was bleeding after a fall down the stairs. Finding the doors locked when she got home, she used a chair to break through the back door.
The dispatcher asked whether her husband had been drinking alcohol; Becki Falwell said “yes.” When asked if he had been drinking “heavily,” she said, “I’m not going to answer that question.”
The dispatcher explained that alcohol thins the blood and could account for the excessive bleeding, and restated the question.
“The more I tell you the name, the more you’re going to understand why we’re not talking to you right now,” Becki Falwell said. Dispatch logs, obtained by HuffPost via a public records request, state that “He won’t let her take him to the hospital as he is stubborn. Caller was not forthcoming.”
But medics and emergency responders arrived at the residence later that night. A responder observed lacerations on Jerry Falwell Jr.’s face, including under his left eye, across the bridge of his nose, and above both his right and left eyes. The responder also recorded in a report that Jerry Falwell Jr. said he hit his head on a trash can, and that there was “blood in the area he indicated” as well as “empty alcohol containers.” The officer also noted “Jerry had slurred and slowed speach (sic) and would repeat things already asked.”
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Neither the Falwells nor a lawyer reportedly hired by Jerry Falwell Jr. responded to phone calls, voice messages or emails from HuffPost requesting comment. An email to Liberty University’s spokesman also went unanswered.
The son of an influential televangelist and megachurch co-founder, Jerry Falwell Jr. had attracted attention for incendiary political commentary. In a 2015 speech, for example, he bragged about his concealed carry permit and said if more people had them, “we could end those Muslims before they walked in and killed them.”
Many evangelicals forgo alcohol, which Jerry Falwell Sr. called “the worst, most offensive drug in American society.” The Liberty University code of conduct prohibits students from drinking — whether on or off campus, before or after age 21. The school requires students to submit to random breath, blood and urine tests to enforce the ban.
Jerry Falwell Jr. was one of the earliest prominent evangelicals to back Donald Trump for president, and campaigned aggressively for him in the 2016 election.
The Wall Street Journal reported last week that “Former school administrators said staff and donors complained that he showed up to campus appearing drunk or smelling of alcohol.” Jerry Falwell Jr. told the Journal he did not come to campus drunk, though noted alcohol was not banned for faculty.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-17--Trump’s New Campaign Strategy: Declare The Election Illegitimate

“ Because of the new and unprecedented massive amount of unsolicited ballots which will be sent to ‘ voters ’ , or wherever , this year , the Nov 3rd Election result may NEVER BE ACCURATELY DETERMINED , which is what some want .
Another election disaster yesterday .
Stop Ballot Madness !
” he said in a morning statement posted to Twitter .
Neither assertion is new .
Trump has been falsely claiming that mail voting is rife with fraud for several months , and in recent weeks has been repeatedly claiming that the only way Democrat Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cheat .
In the past , White House officials have said he wants to avoid voter and ballot fraud , and have tried to make a distinction between mail ballots specifically requested by a voter and those that are automatically sent out to all registered voters or to all registered voters who have voted recently .
Trump , however , explained clearly why he opposed mail voting in a March 30 interview with Fox News .
He said he opposed legislation that would have paid for coronavirus-related expansion of mail voting because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that if you ever agreed to it , you ’ d never have a Republican elected in this country again.
” “ It is a much easier thing for a foreign power , whether it ’ s Russia , China , Iran , North Korea , many others , people — countries you wouldn ’ t expect — it ’ s much easier for them to forge ballots and send them in .
It ’ s much easier for them to cheat with universal mail-in ballots , ” he said at an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jersey golf course .
At a rally last Saturday in Minden , Nevada , President Donald Trump told supporters , `` It 's a rigged election , it 's the only way we 're going to lose . ''
His false claims about mail voting increasingly have become his main campaign message .
Ten weeks earlier , at a visit to a Ford plant in Ypsilanti , Michigan , he claimed : “ They pirate these applications , they print new voting forms , and then they send them around , people sign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with different pens and a different signature every time.
” Both claims , however , fundamentally misconstrue how ballots are tracked and tabulated .
While every state has its own rules , one common feature for mail ballots is a unique identifier ― typically a computer bar code ― for each ballot envelope , experts said .
Every envelope also has to be signed by the voter , and that signature is compared to the one on file when the voter registered .
All of which raises the question of how , even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forge millions of ballots , those ballots could then be introduced into the system so they would be counted as valid .
“ You are now going to have North Korean or Chinese agents signing them ?
It seems a bit far-fetched , ” said Daniel Smith , a voting systems expert and political science professor at the University of Florida .
“ You are trying to commit electoral fraud by retail theft ?
That ’ s not how masterminds work these days.
” Smith said that nefarious actors ’ best chance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where votes are recorded directly on a computer , with no paper ballot .
He added that mail ballots are less prone to rigging precisely because they are , by definition , all paper ballots .
He said the president ’ s efforts make a lot more sense when it is understood that Trump in 2016 did far better with voters who cast their ballots on Election Day than those who either voted early or by mail .
If Trump believes that his base of supporters will turn out for him on Nov. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote by mail will help his re-election efforts , Smith said , because the suppressed voters will be those less likely to vote for him .

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WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump on Thursday ramped up his most forceful campaign message: That the coming election is illegitimate unless he wins.
“Because of the new and unprecedented massive amount of unsolicited ballots which will be sent to ‘voters’, or wherever, this year, the Nov 3rd Election result may NEVER BE ACCURATELY DETERMINED, which is what some want. Another election disaster yesterday. Stop Ballot Madness!” he said in a morning statement posted to Twitter.
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“The only way [Democrats] can win is to cheat, in my opinion,” he said during a morning interview with Fox Sports Radio.
Neither assertion is new. Trump has been falsely claiming that mail voting is rife with fraud for several months, and in recent weeks has been repeatedly claiming that the only way Democrat Joe Biden could defeat him in November would be to cheat.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Daniel Goldman, a former federal prosecutor who led the House Intelligence Committee’s successful effort to impeach Trump last year, told HuffPost he has “massive” concerns about Trump declaring an election loss illegitimate.
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“He may do something to suppress the mail-in vote, to prevent all the mail-in vote to be counted, and then declare victory,” Goldman said.
Trump’s staff did not respond to HuffPost queries regarding Trump’s statements.
In the past, White House officials have said he wants to avoid voter and ballot fraud, and have tried to make a distinction between mail ballots specifically requested by a voter and those that are automatically sent out to all registered voters or to all registered voters who have voted recently.
Trump, however, explained clearly why he opposed mail voting in a March 30 interview with Fox News. He said he opposed legislation that would have paid for coronavirus-related expansion of mail voting because: “They had levels of voting, that if you ever agreed to it, you’d never have a Republican elected in this country again.”
Despite that admission, Trump has continued to falsely claim that mail voting is fraudulent. At times, his attempts at explanation have bordered on nonsensical.
“It is a much easier thing for a foreign power, whether it’s Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, many others, people — countries you wouldn’t expect — it’s much easier for them to forge ballots and send them in. It’s much easier for them to cheat with universal mail-in ballots,” he said at an Aug. 7 news conference at his New Jersey golf course.
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At a rally last Saturday in Minden, Nevada, President Donald Trump told supporters, "It's a rigged election, it's the only way we're going to lose." His false claims about mail voting increasingly have become his main campaign message. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ten weeks earlier, at a visit to a Ford plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan, he claimed: “They pirate these applications, they print new voting forms, and then they send them around, people sign them, or one person signs them with different pens and a different signature every time.”
Both claims, however, fundamentally misconstrue how ballots are tracked and tabulated. While every state has its own rules, one common feature for mail ballots is a unique identifier ― typically a computer bar code ― for each ballot envelope, experts said. Every envelope also has to be signed by the voter, and that signature is compared to the one on file when the voter registered.
Unless the envelope and signature match that of a registered voter, the ballot is rejected and not counted.
All of which raises the question of how, even if a foreign actor did manage to forge millions of ballots, those ballots could then be introduced into the system so they would be counted as valid.
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“You are now going to have North Korean or Chinese agents signing them? It seems a bit far-fetched,” said Daniel Smith, a voting systems expert and political science professor at the University of Florida. “You are trying to commit electoral fraud by retail theft? That’s not how masterminds work these days.”
Smith said that nefarious actors’ best chance of manipulating an election are in those jurisdictions where votes are recorded directly on a computer, with no paper ballot. He added that mail ballots are less prone to rigging precisely because they are, by definition, all paper ballots.
He said the president’s efforts make a lot more sense when it is understood that Trump in 2016 did far better with voters who cast their ballots on Election Day than those who either voted early or by mail. If Trump believes that his base of supporters will turn out for him on Nov. 3, then making it harder to vote by mail will help his re-election efforts, Smith said, because the suppressed voters will be those less likely to vote for him.
“The president is trying to sow confusion among the electorate that is understandably concerned about voting in person, perhaps to dampen turnout among those who are not likely voters,” he said. “He wants to delegitimize voting by mail.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-17--Former Model Amy Dorris Says Trump Sexually Assaulted Her At U.S. Open In 1997

A former model has accused President Donald Trump of sexually assaulting her at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in 1997 , adding to the list of more than two dozen women who have publicly accused Trump of sexual misconduct over the last few decades .
Amy Dorris told The Guardian that Trump “ shoved his tongue ” down her throat and grabbed her butt and breasts outside the bathroom in his VIP box at the tournament in New York .
Dorris and her then-boyfriend , media mogul Jason Binn , were guests in Trump ’ s box during the event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and I couldn ’ t get out of it , ” Dorris told The Guardian .
“ I don ’ t know what you call that when you ’ re sticking your tongue just down someone ’ s throat , ” she added .
“ But I pushed it out with my teeth .
I was pushing it .
And I think I might have hurt his tongue.
” Dorris was 24 at the time .
Trump was 51 and married to his second wife Marla Maples .
Trump ’ s legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guardian that there would have been more witnesses if the assault had occurred .
They also suggested Dorris ’ accusation was politically motivated .
The Guardian reported that Dorris revealed her story to the outlet 15 months ago , but she didn ’ t want to go public then to protect her family .
She ultimately decided to share her story in part because she felt it would make her a stronger role model for her teenage daughters .
“ I want them to know that you don ’ t let anybody do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t want , ” Dorris said .
“ And I ’ d rather be a role model .
I want them to see that I didn ’ t stay quiet , that I stood up to somebody who did something that was unacceptable.
” At least 24 other women have publicly accused Trump of sexual misconduct in incidents that span from the early 1980s to 2016 .
At least 10 women , including Dorris , have accused Trump of groping or kissing them without their consent .
One , E. Jean Carroll , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ store dressing room in the mid-1990s .
Trump has denied sexually assaulting anyone .
He has accused Carroll of being a liar and suggested he wouldn ’ t have pursued her because she ’ s not his “ type.
” Carroll filed a defamation lawsuit against him in response .
Last week , the Justice Department , headed by Trump loyalist Attorney General William Barr , took the unusual step of seeking to substitute the U.S. government for Trump as the defendant in Carroll ’ s lawsuit .

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A former model has accused President Donald Trump of sexually assaulting her at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in 1997, adding to the list of more than two dozen women who have publicly accused Trump of sexual misconduct over the last few decades.
Amy Dorris told The Guardian that Trump “shoved his tongue” down her throat and grabbed her butt and breasts outside the bathroom in his VIP box at the tournament in New York. Dorris and her then-boyfriend, media mogul Jason Binn, were guests in Trump’s box during the event.
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“I was in his grip, and I couldn’t get out of it,” Dorris told The Guardian.
“I don’t know what you call that when you’re sticking your tongue just down someone’s throat,” she added. “But I pushed it out with my teeth. I was pushing it. And I think I might have hurt his tongue.”
Dorris was 24 at the time. Trump was 51 and married to his second wife Marla Maples.
Trump’s legal team denied the allegation, telling The Guardian that there would have been more witnesses if the assault had occurred. They also suggested Dorris’ accusation was politically motivated.
The Guardian reported that Dorris revealed her story to the outlet 15 months ago, but she didn’t want to go public then to protect her family. She ultimately decided to share her story in part because she felt it would make her a stronger role model for her teenage daughters.
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“I want them to know that you don’t let anybody do anything to you that you don’t want,” Dorris said. “And I’d rather be a role model. I want them to see that I didn’t stay quiet, that I stood up to somebody who did something that was unacceptable.”
At least 24 other women have publicly accused Trump of sexual misconduct in incidents that span from the early 1980s to 2016. At least 10 women, including Dorris, have accused Trump of groping or kissing them without their consent. One, E. Jean Carroll, alleged Trump raped her in a department store dressing room in the mid-1990s.
Trump has denied sexually assaulting anyone. He has accused Carroll of being a liar and suggested he wouldn’t have pursued her because she’s not his “type.” Carroll filed a defamation lawsuit against him in response.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-17--White House Axed USPS Plan To Send 5 Masks To Every American Household: Report

The United States Postal Service drafted an ambitious proposal in April to send a pack of five face masks to every residential address in the U.S. before top White House officials killed the idea , according to an analysis by the Washington Post of documents acquired by the watchdog organization American Oversight .
American Oversight , which obtained over 9,000 pages related to the USPS via the Freedom of Information Act , released the documents in late August .
One of the records , entitled “ U.S .
Postal Service to Deliver Face Coverings to Every American Household , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indicating that USPS planned to “ distribute 560 million reusable cotton face masks on behalf of the Department of Health and Human Services ( HHS ) to every residential delivery point in America , beginning in areas which HHS has identified as experiencing high transmission rates of COVID-19 and to workers providing essential services throughout the nation during this pandemic.
” Composed in April , the draft stated that “ letter carriers , rural carriers and others will deliver one pack of five face coverings to each residential delivery point and PO Box @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reach residents that month .
The Orleans and Jefferson parishes of Louisiana were targeted for delivery first , followed by Washington ’ s King County , Michigan ’ s Wayne County , and New York .
The draft was never finalized due to the White House axing the plan , the Washington Post reported , citing senior administration officials who asked to be anonymous .
“ There was concern from some in the White House Domestic Policy Council and the office of the vice president that households receiving masks might create concern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials told the Post .
As an alternative , HHS instituted “ Project : America Strong , ” a system that has seen about 600 million masks distributed to critical infrastructure companies , hospitals and community groups , rather than individuals .
In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic , the White House also utilized the postal service to send out a postcard prominently displaying Donald Trump ’ s name with guidelines for good hygiene and social distancing ― a decision that Accountable.US , another nonprofit watchdog , lambasted due to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the danger of the coronavirus at the time .
Though the postcard went out in March to about 138 million addresses , the White House has yet to repay USPS for the $ 28 million cost of printing and distributing the cards .
In August , Trump seemingly admitted that he was intentionally blocking funding for the USPS , which is expected to see a torrent of mail-in ballots ahead of the November presidential election .
The president has been propagating conspiracy theories against mail-in voting , claiming that it leads to “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

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The United States Postal Service drafted an ambitious proposal in April to send a pack of five face masks to every residential address in the U.S. before top White House officials killed the idea, according to an analysis by the Washington Post of documents acquired by the watchdog organization American Oversight.
American Oversight, which obtained over 9,000 pages related to the USPS via the Freedom of Information Act, released the documents in late August. One of the records, entitled “U.S. Postal Service to Deliver Face Coverings to Every American Household,” is a draft of a press release indicating that USPS planned to “distribute 560 million reusable cotton face masks on behalf of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to every residential delivery point in America, beginning in areas which HHS has identified as experiencing high transmission rates of COVID-19 and to workers providing essential services throughout the nation during this pandemic.”
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Composed in April, the draft stated that “letter carriers, rural carriers and others will deliver one pack of five face coverings to each residential delivery point and PO Box,” with the first shipments intended to reach residents that month. The Orleans and Jefferson parishes of Louisiana were targeted for delivery first, followed by Washington’s King County, Michigan’s Wayne County, and New York.
The draft was never finalized due to the White House axing the plan, the Washington Post reported, citing senior administration officials who asked to be anonymous.
“There was concern from some in the White House Domestic Policy Council and the office of the vice president that households receiving masks might create concern or panic,” one of the officials told the Post.
As an alternative, HHS instituted “Project: America Strong,” a system that has seen about 600 million masks distributed to critical infrastructure companies, hospitals and community groups, rather than individuals.
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In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the White House also utilized the postal service to send out a postcard prominently displaying Donald Trump’s name with guidelines for good hygiene and social distancing ― a decision that Accountable.US, another nonprofit watchdog, lambasted due to the president publicly downplaying both these guidelines and the danger of the coronavirus at the time. Though the postcard went out in March to about 138 million addresses, the White House has yet to repay USPS for the $28 million cost of printing and distributing the cards.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-17--Feds Sought ‘Heat Ray’ To Clear D.C. Protesters For Trump Photo Opp: Whistleblower

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — A military whistleblower says federal officials sought some unusual crowd control devices — including one that ’ s been called a “ heat ray ” — to deal with protesters outside the White House on the June day that law enforcement forcibly cleared Lafayette Square .
In written responses to questions from a House committee , National Guard Maj. Adam DeMarco said the Defense Department ’ s lead military police officer for the National Capital Region sent an email asking if the D.C. National Guard possessed a long-range acoustic device — used to transmit loud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ System , ” the so-called heat ray .
DeMarco said he responded that the Guard was not in possession of either device .
National Public Radio and The Washington Post first reported DeMarco ’ s testimony .
Use of either the acoustic device or the Active Denial System would have been a significant escalation of crowd control for the Guard members , particularly since the Defense officials ordered that the Guard troops not be armed when they went into D.C. Law enforcement personnel were armed .
And although active-duty military troops were sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bases outside the District in case they were needed but never actually entered the District .
The Active Denial System was developed by the military nearly two decades ago , and was unveiled to the public around 2007 .
It ’ s not clear that it ’ s ever actually been used in combat , although there are reports it has deployed .
The system , which emits a directed beam of energy that causes a burning heat sensation , was considered a non-lethal way to control crowds , particularly when it may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ innocent civilians in war zones .
Use of the device appeared to stall amid questions about whether it actually caused more serious injuries or burns than initially thought .
The Long Range Acoustic Device , also called a sound cannon , sends out loud messages or sounds and has been used by law enforcement to disperse crowds .
The U.S. military has , in recent years , ordered the LRAD for the Navy ’ s Military Sealift Command to be used by ships to hail or warn other vessels .
DeMarco testified in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Committee , which is investigating the use of force against crowds in Lafayette Square that night .
His remarks on the crowd control devices came in response to follow-up questions from the committee .
DeMarco ’ s lawyer sent his answers to the committee on Aug. 28 ; NPR posted the document online Wednesday .
The Trump administration has said that vicious attacks by protesters led federal forces to turn on what appeared to be a largely peaceful crowd June 1 in the square in front of the White House .
Law enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ punched protesters and unleashed mounted officers and chemical agents against them in one of the most controversial confrontations at the height of this year ’ s nationwide protests over the killing of Black people at the hands of police .
The forceful clearing of Lafayette Square , long one of the nation ’ s most prominent venues for demonstrations , came minutes before President Donald Trump appeared in the area , on his way to stage a photo event in front of a historic church nearby .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — A military whistleblower says federal officials sought some unusual crowd control devices — including one that’s been called a “heat ray” — to deal with protesters outside the White House on the June day that law enforcement forcibly cleared Lafayette Square.
In written responses to questions from a House committee, National Guard Maj. Adam DeMarco said the Defense Department’s lead military police officer for the National Capital Region sent an email asking if the D.C. National Guard possessed a long-range acoustic device — used to transmit loud noises — or an “Active Denial System,” the so-called heat ray.
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DeMarco said he responded that the Guard was not in possession of either device. National Public Radio and The Washington Post first reported DeMarco’s testimony.
Use of either the acoustic device or the Active Denial System would have been a significant escalation of crowd control for the Guard members, particularly since the Defense officials ordered that the Guard troops not be armed when they went into D.C.
Law enforcement personnel were armed. And although active-duty military troops were sent to the region, they remained at bases outside the District in case they were needed but never actually entered the District.
National Guard Maj. Adam DeMarco testifies on actions taken on June 1, 2020 at Lafayette Square, Tuesday, July 28, 2020 on Capitol Hill in Washington. (Bill Clark/Pool via AP) ASSOCIATED PRESS
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The Active Denial System was developed by the military nearly two decades ago, and was unveiled to the public around 2007. It’s not clear that it’s ever actually been used in combat, although there are reports it has deployed.
The system, which emits a directed beam of energy that causes a burning heat sensation, was considered a non-lethal way to control crowds, particularly when it may be difficult to tell the enemy from innocent civilians in war zones. Use of the device appeared to stall amid questions about whether it actually caused more serious injuries or burns than initially thought.
The Long Range Acoustic Device, also called a sound cannon, sends out loud messages or sounds and has been used by law enforcement to disperse crowds. The U.S. military has, in recent years, ordered the LRAD for the Navy’s Military Sealift Command to be used by ships to hail or warn other vessels.
DeMarco testified in late July before the House Natural Resources Committee, which is investigating the use of force against crowds in Lafayette Square that night. His remarks on the crowd control devices came in response to follow-up questions from the committee. DeMarco’s lawyer sent his answers to the committee on Aug. 28; NPR posted the document online Wednesday.
The Trump administration has said that vicious attacks by protesters led federal forces to turn on what appeared to be a largely peaceful crowd June 1 in the square in front of the White House. Law enforcement and security officers that night clubbed and punched protesters and unleashed mounted officers and chemical agents against them in one of the most controversial confrontations at the height of this year’s nationwide protests over the killing of Black people at the hands of police.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-17--People Yelled ‘I Hope They Die’ About Ambushed LA Deputies. They Weren’t BLM Protesters.

On Saturday night , after two Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s deputies were shot in the head while sitting in their patrol car , a handful of people stood outside the hospital where they were being treated and celebrated the attack .
At least one person shouted that he hoped the deputies died .
President Donald Trump and his allies often stoke fears over BLM and the anti-racism protests that have erupted across the nation following the police killing of George Floyd in May , claiming demonstrators are left-wing extremists .
But it wasn ’ t just the usual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Many headlines and articles in local and national outlets vaguely described the demonstrators as “ a group ” of “ Black Lives Matter protesters.
” In fact , the demonstration consisted of four people .
They were members of the so-called Africa Town Coalition ― a Black advocacy group that is not affiliated with the Black Lives Matter national organization .
The LA County Sheriff ’ s Office tweeted Saturday that a “ group ” was blocking the emergency entries and exits to the hospital and chanting “ we hope they die @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the wounded deputies was released from the hospital on Wednesday ; the other remained in stable condition .
No arrests have been made in the shooting . )
Cellphone video recorded by one of the demonstrators shows the four men walking toward the hospital ’ s entrance and attempting to get inside before people who appear to be hospital staff members tell them they can ’ t enter .
The small group can be heard celebrating the deputies ’ injuries and bashing police officers as “ pigs ” and “ murderers.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the deputies “ fucking die.
” Eventually , roughly a dozen law enforcement officers arrive and demand that the demonstrators leave .
At least one officer shown on the video draws a gun at the protesters .
The demonstration lasted less than 10 minutes and resulted in the arrests of one protester and one journalist who was covering the confrontation .
The sheriff ’ s office said the journalist neither identified herself nor carried press credentials .
Video of her violent arrest showed both claims were false .
In a video posted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader Kevin Wharton Price identified himself as one of the demonstrators at the hospital .
He stated explicitly that his group is “ not Black Lives Matter.
” “ We ’ ve been on some actions with Black Lives Matter , but we have our own political agenda , ” Wharton said .
“ Not Black Lives Matter .
Not antifa.
” But The Wall Street Journal ’ s editorial board , in an editorial published Sunday , said Democrats needed to do more to ostracize the protesters , who the paper appeared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Democrats may fear the wrath of Black Lives Matter , but the backlash elsewhere in America will be far greater if pleasure at cop killing becomes common on the left , ” the editorial said .
In his video , Wharton said his group supports neither Trump nor Biden for president and said “ many of us ” won ’ t vote in the election .
Black Lives Matter ― a massive , decentralized movement against police brutality and racial injustice ― began in 2013 with a hashtag .
# BlackLivesMatter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response to the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Black teenager Trayvon Martin .
Over the years , the movement morphed into the Black Lives Matter Global Network and created guiding principles for other official chapters devoted to ending state-sanctioned violence and racism .
Principles include acknowledging , respecting and celebrating differences and commonalities , as well as being “ unapologetically Black in our positioning , ” according to its website .
Anyone can start a Black Lives Matter group , though that doesn ’ t make it an official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd ’ s death , tens of thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets in solidarity with Black Lives Matter .
The protests have been largely peaceful , and though their demands vary , all of the demonstrators are unified against police brutality .

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On Saturday night, after two Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies were shot in the head while sitting in their patrol car, a handful of people stood outside the hospital where they were being treated and celebrated the attack. At least one person shouted that he hoped the deputies died.
Right-wing media, including Fox News and Breitbart, latched onto the story, eager to link the small gathering to the massive Black Lives Matter movement against police brutality and systemic racism.
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President Donald Trump and his allies often stoke fears over BLM and the anti-racism protests that have erupted across the nation following the police killing of George Floyd in May, claiming demonstrators are left-wing extremists.
But it wasn’t just the usual Trump-friendly outlets that made the LA connection. Many headlines and articles in local and national outlets vaguely described the demonstrators as “a group” of “Black Lives Matter protesters.”
In fact, the demonstration consisted of four people. They were members of the so-called Africa Town Coalition ― a Black advocacy group that is not affiliated with the Black Lives Matter national organization.
The LA County Sheriff’s Office tweeted Saturday that a “group” was blocking the emergency entries and exits to the hospital and chanting “we hope they die” about the deputies. (One of the wounded deputies was released from the hospital on Wednesday; the other remained in stable condition. No arrests have been made in the shooting.)
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Cellphone video recorded by one of the demonstrators shows the four men walking toward the hospital’s entrance and attempting to get inside before people who appear to be hospital staff members tell them they can’t enter.
The small group can be heard celebrating the deputies’ injuries and bashing police officers as “pigs” and “murderers.” At least one shouts that he hopes the deputies “fucking die.” Eventually, roughly a dozen law enforcement officers arrive and demand that the demonstrators leave. At least one officer shown on the video draws a gun at the protesters.
The demonstration lasted less than 10 minutes and resulted in the arrests of one protester and one journalist who was covering the confrontation. The sheriff’s office said the journalist neither identified herself nor carried press credentials. Video of her violent arrest showed both claims were false.
In a video posted to Facebook on Monday, Africa Town Coalition leader Kevin Wharton Price identified himself as one of the demonstrators at the hospital. He stated explicitly that his group is “not Black Lives Matter.”
“We’ve been on some actions with Black Lives Matter, but we have our own political agenda,” Wharton said. “Not Black Lives Matter. Not antifa.”
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Price went on to defend the chants, which have been widely condemned by Democrats who support Black Lives Matter, including presidential nominee Joe Biden and LA Mayor Eric Garcetti.
But The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board, in an editorial published Sunday, said Democrats needed to do more to ostracize the protesters, who the paper appeared to link to the broad BLM movement.
“Democrats may fear the wrath of Black Lives Matter, but the backlash elsewhere in America will be far greater if pleasure at cop killing becomes common on the left,” the editorial said.
In his video, Wharton said his group supports neither Trump nor Biden for president and said “many of us” won’t vote in the election.
Black Lives Matter ― a massive, decentralized movement against police brutality and racial injustice ― began in 2013 with a hashtag. #BlackLivesMatter was created by three Black activists in response to the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Black teenager Trayvon Martin.
Advertisement
Over the years, the movement morphed into the Black Lives Matter Global Network and created guiding principles for other official chapters devoted to ending state-sanctioned violence and racism. Principles include acknowledging, respecting and celebrating differences and commonalities, as well as being “unapologetically Black in our positioning,” according to its website.
Anyone can start a Black Lives Matter group, though that doesn’t make it an official chapter of the national organization. Since Floyd’s death, tens of thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets in solidarity with Black Lives Matter. The protests have been largely peaceful, and though their demands vary, all of the demonstrators are unified against police brutality.
None of the Africa Town Coalition members who showed up at the hospital chanted “Black Lives Matter” or appeared to hold any signs linking them to the movement.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-17--William Barr Wildly Compares Coronavirus Safety Measures To Slavery

On Wednesday , U.S. Attorney General William Barr absurdly compared stay-at-home orders and other measures instituted by local officials to curb the spread of coronavirus to slavery , the centuries-long policy of anti-Black murder , rape and theft .
During a speech at the private , conservative Hillsdale College in Michigan on Wednesday , Barr misled listeners about the steps health officials have actually taken to curb the virus , electing instead to compare their actions to violent slave drivers .
“ You know , putting a national lockdown , stay-at-home orders , is like house arrest , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slavery , which was a different kind of restraint , this is the greatest intrusion on civil liberties in American history , ” he said .
To be clear , there has been no national lockdown , although numerous health officials across the U.S. warned that instituting one in the early stages of the pandemic , back in March , would be the only way to curb the type of spread the U.S. has seen in the time since .
The country currently leads the world with more than 6 million reported cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Johns Hopkins .
The legality of a nationwide stay-at-home order is questionable , and Trump — who recently admitted to downplaying the threat of coronavirus — said earlier this year he is “ pretty unlikely ” to issue the order.
” In lieu of federal guidance , several states have issued their own stay-at-home orders and directives regarding when and how businesses may open safely .
When instituted , local stay-at-home orders are meant to ensure proper hygiene and reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19 .
The troubling comparison made by Barr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toward instances and allegations of racism .
During Wednesday ’ s speech , for example , the attorney general claimed anti-racist protesters in the Black Lives Matter movement don ’ t care about Black lives and are using “ a small number of Blacks that are killed by police during conflict with police ” as props .
Barr has repeatedly tried to associate anti-racist protesters with violent extremists , all while his office has faced continued calls to address the growing threat of white nationalism more forcefully .

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On Wednesday, U.S. Attorney General William Barr absurdly compared stay-at-home orders and other measures instituted by local officials to curb the spread of coronavirus to slavery, the centuries-long policy of anti-Black murder, rape and theft.
During a speech at the private, conservative Hillsdale College in Michigan on Wednesday, Barr misled listeners about the steps health officials have actually taken to curb the virus, electing instead to compare their actions to violent slave drivers.
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“You know, putting a national lockdown, stay-at-home orders, is like house arrest,” the attorney general said. “Other than slavery, which was a different kind of restraint, this is the greatest intrusion on civil liberties in American history,” he said.
To be clear, there has been no national lockdown, although numerous health officials across the U.S. warned that instituting one in the early stages of the pandemic, back in March, would be the only way to curb the type of spread the U.S. has seen in the time since. The country currently leads the world with more than 6 million reported cases of coronavirus and 196,763 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins. The legality of a nationwide stay-at-home order is questionable, and Trump — who recently admitted to downplaying the threat of coronavirus — said earlier this year he is “pretty unlikely” to issue the order.”
In lieu of federal guidance, several states have issued their own stay-at-home orders and directives regarding when and how businesses may open safely. When instituted, local stay-at-home orders are meant to ensure proper hygiene and reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19.
The troubling comparison made by Barr is in line with his past dismissiveness toward instances and allegations of racism.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-17--Eric Trump Won’t Testify In NY Probe Until After Election

NEW YORK ( AP ) — President Donald Trump ’ s son Eric is willing to comply with a subpoena to testify in a New York investigation into the family ’ s business practice , but only after the Nov. 3 election , the Trumps ’ lawyers said in a court filing Thursday .
The lawyers argued Eric Trump ’ s “ extreme travel schedule ” related to his father ’ s reelection campaign prevented him from testifying sooner in state Attorney General Letitia James ’ civil probe .
They said they also wanted “ to avoid the use of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ James , a Democrat , slammed the younger Trump ’ s purported scheduling conflicts , responding in a statement : “ We won ’ t allow any entity or individual to dictate how our investigation will proceed or allow anyone to evade a lawful subpoena .
No one is above the law , period.
” James went to court last month to compel Trump ’ s business associates , including Eric , to testify and turn over documents as part of an investigation into whether the family ’ s company , the Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its assets in order to get loans or tax benefits .
Investigators have yet to determine whether any law was broken , James ’ office wrote in a court filing .
James sought court intervention after Eric Trump ’ s lawyers abruptly canceled an interview with investigators that had been planned for late July .
A hearing on the matter is scheduled for next Wednesday in state court in Manhattan .
The Trumps ’ lawyers contend most law enforcement agencies refrain from actions involving political figures within 60 days before an election , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when then-FBI Director James Comey sent a letter to Congress a week before the 2016 presidential election regarding a probe into Trump rival Hillary Clinton ’ s emails .
Eric Trump ’ s lawyers have proposed four dates for him to testify , the earliest being Nov. 19 , which they contend is just 30 days after others are scheduled to be deposed in the investigation .
They are also seeking assurances that the attorney general ’ s office won ’ t share testimony and evidence it collects with other law enforcement agencies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation of potential fraud in Trump ’ s business dealings in March 2019 after Trump ’ s longtime personal lawyer Michael Cohen told Congress that Trump had repeatedly inflated the value of his assets to obtain more favorable terms for loans and insurance coverage .
James ’ investigators are looking into how the Trump Organization and its agents assessed the value of Seven Springs , a 212-acre ( 86-hectare ) estate north of New York City that Trump purchased in 1995 with the intent of turning it into a golf club .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ granted an easement over 158 acres to a conservation land trust in 2016 in order to qualify for an income tax deduction .
In its initial court filing , James ’ office said a professional appraisal done at the time determined that Seven Springs was worth $ 56.5 million prior to the donation .
The land being conserved in exchange for the tax deduction was worth $ 21.1 million , it said .
Cohen said during his congressional testimony that when Trump was trying to buy the Buffalo Bills in 2014 , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seven Springs was worth $ 291 million in 2012 .
Trump “ would go into a frenzy ” when Forbes and Fortune were compiling their annual lists of the world ’ s richest people and would have Cohen and longtime financial chief Allen Weisselberg inflate valuations to come up with an acceptable number , Cohen wrote .
The attorney general ’ s office is also attempting to collect information about the Trump National Golf Club near Los Angeles , where the Trump Organization donated a conservation easement over part of the property in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And investigators said they were also probing the circumstances of how the Trump Organization handled tax issues related to more than $ 100 million of debt related to the Trump International Hotel and Tower Chicago that was forgiven between 2010 and 2012 .
Investigators said they have not been able to confirm whether any of that forgiven debt was recognized as taxable income , according to the court filings .
President Trump last year dismissed various probes into his pre-White House dealings , accusing James and New York ’ s Democratic Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ my New York businesses in search of anything at all they can find to make me look as bad as possible .
”

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NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump’s son Eric is willing to comply with a subpoena to testify in a New York investigation into the family’s business practice, but only after the Nov. 3 election, the Trumps’ lawyers said in a court filing Thursday.
The lawyers argued Eric Trump’s “extreme travel schedule” related to his father’s reelection campaign prevented him from testifying sooner in state Attorney General Letitia James’ civil probe. They said they also wanted “to avoid the use of his deposition attendance for political purposes.”
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James, a Democrat, slammed the younger Trump’s purported scheduling conflicts, responding in a statement: “We won’t allow any entity or individual to dictate how our investigation will proceed or allow anyone to evade a lawful subpoena. No one is above the law, period.”
James went to court last month to compel Trump’s business associates, including Eric, to testify and turn over documents as part of an investigation into whether the family’s company, the Trump Organization, lied about the value of its assets in order to get loans or tax benefits. Investigators have yet to determine whether any law was broken, James’ office wrote in a court filing.
James sought court intervention after Eric Trump’s lawyers abruptly canceled an interview with investigators that had been planned for late July. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for next Wednesday in state court in Manhattan.
Eric Trump, the third of Trump’s five children, visited a Trump campaign field office in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on Thursday and attended an event titled “Fighting for Maine Lobster with Eric Trump.”
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The Trumps’ lawyers contend most law enforcement agencies refrain from actions involving political figures within 60 days before an election, though that wasn’t the case when then-FBI Director James Comey sent a letter to Congress a week before the 2016 presidential election regarding a probe into Trump rival Hillary Clinton’s emails.
Eric Trump’s lawyers have proposed four dates for him to testify, the earliest being Nov. 19, which they contend is just 30 days after others are scheduled to be deposed in the investigation. They are also seeking assurances that the attorney general’s office won’t share testimony and evidence it collects with other law enforcement agencies or regulators.
James launched her civil investigation of potential fraud in Trump’s business dealings in March 2019 after Trump’s longtime personal lawyer Michael Cohen told Congress that Trump had repeatedly inflated the value of his assets to obtain more favorable terms for loans and insurance coverage.
James’ investigators are looking into how the Trump Organization and its agents assessed the value of Seven Springs, a 212-acre (86-hectare) estate north of New York City that Trump purchased in 1995 with the intent of turning it into a golf club.
After that project failed to progress, he granted an easement over 158 acres to a conservation land trust in 2016 in order to qualify for an income tax deduction. In its initial court filing, James’ office said a professional appraisal done at the time determined that Seven Springs was worth $56.5 million prior to the donation. The land being conserved in exchange for the tax deduction was worth $21.1 million, it said.
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Cohen said during his congressional testimony that when Trump was trying to buy the Buffalo Bills in 2014, he provided financial statements to Deutsche Bank saying Seven Springs was worth $291 million in 2012.
In his new memoir “Disloyal,” Cohen writes that Trump’s vanity also drove valuations.
Trump “would go into a frenzy” when Forbes and Fortune were compiling their annual lists of the world’s richest people and would have Cohen and longtime financial chief Allen Weisselberg inflate valuations to come up with an acceptable number, Cohen wrote.
The attorney general’s office is also attempting to collect information about the Trump National Golf Club near Los Angeles, where the Trump Organization donated a conservation easement over part of the property in 2014 and received a tax deduction.
And investigators said they were also probing the circumstances of how the Trump Organization handled tax issues related to more than $100 million of debt related to the Trump International Hotel and Tower Chicago that was forgiven between 2010 and 2012. Investigators said they have not been able to confirm whether any of that forgiven debt was recognized as taxable income, according to the court filings.
President Trump last year dismissed various probes into his pre-White House dealings, accusing James and New York’s Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo of “harassing all of my New York businesses in search of anything at all they can find to make me look as bad as possible.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-17--U.S. Judge Blocks Postal Service Changes That Slowed Mail

Carlo Allegri / reuters A U.S .
Postal Service ( USPS ) truck is pictured in the Manhattan borough of New York City , New York , U.S. , August 21 , 2020 .
REUTERS/Carlo Allegri SEATTLE ( AP ) — A U.S. judge on Thursday blocked controversial Postal Service changes that have slowed mail nationwide , calling them “ a politically motivated attack on the efficiency of the Postal Service ” before the November election .
Judge Stanley Bastian in Yakima , Washington , said he was issuing a nationwide preliminary injunction sought by 14 states that sued the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Service .
The states challenged the Postal Service ’ s so-called “ leave mail behind ” policy , by which trucks have been leaving postal facilities on time whether or not there is more mail to load .
They also sought to force the Postal Service to treat election mail as First Class mail .
“ The states have demonstrated the defendants are involved in a politically motivated attack on the efficiency of the Postal Service , ” Bastian said .
He also said the changes created “ a substantial possibility many voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would issue a written order later in the day , but that it would be substantially the same as that sought by the states .
Following a national uproar , Postmaster General Louis DeJoy , a major donor to President Donald Trump and the GOP , announced he was suspending some changes — including the removal of iconic blue mailboxes in many cities and the decommissioning of mail processing machines .
But others remained in place , and the states — including the battlegrounds of Michigan , Wisconsin and Nevada — sued to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other states suing include Washington , Colorado , Connecticut , Illinois , Maryland , Minnesota , New Mexico , Oregon , Rhode Island , Vermont and Virginia — all led by Democratic attorneys general .
Other lawsuits over the changes have been brought in New York and Pennsylvania .

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SEATTLE (AP) — A U.S. judge on Thursday blocked controversial Postal Service changes that have slowed mail nationwide, calling them “a politically motivated attack on the efficiency of the Postal Service” before the November election.
Judge Stanley Bastian in Yakima, Washington, said he was issuing a nationwide preliminary injunction sought by 14 states that sued the Trump administration and the U.S. Postal Service.
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The states challenged the Postal Service’s so-called “leave mail behind” policy, by which trucks have been leaving postal facilities on time whether or not there is more mail to load. They also sought to force the Postal Service to treat election mail as First Class mail.
“The states have demonstrated the defendants are involved in a politically motivated attack on the efficiency of the Postal Service,” Bastian said.
He also said the changes created “a substantial possibility many voters will be disenfranchised.”
Bastian said he would issue a written order later in the day, but that it would be substantially the same as that sought by the states.
Following a national uproar, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a major donor to President Donald Trump and the GOP, announced he was suspending some changes — including the removal of iconic blue mailboxes in many cities and the decommissioning of mail processing machines. But others remained in place, and the states — including the battlegrounds of Michigan, Wisconsin and Nevada — sued to have those undone as well.
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The other states suing include Washington, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia — all led by Democratic attorneys general.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-17--Student Calls Out Cops For Not Wearing Masks And Their Response Is Obnoxious

A New York City college student who asked two cops why they weren ’ t wearing face masks got plenty of attitude but not much of an answer on Tuesday .
TikTok video ( see it below ) from Mihai Ciocan shows him confronting the officers in a Brooklyn subway station a day after the Metropolitan Transportation Authority began imposing $ 50 fines for those failing to comply with the anti-coronavirus mask mandate on public transit .
“ Does the fine apply to just me or you guys if you don ’ t wear a mask ?
” Ciocan asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t have to wear a mask because Ciocan is standing 6 feet away from them .
But the student pointed out that the two cops were standing well within 6 feet of each other .
The second officer , who had a mask hanging from his badge , snidely dismissed the observation , likening Ciocan ’ s questioning to someone who would call the police on a person selling water bottles .
“ All right , Karen , ” he scoffed .
“ You ’ re like the male version of Karen .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Karen.
” Ciocan told NBC New York that the insult Karen ― which has become slang for an unreasonably outraged , usually white woman ― “ wasn ’ t really appropriate.
” “ I think the best way for them to rebuild trust with the community could be something as simple as wearing a mask , ” he added , per PIX 11 .
The NYPD said in a statement that officers should cover their faces for safety and that the department is conducting spot checks , NBC noted .
A transit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is above the law .
“ Everyone in the transit system is required to wear a mask ― it ’ s the law ― no exceptions , ” Sarah Feinberg , the interim president of NYC Transit , told PIX 11 .
“ This is a matter of respect for fellow New Yorkers , including our customers and employees , and for public health and safety.
” Gov .
Andrew Cuomo previously admonished officers to follow a state mask mandate after many were seen without face coverings during the Black Lives Matter protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the law , ” he said .

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A New York City college student who asked two cops why they weren’t wearing face masks got plenty of attitude but not much of an answer on Tuesday.
TikTok video (see it below) from Mihai Ciocan shows him confronting the officers in a Brooklyn subway station a day after the Metropolitan Transportation Authority began imposing $50 fines for those failing to comply with the anti-coronavirus mask mandate on public transit.
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“Does the fine apply to just me or you guys if you don’t wear a mask?” Ciocan asked.
One officer said they don’t have to wear a mask because Ciocan is standing 6 feet away from them. But the student pointed out that the two cops were standing well within 6 feet of each other.
The second officer, who had a mask hanging from his badge, snidely dismissed the observation, likening Ciocan’s questioning to someone who would call the police on a person selling water bottles. “All right, Karen,” he scoffed. “You’re like the male version of Karen. Have a nice day ... Take care, Karen.”
Ciocan told NBC New York that the insult Karen ― which has become slang for an unreasonably outraged, usually white woman ― “wasn’t really appropriate.”
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“I think the best way for them to rebuild trust with the community could be something as simple as wearing a mask,” he added, per PIX 11.
The NYPD said in a statement that officers should cover their faces for safety and that the department is conducting spot checks, NBC noted.
A transit authority official reminded riders that no one is above the law.
“Everyone in the transit system is required to wear a mask ― it’s the law ― no exceptions,” Sarah Feinberg, the interim president of NYC Transit, told PIX 11. “This is a matter of respect for fellow New Yorkers, including our customers and employees, and for public health and safety.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-17--Twitter Users Say Trump's Patriotic Education Plan Sounds Like Fascism

If patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel , what is “ patriotic education ” the last refuge of ?
Apparently it ’ s fascism , at least according to the reaction of Twitter users to President Donald Trump ’ s newly announced 1776 Commission , which is supposed to “ promote patriotic education ” in schools , according to Axios .
The president ’ s plan , contained in an executive order to be signed Thursday , seems to be a direct reaction to The New York Times ’ 1619 Project .
That Pulitzer Prize-winning project studied the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans at the very center of our national narrative.
” But the project ’ s focus on the country ’ s racial history didn ’ t sit well with Trump , who earlier this month threatened to defund schools that use it as an educational tool .
Many Twitter users noticed something interesting about the president ’ s plan : its similarity to the tactics used by authoritarian leaders .
Soooo…Trump wants to nationalize indoctrination , in the name of liberty ?
I mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : //t.co/f9QHTU7KF9 — Thom Thóin ( @ thomdunn ) September 17 , 2020 If only Trump cared as much about PPE for health care workers as he does about PPE for white supremacists .
https : //t.co/STjomKopso — Jesse Ferguson ( @ JesseFFerguson ) September 17 , 2020 The truly alarming thing is the degree to which public school history education already glosses over key events , or excludes them entirely .
How many people learned about the Tulsa riots from an HBO superhero show ?
https : //t.co/6rGYRp2VEz — Alex Fitzpatrick ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Learning the shameful parts of our nation 's history allows you to better understand our present problems .
It also exposes you to stories of hope and perseverance from those men and women who tried to make the country better .
https : //t.co/mKRU5yzzqA — Brian Lyman ( @ lyman_brian ) September 17 , 2020 Many Twitter users rightfully saw the president ’ s attempt to indoctrinate people about a whitewashed America .
But Nikole Hannah-Jones , a New York Times journalist who worked on the 1619 Project , said she thought at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s tweet as a sign that the message of racial justice is actually succeeding .

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If patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel, what is “patriotic education” the last refuge of?
Apparently it’s fascism, at least according to the reaction of Twitter users to President Donald Trump’s newly announced 1776 Commission, which is supposed to “promote patriotic education” in schools, according to Axios.
The president’s plan, contained in an executive order to be signed Thursday, seems to be a direct reaction to The New York Times’ 1619 Project.
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That Pulitzer Prize-winning project studied the effects of racial injustice by “placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans at the very center of our national narrative.”
But the project’s focus on the country’s racial history didn’t sit well with Trump, who earlier this month threatened to defund schools that use it as an educational tool.
Many Twitter users noticed something interesting about the president’s plan: its similarity to the tactics used by authoritarian leaders.
Call it what it is: fascism. https://t.co/O4Xtg3j5Zu — Ilan Ben-Meir (@ilanagain) September 17, 2020
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Soooo…Trump wants to nationalize indoctrination, in the name of liberty?
I mean that does sound pretty American 🤔 https://t.co/f9QHTU7KF9 — Thom Thóin (@thomdunn) September 17, 2020
That definitely doesn't sound fascist or anything https://t.co/lVtu5av3pd — Rep. Don Beyer (@RepDonBeyer) September 17, 2020
Would be slightly more believable if Trump wasn’t a Russian agent. https://t.co/c7ig6vdfJ3 — Arne Duncan (@arneduncan) September 17, 2020
If only Trump cared as much about PPE for health care workers as he does about PPE for white supremacists. https://t.co/STjomKopso — Jesse Ferguson (@JesseFFerguson) September 17, 2020
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The truly alarming thing is the degree to which public school history education already glosses over key events, or excludes them entirely. How many people learned about the Tulsa riots from an HBO superhero show? https://t.co/6rGYRp2VEz — Alex Fitzpatrick (@AlexJamesFitz) September 17, 2020
Sounds about white https://t.co/saKtUEM7PU — Jessica Mason Pieklo (@Hegemommy) September 17, 2020
This is full-on dictator shit here people... https://t.co/wtQZCAiZDW — Kate Kendell (@KateKendell) September 17, 2020
Is that Republican for ‘Hitler Youth’? https://t.co/TGFkktwCgv — Andrea Kuszewski 🧠 (@AndreaKuszewski) September 17, 2020
Learning the shameful parts of our nation's history allows you to better understand our present problems. It also exposes you to stories of hope and perseverance from those men and women who tried to make the country better. https://t.co/mKRU5yzzqA — Brian Lyman (@lyman_brian) September 17, 2020
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Many Twitter users rightfully saw the president’s attempt to indoctrinate people about a whitewashed America. But Nikole Hannah-Jones, a New York Times journalist who worked on the 1619 Project, said she thought at least one civil rights pioneer would see Trump’s tweet as a sign that the message of racial justice is actually succeeding.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-17--FBI Director Confirms Russia Is Currently Meddling In The 2020 Election

“ We certainly have seen very active , very active efforts by the Russians to influence our election in 2020 through what I would call more the maligned foreign influence side of things ― social media , use of proxies , state media , online journals , etc .
― in an effort to both sow divisiveness and discord and ... primarily to denigrate Vice President Biden and what the Russians see as kind of an anti-Russian establishment , ” he said .
The FBI director warned Congress back in July 2019 that Russia was still intent on trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. efforts to combat such threats .
Trump sidelined then-outgoing national intelligence director Joseph Maguire earlier this year after a member of his team briefed the House that Russia was trying to interfere in the election in Trump ’ s favor .
The statements echo intelligence officials who in early August presented classified information to Congress and presidential campaigns about Russia ’ s efforts to influence the 2020 election and American democracy .
In an Aug. 7 statement , National Counterintelligence and Security Center Director William Evanina said that Russia had targeted Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consistent with Moscow ’ s public criticism of him when he was Vice President for his role in the Obama Administration ’ s policies on Ukraine and its support for the anti-Putin opposition inside Russia , ” Evanina wrote .
“ For example , pro-Russia parliamentarian Andriy Derkach is spreading claims about corruption ― including through publicizing leaked phone calls ― to undermine former Vice President Biden ’ s candidacy and the Democratic Party .
Some Kremlin-linked actors are also seeking to boost President Trump ’ s candidacy on social media and Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani and right-wing One America News network to push the conspiracy theory that Biden acted improperly when he worked to remove a corrupt Ukrainian prosecutor while vice president so he could protect a company his son Hunter Biden was working for .
Trump , who was impeached last year for trying to extort Ukraine ’ s new president into investigating Biden , has continued to push the smear despite officials in his own administration labeling Derkach ’ s work as part of an ongoing Russian effort to influence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Evanina ’ s statement , newly appointed Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe announced that the intelligence community would halt in-person election security briefings to Congress and instead only provide written reports .
The move enraged Democrats who said the hearings allow for questions and transparency to the American public , but Ratcliffe justified the decision by saying it would be easier to avoid leaks and prevent information from being “ politicized.
” Earlier this month , a senior Department of Homeland Security aide filed an explosive whistleblower complaint laying out a pattern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf and his deputy Ken Cuccinelli ― to manipulate or block intelligence reports that could undermine the president ’ s political objects or reflect poorly on the leader who welcomes help from the Kremlin and far-right extremists .
The complaint by Brian Murphy , former head of DHS ’ s Office of Intelligence and Analysis , shed new light on the Trump administration ’ s efforts to deceive Congress and suppress and distort intelligence about Russian political interference and the associated threat of white supremacy ahead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may attempt to evade oversight and the Department may try silly stunts to distract from this hearing , but we will not waiver [ sic ] .
The stakes are just too high , ” committee Chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson ( D-Miss . )
said in a statement .
“ Indeed , former Department officials ― the Administration ’ s own political appointees ― are coming forward to sound the alarm that our Nation ’ s security is being compromised in favor of the President ’ s political interests.
” Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ served from 2017 to 2019 , penned an op-ed in The New York Times on Thursday on how the upcoming election will determine whether democracy in the U.S. can survive .
“ Our democracy ’ s enemies , foreign and domestic , want us to concede in advance that our voting systems are faulty or fraudulent ; that sinister conspiracies have distorted the political will of the people ; that our public discourse has been perverted by the news media and social networks riddled with prejudice , lies and ill will ; that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national security have been twisted , misused and misdirected to create anxiety and conflict , not justice and social peace , ” Coats wrote .
“ If those are the results of this tumultuous election year , we are lost , no matter which candidate wins .
No American , and certainly no American leader , should want such an outcome , ” he continued .
“ Total destruction and sowing salt in the earth of American democracy is a catastrophe well beyond simple defeat and a poison for generations .
”

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FBI Director Christopher Wray confirmed to Congress on Thursday that Russia is engaging in “very active efforts” to influence the 2020 U.S. election and to “denigrate” Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, echoing previous warnings by the intelligence community.
The FBI chief testified before the House Homeland Security Committee during its annual hearing on worldwide threats, addressing election interference and domestic terror in the U.S.
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“We certainly have seen very active, very active efforts by the Russians to influence our election in 2020 through what I would call more the maligned foreign influence side of things ― social media, use of proxies, state media, online journals, etc. ― in an effort to both sow divisiveness and discord and ... primarily to denigrate Vice President Biden and what the Russians see as kind of an anti-Russian establishment,” he said.
Wray added that the FBI has not yet seen evidence of Russia targeting election infrastructure, or “cybertargeting,” like the agency saw in the 2016 election.
FBI Director Wray: "We certainly have seen very active, very active efforts by the Russians to influence our election in 2020...to both sow divisiveness and discord and...to denigrate Vice President Biden."
Full video here: https://t.co/aLfZmkqbcC pic.twitter.com/CAq4VHoRqI — CSPAN (@cspan) September 17, 2020
The FBI director warned Congress back in July 2019 that Russia was still intent on trying to interfere in the 2020 presidential election despite U.S. efforts to combat such threats. Trump sidelined then-outgoing national intelligence director Joseph Maguire earlier this year after a member of his team briefed the House that Russia was trying to interfere in the election in Trump’s favor.
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The statements echo intelligence officials who in early August presented classified information to Congress and presidential campaigns about Russia’s efforts to influence the 2020 election and American democracy. In an Aug. 7 statement, National Counterintelligence and Security Center Director William Evanina said that Russia had targeted Biden in a scheme.
“This is consistent with Moscow’s public criticism of him when he was Vice President for his role in the Obama Administration’s policies on Ukraine and its support for the anti-Putin opposition inside Russia,” Evanina wrote. “For example, pro-Russia parliamentarian Andriy Derkach is spreading claims about corruption ― including through publicizing leaked phone calls ― to undermine former Vice President Biden’s candidacy and the Democratic Party. Some Kremlin-linked actors are also seeking to boost President Trump’s candidacy on social media and Russian television.”
Derkach was working with Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani and right-wing One America News network to push the conspiracy theory that Biden acted improperly when he worked to remove a corrupt Ukrainian prosecutor while vice president so he could protect a company his son Hunter Biden was working for.
Trump, who was impeached last year for trying to extort Ukraine’s new president into investigating Biden, has continued to push the smear despite officials in his own administration labeling Derkach’s work as part of an ongoing Russian effort to influence the upcoming election.
OANN is trying to cover up its past relationship with Andrii Derkach, an active Russian agent involved in Moscow's anti-Biden meddling. OANN gave him tons of free airtime and promoted his wacko conspiracy theories. https://t.co/uX5ypkIthn — Marshall Cohen (@MarshallCohen) September 17, 2020
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Just weeks after Evanina’s statement, newly appointed Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe announced that the intelligence community would halt in-person election security briefings to Congress and instead only provide written reports. The move enraged Democrats who said the hearings allow for questions and transparency to the American public, but Ratcliffe justified the decision by saying it would be easier to avoid leaks and prevent information from being “politicized.”
Earlier this month, a senior Department of Homeland Security aide filed an explosive whistleblower complaint laying out a pattern of behavior by top Trump appointees ― like acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf and his deputy Ken Cuccinelli ― to manipulate or block intelligence reports that could undermine the president’s political objects or reflect poorly on the leader who welcomes help from the Kremlin and far-right extremists.
The complaint by Brian Murphy, former head of DHS’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis, shed new light on the Trump administration’s efforts to deceive Congress and suppress and distort intelligence about Russian political interference and the associated threat of white supremacy ahead of the election.
Notably, Wolf did not appear Thursday to testify before the congressional committee created to help protect the U.S. from foreign and domestic threats.
“Mr. Wolf may attempt to evade oversight and the Department may try silly stunts to distract from this hearing, but we will not waiver [sic]. The stakes are just too high,” committee Chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) said in a statement. “Indeed, former Department officials ― the Administration’s own political appointees ― are coming forward to sound the alarm that our Nation’s security is being compromised in favor of the President’s political interests.”
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Dan Coats speaks out; pay attention:
“No American, and certainly no American leader, should want such an outcome. Total destruction and sowing salt in the earth of American democracy is a catastrophe well beyond simple defeat and a poison for generations.”https://t.co/I415W71dzd — David Priess (@DavidPriess) September 17, 2020
Trump’s former intelligence director Dan Coats, who served from 2017 to 2019, penned an op-ed in The New York Times on Thursday on how the upcoming election will determine whether democracy in the U.S. can survive.
“Our democracy’s enemies, foreign and domestic, want us to concede in advance that our voting systems are faulty or fraudulent; that sinister conspiracies have distorted the political will of the people; that our public discourse has been perverted by the news media and social networks riddled with prejudice, lies and ill will; that judicial institutions, law enforcement and even national security have been twisted, misused and misdirected to create anxiety and conflict, not justice and social peace,” Coats wrote.
“If those are the results of this tumultuous election year, we are lost, no matter which candidate wins. No American, and certainly no American leader, should want such an outcome,” he continued. “Total destruction and sowing salt in the earth of American democracy is a catastrophe well beyond simple defeat and a poison for generations.”