thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-01--Reporter Who Tweeted About Face-Mask Fiasco Says He Was Banned From Future Pence Trips

A Voice of America journalist who contradicted second lady Karen Pence regarding the vice president ’ s dismissal of face-mask protocol at the Mayo Clinic was banned Thursday from taking further trips with Mike Pence , The Washington Post reported .
A representative from Pence ’ s office later told Voice of America managers that the punishment might be lifted if the media organization or White House bureau chief Steve Herman apologizes , the newspaper reported .
Karen Pence insisted in a Fox News interview Thursday that her husband had no idea he was supposed to wear a mask during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mayo Clinic in Minnesota .
However , the hospital posted a tweet that was later deleted which said the vice president had been informed about the requirement .
After the second lady ’ s interview , Herman tweeted that Pence ’ s office had informed journalists the day before the trip that masks were required for anyone accompanying him to the clinic : All of us who traveled with him were notified by the office of @ VP the day before the trip that wearing of masks was required by the @ MayoClinic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ //t.co/LFqh27LusD — Steve Herman ( @ W7VOA ) April 30 , 2020 A copy of the directive from Pence ’ s office on the trip that was obtained by the Post clearly states that masks were required .
“ Please note , the Mayo Clinic is requiring [ that ] all individuals traveling with the VP wear masks , ” the document read , per the Post .
“ Please bring one to wear while on the trip.
” The document was marked “ off the record ” and for “ planning purposes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such trips .
After his tweet , the White House Correspondents ’ Association told Herman that Pence ’ s office had banned him from all future travel on Air Force Two .
Wall Street Journal reporter Gordon Lubold tweeted the same information two days before Herman and emphasized that everyone was wearing a mask during the Mayo Clinic visit .
He tweeted the information again after Karen Pence ’ s interview : Here at the Clinic with Pence and mayo made it clear **everyone should have a mask and VP is the only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — Gordon Lubold ( @ glubold ) April 28 , 2020 also , everyone in the entire Mayo Clinic had a mask on , everyone , and we were all told the day before we had to wear a mask if we entered the clinic https : //t.co/cNW4fJ87Q4 — Gordon Lubold ( @ glubold ) April 30 , 2020 The vice president ’ s decision to ignore face mask protocol amid the coronavirus pandemic ignited a storm of controversy .
Pence , who is head of the federal coronavirus task force , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one .
“ As vice president of the United States , I ’ m tested for the coronavirus on a regular basis , and everyone who is around me is tested for the coronavirus , ” Pence told pool reporters .
He also said he wanted to look people “ in the eye , ” even though the masks don ’ t cover the eyes .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
A Voice of America journalist who contradicted second lady Karen Pence regarding the vice president’s dismissal of face-mask protocol at the Mayo Clinic was banned Thursday from taking further trips with Mike Pence, The Washington Post reported.
A representative from Pence’s office later told Voice of America managers that the punishment might be lifted if the media organization or White House bureau chief Steve Herman apologizes, the newspaper reported.
Advertisement
Karen Pence insisted in a Fox News interview Thursday that her husband had no idea he was supposed to wear a mask during his visit earlier this week to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. However, the hospital posted a tweet that was later deleted which said the vice president had been informed about the requirement.
Everyone else on the tour work face masks.
After the second lady’s interview, Herman tweeted that Pence’s office had informed journalists the day before the trip that masks were required for anyone accompanying him to the clinic:
All of us who traveled with him were notified by the office of @VP the day before the trip that wearing of masks was required by the @MayoClinic and to prepare accordingly. https://t.co/LFqh27LusD — Steve Herman (@W7VOA) April 30, 2020
Advertisement
A copy of the directive from Pence’s office on the trip that was obtained by the Post clearly states that masks were required.
“Please note, the Mayo Clinic is requiring [that] all individuals traveling with the VP wear masks,” the document read, per the Post. “Please bring one to wear while on the trip.”
The document was marked “off the record” and for “planning purposes only,” which is standard for such trips.
After his tweet, the White House Correspondents’ Association told Herman that Pence’s office had banned him from all future travel on Air Force Two.
Wall Street Journal reporter Gordon Lubold tweeted the same information two days before Herman and emphasized that everyone was wearing a mask during the Mayo Clinic visit. He tweeted the information again after Karen Pence’s interview:
Advertisement
Here at the Clinic with Pence and mayo made it clear **everyone should have a mask and VP is the only one not wearing one https://t.co/GCxahM8UVa — Gordon Lubold (@glubold) April 28, 2020
also, everyone in the entire Mayo Clinic had a mask on, everyone, and we were all told the day before we had to wear a mask if we entered the clinic https://t.co/cNW4fJ87Q4 — Gordon Lubold (@glubold) April 30, 2020
According to the Post, VOA managers were still discussing the matter with Pence’s office late Thursday.
The vice president’s decision to ignore face mask protocol amid the coronavirus pandemic ignited a storm of controversy. Pence, who is head of the federal coronavirus task force, said he didn’t need to wear one.
“As vice president of the United States, I’m tested for the coronavirus on a regular basis, and everyone who is around me is tested for the coronavirus,” Pence told pool reporters. He also said he wanted to look people “in the eye,” even though the masks don’t cover the eyes.
Advertisement
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends wearing face masks in public where social distancing can be difficult to maintain.
Pence did wear a face mask — and protective glasses — during a tour of a General Motors plant on Thursday.
A HuffPost Guide To Coronavirus


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-30--Cities And States Request $1 Trillion In Coronavirus Aid, Says Pelosi

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that state and local governments are seeking up to $ 1 trillion for coronavirus costs , a stunning benchmark for the next aid package that ’ s certain to run into opposition from Senate Republicans .
Pelosi acknowledged the federal government may not be able to provide that much .
But she said money for “ heroes ” is needed to prevent layoffs as governors and mayors stare down red ink in their budgets .
Many jurisdictions are facing rising costs from the health pandemic and plummeting revenues in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans can support front-line community workers , Pelosi said , is to make sure they don ’ t lose their jobs to budget cuts .
But the eye-popping figure would be on top of the nearly $ 3 trillion Congress has already approved to salvage the economy and confront the health crisis .
Congress is partially reopening next week as the House convenes key committee hearings and the Senate gavels into session after being shuttered for more than a month during the pandemic .
Senators are recommended to wear masks , keep 6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from home , according to official guidance .
At the private Republican lunches , it will be just three senators to a table .
Democrats will have lunch by conference call .
On a conference call Thursday , the Capitol physician said his office does not have a testing system available for instant virus checks , as happens at the White House , according to a Republican familiar with the call with chiefs of staff .
Instead , the physician said the office only checks those lawmakers who are showing symptoms .
Test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he told them .
The House declined this week to bring its 430 members back into session after the Capitol physician warned it was not worth the health risks .
McConnell has declined to say if he consulted with the physician in deciding to resume Senate operations .
As the new aid package takes shape , McConnell said Thursday on Fox that he ’ s willing to consider money for the states but isn ’ t about to send federal dollars to bail out overspending .
“ We ’ re not interested in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down to states to help them with bad decisions they made in the past unrelated to the coronavirus epidemic , ” the GOP leader said .
In outlining priorities for the next package , Pelosi said the new funding for state , county and city governments could be spread out over several years .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that state and local governments are seeking up to $1 trillion for coronavirus costs, a stunning benchmark for the next aid package that’s certain to run into opposition from Senate Republicans.
Pelosi acknowledged the federal government may not be able to provide that much. But she said money for “heroes” is needed to prevent layoffs as governors and mayors stare down red ink in their budgets. Many jurisdictions are facing rising costs from the health pandemic and plummeting revenues in the economic shutdown. The best way Americans can support front-line community workers, Pelosi said, is to make sure they don’t lose their jobs to budget cuts.
Advertisement
“This is something of the highest priority,” Pelosi said. “It honors our heroes.”
Nurses, transit bus drivers and other workers “are risking their lives to save lives, and now they’re going to lose their jobs,” she said.
The $1 trillion price tag comes after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell shifted his tone, suggesting he is “open” to considering additional funds in the next coronavirus relief bill.
But the eye-popping figure would be on top of the nearly $3 trillion Congress has already approved to salvage the economy and confront the health crisis.
At the White House, President Donald Trump said, “We’ll see what happens.”
Trump said, “If we do that, we’ll have to get something for it.”
Congress is partially reopening next week as the House convenes key committee hearings and the Senate gavels into session after being shuttered for more than a month during the pandemic.
Advertisement
But the legislative branch will be a changed place.
Senators are recommended to wear masks, keep 6 feet apart and have most staff work from home, according to official guidance. At the private Republican lunches, it will be just three senators to a table. Democrats will have lunch by conference call.
Senators are raising alarms about the health risks of resuming operations.
On a conference call Thursday, the Capitol physician said his office does not have a testing system available for instant virus checks, as happens at the White House, according to a Republican familiar with the call with chiefs of staff.
Instead, the physician said the office only checks those lawmakers who are showing symptoms. Test results take up to seven days, he told them.
Notably, key public hearings may not have many members of the public, under guidance from the Senate Rules Committee that says people can view the proceedings online.
Officials are especially concerned about the hundreds of cooks, custodial staff and maintenance workers needed to run the vast Capitol complex for the 100 senators.
Advertisement
The House declined this week to bring its 430 members back into session after the Capitol physician warned it was not worth the health risks. McConnell has declined to say if he consulted with the physician in deciding to resume Senate operations.
As the new aid package takes shape, McConnell said Thursday on Fox that he’s willing to consider money for the states but isn’t about to send federal dollars to bail out overspending.
“We’re not interested in borrowing money from future generations to send down to states to help them with bad decisions they made in the past unrelated to the coronavirus epidemic,” the GOP leader said.
McConnell insists any fresh funding must be tied to liability reforms to prevent what he calls “an epidemic of lawsuits” against doctors, hospitals and businesses reopening in the pandemic.
In meeting with Trump at the White House, Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy of New Jersey said his state alone may need $20 billion to $30 billion.
Advertisement
“This is a big hit,” Murphy said. “We don’t see it as a bailout.”
Economic wreckage from the coronavirus outbreak threatens McConnell’s own home state as well. Kentucky’s state government faces a revenue shortfall, according to a budget report issued Thursday.
The grim projections could force Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear to make painful budget cuts at a time when the virus outbreak has shuttered many businesses and put hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians out of work.
Beshear said he made a pitch for additional federal assistance in a Thursday conversation with McConnell.
“I appreciate him hearing me out,” Beshear said at his daily briefing. “Now I hope that he will be able to act.”
In outlining priorities for the next package, Pelosi said the new funding for state, county and city governments could be spread out over several years.
Advertisement
The California Democrat said governors have asked for $500 billion, and county and city governments are requesting a similar amount.
“We’re not going to be able to cover all of it,” Pelosi said.
But to the extent the federal government can provide funds to prevent widespread layoffs, she said, “that’s our goal.”
Congressional leaders staked out priorities for the next, fifth round of aid, even as key senators sounded alarms over the health risks of reopening the U.S. Capitol.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., urged McConnell to reconsider. “This is the wrong example for the country,” she said in a statement.
The Washington, D.C., region remains a virus hot spot, health officials say. Stay-home orders are in place through mid-May for the District of Columbia.
Advertisement
“I think we can conduct our business safely,” McConnell said on Fox.
The Republican leader faced a storm of criticism from the nation’s governors after panning Democrats’ proposal for more state aid. Last week, he suggested states should be allowed to go bankrupt.
His priority as senators return Monday is to consider Trump’s nominees for judicial and executive branch positions, including Rep. John Ratcliffe, R-Texas, Trump’s choice to be the new director of the Office of National Intelligence.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said the Senate instead should focus on congressional oversight of the federal coronavirus response.
___
Schreiner reported from Frankfort, Ky. Associated Press writers Kevin Freking, Mary Clare Jalonick and Laurie Kellman in Washington contributed to this report.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-30--Mike Pence Dons Mask For GM Tour After Mayo Clinic Backlash

Vice President Mike Pence wore a face mask as he toured a General Motors plant in Indiana on Thursday , days after he was criticized for not wearing the protective gear during a tour of the Mayo Clinic .
Pence went to the GM facility in Kokomo , which is now making medical ventilators , with Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and Indiana Gov .
Eric Holcomb to see the ventilator production and testing lines .
GM has partnered with Ventec Life Systems to produce the medical equipment to help with the shortfall of ventilators across the U.S. amid the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday ’ s visit , Pence can be seen talking to GM executives and staff while wearing the face mask and protective glasses .
Pence , Chao and other officials who toured the facility removed their protective gear during a roundtable discussion .
Today , Vice President @ Mike_Pence , @ SecElaineChao and @ GovHolcomb visited our Kokomo , IN , facility to meet the team who made it possible for us to deliver more than 600 @ MyVOCSN critical care ventilators in only a few short weeks .
Read more : https @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GM ) April 30 , 2020 At the Mayo Clinic in Rochester , Minnesota , on Tuesday , Pence did not wear a mask while meeting with staff members and patients , who were all wearing masks .
The clinic ’ s policy calls for protective gear .
The Mayo Clinic initially said in a tweet that it had informed Pence of their mask policy before he arrived .
The tweet was later deleted , but the clinic confirmed to HuffPost that it had indeed notified the vice president of the policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have posed a risk to staff and patients after photos of his visit circulated on social media .
News reports , including one by HuffPost , also highlighted Pence ’ s decision to forgo the mask .
Pence defended his lack of a mask at the clinic , saying that he and the people around him are regularly tested for COVID-19 .
“ As vice president of the United States , I ’ m tested for the coronavirus on a regular basis , and everyone who is around me is tested for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And since I don ’ t have the coronavirus , I thought it ’ d be a good opportunity for me to be here , to be able to speak to these researchers , these incredible health care personnel , and look them in the eye and say thank you .
”

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Vice President Mike Pence wore a face mask as he toured a General Motors plant in Indiana on Thursday, days after he was criticized for not wearing the protective gear during a tour of the Mayo Clinic.
Pence went to the GM facility in Kokomo, which is now making medical ventilators, with Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb to see the ventilator production and testing lines.
Advertisement
GM has partnered with Ventec Life Systems to produce the medical equipment to help with the shortfall of ventilators across the U.S. amid the coronavirus pandemic.
In videos and photos of Thursday’s visit, Pence can be seen talking to GM executives and staff while wearing the face mask and protective glasses.
Pence, Chao and other officials who toured the facility removed their protective gear during a roundtable discussion.
Today, Vice President @Mike_Pence, @SecElaineChao and @GovHolcomb visited our Kokomo, IN, facility to meet the team who made it possible for us to deliver more than 600 @MyVOCSN critical care ventilators in only a few short weeks. Read more: https://t.co/km9By4Ugna pic.twitter.com/6wX1dh8Id2 — General Motors (@GM) April 30, 2020
Advertisement
At the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, on Tuesday, Pence did not wear a mask while meeting with staff members and patients, who were all wearing masks. The clinic’s policy calls for protective gear.
The Mayo Clinic initially said in a tweet that it had informed Pence of their mask policy before he arrived. The tweet was later deleted, but the clinic confirmed to HuffPost that it had indeed notified the vice president of the policy.
People were concerned that Pence may have posed a risk to staff and patients after photos of his visit circulated on social media. News reports, including one by HuffPost, also highlighted Pence’s decision to forgo the mask.
PENCE flouts Mayo Clinic policy that everyone on campus wear a mask, even as he meets with staff and a patient. pic.twitter.com/kfo64KQDhU — Dan Diamond (@ddiamond) April 28, 2020
Pence defended his lack of a mask at the clinic, saying that he and the people around him are regularly tested for COVID-19.
Advertisement
“As vice president of the United States, I’m tested for the coronavirus on a regular basis, and everyone who is around me is tested for the coronavirus,” Pence said.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-30--Trump Says Joe Biden 'Should Respond' To Tara Reade's Sexual Assault Allegation

President Donald Trump said Thursday he thinks presumed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden “ should respond ” to the sexual assault allegation Tara Reade has made , adding , “ it could be false accusations.
” “ I don ’ t think they ’ re going after him hard , ” Trump said as he answered a question at the White House about his campaign attacking Biden concerning the former Senate aide ’ s allegation .
“ I don ’ t know anything about it , ” Trump said of the matter .
“ I don ’ t know exactly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It could be false accusations , ” Trump said .
“ I know all about false accusations .
I ’ ve been falsely charged numerous times.
” Trump has faced upward of 60 allegations of sexual assault and misconduct .
He also was infamously caught on tape bragging about how he could “ grab ” women “ by the pussy .
Biden ’ s campaign has denied Reade ’ s allegation ― made in March ― that he assaulted her in 1993 when he was a senator from Delaware .
The former vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the accusation , is expected to address it in a Friday interview on MSNBC ’ s “ Morning Joe ” program .
In discussing the Reade allegation , Trump went on to reiterate his frequent complaint that Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh was “ falsely charged ” and suffered “ so unfairly ” when he faced sexual misconduct allegations from three women during his 2018 confirmation process for the high court .
One of them , Christine Blasey Ford , testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee that Kavanaugh allegedly sexually assaulted her when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kavanaugh denied all of the allegations , Republicans rallied around him and on a close vote he won confirmation to the Supreme Court .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
President Donald Trump said Thursday he thinks presumed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden “should respond” to the sexual assault allegation Tara Reade has made, adding, “it could be false accusations.”
“I don’t think they’re going after him hard,” Trump said as he answered a question at the White House about his campaign attacking Biden concerning the former Senate aide’s allegation.
Advertisement
“I don’t know anything about it,” Trump said of the matter. “I don’t know exactly. I think he should respond. It could be false accusations,” Trump said. “I know all about false accusations. I’ve been falsely charged numerous times.”
Trump has faced upward of 60 allegations of sexual assault and misconduct. He also was infamously caught on tape bragging about how he could “grab” women “by the pussy.
Biden’s campaign has denied Reade’s allegation ― made in March ― that he assaulted her in 1993 when he was a senator from Delaware. The former vice president, who has stayed silent on the accusation, is expected to address it in a Friday interview on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” program.
In discussing the Reade allegation, Trump went on to reiterate his frequent complaint that Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh was “falsely charged” and suffered “so unfairly” when he faced sexual misconduct allegations from three women during his 2018 confirmation process for the high court.
Advertisement
One of them, Christine Blasey Ford, testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee that Kavanaugh allegedly sexually assaulted her when they both were in high school.
Kavanaugh denied all of the allegations, Republicans rallied around him and on a close vote he won confirmation to the Supreme Court.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-30--Trump Would ‘Consider’ Rehiring Michael Flynn Because He'll Likely Be ‘Exonerated’

Win McNamee via Getty Images “ It looks to me like Michael Flynn would be exonerated , based on everything I ’ ve seen , ” President Donald Trump said .
WASHINGTON ― President Donald Trump said Thursday that he would “ consider ” rehiring retired Army Gen. Michael Flynn if he is “ exonerated , ” as Trump ’ s first national security adviser seeks to withdraw his guilty plea for lying about conversations with the Russian ambassador .
“ I would certainly consider it , ” the president told reporters at the White House , adding that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pardoning Flynn .
“ It looks to me like Michael Flynn would be exonerated , based on everything I ’ ve seen , ” the president said .
Flynn pleaded guilty in federal court in December 2017 , admitting that he had lied to FBI investigators looking into his discussions with the Russian ambassador about economic sanctions , which at the time of the conversations had just been imposed by President Barack Obama because of Russia ’ s interference in the 2016 election .
The conversations took place after Trump had been elected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The new president ousted Flynn within weeks because , he said at the time , Flynn had lied about those talks to Vice President Mike Pence , who then repeated his false assertions to the news media .
But Pence said on Thursday that he believes Flynn may not have purposefully lied to him .
“ I know what Gen. Flynn told me and I ’ m more inclined to believe it was unintentional than ever before , ” he told reporters traveling with him on a trip to Indiana .
Flynn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claiming that the former general was unfairly targeted by the FBI in the closing days of the Obama administration .
On Wednesday , they released FBI memos they obtained about the case .
One had the handwritten notation : “ What ’ s our goal ?
Truth/Admission or get him to lie , so we can prosecute him or get him fired ?
” Another note read : “ we have a case on Flynn + Russians.
” The judge in the case , Emmet Sullivan of the U.S. District Court for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentencing Flynn until his original lawyers finish turning over files to his new team .

“It looks to me like Michael Flynn would be exonerated, based on everything I’ve seen,” President Donald Trump said. Win McNamee via Getty Images
WASHINGTON ― President Donald Trump said Thursday that he would “consider” rehiring retired Army Gen. Michael Flynn if he is “exonerated,” as Trump’s first national security adviser seeks to withdraw his guilty plea for lying about conversations with the Russian ambassador.
“I would certainly consider it,” the president told reporters at the White House, adding that he might not even need to think about pardoning Flynn. “It looks to me like Michael Flynn would be exonerated, based on everything I’ve seen,” the president said.
Advertisement
Flynn pleaded guilty in federal court in December 2017, admitting that he had lied to FBI investigators looking into his discussions with the Russian ambassador about economic sanctions, which at the time of the conversations had just been imposed by President Barack Obama because of Russia’s interference in the 2016 election.
The conversations took place after Trump had been elected, but before he had taken office. The new president ousted Flynn within weeks because, he said at the time, Flynn had lied about those talks to Vice President Mike Pence, who then repeated his false assertions to the news media.
But Pence said on Thursday that he believes Flynn may not have purposefully lied to him. “I know what Gen. Flynn told me and I’m more inclined to believe it was unintentional than ever before,” he told reporters traveling with him on a trip to Indiana.
Flynn’s new defense lawyers have been claiming that the former general was unfairly targeted by the FBI in the closing days of the Obama administration. On Wednesday, they released FBI memos they obtained about the case. One had the handwritten notation: “What’s our goal? Truth/Admission or get him to lie, so we can prosecute him or get him fired?” Another note read: “we have a case on Flynn + Russians.”
Advertisement


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-01--Brooke Baldwin Gives Lockdown-Defying Barber The Painful Truth About Coronavirus

Hang on , hang on , hang on , Juan .
Let me jump in , because I think neither @ @ @ @ @ I know there ’ s a lot of numbers being thrown out .
I ’ @ @ @ @ @ was not fun .
And I had it way better than a lot of the @ @ @ @ @ and about half of the folks who are put on ventilators don ’ t make @ @ @ @ @ .
So I just , I don ’ t think you want to say , @ @ @ @ @ okay if I get it .
’

Hang on, hang on, hang on, Juan. Let me jump in, because I think neither of us are doctors and I know there’s a lot of numbers being thrown out. I’ve had it. It was not fun. And I had it way better than a lot of the folks who are on ventilators and about half of the folks who are put on ventilators don’t make it out of the hospital. So I just, I don’t think you want to say, ‘Maybe it’s okay if I get it.’


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-30--More Major Airlines To Require Passengers To Wear Masks On Flights

Delta Air Lines , American Airlines and United Airlines are the latest companies to mandate that passengers must wear protective face masks while flying to prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
Delta and United ’ s mandates are slated to begin May 4 , while American ’ s will go into effect on May 11 .
The airlines said there will be a slight delay in enacting the new policy to make sure they can secure enough masks for people without them .
“ Things have changed rapidly in just two or three weeks , ” American Airlines President Robert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday while discussing efforts to mitigate the coronavirus ’ spread .
“ As we take a look forward with sanitizer , we see ample supplies .
With masks , it is a logistical issue of getting inventories to the right place , but we have sufficient quantities for our team.
” Delta and United ’ s mandates are slated to begin May 4 , while American ’ s will go into effect May 11 .
The three airlines join Jet Blue and Frontier Airlines with the mandatory mask policy .
Alaska Airlines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Flight attendants unions have been pushing federal officials to make passenger masks a federal requirement .
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA , which represents 50,000 flight attendants at 20 airlines , sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and Health and Human Service Secretary Alex Azar last week calling for the mandate .
The union ’ s president , Sara Nelson , posted a photo of a crowded flight on Sunday .
The image , which has since been widely shared , shows several passengers traveling without masks .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
ENOUGH !
This was TODAY on a four hour flight .
This is not okay .
Masks must be mandated by DOT/HHS in airports and on airplanes .
Essential travel only , with proper PPE .
# COVID19 # StopTheSpread pic.twitter.com/TzwJyVRBoD — Sara Nelson ( @ FlyingWithSara ) April 27 , 2020 Sens .
Edward J. Markey ( D-Mass . )
and Richard Blumenthal ( D-Conn. ) , members of the Commerce , Science , and Transportation Committee , have echoed the union ’ s demands .
They , too , sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the passenger mask mandate .
“ We believe that a nationwide rule is required because air travel is an inherently interstate issue ; public health decisions for this sector can not be left to individual states , ” they wrote in their letter .
“ Moreover , in the absence of federal action , different airlines and airports have adopted conflicting policies that will undermine overall public health if they are not unified around a single , strong standard .
”

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airlines are the latest companies to mandate that passengers must wear protective face masks while flying to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Delta and United’s mandates are slated to begin May 4, while American’s will go into effect on May 11. The airlines said there will be a slight delay in enacting the new policy to make sure they can secure enough masks for people without them.
Advertisement
“Things have changed rapidly in just two or three weeks,” American Airlines President Robert Isom said in a call with journalists on Thursday while discussing efforts to mitigate the coronavirus’ spread. “As we take a look forward with sanitizer, we see ample supplies. With masks, it is a logistical issue of getting inventories to the right place, but we have sufficient quantities for our team.”
Delta and United’s mandates are slated to begin May 4, while American’s will go into effect May 11. JAIME REINA via Getty Images
The three airlines join Jet Blue and Frontier Airlines with the mandatory mask policy. Alaska Airlines and Southwest Airlines are the main holdouts.
Flight attendants unions have been pushing federal officials to make passenger masks a federal requirement. The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, which represents 50,000 flight attendants at 20 airlines, sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and Health and Human Service Secretary Alex Azar last week calling for the mandate.
Advertisement
The union’s president, Sara Nelson, posted a photo of a crowded flight on Sunday. The image, which has since been widely shared, shows several passengers traveling without masks. “This is not okay,” she wrote.
ENOUGH! This was TODAY on a four hour flight. This is not okay. Masks must be mandated by DOT/HHS in airports and on airplanes. Essential travel only, with proper PPE. #COVID19 #StopTheSpread pic.twitter.com/TzwJyVRBoD — Sara Nelson (@FlyingWithSara) April 27, 2020
Sens. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), members of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, have echoed the union’s demands. They, too, sent a letter to Chao and Azar calling for the passenger mask mandate.
“We believe that a nationwide rule is required because air travel is an inherently interstate issue; public health decisions for this sector cannot be left to individual states,” they wrote in their letter. “Moreover, in the absence of federal action, different airlines and airports have adopted conflicting policies that will undermine overall public health if they are not unified around a single, strong standard.”
Advertisement


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-01--Few Companies Offer Worksharing, But It Could Come In Handy As COVID-19 Drags On

There ’ s another program that could help ― one that splits the difference between layoffs and job subsidies .
It ’ s called short-time compensation , or worksharing .
It ’ s not a new program , but Congress gave it a funding boost in the second coronavirus relief bill passed earlier this year .
It works like this : Instead of laying off a portion of its workers , a company can reduce their hours , and the unemployment insurance system pays for the missing time .
Thanks to the new law , the federal government will cover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already have worksharing programs , and half the cost in states that set up new ones .
There ’ s been a sevenfold increase in the number of workers in worksharing arrangements since this time last year , according to the U.S. Labor Department , but that only amounts to 62,297 jobs .
The concept could prove useful in the coming months , however , after a new loan program for small businesses expires .
“ Rather than only having a fraction of their workforce on the payroll , the employer can have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then have the government make up a large chunk of the wages lost from fewer hours , ” said Dean Baker , a labor economist with the progressive Center for Economic and Policy Research and a visiting professor at the University of Utah .
Baker and other economists who favor short-time compensation programs have often lamented that they ’ re not terribly well-known , likely part of the reason so few workers are enrolled .
Progressive Democrats have said they want to ramp up worksharing as part of the next bill Congress passes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Independent Business said she ’ s mentioned worksharing in webinars about the various government initiatives available , but hasn ’ t received a single direct inquiry from a business owner about how to apply for it .
She said it might seem overly complicated for a small business without an HR department .
Richard Bodin owns Hudson Home , an interior design studio and showroom in Hudson , New York , with seven employees .
Since New York is one of the states that already offers worksharing , when the governor ordered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bodin signed his workers up .
It was a good deal for the workers , most of whom are part-time employees .
Kelly Bortoluzzi , 56 , worked at Hudson Home three days a week in a sales support position .
Her hours halved , she started receiving about $ 200 per week in unemployment benefits ― plus the extra $ 600 per week that Congress created as part of the Coronavirus Aid , Relief and Economic Stability Act .
Bortoluzzi described the extra money as a “ godsend ” for her and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in trouble .
The combined benefit was more than her pay at Hudson Home , and almost as much as she made from that job plus several other part-time gigs .
Bodin initially liked the idea of bringing his workers back on payroll but now isn ’ t so sure , since the clock is ticking on the loan , and he won ’ t be able to have in-person customers until May 15 at the earliest .
For now , there ’ s not much work for his workers to do .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ off on straight unemployment , ” Bodin said .
“ I would like to keep as many people getting as much money as possible for as long as possible.
” Bortoluzzi , for her part , is glad she technically has a job , but wonders if she would be better off trying to file a regular unemployment claim that reflected the totality of her past wages from her other part-time jobs .
She hasn ’ t been able to get an answer from the New York State Department of Labor .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as someone at the bottom of the food chain , ” she said .
“ I just really thought it would be rolled out in a smarter way , and I hate that we can not have communication.
” States have a strong incentive to promote worksharing , said Till von Wachter , an economics professor at the University of California , Los Angeles .
States pay for regular unemployment benefits through a tax on businesses , and if their unemployment funds run dry , those taxes can go up .
States would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firms to use federally funded worksharing benefits instead of laying people off .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
More than 30 million Americans have lost their jobs and signed up for expanded unemployment benefits over the last month, while a small business loan program has likely prevented millions of additional layoffs.
There’s another program that could help ― one that splits the difference between layoffs and job subsidies. It’s called short-time compensation, or worksharing. It’s not a new program, but Congress gave it a funding boost in the second coronavirus relief bill passed earlier this year.
Advertisement
It works like this: Instead of laying off a portion of its workers, a company can reduce their hours, and the unemployment insurance system pays for the missing time. Thanks to the new law, the federal government will cover the benefits in the 29 states that already have worksharing programs, and half the cost in states that set up new ones.
There’s been a sevenfold increase in the number of workers in worksharing arrangements since this time last year, according to the U.S. Labor Department, but that only amounts to 62,297 jobs. The concept could prove useful in the coming months, however, after a new loan program for small businesses expires.
“Rather than only having a fraction of their workforce on the payroll, the employer can have most people working short hours, and then have the government make up a large chunk of the wages lost from fewer hours,” said Dean Baker, a labor economist with the progressive Center for Economic and Policy Research and a visiting professor at the University of Utah.
“This way, when demand picks up, they have the workers on staff and just have to increase hours,” Baker said.
Advertisement
Baker and other economists who favor short-time compensation programs have often lamented that they’re not terribly well-known, likely part of the reason so few workers are enrolled. Progressive Democrats have said they want to ramp up worksharing as part of the next bill Congress passes.
Elizabeth Milito of the National Federation of Independent Business said she’s mentioned worksharing in webinars about the various government initiatives available, but hasn’t received a single direct inquiry from a business owner about how to apply for it. She said it might seem overly complicated for a small business without an HR department.
Another reason is that worksharing is incompatible with the Paycheck Protection Program, the government’s flagship response to the coronavirus recession, which provides forgivable loans to businesses that retain employees for eight weeks.
Richard Bodin owns Hudson Home, an interior design studio and showroom in Hudson, New York, with seven employees. Since New York is one of the states that already offers worksharing, when the governor ordered nonessential businesses to close in March, Bodin signed his workers up.
“We reduced their hours and they were collecting unemployment to make up the difference,” Bodin said. (Due to the shutdown order, they weren’t actually working.)
Advertisement
It was a good deal for the workers, most of whom are part-time employees. Kelly Bortoluzzi, 56, worked at Hudson Home three days a week in a sales support position. Her hours halved, she started receiving about $200 per week in unemployment benefits ― plus the extra $600 per week that Congress created as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Stability Act.
Bortoluzzi described the extra money as a “godsend” for her and her husband, whose business is itself in trouble. The combined benefit was more than her pay at Hudson Home, and almost as much as she made from that job plus several other part-time gigs.
But then Bodin won approval for a loan from the Paycheck Protection Program, which meant he had to bring his workers back on payroll and cancel the worksharing arrangement.
Bodin initially liked the idea of bringing his workers back on payroll but now isn’t so sure, since the clock is ticking on the loan, and he won’t be able to have in-person customers until May 15 at the earliest. For now, there’s not much work for his workers to do.
Business advocacy groups have asked Congress and the Small Business Administration to give firms leeway on the timing of the payroll loans, considering much of the country is still shut down.
Advertisement
“My employees would have been better off on straight unemployment,” Bodin said. “I would like to keep as many people getting as much money as possible for as long as possible.”
Bodin said that when his PPP loan is up in June, he might try worksharing again.
Bortoluzzi, for her part, is glad she technically has a job, but wonders if she would be better off trying to file a regular unemployment claim that reflected the totality of her past wages from her other part-time jobs. She hasn’t been able to get an answer from the New York State Department of Labor.
“I don’t expect much help as someone at the bottom of the food chain,” she said. “I just really thought it would be rolled out in a smarter way, and I hate that we cannot have communication.”
At the all-time peak of enrollment in 2019, there 288,618 worksharing participants, according to the Labor Department. Most firms surveyed by the department said they had a good experience with the program.
States have a strong incentive to promote worksharing, said Till von Wachter, an economics professor at the University of California, Los Angeles. States pay for regular unemployment benefits through a tax on businesses, and if their unemployment funds run dry, those taxes can go up. States would therefore do themselves a favor by encouraging firms to use federally funded worksharing benefits instead of laying people off.
Advertisement


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-01--Congressional Progressives Endorse Mondaire Jones In Hotly Contested New York Primary

Mondaire Jones for Congress If elected , attorney Mondaire Jones would be the first openly gay Black man in Congress .
The Congressional Progressive Caucus ’ political action committee has endorsed attorney Mondaire Jones in the hotly contested Democratic primary for New York ’ s 17th Congressional District , a safe Democratic seat in the suburbs north of New York City .
The group ’ s blessing is a boost for Jones , who would be Congress ’ first openly gay Black man if elected .
He ’ s facing a crowded field of contenders to succeed Rep. Nita Lowey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October that she planned to retire after serving in Congress since 1989 .
“ Especially during this crisis , we need more leaders like Mondaire in Congress who understand first-hand the economic struggles that so many Americans face , ” Pocan said .
Jones , 32 , is one of at least eight Democrats vying to succeed Lowey .
He stands out in the field as the only one who entered the race as a primary challenger , hoping to unseat the powerful House Appropriations Committee chairwoman , before the 82-year-old lawmaker said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an insurgent and his embrace of left-wing priorities ― like “ Medicare for All , ” a Green New Deal , tuition-free public college and student debt forgiveness ― have made him the progressive favorite in the race .
Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-Mass . )
endorsed him in January , and the Working Families Party , a force in New York , followed suit in February .
Although Jones touts those progressive credentials , he is also not shy about his stint as a corporate lawyer .
He spent four years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manhattan-headquartered megafirm , before taking a job with the Westchester County Law Department a few years ago .
The deck is stacked against everyday people because of the vast wealth and other resources corporations can command in service of their agenda .
Jones told HuffPost in an October interview that his legal work “ helped me understand how corporations think ” and how “ the deck is stacked against everyday people because of the vast wealth and other resources corporations can command in service of their agenda.
” His best-funded opponents in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a pharmaceutical company founder , and Evelyn Farkas , a former deputy assistant secretary of defense under President Barack Obama .
Farkas has elicited scrutiny on the left for the donations she has received from prominent figures in the defense industry and national security establishment , including John Negroponte , a former ambassador to Iraq under President George W. Bush .
New York state Sen. David Carlucci is further behind in fundraising , but he enjoys high name recognition in a congressional district that includes his Rockland County legislative district .
Carlucci @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state Senate who aligned with Republicans until April 2018 , effectively keeping that chamber in Republican hands despite Democrats ’ numerical majority .
Progressive challengers unseated six out of eight renegade Democrats in the 2018 Democratic primary , but Carlucci survived .
While progressive candidates who try to unseat incumbent Democrats in Congress garner more attention , the left has had far more success electing candidates in safe Democratic districts when the incumbent has died or retired .
Freshman progressive Reps. Rashida Tlaib ( Mich. ) , Ilhan Omar ( Minn. ) and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) all won open seats .
New York ’ s 17th District is such firmly Democratic territory that Lowey did not even face a Republican opponent in 2016 and 2018 .
But it is also a largely affluent , suburban district with one of the country ’ s largest populations of ultra-Orthodox Jewish Americans ― a community that sometimes skews more conservative ― and Jones ’ candidacy will test progressives ’ reach .

If elected, attorney Mondaire Jones would be the first openly gay Black man in Congress. Mondaire Jones for Congress
The Congressional Progressive Caucus’ political action committee has endorsed attorney Mondaire Jones in the hotly contested Democratic primary for New York’s 17th Congressional District, a safe Democratic seat in the suburbs north of New York City.
The group’s blessing is a boost for Jones, who would be Congress’ first openly gay Black person if elected. He’s facing a crowded field of contenders to succeed Rep. Nita Lowey (D), who declared in October that she planned to retire after serving in Congress since 1989.
Advertisement
In a statement announcing Friday’s endorsement, Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), a co-chair of the progressive caucus, cited Jones’ upbringing as the son of a single mother who overcame childhood poverty to graduate from Harvard Law School.
“Especially during this crisis, we need more leaders like Mondaire in Congress who understand first-hand the economic struggles that so many Americans face,” Pocan said.
Jones, 32, is one of at least eight Democrats vying to succeed Lowey. He stands out in the field as the only one who entered the race as a primary challenger, hoping to unseat the powerful House Appropriations Committee chairwoman, before the 82-year-old lawmaker said she’d retire.
His status as an insurgent and his embrace of left-wing priorities ― like “Medicare for All,” a Green New Deal, tuition-free public college and student debt forgiveness ― have made him the progressive favorite in the race. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) endorsed him in January, and the Working Families Party, a force in New York, followed suit in February.
Advertisement
Although Jones touts those progressive credentials, he is also not shy about his stint as a corporate lawyer. He spent four years at Davis Polk & Wardwell, a Manhattan-headquartered megafirm, before taking a job with the Westchester County Law Department a few years ago.
“The deck is stacked against everyday people because of the vast wealth and other resources corporations can command in service of their agenda.” - Mondaire Jones
Jones told HuffPost in an October interview that his legal work “helped me understand how corporations think” and how “the deck is stacked against everyday people because of the vast wealth and other resources corporations can command in service of their agenda.”
His best-funded opponents in the primary are Adam Schleifer, a former federal prosecutor and son of a pharmaceutical company founder, and Evelyn Farkas, a former deputy assistant secretary of defense under President Barack Obama.
Farkas has elicited scrutiny on the left for the donations she has received from prominent figures in the defense industry and national security establishment, including John Negroponte, a former ambassador to Iraq under President George W. Bush.
Advertisement
She has taken a pledge not to accept donations from fossil fuel industry lobbyists. When HuffPost inquired about $2,000 that Farkas had received from Caroline Maury Devine, a board member of the oil giant ConocoPhillips, the campaign said it would return the money. Even though Devine is not technically a fossil-fuel lobbyist, the campaign concluded that accepting her support would violate the spirit of the pledge.
New York state Sen. David Carlucci is further behind in fundraising, but he enjoys high name recognition in a congressional district that includes his Rockland County legislative district. Carlucci was one of eight Democrats in the state Senate who aligned with Republicans until April 2018, effectively keeping that chamber in Republican hands despite Democrats’ numerical majority. Progressive challengers unseated six out of eight renegade Democrats in the 2018 Democratic primary, but Carlucci survived.
While progressive candidates who try to unseat incumbent Democrats in Congress garner more attention, the left has had far more success electing candidates in safe Democratic districts when the incumbent has died or retired. Freshman progressive Reps. Rashida Tlaib (Mich.), Ilhan Omar (Minn.) and Jesús “Chuy” Garcia (Ill.) all won open seats.
New York’s 17th District is such firmly Democratic territory that Lowey did not even face a Republican opponent in 2016 and 2018. But it is also a largely affluent, suburban district with one of the country’s largest populations of ultra-Orthodox Jewish Americans ― a community that sometimes skews more conservative ― and Jones’ candidacy will test progressives’ reach.
New York’s congressional primaries are scheduled to take place on June 23.
In light of social-distancing guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) issued an executive order enabling voters to cast absentee ballots without requiring a reason. The state is sending residents absentee ballot request forms by mail.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-01--Trump Bragged On Tape Of Being Able To Do Exactly What Biden Is Accused Of

ASSOCIATED PRESS President Donald Trump answers questions from reporters during a event about protecting seniors , in the East Room of the White House , April 30 , in Washington .
( AP Photo/Alex Brandon ) Trump is accused of rape and is fighting attempts to force him turn over a DNA sample .
Two dozen other women have accused him of varying degrees of sexual assault and misconduct .
He was caught on tape bragging that his celebrity allowed him to do the precise thing that Biden is accused of .
“ They are pushing her story relentlessly and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and women , ” said David Axelrod , the architect of former President Barack Obama ’ s 2008 campaign .
“ They don ’ t expect to win these voters .
No one who shuns Biden because of Tara Reade is likely to flock to Trump , given his sordid history .
They simply want to depress Biden ’ s numbers .
In a marginal race , even a few votes shaved off his total in some closely contested states can make a difference.
” Tim Miller , a Republican consultant and Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ designed to give moderate Republicans an excuse to vote for Trump .
“ Give people who know deep down that Trump is bad a ‘ but ’ talking point .
Absolve themselves of responsibility for Trump ’ s manifest immortality and unfitness , ” Miller said .
“ Everything they do is about muddying the waters.
” And Democratic pollster Peter Hart predicted the attempts to use Reade against Biden are just a hint of what will come this autumn .
“ The only thing I feel confident in predicting is that Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Neilia , ” Hart said , referring to Biden ’ s first wife who died in a car accident along with their 1-year-old daughter in 1972 .
“ Beyond that , this is the protégé of Roy Cohen.
” Those shifts have been on both major details as well as minor .
Reade came out publicly a year ago and said Biden had made her uncomfortable by putting his hands on her shoulders , but she didn ’ t allege the sexual assault until an interview in late March .
Early in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times that she did not mention the sexual assault allegation with her initial disclosure because she was scared .
She also told the Times her postings admiring Russian dictator Vladimir Putin had been part of a novel she was writing and had been taken out of context , but then told BuzzFeed that her views on Putin had changed after she learned more about him .
No Biden staffer who worked with Reade has corroborated her account of any sort of harassment or assault , but several other people have confirmed that she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either at the time it happened in 1993 or long before the 2020 election .
Kristin Anderson accused Trump of sliding his hand beneath her skirt and fingering her through her underwear in a New York City nightclub in the early 1990s .
Jessica Leeds accused Trump of grabbing her breasts and putting his hand up her skirt during an airplane flight in the early 1980s .
Natasha Stoynoff accused Trump of pushing her against a wall and forcibly kissing her in 2005 in the course of an interview she was conducting for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writer E. Jean Carroll accused Trump of raping her in the dressing room of a Manhattan department store in the late 1990s .
She has filed a defamation lawsuit against Trump for calling her a liar , and as part of that is requesting that Trump submit a DNA sample .
Trump is fighting that request .
Trump has broadly denied all the women ’ s claims , even threatening to sue them .
“ Every woman lied when they came forward to hurt my campaign , total fabrication .
The events never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be sued after the election is over , ” he said on Oct. 22 , 2016 , in a campaign speech .
Those remarks came just two weeks after The Washington Post published 11-year-old video from the show “ Access Hollywood , ” in which Trump is heard boasting that his fame permitted him to commit sexual assault and get away with it .
“ You know I ’ m automatically attracted to beautiful ― I just start kissing them .
It ’ s like a magnet .
Just kiss .
I don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ And when you ’ re a star they let you do it .
You can do anything .
Grab them by the pussy.
” Trump himself made the strategy plain on Thursday in remarks at the White House , when he said Biden should address the matter but that he empathizes with him .
“ It could be false accusations , ” Trump said .
“ I know all about false accusations .
I ’ ve been falsely charged numerous times .
And there is such a thing.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to drag down Biden ’ s approval and make the contest the lesser of two evils , ” said Norm Ornstein of the conservative leaning American Enterprise Institute .
“ If they can get the suburban women who won ’ t vote for Trump to stay home , that is good for them .
”

President Donald Trump answers questions from reporters during a event about protecting seniors, in the East Room of the White House, April 30, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — A sexual assault allegation against his Democratic challenger is offering President Donald Trump with a new message for women voters: Joe Biden is just as bad as I am.
Trump is accused of rape and is fighting attempts to force him turn over a DNA sample. Two dozen other women have accused him of varying degrees of sexual assault and misconduct. He was caught on tape bragging that his celebrity allowed him to do the precise thing that Biden is accused of.
Advertisement
Nevertheless, his aides have latched on to onetime staffer Tara Reade’s accusation that Biden sexually assaulted her 27 years ago, pushing her up against a wall and penetrating her with his fingers. “Believe all women means all women — you don’t get to choose,” White House adviser Kellyanne Conway told Fox News Friday.
The Trump camp’s strategy, despite the obvious hypocrisy, is transparent, said political consultants from both parties.
“They are pushing her story relentlessly and the targets are young people, progressives and women,” said David Axelrod, the architect of former President Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign. “They don’t expect to win these voters. No one who shuns Biden because of Tara Reade is likely to flock to Trump, given his sordid history. They simply want to depress Biden’s numbers. In a marginal race, even a few votes shaved off his total in some closely contested states can make a difference.”
Tim Miller, a Republican consultant and Trump critic, said the attacks are also designed to give moderate Republicans an excuse to vote for Trump. “Give people who know deep down that Trump is bad a ‘but’ talking point. Absolve themselves of responsibility for Trump’s manifest immortality and unfitness,” Miller said. “Everything they do is about muddying the waters.”
Advertisement
And Democratic pollster Peter Hart predicted the attempts to use Reade against Biden are just a hint of what will come this autumn. “The only thing I feel confident in predicting is that Trump will not bring up the tragic death of Neilia,” Hart said, referring to Biden’s first wife who died in a car accident along with their 1-year-old daughter in 1972. “Beyond that, this is the protégé of Roy Cohen.”
Biden personally addressed the allegation by Reade for the first time Friday on NBC, stating that the event she described did not happen and asking that her shifting explanations be analyzed carefully.
Those shifts have been on both major details as well as minor. Reade came out publicly a year ago and said Biden had made her uncomfortable by putting his hands on her shoulders, but she didn’t allege the sexual assault until an interview in late March. Early in April, she told The New York Times that she did not mention the sexual assault allegation with her initial disclosure because she was scared. She also told the Times her postings admiring Russian dictator Vladimir Putin had been part of a novel she was writing and had been taken out of context, but then told BuzzFeed that her views on Putin had changed after she learned more about him.
No Biden staffer who worked with Reade has corroborated her account of any sort of harassment or assault, but several other people have confirmed that she told them some details about the incident either at the time it happened in 1993 or long before the 2020 election.
While numerous women have complained that Biden’s habit over the years of touching their shoulders or hair was unwelcome, Reade is the first to accuse him of sexual assault.
Advertisement
That is a stark contrast with Trump, who as a candidate in 2016 had some two dozen women accuse him of conduct ranging from unwanted kissing to voyeuristically entering a teen beauty pageant locker room to sexual assault.
Kristin Anderson accused Trump of sliding his hand beneath her skirt and fingering her through her underwear in a New York City nightclub in the early 1990s. Jessica Leeds accused Trump of grabbing her breasts and putting his hand up her skirt during an airplane flight in the early 1980s. Natasha Stoynoff accused Trump of pushing her against a wall and forcibly kissing her in 2005 in the course of an interview she was conducting for People magazine.
And last year, writer E. Jean Carroll accused Trump of raping her in the dressing room of a Manhattan department store in the late 1990s. She has filed a defamation lawsuit against Trump for calling her a liar, and as part of that is requesting that Trump submit a DNA sample. Trump is fighting that request.
Trump has broadly denied all the women’s claims, even threatening to sue them. “Every woman lied when they came forward to hurt my campaign, total fabrication. The events never happened. All of these liars will be sued after the election is over,” he said on Oct. 22, 2016, in a campaign speech.
Those remarks came just two weeks after The Washington Post published 11-year-old video from the show “Access Hollywood,” in which Trump is heard boasting that his fame permitted him to commit sexual assault and get away with it. “You know I’m automatically attracted to beautiful ― I just start kissing them. It’s like a magnet. Just kiss. I don’t even wait,” he said. “And when you’re a star they let you do it. You can do anything. Grab them by the pussy.”
Advertisement
That history notwithstanding, Trump’s campaign and staff have in recent days aggressively attacked Biden, Democrats and the news media for not giving more attention and credence to Reade’s allegations.
Campaign adviser and former White House aide Mercedes Schlapp on Friday posted on Twitter: “Will the Democratic women Senators ask for the release of @JoeBiden documents from the University of Delaware? They are turning a blind eye to Tara Reade’s story and the #MeToo movement.”
And campaign staffer Harrison Floyd, part of the “Black Voices for Trump” effort, wrote: “Name one rapist that didn’t think they were being ‘affectionate’ or ‘flirtatious’ in the moment of committing rape or sexual assault? #JoeBidenIsARapist #BidenDropOut #BidenRapist.”
Trump himself made the strategy plain on Thursday in remarks at the White House, when he said Biden should address the matter but that he empathizes with him. “It could be false accusations,” Trump said. “I know all about false accusations. I’ve been falsely charged numerous times. And there is such a thing.”
“They want to do whatever they can to drag down Biden’s approval and make the contest the lesser of two evils,” said Norm Ornstein of the conservative leaning American Enterprise Institute. “If they can get the suburban women who won’t vote for Trump to stay home, that is good for them.”
Advertisement
“This is one of Trump’s biggest weak spots. If he can muddy up the water at all on this issue with suburban woman, it’s good for him,” added Joe Walsh, a former Illinois congressman who ran unsuccessfully against Trump for the 2020 nomination.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-01--Canada Bans Assault-Style Weapons After Mass Shooting In Nova Scotia

Trudeau cited numerous mass shootings in the country , including the killing of 22 people in Nova Scotia April 18 and 19 .
He announced the ban of over 1,500 models and variants of assault-style firearms , including the AR-15 and other weapons that have been used in a number of mass shootings in the United States The Cabinet order doesn ’ t forbid owning any of the military-style weapons and their variants but it does ban the use and trade in them .
He said the order has a two-year amnesty period for current owners , and there will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bill passed in Parliament .
In the meantime , they can be exported , returned to manufacturers , and transported only to deactivate them or get rid of them .
In certain limited circumstances , they can be used for hunting .
“ You do not need an AR-15 to take down a deer , '' Trudeau said .
“ So , effective immediately , it is no longer permitted to buy , sell , transport , import or use military-grade , assault weapons in this country.
” Trudeau said the weapons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purpose only : to kill the largest number of people in the shortest amount of time .
`` There is no use - and no place - for such weapons in Canada , ” he said .
Mass shootings are relatively rare in Canada , but Trudeau said they are happening more often .
Trudeau noted he was nearby when in Montreal when gunman Marc Lepine killed 14 women and himself at Montreal ’ s Ecole Polytechnique college in 1989 .
The Ruger Mini-14 Lepine used is among weapons included in the ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduce further gun control legislation prohibiting military-style assault weapons , a measure that had already been planned before the coronavirus pandemic interrupted the current parliamentary session .
The gunman in Nova Scotia , 51-year-old Gabriel Wortman , shot 13 people to death and set fires that killed nine others in one of the worst mass shootings in the country 's history .
Police have said he used a handgun that was obtained in Canada and long guns that he obtained in the U.S. , but they have not specifically said what guns he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assault on his girlfriend and it ended with 22 people dead in communities across central and northern Nova Scotia .
A number of people had disputes with the gunman .
“ Taking firearms away from law-abiding citizens does nothing to stop dangerous criminals who obtain their guns illegally , ” Scheer said in a statement .
“ The vast majority of gun crimes are committed with illegally obtained firearms .
Nothing the Trudeau Liberals announced today addresses this problem . ''

LOADING ERROR LOADING
TORONTO (AP) — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday that Canada is banning the use and trade of assault-style weapons immediately.
Trudeau cited numerous mass shootings in the country, including the killing of 22 people in Nova Scotia April 18 and 19. He announced the ban of over 1,500 models and variants of assault-style firearms, including the AR-15 and other weapons that have been used in a number of mass shootings in the United States
Advertisement
"Canadians need more than thoughts and prayers," Trudeau said.
The Cabinet order doesn’t forbid owning any of the military-style weapons and their variants but it does ban the use and trade in them. He said the order has a two-year amnesty period for current owners, and there will be a compensation program that will require a bill passed in Parliament.
In the meantime, they can be exported, returned to manufacturers, and transported only to deactivate them or get rid of them. In certain limited circumstances, they can be used for hunting.
“You do not need an AR-15 to take down a deer," Trudeau said. “So, effective immediately, it is no longer permitted to buy, sell, transport, import or use military-grade, assault weapons in this country.”
Trudeau said the weapons were designed for one purpose and one purpose only: to kill the largest number of people in the shortest amount of time.
Advertisement
"There is no use - and no place - for such weapons in Canada,” he said.
Mass shootings are relatively rare in Canada, but Trudeau said they are happening more often. Trudeau noted he was nearby when in Montreal when gunman Marc Lepine killed 14 women and himself at Montreal’s Ecole Polytechnique college in 1989. The Ruger Mini-14 Lepine used is among weapons included in the ban.
“As of today the market for assault weapons is closed. Enough is enough,” Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said.
Trudeau has said his government would introduce further gun control legislation prohibiting military-style assault weapons, a measure that had already been planned before the coronavirus pandemic interrupted the current parliamentary session.
The gunman in Nova Scotia, 51-year-old Gabriel Wortman, shot 13 people to death and set fires that killed nine others in one of the worst mass shootings in the country's history. Police have said he used a handgun that was obtained in Canada and long guns that he obtained in the U.S., but they have not specifically said what guns he used. The rampage started with an assault on his girlfriend and it ended with 22 people dead in communities across central and northern Nova Scotia. A number of people had disputes with the gunman.
Opposition Conservative leader Andrew Scheer accused Trudeau of using the “immediate emotion of the horrific attack in Nova Scotia to push the Liberals’ ideological agenda and make major firearms policy changes.”
Advertisement
Scheer said the Nova Scotia shooter did not have a firearms licence, so all of his guns were illegal.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-01--A Democratic Group Is Crashing Trump’s Coronavirus Town Hall With Attack Ads

MANDEL NGAN via Getty Images President Donald Trump speaks on protecting America 's seniors from the COVID-19 pandemic in the East Room of the White House on April 30 , 2020 .
A Democratic super PAC is buying television time around President Donald Trump ’ s Fox News town hall on Sunday night and is planning to air ads attacking his response to the coronavirus pandemic in key swing states .
American Bridge , which is focused on limiting Trump ’ s margins among white working-class voters , is airing the 30-second spot in smaller television markets in the states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The ads feature Trump declaring , “ there is so much unnecessary death in this country ” while news headlines onscreen outline flaws in the Trump administration ’ s COVID-19 response and the growing severity of the pandemic .
More than 60,000 Americans have died , while more than 30 million Americans have applied for unemployment in recent weeks .
The Trump administration has spent the past week declaring victory over the pandemic .
The president has opted to end his daily coronavirus briefings , and some states are beginning to reopen parts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and medical professionals note an ongoing shortage of COVID-19 tests and a growing number of cases in many parts of the country .
Trump ’ s approval rating has slipped since the beginning of the crisis , and public polling shows him trailing former Vice President Joe Biden , the all-but-certain Democratic nominee , both nationally and in toss-up states .
The town hall , the Trump administration hopes , will give the president an opportunity to sell his response to the pandemic to an increasingly skeptical public .
The two-hour event will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least 90 minutes .
American Bridge ’ s ads are part of the group ’ s efforts to limit Trump ’ s advantage among white working-class voters , who backed the president overwhelmingly in 2016 and are a key part of his political base in 2020 .
“ Sunday evening , voters can count on hearing more lies and whitewashed narratives about Donald Trump ’ s failed coronavirus response , so it ’ s only fair that voters get to hear the unadulterated truth , ” said American Bridge President Bradley Beychok @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months and failed to take action , instead choosing to golf and hit the conga line in Mar-a-Lago.
” The ads are airing in places with high populations of white working-class voters , including the Michigan cities of Grand Rapids , Flint , and Traverse City ; Pittsburgh , Harrisburg , Wilkes Barre , Johnstown , and Erie in Pennsylvania ; and Green Bay , La Crosse , and Wausau in Wisconsin .

President Donald Trump speaks on protecting America's seniors from the COVID-19 pandemic in the East Room of the White House on April 30, 2020. MANDEL NGAN via Getty Images
A Democratic super PAC is buying television time around President Donald Trump’s Fox News town hall on Sunday night and is planning to air ads attacking his response to the coronavirus pandemic in key swing states.
American Bridge, which is focused on limiting Trump’s margins among white working-class voters, is airing the 30-second spot in smaller television markets in the states of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin.
Advertisement
The ads feature Trump declaring, “there is so much unnecessary death in this country” while news headlines onscreen outline flaws in the Trump administration’s COVID-19 response and the growing severity of the pandemic. More than 60,000 Americans have died, while more than 30 million Americans have applied for unemployment in recent weeks.
“Donald Trump’s lost time cost lives,” the ad declares.
The Trump administration has spent the past week declaring victory over the pandemic. The president has opted to end his daily coronavirus briefings, and some states are beginning to reopen parts of their economies, even as Democrats and medical professionals note an ongoing shortage of COVID-19 tests and a growing number of cases in many parts of the country.
Trump’s approval rating has slipped since the beginning of the crisis, and public polling shows him trailing former Vice President Joe Biden, the all-but-certain Democratic nominee, both nationally and in toss-up states.
Advertisement
The town hall, the Trump administration hopes, will give the president an opportunity to sell his response to the pandemic to an increasingly skeptical public. The two-hour event will feature Trump taking questions from viewers for at least 90 minutes.
American Bridge’s ads are part of the group’s efforts to limit Trump’s advantage among white working-class voters, who backed the president overwhelmingly in 2016 and are a key part of his political base in 2020.
“Sunday evening, voters can count on hearing more lies and whitewashed narratives about Donald Trump’s failed coronavirus response, so it’s only fair that voters get to hear the unadulterated truth,” said American Bridge President Bradley Beychok. “Trump ignored intelligence reports for months and failed to take action, instead choosing to golf and hit the conga line in Mar-a-Lago.”
The ads are airing in places with high populations of white working-class voters, including the Michigan cities of Grand Rapids, Flint, and Traverse City; Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Wilkes Barre, Johnstown, and Erie in Pennsylvania; and Green Bay, La Crosse, and Wausau in Wisconsin.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-01--Trump's New Press Secretary Pledges She 'Will Never Lie' To Reporters

President Donald Trump ’ s new press secretary Kayleigh McEnany made a bold pledge at her first formal press briefing on Friday : that she would never lie to reporters .
McEnany , who assumed the role in early April , made the promise when a reporter asked if she ’ d “ pledge never to lie to us from that podium ” in the briefing room .
That may be a tall order .
Just weeks before her appointment , McEnancy lied while praising Trump ’ s response to the coronavirus outbreak on Fox News .
“ We will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here , we will not see terrorism come here , and isn ’ t it refreshing when contrasting it with the awful presidency of President Obama ?
” she said on Feb. 25 .
In reality , the coronavirus was already in the U.S. in late February .
The day before McEnany made those remarks , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 57 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States .
Health officials at federal agencies had already warned that it was no longer a matter of if , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see it spread .
CNN fact-checker Daniel Dale also pointed out a few times McEnany strayed from the truth at Friday ’ s briefing — after making the pledge .
She falsely said Trump tweeted in support of the right to protest earlier that day , when he actually tweeted in support of the anti-shelter-in-place protesters .
She also misquoted FBI notes regarding Michael Flynn , Trump ’ s former National Security Advisor .
There are plenty more instances of McEnany , who regularly made appearances on Fox News before joining team Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s benefit on national television in recent years .
Her promise came at the first official White House press briefing in over a year .
If she holds as many more briefings as her predecessor Stephanie Grisham did ― that ’ s zero ― the promise won ’ t be hard to keep .
The same reporter who asked her to make the pledge also asked if she planned to hold more regular daily briefings , which have occurred regularly in most administrations for decades ― until Trump ’ s .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ As to the timing of the briefings , we do plan to do them , ” she said .
“ I will announce timing of that forthcoming , but we do plan to continue these .
”

LOADING ERROR LOADING
President Donald Trump’s new press secretary Kayleigh McEnany made a bold pledge at her first formal press briefing on Friday: that she would never lie to reporters.
McEnany, who assumed the role in early April, made the promise when a reporter asked if she’d “pledge never to lie to us from that podium” in the briefing room.
Advertisement
“I will never lie to you,” McEnany responded. “You have my word on that.”
That may be a tall order. Just weeks before her appointment, McEnancy lied while praising Trump’s response to the coronavirus outbreak on Fox News.
“We will not see diseases like the coronavirus come here, we will not see terrorism come here, and isn’t it refreshing when contrasting it with the awful presidency of President Obama?” she said on Feb. 25.
“I will never lie to you,” McEnany told reporters Friday. “You have my word on that.” Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
In reality, the coronavirus was already in the U.S. in late February. The day before McEnany made those remarks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 57 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States. Health officials at federal agencies had already warned that it was no longer a matter of if, but when, the U.S. would start to see it spread.
Advertisement
CNN fact-checker Daniel Dale also pointed out a few times McEnany strayed from the truth at Friday’s briefing — after making the pledge. She falsely said Trump tweeted in support of the right to protest earlier that day, when he actually tweeted in support of the anti-shelter-in-place protesters. She also misquoted FBI notes regarding Michael Flynn, Trump’s former National Security Advisor.
There are plenty more instances of McEnany, who regularly made appearances on Fox News before joining team Trump, twisting the truth or lying for Trump’s benefit on national television in recent years.
Her promise came at the first official White House press briefing in over a year. If she holds as many more briefings as her predecessor Stephanie Grisham did ― that’s zero ― the promise won’t be hard to keep.
The same reporter who asked her to make the pledge also asked if she planned to hold more regular daily briefings, which have occurred regularly in most administrations for decades ― until Trump’s. McEnany’s answer was vague.
“As to the timing of the briefings, we do plan to do them,” she said. “I will announce timing of that forthcoming, but we do plan to continue these.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-01--Attorney Dresses As 'Grim Reaper' To Protest Opening Of Florida Beaches

A Florida attorney is so dead set against opening the state ’ s beaches too soon that he ’ s willing to dress as the Grim Reaper to make his point .
Daniel W. Uhlfelder , a lawyer in Walton County , showed up at Miramar Beach on Friday to protest the decision for Gov .
Ron DeSantis to open up beaches even though the COVID-19 pandemic is not yet contained .
Uhlfelder wasn ’ t dressed in a suit or even swim trunks .
Instead , he was wearing a grim reaper costume , even when he was interviewed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I think it ’ s premature that we open our beaches , ” Uhlfelder said in the video above .
“ I think the danger of bringing all the people here to our area and spreading the virus [ is ] going to prolong the recovery we have , and I think that we should take better measures.
” Uhlfelder then spent the rest of his beach day casually reminding his fellow Floridians of the risk they were taking with their lives .
Uhlfelder ’ s killer Grim Reaper impression is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but he would rather just scare people off the beaches for now .
“ If this can get one person to take this more seriously , then I feel I ’ ve done what I can , ” he said , according to WMBB-TV .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
A Florida attorney is so dead set against opening the state’s beaches too soon that he’s willing to dress as the Grim Reaper to make his point.
Daniel W. Uhlfelder, a lawyer in Walton County, showed up at Miramar Beach on Friday to protest the decision for Gov. Ron DeSantis to open up beaches even though the COVID-19 pandemic is not yet contained.
Advertisement
Uhlfelder wasn’t dressed in a suit or even swim trunks. Instead, he was wearing a grim reaper costume, even when he was interviewed by a reporter for local station WMBB.
“I think it’s premature that we open our beaches,” Uhlfelder said in the video above. “I think the danger of bringing all the people here to our area and spreading the virus [is] going to prolong the recovery we have, and I think that we should take better measures.”
Uhlfelder then spent the rest of his beach day casually reminding his fellow Floridians of the risk they were taking with their lives.
Advertisement
Stay home Florida pic.twitter.com/MV4fyAXvwu — Daniel Uhlfelder (@DWUhlfelderLaw) May 1, 2020
Uhlfelder’s killer Grim Reaper impression is scaring up a lot of publicity, but he would rather just scare people off the beaches for now.
“If this can get one person to take this more seriously, then I feel I’ve done what I can,” he said, according to WMBB-TV.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-01--Joe Biden Denies Tara Reade's Sexual Assault Allegation

“ Vice President Biden has dedicated his public life to changing the culture and the laws around violence against women , ” Kate Bedingfield , communications director for Biden ’ s campaign , said in a statement on April 13 .
“ He authored and fought for the passage and reauthorization of the landmark Violence Against Women Act , ” Bedingfield continued .
“ He firmly believes that women have a right to be heard ― and heard respectfully .
Such claims should also be diligently reviewed by an independent press .
What is clear about this claim : it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen.
” Reade was one of at least eight women last year to publicly accuse Biden of inappropriate touching .
She said at the time that she worked in his Senate office when she was in her mid-20s and that he would make her uncomfortable by running his fingers up her neck or putting his hand on her shoulder .
Biden , in response to the allegations of inappropriate touching , acknowledged last year that “ social norms are changing.
” He said he would be “ more mindful about respecting personal space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her allegation in March in separate interviews with The Intercept and with podcast host Katie Halper , detailing her assault claim .
She said Biden became annoyed when she resisted his advances during the incident , and told her that he had heard she “ liked ” him .
“ You ’ re nothing to me , ” she said Biden told her .
She said he then shook her shoulders , told her she was “ OK ” and walked away .
Reade said she complained about Biden ’ s behavior to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of staff Ted Kaufman .
When Biden ’ s office took no action , she said she filed a formal complaint to the Senate .
After raising her concerns , Reade said she was stripped of most of her duties .
She said she was later told by Kaufman that she wasn ’ t a good fit for the job and to find a new one .
The Times confirmed Reade worked in Biden ’ s office from December 1992 to August 1993 .
The newspaper said no other person accused Biden of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s allegation .
Several people have corroborated parts of Reade ’ s story .
Former neighbor Lynda LaCasse was quoted in Business Insider saying that Reade told her in 1995 or 1996 that Biden assaulted her .
“ This happened , and I know it did because I remember talking about it , ” LaCasse told the outlet .
“ I remember her saying , here was this person that she was working for and she idolized him , ” she added .
“ She felt like she was assaulted , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was anything she could do.
” Another woman told the Insider that Reade had confided about being the victim of sexual misconduct in the mid-1990s .
Lorraine Sanchez , who worked alongside Reade in California state Sen. Jack O ’ Connell ’ s office from 1994 to 1996 , said Reade told her at the time that she ’ d had a boss in Washington who sexually harassed her .
Reade said she was fired after speaking up about the harassment , according to Sanchez .

“Vice President Biden has dedicated his public life to changing the culture and the laws around violence against women,” Kate Bedingfield, communications director for Biden’s campaign, said in a statement on April 13. “He authored and fought for the passage and reauthorization of the landmark Violence Against Women Act,” Bedingfield continued. “He firmly believes that women have a right to be heard ― and heard respectfully. Such claims should also be diligently reviewed by an independent press. What is clear about this claim: it is untrue. This absolutely did not happen.”
Reade was one of at least eight women last year to publicly accuse Biden of inappropriate touching. She said at the time that she worked in his Senate office when she was in her mid-20s and that he would make her uncomfortable by running his fingers up her neck or putting his hand on her shoulder.
Biden, in response to the allegations of inappropriate touching, acknowledged last year that “social norms are changing.” He said he would be “more mindful about respecting personal space in the future.”
Reade expanded on her allegation in March in separate interviews with The Intercept and with podcast host Katie Halper, detailing her assault claim.
She said Biden became annoyed when she resisted his advances during the incident, and told her that he had heard she “liked” him.
“You’re nothing to me,” she said Biden told her. She said he then shook her shoulders, told her she was “OK” and walked away.
Reade said she complained about Biden’s behavior to several senior aides, including his then-chief of staff Ted Kaufman. When Biden’s office took no action, she said she filed a formal complaint to the Senate.
After raising her concerns, Reade said she was stripped of most of her duties. She said she was later told by Kaufman that she wasn’t a good fit for the job and to find a new one.
Kaufman told The New York Times in April that he “did not know” Reade and that she had not complained to him about Biden’s behavior. The Biden campaign told the newspaper it does not have the complaint that Reade said she filed.
Marianne Baker, who served as Biden’s executive assistant from 1982 to 2000, said in a March statement that she “never once” witnessed or received any reports of inappropriate conduct.
The Times confirmed Reade worked in Biden’s office from December 1992 to August 1993. The newspaper said no other person accused Biden of sexual assault during its investigation into Reade’s allegation.
Several people have corroborated parts of Reade’s story. Former neighbor Lynda LaCasse was quoted in Business Insider saying that Reade told her in 1995 or 1996 that Biden assaulted her.
“This happened, and I know it did because I remember talking about it,” LaCasse told the outlet.
“I remember her saying, here was this person that she was working for and she idolized him,” she added. “She felt like she was assaulted, and she really didn’t feel there was anything she could do.”
Another woman told the Insider that Reade had confided about being the victim of sexual misconduct in the mid-1990s.
Lorraine Sanchez, who worked alongside Reade in California state Sen. Jack O’Connell’s office from 1994 to 1996, said Reade told her at the time that she’d had a boss in Washington who sexually harassed her. Reade said she was fired after speaking up about the harassment, according to Sanchez.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-01--Justice Department Spotting Signs Of Fraud In Small Business Bailout

Department of Justice investigators are already seeing indications of fraud in applications for the mammoth taxpayer coronavirus bailout for small businesses , an official told Bloomberg .
Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski , who runs the department ’ s criminal division , said investigators have spotted troubling signs in applications for the Paycheck Protection Program — both approved and declined .
“ There are unfortunately businesses that are sending in loan applications for large amounts of money that are overstating their payroll costs , overstating the number of employees they ’ ve had , overstating the nature of their business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Whenever there ’ s a trillion dollars out on the street that quickly , the fraudsters are going to come out of the woodwork in an attempt to get access to that money , ” he added .
Potential fraud adds another problem to a bailout already plagued with controversy .
Many of the stimulus payouts have been soaked up by well-heeled corporations , depriving struggling small businesses of aid .
Recipients of the taxpayer funds have included restaurant chains and hundreds of other publicly traded corporations that grabbed hundreds of millions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left out as the first round of funds were quickly depleted .
The loans become grants if recipients use the money for certain expenditures , such as wages and rent .
Approval depends on a certification by borrowers that they ’ re eligible for the money to save banks time investigating applications .
The Trump administration has asked businesses that don ’ t need the money to return it .
Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said Tuesday that large corporations should apologize for taking taxpayer aid intended for small businesses .
“ The owners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not just giving the money back , ” Mnuchin said .
Some publicly traded companies — including Shake Shack and AutoNation , the nation ’ s largest car dealership chain — have agreed to return the money .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Department of Justice investigators are already seeing indications of fraud in applications for the mammoth taxpayer coronavirus bailout for small businesses, an official told Bloomberg.
Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski, who runs the department’s criminal division, said investigators have spotted troubling signs in applications for the Paycheck Protection Program — both approved and declined.
Advertisement
“There are unfortunately businesses that are sending in loan applications for large amounts of money that are overstating their payroll costs, overstating the number of employees they’ve had, overstating the nature of their business,” Benczkowski told Bloomberg.
“Whenever there’s a trillion dollars out on the street that quickly, the fraudsters are going to come out of the woodwork in an attempt to get access to that money,” he added.
Potential fraud adds another problem to a bailout already plagued with controversy. Many of the stimulus payouts have been soaked up by well-heeled corporations, depriving struggling small businesses of aid.
Recipients of the taxpayer funds have included restaurant chains and hundreds of other publicly traded corporations that grabbed hundreds of millions of dollars, while actual small businesses were left out as the first round of funds were quickly depleted.
Advertisement
The loans become grants if recipients use the money for certain expenditures, such as wages and rent. Approval depends on a certification by borrowers that they’re eligible for the money to save banks time investigating applications.
The Trump administration has asked businesses that don’t need the money to return it. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said Tuesday that large corporations should apologize for taking taxpayer aid intended for small businesses.
“The owners should be apologizing that they took this, not just giving the money back,” Mnuchin said.
Some publicly traded companies — including Shake Shack and AutoNation, the nation’s largest car dealership chain — have agreed to return the money.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-01--Elon Musk Tweets And Tesla Stock Plummets

Billionaire and walking temper tantrum Elon Musk melted down on Twitter ― again ― and in the process , caused his company ’ s stock to plummet .
“ Tesla stock price is too high [ in my opinion ] ” the company ’ s CEO tweeted Friday morning .
By early afternoon , Tesla lost billions as its stock fell as much as 12 % .
The Tesla CEO began his tirade earlier this week when he whined that California ’ s stay-at-home orders were infringing on his freedom to make more money at the potential cost of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ FREE AMERICA NOW , ” he tweeted to his more than 30 million followers on Wednesday .
Musk previously falsely claimed that children are “ essentially immune ” to the virus and said that “ coronavirus panic is dumb.
” In other tweets , he applauded states like Texas that are reopening businesses despite the present threat that has killed more than 60,000 Americans .
Following his Friday tweet about Tesla ’ s “ too high ” stock prices , Musk then tweeted he was selling all of his possessions before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Banner.
” Musk should have learned his lesson after he previously said Tesla stock was overvalued in 2014 , causing the company ’ s stock to drop 6 % .
Tesla shareholders should be used to Musk ’ s self-owning antics at this point .
In 2018 , he tweeted that Tesla would go private at $ 420 a share .
The tweet was presumably a joke , but the Department of Justice wasn ’ t laughing when it launched a criminal probe .
Musk must now submit his public statements regarding Tesla @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the company ’ s legal counsel , CNBC reports .
It ’ s unclear if Musk got approval before his latest tweet that caused Tesla ’ s stock to dive .
Musk was previously in the news after patting himself on the back for sending 1,000 ventilators to California to help coronavirus patients .
It was soon discovered he hadn ’ t sent ventilators at all , but instead , machines that help with sleep apnea .
Following Friday ’ s downward spiral of Tesla stock , the 48-year-old tweeted out that his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ My gf @ Grimezsz is mad at me , ” he tweeted .
Musk may want to check in on his shareholders , too .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Billionaire and walking temper tantrum Elon Musk melted down on Twitter ― again ― and in the process, caused his company’s stock to plummet.
“Tesla stock price is too high [in my opinion]” the company’s CEO tweeted Friday morning. By early afternoon, Tesla lost billions as its stock fell as much as 12%.
Advertisement
Tesla stock price is too high imo — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 1, 2020
The Tesla CEO began his tirade earlier this week when he whined that California’s stay-at-home orders were infringing on his freedom to make more money at the potential cost of his own workers getting sick from the coronavirus.
“FREE AMERICA NOW,” he tweeted to his more than 30 million followers on Wednesday. Musk previously falsely claimed that children are “essentially immune” to the virus and said that “coronavirus panic is dumb.” In other tweets, he applauded states like Texas that are reopening businesses despite the present threat that has killed more than 60,000 Americans.
Following his Friday tweet about Tesla’s “too high” stock prices, Musk then tweeted he was selling all of his possessions before tweeting out lyrics to “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Advertisement
Tesla shares extend drop after CEO Elon Musk tweets "Tesla stock price is too high imo" https://t.co/6uJe65xHxu pic.twitter.com/3CcdMr2Uva — CNBC Now (@CNBCnow) May 1, 2020
Musk should have learned his lesson after he previously said Tesla stock was overvalued in 2014, causing the company’s stock to drop 6%.
Tesla shareholders should be used to Musk’s self-owning antics at this point. In 2018, he tweeted that Tesla would go private at $420 a share. The tweet was presumably a joke, but the Department of Justice wasn’t laughing when it launched a criminal probe. Musk must now submit his public statements regarding Tesla’s finances and other topics to the company’s legal counsel, CNBC reports. It’s unclear if Musk got approval before his latest tweet that caused Tesla’s stock to dive.
Musk was previously in the news after patting himself on the back for sending 1,000 ventilators to California to help coronavirus patients. It was soon discovered he hadn’t sent ventilators at all, but instead, machines that help with sleep apnea.
Following Friday’s downward spiral of Tesla stock, the 48-year-old tweeted out that his musician girlfriend was mad at him.
Advertisement
My gf @Grimezsz is mad at me — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 1, 2020