bonginoreport--2020-04-23--Democrat Who Resigned After Endorsing Trump Decides to Stay in Office After Outpouring of Support

In a 180-degree turn , Georgia state Rep. Vernon Jones , a Democrat , said Thursday he will not resign because of the backlash from his endorsement of President Trump .
Jones , 59 , announced his support for the president on April 14 , pointing to Trump 's `` handling of the economy , his support for historically black colleges , and his criminal justice initiatives . ''
The endorsement earned swift condemnation from fellow Democrats in Georgia , who vowed retribution .
In the face of this criticism , Jones said he intended to resign and not seek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .
He had a change of heart on Thursday .
`` Because [ of ] what you did for me , I am going to remain on the battlefield .
I am going to complete my term .
I am going to continue to put my country before my party , and I ’ m going to do everything I can to help Donald J. Trump get reelected , '' Jones said in a video posted on social media , explaining that his decision was made after discussing it with his family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MAGA , which is the acronym for Trump 's 2016 campaign motto : `` Make America Great Again . ''
He also credited the people who reached out to him with his change of mind .
`` Little did I know that I would receive such [ a ] barrage of attacks and name-calling by the far Left in the Democratic Party , '' Jones said .
`` Yesterday , I had announced that I would not be completing my term , but then , when I started receiving the overwhelming amount of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that I represent in House District 91 … that was emotional , and that was motivational . ''
Jones represents one of the most Democratic districts in Georgia and has held his seat , representing parts of DeKalb and Rockdale counties in the suburbs of Atlanta , since 2017 .
The DeKalb County Democratic Party announced it was exploring ways to take action against Jones following his Trump endorsement , including whether to take action to discipline him or to endorse his opponent , Rhonda Taylor , according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ founded by failed gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams , said it will support Taylor ’ s primary challenger .
There is no Republican on the ballot .
`` Throughout his political career , Representative Jones has long been willing to work with anyone — on both sides of the aisle — to fight for Georgia ’ s best interests .
That will not change , '' C.J .
Pearson , a spokesman for Jones , wrote to the Washington Examiner .
`` Rep. Jones looks forward to doing all he can to re-elect President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and taking the President ’ s hopeful message to communities of people that Democrats have long taken for granted . ''

In a 180-degree turn, Georgia state Rep. Vernon Jones, a Democrat, said Thursday he will not resign because of the backlash from his endorsement of President Trump.
Jones, 59, announced his support for the president on April 14, pointing to Trump's "handling of the economy, his support for historically black colleges, and his criminal justice initiatives."
The endorsement earned swift condemnation from fellow Democrats in Georgia, who vowed retribution. In the face of this criticism, Jones said he intended to resign and not seek reelection for Georgia House District 91 on Wednesday.
He had a change of heart on Thursday.
"Because [of] what you did for me, I am going to remain on the battlefield. I am going to complete my term. I am going to continue to put my country before my party, and I’m going to do everything I can to help Donald J. Trump get reelected," Jones said in a video posted on social media, explaining that his decision was made after discussing it with his family and supporters.
The tweet included #MAGA, which is the acronym for Trump's 2016 campaign motto: "Make America Great Again."
Yesterday, I announced my intentions to resign from my office. But shortly thereafter, the outpour of support I received was too great for me to ignore.
I will not allow the Democrats to bully me into submission. I will not let them win.
I will NOT resign. #MAGA pic.twitter.com/gR2MsU5Rb3 — Vernon Jones (@RepVernonJones) April 23, 2020
He also credited the people who reached out to him with his change of mind.
"Little did I know that I would receive such [a] barrage of attacks and name-calling by the far Left in the Democratic Party," Jones said. "Yesterday, I had announced that I would not be completing my term, but then, when I started receiving the overwhelming amount of support, and outcry from the people that I represent in House District 91 … that was emotional, and that was motivational."
Jones represents one of the most Democratic districts in Georgia and has held his seat, representing parts of DeKalb and Rockdale counties in the suburbs of Atlanta, since 2017.
The DeKalb County Democratic Party announced it was exploring ways to take action against Jones following his Trump endorsement, including whether to take action to discipline him or to endorse his opponent, Rhonda Taylor, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Fair Fight, the voting rights group founded by failed gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, said it will support Taylor’s primary challenger. There is no Republican on the ballot.
"Throughout his political career, Representative Jones has long been willing to work with anyone — on both sides of the aisle — to fight for Georgia’s best interests. That will not change," C.J. Pearson, a spokesman for Jones, wrote to the Washington Examiner. "Rep. Jones looks forward to doing all he can to re-elect President Trump — both formally and informally — and taking the President’s hopeful message to communities of people that Democrats have long taken for granted."


bonginoreport--2020-04-23--WHO Director Was Formally “Foreign Minister” for Tier III Terrorist Organization

Yesterday , we reported on YouTube ’ s draconian policy of removing any videos critical of the World Health Organization ( WHO ) and its role , especially of its director , Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , in covering up China ’ s malfeasance in the spread of the coronavirus .
Now , more has come to light about Dr. Tedros , and it isn ’ t good .
TheBlaze reports that Tedros was a leader of the Ethiopian People ’ s Revolutionary Democratic Front ( EPRDF ) , which was deemed “ a terrorist organization by U.S. officials.
” A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the group : The TPLF is a political group founded in 1975 in Ethiopia , as an opposition group .
The TPLF engaged in prolonged armed conflict with the government of Ethiopia , which , along with other groups , it succeeded in overthrowing in 1991 .
The TPLF then joined the Ethiopian People ’ s Revolutionary Democratic Front ( EPRDF ) , a political coalition that became the governing coalition in Ethiopia .
The EPRDF continues to control the government of Ethiopia .
The TPLF qualifies as a Tier III terrorist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) ( 3 ) ( B ) ( vi ) ( III ) on the basis of its violent activities before it became part of the ruling coalition and the government of Ethiopia in May 1991 .
According to the Department of Justice , “ Tier III terrorist organizations are defined as ‘ a group of two or more individuals , whether organized or not , which engages in , or has a subgroup which engages in ’ terrorist activity as defined under the Act .
Section 212 ( a ) ( 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( III ) of the Act.
” After Dr. Tedros was elected to head the WHO in 2017 , National Review reported : The May 23 election of Ethiopian politician Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to head WHO is the latest evidence that reform won ’ t come from WHO itself .
Dr. Tedros , as he likes to be called ( he has a Ph.D. in community health ) , is a leader of Ethiopia ’ s brutal minority party , the Tigray People ’ s Liberation Front , a wing of the ruling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Front .
He served the violently repressive regime as minister of foreign affairs from 2012 to 2016 , after a stint as health minister .
Tedros was reportedly elected with 133 of 185 votes in a third-round secret ballot , handily defeating the eminently qualified British candidate , David Nabbaro , M.D .
It truly is amazing that the WHO hadn ’ t been defunded until last month .
Even more astonishingly is the fact that the US covered 1/5 of the WHO ’ s budget .
Thankfully , we finally have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time to step up came .

Yesterday, we reported on YouTube’s draconian policy of removing any videos critical of the World Health Organization (WHO) and its role, especially of its director, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in covering up China’s malfeasance in the spread of the coronavirus.
Now, more has come to light about Dr. Tedros, and it isn’t good.
TheBlaze reports that Tedros was a leader of the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), which was deemed “a terrorist organization by U.S. officials.”
A DHS memo from 2014 highlights the background of the group:
The TPLF is a political group founded in 1975 in Ethiopia, as an opposition group. The TPLF engaged in prolonged armed conflict with the government of Ethiopia, which, along with other groups, it succeeded in overthrowing in 1991. The TPLF then joined the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), a political coalition that became the governing coalition in Ethiopia. The EPRDF continues to control the government of Ethiopia. The TPLF qualifies as a Tier III terrorist organization under INA section 212(a)(3)(B)(vi)(III) on the basis of its violent activities before it became part of the ruling coalition and the government of Ethiopia in May 1991.
According to the Department of Justice, “Tier III terrorist organizations are defined as ‘a group of two or more individuals, whether organized or not, which engages in, or has a subgroup which engages in’ terrorist activity as defined under the Act.
Section 212(a)(3)(B)(vi)(III) of the Act.”
After Dr. Tedros was elected to head the WHO in 2017, National Review reported:
The May 23 election of Ethiopian politician Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to head WHO is the latest evidence that reform won’t come from WHO itself. Dr. Tedros, as he likes to be called (he has a Ph.D. in community health), is a leader of Ethiopia’s brutal minority party, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, a wing of the ruling Marxist-rooted Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front. He served the violently repressive regime as minister of foreign affairs from 2012 to 2016, after a stint as health minister. Tedros was reportedly elected with 133 of 185 votes in a third-round secret ballot, handily defeating the eminently qualified British candidate, David Nabbaro, M.D.
It truly is amazing that the WHO hadn’t been defunded until last month. Even more astonishingly is the fact that the US covered 1/5 of the WHO’s budget.
Thankfully, we finally have a president who actually decided to act when the time to step up came.


bonginoreport--2020-04-23--Some Evidence Suggests U.S. Has Hit Peak in Spread of Coronavirus

There ’ s evidence that the United States has hit its peak in the spread of the coronavirus , and that rate of spread is slowing down .
We still have tens of thousands of new infections every day and thousands of new deaths .
But at least it looks like the number of people infected is not accelerating .
On April 4 , the U.S. added 34,000 new cases , according to the data website Worldometers .
In every one of the 18 days since then , the number of new cases has been lower than 34,000 .
Since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had two days with more than 30,000 cases , and the most recent one was six days ago .
If left unchecked , a virus such as the novel coronavirus will spread exponentially .
That is , if one person infects two people , and those two infect two each , and those four infect two each , you ’ ll see the number of cases not just grow , but accelerate .
The graph of all cases will be shaped like a hockey stick .
That ’ s what happened throughout March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the acceleration may have stopped .
Instead of an exponential function , the chart of total people infected looks like a line with a steady slope upward .
Put another way , a daily graph of total new infections has plateaued .
The biggest caveat on case numbers is that this is all dependent on how much testing we do .
It could be that the virus is still spreading at an exponential rate , but we ’ re just not testing enough people to catch it .
The death count is more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peak later than cases , and to drop off later , because time passes between diagnosis and death .
Still , deaths per day have definitely flattened out .
Look at how rapidly the body count used to double back in late March .
These are cumulative death totals ( not daily death totals ) from March 15 to March 29 : • Thirty dead to 73 dead in five days • Seventy-three dead to 171 dead in three days • One hundred seventy-one dead to 374 dead in three days • Three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three days So , at first , the death toll underwent a 30-fold increase in just two weeks back in March .
Right now , the death toll has merely doubled in the last 11 days .
This isn ’ t great news , but it ’ s vastly better than having death totals doubling ( or worse ) every three days .
In some ways , these numbers are too simplistic because they are nationwide .
It may be more telling to consider that , in this country of 325 million people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of clusters of smaller outbreaks .
The states hit earliest are also plateauing .
In my own state of Maryland , the number of intensive care beds occupied appears to have peaked and flattened .
Florida ’ s deaths and new cases appear to have peaked on April 6 .
Democratic New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo says that his state is already past its peak .
But other states ?
Michigan is generally seeing downward trends , but the more rural parts are seeing growth in the number of cases .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate of spread has slowed .
In many places , hospitals are getting less crowded .
We may have turned a corner .

There’s evidence that the United States has hit its peak in the spread of the coronavirus, and that rate of spread is slowing down.
We still have tens of thousands of new infections every day and thousands of new deaths. But at least it looks like the number of people infected is not accelerating.
On April 4, the U.S. added 34,000 new cases, according to the data website Worldometers. In every one of the 18 days since then, the number of new cases has been lower than 34,000. Since April 10, we’ve only had two days with more than 30,000 cases, and the most recent one was six days ago.
If left unchecked, a virus such as the novel coronavirus will spread exponentially. That is, if one person infects two people, and those two infect two each, and those four infect two each, you’ll see the number of cases not just grow, but accelerate. The graph of all cases will be shaped like a hockey stick.
That’s what happened throughout March. Since early April, though, the acceleration may have stopped. Instead of an exponential function, the chart of total people infected looks like a line with a steady slope upward.
Put another way, a daily graph of total new infections has plateaued.
The biggest caveat on case numbers is that this is all dependent on how much testing we do. It could be that the virus is still spreading at an exponential rate, but we’re just not testing enough people to catch it.
The death count is more concrete. We expect daily deaths to peak later than cases, and to drop off later, because time passes between diagnosis and death. Still, deaths per day have definitely flattened out.
Look at how rapidly the body count used to double back in late March. These are cumulative death totals (not daily death totals) from March 15 to March 29:
Thirty dead to 73 dead in five days
Seventy-three dead to 171 dead in three days
One hundred seventy-one dead to 374 dead in three days
Three hundred seventy-four dead to 957 dead in three days
So, at first, the death toll underwent a 30-fold increase in just two weeks back in March. Right now, the death toll has merely doubled in the last 11 days. This isn’t great news, but it’s vastly better than having death totals doubling (or worse) every three days.
In some ways, these numbers are too simplistic because they are nationwide. It may be more telling to consider that, in this country of 325 million people, the pandemic appears as a bunch of clusters of smaller outbreaks. The states hit earliest are also plateauing.
In my own state of Maryland, the number of intensive care beds occupied appears to have peaked and flattened.
Florida’s deaths and new cases appear to have peaked on April 6. Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says that his state is already past its peak.
But other states? Michigan is generally seeing downward trends, but the more rural parts are seeing growth in the number of cases.
So tentatively, we can say that the rate of spread has slowed. In many places, hospitals are getting less crowded. We may have turned a corner.


bonginoreport--2020-04-23--Downsizing Incoming for State and Local Governments

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State and local governments across the country are expecting to lay off workers in the near future , lamenting that a new stimulus bill is not providing them with additional funds .
Governors and Washington Democrats had called for federal aid to states in the bill currently being debated in the House , despite last month ’ s CARES Act providing $ 150 billion for state and local bodies dealing with the coronavirus pandemic .
“ Without this relief , states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cuts to essential services , ” Maryland Gov .
Larry Hogan and New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo -- who lead the National Governors Association -- said in a joint statement last week , in which they called for $ 500 billion in federal assistance to states .
“ This will make it that much harder to have a strong economic recovery , which is a top priority for the president and for all of the governors.
” Los Angeles already is forcing city workers to take 26 days of unpaid leave— the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — over the course of the next fiscal year .
Detroit is also facing significant layoffs and furloughs .
Hamilton County , Ohio Commissioner Denise Driehaus announced Wednesday that 240 county employees had to be furloughed , and senior officials still working in the county are taking pay cuts as well .
New Jersey Gov .
Phil Murphy claimed in a Wednesday briefing that he will have to make “ draconian cuts ” without federal assistance .
“ I also can not be clearer that the choices we will have to make – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our state and our recovery , ” Murphy said , adding that “ without substantial and direct financial assistance from the federal government , the programs we care deeply about and which we will lean on will be at risk.
” States like New York , however , were facing serious financial woes before the coronavirus pandemic even hit .
Going into this fiscal year , Cuomo ’ s state faced a $ 6 billion budget deficit , the worst in nearly a decade .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Show ” that states strapped for cash should be allowed to declare bankruptcy instead of getting federal bailouts to help them deal with financial problems .
`` Yeah , I would certainly be in favor of allowing states to use the bankruptcy route .
It saves some cities , '' McConnell said .
`` And there ’ s no good reason for it not to be available . ''
McConnell noted , however , that states are likely to agree that bankruptcy should n't be the first option .
`` My guess is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal government to borrow money from future generations to send it down to them now so they don ’ t have to do that , '' he said .
`` That ’ s not something I ’ m going to be in favor of . ''
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “ Republican Senators : Raise your hand if you think your state should go bankrupt , ” he tweeted .
In the meantime , the Department of Health and Human Services announced Thursday that the CDC will be using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help states deal with the pandemic and work toward reopening .
“ This new funding secured from Congress by President Trump will help public health departments across America continue to battle COVID-19 and expand their capacity for testing , contact tracing , and containment , ” HHS Secretary Alex Azar said .
Fox News ' Tyler Olson , Marisa Schultz , Gregg Re and The Associated Press contributed to this report .

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State and local governments across the country are expecting to lay off workers in the near future, lamenting that a new stimulus bill is not providing them with additional funds.
Governors and Washington Democrats had called for federal aid to states in the bill currently being debated in the House, despite last month’s CARES Act providing $150 billion for state and local bodies dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.
SENATE PASSES $484B 'PHASE 3.5' CORONAVIRUS STIMULUS PACKAGE BY VOICE VOTE AMID TENSIONS IN CHAMBER
“Without this relief, states will be confronted with the prospect of cuts to essential services,” Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo -- who lead the National Governors Association -- said in a joint statement last week, in which they called for $500 billion in federal assistance to states. “This will make it that much harder to have a strong economic recovery, which is a top priority for the president and for all of the governors.”
Los Angeles already is forcing city workers to take 26 days of unpaid leave— the equivalent of a 10 percent pay cut — over the course of the next fiscal year. Detroit is also facing significant layoffs and furloughs.
Hamilton County, Ohio Commissioner Denise Driehaus announced Wednesday that 240 county employees had to be furloughed, and senior officials still working in the county are taking pay cuts as well.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy claimed in a Wednesday briefing that he will have to make “draconian cuts” without federal assistance.
“I also cannot be clearer that the choices we will have to make – absent federal assistance – are dire for our state and our recovery,” Murphy said, adding that “without substantial and direct financial assistance from the federal government, the programs we care deeply about and which we will lean on will be at risk.”
States like New York, however, were facing serious financial woes before the coronavirus pandemic even hit. Going into this fiscal year, Cuomo’s state faced a $6 billion budget deficit, the worst in nearly a decade.
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., suggested Wednesday on “The Hugh Hewitt Show” that states strapped for cash should be allowed to declare bankruptcy instead of getting federal bailouts to help them deal with financial problems.
"Yeah, I would certainly be in favor of allowing states to use the bankruptcy route. It saves some cities," McConnell said. "And there’s no good reason for it not to be available."
McConnell noted, however, that states are likely to agree that bankruptcy shouldn't be the first option.
"My guess is their first choice would be for the federal government to borrow money from future generations to send it down to them now so they don’t have to do that," he said. "That’s not something I’m going to be in favor of."
Thursday morning, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., asked if McConnell’s fellow GOP senators agreed.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“Republican Senators: Raise your hand if you think your state should go bankrupt,” he tweeted.
In the meantime, the Department of Health and Human Services announced Thursday that the CDC will be using $631 million from the CARES Act to help states deal with the pandemic and work toward reopening.
“This new funding secured from Congress by President Trump will help public health departments across America continue to battle COVID-19 and expand their capacity for testing, contact tracing, and containment,” HHS Secretary Alex Azar said.
Fox News' Tyler Olson, Marisa Schultz, Gregg Re and The Associated Press contributed to this report.


bonginoreport--2020-04-23--Liberals Resurrect Myth That Blue States Subsidize Red States

As state and local budgets are strained resulting from the coronavirus pandemic , many state leaders are calling for a bailout from the federal government , which Mitch McConnell has made clear the Senate has no interest in giving them .
And many Republicans have made it clear just how unfair such bailouts would be .
After all , why should the taxpayers in states with the best fiscal condition ( all of which are red states , by the way ) have to subsidize bailouts for those who ’ ve racked up hundreds of billions in debt , such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those concerns , some leftists have resurrected the myth that it ’ s actually red states that are “ welfare queens.
” While this represents a pivot from the original argument ( which is over states in better fiscal condition subsidizing those in worse ) , it is relevant , as it would imply that perhaps the reason red states are in better fiscal condition is because the federal government has been giving them an assist .
And it would be false .
In my 2019 book Debunk This !
, I analyzed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Republicans themselves were more likely to be moochers , and that red states as a whole are .
To quote directly from the book : It is first important to remember that states are not people .
It ’ s entirely possible for the following facts to be true simultaneously ; that red states receive more in federal welfare , but Republicans themselves don ’ t .
A Maxwell Poll on the political affiliation of those in public assistance would indicate as much : Similarly , an NPR study of the long-term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who are all likely to be receiving benefits .
The only exceptions would be Medicare and Social Security , which are often included in the calculations of federal money going to red states ( as opposed to just including traditional welfare programs ) .
And indeed , this would skew the stats when it comes to federal dollars coming to red states .
Recipients of those programs are disproportionately Republican , but this is a program 100 % of people will eventually be eligible for , and it ’ s one received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so it feels misleading at best to include , regardless of what you think about the programs .
But that ’ s just welfare .
People aside , what about the claim that red states as a whole receive more from the government ?
While it is true that red states tend to have a larger percentage of their budgets subsidized by the federal government than blue states—but only because their budgets are relatively smaller .
As The Federalist ’ s Kyle Sammin notes : Against a national average of 32.62 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] being federally subsidized , the blue states received 30.80 % .
Purple states were almost exactly at the national level with 32.92 % coming from Washington .
Red state budgets averaged 35.75 % federal money .
A problem with this metric is that although federal funds make up a larger percentage of red states ’ state budgets , the budgets in those states are generally lower overall than those of the free-spending blue states .
If , instead of comparing federal funds to state budgets , we look at how much the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resident of a state , the results are turned on their heads .
In other words , Sammin points out that because red state budgets tend to be smaller , it would make more sense to look at intergovernmental grants ( payments from the federal government to state governments ) on a per-capita basis , not as a percentage of state budgets .
Against a national average of $ 1,935 in intergovernmental spending per American , red states receive just $ 1,879 .
Blue states get considerably more , at $ 2,124 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their money returned to them per capita , at just $ 1,770 .

As state and local budgets are strained resulting from the coronavirus pandemic, many state leaders are calling for a bailout from the federal government, which Mitch McConnell has made clear the Senate has no interest in giving them.
And many Republicans have made it clear just how unfair such bailouts would be. After all, why should the taxpayers in states with the best fiscal condition (all of which are red states, by the way) have to subsidize bailouts for those who’ve racked up hundreds of billions in debt, such as New York and California?
Countering those concerns, some leftists have resurrected the myth that it’s actually red states that are “welfare queens.” While this represents a pivot from the original argument (which is over states in better fiscal condition subsidizing those in worse), it is relevant, as it would imply that perhaps the reason red states are in better fiscal condition is because the federal government has been giving them an assist.
And it would be false.
In my 2019 book Debunk This!, I analyzed a similar argument from two angles; that Republicans themselves were more likely to be moochers, and that red states as a whole are. To quote directly from the book:
It is first important to remember that states are not people. It’s entirely possible for the following facts to be true simultaneously; that red states receive more in federal welfare, but Republicans themselves don’t. A Maxwell Poll on the political affiliation of those in public assistance would indicate as much:
Similarly, an NPR study of the long-term unemployed found that 72 percent favor Democrats, who are all likely to be receiving benefits.
The only exceptions would be Medicare and Social Security, which are often included in the calculations of federal money going to red states (as opposed to just including traditional welfare programs). And indeed, this would skew the stats when it comes to federal dollars coming to red states. Recipients of those programs are disproportionately Republican, but this is a program 100% of people will eventually be eligible for, and it’s one received after paying into it over a lifetime, so it feels misleading at best to include, regardless of what you think about the programs.
But that’s just welfare. People aside, what about the claim that red states as a whole receive more from the government? While it is true that red states tend to have a larger percentage of their budgets subsidized by the federal government than blue states—but only because their budgets are relatively smaller. As The Federalist’s Kyle Sammin notes:
Against a national average of 32.62% [of a state’s budget] being federally subsidized, the blue states received 30.80%. Purple states were almost exactly at the national level with 32.92% coming from Washington. Red state budgets averaged 35.75% federal money. A problem with this metric is that although federal funds make up a larger percentage of red states’ state budgets, the budgets in those states are generally lower overall than those of the free-spending blue states. If, instead of comparing federal funds to state budgets, we look at how much the federal government spends in intergovernmental grants per resident of a state, the results are turned on their heads.
In other words, Sammin points out that because red state budgets tend to be smaller, it would make more sense to look at intergovernmental grants (payments from the federal government to state governments) on a per-capita basis, not as a percentage of state budgets.
Against a national average of $1,935 in intergovernmental spending per American, red states receive just $1,879. Blue states get considerably more, at $2,124 per resident. Purple states see the least of their money returned to them per capita, at just $1,770.


bonginoreport--2020-04-23--Another 4.4 Million Americans File for Unemployment – Bringing Total Losses to 26 Million

Another 4.4 million workers filed new unemployment claims during the week ending April 18 , 2020 , according to data released by the Labor Department—it ’ s the latest sign of just how badly the coronavirus crisis continues to damage the American economy .
Analysts were expecting about 4.5 million new claims .
Today ’ s data means that a staggering 26 million people have lost their jobs in just five weeks .
Claims declined slightly from the week ending April 11 , 2020 , when about 5.2 million Americans applied for jobless benefits .
The survey for the April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and economists expect today ’ s data to give an indication of just how bad April ’ s losses might be .
On Wednesday , U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that he expects most , if not all , of the economy to be open by “ later in the summer.
” Many members of the Trump administration , including President Trump himself , have pushed for states to reopen quickly despite warnings from health officials .
During Wednesday 's White House briefing , however , President Trump said he “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brian Kemp on reopening some businesses in his state , a day after praising him and less than a week after encouraging residents in Michigan , Minnesota and Virginia to “ liberate ” themselves from stay-at-home orders .
Because of the expanded unemployment benefits in the CARES Act—an extra $ 600 per week from the federal government on top of state benefits—some employers that have scored coveted emergency loans for small businesses are now finding themselves stuck between the terms of their loan and employees who are asking to be laid off .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Are Asking To Be Laid Off Thanks To Higher Unemployment Benefits ( Forbes ) The First Phase Of Reopening The Country Has Begun — And It ’ s A Patchwork Of Small Steps ( Forbes )

This article is more than 3 years old.
TOPLINE
Another 4.4 million workers filed new unemployment claims during the week ending April 18, 2020, according to data released by the Labor Department—it’s the latest sign of just how badly the coronavirus crisis continues to damage the American economy.
KEY FACTS
Analysts were expecting about 4.5 million new claims. Today’s data means that a staggering 26 million people have lost their jobs in just five weeks. Claims declined slightly from the week ending April 11, 2020, when about 5.2 million Americans applied for jobless benefits. The survey for the April unemployment rate was also conducted last week, and economists expect today’s data to give an indication of just how bad April’s losses might be.
Key background
On Wednesday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that he expects most, if not all, of the economy to be open by “later in the summer.” Many members of the Trump administration, including President Trump himself, have pushed for states to reopen quickly despite warnings from health officials. During Wednesday's White House briefing, however, President Trump said he “strongly” disagrees with Republican Georgia Governor Brian Kemp on reopening some businesses in his state, a day after praising him and less than a week after encouraging residents in Michigan, Minnesota and Virginia to “liberate” themselves from stay-at-home orders.
Tangent
Because of the expanded unemployment benefits in the CARES Act—an extra $600 per week from the federal government on top of state benefits—some employers that have scored coveted emergency loans for small businesses are now finding themselves stuck between the terms of their loan and employees who are asking to be laid off.
Further reading
Another Small Business Headache: Some Employees Are Asking To Be Laid Off Thanks To Higher Unemployment Benefits (Forbes)
Senate Passes $484 Billion Interim Relief Package. Here’s What’s In It—And What’s Missing (Forbes)
The First Phase Of Reopening The Country Has Begun — And It’s A Patchwork Of Small Steps (Forbes)


bonginoreport--2020-04-23--That “Study” Claiming Hydroxycloroquine Isn’t Effective Isn’t Actually a Study

Laura Ingraham did a great segment last night on her show about the bogus study from the VA on that @ @ @ @ @ ’ of using hydroxychloroquine on coronavirus patients : Ingraham not only showed why the study @ @ @ @ @ the MSM ate it up lock , stock , and barrel without looking at the @ @ @ @ @ irresponsibility at both Trump and Fox News .
The short answer on the study is @ @ @ @ @ put on both hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin were already at the stage where they needed to @ @ @ @ @ respiratory distress .
Most doctors will tell you that once you are at that stage @ @ @ @ @ ’ t help much .
She goes into deeper analysis on both the study and @ @ @ @ @ and watch the clip .
It ’ s very good .

Laura Ingraham did a great segment last night on her show about the bogus study from the VA on that supposedly showed the ‘danger’ of using hydroxychloroquine on coronavirus patients:
Ingraham not only showed why the study is bogus, but how the MSM ate it up lock, stock, and barrel without looking at the details and made accusations of irresponsibility at both Trump and Fox News.
The short answer on the study is that most patients who were put on both hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin were already at the stage where they needed to be intubated because of severe respiratory distress. Most doctors will tell you that once you are at that stage, these two drugs won’t help much.
She goes into deeper analysis on both the study and the media so be sure and watch the clip. It’s very good.


bonginoreport--2020-04-24--Christopher Steele Testifies That His Emails Were “Wiped” in December 2016

• Christopher Steele told a British court last month that he no longer has key documents related to his infamous dossier .
• The ex-spy said in a deposition that his email accounts were ‘ wiped ’ clean of any correspondence related to the dossier .
It is not clear if Steele deleted the accounts himself .
• He also admitted he no does not have information related to debriefings he had in 2016 with his lone source of information for the dossier .
• Steele suggested in a statement late last year that he ‘ meticulously documented and recorded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christopher Steele told a British court last month that he no longer has documents and other information from his meetings with the main source for his Trump dossier , suggesting that the former British spy has no way of backing up his side in a dispute with the Justice Department ’ s inspector general ( IG ) , according to a deposition transcript obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Steele also told the court that his communications regarding the dossier , including with Fusion GPS , were “ wiped ” in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transcript shows .
The former MI6 officer made the disclosures during a March 17-18 deposition in a defamation case related to the dossier .
The DCNF obtained a transcript of the deposition .
Steele suggested in a Dec. 10 statement that he had evidence that would shed light on what his main dossier source told him back in 2016 , when Steele was working for the firm Fusion GPS to investigate the Trump campaign .
( RELATED : Christopher Steele ‘ Meticulously ’ Recorded Source Who Disavowed Dossier , Lawyers Say ) Steele @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an IG report released the day before that said that Steele ’ s source — dubbed the “ Primary Sub-Source ” — told the FBI in January 2017 that Steele misrepresented or embellished information in the dossier .
That bombshell severely undermined Steele ’ s report , which the FBI used as part of its investigation into the Trump campaign .
In a rebuttal to the IG , Steele ’ s lawyers disputed what the dossier source purportedly told the FBI , and said that the source ’ s debriefings to Steele “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also asserted that if Steele had been given a chance to respond to the IG report , “ the statements by the ‘ Primary Sub-Source ’ would be put in a different light.
” It is unclear if Steele made audio or video recordings of the debriefings with the source , or if the retired spy was referring to written or electronic documents .
It is also unclear whether Steele got rid of the information himself , or if it was lost through other means .
Steele ’ s lawyer did not respond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ status of the information was revealed during an exchange Steele had on March 18 with Hugh Tomlinson , a lawyer for Petr Aven , German Khan , and Mikhail Fridman , the owners of Alfa Bank .
The three Russian bankers are suing Steele for defamation over a memo in the dossier that accused them of making illicit payments to Vladimir Putin .
Tomlinson pressed Steele over the accuracy of his memo , as well as his relationship with “ Primary Sub-Source , ” the transcript shows .
The lawyer asked Steele about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that his attorneys mentioned in their rebuttal to the IG report .
“ But none of these documents exist , so they have all been destroyed ?
” a lawyer asked Steele .
Steele indicated that many other records related to the dossier were deleted , including from a personal email account he used for the Fusion GPS project .
“ As I understand your position , you have no contemporaneous notes or emails , save for your notes of interactions with the FBI ; is that right ?
” Tomlinson asked .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ yes , ” Steele replied .
Steele said he had no records related to the creation of his dossier memos , including “ Report 112 ” from the dossier , which dealt with the Alfa Bank owners .
“ You have no record of anything , have you ?
” Tomlinson asked .
“ I haven ’ t got any records relating to the creation of 112 , ” said Steele .
“ Or indeed any of the other memoranda ?
” “ No , they were wiped in early January 2017.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used in late December 2016 was “ wiped ” clean .
He also said that communications with Fusion GPS on his company ’ s computer network were scrubbed on Jan. 5 , 2017 .
Steele has closely guarded the identity of his dossier source , including during the Alfa Bank deposition .
But he said the source had done work for his firm for “ several years , ” and that his firm Orbis paid retainers to sources of between $ 3,000 and $ 5,000 a month .
The source allegedly used a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia to gather tips about Donald Trump , his associates , and Kremlin officials .
Steele alleged that the Trump campaign took part in a “ well-coordinated conspiracy of cooperation ” with the Kremlin to influence the 2016 election .
The special counsel ’ s report found no evidence of a conspiracy , and the IG report cast significant doubt on Steele ’ s allegations .
Footnotes from the IG report declassified this month showed that the FBI received evidence that Russian operatives may have fed disinformation to Steele .
One footnote said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FBI a report in June 2017 that said two Russian intelligence officers knew as of July 2016 that Steele was investigating Trump .
Steele also appears to have made an inaccurate claim about the IG report in his haste to defend the dossier during his court deposition .
He told Tomlinson , the lawyer for the Alfa Bank owners , that the IG has had to “ significantly ” amend sections of the IG report dealing with what the dossier source told the FBI .
Steele claimed in the deposition that the IG @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the primary dossier source .
“ So you think that the U.S .
Inspector General ’ s office has got it wrong and you are right ; is that your position ?
” Tomlinson asked Steele .
He said that the IG report “ has already been revised by the Department of Justice in terms of its interviewing of this primary sub-source.
” He asserted that the revision “ completely changed the nature of the interview that he gave to them in January 2017.
” It is not clear what Steele was referring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had any significant revisions .
A spokesperson for the IG declined comment but pointed out a section of the report that discusses slight edits to sections regarding the dossier source ’ s comments to the FBI .
Steele ’ s attorney did not respond to a request for comment .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

Christopher Steele told a British court last month that he no longer has key documents related to his infamous dossier.
The ex-spy said in a deposition that his email accounts were ‘wiped’ clean of any correspondence related to the dossier. It is not clear if Steele deleted the accounts himself.
He also admitted he no does not have information related to debriefings he had in 2016 with his lone source of information for the dossier.
Steele suggested in a statement late last year that he ‘meticulously documented and recorded’ his meetings with the source.
Christopher Steele told a British court last month that he no longer has documents and other information from his meetings with the main source for his Trump dossier, suggesting that the former British spy has no way of backing up his side in a dispute with the Justice Department’s inspector general (IG), according to a deposition transcript obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Steele also told the court that his communications regarding the dossier, including with Fusion GPS, were “wiped” in December 2016 and January 2017, the transcript shows.
The former MI6 officer made the disclosures during a March 17-18 deposition in a defamation case related to the dossier. The DCNF obtained a transcript of the deposition.
Steele suggested in a Dec. 10 statement that he had evidence that would shed light on what his main dossier source told him back in 2016, when Steele was working for the firm Fusion GPS to investigate the Trump campaign. (RELATED: Christopher Steele ‘Meticulously’ Recorded Source Who Disavowed Dossier, Lawyers Say)
Steele’s statement was a response to an IG report released the day before that said that Steele’s source — dubbed the “Primary Sub-Source” — told the FBI in January 2017 that Steele misrepresented or embellished information in the dossier.
That bombshell severely undermined Steele’s report, which the FBI used as part of its investigation into the Trump campaign.
In a rebuttal to the IG, Steele’s lawyers disputed what the dossier source purportedly told the FBI, and said that the source’s debriefings to Steele “were meticulously documented and recorded.”
They also asserted that if Steele had been given a chance to respond to the IG report, “the statements by the ‘Primary Sub-Source’ would be put in a different light.”
It is unclear if Steele made audio or video recordings of the debriefings with the source, or if the retired spy was referring to written or electronic documents. It is also unclear whether Steele got rid of the information himself, or if it was lost through other means. Steele’s lawyer did not respond to a request for comment.
The status of the information was revealed during an exchange Steele had on March 18 with Hugh Tomlinson, a lawyer for Petr Aven, German Khan, and Mikhail Fridman, the owners of Alfa Bank.
The three Russian bankers are suing Steele for defamation over a memo in the dossier that accused them of making illicit payments to Vladimir Putin.
Tomlinson pressed Steele over the accuracy of his memo, as well as his relationship with “Primary Sub-Source,” the transcript shows.
The lawyer asked Steele about the existence of the documents and recordings that his attorneys mentioned in their rebuttal to the IG report.
“But none of these documents exist, so they have all been destroyed?” a lawyer asked Steele.
“They no longer exist,” Steele said.
Steele indicated that many other records related to the dossier were deleted, including from a personal email account he used for the Fusion GPS project.
“As I understand your position, you have no contemporaneous notes or emails, save for your notes of interactions with the FBI; is that right?” Tomlinson asked.
“I believe that is true, yes,” Steele replied.
Steele said he had no records related to the creation of his dossier memos, including “Report 112” from the dossier, which dealt with the Alfa Bank owners.
“You have no record of anything, have you?” Tomlinson asked.
“I haven’t got any records relating to the creation of 112,” said Steele.
“Or indeed any of the other memoranda?”
“No, they were wiped in early January 2017.”
Steele said that a Hushmail account he used in late December 2016 was “wiped” clean. He also said that communications with Fusion GPS on his company’s computer network were scrubbed on Jan. 5, 2017.
BuzzFeed News published Steele’s dossier five days later.
Steele has closely guarded the identity of his dossier source, including during the Alfa Bank deposition. But he said the source had done work for his firm for “several years,” and that his firm Orbis paid retainers to sources of between $3,000 and $5,000 a month.
The source allegedly used a network of contacts inside and outside of Russia to gather tips about Donald Trump, his associates, and Kremlin officials. Steele alleged that the Trump campaign took part in a “well-coordinated conspiracy of cooperation” with the Kremlin to influence the 2016 election. The special counsel’s report found no evidence of a conspiracy, and the IG report cast significant doubt on Steele’s allegations.
Footnotes from the IG report declassified this month showed that the FBI received evidence that Russian operatives may have fed disinformation to Steele.
One footnote said that the U.S. intelligence community gave the FBI a report in June 2017 that said two Russian intelligence officers knew as of July 2016 that Steele was investigating Trump.
Steele also appears to have made an inaccurate claim about the IG report in his haste to defend the dossier during his court deposition. He told Tomlinson, the lawyer for the Alfa Bank owners, that the IG has had to “significantly” amend sections of the IG report dealing with what the dossier source told the FBI.
Steele claimed in the deposition that the IG had retracted claims in the report about the primary dossier source.
“So you think that the U.S. Inspector General’s office has got it wrong and you are right; is that your position?” Tomlinson asked Steele.
He said that the IG report “has already been revised by the Department of Justice in terms of its interviewing of this primary sub-source.” He asserted that the revision “completely changed the nature of the interview that he gave to them in January 2017.”
It is not clear what Steele was referring to since the IG report has not had any significant revisions.
A spokesperson for the IG declined comment but pointed out a section of the report that discusses slight edits to sections regarding the dossier source’s comments to the FBI.
Steele’s attorney did not respond to a request for comment.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.


bonginoreport--2020-04-24--California Gov. on Trump Fighting Virus: Promises Made, Promises Kept

Gavin Newsom went out of his way today to praise President Trump for keeping his promise and sending him 90,000 swabs : During his daily coronavirus briefing on Thursday , Newsom said that the federal government had sent California 90,000 testing swabs out of a promised initial shipment of 100,000 — assistance that Trump had committed to during a Wednesday conversation with Newsom .
That phrase is one Trump ’ s election campaign has regularly deployed to make his case for a second term .
Recognizing that echo , a Trump campaign account swiftly blasted out a clip of Newsom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ followers with the hashtag # PromisesMadePromisesKept .
Formerly enthusiastic combatants , Newsom and Trump have entered an armistice since the pandemic began .
Newsom consistently lauds the federal government ’ s response , and Trump has kind words for Newsom .
“ He ’ s done a really terrific job in California , ” Trump said Wednesday at the White House .
The Trump campaign has already turned Newsom ’ s praise into videos seeking to showcase bipartisan support for the president ’ s coronavirus leadership — the type of development that would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is amazing to see the level of bipartisan effort and praise between Trump and these Democratic governors .
But the fall is coming and I you can believe all of this will be turned on its head .
Remember what they are saying now because you might be hearing the opposite in a few months .

Gavin Newsom went out of his way today to praise President Trump for keeping his promise and sending him 90,000 swabs:
WATCH: California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) praises President Trump after he kept his promise to send more swabs to increase coronavirus testing capacity. "Promise made, promise kept, 90,000 on the way to be distributed tomorrow." #PromisesMadePromisesKept pic.twitter.com/gJ1VNHykbp — Trump War Room – Text TRUMP to 88022 (@TrumpWarRoom) April 23, 2020
Here’s more from Politico:
During his daily coronavirus briefing on Thursday, Newsom said that the federal government had sent California 90,000 testing swabs out of a promised initial shipment of 100,000 — assistance that Trump had committed to during a Wednesday conversation with Newsom. “Promise made, promise kept,” Newsom said. That phrase is one Trump’s election campaign has regularly deployed to make his case for a second term. Recognizing that echo, a Trump campaign account swiftly blasted out a clip of Newsom’s praise to more than 600,000 followers with the hashtag #PromisesMadePromisesKept. Formerly enthusiastic combatants, Newsom and Trump have entered an armistice since the pandemic began. Newsom consistently lauds the federal government’s response, and Trump has kind words for Newsom. “He’s done a really terrific job in California,” Trump said Wednesday at the White House. The Trump campaign has already turned Newsom’s praise into videos seeking to showcase bipartisan support for the president’s coronavirus leadership — the type of development that would have been unthinkable months ago.
It is amazing to see the level of bipartisan effort and praise between Trump and these Democratic governors. But the fall is coming and I you can believe all of this will be turned on its head. Remember what they are saying now because you might be hearing the opposite in a few months.


bonginoreport--2020-04-24--FBI Director Wray Pushed To Withhold Exculpatory Evidence In Flynn Case

Federal Bureau of Investigations Director Christopher Wray fought to prevent exculpatory evidence from surfacing in the case of President Donald Trump ’ s former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn , a source with direct knowledge of the situation tells Daily Caller .
New court documents were filed in Flynn ’ s case Friday containing the aforementioned exculpatory evidence , commonly referred to as Brady Material .
Flynn ’ s attorney , Sidney Powell , announced the new filing on Twitter .
She has repeatedly accused the FBI and Justice Department of hiding evidence in the case .
“ This afternoon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stunning Brady evidence that proves Mr. Flynn ’ s allegations of having been deliberately set up and framed by corrupt agents at the top of the FBI , ” Powell wrote in an additional filing .
“ The government has deliberately suppressed this evidence from the inception of this prosecution—knowing there was no crime by Mr. Flynn.
” “ Since August 2016 at the latest , partisan FBI and DOJ leaders conspired to destroy Mr. Flynn , ” she continued .
“ These documents show in their own handwriting and emails that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could prosecute or at least get him fired.
” Powell claimed that more exculpatory evidence in the case will surface in the future .
An FBI official told The Federalist that FBI general counsel Dana Boente was behind the effort to block the release of the Brady Material , yet Daily Caller ’ s source explained Boente was acting in coordination with Wray .
The New York Times additionally reported Friday that U.S. attorney John Durham ’ s probe into the origins of the Trump-Russia investigation asked witnesses about a Washington Post article @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia .
Justice Department code clearly dictates that “ government disclosure of material exculpatory and impeachment evidence is part of the constitutional guarantee to a fair trial , ” and the FBI does not reserve the right to withhold exculpatory evidence .
Flynn replaced his legal team last summer after pleading guilty to charges raised by Special Counsel Robert Mueller ’ s investigation .
Furthermore , a judge delayed his sentencing , originally scheduled for late February , “ until further notice of the court.
” ( RELATED : Michael Flynn : ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has flirted with the idea of issuing Flynn a full pardon .
DOJ and the White House did not respond to Daily Caller ’ s inquiries on the subject .
UPDATE 5:40 pm ET : After publication , FBI Assistant Director of Public Affairs Brian Hale delivered the following statement to Daily Caller “ The assertion that Director Wray pushed to withhold exculpatory evidence in the Michael Flynn case is absolutely false.
” This is a developing story and will be updated with new information as it becomes available .

Federal Bureau of Investigations Director Christopher Wray fought to prevent exculpatory evidence from surfacing in the case of President Donald Trump’s former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, a source with direct knowledge of the situation tells Daily Caller.
New court documents were filed in Flynn’s case Friday containing the aforementioned exculpatory evidence, commonly referred to as Brady Material. Flynn’s attorney, Sidney Powell, announced the new filing on Twitter. She has repeatedly accused the FBI and Justice Department of hiding evidence in the case.
“This afternoon, the government produced to Mr. Flynn stunning Brady evidence that proves Mr. Flynn’s allegations of having been deliberately set up and framed by corrupt agents at the top of the FBI,” Powell wrote in an additional filing. “The government has deliberately suppressed this evidence from the inception of this prosecution—knowing there was no crime by Mr. Flynn.”
“Since August 2016 at the latest, partisan FBI and DOJ leaders conspired to destroy Mr. Flynn,” she continued. “These documents show in their own handwriting and emails that they intended either to create an offense they could prosecute or at least get him fired.”
Powell claimed that more exculpatory evidence in the case will surface in the future.
An FBI official told The Federalist that FBI general counsel Dana Boente was behind the effort to block the release of the Brady Material, yet Daily Caller’s source explained Boente was acting in coordination with Wray.
The New York Times additionally reported Friday that U.S. attorney John Durham’s probe into the origins of the Trump-Russia investigation asked witnesses about a Washington Post article speculating on potential ties Flynn had to Russia.
Justice Department code clearly dictates that “government disclosure of material exculpatory and impeachment evidence is part of the constitutional guarantee to a fair trial,” and the FBI does not reserve the right to withhold exculpatory evidence.
Flynn replaced his legal team last summer after pleading guilty to charges raised by Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation. Furthermore, a judge delayed his sentencing, originally scheduled for late February, “until further notice of the court.” (RELATED: Michael Flynn: ‘I Regret Pleading Guilty’)
Trump has flirted with the idea of issuing Flynn a full pardon.
So now it is reported that, after destroying his life & the life of his wonderful family (and many others also), the FBI, working in conjunction with the Justice Department, has “lost” the records of General Michael Flynn. How convenient. I am strongly considering a Full Pardon! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 15, 2020
DOJ and the White House did not respond to Daily Caller’s inquiries on the subject.
UPDATE 5:40 pm ET: After publication, FBI Assistant Director of Public Affairs Brian Hale delivered the following statement to Daily Caller
“The assertion that Director Wray pushed to withhold exculpatory evidence in the Michael Flynn case is absolutely false.”
This is a developing story and will be updated with new information as it becomes available.


bonginoreport--2020-04-24--President Trump Signs $484 Billion Small Business Relief Bill Into Law

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President Trump on Friday signed the nearly $ 500 billion “ Phase 3.5 ” emergency interim coronavirus relief package into law after Congress passed legislation this week replenishing the fund for small businesses and adding billions of dollars in aid to hospitals across the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
In an Oval Office ceremony , the president touted the bill as being “ great for small businesses ” and “ great for the workers , ” adding that the bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ African-American and Hispanic American business owners . ''
The new interim emergency relief package , which provides $ 484 billion in additional funding , passed the House on Thursday and the Senate earlier this week .
The bill delivers a $ 310 billion infusion to the Paycheck Protection Program ( PPP ) , which helps businesses with fewer than 500 employees obtain loans that can cover eight weeks of their payroll , benefits and other expenses .
Thirty billion of that is reserved for community-based lenders , small banks and credit unions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ banks and credit unions .
The bill also provided an additional $ 50 billion for the Small Business Administration ’ s emergency disaster lending and $ 10 billion in SBA disaster grants .
The PPP was created as part of the more than $ 2.2 trillion “ Phase 3 ” stimulus package , known as the CARES Act , which passed last month .
The program converts the small business loans to grants and would be fully forgiven if 75 percent of the loan is used to keep employees on the payroll .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ this month , spurring Congress to pass the “ Phase 3.5 ” relief package to replenish the PPP funds and fund other programs .
Democrats had been pushing for additional help for state and local governments that are running dry on revenue during the pandemic , but Republicans refused .
Democrats , instead , secured $ 75 billion for health care providers to support COVID-19 expenses and lost revenue due to the canceling of many elected procedures .
And the package includes $ 25 billion to develop mass testing , with $ 11 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WHITE HOUSE SAYS PAYROLL TAX CUT FOR EMPLOYEES COULD COME IN PHASE 4 STIMULUS PACKAGE Meanwhile , a Trump administration official told Fox News on Friday that the Small Business Administration could begin taking loan applications again next week through the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses slammed by the coronavirus-related economic freeze .
The SBA could begin taking these applications as early as Monday , Fox News has learned .
The interim emergency spending bill comes as the U.S. continues to grapple with the coronavirus crisis , and as state governors begin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As of Friday , the U.S. reported more than 869,000 positive cases of COVID-19 across the country and more than 50,000 deaths .
During the signing ceremony at the White House , the president went on to applaud the task force work on the coronavirus response , saying the U.S. is making “ thousands and thousands of ventilators , ” creating an excess which will allow the U.S. to make donations to other countries .
Vice President Pence , who leads the coronavirus task force , said the U.S. has conducted more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ touted as being more than any other country .
The president went on to note the importance of “ borders ” and work on the wall along the U.S.-Mexico border .
“ A country has to have borders , ” Trump said .
“ And you don ’ t have borders if you have people pouring in by the tens of thousands .
”

Get all the latest news on coronavirus and more delivered daily to your inbox. Sign up here.
President Trump on Friday signed the nearly $500 billion “Phase 3.5” emergency interim coronavirus relief package into law after Congress passed legislation this week replenishing the fund for small businesses and adding billions of dollars in aid to hospitals across the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In an Oval Office ceremony, the president touted the bill as being “great for small businesses” and “great for the workers,” adding that the bill will “extend relief to thousands of African-American and Hispanic American business owners."
The new interim emergency relief package, which provides $484 billion in additional funding, passed the House on Thursday and the Senate earlier this week.
HOUSE PASSES $484B CORONAVIRUS EMERGENCY RELIEF BILL
The bill delivers a $310 billion infusion to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which helps businesses with fewer than 500 employees obtain loans that can cover eight weeks of their payroll, benefits and other expenses. Thirty billion of that is reserved for community-based lenders, small banks and credit unions, and $30 billion is for mid-sized banks and credit unions.
The bill also provided an additional $50 billion for the Small Business Administration’s emergency disaster lending and $10 billion in SBA disaster grants.
The PPP was created as part of the more than $2.2 trillion “Phase 3” stimulus package, known as the CARES Act, which passed last month. The program converts the small business loans to grants and would be fully forgiven if 75 percent of the loan is used to keep employees on the payroll.
The PPP ran out of funding earlier this month, spurring Congress to pass the “Phase 3.5” relief package to replenish the PPP funds and fund other programs.
Democrats had been pushing for additional help for state and local governments that are running dry on revenue during the pandemic, but Republicans refused. Democrats, instead, secured $75 billion for health care providers to support COVID-19 expenses and lost revenue due to the canceling of many elected procedures. And the package includes $25 billion to develop mass testing, with $11 billion earmarked for states and localities.
WHITE HOUSE SAYS PAYROLL TAX CUT FOR EMPLOYEES COULD COME IN PHASE 4 STIMULUS PACKAGE
Meanwhile, a Trump administration official told Fox News on Friday that the Small Business Administration could begin taking loan applications again next week through the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses slammed by the coronavirus-related economic freeze. The SBA could begin taking these applications as early as Monday, Fox News has learned.
The interim emergency spending bill comes as the U.S. continues to grapple with the coronavirus crisis, and as state governors begin considering when to reopen their economies.
As of Friday, the U.S. reported more than 869,000 positive cases of COVID-19 across the country and more than 50,000 deaths.
During the signing ceremony at the White House, the president went on to applaud the task force work on the coronavirus response, saying the U.S. is making “thousands and thousands of ventilators,” creating an excess which will allow the U.S. to make donations to other countries.
Vice President Pence, who leads the coronavirus task force, said the U.S. has conducted more than 5 million tests, which the president touted as being more than any other country.
The president went on to note the importance of “borders” and work on the wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
“A country has to have borders,” Trump said. “And you don’t have borders if you have people pouring in by the tens of thousands.”


bonginoreport--2020-04-24--Media Matters Founder Accused of Illegally Profiting From Non-Profit Group

A high-profile progressive organization , known for its fiery ads against President , may have violated its tax-exempt status by blurring the line between nonprofit and political activities , according to a complaint filed Thursday with the Internal Revenue Service by a conservative watchdog group .
The Patriots Foundation , a Republican-leaning ethics organization based in Iowa , says American Bridge 21st Century Foundation , a nonprofit , is primarily a political organization , in violation of tax laws .
The group also raises questions about a $ 2.7 million investment in a for-profit company co-owned by its founder , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American Bridge has a super-PAC arm that can spend unlimited sums to influence elections .
But the primary purpose of nonprofits organized under section 501 ( c ) 4 of the tax code like American Bridge can not be politics .
The complaint quotes material given to potential donors to the nonprofit arm in 2017 saying the organization ’ s mission is “ to take on Donald Trump.
” Groups like American Bridge do not have to disclose their donors , which is why they are sometimes called “ dark money.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made improper payments that benefited Brock .
The nonprofit made a total of $ 2.7 million in equity investments in 2017 and 2018 in True Blue Media Services LLC , a private , for-profit company that has used content from American Bridge .
Brock , a “ conservative hit man ” during the Clinton administration who became a progressive activist , held a 35 % interest in the firm , according to American Bridge ’ s tax returns .
Bradley Beychok , president of American Bridge and a co-founder , dismissed the complaint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Patriots Foundation has chosen to purposely mislead the public in order to further its right wing agenda , ” he said in an email .
He said the advocacy against Trump ’ s policies were well within the mission of a nonprofit organization , and said a review would prove the charges were “ fake and intentionally misleading.
” He added that Brock resigned from the organization in 2016 , before the transfers to True Blue Media were made , and that the group ’ s board of directors determined the investment would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The complaint is part of a growing backlash among some conservatives against “ dark money , ” or donations from anonymous individuals used to influence elections .
Craig Robinson , a Republican operative who started the Iowa-based Patriots Foundation in 2013 , said Brock ’ s groups , which include the watchdog Media Matters , raise millions to influence politics , campaigns and even news coverage .
“ Behind the scenes , his network of organizations have engaged in very troubling behavior that warrants serious investigation , ” Robinson said .
American Bridge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states attacking Trump .
Its ad accusing him of leaving the country unprepared for the coronavirus pandemic by shipping tons of medical supplies to China provoked Trump to call it “ fake news ” in a tweet on Wednesday .
Republicans benefited more from undisclosed dark money than did Democrats after the Supreme Court ’ s 2010 ruling in the Citizens United case made it legal for nonprofits and other corporations to independently spend money to influence elections .
GOP-aligned political nonprofits spent $ 144 million in 2016 , nearly four times as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Center for Responsive Politics .
But that has changed and groups that don ’ t disclose donors spent $ 82 million backing Democrats in 2018 , compared to just $ 42 million for the Republicans .
Earlier : Biden Campaign Signals It Favors Priorities USA as Super PAC Many of the progressive organizations targeted for such scrutiny are umbrella organizations that have related super-PACs , for-profit companies and in some cases charitable organizations , which offer contributors a tax donation for their donations .
Donors get a tax exemption when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ super-PAC .
Brock started American Bridge 21st Century Foundation and a related super-PAC , now known as AB PAC , in 2010 to research Republican candidates .
In March , Unite the Country , the super-PAC that backed in the primaries , and the Bridge groups announced plans to coordinate activities on behalf of the former vice president while raising $ 175 million .
To contact the reporter on this story : in Washington DC at ballison14 @ bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story : at wbenjaminson @ bloomberg.net © @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Used with permission .

A high-profile progressive organization, known for its fiery ads against President Donald Trump , may have violated its tax-exempt status by blurring the line between nonprofit and political activities, according to a complaint filed Thursday with the Internal Revenue Service by a conservative watchdog group.
The Patriots Foundation, a Republican-leaning ethics organization based in Iowa, says American Bridge 21st Century Foundation, a nonprofit, is primarily a political organization, in violation of tax laws. The group also raises questions about a $2.7 million investment in a for-profit company co-owned by its founder, David Brock, a Democratic operative.
American Bridge has a ...


bonginoreport--2020-04-24--Pompeo: Obama-Biden “Allowed China to Walk All Over Us”

When it comes to China policy and the U.S. presidential election , a battle is brewing about toughness .
More precisely , who is tougher when it comes to dealing with the Chinese Communist Party ?
Trump or Biden ?
For Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , the answer is obvious , and it lies in plain view in the Obama-Biden administration ’ s record of dealing with China .
“ Relative to this administration , they were wildly soft , ” the secretary of state bluntly told Just the News Thursday .
A new campaign ad by the presumptive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for not calling out China earlier and for failing to send American health experts to China to investigate the coronavirus .
Biden is ignoring the facts , says Pompeo .
“ This president and this administration worked diligently to work to get Americans on the ground there in China , ” the secretary of state said in a one-on-one interview .
“ We were rebuffed .
The Chinese government would n't let it happen.
” Pompeo tries to assure 'tough ' U.S. oil producers , amid strained U.S.-Saudi ties Global oil glut : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China issue is a sensitive one for the Biden campaign .
Trump and his surrogates have been hammering the former vice president as being soft on China , with Trump recently tweeting , “ China wants Sleepy Joe sooo badly ... Joe is an easy mark , their DREAM CANDIDATE !
” Past campaign ads have also highlighted how Biden ’ s son Hunter had lucrative business relationships with China .
Pompeo opted to zero in on Biden ’ s last time in federal office .
“ The previous administration allowed China to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says .
“ This president has taken a fundamentally 180-degrees different approach with respect to how we respond to the challenges that China presents to American Security . ''
Specifically , Pompeo points out how the Obama-Biden administration showered the Chinese government with trade benefits , while meekly acquiescing to Chinese regional military ambitions .
“ It was during the previous administration that the Chinese government began to arm the South China Sea , ” said Pompeo .
“ The previous administration did n't respond .
It allowed them to continue to develop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Liberation Navy out and around in the South China Sea .
That was the kind of thing that the previous administration permitted.
” Starting in January , after the worldwide coronavirus outbreak began , the Trump Administration tried numerous times to get CDC doctors into China — but to no avail .
In March , the president said he asked Chinese President Xi Jinping “ whether or not we could send some people , and they didn ’ t want that.
” Biden ’ s campaign contends that the administration didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ February , Biden told reporters , “ I would insist that China allow our scientists in to make a hard determination of how it started.
” Biden ’ s current campaign ad doesn ’ t mention that two American health officials were included as part of a World Health Organization medical team that visited China back in February .

When it comes to China policy and the U.S. presidential election, a battle is brewing about toughness. More precisely, who is tougher when it comes to dealing with the Chinese Communist Party? Trump or Biden?
For Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the answer is obvious, and it lies in plain view in the Obama-Biden administration’s record of dealing with China.
“Relative to this administration, they were wildly soft,” the secretary of state bluntly told Just the News Thursday.
A new campaign ad by the presumptive Democrat nominee for president lambastes the president for not calling out China earlier and for failing to send American health experts to China to investigate the coronavirus.
Biden is ignoring the facts, says Pompeo.
“This president and this administration worked diligently to work to get Americans on the ground there in China,” the secretary of state said in a one-on-one interview. “We were rebuffed. The Chinese government wouldn't let it happen.”
Related stories:
Pompeo tries to assure 'tough' U.S. oil producers, amid strained U.S.-Saudi ties
Global oil glut: Who are the winners and losers
The China issue is a sensitive one for the Biden campaign. Trump and his surrogates have been hammering the former vice president as being soft on China, with Trump recently tweeting, “China wants Sleepy Joe sooo badly ... Joe is an easy mark, their DREAM CANDIDATE!”
Past campaign ads have also highlighted how Biden’s son Hunter had lucrative business relationships with China.
Pompeo opted to zero in on Biden’s last time in federal office.
“The previous administration allowed China to walk all over us,” Pompeo says. “This president has taken a fundamentally 180-degrees different approach with respect to how we respond to the challenges that China presents to American Security."
Specifically, Pompeo points out how the Obama-Biden administration showered the Chinese government with trade benefits, while meekly acquiescing to Chinese regional military ambitions.
“It was during the previous administration that the Chinese government began to arm the South China Sea,” said Pompeo. “The previous administration didn't respond. It allowed them to continue to develop their capacity to move their People's Liberation Navy out and around in the South China Sea. That was the kind of thing that the previous administration permitted.”
Starting in January, after the worldwide coronavirus outbreak began, the Trump Administration tried numerous times to get CDC doctors into China — but to no avail. In March, the president said he asked Chinese President Xi Jinping “whether or not we could send some people, and they didn’t want that.”
Biden’s campaign contends that the administration didn’t push China hard enough. Back in February, Biden told reporters, “I would insist that China allow our scientists in to make a hard determination of how it started.”
Biden’s current campaign ad doesn’t mention that two American health officials were included as part of a World Health Organization medical team that visited China back in February.


bonginoreport--2020-04-24--Voters See Anti-Trump Media “Bias and Disrespect” at Pressers

American voters see an anti-Trump bias in the media , and half believe the media are trying to “ move the blame ” for the coronavirus away from China and to the president to help defeat him in November .
What 's more , a majority of those who watch the daily briefings said the media are disrespectful of the president .
The latest McLaughlin & Associates poll found that 49 % of voters believe the media are helping the Democrats take out Trump in the current crisis .
The poll analysis shared with Secrets read , “ The plurality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the statement , ‘ The Democrats and liberal national media are trying to move the blame for the spread of coronavirus away from China to President Trump for partisan political gain just to win the November elections ’ ; only 42 % disagreed .
Republicans overwhelmingly agreed 80 % to 15 % .
Independents agreed 47 % to 43 % , and even 22 % of Democrats agreed.
” The split was similar on the question of bias and unfair coverage of Trump , who almost daily has complained about the press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to contain the virus .
McLaughlin found that 48 % of voters said the coverage “ has been unfair , biased , and even disrespectful to the president.
” Some 42 % said the media outlets were fair in its Trump coverage .
Key was the finding that those who regularly watch the briefings said the bias really stands out .
The gap was wider for those who watch the daily coronavirus task force briefings .
“ Among all voters , 56 % regularly watch President Trump 's coronavirus task force briefings , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Among these voters who regularly watch the briefings , 59 % to 37 % they say that the media is unfair , biased , and disrespectful .
While those who do not regularly watch the briefings only 34 % say the media is unfair and 51 % say that they are fair .
The briefings are showing the bias and disrespect of members of the media towards the president .
”

American voters see an anti-Trump bias in the media, and half believe the media are trying to “move the blame” for the coronavirus away from China and to the president to help defeat him in November.
What's more, a majority of those who watch the daily briefings said the media are disrespectful of the president.
The latest McLaughlin & Associates poll found that 49% of voters believe the media are helping the Democrats take out Trump in the current crisis.
The poll analysis shared with Secrets read, “The plurality of voters, 49%, agreed with the statement, ‘The Democrats and liberal national media are trying to move the blame for the spread of coronavirus away from China to President Trump for partisan political gain just to win the November elections’; only 42% disagreed. Republicans overwhelmingly agreed 80% to 15%. Independents agreed 47% to 43%, and even 22% of Democrats agreed.”
The split was similar on the question of bias and unfair coverage of Trump, who almost daily has complained about the press and the stories written about his fight to contain the virus.
McLaughlin found that 48% of voters said the coverage “has been unfair, biased, and even disrespectful to the president.” Some 42% said the media outlets were fair in its Trump coverage.
Key was the finding that those who regularly watch the briefings said the bias really stands out.
The gap was wider for those who watch the daily coronavirus task force briefings.
“Among all voters, 56% regularly watch President Trump's coronavirus task force briefings," the polling company said. "Among these voters who regularly watch the briefings, 59% to 37% they say that the media is unfair, biased, and disrespectful. While those who do not regularly watch the briefings only 34% say the media is unfair and 51% say that they are fair. The briefings are showing the bias and disrespect of members of the media towards the president.”


bonginoreport--2020-04-24--U.S. Space Force to Start Collecting Applications From Air Force Airmen

Air Force officers and enlisted personnel will be given the opportunity to apply to transfer directly into the U.S. Space Force next month .
Space Force officials announced this week that eligible active-duty personnel will receive an email from the Air Force Personnel Center on May 1 announcing the opening of the application process .
`` This is a historic time to be in the space business , and I could not be more excited to extend the opportunity to our active-duty Air Force members to officially transfer into the Space Force , '' Gen. Jay Raymond , chief of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head of U.S. Space Command , said in a release Wednesday .
`` We have the unique opportunity to create a new service ; your energy , passion and expertise will be critical to our success . ''
Related : These 23 Air Force Missions Are Transferring to the Space Force The sixth and newest military service , which was signed into existence by President Donald Trump on Dec. 20 , 2019 , is now operating with the aid of some 16,000 airmen detailed on a temporary basis from what was formerly known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals were assigned in December , the May 1 opening `` includes the physical act of [ commissioning ] into the U.S. Space Force , '' Gen. David `` DT '' Thompson , vice commander of Space Force , said Thursday .
Enlisted members would re-enlist directly into the Space Force , he said during a webinar , hosted by Space News .
Thompson said Air Force space operators who request a transfer will more than likely be accepted into the Space Force .
Jobs including space operations ( 13S ) and space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` organic space career fields . ''
`` That 's about 6,000 to 7,000 people , '' he said .
The transfers are set to begin Sept. 1 .
If airmen in those career fields decline transfer into the Space Force , they can work with their chain of command to examine other options `` to include applying for retraining into another Air Force specialty , applying to crossflow into the Guard or Reserve , or applying for separation or retirement , if eligible , '' the release states .
`` In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Air Force and may be assigned duties in the Space Force '' until the formal transitioning of units is complete , expected to be some time in 2022 , officials said .
Airmen in the intelligence ( 14N ) , cyberspace operations ( 17X ) , developmental engineer ( 62E ) , acquisition manager ( 63A ) , operations intelligence ( 1N0 ) , geospatial intelligence ( 1N1 ) , signals intelligence ( 1N2 ) , fusion analyst ( 1N4 ) , targeting analyst ( 1N8 ) , cyberspace support ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) career fields are also eligible to apply .
`` We have a requirement for a set number of those , '' Thompson said , meaning only a limited number of billets will be available .
Air Force and Space Force leaders are developing a plan to select these volunteers for transfer `` based on mission needs and career sustainment , '' according to the release .
Airmen selected from those specialties will begin transfer on Feb. 1 , 2021 , it adds .
Guardsmen and reservists who are already executing space missions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will continue supporting it ; officials are weighing how best to incorporate them .
A Space Force Reserve component is still being determined , the release states .
The application window will close May 31 .
Thompson stressed the specific initiative so far is `` targeted for the Air Force . ''
Soldiers , sailors and Marines may have to wait a little longer until the Air Force completes its initial transitions , he explained .
`` There is a general authority for all members of other services to always ask to cross-commission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exists , '' Thompson said .
`` But before [ the Space Force ] actively engages with the Army and the Navy , we need to make sure through the secretary of defense , through the joint chiefs of staff and through the leaders of the services ... how we 're going to take that approach , and who should be eligible to be directly asked or not .
`` That 's work [ that still needs ] to be done , '' he said .
Airmen who believe they are eligible but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should contact the Total Force Service Center or the Air Force Personnel Center .
-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk @ military.com .
Follow her on Twitter at @ Oriana0214 .
Read More : Marines May Get New Tropical Uniform in Time for Summer Heat

Air Force officers and enlisted personnel will be given the opportunity to apply to transfer directly into the U.S. Space Force next month.
Space Force officials announced this week that eligible active-duty personnel will receive an email from the Air Force Personnel Center on May 1 announcing the opening of the application process.
"This is a historic time to be in the space business, and I could not be more excited to extend the opportunity to our active-duty Air Force members to officially transfer into the Space Force," Gen. Jay Raymond, chief of space operations for the Space Force and head of U.S. Space Command, said in a release Wednesday. "We have the unique opportunity to create a new service; your energy, passion and expertise will be critical to our success."
Related: These 23 Air Force Missions Are Transferring to the Space Force
The sixth and newest military service, which was signed into existence by President Donald Trump on Dec. 20, 2019, is now operating with the aid of some 16,000 airmen detailed on a temporary basis from what was formerly known as Air Force Space Command.
Although individuals were assigned in December, the May 1 opening "includes the physical act of [commissioning] into the U.S. Space Force," Gen. David "DT" Thompson, vice commander of Space Force, said Thursday. Enlisted members would re-enlist directly into the Space Force, he said during a webinar, hosted by Space News.
Thompson said Air Force space operators who request a transfer will more than likely be accepted into the Space Force. Jobs including space operations (13S) and space systems operations (1C6) are considered "organic space career fields."
"That's about 6,000 to 7,000 people," he said. The transfers are set to begin Sept. 1.
If airmen in those career fields decline transfer into the Space Force, they can work with their chain of command to examine other options "to include applying for retraining into another Air Force specialty, applying to crossflow into the Guard or Reserve, or applying for separation or retirement, if eligible," the release states.
"In the meantime, those service members will remain in the Air Force and may be assigned duties in the Space Force" until the formal transitioning of units is complete, expected to be some time in 2022, officials said.
Airmen in the intelligence (14N), cyberspace operations (17X), developmental engineer (62E), acquisition manager (63A), operations intelligence (1N0), geospatial intelligence (1N1), signals intelligence (1N2), fusion analyst (1N4), targeting analyst (1N8), cyberspace support (3D0) and client systems (3D1) career fields are also eligible to apply.
"We have a requirement for a set number of those," Thompson said, meaning only a limited number of billets will be available.
Air Force and Space Force leaders are developing a plan to select these volunteers for transfer "based on mission needs and career sustainment," according to the release. Airmen selected from those specialties will begin transfer on Feb. 1, 2021, it adds.
Guardsmen and reservists who are already executing space missions and currently aligned with the Space Force will continue supporting it; officials are weighing how best to incorporate them. A Space Force Reserve component is still being determined, the release states.
The application window will close May 31. Thompson stressed the specific initiative so far is "targeted for the Air Force."
Soldiers, sailors and Marines may have to wait a little longer until the Air Force completes its initial transitions, he explained.
"There is a general authority for all members of other services to always ask to cross-commission; that's an authority that already exists," Thompson said. "But before [the Space Force] actively engages with the Army and the Navy, we need to make sure through the secretary of defense, through the joint chiefs of staff and through the leaders of the services ... how we're going to take that approach, and who should be eligible to be directly asked or not.
"That's work [that still needs] to be done," he said.
Airmen who believe they are eligible but do not receive an email to apply should contact the Total Force Service Center or the Air Force Personnel Center.
-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214.
Read More: Marines May Get New Tropical Uniform in Time for Summer Heat