bonginoreport--2020-03-04--The Government Wasted $175 Billion on Improper Payments Last Year

Horowitz : The federal government issued $ 175 billion in ‘ improper payments ’ in 2019 Imagine taking $ 175 billion in cash and flushing it down the toilet .
Well , that is what our federal government did last year , according to a new survey from the government ’ s watchdog .
Every year , the Government Accountability Office ( GAO ) tracks the amount of improper payments made by various federal agencies and programs in the form of waste , fraud , and abuse .
The audit does not subjectively judge whether a program itself is wasteful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program ’ s own guidelines , there are payments made that should not be .
For fiscal year 2019 , the GAO found that the federal government made $ 175 billion in improper payments , a 15 percent jump from FY 2018 .
While we will never tackle the federal deficit crisis by combating waste and fraud alone , these numbers do add up .
$ 175 billion is roughly the cost of the entire annual budget for the gargantuan federal civilian and military retirement pension program .
According to the GAO , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trillion on improper payments alone since 2003 .
That ’ s when Congress began requiring this annual audit .
Here are some other key takeaways from the report , which was published yesterday .
• Roughly $ 121 billion ( 69 percent ) of the waste was concentrated in just three programs : Medicaid ( $ 57.4 billion ) , Medicare ( $ 46.2 billion ) , and Earned Income Tax Credit ( EITC ) ( $ 17.4 billion ) .
In other words , Medicaid accounted for more waste than all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Medicare and EITC ) combined .
This is another reason why it would be better to convert Medicaid into a direct subsidy to those in need , much like food stamps , rather than funneling it through corrupt managed care .
The rate of improper payments for Medicaid accounts for a whopping 13.5 percent of the entire cost of the program , as compared to a 6 percent improper payment rate for the food stamp program .
The same principle applies to the Children ’ s Health Insurance Program ( CHIP ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care cartel and racked up improper payments ( $ 2.7 billion ) composing 15 percent of the program ’ s budget .
• Roughly $ 38 billion of the total amount of improper payments resulted from the agency not being able to authenticate eligibility criteria .
Think about what could be done with such a sum of money if we merely clamped down on eligibility standards .
• Medicaid was the big culprit for the large increase in improper payments from FY 2018 to FY 2019 .
There was a $ 21.1 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HHS this past year .
• Some of the increase came as a result of the government tracking waste in certain programs it never previously monitored .
For example , this was the first year that the Treasury Department tracked improper payments in some of the other refundable tax credits .
It found $ 7.2 billion in improper payment estimates for Additional Child Tax Credit and $ 2.1 billion for the American Opportunity Tax Credit .
What ’ s so tragic about this is that both parties always talk about cutting “ waste @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a cop-out for actually addressing the systemic problems in major government programs and the premise of the federal government ’ s involvement in various aspects of our lives .
However , when it comes time to actually cutting waste , they never do it .
Why is it that they are constantly increasing spending to record levels and then passing even more emergency spending bills without ever trying to genuinely combat what is universally regarded as improper payments ?
It ’ s also sad how so much of the waste is embedded in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and refundable tax credits , aka welfare through the tax code .
These are programs that many Americans pay for but never receive benefits from .
Taken together , the tab for improper payments among all the refundable tax credits was $ 26.7 billion .
That is more than a quarter of the entire cost of refundable credits , estimated to cost about $ 96 billion !
With the debt surging past $ 23 trillion and with endless trillion-dollar annual deficits as far as the eye can see , one would think this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least combat universal waste .
Sadly , the only bipartisanship in Washington is a commitment to waste even more taxpayer funding , subsidize more favored industries , and redistribute even more wealth .
Meanwhile , with 5,000 deportation officers for over 3 million criminal aliens , they can ’ t fund a few billion dollars to remove other countries ’ violent criminals , one of the most important jobs of a national government .

Imagine taking $175 billion in cash and flushing it down the toilet. Well, that is what our federal government did last year, according to a new survey from the government's watchdog.
Every year, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) tracks the amount of improper payments made by various federal agencies and programs in the form of waste, fraud, and abuse. The audit does not subjectively judge whether a program itself is wasteful, but whether, based on the program's own guidelines, there are payments made that should not be. For fiscal year 2019, the GAO found that the federal government made $175 billion in improper payments, a 15% jump from FY 2018.
While we will never tackle the federal deficit crisis by combating waste and fraud alone, these numbers do add up. $175 billion is roughly the cost of the entire annual budget for the gargantuan federal civilian and military retirement pension program. According to the GAO, the federal government has wasted $1.7 trillion on improper payments alone since 2003. That's when Congress began requiring this annual audit.
Here are some other key takeaways from the report, which was published yesterday.
Roughly $121 billion (69%) of the waste was concentrated in just three programs: Medicaid ($57.4 billion), Medicare ($46.2 billion), and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) ($17.4 billion). In other words, Medicaid accounted for more waste than all of the other government programs (aside from Medicare and EITC) combined. This is another reason why it would be better to convert Medicaid into a direct subsidy to those in need, much like food stamps, rather than funneling it through corrupt managed care. The rate of improper payments for Medicaid accounts for a whopping 13.5% of the entire cost of the program, as compared to a 6% improper payment rate for the food stamp program. The same principle applies to the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which is also funneled through the managed care cartel and racked up improper payments ($2.7 billion) composing 15% of the program's budget.
Roughly $38 billion of the total amount of improper payments resulted from the agency not being able to authenticate eligibility criteria. Think about what could be done with such a sum of money if we merely clamped down on eligibility standards.
Medicaid was the big culprit for the large increase in improper payments from FY 2018 to FY 2019. There was a $21.1 billion increase in Medicaid improper payments estimated by HHS this past year.
Some of the increase came as a result of the government tracking waste in certain programs it never previously monitored. For example, this was the first year that the Treasury Department tracked improper payments in some of the other refundable tax credits. It found $7.2 billion in improper payment estimates for Additional Child Tax Credit and $2.1 billion for the American Opportunity Tax Credit.
What's so tragic about this is that both parties always talk about cutting "waste, fraud, and abuse" as a cop-out for actually addressing the systemic problems in major government programs and the premise of the federal government's involvement in various aspects of our lives. However, when it comes time to actually cutting waste, they never do it. Why is it that they are constantly increasing spending to record levels and then passing even more emergency spending bills without ever trying to genuinely combat what is universally regarded as improper payments?
It's also sad how so much of the waste is embedded in socialist transfer-of-wealth programs, such as Medicaid and refundable tax credits, aka welfare through the tax code. These are programs that many Americans pay for but never receive benefits from. Taken together, the tab for improper payments among all the refundable tax credits was $26.7 billion. That is more than a quarter of the entire cost of refundable credits, estimated to cost about $96 billion!
With the debt surging past $23 trillion and with endless trillion-dollar annual deficits as far as the eye can see, one would think this report would spawn a bipartisan effort to at least combat universal waste. Sadly, the only bipartisanship in Washington is a commitment to waste even more taxpayer funding, subsidize more favored industries, and redistribute even more wealth.
Meanwhile, with 5,000 deportation officers for over 3 million criminal aliens, they can't fund a few billion dollars to remove other countries' violent criminals, one of the most important jobs of a national government.


bonginoreport--2020-03-04--DoD Linguist Charged With Leaking to Hezbollah Operative

A linguist working for the Defense Department was charged with passing `` highly sensitive classified national defense information '' to a foreign national affiliated with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah terror group .
Mariam Taha Thompson is charged with compiling classified U.S. government information `` regarding active human assets , including their true names '' and passing it to Hezbollah operatives , the Department of Justice announced on Wednesday .
`` By compromising the identities of these human assets , Thompson placed the lives of the human assets and U.S. military personnel in grave danger , '' the Justice Department said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` While in a war zone , the defendant allegedly gave sensitive national defense information , including the names of individuals helping the United States , to a Lebanese national located overseas , '' Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers said in a statement .
`` If true , this conduct is a disgrace , especially for someone serving as a contractor with the United States military .
This betrayal of country and colleagues will be punished . ''
`` The conduct alleged in this complaint is a grave threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk , and represents a betrayal of our armed forces , '' U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Timothy J. Shea said in a statement .
`` The charges we 've filed today should serve as a warning to anyone who would consider disclosing classified national defense information to a terrorist organization . ''
FBI agents arrested Thompson in late February at an overseas U.S. military facility , where she was employed as a linguist holding top secret security clearance .
A search of Thompson 's living space revealed Arabic-language documents containing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or about December 30 , 2019 , '' the Justice Department said , `` audit logs show a notable shift in Thompson 's network activity on United States Department of Defense classified systems , including repeated access to classified information she had no need to access . ''
The department said that for six weeks after that `` notable shift '' began , Thompson `` accessed dozens of files concerning human intelligence sources , including true names , personal identification data , background information , and photographs of the human assets , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assets provided to the United States government . ''
She transmitted the data to a Lebanese individual tied to Hezbollah `` in whom she had a romantic interest . ''
Thompson 's first appearance before a U.S. magistrate judge is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon .
The espionage charge could bring a maximum penalty of a life sentence in prison .

A linguist working for the Defense Department was charged with passing "highly sensitive classified national defense information" to a foreign national affiliated with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah terror group.
Mariam Taha Thompson is charged with compiling classified U.S. government information "regarding active human assets, including their true names" and passing it to Hezbollah operatives, the Department of Justice announced on Wednesday.
"By compromising the identities of these human assets, Thompson placed the lives of the human assets and U.S. military personnel in grave danger," the Justice Department said in a statement on Thompson's case.
"While in a war zone, the defendant allegedly gave sensitive national defense information, including the names of individuals helping the United States, to a Lebanese national located overseas," Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers said in a statement. "If true, this conduct is a disgrace, especially for someone serving as a contractor with the United States military. This betrayal of country and colleagues will be punished."
"The conduct alleged in this complaint is a grave threat to national security, placed lives at risk, and represents a betrayal of our armed forces," U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Timothy J. Shea said in a statement. "The charges we've filed today should serve as a warning to anyone who would consider disclosing classified national defense information to a terrorist organization."
FBI agents arrested Thompson in late February at an overseas U.S. military facility, where she was employed as a linguist holding top secret security clearance. A search of Thompson's living space revealed Arabic-language documents containing classified U.S. materials.
"Starting on or about December 30, 2019," the Justice Department said, "audit logs show a notable shift in Thompson's network activity on United States Department of Defense classified systems, including repeated access to classified information she had no need to access."
The department said that for six weeks after that "notable shift" began, Thompson "accessed dozens of files concerning human intelligence sources, including true names, personal identification data, background information, and photographs of the human assets, as well as operational cables detailing information the assets provided to the United States government." She transmitted the data to a Lebanese individual tied to Hezbollah "in whom she had a romantic interest."
Thompson's first appearance before a U.S. magistrate judge is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. The espionage charge could bring a maximum penalty of a life sentence in prison.


bonginoreport--2020-03-05--President Trump Takes Part in Fox News Town Hall

President Trump , speaking at a Fox News Town Hall in Joe Biden 's hometown of Scranton , Pa. , on Thursday evening , openly suggested that the new Democratic front-runner 's repeated gaffes could be a sign of a competency issue -- honing a line of attack that Republicans are expected to repeatedly deploy if Biden becomes his party 's nominee .
Trump also wasted little time in criticizing ex-rival Elizabeth Warren 's decision to drop out of the race only after Super Tuesday , saying she may have sabotaged Bernie Sanders ' struggling presidential bid by siphoning the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ casual and conversational than Trump 's boisterous rallies , and afforded the commander-in-chief an opportunity to connect directly with voters on camera .
`` Bernie Sanders would have won five , six , seven states , '' Trump remarked .
`` When you look at it , she did him no favors .
That was not a good friendship .
We started to see that during the debates , by the way .
It became unhinged . ''
Trump went on to argue that Biden was `` damaged '' by the impeachment process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overseas corruption .
`` They aimed at Trump and they took Biden down , '' the president said .
`` Here 's a guy , who did n't have a job , unfortunately sadly the military was a very sad experience for him -- he goes out and gets $ 3 million plus $ 183,000 a month to be a board member of a company that a lot of people said was corrupt , '' he continued .
`` Just as bad , China -- I just made a great China deal ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a billion-and-a-half dollars for a fund . ''
The Super Tuesday results , Trump said , had come as a surprise -- especially given what he suggested were Biden 's possible cognitive impairments .
`` I 'm all set for Bernie , communist , '' Trump began .
`` And then we have this crazy thing that happened on Tuesday , which he thought was Thursday .
But he also said 150 million people were killed with guns , and that he was running for the U.S. Senate -- there 's something going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he had n't spoken to former President Obama since the 2018 funeral for President George H.W .
Bush , in part because of lingering animosity about that administration .
`` I sat next to him , I said , 'Hello , ' '' Trump said , describing the funeral .
`` Then I said , 'Goodbye ' That 's about it .
I did n't like the job he did .
I did n't like the job he and Biden did .
I did n't like the position he put us in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did to our military .
...
Right now we have more ammunition than ever before . ''
Concerning health care , Trump said he was `` most disappointed '' that he has n't been able to `` sell what a great job we 've done . ''
The president touted his administration 's termination of the Obamacare `` individual mandate , '' and said plans were now less expensive -- but that the `` carcass of Obamacare '' remains a problem .
`` Without the whole thing with the individual mandate , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Trump said .
Anchor Bret Baier noted that Trump , when campaigning , had promised to erase the national debt within eight years -- but nevertheless had approved $ 4.6 trillion in new debt already .
`` I 'll always talk about it , because to me it 's very important , '' Trump said .
`` The good thing about the debt is we 're paying almost no interest . ''
He added that more cuts would be coming but that it was crucially important to fund the military in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ array of other topics , including stock market turbulence and deregulation .
Out of the gate , Trump defended his administration 's response to the coronavirus outbreak , saying his decision to limit travel from China had averted a broader domestic crisis .
`` I think people are viewing us as doing a very good job , '' Trump told a questioner .
`` This started in China .
How it started , is a question .
...
It 's gon na all work out .
Everyone has to be calm . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ silver lining in the episode : `` People are now staying in the United States , spending their money in the United States , and I like that .
You know , I 've been after that for a long time .
I 've been saying , let 's stay in the U.S. , spend your money here .
It 's sort of enforced doing that . ''
Trump later noted that he has always disliked the concept of shaking hands : `` If there was ever a time you could convince people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be it , '' he mused , before lamenting that politicians unfortunately are required to shake some hands .
Responding to the threatening statements directed at Associate Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch on Wednesday by Sen. Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , Trump said the comments amounted to a call for physical violence .
`` If a Republican did what Schumer did , they ’ d be in jail right now , '' Trump said to applause .
The media , Trump argued , was `` a part of the Democrat Party '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and `` we have to fight back . ''
He gave a similar answer when asked by a voter how he would `` bring us together . ''
The voter noted that a relative had banished Trump supporters from the family .
`` Success '' as a country is the solution , Trump said , suggesting that Democrats would come to the bargaining table , if not the dinner table , if he won reelection .
At the same time , Trump said , `` when they hit us , we have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ town hall , Trump took his trademarked parting shots at Warren and Mike Bloomberg , whom Trump likened to an incompetent , undersized Darth Vader-style character from the 1987 parody `` Spaceballs . ''
Bloomberg had compared Trump to Vader with a video from the movie `` Star Wars . ''
`` Elizabeth 'Pocahontas ' Warren , who was going nowhere except into Mini Mike ’ s head , just dropped out of the Democrat Primary ... THREE DAYS TOO LATE , '' Trump wrote , referring to Warren 's previous claims of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crazy Bernie , at least , Massachusetts , Minnesota and Texas .
Probably cost him the nomination !
Came in third in Mass . ''
The Fox News Town Hall was Trump 's first town hall of the campaign season .
It was also Trump ’ s first discussion with Baier and Martha MacCallum since interviews in June 2018 and April 2017 .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Fox News Channel will present an encore presentation of the Trump Town Hall at 11 p.m .
ET .

President Trump, speaking at a Fox News Town Hall in Joe Biden's hometown of Scranton, Pa., on Thursday evening, openly suggested that the new Democratic front-runner's repeated gaffes could be a sign of a competency issue -- honing a line of attack that Republicans are expected to repeatedly deploy if Biden becomes his party's nominee.
Trump also wasted little time in criticizing ex-rival Elizabeth Warren's decision to drop out of the race only after Super Tuesday, saying she may have sabotaged Bernie Sanders' struggling presidential bid by siphoning the progressive vote.
The setting was more casual and conversational than Trump's boisterous rallies, and afforded the commander-in-chief an opportunity to connect directly with voters on camera.
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"Bernie Sanders would have won five, six, seven states," Trump remarked. "When you look at it, she did him no favors. That was not a good friendship. We started to see that during the debates, by the way. It became unhinged."
Trump went on to argue that Biden was "damaged" by the impeachment process that implicated his son Hunter in apparent overseas corruption while Biden was vice president. "They aimed at Trump and they took Biden down," the president said.
"Here's a guy, who didn't have a job, unfortunately sadly the military was a very sad experience for him -- he goes out and gets $3 million plus $183,000 a month to be a board member of a company that a lot of people said was corrupt," he continued. "Just as bad, China -- I just made a great China deal ... His son walks out a China for a billion-and-a-half dollars for a fund."
The Super Tuesday results, Trump said, had come as a surprise -- especially given what he suggested were Biden's possible cognitive impairments.
"I'm all set for Bernie, communist," Trump began. "And then we have this crazy thing that happened on Tuesday, which he thought was Thursday. But he also said 150 million people were killed with guns, and that he was running for the U.S. Senate -- there's something going on there."
HUNTER BIDEN SCANDALS EXPLAINED: UKRAINE, COCAINE AND MORE
The president noted that he hadn't spoken to former President Obama since the 2018 funeral for President George H.W. Bush, in part because of lingering animosity about that administration.
"I sat next to him, I said, 'Hello,'" Trump said, describing the funeral. "Then I said, 'Goodbye' That's about it. I didn't like the job he did. I didn't like the job he and Biden did. I didn't like the position he put us in. I didn't like what he did to our military. ... Right now we have more ammunition than ever before."
Concerning health care, Trump said he was "most disappointed" that he hasn't been able to "sell what a great job we've done." The president touted his administration's termination of the Obamacare "individual mandate," and said plans were now less expensive -- but that the "carcass of Obamacare" remains a problem.
"Without the whole thing with the individual mandate, it's a whole different ball game," Trump said. He promised that the GOP would come up with an alternative, but didn't offer specifics other than that pre-existing conditions would be covered.
Anchor Bret Baier noted that Trump, when campaigning, had promised to erase the national debt within eight years -- but nevertheless had approved $4.6 trillion in new debt already.
"I'll always talk about it, because to me it's very important," Trump said. "The good thing about the debt is we're paying almost no interest." He added that more cuts would be coming but that it was crucially important to fund the military in the meantime.
"They aimed at Trump and they took Biden down." — President Trump, referring to the impeachment process
The town hall covered an array of other topics, including stock market turbulence and deregulation. Out of the gate, Trump defended his administration's response to the coronavirus outbreak, saying his decision to limit travel from China had averted a broader domestic crisis.
"I think people are viewing us as doing a very good job," Trump told a questioner. "This started in China. How it started, is a question. ... It's gonna all work out. Everyone has to be calm."
The president pointed to something of a silver lining in the episode: "People are now staying in the United States, spending their money in the United States, and I like that. You know, I've been after that for a long time. I've been saying, let's stay in the U.S., spend your money here. It's sort of enforced doing that."
Trump later noted that he has always disliked the concept of shaking hands: "If there was ever a time you could convince people not to shake hands, this could be it," he mused, before lamenting that politicians unfortunately are required to shake some hands.
Responding to the threatening statements directed at Associate Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch on Wednesday by Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Trump said the comments amounted to a call for physical violence.
"If a Republican did what Schumer did, they’d be in jail right now," Trump said to applause.
The media, Trump argued, was "a part of the Democrat Party" to a "large extent" -- and "we have to fight back."
He gave a similar answer when asked by a voter how he would "bring us together." The voter noted that a relative had banished Trump supporters from the family.
"Success" as a country is the solution, Trump said, suggesting that Democrats would come to the bargaining table, if not the dinner table, if he won reelection.
At the same time, Trump said, "when they hit us, we have to hit back."
Hours before the town hall, Trump took his trademarked parting shots at Warren and Mike Bloomberg, whom Trump likened to an incompetent, undersized Darth Vader-style character from the 1987 parody "Spaceballs."
Bloomberg had compared Trump to Vader with a video from the movie "Star Wars."
"Elizabeth 'Pocahontas' Warren, who was going nowhere except into Mini Mike’s head, just dropped out of the Democrat Primary...THREE DAYS TOO LATE," Trump wrote, referring to Warren's previous claims of Native American ancestry. "She cost Crazy Bernie, at least, Massachusetts, Minnesota and Texas. Probably cost him the nomination! Came in third in Mass."
The Fox News Town Hall was Trump's first town hall of the campaign season. It was also Trump’s first discussion with Baier and Martha MacCallum since interviews in June 2018 and April 2017.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Fox News Channel will present an encore presentation of the Trump Town Hall at 11 p.m. ET.


bonginoreport--2020-03-05--Ilhan Omar: Abortion is a Constitutional Right

Rep. Ilhan Omar , D-MN , took to Twitter Wednesday with some very accusatory Tweets .
She suggested two SCOTUS @ @ @ @ @ sexual predators ” and then stated that abortion was a Constitutional right .
“ Two @ @ @ @ @ be deciding whether or not women have access to healthcare in this country , ” @ @ @ @ @ allegedly referring to unproven and false claims against Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Clarence Thomas .
@ @ @ @ @ backlash from people around the country .
Moreover , Omar ’ s tweet that “ @ @ @ @ @ ” was also met with a slew of negative commentary .
I ’ m not @ @ @ @ @ it was a right but I know for certain that abortion is something our Founding @ @ @ @ @ in the Constitution .
Just look at some of the responses from people around the @ @ @ @ @ Tweets below .

War on drugs: agents seized enough to kill U.S. population 19 times
The war on drugs being fought on a daily basis at our borders has been able to be quantified with...


bonginoreport--2020-03-05--Report: Hunter Biden Applied to Teach Drug Policy Course Last Year – Flaunted Political Connections

• Hunter Biden cited political connections in 2019 while pitching the University of California , Los Angeles School of Law on letting him teach a drug policy course , emails reviewed by the Daily Caller News Foundation show .
• The talks broke down after Hunter failed to “ submit further materials for the proposed course , ” a UCLA Law spokesman told the DCNF .
• Former Vice President Joe Biden said in October 2019 that Hunter was “ gon na be teaching at law school next year.
” Hunter Biden touted his political connections in 2019 while unsuccessfully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angeles ( UCLA ) School of Law on letting him teach a course on drug policy , emails obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation show .
In his pitch , Biden listed off a number of possible guest speakers , most of whom had ties to his father , Democratic frontrunner and former Vice President Joe Biden .
“ In 2019 , Hunter Biden inquired about the possibility of teaching a course at UCLA School of Law , and he and school leaders held preliminary conversations about the possibility , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communications , Bill Kisliuk , told the DCNF in an email .
“ Mr .
Biden subsequently did not submit further materials for the proposed course , which is a required step when the school is considering adding a course .
There are no plans for Mr. Biden to teach at the law school , ” Kisliuk added .
Joe Biden , who now leads the Democratic primary after a strong Super Tuesday performance , told reporters in October 2019 that Hunter was “ gon na be teaching at law school next year.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ early 2018 , though little is known about his activities there .
During his father ’ s presidential bid , Republicans have set their sights on Hunter ’ s ties to foreign companies , including in China and Ukraine .
Hunter served on the board of Ukrainian energy firm Burisma Holdings through April 2019 , leaving the position weeks before his father announced his presidential bid .
He was also on the board of a Chinese private equity firm through October 2019 .
Emails reviewed by the DCNF show that school officials were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hunter emailed the law school ’ s dean , Jennifer Mnookin , in July 2019 to share his vision for the course he wanted to teach .
Hunter , whose struggles with drug abuse have been widely publicized , said he “ would like to focus on domestic and international drug policy ” in the proposed course .
He also attached a syllabus of a course he taught for Georgetown University ’ s School of Foreign Service .
( RELATED : Hunter Biden Embraces Life As An Artist , And NYT Is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have some combination of key decision makers , leading thinkers , policy implementers and grass roots advocates as guests for each topic , ” he wrote .
He ticked off high-profile figures as possible guests or co-teachers of the course , including former Obama administration officials and friends of his father .
“ For plan Colombia the El Chapo extradition [ sic ] I ’ m certain I could get former President Pastrana of Colombia to discuss how he implemented ‘ Plan Colombia ’ with the US government along with Christopher Putala and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s of staff ( Democrat and Republican ) to the judiciary committee at the time , ” Hunter continued .
“ I would also invite former FBI Director Louis Freeh and possibly the US Attorney responsible for that extradition and indictment .
For a the class [ sic ] on decriminalization I would invite [ California ] Governor [ Gavin ] Newsom ( may be a long shot but I know he would consider it if his schedule allows ) , ” he added .
“ The list goes on.
” McDaniel represented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as counsel in December 2019 .
Others on Hunter ’ s list have direct ties to his father .
Pastrana , the former Columbian president , worked with Joe Biden during the latter ’ s time in the Senate and has also described Biden as his friend .
Putala is a lobbyist who once worked for Joe Biden in the Senate .
Freeh once described Joe Biden as a “ dear friend ” of his .
Hunter reportedly recruited the former FBI chief in 2016 to serve on the legal team of Gabriel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convicted of bribery charges in Bucharest .
Mnookin , the law school dean , indicated in her email that she met with Biden and his wife , Melissa Cohen Biden .
“ It was great to meet you and Melissa last month , and I very much appreciate your following up and sending along the attached syllabus , ” she wrote in an Aug. 9 , 2019 , email .
“ I think this offers some very exciting possibilities , and I look forward to seeing what we may be able to do.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ email to another law school official , Steven Bank .
“ As Vice Dean for Curricular and Academic Affairs , I typically help craft the schedule and identify and develop proposed new courses , although the Curriculum Committee and the Faculty have the final say on approving any proposed additions , ” Bank wrote in an email to Hunter .
“ In determining whether this would be a good fit for the Law School , it might helpful for us to talk further , ” he added , and asked when “ it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have a phone call to discuss further.
” Hunter replied in ten words : “ Please let me know when you are available to speak.
” “ Thanks for getting back to me so quickly , although I hope I didn ’ t give you the impression in my e-mail that this was a rush , ” Bank replied .
“ If we decided to move forward , this wouldn ’ t even be considered by the Curriculum Committee and the Faculty until Spring 2020 for a Spring 2021 slot most likely.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ broke down sometime after that .
The emails between Hunter and the UCLA officials were obtained through the California Public Records Act and provided to the DCNF .
The emails fill in some of the gaps of what Hunter has been doing in the months since his father began running for president .
Biden moved to Los Angeles following a divorce from his ex-wife , Kathleen Buhle .
He and Melissa Cohen Biden , his current wife , live in a $ 12,000-per-month house in the Hollywood Hills , according to a glowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times published Friday .
Biden acknowledged his struggles with drug addiction in that profile , telling the Times that he was addicted to crack for four years .
He has since taken up painting as therapy to deal with his struggles with addiction .
Though Hunter is now based in L.A. , he was conspicuously absent at his father ’ s rally there Tuesday night after his strong Super Tuesday showing .
The former vice president was accompanied on stage by his wife and sister .
George Mesires , a lawyer for Hunter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

Hunter Biden cited political connections in 2019 while pitching the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law on letting him teach a drug policy course, emails reviewed by the Daily Caller News Foundation show.
The talks broke down after Hunter failed to “submit further materials for the proposed course,” a UCLA Law spokesman told the DCNF.
Former Vice President Joe Biden said in October 2019 that Hunter was “gonna be teaching at law school next year.”
Hunter Biden touted his political connections in 2019 while unsuccessfully pitching the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law on letting him teach a course on drug policy, emails obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation show.
In his pitch, Biden listed off a number of possible guest speakers, most of whom had ties to his father, Democratic frontrunner and former Vice President Joe Biden.
“In 2019, Hunter Biden inquired about the possibility of teaching a course at UCLA School of Law, and he and school leaders held preliminary conversations about the possibility,” the law school’s executive director of communications, Bill Kisliuk, told the DCNF in an email.
“Mr. Biden subsequently did not submit further materials for the proposed course, which is a required step when the school is considering adding a course. There are no plans for Mr. Biden to teach at the law school,” Kisliuk added.
Joe Biden, who now leads the Democratic primary after a strong Super Tuesday performance, told reporters in October 2019 that Hunter was “gonna be teaching at law school next year.”
Hunter moved to Los Angeles in early 2018, though little is known about his activities there. During his father’s presidential bid, Republicans have set their sights on Hunter’s ties to foreign companies, including in China and Ukraine.
Hunter served on the board of Ukrainian energy firm Burisma Holdings through April 2019, leaving the position weeks before his father announced his presidential bid. He was also on the board of a Chinese private equity firm through October 2019.
Emails reviewed by the DCNF show that school officials were slow to embrace Hunter’s proposal.
Hunter emailed the law school’s dean, Jennifer Mnookin, in July 2019 to share his vision for the course he wanted to teach.
Hunter, whose struggles with drug abuse have been widely publicized, said he “would like to focus on domestic and international drug policy” in the proposed course. He also attached a syllabus of a course he taught for Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. (RELATED: Hunter Biden Embraces Life As An Artist, And NYT Is Here For It)
“I will have some combination of key decision makers, leading thinkers, policy implementers and grass roots advocates as guests for each topic,” he wrote.
He ticked off high-profile figures as possible guests or co-teachers of the course, including former Obama administration officials and friends of his father.
“For instance I’d like to have former Attorney’s [sic] General Dustin McDaniel of Arkansas and Patrick Lynch of Rhode Island to discuss their roles in the state class action suits brought against Purdue Pharma and possibly a prosecutor involved in the criminal cases against the Sackler family,” he wrote.
“For plan Colombia the El Chapo extradition [sic] I’m certain I could get former President Pastrana of Colombia to discuss how he implemented ‘Plan Colombia’ with the US government along with Christopher Putala and Manus Cooney who were both chief’s of staff (Democrat and Republican) to the judiciary committee at the time,” Hunter continued.
“I would also invite former FBI Director Louis Freeh and possibly the US Attorney responsible for that extradition and indictment. For a the class [sic] on decriminalization I would invite [California] Governor [Gavin] Newsom (may be a long shot but I know he would consider it if his schedule allows),” he added. “The list goes on.”
McDaniel represented Hunter in a paternity lawsuit until withdrawing as counsel in December 2019. Others on Hunter’s list have direct ties to his father.
Pastrana, the former Columbian president, worked with Joe Biden during the latter’s time in the Senate and has also described Biden as his friend. Putala is a lobbyist who once worked for Joe Biden in the Senate.
Freeh once described Joe Biden as a “dear friend” of his. Hunter reportedly recruited the former FBI chief in 2016 to serve on the legal team of Gabriel Popoviciu, a Romanian real estate magnate convicted of bribery charges in Bucharest.
Mnookin, the law school dean, indicated in her email that she met with Biden and his wife, Melissa Cohen Biden.
“It was great to meet you and Melissa last month, and I very much appreciate your following up and sending along the attached syllabus,” she wrote in an Aug. 9, 2019, email. “I think this offers some very exciting possibilities, and I look forward to seeing what we may be able to do.”
Mnookin passed along Hunter’s email to another law school official, Steven Bank.
“As Vice Dean for Curricular and Academic Affairs, I typically help craft the schedule and identify and develop proposed new courses, although the Curriculum Committee and the Faculty have the final say on approving any proposed additions,” Bank wrote in an email to Hunter.
“In determining whether this would be a good fit for the Law School, it might helpful for us to talk further,” he added, and asked when “it might be a good time for us to have a phone call to discuss further.”
Hunter replied in ten words: “Please let me know when you are available to speak.”
“Thanks for getting back to me so quickly, although I hope I didn’t give you the impression in my e-mail that this was a rush,” Bank replied. “If we decided to move forward, this wouldn’t even be considered by the Curriculum Committee and the Faculty until Spring 2020 for a Spring 2021 slot most likely.”
Talks between the two parties apparently broke down sometime after that.
The emails between Hunter and the UCLA officials were obtained through the California Public Records Act and provided to the DCNF.
The emails fill in some of the gaps of what Hunter has been doing in the months since his father began running for president.
Biden moved to Los Angeles following a divorce from his ex-wife, Kathleen Buhle. He and Melissa Cohen Biden, his current wife, live in a $12,000-per-month house in the Hollywood Hills, according to a glowing profile of Hunter that The New York Times published Friday.
Biden acknowledged his struggles with drug addiction in that profile, telling the Times that he was addicted to crack for four years. He has since taken up painting as therapy to deal with his struggles with addiction.
Though Hunter is now based in L.A., he was conspicuously absent at his father’s rally there Tuesday night after his strong Super Tuesday showing. The former vice president was accompanied on stage by his wife and sister.
George Mesires, a lawyer for Hunter, 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--2020-03-05--Officials Involved in Carter Page Wiretaps Barred From Seeking Surveillance

Justice Department and FBI officials under review for their role in the flawed wiretaps of former Trump campaign associate Carter Page are banned from having any involvement in the pursuit of electronic monitoring through the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court .
Judge James Boasberg issued a 19-page opinion on Wednesday , ordering that “ no DOJ or FBI personnel under disciplinary or criminal review relating to their work on FISA applications shall participate in drafting , verifying , reviewing , or submitting such applications to the Court.
” “ Any finding of misconduct relating to the handling of FISA applications shall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the U.S. District Court judge added .
DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz released a report in December that criticized the DOJ and the FBI for at least 17 “ significant errors and omissions ” related to the FISA surveillance of Page , who was suspected of being an agent for Russia but was never charged with wrongdoing , and for its heavy reliance on British ex-spy Christopher Steele ’ s salacious and unverified dossier .
Steele put his research together in 2016 at the behest of the opposition research firm Fusion GPS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's presidential campaign and the Democratic National Committee through the Perkins Coie law firm .
All the FBI employees mentioned in the FISA report were referred to the Office of Professional Responsibility , which is the bureau 's disciplinary arm , FBI Director Christopher Wray told lawmakers last month .
Boasberg said , “ The frequency and seriousness '' of the errors found by the DOJ independent watchdog `` called into question the reliability of the information proffered in other FBI applications . ''
The judge said the government has been “ acknowledging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remedial measures ” in response to Horowitz ’ s report and to court orders but also noted that “ the errors the OIG pointed out can not be solved through procedures alone ” and that everyone at the DOJ and FBI “ must fully understand and embrace the heightened duties of probity and transparency ” in the secret court proceedings .
Boasberg touched on three main areas of the FBI ’ s internal FISA reforms : improvements to procedures for preparing FISA applications , improvements to training and other efforts to institutionalize the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oversight more broadly .
“ While more rigorous procedures for preparing FISA applications should prove helpful , the Court is also mindful that changes in culture will require more than checklists , ” Boasberg said .
Horowitz recommended that the FBI conduct performance reviews of all employees in the chain of command who had responsibility for the FISA applications .
Wray pledged to take appropriate disciplinary action and vowed individual accountability .
“ Yet , the integrity of the FISA process must be protected while those disciplinary reviews are ongoing , ” Boasberg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DOJ officials under any review related to the Page saga should not participate in the FISA process at this time .
The judge also ordered new oaths to be sworn by DOJ and FBI officials working on FISA applications going forward .
FBI applicants and DOJ attorneys will now be required to affirm , `` To the best of my knowledge , this application fairly reflects all information that might reasonably call into question the accuracy of the information or the reasonableness of any FBI assessment in the application , or otherwise raise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also ordered the FBI to provide it with a copy of its updated confidential human source checklist , a description of the specific responsibilities that FBI Office of the General Counsel lawyers have during the FISA process , and a report on any other proposed FISA reforms by later this month .
The judge noted two controversies were advancing on a “ separate track ” and were not addressed in much detail in the Wednesday opinion .
Those controversies comprise scrutiny of all the filings touched by FBI lawyer Kevin Clinsemith and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the intelligence gleaned through the Page FISA monitoring .
Clinesmith , who altered a document in FISA filings to say Page was “ not a source ” for the CIA when he was , is the only person publicly known to be under criminal investigation by U.S. Attorney John Durham , who is conducting a review of the Russia investigation .
The Justice Department said at least the final two of four Page FISA warrants were “ not valid ” and that the FBI sought to “ sequester ” the information obtained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the behavior of some in the DOJ and the FBI was “ utterly unacceptable ” and agreed that there had been at least some illegal surveillance .
He said he was working to “ claw back ” the FISA information .

Justice Department and FBI officials under review for their role in the flawed wiretaps of former Trump campaign associate Carter Page are banned from having any involvement in the pursuit of electronic monitoring through the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.
Judge James Boasberg issued a 19-page opinion on Wednesday, ordering that “no DOJ or FBI personnel under disciplinary or criminal review relating to their work on FISA applications shall participate in drafting, verifying, reviewing, or submitting such applications to the Court.”
“Any finding of misconduct relating to the handling of FISA applications shall be promptly reported to the Court,” the U.S. District Court judge added.
DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz released a report in December that criticized the DOJ and the FBI for at least 17 “significant errors and omissions” related to the FISA surveillance of Page, who was suspected of being an agent for Russia but was never charged with wrongdoing, and for its heavy reliance on British ex-spy Christopher Steele’s salacious and unverified dossier. Steele put his research together in 2016 at the behest of the opposition research firm Fusion GPS, which was funded by Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign and the Democratic National Committee through the Perkins Coie law firm.
All the FBI employees mentioned in the FISA report were referred to the Office of Professional Responsibility, which is the bureau's disciplinary arm, FBI Director Christopher Wray told lawmakers last month.
Boasberg said, “The frequency and seriousness" of the errors found by the DOJ independent watchdog "called into question the reliability of the information proffered in other FBI applications." The judge said the government has been “acknowledging its deficiencies” and “undertaking multiple remedial measures” in response to Horowitz’s report and to court orders but also noted that “the errors the OIG pointed out cannot be solved through procedures alone” and that everyone at the DOJ and FBI “must fully understand and embrace the heightened duties of probity and transparency” in the secret court proceedings.
Boasberg touched on three main areas of the FBI’s internal FISA reforms: improvements to procedures for preparing FISA applications, improvements to training and other efforts to institutionalize the importance of accuracy and completeness, and oversight more broadly.
“While more rigorous procedures for preparing FISA applications should prove helpful, the Court is also mindful that changes in culture will require more than checklists,” Boasberg said.
Horowitz recommended that the FBI conduct performance reviews of all employees in the chain of command who had responsibility for the FISA applications. Wray pledged to take appropriate disciplinary action and vowed individual accountability.
“Yet, the integrity of the FISA process must be protected while those disciplinary reviews are ongoing,” Boasberg said, ruling that any FBI or DOJ officials under any review related to the Page saga should not participate in the FISA process at this time. The judge also ordered new oaths to be sworn by DOJ and FBI officials working on FISA applications going forward.
FBI applicants and DOJ attorneys will now be required to affirm, "To the best of my knowledge, this application fairly reflects all information that might reasonably call into question the accuracy of the information or the reasonableness of any FBI assessment in the application, or otherwise raise doubts about the requested findings.”
Boasberg also ordered the FBI to provide it with a copy of its updated confidential human source checklist, a description of the specific responsibilities that FBI Office of the General Counsel lawyers have during the FISA process, and a report on any other proposed FISA reforms by later this month.
The judge noted two controversies were advancing on a “separate track” and were not addressed in much detail in the Wednesday opinion. Those controversies comprise scrutiny of all the filings touched by FBI lawyer Kevin Clinsemith and a review of the government’s handling of the intelligence gleaned through the Page FISA monitoring.
Clinesmith, who altered a document in FISA filings to say Page was “not a source” for the CIA when he was, is the only person publicly known to be under criminal investigation by U.S. Attorney John Durham, who is conducting a review of the Russia investigation.
The Justice Department said at least the final two of four Page FISA warrants were “not valid” and that the FBI sought to “sequester” the information obtained from that surveillance.
Wray testified that the behavior of some in the DOJ and the FBI was “utterly unacceptable” and agreed that there had been at least some illegal surveillance. He said he was working to “claw back” the FISA information.


bonginoreport--2020-03-05--Senate Passes $8.3 Billion Coronavirus Bill

`` If they want to give us more money , that 's okay ; we 'll take more money , '' Trump said during a press briefing last week .
But Trump said he was not opposed to spending more to fight the virus , which has killed at least 11 people in the U.S. so far .
The bill , which includes more than $ 3 billion in vaccine research and $ 2.2 billion in prevention and preparedness efforts , far exceeds the $ 2.5 billion proposal that the White House put forward last week .
Only one senator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voted against the supplemental aid bill .
The Senate on Thursday passed a multibillion-dollar spending package to combat the spread of the deadly coronavirus .
The bill will now head to the White House , where President Donald Trump is expected to sign it .
• More than $ 3 billion dedicated to the research and development of vaccines , as well as therapeutics and diagnostics ; • $ 2.2 billion in public health funding to aid in prevention , preparedness and response efforts — including $ 950 million to support state and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion to go toward medical supplies , health-care preparedness , Community Health Centers and medical surge capacity , and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , and other lawmakers hope to push the legislation through to Trump before the week 's end , stressing the urgency of securing funds to fight the virus .
Health officials have warned that the coronavirus is on the verge of becoming a pandemic , and a slew of new cases have been confirmed in the U.S. in recent days .
The disease , which is believed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Hubei province , has killed more than 3,200 people around the world and infected tens of thousands more , prompting wild market fluctuations and drastic government actions .
Senate Majority Whip John Thune , R-S.D.
, had suggested that the Senate might opt to pass the bill by unanimous consent in order to speed up the process .
But McConnell 's office confirmed to CNBC on Thursday morning that the Senate would hold a roll-call vote , requiring a 60-vote threshold for passage .
Paul , the only senator to vote against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only amendment to the legislation .
Paul 's amendment sought to offset the costs of the coronavirus spending by cutting funding for certain international programs .
`` I support our government 's efforts to fight the coronavirus , '' Paul said in a statement earlier Thursday .
`` We also owe it to the American people to do it in a way that avoids piling billions more in debt on their backs . ''
The Senate voted 80-16 to table — essentially , to kill — Paul 's amendment prior to voting on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office did not immediately respond to CNBC 's request for comment on the senator 's decision to vote against the emergency coronavirus funds .
The spending plan also allows an estimated $ 7 billion in low-interest Small Business Administration loans to affected small businesses , the aide told CNBC .
The House aide added that the emergency bill provides more than $ 300 million to `` help ensure that , when a vaccine is developed , Americans can receive it regardless of their ability to pay . ''
The question of affordability has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar came under fire last week after declining to guarantee to lawmakers that a vaccine would be affordable for all .

"If they want to give us more money, that's okay; we'll take more money," Trump said during a press briefing last week .
But Trump said he was not opposed to spending more to fight the virus, which has killed at least 11 people in the U.S. so far .
The bill, which includes more than $3 billion in vaccine research and $2.2 billion in prevention and preparedness efforts, far exceeds the $2.5 billion proposal that the White House put forward last week.
Only one senator, Republican Rand Paul of Kentucky, voted against the supplemental aid bill.
The Senate on Thursday passed a multibillion-dollar spending package to combat the spread of the deadly coronavirus. The bill will now head to the White House, where President Donald Trump is expected to sign it.
A House Democratic aide told CNBC that the supplemental funding bill includes:
More than $3 billion dedicated to the research and development of vaccines, as well as therapeutics and diagnostics;
$2.2 billion in public health funding to aid in prevention, preparedness and response efforts — including $950 million to support state and local agencies;
Nearly $1 billion to go toward medical supplies, health-care preparedness, Community Health Centers and medical surge capacity, and
$1.25 billion to address the coronavirus overseas.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and other lawmakers hope to push the legislation through to Trump before the week's end, stressing the urgency of securing funds to fight the virus.
Health officials have warned that the coronavirus is on the verge of becoming a pandemic, and a slew of new cases have been confirmed in the U.S. in recent days.
The disease, which is believed to have originated in Wuhan in China's Hubei province, has killed more than 3,200 people around the world and infected tens of thousands more, prompting wild market fluctuations and drastic government actions.
Senate Majority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., had suggested that the Senate might opt to pass the bill by unanimous consent in order to speed up the process. But McConnell's office confirmed to CNBC on Thursday morning that the Senate would hold a roll-call vote, requiring a 60-vote threshold for passage.
Paul, the only senator to vote against the bill, had put forward the only amendment to the legislation. Paul's amendment sought to offset the costs of the coronavirus spending by cutting funding for certain international programs.
"I support our government's efforts to fight the coronavirus," Paul said in a statement earlier Thursday. "We also owe it to the American people to do it in a way that avoids piling billions more in debt on their backs."
The Senate voted 80-16 to table — essentially, to kill — Paul's amendment prior to voting on the spending bill itself.
Paul's office did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment on the senator's decision to vote against the emergency coronavirus funds.
The spending plan also allows an estimated $7 billion in low-interest Small Business Administration loans to affected small businesses, the aide told CNBC.
The House aide added that the emergency bill provides more than $300 million to "help ensure that, when a vaccine is developed, Americans can receive it regardless of their ability to pay."
The question of affordability has reportedly been a sticking point in negotiations. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar came under fire last week after declining to guarantee to lawmakers that a vaccine would be affordable for all.


bonginoreport--2020-03-05--Matt Gaetz Explains Why He Stopped Taking PAC Money

I ’ ve catfished hundreds of thousands of dollars from special interests .
I never met their expectations — but I always knew what they wanted .
The special interests in Washington , DC love the status quo .
They thrive on a culture of corruption , pouring millions into the coffers of elected officials to have their interests placed above the interests of Americans .
Their system of exchanging favors and access for money renders public service — which should be among the nation ’ s noblest professions — dangerously close to the oldest profession .
This is why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looking behind the curtain at their corruption .
The want you to chant “ drain the swamp ” and then do nothing as they treat the swamp as their own luxury mud bath .
No matter which party is in power , the winner in Congress is frequently the special interest that can shuttle the most money into political campaigns .
Committee assignments and leadership opportunities are doled out to members most indebted to special interests .
Congressional staffers even use the orientation process to tell new members of Congress which PACS and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assignments and influence .
When these transactions happen in the private sector , they call it “ fraud , ” “ bribery ” and “ money laundering.
” When it happens on Capitol Hill , they call it fundraising .
In Congress , “ compromise legislation ” and “ stakeholder consensus ” are often code-words for special interests getting together and screwing over Americans .
The more a member of Congress proves his merit laundering money between special interests and our fake leadership , the faster he climbs the ranks .
No , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health insurance companies should not write our health care bills behind closed doors after donating millions of dollars to your aligned super PAC ’ s .
Big Tech should not define debate in our country as they buy off Congress .
That ’ s not the way America should work .
Our founding fathers did not commit treason to the Crown of England just so our generation could turn around and prostitute ourselves to the special interests of multinational corporations .
Instead , our founding fathers pledged their lives , their fortunes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot about fortune in Washington , DC — less so about honor and sacredness .
I ’ m sick of the masquerading .
I ’ m sick of politicians pledging allegiance to PACs while snubbing the forgotten men and women of America .
I will have no part in it .
I will never again accept a donation from a federal political action committee — not one red cent .
The American people are my one and only special interest .
So far , I ’ m the only Republican returning to Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I invite my colleagues to join me and my friends on the other side of the aisle , such as Congressman Ro Khanna ( D-CA ) , in refusing to cave to tainted special interest dollars .
Some Democrats morally preen themselves by swearing off “ corporate PAC ” money .
This sounds lofty in theory — but when they continue gorging on union PACs , ideological PACs , and “ Leadership PACs , ” they expose their promises for the performative , empty gestures that they truly are — and merely compound @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a dose of deception .
The American people must engage and drive the future and fate of our great nation .
They must stand in the breach and fill the void left by special interest dollars that have perverted our political discourse for far too long .
James Madison wrote that , in America , the highest position in society would not be “ President ” or “ Senator ” or “ Congressman ” — but instead , “ Citizen.
” As citizens , it is your duty to step up , speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the captains of our democracy .
After all , America is not just an idea — it is our home .
And we need to send the message loud and clear that America is not for sale .
The political establishment loses sleep at night when they see patriots unified in opposition to their treacherous agenda .
But the days of these crooks getting away with auctioning off our freedoms and slapping a price tag on our inalienable rights are coming to an end .
The corporate elites in Washington DC are gasping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump .
I say it ’ s time we suffocate their agenda with four more years of draining the swamp .
My independence from special interests is my loyalty to America , and to the America First movement that Donald Trump began when he rode down that escalator .
It is a movement that will carry our party into victory in 2020 , and our nation into greatness in the twenty-first century .
Together — with our patriotism , love , loyalty and unflinching resolve , we will make good on President Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best is yet to come .
Republican Matt Gaetz represents Florida ’ s 1st congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives .

I’ve catfished hundreds of thousands of dollars from special interests.
I never met their expectations — but I always knew what they wanted.
The special interests in Washington, DC love the status quo. They thrive on a culture of corruption, pouring millions into the coffers of elected officials to have their interests placed above the interests of Americans. Their system of exchanging favors and access for money renders public service — which should be among the nation’s noblest professions — dangerously close to the oldest profession.
This is why Federal PACS don’t want you looking behind the curtain at their corruption. The want you to chant “drain the swamp” and then do nothing as they treat the swamp as their own luxury mud bath.
No matter which party is in power, the winner in Congress is frequently the special interest that can shuttle the most money into political campaigns. Committee assignments and leadership opportunities are doled out to members most indebted to special interests. Congressional staffers even use the orientation process to tell new members of Congress which PACS and special interests will donate based on committee assignments and influence.
When these transactions happen in the private sector, they call it “fraud,” “bribery” and “money laundering.”
When it happens on Capitol Hill, they call it fundraising.
In Congress, “compromise legislation” and “stakeholder consensus” are often code-words for special interests getting together and screwing over Americans. The more a member of Congress proves his merit laundering money between special interests and our fake leadership, the faster he climbs the ranks.
No, Paul Ryan, HMO’s and health insurance companies should not write our health care bills behind closed doors after donating millions of dollars to your aligned super PAC’s.
Polluters should not set environmental standards.
Big Tech should not define debate in our country as they buy off Congress.
That’s not the way America should work. Our founding fathers did not commit treason to the Crown of England just so our generation could turn around and prostitute ourselves to the special interests of multinational corporations. Instead, our founding fathers pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor.
We hear a lot about fortune in Washington, DC — less so about honor and sacredness.
I’m a different kind of Republican.
I’m sick of the masquerading. I’m sick of politicians pledging allegiance to PACs while snubbing the forgotten men and women of America. I will have no part in it.
I will never again accept a donation from a federal political action committee — not one red cent.
The American people are my one and only special interest.
So far, I’m the only Republican returning to Congress to make this no PAC pledge. I invite my colleagues to join me and my friends on the other side of the aisle, such as Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA), in refusing to cave to tainted special interest dollars.
Some Democrats morally preen themselves by swearing off “corporate PAC” money. This sounds lofty in theory — but when they continue gorging on union PACs, ideological PACs, and “Leadership PACs,” they expose their promises for the performative, empty gestures that they truly are — and merely compound their betrayal of the American people with a dose of deception.
The American people must engage and drive the future and fate of our great nation. They must stand in the breach and fill the void left by special interest dollars that have perverted our political discourse for far too long.
James Madison wrote that, in America, the highest position in society would not be “President” or “Senator” or “Congressman” — but instead, “Citizen.”
As citizens, it is your duty to step up, speak out and assume your rightful place as the captains of our democracy. After all, America is not just an idea — it is our home. And we need to send the message loud and clear that America is not for sale.
The political establishment loses sleep at night when they see patriots unified in opposition to their treacherous agenda. But the days of these crooks getting away with auctioning off our freedoms and slapping a price tag on our inalienable rights are coming to an end.
The corporate elites in Washington DC are gasping for air after three years of President Trump. I say it’s time we suffocate their agenda with four more years of draining the swamp.
My independence from special interests is my loyalty to America, and to the America First movement that Donald Trump began when he rode down that escalator.
It is a movement that will carry our party into victory in 2020, and our nation into greatness in the twenty-first century.
Together — with our patriotism, love, loyalty and unflinching resolve, we will make good on President Trump’s promise that yes, the best is yet to come.
Republican Matt Gaetz represents Florida’s 1st congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives.


bonginoreport--2020-03-05--President Trump Refuses Reauthorize Surveillance Laws Without FISA Reforms

President Trump has told congressional Republican leaders that he will not support a clean reauthorization of surveillance laws without significant reforms to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court system that was abused during the Russia collusion probe , a senior White House official says .
The surveillance provisions are set to expire on March 15 , and the White House indicated to Republican leaders Tuesday that it would support only a temporary , 30-day extension to allow Congress to iron out the reforms .
House Democratic leaders have indicated publicly they are open to bipartisan compromise .
“ Just got back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made it abundantly clear that he will NOT accept a clean reauthorization of the Patriot Act without significant FISA reform !
I agree with him !
” Kentucky GOP Sen Rand Paul tweeted Tuesday .
Trump and other Republicans have expressed frustration with reported abuses of the FISA program including some -- outlined in a report by the Department of Justice ’ s Office Of The Inspector General -- by the FBI in its surveillance of Carter Page , a former 2016 Trump campaign adviser .
Paul told Fox Business he suggested to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the use of FISA courts -- “ which is a foreign intelligence court ” -- to spy on American citizens .
Paul instead suggests that intelligence gatherers be required to get approval from a “ Constitutional , Article 3 court ” to surveil American citizens .
“ This would protect Americans from the abuses that happened to the Trump campaign , ” Paul told Fox Business host Lou Dobbs .
“ But these abuses could happen to Republicans or Democrats if we have biased people in either the FBI or the intelligence agencies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is let ’ s take Americans out of FISA , and let ’ s keep the foreign surveillance court targeted towards foreigners.
” An additional possible reform discussed by lawmakers is the installment of a special master or some type of representative for an accused party , who could represent the rights of unwitting secret surveillance targets .
In a recent interview with Just The News , Page said Paul was `` kind of stating the obvious '' about protections that were already in place but ignored during the 2016 election .
Page @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reforms preventing further abuses , unless there was strong enforcement mechanisms .
`` I think Article 3 , in terms of the courts , those devices , broadly speaking , were intact -- or should have been intact -- in 2016 .
And they got completely obliterated .
You can have things 'by the book , ' but if the books are completely blown off or ignored or sidetracked , then these various conceptual frameworks can just be obliterated in no time flat ... '' These are all big problem areas , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , whether it 's our legislature of Congress , whether it 's the executive branch of these various departments and agencies , whether it 's the courts in terms of U.S. federal courts , if people aren ’ t doing their job or if people are complete liars , whatever these frameworks are they kind of thrown by the wayside .
”

President Trump has told congressional Republican leaders that he will not support a clean reauthorization of surveillance laws without significant reforms to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court system that was abused during the Russia collusion probe, a senior White House official says.
The surveillance provisions are set to expire on March 15, and the White House indicated to Republican leaders Tuesday that it would support only a temporary, 30-day extension to allow Congress to iron out the reforms.
House Democratic leaders have indicated publicly they are open to bipartisan compromise.
“Just got back from the White House. @realDonaldTrump made it abundantly clear that he will NOT accept a clean reauthorization of the Patriot Act without significant FISA reform! I agree with him!” Kentucky GOP Sen Rand Paul tweeted Tuesday.
Trump and other Republicans have expressed frustration with reported abuses of the FISA program including some -- outlined in a report by the Department of Justice’s Office Of The Inspector General -- by the FBI in its surveillance of Carter Page, a former 2016 Trump campaign adviser.
Paul told Fox Business he suggested to the president that one reform include banning the use of FISA courts -- “which is a foreign intelligence court” -- to spy on American citizens.
Paul instead suggests that intelligence gatherers be required to get approval from a “Constitutional, Article 3 court” to surveil American citizens.
“This would protect Americans from the abuses that happened to the Trump campaign,” Paul told Fox Business host Lou Dobbs. “But these abuses could happen to Republicans or Democrats if we have biased people in either the FBI or the intelligence agencies, so I think the best reform is let’s take Americans out of FISA, and let’s keep the foreign surveillance court targeted towards foreigners.”
An additional possible reform discussed by lawmakers is the installment of a special master or some type of representative for an accused party, who could represent the rights of unwitting secret surveillance targets.
In a recent interview with Just The News, Page said Paul was "kind of stating the obvious" about protections that were already in place but ignored during the 2016 election.
Page also expressed doubt about any proposed FISA reforms preventing further abuses, unless there was strong enforcement mechanisms.
"I think Article 3, in terms of the courts, those devices, broadly speaking, were intact -- or should have been intact -- in 2016. And they got completely obliterated. You can have things 'by the book,' but if the books are completely blown off or ignored or sidetracked, then these various conceptual frameworks can just be obliterated in no time flat ...
"These are all big problem areas, and if people across all branches of government, whether it's our legislature of Congress, whether it's the executive branch of these various departments and agencies, whether it's the courts in terms of U.S. federal courts, if people aren’t doing their job or if people are complete liars, whatever these frameworks are they kind of thrown by the wayside.”


bonginoreport--2020-03-06--Republicans Call Joe Biden’s Mental Fitness Into Question

Republicans are preparing a full court press on former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s mental fitness for office in the event that he wins the Democratic presidential nomination , GOP sources told the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Biden ’ s formerly rival candidates made a handful of references to the issue over the course of the campaign : former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro made a veiled jab at Biden ’ s mental fitness before walking it back ; New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker questioned Biden ’ s “ ability to carry the ball across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan said Biden is “ declining ” and lacks “ clarity ” when he speaks .
But by and large , Biden ’ s fellow Democrats have been hesitant to press the issue beyond making passing comments .
Republicans , meanwhile , are preparing to highlight questions about Biden ’ s fitness if he becomes the Democratic nominee .
A Trump campaign official told the DCNF that Biden ’ s “ capacity ” will be an issue in a potential general election matchup , echoing language used by Democratic New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump has repeatedly taken shots at Biden , saying the former vice president is “ not playing with a full deck ” and “ has lost his fastball.
” Trump ’ s campaign has already churned out videos highlighting Biden ’ s struggles .
Researchers at the Republican National Committee are keeping a running internal list of Biden ’ s verbal and mental miscues in preparation for the general election , an RNC source told the DCNF .
( RELATED EXCLUSIVE : Hunter Biden Touted Connections Last Year While Pitching UCLA Law On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden trailed off Monday while citing the Declaration of Independence , telling a crowd : “ We hold these truths to be self-evident .
All men and women created by the , you know , you know the thing.
” He told a South Carolina crowd on Feb. 25 that he ’ s “ a Democratic candidate for the United States Senate ” and that they should “ vote for the other Biden ” if they don ’ t like him .
He also told a South Carolina crowd he is “ looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the United States Senate.
” “ We have to choose truth over facts , ” Biden said in August 2019 .
He claimed in the Feb. 25 debate that gun violence killed 150 million people — roughly half the U.S. population — in a decade .
Biden also said in a debate last September that he is “ the vice president of the United States ” and called Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders “ the president ” of the country .
Biden , whose campaign didn ’ t return a request for comment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dates .
“ I love this place .
Look , what ’ s not to like about Vermont in terms of the beauty of it ?
” he asked a New Hampshire crowd in August 2019 .
Biden said in December that the Obama administration took place in 1976 , before correcting himself .
He appeared to confuse the 2016 and 2010 elections in a Feb. 20 town hall .
He has also confused both German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former British Prime Minister Theresa May with Margaret Thatcher , who passed away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prime minister ended in 1990 .
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 .

Republicans are preparing a full court press on former Vice President Joe Biden’s mental fitness for office in the event that he wins the Democratic presidential nomination, GOP sources told the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Biden’s formerly rival candidates made a handful of references to the issue over the course of the campaign: former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro made a veiled jab at Biden’s mental fitness before walking it back; New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker questioned Biden’s “ability to carry the ball across the end line without fumbling;” and Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan said Biden is “declining” and lacks “clarity” when he speaks.
But by and large, Biden’s fellow Democrats have been hesitant to press the issue beyond making passing comments.
Republicans, meanwhile, are preparing to highlight questions about Biden’s fitness if he becomes the Democratic nominee.
A Trump campaign official told the DCNF that Biden’s “capacity” will be an issue in a potential general election matchup, echoing language used by Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly taken shots at Biden, saying the former vice president is “not playing with a full deck” and “has lost his fastball.” Trump’s campaign has already churned out videos highlighting Biden’s struggles.
WATCH:
Before Joe Biden jumped in the race, Barack Obama told him “you really don’t have to do this.” After months of watching Joe on the campaign trail, everyone can see why. Cory Booker put it best: “You listen to Joe Biden and you just wonder.” pic.twitter.com/qLosBxWM2f — Trump War Room – Text EMPOWER to 88022 (@TrumpWarRoom) March 4, 2020
Researchers at the Republican National Committee are keeping a running internal list of Biden’s verbal and mental miscues in preparation for the general election, an RNC source told the DCNF. (RELATED EXCLUSIVE: Hunter Biden Touted Connections Last Year While Pitching UCLA Law On Letting Him Teach Drug Policy Course)
Examples abound.
Biden trailed off Monday while citing the Declaration of Independence, telling a crowd: “We hold these truths to be self-evident. All men and women created by the, you know, you know the thing.”
WATCH:
You can’t make this up…
pic.twitter.com/Hq6dLUbXLC — Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) March 2, 2020
He told a South Carolina crowd on Feb. 25 that he’s “a Democratic candidate for the United States Senate” and that they should “vote for the other Biden” if they don’t like him. He also told a South Carolina crowd he is “looking forward to appointing the first African-American woman to the United States Senate.”
“We have to choose truth over facts,” Biden said in August 2019.
He claimed in the Feb. 25 debate that gun violence killed 150 million people — roughly half the U.S. population — in a decade.
Biden also said in a debate last September that he is “the vice president of the United States” and called Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders “the president” of the country.
Biden, whose campaign didn’t return a request for comment, has also struggled with places and dates.
“I love this place. Look, what’s not to like about Vermont in terms of the beauty of it?” he asked a New Hampshire crowd in August 2019.
Biden said in December that the Obama administration took place in 1976, before correcting himself. He appeared to confuse the 2016 and 2010 elections in a Feb. 20 town hall.
He has also confused both German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former British Prime Minister Theresa May with Margaret Thatcher, who passed away in 2013 and whose reign as British prime minister ended in 1990.
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--2020-03-06--MSNBC and NYT Attempt Basic Math – Fail

MSNBC and NYT Attempt Basic Math – Fail

If someone had simply stopped and double-checked some math , they might have saved MSNBC ’ s Brian Williams and New York Times editorial board member Mara Gay some embarrassment Thursday night .
Instead , both Williams and Gay marveled on air in reaction to a Twitter user ’ s post about Mike Bloomberg ’ s campaign spending .
Trouble is , the post had gotten the math all wrong – yet neither Williams nor Gay seemed to notice .
MSNBC 'S RACHEL MADDOW TELLS WARREN HER 2020 EXIT IS 'CRUSHING , ' A 'DEATH KNELL ' FOR A FUTURE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , now deleted , said : “ Bloomberg spent $ 500 million on ads .
The U.S. population is 327 million .
He could have given each American $ 1 million and still have money left over , I feel like a $ 1 million check would be life-changing for people .
Yet he wasted it all on ads and STILL LOST.
” “ It ’ s an incredible way of putting it , ” Williams gushed .
“ It ’ s an incredible way of putting it .
It ’ s true @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , however , had Bloomberg divvied his advertising dollars among all Americans , the per-capita cash-out would have been more like $ 1.53 per person – not even enough to take a ride on New York City ’ s subway .
One Twitter user who took notice of the bad math was writer Michael Salfino of New Jersey .
“ What is wrong with these people ?
” Salfino wrote .
“ This would be right here if there were 327 people in the US .
And this reflects horribly on the NY @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think for two seconds ?
” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Neither Williams nor Gay appeared to acknowledge their tag-team faux pas on social media as of early Friday .
As for the author of the original post , her account was set to private -- and in her Twitter bio she wrote : “ I know , I ’ m bad at math .
”

If someone had simply stopped and double-checked some math, they might have saved MSNBC’s Brian Williams and New York Times editorial board member Mara Gay some embarrassment and an apology Thursday night.
Instead, both Williams and Gay marveled on air in reaction to a Twitter user’s post about Mike Bloomberg’s campaign spending.
Trouble is, the post had gotten the math all wrong – yet neither Williams nor Gay seemed to notice.
MSNBC'S RACHEL MADDOW TELLS WARREN HER 2020 EXIT IS 'CRUSHING,' A 'DEATH KNELL' FOR A FUTURE FEMALE POTUS
The Super Tuesday evening post, now deleted, said: “Bloomberg spent $500 million on ads. The U.S. population is 327 million. He could have given each American $1 million and still have money left over, I feel like a $1 million check would be life-changing for people. Yet he wasted it all on ads and STILL LOST.”
“It’s an incredible way of putting it,” Williams gushed.
“It’s an incredible way of putting it. It’s true,” Gay agreed.
In reality, however, had Bloomberg divvied his advertising dollars among all Americans, the per-capita cash-out would have been more like $1.53 per person – not even enough to take a ride on New York City’s subway.
“Turns out Mara and I got the same grades at math. I’m speaking of the tweet we both misinterpreted. He could give each American $1. Again, I didn't have it in high school. I don't have it tonight. I stand corrected. Sorry about that. The tweet is wrong,” Williams told viewers later in the show. “Garbage in, garbage out.”
One Twitter user who took notice of the bad math was writer Michael Salfino of New Jersey.
“What is wrong with these people?” Salfino wrote. “This would be right here if there were 327 people in the US. And this reflects horribly on the NY Times too. Can someone stop and think for two seconds?”
MSNBC WORKING AGAINST BERNIE SANDERS' DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION, CRITICS SAY
"The 11th Hour" eventually pointed out the mistake on social media.
“Tonight on the air we quoted a tweet that relied on bad math. We corrected the error after the next commercial break and have removed it from later editions of tonight’s program. We apologize for the error,” the verified Twittter account for Williams’ show wrote after the gaffe.
BERNIE SANDERS FIRES BACK AT MEDIA FOR ITS 'WILLFUL DISTORTION' OF HIS ATTACKS ON 'THE ESTABLISHMENT'
As for the author of the original post, her account was set to private -- and in her Twitter bio she wrote: “I know, I’m bad at math.”
National Review editor Charles C. W. Cooke wrote that the math is obviously “spectacularly off” but so it’s also very telling.
“This, right here, is why so many left-leaning Americans think that ‘the billionaires’ can pay for everything. It’s why Elizabeth Warren was enthusiastically boosted by the media despite her ridiculous pretense that she could pay for a series of gargantuan initiatives without raising taxes on anyone but the extremely rich,” Cooke wrote. “It’s why Democrat after Democrat promises not to raise ‘middle class taxes’ while promising programs that require the raising of middle class taxes. How did this bad tweet make it onto TV to be endorsed? Why did Mara Gay agree with it? Why didn’t Brian Williams notice? Because the people involved in this clip thought it was true. This is how they see the world.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Other critics took to Twitter to mock Williams and the Times:


bonginoreport--2020-03-06--Twitter Refuses to “Verify” Florida GOP Congressional Candidate Anna Paulina

Twitter accidentally gave a “ verified ” checkmark to a fake election candidate , but it ’ s struggling to verify real people running for office .
Despite guaranteeing that it would verify candidates , the platform has not verified Florida Republican candidate Anna Paulina Luna .
As Breitbart News reported last week , Twitter verified the account of “ Andrew Walz , ” a fake congressional candidate created by a 17-year-old high school kid .
“ Verification ” is the process by which Twitter attaches a blue , “ verified ” checkmark to certain accounts , usually those of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizations .
Verification adds prominence to an account and assures the public they are reading the tweets of the right person , not to mention providing certain account perks and tools .
But even as it verifies fake candidates , Twitter is struggling to keep its promise to proactively verify real ones .
An investigation by The Hill has found that nearly 90 primary candidates have yet to be verified on Twitter .
One Republican congressional candidate , U.S. Air Force veteran Anna Paulina Luna , has still not been verified despite multiple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says it will verify any candidate that is listed on Ballotpedia , but it has not held up its end of the bargain in Luna ’ s case .
“ I am now less than 6 months from my primary and after inquiry with both Ballotpedia and Twitter , they will still not verify my account , ” Luna told Breitbart News .
“ I am the ONLY candidate in my primary of 6 other people who has not been verified .
I also have the largest media presence as well as following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both blamed the other and told me it was ‘ in the process . '
” “ After time passed I inquired again and they did not respond .
I have been approached by voters in my district asking the very same question .
I would be happy to forward emails to show correspondence.
” Luna has over 100,000 followers on Twitter , and says she uses her combined social media followings to fundraise for her campaign .
Lack of verification has an impact on where her tweets appear in searches and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , therefore , have an impact on those fundraising efforts , putting her at a disadvantage in relation to her primary opponents .
Twitter did not respond to a request for comment from Breitbart News .

Twitter accidentally gave a “verified” checkmark to a fake election candidate, but it’s struggling to verify real people running for office. Despite guaranteeing that it would verify candidates, the platform has not verified Florida Republican candidate Anna Paulina Luna.
As Breitbart News reported last week, Twitter verified the account of “Andrew Walz,” a fake congressional candidate created by a 17-year-old high school kid.
“Verification” is the process by which Twitter attaches a blue, “verified” checkmark to certain accounts, usually those of public figures, celebrities, and major organizations. Verification adds prominence to an account and assures the public they are reading the tweets of the right person, not to mention providing certain account perks and tools.
But even as it verifies fake candidates, Twitter is struggling to keep its promise to proactively verify real ones. An investigation by The Hill has found that nearly 90 primary candidates have yet to be verified on Twitter.
One Republican congressional candidate, U.S. Air Force veteran Anna Paulina Luna, has still not been verified despite multiple requests sent to Twitter. The platform says it will verify any candidate that is listed on Ballotpedia, but it has not held up its end of the bargain in Luna’s case.
“I am now less than 6 months from my primary and after inquiry with both Ballotpedia and Twitter, they will still not verify my account,” Luna told Breitbart News.
“I am the ONLY candidate in my primary of 6 other people who has not been verified. I also have the largest media presence as well as following. Upon contacting Twitter and Ballotpedia they both blamed the other and told me it was ‘in the process.'”
“After time passed I inquired again and they did not respond. I have been approached by voters in my district asking the very same question. I would be happy to forward emails to show correspondence.”
Luna has over 100,000 followers on Twitter, and says she uses her combined social media followings to fundraise for her campaign. Lack of verification has an impact on where her tweets appear in searches and the public areas of Twitter, and will, therefore, have an impact on those fundraising efforts, putting her at a disadvantage in relation to her primary opponents.
Twitter did not respond to a request for comment from Breitbart News.
Are you an insider at Google, Facebook, Twitter, or any other tech company who wants to confidentially reveal wrongdoing or political bias at your company? Reach out to Allum Bokhari at his secure email address allumbokhari@protonmail.com.