bonginoreport--2020-12-21--Mick Mulvaney Casts Doubt on Trump Team’s Legal Strategy

Former acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney offered a bleak assessment of the Trump campaign 's legal efforts to overturn the election .
Mulvaney , who served as President Trump 's top aide from January 2019 to March 2020 , called the campaign 's strategy `` not a serious legal inquiry ” during a Monday interview with Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo .
Bartiromo prefaced a question to Mulvaney by bringing up the Trump campaign 's first independent Supreme Court filing , in hopes of reversing actions taken by Pennsylvania 's high court .
The campaign aims to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changed the state 's mail balloting laws immediately before and after this year 's election .
“ Mick , what do you make of this suit ?
Could this be a potential win for President Trump ?
” she asked .
“ Potentially , sure .
But I think we 'd have to be honest with ourselves , Maria ; no one ’ s been impressed with the results of the legal team up till now , ” Mulvaney said .
“ It ’ s been run mostly as a PR campaign , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inquiry.
” Mulvaney noted that he thinks the president will `` use every tool available to him , '' before adding that the two Georgia Senate elections , scheduled for Jan. 5 , will play a role in determining how election-related fraud is investigated .
`` I think one of the things that not enough folks are talking about , though , is probably the best way at this point for the president to make sure we finally find out what happened in the election in 2020 is to win the Senate in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control of the Senate , there will be no opportunity to do any investigations after Jan. 20 , '' he said .
Mulvaney has not been shy in criticizing the campaign 's legal efforts .
Last month , he rebuked Rudy Giuliani , the former New York City mayor and personal friend of the president , who has been heading up the campaign 's legal team .
To date , the lawsuits filed from the campaign , as well as those from GOP-affiliated or adjacent groups , have been overwhelmingly rejected in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden will be sworn-in as president on Jan. 20 .

Former acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney offered a bleak assessment of the Trump campaign's legal efforts to overturn the election.
Mulvaney, who served as President Trump's top aide from January 2019 to March 2020, called the campaign's strategy "not a serious legal inquiry” during a Monday interview with Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo.
Bartiromo prefaced a question to Mulvaney by bringing up the Trump campaign's first independent Supreme Court filing, in hopes of reversing actions taken by Pennsylvania's high court. The campaign aims to reverse three Pennsylvania Supreme Court cases that changed the state's mail balloting laws immediately before and after this year's election.
“Mick, what do you make of this suit? Could this be a potential win for President Trump?” she asked.
“Potentially, sure. But I think we'd have to be honest with ourselves, Maria; no one’s been impressed with the results of the legal team up till now,” Mulvaney said. “It’s been run mostly as a PR campaign, it seems, not a serious legal inquiry.”
Mulvaney noted that he thinks the president will "use every tool available to him," before adding that the two Georgia Senate elections, scheduled for Jan. 5, will play a role in determining how election-related fraud is investigated.
"I think one of the things that not enough folks are talking about, though, is probably the best way at this point for the president to make sure we finally find out what happened in the election in 2020 is to win the Senate in Georgia, because if the Democrats take control of the Senate, there will be no opportunity to do any investigations after Jan. 20," he said.
Mulvaney has not been shy in criticizing the campaign's legal efforts. Last month, he rebuked Rudy Giuliani, the former New York City mayor and personal friend of the president, who has been heading up the campaign's legal team.
To date, the lawsuits filed from the campaign, as well as those from GOP-affiliated or adjacent groups, have been overwhelmingly rejected in the court of law, and President-elect Joe Biden will be sworn-in as president on Jan. 20.


bonginoreport--2020-12-21--Woman Who Owns $24,000 Freezer Defends $600 Stimulus Payments as “Significant”

`` They are significant , '' said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , referring to the $ 600-per-household second round of stimulus checks that are forthcoming .
`` We also have in the legislation , uh , direct payments which were not in the Republican bill , to America 's working families .
I would have liked them to be bigger , but they are significant and they will be going out soon . ''
Pelosi went on to complain about the possibility of President Trump 's name being on the checks , despite the fact that most people are going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has also been accusations from others in Congress aimed at Pelosi .
Republican Texas Congressman Dan Crenshaw claims that Pelosi has been stalling this stimulus package for months , for political reasons .
In fact , the relief package approved by Pelosi and the rest of congress is actually quite a lot smarter than the one proposed by President Donald Trump .
In the video below , a reporter asks Pelosi on Dec. 4 , `` Was the mistake not to accept half a loaf months ago , when you said , ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half a loaf , ' but now— '' Pelosi interrupts him and snaps at him that `` That was not a mistake ; it was a decision '' .
However , back on Oct. 1 , during an interview , Pelosi was talking about the Republican stimulus package .
The interviewer asked her , `` Are n't you better off doing some good for the millions of people out there ? ''
Pelosi answered definitively , `` This is n't even half a loaf .
What they 're offering ... is ... the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this , and all of the above , Pelosi in the above video says `` I would have liked them to be bigger , but they are significant . ''
There is also some doubt on the part of critics about the meaning of `` significant '' , when many American families are thousands of dollars behind in things like their rent .
Pelosi 's net worth is estimated to be around $ 120 million .

"They are significant," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, referring to the $600-per-household second round of stimulus checks that are forthcoming.
"We also have in the legislation, uh, direct payments which were not in the Republican bill, to America's working families. I would have liked them to be bigger, but they are significant and they will be going out soon."
Pelosi went on to complain about the possibility of President Trump's name being on the checks, despite the fact that most people are going to receive these payments electronically.
There has also been accusations from others in Congress aimed at Pelosi. Republican Texas Congressman Dan Crenshaw claims that Pelosi has been stalling this stimulus package for months, for political reasons.
In fact, the relief package approved by Pelosi and the rest of congress is actually quite a lot smarter than the one proposed by President Donald Trump.
In the video below, a reporter asks Pelosi on Dec. 4, "Was the mistake not to accept half a loaf months ago, when you said, 'I’m not going to accept half a loaf,' but now—" Pelosi interrupts him and snaps at him that "That was not a mistake; it was a decision".
However, back on Oct. 1, during an interview, Pelosi was talking about the Republican stimulus package. The interviewer asked her, "Aren't you better off doing some good for the millions of people out there?" Pelosi answered definitively, "This isn't even half a loaf. What they're offering... is... the heel of a loaf."
Despite this, and all of the above, Pelosi in the above video says "I would have liked them to be bigger, but they are significant."
There is also some doubt on the part of critics about the meaning of "significant", when many American families are thousands of dollars behind in things like their rent.
Pelosi's net worth is estimated to be around $120 million.


bonginoreport--2020-12-21--Provision on Dalai Lama’s Reincarnation Makes It Into Stimulus Bill

The 5,500-page coronavirus aid and government funding package Congress plans to pass Monday was just uploaded for review , and it includes hundreds of add-on provisions , including a statement of policy “ regarding the succession or reincarnation of the Dalai Lama.
” The provision is a “ statement of policy ” for the United States aimed at deterring China from attempting to name a successor to the Dalai Lama , which would interfere with Tibetan Buddhism .
The measure is buried in the massive spending and virus aid package that is also loaded up with hundreds of other provisions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill to pass in the 116th Congress .
The Dalai Lama language is part of the Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2020 .
China , according to the provision , “ has repeatedly insisted on its role in managing the selection of Tibet ’ s next spiritual leader , the Dalai Lama , ” which violates the international right to religious freedom .
The Chinese government has meddled in the process in the past and has attempted to install a successor decades ago .
In March 2019 , the Chinese Ministry of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ reincarnation of living Buddhas including the Dalai Lama must comply with Chinese laws and regulations and follow religious rituals and historical conventions.
” The policy statement embedded in the bill calls for the U.S. to hold Chinese government officials responsible for trying to interfere in picking the next Dalai Lama .
The 14th and current Dalai Lama is 85 years old .
In November 2019 , Amitabh Mathur , a retired adviser to the Indian government on Tibetan affairs , explained to NPR why China wants to control succession of the Dalai @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reincarnation is a civilizational struggle between China and Tibetans over who controls Tibetan Buddhism , '' Mathur told NPR .
`` It 's not merely about one individual .
It 's about who truly heads the Tibetans . ''

The 5,500-page coronavirus aid and government funding package Congress plans to pass Monday was just uploaded for review, and it includes hundreds of add-on provisions, including a statement of policy “regarding the succession or reincarnation of the Dalai Lama.”
The provision is a “statement of policy” for the United States aimed at deterring China from attempting to name a successor to the Dalai Lama, which would interfere with Tibetan Buddhism.
The measure is buried in the massive spending and virus aid package that is also loaded up with hundreds of other provisions that will be part of the last bill to pass in the 116th Congress. The Dalai Lama language is part of the Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2020.
China, according to the provision, “has repeatedly insisted on its role in managing the selection of Tibet’s next spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama,” which violates the international right to religious freedom.
The Chinese government has meddled in the process in the past and has attempted to install a successor decades ago. In March 2019, the Chinese Ministry of Affairs spokesperson “reiterated that the ‘‘reincarnation of living Buddhas including the Dalai Lama must comply with Chinese laws and regulations and follow religious rituals and historical conventions.”
The policy statement embedded in the bill calls for the U.S. to hold Chinese government officials responsible for trying to interfere in picking the next Dalai Lama.
The 14th and current Dalai Lama is 85 years old.
In November 2019, Amitabh Mathur, a retired adviser to the Indian government on Tibetan affairs, explained to NPR why China wants to control succession of the Dalai Lama. “The Dalai Lama's reincarnation is a civilizational struggle between China and Tibetans over who controls Tibetan Buddhism," Mathur told NPR. "It's not merely about one individual. It's about who truly heads the Tibetans."


bonginoreport--2020-12-21--Biden Receives Vaccine – Praises Operation Warp Speed

President-elect Joe Biden on Monday publicly took the newly approved coronavirus vaccine .
The president-elect received his first of two shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at ChristianaCare Hospital , which is a short drive from his home in Wilmington , Del.
, in an event that was televised nationally .
PENCE GETS COVID VACCINE TO SHOW IT 'S 'SAFE AND EFFECTIVE' '' I 'm doing this to demonstrate that people should be prepared , when it 's available , to take the vaccine .
There 's nothing to worry about , '' Biden said after receiving his shot .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden , who received her vaccination earlier in the day .
Last Monday the first doses of the Pfizer and BioNTech coronavirus vaccine were injected into health care workers , who are on the front lines in the battle against a pandemic that ’ s taken the lives of nearly 320,000 Americans since the virus first swept the nation in February and March .
The vaccine was authorized days earlier by the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) for emergency use , and the first doses were delivered to all 50 states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rico .
Three days ago , a second vaccine that ’ s been produced by the drug maker Moderna was approved for emergency use approval by the FDA .
Biden credited President Trump 's administration , saying , `` I think the administration deserves some credit for getting us off the ground with Operation Warp Speed . ''
Warp Speed is the name of the federal program implemented by the White House this year to work with the major drug manufacturers to produce a coronavirus vaccine .
CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST FOX @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden noted that `` this is just the beginning .
...
It ’ s going to take time . ''
He added that `` in the meantime , I know I don ’ t want to sound like a sour note here but I hope people listen to all the experts . ''
The president-elect once again encouraged Americans to wear masks and stay socially distanced during the holiday season .
`` If you don ’ t have to travel , don ’ t travel .
Because we ’ re still in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Calling it a `` medical miracle , '' Vice President Mike Pence on Friday morning publicly received his vaccination , in an event that was also nationally televised .
He emphasized that the vaccine was `` safe and effective , '' as he was joined in taking the shots by his wife , second lady Karen Pence , and Surgeon General Jerome Adams .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , were also given doses on Friday and also publicized their injections as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans that the shots are safe .
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and her husband are expected to receive their first shots next week .
Former Presidents Bill Clinton , George W. Bush and Barack Obama have said they will take the vaccine publicly to also inspire confidence among Americans .
WHAT THE LATEST FOX NEWS POLLS SAY ABOUT WHETHER MOST AMERICANS WILL TAKE THE CORONAVIRUS VACCINE President Trump , who was hospitalized with COVID in October , has not said when he ’ ll take his vaccination .
A Fox News national poll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of Americans plan to get vaccinated against COVID-19 , up from 54 % in September .
Among the 28 % who do not plan to be vaccinated , the top reasons include that its development was rushed ( 23 % ) , a lack of trust it will work ( 21 % ) , opposition to vaccines generally ( 13 % ) , distrust of the government ( 10 % ) , and concern about side effects ( 9 % ) .

President-elect Joe Biden on Monday publicly took the newly approved coronavirus vaccine.
The president-elect received his first of two shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at ChristianaCare Hospital, which is a short drive from his home in Wilmington, Del., in an event that was televised nationally.
PENCE GETS COVID VACCINE TO SHOW IT'S 'SAFE AND EFFECTIVE'
"I'm doing this to demonstrate that people should be prepared, when it's available, to take the vaccine. There's nothing to worry about," Biden said after receiving his shot.
Biden was accompanied by his wife Jill Biden, who received her vaccination earlier in the day.
Last Monday the first doses of the Pfizer and BioNTech coronavirus vaccine were injected into health care workers, who are on the front lines in the battle against a pandemic that’s taken the lives of nearly 320,000 Americans since the virus first swept the nation in February and March.
The vaccine was authorized days earlier by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency use, and the first doses were delivered to all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Three days ago, a second vaccine that’s been produced by the drug maker Moderna was approved for emergency use approval by the FDA.
Biden credited President Trump's administration, saying, "I think the administration deserves some credit for getting us off the ground with Operation Warp Speed."
Warp Speed is the name of the federal program implemented by the White House this year to work with the major drug manufacturers to produce a coronavirus vaccine.
CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST FOX NEWS REPORTING ON THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
But Biden noted that "this is just the beginning. ... It’s going to take time."
He added that "in the meantime, I know I don’t want to sound like a sour note here but I hope people listen to all the experts."
The president-elect once again encouraged Americans to wear masks and stay socially distanced during the holiday season.
"If you don’t have to travel, don’t travel. Because we’re still in the thick of this," Biden added.
Calling it a "medical miracle," Vice President Mike Pence on Friday morning publicly received his vaccination, in an event that was also nationally televised. He emphasized that the vaccine was "safe and effective," as he was joined in taking the shots by his wife, second lady Karen Pence, and Surgeon General Jerome Adams.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., were also given doses on Friday and also publicized their injections as part of a campaign to convince skeptical Americans that the shots are safe. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and her husband are expected to receive their first shots next week.
Former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama have said they will take the vaccine publicly to also inspire confidence among Americans.
WHAT THE LATEST FOX NEWS POLLS SAY ABOUT WHETHER MOST AMERICANS WILL TAKE THE CORONAVIRUS VACCINE
President Trump, who was hospitalized with COVID in October, has not said when he’ll take his vaccination.
A Fox News national poll conducted earlier this month indicated that 61% of Americans plan to get vaccinated against COVID-19, up from 54% in September. Among the 28% who do not plan to be vaccinated, the top reasons include that its development was rushed (23%), a lack of trust it will work (21%), opposition to vaccines generally (13%), distrust of the government (10%), and concern about side effects (9%).


bonginoreport--2020-12-21--President Trump Signs Executive Order Requiring Classical Architecture for Federal Buildings

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday requiring federal buildings be constructed in the style of American classical architectural codes .
Following decades of modernist , brutalist , and deconstructivist designs for federal buildings , Trump has issued an order that will return federal architecture to its original ethos of classical , Neoclassical , Art Deco , Georgian , Greek Revival , and Beaux-Arts that was preferred by many of the Founding Fathers .
“ [ Notable Founding Fathers ] wanted America ’ s public buildings to inspire the American people and encourage civic virtue , ” the order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson consciously modeled the most important buildings in Washington , D.C. , on the classical architecture of ancient Athens and Rome .
They sought to use classical architecture to visually connect our contemporary Republic with the antecedents of democracy in classical antiquity , reminding citizens not only of their rights but also their responsibilities in maintaining and perpetuating its institutions.
” “ Under the direction and following the vision of these two founders , Pierre Charles L ’ Enfant designed the Nation ’ s capital as a classical city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The promise of his design for the city was fulfilled by the 1902 McMillan Plan , which created the National Mall and the Monumental Core as we know them.
” The order notes that in the middle of the last century , the federal government began replacing “ traditional designs for new construction with modernist ones ” and openly discouraged the deployment of classical architecture .
“ The new buildings ranged from the undistinguished to designs even GSA now admits many in the public found unappealing , ” the order states .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buildings visibly clashed with the existing classical architecture.
” Specifically , the order blasts the modernist designs of the Hubert H. Humphrey Department of Health and Human Services Building , the Robert C. Weaver Department of Housing and Urban Development Building , the San Francisco Federal Building , the Salt Lake City Federal Courthouse , and the George C. Young Federal Courthouse .
“ The resulting Federal architecture sometimes impresses the architectural elite , but not the American people who the buildings are meant to serve , ” the order states .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not even visibly identifiable as civic buildings.
” Federal buildings constructed in the future , the order states , will need to follow classical architectural codes and fit with the traditional character of their surroundings : It is time to update the policies guiding Federal architecture to address these problems and ensure that architects designing Federal buildings serve their clients , the American people .
New Federal building designs should , like America ’ s beloved landmark buildings , uplift and beautify public spaces , inspire the human spirit , ennoble the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public , and , as appropriate , respect the architectural heritage of a region .
They should also be visibly identifiable as civic buildings and should be selected with input from the local community .
[ Emphasis added ] Classical and other traditional architecture , as practiced both historically and by today ’ s architects , have proven their ability to meet these design criteria and to more than satisfy today ’ s functional , technical , and sustainable needs .
Their use should be encouraged instead of discouraged .
[ Emphasis added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not exclude using most other styles of architecture , where appropriate .
Care must be taken , however , to ensure that all Federal building designs command respect of the general public for their beauty and visual embodiment of America ’ s ideals .
[ Emphasis added ] The order also applies to existing federal buildings that will be rebuilt or redesigned and demands that community members are involved when architects are considering the design .
A panel , as ordered , known as the President ’ s Council on Improving Federal Civic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s date of enactment to ensure that provisions of the order are being properly followed .
When non-classical architectural styles are considered for federal buildings , the order requires that the president is notified as well as ” a detailed explanation of why the administrator believes selecting such design is justified , with particular focus on whether such design is as beautiful and reflective of the dignity , enterprise , vigor , and stability of the American system of self-government as alternative designs of comparable cost using preferred architecture.
” “ Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not only beautiful , it embodies the key values of our representative government , ” NCAS President Justin Shubow .
“ Such distinguished and inspiring buildings connect us to our heritage and are associated with the continuity , equality , and openness essential to a functioning republic.
” “ On Friday , President Trump stood firm for tradition and beauty in public architecture , and for the heartfelt desires of the American people , ” Shubow said .
First Lady Melania Trump , in her renovation of the White House ’ s tennis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s classical architectural style and drew inspiration with its Doric columns and fanlight windows .
John Binder is a reporter for Breitbart News .
Follow him on Twitter at @ JxhnBinder .

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday requiring federal buildings be constructed in the style of American classical architectural codes.
Following decades of modernist, brutalist, and deconstructivist designs for federal buildings, Trump has issued an order that will return federal architecture to its original ethos of classical, Neoclassical, Art Deco, Georgian, Greek Revival, and Beaux-Arts that was preferred by many of the Founding Fathers.
“[Notable Founding Fathers] wanted America’s public buildings to inspire the American people and encourage civic virtue,” the order states. “President George Washington and Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson consciously modeled the most important buildings in Washington, D.C., on the classical architecture of ancient Athens and Rome. They sought to use classical architecture to visually connect our contemporary Republic with the antecedents of democracy in classical antiquity, reminding citizens not only of their rights but also their responsibilities in maintaining and perpetuating its institutions.”
“Under the direction and following the vision of these two founders, Pierre Charles L’Enfant designed the Nation’s capital as a classical city,” the order continues. “The promise of his design for the city was fulfilled by the 1902 McMillan Plan, which created the National Mall and the Monumental Core as we know them.”
The order notes that in the middle of the last century, the federal government began replacing “traditional designs for new construction with modernist ones” and openly discouraged the deployment of classical architecture.
“The new buildings ranged from the undistinguished to designs even GSA now admits many in the public found unappealing,” the order states. “In Washington, D.C., new Federal buildings visibly clashed with the existing classical architecture.”
Specifically, the order blasts the modernist designs of the Hubert H. Humphrey Department of Health and Human Services Building, the Robert C. Weaver Department of Housing and Urban Development Building, the San Francisco Federal Building, the Salt Lake City Federal Courthouse, and the George C. Young Federal Courthouse.
“The resulting Federal architecture sometimes impresses the architectural elite, but not the American people who the buildings are meant to serve,” the order states. “Many of these new Federal buildings are not even visibly identifiable as civic buildings.”
Federal buildings constructed in the future, the order states, will need to follow classical architectural codes and fit with the traditional character of their surroundings:
It is time to update the policies guiding Federal architecture to address these problems and ensure that architects designing Federal buildings serve their clients, the American people. New Federal building designs should, like America’s beloved landmark buildings, uplift and beautify public spaces, inspire the human spirit, ennoble the United States, command respect from the general public, and, as appropriate, respect the architectural heritage of a region. They should also be visibly identifiable as civic buildings and should be selected with input from the local community. [Emphasis added] Classical and other traditional architecture, as practiced both historically and by today’s architects, have proven their ability to meet these design criteria and to more than satisfy today’s functional, technical, and sustainable needs. Their use should be encouraged instead of discouraged. [Emphasis added] Encouraging classical and traditional architecture does not exclude using most other styles of architecture, where appropriate. Care must be taken, however, to ensure that all Federal building designs command respect of the general public for their beauty and visual embodiment of America’s ideals. [Emphasis added]
The order also applies to existing federal buildings that will be rebuilt or redesigned and demands that community members are involved when architects are considering the design.
A panel, as ordered, known as the President’s Council on Improving Federal Civic Architecture will be established at the order’s date of enactment to ensure that provisions of the order are being properly followed.
When non-classical architectural styles are considered for federal buildings, the order requires that the president is notified as well as ” a detailed explanation of why the administrator believes selecting such design is justified, with particular focus on whether such design is as beautiful and reflective of the dignity, enterprise, vigor, and stability of the American system of self-government as alternative designs of comparable cost using preferred architecture.”
The National Civic Art Society (NCAS) praised Trump’s order as overdue.
“Americans have long understood that classical architecture is not only beautiful, it embodies the key values of our representative government,” NCAS President Justin Shubow. “Such distinguished and inspiring buildings connect us to our heritage and are associated with the continuity, equality, and openness essential to a functioning republic.”
“On Friday, President Trump stood firm for tradition and beauty in public architecture, and for the heartfelt desires of the American people,” Shubow said.
First Lady Melania Trump, in her renovation of the White House’s tennis pavilion, was guided by the residence’s classical architectural style and drew inspiration with its Doric columns and fanlight windows.
John Binder is a reporter for Breitbart News. Follow him on Twitter at @JxhnBinder.


bonginoreport--2020-12-21--New Jersey Nursing Homes Won’t Get Vaccine This Week Because State Missed Deadline

New Jersey nursing home residents won ’ t be getting vaccinated Monday — because state officials missed the deadline .
@ @ @ @ @ on the 21st there was a deadline of the 7th … we missed that date @ @ @ @ @ Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli admitted at a press conference Friday .
`` We asked to @ @ @ @ @ they said , ‘ No , you ’ ll start on the 28th.
’ It @ @ @ @ @ , '' Persichilli said .
She blamed the `` sheer volume of information that had @ @ @ @ @ the more than 600 long-term care facilities , skilled nursing homes and assisted living facilities @ @ @ @ @ CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The mishap comes as New Jersey is @ @ @ @ @ doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines through the end of the year .
The @ @ @ @ @ 492,075 doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines this month , but will only get @ @ @ @ @

New Jersey nursing home residents won’t be getting vaccinated Monday — because state officials missed the deadline.
"In order to start on the 21st there was a deadline of the 7th … we missed that date by a day," Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli admitted at a press conference Friday.
"We asked to start on the 21st and they said, ‘No, you’ll start on the 28th.’ It was as simple as that," Persichilli said.
She blamed the "sheer volume of information that had to be inputted" for the more than 600 long-term care facilities, skilled nursing homes and assisted living facilities for the missed deadline.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The mishap comes as New Jersey is also getting 20 percent fewer doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines through the end of the year.
The Garden State had been promised 492,075 doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines this month, but will only get 392,800, Persichilli said.


bonginoreport--2020-12-21--Gov. Cuomo Says Santa Is Going to Reward Him for All His Hard Work

During a briefing today , New York Governor Andrew Cuomo touted his expectation that Santa will be `` very good '' to him , seeing as how hard he 's worked this year .
`` So , healthy holiday , '' Cuomo said .
`` And I 'm gon na have a great one .
Santa 's going to be very good to me , I can tell , I 've worked hard this year , social distance , wear a mask .
Be smart , be smart . ''
As part of his hard work this year , Cuomo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service industry be out out of work only two weeks before Christmas .
This was because the restaurant industry caused 1.4 percent of the spread of coronavirus in New York City .
Most of the spread of the virus , 74 percent , is as a result of private gatherings in people 's homes .
Cuomo has emphasized that people should not get together for the holidays , though he himself planned to gather with people with whom he does not reside at Thanksgiving .
Cuomo won an International Emmy for his daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Santa has been tuning in and will reward him just like the celebrities have .
Cuomo was also responsible for thousands of deaths of the elderly nursing homes due to his failed policy of returning COVID-positive persons back into care homes while they were still recovering , and contagious .

During a briefing today, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo touted his expectation that Santa will be "very good" to him, seeing as how hard he's worked this year.
"So, healthy holiday," Cuomo said. "And I'm gonna have a great one. Santa's going to be very good to me, I can tell, I've worked hard this year, social distance, wear a mask. Be smart, be smart."
As part of his hard work this year, Cuomo demanded that thousands of people in the service industry be out out of work only two weeks before Christmas. This was because the restaurant industry caused 1.4 percent of the spread of coronavirus in New York City.
Most of the spread of the virus, 74 percent, is as a result of private gatherings in people's homes. Cuomo has emphasized that people should not get together for the holidays, though he himself planned to gather with people with whom he does not reside at Thanksgiving.
Cuomo won an International Emmy for his daily coronavirus briefings, and perhaps he feels that Santa has been tuning in and will reward him just like the celebrities have.
Cuomo was also responsible for thousands of deaths of the elderly nursing homes due to his failed policy of returning COVID-positive persons back into care homes while they were still recovering, and contagious.


bonginoreport--2020-12-22--SoftBank Launches Blank Check Company

SoftBank Launches Blank Check Company

The Japanese investment giant is the latest big name to jump on the wave of so-called blank-check companies , which involve an investment vehicle entering the public markets and then using the money raised to merge with a private company .
SoftBank Group filed to launch a special purpose acquisition company on Monday , saying it planned to raise $ 525 million for an investment in a technology company .
`` Our SPAC will bridge SoftBank 's private and public investing strategies by enabling us to partner with a fast-growing , IPO-ready technology company .
We believe that we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investment opportunities through our broad international presence and deep local networks , '' the company said in a securities filing .
SPACs have seen a surge of interest in 2020 and involvement from high-profile investors , including hedge fund manager Bill Ackman .
The deals have raised more than $ 60 billion this year , according to Renaissance Capital .
Softbank has been one of the biggest investors in private technology and tech-adjacent companies , with mixed success .
The company 's prior investments include Uber , ByteDance and WeWork .
The company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public markets this year , with reports that SoftBank was the `` Nasdaq whale '' buying large amounts of options on tech stocks .

SoftBank Founder Masayoshi Son is pictured here in 2019 during an earnings presentation.
The Japanese investment giant is the latest big name to jump on the wave of so-called blank-check companies, which involve an investment vehicle entering the public markets and then using the money raised to merge with a private company.
SoftBank Group filed to launch a special purpose acquisition company on Monday, saying it planned to raise $525 million for an investment in a technology company.
"Our SPAC will bridge SoftBank's private and public investing strategies by enabling us to partner with a fast-growing, IPO-ready technology company. We believe that we have access to a wide range of compelling investment opportunities through our broad international presence and deep local networks," the company said in a securities filing.
SPACs have seen a surge of interest in 2020 and involvement from high-profile investors, including hedge fund manager Bill Ackman. The deals have raised more than $60 billion this year, according to Renaissance Capital.
Softbank has been one of the biggest investors in private technology and tech-adjacent companies, with mixed success. The company's prior investments include Uber, ByteDance and WeWork.
The company has also been a controversial player in the public markets this year, with reports that SoftBank was the "Nasdaq whale" buying large amounts of options on tech stocks.


bonginoreport--2020-12-23--President Trump Grants 15 Pardons and 5 Commutations

President Trump issued full pardons to 15 individuals and commuted part or all of the sentences of an additional five people , the White House announced Tuesday .
Included in the list are Duncan Hunter , a former GOP congressman from California , Chris Collins , a former GOP representative from New York and Trump campaign advisor George Papadapoulous .
The pardons and commutations came at the recommendation of Trump allies in Congress and in the media , and at the recommendation of Alice Johnson , whose sentence was commuted at the request of Kim Kardashian .
Papadapoulous had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mueller investigation .
He was sentenced to 14 days in prison and a $ 9,500 fine for lying to the FBI during Special Counsel Robert Mueller ’ s probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election , after he pleaded guilty to misleading federal investigators about his meetings with Russia-connected Maltese professor Joseph Mifsud .
The White House said Tuesday Papadapoulous had been charged with a `` process-related crime '' even though `` Mueller stated in his report that he found no evidence of collusion in connection with Russia ’ s attempts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ van der Zwaan , who also pleaded guilty to lying to Mueller investigators and was sentenced to 30 days in prison , received a pardon from the president .
Meanwhile Hunter , a Trump ally , was sentenced to 11 months in prison and three years of supervised probation after he plead guilty to a corruption charge .
The Republican abruptly pleaded guilty to misusing campaign funds last December after arguing for more than a year that the criminal charges brought against him and his wife were a `` witch hunt . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , also was charged in the case and in June accepted a plea deal that called for her to testify against her husband .
The couple could have faced decades in prison before the plea deals .
Federal prosecutors said the couple spent more than $ 250,000 in campaign money for golf outings , family vacations to Italy and Hawaii , tequila shots and airline tickets for their pet rabbit .
Collins in January was sentenced to 26 months in jail for securities fraud .
Federal investigators said Collins provided non-public information about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the board -- to his son Cameron , tipping him off in June 2017 that a drug the company was working on had failed a clinical trial so that Cameron could sell his shares before the stock price went down .
The president also pardoned four Blackwater guards who had been convicted in connection with the killing of Iraqi civilians while working as contractors in 2007 .
One of the guards , Nicholas Slatten , had been sentenced to life in prison for his in the killing of 17 Iraqi civilians in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guards included Paul Slough , Evan Liberty and Dustin Heard .
The pardon had come at the recommendation of a handful of GOP House members .
`` On appeal , the D.C .
Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that additional evidence should have been presented at Mr. Slatten ’ s trial .
Further , prosecutors recently disclosed—more than 10 years after the incident—that the lead Iraqi investigator , who prosecutors relied heavily on to verify that there were no insurgent victims and to collect evidence , may have had ties to insurgent groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Other pardons included Pittsburgh dentist Alfonso Costa , who pleaded guilty to health care fraud related to billing and 89-year-old Alfred Crum , who pleaded guilty to helping illegally distill moonshine in 1952 .
Trump also commuted the sentence of Crystal Munoz , who had served 12 years in prison for marijuana distribution , at the request of Alice Johnson among others , and Tynice Nichole Hall , who had served 14 years in prison of her 18 year sentence for allowing her apartment to be used to distribute drugs .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her fourteenth year in prison .
Also with the support of Johnson , Trump commuted the remainder of Judith Negron 's supervised release .
She was sentenced to 35 years for her role as a minority-owner of a healthcare company engaged in a scheme to defraud the federal government .
Trump also pardoned Weldon Angelos , who was sentenced to 55 years in prison for selling marijuana and carrying a handgun while doing so , and Otis Gordon , who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute .
Trump commuted the sentence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compassionate grounds , '' as Stockman is 64 and has pre-existing health conditions that put him at risk for Covid-19 .
A former U.S. representative from Texas , Stockman served two years of a 10-year sentence after he was convicted of misuse of charitable funds .
He will still have to pay $ 1,000,000 restitution .
At the request of more than 100 members of Congress , Trump pardoned Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean , Border Patrol agents who were convicted after Ramos shot an undocumented immigrant thought to be trafficking marijuana .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ APP He pardoned Philip Lyman , who the White House says was subject to `` selective prosecution '' for protesting the Bureau of Land Management ’ s closure of the Recapture Canyon to ATV riders , and commuted the prison term of Philip Esformes , a former health care executive convicted of Medicare fraud .

President Trump issued full pardons to 15 individuals and commuted part or all of the sentences of an additional five people, the White House announced Tuesday.
Included in the list are Duncan Hunter, a former GOP congressman from California, Chris Collins, a former GOP representative from New York and Trump campaign advisor George Papadapoulous.
The pardons and commutations came at the recommendation of Trump allies in Congress and in the media, and at the recommendation of Alice Johnson, whose sentence was commuted at the request of Kim Kardashian.
Papadapoulous had been convicted of making false statements during the Mueller investigation.
He was sentenced to 14 days in prison and a $9,500 fine for lying to the FBI during Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election, after he pleaded guilty to misleading federal investigators about his meetings with Russia-connected Maltese professor Joseph Mifsud.
TRUMP THREATENS TO VETO MASSIVE COVID BILL
The White House said Tuesday Papadapoulous had been charged with a "process-related crime" even though "Mueller stated in his report that he found no evidence of collusion in connection with Russia’s attempts to interfere in the election."
Alex van der Zwaan, who also pleaded guilty to lying to Mueller investigators and was sentenced to 30 days in prison, received a pardon from the president.
Meanwhile Hunter, a Trump ally, was sentenced to 11 months in prison and three years of supervised probation after he plead guilty to a corruption charge.
The Republican abruptly pleaded guilty to misusing campaign funds last December after arguing for more than a year that the criminal charges brought against him and his wife were a "witch hunt."
Hunter’s wife, Margaret Hunter, also was charged in the case and in June accepted a plea deal that called for her to testify against her husband. The couple could have faced decades in prison before the plea deals.
Federal prosecutors said the couple spent more than $250,000 in campaign money for golf outings, family vacations to Italy and Hawaii, tequila shots and airline tickets for their pet rabbit.
Collins in January was sentenced to 26 months in jail for securities fraud.
Federal investigators said Collins provided non-public information about biotechnology company Innate -- where he sat on the board -- to his son Cameron, tipping him off in June 2017 that a drug the company was working on had failed a clinical trial so that Cameron could sell his shares before the stock price went down.
The president also pardoned four Blackwater guards who had been convicted in connection with the killing of Iraqi civilians while working as contractors in 2007.
One of the guards, Nicholas Slatten, had been sentenced to life in prison for his in the killing of 17 Iraqi civilians in Nisour Square in Baghdad. The other guards included Paul Slough, Evan Liberty and Dustin Heard.
The pardon had come at the recommendation of a handful of GOP House members.
"On appeal, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that additional evidence should have been presented at Mr. Slatten’s trial. Further, prosecutors recently disclosed—more than 10 years after the incident—that the lead Iraqi investigator, who prosecutors relied heavily on to verify that there were no insurgent victims and to collect evidence, may have had ties to insurgent groups himself," the White House reasoned.
Other pardons included Pittsburgh dentist Alfonso Costa, who pleaded guilty to health care fraud related to billing and 89-year-old Alfred Crum, who pleaded guilty to helping illegally distill moonshine in 1952.
Trump also commuted the sentence of Crystal Munoz, who had served 12 years in prison for marijuana distribution, at the request of Alice Johnson among others, and Tynice Nichole Hall, who had served 14 years in prison of her 18 year sentence for allowing her apartment to be used to distribute drugs. Trump had commuted her term of incarceration after her fourteenth year in prison.
Also with the support of Johnson, Trump commuted the remainder of Judith Negron's supervised release. She was sentenced to 35 years for her role as a minority-owner of a healthcare company engaged in a scheme to defraud the federal government.
Trump also pardoned Weldon Angelos, who was sentenced to 55 years in prison for selling marijuana and carrying a handgun while doing so, and Otis Gordon, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute.
Trump commuted the sentence of Steve Stockman on "humanitarian and compassionate grounds," as Stockman is 64 and has pre-existing health conditions that put him at risk for Covid-19. A former U.S. representative from Texas, Stockman served two years of a 10-year sentence after he was convicted of misuse of charitable funds. He will still have to pay $1,000,000 restitution.
At the request of more than 100 members of Congress, Trump pardoned Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, Border Patrol agents who were convicted after Ramos shot an undocumented immigrant thought to be trafficking marijuana.
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He pardoned Philip Lyman, who the White House says was subject to "selective prosecution" for protesting the Bureau of Land Management’s closure of the Recapture Canyon to ATV riders, and commuted the prison term of Philip Esformes, a former health care executive convicted of Medicare fraud.


bonginoreport--2020-12-22--Ol’ Reliable: Biden Blames Hunter Stories on “Russian Disinformation”

Joe Biden said that he still believes the allegations against his son , Hunter , are a `` smear campaign '' and `` Russian disinformation , '' at a press conference Tuesday .
Fox News reporter Peter Doocy asked Biden if he still thought that the investigation into his son 's foreign business affairs was part of a `` Russian disinformation '' agenda .
Biden lashed out , annoyed by the question , saying , `` Yes , yes , yes , God love you man .
You ’ re a one horse pony , I tell you , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been ongoing , reportedly since 2018 , into the foreign business dealings and tax affairs of Hunter Biden , The Post Millennial has previously reported .
Republicans have honed in on Hunter 's relationship to Ukrainian energy firm Burisma Holdings as well as to Chinese companies .
Biden has referred in the past to accusations against his son as a `` desperate smear campaign . ''
`` This is the same garbage Rudy Giuliani , Trump 's henchman , it 's a last-ditch effort in this desperate campaign to smear me and my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News .
Biden added afterwards that he would not interfere with the determinations of his justice department regarding his son 's case .
`` I promise you , my Justice Department will be totally on its own making its judgments about how they should proceed , '' he said .
During the press conference , Biden also claimed that the fight against COVID-19 will get worse before it gets better .
`` Here is the simple truth , '' Biden started .
`` Our darkest days against COVID are ahead of us , @ @ @ @ @ @

Joe Biden said that he still believes the allegations against his son, Hunter, are a "smear campaign" and "Russian disinformation," at a press conference Tuesday.
Fox News reporter Peter Doocy asked Biden if he still thought that the investigation into his son's foreign business affairs was part of a "Russian disinformation" agenda.
Biden lashed out, annoyed by the question, saying, "Yes, yes, yes, God love you man. You’re a one horse pony, I tell you," Biden responded.
An FBI investigation has been ongoing, reportedly since 2018, into the foreign business dealings and tax affairs of Hunter Biden, The Post Millennial has previously reported.
Republicans have honed in on Hunter's relationship to Ukrainian energy firm Burisma Holdings as well as to Chinese companies. Biden has referred in the past to accusations against his son as a "desperate smear campaign."
"This is the same garbage Rudy Giuliani, Trump's henchman, it's a last-ditch effort in this desperate campaign to smear me and my family," Biden told WISN 12 News.
Biden added afterwards that he would not interfere with the determinations of his justice department regarding his son's case.
"I promise you, my Justice Department will be totally on its own making its judgments about how they should proceed," he said.
During the press conference, Biden also claimed that the fight against COVID-19 will get worse before it gets better.
"Here is the simple truth," Biden started. "Our darkest days against COVID are ahead of us, not behind us.".


bonginoreport--2020-12-22--We Had the Vaccine in January – Here’s What Took So Long

Few people realize that the Moderna vaccine against COVID-19—which the FDA has finally declared `` highly effective , '' and which is now being distributed to Americans—has actually been available for nearly a year .
But the government would n't let you take it .
The vaccine , a triumph of medical science known as mRNA-1273 , was designed in a single weekend , just two days after Chinese researchers published the virus 's genetic code on January 11 , 2020 .
For the entire duration of the pandemic , while hundreds of thousands died and the world economy was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine has been available .
But you , and all the people who died , were prohibited by the government from taking it .
There are some who claim that the FDA `` saves lives '' by putting the brakes on medical innovation with their requirements for years-long , and often decades-long , billion-dollar medical trial procedures .
Why are hundreds of thousands of `` natural '' deaths from a rampaging disease considered acceptable to the FDA—while the remote possibility of one or two deaths among well-informed vaccine-testing volunteers are not ?
Missing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did the FDA sacrifice to disease in the meantime ?
In the case of COVID-19 we know the answer : more than 300,000 deaths so far in the United States and counting .
So why was this vaccine delayed for a full year ?
Because the FDA prohibited rapid `` challenge trials '' —where volunteers take the vaccine and then expose themselves to the virus in a lab , rather than waiting agonizing months to see how many catch the virus `` in the wild . ''
Challenge trials would have proven the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks .
But the FDA considered the risk to trial volunteers too high .
But why ?
Why are hundreds of thousands of `` natural '' deaths from a rampaging disease considered acceptable to the FDA—while the remote possibility of one or two deaths , in the absolute worst case scenario , among well-informed vaccine-testing volunteers are not ?
There is no rational answer .
The tragic truth is that we are ruled by a cowardly medical bureaucracy , one that would rather allow hundreds of thousands of people to die than face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine trial .
By contrast , in a free society , immediately after the vaccine was created , volunteers would have been allowed to participate in challenge trials .
The trials would have been conducted either by the vaccine company itself , or more likely by third-party medical-trial specialists , to remove any concerns about bias in the results .
The first small group of volunteers would be vaccinated , and then exposed to the virus .
If the vaccine appeared to be safe and effective , then a larger group would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ successful , the number of volunteers for the next group would grow .
Week by week the challenge groups would grow larger , until after just a few months—instead of taking nearly a year by the FDA 's `` in the wild '' method—the results would be definitive and the trials complete .
This means that in March or April of 2020—instead of the first wave of COVID deaths and lockdowns in the United States—we could have seen a wide vaccine rollout , leading to rapid herd immunity , nipping the pandemic in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been possible only in a free society .
Instead , we have the FDA , backed by government force , dictating medical policy and drawing out the trial process for nearly a year , while death and economic destruction reign .
A free society , by contrast , would have a minimal government—one which leaves its people at liberty and which only exists to protect their rights against physical force and fraud .
A government—an entity defined by its monopoly on the use of force—can only interfere with the free action of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no FDA slowing down medical progress .
Pharmaceutical companies would be free to invent new treatments as rapidly as possible , and consumers would be free to voluntarily test them—while being protected by civil and criminal penalties aimed at any company who caused harm or perpetrated a fraud .
It 's almost a tautology , but worth observing in this context : People , if left free , will by definition act in ways that they think best .
If they had been allowed to do what they thought best , free private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efficacy of the Moderna vaccine by as early as April 2020 , ending the pandemic .
On the other hand , a government—an entity defined by its monopoly on the use of force—can only interfere with the free action of people .
It can only prevent individuals from doing what they think best , and/or force individuals to do what they think is not best .
In the case of the COVID-19 pandemic , the government did both : ( a ) It used force , via the FDA , to prevent people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that existed since the start of the pandemic ; and ( b ) it forced people to take actions which they did not think best—such as closing their businesses .
As a result , the economy was devastated in ways that will take years , if not decades , to recover from , and hundreds of thousands of Americans were told to sit , wait , and die .

Few people realize that the Moderna vaccine against COVID-19—which the FDA has finally declared "highly effective," and which is now being distributed to Americans—has actually been available for nearly a year.
But the government wouldn't let you take it.
The vaccine, a triumph of medical science known as mRNA-1273, was designed in a single weekend, just two days after Chinese researchers published the virus's genetic code on January 11, 2020.
For the entire duration of the pandemic, while hundreds of thousands died and the world economy was decimated by lockdowns, this highly effective vaccine has been available.
But you, and all the people who died, were prohibited by the government from taking it.
There are some who claim that the FDA "saves lives" by putting the brakes on medical innovation with their requirements for years-long, and often decades-long, billion-dollar medical trial procedures.
Why are hundreds of thousands of "natural" deaths from a rampaging disease considered acceptable to the FDA—while the remote possibility of one or two deaths among well-informed vaccine-testing volunteers are not?
Missing here is the obvious counterpoint—How many lives did the FDA sacrifice to disease in the meantime?
In the case of COVID-19 we know the answer: more than 300,000 deaths so far in the United States and counting.
So why was this vaccine delayed for a full year? Because the FDA prohibited rapid "challenge trials"—where volunteers take the vaccine and then expose themselves to the virus in a lab, rather than waiting agonizing months to see how many catch the virus "in the wild."
Challenge trials would have proven the vaccine's effectiveness in a matter of weeks. But the FDA considered the risk to trial volunteers too high.
But why? Why are hundreds of thousands of "natural" deaths from a rampaging disease considered acceptable to the FDA—while the remote possibility of one or two deaths, in the absolute worst case scenario, among well-informed vaccine-testing volunteers are not?
There is no rational answer. The tragic truth is that we are ruled by a cowardly medical bureaucracy, one that would rather allow hundreds of thousands of people to die than face any potential criticism for allowing an accelerated vaccine trial.
By contrast, in a free society, immediately after the vaccine was created, volunteers would have been allowed to participate in challenge trials. The trials would have been conducted either by the vaccine company itself, or more likely by third-party medical-trial specialists, to remove any concerns about bias in the results.
The first small group of volunteers would be vaccinated, and then exposed to the virus. If the vaccine appeared to be safe and effective, then a larger group would be vaccinated.
As each challenge group proved successful, the number of volunteers for the next group would grow. Week by week the challenge groups would grow larger, until after just a few months—instead of taking nearly a year by the FDA's "in the wild" method—the results would be definitive and the trials complete.
This means that in March or April of 2020—instead of the first wave of COVID deaths and lockdowns in the United States—we could have seen a wide vaccine rollout, leading to rapid herd immunity, nipping the pandemic in the bud.
But that path would have been possible only in a free society.
Instead, we have the FDA, backed by government force, dictating medical policy and drawing out the trial process for nearly a year, while death and economic destruction reign.
A free society, by contrast, would have a minimal government—one which leaves its people at liberty and which only exists to protect their rights against physical force and fraud.
A government—an entity defined by its monopoly on the use of force—can only interfere with the free action of people.
Such a government would have no FDA slowing down medical progress. Pharmaceutical companies would be free to invent new treatments as rapidly as possible, and consumers would be free to voluntarily test them—while being protected by civil and criminal penalties aimed at any company who caused harm or perpetrated a fraud.
No foot-dragging, self-protecting, innovation-slowing bureaucracy is required.
It's almost a tautology, but worth observing in this context: People, if left free, will by definition act in ways that they think best. If they had been allowed to do what they thought best, free private volunteers would have proven the safety and efficacy of the Moderna vaccine by as early as April 2020, ending the pandemic.
On the other hand, a government—an entity defined by its monopoly on the use of force—can only interfere with the free action of people. It can only prevent individuals from doing what they think best, and/or force individuals to do what they think is not best.
In the case of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government did both: (a) It used force, via the FDA, to prevent people from voluntarily taking a highly effective vaccine that existed since the start of the pandemic; and (b) it forced people to take actions which they did not think best—such as closing their businesses.
As a result, the economy was devastated in ways that will take years, if not decades, to recover from, and hundreds of thousands of Americans were told to sit, wait, and die.


bonginoreport--2020-12-22--DOJ Sues Walmart, Alleging Role in Opioid Epidemic

The Trump administration sued Walmart Inc. Tuesday , accusing the retail giant of helping to fuel the nation ’ s @ @ @ @ @ for questionable prescriptions despite repeated warnings from its own pharmacists .
The Justice Department ’ @ @ @ @ @ WMT , sought to boost profits , understaffed its pharmacies and pressured employees to fill @ @ @ @ @ it difficult for pharmacists to reject invalid prescriptions , enabling widespread drug abuse nationwide , @ @ @ @ @ , the country ’ s largest retailer by revenue , has been expecting this complaint @ @ @ @ @ in October to fight the allegations pre-emptively .

The Trump administration sued Walmart Inc. Tuesday, accusing the retail giant of helping to fuel the nation’s opioid crisis by inadequately screening for questionable prescriptions despite repeated warnings from its own pharmacists.
The Justice Department’s lawsuit claims that Walmart WMT, -0.51% sought to boost profits, understaffed its pharmacies and pressured employees to fill prescriptions quickly. That made it difficult for pharmacists to reject invalid prescriptions, enabling widespread drug abuse nationwide, the suit alleges. Walmart, the country’s largest retailer by revenue, has been expecting this complaint and sued the federal government in October to fight the allegations pre-emptively.


bonginoreport--2020-12-22--Poll: Majority Want Crazy Nancy Replaced

New Poll Shows a Majority of Voters Want Pelosi Replaced A new poll by Morning Consult/Politico shows a majority of Americans want Nancy Pelosi to be replaced as Speaker of the House of Representatives .
According to the poll results , only 31 % of all voters think Pelosi should be elected as speaker when the new Congress begins , while 56 % think she should not .
83 % of Republicans are opposed to Pelosi staying as speaker and only 22 % of Independents say she should remain in her position , while 59 % say she should not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporting Pelosi in the election , her team remains confident that she will maintain her speakership .
“ Over half of registered voters — 52 percent — hold unfavorable views of both Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , ” said Kyle Dropp , the co-founder and president at Morning Consult .
“ Each hopes to remain in charge of their respective chambers next year when leadership elections formally take place , but will have to contend with diminished majorities in the new Congress — at best — following @ @ @ @ @

UPDATE:
In a significant turn of events, Attorney General Merrick Garland made a surprising announcement on Friday, elevating Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss to the role of special counsel. This decision marks a shift in focus towards the investigation of the Biden family’s financial matters. The probe, which encompasses Hunter Biden’s tax affairs and any potential connections his father, President Joe Biden, might have with his foreign associates, is slated to extend into the 2024 election cycle. Interestingly, this move comes as former President Donald Trump is simultaneously facing two federal indictments from the same department.
Garland stressed that the decision to appoint Weiss as an independent prosecutor aligns with the “public interest” and adheres to departmental regulations. Importantly, this transition was initiated by Weiss himself, who, earlier this week, conveyed his belief that the investigation had reached a point where he should proceed as a special counsel.
Weiss is no stranger to this intricate landscape. He is the federal prosecutor responsible for bringing charges against President Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, in Delaware. Recent times have witnessed the unfolding of legal proceedings involving Hunter Biden, including a probation-oriented plea arrangement that was ultimately rejected by a judge. In June, Hunter Biden agreed to a deal with federal prosecutors, admitting guilt in two tax-related offenses and a firearm charge, potentially leading to the dismissal of the latter charge. This latest development underscores the intensification of scrutiny into the financial affairs of the Biden family and highlights the evolving legal landscape involving prominent political figures.
—
Attorney General Merrick Garland will speak to the public Friday afternoon. It is highly anticipated because I believe, as do many others, that he may be getting ready to announce the appointment of a Special Counsel to investigate “Hunter Biden” and his financial dealings overseas. Although, welcome there are still too many concerns with the DOJ that need to be addressed and there is little faith among many Americans that anything will be done.
Americans have witnessed the makings and the result of a two tiered justice system since President Trump was elected and then the continuing targeting of Trump even after his term as president.
I’ve spoken about the need for an outside investigation into Hunter Biden and President Biden at length on my podcast, The Sara Carter Show and on Fox News. But I’ve been jaded by the failures of past investigations and the weaponization of the Justice Department to do its job. The failure of the DOJ to be blind and just has been devastating to our nation.
Will Garland appoint a special counsel? I don’t know but as Americans we must demand that our leadership, our bureaucracies and our law makers follow the rule of law without prejudice. If they do not, as we have seen over the past decade with the establishments attacks on President Donald Trump and the weaponization of the system to target him, then our foundation will not only be fractured but it will be irreparable.
Either way, the alleged crimes and obvious financial connections linked to the Biden family with adversarial nations like China and Russia must be thoroughly investigated and the investigation must be made public. The Biden connections and large sums of money taken from government connected energy companies in Ukraine must also be thoroughly vetted and any improprieties must be made public.


bonginoreport--2020-12-22--Teen Delivers Notes of Christmas Cheer to Veterans and Seniors

Franki Moscato , 18 , is a singer and student at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay .
( Jim Koepnick ) Franki Moscato from Oshkosh , Wisconsin , puts others first—and creates free digital concert this holiday season Young Franki Moscato is on a mission .
Several missions , actually .
First , the talented 18-year-old singer and performer from Oshkosh , Wisconsin , believes that veterans and members of law enforcement across the country deserve our robust and enduring thanks for all that they ’ ve done—and still do—to protect the vast freedoms we enjoy in America .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them .
That includes singing the National Anthem for them , and for many other people , at every opportunity .
Second , Moscato rails against cyberbullying—something she herself has experienced in her life , she explains .
Those experiences forced her to change schools several times as a young teen .
Because bullying of all types can lead tragically to suicide for too many individuals , Moscato started a foundation a year ago to bring greater awareness to the topic .
No young person , she believes , should ever hurt himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others .
Help is at hand , she shares with children and teens—and we all need to be kind toward each other .
It ’ s a simple but profound and desperately needed mental-health message , this year and every year .
And third , as she continues to hone her musical abilities and develop her acting chops as well , Moscato thanks God for her gifts—and fully credits her faith for keeping her strong and focused .
“ I ’ ve been blessed with opportunities to honor my country and to inspire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told The Epoch Times .
Before this year , Moscato frequently performed across the Badger State for residents of senior living and care facilities .
With personal appearances of that type curtailed in 2020 , she has turned to technology to reach her audiences .
To this end , she recorded a Christmas concert for seniors and veterans who may be experiencing isolation and seclusion during this holiday season .
Her nearly 40-minute video performance includes lovely one-woman renditions of such classic Christmas songs as “ O Holy Night ” and “ Have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can watch Moscato ’ s cheerful concert by visiting FrankiJo.com/EpochXmas/ .
Moscato explains her motivation to reach others during a challenging time : “ I know that this Christmas is not going to bring the usual family gatherings , ” and she especially wanted to do something special for seniors who may find themselves alone .
She has been amply blessed , she says , to have the friendship of local veterans and to be surrounded in her life by supportive , caring adults .
It ’ s why she chooses to spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ My soul is meant for supporting my country , ” says this gracious young woman .
Moscato attained national prominence in 2019 when she competed on “ American Idol , ” beating out thousands of other hopefuls and winning a “ gold ticket ” to perform in Hollywood before celebrity judges Luke Bryan , Katy Perry , and Lionel Richie .
While her journey for the title came to an end at that time , she had the guts to try—and she impressed millions with her musical abilities .
Moscato credits American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for acknowledging her as a singer early on and giving her many opportunities to perform .
She says she is forever grateful to them—and to all veterans across the United States—for their service .
Giving back , she says , is just the right thing to do .
“ Our police , our firefighters—all of these people do so much for our communities and to protect us every day.
” It ’ s why she says that she “ will never accept payment for singing the National Anthem.
” Many of Moscato @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online .
She sang “ The Star-Spangled Banner ” twice for the Green Bay Packers before packed crowds at their games .
The first time she did , she was a slim little 11-year-old belting it out a cappella for the crowd ( Watch the video at bit.ly/3kxoi2n ) .
Flash forward six years—and she performed the National Anthem a second time for the Packers in 2019 , also a cappella , as a polished and mature ( but still very young ! )
17-year-old ( See that beautiful performance at bit.ly/34mFYYK ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anthem for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Milwaukee Brewers , at the Miss Wisconsin pageant , and at local farmers markets—even at a few presidential campaign events .
“ Growing up [ in Oshkosh ] , I would watch the news and it was always so negative , ” she says .
“ I decided I want to spread some simpler messages.
” Moscato is a freshman this year at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay .
She ’ s studying business and political science in an online program , which allows her the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ musical training and professional and charitable performances .
She notes that faith is a very big part of her life .
“ I ’ m a very spiritual person , ” she says , citing her upbringing and her parents ’ strong influence .
She prays before every performance .
“ It ’ s God ’ s work and not mine , ” she says of her abilities , adding that she “ tries to follow Jesus ” and hopes that “ others follow my message , too.
” “ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a positive impact on other people , ” she said .
At the age of 18 , it ’ s clear that Franki Moscato is already achieving this—and that it ’ s her destiny to continue to reach wider and ever-enthusiastic audiences with her array of gifts and messages of uplift and inspiration .
“ You are a true blessing to this world , ” an appreciative fan wrote to her online .
“ God created you because He knew you would be a very special person.
” Maureen Mackey , a contributor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and other publications , is a digital content executive , writer , and editor based in the New York City area .
Find her on Twitter @ maurmack .

Franki Moscato from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, puts others first—and creates free digital concert this holiday season
Young Franki Moscato is on a mission. Several missions, actually.
First, the talented 18-year-old singer and performer from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, believes that veterans and members of law enforcement across the country deserve our robust and enduring thanks for all that they’ve done—and still do—to protect the vast freedoms we enjoy in America.
She goes out of her way to salute them. That includes singing the National Anthem for them, and for many other people, at every opportunity.
Second, Moscato rails against cyberbullying—something she herself has experienced in her life, she explains. Those experiences forced her to change schools several times as a young teen.
Because bullying of all types can lead tragically to suicide for too many individuals, Moscato started a foundation a year ago to bring greater awareness to the topic. No young person, she believes, should ever hurt himself or herself because of brutish treatment from others. Help is at hand, she shares with children and teens—and we all need to be kind toward each other.
Moscato speaks with kids about the importance of kindness. (Kathy Sakschek)
It’s a simple but profound and desperately needed mental-health message, this year and every year.
And third, as she continues to hone her musical abilities and develop her acting chops as well, Moscato thanks God for her gifts—and fully credits her faith for keeping her strong and focused.
“I’ve been blessed with opportunities to honor my country and to inspire people through my music,” she told The Epoch Times.
Before this year, Moscato frequently performed across the Badger State for residents of senior living and care facilities. With personal appearances of that type curtailed in 2020, she has turned to technology to reach her audiences.
To this end, she recorded a Christmas concert for seniors and veterans who may be experiencing isolation and seclusion during this holiday season. Her nearly 40-minute video performance includes lovely one-woman renditions of such classic Christmas songs as “O Holy Night” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”
Anyone can watch Moscato’s cheerful concert by visiting FrankiJo.com/EpochXmas/.
Franki Moscato recorded an online Christmas concert especially for seniors and veterans who may be isolated during this time of year. She is 15 in this photo. (Mark William)
Moscato explains her motivation to reach others during a challenging time: “I know that this Christmas is not going to bring the usual family gatherings,” and she especially wanted to do something special for seniors who may find themselves alone.
She has been amply blessed, she says, to have the friendship of local veterans and to be surrounded in her life by supportive, caring adults. It’s why she chooses to spread positivity and patriotism through her music.
“My soul is meant for supporting my country,” says this gracious young woman.
Making Her Mark
Moscato attained national prominence in 2019 when she competed on “American Idol,” beating out thousands of other hopefuls and winning a “gold ticket” to perform in Hollywood before celebrity judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie.
Moscato on “American Idol” at age 16. (Courtesy of “American Idol”)
While her journey for the title came to an end at that time, she had the guts to try—and she impressed millions with her musical abilities.
Moscato credits American Legion Post 234 in Omro, Wisconsin, for acknowledging her as a singer early on and giving her many opportunities to perform. She says she is forever grateful to them—and to all veterans across the United States—for their service. Giving back, she says, is just the right thing to do.
“Our police, our firefighters—all of these people do so much for our communities and to protect us every day.” It’s why she says that she “will never accept payment for singing the National Anthem.”
Many of Moscato’s past performances can be found online. She sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” twice for the Green Bay Packers before packed crowds at their games. The first time she did, she was a slim little 11-year-old belting it out a cappella for the crowd (Watch the video at bit.ly/3kxoi2n).
Moscato, 11, with football player Aaron Rodgers, after singing the national anthem on Family Night at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., in 2013. (Kathy Sakschek)
Flash forward six years—and she performed the National Anthem a second time for the Packers in 2019, also a cappella, as a polished and mature (but still very young!) 17-year-old (See that beautiful performance at bit.ly/34mFYYK).
Moscato also has sung the National Anthem for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Milwaukee Brewers, at the Miss Wisconsin pageant, and at local farmers markets—even at a few presidential campaign events.
“Growing up [in Oshkosh], I would watch the news and it was always so negative,” she says. “I decided I want to spread some simpler messages.”
Moscato is a freshman this year at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay. She’s studying business and political science in an online program, which allows her the flexibility and the independence to continue with musical training and professional and charitable performances.
She notes that faith is a very big part of her life. “I’m a very spiritual person,” she says, citing her upbringing and her parents’ strong influence.
She prays before every performance. “It’s God’s work and not mine,” she says of her abilities, adding that she “tries to follow Jesus” and hopes that “others follow my message, too.”
“It’s my life’s goal to make a positive impact on other people,” she said.
At the age of 18, it’s clear that Franki Moscato is already achieving this—and that it’s her destiny to continue to reach wider and ever-enthusiastic audiences with her array of gifts and messages of uplift and inspiration.
“You are a true blessing to this world,” an appreciative fan wrote to her online. “God created you because He knew you would be a very special person.”
Maureen Mackey, a contributor to The Epoch Times, Parade Magazine, and other publications, is a digital content executive, writer, and editor based in the New York City area. Find her on Twitter @maurmack.


bonginoreport--2020-12-22--California Governor Picks Alex Padilla to Replace Kamala Harris’ Senate Seat

SAN FRANCISCO -- Gov .
Gavin Newsom nominated California Secretary of State Alex Padilla to replace Vice President-elect Kamala Harris in the United States Senate Tuesday.Immediately following the announcement , Newsom tweeted a video of the moment he asked Padilla to fill the role .
( See the video above . )
'' I 'm honored and I 'm humbled , '' Padilla accepted tearfully .
`` Ca n't tell you how many pancakes my dad flipped or eggs he scrambled trying to provide for us , or the many , many years of my mom cleaning houses , doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I try so hard to make sure that our democracy is as inclusive in California as we 've built .
`` Padilla gained notoriety this year for overseeing the unprecedented presidential election during a pandemic .
Before his role as Secretary of State , Padilla also served as a state senator and a city councilman in Los Angeles.Padilla is also set to be the first Latino to represent the state in the Senate .
`` The son of Mexican immigrants - a cook and house cleaner - Alex Padilla worked his way from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Los Angeles City Council and the State Senate , and has become a national defender of voting rights as California 's Secretary of State , '' said Newsom in a press release .
`` Through his tenacity , integrity , smarts and grit , California is gaining a tested fighter in their corner who will be a fierce ally in D.C. , lifting up our state 's values and making sure we secure the critical resources to emerge stronger from this pandemic .
`` `` I am honored and humbled by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newsom , and I intend to work each and every day to honor that trust and deliver for all Californians , '' said Padilla .
`` From those struggling to make ends meet to the small businesses fighting to keep their doors open to the health care workers looking for relief , please know that I am going to the Senate to fight for you .
`` Padilla will take Harris ' place in the Senate in January when she assumes the vice presidency .

"I'm honored and I'm humbled," Padilla said as he accepted the nomination tearfully. Watch the emotional moment he found out here.
SAN FRANCISCO -- Gov. Gavin Newsom nominated California Secretary of State Alex Padilla to replace Vice President-elect Kamala Harris in the United States Senate Tuesday.
Immediately following the announcement, Newsom tweeted a video of the moment he asked Padilla to fill the role. (See the video above.)
"I'm honored and I'm humbled," Padilla accepted tearfully. "Can't tell you how many pancakes my dad flipped or eggs he scrambled trying to provide for us, or the many, many years of my mom cleaning houses, doing the same thing. That's why I try so hard to make sure that our democracy is as inclusive in California as we've built."
Padilla gained notoriety this year for overseeing the unprecedented presidential election during a pandemic. Before his role as Secretary of State, Padilla also served as a state senator and a city councilman in Los Angeles.
Padilla is also set to be the first Latino to represent the state in the Senate.
"The son of Mexican immigrants - a cook and house cleaner - Alex Padilla worked his way from humble beginnings to the halls of MIT, the Los Angeles City Council and the State Senate, and has become a national defender of voting rights as California's Secretary of State," said Newsom in a press release. "Through his tenacity, integrity, smarts and grit, California is gaining a tested fighter in their corner who will be a fierce ally in D.C., lifting up our state's values and making sure we secure the critical resources to emerge stronger from this pandemic."
"I am honored and humbled by the trust placed in me by Governor Newsom, and I intend to work each and every day to honor that trust and deliver for all Californians," said Padilla. "From those struggling to make ends meet to the small businesses fighting to keep their doors open to the health care workers looking for relief, please know that I am going to the Senate to fight for you."
Padilla will take Harris' place in the Senate in January when she assumes the vice presidency.
VIDEO: Watch Kamala Harris' journey to become 1st Black, Asian woman elected to vice presidency


bonginoreport--2020-12-22--AG Barr Says Durham Investigation Is “Making Good Progress”

Special counsel John Durham is `` making good progress '' in his investigation into the origins of the Trump-Russia probe , Attorney General William Barr said this week .
A source familiar with the investigation told Fox News that Durham , who is the U.S. attorney for Connecticut , is now `` frequently '' working out of Washington , D.C. Durham and some members of his team had been doing their work out of New Haven , Conn. , over the summer .
Barr appointed Durham as special counsel in October , but only made public his decision to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election , as you know , I designated John Durham as special counsel because I wanted to provide him and his team with assurance that they ’ d be able to finish their work , '' Barr said Monday during a press conference .
`` They ’ re making good progress now and I expect they will be able to finish their work . ''
By appointing Durham as special counsel , Barr helped ensure his investigation into the origins of the Trump-Russia probe could continue through the next administration .
Barr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported last week that Durham has hired more prosecutors to join his team .
It is unclear , at this point , who those prosecutors are .
Fox News reported in May that Jeff Jensen , the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri , who was tapped by the Justice Department in February to review the case of former national security adviser Michael Flynn , was helping with Durham ’ s investigation .
President Trump pardoned Flynn last month .
Also in May , Fox News reported that now former acting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Timothy Shea was also assisting with components of Durham ’ s investigation .
It is unclear , at this point , whether Jensen and Shea are continuing to work with Durham , and who the additions to his team are .
Barr tapped Durham to investigate `` certain intelligence and law-enforcement activities surrounding the 2016 presidential election '' in May 2019 .
Barr , in notifying Congress earlier this month of his move to appoint Durham as special counsel , said he had expected Durham to complete his investigation over the summer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` additional information '' he uncovered `` prevented him from doing so . ''
BARR APPOINTS JOHN DURHAM AS SPECIAL COUNSEL TO INVESTIGATE ORIGINS OF TRUMP-RUSSIA PROBE '' In advance of the presidential election , I decided to appoint Mr. Durham as a special counsel to provide him and his team with the assurance that they could complete their work , without regard to the outcome of the election , '' Barr wrote , adding that he appointed Durham with `` the powers and authority of a special counsel '' on Oct. 19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Fox News , Barr stated that Durham `` is authorized to investigate whether any federal official , employee or any other person or entity violated the law in connection with the intelligence , counter-intelligence , or law-enforcement activities directed at the 2016 presidential campaigns , individuals associated with those campaigns , and individuals associated with the administration of President Donald J. Trump , including but not limited to Crossfire Hurricane and the investigation of special counsel Robert S. Mueller , III . ''
Under U.S. code , the special counsel would produce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ordered to `` submit to the attorney general a final report , and such interim reports as he deems appropriate in a form that will permit public dissemination . ''
Durham ’ s investigation has produced one criminal charge so far , against former FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith , who was accused of altering an email related to the surveillance of a former Trump campaign aide .
That prosecution , though , did not allege a broader conspiracy within the FBI , and the conduct it involved had largely been laid out in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last December .
BARR SAYS HE HAS 'NO PLAN ' TO APPOINT SPECIAL COUNSEL TO PROBE HUNTER BIDEN , 2020 ELECTION After the Clinesmith charge , Durham ’ s team went silent .
Two sources familiar with the investigation told Fox News over the summer that Durham was not finished with several lines of investigation , which he believed were `` critical . ''
One source told Fox News that Durham had been `` feeling more pressure to get this done and wrapped up '' over the summer , but said Durham `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political , '' and would likely `` punt it to after the election , '' which he ultimately did .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Durham was appointed by Barr last year to investigate the origins of the FBI ’ s Russia probe , shortly after special counsel Mueller completed his yearlong investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with the Russians to influence the 2016 presidential election .
Mueller ’ s investigation yielded no evidence of criminal conspiracy or coordination between the Trump campaign and Russian officials during the @ @ @

Special counsel John Durham is "making good progress" in his investigation into the origins of the Trump-Russia probe, Attorney General William Barr said this week.
A source familiar with the investigation told Fox News that Durham, who is the U.S. attorney for Connecticut, is now "frequently" working out of Washington, D.C. Durham and some members of his team had been doing their work out of New Haven, Conn., over the summer.
SPECIAL COUNSEL JOHN DURHAM EXPANDING TEAM
Barr appointed Durham as special counsel in October, but only made public his decision to do so on Dec. 1.
"Before the election, as you know, I designated John Durham as special counsel because I wanted to provide him and his team with assurance that they’d be able to finish their work," Barr said Monday during a press conference. "They’re making good progress now and I expect they will be able to finish their work."
By appointing Durham as special counsel, Barr helped ensure his investigation into the origins of the Trump-Russia probe could continue through the next administration.
Barr’s comments come after Fox News reported last week that Durham has hired more prosecutors to join his team. It is unclear, at this point, who those prosecutors are.
Fox News reported in May that Jeff Jensen, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri, who was tapped by the Justice Department in February to review the case of former national security adviser Michael Flynn, was helping with Durham’s investigation. President Trump pardoned Flynn last month.
Also in May, Fox News reported that now former acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Timothy Shea was also assisting with components of Durham’s investigation.
It is unclear, at this point, whether Jensen and Shea are continuing to work with Durham, and who the additions to his team are.
Barr tapped Durham to investigate "certain intelligence and law-enforcement activities surrounding the 2016 presidential election" in May 2019.
Barr, in notifying Congress earlier this month of his move to appoint Durham as special counsel, said he had expected Durham to complete his investigation over the summer, but noted that the COVID-19 pandemic and "additional information" he uncovered "prevented him from doing so."
BARR APPOINTS JOHN DURHAM AS SPECIAL COUNSEL TO INVESTIGATE ORIGINS OF TRUMP-RUSSIA PROBE
"In advance of the presidential election, I decided to appoint Mr. Durham as a special counsel to provide him and his team with the assurance that they could complete their work, without regard to the outcome of the election," Barr wrote, adding that he appointed Durham with "the powers and authority of a special counsel" on Oct. 19.
In a scope order, obtained by Fox News, Barr stated that Durham "is authorized to investigate whether any federal official, employee or any other person or entity violated the law in connection with the intelligence, counter-intelligence, or law-enforcement activities directed at the 2016 presidential campaigns, individuals associated with those campaigns, and individuals associated with the administration of President Donald J. Trump, including but not limited to Crossfire Hurricane and the investigation of special counsel Robert S. Mueller, III."
Under U.S. code, the special counsel would produce a "confidential report" and is ordered to "submit to the attorney general a final report, and such interim reports as he deems appropriate in a form that will permit public dissemination."
Durham’s investigation has produced one criminal charge so far, against former FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith, who was accused of altering an email related to the surveillance of a former Trump campaign aide. That prosecution, though, did not allege a broader conspiracy within the FBI, and the conduct it involved had largely been laid out in a Justice Department inspector general report from last December.
BARR SAYS HE HAS 'NO PLAN' TO APPOINT SPECIAL COUNSEL TO PROBE HUNTER BIDEN, 2020 ELECTION
After the Clinesmith charge, Durham’s team went silent. Two sources familiar with the investigation told Fox News over the summer that Durham was not finished with several lines of investigation, which he believed were "critical."
One source told Fox News that Durham had been "feeling more pressure to get this done and wrapped up" over the summer, but said Durham "does not want this to be viewed political," and would likely "punt it to after the election," which he ultimately did.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Durham was appointed by Barr last year to investigate the origins of the FBI’s Russia probe, shortly after special counsel Mueller completed his yearlong investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with the Russians to influence the 2016 presidential election.
Mueller’s investigation yielded no evidence of criminal conspiracy or coordination between the Trump campaign and Russian officials during the 2016 election.