thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-28--'Dems called it VERY wrong!': Trump defends coronavirus response after Bloomberg calls him 'incapabl

'Dems called it VERY wrong!': Trump defends coronavirus response after Bloomberg calls him 'incapable'

President Trump slammed Democrats for casting doubts about his response to the coronavirus threat after Michael Bloomberg questioned his leadership capabilities .
The late-night Twitter barrage from the White House began with the president chiding Bloomberg for his first two debate performances in the Democratic primary contest .
`` Word is that Mini Mike Bloomberg performed so poorly in the two debates , that he is thinking about dropping out of the Democrat Primary , '' Trump said late Thursday .
`` The fact is , he was not true to himself , and the public was able to quickly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experience for Mini Mike !
” Bloomberg , a billionaire who is a former mayor of New York City , responded within the hour , chastising the president for mocking him on social media rather than focusing on the coronavirus and the stock market sell-off .
“ Really , this ?
A global pandemic is bearing down and the stock market is plunging — our problems are large , Donald , and you are incapable of confronting them , '' Bloomberg said .
Although Trump did not directly mention Bloomberg in his subsequent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ condemn Democrats for not supporting his leadership as his administration responds to the coronavirus outbreak that has spread to six continents .
“ So , the Coronavirus , which started in China and spread to various countries throughout the world , but very slowly in the U.S. because President Trump closed our border , and ended flights , VERY EARLY , is now being blamed , by the Do Nothing Democrats , to be the fault of ‘ Trump , ’ ” the president tweeted .
“ The Do Nothing Democrats were busy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & anything else they could do to make the Republican Party look bad , while I was busy calling early BORDER & FLIGHT closings , putting us way ahead in our battle with Coronavirus , '' he added .
`` Dems called it VERY wrong !
” The coronavirus , which causes a SARs-like illness named COVID-19 , has infected more than 82,000 people and killed more than , mostly in mainland China were it emerged in December .
Trump barred flights of nonresidents from China into the U.S. when he declared the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week , Trump announced Vice President Mike Pence the administration ’ s response to the virus .
So far , there have been a few dozen coronavirus cases identified in the United States , and no deaths have been reported .

President Trump slammed Democrats for casting doubts about his response to the coronavirus threat after Michael Bloomberg questioned his leadership capabilities.
The late-night Twitter barrage from the White House began with the president chiding Bloomberg for his first two debate performances in the Democratic primary contest.
"Word is that Mini Mike Bloomberg performed so poorly in the two debates, that he is thinking about dropping out of the Democrat Primary," Trump said late Thursday. "The fact is, he was not true to himself, and the public was able to quickly figure him out. Not a good experience for Mini Mike!”
Bloomberg, a billionaire who is a former mayor of New York City, responded within the hour, chastising the president for mocking him on social media rather than focusing on the coronavirus and the stock market sell-off.
“Really, this? A global pandemic is bearing down and the stock market is plunging — our problems are large, Donald, and you are incapable of confronting them," Bloomberg said.
Really, this? A global pandemic is bearing down and the stock market is plunging — our problems are large, Donald, and you are incapable of confronting them. https://t.co/5gpMkBOTJc — Mike Bloomberg (@MikeBloomberg) February 28, 2020
Although Trump did not directly mention Bloomberg in his subsequent tweets, he returned to Twitter to condemn Democrats for not supporting his leadership as his administration responds to the coronavirus outbreak that has spread to six continents.
“So, the Coronavirus, which started in China and spread to various countries throughout the world, but very slowly in the U.S. because President Trump closed our border, and ended flights, VERY EARLY, is now being blamed, by the Do Nothing Democrats, to be the fault of ‘Trump,’” the president tweeted.
“The Do Nothing Democrats were busy wasting time on the Immigration Hoax, & anything else they could do to make the Republican Party look bad, while I was busy calling early BORDER & FLIGHT closings, putting us way ahead in our battle with Coronavirus," he added. "Dems called it VERY wrong!”
So, the Coronavirus, which started in China and spread to various countries throughout the world, but very slowly in the U.S. because President Trump closed our border, and ended flights, VERY EARLY, is now being blamed, by the Do Nothing Democrats, to be the fault of “Trump”. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 28, 2020
The Do Nothing Democrats were busy wasting time on the Immigration Hoax, & anything else they could do to make the Republican Party look bad, while I was busy calling early BORDER & FLIGHT closings, putting us way ahead in our battle with Coronavirus. Dems called it VERY wrong! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 28, 2020
The coronavirus, which causes a SARs-like illness named COVID-19, has infected more than 82,000 people and killed more than 2,300 people , mostly in mainland China were it emerged in December. Trump barred flights of nonresidents from China into the U.S. in late January when he declared the disease a public health emergency.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-28--Why won't Trump follow Canada's lead in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's security costs?

Here 's a question : Why does an administration which prides itself on `` America First ! ''
allow Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to take the American taxpayer for a ride ?
On this issue at least , Canada 's liberal prime minister is the one who is putting Canada first .
I say this in the context of Canada 's announcement on Thursday that it will no longer pay for protecting the un-royal-by-choice couple .
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have relocated to Canada on a part-time basis following their decision to abandon most duties for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , the Royal Canadian Mounted Police , the law enforcement agency responsible for Canadian protective services , has been supporting the couple 's protection alongside its British counterpart .
The cost announcement suggests that Britain will either have to compensate Canada for its continued security provision or provide its own protection officers .
Canada is right .
The costs here are significant , involving logistics , accommodation for protection teams , salaries for the multiple shifts required on a 24-hour basis , equipment such as armored vehicles , and a surveillance and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the royal couple can hardly now be regarded in the same light as their other royal counterparts and foreign government officials .
They have decided , after all , to step back from royal duties and pursue a life of private jet adventures and highly paid speaking gigs .
Unfortunately , the Trump administration lacks Canada 's courage on this issue .
I am told that the Diplomatic Security Service , the State Department arm responsible for protecting foreign VIPs below the rank of head of state , provided protection for Harry and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summit in Miami earlier this month .
That trip apparently came with a rather nice $ 500,000 appearance paycheck for the royal couple , and you , dear taxpayer , helped make it possible .
This Miami trip alone likely cost the U.S. taxpayer tens of thousands of dollars .
Adding to the complication here is the fact that Britain 's Metropolitan Police Protection Command , responsible for protecting the royal family , takes advantage of U.S. security resources so as to offset its own costs .
This fits with its unfortunate and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When I reached out to the DSS and the State Department press office , two separate State officials refused to comment on the Miami visit .
This , both spokespersons said , is because `` in keeping with longstanding security practice , we do not discuss details of our protective operations . ''
Sorry , but that 's a garbage excuse .
Of course the DSS does not comment on active protection missions , but it regularly advertises its protection of foreign dignitaries after their visits conclude .
The DSS has even posted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harry !
I suspect that the Trump administration is trying to avoid media scrutiny of taxpayer costs entailed in protection of the two prima donnas ( as the Sun reports , they appear to have been using their protection team for shopping runs at organic delicatessens ) .
The Trump administration 's indulgence of their behavior should end .
It 's one thing to provide temporary protection for visiting foreign government officials on official business .
It is altogether another thing to subsidize Harry and Meghan 's money-earning jaunts .
If Harry and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or even live in the United States , we should welcome them and do it without paying for their security .

Here's a question: Why does an administration which prides itself on "America First!" allow Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to take the American taxpayer for a ride?
On this issue at least, Canada's liberal prime minister is the one who is putting Canada first. I say this in the context of Canada's announcement on Thursday that it will no longer pay for protecting the un-royal-by-choice couple.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have relocated to Canada on a part-time basis following their decision to abandon most duties for the British royal family. And up until now, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the law enforcement agency responsible for Canadian protective services, has been supporting the couple's protection alongside its British counterpart.
The cost announcement suggests that Britain will either have to compensate Canada for its continued security provision or provide its own protection officers.
Canada is right. The costs here are significant, involving logistics, accommodation for protection teams, salaries for the multiple shifts required on a 24-hour basis, equipment such as armored vehicles, and a surveillance and monitoring post. Even more important, the royal couple can hardly now be regarded in the same light as their other royal counterparts and foreign government officials. They have decided, after all, to step back from royal duties and pursue a life of private jet adventures and highly paid speaking gigs.
Unfortunately, the Trump administration lacks Canada's courage on this issue. I am told that the Diplomatic Security Service, the State Department arm responsible for protecting foreign VIPs below the rank of head of state, provided protection for Harry and Meghan on a trip to a JPMorgan summit in Miami earlier this month. That trip apparently came with a rather nice $500,000 appearance paycheck for the royal couple, and you, dear taxpayer, helped make it possible.
This Miami trip alone likely cost the U.S. taxpayer tens of thousands of dollars. Adding to the complication here is the fact that Britain's Metropolitan Police Protection Command, responsible for protecting the royal family, takes advantage of U.S. security resources so as to offset its own costs. This fits with its unfortunate and dangerous tradition of underresourcing protective operations.
When I reached out to the DSS and the State Department press office, two separate State officials refused to comment on the Miami visit. This, both spokespersons said, is because "in keeping with longstanding security practice, we do not discuss details of our protective operations."
Sorry, but that's a garbage excuse. Of course the DSS does not comment on active protection missions, but it regularly advertises its protection of foreign dignitaries after their visits conclude. The DSS has even posted photos of its special agents protecting Prince Harry!
I suspect that the Trump administration is trying to avoid media scrutiny of taxpayer costs entailed in protection of the two prima donnas (as the Sun reports, they appear to have been using their protection team for shopping runs at organic delicatessens).
The Trump administration's indulgence of their behavior should end. It's one thing to provide temporary protection for visiting foreign government officials on official business. It is altogether another thing to subsidize Harry and Meghan's money-earning jaunts.
If Harry and Meghan want to make frequent trips here or even live in the United States, we should welcome them and do it without paying for their security.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-28--Growing Republican fear of coronavirus election risk for Trump as markets tumble

Stock markets plunged on Thursday amid fresh warnings that the coronavirus outbreak is worsening , deepening fears among some Republican figures that a global pandemic could damage President Trump ’ s reelection campaign .
The latest market drop came a day after Trump appeared in the White House briefing room to signal he was taking control of a crisis response that had been plagued by muddled messaging .
However , his intervention , placing Vice President Mike Pence in charge of the response , raises the possibility that the White House will be held responsible for any missteps or deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders do , ” said a key 2020 campaign donor .
“ Barack Obama wouldn ’ t have done it , but , with that , comes risk.
” The fear in the White House was already that the coronavirus , which has infected 60 people so far in the United States , will turn out to be a “ black swan ” event , or a low-probability phenomenon that turns out to have unpredictable , large-scale effects .
On Thursday , those effects were a sixth day of stock market falls .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had dropped by as much as 11.2 % from record highs a week earlier .
Businesses around the world unveiled safety measures designed to prevent workers from falling ill. Facebook announced it was canceling its annual developer conference , scheduled for May in California , and Microsoft said it was pulling out of a gaming conference next month .
For a president running for reelection on a platform dominated by stock market growth and economic prosperity , the prospect of financial gloom spells electoral peril , according to a new analysis by Goldman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2Q of election years , has been a key predictor of past presidential elections , ” analysts said in a report released on Wednesday night .
“ If the coronavirus epidemic materially affects U.S. economic growth , it may increase the likelihood of Democratic victory in the 2020 election.
” Earlier , Trump had sought to play down the dangers and pushed back against his own officials , who had warned of the possibility of a “ severe ” impact on everyday life .
“ I think the stock market will recover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before conceding that the disease “ will have an impact ” on the gross domestic product .
His reassurances were welcomed by Republicans .
Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa said : “ I don ’ t have concerns about impacting the election .
Everybody just needs to make sure they are safeguarding themselves , washing their hands , doing all of the things necessary to prevent any sort of virus , whether it ’ s the flu that we experience every season or something like the coronavirus.
” Key figures even see a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A senior administration official said the crisis was a chance to underline the message to businesses that having China in the supply chain adds risk .
“ To be honest , while there is risk to the overall U.S. economy , the general state of the Democratic primary has most politicals in the administration feeling quite optimistic about their chances in November , ” he said .
“ The reviews for the president ’ s action yesterday , even among his sharpest critics , were largely positive .
He hit the right tone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

Stock markets plunged on Thursday amid fresh warnings that the coronavirus outbreak is worsening, deepening fears among some Republican figures that a global pandemic could damage President Trump’s reelection campaign.
The latest market drop came a day after Trump appeared in the White House briefing room to signal he was taking control of a crisis response that had been plagued by muddled messaging.
However, his intervention, placing Vice President Mike Pence in charge of the response, raises the possibility that the White House will be held responsible for any missteps or deaths.
“But that’s what leaders do,” said a key 2020 campaign donor. “Barack Obama wouldn’t have done it, but, with that, comes risk.”
The fear in the White House was already that the coronavirus, which has infected 60 people so far in the United States, will turn out to be a “black swan” event, or a low-probability phenomenon that turns out to have unpredictable, large-scale effects.
On Thursday, those effects were a sixth day of stock market falls. It meant the S&P 500 had dropped by as much as 11.2% from record highs a week earlier.
Businesses around the world unveiled safety measures designed to prevent workers from falling ill. Facebook announced it was canceling its annual developer conference, scheduled for May in California, and Microsoft said it was pulling out of a gaming conference next month.
For a president running for reelection on a platform dominated by stock market growth and economic prosperity, the prospect of financial gloom spells electoral peril, according to a new analysis by Goldman Sachs.
“Economic growth, particularly in 2Q of election years, has been a key predictor of past presidential elections,” analysts said in a report released on Wednesday night. “If the coronavirus epidemic materially affects U.S. economic growth, it may increase the likelihood of Democratic victory in the 2020 election.”
Earlier, Trump had sought to play down the dangers and pushed back against his own officials, who had warned of the possibility of a “severe” impact on everyday life.
“I think the stock market will recover,” he said on Wednesday, before conceding that the disease “will have an impact” on the gross domestic product.
His reassurances were welcomed by Republicans.
Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa said: “I don’t have concerns about impacting the election. Everybody just needs to make sure they are safeguarding themselves, washing their hands, doing all of the things necessary to prevent any sort of virus, whether it’s the flu that we experience every season or something like the coronavirus.”
Key figures even see a potential upside for America First messaging.
A senior administration official said the crisis was a chance to underline the message to businesses that having China in the supply chain adds risk.
“To be honest, while there is risk to the overall U.S. economy, the general state of the Democratic primary has most politicals in the administration feeling quite optimistic about their chances in November,” he said.
“The reviews for the president’s action yesterday, even among his sharpest critics, were largely positive. He hit the right tone of concern but was not hysterical.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-27--Democrats jittery about prospect of Trump contesting general election results

In a post-impeachment political environment , Democrats keep peppering their potential 2020 nominees about what they would do if President Trump does n't accept November 's general election results .
Joe Biden , who appears to be holding together his firewall ahead of Saturday 's South Carolina primary , faced an iteration of the question during a televised town hall in Charleston late Wednesday .
`` Sir , what is your plan if Trump loses but refuses to concede based on allegations by his supporters of irregularities , and he refuses to step down as president based on those allegations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to some laughs from the studio audience .
Biden , 77 , told the man , Deveaux Stockton , an area trial lawyer , it was a `` serious concern . ''
`` Did you ever think in your lifetime , no matter how young or old you are , any person would be able to ask that question and be taken seriously ? ''
the two-term vice president said .
`` Our democracy is at risk . ''
Delaware 's 36-year senator added , given the way Trump had undercut the military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FBI during his four years in office , he had `` no worry about him being escorted out of the White House '' if he declined to vacate the building on Jan. 20 , 2021 , or beyond .
While the exchange evoked a ripple of laughter from the crowd , versions of Stockton 's inquiry seem to be on voters ' minds across the country , even if he would lack the requisite constitutional authority , would n't be able to marshal law enforcement and other agencies to come to his defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel the full weight of justice system .
Pete Buttigieg , 38 , was pressed on the same issue three times over a two-day period in Nevada earlier this month .
`` If he wo n't leave — I guess if he 's willing to do chores we could work something out , '' the former South Bend , Indiana , mayor told a man in Reno , who riffed off a similar question put forward by late-night host Bill Maher on multiple occasions .
Buttigieg was posed with similar scenarios in Carson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as in Las Vegas the following day .
Trump 's norm-breaking administration was showcased in the weeks after he was acquitted of impeachment , firing , reassigning , or not objecting to resignations from key officials who testified during the House investigation into whether he abused his power or obstructed Congress amid the Ukraine-Biden affair .
His efforts to help allies , such as political trickster Roger Stone , with the judicial system , have also rattled establishment figures .
The emboldened White House occupant has himself joked about not giving up the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violation of three articles of the Constitution that govern term lengths , even amid the impeachment investigation .
`` A lot of them say , 'You know he 's not leaving , ' '' he told the Israeli-American Council National Summit of the media in December , extrapolating jokes made by loyalists such as former Republican Arkansas Gov .
Mike Huckabee and faith leader Jerry Falwell Jr. `` So now we have to start thinking about that , because it 's not a bad idea . ''
But in the meantime , Buttigieg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allay any Democratic anxiety .
`` At the end of the day , there 's only one president .
But I do believe this is one of the reasons why it 's important that we not just eke out a win , '' he said in Reno , later adding , `` I think we want to set a goal of winning big enough that this election is way beyond cheating distance and that Trumpism goes into the history books too . ''

In a post-impeachment political environment, Democrats keep peppering their potential 2020 nominees about what they would do if President Trump doesn't accept November's general election results.
Joe Biden, who appears to be holding together his firewall ahead of Saturday's South Carolina primary, faced an iteration of the question during a televised town hall in Charleston late Wednesday.
"Sir, what is your plan if Trump loses but refuses to concede based on allegations by his supporters of irregularities, and he refuses to step down as president based on those allegations?" the voter inquired on CNN to some laughs from the studio audience.
Biden, 77, told the man, Deveaux Stockton, an area trial lawyer, it was a "serious concern."
"Did you ever think in your lifetime, no matter how young or old you are, any person would be able to ask that question and be taken seriously?" the two-term vice president said. "Our democracy is at risk."
Delaware's 36-year senator added, given the way Trump had undercut the military, the intelligence community, and the FBI during his four years in office, he had "no worry about him being escorted out of the White House" if he declined to vacate the building on Jan. 20, 2021, or beyond.
While the exchange evoked a ripple of laughter from the crowd, versions of Stockton's inquiry seem to be on voters' minds across the country, even if he would lack the requisite constitutional authority, wouldn't be able to marshal law enforcement and other agencies to come to his defense, and as a private citizen would feel the full weight of justice system.
Pete Buttigieg, 38, was pressed on the same issue three times over a two-day period in Nevada earlier this month.
"If he won't leave — I guess if he's willing to do chores we could work something out," the former South Bend, Indiana, mayor told a man in Reno, who riffed off a similar question put forward by late-night host Bill Maher on multiple occasions.
Asked what he'd do if he won the 2020 presidential race and Pres. Trump wouldn't accept election results, Pete Buttigieg says, "If he won't leave—I guess if he's willing to do chores, I guess we could work something out." https://t.co/H8RH0RUfBq pic.twitter.com/Gkql90fx0u — ABC News (@ABC) February 18, 2020
Buttigieg was posed with similar scenarios in Carson City later that morning, as well as in Las Vegas the following day.
Buttigieg just got this question for a third time in two days - this time from a live voter, not a question written on a piece of paper.
"You have a lot of supporters here... (but) Bernie has an army. What's the plan?" the voter asked re: whether Trump won't leave office. https://t.co/OVLTZSk00L — Dan Merica (@merica) February 18, 2020
Trump's norm-breaking administration was showcased in the weeks after he was acquitted of impeachment, firing, reassigning, or not objecting to resignations from key officials who testified during the House investigation into whether he abused his power or obstructed Congress amid the Ukraine-Biden affair. His efforts to help allies, such as political trickster Roger Stone, with the judicial system, have also rattled establishment figures.
The emboldened White House occupant has himself joked about not giving up the Oval Office after eight years, a violation of three articles of the Constitution that govern term lengths, even amid the impeachment investigation.
"A lot of them say, 'You know he's not leaving,'" he told the Israeli-American Council National Summit of the media in December, extrapolating jokes made by loyalists such as former Republican Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and faith leader Jerry Falwell Jr. "So now we have to start thinking about that, because it's not a bad idea."
Trump muses about serving more than two terms and becoming a dictator: "A lot of them say, 'you know he's not leaving' ... So now we have to start thinking about that, because it's not a bad idea." pic.twitter.com/szsnXahvS8 — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 8, 2019
But in the meantime, Buttigieg, for one, is trying to allay any Democratic anxiety.
"At the end of the day, there's only one president. But I do believe this is one of the reasons why it's important that we not just eke out a win," he said in Reno, later adding, "I think we want to set a goal of winning big enough that this election is way beyond cheating distance and that Trumpism goes into the history books too."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-27--Five ways the government's coronavirus response is failing: Health experts

Health experts say the federal government is still not adequately responding to the coronavirus threat and is failing to inform the public , medical community , and local governments fully about the massive scale of domestic preparations necessary .
President Trump attempted to reassure the public Wednesday evening that the 15 cases found in the United States , as opposed to cases involving those who were repatriated to the U.S. after getting sick abroad , will drop to zero in a `` few days . ''
And he said his administration was taking an aggressive approach to kill the threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts predicted it would earlier this month .
`` He has done a terrific job so far , '' Dr. William Schaffner , professor of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine 's Department of Health Policy , said about the government quickly identifying , tracing , monitoring , and quarantining those who are sick .
However , Dr. Arthur L. Caplan , founding head of the Division of Medical Ethics at NYU School of Medicine in New York City , gave a resounding `` overall , no '' when asked if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The problem is [ Trump ] has been sending mixed messages like , 'We 're under control — there 's no problem here , ' when his own CDC knows we do n't have a problem here because it has n't gotten here yet .
It 's like saying , 'We do n't have a problem with anybody attacking us tomorrow in Afghanistan or something because they just have n't started their attack , '' said Caplan .
`` It makes no sense to give false assurance to the American people . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ University professor of health systems administration and population health , Dr. Michael A. Stoto , Caplan , and Schaffner , identified five critical things that the federal , state , and local governments should be doing , and they agreed the Trump administration must call the shots and brace the public for the worst — not to scare people but so they understand what may be expected of them .
1 .
Describe how it actually spreads Coronavirus is a respiratory virus spread through close contact with people gathering face to face or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , health experts know the virus is contagious several days before symptoms arrive .
A kiss on the cheek from a friend who is seemingly healthy today is risky because they may not show symptoms of the virus until early next week .
2 .
Make clear that face masks may not save you Trump told reporters Wednesday that the government `` ordered a lot '' of face masks , but Schaffner said these types of coverings do not protect someone healthy from getting the virus and give people a `` false @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's really scant scientific data that would support their use to protect us from getting an infection .
Those masks are not designed to prevent us from getting a viral infection , '' said Schaffner , adding they are also not effective at containing germs when worn by someone who is sick .
The best tool for avoiding the virus , which the government has not shared , is `` social distancing , '' or staying away from people and public spaces .
3 .
Localities must decide when to separate people and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small communities and large cities see new cases pop up , local governments must be ready to put into place voluntary or mandatory social distancing policies to keep people away from one another .
Local governments will have to decide whether to mandate work from home policies and even teleschool for children .
`` We would see recommendations for all of us to become semi-hermits for as long as possible during transmission if the virus came to your community or mine .
It would be very localized depending on where the introductions are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state and local governments will have to make these types of calls on how to handle people who are in quarantine and who do test positive .
`` When cases show up , it 's going to be state and local health departments that do the contact tracing — that do quarantine if that becomes necessary , decisions on social distancing measures ... communicating to the people who live in their jurisdictions on what the actual risks are , '' said Stoto .
`` With Ebola , for instance , when people came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identified at the airports as to potentially being exposed , it was the state and health department that had to follow up with these people every day . ''
Testing those who are sick to see if they have the virus is also a challenge for the medical community and local officials in rural areas , Schaffner said .
`` If there were one thing that we could ask for now is a greater ability to test more broadly .
We do n't want to test every patient that comes in with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We would like to open up testing more broadly than it is available . ''
Health facilities need ways to get those tests to state health departments faster .
Tests developed by commercial laboratories should be put on a fast-track approval basis by the Food and Drug Administration so that more tests can be manufactured and made available to avoid a potential shortage .
5 .
Decide now who will get a vaccine when it is ready A vaccine is 12 to 18 months away , National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House Wednesday .
But there may not be enough vaccine for everyone who needs it , Caplan said , and the country needs to decide now who will be at the top of that list , should it come down to it .
`` Who 's going to decide that and on what basis ?
I 'm OK with people in factories making the pills , even doctors and nurses getting early access , but let 's talk about it , so people understand we have to ration initially until we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Caplan .
`` None of this is what we 're hearing about .
We 're hearing about the impact on the stock market — supply chain .
We 're not getting the rest of the story . ''
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did not respond to requests for comment .

Health experts say the federal government is still not adequately responding to the coronavirus threat and is failing to inform the public, medical community, and local governments fully about the massive scale of domestic preparations necessary.
President Trump attempted to reassure the public Wednesday evening that the 15 cases found in the United States, as opposed to cases involving those who were repatriated to the U.S. after getting sick abroad, will drop to zero in a "few days." And he said his administration was taking an aggressive approach to kill the threat before it wreaks havoc, as health experts predicted it would earlier this month.
"He has done a terrific job so far," Dr. William Schaffner, professor of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine's Department of Health Policy, said about the government quickly identifying, tracing, monitoring, and quarantining those who are sick.
However, Dr. Arthur L. Caplan, founding head of the Division of Medical Ethics at NYU School of Medicine in New York City, gave a resounding "overall, no" when asked if the Trump administration was prepared.
"The problem is [Trump] has been sending mixed messages like, 'We're under control — there's no problem here,' when his own CDC knows we don't have a problem here because it hasn't gotten here yet. It's like saying, 'We don't have a problem with anybody attacking us tomorrow in Afghanistan or something because they just haven't started their attack," said Caplan. "It makes no sense to give false assurance to the American people."
Three distinguished public health experts, Georgetown University professor of health systems administration and population health, Dr. Michael A. Stoto, Caplan, and Schaffner, identified five critical things that the federal, state, and local governments should be doing, and they agreed the Trump administration must call the shots and brace the public for the worst — not to scare people but so they understand what may be expected of them.
1. Describe how it actually spreads
Coronavirus is a respiratory virus spread through close contact with people gathering face to face or in enclosed spaces. As of this week, health experts know the virus is contagious several days before symptoms arrive. A kiss on the cheek from a friend who is seemingly healthy today is risky because they may not show symptoms of the virus until early next week.
2. Make clear that face masks may not save you
Trump told reporters Wednesday that the government "ordered a lot" of face masks, but Schaffner said these types of coverings do not protect someone healthy from getting the virus and give people a "false sense of comfort."
"There's really scant scientific data that would support their use to protect us from getting an infection. Those masks are not designed to prevent us from getting a viral infection," said Schaffner, adding they are also not effective at containing germs when worn by someone who is sick.
The best tool for avoiding the virus, which the government has not shared, is "social distancing," or staying away from people and public spaces.
3. Localities must decide when to separate people and enforce quarantines
When, not if, small communities and large cities see new cases pop up, local governments must be ready to put into place voluntary or mandatory social distancing policies to keep people away from one another. Local governments will have to decide whether to mandate work from home policies and even teleschool for children.
"We would see recommendations for all of us to become semi-hermits for as long as possible during transmission if the virus came to your community or mine. It would be very localized depending on where the introductions are," said Schaffner.
Stoto said state and local governments will have to make these types of calls on how to handle people who are in quarantine and who do test positive.
"When cases show up, it's going to be state and local health departments that do the contact tracing — that do quarantine if that becomes necessary, decisions on social distancing measures ... communicating to the people who live in their jurisdictions on what the actual risks are," said Stoto. "With Ebola, for instance, when people came into the country, and they were identified at the airports as to potentially being exposed, it was the state and health department that had to follow up with these people every day."
4. Make testing more widely available
Testing those who are sick to see if they have the virus is also a challenge for the medical community and local officials in rural areas, Schaffner said.
"If there were one thing that we could ask for now is a greater ability to test more broadly. We don't want to test every patient that comes in with a cough," said Schaffner. "We would like to open up testing more broadly than it is available." Health facilities need ways to get those tests to state health departments faster. Tests developed by commercial laboratories should be put on a fast-track approval basis by the Food and Drug Administration so that more tests can be manufactured and made available to avoid a potential shortage.
5. Decide now who will get a vaccine when it is ready
A vaccine is 12 to 18 months away, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Tony Fauci told reporters at the White House Wednesday. But there may not be enough vaccine for everyone who needs it, Caplan said, and the country needs to decide now who will be at the top of that list, should it come down to it.
"Who's going to decide that and on what basis? I'm OK with people in factories making the pills, even doctors and nurses getting early access, but let's talk about it, so people understand we have to ration initially until we get enough for everybody," said Caplan. "None of this is what we're hearing about. We're hearing about the impact on the stock market — supply chain. We're not getting the rest of the story."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did not respond to requests for comment.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-27--Warren bill would divert $10B in Trump border wall funds to fight coronavirus

Sen. Elizabeth Warren proposed diverting billions of dollars of funding for President Trump 's border wall to government efforts to respond to the coronavirus .
Warren , a Massachusetts Democrat , introduced the Prioritizing Pandemic Prevention Act on Thursday to require that approximately $ 10 billion be redirected from fence projects along the U.S.-Mexico border to the Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Agency for International Development to make up for the money Congress will spend preparing for and responding to the virus .
`` The coronavirus outbreak poses serious health , diplomatic , and economic threats to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be prepared to confront it head-on , '' Warren said in a statement .
`` Rather than use taxpayer dollars to pay for a monument to hate and division , my bill will help ensure that the federal government has the resources it needs to adequately respond to this emergency . ''
The loss of $ 10 billion would wipe out more than half of the White House 's wall coffers , which sit at $ 18 billion — pending Trump getting the $ 2 billion requested from Congress in fiscal 2021 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funding , as planned .
Earlier this week , the White House requested $ 1.25 billion in emergency funding for the coronavirus .
On Tuesday , government health officials said the virus is bound to spread domestically , possibly becoming a major epidemic .
Democrats balked at the president 's request and called for higher levels of funding to ensure the U.S. was taking the necessary measures to make federal funding available to state and local governments .
As of Thursday , more than 81,000 people have been diagnosed with coronavirus globally , @ @ @ @ @ @

Sen. Elizabeth Warren proposed diverting billions of dollars of funding for President Trump's border wall to government efforts to respond to the coronavirus.
Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, introduced the Prioritizing Pandemic Prevention Act on Thursday to require that approximately $10 billion be redirected from fence projects along the U.S.-Mexico border to the Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Agency for International Development to make up for the money Congress will spend preparing for and responding to the virus.
"The coronavirus outbreak poses serious health, diplomatic, and economic threats to the United States, and we must be prepared to confront it head-on," Warren said in a statement. "Rather than use taxpayer dollars to pay for a monument to hate and division, my bill will help ensure that the federal government has the resources it needs to adequately respond to this emergency."
The loss of $10 billion would wipe out more than half of the White House's wall coffers, which sit at $18 billion — pending Trump getting the $2 billion requested from Congress in fiscal 2021 and taking $3.8 billion from defense counternarcotic funding, as planned.
Earlier this week, the White House requested $1.25 billion in emergency funding for the coronavirus. On Tuesday, government health officials said the virus is bound to spread domestically, possibly becoming a major epidemic. Democrats balked at the president's request and called for higher levels of funding to ensure the U.S. was taking the necessary measures to make federal funding available to state and local governments.
As of Thursday, more than 81,000 people have been diagnosed with coronavirus globally, and 3,000 people have died.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-27--'Disgusting': Bernie Sanders slams decision to put Pence in charge of coronavirus response

Bernie Sanders attacked President Trump for appointing Vice President Mike Pence to lead the government 's response to the threat of the COVID-19 virus .
`` Trump 's plan for the coronavirus so far , '' the Vermont senator said .
`` Cut winter heating assistance for the poor .
Have VP Pence , who wanted to 'pray away ' HIV epidemic , oversee the response .
Let ex-pharma lobbyist Alex Azar refuse to guarantee affordable vaccines to all . ''
Sanders , who is the front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination , called Trump 's response `` disgusting .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the 2015 HIV outbreak in Scott County that led to more than 200 cases .
He was asked about the need for a needle-exchange program and responded : “ I ’ m going to go home and pray on it.
” Pence waited two months before calling the 2015 outbreak a public health emergency , a move that was widely criticized at the time .
“ I don ’ t believe effective anti-drug policy involves handing out drug paraphernalia , ” Pence told the Indianapolis Star that year .
He eventually allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak .
Both Trump and Pence assured the public on Wednesday that the federal government is prepared to contain the virus .
“ In recent days , the White House met with over 40 state , county , and city health officials from over 30 states and territories to discuss how to respond to the potential threat of the coronavirus , '' Pence said at the White House news conference .

Bernie Sanders attacked President Trump for appointing Vice President Mike Pence to lead the government's response to the threat of the COVID-19 virus.
"Trump's plan for the coronavirus so far," the Vermont senator said. "Cut winter heating assistance for the poor. Have VP Pence, who wanted to 'pray away' HIV epidemic, oversee the response. Let ex-pharma lobbyist Alex Azar refuse to guarantee affordable vaccines to all."
Sanders, who is the front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination, called Trump's response "disgusting."
Trump's plan for the coronavirus so far:
-Cut winter heating assistance for the poor
-Have VP Pence, who wanted to "pray away" HIV epidemic, oversee the response
-Let ex-pharma lobbyist Alex Azar refuse to guarantee affordable vaccines to all
Disgusting. pic.twitter.com/98HVjUVY8C — Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) February 27, 2020
Pence was the governor of Indiana during the 2015 HIV outbreak in Scott County that led to more than 200 cases. He was asked about the need for a needle-exchange program and responded: “I’m going to go home and pray on it.”
Pence waited two months before calling the 2015 outbreak a public health emergency, a move that was widely criticized at the time.
“I don’t believe effective anti-drug policy involves handing out drug paraphernalia,” Pence told the Indianapolis Star that year.
He eventually allowed a 30-day needle exchange program to combat the outbreak.
Both Trump and Pence assured the public on Wednesday that the federal government is prepared to contain the virus.
“In recent days, the White House met with over 40 state, county, and city health officials from over 30 states and territories to discuss how to respond to the potential threat of the coronavirus," Pence said at the White House news conference.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-27--AOC rips Trump pick to lead coronavirus response: ‘Pence literally does not believe in science’

New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez cast doubt on Vice President Mike Pence ’ s ability to lead the government ’ s fight against the new coronavirus .
Trump announced on Wednesday that the executive branch ’ s response to the coronavirus , which causes a SARs-like disease recently named COVID-19 .
Following Trump ’ s news conference at the White House , Ocasio-Cortez condemned the president ’ s decision and questioned whether Pence believes in science .
“ Mike Pence literally does not believe in science .
It is utterly irresponsible to put him in charge of US coronavirus response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a pandemic , ” the freshman congresswoman wrote in a tweet .
“ This decision could cost people their lives .
Pence ’ s past decisions already have.
” Ocasio-Cortez pointed to Pence ’ s record as governor of Indiana , claiming his response to the HIV epidemic was proof that he could not handle the responsibility of dealing with the coronavirus .
“ As governor , Pence ’ s science denial contributed to one of the worst HIV outbreaks in Indiana ’ s history , ” she wrote .
“ He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not a health expert .
He is not qualified nor positioned in any way to protect our public health.
” While serving as governor , Pence to Planned Parenthood , which offered HIV testing in addition to its more controversial procedures , such as abortions .
He also disapproved of needle exchanges , which could reduce HIV transmission via intravenous needles .
By 2015 , nearly 200 people in the state had contracted HIV .
Pence has since reversed his position on needle exchanges .
Ocasio-Cortez argued that Pence was “ not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be surrounded by doctors and working as the White House ’ s point person for top officials at the Health and Human Services Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as they monitor the spread of the coronavirus .
In 2015 , President Barack Obama appointed Ronald Klain who was similarly responsible for the White House ’ s response to the illness .
Klain , like Pence , was not a doctor , but was well connected within the administration after working as a Democratic strategist .

New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez cast doubt on Vice President Mike Pence’s ability to lead the government’s fight against the new coronavirus.
Trump announced on Wednesday that Pence would be heading the executive branch’s response to the coronavirus, which causes a SARs-like disease recently named COVID-19. Following Trump’s news conference at the White House, Ocasio-Cortez condemned the president’s decision and questioned whether Pence believes in science.
“Mike Pence literally does not believe in science. It is utterly irresponsible to put him in charge of US coronavirus response as the world sits on the cusp of a pandemic,” the freshman congresswoman wrote in a tweet. “This decision could cost people their lives. Pence’s past decisions already have.”
Ocasio-Cortez pointed to Pence’s record as governor of Indiana, claiming his response to the HIV epidemic was proof that he could not handle the responsibility of dealing with the coronavirus.
“As governor, Pence’s science denial contributed to one of the worst HIV outbreaks in Indiana’s history,” she wrote. “He is not a medical doctor. He is not a health expert. He is not qualified nor positioned in any way to protect our public health.”
As governor, Pence’s science denial contributed to one of the worst HIV outbreaks in Indiana’s history.
He is not a medical doctor. He is not a health expert. He is not qualified nor positioned in any way to protect our public health.
https://t.co/1jVY44p2HF — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 27, 2020
While serving as governor, Pence cut funding to Planned Parenthood, which offered HIV testing in addition to its more controversial procedures, such as abortions. He also disapproved of needle exchanges, which could reduce HIV transmission via intravenous needles. By 2015, nearly 200 people in the state had contracted HIV. Pence has since reversed his position on needle exchanges.
Ocasio-Cortez argued that Pence was “not a medical doctor,” but he will be surrounded by doctors and working as the White House’s point person for top officials at the Health and Human Services Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as they monitor the spread of the coronavirus.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-27--Bipartisan success of Opportunity Zones gives Trump an edge

Doubts about the ability of certain Democratic presidential front-runners to connect with black voters have left an opening for President Trump to promote his administration 's policy successes .
During the Super Bowl , Trump ran a television ad highlighting the historic criminal justice reform package he signed into law .
More recently , his State of the Union highlighted a tax benefit known as Opportunity Zones , which has delivered significant benefits to low-income neighborhoods .
The Opportunity Zone tax incentive was part of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act , signed into law by Trump in December 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a second chance by offering investors tax benefits for providing qualifying capital to these areas .
There are over 8,700 low or moderate-income census tracts designated as Opportunity Zones throughout all 50 states , Washington , D.C. , and five U.S. territories with 35 million people residing in them .
Since its inception , this program has received bipartisan support due to its creative approach to assisting communities that need it most .
District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser , a Democrat , embraced Opportunity Zones by nominating 25 designated spots as possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tech firm , Enlightened , recently teamed up with a development firm to invest in an Opportunity Zone in Anacostia .
Enlightened CEO Antwayne Ford sees this as a win-win for both his company and local workers .
“ My attitude is if I have a job in technology , I ’ m willing to train folks to do it .
They are ready to come right here in their own neighborhood to work that should shift the paradigm.
” She is not the first Democratic mayor to embrace Opportunity Zones for her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from both parties have sung the policy ’ s praises .
For instance , Braddock , Pennsylvania , Mayor Chardae Jones ’ s designation of 23 Opportunity Zones attracted a vertical farming company called Fifth Season , which opened a headquarters in Braddock with the promise of employing at least 60 people .
Braddock ’ s Council President Tina Doose shared , “ There will be local folks from [ ZIP code ] 15104 that will be employed at this facility .
And to hear that commitment does my heart well.
” Despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain skeptical , calling Opportunity Zones just another tax break for the rich .
In a recent oped , one writer suggested the Opportunity Zone tax incentive uses taxpayer dollars to drive investors to real estate deals that would have been pursued regardless .
This could n't be further from the truth .
The census data used to designate these zones is the same data used for the New Market Tax Credit — an earlier effort enacted by the Clinton administration to drive investment and renewal into low-income areas .
I have spoken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local officials about their approach to establishing Opportunity Zones .
Although each took a slightly different approach , the common denominator is that all solicited input on which areas would likely remain underdeveloped absent this program .
According to the Boston University Menino Survey of Mayors , “ Mayors generally believe the new federal Opportunity Zones tax incentive has targeted the right areas , nationally and in their own communities.
” Seventy-nine percent of Democratic mayors and 65 % of Republican mayors said these zones were driven by a desire of the governors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefit them as a whole .
The goal here is to bring positive transformative change and renewal to over 8,700 targeted areas throughout the country , and the status quo was not getting the job done .
Opportunity Zones provide the chance to invest in communities that often get left behind .
It gives them a chance to achieve economic stability and growth .
That 's why voices on the Left and the Right have praised this program as a bipartisan success story .
When entrepreneurs invest in these communities , they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within them .
Jill Homan is president of Javelin 19 Investments , a D.C.-based development and investment company .

Doubts about the ability of certain Democratic presidential front-runners to connect with black voters have left an opening for President Trump to promote his administration's policy successes.
During the Super Bowl, Trump ran a television ad highlighting the historic criminal justice reform package he signed into law. More recently, his State of the Union highlighted a tax benefit known as Opportunity Zones, which has delivered significant benefits to low-income neighborhoods.
The Opportunity Zone tax incentive was part of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act, signed into law by Trump in December 2017. Opportunity Zones give economically distressed communities a second chance by offering investors tax benefits for providing qualifying capital to these areas. There are over 8,700 low or moderate-income census tracts designated as Opportunity Zones throughout all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and five U.S. territories with 35 million people residing in them.
Since its inception, this program has received bipartisan support due to its creative approach to assisting communities that need it most.
District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, embraced Opportunity Zones by nominating 25 designated spots as possible growth areas for investors. K Street tech firm, Enlightened, recently teamed up with a development firm to invest in an Opportunity Zone in Anacostia. Enlightened CEO Antwayne Ford sees this as a win-win for both his company and local workers. “My attitude is if I have a job in technology, I’m willing to train folks to do it. They are ready to come right here in their own neighborhood to work that should shift the paradigm.”
She is not the first Democratic mayor to embrace Opportunity Zones for her city. Across the country, mayors from both parties have sung the policy’s praises. For instance, Braddock, Pennsylvania, Mayor Chardae Jones’s designation of 23 Opportunity Zones attracted a vertical farming company called Fifth Season, which opened a headquarters in Braddock with the promise of employing at least 60 people. Braddock’s Council President Tina Doose shared, “There will be local folks from [ZIP code] 15104 that will be employed at this facility. And to hear that commitment does my heart well.”
Despite these developments, there are those who remain skeptical, calling Opportunity Zones just another tax break for the rich. In a recent oped, one writer suggested the Opportunity Zone tax incentive uses taxpayer dollars to drive investors to real estate deals that would have been pursued regardless. This couldn't be further from the truth.
The census data used to designate these zones is the same data used for the New Market Tax Credit — an earlier effort enacted by the Clinton administration to drive investment and renewal into low-income areas. I have spoken with numerous governors, mayors, and local officials about their approach to establishing Opportunity Zones. Although each took a slightly different approach, the common denominator is that all solicited input on which areas would likely remain underdeveloped absent this program.
According to the Boston University Menino Survey of Mayors, “Mayors generally believe the new federal Opportunity Zones tax incentive has targeted the right areas, nationally and in their own communities.” Seventy-nine percent of Democratic mayors and 65% of Republican mayors said these zones were driven by a desire of the governors to spread them across the state and benefit them as a whole.
The goal here is to bring positive transformative change and renewal to over 8,700 targeted areas throughout the country, and the status quo was not getting the job done.
Opportunity Zones provide the chance to invest in communities that often get left behind. It gives them a chance to achieve economic stability and growth. That's why voices on the Left and the Right have praised this program as a bipartisan success story. When entrepreneurs invest in these communities, they are also investing in the people who live within them.
Jill Homan is president of Javelin 19 Investments, a D.C.-based development and investment company.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-27--Trump offers coronavirus reassurance as he tries to end days of mixed messaging and market free fall

President Trump sought to reassure the public that the risk from coronavirus remained low as he made a rare visit to the White House briefing room in an effort to shore up economic markets and show that he was in charge .
He announced that Vice President Mike Pence would take control of the administration ’ s response and pushed back against warnings from a senior official at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that the public should be prepared for the possibility of “ severe ” disruption to everyday life .
It signaled an effort to stamp his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days of mixed messaging and plunging world markets .
“ The risk to the American people remains very low , ” he said , flanked by senior health officials .
“ We have the greatest experts , really , in the world , right here .
We ’ re ready to adapt , and we ’ re ready to do whatever we have to as the disease spreads , if it spreads.
” He left the door open to further sweeping action , such as imposing travel restrictions on countries such as South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even for quarantining cities in the United States “ should we need them.
” But , his overall message was one of resilience and preparedness .
“ I think the stock market will recover , ” he said .
“ The economy is very strong with consumers , the strongest it ’ s ever been.
” Trump was speaking hours after a new case was confirmed in the U.S. , bringing the total to 60 , and as the Dow Jones followed its worst two-day fall in four years with a third day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returned to the White House determined to shake things up .
He plunged officials into a feverish day of activity at the White House before he even arrived back from a trip to India , telling aides aboard Air Force One that he wanted to hold a press conference on Wednesday evening .
It was held in the briefing room at the president ’ s insistence , the first time he has appeared there since January last year .
It is understood aides pressed for the briefing to be held before a small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surroundings of the Roosevelt Room , but Trump , always mindful of TV production values , wanted the event to have a more energetic atmosphere .
His appearance reflected growing unease that , while the human impacts of coronavirus might be controlled , a clumsy response could spread uncertainty and fear .
“ There ’ s confidence the virus can be contained , but no one is stupid enough to think that there won ’ t be implications for the economy , ” said a campaign adviser .
That was exacerbated this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his top health officials .
Several times he played down the risk , saying the coronavirus would die out as the summer months approached .
And , on Wednesday , he accused CNN and MSNBC of scaremongering , saying they were “ doing everything possible to make [ the coronavirus ] look as bad as possible , including panicking markets.
” But critics said he was underestimating the health risk and potential impact on the U.S. economy while the White House funding request of $ 2.5 billion was inadequate to tackle the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ borne out in a briefing by Nancy Messonnier , director of the CDC 's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases , who warned of possible “ severe ” disruptions to everyday life .
`` It 's not so much a question of if this will happen anymore but rather a question of exactly when this will happen and how many people in this country will have severe illness , '' she said on Tuesday .
Veterans of White House messaging said they were baffled at the apparent lack of coordination .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CDC could make an announcement as important as yesterday without it being tightly coordinated with the White House , ” President George W. Bush ’ s press secretary Ari Fleischer wrote .
Things began to turn around on Wednesday with the president ’ s return .
The White House circulated talking points to Republicans , highlighting efforts to prevent the infection spreading , headlined “ President Trump is leading an aggressive coronavirus response and preparation effort.
” It concluded : “ Because of the actions taken by President Trump , the risk of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ precious time has been gained to keep it that way.
” And officials in the briefing room paid tribute to the president ’ s leadership , even as they carefully hinted that the disease could spread further .
Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar said , “ The president ’ s early and decisive actions , including travel restrictions , have succeeded in buying us incredibly valuable time .
This has helped us contain the spread of the virus , handle the cases that we have , and prepare for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a broader spread of infections within the United States .
”

President Trump sought to reassure the public that the risk from coronavirus remained low as he made a rare visit to the White House briefing room in an effort to shore up economic markets and show that he was in charge.
He announced that Vice President Mike Pence would take control of the administration’s response and pushed back against warnings from a senior official at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that the public should be prepared for the possibility of “severe” disruption to everyday life. It signaled an effort to stamp his own authority on a crisis marked by days of mixed messaging and plunging world markets.
“The risk to the American people remains very low,” he said, flanked by senior health officials. “We have the greatest experts, really, in the world, right here. We’re ready to adapt, and we’re ready to do whatever we have to as the disease spreads, if it spreads.”
He left the door open to further sweeping action, such as imposing travel restrictions on countries such as South Korea, and said there were plans even for quarantining cities in the United States “should we need them.” But, his overall message was one of resilience and preparedness.
“I think the stock market will recover,” he said. “The economy is very strong with consumers, the strongest it’s ever been.”
Trump was speaking hours after a new case was confirmed in the U.S., bringing the total to 60, and as the Dow Jones followed its worst two-day fall in four years with a third day of losses.
Aides said the president returned to the White House determined to shake things up. He plunged officials into a feverish day of activity at the White House before he even arrived back from a trip to India, telling aides aboard Air Force One that he wanted to hold a press conference on Wednesday evening.
It was held in the briefing room at the president’s insistence, the first time he has appeared there since January last year. It is understood aides pressed for the briefing to be held before a small pool of journalists in the more manageable surroundings of the Roosevelt Room, but Trump, always mindful of TV production values, wanted the event to have a more energetic atmosphere.
His appearance reflected growing unease that, while the human impacts of coronavirus might be controlled, a clumsy response could spread uncertainty and fear.
“There’s confidence the virus can be contained, but no one is stupid enough to think that there won’t be implications for the economy,” said a campaign adviser.
That was exacerbated this week when Trump appeared to be at odds with his top health officials. Several times he played down the risk, saying the coronavirus would die out as the summer months approached. And, on Wednesday, he accused CNN and MSNBC of scaremongering, saying they were “doing everything possible to make [the coronavirus] look as bad as possible, including panicking markets.”
But critics said he was underestimating the health risk and potential impact on the U.S. economy while the White House funding request of $2.5 billion was inadequate to tackle the problem.
Their words appeared to be borne out in a briefing by Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, who warned of possible “severe” disruptions to everyday life.
"It's not so much a question of if this will happen anymore but rather a question of exactly when this will happen and how many people in this country will have severe illness," she said on Tuesday.
Veterans of White House messaging said they were baffled at the apparent lack of coordination.
“I don’t understand how the CDC could make an announcement as important as yesterday without it being tightly coordinated with the White House,” President George W. Bush’s press secretary Ari Fleischer wrote.
Things began to turn around on Wednesday with the president’s return. The White House circulated talking points to Republicans, highlighting efforts to prevent the infection spreading, headlined “President Trump is leading an aggressive coronavirus response and preparation effort.”
It concluded: “Because of the actions taken by President Trump, the risk of infection for Americans remains low, and precious time has been gained to keep it that way.”
And officials in the briefing room paid tribute to the president’s leadership, even as they carefully hinted that the disease could spread further.
Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar said, “The president’s early and decisive actions, including travel restrictions, have succeeded in buying us incredibly valuable time. This has helped us contain the spread of the virus, handle the cases that we have, and prepare for the possibility that we will need to mitigate a broader spread of infections within the United States.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-28--Spy law stalls in Congress amid bipartisan reform demands

Attorney General William Barr last week urged Congress to renew a critical surveillance tool that helps federal law enforcement officials monitor and prevent terrorism and espionage .
But growing unease about privacy infringement and a recent inspector general report that found rampant errors and potential misuse of the surveillance laws to spy on the 2016 Trump campaign have prompted bipartisan opposition to renewing the law without first enacting significant reforms .
`` The goal is to have the right balance between civil liberties and national security , '' House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , a California Democrat , said after a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was canceled at the last minute .
The House Judiciary Committee was planning to mark up legislation to renew three expiring provisions in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act with new reforms negotiated between majority Democrats and the intelligence community .
But a top Democrat proposed a last-minute series of amendments that threatened to sink committee passage , and Chairman Jerrold Nadler of New York canceled the vote .
Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California drafted five amendments based on her past efforts to reform FISA and rein in overly broad warrantless surveillance .
Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among themselves by March 15 , when the three surveillance provisions expire .
Pelosi said she backs the bill Nadler planned to bring up for a vote , noting that it strips out language allowing the National Security Agency to collect call records .
`` There are others who would like to see some other provisions , '' Pelosi said .
`` We 're just working through that now and respect for everyone 's point of view , but it is really important that we pass the FISA bill . ''
Republicans seek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report produced by Inspector General Michael Horowitz , who found `` 17 significant errors or omissions '' by law enforcement seeking to spy on Trump campaign adviser Carter Page .
`` We ca n't simply reauthorize the system that allowed those lies and omissions to happen , '' Rep. Jim Jordan , an Ohio Republican and staunch Trump ally , said .
`` Now is our chance to fix it . ''
In the Senate , Republican leaders want to postpone reforms related to the Horowitz report , but some are willing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Other Republicans , including Rand Paul of Kentucky and Mike Lee of Utah , seek more drastic FISA changes .
Lee `` made a long case '' against renewing the FISA provisions during a private meeting with Barr last week , he said .
The Utah senator proposed several changes to the law , including an end to call-record collection and language to make it more difficult for the government to surveil targets `` involved in First Amendment activities . ''
`` Without statutory changes , unaccountable bureaucrats will continue to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lee said .
President Trump will probably sign a bipartisan extension authored by Congress but has expressed a strong desire for reforms to the program .
He retweeted Jordan 's criticism of the FISA process and Jordan 's call for changes to the law that would prevent the kind of mistakes made when the court authorized the surveillance of Page .
`` They spied on my campaign ! ''
Trump tweeted last week .
Sen. Lindsey Graham , a South Carolina Republican and top Trump ally , promised the president he would use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Committee to investigate the origins of the surveillance of Trump 's 2016 campaign .
Graham said his committee would delve into the flawed process of obtaining surveillance warrants for Page , beginning with depositions of former FBI Director James Comey , former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe , former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates , and former Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein .
All four signed off on the FISA warrants for Page even though they were based on an unverified dossier of sordid information funded by Trump 's campaign rival , Hillary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January that two of the four warrants lacked evidence `` to establish a probable cause to believe Page was acting as an agent of a foreign power . ''
Graham said he would use his investigation to formulate reforms to the FISA law .
`` I want to find out what happened , first , '' Graham said .

Attorney General William Barr last week urged Congress to renew a critical surveillance tool that helps federal law enforcement officials monitor and prevent terrorism and espionage.
But growing unease about privacy infringement and a recent inspector general report that found rampant errors and potential misuse of the surveillance laws to spy on the 2016 Trump campaign have prompted bipartisan opposition to renewing the law without first enacting significant reforms.
"The goal is to have the right balance between civil liberties and national security," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, said after a critical committee vote to advance the measure was canceled at the last minute.
The House Judiciary Committee was planning to mark up legislation to renew three expiring provisions in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act with new reforms negotiated between majority Democrats and the intelligence community.
But a top Democrat proposed a last-minute series of amendments that threatened to sink committee passage, and Chairman Jerrold Nadler of New York canceled the vote.
Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California drafted five amendments based on her past efforts to reform FISA and rein in overly broad warrantless surveillance.
Democrats are now working to strike a deal among themselves by March 15, when the three surveillance provisions expire.
Pelosi said she backs the bill Nadler planned to bring up for a vote, noting that it strips out language allowing the National Security Agency to collect call records.
"There are others who would like to see some other provisions," Pelosi said. "We're just working through that now and respect for everyone's point of view, but it is really important that we pass the FISA bill."
Republicans seek additional changes in response to the December report produced by Inspector General Michael Horowitz, who found "17 significant errors or omissions" by law enforcement seeking to spy on Trump campaign adviser Carter Page.
"We can't simply reauthorize the system that allowed those lies and omissions to happen," Rep. Jim Jordan, an Ohio Republican and staunch Trump ally, said. "Now is our chance to fix it."
In the Senate, Republican leaders want to postpone reforms related to the Horowitz report, but some are willing to accept the House provision eliminating call-record collection.
Other Republicans, including Rand Paul of Kentucky and Mike Lee of Utah, seek more drastic FISA changes.
Lee "made a long case" against renewing the FISA provisions during a private meeting with Barr last week, he said.
The Utah senator proposed several changes to the law, including an end to call-record collection and language to make it more difficult for the government to surveil targets "involved in First Amendment activities."
"Without statutory changes, unaccountable bureaucrats will continue to be able to abuse this power," Lee said.
President Trump will probably sign a bipartisan extension authored by Congress but has expressed a strong desire for reforms to the program.
He retweeted Jordan's criticism of the FISA process and Jordan's call for changes to the law that would prevent the kind of mistakes made when the court authorized the surveillance of Page.
"They spied on my campaign!" Trump tweeted last week.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican and top Trump ally, promised the president he would use his perch as chairman of the Judiciary Committee to investigate the origins of the surveillance of Trump's 2016 campaign.
Graham said his committee would delve into the flawed process of obtaining surveillance warrants for Page, beginning with depositions of former FBI Director James Comey, former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates, and former Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.
All four signed off on the FISA warrants for Page even though they were based on an unverified dossier of sordid information funded by Trump's campaign rival, Hillary Clinton.
The FISA court determined in January that two of the four warrants lacked evidence "to establish a probable cause to believe Page was acting as an agent of a foreign power."
Graham said he would use his investigation to formulate reforms to the FISA law.
"I want to find out what happened, first," Graham said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-27--Ilhan Omar claims Pence 'enabled the worst HIV outbreak in Indiana's history'

One of the more vocal anti-Trump lawmakers in D.C. is criticizing the president 's decision to tap Vice President Mike Pence to head the government 's team responding to the coronavirus .
Rep. Ilhan Omar slammed President Trump 's decision to select Pence to lead the effort , citing his failure to respond quickly enough to an HIV outbreak that infected 126 people in rural Scott County , Indiana , in 2015 .
`` Let this sink in : Mike Pence , who enabled the worst HIV outbreak in Indiana ’ s history , is leading the coronavirus response , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A real public health professional must step up to handle this .
This is not a drill — lives are at stake . ''
A 2018 report in the Lancet Medical Journal agreed with Omar 's critique , suggesting the spread of HIV would have been mitigated had Pence acted sooner .
The then-governor enacted a short-term needle exchange program that was effective in minimizing the outbreak .
Omar , a member of the far-left freshman House group `` the Squad , '' has harshly criticized Trump on a number of issues ranging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticism of Pence echoed that of fellow Squad member Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , who said , `` As governor , Pence ’ s science denial contributed to one of the worst HIV outbreaks in Indiana ’ s history . ''
2020 Democrat Sen. Bernie Sanders also made a similar point , arguing that Pence `` wanted to 'pray away ' HIV epidemic '' as governor .

One of the more vocal anti-Trump lawmakers in D.C. is criticizing the president's decision to tap Vice President Mike Pence to head the government's team responding to the coronavirus.
Rep. Ilhan Omar slammed President Trump's decision to select Pence to lead the effort, citing his failure to respond quickly enough to an HIV outbreak that infected 126 people in rural Scott County, Indiana, in 2015.
"Let this sink in: Mike Pence, who enabled the worst HIV outbreak in Indiana’s history, is leading the coronavirus response," tweeted Omar on Thursday. "A real public health professional must step up to handle this. This is not a drill — lives are at stake."
Let this sink in: Mike Pence, who enabled the worst HIV outbreak in Indiana’s history, is leading the coronavirus response.
A real public health professional must step up to handle this. This is not a drill — lives are at stake. — Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) February 27, 2020
A 2018 report in the Lancet Medical Journal agreed with Omar's critique, suggesting the spread of HIV would have been mitigated had Pence acted sooner. The then-governor enacted a short-term needle exchange program that was effective in minimizing the outbreak.
Omar, a member of the far-left freshman House group "the Squad," has harshly criticized Trump on a number of issues ranging from immigration to foreign policy. Her criticism of Pence echoed that of fellow Squad member Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who said, "As governor, Pence’s science denial contributed to one of the worst HIV outbreaks in Indiana’s history."
2020 Democrat Sen. Bernie Sanders also made a similar point, arguing that Pence "wanted to 'pray away' HIV epidemic" as governor.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-27--House set to vote to ban flavored e-cigarettes

The House is set to vote to ban sales of flavored e-cigarette liquids as part of a sweeping legislation to curb the youth vaping epidemic .
The House voted 210 to 200 Wednesday to approve a rule , allowing for the final passage of the bill on Thursday .
The bill , the Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act authored by Democrat Frank Pallone of New Jersey , would also ban online sales of e-cigarettes and require the Food and Drug Administration to place graphic warnings on cigarette cartons depicting the health effects of smoking .
It passed out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in November .
President Trump warned that banning e-cigarette flavors would steer tobacco users to black market products two days after the bill advanced from the committee .
However , he signed legislation increasing the federal legal age for purchasing tobacco products from 18 to 21 in December .
A drastic spike in teens using e-cigarettes prompted members of Congress to debate similar flavor bans and decrease underage vaping .
For instance , the House passed a bill in October which to sign for vaping products delivered by mail .
The bill has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oppose placing restrictions on sales of flavors to adults who use them lawfully .
Texas Republican Michael Burgess , for example , said Thursday that the bill would not work to keep kids from using flavored e-cigarettes but rather would punish adults and hurt the small businesses who sell to adults .
`` [ The bill ] does not address youth tobacco use .
This bill would ban all flavored tobacco use for all ages , taking away choices for law-abiding adult Americans , '' Burgess said .
Lawmakers and vape shop owners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fear it would hurt business .
Owners of tobacco and vape shops say they should n't be punished for selling flavored products to adults who are able to show proof of legal age to buy the e-liquids .
If the bill passes in the House , it will be the most comprehensive restriction of e-cigarette purchasing passed thus far .

The House is set to vote to ban sales of flavored e-cigarette liquids as part of a sweeping legislation to curb the youth vaping epidemic.
The House voted 210 to 200 Wednesday to approve a rule, allowing for the final passage of the bill on Thursday.
The bill, the Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act authored by Democrat Frank Pallone of New Jersey, would also ban online sales of e-cigarettes and require the Food and Drug Administration to place graphic warnings on cigarette cartons depicting the health effects of smoking. It passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee in November.
President Trump warned that banning e-cigarette flavors would steer tobacco users to black market products two days after the bill advanced from the committee. However, he signed legislation increasing the federal legal age for purchasing tobacco products from 18 to 21 in December.
A drastic spike in teens using e-cigarettes prompted members of Congress to debate similar flavor bans and decrease underage vaping. For instance, the House passed a bill in October which requires adults to sign for vaping products delivered by mail.
The bill has bipartisan support. Still, some Republicans oppose placing restrictions on sales of flavors to adults who use them lawfully. Texas Republican Michael Burgess, for example, said Thursday that the bill would not work to keep kids from using flavored e-cigarettes but rather would punish adults and hurt the small businesses who sell to adults.
"[The bill] does not address youth tobacco use. This bill would ban all flavored tobacco use for all ages, taking away choices for law-abiding adult Americans," Burgess said.
Lawmakers and vape shop owners have protested against flavor bans because both fear it would hurt business. Owners of tobacco and vape shops say they shouldn't be punished for selling flavored products to adults who are able to show proof of legal age to buy the e-liquids.
If the bill passes in the House, it will be the most comprehensive restriction of e-cigarette purchasing passed thus far.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-27--Rand Paul: Trump told me FISA 'spying' on American citizens should be 'forbidden'

President Trump said the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court should be `` forbidden '' from allowing the surveillance of American citizens , according to Sen. Rand Paul .
The Kentucky Republican told reporters on Thursday that he spoke with the president , who signaled disagreement with Attorney General William Barr over a clean extension of expiring Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act provisions as lawmakers debate reforms to the surveillance program that Trump and his allies claim was improperly leveraged against his 2016 campaign .
“ Spoke with @ realDonaldTrump , ” Paul tweeted on Thursday .
“ He agrees that the secret @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on foreign spies ) should be forbidden from ever spying on or investigating Americans , and that Congress should act NOW to make sure of that !
” It was earlier this week that Trump urged Barr to do away with FISA entirely last year , saying that he would rather eliminate the program than overhaul it .
But the attorney general told Trump that reauthorization was needed , without any changes , for national security reasons , after which Trump relented .
The conversation was said to have taken place months before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a documenting at least 17 “ significant inaccuracies and omissions ” from the FBI ’ s submissions to the FISA court to obtain warrants to wiretap onetime Trump campaign adviser Carter Page , who was suspected of being an agent for Russia .
Page was never charged with any wrongdoing .
The DOJ later determined that at least two of the four warrants were invalid .
Barr huddled with Senate Republicans on Tuesday to convince them to extend the soon-to-expire surveillance provisions while giving him time to `` fairly quickly '' implement reforms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surveillance abuse that targeted Trump ’ s 2016 campaign .
Trump retweeted a clip on Thursday from Rep. Jim Jordan commenting on deliberations in the House on FISA reform .
In the video , the Ohio Republican said FISA abuse should “ never again ” take place .
Trump also retweeted a post from Jordan with the message , “ They spied on my campaign !
” Horowitz 's report noted that no evidence of political motivation was found in the genesis of the FBI 's counterintelligence investigation into Trump 's campaign .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1978 to oversee the approval of warrants sought by federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies , has been criticized by privacy advocates for allowing the government to make secret and unchallenged arguments before its judges .
Paul 's comments on Thursday cast doubt on whether Congress will agree to renew key features of the Patriot Act .
Three FISA provisions are set to expire on March 15 .
The Kentucky Republican stood on the Senate floor for 11 hours to speak against the reauthorization of the Patriot Act in 2015 .

President Trump said the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court should be "forbidden" from allowing the surveillance of American citizens, according to Sen. Rand Paul.
The Kentucky Republican told reporters on Thursday that he spoke with the president, who signaled disagreement with Attorney General William Barr over a clean extension of expiring Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act provisions as lawmakers debate reforms to the surveillance program that Trump and his allies claim was improperly leveraged against his 2016 campaign.
“Spoke with @realDonaldTrump,” Paul tweeted on Thursday. “He agrees that the secret FISA court (intended to be used on foreign spies) should be forbidden from ever spying on or investigating Americans, and that Congress should act NOW to make sure of that!”
Spoke with @realDonaldTrump . He agrees that the secret FISA court (intended to be used on foreign spies) should be forbidden from ever spying on or investigating Americans, and that Congress should act NOW to make sure of that! — Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) February 27, 2020
It was reported earlier this week that Trump urged Barr to do away with FISA entirely last year, saying that he would rather eliminate the program than overhaul it. But the attorney general told Trump that reauthorization was needed, without any changes, for national security reasons, after which Trump relented.
The conversation was said to have taken place months before Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz released a report documenting at least 17 “significant inaccuracies and omissions” from the FBI’s submissions to the FISA court to obtain warrants to wiretap onetime Trump campaign adviser Carter Page, who was suspected of being an agent for Russia. Page was never charged with any wrongdoing. The DOJ later determined that at least two of the four warrants were invalid.
Barr huddled with Senate Republicans on Tuesday to convince them to extend the soon-to-expire surveillance provisions while giving him time to "fairly quickly" implement reforms aimed at curbing the kind of federal surveillance abuse that targeted Trump’s 2016 campaign.
Trump retweeted a clip on Thursday from Rep. Jim Jordan commenting on deliberations in the House on FISA reform. In the video, the Ohio Republican said FISA abuse should “never again” take place.
FISA Reform markup tomorrow in Judiciary.
Remember, AG Bill Barr used the term "political surveillance" to describe what took place. That should never happen in America!
That's why we need to make changes. pic.twitter.com/VnvDkC86ON — Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) February 25, 2020
Trump also retweeted a post from Jordan with the message, “They spied on my campaign!”
They spied on my campaign! https://t.co/LpIc3cNBnr — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 27, 2020
Horowitz's report noted that no evidence of political motivation was found in the genesis of the FBI's counterintelligence investigation into Trump's campaign.
The FISA court, which was established in 1978 to oversee the approval of warrants sought by federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies, has been criticized by privacy advocates for allowing the government to make secret and unchallenged arguments before its judges.
Paul's comments on Thursday cast doubt on whether Congress will agree to renew key features of the Patriot Act. Three FISA provisions are set to expire on March 15.
The Kentucky Republican stood on the Senate floor for 11 hours to speak against the reauthorization of the Patriot Act in 2015.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-27--Top impeachment investigator steps down from House Intelligence Committee

The counsel that led the questioning of witnesses for the Democrats during the House impeachment investigation will step down from his position on the House Intelligence Committee .
Daniel Goldman , who earned the nickname `` Mob Buster '' after prosecuting La Cosa Nostra in New York , joined the committee at the beginning of this session of Congress as the director of investigations .
He led the questioning of government officials during the investigation into whether President Trump committed impeachable offenses related to the freeze on military aid meant for Ukraine .
Trump was impeached by the House but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP-led Senate in early February .
Goldman told CNN it was `` an honor of a lifetime '' to work for House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff , adding that they worked to `` help provide a vital check on the president , as the Constitution requires Congress to do . ''
`` I 'm indebted to my colleagues for working tirelessly in pursuit of that objective , '' he said .
`` While I am eager to return to New York to spend some much-needed time with my family , I know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apace under Chairman Schiff 's leadership . ''
Goldman , who previously was a top prosecutor at the U.S. attorney 's office in the Southern District of New York , is the third House Democratic adviser to leave his post since the president was acquitted in the Senate .
The other two , Barry Berke and Norm Eisen , served as top advisers on the House Judiciary Committee , which also held impeachment hearings , before they left their roles .
`` Over the past year , Dan Goldman has provided strategic guidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our Committee through a turbulent , but critical time , '' Schiff , a California Democrat , said in a statement .
`` We know that the team Dan helped us build from scratch will continue their important work , and while we will all miss him in the committee , we know that his family is excited to get him back . ''

The counsel that led the questioning of witnesses for the Democrats during the House impeachment investigation will step down from his position on the House Intelligence Committee.
Daniel Goldman, who earned the nickname "Mob Buster" after prosecuting La Cosa Nostra in New York, joined the committee at the beginning of this session of Congress as the director of investigations. He led the questioning of government officials during the investigation into whether President Trump committed impeachable offenses related to the freeze on military aid meant for Ukraine.
Trump was impeached by the House but was acquitted of two charges by the GOP-led Senate in early February.
Goldman told CNN it was "an honor of a lifetime" to work for House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, adding that they worked to "help provide a vital check on the president, as the Constitution requires Congress to do."
"I'm indebted to my colleagues for working tirelessly in pursuit of that objective," he said. "While I am eager to return to New York to spend some much-needed time with my family, I know that the committee's work will continue apace under Chairman Schiff's leadership."
Goldman, who previously was a top prosecutor at the U.S. attorney's office in the Southern District of New York, is the third House Democratic adviser to leave his post since the president was acquitted in the Senate. The other two, Barry Berke and Norm Eisen, served as top advisers on the House Judiciary Committee, which also held impeachment hearings, before they left their roles.
"Over the past year, Dan Goldman has provided strategic guidance, wise counsel and steady leadership to our Committee through a turbulent, but critical time," Schiff, a California Democrat, said in a statement. "We know that the team Dan helped us build from scratch will continue their important work, and while we will all miss him in the committee, we know that his family is excited to get him back."