thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-18--Schiff asks Trump's spy chief to testify

President Trump 's spy chief , who was flung into a firestorm at the start of the Ukraine controversy last year , has been invited to testify before the House Intelligence Committee next month .
Chairman Adam Schiff , a California Democrat who is now the lead impeachment manager , sent letters to acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire and other intelligence agency leaders on Thursday to testify on Feb. 12 about global threats in an open and closed setting .
The U.S. Intelligence Community has signaled in negotiations with the House and Senate that its leaders want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ briefing that goes along with an assessment , concerned about invoking the ire of Trump , according to multiple reports .
But congressional Democrats have demanded some of the testimony be in an open session .
“ The hearing provides an opportunity for I.C .
seniors to provide an unclassified yet important broad understanding of how threats have evolved and what the nation can expect in the year to come , ” Schiff wrote in a letter to Maguire .
While the Senate Intelligence Committee has yet to send formal invitations , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are ongoing .
“ The Intelligence Community is committed to providing timely , accurate , and useful information about the worldwide threats facing the nation to Congress and the American people .
We continue discussions with the committees about the timing and format of the Worldwide Threat Assessment hearings this year , '' the ODNI spokesman told the Washington Examiner .
A representative for Schiff did not return a request for comment on whether any intelligence agency leaders have accepted the invitation .
The Senate briefing last year prompted Trump to lash out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testified , which included then-Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats , CIA Director Gina Haspel , and FBI Director Christopher Wray .
Maguire , who took on the role of acting director after Coats stepped down in August , last testified before the House Intelligence Committee in September when he faced questions about a whistleblower complaint that sparked impeachment proceedings in the Democrat-led House .
Filed by a CIA analyst who has not yet been publicly confirmed , the complaint alleged the president applied pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in order to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden .
As impeachment heats up with two articles accusing Trump of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress making their way to the Senate this week , Republicans are protesting the Democrats ' refusal to release the transcript of the October deposition by Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson , who deemed the whistleblower complaint to be urgent and credible and who first notified lawmakers of its existence .
Rep. Devin Nunes , the ranking member on the House Intelligence Committee , said on Monday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that House Republicans have an `` active investigation '' into him .

President Trump's spy chief, who was flung into a firestorm at the start of the Ukraine controversy last year, has been invited to testify before the House Intelligence Committee next month.
Chairman Adam Schiff, a California Democrat who is now the lead impeachment manager, sent letters to acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire and other intelligence agency leaders on Thursday to testify on Feb. 12 about global threats in an open and closed setting.
The U.S. Intelligence Community has signaled in negotiations with the House and Senate that its leaders want to forgo the public portion of the annual briefing that goes along with an assessment, concerned about invoking the ire of Trump, according to multiple reports. But congressional Democrats have demanded some of the testimony be in an open session.
“The hearing provides an opportunity for I.C. seniors to provide an unclassified yet important broad understanding of how threats have evolved and what the nation can expect in the year to come,” Schiff wrote in a letter to Maguire.
While the Senate Intelligence Committee has yet to send formal invitations, an ODNI spokesman said negotiations with both panels are ongoing.
“The Intelligence Community is committed to providing timely, accurate, and useful information about the worldwide threats facing the nation to Congress and the American people. We continue discussions with the committees about the timing and format of the Worldwide Threat Assessment hearings this year," the ODNI spokesman told the Washington Examiner.
A representative for Schiff did not return a request for comment on whether any intelligence agency leaders have accepted the invitation.
The Senate briefing last year prompted Trump to lash out at the top U.S. intelligence leaders who testified, which included then-Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, CIA Director Gina Haspel, and FBI Director Christopher Wray.
Maguire, who took on the role of acting director after Coats stepped down in August, last testified before the House Intelligence Committee in September when he faced questions about a whistleblower complaint that sparked impeachment proceedings in the Democrat-led House. Filed by a CIA analyst who has not yet been publicly confirmed, the complaint alleged the president applied pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in order to get him to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden.
As impeachment heats up with two articles accusing Trump of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress making their way to the Senate this week, Republicans are protesting the Democrats' refusal to release the transcript of the October deposition by Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson, who deemed the whistleblower complaint to be urgent and credible and who first notified lawmakers of its existence.
Rep. Devin Nunes, the ranking member on the House Intelligence Committee, said on Monday that Atkinson still faces "serious questions" and that House Republicans have an "active investigation" into him.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-18--Warren has nothing else to say on feud with Sanders

NEWTON , Iowa — After saying Bernie Sanders lied about saying a woman could n't get elected president , Elizabeth Warren declared she would n't be commenting on the matter any further .
Following her remarks at a town hall in Newton , Iowa , on Friday , where nearly 150 supporters showed up despite a snowstorm , the Massachusetts senator told the press that she would no longer speak about the controversy between her and Sanders , a Vermont senator .
She also refused to answer a question over whether she and Sanders , 78 , had spoken since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I do n't have anything else to say , '' said Warren , 70 .
`` Yesterday was a day when all 100 senators were sworn in for impeachment proceedings against a president of the United States .
...
I 'm focused on that . ''
Despite fielding three more questions on the dispute , Warren declined to comment any further .
The public fight between the two started on Sunday when Warren criticized Sanders for a report that his campaign was instructing staffers to tell Iowa Democrats that Warren was incapable of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election to defeat President Trump .
Warren said she was `` disappointed to hear that Bernie is sending his volunteers out to trash me . ''
The following day , it was reported that Sanders told Warren in a 2018 meeting that a woman could n't win the White House .
Sanders denied such a conversation took place , and those close to his campaign accused Warren of leaking the story in an act of desperation amid her lagging poll numbers .
`` Bernie and I met for more than two hours in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , our past work together , and our shared goals : beating Donald Trump , taking back our government from the wealthy and well-connected , and building an economy that works for everyone , '' she said in a statement .
The feud extended into that evening 's debate , with the two sharing an awkward moment caught on camera .
In that exchange , Warren confronted Sanders and accused him of calling her a liar .
Members of Sanders 's campaigns attacked debate host CNN for bias , saying the way a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conversation was worded in a way that sided with Warren .
A member of the Sanders campaign told the Washington Examiner on Tuesday night that neither Warren or Sanders had spoken yet .

NEWTON, Iowa — After saying Bernie Sanders lied about saying a woman couldn't get elected president, Elizabeth Warren declared she wouldn't be commenting on the matter any further.
Following her remarks at a town hall in Newton, Iowa, on Friday, where nearly 150 supporters showed up despite a snowstorm, the Massachusetts senator told the press that she would no longer speak about the controversy between her and Sanders, a Vermont senator. She also refused to answer a question over whether she and Sanders, 78, had spoken since Tuesday's Democratic primary debate.
“I don't have anything else to say," said Warren, 70. "Yesterday was a day when all 100 senators were sworn in for impeachment proceedings against a president of the United States. ... I'm focused on that."
Despite fielding three more questions on the dispute, Warren declined to comment any further.
The public fight between the two started on Sunday when Warren criticized Sanders for a report that his campaign was instructing staffers to tell Iowa Democrats that Warren was incapable of building a broad coalition in the general election to defeat President Trump. Warren said she was "disappointed to hear that Bernie is sending his volunteers out to trash me."
The following day, it was reported that Sanders told Warren in a 2018 meeting that a woman couldn't win the White House. Sanders denied such a conversation took place, and those close to his campaign accused Warren of leaking the story in an act of desperation amid her lagging poll numbers.
"Bernie and I met for more than two hours in December 2018 to discuss the 2020 election, our past work together, and our shared goals: beating Donald Trump, taking back our government from the wealthy and well-connected, and building an economy that works for everyone," she said in a statement.
The feud extended into that evening's debate, with the two sharing an awkward moment caught on camera. In that exchange, Warren confronted Sanders and accused him of calling her a liar.
Members of Sanders's campaigns attacked debate host CNN for bias, saying the way a question was asked about the alleged 2018 conversation was worded in a way that sided with Warren. A member of the Sanders campaign told the Washington Examiner on Tuesday night that neither Warren or Sanders had spoken yet.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-18--Trump lawyers will accuse Democrats of trying to overturn 2016 election as impeachment strategy

PALM BEACH , Florida — President Trump ’ s lawyers will argue that House Democrats have launched a “ dangerous attack ” on the right of the people of the United States to choose their own leader when his impeachment trial resumes on Tuesday , according to sources close to his legal team .
Their strategy is laid out in a six-page response to a summons sent by the Senate that is expected to be filed on Saturday evening — the team 's first formal response to the charges .
It sets out the White House argument that Democrats have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law .
According to the sources , the text states : “ The articles of impeachment submitted by House Democrats are a dangerous attack on the right of the American people to freely choose their president .
This is a brazen and unlawful attempt to overturn the results of the 2016 election and interfere with the 2020 election now just months away.
” The source said the response would tackle both procedural and substantive concerns with the two articles of impeachment , alleging that Trump abused his position and obstructed Congress .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeachment are constitutionally invalid on their face , ” he said .
“ They fail to allege any crime or violation of law whatsoever , let alone high crimes and misdemeanors.
” Trump became the third president to be impeached when the House last month approved charges that he abused his power by asking the president of Ukraine to open a corruption investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s son .
He is accused of withholding aid in order to increase pressure .
However , the document spells out that security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation being launched .
It also states that the president has a legitimate right to withhold information through executive privilege , which can not therefore constitute obstruction of Congress .
Impeachment moves into its next critical phase this week .
Trump ’ s Senate trial is expected to start on Tuesday , and his lawyers are due to submit their “ legal brief , ” setting out a more detailed argument , on Monday .
“ The conclusion at the end of the day is that the articles violate the Constitution , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defective in their entirety .
They are the product of invalid proceedings that flagrantly denied the president and due process rights .
They rest on dangerous distortions of the Constitution that will do lasting damage to our structure of government.
” The briefing came just before House Democrats were due to outline their case for removing Trump in a legal brief on Saturday evening .
A day earlier , the White House announced that several nationally known lawyers would be joining Trump ’ s legal team , including Ken Starr , the prosecutor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Bill Clinton , and former Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz .

PALM BEACH, Florida — President Trump’s lawyers will argue that House Democrats have launched a “dangerous attack” on the right of the people of the United States to choose their own leader when his impeachment trial resumes on Tuesday, according to sources close to his legal team.
Their strategy is laid out in a six-page response to a summons sent by the Senate that is expected to be filed on Saturday evening — the team's first formal response to the charges. It sets out the White House argument that Democrats have failed to show the president broke the law.
According to the sources, the text states: “The articles of impeachment submitted by House Democrats are a dangerous attack on the right of the American people to freely choose their president. This is a brazen and unlawful attempt to overturn the results of the 2016 election and interfere with the 2020 election now just months away.”
The source said the response would tackle both procedural and substantive concerns with the two articles of impeachment, alleging that Trump abused his position and obstructed Congress.
“We next assert that the articles of impeachment are constitutionally invalid on their face,” he said. “They fail to allege any crime or violation of law whatsoever, let alone high crimes and misdemeanors.”
Trump became the third president to be impeached when the House last month approved charges that he abused his power by asking the president of Ukraine to open a corruption investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden’s son. He is accused of withholding aid in order to increase pressure.
However, the document spells out that security assistance was sent to Ukraine without an investigation being launched.
It also states that the president has a legitimate right to withhold information through executive privilege, which cannot therefore constitute obstruction of Congress.
Impeachment moves into its next critical phase this week. Trump’s Senate trial is expected to start on Tuesday, and his lawyers are due to submit their “legal brief,” setting out a more detailed argument, on Monday.
“The conclusion at the end of the day is that the articles violate the Constitution,” said a source. “They are defective in their entirety. They are the product of invalid proceedings that flagrantly denied the president and due process rights. They rest on dangerous distortions of the Constitution that will do lasting damage to our structure of government.”
The briefing came just before House Democrats were due to outline their case for removing Trump in a legal brief on Saturday evening.
A day earlier, the White House announced that several nationally known lawyers would be joining Trump’s legal team, including Ken Starr, the prosecutor whose investigation led to the impeachment of President Bill Clinton, and former Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-18--Dershowitz: Abuse of power 'not an impeachable offense'

Retired Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz , who was recently added to Trump ’ s impeachment defense team , said Friday on MSNBC that “ abuse of power , even if proved , is not an impeachable offense.
” “ Abuse of power , even if proved , is not an impeachable offense .
That ’ s exactly what the framers rejected .
They didn ’ t want to give Congress the authority to remove a president because he abused his power .
They have to prove treason , they have to prove bribery , or they have to prove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said to Ari Melber on The Beat .
“ Virtually half of American presidents — from Adams , to Jefferson , to Lincoln , to Roosevelt — have been accused of abuse of power , and the framers explicitly rejected those kinds of broad , open-ended criteria , ” the professor added .
Dershowitz explained that during the impeachment trial he will lay out the argument that Democrats have not met the criteria for impeachment .
It was that Dershowitz , along with former independent counsel Ken Starr , was added to Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dershowitz released a statement when the news of his appointment broke , written in third-person , which read , `` Professor Dershowitz will present oral arguments at the Senate trial to address the constitutional arguments against impeachment and removal .
While Professor Dershowitz is non partisan when it comes to the Constitution — he opposed the impeachment of President Bill Clinton and voted for Hillary Clinton — he believes the issues at stake go to the heart of our enduring Constitution .
He is participating in this impeachment trial to defend the integrity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creation of a dangerous constitutional precedent . ''
The Senate trial is expected to continue on Tuesday with a vote on trial procedures .

Retired Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz, who was recently added to Trump’s impeachment defense team, said Friday on MSNBC that “abuse of power, even if proved, is not an impeachable offense.”
“Abuse of power, even if proved, is not an impeachable offense. That’s exactly what the framers rejected. They didn’t want to give Congress the authority to remove a president because he abused his power. They have to prove treason, they have to prove bribery, or they have to prove other crimes and misdemeanors,” Dershowitz said to Ari Melber on The Beat.
“Virtually half of American presidents — from Adams, to Jefferson, to Lincoln, to Roosevelt — have been accused of abuse of power, and the framers explicitly rejected those kinds of broad, open-ended criteria,” the professor added.
Dershowitz explained that during the impeachment trial he will lay out the argument that Democrats have not met the criteria for impeachment.
It was learned on Friday that Dershowitz, along with former independent counsel Ken Starr, was added to Trump’s impeachment team defense roster.
Dershowitz released a statement when the news of his appointment broke, written in third-person, which read, "Professor Dershowitz will present oral arguments at the Senate trial to address the constitutional arguments against impeachment and removal. While Professor Dershowitz is non partisan when it comes to the Constitution — he opposed the impeachment of President Bill Clinton and voted for Hillary Clinton — he believes the issues at stake go to the heart of our enduring Constitution. He is participating in this impeachment trial to defend the integrity of the Constitution and to prevent the creation of a dangerous constitutional precedent."
The Senate trial is expected to continue on Tuesday with a vote on trial procedures.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-18--Trump shares video of LSU football players dancing at White House

President Trump shared a video Saturday of the Louisiana State University football team dancing during their Friday visit to the White House .
Trump shared the video , originally posted by LSU star wide receiver Ja ’ Marr Chase using the TikTok app , along with a message reflecting on the event .
“ A great day at the White House for our National Champions , the LSU Tigers !
” the president said .
Players dressed in suits and ties danced to the popular rap song “ Get the Gat ” by Lil Elt .
Texas Republicans Sen. Ted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the viral videos from the visit with words of encouragement .
“ The right way to celebrate when you ’ re a champion and get invited to the White House !
” , Crenshaw responded .
LSU quarterback Joe Burrow that his entire team had an “ awesome experience ” at the White House .
`` He showed so much love to everyone on our team.
” Burrow said about the president .
“ I do n't care if you 're a Republican , Democrat , do n't care about politics at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for everybody .
”

President Trump shared a video Saturday of the Louisiana State University football team dancing during their Friday visit to the White House.
Trump shared the video, originally posted by LSU star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase using the TikTok app, along with a message reflecting on the event.
“A great day at the White House for our National Champions, the LSU Tigers!” the president said.
Players dressed in suits and ties danced to the popular rap song “Get the Gat” by Lil Elt.
A great day at the White House for our National Champions, the LSU Tigers! https://t.co/0sbotFsMO7 — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 18, 2020
Texas Republicans Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Dan Crenshaw also responded to the viral videos from the visit with words of encouragement.
“Strong,” Ted Cruz said in a Twitter post.
“The right way to celebrate when you’re a champion and get invited to the White House!”, Crenshaw responded.
The right way to celebrate when you’re a champion and get invited to the White House! https://t.co/B2TncTRBAQ — Dan Crenshaw (@DanCrenshawTX) January 18, 2020
LSU quarterback Joe Burrow stated that his entire team had an “awesome experience” at the White House.
"He showed so much love to everyone on our team.” Burrow said about the president. “I don't care if you're a Republican, Democrat, don't care about politics at all, that was an awesome experience for everybody."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-18--Sanders campaign looked into whether Warren could be both vice president and Treasury secretary

Bernie Sanders ’ presidential campaign researched whether his rival Elizabeth Warren could simultaneously be vice president and Treasury secretary .
Sources on the Sanders campaign told the Intercept that the Vermont senator ’ s team looked into the matter , but there was not an official legal analysis by a campaign attorney .
Sanders was not involved in the inquiry , did not request it , and has not made final decisions on a potential running mate or Cabinet officials , his campaign said .
“ No conversations are happening about any positions in a potential Sanders administration .
Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” campaign manager Faiz Shakir said .
There is nothing in the Constitution that would prohibit a vice president from being Treasury secretary at the same time .
Warren , 70 , and Sanders , 78 , have been allies for more than a decade , but they clashed in the last week over Warren ’ s claim that Sanders told her a woman could not win the White House .
Sanders has denied the accusation , which led to a heated exchange after the Democratic presidential debate in Iowa on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been highly critical of Wall Street in the aftermath of the financial crisis .
Sanders privately lobbied President Barack Obama to name Warren as the head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau after the crisis .

Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign researched whether his rival Elizabeth Warren could simultaneously be vice president and Treasury secretary.
Sources on the Sanders campaign told the Intercept that the Vermont senator’s team looked into the matter, but there was not an official legal analysis by a campaign attorney.
Sanders was not involved in the inquiry, did not request it, and has not made final decisions on a potential running mate or Cabinet officials, his campaign said.
“No conversations are happening about any positions in a potential Sanders administration. Our campaign is focused on winning the nomination,” campaign manager Faiz Shakir said.
There is nothing in the Constitution that would prohibit a vice president from being Treasury secretary at the same time.
Warren, 70, and Sanders, 78, have been allies for more than a decade, but they clashed in the last week over Warren’s claim that Sanders told her a woman could not win the White House. Sanders has denied the accusation, which led to a heated exchange after the Democratic presidential debate in Iowa on Tuesday.
Warren, a Massachusetts senator, has been highly critical of Wall Street in the aftermath of the financial crisis. Sanders privately lobbied President Barack Obama to name Warren as the head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau after the crisis.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-18--'Awesome experience': LSU quarterback Joe Burrow says Trump 'showed so much love' during White House

'Awesome experience': LSU quarterback Joe Burrow says Trump 'showed so much love' during White House visit

Louisiana State University quarterback Joe Burrow expressed gratitude toward President Trump following his team ’ s visit to the White House on Friday .
`` He showed so much love to everyone on our team .
I do n't care if you 're a Republican , Democrat , do n't care about politics at all , that was an awesome experience for everybody , ” the 23-year-old Heisman Trophy winner said .
At one point during the ceremony , Trump turned to Burrow and joked that he looked like a “ young Tom Brady ” and pointed out that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” soon .
“ Did you ever doubt ?
Not even a little bit ?
” Trump asked Burrow .
“ He ’ s going to be so rich .
He looks sort of like a young Tom Brady .
Does that make sense to you ?
We call them young Tom Brady .
This LSU team will long be remembered as one of the greatest in college football history .
And I just want to say congratulations , and go Tigers.
” Trump also gave Burrow a message on behalf of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to say , on behalf of the country , that you make our country very , very proud , ” the president said .
“ You ’ re really an inspirational talent and all of that .
But you ’ re an inspirational player , and you ’ re an inspirational person .
And you have a heart that ’ s incredible , and you have a team that respects you so much.
” LSU coach Ed Orgeron told the media that no players from his team officially boycotted the White House visit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ train .
Most experts believe that Joe Burrow will be selected # 1 overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL draft this spring .

Louisiana State University quarterback Joe Burrow expressed gratitude toward President Trump following his team’s visit to the White House on Friday.
"He showed so much love to everyone on our team. I don't care if you're a Republican, Democrat, don't care about politics at all, that was an awesome experience for everybody,” the 23-year-old Heisman Trophy winner said.
At one point during the ceremony, Trump turned to Burrow and joked that he looked like a “young Tom Brady” and pointed out that the quarterback will be a “rich man” soon.
“Did you ever doubt? Not even a little bit?” Trump asked Burrow. “He’s going to be so rich. He looks sort of like a young Tom Brady. Does that make sense to you? We call them young Tom Brady. This LSU team will long be remembered as one of the greatest in college football history. And I just want to say congratulations, and go Tigers.”
Trump is in full stand-up comedian mode for the LSU event pic.twitter.com/wqD7KXZzgT — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 17, 2020
Trump also gave Burrow a message on behalf of the country.
“Joe, I want to say, on behalf of the country, that you make our country very, very proud,” the president said. “You’re really an inspirational talent and all of that. But you’re an inspirational player, and you’re an inspirational person. And you have a heart that’s incredible, and you have a team that respects you so much.”
LSU coach Ed Orgeron told the media that no players from his team officially boycotted the White House visit, but some did stay home to train.
Coach O tells me no LSU players or coaches boycotted today’s White House visit “that I know of.” Said some players stayed back to continue training. pic.twitter.com/Pb3UbwEBgW — Jordan Fabian (@Jordanfabian) January 17, 2020
Most experts believe that Joe Burrow will be selected #1 overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL draft this spring.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-18--'Thank you, Dems!': Trump says Constitution under attack ahead of tinderbox gun rally

PALM BEACH , Florida — President Trump accused Virginia Democrats of undermining Second Amendment rights with efforts to toughen gun laws just as thousands of armed militias were arriving in Richmond for a rally .
He used Twitter to express his support for gun enthusiasts in the state as tensions grew ahead of Monday ’ s event .
`` Your 2nd Amendment is under very serious attack in the Great Commonwealth of Virginia , '' he wrote in a post as he arrived in Palm Beach on Friday evening for a weekend at his Mar-a-Lago resort .
`` That 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they will take your guns away . ''
Two gun rights groups say they expect to host 130,000 supporters at the Virginia State Capitol .
New gun control measures have been introduced following a deadly mass shooting and an election that saw Democrats take control of the statehouse for the first time in two decades .
On Thursday , the state Senate passed bills requiring background checks on all arms sales and limiting handgun purchases to one per month .
The legislation also allows local governments to ban weapons from public buildings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FBI announced it had arrested three members of a neo-Nazi group that allegedly planned to spark a race war at the rally .
It followed warnings of violence and came a day after Democratic Gov .
Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency , banning firearms from the 12-acre grounds .
`` We have received credible intelligence from our law enforcement agencies that there are groups with malicious plans for the rally that is planned for Monday , '' he said .
Officials said they were trying to prevent a repeat of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ march in Charlottesville , Virginia , in August 2017 .

PALM BEACH, Florida — President Trump accused Virginia Democrats of undermining Second Amendment rights with efforts to toughen gun laws just as thousands of armed militias were arriving in Richmond for a rally.
He used Twitter to express his support for gun enthusiasts in the state as tensions grew ahead of Monday’s event.
"Your 2nd Amendment is under very serious attack in the Great Commonwealth of Virginia," he wrote in a post as he arrived in Palm Beach on Friday evening for a weekend at his Mar-a-Lago resort. "That's what happens when you vote for Democrats, they will take your guns away."
Two gun rights groups say they expect to host 130,000 supporters at the Virginia State Capitol.
New gun control measures have been introduced following a deadly mass shooting and an election that saw Democrats take control of the statehouse for the first time in two decades.
Your 2nd Amendment is under very serious attack in the Great Commonwealth of Virginia. That’s what happens when you vote for Democrats, they will take your guns away. Republicans will win Virginia in 2020. Thank you Dems! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 17, 2020
On Thursday, the state Senate passed bills requiring background checks on all arms sales and limiting handgun purchases to one per month. The legislation also allows local governments to ban weapons from public buildings.
On the same day, the FBI announced it had arrested three members of a neo-Nazi group that allegedly planned to spark a race war at the rally.
It followed warnings of violence and came a day after Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency, banning firearms from the 12-acre grounds.
"We have received credible intelligence from our law enforcement agencies that there are groups with malicious plans for the rally that is planned for Monday," he said.
Officials said they were trying to prevent a repeat of the deadly violence associated with a white supremacist march in Charlottesville, Virginia, in August 2017.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-18--Ted Cruz: Impeachment trial will be 'the beginning of the end of the abuse of the Constitution'

Sen. Ted Cruz sent a message to the country claiming that the upcoming Senate trial will serve as the “ beginning of the end of the abuse of the Constitution.
” The Texas Republican said in a Twitter video that the House impeachment process did not sufficiently show the president should be removed from office .
“ The House articles do n't meet that standard .
They do n't allege any criminal conduct whatsoever , so at the end of this process , after a fair trial , the president will be acquitted , and we will end this constitutional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the House .
This is the beginning of the end of the abuse of the Constitution . ''
Cruz assured the public that the Senate process will be a fair one .
Cruz said , `` We will then proceed to have to a fair trial , to respect due process , unlike the House , to give the president a full and fair opportunity to defend himself , and then we 'll decide this issue based on the constitutional standards for impeachment , which is high crimes and misdemeanors . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s comments by retweeting the post and saying , “ Words of wisdom .
Thank you Ted !
” The Senate trial is expected to move forward Tuesday with a vote on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ’ s organizing resolution regarding trial procedures .

Sen. Ted Cruz sent a message to the country claiming that the upcoming Senate trial will serve as the “beginning of the end of the abuse of the Constitution.”
The Texas Republican said in a Twitter video that the House impeachment process did not sufficiently show the president should be removed from office.
“The House articles don't meet that standard. They don't allege any criminal conduct whatsoever, so at the end of this process, after a fair trial, the president will be acquitted, and we will end this constitutional circus, this political farce that started in the House. This is the beginning of the end of the abuse of the Constitution."
Cruz assured the public that the Senate process will be a fair one.
Cruz said, "We will then proceed to have to a fair trial, to respect due process, unlike the House, to give the president a full and fair opportunity to defend himself, and then we'll decide this issue based on the constitutional standards for impeachment, which is high crimes and misdemeanors."
President Trump showed his appreciation for Cruz’s comments by retweeting the post and saying, “Words of wisdom. Thank you Ted!”
The Senate trial is expected to move forward Tuesday with a vote on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s organizing resolution regarding trial procedures.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-18--'Throw a punch, for the children': Pelosi explains to Bill Maher the importance of 'cold-blooded' ta

'Throw a punch, for the children': Pelosi explains to Bill Maher the importance of 'cold-blooded' tactics to save country

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Democrats need to utilize `` cold-blooded '' tactics to win the 2020 election for the sake of the country 's future , during an interview with Bill Maher .
Calling her the `` Iron Lady , '' Maher asked Pelosi on his Friday show for her thoughts on the current state of the Democratic Party .
`` I feel like the Democratic Party is very often the victim of their own purity tests , '' Maher said .
`` I do n't worry about that , '' Pelosi said .
`` You have to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you have to be ready to throw a punch , for the children . ''
Pelosi , 79 , said the Democratic Party needs to use `` disciplined , focused , cold-blooded '' tactics to win in 2020 , just as they did in 2018 .
Maher concluded the interview by saying , `` Good to have your cold-blooded self on our side . ''
Earlier in the interview , Maher , 63 , insisted the Left must refrain from hating the president 's supporters , even if they hate the president himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You ca n't hate the people who like him , '' Maher said , warning , `` That way lies , literally , civil war . ''
Pelosi agreed with Maher 's sentiment , adding that she respects constituents with whom she disagrees .
Pelosi also mentioned Trump 's impeachment , saying , `` And you 're impeached forever !
No matter what the Senate does , it can never be erased . ''
Pelosi said Trump gave the Democrats no choice but to impeach him , claiming , `` The president was @ @ @ @ @ @ @

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Democrats need to utilize "cold-blooded" tactics to win the 2020 election for the sake of the country's future, during an interview with Bill Maher.
Calling her the "Iron Lady," Maher asked Pelosi on his Friday show for her thoughts on the current state of the Democratic Party. "I feel like the Democratic Party is very often the victim of their own purity tests," Maher said.
"I don't worry about that," Pelosi said. "You have to be ready to take a punch. And you have to be ready to throw a punch, for the children."
Pelosi, 79, said the Democratic Party needs to use "disciplined, focused, cold-blooded" tactics to win in 2020, just as they did in 2018. Maher concluded the interview by saying, "Good to have your cold-blooded self on our side."
Earlier in the interview, Maher, 63, insisted the Left must refrain from hating the president's supporters, even if they hate the president himself. "You can hate Trump. You can't hate the people who like him," Maher said, warning, "That way lies, literally, civil war." Pelosi agreed with Maher's sentiment, adding that she respects constituents with whom she disagrees.
Pelosi also mentioned Trump's impeachment, saying, "And you're impeached forever! No matter what the Senate does, it can never be erased."
Pelosi said Trump gave the Democrats no choice but to impeach him, claiming, "The president was self-impeaching almost every single day."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-18--'She's not fighting for us': Iraqi American vies for chance to challenge Ilhan Omar

Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar , in her first reelection bid , is n't the only Muslim refugee running in her Minneapolis district .
Dalia al Aqidi on Thursday announced she 's seeking the Republican nomination .
She joins a crowded field of GOP rivals running for the right to challenge Omar , 38 , an Israel-bashing firebrand lawmaker whose family fled Somalia to escape civil war and spent four years in a refugee campaign in Kenya before immigrating to the United States .
Al Aqidi , 51 , fled Saddam Hussein 's Iraq with her family when she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. and becoming a citizen .
She went on to a career in television journalism and moved to the Minneapolis district several months ago .
If elected , al Aqidi would be the third straight Muslim American to represent the district in the House , following Omar and her predecessor Keith Ellison , now Minnesota 's attorney general .
“ I chose to launch this campaign after thinking , watching , and researching , '' al Aqidi told the Washington Examiner .
`` I truly believe that Ilhan Omar is doing irreparable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and to the whole country .
Somebody needs to stop her .
She continues to spread anti-Semitism and hateful rhetoric.
” Omar was first elected to the House in 2018 when she and Michigan Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib , 43 , became the first of two Muslim women to win seats in Congress .
The pair enjoy a higher profile than most first-term lawmakers thanks to their membership of `` the Squad , ” the quartet of Democratic minority women , including New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez .
However , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was hailed as a nonpartisan victory for diversity , her presence there was quickly politicized as she weighed in on charged issues such as U.S.-Israeli relations and the Boycott , Divestment , Sanctions movement .
During Omar ’ s congressional run , she voiced opposition to the BDS movement , which effectively seeks to eliminate Israel as a sovereign state .
But after she won the crucial Democratic primary , Omar said she did indeed support BDS .
Omar received negative attention almost immediately after joining the House .
Last February , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israel critic , Glenn Greenwald , who had written about House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy , a California Republican , pushing to punish Omar and Tlaib over their anti-Israel views .
Omar wrote back , “ It ’ s all about the Benjamins baby , ” a less-than-subtle reference to stereotypes of Jewish Americans , provoking reprimands from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and .
These and other actions brought Omar the dubious honor of being named stopantisemitism.org ’ s 2019 `` Antisemite of the Year.
” The Israeli government also banned Omar and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a trip funded by Miftah , a group that has published neo-Nazis and sympathized with suicide bombers .
And just last week , Omar drew ire for saying she was “ stricken with PTSD ” due to escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran .
“ Her language is so toxic and severe , not only to gain attention for herself , but she wants to position herself as a celebrity , '' al Aqidi said .
`` She 's not fighting for us .
She 's not fighting for her district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ herself only , which means she 's fighting against us.
” Al Aqidi , a former political reporter for Voice of America and a White House correspondent for Middle Eastern television networks who also covered conflicts in Iraq and Lebanon , enters a crowded field of Republicans looking to topple Omar .
“ I 've been a journalist for 31 years , and I 've covered war zones and covered conflicts around the world , so right away my main issue is national security , and there are many dangerous individuals , both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harm the U.S. and are trying to harm our system and to harm our democracy , ” al Aqidi said .
“ I truly believe that President Trump is making efforts to make America safer by taking action against these people or these groups.
” Whoever ends up as the GOP nominee will face long odds in the district .
The 5th District includes all of the city of Minneapolis , along with suburbs such as St. Louis Park , which has a substantial Jewish population , and surrounding areas .
In 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican rival Donald Trump there resoundingly , 74 % -19 % , though he claimed the presidency .

Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, in her first reelection bid, isn't the only Muslim refugee running in her Minneapolis district.
Dalia al Aqidi on Thursday announced she's seeking the Republican nomination. She joins a crowded field of GOP rivals running for the right to challenge Omar, 38, an Israel-bashing firebrand lawmaker whose family fled Somalia to escape civil war and spent four years in a refugee campaign in Kenya before immigrating to the United States.
Al Aqidi, 51, fled Saddam Hussein's Iraq with her family when she was in her early 20s, coming to the U.S. and becoming a citizen. She went on to a career in television journalism and moved to the Minneapolis district several months ago.
If elected, al Aqidi would be the third straight Muslim American to represent the district in the House, following Omar and her predecessor Keith Ellison, now Minnesota's attorney general.
“I chose to launch this campaign after thinking, watching, and researching," al Aqidi told the Washington Examiner. "I truly believe that Ilhan Omar is doing irreparable harm to her district, to Minnesota, and to the whole country. Somebody needs to stop her. She continues to spread anti-Semitism and hateful rhetoric.”
Omar was first elected to the House in 2018 when she and Michigan Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib, 43, became the first of two Muslim women to win seats in Congress. The pair enjoy a higher profile than most first-term lawmakers thanks to their membership of "the Squad,” the quartet of Democratic minority women, including New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez.
However, while Omar’s arrival on Capitol Hill was hailed as a nonpartisan victory for diversity, her presence there was quickly politicized as she weighed in on charged issues such as U.S.-Israeli relations and the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement.
During Omar’s congressional run, she voiced opposition to the BDS movement, which effectively seeks to eliminate Israel as a sovereign state. But after she won the crucial Democratic primary, Omar said she did indeed support BDS.
Omar received negative attention almost immediately after joining the House. Last February, she responded to a tweet by a vocal Israel critic, Glenn Greenwald, who had written about House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican, pushing to punish Omar and Tlaib over their anti-Israel views.
Omar wrote back, “It’s all about the Benjamins baby,” a less-than-subtle reference to stereotypes of Jewish Americans, provoking reprimands from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and a GOP-backed resolution .
These and other actions brought Omar the dubious honor of being named stopantisemitism.org’s 2019 "Antisemite of the Year.”
The Israeli government also banned Omar and Tlaib last summer from visiting the country on a trip funded by Miftah, a group that has published neo-Nazis and sympathized with suicide bombers. And just last week, Omar drew ire for saying she was “stricken with PTSD” due to escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
“Her language is so toxic and severe, not only to gain attention for herself, but she wants to position herself as a celebrity," al Aqidi said. "She's not fighting for us. She's not fighting for her district. She is fighting for herself and herself only, which means she's fighting against us.”
Al Aqidi, a former political reporter for Voice of America and a White House correspondent for Middle Eastern television networks who also covered conflicts in Iraq and Lebanon, enters a crowded field of Republicans looking to topple Omar.
“I've been a journalist for 31 years, and I've covered war zones and covered conflicts around the world, so right away my main issue is national security, and there are many dangerous individuals, both Islamists and others, are trying to harm the U.S. and are trying to harm our system and to harm our democracy,” al Aqidi said. “I truly believe that President Trump is making efforts to make America safer by taking action against these people or these groups.”
Whoever ends up as the GOP nominee will face long odds in the district. The 5th District includes all of the city of Minneapolis, along with suburbs such as St. Louis Park, which has a substantial Jewish population, and surrounding areas. In 2016, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton beat Republican rival Donald Trump there resoundingly, 74%-19%, though he claimed the presidency.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-18--On edge: Unarmed Virginia gun protesters ask armed friends to ‘watch over us’

Dismissing rhetoric from Democrats that armed Second Amendment supporters are threatening to stir up a Monday rally at the Virginia Capitol , activists ordered to disarm to get close to the protest site are asking armed friends and family to “ watch over us.
” Under rules set in place by Democratic Gov .
Ralph Northam and endorsed by state courts , guns will be banned inside a large fenced-in area around the Capitol , even for those with carry permits .
Outside the area , however , guns will be allowed .
As a result , one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” rally has asked that those who are legally armed protect those unarmed inside the “ cage '' should any anti-gun activist group cause a fight .
“ If you can commit to being one of our needed 10,000 unarmed members inside the fence , please help us by asking several of your family and friends to be your designated armed escort to the gates and to stand outside the fenced area to watch over us , ” said an alert from the Virginia Citizens Defense League .
“ Stand with us , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just outside the fence and watch over your brothers and sisters inside the fence , ” said the group .
Tens of thousands of pro- and anti-gun protesters are expected for the Monday morning event .
Northam and other gun-control politicians have been suggesting that far right pro-gun groups plan to disrupt the event .
The state has said it wants to prevent “ another Charlottesville , ” where white supremacists clashed with counterprotesters over Civil War monuments .
But VCDL and other gun groups like Gun Owners of America and the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the liberals who are eager to stir up fights in hopes the gun-rights activists get blamed .
VDCL has even warned members to not take the bait .
It said this week , “ If someone tries to provoke you , smile and walk away .
There is probably someone secretly recording the interaction , with the intent of capturing some kind of inappropriate reaction on your part .
Do n't take the bait .
It 's not worth the bad press.
” The group added , “ The Democrats are afraid of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peaceful assembly of law-abiding gun owners in the worst possible way .
They would love for it to degenerate to ‘ violence , rioting , and insurrection ’ in order to smear gun owners .
Has the Democrat leadership actually invited violent groups to attend for the purpose of disrupting our peaceful assembly ?
” In its latest note , the group that has hosted peaceful lobby days since 2002 pointed out that those inside the caged in are will be allowed one defense — a pocket knife with a blade less than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to endorse that view that gun owners are under assault .
In a tweet yesterday , he wrote , “ Your 2nd Amendment is under very serious attack in the Great Commonwealth of Virginia .
That ’ s what happens when you vote for Democrats , they will take your guns away .
Republicans will win Virginia in 2020 .
Thank you Dems !
” In the 2019 elections , Virginia voted to put Democrats in charge of the legislature , and they moved fast to approve three gun control measures in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that has ignored gun control pushes in other states .

Dismissing rhetoric from Democrats that armed Second Amendment supporters are threatening to stir up a Monday rally at the Virginia Capitol, activists ordered to disarm to get close to the protest site are asking armed friends and family to “watch over us.”
Under rules set in place by Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam and endorsed by state courts, guns will be banned inside a large fenced-in area around the Capitol, even for those with carry permits.
Outside the area, however, guns will be allowed.
If you are planning to attend Lobby Day on Monday, here is a look at the entrance & exits for Capitol Square. Visitors will be screened at the entrance at 9th Street & East Grace Street. This is also an exit. Three additional exits are near the corner of 9th Street & Bank Street. pic.twitter.com/PWEZ2JC1jV — VACapitol2020 (@VACapitol2020) January 16, 2020
As a result, one of the groups leading the annual “lobby day” rally has asked that those who are legally armed protect those unarmed inside the “cage" should any anti-gun activist group cause a fight.
“If you can commit to being one of our needed 10,000 unarmed members inside the fence, please help us by asking several of your family and friends to be your designated armed escort to the gates and to stand outside the fenced area to watch over us,” said an alert from the Virginia Citizens Defense League.
“Stand with us, legally armed if you so choose, just outside the fence and watch over your brothers and sisters inside the fence,” said the group. Tens of thousands of pro- and anti-gun protesters are expected for the Monday morning event.
Northam and other gun-control politicians have been suggesting that far right pro-gun groups plan to disrupt the event. The state has said it wants to prevent “another Charlottesville,” where white supremacists clashed with counterprotesters over Civil War monuments.
Your 2nd Amendment is under very serious attack in the Great Commonwealth of Virginia. That’s what happens when you vote for Democrats, they will take your guns away. Republicans will win Virginia in 2020. Thank you Dems! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 17, 2020
But VCDL and other gun groups like Gun Owners of America and the National Rifle Association have claimed that it is the liberals who are eager to stir up fights in hopes the gun-rights activists get blamed.
VDCL has even warned members to not take the bait. It said this week, “If someone tries to provoke you, smile and walk away. There is probably someone secretly recording the interaction, with the intent of capturing some kind of inappropriate reaction on your part. Don't take the bait. It's not worth the bad press.”
The group added, “The Democrats are afraid of the voters and want to portray this peaceful assembly of law-abiding gun owners in the worst possible way. They would love for it to degenerate to ‘violence, rioting, and insurrection’ in order to smear gun owners. Has the Democrat leadership actually invited violent groups to attend for the purpose of disrupting our peaceful assembly?”
In its latest note, the group that has hosted peaceful lobby days since 2002 pointed out that those inside the caged in are will be allowed one defense — a pocket knife with a blade less than three inches long.
President Trump appeared to endorse that view that gun owners are under assault. In a tweet yesterday, he wrote, “Your 2nd Amendment is under very serious attack in the Great Commonwealth of Virginia. That’s what happens when you vote for Democrats, they will take your guns away. Republicans will win Virginia in 2020. Thank you Dems!”
In the 2019 elections, Virginia voted to put Democrats in charge of the legislature, and they moved fast to approve three gun control measures in a state that is home to the NRA and that has ignored gun control pushes in other states.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-18--White House Report Card: Impeachment drama, but no Trump conviction coming

In our weekly White House Report Card , President Trump is readying his defense for the Senate impeachment trial that is expected to reject the partisan charges against him .
In the meantime , the economy continues to roll forward , and he continues to notch wins on his 2016 campaign promises .
Our Democratic grader , pollster John Zogby , who has been teaming with me on these presidential report cards for 11 years , said , “ In the final analysis , he hands in all of his assignments , half of his fellow students love him , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more are able to buy better lunches than when he entered the class in 2017.
” Meanwhile , conservative grader Jed Babbin notes that the impeachment trial will also hurt the Democrats who are sitting senators because they have to be in their seats for the event — instead of last-minute campaigning for the Feb. 3 Iowa caucus .
I am a few days from my 11th anniversary of doing these weekly report cards with Paul Bedard .
It has been confounding at times , but I have tried hard to not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gives grades on merit , not agreement or disagreement with the student .
President Trump is now on trial in the Senate to determine if he will be removed from office .
But there is no way he will be removed .
Democrats say there are new bombshells about when and what he knew about withholding funds to Ukraine , but his defenders believe that this is not significant , that it did not happen , that it is only a ploy , etc .
New revelations are promised , but the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , half opposed .
He announces a new trade deal with China , but critics say the president has caved .
The Senate has passed a new iteration of a free trade agreement with Mexico and Canada , but it has few differences from the original agreement in the early 1990s .
Whether he is behind a few points against Democrats leading in 2020 battleground states or is up a few points — we are hopelessly deadlocked about policy , politics , right and wrong , good job or bad job .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of his assignments , half of his fellow students love him , the other half hate him .
But more are able to buy better lunches than when he entered the class in 2017 .
And he will be around for at least another year .
President Trump had another very good week with the signing of the Phase 1 trade deal with China , his ( belated but still important ) spoken support for Iranian demonstrators , and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ’ s long-delayed dispatch of the Democrats ’ impeachment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be disposed of .
The president finally — having previously said that he wasn ’ t on the side of the Iranian people demonstrating against the Tehran regime — came out in their support .
The ayatollahs ’ regime is vulnerable , and Trump is wise to keep his “ maximum pressure ” campaign against them rolling along .
The Wednesday signing of the Phase 1 China trade deal means more agricultural exports from the U.S. but leaves on the tariffs Trump imposed on Chinese goods .
As he said , those are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 agreement on protection of U.S. technology and intellectual property .
The signing was a good first step .
The White House announced that it was looking for another $ 7.2 billion in the military budget to divert to building the border wall .
( Last week a federal appeals court released over $ 3 billion for that purpose . )
There may not be enough that the military can spare from its construction and maintenance budgets .
After rushing Trump ’ s impeachment through the House because nothing was more urgent ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sending the impeachment articles to the Senate for about a month .
Her ploy was to force the Senate to hear witnesses the House hadn ’ t waited to depose and documents it hadn ’ t received .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell didn ’ t give in .
The impeachment melodrama will dominate the news for weeks to come .
How long the trial will take — during which period nothing else will get done in Washington — can ’ t yet be known .
That hurts Democratic presidential candidates such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elizabeth Warren and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar who are members of Senate and have to be in Washington instead of 11th-hour campaigning in Iowa which hosts the nation ’ s first caucus on Feb. 3 .
John Zogby is the founder of the Zogby Poll and senior partner at John Zogby Strategies .
His weekly podcast with son and partner Jeremy Zogby can be heard here .
This week , they feature the `` year of unrest . ''
Follow him on Twitter @ TheJohnZogby Jed Babbin is a Washington Examiner contributor and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration of former President George H.W .
Bush .
Follow him on Twitter @ jedbabbin

In our weekly White House Report Card, President Trump is readying his defense for the Senate impeachment trial that is expected to reject the partisan charges against him.
In the meantime, the economy continues to roll forward, and he continues to notch wins on his 2016 campaign promises. Our Democratic grader, pollster John Zogby, who has been teaming with me on these presidential report cards for 11 years, said, “In the final analysis, he hands in all of his assignments, half of his fellow students love him, the other half hate him. But more are able to buy better lunches than when he entered the class in 2017.”
Meanwhile, conservative grader Jed Babbin notes that the impeachment trial will also hurt the Democrats who are sitting senators because they have to be in their seats for the event — instead of last-minute campaigning for the Feb. 3 Iowa caucus.
John Zogby
Grade C
I am a few days from my 11th anniversary of doing these weekly report cards with Paul Bedard. It has been confounding at times, but I have tried hard to not be ideological — like a good professor who gives grades on merit, not agreement or disagreement with the student.
President Trump is now on trial in the Senate to determine if he will be removed from office. But there is no way he will be removed. Democrats say there are new bombshells about when and what he knew about withholding funds to Ukraine, but his defenders believe that this is not significant, that it did not happen, that it is only a ploy, etc. New revelations are promised, but the public is frozen at half wanting him removed, half opposed.
A great day at the White House for our National Champions, the LSU Tigers! https://t.co/0sbotFsMO7 — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 18, 2020
He announces a new trade deal with China, but critics say the president has caved. The Senate has passed a new iteration of a free trade agreement with Mexico and Canada, but it has few differences from the original agreement in the early 1990s. Whether he is behind a few points against Democrats leading in 2020 battleground states or is up a few points — we are hopelessly deadlocked about policy, politics, right and wrong, good job or bad job.
In the final analysis, he hands in all of his assignments, half of his fellow students love him, the other half hate him. But more are able to buy better lunches than when he entered the class in 2017. And he will be around for at least another year.
Jed Babbin
Grade B
President Trump had another very good week with the signing of the Phase 1 trade deal with China, his (belated but still important) spoken support for Iranian demonstrators, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s long-delayed dispatch of the Democrats’ impeachment articles to the Senate where they can be disposed of.
The president finally — having previously said that he wasn’t on the side of the Iranian people demonstrating against the Tehran regime — came out in their support. The ayatollahs’ regime is vulnerable, and Trump is wise to keep his “maximum pressure” campaign against them rolling along.
The Wednesday signing of the Phase 1 China trade deal means more agricultural exports from the U.S. but leaves on the tariffs Trump imposed on Chinese goods. As he said, those are his negotiating tools to get the Phase 2 agreement on protection of U.S. technology and intellectual property. The signing was a good first step.
Thank you Cincinnati, Ohio. Together, we are going to KEEP AMERICA GREAT! https://t.co/sKPAW8e8qN — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 2, 2019
The White House announced that it was looking for another $7.2 billion in the military budget to divert to building the border wall. (Last week a federal appeals court released over $3 billion for that purpose.) There may not be enough that the military can spare from its construction and maintenance budgets.
After rushing Trump’s impeachment through the House because nothing was more urgent (in her judgment), Pelosi delayed sending the impeachment articles to the Senate for about a month. Her ploy was to force the Senate to hear witnesses the House hadn’t waited to depose and documents it hadn’t received. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell didn’t give in. The impeachment melodrama will dominate the news for weeks to come. How long the trial will take — during which period nothing else will get done in Washington — can’t yet be known. That hurts Democratic presidential candidates such as Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar who are members of Senate and have to be in Washington instead of 11th-hour campaigning in Iowa which hosts the nation’s first caucus on Feb. 3.
John Zogby is the founder of the Zogby Poll and senior partner at John Zogby Strategies. His weekly podcast with son and partner Jeremy Zogby can be heard here. This week, they feature the "year of unrest." Follow him on Twitter @TheJohnZogby
Jed Babbin is a Washington Examiner contributor and former deputy undersecretary of defense in the administration of former President George H.W. Bush. Follow him on Twitter @jedbabbin


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-18--'A flat lie': Biden and Bernie Sanders fight over Social Security

INDIANOLA , Iowa — Joe Biden ripped into Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and his campaign over what he believes is a smear about his past views on entitlements .
The comments came during question and answer session at an Indianola town hall , after an attendee asked the former vice president to clarify his position on Social Security .
A series of viral videos shared by Sanders speechwriter David Sirota show Biden calling for cuts to the program .
`` My stance on Social Security — let ’ s get the record straight — I ’ m not gon na @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get the facts .
There ’ s a little doctored video going around saying that , put out by of Bernie 's people , and I don ’ t know if my staff has that video here , saying that I agreed with Paul Ryan , the former vice presidential candidate on wanting to privatize Social Security , '' Biden said .
`` And PolitiFact looked at it and doctored the photo and doctored the piece and acknowledged that it ’ s a fake .
So what we ’ re doing is is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what Paul Ryan and I were discussing , and I ’ ve been a gigantic supporter of Social Security from the beginning . ''
`` But it is a simply a lie that video that ’ s going around and ask anybody in the press , it ’ s a flat lie , '' he added .
`` They ’ ve acknowledged that it ’ s a doctored tape , and I ’ m looking forward to his campaign coming forward and disowning it .
They haven ’ t done it yet .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders campaign manager Faiz Shakir issued a statement calling on Biden to `` be honest with voters , '' over his record .
`` The facts are very clear : Biden not only pushed to cut Social Security — he is on tape proudly bragging about it on multiple occasions , '' the statement reads .
`` The vice president must stop dodging questions about his record , and start explaining why he has so aggressively pushed to slash one of the most significant and successful social programs in American history , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Earlier this month , Sirota began tweeting and emailing links out of several news clips showing Biden praising GOP plans to curb federal entitlement programs such as Social Security .
Other videos showed Biden calling for a freeze on any hikes to the program 's payments .
`` You have to , it 's one of the things that political advisers say to me is 'Whoa , do n't touch that third rail . '
Look , the American people are n't stupid .
It 's a real simple proposition we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a 2007 Meet the Press interview .
`` Social Security is n't the hard one to solve .
Medicare — that is one gorilla in the room .
And you 've got to put it all on the table .
You 've got to . ''
PolitiFact never said the videos in question were doctored , though the website did mark as false a line in a Sanders campaign newsletter that read , `` In 2018 , Biden lauded Paul Ryan for proposing cuts to Social Security and Medicare . ''
Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offensive against Biden since the beginning of the year .
In numerous speeches and campaign statements , Sanders has targeted Biden for his past foreign policy decisions such as the Iraq War , as well as domestic spending .
Much of that strategy is thanks to the fact that polling regularly finds Biden backers most likely to pick Sanders as their second-choice candidate .
A RealClearPolitics average of recent polls out of Iowa shows Biden and Sanders in a virtual tie at 20.7 % and 20.3 % support , respectively .

INDIANOLA, Iowa — Joe Biden ripped into Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and his campaign over what he believes is a smear about his past views on entitlements.
The comments came during question and answer session at an Indianola town hall, after an attendee asked the former vice president to clarify his position on Social Security. A series of viral videos shared by Sanders speechwriter David Sirota show Biden calling for cuts to the program.
"My stance on Social Security — let’s get the record straight — I’m not gonna blame anybody, but let’s get the facts. There’s a little doctored video going around saying that, put out by of Bernie's people, and I don’t know if my staff has that video here, saying that I agreed with Paul Ryan, the former vice presidential candidate on wanting to privatize Social Security," Biden said. "And PolitiFact looked at it and doctored the photo and doctored the piece and acknowledged that it’s a fake. So what we’re doing is is putting out what the actual exchange between what Paul Ryan and I were discussing, and I’ve been a gigantic supporter of Social Security from the beginning."
"But it is a simply a lie that video that’s going around and ask anybody in the press, it’s a flat lie," he added. "They’ve acknowledged that it’s a doctored tape, and I’m looking forward to his campaign coming forward and disowning it. They haven’t done it yet."
Hours after Biden's remarks, Sanders campaign manager Faiz Shakir issued a statement calling on Biden to "be honest with voters," over his record.
"The facts are very clear: Biden not only pushed to cut Social Security — he is on tape proudly bragging about it on multiple occasions," the statement reads. "The vice president must stop dodging questions about his record, and start explaining why he has so aggressively pushed to slash one of the most significant and successful social programs in American history, which millions of Americans rely on for survival.”
Earlier this month, Sirota began tweeting and emailing links out of several news clips showing Biden praising GOP plans to curb federal entitlement programs such as Social Security. Other videos showed Biden calling for a freeze on any hikes to the program's payments.
"You have to, it's one of the things that political advisers say to me is 'Whoa, don't touch that third rail.' Look, the American people aren't stupid. It's a real simple proposition we have to do something," Biden said in a 2007 Meet the Press interview. "Social Security isn't the hard one to solve. Medicare — that is one gorilla in the room. And you've got to put it all on the table. You've got to."
PolitiFact never said the videos in question were doctored, though the website did mark as false a line in a Sanders campaign newsletter that read, "In 2018, Biden lauded Paul Ryan for proposing cuts to Social Security and Medicare."
Sanders has been in the midst of an offensive against Biden since the beginning of the year. In numerous speeches and campaign statements, Sanders has targeted Biden for his past foreign policy decisions such as the Iraq War, as well as domestic spending. Much of that strategy is thanks to the fact that polling regularly finds Biden backers most likely to pick Sanders as their second-choice candidate.
A RealClearPolitics average of recent polls out of Iowa shows Biden and Sanders in a virtual tie at 20.7% and 20.3% support, respectively.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-18--Warren claims she is the only person running with executive experience

NEWTON , Iowa — Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren said she was the only White House hopeful who has spent any time in the executive branch on government at an Iowa rally , seemingly forgetting about a number of her rivals .
The remarks came after an audience member asked her when she plans on using presidential authority for some of her policy agenda instead of relying on Congress .
`` That 's a really good question .
Let me remind you , I think , I 'm the only one running for president whose actually been on the executive side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Remember , after the consumer agency was passed into law , Barack Obama , President Obama , asked me to set it up .
So I set up a federal agency .
We effectively went from two employees the day I walked in the door to about 1000 and spent a year getting it up and operational . ''
Warren was charged with leading the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in 2010 , though she later left the agency in 2011 after failing to be confirmed by the Senate .
Warren 's comments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeking their party 's nomination — most notably former Vice President Joe Biden , who served under Obama for eight years .
Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont , former mayors Pete Buttigieg of South Bend and Michael Bloomberg of New York may also have a bone to pick with Warren 's comments .
Before Sanders served in the House and later the Senate , he was the mayor of Burlington , Vermont , from 1981 to 1989 .
Buttigieg , who just left office this month , has also claimed that his role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him the necessary experience to jump to the White House .
Similarly , Bloomberg has pointed to his record as mayor of the nation 's largest city as evidence he 's up for the job of president .
Warren has faced a number of questions over how she will enact a number of her policy plans .
On Tuesday , Warren said that she could cancel up to $ 50,000 in student debt for 95 % of borrowers through executive authority alone .
She claims the lost government revenue would then be replaced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the richest individuals in the country .

NEWTON, Iowa — Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren said she was the only White House hopeful who has spent any time in the executive branch on government at an Iowa rally, seemingly forgetting about a number of her rivals.
The remarks came after an audience member asked her when she plans on using presidential authority for some of her policy agenda instead of relying on Congress.
"That's a really good question. Let me remind you, I think, I'm the only one running for president whose actually been on the executive side," Warren said Friday evening. "Remember, after the consumer agency was passed into law, Barack Obama, President Obama, asked me to set it up. So I set up a federal agency. We effectively went from two employees the day I walked in the door to about 1000 and spent a year getting it up and operational."
Warren was charged with leading the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in 2010, though she later left the agency in 2011 after failing to be confirmed by the Senate. Warren's comments also overlooked a number of other Democrats seeking their party's nomination — most notably former Vice President Joe Biden, who served under Obama for eight years.
Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, former mayors Pete Buttigieg of South Bend and Michael Bloomberg of New York may also have a bone to pick with Warren's comments. Before Sanders served in the House and later the Senate, he was the mayor of Burlington, Vermont, from 1981 to 1989. Buttigieg, who just left office this month, has also claimed that his role as mayor of South Bend has given him the necessary experience to jump to the White House. Similarly, Bloomberg has pointed to his record as mayor of the nation's largest city as evidence he's up for the job of president.
Warren has faced a number of questions over how she will enact a number of her policy plans. On Tuesday, Warren said that she could cancel up to $50,000 in student debt for 95% of borrowers through executive authority alone. She claims the lost government revenue would then be replaced through a wealth tax on some of the richest individuals in the country.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-18--Bloomberg can keep details of his wealth secret until after Super Tuesday

Billionaire presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg requested an extension on keeping the details of his fortune secret until after millions of @ @ @ @ @ 2020 Democratic primaries .
Bloomberg received an extended deadline to file his financial disclosure form @ @ @ @ @ Super Tuesday , the New York Times reported .
The former New York City mayor @ @ @ @ @ estimated $ 50 billion , entered the race in November , months after his Democratic @ @ @ @ @ Steyer , another billionaire running for the nomination , have been accused of using their @ @ @ @ @ .
Bloomberg , 77 , has already poured more than $ 200 million into television @ @ @ @ @ past two months .
If Bloomberg were to end his candidacy before March 20 , @ @ @ @ @ without having to make any financial disclosures .
His campaign previously said he would release @ @ @ @ @ not said when or how many years he ’ d disclose .

Billionaire presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg requested an extension on keeping the details of his fortune secret until after millions of voters have participated in the 2020 Democratic primaries.
Bloomberg received an extended deadline to file his financial disclosure form more than two weeks after Super Tuesday, the New York Times reported.
The former New York City mayor, who is worth an estimated $50 billion, entered the race in November, months after his Democratic rivals.
Bloomberg and Tom Steyer, another billionaire running for the nomination, have been accused of using their wealth to buy the nomination. Bloomberg, 77, has already poured more than $200 million into television and digital ads in the past two months.
If Bloomberg were to end his candidacy before March 20, he could exit the race without having to make any financial disclosures.
His campaign previously said he would release his tax returns but has not said when or how many years he’d disclose.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-18--Why are Democrats pretending the economy is bad for the working class?

SIOUX CITY , Iowa — Democratic presidential candidates need you to hate the economy .
Their problem is that the economy is really good .
“ The president wants us to think the economy is doing great , ” Pete Buttigieg said in Sioux City on Thursday night , “ because the Dow Jones is up .
But not a lot of that seems to be getting to our kitchen tables.
” It is probably true that not a lot of American families have large piles of money on their kitchen tables .
That ’ s because most people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put their money in piles on kitchen tables .
What Buttigieg means is that middle-class and working-class families aren ’ t reaping the benefits of a growing stock market and a rising GDP — that all this wealth is going only to the wealthy .
“ A lot of that growth , ” Buttigieg claimed at a campaign rally in Sioux City , “ isn ’ t getting to most of us.
” In the December Democratic debate , Buttigieg made the same claim .
“ This economy is not working for most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Tom Steyer is hitting the same theme with radio ads he 's running in Iowa .
Steyer argues that he can beat Trump “ on the economy ” by promising to bring about economic growth “ for everyone , and not just the 1 % . ''
It ’ s a compelling populist message that the current economic boom is not lifting up the regular guy .
The only problem is that it ’ s not true .
The working class is indeed reaping the gains of the Trump-era economy , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Since 2016 , wages have grown far faster for the lowest 25 % of earners than for everyone else , according to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta .
Unemployment is at an astonishingly low 3.5 % ( 2.6 % in Iowa ) , meaning that many of the people who struggled the most a decade ago — those out of work — now have jobs .
Inflation has averaged less than 2 % a year over the past four years .
That ’ s an economy that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ class .
So Buttigieg and Steyer are pinning their candidacies on frustration over the blue-collar and middle-class economy at a time when the blue-collar and middle-class economy is actually doing really , really well .
This seems politically unwise .
Why try to run against a problem that doesn ’ t exist ?
Won ’ t the doom-and-gloom message sound irrelevant or out of touch ?
It ’ s possible that Steyer , Buttigieg , and the others are simply behind the times — that they haven ’ t refreshed their taking points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s also possible that they know what they ’ re doing and that this is just a primary-season bankshot .
That is , when Buttigieg talks about working-class woes , he isn ’ t appealing to the working class .
He is appealing to upper-middle-class white liberals who want to feel like they are helping the working class with their votes .
At the same time , he ’ s appealing to the retired or late-career baby boomers who , having passed their professional peak , aren ’ t reaping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So while bad-mouthing the working man ’ s condition may be counterproductive in a general election , where a Democrat needs to do better than Hillary Clinton did among the working class , the message can work in the Iowa and New Hampshire nominating contests , where retired or near-retired baby boomers will make up a huge chunk of the voters .
“ If you go to the grocery stores , our groceries go up all the time , ” Colleen Chaussee , a retired bank employee told me after Buttigieg ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and her husband John , a retired school teacher , have seen their Social Security check increase only $ 15 a month .
“ Is that really going to change the quality of your life ?
” she asked .
The Chaussees ' experience is a very different one from that of Robert , a truck driver I met at Sioux City ’ s Marto Brewing Company on Thursday night .
Robert gets as much work as he wants , and more , and he ’ s raking in the bucks .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out the job market and finds them booming .
He had just come up from Dodge City , Kansas , where the meat-packing plants are desperate for workers .
“ Their lowest paying job is $ 18 an hour , ” Robert said .
Middle-class and working-class Americans have employers fighting over them .
Marsha , who runs the Radio Shack in Orange City , Iowa , complained about her difficulty in hiring workers .
“ It ’ s really hard to find good people , ” Marsha said .
“ We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the last six months.
” There are “ a lot of really good jobs , the manufacturing jobs around here , ” Mark Muilenberg , a doctor in Orange City said .
“ Most of the businesses around here , they 'd hire 25 , 30 more people today if they could , because unemployment is so low.
” That ’ s tough for employers .
It ’ s great news for the working man — even if the politicians don ’ t want to hear it .

SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Democratic presidential candidates need you to hate the economy. Their problem is that the economy is really good.
“The president wants us to think the economy is doing great,” Pete Buttigieg said in Sioux City on Thursday night, “because the Dow Jones is up. But not a lot of that seems to be getting to our kitchen tables.”
It is probably true that not a lot of American families have large piles of money on their kitchen tables. That’s because most people, aside from mafiosi, don’t put their money in piles on kitchen tables.
What Buttigieg means is that middle-class and working-class families aren’t reaping the benefits of a growing stock market and a rising GDP — that all this wealth is going only to the wealthy. “A lot of that growth,” Buttigieg claimed at a campaign rally in Sioux City, “isn’t getting to most of us.”
In the December Democratic debate, Buttigieg made the same claim. “This economy is not working for most of us, for the middle class.”
Tom Steyer is hitting the same theme with radio ads he's running in Iowa. Steyer argues that he can beat Trump “on the economy” by promising to bring about economic growth “for everyone, and not just the 1%."
It’s a compelling populist message that the current economic boom is not lifting up the regular guy. The only problem is that it’s not true. The working class is indeed reaping the gains of the Trump-era economy, and in fact, more than anyone else. Since 2016, wages have grown far faster for the lowest 25% of earners than for everyone else, according to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.
Unemployment is at an astonishingly low 3.5% (2.6% in Iowa), meaning that many of the people who struggled the most a decade ago — those out of work — now have jobs. Inflation has averaged less than 2% a year over the past four years. That’s an economy that’s good for the poor and the middle class.
So Buttigieg and Steyer are pinning their candidacies on frustration over the blue-collar and middle-class economy at a time when the blue-collar and middle-class economy is actually doing really, really well. This seems politically unwise. Why try to run against a problem that doesn’t exist? Won’t the doom-and-gloom message sound irrelevant or out of touch?
It’s possible that Steyer, Buttigieg, and the others are simply behind the times — that they haven’t refreshed their taking points to go with the new economic situation. It’s also possible that they know what they’re doing and that this is just a primary-season bankshot.
That is, when Buttigieg talks about working-class woes, he isn’t appealing to the working class. He is appealing to upper-middle-class white liberals who want to feel like they are helping the working class with their votes. At the same time, he’s appealing to the retired or late-career baby boomers who, having passed their professional peak, aren’t reaping the fruits of the booming job market.
So while bad-mouthing the working man’s condition may be counterproductive in a general election, where a Democrat needs to do better than Hillary Clinton did among the working class, the message can work in the Iowa and New Hampshire nominating contests, where retired or near-retired baby boomers will make up a huge chunk of the voters.
“If you go to the grocery stores, our groceries go up all the time,” Colleen Chaussee, a retired bank employee told me after Buttigieg’s rally in Sioux City. She and her husband John, a retired school teacher, have seen their Social Security check increase only $15 a month. “Is that really going to change the quality of your life?” she asked.
The Chaussees' experience is a very different one from that of Robert, a truck driver I met at Sioux City’s Marto Brewing Company on Thursday night. Robert gets as much work as he wants, and more, and he’s raking in the bucks. When he visits working-class towns, he checks out the job market and finds them booming. He had just come up from Dodge City, Kansas, where the meat-packing plants are desperate for workers. “Their lowest paying job is $18 an hour,” Robert said.
Middle-class and working-class Americans have employers fighting over them.
Marsha, who runs the Radio Shack in Orange City, Iowa, complained about her difficulty in hiring workers. “It’s really hard to find good people,” Marsha said. “We’ve been looking for somebody part-time here for the last six months.”
There are “a lot of really good jobs, the manufacturing jobs around here,” Mark Muilenberg, a doctor in Orange City said. “Most of the businesses around here, they'd hire 25, 30 more people today if they could, because unemployment is so low.”
That’s tough for employers. It’s great news for the working man — even if the politicians don’t want to hear it.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-19--'Get your mops & buckets ready': Trump opposes sea wall around New York City

President Trump came out strongly against a seawall to protect New York City from storms .
The New York Times reported on Friday that the Army Corps of Engineers is currently examining five options to protect New York City from increasingly frequent storms , one of which includes building a six-mile wall to block any flooding .
The proposed barrier is estimated to cost $ 119 billion and would take 25 years to construct .
President Trump took notice of this , voicing his opinion on Twitter .
`` A massive 200 Billion Dollar Seal Wall , built around New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is a costly , foolish & environmentally unfriendly idea that , when needed , probably wo n't work anyway .
It will also look terrible , '' the president said on Twitter .
`` Sorry , you 'll just have to get your mops & buckets ready ! ''
The president is not alone in his opposition to the barrier .
Scott M. Stringer , the New York City comptroller , also opposes the seawall , urging the Corps to consider other options in a letter .
Stringer says that the barrier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sufficient to counter rising water levels should it occur .
`` These sea gates will not be able to protect communities from flooding caused by rising tides and rising sea levels , and once they ’ re built , that ’ s it .
We ’ re not going to get the money again , '' Stringer said .
Others , such as Kimberly Ong , a senior attorney at the Natural Resources Defense Council , have pointed out the sanitation risks of the proposal .
Ong cites how a barrier could `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sewage can back up in the city when it rains .
`` We ’ d essentially be sitting in a bathtub of our own excrement , ” she told the New York Times .
This particular debate on New York City 's infrastructure began after the city was rocked by Tropical Storm Sandy in 2012 .
Forty-three people in New York City died , and over 2 million people were left without power as a result of the storm .

President Trump came out strongly against a seawall to protect New York City from storms.
The New York Times reported on Friday that the Army Corps of Engineers is currently examining five options to protect New York City from increasingly frequent storms, one of which includes building a six-mile wall to block any flooding. The proposed barrier is estimated to cost $119 billion and would take 25 years to construct. President Trump took notice of this, voicing his opinion on Twitter.
"A massive 200 Billion Dollar Seal Wall, built around New York to protect it from rare storms, is a costly, foolish & environmentally unfriendly idea that, when needed, probably won't work anyway. It will also look terrible," the president said on Twitter. "Sorry, you'll just have to get your mops & buckets ready!"
A massive 200 Billion Dollar Sea Wall, built around New York to protect it from rare storms, is a costly, foolish & environmentally unfriendly idea that, when needed, probably won’t work anyway. It will also look terrible. Sorry, you’ll just have to get your mops & buckets ready! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 18, 2020
The president is not alone in his opposition to the barrier. Scott M. Stringer, the New York City comptroller, also opposes the seawall, urging the Corps to consider other options in a letter. Stringer says that the barrier, once built, would not be sufficient to counter rising water levels should it occur.
"These sea gates will not be able to protect communities from flooding caused by rising tides and rising sea levels, and once they’re built, that’s it. We’re not going to get the money again," Stringer said.
Others, such as Kimberly Ong, a senior attorney at the Natural Resources Defense Council, have pointed out the sanitation risks of the proposal. Ong cites how a barrier could "trap sludge closer to shore" because sewage can back up in the city when it rains.
"We’d essentially be sitting in a bathtub of our own excrement,” she told the New York Times.
This particular debate on New York City's infrastructure began after the city was rocked by Tropical Storm Sandy in 2012. Forty-three people in New York City died, and over 2 million people were left without power as a result of the storm.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-18--Strategy of new Trump lawyers: Accuse Democrats of using impeachment to overturn 2016 election