thewashingtonexaminer--2020-12-16--Republican Trump dilemma doesn’t end with the Electoral College

Monday ’ s Electoral College vote for Joe Biden has not ended the Republican Party ’ s dilemma over how to deal with President Trump ’ s election challenges , as he continues to assert an honest vote tally would show he won a second term .
Even as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell congressional Republicans toward an acceptance of Biden as the next president following the constitutionally decisive electoral vote , the White House and a large number of rank-and-file GOP voters are continuing to dispute the outcome .
`` The president is still involved in ongoing litigation related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kayleigh McEnany reporters on Tuesday .
Trump , as usual , was more direct .
“ Tremendous evidence pouring in on voter fraud , ” he tweeted .
“ There has never been anything like this in our Country !
” He also retweeted attorney Lin Wood saying that the governor and secretary of state in Georgia , both Republicans , would soon be headed to jail for their complicity in the election theft .
Many Republicans publicly said the process should be allowed to play out , with some actively supporting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Trump to exhaust his legal options , as Al Gore did during the 2000 Florida recount .
But the Electoral College has now voted for Biden for president , and the Supreme Court has declined to hear any lawsuits that would overturn the results in the several states Trump is still contesting .
Neither were sufficient to get Trump to back down .
“ You will likely see a slow and steady move toward more members of Congress and other GOP leaders coming out and saying that Joe Biden won the election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constitutional process for moving forward , and that we need to put all of this behind us , ” said Republican strategist Brendan Steinhauser .
“ At the same time , they will say that looking into voting irregularities was worth doing , but that without evidence of massive voter fraud , we can not continue this fight . ''
“ In November , you could stretch to say Trump ’ s candidacy was mostly dead , but now , it ’ s all dead , ” said Rory Cooper , a political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cantor when he was House majority leader .
“ Every remaining election hurdle is a fantasy or figment of the president ’ s imagination like GOP elector slates or Congress rejecting the will of the people . ''
“ My guess is that most members will either puff their chests and beat the conspiracy drum because they only need to win a primary , or they will hide from the issue altogether because they clearly know this is wrong , ” Cooper added .
McConnell will be under pressure to keep any Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort to block Congress from certifying Biden ’ s victory on Jan. 6 .
Vice President Mike Pence will preside .
As vice president , Biden had to ward off such challenges from House liberals when Trump won in 2016 and Gore did the same after he lost to George W. Bush in 2000 .
McConnell fellow Republican senators in a Tuesday conference call to accept the results .
“ The Electoral College has spoken , ” McConnell said on the Senate floor .
“ I bet we ’ ll keep getting qualified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevails , ’ which are frankly embarrassing , ” said Cooper .
“ Leader McConnell ’ s floor speech and phone call with the president-elect probably gave most senators an offramp from the circus , but a few will choose not to take it because the empty appearance of fighting is their entire personality.
” “ Trump has to make a decision if he wants to run again or not , ” said Republican strategist John Feehery .
“ If he decides to run again , he has to achieve a balance between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grievance for fundraising and base mobilization purposes .
But if he acts irresponsibly , it all goes for naught .
Lots of Republicans are ready to move on and won ’ t countenance a president who tries to burn the place down on the way out.
” “ If he chooses not to run , he probably should worry about his place in history , ” Feehery continued .
“ He has plenty of great accomplishments to point to , but none of that matters if the country collapses in his wake.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has a big reveal up his sleeve that will prove the fraud before Inauguration Day .
“ I do n't expect [ GOP officials ] to say anything negative about Trump , since the voters still love him and want to keep fighting , but they will take the wind out of his sails over the weeks to come , ” Steinhauser said .
`` He will look more and more desperate until he accepts defeat .
Most electeds in the party want to see him move on , but I doubt he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no handling Donald Trump , ” said a Republican consultant .

Monday’s Electoral College vote for Joe Biden has not ended the Republican Party’s dilemma over how to deal with President Trump’s election challenges, as he continues to assert an honest vote tally would show he won a second term.
Even as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell led congressional Republicans toward an acceptance of Biden as the next president following the constitutionally decisive electoral vote, the White House and a large number of rank-and-file GOP voters are continuing to dispute the outcome.
"The president is still involved in ongoing litigation related to the election," press secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters on Tuesday. Trump, as usual, was more direct. “Tremendous evidence pouring in on voter fraud,” he tweeted. “There has never been anything like this in our Country!” He also retweeted attorney Lin Wood saying that the governor and secretary of state in Georgia, both Republicans, would soon be headed to jail for their complicity in the election theft.
Many Republicans publicly said the process should be allowed to play out, with some actively supporting the election challenges, while others waited patiently for Trump to exhaust his legal options, as Al Gore did during the 2000 Florida recount. But the Electoral College has now voted for Biden for president, and the Supreme Court has declined to hear any lawsuits that would overturn the results in the several states Trump is still contesting. Neither were sufficient to get Trump to back down.
“You will likely see a slow and steady move toward more members of Congress and other GOP leaders coming out and saying that Joe Biden won the election, that we have to follow the constitutional process for moving forward, and that we need to put all of this behind us,” said Republican strategist Brendan Steinhauser. “At the same time, they will say that looking into voting irregularities was worth doing, but that without evidence of massive voter fraud, we cannot continue this fight."
“In November, you could stretch to say Trump’s candidacy was mostly dead, but now, it’s all dead,” said Rory Cooper, a political strategist who advised Virginia Republican Rep. Eric Cantor when he was House majority leader. “Every remaining election hurdle is a fantasy or figment of the president’s imagination like GOP elector slates or Congress rejecting the will of the people."
“My guess is that most members will either puff their chests and beat the conspiracy drum because they only need to win a primary, or they will hide from the issue altogether because they clearly know this is wrong,” Cooper added.
McConnell will be under pressure to keep any Republican senators from joining House conservatives in an effort to block Congress from certifying Biden’s victory on Jan. 6. Vice President Mike Pence will preside. As vice president, Biden had to ward off such challenges from House liberals when Trump won in 2016 and Gore did the same after he lost to George W. Bush in 2000. McConnell warned fellow Republican senators in a Tuesday conference call to accept the results.
“The Electoral College has spoken,” McConnell said on the Senate floor.
“I bet we’ll keep getting qualified quotes that include, ‘if Biden prevails,’ which are frankly embarrassing,” said Cooper. “Leader McConnell’s floor speech and phone call with the president-elect probably gave most senators an offramp from the circus, but a few will choose not to take it because the empty appearance of fighting is their entire personality.”
“Trump has to make a decision if he wants to run again or not,” said Republican strategist John Feehery. “If he decides to run again, he has to achieve a balance between grievance and responsibility. He needs the grievance for fundraising and base mobilization purposes. But if he acts irresponsibly, it all goes for naught. Lots of Republicans are ready to move on and won’t countenance a president who tries to burn the place down on the way out.”
“If he chooses not to run, he probably should worry about his place in history,” Feehery continued. “He has plenty of great accomplishments to point to, but none of that matters if the country collapses in his wake.”
But segments of the base believe Trump has a big reveal up his sleeve that will prove the fraud before Inauguration Day. “I don't expect [GOP officials] to say anything negative about Trump, since the voters still love him and want to keep fighting, but they will take the wind out of his sails over the weeks to come,” Steinhauser said. "He will look more and more desperate until he accepts defeat. Most electeds in the party want to see him move on, but I doubt he will anytime soon.”
“There is no handling Donald Trump,” said a Republican consultant.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-12-16--Gubernatorial races in 2022 to offer plenty of battlegrounds and a Republican edge

With some reshuffling of political alignments in the 2020 elections settled , expect high drama in the battles for governors ’ mansions in 2022 .
Republicans , though , still have an edge in the contests .
In 2020 , the 11 gubernatorial races resulted in only one change in party control over a state executive branch .
Republicans picked up Montana ’ s open seat , with Republican Rep. Greg Gianforte as governor-elect , while outgoing , term-limited Democratic Gov .
Steve Bullock lost a Senate bid .
That will be much different in 2022 .
More than half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 36 , will hold gubernatorial elections in two years , with 16 controlled by Democrats and 20 by Republicans .
Many of those have incumbent governors in states that flipped their presidential preference from President Trump from 2016 to 2020 .
Republican Gov .
Doug Ducey of Arizona , which President-elect Joe Biden won by just 10,457 votes , is term-limited and can ’ t run again .
“ With an open contest , it could go either way , depending upon who runs and the national mood , ” Chad Kinsella , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State University , told the Washington Examiner .
In Georgia , where Biden won by 11,779 votes , Republican Gov .
Brian Kemp has butted heads with both Republicans and Democrats on both his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and about his administration of the 2020 election .
On Tuesday , Trump retweeted a threat to put Kemp in jail , potentially damaging the governor 's ability to court the Republican base .
Kemp could face a rematch against Democratic star Stacey Abrams , whom he narrowly beat in 2018 .
Abrams , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is reportedly planning another run for governor .
But the 2022 cycle has some good news for Republicans .
“ Given that Joe Biden will occupy the White House and the party in power tends to underperform , it will likely be a good year for Republicans , ” Kinsella said .
Several Democratic governors eligible to run again in 2022 won less than 50 % of the vote in 2018 : Laura Kelly of Kansas , Ned Lamont of Connecticut , Steve Sisolak of Nevada , and Tony Evers of Wisconsin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Republican-leaning state and would be only the second Democrat in Kansas history to win reelection if she succeeded .
Democrats are safe to keep gubernatorial control in their strongholds of Hawaii , California , and New York , but many Republican strongholds are up in 2022 : Wyoming , Arkansas , Idaho , Tennessee , and Alabama .
There could be some surprises in store , too .
Democratic Oregon Gov .
Kate Brown is term-limited , but because she is “ deeply unpopular ” and only narrowly won reelection in 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opening in this traditionally solid-blue state , ” Kinsella said .
Pennsylvania , which will be an open seat due to Democratic Gov .
Tom Wolf being term-limited , will get extra attention because there will be an open Senate seat that cycle .
“ Pennsylvania could be the focal point of the 2022 midterm election for both parties , ” Kinsella said .
One unknown , though , is how the coronavirus pandemic will affect gubernatorial races .
Some Democrats may face backlash for imposing strict business restrictions .
California Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurant dinner party in a group despite advising citizens against gathering in large groups , may face a primary challenge .
And in Michigan , Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ’ s rise to national prominence due to being a potential pick to be Biden ’ s running mate and her strict coronavirus restrictions could make for a tough campaign .
But some Republicans , such as Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis or Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine , may face backlash for not taking more action against the virus .
It is possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away altogether in the next two years .
“ Given that the COVID vaccine will be likely administered to the bulk of the population in 2021 , it will be interesting to see how quickly the public forgets about that as a policy issue , ” Kinsella said .

With some reshuffling of political alignments in the 2020 elections settled, expect high drama in the battles for governors’ mansions in 2022.
Republicans, though, still have an edge in the contests.
In 2020, the 11 gubernatorial races resulted in only one change in party control over a state executive branch. Republicans picked up Montana’s open seat, with Republican Rep. Greg Gianforte as governor-elect, while outgoing, term-limited Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock lost a Senate bid.
That will be much different in 2022. More than half of the states in the nation, 36, will hold gubernatorial elections in two years, with 16 controlled by Democrats and 20 by Republicans.
Many of those have incumbent governors in states that flipped their presidential preference from President Trump from 2016 to 2020.
Republican Gov. Doug Ducey of Arizona, which President-elect Joe Biden won by just 10,457 votes, is term-limited and can’t run again.
“With an open contest, it could go either way, depending upon who runs and the national mood,” Chad Kinsella, a professor of political science at Ball State University, told the Washington Examiner.
In Georgia, where Biden won by 11,779 votes, Republican Gov. Brian Kemp has butted heads with both Republicans and Democrats on both his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and about his administration of the 2020 election. On Tuesday, Trump retweeted a threat to put Kemp in jail, potentially damaging the governor's ability to court the Republican base.
Kemp could face a rematch against Democratic star Stacey Abrams, whom he narrowly beat in 2018. Abrams, the former Georgia state House minority leader, is reportedly planning another run for governor.
But the 2022 cycle has some good news for Republicans.
“Given that Joe Biden will occupy the White House and the party in power tends to underperform, it will likely be a good year for Republicans,” Kinsella said.
Several Democratic governors eligible to run again in 2022 won less than 50% of the vote in 2018: Laura Kelly of Kansas, Ned Lamont of Connecticut, Steve Sisolak of Nevada, and Tony Evers of Wisconsin.
Democrats are safe to keep gubernatorial control in their strongholds of Hawaii, California, and New York, but many Republican strongholds are up in 2022: Wyoming, Arkansas, Idaho, Tennessee, and Alabama.
There could be some surprises in store, too.
Democratic Oregon Gov. Kate Brown is term-limited, but because she is “deeply unpopular” and only narrowly won reelection in 2018, that “may give Republicans an opening in this traditionally solid-blue state,” Kinsella said.
Pennsylvania, which will be an open seat due to Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf being term-limited, will get extra attention because there will be an open Senate seat that cycle.
“Pennsylvania could be the focal point of the 2022 midterm election for both parties,” Kinsella said.
One unknown, though, is how the coronavirus pandemic will affect gubernatorial races. Some Democrats may face backlash for imposing strict business restrictions. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who attended an expensive restaurant dinner party in a group despite advising citizens against gathering in large groups, may face a primary challenge. And in Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s rise to national prominence due to being a potential pick to be Biden’s running mate and her strict coronavirus restrictions could make for a tough campaign.
But some Republicans, such as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis or Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, may face backlash for not taking more action against the virus.
It is possible, though, that the issue fades away altogether in the next two years.
“Given that the COVID vaccine will be likely administered to the bulk of the population in 2021, it will be interesting to see how quickly the public forgets about that as a policy issue,” Kinsella said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-12-16--Turley wonders if Cuomo will take polygraph he demanded of Kavanaugh in light of sexual harassment c

Turley wonders if Cuomo will take polygraph he demanded of Kavanaugh in light of sexual harassment claim

Constitutional law professor Jonathan Turley responded to a sexual harassment allegation against New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo by reminding the Democrat of his behavior during Justice Brett Kavanaugh ’ s confirmation hearing .
“ The Kavanaugh controversy could raise difficult questions for Cuomo who not only insisted that Dr. Ford must be believed but demanded that Kavanaugh take a polygraph examination , ” Turley , the Shapiro chair of public interest law at George Washington University , tweeted Wednesday .
“ It is not clear if Cuomo will now follow his own standard.
” In an , Turley , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats insisted that every sexual indecency accusation from a woman against a man should be automatically believed and how Cuomo called on Kavanaugh to take a polygraph test to discredit the uncorroborated sexual assault claims made against him in 2018 .
`` It is shocking that Judge Kavanaugh wo n't take a polygraph and that the Senate wo n't subpoena his friends or listen to other accusers , ” Cuomo said at the time .
“ There should be no rush for a vote , given these serious allegations.
” Cuomo added that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t “ value ” women by declining to push Kavanaugh to take the polygraph test .
The governor was over the course of several years .
“ Yes , @ NYGovCuomo sexually harassed me for years , ” Lindsey Boylan revealed in a tweet Sunday .
“ Many saw it , and watched.
” Cuomo has saying he still believes in every woman ’ s right to come forward but that this accusation is “ just not true .
”

Constitutional law professor Jonathan Turley responded to a sexual harassment allegation against New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo by reminding the Democrat of his behavior during Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearing.
“The Kavanaugh controversy could raise difficult questions for Cuomo who not only insisted that Dr. Ford must be believed but demanded that Kavanaugh take a polygraph examination,” Turley, the Shapiro chair of public interest law at George Washington University, tweeted Wednesday. “It is not clear if Cuomo will now follow his own standard.”
...Cuomo was one of the most vocal figures to demand that women must be believed. Boylan was working for Cuomo during the year of the Kavanaugh hearings. I have never agreed with such calls for polygraphs in public controversies, but Cuomo apparently does. — Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) December 16, 2020
In an accompanying column , Turley, a liberal, explained how several prominent Democrats insisted that every sexual indecency accusation from a woman against a man should be automatically believed and how Cuomo called on Kavanaugh to take a polygraph test to discredit the uncorroborated sexual assault claims made against him in 2018.
"It is shocking that Judge Kavanaugh won't take a polygraph and that the Senate won't subpoena his friends or listen to other accusers,” Cuomo said at the time. “There should be no rush for a vote, given these serious allegations.”
Cuomo added that Republicans were sending the message that they don’t “value” women by declining to push Kavanaugh to take the polygraph test.
The governor was accused days ago of sexually harassing a former aide over the course of several years.
“Yes, @NYGovCuomo sexually harassed me for years,” Lindsey Boylan revealed in a tweet Sunday. “Many saw it, and watched.”
Yes, @NYGovCuomo sexually harassed me for years. Many saw it, and watched.
I could never anticipate what to expect: would I be grilled on my work (which was very good) or harassed about my looks. Or would it be both in the same conversation? This was the way for years. — Lindsey Boylan (@LindseyBoylan) December 13, 2020
Cuomo has denied the claim, saying he still believes in every woman’s right to come forward but that this accusation is “just not true.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-12-16--MAGA world unloads on Mitch McConnell for congratulating President-elect Biden

If Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell thought recognizing Joe Biden as president-elect would be enough to give Republicans political cover to follow suit and draw a line against President Trump ’ s claims of election fraud , then he did not take into account the inhabitants of MAGA world .
His actions triggered a deluge of accusations of treason from high-profile Trump supporters on Twitter and from voters who see a Republican establishment closing ranks .
Blake Marnell , a familiar sight at campaign rallies as the “ wall guy ” dressed in his brick-print suit , said Trump still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ If I have a choice of keeping President Trump or keeping Mitch McConnell ... at this point , it ’ s the president , ” he said .
His comments illustrate the way in which Trump has mobilized an army of supporters who consider themselves Trumpers first , Republicans second .
And the angry response highlights how the party hierarchy must reckon with a new breed of supporters during the next election cycle .
No doubt mindful of those factors , McConnell himself came in for criticism for taking so long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On Tuesday , 38 days after Election Day and one day after the Electoral College confirmed Biden ’ s win , he gave way .
`` The Electoral College has spoken .
So , today , I want to congratulate President-elect Joe Biden , '' McConnell said from the Senate floor .
At the same time , it was reported that the majority leader had quietly been asking his fellow Republican senators not to join any further of Trump ’ s attempts to overturn the result .
His words brought a fiery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mitch , 75,000,000 VOTES , a record for a sitting President ( by a lot ) .
Too soon to give up , '' he said on Twitter .
`` Republican Party must finally learn to fight .
People are angry !
” A co-founder of the Tea Party movement , Michael Johns , agreed and said he was disappointed that McConnell had made no mention of the allegations of fraud .
Instead , he was acting on the Electoral College deadline , rather than on the basis of the evidence .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most disturbing to a lot of Trump conservatives who are looking on , who have read these affidavits , ” he said , “ and see a Department of Justice , the FBI , and now a good number of Republicans who have dismissed these allegations , not made reference to them and clearly haven ’ t read them.
” A string of high-profile names took to Twitter to express their anger with McConnell in less nuanced terms .
Incoming Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene , who has promoted QAnon and its pro-Trump conspiracies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is n't fighting for @ realDonaldTrump 's 2020 landslide victory is supporting the Chinese Communist Party takeover of America.
” And Trump ’ s election lawyer Lin Wood wrote : “ McConnell just wants power , influence , & money .
He is willing to sell America to get what he wants .
McConnell is a traitor to American Patriots .
His day of judgment is coming.
” The likes of recently pardoned former national security adviser Mike Flynn , Fox News host Mark Levin , and conservative radio president Sebastian Gorka @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The fear , said Marnell , who is planning to attend more “ stop the steal rallies , '' is a Republican establishment returning to its bad old ways , distancing itself from its grassroots .
“ They always saw President Trump as an outlier , which he was , ” he said .
“ They always saw him as not of their party . ''
“ And they want to get back to what for them is business as usual .
They want to get back to cozy deals with companies and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Washington existence , they had in the past . ''

If Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell thought recognizing Joe Biden as president-elect would be enough to give Republicans political cover to follow suit and draw a line against President Trump’s claims of election fraud, then he did not take into account the inhabitants of MAGA world.
His actions triggered a deluge of accusations of treason from high-profile Trump supporters on Twitter and from voters who see a Republican establishment closing ranks.
Blake Marnell, a familiar sight at campaign rallies as the “wall guy” dressed in his brick-print suit, said Trump still had multiple avenues to retain the presidency.
“If I have a choice of keeping President Trump or keeping Mitch McConnell ... at this point, it’s the president,” he said.
His comments illustrate the way in which Trump has mobilized an army of supporters who consider themselves Trumpers first, Republicans second. And the angry response highlights how the party hierarchy must reckon with a new breed of supporters during the next election cycle.
No doubt mindful of those factors, McConnell himself came in for criticism for taking so long to acknowledge Biden’s election victory.
On Tuesday, 38 days after Election Day and one day after the Electoral College confirmed Biden’s win, he gave way.
"The Electoral College has spoken. So, today, I want to congratulate President-elect Joe Biden," McConnell said from the Senate floor.
At the same time, it was reported that the majority leader had quietly been asking his fellow Republican senators not to join any further of Trump’s attempts to overturn the result.
His words brought a fiery response from the president himself.
“Mitch, 75,000,000 VOTES, a record for a sitting President (by a lot). Too soon to give up," he said on Twitter. "Republican Party must finally learn to fight. People are angry!”
A co-founder of the Tea Party movement, Michael Johns, agreed and said he was disappointed that McConnell had made no mention of the allegations of fraud. Instead, he was acting on the Electoral College deadline, rather than on the basis of the evidence.
“That’s what I think is most disturbing to a lot of Trump conservatives who are looking on, who have read these affidavits,” he said, “and see a Department of Justice, the FBI, and now a good number of Republicans who have dismissed these allegations, not made reference to them and clearly haven’t read them.”
A string of high-profile names took to Twitter to express their anger with McConnell in less nuanced terms.
.@realDonaldTrump millions & millions & millions of Patriots stand behind, alongside & in front of you during this crucible moment in US History where our very Republic is on the line. We won’t fail or cower like some in the Republican Party have shown.#FightLikeAFlynn https://t.co/WurxjIf0se — General Flynn (@GenFlynn) December 15, 2020
Incoming Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has promoted QAnon and its pro-Trump conspiracies, wrote: “Every 'Republican' that isn't fighting for @realDonaldTrump's 2020 landslide victory is supporting the Chinese Communist Party takeover of America.”
And Trump’s election lawyer Lin Wood wrote: “McConnell just wants power, influence, & money. He is willing to sell America to get what he wants. McConnell is a traitor to American Patriots. His day of judgment is coming.”
The likes of recently pardoned former national security adviser Mike Flynn, Fox News host Mark Levin, and conservative radio president Sebastian Gorka all weighed in to condemn McConnell.
The fear, said Marnell, who is planning to attend more “stop the steal rallies," is a Republican establishment returning to its bad old ways, distancing itself from its grassroots.
“They always saw President Trump as an outlier, which he was,” he said. “They always saw him as not of their party."
“And they want to get back to what for them is business as usual. They want to get back to cozy deals with companies and the type of legislation, the type of Washington existence, they had in the past."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-12-16--Election integrity hearing turns into Christopher Krebs show

A Senate hearing about irregularities in the 2020 election got upstaged by one of its own star witnesses : Christopher Krebs .
Krebs , the former director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency within the Department of Homeland Security , was publicly fired by President Trump last month after Krebs declared the 2020 election to be the `` most secure in American history . ''
Though Krebs had testified before Congress before , his presence at Wednesday 's Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing ( which occurred two days after the Electoral College gave Joe Biden a winning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recognize him as the president-elect ) turned him into a tool for both sides of the aisle .
Democrats on the committee selected Krebs as a witness and asked him to reiterate his assessment that the election faced no significant security threats .
`` I think we 're past the point where we need to be having conversations about the outcome of this election , '' Krebs said in response to a question from Democratic ranking member Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan .
`` You 're not so much trying to convince the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loser that they lost .
And you need willing participants on both sides .
And I think we 've got to get back to that point .
Otherwise , we 're gon na have a very difficult time going forward maintaining confidence in this American experiment . ''
Several senators brought up threats that Krebs faced after being fired .
Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire asked Krebs several questions about his relationship with Trump administration officials before his firing , but Krebs said that he was never directly asked to not debunk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at stake if he continued to do so .
Nevada Sen. Jacky Rosen , after having asked Krebs a few questions , gave her remaining two-and-a-half minutes of time to Krebs .
Republicans on the committee also used Krebs to their own advantage , though , prompting him to distinguish his assertion of security in terms of reliability of voting machines and threats from foreign adversaries from issues such as dead people voting or using a different person 's ballot .
`` Fraud is a different matter .
It 's a criminal matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ courts have n't decided the facts .
They never looked at the facts , '' Republican Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul said during the hearing .
`` The fraud happened .
The election in many ways was stolen , and the only way it will be fixed is by in the future reinforcing the laws . ''
Trump , who live-tweeted parts of the hearing , also chimed in on Krebs being there .
`` Chris Krebs was totally excoriated and proven wrong at the Senate Hearing on the Fraudulent 2020 Election , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took place with machines , people voting from out of state , illegals , dead people , no signatures — and so much more ! ''
Later in the hearing , Republican committee chairman Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin apologized to two of the committee witnesses , Donald Palmer of the Election Assistance Commission and Pennsylvania state Rep. Francis Ryan , for not having any questions directed their way .
But Krebs also earned praise from Johnson and other Republicans .
`` I appreciate your service the country , and I appreciate what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

A Senate hearing about irregularities in the 2020 election got upstaged by one of its own star witnesses: Christopher Krebs.
Krebs, the former director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency within the Department of Homeland Security, was publicly fired by President Trump last month after Krebs declared the 2020 election to be the "most secure in American history."
Though Krebs had testified before Congress before, his presence at Wednesday's Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing (which occurred two days after the Electoral College gave Joe Biden a winning 306 votes and more Republicans started to recognize him as the president-elect) turned him into a tool for both sides of the aisle.
Democrats on the committee selected Krebs as a witness and asked him to reiterate his assessment that the election faced no significant security threats.
"I think we're past the point where we need to be having conversations about the outcome of this election," Krebs said in response to a question from Democratic ranking member Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan. "You're not so much trying to convince the winner they won. It's the loser that they lost. And you need willing participants on both sides. And I think we've got to get back to that point. Otherwise, we're gonna have a very difficult time going forward maintaining confidence in this American experiment."
Democrats heavily focused on Krebs.
Several senators brought up threats that Krebs faced after being fired. Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire asked Krebs several questions about his relationship with Trump administration officials before his firing, but Krebs said that he was never directly asked to not debunk election information or that his job was at stake if he continued to do so. Nevada Sen. Jacky Rosen, after having asked Krebs a few questions, gave her remaining two-and-a-half minutes of time to Krebs.
Republicans on the committee also used Krebs to their own advantage, though, prompting him to distinguish his assertion of security in terms of reliability of voting machines and threats from foreign adversaries from issues such as dead people voting or using a different person's ballot.
"Fraud is a different matter. It's a criminal matter," Krebs said.
"The courts haven't decided the facts. They never looked at the facts," Republican Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul said during the hearing. "The fraud happened. The election in many ways was stolen, and the only way it will be fixed is by in the future reinforcing the laws."
Trump, who live-tweeted parts of the hearing, also chimed in on Krebs being there.
"Chris Krebs was totally excoriated and proven wrong at the Senate Hearing on the Fraudulent 2020 Election," the president tweeted. "Massive FRAUD took place with machines, people voting from out of state, illegals, dead people, no signatures — and so much more!"
Chris Krebs was totally excoriated and proven wrong at the Senate Hearing on the Fraudulent 2020 Election. Massive FRAUD took place with machines, people voting from out of state, illegals, dead people, no signatures—and so much more! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 16, 2020
Later in the hearing, Republican committee chairman Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin apologized to two of the committee witnesses, Donald Palmer of the Election Assistance Commission and Pennsylvania state Rep. Francis Ryan, for not having any questions directed their way.
But Krebs also earned praise from Johnson and other Republicans.
"I appreciate your service the country, and I appreciate what you accomplished," Johnson told Krebs.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-12-16--More voters agree there was election fraud

For the second day in a row , a new voter survey has found support for President Trump ’ s vow to fight on with his challenge to the election , with more believing that it was plagued with fraud .
While a Tuesday Pew Research Center survey said that it was mostly Republicans who believed that fraud occurred , the new McLaughlin & Associates poll found that all voters , by a 46 % -45 % margin , believed that there was fraud .
That surprised the pollsters , especially since they also reported that more in the survey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Among American voters the majority is not convinced that voter fraud did not occur in their presidential election .
It is important to note that the poll model reflects the national popular vote of 51 % Biden , 47 % Trump , ” Jim and John McLaughlin said in a Newsmax column .
They shared their charts with Secrets .
The duo , who polled for Trump 's campaign , also said , “ There is one stunning result in the entire poll : Americans believe there was a serious vote fraud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the media have dismissed election fraud charges leveled by Trump ’ s team and supportive outside groups .
Courts have also rejected Trump 's efforts to question balloting despite evidence of dead people and illegal immigrants voting .
In the survey , voters also voiced support for Trump ’ s continued fight to change Washington , 52 % -41 % .

For the second day in a row, a new voter survey has found support for President Trump’s vow to fight on with his challenge to the election, with more believing that it was plagued with fraud.
While a Tuesday Pew Research Center survey said that it was mostly Republicans who believed that fraud occurred, the new McLaughlin & Associates poll found that all voters, by a 46%-45% margin, believed that there was fraud.
That surprised the pollsters, especially since they also reported that more in the survey voted for Joe Biden over Trump.
“Among American voters the majority is not convinced that voter fraud did not occur in their presidential election. It is important to note that the poll model reflects the national popular vote of 51% Biden, 47% Trump,” Jim and John McLaughlin said in a Newsmax column. They shared their charts with Secrets.
The duo, who polled for Trump's campaign, also said, “There is one stunning result in the entire poll: Americans believe there was a serious vote fraud problem in the last election.”
Democrats and the media have dismissed election fraud charges leveled by Trump’s team and supportive outside groups. Courts have also rejected Trump's efforts to question balloting despite evidence of dead people and illegal immigrants voting.
In the survey, voters also voiced support for Trump’s continued fight to change Washington, 52%-41%.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-12-16--Incoming Biden staffer praises boss’s efforts to work with those ‘f---ers’ in the GOP

President-elect Joe Biden claims now is the “ time to turn the page , to unite , to heal.
” Someone should tell his staff .
Glamour magazine published a softball interview this week with incoming White House deputy chief of staff Jen O'Malley Dillon .
It ’ s a doozy .
In the interview , Dillon waxes poetic on her professional career , her life as a mother , and what it will take for the incoming Biden administration to enact its agenda .
Dillon fully expects that she and her superiors will be victorious in achieving their goals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the GOP notwithstanding .
“ Like Joe Biden says all the time , ‘ Great leadership starts with listening , ’ ” Dillon tells Glamour .
“ It ’ s challenging for us to do that right now , because of how polarized we are .
But politics breaks down to one-on-one conversations and not being afraid to talk .
I get that you ’ re not supposed to talk politics at the holiday dinner .
Well , f -- - that .
It ’ s because we don ’ t do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now.
” She adds , “ I also think , as in love , compromise is a good thing .
The atmosphere in the world now is like , ‘ Oh , if you compromise , you don ’ t believe in something.
’ No , it ’ s : I believe in it so much that I ’ m going to work to find a path we can both go down together .
That feels to me like the heart of relationships and love and success across the board.
” Dillon ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missing right now is that “ redefining of compromise.
” “ Yes , exactly , ” responds the Biden staffer .
“ And frankly , that ’ s what we need .
The president-elect was able to connect with people over this sense of unity .
In the primary , people would mock him , like , ‘ You think you can work with Republicans ?
’ ” Dillon adds , “ I ’ m not saying they ’ re not a bunch of f -- -ers .
Mitch McConnell is terrible .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ t wish for that , you couldn ’ t wish for this bipartisan ideal ?
He rejected that .
From start to finish , he set out with this idea that unity was possible , that together we are stronger , that we , as a country , need healing , and our politics needs that too.
” Humorously enough , she then goes on to say later that “ you can ’ t do politics alone.
” “ If the other person is not willing to do the work , then that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ But I think , more than not , people want to see impact .
They want to see us moving in a path forward .
They want to do their work , get paid a fair share , have time for themselves and their family , and see each other as neighbors.
” She adds , “ And this overhang of this negative , polarized electorate that politics has created is the thing that I think we can break down.
” Here 's an idea : As far as finding common @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , maybe don ’ t publicly refer to members of the opposition party as “ f -- -ers ” and “ terrible.
” Certainly , do n't do that in your capacity as the incoming White House deputy chief of staff .
And certainly , do n't do that before Biden is even sworn in as president .
There ’ s no sense in poisoning the well .
You will only make your boss 's job more difficult , especially if Republicans hold on to the U.S. Senate next year .

President-elect Joe Biden claims now is the “time to turn the page, to unite, to heal.”
Someone should tell his staff.
Glamour magazine published a softball interview this week with incoming White House deputy chief of staff Jen O'Malley Dillon. It’s a doozy.
In the interview, Dillon waxes poetic on her professional career, her life as a mother, and what it will take for the incoming Biden administration to enact its agenda.
Dillon fully expects that she and her superiors will be victorious in achieving their goals, those “f---ers” in the GOP notwithstanding.
Yeah.
“Like Joe Biden says all the time, ‘Great leadership starts with listening,’” Dillon tells Glamour. “It’s challenging for us to do that right now, because of how polarized we are. But politics breaks down to one-on-one conversations and not being afraid to talk. I get that you’re not supposed to talk politics at the holiday dinner. Well, f--- that. It’s because we don’t do that that we are in this situation now.”
She adds, “I also think, as in love, compromise is a good thing. The atmosphere in the world now is like, ‘Oh, if you compromise, you don’t believe in something.’ No, it’s: I believe in it so much that I’m going to work to find a path we can both go down together. That feels to me like the heart of relationships and love and success across the board.”
Dillon’s interviewer then asks whether what is missing right now is that “redefining of compromise.”
“Yes, exactly,” responds the Biden staffer. “And frankly, that’s what we need. The president-elect was able to connect with people over this sense of unity. In the primary, people would mock him, like, ‘You think you can work with Republicans?’”
Dillon adds, “I’m not saying they’re not a bunch of f---ers. Mitch McConnell is terrible. But this sense that you couldn’t wish for that, you couldn’t wish for this bipartisan ideal? He rejected that. From start to finish, he set out with this idea that unity was possible, that together we are stronger, that we, as a country, need healing, and our politics needs that too.”
Humorously enough, she then goes on to say later that “you can’t do politics alone.”
“If the other person is not willing to do the work, then that becomes really hard,” says Dillon. “But I think, more than not, people want to see impact. They want to see us moving in a path forward. They want to do their work, get paid a fair share, have time for themselves and their family, and see each other as neighbors.”
She adds, “And this overhang of this negative, polarized electorate that politics has created is the thing that I think we can break down.”
Here's an idea: As far as finding common ground and lowering the temperature are concerned, maybe don’t publicly refer to members of the opposition party as “f---ers” and “terrible.” Certainly, don't do that in your capacity as the incoming White House deputy chief of staff. And certainly, don't do that before Biden is even sworn in as president. There’s no sense in poisoning the well. You will only make your boss's job more difficult, especially if Republicans hold on to the U.S. Senate next year.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-12-16--Trump fires back at McConnell after he congratulates President-elect Biden on victory: 'Too soon to

Trump fires back at McConnell after he congratulates President-elect Biden on victory: 'Too soon to give up'

President Trump shot back at Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell after the Kentucky Republican conceded that Joe Biden is president-elect of the United States .
“ Mitch , 75,000,000 VOTES , a record for a sitting President ( by a lot ) , ” the president tweeted late Tuesday night after McConnell referred to Biden as president-elect on the Senate floor .
“ Too soon to give up .
Republican Party must finally learn to fight .
People are angry !
” McConnell explained that the “ Electoral College has spoken ” before congratulating Biden and complimenting Vice President-elect Kamala @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold that office in U.S. history .
Trump has launched legal challenges across the country , citing widespread voter fraud in an attempt to challenge November 's election , which has been certified and now voted on by the Electoral College .
The Daily Mail article accompanying the president ’ s late-night tweet contained several examples of prominent supporters slamming Republicans who don ’ t continue fighting for Trump ’ s reelection .
Retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn , Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene , attorney Lin Wood , and several others voiced displeasure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden .
“ Now here ’ s a Georgian who gets it & is demonstrating courage unlike many other Republicans , ” Flynn tweeted in response to a tweet from Greene slamming McConnell .
Some Trump allies have been floating the possibility of another election challenge when Congress convenes to count and certify the Electoral College result on Jan. 6 .
`` Yesterday was one step in the constitutional process , '' White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters on Tuesday in response to the Electoral College being in Biden ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s team will continue to pursue `` legitimate litigation '' as long as those avenues are open .

President Trump shot back at Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell after the Kentucky Republican conceded that Joe Biden is president-elect of the United States.
“Mitch, 75,000,000 VOTES, a record for a sitting President (by a lot),” the president tweeted late Tuesday night after McConnell referred to Biden as president-elect on the Senate floor . “Too soon to give up. Republican Party must finally learn to fight. People are angry!”
Trump's allies slam Mitch McConnell for congratulating Biden https://t.co/ak9nu6420L via @MailOnline. Mitch, 75,000,000 VOTES, a record for a sitting President (by a lot). Too soon to give up. Republican Party must finally learn to fight. People are angry! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 16, 2020
McConnell explained that the “Electoral College has spoken” before congratulating Biden and complimenting Vice President-elect Kamala Harris for becoming the first female to hold that office in U.S. history.
Trump has launched legal challenges across the country, citing widespread voter fraud in an attempt to challenge November's election, which has been certified and now voted on by the Electoral College.
The Daily Mail article accompanying the president’s late-night tweet contained several examples of prominent supporters slamming Republicans who don’t continue fighting for Trump’s reelection.
Retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, attorney Lin Wood, and several others voiced displeasure with Republican leadership conceding the election to Biden.
“Now here’s a Georgian who gets it & is demonstrating courage unlike many other Republicans,” Flynn tweeted in response to a tweet from Greene slamming McConnell.
Some Trump allies have been floating the possibility of another election challenge when Congress convenes to count and certify the Electoral College result on Jan. 6.
"Yesterday was one step in the constitutional process," White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters on Tuesday in response to the Electoral College being in Biden’s favor, adding that the president’s team will continue to pursue "legitimate litigation" as long as those avenues are open.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-12-17--Republicans recognizing that finishing with Trump is not the end of Trumpism

It is dawning on Republicans eager to turn the page on President Trump that neither he nor what some have called “ Trumpism ” may be going anywhere anytime soon .
The Electoral College Democratic challenger Joe Biden president on Monday , setting him up to take office on Jan. 20 , as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell his GOP colleagues not to block congressional certification of these results .
But Trump hasn ’ t conceded , and many rank-and-file Republicans remain convinced he should fight on .
“ I suspect most believe that humoring him keeps them safe with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do any significant lasting damage with what remains of the center-right , ” said a former Republican congressional leadership aide .
“ The problem is that they don ’ t have any more steps to wait for.
” One prominent Republican who hasn ’ t hesitated to criticize Trump is Utah Sen. Mitt Romney , who was the party ’ s unsuccessful presidential standard-bearer in 2012 .
Romney has acknowledged that even if Trump passes from the political scene — in addition to saying the current election fight is not over , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if he does end up vacating the White House — the president ’ s populist politics will not .
“ Well , I think President Trump will continue to have substantial influence on the party , ” Romney told CNN .
“ And I think if you look at the people who are rumored to be thinking of running in 2024 , besides the president , those are people who are trying to appeal to kind of a populist approach , so I don ’ t think Trumpism is going away.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump is , ” said a Republican strategist .
Freshman Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley , a possible GOP presidential candidate in 2024 , has embraced this mantle .
Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton , once much admired by neoconservatives who disproportionately formed the ranks of Never Trump Republicans , has also gravitated in this direction while being seen as harboring White House ambitions .
Fox News host Tucker Carlson has ridden the new populist conservatism to the highest-rated prime-time cable news show .
Some of these Republicans are more skeptical of foreign military interventions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration ’ s watch .
Others would like to take a harder line on immigration , with stepped-up border enforcement and a reduction in the number of new foreign workers admitted into the United States .
A few , like Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz , hold both of these views .
Still , others want tougher trade deals or a firmer stance toward China .
Hawley has socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont to promote $ 1,200 direct relief payments to individuals as part of a new COVID-19 economic rescue package .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; why would we shovel billions of dollars to corporations and government and not help individuals ?
” he , according to a local news station .
He has urged Trump to veto stimulus legislation that does n't include such payments .
This could become a tougher haul as congressional Republicans shift toward opposing new federal spending proposed by the Biden administration and Capitol Hill Democrats , as happened after the elections of Bill Clinton and Barack Obama .
Trump has cost the party once-reliable suburban voters and may have helped turn Georgia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deter Republicans from continuing to imitate him .
But even Republicans who tend to disagree with Hawley would like to see the focus be on policy rather than Trump-style combativeness .
Romney described this as “ disagreements over policy and the vision of our respective parties ” versus “ continuing to promote a narrative which puts democracy itself in jeopardy.
” “ And when you tell people that voting doesn ’ t work and that democracy can ’ t work because we don ’ t have legitimate elections , that ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he continued .
Others have protested that the GOP has become too much about Trump personally over the past four years , which has led the party into the fight over the 2020 election results .
“ I wish more elected Republicans would tell the truth because this shameful episode is going to have long-lasting damage to our elections , and especially to Republicans ' ability to win elections , ” said the former leadership aide .
“ As we ’ ve seen for four years , there ’ s just not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ republic , only him.
” Trump , rebuking McConnell on Twitter for accepting Biden as president-elect , takes a different view .
“ Too soon to give up , ” the president wrote .
“ Republican Party must finally learn to fight .
People are angry !
”

It is dawning on Republicans eager to turn the page on President Trump that neither he nor what some have called “Trumpism” may be going anywhere anytime soon.
The Electoral College voted to elect Democratic challenger Joe Biden president on Monday, setting him up to take office on Jan. 20, as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell urged his GOP colleagues not to block congressional certification of these results. But Trump hasn’t conceded, and many rank-and-file Republicans remain convinced he should fight on .
“I suspect most believe that humoring him keeps them safe with Republican primary voters and doesn’t do any significant lasting damage with what remains of the center-right,” said a former Republican congressional leadership aide. “The problem is that they don’t have any more steps to wait for.”
One prominent Republican who hasn’t hesitated to criticize Trump is Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, who was the party’s unsuccessful presidential standard-bearer in 2012. Romney has acknowledged that even if Trump passes from the political scene — in addition to saying the current election fight is not over, Trump has also teased a 2024 presidential campaign if he does end up vacating the White House — the president’s populist politics will not.
“Well, I think President Trump will continue to have substantial influence on the party,” Romney told CNN. “And I think if you look at the people who are rumored to be thinking of running in 2024, besides the president, those are people who are trying to appeal to kind of a populist approach, so I don’t think Trumpism is going away.”
“Populism isn’t over even if Trump is,” said a Republican strategist. Freshman Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley, a possible GOP presidential candidate in 2024, has embraced this mantle. Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton, once much admired by neoconservatives who disproportionately formed the ranks of Never Trump Republicans, has also gravitated in this direction while being seen as harboring White House ambitions. Fox News host Tucker Carlson has ridden the new populist conservatism to the highest-rated prime-time cable news show.
Some of these Republicans are more skeptical of foreign military interventions like those launched under the previous GOP administration’s watch. Others would like to take a harder line on immigration, with stepped-up border enforcement and a reduction in the number of new foreign workers admitted into the United States. A few, like Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, hold both of these views. Still, others want tougher trade deals or a firmer stance toward China.
Hawley has teamed up with socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont to promote $1,200 direct relief payments to individuals as part of a new COVID-19 economic rescue package. “Why would Congress bail out Big Government; why would we shovel billions of dollars to corporations and government and not help individuals?” he asked , according to a local news station. He has urged Trump to veto stimulus legislation that doesn't include such payments.
This could become a tougher haul as congressional Republicans shift toward opposing new federal spending proposed by the Biden administration and Capitol Hill Democrats, as happened after the elections of Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Trump has cost the party once-reliable suburban voters and may have helped turn Georgia and Arizona bluer, which will possibly deter Republicans from continuing to imitate him. But even Republicans who tend to disagree with Hawley would like to see the focus be on policy rather than Trump-style combativeness.
Romney described this as “disagreements over policy and the vision of our respective parties” versus “continuing to promote a narrative which puts democracy itself in jeopardy.”
“And when you tell people that voting doesn’t work and that democracy can’t work because we don’t have legitimate elections, that’s a very dangerous thing to be saying,” he continued.
Others have protested that the GOP has become too much about Trump personally over the past four years, which has led the party into the fight over the 2020 election results.
“I wish more elected Republicans would tell the truth because this shameful episode is going to have long-lasting damage to our elections, and especially to Republicans' ability to win elections,” said the former leadership aide. “As we’ve seen for four years, there’s just not much loyalty to the truth or the republic, only him.”
Trump, rebuking McConnell on Twitter for accepting Biden as president-elect, takes a different view. “Too soon to give up,” the president wrote. “Republican Party must finally learn to fight. People are angry!”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-12-17--Soros reshapes prosecutor landscape with crucial victories despite Democratic down-ballot struggles

The Hungarian-born Democratic megadonor and billionaire George Soros has capitalized on a long-held cliche : All politics is local .
Despite the Democratic Party 's disappointing performance in down-ballot races on Election Day , some of its most left-wing activists enjoyed victories in local prosecutor races .
Cities such as Los Angeles , Philadelphia , and St. Louis are now experimenting with radical changes to the criminal justice system that many on the Left say are a model for the rest of the country .
The funding of district attorney races from left-wing bankrollers like Soros over the last few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a farm team of sorts for the Democratic Party while also enacting sweeping policy changes to various cities without having to wait for legislative approval .
Prosecutors often enjoy broad discretion over how a city will enforce its laws , meaning they are on the front line of its residents ' quality of life .
In the words of Soros , prosecutors represent `` the linchpin of the judicial system . ''
Kim Gardner , the first black circuit attorney for St. Louis , won a second term in November after a crowded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ First backed by political action committees funded by Soros , Gardner faced primary opponents this summer who labeled her soft on crime and overseeing the highest spike of murders in decades .
Her tenure as circuit attorney has been defined by a dramatic overhaul of police measures , including the deferment of prison sentences for misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies .
By summer 2020 , her office saw thousands of fewer prosecutions than her predecessor .
Gardner faced criticism over her handling of the summer race riots in the wake of George Floyd 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly a month of social unrest , which led to the death of one civilian and the shooting of four St. Louis police officers , Gardner opted to release 34 of 36 individuals arrested on charges ranging from assault and theft to property damage .
Buoyed by another six-figure donation from the Soros-funded Missouri Justice and Public Safety Political Action Committee , Gardner eventually prevailed , with just over 74 % of the vote in the general election in November .
Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon made headlines this month after announcing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office , which included moves to end cash bail and the end of prosecuting misdemeanors such as prostitution , resisting arrest , and driving without a license .
Gascon challenged incumbent Jackie Lacey for the position , raising nearly $ 12.5 million in the race .
Over $ 2 million of his war chest came directly from Soros , while Lacey saw her biggest donations from pro-police groups like the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs .
Gascon won his race against Lacey on Nov. 6 , with just over 53 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many , this is a new path … whether you are a protester , a police officer , or a prosecutor , I ask you to walk with me .
I ask you to join me on this journey , ” Gascon said in a press conference where he announced the city 's new policies .
“ We can break the multigenerational cycles of violence , trauma , and arrest and recidivism that has led America to incarcerate more people than any other nation.
” Los Angeles has seen a dramatic rise in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ murders increasing by 20 % in 2020 alone .
The city reached 300 homicides for the year in November , the highest since 2009 .
When he first took office in 2018 , Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner fired 31 prosecutors from his office , including a third of lawyers assigned to homicide cases .
Krasner 's victory in a Democratic primary with six opponents was boosted by a $ 1.45 million check to a supportive PAC by Soros just three weeks before the election .
During his tenure , crime in Philadelphia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cities .
Following a particular bloody Wednesday in November , murders in the city reached the third-highest total since 1980 .
Some violent and property crime has dipped , but shootings are up 60 % from 2019 .
Predictably , conservative prosecutors and police groups around the country have blamed Krasner 's orders to lower prosecutions dramatically and shorten probation and parole periods as at least partially responsible for the uptick in murders .
Over the summer , Krasner 's office opted to drop attempted murder charges against a man who shot a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Instead , the shooter received less than four years in jail for the incident , which left the victim confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life .
Prosecutors from the Department of Justice have monitored Krasner 's policies and , in this instance , decided to bring federal charges against the individual involved in the shooting , resulting in a 14-year sentence .
`` This is … infuriating .
There is nothing more important than the safety of children .
But where is the sense of outrage , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sense of urgency among city leaders ? ''
U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania William McSwain said about the case .
`` This slaughter in our streets has largely been met with indifference , a sense of inevitability , even a shrug of the shoulders .
Or , as the district attorney frequently puts it : “ Poverty equals bullets.
” One of Soros 's earliest victories in getting far-left prosecutors elected was in Cook County , the second-largest prosecutor 's office in the country and home to Chicago .
First @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serves as state 's attorney for the region .
Considered one of the most liberal prosecutors in the country , Soros has pumped nearly $ 2.5 million into a PAC his organization created to keep her in office since 2016 .
Her tenure has done little to change the reality that Chicago remains one of the most violent cities in the country .
Under Foxx , incarcerations in Cook County have dropped nearly 20 % , driven in part by the end of felony prosecutions for a number of crimes and deferred prison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been all but eliminated .
So far , Cook County is on track to break recent records for violent crime , with over 900 murders recorded there since Dec. 1 .
The murder rate in 2020 remains higher than in 2016 , which was Chicago 's most violent year in decades .
Despite rising crime in her jurisdiction , Foxx enjoyed a comfortable reelection in November and promised to `` continue to fix the broken criminal justice system '' in her victory speech .
Despite its reputation for being relatively sleepy compared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently undergoing a violent crime streak .
First elected in 2018 , Rachael Rollins enjoyed backing from Soros and other wealthy left-wing donors like Cari Tuna .
Running on a platform of decriminalizing an array of offenses , her time as Suffolk County district attorney has led to mixed results .
This summer saw shootings in Boston rise 29 % , with gun crime rising 60 % in the city by November .
Pro-police groups in the district blame Rollins 's policies of declining to prosecute those resisting arrest and disorderly conduct charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But despite the rising tensions between law enforcement and Rollins , Soros 's bet that local prosecutors serving as a training ground for future Democratic leaders may be paying off .
This month , reports broke that President-elect Joe Biden is currently considering her for the role of U.S. attorney for Massachusetts .

The Hungarian-born Democratic megadonor and billionaire George Soros has capitalized on a long-held cliche: All politics is local.
Despite the Democratic Party's disappointing performance in down-ballot races on Election Day, some of its most left-wing activists enjoyed victories in local prosecutor races. Cities such as Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and St. Louis are now experimenting with radical changes to the criminal justice system that many on the Left say are a model for the rest of the country.
The funding of district attorney races from left-wing bankrollers like Soros over the last few years represents a strategic shift, building a farm team of sorts for the Democratic Party while also enacting sweeping policy changes to various cities without having to wait for legislative approval. Prosecutors often enjoy broad discretion over how a city will enforce its laws, meaning they are on the front line of its residents' quality of life. In the words of Soros, prosecutors represent "the linchpin of the judicial system."
Missouri
Kim Gardner, the first black circuit attorney for St. Louis, won a second term in November after a crowded primary and a long-shot Republican challenger. First backed by political action committees funded by Soros, Gardner faced primary opponents this summer who labeled her soft on crime and overseeing the highest spike of murders in decades.
Her tenure as circuit attorney has been defined by a dramatic overhaul of police measures, including the deferment of prison sentences for misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies. By summer 2020, her office saw thousands of fewer prosecutions than her predecessor.
Gardner faced criticism over her handling of the summer race riots in the wake of George Floyd's death in Minneapolis, Minnesota. During nearly a month of social unrest, which led to the death of one civilian and the shooting of four St. Louis police officers, Gardner opted to release 34 of 36 individuals arrested on charges ranging from assault and theft to property damage.
Buoyed by another six-figure donation from the Soros-funded Missouri Justice and Public Safety Political Action Committee, Gardner eventually prevailed, with just over 74% of the vote in the general election in November.
California
Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon made headlines this month after announcing sweeping reforms on his first day in office, which included moves to end cash bail and the end of prosecuting misdemeanors such as prostitution, resisting arrest, and driving without a license.
Gascon challenged incumbent Jackie Lacey for the position, raising nearly $12.5 million in the race. Over $2 million of his war chest came directly from Soros, while Lacey saw her biggest donations from pro-police groups like the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs. Gascon won his race against Lacey on Nov. 6, with just over 53% of the vote.
“I recognize for many, this is a new path … whether you are a protester, a police officer, or a prosecutor, I ask you to walk with me. I ask you to join me on this journey,” Gascon said in a press conference where he announced the city's new policies. “We can break the multigenerational cycles of violence, trauma, and arrest and recidivism that has led America to incarcerate more people than any other nation.”
Los Angeles has seen a dramatic rise in shootings over the last year, with murders increasing by 20% in 2020 alone. The city reached 300 homicides for the year in November, the highest since 2009.
Pennsylvania
When he first took office in 2018, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner fired 31 prosecutors from his office, including a third of lawyers assigned to homicide cases. Krasner's victory in a Democratic primary with six opponents was boosted by a $1.45 million check to a supportive PAC by Soros just three weeks before the election.
During his tenure, crime in Philadelphia mirrors much of that in other major cities. Following a particular bloody Wednesday in November, murders in the city reached the third-highest total since 1980. Some violent and property crime has dipped, but shootings are up 60% from 2019.
Predictably, conservative prosecutors and police groups around the country have blamed Krasner's orders to lower prosecutions dramatically and shorten probation and parole periods as at least partially responsible for the uptick in murders.
Over the summer, Krasner's office opted to drop attempted murder charges against a man who shot a Philadelphia deli owner in a botched robbery. Instead, the shooter received less than four years in jail for the incident, which left the victim confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.
Prosecutors from the Department of Justice have monitored Krasner's policies and, in this instance, decided to bring federal charges against the individual involved in the shooting, resulting in a 14-year sentence.
"This is … infuriating. There is nothing more important than the safety of children. But where is the sense of outrage, where is the anger, where is the sense of urgency among city leaders?" U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania William McSwain said about the case. "This slaughter in our streets has largely been met with indifference, a sense of inevitability, even a shrug of the shoulders. Or, as the district attorney frequently puts it: “Poverty equals bullets.”
Illinois
One of Soros's earliest victories in getting far-left prosecutors elected was in Cook County, the second-largest prosecutor's office in the country and home to Chicago. First elected in 2016, Kim Foxx now serves as state's attorney for the region.
Considered one of the most liberal prosecutors in the country, Soros has pumped nearly $2.5 million into a PAC his organization created to keep her in office since 2016. Her tenure has done little to change the reality that Chicago remains one of the most violent cities in the country.
Under Foxx, incarcerations in Cook County have dropped nearly 20%, driven in part by the end of felony prosecutions for a number of crimes and deferred prison sentences. Bail for most crimes has been all but eliminated.
So far, Cook County is on track to break recent records for violent crime, with over 900 murders recorded there since Dec. 1. The murder rate in 2020 remains higher than in 2016, which was Chicago's most violent year in decades.
Despite rising crime in her jurisdiction, Foxx enjoyed a comfortable reelection in November and promised to "continue to fix the broken criminal justice system" in her victory speech.
Massachusetts
Despite its reputation for being relatively sleepy compared to its East Coast counterparts, Boston is currently undergoing a violent crime streak.
First elected in 2018, Rachael Rollins enjoyed backing from Soros and other wealthy left-wing donors like Cari Tuna. Running on a platform of decriminalizing an array of offenses, her time as Suffolk County district attorney has led to mixed results.
This summer saw shootings in Boston rise 29%, with gun crime rising 60% in the city by November. Pro-police groups in the district blame Rollins's policies of declining to prosecute those resisting arrest and disorderly conduct charges as allowing criminals to roam the street.
But despite the rising tensions between law enforcement and Rollins, Soros's bet that local prosecutors serving as a training ground for future Democratic leaders may be paying off. This month, reports broke that President-elect Joe Biden is currently considering her for the role of U.S. attorney for Massachusetts.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-12-17--Redistricting gives House GOP a built-in edge to win House majority in 2022

The Republican Party is poised to win the House majority in 2022 , boosted by the rare combination of President Trump ’ s ouster and down-ballot victories that put the GOP in command of the decennial redrawing of district boundaries .
House Republicans flipped nearly a dozen Democratic-held seats in the Nov. 3 elections , a surprising gain that left them a handful shy of the majority .
With such a thin margin , there is loose speculation redistricting could effectively deliver Republicans the speaker ’ s gavel before a single Democratic incumbent is defeated .
The GOP preserved control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s mansions , a crucial advantage in the partisan battle over reapportionment .
Trump ’ s defeat was another stroke of good fortune for House Republicans .
Historically , the party that holds the White House loses seats in midterm elections .
That has held true for Democratic and Republican presidents going back to Ronald Reagan ’ s first midterm in 1982 , with the exception of 1998 and 2002 .
President-elect Joe Biden presents an immediate challenge for House Democrats heading into the 2022 midterm elections .
“ We start in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who runs the Congressional Leadership Fund , the super PAC affiliated with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California .
“ But the last thing Republicans should be doing is measuring the drapes.
” Democrats captured the House two years ago in a 40-seat swing , riding voter dissatisfaction with Trump to the majority after eight years out of power .
Public opinion polls suggested the Democrats would flip as many as 15 more GOP-held districts this year .
Instead , Republicans picked up 11 seats , giving them a total of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on top in an unresolved contest in upstate New York , that number would climb by one .
The threshold for a majority in the 435-member House is 218 seats .
Both parties begin the new election cycle playing on an uncertain battlefield .
In the coming months , state legislatures and governors in states without nonpartisan redistricting commissions will play political cartographer , haggling over the borders of new congressional and legislative districts .
Their goal : maximize the number of seats drawn to guarantee the election of a Democrat or Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The GOP begins with an edge .
The success Republicans enjoyed in the Nov. 3 elections , particularly in states expected to gain House seats based on population shifts over the past 10 years , has empowered them to influence reapportionment , if not outright dominate the process .
For instance , with an influx of new arrivals from other states , Texas could gain three new districts , based on an analysis from Dave Wasserman , chief House race handicapper for the Cook Political Report .
Many of those new residents are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more competitive .
But the GOP holds the governor ’ s mansion and gained seats in the Legislature last month , positioning the party to gerrymander the new seats to elect Republicans .
In other words , redistricting in Texas could produce half of the seats Republicans need to win the majority .
But GOP insiders are cautious when discussing the matter and wary of becoming overly reliant on the process .
The redrawing of congressional boundaries is complicated and arcane .
Incumbent politicians have been known to cut deals with the other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunities to increase their party ’ s representation in Congress .
“ Since Republicans came within a handful of seats of the majority after the 2020 elections , the majority should be within reach , ” said Nathan Gonzales , editor and publisher of Inside Elections , a nonpartisan political prognosticator .
“ But redistricting makes handicapping the House a little complicated because there will be new lines around the country.
” The Democrats are still trying to pick up the pieces from their down-ballot disaster and have yet to analyze the results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to have to focus some time and attention on filling vacancies in safe seats created by incumbents who resigned to take positions in the Biden administration .
Meanwhile , the National Democratic Restricting Committee , founded by former Attorney General Eric Holder , is leading the party ’ s redistricting efforts .
Trump is promising to remain on the scene as a major figure , possibly even running for president again in 2024 .
He could give the Democrats a prominent Republican to run against as they attempt to shield themselves from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House .
( The possibility that Trump might hang around is a matter of concern for otherwise confident Republicans . )
But House Democrats are not pinning all their hopes on Trump .
They are signaling plans to spotlight Rep.-elect Marjorie Taylor Greene and her penchant for provocative rhetoric , describing the Georgia Republican as “ Steve King on steroids.
” Iowa ’ s King , defeated in his GOP primary this year , has a history of making racially charged comments .
Democrats also hope to make an issue of many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results of the presidential election and their parroting of Trump ’ s claims that Biden was elevated through a massive conspiracy .
“ Democrats are going to exploit the fact that Republicans let a lot of extremists into their caucus , ” a Democratic operative said .
“ They ’ re going to have to answer for that every single day .
”

The Republican Party is poised to win the House majority in 2022, boosted by the rare combination of President Trump’s ouster and down-ballot victories that put the GOP in command of the decennial redrawing of district boundaries.
House Republicans flipped nearly a dozen Democratic-held seats in the Nov. 3 elections, a surprising gain that left them a handful shy of the majority. With such a thin margin, there is loose speculation redistricting could effectively deliver Republicans the speaker’s gavel before a single Democratic incumbent is defeated. The GOP preserved control of key state legislatures and governor’s mansions, a crucial advantage in the partisan battle over reapportionment.
Trump’s defeat was another stroke of good fortune for House Republicans. Historically, the party that holds the White House loses seats in midterm elections. That has held true for Democratic and Republican presidents going back to Ronald Reagan’s first midterm in 1982, with the exception of 1998 and 2002. President-elect Joe Biden presents an immediate challenge for House Democrats heading into the 2022 midterm elections.
“We start in a great position,” said Dan Conston, who runs the Congressional Leadership Fund, the super PAC affiliated with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California. “But the last thing Republicans should be doing is measuring the drapes.”
Democrats captured the House two years ago in a 40-seat swing, riding voter dissatisfaction with Trump to the majority after eight years out of power. Public opinion polls suggested the Democrats would flip as many as 15 more GOP-held districts this year. Instead, Republicans picked up 11 seats, giving them a total of 212. If the Republicans come out on top in an unresolved contest in upstate New York, that number would climb by one.
The threshold for a majority in the 435-member House is 218 seats.
Both parties begin the new election cycle playing on an uncertain battlefield. In the coming months, state legislatures and governors in states without nonpartisan redistricting commissions will play political cartographer, haggling over the borders of new congressional and legislative districts. Their goal: maximize the number of seats drawn to guarantee the election of a Democrat or Republican, a process known as gerrymandering.
The GOP begins with an edge. The success Republicans enjoyed in the Nov. 3 elections, particularly in states expected to gain House seats based on population shifts over the past 10 years, has empowered them to influence reapportionment, if not outright dominate the process.
For instance, with an influx of new arrivals from other states, Texas could gain three new districts, based on an analysis from Dave Wasserman, chief House race handicapper for the Cook Political Report. Many of those new residents are Democrats and have made once deep-red Texas more competitive. But the GOP holds the governor’s mansion and gained seats in the Legislature last month, positioning the party to gerrymander the new seats to elect Republicans.
In other words, redistricting in Texas could produce half of the seats Republicans need to win the majority. But GOP insiders are cautious when discussing the matter and wary of becoming overly reliant on the process. The redrawing of congressional boundaries is complicated and arcane. Incumbent politicians have been known to cut deals with the other side that prioritizes their political survival over opportunities to increase their party’s representation in Congress.
“Since Republicans came within a handful of seats of the majority after the 2020 elections, the majority should be within reach,” said Nathan Gonzales, editor and publisher of Inside Elections, a nonpartisan political prognosticator. “But redistricting makes handicapping the House a little complicated because there will be new lines around the country.”
The Democrats are still trying to pick up the pieces from their down-ballot disaster and have yet to analyze the results fully. Initially, House Democrats are going to have to focus some time and attention on filling vacancies in safe seats created by incumbents who resigned to take positions in the Biden administration. Meanwhile, the National Democratic Restricting Committee, founded by former Attorney General Eric Holder, is leading the party’s redistricting efforts.
Trump is promising to remain on the scene as a major figure, possibly even running for president again in 2024. He could give the Democrats a prominent Republican to run against as they attempt to shield themselves from any voter rebuke generated by the Biden White House. (The possibility that Trump might hang around is a matter of concern for otherwise confident Republicans.)
But House Democrats are not pinning all their hopes on Trump.
They are signaling plans to spotlight Rep.-elect Marjorie Taylor Greene and her penchant for provocative rhetoric, describing the Georgia Republican as “Steve King on steroids.” Iowa’s King, defeated in his GOP primary this year, has a history of making racially charged comments. Democrats also hope to make an issue of many House Republicans’ refusal to accept the results of the presidential election and their parroting of Trump’s claims that Biden was elevated through a massive conspiracy.
“Democrats are going to exploit the fact that Republicans let a lot of extremists into their caucus,” a Democratic operative said. “They’re going to have to answer for that every single day.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-12-17--Peter Navarro releases 36-page report alleging election fraud 'more than sufficient' to swing victor

Peter Navarro releases 36-page report alleging election fraud 'more than sufficient' to swing victory to Trump

Director of the Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy Peter Navarro published a lengthy report Thursday outlining several examples of voting irregularities that are “ more than sufficient ” to swing the outcome of the election in President Trump ’ s favor .
The “ assesses the fairness and integrity of the 2020 Presidential Election by examining six dimensions of alleged election irregularities across six key battleground states ” and concludes that “ patterns of election irregularities ... are so consistent across the six battleground states that they suggest a coordinated strategy to , if not steal the election , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a way as to ... unfairly tilt the playing field in favor of the Biden-Harris ticket.
” The six dimensions of voting irregularities in the report include : outright voter fraud , ballot mishandling , contestable process fouls , equal protection clause violations , voting machine irregularities , and significant statistical anomalies .
All six of those voting issues were present in at least two key states , according to the report , and a total of six battleground states experienced multiple examples of the other dimensions .
“ Evidence used to conduct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and judicial rulings , thousands of affidavits and declarations,1 testimony in a variety of state venues , published analyses by think tanks and legal centers , videos and photos , public comments , and extensive press coverage , ” the report claims .
Additionally , the report cites affidavits alleging the exploitation of the elderly and the infirm by “ effectively hijacking their identities and votes ” and accuses Democrats of using the coronavirus pandemic to relax voter ID requirements to the point that ballot harvesting and fraud could slip by unnoticed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ states of Wisconsin and Pennsylvania , where ballots allegedly were illegally harvested and dumped into drop boxes .
The election was marred with examples of dead people voting , according to the report .
“ In Pennsylvania , for example , a statistical analysis conducted by the Trump Campaign matching voter rolls to public obituaries found what appears to be over 8,000 confirmed dead voters successfully casting mail-in ballots , ” the report claims .
“ In Georgia — underscoring the critical role any given category of election irregularities might play in determining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alleged deceased individuals casting votes almost exactly equals the Biden victory margin .
The report concludes : “ The ballots in question because of the identified election irregularities are more than sufficient to swing the outcome in favor of President Trump should even a relatively small portion of these ballots be ruled illegal.
” Navarro , who worked on the report in private capacity , is scheduled to hold a news conference at 1 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday to discuss the findings .
President Trump has launched legal battles across the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been called for President-elect Joe Biden by all major news networks and certified by the Electoral College , and as stated that it ’ s “ too soon to give up.
” Dozens of legal challenges across the country , however , have been lost , and the Supreme Court has declined to hear cases from both and challenging the election , which Trump ’ s supporters have .
Several Republicans , including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , have broken with the president and conceded that Biden is the winner of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and said that “ the Electoral College has spoken.
” Additionally , Biden slammed claims of voter fraud this week , saying , `` Thankfully , a unanimous Supreme Court immediately and completely rejected '' efforts to overturn the election .

Director of the Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy Peter Navarro published a lengthy report Thursday outlining several examples of voting irregularities that are “more than sufficient” to swing the outcome of the election in President Trump’s favor.
The 36-page report “assesses the fairness and integrity of the 2020 Presidential Election by examining six dimensions of alleged election irregularities across six key battleground states” and concludes that “patterns of election irregularities ... are so consistent across the six battleground states that they suggest a coordinated strategy to, if not steal the election, strategically game the election process in such a way as to ... unfairly tilt the playing field in favor of the Biden-Harris ticket.”
The six dimensions of voting irregularities in the report include: outright voter fraud, ballot mishandling, contestable process fouls, equal protection clause violations, voting machine irregularities, and significant statistical anomalies.
All six of those voting issues were present in at least two key states, according to the report, and a total of six battleground states experienced multiple examples of the other dimensions.
“Evidence used to conduct this assessment includes more than 50 lawsuits and judicial rulings, thousands of affidavits and declarations, testimony in a variety of state venues, published analyses by think tanks and legal centers, videos and photos, public comments, and extensive press coverage,” the report claims.
Additionally, the report cites affidavits alleging the exploitation of the elderly and the infirm by “effectively hijacking their identities and votes” and accuses Democrats of using the coronavirus pandemic to relax voter ID requirements to the point that ballot harvesting and fraud could slip by unnoticed.
The report outlined incidents in the key states of Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, where ballots allegedly were illegally harvested and dumped into drop boxes.
The election was marred with examples of dead people voting, according to the report.
“In Pennsylvania, for example, a statistical analysis conducted by the Trump Campaign matching voter rolls to public obituaries found what appears to be over 8,000 confirmed dead voters successfully casting mail-in ballots,” the report claims. “In Georgia — underscoring the critical role any given category of election irregularities might play in determining the outcome — the estimated number of alleged deceased individuals casting votes almost exactly equals the Biden victory margin."
The report concludes: “The ballots in question because of the identified election irregularities are more than sufficient to swing the outcome in favor of President Trump should even a relatively small portion of these ballots be ruled illegal.”
Navarro, who worked on the report in a private capacity, is scheduled to hold a news conference at 1 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday to discuss the findings.
Trump has launched legal battles across the country since the November election, which has been called for President-elect Joe Biden by all major news networks and certified by the Electoral College, and as recently as this week stated that it’s “too soon to give up.”
Dozens of legal challenges across the country, however, have been lost, and the Supreme Court has declined to hear cases from both Texas and Pennsylvania challenging the election, which Trump’s supporters have decried as a politically motivated ducking .
Several Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, have broken with the president and conceded that Biden is the winner of the election. McConnell congratulated Biden on Wednesday, declaring that “the Electoral College has spoken.”
Additionally, Biden slammed claims of voter fraud this week, saying, "Thankfully, a unanimous Supreme Court immediately and completely rejected" efforts to overturn the election.