thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-17--Jerry Nadler presses DOJ and FBI for FISA documents

The House Judiciary Committee requested documents from the Trump administration in response to a watchdog report on errors and missteps found in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act process .
Chairman Jerry Nadler wrote to the Justice Department and FBI on Friday , saying that his panel needs the records to consider potential reforms .
The New York Democrat also asked for `` prompt declassification reviews '' of relevant filings , including a copy of the one the department plans to make on March 27 `` apprising the FISC of accuracy procedures it plans to adopt for FBI applications to conduct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to acquire business records . ''
Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz released a report in December that lambasted the DOJ and the FBI for 17 “ significant errors and omissions ” related to its targeting of onetime Trump campaign adviser Carter Page , stretching from October 2016 to summer 2017 , and critiqued the broader counterintelligence investigation into the Trump campaign , dubbed Crossfire Hurricane .
Then-presiding FISA court Judge Rosemary Collyer issued a scathing order later that month , calling the FBI 's handling of the Page applications `` antithetical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ above '' and demanding the bureau explain `` what it has done , and plans to do , to ensure that the statement of facts in each FBI application accurately and completely reflects information possessed by the FBI that is material to any issue presented by the application . ''
In a Jan. 10 response to the court , FBI Director Christopher Wray said he `` deeply regrets '' the FBI 's failures in the Page FISA process and offered a timetable of reforms and training the bureau is undertaking .
After reviewing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` shares the FISC ’ s concerns and is troubled by the findings contained in the Inspector General ’ s report , '' Nadler wrote to Attorney General William Barr and Wray .
In addition to documents referenced in the Justice Department 's Jan. 10 filing and Wray 's accompanying declaration , Nadler asked for documents from 2015 to 2019 about the types of alleged criminal offenses that are used to predicate applications for orders from the FISA court concerning U.S. persons .
The congressman said access to these records will `` facilitate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reforms to underlying authorities '' and gave a deadline of Jan. 28 .
Republican allies of the president , who have pressed Nadler to hold a hearing on alleged FISA abuses to no avail , are skeptical that serious changes are being made to a secret surveillance process they believe was abused to spy on an undermine Trump .
In particular , they have raised concerns about the FISA court 's decision to appoint former Obama administration lawyer David Kris as its amicus curiae to oversee the FBI 's implementation of reforms .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's goal is to hold the FBI accountable for its serious misconduct , Mr. Kris does not appear to be an objective — or likely effective — amicus curiae for several reasons .
At minimum the selection of Mr. Kris creates a perception that he is too personally invested on the side of the FBI to ensure it effectuates meaningful reform , '' Republican Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio and Mark Meadows of North Carolina wrote to James Boasberg , the new presiding judge over the FISA court , on Thursday .
Kris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Justice Department ’ s national security division during the Obama administration , has on the Lawfare blog and elsewhere spoken out in support of the FBI ’ s Trump-Russia investigation and criticized the House Intelligence Committee 's 2018 memo on alleged FISA abuses .
In a court filing Wednesday , Kris wrote that the bureau ’ s reforms would be insufficient without restoring a `` strong organizational culture of accuracy and completeness.
” Nadler only made passing reference to Kris in his letter , saying , `` to the extent any further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FISC or the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review in this matter ( whether by the Department , the court , or amicus curiae David Kris ) and are not made immediately available to the public , please provide the Committee a copy of those materials . ''

The House Judiciary Committee requested documents from the Trump administration in response to a watchdog report on errors and missteps found in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act process.
Chairman Jerry Nadler wrote to the Justice Department and FBI on Friday, saying that his panel needs the records to consider potential reforms. The New York Democrat also asked for "prompt declassification reviews" of relevant filings, including a copy of the one the department plans to make on March 27 "apprising the FISC of accuracy procedures it plans to adopt for FBI applications to conduct pen register or trap and trace surveillance and to acquire business records."
Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz released a report in December that lambasted the DOJ and the FBI for 17 “significant errors and omissions” related to its targeting of onetime Trump campaign adviser Carter Page, stretching from October 2016 to summer 2017, and critiqued the broader counterintelligence investigation into the Trump campaign, dubbed Crossfire Hurricane.
Then-presiding FISA court Judge Rosemary Collyer issued a scathing order later that month, calling the FBI's handling of the Page applications "antithetical to the heightened duty of candor described above" and demanding the bureau explain "what it has done, and plans to do, to ensure that the statement of facts in each FBI application accurately and completely reflects information possessed by the FBI that is material to any issue presented by the application."
In a Jan. 10 response to the court, FBI Director Christopher Wray said he "deeply regrets" the FBI's failures in the Page FISA process and offered a timetable of reforms and training the bureau is undertaking.
After reviewing all these submissions, the judiciary panel "shares the FISC’s concerns and is troubled by the findings contained in the Inspector General’s report," Nadler wrote to Attorney General William Barr and Wray.
In addition to documents referenced in the Justice Department's Jan. 10 filing and Wray's accompanying declaration, Nadler asked for documents from 2015 to 2019 about the types of alleged criminal offenses that are used to predicate applications for orders from the FISA court concerning U.S. persons. The congressman said access to these records will "facilitate the Committee’s consideration of potential reforms to underlying authorities" and gave a deadline of Jan. 28.
Republican allies of the president, who have pressed Nadler to hold a hearing on alleged FISA abuses to no avail, but Georgia Rep. Doug Collins, the ranking member on the Judiciary Committee, sees the chairman's letter as a step in the right direction.
“We must prevent the intelligence community from improperly spying on another American citizen. The documents the chairman requested represent a great starting point for crafting legislation to prevent future FISA abuses. I appreciate the chairman finally recognizing that FISA abuse has occurred and Congress must act," Collins told the Washington Examiner.
Still, Republicans are skeptical that serious changes are being made to a secret surveillance process they believe was abused to spy on an undermine Trump. In particular, they have raised concerns about the FISA court's decision to appoint former Obama administration lawyer David Kris as its amicus curiae to oversee the FBI's implementation of reforms.
"If the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court's goal is to hold the FBI accountable for its serious misconduct, Mr. Kris does not appear to be an objective — or likely effective — amicus curiae for several reasons. At minimum the selection of Mr. Kris creates a perception that he is too personally invested on the side of the FBI to ensure it effectuates meaningful reform," Republican Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio and Mark Meadows of North Carolina wrote to James Boasberg, the new presiding judge over the FISA court, on Thursday.
Kris, a former assistant attorney general with the Justice Department’s national security division during the Obama administration, has on the Lawfare blog and elsewhere spoken out in support of the FBI’s Trump-Russia investigation and criticized the House Intelligence Committee's 2018 memo on alleged FISA abuses.
In a court filing Wednesday, Kris wrote that the bureau’s reforms would be insufficient without restoring a "strong organizational culture of accuracy and completeness.”
Nadler only made passing reference to Kris in his letter, saying, "to the extent any further filings or orders are issued before the FISC or the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review in this matter (whether by the Department, the court, or amicus curiae David Kris) and are not made immediately available to the public, please provide the Committee a copy of those materials."
Georgia Rep. Doug Collins, the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee,
“We must prevent the intelligence community from improperly spying on another American citizen. The documents the chairman requested represent a great starting point for crafting legislation to prevent future FISA abuses. I appreciate the chairman finally recognizing that FISA abuse has occurred and Congress must act.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-17--‘She didn’t earn it’: Meghan McCain rips senator appointed to replace her father after CNN jab

On Thursday , McSally ignored a question from CNN reporter Manu Raju by During Friday ’ s episode of The View , McCain ripped McSally for her remarks and highlighted that the senator was not elected to the seat .
“ She was actually appointed .
She didn ’ t win that seat , ” McCain said .
“ I think that ’ s important .
She didn ’ t earn it , I mean , in the traditional sense with votes .
And she does have an extremely tight race.
” McCain added : “ Arizona could turn blue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like , pigs may start flying around the studio if that ends up happening .
I never thought I ’ d see the day.
” McSally ran to fill the Arizona Senate seat Jeff Flake vacated in 2018 but lost to Democrat Kyrsten Sinema .
Following her loss , by Arizona Gov .
Doug Ducey to replace Sen. John McCain after he died in office .
As McCain noted , McSally faces a tough election in 2020 against likely Democratic candidate Mark Kelly , an astronaut and the husband of former Rep. Gabby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off her “ liberal hack ” remark , but McCain argued that taking a Trump-like approach to the press would hurt McSally ’ s reelection odds .
“ She is fundraising off of this with Trump supporters , but unfortunately there 's a lot of states , like Utah , like Arizona , like Nevada , that I think people just assume are going to be full red forever , and it ’ s not .
It ’ s very independent .
It ’ s sort of fringy , and I think there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such a long history , especially in Arizona , with people like Barry Goldwater in place.
” McCain added : “ I actually think she ’ s playing her cards completely wrong , 100 % .
I think this is not the right way to do it.
” Co-host Joy Behar agreed and called it “ a dictatorship move ” for McSally to criticize CNN ’ s reporters .

Meghan McCain condemned Martha McSally after the Republican senator called a CNN reporter a “liberal hack.”
On Thursday, McSally ignored a question from CNN reporter Manu Raju by calling him a “liberal hack.” During Friday’s episode of The View, McCain ripped McSally for her remarks and highlighted that the senator was not elected to the seat.
“She was actually appointed. She didn’t win that seat,” McCain said. “I think that’s important. She didn’t earn it, I mean, in the traditional sense with votes. And she does have an extremely tight race.”
McCain added: “Arizona could turn blue, which will, I mean, like, pigs may start flying around the studio if that ends up happening. I never thought I’d see the day.”
McSally ran to fill the Arizona Senate seat Jeff Flake vacated in 2018 but lost to Democrat Kyrsten Sinema. Following her loss, McSally was appointed by Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey to replace Sen. John McCain after he died in office.
As McCain noted, McSally faces a tough election in 2020 against likely Democratic candidate Mark Kelly, an astronaut and the husband of former Rep. Gabby Giffords. The senator tried to fundraise off her “liberal hack” remark, but McCain argued that taking a Trump-like approach to the press would hurt McSally’s reelection odds.
“She is fundraising off of this with Trump supporters, but unfortunately there's a lot of states, like Utah, like Arizona, like Nevada, that I think people just assume are going to be full red forever, and it’s not. It’s very independent. It’s sort of fringy, and I think there’s a reason why it has such a long history, especially in Arizona, with people like Barry Goldwater in place.”
McCain added: “I actually think she’s playing her cards completely wrong, 100%. I think this is not the right way to do it.”
Co-host Joy Behar agreed and called it “a dictatorship move” for McSally to criticize CNN’s reporters.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-17--'Perfectly reasonable': Cruz supports Ukraine whistleblower being called as a witness

Sen. Ted Cruz would support calling the anonymous Ukraine whistleblower to testify in the upcoming Senate impeachment trial if that is what President Trump ’ s legal defense team wants .
“ I think calling the so-called whistleblower as a witness would be a perfectly reasonable step for the president ’ s defense team to take , and if the president wants to call the whistleblower , the Senate should allow him to do so , ” the Texas Republican told the Washington Examiner .
The intelligence community whistleblower 's testimony could interest the White House because his anonymous complaint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sparked the House Democrats ' impeachment effort .
Eric Ciaramella , alleged to be the whistleblower , is a career CIA analyst and was Ukraine director on the National Security Council under President Barack Obama , then was acting senior director for European and Russian affairs early in the Trump administration .
Ciaramella , 33 , worked closely with former Vice President Joe Biden and was cited in a key passage of special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s report .
Cruz said he 'd advocate for reciprocity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats wanted to call former national security adviser John Bolton to testify , then Republicans could call Hunter Biden , the son of 2020 Democratic front-runner Joe Biden , both of whom were mentioned during Trump 's call with Zelensky .
Trump asked Ukraine 's leader to look into a debunked CrowdStrike conspiracy theory and possible Ukrainian election interference in 2016 as well as allegations of corruption related to Biden and his son , who held a lucrative position on the board of the Ukrainian gas giant Burisma Holdings .
“ Now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so they can ’ t be abusive in their requests , but I don ’ t think it ’ s our place to dictate to the president and the White House defense team which witnesses they should call , if any , ” Cruz said .
“ I think that is a decision that should be made in the first instance by the president ’ s legal team.
” Trump ’ s defense team , led by White House counsel Pat Cipollone and Trump ’ s personal attorney Jay Sekulow , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I think there is widespread agreement among the [ Republican ] conference that if we were to go down the road of additional witnesses , both sides would be allowed to call witnesses , ” Cruz said .
The two articles of impeachment passed by the House charge the president with soliciting Ukraine 's help to interfere in the 2020 election while withholding military aid and with obstructing the congressional investigation into the matter .
Trump insists his call with Zelensky was `` perfect , '' and his defenders say he @ @ @ @ @

Sen. Ted Cruz would support calling the anonymous Ukraine whistleblower to testify in the upcoming Senate impeachment trial if that is what President Trump’s legal defense team wants.
“I think calling the so-called whistleblower as a witness would be a perfectly reasonable step for the president’s defense team to take, and if the president wants to call the whistleblower, the Senate should allow him to do so,” the Texas Republican told the Washington Examiner.
The intelligence community whistleblower's testimony could interest the White House because his anonymous complaint about a July 25 phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sparked the House Democrats' impeachment effort.
Eric Ciaramella, alleged to be the whistleblower, is a career CIA analyst and was Ukraine director on the National Security Council under President Barack Obama, then was acting senior director for European and Russian affairs early in the Trump administration. Ciaramella, 33, worked closely with former Vice President Joe Biden and was cited in a key passage of special counsel Robert Mueller’s report.
Cruz said he'd advocate for reciprocity regarding possible additional witnesses, saying if Democrats wanted to call former national security adviser John Bolton to testify, then Republicans could call Hunter Biden, the son of 2020 Democratic front-runner Joe Biden, both of whom were mentioned during Trump's call with Zelensky.
Trump asked Ukraine's leader to look into a debunked CrowdStrike conspiracy theory and possible Ukrainian election interference in 2016 as well as allegations of corruption related to Biden and his son, who held a lucrative position on the board of the Ukrainian gas giant Burisma Holdings.
“Now, the Senate has to approve any subpoena, so they can’t be abusive in their requests, but I don’t think it’s our place to dictate to the president and the White House defense team which witnesses they should call, if any,” Cruz said. “I think that is a decision that should be made in the first instance by the president’s legal team.”
Trump’s defense team, led by White House counsel Pat Cipollone and Trump’s personal attorney Jay Sekulow, hasn't publicly declared whether it wants witnesses.
“I think there is widespread agreement among the [Republican] conference that if we were to go down the road of additional witnesses, both sides would be allowed to call witnesses,” Cruz said.
The two articles of impeachment passed by the House charge the president with soliciting Ukraine's help to interfere in the 2020 election while withholding military aid and with obstructing the congressional investigation into the matter. Trump insists his call with Zelensky was "perfect," and his defenders say he committed no impeachable offenses.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-17--‘Dem royalty’: Cruz mocks Chris Cuomo for ‘clutching his pearls’ over McSally jibe at CNN colleague

Sen. Ted Cruz slammed CNN for attacking his fellow GOP senator , Martha McSally , after she referred to one of the network ’ s reporters as a `` liberal hack . ''
The Texas Republican blasted CNN host Chris Cuomo in particular after Cuomo aired a segment critical of McSally , 53 , which called her comment a `` pathetic '' stunt and a symbol of her `` sworn fealty '' to President Trump .
`` NY Dem royalty Chris Cuomo declares ‘ I can ’ t believe people would vote for ’ McSally , or McConnell , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in the very same breath , he says he can ’ t understand why anyone might think CNN are liberal hacks , '' Cruz , 49 , tweeted on Friday .
`` Pro tip : real 'journalists ' don ’ t ( 1 ) kiss up to every Dem , ( 2 ) refuse to ask them hard Qs , ( 3 ) relentlessly attack every Republican , ( 4 ) lie when doing so & ( 5 ) always , always push the prevailing Dem narrative of the moment .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporter Manu Raju ] .
You just choose not to , '' he concluded .
McSally called CNN reporter Manu Raju , 39 , a “ liberal hack ” on Thursday after he confronted the Arizona Republican and asked her if the Senate in its trial should consider new evidence against President Trump not initially included in the articles of impeachment passed by the House .
`` Manu , you ’ re a liberal hack .
I ’ m not talking to you , '' McSally responded .
The exchange caused a ruckus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to defend Raju and slam McSally , characterizing her comments as an unfair attack on the press .
McSally used the moment , captured by CNN ’ s television cameras , to raise money from her supporters .
`` I 've said it before and I 'll say it again : I 'm not in the Senate to play politics , especially with liberal hacks who profit off of spin , '' McSally said in a fundraising email sent later in the day .
`` I 'm in the Senate to fight for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the left-wing media . ''
McSally was appointed to her seat by Arizona Gov .
Doug Ducey to replace former Sen. John Kyl , who resigned before his term was up .
She was sworn into office in January 2019 .

Sen. Ted Cruz slammed CNN for attacking his fellow GOP senator, Martha McSally, after she referred to one of the network’s reporters as a "liberal hack."
The Texas Republican blasted CNN host Chris Cuomo in particular after Cuomo aired a segment critical of McSally, 53, which called her comment a "pathetic" stunt and a symbol of her "sworn fealty" to President Trump.
"NY Dem royalty Chris Cuomo declares ‘I can’t believe people would vote for’ McSally, or McConnell, or any GOP candidate. Clutching his pearls, in the very same breath, he says he can’t understand why anyone might think CNN are liberal hacks," Cruz, 49, tweeted on Friday.
"Pro tip: real 'journalists' don’t (1) kiss up to every Dem, (2) refuse to ask them hard Qs, (3) relentlessly attack every Republican, (4) lie when doing so & (5) always, always push the prevailing Dem narrative of the moment. You know this, as does [CNN reporter Manu Raju]. You just choose not to," he concluded.
Pro tip: real “journalists” don’t (1) kiss up to every Dem, (2) refuse to ask them hard Qs, (3) relentlessly attack every Republican, (4) lie when doing so & (5) always, always push the prevailing Dem narrative of the moment. You know this, as does Manu. You just choose not to. — Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) January 17, 2020
[Opinion: Martha McSally takes a cheap shot at CNN reporter]
McSally called CNN reporter Manu Raju, 39, a “liberal hack” on Thursday after he confronted the Arizona Republican and asked her if the Senate in its trial should consider new evidence against President Trump not initially included in the articles of impeachment passed by the House.
"Manu, you’re a liberal hack. I’m not talking to you," McSally responded.
The exchange caused a ruckus at CNN as multiple anchors weighed in to defend Raju and slam McSally, characterizing her comments as an unfair attack on the press. McSally used the moment, captured by CNN’s television cameras, to raise money from her supporters.
"I've said it before and I'll say it again: I'm not in the Senate to play politics, especially with liberal hacks who profit off of spin," McSally said in a fundraising email sent later in the day. "I'm in the Senate to fight for all Arizonans, not play games with the left-wing media."
McSally was appointed to her seat by Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey to replace former Sen. John Kyl, who resigned before his term was up. She was sworn into office in January 2019.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-17--Romney loses GOP support in Utah after challenging Trump on impeachment

Utah Republican Sen. Mitt Romney lost support from Republicans and independents in his home state during the weeks after he called for witnesses in President Trump 's Senate impeachment trial , a new poll shows .
The Morning Consult survey found support for Romney , 72 , going down after he called for former national security adviser John Bolton to testify at Trump ’ s impeachment trial , which began on Thursday .
The poll shows the senator ’ s approval rating falling among Utah Republicans from September through December 2019 , and independents also shifted to disapproving of Romney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarter , 65 % of Utah Republicans supported Romney , and while a majority still do presently , that number sank to 57 % .
The numbers are particularly striking for Utah , one of the most Republican states in the country .
Romney romped to victory in his 2018 Senate bid and has been considered a local hero of sorts among his fellow Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints constituents and others .
The Utah Republican senator , however , did gain among Democrats in his state .
According to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year in the fourth quarter approved of the former Massachusetts governor and 2012 Republican presidential nominee .
This was a spike of 4 percentage points from several months prior .
Trump was impeached by House Democrats on Dec. 18 for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress over his July 25 phone call with the newly elected Ukrainian president , Volodymyr Zelensky .
Democrats claim Trump pressured Zelensky to dig up political dirt on former Vice President Joe Biden , a leading Democrat vying to take on the president in November 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the call , Romney described the conversation as “ troubling in the extreme.
” Romney 's remarks led to further tension with Trump , leading the president to release a video mocking Romney 's election loss against President Barack Obama in 2012 .
Romney is part of a small group of Republican senators who say they want to hear from Bolton , one of the witnesses Democrats say should testify .
Bolton has indicated he would testify if he is subpoenaed .
Morning Consult conducted 494,899 surveys with registered U.S. voters from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to determine the fourth-quarter 2019 popularity ratings for senators .
The margin of error was plus or minus 2 percentage points .

Utah Republican Sen. Mitt Romney lost support from Republicans and independents in his home state during the weeks after he called for witnesses in President Trump's Senate impeachment trial, a new poll shows.
The Morning Consult survey found support for Romney, 72, going down after he called for former national security adviser John Bolton to testify at Trump’s impeachment trial, which began on Thursday.
The poll shows the senator’s approval rating falling among Utah Republicans from September through December 2019, and independents also shifted to disapproving of Romney over the quarter.
In the prior quarter, 65% of Utah Republicans supported Romney, and while a majority still do presently, that number sank to 57%.
The numbers are particularly striking for Utah, one of the most Republican states in the country. Romney romped to victory in his 2018 Senate bid and has been considered a local hero of sorts among his fellow Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints constituents and others.
The Utah Republican senator, however, did gain among Democrats in his state. According to the poll, 46% of Democrats late last year in the fourth quarter approved of the former Massachusetts governor and 2012 Republican presidential nominee. This was a spike of 4 percentage points from several months prior.
Trump was impeached by House Democrats on Dec. 18 for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress over his July 25 phone call with the newly elected Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky.
Democrats claim Trump pressured Zelensky to dig up political dirt on former Vice President Joe Biden, a leading Democrat vying to take on the president in November 2020.
Following the release of the transcript of the call, Romney described the conversation as “troubling in the extreme.”
Romney's remarks led to further tension with Trump, leading the president to release a video mocking Romney's election loss against President Barack Obama in 2012.
Romney is part of a small group of Republican senators who say they want to hear from Bolton, one of the witnesses Democrats say should testify. Bolton has indicated he would testify if he is subpoenaed.
Morning Consult conducted 494,899 surveys with registered U.S. voters from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, 2019, to determine the fourth-quarter 2019 popularity ratings for senators. The margin of error was plus or minus 2 percentage points.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-17--Illegal immigrants blocked at border pray for Trump’s defeat, ‘I want Trump out’

Latin American migrants eager to enter the United States but held in Mexico are praying for President Trump ’ s election defeat in 2020 , believing that a Democratic president will open the borders again .
“ I want Trump out , ” said Honduran Katherine Cabrera , who is being held in Tapachula , Mexico , with her baby .
“ Once Trump is defeated , and the Democrats take over , things are going to get better , ” added El Salvadoran Brenda Ramos .
The comments from Ramos and Cabrera and others were included in a Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attitudes held by migrants under the U.S.-Mexico initiative to stop unchecked illegal immigration .
The report found that instead of staying home , thousands of immigrants are “ gambling ” that it is worth staying in Mexican migrant camps in hopes Trump and his policies will go away .
Todd Bensman , the center ’ s senior national security fellow , wrote , “ Dozens of politically woke migrants , like Honduran Wilson Valladaras , recently told CIS their decisions to stay in Mexico were predicated on the Trump-defeat gamble .
Valladaras said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approval , move to Tijuana ‘ until Trump leaves , ’ and then cross over the U.S. border when the Democrats undo his policies because ‘ right now , the Americans will throw you back ’ to Mexico.
” One of the reasons illegal crossings and apprehensions are down is because of the administration ’ s “ remain in Mexico ” program , part of the “ Migrant Protection Protocols ” that requires asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for a green light from the U.S. Bensman talked to the official heading the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department is processing will still try to enter the U.S. even if Trump stays .
“ None want to stay in Mexico ; this is just their first chance to get into the United States , of course , ” said Alma Delia Cruz , the head Comision Mexicana de Ayuda a Refugiados .
She added to Bensman , “ I do n't know what 's on the minds of these people exactly , but the threats from Trump ca n't deter them from eventually getting into the U.S .
”

Latin American migrants eager to enter the United States but held in Mexico are praying for President Trump’s election defeat in 2020, believing that a Democratic president will open the borders again.
“I want Trump out,” said Honduran Katherine Cabrera, who is being held in Tapachula, Mexico, with her baby.
“Once Trump is defeated, and the Democrats take over, things are going to get better,” added El Salvadoran Brenda Ramos.
The comments from Ramos and Cabrera and others were included in a Center for Immigration Studies border report on the attitudes held by migrants under the U.S.-Mexico initiative to stop unchecked illegal immigration.
The report found that instead of staying home, thousands of immigrants are “gambling” that it is worth staying in Mexican migrant camps in hopes Trump and his policies will go away.
Todd Bensman, the center’s senior national security fellow, wrote, “Dozens of politically woke migrants, like Honduran Wilson Valladaras, recently told CIS their decisions to stay in Mexico were predicated on the Trump-defeat gamble. Valladaras said he would wait for his Mexican asylum approval, move to Tijuana ‘until Trump leaves,’ and then cross over the U.S. border when the Democrats undo his policies because ‘right now, the Americans will throw you back’ to Mexico.”
One of the reasons illegal crossings and apprehensions are down is because of the administration’s “remain in Mexico” program, part of the “Migrant Protection Protocols” that requires asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for a green light from the U.S.
Bensman talked to the official heading the program and said that some immigrants her department is processing will still try to enter the U.S. even if Trump stays.
“None want to stay in Mexico; this is just their first chance to get into the United States, of course,” said Alma Delia Cruz, the head Comision Mexicana de Ayuda a Refugiados. She added to Bensman, “I don't know what's on the minds of these people exactly, but the threats from Trump can't deter them from eventually getting into the U.S.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-17--ICE: New York City has declined 7,526 ‘detainers,’ murderers let go

Still stunned that New York police released an illegal immigrant sought by ICE who then went on to allegedly rape and murder a 92-year-old woman , federal officials Friday ripped the city ’ s “ sanctuary ” status and asked political leaders to join them “ to keep this city safe.
” In New York , acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Matthew T. Albence blamed Mayor Bill de Blasio ’ s sanctuary policies for releasing a Guyanese man , Reeaz Khan , in November who then 40 days later allegedly sexually abused Maria Fuertes , 92 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her injuries , including a broken spine .
He is now in custody and has been indicted for her murder .
De Blasio ’ s policies , said a visibly angry Albence , are “ culpable in the fact that this individual was able to walk the streets and commit that crime.
” Vincent J. Vallelong , vice president of the Sergeants Benevolent Association , a union that represents 13,000 active and retired city sergeants , agreed and said city police want to help ICE enforce laws .
Asked about comments from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t help , Vallelong said , “ The mayor can say what he wants to say .
He owns this .
That ’ s right.
” Albence pleaded with City Hall to cooperate in the future and stop barring police from helping .
“ All you need to do is call us before you release them .
A phone call , one simple phone call , and Maria Fuertes would be alive today , ” he said .
“ These are preventable crimes people , and most importantly preventable victims , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the murder of Fuertes to target the 300 sanctuary cities and communities around the nation that have policies against cooperating with ICE .
Albence revealed that New York City has refused 7,526 “ detainers , ” which are requests for illegal immigrants in jail .
The city claims it refused less than half , 2,916 , which Albence rejected .
He said the city probably put the others “ in the shredder.
” Among those illegal immigrants ICE sought but who were released without even a phone call to ICE were some 200 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the city ’ s refusal to turn over illegal immigrant criminals for deportation before releasing them on to the streets did not begin with the Trump administration .
He said that the same requests were made , and refused , during the Obama era .
“ As much as I like New York City , I hate that I ’ m here right now , ” said Albence , who stood at a press conference with several city police supporters .
He said that it is “ unbelievable that I have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of New York to cooperate with us to help keep this city safe.
” What ’ s more , he said that ICE and its Enforcement and Removal Operations officers won ’ t just leave New York because of its sanctuary status , but is adding more so that they can find and deport illegal immigrant criminals .

Still stunned that New York police released an illegal immigrant sought by ICE who then went on to allegedly rape and murder a 92-year-old woman, federal officials Friday ripped the city’s “sanctuary” status and asked political leaders to join them “to keep this city safe.”
In New York, acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Matthew T. Albence blamed Mayor Bill de Blasio’s sanctuary policies for releasing a Guyanese man, Reeaz Khan, in November who then 40 days later allegedly sexually abused Maria Fuertes, 92, in Queens. She later died of her injuries, including a broken spine.
He is now in custody and has been indicted for her murder.
De Blasio’s policies, said a visibly angry Albence, are “culpable in the fact that this individual was able to walk the streets and commit that crime.”
Rightfully so! DeBlasio and his puppets all went along with a policy to support criminals. https://t.co/SpyW0UfxFq pic.twitter.com/ZLjBBJdhuN — SBA (@SBANYPD) January 15, 2020
Vincent J. Vallelong, vice president of the Sergeants Benevolent Association, a union that represents 13,000 active and retired city sergeants, agreed and said city police want to help ICE enforce laws.
Asked about comments from the mayor that cooperating with ICE doesn’t help, Vallelong said, “The mayor can say what he wants to say. He owns this. That’s right.”
Albence pleaded with City Hall to cooperate in the future and stop barring police from helping.
“All you need to do is call us before you release them. A phone call, one simple phone call, and Maria Fuertes would be alive today,” he said. “These are preventable crimes people, and most importantly preventable victims,” he added.
ICE Acting Director Matthew Albence answers questions during a news conference in #NYC, with ERO Field Office Director Thomas Decker and members of the #NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association. pic.twitter.com/XlRQivBDsr — ICE (@ICEgov) January 17, 2020
The administration has seized on the murder of Fuertes to target the 300 sanctuary cities and communities around the nation that have policies against cooperating with ICE.
Albence revealed that New York City has refused 7,526 “detainers,” which are requests for illegal immigrants in jail. The city claims it refused less than half, 2,916, which Albence rejected. He said the city probably put the others “in the shredder.”
Among those illegal immigrants ICE sought but who were released without even a phone call to ICE were some 200 murderers, said Albence.
He stressed that the city’s refusal to turn over illegal immigrant criminals for deportation before releasing them on to the streets did not begin with the Trump administration. He said that the same requests were made, and refused, during the Obama era.
“As much as I like New York City, I hate that I’m here right now,” said Albence, who stood at a press conference with several city police supporters. He said that it is “unbelievable that I have to come here and plead with the city of New York to cooperate with us to help keep this city safe.”
What’s more, he said that ICE and its Enforcement and Removal Operations officers won’t just leave New York because of its sanctuary status, but is adding more so that they can find and deport illegal immigrant criminals.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-16--Guyanese man charged with killing and raping 92-year-old overstayed visa and dodged ICE detainer

A 21-year-old Latin American man charged in New York City with raping and murdering a 92-year-old woman overstayed his 2016 tourist visa , a serious immigration crime that can lead to deportation and a complete ban from ever entering the country .
Federal law enforcement officials told Secrets late Wednesday that Guyanese Reeaz Khan 's illegal status is what prompted them to ask city police to detain him for deportation after his arrest on Nov. 27 for assaulting his father with a broken ceramic mug .
But , instead , the city followed Mayor Bill de Blasio ’ s “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and released him , ignoring the detainer request from Immigration and Customs Enforcement .
The police said they did n't get a detainer , a claim ICE rejected .
Exactly 40 days later , according to police , Khan sexually abused Maria Fuertes , 92 , in Queens .
She later died of her injuries .
Court papers cited in media reports said she was sexually assaulted and strangled and died outside in 32-degree weather from injuries that included a broken spine .
Officials said that Khan arrived sometime in 2016 on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` for pleasure . ''
He entered the United States through John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens .
The city declines thousands of ICE detainers a year as it remains committed to its sanctuary status .
The administration has been critical of New York and de Blasio ’ s policies in the past , but the murder has prompted a new focus on the city ’ s policies and a withering attack from immigration officials .
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf tweeted , `` There has been a complete breakdown of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
NYC proudly passed sanctuary city laws & bragged about it for months .
But now they , & more importantly , the citizens of NYC are facing the deadly consequences of the sanctuary policies . ''
Ken Cuccinelli , acting deputy secretary of Homeland Security , tweeted , `` A 92-y.o .
woman was raped & murdered in New York after NYPD failed to honor an ICE detainer because NYPD refuses to cooperate with ICE .
NYPD denied receiving the detainer ( though they got one ! )
, but doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s the media coverage ?
Where ’ s the outrage ? ''
Michael Bars , a DHS spokesman , told Secrets , `` Sanctuary cities and counties around the country including those in New York , North Carolina , and elsewhere act as illegal incubators for criminal alien activity , harboring dangerous offenders and often releasing them back to the streets where many will re-offend .
These do n't just include drugs and weapons offenses , robbery , sexual assault , kidnapping , and drunk driving charges , but completely preventable acts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the deadly consequences when self-serving politicians like the mayor release criminal aliens from custody instead of protecting the very people they 've sworn an oath to put first . ''
ICE ’ s New York chief for Enforcement and Removal Operations also issued a statement .
“ It is made clear that New York City ’ s stance against honoring detainers is dangerously flawed .
It was a deadly choice to release a man on an active ICE detainer back onto the streets after his first arrest included assault and weapon charges , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including murder , ” said Thomas Decker , field office director for ERO New York .
“ New York City ’ s sanctuary policies continue to threaten the safety of all residents of the five boroughs , as they repeatedly protect criminal aliens who show little regard for the laws of this nation , ” he said .
Decker also pointed his finger at de Blasio .
`` Politicians care more about criminal illegal aliens than the citizens they are elected to serve and protect , '' he said .
And so did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of policy studies for the Center for Immigration Studies , who said New York City police want to cooperate with ICE but ca n't .
`` In this case , ICE did actually find out about him , since he was arrested and jailed , but because of New York ’ s extreme sanctuary policies , the police and other authorities ignored and thwarted ICE ’ s effort .
New York cops want people like Khan off the streets and into ICE hands , knowing the high likelihood that they will victimize people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by politically motivated policies . ''
And , she added , `` The pro-sanctuary politicians feel no sense of regret , concern , or shame when these things happen .
They make up excuses and blame ICE , just as here they tried to claim they never got the detainer .
We will have to wait until later this year to see if the Supreme Court will affirm ICE ’ s authority , thus giving the Trump administration the opportunity to impose consequences on sanctuaries , but it would be better if Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to prevent these tragedies . ''
President Trump has taken a special interest in sanctuary policies dating back to his 2016 presidential campaign when he expressed shock at the murder in San Francisco of Kate Steinle , shot and murdered by an illegal immigrant who had been repeatedly deported and recently released by San Francisco police .
This case has sparked a renewed attention on New York City .
And it comes amid a broader focus on New York state , which has decided to give driver ’ s licenses to illegal immigrants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information about the holders .

A 21-year-old Latin American man charged in New York City with raping and murdering a 92-year-old woman overstayed his 2016 tourist visa, a serious immigration crime that can lead to deportation and a complete ban from ever entering the country.
Federal law enforcement officials told Secrets late Wednesday that Guyanese Reeaz Khan's illegal status is what prompted them to ask city police to detain him for deportation after his arrest on Nov. 27 for assaulting his father with a broken ceramic mug.
But, instead, the city followed Mayor Bill de Blasio’s “sanctuary city” policies for illegal immigrants and released him, ignoring the detainer request from Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The police said they didn't get a detainer, a claim ICE rejected.
.@ICE is way right on this... x10 https://t.co/xU4cTl9xwc — Acting Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli (@HomelandKen) January 16, 2020
Exactly 40 days later, according to police, Khan sexually abused Maria Fuertes, 92, in Queens. She later died of her injuries. Court papers cited in media reports said she was sexually assaulted and strangled and died outside in 32-degree weather from injuries that included a broken spine.
Officials said that Khan arrived sometime in 2016 on a B-2 visa that provided a six-month visit "for pleasure." He entered the United States through John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens.
.@ICEgov Field Office Director Thomas Decker: “New York City’s sanctuary policies continue to threaten the safety of all residents of the 5 boroughs, as they repeatedly protect criminal aliens who show little regard for the laws of this nation." https://t.co/hXchyGt3tb https://t.co/qS3uJZuU2z — Homeland Security (@DHSgov) January 15, 2020
The city declines thousands of ICE detainers a year as it remains committed to its sanctuary status.
The administration has been critical of New York and de Blasio’s policies in the past, but the murder has prompted a new focus on the city’s policies and a withering attack from immigration officials.
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf tweeted, "There has been a complete breakdown of law & order in New York City. NYC proudly passed sanctuary city laws & bragged about it for months. But now they, & more importantly, the citizens of NYC are facing the deadly consequences of the sanctuary policies."
There has been a complete breakdown of law & order in New York City. NYC proudly passed sanctuary city laws & bragged about it for months. But now they, & more importantly, the citizens of NYC are facing the deadly consequences of the sanctuary policies. https://t.co/esXd5yYi1Q — Acting Secretary Chad Wolf (@DHS_Wolf) January 16, 2020
Ken Cuccinelli, acting deputy secretary of Homeland Security, tweeted, "A 92-y.o. woman was raped & murdered in New York after NYPD failed to honor an ICE detainer because NYPD refuses to cooperate with ICE. NYPD denied receiving the detainer (though they got one!), but doesn’t honor them anyway! Where’s the media coverage? Where’s the outrage?"
Michael Bars, a DHS spokesman, told Secrets, "Sanctuary cities and counties around the country including those in New York, North Carolina, and elsewhere act as illegal incubators for criminal alien activity, harboring dangerous offenders and often releasing them back to the streets where many will re-offend. These don't just include drugs and weapons offenses, robbery, sexual assault, kidnapping, and drunk driving charges, but completely preventable acts of brutal rape and murder. These are the deadly consequences when self-serving politicians like the mayor release criminal aliens from custody instead of protecting the very people they've sworn an oath to put first."
ICE’s New York chief for Enforcement and Removal Operations also issued a statement. “It is made clear that New York City’s stance against honoring detainers is dangerously flawed. It was a deadly choice to release a man on an active ICE detainer back onto the streets after his first arrest included assault and weapon charges, and he now faces new charges, including murder,” said Thomas Decker, field office director for ERO New York. “New York City’s sanctuary policies continue to threaten the safety of all residents of the five boroughs, as they repeatedly protect criminal aliens who show little regard for the laws of this nation,” he said.
Unreal. This is the illegal alien that NYPD released in defiance of federal law after he was arrested a month before on assault on firearms charges https://t.co/53BmJx9epU — Daniel Horowitz (@RMConservative) January 15, 2020
Decker also pointed his finger at de Blasio. "Politicians care more about criminal illegal aliens than the citizens they are elected to serve and protect," he said.
And so did immigration expert Jessica Vaughan, the director of policy studies for the Center for Immigration Studies, who said New York City police want to cooperate with ICE but can't.
"In this case, ICE did actually find out about him, since he was arrested and jailed, but because of New York’s extreme sanctuary policies, the police and other authorities ignored and thwarted ICE’s effort. New York cops want people like Khan off the streets and into ICE hands, knowing the high likelihood that they will victimize people again, but their hands are tied by politically motivated policies."
And, she added, "The pro-sanctuary politicians feel no sense of regret, concern, or shame when these things happen. They make up excuses and blame ICE, just as here they tried to claim they never got the detainer. We will have to wait until later this year to see if the Supreme Court will affirm ICE’s authority, thus giving the Trump administration the opportunity to impose consequences on sanctuaries, but it would be better if Congress would update the immigration law to try to prevent these tragedies."
President Trump has taken a special interest in sanctuary policies dating back to his 2016 presidential campaign when he expressed shock at the murder in San Francisco of Kate Steinle, shot and murdered by an illegal immigrant who had been repeatedly deported and recently released by San Francisco police.
This case has sparked a renewed attention on New York City.
And it comes amid a broader focus on New York state, which has decided to give driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants but block the federal government from accessing information about the holders.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-17--'Little creeps': Biden says Silicon Valley video game designers ‘teach you how to kill’

Joe Biden railed against tech giants , video game designers , and a law that protects online platforms .
In an interview published on Friday , the former vice president and Democratic presidential candidate recalled a meeting with Silicon Valley tech leaders about protecting intellectual property rights .
`` At one point , one of the little creeps sitting around that table , who was a multi- — close to a billionaire — who told me he was an artist because he was able to come up with games to teach you how to kill people , '' Biden said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has previously expressed contempt for violent video games .
Following the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting , he assembled a group of video game industry representatives to discuss measures to prevent gun violence and called for research into whether video games can encourage real-world violent acts .
`` One of these righteous people said to me that , you know , 'We are the economic engine of America .
We are the ones , ' '' Biden said .
`` I added up the seven outfits , everyone ’ s there but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fewer people on your payroll than all the losses that General Motors just faced in the last quarter , of employees .
So don ’ t lecture me about how you ’ ve created all this employment . ''
Biden expressed dislike of Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg .
`` I ’ ve never been a big Zuckerberg fan .
I think he ’ s a real problem , '' he said , adding that unlike media companies , Zuckerberg can write something false and `` be exempt from being sued .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act , a 1996 law that protects online hosts such as Facebook and Twitter protection from liability for content posted by users .
`` Section 230 should be revoked , immediately should be revoked , number one , '' he said .
Some lawmakers have proposed changing the law in wake of misinformation posted on the sites and what some believe are biased censorship rules , while others say that the law is crucial to the foundation of the internet .
Facebook is `` propagating falsehoods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we should be setting standards not unlike the Europeans are doing relative to privacy , '' Biden said .
Biden was on the receiving end of online misinformation in the form of an online ad last year that accused him of withholding aid to the Ukrainian government unless it ended an investigation of his son Hunter Biden .
While Biden did condition $ 1 billion in aid to Ukraine on the firing of a Ukrainian prosecutor who was widely viewed by Western countries as corrupt , there is no evidence that Biden aimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the Ukrainian gas company on the board of which he sat .
The former vice president also doubted that Zuckerberg was not aware at the time of Russian efforts using Facebook to try to influence the 2016 presidential election .
`` I don ’ t believe him for a second , '' Biden said .
[ Read more : Biden walks back vow to let people keep private insurance ]

Joe Biden railed against tech giants, video game designers, and a law that protects online platforms.
In an interview published on Friday, the former vice president and Democratic presidential candidate recalled a meeting with Silicon Valley tech leaders about protecting intellectual property rights.
"At one point, one of the little creeps sitting around that table, who was a multi- — close to a billionaire — who told me he was an artist because he was able to come up with games to teach you how to kill people," Biden said. "Video games."
Biden has previously expressed contempt for violent video games. Following the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, he assembled a group of video game industry representatives to discuss measures to prevent gun violence and called for research into whether video games can encourage real-world violent acts.
"One of these righteous people said to me that, you know, 'We are the economic engine of America. We are the ones,'" Biden said. "I added up the seven outfits, everyone’s there but Microsoft. I said, you have fewer people on your payroll than all the losses that General Motors just faced in the last quarter, of employees. So don’t lecture me about how you’ve created all this employment."
Biden expressed dislike of Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg. "I’ve never been a big Zuckerberg fan. I think he’s a real problem," he said, adding that unlike media companies, Zuckerberg can write something false and "be exempt from being sued."
Biden said he supports doing away with Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, a 1996 law that protects online hosts such as Facebook and Twitter protection from liability for content posted by users.
"Section 230 should be revoked, immediately should be revoked, number one," he said.
Some lawmakers have proposed changing the law in wake of misinformation posted on the sites and what some believe are biased censorship rules, while others say that the law is crucial to the foundation of the internet.
Facebook is "propagating falsehoods they know to be false, and we should be setting standards not unlike the Europeans are doing relative to privacy," Biden said.
Biden was on the receiving end of online misinformation in the form of an online ad last year that accused him of withholding aid to the Ukrainian government unless it ended an investigation of his son Hunter Biden. While Biden did condition $1 billion in aid to Ukraine on the firing of a Ukrainian prosecutor who was widely viewed by Western countries as corrupt, there is no evidence that Biden aimed to protect his son from an investigation into the Ukrainian gas company on the board of which he sat.
The former vice president also doubted that Zuckerberg was not aware at the time of Russian efforts using Facebook to try to influence the 2016 presidential election.
"I don’t believe him for a second," Biden said.
[Read more: Biden walks back vow to let people keep private insurance]


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-17--Biden walks back vow to let people keep private insurance

2020 Democratic presidential front-runner Joe Biden backed away from an earlier campaign trail comment that suggested Americans would be able to keep their private insurance under his healthcare plan .
The New York Times editorial board asked the former vice president and 2020 Democratic presidential front-runner about his sentiment that `` if you like your private insurance , you can keep your private insurance . ''
The comment was similar to what President Barack Obama said in 2013 about his landmark Obamacare law — `` If you like your healthcare plan , you can keep it '' — which PolitiFact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' after millions of Americans had their plans canceled .
`` I didn ’ t say that , by the way , but go ahead , '' Biden said in the interview published Friday , before clarifying , `` OK. Yeah , said we can keep your private insurance .
Yep . ''
The question referred to a statement Biden made while outlining his healthcare plan at a July 2019 AARP forum in Iowa .
“ If you like your healthcare plan , your employer-based plan , you can keep it .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insurance , you can keep it , ” he said .
In the interview published Friday , Biden added , `` The doctors .
They said you can keep your doctor . ''
Biden in July declined to promise that Americans could keep their doctors under his healthcare proposal .
The New York Times and Biden clarified that under his healthcare plan , if employers eliminate coverage options , they will automatically be enrolled in a public option .
`` Here ’ s the deal .
If you like your private insurance and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can keep it , '' Biden said .
Biden has proposed a healthcare plan that would allow Americans to choose a government insurance plan similar to Medicare instead of private health insurance .
It is a contrast from `` Medicare for all '' single-payer health plan proposals supported by Biden 's 2020 rivals Sens .
Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders .

2020 Democratic presidential front-runner Joe Biden backed away from an earlier campaign trail comment that suggested Americans would be able to keep their private insurance under his healthcare plan.
The New York Times editorial board asked the former vice president and 2020 Democratic presidential front-runner about his sentiment that "if you like your private insurance, you can keep your private insurance." The comment was similar to what President Barack Obama said in 2013 about his landmark Obamacare law — "If you like your healthcare plan, you can keep it" — which PolitiFact dubbed the "lie of the year" after millions of Americans had their plans canceled.
"I didn’t say that, by the way, but go ahead," Biden said in the interview published Friday, before clarifying, "OK. Yeah, said we can keep your private insurance. Yep."
The question referred to a statement Biden made while outlining his healthcare plan at a July 2019 AARP forum in Iowa. “If you like your healthcare plan, your employer-based plan, you can keep it. If, in fact, you have private insurance, you can keep it,” he said.
In the interview published Friday, Biden added, "The doctors. They said you can keep your doctor."
Biden in July declined to promise that Americans could keep their doctors under his healthcare proposal.
The New York Times and Biden clarified that under his healthcare plan, if employers eliminate coverage options, they will automatically be enrolled in a public option.
"Here’s the deal. If you like your private insurance and your employer keeps it with you, you can keep it," Biden said.
Biden has proposed a healthcare plan that would allow Americans to choose a government insurance plan similar to Medicare instead of private health insurance. It is a contrast from "Medicare for all" single-payer health plan proposals supported by Biden's 2020 rivals Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders.
[Opinion: Joe Biden's healthcare plan is malarkey]


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-17--'Everybody who’s hit me is out': Biden touts durability against 2020 Democratic rival attacks

Joe Biden claimed to be politically infallible in the face of attacks lobbed at him by rivals to the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination .
`` I ’ m not saying that it ’ s guaranteed I win , but name me a nominee who ’ s taken as many hits from the beginning of them announcing .
... Who has taken the hits ?
You all declare me — not you , editorially in a broad sense declare me — dead , and guess what ?
I ain ’ t dead .
I ’ m not going to die , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Times 's editorial board .
The quip from Biden , 77 , earned a pithy response from the outlet 's Kathleen Kingsbury .
`` I ’ m not going to die politically , '' he replied .
Sen. Kamala Harris from California experienced a brief surge in polling and fundraising after confronting Biden during the opening primary debate in Miami last summer over his opposition to federally mandated busing in the 1960s and 1970s .
She blunted her momentum by confusing her own position on the issue before voters starting criticizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inauthentic .
Then , during the September debate in Houston , former Housing Secretary Julian Castro 's line about Biden forgetting what he said earlier in the night generated mixed reviews for insinuating the 36-year Delaware senator was growing senile .
Harris dropped out of the Democratic race for the White House last December .
Castro ended his own bid this month before endorsing former opponent Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts .
`` Everybody who ’ s hit me is out , '' Biden told the New York Times in the interview released @ @

Joe Biden claimed to be politically infallible in the face of attacks lobbed at him by rivals to the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination.
"I’m not saying that it’s guaranteed I win, but name me a nominee who’s taken as many hits from the beginning of them announcing. ... Who has taken the hits? You all declare me — not you, editorially in a broad sense declare me — dead, and guess what? I ain’t dead. I’m not going to die," the former vice president told the New York Times's editorial board.
The quip from Biden, 77, earned a pithy response from the outlet's Kathleen Kingsbury.
"Everybody dies," Kingsbury said.
"I’m not going to die politically," he replied.
Sen. Kamala Harris from California experienced a brief surge in polling and fundraising after confronting Biden during the opening primary debate in Miami last summer over his opposition to federally mandated busing in the 1960s and 1970s. She blunted her momentum by confusing her own position on the issue before voters starting criticizing the move as being too practiced and inauthentic.
Then, during the September debate in Houston, former Housing Secretary Julian Castro's line about Biden forgetting what he said earlier in the night generated mixed reviews for insinuating the 36-year Delaware senator was growing senile.
Harris dropped out of the Democratic race for the White House last December. Castro ended his own bid this month before endorsing former opponent Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.
"Everybody who’s hit me is out," Biden told the New York Times in the interview released Friday.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-17--WATCH: Tulsi Gabbard wins pushup contest against man

On Thursday , one of the Hawaii Democrat ’ s New Hampshire supporters questioned whether she , a 38-year-old Iraq War veteran , could take on rival Joe Biden , 77 , in a pushup contest .
The question was in reference to Biden challenging an 83-year-old retired farmer to do pushups with him at an Iowa town hall last month after the man said Biden was “ too old ” to be president .
“ You want to check my shape , man ?
” the former vice president asked .
“ Let ’ s do pushups together here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Biden later said he “ probably shouldn ’ t have ” challenged the man to do pushups .
“ Former Vice President Biden has randomly challenged people in the audience to a push-up contest , even if they ’ re in walkers , ” the Gabbard supporter said .
“ Do you think you could take him ?
” “ My educated and informed guess would be yes , ” Gabbard told the man .
“ However , Joe Biden may have some superhuman push-up ability that nobody knows about .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ push-up challenge.
” The man then joined Gabbard on stage , and the two competed .
The 2020 Democrat , wearing heels , came away with the win , according to a WMUR reporter who filmed the contest .
Gabbard , a Hawaii National Guard major , often posts footage of herself working out on social media .
“ Those days when you don ’ t feel like exercising and tell yourself you ’ re too tired or don ’ t have time — just do it .
You ’ ll be glad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video of herself in the gym in November .
On New Year 's Day , the avid surfer also put her toughness on display by catching some waves in the frigid New Hampshire waters .

Democratic presidential candidate Rep. Tulsi Gabbard’s latest town hall turned into a pushup contest.
On Thursday, one of the Hawaii Democrat’s New Hampshire supporters questioned whether she, a 38-year-old Iraq War veteran, could take on rival Joe Biden, 77, in a pushup contest.
The question was in reference to Biden challenging an 83-year-old retired farmer to do pushups with him at an Iowa town hall last month after the man said Biden was “too old” to be president.
“You want to check my shape, man?” the former vice president asked. “Let’s do pushups together here, man.”
The farmer declined, and Biden later said he “probably shouldn’t have” challenged the man to do pushups.
“Former Vice President Biden has randomly challenged people in the audience to a push-up contest, even if they’re in walkers,” the Gabbard supporter said. “Do you think you could take him?”
“My educated and informed guess would be yes,” Gabbard told the man. “However, Joe Biden may have some superhuman push-up ability that nobody knows about. But I would take most people to a push-up challenge.”
The man then joined Gabbard on stage, and the two competed. The 2020 Democrat, wearing heels, came away with the win, according to a WMUR reporter who filmed the contest.
One of those memorable New Hampshire Primary moments: @TulsiGabbard challenged to a push-up contest at a Manchester Town Hall. She wins. #nhpolitics #fitn #wmur pic.twitter.com/bW2i7p28Ty — Jean Mackin (@JeanWMUR) January 17, 2020
Gabbard, a Hawaii National Guard major, often posts footage of herself working out on social media.
“Those days when you don’t feel like exercising and tell yourself you’re too tired or don’t have time — just do it. You’ll be glad you did,” she captioned a video of herself in the gym in November.
Those days when you don’t feel like exercising and tell yourself you’re too tired or don’t have time — just do it. You’ll be glad you did. #motivationmonday #fitness #health #tulsi2020 pic.twitter.com/dkBnhGbKIl — Tulsi Gabbard 🌺 (@TulsiGabbard) November 4, 2019
On New Year's Day, the avid surfer also put her toughness on display by catching some waves in the frigid New Hampshire waters.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-17--'People will sit at home': Sanders supporters threaten to boycott election if Democrats pick Biden

DES MOINES , Iowa — Bernie Sanders supporters are warning that a lack of enthusiasm for Joe Biden could bring about the same result that nominating another establishment Democrat did four years ago : electing Donald Trump .
Sanders backers fret the socialist Vermont senator , 78 , is being consistently ignored and underestimated by Beltway insiders and a Washington-based press corps — the same bunch , in their view , who failed to predict Trump 's 2016 White House win and were sure Hillary Clinton , who beat Sanders for the Democratic nomination , would easily prevail .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has been in Congress since 1991 , is n't getting his due though he 's proven to have staying power in public opinion and fundraising , even after suffering a heart attack last October .
As of last week , ahead of the first-in-the-nation caucuses on Feb. 3 , raising a record figure of $ 34.5 million in the final financial quarter of 2019 for a total of $ 96 million .
Nominating a career center-left candidate such as Biden , the former vice president and 36-year Delaware senator , would dampen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders backers contend .
Joe Jackelen , 35 , backed Sanders in the 2016 primary and wrote him in on the ballot that fall because he didn ’ t like what Clinton “ stood for.
” He said he only regretted that decision “ to a degree , ” despite it helping give rise to Trump , who beat Clinton in Iowa 51 % to 42 % .
Jackelen , an IT professional from Ames , said Biden ’ s refusal to call billionaires “ the enemy ” was one reason his potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote .
“ When I look at some of these other candidates out there , I can see them just sucking any enthusiasm from any undecided voters .
So anyone who might have been for Bernie won ’ t vote for Biden , or any of the others out there , ” Jackelen told the Washington Examiner after a Sanders town hall in Newton .
“ I think that people will sit at home because they see establishment Democrats that don ’ t really care .
The only thing that they bring to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not Trump .
That is not going to drive enough people out that will get a win over Trump , ” he said .
Kay Pence , 65 , said she 's unconcerned about the `` Red Scare '' stigma attached to socialists such as Sanders .
Yet , she believed many Iowans were still “ discouraged ” about politics because they “ didn ’ t see a lot of hope and change ” after President Barack Obama ’ s inauguration in 2009 , she said .
“ A lot of people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retiree from Eldridge said after a Sanders rally in Davenport .
The recalcitrance of Sanders supporters coincides with his team ’ s decision to break a nonaggression pact with ideological ally Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren , crafting campaign strategy around understood holes in her candidacy .
The pair then clashed over Warren ’ s claims Sanders questioned whether a woman could win the White House .
Sanders .
Her confrontation with him and this week ’ s Iowa debate caused pro-Sanders and unaffiliated Twitter trolls and bots to push the # NeverWarren and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the United States .
For Jon Reinish , managing director of political consulting firm SKDKnickerbocker , “ the extreme devotion combined with extreme toxicity of his diehard supporters ” had perpetuated the perception that Sanders and his fans “ kneecapped the Democrat in the general election , ” particularly in Michigan , Pennsylvania , and Wisconsin .
History seemed to be repeating itself , he said .
Reinish , however , warned about the role social media was having in “ sowing this division among Democrats ” and “ exacerbating these wedges.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ or bust ’ movement does exist out there , but there needs to be far greater scrutiny into how much of this is actually real and how much is absolutely being played into , ” he continued .
The Democratic National Committee started promoting post-primary unity last November , one year out from Election Day , when the field of hopefuls converged on Des Moines for the Liberty and Justice Celebration , an Iowa Democratic Party fundraiser .
At the time , Sanders donated to the state party but hosted a competing watch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meanwhile , with the vast majority of Democrats preoccupied with the issue of electability , likely caucusgoers at a Pete Buttigieg town hall in Des Moines said they hoped the party would come together to defeat Trump .
“ Bernie ’ s had his chance four years ago .
He ’ s 78 ; he had a heart attack .
Come on .
His electability is not there .
His demographic is the 20-something age group , right ?
Who are the ones who get out and vote or go caucus ?
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington Examiner .
Crowder , a Des Moines insurance analyst , chalked up the chatter as a tactic “ to make Bernie more appealing.
” “ ‘ If Bernie doesn ’ t get the nomination , well , I ’ m not going to vote.
’ How did that work for you last time ?
We ’ ve got to stop letting 70-year-old white men rule the presidency , and the Senate , and the House .
It ’ s time to usher in that new era we ’ ve been talking about @ @ @ @ @

DES MOINES, Iowa — Bernie Sanders supporters are warning that a lack of enthusiasm for Joe Biden could bring about the same result that nominating another establishment Democrat did four years ago: electing Donald Trump.
Sanders backers fret the socialist Vermont senator, 78, is being consistently ignored and underestimated by Beltway insiders and a Washington-based press corps — the same bunch, in their view, who failed to predict Trump's 2016 White House win and were sure Hillary Clinton, who beat Sanders for the Democratic nomination, would easily prevail.
They're particularly steamed Sanders, a socialist who has been in Congress since 1991, isn't getting his due though he's proven to have staying power in public opinion and fundraising, even after suffering a heart attack last October . As of last week, he leads a tight four-horse race in Iowa ahead of the first-in-the-nation caucuses on Feb. 3, raising a record figure of $34.5 million in the final financial quarter of 2019 for a total of $96 million.
Nominating a career center-left candidate such as Biden, the former vice president and 36-year Delaware senator, would dampen enthusiasm by the liberal populist grassroots, Sanders backers contend.
Joe Jackelen, 35, backed Sanders in the 2016 primary and wrote him in on the ballot that fall because he didn’t like what Clinton “stood for.” He said he only regretted that decision “to a degree,” despite it helping give rise to Trump, who beat Clinton in Iowa 51% to 42%.
Jackelen, an IT professional from Ames, said Biden’s refusal to call billionaires “the enemy” was one reason his potential nomination in 2020 could suppress the left-wing vote.
“When I look at some of these other candidates out there, I can see them just sucking any enthusiasm from any undecided voters. So anyone who might have been for Bernie won’t vote for Biden, or any of the others out there,” Jackelen told the Washington Examiner after a Sanders town hall in Newton.
“I think that people will sit at home because they see establishment Democrats that don’t really care. The only thing that they bring to the table is that they’re not Trump. That is not going to drive enough people out that will get a win over Trump,” he said.
Kay Pence, 65, said she's unconcerned about the "Red Scare" stigma attached to socialists such as Sanders. Yet, she believed many Iowans were still “discouraged” about politics because they “didn’t see a lot of hope and change” after President Barack Obama’s inauguration in 2009, she said.
“A lot of people are backing away from voting,” the retiree from Eldridge said after a Sanders rally in Davenport.
The recalcitrance of Sanders supporters coincides with his team’s decision to break a nonaggression pact with ideological ally , Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, crafting campaign strategy around understood holes in her candidacy. The pair then clashed over Warren’s claims Sanders questioned whether a woman could win the White House. Sanders denies her allegations . Her confrontation with him during and after this week’s Iowa debate caused pro-Sanders and unaffiliated Twitter trolls and bots to push the #NeverWarren and #WarrenIsASnake hashtags to No. 1 in the United States.
For Jon Reinish, managing director of political consulting firm SKDKnickerbocker, “the extreme devotion combined with extreme toxicity of his diehard supporters” had perpetuated the perception that Sanders and his fans “kneecapped the Democrat in the general election,” particularly in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. History seemed to be repeating itself, he said.
Reinish, however, warned about the role social media was having in “sowing this division among Democrats” and “exacerbating these wedges.”
“Yes, that ‘Bernie or bust’ movement does exist out there, but there needs to be far greater scrutiny into how much of this is actually real and how much is absolutely being played into,” he continued.
The Democratic National Committee started promoting post-primary unity last November, one year out from Election Day, when the field of hopefuls converged on Des Moines for the Liberty and Justice Celebration, an Iowa Democratic Party fundraiser. At the time, Sanders donated to the state party but hosted a competing watch party close to the main event.
Meanwhile, with the vast majority of Democrats preoccupied with the issue of electability, likely caucusgoers at a Pete Buttigieg town hall in Des Moines said they hoped the party would come together to defeat Trump.
“Bernie’s had his chance four years ago. He’s 78; he had a heart attack. Come on. His electability is not there. His demographic is the 20-something age group, right? Who are the ones who get out and vote or go caucus?” Bryan Crowder, 51, asked the Washington Examiner.
Crowder, a Des Moines insurance analyst, chalked up the chatter as a tactic “to make Bernie more appealing.”
“‘If Bernie doesn’t get the nomination, well, I’m not going to vote.’ How did that work for you last time? We’ve got to stop letting 70-year-old white men rule the presidency, and the Senate, and the House. It’s time to usher in that new era we’ve been talking about,” he said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-18--'Take your letter and shove it': Ted Lieu fires back scathing letter in response to Nunes threat

Rep. Ted Lieu told Rep. Devin Nunes ’ s lawyer to “ shove it ” after he was threatened with a lawsuit .
The California Democrat previously said Nunes , a California Republican , sent him a letter threatening litigation if he did not apologize for accusing Nunes last month of conspiring with Lev Parnas as part of the Ukraine scandal .
On Friday , Lieu shared one page of what he said was the five-page letter threatening a lawsuit , along with his response to Nunes ’ s lawyer , Steven Biss .
The letter from Biss is dated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response is dated Jan. 16 .
In the response , Lieu said that Nunes is “ directly implicated ” and that “ truth is a defense.
” “ I welcome any lawsuit from your client and look forward to taking discovery of Congressman Nunes , ” he said .
“ Or , you can take your letter and shove it.
” Nunes recently admitted that he now remembers a phone call with Parnas , who has been indicted on campaign finance charges and worked with President Trump ’ s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his son Hunter Biden .
`` I remember that call , which was very odd , random , talking about random things , '' Nunes said Wednesday .

Rep. Ted Lieu told Rep. Devin Nunes’s lawyer to “shove it” after he was threatened with a lawsuit.
The California Democrat previously said Nunes, a California Republican, sent him a letter threatening litigation if he did not apologize for accusing Nunes last month of conspiring with Lev Parnas as part of the Ukraine scandal.
On Friday, Lieu shared one page of what he said was the five-page letter threatening a lawsuit, along with his response to Nunes’s lawyer, Steven Biss. The letter from Biss is dated Dec. 31, and Lieu’s response is dated Jan. 16.
In the response, Lieu said that Nunes is “directly implicated” and that “truth is a defense.”
“I welcome any lawsuit from your client and look forward to taking discovery of Congressman Nunes,” he said. “Or, you can take your letter and shove it.”
Attached is the first page of a five page letter in which the lawyer for @DevinNunes threatens that Rep Nunes will sue me.
Attached is my response. pic.twitter.com/bWAqdRhq97 — Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) January 17, 2020
Nunes recently admitted that he now remembers a phone call with Parnas, who has been indicted on campaign finance charges and worked with President Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani to dig up dirt on Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden.
"I remember that call, which was very odd, random, talking about random things," Nunes said Wednesday.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-18--Democrats go to Mexico and blast Trump over border tent cities

House Democrats walked across the southern border into Mexico on Friday and reacted with outrage after seeing how thousands of migrants live as they await their day in a U.S. court .
`` What you see in terms of people sleeping on the ground and living in tents or under tarps is something that you would see in a refugee camp in Syria , and it 's right across the border , and our country has created the circumstances to make this happen , '' Rep. Linda Sanchez of California , the former Congressional Hispanic Caucus chairwoman , said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Caucus-led tour of nearly 20 members started in the South Texas town of Brownsville .
Lawmakers walked over a bridge that stretches over the Rio Grande to Matamoros , a border town in Mexico 's Tamaulipas state , to see how asylum-seekers have been affected by a Trump administration policy that went into effect one year ago .
The Migrant Protection Protocols were implemented by the Department of Homeland Security last January and force asylum-seekers who approach an official border crossing to remain in Mexico until their day in court comes , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asylum-seekers are then escorted into the United States for a court proceeding at `` tent courts '' in Brownsville , where legal proceedings take place in temporary facilities outdoors .
At last count , 60,000 asylum-seekers had been turned back to Mexico to await court dates .
Immigrant families are not allowed to be held in custody for more than 20 days , allowing the nearly half a million who were apprehended in fiscal 2019 to be released into the country and await the decision of a court date years down the road @ @ @ @ @ @ @ date and live illegally in the country .
The Department of Homeland Security created the program in an effort to take those who present themselves at border crossings and those who illegally cross and make them wait outside the country during that process .
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus said in a media advisory that Matamoros has the largest share of asylum-seekers stuck in Mexico out of all the border cities , but the exact population counts of this specific tent city varied between lawmakers .
New Mexico Rep. Ben Lujan said 1,500 live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jesus Garcia said 2,500 , and Rep. Peter DeFazio of Oregon reported 3,000 people .
Members lamented the slum-like conditions in the tent city , including insufficient clean water , improper sanitation systems , and a lack in medical care .
Rep. Nanette Barragan of California took a picture of a woman doing laundry in a dirty river .
DeFazio said medical staff at the camp described it as being `` so bad , they need the same type of support and infrastructure that is given to the formal refugee camps in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families are trapped in limbo at the Matamoros , Mexico refugee camp because of @ realDonaldTrump 's disastrous # RemainInMexico policy .
No one should ever be subjected to these inhumane living conditions .
No one .
We are better than this , '' wrote Rep. Norma Torres of California .
Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro , chairwoman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor , Health and Human Services , Education , and Related Agencies , shared images of Mexican military guarding the premises .
`` Just left the border , '' Congressional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter .
`` We were able to get a young girl with a heart defect and Down 's Syndrome allowed into the United States with her family while their asylum claim is considered .
She had been denied yesterday # DemsAtTheBorder . ''

House Democrats walked across the southern border into Mexico on Friday and reacted with outrage after seeing how thousands of migrants live as they await their day in a U.S. court.
"What you see in terms of people sleeping on the ground and living in tents or under tarps is something that you would see in a refugee camp in Syria, and it's right across the border, and our country has created the circumstances to make this happen," Rep. Linda Sanchez of California, the former Congressional Hispanic Caucus chairwoman, said in a video post.
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus-led tour of nearly 20 members started in the South Texas town of Brownsville. Lawmakers walked over a bridge that stretches over the Rio Grande to Matamoros, a border town in Mexico's Tamaulipas state, to see how asylum-seekers have been affected by a Trump administration policy that went into effect one year ago.
The Migrant Protection Protocols were implemented by the Department of Homeland Security last January and force asylum-seekers who approach an official border crossing to remain in Mexico until their day in court comes, which can be months in the future. Asylum-seekers are then escorted into the United States for a court proceeding at "tent courts" in Brownsville, where legal proceedings take place in temporary facilities outdoors. At last count, 60,000 asylum-seekers had been turned back to Mexico to await court dates.
Immigrant families are not allowed to be held in custody for more than 20 days, allowing the nearly half a million who were apprehended in fiscal 2019 to be released into the country and await the decision of a court date years down the road. Some never show for the court date and live illegally in the country. The Department of Homeland Security created the program in an effort to take those who present themselves at border crossings and those who illegally cross and make them wait outside the country during that process.
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus said in a media advisory that Matamoros has the largest share of asylum-seekers stuck in Mexico out of all the border cities, but the exact population counts of this specific tent city varied between lawmakers. New Mexico Rep. Ben Lujan said 1,500 live at the camp, but Illinoisan Rep. Jesus Garcia said 2,500, and Rep. Peter DeFazio of Oregon reported 3,000 people.
This is the International Bridge connecting Brownsville, TX and Matamoros, Mexico. Across this short walk, #DemsAtTheBorder will encounter approximately 3,000 migrant families trapped by #RemainInMexico. pic.twitter.com/dcUjk5x8DX — Hispanic Caucus (@HispanicCaucus) January 17, 2020
Members lamented the slum-like conditions in the tent city, including insufficient clean water, improper sanitation systems, and a lack in medical care. Rep. Nanette Barragan of California took a picture of a woman doing laundry in a dirty river. DeFazio said medical staff at the camp described it as being "so bad, they need the same type of support and infrastructure that is given to the formal refugee camps in the Middle East."
Today’s Migrants come to America for safety, freedom and opportunity—just like they have been for 250 years. The deserve better than the horrible conditions I’ve seen at Matamoros. #DemsAtTheBorder pic.twitter.com/0Gddwdm7D0 — Nanette D. Barragán (@RepBarragan) January 17, 2020
"Thousands of families are trapped in limbo at the Matamoros, Mexico refugee camp because of @realDonaldTrump's disastrous #RemainInMexico policy. No one should ever be subjected to these inhumane living conditions. No one. We are better than this," wrote Rep. Norma Torres of California.
Thousands of families are trapped in limbo at the Matamoros, Mexico refugee camp because of @realDonaldTrump's disastrous #RemainInMexico policy. No one should ever be subjected to these inhumane living conditions. No one. We are better than this. #DemsAtTheBorder pic.twitter.com/jovxC3WhHY — Rep. Norma Torres (@NormaJTorres) January 17, 2020
Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro, chairwoman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, shared images of Mexican military guarding the premises.
These are the terrible conditions kids and their families are living in due to President Trump’s cruel #RemainInMexico policy. This is inhumane, and it is wrong. #DontLookAway #DemsAtTheBorder pic.twitter.com/AP3S0t5IKr — Rosa DeLauro (@rosadelauro) January 17, 2020
"Just left the border," Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Joaquin Castro wrote on Twitter. "We were able to get a young girl with a heart defect and Down's Syndrome allowed into the United States with her family while their asylum claim is considered. She had been denied yesterday #DemsAtTheBorder."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-18--Impeachment trial will feature rare glimpse of Chief Justice John Roberts in action

No cameras are permitted at Supreme Court hearings , but starting on Tuesday , Chief Justice John Roberts won ’ t be able to escape them in his role presiding over President Trump ’ s impeachment trial in the U.S. Senate .
Roberts , who will turn 65 this month , is required under the Constitution to serve as the presiding officer in an impeachment trial that will be televised .
But little guidance is provided for the role he should play .
Lawyers , pundits , and lawmakers are already weighing in with a range of predictions .
House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Republican majority if GOP lawmakers reject calling key Trump administration officials to testify .
Democrats want new evidence and witnesses to be included in the trial .
They are seeking three sets of documents related to Trump ’ s July 25 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky .
Trump , during the call , asked Zelensky to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s role in the removal of a Ukrainian prosecutor who was investigating a Ukraine gas company that employed his son , Hunter Biden .
The call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Dec. 18 party-line vote impeaching Trump on charges of obstruction of Congress and abuse of power .
Senate Democrats also plan to demand votes on witnesses when the trial opens on Tuesday , but they are likely to be defeated by Republicans who want to wait until later in the trial to consider summoning witness testimony or additional documents .
Some law professors believe Roberts can overrule the GOP and call for new evidence .
“ Hopefully , Roberts understands his duty and will take control of the trial , ” University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter .
“ Democrats should be clear that it ’ s Roberts , not McConnell , who holds the procedural power and whom they expect to make the final decisions.
” But senators in both parties acknowledge if Roberts follows in the steps of his predecessor , Chief Justice William Rehnquist , he will play a minimal role .
Rehnquist , for whom Roberts clerked in the 1980-81 Supreme Court term , presided over the Senate ’ s five-week impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton , who was ultimately acquitted of two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rulings that influenced the outcome of the trial .
`` I did nothing in particular and I did it very well , '' Rehnquist told talk show host Charlie Rose in 2001 , quoting the opera “ Iolanthe.
” Senate Democrats and Republicans who participated in the Clinton impeachment trial anticipate Roberts may play a similarly minimal role .
“ Chief Justice Rehnquist , when he presided over the Clinton impeachment , did his best not to intervene , ” Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin , an Illinois Democrat , told NBC last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of an observer and traffic policeman.
” Sen. Bob Menendez , a New Jersey Democrat , said the Republican majority can overrule Roberts , even if he decided to play a bigger role presiding over the trial .
“ It 's going to be a question of what the chief justice chooses to do , ” Menendez told CNN .
“ And even if he chooses to actively engage in presiding in a way that we would expect from any judge , he can be overruled by a majority vote of the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overrule any decision he does make.
” Roberts was nominated to the high court by President George W. Bush and was seated in September 2005 .
Bush initially selected Roberts to fill the seat vacated by Justice Sandra Day O ’ Connor .
He elevated Roberts to chief justice when Rehnquist died before Roberts ’ s Senate confirmation hearings began .
Roberts was a pallbearer at Rehnquist 's funeral .
Northwestern Law School Professor John O. McGinnis , compared Roberts ’ s upcoming role in the trial to that of Vice President Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate occasionally presides over the chamber but does not play an active role other than breaking a tie vote .
“ The chief justice ’ s role in the impeachment trial will be legally no greater than that of the vice president for whom he is substitute , ” McGinnis told the Washington Examiner .
“ He is to enforce the Senate ’ s rules , but the Senate , not the chief justice , makes the rules and decides on their interpretation.
” Roberts has never actually served as a trial judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nomination , he was a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit for about two years .
While Roberts ’ s role in the looming impeachment trial remains somewhat uncertain , his presence in the Senate has already made an impact on lawmakers .
Roberts arrived at the Capitol Thursday to swear in senators to serve as jurors in the trial .
He was escorted to the chamber in his black robe by a bipartisan group of senators in a solemn ceremony that hasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ When the chief justice walked in you could feel the weight of the moment , ” Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , a New York Democrat , said afterward .
“ I saw members on both sides of the aisle visibly gulp .
”

No cameras are permitted at Supreme Court hearings, but starting on Tuesday, Chief Justice John Roberts won’t be able to escape them in his role presiding over President Trump’s impeachment trial in the U.S. Senate.
Roberts, who will turn 65 this month, is required under the Constitution to serve as the presiding officer in an impeachment trial that will be televised.
But little guidance is provided for the role he should play.
Lawyers, pundits, and lawmakers are already weighing in with a range of predictions.
House Democrats want Roberts to overrule the Senate’s Republican majority if GOP lawmakers reject calling key Trump administration officials to testify.
Democrats want new evidence and witnesses to be included in the trial. They are seeking three sets of documents related to Trump’s July 25 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump, during the call, asked Zelensky to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden’s role in the removal of a Ukrainian prosecutor who was investigating a Ukrainian gas company that employed his son, Hunter Biden.
The call prompted the House investigation that resulted in the Dec. 18 party-line vote impeaching Trump on charges of obstruction of Congress and abuse of power.
Senate Democrats also plan to demand votes on witnesses when the trial opens on Tuesday, but they are likely to be defeated by Republicans who want to wait until later in the trial to consider summoning witness testimony or additional documents.
Some law professors believe Roberts can overrule the GOP and call for new evidence.
“Hopefully, Roberts understands his duty and will take control of the trial,” University of Georgia Law Professor Sonja West said on Twitter. “Democrats should be clear that it’s Roberts, not McConnell, who holds the procedural power and whom they expect to make the final decisions.”
But senators in both parties acknowledge if Roberts follows in the steps of his predecessor, Chief Justice William Rehnquist, he will play a minimal role.
Rehnquist, for whom Roberts clerked in the 1980-81 Supreme Court term, presided over the Senate’s five-week impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton, who was ultimately acquitted of two charges. Rehnquist did not issue significant rulings that influenced the outcome of the trial.
"I did nothing in particular, and I did it very well," Rehnquist told talk show host Charlie Rose in 2001, quoting the opera Iolanthe.
Senate Democrats and Republicans who participated in the Clinton impeachment trial anticipate Roberts may play a similarly minimal role.
“Chief Justice Rehnquist, when he presided over the Clinton impeachment, did his best not to intervene,” Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, told NBC last week. “He really was kind of an observer and traffic policeman.”
Sen. Bob Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat, said the Republican majority can overrule Roberts, even if he decided to play a bigger role presiding over the trial.
“It's going to be a question of what the chief justice chooses to do,” Menendez told CNN. “And even if he chooses to actively engage in presiding in a way that we would expect from any judge, he can be overruled by a majority vote of the Senate. So Mitch McConnell and Republicans could overrule any decision he does make.”
Roberts was nominated to the high court by President George W. Bush and was seated in September 2005.
Bush initially selected Roberts to fill the seat vacated by Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. He elevated Roberts to chief justice when Rehnquist died before Roberts’s Senate confirmation hearings began. Roberts was a pallbearer at Rehnquist's funeral.
Northwestern Law School Professor John O. McGinnis, compared Roberts’s upcoming role in the trial to that of Vice President Mike Pence, who as president of the Senate occasionally presides over the chamber but does not play an active role other than breaking a tie vote.
“The chief justice’s role in the impeachment trial will be legally no greater than that of the vice president for whom he is substitute,” McGinnis told the Washington Examiner. “He is to enforce the Senate’s rules, but the Senate, not the chief justice, makes the rules and decides on their interpretation.”
Roberts has never actually served as a trial judge before. Before Roberts's Supreme Court nomination, he was a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit for about two years.
While Roberts’s role in the looming impeachment trial remains somewhat uncertain, his presence in the Senate has already made an impact on lawmakers.
Roberts arrived at the Capitol Thursday to swear in senators to serve as jurors in the trial.
He was escorted to the chamber in his black robe by a bipartisan group of senators in a solemn ceremony that hasn’t taken place in more than two decades.
“When the chief justice walked in, you could feel the weight of the moment,” Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said afterward. “I saw members on both sides of the aisle visibly gulp.”