thewashingtonexaminer--2020-11-19--Emboldened McCarthy poised to seize speaker's gavel in 2022 after GOP's surprise surge

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said Republicans are emboldened by GOP election wins that will shrink the Democratic majority to as little as a handful of votes and put him within striking distance of the speaker ’ s gavel after the 2022 midterm elections .
McCarthy , 55 , has come a long way since 2015 , when he abruptly abandoned his bid for speaker , stepping aside for Paul Ryan after Republicans failed to rally behind him ahead of a closed-door vote .
On Tuesday , McCarthy , a California Republican , was elected minority leader for a second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after stunning GOP election wins that so far have claimed 11 House seats held by Democrats and several outstanding races favoring the GOP .
Ryan retired from Congress just as the GOP lost the majority in 2018 , leaving McCarthy to rebuild with a smaller and morally deflated conference .
“ I think it only strengthened me , ” McCarthy said , reflecting on the House GOP ’ s rejection of his leadership five years ago .
“ Did I ever want to go through it ?
No .
But it did strengthen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his party with the largest House minority since World War II , including a record number of new women and minority members , but it will likely be under the presidency of Democrat Joe Biden , not his friend President Trump , who he talks to by phone every day and considers to be a contender in the race until the ballot-counting and court challenges are finished .
McCarthy said if Biden prevails , the House GOP will provide “ a check and balance '' to the Democratic agenda and that the razor-thin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a message to House Democrats that the GOP minority is poised to expand further in swing districts .
In addition to winning races in roughly a dozen districts held by Democrats , the GOP held on to all but three vacant seats .
The GOP even defied polls and held New Jersey ’ s 2nd Congressional District , where incumbent and former Democrat Jeff Van Drew ’ s election prospects appeared doomed after he switched to the Republican Party .
“ Not only did I pick up Democrat seats , I was able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then win the election , ” McCarthy said .
“ That ’ s got to be in the backs of their minds .
Because a number of these Democrats , if they stay around , they are not going to win.
” McCarthy said the GOP will build on proposals to battle the coronavirus , reform police departments with new training and body cameras , help economically struggling small businesses with federal loans , reform infrastructure with a five-year plan , and end U.S. dependency on China for critical supplies .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McCarthy said .
“ You had a real assortment of core items that the country cares about that we actually campaigned upon , and we want to stay with that agenda we will stay and build on that.
” McCarthy said he ’ s improved his leadership skills by increasing his expertise on policy issues and by uniting the notoriously fractious GOP conference , which for several years was engaged in a bitter intraparty battle with its sizable conservative and populist House Freedom Caucus .
McCarthy quelled the discord by bringing the Freedom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio is now the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee , and former Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina was selected as the top GOP lawmaker on the House Oversight Committee .
Like McCarthy , both Meadows and Jordan are key allies of Trump .
Meadows left Congress earlier this year to take the job of White House chief of staff , and by the time he left Congress , he was working with the GOP leadership to cut deals , rather than lobbing bombs at it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to put aside any differences , ” McCarthy said , describing his conversation with Jordan .
“ It ’ s almost like a team of rivals .
Everyone has a voice here.
” McCarthy is confident that the GOP will win more House seats in 2022 and has a real shot at regaining the majority .
He credits Trump , who he said helped attract new and diverse candidates , Trump closely follows House races like a sport , McCarthy said .
Even as he is battling his own election results , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ races and calls or writes to McCarthy to congratulate him on the GOP ’ s growing numbers .
“ He just sent me an article yesterday on how well we did in this election and that it looks like I ’ ll be speaker in 2022 , ” McCarthy said .
“ And he wrote on it , ‘ I agree !
’ ”

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said Republicans are emboldened by GOP election wins that will shrink the Democratic majority to as little as a handful of votes and put him within striking distance of the speaker’s gavel after the 2022 midterm elections.
McCarthy, 55, has come a long way since 2015, when he abruptly abandoned his bid for speaker, stepping aside for Paul Ryan after Republicans failed to rally behind him ahead of a closed-door vote.
On Tuesday, McCarthy, a California Republican, was elected minority leader for a second term without a single vote of opposition after stunning GOP election wins that so far have claimed 11 House seats held by Democrats and several outstanding races favoring the GOP.
Ryan retired from Congress just as the GOP lost the majority in 2018, leaving McCarthy to rebuild with a smaller and morally deflated conference.
“I think it only strengthened me,” McCarthy said, reflecting on the House GOP’s rejection of his leadership five years ago. “Did I ever want to go through it? No. But it did strengthen me.”
McCarthy next year will lead his party with the largest House minority since World War II, including a record number of new women and minority members, but it will likely be under the presidency of Democrat Joe Biden, not his friend President Trump, who he talks to by phone every day and considers to be a contender in the race until the ballot-counting and court challenges are finished.
McCarthy said if Biden prevails, the House GOP will provide “a check and balance" to the Democratic agenda and that the razor-thin margin between the two parties will send a message to House Democrats that the GOP minority is poised to expand further in swing districts.
In addition to winning races in roughly a dozen districts held by Democrats, the GOP held on to all but three vacant seats.
The GOP even defied polls and held New Jersey’s 2nd Congressional District, where incumbent and former Democrat Jeff Van Drew’s election prospects appeared doomed after he switched to the Republican Party.
“Not only did I pick up Democrat seats, I was able to get a Democrat to register Republican and then win the election,” McCarthy said. “That’s got to be in the backs of their minds. Because a number of these Democrats, if they stay around, they are not going to win.”
McCarthy said the GOP will build on proposals to battle the coronavirus, reform police departments with new training and body cameras, help economically struggling small businesses with federal loans, reform infrastructure with a five-year plan, and end U.S. dependency on China for critical supplies.
“These are solid policy ideas,” McCarthy said. “You had a real assortment of core items that the country cares about that we actually campaigned upon, and we want to stay with that agenda we will stay and build on that.”
McCarthy said he’s improved his leadership skills by increasing his expertise on policy issues and by uniting the notoriously fractious GOP conference, which for several years was engaged in a bitter intraparty battle with its sizable conservative and populist House Freedom Caucus.
McCarthy quelled the discord by bringing the Freedom Caucus founders into the GOP leadership fold. Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio is now the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee, and former Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina was selected as the top GOP lawmaker on the House Oversight Committee.
Like McCarthy, both Meadows and Jordan are key allies of Trump. Meadows left Congress earlier this year to take the job of White House chief of staff, and by the time he left Congress, he was working with the GOP leadership to cut deals, rather than lobbing bombs at it.
“I said Jim, we need to put aside any differences,” McCarthy said, describing his conversation with Jordan. “It’s almost like a team of rivals. Everyone has a voice here.”
McCarthy is confident that the GOP will win more House seats in 2022 and has a real shot at regaining the majority. He credits Trump, who he said helped attract new and diverse candidates, Trump closely follows House races like a sport, McCarthy said.
Even as he is battling his own election results, Trump is tracking the handful of undecided House races and calls or writes to McCarthy to congratulate him on the GOP’s growing numbers.
“He just sent me an article yesterday on how well we did in this election and that it looks like I’ll be speaker in 2022,” McCarthy said. “And he wrote on it, ‘I agree!’”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-11-20--Biden strikes softer tone on lockdowns as coronavirus cases surge

Joe Biden has consistently taken a much stricter tone about stopping the spread of COVID-19 than President Trump and other Republicans — but months after saying he would shut down the country , the president-elect has changed his tune .
When asked in an August ABC whether he would support lockdowns if experts recommended doing so in order to stop the spread of the virus , Biden said : “ I would shut it down .
I would listen to the scientists.
” The answer has haunted the president-elect and now appears to be one that he is stepping back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in campaign attacks on Biden .
`` Why would we ever let Biden kill countless American businesses , jobs , and our economic future ? ''
a narrator in a Trump said in response to the Biden sound bite .
When asked about that statement on Friday , Biden grew irritated .
“ It was a hypothetical question .
The answer was I would follow the science , ” Biden said .
Biden 's signature coronavirus proposal is a constitutionally murky national mask mandate , and he has suggested people have only small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , resisted outright support for shutdowns of public businesses even as cases spike across the country , and he willingly recognizes other harms that arise from lockdown life .
`` I am not going to shut down the economy , period .
I ’ m going to shut down the virus .
That ’ s what I ’ m going to shut down , ” Biden said Thursday .
“ No national shutdown because every region , every area , every community , can be different.
” When asked in a press conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shutting down indoor dining and other activities , Biden was noncommittal .
`` It depends on the state , '' he said , before praising governors who have implemented mask mandates .
And in a Wednesday with front-line workers , Biden touched on some of the negative effects that lockdowns have on individuals .
“ You know , if we don ’ t figure out how to get these kids back to school , we are going to find that an entire generation is going to lose a year , a year and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learning ability , ” Biden said .
“ All those folks , by the way , are being quarantined at home : There ’ s a significant rise in spousal abuse .
There ’ s a significant rise in suicides.
” Surges in are also a concern , as well as child welfare , since educators account for more reports of child abuse than any other category .
Biden ’ s reluctance to call for shutdowns of nonessential businesses explicitly represents not only a recognition of the social and economic strain that forced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reaction to the political risks of supporting lockdowns .
One member of Biden ’ s coronavirus task force , epidemiologist Michael Osterholm , in a recent Yahoo Finance interview suggested a to slow the spread of the virus before a vaccine is available .
But Osterholm quickly that suggestion , saying that he hadn ’ t discussed it with the Biden team and that there would be little support for the idea in Congress .
Other members of Biden ’ s task force team publicly shut down the suggestion .
Biden is hardly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though .
“ I would strongly urge — not just for your sake , but for the sake of your children , your mother , your father , whoever you get together at Thanksgiving — think about this .
There should be no group more than 10 people inside the room , ” Biden said on Monday .
He says that the Trump administration ’ s refusal to recognize him as the president-elect has shut him off from knowing the full picture of the government ’ s capacity to address the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And part of his reluctance about lockdowns could stem from ambiguity about what the federal government can constitutionally do in regards to encouraging certain social distancing standards , particularly without an act of Congress , the control of which will be decided by two Georgia Senate runoffs in early January .
`` There are constraints to which the degree to which the businesses can be open , ” Biden said Thursday , noting that depending on the metrics about the virus in various communities , closures of businesses or reduced capacity could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a warning : “ There is a dark winter still ahead .
”

Joe Biden has consistently taken a much stricter tone about stopping the spread of COVID-19 than President Trump and other Republicans — but months after saying he would shut down the country, the president-elect has changed his tune.
When asked in an August ABC interview whether he would support lockdowns if experts recommended doing so in order to stop the spread of the virus, Biden said: “I would shut it down. I would listen to the scientists.”
The answer has haunted the president-elect and now appears to be one that he is stepping back from.
Trump often cited the line in campaign attacks on Biden. "Why would we ever let Biden kill countless American businesses, jobs, and our economic future?" a narrator in a Trump campaign ad said in response to the Biden sound bite.
When asked about that statement on Friday, Biden grew irritated.
“It was a hypothetical question. The answer was I would follow the science,” Biden said.
Biden's signature coronavirus proposal is a constitutionally murky national mask mandate, and he has suggested people have only small Thanksgiving gatherings.
He has, however, resisted outright support for shutdowns of public businesses even as cases spike across the country, and he willingly recognizes other harms that arise from lockdown life.
"I am not going to shut down the economy, period. I’m going to shut down the virus. That’s what I’m going to shut down,” Biden said Thursday. “No national shutdown because every region, every area, every community, can be different.”
When asked in a press conference earlier this week if governors should be shutting down indoor dining and other activities, Biden was noncommittal.
"It depends on the state," he said, before praising governors who have implemented mask mandates.
And in a Wednesday conversation with front-line workers, Biden touched on some of the negative effects that lockdowns have on individuals.
“You know, if we don’t figure out how to get these kids back to school, we are going to find that an entire generation is going to lose a year, a year and a half of in terms of their learning ability,” Biden said. “All those folks, by the way, are being quarantined at home: There’s a significant rise in spousal abuse. There’s a significant rise in suicides.”
Surges in substance abuse are also a concern, as well as child welfare, since educators account for more reports of child abuse than any other category.
Biden’s reluctance to call for shutdowns of nonessential businesses explicitly represents not only a recognition of the social and economic strain that forced closure puts on people, but a reaction to the political risks of supporting lockdowns.
One member of Biden’s coronavirus task force, epidemiologist Michael Osterholm, in a recent Yahoo Finance interview suggested a four- to six-week lockdown to slow the spread of the virus before a vaccine is available.
But Osterholm quickly walked back that suggestion, saying that he hadn’t discussed it with the Biden team and that there would be little support for the idea in Congress. Other members of Biden’s task force team publicly shut down the suggestion.
Biden is hardly encouraging people to live their normal lives, though.
“I would strongly urge — not just for your sake, but for the sake of your children, your mother, your father, whoever you get together at Thanksgiving — think about this. There should be no group more than 10 people inside the room,” Biden said on Monday.
He says that the Trump administration’s refusal to recognize him as the president-elect has shut him off from knowing the full picture of the government’s capacity to address the virus and implement a vaccine delivery system.
And part of his reluctance about lockdowns could stem from ambiguity about what the federal government can constitutionally do in regards to encouraging certain social distancing standards, particularly without an act of Congress, the control of which will be decided by two Georgia Senate runoffs in early January.
"There are constraints to which the degree to which the businesses can be open,” Biden said Thursday, noting that depending on the metrics about the virus in various communities, closures of businesses or reduced capacity could be necessary.
On Thursday, Biden gave a warning: “There is a dark winter still ahead.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-11-20--Birthday boy Biden born when FDR was president and Errol Flynn reigned in Hollywood

On Jan. 20 , Biden will become the oldest person ever to serve as president .
The previous holder of that record , Ronald Reagan , did not turn 78 until after he left office .
President Trump would have also turned 78 at the end of a second term .
When Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. was born on this day in 1942 , World War II raged .
Franklin D. Roosevelt was in his third term as president , with one more still to go .
Errol Flynn was a Hollywood heartthrob .
Bambi was a brand new film @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Miller was the top recording artist in the country , with the swing era in full swing , and two years away from his disappearance .
The Biden family left his oft-mentioned hometown of Scranton , Pennsylvania , for Delaware , the state he would go on to represent in the Senate for 36 years , while Dwight Eisenhower was in the White House .
The Hudson Hornet was the most popular automobile .
Biden ’ s father would become a used car salesman .
Even events that occurred well after his birth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remember or way beyond the scope of their memory .
Biden graduated from high school in 1961 , over two years before the assassination of John F. Kennedy , while Ed Sullivan was still on television and Gunsmoke and Bonanza were among the top-rated shows .
Reagan was still a registered Democrat .
Johnny Carson remained a year away from hosting The Tonight Show .
Biden married his first wife , who later died in a tragic car crash , in 1966 .
Andy Griffith was still in Mayberry .
Lyndon Johnson was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Great Society .
Bob Dylan had just gone electric .
The Beatles performed their final U.S. concert tour , and the Beach Boys released Pet Sounds .
In 1968 , Biden graduated from law school .
Martin Luther King Jr. and Bobby Kennedy were assassinated .
There were riots in the streets , including at that year ’ s Democratic National Convention in Chicago .
Elvis Presley made a comeback .
The Monkees ’ television show was canceled .
The Vietnam war divided the country .
Biden won his first elected office in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bunch debuted .
Led Zeppelin released their second album .
The Who recorded their rock opera Tommy .
Richard Nixon was sworn in as the president .
Fox News host Tucker Carlson was born .
Barbara Streisand won an Academy Award for her role in Funny Girl .
Biden was first elected to the Senate in 1972 .
Nixon was reelected as president and called Biden a “ damn good young candidate.
” It was a year after Frank Sinatra retired and a year before he came out of retirement .
Sanford and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all made their television debut .
All in the Family was in its second season .
Biden first served in the Senate minority in 1981 .
Reagan was president , and Democrats wondered if the former actor and California governor was up to the job at age 70 .
The Porky ’ s film series began .
Phil Collins ’ s “ In the Air Tonight ” and Kim Carnes ’ s “ Bette Davis Eyes ” were on the charts .
Democrats would regain the Senate majority in the 1986 midterm elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Judiciary Committee in 1987 .
From that perch , he helped defeat the Supreme Court nomination of Robert Bork and oversaw contentious hearings for Clarence Thomas .
That same year , Biden began 33 years of intermittent presidential campaigns .
He sought the Democratic nomination for the 1988 , 2008 , and 2020 cycles .
But he did not actually make it to the first votes in 1988 .
He dropped out after charges of plagiarism and embellishment of his resume in September 1987 , not long after Michael Jackson ’ s album @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Soviet Union was still intact .
Biden ended his second presidential campaign in 2008 after a disappointing showing in Iowa , where he took just 0.9 % as Barack Obama won .
Obama chose Biden as his running mate , and the longtime Delaware senator served two terms as vice president .
Biden then won the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination .
His main competition was Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders , age 78 .
As president , Biden would turn 80 shortly after the 2022 midterm elections .
If reelected , he would turn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second term .

President-elect Joe Biden celebrates his 78th birthday Friday.
On Jan. 20, Biden will become the oldest person ever to serve as president. The previous holder of that record, Ronald Reagan, did not turn 78 until after he left office. President Trump would have also turned 78 at the end of a second term.
When Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. was born on this day in 1942, World War II raged. Franklin D. Roosevelt was in his third term as president, with one more still to go. Errol Flynn was a Hollywood heartthrob. Bambi was a brand new film released that year. Big-band leader Glenn Miller was the top recording artist in the country, with the swing era in full swing, and two years away from his disappearance.
The Biden family left his oft-mentioned hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania, for Delaware, the state he would go on to represent in the Senate for 36 years, while Dwight Eisenhower was in the White House. The Hudson Hornet was the most popular automobile. Biden’s father would become a used car salesman.
Even events that occurred well after his birth are either hard for most people to remember or way beyond the scope of their memory.
Biden graduated from high school in 1961, over two years before the assassination of John F. Kennedy, while Ed Sullivan was still on television and Gunsmoke and Bonanza were among the top-rated shows. Reagan was still a registered Democrat. Johnny Carson remained a year away from hosting The Tonight Show.
Biden married his first wife, who later died in a tragic car crash, in 1966. Andy Griffith was still in Mayberry. Lyndon Johnson was the president, having just advanced the Great Society. Bob Dylan had just gone electric. The Beatles performed their final U.S. concert tour, and the Beach Boys released Pet Sounds.
In 1968, Biden graduated from law school. Martin Luther King Jr. and Bobby Kennedy were assassinated. There were riots in the streets, including at that year’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Elvis Presley made a comeback. The Monkees’ television show was canceled. The Vietnam war divided the country.
Biden won his first elected office in 1969, the same year The Brady Bunch debuted. Led Zeppelin released their second album. The Who recorded their rock opera Tommy. Richard Nixon was sworn in as the president. Fox News host Tucker Carlson was born. Barbara Streisand won an Academy Award for her role in Funny Girl.
Biden was first elected to the Senate in 1972. Nixon was reelected as president and called Biden a “damn good young candidate.” It was a year after Frank Sinatra retired and a year before he came out of retirement. Sanford and Son, M*A*S*H*, and The Waltons all made their television debut. All in the Family was in its second season.
Biden first served in the Senate minority in 1981. Reagan was president, and Democrats wondered if the former actor and California governor was up to the job at age 70. The Porky’s film series began. Phil Collins’s “In the Air Tonight” and Kim Carnes’s “Bette Davis Eyes” were on the charts. Democrats would regain the Senate majority in the 1986 midterm elections, making Biden chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee in 1987. From that perch, he helped defeat the Supreme Court nomination of Robert Bork and oversaw contentious hearings for Clarence Thomas.
That same year, Biden began 33 years of intermittent presidential campaigns. He sought the Democratic nomination for the 1988, 2008, and 2020 cycles. But he did not actually make it to the first votes in 1988. He dropped out after charges of plagiarism and embellishment of his resume in September 1987, not long after Michael Jackson’s album Bad was first released and while the Soviet Union was still intact. Biden ended his second presidential campaign in 2008 after a disappointing showing in Iowa, where he took just 0.9% as Barack Obama won.
Obama chose Biden as his running mate, and the longtime Delaware senator served two terms as vice president. Biden then won the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. His main competition was Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, age 78.
As president, Biden would turn 80 shortly after the 2022 midterm elections. If reelected, he would turn 82 before being sworn in for a second term.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-11-20--Is Trump already running for 2024?

Is Trump already running for 2024?

Crackdowns on China , drilling in Alaska , Senate confirmations , a push against illegal immigration , a string of personnel moves , troop withdrawals , and a victory lap on coronavirus treatments and vaccines .
President Trump may not have conceded defeat , but a slew of anticipated executive orders and actions suggest he is not just trying to box in President-elect Joe Biden ’ s incoming administration but pile up achievements that can lay the basis for a 2024 run , according to insiders .
A former senior administration official said the flurry showed not just a White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an effort to cement a notion of Trumpism in the minds of voters .
“ I think that this is central to Trump being both conservative and populist , ” he said .
“ It ’ s to solidify his status with the Republican Party as a new conservative.
” Even as he publicly cries foul over election results , Trump is said to be plotting his course privately after he leaves office .
His allies are exploring buying a media company , while Trump has raised the prospect of running again in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oval Office , according to several sources familiar with the exchanges .
And if he ran in 2020 on a manifesto of “ promises made , promises kept , ” then a final burst of activity could serve to “ dot i ’ s and cross t ’ s ” on some of his other unmet pledges , according to observers .
Republican strategist Brendan Steinhauser said : “ I think he wants to go out with a bang , get as much done as he can , make it difficult for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisions , and then maintain his public persona .
“ He ’ ll be the administration ’ s biggest and most vocal critic .
I just wonder if he ’ ll never stop , never stop campaigning , and just run again.
” Presidents from both parties have long used their lame-duck period to cement their legacy and make life difficult for their successors .
While Trump has kept a low profile , avoiding questions from the White House press corps since Election Day , he has been busy behind the scenes with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ works .
Last week , he signed an order banning individuals and companies in the United States from owning shares in 31 Chinese companies believed to be working closely with the People ’ s Liberation Army .
Officials have signaled that further moves are coming , including expanding the list of companies accused of enabling the Chinese armed forces , promoting China hawks into more senior positions , and tackling labor practices .
His administration has begun a process that would make good on promises to the oil and gas industry .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made a “ call for nominations ” as the first step in auctioning off rights to drill in Alaska ’ s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge .
It has also been a time for settling scores .
Last week , he fired Defense Secretary Mark Esper by tweet .
And question marks hang over the futures of CIA Director Gina Haspel and FBI Director Christopher Wray .
And also last week , Trump asked advisers for options on taking action against Iran ’ s nuclear sites in the coming weeks , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dissuaded during an Oval Office meeting by warnings that any attack could spiral into a broader conflict during the final days of his presidency .
Meanwhile , acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller announced the drawdown of troops from Afghanistan and Iraq .
The plan will leave about 2,500 troops in Afghanistan and Iraq by Jan. 15 .
It brings Trump a step closer to his 2016 campaign promise to end foreign wars .
A White House spokesman declined to speculate on a future presidential run .
But he said that Trump had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ same old , same old , business-as-usual politicians ” and he remained committed to that work .
“ President Trump has rolled back government regulations , streamlined project approvals , brought much-needed agency accountability , is bringing our troops home , and changed the way domestic and international deal-making is done so that the results help hardworking Americans , not the Washington elite , ” said deputy White House press secretary Judd Deere .

Crackdowns on China, drilling in Alaska, Senate confirmations, a push against illegal immigration, a string of personnel moves, troop withdrawals, and a victory lap on coronavirus treatments and vaccines. President Trump may not have conceded defeat, but a slew of anticipated executive orders and actions suggest he is not just trying to box in President-elect Joe Biden’s incoming administration but pile up achievements that can lay the basis for a 2024 run, according to insiders.
A former senior administration official said the flurry showed not just a White House working despite election turmoil, but an effort to cement a notion of Trumpism in the minds of voters.
“I think that this is central to Trump being both conservative and populist,” he said. “It’s to solidify his status with the Republican Party as a new conservative.”
Even as he publicly cries foul over election results, Trump is said to be plotting his course privately after he leaves office. His allies are exploring buying a media company, while Trump has raised the prospect of running again in 2024 in conversation with visitors to the Oval Office, according to several sources familiar with the exchanges.
And if he ran in 2020 on a manifesto of “promises made, promises kept,” then a final burst of activity could serve to “dot i’s and cross t’s” on some of his other unmet pledges, according to observers.
Republican strategist Brendan Steinhauser said: “I think he wants to go out with a bang, get as much done as he can, make it difficult for the Biden administration to reverse his policies or decisions, and then maintain his public persona.
“He’ll be the administration’s biggest and most vocal critic. I just wonder if he’ll never stop, never stop campaigning, and just run again.”
Presidents from both parties have long used their lame-duck period to cement their legacy and make life difficult for their successors.
While Trump has kept a low profile, avoiding questions from the White House press corps since Election Day, he has been busy behind the scenes with a number of executive orders in the works.
Last week, he signed an order banning individuals and companies in the United States from owning shares in 31 Chinese companies believed to be working closely with the People’s Liberation Army. Officials have signaled that further moves are coming, including expanding the list of companies accused of enabling the Chinese armed forces, promoting China hawks into more senior positions, and tackling labor practices.
His administration has begun a process that would make good on promises to the oil and gas industry. This week, the Bureau of Land Management made a “call for nominations” as the first step in auctioning off rights to drill in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
It has also been a time for settling scores. Last week, he fired Defense Secretary Mark Esper by tweet. And question marks hang over the futures of CIA Director Gina Haspel and FBI Director Christopher Wray.
And also last week, Trump asked advisers for options on taking action against Iran’s nuclear sites in the coming weeks, according to the New York Times. He was apparently dissuaded during an Oval Office meeting by warnings that any attack could spiral into a broader conflict during the final days of his presidency.
Meanwhile, acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller announced the drawdown of troops from Afghanistan and Iraq. The plan will leave about 2,500 troops in Afghanistan and Iraq by Jan. 15.
It brings Trump a step closer to his 2016 campaign promise to end foreign wars.
A White House spokesman declined to speculate on a future presidential run. But he said that Trump had been elected by an electorate weary of the “same old, same old, business-as-usual politicians” and he remained committed to that work.
“President Trump has rolled back government regulations, streamlined project approvals, brought much-needed agency accountability, is bringing our troops home, and changed the way domestic and international deal-making is done so that the results help hardworking Americans, not the Washington elite,” said deputy White House press secretary Judd Deere.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-11-20--The return of the soccer moms

The return of the soccer moms

Don ’ t underestimate them : Suburban women are a driving political force , and they have been for decades .
We used to call them “ soccer moms ” — a term thrust into politics by Susan B. Casey during Denver ’ s 1995 municipal elections with her campaign slogan , “ A Soccer Mom for City Council.
” And by that , Casey simply meant that she was someone to be relied upon ; she was someone ’ s neighbor , someone ’ s friend , and ultimately , someone who would be willing to go to bat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I were a male , I probably would have said soccer dad , but it was n't meant to be an appeal to women , ” Casey , who won her race that year , explained .
“ Soccer dads know that soccer moms are the same .
Actually , the dads I know are worse than the moms and kids — they are much more involved.
” Since then , the term has changed in meaning , and the demographic it now describes has shifted in partisan alignment and grown in importance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2020 presidential election predicted that married suburban women were responsible for flipping several key counties that President Trump had won in 2016 back to the Democratic Party .
So , what is it about these female voters that attracts so much political attention ?
Well , these women are typically white , highly educated , upper-middle-class , married women who not only influence each other , but influence their husbands , church groups , and communities .
They ’ re still considered swing voters , which means they ’ re less likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or political party than they are to an idea .
This year , they leaned toward Biden , but not out of enthusiasm for the man .
For example , if you take a drive through a local suburban neighborhood , you ’ ll probably see more yard signs that read “ Follow the science ” or “ We support USPS ” than outright pro-Biden signs .
My guess is that most soccer moms would remain politically uninvolved if they could .
Dance lessons , block parties , and school fundraisers are much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or not , have much more of an impact .
But because politicians have decided to intrude into their day-to-day lives , suburban women have decided to give it right back .
Best of luck to the politicians who get in their way .

Don’t underestimate them: Suburban women are a driving political force, and they have been for decades.
We used to call them “soccer moms” — a term thrust into politics by Susan B. Casey during Denver’s 1995 municipal elections with her campaign slogan, “A Soccer Mom for City Council.” And by that, Casey simply meant that she was someone to be relied upon; she was someone’s neighbor, someone’s friend, and ultimately, someone who would be willing to go to bat for her loved ones.
“If I were a male, I probably would have said soccer dad, but it wasn't meant to be an appeal to women,” Casey, who won her race that year, explained. “Soccer dads know that soccer moms are the same. Actually, the dads I know are worse than the moms and kids — they are much more involved.”
Since then, the term has changed in meaning, and the demographic it now describes has shifted in partisan alignment and grown in importance. Indeed, several early studies of the 2020 presidential election predicted that married suburban women were responsible for flipping several key counties that President Trump had won in 2016 back to the Democratic Party.
So, what is it about these female voters that attracts so much political attention? Well, these women are typically white, highly educated, upper-middle-class, married women who not only influence each other, but influence their husbands, church groups, and communities.
They’re still considered swing voters, which means they’re less likely to be tied to a specific candidate or political party than they are to an idea. This year, they leaned toward Biden, but not out of enthusiasm for the man. For example, if you take a drive through a local suburban neighborhood, you’ll probably see more yard signs that read “Follow the science” or “We support USPS” than outright pro-Biden signs.
My guess is that most soccer moms would remain politically uninvolved if they could. Dance lessons, block parties, and school fundraisers are much more interesting — and, believe it or not, have much more of an impact. But because politicians have decided to intrude into their day-to-day lives, suburban women have decided to give it right back. Best of luck to the politicians who get in their way.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-11-19--Lara Trump considering 2022 Senate bid in North Carolina

President Trump ’ s daughter-in-law Lara Trump is considering a run for Senate in 2022 in her native North Carolina for a seat that will open with the retirement of Republican Sen. Richard Burr .
The contest could attract several Republicans because they do not have to challenge an incumbent and because the expectation is that the general election would be easier to win with President-elect Joe Biden in the White House .
But if the president continues to carry weight with GOP primary voters in North Carolina in his post-presidency , Lara Trump could enter the Senate race as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s very charismatic , she understands retail politics well , and has a natural instinct for politics , ” colleague Mercedes Schlapp told the New York Times , which first reported the news of a possible bid .
“ In North Carolina , in particular , she ’ s a household name , and people know her .
She worked really hard on the campaign and was very involved in a lot of decisions throughout.
” Trump , 38 , is married to Eric Trump , one of the president ’ s sons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she has advised her father-in-law ’ s political operation and is among his most high-profile surrogate spokeswomen on television and on the campaign trail .
Speculation about a future in electoral politics regarding the president ’ s children has centered on Donald Trump Jr. , his oldest son , but with five young children , it is unclear if he would throw his hat into the ring in the immediate future .
Lara Trump currently lives in New York and would be sure to have competition in the Senate race if she moves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and runs .
Many Republicans have been waiting patiently for an opportunity to run without having to challenge a GOP incumbent .
North Carolina is a swing state but has tilted Republican in presidential and Senate elections .
Democrats have not won a Senate contest there since 2006 .
Republicans have won the state ’ s Electoral College votes in three consecutive presidential races , although the president only defeated Biden by roughly 1.4 percentage points .

President Trump’s daughter-in-law Lara Trump is considering a run for Senate in 2022 in her native North Carolina for a seat that will open with the retirement of Republican Sen. Richard Burr.
The contest could attract several Republicans because they do not have to challenge an incumbent and because the expectation is that the general election would be easier to win with President-elect Joe Biden in the White House. But if the president continues to carry weight with GOP primary voters in North Carolina in his post-presidency, Lara Trump could enter the Senate race as a top candidate.
“She’s very charismatic, she understands retail politics well, and has a natural instinct for politics,” colleague Mercedes Schlapp told the New York Times, which first reported the news of a possible bid. “In North Carolina, in particular, she’s a household name, and people know her. She worked really hard on the campaign and was very involved in a lot of decisions throughout.”
Trump, 38, is married to Eric Trump, one of the president’s sons.
Over the past four years, she has advised her father-in-law’s political operation and is among his most high-profile surrogate spokeswomen on television and on the campaign trail. Speculation about a future in electoral politics regarding the president’s children has centered on Donald Trump Jr., his oldest son, but with five young children, it is unclear if he would throw his hat into the ring in the immediate future.
Lara Trump currently lives in New York and would be sure to have competition in the Senate race if she moves back to North Carolina with her family and runs.
Many Republicans have been waiting patiently for an opportunity to run without having to challenge a GOP incumbent. North Carolina is a swing state but has tilted Republican in presidential and Senate elections. Democrats have not won a Senate contest there since 2006. Republicans have won the state’s Electoral College votes in three consecutive presidential races, although the president only defeated Biden by roughly 1.4 percentage points.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-11-19--Trump legal team's wild press conference features hair-dye malfunction, attacks on press, and seriou

Trump legal team's wild press conference features hair-dye malfunction, attacks on press, and serious allegations

President Trump promised that Thursday 's press conference would present `` a very clear and viable path to victory . ''
But the half-hour of attacks on the media , dripping hair dye , and technical glitches that led the campaign to remove the video stream from its YouTube account left much of Twitter wondering what exactly had `` fall [ en ] into place . ''
Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell leveled serious allegations of widespread voter fraud that , if true , could swing the election in Trump 's favor .
The claims have not been proven , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of sworn affidavits alleging that election workers coached voters to vote for President-elect Joe Biden and improperly filled out falsified ballots across the country .
The campaign 's attempt at regaining control of a narrative that has largely swung in favor of Biden was lost amid the press conference 's more salacious allegations — for example , suggesting that Venezuela 's former leader Hugo Chavez directed the construction of rigged voting systems used in the 2020 election to `` ensure that he never lost an election . ''
Chavez died in 2013 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ did replace voting systems in Venezuela ahead of a 2004 referendum , according to the Washington Post .
Any connections to the deceased Venezuelan strongman stop there .
However , in 2017 , Smartmatic reported that its Venezuelan systems were manipulated by at least 1 million votes during President Nicolas Maduro 's final reelection campaign , according to Reuters .
The campaign also claimed , without presenting evidence , that prominent leftist investor and philanthropist George Soros was involved in the election fraud .
The Trump campaign removed its livestream of the press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ audio on , making their comments on Giuliani 's hair dye dripping down the side of his face audible over the conference .
`` Did you see f -- -ing Rudy 's hair dye dripping down his face ? ''
the voice is heard asking .
The Trump team said that the voices heard in the clip were not campaign staff .
The campaign said that its operators were disconnected and that in the process of reconnecting , `` unauthorized users used them to get in & their voices were overheard on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Giuliani occasionally used the same cloth to cough into and wipe his nose and the rest of his face .
Giuliani also ripped what he characterized as the liberal media for not covering the campaign 's allegation of voter fraud .
`` I do n't know what you need to wake you up to do your job and inform the American people whether you like it or not of the things they need to know .
This is real .
It is not made up , '' Giuliani said .
At one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked a question what network she worked for .
When she responded that she worked for CNN , he laughed and called the national media `` the Iron Curtain of censorship . ''
At the end , reviews of the press conference were mixed .
The Daily Wire 's Michael Knowles , for instance , said , `` This Rudy press conference is strong .
He 's offering specific examples of systemic fraud . ''
Rich Lowry of National Review tweeted , `` Well , that easily was the most outlandish press conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ representing the President of the United States . ''
Chris Krebs , the director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency who was fired by Trump this week , said , `` That press conference was the most dangerous 1hr 45 minutes of television in American history .
And possibly the craziest .
If you don ’ t know what I ’ m talking about , you ’ re lucky . ''

President Trump promised that Thursday's press conference would present "a very clear and viable path to victory." But the half-hour of attacks on the media, dripping hair dye, and technical glitches that led the campaign to remove the video stream from its YouTube account left much of Twitter wondering what exactly had "fall[en] into place."
Important News Conference today by lawyers on a very clear and viable path to victory. Pieces are very nicely falling into place. RNC at 12:00 P.M. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 19, 2020
Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell leveled serious allegations of widespread voter fraud that, if true, could swing the election in Trump's favor. The claims have not been proven, but the campaign has collected a number of sworn affidavits alleging that election workers coached voters to vote for President-elect Joe Biden and improperly filled out falsified ballots across the country.
The campaign's attempt at regaining control of a narrative that has largely swung in favor of Biden was lost amid the press conference's more salacious allegations — for example, suggesting that Venezuela's former leader Hugo Chavez directed the construction of rigged voting systems used in the 2020 election to "ensure that he never lost an election."
Trump's lawyer said that Hugo Chavez, who died 7 years ago in 2013, helped Joe Biden steal the election.
What the fuck is wrong with these ppl?
pic.twitter.com/0PxixFHFRe — David Leavitt (@David_Leavitt) November 19, 2020
Chavez died in 2013. The system in question, Smartmatic, did replace voting systems in Venezuela ahead of a 2004 referendum, according to the Washington Post. Any connections to the deceased Venezuelan strongman stop there. However, in 2017, Smartmatic reported that its Venezuelan systems were manipulated by at least 1 million votes during President Nicolas Maduro's final reelection campaign, according to Reuters.
The campaign also claimed, without presenting evidence, that prominent leftist investor and philanthropist George Soros was involved in the election fraud.
This is Trump's argument: George Soros, Biden, the Clinton Foundation & the antifa worked with the Venezuelan government to rig the election by making big Dem cities vote for the Democratic candidate. But they also let Republicans win Senate, Congressional and local races. — Nicole Goodkind (@NicoleGoodkind) November 19, 2020
The Trump campaign removed its livestream of the press conference after someone appeared to leave his audio on, making their comments on Giuliani's hair dye dripping down the side of his face audible over the conference.
"Did you see f---ing Rudy's hair dye dripping down his face?" the voice is heard asking.
on the official donald trump youtube stream they accidentally left their audio on and you can hear the team there say "you see fucking rudy's hair dye dripping down his face?" pic.twitter.com/LV6P5vw5jt — Oliver Willis (@owillis) November 19, 2020
The Trump team said that the voices heard in the clip were not campaign staff. The campaign said that its operators were disconnected and that in the process of reconnecting, "unauthorized users used them to get in & their voices were overheard on the stream."
The extra voices heard on a portion of our press conference livestream were NOT campaign employees. Our operators got disconnected, and when they re-connected, the keys were momentarily visible. Unauthorized users used them to get in & their voices were overheard on the stream. — Team Trump (@TeamTrump) November 19, 2020
Throughout the press conference, Giuliani occasionally used the same cloth to cough into and wipe his nose and the rest of his face.
Rudy Giuliani coughs, wipes his nose, wipes his MOUTH then the REST OF HIS FACE with the SAME SIDE of his tissue pic.twitter.com/v6CTPOedNE — Tom Richell (@tomrichell) November 19, 2020
I would hate to be Rudy Giuliani’s sweat rag — Anthony Carlo (@AC_TV12) November 19, 2020
Giuliani also ripped what he characterized as the liberal media for not covering the campaign's allegation of voter fraud.
"I don't know what you need to wake you up to do your job and inform the American people whether you like it or not of the things they need to know. This is real. It is not made up," Giuliani said.
At one point, Giuliani asked a reporter who asked a question what network she worked for. When she responded that she worked for CNN, he laughed and called the national media "the Iron Curtain of censorship."
GIULIANI: What publication are you with?
REPORTER: CNN
GIULIANI (and the audience) burst out laughing pic.twitter.com/r3YDzBljuS — August Takala (@AugustTakala) November 19, 2020
At the end, reviews of the press conference were mixed.
The Daily Wire's Michael Knowles, for instance, said, "This Rudy press conference is strong. He's offering specific examples of systemic fraud."
This Rudy press conference is strong. He's offering specific examples of systemic fraud. — Michael Knowles (@michaeljknowles) November 19, 2020
Rich Lowry of National Review tweeted, "Well, that easily was the most outlandish press conference ever held by a team of lawyers representing the President of the United States."
Well, that easily was the most outlandish press conference ever held by a team of lawyers representing the President of the United States — Rich Lowry (@RichLowry) November 19, 2020
Chris Krebs, the director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency who was fired by Trump this week, said, "That press conference was the most dangerous 1hr 45 minutes of television in American history. And possibly the craziest. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you’re lucky."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-11-19--Suburbs create uncertainty for GOP in Georgia Senate runoffs

After a number of wildly unexpected down-ballot successes on Election Day , Republicans are optimistic about maintaining control of the Senate but need to keep an eye on their suburban woes .
As of Thursday , Republicans are set to control 50 seats in the Senate next year before the Georgia special elections .
Should the GOP win just one of those two races , the GOP will enjoy a narrow majority in the upper chamber and a definitive veto over much of President-elect Joe Biden 's policy agenda .
On Jan. 5 , Sen. David Perdue will face Jon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reach 50 % of the vote on Election Day .
Ossoff , meanwhile , earned 48 % of the vote .
Sen. Kelly Loeffler , who was appointed by Georgia 's Republican Gov .
Brian Kemp following Sen. Johnny Isakson 's resignation in 2019 , is being challenged by the Rev .
Raphael Warnock .
She also faced a strong Republican opponent in Rep. Doug Collins in the first round of balloting .
But despite the relatively impressive showing by the two GOP candidates , the state can hardly be considered safely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Atlanta suburbs shifted to Biden , a Democrat , for the first time in generations .
Georgia 's last runoff race was in 2008 .
That year , Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss won by roughly 15 percentage points despite leading by only 3 points in the November general .
But Chambliss 's strength , college-educated whites , can no longer be taken for granted by candidates such as Loeffler and Perdue , who more likely than not enjoyed some coattails from Trump in rural regions of the state despite the fact that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12,000 votes .
Moreover , runoffs are defined by turnout .
Here , again , the GOP could find itself at a disadvantage .
Two of the highest-turnout groups — college-educated whites and black people — are now considered the backbone of the Democratic coalition .
Already , Democratic groups are flooding Warnock and Ossoff with tens of millions of dollars — close to $ 80 million —and framing the election around a final repudiation of Trump .
Loeffler and Perdue , meanwhile , have raised just over $ 32 million since Nov. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PAC has committed to spending $ 3 million on the GOP candidates , and the National Republican Senatorial Committee has appointed Sen. Todd Young and Karl Rove to help oversee the party 's ground game and fundraising .
`` America ’ s fate rests on the outcome of these Georgia races , '' said Rove in a statement .
`` Democrats have not been shy about what they ’ ll do if Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi run Congress , so it ’ s imperative every freedom loving American go all in for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re victorious . ''
Trump 's current disputes with the vote totals in the state could end up harming the two candidates , both by dampening Republican turnout should they sincerely believe the process is rigged and by further energizing the Democratic base .
Ossoff 's campaign claims to have 22,000 volunteers ready to begin door-knocking as well as a sophisticated voter registration to target individuals who turn 18 now until the day of the January runoff .

After a number of wildly unexpected down-ballot successes on Election Day, Republicans are optimistic about maintaining control of the Senate but need to keep an eye on their suburban woes.
As of Thursday, Republicans are set to control 50 seats in the Senate next year before the Georgia special elections. Should the GOP win just one of those two races, the GOP will enjoy a narrow majority in the upper chamber and a definitive veto over much of President-elect Joe Biden's policy agenda.
On Jan. 5, Sen. David Perdue will face Jon Ossoff after the GOP incumbent narrowly failed to reach 50% of the vote on Election Day. Ossoff, meanwhile, earned 48% of the vote.
Sen. Kelly Loeffler, who was appointed by Georgia's Republican Gov. Brian Kemp following Sen. Johnny Isakson's resignation in 2019, is being challenged by the Rev. Raphael Warnock. She also faced a strong Republican opponent in Rep. Doug Collins in the first round of balloting.
But despite the relatively impressive showing by the two GOP candidates, the state can hardly be considered safely red. Traditionally Republican voters in the Atlanta suburbs shifted to Biden, a Democrat, for the first time in generations.
Georgia's last runoff race was in 2008. That year, Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss won by roughly 15 percentage points despite leading by only 3 points in the November general.
But Chambliss's strength, college-educated whites, can no longer be taken for granted by candidates such as Loeffler and Perdue, who more likely than not enjoyed some coattails from Trump in rural regions of the state despite the fact that he ultimately lost Georgia to Biden by under 12,000 votes.
Moreover, runoffs are defined by turnout. Here, again, the GOP could find itself at a disadvantage. Two of the highest-turnout groups — college-educated whites and black people — are now considered the backbone of the Democratic coalition.
Already, Democratic groups are flooding Warnock and Ossoff with tens of millions of dollars — close to $80 million —and framing the election around a final repudiation of Trump. Loeffler and Perdue, meanwhile, have raised just over $32 million since Nov. 3.
The Rand Paul-affiliated Protect Freedom PAC has committed to spending $3 million on the GOP candidates, and the National Republican Senatorial Committee has appointed Sen. Todd Young and Karl Rove to help oversee the party's ground game and fundraising.
"America’s fate rests on the outcome of these Georgia races," said Rove in a statement. "Democrats have not been shy about what they’ll do if Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi run Congress, so it’s imperative every freedom loving American go all in for Senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler so they’re victorious."
Trump's current disputes with the vote totals in the state could end up harming the two candidates, both by dampening Republican turnout should they sincerely believe the process is rigged and by further energizing the Democratic base.
Ossoff's campaign claims to have 22,000 volunteers ready to begin door-knocking as well as a sophisticated voter registration to target individuals who turn 18 now until the day of the January runoff.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-11-19--Trump and Republicans seem determined to give away the Georgia Senate races

Republicans are facing the very real possibility that Democrats could take narrow control of the Senate with victories in the Georgia runoff elections for the Senate .
You wouldn ’ t be able to tell that from the way President Trump and other Republicans are acting .
Republicans have thus far escaped a brutal Senate map to put themselves in a position to hold the chamber , but intraparty sniping over the election results in Georgia has apparently taken priority for some Republicans , including the president .
The most popular target is Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Trump and his team , Sens .
David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler , and Loeffler ’ s former primary opponent Doug Collins .
Loeffler and Perdue , who are both in danger of losing their seats , called on Raffensperger to resign .
Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp is also being targeted by Trump himself .
Meanwhile , Collins prevented Loeffler from having the opportunity to clinch her Senate seat on Election Day by splitting the conservative vote .
She is now in a runoff with Raphael Warnock .
David Perdue fell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a runoff against Jon Ossoff .
Warnock and Ossoff are who the Republican Party should be focused on , but too much of the party is busy chasing the idea that the bold claims of Trump ’ s legal team could come true while they aren ’ t even pursuing them in court .
As Democrats are frantically organizing in Georgia to try and put Chuck Schumer in charge of the Senate , Republicans are telling their voters that Georgia 's elections are rigged and that it doesn ’ t even matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Loeffler and Perdue .
It ’ s a recipe for disaster in what is very much a toss-up scenario — done in the service of a fleeting fantasy .
Georgia has finished its hand recount and will be reporting the results soon .
The chances that the recount makes up a gap of roughly 14,000 votes are slim to none .
The chances that tens of thousands of votes can be flipped in at least two other seats are almost nonexistent .
But the chances that Republican infighting and their refusal to focus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them control of the Senate is rising by the day .
Trump shoulders a lot of the blame for Republicans losing the House of Representatives in 2018 , and his refusal to stay on message could end up costing the GOP the Senate as well .
Republicans can ’ t rely on organizing and fundraising to get voters out while simultaneously telling their voters that Georgia elections are rigged , especially in pursuit of an outcome that is never going to materialize .

Republicans are facing the very real possibility that Democrats could take narrow control of the Senate with victories in the Georgia runoff elections for the Senate. You wouldn’t be able to tell that from the way President Trump and other Republicans are acting.
Republicans have thus far escaped a brutal Senate map to put themselves in a position to hold the chamber, but intraparty sniping over the election results in Georgia has apparently taken priority for some Republicans, including the president.
The most popular target is Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a Republican. Raffensperger has been targeted by Trump and his team, Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler, and Loeffler’s former primary opponent Doug Collins. Loeffler and Perdue, who are both in danger of losing their seats, called on Raffensperger to resign. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp is also being targeted by Trump himself.
Meanwhile, Collins prevented Loeffler from having the opportunity to clinch her Senate seat on Election Day by splitting the conservative vote. She is now in a runoff with Raphael Warnock. David Perdue fell short of clinching his seat, leading to a runoff against Jon Ossoff. Warnock and Ossoff are who the Republican Party should be focused on, but too much of the party is busy chasing the idea that the bold claims of Trump’s legal team could come true while they aren’t even pursuing them in court.
As Democrats are frantically organizing in Georgia to try and put Chuck Schumer in charge of the Senate, Republicans are telling their voters that Georgia's elections are rigged and that it doesn’t even matter if they show up to vote for Loeffler and Perdue. It’s a recipe for disaster in what is very much a toss-up scenario — done in the service of a fleeting fantasy.
Georgia has finished its hand recount and will be reporting the results soon. The chances that the recount makes up a gap of roughly 14,000 votes are slim to none. The chances that tens of thousands of votes can be flipped in at least two other seats are almost nonexistent. But the chances that Republican infighting and their refusal to focus on the race at hand could cost them control of the Senate is rising by the day.
Trump shoulders a lot of the blame for Republicans losing the House of Representatives in 2018, and his refusal to stay on message could end up costing the GOP the Senate as well. Republicans can’t rely on organizing and fundraising to get voters out while simultaneously telling their voters that Georgia elections are rigged, especially in pursuit of an outcome that is never going to materialize.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-11-19--With Trump defeat, an end to the ‘golden age for journalism’

The New York Times in October published a collection of essays claiming the Trump presidency has “ cost ” the United States its “ innocence , ” its “ generosity , ” and its “ apathy.
” However , what the collaboration does not mention are the things that the Biden administration will “ cost ” the country , including that it will bring an end to what Vanity Fair calls the “ golden age for journalism.
” We say goodbye , then , to journalists elevating as worthy of public notice obvious liars and lunatics , including convicted felon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , mental health quack Bandy Lee , and conspiracy theorist Louise Mensch — all because they oppose the administration .
Goodbye to weekly “ bombshells ” that land with a “ splat !
” instead of a “ boom !
” Goodbye to members of the press acting as if the cover artwork of the latest edition of a prestige news magazine is in some way provocative , stunning , or even particularly interesting .
Goodbye to White House correspondents pretending as if they are reporting from an active war zone or claiming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Goodbye to the Holocaust being invoked against the administration on a near-daily basis .
Goodbye to members of the press cheering America 's enemies who may have insulted or upstaged a White House official .
Goodbye to the steady flow of news stories covering how reporters feel about covering the presidency .
Goodbye to members of the press pretending as if failed GOP “ strategists ” have a genuine concern for the future of the country and not just the health of their bank accounts .
Goodbye to news cycles based entirely on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Goodbye to the seemingly endless stream of palace intrigue stories featuring people no one knows doing things no one remembers .
Goodbye to White House correspondents being celebrated exclusively for their histrionics and activism and not because they serve the public interest .
Goodbye also to the pure theatrics of White House press briefings .
Goodbye to all the “ Gorpman and Bleemer ” news cycles so indiscernible and far down the rabbit hole of legal minutiae that it requires at least an hour of back-reading just to understand what the hell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretending as if their lives are in danger because someone in the administration criticized them .
The Biden White House will treat the press just as harshly , albeit more professionally .
But don ’ t expect to hear journalists complain about it in the same self-important tones that they have used for the past four years .
Goodbye to news cycles based entirely on the say-so of anonymous sources , especially those “ familiar with the president ’ s thinking.
” Goodbye to industry-wide meltdowns over innocuous and harmless events , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garden .
Goodbye to wise-ass on-air news headlines , as they have given way already to saccharine and heroic descriptions of the president-elect : Goodbye to true statements by White House officials being flunked as “ false ” or “ mostly false ” because of some tiny technicality cited by fact-checkers .
We say goodbye also to fact-checkers being treated as celebrities and heroes .
Goodbye to stories about how the president is `` raging , ” “ unraveling , ” and “ fuming . ''
We say goodbye to reports about how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ articles about how it is the “ end ” for the president .
Goodbye also to news cycles suggesting ( or stating outright ) that the president is mentally deranged .
Goodbye , all .
It has been a crazy four years .
See you all back here the next time a Republican is president .

The New York Times in October published a collection of essays claiming the Trump presidency has “cost” the United States its “innocence,” its “generosity,” and its “apathy.”
However, what the collaboration does not mention are the things that the Biden administration will “cost” the country, including that it will bring an end to what Vanity Fair calls the “golden age for journalism.”
We say goodbye, then, to journalists elevating as worthy of public notice obvious liars and lunatics, including convicted felon Michael Avenatti, gossip columnist Michael Wolff, mental health quack Bandy Lee, and conspiracy theorist Louise Mensch — all because they oppose the administration.
Goodbye to weekly “bombshells” that land with a “splat!” instead of a “boom!”
Goodbye to near-daily input from presidential historians turned political assassins.
Goodbye to members of the press acting as if the cover artwork of the latest edition of a prestige news magazine is in some way provocative, stunning, or even particularly interesting.
Goodbye to White House correspondents pretending as if they are reporting from an active war zone or claiming they feel safer covering authoritarian regimes.
Goodbye to the Holocaust being invoked against the administration on a near-daily basis.
Goodbye to members of the press cheering America's enemies who may have insulted or upstaged a White House official.
Goodbye to the steady flow of news stories covering how reporters feel about covering the presidency.
Goodbye to members of the press pretending as if failed GOP “strategists” have a genuine concern for the future of the country and not just the health of their bank accounts.
Goodbye to news cycles based entirely on unverified gossip from disgruntled former administration staffers.
Goodbye to the seemingly endless stream of palace intrigue stories featuring people no one knows doing things no one remembers.
Goodbye to White House correspondents being celebrated exclusively for their histrionics and activism and not because they serve the public interest. Goodbye also to the pure theatrics of White House press briefings.
Brian Karem, right, executive editor of the Montgomery County Sentinel and and White House correspondent for Playboy Magazine, gestures as he reacts to responses by White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, left, during the daily briefing to members of the media in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House, Thursday, June 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP
Goodbye to all the “Gorpman and Bleemer” news cycles so indiscernible and far down the rabbit hole of legal minutiae that it requires at least an hour of back-reading just to understand what the hell is being reported.
Goodbye to journalists pretending as if their lives are in danger because someone in the administration criticized them. The Biden White House will treat the press just as harshly, albeit more professionally. But don’t expect to hear journalists complain about it in the same self-important tones that they have used for the past four years.
Goodbye to news cycles based entirely on the say-so of anonymous sources, especially those “familiar with the president’s thinking.”
Goodbye to industry-wide meltdowns over innocuous and harmless events, including the renovation of the White House Rose Garden.
Goodbye to wise-ass on-air news headlines, as they have given way already to saccharine and heroic descriptions of the president-elect:
CNN/YouTube
Goodbye to true statements by White House officials being flunked as “false” or “mostly false” because of some tiny technicality cited by fact-checkers. We say goodbye also to fact-checkers being treated as celebrities and heroes.
Goodbye to stories about how the president is "raging,” “unraveling,” and “fuming." We say goodbye to reports about how the president is “isolated” and articles about how it is the “end” for the president.
Goodbye also to news cycles suggesting (or stating outright) that the president is mentally deranged.
Goodbye, all. It has been a crazy four years.
See you all back here the next time a Republican is president.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-11-19--Soros-linked group that advocates defunding the police campaigns for Democratic Georgia Senate candi

Soros-linked group that advocates defunding the police campaigns for Democratic Georgia Senate candidate Raphael Warnock

A far-left activist group that strongly supports defunding the police is holding phone bank events for Georgia Senate candidate Rev .
Raphael Warnock .
“ Team WFP is kicking off our runoff election text banking for @ ReverendWarnock in Georgia TONIGHT from 6-9pm ET , ” the Georgia chapter of the Working Families Party retweeted last week along with a link to a virtual text bank .
“ There is so much at stake , in Georgia and our country as a whole , ” a with several events listed this week reads .
“ Join us in calling to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the runoff election for Rev .
Warnock.
” The organization , which lists Warnock as one of its endorsed candidates on their website and has been in the past , what it refers to as the “ People ’ s Charter , ” which that government “ shift resources away from policing , jails and detention centers , endless wars and agencies that separate families ” and instead direct those resources to “ schools , housing , healthcare and jobs , to enable all people — especially Black and brown people , immigrants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The charter has been signed by some of the most liberal members of Congress , including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , Rep. Rashida Tlaib , Rep. Ilhan Omar , and Rep. Ayanna Pressley .
“ We ’ ve always said that electing Joe Biden was a doorway , not a destination , ” National Director of WFP Maurice Mitchell said earlier this year .
“ The People ’ s Charter is that destination.
” “ The only way to stop police violence is to defund the police and instead create , uplift and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people safe , healthy and free , ” the organization tweeted in August .
“ We need to reimagine policing and reimagine the relationships between law enforcement and communities , ” Warnock said on the campaign trail over the summer .
“ We certainly need to demilitarize the police so we can rebuild the trust between the police and the community.
” Warnock ’ s opponent responded to the phone bank events by accusing him of pushing policies that will make Georgia “ less safe.
” '' Raphael Warnock has a history of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gangsters , thugs , bullies , and a threat to our children , so it 's disgusting — but not surprising — that he now wants to defund them and make every Georgia family , community , and neighborhood less safe , ” Stephen Lawson , the communications director for Warnock ’ s opponent , Sen. Kelly Loeffler , told the Washington Examiner .
The Working Families Party did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Washington Examiner .
The Warnock campaign told the Washington Examiner that “ Rev .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and pointed out that Warnock has praised police in the past , including during a sermon in 2014 when he said , “ Thank God for our men and women in uniform.
” Warnock has been highly criticized over the past couple of weeks for comments that have resurfaced from his time as a pastor at various churches across the country .
Earlier this week , Warnock was who told him to drop out of the race after a video surfaced of the reverend saying that “ nobody can serve God and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehemently denied wrongdoing saying that the comment was part of a sermon was based on a biblical verse , and the reverend was “ speaking about the need to commit to moral life before pursuing other priorities.
” Last week , Warnock was slammed by his political opponents over a video from 2016 showing him calling on the public to “ repent ” for supporting Donald Trump as well as the “ worship of whiteness . ''
Warnock has also drawn criticism for his time as a pastor at a Harlem church that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off against Loeffler in January in a runoff election that will play a significant role in determining which political party controls the Senate for the next two years .

A far-left activist group that strongly supports defunding the police is holding phone bank events for Georgia Senate candidate Rev. Raphael Warnock.
“Team WFP is kicking off our runoff election text banking for @ReverendWarnock in Georgia TONIGHT from 6-9pm ET,” the Georgia chapter of the Working Families Party retweeted last week along with a link to a virtual text bank.
Team WFP is kicking off our runoff election text banking for @ReverendWarnock in Georgia TONIGHT from 6-9pm ET.
Join us! https://t.co/IHGC7s096w pic.twitter.com/QO77dZe0SB — Working Families Party 🐺 (@WorkingFamilies) November 10, 2020
“There is so much at stake, in Georgia and our country as a whole,” a webpage for the GA WAFP with several events listed this week reads. “Join us in calling to make sure everyone in Georgia votes in the runoff election for Rev. Warnock.”
The organization, which lists Warnock as one of its endorsed candidates on their website and has been backed by Hungarian billionaire George Soros in the past, supports what it refers to as the “People’s Charter,” which demands that government “shift resources away from policing, jails and detention centers, endless wars and agencies that separate families” and instead direct those resources to “schools, housing, healthcare and jobs, to enable all people — especially Black and brown people, immigrants, and Indigenous people — to thrive.”
The charter has been signed by some of the most liberal members of Congress, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Rep. Ilhan Omar, and Rep. Ayanna Pressley.
“We’ve always said that electing Joe Biden was a doorway, not a destination,” National Director of WFP Maurice Mitchell said earlier this year. “The People’s Charter is that destination.”
“The only way to stop police violence is to defund the police and instead create, uplift and fund the community services that keep Black people safe, healthy and free,” the organization tweeted in August.
The only way to stop police violence is to defund the police and instead create, uplift and fund the community services that keep Black people safe, healthy and free. 2/ — Working Families Party 🐺 (@WorkingFamilies) August 24, 2020
“We need to reimagine policing and reimagine the relationships between law enforcement and communities,” Warnock said on the campaign trail over the summer . “We certainly need to demilitarize the police so we can rebuild the trust between the police and the community.”
Warnock’s opponent responded to the phone bank events by accusing him of pushing policies that will make Georgia “less safe.”
"Raphael Warnock has a history of attacking our police officers, calling them gangsters, thugs, bullies, and a threat to our children, so it's disgusting — but not surprising — that he now wants to defund them and make every Georgia family, community, and neighborhood less safe,” Stephen Lawson, the communications director for Warnock’s opponent, Sen. Kelly Loeffler, told the Washington Examiner.
The Working Families Party did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Washington Examiner.
The Warnock campaign told the Washington Examiner that “Rev. Warnock does not support defunding the police” and pointed out that Warnock has praised police in the past, including during a sermon in 2014 when he said, “Thank God for our men and women in uniform.”
Warnock has been highly criticized over the past couple of weeks for comments that have resurfaced from his time as a pastor at various churches across the country.
Earlier this week, Warnock was slammed by military veteran and Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton, who told him to drop out of the race after a video surfaced of the reverend saying that “nobody can serve God and the military.”
Warnock’s team vehemently denied wrongdoing saying that the comment was part of a sermon was based on a biblical verse, and the reverend was “speaking about the need to commit to moral life before pursuing other priorities.”
Last week, Warnock was slammed by his political opponents over a video from 2016 showing him calling on the public to “repent” for supporting Donald Trump as well as the “worship of whiteness."
Warnock has also drawn criticism for his time as a pastor at a Harlem church that hosted and praised Cuban dictator Fidel Castro .
The reverend is set to square off against Loeffler in January in a runoff election that will play a significant role in determining which political party controls the Senate for the next two years.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-11-20--HEAR IT: Washington Examiner interviews Trump lawyer Sidney Powell in podcast exclusive

Trump lawyer Sidney Powell laid out the case behind the president 's claims of election rigging in a wide-ranging interview with the Washington Examiner on Friday .
Larry O ’ Connor , host of the Washington Examiner ’ s Examining Politics , referenced articles from the New York Times and HuffPost that alleged a backdoor in Dominion Voting Systems used in several key battleground states could have been exploited to create vote tallies “ that did not exist.
” Powell said those are part of the allegations being brought by the Trump campaign .
“ Their system even admits , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people can go in and do that .
That people can go in and put all kinds of votes in a 'trash ' folder and then 'trash ' them , ” Powell said .
“ There are devices on the internet that can be used to see it , and we have multiple people who actually saw it as it was happening .
We essentially have some pictures of it , and it is terrifying , and it is a huge national security issue .
Why have the Department of Justice and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ? ''
Responding to O'Connor 's question about reports of `` overvotes or overballots '' in key voting precincts that recorded `` 200 % to 300 % turnout , '' Powell said it was a combination of different types of fraud .
“ It ’ s probably attributable to fraudulent mail-in ballots or computer alterations of the vote .
Either one is distinctly possible , and , of course , we have a lot of dead people voting .
But that ’ s not what my case is really based on — that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the case , a scheme to defraud the people of their legal vote because people had to go out and affirmatively fill in ballots of people that they knew were dead and then file them , and each one of them is a federal crime punishable by five years in prison , if I recall correctly.
” Powell said that although there are many ways in which the voters were defrauded of a fair election , her representation in the president 's case focuses on the use of voting machines that have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the election .
Powell said Dominion “ is moving ” operations in an effort to hide from accusations of fraud and accused the company of `` shredding documents and God knows what else . ''
She accused Dominion of being `` foreign-owned '' but operating as a shell company in the United States with ties to George Soros .
`` They share office space with one of George Soros 's groups , '' Powell said .
`` His No .
2 man heads up an operation out of England , but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Venezuela , and Cuba , and communists .
We 've got an eyewitness to all of it who has given a foreign affidavit that he saw it all done , and the purpose it was done for was to rig elections . ''
Powell said she has no knowledge of whether federal investigators have prosecuted any people for election crimes but said that she wouldn ’ t be surprised because of the evidence she has seen of criminal actions taken to defraud voters of a fair election .
“ I can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and arrested and indicted already for some of these clearly easily provable outrageous crimes to set an example for others to know they can ’ t go around doing this.
” Powell said she had videos and “ all kinds of ” evidence being sent to her team , which she said was having trouble keeping up with allegations of rampant electoral fraud in several key battleground states .
“ The information is coming in at a faster rate than our little team can even process it , '' Powell said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they are starting to report it and come forward and give evidence.
” Powell also touched on a Thursday appearance with Fox News host Tucker Carlson that turned snippy as Carlson pushed for Powell to show evidence of her claims on air .
`` I had been corresponding with him , I sent him one of the affidavits , one of the most important affidavits in response to his request , and then I got some very nasty , rude , condescending , and arrogant , and demeaning messages from him that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time to deal with , '' Powell said .
`` So , I offered him another witness that I thought would be able to explain and answer his questions , and he still continued to insult me , and I just told him not to contact me further , and right now , I can assure you , when I have something else to say , it will not be on [ the ] Tucker Carlson show . ''

Trump lawyer Sidney Powell laid out the case behind the president's claims of election rigging in a wide-ranging interview with the Washington Examiner on Friday.
Larry O’Connor, host of the Washington Examiner’s Examining Politics, referenced articles from the New York Times and HuffPost that alleged a backdoor in Dominion Voting Systems used in several key battleground states could have been exploited to create vote tallies “that did not exist.”
Powell said those are part of the allegations being brought by the Trump campaign.
“Their system even admits, their own training manual admits, that people can go in and do that. That people can go in and put all kinds of votes in a 'trash' folder and then 'trash' them,” Powell said. “There are devices on the internet that can be used to see it, and we have multiple people who actually saw it as it was happening. We essentially have some pictures of it, and it is terrifying, and it is a huge national security issue. Why have the Department of Justice and the FBI not done something on this immediately?"
Responding to O'Connor's question about reports of "overvotes or overballots" in key voting precincts that recorded "200% to 300% turnout," Powell said it was a combination of different types of fraud.
“It’s probably attributable to fraudulent mail-in ballots or computer alterations of the vote. Either one is distinctly possible, and, of course, we have a lot of dead people voting. But that’s not what my case is really based on — that’s certainly one of the issues in the case, a scheme to defraud the people of their legal vote because people had to go out and affirmatively fill in ballots of people that they knew were dead and then file them, and each one of them is a federal crime punishable by five years in prison, if I recall correctly.”
Powell said that although there are many ways in which the voters were defrauded of a fair election, her representation in the president's case focuses on the use of voting machines that have been mired in controversy since the day of the election.
Powell said Dominion “is moving” operations in an effort to hide from accusations of fraud and accused the company of "shredding documents and God knows what else." She accused Dominion of being "foreign-owned" but operating as a shell company in the United States with ties to George Soros.
"They share office space with one of George Soros's groups," Powell said. "His No. 2 man heads up an operation out of England, but the money for it was all funded from Venezuela, and Cuba, and communists. We've got an eyewitness to all of it who has given a foreign affidavit that he saw it all done, and the purpose it was done for was to rig elections."
Powell said she has no knowledge of whether federal investigators have prosecuted any people for election crimes but said that she wouldn’t be surprised because of the evidence she has seen of criminal actions taken to defraud voters of a fair election.
“I can’t imagine people haven’t been apprehended and arrested and indicted already for some of these clearly easily provable outrageous crimes to set an example for others to know they can’t go around doing this.”
Powell said she had videos and “all kinds of” evidence being sent to her team, which she said was having trouble keeping up with allegations of rampant electoral fraud in several key battleground states.
“The information is coming in at a faster rate than our little team can even process it," Powell said. "Americans are fed up with the corruption, they are starting to report it and come forward and give evidence.”
Powell also touched on a Thursday appearance with Fox News host Tucker Carlson that turned snippy as Carlson pushed for Powell to show evidence of her claims on air.
"I had been corresponding with him, I sent him one of the affidavits, one of the most important affidavits in response to his request, and then I got some very nasty, rude, condescending, and arrogant, and demeaning messages from him that I simply did not appreciate or have time to deal with," Powell said. "So, I offered him another witness that I thought would be able to explain and answer his questions, and he still continued to insult me, and I just told him not to contact me further, and right now, I can assure you, when I have something else to say, it will not be on [the] Tucker Carlson show."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-11-20--House Republicans stand by Trump through difficult election legal battles

House Republicans remain loyal to President Trump as he maneuvers his way through legal disputes challenging several state boards of elections that called their respective races for his opponent , President-elect Joe Biden .
Trump met with Michigan Senate and House Republican leaders Friday to discuss the state ’ s 16 electoral votes that were awarded to Biden .
The meeting happened just before Georgia certified its 16 electoral votes for Biden after a hand recount was completed .
Following a press conference Thursday at the Republican National Committee in which claims of voter fraud and ballot tampering were made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , GOP lawmakers continued to defend the process despite the uphill court battle the president faces .
“ I think we should .
You know , we got 24 days until the Electoral College has to meet .
I think we should look at all these irregularities .
We got several affidavits of people who said that strange things are happening in these states , so I 'm for investigating all of it , ” Ohio Republican Rep. Jim Jordan told the Washington Examiner .
Jordan , who also serves as the top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent a letter to Democratic Rep. Carolyn Maloney , who chairs the panel , as well as House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler , a New York Democrat , for an investigation into voter irregularities in the 2020 election cycle .
“ Frankly , I 'm surprised at the Democrats .
The same people who told us that you can trust everything about this election are the same people who told us you can believe the Steele dossier , the same people who told us you should believe the anonymous impeachment whistleblower .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the bottom of it all , ” Jordan said .
House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Biggs snapped at a reporter who asked if Trump was undermining national security by not conceding to Biden .
“ The Democrats have attacked the guy when he was running for office .
You had officials spying .
You had all of this stuff going on .
On the transition , they evoked the Logan Act on Michael Flynn doing the same thing that Joe Biden himself has been doing , ” the Arizona Republican said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ undermining election and credibility .
We have n't even had a single state certified yet.
” House Minority Whip Steve Scalise , a Louisiana Republican , noted the affidavits that Giuliani talked about at the press conference .
“ And there 's some very alarming allegations made with those affidavits .
… Those allegations need to be answered .
The fact that in multiple swing states where laws were broken or at least witnesses have sworn testimony that those laws were broken in the states , that 's something everybody should be concerned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be answered in court , ” Scalise said .

House Republicans remain loyal to President Trump as he maneuvers his way through legal disputes challenging several state boards of elections that called their respective races for his opponent, President-elect Joe Biden.
Trump met with Michigan Senate and House Republican leaders Friday to discuss the state’s 16 electoral votes that were awarded to Biden. The meeting happened just before Georgia certified its 16 electoral votes for Biden after a hand recount was completed.
Following a press conference Thursday at the Republican National Committee in which claims of voter fraud and ballot tampering were made by Trump legal team attorney Rudy Giuliani, GOP lawmakers continued to defend the process despite the uphill court battle the president faces.
“I think we should. You know, we got 24 days until the Electoral College has to meet. I think we should look at all these irregularities. We got several affidavits of people who said that strange things are happening in these states, so I'm for investigating all of it,” Ohio Republican Rep. Jim Jordan told the Washington Examiner.
Jordan, who also serves as the top Republican on the House Oversight Committee, sent a letter to Democratic Rep. Carolyn Maloney, who chairs the panel, as well as House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler, a New York Democrat, for an investigation into voter irregularities in the 2020 election cycle.
“Frankly, I'm surprised at the Democrats. The same people who told us that you can trust everything about this election are the same people who told us you can believe the Steele dossier, the same people who told us you should believe the anonymous impeachment whistleblower. So, yeah, we need to get to the bottom of it all,” Jordan said.
House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Biggs snapped at a reporter who asked if Trump was undermining national security by not conceding to Biden.
“The Democrats have attacked the guy when he was running for office. You had officials spying. You had all of this stuff going on. On the transition, they evoked the Logan Act on Michael Flynn doing the same thing that Joe Biden himself has been doing,” the Arizona Republican said. “Don't talk to me about undermining election and credibility. We haven't even had a single state certified yet.”
House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, a Louisiana Republican, noted the affidavits that Giuliani talked about at the press conference.
“And there's some very alarming allegations made with those affidavits. … Those allegations need to be answered. The fact that in multiple swing states where laws were broken or at least witnesses have sworn testimony that those laws were broken in the states, that's something everybody should be concerned about, and it's got to be answered in court,” Scalise said.