politicususa--2020-12-23--Trump Unloads Wave Of Pardons For War Criminals, Corrupt GOP Officials And Russia Probe Crooks

Just days before the Christmas holiday , Donald Trump unloaded a wave of pardons for war criminals , corrupt GOP officials and a pair of men convicted in Robert Mueller ’ s Russia investigation , among others .
According to The New York Times , “ In an audacious pre-Christmas round of pardons , President Trump granted clemency on Tuesday to two people convicted in the special counsel ’ s Russia inquiry , four Blackwater guards convicted in connection with the killing of Iraqi civilians and three corrupt former Republican members of Congress.
” The two men related to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hook were George Papadopoulos and Alex van der Zwaan – both of whom pleaded guilty to lying to investigators .
The trio of corrupt former GOP officials that Trump pardoned were Duncan Hunter ( R-CA ) , Chris Collins ( R-NY ) and Steve Stockman ( R-TX ) .
Hunter and Collins were two of Trump ’ s earliest endorsers in 2016 .
Arguably the most disturbing of Trump ’ s Tuesday pardons is the group of military contractors who were convicted of killing Iraqi civilians .
More on these contractors via The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s pardon list also included four former U.S. service members who were convicted of killing Iraqi civilians while working as contractors in 2007 .
One of them , Nicholas Slatten , had been sentenced to life in prison after the Justice Department had gone to great lengths to prosecute him .
Mr. Slatten , had been a contractor for the controversial company Blackwater and was sentenced for his role in the killing of 17 Iraqi civilians in Nisour Square in Baghdad — a massacre that left one of the most lasting stains on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is likely just the beginning of Trump ’ s pardon spree The batch of pardons that Donald Trump unloaded on Tuesday night is likely just the beginning of what will be a pardon spree over the course of the president ’ s final month in office .
What remains to be seen is whether Trump ’ s future pardons will include family members like his children or closer allies like Rudy Giuliani , who is currently under federal investigation – or even himself .
Regardless of who Donald Trump chooses to pardon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s pretty clear that the outgoing president plans to use and abuse his power while he still has it .

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Just days before the Christmas holiday, Donald Trump unloaded a wave of pardons for war criminals, corrupt GOP officials and a pair of men convicted in Robert Mueller‘s Russia investigation, among others.
According to The New York Times, “In an audacious pre-Christmas round of pardons, President Trump granted clemency on Tuesday to two people convicted in the special counsel’s Russia inquiry, four Blackwater guards convicted in connection with the killing of Iraqi civilians and three corrupt former Republican members of Congress.”
The two men related to the Russia investigation that Trump let off the hook were George Papadopoulos and Alex van der Zwaan – both of whom pleaded guilty to lying to investigators.
The trio of corrupt former GOP officials that Trump pardoned were Duncan Hunter (R-CA), Chris Collins (R-NY) and Steve Stockman (R-TX). Hunter and Collins were two of Trump’s earliest endorsers in 2016.
Arguably the most disturbing of Trump’s Tuesday pardons is the group of military contractors who were convicted of killing Iraqi civilians.
More on these contractors via The New York Times:
Mr. Trump’s pardon list also included four former U.S. service members who were convicted of killing Iraqi civilians while working as contractors in 2007. One of them, Nicholas Slatten, had been sentenced to life in prison after the Justice Department had gone to great lengths to prosecute him. Mr. Slatten, had been a contractor for the controversial company Blackwater and was sentenced for his role in the killing of 17 Iraqi civilians in Nisour Square in Baghdad — a massacre that left one of the most lasting stains on the United States of the war.
This is likely just the beginning of Trump’s pardon spree
The batch of pardons that Donald Trump unloaded on Tuesday night is likely just the beginning of what will be a pardon spree over the course of the president’s final month in office.
What remains to be seen is whether Trump’s future pardons will include family members like his children or closer allies like Rudy Giuliani, who is currently under federal investigation – or even himself.
Regardless of who Donald Trump chooses to pardon over the next 29 days, it’s pretty clear that the outgoing president plans to use and abuse his power while he still has it.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-12-23--Nicolle Wallace Isn’t Letting Chris Christie Off the Hook For Trump Support

For a few weeks during the 2016 presidential primary , Chris Christie was willing to say that Donald Trump wasn ’ t qualified to be president .
After the former New Jersey governor dropped out of the Republican nomination race , though , he quickly fell behind Trump .
And he has essentially been there every step of the way over the last 4 years .
Christie has acted as a surrogate on cable news .
He ’ s appeared at campaign events .
He even prepared Trump for his debates against Joe Biden .
Something has snapped in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christie has been willing to attack Trump .
It could be that he is angry about catching COVID .
But is also may be that he wants to run for president in 2024 .
And during an appearance on MSNBC , Christie was lambasted by host Nicolle Wallace for his long-time support of the president .
Wallace told the former governor : “ It is my sense , and I know you said in an interview with Hugh Hewitt , you haven ’ t ruled out a run in 2024 .
I don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forcefully pushing back against Donald Trump ’ s comments on the ‘ Access Hollywood ’ tape … I didn ’ t hear you , after he called African nations bleep-hole nations .
I didn ’ t hear you distance yourself from this president at any point until the target for his ire and lawlessness was the democracy you haven ’ t ruled out leading in four years .
Are you simply making a political calculation that you could clean the Trump stink off you faster than Marco Rubio or some of the other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the segment below , courtesy of MSNBC :

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For a few weeks during the 2016 presidential primary, Chris Christie was willing to say that Donald Trump wasn’t qualified to be president. After the former New Jersey governor dropped out of the Republican nomination race, though, he quickly fell behind Trump.
And he has essentially been there every step of the way over the last 4 years. Christie has acted as a surrogate on cable news. He’s appeared at campaign events. He even prepared Trump for his debates against Joe Biden.
Something has snapped in the last few weeks, however, and Christie has been willing to attack Trump. It could be that he is angry about catching COVID. But is also may be that he wants to run for president in 2024.
And during an appearance on MSNBC, Christie was lambasted by host Nicolle Wallace for his long-time support of the president. Wallace told the former governor:
“It is my sense, and I know you said in an interview with Hugh Hewitt, you haven’t ruled out a run in 2024. I don’t remember you coming out and forcefully pushing back against Donald Trump’s comments on the ‘Access Hollywood‘ tape … I didn’t hear you, after he called African nations bleep-hole nations. I didn’t hear you distance yourself from this president at any point until the target for his ire and lawlessness was the democracy you haven’t ruled out leading in four years. Are you simply making a political calculation that you could clean the Trump stink off you faster than Marco Rubio or some of the other competitors?”
Watch a clip of the segment below, courtesy of MSNBC:


politicususa--2020-12-23--Mike Pence Accidentally Tells The Truth And Admits Democrats Are Fighting To Help The Poor

With the Christmas holiday just days away , Vice President Mike Pence appeared to do his best Ebenezer Scrooge impression on Tuesday at a Turning Point USA rally in Florida .
During the outgoing VP ’ s speech , he essentially admitted that Democrats are fighting to help lower-income Americans while making sure the wealthiest folks pay their fair share .
“ When we cut taxes , roll back regulations , and advance freedom , their agenda is higher taxes , open borders , socialized medicine , a Green New Deal and abortion on demand , ” Pence said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big admission .
“ They want to make rich people poorer and poor people more comfortable , ” he said , as if enacting policies that lift up struggling Americans is a bad thing .
Just the latest reminder that Mike Pence is a fraud Mike Pence has repeatedly flaunted his faith throughout his political career , but he seems to only use it when he wants to attack women ’ s rights or discriminate against the LGBTQ community .
On the policy front , the only so-called legislative accomplishment of the Trump-Pence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wealthiest individuals and corporations .
His speech on Tuesday was just the latest reminder that Pence is a religious and moral hypocrite .
Kurt Eichenwald mocked the outgoing vice president in a tweet , saying , “ [ B ] lessed are the ones who make the rich richer & ignore the poor.
” On the bright side , Mike Pence did manage to do something he and Donald Trump haven ’ t done much during the past four years : tell the truth .

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With the Christmas holiday just days away, Vice President Mike Pence appeared to do his best Ebenezer Scrooge impression on Tuesday at a Turning Point USA rally in Florida.
During the outgoing VP‘s speech, he essentially admitted that Democrats are fighting to help lower-income Americans while making sure the wealthiest folks pay their fair share.
“When we cut taxes, roll back regulations, and advance freedom, their agenda is higher taxes, open borders, socialized medicine, a Green New Deal and abortion on demand,” Pence said, using falsehoods to build up to his big admission.
“They want to make rich people poorer and poor people more comfortable,” he said, as if enacting policies that lift up struggling Americans is a bad thing.
Video of Pence’s speech:
Vice President Mike Pence: “[Democrats] want to make rich people poorer, and poor people more comfortable.” pic.twitter.com/LXB8pvKSR8 — The Hill (@thehill) December 22, 2020
Just the latest reminder that Mike Pence is a fraud
Mike Pence has repeatedly flaunted his faith throughout his political career, but he seems to only use it when he wants to attack women’s rights or discriminate against the LGBTQ community.
On the policy front, the only so-called legislative accomplishment of the Trump-Pence years was a massive tax cut for the wealthiest individuals and corporations.
His speech on Tuesday was just the latest reminder that Pence is a religious and moral hypocrite. Kurt Eichenwald mocked the outgoing vice president in a tweet, saying, “[B]lessed are the ones who make the rich richer & ignore the poor.”
“And the Lord said to @VP, ‘Woah, wait a minute. What are you doing thinking about helping that poor family? What…FOOD? Nah. Now, Bob over there, he needs a second Ferrari. So, you know, help him get it. Because blessed are the ones who make the rich richer & ignore the poor.” https://t.co/iEcIC3Z2vH — Kurt “Masks Save Lives” Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) December 22, 2020
On the bright side, Mike Pence did manage to do something he and Donald Trump haven’t done much during the past four years: tell the truth.
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politicususa--2020-12-22--Trump And The RNC Sued For Pressuring State And Local Officials To Toss Out Black Votes

An amended lawsuit has been filed against Trump and the RNC for pressuring state and local officials to discount ballots from black voters .
The Legal Defense Fund is suing Trump and the RNC for running a coordinated pressure campaign against government officials to get them to toss out votes from African-American voters : The complaint states , “ Defendants ’ efforts to disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of voters—targeting cities with large Black populations , including Detroit , Michigan , Milwaukee , Wisconsin , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , and Atlanta , Georgia—repeat the worst abuses in our nation ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a voice in American democracy for most of the first two centuries of the Republic.
” Trump and the RNC were engaged in a pressure campaign designed to force local and state officials to toss out votes from Black Americans to overturn the election result of a Biden victory .
Trump ’ s efforts to overturn the election through some methods that were at best undemocratic and at worst illegal could have far-ranging legal consequences for the Republican Party long after Trump has gone .
Republicans coordinated and engaged in a racist campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election .
Not since Jim Crow has a political party so explicitly coordinated against African-American voting rights .
The election is over , but the problems are just beginning for Trump and the GOP .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .
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An amended lawsuit has been filed against Trump and the RNC for pressuring state and local officials to discount ballots from black voters.
The Legal Defense Fund is suing Trump and the RNC for running a coordinated pressure campaign against government officials to get them to toss out votes from African-American voters:
BREAKING: Today we amended our suit against the Trump Campaign to add the RNC for their coordinated efforts to pressure state & local officials to discount ballots cast by Black voters in November’s election. We’re bring claims under the Voting Rights Act & the Ku Klux Klan Act. https://t.co/fY7D71crMq — Sherrilyn Ifill (@Sifill_LDF) December 22, 2020
The complaint states, “Defendants’ efforts to disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of voters—targeting cities with large Black populations, including Detroit, Michigan, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Atlanta, Georgia—repeat the worst abuses in our nation’s history, where Black Americans were denied a voice in American democracy for most of the first two centuries of the Republic.”
Trump and the RNC were engaged in a pressure campaign designed to force local and state officials to toss out votes from Black Americans to overturn the election result of a Biden victory.
Trump’s efforts to overturn the election through some methods that were at best undemocratic and at worst illegal could have far-ranging legal consequences for the Republican Party long after Trump has gone.
Republicans coordinated and engaged in a racist campaign to deny African-Americans their voice in the election. Not since Jim Crow has a political party so explicitly coordinated against African-American voting rights.
The election is over, but the problems are just beginning for Trump and the GOP.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-12-22--WATCH: Biden Laughs Off, Mocks Question From Fox News Reporter

The last month has been marked by two very important stories .
The first , of course , is that there has been a COVID-19 surge and Americans are dying at higher numbers than at any other time during the pandemic .
The other story is , of course , Donald Trump and his absolute refusal to accept the results of the 2020 election .
The attempts to overturn the election , thankfully , have become increasingly pathetic .
If one was to turn on Fox News over the last month , though , they would be mostly hearing about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s business dealings .
On Tuesday , Joe Biden gave a press conference to wrap up 2020 .
Of course , the main topics were the coronavirus vaccine and the looming stimulus package .
The president-elect did take questions from the media .
Peter Doocy , a reporter for Fox News , couldn ’ t resist asking about Hunter Biden .
He was not called on during the presser , so he shouted after Biden was walking off stage .
The reporter yelled , “ Do you still think the stories from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , were Russian disinformation campaign and a smear campaign , like you said ?
” A bemused Biden first started laughing .
He then responded to the question from Doocy .
“ God love you , man , ” he replied .
“ You ’ re a one-horse pony , I ’ ve got to tell you .
… I promise you , my Justice Department will be totally on its own in making judgments about how they should proceed.
” Watch a clip of the segment below , courtesy of C-SPAN :

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The last month has been marked by two very important stories. The first, of course, is that there has been a COVID-19 surge and Americans are dying at higher numbers than at any other time during the pandemic.
The other story is, of course, Donald Trump and his absolute refusal to accept the results of the 2020 election. The attempts to overturn the election, thankfully, have become increasingly pathetic.
If one was to turn on Fox News over the last month, though, they would be mostly hearing about one very unimportant story; Hunter Biden’s business dealings.
On Tuesday, Joe Biden gave a press conference to wrap up 2020. Of course, the main topics were the coronavirus vaccine and the looming stimulus package. The president-elect did take questions from the media.
Peter Doocy, a reporter for Fox News, couldn’t resist asking about Hunter Biden. He was not called on during the presser, so he shouted after Biden was walking off stage.
The reporter yelled, “Do you still think the stories from the fall about your son, Hunter, were Russian disinformation campaign and a smear campaign, like you said?”
A bemused Biden first started laughing. He then responded to the question from Doocy. “God love you, man,” he replied. “You’re a one-horse pony, I’ve got to tell you. … I promise you, my Justice Department will be totally on its own in making judgments about how they should proceed.”
Watch a clip of the segment below, courtesy of C-SPAN:


politicususa--2020-12-22--Biden Destroys Trump For Russian Cyberattack On America During News Conference

President-Elect Biden bluntly called out Donald Trump ’ s failure on the Russian cyberattack on America and said Trump ’ s failure would land on his doorstep .
Yamiche Alcindor asked the President-Elect , “ President-Elect .
Russia , as you said , is suspected of carrying out this massive cyber hack .
You said it happened under President Donald Trump ’ s watch , but , of course , in January ’ 21 , it will then , of course , land on your doorstep .
My question is – ” Biden answered , “ All right .
Let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on my doorstep , his failure will land on my doorstep.
” The President-Elect also said that the hack was Trump ’ s responsibility : Biden said , “ The truth is this .
The Trump administration failed to prioritize cybersecurity .
It did that from eliminating or downgrading cyber coordinators in both the white house and at the state department , to firing the director of cyberspace and infrastructure security agency .
To president trump ’ s irrational downplaying of the seriousness of this attack.
” Biden said that if Trump won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he will , “ This assault happened on Donald Trump ’ s watch when he wasn ’ t watching .
He still has a responsibility as president to defend American interests for the next four weeks .
Rest assured , even if he does not take it seriously , I will.
” Joe Biden just said what everyone has been thinking for four years .
Donald Trump is a failure , and Biden was elected to clean up the mess that Trump made and get the country back on Trump .
Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and now it will be up to Biden to make the Russians pay .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .
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President-Elect Biden bluntly called out Donald Trump’s failure on the Russian cyberattack on America and said Trump’s failure would land on his doorstep.
Video:
Biden gets blunt. Trump’s failure will land on my doorstep in January 2021. pic.twitter.com/Ft50I4ef5r — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) December 22, 2020
Yamiche Alcindor asked the President-Elect, “President-Elect. Russia, as you said, is suspected of carrying out this massive cyber hack. You said it happened under President Donald Trump’s watch, but, of course, in January ’21, it will then, of course, land on your doorstep. My question is –”
Biden answered, “All right. Let’s get something straight, land on my doorstep, his failure will land on my doorstep.”
The President-Elect also said that the hack was Trump’s responsibility:
Biden says the Russian cyberattack on the US is Trump’s responsibility, and if he doesn’t take it seriously, Biden will. pic.twitter.com/RlfLAfeEBR — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) December 22, 2020
Biden said, “The truth is this. The Trump administration failed to prioritize cybersecurity. It did that from eliminating or downgrading cyber coordinators in both the white house and at the state department, to firing the director of cyberspace and infrastructure security agency. To president trump’s irrational downplaying of the seriousness of this attack.”
Biden said that if Trump won’t take the attack seriously, he will, “This assault happened on Donald Trump’s watch when he wasn’t watching. He still has a responsibility as president to defend American interests for the next four weeks. Rest assured, even if he does not take it seriously, I will.”
Joe Biden just said what everyone has been thinking for four years. Donald Trump is a failure, and Biden was elected to clean up the mess that Trump made and get the country back on Trump. Donald Trump and John Bolton weakened cybersecurity for Putin and now it will be up to Biden to make the Russians pay.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-12-22--Trump Blew A Gasket In The Oval Office After Being Told States Won’t Overturn The Election

Trump is trying to get state legislatures to rescind their electoral college votes .
When he was told no , he blew up in the Oval Office .
Axios reported : Trump has even been asking advisers whether they can get state legislatures to rescind their electoral votes .
When he ’ s told no , he lashes out even more , said a source who discussed the matter with the president .
And in an Oval meeting Monday night , Trump spoke with House Republicans about voting to overturn the result on Jan. 6 — a desperate vote that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s bound to lose .
A man who has spent his entire adult life cheating the system is confronted with having the most powerful job in the world and running into the limits of that power .
It a fitting bit of purgatory for Trump .
The more he tries to cheat , the greater the resistance , which only fuels his rage at being unable to do what he has always done .
Donald Trump thought that he could cheat his way out of defeat , but instead , he has spent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loss in US history , as Trump just keeps losing at every turn .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .
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Trump is trying to get state legislatures to rescind their electoral college votes. When he was told no, he blew up in the Oval Office.
Axios reported:
Trump has even been asking advisers whether they can get state legislatures to rescind their electoral votes. When he’s told no, he lashes out even more, said a source who discussed the matter with the president.
And in an Oval meeting Monday night, Trump spoke with House Republicans about voting to overturn the result on Jan. 6 — a desperate vote that even Trump has privately acknowledged he’s bound to lose.
A man who has spent his entire adult life cheating the system is confronted with having the most powerful job in the world and running into the limits of that power.
It a fitting bit of purgatory for Trump. The more he tries to cheat, the greater the resistance, which only fuels his rage at being unable to do what he has always done.
Donald Trump thought that he could cheat his way out of defeat, but instead, he has spent nearly two months perpetuating the biggest election loss in US history, as Trump just keeps losing at every turn.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-12-22--Trump Bet Almost All Of His Cable Ad Budget On Fox And Joe Biden Smoked Him Like A Chump

Trump spent nearly $ 22 million advertising on Fox News during the election compared to $ 700,000 on MSNBC and he lost .
Donald Trump ’ s reelection campaign was the top 2020 political advertiser on Fox News , spending nearly $ 22 million , almost ten times the $ 2.65 million it shelled out for CNN TV commercials and more than 3,000 percent higher than its $ 708,334 in MSNBC ad purchases , according to AdImpact .
Democrat Joe Biden ’ s campaign spent $ 7.4 million on Fox News , second only to the Trump campaign .
Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political advertiser , buying $ 7.3 million worth of spots and spent $ 71,400 on MSNBC , AdImpact said .
Trump ’ s ad spending was part of the strategic error that likely cost Trump the election .
The President governed and campaigned for reelection on the inaccurate belief that his base was all that he needed to win .
Trump banked everything on Fox News turning out his base and delivering victory , and he was totally wrong .
Donald Trump didn ’ t make any effort beyond tiny token spending on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were not already supporting him , and he paid for his arrogance at the ballot box .
Biden ’ s strategy was to spend his money trying to persuade moderate voters who watch CNN and MSNBC , and it worked .
In recent history , CNN has tended to attract Independent voters .
Biden targeted swing state Fox News viewers who were persuadable and Independents .
The Biden campaign likely figured that they had the MSNBC audience so they targeted their spending elsewhere .
The gap on MSNBC was filled by outside groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MoveOn Action , Priorities USA , and the Lincoln Project were all in heavy rotation especially in local swing state ad spots on MSNBC .
Trump bet almost everything on Fox News , and Joe Biden smoked him like a chump .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .
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Trump spent nearly $22 million advertising on Fox News during the election compared to $700,000 on MSNBC and he lost.
Forbes reported:
Donald Trump’s reelection campaign was the top 2020 political advertiser on Fox News, spending nearly $22 million, almost ten times the $2.65 million it shelled out for CNN TV commercials and more than 3,000 percent higher than its $708,334 in MSNBC ad purchases, according to AdImpact.
….
Democrat Joe Biden’s campaign spent $7.4 million on Fox News, second only to the Trump campaign. Biden for President was CNN’s top political advertiser, buying $7.3 million worth of spots and spent $71,400 on MSNBC, AdImpact said.
Trump’s ad spending was part of the strategic error that likely cost Trump the election. The President governed and campaigned for reelection on the inaccurate belief that his base was all that he needed to win.
Trump banked everything on Fox News turning out his base and delivering victory, and he was totally wrong. Donald Trump didn’t make any effort beyond tiny token spending on CNN and MSNBC to reach viewers who were not already supporting him, and he paid for his arrogance at the ballot box.
Biden’s strategy was to spend his money trying to persuade moderate voters who watch CNN and MSNBC, and it worked. In recent history, CNN has tended to attract Independent voters. Biden targeted swing state Fox News viewers who were persuadable and Independents.
The Biden campaign likely figured that they had the MSNBC audience so they targeted their spending elsewhere. The gap on MSNBC was filled by outside groups that were supporting Biden. Groups like MoveOn Action, Priorities USA, and the Lincoln Project were all in heavy rotation especially in local swing state ad spots on MSNBC.
Trump bet almost everything on Fox News, and Joe Biden smoked him like a chump.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-12-22--Fauci Says It Is “An Honor to Be Part of This Process” After Getting New Covid-19 Vaccine

Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s leading coronavirus expert , says it is “ an honor to be part of this process ” after he received the first dose of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine in Bethesda , Maryland .
“ What we ’ re seeing now is the culmination of years of research which have led to a phenomenon that has truly been unprecedented , ” Fauci observed .
Fauci also explained why he felt it was important that he receive it , expressing his belief that doing so would encourage others to get vaccinated as well .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the country that I feel extreme confidence in the safety and the efficacy of this vaccine , and I want to encourage everyone who has the opportunity to get vaccinated so we can have a veil of protection over this country that would end this pandemic , ” he said .
Health Secretary Alex Azar and other top health officials are also receiving their doses of the vaccine this morning .
The National Institutes of Health ( NIH ) said this event makes use of the agency ’ s first 100 doses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers is expected next week .

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Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading coronavirus expert, says it is “an honor to be part of this process” after he received the first dose of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine in Bethesda, Maryland.
“What we’re seeing now is the culmination of years of research which have led to a phenomenon that has truly been unprecedented,” Fauci observed.
Fauci also explained why he felt it was important that he receive it, expressing his belief that doing so would encourage others to get vaccinated as well.
“As a symbol to the rest of the country that I feel extreme confidence in the safety and the efficacy of this vaccine, and I want to encourage everyone who has the opportunity to get vaccinated so we can have a veil of protection over this country that would end this pandemic,” he said.
WATCH: Dr. Anthony Fauci receives the COVID-19 vaccine shot, saying he has "extreme confidence in the safety and the efficacy of the vaccine" https://t.co/OMrSj3lUAj pic.twitter.com/M8dPrccqGU — CBS News (@CBSNews) December 22, 2020
Health Secretary Alex Azar and other top health officials are also receiving their doses of the vaccine this morning.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) said this event makes use of the agency’s first 100 doses. A larger shipment for its frontline workers is expected next week.


politicususa--2020-12-22--Trump: World “Will Soon See the Great Miracle of What the Trump Administration Has Accomplished”

President Donald Trump appeared to take credit for the approval of two Covid-19 vaccines that have been approved in recent weeks , commenting , as many people begin vaccinations against the virus that “ Our Country , and indeed the World , will soon see the great miracle of what the Trump Administration has accomplished.
” “ They said it couldn ’ t be done !
!
!
” the president added .
The Trump administration has in the past attempted to take credit for vaccine development .
Last month , drugmaker Pfizer confirmed it did not work with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despite both President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence ’ s claims that the vaccine was the result of Pfizer ’ s involvement in Operation Ward Speed , a public-private partnership to fast track coronavirus vaccine development .
The vaccine candidate from Moderna did accept funding from the federal government .
The president ’ s comments come after House coronavirus subcommittee investigators found that the Trump administration attempted to block or change more than a dozen reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that provided significant detail about the virus ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Representative James Clyburn ( D-S.C ) said the subcommittee ’ s findings demonstrated that the Trump administration attempted to “ cripple the nation ’ s coronavirus response in a misguided effort to achieve herd immunity.
” Indeed , President Trump has often downplayed the severity of the pandemic , behavior that was confirmed in audio recordings from veteran journalist Bob Woodward ’ s interviews with the president .
“ I wanted to always play it down , ” Trump told Woodward on March 19 .
“ I still like playing it down , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ create a panic.
” Also in March : “ Just today and yesterday , some startling facts came out .
It ’ s not just old , older .
Young people too — plenty of young people.
” At least 319,466 people have died of Covid-19 since the first case of the virus in the United States was reported .

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President Donald Trump appeared to take credit for the approval of two Covid-19 vaccines that have been approved in recent weeks, commenting, as many people begin vaccinations against the virus that “Our Country, and indeed the World, will soon see the great miracle of what the Trump Administration has accomplished.”
“They said it couldn’t be done!!!” the president added.
Distribution of both vaccines is going very smoothly. Amazing how many people are being vaccinated, record numbers. Our Country, and indeed the World, will soon see the great miracle of what the Trump Administration has accomplished. They said it couldn’t be done!!! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 22, 2020
The Trump administration has in the past attempted to take credit for vaccine development. Last month, drugmaker Pfizer confirmed it did not work with the Trump administration to develop its coronavirus vaccine despite both President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence‘s claims that the vaccine was the result of Pfizer’s involvement in Operation Ward Speed, a public-private partnership to fast track coronavirus vaccine development. The vaccine candidate from Moderna did accept funding from the federal government.
The president’s comments come after House coronavirus subcommittee investigators found that the Trump administration attempted to block or change more than a dozen reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that provided significant detail about the virus’s spread across the United States.
Representative James Clyburn (D-S.C) said the subcommittee’s findings demonstrated that the Trump administration attempted to “cripple the nation’s coronavirus response in a misguided effort to achieve herd immunity.”
Indeed, President Trump has often downplayed the severity of the pandemic, behavior that was confirmed in audio recordings from veteran journalist Bob Woodward’s interviews with the president.
“I wanted to always play it down,” Trump told Woodward on March 19. “I still like playing it down, because I don’t want to create a panic.” Also in March: “Just today and yesterday, some startling facts came out. It’s not just old, older. Young people too — plenty of young people.”
At least 319,466 people have died of Covid-19 since the first case of the virus in the United States was reported.


politicususa--2020-12-24--CNN’s Abby Phillip Says Charles Kushner Pardon Could be Precursor to Massive Trump Family Pardons

It was always assumed that Donald Trump ’ s pardons would be unlike any others seen in American history .
And he has not disappointed .
The president has pardoned war criminals , insider traders , political dirty tricksters and multiple people who have pleaded guilty to charges against them .
But on Wednesday , Trump gave a different kind of pardon .
The president absolved Charles Kushner , the father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner .
It has long been rumored that Trump would like to give preemptive pardons to his children .
According to CNN ’ s Abby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sign of things to come .
The reporter made the comments during an appearance on CNN Wednesday night .
Host Kate Bolduan asked , “ Abby , with Charles Kushner here , I guess Trump checks maybe the final box of pardoning someone with family ties ?
” Phillip responded , “ Dipping his toe in the waters of family pardons , I think , is what we can certainly say this is .
I think it I think it definitely warms people up for the idea that the president is more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of their personal connection to him .
”

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It was always assumed that Donald Trump’s pardons would be unlike any others seen in American history. And he has not disappointed. The president has pardoned war criminals, insider traders, political dirty tricksters and multiple people who have pleaded guilty to charges against them.
But on Wednesday, Trump gave a different kind of pardon. The president absolved Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner. It has long been rumored that Trump would like to give preemptive pardons to his children. According to CNN’s Abby Phillip, the Kushner pardon could be a sign of things to come.
The reporter made the comments during an appearance on CNN Wednesday night. Host Kate Bolduan asked, “Abby, with Charles Kushner here, I guess Trump checks maybe the final box of pardoning someone with family ties?”
Phillip responded, “Dipping his toe in the waters of family pardons, I think, is what we can certainly say this is. I think it I think it definitely warms people up for the idea that the president is more than willing to pardon people just simply because of their personal connection to him.”
The reporter later continued:


politicususa--2020-12-24--Geraldo on Trump’s Stimulus Sabotage: “What the Hell Are We Supposed To Do Now?”

Donald Trump is on his way out of the White House looking like a bit of a loser .
The president would much prefer to leave office on a high note .
Time and time again he ’ s attempted to take credit for the COVID-19 vaccines .
It hasn ’ t worked out for him .
So on Tuesday night , Trump again tried to endear himself to the American people .
The president ripped into a bill agreed upon by Democrats and Republicans calling it a disgrace .
Trump argued that the $ 600 stimulus check was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2,000 .
The argument from Trump not only played directly into the hands of Democrats , it also left many questions about when there would be relief for Americans .
During a Wednesday appearance on Fox ’ s The Five , Geraldo Rivera wondered what the plan was going forward .
“ Everyone ’ s been focused on Congress and all of the pork spending and the obvious itemization of ridiculous things… What about the president ?
He ’ s threatening a veto .
He ’ s gone on Christmas holiday .
What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now ?
The president has said this is no good .
What about the defense authorization part of this ?
What about paying the military ?
What happens when all this funding is exhausted on the day after Christmas or thereabouts ?
We needed some leadership here… He ’ s the a leader of the free world .
Give us some guidance .
Now what are they supposed to do ?
He is going to Mar-a-Lago .
Is Nancy Pelosi going to meet with Mitch McConnell ?
Are they going to get together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the American people going to do ?
We are left adrift right now .
”

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Donald Trump is on his way out of the White House looking like a bit of a loser. The president would much prefer to leave office on a high note. Time and time again he’s attempted to take credit for the COVID-19 vaccines. It hasn’t worked out for him.
So on Tuesday night, Trump again tried to endear himself to the American people. The president ripped into a bill agreed upon by Democrats and Republicans calling it a disgrace. Trump argued that the $600 stimulus check was not enough and argued it should be $2,000.
The argument from Trump not only played directly into the hands of Democrats, it also left many questions about when there would be relief for Americans.
During a Wednesday appearance on Fox‘s The Five, Geraldo Rivera wondered what the plan was going forward.


politicususa--2020-12-24--Trump’s Continues to Make Mockery of Pardon Process Absolving Manafort, Stone and Jared Kushner’s Da

Trump’s Continues to Make Mockery of Pardon Process Absolving Manafort, Stone and Jared Kushner’s Dad

There are many inmates with intriguing cases hoping for a presidential pardon .
Unfortunately for them , many are neither Republicans or close personal friends to Donald Trump .
On Tuesday , the president delivered pardons to disgraced politicians Chris Collins and Duncan Hunter .
He also absolved the war atrocities of Blackwater contractors .
On Wednesday night , Trump continued to make a mockery of the pardon process .
This time the recipients included Paul Manafort , Roger Stone and Jared Kushner ’ s father .
Kushner ’ s father has already served his time .
Charles Kushner was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign contributions , tax evasion and witness tampering .
The business mogul at one point hired a prostitute to entrap his brother in law .
Manafort , who ran Trump ’ s campaign for a time in 2016 , had numerous issue associated with his dealings in Russia and the Ukraine .
The former political operative had been sentenced to 90 months in prison .
Earlier this year , Trump stepped in to rescue Stone with a commutation weeks before he was set to go to prison .
Stone , however , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pardon as well to further protect him .
Trump was happy to again step in and reward his “ dirty trickster.
” This is a still developing story with more to come shortly .

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There are many inmates with intriguing cases hoping for a presidential pardon. Unfortunately for them, many are neither Republicans or close personal friends to Donald Trump.
On Tuesday, the president delivered pardons to disgraced politicians Chris Collins and Duncan Hunter. He also absolved the war atrocities of Blackwater contractors.
On Wednesday night, Trump continued to make a mockery of the pardon process. This time the recipients included Paul Manafort, Roger Stone and Jared Kushner‘s father.
Kushner’s father has already served his time. Charles Kushner was convicted in 2005 of convicted of illegal campaign contributions, tax evasion and witness tampering. The business mogul at one point hired a prostitute to entrap his brother in law.
Manafort, who ran Trump’s campaign for a time in 2016, had numerous issue associated with his dealings in Russia and the Ukraine. The former political operative had been sentenced to 90 months in prison.
Earlier this year, Trump stepped in to rescue Stone with a commutation weeks before he was set to go to prison. Stone, however, has continued to argue that he needed a pardon as well to further protect him. Trump was happy to again step in and reward his “dirty trickster.”
This is a still developing story with more to come shortly.


politicususa--2020-12-24--Republicans Sued For Voter Intimidation Tactics Against Black And Brown Voters In Georgia Runoffs

The right-wing Republican supporting group True The Vote is being sued in Georgia over tactics they are using to intimidate black and brown voters .
The complaint laid out the voter intimidation tactics being used : Crucially , the focus of these efforts has been to intimidate and deter eligible and qualified Georgians—particularly Black and brown voters and first-time voters—from exercising their fundamental right to vote .
Just last week , for example , True the Vote announced that the organization , in partnership with electors in each Georgia county , intended to preemptively challenge the eligibility of more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that these voters no longer reside in the State of Georgia .
To be sure , these challenges are meritless because the “ evidence ” they have presented—purported lists of names culled from the U.S .
Postal Service .
National Change of Address ( “ NCOA ” ) registry—is notoriously unreliable as a means of determining voter eligibility .
To complement these mass voter challenges , Defendants are also recruiting volunteers to monitor voters as they return their ballots and are encouraging “ citizen watchdogs ” to report suspected instances of illegal voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hotline .
As a final touch , Defendants also established a $ 1 million reward fund to “ incentivize ” individuals to report instances of “ election malfeasance.
” The obvious effect of this million-dollar bounty will be to encourage Defendants ’ supporters to generate even more baseless accusations of voter fraud .
So far , African-American turnout is on a record-setting pace in the Senate runoffs .
There is a systemic and widespread voter intimidation campaign going on in Georgia , but Stacy Abrams and voting rights advocates are ready and fighting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two Senate seats in Georgia .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .
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The right-wing Republican supporting group True The Vote is being sued in Georgia over tactics they are using to intimidate black and brown voters.
Marc E. Elias tweeted:
There is something fitting about ending the New Year in the legal foxhole with @staceyabrams and @gwlauren fighting for democracy. Proud to be representing @fairfightaction in a lawsuit against voter suppression for the January Georgia Senate run-offs.https://t.co/NJTLKaomTq — Marc E. Elias (@marceelias) December 23, 2020
The complaint laid out the voter intimidation tactics being used:
Crucially, the focus of these efforts has been to intimidate and deter eligible and qualified Georgians—particularly Black and brown voters and first-time voters—from exercising their fundamental right to vote. Just last week, for example, True the Vote announced that the organization, in partnership with electors in each Georgia county, intended to preemptively challenge the eligibility of more than 364,000 Georgians to vote on the grounds that these voters no longer reside in the State of Georgia. To be sure, these challenges are meritless because the “evidence” they have presented—purported lists of names culled from the U.S. Postal Service. National Change of Address (“NCOA”) registry—is notoriously unreliable as a means of determining voter eligibility.
….
To complement these mass voter challenges, Defendants are also recruiting volunteers to monitor voters as they return their ballots and are encouraging “citizen watchdogs” to report suspected instances of illegal voting to their 24/7 “voter integrity” hotline.
As a final touch, Defendants also established a $1 million reward fund to “incentivize” individuals to report instances of “election malfeasance.” The obvious effect of this million-dollar bounty will be to encourage Defendants’ supporters to generate even more baseless accusations of voter fraud.
So far, African-American turnout is on a record-setting pace in the Senate runoffs.
There is a systemic and widespread voter intimidation campaign going on in Georgia, but Stacy Abrams and voting rights advocates are ready and fighting back against the Republican campaign to steal two Senate seats in Georgia.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-12-23--Is Wonder Woman 1984’s Villain Based on Donald Trump?

Donald Trump is soon to be leaving the White House .
His mark on politics , however , will be felt for many years to come .
Not just on politics , though , but on pop culture as a whole .
Trump has presented himself as almost the perfect movie villain .
And critics who have seen the latest Wonder Woman movie are wondering if the film ’ s bad guy , Maxwell Lord , is based on the president .
The film takes place in the year 1984 and the character , played by Pedro Pascal , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ version of Trump .
The movie ’ s star Gal Gadot was recently asked about the similarities by Variety .
“ It ’ s interesting , ” she replied .
“ Because when we shot it , we didn ’ t really think about it until we got to the White House [ scene ] .
And then we ’ re like , ‘ Hmm . '
” The actress continued , “ The thing about Maxwell Lord in our movie , unlike the comics , is that he ’ s more complex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evil villain .
He is a regular person who wants to be all these things that you would see on TV .
I know from Pedro while we were shooting the movie , that at a certain point , he just focused on the page and what was there .
And along with Patty , they just created this character.
” Gadot concluded , “ I don ’ t think it ’ s a political movie .
I think there ’ s some political elements just because it ’ s the nature of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with some subjects that can easily be connected to politics .
But the movie is not about politics .
The movie is about something that is much more simple .
It ’ s about truth and the power of truth and hope .
”

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Donald Trump is soon to be leaving the White House. His mark on politics, however, will be felt for many years to come. Not just on politics, though, but on pop culture as a whole.
Trump has presented himself as almost the perfect movie villain. And critics who have seen the latest Wonder Woman movie are wondering if the film’s bad guy, Maxwell Lord, is based on the president.
The film takes place in the year 1984 and the character, played by Pedro Pascal, has look similar to the 1980’s version of Trump.
The movie’s star Gal Gadot was recently asked about the similarities by Variety. “It’s interesting,” she replied. “Because when we shot it, we didn’t really think about it until we got to the White House [scene]. And then we’re like, ‘Hmm.'”
The actress continued, “The thing about Maxwell Lord in our movie, unlike the comics, is that he’s more complex because he’s not just an evil villain. He is a regular person who wants to be all these things that you would see on TV. I know from Pedro while we were shooting the movie, that at a certain point, he just focused on the page and what was there. And along with Patty, they just created this character.”
Gadot concluded, “I don’t think it’s a political movie. I think there’s some political elements just because it’s the nature of the world and we’re dealing with some subjects that can easily be connected to politics. But the movie is not about politics. The movie is about something that is much more simple. It’s about truth and the power of truth and hope.”


politicususa--2020-12-23--Trump Runs Away After Betraying The Troops With NDAA Veto

Trump continued his pattern of running away from reporters as he trudged across the White House and ignored questions on @ @ @ @ @ club .
In real-world terms , Trump ’ s veto means that troops currently in @ @ @ @ @ places around the world are not funded .
These troops won ’ t have funding @ @ @ @ @ come back from Christmas next week .
It is telling that Trump issued his veto @ @ @ @ @ Washington .
Instead of facing the questions from reporters about why he vetoed the NDAA @ @ @ @ @ and fled to his private club in Florida .
Trump revealed the depth of his @ @ @ @ @ defend his failure to protect the troops who risk their lives every single day .
@ @ @ @ @ story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .
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Trump continued his pattern of running away from reporters as he trudged across the White House and ignored questions on his way to his private club.
Video:
Trump ignored reporters’ shouted questions as he boarded Marine One and departed the White House for Mar-a-Lago pic.twitter.com/DFG8j5W4RO — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 23, 2020
In real-world terms, Trump’s veto means that troops currently in the field and in dangerous places around the world are not funded. These troops won’t have funding until the House and Senate come back from Christmas next week.
It is telling that Trump issued his veto after members of Congress left Washington.
Instead of facing the questions from reporters about why he vetoed the NDAA, Trump ignored shouted questions and fled to his private club in Florida.
Trump revealed the depth of his cowardice as he refused to defend his failure to protect the troops who risk their lives every single day.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-12-23--Pelosi Blasts Trump For Harming The Troops With NDAA Veto

Speaker of the House Pelosi unloaded on Trump for recklessly endangering the troops by vetoing the National Defense Authorization Act .
Speaker Pelosi said in a statement provided to PoliticusUSA : The President ’ s veto of the National Defense Authorization Act is an act of staggering recklessness that harms our troops , endangers our security and undermines the will of the bipartisan Congress .
For 60 years , the NDAA has been passed on a bipartisan and bicameral basis .
In a time when our country was just targeted with a massive cyberattack , it is particularly hard to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s irresponsibility .
Disturbingly , Trump is using his final hours in office to sow chaos , including by denying our servicemembers a long-overdue pay raise and hazard duty pay ; our families paid family leave , child care , housing and health protections ; and our veterans the benefits that they need and deserve .
The President ’ s veto also deprives our country and allies of tools to protect global security – including for cyber-security .
Trump ’ s veto violates our national values , as it would block action to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who served in the Confederacy – which is supported by an overwhelming majority of the American people , by House and Senate Democrats and Republicans and by our servicemembers and top military leaders .
Next week , December 28 , the House will take up the veto override with bipartisan support .
Trump is firmly in burn it all down mode , so of course , he vetoed the NDAA because he is mad at Twitter for fact-checking his tweets .
The House and the Senate both have to come back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ veto before the current Congress ends and the new one is sworn in .
The House and the Senate will easily override Trump ’ s veto , as the outgoing president is only embarrassing himself and endangering the troops with such outbursts .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .
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Speaker of the House Pelosi unloaded on Trump for recklessly endangering the troops by vetoing the National Defense Authorization Act.
Speaker Pelosi said in a statement provided to PoliticusUSA:
The President’s veto of the National Defense Authorization Act is an act of staggering recklessness that harms our troops, endangers our security and undermines the will of the bipartisan Congress. For 60 years, the NDAA has been passed on a bipartisan and bicameral basis.
In a time when our country was just targeted with a massive cyberattack, it is particularly hard to understand the reasoning behind the President’s irresponsibility. Disturbingly, Trump is using his final hours in office to sow chaos, including by denying our servicemembers a long-overdue pay raise and hazard duty pay; our families paid family leave, child care, housing and health protections; and our veterans the benefits that they need and deserve. The President’s veto also deprives our country and allies of tools to protect global security – including for cyber-security.
Trump’s veto violates our national values, as it would block action to rename military bases and infrastructure named after those who served in the Confederacy – which is supported by an overwhelming majority of the American people, by House and Senate Democrats and Republicans and by our servicemembers and top military leaders.
Next week, December 28, the House will take up the veto override with bipartisan support.
Trump is firmly in burn it all down mode, so of course, he vetoed the NDAA because he is mad at Twitter for fact-checking his tweets. The House and the Senate both have to come back to DC just to override Trump’s veto before the current Congress ends and the new one is sworn in.
The House and the Senate will easily override Trump’s veto, as the outgoing president is only embarrassing himself and endangering the troops with such outbursts.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-12-23--House Republicans To Block $2,000 Stimulus Checks On Christmas Eve

House Republicans plan to object to a unanimous consent request to pass $ 2,000 stimulus checks for every American on Christmas Eve .
Jake Sherman reported in the PM Politico Playbook , “ You can ’ t bring something up by unanimous consent unless it ’ s cleared by the minority leadership .
The $ 2,000 checks won ’ t get cleared by the GOP leadership , per several sources familiar with the planning .
Republican lawmakers are already worked up about the prospect of boosting the direct payment amount , according to several phone calls we got this morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and PELOSI on the $ 2,000 check thing looks like it ’ s not going to fly — it will be ruled out of order by whoever is presiding over the floor , per sources we spoke to this morning .
( Caveat : It could change , but seems unlikely to . )
They may try to force this vote several times over the next two weeks.
” House Republicans may change their minds and realize that denying vital aid to people struggling during the pandemic on Christmas Eve is not a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the message that Kevin McCarthy and his caucus want to send to the American people is that they don ’ t care about your suffering .
Trump is threatening to block the $ 600 stimulus checks , and Republicans refuse to agree to $ 2,000 stimulus checks in the House .
Republicans remind everyone that their core mission in Washington remains to make life worse for as many Americans as possible .
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House Republicans plan to object to a unanimous consent request to pass $2,000 stimulus checks for every American on Christmas Eve.
Jake Sherman reported in the PM Politico Playbook, “You can’t bring something up by unanimous consent unless it’s cleared by the minority leadership. The $2,000 checks won’t get cleared by the GOP leadership, per several sources familiar with the planning. Republican lawmakers are already worked up about the prospect of boosting the direct payment amount, according to several phone calls we got this morning. So the brief union of TRUMP and PELOSI on the $2,000 check thing looks like it’s not going to fly — it will be ruled out of order by whoever is presiding over the floor, per sources we spoke to this morning. (Caveat: It could change, but seems unlikely to.) They may try to force this vote several times over the next two weeks.”
House Republicans may change their minds and realize that denying vital aid to people struggling during the pandemic on Christmas Eve is not a good look, but it appears that the message that Kevin McCarthy and his caucus want to send to the American people is that they don’t care about your suffering.
Trump is threatening to block the $600 stimulus checks, and Republicans refuse to agree to $2,000 stimulus checks in the House. Republicans remind everyone that their core mission in Washington remains to make life worse for as many Americans as possible.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-12-23--A Bad Sign For Republicans As Georgia Senate Turnout Looks The Same As Biden’s Win

Turnout in the Georgia Senate runoff elections is so far looking the same as it did when Joe Biden won the state in November .
Georgia ’ s African-American turnout is at 99.4 % of the presidential election turnout , which has never been done before in the state , and would be a record : In order for Republicans to retain the two Senate seats , they needed lower Democratic and African-American turnout .
If African-American turnout sets another record , Republicans will be in trouble in both races .
Just like the presidential election , neither one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They will be very close .
Georgia voters understand what is on the line in these runoffs , and so far , Democrats have kept their momentum going .
Trump is trying to sabotage pandemic relief , while Kelly Loeffler runs around says radical left and Marxist as if it is part of some sort of political tic .
David Perdue is avoiding debates with Jon Ossoff , and Republicans aren ’ t sure of sending Trump back to the state will help or hurt their chances .
If Democrats close strong and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be in the running to win both Georgia elections and control of the US Senate .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .
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Turnout in the Georgia Senate runoff elections is so far looking the same as it did when Joe Biden won the state in November.
Kyle Griffin tweeted:
1,884,619 Georgians have already cast their ballots in the runoffs. That tracks closely with early turnout in the general election. Mail ballots: 679,136
Early in person ballots: 1,205,483 At this rate, runoff participation will likely hit the 2 million mark by Thursday. — Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) December 23, 2020
Georgia’s African-American turnout is at 99.4% of the presidential election turnout, which has never been done before in the state, and would be a record:
At this point in the GA runoff, turnout among Black voters is at 99.4% of turnout at this same point in the general election. That turnout for a January runoff could be matching the record setting presidential election turnout – there’s no precedent for that. pic.twitter.com/N6EJ1BPzVM — Tom Bonier (@tbonier) December 23, 2020
In order for Republicans to retain the two Senate seats, they needed lower Democratic and African-American turnout. If African-American turnout sets another record, Republicans will be in trouble in both races.
Just like the presidential election, neither one of these races will be a blowout. They will be very close. Georgia voters understand what is on the line in these runoffs, and so far, Democrats have kept their momentum going.
Trump is trying to sabotage pandemic relief, while Kelly Loeffler runs around says radical left and Marxist as if it is part of some sort of political tic. David Perdue is avoiding debates with Jon Ossoff, and Republicans aren’t sure of sending Trump back to the state will help or hurt their chances.
If Democrats close strong and keep the momentum going, they will be in the running to win both Georgia elections and control of the US Senate.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-12-23--Trump May Have Cost Mitch McConnell The Senate With His Stimulus Check Sabotage

Trump wiped out Mitch McConnell ’ s talking point that Loeffler/Perdue delivered pandemic relief and gave Democrats a powerful issue 12 days before the Georgia Senate runoffs .
It is the worst kept secret in American politics that Mitch McConnell only supported stimulus checks because he was trying to prop up Georgia Senate Republican incumbent runoff candidates Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue .
Trump is angry at McConnell for not helping him overturn the election and for trying to squash a challenge of the results on the Senate floor .
The President ’ s call for $ 2,000 stimulus checks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mitch McConnell , but it has already backfired .
As Greg Sargent noted in The Washington Post , “ The hidden beauty of this is that it destroys the story that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) wants to tell about how we got here , a story that he hopes will salvage Loeffler , Perdue and his Senate majority .
McConnell agreed to this $ 900 billion deal in part to save his Georgia senators , admitting that they were ‘ getting hammered ’ over opposition to stimulus checks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted to offer this relief and that Democrats were the obstacle to it.
” Trump is mad at McConnell and he wants the credit for any stimulus checks to go to himself , not a couple of Republican Senators in Georgia who doesn ’ t care about , and has shown signs that he would like them to lose because he is bitter that Joe Biden beat him in the state .
The President has gone beyond his usual tantrums and petty grievances about his own party .
He is trying to sabotage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t win the state , no Republican can .
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Trump wiped out Mitch McConnell’s talking point that Loeffler/Perdue delivered pandemic relief and gave Democrats a powerful issue 12 days before the Georgia Senate runoffs.
It is the worst kept secret in American politics that Mitch McConnell only supported stimulus checks because he was trying to prop up Georgia Senate Republican incumbent runoff candidates Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue.
Trump is angry at McConnell for not helping him overturn the election and for trying to squash a challenge of the results on the Senate floor.
The President’s call for $2,000 stimulus checks was his way of trying to hurt Mitch McConnell, but it has already backfired.
As Greg Sargent noted in The Washington Post, “The hidden beauty of this is that it destroys the story that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) wants to tell about how we got here, a story that he hopes will salvage Loeffler, Perdue and his Senate majority. McConnell agreed to this $900 billion deal in part to save his Georgia senators, admitting that they were ‘getting hammered’ over opposition to stimulus checks. His spin now is that Republicans always wanted to offer this relief and that Democrats were the obstacle to it.”
Trump is mad at McConnell and he wants the credit for any stimulus checks to go to himself, not a couple of Republican Senators in Georgia who doesn’t care about, and has shown signs that he would like them to lose because he is bitter that Joe Biden beat him in the state.
The President has gone beyond his usual tantrums and petty grievances about his own party. He is trying to sabotage Republican hopes in Georgia because if he can’t win the state, no Republican can.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-12-23--Pelosi Calls Trump’s Bluff And Pushes Republicans For $2,000 Stimulus Checks

Speaker Pelosi said that if Trump is serious about $ 2,000 stimulus checks he needs to tell Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy so the House can pass it with unanimous consent .
Speaker Pelosi wrote in a letter to her colleagues provided to PoliticusUSA : Just when you think you have seen it all , last night , the President said that he would possibly veto the bicameral agreement negotiated between Republicans and Democrats .
He said he would do so , unless the economic impact payments were increased to $ 2,000 .
In the bipartisan negotiations , Leader Schumer and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the highest number the President would accept for direct payments , and they responded with Sphinx-like silence .
In the negotiations , they would never go above $ 600 and in some cases , proposed $ 500 .
Yesterday , I said that Democrats would go to the Floor and ask for Unanimous Consent to bring up a standalone bill to increase the payments .
To do so requires the agreement of the Republican Leader .
This agreement is necessary in the House and in the Senate .
If the President truly wants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he should call upon Leader McCarthy to agree to our Unanimous Consent request .
We are scheduled to go in for a pro forma session tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. We are awaiting word from Leader Hoyer as to whether Leader McCarthy will agree to or reject our Unanimous Consent request .
The entire country knows that it is urgent for the President to sign this bill , both to provide the coronavirus relief and to keep government open .
Trump wants credit for a package that he had nothing to do with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governing according to White House staffers and is spending his time huddled up with Mike Flynn , Rudy Giuliani , and Sidney Powell engaging in wild conspiracy theories and desperate bids to hold on to power .
Trump is trying to punish Republicans for not supporting his bid to overturn the election , but the only thing that he accomplished was giving Speaker Pelosi all the leverage she needs to pass real pandemic relief .
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Speaker Pelosi said that if Trump is serious about $2,000 stimulus checks he needs to tell Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy so the House can pass it with unanimous consent.
Speaker Pelosi wrote in a letter to her colleagues provided to PoliticusUSA:
Just when you think you have seen it all, last night, the President said that he would possibly veto the bicameral agreement negotiated between Republicans and Democrats. He said he would do so, unless the economic impact payments were increased to $2,000.
In the bipartisan negotiations, Leader Schumer and I repeatedly asked Republicans what would be the highest number the President would accept for direct payments, and they responded with Sphinx-like silence. In the negotiations, they would never go above $600 and in some cases, proposed $500.
Yesterday, I said that Democrats would go to the Floor and ask for Unanimous Consent to bring up a standalone bill to increase the payments. To do so requires the agreement of the Republican Leader. This agreement is necessary in the House and in the Senate.
If the President truly wants to join us in $2,000 payments, he should call upon Leader McCarthy to agree to our Unanimous Consent request.
We are scheduled to go in for a pro forma session tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. We are awaiting word from Leader Hoyer as to whether Leader McCarthy will agree to or reject our Unanimous Consent request.
The entire country knows that it is urgent for the President to sign this bill, both to provide the coronavirus relief and to keep government open.
Trump wants credit for a package that he had nothing to do with negotiating. Trump has checked out of governing according to White House staffers and is spending his time huddled up with Mike Flynn, Rudy Giuliani, and Sidney Powell engaging in wild conspiracy theories and desperate bids to hold on to power.
Trump is trying to punish Republicans for not supporting his bid to overturn the election, but the only thing that he accomplished was giving Speaker Pelosi all the leverage she needs to pass real pandemic relief.
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politicususa--2020-12-23--Pelosi Continues to Urge Trump to Authorize $2,000 Direct Payments

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) urged President Donald Trump to authorize $ 2,000 direct payments to Americans after he expressed his dissatisfaction with the bipartisan Covid-19 stimulus package that lawmakers approved late Monday .
“ Mr .
President , sign the bill to keep government open !
” she wrote .
“ Urge McConnell and McCarthy to agree with the Democratic unanimous consent request for $ 2,000 direct payments !
This can be done by noon on Christmas Eve !
” In its current form , the stimulus package provides for $ 600 direct payments to qualifying Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That number is half what the CARES Act allotted .
“ I am also asking Congress to immediately get rid of the wasteful and unnecessary items from this legislation and to send me a suitable bill , or else the next administration will have to deliver a COVID relief package , ” Trump said in a video posted to his Twitter account yesterday .
He then mused about a fantasy second term : “ And maybe that administration will be me , and we will get it done.
” Last night , Pelosi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PoliticusUSA reported , telling the president that she supports increasing direct payments to $ 2,000 .
“ Republicans repeatedly refused to say what amount the President wanted for direct checks , ” she said last night .
“ At last , the President has agreed to $ 2,000 — Democrats are ready to bring this to the Floor this week by unanimous consent .
Let ’ s do it !
” The timing of the president ’ s announcement comes at a delicate time for the Republican Party , which must now contend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the stimulus package ahead of the Georgia Senate runoff elections , which will determine which political party gets control of the upper chamber .
Trump is raising fears once again among party insiders that his tendency to upend negotiations could cost his party the Senate majority .

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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) urged President Donald Trump to authorize $2,000 direct payments to Americans after he expressed his dissatisfaction with the bipartisan Covid-19 stimulus package that lawmakers approved late Monday.
“Mr. President, sign the bill to keep government open!” she wrote. “Urge McConnell and McCarthy to agree with the Democratic unanimous consent request for $2,000 direct payments! This can be done by noon on Christmas Eve!”
Mr. President, sign the bill to keep government open! Urge McConnell and McCarthy to agree with the Democratic unanimous consent request for $2,000 direct payments! This can be done by noon on Christmas Eve! — Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) December 23, 2020
In its current form, the stimulus package provides for $600 direct payments to qualifying Americans and a $300 unemployment boost. That number is half what the CARES Act allotted.
“I am also asking Congress to immediately get rid of the wasteful and unnecessary items from this legislation and to send me a suitable bill, or else the next administration will have to deliver a COVID relief package,” Trump said in a video posted to his Twitter account yesterday. He then mused about a fantasy second term: “And maybe that administration will be me, and we will get it done.”
Last night, Pelosi called Trump’s bluff, as PoliticusUSA reported, telling the president that she supports increasing direct payments to $2,000.
“Republicans repeatedly refused to say what amount the President wanted for direct checks,” she said last night. “At last, the President has agreed to $2,000 — Democrats are ready to bring this to the Floor this week by unanimous consent. Let’s do it!”
The timing of the president’s announcement comes at a delicate time for the Republican Party, which must now contend with the possibility of rewriting elements of the stimulus package ahead of the Georgia Senate runoff elections, which will determine which political party gets control of the upper chamber. Trump is raising fears once again among party insiders that his tendency to upend negotiations could cost his party the Senate majority.


politicususa--2020-12-23--Trump Staffers Have Received Their Departure Instructions from the White House Management Office

Trump administration staffers have received their departure instructions from the White House Management Office , contradicting President Donald Trump ’ s public remarks about the 2020 election being fraudulent , a baseless claim that his own security agencies and the Justice Department have struck down .
According to a memo obtained by POLITICO , staffers were informed they “ will start departing ” on the week of January 4 , The memo “ also included information pertaining to outgoing employees ’ payroll , benefits , sick leave , work records , ethics debriefing and security clearance , ” the outlet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staffers with a “ comprehensive checklist ” of duties that must be carried out before they leave , including “ cleaning out your refrigerator and microwave ” and returning “ all White House stationery.
” This development comes after news outlets reported that Trump and several House Republicans met to discuss a plan to block Congress from certifying President-elect Joe Biden ’ s election win , an effort that failed .
That news prompted a response from Senator John Thune ( R-S .
Dak . )
, who said that efforts to object @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pointless .
“ I mean , in the Senate , it would go down like a shot dog , ” Thune told CNN .
“ I just don ’ t think that it makes a lot of sense to put everybody through this when you know what the ultimate outcome is gon na be.
” Trump later attacked Thune , saying that someone will primary him in the 2022 midterm election .

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Trump administration staffers have received their departure instructions from the White House Management Office, contradicting President Donald Trump’s public remarks about the 2020 election being fraudulent, a baseless claim that his own security agencies and the Justice Department have struck down.
According to a memo obtained by POLITICO, staffers were informed they “will start departing” on the week of January 4,
The memo “also included information pertaining to outgoing employees’ payroll, benefits, sick leave, work records, ethics debriefing and security clearance,” the outlet reported, noting that the memo provides staffers with a “comprehensive checklist” of duties that must be carried out before they leave, including “cleaning out your refrigerator and microwave” and returning “all White House stationery.”
This development comes after news outlets reported that Trump and several House Republicans met to discuss a plan to block Congress from certifying President-elect Joe Biden‘s election win, an effort that failed.
That news prompted a response from Senator John Thune (R-S. Dak.), who said that efforts to object to the Electoral College vote are ultimately pointless.
“I mean, in the Senate, it would go down like a shot dog,” Thune told CNN. “I just don’t think that it makes a lot of sense to put everybody through this when you know what the ultimate outcome is gonna be.”
Trump later attacked Thune, saying that someone will primary him in the 2022 midterm election.


politicususa--2020-12-23--Public Briefings Will Resume, Says Biden’s Choice for CDC Director

Speaking to CNN , Rochelle Walensky , President-elect Joe Biden ’ s choice to run the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) , said that public briefings would resume under her leadership .
That ’ s an about-face from current policy : The CDC has halted most of its briefings during the Covid-19 pandemic and most communication about the agency ’ s response to the crisis has been left to President Donald Trump and the White House coronavirus task force .
We need to have a uniformity of message .
We ’ re already in really frequent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about , to make sure that the science that we are hearing is consistent with what other people are learning and that we ’ re taking all of the science collaboratively and making policies at a federal level , ” Walensky said .
She added : “ We need to promote the science , we need to just make sure the science is being consistent and translatable into guidance that is uniform across the states.
” You can watch Walensky ’ s interview with CNN below .
Walensky also commented on vaccine distribution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process is underway , they should still wear masks and abide by social distancing guidelines to curb the spread of the virus .
Walensky is currently the chief of infectious diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School .
She will be the third woman to lead the CDC since its creation .
She is among the key members of the health team tasked with addressing the Covid-19 pandemic , which has claimed the lives of more than 322,000 Americans to date .

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Speaking to CNN, Rochelle Walensky, President-elect Joe Biden’s choice to run the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said that public briefings would resume under her leadership. That’s an about-face from current policy: The CDC has halted most of its briefings during the Covid-19 pandemic and most communication about the agency’s response to the crisis has been left to President Donald Trump and the White House coronavirus task force.
We need to have a uniformity of message. We’re already in really frequent communication, which I’m enthusiastic about, to make sure that the science that we are hearing is consistent with what other people are learning and that we’re taking all of the science collaboratively and making policies at a federal level,” Walensky said.
She added: “We need to promote the science, we need to just make sure the science is being consistent and translatable into guidance that is uniform across the states.”
You can watch Walensky’s interview with CNN below.
Incoming CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky says she plans to reinstate regular public CDC briefings. “I think communication has to be key here,” she says. https://t.co/XtZ04HBMnP pic.twitter.com/Hv2aDsTeN0 — CNN This Morning (@CNNThisMorning) December 23, 2020
Walensky also commented on vaccine distribution, reminding Americans that even though the process is underway, they should still wear masks and abide by social distancing guidelines to curb the spread of the virus.
Walensky is currently the chief of infectious diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. She will be the third woman to lead the CDC since its creation. She is among the key members of the health team tasked with addressing the Covid-19 pandemic, which has claimed the lives of more than 322,000 Americans to date.


politicususa--2020-12-24--Trump Caught Golfing On Christmas Eve As White House Claims He’s Working

The White House told journalists that Trump had many meetings and calls scheduled before Christmas , but CNN caught him golfing .
The White House released this statement to PoliticusUSA claiming that Trump is working during the holiday season , “ As the Holiday season approaches , President Trump will continue to work tirelessly for the American People .
His schedule includes many meetings and calls.
” The truth was captured by CNN : One thing that the American people definitely won ’ t miss when Trump is gone is the White House ’ s obsessive need to lie about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump has totally checked out .
He never has shown much interest in governing , but now he has exactly zero .
Trump spends his days hanging out with Rudy Giuliani , Sidney Powell , and Mike Flynn scheming up crazy conspiracy theories and desperately absurd ways to stay in power .
Trump and working hard are three words that have never been used together in a sentence with any honesty or accuracy .
There is less than a month to go until Donald Trump can play golf every day for the rest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .
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The White House told journalists that Trump had many meetings and calls scheduled before Christmas, but CNN caught him golfing.
The White House released this statement to PoliticusUSA claiming that Trump is working during the holiday season, “As the Holiday season approaches, President Trump will continue to work tirelessly for the American People. His schedule includes many meetings and calls.”
The truth was captured by CNN:
After the White House went out of its way to say President Trump had many meetings and calls today, without listing any, @petermorrisCNN got video of him on the golf course. pic.twitter.com/x3jtrUOMmH — Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) December 24, 2020
One thing that the American people definitely won’t miss when Trump is gone is the White House’s obsessive need to lie about every detail.
The truth is that Trump has totally checked out.
He never has shown much interest in governing, but now he has exactly zero. Trump spends his days hanging out with Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, and Mike Flynn scheming up crazy conspiracy theories and desperately absurd ways to stay in power.
Trump and working hard are three words that have never been used together in a sentence with any honesty or accuracy.
There is less than a month to go until Donald Trump can play golf every day for the rest of his life.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-12-24--Pelosi To Bring The House Back Into Session To Pass $2,000 Stimulus Checks Bill

After Republicans refused to agree to $ 2,000 stimulus checks via unanimous consent , Speaker Pelosi announced that the House would pass a bill on Monday .
Speaker Pelosi said in a statement provided to PoliticusUSA : Today , on Christmas Eve morning , House Republicans cruelly deprived the American people of the $ 2,000 that the President agreed to support .
If the President is serious about the $ 2,000 direct payments , he must call on House Republicans to end their obstruction .
House and Senate Democrats have repeatedly fought for bigger checks for the American people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rejected – first , during our negotiations when they said that they would not go above $ 600 and now , with this act of callousness on the Floor .
On Monday , I will bring the House back to session where we will hold a recorded vote on our stand-alone bill to increase economic impact payments to $ 2,000 .
To vote against this bill is to deny the financial hardship that families face and to deny them the relief they need .
Hopefully by then the President will have already signed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government open and to deliver coronavirus relief .
Pelosi is only giving the House a 72 hour Christmas break after Republicans refused to agree to larger stimulus checks for the American people .
Pelosi is going to force House Republicans to go on the record as opposing more relief for the American people at a time when unemployment benefits are running out and millions of Americans are facing hunger and homelessness .
Speaker Pelosi is standing up for the American people as the House will turn up the heat on Mitch McConnell by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .
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After Republicans refused to agree to $2,000 stimulus checks via unanimous consent, Speaker Pelosi announced that the House would pass a bill on Monday.
Speaker Pelosi said in a statement provided to PoliticusUSA:
Today, on Christmas Eve morning, House Republicans cruelly deprived the American people of the $2,000 that the President agreed to support. If the President is serious about the $2,000 direct payments, he must call on House Republicans to end their obstruction.
House and Senate Democrats have repeatedly fought for bigger checks for the American people, which House and Senate Republicans have repeatedly rejected – first, during our negotiations when they said that they would not go above $600 and now, with this act of callousness on the Floor.
On Monday, I will bring the House back to session where we will hold a recorded vote on our stand-alone bill to increase economic impact payments to $2,000. To vote against this bill is to deny the financial hardship that families face and to deny them the relief they need.
Hopefully by then the President will have already signed the bipartisan and bicameral legislation to keep government open and to deliver coronavirus relief.
Pelosi is only giving the House a 72 hour Christmas break after Republicans refused to agree to larger stimulus checks for the American people. Pelosi is going to force House Republicans to go on the record as opposing more relief for the American people at a time when unemployment benefits are running out and millions of Americans are facing hunger and homelessness.
Speaker Pelosi is standing up for the American people as the House will turn up the heat on Mitch McConnell by passing $2,000 stimulus checks.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-12-24--Analysis: Mike Flynn’s Cuckoo Coup Fails

The latest MAGA ploy to overturn the election comes not in the courtroom , but from pardoned felon Michael Flynn , who took to Newsmax to urge Trump to invoke the Insurrection Act , declare martial law , and have the military rerun the election .
Far right groups are convinced that they ’ ve finally found a way around that pesky election .
Like all of MAGA ’ s prior post-election ploys , this one fails .
First , a president has only limited power under the Insurrection Act , and that power is limited to deploying troops to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no authority to conduct or re-conduct elections , and no authority to invalidate votes .
Indeed , military spokespeople issued numerous statements , before and after the election , confirming that they would play no role in determining the outcome of the election .
Second , and this is the lesson the Trump Campaign failed to learn despite 59 post-election lawsuits failing on this ground : States govern how and when elections are conducted , not any branch of the Federal Government .
Even GOP strongholds like Georgia have refused Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , MAGA misses the fact that the election was already held and decided .
Then decided again in recounts .
Then decided again ( and again , and again ) in court .
The declaration of martial law would not negate the election or suspend the Constitutional mandate that on January 20 , 2021 , Trump ’ s term expires .
Like all of MAGA ’ s other plans , this one is more cuckoo than coup .
The Insurrection Act does not provide for overturning the election , the Constitution does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2021 , the military Flynn seeks to misuse will have a new Commander in Chief .

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The latest MAGA ploy to overturn the election comes not in the courtroom, but from pardoned felon Michael Flynn, who took to Newsmax to urge Trump to invoke the Insurrection Act, declare martial law, and have the military rerun the election. Far right groups are convinced that they’ve finally found a way around that pesky election.
Like all of MAGA’s prior post-election ploys, this one fails.
First, a president has only limited power under the Insurrection Act, and that power is limited to deploying troops to keep the peace. The military has no authority to conduct or re-conduct elections, and no authority to invalidate votes. Indeed, military spokespeople issued numerous statements, before and after the election, confirming that they would play no role in determining the outcome of the election.
Second, and this is the lesson the Trump Campaign failed to learn despite 59 post-election lawsuits failing on this ground: States govern how and when elections are conducted, not any branch of the Federal Government. Even GOP strongholds like Georgia have refused Trump’s calls to overturn the election.
Finally, MAGA misses the fact that the election was already held and decided. Then decided again in recounts. Then decided again (and again, and again) in court. The declaration of martial law would not negate the election or suspend the Constitutional mandate that on January 20, 2021, Trump’s term expires.
Like all of MAGA’s other plans, this one is more cuckoo than coup. The Insurrection Act does not provide for overturning the election, the Constitution does not permit it, and on January 20, 2021, the military Flynn seeks to misuse will have a new Commander in Chief.