politicususa--2020-07-12--Opinion: How Trump, Against Himself, is Making America Safe for Anti-Racism, Democracy

This unfortunate and hopefully soon-expiring moment in U.S. history , Donald Trump ’ s presidency , has been anything but subtle in summoning the worst energies , impulses , and dimensions embedded in the nation ’ s history and still animating contemporary culture and politics .
If it hadn ’ t been clear during his 2016 campaign when he characterized Mexican immigrants as rapists and criminals , or years earlier when he enthusiastically jumped on the Obama birther bandwagon , his overt , even celebratory , racism was laid bare in August 2017 when garden variety white supremacists marched in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and chanting , “ Jews will not replace us !
” Trump , of course , insisted that at least some of these racist haters were , indeed , “ fine people.
” That racism existed in America wasn ’ t what was shocking , at least to many .
What was shocking was Trump ’ s overt and unabashed expression , validation , and appeal to the nation ’ s racist values and instincts .
A prominent view at the time was that Trump had emboldened bigotry and encouraged racial violence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racism .
Indeed , his rhetoric arguably triggered mass racist shootings at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh in October 2018 and at a Walmart in El Paso in August 2019 when a gunman admittedly targeted Mexicans and echoed many of Trump ’ s anti-immigrant and anti-Mexican talking points .
Trump ’ s exorbitant racism , though , has in fact begun to have the opposite effect of , in fact , making America safe for anti-racism and democracy .
While I wouldn ’ t go so far as to call this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s presidency , I would suggest that Trump has functioned as a kind of unorthodox therapist , pulling up from the nation ’ s unconscious the reality of racism and genocide Americans have long wanted to ignore .
The dog whistles were fine .
The Republican party ’ s encoding of racism in terms of “ state ’ s rights ” and “ tax cuts ” in its infamous Southern Strategy gave Americans an out , an alibi for the criminal racist practices institutionalized in the nation ’ s political , economic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same time as at odds with the nation ’ s supposedly most cherished values of equality and democracy .
Racism , to some extent , could be kept below surface ; de facto segregation enable white Americans to turn a blind eye to its reality .
Out of sight , out of mind .
Some of America ’ s best friends are Black .
America doesn ’ t see color .
Trump put an end to these evasions and dog whistles .
Langston Hughes , in his 1926 essay “ The Negro Artist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about his Black community , ‘ We know we ’ re beautiful .
And ugly , too.
” Without Hughes ’ eloquence , Trump in his own un-poetic way has forced white America , in a way it had not in recent decades , to confront its beauty and ugliness at once , and to make a choice .
While the verdict is far from certain about how this current moment will play out in terms of motivating a substantial structural and cultural transformation of racist America , for the moment , because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a safe position in America .
Writer , comedian , and activist Baratunde Thurston voiced this analysis when he appeared on MSNBC ’ s The 11th Hour , hosted by Brian Williams , just prior to Trump ’ s controversial rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma in June .
He explained , The challenge now is we ’ re in an increasingly common moment , at least in awareness .
That racism is still real , that police are out of control when it comes to Black people and the use of force .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the majority of the country , two-thirds , now sides with Black Lives Matter .
It ’ s so safe that Mitt Romney feels comfortable going to a Black Lives Matter rally .
It ’ s so safe that NASCAR has banned the confederate flag at its events .
Yet this president doesn ’ t feel safe ; he ’ s so insecure because he ’ s not really the president of all of us .
He ’ s president of a small and shrinking group of extremists who are out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a truth to this country we are ready to start to really reckon with .
Thurston is clear that the reckoning with racism in America is just beginning .
But getting a majority of Americans to agree that racism is a reality , to stop the mantra that we live in a post-racial society or that slavery happened long ago and we ’ re beyond it , is start .
And this reckoning might not have happened in such an accelerated way without Trump constantly making loudly visible America ’ s racist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House , we can all remember , enabled many to declare the end of racism in America .
And maybe because Obama would actually address racial violence , such as he did with the murder of Trayvon Martin , white Americans were enabled to not speak out .
They were let off the hook .
Their elected leader spoke out ; they didn ’ t have to .
Thurston highlights how the lack of leadership at the top , in the White House , has actually pushed white Americans to speak up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter .
“ What we lack in the White House , ” he asserts , “ We actually have in the streets.
” “ The people , ” he says , “ are re-imagining what democracy , what participation , what American could and should look like.
” Back in August 2017 , after Charlottesville , my spouse organized a rally in our northwest-side neighborhood in Chicago , where many police live and where racism is alive and well .
She did so with some trepidation and with uncertainty about whether anybody would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the neighborhood , of all ages and colors , showed up to sing , carry candles , and express their desire for a different world from that Trump promoted .
As we walked the outskirts of the park , hundreds of drivers honked in support .
Anti-racism wasn ’ t necessarily a safe position in this neighborhood .
It ’ s becoming so , increasingly .
This isn ’ t to say virulent racism isn ’ t alive and well .
It means people are becoming emboldened in speaking out against it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neutrality and ignorance no longer viable .
We ’ ll see how American democracy plays out .

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This unfortunate and hopefully soon-expiring moment in U.S. history, Donald Trump’s presidency, has been anything but subtle in summoning the worst energies, impulses, and dimensions embedded in the nation’s history and still animating contemporary culture and politics.
If it hadn’t been clear during his 2016 campaign when he characterized Mexican immigrants as rapists and criminals, or years earlier when he enthusiastically jumped on the Obama birther bandwagon, his overt, even celebratory, racism was laid bare in August 2017 when garden variety white supremacists marched in Charlottesville, Virginia, carrying tiki torches and chanting, “Jews will not replace us!” Trump, of course, insisted that at least some of these racist haters were, indeed, “fine people.”
That racism existed in America wasn’t what was shocking, at least to many. What was shocking was Trump’s overt and unabashed expression, validation, and appeal to the nation’s racist values and instincts.
A prominent view at the time was that Trump had emboldened bigotry and encouraged racial violence, that he was making America safe for racism.
Indeed, his rhetoric arguably triggered mass racist shootings at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh in October 2018 and at a Walmart in El Paso in August 2019 when a gunman admittedly targeted Mexicans and echoed many of Trump’s anti-immigrant and anti-Mexican talking points.
Trump’s exorbitant racism, though, has in fact begun to have the opposite effect of, in fact, making America safe for anti-racism and democracy.
While I wouldn’t go so far as to call this effect a silver lining of Trump’s presidency, I would suggest that Trump has functioned as a kind of unorthodox therapist, pulling up from the nation’s unconscious the reality of racism and genocide Americans have long wanted to ignore.
The dog whistles were fine. The Republican party’s encoding of racism in terms of “state’s rights” and “tax cuts” in its infamous Southern Strategy gave Americans an out, an alibi for the criminal racist practices institutionalized in the nation’s political, economic, and social structures yet articulated at the same time as at odds with the nation’s supposedly most cherished values of equality and democracy.
Racism, to some extent, could be kept below surface; de facto segregation enable white Americans to turn a blind eye to its reality. Out of sight, out of mind.
Some of America’s best friends are Black. America doesn’t see color.
Trump put an end to these evasions and dog whistles.
Langston Hughes, in his 1926 essay “The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain,” wrote about his Black community, ‘We know we’re beautiful. And ugly, too.”
Without Hughes’ eloquence, Trump in his own un-poetic way has forced white America, in a way it had not in recent decades, to confront its beauty and ugliness at once, and to make a choice.
While the verdict is far from certain about how this current moment will play out in terms of motivating a substantial structural and cultural transformation of racist America, for the moment, because of Trump ironically, anti-racism is becoming a safe position in America.
Writer, comedian, and activist Baratunde Thurston voiced this analysis when he appeared on MSNBC’s The 11th Hour, hosted by Brian Williams, just prior to Trump’s controversial rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma in June. He explained,
The challenge now is we’re in an increasingly common moment, at least in awareness. That racism is still real, that police are out of control when it comes to Black people and the use of force. And it’s become so safe that the majority of the country, two-thirds, now sides with Black Lives Matter. It’s so safe that Mitt Romney feels comfortable going to a Black Lives Matter rally. It’s so safe that NASCAR has banned the confederate flag at its events. Yet this president doesn’t feel safe; he’s so insecure because he’s not really the president of all of us. He’s president of a small and shrinking group of extremists who are out of touch with the increasing consensus that there is a truth to this country we are ready to start to really reckon with.
Thurston is clear that the reckoning with racism in America is just beginning. But getting a majority of Americans to agree that racism is a reality, to stop the mantra that we live in a post-racial society or that slavery happened long ago and we’re beyond it, is start.
And this reckoning might not have happened in such an accelerated way without Trump constantly making loudly visible America’s racist reality.
Having President Obama in the White House, we can all remember, enabled many to declare the end of racism in America.
And maybe because Obama would actually address racial violence, such as he did with the murder of Trayvon Martin, white Americans were enabled to not speak out. They were let off the hook. Their elected leader spoke out; they didn’t have to.
Thurston highlights how the lack of leadership at the top, in the White House, has actually pushed white Americans to speak up and out and coalesce with Black Lives matter. “What we lack in the White House,” he asserts, “We actually have in the streets.”
“The people,” he says, “are re-imagining what democracy, what participation, what American could and should look like.”
Back in August 2017, after Charlottesville, my spouse organized a rally in our northwest-side neighborhood in Chicago, where many police live and where racism is alive and well. She did so with some trepidation and with uncertainty about whether anybody would show up. Well over 300 folks from the neighborhood, of all ages and colors, showed up to sing, carry candles, and express their desire for a different world from that Trump promoted. As we walked the outskirts of the park, hundreds of drivers honked in support.
Anti-racism wasn’t necessarily a safe position in this neighborhood. It’s becoming so, increasingly.
This isn’t to say virulent racism isn’t alive and well. It means people are becoming emboldened in speaking out against it and resisting it.
Trump has made neutrality and ignorance no longer viable. We’ll see how American democracy plays out.


politicususa--2020-07-12--Opinion: Thankfully, an Incompetent Trump Can’t Even Pack The SCOTUS

This term ’ s Supreme Court rulings prove that America ’ s democracy is destined to survive the incompetent dictator-wannabe currently occupying the White House .
Without question , the rule of law and democracy won .
The unanimous finding among Supreme Court Justices across the ideological spectrum used various methods of legal analysis to find that the president is not above the law – at least he isn ’ t this week .
Court watchers who hoped the court would definitely provide a prescription to our political woes were disappointed .
SCOTUS sent both of the Trump financial records @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instructions .
This has happened before , but with democracy being at stake , it seems disappointing this time .
The thing about unstable tyrannical types in the White House is that you have to keep watching them ; you have to find the truth behind every lie they spew because their dishonesty surplus is how they balance the empathy deficit .
You have to anticipate every dirty trick as they dodge and weave the Constitution the way criminals dodge the police .
If we learned nothing from this nightmare , it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apathy sets in , even if you think you are justified , it means the wrong people choose presidents , Senators , Congressmen , state and local governments .
It means the wrong judges are elected or appointed .
As important as this week ’ s wins for the rule of law were , the fact remains we will be on perilous ground until we see the Trump madness leave the White House – hopefully in a peaceful transfer of power if not sooner .
Democrats take note : the courts do matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we think the law is boring most of the time , it ’ s our safety net when all other safety nets frayed and withered away .
There can not be democracy without the rule of law and there can not be a rule of law unless the law applies to everyone , including the most privileged of the privileged .
Heaven knows I ’ ve cursed the Roberts court , like when it threw immigrants , voters and women under the bus .
Like when it gave a wink and a nod @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a behind the scenes player in cases on which an ethical Judge Thomas would have recused himself .
But this week I saw hope that the Supreme Court would pivot back to the rule of law .
It is this pivot , not what ’ s in the tax returns themselves , that matters .
Like everyone else in America , I wanted Trump ’ s financial records out there for the world to see .
We have a right to make informed decisions about the person we put in the White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right , that could still happen .
But do we really need to know what ’ s in those tax forms to know that Trump is a threat to our existence as a country , to our lives , to our institutions and values ?
Trump should still be impeached even if elected him a second time .
He deserves the actual stigma of impeachment vs. the one in his head about subpoenas .
Hopefully the Senate will convict him and forever bar him from ever holding public office again .
He earned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than that , there is no real political benefit from knowing about Trump ’ s tax info ( four years ago is an entirely different matter . )
Far more importantly , the Court preserved the oversight power , though it established rules which may be insufficiently deferential to the third , equal branch of government .
The four criteria that Congress must meet are set out beautifully in this analysis by Sean Kealy .
In short , the court sought to assure that Congress has a specific and narrow legislative purpose for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while setting out its , the court suggested this list is not “ exhaustive.
” Nearly as importantly , the SCOTUS reaffirmed its commitment to precedent , which would produce a yawn at less volatile times in our history .
In the June Medical Services v. Russo ruling , Chief Justice Roberts wrote : “ I joined the dissent in Whole Woman ’ s Health and continue to believe that the case was wrongly decided .
The question today however is not whether Whole Woman ’ s Health was right or wrong , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deciding the present case … The legal doctrine of stare decisis requires us , absent special circumstances , to treat like cases alike .
The Louisiana law imposes a burden on access to abortion just as severe as that imposed by the Texas law , for the same reasons.
” I ’ ll take it , even though there is ample room to question the court ’ s consistency on precedent , especially when one looks at what it did to women ’ s healthcare this past week .
Full disclosure : this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ the pill ” for medical reasons unrelated to family planning for many years .
The very idea of having to ask my boss permission to allow my doctor to provide me with medicine I need is repulsive .
It ’ s infantizing and demeaning to all women when they are seeking medical treatment , reproductive care or anything from their healthcare providers that may offend their boss ’ s deeply held financial , I mean religious , beliefs .
These rulings prove that , thankfully , an incompetent Trump can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question he chose judges that dehumanized women and immigrants and nudged voting rights closer to voting privileges .
But when it came down to crossing the line between the rule of law and rule of Trump ; they still sided with the Rule of Law .
We should rejoice , then get back to the business of replacing this Mussolini wannabe with Joe Biden .

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This term’s Supreme Court rulings prove that America’s democracy is destined to survive the incompetent dictator-wannabe currently occupying the White House. Without question, the rule of law and democracy won. The unanimous finding among Supreme Court Justices across the ideological spectrum used various methods of legal analysis to find that the president is not above the law – at least he isn’t this week.
Court watchers who hoped the court would definitely provide a prescription to our political woes were disappointed. SCOTUS sent both of the Trump financial records cases back to the lower courts with instructions. This has happened before, but with democracy being at stake, it seems disappointing this time.
The thing about unstable tyrannical types in the White House is that you have to keep watching them; you have to find the truth behind every lie they spew because their dishonesty surplus is how they balance the empathy deficit. You have to anticipate every dirty trick as they dodge and weave the Constitution the way criminals dodge the police.
If we learned nothing from this nightmare, it is that elections really do matter. When apathy sets in, even if you think you are justified, it means the wrong people choose presidents, Senators, Congressmen, state and local governments. It means the wrong judges are elected or appointed.
As important as this week’s wins for the rule of law were, the fact remains we will be on perilous ground until we see the Trump madness leave the White House – hopefully in a peaceful transfer of power if not sooner.
Democrats take note: the courts do matter. This week proved that even if we think the law is boring most of the time, it’s our safety net when all other safety nets frayed and withered away. There cannot be democracy without the rule of law and there cannot be a rule of law unless the law applies to everyone, including the most privileged of the privileged.
Heaven knows I’ve cursed the Roberts court, like when it threw immigrants, voters and women under the bus. Like when it gave a wink and a nod to corporate interests and when Ginny Thomas was a behind the scenes player in cases on which an ethical Judge Thomas would have recused himself.
But this week I saw hope that the Supreme Court would pivot back to the rule of law. It is this pivot, not what’s in the tax returns themselves, that matters.
Like everyone else in America, I wanted Trump’s financial records out there for the world to see. We have a right to make informed decisions about the person we put in the White House. And if Neal Katyal is right, that could still happen.
But do we really need to know what’s in those tax forms to know that Trump is a threat to our existence as a country, to our lives, to our institutions and values? Trump should still be impeached even if elected him a second time. He deserves the actual stigma of impeachment vs. the one in his head about subpoenas. Hopefully the Senate will convict him and forever bar him from ever holding public office again. He earned that distinction in spades. But other than that, there is no real political benefit from knowing about Trump’s tax info (four years ago is an entirely different matter.)
Far more importantly, the Court preserved the oversight power, though it established rules which may be insufficiently deferential to the third, equal branch of government. The four criteria that Congress must meet are set out beautifully in this analysis by Sean Kealy.
In short, the court sought to assure that Congress has a specific and narrow legislative purpose for seeking a president’s documents and while setting out its , the court suggested this list is not “exhaustive.”
Nearly as importantly, the SCOTUS reaffirmed its commitment to precedent, which would produce a yawn at less volatile times in our history. In the June Medical Services v. Russo ruling, Chief Justice Roberts wrote:
“I joined the dissent in Whole Woman’s Health and continue to believe that the case was wrongly decided. The question today however is not whether Whole Woman’s Health was right or wrong, but whether to adhere to it in deciding the present case … The legal doctrine of stare decisis requires us, absent special circumstances, to treat like cases alike. The Louisiana law imposes a burden on access to abortion just as severe as that imposed by the Texas law, for the same reasons.”
I’ll take it, even though there is ample room to question the court’s consistency on precedent, especially when one looks at what it did to women’s healthcare this past week.
Full disclosure: this one is personal, since I took “the pill” for medical reasons unrelated to family planning for many years. The very idea of having to ask my boss permission to allow my doctor to provide me with medicine I need is repulsive. It’s infantizing and demeaning to all women when they are seeking medical treatment, reproductive care or anything from their healthcare providers that may offend their boss’s deeply held financial, I mean religious, beliefs.
These rulings prove that, thankfully, an incompetent Trump can’t even pack a court right. Without question he chose judges that dehumanized women and immigrants and nudged voting rights closer to voting privileges. But when it came down to crossing the line between the rule of law and rule of Trump; they still sided with the Rule of Law.
We should rejoice, then get back to the business of replacing this Mussolini wannabe with Joe Biden.


politicususa--2020-07-11--Opinion: Investigate religious schools for indoctrinating students, not universities

When Trump appointed anti-public school lobbyist Betsy DeVos as Education Secretary , he made it abundantly clear that he detests America ’ s public education system .
On Friday Trump ordered Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin to review American universities ’ tax-exempt status after he threatened to cutoff federal funding to any schools that refuse to reopen despite the virulent Trump plague ravaging the nation .
For starters , Trump has the same level of animus and blatant contempt towards public schools as he does the U.S. Constitution , the rule of law , and the lives of American citizens – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , institutions of higher education are facing his wrath , and in serious jeopardy , because instead of educating Americans , they only focus on “ radical left indoctrination.
” Trump used his official communications office , Twitter , to rail against higher educational institutions thus : “ I am telling the Treasury Department to re-examine their Tax-exempt status and/or funding , which will be taken away if this Propaganda or Act Against Public Policy continues .
Our children must be educated , not indoctrinated.
” Throughout this author ’ s two-and-a-half decades @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private and public sector , it was clear that for conservatives and the radically religious “ Indoctrination ” entails any education that is not bible-based and founded in radical conservatism .
In simpler terms , giving students a well-rounded education founded in historical facts and empiricism is considered “ radical left indoctrination.
” And , it is considered un-American , radical , and just plain evil ; simply because those educated students are less-inclined to fall victim to a con artist like Trump or whichever Republican attempts to pedal nonsense .
If Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tax-exempt status from “ educational facilities ” that are definitely indoctrinating their students , he must immediately order Treasury Secretary Mnuchin to investigate religious schools , such as a staunch Trump supporter Liberty University , and its ilk .
To get an accurate view of what kind of monumental scam a “ non-profit indoctrination institution ” Liberty University really is , consider that in 2016 the Jerry Falwell non-profit private religious school made some very serious profits while indoctrinating students .
That year the so-called non-profit school “ generated $ 215 million in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in revenue.
” Add to that amount of “ non-profit ” the tax-exempt Christian university ’ s “ net assets now exceed $ 2.5 billion.
” That profit is substantially subsidized by taxpayers ’ largesse in the form of student grants and student loans from the US Department of Education and the US Department of Veterans Affairs .
Additionally , Americans should be outraged that the $ 2.5 billion indoctrination school reaped a whopping $ 15,205,124 from the COVID-19 relief package , known as the CARES Act .
On top of providing relief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Act stimulus provides about $ 14 billion in grants to higher education institutions ; including those so-called “ non-profit ” tax-exempt private religious schools such as Liberty University .
It is noteworthy to mention that all religious schools exist to “ indoctrinate ” students and it is apparent that Trump is happy with that kind of “ indoctrination ” or he would order the Treasury Secretary to immediately “ re-evaluate the tax-exempt status , and/or government funding for any educational institution guilty of indoctrination.
” Trump did say , that “ children must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a brain-dead zombie believes that Trump cares one iota about education , or indoctrination for that matter .
However , he seriously cares about parroting the religious right ’ s favorite complaints about America ’ s education system being founded in reality and truth as opposed to archaic religious mythos .
Trump is not the first Republican to complain about , especially , higher education institutions teaching students to think critically and form a worldview founded on facts and reality .
Republicans are well aware , as is Trump , that when people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that affect their well-being , they would reject Republicans out of hand .
It is obvious that Trump ’ s sudden interest in America ’ s education system is based on how best to use it to incite his base during an election .
He has had three-and-a-half years to attack higher education ’ s tax-exempt status for its so-called indoctrination crusade and he owned a majority Republican Congress that would gladly have executed his order .
It is noteworthy that besides labeling a rounded education as indoctrination , Trump claimed that kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public policy.
” Most Americans who are educated understand that Trump does not have the authority to withhold funding from schools , or unilaterally end their tax-exempt status .
What they may not be aware of , though , is that the Internal Revenue Service allows non-profit , tax-exempt educational institutions to teach whatever they want .
If that was not the case and if indoctrinating students warranted losing tax-exempt status , every religious school in the nation would lose that status in a heartbeat .
Trump is , as many pundits and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an election ; his only recourse is grasping at anything he believes will inspire his base .
However , if he is really intent on stripping the Internal Revenue Service ’ s tax-exempt status from schools for “ indoctrinating students , ” his precious religious schools will be eviscerated for indoctrinating students in ancient mythology and superstition instead of offering a well-rounded education founded in reality and facts .

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When Trump appointed anti-public school lobbyist Betsy DeVos as Education Secretary, he made it abundantly clear that he detests America’s public education system.
On Friday Trump ordered Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin to review American universities’ tax-exempt status after he threatened to cutoff federal funding to any schools that refuse to reopen despite the virulent Trump plague ravaging the nation.
For starters, Trump has the same level of animus and blatant contempt towards public schools as he does the U.S. Constitution, the rule of law, and the lives of American citizens – including U.S. soldiers.
According to Trump, institutions of higher education are facing his wrath, and in serious jeopardy, because instead of educating Americans, they only focus on “radical left indoctrination.” Trump used his official communications office, Twitter, to rail against higher educational institutions thus:
“I am telling the Treasury Department to re-examine their Tax-exempt status and/or funding, which will be taken away if this Propaganda or Act Against Public Policy continues. Our children must be educated, not indoctrinated.”
Throughout this author’s two-and-a-half decades in every level of education in the private and public sector, it was clear that for conservatives and the radically religious “Indoctrination” entails any education that is not bible-based and founded in radical conservatism. In simpler terms, giving students a well-rounded education founded in historical facts and empiricism is considered “radical left indoctrination.” And, it is considered un-American, radical, and just plain evil; simply because those educated students are less-inclined to fall victim to a con artist like Trump or whichever Republican attempts to pedal nonsense.
If Trump is seriously interested in stripping non-profit, tax-exempt status from “educational facilities” that are definitely indoctrinating their students, he must immediately order Treasury Secretary Mnuchin to investigate religious schools, such as a staunch Trump supporter Liberty University, and its ilk.
To get an accurate view of what kind of monumental scam a “non-profit indoctrination institution” Liberty University really is, consider that in 2016 the Jerry Falwell non-profit private religious school made some very serious profits while indoctrinating students.
That year the so-called non-profit school “generated $215 million in net income on nearly $1 billion in revenue.” Add to that amount of “non-profit” the tax-exempt Christian university’s “net assets now exceed $2.5 billion.” That profit is substantially subsidized by taxpayers’ largesse in the form of student grants and student loans from the US Department of Education and the US Department of Veterans Affairs.
Additionally, Americans should be outraged that the $2.5 billion indoctrination school reaped a whopping $15,205,124 from the COVID-19 relief package, known as the CARES Act. On top of providing relief to student loan borrowers, the CARES Act stimulus provides about $14 billion in grants to higher education institutions; including those so-called “non-profit” tax-exempt private religious schools such as Liberty University.
It is noteworthy to mention that all religious schools exist to “indoctrinate” students and it is apparent that Trump is happy with that kind of “indoctrination” or he would order the Treasury Secretary to immediately “re-evaluate the tax-exempt status, and/or government funding for any educational institution guilty of indoctrination.” Trump did say, that “children must be educated, not indoctrinated.”
Only a brain-dead zombie believes that Trump cares one iota about education, or indoctrination for that matter. However, he seriously cares about parroting the religious right’s favorite complaints about America’s education system being founded in reality and truth as opposed to archaic religious mythos. Trump is not the first Republican to complain about, especially, higher education institutions teaching students to think critically and form a worldview founded on facts and reality. Republicans are well aware, as is Trump, that when people examine any issue critically, particularly issues that affect their well-being, they would reject Republicans out of hand.
It is obvious that Trump’s sudden interest in America’s education system is based on how best to use it to incite his base during an election. He has had three-and-a-half years to attack higher education’s tax-exempt status for its so-called indoctrination crusade and he owned a majority Republican Congress that would gladly have executed his order. It is noteworthy that besides labeling a rounded education as indoctrination, Trump claimed that kind of education is “propaganda and against public policy.”
Most Americans who are educated understand that Trump does not have the authority to withhold funding from schools, or unilaterally end their tax-exempt status. What they may not be aware of, though, is that the Internal Revenue Service allows non-profit, tax-exempt educational institutions to teach whatever they want. If that was not the case and if indoctrinating students warranted losing tax-exempt status, every religious school in the nation would lose that status in a heartbeat.
Trump is, as many pundits and commentators have noted, terrified of losing an election; his only recourse is grasping at anything he believes will inspire his base. However, if he is really intent on stripping the Internal Revenue Service’s tax-exempt status from schools for “indoctrinating students,” his precious religious schools will be eviscerated for indoctrinating students in ancient mythology and superstition instead of offering a well-rounded education founded in reality and facts.


politicususa--2020-07-11--Barr Flees Trump And Tries To Deny Involvement In Roger Stone Clemency

Attorney General William Barr is claiming that he recommended against clemency for Roger Stone and the DOJ had nothing to do with it .
Attorney General William Barr spoke with President Donald Trump about Roger Stone and recommended against granting him clemency , an administration official told NBC News .
Other White House officials were also opposed to Trump ’ s decision due to fears of political blowback , including Chief of Staff Mark Meadows , according to a person familiar with the matter .
The official also said that the Department of Justice had nothing to do with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s sentence on seven felony crimes , which occurred only four days before the 67-year-old Republican operative was set to start his 40 months in federal prison .
It is already known that Barr was involved in the Roger Stone case .
In February , Barr changed Roger Stone ’ s sentencing recommendation , so of course , Barr was involved .
He has been trying to do Trump ’ s bidding and get Roger Stone out of trouble for months .
The corrupt Attorney General doesn ’ t get to deny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of blowback on him .
Barr is Trump ’ s DOJ minion , and he can ’ t pretend that he has integrity and independence when it has been demonstrated that he has neither .

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Attorney General William Barr is claiming that he recommended against clemency for Roger Stone and the DOJ had nothing to do with it.
CNBC reported:
Attorney General William Barr spoke with President Donald Trump about Roger Stone and recommended against granting him clemency, an administration official told NBC News.
Other White House officials were also opposed to Trump’s decision due to fears of political blowback, including Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, according to a person familiar with the matter.
The official also said that the Department of Justice had nothing to do with the president’s decision to commute Stone’s sentence on seven felony crimes, which occurred only four days before the 67-year-old Republican operative was set to start his 40 months in federal prison.
It is already known that Barr was involved in the Roger Stone case. In February, Barr changed Roger Stone’s sentencing recommendation, so of course, Barr was involved. He has been trying to do Trump’s bidding and get Roger Stone out of trouble for months.
The corrupt Attorney General doesn’t get to deny the actions of the corrupt president, because of blowback on him.
Barr is Trump’s DOJ minion, and he can’t pretend that he has integrity and independence when it has been demonstrated that he has neither.


politicususa--2020-07-11--Congress To Act To Take Away Trump’s Abuse Of Pardon And Commutation Powers

Speaker of the House Pelosi said that Congress will act to take away Trump ’ s ability to use pardons and commutations to shield himself from criminal prosecution .
Speaker Pelosi said in a statement provided to PoliticusUSA : President Trump ’ s decision to commute the sentence of top campaign advisor Roger Stone , who could directly implicate him in criminal misconduct , is an act of staggering corruption .
Congress will take action to prevent this type of brazen wrongdoing .
Legislation is needed to ensure that no President can pardon or commute the sentence of an individual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to shield that President from criminal prosecution .
Roger Stone ’ s seven felony crimes , which include lying to Congress and witness tampering , constitute grave crimes .
All who commit these illegal acts should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law .
This decision and Trump ’ s many other acts of corruption point to the urgency of electing a President in November who will respect the Constitution , the rule of law and the will of the American people .
Given that Mitt Romney is the only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out against Trump commuting Roger Stone ’ s sentence on seven felonies , the odds of such legislation getting through the Senate with a veto-proof majority are slim .
However , with potentially just months left in Trump ’ s presidency , Democrats are reaching the point where it is time to plan for the future to stop a criminal president like Trump from ever happening again .
Legislation to make sure that no future president can do what Trump has done is a good start , and even if Republicans insist on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can still take steps to check presidential power .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Speaker of the House Pelosi said that Congress will act to take away Trump’s ability to use pardons and commutations to shield himself from criminal prosecution.
Speaker Pelosi said in a statement provided to PoliticusUSA:
President Trump’s decision to commute the sentence of top campaign advisor Roger Stone, who could directly implicate him in criminal misconduct, is an act of staggering corruption.
Congress will take action to prevent this type of brazen wrongdoing. Legislation is needed to ensure that no President can pardon or commute the sentence of an individual who is engaged in a cover-up campaign to shield that President from criminal prosecution.
Roger Stone’s seven felony crimes, which include lying to Congress and witness tampering, constitute grave crimes. All who commit these illegal acts should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
This decision and Trump’s many other acts of corruption point to the urgency of electing a President in November who will respect the Constitution, the rule of law and the will of the American people.
Given that Mitt Romney is the only Senate Republican so far who has spoken out against Trump commuting Roger Stone’s sentence on seven felonies, the odds of such legislation getting through the Senate with a veto-proof majority are slim.
However, with potentially just months left in Trump’s presidency, Democrats are reaching the point where it is time to plan for the future to stop a criminal president like Trump from ever happening again.
Legislation to make sure that no future president can do what Trump has done is a good start, and even if Republicans insist on going down with Trump ship, Democrats can still take steps to check presidential power.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-07-12--Trump Throws A Fit After Getting Busted For Playing Nearly 3 Times More Golf Than Obama

Trump threw a fit on Sunday after getting called out for his frequent golfing , but he has played nearly three times more golf than Barack Obama .
Obama made 102 trips to the golf course , while Trump has made 276 trips to the golf course as president , with the vast majority of those trips being to Trump-owned properties , which means that Donald Trump makes money off of the taxpayers while he golfs .
The numbers are staggering .
Trump has played golf every 4.92 days as president , while Obama golfed an average of every 8.77 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , Trump has not slowed down his golfing habit .
Trump also has a notoriously light work schedule that usually runs from 11 AM-4 PM , and some of that time has built-in “ executive time ” which Trump uses for tweeting or talking to his friends on the phone .
With only a 4-5 hour workday on 4-5 days per week , Trump does spend almost as much time golfing as he does doing his job .
Trump has golfed for days on end as president Trump has spent more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ golf , and as Americans are dying , nothing is stopping him from robbing the taxpayers blind .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Trump threw a fit on Sunday after getting called out for his frequent golfing, but he has played nearly three times more golf than Barack Obama.
Trump tweeted:
…rounds, no problem. When I play, Fake News CNN, and others, park themselves anywhere they can to get a picture, then scream “President Trump is playing golf.” Actually, I play VERY fast, get a lot of work done on the golf course, and also get a “tiny” bit of exercise. Not bad! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 12, 2020
Obama made 102 trips to the golf course, while Trump has made 276 trips to the golf course as president, with the vast majority of those trips being to Trump-owned properties, which means that Donald Trump makes money off of the taxpayers while he golfs. The numbers are staggering. Trump has played golf every 4.92 days as president, while Obama golfed an average of every 8.77 days over eight years.
Amid a pandemic, Trump has not slowed down his golfing habit. Trump also has a notoriously light work schedule that usually runs from 11 AM-4 PM, and some of that time has built-in “executive time” which Trump uses for tweeting or talking to his friends on the phone.
With only a 4-5 hour workday on 4-5 days per week, Trump does spend almost as much time golfing as he does doing his job. Trump has golfed for days on end as president
Trump has spent more than three centuries worth of presidential salary on golf, and as Americans are dying, nothing is stopping him from robbing the taxpayers blind.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-07-12--Lindsey Graham Just Made A Huge Mistake By Letting Mueller Testify

Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-SC ) will allow Robert Mueller to testify because he thinks he can discredit Mueller and help Trump , but he has made a big mistake .
Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee have been trying to get Graham to allow Mueller to testify before their committee , and he has finally granted their request : Graham isn ’ t breaking with Trump .
With whispers growing that Graham ’ s seat could potentially be in play in South Carolina , The Senate Judiciary Committee chairman is allowing Mueller to testify as a Hail Mary to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carolina while trying to help Trump by changing the subject away from the pandemic .
Sen. Graham thinks that he can steamroll Mueller , but the former special counsel might be free to say a lot more before the Senate now that his work is done , and he has no further ongoing obligations than he could when he testified before the House .
It is a massive blunder to put a giant spotlight on the Trump/Russia connection as Trump is actively soliciting election interference from foreign governments .
The fact that Graham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how dire the situation is for Trump and the Republicans .
The odds are that Mueller ’ s testimony will backfire on Graham and cause more damage to Trump and his fading reelection prospects .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) will allow Robert Mueller to testify because he thinks he can discredit Mueller and help Trump, but he has made a big mistake.
Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee have been trying to get Graham to allow Mueller to testify before their committee, and he has finally granted their request:
Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee have previously requested Mr. Mueller appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee to testify about his investigation. That request will be granted. — Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) July 12, 2020
Graham isn’t breaking with Trump. With whispers growing that Graham’s seat could potentially be in play in South Carolina, The Senate Judiciary Committee chairman is allowing Mueller to testify as a Hail Mary to earn points with Republican voters in South Carolina while trying to help Trump by changing the subject away from the pandemic.
Sen. Graham thinks that he can steamroll Mueller, but the former special counsel might be free to say a lot more before the Senate now that his work is done, and he has no further ongoing obligations than he could when he testified before the House.
It is a massive blunder to put a giant spotlight on the Trump/Russia connection as Trump is actively soliciting election interference from foreign governments.
The fact that Graham is willing to take this risk shows how dire the situation is for Trump and the Republicans. The odds are that Mueller’s testimony will backfire on Graham and cause more damage to Trump and his fading reelection prospects.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-07-12--Trump Forced To Cancel Rally Due To Low Attendance

The Trump campaign blamed their canceled New Hampshire rally on the weather , but the truth is they canceled due to low attendance .
There were no signs of the typical throngs of supporters camped out days in advance for a good spot ; the Republican governor said he would skip it , advising anyone at high risk to stay home over coronavirus concerns ; fears of a repeat of Tulsa ’ s disappointing turnout weighed heavily ; and then came the stormy weather reports , which could have further stifled attendance .
By the time the campaign announced that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ safety concerns ” over a tropical storm barreling toward the Northeast on Friday afternoon , people close to the campaign said fears over low turnout also motivated the decision to scrap the event .
The Trump campaign is already signaling that they are going to cancel Trump ’ s Republican nomination acceptance speech in Jacksonville because they are afraid of being humiliated again .
With coronavirus cases surging around the country , it is obvious people , even Trump supporters , don ’ t want to go to large gatherings where they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s support skews older , the risk is even higher for his supporters .
The entire Trump campaign is built on holding rallies to harvest voter data that they can use to get out their vote in November .
Without rallies , Trump has no effective mechanism for campaigning .
His campaign ’ s early efforts at ads have been laughably bad and out of touch with the country .
Trump is terrible at giving speeches , and if possible , even worse at press conferences .
The message is crushing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t willing to die to hear him boost his ego at a rambling rally .

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The Trump campaign blamed their canceled New Hampshire rally on the weather, but the truth is they canceled due to low attendance.
NBC News reported:
There were no signs of the typical throngs of supporters camped out days in advance for a good spot; the Republican governor said he would skip it, advising anyone at high risk to stay home over coronavirus concerns; fears of a repeat of Tulsa’s disappointing turnout weighed heavily; and then came the stormy weather reports, which could have further stifled attendance.
By the time the campaign announced that the Portsmouth event was off, citing “safety concerns” over a tropical storm barreling toward the Northeast on Friday afternoon, people close to the campaign said fears over low turnout also motivated the decision to scrap the event.
The Trump campaign is already signaling that they are going to cancel Trump’s Republican nomination acceptance speech in Jacksonville because they are afraid of being humiliated again.
With coronavirus cases surging around the country, it is obvious people, even Trump supporters, don’t want to go to large gatherings where they could potentially get sick, and given Trump’s support skews older, the risk is even higher for his supporters.
The entire Trump campaign is built on holding rallies to harvest voter data that they can use to get out their vote in November.
Without rallies, Trump has no effective mechanism for campaigning. His campaign’s early efforts at ads have been laughably bad and out of touch with the country. Trump is terrible at giving speeches, and if possible, even worse at press conferences.
The message is crushing. Trump’s supporters aren’t willing to die to hear him boost his ego at a rambling rally.


politicususa--2020-07-12--Jim Jordan Says All Voters Care About Is Sending Someone To Jail For Investigating Trump

Rep. Jim Jordan ( R-OH ) claimed that the number one question that he gets is about sending someone to jail for investigating Trump and Russia .
Jordan said , “ The number one question I get whether I ’ m in the fourth district of Ohio or traveling around our state , or traveling around the country .
The number one question I get from people is that they ’ ll walk up to me and say when is somebody going to jail ?
The reason they say is that they ’ re sick of the double standard .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of rules for the politically connected in DC and a different set for us regular folks .
So let ’ s hope that we have the investigation done before the election .
Let ’ s hope that someone is going to be held accountable for the major wrongdoing that took place when they targeted the president ’ s campaign.
” Jim Jordan is a member of the House , so he is one of the politically connected people in DC .
Jordan is not regular folks .
He is one of the elite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jordan should get is related to the sex abuse that he covered up at Ohio State .
Jordan must spend all of his time hanging out at Fox News if that is the number one question that he gets .
Jordan needs to hang out with different people because the questions that most Americans are asking involve the pandemic , the economy , and healthcare .
Republicans are praying that the Durham report changes the subject away from every important issue that voters are concerned about .
It is not just Trump running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican Party is trying to fool America into ignoring the fact that their president wrecked the nation .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) claimed that the number one question that he gets is about sending someone to jail for investigating Trump and Russia.
Jordan said, “The number one question I get whether I’m in the fourth district of Ohio or traveling around our state, or traveling around the country. The number one question I get from people is that they’ll walk up to me and say when is somebody going to jail? The reason they say is that they’re sick of the double standard. This idea that there is one set of rules for the politically connected in DC and a different set for us regular folks. So let’s hope that we have the investigation done before the election. Let’s hope that someone is going to be held accountable for the major wrongdoing that took place when they targeted the president’s campaign.”
Jim Jordan is a member of the House, so he is one of the politically connected people in DC. Jordan is not regular folks. He is one of the elite. The number one question that Jim Jordan should get is related to the sex abuse that he covered up at Ohio State.
Video of Rep. Jordan:
While America is ravaged by a deadly pandemic and unemployment is in double digits, Rep. Jim Jordan claims that "the number one question I get from people" is about "when somebody is going to jail" for the investigation of the Trump campaign's dealings with Russia pic.twitter.com/GlB5sIFP3E — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 12, 2020
Jordan must spend all of his time hanging out at Fox News if that is the number one question that he gets. Jordan needs to hang out with different people because the questions that most Americans are asking involve the pandemic, the economy, and healthcare.
Republicans are praying that the Durham report changes the subject away from every important issue that voters are concerned about.
It is not just Trump running a campaign of distraction. The entire Republican Party is trying to fool America into ignoring the fact that their president wrecked the nation.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-07-12--Trump Adviser Loses It And Declares Biden A Chinese Communist Candidate

Trump trade adviser Peter Navarro spread his racist coronavirus conspiracy theory and declared Joe Biden the candidate of the Chinese Communist Party .
Navarro said on Fox ’ s Sunday Morning Futures , “ We were cruising along until the Chinese Communist Party basically hit us with that deadly virus , that weaponized virus , and I don ’ t think it ’ s any coincidence that that first year that China had a down economy is the same year now that they are coming after us in all sorts of ways , and Joe Biden is the candidate of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been spreading a vile and racist conspiracy about the pandemic for weeks on cable television .
The Trump campaign is really going to with the nonsense that Joe Biden is a radical leftist communist , even though Donald Trump asked the Chinese communists for help in the 2020 election , and didn ’ t want to say anything bad about China as the virus spread .
Trump owes hundreds of millions of dollars to the Chinese government .
China wants Trump to win because he has weakened the United States .
China funneled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reelection .
The candidate of communists and authoritarians everywhere isn ’ t Joe Biden .
It ’ s Donald Trump .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Trump trade adviser Peter Navarro spread his racist coronavirus conspiracy theory and declared Joe Biden the candidate of the Chinese Communist Party.
Navarro said on Fox’s Sunday Morning Futures, “We were cruising along until the Chinese Communist Party basically hit us with that deadly virus, that weaponized virus, and I don’t think it’s any coincidence that that first year that China had a down economy is the same year now that they are coming after us in all sorts of ways, and Joe Biden is the candidate of the Chinese Communist Party.”
Video via Josh Marshall of Talking Points Memo:
Trump Econ Advisor Navarro claims China sent "weaponized virus" to attack US because Chinese economy was having a down year, declares Biden "candidate of the Chinese Communist Party." pic.twitter.com/s5KGQ77kKs — Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) July 12, 2020
Navarro has been spreading a vile and racist conspiracy about the pandemic for weeks on cable television.
The Trump campaign is really going to with the nonsense that Joe Biden is a radical leftist communist, even though Donald Trump asked the Chinese communists for help in the 2020 election, and didn’t want to say anything bad about China as the virus spread.
Trump owes hundreds of millions of dollars to the Chinese government. China wants Trump to win because he has weakened the United States.
China funneled money into Trump PACs to support his reelection.
The candidate of communists and authoritarians everywhere isn’t Joe Biden. It’s Donald Trump.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-07-12--Adam Schiff Blames Republicans For Virus Deaths Because They Didn’t Remove Trump

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff pointed out that one of the consequences of Republicans not convicting and removing Trump is 130,000 virus deaths .
Transcript of House Intelligence Committee Chairman Schiff on ABC ’ s This Week STEPHANOPOULOS : Of course , the other possible remedy is impeachment .
I want to actually bring up a quote from James Madison , 1778 , constitutional convention , talking about the president ’ s pardon power .
He said : If the president be connected in any suspicious manner with any person and there be grounds to believe he will shelter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeach him .
They can remove him if found guilty .
Now , you said at the same issue , the Republicans now being opposed to impeachment .
But is this an impeachable offense ?
SCHIFF : It ’ s an impeachable offense if you abuse the pardon power to protect yourself from criminal liability .
But again , George , if the Republicans won ’ t say a word , of course , they ’ re not going to vote to impeach and convict .
We already presented a case with overwhelming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And , indeed , of course , during that impeachment , we warned that if they left him in office , knowing that he committed impeachable offenses , that the damage he could do between now and Election Day could be severe .
And here we are now , 130,000 Americans dead , we had no idea just how bad the damage would be .
But nonetheless we knew the damage would be grave .
According to the Trump Death Clock , Trump ’ s inaction on the pandemic has killed more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doubt that the death toll would have been lower with anyone else in the White House .
Chairman Schiff was right .
The consequences of Senate Republicans putting protecting Trump ahead of what was best for the country have been more deadly than anyone could have imagined .
Mitch McConnell and his crew set the wheels in motion for hundreds of thousands of Americans to needlessly die .
It all could have been avoided if Republicans would have convicted and removed Donald Trump from office .
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House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff pointed out that one of the consequences of Republicans not convicting and removing Trump is 130,000 virus deaths.
Transcript of House Intelligence Committee Chairman Schiff on ABC’s This Week
STEPHANOPOULOS: Of course, the other possible remedy is impeachment. I want to actually bring up a quote from James Madison, 1778, constitutional convention, talking about the president’s pardon power. He said: If the president be connected in any suspicious manner with any person and there be grounds to believe he will shelter him, the House of Representatives can impeach him. They can remove him if found guilty. Now, you said at the same issue, the Republicans now being opposed to impeachment. But is this an impeachable offense?
SCHIFF: It’s an impeachable offense if you abuse the pardon power to protect yourself from criminal liability. But again, George, if the Republicans won’t say a word, of course, they’re not going to vote to impeach and convict.
We already presented a case with overwhelming evidence and they refused to convict them. And, indeed, of course, during that impeachment, we warned that if they left him in office, knowing that he committed impeachable offenses, that the damage he could do between now and Election Day could be severe.
And here we are now, 130,000 Americans dead, we had no idea just how bad the damage would be. But nonetheless we knew the damage would be grave.
Video of Schiff:
According to the Trump Death Clock, Trump’s inaction on the pandemic has killed more than 80,000 Americans. There is no doubt that the death toll would have been lower with anyone else in the White House.
Chairman Schiff was right. The consequences of Senate Republicans putting protecting Trump ahead of what was best for the country have been more deadly than anyone could have imagined.
Mitch McConnell and his crew set the wheels in motion for hundreds of thousands of Americans to needlessly die.
It all could have been avoided if Republicans would have convicted and removed Donald Trump from office.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-07-12--Pelosi Hammers Trump And DeVos For Messing With The Health Of Kids

Speaker Pelosi said that Trump and Betsy DeVos are guilty of malfeasance and dereliction of duty for trying to unsafely force kids back to school .
Speaker Pelosi said on CNN ’ s State Of The Union after Betsy DeVos refused to say that it is safe for kids to go back to school : I think what we heard from the secretary was malfeasance and dereliction of duty .
They are messing with the health of our children .
We all want our children to go back to school .
Teachers do , parents do , and children do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And when you hear what the administration is saying , we know that they have no appreciation for the failure that has brought us to this point .
Going back to school presents the biggest risk for the spread of the coronavirus .
They ignore science and they ignore governance in order to make this happen .
If there are CDC guidelines , they should be requirements .
But most importantly , most importantly , and I hope the Republicans will join us .
We have to call upon the president to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can have the PPE , the personal protective equipment , as well as the testing equipment and the equipment to evaluate the testing .
No one ’ s taking a test if it ’ s going to take seven days to find out whether you ’ re positive or negative .
All of these things are central to controlling this virus and essential to whether our children go back to school safely .
Trump and his supporters try to frame the issue as black and white , either schools are opened or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to open schools safely that Trump and his administration are ignoring .
It involves lots of testing , PPE , and enforcing safety measures .
Speaker Pelosi is right .
Trump has learned nothing and is making the same mistakes as he is pushing to schools to open because he thinks it will help him politically even as he endangers kids .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Speaker Pelosi said that Trump and Betsy DeVos are guilty of malfeasance and dereliction of duty for trying to unsafely force kids back to school.
Speaker Pelosi said on CNN’s State Of The Union after Betsy DeVos refused to say that it is safe for kids to go back to school:
I think what we heard from the secretary was malfeasance and dereliction of duty. They are messing with the health of our children. We all want our children to go back to school. Teachers do, parents do, and children do. But they must go back safely. And when you hear what the administration is saying, we know that they have no appreciation for the failure that has brought us to this point.
Going back to school presents the biggest risk for the spread of the coronavirus. They ignore science and they ignore governance in order to make this happen. If there are CDC guidelines, they should be requirements. But most importantly, most importantly, and I hope the Republicans will join us. We have to call upon the president to implement the defense production act so that we can have the PPE, the personal protective equipment, as well as the testing equipment and the equipment to evaluate the testing.
No one’s taking a test if it’s going to take seven days to find out whether you’re positive or negative. All of these things are central to controlling this virus and essential to whether our children go back to school safely.
Video of Speaker Pelosi:
Speaker Pelosi says Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos are messing with the health of children with their pressure campaign to reopen schools. pic.twitter.com/NRrPhGDwjD — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) July 12, 2020
Trump and his supporters try to frame the issue as black and white, either schools are opened or closed, but there is a smarter way to open schools safely that Trump and his administration are ignoring. It involves lots of testing, PPE, and enforcing safety measures.
Speaker Pelosi is right. Trump has learned nothing and is making the same mistakes as he is pushing to schools to open because he thinks it will help him politically even as he endangers kids.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-07-12--Betsy DeVos Refuses To Say It’s Safe To Go Back To School In Disaster Interview

Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos refused to answer a simple yes or no question and assure parents , teachers , and students that it is safe to go back to school .
CNN ’ s Dana Bash asked on State Of The Union , “ The number of new cases per day is higher now in 45 of the 50 states than when schools shut down in March .
Hospitalizations are climbing in several states .
Some ICUs are at or near capacity .
So , yes or no ?
Can you assure students , teachers , parents , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re going back to school ?
” DeVos answered , “ Well , the key is that kids have to get back to school .
We know there are going to be hot spots , and those need to be dealt with on a case-by-case basis .
But the rule should be that kids go back to school this fall .
They ’ ve been missing months of learning .
Many of them are going to be so far behind , it ’ s going to be difficult to catch up .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their health in a multitude of factors or multitude of dimensions .
We know that their emotional well-being , their mental well-being .
Particularly kids from low-income and vulnerable populations , this is devastating to be out of school and not learning for months on end.
” Bash asked again , “ Madam Secretary , I don ’ t think anybody disagrees with that .
I ’ m a parent .
I want my school-aged child to go back to school as much as you are saying you want for everybody .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ safely ?
So , by saying what you just said also assure parents , students , children , everybody who ’ s there that they ’ re going to be able to do so safely ?
” DeVos still wouldn ’ t assure people that it is safe , “ Well , we know that children get the virus at a far lower rate than any other part of the and , again , there is nothing in the data that would suggest that kids being back in school is dangerous to them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s more a matter of their health and well-being that they be back in school .
We ’ ve seen this in other countries in Europe and elsewhere in the world where students have gone back to school and have done so very that should be the goal.
” Bash hit DeVos with reality , “ We do know that children can spread the virus .
For example , there was a summer camp in Missouri , which closed after 82 campers and staff tested positive .
Texas says more than 1,300 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested positive .
And here ’ s what the CDC guidelines say .
If children meet in groups , it can put everyone at risk .
Children can pass this virus onto others who have an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 .
That ’ s your own federal government ’ s guidelines.
” The Trump administration knows that it is not safe for kids to go back to school .
They don ’ t care that it is not safe , because they are trying to pretend like the pandemic is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normal ahead of the election .
The reality is that where there is any large indoor gathering the virus spreads .
Betsy DeVos knows this , so even the Secretary of Education refused to say that it is safe for kids to return to school .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos refused to answer a simple yes or no question and assure parents, teachers, and students that it is safe to go back to school.
CNN’s Dana Bash asked on State Of The Union, “The number of new cases per day is higher now in 45 of the 50 states than when schools shut down in March. Hospitalizations are climbing in several states. Some ICUs are at or near capacity. So, yes or no? Can you assure students, teachers, parents, that they will not get coronavirus because they’re going back to school?”
DeVos answered, “Well, the key is that kids have to get back to school. We know there are going to be hot spots, and those need to be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. But the rule should be that kids go back to school this fall. They’ve been missing months of learning. Many of them are going to be so far behind, it’s going to be difficult to catch up. And we know this is a matter of their health in a multitude of factors or multitude of dimensions. We know that their emotional well-being, their mental well-being. Particularly kids from low-income and vulnerable populations, this is devastating to be out of school and not learning for months on end.”
Bash asked again, “Madam Secretary, I don’t think anybody disagrees with that. I’m a parent. I want my school-aged child to go back to school as much as you are saying you want for everybody. But the question is can it happen safely? So, by saying what you just said also assure parents, students, children, everybody who’s there that they’re going to be able to do so safely?”
Video:
Betsy DeVos won't answer the question when she was asked to assure parents, students, and teachers that it's safe to return to school, which means that the Trump administration knows it's not safe, but they're pressuring to resume school anyway. pic.twitter.com/6LOFPGyNgw — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) July 12, 2020
DeVos still wouldn’t assure people that it is safe, “Well, we know that children get the virus at a far lower rate than any other part of the and, again, there is nothing in the data that would suggest that kids being back in school is dangerous to them. And, in fact, it’s more a matter of their health and well-being that they be back in school. We’ve seen this in other countries in Europe and elsewhere in the world where students have gone back to school and have done so very that should be the goal.”
Bash hit DeVos with reality, “We do know that children can spread the virus. For example, there was a summer camp in Missouri, which closed after 82 campers and staff tested positive. Texas says more than 1,300 children and employees in a childcare facility tested positive. And here’s what the CDC guidelines say. If children meet in groups, it can put everyone at risk. Children can pass this virus onto others who have an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19. That’s your own federal government’s guidelines.”
The Trump administration knows that it is not safe for kids to go back to school. They don’t care that it is not safe, because they are trying to pretend like the pandemic is gone, and life is back to normal ahead of the election.
The reality is that where there is any large indoor gathering the virus spreads. Betsy DeVos knows this, so even the Secretary of Education refused to say that it is safe for kids to return to school.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-07-13--White House Accused of “Orchestrating Hit Job” Against Dr. Fauci’s Reptuation

Critics have accused the Trump administration of trying to smear Dr. Anthony Fauci after the White House released anti-Fauci talking points over the weekend .
A White House official released a statement to CNN criticizing Fauci and providing a list of his mistakes .
The move come as the administration is apparently trying to discredit him .
“ The White House orchestrating a hit job on one of the country ’ s most respected public health officials in the middle of a pandemic isn ’ t just dangerous and repugnant – it ’ s one of the politically stupider moves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , ” former Obama speechwriter Jon Favreau wrote on Twitter .
Democratic Rep. Ted Lieu shared Favreau ’ s tweet and expressed the same sentiment .
“ Dear Donald Trump : You know who gives the same advice about # Covid_19 as Dr. Fauci ?
Your Surgeon General & your CDC Director , ” Lieu said .
” If you don ’ t agree with them , then fire them all.
” On Sunday , the administrion ’ s testing czar , Adm. Brett Giroir , criticized Fauci on NBC ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Fauci a lot , but Dr. Fauci is not 100 percent right , and he also doesn ’ t necessarily — he admits that — have the whole national interest in mind , ” Giroir said .
“ He looks at it from a very narrow public health point of view.
” Further attacks on Dr. Fauci could materialize as President Trump pushes for the reopening of schools and continues to downplay the dangers posed by Covid-19 .

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Critics have accused the Trump administration of trying to smear Dr. Anthony Fauci after the White House released anti-Fauci talking points over the weekend.
A White House official released a statement to CNN criticizing Fauci and providing a list of his mistakes. The move come as the administration is apparently trying to discredit him.
“The White House orchestrating a hit job on one of the country’s most respected public health officials in the middle of a pandemic isn’t just dangerous and repugnant – it’s one of the politically stupider moves they’ve made in a long time,” former Obama speechwriter Jon Favreau wrote on Twitter.
Democratic Rep. Ted Lieu shared Favreau’s tweet and expressed the same sentiment.
“Dear Donald Trump : You know who gives the same advice about #Covid_19 as Dr. Fauci? Your Surgeon General& your CDC Director,” Lieu said.
Dear @realDonaldTrump: You know who gives the same advice about #Covid_19 as Dr. Fauci? Your @Surgeon_General & your @CDCDirector. If you don’t agree with them, then fire them all. Otherwise get out of the way so we can listen to their expert medical advice. Lives are at stake. https://t.co/2ayWwSN3v2 — Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) July 13, 2020
” If you don’t agree with them, then fire them all.”
On Sunday, the administrion’s testing czar, Adm. Brett Giroir, criticized Fauci on NBC’s Meet the Press.
“I respect Dr. Fauci a lot, but Dr. Fauci is not 100 percent right, and he also doesn’t necessarily — he admits that — have the whole national interest in mind,” Giroir said.
“He looks at it from a very narrow public health point of view.”
Further attacks on Dr. Fauci could materialize as President Trump pushes for the reopening of schools and continues to downplay the dangers posed by Covid-19.
Follow Darragh Roche on Twitter


politicususa--2020-07-13--Trump Election Rigging Backfires As GOP Pollster Shows Him With 15% Of Swing State Mail Vote

Trump ’ s attacks on mail-in voting are working on his own party .
A GOP pollster found Republicans only getting 15 % of the mail-in vote in a swing state .
Trump has created a huge problem for Republicans .
Many swing state Republican Parties count on mail-in or absentee voting to build up a lead at the polls .
The Republican Party , especially under Trump , skews older , and those voters benefit from voting by mail most of all .
Donald Trump has been railing against vote by mail for months , and what Republican strategists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the state level was that the President ’ s attacks and misinformation would backfire and cause Republicans not to vote by mail .
It appears that is exactly what is happening in critical swing states .
It happened during the Pennsylvania primary , and it is certain to happen elsewhere .
Trump is attacking mail-in voting because he can ’ t win a large turnout election , but the vote that he is suppressing in November may turn out to be his own supporters .
For more discussion about this story join @ @ @ @ @ @ @

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Trump’s attacks on mail-in voting are working on his own party. A GOP pollster found Republicans only getting 15% of the mail-in vote in a swing state.
Glen Bolger tweeted:
Yikes — just finished a statewide survey in a swing state. The quarter of the voters who plan to vote by mail or absentee break 15% Trump/75% Biden on the Pres. ballot. Republicans are skeptical about voting by mail, and that's a problem up and down ballot. — Glen Bolger (@posglen) July 13, 2020
Trump has created a huge problem for Republicans. Many swing state Republican Parties count on mail-in or absentee voting to build up a lead at the polls. The Republican Party, especially under Trump, skews older, and those voters benefit from voting by mail most of all.
Donald Trump has been railing against vote by mail for months, and what Republican strategists have been afraid of both nationally and at the state level was that the President’s attacks and misinformation would backfire and cause Republicans not to vote by mail.
It appears that is exactly what is happening in critical swing states. It happened during the Pennsylvania primary, and it is certain to happen elsewhere. Trump is attacking mail-in voting because he can’t win a large turnout election, but the vote that he is suppressing in November may turn out to be his own supporters.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-07-13--Biden Stands Strong With Fauci In The Face Of Flailing Trump Smears

The Biden campaign is strongly defending Dr. Anthony Fauci , as the Trump White House has mounted a smear campaign against the pandemic expert .
Andrew Bates of the Biden campaign told ABC News , “ The president ’ s disgusting attempt to pass the buck by blaming the top infectious disease expert in the country — whose advice he repeatedly ignored and Joe Biden consistently implored him to take — is yet another horrible and revealing failure of leadership as the tragic death toll continues to needlessly grow .
The White House is trying to smear Fauci because they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t want to hear the truth about the pandemic , because it goes against the White House and Republican strategy of pretending like the coronavirus isn ’ t surging across the United States .
Joe Biden will listen to the scientists and experts .
He will take their recommendations and implement them to help America beat this pandemic .
The Biden campaign is standing with science and all of America should come together to reject Trump ’ s science fiction and wishful thinking that is sickening our friends , neighbors , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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The Biden campaign is strongly defending Dr. Anthony Fauci, as the Trump White House has mounted a smear campaign against the pandemic expert.
Andrew Bates of the Biden campaign told ABC News, “The president’s disgusting attempt to pass the buck by blaming the top infectious disease expert in the country — whose advice he repeatedly ignored and Joe Biden consistently implored him to take — is yet another horrible and revealing failure of leadership as the tragic death toll continues to needlessly grow.
The White House is trying to smear Fauci because they want a yes man. Trump doesn’t want to hear the truth about the pandemic, because it goes against the White House and Republican strategy of pretending like the coronavirus isn’t surging across the United States.
Joe Biden will listen to the scientists and experts. He will take their recommendations and implement them to help America beat this pandemic.
The Biden campaign is standing with science and all of America should come together to reject Trump’s science fiction and wishful thinking that is sickening our friends, neighbors, and fellow citizens at an alarming rate.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-07-13--Trump Humiliates Himself By Claiming His Executive Orders Are Laws

Trump was back on his statues kick again and claimed that his executive orders are laws to protect monuments .
( They ’ re not ) .
Trump said , “ I will say that we put on a very powerful rule and law .
You get ten years if you knock down a monument .
If it ’ s a federal monument , you go to jail for ten years , and if it ’ s anything else , we tell them .
We work with the states to help them , but if you do anything where it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are a lot of them up there .
Nobody ’ s been attacked , nothing ’ s been attacked since we did ten years in jail monument or statue.
” Trump doesn ’ t know the difference between executive orders and laws .
A law is passed by Congress and signed by the president .
An executive only relates to the implementation of a law by the Executive Branch .
The president does not make laws .
It is embarrassing for the United States to have a president who doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are made .
If Joe Biden wins the election , one of his first acts in office will be to undo all of Trump ’ s executive orders .
Since Trump has no major legislative legacy beyond a failed tax cut , the Trump presidency will virtually vanish from a policy perspective when Biden undoes Trump ’ s executive orders .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Trump was back on his statues kick again and claimed that his executive orders are laws to protect monuments. (They’re not).
Trump said, “I will say that we put on a very powerful rule and law. You get ten years if you knock down a monument. If it’s a federal monument, you go to jail for ten years, and if it’s anything else, we tell them. We work with the states to help them, but if you do anything where it’s a federal monument, and there are a lot of them up there. Nobody’s been attacked, nothing’s been attacked since we did ten years in jail monument or statue.”
Video:
Trump thinks he can make laws by executive order (he can't) pic.twitter.com/BSlwJUyy5A — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 13, 2020
Trump doesn’t know the difference between executive orders and laws. A law is passed by Congress and signed by the president. An executive only relates to the implementation of a law by the Executive Branch. The president does not make laws.
It is embarrassing for the United States to have a president who doesn’t understand what a law is and laws are made.
If Joe Biden wins the election, one of his first acts in office will be to undo all of Trump’s executive orders. Since Trump has no major legislative legacy beyond a failed tax cut, the Trump presidency will virtually vanish from a policy perspective when Biden undoes Trump’s executive orders.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-07-13--Ted Cruz Under Investigation For Not Wearing A Mandatory Mask On Flight

American Airlines has announced that they are investigating Sen. Ted Cruz ( R-TX ) after he was caught not wearing a mandatory mask on a flight .
Here is Cruz on the flight with no mask : Here is the American Airlines mask policy and Sen. Cruz outside of the gate with no mask : American Airlines has stated that they are investigating the incident , while Sen. Cruz ’ s office claimed that he was following the policy : Cruz went the entire flight without a mask : American Airlines has banned other passengers for refusing to wear a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was done as Ted Cruz violated the policy and flew without a mask .
When Sen. Cruz or any other person decides not to wear a mask , they are not only potentially harming themselves , they could also sicken or kill the people around them .
It is their height of irresponsibility not to wear a mask when flying .
If American Airlines is going to ban other , non-famous , passengers for not wearing a mask , they must also ban Sen. Ted Cruz for ignoring their policy and risking the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees and other customers .

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American Airlines has announced that they are investigating Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) after he was caught not wearing a mandatory mask on a flight.
Here is Cruz on the flight with no mask:
Captured today at 10:45am — @TedCruz on a commercial flight, refusing to wear a mask. pic.twitter.com/h8DM7J4CMi — Hosseh (@hossehenad) July 13, 2020
Here is the American Airlines mask policy and Sen. Cruz outside of the gate with no mask:
For those trying to argue that he was drinking, it's not hard to have a mask on and undo one side to take a sip then put it back on. Most people take their time drinking coffee. Also, here's a photo of him sitting outside the gate: pic.twitter.com/C7cbm3pQH0 — Hosseh (@hossehenad) July 13, 2020
American Airlines has stated that they are investigating the incident, while Sen. Cruz’s office claimed that he was following the policy:
A spokesperson for @tedcruz says the Senator put his mask back on after he finished his drink. The statement does not mention anything about why the Senator was seen without a mask the terminal. @wfaa https://t.co/49z8fceEAM pic.twitter.com/WrPanunMhy — Ryan Wood (@RyanWoodDFW) July 13, 2020
Cruz went the entire flight without a mask:
And I just confirmed that none of the American flight attendants on the flight said anything to Cruz about him not wearing a mask, in clear violation of American’s rules. — John Aravosis 🇺🇸🇬🇷🏳🌈 (@aravosis) July 13, 2020
American Airlines has banned other passengers for refusing to wear a mask on a flight, but nothing was done as Ted Cruz violated the policy and flew without a mask.
When Sen. Cruz or any other person decides not to wear a mask, they are not only potentially harming themselves, they could also sicken or kill the people around them. It is their height of irresponsibility not to wear a mask when flying.
If American Airlines is going to ban other, non-famous, passengers for not wearing a mask, they must also ban Sen. Ted Cruz for ignoring their policy and risking the lives and health of American’s employees and other customers.


politicususa--2020-07-13--Pelosi Calls Trump’s Bluff And Tells Him That He Can’t Cut Education Funding

Speaker Pelosi said that Trump doesn ’ t have the power to cut education funding and accused him of trying to unsafely open schools .
During an interview on MSNBC with Craig Melvin , Speaker Pelosi said : We can not say to kids , well , go to school , you might get sick and take it home .
Because they ’ re the biggest risk , the biggest risk to the spread of the pandemic is opening up the schools in a way that is not safe .
It ’ s not safe .
So , if we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we shouldn ’ t be opening up to more arena to spread .
We should use this as an opportunity for our children , put the resources in , we know what needs to be done , the resources are there to do it .
Again , it addresses many disparities in our education system .
And when the administration talks about cutting all federal funds , which they really can ’ t do , the federal funds are mostly for children in economically disadvantaged areas , title 1 .
They ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re for homeless children .
There are other things , teacher training and the rest .
But they ’ re hitting right , again , at the disparity in education when they say that .
You have to wonder if they really do believe in public education , which is the basis of a democracy .
No one should expect a functionally illiterate president who has gotten by for his entire life on his father ’ s money to understand or prioritize the value of education .
It feels like we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the Trump administration .
Congress controls the power of the purse .
Trump can ’ t unilaterally cut funding or redirect appropriated funds for his own purposes .
The federal government only contributes 8.3 % of education funding , and as Pelosi noted most of that money goes to poor , disabled , and disadvantaged students .
Trump may think that he can cut education funding .
He can ’ t , and Speaker Pelosi just called him out on it .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow @ @ @ @

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Speaker Pelosi said that Trump doesn’t have the power to cut education funding and accused him of trying to unsafely open schools.
During an interview on MSNBC with Craig Melvin, Speaker Pelosi said:
We cannot say to kids, well, go to school, you might get sick and take it home. Because they’re the biggest risk, the biggest risk to the spread of the pandemic is opening up the schools in a way that is not safe. It’s not safe. So, if we’re going to defeat this pandemic, we shouldn’t be opening up to more arena to spread. We should use this as an opportunity for our children, put the resources in, we know what needs to be done, the resources are there to do it.
Again, it addresses many disparities in our education system. And when the administration talks about cutting all federal funds, which they really can’t do, the federal funds are mostly for children in economically disadvantaged areas, title 1. They’re for children with disabilities. They’re for homeless children. There are other things, teacher training and the rest. But they’re hitting right, again, at the disparity in education when they say that. You have to wonder if they really do believe in public education, which is the basis of a democracy.
Video of Pelosi:
Speaker Pelosi calls out Trump's empty threat to cut education funding, which he can't do, and notes that when Trump talks about cutting education funds, he is talking about cutting funding to poor, disabled, and homeless students. pic.twitter.com/SboZybfmCk — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) July 13, 2020
No one should expect a functionally illiterate president who has gotten by for his entire life on his father’s money to understand or prioritize the value of education.
It feels like we have been over this roughly 3 billion times during the Trump administration. Congress controls the power of the purse. Trump can’t unilaterally cut funding or redirect appropriated funds for his own purposes. The federal government only contributes 8.3% of education funding, and as Pelosi noted most of that money goes to poor, disabled, and disadvantaged students.
Trump may think that he can cut education funding. He can’t, and Speaker Pelosi just called him out on it.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-07-13--Nancy Pelosi Wants to Limit Trump’s Pardon Power Following Roger Stone Commutation

Nancy Pelosi will try to limit the President ’ s power to pardon people and commute sentences following Donald Trump ’ s decision to commute Roger Stone ’ s jail term .
The Speaker of the House expressed her anger with Trump ’ s actions over the weekend .
She now wants to pass new legislation to prevent him doing the same thing again .
“ President Trump ’ s decision to commute the sentence of top campaign advisor Roger Stone , who could directly implicate him in criminal misconduct , is an act of staggering corruption , ” Pelosi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take action to prevent this type of brazen wrongdoing .
” “ Legislation is needed to ensure that no President can pardon or commute the sentence of an individual who is engaged in a cover-up campaign to shield that President from criminal prosecution , ” she said .
The California Democrat also condemned Trump ’ s actions on Sunday .
She was speaking to CNN ’ s State of the Union .
“ It ’ s staggering corruption , but I think it ’ s important for people also to know it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Pelosi said .
“ The whole impeachment process was about our national security , ” she said .
“ Why we are at the Supreme Court on these cases was to find out about the Russian connection , and we will continue to pursue that .
This case was about the Russian connection.
” “ People should know this isn ’ t just about lying to Congress , that means lying to the American people , and witness tampering and the rest .
It ’ s about our national security , ” @ @ @ @

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Nancy Pelosi will try to limit the President’s power to pardon people and commute sentences following Donald Trump’s decision to commute Roger Stone’s jail term.
The Speaker of the House expressed her anger with Trump’s actions over the weekend. She now wants to pass new legislation to prevent him doing the same thing again.
“President Trump’s decision to commute the sentence of top campaign advisor Roger Stone, who could directly implicate him in criminal misconduct, is an act of staggering corruption,” Pelosi said on Saturday.
“Congress will take action to prevent this type of brazen wrongdoing. ”
“Legislation is needed to ensure that no President can pardon or commute the sentence of an individual who is engaged in a cover-up campaign to shield that President from criminal prosecution,” she said.
Watch Pelosi discuss the suggested legislation:
Speaker Pelosi: "We will have legislation that says a President cannot commute or pardon or offer clemency to anybody who commits a crime, is convicted of a crime, that affects the President's behavior and his culpability." pic.twitter.com/q91uMBvsyy — The Hill (@thehill) July 13, 2020
The California Democrat also condemned Trump’s actions on Sunday. She was speaking to CNN’s State of the Union.
“It’s staggering corruption, but I think it’s important for people also to know it’s a threat to national security,” Pelosi said.
“The whole impeachment process was about our national security,” she said.
“Why we are at the Supreme Court on these cases was to find out about the Russian connection, and we will continue to pursue that. This case was about the Russian connection.”
“People should know this isn’t just about lying to Congress, that means lying to the American people, and witness tampering and the rest. It’s about our national security,” the Speaker said.
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politicususa--2020-07-13--Kayleigh McEnany Tries To Discredit The Mueller Investigation As A Waste of America’s Time

Kayleigh McEnany has claimed that the Russia investigation was a waste of the country ’ s time and that it was based on a hoax .
She was responding to an op-ed from Robert Mueller .
The former Special Counsel wrote an article in The Washington Post defending his probe .
He also criticized the President for commuting Roger Stone ’ s sentence .
The White House Press Secretary spoke to Fox News on Wednesday and highlighted “ the fact that he had to defend his taxpayer-wasted investigation on taxpayer dollars , millions and millions wasted on a Russia hoax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What did Robert Mueller have to do to justify his investigation , a waste of taxpayer dollars , a waste of America ’ s time ?
” she asked .
“ He had to come up with process crimes which is exactly what was done in the case of Roger Stone.
” Stone was convicted by a jury on seven counts and sentenced to three years in prison .
President Trump and his allies have maintained that Stone was railroaded .
“ Adam Schiff was actually right , ” McEnany went on .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ system , he was just wrong on the facts.
” By contrast , Mueller has pointed out that “ the special counsel ’ s office identified two principal operations directed at our election : hacking and dumping Clinton campaign emails , and an online social media campaign to disparage the Democratic candidate.
” “ Stone was prosecuted and convicted because he committed federal crimes .
He remains a convicted felon , and rightly so .
”

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Kayleigh McEnany has claimed that the Russia investigation was a waste of the country’s time and that it was based on a hoax. She was responding to an op-ed from Robert Mueller.
The former Special Counsel wrote an article in The Washington Post defending his probe. He also criticized the President for commuting Roger Stone’s sentence.
The White House Press Secretary spoke to Fox News on Wednesday and highlighted “the fact that he had to defend his taxpayer-wasted investigation on taxpayer dollars, millions and millions wasted on a Russia hoax theory that found no collusion.”
“What did Robert Mueller have to do to justify his investigation, a waste of taxpayer dollars, a waste of America’s time?” she asked.
“He had to come up with process crimes which is exactly what was done in the case of Roger Stone.”
Stone was convicted by a jury on seven counts and sentenced to three years in prison. President Trump and his allies have maintained that Stone was railroaded.
“Adam Schiff was actually right,” McEnany went on. “We do have a two-tiered justice system, he was just wrong on the facts.”
“The two-tiered justice system completely discriminates against the Trump administration.”
By contrast, Mueller has pointed out that “the special counsel’s office identified two principal operations directed at our election: hacking and dumping Clinton campaign emails, and an online social media campaign to disparage the Democratic candidate.”
“Stone was prosecuted and convicted because he committed federal crimes. He remains a convicted felon, and rightly so.”
Follow Darragh Roche on Twitter